Route control member and wire harness

Abstract

To provide a path regulation member and a wire harness, which can suitably maintain a connection state.SOLUTION: A path regulation member 20 includes a bending component 30A including: a cylindrical holding part 31 which holds a wire member 11 and has a bending part 30R; and a connection part 40. The path regulation member 20 includes a bending component 30B including: a cylindrical holding part 31 which holds the wire member 11 and has a bending part 30R; and a connection part 50 connected to the connection part 40 of the bending component 30A by using bending reaction force of the wire member 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a path restricting member and a wire harness.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a wire harness routed inside a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, there is known one including an electric wire member and a path restricting member that restricts the path of the electric wire member (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The path restricting member is provided, for example, at a bent portion in the routing path of the electric wire member. And the bent shape of the bent portion in the electric wire member is maintained by the path restricting member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the above wire harness, one path restricting member may be constituted by connecting a plurality of restricting parts. In this case, it is desired to maintain the connection state between the plurality of restricting parts.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a path restricting member and a wire harness that can suitably maintain the connection state.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The path regulating member of this disclosure is a path regulating member for regulating the path of an electric wire member, comprising: a first bending part having a cylindrical first holding part that holds the electric wire member and has a first bending part and a first connecting part; a second bending part having a cylindrical second holding part that holds the electric wire member and has a second bending part and a second connecting part that is connected to the first connecting part by utilizing the bending reaction force of the electric wire member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The path regulating member and wire harness of this disclosure have the effect of being able to suitably maintain the connected state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view showing a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view showing a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a path regulating member of one embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a bent component of one embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a path regulating member according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a method for assembling a path regulating member according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a plan view showing an assembly method for a path regulating member according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of a path regulating member. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified example of the path regulating member. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a bent component. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the modified bending component. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a route regulating member. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a perspective view showing a modified wire harness. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The path regulating member of the present disclosure is a path regulating member for regulating the path of a wire member, comprising: a first bending part having a cylindrical first holding part that holds the wire member and has a first bending part and a first connecting part; a second bending part having a cylindrical second holding part that holds the wire member and has a second bending part and a second connecting part that is connected to the first connecting part by utilizing the bending reaction force of the wire member.

[0010] In this configuration, the first connecting portion of the first bent component and the second connecting portion of the second bent component are connected to each other by utilizing the bending reaction force of the electric wire member, thereby connecting the first bent component and the second bent component. This allows the first bent component and the second bent component to be directly connected, and by combining these first and second bent components, a single path regulating member can be formed.

[0011] Incidentally, when a single path restricting member is formed by connecting a plurality of restricting components, usually, the bending reaction force of the wire member acts to release the connection state of the plurality of restricting components. In contrast, in the above configuration, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected by utilizing the bending reaction force of the wire member, and the first bending component and the second bending component are connected by utilizing the bending reaction force of the wire member. Therefore, it is possible to preferably suppress the connection state between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion and the connection state between the first bending component and the second bending component from being released due to the bending reaction force of the wire member. As a result, even when the bending reaction force of the wire member is applied to the path restricting member, the connection state between the first bending component and the second bending component can be preferably maintained.

[0012] [2] In [1] above, the first connecting portion may be provided on the bending outer side of the first bending portion, and the second connecting portion may be provided on the bending outer side of the second bending portion. According to this configuration, the first connecting portion can be provided on the bending outer side of the first bending portion where the bending reaction force of the wire member acts, and the second connecting portion can be provided on the bending outer side of the second bending portion where the bending reaction force of the wire member acts.

[0013] [3] In [2] above, the first connecting portion has a first contact surface formed to extend radially outward from the axial end surface of the first holding portion, and the second connecting portion is formed to extend radially outward from the axial end surface of the second holding portion and has a second contact surface that contacts the first contact surface. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion may be connected such that the first contact surface and the second contact surface are brought into contact with each other by the bending reaction force of the wire member.

[0014] In this configuration, the first contact surface of the first connecting portion and the second contact surface of the second connecting portion come into contact with each other due to the bending reaction force of the electric wire member. In other words, the bending reaction force of the electric wire member applies a force to the path regulating member that brings the first contact surface and the second contact surface closer together. At this time, the first contact surface is formed to extend radially outward from the first holding portion, and the second contact surface is formed to extend radially outward from the second holding portion. Therefore, the contact area between the first and second bent parts can be increased compared to the case where only the axial end faces of the first and second holding portions come into contact with each other. As a result, the load applied to the path regulating member by the bending reaction force of the electric wire member can be suitably distributed to both the first and second contact surfaces. As a result, stress concentration on parts of the first and second bent parts can be suitably suppressed, and damage to the first and second bent parts due to stress concentration can be suitably suppressed.

[0015] [4] In the above [3], the first connecting portion has a recess provided so as to be recessed from the first contact surface, and the second connecting portion has a convex portion that protrudes from the second contact surface toward the recess and is fitted into the recess, and the convex portion may engage with the inner surface of the recess in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the first retaining portion.

[0016] In this configuration, when the first contact surface of the first connecting portion and the second contact surface of the second connecting portion come into contact with each other, the convex portion of the second connecting portion is fitted into the recess of the first connecting portion so as to engage with the inner surface of the recess of the first connecting portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the first holding portion. This engagement between the convex portion and the inner surface of the recess suppresses relative movement of the second bending portion with respect to the first bending portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the first holding portion.

[0017] [5] In the above [4], the tip of the protrusion has an engaging protrusion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the protrusion, the inner end of the recess has an engaging recess into which the engaging protrusion is fitted, and the engaging protrusion may engage with the inner surface of the engaging recess in the direction in which the protrusion is fitted to the recess.

[0018] In this configuration, the engaging projection provided at the tip of the protrusion engages with the inner surface of the engaging recess in the fitting direction of the protrusion. This effectively prevents the protrusion from coming out of the recess.

[0019] [6] In any of the above [1] to [5], the first bending part has a third connecting part provided on the inside of the bend of the first bending part, the second bending part has a fourth connecting part provided on the inside of the bend of the second bending part and connected to the third connecting part, the third connecting part has a support shaft extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first holding part, and the fourth connecting part may have a gripping part that grips the support shaft and is connected to the third connecting part so as to be rotatable relative to the support shaft with the support shaft as the axis of rotation.

[0020] With this configuration, the gripping portion of the fourth connecting portion grips the support shaft of the third connecting portion, allowing the fourth connecting portion to rotate relative to the third connecting portion with the support shaft as the axis of rotation. This allows the second bending component to rotate relative to the first bending component with the support shaft as the axis of rotation, while the gripping portion grips the support shaft. Therefore, the relative rotation of the second bending component with respect to the first bending component can be supported by the third and fourth connecting portions. Consequently, the second bending component can rotate relative to the first bending component along a specific trajectory.

[0021] [7] In the above [6], the third connecting portion has a notch provided on the axial end face of the first holding portion, the notch is provided in the circumferential intermediate portion of the first holding portion, and the support shaft may be provided inside the notch.

[0022] In this configuration, a support shaft is provided inside a notch located in the circumferential middle portion of the first retaining part. Therefore, the support shaft can be supported from both sides of the notch by the first retaining part, in the direction in which the support shaft extends, that is, in the direction intersecting the axial direction of the first retaining part. This improves the strength of the support shaft compared to when the support shaft is cantilevered by the first retaining part.

