AU671707B2

AU671707B2 - Packaging medium for wiring harness

Info

Publication number: AU671707B2
Application number: AU57566/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Naofumi Yamatake; Kouji Yonemitsu
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 1993-03-05
Filing date: 1994-03-03
Publication date: 1996-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2014-03-03
Also published as: JP2580110Y2; AU5756694A; JPH0670411U

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S): Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.

ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

INVENTION TITLE: Packaging medium for wiring harness The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:a.

0a, So a a 4 oe a o oa o a *«r o a a o o a at a o I -V la- The present invention relates to a packaging medium for a wiring harness, which may be used, for example. for inserting the wiring harness through an opening in a body of a motor vehicle.

Conventionally, in order to connect an engine compartment of a motor vehicle to a device, etc. outside the engine compartment, such a reed may arise that a wiring harness is inserted through a narrow wiring opening formed in the body of the motor vehicle.

The wiring harness is formed by binding together a plurality of electric wires having connectors, etc. attached to their ends, respectively. Thus, if the electric wires are set loose, it becomes difficult to insert the wiring harness through the wiring opening.

Therefore, in the wiring harness, the electric wires are bound together by taping or banding the electric wires. However, in the event the electric wires need to be separated from each other after the wiring harness has been inserted through the wiring opening, it can be difficult to remove the tape or band from each of the electric wires.

Furthermore, since the connectors, etc. cannot be bound together, it is difficult to insert t the connectors, etc. through the wiring opening.

o o Accordingly, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-14128 (1983), the assignee assigned .o 20 by the present inventors proposed an arrangement in which the electric wires and the connectors, etc. are wrapped up in a rectangular cloth cover acting as a packaging ot medium and the cover is fixed in a tubular shape by using two complementarily engageable tapes, i.e. so-called "magic tapes" provided at a portion of the cover S .corresponding to a side of the wiring harness such that the electric wires and the 25 connectors, etc. are inserted through the wiring opening together with the cover.

*o.06, However, since the above covur is merely fixed in a tubular shape by the tapes, a risk in incurred that during transport of the wiring harness, the cover slips off the wiring harness or is displaced relative to the wiring harness. Furthermore, since opposite end 2 dG.? portions or a distal end portion of the cover are open, dust is likely to enter the cover. p:\wpdocs\nap\speci\ 165489.8ju 0

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,t -2- In accordance with the present invention there is provided a packaging medium for wrapping a wiring harness for insertion of the wiring harness through a narrow wiring opening, the wiring harness being formed by a bundle of a plurality of electric wires having connectors, etc. attached to their ends, respectively, the packaging medium comprising: a sheet which has one surface brought into contact with the wiring harness and includes an elastic foamed portion formed on the one surface; and adhesive mass is applied to opposite side portions of the sheet, arranged whereby to separably bond the opposite side portions of the sheet to each other such that the foamed portion resiliently engages the connectors, etc. and inhibits displacement of the packaging medium away from the wiring harness, and wherein adhesive mass is applied to a distal end portion of the sheet adjacent to the connectors, etc. of the wiring harness so as to close the distal end portion of the sheet.

Preferably, adhesive mass is applied to opposite side portions of the sheet so as to separably bond the opposite side p crtions of the sheet to each other such that the wiring harness is held by the packaging medium.

Preferably, adhesive mass is applied to a distal end portion of the sheet adjacent to the 20 connectors, etc. of the wiring harness so as to separably close the distal end portion of the sheet in a state where the wiring harness is wrapped up in the packaging medium.

°Thus, entry of dust into the packaging medium from the distal end portion of the j o packaging medium is restrained or prevented.

K 25 In one form of the invention, the sheet of the packaging medium if formed by, for example, piling a foamed sheet on one face of a resinous film. Adhesive mass applied S' to the one surface of the sheet brought into contact with the wiring harness may be I applied to a whole of the one surface of the sheet. However, it is preferable that adhesive mass is applied to rectangular peripheral portions of the one surface of the e e t

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-r V r "p -3 In use of embodiments of the invention, when the electric wires and the connectors, etc.

are wrapped up in the above mentioned packaging medium, the foamed portion is brought into contact with the electric wires and the connectors, etc. Subsequently, at least the opposite side portions of the packaging medium and, more preferably, the distal end portion of the packaging medium are bonded to each other by adhesive mass so as to be closed.

Since the foamed portion of the packaging medium has elasticity, the foamed portion is able to engage with edges of the connectors, etc. Therefore, since suchn risks are eliminated that the packaging medium slips off the wiring harness and is displaced relative to the wiring harness, the wiring harness is positively heid by the packaging medium.

