JP7773608B2 - Joint cover and wire harness having the joint cover - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a joint cover that covers at least the connection portion of a connecting wire in which multiple electric wires are connected at the connection portion, and to a wire harness equipped with the joint cover.

A wire harness has a trunk group (harness body) that bundles together multiple trunk wires, and a branch section where branch wires branch off from this trunk group as needed. At the branch section, one end of the branch wire is spliced to the trunk wire within the trunk group that is to be branched off. In a vehicle wire harness installed in a vehicle, the other end of the branch wire is connected to various electrical devices installed inside the vehicle via connectors, etc.

Conventionally, when splicing two electric wires consisting of a branch wire and a trunk wire at a branch point, the insulation is stripped from the trunk wire at the midpoint in the axial direction corresponding to the branch point, and the insulation is also stripped from one end of the branch wire. Then, for example, a splice terminal (also called a "splice joint") is crimped to the exposed conductors (core wires) of both the branch wire and the trunk wire. This forms a joint where the two electric wires are connected at the branch point of the wiring harness. The joint between the two electric wires is then wrapped with insulating tape to cover the joint terminal and the exposed portions of the electric wire conductors (see, for example, Figure 5 of Patent Document 1).

However, there is a concern that, for example, during wiring harness installation, the insulating tape may become dislodged from the connection and become misaligned in the axial direction of the wire relative to the connection, resulting in problems such as exposed joint terminals at the connection. This type of problem is particularly likely to occur when thin wires are connected together using joint terminals.

As a countermeasure, the insulating tape wrapped around the connection is further reinforced by wrapping reinforcing tape around the outside of the insulating tape to prevent the insulating tape from shifting position as mentioned above, but this creates other issues such as increased costs and labor when installing the cable.

For example, in large wire harnesses, there are many connection points, and it is sometimes desirable to position the connection points as close to each other as possible in the circumferential direction at locations suitable for branching the branch wires from the harness main body. However, as mentioned above, there is a risk that the insulating tape wrapped around the connection points may become misaligned, which may limit the proximity of the connection points to each other. In other words, in such cases, it is not possible to position the branch points at locations suitable for branching the branch wires from the harness main body, resulting in the problem of not being able to set the branch wire lengths to an optimal length.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-233168

The present invention was made in consideration of these issues, and aims to provide a joint cover and a wire harness equipped with a joint cover that can keep the connection portion of the connecting wire contained within the cover body, which is made of an insulator, without allowing it to slip out.

The joint cover of this invention comprises a cover body made of an insulator that accommodates at least the connection portion of a connecting electric wire in which multiple electric wires are connected by connection portions, the portion of the connecting electric wire that is accommodated in the cover body is referred to as a accommodated electric wire, and the portion that extends from the cover body is referred to as an extended electric wire, and the cover body is provided with a guide portion that guides the orientation of at least a portion of the accommodated electric wire in a direction that intersects with the extension direction of the extended electric wire, and of a pair of adjacent cover bodies that are arranged adjacent to both sides of the cover body in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the extended electric wire, a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion provided on the adjacent cover body on one side is provided on a portion of the cover body on the side where the adjacent cover body on the other side is adjacent, and a first engaging portion that engages with the second engaging portion provided on the adjacent cover body on the other side is provided on a portion of the cover body on the side where the adjacent cover body on the other side is adjacent .

This configuration prevents the connection portion from coming loose from the cover body when a tensile force acts on the connecting wire in the axial direction of the connecting wire.

As a result, the connection portion can be kept housed in the cover body, which is made of an insulating material, at a predetermined location.

In other words, while insulating tape has traditionally been wrapped around connection points to prevent the conductors from being exposed, the present invention prevents the cover body, which is placed on the outside of the connection points like insulating tape, from shifting position relative to the connection points. Therefore, electrical reliability can be maintained even when multiple connection points are placed close to each other.

Furthermore, with the present invention, the cover body does not shift relative to the connection, eliminating the need to intentionally position the connection relative to other connection locations, as was done in the past to take into account, for example, the possibility of insulating tape shifting relative to the connection. Therefore, when the electric wire is used as a branch wire in a wire harness, the present invention allows the branch wire to be set to an appropriate length.

Furthermore, in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the extended electric wire, of a pair of adjacent cover bodies arranged adjacent to the cover body on both sides, a second engagement portion that engages with a first engagement portion provided on the adjacent cover body on one side is provided on a portion of the cover body on the side adjacent to one of the adjacent cover bodies, and a first engagement portion that engages with a second engagement portion provided on the adjacent cover body on the other side is provided on a portion of the cover body on the side adjacent to the other of the adjacent cover bodies.

According to the above configuration, even when multiple joint covers are arranged adjacent to each other, the relative positions of the adjacent joint covers can be regulated by engaging the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion provided on each of the adjacent joint covers.

Therefore, for example, even when a plurality of joint covers are arranged on the outer periphery of the harness main body at a branch point of the wire harness, they can be kept aligned in the circumferential direction.

In one aspect of this invention, the cover body is provided with a housing section that houses the housed wire, and the housing section has at least a central housing section that houses the connection section, and outer housing sections provided on each side of the central housing section, and the guide section is provided in at least a portion of the central housing section and/or the outer housing sections.

With this configuration, when a tensile force acts on the connecting electric wire in the axial direction of the connecting electric wire, the guide portion provided in at least a portion of the central housing portion and/or the outer housing portion can guide at least a portion of the housed electric wire housed in the housing portion. As a result, the joint cover of the present invention can guide the connection portion so that it does not come out of the cover body.

The joint cover of the present invention therefore accommodates at least the connection portion in the central accommodating section, and accommodates at least the portion of the housed electric wire that is outer than the connection portion in the outer accommodating section, so the housed electric wire can be accommodated without slipping out of the accommodating section.

In the above configuration, it is preferable that the cover body have a central housing section that is longer than the length of the connection section, and a guide section is provided in a position where the connection section can be slidably guided. With this configuration, connection sections of different sizes, formed by crimping or otherwise using terminals of different sizes, can be housed in the central housing section. Moreover, the guide section can prevent such connection sections of different sizes from slipping out of the cover body.

This allows for the creation of a highly versatile joint cover.

In another aspect of the present invention, the central storage portion is provided at an angle relative to the extension direction of the extended electric wire, and the guide portion is formed by the central storage portion.

With this configuration, the central housing portion that constitutes the guide portion can restrict movement of the connection portion, preventing it from slipping out of the cover body. Furthermore, the length of the guide portion provided in the central housing portion can be made compact along the direction in which the extended electric wire extends, while ensuring that the length of the guide portion provided in the central housing portion is at least long enough to guide the connection portion.

In another aspect of this invention, the central storage portion is inclined relative to the extension direction of the extended electric wire, and at least a portion of the outer storage portion is inclined in a direction intersecting the central storage portion (reverse gradient), and the guide portion is formed by at least a portion of the central storage portion and the outer storage portion.

With this configuration, the connecting portion housed in the central housing portion can be more easily caught in the guide portion located at the boundary between the central housing portion and the outer housing portion, compared to when an inclined guide portion is formed in, for example, only one of the central housing portion and the outer housing portion.

In other words, the wires other than the connection portion of the housed wire are guided by the outer housing portion, preventing the connection portion from slipping out of the cover body.

In another aspect of the present invention, the central storage portion is arranged substantially parallel to the direction in which the extended electric wire extends, and at least a portion of the outer storage portion is arranged in a direction that intersects with the direction in which the extended electric wire extends, and the guide portion is formed by at least a portion of the outer storage portion.

