JPH0715854A - Protector for wire terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to carry out fitting work for fitting a group of wires effectively and surely. CONSTITUTION:A binding member 12 made of elastic rubber material for binding a group of wires 11 includes an annular rubber band part 12a and a projected fitting part 12b like an arrowhead in shape outside the rubber band part 12a. A protective cap 13 has a plastic body like a cup in shape, in which a slit 14 is provided at the edge part of the opening. The slit 14 is made up of an insert guiding opening part 15 that is tapered so that the diameter thereof becomes gradually wider to the opening head, a round holding hole 16 adjoining to the base part of the guiding opening part 15, and a neck part 17 with a smaller width between the guiding opening part 15 and the holding hole 16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a protector for protecting an end of an electric wire when, for example, assembling a wire harness.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in the process of assembling a wire harness,
In order to temporarily protect the end of the electric wire group from which the insulation coating has been peeled off or the terminal group provided on the electric wire end, the electric wire end has conventionally been wrapped with an adhesive tape or covered with a vinyl bag. However, since it is difficult to reuse the adhesive tape or the plastic bag after use, it is necessary to dispose of the adhesive tape and the plastic bag, and there is a problem in that the disposal is time-consuming.
Further, since these are relatively soft materials, there is a drawback in that they do not exert a sufficient protection function against a strong impact and may cause deformation of the terminal.

Therefore, a protector using a hard cap as shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-80787 has been considered. As shown in FIG. 16, this is a configuration in which a plastic protective cap 1 having a bottomed cylindrical shape protects the end of the electric wire 2 group, and a fastening piece 3 is provided on the opening side of the protective cap 1. Is formed so as to have flexibility by partially separating it from the protective cap 1. When protecting the end of the wire group 2, insert the wire end into the protective cap 1,
As shown in FIG. 17, the fastening piece 3 is tightly wound around the middle part of the electric wire 2 group and fastened, and the fastening piece 3 is fixed by the planar fastener 3 a provided on the fastening piece 3. According to this, since the protective cap 1 is made of a hard material, it can be easily reused, and a sufficient protective function is exhibited even against a strong impact.

[0004]

However, in order to protect the group of electric wires 2 using the above-mentioned conventional protector, the following work is required, and the work cannot always be carried out efficiently. Was the reality. That is, first, the group of electric wires 2 is bundled with, for example, the left hand and grasped, the protective cap 1 is held with the right hand, and the tip of the group of electric wires 2 is inserted into the protective cap 1. In this state, the group of electric wires 2 is not yet fixed to the protective cap 1, so the left hand cannot be released. Therefore, the electric wire 2
While tightly bundling these with the left hand so that the groups are not separated, the thumb or forefinger of the left hand is hooked on the protective cap 1 to fix both the electric wire group 2 and the protective cap 1 at the same time. Then, the tip of the fastening piece 3 of the protective cap 1 is picked with an empty right hand, and this is pulled and wound around the wire group 2.
However, in practice, the tightening piece 3 is made of a relatively hard plastic of the same material as that of the protective cap 1, so that the tightening piece 3 is not as flexible as an adhesive tape or a rubber ring. For this reason, the fastening piece 3 must be pulled with a considerably strong force, and the left hand must be gripped more tightly so that the protective cap 1 does not idle due to the force. If the force of the left hand that grips the wire group 2 and the protective cap 1 at the same time is weak, the protective cap 1 may spin idle or come off the wire group 2, so the work must be restarted from the beginning.

Further, because the difficult work of inserting the group of electric wires 2 which have been separated into one into the protective cap 1 while bundling them with one hand, the protective cap 1 is left with one or two electric wires 2 left outside. In some cases, the electric wire 2 group may be inserted and fixed. In this case, for example, when the group of electric wires 2 having the protective cap 1 attached thereto is conveyed, the terminal 2a of the electric wire 2 left outside is sandwiched between the outer wall of the protective cap 1 and the inner surface of the transport box, which may cause damage. I will receive it. Further, since the fastening piece 3 is made of a relatively hard plastic as described above, even if the fastening piece 3 is fastened to the wire group 2 with a sufficient force, it does not fit into the shape of the wire group 2 and come into close contact with the wire group 2. It is slippery with respect to 2. Therefore, there is also a problem that if a force in the removing direction acts on the protective cap 1 after the protective cap 1 is attached, the protective cap 1 easily comes off.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is easy to reuse it, and it is possible to exert a sufficient protection function against a strong impact, as well as to efficiently and surely attach the electric wire group. An object of the present invention is to provide a protector for an electric wire terminal that can be used.

