Wire harness

Abstract

To provide a wire harness capable of improving quality.SOLUTION: A wire harness 10 includes: a wire bundle 30 having multiple wires 20; and an adhesive tape 40 wound spirally around an outer periphery of the wire bundle 30. A twist amount of the wire bundle 30 is such a twist amount that a rotation amount of the wires 20 per 10 cm length along a length direction of the wire bundle 30 is within 2 rotations.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to wire harnesses. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, wire harnesses routed inside vehicles such as hybrid and electric vehicles are known to consist of a bundle of multiple wires and an adhesive tape that bundles the multiple wires together (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this type of wire harness, the tape wrapping operation, in which the adhesive tape is wrapped around the outer circumference of the bundle of wires, is performed using a tape wrapping device. In the tape wrapping operation using a tape wrapping device, the adhesive tape is wrapped spirally around the outer circumference of the bundle of wires while a constant tension is applied to the tape. By using a tape wrapping device, the tape wrapping operation can be automated and mechanized. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-304571 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] By the way, improvements in quality are desired for the above-mentioned wire harness. The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a wire harness that can improve quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The wire harness of this disclosure comprises a wire bundle having a plurality of electric wires, and an adhesive tape spirally wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle, wherein the amount of twist of the wire bundle is such that the amount of rotation of the electric wires per 10 cm along the length direction of the wire bundle is 2 rotations or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The wire harness described herein has the effect of improving quality. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic plan view showing an adhesive tape according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic plan view showing an adhesive tape according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an adhesive tape according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing a tape winding device according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic front view showing the main body of a tape winding device according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a schematic front view showing the main body of a tape winding device according to one embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a schematic front view showing the main body of a tape winding device according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a schematic front view showing the main body of a tape winding device according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a tape winding method using a tape winding device according to one embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view showing a wire harness when tape is wound using a conventional tape winding device. [Figure 15]FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view showing an adhesive tape when wound using a conventional tape winding device. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing an adhesive tape when wound using a conventional tape winding device. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view showing an adhesive tape of a comparative example.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The wire harness of the present disclosure includes a wire bundle having a plurality of electric wires and an adhesive tape spirally wound around the outer periphery of the wire bundle, and the amount of twist of the wire bundle is such that the amount of rotation of the electric wires per 10 cm in the length direction of the wire bundle is within 2 rotations.

[0009] According to this configuration, the amount of twist of the wire bundle is within 2 rotations / 10 cm, and the amount of twist of the wire bundle is reduced. Thereby, it is possible to suitably suppress the shortening of the dimension in the length direction of the wire bundle due to the twist of the wire bundle, and the quality of the wire harness can be improved.

[0010] [2] In the above [1], each of the plurality of electric wires may be an electric wire having a conductor cross-sectional area of 5 mm 2 or less. According to this configuration, even if each electric wire constituting the wire bundle is a thin wire that is likely to be twisted, the amount of twist of the wire bundle can be suppressed to be small. Thereby, even if each electric wire constituting the wire bundle is a thin wire, it is possible to suitably suppress the shortening of the dimension in the length direction of the wire bundle due to the twist of the wire bundle.

[0011] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the wire bundle may be composed of two of the electric wires. This configuration allows for minimizing the amount of twisting in a wire bundle, even when the bundle is composed of two wires, which are most prone to twisting. This effectively prevents the length of the wire bundle from being shortened due to twisting, even when the bundle consists of only two wires.

[0012] [4] In any of the above [1] to [3], the end face in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape is a cut surface, and the cut surface may extend linearly along a first direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape.

[0013] With this configuration, the end face in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape is formed into a straight, linear cut surface. Therefore, the quality of the cut surface can be improved compared to the cut surface when the adhesive tape is cut manually by an operator.

[0014] [5] In the above [4], the cut surface has a first end and a second end in the first direction, and the protruding length of the cut surface, which is the length between the first end and the second end that is along the length direction of the adhesive tape, may be 5 mm or less.

[0015] This configuration allows the protrusion length of the cut surface to be kept to 5 mm or less, preventing unintended stretching of the adhesive tape at the cut surface. As a result, the quality of the cut surface can be improved compared to when the adhesive tape is cut manually by an operator.

[0016] [6] In any of the above [1] to [5], the adhesive tape has a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width smaller than the first width, wherein the second width may be 0.5 times or more and less than 1 time the length of the first width.

[0017] This configuration allows the difference in tape width between the first and second parts to be kept within 50%. This reduces the variation in tape width in the adhesive tape to within 50%.

[0018] [7] In the above [6], the first portion has a first thickness, and the second portion has a second thickness that is smaller than the first thickness, and the second thickness may be 0.5 times or more and less than 1 time the thickness of the first thickness.

[0019] This configuration allows the difference in tape thickness between the first and second parts to be kept within 50%. This reduces the variation in tape thickness in the adhesive tape to within 50%.

[0020] [8] In the above [6] or [7], the first portion may have a larger dimension along the length of the adhesive tape than the second portion. This configuration allows the length of the second portion with the smaller tape width to be shorter than that of the first portion. As a result, the area of ​​the second portion with the smaller tape width can be reduced in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape.

[0021] [9] In any of the above [6] to [8], the adhesive tape has a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions, the first portions and second portions are arranged alternately one by one along the length of the adhesive tape, the adhesive tape is wound spirally multiple times around the outer circumference of the wire bundle, the plurality of first portions are provided at the same positions in the circumferential direction of the wire bundle, and the plurality of second portions may be provided at the same positions in the circumferential direction of the wire bundle.

