Wire harness

Abstract

A wire harness (11) is provided with a first shield wire (12) and second shield wires (13, 14). The wire harness (11) is provided with: a core wire connection part (16) to which a first core wire (12a) and second core wires (13a, 14a) are connected; and a heat-shrink tube (34) that covers the outer periphery of the core wire connection part (16) and covers the outer periphery of a part of outer insulation coatings (12d, 13d, 14d). The wire harness (11) is provided with one or more joining parts in which resins having compatibility inside the heat-shrink tube (34) are joined to each other, so that entrance of liquid into the inside of the heat-shrink tube (34) is suppressed.

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, and the waterproof portion is covered with a sheet body, thereby ensuring waterproofness of the connection portion.

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

[0004] In order to simplify the structure of the above-described wire harness, it is conceivable to cover the connection portions with an exterior part such as a heat-shrinkable tube and ensure waterproofing by using an adhesive applied inside the exterior part. However, when an adhesive is used in this manner, there is a risk that the adhesive will melt out of the exterior part in a high-temperature environment. Therefore, there is a risk that the waterproofing will be reduced. This, for example, causes limitations on the locations where the wire harness can be installed.

[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] The wire harness of the present disclosure is a wire harness including a plurality of electric wires, each of which has a core wire and an outer insulating coating that covers the outer periphery of the core wire and forms the outermost layer of the electric wire, and the wire harness includes a core wire connection portion where the core wires of the plurality of electric wires are connected to each other, and an exterior portion that covers the outer periphery of the core wire connection portion and the outer periphery of part of the outer insulating coating, and includes one or more joint portions where compatible resins are joined inside the exterior portion, thereby suppressing penetration of liquid into the inside of the exterior portion.

[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 the wire harness in one embodiment.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. A wire harness of the present disclosure is: [1] a wire harness including a plurality of electric wires, each of the plurality of electric wires having a core wire and an outer insulating coating covering an outer periphery of the core wire and constituting an outermost layer of the electric wire, the wire harness including: a core wire connection portion where the core wires of the plurality of electric wires are connected to each other; and an exterior portion covering the outer periphery of the core wire connection portion and the outer periphery of a part of the outer insulating coating, and including one or more joint portions where compatible resins are joined together inside the exterior portion, thereby suppressing penetration of liquid into the interior of the exterior portion.

[0010] According to this configuration, the inside of the exterior part has a joint where compatible resins are joined together, so the joint is stable even in high-temperature environments. That is, unlike when the inside of the exterior part is bonded with an adhesive, the adhesive does not melt in high-temperature environments. Therefore, the penetration of liquid into the inside of the exterior part is stably suppressed. Therefore, high waterproofing can be ensured even in high-temperature environments.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the resin constituting the outer insulating coating and the resin constituting the exterior portion may contain resins that are compatible with each other, and the one or more joints may include a first joint at which at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the outer insulating coating is joined to the exterior portion.

[0012] According to this configuration, the first joint portion stably prevents the liquid from penetrating into the exterior portion from between at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the outer insulating coating and the exterior portion. [3] In the above [1] or [2], a spacer portion may be provided that is interposed between two adjacent electric wires among the plurality of electric wires and is disposed inside the exterior portion.

[0013] According to this configuration, the spacer portion fills the gap between the two adjacent electric wires, thereby suppressing the infiltration of liquid into the inside of the exterior portion from between the two adjacent electric wires. [4] In the above [3], the resin constituting the exterior portion and the resin constituting the spacer portion may contain resins that are compatible with each other, and the one or more joint portions may include a second joint portion where a part of the spacer portion and the exterior portion are joined.

[0014] According to this configuration, the second joint portion stably prevents the penetration of liquid into the inside of the exterior portion from between the part of the spacer portion and the exterior portion. [5] In the above [3] or [4], the resin constituting the outer insulating coating and the resin constituting the spacer portion may contain resins that are compatible with each other, and the one or more joint portions may include a third joint portion where the part of the spacer portion and the outer insulating coating are joined.

[0015] According to this configuration, the third joint portion stably prevents liquid from penetrating into the inside of the exterior portion from between the part of the spacer portion and the outer insulating coating. [6] In any one of the above [1] to [5], the exterior portion may be a heat-shrinkable tube.

