JP2011100687A - Wire harness, method of manufacturing wire harness, and device of manufacturing wire harness - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of manufacturing a wire harness, wherein thermoplastic materials can be arranged so that unexpected deformation or separation of the thermoplastic materials does not occur. <P>SOLUTION: A first cabinet member 121 and a second cabinet member 122 of a nozzle 12 are integrally coupled in a way sandwiching a prescribed portion of an electric wire 91 in between. The prescribed portion of the electric wire 91 is housed inside of a through-hole of a tubular body constituted by coupling a first cavity insertion member 123 and a second cavity insertion member 124 of the nozzle 12. While a prescribed portion of the electric wire 91 and the nozzle 12 are made to move relatively, the thermo-plastic material that is plasticized by a material plasticization means 11 is discharged from discharge openings 1213, 1223 of the thermo-plastic material that is to be molded into the nozzle 12 to the outer periphery of the prescribed portion of the electric wire 91, so that the nearly tubular shape covering material 91 to cover the prescribed portion of the electric wire 91 is integrally molded by the thermoplastic material. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wire harness, a wire harness manufacturing method, and a wire harness manufacturing apparatus, and more specifically, a member having a function of protecting a wire and / or a function of collecting a plurality of wires in a predetermined portion of the wire. The present invention relates to a wire harness provided with a wire harness, a method for manufacturing the wire harness, and a device capable of manufacturing the wire harness (= device for manufacturing a wire harness).

  Inside a vehicle such as an automobile, a wire harness for connecting electrical devices and electronic devices to each other is routed. A wire harness used for such an application generally has a plurality of electric wires of a predetermined type and a predetermined length, and the plurality of electric wires are bound (or bundled) in a predetermined manner. It has a configuration. In addition, predetermined types of connectors are attached to the ends of the electric wires included in the wire harness. And the predetermined part of a wire harness is provided with the member which binds (or bundles) so that an electric wire group may not fall apart, the member which has a function which protects an electric wire or an electric wire group, etc.

  As a configuration for bundling (or bundling) the electric wire group and for protecting the electric wire, a configuration in which a tape is wound around a predetermined portion of the electric wire group, and a predetermined portion of the electric wire group is a tube made of a resin material (for example, a corrugated tube) A configuration for housing, a configuration for embedding a predetermined portion of the electric wire group in a resin molded product (insert molding), a configuration for forming a member covering the outer periphery of the predetermined portion of the electric wire group with a resin material, and the like are used.

  However, these configurations may have the following problems.

  When the tape is wound around a predetermined part of the wire group, the wound part is compared with the wire before being wound (or compared with the unwound part) and the flexibility of the wire group (the deformation of the wire group). Ease). For this reason, in the operation | work which routes a wire harness to a vehicle etc., the handleability of a wire harness falls. For this reason, there exists a possibility that work efficiency may fall. In addition, the portion around which the tape is wound has a problem that it does not look good.

  In the configuration in which the predetermined portion of the electric wire group is accommodated in the tube, the wire harness manufacturing apparatus and the manufacturing procedure may be limited depending on the configuration of the connectors. Generally, predetermined connectors are attached to the ends of the electric wires included in the wire harness, but the electric wires attached with the connectors cannot pass through the tube (for example, the size of the connectors is the tube If the wire diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the wire), first pass a predetermined part of the wire group through the tube (= housed in the tube), and then attach the connectors to the end of the wire. It is necessary to manufacture a harness. A device that automatically attaches connectors to the end of the wire may be used, but when the wire group is housed in the tube, the tube or other wires interfere and the wire is set in such a device. There are things that cannot be done. In this case, the operation of attaching the connectors to the end of the electric wire cannot be performed automatically, and must be performed manually. For this reason, it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost of the wire harness.

  In the configuration using the tube in which the slit is formed, it is necessary to wrap a tape or the like around the outer periphery of the tube in order to prevent the electric wire or the electric wire group from coming out. For this reason, since the number of work steps increases, it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost. Further, the tube around which the tape is wound has a problem that it does not look good.

  Moreover, the tube used for a wire harness generally does not have the positioning mechanism with respect to the predetermined part of an electric wire. For this reason, in order to prevent the tube from being displaced from a predetermined position of the electric wire group, it is necessary to wrap a tape or the like so as to straddle the electric wire group and the tube. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the work man-hours. In addition, the wound tape has a problem that it does not look good.

  In the configuration in which a predetermined portion of the electric wire or the electric wire group is embedded in the molding member, a molding die for molding the molding member (generally, a mold for performing injection molding) is required. And it is necessary to prepare such a shaping | molding die for every part to shape | mold from which length and a diameter differ. Since the mold is generally expensive and has low versatility, the configuration using such a mold may increase the equipment cost.

  Also in the structure which shape | molds the member which covers the circumference | surroundings of the predetermined part of an electric wire or an electric wire group, the shaping | molding die according to the outer diameter (outer shape) of an electric wire or an electric wire group is required. For this reason, there exists a possibility of causing the raise of an installation cost for the same reason as the above-mentioned. Moreover, in such a structure, it is difficult to change the thickness dimension of the member to be molded. That is, among the members that cover a predetermined part of the electric wire or the electric wire group, there are cases where it is desired to increase the thickness of the part that wants to have the function of protecting the electric wire or the electric wire group, and to reduce the thickness of the part that does not. However, it is difficult to change the thickness of the member in a configuration that is substantially the same as the configuration that forms the covering material that covers the core of the electric wire.

JP 2007-288895 A JP 11-238420 A JP-A-8-31474 JP-A-2005-294132 JP 2004-14475 A JP 2000-261939 A

  In view of the above circumstances, the problem to be solved by the present invention is a wire that can prevent or suppress a decrease in flexibility (particularly ease of bending) of a portion where the covering material is formed even if the covering material is formed. Providing a harness, a wire harness manufacturing apparatus, a wire harness manufacturing method, or providing a manufacturing method of a wire harness, a wire harness manufacturing apparatus, a wire harness, or a good-looking A wire harness formed with a good covering material, a wire harness manufacturing apparatus, a method of manufacturing a wire harness, or a wire harness having a covering material that is integrally formed with a coating material that changes in thickness, Providing wire harness manufacturing equipment, wire harness manufacturing methods, or equipment costs and manufacturing Cost reduction can be achieved or increase wire harness can be prevented from being, the wire harness manufacturing apparatus is to provide a method of manufacturing a wire harness.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a wire harness according to the present invention is a wire harness having an electric wire and a covering material covering a predetermined portion of the electric wire, and the covering material is integrally formed in a substantially tube shape by a thermoplastic material. While being molded, the gist is that the inner peripheral surface of the covering material is bonded to the outer peripheral surface of a predetermined portion of the electric wire by being plasticized by the thermoplasticity of the thermoplastic material.

  An apparatus for manufacturing a wire harness according to the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing a wire harness that includes an electric wire and a covering material that is formed of a thermoplastic material and covers a predetermined portion of the electric wire, and applies an external force to the thermoplastic material. And a material plasticizing means that plasticizes to the extent that plastic deformation is possible, a through hole that can be integrally coupled and separable into a plurality of members and can be accommodated together and can accommodate the predetermined portion of the wire and the through hole A nozzle formed with a thermoplastic material discharge port that seamlessly surrounds the outer periphery of one end of the hole, and when the nozzle is joined together, the predetermined hole of the wire is formed inside the through hole formed in the nozzle. The thermoplastic material plasticized by the material plasticizing means in a state where the portion of the through hole is received from the thermoplastic material discharge port formed in the nozzle. The gist is that the covering material covering the predetermined portion of the electric wire can be integrally formed with the thermoplastic material by discharging onto the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined portion of the electric wire protruding from It is.

  The nozzle can be integrally coupled to and separated from each other, and in the coupled state, a plurality of nested members that can form a tubular body in which a through hole is formed, and can be integrally coupled to and separated from each other. A plurality of housing members into which each of the plurality of nested members can be fitted, and when the plurality of housing members into which the plurality of nested members are fitted together, the plurality of nested members are also coupled. A tubular body, and the through hole of the tubular body configured by combining the plurality of nesting members becomes a through hole that can accommodate the predetermined portion of the electric wire, and the plurality of nesting members are combined. A configuration in which a discharge port of the thermoplastic material is formed on the outer periphery of one end in the axial direction of the configured tubular body can be applied.

  In each of the plurality of nesting members, a groove-shaped thermoplastic material path is formed on a surface that becomes an outer peripheral surface of the tubular body when the plurality of nesting members are combined to form a tubular body, The plasticized resin material may be configured to be discharged from the thermoplastic material discharge port through the groove-shaped thermoplastic material path.

  The manufacturing apparatus of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention can be cooled by blowing with respect to the coating material which consists of a thermoplastic material discharged and shape | molded from the discharge port of the said thermoplastic material of the said nozzle. It is preferable that it is the structure provided with a ventilation means.

  The method for manufacturing a wire harness according to the present invention is a state where the outer periphery of a predetermined portion of the electric wire included in the wire harness is softened to the extent that plastic deformation is possible when an external force is applied, and is combined and integrated when in contact with each other. A step of integrally forming a tubular covering material covering the outer periphery of the predetermined portion of the electric wire by the thermoplastic material by discharging the plasticized plastic material into a state in which it can be made Is a summary.

  Moreover, the manufacturing method of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention is a manufacturing method of the wire harness which uses the manufacturing apparatus of the wire harness concerning this invention, Comprising: The said nozzle is carried out so that the said predetermined part may be inserted | pinched The predetermined portion of the electric wire is accommodated inside the through hole of the nozzle, and the plasticizing of the material is performed while relatively moving the predetermined portion of the electric wire and the nozzle. The thermoplastic material plasticized by the means is discharged from the thermoplastic material outlet of the nozzle to the outer periphery of the predetermined portion of the electric wire, thereby covering the predetermined portion of the electric wire in a substantially tubular shape. And a step of integrally forming the covering material with the thermoplastic material.

