JP2002369330A - End cap for corrugated tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the extrusion of the wire of wire harness from a slit continuous to the opening at one forward end of a corrugated tube. SOLUTION: The end cap for corrugated tube comprises an end face part having a substantially C-shaped cross section and abutting against the circumferential end face of an opening at the forward end of a corrugated tube, a circumferential wall part extending from the outer or inner circumference at the end face part along the outer or inner circumferential face of the corrugated tube, a stopping part projecting radially from the inner or outer circumferential face of the circumferential wall part to fit in at least one root part between adjacent ridge parts of the corrugated tube, and a part projecting axially from the inner or outer circumferential face of the circumferential wall part to be inserted into the slit of the corrugated tube, thus closing the slit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an end cap for a corrugated tube, and more particularly to an end cap of a corrugated tube with a slit which is mounted on a wire harness of an automobile, and attaches an electric wire of a wire harness to a slit end of the corrugated tube. Is prevented from biting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to prevent the electric wires from being damaged by an external interference material, a rigid corrugated tube made of a synthetic resin is externally mounted on a wire harness arranged in an automobile. In most cases, the corrugated tube is provided with a slit along the entire length in the axial direction, and the slit is opened to cover the wire harness from the side from the viewpoint of workability of mounting to the wire harness.

As shown in FIG. 7, a wire harness W / H
When the corrugated tube 1 is externally mounted, the electric wire group of the wire harness is pulled out from the distal end opening 1a of the corrugated tube K and connected to the connector 3. At that time, the wire connected to the terminal outside the cavity of the connector C generates a pulling force in the opening direction, and a continuous slit 1b opens at the distal end opening 1a, and there is a problem that the wire 2 easily protrudes from the slit 1b. . Since the corrugated tube 1 has rigidity and both ends of the slit 1b are edges, the slit 1b is formed on the electric wire 2 protruding from the slit 1b.
Has a problem that the wire d is easily damaged due to the bites at both ends.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 8, an adhesive tape T is wrapped around the distal end of a corrugated tube 1 to close the slit 1b so that the electric wire 2 protrudes from the slit 1b, as shown in FIG. Is prevented.

[0005]

However, when the tape T is wound around and the slit 1b is closed, since the adhesive tape winding operation is performed by an operator, the winding position tends to vary, and the tape is tightly wound to the slit tip. May not be wound. In that case,
The electric wire will protrude from the slit tip. Further, when a wire harness is routed in the engine room, the adhesive tape may be softened and peeled off due to heat, and the adhesive tape may be deteriorated with time and the adhesiveness may be reduced and peeled off.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem. Instead of the work of preventing the slit from being opened by the tape winding, the slit of the corrugated tube is surely prevented from opening from the front end. It is an object of the present invention to prevent the wire from protruding and preventing both edges of the slit from biting into the wire.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to an end cap to be mounted on a distal end of a corrugated tube having a slit in the entire length in the axial direction, wherein the end cap has a substantially C-shaped cross section. An end surface portion which is a cylindrical body and abuts against a peripheral end surface of the distal end opening of the corrugated tube; a peripheral wall portion extending from the outer periphery or inner periphery of the end surface portion along the outer peripheral surface or inner peripheral surface of the corrugated tube; A locking portion protruding radially from an inner peripheral surface or an outer peripheral surface of the corrugated portion so as to fit into at least one valley between adjacent peaks of the corrugated tube; and an inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion Corrugated tube that has a slit fitting part that protrudes in the axial direction from the surface or outer peripheral surface and is inserted into the slit of the corrugated tube to close the slit It provides an end cap.

[0008] More specifically, a resin molded product mounted on an end portion of a corrugated tube having alternately provided valleys composed of concave portions and ridges composed of convex portions at a constant pitch on the outer peripheral surface and having split slits in the axial direction. The end cap is fitted to the end of a corrugated tube through which an electric wire is passed, and the end surface is abutted against the end surface of the opening peripheral edge of the corrugated tube, and a peripheral wall continuous from the outer periphery of the end surface. Along the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube, a ring-shaped engaging portion is inserted and latched at least between the ridges adjacent to the distal end opening, and a slit fit protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion. Insert the joint into the open end of the corrugated tube slit, close the corrugated tube slit, and remove the wire from the corrugated tube slit end. It has a configuration that does not issued.

