Abstract:
A power feeding apparatus includes: a wire harness which includes a first portion, a second portion, and a bended portion connected to the first portion and the second portion, the bended portion has a substantially U-shape; a first protector which supports the first portion; and a second protector which supports the second portion. The second protector includes a guide portion having an opening. The guide portion receives the second portion so as to lead-out the second portion from the opening.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a power feeding apparatus capable of feeding electricity to a sliding seat of an automobile at all times by curving a wire harness into a substantially U-shape even when the sliding seat is moved. The present invention also relates to a harness wiring structure in which the power feeding apparatus is used. 
       FIG. 7  is a view showing a form of a conventional power feeding apparatus and also showing a form of a harness wiring structure in which the conventional power feeding apparatus is used. Concerning this matter, for example, refer to Patent Document 1. 
     This power feeding apparatus  51  is applied to a sliding seat  52 , which is incorporated into an automobile, and arranged on a floor  53  of the automobile body. The power feeding apparatus  51  includes: a case  54  made of metal or synthetic resin; a slider  55  slidably engaged with a guide rail (not shown) of the case  54  so that the slider  55  can slide in the longitudinal direction (in the backward and forward direction of the automobile); and a wire harness  57  arranged in the case being formed into a substantially J-shape or U-shape, wherein one end side of the wire harness is fixed to the slider  55  and connected to a circuit on the seat side by a connector  56  and the other end side is introduced out from the case  54  to the floor side. 
     The slider  55  includes: a vertical portion  55   a  protruding upward from the case  54 ; and a horizontal portion  55   b  engaged with a guide rail provided in the case. On an upper end side of the vertical portion  55   a , a connector  56  is arranged. The connector  56  includes: terminals (not shown) connected to end portions of a plurality of insulated covered wires composing the wire harness  57 ; and a connector housing (substituted shown by reference numeral  56 ) made of insulating resin for covering the terminals. The wire harness  57  is completely covered with the case  54  all over the length. The case  54  is longitudinally arranged in a recess portion  58  formed on the floor  53 . 
     As shown by the solid line in  FIG. 7 , at a forward end position of the slide of the seat  52  the slider  55  is located on a forward end side of a narrow width portion  54   a  in the first half of the case  54  and the wire harness  57  is curved into a substantially J-shape in the case. As shown by the chain line in the drawing, at a rear end position of the slide of the seat  52 , the slider  55  is moved to a rear end side of a wide width portion  54   b  in the second half of the case  54  and the wire harness  57  is curved into a substantially reverse-J-shape in the case. 
     [Patent Document 1] JP-A-2005-59745 (FIG. 7) 
     However, in the conventional power feeding apparatus described above and the harness wiring structure in which the conventional power feeding apparatus is used, the wire harness  57  is completely covered with the large case  54 . Therefore, the following problems may be encountered. The structure becomes large-sized and further the weight becomes heavy. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost is raised. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 7 , it is necessary to provide a deep recess portion  58  on the floor  53 . In the case where it is impossible to ensure a predetermined depth of the recess portion  58 , the case  54  must be protruded onto the floor  53 . Therefore, unless a gap (space) L formed on the lower side of the seat  52  is high, it is impossible to apply the conventional power feeding apparatus. Further, since a height of the position of the slider  55  can not be changed, it is impossible to apply the conventional power feeding apparatus to a vehicle, the height of the seat  22  of which is adjustable. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention has been accomplished in the light of the above points. An object of the present invention is to provide a power feeding apparatus characterized in that: the above problems, which are caused when the case is used, are solved; the structure is made compact so that the weight can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be decreased; and it is possible to apply the power feeding apparatus to a vehicle, the seat height of which is low, and it is also possible to apply the power feeding apparatus to a vehicle, the seat height of which is adjustable. Another object of the present invention is to provide a harness wiring structure in which the power feeding apparatus is used. 
     In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a power feeding apparatus including: 
     a wire harness which includes a first portion, a second portion, and a bended portion connected to the first portion and the second portion, the bended portion has a substantially U-shape; 
     a first protector which supports the first portion; and 
     a second protector which supports the second portion, 
     wherein the second protector includes a guide portion having an opening; and 
     wherein the guide portion receives the second portion so as to lead-out the second portion from the opening. 