  By controlling the speed of relative movement between a predetermined portion of the wire and the nozzle and / or the amount of thermoplastic material discharged from the thermoplastic material outlet of the nozzle per unit time. The thickness of the material can be controlled.

  By discharging the thermoplastic material plasticized by the material plasticizing means to the outer periphery of the predetermined portion of the electric wire, a substantially tubular covering material covering the predetermined portion of the electric wire is used as the thermoplastic material. Thus, the inner peripheral surface of the covering material and the outer periphery of the predetermined portion of the electric wire can be bonded together by the plasticity of the thermoplastic material.

  The manufacturing method of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention is a manufacturing method of the wire harness using the manufacturing apparatus of the wire harness concerning this invention, Comprising: The said predetermined of the said electric wire by the manufacturing method of one of the said wire harnesses A covering material made of a thermoplastic material is formed on the portion of the wire, and then the relative movement between the predetermined portion of the wire and the nozzle is stopped, and the covering material formed by the blowing means is It was formed by blowing and cooling, and then moving the predetermined portion of the wire and the nozzle relatively without discharging the thermoplastic material from the thermoplastic material discharge port of the nozzle. The coating material and the thermoplastic material present inside the nozzle are cut at the position of the discharge port of the thermoplastic material of the nozzle. It is an gist further comprising the step of separating.

  According to the wire harness concerning this invention, the fall of the softness | flexibility of the part by which a coating | covering material is shape | molded is prevented or suppressed. For this reason, in the operation | work which routes the wire harness concerning this invention inside a vehicle etc., since a predetermined | prescribed part can be changed easily, the improvement of the efficiency of a routing operation can be aimed at.

  Since the inner peripheral surface of the covering material is bonded to a predetermined portion of the electric wire, the covering material does not move from the predetermined portion of the electric wire. For this reason, the structure and process for preventing a covering material from moving are unnecessary. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and man-hours.

  Furthermore, the appearance of the wire harness is better than a configuration in which a tape is wound around an electric wire as a covering material.

  According to the wire harness manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent or suppress an increase in equipment cost or to reduce equipment cost.

  That is, for example, the nozzle applied to the wire harness manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention has a simple structure and can be manufactured at a low cost as compared with a mold for injection molding. That is, the mold for injection molding needs to have a configuration that can withstand the pressure of the injected thermoplastic material. On the other hand, since a high pressure is not applied to the nozzle applied to the wire harness manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, it is not necessary to have a configuration that can withstand the high pressure. Therefore, the structure is simple and it can be manufactured in a small size.

  Further, in general injection molding, a mold clamping mechanism is necessary to prevent the upper mold and the lower mold of the molding mold from being separated by the pressure of the injected thermoplastic material. For this reason, the structure of the equipment for molding the covering material becomes complicated and expensive. On the other hand, in the apparatus for manufacturing a wire harness according to the present invention, a force that separates a plurality of integrally coupled casing members is not applied even while the thermoplastic material is being discharged. For this reason, the wire harness manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention does not require a mechanism corresponding to the mold clamping mechanism in the equipment for injection molding.

  Further, in general injection molding, it is necessary to apply a high pressure to the thermoplastic material in order to fill the molding material with the thermoplastic material. On the other hand, in the apparatus for manufacturing a wire harness according to the present invention, a pressure capable of being discharged (= flowable) from a discharge port of a thermoplastic material formed on a nozzle is applied to a plasticized resin material. I just need it. For this reason, compared with injection molding, since the pressure applied to a thermoplastic material is small, the apparatus which sends out a thermoplastic material can apply a small thing. Also, the path of the thermoplastic material (such as a hose that joins the material plasticizing means and the nozzle) need not be configured to withstand high pressure.

  Furthermore, the wire harness manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is highly versatile.

  For example, in a configuration in which the covering material is formed by injection molding, only one kind of covering material (one size and shape) can be formed by a set of molding dies. For this reason, in order to shape | mold the coating | covering material from which thickness differs, it is necessary to prepare the metal mold | die for shaping | molding for every thickness of a coating | covering material. Similarly, when forming a coating material having different axial lengths, it is necessary to prepare a molding die for each axial length of the coating material. On the other hand, the nozzle applied to the wire harness manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention adjusts the speed of relative movement between the nozzle and a predetermined portion of the electric wire and / or the discharge amount per unit time of the thermoplastic material. Thus, the thickness of the covering material can be changed. Therefore, it is possible to form a covering material having a plurality of thickness dimensions with a single set of nozzles. Furthermore, by appropriately setting a range in which the nozzle and the predetermined portion of the electric wire are relatively moved, coating materials having various lengths can be formed on the predetermined portion of the electric wire.

  Furthermore, as long as the predetermined part of the electric wire has a size that can be accommodated in a through-hole formed by combining a plurality of nested members, the covering material can be formed regardless of the outer diameter of the predetermined part of the electric wire. . For this reason, the diameter of a some electric wire (when several electric wires are included) can respond to the diameter of a set of nozzles. Further, even when the diameter of the electric wire changes in the middle of the axial direction, the covering material can be integrally formed across portions having different diameters without interruption (or without changing the nozzle).

  According to the method for manufacturing the wire harness according to the present invention, the order of the step of attaching the connectors to the end portion of the electric wire and the step of forming the covering material on the predetermined portion of the electric wire is not limited. Therefore, in the method for manufacturing the wire harness according to the present invention, after attaching predetermined connectors to the ends of the electric wires, the electric wires can be gathered and a covering material can be formed. For this reason, the process of attaching the connectors to the end of the electric wire can be performed in a state where each electric wire exists alone. Therefore, in the process of attaching the connectors using the apparatus for automatically attaching the connectors, there is no case where other electric wires or covering materials interfere with each other and the electric wires cannot be set in the apparatus for automatically attaching the connectors. Therefore, the process of attaching the connectors to each electric wire can be performed using an apparatus for automatically attaching the connectors, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the method of manufacturing the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, the covering material 92 (that is, the covering material having different strengths) whose thickness varies along the axial direction is easily and integrally formed. Can do. Specifically, during molding of the covering material, the relative movement speed of the nozzle and the predetermined portion of the electric wire, or the thermoplastic material discharged from the thermoplastic material discharge port formed in the nozzle The thickness of the covering material can be adjusted by adjusting only one or both of the amounts per unit time. That is, a covering material whose thickness varies along the axial direction can be integrally formed. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a plurality of covering materials, the number of work steps can be reduced. Furthermore, since the covering material whose thickness dimension changes along the axial direction can be integrally formed with the thermoplastic material, the number of parts of the wire harness can be reduced.

  According to the method for manufacturing a wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to cut without plastic deformation so that the covering material is stretched at the end of the formed covering material. For this reason, the appearance of the end portion in the axial direction of the covering material can be improved.

  When the blower blows the molded covering material, the covering material is rapidly cooled. For this reason, a coating | covering material will be in the state which does not produce the plastic deformation by thermoplasticity. On the other hand, the thermoplastic material present in the nozzle is not cooled because it is not blown by the blowing means, and therefore, plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity is likely to occur. As a result, in the thermoplastic material (including the molded covering material), the boundary between the portion that does not undergo plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity and the portion that is likely to undergo plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity is a nozzle. The thermoplastic material is formed at the position of the discharge port.

  In this state, when the nozzle and the predetermined portion of the electric wire are relatively moved, the thermoplastic material present in the nozzle remains in the nozzle as it is due to frictional force or the like. On the other hand, the portion (molded coating material) discharged from the thermoplastic material discharge port of the nozzle is in a state where plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity does not occur, so even if tensile force is applied in the axial direction, plastic deformation does not occur. . For this reason, at the discharge port of the thermoplastic material formed in the nozzle (that is, at the boundary between the portion that can be deformed by the thermoplastic and the portion that cannot be deformed), the molded covering material, and the thermoplastic material before molding, Can be cut without plastic deformation so as to stretch.

It is the figure which extracted and showed the predetermined | prescribed part (= part provided with a coating | covering material) of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention, (a) is a predetermined part of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view, (b) is the AA sectional view taken on the line of (a), Comprising: It is the figure which showed typically the cross-section of the predetermined part of the wire harness 9 concerning embodiment of this invention. . It is the external appearance perspective view which extracted and showed the predetermined part of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The structure where the thickness of a coating | covering material changes along an axial direction is shown. It is the figure which showed typically the structure of the principal part of the manufacturing apparatus of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the structure of the nozzle typically, and is an external appearance perspective view of each member which comprises a nozzle. It is the appearance perspective view showing the state where nozzle 12 was assembled, and shows the state where the 1st case member 121 and the 2nd case member 122 have separated. It is the appearance perspective view showing the state where nozzle 12 was assembled, and shows the state where the 1st case member 121 and the 2nd case member 122 have combined. It is the figure which showed the structure of the path | route of the thermoplastic material formed in each of a 1st nesting member and a 2nd nesting member, (a) is a 1st nesting member and a 2nd nesting member of an axial direction. The figure seen from one end, (b) is a diagram in which the outer peripheral surfaces of each of the first nesting member and the second nesting member (the path of the thermoplastic material formed) are developed on a plane, (c) (B) AA sectional view taken on the line, (d) is BB sectional drawing of FIG.7 (b). It is the figure which showed the process of shape | molding a coating | covering material typically. It is the figure which showed the process of shape | molding a coating | covering material typically. It is the figure which showed the process of shape | molding a coating | covering material typically. It is the figure which showed the process of shape | molding a coating | covering material typically.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a view showing a predetermined portion (= portion where a covering material 92 is provided) of a wire harness 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 1 (a) is an external perspective view of a predetermined portion of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (b) is an AA line in FIG. 1 (a). It is sectional drawing, Comprising: It is the figure which showed typically the cross-section of the predetermined part of the wire harness 9 concerning embodiment of this invention.

