Wire harness

Abstract

The present invention comprises a harness body (10) for electrically connecting a first electrical connection object that is provided to a vehicle body (510) and a second electrical connection object that is provided to a sliding door (520), wherein: the harness body (10) has a crossover part (11) that spans between the vehicle body (510) and the sliding door (520) along an arm member (610) of a link mechanism (600) which allows the sliding door (520) to reciprocate with respect to the vehicle body (510) in the sliding direction; and the crossover part (11), in an interior member (640) that externally covers the arm member (610), is routed along a space (641) between an inner wall surface of the interior member (640) and an outer wall surface of the arm member (610) which continuously extends between the vehicle body (510) side and the sliding door (520) side.

Description

Wire harness

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

[0002] Conventionally, vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with a power supply device for a sliding door that electrically connects a power source (such as a secondary battery) on the vehicle body side to a switch or electrical components on the sliding door side. In this power supply device for a sliding door, the wire harness is responsible for the electrical connection. This wire harness includes a harness body provided with a crossing portion that crosses between the vehicle body and the sliding door. In this wire harness, the crossing portion is routed along the arm of a link mechanism that also crosses between the vehicle body and the sliding door. A wire harness of this type is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 below.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-124959

[0004] By the way, in a wire harness, if the crossing portion is routed along the arm in an exposed state, it cannot be said that it looks good, and there is also a risk that a passenger or the like may touch the crossing portion.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wire harness that can suppress the exposure of the crossing portion.

[0006] The present invention includes a harness body that electrically connects a first electrical connection object installed on a vehicle body and a second electrical connection object installed on a sliding door. The harness body has a crossing portion that is passed between the vehicle body and the sliding door along an arm member of a link mechanism that reciprocally moves the sliding door in a sliding direction with respect to the vehicle body. The crossing portion is routed along a space between an outer wall surface of the arm member and an inner wall surface of an interior member that covers and hides the arm member from the outside and extends between the vehicle body side and the sliding door side.

[0007] The wire harness according to the present invention can suppress the exposure of the crossing portion, and can improve the appearance and durability associated with this.

[0008] Figure 1 is a plan view of the wire harness of the embodiment as seen from inside the vehicle. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the wire harness of the embodiment as seen from inside the vehicle. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing one specific example of the wiring route of the connecting section. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing one specific example of the wiring route of the connecting section. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing one specific example of the wiring route of the connecting section.

[0009] An embodiment of the wire harness according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, this embodiment does not limit the present invention.

[0010] [Embodiment] One embodiment of the wire harness according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

[0011] Reference numeral 1 in Figures 1 and 2 indicates the wire harness of this embodiment.

[0012] In vehicles such as automobiles, a link mechanism 600 is known to be installed that reciprocates a sliding door 520 in the sliding direction relative to the vehicle body 510 (Figures 1 and 2). This link mechanism 600 is interposed between the vehicle body 510 and the sliding door 520, and opens and closes the sliding door 520 between a fully closed position and a fully open position relative to the vehicle body 510. For example, in this vehicle, the sliding door 520 on the side of the vehicle is reciprocated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a fully closed position and a fully open position.

[0013] The link mechanism 600 includes an arm member 610 that extends between the vehicle body 510 and the sliding door 520 (Figures 1 and 2). The link mechanism 600 also includes a first bearing 620 that rotatably supports one end of the arm member 610 on the vehicle body 510 side, and a second bearing 630 that rotatably supports the other end of the arm member 610 on the sliding door 520 side (Figures 1 and 2). In this link mechanism 600, the first bearing 620 is fixed to the vehicle body 510, and the second bearing 630 is fixed to the sliding door 520.

[0014] The first bearing 620 includes a rotation shaft 621 on the vehicle body 510 side with its axial direction in the vertical direction (hereinafter referred to as the "vehicle body side rotation shaft"), and a first arm holding member 622 fixed to the vehicle body 510 and pivotally supporting one end of the arm member 610 via the vehicle body side rotation shaft 621 (Figures 1 and 2). The second bearing 630 includes a rotation shaft 631 on the sliding door 520 side with its axial direction in the vertical direction (hereinafter referred to as the "door side rotation shaft"), and a second arm holding member 632 fixed to the sliding door 520 and pivotally supporting the other end of the arm member 610 via the door side rotation shaft 631 (Figures 1 and 2).

