WO2021124839A1

WO2021124839A1 - Wire harness

Info

Publication number: WO2021124839A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/044287
Authority: WO
Inventors: 博仁木下
Original assignee: 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所; 住友電装株式会社; 住友電気工業株式会社
Priority date: 2019-12-18
Filing date: 2020-11-27
Publication date: 2021-06-24
Also published as: JP2021097529A

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a wire harness in which the mountability of an exterior member to an electric wire can be improved. A wire harness (10) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has an electric wire (20) and a spring exterior covering (40) that is attached to a part of the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire (20) in the circumferential direction. The spring exterior covering (40) has a U-shaped spring forming a U-shape.

Description

Wire harness

This disclosure relates to a wire harness.

Conventionally, a wire harness used for a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle is provided with an electric wire for electrically connecting a high-voltage battery and an electric device such as an inverter (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this wire harness, the electric wire is covered with a tubular exterior member such as a corrugated tube or a metal pipe for the purpose of protecting the electric wire.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-54030

However, in the above-mentioned wire harness, the work of attaching the tubular exterior member to the electric wire is complicated, so that there is still room for improvement in this respect.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wire harness capable of improving the mountability of an exterior member to an electric wire.

The wire harness of the present disclosure includes an electric wire and a spring exterior attached to a part of the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire in the circumferential direction, and the spring exterior has a U-shaped spring having a U shape.

According to the wire harness of the present disclosure, there is an effect that the wearability of the exterior member to the electric wire can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a wire harness of one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a wire harness of one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the operation of the wire harness of one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the operation of the wire harness of one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a wire harness of a modified example. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a wire harness of a modified example. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a wire harness of a modified example. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a wire harness of a modified example. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a wire harness of a modified example. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a wire harness of a modified example.

[Explanation of Embodiments of the present disclosure]
First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.
[1] The wire harness of the present disclosure includes an electric wire and a spring exterior attached to a part of the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire in the circumferential direction, and the spring exterior is a U-shaped spring having a U shape. Have.

According to this configuration, a spring exterior having a U-shaped spring is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire. This spring exterior can protect the electric wire from foreign matter such as stepping stones. Further, the spring exterior is attached to a part of the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the spring exterior, which is an exterior member, can be easily attached to the electric wire as compared with the case where the tubular exterior member is attached to the electric wire. Thereby, the mountability of the exterior member to the electric wire can be improved.

[2] The spring exterior has a plurality of S-shaped springs each having an S shape formed by the two U-shaped springs, and the spring exterior is along the axial direction in which the central axis of the electric wire extends. It is preferable that the plurality of S-shaped springs are formed in a row.

According to this configuration, a plurality of S-shaped springs are connected along the axial direction of the electric wire to form a spring exterior. Therefore, by adjusting the number of S-shaped springs, the length of the spring exterior extending along the axial direction of the electric wire can be easily adjusted.

[3] The S-shaped spring includes a first wire rod portion, a second wire rod portion provided at a distance from the first wire rod portion in the axial direction of the electric wire, and the second wire rod portion in the axial direction. A third elastically deformed portion that connects the first wire rod portion and the first end portion of the second wire rod portion that are adjacent to each other in the axial direction, and a first elastically deformed portion that is provided at intervals from each other, and the axial direction. The spring exterior has a second elastically deformed portion that connects the second wire rod portion and the second end portion of the third wire rod portion that are adjacent to each other, and the first elastically deformed portion is the outer periphery of the electric wire. It is preferable that the second elastically deformed portion is formed so as to be folded back along the surface and the second elastically deformed portion is formed so as to be folded back along the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire.

According to this configuration, the first elastically deformed portion and the second elastically deformed portion are folded back along the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire, so that the electric wire can be held by the folded portion. As a result, even if the spring exterior is independent, the spring exterior can be fixed to the electric wire.

