WO2024128023A1 - Protector and wire harness - Google Patents

Abstract

This protector comprises: an entrance (33) through which both a first electric wire bundle (21) and a second electric wire bundle (22) pass; a first exit passage (31) through which the first electric wire bundle (21) passes; and a second exit passage (32) through which the second electric wire bundle (22) passes and which is adjacent to the first exit passage (31). The protector body (40) has: an intermediate wall part (45); and a first wall part (44) and a second wall part (46) which are respectively provided to both sides sandwiching the intermediate wall part (45). The first wall part (44) and the intermediate wall part (45) face each other and form the first exit passage (31). The second wall part (46) and the intermediate wall part (45) face each other and form the second exit passage (32). A first cover part (53) and a second cover part (54) of a cover (50) form a covering part which covers both the first exit passage (31) and the second exit passage (32). In addition, the intermediate wall part (45) has an intermediate locking part (47b) which is locked to a cover-side locking part (51b) provided to the second cover part (54).

Description

Protector and Wire Harness

This disclosure relates to a protector and a wire harness.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a wire harness that includes a bundle of electric wires and a protector through which the bundle of electric wires passes. The protector is formed of a protector body and a cover that covers an opening of the protector body. The protector also includes an exit passage leading to an exit from which the bundle of electric wires is pulled out. The bundle of electric wires is pulled out to the outside from an exit provided at an end of the exit passage in the longitudinal direction. The exit passage is provided at an end of the protector. For this reason, the exit passage often includes a locking portion that connects the protector body and the cover to each other, on each of a pair of side walls that form the exit passage.

JP 2013-78173 A

In the protector described above, there are cases where multiple exit passages are provided. In this case, if a locking portion is provided on each of the pair of side walls in each of the multiple exit passages, the number of locking portions increases. As a result, there is a problem that the protector becomes larger.

The objective of this disclosure is to provide a protector and wire harness that can prevent the size from increasing.

The protector disclosed herein includes a protector body and a cover that closes an opening of the protector body, and is a protector through which a first bundle of electric wires and a second bundle of electric wires pass, and includes an entrance through which both the first bundle of electric wires and the second bundle of electric wires pass, a first exit passage through which the first bundle of electric wires passes, and a second exit passage through which the second bundle of electric wires passes and adjacent to the first exit passage, the protector body has an intermediate wall portion, and a first wall portion and a second wall portion that are provided on both sides of the intermediate wall portion and face the intermediate wall portion, the first wall portion and the intermediate wall portion form the first exit passage, and the second wall portion and the intermediate wall portion form the second exit passage, the cover has a cover portion that covers both the first exit passage and the second exit passage, and the intermediate wall portion has an intermediate locking portion that is locked to a cover side locking portion provided on the cover portion.

The protector and wire harness disclosed herein make it possible to prevent the protector from becoming too large.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wire harness according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the wire harness in the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the wire harness with the protector cover removed. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion including the first outlet passage in the protector of the same embodiment.

[Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure]
First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.
The protector of the present disclosure includes:
[1] A protector comprising a protector body and a cover that closes an opening of the protector body, and a first electric wire bundle and a second electric wire bundle passing through the inside, the protector including an entrance through which both the first electric wire bundle and the second electric wire bundle pass, a first exit passage through which the first electric wire bundle passes, and a second exit passage through which the second electric wire bundle passes and adjacent to the first exit passage, the protector body having a middle wall portion and a first wall portion and a second wall portion that are provided on both sides of the middle wall portion and face the middle wall portion, the first wall portion and the middle wall portion form the first exit passage, and the second wall portion and the middle wall portion form the second exit passage, the cover has a cover portion that covers both the first exit passage and the second exit passage, and the middle wall portion has an intermediate locking portion that is engaged with a cover-side locking portion provided on the cover portion.

With this configuration, the intermediate locking portion provided on the intermediate wall of the protector body becomes a locking portion corresponding to each of the first exit passage and the second exit passage. In other words, the intermediate locking portion provided on the intermediate wall serves as both a locking portion for the first exit passage and a locking portion for the second exit passage. This eliminates the need to provide a pair of locking portions for each of the first exit passage and the second exit passage, making it possible to reduce the number of locking portions in the entire protector. As a result, it is possible to prevent the protector from becoming too large and to simplify the configuration.

[2] In the above [1], in a plan view of the protector, the axis of the first outlet passage and the axis of the second outlet passage each extend in a direction intersecting the axis of the inlet, and the second outlet passage may be provided at a position farther away from the inlet than the first outlet passage.

With this configuration, in a protector in which the first outlet passage and the second outlet passage each extend in a direction intersecting the axis of the inlet, providing the intermediate locking portion in the intermediate wall portion makes it possible to prevent the protector from becoming large.

[3] In the above-mentioned [2], the intermediate engagement portion may be provided so as to protrude from the intermediate wall portion into the second outlet passage.
According to this configuration, since the second outlet passage is located farther from the inlet than the first outlet passage, the first outlet passage is disposed between the inlet and the second outlet passage in a plan view of the protector. Therefore, it is easier to ensure that the second outlet passage has a larger volume than the first outlet passage. Therefore, by providing the intermediate locking portion so as to protrude into the second outlet passage, it is possible to provide the intermediate locking portion on the intermediate wall portion without reducing the volume of the first outlet passage.

[4] In the above [3], the first outlet passage has a first wire fixing portion to which the first wire bundle is fixed and a first outlet at one end of the length of the first outlet passage for drawing out the first wire bundle to the outside, the second outlet passage has a second wire fixing portion to which the second wire bundle is fixed and a second outlet at one end of the length of the second outlet passage for drawing out the second wire bundle to the outside, and the intermediate retaining portion may be provided between the second wire fixing portion and the second outlet in the axial direction of the second outlet passage.

With this configuration, for example, it is possible to provide the intermediate locking portion near the second outlet. This makes it possible to improve the connection strength between the protector body and the cover near the second outlet. As a result, it is possible to construct a stronger and more reliable protector.

[5] In any of [2] to [4] above, in a plan view of the protector, a first angle between the axis of the inlet and the axis of the first outlet passage, and a second angle between the axis of the inlet and the axis of the second outlet passage may each be set to an acute angle.

