JP7623182B2 - Branch section protection structure and branch section protection method - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a branch protection structure and a branch protection method for protecting a branch where a branch line branches off from a main line, for example.

The long wire harnesses that electrically connect the electrical devices installed in automobiles are routed in two-dimensional or three-dimensional complex routing paths that combine straight and curved sections to match the uneven shape of the vehicle.

This wire harness is flexible and may be protected by being inserted into an exterior body such as a long, hollow corrugated tube (hereinafter referred to as a corrugated tube). However, at the branching section where the branch wire branches off from the main wire of the wire harness, the branch wire interferes with the corrugated tube, making it impossible to insert the branching section into the corrugated tube.

For this reason, a cylindrical hard protector that branches out along the direction in which the main trunk line and the branch line extend has been attached to the branch point between the main trunk line and the branch line, and the branch point has been protected by surrounding it with the protector (see Patent Document 1).

However, the branching direction of branch lines and the outer diameter of the corrugated exterior of main lines vary depending on the installation location, and the shapes of branch sections are diverse. For this reason, it was necessary to prepare hard protectors suited to each branch section. Therefore, there was a demand for a branch section protection structure that could protect branch sections with a simpler structure.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-084611

In view of the above problems, this invention aims to provide a branch protection structure and a branch protection method that can protect a branch with a simple structure.

The present invention relates to a branch section protection structure for protecting a branch section at which a branch wire is branched off from a main wire in which a plurality of bundled electric wires are inserted inside a flexible tubular protection member, the branch section protection structure being provided with a tubular main tubular protection member through which the main wire is inserted, and a tubular branch tubular protection member through which the branch wire is inserted, the main tubular protection member having a first side disposed on a first side in the axial direction from the branch section, and a second side disposed on a second side in the axial direction from the branch section, the branch tubular protection member being disposed on the second side from the branch section, the first side main tubular protection member, the second side main tubular protection member, and a front The branch tubular protective member forms a bifurcated branch, and any of the ends of the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member on the branch side are inclined end portions along an inclination direction that intersects both the longitudinal direction and the orthogonal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the ends of the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member on the branch side face each other, and the end of the first side main tubular protective member has two inclined end portions that protrude in a tapered manner toward the second side so as to face the respective ends of the second side main tubular protective member and the branch tubular protective member that are arranged so as to move away from the branch along the axial direction .

The present invention also relates to a branch portion protection method for protecting a branch portion at which a branch wire is branched off from a main trunk line in which a plurality of bundled electric wires are inserted inside a flexible tubular protective member, the branch portion protection method comprising: a tubular main tubular protective member through which the main trunk line is inserted; and a tubular branch tubular protective member through which the branch wire is inserted; the main tubular protective member is composed of a first side main tubular protective member disposed on a first side in the axial direction from the branch portion; and a second side main tubular protective member disposed on a second side in the axial direction from the branch portion; any of the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member at the branch portion side is an inclined end portion extending along an inclined direction intersecting both a longitudinal direction and an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; and and an end of the first-side main tubular protective member is an inclined end portion that protrudes in a tapered manner toward the second side so as to face the ends of the second-side main tubular protective member and the branch tubular protective member, which are arranged so as to move apart as they move away from the branch portion along the axial direction. The method includes a first main trunk insertion step of inserting the main trunk line arranged on a first side in the axial direction into the first-side main tubular protective member, a second main trunk insertion step of inserting the main trunk line arranged on a second side in the axial direction into the second-side main tubular protective member, a branch trunk insertion step of inserting the branch trunk line arranged on the second side of the branch portion into the branch tubular protective member, and a fixing step of fixing the first-side main tubular protective member and the branch portion with tape, and fixing the first-side main tubular protective member, the second-side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member, which have a bifurcated branch formed therein, with tape.

The main line and the branch line are names for convenience, and one of the electric wires branched into two at a branching portion is the main line and the other is the branch line, regardless of, for example, the diameter of the electric wire or the connection destination.
The axial direction refers to a direction along one side of the main trunk line relative to the branching portion, in other words, a direction along one side of the main trunk line disposed on the first side or the second side relative to the branching portion.

The tubular protective member includes, for example, a corrugated member with repeated concave and convex shapes along the longitudinal direction, a flexible cylindrical tube, etc. The tubular protective member may also have a circular or polygonal cross section perpendicular to the axial direction.

The first main tubular protective member and the second main tubular protective member may be integral with each other or may be separate from each other.
The inclined end portion includes a double-sided inclined shape tapering from both sides in the width direction toward the inside in the width direction as it approaches the branching portion, when viewed from the inclination direction of the inclined end portion relative to the longitudinal direction and from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a single-sided inclined shape tapering from one side in the width direction toward the other side in the width direction as it approaches the branching portion.

According to this invention, it is possible to reduce the gap formed between the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member assembled to the branch section where the branch line branching off from the main line is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the main line. This allows the branch section where the branch line is inclined with respect to the axial direction to be covered with the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member.

In this way, with a simple structure in which the ends of the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch side of the branch tubular protective member are inclined ends, it is possible to easily protect the branch where the branch line is inclined relative to the main line.

Further, the ends of the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member on the branch portion side face each other .
With this, by abutting the branch portion side ends of the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member, the branch portion protective structure can be made compact.