[0023] [8] In the above [7], the support shaft may be a separate part from the first holding part. This configuration allows the first retaining part and the support shaft to be made of different materials. Therefore, the degree of freedom in selecting materials for the first retaining part and the support shaft can be increased. For example, by forming the support shaft harder than the first retaining part, the strength of the support shaft can be improved.

[0024] [9] In any of the above [6] to [8], the first retaining portion has a bottom wall and a first side wall and a second side wall protruding from both side edges of the bottom wall, the first bending portion has a first end and a second end in the axial direction of the first bending portion, the first bending portion comprises a first connecting portion provided at the first end of the first side wall, a third connecting portion provided at the first end of the second side wall, a fifth connecting portion provided at the second end of the first side wall, and a sixth connecting portion provided at the second end of the second side wall, wherein the fifth connecting portion has the same structure as the second connecting portion, and the sixth connecting portion has the same structure as the fourth connecting portion.

[0025] In this configuration, the first end of the first bent component is provided with a first connecting portion that connects to the second connecting portion of the second bent component, and a third connecting portion that connects to the fourth connecting portion of the second bent component. Furthermore, the second end of the first bent component is provided with a fifth connecting portion having the same structure as the second connecting portion of the second bent component, and a sixth connecting portion having the same structure as the fourth connecting portion of the second bent component. Therefore, another first bent component can be connected to the second end of the first bent component. This makes it easy to change the number of directly connected first and second bent components. As a result, the bending angle of the path regulating member can be easily changed.

[0026]

[10] In the above [9], the second bending component may have the same structure as the first bending component. In this configuration, two first and second bending components, each having the same structure, are directly connected. This allows for a change in the bending angle of the path-regulating member compared to using the first bending component alone. Thus, by adjusting the number of identical first and second bending components connected, the bending angle of the path-regulating member can be easily changed. As a result, the versatility of the first and second bending components can be improved, and consequently, the versatility of the path-regulating member can be improved.

[0027]

[11] The wire harness of the present disclosure comprises a route restricting member as described in any of [1] to

[10] above, and a wire member whose route is restricted by the route restricting member. This configuration allows for the same effects as the path restricting member described in [1] above.

[0028] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the route control members and 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, "orthogonal," "parallel," and "full length" include not only cases where they are strictly orthogonal, parallel, or full length, but also cases where they are approximately orthogonal, parallel, or full length within the range that achieves the effects of this embodiment. In this specification, "identical" or "equal" includes not only cases where they are exactly the same or exactly equal, but also cases where there are some differences between the comparison objects due to the influence of dimensional tolerances, etc. Furthermore, the term "cylindrical" as used in this description includes not only those in which a circumferential wall is formed continuously around the entire circumference, but also those formed by combining multiple parts to form a cylinder, and those having notches or the like in the circumferential direction, such as C-shapes or U-shapes. Note that the shape of "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, and polygons with pointed or rounded corners. Furthermore, in this specification, "facing" means that two faces or members are in a position facing each other, and includes not only cases where they are completely facing each other, but also cases where they are partially facing each other. Furthermore, in this specification, "facing" includes both cases where another member is interposed between the two parts, and cases where nothing is interposed between the two parts. In addition, some drawings illustrate mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes. In the following description, for convenience, the direction extending along the X axis will be referred to as the X-axis direction, the direction extending along the Y axis will be referred to as the Y-axis direction, and the direction extending along the Z axis will be referred to as the Z-axis direction. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims as shown in the claims.

[0029] (Overall configuration of wire harness 10) The wire harness 10 shown in Figure 1 is installed in a vehicle V, such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. The wire harness 10 electrically connects two or more electrical devices. For example, the wire harness 10 electrically connects an inverter M1 installed at the front of the vehicle V to a high-voltage battery M2 installed behind the inverter M1. The wire harness 10 is routed in the vehicle V such that, for example, the axial (lengthwise) middle portion of the wire harness 10 passes outside the passenger compartment, such as under the floor of the vehicle V. The inverter M1 is connected to, for example, a wheel drive motor (not shown) that serves as a power source for the vehicle's movement. The inverter M1 generates AC power from the DC power of the high-voltage battery M2 and supplies that AC power to the motor. The high-voltage battery M2 is, for example, a battery capable of supplying a voltage of several hundred volts.

[0030] The wire harness 10 includes a wire component 11. The wire component 11 comprises one or more wires 12 and a cylindrical outer casing member 13 that surrounds the outer circumference of the wires 12. The first end of the wire 12 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the inverter M1, and the second end of the wire 12 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the high-voltage battery M2.

[0031] The electric wire 12 is, for example, a thick electric wire with a large conductor cross-sectional area. Here, "thick electric wire" as used herein means a conductor cross-sectional area of ​​10 mm². 2 The wire is of a size of 10 sq mm or larger. The outer covering member 13 is, for example, a long cylindrical shape overall. The outer covering member 13 has the function of protecting the internal wire 12 from flying objects and water droplets. The outer covering member 13 is, for example, flexible and can be easily bent. Examples of flexible outer covering members 13 include corrugated tubes made of synthetic resin and waterproof covers made of rubber.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the electric wire member 11 is bent in two or three dimensions, for example, when mounted on a vehicle V. The electric wire member 11 of this embodiment has a straight section 14A extending linearly along the X-axis, a bent section 15A provided at the end of the straight section 14A, and a straight section 14B extending linearly from the bent section 15A along the Y-axis. The electric wire member 11 of this embodiment has a bent section 15B provided at the end of the straight section 14B, and a straight section 14C extending linearly from the bent section 15B along the X-axis. Thus, the electric wire member 11 has multiple (in this case, two) bent sections 15A and 15B.

[0033] The bent section 15A is formed, for example, to bend the path of the electric wire member 11 at a bending angle θ1. Here, the bending angle θ1 is the angle between the central axis L1 of the straight section 14A and the central axis L2 of the straight section 14B. The bent section 15A bends the path of the electric wire member 11 so that the bending angle θ1 is 90°. The bent section 15A is formed, for example, to bend the path of the electric wire member 11 to the left in the figure with respect to the central axis L1 of the straight section 14A. That is, the bent section 15A is formed to bend the path of the electric wire member 11 to the left at a bending angle θ1 of 90° with respect to the central axis L1 of the straight section 14A.

[0034] The bent section 15B bends the path of the electric wire member 11 such that the bending angle θ2 formed by the central axis L2 of the straight section 14B and the central axis L3 of the straight section 14C is 90°. The bent section 15B is formed such that, for example, the path of the electric wire member 11 is bent to the right in the figure with respect to the central axis L2 of the straight section 14B. That is, the bent section 15B is formed to bend the path of the electric wire member 11 to the right at a bending angle θ2 of 90° with respect to the central axis L2 of the straight section 14B.

[0035] The wire harness 10 includes one or more path restricting members 20 that restrict the path of the electric wire member 11. The path restricting members 20 are attached to the outer circumference of the electric wire member 11. The path restricting members 20 are provided on at least one of the multiple bent portions 15A, 15B in the electric wire member 11, and maintain the bent shape of the electric wire member 11 at the bent portion 15A, 15B. The wire harness 10 of this embodiment includes two path restricting members 20A, 20B. The two path restricting members 20A, 20B are provided corresponding to two bent portions 15A, 15B, respectively.

