Insulation structure and wire harness

Abstract

An insulation structure (40) protects a first electric wire member (20) and a second electric wire member (30). The insulation structure (40) comprises: a first insulation member (41) that holds a first connection portion (22) of the first electric wire member (20); and a second insulation member (42) that holds a second connection portion (32) of the second electric wire member (30) disposed so as to be adjacent to the first connection portion (22). The insulation structure (40) is provided with a connection structure (43) configured so as to connect the first insulation member (41) and the second insulation member (42). The connection structure (43) includes a first connection structure (43A) and a second connection structure. The first connection structure (43A) can connect the first insulation member (41) and the second insulation member (42) along a first direction. The second connection structure can connect the first insulation member (41) and the second insulation member (42) along a second direction intersecting the first direction.

Description

Insulating structure and wiring harness

[0001] The present invention relates to an insulating structure and a wire harness.

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, an insulating member is known that holds a plurality of adjacently arranged electric wires in spaces on both sides of a partition portion.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-156735

[0004] The above-described electric wires can also be used by connecting the core wires of the electric wires together. When wiring an electric wire member having a connection portion connecting the core wires of the electric wires together, it is advantageous from the viewpoint of protecting the connection portion to have the connection portion held by an insulating structure. In some cases, an insulating structure that holds such an electric wire member having a connection portion is required to be versatile enough to accommodate different arrangements of the connection portions of multiple electric wire members.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an insulating structure and a wire harness that can enhance versatility.

[0006] The insulating structure of the present disclosure is an insulating structure that protects a first wire member having a plurality of first core wires and a first connection portion connecting the plurality of first core wires together, and a second wire member having a plurality of second core wires and a second connection portion connecting the plurality of second core wires together, and includes a first insulating member that holds the first connection portion, a second insulating member that holds the second connection portion that is arranged adjacent to the first connection portion, and a connecting structure configured to connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member, wherein the connecting structure includes a first connecting structure configured to connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member along a first direction, and a second connecting structure configured to connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member along a second direction that intersects the first direction.

[0007] The insulating structure and wire harness of the present disclosure have the effect of improving versatility.

[0008] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a wire harness of an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the wire harness. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the wire harness. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the wire harness. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified wire harness.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. [1] An insulating structure of the present disclosure is an insulating structure that protects a first electric wire member having a plurality of first core wires and a first connection portion connecting the plurality of first core wires to each other, and a second electric wire member having a plurality of second core wires and a second connection portion connecting the plurality of second core wires to each other, the insulating structure including: a first insulating member that holds the first connection portion; a second insulating member that holds the second connection portion that is disposed adjacent to the first connection portion; and a connecting structure configured to connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member, the connecting structure including a first connecting structure configured to connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member along a first direction and a second connecting structure configured to connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member along a second direction that intersects the first direction.

[0010] According to this configuration, the insulating structure connected using the first connecting structure can protect the first connection portion of the first electric wire member and the second connection portion of the second electric wire member. Furthermore, the insulating structure connected using the second connecting structure can also protect the first connection portion of the first electric wire member and the second connection portion of the second electric wire member. That is, the insulating structure exhibits a protective function corresponding to the first connection portion and the second connection portion, which may have different arrangements. Therefore, the versatility of the insulating structure can be improved. This can reduce, for example, the cost of the molding die for forming the insulating structure and the number of steps required for designing the insulating structure.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the first insulating member may include a first base wall portion, a pair of first side walls provided on the first base wall portion, and a first retaining portion provided between the pair of first side walls and configured to retain the first connecting portion, the second insulating member may include a second base wall portion, a pair of second side walls provided on the second base wall portion, and a second retaining portion provided between the pair of second side walls and configured to retain the second connecting portion, the first connecting structure may be capable of connecting the first side walls and the second side walls to face each other, and the second connecting structure may be capable of connecting the first base wall portions and the second base wall portions to face each other. With this configuration, the first connecting portion can be protected between the pair of first side walls of the first insulating member, and the second connecting portion can be protected between the pair of second side walls of the second insulating member.

[0012] [3] In the above [2], the first connecting structure may include a structure in which a tip end of the first side wall portion sandwiches a tip end of the second side wall portion. With this configuration, the first connecting structure can be configured relatively simply.

[0013] [4] In the above [2] or [3], the first base wall portion may have a first through hole, the second base wall portion may have a second through hole, and the second connecting structure may include a structure for inserting a connecting binding member into the first through hole and the second through hole. With this configuration, the second connecting structure can be configured relatively simply.

[0014] [5] In the above [4], the first through hole may include a pair of first through holes arranged at a distance from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member, and the second through hole may include a pair of second through holes arranged at a distance from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the second electric wire member.