[4] Further having a protective member provided on the outer periphery of the spring exterior, the protective member is formed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire exposed from the gap of the U-shaped spring. Is preferable.

According to this configuration, the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire exposed from the gap of the U-shaped spring on the outer surface of the spring can be covered with the protective member. Therefore, the protective member and the spring exterior can suitably protect the electric wire from foreign matter such as stepping stones.

[5] It is preferable to further have a fixing member for fixing the spring exterior to the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire. According to this configuration, the fixing member fixes the spring exterior to the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire. As a result, the displacement of the spring member with respect to the electric wire can be suitably suppressed.

[6] The spring exterior is preferably made of a metal material. According to this configuration, the spring exterior, which is a metal material, can function as a heat radiation fin. Therefore, the heat generated by the electric wire can be efficiently dissipated through the spring exterior. Thereby, the heat dissipation of the wire harness can be improved.

[Details of Embodiments of the present disclosure]
Specific examples of the wire harness of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, a part of the structure may be exaggerated or simplified for convenience of explanation. In addition, the dimensional ratio of each part may differ in each drawing. The term "parallel" or "orthogonal" in the present specification includes not only the case of strictly parallel or orthogonal, but also the case of being substantially parallel or orthogonal within the range in which the action and effect in the present embodiment are exhibited. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and is indicated by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

The wire harness 10 shown in FIG. 1 electrically connects two or three or more electric devices (equipment). The wire harness 10 electrically connects an inverter 11 installed at the front of a vehicle V such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle and a high-voltage battery 12 installed behind the vehicle V from the inverter 11. .. The inverter 11 is connected to a wheel drive motor (not shown) that is a power source for traveling the vehicle. The inverter 11 generates AC power from the DC power of the high-voltage battery 12 and supplies the AC power to the motor. The high-voltage battery 12 is a battery capable of supplying a high voltage of, for example, a hundred and several tens of volts to several hundreds of volts.

The wire harness 10 is arranged so as to pass under the floor of the vehicle V, for example. The wire harness 10 is arranged while being bent according to the shape of the space for arranging the wire harness 10, for example. The portion of the wire harness 10 that passes under the floor of the vehicle V is covered with, for example, an under panel 13 that covers the lower part of the vehicle V.

The wire harness 10 has one or a plurality of electric wires 20, a pair of connectors C1 attached to both ends of the electric wires 20, and an exterior member 30 that protects the electric wires 20. One end of the electric wire 20 is connected to the inverter 11 via the connector C1, and the other end of the electric wire 20 is connected to the high voltage battery 12 via the connector C1. The electric wire 20 is, for example, a high-voltage electric wire capable of dealing with a high voltage and a large current. The electric wire 20 may be, for example, a shielded electric wire having an electromagnetic shield structure by itself, or a non-shielded electric wire having no electromagnetic shield by itself.

The exterior member 30 is provided so as to protect the outer circumference of the electric wire 20. The exterior member 30 is provided so as to surround the outer circumference of the electric wire 20, for example. The exterior member 30 protects the electric wire 20 from flying objects and water droplets. As the exterior member 30, for example, a metal or resin pipe, a resin protector, a flexible corrugated tube made of resin or the like, a rubber waterproof cover, or a combination thereof can be used.

(Structure of electric wire 20)
As shown in FIG. 2, the electric wire 20 has a core wire 21 made of a conductor and an insulating coating 22 that covers the outer periphery of the core wire 21. The core wire 21 includes, for example, a stranded wire formed by twisting a plurality of metal strands, a columnar conductor which can be a single columnar metal rod having a solid structure inside, a tubular conductor having a hollow structure inside, and the like. Can be used. Further, as the core wire 21, a stranded wire, a columnar conductor or a tubular conductor may be used in combination. Examples of the columnar conductor include a single core wire and a bass bar. The core wire 21 of this embodiment is a stranded wire. As the material of the core wire 21, for example, a metal material such as copper-based or aluminum-based can be used. The core wire 21 is formed by, for example, extrusion molding.