According to this configuration, in a configuration in which the first electric wire bundle and the second electric wire bundle need to be bent at an acute angle inside the protector, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the protector.
[6] In the above [5], the first angle and the second angle may be the same angle.

According to this configuration, in a configuration in which the first angle and the second angle are equal to each other, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the protector.
[7] In any one of the above [1] to [6], an axis of the first outlet passage and an axis of the second outlet passage may be parallel to each other in a plan view of the protector.

According to this configuration, in a protector that allows the first electric wire bundle and the second electric wire bundle to be drawn out in substantially the same direction, it is possible to prevent the protector from becoming large.
[8] A wire harness according to the present disclosure includes the protector according to any one of [1] to [7] above, and a first bundle of electric wires and a second bundle of electric wires passing through an inside of the protector.

According to this configuration, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the above protector.
[Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure]
Specific examples of the protector and wire harness of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configurations may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ between drawings. Furthermore, "parallel" and "perpendicular" in this specification do not only mean strictly parallel or perpendicular, but also include roughly parallel or perpendicular within the scope of the action and effect of this embodiment.

(Configuration of Wire Harness 10)
1 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The wire harness 10 electrically connects electrical devices (not shown) mounted on the vehicle. The wire harness 10 includes a main electric wire bundle 11 and a protector 12 through which the main electric wire bundle 11 passes.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the trunk electric wire bundle 11 includes a pair of electric wire bundles. In this embodiment, the pair of electric wire bundles is a first electric wire bundle 21 and a second electric wire bundle 22. Each of the first electric wire bundle 21 and the second electric wire bundle 22 is, for example, an electric wire bundle branched off from the trunk electric wire bundle 11.

Each of the wires included in the first wire bundle 21 is a thin wire 24 with a small conductor cross-sectional area. In this specification, a "thin wire" is a wire with a conductor cross-sectional area of less than 5 square millimeters. In this embodiment, it is preferable to use a wire with a conductor cross-sectional area of less than 1 square millimeter for each of the thin wires 24 that make up the first wire bundle 21.

The second wire bundle 22 includes thick electric wires 23. The thick electric wires 23 are electric wires with a conductor cross-sectional area of 5 square millimeters or more. The second wire bundle 22 includes one or more thick electric wires 23. In addition to the thick electric wires 23, the second wire bundle 22 also includes thin electric wires.

(Configuration of protector 12)
The protector 12, for example, regulates the path of the main electric wire bundle 11 and protects the main electric wire bundle 11. The protector 12 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin. The protector 12 is fixed to an attachment target such as a vehicle body panel.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the protector 12 has a main passage 30, a first outlet passage 31, and a second outlet passage 32. The first outlet passage 31 and the second outlet passage 32 are passages branched off from the main passage 30.

The protector 12 has an inlet 33 at one end in the longitudinal direction of the main passage 30. In other words, one end in the longitudinal direction of the main passage 30 forms the inlet 33 of the protector 12. The inlet 33 has an axis La, which is the central axis of the inlet 33. The axis La is, for example, along the longitudinal direction of the main passage 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, in a plan view of the protector 12, one side of the area defined by the axis La of the inlet 33 is the first area A1, and the other side of the area is the second area A2. In this specification, the plan view of the protector 12 means that the protector 12 is viewed in a direction along its height direction H. That is, the height direction H of the protector 12 in FIG. 3 is perpendicular to the paper surface. Each of the first outlet passage 31 and the second outlet passage 32 is located in the first area A1. The first outlet passage 31 and the second outlet passage 32 are adjacent to each other. Also, each of the first outlet passage 31 and the second outlet passage 32 is located, for example, on the same plane perpendicular to the height direction H. The second outlet passage 32 is provided at a position farther away from the inlet 33 than the first outlet passage 31. That is, the first outlet passage 31 is provided at a position closer to the inlet 33 than the second outlet passage 32.

The protector 12 has a first outlet 34 at the tip of the first outlet passage 31. That is, the tip of the first outlet passage 31 forms the first outlet 34 of the protector 12. The tip of the first outlet passage 31 is one end of the first outlet passage 31 in the longitudinal direction. The base end of the first outlet passage 31 is connected to the main passage 30. The first outlet passage 31 has an axis L1 which is its central axis. The axis L1 runs along the longitudinal direction of the first outlet passage 31. In a plan view of the protector 12, the end face of the first outlet 34 is, for example, perpendicular to the axis L1. Furthermore, the axis L1 passes through the center C1 of the first outlet 34.

In a plan view of the protector 12, the axis L1 of the first outlet passage 31 extends in a direction intersecting the axis La of the inlet 33. In a plan view of the protector 12, the first angle θ1 between the axis La of the inlet 33 and the axis L1 of the first outlet passage 31 is set to, for example, an acute angle.

The protector 12 has a second outlet 35 at the tip of the second outlet passage 32. That is, one end of the second outlet passage 32 in the longitudinal direction forms the second outlet 35 of the protector 12. The tip of the second outlet passage 32 is one end of the second outlet passage 32 in the longitudinal direction. The base end of the second outlet passage 32 is connected to the main passage 30. The second outlet passage 32 has an axis L2 which is its central axis. The axis L2 is along the longitudinal direction of the second outlet passage 32. In a plan view of the protector 12, the end face of the second outlet 35 is, for example, perpendicular to the axis L2. Furthermore, the axis L2 passes through the center C2 of the second outlet 35.

In a plan view of the protector 12, the axis L2 of the second outlet passage 32 extends in a direction intersecting the axis La of the inlet 33. In a plan view of the protector 12, the second angle θ2 between the axis La of the inlet 33 and the axis L2 of the second outlet passage 32 is set to, for example, an acute angle. In this embodiment, the second angle θ2 is set to the same angle as the first angle θ1.

In a plan view of the protector 12, the axis L1 of the first outlet passage 31 and the axis L2 of the second outlet passage 32 are parallel to each other. That is, in this embodiment, in a plan view of the protector 12, the end face of the first outlet 34 and the end face of the second outlet 35 are parallel to each other. Also, in a plan view of the protector 12, the end face of the first outlet 34 and the end face of the second outlet 35 are not aligned on the same straight line. That is, in a plan view of the protector 12, there is a step between the end face of the first outlet 34 and the end face of the second outlet 35. In other words, the end face of the first outlet 34 and the end face of the second outlet 35 are not located on the same plane.