With the above configuration, the wires housed in the central housing section are housed parallel to the direction in which the extended wires extend, while the wires housed in the guide sections of the outer housing section are guided in a direction that intersects with the direction in which the extended wires extend. Therefore, by forming at least a portion of the outer housing section as a guide section, the wires housed in the guide sections can be guided in a direction that intersects with both the central housing section and the side from which the extended wires extend from the cover.

In other words, by forming the outer housing portion as a guide section, it is possible to provide multiple inflection sections (direction change sections) where the direction of the connecting wire changes between the extension direction of the extended wire and a direction intersecting the extension direction.

Therefore, compared to a configuration in which only one inflection section (direction change section) is provided in the outer storage section, the guide section makes it less likely for the connecting section stored in the central storage section to come loose from the cover body.

In another aspect of the present invention, both ends of the accommodating section are arranged coaxially along the extension direction of the extended electric wire.

This configuration eliminates the misalignment between the two extending wires relative to the cover body in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension.

Therefore, for example, if the connecting wires consist of a main wire and a branch wire spliced to the middle of the main wire in the axial direction, the connecting wires can be routed in a predetermined position relative to the harness body (a group of multiple main wires bundled together).

In another aspect of the present invention, the first engagement portion is formed by a pin extending along the extension direction, and the second engagement portion is formed by a pin engagement hole into which the pin is inserted and engaged.

With the above configuration, even if adjacently arranged joint covers come into contact with each other and an external force (i.e., a circumferential external force) is applied, the engagement will not be unintentionally released and a strong engagement state can be maintained.

The present invention relates to a wire harness including a harness main body in which a plurality of main wires are bundled in the same direction, and a plurality of joint covers arranged in a circumferential direction of the harness main body, wherein the joint cover includes a cover main body made of an insulator and accommodates at least the connection portion of a connecting electric wire in which a plurality of electric wires are connected by the connection portion, a portion of the connecting electric wire accommodated in the cover main body is an accommodated electric wire, and a portion extending from the cover main body is an extended electric wire, and the cover main body is provided with a guide portion that guides the direction of at least a part of the accommodated electric wire in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the extended electric wire, and the harness main body includes a plurality of joint covers arranged in a circumferential direction of the harness main body. Each of the plurality of joint covers arranged on the outer periphery of the body is provided with a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion provided on the joint cover on one side at a position adjacent to the joint cover on one side arranged adjacent to it on one side in the circumferential direction, and the first engaging portion that engages with the second engaging portion provided on the joint cover on the other side is provided with a first engaging portion that engages with the second engaging portion provided on the joint cover on the other side at a position adjacent to the joint cover on the other side arranged adjacent to it on the other side in the circumferential direction, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged between each of the plurality of joint covers and the joint cover arranged adjacent to it on one side and/or the other side in the circumferential direction.

With the above configuration, multiple joint covers can be arranged adjacent to the outer periphery of the harness main body, for example, at a branching portion of the wire harness, and the first and second engaging portions provided on each joint cover can be engaged. This allows the multiple adjacently arranged joint covers to be kept aligned in the circumferential direction.

With this configuration, the connection portion of the connecting wire can be kept contained within the cover body, which is made of an insulating material, without slipping out.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a predetermined branch point of a wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an external view showing the splice joint cover of this embodiment with the lid open. 1A is an external view of the cover body of the present embodiment, in which the connection portion of the connecting wire is housed, as viewed from one side in the width direction, depth direction, and height direction; FIG. 1B is an external view of the cover body of the present embodiment, in which the connection portion of the connecting wire is housed, as viewed from the other side in the width direction, depth direction, and height direction; FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the main parts of the splice joint cover of this embodiment with the lid open. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connecting portion of a connecting electric wire is linearly accommodated in the splice joint cover of the present embodiment; 1 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the splice joint cover of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a splice joint cover of a first modified example corresponding to FIG. 4 . FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a splice joint cover of a second modified example corresponding to FIG. 4 . FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a splice joint cover of a modified example 3 corresponding to FIG. 4 . FIG. 10 is an external view showing another example of the predetermined branch point of the wire harness according to the embodiment; 11(a) is a view corresponding to the view seen from the arrows A-A in FIG. 1 with tape wrapped around the branch point, and FIG. 11(b) is a view corresponding to the view seen from the arrows A-A in FIG. 11(a) with a splice joint cover added. 12(a) is a view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12(b) is a view corresponding to the line B-B in FIG. 10 with tape wrapped around the branch point in FIG. 12(a).

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 1 is an external view showing a predetermined branch point D of a wire harness 1 of this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is an external view showing a splice joint cover 10 of this embodiment with the lid 12 open. Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) are external views showing a state in which the connection portion 7 of the connecting electric wire 5 is housed in the cover main body 11 of this embodiment, Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view of the cover main body 11 as seen from one side X1, Y1, Z1 in each of the width direction X, depth direction Y, and height direction Z, and Fig. 3(b) is a perspective view of the cover main body 11 as seen from the other side X2, Y2, Z2 in each of the width direction X, depth direction Y, and height direction Z.

Figure 4 is a plan view showing the main parts of the splice joint cover 10 of this embodiment with the lid 12 open, and Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the splice joint cover 10 of this embodiment just before the connection portion 7 of the connection wire 5 is accommodated in it.

6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the splice joint cover 10 of this embodiment, with Fig. 6(a) being a plan view showing the operation when a tensile force is applied from one side Y1 in the axial direction (depth direction Y) to the connection portion 7 of the connection electric wire 5 housed in the housing portion 13, and Fig. 6(b) being a plan view showing the operation when a tensile force is applied from the other side Y2 in the axial direction to the connection portion 7 of the connection electric wire 5 housed in the housing portion 13. Also, Fig. 11(a) is a view taken along the arrow A-A in Fig. 1.
1, 5, and later-described Figures 10, 11(a) and 11(b), the internal structure of the electric wires (the trunk line 3 and the branch line 4) is not shown. Also, in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) and 5, the lid 12 provided on the splice joint cover 10 is not shown.

The wire harness 1 shown in Figure 1 is a vehicle wire harness to be installed in a vehicle, and includes a harness main body 2 in which multiple main wires 3 are bundled together so that they face the same direction. The harness main body 2 is routed along the routing path of the wire harness 1.

Figures 1 and 11(a) show a predetermined branch point D where branch wires 4 branch off from the harness main body 2 in the routing path of the wire harness 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figures 1 and 11(a), in this embodiment, three branch wires 4 branch off from the harness main body 2 at the predetermined branch point D of the wire harness 1.

At each of the three branching sections (splice sections) Da at the predetermined branching point D, one branch wire 4 branches off from the middle section 3m (see Figure 5) of one predetermined trunk wire 3 out of the multiple trunk wires 3 that make up the harness main body 2.

The branch wires 4 branching off from the designated branch point D extend toward and connect to connectors (not shown) of various electrical devices installed inside the vehicle. As shown in Figure 5, both the trunk line 3 and the branch wires 4 are insulated electric wires in which core wires (conductors) 3a, 4a made of aluminum or aluminum alloy are covered with insulating coatings 3b, 4b.

At the branch point Da, the predetermined trunk line 3 and branch line 4 are connected by stripping the insulating coating 3b from the middle portion 3m of the predetermined trunk line 3 and the insulating coating 4b from the tip portion of the branch line 4 to expose the respective conductors 3a and 4a, and then overlapping the conductors 3a and 4a of both electric wires 3 and 4 with each other, covering them from the outside with a splice terminal (joint terminal) 6, and crimping them (see Figure 5).
As a result, a connection portion 7 is formed at the branch portion Da between the predetermined trunk line 3 and the branch line 4 (hereinafter also referred to as a "connecting electric wire 5") (see FIG. 3(a)).