[0036] (Configuration of route regulating members 20A and 20B) Multiple path regulating members 20A, 20B are provided, for example, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the electric wire member 11. Each of the path regulating members 20A, 20B includes, for example, multiple bending components 30. The path regulating members 20A, 20B are configured such that, for example, the number and arrangement direction of the bending components 30 differ to match the bending shape of the corresponding bending sections 15A, 15B.

[0037] (Configuration of the path regulating member 20A) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the path regulating member 20A is configured such that two bent parts 30 are arranged side by side along the length of the electric wire member 11. For convenience, in the following description, the bent part 30 located closer to the straight section 14B will be referred to as "bent part 30A," and the bent part 30 located closer to the straight section 14A will be referred to as "bent part 30B." Bent parts 30A and 30B are connected to each other using the bending reaction force F1 of the electric wire member 11 (see Figure 9). Bent parts 30A and 30B are connected in such a way that their relative positions are maintained using the bending reaction force F1 of the electric wire member 11. Here, the bending reaction force F1 of the electric wire member 11 is the force that causes the electric wire member 11 to return to its original straight state after being bent as in the bent section 15A. Furthermore, the bending component 30A and the bending component 30B are configured such that, for example, when no bending reaction force F1 is applied to the electric wire member 11, their connection to each other can be easily released.

[0038] Each of the bending parts 30A and 30B holds the exterior member 13. The exterior member 13 is less prone to bending than, for example, when the bending parts 30A and 30B are not attached. The bending parts 30A and 30B are made of, for example, metal or resin. In this embodiment, the bending parts 30A and 30B are made of resin. As the material for the bending parts 30A and 30B, synthetic resins such as polypropylene, polyamide, and polyacetal can be used. The material of the bending part 30A and the material of the bending part 30B may be different from each other, or they may be the same.

[0039] The bending components 30A and 30B are attached to the outer circumference of the outer sheathing member 13, for example, at the bent portion 15A of the path of the electric wire member 11. The bending components 30A and 30B restrict the path of the electric wire member 11 at the bent portion 15A.

[0040] (Composition of bending parts 30A and 30B) Next, the specific structures of the bending parts 30A and 30B will be described. Since the bending parts 30A and 30B have the same structure, similar components will be given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations may be omitted.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the bending component 30A has a cylindrical holding portion 31 (first holding portion) that holds the electric wire member 11 and has a bent portion 30R (first bent portion). The bending component 30A has a connecting portion 40 (first connecting portion), a connecting portion 50 (fifth connecting portion), a connecting portion 60 (third connecting portion), and a connecting portion 70 (sixth connecting portion). The bending component 30B has a cylindrical holding portion 31 (second holding portion) that holds the electric wire member 11 and has a bent portion 30R (second bent portion). The bending component 30B has a connecting portion 40, a connecting portion 50 (second connecting portion), a connecting portion 60, and a connecting portion 70 (fourth connecting portion).

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, the retaining portion 31 is cylindrical in shape and covers the outer circumference of the exterior member 13 in a part of its circumferential direction. The cross-sectional shape of the retaining portion 31 is U-shaped overall. As shown in Figure 3, the retaining portion 31 is formed in a bent shape having a bent portion 30R that bends at a predetermined bending angle θ. In this embodiment, the bending angle θ of the bent portion 30R is set to 45°. The axial direction of the cylindrical retaining portion 31 extends so as to bend at a predetermined bending angle θ.

[0043] The holding portion 31 has, for example, a bottom wall 32 and two side walls 33, 34 protruding from both side edges of the bottom wall 32. The bottom wall 32 extends so as to bend at a predetermined bending angle θ in a plan view, for example, from the Z-axis direction. The bottom wall 32 is formed to curve in an arc shape in a plan view, for example, from the Z-axis direction. As shown in Figure 4, the cross-sectional shape of the bottom wall 32 is formed in an arc shape, for example.

[0044] Each side wall 33, 34 is formed integrally with the bottom wall 32 in a continuous manner. Each side wall 33, 34 protrudes in the Z-axis direction from, for example, each of the two end edges in the width direction of the bottom wall 32. The two side walls 33, 34 face each other in the width direction of the bottom wall 32. Each side wall 33, 34 is formed, for example, in a plate shape. The cross-sectional shape of each side wall 33, 34 is formed as a rectangle extending linearly along the Z-axis direction.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the side walls 33 are provided on the outer side of the bend of the bent portion 30R at both ends of the widthwise edge of the bottom wall 32. The side walls 34 are provided on the inner side of the bend of the bend of the bent portion 30R at both ends of the widthwise edge of the bottom wall 32. The inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the side walls 33 and 34 are formed to curve in an arc shape when viewed in a plan view from the Z-axis direction. Each side wall 33 and 34 extends, for example, along the entire axial length of the holding portion 31. The length dimension of the side wall 33 along the axial direction of the holding portion 31 is greater than the length dimension of the side wall 34 along the axial direction of the holding portion 31.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, the bent part 30A has an insertion opening 35 that opens in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the bent part 30A. The insertion opening 35 is formed by the gap between the upper end of the side wall 33 and the upper end of the side wall 34. The insertion opening 35 extends, for example, along the axial direction of the bent part 30A, along the entire axial length of the bent part 30A. That is, the insertion opening 35 is formed to open in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the bent part 30A, and also to open at both ends of the bent part 30A in the axial direction.

[0047] The bent part 30A has an axial end 36 and an axial end 37. End 36 is, for example, the end facing the bent part 30B. End 37 is the end provided on the opposite side of end 36 in the axial direction of the bent part 30A.

[0048] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the connecting portion 40 is provided at the end 36 of the side wall 33. The connecting portion 50 is provided at the end 37 of the side wall 33. The connecting portion 60 is provided at the end 36 of the side wall 34. The connecting portion 70 is provided at the end 37 of the side wall 34. At the end 36 of the bent component 30A, the connecting portion 40 is provided on the side wall 33, and the connecting portion 60 is provided on the side wall 34. As shown in Figure 4, the connecting portion 40 of the bent component 30A is connected to the connecting portion 50 of the bent component 30B. The connecting portion 50 of the bent component 30B is connected to the connecting portion 40 of the bent component 30A using the bending reaction force F1 (see Figure 9) of the electric wire member 11. The connecting portion 60 of the bent component 30A is connected to the connecting portion 70 of the bent component 30B.

[0049] Next, the specific structure of the connecting portion 40 will be described. Here, the explanation will mainly refer to the connecting portion 40 of the bent part 30A. As shown in Figure 6, the connecting portion 40 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 36. In other words, the connecting portion 40 is provided on the outside of the bend of the bent portion 30R.