Also, since at least the opposite side portions of the packaging medium are preferably closed by adhesive mass, the opposite side portions of the packaging medium can be t easily closed by merely bonding the opposite side portions of the packaging medium to each other. In addition, entry of dust into the packaging medium from the opposite side portions of the packaging medium can be prevented. i S 20 Furthermore, since the distal end portion of the packaging medium adjacent to the connectors, etc. of the wiring harness is closed by adhesive mass, entry of dust into the packaging medium from the distal end portion of the packaging medium can also be prevented positively.

These objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging medium for a wiring harness, according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the packaging medium of Fig. 1; Y<<ft 3 J )p:\wvpdocs\mnap\speci\1653489.8ju -4- Fig. 3 is a perspective development view of the packaging medium of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the wiring harness of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a packaging medium which is a first modification of the packaging medium of Fig. 1; 0 .0 0* 04 .0 8 o 0 00a8 644.0 8 00 00 1~ pAwvpdocs\map~speci\I 653489.8ju 6-- Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective development view of the packaging medium of Fig. 6; Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective development views showing packaging mediums which are second and third modifications of the packaging medium of Fig. 1, respectively; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a packaging medium for a wiring harness, according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 12A and 12B are sectional views taken along the lines XIIA-XIIA and XIIB-XIIB in Fig. 11, respectively; Fig. 13 is a perspective development view of the packaging medium of Fig. 11; Figs. 14 and 15 are perspective development views showing packaging mediums which are first and second modifications of the packaging medium of Fig. 11, respectively; o. Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI in Fig. 13; and Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing production Sprocedures of the packaging medium of Fig. 14.

Before the description of the present invention Sproceeds, it is to be noted that like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout several views of the accompanying drawings.

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:RO 000' tAT a ii -6- Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 5 shows a wiring harness 1 for enclosure in a packaging medium of an embodiment of the present invention so as to be inserted through an opening formed at a narrow portion of a body of a motor vehicle. As shown in Fig. 5, the wiring harness 1 includes wire bundles 3a, 3b and 3c each having a plurality of electric wires and each of connectors 2a, 2b and 2c is attached to one end of each of the wire bundles 3a, 3b and 3c Each of tapes 4a, 4b and 4c is wound around each of the wire bundles 3a, 3b and 3c.

As shown in Fig. 3, a packaging medium 6A for wrapping up the wire bundles 3a to 3c and the connectors 2a to 2c of the wiring harness 1, according to a first embodiment of the present invention is formed into a rectangular shape. As shown in detail in Fig. 4, a foamed sheet 6b having elastic foamed portions 6b-1 is bonded to one whole surface of a film 6a formed by a thin flexible sheet of synthetic resin, cloth or the like so as to be brought into contact with the wiring harness 1.

The foamed sheet 6b is obtained by, for example, two vinyl sheets having spherical air pockets formed in a checked pattern therebetween or a porous spongelike sheet such that the foamed portions 6b-1 are elastically brought into contact with outer peripheries of the wire bundles 3a to 3c and the connectors 2a to 2c. Since a step portion 0 0 C C° 9 94..

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C Gee 94*4 9044 900*44 9 ?7 c$' 0 r~~ p:\wpdocsnap.speciI653489.8ju P OP 01% 14 r iI S7 d e 4A4 SI-7 exists at a boundary between each of the wire bundles 3a to 3c and each of the connectors 2a to 2c, the foamed sheet 6b bites into an edge of each of the connectors 2a to 2c at the boundary between each of the wire bundles 3a to 3c and each of the connectors 2a to 2c so as to be engaged with the edge of each of the connectors 2a to 2c.

As shown in Fig. 3, at opposite side peripheral portions b and c of the foamed sheet 6b of the packaging medium 6A, which interpose opposite side portions of the wiring harness 1 therebetween, adhesive mass 6c is applied to a surface of the foamed sheet 6b. The adhesive mass 6c i is adapted to not only be bonded to each other by adhesive a So. force when brought into contact with each other but be separable from each other when pulled powerfully. In the packaging medium 6A, the foamed sheet 6b and the adhesive i mass 6c are illustrated as being relatively thick for facilitating understanding but a thickness t (Fig. 3) of the Sfoamed sheet 6b and the adhesive mass 6c actually ranges from 0.3 to 5.0 mm approximately.

