An object is to suppress concentration of stress on electrical wires when the electrical wires are bent in the vicinity of a bracket. A bracket-equipped conductive path includes a conductive path main body that is constituted by a plurality of coated wires, a protector that surrounds the conductive path main body, and a bracket that is made of metal and includes a base portion that is embedded in the protector in such a manner that detachment of the base portion from the protector is restricted and an attachment portion that extends from the base portion. The base portion has a flat plate shape and is arranged to face the conductive path main body in a direction that is substantially parallel to a thickness direction of the base portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. national stage of PCT/JP2018/043309 filed Nov. 26, 2018, which claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2017-228697 filed Nov. 29, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a bracket-equipped conductive path.

BACKGROUND

A plurality of electrical devices are arranged at a plurality of locations in an automobile, and a plurality of electrical wires that are connected to the plurality of electrical devices are made into a bundle midway on a wiring route to constitute a wire harness. JP 2002-058151A discloses one example of a wire harness that is arranged such that a plurality of electrical wires branch off midway as described above. As a means for attaching such a wire harness to a vehicle body, a bracket that is made of metal can be used. In this case, the wire harness can be arranged correctly along an intended route by attaching brackets to a portion of the wire harness where an electrical wire branches off and a portion of the wire harness where electrical wires are bent.

As a means for fixing a metal bracket to a wire harness, consideration can be given to a method of covering an outer circumferential surface of the wire harness with a tubular portion that is formed in the bracket and performing caulking to reduce the diameter of the tubular portion. However, if a wire harness is surrounded by a tubular portion that is made of metal, there is a concern that, when electrical wires are bent in the vicinity of the bracket, the curvature of the electrical wires at an end portion of the tubular portion will increase and stress will concentrate on core wires of the electrical wires. Also, there is a concern that stress will concentrate on the core wires of the electrical wires as a result of the core wires being crushed in the radial direction under the force applied in caulking of the tubular portion.

The present disclosure was completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to suppress concentration of stress on electrical wires.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is characterized in including a conductive path main body that is constituted by a plurality of coated wires. A resin molded body surrounds the conductive path main body. A bracket includes a base portion that is embedded in the resin molded body and an attachment portion that is continuous to the base portion, wherein the base portion has a substantially flat plate shape and is arranged to face the conductive path main body in a direction that is substantially parallel to a thickness direction of the base portion.

Advantageous Effects of Disclosure

The base portion of the bracket is embedded in the resin molded body and the bracket is fixed to the conductive path main body via the resin molded body, and therefore concentration of stress on core wires of the coated wires can be prevented. Also, when the coated wires are bent in the vicinity of the bracket, there is no risk that the manner of deformation of the coated wires will be restricted by the base portion, and therefore concentration of stress on the coated wires can be suppressed when the coated wires are bent. Further, the diameter of the resin molded body can be reduced compared to a case in which the base portion faces the conductive path main body in a direction that is orthogonal to the thickness direction of the base portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure may have a configuration in which the entire region of the base portion and the entire region of the conductive path main body are not in contact with each other, and the resin molded body is interposed between the base portion and the conductive path main body. According to this configuration, a pressing force is not directly applied from the base portion to the conductive path main body, and therefore stress that might be generated in the conductive path main body can be reduced. Further, the area of contact between the resin molded body and each of the base portion and the conductive path main body is increased, and therefore the fixing strength between the resin molded body and each of the conductive path main body and the bracket is increased.

The present disclosure may have a configuration in which an upright portion that stands to face an outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body is formed on the base portion. According to this configuration, the area of contact between the bracket and the resin molded body is increased, and therefore the fixing strength between the bracket and the resin molded body is increased.

The present disclosure may have a configuration in which the resin molded body is made of a flexible material and includes an embedding portion in which the base portion is embedded and a protective tube portion that protrudes continuously from the embedding portion in an axial direction of the coated wires. According to this configuration, when the coated wires are bent in the vicinity of the bracket, the protective tube portion is also bent, but the curvature of the bent coated wires can be made small owing to the rigidity of the protective tube portion.

