JPH1137349A - Protective tubing mounting structure of wire harness - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a tube to be externally fitted to the branch lines of a wire harness, and to make a connecting operation of a connector of the branch line terminals easy. SOLUTION: A tape 18 is wound on a group of electric wires of a branch point of plural branch lines to fix the group of electric wires. On the other hand, a resin common tube 21 having flexibility is mounted for armoring plural branch lines, an inner peripheral face of the common tube 21 is brought into contact with the tape 18, the common tube 21 is movable over the tape 18, but is held on a stop position, the common tube 21 is positioned and held on a main side, when the connector of each branch terminal is connected with a counterpart, and the common tube 21 is moved after the connector is connected, and is held in a condition that it is externally fitted to plural branches.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a protective tube mounting structure for a wire harness to be routed on a motor vehicle, and more particularly, to a method for easily mounting a protective tube to be attached to a branched branch line for connecting a plurality of connectors. This allows maintenance to be performed without removing the protective tube.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a wire harness to be routed in an automobile, for example, in an instrument panel portion, it is connected to a plurality of connectors for electrical components mounted on the same unit or a nearby unit such as an ignition, a radio, and various indicators. There is a need. In such a case, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of branch lines 3A, 3B... Connecting the connectors 2A, 2B. In the case of an instrument panel harness, the trunk 4 is further branched from a main trunk (not shown).

The branch lines 3A, 3B,... And the trunk line 4 are provided with tubes to prevent and protect the external lines from interference. Usually, the branch lines 3A, 3B,. 6B, the main line 4 is covered with a vertically divided tube, and then the corrugated tube 7 is covered. The tubes 6A and 6B are sheathed in a wire group before connecting the connectors 2A and 2B, and then the terminals of each wire are inserted into the connector, and the connector is attached to the branch terminal.

When the connectors 2A and 2B at the ends of the branch lines 3A and 3B branched from the trunk line 4 are fitted and connected to the connector fitting portions 8a and 8b of the same unit 8, the connector fitting portions are moved from the distal end position of the trunk line 4 to the connector fitting portions 8a and 8b. It is necessary to make the length L2 of the branch lines 3A and 3B longer than the distance L1 to 8a and 8b to allow a margin for work. In particular, one connector 2A
Is connected, and when connecting the other connector 2B, the branch line 3B
Must be bent and inserted into the connector fitting portion 8B, so that the margin length needs to be large.

[0005]

As described above, even if a margin is provided for the branch line as a work allowance, the branch line 3A, 3B becomes hard because the tube 6 is covered, and thus the connector connection operation is performed. There is a problem that is difficult to do. In addition, there is a problem that the tubes 6A and 6B are attached to each branch line, and dimensional control is also required for each branch line, which requires a lot of labor, and the number of parts increases, resulting in high cost.

[0006] Further, after connecting the connector, the branch line 3
Since A and 3B have a margin, they are loosened and easily bite into other members, and may cause noise due to contact with other members.

Further, when it is necessary to inspect the wires in the tubes 6A and 6B during maintenance of the vehicle, there is a problem that the inspection cannot be performed unless the tubes 6 are cut.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and enables a connector of each branch line to be easily connected, and a tube which does not cause slack in the branch lines and is provided outside the branch lines. It is an object of the present invention to be able to perform maintenance without cutting off a computer.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a plurality of branch lines are branched from a trunk line, and connectors are respectively connected to respective branch line terminals. For a wire harness fitted to the connector fitting portion at the close position, a tape for holding a tube is wrapped around the wire group at the branch point of the plurality of branch lines and fixed to the wire group while the plurality of branch lines are fixed to the wire group. A single flexible resin-made tube to be provided with a sheath is provided, the inner peripheral surface of the common tube is brought into contact with the tape, and the common tube can be moved over the tape, but at the stop position. When connecting the connector of each branch line terminal to the mating part, the common tube is positioned and held on the main line side, and after the connector is connected, the common tube is moved and fitted to a plurality of branch lines. It provides a protective tube mounting structure of a wire harness, characterized in that it is held in a state of.