Furthermore , the ends of the first side main tubular protective member are two inclined ends that protrude tapered toward the second side so as to face the respective ends of the second side main tubular protective member and the branch tubular protective member, which are arranged so as to move apart as they move away from the branch portion along the axial direction.
The inclination angles of the two inclined ends toward the second side may be the same or different.

By adjusting the inclination angle of both tapered end portions, it is possible to accommodate branch lines that branch off in various directions from the main line, making it easier to protect the branching portion where the branch lines branch off in various directions from the main line.

In addition, by forming the ends of the first side main tubular protective member on the branch side into two tapered inclined ends, it becomes easier to position the two inclined ends in the gaps formed between the second side main tubular protective member and the branch tubular protective member, so that it is possible to more reliably reduce the gaps formed between the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member.

In another aspect of the invention, the ends of the second side main tubular protective member and the branch tubular protective member, which are arranged to move apart as they move away from the branch portion along the axial direction, may be configured with the inclined end portions so as to face the end portions of the first side main tubular protective member.

By adjusting the inclination angle of each of the inclined ends of the second main tubular protective member and the branch tubular protective member, this invention can accommodate branch lines that branch in various directions at various angles relative to the trunk line. This allows for better protection of the branching section.

In addition, when the ends of the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member on the branch side are each inclined ends, the branch can be covered by the tip portion of the inclined end of each tubular protective member. This makes it possible to make each tubular protective member more compact than when at least one end of the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member on the branch side is not inclined.

In another aspect of the present invention, the first side main tubular protective member and the second side main tubular protective member may be formed separately, and at least the first side main tubular protective member and the second side main tubular protective member may have the same diameter.
According to this invention, the first side main tubular protective member and the second side main tubular protective member can be easily assembled without any gaps, and the main tubular protective member can be made compact along the longitudinal direction of the main trunk line.

As another aspect of the present invention, the end portion of the first side main tubular protective member on the branch portion side may be the inclined end portion, and at least the first side main tubular protective member and the branch tubular protective member may have the same diameter.
According to this invention, the end of the branch pipe protective member on the branching portion side can be easily formed to coincide with the inclined end of the first main tubular protective member on the branching portion side. This makes it possible to reduce at least the gap between the first main tubular protective member and the branch pipe protective member. Therefore, the branch pipe protective member can be easily assembled to the first main tubular protective member, and the branching portion can be reliably protected.

In another aspect of the present invention, any one or two of the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member may be fixed to the branch portion with tape, and the tubular protective member fixed to the branch portion with tape and a tubular protective member not fixed to the branch portion may be fixed to the branch portion with tape.

With this invention, one or two of the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member are securely fixed to the branch portion and positioned, and the tubular protective members among the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member that are not fixed to the branch portion with tape can be fixed by abutting them against the tubular protective members that are fixed with tape, so that the branch portion can be protected more reliably.

As a further aspect of the present invention, the tubular protective member may be provided with the inclined end portion, and the inclined end portion may be fixed to the branch portion by tape.
According to this invention, the inclined end portion arranged to cover the branching portion can be fixed to the branching portion with tape, so that the tubular protective member and the branching portion can be fixed to each other more firmly and reliably with tape. Therefore, the tubular protective member can be firmly fixed in position relative to the branching portion, and the branching portion can also be protected with tape. In addition, since the tubular protective member is arranged so that the inclined end portion covers the branching portion, it is easy to fix the tubular protective member and the branching portion with tape.

This invention provides a branch protection structure and a branch protection method that can protect a branch with a simple structure.

FIG. FIG. 4A and 4B are plan and side views of a first main tubular protective member; 4A and 4B are plan and side views of a second main tubular protective member; 6 is a flowchart of a method for assembling a first main tubular protective member, a second main tubular protective member, and a branch tubular protective member to a branch portion. 13 is a plan view illustrating a method of assembling a first main tubular protective member, a second main tubular protective member, and a branch tubular protective member to a branch portion. FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a method of assembling a first main tubular protective member, a second main tubular protective member, and a branch tubular protective member to a branch portion. FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a tubular protective member according to another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a tubular protective member according to another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a tubular protective member according to another embodiment.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.
Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the bifurcation section protective structure 1, Fig. 2 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the bifurcation section protective structure 1, Fig. 3 shows a plan view and a side view of the first side main tubular protective member 30, and Fig. 4 shows a plan view and a side view of the second side main tubular protective member 40. Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of a method for assembling the main tubular protective member 20 and the branch tubular protective member 50 to the bifurcation section 13. Figs. 6 and 7 show plan views for explaining the method for assembling the main tubular protective member 20 and the branch tubular protective member 50 to the bifurcation section 13.

3, 4, 6 and 7 will now be described in detail.
Figure 3(a) shows a plan view of the first side main tubular protective member 30, Figure 3(b) shows a side view of the first side main tubular protective member 30, Figure 4(a) shows a plan view of the second side main tubular protective member 40, and Figure 4(b) shows a side view of the second side main tubular protective member 40.

Figure 6(a) shows a plan view of the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 inserted into the main trunk line 11 and the branch line 12, and Figure 6(b) shows a plan view of the first side main tubular protective member 30 fixed to the branch section 13. Figure 7(a) shows a plan view of the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50 assembled to the first side main tubular protective member 30, and Figure 7(b) shows a plan view of the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50 fixed to the first side main tubular protective member 30.

