Wire harness

Abstract

This wire harness (11) is provided with a first shield electric wire (12) and second shield electric wires (13, 14). The wire harness (11) comprises: a core wire connection part (16) to which a first core wire (12a) and second core wires (13a, 14a) are connected; an internal heat-shrinkable tube (21) that covers the outer periphery of the core wire connection part (16); a shield connection member (31) that covers the outer periphery of the internal heat-shrinkable tube (21) and to which a first shield member (12c) and second shield members (13c, 14c) are connected; a heat-shrinkable tube (34) that covers the outer periphery of the shield connection member (31) and in which an adhesive (37) is provided inside; and a spacer (35) that is interposed between the two adjacent second shield electric wires (13, 14) and seals the adhesive (37) inside the heat-shrinkable tube (34).

Description

Wire harness

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a wire harness having a connection portion where core wires of a plurality of electric wires are connected to each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this wire harness, the connection portion is covered with a waterproof portion made of a resin material to ensure waterproofness of the connection portion.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-34189

[0004] Incidentally, shielded wires are sometimes used as the electric wires of such wire harnesses. Shielded wires have a shielding member, such as a braided wire, that covers the outer periphery of a core wire via an insulating coating, thereby suppressing electromagnetic wave radiation. In such cases, it is conceivable to cover the outer periphery of the shield connection portion where the shielding members are connected with an exterior portion, such as a heat-shrinkable tube, and ensure waterproofing by using an adhesive applied inside the exterior portion. This would enable the wire harness to be made smaller and less expensive. However, when an adhesive is used in this way, there is a risk that the adhesive will leach out of the exterior portion between two adjacent shielded wires in a high-temperature environment. This could result in a decrease in waterproofing.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wire harness that can ensure high waterproofing even in a high-temperature environment.

[0006] A wire harness according to the present disclosure is a wire harness including a plurality of shielded electric wires, each of which has a core wire, an insulating coating covering an outer periphery of the core wire, and a shielding member covering the outer periphery of the insulating coating. The wire harness includes a core wire connection portion where the core wires of the plurality of shielded electric wires are connected to each other, an insulating portion covering the outer periphery of the core wire connection portion, a shield connection portion where the outer periphery of the insulating portion is covered and where the shielding members of the plurality of shielded electric wires are connected to each other, an exterior portion where the outer periphery of the shield connection portion is covered and an adhesive is provided on the inside, and a spacer interposed between two adjacent shielded electric wires of the plurality of shielded electric wires and where the adhesive in the exterior portion is sealed.

[0007] According to the wire harness of the present disclosure, high waterproofing can be ensured even in a high-temperature environment.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a wire harness in one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the wire harness in one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the wire harness in one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a manufacturing process of the wire harness in one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a manufacturing process of the wire harness in one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a manufacturing process of the wire harness in one embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a manufacturing process of the wire harness in one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a manufacturing process of the wire harness in one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the wire harness in one embodiment.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. A wire harness of the present disclosure includes: [1] a wire harness including a plurality of shielded electric wires, each of the plurality of shielded electric wires including a core wire, an insulating coating covering an outer periphery of the core wire, and a shielding member covering the outer periphery of the insulating coating, the wire harness including a core wire connecting portion connecting the core wires to each other, an insulating portion covering the outer periphery of the core wire connecting portion, a shield connecting portion covering the outer periphery of the insulating portion and connecting the shielding members to each other, an exterior portion covering the outer periphery of the shield connecting portion and having an adhesive provided on the inside, and a spacer interposed between two adjacent shielded electric wires of the plurality of shielded electric wires and sealing the adhesive in the exterior portion.

[0010] According to this configuration, the spacer prevents the adhesive from seeping out of the exterior from between the two adjacent shielded wires, thereby ensuring high waterproofing even in high-temperature environments.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the spacer may be formed so as to be able to make surface contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the two adjacent shielded electric wires. According to this configuration, the spacer makes surface contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the two adjacent shielded electric wires, thereby making it possible to reduce the gap between the two adjacent shielded electric wires compared to when there is no surface contact. This further prevents the adhesive from seeping out of the exterior.

[0012] [3] In the above [2], each of the plurality of shielded electric wires may have an outer insulating coating that covers the outer periphery of the shielding member of the shielded electric wire and has a circular outer periphery, and the spacer may have an arc surface that follows the outer periphery of the outer insulating coating of each of the two adjacent shielded electric wires.