(Regarding the first distance D1 and the second distance D2)
3, in a plan view of the protector 12, a distance from the axis La of the inlet 33 to the center C1 of the first outlet 34 is defined as a first distance D1. The first distance D1 is the shortest distance between the axis La of the inlet 33 and the center C1 of the first outlet 34 in a plan view of the protector 12. In other words, the first distance D1 is the distance from the axis La to the center C1 of the first outlet 34 in a direction perpendicular to the axis La.

Furthermore, in a plan view of the protector 12, the distance from the axis La of the inlet 33 to the center C2 of the second outlet 35 is defined as the second distance D2. The second distance D2 is the shortest distance between the axis La of the inlet 33 and the center C2 of the second outlet 35 in a plan view of the protector 12. In other words, the second distance D2 is the distance from the axis La to the center C2 of the second outlet 35 in a direction perpendicular to the axis La. The first distance D1 and the second distance D2 are set to different lengths. More specifically, the second distance D2 is set to be shorter than the first distance D1.

(Regarding the arrangement of the first electric wire bundle 21 and the second electric wire bundle 22)
The main electric wire bundle 11 passes through the entrance 33 and the main passage 30 in the protector 12. That is, both the first electric wire bundle 21 and the second electric wire bundle 22 pass through the entrance 33 and the main passage 30. That is, the main electric wire bundle 11 is drawn out from the entrance 33 to the outside of the protector 12.

The main wire bundle 11 branches into a first wire bundle 21 and a second wire bundle 22 within the main passage 30. The first wire bundle 21 passes through the main passage 30 and the first exit passage 31. The first wire bundle 21 is then pulled out to the outside of the protector 12 from the first exit 34. The second wire bundle 22 passes through the main passage 30 and the second exit passage 32. The second wire bundle 22 is then pulled out to the outside of the protector 12 from the second exit 35.

Here, in a plan view of the protector 12, the axis L1 of the first outlet passage 31 and the axis L2 of the second outlet passage 32 each extend in a direction intersecting with the axis La of the inlet 33. That is, in a plan view of the protector 12, the first outlet passage 31 and the second outlet passage 32 each extend in a direction intersecting with the main passage 30. Therefore, the first wire bundle 21 has a first bend 21a just before entering the first outlet passage 31 in the protector 12. In other words, the first bend 21a is set at a point in the first wire bundle 21 that crosses from the main passage 30 to the first outlet passage 31.

The second wire bundle 22 also has a second bend 22a immediately before entering the second exit passage 32 inside the protector 12. In other words, the second bend 22a is set at a location in the second wire bundle 22 that spans from the main passage 30 to the second exit passage 32. The second exit passage 32 is provided at a position farther away from the entrance 33 than the first exit passage 31. As a result, the second bend 22a is set at a position farther away from the entrance 33 than the first bend 21a. In other words, the second bend 22a is positioned on the outside of the first bend 21a.

(Configuration of the first electric wire fixing portion 36 and the second electric wire fixing portion 37)
The first outlet passage 31 has a first wire fixing portion 36 to which the first electric wire bundle 21 is fixed. The first wire fixing portion 36 has, for example, a first attachment portion 36a provided in the first outlet passage 31 and a first cable tie 36b for fixing the first electric wire bundle 21 to the first attachment portion 36a. The first cable tie 36b tightens and fixes the first electric wire bundle 21 to the first attachment portion 36a. The first wire fixing portion 36 including the first attachment portion 36a and the first cable tie 36b is provided in a protector body 40 described below.

The second outlet passage 32 has a second wire fixing portion 37 to which the second wire bundle 22 is fixed. The second wire fixing portion 37 has, for example, a second mounting portion 37a provided in the second outlet passage 32 and a second cable tie 37b for fixing the second wire bundle 22 to the second mounting portion 37a. The second cable tie 37b tightens and fixes the second wire bundle 22 to the second mounting portion 37a. The second wire fixing portion 37 including the second mounting portion 37a and the second cable tie 37b is provided on the protector body 40 described below. The distance from the second outlet 35 to the second wire fixing portion 37 in the direction along the axis L2 is set to be greater than the distance from the first outlet 34 to the first wire fixing portion 36 in the direction along the axis L1.

The wire harness 10 may also include an exterior member (not shown) that covers the outer periphery of the trunk electric wire bundle 11 drawn out from the inlet 33. For example, a corrugated tube having a bellows structure can be used as the exterior member. Furthermore, the first electric wire bundle 21 drawn out from the first outlet 34 and the second electric wire bundle 22 drawn out from the second outlet 35 are each bundled together by, for example, wrapping the outer periphery with tape.

(Configuration of protector body 40)
2 , the protector 12 has, for example, a protector body 40 and a cover 50 assembled to the protector body 40. The cover 50 is, for example, a separate body from the protector body 40. The cover 50 is attached so as to cover the protector body 40 from above in the height direction H. Each of the main passage 30, the first outlet passage 31, and the second outlet passage 32 is formed by the protector body 40 and the cover 50.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the protector body 40 has a bottom wall 41 and a side wall 42 erected on the bottom wall 41. The side wall 42 extends from the bottom wall 41 along the height direction H of the protector 12. The side wall 42 is, for example, perpendicular to the bottom wall 41.

The side wall 42 forms a passage for the trunk wire bundle 11 including the first wire bundle 21 and the second wire bundle 22. In detail, the side wall 42 includes, for example, a pair of main wall portions 43 forming the main passage 30, and a first wall portion 44, an intermediate wall portion 45, and a second wall portion 46 forming the first outlet passage 31 and the second outlet passage 32. The pair of main wall portions 43 include, for example, a portion extending in a direction along the axis La of the inlet 33.

In a plan view of the protector 12, the first wall portion 44, the intermediate wall portion 45, and the second wall portion 46 are aligned in order in a direction perpendicular to the axis L1 and the axis L2. The first wall portion 44 and the intermediate wall portion 45 face each other in the width direction of the first outlet passage 31 perpendicular to the axis L1. The second wall portion 46 and the intermediate wall portion 45 face each other in the width direction of the second outlet passage 32 perpendicular to the axis L2.