As described above, when a tape is wound around a branch point of a group of electric wires branched from a trunk line as a branch line to provide an annular portion protruding from the group of electric wires, a tube whose inner peripheral surface comes into contact with the tape becomes The operation force allows the tape to move over the tape, and at the position where the tube is stopped, the tape protrudes annularly at the position where the tube is stopped.

As described above, since the shared tape can be freely moved and stopped and held, when connecting each connector of the branch line terminal to the mating portion, it is moved to the main line side to expose the electric wire group of each branch line. Since the branch lines are not hardened, the connector connection operation can be performed with good workability. On the other hand, when the common tube is moved to the branch line terminal on the connector side after the connector connection work is completed, a plurality of branch lines can be collectively housed and protected in one common tube, the branch line route can be regulated, and other members can be controlled. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of biting into the body. Further, at the time of maintenance, if the common tube is moved to the main line side, maintenance can be performed by exposing the electric wire of the branch line.

A corrugated tube is provided on the trunk line, and when the common tube is retracted toward the trunk line, the common tube is moved into the corrugated tube and fitted therein, while the common tube is moved toward the connector end of the branch line. It is preferable to set the base end of the common tube so as to be located inside the front end of the corrugated tube when moved and positioned (claim 2). The trunk line does not necessarily need to be covered with a corrugated tube, and the bundle of electric wires may be bundled and protected by tape winding. In this case, the common tube of the branch wire is fitted around the outer peripheral surface of the tape winding portion.

[0013] A soft tape made of a sponge material is used as the tube holding tape for wrapping around the wire group at the branch point of the branch line so that the common tube can be moved and positioned and held. Wrap and stick together by projecting with both ends overlapped,
When the common tube is provided on the outer periphery of the soft tape, the overlapped protruding portion is folded and protruded, and the common tube is positioned and held at this portion (claim 3).

[0014] Alternatively, an adhesive tape is used as the tube holding tape for wrapping around the wire group at the branch point of the branch line so that the common tube can be moved and positioned and held.
When the adhesive tape is wound around the outer circumference of the electric wire group and a tip portion of a required length is left without being wound, and the common tube is outer-wrapped around the adhesive tape, the tip portion is turned up and a thick projecting portion is formed. The common tube is positioned and held by the projecting portion (claim 4).

As in the case of the soft tape or the adhesive tape, the common tube can be moved, but if it has a function of holding at the stop position, that is, it is attached to the outer periphery of the electric wire group to form a protruding portion. What you do (for example,
Rubber bands for temporary binding of electric wires, etc.) are also suitably used in place of the tape.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1, 2 (A) and 2 (B) show a first embodiment, in which a main line 10 of a wire harness W / H branches into two branch lines 11 and 12, and each branch line 11 and 12 is connected to a terminal. Connectors 13 and 14 are connected. A tape 15 is roughly wound around the trunk line 10 to a position reaching a branch point P between the branch lines 11 and 12. At the branch point P, the branch lines 11 and 1
A soft tape 18 made of a sponge tape is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the wire group W which is No. 2 for holding the tube.

The above-mentioned soft tape 18 is wound around the outer periphery of the wire group W, and is protruded in a state where both ends thereof are overlapped.
The overlapping portion 18a is bonded with an adhesive 19.

In this state, the main line 10 is covered with a corrugated tube 20 having a slit.
Is set so that the soft tape 18 can be attached to the position where the soft tape 18 protrudes from the front end.

The soft tape 18 is passed through the branch lines 11 and 12 wound around the branch point P so as to cover a flexible tubular common tube 21 having flexibility. The length L of the common tube 21 is set to be slightly longer than the distance from the position of the connectors 22 and 23 connected to the ends of the branch lines 11 and 12 to the branch line branch point P, and is equal to the length of the corrugated tube 20 provided on the trunk line 10. When the distal end 21a of the common tube 21 is positioned close to the connectors 22 and 23, the other end 21b is located on the corrugated tube 20 side beyond the mounting position of the soft tape 18 so that the portions overlap. I have.