[0022] In this configuration, the adhesive tape is wrapped spirally around the outer circumference of the wire bundle multiple times. At this time, each of the first and second parts is always positioned in the same location in the circumferential direction of the wire bundle. As a result, the quality of wrapping the adhesive tape around the outer circumference of the wire bundle can be improved.

[0023]

[10] In any of the above [1] to [9], the adhesive tape may be wound spirally around the outer circumference of the wire bundle at a constant pitch. With this configuration, the adhesive tape is wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle at a constant pitch. Therefore, when wrapping the adhesive tape spirally so that predetermined portions of the tape overlap in the width direction, the adhesive tape can be wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle in such a way that the overlap width of the adhesive tape is constant. This improves the quality of the wrapping of the adhesive tape around the outer circumference of the wire bundle.

[0024] Here, "constant pitch" as used in this specification includes not only cases where there is no error relative to the standard pitch (design value), but also cases where there is an error of approximately ±5 mm relative to the standard pitch. [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the wire harnesses of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, some parts of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified for the sake of explanation. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "parallel," "orthogonal," "full length," and "full circumference" include not only cases where they are strictly parallel, orthogonal, full length, or full circumference, but also cases where they are approximately parallel, orthogonal, full length, or full circumference within the range that produces the effects of this embodiment. Also, in this specification, "constant" includes not only cases where they are exactly constant, but also cases where there is some variation within the range that produces the effects of this embodiment. In this specification, terms such as "first," "second," etc., attached to each configuration are convenient indicators used to distinguish each configuration, and do not rank the configurations unless otherwise specified. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included.

[0025] (Vehicle 1 configuration) As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 1 has a plurality of electrical devices 2 and 3, and a wire harness 10 that electrically connects the plurality of electrical devices 2 and 3. Examples of electrical devices 2 and 3 include a battery, inverter, motor, air conditioner system, turn signal system, and airbag system.

[0026] (Configuration of wire harness 10) As shown in Figure 2, the wire harness 10 comprises a wire bundle 30 having multiple wires 20 and adhesive tape 40 wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30. In this embodiment, the wire bundle 30 has two wires 20. The wire bundle 30 is formed in a long shape. The wire bundle 30 is formed to be bent in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape, for example, according to the routing path of the wire harness 10. The wire bundle 30 may also be branched, for example, in the middle of the length of the wire harness 10.

[0027] (Configuration of the 20 electric wires) Each wire 20 is a covered wire having a core wire 21 made of a conductor and an insulating coating 22 that surrounds the outer circumference of the core wire 21 and has electrical insulating properties. Each wire 20 is a low-voltage wire capable of handling low voltages of, for example, about 12V. Each wire 20 may be, for example, a non-shielded wire that does not have an electromagnetic shielding structure, or a shielded wire that has an electromagnetic shielding structure. Each wire 20 in this embodiment is a non-shielded wire.

[0028] As the core wire 21, for example, a stranded wire made by twisting together multiple metal strands or a single core wire consisting of a single conductor can be used. As a single core wire, for example, a columnar conductor consisting of a single columnar metal rod with a solid internal structure or a cylindrical conductor with a hollow internal structure can be used. In addition, a combination of stranded wire, columnar conductor, and cylindrical conductor may be used as the core wire 21. As the material of the core wire 21, for example, copper-based or aluminum-based metal materials can be used.

[0029] The insulating coating 22 covers the outer surface of the core wire 21 around its entire circumference. The insulating coating 22 is made of, for example, an insulating resin material. The cross-sectional shape obtained by cutting each wire 20 with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of each wire 20, that is, the cross-sectional shape of each wire 20, can be formed into any shape. The cross-sectional shape of each wire 20 can be formed into, for example, a circular shape, a semicircular shape, a polygonal shape, or a flattened shape. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of each wire 20 is formed into a circular shape.

[0030] Each wire 20 is, for example, a thin wire with a small conductor cross-sectional area, that is, a cross-sectional area of the core wire 21. Here, the "thin wire" in this specification means a wire with a conductor cross-sectional area of 5 mm 2 (so-called 5 sq) or less. As each wire 20, it is preferable that the wire has a conductor cross-sectional area equal to or smaller than 0.35 mm 2 Here, a wire having the same conductor cross-sectional area as 0.35 mm 2 is a wire conforming to 0.35 sq in JIS standard or a wire conforming to AWG22 in the American wire gauge standard. Also, a wire having the same conductor cross-sectional area as 0.35 mm 2 may be a wire having a conductor cross-sectional area slightly larger than 0.35 mm 2 or may be a wire having a conductor cross-sectional area slightly smaller than 0.35 mm 2 As a wire having a conductor cross-sectional area smaller than 0.35 mm 2 , for example, a wire with a conductor cross-sectional area smaller than 0.35 sq in JIS standard (for example, a 0.13 sq wire) can be used. Also, as a wire having a conductor cross-sectional area smaller than 0.35 mm 2 , for example, a wire with a conductor cross-sectional area smaller than AWG22 in the American wire gauge standard (for example, an AWG26 wire) can be used. Each wire 20 of the present embodiment is a wire having a conductor cross-sectional area of 0.13 sq.

[0031] The outer diameter of the wire bundle 30 can be, for example, about 3 mm to 30 mm. The outer diameter of the wire bundle 30 of the present embodiment can be about 3 mm. Here, the "outer diameter of the A member" means the outer diameter in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the A member, that is, in the cross-section of the A member. Here, the cross-sectional shape of the A member is not limited to a perfect circle and may be a non-circular shape such as an ellipse, an oval, or a polygon. When the cross-sectional shape of the A member is non-circular, the "outer diameter of the A member" refers to the diameter of the circumscribed circle having the largest diameter among one or more circles circumscribing the non-circular cross-section of the A member. That is, the "outer diameter of the A member" in this specification refers to the longest distance between two points on the outer surface in the cross-section of the A member.