At a predetermined branch point D of the wire harness 1, three connecting wires 5 are formed corresponding to the three branch portions Da, and at least one connection portion 7 of each of these connecting wires 5 is held by a splice joint cover (hereinafter abbreviated as "joint cover") 10.

That is, as shown in Figures 1 and 11(a), the joint cover 10 of this embodiment is provided in three pieces, corresponding to the number of branch portions Da at a predetermined branch point D of the wire harness 1, and each is arranged adjacent to the harness main body 2 in the circumferential direction.

Next, the joint cover 10 of this embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 2, 3(a) and 3(b), 4, and 5. FIG.
In the drawings, arrow Z indicates the height direction of the joint cover 10, arrow X indicates the width direction of the joint cover 10, and arrow Y indicates the depth direction of the joint cover 10. Furthermore, arrow Z1 indicates one side in the height direction Z, arrow X1 indicates one side in the width direction X, and arrow Y1 indicates one side in the depth direction Y. Arrow Z2 indicates the other side in the height direction Z, arrow X2 indicates the other side in the width direction X, and arrow Y2 indicates the other side in the depth direction Y.

As shown in Figures 1 and 11(a), when the joint cover 10 is disposed on the outer periphery of the harness main body 2, the height direction Z approximately coincides with the radial direction of the harness main body 2. Similarly, one side Z1 of the height direction Z approximately coincides with the radially outward direction of the harness main body 2, and the other side Z2 of the height direction Z approximately coincides with the radially inward direction of the harness main body 2. Furthermore, the width direction X approximately coincides with the circumferential direction of the harness main body 2, and the depth direction Y approximately coincides with the routing direction of the harness main body 2.

As shown in Figures 2, 3(a) and (b), 4, and 5, the joint cover 10 of this embodiment comprises a cover body 11 that houses at least the connection portion 7 of the connecting electric wire 5, and a lid 12 (see Figures 2 and 4), and the entire joint cover 10 is integrally molded from insulating synthetic resin.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the axial portion of the connecting wire 5 housed in the cover body 11 will be referred to as the "housed wire 5A," and the portion extending from the cover body 11 will be referred to as the "extending wire 5B."

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the cover body 11 is provided with a housing portion 13 for housing the housed electric wire 5A therein.
As shown in Figures 2, 3(a), and 4, the storage section 13 is formed to penetrate between one side Y1 and the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y of the cover body 11 when the lid 12 (see Figure 2) is attached to the cover body 11 as described below.

In other words, the storage section 13 is connected on one side Y1 and the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y of the cover body 11. As a result, an opening 13a is formed at the end of the storage section 13 on one side Y1 in the depth direction Y, which opens toward the one side Y1 in the depth direction Y relative to the cover body 11. Furthermore, an opening 13b is formed at the end of the storage section 13 on the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y, which opens toward the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y relative to the cover body 11.

The accommodating section 13 is formed continuously along the depth direction Y, which coincides with the routing path of the connecting wire 5, with an inner diameter slightly larger than the thickness of the connection section 7 of the accommodated wire 5A, i.e., with a length in the width direction X of the connection section 7, so as to have approximately the same inner diameter along its entire length in the depth direction Y.

As shown in Figures 2, 3(a), and 4, the housing 13 includes a central housing portion 14 in the axial direction of the housed wire 5A that houses at least the connection portion 7, and outer housing portions 15a and 15b provided on either side of the central housing portion 14 in the depth direction Y.

In this embodiment, the central storage portion 14 is longer than the connection portion 7. Furthermore, the portions of the central storage portion 14 extending from both ends to the outer storage portions 15a and 15b on both sides are long enough to accommodate the extension portions 5A1 (see Figure 5) of the extended wire 5B that extend from the connection portion 7 to the corresponding sides.

In this embodiment, the outer housing portions 15a, 15b on both sides are formed in a linear shape extending parallel to the depth direction Y. That is, the outer housing portions 15a, 15b on both sides are formed in a direction that generally coincides with the extension direction of the extended electric wires 5B. As shown in FIG. 1, the extension direction of the extended electric wires 5B is formed in a direction that generally coincides with the routing direction of the harness main body 2 (main wire 3) at the branch point D.

However, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer storage portion 15a (opening 13a) on one side Y1 in the depth direction Y is located on one side X1 in the width direction X, and the outer storage portion 15b (opening 13b) on the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y is located on the other side X2 in the width direction X, so that they are offset from each other in the width direction X.

On the other hand, the central storage section 14 is formed in a straight line that is inclined relative to the depth direction Y, so as to detour in the width direction X over the entire length of the central storage section 14. In this example, the central storage section 14 is formed so that it is inclined in a direction that is positioned toward the other side X2 in the width direction X as it extends to the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y, and is formed at an inclination angle of approximately 18 degrees relative to the depth direction Y.

In other words, the storage section 13 is formed so that the end of the outer storage section 15a on one side Y1 on the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y, which are offset from each other in the width direction X, and the end of the outer storage section 15b on the other side Y2 on the one side Y1 in the depth direction Y, are connected by the central storage section 14 formed at an angle.

As described above, the outer storage sections 15a, 15b on both sides are formed in a direction parallel to the depth direction Y, while the central storage section 14 is formed in a direction inclined relative to the depth direction Y. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, inflection sections (direction change sections) 16 are formed at both the boundary between one outer storage section 15a and the central storage section 14, and the boundary between the other outer storage section 15b and the central storage section 14. These inflection sections 16 correspond to the portions of the extension direction of the storage section 13 where the direction changes between a direction parallel to the depth direction Y and a direction inclined relative to the depth direction Y.

As shown in Figures 2, 3(a), and 4, the cover body 11 is provided with a guide portion 17 that guides the orientation of at least a portion of the housed wire 5A in a direction that intersects with the depth direction Y.

This guide portion 17 is provided in at least a portion of the central accommodating portion 14 and/or the outer accommodating portions 15a, 15b. In this embodiment, the guide portion 17 is formed over the entire length of the central accommodating portion 14 in the extension direction. That is, in this embodiment, the guide portion 17 is formed by the central accommodating portion 14, and guides at least the connection portion 7 of the accommodated wire 5A accommodated in the central accommodating portion 14 in a direction inclined with respect to the depth direction Y. The above-mentioned inflection portions 16 are formed at both ends of the guide portion 17 (central accommodating portion 14) in the extension direction.

As shown in Figures 2, 3(a) and 3(b), and 4, the cover body 11 is integrally formed with a base portion 21 (see Figures 2, 3(a) and 3(b)) provided on the other side Z2 in the height direction Z, and side wall portions 22a and 22b extending from the base portion 21 to one side Z1 in the height direction Z.

As shown in Figures 1 and 11(a), when the cover body 11 is placed around the harness body 2, the base 21 of the cover body 11, located on the other side Z2 in the height direction Z, is installed around the harness body 2. As shown in Figures 2, 3(a), and 4, the side walls 22a, 22b are formed as vertical walls on each side of the storage section 13 in the width direction X of the cover body 11. The pair of side walls 22a, 22b and the base 21 form the storage section 13 of the cover body 11, which opens toward one side Z1 in the height direction Z.

