Wire harness

Abstract

A wire harness (10) comprises: an electric wire (21); a metal pipe (22) that covers the outer periphery of the electric wire (21); a cylindrical braided wire (23) that covers the outer periphery of the electric wire (21), has a fixed end (23a), and is disposed in such a manner that the fixed end (23a) covers the outer periphery of the metal pipe (22); and a binding member (24) that covers the outer periphery of the fixed end (23a) and binds the fixed end (23a) to the metal pipe (22). The binding member (24) has a plurality of protrusions on a surface (24b) facing the fixed end (23a).

Description

Wire harness

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

[0002] Conventionally, a wire harness has been installed under the floor of a vehicle to connect, for example, an inverter installed in the front of the vehicle to a high-voltage battery installed in the rear of the vehicle. One such wire harness includes electric wires, a metal pipe arranged under the floor and covering the outer periphery of the electric wires, and a tubular braided wire connected to an end of the metal pipe and covering the outer periphery of the electric wires (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The braided wire is arranged such that a first end thereof covers the outer periphery of the metal pipe. The first end of the braided wire is covered with a bundling member such as a crimping ring and bundled to the metal pipe, thereby electrically connecting the first end to the metal pipe. The second end of the braided wire is electrically connected to the vehicle body via a metal shell of a connector connected to the inverter and the high-voltage battery. In such a wire harness, the metal pipe and the braided wire suppress noise radiation from the electric wires.

[0003] JP 2019-53958 A

[0004] However, in the above-described wire harness, for example, the thickness of the braided wire arranged to cover the outer periphery of the metal pipe is not uniform, which causes the fastening force of the bundling member to vary. Therefore, there is a risk that the fastening force of the bundling member will not satisfy the standard value. In other words, there is a risk that the first end of the braided wire will come off the metal pipe.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wire harness that can prevent a braided wire from coming off a tubular metal member.

[0006] The wire harness of the present disclosure comprises an electric wire, a tubular metal member covering the outer periphery of the electric wire, a tubular braided wire covering the outer periphery of the electric wire and having a fixed end that is arranged so that the fixed end covers the outer periphery of the tubular metal member, and a binding member that covers the outer periphery of the fixed end and binds the fixed end to the tubular metal member, and the binding member has a plurality of protrusions on the surface facing the fixed end.

[0007] According to the wire harness of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the braided wire from coming off the tubular metal member.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wiring path of a wire harness in one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged side view of the wire harness in one embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a part of a binding member in one embodiment as viewed from the radially inner side.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. A wire harness of the present disclosure includes: [1] an electric wire, a tubular metal member covering an outer periphery of the electric wire, a tubular braided wire covering the outer periphery of the electric wire and having a fixed end, the fixed end being arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the tubular metal member, and a binding member covering the outer periphery of the fixed end and binding the fixed end to the tubular metal member, the binding member having a plurality of protrusions on a surface facing the fixed end.

[0010] According to this configuration, the binding member has multiple protrusions on the surface facing the fixed end of the braided wire, making it easier to hook onto the fixed end. Specifically, the protrusions fit into the gaps in the braided wire, making it easier for the binding member to hook onto the fixed end of the braided wire. This prevents the binding member from shifting position relative to the fixed end of the braided wire. This allows the strong adhesive strength between the fixed end of the braided wire and the tubular metal member to be maintained, thereby preventing the braided wire from coming off the tubular metal member.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the plurality of protrusions may be provided around the entire circumference of the surface facing the fixed end. With this configuration, the plurality of protrusions are provided around the entire circumference of the surface facing the fixed end, making it easier for the binding member to be caught on the fixed end around the entire circumference. Therefore, the binding member is more likely to be misaligned with the fixed end of the braided wire.

[0012] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the braided wire is formed by weaving a plurality of conductive wires together so that they are inclined with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the braided wire, and each of the plurality of convex portions may have an inclined portion inclined with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the fixed end portion.

[0013] According to this configuration, each of the plurality of protrusions has an inclined portion inclined with respect to the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the fixed end, which makes it easier for the binding member to catch on the strands of the braided wire compared to, for example, a configuration without an inclined portion, thereby further reducing misalignment of the binding member with respect to the fixed end of the braided wire.