[0032] (Composition of adhesive tape 40) The adhesive tape 40 is formed in a long, strip-like shape. The adhesive tape 40 has a base material and an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the base material. The adhesive tape 40 is made of, for example, an elastic material. As the base material, for example, a resin material or paper can be used. As the resin material, for example, a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, a polyamide resin such as nylon, or polyvinyl chloride can be used.

[0033] The adhesive tape 40 is wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 so as to bundle together the multiple wires 20 that make up the wire bundle 30. The adhesive tape 40 is provided, for example, on a part of the length of the wire bundle 30. The adhesive tape 40 is provided so as to cover the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 in the circumferential direction. The adhesive tape 40 is wrapped spirally around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 along the length of the wire bundle 30 so as to face the wire bundle 30. The adhesive tape 40 is wrapped spirally around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 so as to overlap a part of the width of the adhesive tape 40. That is, the adhesive tape 40 has an overlap-wound structure. Here, the overlap-wound structure is a structure in which the adhesive tape 40 is wrapped spirally so that predetermined parts of the adhesive tape 40 in the width direction overlap. In the overlap-wound structure, the ratio of the width of the later wrapped portion to the total width of the earlier wrapped portion is called the overlap allowance. As an overlap winding method, for example, a half-wrap winding method can be used in which half the width of the tape material is overlapped. In the case of half-wrap winding, the overlap allowance is 1 / 2. The adhesive tape 40 of this embodiment has a half-wrap winding structure.

[0034] The adhesive tape 40 is wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30, for example, using a tape winding device 60 (see Figure 8, etc.), which will be described later. In other words, the adhesive tape 40 is wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 automatically and mechanically by the tape winding device 60, rather than by manual labor by an operator.

[0035] The adhesive tape 40 is wound spirally around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 at a constant pitch, for example. Here, the "pitch" of the adhesive tape 40 as used herein refers to the distance advanced in the longitudinal direction of the wire bundle 30 when the adhesive tape 40 completes one rotation around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30. In other words, the "pitch" of the adhesive tape 40 is the distance (interval) between the widthwise center of the i-th (i is a natural number greater than or equal to 1)th rotation of the adhesive tape 40 and the widthwise center of the (i+1)th rotation of the adhesive tape 40. Furthermore, the "constant pitch" as used herein includes not only cases where there is no error with respect to the reference pitch (design value), but also cases where there is an error (variation) of approximately ±5 mm with respect to the reference pitch. The smaller the error of the adhesive tape 40 with respect to the reference pitch, the better. In this embodiment, the pitch of the adhesive tape 40 is within the range of ±0.2 mm with respect to the reference pitch. The adhesive tape 40 is wound spirally around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30, for example, so that the overlap allowance in overlap winding is constant.

[0036] Next, the structure of the wire bundle 30 with the adhesive tape 40 wrapped around it will be described according to Figures 3 and 4. Figures 3 and 4 show examples of the structure of the wire bundle 30, respectively. Note that the adhesive tape 40 is depicted in perspective in Figures 3 and 4.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the wire bundle 30 has little twisting. Here, "twisting" of the wire bundle 30 refers to the deformation that occurs in the wire bundle 30 when it is rotated in a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the wire bundle 30. In the wire bundle 30 shown in Figure 3, no twisting occurs, and each wire 20 constituting the wire bundle 30 extends straight along the length direction of the wire bundle 30. In the wire bundle 30 shown in Figure 4, relatively small twisting occurs. As shown in Figure 4, in the wire bundle 30 where twisting occurs, the two wires 20 constituting the wire bundle 30 are twisted in a spiral. Specifically, in the wire bundle 30 where twisting occurs, each wire 20 constituting the wire bundle 30 rotates spirally along the length direction of the wire bundle 30, and the two wires 20 are twisted together.

[0038] The wire bundle 30 has a twist such that the amount of rotation of each wire 20 per 10 cm along the length of the wire bundle 30 is 2 rotations or less. That is, the amount of twist of the wire bundle 30 is 2 rotations or less per 10 cm. It is more preferable that the amount of twist of the wire bundle 30 is 1 rotation or less per 10 cm. Furthermore, the wire bundle 30 has a twist such that the twist pitch P1 in the wire bundle 30 is 5 cm or more. Here, "twist pitch P1 in the wire bundle 30" refers to the distance that the wires 20 constituting the wire bundle 30 advance in the length of the wire bundle 30 when they make one spiral rotation. It is more preferable that the twist pitch P1 in the wire bundle 30 is 10 cm or more.

[0039] Here, the amount of twist in the wire bundle 30 shown in Figure 3 is 0 turns / 10cm. Also, the twist pitch P1 (see Figure 4) in the wire bundle 30 shown in Figure 3 is 10cm or more. The amount of twist in the wire bundle 30 shown in Figure 4 is 2 turns / 10cm. Also, the twist pitch P1 in the wire bundle 30 shown in Figure 4 is 5cm.

[0040] Next, the structure of the adhesive tape 40 wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5, 6, and 7. Figures 5, 6, and 7 illustrate the structure of the adhesive tape 40 after it has been removed from the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30, in order to make the structure of the adhesive tape 40 wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 easier to understand. Figures 5 and 6 are schematic plan views showing the adhesive tape 40 after it has been removed from the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30. Figure 7 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the adhesive tape 40 after it has been removed from the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30.