[0016] According to this configuration, when the heat shrink tube is heated, the compatible resins can be bonded to each other at the same time as the heat shrink tube is cured. Therefore, manufacturing of the wire harness becomes easy. [7] In any one of [1] to [6] above, the plurality of electric wires may be a plurality of shielded electric wires each having an insulating coating covering an outer periphery of the core wire, and a shield member covering an outer periphery of the insulating coating and covered by the outer insulating coating.

[0017] This configuration suppresses electromagnetic wave radiation from the core wire. Furthermore, the shielded wire is thicker than a non-shielded wire without a shielding material. Therefore, the exterior part also becomes larger, but because adhesive that is applied to the inside of the large exterior part is not needed, the amount of adhesive used can be significantly reduced.

[0018] [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.

[0019] 1, the wire harness 11 includes a first shielded electric wire 12 as an electric wire and a shielded electric wire, two second shielded electric wires 13 and 14 as electric wires and a shielded electric wire, 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, and a spacer part 35.

[0020] (Configuration of the first shielded electric wire 12, the second shielded electric wires 13, 14, and the underlay ring 15) As shown in Fig. 2, the first shielded electric wire 12 has 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 has a first shield member 12c as a shielding member 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. The outer insulating coating 12d has a uniform thickness.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, the second shielded 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 cross-sectional shape of the second core wires 13a, 14a is circular. The second shielded 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. The outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d have a uniform thickness.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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. 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] (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.

[0028] (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).

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] (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 and also covers the outer periphery of part of the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d. 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 shrunk toward the inner member by heating and cooling. 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 the part of the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d that protrudes from the shield connecting member 31 to the outside.

[0032] 3 , the spacer portion 35 is disposed inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34 while being interposed between two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14. In other words, the spacer portion 35 is disposed so as to fill the gap between two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34. The spacer portion 35 is a portion provided between the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d formed to a uniform thickness, and is joined to the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d.

[0033] 4 and 5 , the spacer portion 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, before being joined to the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d, the spacer portion 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 portion 35 in correspondence with the opposing outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d.

[0034] 3, the spacer portion 35 is arranged so as not to protrude outward from the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34. In this embodiment, the spacer portion 35 is arranged so that its end coincides with the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0035] Furthermore, the spacer portion 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 spaced apart. That is, one spacer portion 35 is provided for each of the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 before they are joined to the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d.

[0036] Here, the wire harness 11 of this embodiment has a joint where compatible resins are joined together inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34, thereby preventing liquid from penetrating inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0037] Specifically, the resin constituting the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d and the resin constituting the heat-shrinkable tube 34 include resins that are mutually miscible with each other. The joints include first joints 41 and 42 where at least a portion of the outer peripheral surfaces 12f, 13f, and 14f of the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d are joined to the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0038] Specifically, the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d are made of a resin containing cross-linked polyethylene. In this embodiment, the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d are made of cross-linked polyethylene.

[0039] The heat-shrinkable tube 34 is made of a resin containing cross-linked polyethylene. The heat-shrinkable tube 34 of this embodiment is made of cross-linked polyethylene and modified polyolefin. As a result, the resin that makes up the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d and the resin that makes up the heat-shrinkable tube 34 contain cross-linked polyethylene, which is mutually compatible.

[0040] 2, the joint portion includes a first joint portion 41 at which the entire outer peripheral surface 12f of the outer insulating coating 12d of the first shielded electric wire 12 is joined to the heat-shrinkable tube 34. The entire outer peripheral surface 12f of the outer insulating coating 12d of the first shielded electric wire 12 is joined to the heat-shrinkable tube 34 by the heat generated when the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is shrunk and heated.

[0041] 3 and 4 , the joint portion includes a first joint portion 42 at which the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is joined to a portion of the outer peripheral surface 13f, 14f of the outer insulating coating 13d, 14d of the second shielded electric wire 13, 14. The portion of the outer peripheral surface 13f, 14f of the outer insulating coating 13d, 14d of the second shielded electric wire 13, 14 and the heat-shrinkable tube 34 are joined by heat when the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is heated and shrunk. Note that the portions of the outer peripheral surfaces 13f, 14f of the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d that are joined to the heat-shrinkable tube 34 are the outer peripheral surfaces 13f, 14f that do not face each other and are the outer peripheral surfaces 13f, 14f on which the spacer portion 35 is not disposed.