[0007]

A protector for an electric wire terminal according to the present invention covers a tip of an electric wire group previously bundled by a binding member to protect the terminal, and a protective cap made of a hard material. The present invention is characterized in that a holding portion for holding the bundling member is provided in (1). In the present invention, the holding portion can be configured by forming a slit in the opening edge portion of the protective cap, and the slit has a tapered insertion guide opening that widens toward the front side and a narrower constriction than the proximal end side of the insertion guide opening. It can be formed into a shape including a holding hole continuous through the portion (the invention of claim 2).

Further, the holding portion may be formed by projecting a hooking protrusion on the opening edge of the protective cap (claim 3).
Invention). Further, in any of the above cases, the holding portion may be provided at a plurality of positions of the protective cap (the invention of claim 4).

[0009]

In the protector of the present invention, since the protective cap that covers the wire end is made of a hard material, the wire end can be reliably protected from a strong impact. Also, if this is removed from the tip of the wire after use, it can be reused and does not need to be discarded. Further, in order to protect the electric wire end with this protective tool, the electric wire group is previously bundled by the binding member. Since this work is a simple work of simply bundling the electric wire group, it can be efficiently performed by using both hands or a binding machine. Then, the bundled electric wire group is held by one hand, and the other hand is held by the protective cap, and the tip of the electric wire group is inserted into the protective cap. At this time, since the electric wire group already bundled by the binding member is inserted into the protective cap, the insertion work is easy, and some electric wires are not left outside the protective cap. . Then, the work is completed when the binding member is held by the holding portion of the protective cap.

If the holding portion is formed by a slit having a shape including a tapered insertion guide opening and a holding hole connected to the insertion guide opening through the narrowed portion, the binding member can be formed. Can be easily guided from the insertion guide opening to the holding hole. Therefore, when the wire group is inserted into the protective cap, the binding member can be naturally held by the holding portion accordingly, and the work of attaching the protective cap is further simplified. Further, as in the invention of claim 3, even when the holding portion is composed of the hooking protrusion protruding from the opening edge of the protective cap, the binding member can be easily held by the protective cap.

When a plurality of holding portions are provided as in the fourth aspect of the invention, the work of holding the binding member in the protective cap becomes easier.

[0012]

As described above, according to the protector for an electric wire end according to the present invention, it is easy to reuse, and it is possible to exert a sufficient protection function against a strong impact, and the binding member. Since it is only necessary to hold the binding member in the holding portion of the protective cap while inserting the wire group bundled in the protective cap into the protective cap, it is possible to efficiently and surely perform the attachment work to the electric wire group. Produce an effect.

[0013]

EXAMPLES << First Example >> A first example of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The binding member 12 for binding the group of electric wires 11 is made of, for example, a flexible rubber, and in a single natural state, as shown in FIG. 2, an endless annular rubber band portion 12a and an arrowhead shape projecting on the outer periphery thereof. And the engaging protrusion 12b. This bundling member 12 is folded in two on the opposite side of the engaging projection 12b, and the rubber band portions 12a are overlapped in a double layer.
The wire 11 group can be bound by winding the wire around the group and hooking the folded back portion on the engaging protrusion 12b. The binding portion is preferably near the terminal 11a connected to the electric wire 11 as shown in FIG.

In order to protect the end (terminal 11a portion) of the bundled wires 11 group, the protection cap 13 shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the tip of the wires 11 group. The protective cap 13 is made of a hard material such as plastic and has a bottomed tubular shape, that is, a cup shape, and a slit 14 which functions as a holding portion is formed at the opening end thereof. The slit 14 is composed of a tapered insertion guide port 15 whose width becomes wider toward the front side (opening end side) and a circular holding hole 16 connected to the base end side of the insertion guide port 15, and the insertion guide port 15 A narrowing portion 17 is formed between the holding hole 16 and the holding hole 16 to have a narrower width. The width of the constricted portion 17 is set such that the root portion of the engaging protrusion 12b that binds the wires 11 together cannot easily pass through, as shown in FIG. When the root portion of the mating protrusion 12b passes by force, it is elastically crushed. Further, the diameter dimension of the holding hole 16 is set to be smaller than the maximum width of the arrowhead portion of the engaging protrusion 12b.