[0015] According to this configuration, the first insulating member and the second insulating member can be connected by inserting the connecting binding member into the pair of first through holes and the pair of second through holes. This makes it possible to, for example, prevent the connecting binding member from shifting relative to the first insulating member and the second insulating member. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the relative positional deviation between the first insulating member and the second insulating member, thereby further improving the shape stability of the insulating structure.

[0016] [6] In the above [3] or [4], the second connecting structure may be configured to fix the first electric wire member between the connecting binding member and the first insulating member, and may be configured to fix the second electric wire member between the connecting binding member and the second insulating member.

[0017] According to this configuration, the first and second connecting portions can be held by the first and second insulating members, respectively, using the connecting binding member. This makes it possible to omit or reduce the number of holding members that hold the first and second connecting portions of the first and second insulating members, respectively, thereby simplifying the holding structure that holds the first and second connecting portions in the insulating structure.

[0018] [7] In the above [6], the connecting binding member in the second connecting structure may include a first connecting binding member and a second connecting binding member arranged at a distance along the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member and the second electric wire member.

[0019] This configuration can prevent misalignment of the first connection portion with respect to the first insulating member, and can also prevent misalignment of the second connection portion with respect to the second insulating member, thereby further improving the protection performance of the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

[0020] [8] In any one of the above [2] to [7], each of the first electric wire member and the second electric wire member may have a plurality of electric wires extending in parallel, and each of the first base wall portion and the second base wall portion may have a support surface capable of contacting the plurality of electric wires. With this configuration, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion can be stably held by the first base wall portion of the first insulating member and the second base wall portion of the second insulating member, respectively.

[0021] [9] A wire harness according to the present disclosure includes the insulating structure according to any one of [1] to [8] above, the first electric wire member, and the second electric wire member. This configuration provides a wire harness including an insulating structure with improved versatility. As described above, for example, it is possible to reduce the cost of a molding die for forming the insulating structure and reduce the number of steps required for designing the insulating structure, thereby improving productivity of the wire harness.

[0022] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the insulating structure and the wire harness of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for the convenience of explanation, some of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ from one drawing to another. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc. used in this specification are used simply to distinguish between objects and are not used to rank the objects.

[0023] Each drawing shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other. The X-axis of each drawing is along the length direction of the electric wire. The Y-axis and Z-axis of each drawing are along orthogonal directions that are orthogonal to the length direction of the electric wire.

[0024] An embodiment of an insulating structure and a wire harness will be described below. (Overall Configuration of Wire Harness 10) As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the wire harness 10 includes a first electric wire member 20, a second electric wire member 30, and an insulating structure 40 that protects the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30. The wire harness 10 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The wire harness 10 electrically connects two or more on-board devices.

[0025] (Configuration of the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30) The first electric wire member 20 has a plurality of first core wires 21A and a first connection portion 22 that connects the plurality of first core wires 21A together. The second electric wire member 30 has a plurality of second core wires 31A and a second connection portion 32 that connects the plurality of second core wires 31A together.

[0026] The first core wire 21A constitutes the first electric wire 21. The first electric wire 21 has the first core wire 21A and an insulating coating that surrounds the outer periphery of the first core wire 21A and has insulating properties. The second core wire 31A constitutes the second electric wire 31. The second electric wire 31 has the second core wire 31A and an insulating coating that surrounds the outer periphery of the second core wire 31A and has insulating properties. That is, the first electric wire member 20 has a plurality of first electric wires 21 and a first connection portion 22. The second electric wire member 30 has a plurality of second electric wires 31 and a second connection portion 32. In FIG. 1 , the center line CL of each of the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 31 is illustrated by a dashed dotted line. The center line CL is a line that passes through the center of each of the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 31 in a cross section.

[0027] Examples of the first core wire 21A and the second core wire 31A include a twisted wire formed by twisting together multiple metal wires, and a single core wire formed from a single conductor. Examples of single core wires include a columnar conductor formed from a single columnar metal rod with a solid interior, and a tubular conductor with a hollow interior. The first core wire 21A and the second core wire 31A may be a combination of multiple types of core wires, such as twisted wires and single core wires. Examples of materials that can be used for the first core wire 21A and the second core wire 31A include copper-based and aluminum-based metal materials.

[0028] The insulating coating covers, for example, the outer periphery of each of the first core wire 21A and the second core wire 31A over the entire circumference around the center line CL of each of the first core wire 21A and the second core wire 31A. The insulating coating can be made of, for example, a resin material having insulating properties.