The present disclosure may have a configuration in which a cavity into which the resin molded body enters is formed in the base portion. According to this configuration, relative displacement between the base portion and the resin molded body can be reliably restricted owing to an anchor effect.

The present disclosure may have a configuration in which a through hole into which the resin molded body enters is formed in the base portion. According to this configuration, relative displacement between the base portion and the resin molded body can be reliably restricted owing to an anchor effect.

The present disclosure may have a configuration in which a protrusion protrudes from an outer edge portion of the base portion. The present disclosure may also have a configuration in which the protrusion is flush with the base portion. According to this configuration, relative displacement between the base portion and the resin molded body can be reliably restricted owing to an anchor effect.

The present disclosure may have a configuration in which the protrusion is continuous to the base portion and is flush with the base portion. According to this configuration, the shape of the base portion is simplified.

The present disclosure may have a configuration in which a reinforcing portion is formed in at least one of the base portion and the attachment portion. According to this configuration, the rigidity of the bracket can be increased, and therefore the bracket can be made of a synthetic resin.

The present disclosure may have a configuration in which the conductive path main body is constituted by a trunk line in which the plurality of coated wires are collectively surrounded by a sheath and a plurality of branch lines from which the sheath is removed and that branch off from the trunk line, the resin molded body surrounds, in a liquid-tight manner, a branched region in which the plurality of branch lines branch off from the trunk line, and the base portion is embedded in the resin molded body in the vicinity of the branch lines. According to this configuration, an end portion of the sheath is sealed, in a liquid-tight manner, by the resin molded body in the branched region in which the branch lines branch off from the trunk line, and therefore the intrusion of water into a space between the sheath and the coated wires can be prevented.

The following describes Embodiment 1 as a specific embodiment of the present disclosure with reference toFIGS. 1 to 5. In the following description, the left side inFIG. 2is defined as the front side in the front-rear direction. The upper side and the lower side inFIGS. 1 and 3 to 5are respectively defined as the upper side and the lower side in the up-down direction. The left side and the right side inFIG. 3are respectively defined as the left side and the right side in the left-right direction.

A bracket-equipped conductive path A of Embodiment 1 includes a conductive path main body10that is constituted by a plurality of (three in Embodiment 1) coated wires11, a tubular protector17(“a resin molded body” recited in the claims) that is made of a synthetic resin material, and a bracket22that is made of metal. Each of the three coated wires11constituting the conductive path main body10has a well-known configuration in which a flexible core wire11athat is made of metal is surrounded by an insulating covering11bthat is made of a synthetic resin. The conductive path main body10includes a single trunk line12, a first branch line14(one of “branch lines” recited in the claims) and a second branch line16(another of “branch lines” recited in the claims) that branch off from the rear end of the trunk line12in two directions. The trunk line12has a configuration in which the three coated wires11are made into a bundle and are collectively surrounded by a sheath13.

The sheath13is removed from regions of the three coated wires11that constitute the first branch line14and the second branch line16(i.e., the regions are exposed from the rear end of the sheath13). The first branch line14is constituted by a bundle of two coated wires11. The front end portion of the first branch line14that is close to the rear end of the trunk line12is collectively surrounded by a protective tube15that is made of a synthetic resin (for example, urethane resin). The front end portion of the first branch line14and the rear end portion of the trunk line12are continuous to each other and are mostly linear. A single coated wire11that constitutes the second branch line16is arranged to extend diagonally rearward with respect to the first branch line14and the trunk line12in plan view.

The protector17is made of a synthetic resin material that is flexible or elastic (for example, urethane resin). The protector17covers a branched region in which the branch lines14and16branch off from the trunk line12(i.e., the rear end portion of the trunk line12, the front end portion of the protective tube15surrounding the first branch line14, and the front end portion of the second branch line16) in a state of being in liquid-tight contact with the branched region. The protector17has a tubular shape as a whole, and the rear end portion of the protector17has a tubular shape that is branched into two portions, that is, a portion for the first branch line14and a portion for the second branch line16. Although the two coated wires11are exposed between the rear end of the sheath13and the protective tube15, exposed portions of these coated wires are also surrounded by the protector17.