[0042] The resin constituting the heat-shrinkable tube 34 and the resin constituting the spacer portion 35 contain resins that are compatible with each other. The joint portion includes a second joint portion 43 where a part of the spacer portion 35 and the heat-shrinkable tube 34 are joined.

[0043] Specifically, the spacer portion 35 is made of a resin containing cross-linked polyethylene. In this embodiment, the spacer portion 35 is made of cross-linked polyethylene. As a result, the resin that constitutes the heat-shrinkable tube 34 and the resin that constitutes the spacer portion 35 contain cross-linked polyethylene, which is mutually compatible.

[0044] 4, the joint portion includes a second joint portion 43 that is a part of the spacer portion 35 and where the upper and lower flat end faces 35b connecting the two arcuate faces 35a are joined to the heat-shrinkable tube 34. The part of the spacer portion 35 and the heat-shrinkable tube 34 are joined by the heat generated when the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is heated to shrink it.

[0045] The resin constituting the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d and the resin constituting the spacer portion 35 contain resins that are mutually miscible with each other. The joint portion includes a third joint portion 44 where a part of the spacer portion 35 and the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d are joined.

[0046] Specifically, the resin constituting the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d and the resin constituting the spacer portion 35 contain cross-linked polyethylene, which are mutually soluble. As shown in Fig. 4, the joints are part of the spacer portion 35 and include third joints 44 where the two arcuate surfaces 35a and the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d are joined. The part of the spacer portion 35 and the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d are joined by heat when the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is heated to shrink it.

[0047] Next, a description will be given of a manufacturing method and operation of the wire harness 11 configured as described above. As shown in Fig. 6 to Fig. 9, the manufacturing method of the wire harness 11 of this embodiment includes a core wire connecting step, an inner insulation step, a shield connecting step, and an exterior portion arranging step.

[0048] 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 .

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] In this state (see FIGS. 5 and 8), a spacer portion 35 is disposed between the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13 and 14 outside the shield connecting member 31 and between the outer insulating coatings 13d and 14d.

[0052] 9 , in the exterior part arrangement step, the outside of the shield connecting member 31 is covered with a heat-shrinkable tube 34. More specifically, in the exterior part arrangement step, an unheated heat-shrinkable tube 34b is arranged on the outside of the shield connecting member 31, and is heated and cooled, thereby covering the outside of the shield connecting member 31 with the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0053] Furthermore, in the exterior part arrangement step, compatible resins are bonded together inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34, thereby preventing liquid from seeping into the inside of the heat-shrinkable tube 34. In this embodiment, in the exterior part arrangement step, the spacer part 35 is arranged between the two second shielded electric wires 13, 14, and the unheated heat-shrinkable tube 34b is placed outside the spacer part 35, and then heated and cooled. When the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is heated in this manner, the heat is used to bond compatible resins inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0054] This completes the manufacture of the wire harness 11. In the wire harness 11 configured in this manner, the compatible resins are joined together at the inner portion of the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34, so that the penetration of liquid into the inside of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is suppressed.

[0055] Next, the effects of the above embodiment are described below. (1) Because the heat-shrinkable tube 34 has a joint where compatible resins are joined together inside, the joint is stable even in high-temperature environments. That is, unlike when the inside of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is bonded with an adhesive, the adhesive does not melt in high-temperature environments. Therefore, the penetration of liquid into the inside of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is stably suppressed. Therefore, high waterproofing can be ensured even in high-temperature environments. Furthermore, because an adhesive or the like is not required inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34, the amount of material for the adhesive or the like can be reduced.

[0056] (2) The resins constituting the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d and the resin constituting the heat-shrinkable tube 34 contain resins that are compatible with each other. The joints include first joints 41 and 42 at which at least a portion of the outer peripheral surfaces 12f, 13f, and 14f of the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d are joined to the heat-shrinkable tube 34. This stably prevents liquid from penetrating into the heat-shrinkable tube 34 through a gap between the heat-shrinkable tube 34 and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surfaces 12f, 13f, and 14f of the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d.

