Protector, connecting member, protector with connecting member, and wire harness with protector

Abstract

To provide a protector which can protect a wire harness while easily controlling the wire harness according to various arrangement paths and achieves reduction of the weight, and to provide a connection member, a protector with a connection object member, and a wire harness with the protector.SOLUTION: A protector includes: a restriction exterior body 30 which is arranged along a part of a wire harness 70 and controls the wire harness 70 according to an arrangement path; and a connection member 40 which connects a corrugated tube 20 with the restriction exterior body 30. The restriction exterior body 30 is formed by a resin sheet, and the connection member 40 is provided with an exterior holding part 41 which holds the restriction exterior body 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protector for protecting a wire harness routed in a vehicle or the like, a connecting member for connecting a regulating exterior member for regulating the wire harness according to the routing path and a connecting target member, a protector with a connecting target member composed of the connecting target member and the protector, and a wire harness with a protector that protects a part of the wire harness with the protector.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a wire harness for electrically connecting electrical devices mounted on a vehicle is routed in the vehicle by assembling a protector or the like in order to regulate the routing path along the routing path conforming to the shape of the vehicle and to prevent damage caused by interference with other members.

[0003] For example, the protector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is composed of a resin molded product that fits over the end of a corrugated tube formed in a bellows shape, and performs routing regulation and protection of the wire harness. <![CDATA[ ]]<![CDATA[

[0004] ]]<![CDATA[ ]]However, since the protector described in Patent Document 1 is a resin molded product, in order to regulate the routing path of the wire harness along a two-dimensional or three-dimensional routing path according to the shapes of various vehicles, it was necessary to individually mold protectors having shapes corresponding to the respective routing paths.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a protector, a connecting member, a protector with a connecting member, and a wire harness with a protector that can easily regulate and protect wire harnesses according to various routing paths, while also being lightweight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention provides a restricting exterior member that is arranged along at least a portion of a wire harness and restricts the wire harness according to the routing path, and a connecting member that connects a member to be connected to the restricting exterior member, wherein the restricting exterior member is formed of a resin sheet, and the connecting member is provided with an exterior holding portion for holding the restricting exterior member. The connecting member is a flexible harness protection member formed in a cylindrical shape through which the wire harness is inserted, the restricting outer member restricts at least a portion of the wire harness led out from the harness protection member to match the routing path, and the connecting member connects the harness protection member and the restricting outer member, and is provided with an outer fitting portion that fits onto and holds the end of the harness protection member. It is characterized by being a protector.

[0008] Furthermore, this invention connects a member to be connected to a restricting exterior member formed of a resin sheet that is arranged along at least a portion of the wire harness and restricts the wire harness according to the routing path, and provides an exterior holding portion for holding the restricting exterior member. The connecting member is a flexible harness protection member formed in a cylindrical shape through which the wire harness is inserted, and connects the harness protection member to the restricting outer member which restricts at least a portion of the wire harness led out from the harness protection member to match the routing path, and is provided with an outer fitting portion that fits onto and holds the end of the harness protection member. It is characterized by being a connecting member.

[0009] Furthermore, this invention comprises a restricting exterior member arranged along at least a portion of the wire harness to restrict the wire harness according to the routing path, a connecting member, and a connecting member connecting the restricting exterior member and the connecting member, wherein the restricting exterior member is formed of a resin sheet, and the connecting member is provided with an exterior holding portion for holding the restricting exterior member. The connecting member is a flexible harness protection member formed in a cylindrical shape through which the wire harness is inserted, the restricting outer member restricts at least a portion of the wire harness led out from the harness protection member to match the routing path, and the connecting member connects the harness protection member and the restricting outer member, and is provided with an outer fitting portion that fits onto and holds the end of the harness protection member. It is characterized by being a protector with a connecting component.

[0010] Furthermore, this invention comprises a wire harness and a protector positioned along at least a portion of the wire harness, wherein the protector is positioned along at least a portion of the wire harness and includes a restricting exterior member that restricts the wire harness according to the routing path, and a connecting member that connects a member to be connected to the restricting exterior member, wherein the restricting exterior member is formed of a resin sheet, and the connecting member is provided with an exterior holding portion for holding the restricting exterior member. The connecting member is a flexible harness protection member formed in a cylindrical shape through which the wire harness is inserted, the restricting outer member restricts at least a portion of the wire harness led out from the harness protection member to match the routing path, and the connecting member connects the harness protection member and the restricting outer member, and is provided with an outer fitting portion that fits onto and holds the end of the harness protection member. It is characterized by being a wire harness with a protector.

[0011] The member to be connected only needs to be connectable to the restrictive exterior member via the connecting member, and includes, for example, panels, electrical equipment, cylindrical bodies such as corrugated tubes through which wire harnesses are inserted, grommets, hose-shaped tubes, and routed wire harnesses.

[0012] The connecting member only needs to be provided at one location on the restrictive exterior member, and may be provided at one end, both ends, the central part, etc. Furthermore, the connecting member may include a configuration for connecting to the member to be connected. For example, this may include a configuration that includes an anchor or a buckle.

[0013] The aforementioned resin sheet may be any flexible resin sheet, and may include both thermoplastic resin sheets and thermosetting resin sheets. Furthermore, it is preferable that the resin sheet material is a synthetic resin foam sheet material composed of a synthetic resin foam molded into a foamed or porous shape.

[0014] The harness protection member only needs to be formed in a cylindrical shape, and its cross-sectional shape may be a circular, elliptical, oblong, or egg-shaped oval or approximately circular shape, or a polygonal shape such as an approximately triangular or approximately square shape. Furthermore, the harness protection member includes corrugated tubes formed in a bellows shape, grommets, hose-shaped tubes, etc. In addition, the harness protection member includes resin tubes such as rigid tubes and flexible tubes.

[0015] The harness protection member may be attached to at least one of the ends of the restrictive exterior member via the connecting member. Alternatively, the restrictive exterior member may be attached to both ends of the harness protection member via the connecting member.

[0016] The external fitting portion only needs to be configured to fit onto the end of the harness protection member and hold the harness protection member, and may be fitted over the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the harness protection member, or it may be fitted over a part of the outer circumference.

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily regulate and protect a wire harness in accordance with various wiring routes, and further, to reduce the weight as compared with a protector composed of a conventional resin molded product.

[0018] Specifically, since the regulation exterior member is composed of the resin sheet that is lightweight and easy to process, the regulation exterior member can be easily formed in accordance with various wiring routes through which the wire harness is wired. Thereby, it is possible to regulate the wire harness in accordance with the wiring route, easily protect the wire harness, and also reduce the weight of the entire protector as compared with a conventional product in which the whole is composed of a resin molded product.

[0019] In addition, the regulation exterior member composed of the resin sheet is held by the exterior holding portion of the connecting member and is connected to the connection target member via the connecting member. Thereby, the regulation exterior member can be surely arranged at a predetermined position.

[0020] [[ID=IO]]

[0021] Also The connection target member is composed of a flexible harness protection member formed in a cylindrical shape through which the wire harness is inserted, the regulation exterior member regulates at least a part of the wire harness led out from the harness protection member in accordance with the wiring route, and the connecting member connects the harness protection member and the regulation exterior member and is provided with an externally fitted portion that externally fits and holds the end portion of the harness protection member. There are .

[0022] Therefore ​Among the routing paths of the wire harness, the regulation exterior member is arranged in the linear part, and the harness protection member having flexibility is arranged in at least the curved part, so that the wire harness routed in the complex routing path can be easily regulated and protected by the protector.

[0023] As an aspect of the present invention, a locking portion that locks to the regulation exterior member is provided in the exterior holding portion, a locked portion to which the locking portion locks is provided in the regulation exterior member, and the locking portion and the locked portion may regulate at least the relative movement in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member between the exterior holding portion and the regulation exterior member.