[0013] With this configuration, the arcuate surface of the spacer comes into surface contact with the outer surface of the outer insulating coating of the shielded electric wire, thereby reducing the gap between two adjacent shielded electric wires, thereby further preventing the adhesive from seeping out of the exterior.

[0014] [4] In any one of [1] to [3] above, the spacer may have a flat surface that connects the two adjacent shielded wires at the shortest distance and seals the adhesive inside the exterior portion.

[0015] According to this configuration, the flat surface of the spacer connects two adjacent shielded electric wires at the shortest distance and prevents the adhesive from dissolving outside the exterior part. [5] In any one of [1] to [4] above, the spacer may be provided at an open end of the exterior part to seal the adhesive inside the exterior part.

[0016] According to this configuration, the spacer provided at the opening end of the exterior portion prevents the adhesive from dissolving out of the exterior portion. [6] In the above [5], a part of the spacer may protrude outward from the opening end of the exterior portion.

[0017] According to this configuration, since a part of the spacer protrudes outward from the open end of the exterior part, it is possible to visually confirm, for example, whether the spacer is properly positioned. In other words, if the part of the spacer protruding from the open end of the exterior part is tilted, it is possible to visually confirm that the product is defective.

[0018] [7] In any one of [1] to [6] above, the two adjacent shielded wires may be arranged so as to be separated from each other as a whole at the location where the spacer is arranged, and the spacer interposed between the two adjacent shielded wires may be a single component.

[0019] According to this configuration, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the spacer interposed between two adjacent shielded wires is divided into multiple pieces. [8] In any one of [1] to [7] above, the wire harness may include a tape member wound around a portion including the entire periphery of the opening end of the exterior part.

[0020] According to this configuration, the tape member wrapped around an area including the entire circumference of the opening end of the exterior portion prevents the adhesive from seeping out of the exterior portion from between the shielded wire and the exterior portion in areas other than where the spacer is placed.

[0021] [9] In the above [8], a portion of the spacer may protrude outward from the opening end of the exterior portion, and the tape member may also be wrapped around the portion of the spacer protruding outward from the opening end of the exterior portion.

[0022] According to this configuration, the tape member that is also wrapped around the spacer that protrudes outward from the open end of the exterior portion prevents the adhesive from dissolving out of the exterior portion from between the spacer and the exterior portion.

[0023] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the wire harness of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ between drawings. In this specification, "parallel," "orthogonal," and "perfect circle" do not only refer to strictly parallel, orthogonal, or perfect circle, but also include approximately parallel, orthogonal, or perfect circle within the scope of the effects of this embodiment. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0024] 1, the wire harness 11 includes a first shielded electric wire 12 as a shielded electric wire, two second shielded electric wires 13 and 14 as shielded electric wires, and an underlay ring 15 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The wire harness 11 also includes an inner heat-shrinkable tube 21 as an insulating part, a shield connecting member 31, a crimping ring 32 (see FIG. 2), a bundling crimping ring 33 (see FIG. 3), a heat-shrinkable tube 34 as an exterior part, a spacer 35, and a tape member 36.

[0025] 2 , the first shielded electric wire 12 includes a first core wire 12a as a core wire and an insulating coating 12b that covers the outer periphery of the first core wire 12a. The cross-sectional shape of the first core wire 12a is circular. The first shielded electric wire 12 also includes a first shield member 12c that covers the outer periphery of the insulating coating 12b, and an outer insulating coating 12d that covers the outer periphery of the first shield member 12c.

[0026] 3, the second shielded electric wires 13, 14 include second core wires 13a, 14a as core wires and insulating coatings 13b, 14b that cover the outer peripheries of the second core wires 13a, 14a. The second core wires 13a, 14a have a circular cross-sectional shape. The second shielded electric wires 13, 14 also include second shield members 13c, 14c that cover the outer peripheries of the insulating coatings 13b, 14b and outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d that cover the outer peripheries of the second shield members 13c, 14c.

[0027] The first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c, 14c suppress radiation of electromagnetic waves from the first core wire 12a and the second core wires 13a, 14a. In this embodiment, the first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c, 14c are braided wires in which conductive wires such as aluminum alloy wires are braided into a cylindrical shape. In the drawings, the shapes and appearances of the braided wires in the first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c, 14c are appropriately illustrated schematically.