In order to make the overall structure easier to understand, the illustration of the raised portions (convex shape) and groove portions (concave shape) of the corrugated structure, which has a repeated uneven shape with raised portions and groove portions, has been omitted except in Figures 3 and 4. Also, in Figures 1, 2, 6, and 7, the wire harness 10 (main wire 11 or branch wire 12) inserted inside the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 is shown by dotted lines to clarify its shape. Also, in order to clarify the configuration, the tape T has been omitted in Figures 1, 8 to 10.

For convenience, the longitudinal direction of the first side main tubular protective member 30 in FIG. 1 is referred to as the first direction L1, the longitudinal direction of the second side main tubular protective member 40 is referred to as the second direction L2, and the longitudinal direction of the branch tubular protective member 50 is referred to as the branching direction B. In addition, the branching portion 13 side of the first side main tubular protective member 30 along the first direction L1 is referred to as the tip side Lf, and the side opposite the branching portion 13 of the first side main tubular protective member 30 along the first direction L1 is referred to as the base side Lb. In addition, the upper side and lower side in FIG. 1 are referred to as the top and bottom.

That is, the direction in which the base end side of the main trunk line 11 extends (axial direction) is the first direction L1, and the direction in which the branch lines 12 branch off from the main trunk line 11 is the branching direction B.
These directions are the same in FIGS. 2 to 10.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the branch section protection structure 1 is a structure for protecting a branch section 13 in a wire harness 10 where branch wires 12 branch off from a main trunk 11, which is a bundle of multiple electric wires, toward a branch direction B that intersects with a first direction L1 of the main trunk 11. The branch section protection structure 1 includes a tubular main tubular protection member 20 through which the main trunk 11 passes, and a tubular branch tubular protection member 50 through which the branch wires 12 pass.

The wire harness 10 is configured by bundling a plurality of electric wires that electrically connect electrical devices mounted on a vehicle.
The main trunk 11 constituting the wire harness 10 is a bundle of insulated electric wires in which conductors are covered with an insulating coating, and electrically connects generally installed electric devices such as batteries to each other.

The branch wire 12 is a covered electric wire pulled out from the main line 11 in the branching direction B, and is connected to, for example, electronic devices that are installed as options in the vehicle. The branched portion where the branch wire 12 is pulled out from the main line 11 is called the branch section 13.

The main line 11 is curved so as to move away from the branch line 12 as it moves from the branch portion 13 toward Lf along the first direction L1. In other words, the wire harness 10 is bifurcated at the branch portion 13 so as to have a Y-shape in a plan view.

The main tubular protective member 20, through which the main trunk line 11 is inserted, is composed of a first side main tubular protective member 30 that protects the base end side Lb of the branching section 13 in the main trunk line 11, and a second side main tubular protective member 40 that protects the tip side Lf of the branching section 13 in the main trunk line 11.

The first side main tubular protective member 30 is a cylindrical resin corrugated member that has the main trunk line 11 inserted therein at the base end side Lb of the branching section 13. As shown in FIG. 3, the first side main tubular protective member 30 has a flexible bellows structure in which the first main ridges 30a and the first main grooves 30b are alternately arranged along the first direction L1.

As shown in Figures 2, 3(a), and 3(b), the first side main tubular protective member 30 is composed of a first cylindrical body 31 and two inclined portions 32, 32 protruding in a tapered shape from the first cylindrical body 31 toward the tip side Lf.
The first cylindrical body 31 is provided with one linear slit (not shown) extending along the first direction L1 from the end on the base end side Lb to the end on the tip end side Lf.

As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), both inclined portions 32, 32 are configured with two inclined shapes that intersect both the first direction L1 and the perpendicular direction W1 perpendicular to the first direction L1 in a plan view.
More specifically, both inclined portions 32, 32 are formed by cutting both sides of the first cylindrical body 31 obliquely so as to move inward in the orthogonal direction W1 from the base end side Lb to the tip end side Lf of the first cylindrical body 31 in a plan view. In other words, both inclined portions 32, 32 are configured in a tapered shape that tapers inward in the orthogonal direction W1 as it moves toward the tip end side Lf above and below the first cylindrical body 31.

The first main cut surfaces 321, 321 of the two inclined portions 32, 32 thus formed are formed so as to face outward in the perpendicular direction W1. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the first main cut surfaces 321, 321 are configured in a substantially semicircular arc shape with the minor axis along the radial direction and the major axis along the first direction L1 in a side view.

The second side main tubular protective member 40 is a cylindrical resin corrugated member that is inserted into the main trunk line 11 at the tip side Lf of the branch section 13. This second side main tubular protective member 40 has the same diameter as the first side main tubular protective member 30, and is configured with a flexible bellows structure in which second main ridges 40a and second main grooves 40b are alternately arranged along the second direction L2, as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in Figures 2, 4(a), and 4(b), the second side main tubular protective member 40 is composed of a second cylindrical body 41 and a second main inclined portion 42 that protrudes in a tapered shape from the end of the second cylindrical body 41 on the branching portion 13 side toward the branching portion 13.
The second cylindrical body 41, like the first cylindrical body 31, is provided with one linear slit extending from one end to the other end along the second direction L2 (not shown).

As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the second main inclined portion 42 is configured in a one-sided inclined shape that intersects both the second direction L2 and the perpendicular direction W2 perpendicular to the second direction L2 when viewed in a plane.
In detail, the second main inclined portion 42 is formed by cutting the end portion of the second cylindrical body 41 on the branching portion 13 side in a plan view obliquely from the side surface on which the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50 is arranged with respect to the branching portion 13 toward the other side surface. In other words, the second main inclined portion 42 is configured to have a tapered shape toward the branching portion 13 at the end portion of the second cylindrical body 41 on the branching portion 13 side.