[0024] According to the present invention, the locking portion of the formed exterior holding portion and the locked portion of the regulation exterior member can regulate the relative movement in at least the longitudinal direction between the exterior holding portion and the regulation exterior member, that is, the direction in which the wire harness is inserted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the regulation exterior member from accidentally coming off the exterior holding portion, and the regulation exterior member can be reliably held by the exterior holding portion.

[0025] Also, as an aspect of the present invention, the exterior holding portion may be formed so as to communicate with the outer fitting portion and surround the regulation exterior member. According to the present invention, the connecting member is integrally formed so that the exterior holding portion and the outer fitting portion communicate with each other. Therefore, the connecting member can reliably maintain the relative positions of the harness protection member and the regulation exterior member, and the regulation exterior member can be reliably arranged at a predetermined position, and the wire harness can be more reliably routed along the desired routing path.

[0026] Also, as an aspect of the present invention, the exterior holding portion includes a holding portion main body formed in a concave cross-section by a bottom plate portion and a pair of side plate portions arranged in the width direction of the bottom plate portion, and a lid portion that can open and close an opening formed by the tip portions of the pair of side plate portions, and the locking portion may be provided on the lid portion.

[0027] With this invention, by placing the restricting exterior member through the opening provided in the retaining body having a concave cross-section and closing the lid, the restricting exterior member can be held in the exterior retaining body, and the locking portion and the locked portion can be locked together, thereby restricting relative movement between the exterior retaining body and the restricting exterior member, at least in the longitudinal direction.

[0028] In another aspect of this invention, the restrictive exterior member may comprise an exterior bottom plate portion facing the bottom plate portion and an exterior side plate portion positioned facing at least one of the side plate portions, wherein the exterior bottom plate portion and the exterior side plate portion are integrally provided, and the locking portion may be provided on the exterior side plate portion.

[0029] According to this invention, since the locking portion is provided on the exterior side plate, the locking portion provided on the exterior side plate and the locking portion can be easily locked together simply by closing the lid.

[0030] In another aspect of this invention, the locking portion may be provided at the end of the exterior side plate portion on the side of the lid portion. This invention makes it possible to more reliably prevent unintended interference between the wire harness, which passes through the exterior retaining portion, and the locking portion or the locked portion.

[0031] In another aspect of this invention, the locking portion may be formed in a convex shape that protrudes from the lid portion, and the locked portion may be formed by a concave recess that fits into the locking portion. This invention allows for secure locking of the locking portion and the locked portion by fitting the convexly protruding locking portion and the concavely recessed locked portion together.

[0032] Furthermore, the locking portion that protrudes in a convex shape is provided on the lid, and the locking portion that is recessed in a concave shape is provided on the restrictive exterior member. If the restrictive exterior member, which is easy to process and easily deformed, is provided with the locking portion that protrudes in a convex shape, the protruding locking portion may deform, and the interlocking fit between the locking portion and the locked portion may come undone. Therefore, by providing the locked portion that is concave on the restrictive exterior member, it is possible to prevent the interlocking fit between the locking portion and the locked portion from coming undone.

[0033] In another aspect of this invention, the opening side of the locking portion may be formed to be wider than the bottom side. This invention allows the locking portion and the locking portion to be easily locked together by the locking portion, which has a wide opening.

[0034] In another aspect of this invention, the locking portion may be formed to become narrower towards the tip. With this invention, the locking portion, which is formed to narrow towards the tip, can be guided by the locked portion, making it easier to lock the locking portion and the locked portion together.

[0035] In another aspect of this invention, the lid portion is provided with an exterior support portion that protrudes toward the bottom plate portion, and the lid Department In the closed state, the exterior support portion may be positioned so as to face the side plate portion with the exterior side plate portion in between.

[0036] With this invention, in a closed state, the exterior side plate portion of the restricting exterior member, which is formed from the resin sheet having the exterior bottom plate portion and the exterior side plate portion, can be supported by the side plate portion and the exterior support portion. This prevents the exterior support portion from collapsing and releasing the locking between the locking portion and the locked portion.

[0037] Therefore, the locking portion and the locked portion can be kept locked together. In addition, the lid can be reinforced by providing the protruding exterior support portion on the lid.

[0038] In another aspect of this invention, the exterior support portion may be provided with an inclination that, in the closed state, gradually separates from the side plate portion as it approaches the tip. According to this invention, the inclination provided on the exterior support portion is formed to move away from the side plate portion as it approaches the tip, so that when the lid portion is closed, the exterior side plate portion comes into contact with the inclined surface and is pushed toward the side plate portion. Therefore, by simply closing the lid portion, the exterior side plate portion can be reliably positioned between the exterior support portion and the side recess portion.

[0039] In another aspect of this invention, the exterior support portion and the locking portion provided on the lid portion may be integrally formed by a rib protruding toward the main body of the holding portion. According to this invention, since the exterior support portion and the locking portion are integrally formed, closing the lid portion allows for simultaneous support of the exterior side plate portion by the exterior support portion and locking of the locking portion and the locked portion.

[0040] Therefore, by simply closing the lid, it is possible to prevent the exterior side plate from falling toward the internal space through which the wire harness is inserted in the exterior holding portion, and at the same time, it is possible to prevent the exterior plate from falling and releasing the locking between the locking portion and the locked portion.

[0041] In another aspect of this invention, the lid portion may be pivotably supported by a pivot shaft portion provided on one of the pair of side plate portions, the exterior side plate portion may be provided so as to abut against at least the other side plate portion, and the exterior support portion and the locking portion may be provided on at least the other side plate portion side of the lid portion.

[0042] With this invention, by pivoting the lid portion with the pivot shaft portion as the pivot axis, the locked portion and the locked portion of the restrictive exterior member, which is positioned at a predetermined location, can be easily and reliably locked together simply by closing the lid portion. In addition, since the exterior support portion and the locking portion are provided on the opposite side of the pivot shaft portion of the lid, the lid can be closed while visually confirming that the exterior side plate portion to which the locking portion is provided is not tilted, and the locking portion and the locking portion are not attached in a disengaged state.

[0043] In another aspect of this invention, the exterior end, which is the end of the restrictive exterior member, is held by the exterior holding portion, and a step is provided in at least a part of the boundary portion between the outer fitting portion and the exterior holding portion, and the step is formed to abut against the end face of the exterior end. This invention allows the restrictive exterior member to be positioned at a desired location by arranging the restrictive exterior member on the exterior member such that the exterior end abuts against the step.

[0044] In another aspect of this invention, the outer casing end and the outer casing holding portion may be positioned radially outward from the insertion space of the harness protective member through which the wire harness is inserted, when viewed from the direction in which the wire harness is inserted.

[0045] With this invention, the outer casing end and the outer casing retaining portion are positioned radially outward from the wire harness through which the harness protective member is inserted, as viewed from the direction in which the wire harness is inserted. This prevents the wire harness leading out from the harness protective member from interfering with and being damaged by the outer casing end and the outer casing retaining portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0046] This invention provides a protector, connecting member, protector with connecting member, and wire harness with protector that can easily regulate and protect wire harnesses according to various routing paths, while also being lightweight. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0047] [Figure 1] A schematic perspective view of the wiring harness structure. [Figure 2] Exploded perspective view of the corrugated tubing and protector. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of a corrugated tube. [Figure 4] Diagram illustrating the exterior end. [Figure 5] A schematic perspective view of the connecting member with the lid open. [Figure 6] Diagram illustrating the connecting components. [Figure 7] Diagram illustrating the connecting components. [Figure 8] Diagram illustrating the connecting components. [Figure 9] An explanatory diagram showing how to assemble each part. [Figure 10] Diagram illustrating the assembled corrugated tube and protector. [Figure 11] Diagram illustrating the assembled corrugated tube and protector.

[0048] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the harness routing structure 100, and Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the protector 10 and the corrugated tube 20. In Figure 2, the connecting member 40 constituting the protector 10 is shown with the cover portion 52 open.