[0029] The first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 31 may be shielded electric wires. The shielded electric wires include a core wire, an insulating coating, a conductive electromagnetic shielding member surrounding the outer periphery of the insulating coating, and an insulating sheath surrounding the outer periphery of the electromagnetic shielding member.

[0030] The first connection portion 22 connects, for example, one first core wire 21A to two first core wires 21A. The second connection portion 32 connects, for example, one second core wire 31A to two second core wires 31A. The first connection portion 22 and the second connection portion 32 can be configured, for example, by a splice terminal, a welded portion, or the like. The first connection portion 22 may be configured to connect, for example, one first core wire 21A to three or more first core wires 21A, or two or more first core wires 21A to two or more first core wires 21A. The second connection portion 32 may be configured to connect one second core wire 31A to three or more second core wires 31A, or two or more second core wires 31A to two or more second core wires 31A.

[0031] The first electric wire member 20 includes a plurality of first electric wires 21 extending in parallel, and the second electric wire member 30 includes a plurality of second electric wires 31 extending in parallel. In this embodiment, the first electric wire member 20 includes two first electric wires 21 extending in parallel, but may include three or more first electric wires 21 extending in parallel. In this embodiment, the second electric wire member 30 includes two second electric wires 31 extending in parallel, but may include three or more second electric wires 31 extending in parallel. For example, connectors (not shown) are provided at the ends of the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30. The connectors are electrically connected to mating connectors of, for example, in-vehicle equipment.

[0032] (Overall configuration of insulating structure 40) The insulating structure 40 includes a first insulating member 41, a second insulating member 42, and a connecting structure 43 configured to connect the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42. The first insulating member 41 holds the first connecting portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20. The second insulating member 42 holds the second connecting portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30. The second connecting portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30 is disposed adjacent to the first connecting portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20.

[0033] 1 to 3 protects the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 that are adjacent to each other along the Y axis. In the first insulating structure 40A, the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 are arranged side by side along the Y axis in correspondence with the positions of the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32.

[0034] 4 to 6 protects the first connection portion 22 and the second connection portion 32 that are adjacent along the Z axis. In the second insulation structure 40B, the first insulation member 41 and the second insulation member 42 are arranged side by side along the Z axis in correspondence with the positions of the first connection portion 22 and the second connection portion 32.

[0035] 1 to 6, the first insulating member 41 includes a first base wall portion 41A and a pair of first side wall portions 41B provided on the first base wall portion 41A. The first insulating member 41 also includes a first holding portion 41C provided between the pair of first side wall portions 41B. The first holding portion 41C holds the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20.

[0036] The second insulating member 42 includes a second base wall portion 42A and a pair of second side wall portions 42B provided on the second base wall portion 42A. The second insulating member 42 includes a second holding portion 42C provided between the pair of second side wall portions 42B. The second holding portion 42C holds the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30.

[0037] The first base wall portion 41A and the second base wall portion 42A are each shaped like a plate extending along the XY plane. The first base wall portion 41A has a first support surface F1 that can come into contact with the plurality of first electric wires 21 extending in parallel. The second base wall portion 42A has a second support surface F2 that can come into contact with the plurality of second electric wires 31 extending in parallel.

[0038] The pair of first side wall portions 41B are disposed to face each other along the Y axis. Each of the pair of first side wall portions 41B has a plate shape extending along the XZ plane, for example. The pair of second side wall portions 42B are disposed to face each other along the Y axis. Each of the pair of second side wall portions 42B has a plate shape extending along the XZ plane, for example.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , one of the pair of first side walls 41B and one of the pair of second side walls 42B are configured to be connectable so as to face each other. Specifically, the distal end of the first side wall 41B is configured to sandwich the distal end of the second side wall 42B. The first side wall 41B has a base end connected to the first base wall 41A and a distal end opposite the base end. The second side wall 42B has a base end connected to the second base wall 42A and a distal end opposite the base end. The distal end of the first side wall 41B includes a pair of clamping pieces P1 and a clamping piece connecting portion P2 connecting the pair of clamping pieces P1. The distal end of the second side wall 42B can be inserted between the pair of clamping pieces P1 from the base end side of the first side wall 41B.

[0040] 1, 3, 4, and 6, the first insulating member 41 has first through holes H1 penetrating the first base wall portion 41A. The first through holes H1 include a pair of first through holes H1 that are spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the X-axis in the first insulating member 41. The pair of first through holes H1 are spaced apart from each other along, for example, the Y-axis.