[0041] The adhesive tape 40 has a length direction, a width direction perpendicular to the length direction in a plan view, and a thickness direction perpendicular to both the length direction and the width direction. In this specification, the length extending along the length direction of the adhesive tape 40 may be referred to as the "tape length," the length extending along the width direction of the adhesive tape 40 may be referred to as the "tape width," and the length extending along the thickness direction of the adhesive tape 40 may be referred to as the "tape thickness."

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, each end face in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape 40 is a cut surface 40A. That is, cut surfaces 40A are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape 40. A cut surface 40A is, for example, a surface where the adhesive tape 40 is cut in a straight line. The cut surface 40A extends linearly along a first direction D1 that intersects the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape 40. Here, the first direction D1 may be parallel to the width direction of the adhesive tape 40, or it may be intersecting the width direction of the adhesive tape 40. In this embodiment, the cut surface 40A of the adhesive tape 40 extends linearly along a first direction D1 that intersects the width direction of the adhesive tape 40.

[0043] The cut surface 40A has a first end 41 and a second end 42 in the first direction D1. The first end 41 is located at the position closest to the opposite cut surface 40A of each cut surface 40A. The second end 42 is located at the position furthest from the opposite cut surface 40A of each cut surface 40A. In this embodiment, the first end 41 is the end in the width direction of the adhesive tape 40. In this embodiment, the second end 42 is the end in the width direction of the adhesive tape 40. The protruding length PL1 of the cut surface 40A is 5 mm or less. Here, the protruding length PL1 of the cut surface 40A is the length along the length direction of the adhesive tape 40 of the length between the first end 41 and the second end 42. A smaller protruding length PL1 of each cut surface 40A is preferable. In this embodiment, the protruding length PL1 of each cut surface 40A is 0.2 mm or less.

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, the adhesive tape 40 has a first portion 51 having a first width W1 and a second portion 52 having a second width W2. The adhesive tape 40 has, for example, a plurality of first portions 51 and a plurality of second portions 52. The first width W1 is the tape width in the first portion 51 and is the length of the first portion 51 that extends along the width direction of the adhesive tape 40. The second width W2 is the tape width in the second portion 52 and is the length of the second portion 52 that extends along the width direction of the adhesive tape 40.

[0045] The second width W2 is smaller than the first width W1. The second width W2 is 0.5 times or more but less than 1 time the length of the first width W1. Preferably, the second width W2 is 0.8 times or more but less than 1 time the length of the first width W1. For example, if the second width W2 is 0.5 times the length of the first width W1, the variation in tape width over the entire length of the adhesive tape 40 can be kept to less than 50%. For example, if the second width W2 is 0.8 times the length of the first width W1, the variation in tape width over the entire length of the adhesive tape 40 can be kept to less than 20%.

[0046] The first width W1 in the first part 51 is the tape width of the adhesive tape 40 before it is wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30, that is, a length of 0.8 times or more and 1 time less than the original tape width of the adhesive tape 40. For example, if the first width W1 is 0.8 times the original tape width of the adhesive tape 40, the reduction in the tape width of the first part 51 relative to the original tape width of the adhesive tape 40 can be kept to less than 20%.

[0047] The first portion 51 has a larger length in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape 40 than, for example, the second portion 52. More specifically, the length of the first portion 51 along the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape 40, i.e., the tape length of the first portion 51, is greater than the length of the second portion 52 along the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape 40, i.e., the tape length of the second portion 52. The tape length of the first portion 51 is, for example, 1.5 times or more but less than 3.5 times the tape length of the second portion 52. Preferably, the tape length of the first portion 51 is, for example, 2.5 times or more but less than 3.5 times the tape length of the second portion 52.

[0048] The adhesive tape 40 is provided with one first portion 51 and one second portion 52 alternating along its length. In the adhesive tape 40, the first portion 51 and the second portion 52 are provided periodically along its length. That is, in the adhesive tape 40, the first portion 51 and the second portion 52 are provided alternately at predetermined periods P2. In one period P2, one first portion 51 and one second portion 52 are provided in sequence. Here, one period P2 corresponds to the length of one turn when the adhesive tape 40 is spirally wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30. That is, in the adhesive tape 40, one first portion 51 and one second portion 52 are provided in sequence for each spiral turn around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30. When such adhesive tape 40 is wrapped spirally around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 multiple times, the multiple first portions 51 are provided at the same positions relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the wire bundle 30, and the multiple second portions 52 are provided at the same positions relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the wire bundle 30. In other words, each of the first portions 51 and the second portions 52 is always provided at the same position relative to the circumferential direction of the wire bundle 30.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7, the first portion 51 has a first thickness T1. The second portion 52 has a second thickness T2. The first thickness T1 is the tape thickness in the first portion 51 and is the length of the first portion 51 that extends along the thickness direction of the adhesive tape 40. The second thickness T2 is the tape thickness in the second portion 52 and is the length of the second portion 52 that extends along the thickness direction of the adhesive tape 40.

[0050] The second thickness T2 is smaller than the first thickness T1. The second thickness T2 is 0.5 times or more but less than 1 time the thickness of the first thickness T1. Preferably, the second thickness T2 is 0.8 times or more but less than 1 time the thickness of the first thickness T1. For example, if the second thickness T2 is 0.5 times the thickness of the first thickness T1, the variation in tape thickness over the entire length of the adhesive tape 40 can be kept to less than 50%. For example, if the second thickness T2 is 0.8 times the thickness of the first thickness T1, the variation in tape thickness over the entire length of the adhesive tape 40 can be kept to less than 20%.