The intermediate wall portion 45 is located between the first wall portion 44 and the second wall portion 46. The first wall portion 44 and the intermediate wall portion 45 form the first outlet passage 31. The second wall portion 46 and the intermediate wall portion 45 form the second outlet passage 32. That is, the intermediate wall portion 45 serves as both the wall portion that forms the first outlet passage 31 and the wall portion that forms the second outlet passage 32. Therefore, one side of the intermediate wall portion 45 faces the first outlet passage 31, and the other side of the intermediate wall portion 45 faces the second outlet passage 32. The first wall portion 44 and the intermediate wall portion 45 extend, for example, in a direction along the axes L1 and L2.

The protector body 40 has an opening 40a that opens to one side in the height direction H. In this embodiment, the opening direction of the opening 40a is described as being upward. The opening 40a is formed at the end of the side wall 42 opposite the bottom wall 41. The cover 50 is attached to the protector body 40 so as to cover the opening 40a. The main electric wire bundle 11 including the first electric wire bundle 21 and the second electric wire bundle 22 is accommodated in the protector body 40 through the opening 40a.

(Configuration of the main body side locking portion 47 and the cover side locking portion 51)
2 and 3, the protector body 40 has a plurality of body-side locking portions 47 on the side wall 42. Meanwhile, the cover 50 has a plurality of cover-side locking portions 51 that respectively hook onto the plurality of body-side locking portions 47, as shown in Fig. 1 and 2. When the cover 50 closes the opening 40a of the protector body 40, each cover-side locking portion 51 hooks onto each body-side locking portion 47. This fixes the cover 50 to the protector body 40.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the multiple body side locking portions 47 are each provided at a predetermined position on the protector body 40. For example, some of the multiple body side locking portions 47 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main passage 30. In addition, the body side locking portions 47 provided near the entrance 33 of the main passage 30 are each provided on a pair of main wall portions 43 that form the main passage 30.

Some of the multiple body side locking portions 47 are provided in the first wall portion 44 near the first outlet 34. In the following description, the body side locking portion 47 provided in the first wall portion 44 is referred to as the first locking portion 47a. Also, some of the multiple body side locking portions 47 are provided in the intermediate wall portion 45 and the second wall portion 46 near the second outlet 35. In the following description, the body side locking portion 47 provided in the intermediate wall portion 45 is referred to as the intermediate locking portion 47b, and the body side locking portion 47 provided in the second wall portion 46 is referred to as the second locking portion 47c.

The first locking portion 47a is provided so as to protrude from the outer surface of the first wall portion 44 toward the outside of the protector body 40. The first locking portion 47a is provided, for example, at the tip position in the longitudinal direction of the first outlet passage 31. In other words, the first locking portion 47a is provided at the same position as the first wire fixing portion 36 in the longitudinal direction of the first outlet passage 31.

The intermediate locking portion 47b is provided, for example, so as to protrude into the second outlet passage 32 from the side surface of the intermediate wall portion 45 facing the second outlet passage 32. The intermediate locking portion 47b is provided in a position closer to the base end of the first outlet passage 31 than the first electric wire fixing portion 36 in the direction along the axis L1, i.e., closer to the main passage 30 than the first electric wire fixing portion 36. Therefore, the intermediate locking portion 47b and the first locking portion 47a are provided at positions offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the first outlet passage 31.

The second locking portion 47c is provided so as to protrude from the outer surface of the second wall portion 46 toward the outside of the protector body 40. Each of the intermediate locking portion 47b and the second locking portion 47c is provided at a position between the second wire fixing portion 37 and the second outlet 35 in the length direction of the second outlet passage 32, i.e., in the direction along the axis L2.

In addition, in this embodiment, the second wall portion 46 is formed so that the distance between it and the intermediate wall portion 45 gradually increases from the second mounting portion 37a to the second outlet 35. In other words, the width of the second outlet passage 32 increases from the second mounting portion 37a to the second outlet 35. This makes it possible to pull out the second wire bundle 22 from the second outlet 35 at an angle to the axis L2. In this embodiment, the second wire bundle 22 is pulled out, for example, in a direction away from the first wire bundle 21.

As shown in FIG. 2, of the multiple cover side locking portions 51, the cover side locking portion 51 that hooks onto the first locking portion 47a is referred to as the cover side locking portion 51a, and the cover side locking portion 51 that hooks onto the intermediate locking portion 47b is referred to as the cover side locking portion 51b. Also, of the multiple cover side locking portions 51, the cover side locking portion 51 that hooks onto the second locking portion 47c is referred to as the cover side locking portion 51c. When the cover 50 is assembled to the protector body 40, each of the cover side locking portions 51b, 51c is provided at a position between the second wire fixing portion 37 and the second outlet 35 in the length direction of the second outlet passage 32, i.e., in the direction along the axis L2.

(Details of the first wire fixing portion 36)
As shown in FIG. 5, the first cable tie 36b in the first electric wire fixing part 36 has, for example, a long strip-shaped part 61 and a lock part 62 formed integrally with the strip-shaped part 61 at the base end in the length direction of the strip-shaped part 61. The strip-shaped part 61 has flexibility. The lock part 62 restricts the movement of the strip-shaped part 61 in the removal direction, which is the opposite direction to the passing direction, when the strip-shaped part 61 is passed through, thereby locking the strip-shaped part 61. The second cable tie 37b has a strip-shaped part and a lock part similar to the strip-shaped part 61 and the lock part 62 in the first cable tie 36b. Each of the first cable tie 36b and the second cable tie 37b is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

The protector body 40 in the first exit passage 31 is formed with a first mounting portion 36a in the first wire fixing portion 36. The first mounting portion 36a has an abutment portion 63 against which the lock portion 62 of the first cable tie 36b abuts, and a guide groove 64 in which the belt-shaped portion 61 of the first cable tie 36b is housed. The belt-shaped portion 61 is inserted into an insertion hole (not shown) formed in the abutment portion 63 and passed through the guide groove 64. The belt-shaped portion 61 is then inserted into the lock portion 62 and locked, thereby tightening the first wire bundle 21 and the first mounting portion 36a so that they approach each other.