[0050] The connecting portion 40 has a first projection 41 that protrudes radially outward from the holding portion 31 from the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 36. The first projection 41 is provided, for example, only on the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 33. In other words, the first projection 41 is not provided on the outer circumferential surface of the bottom wall 32. As shown in Figure 5, the first projection 41 has a first contact surface 42. The first contact surface 42 is formed to extend radially outward from the holding portion 31 from the axial end surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 36. The first contact surface 42 extends, for example, along the height direction of the side wall 33. The first contact surface 42 is formed continuously and integrally with the axial end surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 36. The first contact surface 42 is formed flush with the axial end surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 36. The first contact surface 42 is provided so as to face the bending portion 30B.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, the first projection 41 extends from the first contact surface 42 toward the end 37 along the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The first projection 41 extends to the middle portion of the side wall 33 in the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The first projection 41 is formed such that, for example, the amount of protrusion from the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 33 decreases as it moves from the first contact surface 42 toward the end 37. In other words, the amount of protrusion from the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 33 is largest at the first contact surface 42. The first projection 41 is formed in a triangular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0052] As shown in Figure 7, the connecting portion 40 has a recess 43 that is recessed from the first contact surface 42 toward the end portion 37. The recess 43 extends from the first contact surface 42 to the middle of the length of the first projection 41. The recess 43 is formed such that, for example, the opening width decreases from the first contact surface 42 toward the bottom of the recess 43. The recess 43 is formed with a triangular shape in plan view when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0053] As shown in Figure 5, the recess 43 is located in the middle portion of the first contact surface 42 in the height direction (in this case, the Z-axis direction). The recess 43 is located in the central portion of the first contact surface 42 in the height direction. The recess 43 extends along the Z-axis direction.

[0054] Next, the specific structure of the connecting portion 50 will be described. Here, the explanation will mainly refer to the connecting portion 50 of the bent part 30A. The connecting portion 50 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 37. In other words, the connecting portion 50 is provided on the outside of the bend of the bent portion 30R.

[0055] As shown in Figure 6, the connecting portion 50 has a second projection 51 that protrudes radially outward from the holding portion 31 from the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 37. The second projection 51 is provided, for example, only on the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 33. In other words, the second projection 51 is not provided on the outer circumferential surface of the bottom wall 32. The second projection 51 has a second contact surface 52. The second contact surface 52 is formed to extend radially outward from the holding portion 31 from the axial end surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 37. The second contact surface 52 extends, for example, along the height direction of the side wall 33. The second contact surface 52 is formed continuously and integrally with the axial end surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 37. The second contact surface 52 is formed flush with the axial end surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 37. As shown in Figure 5, the second contact surface 52 of the bending portion 30B is provided to face the first contact surface 42 of the bending portion 30A. The second contact surface 52 of the bent component 30B is positioned to contact the first contact surface 42 of the bent component 30A due to the bending reaction force F1 (see Figure 9) of the electric wire member 11.

[0056] As shown in Figure 3, the second projection 51 extends from the second contact surface 52 toward the end 36 along the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The second projection 51 extends to the middle portion of the side wall 33 in the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The second projection 51 does not extend to the first projection 41 in the axial direction of the holding portion 31. That is, the first projection 41 and the second projection 51 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The second projection 51 is formed such that, for example, the amount of protrusion from the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 33 decreases as it moves from the second contact surface 52 toward the end 36. In other words, the amount of protrusion from the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 33 is largest at the second contact surface 52. The second projection 51 has a triangular planar shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0057] As shown in Figure 7, the connecting portion 50 has a protrusion 53 that projects outward from the holding portion 31 in the axial direction of the holding portion 31 from the second contact surface 52. The protrusion 53 of the connecting portion 50 of the bending portion 30B protrudes from the second contact surface 52 toward the recess 43 of the bending portion 30A. The protrusion 53 of the bending portion 30B is fitted into the recess 43 of the bending portion 30A. As shown in Figure 5, the protrusion 53 is formed in a tapered shape that becomes narrower as it moves away from the second contact surface 52. The protrusion 53 is formed in a sharp shape, for example. The protrusion 53 is formed in a cone shape, for example. The protrusion 53 in this embodiment is formed in a gable shape. The planar shape of the protrusion 53, as viewed from the Z-axis direction, is triangular.

[0058] The protrusion 53 is located in the middle portion of the second contact surface 52 in the height direction (in this case, the Z-axis direction). The protrusion 53 is located in the central portion of the second contact surface 52 in the height direction. The protrusion 53 is located at the same position as the recess 43 in the height direction of the side wall 33. The protrusion 53 extends along the Z-axis direction.

[0059] As shown in Figure 4, when the first contact surface 42 of the bending part 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the bending part 30B come into contact with each other, the convex portion 53 of the bending part 30B fits into the concave portion 43 of the bending part 30A. At this time, the inner surface of the concave portion 43 and the convex portion 53 engage with each other in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the holding portion 31, specifically in the height direction of the side wall 33 (here, the Z-axis direction). This effectively suppresses relative movement of the bending part 30B with respect to the bending part 30A in the Z-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the holding portion 31. As a result, misalignment of the bending part 30B with respect to the bending part 30A in the Z-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the holding portion 31, can be suppressed. In this way, the connecting portion 40 of the bending part 30A and the connecting portion 50 of the bending part 30B function as a misalignment suppression mechanism that suppresses misalignment of the bending part 30B with respect to the bending part 30A. Furthermore, the connecting parts 40 and 50, which function as a displacement suppression function, are provided on the outer side of the bend of the bent part 30R.

[0060] Next, the specific structure of the connecting portion 60 will be described. Here, the explanation will mainly refer to the connecting portion 60 of the bent part 30A. As shown in Figure 5, the connecting portion 60 is provided on the inside of the bend of the bent portion 30R. The connecting portion 60 has, for example, a notch 61 provided in the side wall 34 at the end portion 36 and a support shaft 62 protruding from the inner surface of the notch 61. The support shaft 62 is, for example, formed integrally with the inner surface of the notch 61.

[0061] The notch 61 is formed such that a portion of the axial end face of the side wall 34 at the end 36 is cut out. The notch 61 is formed to recess from the axial end face of the side wall 34 at the end 36 toward the end 37. The notch 61 extends along the length of the side wall 34, that is, along the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The notch 61 is formed to recess, for example, from the upper surface of the side wall 34 toward the bottom wall 32. The notch 61 extends along the height direction of the side wall 34 (here, the Z-axis direction). The notch 61 is formed to penetrate the side wall 34 in the thickness direction (plate thickness direction).

[0062] The inner surface of the notch 61 has a first inner surface 61A and a second inner surface 61B. The first inner surface 61A is an end face located in the height direction of the side wall 34, closest to the lower end of the notch 61, i.e., the bottom wall 32. The first inner surface 61A is formed to extend, for example, in the length direction of the side wall 34 and in the thickness direction of the side wall 34. The first inner surface 61A is, for example, a plane that extends parallel to the XY plane. The second inner surface 61B is an end face located in the length direction of the side wall 34, closest to the end 37 of the notch 61. The second inner surface 61B is formed to extend, for example, in the height direction of the side wall 34 and in the thickness direction of the side wall 34. As shown in Figure 3, the second inner surface 61B is formed to have a curved surface whose planar shape, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, is curved in an arc shape. The planar shape of the second inner surface 61B is formed to have a curved surface that curves inward toward the end 37.

[0063] As shown in Figure 5, the support shaft 62 extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The support shaft 62 protrudes, for example, from a part of the first inner surface 61A of the notch 61 toward the height direction of the side wall 34. The support shaft 62 extends linearly from the first inner surface 61A along the Z-axis direction. The support shaft 62 extends, for example, to a height equal to the upper surface of the side wall 34. For example, the protruding tip surface of the support shaft 62 is provided on the same plane as the upper surface of the side wall 34. The support shaft 62 is formed in a columnar shape. The support shaft 62 in this embodiment is formed in a solid cylindrical shape. The support shaft 62 of the bending part 30A is provided in a part of the first inner surface 61A that is separate from the second inner surface 61B. The support shaft 62 of the bending part 30A is provided in the axial direction of the holding portion 31 at the end of the first inner surface 61A opposite to the second inner surface 61B, that is, at the end closest to the bending part 30B. The support shaft 62 is formed in a cantilever shape, for example, with a base end connected to the first inner surface 61A as a fixed end and the tip opposite the base end as a free end.