[0051] The first thickness T1 in the first part 51 is the thickness of the adhesive tape 40 before it is wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30, that is, a thickness of 0.8 times or more and 1 time less than the original thickness of the adhesive tape 40. For example, if the first thickness T1 is 0.8 times the original thickness of the adhesive tape 40, the reduction in the thickness of the tape of the first part 51 relative to the original thickness of the adhesive tape 40 can be kept to less than 20%.

[0052] (Method for manufacturing wire harness 10) Next, the manufacturing method of the wire harness 10 will be described in accordance with Figures 8 to 13. Here, the tape wrapping method for wrapping adhesive tape 40 around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 will be described in detail. The tape wrapping work of the adhesive tape 40 around the wire bundle 30 is carried out using the tape wrapping device 60 shown in Figures 8 to 13. Note that in Figures 9 to 13, for the sake of simplifying the drawings, multiple wires 20 in the wire bundle 30 are shown as one.

[0053] (Configuration of the tape winding device 60) First, let's describe the configuration of the tape winding device 60. As shown in Figure 8, the tape winding device 60 comprises a pair of holding members 61 that hold the wire bundle 30 horizontally, and a device body 62 that is movable along the length of the wire bundle 30. Although not shown in the figure, the tape winding device 60 also comprises a moving member for moving the device body 62. By adjusting the movement speed of the device body 62, the tape winding device 60 can spirally wind the adhesive tape 40 around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 so that a portion of the adhesive tape 40 overlaps in the width direction.

[0054] As shown in Figure 9, the main body of the device 62 includes a rotating part 70 that rotates around the wire bundle 30, a tape holding part 80 that rotatably holds the roll part 81 of the adhesive tape 40, and a rotating support part 90 that supports the rotating part 70. The roll part 81 is constructed, for example, by winding the adhesive tape 40 in multiple spirals around the outer circumference of an annular core member 82.

[0055] The rotating support portion 90 is formed, for example, as a frame that surrounds the outer circumference of the rotating portion 70 as a whole. The inner circumferential surface of the rotating support portion 90 is formed, for example, in an arc shape. The outer circumferential surface of the rotating support portion 90 is formed, for example, in an arc shape. The rotating support portion 90 has an opening 91 provided in a part of the circumferential direction of the rotating support portion 90. The opening 91 opens in the radial direction of the rotating support portion 90. The opening 91 is inclined, for example, such that the opening width decreases as it moves from the radially outward to the radially inward direction of the rotating support portion 90.

[0056] The rotating part 70 is configured to rotate around the wire bundle 30 by means of, for example, a motor (not shown). The rotating part 70 has a housing part 71 that can accommodate a portion of the wire bundle 30 in the longitudinal direction. The housing part 71 is formed in a U-shape when viewed from the front. The housing part 71 has a back wall part 72. The inner circumferential surface of the back wall part 72 is formed in an arc shape, for example. The housing part 71 has a guide part 73 that guides the wire bundle 30 towards the inside of the housing part 71, that is, toward the back wall part 72. The guide part 73 is inclined such that the opening width decreases from the radially outward to the radially inward direction of the rotating part 70. The wire bundle 30 is housed inside the housing part 71 such that, for example, the outer circumferential surface of the wire bundle 30 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the back wall part 72.

[0057] In the initial state of the tape winding device 60, that is, before the rotating part 70 begins to rotate, the guide part 73 of the housing part 71 is positioned so that it overlaps with the opening 91 of the rotation support part 90 when viewed from the front (open state). As shown in Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12, when the tape winding device 60 is in operation, the rotating part 70 rotates clockwise around the wire bundle 30. While the tape winding device 60 is in operation, except for the open state (see Figure 9), the guide part 73 of the housing part 71 is blocked by the rotation support part 90 (closed state) (see Figures 10 to 12).

[0058] The tape holding section 80 is provided on the rotating section 70. The tape holding section 80 is provided, for example, adjacent to the back wall section 72 of the storage section 71. As shown in Figures 10 to 12, it is configured to rotate around the wire bundle 30 as the rotating section 70 rotates. The tape holding section 80 rotatably holds the roll section 81 of the adhesive tape 40. Here, the tip of the pull-out section 40D of the adhesive tape 40, which is pulled out from the roll section 81, is adhered to the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30. When the pull-out section 40D of the adhesive tape 40 is pulled, the roll section 81 rotates counterclockwise around its central axis.

[0059] Next, a method for winding adhesive tape 40 using tape winding device 60 will be described. First, as shown in Figure 8, the wire bundle 30 is held horizontally by a pair of holding members 61. At this time, the main body of the device 62 is positioned, for example, to the side of the wire bundle 30 (i.e., in a direction intersecting the length direction of the wire bundle 30). Also, the rotating part 70 of the main body of the device 62 is set to the open state shown in Figure 9.

[0060] Next, as shown in Figure 9, the main body of the device 62 is set relative to the wire bundle 30. Specifically, the main body of the device 62 is moved toward the wire bundle 30, and the wire bundle 30 is introduced into the housing section 71 through the opening 91 and the guide section 73. The wire bundle 30 is introduced into the housing section 71 until it contacts the back wall 72 of the housing section 71.

[0061] Next, the tip of the adhesive tape 40 is attached to the outer surface of the wire bundle 30. Specifically, the tip of the pull-out portion 40D of the adhesive tape 40, which is pulled out from the roll portion 81, is attached to the outer surface of the wire bundle 30 that has been introduced up to the back wall portion 72 of the housing portion 71.