The cross-sectional shape of the core wire 21 cut by a plane orthogonal to the length direction of the core wire 21 can be any shape. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the core wire 21 can be any shape. The cross-sectional shape of the core wire 21 is formed, for example, into a circular shape, a semicircular shape, a polygonal shape, a square shape, or a flat shape. The cross-sectional shape of the core wire 21 of the present embodiment is formed in a circular shape.

The insulating coating 22 covers, for example, the outer peripheral surface of the core wire 21 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. The insulating coating 22 is made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. As the material of the insulating coating 22, for example, a cross-linked polyethylene-based resin material can be used. The insulating coating 22 can be formed, for example, by extrusion molding (extrusion coating) on the core wire 21.

(Structure of exterior member 30)
The exterior member 30 has a spring exterior 40. The spring exterior 40 has a U-shaped spring having a U-shape. The spring exterior 40 is attached to, for example, the outer circumference of the electric wire 20. The spring exterior 40 is attached to, for example, only a part of the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 in the axial direction in which the central axis of the electric wire 20 extends. The spring exterior 40 is provided collectively for, for example, a plurality of electric wires 20. For example, a plurality of electric wires 20 are arranged side by side, and are collectively provided on the outer periphery of the plurality of electric wires 20. The spring exterior 40 is attached to only a part of the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 in the circumferential direction. Here, the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 has a first portion 20A, the first portion 20A thereof, and a second portion 20B arranged at a position symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the electric wire 20. The spring exterior 40 is provided, for example, so as to cover the first portion 20A of the electric wire 20 while exposing the second portion 20B of the electric wire 20. The spring exterior 40 is provided so as to cover, for example, a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 that requires protection. For example, the spring exterior 40 is provided so as to cover a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 that faces the under panel 13 (see FIG. 1), that is, the ground side, here, the first portion 20A. The spring exterior 40 has, for example, a function of protecting the electric wire 20 from foreign matter such as stepping stones that have entered the inside of the vehicle V through the gap of the under panel 13. The spring exterior 40 is provided so as to come into contact with a part of the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20, for example.

As the material of the spring exterior 40, for example, a material having excellent spring properties can be used. As the material of the spring exterior 40, for example, a metal material such as copper, a copper alloy, or a nickel alloy can be used. As the copper alloy, for example, beryllium copper, zirconium copper, phosphor bronze and the like can be used. As the spring exterior 40, a material having a plating layer formed on the surface of a base material which is a material having excellent spring properties (for example, stainless steel) can also be used. As the material of the plating layer, copper, silver, gold, nickel, titanium and the like can be used.

(Structure of spring exterior 40)
Next, the structure of the spring exterior 40 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the structure of the spring exterior 40 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the linearly extending electric wire 20 will be described.

The spring exterior 40 is formed so as to extend along the axial direction of the electric wire 20, for example. The spring exterior 40 is formed, for example, in a U-shaped shape when viewed in a plan view from the radial direction of the electric wire 20. For example, the spring exterior 40 is formed in a wavy shape in which an S shape is continuous along the axial direction (length direction) of the electric wire 20 in a plan view seen from the radial direction of the electric wire 20. The spring exterior 40 has, for example, an S-shaped spring 41 having an S-shape formed by two U-shaped springs. The spring exterior 40 is formed, for example, by bending one wire rod in a zigzag shape to form a wave shape in which an S shape is continuous. The spring exterior 40 of the present embodiment has a structure in which five S-shaped springs 41 are formed in a row along the axial direction of the electric wire 20.

