JP2004048926A - Corrugated tube - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the storage work of a wire harness into a corrugated tube by enabling a slit to be made straight and easily along the bus of the corrugated tube, and also to improve the commercial value by arranging the wire harness beautifully in external appearance. <P>SOLUTION: At least one groove 10b is provided, along the bus of the corrugated tube 10, at the periphery 10a or the internal perimeter of the corrugated tube 10 made in the shape of a bellow tube. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a corrugated tube, for example, to a corrugated tube for protecting a wire harness routed in a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As shown in FIG. 10, conventionally, the corrugated tube 1 has flexibility by molding a synthetic resin such as polypropylene into a bellows tube shape having a thickness of, for example, about 0.1 to 0.5 mm. It is manufactured as a tube.
In order to route the wire harness 2 and the like using the corrugated tube 1, first, a slit 1a is formed along the generatrix over the entire length of the corrugated tube 1 by a cutter (not shown) or the like. Next, the slit 1a is pushed and spread in the radial direction, and the wire harness 2 routed, for example, in the interior of the vehicle is pushed into the corrugated tube 1 from the slit 1a and stored.
As a result, the wired wire harness 2 does not come into direct contact with external components and the like, and is protected from unexpected damage.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when forming the slit 1a in the corrugated tube 1, it is common to use a cutter, but since the corrugated tube 1 is in the form of a bellows tube, the slit 1a is formed straight along the generatrix. It is difficult to do so, and in most cases it turns left and right.
[0004]
If the wire harness 2 is accommodated and routed in the corrugated tube 1 in which the slit 1a is bent, not only the appearance is poor, the product value is reduced, but also the reliability of the routing operation itself may be doubted. There was.
Further, since the slit 1a is bent, it is difficult to spread the slit 1a, and the work of storing the wire harness 2 in the corrugated tube 1 may not be performed efficiently, and there is room for improvement.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a corrugated tube in which a slit can be formed straight and easily along a generatrix of the corrugated tube.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a corrugated tube formed in a bellows-like tube shape for accommodating and protecting a wire harness therein as described in claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface is provided. Preferably, at least one recess is provided along a generatrix of the corrugated tube.
[0007]
In the corrugated tube configured as described above, at least one concave portion is provided along the generatrix of the corrugated tube on the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface, for example, by moving the cutter along the concave portion, The slit and the like can be formed straight and easily.
[0008]
Therefore, in this corrugated tube, by using a corrugated tube with a bent slit as in the conventional case, the appearance of the corrugated tube is inferior and the commercial value is reduced. The problem of suspected sex can be solved.
Further, it is possible to solve the problem that the slit is difficult to spread and the efficiency of the work of storing the wire harness is low.
[0009]
Further, according to the present invention, as described in claim 2, the corrugated tube according to claim 1, wherein the recess is a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface along the generatrix of the corrugated tube. It is characterized by.
[0010]
In the corrugated tube configured as described above, the groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface along the generatrix of the corrugated tube. By pressing in the groove direction, the slits and the like can be expanded and easily inserted into the corrugated tube.
[0011]
Therefore, in this corrugated tube, it is possible to solve the problem that the wire harness cannot be inserted into the corrugated tube unless the slits and the like are expanded in the radial direction as in the related art. Therefore, the routing work can be performed easily and efficiently.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the corrugated tube according to the first aspect, wherein the recess is a groove formed on the inner peripheral surface along the generatrix of the corrugated tube. It is characterized by:
[0013]
In the corrugated tube configured as described above, since the groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface along the generatrix of the corrugated tube, in addition to the effect described in claim 1, the wire contained in the corrugated tube is provided. The harness can be accommodated while being separated from the edge of the slit or the like.
Therefore, in this corrugated tube, the wire harness can be reliably protected without being damaged by contact with the edge portion of the slit or the like.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the corrugated tube according to the first aspect, wherein the concave portion includes a pair of parallel outer grooves formed on the outer peripheral surface along the generatrix. And an inner groove formed between the pair of outer grooves and formed on the inner peripheral surface along the generatrix.