[0064] Next, the specific structure of the connecting portion 70 will be described. Here, the explanation will mainly refer to the connecting portion 70 of the bent component 30B. The connecting portion 70 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 34 at the end portion 37. That is, the connecting portion 70 is provided on the inside of the bend of the bent portion 30R. The connecting portion 70 has, for example, a gripping portion 71 that grips the support shaft 62 of the connecting portion 60. The gripping portion 71 of the bent component 30B is configured to rotate relative to the connecting portion 60 of the bent component 30A with respect to the support shaft 62, while gripping the support shaft 62 of the bent component 30A. The bent component 30B is configured to rotate relative to the bent component 30A with respect to the support shaft 62, by the gripping portion 71 of the bent component 30B gripping the support shaft 62 of the bent component 30A. The bent component 30B is configured to rotate relative to the bent component 30A with respect to the support shaft 62 of the bent component 30A, for example, in the XY plane. Thus, the connecting portion 60 of the bent part 30A and the connecting portion 70 of the bent part 30B function as a rotational support mechanism that supports the relative rotation of the bent part 30B with respect to the bent part 30A. The connecting portions 60 and 70, which function as a rotational support mechanism, are provided on the inside of the bend of the bent part 30R.

[0065] The gripping portion 71 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 34 at the end portion 37. The gripping portion 71 is formed, for example, as a half-cylindrical shape overall. The gripping portion 71 is formed, for example, as a semi-cylindrical shape having a groove portion 72. The gripping portion 71 extends along the height direction (here, the Z-axis direction) of the side wall 34. The length dimension of the gripping portion 71 along the Z-axis direction is, for example, equal to the length dimension of the support shaft 62 along the Z-axis direction.

[0066] The gripping portion 71 is formed to protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 34 at the end portion 37. The gripping portion 71 is formed to protrude outward from the holding portion 31 in the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The gripping portion 71 is formed to protrude outward from the axial end face of the side wall 34 at the end portion 37 in the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The gripping portion 71 of the bent part 30B protrudes toward the bent part 30A from the axial end face of the side wall 34 in the axial direction of the holding portion 31. As shown in Figure 3, the gripping portion 71 of the bent part 30B is formed to protrude in an arc shape from, for example, the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 34 at the end portion 37 toward the radial outward direction of the holding portion 31 and toward the bent part 30A. The outer circumferential surface of the gripping portion 71 has an arc shape in plan view from the Z-axis direction. The tip of the gripping portion 71 is formed to extend inward from the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 34 in the radial direction of the holding portion 31.

[0067] The groove 72 is formed to recess from the inner surface of the gripping portion 71 toward the radially outward direction of the holding portion 31. The groove 72 is formed to a size that can accommodate the support shaft 62. Here, the support shaft 62 of the bending portion 30A is housed in the space enclosed by the inner surface of the groove 72 of the bending portion 30B and the axial end face of the side wall 34 of the bending portion 30B. The inner surface of the groove 72 is formed, for example, to a shape corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft 62. The inner surface of the groove 72 is formed, for example, to have an arc shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0068] As shown in Figure 6, the groove 72 extends along the axial direction of the gripping portion 71 (in this case, the Z-axis direction). The groove 72 extends, for example, along the axial direction of the gripping portion 71, along the entire axial length of the gripping portion 71. The groove 72 is formed to open in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the gripping portion 71, specifically radially inward of the holding portion 31, and also to open at both ends of the gripping portion 71 in the axial direction.

[0069] As shown in Figure 3, the gripping portion 71 of the bending component 30B grips the support shaft 62 of the bending component 30A by housing the support shaft 62 inside the groove portion 72. At this time, a part of the gripping portion 71 of the bending component 30B is inserted into the notch portion 61 of the bending component 30A, specifically into the gap between the second inner surface 61B of the notch portion 61 and the support shaft 62. Here, the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the gripping portion 71 is equal to, for example, the radius of curvature of the second inner surface 61B. Therefore, when the gripping portion 71 of the bending component 30B rotates around the support shaft 62 of the bending component 30A as the axis of rotation, it is possible to suppress the restriction of the movement of the gripping portion 71 of the bending component 30B by the second inner surface 61B of the notch portion 61 of the bending component 30A.

[0070] (Connecting structure of bending parts 30A and 30B) As shown in Figure 8, when connecting the bendable part 30B to the bendable part 30A, first, the gripping portion 71 of the bendable part 30B grips the support shaft 62 of the bendable part 30A. Specifically, the support shaft 62 of the bendable part 30A is housed inside the groove portion 72 of the gripping portion 71 of the bendable part 30B, and the support shaft 62 is gripped by the gripping portion 71. This connects the connecting portion 60 of the bendable part 30A and the connecting portion 70 of the bendable part 30B. As a result, the bendable part 30B is configured to rotate relative to the bendable part 30A with the support shaft 62 of the bendable part 30A as the axis of rotation. At this time, the first contact surface 42 of the connecting portion 40 of the bendable part 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the connecting portion 50 of the bendable part 30B are not in contact with each other.

[0071] Next, as shown in Figure 9, the bending part 30B is rotated relative to the bending part 30A, using the support shaft 62 of the bending part 30A as the axis of rotation, so that the recess 43 of the connecting part 40 of the bending part 30A and the protrusion 53 of the connecting part 50 of the bending part 30B engage in a recess-protrusion-protrusion fit. As a result, the first contact surface 42 of the bending part 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the bending part 30B come into contact with each other, and the recess 43 of the bending part 30A and the protrusion 53 of the bending part 30B engage in a recess-protrusion-protrusion fit. This connects the connecting part 40 of the bending part 30A and the connecting part 50 of the bending part 30B. In the path regulating member 20A with the bending parts 30A and 30B connected, the insertion opening 35 of the bending part 30A and the insertion opening 35 of the bending part 30B are in communication with each other. However, in this state, since the bending part 30A and the bending part 30B are not firmly connected to each other, the connection between the connecting part 40 of the bending part 30A and the connecting part 50 of the bending part 30B can be easily released. For example, if the bending part 30B rotates relative to the bending part 30A with the support shaft 62 of the bending part 30A as the axis of rotation, in a direction that moves the first contact surface 42 of the bending part 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the bending part 30B away from each other, the connection between the connecting part 40 and the connecting part 50 will be released.