[0015] Multiple link mechanisms 600 are provided between the vehicle body 510 and the sliding door 520 in this example. These multiple link mechanisms 600 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In this example, the link mechanisms 600 include an upper link mechanism 600A on the upper side of the vehicle and a lower link mechanism 600B on the lower side of the vehicle (Figures 1 and 2).

[0016] The upper link mechanism 600A comprises an arm member 610, a first bearing 620, and a second bearing 630, which consist of two arm members 610A, a first bearing 620A that pivotably supports one end of each of the two arm members 610A, and a second bearing 630A that pivotably supports the other ends of each of the two arm members 610A (Figures 1 and 2). The first bearing 620A pivotably supports one end of each of the two arm members 610A with a pair of vehicle-side rotating shafts 621 and a first arm holding member 622. The second bearing 630A pivotably supports the other ends of each of the two arm members 610A with a pair of door-side rotating shafts 631 and a second arm holding member 632.

[0017] The lower link mechanism 600B comprises an arm member 610, a first bearing 620, and a second bearing 630, consisting of one arm member 610B, a first bearing 620B that rotatably supports one end of the arm member 610B, and a second bearing 630B that rotatably supports the other end of the arm member 610B (Figures 1 and 2). The first bearing 620B rotatably supports one end of the arm member 610B with a pair of vehicle-side rotating shafts 621 and a first arm holding member 622. The second bearing 630B rotatably supports the other end of the arm member 610B with a pair of door-side rotating shafts 631 and a second arm holding member 632.

[0018] Furthermore, the link mechanism 600 includes an interior member 640 that covers the arm member 610 from the outside (Figures 1 and 2). This interior member 640 is formed into a cylindrical shape that extends between one end and the other end of the arm member 610, and the arm member 610 passes through the cylinder. The arm member 610, the first bearing 620, and the second bearing 630 are housed inside the cylinder of this interior member 640. The interior member 640 shown here is provided in the lower link mechanism 600B and houses one arm member 610B, the first bearing 620B, and the second bearing 630B inside the cylinder. The interior member 640 may also be provided in the upper link mechanism 600A. This interior member 640 houses two arm members 610A, the first bearing 620A, and the second bearing 630A inside the cylinder.

[0019] In this vehicle, a first electrical connection target (not shown) installed on the vehicle body 510 and a second electrical connection target (not shown) installed on the sliding door 520 are electrically connected. The wire harness 1 includes a harness body 10 that electrically connects the first electrical connection target and the second electrical connection target (Figures 1 and 2). This harness body 10 may be a bundle of multiple wires, or multiple wires covered and protected by an outer material such as a corrugated tube.

[0020] For example, this vehicle is equipped with a power supply device for the sliding door that supplies power from a power source (such as a secondary battery) on the vehicle body 510 side, which is the first electrical connection target, to a second electrical connection target on the sliding door 520 side (not shown). The second electrical connection target is something installed on the sliding door 520, such as electrical components or switches. For example, the electrical components of the sliding door 520 refer to a drive unit for operating the power window, a speaker, etc. Furthermore, the switches of the sliding door 520 refer to a switch for operating the power window, a switch for operating the power seat, etc. The wire harness 1 is installed on the vehicle as one of the components of this power supply device for the sliding door.

[0021] The harness body 10 has a connecting portion 11 that runs along the arm member 610 between the vehicle body 510 and the sliding door 520 (Figures 1 and 2). Furthermore, the harness body 10 has a vehicle body side routing portion that is routed to the vehicle body 510 at one end of the connecting portion 11 (hereinafter referred to as the "vehicle body side end"), and a door side routing portion that is routed to the sliding door 520 at the other end of the connecting portion 11 (hereinafter referred to as the "door side end") (not shown). In this harness body 10, the vehicle body side routing portion is electrically connected to a first electrical connection target, and the door side routing portion is electrically connected to a second electrical connection target.

[0022] The connecting section 11 is passed through the interior member 640 between the vehicle body 510 and the sliding door 520 (Figures 1 and 2). Within the interior member 640, a space 641 is formed between the outer wall surface of the arm member 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640, extending from the vehicle body 510 side to the sliding door 520 side (Figures 1 and 2). The connecting section 11 is routed along this space 641.