[0057] (3) The spacer portion 35 fills the gap between two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14, thereby preventing liquid from penetrating between the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 into the inside of the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0058] (4) The resin constituting the heat-shrinkable tube 34 and the resin constituting the spacer portion 35 contain resins that are mutually soluble. The joint portion includes a second joint portion 43 where a portion of the spacer portion 35 and the heat-shrinkable tube 34 are joined. This stably prevents liquid from penetrating into the inside of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 from between the portion of the spacer portion 35 and the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0059] (5) The resin constituting the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d and the resin constituting the spacer portion 35 contain resins that are mutually soluble. The joint portion includes a third joint portion 44 where a portion of the spacer portion 35 is joined to the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d. This stably prevents liquid from penetrating into the heat-shrinkable tube 34 through between the portion of the spacer portion 35 and the outer insulating coatings 13d, 14d.

[0060] (6) Since the exterior is the heat-shrinkable tube 34, the compatible resins can be bonded together at the same time as the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is cured when the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is heated. This makes it easier to manufacture the wire harness 11.

[0061] (7) Because the electric wires are the first shielded electric wire 12 and the second shielded electric wires 13 and 14 having the first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c and 14c, radiation of electromagnetic waves from the first core wire 12a and the second core wires 13a and 14a is suppressed. Furthermore, the first shielded electric wire 12 and the second shielded electric wires 13 and 14 are thicker than non-shielded electric wires that do not have the first shielding member 12c and the second shielding members 13c and 14c. Therefore, although the heat-shrinkable tube 34 also becomes larger, adhesive that would otherwise be provided inside the large heat-shrinkable tube 34 is no longer necessary, and the amount of adhesive used can be significantly reduced.

[0062] (8) The spacer portion 35 is positioned so as not to protrude from the open end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34 to the outside, so that the heat used to bond compatible resins together is less likely to escape to any location other than the bonded area.

[0063] 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 outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d are joined to the heat-shrinkable tube 34, the spacer portion 35 is joined to the heat-shrinkable tube 34, and the spacer portion 35 is joined to the outer insulating coatings 13d and 14d. However, this is not limited to this. In other words, in the above embodiment, the joints include the first joints 41 and 42, the second joint 43, and the third joint 44. However, this is not limited to this. In other words, as long as the intrusion of liquid into the heat-shrinkable tube 34 is suppressed by providing joints in which compatible resins are joined together inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34, the configuration may be modified to a configuration other than that of the above embodiment.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the spacer portion 35 is disposed inside the heat-shrinkable tube 34 and is interposed between two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14, but this is not limited to this, and the configuration may not include the spacer portion 35.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the exterior part is the heat-shrinkable tube 34, but this is not limiting and the exterior part may be changed to another part other than the heat-shrinkable tube 34. In other words, the exterior part may be changed to another part other than the heat-shrinkable tube 34 as long as compatible resins are bonded together inside the exterior part, thereby preventing liquid from penetrating inside the exterior part.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the electric wire is the first shielded electric wire 12 and the second shielded electric wires 13 and 14, but this is not limited thereto, and the electric wire may not have the first shielding member 12 c and the second shielding member 13 c and 14 c. For example, the electric wire may be an electric wire having a core wire and an outer insulating coating that covers the outer periphery of the core wire while being in contact with the outer periphery of the core wire and forms the outermost layer of the electric wire.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the spacer portion 35 is arranged so as not to protrude outward from the opening end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34, but this is not limited to this, and the spacer portion 35 may be configured so as to protrude outward from the opening end 34a of the heat-shrinkable tube 34.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the resin constituting the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d, the resin constituting the heat-shrinkable tube 34, and the resin constituting the spacer portion 35 include cross-linked polyethylene, which is mutually soluble, but this is not limited to this. The resin constituting the outer insulating coatings 12d, 13d, and 14d, the resin constituting the heat-shrinkable tube 34, and the resin constituting the spacer portion 35 may also include other resins that are mutually soluble.

[0069] In the above embodiment, when the heat shrink tube 34 is heated to be placed, the heat is used to bond compatible resins inside the heat shrink tube 34, but this is not limited to this. For example, the resins may be bonded by heating separately.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the two adjacent second shielded electric wires 13, 14 are arranged so as to be separated from each other at the location where the spacer portion 35 is disposed, 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 portion 35 is separated into two parts before being joined to the outer insulating coatings 13 d, 14 d.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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 .