(Structure of S-shaped spring 41)
Each S-shaped spring 41 is, for example, two elastic deformations connecting three

wire rod portions

42, 43, 44 arranged along the axial direction of the electric wire 20 and

wire rod portions

42, 43, 44 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the electric wire 20. It has

parts

46 and 47. The elastically deformed portions 46 and the elastically deformed portions 47 are arranged alternately in a plan view. That is, the elastically deformed portion 46 and the elastically deformed portion 47 are arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the electric wire 20. The S-shaped spring 41 is, for example, a single component in which a plurality of

wire rod portions

42, 43, 44 and a plurality of elastically

deformed portions

46, 47 are continuously and integrally formed. In the S-shaped spring 41, for example, a plurality of

wire rod portions

42, 43, 44 and a plurality of elastically

deformed portions

46, 47 are all formed on the same plane. In the following description, when the

wire rod portions

42, 43, 44 are generically referred to, they are referred to as "wire rod portion 45".

(Structure of

wire rod parts

42, 43, 44)
Each wire rod portion 45 is formed in a rod shape, for example. Each wire rod portion 45 is formed, for example, in the shape of a long rod. Each wire rod portion 45 is formed in a columnar shape, for example. Each wire rod portion 45 is formed so as to extend in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the electric wire 20, for example. Each wire rod portion 45 is formed so as to extend linearly along an arrangement direction in which a plurality of electric wires 20 are lined up, for example. The

end portions

42A and 42B of the wire rod portion 42 in the length direction are formed so as to project outward from the plurality of electric wires 20 in the arrangement direction of the electric wires 20, respectively. The

end portions

43A and 43B of the wire rod portion 43 in the length direction are formed so as to project outward from the plurality of electric wires 20 in the arrangement direction of the electric wires 20, respectively. The

end portions

44A and 44B of the wire rod portion 44 in the length direction are formed so as to project outward from the plurality of electric wires 20 in the arrangement direction of the electric wires 20, respectively. Each wire rod portion 45 is formed, for example, to have the same length as each other. The plurality of

wire rod portions

42, 43, 44 are provided at intervals along the axial direction of the electric wire 20, for example. The plurality of

wire rod portions

42, 43, 44 are formed so as to extend in parallel with each other, for example. A part of each

wire rod portion

42, 43, 44 in the length direction is provided so as to come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20.

(Structure of elastically deformed portion 46)
The elastically deformed portion 46 is formed so as to connect the

end portions

42A, 43A in the length direction of the

wire rod portions

42, 43 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the electric wire 20. The elastically deformable portion 46 is configured to be elastically deformable. The elastically deformed portion 46 is formed, for example, in a U-shape or a V-shape. The elastically deformed portion 46 is formed so as to be curved in an arc shape, for example.

(Structure of Elastic Deformation Part 47)
The elastically deformed portion 47 is formed so as to connect the

end portions

43B, 44B of the

wire rod portions

43, 44 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the electric wire 20. The elastically deformable portion 47 is configured to be elastically deformable. The elastically deformed portion 47 is formed, for example, in a U-shape or a V-shape. The elastically deformed portion 47 is formed so as to be curved in an arc shape, for example.

In the spring exterior 40, the wire rod portion 44 in the predetermined S-shaped spring 41 becomes the wire rod portion 42 in the S-shaped spring 41 formed so as to be connected to the predetermined S-shaped spring 41. That is, the two S-shaped springs 41 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the electric wire 20 share one wire rod portion 45 located at the center of the two S-shaped springs 41.

In the spring exterior 40, a gap is formed between the

wire rod portions

42, 43, 44 in each S-shaped spring 41. The outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 is exposed in the gap formed between the

wire rod portions

42, 43, 44.

(Structure of fixing member 50)
The spring exterior 40 is fixed to the electric wire 20 by, for example, a fixing member 50. The fixing member 50 is formed so as to fix the end 40A of the electric wire 20 of the spring exterior 40 in the axial direction to the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 led out from the spring exterior 40. As the fixing member 50, for example, a tape member, a binding band, a caulking band, or the like can be used. The fixing member 50 of the present embodiment is a tape member having an adhesive layer on one surface.