[0023] For example, the arm member 610 and the interior member 640 extend between the vehicle body 510 and the sliding door 520, and are formed into a rectangular tube shape with the outer wall surface of the arm member 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640 facing each other at four points with a gap between them. Therefore, a rectangular tube-shaped space 641 is formed inside the interior member 640 that extends between the vehicle body 510 and the sliding door 520. Inside the interior member 640, for example, a connecting portion 11 is arranged at least at one of the four opposing positions between the outer wall surface of the arm member 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640 within this rectangular tube-shaped space 641.

[0024] In this embodiment, the outer wall surface of the opposing arm member 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640 are positioned at four locations relative to the arm member 610: above the vehicle (vertically upward), below the vehicle (vertically downward), to the right of the vehicle, and to the left of the vehicle.

[0025] Specifically, the interior member 640 of this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "interior member 640A") has a pair of ribs 642 that extend between the vehicle body 510 side and the sliding door 520 side, spaced apart from each other in its internal space 641 (Figure 3). The connecting portion 11 is routed through this pair of ribs 642.

[0026] For example, the pair of ribs 642 are reinforcing ribs for the interior member 640A, and they protrude from the inner wall surface of the interior member 640A toward the outer wall surface of the arm member 610. This pair of ribs 642 is positioned at least one of the four opposingly arranged outer wall surfaces of the arm members 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640A. The pair of ribs 642 shown here protrude from the inner wall surface of the interior member 640A toward the vehicle's downward (vertically downward) direction.

[0027] In this way, the connecting portion 11 is passed through the interior member 640A and is not exposed between the vehicle body 510 and the sliding door 520. Therefore, the appearance of this wire harness 1 can be improved. Furthermore, since this wire harness 1 can avoid contact with the occupants, its durability can be improved.

[0028] Furthermore, since this wire harness 1 utilizes a pair of reinforcing ribs 642 and passes the connecting portion 11 between these ribs 642, there is no need to separately prepare space for routing the connecting portion 11. Therefore, this wire harness 1 can suppress the exposure of the connecting portion 11 without increasing the size of the interior component 640A.

[0029] Here, some interior members 640 (hereinafter referred to as "interior member 640B") can ensure strength even without a pair of ribs 642. For example, in this case, the connecting portion 11 is routed in a space 641 provided on the vehicle side (right side or left side) relative to the arm member 610 (Figure 4).

[0030] As previously shown, the space 641 is formed in a rectangular tube shape, and the outer wall surface of the arm member 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640B are positioned opposite each other with a gap between them at four locations: above the vehicle (vertically upward), below the vehicle (vertically downward), to the right of the vehicle, and to the left of the vehicle. Therefore, the connecting section 11 passes through this space 641 between the outer wall surface of the arm member 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640B, which are positioned opposite each other to the arm member 610 on the vehicle side (to the right or left of the vehicle).

[0031] In this case as well, the connecting portion 11 is passed through the interior member 640B and is not exposed between the vehicle body 510 and the sliding door 520. Therefore, the appearance of this wire harness 1 can be improved. Furthermore, even in this case, the wire harness 1 can avoid contact with the occupants, thus improving its durability.

[0032] Furthermore, this wire harness 1 does not require the interior member 640B to bulge vertically between the vehicle body 510 side and the sliding door 520 side in order to route the connecting portion 11. Therefore, this wire harness 1 contributes to reducing the height of the interior member 640B. Moreover, since this wire harness 1 can effectively utilize the vertical space of the interior member 640B, it allows for greater design freedom in the vertical shape of the interior member 640B.

[0033] Incidentally, in this case, it is desirable that the connecting portion 11 passes between the outer wall surface of the arm member 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640B, which are positioned opposite each other on the vehicle side and on the sliding door 520 side relative to the arm member 610. Here, the connecting portion 11 is routed along such a path (Figure 4). As a result, this wire harness 1 does not need to bulge the interior member 640B inward between the vehicle body 510 side and the sliding door 520 side in order to route the connecting portion 11. Therefore, this wire harness 1 can suppress a decrease in the space efficiency inside the vehicle. On the other hand, this wire harness 1 can effectively utilize the space inside the vehicle of the interior member 640B, so it is possible to have design freedom in the shape of the interior side of the interior member 640B.

[0034] Furthermore, when there is little available space in the vertical direction or width direction of the vehicle, the interior member 640 (hereinafter referred to as "interior member 640C") is required to be smaller in size, so the volume of the space 641 must be reduced. However, the space 641 within the interior member 640C is provided with at least a first space 641a in which the outer wall surface of the arm member 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640C are positioned opposite each other in a first direction relative to the arm member 610, and a second space 641b in which the outer wall surface of the arm member 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640C are positioned opposite each other in a second direction different from the first direction relative to the arm member 610 (Figure 5).