[0014] [4] In the above [3], each of the plurality of protrusions may be formed in a diamond shape. According to this configuration, since each of the plurality of protrusions is formed in a diamond shape, for example, the plurality of inclined portions can easily catch on the strands of the braided wire. Therefore, the binding member is more likely to be displaced relative to the fixed end of the braided wire.

[0015] [5] In any one of [1] to [4] above, the bundling member may be made of a metal material. According to this configuration, since the bundling member is made of a metal material, it is less likely to loosen than, for example, a bundling member made of a resin material, and it is possible to firmly bundling the fixed end to the tubular metal member.

[0016] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for the convenience of explanation, some of the configurations may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional proportions of each part may differ from one drawing to another. Furthermore, 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.

[0017] 1 electrically connects two or more electrical devices. The wire harness 10 of the present embodiment electrically connects an inverter 11 installed in the front of a vehicle V, such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, to a high-voltage battery 12 installed behind the inverter 11 on the vehicle V.

[0018] The inverter 11 is connected to a wheel drive motor (not shown) that serves as a power source for running the vehicle. The inverter 11 generates AC power from DC power from a high-voltage battery 12 and supplies the AC power to the motor. The high-voltage battery 12 is a battery capable of supplying a voltage of, for example, several hundred volts.

[0019] The wire harness 10 is routed, for example, so as to pass under the floor of the vehicle V. That is, a middle portion of the wire harness 10 in the longitudinal direction is routed so as to pass outside the passenger compartment below an underfloor panel 13 of the vehicle V. A first end of the wire harness 10 is connected to the inverter 11 via a connector C1, and a second end of the wire harness 10 is connected to the high-voltage battery 12 via a connector C2.

[0020] 1 to 3, the wire harness 10 includes electric wires 21, a metal pipe 22 as a tubular metal member, a tubular braided wire 23, and a bundling member 24. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the wire harness 10 of this embodiment includes a plurality of electric wires, i.e., two electric wires 21. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the wire harness 10 of this embodiment includes two braided wires 23.

[0021] (Configuration of Electric Wire 21) As shown in FIG. 3, the electric wire 21 has a core wire 21a and an insulating coating 21b that covers the outer periphery of the core wire 21a.

[0022] The core wire 21 a is formed of, for example, a twisted wire made of a plurality of conductive wires twisted together, a single-core wire, etc. The core wire 21 a is made of, for example, a metal material such as copper or aluminum. The cross section of the core wire 21 a in this embodiment is formed to have a perfect circular shape.

[0023] The insulating coating 21b covers the entire outer periphery of the core wire 21a and is made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin containing a polyolefin resin, such as cross-linked polyethylene or cross-linked polypropylene, as a main component.

[0024] (Configuration of the metal pipe 22) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the metal pipe 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape that covers the outer periphery of the electric wire 21. As shown in Figure 3, the metal pipe 22 of this embodiment is formed in a perfect circular shape when viewed in the extension direction. The metal pipe 22 covers two electric wires 21 together. As shown in Figure 1, the metal pipe 22 is mainly disposed below the underfloor panel 13 of the vehicle V, and covers the middle part of the electric wire 21 in the extension direction.

[0025] (Configuration of the braided wire 23) As shown in Fig. 2, the braided wire 23 is formed by weaving a plurality of conductive element wires 31 into a tubular shape. Specifically, the braided wire 23 is formed by weaving a plurality of conductive element wires 31 so as to be inclined with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the braided wire 23. Each figure schematically illustrates the manner in which the element wires 31 are weaved, and Fig. 2 in particular schematically illustrates the manner in which the element wires 31 are weaved so as to be inclined with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the braided wire 23. The braided wire 23 can be made of a metal material such as a copper-based or aluminum-based material. The braided wire 23 of this embodiment covers two electric wires 21 together.

[0026] The braided wire 23 has a fixed end 23a which is a first end in the extending direction of the braided wire 23. The fixed end 23a is arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the metal pipe 22. In other words, the fixed end 23a is arranged so as to overlap the outer periphery of the metal pipe 22.