[0062] Next, the adhesive tape 40 is spirally wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30. Specifically, the device body 62 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the wire bundle 30 by a moving means (not shown), and the rotating part 70 is rotated around the wire bundle 30, thereby spirally wrapping the adhesive tape 40 around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30. At this time, by moving the device body 62 at a constant speed, the adhesive tape 40 can be spirally wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 at a constant pitch. Furthermore, by adjusting the moving speed of the device body 62, the adhesive tape 40 can be wrapped in an overlapping manner around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30, and the overlap amount in the overlapping wrapping can be adjusted.

[0063] In conventional tape winding devices, when wrapping adhesive tape 40 around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30, a large tension is always applied to the pull-out portion 40D drawn from the roll portion 81. That is, in all states shown in Figures 9 to 12, a large tension is applied to the pull-out portion 40D. In this case, the wire bundle 30 is subjected to a force that causes it to swing in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the wire bundle 30 (for example, the circumferential direction of the wire bundle 30) due to the tension of the adhesive tape 40. Therefore, when tape winding is performed using a conventional tape winding device, a force that causes the wire bundle 30 to swing in the circumferential direction is always applied to the wire bundle 30. As a result, as shown in Figure 14, a large twist occurs in the wire bundle 30. For example, when adhesive tape 40B is tape-wound using a conventional tape winding device, the amount of twist in the wire bundle 30 is about 5 rotations or more per 10 cm. In other words, when adhesive tape 40B is wrapped using a conventional tape winding device, the wire bundle 30 experiences a twist in which each wire 20 rotates 5 times or more per 10 cm along the length of the wire bundle 30. Such a large twist in the wire bundle 30 results in the problem of the length of the wire bundle 30 being shortened.

[0064] Furthermore, in tape winding operations using conventional tape winding devices, the pull-out section 40D is constantly pulled in the longitudinal direction between the wire bundle 30 and the roll section 81, resulting in a state of tension. When the pull-out section 40D is under tension, it elastically stretches in the longitudinal direction, and the tape width and thickness of the adhesive tape 40B decrease by the amount of this stretching.

[0065] More specifically, as shown in Figure 15, the tape width W3 of adhesive tape 40B wound using a conventional tape winding device is smaller than the tape width W4 of adhesive tape 40C, which is adhesive tape 40B before being wound around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30. The tape width W3 of adhesive tape 40B is smaller than the tape width W4 of adhesive tape 40C along the entire length of adhesive tape 40B. The tape width W3 of adhesive tape 40B is a constant width along the entire length of adhesive tape 40B. The tape width W3 of adhesive tape 40B is less than half of the original tape width W4 of adhesive tape 40C.

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16, the tape thickness T3 of the adhesive tape 40B wound using a conventional tape winding device is smaller than the tape thickness T4 of the adhesive tape 40C before it was wound around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30. The tape thickness T3 of the adhesive tape 40B is smaller than the tape thickness T4 of the adhesive tape 40C along the entire length of the adhesive tape 40B. The tape thickness T3 of the adhesive tape 40B is constant along the entire length of the adhesive tape 40B. The tape thickness T3 of the adhesive tape 40B is less than half of the original tape thickness T4 of the adhesive tape 40C.

[0067] In contrast, as shown in Figure 13, the tape winding device 60 of this embodiment is configured with a first section S1 in which a first tension is applied to the pull-out portion 40D of the adhesive tape 40, and a second section S2 in which a second tension different from the first tension is applied to the pull-out portion 40D. In the first section S1, a large first tension is applied to the pull-out portion 40D of the adhesive tape 40, similar to conventional tape winding devices. As a result, in the first section S1, the pull-out portion 40D is pulled in the longitudinal direction between the wire bundle 30 and the roll section 81, resulting in a taut state. In the second section S2, a second tension smaller than the first tension is applied to the pull-out portion 40D of the adhesive tape 40. That is, in the second section S2, the tension applied to the adhesive tape 40 is relaxed compared to the first section S1. As a result, in the second section S2, the tension on the pull-out portion 40D is released. As a result, in the second section S2, the force applied to the wire bundle 30 due to the tension of the adhesive tape 40, that is, the force causing the wire bundle 30 to swing in the circumferential direction, is smaller compared to the first section S1. Therefore, in the second section S2, the circumferential swing of each wire 20 in the wire bundle 30 can be effectively suppressed. As a result, twisting of the wire bundle 30 can be effectively suppressed. Thus, in the tape winding device 60 of this embodiment, twisting of the wire bundle 30 is suppressed by relaxing the tension applied to the adhesive tape 40 in the second section S2, which is part of the rotation range of the rotating section 70.

[0068] In the tape winding device 60, for example, approximately 1 / 4 of the rotation range of the rotating part 70 is set as the first section S1, and approximately 3 / 4 of the rotation range of the rotating part 70 is set as the second section S2. The size of each of the first section S1 and the second section S2 can be set arbitrarily. Here, the portion wound in the first section S1 becomes the second portion 52 of the adhesive tape 40 shown in Figures 6 and 7, and the portion wound in the second section S2 becomes the first portion 51 of the adhesive tape 40 shown in Figures 6 and 7. Therefore, the length of the first section S1 corresponds to the length of the second portion 52, and the length of the second section S2 corresponds to the length of the first portion 51.

[0069] More specifically, in the first section S1, the lead-out portion 40D is tensed in the longitudinal direction between the wire bundle 30 and the roll portion 81. When the lead-out portion 40D is tensed, it elastically stretches in the longitudinal direction, and the tape width and tape thickness of the adhesive tape 40 decrease by the amount of this stretching. As a result, the tape width and tape thickness in the second portion 52 decrease, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. On the other hand, in the second section S2, the tension applied to the lead-out portion 40D is released, and the tension on the lead-out portion 40D is released. Therefore, in the second section S2, the decrease in the tape width and tape thickness of the adhesive tape 40 is suppressed compared to the first section S1. As a result, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first width W1 of the first portion 51 becomes larger than the second width W2 of the second portion 52, and the first thickness T1 of the first portion 51 becomes larger than the second thickness T2 of the second portion 52.