The locking portion 62 of the first cable tie 36b abuts against the abutment portion 63 in the height direction H. The guide groove 64 restricts movement of the belt-shaped portion 61 in the length direction of the first exit passage 31 by accommodating the belt-shaped portion 61 therein. The abutment portion 63 is provided on the middle wall portion 45 of the protector body 40. The first mounting portion 36a including the abutment portion 63 and the guide groove 64 is provided, for example, at the end of the first exit passage 31 in the length direction.

The protector body 40 in the second outlet passage 32 is formed with a second mounting portion 37a in the second wire fixing portion 37. The second mounting portion 37a has an abutment portion and a guide groove similar to the abutment portion 63 and the guide groove 64 of the first mounting portion 36a.

(Configuration of cover 50)
As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the cover 50 has a main cover portion 52 that forms part of the main passage 30, a first cover portion 53 that forms part of the first outlet passage 31, and a second cover portion 54 that forms part of the second outlet passage 32.

The main cover portion 52 covers the opening 40a of the protector body 40 in the main passage 30. The first cover portion 53 covers the opening 40a of the protector body 40 in the first exit passage 31. The second cover portion 54 covers the opening 40a of the protector body 40 in the second exit passage 32. In other words, the portion of the cover 50 including the first cover portion 53 and the second cover portion 54 constitutes a cover portion that covers both the first exit passage 31 and the second exit passage 32.

The cover side locking portion 51a described above extends downward from the first cover portion 53 in the height direction H. The cover side locking portion 51c described above extends downward from the second cover portion 54 in the height direction H. The cover side locking portion 51b described above extends downward from a position on the second cover portion 54 near the border with the first cover portion 53 in the height direction H. The first cover portion 53 covers the upper side of the first electric wire fixing portion 36 provided in the first exit passage 31. The second cover portion 54 covers the upper side of the second electric wire fixing portion 37 provided in the second exit passage 32.

The upper end of the first wall portion 44 that forms the first outlet passage 31 can abut against the first cover portion 53 in the height direction H over substantially the entire length in the direction of the axis L1. In other words, the first wall portion 44 supports the first cover portion 53 over the entire length of the first wall portion 44 in the length direction of the first outlet passage 31.

The intermediate wall portion 45 forming the first outlet passage 31 has a low back portion 45a that is low in height along the height direction H in the range from the first outlet 34 to a predetermined position inside the first outlet passage 31. As shown in FIG. 5, the low back portion 45a is spaced apart from the first cover portion 53 in the height direction H. In other words, the first cover portion 53 of the cover 50 has a separation portion 55 that is spaced apart from the low back portion 45a of the intermediate wall portion 45 in the height direction H of the protector 12. And, because the first cover portion 53 has the separation portion 55 that is not supported by the intermediate wall portion 45, the first cover portion 53 has a so-called cantilever support structure.

The lower back portion 45a of the intermediate wall portion 45 is provided with the abutment portion 63 of the first mounting portion 36a described above. The lock portion 62 of the first cable tie 36b, which abuts against the upper surface of the abutment portion 63, is located between the lower back portion 45a and the separation portion 55 in the height direction H. The separation portion 55 of the first cover portion 53 covers the lock portion 62 of the first cable tie 36b and the upper end of the band-shaped portion 61 protruding upward from the lock portion 62. The upper end of the intermediate wall portion 45 can abut against the first cover portion 53 in the height direction H at a portion other than the lower back portion 45a. The intermediate locking portion 47b described above is provided at a portion of the intermediate wall portion 45 other than the lower back portion 45a.

(Configuration of the reinforcing rib 70)
5, a reinforcing rib 70 is provided on the first covering portion 53 of the cover 50. The reinforcing rib 70 is formed so as to protrude upward from the upper surface 50a of the cover 50 along the height direction H. The reinforcing rib 70 is formed over a range including the cantilevered region of the first covering portion 53. That is, the reinforcing rib 70 is provided at least in the spaced portion 55 of the first covering portion 53. In a plan view of the protector 12, the shape of the reinforcing rib 70 corresponds to the shape of the first outlet passage 31. In a plan view of the protector 12, the reinforcing rib 70 has, for example, a substantially rectangular shape.

The reinforcing rib 70 has a first rib 71 that is frame-shaped in a plan view of the protector 12, and a second rib 72 that is formed inside the first rib 71. The first rib 71 and the second rib 72 each protrude upward from the upper surface 50a of the cover 50 along the height direction H. The first rib 71 is, for example, in a substantially rectangular frame shape in a plan view of the protector 12. The second rib 72 is formed in an X-shape along a pair of diagonals of the first rib 71. A portion of the first rib 71 is provided along both ends of the first cover portion 53 in the width direction of the first outlet passage 31 perpendicular to the axis L1. In addition, a portion of the first rib 71 is provided along the end face of the first outlet 34.

(Action)
The first locking portion 47a and the intermediate locking portion 47b provided on the pair of side walls 42 forming the first outlet passage 31, i.e., the first wall portion 44 and the intermediate wall portion 45, respectively, are hooked on the cover side locking portions 51a and 51b. This ensures the connection strength between the protector body 40 and the cover 50 in the first outlet passage 31. Also, the second locking portion 47c and the intermediate locking portion 47b provided on the pair of side walls 42 forming the second outlet passage 32, i.e., the second wall portion 46 and the intermediate wall portion 45, respectively, are hooked on the cover side locking portions 51c and 51b. This ensures the connection strength between the protector body 40 and the cover 50 in the second outlet passage 32. That is, the cover portion formed by the first cover portion 53 and the second cover portion 54 in the cover 50 is connected to the protector body 40 at three points, i.e., the cover side locking portions 51a, 51b, and 51c. Therefore, the connection between the first covering portion 53 and the second covering portion 54 of the cover 50 and the protector body 40 is completed by the three-point connection.