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] In the above embodiment, one spacer portion 35 is provided for each of the two second shielded electric wires 13, 14 before joining, but if, for example, three shielded electric wires are lined up, one spacer portion 35 may be provided between each pair of the second shielded electric wires, for a total of two spacer portions 35. In other words, if the number of lined up shielded electric wires is N, a total of (N-1) spacer portions 35 may be provided.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] The technical idea that can be understood from the above will be described below. (A) A method for manufacturing a wire harness including a plurality of electric wires, each of the plurality of electric wires having a core wire and an outer insulating coating that covers the outer periphery of the core wire and forms the outermost layer of the electric wire, the wire harness including a core wire connection portion where the core wires of the plurality of electric wires are connected to each other, and an exterior portion that covers the outer periphery of the core wire connection portion and also covers the outer periphery of a part of the outer insulating coating, the method including an exterior portion arrangement step of bonding compatible resins together inside the exterior portion to prevent liquid from penetrating inside the exterior portion.

[0079] According to this method, compatible resins are bonded together inside the exterior, so the bonded portion remains stable even in high-temperature environments. This means that the adhesive will not melt in high-temperature environments, as would occur if the interior of the exterior were bonded with an adhesive. This effectively prevents liquids from penetrating the interior of the exterior. This ensures high waterproofing even in high-temperature environments.

[0080] (b) The method for manufacturing a wire harness described in (a) above, wherein the exterior portion is a heat-shrinkable tube, and in the exterior portion arrangement step, a spacer portion is arranged between two adjacent electric wires among the plurality of electric wires, and the heat-shrinkable tube before heating is arranged outside the spacer portion, and then heated and cooled.

[0081] This method allows compatible resins to be bonded together while the heat-shrinkable tubing is being heated, facilitating manufacturing. Furthermore, the spacer fills the gap between two adjacent wires, preventing liquid from penetrating between the wires and into the exterior.

[0082] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Wire harness 12 First shielded electric wire (electric wire and 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 12f Outer surface 13 Second shielded electric wire (electric wire and 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 (electric wire and 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 Ring 16 Core wire connection portion 21 Internal heat shrinkable tube 21a Inner heat-shrinkable tube before heating 31 Shield connecting member 32 Ring 33 Ring 34 Heat-shrinkable tube (outer part) 34a Open end 34b Heat-shrinkable tube before heating 35 Spacer part 35a Circular arc surface 35b Upper and lower end surfaces 41 First joint part (joint part) 42 First joint part (joint part) 43 Second joint part (joint part) 44 Third joint part (joint part)

Claims

1. A wire harness comprising a plurality of electric wires, each of which has a core wire and an outer insulating coating covering the outer periphery of the core wire and constituting the outermost layer of the electric wire, the wire harness comprising: a core wire connection portion where the core wires of the plurality of electric wires are connected to each other; and an exterior portion covering the outer periphery of the core wire connection portion and covering the outer periphery of part of the outer insulating coating, and one or more joints at which compatible resins are joined together inside the exterior portion, thereby suppressing intrusion of liquid into the inside of the exterior portion.

2. A wire harness as described in claim 1, wherein the resin constituting the outer insulating coating and the resin constituting the exterior portion include resins that are compatible with each other, and the one or more joints include a first joint at which at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the outer insulating coating is joined to the exterior portion.

3. The wire harness according to claim 1, further comprising a spacer portion disposed inside the exterior portion and interposed between two adjacent electric wires among the plurality of electric wires.

4. A wire harness as described in claim 3, wherein the resin constituting the exterior portion and the resin constituting the spacer portion include resins that are compatible with each other, and the one or more joints include a second joint at which a part of the spacer portion and the exterior portion are joined.

5. A wire harness as described in claim 3, wherein the resin constituting the outer insulating coating and the resin constituting the spacer portion include resins that are mutually compatible, and the one or more joints include a third joint at which a part of the spacer portion and the outer insulating coating are joined.

6. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the exterior portion is a heat shrink tube.

7. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electric wires are a plurality of shielded electric wires each having an insulating coating covering an outer periphery of the core wire and a shielding member covering an outer periphery of the insulating coating and being covered by the outer insulating coating.

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