By the above described arrangement of the packaga ing medium 6A, the wire bundles 3a to 3c and the connectors o2a to 2c of the wiring harness 1 are initially placed oi the surface of the foamed sheet 6b of the packaging medium 6A as shown by the two-dot chain lines in Fig. 3 in a state where the wire bundles 3a to 3c and the connectors 2a to 2c are i bound together. Then, the packaging medium 6A is folded 4 *i -I lr;ci I lifl i.-i

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down the widthwise middle portion such that the wire bundles 3a to 3c and the connectors 2a to 2c are wrapped up in the packaging medium 6A as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Subsequently, when opposed surfaces of the folded packaging medium 6A are depressed against each other by fingers or the like, the adhesive mass 6c of the opposite side peripheral portions b and c is brought into contact with each other. As a result, the opposite side peripheral portions b and c are bonded to each other such that the packaging medium 6A is closed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the thus obtained packaging medium 6A, since the foamed portions 6b-i of the foamed sheet 6b are engaged o .is least likely to be displaced in the packaging medium 6A.

Therefore, such risks are eliminated that during insertion of the wiring harness 1 through a wiring opening, the packaging medium 6A slips off the wiring harness 1 and the 944. wiring harness 1 is displaced in the packaging medium 6A.

Furthermore, since the opposite side portions of the packag- 4'9: ing medium 6A are completely closed by the adhesive mass 6c, 004" dust is less likely to enter the packaging medium 6A.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show a packaging medium 6A' which is a first modification of the packaging medium 6A. As shown in Fig. 8, the adhesive mass 6c of the packaging medium 6A' is applied to three peripheral portions of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b, i.e. not only the opposite -4u 0 side peripheral portions b and c but one end peripheral portion a. Therefore, when the wiring harness 1 is covered by the packaging medium 6A', a distal end portion of the packaging medium 6A' adjacent to the connectors 2a to 2c is also closed by the adhesive mass 6c and thus, entry of dust into the packaging medium 6A' from the distal end portion of the packaging medium 6A' can be restrained or prevented.

Fig. 9 shows a packaging medium 6A" which is a second modification of the packaging medium 6A. In the packaging medium 6A", the adhesive mass 6c is applied to a whole periphery of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b, i.e. ia Do ^not only the opposite side peripheral portions b and c but also opposite end peripheral portions a and d. Therefore, both a distal end portion and a rear end portion of the D. packaging medium 6A" are completely closed in addition to the opposite side portions of the packaging medium 6A" and thus, entry of dust into the packaging medium 6A" can be prevented more positively.

Do Meanwhile, Fig. 10 shows a packaging medium 6A"' D which is a third modification of the packaging medium 6A.

In the packaging medium the adhesive mass 6c is o applied to a whole of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b.

Hence, in the packaging medium the time-consuming step for applying the adhesive mass 6c only to the peripheral portions a to d of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b, which S- I A is required to be performed in the packaging mediums 6A, 6A' and 6A", can be eliminated.

Figs. 11 to 13 and 16 show a packaging medium 6B for the wiring harness 1, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Each of the above mentioned packaging mediums 6A and 6A' to 6A"' is folded down the middle. However, in the packaging medium 6B, not only the adhesive mass 6c is applied to one end peripheral portion a of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b adjacent to the distal end portion of the wiring harness 1 and one side peripheral portion b of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b but the adhesive mass 6c is applied to the other side peripheral i portion c' of a rear surface of the film 6a.

By the above described arrangement of the packaging medium 6B, the wire bundles 3a to 3c and the connectors 2a to 2c are initially placed on the surface of the foamed sheet 5b of the packaging medium 6B in the same manner as i Fig. 3 in a state where the wire bundles 3a to 3c and the connectors 2a to 2c are bound together. Then, the packaging S• medium 6B is widthwise wound around the wiring harness 1 so **i as to wrap up the wire bundles 3a to 3c and the connectors o 2a to 2c as shown in Fig. 11. Thereafter, the adhesive mass 6c of the one side peripheral portion b of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b is piled on the adhesive mass 6c of the other side peripheral portion c' of the rear surface of the I film 6a. Subsequently, when the adhesive mass 6c of the one i/ S A I side peripheral portion b of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b and the adhesive mass 6c of the other side peripheral portion c' of the rear surface of the film 6a are depressed against each other from outside by fingers or the like, the adhesive mass 6c of the side peripheral portions b and c' is brought into contact with each other and thus, the opposite side portions of the packaging medium 6B are bonded to each other so as to be closed as shown in Fig. 12A. Meanwhile, at a distal end portion of the packaging medium 6B adjacent to the connectors 2a to 2c of the wiring harness 1, opposed surfaces of the packaging medium 6B are depressed against each other by fingers or the like, so that the one end peripheral portion a of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b o is brought into contact with each other and thus, the distal end portion of the packaging medium 6B is bonded to each soo other so as to be closed as shown in Fig. 12B.