In addition, since the first covering portion 53 of the cover 50 has a separation portion 55 that is separated from the intermediate wall portion 45 in the height direction H, a cantilevered area exists in the first covering portion 53. Therefore, by providing a reinforcing rib 70 on the first covering portion 53, the rigidity of the portion of the first covering portion 53 that includes the cantilevered area is improved. This prevents damage, etc., from occurring to the first covering portion 53.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, inside the protector 12, the second bend 22a of the second wire bundle 22 including the thick wires 23 is disposed at an outer position relative to the first bend 21a of the first wire bundle 21. Therefore, the second bend 22a can have a larger radius of curvature than the first bend 21a. Therefore, it is possible to ensure a large radius of curvature for the second wire bundle 22 including the thick wires 23 while preventing the protector 12 from becoming too large. Also, in the protector 12, the volume of the passage through which the second wire bundle 22 passes is configured to be larger than the volume of the passage through which the first wire bundle 21 passes. This makes it possible to ensure a space for bending the second wire bundle 22, which has high rigidity, while reducing the space for bending the first wire bundle 21, which has low rigidity.

The second locking portion 47c of the protector body 40 and the cover side locking portion 51c of the cover 50 are provided so as to protrude outward from the protector 12. The second locking portion 47c and the cover side locking portion 51c are provided in a position between the second electric wire fixing portion 37 and the second outlet 35 in the direction along the axis L2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the second locking portion 47c and the cover side locking portion 51c protruding outward from the protector 12 are not located on the opposite side of the second outlet 35 from the second electric wire fixing portion 37. Therefore, it is possible to design the shape of the protector 12 so as to make the peripheral space S of the end portion 30a opposite the inlet 33 of the main passage 30 large. This makes it possible to easily accommodate the second electric wire bundle 22 in the protector 12 while preventing interference between the protector 12 and other components arranged in the peripheral space S by arranging the second electric wire bundle 22 on the outer side of the first electric wire bundle 21.

Next, a manner in which the wire harness 10 including the protector 12 and the main electric wire bundle 11 is attached to an attachment target such as a vehicle body panel will be described.
First, the protector 12 attached to the trunk electric wire bundle 11 including the first electric wire bundle 21 and the second electric wire bundle 22 is fixed to an object to which it is attached.

Then, the first electric wire bundle 21 and the second electric wire bundle 22, which are respectively pulled out from the protector 12, are fixed at the external fixing positions P1 and P2 shown in FIG. 3. The external fixing position P1 is the fixing position closest to the first outlet 34 among the fixing positions where the first electric wire bundle 21 pulled out from the first outlet 34 is fixed to the mounting object. The length from the first outlet 34 to the external fixing position P1 is called the fixing stroke of the first electric wire bundle 21. The external fixing position P2 is the fixing position closest to the second outlet 35 among the fixing positions where the first electric wire bundle 21 pulled out from the second outlet 35 is fixed to the mounting object. The length from the second outlet 35 to the external fixing position P2 is called the fixing stroke of the second electric wire bundle 22.

In the wire harness 10 of this embodiment, the first distance D1, which is the distance from the axis La of the inlet 33 to the center C1 of the first outlet 34, and the second distance D2, which is the distance from the axis La of the inlet 33 to the center C2 of the second outlet 35, are different from each other. This makes it possible to make the positions of the first outlet 34 and the second outlet 35 different from each other in the direction along the path of the main electric wire bundle 11. Therefore, it is possible to set the positions of the first outlet 34 and the second outlet 35 to appropriate positions according to the external fixing positions P1 and P2. As a result, it is possible to appropriately set the fixing stroke for each of the first electric wire bundle 21 and the second electric wire bundle 22. This makes it easier to fix the first electric wire bundle 21 and the second electric wire bundle 22 to the mounting object at the external fixing positions P1 and P2, respectively, after fixing the protector 12 to the mounting object, for example.

The effects of this embodiment will be described.
(1) The protector body 40 has an intermediate wall portion 45 that serves as a wall portion forming the first outlet passage 31 and a wall portion forming the second outlet passage 32. The intermediate wall portion 45 has an intermediate locking portion 47b that is locked to a cover side locking portion 51b provided on the second cover portion 54 of the cover 50. According to this configuration, the intermediate locking portion 47b provided on the intermediate wall portion 45 serves as a locking portion corresponding to each of the first outlet passage 31 and the second outlet passage 32. That is, the intermediate locking portion 47b provided on the intermediate wall portion 45 serves as a locking portion for the first outlet passage 31 and a locking portion for the second outlet passage 32. This eliminates the need to provide a pair of locking portions for each of the first outlet passage 31 and the second outlet passage 32, making it possible to reduce the number of locking portions in the entire protector 12. As a result, it is possible to suppress the size of the protector 12 and simplify the configuration.

(2) In a plan view of the protector 12, the axis L1 of the first outlet passage 31 and the axis L2 of the second outlet passage 32 each extend in a direction intersecting with the axis La of the inlet 33. The second outlet passage 32 is provided at a position farther away from the inlet 33 than the first outlet passage 31. With this configuration, in a configuration in which the first outlet passage 31 and the second outlet passage 32 each extend in a direction intersecting with the axis La of the inlet 33, by providing the intermediate locking portion 47b on the intermediate wall portion 45, it is possible to prevent the protector 12 from becoming large.

(3) The intermediate locking portion 47b is provided so as to protrude from the intermediate wall portion 45 into the second outlet passage 32. With this configuration, the second outlet passage 32 is located farther from the inlet 33 than the first outlet passage 31, so that the first outlet passage 31 is disposed between the inlet 33 and the second outlet passage 32 in a plan view of the protector 12. For this reason, it is easier to ensure that the second outlet passage 32 has a larger volume than the first outlet passage 31. Therefore, by providing the intermediate locking portion 47b so as to protrude into the second outlet passage 32, it is possible to provide the intermediate locking portion 47b on the intermediate wall portion 45 without reducing the volume of the first outlet passage 31.

(4) The first outlet passage 31 has a first wire fixing portion 36 to which the first wire bundle 21 is fixed, and a first outlet 34 at one end of the length of the first outlet passage 31 for drawing the first wire bundle 21 to the outside. The second outlet passage 32 has a second wire fixing portion 37 to which the second wire bundle 22 is fixed, and a second outlet 35 at one end of the length of the second outlet passage 32 for drawing the second wire bundle 22 to the outside. The intermediate locking portion 47b provided on the intermediate wall portion 45 is provided between the second wire fixing portion 37 and the second outlet 35 in the axial direction L2 of the second outlet passage 32. With this configuration, it is possible to provide the intermediate locking portion 47b closer to the second outlet 35. This makes it possible to improve the connection strength between the protector body 40 and the cover 50 near the second outlet 35. As a result, it is possible to configure a protector 12 that is stronger and more reliable.