     According to the above structure, the first protector on the stationary side is fixed to the stationary structural body such as a vehicle body. The second protector on the movable side is fixed to the movable structural body such as a sliding seat. The wire harness is wired from the stationary structural body to the movable structural body. In accordance with a movement of the movable structural body in the positive direction, one portion (a second portion) of the wire harness is accommodated in the guide portion of the second protector. In accordance with a movement of the movable structural body in the reverse direction, the other portion of the wire harness is introduced out from the harness guide portion being curved, so that the thus introduced out portion (the second portion) can become a portion of one portion (the first portion or the bended portion) of the wire harness. The harness guide portion accommodates and protects the other portion of the wire harness and smoothly introduces out the wire harness from the long opening. Between both protectors, the wire harness can be exposed being freely curved. In this case, the wire harness may be covered with a flexible protective tube. Therefore, the wire harness can be moved in the three-dimensional directions, that is, the wire harness can be moved in the longitudinal direction, the vertical direction and the lateral direction. Of course, one portion and the other portion of the wire harness are portions of the wire harness located on both sides with respect to the bended portion. An assembled body, in which a plurality of electric wires and a protective tube are assembled to each other, may be referred to as a wire harness. 
     Preferably, the first protector includes a support portion which supports the first portion. 
     Due to the above structure, one portion (the first portion) of the wire harness is stably supported along the harness support portion of the stationary side protector and an introducing direction of one portion is prescribed. In the same manner as that of the harness guide portion, the harness support portion may be a portion having a long opening for introducing out the wire harness from an accommodation state while the wire harness is being curved. The harness support portion may be extended so that the harness support portion can get over a step formed on the floor. 
     Preferably, the wire harness is covered with a protective tube and the protective tube is fixed to the first protector and the second protector. 
     Preferably, the first protector is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the second protector. 
     Due to the above structure, when the protective tube comes into contact with each protector, the wire harness (a plurality of electric wires) in the protective tube can be safely protected from abrasion caused by the contact with the protector. Of course, the electric wires are safely protected from interference with the outside being covered with the protective tube. Concerning the protective tube, it is preferable to use a bellows-shaped corrugated tube because it is easy to attach the bellows-shaped corrugated tube to each protector. From the viewpoint of enhancing the flexibility, it is preferable that the protective tube has a flat cross-section. 
     In order to accomplish the above another objects, the present invention provides a harness wiring structure using the power feeding apparatus, 
     wherein the first protector is fixed to a fixing structural body; 
     wherein the second protector is fixed to a movable structural body; and 
     wherein the wire harness is wired from the fixing structural body to the movable structural body. 
     Preferably, when the movable structural body moves in a direction away from the stationary structural body, the wire harness is led-out from the opening of the guide portion. 
     Due to the above structure, it is possible to provide the same action effect as that of the above-described invention. Accordingly, electricity can be positively fed from the stationary structural body to the movable structural body at all times in a small space. 
     According to the invention, without using the conventional case, the wire harness is partially covered with two protectors. Therefore, the structure can be made compact, the weight can be made light and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, the structure of the present invention can be applied to a vehicle, the seat height of which is small. Furthermore, between both protectors, the wire harness can be freely curved and moved in the three-dimensional directions. Therefore, the structure of the present invention can be applied to a vehicle, the seat height of which can be adjusted, and it becomes possible to adjust an attaching position in the protector width direction of one of the protectors. Further, one portion of the wire harness introduced out from the stationary side protector can be freely wired in accordance with a shape of the floor and the like. 
     According to the invention, a direction of introducing out one portion of the wire harness is prescribed along the harness support portion. Therefore, at the time of moving the movable side protector, the wire harness can be smoothly and positively introduced into the harness guide portion. 
     According to the invention, the wire harness (electric wires) provided in the protective tube can be safely protected from the interference with each protector. Therefore, the reliability of feeding electricity at all times can be enhanced. 
     Furthermore, according to the invention, electricity can be positively fed from the stationary structural body to the movable structural body at all times in a space, the height of which is suppressed. Further, it is possible to cope with a movement of the movable structural body in the three-dimensional directions. Further, in accordance with a shape of the stationary structural body side, the wire harness can be smoothly curved and electricity can be positively fed at all times. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a power feeding apparatus of the present invention and a harness wiring structure in which the power feeding apparatus is used; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are side views respectively showing a form of the movement in the longitudinal direction of the power feeding apparatus and the harness wiring structure in which the power feeding apparatus is used; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view showing a form of the movement in the up and down direction of the power feeding apparatus and the harness wiring structure in which the power feeding apparatus is used; 
         FIG. 4A  is a partially cut-out perspective view showing an example in which a power feeding apparatus is applied to a sliding type seat of an automobile and  FIG. 4B  is a side view in which a partially cross-section of a portion of the power feeding apparatus is shown; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are front views showing embodiments in which an upper side protector of the power feeding apparatus is moved to the side in order to prevent interference with an object; 
         FIGS. 6A to 6C  are side views respectively showing each example in which a form of wiring the wire harness is changed according to a shape of the floor; and 
         FIG. 7  is a partially sectional side view showing a form of the conventional power feeding apparatus and the harness wiring structure in which the power feeding apparatus is used. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 to 3  are views showing an embodiment of a power feeding apparatus and a harness wiring structure, in which the power feeding apparatus is used, of the present invention. 