[0041] In the first insulating member 41, the pair of first through holes H1 constitute one fixing portion. The first insulating member 41 has two fixing portions spaced apart along the X-axis of the first electric wire member 20. The second insulating member 42 has a second through hole H2 penetrating the second base wall portion 42A. The second through holes H2 include a pair of second through holes H2 that are spaced apart from each other in the second insulating member 42 along a direction intersecting the X-axis. The pair of second through holes H2 are spaced apart from each other, for example, along the Y-axis. In the second insulating member 42, the pair of second through holes H2 constitute one fixing portion. The second insulating member 42 has two fixing portions spaced apart from each other along the X-axis of the second electric wire member 30.

[0042] The first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 may be made of, for example, a resin material, such as polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polyester, or ABS resin.

[0043] (Configuration of connecting structure 43) The connecting structure 43 of the insulating structure 40 includes a first connecting structure 43A shown in Figures 1 to 3 and a second connecting structure 43B shown in Figures 4 to 6. That is, by selecting the first connecting structure 43A or the second connecting structure 43B, the insulating structure 40 can be used as both a first insulating structure 40A connected by the first connecting structure 43A and a second insulating structure 40B connected by the second connecting structure 43B.

[0044] 1 to 3, the first connecting structure 43A can connect the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 along a first direction. The first direction in the first connecting structure 43A of this embodiment is along the Y-axis. As described above, the first connecting structure 43A of this embodiment can connect the first side wall portion 41B and the second side wall portion 42B so that they face each other. The first connecting structure 43A includes a structure in which the tip end of the first side wall portion 41B sandwiches the tip end of the second side wall portion 42B.

[0045] 4 to 6, the second connecting structure 43B can connect the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 along a second direction intersecting the first direction. In this embodiment, the second direction in the second connecting structure 43B is along the Z-axis. In this embodiment, the second connecting structure 43B can connect the first base wall portion 41A and the second base wall portion 42A so that they face each other. The second connecting structure 43B includes a structure for inserting the connecting binding member 44 through the first through hole H1 and the second through hole H2.

[0046] The connecting binding member 44 includes a connecting base 45 and a connecting strip 46 connected to the connecting base 45. The connecting strip 46 is deformable into a curved shape. The connecting base 45 includes a connection portion to which the base end of the connecting strip 46 is connected and a retaining hole that prevents the connecting strip 46 from slipping out. The connecting strip 46 is inserted into the retaining hole of the connecting base 45 from the tip side, thereby preventing the connecting strip 46 from slipping out. In the second connecting structure 43B, the connecting strip 46 is inserted, for example, through the first through hole H1, the second through hole H2, the second through hole H2, and the first through hole H1 in this order. The connecting binding member 44 can be made of, for example, a resin material. Examples of resin materials include polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polyester, and ABS resin. The connecting binding member 44 may be made of a metal material, or may be made of a combination of a resin material and a metal material.

[0047] 6 , the second connecting structure 43B is configured to fix the first electric wire member 20 between the connecting binding member 44 and the first insulating member 41. That is, the second connecting structure 43B is configured to have a first wire fixing portion 47 that fixes the first electric wire member 20 between the connecting binding member 44 and the first insulating member 41. The second connecting structure 43B is configured to fix the second electric wire member 30 between the connecting binding member 44 and the second insulating member 42. That is, the second connecting structure 43B is configured to have a second wire fixing portion 48 that fixes the second electric wire member 30 between the connecting binding member 44 and the second insulating member 42.

[0048] 4 and 5 , the connecting binding member 44 includes a first connecting binding member 44A and a second connecting binding member 44B that are spaced apart along the length direction of the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30. The first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 and the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30 can be disposed, for example, between the first connecting binding member 44A and the second connecting binding member 44B.

[0049] (Method for manufacturing wire harness 10 and function of insulating structure 40) An example of a method for manufacturing wire harness 10 and a main function of insulating structure 40 will be described. The method for manufacturing wire harness 10 includes an assembly process of assembling insulating structure 40 by connecting first insulating member 41 and second insulating member 42.

[0050] 1 to 3, in the assembly process, the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 are connected using the first connecting structure 43A to obtain a first insulating structure 40A having the first connecting structure 43A. Also, in the assembly process, the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 are connected using the second connecting structure 43B to obtain a second insulating structure 40B.

[0051] The wire harness 10 is obtained by holding the first connection portion 22 of the first wire member 20 in the first insulating member 41 and holding the second connection portion 32 of the second wire member 30 in the second insulating member 42.