[0035] Therefore, the connecting section 11 is routed in two parts: a first connecting section 11a that passes through a first space 641a between the vehicle body 510 and the sliding door 520, and a second connecting section 11b that passes through a second space 641b between the vehicle body 510 and the sliding door 520 (Figure 5). This connecting section 11 may be divided into a first connecting section 11a and a second connecting section 11b of the same diameter, or into a first connecting section 11a and a second connecting section 11b of different diameters. Furthermore, this connecting section 11 may be divided into three or more parts.

[0036] The space 641 within the interior member 640C shown here is provided with a first space 641a in which the outer wall surface of the arm member 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640C are positioned opposite each other in a first direction (vertically upward) relative to the arm member 610, and a second space 641b in which the outer wall surface of the arm member 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640C are positioned opposite each other in a second direction (towards one side of the vehicle) perpendicular to the first direction relative to the arm member 610 (Figure 5). Furthermore, the space 641 within the interior member 640C shown here is provided with a third space 641c in which the outer wall surface of the arm member 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640C are positioned opposite each other in a third direction (vertically downward) opposite to the first direction (vertically upward) with respect to the arm member 610, and a fourth space 641d in which the outer wall surface of the arm member 610 and the inner wall surface of the interior member 640C are positioned opposite each other in a fourth direction (towards the other side of the vehicle) opposite to the second direction (towards one side of the vehicle) with respect to the arm member 610 (Figure 5). In this case, the connecting section 11 is routed by dividing it into at least two of the first space 641a, second space 641b, third space 641c, and fourth space 641d.

[0037] In this case as well, the connecting portion 11 is passed through the interior member 640C and is not exposed between the vehicle body 510 and the sliding door 520. Therefore, the appearance of this wire harness 1 can be improved. Furthermore, even in this case, the wire harness 1 can avoid contact with the occupants, thus improving its durability.

[0038] Furthermore, since the wire harness 1 routes the connecting portion 11 into a first space 641a and a second space 641b, which are positioned in different directions relative to the arm member 610, it contributes to reducing the size of the interior member 640C. Moreover, even if the number of circuits in the harness body 10 increases, the wire harness 1 can route the connecting portion 11 in multiple locations without increasing the size of the interior member 640C.

[0039] Furthermore, since the wire harness 1 is divided into a first connecting section 11a and a second connecting section 11b, which have smaller diameters, the flexibility of the first connecting section 11a and the second connecting section 11b is improved, thereby improving its handling (or rather, its ease of routing).

[0040] As described above, the wire harness 1 of this embodiment can suppress the exposure of the connecting portion 11, thereby improving appearance and durability.

[0041] 1 Wire harness 10 Harness body 11 Connecting section 11a First connecting section 11b Second connecting section 510 Vehicle body 520 Sliding door 600 Link mechanism 610, 610B Arm members 640, 640A, 640B, 640C Interior members 641 Space 641a First space 641b Second space 642 Rib

Claims

1. A wire harness comprising a harness body for electrically connecting a first electrical connection target installed on the vehicle body and a second electrical connection target installed on the sliding door, wherein the harness body has a connecting portion that is passed between the vehicle body and the sliding door along an arm member of a link mechanism that moves the sliding door back and forth in the sliding direction relative to the vehicle body, and the connecting portion is routed within an interior member that covers the arm member from the outside, along the space between the outer wall surface of the arm member that extends between the vehicle body side and the sliding door side and the inner wall surface of the interior member.

2. The interior member has a pair of ribs that extend between the vehicle body side and the sliding door side while maintaining a distance from each other in the space, and the connecting portion is routed through the pair of ribs as described in claim 1.

3. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is routed in the space provided on the side of the vehicle relative to the arm member.

4. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the space is provided with at least a first space portion in which the outer wall surface of the arm member and the inner wall surface of the interior member are positioned opposite each other in a first direction relative to the arm member, and a second space portion in which the outer wall surface of the arm member and the inner wall surface of the interior member are positioned opposite each other in a second direction different from the first direction relative to the arm member, and the connecting portion is routed in part as a first connecting portion passing through the first space portion between the vehicle body side and the sliding door side, and a second connecting portion passing through the second space portion between the vehicle body side and the sliding door side.

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