The second main inclined portion 42 thus formed has a second main cutting surface 421 formed to face the side where the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50 is arranged with respect to the branching portion 13. As shown in FIG. 4(b), this second main cutting surface 421 is configured in a substantially elliptical shape with its minor axis along the radial direction and its major axis along the second direction L2.

The branch pipe protective member 50 is a cylindrical resin corrugated member into which the branch wire 12 is inserted, and is configured in the same manner as the second side main pipe protective member 40. That is, the branch pipe protective member 50 has the same diameter as the first side main pipe protective member 30, and is configured as a flexible bellows structure in which protrusions and recesses are alternately arranged along the branching direction B (not shown).

The branch tubular protective member 50 is composed of a cylindrically configured branch tubular main body 51 and a branch inclined portion 52 that protrudes in a tapered shape from the end of the branch tubular main body 51 on the branching portion 13 side (see Figure 2).
The branched tubular body 51, like the first tubular body 31, is provided with one linear slit extending along the branching direction B from one end to the other end in the branching direction B (not shown).

Similar to the second main inclined portion 42, the branch inclined portion 52 is configured in a one-sided inclined shape that intersects both the branching direction B and the perpendicular direction W3 perpendicular to the branching direction B in a plan view.
In detail, the branch inclined portion 52 is formed by cutting the end portion of the branch tubular body 51 on the branch portion 13 side obliquely from the side surface on the side where the second side main tubular protective member 40 is arranged with respect to the branch portion 13 to the other side surface. In other words, the branch inclined portion 52 is configured to have a tapered shape toward the branch portion 13 at the end portion of the branch tubular body 51 on the branch portion 13 side.

The branch inclined portion 52 thus formed is formed so that the branch cut surface 521 faces the side where the second side main tubular protective member 40 is arranged with respect to the branching portion 13. Like the second main cut surface 421, this branch cut surface 521 is configured as a substantially ellipse with its minor axis along the radial direction and its major axis along the branching direction B.

Next, a method for assembling and fixing the main tubular protective member 20 and the branch tubular protective member 50 thus constructed to the branch portion 13 will be briefly described with reference to Figs.
As shown in FIG. 5 , a method of assembling and fixing the main tubular protective member 20 and the branch tubular protective member 50 to the branching portion 13 includes a first main trunk insertion step s1 of inserting the main trunk 11 extending to the tip side Lf into the first side main tubular protective member 30, a second main trunk insertion step s2 of inserting the main trunk 11 extending to the base end side Lb into the second side main tubular protective member 40, a branch trunk insertion step s3 of inserting the branch tubular protective member 50 into the branch trunk 12 extending in the branching direction B, and a fixing step s4 of fixing the first side main tubular protective member 30 to the branching portion 13 and fixing the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50 to the first side main tubular protective member 30, thereby assembling and fixing the main tubular protective member 20 and the branch tubular protective member 50 to the branching portion 13 and protecting the branching portion 13.

The details will be explained below.
First, as shown in Figure 6 (a), the main trunk line 11 extending from the slit in the first side main tubular protective member 30 to the tip side Lf of the branching portion 13 is inserted into the first side main tubular protective member 30 so that both inclined portions 32 are arranged in the vertical direction and face the branching portion 13 (first main trunk line insertion process s1).

The main trunk line 11 extending from the slit of the second side main tubular protective member 40 to the base end side Lb of the branching section 13 is inserted into the second side main tubular protective member 40 so that the second main inclined portion 42 faces the branching section 13 (second main trunk line insertion step s2). Similarly, the branch tubular protective member 50 is inserted into the branch line 12 extending in the branching direction B of the branching section 13 so that the branch inclined portion 52 faces the branching section 13 side (branch line insertion step s3).

In this manner, the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 are inserted into the main trunk line 11, and the branch tubular protective member 50 is inserted into the branch line 12. With this in mind, the first side main tubular protective member 30 is moved along the first direction L1 so that both inclined portions 32 cover the branch section 13. Then, as shown in FIG. 6(b), tape T is wrapped around the tip side Lf (both inclined portions 32) of the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the branch section 13, and fixed with the tape. This allows the position of the first side main tubular protective member 30 relative to the branch section 13 and the first main cutting surface 321 to be fixed so as to face in a predetermined direction.

Then, the second side main tubular protective member 40 is moved toward the first side main tubular protective member 30 along the main trunk line 11 so that the second main cutting surface 421 faces one side of the first main cutting surface 321, and one side of the first main cutting surface 321 is brought into contact with the second main cutting surface 421 (see FIG. 7(a)).

Then, the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50 is moved along the branch line 12 toward the branching section 13 so that the branch cut surface 521 faces the other side of the first main cut surface 321, and the other side of the first main cut surface 321 comes into contact with the branch cut surface 521 (see FIG. 7(a)).

In this manner, with the second main inclined portion 42 of the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch inclined portion 52 of the branch tubular protective member 50 abutting against both inclined portions 32 of the first side main tubular protective member 30, the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch portion 13 side of the branch tubular protective member 50 are wrapped with tape T to fix the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 with tape (see FIG. 7(b)).