(5) In a plan view of the protector 12, the first angle θ1 between the axis La of the inlet 33 and the axis L1 of the first outlet passage 31, and the second angle θ2 between the axis La of the inlet 33 and the axis L2 of the second outlet passage 32 are each set to an acute angle. With this configuration, in a configuration in which the first wire bundle 21 and the second wire bundle 22 need to be bent at an acute angle within the protector 12, it is possible to prevent the protector 12 from becoming large.

(6) The first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 are the same angle. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the protector 12 from becoming large in size when the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 are the same angle.

(7) The axis L1 of the first outlet passage 31 and the axis L2 of the second outlet passage 32 are parallel to each other in a plan view of the protector 12. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the protector 12 from becoming large in size, in a protector 12 that can pull out the first wire bundle 21 and the second wire bundle 22 in approximately the same direction.

(8) A reinforcing rib 70 is provided in the first outlet passage 31 of the protector 12. With this configuration, the reinforcing rib 70 can improve the strength of the portion of the protector 12 from which the first wire bundle 21 is pulled out.

(9) The first distance D1 from the axis La of the inlet 33 to a position on the axis L1 of the first outlet 34 is set to be longer than the second distance D2 from the axis La of the inlet 33 to a position on the axis L2 of the second outlet 35. With this configuration, the first outlet 34 of the first outlet passage 31 is likely to have a shape that protrudes outward from the protector 12. For this reason, it is more difficult to ensure the strength of the first outlet passage 31 than the second outlet passage 32. Therefore, by providing a reinforcing rib 70 to the first outlet passage 31, it is possible to configure a protector 12 that is stronger and more reliable.

Furthermore, by setting the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 to different lengths, it is possible to make the position of the first outlet 34 and the position of the second outlet 35 different from each other in the direction along the path of the main electric wire bundle 11. This makes it possible to set appropriate positions for the first outlet 34 and the second outlet 35 according to the external fixed positions P1, P2. As a result, it is possible to improve the ease of assembly of the wire harness 10 including the protector 12 and the main electric wire bundle 11.

(10) The protector 12 includes a protector body 40 having an opening 40a, and a cover 50 that covers the opening 40a of the protector body 40. The protector body 40 has a first electric wire fixing portion 36 and a second electric wire fixing portion 37 in the first exit passage 31 and the second exit passage 32, respectively. The first electric wire fixing portion 36 fixes the first electric wire bundle 21. The second electric wire fixing portion 37 fixes the second electric wire bundle 22. The cover 50 has a first cover portion 53 that forms the first exit passage 31, and a second cover portion 54 that forms the second exit passage 32. The first cover portion 53 covers the first electric wire fixing portion 36. The second cover portion 54 covers the second electric wire fixing portion 37. The reinforcing rib 70 is provided on the first cover portion 53. This configuration makes it difficult to support the first cover portion 53, and the strength of the first cover portion 53 is likely to be low. Therefore, by providing the reinforcing rib 70 to the first cover portion 53, it is possible to effectively improve the strength of the protector 12.

(11) The first covering portion 53 of the cover 50 has a separation portion 55 that is separated from the intermediate wall portion 45. The reinforcing rib 70 is provided in the separation portion 55 of the first covering portion 53. With this configuration, the separation portion 55 of the cover 50 is not supported by the protector body 40, so to speak, it has a cantilever configuration, so its strength is likely to be low. Therefore, by providing the reinforcing rib 70 in the separation portion 55 of the cover 50, it is possible to effectively improve the strength of the protector 12.

(Example of change)
This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

- The intermediate locking portion 47b may be provided closer to the base end of the second outlet passage 32 than the second wire fixing portion 37 in the direction along the axis L2, i.e., closer to the main passage 30 than the second wire fixing portion 37. In other words, the second wire fixing portion 37 may be provided between the intermediate locking portion 47b and the second outlet 35 in the direction along the axis L2.

The intermediate locking portion 47 b may be provided so as to protrude from the intermediate wall portion 45 into the first outlet passage 31 .
The second bundle of electric wires 22 does not have to include the thick electric wire 23. Furthermore, the first bundle of electric wires 21 may include a thick electric wire having a conductor cross-sectional area of 5 square millimeters or more.

- In a plan view of the protector 12, the axis L1 of the first outlet passage 31 and the axis L2 of the second outlet passage 32 may be non-parallel to each other. In other words, in a plan view of the protector 12, the end face of the first outlet 34 and the end face of the second outlet 35 may be non-parallel to each other.

- The first angle θ1 between the axis La of the inlet 33 and the axis L1 of the first outlet passage 31, and the second angle θ2 between the axis La of the inlet 33 and the axis L2 of the second outlet passage 32 may be set to 90° or an obtuse angle. In addition, the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 may be different angles.

- The axis La of the inlet 33, the axis L1 of the first outlet passage 31, and the axis L2 of the second outlet passage 32 may be parallel to one another. That is, each of the first wall portion 44, the intermediate wall portion 45, and the second wall portion 46 may be parallel to the axis La of the inlet 33.

The second distance D2 may be longer than the first distance D1. Alternatively, the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 may be equal to each other.
The reinforcing rib 70 may be provided on the back surface of the first cover portion 53 , which is the surface opposite to the upper surface 50 a of the cover 50 .

- The location of the cover 50 where the reinforcing rib 70 is provided may be changed to the second cover portion 54 of the second outlet passage 32. For example, the second cover portion 54 of the cover 50 may have at least one of a separation portion spaced apart from the intermediate wall portion 45 in the height direction H and a separation portion spaced apart from the second wall portion 46 in the height direction H. A reinforcing rib may be provided in the separation portion of the second cover portion 54.