[0070] As shown in Figure 8, the adhesive tape 40 is wrapped around the wire bundle 30 over a predetermined lengthwise area using the tape winding device 60 described above. Then, tension is applied to the pull-out portion 40D of the adhesive tape 40, and the tensed pull-out portion 40D is cut by a slide cutter (not shown). This completes the tape winding work. The slide cutter is provided, for example, on the main body 62 of the device. As shown in Figure 5, the cut surface 40A of the adhesive tape 40 cut by the slide cutter is a straight line across the surface where the adhesive tape 40 was cut.

[0071] Here, Figure 17 shows the cut surface 100A of the adhesive tape 100 when it is cut manually by a worker, that is, the cut surface 100A of the adhesive tape 100 of the comparative example. The cut surface 100A is formed when the adhesive tape 100 is pulled in the length direction by the worker. As a result, the adhesive tape 100 at the cut surface 100A is stretched, and the cut surface 100A is formed into an uneven shape. As a result, the protruding length PL2 of the cut surface 100A is larger than the protruding length PL1 of the cut surface 40A of the adhesive tape 40 of this embodiment (see Figure 5). In other words, the protruding length PL1 of the cut surface 40A of the adhesive tape 40 of this embodiment is smaller than the protruding length PL2 of the cut surface 100A of the adhesive tape 100 cut manually by a worker.

[0072] Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be explained. (1) The wire harness 10 comprises a wire bundle 30 having multiple electric wires 20, and an adhesive tape 40 spirally wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30. The amount of twist of the wire bundle 30 is such that the amount of rotation of the electric wires 20 per 10 cm along the length of the wire bundle 30 is 2 turns or less.

[0073] With this configuration, the amount of twisting of the wire bundle 30 is limited to 2 turns per 10 cm, resulting in a smaller amount of twisting of the wire bundle 30. This effectively suppresses the reduction in the length of the wire bundle 30 due to twisting, thereby improving the quality of the wire harness 10.

[0074] (2) Each of the multiple electric wires 20 has a conductor cross-sectional area of ​​5 mm 2The following are the wires. That is, each of the multiple wires 20 is a thin wire with a small conductor cross-sectional area. Here, when the wires 20 constituting the wire bundle 30 are thin wires, twisting is likely to occur in the wire bundle 30. Even when the wire bundle 30 is composed of such thin wires 20, the amount of twisting of the wire bundle 30 can be kept small, to within 2 turns / 10 cm. As a result, even if each wire 20 constituting the wire bundle 30 is a thin wire, it is possible to effectively suppress the reduction in the length dimension of the wire bundle 30 due to twisting of the wire bundle 30.

[0075] (3) The wire bundle 30 is composed of two wires 20. Here, the fewer the number of wires 20 that make up the wire bundle 30, the more likely the wire bundle 30 is to twist. For this reason, when the wire bundle 30 is composed of two wires 20, the wire bundle 30 is most likely to twist. Even when the wire bundle 30 is composed of two wires 20 that are most likely to twist, the amount of twist in the wire bundle 30 can be kept small, within 2 turns / 10 cm. As a result, even when the wire bundle 30 is composed of two wires 20, it is possible to effectively suppress the shortening of the length dimension of the wire bundle 30 due to twisting.

[0076] (4) The end face of the adhesive tape 40 in the longitudinal direction is formed as a straight, straight cut surface 40A. Therefore, the quality of the cut surface 40A of the adhesive tape 40 can be improved compared to the cut surface 100A when the adhesive tape 100 is cut manually by an operator. In other words, the quality of the cut surface 40A of the adhesive tape 40 can be improved compared to a cut surface 100A that has irregularities.

[0077] (5) The protruding length PL1 of the cut surface 40A is 5 mm or less. With this configuration, the protruding length PL1 of the cut surface 40A can be made smaller than the protruding length PL2 of the cut surface 100A when the adhesive tape 100 is cut manually by an operator. This prevents the adhesive tape 40 from being unintentionally stretched at the cut surface 40A. For this reason, the quality of the cut surface 40A of the adhesive tape 40 can be improved compared to the cut surface 100A when the adhesive tape 100 is cut manually by an operator.

[0078] (6) The adhesive tape 40 has a first portion 51 having a first width W1 and a second portion 52 having a second width W2 smaller than the first width W1. The length of the second width W2 is 0.5 times or more and less than 1 time of the first width W1. With this configuration, the difference in tape width between the first portion 51 and the second portion 52 can be kept within 50%. This makes it possible to keep the variation in tape width of the adhesive tape 40 within 50%. For this reason, when the adhesive tape 40 is wrapped in an overlapping manner around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30, the variation in the overlapping amount can be kept small.

[0079] (7) The first part 51 has a first thickness T1. The second part 52 has a second thickness T2 which is smaller than the first thickness T1. The second thickness T2 is 0.5 times or more and less than 1 time thicker than the first thickness T1. With this configuration, the difference in tape thickness between the first part 51 and the second part 52 can be kept within 50%. This makes it possible to keep the variation in tape thickness in the adhesive tape 40 within 50%.

[0080] (8) The dimensions of the first portion 51 along the length of the adhesive tape 40 are larger than those of the second portion 52. With this configuration, the length of the second portion 52, which has a smaller tape width, can be made shorter than that of the first portion 51. As a result, the area of ​​the second portion 52, which has a smaller tape width, can be reduced in the length of the adhesive tape 40. Therefore, when the adhesive tape 40 is wrapped in an overlapping manner around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30, it is possible to effectively suppress the reduction in the overlapping allowance in the overlapping winding.