This makes it possible to create a branch section protection structure 1 in which the bifurcated branch section 13 is covered by both inclined sections 32, the second main inclined section 42, and the branch inclined section 52, thereby making it possible to easily and reliably protect the branch section 13.
More specifically, the branch section protective structure 1 includes a first side main tubular protective member 30 through which the base end side Lb of the main trunk line 11 is inserted, a second side main tubular protective member 40 through which the tip end side Lf of the main trunk line 11 is inserted, and a branch tubular protective member 50 through which the branch line 12 branched off from the main trunk line 11 in the branching direction B at the branch section 13 is inserted. The first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 are made of corrugated steel of the same diameter.

The second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50 are arranged to correspond to the main trunk line 11 and the branch line 12 on the tip side Lf of the branch section 13, and are arranged to be spaced apart as they move from the branch section 13 toward the tip side Lf in the first direction L1. The ends of the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50 on the branch section 13 side are provided with a second main inclined portion 42 and a branch inclined portion 52 that face the end of the tip side Lf of the first side main tubular protective member 30.

In addition, at the end of the first side main tubular protective member 30 on the branch section 13 side, both inclined portions 32, 32 inclined on both the second side main tubular protective member 40 side and the branch tubular protective member 50 side protrude in a tapered shape toward the tip side Lf so as to face the end of the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50 on the branch section 13 side (second main inclined portion 42 and branch inclined portion 52).

That is, the second main cut surface 421, which is the end of the second side main tubular protective member 40 on the branch section 13 side, and the branch cut surface 521, which is the end of the branch tubular protective member 50 on the branch section 13 side, face the first main cut surfaces 321, 321 in both inclined sections 32, 32.

The first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 configured in this manner can cover the branch section 13 with both inclined sections 32, the second main inclined section 42, and the branch inclined section 52, as shown in Figure 7 (b), and therefore can protect the branch section 13. Furthermore, by fixing the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 with tape T, it is possible to prevent each of them from moving relative to the branch section 13, and more reliably protect the branch section 13.

In addition, by appropriately changing the cutting angle of the ends of the branch section 13 side of both inclined sections 32, 32, the second main inclined section 42, and the branch inclined section 52, the inclination angles of the first cylindrical body 31, the second cylindrical body 41, and the branch cylindrical body 51 can be appropriately changed. Therefore, various branch sections 13 can be easily protected.

Furthermore, since both inclined portions 32, 32 are inclined inward in the orthogonal direction W1 as they approach the tip side Lf in a plan view, the bifurcated portion of the branch portion 13 can be covered by both inclined portions 32, 32.
In addition, the location where the main trunk line 11 extends from the branching portion 13 toward the second direction L2 can be covered by the second main inclined portion 42, and the location where the branch line 12 extends from the branching portion 13 toward the branching direction B can be covered by the branch inclined portion 52.

As a result, the diameter of the orthogonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction L1 of the first side main tubular protective member 30 (i.e., the length in the orthogonal direction W1) can be reduced compared to when the first cylindrical body 31 covers the bifurcated portion of the branch section 13. In other words, the first side main tubular protective member 30 can be made more compact.

In this way, the branch section protection structure 1 can protect the branch section 13 where the branch wires 12 branch off from the main trunk 11, which is a bundle of multiple electric wires, toward the branch direction B that intersects with the first direction L1 of the main trunk 11 in the wire harness 10 in which multiple bundled electric wires are inserted inside the flexible main tubular protection member 20 and the branch tubular protection member 50.

In detail, the branch section protection structure 1 includes a tubular main tubular protection member 20 through which the main trunk line 11 passes, and a tubular branch tubular protection member 50 through which the branch line 12 passes. The main tubular protection member 20 includes a first side main tubular protection member 30 disposed on the base end side Lb in the first direction L1 from the branch section 13, and a second side main tubular protection member 40 disposed on the tip side Lf in the first direction L1 from the branch section 13. The branch tubular protection member 50 is disposed on the tip side Lf from the branch section 13, and a bifurcated branch is formed by the first side main tubular protection member 30, the second side main tubular protection member 40, and the branch tubular protection member 50. The ends of the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 on the branch section 13 side are inclined portions 32, second main inclined portions 42, and branch inclined portions 52 along inclination directions that intersect both the longitudinal direction (first direction L1, second direction L2, branch direction B) and the orthogonal directions W1, W2, and W3 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the ends of the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 on the branch section 13 side face each other.

This makes it possible to reduce the gap formed between the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 at the branching section 13 where the branch line 12 branching off from the main line 11 is inclined with respect to the first direction L1 of the main line 11. Therefore, the branching section 13 where the branch line 12 is inclined with respect to the first direction L1 can be covered with the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50.

In this way, the branch section 13, which is branched so that the branch line 12 is inclined relative to the main line 11, can be easily protected with a simple structure that simply inclines the ends of the branch section 13 side of the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 to form the two inclined sections 32, the second main inclined section 42, and the branch inclined section 52.

The ends of the first side main tubular protective member 30 are inclined portions 32, 32 that protrude tapered toward the tip side Lf so as to face the ends of the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50, which are arranged to move apart as they move away from the branch portion 13 in the first direction L1.

By adjusting the inclination angle of both tapered inclined portions 32, 32, it is possible to accommodate branch lines 12 that branch off from the main line 11 in various branching directions B. Therefore, it is possible to more easily protect branching portions 13 where branch lines 12 branch off from the main line 11 in various branching directions B.