[0015]
In the corrugated tube configured as above, a pair of outer grooves are formed in parallel on the outer peripheral surface along the generatrix, and an inner groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface between the pair of outer grooves. Therefore, a slit or the like can be arbitrarily formed in either the outer groove or the inner groove.
Therefore, in this corrugated tube, a slit or the like is formed in either the outer groove or the inner groove according to the type and application of the wire harness to be stored, so that one type of corrugated tube can be used for multiple applications. It is cost effective.
[0016]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, as set forth in the fifth aspect, the corrugated tube according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the groove has a substantially rectangular shape in cross section and an opening edge in cross section. A chamfered portion is formed in the portion. In the corrugated tube configured as described above, for example, even if a slit is formed along a groove provided on the outer peripheral surface, the wire harness is not damaged when the wire harness is housed, for example, provided on the inner peripheral surface. Even if the slit is formed along the provided groove, the housed wire harness is not damaged.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a corrugated tube 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene in a thin (for example, 0.1 to 0.5 mm thick) bellows tube shape. One groove 10b is formed on the outer peripheral surface 10a along the generatrix.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, to form the slit 11 in the corrugated tube 10, a manual cutter 12 or a disk-shaped cutter 13 driven to rotate in the direction of an arrow by a motor or the like (not shown) is used. It can be formed by pulling in the axial direction (the direction of arrow A) from the side of 10a against the bottom of the groove 10b. At this time, the manual cutter 12 and the disc-shaped cutter 13 can be easily moved along the groove 10b. Therefore, the slit 11 is formed straight along the groove 10b, and the operation is easy.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 4, the corrugated tube 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is formed in a thin bellows tube shape using a synthetic resin, and a single groove 20b is formed on an inner peripheral surface 20a. Is formed along.
In order to form the slit 21 (see FIG. 7) in the corrugated tube 20, similarly to the corrugated tube 10 of the first embodiment, the bus bar is formed by moving the manual cutter 12 or the disc-shaped cutter 13 along the groove 20b. The straight slit 21 along the line can be easily formed. At this time, when the manual cutter 12 or the disc-shaped cutter 13 is applied to the bottom of the groove 20b from the inner peripheral surface 20a side, the work is easier and the slit 21 can be formed stably.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 5, the corrugated tube 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is formed in a thin bellows tube shape with a synthetic resin, and a pair of outer grooves 30c is formed on the outer peripheral surface 30a along the generatrix. An inner groove 30d is formed parallel to each other, and is formed on the inner peripheral surface 30b between the pair of outer grooves 30c.
[0020]
The slit is formed in the corrugated tube 30 by making the manual cutter 12 or the disc-shaped cutter 13 abut on the bottom of the outer groove 30c or the inner groove 30d just like the corrugated tubes 10 and 20 of the first and second embodiments. It can be formed by moving.
The slit can be formed in either the outer groove 30c or the inner groove 30d, and one of the grooves is selected according to the method of using the corrugated tube 30.
[0021]
Next, the capacity of the wire harness 40 in the corrugated tubes 10, 20, 30 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, according to the corrugated tube 10 of the first embodiment described above, the groove 10b in which the slit 11 is formed is formed on the outer peripheral surface 10a. When the wire harness 40 is pressed in the direction of the groove 10b (in the direction of the arrow B), the slit 11 is pushed out and can be easily inserted into the corrugated tube 10. Therefore, the work of pushing and expanding the slit 11 in the radial direction can be simplified, and the workability of inserting the wire harness 40 is improved.
[0022]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, according to the corrugated tube 20 of the second embodiment, the wire harness 40 accommodated in the corrugated tube 20 does not come into contact with the slit 21.
Therefore, even if the edge portion 21a of the slit 21 has a sharp shape, the wire harness 40 is not damaged. Also, it is reliably protected against external force from outside.
[0023]
8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment and a fifth embodiment according to the present invention, respectively.
In the corrugated tube 50 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a groove 50b provided on an outer peripheral surface 50a has a substantially rectangular cross section, and a chamfered portion 50c is formed at an opening edge of the cross section. Therefore, the wire harness is not damaged when the wire harness is stored.
On the other hand, in the corrugated tube 60 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the grooves 60b provided on the outer peripheral surface 60a and the inner peripheral surface 60d are substantially rectangular in cross section, and the chamfered portion 60c is formed at the cross section opening edge. Is formed. Therefore, the wire harness is not damaged when the wire harness is housed, and the housed wire harness is not damaged.