[0049] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the corrugated tube 20 along the longitudinal direction X, and Figure 4 shows an explanatory diagram of the outer end 31, which is the end of the restrictive outer casing 30 that constitutes the protector 10. Specifically, Figure 4(a) shows a left side view of the outer end 31, and Figure 4(b) shows a front view of the outer end 31.

[0050] Figures 5 to 8 show explanatory diagrams of the connecting member 40 that constitutes the protector 10. Specifically, Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the connecting member 40 with the lid 52 open, Figure 6(a) shows a plan view of the connecting member 40 in the same state, and Figure 6(b) shows a right side view of the connecting member 40 in the same state.

[0051] Furthermore, Figures 7 and 8 show explanatory diagrams of the connecting member 40 in a closed state, where the opening of the connecting body 51 is closed by the lid 52. Specifically, Figure 7(a) shows a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 6(a) in the closed state, and Figure 7(b) shows a cross-sectional view BB of Figure 6(a) in the same state. Furthermore, Figure 8(a) shows a cross-sectional view of CC in Figure 6(a) in the occluded state, and Figure 8(b) shows a cross-sectional view of DD in Figure 6(a) in the same state.

[0052] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the assembly method of the restrictive outer casing 30 and connecting member 40 that constitute the protector 10 with the corrugated tube 20. More specifically, Figure 9(a) is a schematic perspective view illustrating the assembly method of the connecting member 40 with the lid 52 open and the outer end 31 of the restrictive outer casing 30, i.e., a schematic perspective view illustrating the assembly method of the protector 10. Figure 9(b) is a schematic perspective view illustrating the assembly method of the corrugated tube 20 with the protector 10 in the state shown in Figure 9(a). Figure 9(c) is a schematic perspective view illustrating the manner in which the lid 52 of the protector 10 is closed from the state shown in Figure 9(b).

[0053] Figures 10 and 11 illustrate the assembled state of the protector 10 and the corrugated tube 20. More specifically, Figure 10(a) shows a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction X at a position corresponding to the locking portion 525, and Figure 10(b) shows a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to the DD cross-sectional line in Figure 6(a).

[0054] Figure 11(a) shows a right side view of the protector 10 and corrugated tube 20 assembled, and Figure 11(b) shows a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X at positions corresponding to the upper corrugated retaining rib 523 and the lower corrugated retaining rib 563 in the assembled state of the protector 10 and corrugated tube 20.

[0055] In Figure 1, the longitudinal direction of the protector 10 and the corrugated tube 20, that is, the direction in which the wire harness 70 is routed within the protector 10 and the corrugated tube 20, is defined as the longitudinal direction X. Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction X, the left side in Figure 1, where the corrugated tube 20 is inserted into the protector 10, is defined as the +X direction, and the opposite side is defined as the -X direction.

[0056] Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and along the width direction of the protector 10 in Figure 1, is defined as the width direction Y. In addition, in the width direction Y, the left side in Figure 1 is defined as the +Y direction, and the opposite side is defined as the -Y direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the width direction Y is defined as the height direction Z. In addition, in the height direction Z, the upper side in Figure 1 is the +Z direction, and the opposite side is the -Z direction.

[0057] The harness routing structure 100, which is the routing structure of the wire harness 70 routed to a vehicle (not shown), consists of a wire harness 70 that electrically connects electrical equipment (not shown), and a protector 10 and a corrugated tube 20 that are arranged along a part of the wire harness 70 and fitted onto the wire harness 70, as shown in Figure 1.

[0058] First, let's describe the corrugated tube 20. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the corrugated tube 20 is formed in a flexible cylindrical shape that extends along the longitudinal direction X. The cylindrical corrugated tube 20, which extends through the longitudinal direction X, has an insertion space S inside through which the wire harness 70 is inserted.

[0059] Furthermore, the flexible corrugated tube 20 is constructed by alternately arranging small-diameter portions 21, indented inward along the entire circumference of the outer surface, and large-diameter portions 22, indented outward along the entire circumference of the outer surface, along the longitudinal direction X. The small-diameter section 21 and the large-diameter section 22 are arranged alternately and integrally along the longitudinal direction X, thereby forming a flexible bellows structure in the corrugated tube 20.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3, the corrugated tube 20 configured in this way has a groove 23 formed on its outer surface, which is recessed toward the inner diameter of the corrugated tube 20, by a small diameter portion 21 and a large diameter portion 22 that is continuous with the small diameter portion 21 in the longitudinal direction X. The groove 23 is formed in an isosceles trapezoidal shape, with its cross-sectional shape along the longitudinal direction X becoming narrower towards the inner diameter of the corrugated tube 20.

[0061] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the protector 10 includes a restricting outer casing 30 that is attached to the wire harness 70 leading out from the corrugated tube 20 to restrict the wire harness 70 according to the routing path, and a connecting member 40 that connects the corrugated tube 20 and the restricting outer casing 30.

[0062] The regulating exterior 30 is constructed by folding a flexible sheet material that can be bent. The sheet material constituting the regulated exterior 30 is a thermoplastic resin foam sheet made of a synthetic resin foam molded into a foamed or porous shape, possessing a predetermined rigidity, as well as flexibility, elasticity, and thermoplasticity. Furthermore, because it is constructed in sheet form, it has excellent processability. Moreover, it is lighter than molded resin products (for example, made of polypropylene) of the same shape as the regulated exterior 30.

[0063] The density of the resin foam sheet constituting the sheet material is not particularly limited, but for example, from the viewpoint of preventing anisotropy in mechanical properties, i.e., isotropizing the mechanical properties to improve the degree of freedom in designing the regulating outer casing 30 and further improving the strength against stress on the wire harness 70 enclosed in the regulating outer casing 30, a density of 200 kg / m³ to 1000 kg / m³ is preferred, and from the viewpoint of further improving the balance between lightness and mechanical strength, a density of 300 kg / m³ to 600 kg / m³ is more preferred, and a density of 350 kg / m³ to 550 kg / m³ is particularly preferred.

[0064] Furthermore, the thickness of the sheet material is not particularly limited, but for example, from the viewpoint of further improving the balance between ease of bending and mechanical strength, in particular the mechanical strength against stress on the wire harness 70 enclosed in the regulating outer casing 30, a thickness of 0.50 mm to 4.0 mm is preferred, and 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm is particularly preferred. In addition, a non-foamed layer may be formed on both sides or one side of the thermoplastic resin foam sheet.

[0065] In other words, the sheet material (thermoplastic resin foam sheet) may have a structure comprising a foamed layer and a non-foamed layer formed on the foamed layer. By forming a non-foamed layer on the surface of the thermoplastic resin foam sheet, the mechanical strength of the regulating outer covering 30 is improved, and the protective performance of the wire harness 70 being covered is further improved. The thickness of the non-foamed layer is not particularly limited, and examples include 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0066] Furthermore, the number density of bubbles in the foamed layer of the sheet material is not particularly limited, but its lower limit is preferably 800 bubbles / mm³ or more, and particularly preferably 1000 bubbles / mm³ or more, from the standpoint of more reliably preventing anisotropy in mechanical properties. On the other hand, the upper limit of the number density of bubbles can be, for example, 1010 bubbles / mm³ or less, from the standpoint of more reliably obtaining excellent mechanical strength.

[0067] In this specification, the restrictive exterior body 30, which is composed of the sheet material described above, is shown only in its exterior end portion 31, which is the end portion that connects to the connecting member 40, with the other parts omitted. The other parts of the restrictive exterior body 30 that are not shown may have any appropriate shape. For example, the restrictive exterior body 30 may be formed to be substantially the same shape as the exterior end portion 31 so as to extend the exterior end portion 31 which has a concave cross-section, or it may be formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the wire harness 70, or it may branch in multiple directions along the way.