[0028] At the ends of the first shielded electric wire 12 and the second shielded electric wires 13 and 14, the first core wire 12a and the second core wire 13a and 14a are exposed to the outside. Furthermore, at the ends of the first shielded electric wire 12 and the second shielded electric wires 13 and 14, the first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c and 14c are exposed to the outside. The first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c and 14c have folded-back portions 12e, 13e, and 14e that are folded back from the inside to the outside of the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d and arranged to cover the outer peripheries of the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d. In other words, the first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c and 14c have folded-back portions 12e, 13e, and 14e that are formed by folding back portions exposed outside the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d.

[0029] First, the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d are stripped from the ends of the first shielded electric wire 12 and the second shielded electric wires 13 and 14. Next, the first shield member 12c and the second shield member 13c and 14c are folded back from the ends of the first shielded electric wire 12 and the second shielded electric wires 13 and 14, and then the insulating coatings 12b, 13b, and 14b are stripped back. As a result, the first shield member 12c and the second shield member 13c and 14c are exposed, folded-back portions 12e, 13e, and 14e are formed, and the first core wire 12a and the second core wire 13a and 14a are exposed.

[0030] The underlying ring 15 is made of metal and has a cylindrical shape. The underlying ring 15 is disposed between the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d and the folded-back portions 12e, 13e, and 14e. In other words, the underlying ring 15 is disposed on the outer periphery of the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d when the first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c and 14c are folded back.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1 , the first core wire 12 a and the second core wires 13 a, 14 a are connected to each other to form a core wire connection portion 16. In this embodiment, the first core wire 12 a and the second core wires 13 a, 14 a are directly welded to each other. The first shielded electric wire 12 and the second shielded electric wires 13, 14 extend in opposite directions from the core wire connection portion 16. More specifically, the first shielded electric wire 12 and the second shielded electric wires 13, 14 extend in one direction (leftward in FIG. 1 ) and the two second shielded electric wires 13, 14 extend in the other direction (rightward in FIG. 1 ) from the core wire connection portion 16. The wire harness 11 electrically connects, for example, a battery connected to the first core wire 12 a and electrical devices connected to the second core wires 13 a, 14 a, respectively.

[0032] (Configuration of the internal heat-shrinkable tube 21) The internal heat-shrinkable tube 21 covers the outer periphery of the core wire connection portion 16. The internal heat-shrinkable tube 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape from an insulating resin material that shrinks when heated and hardens when cooled. The internal heat-shrinkable tube 21 is heated and cooled to a shape that shrinks toward the inner member. The internal heat-shrinkable tube 21 is provided so as to cover all of the first core wire 12a and the second core wires 13a and 14a exposed from the insulating coatings 12b, 13b, and 14b. The internal heat-shrinkable tube 21 is provided so as to also cover the ends of the insulating coatings 12b, 13b, and 14b.

[0033] (Configuration of the Shield Connecting Member 31, Crimping Ring 32, and Binding Crimping Ring 33) As shown in FIG. 1 , the shield connecting member 31 suppresses electromagnetic wave radiation from between the first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c and 14c. The shield connecting member 31 covers the outer periphery of the inner heat-shrinkable tube 21 and is connected to the first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c and 14c. The shield connecting member 31 is flexible. The shield connecting member 31 of this embodiment is a braided wire in which conductive wires such as aluminum alloy are braided into a tubular shape. Note that the figures schematically illustrate the shape and appearance of the braided wire in the shield connecting member 31 as appropriate. Specifically, the shield connecting member 31 is illustrated in a sheet-like form in the figures, with the details of the braided wire omitted. The shield connecting member 31 is disposed so as to continuously cover the range from the folded portion 12e of the first shield member 12c (see FIG. 2) to the folded portions 13e, 14e of the second shield members 13c, 14c (see FIG. 3).