  The wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of electric wires 91 having a predetermined length and a predetermined type, and the predetermined number of the electric wires 91 have a predetermined shape as a whole (= predetermined). The main line and the predetermined branch line). That is, a single electric wire 91 or a plurality of electric wires 91 collected together forms a predetermined trunk line or a predetermined branch line of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Further, predetermined connectors or the like are attached to the end portions of the electric wires 91 (not shown). The overall shape and dimensions of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the number and types of the electric wires 91 included in the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the end of each electric wire 91 are attached. The configuration of the connectors is not particularly limited, and is set as appropriate.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the predetermined part of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a single or a plurality of electric wires 91, and a covering material 92 covering the single electric wire 91 or A covering material 92 that covers the plurality of electric wires 91 together is provided. The covering material 92 has a function of bundling a plurality of electric wires 91 (= a function of bundling the plurality of electric wires 91 so as not to be separated) and / or a function as a protector for protecting the electric wires 91. In addition, in FIG. 1, although the predetermined part of the wire harness 9 concerning embodiment of this invention shows the structure which has the some electric wire 91, it may be the structure which has the single electric wire 91. FIG. The number of the electric wires 91 which the predetermined part of the wire harness 9 concerning embodiment of this invention has is not specifically limited. Further, in the present invention, “electric wire” 91 includes both the meaning of a single electric wire and a plurality of electric wires (a group of electric wires) unless otherwise specified.

  The covering material 92 is a member that is molded into a substantially tubular shape having a hollow inside, and is formed so as to cover the outer periphery of the electric wire 91 (in other words, shaped so as to accommodate the electric wire 91 therein). The covering material 92 is a member that can be easily deformed by human power (a deformation that can return to the original shape, not a plastic deformation). Moreover, the coating | covering material 92 does not carry out plastic deformation easily in the temperature of the environment where use of the wire harness 9 concerning embodiment of this invention is assumed.

  A part of the inner peripheral surface of the covering material 92 is bonded to the electric wire 91. When the predetermined part of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of electric wires, a part of the inner peripheral surface of the covering material 92 and a part or all of the plurality of electric wires 91 are bonded. ing. The coating | covering material 92 is shape | molded so that the outer periphery of the electric wire 91 contained in the predetermined part of the wire harness 9 concerning embodiment of this invention may be covered. For this reason, if the number of the electric wires 91 included in the predetermined portion is one or a small number (about 2 to 4, depending on the form in which the electric wires 91 are collected), all the electric wires 91 have a part of their outer periphery. In order to contact the inner peripheral surface of the covering material 92, all the electric wires 91 are bonded to the inner peripheral surface of the covering material 92.

  However, when there are a large number of electric wires 91 included in the predetermined portion, in the state in which the large number of electric wires 91 are collected (a state where the electric wires 91 are bundled), the other electric wires 91 are surrounded by the surroundings. As a result, there may be a wire 91 that is not exposed outside the bundle of wires 91. Such an electric wire 91 is not bonded to the covering material because it does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the covering material 92. In other words, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the outermost electric wire 91 located outside (a portion that is not a portion facing the other electric wires 91 or the like) of the outermost electric wires 91 is a covering material. It is bonded to the inner peripheral surface of 92. As described above, a part of the inner peripheral surface of the covering material 92 and the electric wire 91 are bonded, but it is not necessarily a configuration in which a part of the inner peripheral surface of the covering material 92 and all the electric wires 91 are bonded. .

  The covering material 92 is made of a thermoplastic material, and is molded by utilizing the thermoplasticity of the thermoplastic material. The covering material 92 is integrally formed of a thermoplastic material, is not formed by combining (= joining) a plurality of parts, and the covering material 92 includes a thermoplastic material “ No “seam” or the like is formed. Various thermoplastic resin materials can be applied to the thermoplastic material. For example, a polyester hot melt resin can be applied.

  The thickness of the covering material 92 is not particularly limited, and is appropriately set according to the function to be given to the covering material 92 and its degree. For example, in the case where the covering material 92 has a function as a protector for protecting the electric wire 91, a configuration in which the thickness is increased and the strength is increased so that the electric wire 91 is not damaged can be applied. On the other hand, in the case where the covering material 92 only has a function of collecting the electric wires, a configuration having a thickness that can provide a strength necessary for collecting the electric wires can be applied. Thus, the thickness of the covering material 92 can be set as appropriate.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a predetermined portion of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows a configuration in which the thickness of the covering material 92 changes along the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the covering material 92 may have a substantially uniform thickness over the entire length in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the thickness varies along the axial direction. It may be. For example, among the covering materials formed on a predetermined portion of the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, a configuration in which the thickness of a portion where the protection of the electric wire is particularly desired to be strengthened can be applied. Moreover, the structure which makes the thickness of the coating | covering material 92 differ according to the protection degree of the electric wire 91 requested | required is applicable. Thus, the thickness of the covering material 92 is appropriately set according to the function required for the covering material.

  Note that the covering material 92 having a substantially uniform thickness over the entire length in the axial direction and the covering material 92 whose thickness changes along the axial direction are integrally formed of a thermoplastic material. That is, for example, the covering material whose thickness varies along the axial direction is configured such that the thickness is increased by attaching another part to the thin portion, or the tube shape is different from each other. This is not a configuration in which the molded parts are joined along the axial direction, and the thin part and the thick part are integrally molded as a whole.

  Next, the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  Drawing 3 is a figure showing typically composition of an important section of wire harness manufacturing device 1 concerning an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the wire harness manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a material plasticizing means 11, a nozzle 12, and an air blowing means 13. And the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention heats and plasticizes the thermoplastic material which the material plasticizing means 11 is a material of a coating | covering material, and a hose (member used as the path | route of a thermoplastic material) The covering material 92 can be formed so as to cover the electric wire 91 by feeding the plastic material to the nozzle 12 through 14 or the like and discharging the plasticized thermoplastic material from the nozzle 12. Further, the air blowing means 13 can be cooled by applying air to the thermoplastic material (= the molded covering material 92) discharged from the nozzle 12.

  Thus, when the wire harness manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention manufactures the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined wire 91 of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention is predetermined. It is an apparatus which can shape | mold a covering material in this part. Therefore, it is also a “coating material forming device” for a wire harness (or electric wire).

  The material heating means 11 is an instrument that can heat and plasticize a thermoplastic material and send it to the nozzle 12. As the material plasticizing means 11, various conventional general plasticizing means can be applied. For example, a known general heating device used for heating and plasticizing a resin material in injection molding of the resin material can be applied. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  The heating temperature of the thermoplastic material by the material plasticizing means 11 is a state in which plastic deformation is possible due to the thermoplasticity of the thermoplastic material (= flowable state. Gel state), and the thermoplastic materials that have been plasticized are It is the temperature at which they come into a state where they can be combined and integrated when they come into contact. However, it is a temperature at which plastic deformation is possible due to thermoplasticity, but it is a temperature lower than the melting point, and the thermoplastic material is heated in a general molding process (for example, general injection molding or extrusion molding). A temperature lower than the temperature (especially the temperature recommended by the manufacturer of the thermoplastic material). For example, a temperature in the vicinity of the lower limit of the temperature range in which the thermoplastic material can be plastically deformed by thermoplasticity is applied.

  When a polyester hot melt resin is applied as the thermoplastic material, the heating temperature by the material plasticizing means is in the range of 110 to 150 ° C. The melting point of the polyester-based hot melt resin is about 190 ° C., and in general injection molding, it is heated to a temperature of 190 to 210 ° C.

  The nozzle 12 is an instrument capable of forming the covering material 92 by discharging the thermoplastic material plasticized by the material plasticizing means 11 so as to cover the periphery of the electric wire 91 of the wire harness 9. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the nozzle 12, and is an external perspective view of each member constituting the nozzle 12. 5 and 6 are external perspective views showing a state in which the nozzle 12 is assembled, and in FIG. 5, the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122 are separated. FIG. 6 shows a state where the first casing member 121 and the second casing member 122 are coupled.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle 12 includes a first housing member 121, a second housing member 122, a first nesting member 123, and a second nesting member 124. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first housing member 121 can be fitted with a first nesting member 123, and the second housing member 122 can be fitted with a second nesting member 124. Can be fitted. The first casing member 121 in which the first nesting member 123 is fitted and the second casing member 122 in which the second nesting member 124 is fitted can be detachably coupled. The first casing member 121 in which the first nesting member 123 is fitted and the casing member 122 in which the second nesting member 124 is fitted have a thermoplastic material discharge port (hereinafter simply referred to as “discharge”). 1213 and 1223 are formed. When the first housing member 121 in which the first nesting member 123 is fitted and the housing member 122 in which the second nesting member 124 is fitted, the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 are also integrated. By discharging the plasticized thermoplastic material from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223, the substantially tubular covering material 92 can be formed.

  The first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 can be detachably coupled. Then, when the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 are coupled, a single tubular body (= a predetermined axial length is formed and a through-hole penetrating from one end to the other end in the axial direction is formed. Structure). For this reason, the 1st nesting member 123 and the 2nd nesting member 124 have a structure which respectively divided the tubular body into 2 along the axial direction.