As shown in Figures 2, 3(a) and 3(b), and 5, the opening (12c) in the storage section 13 that opens toward one side Z1 in the height direction Z opens toward the radially outer side of the harness main body 2 when the cover main body 11 is arranged on the outer periphery of the harness main body 2. Therefore, this opening (12c) is hereinafter referred to as the radially outer opening 12c.

In other words, by having a radially outer opening 12c, the accommodating section 13 is formed concavely from one side Z1 in the height direction Z of the cover body 11 toward the other side along its entire length in the depth direction Y. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the accommodating section 13 is formed from one side Z1 in the height direction Z to the other side Z2 up to the base portion 21 so as to have a depth that allows it to accommodate at least the connection portion 7 of the accommodated wire 5A along its entire length in the depth direction Y.

As such, the accommodating section 13 has a radially outer opening 12c formed along its entire length in the depth direction Y. Therefore, when the accommodating section 13 is not closed by the lid 12 (described below), the connecting wire 5, including the connection portion 7, can be inserted into the accommodating section 13 through the radially outer opening 12c, as shown in FIG. 5 (see the outline arrow in FIG. 5). This allows the accommodating section 13 to easily accommodate the connecting wire 5 (i.e., the accommodated wire 5A) simply by inserting the connecting wire 5 into the accommodating section 13.

In other words, as described above, at least the central storage section 14 of the storage section 13 is formed with a route that detours in the width direction X relative to the depth direction Y. However, there is no need to store the connecting wire 5 in the storage section 13 with such a detoured route by inserting it into the opening 13a on one side Y1 in the depth direction Y or the opening 13b on the other side.

Furthermore, by closing the radially outer opening 12c of the housing portion 13 with the lid 12 (described below), the cross section of the housing portion 13 perpendicular to the extension direction of the housing portion 13 can be made to be a closed cross section. Therefore, the insulation of the connection portion 7 inserted into the housing portion 13 from the radially outer opening 12c can be ensured without the need for processing such as wrapping it with insulating tape.

As shown in Figures 2, 3(a), and 4, of the pair of side walls 22a, 22b, the side wall 22a on one side X1 in the width direction X relative to the storage section 13 is formed so that one side Y1 in the depth direction Y is wider than the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y (so that the end on the other side X2 in the width direction X is located on the other side X2 in the width direction X).

In other words, the side wall portion 22a on one side X1 is formed so that the inner surface of the outer storage portion 15a facing one side Y1 in the depth direction Y protrudes further toward one side X1 in the width direction X than the inner surface facing the outer storage portion 15b on the other side Y2.

As a result, the side wall portion 22a on one side X1 has a wide portion 23a (hereinafter also referred to as the "wide portion 23a on one side") that is wider on one side Y1 in the depth direction Y than on the other side Y2. The wide portion 23a on one side is formed over the entire length of the cover body 11 in the height direction Z. The wide portion 23a on one side has multiple (two in this example) recessed portions 23c that are recessed from the surface of the wide portion 23a on one side Z1 in the height direction Z toward the other side Z2. The multiple recessed portions 23c are arranged adjacent to each other in the depth direction Y, and partitions 23d extending in the width direction X are formed between these adjacent recessed portions 23c.

Of the pair of side walls 22a, 22b, the side wall 22b on the other side X2 in the width direction X with respect to the storage section 13 is formed in a shape that is symmetrical (point symmetrical) with the side wall 22a on one side X1 with respect to each center position in the width direction X and depth direction Y of the cover body 11. Therefore, the side wall 22b on the other side X2 also has a wide portion 23b (hereinafter also referred to as the "wide portion 23b on the other side") formed therein, similar to the side wall 22a on one side X1. That is, the wide portion 23b on the other side also has multiple (two in this example) lightening holes 23c and one partition wall 23d formed therein, similar to the wide portion 23a on one side.

In this way, the pair of side walls 22a, 22b each have a wide portion 23a, 23b formed thereon, so the storage section 13 formed between the pair of side walls 22a, 22b along the depth direction Y can be shaped to curve in the width direction X as described above.

Furthermore, as described above, the pair of side walls 22a, 22b have the hollowed-out portions 23c formed in the wide portions 23a, 23b, respectively, which allows the cover body 11 to be made lighter and unnecessary material to be omitted. Moreover, the pair of side walls 22a, 22b each have the partition walls 23d formed therein, so the strength of the cover body 11 can be maintained even when the hollowed-out portions 23c are formed in the wide portions 23a, 23b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 12 is connected to the corners of the cover body 11, which correspond to each end on one side Z1 in the height direction Z and the other side X2 in the width direction X, via thin hinges 24. This allows the lid 12 to rotate relative to the cover body 11 around the hinges 24 extending along the depth direction Y, and allows the storage section 13 (diametrically outer opening 12c) of the cover body 11 to be closed from one side Z1 in the height direction Z.

In this embodiment, the lid 12 is formed in a flat plate shape large enough to close the entire surface of one side Z1 in the height direction Z, including the cutout portion 23c of the cover body 11 (the portion corresponding to the pair of side walls 22a, 22b and the storage section 13), from one side Z1 in the height direction Z (see Figures 1 and 2), and is entirely formed in a transparent color.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover body 11 and the lid 12 are provided with lid locking structures 25, 26, respectively, that allow the lid 12 to be engaged with and disengaged from the cover body 11.
As shown in Figures 2, 3(a), and 4, the lid locking structure 25 on the cover body 11 side is formed by a fitting recess 25a that engages with the lid locking structure 26 on the lid 12 side when the storage section 13 is closed by the lid 12 (also simply referred to as "closing the lid 12").

The fitting recess 25a is recessed from one side Z1 in the height direction Z of the cover body 11 to the other side Z2 so that the lid locking structure 26 on the lid 12 fits into it when the lid 12 is closed. Inside the fitting recess 25a, on the surface on one side X1 in the width direction X, a locking protrusion 25b on the cover body 11 side is formed, protruding toward the other side X2 in the width direction X.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, the lid locking structure 26 on the lid 12 side is formed by an engagement projection 26a that engages with the lid locking structure 25 on the cover body 11 side when the lid 12 is closed. The engagement projection 26a protrudes toward the inside of the engagement recess 25a at a location on the lid 12 opposite the engagement recess 25a in the height direction Z so that it is engaged in the engagement recess 25a when the lid 12 is closed. A locking projection 26b on the lid 12 side is formed at the tip of the engagement projection 26a in the protruding direction.

When the lid 12 is closed, the fitted projection 26a on the lid 12 fits into the fitting recess 25a on the cover body 11 (see Figure 1), and the locking projection 26b on the lid 12 and the locking projection 25b on the cover body 11 are releasably locked to each other.

The lid locking structures 25, 26 maintain the lid 12 in a closed state when the locking projection 26b on the lid 12 is locked with the locking projection 25b on the cover body 11, and allow the lid 12 to be opened when the locked state is released.

As shown in Figures 3(a), (b) and 4, a pin 27 is provided on one side X1 of the cover body 11 in the width direction X for engaging the cover body 11 with another cover body 11 arranged adjacent to the cover body 11 on the one side X1 of the width direction X.

The pin 27 is positioned parallel to the depth direction Y at a position further away from the outer surface of one side X1 in the width direction X of the cover body 11.

The base end of the pin 27 in the protruding direction is integrally joined via pin support portions 27a to the corner portions on each end side of the height direction Z and depth direction Y on the outer surface of one side X1 in the width direction X of the cover body 11. In other words, the pin 27 is formed to protrude linearly from one side Y1 in the depth direction Y to the other side Y2.