[0034] 2, the crimping ring 32 is made of metal and has a cylindrical shape. The crimping ring 32 connects the folded portion 12e of the first shielding member 12c and the shield connecting member 31. Specifically, the crimping ring 32 is crimped from the outer periphery, thereby connecting the folded portion 12e of the first shielding member 12c and the shield connecting member 31 by tightening them from the outer periphery. The folded portion 12e and the shield connecting member 31 are connected by being sandwiched between the underlay ring 15 and the crimping ring 32.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, the bundling crimping ring 33 is made of metal and formed into a cylindrical shape. The bundling crimping ring 33 connects the folded-back portions 13e, 14e of the second shielding members 13c, 14c to the shield connecting member 31. Specifically, the bundling crimping ring 33 is crimped from the outer periphery to bundle the two second shielded electric wires 13, 14 and to connect the folded-back portions 13e, 14e of the two second shielding members 13c, 14c to the shield connecting member 31. The folded-back portions 13e, 14e and the shield connecting member 31 are sandwiched and connected between the underlay ring 15 and the bundling crimping ring 33. As a result, in this embodiment, the shield connecting member 31, which covers the outer periphery of the internal heat-shrinkable tube 21 and connects the first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c, 14c to each other, constitutes a shield connecting portion. In this state, the folded portions 13e, 14e of the two adjacent second shielded wires 13, 14 come into contact with each other, so that the entire outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d are arranged apart from each other.

[0036] (Configuration of Heat-Shrinkable Tube 34) As shown in Fig. 1, the heat-shrinkable tube 34 covers the outer periphery of the shield connecting member 31. The heat-shrinkable tube 34 is formed into a cylindrical shape from an insulating resin material that shrinks when heated and hardens when cooled. The heat-shrinkable tube 34 is heated and cooled, thereby shrinking toward the inner member. The heat-shrinkable tube 34 is provided to cover the entire shield connecting member 31. The heat-shrinkable tube 34 is also provided to cover portions of the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d that protrude from the shield connecting member 31 to the outside.

[0037] An adhesive 37 is provided on the inside of the heat-shrinkable tube 34. The adhesive 37 is made of a material that melts when heated and hardens when cooled. Note that FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate the adhesive 37 in a schematic manner. Specifically, the adhesive 37 in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a schematic representation of the adhesive 37 provided on the entire inner surface of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 and the adhesive 37 that has melted and then hardened when a hot-melt ring 41 (described later) is attached. In reality, the thickness of the adhesive 37 is not necessarily uniform due to the pressure applied when the heat-shrinkable tube 34 shrinks, and the adhesive 37 is also provided to fill small gaps. The adhesive 37 is provided on the entire inner surface of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 and has an intervening portion 37a (see FIG. 3) that is disposed between two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0038] 3 , the spacer 35 is interposed between two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 and seals the adhesive 37 inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34. In other words, by being interposed between two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14, the spacer 35 prevents the adhesive 37 from melting out from between the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 to the outside of the heat-shrinkable tube 34. That is, the spacer 35 mainly prevents the interposed portion 37 a of the adhesive 37 from melting out. The spacer 35 is made of a resin having a higher melting point than the adhesive 37.

[0039] 4 and 5 , the spacer 35 is formed to be able to come into surface contact with the outer peripheral surfaces 13f, 14f of the second shielded electric wires 13, 14. More specifically, the spacer 35 has arcuate surfaces 35a that conform to the outer peripheral surfaces 13f, 14f of the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d of the second shielded electric wires 13, 14. The arcuate surfaces 35a are provided on both sides of the spacer 35 in correspondence with the opposing outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d.

[0040] 3, the spacer 35 has a flat surface 35b that connects two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 at the shortest distance and seals the adhesive 37 inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34. The flat surface 35b receives and prevents the interposed portion 37a of the adhesive 37 from melting out.

[0041] Furthermore, the spacer 35 is provided at the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34, thereby sealing the adhesive 37 inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34. In other words, the spacer 35 is disposed at a position that includes the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34. In this embodiment, a portion of the spacer 35 protrudes outward from the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0042] Furthermore, the spacer 35 interposed between two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 is a single component because the entire two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 are arranged apart from each other. In other words, one spacer 35 is provided for each pair of adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14.

[0043] 1, the tape member 36 is wrapped around the entire circumference of the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34. The tape member 36 is an adhesive tape, and is wrapped around the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 by one or more turns. Note that in the drawing, only one turn of the cross section of the tape member 36 is shown as a schematic diagram.