The fixing member 50 is wound, for example, over the outer peripheral surface of the end 40A of the spring exterior 40 and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 led out from the spring exterior 40. For example, the fixing member 50 is continuously wound around the range from the outer peripheral surface of the end portion 40A of the spring exterior 40 to the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20. The fixing member 50 has, for example, an overlapping winding structure. Here, the overlapping winding structure is a structure in which the fixing member 50 is spirally wound so that predetermined portions of the fixing member 50 in the width direction overlap each other. As the overlap winding structure, for example, a half wrap winding structure is preferable. Here, the half-wrap winding structure is a structure in which the fixing member 50 is spirally wound so that substantially half of the portions in the width direction of the fixing member 50 overlap each other.

The fixing member 50 is wound around the end 40A of the spring exterior 40, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the fixing member 50 may be wound around the entire spring exterior 40.
The exterior member 30 may have, for example, another exterior member accommodating the plurality of electric wires 20 and the spring exterior 40. As another exterior member in this case, a metal or resin pipe, a corrugated tube, a waterproof cover, or the like can be used.

Next, the operation and effect of the wire harness 10 of the present embodiment will be described.
(1) A spring exterior 40 having a U-shaped spring is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20. The spring exterior 40 can protect the electric wire 20 from foreign matter such as stepping stones. For example, the spring exterior 40 can protect the electric wire 20 from foreign matter such as stepping stones that have entered the inside of the vehicle V through the gap of the under panel 13. The spring exterior 40 is attached to a part of the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the spring exterior 40 can be easily attached to the electric wire 20 as compared with the case where the tubular exterior member is attached to the electric wire 20. For example, after arranging the electric wires 20 along a predetermined arrangement path, the spring exterior 40 can be easily attached to the electric wires 20. Thereby, the mountability of the spring exterior 40 (exterior member 30) to the electric wire 20 can be improved.

(2) The spring exterior 40 is formed in a wavy shape having an S shape by bending one wire rod in a zigzag pattern. Therefore, in the spring exterior 40, a gap is formed between the

wire rod portions

42, 43, 44 in each S-shaped spring 41. Therefore, the weight of the spring exterior 40 can be reduced as compared with the case where the leaf spring is used as the spring exterior 40, for example. As a result, the weight of the wire harness 10 can be reduced.

(3) The spring exterior 40 is composed of an S-shaped spring 41 having U-shaped elastically

deformed portions

46 and 47. The spring exterior 40 can follow the bending of the electric wire 20 by elastically deforming the elastically

deformed portions

46 and 47.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a direction in which a plurality of electric wires 20 intersect both the axial direction of the electric wires 20 and the arrangement direction of the electric wires 20, here, when the electric wires 20 are bent so as to rise upward in the figure, the electric wires 20 The spring exterior 40 is deformed following the bending of the wire. For example, following the bending of the electric wire 20, the elastically

deformed portions

46 and 47 of the spring exterior 40 are elastically deformed, and the spring exterior 40 is deformed so that the distance between the wire rod portions 45 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the electric wire 20 is widened. .. Specifically, in the S-shaped spring 41 attached to the bent portion of the electric wire 20, the distance between the two wire rod portions 45 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the electric wire 20 and connected by the elastically deformed portion 46 is elastically deformed. It becomes wider as it moves away from the part 46. Further, in the S-shaped spring 41 attached to the bent portion of the electric wire 20, the distance between the two wire rod portions 45 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the electric wire 20 and connected by the elastically deformed portion 47 is from the elastically deformed portion 47. It gets wider as you move away. Further, following the bending of the electric wire 20, the elastically

deformed portions

46 and 47 of the spring exterior 40 are elastically deformed, and the spring exterior 40 is deformed so as to rise upward in the drawing. In this way, the elastically

deformed portions

46 and 47 of the spring exterior 40 are deformed following the bending of the electric wire 20, so that the spring exterior 40 follows the bending of the electric wire 20 while maintaining the state of covering the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20. Can be made to.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a plurality of electric wires 20 are bent in the direction in which the electric wires 20 are arranged, the spring exterior 40 is deformed following the bending of the electric wires 20. For example, following the bending of the electric wire 20, the elastically