  The 1st nesting member 123 and the 2nd nesting member 124 can be combined in the state where the electric wire 91 contained in the predetermined part of wire harness 9 concerning the embodiment of the present invention was inserted. That is, the tubular body constituted by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 is included in a predetermined portion of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention inside the through hole. The electric wire 91 can be accommodated (in other words, inserted). And the electric wire 91 contained in the predetermined part of the wire harness 9 concerning embodiment of this invention is accommodated in the through-hole of the tubular body comprised by the 1st nesting member 123 and the 2nd nesting member 124 couple | bonding. In this state, a tubular body configured by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 and an electric wire 91 included in a predetermined portion of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention. , And can move relative to each other along the axial direction thereof.

  For this reason, the through-hole of the tubular body constituted by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 has the electric wire 91 included in the predetermined portion of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It has a shape and dimensions that can be accommodated. Further, the cross-sectional size and shape of the tubular body formed by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 define the cross-sectional size and shape of the covering material 92. Furthermore, when the some electric wire 91 is contained in the predetermined part of the wire harness 9 concerning embodiment of this invention, the cross-sectional shape of the bundle | flux of the collected electric wire 91 is prescribed | regulated. For this reason, when the cross-sectional shape of the covering material 92 is formed into a substantially circular shape and the plurality of electric wires 91 are combined so as to have a substantially circular cross section, the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 are combined. A substantially circular shape is applied to the cross-sectional shape of the constructed tubular body. In this case, the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 are members each having a substantially semicircular cross section and a predetermined length.

  In addition, in embodiment of this invention, although the cross-sectional shape of the tubular body comprised by combining the 1st nesting member 123 and the 2nd nesting member 124 shows the structure formed in substantially circle shape, this tubular body is shown. The cross-sectional shape is not particularly limited. For example, the structure formed in polygons, such as a quadrilateral, may be sufficient. In short, it is appropriately set according to the cross-sectional shape of the covering material 92 and the cross-sectional shape of the bundle of bundled wires 91.

  The shape of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body configured by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in each of FIGS. 4 to 6, the cross-sectional shape may be substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the through hole (in the embodiment of the present invention, a substantially circular shape). The structure formed in a shape may be sufficient. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the through hole of the tubular body formed by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 is substantially circular, and the outer peripheral surface has a polygonal shape (such as a square or a hexagon). ).

  However, on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body constituted by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124, paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material are formed, and the paths 1231 of this thermoplastic material are formed. The end point of 1241 is one end in the axial direction of the tubular body, and is formed so as to be close to the inner peripheral surface of the through hole (= in the immediate vicinity of the outside of the through hole) (described later). For this reason, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body constituted by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 is substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the through hole. That is, it is preferable that the tubular body formed by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 has a substantially uniform thickness over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

  The vicinity of one end in the axial direction of the tubular body formed by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 is formed in a tapered shape whose cross-sectional dimension decreases toward one end in the axial direction. For example, when the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body configured by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 is substantially circular, the vicinity of one end in the axial direction faces the one end. It is formed in a shape that a part of the cone is cut out so as to be tapered.

  The first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 are formed with paths 1231 and 1241 of thermoplastic material, respectively. FIG. 7 is a view showing the configuration of the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material formed in each of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124. Specifically, FIG. 7A is a view of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member as viewed from one end in the axial direction, and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member. FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C is a diagram in which the outer peripheral surfaces of the nesting member 124 (the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material formed thereon) are developed in a plane. 7 (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 7 (b).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material are grooves formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124. In particular, as shown in FIG. 7B, the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material have predetermined positions in the middle in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124, respectively. The starting point is the end in the axial direction (= the end is reached in the axial direction). In other words, one end in the axial direction of each of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 is the end point of the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material.

  The paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material branch into a plurality of paths from the start point to the end point. The branched paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic materials extend toward one end in the axial direction of each of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124. The paths of the thermoplastic material paths 1231 and 1241 gradually increase in the vicinity of one end in the axial direction of each of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 toward the one end in the axial direction. It is formed in a flared shape. Further, the bottom portion of the portion that is formed in the flared shape gradually approaches the inner peripheral surface (that is, the vicinity of one end in the axial direction of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 is in the axial direction. As you go to one end, the thickness decreases.)

  The branched paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic materials are all merged and integrated in the vicinity of one end in the axial direction of each of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 (= immediately near the end point). Turn into. That is, the outer peripheral side of one end in the axial direction of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 becomes the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material over the entire length in the circumferential direction.

  When the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 are joined, the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material formed in the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124, respectively, are connected to one end in the axial direction. Meet at the latest. For this reason, in the tubular body constituted by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124, the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material surround the outer periphery of one end of the through hole without any breaks. It has the composition to do. Further, as described above, in the vicinity of one end in the axial direction, since the bottom surfaces of the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material are close to the inner peripheral surface, the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 are coupled. Thus, the thermoplastic material paths 1231 and 1241 (the end points thereof) are formed in close proximity to the outside of the through hole of the tubular body configured as described above.

  Specifically, for example, the following configurations can be applied to the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material. The paths 1231, 1241 of the thermoplastic material are predetermined positions in the axial direction and start from a substantially intermediate position in the circumferential direction. And it extends | stretches toward the both sides of the circumferential direction from a starting point, Then, it changes direction and extends | stretches toward the one end side of an axial direction. Then, before reaching one end in the axial direction, each branchs into two (a total of four branches), and the branched paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic materials further extend toward one end in the axial direction. To do. And the path | routes 1231,1241 of each branched thermoplastic material are formed in the pointed-out shape which a width | variety spreads gradually toward one end in the part in which an outer peripheral surface is formed in a tapered shape. Further, in this portion, the bottom surfaces of the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material gradually approach the inner peripheral surface toward the one end in the axial direction (that is, the first nesting member 123 and the first nesting member 123 The thickness of each of the two nesting members 124 is reduced). And in the immediate vicinity of the one end of an axial direction, the path | routes of each thermoplastic material formed in a flared shape all merge and integrate.

  The configuration of the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material is not limited to the above configuration. In short, in each of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124, the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material start from an intermediate position in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface and reach one end in the axial direction. There may be a configuration that is formed over the entire length (= the entire circumference) at one end in the axial direction.

  The first housing member 121 has a configuration in which the first nesting member 123 can be fitted. The second casing member 122 has a configuration in which the second nesting member 124 can be fitted. The first casing member 121 in which the first nesting member 123 is fitted and the second casing member 122 in which the second nesting member 124 is fitted can be detachably coupled. Have When the first casing member and the second casing member are coupled in a state where each of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 is fitted, the first nesting member 123 and the second casing member The nesting member 124 is also coupled to form a tubular body.

  Then, the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 are coupled to each other. = Both ends of the through-hole of the tubular body are coupled to the first casing member 121 and the second casing member 122. It has the structure which appears on the outer periphery. That is, the nozzle 12 accommodates the electric wire 91 included in a predetermined portion of the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention as a whole in a state where the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122 are coupled. It has a configuration in which possible through holes are formed.

  Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first housing member 121 is formed with a fitting recess 1211 into which the first nesting member 123 can be fitted. Similarly, a fitting recess 1221 into which the second nesting member 124 can be fitted is formed in the second housing member 122. When the first nesting member 123 is fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the fitting recess 1211 formed in the first housing member 121, the outer peripheral surface of the first nesting member 123 (= first nesting member 123 and The surface which becomes the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body constituted by being coupled to the second nesting member 124 (hereinafter the same) is formed in a shape and size that are substantially in contact (except for the path 1231 of the thermoplastic material).

  Therefore, the fitting recess 1211 formed in the first housing member 121 is formed in a shape and size substantially the same as the shape and size of the outer peripheral surface of the first nesting member 123. Similarly, the inner peripheral surface of the fitting recess 1221 formed in the second housing member 122 is the outer peripheral surface of the second nesting member 124 (= first nesting) when the second nesting member 124 is fitted. The surface which becomes the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body formed by joining the member 123 and the second nesting member 124 (hereinafter the same) is formed in a shape and size that are substantially in close contact (except for the path of the thermoplastic material). The Specifically, for example, the fitting recess 1211 formed in the first housing member 121 is formed in a shape and size substantially the same as the shape and size of the outer peripheral surface of the first nesting member 123, and the second housing The fitting recess 1221 formed in the body member 122 is formed to have substantially the same shape and size as the shape and size of the outer peripheral surface of the second nesting member 124.

  For this reason, when the first nesting member 123 is fitted in the first casing member 121, the path 1231 of the thermoplastic material formed in the first nesting member 123 is formed in the first casing member 121. The fitting recess 1211 is covered with the inner peripheral surface. Similarly, when the second nesting member 124 is fitted into the second casing member 122, the path 1241 of the thermoplastic material formed in the second nesting member 124 is formed in the second casing member 122. The inner surface of the fitting recess 1221 is covered.

  In a state in which the first nesting member 123 is fitted in the fitting recess 1211 formed in the first casing member 121, one surface of the outer periphery of the first casing member 121 is the first nesting member 123. It substantially coincides with the end face at one end in the axial direction (the end face on the side where the end point of the path 1231 of the thermoplastic material is located). Similarly, in a state where the second nesting member 124 is fitted in the fitting recess 1221 formed in the second casing member 122, one surface of the outer periphery of the second casing member 122 is the second nesting. It substantially coincides with the end surface of one end of the member 124 in the axial direction. For this reason, the end surface of the end of the axial direction of the 1st nesting member 123 and the 2nd nesting member 124 is exposed from one surface of each outer periphery of a 1st housing member and a 2nd housing member.

  And the outer peripheral surface (= bottom surface of the path | route 1231 of a thermoplastic material) in the immediate vicinity of the end of the axial direction of the 1st nesting member 123, and the internal peripheral surface of the fitting recessed part 1211 formed in the 1st housing member 121 Are opposed to each other with a predetermined distance. That is, on one surface of the outer periphery of the first housing member 121, between the outer peripheral surface of the first nesting member 123 and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting recess 1211 formed in the first housing member 121, A predetermined gap is formed. Similarly, on one surface of the outer periphery of the second casing member 122, between the outer peripheral surface of the second nesting member 124 and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting recess 1221 formed in the second casing member 122. A predetermined gap is formed. These gaps serve as discharge ports 1213 and 1223 (discharge ports for discharging a plasticized thermoplastic material) of the nozzle 12.