[0044] 4, the tape member 36 is also wrapped around the spacer 35 that protrudes outward from the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34. That is, the spacer 35 has flat upper and lower end faces 35c that connect the two arcuate faces 35a, and the tape member 36 is wrapped around the upper and lower end faces 35c.

[0045] Next, a description will be given of a manufacturing method and operation of the wire harness 11 configured as described above. As shown in Figures 6 to 10, the manufacturing method of the wire harness 11 of this embodiment includes a core wire connecting step, an inner insulating step, a shield connecting step, an outer insulating step, and a tape winding step.

[0046] First, as shown in FIG. 6 , in the core wire connecting step, the first core wire 12 a and the second core wires 13 a and 14 a of the first shielded electric wire 12 and the second shielded electric wires 13 and 14 are connected to form a core wire connecting portion 16 .

[0047] 7 , in the internal insulation process, the outside of the core wire connecting portion 16 is covered with an internal heat-shrinkable tube 21. More specifically, in the internal insulation process, an unheated internal heat-shrinkable tube 21a is placed on the outside of the core wire connecting portion 16, and is heated and cooled, thereby covering the outside of the core wire connecting portion 16 with the internal heat-shrinkable tube 21.

[0048] Next, as shown in Fig. 8, in the shield connecting step, the shield connecting member 31 is connected to the folded-back portions 12e, 13e, and 14e (see Fig. 7) of the first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c and 14c. More specifically, in the shield connecting step, the shield connecting member 31 is connected to the folded-back portions 12e, 13e, and 14e (see Fig. 7) using the crimping ring 32 and the bundling crimping ring 33 while covering the outside of the inner heat-shrinkable tube 21 with the shield connecting member 31.

[0049] In this state (see FIGS. 5 and 8 ), a spacer 35 is placed between the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 outside the shield connecting member 31. In this embodiment, a hot melt ring 41 is placed on the second shielded electric wire 13 outside the shield connecting member 31 in this state. The hot melt ring 41 is made of a material that melts when heated and hardens when cooled, and constitutes part of the adhesive 37. In other words, the hot melt ring 41 supplements the amount of adhesive 37 inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34, and in this embodiment, it is placed around the outer periphery of one of the two second shielded electric wires 13, 14, the second shielded electric wire 13.

[0050] 9 , in the external insulation process, the outside of the shield connecting member 31 is covered with a heat-shrinkable tube 34. More specifically, in the external insulation process, an unheated heat-shrinkable tube 34b is placed on the outside of the shield connecting member 31 and heated and cooled, thereby covering the outside of the shield connecting member 31 with the heat-shrinkable tube 34. In addition, in the external insulation process, the adhesive provided on the entire inner surface of the unheated heat-shrinkable tube 34b and the hot melt ring 41 are heated and cooled, thereby providing an adhesive 37 (see FIGS. 1 to 3 ) on the inside of the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0051] 10 , in the tape winding process, a tape member 36 is wound around the entire circumference of the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34. At this time, the tape member 36 is also wound around the spacer 35 protruding outward from the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0052] This completes the manufacture of the wire harness 11. In the wire harness 11 configured in this manner, even if the adhesive 37 melts in a high-temperature environment, the spacer 35 and the tape member 36 prevent the adhesive 37 from melting to the outside.

[0053] Next, the effects of the above embodiment are described below. (1) The spacer 35 is provided between two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 and seals the adhesive 37 inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34. Therefore, the spacer 35 prevents the adhesive 37 from leaking out of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 from between the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14. Therefore, the wire harness 11 can ensure high waterproofing even in a high-temperature environment.

[0054] (2) The spacer 35 comes into surface contact with the outer peripheral surfaces 13f, 14f of the second shielded electric wires 13, 14, thereby making it possible to reduce the gap between two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 compared to when there is no surface contact. More specifically, the arcuate surface 35a of the spacer 35 comes into surface contact with the outer peripheral surfaces 13f, 14f of the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d of the second shielded electric wires 13, 14, thereby making it possible to reduce the gap between two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14. This further prevents the adhesive 37 from dissolving out of the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0055] (3) The flat surface 35 b of the spacer 35 connects the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13 and 14 at the shortest distance, and prevents the adhesive 37 from melting out of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 .