On the other hand, as shown in Figures 2, 3(b), and 4, the other side X2 of the cover body 11 in the width direction X is provided with a pin engagement portion 28 for engaging with another cover body 11 arranged adjacent to the cover body 11 on the other side X2 of the width direction X.

The pin engagement portion 28 extends from the other side Z2 in the height direction Z on the surface of the other side X2 in the width direction X of the cover body 11 to the other side X2 in the width direction X, and is formed along the depth direction Y. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the pin engagement portion 28 has a pin engagement hole 28a formed from the end of one side Y1 in the depth direction Y to the other side Y2.

The pin engagement hole 28a is formed deeper in the depth direction Y than the length of the pin 27 so that the pin 27 can be inserted into the pin engagement portion 28, and the periphery of the pin engagement hole 28a is formed with an inner diameter that allows the inserted pin 27 to engage.

As described above, in this embodiment, multiple joint covers 10 (three in this example) are arranged circumferentially around the outer surface of the harness main body 2 at the branch point D of the wire harness 1 (see Figure 1).

11(a), it is preferable that the wire harness 1 is wound with tape T from the outer periphery of the three joint covers 10 arranged on the outer periphery of the harness main body 2 at the branching point D. This allows the three joint covers 10 to be integrated with the harness main body 2 so as not to come off.
11A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 when the branch point D of the wire harness 1 is wrapped with tape T. FIG.
Furthermore, as a means for integrating the three joint covers 10 with the harness main body 2 so that they do not come off, it is not limited to wrapping them with tape T as described above, but the three joint covers 10 may also be fixed to the harness main body 2 with other exterior members such as bands.

Next, a procedure for arranging the three joint covers 10 along the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the harness main body 2 at the branch point D of the wire harness 1 will be described.
First, a first joint cover 10 (also referred to as a "first joint cover 10S") is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the harness main body 2, and a second joint cover 10 (also referred to as a "second joint cover 10T") is disposed adjacent to the first joint cover 10S on one side in the circumferential direction of the harness main body 2 (one side X1 in the width direction X).

In this case, as shown in Figure 11(a), the pins 27 provided on the first joint cover 10S at a location adjacent to the second joint cover 10T can be inserted into the pin engagement holes 28a provided on the second joint cover 10T at a location adjacent to the first joint cover 10S, allowing the first and second joint covers 10S to be positioned adjacent to each other in a mutually engaged state (hereinafter also abbreviated as "pin engagement").

Furthermore, another joint cover 10 (also referred to as the "third joint cover 10U") is arranged adjacent to the second joint cover 10T arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the harness main body 2 on one circumferential side of the harness main body 2 (one side X1 in the width direction X).

In this case, as shown in Figure 11(a), the pins 27 and pin engagement holes 28a located at adjacent portions of the second joint cover 10T and the third joint cover 10U can be positioned adjacent to each other in a pin-engaged state.

In this way, by arranging three joint covers 10 one on each side of the harness main body 2 in the circumferential direction (counterclockwise in Figure 11(a)), and pin-engaging adjacent joint covers 10 together, they can be arranged so that they do not separate from each other, as shown in Figure 1.

Furthermore, at the predetermined branch point D of the wire harness 1, as described above, by wrapping tape T around the outer periphery of the three joint covers 10 arranged on the outer periphery of the harness main body 2, the three joint covers 10 can be fixed to the harness main body 2 as shown in Figure 11(a).

When arranging multiple (three in this example) joint covers 10 along the circumferential direction of the outer surface of the harness main body 2, the three joint covers 10 are not limited to being arranged one by one on one circumferential side of the harness main body 2 (counterclockwise in Figure 11(a)), as described above, but may also be arranged one by one on the other circumferential side (clockwise in Figure 11(a)).

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3(a) and 3(b), and 4, the joint cover 10 of this embodiment described above includes a cover body 11 made of an insulator that houses at least the connection portion 7 of a connecting electric wire 5 (see Figure 5) that connects a trunk line 3 and a branch line 4 at the connection portion 7. As shown in Figure 5, the portion of the connecting electric wire 5 that is housed in the cover body 11 is the housed electric wire 5A, and the portion that extends from the cover body 11 is the extended electric wire 5B. The cover body 11 is provided with a guide portion 17 that guides the orientation of at least a portion of the housed electric wire 5A in a direction that intersects with the depth direction Y (see Figures 2 and 4).

With the above configuration, the guide portion 17 can guide at least a portion of the housed wire 5A so that it intersects with the depth direction Y.

For example, as shown in Figure 6(a), when a tensile force acts on one side Y1 in the depth direction Y on the connection portion 7 of the connecting electric wire 5 (see the white arrow in Figure 6(a)), the connection portion 7 housed in the central housing portion 14 slides along the central housing portion 14 to one side Y1 in the depth direction Y, and is caught on the inflection portion 16 provided at the end of the guide portion 17 on one side Y1 in the depth direction Y, thereby preventing further sliding to one side Y1 in the depth direction Y.

Similarly, as shown in Figure 6(b), when a tensile force acts on the connection portion 7 of the connecting electric wire 5 toward the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y (see the white arrow in Figure 6(b)), the connection portion 7 housed in the central housing portion 14 slides toward the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y along the central housing portion 14 and catches on the inflection portion 16 provided at the end of the guide portion 17 on the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y, thereby preventing further sliding toward one side Y1 in the depth direction Y.

In this way, when a tensile force acts on the connection portion 7 of the connecting electric wire 5 in the axial direction of the connection portion 7, even if the connection portion 7 attempts to shift position relative to its designated placement location (cover body 11), the guide portion 17 becomes caught, and the guide portion 17 acts as a resistance to positional shifting in the depth direction Y.

The guide portion 17 therefore prevents the connection portion 7 from slipping out of the cover body 11, keeping the connection portion 7 housed within the cover body 11, which is made of an insulating material.

In other words, while insulating tape has traditionally been wrapped around the connection 7 to prevent the conductors 3a and 4a from being exposed, the joint cover 10 of this embodiment can be housed to cover the connection 7 from the outside, just like insulating tape. Furthermore, unlike insulating tape, the joint cover 10 of this embodiment does not allow the cover body 11 to become misaligned with the connection 7, allowing the electrical reliability of the connection 7 to be maintained.

Furthermore, in the past, it was necessary to intentionally position each connection 7 at a different location relative to other connection 7, taking into account the possibility that, for example, insulating tape might become misaligned relative to the connection 7. In contrast, in this embodiment, the cover body 11 does not become misaligned relative to the connection 7. Therefore, there is no need to intentionally position each connection 7 at a different location relative to other connection 7. Therefore, the joint cover 10 of this embodiment allows the branch wire 4 to be set to an appropriate length, and maintains the electrical reliability of the connection 7 even when multiple connection 7 are positioned close to each other.

However, the connection portion (7) of the present invention may be accommodated in the accommodation portion (13) with insulating tape wrapped around it to prevent the conductors 3a and 4a from being exposed. In this case, the insulation of the connection portion (7) can be ensured just as if the accommodation portion (13) were closed with the lid (12), even without closing the lid (12). Furthermore, in the present invention, even when insulating tape is wrapped around the connection portion (7), the guide portion 17 provided on the cover body 11 can prevent the insulating tape from separating from the connection portion (7) and slipping out of the cover body (11).

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2, 3(a), and 4, the central storage section 14 is inclined with respect to the depth direction Y, and the guide section 17 is formed by the central storage section 14.