  The first nesting member 123 fitted in the fitting recess 1211 formed in the first casing member 121 is fixed to the first casing member 121. Similarly, the second nesting member 124 fitted in the fitting recess 1221 formed in the second casing member 122 is fixed to the second casing member 122. The first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 may be detachable from the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122, respectively, but at least the embodiment of the present invention. While the wire harness 9 according to the above is manufactured, the wire harness 9 is maintained in a fixed state. For example, the structure fixed so that attachment or detachment with a screw | thread etc. is applicable (not shown).

  When the first housing member 121 in which the first nesting member 123 is fitted and the second housing member 122 in which the second nesting member 124 is fitted, the first housing member 121 and the first housing member 121 are connected. On one surface of the outer periphery of the combined body of the two housing members 122, one end of a through hole of a tubular body formed by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 appears. Discharge ports 1213 and 1223 are formed so as to surround the periphery of one end of the through hole. For example, if the through hole of the combined body of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 is formed to have a substantially circular cross section, the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 are coupled. Through-holes in the body, end faces at one end in the axial direction of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124, discharge ports 1213 and 1223 for discharging the thermoplastic material, the first housing member 121 and the first nesting member The inner peripheral surfaces of the fitting recesses 1211 and 1221 of the second casing member 122 are arranged in a substantially concentric manner.

  In each of the first casing member 121 and the second casing member 122, paths 1212 and 1222 of thermoplastic material are formed. These paths 1212 and 1222 of the thermoplastic material are respectively provided in the first nesting member 123 fitted in the first casing member 121 and the second nesting member 123 fitted in the second casing member 122. This is a path for feeding the plasticized thermoplastic material to the starting point of the path of the formed thermoplastic material. For this reason, for example, the path 1212 of the thermoplastic material formed in the first casing member 121 is inserted from the outer periphery of the first casing member 121 to a predetermined position (inserted into the inner peripheral surface of the fitting recess 1211. In addition, it has a through-hole configuration that reaches the starting point of the path 1231 of the thermoplastic material formed in the first nesting member 123. Similarly, the path 1222 of the thermoplastic material formed in the second housing member 122 is a predetermined position on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting recess 1221 from the outer periphery of the second housing member 122 (inserted first). It has a through-hole-like configuration that reaches the starting point of the path 1241 of the thermoplastic material formed in the second nesting member 124.

  According to such a configuration, when the plasticized thermoplastic material is fed into the paths 1212 and 1222 of the thermoplastic material of the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122, the first housing. The thermoplastic material paths 1212, 1222 formed in the body member 121 and the second casing member 121, respectively, and the thermoplastic material paths formed in the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124, respectively. The ink is discharged from discharge ports 1213 and 1223 through paths 1231 and 1241.

  For this reason, the flow of the thermoplastic material is the following in the first casing member 121 in which the first nesting member 123 is fitted and the second casing member in which the second nesting member 124 is fitted. It becomes as follows.

  When the plasticized thermoplastic material is fed into the thermoplastic material paths 1212 and 1222 of the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122, the plasticized thermoplastic material becomes the thermoplastic material. , And reaches the starting point of the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material formed in each of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124. Further, the fluid flows through the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material toward the end points (= discharge ports 1213 and 1223).

  When the thermoplastic material paths 1231 and 1241 flow from the start point to the end point, the thermoplastic material also branches and flows according to the branching form of the thermoplastic material paths 1231 and 1241. The branched and flowing thermoplastic material merges and integrates in the vicinity of one end in the axial direction of the combined body of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124. And a thermoplastic material is discharged outside from the discharge outlets 1213 and 1223 in the integrated state. Since the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 surround the periphery of the through-hole of the tubular body formed by coupling the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124, the discharged thermoplastic material is discharged from the discharge port. The outlets 1213 and 1223 are formed into a substantially tubular shape having a cross-sectional shape and dimensions corresponding to the shapes and dimensions of the outlets 1213 and 1223.

  The configuration of the first casing member 121 and the second casing member 122 other than the fitting recesses 1211 and 1221 is configured such that the air flow in the vicinity of the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 does not stagnate (= discharge port). The configuration is not particularly limited as long as the thermoplastic material discharged from 1213 and 1223 can be easily blown to the thermoplastic material. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122 are configured to have a quadrangular prism shape in which a through-hole penetrating in the axial direction is formed when combined. In addition, the configuration may be a columnar shape with a polygonal cross section other than a quadrangular column, or a columnar shape.

  The first casing member in which the first nesting member 123 is fitted and the second casing member in which the second nesting member 124 is fitted include the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member. The members 124 are joined to form a tubular body. Therefore, the first casing member 121 and the second casing member 122 can be aligned and coupled such that the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 are coupled to form a tubular body. It may be a configuration. For example, in a state where the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122 are coupled, a protrusion is formed on one of the surfaces that are joined or opposed to each other, and a recess that can be engaged with the protrusion is formed on the other. It may be a configuration. According to such a configuration, the projection formed on one of the first casing member 121 and the second casing member 122 engages with the recess formed on the other, whereby the first casing member 121 and the second housing member 122 can be positioned and coupled.

  The air blowing means 13 discharges the thermoplastic material (= the molded covering material 92) discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122 (that is, the nozzle 12). It is a member that can be cooled in the immediate vicinity of the outlets 1213 and 1223. For this reason, the blowing means 13 has a configuration capable of blowing air in the immediate vicinity of the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the first casing member 121 and the second casing member 122.

  In addition, the structure of this ventilation means 13 is not limited, Various conventionally well-known ventilation means are applicable. For example, the blowing means 13 includes a pneumatic expression machine or an air tank and a blower pipe or a blower tube, and the air of the pneumatic expression machine or the air tank is supplied to the first casing member 121 and the first through the blower pipe or the blower tube. The structure which can be sprayed toward the discharge outlets 1213 and 1223 of the second casing member 122 (= the end on the side from which the air of the blower tube or the blower tube is discharged is the first casing member 121 and the second casing A configuration in which the member 122 is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the member 122 is applicable. In addition, a configuration in which a blower fan (a variety of conventionally known fans can be used as the blower fan) is provided in the vicinity of the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 can be applied.

  In addition, the ventilation means 13 should just be the structure which can blow normal temperature air, and does not need to have the mechanism which adjusts the temperature of air. Further, the air blowing means 13 does not have to be configured to cool the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122. That is, the thermoplastic material discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122 is subjected to a temperature at which plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity does not occur (or plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity occurs). Any structure that can be cooled to a difficult temperature) may be used. For this reason, the cooling capacity of the air blowing means 13 (air blowing capacity) may be any capacity as long as the thermoplastic material can be cooled to a temperature at which the thermoplastic material does not undergo plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity, and the first housing member 121 and the second housing member. The ability to cool 122 is not necessary.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  First, predetermined connectors are attached to the ends of the electric wires 91 included in the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This step can be performed at a stage before the electric wires 91 are gathered into a predetermined form or a stage before the covering material 92 is formed. For this reason, it can carry out using the apparatus (henceforth a "automatic apparatus" only) which can mount | wear a connector automatically to the edge part of the electric wire 91. FIG.

  In the stage after the electric wires 91 included in the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention are gathered into a predetermined form or the stage after the covering material 92 is formed, the other electric wires 91 and the covering material 92 are formed. May interfere with the setting of the predetermined electric wire 91 to the automatic device. If it does so, it will become impossible to mount connectors on electric wire 91 using an automatic device, and it will be necessary to mount connectors manually. On the other hand, in the method for manufacturing the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, the connectors can be mounted at a stage before the electric wires 91 are gathered into a predetermined form or before the covering material 92 is formed. (In other words, the connectors can be mounted in a state where each electric wire 91 is disjoint), so that the use of the automatic device is not hindered.

  Next, the electric wires 91 included in the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention are collected into a predetermined form (form a predetermined trunk line and a predetermined branch line). This operation is performed using, for example, a drawing board on which the form of the electric wire 91 of the wire harness 9 of the present invention is drawn. The contents of this work are the same as before. Moreover, a figure board with a conventionally well-known structure is applicable. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  Next, a covering material 92 is formed on a predetermined portion of the collected electric wires 91. Specifically, it is as follows. 8-11 is the figure which showed typically the process of shape | molding the coating | covering material 92. FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8, the first casing member 121 in which the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 (= one end in the axial direction of the portion where the covering material 92 is formed) is fitted with the first nesting member 123. And the second casing member 122 in which the second nesting member 124 is fitted (ie, by the nozzle 12). Then, the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122 are combined. As a result, one end of the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 in the axial direction is accommodated in the through hole of the tubular body configured by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124.

  The 1st nesting member 123 and the 2nd nesting member 124 have a structure which divided the tubular body into two along the axial direction. For this reason, the 1st nesting member 123 and the 2nd nesting member 124 couple | bond by making the 1st nesting member 123 and the 2nd nesting member 124 approach from the side of the electric wire 91, and are couple | bonded and couple | bonded. A predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 can be accommodated in the through hole of the tubular body configured as described above. For this reason, it is not necessary to perform the operation | work which inserts an electric wire from one end of the through-hole of the tubular body comprised by the 1st nesting member 123 and the 2nd nesting member 124 couple | bonding. Therefore, even when the connectors are attached to the end of the electric wire 91, the connectors do not hinder the work. Thus, in the manufacturing method of the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, the order of the work of attaching the connectors to the end of the electric wire 91 and the work of forming the covering material 92 on the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 are as follows. Not limited. Therefore, after attaching the connectors to the end portion of the electric wire 91, an operation of forming the covering material 92 on a predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 can be performed.