The protector17is a single-piece component that includes an embedding portion18, a first protective tube portion19(“a protective tube portion” recited in the claims), a second protective tube portion20(“a protective tube portion” recited in the claims), and a third protective tube portion21(“a protective tube portion” recited in the claims). The embedding portion18surrounds the entire circumference of the rear end portion of the trunk line12of the conductive path main body10. The first protective tube portion19has a cylindrical shape, extends forward from the front end of the embedding portion18, and surrounds the sheath13. The second protective tube portion20surrounds the rear end portion of the sheath13, the exposed portions of the coated wires11(first branch line14) between the rear end of the sheath13and the front end of the protective tube15, and the front end portion of the protective tube15. The third protective tube portion21extends diagonally rearward from an outer circumferential surface of the second protective tube portion20and surrounds the front end portion of the second branch line16(coated wire11).

The bracket22is a single-piece component that is formed by bending a metal plate member that has a predetermined shape. The bracket22includes a base portion23that has a flat plate shape and is oriented such that its plate surfaces extend in the horizontal direction, an attachment portion24that has a flat plate shape and is oriented such that its plate surfaces extend in the vertical direction, and a connecting portion25that has a bent shape and connects a right side edge portion of the base portion23and an upper edge of the attachment portion24.

The thickness direction of the base portion23is oriented in the up-down direction (a direction orthogonal to axes of the first protective tube portion19and the second protective tube portion20), and the base portion23is embedded in the embedding portion18in such a manner that detachment of the base portion from the embedding portion is restricted. The base portion23is embedded in the embedding portion18through insert molding in which the bracket22, which is set in a mold (not shown), and the protector17are formed into a single piece in a process of molding the protector17. The base portion23is arranged below the trunk line12.

As shown inFIG. 3, in a cross section that is orthogonal to the axis of the conductive path main body10, the base portion23is arranged to face the conductive path main body10in a direction that is parallel to the thickness direction of the base portion23(the up-down direction inFIG. 3). In other words, the conductive path main body10and the base portion23face each other in a direction (the up-down direction) that is perpendicular to both surfaces (upper and lower surfaces) of the base portion23that are parallel to the extension direction of the base portion23. The base portion23is arranged just below the conductive path main body10that is oriented such that its axis extends in the front-rear direction (the horizontal direction), and an upper surface of the base portion23and an outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10face each other in the up-down direction. That is, the surface (the upper surface) of the base portion23that faces the conductive path main body10is a flat surface that is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base portion23.

In the same cross section that is orthogonal to the axis of the conductive path main body10, the entirety of the conductive path main body10is arranged within the range in which the base portion23is formed, in the horizontal direction (the left-right direction inFIG. 3) parallel to the surface (the upper surface) of the base portion23facing the conductive path main body10. According to this configuration, the protector17can be made smaller in the up-down direction compared to a case in which the base portion23is arranged to extend in a radial direction with respect to the conductive path main body10(for example, the base portion23is oriented vertically just below the conductive path main body10) and the conductive path main body10and the base portion23face each other in a direction that is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base portion23.

The entire region of the upper surface of the base portion23and the entire region of the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10(the sheath13) are positioned to not be in contact with each other. The synthetic resin material of the protector17enters a space between the upper surface of the base portion23and a lower end portion of the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10. According to this configuration, a pressing force is not directly applied from the base portion23to the conductive path main body10, and therefore stress that might be generated in the conductive path main body10can be reduced. Further, the area of contact between the protector17and each of the base portion23and the conductive path main body10is increased, and therefore the fixing strength between the protector17and each of the conductive path main body10and the bracket22is increased.