[0027] 2 and 3 , the binding member 24 covers the outer periphery of the fixed end 23 a of the braided wire 23 and binds the fixed end 23 a to the metal pipe 22. The binding member 24 in this embodiment is made of a metal material, such as a copper-based or aluminum-based material. Furthermore, the binding member 24 has a crimped portion 24 a that is crimped so that a portion of the circumferential direction of the binding member 24 is pinched when the metal band is formed into a ring shape, thereby binding the fixed end 23 a toward the metal pipe 22 radially inward. Note that the figures schematically illustrate the binding member 24, omitting detailed illustrations of the connection portions and the like formed when the metal band is formed into a ring shape.

[0028] The binding member 24 has a plurality of protrusions 24c (see FIG. 4) on a surface 24b (see FIG. 3) facing the fixed end 23a. The plurality of protrusions 24c are provided around the entire periphery of the surface 24b facing the fixed end 23a. The plurality of protrusions 24c are also provided on the surface 24b facing the fixed end 23a over the entire width direction corresponding to the extension direction of the fixed end 23a.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4 , each of the multiple protrusions 24c has an inclined portion 24d inclined with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the fixed end 23a. For example, each of the multiple protrusions 24c has an inclined portion 24d inclined with respect to the extension direction of the binding member 24 (the left-right direction in FIG. 4 ), which corresponds to the circumferential direction of the fixed end 23a. In the example of FIG. 4 , each of the multiple protrusions 24c is formed in a diamond shape. As a result, each of the multiple protrusions 24c has a shape with four inclined portions 24d. The inclined portions 24d may be linear grooves, for example, having a V-shaped inner groove surface. The multiple protrusions 24c may be polygonal non-groove portions defined by the multiple linear grooves. In the example of FIG. 4 , the binding member 24 has a knurled surface 24b (see FIG. 3 ) facing the fixed end 23a.

[0030] 1, the second end of one braided wire 23 is electrically connected to a ground member such as a vehicle body or a metal case via a metal shell (not shown) of connector C1, etc. The second end of the other braided wire 23 is electrically connected to a ground member such as a vehicle body or a metal case via a metal shell (not shown) of connector C2, etc.

[0031] (Operation of the embodiment) Next, a description will be given of the operation of the wire harness 10 configured as described above. Because the electric wires 21 are covered by the metal pipe 22 below the underfloor panel 13 of the vehicle V, the electric wires 21 are prevented from being hit by foreign objects such as flying stones. In addition, because the electric wires 21 are covered by the metal pipe 22 and the braided wire 23 over their entire length, noise radiation from the electric wires 21 is suppressed.

[0032] (Effects of the embodiment) Next, the effects of the above embodiment are described below. (1) The binding member 24 has a plurality of protrusions 24c on the surface 24b facing the fixed end 23a of the braided wire 23, which makes it easier to hook onto the fixed end 23a. Specifically, the binding member 24 is easier to hook onto the fixed end 23a of the braided wire 23 because the protrusions 24c fit into the gaps in the braided wire 23. This prevents the binding member 24 from shifting relative to the fixed end 23a of the braided wire 23. This makes it possible to maintain a high adhesive strength between the fixed end 23a of the braided wire 23 and the metal pipe 22, thereby preventing the braided wire 23 from coming off the metal pipe 22. As a result, noise radiation from the electric wire 21 can be stably suppressed.

[0033] (2) The plurality of protrusions 24c are provided around the entire circumference of the surface 24b facing the fixed end 23a of the braided wire 23, making it easier for the binding member 24 to be caught on the fixed end 23a around the entire circumference. Therefore, the binding member 24 is more likely to be misaligned with the fixed end 23a of the braided wire 23.

[0034] (3) The braided wire 23 is formed by weaving a plurality of conductive wires 31 so that the wires 31 are inclined relative to the circumferential and axial directions of the braided wire 23. Each of the plurality of protrusions 24c has an inclined portion 24d inclined relative to the circumferential and axial directions of the fixed end 23a. Therefore, the bundling member 24 is more likely to catch on the wires 31 of the braided wire 23 than, for example, a bundling member that does not have an inclined portion 24d. Therefore, the bundling member 24 is more likely to be misaligned relative to the fixed end 23a of the braided wire 23.