  On the other hand, in the method of inserting a predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 into the through hole of the combined body of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124, the end of the electric wire 91 is larger than the inner diameter of the through hole. When the connectors are mounted, a predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 cannot be inserted into the through hole.

  Then, the thermoplastic material is heated to a predetermined temperature by the material plasticizing means 11 to be plasticized, and the plasticized thermoplastic material passes through the hose 14 and the first housing member 121 and the second housing of the nozzle 12. It is fed into the paths 1212 and 1222 of the thermoplastic material formed in the body member 122. The thermoplastic material fed into the paths 1212 and 1222 of the thermoplastic material formed in the first casing member 121 and the second casing member 121 flows through the paths 1212 and 1222 of the thermoplastic material and flows first. The thermoplastic material paths 1231 and 1241 formed in the one nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 are reached. Further, the thermoplastic material flows through the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material formed in the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 toward the discharge ports 1213 and 1223.

  When the plasticized thermoplastic material flows through the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material formed in the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 toward the discharge ports 1213 and 1223, the path of the thermoplastic material The thermoplastic material also branches and flows according to the branch form of 1231,1241. The branched and flowing thermoplastic material merges and joins together in the vicinity of one end in the axial direction of the combined body of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124.

  The thermoplastic material is integrated with the outside from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122 of the nozzle 12 (that is, outside of the nozzle 12). Discharged.

  The discharge ports 1213 and 1223 formed in the nozzle 12 are formed so that the through holes are not cut immediately near the outside of the through hole of the tubular body formed by combining the first nest member 123 and the second nest member 124. It is formed to surround. Therefore, the thermoplastic material discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122 of the nozzle 12 covers the periphery of the electric wire 91 and is formed into a substantially tubular shape. Thus, the covering material 92 is obtained. The paths 1231, 1241 of the thermoplastic material formed in the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124 are all merged in the immediate vicinity of the discharge ports 1213, 1223. Therefore, the thermoplastic material is also merged and combined. And become one. For this reason, the covering material 92 is integrally formed of a thermoplastic material and has no joints or cuts.

  The thermoplastic material immediately after being discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 (= the covering material 92 immediately after being molded) is at a temperature at which plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity is possible, but to the extent that plastic deformation is possible when external force is applied. It is in a softened state. And it is lower than the temperature in the state immediately after being injected in general injection molding, or the temperature in the state immediately after being extruded in general extrusion molding, and is in a state in which plastic deformation is difficult compared to these states. is there. As described above, the discharged and molded covering material 92 has low fluidity (it does not flow unless force is applied from the outside. That is, it hardly flows due to its own weight, etc.), so that it penetrates between the wires 91. Can not do it. In addition, if this state is maintained for a long time, it is also conceivable that the thermoplastic material penetrates into the gaps between the electric wires 91. However, since the temperature of the discharged thermoplastic material is a low temperature, the temperature at which plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity does not occur before being infiltrated between the electric wires 91 when exposed to the outside air (room temperature air). To drop. Thus, the discharged covering material 92 does not infiltrate between the electric wires 91 and join the electric wires.

  For this reason, according to the manufacturing method of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention, the structure by which a tape is wound around an electric wire, the structure by which a coating | covering material is injection-molded, and the plasticized thermoplastic material are apply | coated around the electric wire Compared with the configuration, it is possible to prevent or suppress a decrease in flexibility (particularly ease of bending) of a predetermined portion of the electric wire (= portion on which the covering material is formed).

  In other words, in the configuration in which the tape is wound around the electric wire, the electric wire is tightened by the tape, so that the electric wires are brought into close contact with each other with a predetermined pressure. For this reason, since it will be in the state similar to the state by which all the electric wires were adhere | attached integrally, the softness | flexibility of the part in which the tape was wound falls. Also, in the configuration in which the coating material is molded by injection molding and the configuration in which the plasticized thermoplastic material is applied to the electric wire and the coating material is molded, the injected thermoplastic material or the applied thermoplastic material is used between the electric wires. Infiltrate between the wires to join the wires together. Further, the space between the wires is filled with a thermoplastic material. For this reason, since all the electric wires are joined together and there is no cavity between the electric wires, the flexibility of the portion where the covering material is formed is reduced.

  On the other hand, according to the manufacturing method of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention, the wire harness which has the structure in which the shape | molded coating | covering material 92 does not bind the electric wire 91 firmly can be manufactured. Furthermore, it is possible to manufacture a wire harness having a configuration in which the thermoplastic material does not penetrate between the electric wires. Therefore, according to the method for manufacturing a wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to manufacture a wire harness in which the flexibility of the portion where the covering material 92 is formed does not decrease.

  A part of the inner peripheral surface of the covering material 92 formed into a substantially tube shape by being discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 is in contact with a part or all of the surface of the electric wire 91. The covering material 92 immediately after being discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 is in a state where it is easy to undergo plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity, and its surface has viscosity. For this reason, the part which contacted the electric wire 91 among the inner peripheral surfaces of the covering material 92 adheres to the electric wire 91.

  As described above, if the number of the electric wires 91 included in the predetermined portion of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention is one or a small number, the inner peripheral surface of the covering material 92 contacts the outer peripheral surfaces of all the electric wires 91. Therefore, all the electric wires 91 and the inner peripheral surface of the covering material 92 are bonded. On the other hand, if there are a large number of electric wires 92 included in the predetermined portion, the electric wires 91 that are not exposed to the outside of the bundle of electric wires 91 by being surrounded by other electric wires 91 are covered with the covering material 92. The inner peripheral surface does not touch. In particular, as described above, the covering material 92 formed by being discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 has low fluidity, so that it reaches the surface of the electric wire 91 that is not exposed by being infiltrated between the electric wires 91 and contacts. There is nothing to do. For this reason, the inner peripheral surface of the covering material 92 is not bonded to such an electric wire 91. Therefore, in this case, a configuration in which the inner peripheral surface of the covering material 92 and a part of the plurality of electric wires 91 are bonded is obtained.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, while discharging the thermoplastic material from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223, the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 and the nozzle 12 (the first casing member 121 and the second casing member 122 and Are relatively moved along their axial directions. If it does so, the coating | covering material 92 will be formed in the range to which the relative movement of the predetermined part of the electric wire 91 was carried out.

  In addition, if the predetermined part of the electric wire 91 has a dimension that can be accommodated in a through-hole of a tubular body formed by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124, Regardless of the diameter (in the case where a plurality of electric wires 91 are included, the outer diameter of the entire bundle of electric wires 91), the covering material 92 can be formed. Therefore, even when the diameter of the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 changes in the middle of the axial direction, the relative movement between the nozzle 12 and the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 and the discharge of the thermoplastic material are continued. The molding of 92 can be continued. As a result, in a predetermined portion of the electric wire 91, the covering material 92 can be integrally formed across portions having different outer diameters. That is, if the outer diameter of the electric wire 91 is a dimension that can be accommodated in the through hole of the tubular body configured by combining the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124, the outer diameter is in the middle of the axial direction. Even if it changes, the molding of the covering material 92 can be continued without replacing the nozzle 12.

  The thickness dimension of the covering material 92 to be molded depends on the amount of the thermoplastic material discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the nozzle 12 per unit time and the relative movement between the nozzle 12 and a predetermined portion of the electric wire 91. It depends on the speed. That is, when the amount of the thermoplastic material discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 per unit time is increased or the relative moving speed between the nozzle 12 and a predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 is decreased, the covering material to be formed The thickness of 92 becomes thicker. As described above, the molding is performed by adjusting at least one of the amount of the thermoplastic material discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 per unit time and the relative moving speed of the predetermined portion of the nozzle 12 and the electric wire 91. The thickness of the covering material 92 can be adjusted.

  Therefore, when the amount of the thermoplastic material discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 per unit time and the relative moving speed of the nozzle 12 and the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 are constant, the covering material 92 to be molded is formed. The thickness is substantially uniform over the entire length in the axial direction. That is, a covering material 92 as shown in FIG. 1 is formed. On the other hand, if one or both of the amount of the thermoplastic material discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 per unit time and the relative moving speed of the nozzle 12 and the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 are changed in the middle, the axis line The covering material 92 whose thickness varies along the direction can be formed. That is, a covering material as shown in FIG. 2 can be formed. In this way, the covering material 92 whose thickness varies along the axial direction can be integrally formed with a thermoplastic material, not a configuration in which another part is assembled.

  According to such a configuration, even when a specific portion of the electric wire 91 is particularly desired to be protected, there is no need to mount a protective member made of a separate part. Further, only one or both of the relative moving speed of the nozzle 12 and the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 or the amount of the thermoplastic material discharged per unit time from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the nozzle 12 is adjusted. The thickness of the covering material 92 can be adjusted. For this reason, it is easy to control the shape and dimensions of the covering material 92, and the work man-hours are not increased. Therefore, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed or manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  When the nozzle 12 and a predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 are relatively moved, and the nozzle 12 is positioned at the other end of the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 (= the other end of the portion where the covering material 92 is formed) (that is, the electric wire 91). When the covering material 92 is formed on the predetermined portion of the wire), the relative movement between the nozzle 12 and the predetermined portion of the electric wire 92 is stopped, and the discharge of the thermoplastic material is stopped.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 10, the blower 13 blows air to at least the portion of the molded covering material 92 that is closest to the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the nozzle 12. When the molded covering material 92 is blown, the temperature of the formed covering material 92 is lowered, and the covering material 92 is in a state where plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity does not occur. After that, as shown in FIG. 11, when the nozzle 12 and a predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 are relatively moved, the formed covering material 92 is placed inside the nozzle 12 at the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the nozzle 12. The existing thermoplastic material (the thermoplastic material before being formed into the covering material 92) is cut and separated from the nozzle 12.