Alternatively, the end cap has a peripheral wall portion continuous from the inner periphery of the end face portion, is fitted inside the corrugated tube, and has a ring-shaped locking portion from the inner peripheral side to a valley portion (a ridge portion when viewed from the outer peripheral surface). (Inside), a slit fitting portion projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion may be inserted into the slit of the corrugated tube.

The slit fitting portion is made as thin as possible, and by inserting the slit fitting portion into the slit of the corrugated tube, a continuous slit is not opened.

As described above, the end cap for a corrugated tube according to the present invention can be attached by the operation of fitting to the end portion of the corrugated tube, and the conventional manual tape winding operation is unnecessary. In addition, the slit at the portion that is continuous with the distal end opening of the corrugated tube can be reliably closed, and thereby, the wire drawn out from the distal end opening of the corrugated tube can be prevented from protruding from the slit, and the edges at both ends of the slit can be prevented from biting into the wire. .

The end cap is provided with the above-mentioned engaging portion fitted to the valley between the peaks on the corrugated tube side, the end face portion is abutted against the opening at the tip of the corrugated tube, and the slit fitting portion is formed. Since it is inserted into the slit of the corrugated tube, it will not rotate freely and will not come off from the corrugated tube when the vehicle body is vibrated.

When the peripheral wall of the end cap is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube, an inner peripheral wall fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the corrugated tube from the inner periphery of the distal end surface is provided. On the side, it is preferable to adopt a configuration in which both sides are sandwiched.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show an end cap 10 for a corrugated tube according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The corrugated tube 1 to which the end cap 10 is attached is the same as the corrugated tube shown in FIG. 7, and is a conventionally well-known corrugated tube provided with a slit 1b over the entire length of the axis.
/ H electric wire d.

The end cap 10 is formed of a resin molded product having a substantially C-shaped cross section and a notch 14, and a shape fitted around a substantially half of the corrugated tube 1. The end cap 10 has an end face 11 abutting against the periphery of the distal end opening 1 a of the corrugated tube 1, an outer peripheral wall 12 extending from the outer periphery of the end face 11 along the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube 1, Inner peripheral wall portion 1 extending along the inner peripheral surface of corrugated tube 1 from the inner periphery of
3 is provided.

The outer peripheral wall portion 12 extends to a length exceeding at least one of the peak portion 1c and the valley portion 1d formed in the corrugated tube 1, while the inner peripheral wall portion 13 is slightly larger than the distal end opening 1a. The corrugated tube 1 has a short length that hits the inner peripheral surface.

A ring-shaped engaging portion 16 is provided to protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 12 into a valley portion 1d between the adjacent peak portions 1c of the corrugated tube 1. The slit fitting portion 1 extending in the axial direction is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 12.
5 are protruding. The thickness t of the slit fitting portion 15 is made thin so that the slit 1b connected to the insertion portion does not open when inserted into the slit 1b of the corrugated tube 1.

Next, the working procedure will be described. A corrugated tube 1 is slit into many slits 1b for a large number of electric wires 2 of a wire harness W / H having a connector 3 connected to the end.
Is opened, the corrugated tube 1 is placed on the electric wire 2 from the side, and the electric wire 2 corresponding to the lower part of the neck of the connector 3 is drawn out from the distal end opening 1a of the corrugated tube 1.

Next, the notch 14 of the end cap 10 is opened, and the inner peripheral wall portion 13 of the end cap 10 is located closer to the connector 3 than the tip of the corrugated tube 1, and the corrugated tube 1 and the electric wire 2 are laterally connected. Put the end cap 10 on. At this time, the position of the slit fitting portion 15 is aligned with the slit 1b of the corrugated tube 1.

In this state, the end cap 10 is moved toward the corrugated tube 1 so that the inner peripheral wall 13 is located inside the corrugated tube 1 and the outer peripheral wall 12 is located outside the corrugated tube 1. Press The end face 10 of the end cap 10 abuts against the distal end face of the corrugated tube 1, the slit fitting portion 15 is inserted into the slit 1 b, the outer peripheral wall portion 12 is externally fitted to the corrugated tube 1, and the inner peripheral wall portion 13 is corrugated. The ring-shaped locking portion 16 is fitted in the tube 1 and the valley portion 1 adjacent to the distal end opening 1 a of the corrugated tube 1.
d and the state shown in FIG. 4 is obtained.