[0068] As shown in Figure 4(a), the outer end portion 31 of the restrictive outer casing 30 is formed in a substantially concave shape in side view, opening toward the +Z direction. The roughly concave outer end portion 31 is integrally constructed from a pair of restrictive side plate portions 32 arranged opposite each other along the width direction Y, and a restrictive bottom plate portion 33 that forms a bottom plate by linearly connecting the ends of the restrictive side plate portions 32 on the -Z direction side. The thickness of the restrictive side plate portions 32 and the restrictive bottom plate portion 33, that is, the thickness of the sheet material constituting the restrictive outer body 30, is set to be slightly thinner than the difference between the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 21 of the corrugated tube 20 and the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 22.

[0069] As shown in Figure 4(b), the restricting side plate portion 32 constituting the exterior end portion 31 is provided with a locking portion 34 at the end portion on the +Z direction, at a position a predetermined distance from the end portion on the +X direction, which is recessed in a roughly trapezoidal shape when viewed from the front toward the -Z direction.

[0070] The locking portion 34, which is recessed in a roughly trapezoidal shape, is formed as a recess that opens toward the +Z direction, and the length along the longitudinal direction X on the opening side is longer than the length along the longitudinal direction X on the bottom side. In other words, the locking portion 34 is formed as a roughly isosceles trapezoidal recess that widens toward the +Z direction when viewed from the front.

[0071] The connecting member 40 is a resin molded product formed into a cylindrical shape by resin molding, and is configured to have higher rigidity than the regulating exterior body 30 made of resin sheet. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connecting member 40 is integrally composed of an exterior holding portion 41 that fits onto the exterior end portion 31 to hold the restrictive exterior body 30, and a corrugated holding portion 42 that fits onto the corrugated tube 20 to hold it.

[0072] The exterior retaining portion 41, which constitutes the -X direction side of the connecting member 40, is formed in a cylindrical shape that is approximately square when viewed from the side. The corrugated retaining portion 42, which constitutes the +X direction side of the connecting member 40, is formed in a roughly semi-circular cylindrical shape with an arc portion on the -Z direction side when viewed from the side.

[0073] The corrugated retaining portion 42 is formed such that, on the +Z direction side, its length along the width direction Y is the same as that of the outer retaining portion 41. Furthermore, in the central part of the width direction Y, the corrugated retaining portion 42 is formed such that its length in the height direction Z is the same as that of the outer retaining portion 41.

[0074] The exterior retaining portion 41 and the corrugated retaining portion 42, formed in this manner, are integrally and continuously formed along the longitudinal direction X, starting from the -X direction, thereby constituting the connecting member 40. Therefore, the connecting member 40, which is composed of the exterior retaining portion 41 and the corrugated retaining portion 42, is formed flush on the +Z direction side, but on the -Z direction side, a step 43 is formed by the exterior retaining portion 41 at the boundary between the exterior retaining portion 41 and the arc portion of the roughly U-shaped corrugated retaining portion 42 (see Figure 10).

[0075] To elaborate on the connecting member 40 configured in this way, as shown in Figures 5 to 8, the connecting member 40 consists of a connecting body 51 formed with a substantially concave cross-section that opens toward the +Z direction, and a lid 52 that can open and close the opening of the connecting body 51 toward the +Z direction. The connecting body 51 and the lid 52 are connected by a hinge portion 53 that pivotally supports the lid 52 relative to the connecting body 51, and a locking mechanism 54 is provided to lock the connecting body 51 and the lid 52 in a closed state where the opening of the connecting body 51 toward the +Z direction is closed by the lid 52.

[0076] The connecting part body 51 consists of an exterior mounting section 55 where the exterior end portion 31 is placed and which constitutes the exterior holding section 41 described above, and a corrugated mounting section 56 where the corrugated tube 20 is placed and which constitutes the corrugated holding section 42 described above. The connecting part body 51 is also provided with an engaged portion 541 which constitutes the locking mechanism 54.

[0077] As shown in Figure 6(b), the exterior mounting section 55 is formed in a concave shape in side view, with an opening on the +Z direction side that is roughly square in shape and capable of housing the exterior end portion 31 inside. This exterior mounting section 55 consists of a pair of restrictor side wall portions 551 arranged parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction X, and a restrictor side bottom portion 552 that linearly connects the -Z direction ends of the pair of restrictor side wall portions 551 as a single unit.

[0078] The pair of restrictor sidewalls 551 are arranged such that the distance between opposing surfaces along the width direction Y is approximately the same as the length of the exterior end 31 in the width direction Y. In addition, the restrictor sidewall 551 extending from the restrictor bottom 552 toward the +Z direction is formed so that its length in the height direction Z is approximately the same as the length of the exterior end 31 in the height direction Z.

[0079] Furthermore, the distance between opposing surfaces of the pair of restrictor sidewalls 551 along the width direction Y is set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 22 of the corrugated tube 20. In addition, the length of the restrictor sidewalls 551 in the height direction Z is set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 22.

[0080] As shown in Figure 7(a), the corrugated section 56 is positioned on the +X side relative to the exterior section 55 and is formed in a roughly U-shape in cross-section with an opening on the +Z side. The corrugated section 56 consists of a pair of corrugated sidewalls 561 arranged parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction X, and a corrugated bottom section 562 that integrally connects the ends of the pair of corrugated sidewalls 561 on the -Z direction in a substantially semicircular shape projecting toward the -Z direction. The inner circumferential surface of the corrugated section 56 is also provided with lower corrugated retaining ribs 563 that project toward the inner diameter.

[0081] The corrugated sidewall portion 561 is formed integrally with the pair of restrictor sidewall portions 551 such that its inner and outer surfaces are flush with those of the restrictor sidewall portions 551. Furthermore, the length of the corrugated sidewall portion 561 in the height direction Z is formed to be approximately half the length of the restrictor sidewall portion 551 in the height direction Z.

[0082] The corrugated bottom portion 562, which connects the ends of the corrugated sidewall portions 561 on the -Z direction, has an inner circumferential surface formed in an arc shape that follows the outer diameter of the corrugated tube 20, and its radius is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 22. Furthermore, the radius of the corrugated sidewall portion 561 is set to be approximately the same diameter as the length of the corrugated sidewall portion 561 in the height direction Z. In other words, the corrugated section 56 is formed so that its length in the height direction Z is the same as the length in the height direction Z of the outer casing section 55, and so that the corrugated tube 20 can be housed in it.

[0083] The lower corrugated retaining ribs 563 provided in the corrugated arrangement section 56 are formed in a substantially U-shape when viewed from the side, protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the corrugated arrangement section 56, and are arranged in groups of three along the longitudinal direction X at predetermined intervals.

[0084] Each of the three lower corrugated retaining ribs 563 is positioned at the +X direction end of the corrugated arrangement section 56, and from that end toward the -X direction, at a distance approximately equal to the width between adjacent large-diameter sections 22 in the corrugated tube 20. In other words, the three lower corrugated retaining ribs 563 are positioned to fit into the grooves 23 of the corrugated tube 20 located in the corrugated arrangement section 56.

[0085] The lower corrugated retaining rib 563, arranged in this manner, is formed as a rib that protrudes radially inward for a predetermined length from approximately one-third of the corrugated side wall portion 561 on the -Z direction side and the entire circumference of the corrugated bottom portion 562 (see Figure 7).

[0086] The lower corrugated retaining rib 563 is formed in an arc-shaped rib on the -Z direction side, and on the +Z direction side, it extends linearly from both ends of the arc-shaped rib toward the +Z direction, forming a roughly U-shape in side view. Thus, the lower corrugated retaining rib 563 is formed in a roughly U-shape with an opening toward the +Z direction that is roughly similar in shape to the corrugated arrangement portion 56. Furthermore, the end of the lower corrugated retaining rib 563 on the +Z direction side has an inclined surface 564 formed thereon, which slopes so that the opening widens as it moves toward the +Z direction.

[0087] The locking mechanism 54 is comprised of a pair of engaged portions 541 provided on the connecting portion body 51, located at both ends of the connecting portion body 51 in the longitudinal direction X, on the end face on the -Y direction side and the end on the +Z direction side.