[0052] 1 to 3, in the first insulating structure 40A, for example, the first wire member 20 and the second wire member 30 can be fixed to the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 using a fixing bundling member 51. The fixing bundling member 51 has a fixing base 52 and a fixing strip-shaped member 53. As the fixing bundling member 51, one having a configuration similar to that of the connecting bundling member 44 described above can be used, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] The fixing binding member 51 of this embodiment includes a first fixing binding member 51A and a second fixing binding member 51B. The first fixing binding member 51A fixes the first electric wire member 20 to the first insulating member 41. The first fixing binding member 51A is inserted, for example, into the first through hole H1 of the first electric wire member 20. It is preferable that a pair of first fixing binding members 51A are provided so as to sandwich the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 therebetween.

[0054] The second fixing binding member 51B fixes the second wire member 30 to the second insulating member 42. The second fixing binding member 51B is, for example, inserted into the second through hole H2 of the second wire member 30. It is preferable that a pair of second fixing members are provided so as to sandwich the second connection portion 32 of the second wire member 30 therebetween.

[0055] In the second insulating structure 40B, the first wire member 20 and the second wire member 30 can be fixed to the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42, respectively, using the first wire fixing portion 47 and the second wire fixing portion 48.

[0056] As described above, the first insulating structure 40A can protect the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 and the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30. Moreover, as described above, the second insulating structure 40B can also protect the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 and the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30. That is, the insulating structure 40 exhibits a protective function corresponding to the first connection portion 22 and the second connection portion 32 that are arranged in different ways.

[0057] The insulating structure 40 of the wire harness 10 may be disposed without being fixed to the vehicle, or may be disposed fixed to the vehicle by a fixing portion such as a locking portion or a bundling member. The wire harness 10 may include a plurality of the insulating structures 40. The electric wires of the wire harness 10 may also be fixed to the vehicle using an electric wire holder such as a clip band.

[0058] (Actions and Effects of the Present Embodiment) The actions and effects of the present embodiment will be described. (1) The insulating structure 40 protects the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30. The first electric wire member 20 has a plurality of first core wires 21A and a first connection portion 22 connecting the plurality of first core wires 21A together. The second electric wire member 30 has a plurality of second core wires 31A and a second connection portion 32 connecting the plurality of second core wires 31A together. The insulating structure 40 includes a first insulating member 41 and a second insulating member 42. The first insulating member 41 holds the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20. The second insulating member 42 holds the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30. The second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30 is disposed adjacent to the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20. The insulating structure 40 includes a connecting structure 43 configured to connect a first insulating member 41 and a second insulating member 42. The connecting structure 43 includes a first connecting structure 43A and a second connecting structure 43B. The first connecting structure 43A can connect the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 along a first direction. The second connecting structure 43B can connect the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 along a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0059] According to this configuration, the first insulating structure 40A connected using the first connecting structure 43A can protect the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 and the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30. Furthermore, the second insulating structure 40B connected using the second connecting structure 43B can also protect the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 and the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30. That is, the insulating structure 40 exhibits a protective function corresponding to the first connection portion 22 and the second connection portion 32 that are arranged in different ways. Therefore, the versatility of the insulating structure 40 can be improved. This can reduce, for example, the cost of a molding die for forming the insulating structure 40 and the number of steps required for designing the insulating structure 40.

[0060] The insulating structure 40 prevents, for example, contact between the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32, or contact between the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 and other members due to vehicle vibration. It also makes it possible to simplify the insulating coating of the first connecting portion 22 and the insulating coating of the second connecting portion 32. The first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 also make it easy to arrange the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 within a predetermined space.

[0061] (2) The first insulating member 41 includes a first base wall portion 41A, a pair of first side walls 41B provided on the first base wall portion 41A, and a first holding portion 41C provided between the pair of first side walls 41B and holding the first connecting portion 22. The second insulating member 42 includes a second base wall portion 42A, a pair of second side walls 42B provided on the second base wall portion 42A, and a second holding portion 42C provided between the pair of second side walls 42B and holding the second connecting portion 32. The first connecting structure 43A can connect the first side walls 41B and the second side walls 42B so that they face each other. The second connecting structure 43B can connect the first base wall portion 41A and the second base wall portion 42A so that they face each other.

[0062] In this case, the first connection portion 22 can be protected between the pair of first side wall portions 41B of the first insulating member 41, and the second connection portion 32 can be protected between the pair of second side wall portions 42B of the second insulating member 42. Therefore, the function of the insulating structure 40 to protect the first connection portion 22 and the second connection portion 32 can be improved.

[0063] (3) The first connecting structure 43A includes a structure in which the tip of the first side wall portion 41B sandwiches the tip of the second side wall portion 42B. In this case, the first connecting structure 43A can be configured relatively simply.