The inner diameter of the common tube 21 is
1 and 12 are large enough to accommodate the electric wire group, and when they are located on the outer periphery of the soft tape 18, they are pressed against the overlapping portion 18 a of the soft tape 18 so that the overlapping portion 18 a It is set to the size that wraps around the surface.

As described above, since the inner peripheral surface of the common tube 21 is pressed against the soft tape 18, the common tube 2
1 is difficult to move due to poor sliding, and the shared tube 21 is pressed and held at a portion where the overlapping portion 18a is folded back and protrudes. That is, the common tube 21 is positioned and held by the soft tape 18, and can be moved against the soft tape 18 when the common tube 21 is pulled with a strong force.

The common tube 21 has branch lines 11 and 12
When the connectors 22 and 23 at the tip of FIG. 2 are fitted and connected to the connector fitting portions 8a and 8b of the same unit 8, FIG.
As shown in (B), the corrugated tube 2 of the main line 10
0 so that the tip 21a is positioned on the outer peripheral surface of the soft tape 18 and the corrugated tube 2
It protrudes from the tip of 0.

In this state, the electric wires of the branch lines 11 and 12 are exposed from the common tube 21. Since the branch lines 11 and 12 are not covered with the tubes, they can be easily bent, and can be easily handled. The connector 22 at the tip of the connector 11 can be fitted to the connector fitting portion 8a, and the connector 23 at the tip of the branch line 12 can be fitted to the connector fitting portion 8b.

After the mating connection of the connector is completed, the common tube 21 is pulled, and the outer peripheral surface of the soft tape 18 is slid to move the tip 21 a to the vicinity of the connectors 22 and 23. At this time, the soft tape 18 is compressed by the pulling force, and the common tube 21 can move over the soft tape 18. Branch line 11 by common tube 21,
12 with the other end 21b of the shared tube 21
Is held in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the soft tape 18 and does not move unless an operation force is applied.

As described above, since the electric wire group of the branch lines 11 and 12 after the connector connection can be housed in one common tube 21 and put together, the path of the branch line can be regulated.
As in the related art, the branch wire for connecting the connector later does not bend.

At the time of maintenance, if the common tube 21 is moved so as to be drawn into the corrugated tube 20 of the main line 10, the electric wires of the branch lines 11, 12 can be exposed. After checking the wire group of these branch lines, if the common tube 21 is pulled and moved again, the branch lines 11, 1
2 can be packaged.

Further, when the connectors 22 and 23 of the branch lines 11 and 12 are connected to the connector fitting portions 8a and 8b after the wiring harness is routed on the automobile, the branch lines 11 and 12 are covered with the shared tube 21. In the state, route to the car. In this case, when the branch lines 1 and 12 are passed through the through-holes of the vehicle, they are packaged with the common tube 21 so as to be easily inserted into the through-holes. After the wiring work, when the connector is connected, the common tube 21 is moved to the trunk line 10 side, and as shown in FIG.
It is preferable to expose the connector 2 and connect the connector as described above.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a second embodiment.
An adhesive tape 30 is used as a tape that is wrapped around the wire group W at the branch point P of the branch lines 11 and 12 to move and position and hold the common tube 21.

That is, the adhesive tape 30 is wound around the outer periphery of the wire group W, and the end portion 30a of a required length is left without being wound. When the common tube 21 comes into contact with the outer periphery of the adhesive tape 30, the unwound distal end portion 30a is turned up to form a thick protruding portion 30a '. The protruding portion 30a 'functions to position and hold the common tube. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

The main line 10 does not necessarily need to be covered with a corrugated tube. The main line 10 is wound around a tape to protect the bundle, and the common tube on the branch line side is fitted around the outer peripheral surface of the outer tape. You may make it move.