[0024]
In addition, the corrugated tube of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified and improved.
For example, in the embodiments described above, the corrugated tube is described as a bellows tube having a circular cross section, but may be a tube having an elliptical cross section or a polygonal cross section.
[0025]
In addition, the materials, shapes, dimensions, forms, numbers, arrangement locations, and the like of the wire harness, the outer peripheral surface, the inner peripheral surface, the concave portion, the groove, the busbar, the outer groove, the inner groove, and the like exemplified in the above-described embodiment are examples of the present invention. It is arbitrary and not limited as long as it can be achieved.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, as described in claim 1, at least one concave portion is provided along the generatrix of the corrugated tube on the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface. By moving the cutter along the recess, the slit can be formed straight and easily.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the problem of poor appearance due to the wiring using the corrugated tube having the bent slit, the reduction of the commercial value, and the doubt of the reliability of the wiring work. Further, the work of storing the wire harness or the like in the corrugated tube can be performed efficiently.
[0027]
Further, according to the present invention, as described in claim 2, the groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface along the generatrix of the corrugated tube. The wire harness can be easily inserted into the corrugated tube simply by pressing the wire harness, and the wiring work can be easily performed.
[0028]
Further, according to the present invention, as described in claim 3, since the groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface along the generatrix of the corrugated tube, in addition to the effect described in claim 1, the corrugated tube is provided. The wire harness stored inside can be stored separately from the slit. Therefore, the wire harness can be reliably protected without being damaged by contact with the sharp edge portion of the slit.
[0029]
According to the present invention, as described in claim 4, a pair of outer grooves are formed in parallel on the outer peripheral surface along the generatrix, and the inner groove is sandwiched between the pair of outer grooves on the inner peripheral surface. The slits can be arbitrarily formed in either the outer groove or the inner groove.
Therefore, by forming a slit in either the outer groove or the inner groove according to the type and use of the wire harness to be stored, one type of corrugated tube can be used for a plurality of uses, and cost is reduced. This is advantageous.
[0030]
According to the present invention, since the groove has a substantially rectangular cross-section and a chamfered portion is formed at the edge of the cross-sectional opening, for example, the groove provided on the outer peripheral surface is provided. Even if the slit is formed along the wire harness, the wire harness is not damaged when the wire harness is stored. Does not stick.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIGS. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a corrugated tube.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a manual cutter is moved along a groove of a corrugated tube to form a slit.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a slit is formed by moving a disk-shaped cutter along a groove of a corrugated tube.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a corrugated tube according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a corrugated tube according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part showing a state in which a wire harness is pressed into a groove of the corrugated tube of the first embodiment, a slit is widened, and inserted into the corrugated tube.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part showing a state of a wire harness housed in a corrugated tube of a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a corrugated tube according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a corrugated tube according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a corrugated tube in which a slit is formed and a wire harness to be stored according to a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 20, 30, 50, 60 Corrugated tubes 10a, 30a, 50a, 60a Outer peripheral surfaces 20a, 30b, 60d Inner peripheral surfaces 10b, 20b, 50b, 60b Groove (recess)
30c Outer groove (recess)
30d Inner groove (recess)
40 wire harness

Claims (5)

A corrugated tube formed in the shape of a bellows tube and containing and protecting a wire harness inside,
A corrugated tube, wherein at least one concave portion is provided on an outer peripheral surface or an inner peripheral surface along a generatrix of the corrugated tube. The corrugated tube according to claim 1, wherein the concave portion is a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface along the generatrix of the corrugated tube. The corrugated tube according to claim 1, wherein the concave portion is a groove formed on the inner peripheral surface along the generatrix of the corrugated tube. The concave portion includes a pair of parallel outer grooves formed on the outer peripheral surface along the generatrix, and an inner groove formed on the inner peripheral surface along the generatrix and arranged between the pair of outer grooves. The corrugated tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube is a groove. The corrugated tube according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the groove has a substantially rectangular cross-section, and a chamfered portion is formed at an edge of the cross-section opening.

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