[0064] (4) The first base wall portion 41A of the first insulating member 41 has a first through hole H1. The second base wall portion 42A of the second insulating member 42 has a second through hole H2. The second connecting structure 43B includes a structure for inserting the connecting binding member 44 through the first through hole H1 of the first base wall portion 41A and the second through hole H2 of the second base wall portion 42A. In this case, the second connecting structure 43B can be configured relatively simply.

[0065] (5) The first through hole H1 of the first base wall portion 41A includes a pair of first through holes H1 that are spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member 20. The second through hole H2 of the second base wall portion 42A includes a pair of second through holes H2 that are spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the second electric wire member 30.

[0066] In this case, the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 can be connected together with the connecting binding member 44 inserted through the pair of first through holes H1 and the pair of second through holes H2. This makes it possible to, for example, prevent misalignment of the connecting binding member 44 with respect to the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent misalignment of the relative positions of the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42, thereby further improving the shape stability of the insulating structure 40, for example.

[0067] (6) The second connecting structure 43B is configured to fix the first wire member 20 between the connecting binding member 44 and the first insulating member 41. The second connecting structure 43B is configured to fix the second wire member 30 between the connecting binding member 44 and the second insulating member 42. In this case, the connecting binding member 44 can be used to hold the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 on the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42, respectively. This makes it possible to omit or reduce the number of holding members that hold the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 on the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42, respectively. This makes it possible to simplify the holding structure that holds the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 in the second insulating structure 40B.

[0068] (7) The connecting binding member 44 in the second connecting structure 43B includes a first connecting binding member 44A and a second connecting binding member 44B that are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30. In this case, it is possible to suppress misalignment of the first connecting portion 22 with respect to the first insulating member 41, and it is also possible to suppress misalignment of the second connecting portion 32 with respect to the second insulating member 42. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the protection performance of the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32.

[0069] (8) The first base wall portion 41A of the first insulating member 41 has a first support surface F1 that can come into contact with the plurality of parallel-extending first electric wires 21. The second base wall portion 42A of the second insulating member 42 has a second support surface F2 that can come into contact with the plurality of parallel-extending second electric wires 31. In this case, the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 can be stably held by the base wall portion of the first insulating member 41 and the base wall portion of the second insulating member 42, respectively.

[0070] (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.

[0071] Although the first base wall portion 41A of the first insulating member 41 has the first support surface F1 that can come into contact with multiple first electric wires 21, the first support surface F1 may also be configured to come into contact with a single first electric wire 21. That is, the first electric wire member 20 may include one first electric wire 21 that comes into contact with the first support surface F1, and one other first electric wire 21 that is adjacent to and extends parallel to this single first electric wire 21 in a direction perpendicular to the first support surface F1. Similarly to the first base wall portion 41A, the second base wall portion 42A of the second insulating member 42 may also be configured to come into contact with a single second electric wire 31 without coming into contact with multiple second electric wires 31.

[0072] In the first connecting structure 43A, the first fixing binding member 51A may be composed of three or more first fixing binding members 51A arranged at intervals along the length direction of the first electric wire member 20. Also, the first fixing binding member 51A may be composed of a single first fixing binding member 51A.

[0073] In the first connecting structure 43A, the second fixing binding member 51B may be composed of three or more second fixing binding members 51B arranged at intervals along the length direction of the second electric wire member 30. Also, the second fixing binding member 51B may be composed of a single second fixing binding member 51B.

[0074] In the first connecting structure 43A, the first fixing binding member 51A and the second fixing binding member 51B may be configured from a single fixing binding member 51. That is, the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30 may be fixed together by a single fixing binding member 51.

[0075] In the first connecting structure 43A, the fixing binding member 51 is not limited to a configuration including the fixing base 52 and the fixing strip 53. The fixing binding member 51 may be, for example, a plastically deformable wire such as a wire, an adhesive tape, or the like.

[0076] The first connecting structure 43A is not limited to a structure in which the tip of the first side wall portion 41B sandwiches the tip of the second side wall portion 42B. The first connecting structure 43A may be a fitting structure using projections and recesses other than the above structure, or may be a structure in which the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 are connected by a binding member, for example.

[0077] In the first connecting structure 43A, the clamping piece P1 of the first insulating member 41 may be divided into multiple pieces along the length direction of the first electric wire member 20. In the second connecting structure 43B, the connecting binding member 44 may be composed of three or more connecting binding members 44 arranged at a distance along the length direction of the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30. In the second connecting structure 43B, either the first connecting binding member 44A or the second connecting binding member 44B may be omitted.

[0078] In the second connecting structure 43B, the connecting binding member 44 is not limited to the configuration including the connecting base 45 and the connecting strip 46. The connecting binding member 44 may be, for example, a plastically deformable wire such as a wire, an adhesive tape, or the like.