[0088] Each of the engaged portions 541 arranged in this manner is formed in a roughly rectangular shape in plan view by a pair of support pieces 541a that protrude parallel to the -Y direction from the restrictor side wall portion 551 and the corrugated side wall portion 561, and an engaging piece 541b that connects the -Y direction ends of both support pieces 541a. The engaged portion 541 formed in this manner has a rectangular engaging hole 541c that penetrates in the height direction Z.

[0089] The connecting body 51 configured in this way is integrally formed from an exterior arrangement section 55, which is composed of a regulating body side wall section 551 and a regulating body side bottom section 552, and a corrugated arrangement section 56, which is composed of a corrugated side wall section 561 and a corrugated side bottom section 562.

[0090] Therefore, as shown in Figure 8(a), the connecting body 51 is connected such that the height in the height direction Z matches at the boundary between the exterior mounting section 55 and the corrugated mounting section 56 in the central part in the width direction Y.

[0091] As shown in Figure 8(b), the connecting body 51 is connected to the rectangular restricting body side wall portion 551 that constitutes the exterior mounting portion 55 and the substantially semicircular corrugated side bottom portion 562 that constitutes the corrugated mounting portion 56. Therefore, a step 43 is formed by the exterior mounting portion 55 on the inner circumferential surface side of the boundary portion between the exterior mounting portion 55 and the corrugated mounting portion 56. Furthermore, the step 43 is formed such that the end face on the +X direction side of the exterior end portion 31, which is located in the exterior arrangement portion 55, abuts against the end face on the -X direction side of the step 43.

[0092] The lid portion 52 is formed in a plate shape capable of closing the opening on the +Z direction side of the connecting portion body 51, and includes a lid portion body 521 formed in a plate shape with substantially the same length as the longitudinal X and width Y lengths of the connecting portion body 51. Furthermore, when the lid portion 52 is opened from the connecting portion body 51 (see Figure 5), the lid portion body 521 is provided with a plurality of ribs protruding in the +Z direction, namely the upper corrugated retaining ribs 523, the exterior support portion 524, and the locking portion 525, as well as the engaging claws 542 that constitute the locking mechanism 54.

[0093] The multiple ribs protruding from the lid body 521 are provided in positions corresponding to the lower corrugated retaining rib 563 and consist of three upper corrugated retaining ribs 523 having arc-shaped recesses, an exterior support portion 524 which is a pair of ribs extending along the longitudinal direction X toward the -X direction from the -X direction end of the upper corrugated retaining rib 523 toward the -X direction, and a locking portion 525 which is a convex rib protruding outward in the width direction Y from each of the exterior support portions 524.

[0094] The upper corrugated retaining ribs 523 are positioned at three locations corresponding to the lower corrugated retaining ribs 563. In other words, each of the upper corrugated retaining ribs 523 is positioned at the same intervals as each of the lower corrugated retaining ribs 563, starting from the end of the corrugated section 56 on the +X direction side.

[0095] The upper corrugated retaining rib 523, when closed, has a groove that is concentric with the arc-shaped portion on the -Z direction side of the lower corrugated retaining rib 563 (see Figure 7(a)). The upper corrugated retaining rib 523 is formed such that the length along the width direction Y at the tip is narrower than the length along the width direction Y at the base end.

[0096] In the closed state, the upper corrugated retaining rib 523 is formed such that, in the closed state, the upper corrugated retaining rib 523 and the lower corrugated retaining rib 563, which face each other in the height direction Z, face each other along the height direction Z, and are arranged to fit into the groove 23 of the corrugated tube 20.

[0097] As shown in Figure 6(a), the exterior support portion 524 is formed in the shape of two straight ribs extending from both ends in the width direction Y of the upper corrugated retaining rib 523 located on the -X direction side to the -X direction end of the connecting member 40, and is formed in a continuous manner with the upper corrugated retaining rib 523 located on the -X direction side. The exterior support parts 524 are arranged in pairs on both sides of the lid body 521, at a distance equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the regulating side plate 32 and the regulating body side wall 551, from the outside in the width direction Y (see Figure 11(a)).

[0098] Furthermore, the exterior support portion 524 protruding from the lid body 521 is formed in a guided shape so that, when closed, it gradually moves away from the regulating side plate portion 32 and slopes toward the tip. Therefore, when closing the lid 52, the regulating side plate portion 32 can be guided between the exterior support portion 524 and the regulating body side wall portion 551.

[0099] The locking portion 525 is provided along the width direction Y at a position corresponding to the locked portion 34, that is, at a distance approximately the same as the distance from the end face on the -X direction side of the step 43 provided on the connecting member 40, away from the end face on the -X direction side of the step 43 provided on the connecting member 40.

[0100] The locking portion 525 is formed in a rib shape that protrudes outward in the width direction Y from each of the exterior support portions 524 (see Figure 7(b)). This locking portion 525 is formed to have substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the exterior support portion 524 and is formed integrally with the exterior support portion 524. Furthermore, the tip of the locking portion 525 has a curved, beveled shape that guides the locking portion 34 when closing the lid portion 52.

[0101] The engaging claws 542 provided on the lid portion 52 are located on both ends in the longitudinal direction X of the connecting portion body 51 at positions corresponding to the engaged portion 541 provided on the connecting portion body 51, when the opening facing the +Z direction of the connecting portion body 51 is closed by the lid portion 52.

[0102] The engaging claw 542 consists of a plate-shaped engaging claw body 542a extending from the lid body 521 and a claw portion 542b protruding outward in the width direction Y from the tip of the engaging claw body 542a (see Figure 6(b)). The engaging claw 542 is formed to be insertable into the engagement hole 541c of the engaged portion 541, and the claw portion 542b inserted into the engagement hole 541c is configured to engage with the engaging piece 541b.

[0103] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the hinge portion 53 is plate-shaped and thinner than the restrictor side wall portion 551 and the corrugated side wall portion 561 of the connecting portion body 51, and connects the connecting portion body 51 and the lid portion 52 in a state where the lid portion 52 can rotate relative to the connecting portion body 51 in a rotational direction with the longitudinal direction X as the axis of rotation.

[0104] Of the lid portion 52 configured in this way, in the closed state, the portion on the -X direction side corresponding to the exterior arrangement portion 55 constitutes the exterior holding portion 41 described above, and the portion on the +X direction side corresponding to the corrugated arrangement portion 56 constitutes the corrugated holding portion 42 described above.

[0105] The connecting body 51 and the lid 52, configured in this way, are integrally connected in the width direction Y so as to be pivotable, with the hinge portion 53, which is provided on the opposite side of the side where the engaged portion 541 and the engaging claw 542 are provided, acting as a pivot axis, thereby constituting the connecting member 40.

[0106] The connecting member 40 is equipped with a locking mechanism 54 formed by the engaged portion 541 of the connecting body 51 and the engaging claw 542 of the lid 52. By engaging the engaged portion 541 and the engaging claw 542, the connecting body 51 and the lid 52 can be kept closed.

[0107] Next, a method for connecting the outer end 31, which is the end of the restrictive outer casing 30, and the corrugated tube 20 via the connecting member 40 will be described, that is, a method for assembling the corrugated tube 20, the outer end 31, and the connecting member 40.

[0108] As shown in Figure 9(a), first, the exterior end portion 31 of the restrictive exterior body 30 is placed on the exterior placement portion 55 of the connecting body 51 that constitutes the connecting member 40. Then, the lower part of the restrictive side plate portion 32 that constitutes the exterior end portion 31 and the end face on the +X direction side of the restrictive bottom plate portion 33 are brought into contact with the step 43 formed at the boundary between the exterior holding portion 41 and the corrugated holding portion 42 (see Figure 10).