With the above configuration, the guide portion 17 formed in the central storage portion 14 restricts movement of the connection portion 7 in the depth direction Y, preventing it from slipping out of the cover body 11.

Furthermore, by forming the guide portion 17 along the entire length of the inclined central storage section 14, the length of the cover body 11 in the depth direction Y can be made compact while ensuring at least the length necessary to guide the connection portion 7.

The joint covers 10A, 10B, and 10C according to first to third modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described below.
However, the same components as those of the joint cover 10 of this embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

(Variation 1)
FIG. 7 is a view showing a joint cover 10A of the first modified example, corresponding to FIG.
As shown in Figure 7, in the joint cover 10A of the first modified example, the central storage portion 14A is inclined with respect to the depth direction Y, and portions of the outer storage portions 15Aa and 15Ab on both sides are inclined in a direction that intersects with the central storage portion 14A.

Specifically, the central storage portion 14A of Variation 1, like the central storage portion 14 of the above-described embodiment, is formed in a linear shape that is inclined with respect to the depth direction Y over the entire length of the central storage portion 14A in the extension direction, and is formed at approximately the same inclination angle as the central storage portion 14 of the above-described embodiment.

In Modification 1, the outer storage portions 15Aa, 15Ab on both sides of the storage unit 13 in the depth direction Y have a portion 15Ac (referred to as the "outer inclined portion 15Ac") on the side of the central storage portion 14A in the depth direction Y that is formed in a linear shape inclined in a direction that intersects with the central storage portion 14A relative to the depth direction Y, as described above. The inclination angle of the outer storage portions 15Aa, 15Ab on both sides is formed at an inclination angle equal to the inclination angle of the central storage portion 14A.

In the outer storage portions 15Aa, 15Ab on both sides of the modified example 1, the portions 15Ad (referred to as the "outer horizontal portion 15Ad") outside the outer inclined portion 15Ac in the depth direction Y are formed in a straight line parallel to the depth direction Y, including the openings 13a, 13b on both sides in the depth direction Y of the corresponding storage portion 13.
Furthermore, the outer horizontal portions 15Ad on both sides are provided coaxially with each other along the depth direction Y (in this example, on the same straight line).

In addition, the outer inclined portion 15Ac on one side Y1 in the depth direction Y of the storage unit 13 is formed so as to connect adjacent ends between the outer horizontal portion 15Ad on that side Y1 and the central storage portion 14A. Similarly, the outer inclined portion 15Ac on the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y of the storage unit 13 is formed so as to connect adjacent ends between the outer horizontal portion 15Ad on that other side Y2 and the central storage portion 14A.

The outer storage portions 15Aa, 15Ab on both sides described above are formed so that the outer inclined portion 15Ac is inclined relative to the outer horizontal portion 15Ad. As a result, the outer storage portions 15Aa, 15Ab on both sides have an inflection portion 16Aa (hereinafter referred to as the "outer inflection portion 16Aa") formed at the boundary between the outer inclined portion 15Ac and the outer horizontal portion 15Ad.

Furthermore, the boundary between the central storage portion 14A and the outer inclined portion 15Ac adjacent to the central storage portion 14A on one side Y1 in the depth direction Y is formed in a protruding shape that protrudes toward one side X1 in the width direction X, and the boundary between the central storage portion 14A and the outer inclined portion 15Ac adjacent to the central storage portion 14A on the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y is formed in a protruding shape that protrudes toward the other side X2 in the width direction X.

As a result, an inflection portion 16Ab (hereinafter referred to as a "central inflection portion 16Ab") is formed at these boundaries. The central inflection portion 16Ab is formed to have a more protruding (acute angled) shape than the outer inflection portions 16Aa.
That is, in the cover body 11 of the first modified example, one outer inflection portion 16Aa and one central inflection portion 16Ab are formed in each of the outer storage portions 15Aa, 15Ab on both sides.

Here, the cover body 11 of variant 1 has guide portions 17A formed over the entire length of the central storage portion 14A and the outer inclined portions 15Ac on both sides.

As shown in Figure 7, the joint cover 10A of the above-mentioned variant 1 has a central storage portion 14A that is inclined with respect to the depth direction Y, and outer inclined portions 15Ac, which are part of the outer storage portions 15Aa and 15Ab on both sides, that are inclined in a direction that intersects with the central storage portion 14A. Furthermore, in the joint cover 10A of variant 1, the guide portion 17A is formed by the central storage portion 14A and the outer inclined portions 15Ac on both sides. This allows two inflection portions 16Aa, 16Ab, an outer inflection portion 16Aa and a central inflection portion 16Ab, to be provided on each side of the connection portion 7 housed in the central storage portion 14A in the depth direction Y.

Therefore, the cover body 11 of variant 1 can restrict the connection portion 7 on both sides of the central storage section 14A in two stages to prevent it from moving from one side Y1 or the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y to the outside of the cover body 11.

Furthermore, with the above configuration, the central inflection portion 16Ab corresponds to the boundary between the central storage portion 14A and the outer inclined portion 15Ac, which are inclined at opposite gradients, and can therefore be formed to protrude more in the width direction X than the outer inflection portion 16Aa, which has only the outer inclined portion 15Ac inclined from the outer inclined portion 15Ac and the outer horizontal portion 15Ad. Therefore, the joint cover 10A of variant 1 can easily catch the connection portion 7 stored in the central storage portion 14A, particularly at the central inflection portion 16Ab, to prevent it from moving from one side Y1 or the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y to the outside of the cover body 11.

As a result, the joint cover 10A of variant 1 makes it difficult for the connection portion 7 to come off the cover body 11.

(Variation 2)
FIG. 8 is a view showing a joint cover 10B of the second modified example, which corresponds to FIG.
As shown in Figure 8, in the joint cover 10B of the second modified example, the central storage portion 14B is arranged approximately parallel to the depth direction Y, and portions of the outer storage portions 15Ba and 15Bb on both sides are arranged at an angle so as to intersect with the depth direction Y.

Specifically, the outer storage sections 15Ba and 15Bb on both sides have portions 15Bc (referred to as "outer inclined portions 15Bc") on the side of the central storage section 14B in the depth direction Y that are formed in linear shapes that are inclined in directions that intersect with each other.

In variant 2, the outer storage sections 15Ba and 15Bb on both sides have outer portions 15Bd (referred to as "outer horizontal portions 15Bd") in the depth direction Y that are formed in a straight line parallel to the depth direction Y, including the openings 13a and 13b of the corresponding storage sections 13. These outer horizontal portions 15Bd on both sides are arranged coaxially (in this example, on the same straight line) along the depth direction Y.

In variant 2, the central storage section 14B is arranged in the depth direction Y, i.e., approximately parallel to the outer horizontal sections 15Bd on both sides, but the entire extension direction of the central storage section 14B is formed at a position offset to the other side X2 in the width direction X relative to the outer horizontal sections 15Bd on both sides.

Furthermore, the outer inclined portion 15Bc on one side Y1 in the depth direction Y of the storage section 13 is formed so as to connect adjacent ends between the outer horizontal portion 15Bd on that side Y1 and the central storage section 14B. In other words, the outer inclined portion 15Bc on one side Y1 in the depth direction Y is formed in an inclined shape that is positioned toward the other side X2 in the width direction X as it approaches the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y.

Similarly, the outer inclined portion 15Bc on the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y of the storage section 13 is formed to connect adjacent ends between the outer horizontal portion 15Bd on the other side Y2 and the central storage section 14B. In other words, the outer inclined portion 15Bc on the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y is formed in an inclined shape that extends toward the other side X2 in the width direction X as far as one side Y1 in the depth direction Y.