As described above, the end cap 10 is simply pushed in after being put on the corrugated tube 1, so that the slit 1 b is not only closed but also the outer peripheral wall portion 12 of the end cap 10 allows the slit 1 b to be externally fitted. Is done.
Therefore, even if the electric wire 2 that comes out of the distal end opening 1a of the corrugated tube 1 and is connected to the connector 3 is pulled toward the connector, the electric wire 2 does not protrude from the distal end of the slit 1b, and both ends of the slit 1b It is possible to prevent the electric wire 2 from being damaged by being bitten by the electric wire 2.

Further, by the slit fitting portion 15 of the end cap 10 being fitted into the slit 1b, rotation is prevented, and the end face portion 11 abuts against the tip of the corrugated tube, so that the outer peripheral wall portion 11 and the inner peripheral wall portion are formed. Since the corrugated tube near the open end is sandwiched between the end cap 10 and the end cap 12, the end cap 10 does not shift and the end cap does not come off.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an end cap 20 according to a second embodiment. The end cap 20 of the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that the corrugated tube 1
Locking portion 21 of end cap 20 from the inner peripheral side of
Is inserted and locked in the concave portion on the inner surface side of the peak portion 1c of the corrugated tube 1.

That is, the cross section of the end cap 20 is substantially C
A notch 24 having a U-shape is provided, and an end surface portion 21 and an inner peripheral wall portion 22 extending from the end surface portion 21 along the inner peripheral surface of the corrugated tube 1 to a length exceeding at least one of the uneven portions.
And A slit fitting portion 25 that fits into the slit 1b of the corrugated tube 1 is provided on the outer surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 22.
And a ring-shaped locking portion 26 that locks to the uneven portion inside the corrugated tube 1.

After the end cap 20 covers the electric wire 2 of the wire harness W / H from the side between the corrugated tube 1 and the connector C, the inner peripheral wall portion 22 is pushed into the corrugated tube 1 through the opening at the tip end. The end face 21 is brought into contact with the tip of the opening. By pushing in this way, the ring-shaped locking portion 26 is inserted and locked in the concave portion inside the crest of the corrugated tube 1, and at the same time, the slit fitting portion 25 is fitted into the slit 1 b of the corrugated tube 1.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the end cap 20 is simply pushed into the end portion of the corrugated tube 1 and the slit 1b of the corrugated tube 1 is formed.
Can be prevented, and the electric wire 2 can be prevented from protruding from the slit tip. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0027]

As is apparent from the above description, the end cap of the present invention prevents the rotation by fitting the slit fitting portion provided on the peripheral wall of the end cap into the slit of the corrugated tube. The wire does not protrude beyond the slit tip of the corrugated tube. Therefore, it is possible to prevent both edges of the slit from biting into the electric wire and damaging the electric wire.

Furthermore, since the end cap is securely positioned and fixed to the end of the corrugated tube, it does not come off from the corrugated tube, and it is only necessary to cover the corrugated tube from the side and then push it into the corrugated tube. Can be easily installed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a use state of an end cap for a wire harness of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of FIG.

3A is a side view of the end cap for a wire harness of the present invention as viewed from the notch portion, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 3A, and FIG. () Is a sectional view taken along line CC.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where an end cap is fitted to a corrugated tube.

FIG. 5 shows an end cap according to a second embodiment,
(A) is a side view, (B) is a DD line sectional view of (A).

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state of a terminal portion of a conventional corrugated tube.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a conventional problem.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Corrugated tube 1a Tip opening 1b Slit 1c Crest part 1d Valley part 2 Electric wire 3 Connector 10, 20 End cap 11, 21 End face part 12 Outer peripheral wall part 13 Inner peripheral wall part 14 Notch 15 Slit fitting part 16 Ring-shaped locking part W / H Wire harness

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An end cap to be mounted on a distal end of a corrugated tube having a slit along its entire length in the axial direction, wherein the end cap is a cylindrical body having a substantially C-shaped cross section and abuts against a peripheral end surface of a distal end opening of the corrugated tube. An end surface portion, a peripheral wall portion extending along the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface of the corrugated tube from the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface of the end surface portion, and protruding radially from the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion. A locking portion protruding so as to fit into at least one valley between adjacent peaks of the corrugated tube; and a slit of the corrugated tube protruding in an axial direction from an inner peripheral surface or an outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion. End cap for corrugated tube with a shape that has a slit fitting part that is inserted into the slit to close the slit. 2. The end cap is provided with the peripheral wall portion fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube and the inner peripheral wall portion fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the corrugated tube from the inner periphery of the distal end surface portion. The end cap for a corrugated tube according to claim 1, wherein