The attachment portion24extends downward from the base portion23. The thickness direction of the attachment portion24is oriented in the left-right direction (a direction orthogonal to the axes of the first protective tube portion19and the second protective tube portion20). A circular attachment hole26is formed in the attachment portion24, extending through the attachment portion in its thickness direction. The bracket22is configured to be fixed to the body of an automobile (not shown) by inserting a fastening member (not shown) such as a bolt into the attachment hole26. When the bracket22is fixed to the body, a branched portion of the conductive path main body10in which the branch lines14and16branch off from the trunk line12is positioned relative to the body, and the conductive path main body10can be arranged along the predetermined route.

The bracket-equipped conductive path A according to Embodiment 1 includes the conductive path main body10that is constituted by a bundle of the coated wires11, the tubular protector17that is made of a synthetic resin material and surrounds the conductive path main body10, and the bracket22that is made of metal. The bracket22includes the plate-shaped base portion23that is embedded in the protector17in such a manner that detachment of the base portion from the protector is restricted and the attachment portion24that is continuous to the base portion23via the connecting portion25.

As a means for attaching the bracket22to the conductive path main body10, the base portion23of the bracket22is embedded in the resin protector17to fix the bracket22to the conductive path main body10via the protector17, and therefore there is no risk that stress generated through fastening of the bracket22will concentrate on the core wires11aof the coated wires11. Further, the base portion23that serves as a means for fixing the bracket22to the conductive path main body10has the plate shape rather than a tubular shape that surrounds the conductive path main body10. Therefore, when the coated wires11are bent in the vicinity of the bracket22, there is no risk that the manner of deformation of the coated wires11will be restricted by the base portion23, and accordingly concentration of stress on the coated wires11can be suppressed.

Further, the protector17is made of a flexible synthetic resin material and includes the embedding portion18in which the base portion23is embedded and the first protective tube portion19, the second protective tube portion20, and the third protective tube portion21that protrude continuously from the embedding portion18in the axial direction of the coated wires11. According to this configuration, when the coated wires11are bent in the vicinity of the bracket22, the protective tube portions19,20, and21are also bent, but the curvature of the bent coated wires11can be made small owing to the rigidity of the protective tube portions19,20, and21. Furthermore, the synthetic resin material of the protector17is interposed between the base portion23and the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10, and therefore relative displacement between the base portion23and the protector17can be restricted.

Further, the conductive path main body10is constituted by the trunk line12in which the plurality of coated wires11are collectively surrounded by the sheath13and the plurality of branch lines14and16from which the sheath13is removed and that branch off from the trunk line. The protector17surrounds, in a liquid-tight manner, the branched region in which the plurality of branch lines14and16branch off from the trunk line12, and the base portion23is embedded in the protector17in the vicinity of the branch lines14and16(i.e., a region in which the trunk line12is arranged). According to this configuration, an end portion of the sheath13is sealed, in a liquid-tight manner, by the protector17in the branched region in which the branch lines14and16branch off from the trunk line12, and therefore the intrusion of water into a space between the sheath13and the coated wires11can be prevented.

Next, Embodiment 2 will be described as a specific embodiment of the present disclosure with reference toFIG. 6. In a bracket-equipped conductive path B according to Embodiment 2, the upper surface of the base portion23of the metal bracket22is in contact with the lower end of the outer surface of the conductive path main body10. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 1, and therefore the same configurations are represented by the same reference signs as those used in Embodiment 1 and a description of their structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

Next, Embodiment 3 will be described as a specific embodiment of the present disclosure with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8. In a bracket-equipped conductive path C according to Embodiment 3, a slit-shaped through hole29(“a cavity” recited in the claims) into which a portion of the synthetic resin material of the protector17(“a resin molded body” recited in the claims) enters is formed in a base portion28of a bracket27that is made of metal. The through hole29extends through the base portion28. According to this configuration, the synthetic resin material of the protector17exhibits an anchor effect, and therefore relative displacement between the base portion28and the protector17can be reliably restricted.