[0056] (4) The spacer 35 provided at the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 prevents the adhesive 37 from dissolving out of the heat-shrinkable tube 34. More specifically, the spacer 35 disposed at a position including the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 prevents the adhesive 37 from dissolving out of the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0057] (5) Because a portion of the spacer 35 protrudes outward from the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34, it is possible to visually confirm, for example, whether the spacer 35 is properly positioned. That is, for example, when the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is installed by heating and cooling, if the portion of the spacer 35 protruding from the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is tilted, it is possible to visually confirm that the product is defective.

[0058] (6) The two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 are entirely separated from each other at the locations where the spacers 35 are disposed. The spacer 35 interposed between the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 is a single component. Therefore, the number of components can be reduced compared to when the spacer 35 interposed between the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 is divided into multiple components. In other words, if the outer circumferential surfaces 13f, 14f of the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 were in contact with each other, the spacer 35 would be divided into two components. However, because the spacer 35 is a single component, the number of components can be reduced.

[0059] (7) The tape member 36 wrapped around the entire circumference of the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 prevents the adhesive 37 from dissolving between the second shielded wires 13, 14 and the heat-shrinkable tube 34 in areas other than where the spacer 35 is located.

[0060] (8) The tape member 36, which is also wrapped around the spacer 35 protruding outward from the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34, prevents the adhesive 37 from dissolving out of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 from between the spacer 35 and the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0061] The above embodiment can be modified as follows. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs. In the above embodiment, the spacer 35 has the arcuate surface 35a for surface contact with the outer peripheral surfaces 13f, 14f of the second shielded electric wires 13, 14. However, this is not limited to this, and the spacer 35 may be configured without the arcuate surface 35a. For example, the arcuate surface 35a may be a surface formed by combining flat surfaces. In this way, although the gap between the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 becomes slightly larger, the adhesive 37 is prevented from leaking out of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 from between the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the spacer 35 has a flat surface 35b that connects two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 over the shortest distance and seals the adhesive 37 inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34. However, this is not limited to this, and the flat surface 35b may be, for example, a curved surface.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the spacer 35 is provided at the opening end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34, but this is not limited to this and the spacer 35 may be provided inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34, not including the opening end 34a.

[0064] In the above embodiment, a portion of the spacer 35 protrudes outward from the open end 34a of the heat shrink tube 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The spacer 35 does not have to protrude outward from the open end 34a.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 are arranged so as to be separated from each other as a whole at the location where the spacer 35 is arranged, but this is not limited thereto, and the outer circumferential surfaces 13 f, 14 f may be arranged so as to be in contact with each other. In this case, the spacer 35 is divided into two parts.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the wire harness 11 includes the tape member 36 wrapped around the entire circumference of the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34, but the invention is not limited to this and may be configured without including the tape member 36.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the tape member 36 is also wrapped around the spacer 35 that protrudes outward from the open end 34a of the heat shrink tube 34, but this is not limited to this, and the tape member 36 may not be wrapped around the spacer 35.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the shield connecting member 31 constitutes the shield connection portion, but this is not limited to this. For example, the first shield member 12c and the second shield members 13c and 14c may be directly connected, and the connection portion may be used as the shield connection portion.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the exterior part that covers the outer periphery of the shield connecting member 31 and has adhesive 37 provided on the inside is a heat-shrinkable tube 34, but this is not limited to this and the exterior part may be changed to another part other than the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the insulating portion covering the outer periphery of the core wire connection portion 16 is the internal heat-shrinkable tube 21 , but this is not limited to this and may be changed to an insulating portion other than the internal heat-shrinkable tube 21 .

[0071] In the above embodiment, the first core wire 12a and the second core wires 13a, 14a are directly welded together, but this is not limited to this. For example, the first core wire 12a and the second core wires 13a, 14a may be connected using separate members.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the adhesive 37 provided inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34b is composed of the adhesive provided on the entire inner surface of the heat-shrinkable tube 34b before heating and the hot-melt ring 41. However, this is not limited to this. For example, in the above embodiment, the hot-melt ring 41 is provided around one of the two second shielded electric wires 13, 14 in the method for manufacturing the wire harness 11. However, this may be changed depending on the required amount. For example, in the method for manufacturing the wire harness 11, the hot-melt ring 41 may be provided around each of the two second shielded electric wires 13, 14. Furthermore, for example, the hot-melt ring 41 may not be provided in the method for manufacturing the wire harness 11.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the wire harness 11 includes one first shielded electric wire 12 and two second shielded electric wires 13, 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of the first shielded electric wires 12 and the number of the second shielded electric wires 13, 14 may be changed.