deformed portions

46 and 47 of the spring exterior 40 are elastically deformed, and the spring exterior 40 is deformed so as to be curved in the alignment direction of the electric wires 20. In this way, the elastically

deformed portions

As described above, in the spring exterior 40, even when a plurality of electric wires 20 are bent in a direction intersecting both the axial direction and the arrangement direction of the electric wires 20, the plurality of electric wires 20 are bent in the arrangement direction of the electric wires 20. Even if this is the case, the bending of the electric wire 20 can be followed. That is, the spring exterior 40 is superior in followability to bending of the electric wire 20 as compared with the leaf spring.

(4) The spring exterior 40 is formed by connecting a plurality of S-shaped springs 41 along the axial direction of the electric wire 20. According to this configuration, by adjusting the number of S-shaped springs 41, the length of the spring exterior 40 extending along the axial direction of the electric wire 20 can be easily adjusted.

(5) The spring exterior 40 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 by the fixing member 50. As a result, the displacement of the spring exterior 40 with respect to the electric wire 20 can be suitably suppressed.
(6) When the spring exterior 40 is made of a metal material, the spring exterior 40 made of a metal material can function as a heat radiation fin. Therefore, the heat generated in the electric wire 20 can be efficiently dissipated through the spring exterior 40. Thereby, the heat dissipation of the wire harness 10 can be improved.

(Other embodiments)
The above embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the exterior member 30 may have a spring exterior 40 and a protective member 60 provided on the outer periphery of the spring exterior 40. The protective member 60 is provided so as to come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the spring exterior 40, for example. The protective member 60 is adhered to, for example, the outer peripheral surface of the spring exterior 40. For example, the protective member 60 is adhered to the outer peripheral surfaces of the elastically

deformed portions

46 and 47 of the outer peripheral surfaces of the spring exterior 40.

The protective member 60 is formed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 exposed from the gap of the U-shaped spring of the spring exterior 40. That is, the protective member 60 is formed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 exposed from the gap formed between the wire rod portions 45 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the electric wire 20. The protective member 60 is formed in a flat plate shape, for example. The protective member 60 may be made of, for example, resin or metal. As the material of the protective member 60, a stretchable material such as rubber or an elastomer can also be used.

According to this configuration, the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 exposed from the gap of the U-shaped spring of the spring exterior 40 can be covered with the protective member 60. Therefore, the protective member 60 and the spring exterior 40 can suitably protect the electric wire 20 from foreign matter such as stepping stones.

-The protective member 60 may be changed to a shape having a curved surface. For example, the protective member 60 may be changed to a shape that curves along the bent portion of the electric wire 20. In this case, the protective member 60 is attached to the bent portion of the electric wire 20 after the bent portion of the electric wire 20 is formed, for example.

-For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the elastically deformed portion 46 of the spring exterior 40 may be bent so as to be folded back along the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 (see the arrow in the figure). Further, the elastically deformed portion 47 of the spring exterior 40 may be bent so as to be folded back along the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 (see the arrow in the figure).

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is preferable that the elastically

deformed portions

46 and 47 are folded back so as to sandwich the electric wire 20 in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20. In the illustrated example, the elastically

deformed portions

46 and 47 are folded back so as to sandwich the electric wire 20 from above and below in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20. Specifically, in the spring exterior 40, a part of the wire rod portion 45 and the elastically

deformed portions

46 and 47 are folded back so as to sandwich the electric wire 20 from above and below in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20.

In this configuration, the elastically

deformed portions

46 and 47 of the spring exterior 40 are folded back along the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20, and the electric wire 20 can be held by the folded portion. In other words, the spring exterior 40 can be fixed to the outer circumference of the electric wire 20 by itself. Thereby, for example, the fixing member 50 shown in FIG. 2 can be omitted.