[0035] (4) Because each of the plurality of protrusions 24c is formed in a diamond shape, for example, the plurality of inclined portions 24d can easily catch on the wires 31 of the braided wire 23. Therefore, the binding member 24 is more likely to be misaligned with respect to the fixed end 23a of the braided wire 23.

[0036] (5) Because the binding member 24 is made of a metal material, it is less likely to loosen than, for example, a material made of a resin material, and it is possible to firmly bind the fixed end 23 a to the metal pipe 22 .

[0037] (Modifications) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the multiple protrusions 24c are provided around the entire circumference of the opposing surface 24b facing the fixed end 23a of the braided wire 23, but this is not limited to this, and the protrusions may be provided, for example, on a portion of the circumference of the opposing surface 24b.

[0039] In the above embodiment, each of the multiple protrusions 24c is formed in a diamond shape, but this is not limited to this. For example, the protrusions may be formed in a triangular shape having an inclined portion 24d that is inclined with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the fixed end portion 23a.

[0040] In the above embodiment, each of the plurality of protrusions 24c has the inclined portion 24d inclined with respect to the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the fixed end portion 23a, but this is not limited thereto, and the protrusions 24c may be configured without the inclined portion 24d. For example, each of the plurality of protrusions 24c may be formed in a circular shape.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the binding member 24 is made of a metal material, but is not limited thereto and may be made of, for example, a resin material. For example, the binding member may be a cable tie having a flexible strip portion and a locking portion provided at the longitudinal end of the strip portion, through which the strip portion can be passed and which locks the passed strip portion. Note that even in the case of such a cable tie made of a resin material, the braided wire 23 can be prevented from coming off the metal pipe 22 by providing multiple protrusions on the surface facing the fixed end 23a of the braided wire 23.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the tubular metal member to which the fixed end 23a of the braided wire 23 is fixed is the metal pipe 22, but this is not limited to this. For example, the tubular metal member may be the metal shell of the connector C1 or the connector C2.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the metal pipe 22 is formed in a perfect circular shape when viewed in the extension direction, but this is not limited to this. For example, the metal pipe 22 may be formed in another shape, such as an elliptical shape, when viewed in the extension direction.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the wire harness 10 includes two electric wires 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The wire harness 10 may include only one electric wire 21, or may include three or more electric wires 21.

[0045] In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the opposing surface 24b of the binding member 24 may be referred to as the radially inward surface of the binding member 24. The binding member 24 may be formed from a plastically deformable metal material so that the crimped portion 24a shown in FIG. 3 can be formed. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the opposing surface 24b of the binding member 24 may be referred to as a metal surface-finished surface, which may be a knurled surface. The convex portion 24c on the opposing surface 24b of the binding member 24 in the illustrated non-limiting embodiment may be referred to as a polygonal convex portion, which may be a rhombic cone. The braided wire 23 may have a plurality of polygonal gaps defined by the wires 31. Each of the plurality of convex portions 24c of the binding member 24 may be configured to have a dimension that allows it to fit into one of the plurality of polygonal gaps of the braided wire 23.

[0046] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Wire harness 11 Inverter 12 High-voltage battery 13 Underfloor panel 21 Electric wire 21a Core wire 21b Insulating coating 22 Metal pipe 23 Braided wire 23a Fixed end portion 24 Binding member 24a Crimping portion 24b Opposing surface 24c Convex portion 24d Inclined portion 31 Wire C1 Connector C2 Connector V Vehicle

Claims

1. A wire harness comprising: an electric wire; a tubular metal member covering an outer periphery of the electric wire; a tubular braided wire covering the outer periphery of the electric wire and having a fixed end, the fixed end being arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the tubular metal member; and a binding member covering the outer periphery of the fixed end and binding the fixed end to the tubular metal member, the binding member having a plurality of protrusions on the surface facing the fixed end.

2. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions are provided around the entire periphery of the surface facing the fixed end.

3. A wire harness as set forth in claim 1, wherein the braided wire is formed by weaving a plurality of conductive wires together so that the conductive wires are inclined relative to the circumferential and axial directions of the braided wire, and each of the plurality of protrusions has an inclined portion inclined relative to the circumferential and axial directions of the fixed end portion.

4. The wire harness according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions is formed in a diamond shape.

5. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the bundling member is made of a metal material.

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