In addition, by forming the end of the first side main tubular protective member 30 on the branch section 13 side into two tapered inclined portions 32, 32, the two inclined portions 32, 32 can be easily positioned in the gap formed between the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50. This makes it possible to more reliably reduce the gap formed between the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50.

Furthermore, by forming the end portion of the first side main tubular protective member 30 on the branch section 13 side into two inclined portions 32, 32, the end portions of the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50 on the branch section 13 side, which face the two inclined portions 32, 32, can be formed so as to reduce the gap formed between the two inclined portions 32, 32.

For example, if the first side main tubular protective member 30 does not have both inclined portions 32, and the ends of the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50 on the branch section 13 side are the second main inclined portion 42 and the branch inclined portion 52, the end face on the branch section 13 side of the first side main tubular protective member 30 will have a different shape and size from the second main cut surface 421 and the branch cut surface 521. Therefore, even if the end of the first side main tubular protective member 30 on the branch section 13 side is opposed to the second main inclined portion 42 and the branch inclined portion 52, a gap will be created between the second main inclined portion 42 and the branch inclined portion 52 and the first side main tubular protective member 30.

In contrast, if the end of the first side main tubular protective member 30 on the branch section 13 side is formed as two inclined sections 32, 32, the first main cut surface 321, 321 can be made to be approximately the same in shape and size as the second main cut surface 421 and the branch cut surface 521. In this way, the two inclined sections 32, 32 can be easily formed to match the second main inclined section 42 and the branch inclined section 52, improving the efficiency of the work of combining the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50, while more reliably protecting the branch section 13.

In addition, the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50 are arranged so that their ends move away from the branch portion 13 in the first direction L1, and are configured with both inclined portions 32, a second main inclined portion 42, and a branch inclined portion 52 so that their ends face the ends of the first side main tubular protective member 30.

As a result, by adjusting the inclination angles of the second main inclined portion 42 and the branch inclined portion 52 of the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50, respectively, it is possible to protect the branch portion 13 in response to the branch lines 12 that branch in the branch direction B at various angles relative to the trunk line.

In addition, since the ends of the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 on the branch section 13 side are inclined, the branch section 13 can be covered by the tip portions of both inclined portions 32, 32 and the second main inclined portion 42 and the branch inclined portion 52. This makes it possible to make each of the main tubular protective members 20 and the branch tubular protective members 50 more compact than when at least one end of the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 on the branch section 13 side is not inclined.

In addition, the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 are constructed separately, and at least the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 have the same diameter, so that the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 can be easily assembled without any gaps, and the main tubular protective member 20 can be made compact along the longitudinal direction of the main trunk line 11.

In addition, by forming the end of the first side main tubular protective member 30 on the branch section 13 side into two inclined sections 32, 32 and making the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the branch tubular protective member 50 have the same diameter, it is possible to easily form the branch inclined section 52, which is the end of the branch tubular protective member 50 on the branch section 13 side, so that it matches the two inclined sections 32, 32 on the branch section 13 side of the first side main tubular protective member 30.

Therefore, the gap between the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the branch tubular protective member 50 can be reduced, the branch tubular protective member 50 can be easily assembled to the first side main tubular protective member 30, and the branch section 13 can be reliably protected.

Furthermore, among the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50, the first side main tubular protective member 30 is fixed with tape to the branch section 13, and is also fixed with tape to the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50. Therefore, the first side main tubular protective member 30 can be reliably fixed to the branch section 13 and positioned, and then abutted and fixed against the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50, so that the branch section 13 can be protected more reliably.

In addition, the first side main tubular protective member 30, which is fixed to the branching portion 13 with tape, is provided with two inclined portions 32, which are fixed to the branching portion 13 with tape. This allows both inclined portions 32, which are arranged to cover the branching portion 13, to be fixed to the branching portion 13 with tape, so that the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the branching portion 13 can be fixed to each other with tape more firmly and reliably.

Therefore, the first side main tubular protective member 30 can be firmly fixed in position relative to the branching portion 13, and the branching portion 13 can also be protected by the tape T. In addition, since the first side main tubular protective member 30 is positioned so that both inclined portions 32 cover the branching portion 13, it is easy to fix the tubular protective member and the branching portion 13 with tape.

In this embodiment, the first side main tubular protective member 30 is fixed to the branching portion 13 with tape, but it is not limited to the first side main tubular protective member 30, and the second side main tubular protective member 40 or the branch tubular protective member 50 may be fixed to the branching portion 13 with tape. Furthermore, any two of the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 may be fixed to the branching portion 13 with tape, and the remaining tubular protective member may be fixed to the tubular protective member fixed to the branching portion 13 with tape.

In the configuration of the present invention and the correspondence with the above-mentioned embodiment,
The tubular protective members correspond to a main tubular protective member 20 and a branch tubular protective member 50;
The wire harness corresponds to the wire harness 10,
The main line corresponds to main line 11,
The axial direction corresponds to the first direction L1.
The branching direction corresponds to branching direction B,
The branch line corresponds to the branch line 12,
The branch corresponds to branch 13,
The branch portion protective structure corresponds to the branch portion protective structure 1,
The main tubular protective member corresponds to the main tubular protective member 20;
The branch tubular protective member corresponds to the branch tubular protective member 50,
The first side corresponds to the base end side Lb,
The first side main tubular protective member corresponds to the first side main tubular protective member 30,
The second side corresponds to the tip side Lf,
The second main tubular protective member corresponds to the second main tubular protective member 40,
The inclined end portion corresponds to both inclined portions 32, the second main inclined portion 42, and the branch inclined portion 52,
The two inclined ends correspond to the two inclined portions 32,
The first main trunk line insertion step corresponds to the first main trunk line insertion step s1,
The second main trunk line insertion step corresponds to the second main trunk line insertion step s2,
The branch trunk line insertion step corresponds to the branch line insertion step s3,
The fixing step corresponds to the fixing step s4,
The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and many other embodiments can be obtained.