[0072] Next, a wire member 11 is prepared, with the required portion bent to form a bent section 15A. Then, the bending parts 30A and 30B are attached to the bent section 15A of the wire member 11. Specifically, the bending parts 30A and 30B are attached to the wire member 11 through the insertion openings 35 of the bending parts 30A and 30B. As a result, the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11, which is the force that causes the wire member 11 to return to a straight state, is applied to the bending parts 30A and 30B. Specifically, the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 acts on the side walls 33 provided on the outside of the bend of the bent section 30R of each bending part 30A and 30B. As a result, the bending parts 30A and 30B rotate relative to each other, with the support shaft 62 of the bending part 30A as the axis of rotation, so that the first contact surface 42 of the bending part 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the bending part 30B move closer to each other. Therefore, a force F2 is applied to the bending parts 30A and 30B in a direction that brings the first contact surface 42 of bending part 30A and the second contact surface 52 of bending part 30B closer together. As a result, the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 can continue to act on the bending parts 30A and 30B with a force F2 that brings the first contact surface 42 and the second contact surface 52 closer together. This suppresses relative rotation of the bending parts 30A and 30B in a direction that moves the first contact surface 42 and the second contact surface 52 apart from each other, thus effectively preventing the connection between the connecting part 40 of bending part 30A and the connecting part 50 of bending part 30B from being released. Consequently, the state in which the convex part 53 of bending part 30B is fitted into the concave part 43 of bending part 30A can be effectively maintained. The engagement between these recesses 43 and protrusions 53 effectively suppresses misalignment of the bent part 30B relative to the bent part 30A in the Z-axis direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the holding part 31.

[0073] As shown in Figure 3, the wire harness 10 has, for example, a slide restricting member 80 that restricts the sliding movement of the path restricting member 20A in the longitudinal direction of the outer casing member 13. As the slide restricting member 80, for example, a cable tie made of resin or metal, a crimping ring, or adhesive tape can be used. In this embodiment, the slide restricting member 80 is adhesive tape. The slide restricting member 80 is provided at the first and second axial ends of the path restricting member 20A, respectively. The slide restricting member 80 provided at the first end of the path restricting member 20A is, for example, wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the end 37 of the bent part 30A and the outer circumferential surface of the outer casing member 13. The slide restricting member 80 provided at the second end of the path restricting member 20A is, for example, wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the end 36 of the bent part 30B and the outer circumferential surface of the outer casing member 13. Although not shown in the illustration, the slide restricting member 80 is also provided for the path restricting member 20B shown in Figure 2.

[0074] (Configuration of the route regulating member 20B) As shown in Figure 2, the route regulating member 20B is configured such that two bent parts 30 are arranged side by side along the length of the electric wire member 11. Each bent part 30 in the route regulating member 20B has the same configuration as each bent part 30 in the route regulating member 20A. However, the route regulating member 20B is arranged so as to be rotated 180° from the structure of the route regulating member 20A. In other words, the bent part 30 can be used in common for the left-bending portion, bent section 15A, and the right-bending portion, bent section 15B. That is, the same bent part 30 can be shared between the left-bending portion, bent section 15A, and the right-bending portion, bent section 15B.

[0075] Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be explained. (1) The route regulating member 20 includes a bent part 30A having a cylindrical holding part 31 that holds the electric wire member 11 and has a bent portion 30R, and a connecting part 40. The route regulating member 20 also includes a bent part 30B having a cylindrical holding part 31 that holds the electric wire member 11 and has a bent portion 30R, and a connecting part 50 that is connected to the connecting part 40 of the bent part 30A using the bending reaction force F1 of the electric wire member 11.

[0076] In this configuration, the connecting portion 40 of the bent component 30A and the connecting portion 50 of the bent component 30B are connected to each other by utilizing the bending reaction force F1 of the electric wire member 11, thereby connecting the bent component 30A and the bent component 30B to each other. As a result, multiple bent components 30A and 30B can be directly connected, and by combining these multiple bent components 30A and 30B, a single path regulating member 20 can be formed.

[0077] (2) When a single path regulating member is formed by connecting multiple regulating components, the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 usually acts to release the connection between the multiple regulating components. In contrast, the path regulating member 20 of this embodiment uses the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 to connect the connecting portion 40 of the bent component 30A and the connecting portion 50 of the bent component 30B. The bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 is used to connect the bent component 30A and the bent component 30B. As a result, the connection between the connecting portion 40 of the bent component 30A and the connecting portion 50 of the bent component 30B, and the connection between the bent component 30A and the bent component 30B, can be effectively prevented from being released due to the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11. This allows the connection between the bent component 30A and the bent component 30B to be effectively maintained even when the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 is applied to the path regulating member 20.

[0078] Furthermore, without providing a connecting structure for firmly fixing the bent parts 30A and 30B to each other, the bending reaction force F1 of the electric wire member 11 can be used to firmly fix the bent parts 30A and 30B to each other. Therefore, the connecting structure for connecting the bent parts 30A and 30B can be simplified.

[0079] (3) The connecting portions 40 and 50 are provided on the outside of the bend of the bent portion 30R. With this configuration, the connecting portions 40 and 50 can be provided on the outside of the bend of the bent portion 30R on which the bending reaction force F1 of the electric wire member 11 acts.

[0080] (4) The first contact surface 42 of the connecting portion 40 of the bent part 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the connecting portion 50 of the bent part 30B come into contact with each other due to the bending reaction force F1 of the electric wire member 11. In other words, the bending reaction force F1 of the electric wire member 11 applies a force F2 to the path regulating member 20 that brings the first contact surface 42 and the second contact surface 52 closer together. At this time, the first contact surface 42 is formed to extend radially outward from the holding portion 31, and the second contact surface 52 is formed to extend radially outward from the holding portion 31. Therefore, the contact area between the bent part 30A and the bent part 30B can be increased compared to the case where only the axial end faces of the holding portion 31 of the bent part 30A and the holding portion 31 of the bent part 30B come into contact with each other. This allows the load applied to the path regulating member 20 by the bending reaction force F1 of the electric wire member 11 to be suitably distributed to the first contact surface 42 and the second contact surface 52. As a result, stress concentration on a portion of the bent part 30A and a portion of the bent part 30B can be suitably suppressed, and damage to the bent part 30A and the bent part 30B due to stress concentration can be suitably suppressed.

[0081] (5) The connecting portion 40 of the bent part 30A has a recess 43 that is recessed from the first contact surface 42. The connecting portion 50 of the bent part 30B has a convex portion 53 that protrudes from the second contact surface 52 toward the recess 43 of the bent part 30A and fits into the recess 43. The convex portion 53 of the bent part 30B engages with the inner surface of the recess 43 of the bent part 30A in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the holding portion 31. With this configuration, when the first contact surface 42 of the bent part 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the bent part 30B come into contact with each other, the convex portion 53 of the bent part 30B is fitted into the recess 43 so as to engage with the inner surface of the recess 43 of the bent part 30A in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The engagement of these convex portions 53 and the inner surface of the recess 43 suppresses relative movement of the bent part 30B with respect to the bent part 30A in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the holding portion 31.

[0082] (6) The bent part 30A has a connecting part 60 provided on the inside of the bend of the bent part 30R. The bent part 30B has a connecting part 70 provided on the inside of the bend of the bent part 30R and connected to the connecting part 60 of the bent part 30A. The connecting part 60 of the bent part 30A has a support shaft 62 that extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the holding part 31. The connecting part 70 of the bent part 30B has a gripping part 71 that grips the support shaft 62 of the bent part 30A and is connected to the connecting part 60 of the bent part 30A so as to be rotatable relative to the support shaft 62 with the support shaft 62 as the axis of rotation.