Now, in order to attach the protective cap 13 to the tip of the electric wire 11 group, the following is done. First, the bundle of electric wires 11 is grasped by one hand, for example, the left hand, and the protective cap is held by the other right hand, and the tip of the electric wires 11 is inserted from the opening of the protective cap 13. At this time, the group of electric wires 11 is already completely bound by the binding member 12,
The insertion work is extremely simple, and some electric wires 11 are not left outside the protective cap 13. If the slits 14 of the protective cap 13 are aligned so as to correspond to the engaging protrusions 12b of the bundling member 12 in this insertion process, the engaging protrusions 12b of the bundling member 12 are guided by the insertion protrusions of the slits 14 when both are inserted. It naturally enters into the mouth 15, and as shown in FIG. 4, it is guided by its tapered shape and pushed inward.

The engaging projection 12b of the binding member 12
Passes through the constricted portion 17 while being crushed, and is restored so as to elastically expand when it enters the holding hole 16 that becomes wider, and is in a retaining state. Also, the engaging protrusion 12b
Since the arrowhead portion is larger than the holding hole 16, the engaging protrusion 12b does not fall inside the protective cap 13,
Eventually, the protective cap 13 is attached to the tip of the electric wire 11 group (see FIG. 5). In this state, the electric wire 11
Even if the group is stored or transported, a plastic protective cap 1 is attached to the terminal 11a at the tip of the electric wire 11.
Since foreign matter such as water or dust does not adhere to the terminal 3, even if the tip of the electric wire 11 is subjected to a strong impact during transportation, the terminal 11a is deformed because it is protected by the hard protective cap 13. Can be reliably prevented. In addition, the engaging projection 12 b of the binding member 12 has the holding hole 1 of the slit 14.
Since the protective cap 13 is pushed into the inside of the connector 6 and securely held therein, the protective cap 13 is not easily detached from the electric wire 11 group, and the protective cap 13 is detached due to vibration during transportation, and the terminal protective function is lost. There is no end.

To remove the protective cap 13 from the electric wire 11 group, the electric wire 11 group and the protective cap 13 may be held by the left and right hands and the electric wire 11 group may be pulled strongly. Then, the engaging protrusion 12b of the binding member 12
Since the root portion of the protective cap 13 is elastically crushed and passes through the constricted portion 17 and exits from the slit 14, the protective cap 13
Can be separated. Removed protective cap 13
Since the bundling member 12 and the bundling member 12 can be reused, there is no need to worry about their disposal. Thus, according to the present embodiment, in order to attach the protective cap 13 to the tip of the electric wire 11 group,
The electric wire 11 group is inserted into the protective cap 13, and the engaging protrusion 12 of the binding member 12 that bundles the electric wire 11 group in the insertion process.
It suffices to just push b into the slit 14 of the protective cap 13 and push it in, and the mounting work can be performed efficiently and reliably.

<< Second Embodiment >> FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment is that a plurality of (four) slits 14 are formed in the protective cap 13 at equal angular intervals, and the configuration of the binding member 12 and other points are the same as in the first embodiment. The same portions will be denoted by the same reference symbols and redundant description will be omitted. In this embodiment, since the engaging protrusions 12b of the binding member 12 can be held in any of the four slits 14, the work of inserting the wires 11 can be performed without worrying about the angle of the protective cap 13. Can be done
The work can be made easier. << Third Embodiment >> FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment is the structure of the holding portion provided on the protective cap 13. In this embodiment, a hooking projection 21 is provided at the opening edge of the protective cap 13 to serve as a holding portion. The hooking protrusion 21 is formed to extend from the opening edge of the protective cap 13 along the axial direction to form a hook shape.
A holding hole 22 that opens laterally is formed between the opening and the edge of the opening. Since the configuration of the binding member 12 and other points are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the protective cap 13 is attached to the electric wire 11.
In order to attach to the group, the group of electric wires 11 is inserted into the protective cap 13 so that the engaging protrusion 12b abuts on the opening edge of the protective cap 13. Then the protective cap 13
8 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8, the engaging protrusion 12b naturally enters the holding hole 22 of the hooking protrusion 21 and becomes a retaining state, as shown in FIG.
The installation work is extremely easy and reliable. << Fourth Embodiment >> FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the third embodiment is that the hook projection 21 is attached to the protective cap 1.
It is located at two symmetrical points of the opening edge of No. 3. Since the structure of the binding member 12 and other points are the same as those of the third embodiment, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the duplicate description will be omitted.