In the modified examples shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the elastically

deformed portions

46 and 47 folded along the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 do not have to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20.
-In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the electric wire 20 is formed into a circular shape, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the cross-sectional shape of the electric wire 20 may be formed into a rectangular shape. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the core wire 21 is formed in a rectangular shape.
In the modification shown in FIG. 9, similarly to the modification shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, even if the elastically

deformed portions

46 and 47 of the spring exterior 40 are bent so as to be folded back along the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20. Good. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, it is preferable that the elastically

deformed portions

-In the above embodiment, the spring exterior 40 is provided collectively for the plurality of electric wires 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the spring exterior 40 may be provided individually for each of the plurality of electric wires 20. That is, one spring exterior 40 may be provided for one electric wire 20.

-In the above embodiment, the number of electric wires 20 included in the wire harness 10 is not particularly limited, and the number of electric wires 20 can be changed according to the specifications of the vehicle V. For example, as the electric wire included in the wire harness 10, a low-voltage electric wire for connecting the low-voltage battery and various low-voltage devices (for example, a lamp, a car audio, etc.) may be added.

-The arrangement relationship between the inverter 11 and the high-voltage battery 12 in the vehicle V is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be appropriately changed according to the vehicle configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the high-voltage battery 12 may be arranged substantially on the floor of the vehicle V.

-In the above embodiment, the inverter 11 and the high-voltage battery 12 are adopted as the electric devices connected by the wire harness 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be used in a wire harness that connects the inverter 11 and the motor for driving the wheels. That is, it is applicable as long as it electrically connects the electric devices mounted on the vehicle V.

-In the above embodiment, the electric wire 20 is embodied as a high-voltage electric wire, but the electric wire 20 may be embodied as a low-voltage electric wire.

-The spring exterior 40 of the embodiment may be referred to as a zigzag spring, a zigzag wire spring, or a flat strip-shaped spring having a predetermined width. The distance between the wire rod portions 45 of the spring exterior 40 of the embodiment may be referred to as the pitch of the spring exterior 40 or the wire rod pitch. The spring exterior 40 is predetermined in a natural state in which the spring exterior 40 is not subjected to an external force, that is, in a non-extended / non-compressed / non-bent state, or in a state where the spring exterior 40 is not attached to the electric wire 20. Can have a pitch of. The predetermined pitch of the spring exterior 40 in the natural state may be constant over the entire length of the spring exterior 40, or may be constant except for predetermined portions that may be, for example, both ends of the spring exterior 40.

The electric wire 20 can have a first length portion which is a part of the total length of the electric wire 20 and a second length portion different from the first length portion. As shown in FIG. 3, the first length portion of the electric wire 20 may be a linear portion, and the second length portion of the electric wire 20 may be a bent portion. The spring exterior 40 is contacted, fixed, or associated with a first spring region that is in contact with, fixed, or associated with a first length portion of wire 20 and a second length portion of wire 20. It can include a second spring region. The first spring region of the spring exterior 40 corresponding to the linear first length portion of the wire 20 may extend on a virtual plane extending parallel to the linear first length portion of the wire 20. .. The second spring region of the spring exterior 40 corresponding to the bent second length portion of the electric wire 20 extends parallel to the bent second length portion of the electric wire 20 and is defined as the virtual plane. It may spread on different virtual curved surfaces. The spring exterior 40 may have a first pitch in the first spring region, and the spring exterior 40 may have a second pitch in the second spring region that is different from the first pitch.

-As shown in the example of FIG. 4, the first length portion which is the linear portion of the electric wire 20 and the second length portion which is the bent portion of the electric wire 20 are on the first common virtual plane. It may be there. In this case, all or part of the first spring region of the spring exterior 40 corresponding to the first length portion of the wire, and the second spring region of the spring exterior 40 corresponding to the second length portion of the wire. All or part of the wire 20 may extend on a second common virtual plane parallel to the first common virtual plane of the wire 20. The spring exterior 40 may have a first pitch in the first spring region, and the spring exterior 40 may have a second pitch in the second spring region that is different from the first pitch.

