JP2725976B2 - Variable length protector and length changing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a variable length protector integrally formed so as to be variable in length and a method of changing the length of the variable protector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A wire harness mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile is wired in advance outside the vehicle so as to be wired inside the vehicle, a protector is attached to a portion to be protected, and a bundle of electric wires integrally assembled. Being manufactured.

[0003] In the manufacture of the above-mentioned wire harness, due to differences in vehicle width, wiring space, and the like,
As shown in FIGS. 6 (a), 6 (b), 7 (a), and 7 (b), the shape of the outlets 3 of the wire harnesses on both sides is the same, but the protectors 5 have different mounting hole pitches A and B. , 7 were sometimes required. In this case, in order to form the protectors 5 and 7, molds for forming the protectors 5 and 7 were manufactured, and the protectors 5 and 7 were formed using these molds, respectively. For this reason, the unit price of the protectors 5 and 7 has increased, and the cost has increased in the production of the wire harness.

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 8, protectors 9 and 1 are provided for each shape of the outlet 3 on both sides.
1 is formed and fixed to a wire harness with a harness tape 13 or the like in the middle to make the length of the protector variable (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-5313).
No. 2).

However, in the protectors 9 and 11 proposed in the above-mentioned publications, the length of the protector varies greatly depending on the operator, and the dimensional accuracy is difficult to obtain.

A movable variable protector in which a length is changed by providing a movable portion at an intermediate portion of the protector is also conceivable. One mold is required, and there is also a risk of inadvertent misalignment.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a variable length protector and a length changing method which can be formed by a single mold and whose length can be accurately changed. The purpose is to:

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, an object of the present invention is to provide a variable-length protector having a longitudinally-intermediate portion cut to reduce its length. It is characterized by comprising a cutout portion provided in the middle part in the direction, and an engaging portion provided before and after the cutout portion and engaging the front and rear of the cutout portion after cutting.

The invention according to claim 2 is a method for changing the length of an integrally molded protector, in which an intermediate portion in a longitudinal direction is cut out, and the cut end portions are fitted to each other to engage. It is characterized by changing the length.

[0010]

In order to change the length of the variable protector according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cutout is cut out to divide the variable protector, and the cut ends are engaged with the engaging portion. As a result, the entire length of the variable protector is shortened by at least the cut portion, and the length of the variable protector can be changed. In this case, if the ends are slightly overlapped after cutting, the total length can be further reduced. In addition, by engaging the cut end portions with each other by the engaging portions, it is possible to obtain a certain dimension and to improve the dimensional accuracy. Further, by engaging with the engaging portion, there is no inadvertent displacement. Further, since this variable protector is integrally molded, it can be molded with one mold.

[0011] In the length changing method according to the second aspect of the present invention, the intermediate part in the longitudinal direction of the integrally formed protector is cut off.
The cut ends are fitted together. Thus, the length of the protector can be changed. In this case, the length of the protector is set based on the cut length.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a variable protector and a length changing method according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the variable protector 15 of the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the variable protector 15 when the length is changed. FIG. 3A is a plan view showing the variable protector 15 before changing the length, and FIG. 3B is a front view showing the variable protector 15 before changing the length. FIG. 4A is a plan view showing the variable protector 15 after changing the length, and FIG. 4B is a front view showing the variable protector after changing the length.

As shown in FIG. 1, the variable protector 15 of the present embodiment is integrally formed, and has a cutout portion 17 provided at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction. An engagement portion 19 that engages with each other is provided.

The cutout portion 17 is provided at an intermediate portion of the variable protector 15 and has a base width portion 21 having a width L and a base width portion 21.
It is provided at the connection with the wider bulge 23. On both side walls 25, 27 of the bulging portion 23, a rectangular through hole 29,
31 are provided respectively. These through holes 29, 31
Locking projections 33, 35
Are formed on the outer periphery of the side wall 37 of the base width portion 21. These engaging projections 33 and 35 and the above-mentioned through holes 29 and 31 constitute the engaging portion 19. Then, the cut portion 17 is cut out, the front and rear portions thereof are fitted, and the locking projections 33 and 35 are locked in the through holes 29 and 31, so that the front and rear portions of the cut portion 17 can be connected.