The outer storage portions 15Ba and 15Bb on both sides are formed so that the outer inclined portions 15Bc are inclined relative to the outer horizontal portions 15Bd. As a result, the outer storage portions 15Ba and 15Bb on both sides have inflection portions 16Ba (hereinafter referred to as "outer inflection portions 16Ba") formed at the boundary between the outer inclined portions 15Bc and the outer horizontal portions 15Bd.

Furthermore, the storage section 13 has an inflection section 16Bb (hereinafter referred to as the "central inflection section 16Bb") formed at the boundary between the outer inclined section 15Bc and the central storage section 14B on both sides in the depth direction Y.

In other words, the cover body 11 of variant 2 has one outer inflection portion 16Ba and one central inflection portion 16Bb formed in each of the outer storage portions 15Ba, 15Bb on both sides.

Here, the cover body 11 of variant 2 has guide portions 17B formed by outer inclined portions 15Bc on both sides.

As shown in Figure 8, the joint cover 10B of the above-mentioned modified example 2 has a central storage portion 14B that is arranged approximately parallel to the depth direction Y, and outer inclined portions 15Bc, which are part of the outer storage portions 15Ba and 15Bb on both sides, that are arranged at an angle relative to the depth direction Y. Furthermore, because the guide portion 17B of the joint cover 10B of modified example 2 is formed by the outer inclined portions 15Bc on both sides, two inflection portions 16Ba and 16Bb, an outer inflection portion 16Ba and a central inflection portion 16Bb, can be provided on each side in the depth direction Y of the connection portion 7 housed in the central storage portion 14B.

As with the joint cover 10A of variant 1, the joint cover 10B of variant 2 can restrict the connection part 7 housed in the central housing portion 14B in two stages from moving from one side Y1 or the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y to the outside of the cover body 11, thereby making it difficult for the connection part 7 to come loose from the cover body 11.

Furthermore, in the joint cover 10B of variant 2, the central storage portion 14B is formed parallel to the outer horizontal portions 15Bd on both sides in the depth direction Y, but is formed at a position offset in the width direction X. As a result, the joint cover 10B of variant 2 can be configured so that inclined guide portions 17B are reliably formed between the central storage portion 14B and the outer horizontal portions 15Bd on both sides in the depth direction Y, and the extended electric wires 5B can be routed so that they extend coaxially from both sides of the cover body 11.

(Variation 3)
FIG. 9 is a view showing a joint cover 10C of the third modified example, which corresponds to FIG.
As shown in Figure 9, in the joint cover 10C of variant example 3, the central storage portion 14C is arranged approximately parallel to the depth direction Y, and parts of the outer storage portions 15Ca and 15Cb on both sides are arranged to protrude in the width direction X so as to intersect with the depth direction Y.

Specifically, in variant 3, the outer storage sections 15Ca and 15Cb on both sides have a portion 15Cd (referred to as the "outer protrusion 15Cd") on the side of the central storage section 14C in the depth direction Y that is formed in a protruding shape in the width direction X, but is formed to protrude in a direction that intersects one side Y1 and the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y (opposite directions).

In variant 3, the outer storage sections 15Ca and 15Cb on both sides have outer portions 15Ce (referred to as "outer horizontal portions 15Ce") that are located further outward than the outer protrusions 15Cd in the depth direction Y, and are formed in a straight line parallel to the depth direction Y, including the openings 13a and 13b of the corresponding storage sections 13.

The central storage portion 14C of Variant 3 is also arranged approximately parallel to the depth direction Y, and the central storage portion 14C and the outer horizontal portions 15Ce on both sides described above are arranged coaxially (in this example, on the same straight line) along the depth direction Y.

Furthermore, the outer protrusion 15Cd on one side Y1 in the depth direction Y of the storage unit 13 is formed so as to connect adjacent ends between the outer horizontal portion 15Ce on that side Y1 and the central storage portion 14C. Furthermore, the outer protrusion 15Cd on one side Y1 in the depth direction Y is formed in a convex shape that protrudes in an arc toward one side X1 in the width direction X relative to the outer horizontal portion 15Ce and the central storage portion 14C.

Similarly, the outer protrusion 15Cd on the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y of the storage unit 13 is formed to connect adjacent ends between the outer horizontal portion 15Ce on that other side Y2 and the central storage portion 14C. Furthermore, the outer protrusion 15Cd on the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y is formed in a convex shape that protrudes in an arc toward the other side X2 in the width direction X relative to the outer horizontal portion 15Ce and the central storage portion 14C.

The above-mentioned storage section 13 has an inflection section 16Ca (hereinafter referred to as the "first outer inflection section 16Ca") formed at the boundary between the outer protrusion 15Cd and the outer horizontal section 15Ce on both sides in the depth direction Y, an inflection section 16Cb (hereinafter referred to as the "second outer inflection section 16Cb") formed at the location corresponding to the top of the outer protrusion 15Cd, and an inflection section 16Cc (hereinafter referred to as the "central inflection section 16Cc") formed at the boundary between the outer protrusion 15Cd and the central storage section 14C.

In the cover body 11 of Variation 3, the guide portion 17C is formed by the outer protrusions 15Cd of the outer storage portions 13 on both sides, so three inflection portions 16A, namely, a first outer inflection portion 16Ca, a second outer inflection portion 16Cb, and a central inflection portion 16Cc, can be provided on each side in the depth direction Y of the connection portion 7 stored in the central storage portion 14C.

Therefore, the joint cover 10C of variant 3 can restrict the connection part 7 housed in the central housing portion 14C in three stages so that it does not move from one side Y1 or the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y to the outside of the cover body 11, thereby making it difficult for the connection part 7 to come loose from the cover body 11.

Furthermore, in the joint cover 10C of variant 3, the outer horizontal portions 15Ce on both sides are formed coaxially with each other, so the extended electric wires 5B can be routed so that they extend coaxially from both sides of the cover body 11.

In addition, the joint cover 10C of variant 3 does not necessarily have to have the outer protrusions 15Cd on both sides protruding in opposite directions in the width direction X on one side Y1 and the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y as described above, but may also have the outer protrusions 15Cd on one side Y1 and the other side Y2 in the depth direction Y protruding in the same direction in the width direction X.

This invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described example, but can be implemented in a variety of different embodiments.

For example, the number and arrangement of the joint covers 10, 10A, 10B, and 10C provided on the wire harness 1 may be changed as appropriate depending on the number of branch portions Da, the thickness of the harness main body 2, etc.

Specifically, in Figures 1 and 11(a), three joint covers 10 are arranged circumferentially around the harness main body 2 at the branching point D of the wire harness 1, corresponding to the number of branching sections Da.

However, for example, if the number of branch portions Da at branch point D is four, the wire harness 1 may have a total of four joint covers 10 arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the harness main body 2, by adding another joint cover 10 to the gap between three adjacent joint covers 10 in the circumferential direction of the harness main body 2 (i.e., the gap between the first joint cover 10S and the third joint cover 10U), as shown at branch point D in Figure 11(b).

In this way, by arranging the fourth joint cover 10 (also referred to as the "fourth joint cover 10V") on the outer peripheral surface of the harness main body 2, multiple joint covers 10 can be arranged around the entire circumference of the harness main body 2, i.e., in a ring shape, as shown in Figure 11(b).