The electric wire 20 of the embodiment may be referred to as at least one electric wire, and the at least one electric wire may be a plurality of electric wires running side by side in parallel, and the plurality of electric wires may be a pair or two. It may be a book wire or a bundle of wires.

-The U-shaped spring of the spring exterior 40 of the embodiment may be referred to as a U-shaped portion of the wire rod. The S-shaped spring of the spring exterior 40 of the embodiment may be referred to as an S-shaped portion of the wire rod.

This disclosure includes the following implementation examples. Reference symbols have been added to some of the components of the exemplary embodiments, not for limitation, but as an aid to understanding. Some of the items described in the following implementation examples may be omitted, or some of the items described in the implementation examples may be selected or extracted and combined.

[Appendix 1] A wire harness (10) according to one or more implementation examples of the present disclosure is
At least one electric wire (20) having an axial direction and a circumferential direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and
A zigzag spring (40) that is in contact with, fixed to, or associated with the overall length or a predetermined length portion of the at least one electric wire (20) can be provided.

[Appendix 2] In some implementation examples, the at least one electric wire (20) can include a first length portion and a second length portion.
The zigzag spring (40) can include a first spring region and a second spring region corresponding to the first length portion and the second length portion of the electric wire, respectively.
The zigzag spring (40) can have a first pitch in the first spring region and can have a second pitch in the second spring region that is different from the first pitch.

[Appendix 3] In some mounting examples, the first length portion of the at least one electric wire (20) is a linear portion, and the second length portion is a bent portion.
The second pitch of the zigzag spring (40) may be longer than the first pitch.

・ It should be considered that the embodiment disclosed this time is an example in all respects and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, not the above-mentioned meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

V Vehicle C1 Connector 10 Wire Harness 11 Inverter 12 High Voltage Battery 13 Under Panel 20 Electric Wire

20A 1st Part

20B 2nd Part 21 Core Wire 22 Insulation Coating 30 Exterior Member 40 Spring Exterior 40A End 41 S-shaped Spring 42 Wire (1st Wire) Department)
42A end (first end)
42B end 43 wire (second wire)
43A end (first end)
43B end (second end)
44 Wire rod part (3rd wire rod part)
44A end 44B end (second end)
45 Wire rod part 46 Elastic deformation part (1st elastic deformation part)
47 Elastically deformed part (second elastically deformed part)
50 Fixing member 60 Protective member

Claims

With electric wires
It has a spring exterior attached to a part of the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire in the circumferential direction.
The spring exterior is a wire harness having a U-shaped spring.
The spring exterior has a plurality of S-shaped springs, each formed by the two U-shaped springs and forming an S-shape.
The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the spring exterior is formed by connecting the plurality of S-shaped springs along an axis direction in which the central axis of the electric wire extends.
Each S-shaped spring has a first wire rod portion, a second wire rod portion provided at a distance from the first wire rod portion in the axial direction of the electric wire, and a distance from the second wire rod portion in the axial direction. The third wire rod portion provided apart from the wire, the first elastically deformed portion connecting the first wire rod portion and the first end portion of the second wire rod portion adjacent to each other in the axial direction, and the first elastically deformed portion adjacent to each other in the axial direction. It has a second elastically deformed portion that connects the second wire rod portion and the second end portion of the third wire rod portion to each other.
The spring exterior is formed so that the first elastically deformed portion is folded back along the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire, and the second elastically deformed portion is folded back along the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire. The wire harness formed according to claim 2.
Further having a protective member provided on the outer circumference of the spring exterior,
The wire harness according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protective member is formed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire exposed from the gap of the U-shaped spring.
The wire harness according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a fixing member for fixing the spring exterior to the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire.
The wire harness according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the spring exterior is a metal material.