When the variable protector 15 is integrally formed, as shown in FIG. 3, the protector 15 has a mounting hole pitch A, and in this state, the wire harness is housed and mounted on a vehicle. Can be next,
When shortening the length of the variable protector 15, FIG.
As shown in (a), the cutout portion 17 is cut out. In this case, the cutting may be performed by cutting at two locations along two cutting lines C1 and C2, or the cutting may be performed by a single operation using a blade having a thickness of the cutout portion 17.

Next, the front and rear of the cutout 17 are fitted. That is, the end of the base width portion 21 is inserted from the opening of the bulging portion 23, and the locking projections 33, 35 are locked in the rectangular through holes 29, 31. Thereby, only the length of the cutout portion 17 and the length of the end portion of the base width portion 21 fitted in the bulging portion 23,
The protector shown in FIG. 3 has a shorter overall length, and can be changed to a protector with a mounting pitch B.

In FIG. 1 and FIG.
Is a fixing portion for fixing the wire harness accommodated in the protector 15 to the protector 15 with a harness tape (not shown).

As described above, the variable protector 1 of the present embodiment
In 5, the entire length of the variable protector 15 is reduced only by the portion fitted to the bulging portion 23, and the length of the variable protector can be changed. In addition, by engaging the cut end portions with each other by the engaging portions 19, a certain dimension can be obtained, and the accuracy of the length dimension can be improved. Further, by engaging with the engaging portion 19, there is no accidental displacement. Further, since the variable protector 15 is integrally formed, it is formed by one mold. Therefore,
There is no increase in cost, and there is no increase in cost in the manufacture of the wire harness.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the length is changed to one type is shown. However, the engagement protrusion 33 on the end portion is fitted into the through hole 29 on the end portion, so that FIG. It is possible to obtain a protector having a length other than that shown in FIG. 4 and a variable protector having a length shown in FIG. Further, by providing two or more through holes 29 and 31, a protector having a plurality of lengths can be formed.

The cutout 17 is preferably formed so as to be thin and / or perforated.

Next, the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The present embodiment is an example in which the cutout portion 17 is provided at two places in the longitudinal middle portion of the variable protector 39. As shown in FIG. 5, two bulges 23 are formed in the middle part of the variable protector 39 in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the types of lengths that can be changed are larger than in the case of the above-described embodiment, and the protectors having different lengths can be changed from the integrally formed variable protector 39.

[0022]

As described above, the variable protector according to the first aspect of the present invention is an integrally formed variable protector, in which a cutout portion is provided at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction, and after being cut before and after this cutout portion. With the provision of the engaging portion for engaging the ends with each other, it is possible to mold with one mold, and it is possible to change the length with high accuracy.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for changing the length of
This is a method of changing the length of the integrally molded protector, in which a middle portion in the longitudinal direction is cut out, and the cut ends are fitted together to change the length, so that one mold is used. It can be molded and its length can be accurately changed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a variable protector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the length is changed in the variable protector according to the present invention.

3A and 3B show a variable protector according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A is a plan view showing a state before a length is changed, and FIG. 3B is a front view.

4A and 4B show a variable protector according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a state where the length is changed, and FIG. 4B is a front view.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a variable protector according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a conventional protector, (a) is a plan view,
(B) is a front view.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional protector, (a) is a plan view,
(B) is a front view.

8A and 8B show another conventional protector, in which FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing a state before a wire harness is housed, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing a state in which a wire harness is housed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 15, 39 Variable protector 17 Cutout part 19 Engagement part

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An integrally variable length protector formed by cutting an intermediate portion in a longitudinal direction and reducing a length thereof, wherein the protector is provided at a middle portion in a longitudinal direction, and is provided before and after the cut portion. And an engaging portion for engaging the front and rear of the cutout portion after cutting. 2. A method of changing the length of an integrally molded protector, wherein a lengthwise intermediate portion is cut out, and after this cutout, the ends are engaged with each other to reduce the length. And how to change the length.