When the fourth joint cover 10V is pin-engaged with the adjacent first joint cover 10S on one side of the harness main body 2 in the circumferential direction and the adjacent third joint cover 10U on the other side, the direction in which the fourth joint cover 10V is moved in the depth direction Y is opposite on the first joint cover 10S side and the third joint cover 10U side, i.e., the pin engagement directions are opposite in the depth direction Y.

In other words, it is impossible for the fourth joint cover 10V to be pin-engaged with both the first joint cover 10S adjacent to it on one side of the harness main body 2 in the circumferential direction and the third joint cover 10U adjacent to it on the other side. For this reason, in this embodiment, the fourth joint cover 10V is configured to be pin-engaged only with the third joint cover 10U adjacent to it on the other side of the circumferential direction, as shown in Figure 11(b).

Needless to say, the fourth joint cover 10V is not limited to being pin-engaged only with the third joint cover 10U as in this embodiment, but may also be pin-engaged only with the first joint cover 10S adjacent to it on one circumferential side.

As described above, even when multiple joint covers 10 are arranged in a ring shape on the outer periphery of the harness main body 2, the four joint covers 10 can be secured to the harness main body 2 by wrapping tape T around them from the outer periphery, as shown in Figure 11(b), thereby integrating the four joint covers 10 and preventing them from coming off.

Furthermore, Figures 10 and 12(a) are external views showing three joint covers 10 arranged circumferentially around the harness main body 2' at the branching point D of the wire harness 1, corresponding to the number of branching portions Da, similar to Figure 1.

The harness main body 2' shown in Figures 10 and 12(a) has a smaller diameter than the harness main body 2 shown in Figure 1 because it has fewer converging main wires 3. Therefore, in the harness main body 2' shown in Figures 10 and 12(a), the three joint covers 10 can be evenly distributed around the entire circumference with no gaps between them.

However, as in this embodiment, of the three joint covers 10 arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the harness main body 2', the third joint cover 10U, which is the third, has pin engagement directions opposite to those of the joint covers 10 (10S, 10T) arranged adjacently on each side of the harness main body 2' in the depth direction Y, as described above.

For this reason, as shown in Figure 12(a), in this embodiment, the third joint cover 10U, which is the third joint cover, is pin-engaged only with the second joint cover 10T, which is located on the other side in the circumferential direction.

In this embodiment, the third joint cover 10U is not limited to being pin-engaged only with the second joint cover 10T, and may be pin-engaged only with the first joint cover 10S.

12(b), in the embodiment, it is preferable that the wire harness 1 is wound with tape T from the outer periphery of the three joint covers 10 arranged on the outer periphery of the harness main body 2' at the branching point D. This allows the three joint covers 10 to be integrated with the harness main body 2' so as not to come off.
12B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 10 when the branch point D of the wire harness 1 is wrapped with tape T. FIG.

In addition, as shown in Figures 1, 10, 11(a)(b), and 12(a)(b), by arranging multiple joint covers 10 on the outer surface of the harness main body 2, 2' with adjacent joint covers 10 pin-engaged, the wiring work can be performed easily.

Specifically, conventionally, the wiring work performed to manufacture wire harnesses is performed using a jig (not shown) that temporarily holds the branch (splice) Da on a manufacturing board (also called an "ASSY board" or "jig board"). However, there have been cases where the branch Da does not fit into the jig and spills out of the jig (so-called "branch spillage").

In contrast, in this embodiment, multiple branch portions Da are fixed to multiple joint covers 10 arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the harness main body 2, 2', and adjacent joint covers 10 can be joined together by pin engagement, facilitating the wiring work.

The number of joint covers 10 arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the harness main body 2, 2' is not limited to three or four, as described above, and can be any number up to the number that allows for circular arrangement around the entire circumferential direction of the harness main body 2, 2'.

Furthermore, the joint terminal used to connect the conductor 3a in the middle portion 3m of the trunk line 3 and the conductor 4a at the tip of the branch line 4 is not limited to the splice terminal 6 described above. For example, a male terminal and a female terminal that can be crimped and connected to each other may also be used.

1... Wire harness 2, 2'... Harness main body (harness main body)
3...Main line (electric wire, main line)
4... Branch wire (electric wire)
5... Connecting wire 5A... Housed wire 5B... Extended wire 7... Connection portion 10, 10A, 10B, 10C... Joint cover 10T... One-side adjacent joint cover (one-side joint cover arranged adjacently on one side in the circumferential direction)
10U...other side adjacent joint cover (other side joint cover arranged adjacently on the other side in the circumferential direction)
11... Cover body 13... Storage section 14, 14A, 14B, 14C... Central storage section 15a, 15b, 15Ba, 15Bb, 15Ca, 15Cb... Outer storage section 17, 17A, 17B, 17C... Guide section 27... Pin (first engagement section)
28a... Pin engagement hole (second engagement portion)
Y: Depth direction (extension direction of the extended electric wire)

Claims (6)

a cover body made of an insulator that accommodates at least the connection portion of a connecting electric wire in which a plurality of electric wires are connected by the connection portion;
a portion of the connecting wire that is accommodated in the cover body is referred to as an accommodated wire, and a portion that extends from the cover body is referred to as an extended wire,
The cover body is
a guide portion is provided to guide the direction of at least a part of the housed electric wire in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the extended electric wire ,
In a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the extended electric wire, of a pair of adjacent cover bodies arranged adjacent to both sides of the cover body, a portion of the cover body on the side adjacent to one of the adjacent cover bodies is
a second engaging portion that engages with a first engaging portion provided on the adjacent cover main body on one side;
The portion of the cover body on the side adjacent to the adjacent cover body on the other side is
The first engaging portion is provided to be engaged with the second engaging portion provided on the adjacent cover body on the other side.
Joint cover. The cover body is provided with a housing portion that houses the housed electric wire,
The housing portion includes a central housing portion that houses at least the connection portion, and outer housing portions provided on each side of the central housing portion,
The joint cover according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is provided in at least a part of the central housing portion or/and the outer housing portion. the central housing portion is provided substantially parallel to the extending direction of the extended electric wire,
At least a portion of the outer accommodating portion is provided in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the extended electric wire,
The guide portion is formed by at least a portion of the outer storage portion.
The joint cover according to claim 2 . Both ends of the accommodating portion are provided coaxially along the extending direction of the extended electric wire.
The joint cover according to claim 3 . The first engagement portion is formed by a pin extending along the extension direction,
The second engagement portion is formed by a pin engagement hole into which the pin is inserted and engaged.
The joint cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . A wire harness comprising a harness main body in which a plurality of trunk wires are bundled in the same direction, and a plurality of joint covers arranged in a circumferential direction of the harness main body,
The above joint cover is
a cover body made of an insulator that accommodates at least the connection portion of a connecting electric wire in which a plurality of electric wires are connected by the connection portion;
a portion of the connecting wire that is accommodated in the cover body is referred to as an accommodated wire, and a portion that extends from the cover body is referred to as an extended wire,
The cover body is
a guide portion is provided to guide the direction of at least a part of the housed electric wire in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the extended electric wire,
Each of the plurality of joint covers arranged on the outer periphery of the harness main body is provided with a second engaging portion at a position adjacent to the joint cover arranged adjacently on one side in the circumferential direction, the second engaging portion being engaged with a first engaging portion provided on the joint cover on one side;
the first engaging portion that is engaged with the second engaging portion that is provided on the joint cover on the other side and that is disposed adjacent to the joint cover on the other side in the circumferential direction,
A wire harness characterized in that the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with each other between the plurality of joint covers and the joint cover arranged adjacent to the one side and/or the other side in the circumferential direction.