The common tube 21 is connected to the branch lines 11 and 12.
Since the inner diameter of the common tube is increased at the time of covering, the common tube can be passed after the connectors 22 and 23 are attached to the ends of the branch lines 11 and 12. When the tube is passed after the connector is connected, the branch lines 11, 1
After passing the electric wires of No. 2 through the tube one by one, the branch wires 11, 1
The workability can be greatly improved as compared with the case where the connectors 22 and 23 are connected to the connector 2.

[0033]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the tube to be sheathed on the branch line is moved by pulling the tube holding tape around the branch point of the branch line. When stopped, the tube can be positioned and held by the tape. Therefore, it is commonly used for a group of wires of multiple branch lines.
If the common tube is moved to the main line side when the connector is connected so as to cover the tube, the connector connection operation can be easily performed. In addition, after the connector connection is completed, it is moved to cover the entirety of the plurality of branch lines, so that the plurality of branch lines can be integrated into one, the harness route can be regulated, and the branch line encroachment that has conventionally occurred can be performed. And generation of abnormal noise can be prevented.

Further, at the time of maintenance, the maintenance work can be performed by moving the common tube to expose the electric wire of the branch line. Further, at the time of wiring to an automobile, if the common tube is externally fitted to a plurality of branch lines and put together, the workability of insertion into the vehicle body through hole can be improved.

Furthermore, since the extra length generated when the branch line is connected to the connector can be accommodated in the common tube and absorbed, the dimensional control and the branch position control during the manufacture of the wire harness can be facilitated, and the number of operations can be reduced. In addition, the number of tubes for branch lines can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a manufacturing process of a wire harness according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of the first embodiment during a connector connection operation, and FIG. 2B is a schematic front view.

FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing a second embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a main part.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a problem of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8a, 8b Connector fitting portion 10 Main line 11, 12 Branch line 18 Soft tape 20 Corrugated tube 21 Shared tube 22, 23 Connector 30 Adhesive tape W Wire group

Claims (4)

[Claims] A plurality of branch lines are branched from a trunk line, connectors are respectively connected to respective branch line terminals, and these connectors are connected to a wire harness which is fitted to a connector fitting portion at a position close to a mating component. While a tape for holding the tube is wound around the wire group at the branch point of the branch line and fixed to the wire group, a single flexible resin-made common tube is provided to cover the plurality of branch lines. The inner peripheral surface of the tube is brought into contact with the tape, the common tube is allowed to move over the tape, but is held at the stop position. When the connector of each branch line terminal is connected to the mating part, the common tube is used. Keep the tube positioned on the main line side,
A connection tube mounting structure for a wire harness, wherein after the connector is connected, the common tube is moved and held so as to be fitted over a plurality of branch lines. 2. A corrugated tube is sheathed on the trunk, and when the common tube is retracted toward the trunk, it moves into the corrugated tube and fits inside.
2. The protective tube mounting of the wire harness according to claim 1, wherein when the common tube is moved to the connector side of the branch line and positioned, the base end of the common tube is located inside the distal end of the corrugated tube. Construction. 3. A soft tape made of a sponge material is used as the tape for holding the tube, and the soft tape is wound around the outer periphery of the electric wire group, and the two ends are overlapped with each other so as to project and adhere. 3. When the common tube is provided around the outer periphery of the tape, the overlapped protruding portion is folded and protruded, and the common tube is positioned and held at this portion.
4. The protective tube mounting structure for a wire harness according to item 1. 4. An adhesive tape is used as the tape for holding the tube, and the adhesive tape is wrapped around the outer periphery of the wire group, and a tip portion of a required length is left unwrapped. When the common tube is exteriorized, the above-mentioned tip turns up to form a thick projection,
3. The protection tube mounting structure for a wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portion positions and holds the common tube.