[0109] Next, as shown in Figure 9(b), the corrugated tube 20 is placed in the corrugated arrangement portion 56 of the connecting body 51 that constitutes the connecting member 40 to which the outer end portion 31 is attached. Specifically, the corrugated tube 20 is placed in the corrugated arrangement portion 56 such that the groove portion 23 of the corrugated tube 20 fits into the lower corrugated retaining rib 563 provided in the corrugated arrangement portion 56 (see Figures 10 and 11). At this time, since the lower corrugated retaining rib 563 has an inclined surface 564, the corrugated tube 20 can be guided to the predetermined location.

[0110] Then, as shown by the arrow in Figure 9(c), the opening of the connecting part body 51 to which the corrugated tube 20 and the outer end 31 are attached is closed by the cover part 52, thereby closing the connecting member 40. This completes the assembly of the corrugated tube 20, the outer end 31, and the connecting member 40.

[0111] To elaborate on closing the connecting member 40, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the upper corrugated retaining rib 523 provided on the lid portion 52 closes the connecting member 40, causing it to fit into the groove portion 23 of the corrugated tube 20 arranged in the corrugated arrangement portion 56 from the +Z direction side. As a result, the corrugated tube 20 is securely held in place by the connecting member 40 without falling out, as its outer circumference is fitted onto the lower corrugated retaining rib 563 and the upper corrugated retaining rib 523 (see Figure 11(b)).

[0112] Furthermore, the exterior support portion 524 provided on the lid portion 52, by closing the connecting member 40, positions the upper ends of the pair of restricting side plate portions 32 of the exterior end portion 31 between the pair of restricting body side wall portions 551 and the pair of exterior support portions 524, respectively, thereby preventing the restricting side plate portions 32 from collapsing. Moreover, because the tip of the exterior support portion 524 has a guided shape, the upper ends of the restricting side plate portions 32 can be reliably positioned between the restricting body side wall portion 551 and the exterior support portion 524.

[0113] Then, the locking portion 525, which protrudes outward in the width direction Y from the exterior support portion 524, engages with the locked portion 34 of the exterior end portion 31, thereby connecting the connecting member 40 and the exterior end portion 31. Furthermore, because the tip of the locking portion 525 has a guided shape, the locking portion 525 and the locked portion 34 can be securely fitted together. In other words, it is possible to reliably prevent the exterior end portion 31 from falling off the connecting member 40.

[0114] In this way, by bringing the end of the exterior end 31 in the +X direction into contact with the step 43 and closing the cover 52, the regulating side plate 32 can be securely positioned between the regulating side wall 551 and the exterior support 524, while the locking portion 525 and the locked portion 34 can be securely fitted together, and the exterior end 31 can be securely held by the connecting member 40.

[0115] Therefore, the connecting member 40 securely holds the corrugated tube 20 and the outer end 31, thereby ensuring a secure connection between the corrugated tube 20 and the outer end 31 via the connecting member 40. Furthermore, by simply bringing the +X-direction end of the outer end 31 of the restricting outer casing 30 into contact with the step 43 and closing the lid 52, the upper end of the restricting side plate 32 can be securely positioned between the restricting side wall 551 and the outer casing support 524, and the locking portion 525 and the locked portion 34 can be easily and securely locked. Although the outer end 31 is positioned first relative to the connecting portion body 51, the corrugated tube 20 may be positioned first.

[0116] Furthermore, the thickness of the outer casing end 31 is set to be thinner than the difference between the inner diameter of the small diameter section 21 and the outer diameter of the large diameter section 22. Therefore, when viewed from the longitudinal direction X, the outer casing end 31 is not positioned in the insertion space S of the corrugated tube 20, preventing corner contact between the wire harness 70 (not shown) and the outer casing end 31 (see Figure 11(a)).

[0117] The protector 10 configured in this way is positioned along a portion of the wire harness 70 and includes a restricting outer casing 30 that restricts the wire harness 70 according to the routing path, and a connecting member 40 that connects the corrugated tube 20 and the restricting outer casing 30. The restricting outer casing 30 is made of a resin sheet, and the connecting member 40 is provided with an outer casing holding portion 41 that holds the restricting outer casing 30.

[0118] This allows for easy regulation and protection of the wire harness 70, and also enables weight reduction compared to conventional protectors made of molded resin. More specifically, since the restrictive casing 30 is made of a lightweight and easily processed resin sheet, the restrictive casing 30 can be easily formed to match the routing path of the wire harness 70. This makes it possible to restrict the wire harness 70 according to its routing path and to easily protect the wire harness 70, and also makes the entire protector 10 lighter than conventional products that are entirely made of molded resin.

[0119] Furthermore, the regulating exterior 30, which is made of a resin sheet, is held by the exterior holding portion 41 of the connecting member 40 and connected to the corrugated tube 20 via the connecting member 40. This ensures that the regulating exterior 30 is reliably positioned in the predetermined location.

[0120] In this way, the connecting member 40 securely positions the regulatory casing 30 in a predetermined location, thereby ensuring that the wire harness 70 protected by the regulatory casing 30 is routed along a desired routing path.

[0121] Furthermore, the corrugated tube 20 is a flexible corrugated tube formed in a cylindrical shape through which the wire harness 70 is inserted, the restricting casing 30 restricts the wire harness 70 led out from the corrugated tube 20 according to the routing path, and the connecting member 40 connects the corrugated tube 20 and the restricting casing 30, and is provided with a corrugated holding part 42 that fits onto and holds the end of the corrugated tube 20 on the -X direction side.

[0122] As a result, by placing the restrictive outer casing 30 in the straight sections of the wire harness 70's routing path and the flexible corrugated tube 20 in the curved sections, the wire harness 70 routed along a complex routing path can be easily restricted and protected by the protector 10.

[0123] Furthermore, the exterior holding portion 41 is provided with a locking portion 525 that engages with the restrictive exterior body 30, and the restrictive exterior body 30 is provided with a locked portion 34 that engages with the locking portion 525, and the locking portion 525 and the locked portion 34 also restrict the relative movement of the connecting member 40 between the exterior holding portion 41 and the restrictive exterior body 30 in the longitudinal direction.

[0124] According to this, the locking portion 525 of the locked exterior retaining portion 41 and the locked portion 34 of the restricting exterior body 30 can restrict relative movement in the direction along the longitudinal direction X between the exterior retaining portion 41 and the restricting exterior body 30, that is, in the direction through which the wire harness 70 is inserted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the restricting exterior body 30 from unintentionally coming off the exterior retaining portion 41, and the exterior retaining portion 41 can reliably hold the restricting exterior body 30.

[0125] Furthermore, the exterior retaining portion 41 is formed to communicate with the corrugated retaining portion 42 and surround the restrictive exterior body 30, and the connecting member 40 is integrally formed so that the exterior retaining portion 41 and the corrugated retaining portion 42 are in communication with each other.

[0126] This ensures that the connecting member 40 reliably maintains the relative position between the corrugated tube 20 and the restrictive casing 30, thereby reliably positioning the restrictive casing 30 in a predetermined location and more reliably routing the wire harness 70 along the desired routing path.

[0127] Furthermore, the exterior holding portion 41 is provided with an exterior mounting portion 55 formed in a concave cross-section by a regulating body side bottom portion 552 and a pair of regulating body side wall portions 551 arranged in the width direction of the regulating body side bottom portion 552, and a lid portion 52 that can open and close an opening formed by the tip portions of the pair of regulating body side wall portions 551, and a locking portion 525 is provided on the lid portion 52.

[0128] As a result, by placing the restrictive exterior body 30 through the opening provided in the exterior arrangement section 55 with a concave cross-section and closing the lid section 52, the restrictive exterior body 30 can be held by the exterior holding section 41, and the locking section 525 and the locked section 34 can be locked together, thereby restricting the relative movement of the exterior holding section 41 and the restrictive exterior body 30 in the longitudinal direction.

[0129] Furthermore, the restrictive exterior body 30 is provided with a restrictive bottom plate portion 33 facing the restrictive body side bottom portion 552 and a restrictive side plate portion 32 positioned facing the restrictive body side wall portion 551, with the restrictive bottom plate portion 33 and the restrictive side plate portion 32 being integrally provided, and a locking portion 34 being provided on the restrictive side plate portion 32.