[0079] The second connecting structure 43B is configured to fix the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30 between the connecting binding member 44 and the first insulating member 41, and between the connecting binding member 44 and the second insulating member 42, respectively, but is not limited to this. The first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30 can also be fixed to the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42, respectively, using, for example, separately prepared electric wire binding members.

[0080] The second connecting structure 43B may be configured without using the connecting binding member 44. The second connecting structure 43B may be a fitting portion that fits the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 with a concave-convex structure.

[0081] The first through hole H1 of the first insulating member 41 and the second through hole H2 of the second insulating member 42 may be omitted. In this case, the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 are bound together from the outer periphery using the binding member 44, thereby obtaining an insulating structure 40 having the second connecting structure 43B.

[0082] The first through holes H1 include a pair of first through holes H1 spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member 20, but one of the pair of first through holes H1 may be omitted. Furthermore, the second through holes H2 include a pair of second through holes H2 spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the second electric wire member 30, but one of the pair of second through holes H2 may be omitted.

[0083] In the second connecting structure 43B described above, the first base wall portion 41A of the first insulating member 41 and the second base wall portion 42A of the second insulating member 42 are arranged to be in contact with each other, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, in the second connecting structure 43B, the first base wall portion 41A of the first insulating member 41 and the second base wall portion 42A of the second insulating member 42 may be arranged to be spaced apart. Even in this case, the second connecting structure 43B in which the first base wall portion 41A and the second base wall portion 42A are connected to each other so as to face each other is included.

[0084] The first direction of the first connecting structure 43A and the second direction of the second connecting structure 43B are not limited to being orthogonal to each other, and may be directions intersecting at a predetermined inclination angle. The insulating structure 40 may include a third insulating member in addition to the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42. The third insulating member may be connected to the first insulating member 41 or the second insulating member 42. The connecting structure between the third insulating member and the first insulating member 41 and the connecting structure between the second insulating member 42 and the third insulating member may employ the above-described connecting structure 43, or a connecting structure other than the above-described connecting structure 43. Furthermore, the insulating structure 40 may be configured to connect four or more insulating members.

[0085] The overall shape of the first insulating member 41 and the overall shape of the second insulating member 42 may be the same or different. The first insulating member 41 has a pair of first side wall portions 41B, but at least one of the pair of first side wall portions 41B may be omitted.

[0086] The second insulating member 42 has a pair of second side wall portions 42B, but at least one of the pair of second side wall portions 42B may be omitted. At least one of the pair of first side wall portions 41B of the first insulating member 41 may be divided into multiple portions along the length direction of the first electric wire member 20.

[0087] At least one of the pair of second side wall portions 42B of the second insulating member 42 may be divided into multiple portions along the longitudinal direction of the second electric wire member 30. The first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 may further have an insulating coating that covers conductive portions such as a splice terminal and a welded portion. Even in the case of a first connection portion 22 having such an insulating coating, the insulating coating can be protected by the insulating structure 40, so it is effective to hold the first connection portion 22 with the insulating structure 40. Similarly, the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30 may further have an insulating coating that covers conductive portions such as a splice terminal and a welded portion.

[0088] For example, in the non-limiting embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 7, the first insulating member 41 may be referred to as a gutter or a linear tray. The first base wall portion 41A of the first insulating member 41 may be referred to as a bottom plate having a length and a width. Each first side wall portion 41B of the first insulating member 41 may be referred to as a vertical plate defining a depth or having a height. The pair of clamping pieces P1 and the clamping piece connection portion P2 of the first insulating member 41 may be referred to as a groove or hook provided outward in the width direction of the first insulating member 41 from one of the first side wall portions 41B of the first insulating member 41. As shown in Figure 1, the multiple first through holes H1 of the first insulating member 41 may include a subset of one or more first through holes H1 provided at a first length position in the length direction of the first insulating member 41 and a subset of one or more first through holes H1 provided at a second length position in the length direction of the first insulating member 41 that is spaced apart from the first length position. As shown in FIG. 2 , the separation distance between the first length position and the second length position may correspond to the length of the first connecting portion 22. The subset of one or more first through holes H1 at the first length position may include at least two first through holes H1 at the first length position that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the first insulating member 41. The subset of one or more first through holes H1 at the second length position may include at least two first through holes H1 at the second length position that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the first insulating member 41. Each first through hole H1 in the first insulating member 41 may have dimensions that substantially match the cross section of the fixing strip portion 53 of the fixing binding member 51. For example, the first through holes H1 may be elongated holes having widths and lengths that respectively match the thickness and width of the fixing strip portion 53. The same applies to the second insulating member 42.