  According to such a configuration, the molded covering material 92 is cut without plastic deformation so as to be stretched. For this reason, it is possible to improve the appearance of the end portion of the covering material 92 in the axial direction.

  That is, the covering material 92 immediately after being discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the nozzle 12 is at a temperature at which it can be plastically deformed by thermoplasticity. For this reason, if the nozzle 12 and the predetermined part of the electric wire 91 are relatively moved in this state, the discharged and molded covering material 92 is stretched and plastically deformed. For this reason, it will be in the state where the edge part of the coating | covering material 92 sagged, and it does not look good. In addition, since the molded covering material 92 is in a state in which it can be plastically deformed due to thermoplasticity in the immediate vicinity of the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the nozzle 12, it is difficult to cut with a blade. Further, if a blade is used to cut the covering material 92, the wire 91 may be damaged by the blade.

  On the other hand, according to the method for manufacturing the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, the formed covering material 92 can be cut with good appearance for the following reason. When the blower unit 12 blows air to at least the portion of the molded covering material 92 immediately adjacent to the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the nozzle 12, this portion of the covering material 92 is rapidly cooled. For this reason, this portion of the covering material 92 is in a state where plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity does not occur. On the other hand, the thermoplastic material present in the nozzle 12 is not cooled because it is not blown by the blowing means 13 and is therefore in a state where plastic deformation is likely to occur due to thermoplasticity. As a result, the thermoplastic material (including the molded covering material 92) has a boundary between a portion that does not undergo plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity and a portion that is likely to undergo plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity, It is formed at the positions of the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the nozzle 12.

  In this state, when the nozzle 12 and a predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 are relatively moved, the thermoplastic material present in the nozzle 12 is formed in the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124. The first nesting is caused by friction between the inner peripheral surfaces of the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material and the inner peripheral surfaces of the fitting recesses 1211 and 1221 of the first casing member 121 and the second casing member 122. It remains inside the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material formed in the member 123 and the second nesting member 124. On the other hand, the portion (molded covering material 92) discharged from the discharge port of the nozzle 12 is in a state where plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity does not occur. Therefore, even if a tensile force is applied in the axial direction, the portion is not plastically deformed. Therefore, at the discharge port of the nozzle 12 (that is, at the boundary between the portion that can be deformed by thermoplasticity and the portion that cannot be deformed), the molded covering material 92 and the thermoplastic material before molding are stretched. And can be cut without plastic deformation. By blowing the air evenly from the periphery of the covering material 92, the boundary between the portion that can be deformed by thermoplasticity and the portion that cannot be deformed is formed in an annular shape, and the appearance of the cut end portion is improved. Therefore, the appearance of the end of the covering material 92 in the axial direction can be improved.

  In addition, the heating temperature of the thermoplastic material in the manufacturing method of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention is a low temperature compared with general injection molding, extrusion molding, etc. In particular, a temperature in the vicinity of the lower limit of the temperature range in which the thermoplastic material can be plastically deformed by thermoplasticity is suitably applied. For this reason, even if only air at normal temperature is blown, the molded covering material 92 can be cooled to a temperature at which plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity does not occur (or a temperature at which plastic deformation due to thermoplasticity does not easily occur). . Therefore, since an apparatus for adjusting the temperature of air (an apparatus for cooling air) is unnecessary, the configuration of the wire harness manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is not complicated, and the number of parts is reduced. There will be no increase in Therefore, the equipment cost is not increased.

  Through the above steps, a covering material 92 is formed on a predetermined portion of the electric wire 91.

  The wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, the wire harness manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the method of manufacturing the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention can exhibit the following operational effects.

  According to the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, a decrease in flexibility of a portion where the covering material 91 is molded is prevented or suppressed. For this reason, in the operation | work which routes the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention inside a vehicle etc., since a predetermined | prescribed part can be changed easily, the improvement of the efficiency of routing work can be aimed at.

  Since a part of the inner peripheral surface of the molded covering material 92 is bonded to a predetermined portion of the electric wire 91, the molded covering material 92 does not move from the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91. For this reason, it is not necessary to fix the covering material 92 to the electric wire 91 so that the formed covering material 92 does not move.

  Moreover, the appearance of the wire harness is better than a configuration in which a tape is wound around the electric wire.

  According to the wire harness manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent or suppress an increase in equipment cost or to reduce the equipment cost.

  For example, the nozzle 12 applied to the wire harness manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a simple structure and can be manufactured at a low cost as compared with a mold for injection molding. That is, the mold for injection molding needs to have a configuration that can withstand the pressure of the injected thermoplastic material. On the other hand, since a high pressure is not applied to the nozzle 12 applied to the wire harness manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is not necessary to have a configuration that can withstand the high pressure. Therefore, the structure is simple and it can be manufactured in a small size.

  Further, in general injection molding, a mold clamping mechanism is necessary to prevent the upper mold and the lower mold of the molding mold from being separated by the pressure of the injected thermoplastic material. For this reason, the structure of the equipment for molding the covering material becomes complicated and expensive. On the other hand, in the wire harness manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first casing member 121 and the second casing member 122 are separated even while the thermoplastic material is being discharged. The power to do is not added. For this reason, the wire harness manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention does not require a mechanism corresponding to the mold clamping mechanism in the equipment for injection molding.

  Further, in general injection molding, it is necessary to apply a high pressure to the thermoplastic material in order to fill the molding material with the thermoplastic material. On the other hand, in the wire harness manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, thermoplasticity formed in the first housing member 121 and the second housing member 122 with respect to the plasticized resin material. Any pressure may be applied as long as the pressure can pass (= flow) through the paths 1212 and 1222 of the material and the paths 1231 and 1241 of the thermoplastic material formed in the first and second nesting members 123 and 124. . For this reason, compared with injection molding, since the pressure applied to a thermoplastic material is small, the apparatus which sends out a thermoplastic material can apply a small thing. Further, the path of the thermoplastic material (such as a hose that joins the material plasticizing means 13 and the nozzle 12) need not be configured to withstand high pressure.

  Moreover, in the structure which shape | molds a coating | covering material by injection molding, the magnitude | size of the metal mold | die for shaping | molding is decided according to the magnitude | size of the coating | covering material shape | molded. Therefore, when the size of the covering material to be molded is increased (for example, when the length in the axial direction is increased), the size of the molding die is increased. In contrast, the length in the axial direction of the nozzle 12 applied to the wire harness manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention does not depend on the length in the axial direction of the covering material 92 to be molded, and is a short length. It can be. That is, a covering material longer than the axial direction of the nozzle 12 can be formed. Moreover, the length of the axial direction of the covering material 92 to be molded can be arbitrarily set.

  Thus, the wire harness manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can prevent or suppress an increase in the equipment cost, or can reduce the equipment cost.

  Moreover, the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention has high versatility.

  For example, in a configuration in which the covering material is formed by injection molding, only one kind of covering material (one size and shape) can be formed by a set of molding dies. For this reason, in order to shape | mold the coating | covering material from which thickness differs, it is necessary to prepare the metal mold | die for shaping | molding for every thickness of a coating | covering material. Similarly, when forming a coating material having different axial lengths, it is necessary to prepare a molding die for each axial length of the coating material. On the other hand, the nozzle 12 applied to the wire harness manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a relative movement speed between the nozzle 12 and a predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 and / or a unit time of the thermoplastic material. The thickness of the covering material can be changed by adjusting the discharge amount. Therefore, the covering material 92 having a plurality of thicknesses can be formed with a set of nozzles 12. Furthermore, by appropriately setting a range in which the nozzle 12 and the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 are relatively moved, various lengths of the covering material can be formed on the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91.

  As described above, the covering material 92 having a plurality of thickness dimensions can be formed by the set of nozzles 12.

  Further, if the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 is of a size that can be accommodated in the through hole of the combined body of the first nesting member 123 and the second nesting member 124, regardless of the outer diameter of the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91, The covering material 92 can be formed. For this reason, the diameter of a some electric wire (when several electric wires are included) can respond to the diameter of a set of nozzles. Further, even when the diameter of the electric wire 91 changes in the middle of the axial direction, the covering material 92 is integrally formed across the portions having different diameters without being interrupted (or without replacing the nozzle 12). Can do.

  According to the method of manufacturing the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, the order of the step of attaching the connectors to the end of the electric wire 91 and the step of forming the covering material 92 on the predetermined portion of the electric wire 91 is not limited. .

  In a configuration in which a tubular member (for example, a corrugated tube) is used as a covering material and a predetermined portion of the electric wire is accommodated inside the tubular member, a step of attaching connectors to the end of the electric wire, and a covering material In some cases, the order of the molding process is limited. Specifically, if the connectors attached to the end of the electric wire have dimensions and shapes that do not allow the tube-like member to be inserted, the wire is attached before the step of attaching the connectors to the end of the electric wire. It is necessary to pass through the tubular member.

  When the order of these steps is limited, for example, the following problem occurs. An automatic device may be used in the process of attaching the connectors to the end of the electric wire. However, in a state where the electric wire is inserted through the inside of the tube-shaped member, the tube-shaped member and other electric wires may physically interfere with each other and the predetermined electric wire may not be set in the automatic device. In this case, it is necessary to manually attach the connectors, and as a result, it is difficult to increase the manufacturing cost of the wire harness or to reduce the manufacturing cost.