[0130] According to this, since the locking portion 34 is provided on the regulating side plate portion 32, the locking portion 34 provided on the regulating side plate portion 32 and the locking portion 525 can be easily locked together simply by closing the lid portion 52.

[0131] Furthermore, the locking portion 34 is provided at the end of the regulating side plate portion 32 on the side of the lid portion 52. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent unintended interference between the wire harness 70, which passes through the exterior retaining portion 41, and the locking portion 525 and the locked portion 34.

[0132] Furthermore, the locking portion 525 is formed in a convex shape that protrudes from the lid portion 52, and the locked portion 34 is formed by a concave recess that fits into the locking portion 525. This allows the locking portion 525, which protrudes in a convex shape, and the locked portion 34, which is recessed in a concave shape, to fit together in a concave-convex-convex manner, thereby ensuring that the locking portion 525 and the locked portion 34 are securely locked together.

[0133] Furthermore, a convex locking portion 525 is provided on the lid portion 52, and a concave locking portion 34 is provided on the restrictive exterior body 30. If a convex locking portion were provided on the easily processed and deformable regulating exterior body 30, the convex locking portion might deform, potentially causing the interlocking fit between the locking portion and the locked portion to disengage. Therefore, by providing a concave locked portion 34 on the regulating exterior body 30, it is possible to prevent the interlocking fit between the locking portion 525 and the locked portion 34 from disengaging.

[0134] Furthermore, since the opening side of the locking portion 34 is formed to be wider than the bottom side, the locking portion 525 and the locking portion 34 can be easily locked together by the locking portion 34, which is formed to be wider on the opening side. Moreover, since the locking portion 34 is formed to be wider as it approaches the opening side, the locking portion 34 can guide the locking portion 525, and the locking portion 525 and the locking portion 34 can be easily locked together.

[0135] Furthermore, the locking portion 525 is formed to become narrower towards the tip.

[0136] As a result, the locking portion 525, which is formed to narrow towards the tip, can be guided by the locked portion 34, making it easier to lock the locking portion 525 and the locked portion 34 together.

[0137] Furthermore, the lid portion 52 is provided with an exterior support portion 524 that protrudes toward the regulating bottom plate portion 33, and in the closed state with the lid closed, the exterior support portion 524 is positioned to face the regulating side plate portion 32 with the regulating body side wall portion 551 in between.

[0138] As a result, in the closed state, the regulating body exterior 30, which is made of a resin sheet having a regulating body side bottom portion 552 and a regulating body side wall portion 551, can be supported by the regulating side plate portion 32 and the exterior support portion 524, thereby preventing the exterior support portion 524 from falling over and releasing the locking between the locking portion 525 and the locked portion 34.

[0139] Therefore, the locking portion 525 and the locked portion 34 can be kept locked together. In addition, the lid portion 52 can be reinforced by providing the protruding exterior support portion 524 on the lid portion 52.

[0140] Furthermore, the exterior support portion 524 is provided with an inclination that, when closed, gradually separates from the regulating side plate portion 32 as it approaches the tip. According to this, the inclination provided on the exterior support portion 524 is formed to move away from the regulating side plate portion 32 as it approaches the tip. Therefore, when the cover portion 52 is closed, the regulating body side wall portion 551 comes into contact with the inclined surface 564 and is pushed toward the regulating side plate portion 32. Thus, by simply closing the cover portion 52, the regulating body side wall portion 551 can be reliably positioned between the exterior support portion 524 and the side recess portion.

[0141] Furthermore, the exterior support portion 524 and the locking portion 525 provided on the lid portion 52 are integrally formed by ribs that protrude toward the exterior placement portion 55. According to this, since the exterior support portion 524 and the locking portion 525 are integrally formed, closing the lid portion 52 allows for simultaneous support of the regulating body side wall portion 551 by the exterior support portion 524 and locking of the locking portion 525 with the locked portion 34.

[0142] Therefore, by simply closing the lid portion 52, it is possible to prevent the restrictor side wall portion 551 from collapsing toward the internal space through which the wire harness 70 is inserted in the exterior holding portion 41, and at the same time, it is possible to prevent the exterior plate portion from collapsing and releasing the locking between the locking portion 525 and the locked portion 34.

[0143] Furthermore, the lid portion 52 is pivotally supported by a hinge portion 53 provided on the +Y direction side of the restricting side plate portion 32 on the +Y direction side, the restricting body side wall portion 551 is provided so as to abut against the restricting side plate portion 32 on the -Y direction side, and the exterior support portion 524 and the locking portion 525 are provided on the restricting side plate portion 32 side of the lid portion 52 on the -Y direction side.

[0144] As a result, by pivoting the lid 52 with the hinge 53 as the pivot axis, the locking portion 34 and the locking portion 525 of the restrictive exterior 30, which is positioned in a predetermined location, can be easily and reliably locked together simply by closing the lid 52.

[0145] In addition, since the exterior support portion 524 and the locking portion 525 are provided on the opposite side of the hinge portion 53 of the lid portion 52, the lid portion 52 can be closed while visually confirming that the restrictor side wall portion 551 to which the locking portion 34 is provided is not tilted, thereby preventing the lid portion 525 from being installed in a detached state.

[0146] Furthermore, the outer end portion 31, which is the end of the regulated outer casing 30, is held by the outer casing holding portion 41, and a step 43 is formed at the boundary between the corrugated holding portion 42 and the outer casing holding portion 41 so as to abut against the end of the outer end portion 31 on the +X direction side.

[0147] This allows the restrictive exterior body 30 to be positioned in the desired location by arranging the restrictive exterior body 30 on the exterior member such that the exterior end portion 31 abuts against the step 43.

[0148] Furthermore, the outer casing end portion 31 and the outer casing retaining portion 41 are positioned radially outward from the insertion space S through which the wire harness 70 of the corrugated tube 20 is inserted, when viewed from the direction in which the wire harness 70 is inserted.

[0149] As a result, the outer casing end 31 and the outer casing retaining portion 41 are positioned radially outward from the wire harness 70 that passes through the corrugated tube 20 when viewed from the direction in which the wire harness 70 is inserted. This prevents the wire harness 70 that emerges from the corrugated tube 20 from interfering with the outer casing end 31 and the outer casing retaining portion 41 and being damaged.

[0150] In the correspondence between the structure of this invention and the embodiments described above, The protector of this invention corresponds to the protector 10 of the embodiment, The same applies to the following: The wire harness is compatible with wire harness 70. The connecting member and the harness protection member correspond to the corrugated tube 20. The regulated exterior component corresponds to the regulated exterior body 30, The connecting member corresponds to the connecting member 40, The outer fitting portion corresponds to the corrugated retaining portion 42, The exterior end corresponds to the exterior end 31, The exterior retaining part corresponds to the exterior retaining part 41, The locking part corresponds to the locking part 525, The locked portion corresponds to the locked portion 34, The bottom plate corresponds to the bottom 552 of the regulating body, The side plate portion corresponds to the regulating body side wall portion 551, The main body of the holding part corresponds to the exterior arrangement part 55, The lid corresponds to the lid 52. The exterior bottom plate corresponds to the regulated bottom plate 33. The exterior side panel corresponds to the regulating side panel 32. The exterior support part corresponds to the exterior support part 524, The pivot shaft corresponds to the hinge portion 53. The step corresponds to step 43, The longitudinal direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction X, The width direction corresponds to the width direction Y, The insertion space corresponds to the insertion space S, The wire harness with protector is compatible with harness routing structure 100, This invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiments described above, and many other embodiments can be obtained.

[0151] For example, in this embodiment, the member to be connected is a corrugated tube 20 with a bellows structure in which small-diameter portions 21 and large-diameter portions 22 are alternately arranged along the longitudinal direction X. However, it is sufficient if it can be connected to the restrictive exterior body 30 via the connecting member 40, and may be, for example, a panel, electrical equipment, a tubular body such as a corrugated tube through which a wire harness 70 is inserted, a grommet, a hose-shaped tube, or a wire harness 70 that has been routed.