The reinforcing rib 70 may be provided on the protector body 40 in at least one of the first outlet passage 31 and the second outlet passage 32 .
The configuration, such as the shape, of the reinforcing rib 70 including the first rib 71 and the second rib 72 is not limited to the above embodiment and may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the protector 12 .

- In the above embodiment, the number of outlets of the protector 12 is two, one each of the first outlet 34 and the second outlet 35, but this is not limited thereto, and the number of outlets of the protector 12 may be three or more.

The second locking portion 47 c and the cover side locking portion 51 c may be provided on the opposite side of the second outlet passage 32 from the second outlet 35 with respect to the second wire fastening portion 37 .
The fixing structure of the first wire bundle 21 in the first wire fixing portion 36 is not limited to the fixing structure using the first cable tie 36b and can be changed as appropriate. Also, the fixing structure of the second wire bundle 22 in the second wire fixing portion 37 is not limited to the fixing structure using the second cable tie 37b and can be changed as appropriate.

In the protector 12 of the above embodiment, the cover 50 may be formed integrally with the protector body 40. In this case, the cover 50 may be rotatably connected to the protector body 40 via a hinge portion, for example.

- The first and second bundles of electric wires 21 and 22 in the illustrated example may be referred to as a first and second branch electric wire, respectively, that branch off from the trunk bundle of electric wires 11 at a branch point. The protector 12 in the illustrated example may be referred to as a synthetic resin protector used with the first and second bundles of electric wires 21 and 22 that branch off from the trunk bundle of electric wires 11 at a branch point.

- As shown in the non-limiting examples in Figures 2 and 3, the protector 12 may be configured to accommodate a branch point of a first bundle of electric wires 21 and a second bundle of electric wires 22 from a trunk bundle of electric wires 11. For example, the first bundle of electric wires 21 may extend inside the protector 12 along a first branch route from the branch point to a first outlet 34 with a first branch route length, and the second bundle of electric wires 22 may extend inside the protector 12 along a second branch route from the branch point to a second outlet 35 with a second branch route length.

- As a non-limiting example shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first mounting portion 36a of the protector 12 may be provided at a first inner position at a relatively short distance from the first outlet 34 of the first outlet passage 31 of the protector 12, and the second mounting portion 37a of the protector 12 may be provided at a second inner position at a relatively long distance from the second outlet 35 of the second outlet passage 32 of the protector 12.

- The embodiments and modified examples disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. In other words, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications that are equivalent in meaning and scope to the claims.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 10 Wire harness 11 Main electric wire bundle 12 Protector 21 First electric wire bundle 21a First bent portion 22 Second electric wire bundle 22a Second bent portion 23 Thick electric wire 24 Thin electric wire 30 Main passage 30a End portion 31 First exit passage 32 Second exit passage 33 Entrance 34 First exit 35 Second exit 36 First electric wire fixing portion 36a First mounting portion 36b First cable tie 37 Second electric wire fixing portion 37a Second mounting portion 37b Second cable tie 40 Protector body 40a Opening 41 Bottom wall 42 Side wall 43 Main wall portion 44 First wall portion 45 Intermediate wall portion 45a Back lower portion 46 Second wall portion 47 Body side locking portion 47a First locking portion 47b Intermediate locking portion 47c Second locking portion 50 Cover 50a Top surface 51 (51a, 51b, 51c) Cover side locking portion 52 Main cover portion 53 First cover portion constituting cover portion 54 Second cover portion constituting cover portion 55 Separation portion 61 Band-shaped portion 62 Lock portion 63 Contact portion 64 Guide groove 70 Reinforcing rib 71 First rib 72 Second rib θ1 First angle θ2 Second angle A1 First region A2 Second region C1 Center of first outlet C2 Center of second outlet D1 First distance D2 Second distance H Height direction L1 Axis of first outlet passage L2 Axis of second outlet passage La Axis of inlet P1, P2 External fixed position S Surrounding space

Claims (8)

1. A protector including a protector body and a cover that closes an opening of the protector body, a first bundle of electric wires and a second bundle of electric wires passing through the inside of the protector body,
   an entrance through which both the first bundle of electric wires and the second bundle of electric wires pass;
   a first outlet passage through which the first bundle of electric wires passes;
   a second exit passage through which the second bundle of wires passes and adjacent to the first exit passage;
   The protector body has an intermediate wall portion, and a first wall portion and a second wall portion provided on both sides of the intermediate wall portion and facing the intermediate wall portion,
   the first wall portion and the intermediate wall portion define the first outlet passage,
   the second wall portion and the intermediate wall portion define the second outlet passage,
   the cover has a covering portion that covers both the first outlet passage and the second outlet passage,
   The intermediate wall portion has an intermediate locking portion that is locked to a cover side locking portion provided on the cover portion.
   Protector.
2. In a plan view of the protector, an axis of the first outlet passage and an axis of the second outlet passage each extend in a direction intersecting with an axis of the inlet,
   The second outlet passage is provided at a position farther away from the inlet than the first outlet passage.
   The protector according to claim 1 .
3. The intermediate engaging portion is provided so as to protrude from the intermediate wall portion into the second outlet passage.
   The protector according to claim 2 .
4. the first outlet passage includes a first wire fixing portion to which the first electric wire bundle is fixed, and a first outlet at one end in a longitudinal direction of the first outlet passage through which the first electric wire bundle is drawn out to the outside,
   the second outlet passage includes a second wire fixing portion to which the second electric wire bundle is fixed, and a second outlet at one end in a longitudinal direction of the second outlet passage through which the second electric wire bundle is drawn out to the outside,
   The intermediate locking portion is provided between the second electric wire fixing portion and the second outlet in the axial direction of the second outlet passage.
   The protector according to claim 3.
5. In a plan view of the protector, a first angle formed between an axis of the inlet and an axis of the first outlet passage, and a second angle formed between the axis of the inlet and an axis of the second outlet passage are each set to an acute angle.
   The protector according to claim 2 .
6. The first angle and the second angle are equal to each other.
   The protector according to claim 5.
7. An axis of the first outlet passage and an axis of the second outlet passage are parallel to each other in a plan view of the protector.
   The protector according to claim 1 .
8. A protector according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
   A wire harness comprising: a first bundle of electric wires and a second bundle of electric wires passing through an interior of the protector.

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