Further, the entire region of an upper surface of the base portion28and the entire region of the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10(the sheath13) are positioned to not be in contact with each other. The synthetic resin material of the protector17also enters a space between the upper surface of the base portion28and the lower end portion of the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 1, and therefore the same configurations are represented by the same reference signs as those used in Embodiment 1 and a description of their structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

Next, Embodiment 4 will be described as a specific embodiment of the present disclosure with reference toFIGS. 9 and 10. In a bracket-equipped conductive path D according to Embodiment 4, a through hole32(“a cavity” recited in the claims) into which the synthetic resin material of the protector17(“a resin molded body” recited in the claims) enters is formed in a base portion31of a bracket30that is made of metal. The through hole32extends through the base portion31. The through hole32is constituted by a first slit33that extends in the front-rear direction and a plurality of (three in Embodiment 4) second slits34that extend substantially perpendicularly from the first slit33to a side. The plurality of second slits34are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction (the length direction of the first slit33).

According to this configuration, the synthetic resin material of the protector17exhibits an anchor effect, and therefore relative displacement between the base portion31and the protector17can be reliably restricted. Further, the entire region of an upper surface of the base portion31and the entire region of the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10(the sheath13) are positioned to not be in contact with each other. The synthetic resin material of the protector17also enters a space between the upper surface of the base portion31and the lower end of the outer surface of the sheath13of the conductive path main body10. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 1, and therefore the same configurations are represented by the same reference signs as those used in Embodiment 1 and a description of their structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

Next, Embodiment 5 will be described as a specific embodiment of the present disclosure with reference toFIGS. 11 and 12. A bracket-equipped conductive path E according to Embodiment 5 is obtained by forming a pair of left and right groove portions37in an embedding portion36of a protector35(“a resin molded body” recited in the claims) in Embodiment 4. Owing to the formation of the groove portions37, an upper end-side region of the embedding portion36through which the conductive path main body10passes and a lower end-side portion of the embedding portion36in which the base portion31of the bracket30is embedded can be displaced relative to each other in the left-right direction. Therefore, the conductive path main body10can be displaced relative to the bracket30and the body (not shown) in the left-right direction. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 4, and therefore the same configurations are represented by the same reference signs as those used in Embodiment 4 and a description of their structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

Next, Embodiment 6 will be described as a specific embodiment of the present disclosure with reference toFIG. 13. A bracket38of Embodiment 6 is made of a metal material, includes a slit-shaped through hole40(“a cavity” recited in the claims) that is similar to that in Embodiment 3 and extends through a base portion39, and further includes a plurality of protrusions41that are formed on an outer peripheral edge portion of the base portion39. The plurality of protrusions41are continuous to the base portion39and are flush with the base portion39. A portion of the synthetic resin material of the protector17(“a resin molded body” recited in the claims) enters the through hole40and also enters spaces between the protrusions41, and therefore relative displacement between the base portion39and the protector17can be reliably restricted. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 3, and therefore the same configurations are represented by the same reference signs as those used in Embodiment 3 and a description of their structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

Next, Embodiment 7 will be described as a specific embodiment of the present disclosure with reference toFIG. 14. A bracket-equipped conductive path G according to Embodiment 7 includes a bracket42that is configured differently from that of the above-described Embodiment 1. The bracket of Embodiment 7 is made of a metal material and includes a cushioning portion45that is interposed between an upper end portion of an attachment portion43and a connecting portion44. The cushioning portion45is elastically deformable and accordingly exhibits a function of allowing for relative displacement between a base portion46and the attachment portion43. Therefore, the conductive path main body10can be displaced relative to the bracket42in the up-down direction and the left-right direction. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 1, and therefore the same configurations are represented by the same reference signs as those used in Embodiment 1 and a description of their structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

Next, Embodiment 8 will be described as a specific embodiment of the present disclosure with reference toFIG. 15. A bracket-equipped conductive path H according to Embodiment 8 includes a bracket47that is configured differently from that of the above-described Embodiment 1. The bracket47of Embodiment 8 is made of a metal material and includes an upright portion50that extends from a left edge of a flat plate-shaped base portion48(i.e., an edge of an extension from a connecting portion49), upward (substantially perpendicularly to the base portion48) in a cantilever manner. The upright portion50is embedded in the embedding portion18of the protector17(“a resin molded body” recited in the claims) and faces a left side portion of the outer surface of the conductive path main body10.