For example, in this embodiment, the branch protection structure 1 electrically connects commonly installed electrical devices to each other and protects the branch 13 of the main line 11 and the branch line 12 connected to electronic devices installed as options on the vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can be used without any particular limitation as long as it is a location where an electric wire branches, such as a branch line where another branch line branches off from a branch line connected to an optional device, or a branch line where a main line branches off from a main line that connects commonly installed electrical devices. In other words, the branch protection structure 1 can be used to protect various branch lines without being limited to the names of main lines and branch lines.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, after performing the first main trunk insertion step s1, the second main trunk insertion step s2, and the branch trunk insertion step s3, the first side main tubular protective member 30 is fixed to the branching section 13 with tape, and the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch trunk protective member 50 are fixed to the first side main tubular protective member 30 with tape; however, for example, after the first main trunk insertion step s1, the first side main tubular protective member 30 may be fixed to the branching section 13 with tape, and then the second main trunk insertion step s2 and the branch trunk insertion step s3 may be performed, and the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch trunk protective member 50 may be fixed to the first side main tubular protective member 30 with tape.
The names of the main trunk 11 and the branch wire 12 are for convenience only, and one of the electric wires branched into two at the branch section 13 is referred to as the main trunk 11 and the other as the branch wire 12, regardless of, for example, the diameter of the electric wire or the connection destination.

For example, in this embodiment, both inclined portions 32, the second main inclined portion 42, and the branch inclined portion 52 are tapered, but it is not necessary that all of them are tapered. For example, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 8, the second side main tubular protective member 40 can be only the second cylindrical body 41 without the second main inclined portion 42, and the branch tubular protective member 50 can be only the branch cylindrical body 51 without the branch inclined portion 52 (see FIG. 8(a)).

Even in this case, by widening the inclination angle of both inclined portions 32, the branch portion 13 can be covered by both inclined portions 32 while the end faces of the base end side Lb of the second tubular body 41 and the branch tubular body 51 abut against the first main cutting surfaces 321, 321, thereby reliably protecting the branch portion 13 (see FIG. 8(b)).

Also, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 9, the first side main tubular protective member 30 may be only the first cylindrical body 31 without both inclined portions 32, the second side main tubular protective member 40 may be provided with the second main inclined portion 42, and the branch tubular protective member 50 may be provided with the branch inclined portion 52 (see FIG. 9(a)). This allows the branch portion 13 to be covered by the tip side Lf end of the first cylindrical body 31, while the main trunk line 11 and the branch line 12 extending from the branch portion 13 to the tip side Lf are protected by the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50 (see FIG. 9(b)).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the second main inclined portion 42 in the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch inclined portion 52 in the branch tubular protective member 50 may be configured as second main inclined portions 42x and branch inclined portions 52x that are inclined on both sides so that the diameter of the second main inclined portion 42x is narrowed radially inward as it approaches the branch portion 13 in a plan view.

The second main inclined portions 42x have second main cutting surfaces 421, 421 formed on the outside of the orthogonal direction W2. The branch inclined portions 52x have branch cutting surfaces 521, 521 formed on the outside of the orthogonal direction W3. One of the second main cutting surfaces 421 and the branch cutting surface 521 faces the end of the first cylindrical body 31 on the branch section 13 side, and the other of the second main cutting surfaces 421 faces the other of the branch cutting surfaces 521.

This allows the branch section 13 to be covered by the second main inclined sections 42x and the branch inclined sections 52x, protecting the branch section 13. In this case, the second main inclined sections 42x and the branch inclined sections 52x can be brought closer together compared to the second main inclined sections 42 and the branch inclined sections 52, which are inclined on one side, so that the cross-sectional area of the first cylindrical body 31 can be reduced, and the cross-sectional areas of the second cylindrical body 41 and the branch cylindrical body 51 can also be reduced.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main tubular protective member 20 is composed of the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40, but as shown in the plan view of Figure 10, the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 may be integrally formed. That is, as shown in Figure 10 (a), a branch tubular protective member 50 may be attached to the main tubular protective member 20y in which the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 in the main tubular protective member 20 are integrally formed.

Simply put, the main tubular protective member 20y is curved along the main trunk 11, and has an opening 21y cut out at a location corresponding to the branching section 13 so as to be perpendicular to the branching direction B in a plan view (see FIG. 10(a)). Then, the branching section 13 can be protected by abutting the branch tubular protective member 50y, which does not have the branch inclined section 52 of the branch tubular protective member 50, against the opening 21y (see FIG. 10(b)).

Also, as shown in FIG. 10(c), the main tubular protective member 20z may have an opening 21z cut at an acute angle to the branching direction B in a plan view, and the branch inclined portion 52 in the branch tubular protective member 50 may have branch inclined portions 52z that are inclined on both sides in a plan view. This allows the branch portion 13 to be protected by the main tubular protective member 20z and the branch tubular protective member 50z, while the cross-sectional area of the branch tubular protective member 50z can be reduced.