[0083] With this configuration, the gripping portion 71 of the bending component 30B grips the support shaft 62 of the bending component 30A, and the connecting portion 70 of the bending component 30B can be rotated relative to the connecting portion 60 of the bending component 30A, using the support shaft 62 as the axis of rotation. As a result, the gripping portion 71 of the bending component 30B grips the support shaft 62 of the bending component 30A, and the bending component 30B can be rotated relative to the bending component 30A, using the support shaft 62 as the axis of rotation. Therefore, the relative rotation of the bending component 30B with respect to the bending component 30A can be supported by the connecting portion 60 of the bending component 30A and the connecting portion 70 of the bending component 30B. Consequently, the bending component 30B can be rotated relative to the bending component 30A along a specific trajectory.

[0084] (7) The bent part 30A includes a connecting portion 40 provided at the end 36 of the side wall 33, a connecting portion 60 provided at the end 36 of the side wall 34, a connecting portion 50 provided at the end 37 of the side wall 33, and a connecting portion 70 provided at the end 37 of the side wall 34.

[0085] In this configuration, the end portion 36 of the bent component 30A is provided with a connecting portion 40 that connects to the connecting portion 50 of the bent component 30B, and a connecting portion 60 that connects to the connecting portion 70 of the bent component 30B. Furthermore, the end portion 37 of the bent component 30A is provided with connecting portions 50 and 70, similar to the end portion 37 of the bent component 30B. Therefore, another bent component 30A can be connected to the end portion 37 of the bent component 30A. This makes it easy to change the number of directly connected bent components 30A and bent components 30B. As a result, the bending angle of the path regulating member 20 can be easily changed.

[0086] (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.

[0087] The structure of the connecting parts 40 and 50 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. For example, as shown in Figure 10, an engaging projection 54 may be provided at the tip of the protrusion 53 of the connecting portion 50, projecting in a direction intersecting the projection direction of the protrusion 53. In this modified example, the protrusion 53 is configured to be elastically deformable in the radial direction of the holding portion 31, for example. In this case, an engaging recess 44 may be provided at the inner end of the recess 43 of the connecting portion 40, into which the engaging projection 54 is fitted. In this case, when the protrusion 53 of the bending portion 30B is fitted into the recess 43 of the bending portion 30A, the engaging projection 54 of the bending portion 30B is fitted into the engaging recess 44 of the bending portion 30A. Then, the engaging projection 54 of the bending portion 30B engages with the inner surface of the engaging recess 44 of the bending portion 30A in the direction in which the protrusion 53 is fitted into the recess 43. The engaging projection 54 and the engaging recess 44 engage with each other, for example, by a snap-fit ​​method utilizing the elastic deformation of the protrusion 53. This effectively suppresses relative movement of the protrusion 53 of the bending part 30B relative to the recess 43 of the bending part 30A in the fitting direction of the protrusion 53 to the recess 43. Therefore, it effectively suppresses the protrusion 53 of the bending part 30B from coming out of the recess 43 of the bending part 30A. For example, even if the bending reaction force F1 (see Figure 9) of the electric wire member 11 decreases due to heat, vibration, etc., it is possible to suppress the protrusion 53 of the bending part 30B from coming out of the recess 43 of the bending part 30A.

[0088] The structure of the connecting parts 60 and 70 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. For example, the base end of the support shaft 62 of the connecting part 60 that connects to the first inner surface 61A may be made thicker than the other parts of the support shaft 62. In other words, the parts of the support shaft 62 other than the base end may be made thinner than the base end of the support shaft 62. In this case, the gripping part 71 may grip the parts of the support shaft 62 other than the base end.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the support shaft 62 of the connecting portion 60 is formed in a cantilevered manner, but the invention is not limited to this, and the support shaft 62 of the connecting portion 60 may be formed in a double-supported manner. For example, as shown in Figure 11, the support shaft 62 of the connecting portion 60 may be formed to support the side wall 34 from both sides in the height direction. In this modified example, the notch 61 of the connecting portion 60 is provided in the circumferential middle portion of the holding portion 31. In this modified example, the notch 61 is provided only in the middle portion in the height direction of the side wall 34. In this modified example, the notch 61 has a first inner surface 61A, a second inner surface 61B, and a third inner surface 61C. The third inner surface 61C faces the first inner surface 61A in the height direction of the side wall 34. The third inner surface 61C is an end face provided in the height direction of the side wall 34 at the position closest to the upper end of the notch 61, that is, the upper surface of the side wall 34. The third inner surface 61C is formed to extend, for example, in the length direction of the side wall 34 and in the thickness direction of the side wall 34. The third inner surface 61C is, for example, a plane that extends parallel to the first inner surface 61A.

[0090] In this modified example, the support shaft 62 is provided inside the notch 61. The support shaft 62 in this modified example is formed to extend along the height direction of the side wall 34 from the first inner surface 61A to the third inner surface 61C. The lower end of the support shaft 62 in this modified example is connected to the first inner surface 61A, and the upper end is connected to the third inner surface 61C. That is, the support shaft 62 in this modified example is supported from both sides in the height direction of the side wall 34 by the retaining portions 31 that constitute the first inner surface 61A and the third inner surface 61C.

[0091] In this modified example, the gripping portion 71 is provided only in the middle portion of the side wall 34 in the height direction. The gripping portion 71 is provided at the same position as the support shaft 62 in the height direction of the side wall 34. In this modified example, the gripping portion 71 is formed to be sized to be insertable into the space enclosed by the first inner surface 61A, the second inner surface 61B, the third inner surface 61C of the notch 61 and the support shaft 62.

[0092] According to the configuration of this modified example, the strength of the support shaft 62 can be improved compared to the case where the support shaft 62 is supported only by the first inner surface 61A. As a result, even when an external force such as the bending reaction force F1 (see Figure 9) of the electric wire member 11 is applied to the support shaft 62, damage to the support shaft 62 can be effectively suppressed.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the holding portion 31 and the support shaft 62 of the connecting portion 60 are formed integrally, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the support shaft 63 of the connecting portion 60 may be made of a separate part from the holding portion 31. As shown in Figure 13, the connecting portion 60 of this modified example has a recess 64 provided in the first inner surface 61A and a through hole 65 provided in the third inner surface 61C. The recess 64 is formed, for example, so as to be recessed from the first inner surface 61A toward the bottom wall 32. The recess 64 is provided, for example, at a position on the first inner surface 61A that is away from the second inner surface 61B. The through hole 65 is formed so as to penetrate, for example, the holding portion 31 that constitutes the third inner surface 61C, specifically the side wall 34 that constitutes the third inner surface 61C, in the height direction of the side wall 34. The through hole 65 is formed so as to penetrate, for example, from the third inner surface 61C to the upper surface of the side wall 34. The through hole 65 is provided, for example, at a position that overlaps with the recess 64 in a plan view taken from the height direction of the side wall 34.

[0094] The support shaft 63 is formed in a columnar shape extending along the height direction of the side wall 34. In this modified example, the support shaft 63 is formed in a solid cylindrical shape. The support shaft 63 is formed to be harder than, for example, the holding portion 31. The support shaft 63 is made of, for example, metal or resin. For example, a different material from that used for the holding portion 31 can be used for the support shaft 63. In this modified example, the support shaft 63 is made of metal. The support shaft 63 is inserted into the through hole 65 and recess 64 from above the holding portion 31. The support shaft 63 passes through the through hole 65 and is fitted into the recess 64. As shown in Figure 12, when the support shaft 63 is inserted into the through hole 65 and recess 64, the middle portion of the support shaft 63 in the longitudinal direction is exposed inside the notch 61. The portion of the support shaft 63 exposed inside the notch 61 is then gripped by the gripping portion 71 of the other bending part 30.