The entire region of an upper surface of the base portion48and the entire region of the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10(the sheath13) are positioned to not be in contact with each other. The entire region of a side surface of the upright portion50and the entire region of the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10(the sheath13) are also positioned to not be in contact with each other. A portion of the synthetic resin material of the protector17enters a space between the base portion48and the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10and a space between the upright portion50and the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10.

Not only the base portion48but also the upright portion50is embedded in the embedding portion18(the protector17), and the upright portion50and the base portion48are continuous to each other at substantially right angles. Therefore, the bracket47and the protector17are more reliably formed into a single piece. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 1, and therefore the same configurations are represented by the same reference signs as those used in Embodiment 1 and a description of their structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

Next, Embodiment 9 will be described as a specific embodiment of the present disclosure with reference toFIGS. 16 to 18. Abracket-equipped conductive path J according to Embodiment 9 includes a bracket51and a protector58(“a resin molded body” recited in the claims) that are configured differently from those of the above-described Embodiment 1. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 1, and therefore the same configurations are represented by the same reference signs as those used in Embodiment 1 and a description of their structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

The bracket51of Embodiment 9 is made of a metal material and includes a flat plate-shaped base portion52, an attachment portion53that extends from a right side edge of the base portion52in a cantilever manner, and first to third upright portions54F,54C, and54R (each being “an upright portion” recited in the claims). The base portion52is constituted by one exposed portion55and a pair of front and rear embedded portions56F and56R. The exposed portion55has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The pair of front and rear embedded portions56F and56R extend from a left side edge portion of the exposed portion55to the left in a cantilever manner and are flush with the exposed portion55. The pair of front and rear embedded portions56F and56R are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. A through hole57(“a cavity” recited in the claims) is formed in each of the embedded portions56F and56R, extending through the embedded portions56F and56R in the thickness direction.

The first upright portion54F stands substantially perpendicularly upward from an extension edge of the front side embedded portion56F. The second upright portion54C stands substantially perpendicularly upward from a region between the front and rear embedded portions56F and56R on the left side edge of the exposed portion55. The third upright portion54R stands substantially perpendicularly upward from an extension edge of the rear side embedded portion56R.

In a side view of the bracket51, the first upright portion54F, the second upright portion54C, and the third upright portion54R are arranged in this order in the axial direction (the front-rear direction) of the conductive path main body10. In a rear view of the bracket51, the first upright portion54F and the third upright portion54R overlap each other, and the second upright portion54C is arranged at a position on the right of the first upright portion54F and the third upright portion54R.

In a plan view of the bracket51, the first upright portion54F, the second upright portion54C, and the third upright portion54R are arranged in a staggered manner. The distance between the second upright portion54C and each of the first upright portion54F and the third upright portion54R is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the conductive path main body10.

The protector58is constituted by a tubular embedding portion59and a pair of front and rear protective tube portions60that extend respectively from the front and rear ends of the embedding portion59in the axial direction of the conductive path main body10. The entire regions of the embedded portions56F and56R of the base portion52and the entire regions of the first to third upright portions54F,54C, and54R are embedded in the embedding portion59.

The entire region of an upper surface of the base portion52(the embedded portions56F and56R) and the entire region of the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10(the sheath13) are positioned to not be in contact with each other. The entire regions of side surfaces of the first to third upright portions54F,54C, and54R and the entire region of the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10(the sheath13) are also positioned to not be in contact with each other. A portion of the synthetic resin material of the protector58enters a space between the base portion52(the embedded portions56F and56R) and the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10and spaces between the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10and the first to third upright portions54F,54C, and54R.