[0081] (9) The adhesive tape 40 has a plurality of first parts 51 and a plurality of second parts 52, and the first parts 51 and second parts 52 are arranged alternately one by one along the length of the adhesive tape 40. The adhesive tape 40 is wrapped spirally around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 multiple times. The plurality of first parts 51 are provided at the same positions relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the wire bundle 30. The plurality of second parts 52 are provided at the same positions relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the wire bundle 30. With this configuration, when the adhesive tape 40 is wrapped spirally around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 multiple times, each of the first parts 51 and the second parts 52 can always be provided at the same position relative to the circumferential direction of the wire bundle 30. As a result, the quality of wrapping the adhesive tape 40 around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 can be improved.

[0082] (10) The adhesive tape 40 is wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 at a constant pitch. Therefore, when overlapping the adhesive tape 40, the adhesive tape 40 can be wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 so that the overlap allowance in the overlapping winding is constant. This improves the quality of wrapping the adhesive tape 40 around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30.

[0083] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the wire bundle 30 is made up of two wires 20, but the number of wires 20 that make up the wire bundle 30 is not particularly limited. For example, the wire bundle 30 may consist of three or more wires 20.

[0085] • In the above embodiment, each of the multiple electric wires 20 was a thin electric wire, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the multiple electric wires 20 may be a thick electric wire with a large conductor cross-sectional area. Here, "thick electric wire" as used herein refers to an electric wire with a conductor cross-sectional area of ​​5 mm². 2It is a larger power line.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the multiple wires 20 constituting the wire bundle 30 may be wires of different sizes. For example, the wire bundle 30 may be composed of one or more thin wires and one or more thick wires.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the adhesive tape 40 is wrapped in an overlapping manner around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the adhesive tape 40 may be roughly wrapped around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30. That is, the adhesive tape 40 may be wrapped spirally around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 so that the adhesive tape 40 wrapped later around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30 does not overlap with the adhesive tape 40 wrapped earlier around the outer circumference of the wire bundle 30.

[0088] In the tape winding device 60 of the above embodiment, the device body 62 is moved along the length direction of the wire bundle 30, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the wire bundle 30 may be moved relative to the device body 62.

[0089] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not in the sense described above, and all modifications are intended to be in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 1 vehicle 2,3 Electrical equipment 10 Wire Harnesses 20 Electric wire 21 core wires 22 Insulating coating 30 Wire bundle 40 Adhesive Tapes 40A cutting surface 40D drawer 40B, 40C Adhesive Tape 41 First end 42 Second end 51 Part 1 52 Part 2 60 Tape winding device 61 Retaining member 62 Main unit of the device 70 Rotating part 71 Storage Unit 72 Back wall 73 Guidance part 80 Tape holding section 81 Roll section 82 Core component 90 Rotating support section 91 Opening 100 Adhesive Tapes 100A cut surface P1 Pitch P2 period PL1 protrusion length PL2 protrusion length S1 Section 1 S2 Section 2 T1 First thickness T2 Second thickness T3, T4 tape thickness W1 First width W2 Second width W3, W4 tape width

Claims

1. A bundle of wires having multiple wires, The bundle of electric wires is equipped with adhesive tape that is spirally wrapped around its outer circumference, The twist pitch of the aforementioned wire bundle, which is the distance traveled in the longitudinal direction of the wire bundle when the wires constituting the wire bundle make one spiral rotation, is 5 cm or more. The aforementioned wire bundle is a wire harness composed of two of the aforementioned wires.

2. Each of the aforementioned wires has a conductor cross-sectional area of ​​5 mm². ２ The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the following wires are used.

3. The end face in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape is a cut surface, The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the cut surface extends linearly along a first direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape.

4. The cross-section has a first end and a second end in the first direction, The wire harness according to claim 3, wherein the protruding length of the cut surface, which is the length along the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape, is 5 mm or less.

5. The adhesive tape has a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width smaller than the first width, The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the second width is 0.5 times or more and less than 1 time the length of the first width.

6. The first part has a first thickness, The second portion has a second thickness that is smaller than the first thickness. The wire harness according to claim 5, wherein the second thickness is 0.5 times or more and less than 1 time the first thickness.

7. The wire harness according to claim 5, wherein the first portion has a larger dimension along the length of the adhesive tape than the second portion.

8. The adhesive tape has a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions, and the first portions and second portions are arranged alternately one by one along the length direction of the adhesive tape. The adhesive tape is wrapped spirally multiple times around the outer circumference of the wire bundle. The plurality of first portions are provided at the same positions relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the wire bundle, The wire harness according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of second parts are provided at the same positions relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the wire bundle.

9. The wire harness according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the adhesive tape is wound spirally around the outer circumference of the wire bundle at a constant pitch.

10. A wire bundle having multiple wires, The bundle of electric wires is equipped with adhesive tape that is spirally wrapped around its outer circumference, The amount of twist in the aforementioned wire bundle is such that the amount of rotation of the wires per 10 cm along the length of the wire bundle is 2 rotations or less. The adhesive tape has a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width smaller than the first width. The second width is 0.5 times or more and less than 1 time the first width. The adhesive tape has a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions, and the first portions and second portions are arranged alternately one by one along the length direction of the adhesive tape. The adhesive tape is wrapped spirally multiple times around the outer circumference of the wire bundle. The plurality of first portions are provided at the same positions relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the wire bundle, The plurality of second parts are arranged at the same positions relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the wire bundle, forming a wire harness.

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