In addition, in this embodiment, the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 are corrugated with repeated uneven shapes along the longitudinal direction, but are not limited to this and may be flexible cylindrical tubes, etc. In this case, at least one of the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 may be a different type from the others, for example, only the first side main tubular protective member 30 may be corrugated and the second side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch tubular protective member 50 may be tubes.

The first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, the branch tubular protective member 50, etc. may have a cross section perpendicular to the first direction L1 that is not circular but is polygonal. In this embodiment, the inclination angles of both inclined portions 32, 32 toward the tip side Lf are the same, but they do not necessarily have to be the same and may be different inclination angles.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first side main tubular protective member 30, the second side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch tubular protective member 50 have the same diameter, but they may have different outer diameters.

1 Branch protection structure 10 Wire harness 11 Main line 12 Branch line 13 Branch section 20 Main tubular protection member 30 First side main tubular protection member 32 Both inclined sections 40 Second side main tubular protection member 42 Second main inclined sections 42x Second main both inclined sections 50 Branch tubular protection member 52 Branch inclined sections 52x, 52z Branch inclined section B Branch direction s1 First main line insertion step s2 Second main line insertion step s3 Branch line insertion step s4 Fixing step L1 First direction Lb Base end side Lf Tip end side

Claims (7)

A branch portion protection structure for protecting a branch portion at which a branch wire is branched from a main trunk line in which the plurality of electric wires are bundled, toward a branching direction intersecting an axial direction of the main trunk line, in a wire harness in which a plurality of bundled electric wires are inserted into a tubular protective member having flexibility,
A tubular main tubular protective member through which the main trunk line is inserted;
a tubular branch protection member through which the branch wire is inserted;
The main tubular protective member is
a first main tubular protective member disposed on a first side in the axial direction from the branch portion;
a second main tubular protective member disposed on a second side in the axial direction from the branch portion,
the branch pipe-shaped protective member is disposed on the second side from the branch portion,
a bifurcated branch is formed by the first main tubular protective member, the second main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member;
Any one of the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the end portion of the branch portion side of the branch tubular protective member is
An inclined end portion along an inclined direction intersecting both the longitudinal direction and an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,
end portions of the first-side main tubular protective member, the second-side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member on the branch portion side face each other,
The end of the first main tubular protective member is
The inclined end portions protrude in a tapered manner toward the second side so as to face the respective ends of the second-side main tubular protective member and the branch tubular protective member, which are arranged so as to be spaced apart as the distance from the branch portion increases along the axial direction.
Branch section protective structure. The end portions of the second-side main tubular protective member and the branch tubular protective member, which are arranged to be spaced apart as they move away from the branch portion along the axial direction, are configured with the inclined end portions so as to face the end portion of the first-side main tubular protective member.
The branch portion protection structure according to claim 1 . The first side main tubular protective member and the second side main tubular protective member are formed separately, and at least the first side main tubular protective member and the second side main tubular protective member have the same diameter.
The branch portion protection structure according to claim 1 or 2 . The end portion of the first-side main tubular protective member on the branch portion side is the inclined end portion, and at least the first-side main tubular protective member and the branch tubular protective member have the same diameter.
The branch portion protection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . Any one or two of the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member are fixed to the branch portion by tape,
The tubular protective member fixed to the branching portion with tape and a tubular protective member not fixed to the branching portion with tape are fixed to each other.
The branch portion protection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The tubular protective member is provided with the inclined end portion and is fixed to the branch portion by tape,
The inclined end is taped to the branch.
The branch portion protection structure according to claim 5 . A branch portion protection method for protecting a branch portion at which a branch wire is branched from a main trunk line in which a plurality of bundled electric wires are inserted into a flexible tubular protective member, the branch portion protection method comprising the steps of:
A tubular main tubular protective member through which the main trunk line is inserted;
a tubular branch protection member through which the branch wire is inserted,
The main tubular protective member is
a first main tubular protective member disposed on a first side in the axial direction from the branch portion;
a second main tubular protective member disposed on a second side in the axial direction from the branch portion,
Any one of the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the end portion of the branch portion side of the branch tubular protective member is
An inclined end portion along an inclined direction intersecting both the longitudinal direction and an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,
end portions of the first-side main tubular protective member, the second-side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member on the branch portion side face each other,
The end of the first main tubular protective member is
the first end portion and the second end portion are inclined end portions protruding in a tapered shape toward the second side so as to face the respective ends of the second-side main tubular protective member and the branch tubular protective member, the two inclined end portions being arranged so as to be spaced apart as the distance from the branch portion increases along the axial direction;
a first main trunk line insertion step of inserting the main trunk line disposed on a first side in the axial direction into the first side main tubular protective member;
a second main trunk line insertion step of inserting the main trunk line disposed on a second side in the axial direction into the second side main tubular protective member;
a branch wire insertion step of inserting the branch wire disposed on the second side from the branch portion into the branch pipe-shaped protective member;
A branch portion protection method comprising a fixing process of fixing the first side main tubular protective member and the branch portion with tape, and fixing the first side main tubular protective member, the second side main tubular protective member, and the branch tubular protective member, which are formed with a bifurcated branch, with tape.

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