[0152] Furthermore, the connecting member only needs to be formed in a cylindrical shape, and its cross-sectional shape may be circular or polygonal, including oval shapes such as perfect circles, ellipses, oblongs, or egg shapes, as well as roughly triangular or roughly square shapes. It may also be a grommet or a hose-like tube.

[0153] In this embodiment, the connecting member 40 is provided at the +X side end of the restrictive exterior 30, but it may also be provided at the -X side end, at both ends in the longitudinal direction X, or in the central part, etc., and it is sufficient that it is provided at least at one location on the restrictive exterior 30. The connecting member 40 may also have a configuration for connecting to the corrugated tube 20. For example, it may have a configuration that includes an anchor or a buckle.

[0154] In this embodiment, the corrugated tube 20 is attached to the restrictive casing 30 at one location via the connecting member 40, but it may be attached at multiple locations. For example, the corrugated tube 20 may be attached via the connecting member 40 to both ends or the central portion of a linearly formed restrictive casing 30, or to three ends or the central portion of a T-shaped restrictive casing 30.

[0155] The corrugated retaining portion 42 only needs to be configured to be fitted onto the end of the corrugated tube 20 and to hold the corrugated tube 20, and may be fitted over the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the corrugated tube 20, or it may be fitted over a part of the outer circumference.

[0156] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer casing end portion 31 is formed in a substantially concave shape with an opening on the +Z direction side, but it can be any shape as long as it can be held by the outer casing holding portion 41, and may be formed in an L-shape or a plate shape.

[0157] Furthermore, in this embodiment, both the exterior mounting portion 55 and the exterior end portion 31 are formed in a substantially concave shape that opens on the +Z direction side, but the opening directions of the exterior mounting portion 55 and the exterior end portion 31 may be different.

[0158] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the exterior support portions 524, which are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction X, are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction Y, but the inside of the exterior support portions 524 in the width direction Y may be formed solid. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0159] 10. Protector 20 corrugated tubing 30. Regulated exterior 31...Exterior edge 34...Locked part 40... Connecting parts 41...Exterior holding part 42. Corrugated retaining section 43 steps 51...Connecting section body 52...Lid part 55...Exterior arrangement part 56...Corrugated section 70... Wire harness 100...Harness routing structure 524...Exterior support part 525... Locking part X...Long direction Y... width direction Z... Height direction

Claims

1. A restricting sheathing member positioned along at least a portion of the wire harness and restricting the wire harness in accordance with the routing path, A connecting member is provided to connect the member to be connected and the regulating exterior member. The aforementioned restrictive exterior member is formed from a resin sheet, The connecting member is provided with an exterior holding portion for holding the regulating exterior member. The member to be connected is a flexible harness protection member formed in a cylindrical shape through which the wire harness is inserted. The aforementioned restrictive exterior member is At least a portion of the wire harness led out from the harness protection member is restricted to match the routing path. The connecting member connects the harness protection member and the restrictive exterior member, and is provided with an external fitting portion that fits onto and holds the end of the harness protection member. Protector.

2. The exterior retaining portion is provided with a locking portion that engages with the restrictive exterior member. The restrictive exterior member is provided with a locking portion into which the locking portion engages. The locking portion and the locked portion are The connecting member between the exterior retaining portion and the restricting exterior member restricts relative movement of at least the longitudinal direction. The protector according to claim 1.

3. The exterior retaining part is It is formed to communicate with the aforementioned outer fitting portion and to surround the aforementioned restrictive exterior member. The protector according to claim 2.

4. The exterior retaining part comprises a retaining part body formed in a concave cross-section by a bottom plate and a pair of side plates arranged in the width direction of the bottom plate, It is equipped with a lid that can open and close the opening formed by the tip portions of the pair of side plates, The locking portion is provided on the lid. The protector according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned restrictive exterior member, The system includes an exterior bottom plate portion facing the aforementioned bottom plate portion, and an exterior side plate portion positioned facing at least one of the aforementioned side plate portions. The exterior bottom plate portion and the exterior side plate portion are provided integrally, The locking portion is provided on the exterior side plate portion. The protector according to claim 4.

6. The locking portion is provided at the end of the exterior side plate portion on the side of the lid portion. The protector according to claim 5.

7. The locking portion is formed in a convex shape that protrudes from the lid portion, The locking portion is formed by a concave recess that fits into the locking portion. The protector according to claim 5 or claim 6.

8. The opening side of the locking portion is formed to be wider than the bottom side. The protector according to claim 7.

9. The locking portion is formed to become narrower towards the tip. The protector according to claim 7 or claim 8.

10. The lid portion is provided with an exterior support portion that protrudes toward the bottom plate portion, In the closed state with the lid closed, the exterior support portion is positioned to face the side plate portion with the exterior side plate portion in between. A protector according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

11. The exterior support portion is provided with an inclination that, in the closed state, gradually separates from the side plate portion as it approaches the tip. The protector according to claim 10.

12. The exterior support portion and the locking portion provided on the lid are integrally formed by ribs that protrude toward the main body of the holding portion. The protector according to claim 10 or claim 11.

13. The lid portion is pivotably supported by a pivot shaft portion provided on one of the pair of side plate portions, The exterior side plate portion is provided so as to abut against at least the other side plate portion. The exterior support portion and the locking portion are provided on the side plate portion side of at least the other side of the lid portion. A protector according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

14. The exterior end, which is the end of the regulating exterior member, is held by the exterior holding portion. A step is provided in at least a portion of the boundary between the outer fitting portion and the exterior retaining portion. The step is formed to abut against the end face of the outer casing. A protector according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The exterior end and the exterior holding portion are Viewed from the direction through which the wire harness is inserted, the harness protective member is positioned radially outward from the insertion space through which the wire harness is inserted. The protector according to claim 14.

16. A connecting member and a restricting exterior member, which is formed of a resin sheet and positioned along at least a portion of the wire harness to restrict the wire harness according to the routing path, are connected. An exterior retaining portion is provided for holding the aforementioned regulating exterior member, The member to be connected is a flexible harness protection member formed in a cylindrical shape through which the wire harness is inserted. The restricting outer casing member, which restricts at least a portion of the wire harness led out from the harness protection member to conform to the routing path, is connected to the harness protection member, and an outer fitting portion is provided to fit onto and hold the end of the harness protection member. Connecting member.

17. A restricting sheathing member positioned along at least a portion of the wire harness and restricting the wire harness in accordance with the routing path, The member to be connected and A connecting member is provided to connect the aforementioned restrictive exterior member and the aforementioned member to be connected. The aforementioned restrictive exterior member is formed from a resin sheet, The connecting member is provided with an exterior holding portion for holding the regulating exterior member. The member to be connected is a flexible harness protection member formed in a cylindrical shape through which the wire harness is inserted. The aforementioned restrictive exterior member is At least a portion of the wire harness led out from the harness protection member is restricted to match the routing path. The connecting member connects the harness protection member and the restrictive exterior member, and is provided with an external fitting portion that fits onto and holds the end of the harness protection member. Protector with connecting components.

18. Equipped with a wire harness and protector, The aforementioned protector is A restricting outer casing member is positioned along at least a portion of the wire harness and restricts the wire harness in accordance with the routing path, A connecting member is provided to connect the member to be connected and the regulating exterior member. The aforementioned restrictive exterior member is formed from a resin sheet, The connecting member is provided with an exterior holding portion for holding the regulating exterior member. The member to be connected is a flexible harness protection member formed in a cylindrical shape through which the wire harness is inserted. The aforementioned restrictive exterior member is At least a portion of the wire harness led out from the harness protection member is restricted to match the routing path. The connecting member connects the harness protection member and the restrictive exterior member, and is provided with an external fitting portion that fits onto and holds the end of the harness protection member. Wire harness with protector.

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