  On the other hand, in the manufacturing method of the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, after attaching predetermined connectors to the end portions of the electric wires 91, the electric wires 91 can be gathered and the covering material 92 can be formed. For this reason, the process of attaching the connectors to the end of the electric wire 91 can be performed in a state where each electric wire 91 exists alone. Therefore, in the process of attaching the connectors using an automatic device, there is no case where another electric wire 91 or the covering material 92 interferes and the electric wire 91 cannot be set in the automatic device. Therefore, the process of attaching the connectors to each electric wire 91 can be performed using an automatic device, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In addition, when it is the structure which uses the tube (Cross section "C" -shaped tube) in which the slit was formed as a coating | covering material, it coat | covers the predetermined part of an electric wire after the process of attaching connectors to the edge part of an electric wire. Material can be provided. However, in such a configuration, it is necessary to wrap a tape or the like around the tube in order to prevent the electric wire from coming out of the tube (or to prevent the electric wire from being exposed by opening a slit). For this reason, the work man-hour increases. Furthermore, since a tape is required, the number of parts increases. Therefore, the manufacturing cost increases. Furthermore, since the tape is wound around the tube, there is also a problem that the appearance of the wire harness is not good.

  On the other hand, according to the manufacturing method of the wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention, the tube-shaped coating | covering material 92 without a slit can be shape | molded integrally. For this reason, since it is not necessary to wrap a tape around the outer periphery of the covering material 92, the number of parts and work man-hours are not increased (or the number of parts and work man-hours can be reduced). Moreover, since it is not necessary to wind a tape, the appearance of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be good.

  Furthermore, in the configuration using a tube as the covering material, it is necessary to wrap a tape or the like so as to straddle the covering material and the electric wire so that the covering material provided in a predetermined portion of the electric wire does not move. For this reason, the work man-hour is increased (or the work man-hour cannot be reduced), and the number of parts is increased because a tape is required. Furthermore, since the tape is wound, the appearance of the wire harness is not good.

  On the other hand, in the manufacturing method of the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, a part of the molded covering material 92 is bonded to the electric wire 91, and therefore does not move from the molded position. For this reason, it is not necessary to wind a tape so as to straddle the covering material 92 and the electric wire 91. Therefore, an increase in the number of parts and work man-hours can be prevented (or the number of parts and work man-hours can be reduced). Furthermore, since it is not necessary to wind a tape around the covering material 92, the appearance of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be good.

  Furthermore, according to the method of manufacturing the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, the covering material 92 (that is, the covering material having different strengths) whose thickness varies along the axial direction is easily and integrally formed. Can do.

  In general, a predetermined portion of the wire harness is provided with a covering material having a predetermined function. For example, in a state where the wire harness is disposed inside a vehicle or the like, a protector for protecting the electric wire is provided in a portion that may be damaged by contact with other members. This protector is appropriately provided with various dimensions and hardness depending on the degree of the function of protecting the electric wire. On the other hand, a coating material for collecting the wires is provided in a portion where the demand for protecting the wires is small so that the wires do not fall apart. Such a coating may not require high strength. Therefore, a protector may be provided in a predetermined part of the electric wire where protection is particularly required, and a tape may be wound around the other part. According to such a configuration, the number of parts and work man-hours of the wire harness increase, so that it is difficult to increase the manufacturing cost or to reduce the manufacturing cost.

  On the other hand, according to the method for manufacturing the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, the relative moving speed between the nozzle 12 and the predetermined portion of the electric wire 92 during the molding of the covering material 92, or The thickness (= strength) of the covering material can be adjusted only by adjusting one or both of the amounts per unit time of the thermoplastic material discharged from the discharge ports 1213 and 1223 of the nozzle 12. That is, the covering material 92 having a different thickness (strength) along the axial direction can be formed. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a plurality of covering materials, the number of work steps can be reduced. Furthermore, since the covering material 92 whose thickness dimension changes along the axial direction can be integrally formed with the thermoplastic material, the number of parts of the wire harness can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

  For example, in the method for manufacturing the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention, the configuration in which the cross-sectional shape of the covering material 92 is formed in a substantially circular shape is shown, but the cross-sectional shape of the covering material 92 is not limited. The cross-sectional shape of the covering material 92 is appropriately determined according to the shape and size of a region (for example, a predetermined portion inside a vehicle such as an automobile) in which a predetermined portion of the wire harness 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention is routed. You only have to set it. And the cross-sectional shape and dimension of the coating | covering material 92 can be set suitably by setting the cross-sectional shape and dimension of the 1st nesting member 123 and the 2nd nesting member 124 suitably.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Manufacturing apparatus of wire harness concerning embodiment of this invention 11 Material plasticizing means 12 Nozzle 121 1st housing | casing member 1211 fitting recessed part 1212 Path | route of thermoplastic material 1213 Discharge port 122 2nd housing | casing member 1221 fitting Recessed portion 1222 Path of thermoplastic material 1223 Discharge port 123 First nesting member 1231 Path of thermoplastic material 124 Second nesting member 1241 Path of thermoplastic material 13 Blowing means 14 Hose (path of thermoplastic material)
9 Wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention 91 Electric wire (single or plural electric wires)
92 Coating material

Claims (10)

A wire harness having an electric wire and a covering material covering a predetermined portion of the electric wire,
The covering material is integrally formed into a substantially tubular shape with a thermoplastic material, and the inner peripheral surface of the covering material is plasticized by the thermoplasticity of the thermoplastic material to form an outer peripheral surface of a predetermined portion of the electric wire. A wire harness characterized by being bonded. A wire harness manufacturing apparatus comprising a wire and a covering material formed of a thermoplastic material and covering a predetermined portion of the wire,
A material plasticizing means for plasticizing the thermoplastic material into a softened state capable of plastic deformation when an external force is applied;
A through-hole capable of being integrally coupled and separable into a plurality of members and capable of accommodating the predetermined portion of the electric wire and a discharge port of a thermoplastic material surrounding the outer periphery of one end of the through-hole without break A nozzle formed with,
With
When the nozzle is integrally coupled, the thermoplastic material plasticized by the material plasticizing means in a state where the predetermined portion of the electric wire is accommodated in the through hole formed in the nozzle, the nozzle A covering material covering the predetermined portion of the electric wire by discharging from the thermoplastic material discharge port formed on the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined portion of the electric wire protruding from one end of the through hole. An apparatus for manufacturing a wire harness, which can be integrally formed with the thermoplastic material. The nozzle can be integrally coupled to and separated from each other, and in the coupled state, the nozzle can be integrally coupled to and separated from the plurality of nested members that can form a tubular body having a through hole formed therein. A plurality of housing members capable of fitting each of the plurality of nesting members,
When the plurality of housing members into which the plurality of nested members are fitted are coupled, the plurality of nested members are also coupled to form a tubular body, and the tubular body configured by coupling the plurality of nested members is While the through hole becomes a through hole that can accommodate the predetermined portion of the electric wire,
A discharge port for the thermoplastic material is formed on the outer periphery of one end in the axial direction of the tubular body configured by combining the plurality of nesting members;
The manufacturing apparatus of the wire harness of Claim 2 characterized by these.   In each of the plurality of nesting members, a groove-shaped thermoplastic material path is formed on a surface that becomes an outer peripheral surface of the tubular body when the plurality of nesting members are combined to form a tubular body, The wire harness manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plasticized resin material is discharged from a discharge port of the thermoplastic material through a path of the groove-shaped thermoplastic material.   3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a blowing unit capable of cooling by blowing air to a covering material made of a thermoplastic material that is discharged from the thermoplastic material discharge port of the nozzle and is molded. The manufacturing apparatus of the wire harness of any one of Claim 4.   Heat that has been plasticized to an outer periphery of a predetermined part of the electric wire included in the wire harness so that it can be plastically deformed when external force is applied and can be combined and integrated when they come into contact with each other A method of manufacturing a wire harness, comprising: a step of integrally forming a tube-shaped covering material that covers an outer periphery of the predetermined portion of the electric wire by discharging the plastic material with the thermoplastic material. It is a manufacturing method of the wire harness using the manufacturing apparatus of the wire harness of any one of Claims 2-4,
By integrally coupling the nozzle so as to sandwich the predetermined portion of the electric wire, the predetermined portion of the electric wire is accommodated inside the through hole of the nozzle,
While relatively moving a predetermined portion of the wire and the nozzle, the thermoplastic material plasticized by the material plasticizing means is discharged from the thermoplastic material discharge port of the nozzle. A step of integrally molding a substantially tubular covering material covering the predetermined portion of the electric wire by the thermoplastic material by discharging to the outer periphery of the portion;
The manufacturing method of the wire harness characterized by including.   By controlling the speed of relative movement between a predetermined portion of the wire and the nozzle and / or the amount of thermoplastic material discharged from the thermoplastic material outlet of the nozzle per unit time. The method of manufacturing a wire harness according to claim 7, wherein the thickness of the material is controlled.   By discharging the thermoplastic material plasticized by the material plasticizing means to the outer periphery of the predetermined portion of the electric wire, a substantially tubular covering material covering the predetermined portion of the electric wire is used as the thermoplastic material. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the covering material is bonded to the outer periphery of the predetermined portion of the electric wire by plasticity of the thermoplastic material. Manufacturing method of wire harness. It is a manufacturing method of the wire harness using the manufacturing apparatus of the wire harness of Claim 5,
A coating material made of a thermoplastic material is formed on the predetermined portion of the electric wire by the method for manufacturing a wire harness according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
Thereafter, the relative movement between the predetermined portion of the electric wire and the nozzle is stopped, and the coating material formed by the blowing means is blown and cooled,
Furthermore, the molded covering material and the nozzle are then moved by relatively moving the predetermined portion of the electric wire and the nozzle without discharging the thermoplastic material from the thermoplastic material discharge port of the nozzle. A method of manufacturing a wire harness, comprising a step of cutting and separating the thermoplastic material existing inside the nozzle at a position of the discharge port of the thermoplastic material of the nozzle.

Images