[0089] The illustrated embodiment of the insulating structure 40 may be referred to as a trough assembly or a linear tray assembly. The connection mode of the embodiment shown in Figure 3 may be referred to as a low-profile connection mode in which multiple insulating members 41, 42 are connected side-by-side in the width direction. The connection mode of the embodiment shown in Figure 6 may be referred to as a narrow-width connection mode in which multiple insulating members 41, 42 are connected side-by-side in the height direction.

[0090] 1 to 7 , the first electric wire member 20 may include a plurality of first electric wires 21. Each of the plurality of first electric wires 21 may terminate at a first connection portion 22 and be electrically connected at the first connection portion 22. For example, one first electric wire 21 of the plurality of first electric wires 21 and one or more other first electric wires 21 of the plurality of first electric wires 21 may be aligned in the length direction of the first electric wire member 20, and they may extend in opposite directions relative to the first connection portion 22. Additionally or alternatively, for example, one first electric wire 21 of the plurality of first electric wires 21 and one or more other first electric wires 21 of the plurality of first electric wires 21 may be aligned in the thickness direction of the first electric wire member 20, and they may extend in the same direction relative to the first connection portion 22. The same applies to the second electric wire member 30.

[0091] The embodiments and modified examples disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0092] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Wire harness 20 First electric wire member 21 First electric wire 21A First core wire 22 First connection portion 30 Second electric wire member 31 Second electric wire 31A Second core wire 32 Second connection portion 40 Insulating structure 40A First insulating structure 40B Second insulating structure 41 First insulating member 41A First base wall portion 41B First side wall portion 41C First holding portion 42 Second insulating member 42A Second base wall portion 42B Second side wall portion 42C Second holding portion 43 Connecting structure 43A First connecting structure 43B Second connecting structure 44 Connecting binding member 44A First connecting binding member 44B Second connecting binding member 45 Connecting base portion 46 Connecting strip-shaped portion 47 First electric wire fixing portion 48 Second electric wire fixing portion 51 Fixing binding member 52 Fixing base 53 Fixing strip CL Center line F1 First support surface F2 Second support surface H1 First through hole H2 Second through hole P1 Holding piece P2 Holding piece connecting portion

Claims

1. An insulating structure for protecting a first electric wire member having a plurality of first core wires and a first connection portion connecting the plurality of first core wires together, and a second electric wire member having a plurality of second core wires and a second connection portion connecting the plurality of second core wires together, the insulating structure comprising: a first insulating member that holds the first connection portion; a second insulating member that holds the second connection portion that is arranged adjacent to the first connection portion; and a connecting structure configured to connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member, the connecting structure including a first connecting structure configured to connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member along a first direction, and a second connecting structure configured to connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member along a second direction that intersects the first direction.

2. The insulating structure according to claim 1, wherein the first insulating member comprises a first base wall portion, a pair of first side wall portions provided on the first base wall portion, and a first holding portion provided between the pair of first side wall portions and holding the first connecting portion; the second insulating member comprises a second base wall portion, a pair of second side wall portions provided on the second base wall portion, and a second holding portion provided between the pair of second side wall portions and holding the second connecting portion; the first connecting structure is capable of connecting the first side wall portions and the second side wall portions so that they face each other; and the second connecting structure is capable of connecting the first base wall portions and the second base wall portions so that they face each other.

3. The insulating structure according to claim 2, wherein the first connecting structure includes a structure in which the tip of the first side wall portion sandwiches the tip of the second side wall portion.

4. An insulating structure as described in claim 2, wherein the first base wall portion has a first through hole, the second base wall portion has a second through hole, and the second connecting structure includes a structure for inserting a connecting binding member into the first through hole and the second through hole.

5. An insulating structure as described in claim 4, wherein the first through holes include a pair of first through holes spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member, and the second through holes include a pair of second through holes spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the second electric wire member.

6. An insulating structure as described in claim 4, wherein the second connecting structure is configured to fix the first electric wire member between the connecting binding member and the first insulating member, and is configured to fix the second electric wire member between the connecting binding member and the second insulating member.

7. An insulating structure as described in claim 6, wherein the connecting binding members in the second connecting structure include a first connecting binding member and a second connecting binding member arranged at a distance along the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member and the second electric wire member.

8. The insulating structure according to claim 2, wherein each of the first electric wire member and the second electric wire member has a plurality of electric wires extending in parallel, and each of the first base wall portion and the second base wall portion has a support surface that can come into contact with the plurality of electric wires.

9. A wire harness comprising the insulating structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the first electric wire member, and the second electric wire member.

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