     The power feeding apparatus  1  includes: a corrugated tube  2 , the cross-section of which is flat (elliptical), which is a protective tube made of synthetic resin; a stationary side protector  3  made of synthetic resin fixed to a lower side corrugated tube portion  2   a  under the condition that the corrugated tube  2  is curved into a substantial U-shape or J-shape above and below; and a movable side protector  4  made of synthetic resin fixed to an upper side corrugated tube portion  2   b.    
     The corrugated tube  2  is of the existing type in which recess grooves  5  and protrusions  6  formed in the circumferential direction are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction so that the corrugated tube  2  can be given flexibility. The corrugated tube  2  is formed thin in the curved direction. A length of the corrugated tube  2  is appropriately set in accordance with the necessity. Into the corrugated tube, a plurality of insulated covered wires  7  are inserted. A plurality of wires  7  compose a wire harness  8 . In some cases, a plurality of wires  7  and a corrugated tube  2  are referred to as a wire harness. 
     Each of the upper and the lower protector  3 ,  4  has a tube fixing portion (harness fixing portion)  9 ,  10 , the shape of which is substantially rectangular cylindrical. Each tube fixing portion  9 ,  10  has ribs (protrusions) not shown engaged with recess grooves  5  formed in the corrugated tube  2  and these ribs are provided on an inner circumferential face of the tube fixing portion  9 ,  10 . The upper and the lower protector  3 ,  4  are arranged in parallel with each other. 
     The lower side protector  3  has a tube support portion (harness support portion)  11  which is formed integrally with the lower side protector  3  at the rear of the tube fixing portion  9 . The upper side protector  4  has a tube guide portion (harness guide portion)  12 , which guides the corrugated tube  2 , which is formed integrally with the upper side protector  4  at the rear of the tube fixing portion  10 . The tube support portion  11  and the tube guide portion  12  are straightly extended from the tube fixing portions  9 ,  10 . In the present embodiment, the tube guide portion  12  is formed two or three times longer than the tube support portion  11 . 
     Cross-sectional shapes of the tube support portion  11  and the tube guide portion  12  are substantially the same with each other. That is, the tube support portion  11  is formed out of a horizontal bottom wall  13  and both vertical side walls  14  into a shape, and the cross-section of the tube support portion  11  is formed being recessed. The tube guide portion  12  is formed out of a horizontal ceiling wall  15  and both vertical side walls  16  into a channel shape, the cross-section of the tube guide portion  12  is formed being recessed. 
     In the present embodiment, heights of both side walls  14 ,  16  are set to be smaller than an outer diameter (thickness) on the short diameter side of the corrugated tube  2 . Into the recess portion  17 , the cross-section of which is rectangular, surrounded by both side walls  14  and the bottom wall  13  (right, left and lower side) of the tube support portion  11 , a lower side portion  2   a  of the corrugated tube  2  enters from the upper side opening  17   a  and engages. Into the recess portion  35  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), the cross-section of which is rectangular, surrounded by both side walls  16  and the ceiling wall  15  (right, left and upper side) of the tube guide portion  12 , an upper side portion  2   b  of the corrugated tube  2  enters and engages from the lower side opening portion  35   a.    
     A size of the inside width of each recess portion  17 ,  35  is set to be somewhat larger than the outer diameter on the long diameter side of the corrugated tube  2 . It is preferable that chamfering (not shown) is made inside of the forward end portions of both side walls  13 ,  16  so that the corrugated tube  2  can be smoothly entered. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , when the upper side protector  4  is moved forward together with the corrugated tube  2  and both protectors  3 ,  4  are opposed to each other in the vertical direction, the corrugated tube  2  enters the tube guide portion  12  all over the length. As shown in  FIG. 2B , when the upper side protector  4  is moved backward together with the corrugated tube  2 , the corrugated tube  2  leaves downward from the tube guide portion  12  and becomes a portion of the lower side corrugated tube portion  2   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , the corrugated tube  2  enters the tube support portion  11  of the lower side protector  3  all over the length. These circumstances are the same as those shown in  FIG. 2B . In this connection, in  FIG. 2A , in the case where the upper side protector  4  is further advanced, the corrugated tube  2  leaves upward from the tube support portion  11  of the lower side protector  3  and becomes a portion of the upper side corrugated tube portion  2   b.    