[0095] In this configuration, the support shaft 63 of the connecting portion 60 is made of a separate component from the holding portion 31. This allows the holding portion 31 and the support shaft 63 to be made of different materials. Therefore, the degree of freedom in material selection for the holding portion 31 and the support shaft 63 can be increased. For example, by forming the support shaft 63 to be harder than the holding portion 31, the strength of the support shaft 63 can be improved.

[0096] The structure of the bent part 30 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. For example, reinforcing ribs may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the holding part 31. For example, the installation positions of the connecting part 40 and the connecting part 50 in the bent part 30 may be reversed. That is, a connecting part 50 having a protrusion 53 may be provided at the end 36 where the connecting part 60 is provided, and a connecting part 40 having a recess 43 may be provided at the end 37 where the connecting part 70 is provided. For example, the magnitude of the bending angle θ at the bent part 30R of the bent part 30 can be changed as appropriate.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the bending part 30A and the bending part 30B have the same configuration, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the bending angle θ at the bending portion 30R (first bending portion) of the bending part 30A and the bending angle θ at the bending portion 30R (second bending portion) of the bending part 30B may be set to different angles.

[0098] The structure of the path restricting member 20 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. For example, by changing the combination of the bent parts 30, that is, the number and arrangement direction of the bent parts 30, the path restricting member 20 can be formed into various structures. The number of bent parts 30 constituting the path restricting member 20 is not particularly limited.

[0099] For example, as shown in Figure 14, the path regulating member 20 may be constructed by connecting four bending components 30. In this way, the bending angle of the path regulating member 20 can be changed by changing the number of bending components 30 that are directly connected.

[0100] For example, as shown in Figure 15, the path regulating member 20 may include a cover portion 100 that closes the insertion openings 35 of the bent parts 30A and 30B. The cover portion 100 is provided, for example, to close the entire insertion opening 35 of both the bent part 30A and the bent part 30B. The cover portion 100 is provided, for example, on the upper surface of the side walls 33 and 34 of the bent parts 30A and 30B. The cover portion 100 is connected to the bent parts 30A and 30B by a connecting member, for example (not shown). The cover portion 100 may be made from a vehicle body panel of the vehicle V.

[0101] The wire member 11 in the above embodiment does not necessarily have to include the outer sheath member 13. That is, the outer sheath member 13 may be omitted from the wire member 11, and the holding part 31 may directly hold the wire 12.

[0102] The wire member 11 in the above embodiment may include a cylindrical electromagnetic shielding member that surrounds the outer circumference of the wire 12. The arrangement of the inverter M1 and the high-voltage battery M2 in vehicle V is not limited to the above embodiment and may be changed as appropriate depending on the vehicle configuration.

[0103] The multiple electrical devices to which the wire harness 10 of the above embodiment is electrically connected are not limited to the inverter M1 and the high-voltage battery M2, but are not particularly limited to any electrical devices mounted on the vehicle V.

[0104] 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]

[0105] 10 Wire Harnesses 11 Wire components 12 Electric wire 13 Exterior components 14A,14B,14C Straight section 15A,15B Bend part 20, 20A, 20B Route regulating members 30 Bending parts 30A Bending part (First bending part) 30B Bending part (second bending part) 30R bent part (1st bent part, 2nd bent part) 31 Holding part (first holding part, second holding part) 32 Bottom wall 33 Side wall (first side wall) 34 Side wall (second side wall) 35 Insertion opening 36 End (first end) 37 End (second end) 40 Connecting part (1st connecting part) 41 1st protrusion 42 1st contact surface 43 Recess 44 Engagement recess 50 Connecting part (2nd connecting part, 5th connecting part) 51 Second protrusion 52 Second contact surface 53 Convex part 54 Engagement protrusion 60 Connecting part (3rd connecting part) 61 Notch 61A First inner surface 61B Second Inner Surface 61C Third inner surface 62,63 Support shaft 64 recess 65 Through hole 70 Connecting part (4th connecting part, 6th connecting part) 71 Gripping part 72 Groove 80 Slide regulating member 100 Lid θ Bending angle θ1, θ2 Bending angle F1 Bending reaction force F2 force L1,L2,L3 Center axis M1 Inverter M2 High-Voltage Battery V Vehicle

Claims

1. A route regulating member that restricts the path of electric wire components, A first bending part having a cylindrical first holding part that holds the electric wire member and has a first bending portion, and a first connecting portion, A path regulating member comprising: a cylindrical second holding portion that holds the electric wire member and has a second bent portion; and a second bending component that is connected to the first connecting portion by utilizing the bending reaction force of the electric wire member.

2. The first connecting portion is provided on the outer side of the bend of the first bending portion, The path regulating member according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting portion is provided on the outside of the bend of the second bending portion.

3. The first connecting portion has a first contact surface formed to extend radially outward from the axial end face of the first holding portion, The second connecting portion is formed to extend radially outward from the axial end face of the second holding portion and has a second contact surface that contacts the first contact surface. The path regulating member according to claim 2, wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected such that the first contact surface and the second contact surface come into contact with each other due to the bending reaction force of the electric wire member.

4. The first connecting portion has a recess provided so as to be recessed from the first contact surface, The second connecting portion has a protrusion that extends from the second contact surface toward the recess and is fitted into the recess. The path restricting member according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion engages with the inner surface of the recess in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the first retaining portion.

5. The tip of the aforementioned protrusion has an engaging protrusion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the aforementioned protrusion, The inner end of the recess has an engaging recess into which the engaging projection is fitted, The path restricting member according to claim 4, wherein the engaging projection engages with the inner surface of the engaging recess in the direction in which the projection is fitted to the recess.

6. The first bent part has a third connecting portion provided on the inside of the bend of the first bent portion, The second bent part is provided on the inner side of the bend of the second bent portion and has a fourth connecting portion that is connected to the third connecting portion. The third connecting portion has a support shaft that extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first holding portion. The path restricting member according to claim 1, wherein the fourth connecting portion has a gripping portion that grips the support shaft and is connected to the third connecting portion so as to be rotatable relative to the support shaft with the support shaft as the axis of rotation.

7. The third connecting portion has a notch provided on the axial end face of the first holding portion, The notch is provided in the intermediate part of the first retaining portion in the circumferential direction, The path restricting member according to claim 6, wherein the support shaft is provided inside the notch.

8. The path restricting member according to claim 7, wherein the support shaft is a separate component from the first holding portion.

9. The first retaining portion has a bottom wall and first and second side walls protruding from both side edges of the bottom wall. The first bent part has a first end and a second end in the axial direction of the first bent part, The first bent part comprises a first connecting portion provided at the first end of the first side wall, a third connecting portion provided at the first end of the second side wall, a fifth connecting portion provided at the second end of the first side wall, and a sixth connecting portion provided at the second end of the second side wall. The fifth connecting portion has the same structure as the second connecting portion, The route regulating member according to claim 6, wherein the sixth connecting portion has the same structure as the fourth connecting portion.

10. The path restricting member according to claim 9, wherein the second bending component has the same structure as the first bending component.

11. A path regulating member according to any one of claims 1 to 10, A wire harness comprising: a wire member whose path is restricted by the path restricting member.

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