[0074] In the above embodiment, one spacer 35 is provided for each of the two second shielded electric wires 13, 14, but if, for example, three shielded electric wires are arranged side by side, a spacer may be provided between each of the second shielded electric wires, so that a total of two spacers 35 are provided. In other words, if the number of arranged shielded electric wires is N, a total of (N-1) spacers 35 may be provided.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c, 14c are braided wires in which wires are woven into a tubular shape, but this is not limited to this and they may be metal foils made of, for example, an aluminum alloy.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the shield connecting member 31 is a braided wire in which element wires are woven into a cylindrical shape, but this is not limited thereto and may be, for example, a metal foil made of an aluminum alloy or the like. The shield connecting member 31 may also be configured so that it can be disposed from the outside of the internal heat-shrinkable tube 21. For example, the shield connecting member 31 may be a braided wire in which element wires are woven into a sheet shape, and may be disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the internal heat-shrinkable tube 21 by being wrapped around the internal heat-shrinkable tube 21 from the outside.

[0077] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Wire harness 12 First shielded electric wire (shielded electric wire) 12a First core wire (core wire) 12b Insulating coating 12c First shield member (shielding member) 12d Outer insulating coating 12e Folded portion 13 Second shielded electric wire (shielded electric wire) 13a Second core wire (core wire) 13b Insulating coating 13c Second shield member (shielding member) 13d Outer insulating coating 13e Folded portion 13f Outer surface 14 Second shielded electric wire (shielded electric wire) 14a Second core wire (core wire) 14b Insulating coating 14c Second shield member (shielding member) 14d Outer insulating coating 14e Folded portion 14f Outer surface 15 Underlay ring 16 Core wire connection portion 21 Internal heat shrinkable tube (insulating portion) 21a Internal heat shrinkable tube before heating 31 Shield connecting member (shield connecting portion) 32 Crimping ring 33 Binding crimping ring 34 Heat shrinkable tube (exterior portion) 34a Open end 34b Heat shrinkable tube before heating 35 Spacer 35a Circular arc surface 35b Flat surface 35c Upper and lower end surfaces 36 Tape member 37 Adhesive 37a Interposition portion 41 Hot melt ring

Claims

1. A wire harness including a plurality of shielded electric wires, each of the plurality of shielded electric wires having a core wire, an insulating coating covering an outer periphery of the core wire, and a shielding member covering the outer periphery of the insulating coating, the wire harness including: a core wire connecting portion where the core wires of the plurality of shielded electric wires are connected to each other, an insulating portion covering the outer periphery of the core wire connecting portion, a shield connecting portion covering the outer periphery of the insulating portion and where the shielding members of the plurality of shielded electric wires are connected to each other, an exterior portion covering the outer periphery of the shield connecting portion and having an adhesive provided on the inside, and a spacer interposed between two adjacent shielded electric wires of the plurality of shielded electric wires and sealing the adhesive in the exterior portion.

2. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is formed so as to be able to come into surface contact with each of the outer circumferential surfaces of the two adjacent shielded electric wires.

3. The wire harness according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of shielded electric wires has an outer insulating coating that covers an outer periphery of the shielding member of the shielded electric wire and has a circular outer periphery, and the spacer has an arcuate surface that follows the outer periphery of the outer insulating coating of each of the two adjacent shielded electric wires.

4. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the spacer has a flat surface that connects the two adjacent shielded electric wires at the shortest distance and seals the adhesive inside the exterior portion.

5. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is provided at an open end of the exterior portion to seal the adhesive inside the exterior portion.

6. The wire harness according to claim 5, wherein a portion of the spacer protrudes outward from an open end of the exterior portion.

7. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the two adjacent shielded electric wires are arranged so as to be separated from each other entirely at a portion where the spacer is arranged, and the spacer interposed between the two adjacent shielded electric wires is a single component.

8. The wire harness according to claim 1, further comprising a tape member wound around a portion including the entire periphery of the open end of the exterior portion.

9. The wire harness according to claim 8, wherein a portion of the spacer protrudes outward from the open end of the exterior portion, and the tape member is also wrapped around the portion of the spacer protruding outward from the open end of the exterior portion.

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