     In the present embodiment, on the lower side protector  3 , a pair of right and left brackets  18  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) are provided. On the upper side protector  4 , two pairs of right and left brackets  19  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) are provided. Each bracket  18 ,  19  has a hole portion  20  into which a bolt or an engaging clip is inserted. The bracket  18  of the lower side protector  3  is fixed to, for example, the floor  21  side (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of a vehicle body. The bracket  19  of the upper side protector  4  is fixed to, for example, the seat  22  side. 
     The tube fixing portion  9 .  10  of each protector  3 ,  4  includes: a base portion  23  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) continuing to the tube support portion  11  and the tube guide portion  12 ; and a cover portion  24  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) which is arranged on the base portion  23  being capable of freely opening and closing through a hinge (not shown). When each cover portion  24  is closed, it is fixed to the base portion  23  by an engaging means such as an engaging protrusion  25  and an engaging frame piece  26 . It is preferable that ribs (not shown) for fixing the tube are protruded from both inner circumferential faces of the base portion  23  and the cover portion  24 . When the ribs of each tube fixing portion  9 ,  10  enter and engage with the recess grooves  5  of the corrugated tube  2 , the corrugated tube  2  is fixed to each protector  3 ,  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the upper side protector  4  can be freely moved upward and downward together with the corrugated tube  2 , for example, in accordance with an adjustment of the height of the seat  22 . The upper side protector  4  is moved upward integrally with the seat  22  as shown by the chain line when the seat  22  is raised, and the corrugated tube  2  is curved into a curved shape of a large diameter between the upper side protector  4  and the lower side protector  3 . The corrugated tube  2  is released from the tube guide portion  12  of the upper side protector  4  and curved downward from the rear end portion side of the tube fixing portion  10 . 
     In the case where a rising distance of the seat  22  is short, the corrugated tube  2  is curved downward from an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the tube guide portion  12 . These circumstances are the same in the case where the upper side protector  4  is advanced in  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 3  shows a moving state in which the upper side protector  4  shown in FIG.  2 B moves upward and downward. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are views showing an embodiment in which the above power feeding apparatus  1  is applied to a sliding type seat  22  of an automobile. 
     The power feeding apparatus  1  is arranged on one side of the seating portion  27  of the seat  22 . The lower side protector  3  is fixed to the floor  21  of the vehicle body. The upper side protector  4  is fixed to the upper wall  28   a  in the inside space  28  of the seat  22 . Height H of the seat  22  from the floor  21  is set to be low. When this power feeding apparatus  1  is used, it is possible to cope with the power seat  22  arranged at a low position. 
     The electric wire  7  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) introduced out from the lower side corrugated portion  2   a , which is laid along the lower side protector  3 , is connected to a wire harness (not shown) on the floor side by means of a connector. The electric wire  7  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) introduced out from the upper side corrugated tube portion  2   b , which is laid along the upper side protector  4 , is connected to a seat side wire harness by means of a connector. It is possible to integrate each electric wire  7  with the floor side wire harness. Alternatively, it is possible to directly connect each electric wire  7  to an auxiliary machine, which is provided on the seat side, by means of a connector. 
     The electric wire (wire harness)  29  shown by the chain line in  FIG. 4A  is an example of the form of the conventional floor side wire harness which is shown for reference. The electric wire is connected to the seat side wire harness or an auxiliary machine through the connector  30  provided on the forward end side. The electric wire  29  is arranged along the floor  21  and further arranged in the seating portion  27  on the lower side of the seat  22  while enough length of the electric wire  29  is being provided. 
     In  FIG. 4B , the seat  22  retracts a little along the guide rail  31  on the floor side, that is, the seat  22  is located at a movement position in the middle between  FIGS. 2A and 2B . When the seat  22  is advanced along the guide rail  31  in the state shown in  FIG. 4B , as shown in  FIG. 2A , while the upper side corrugated tube portion  2   b  is entering the tube guide portion  12  of the upper side protector  4 , a portion of the lower side corrugated tube portion  2   a  moves upward and becomes an upper side corrugated tube portion  2   b  through the arcuate curved portion  2   c.    
     When the seat  22  retracts, the corrugated tube  2  is curved and moved by a reverse action to that described above. At the time of adjusting a height of the seat  22 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , the upper side protector  4  elevates together with the corrugated tube  2 . In any case, the electric wire  7  in the corrugated tube integrally moves together with the corrugated tube  2 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are views showing an example of the wire harness wiring structure in which the upper side protector  4  is moved in the lateral direction (to the right and left). 