<< Fifth Embodiment >> FIG. 10 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the fourth embodiment is in the shape of the hooking protrusion 23, and the configuration of the binding member 12 and other points are the same as those in the first embodiment.
Same as the embodiment. The hooking protrusions 23 of this embodiment are substantially T-shaped and project from the opening edge of the protective cap 13 so as to extend in the axial direction, and both ends are curved toward the opening edge to form a hook shape. There is. Therefore, a pair of holding holes 24 are formed on both sides of each hooking protrusion 23, and when the protective cap 13 is attached, the engaging protrusion 1 of the binding member 12 is formed.
After the 2b is brought into contact with the opening edge of the protective cap 13, the engaging protrusion 12b enters into the holding hole 24 of the hooking protrusion 23 and is prevented from coming off no matter which direction the protective cap 13 is rotated. Becomes

<< Sixth Embodiment >> FIGS. 11 and 12 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which the structure of the holding portion is different from that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, an L-shaped hooking protrusion 25 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the protective cap 13 near the opening edge, and the rubber band 12a of the binding member 12 is pulled here as shown in FIG. It is designed to be hung. Bundling member 1
Since the configuration of FIG. 2 and other points are the same as those of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions and duplicate description will be omitted. << Seventh Embodiment >> FIG. 13 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention, which is different from the sixth embodiment in that hooking projections 25 similar to those in the sixth embodiment are provided at three positions at equal angular intervals. The configuration of the binding member and other points are the same as those in the sixth embodiment.

<< Eighth Embodiment >> FIG. 14 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention. It differs from the sixth embodiment in that the shape of the hooking protrusion 26 is a shaft whose head has a large diameter. The configuration of the bundling member and how to hook it on the hooking protrusion 26 are the same as those in the sixth embodiment. << Ninth Embodiment >> FIG. 15 shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention, which is different from the sixth embodiment in that the hooking projection 27 has a T-shape. The configuration of the bundling member and how to hook it on the hooking protrusion 27 are the same as in the sixth embodiment. It goes without saying that in each of the above-described embodiments, the same effects as the first embodiment can be obtained. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings. For example, the binding member is not limited to the rubber band 12 described above,
For example, a plastic binding band may be used, and this may be used for binding the electric wire 11 group using an automatic binding machine. Further, the present invention is not limited to the case where the terminal 11a is connected to the end of the electric wire 11, but may be used for protecting the electric wire whose core wire is stripped for connection to another terminal.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention before attaching a protective cap.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the binding member.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a method of using the binding member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the process of attaching the protective cap.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing how the protective cap is attached in the same manner.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a protective cap according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a protective cap according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an attached state of a protection cap according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a protective cap according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a protective cap according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a protection cap according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an attached state of a protection cap according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a protection cap according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a protective cap according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a protection cap according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a conventional protection cap before being attached.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the conventional protection cap after the protection cap is attached.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Electric wire 11a ... Terminal 12 ... Bundling member 13 ... Protective cap 14 ... Slit 15 ... Insertion guide port 16 ... Holding hole 17 ... Constriction part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A protective cap made of a hard material is provided with a holding portion for holding the binding member by covering the end of the wire group previously bound by the binding member to protect the end thereof. Protective equipment for electric wire terminals. 2. The holding portion is composed of a slit formed at an opening edge portion of the protective cap, and the slit is narrower than a tapered insertion guide opening that widens toward the front side and a proximal end side of the insertion guide opening. The electric wire terminal protector according to claim 1, comprising a holding hole continuous through the constricted portion. 3. The protector for an electric wire terminal according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion is composed of a hooking protrusion protruding from an opening edge of the protective cap. 4. The protector for an electric wire terminal according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion is provided at a plurality of positions of the protective cap.