In addition to the effects of the packaging i *a t mediums 6A and 6A' to the packaging medium 6B achieves such an effect that since the packaging medium 6B can be rolled up into a small diameter, the packaging medium 6B can 4 j Y11 *be inserted through a grommet opening, etc. more easily.

S. Fig. 14 shows a packaging medium 6B' which is a first modification of the packaging medium 6B. In the packaging medium 6B', not only the adhesive mass 6c is applied to three peripheral portions, i.e. one side peripheral portion b and opposite end peripheral portions a and d k 0 i: 3of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b but the adhesive mass 6c is applied to the other side peripheral portion c' of a rear surface of the film 6a. In, the packaging medium 6B', since the rear end portion of the packaging medium 6B' is also completely closed by the adhesive mass 6c, entry of dust into the packaging medium 6B' can be prevented more positively. 4 Fig. 15 shows a packaging medium 6B" which is a second modification of the packaging medium 6B. In the packaging medium 6B", the adhesive mass 6c is applied to a whole of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b and the other ij side peripheral portion c' of the rear surface of the film o 6a. In the packaging medium 6B", the time-consuming step for applying the adhesive mass 6c only to the peripheral portions a, b and d of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b, which is required to be performed in the packaging mediums 6B and 6B', can be eliminated.

Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 17, when the packaging medium 6B' is produced, a foamed sheet 6d, which is smaller °o than the foamed sheet 6b by the peripheral portions a, b and d, may be formed integrally with a side portion cf the foamed sheet 6b. After the adhesive mass 6c has been applied to whole surfaces of the foamed sheets 6b and 6d, the foamed sheet 6d is bent towards the foamed sheet 6b along a boundary line L between the foamed sheets 6b and 6d as shown by the arrow in Fig. 17 so as to be piled on the -13surface of the foamed sheet 6b. As a result, the adhesive mass 6c of the foamed sheets 6d and 6b is brought into contact with each other so as to be bonded to each other.

Thus, since the same structure as that of Fig. 14 in which the adhesive mass 6c is applied to only the peripheral portions a, b and d of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b is obtained, the time-consuming step for applying the adhesive mass 6c only to the peripheral protions a, b and d of the surface of the foamed sheet 6b can be eliminated.

This coating method can also be applied to the packaging medium 6B in Fig. 13.

The packaging mediums 6A and 6B have a construction in which the foamed sheet 6b is piled on the film 6a. However, it is needless to say that this construction may also be replaced by an arrangement in which the padkaging medium is formed by a single flexible sheet having a foamed portion on its one surface brought into contact with the i wiring harness and the other surface of the sheet is smooth.

As is clear from the foregoing description of the packaging medium for inserting the wiring harness through an opening of a body of a motor vehicle, since the foamed portion of the packaging medium has elasticity, the packaging medium is engaged with edges of the connectors, etc. when the electric wires, etc. are wrapped up in the packaging medium. Therefore, such risks are eliminated or reduced that the packaging medium slips off the wiring harness and is displaced relative to the wiring harness.

Furthermore, since at least the distal end portion and the opposite side portions of the packaging medium are completely closed by the adhesive mass, entry of dust into the packaging medium is prevented.

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Claims

1. A packaging medium for wrapping a wiring harness for insertion of the wiring harness through a narrow wiring opening, the wiring harness being formed by a bundle of a plurality of electric wires having connectors, etc. attached to their ends, respectively, the -ackaging medium comprising: a sheet which has one surface brought into contact with the wiring harness and includes an elastic foamed portion formed on the one surface; and adhesive mass is applied to opposite side portions of the sheet, arranged whereby to separably bond the opposite side portions of the sheet to each other such that the foamed portion resiliently engages the connectors, etc. and inhibits displacement of the packaging medium away from the wiring harness, and wherein adhesive mass is applied to a distal end portion of the sheet adjacent to the connectors, etc. of the wiring harness so as to close the distal end portion of the sheet.

2. A packaging medium substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. Yy. DATED this 8th day of July 1996 S SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD By DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the applicant(s) p. o *i ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A packaging medium for wrapping up a wiring harness and inserting the wiring harness through a narrow wiring portion, the wiring harness being formed by a bundle of a plurality of electric wires having connectors, etc. attached to their ends, respectively, the packaging medium comprising: a sheet which has one surface brought into contact with the wiring harness and includes an elastic foamed portion formed on the one surface. V. o I I I ASAC