       FIG. 5A  is a view showing an example in which the upper and lower protectors  3 ,  4  are arranged being opposed to each other in the vertical direction in the same manner as that shown in  FIG. 1 . In the case where some interference object  32  on the seat side, which is arranged on the side of the protector  4 , interferes with the upper side protector  4 , as shown in  FIG. 5B , the upper side protector  4  can be moved in a reverse direction to that of the upper side protector  4  and fixed to the seat  22 . 
     The above structure is composed in such a manner that the entire wire harness (the plurality of electric wires and the entire corrugated tube) is not covered with the protector but covered with only the upper and lower protectors  3 ,  4  and the corrugated tube  2  is flexibly exposed between both protectors  3 ,  4 . The corrugated tube  2  is exposed being flexible not only in the vertical direction but also in the twisting direction (in the inclination direction). Therefore, as shown by the chain line in  FIG. 5B , the upper side protector  4  can be fixed to the seat  22  being inclined. 
     In the case where the interference object  32  is located on the floor side  21 , it is possible to cope with the circumstances when the lower side protector  3  is moved in the lateral direction. The lower side protector  3  can be fixed to the floor  21  under the condition that the lower side protector  3  is inclined. Both protectors  3 ,  4  can be arranged being inclined. 
       FIGS. 6A to 6C  are views showing examples of the harness wiring structure which copes with a shape of a recess portion formed on the floor  21  side of a vehicle body. In the drawings, reference numeral  4  is an upper side protector, reference numeral  3  is a lower side protector and reference numeral  2  is a corrugated tube. 
       FIG. 6A  is a view showing an example in which the lower side corrugated tube portion  2   a  is horizontally wired on the floor  21  in the same manner as that shown in  FIG. 1 . In the case where the step  33  is provided on the floor  21  as shown in  FIG. 6B , the lower side corrugated tube portion  2   a  is set into the recess portion  34  of the step portion  33  and the wire harness  8  can be wired along a shape of the floor  21 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6C , the tube support portion  11  of the lower side protector  3  is horizontally extended on the same face as that of the floor  21  on the upper side of the step  33  and the lower side corrugated tube portion  2   a  is horizontally supported together with the wire harness  8  without being curved. 
     In this connection, in the embodiments described above, explanations are made into a case in which the present invention is applied to a sliding type seat  22  of an automobile. However, instead of the sliding type seat  22  of an automobile, it is possible to apply the above power feeding apparatus and the harness wiring structure, in which the power feeding apparatus is used, to a sliding type seat of any vehicles or any apparatuses. It is also possible to apply the above power feeding apparatus and the harness wiring structure, in which the power feeding apparatus is used, to a sliding type door incorporated into a device as well as the seat. 
     In the above embodiment, the protectors  3 ,  4  are arranged upward and downward and the corrugated tube  2  is curved in the vertical direction. However, for example, in the case where it is impossible to obtain a space in the longitudinal direction on the seat side, the following structure can be adopted. The power feeding apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 1  is inverted by 90° in the lateral direction. (In this case,  FIG. 2  becomes a plan view.) Then, the protectors  3 ,  4  are arranged on the right and left and the corrugated tube  2  is curved to the right and left. 
     In the above embodiment, the flat corrugated tube  2  to cover a plurality of electric wires  7  is used. However, instead of the flat corrugated tube  2 , other corrugated tubes (not shown) such as a corrugated tube, the cross-section of which is circular, and a soft net-shaped tube can be adopted. Further, it is possible to adopt such a structure that a plurality of electric wires  7  are exposed without using the protective tube  2  and the plurality of electric wires  7  are bundled with a band or a tape. In this case, the plurality of electric wires  7  are held, for example, by the cover  24  of the harness fixing portion  9 ,  10  of each protector  3 ,  4 . Alternatively, the plurality of electric wires  7  are fixed by winding a tape round the electric wires  7  or fastening the electric wires  7  with a band, in the harness fixing portion  9 ,  10 . Alternatively, the cover  24  of the harness fixing portion  8 ,  10  is abolished and the plurality of electric wires are fixed to the base portion  23  with a tape or a band. 
     In the above embodiment, the harness support portion  11  is provided on the lower side protector  3 . However, for example, the harness support portion  11  can be abolished and the lower side protector  3  can be composed of only the harness fixing portion  9 . In this case, the bracket  18  is provided on the harness fixing portion  9 . 
     In the above embodiment, heights of the tube support portion  11  of each protector  3 ,  4  and the tube guide portion  12  are set smaller than the short diameter of the corrugated tube  2 . However, it is possible to set these heights to be the same as the short diameter of the corrugated tube  2  or to be larger than that so as to enhance the protection property of accommodation.