Next, Embodiment 10 will be described as a specific embodiment of the present disclosure with reference toFIGS. 19 to 23. A bracket-equipped conductive path K according to Embodiment 10 includes a bracket61and a protector66(“a resin molded body” recited in the claims) that are configured differently from those of the above-described Embodiment 1. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 1, and therefore the same configurations are represented by the same reference signs as those used in Embodiment 1 and a description of their structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

The bracket61of Embodiment 10 is made of a metal material and includes a flat plate-shaped base portion62, an attachment portion63that extends from a right side edge of the base portion62and is flush with the base portion62, and an upright portion65that extends upward (substantially perpendicularly to the base portion62) from a left edge of the base portion62in a cantilever manner. A pair of front and rear positioning holes64are formed in the base portion62. The base portion62and the upright portion65are embedded in an embedding portion67of the protector66. The upright portion65faces a left side portion of the outer surface of the conductive path main body10.

The entire region of an upper surface of the base portion62and the entire region of the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10(the sheath13) are positioned to not be in contact with each other. The entire region of a side surface of the upright portion65and the entire region of the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10(the sheath13) are also positioned to not be in contact with each other. A portion of the synthetic resin material of the protector66enters a space between the base portion62and the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10and a space between the upright portion65and the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body10.

As shown inFIG. 22, in production of the bracket-equipped conductive path K, the bracket61is set in a lower mold69that constitutes a mold68. At this time, the base portion62of the bracket61is placed on upper end portions of a pair of front and rear support pins70that are provided in the lower mold69, and the upper end portions of the support pins70are fitted to the positioning holes64. In this state, a clearance is left between the lower mold69and a lower surface of the base portion62.

After the bracket61is set in the lower mold69, the lower mold69is covered with an upper mold71to close the mold68as shown inFIG. 23, and molten resin is injected into the mold68. As a result of the injected synthetic resin solidifying, the protector66is molded. After the protector66has solidified, the mold is opened. When the mold is opened, the support pins70are removed from the positioning holes64, and a pair of front and rear mold removal holes72are formed in a portion of the protector66located below the base portion62.

Thus, the conductive path main body10and the base portion62of the bracket61are embedded in the protector66, whereby the conductive path main body10and the bracket61are formed into a single piece and the production of the bracket-equipped conductive path K is completed.

Next, Embodiment 11 will be described as a specific embodiment of the present disclosure with reference toFIGS. 24 and 25. A bracket-equipped conductive path L according to Embodiment 11 includes a bracket73that is configured differently from that of the above-described Embodiment 1. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 1, and therefore the same configurations are represented by the same reference signs as those used in Embodiment 1 and a description of their structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

The bracket73of Embodiment 11 is made of a synthetic resin material to reduce the weight. The bracket73includes a base portion74that is embedded in the embedding portion18of the protector17and an attachment portion75that extends substantially perpendicularly to the base portion74. A through hole32(“a cavity” recited in the claims) that has the same shape as that of Embodiment 4 is formed in the base portion74. Also, a plurality of reinforcing portions76are formed in the attachment portion. The reinforcing portions76are formed by making recesses in a side surface of the attachment portion and have polygonal shapes or a honeycomb shape, for example. Owing to the formation of the plurality of reinforcing portions76, the rigidity of the bracket73, in particular, the attachment portion75, is increased.

Next, Embodiment 12 will be described as a specific embodiment of the present disclosure with reference toFIGS. 26 and 27. A bracket-equipped conductive path M according to Embodiment 12 includes a bracket77that is configured differently from that of the above-described Embodiment 1. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 1, and therefore the same configurations are represented by the same reference signs as those used in Embodiment 1 and a description of their structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

The bracket77of Embodiment 12 is made of a synthetic resin material to reduce the weight. The bracket77includes a base portion78that is embedded in the embedding portion18of the protector17and an attachment portion79that extends substantially perpendicularly to the base portion78. A through hole32(“a cavity” recited in the claims) that has a shape obtained by reversing the left and right of the through hole32of Embodiment 4 is formed in the base portion. Also, a plurality of reinforcing portions80are formed in the attachment portion79. The reinforcing portions80have the shape of ribs that project along a side surface of the attachment portion79. Owing to the formation of the plurality of reinforcing portions80, the rigidity of the bracket77, in particular, the attachment portion79, is increased.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings and, for example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

In the above-described Embodiments 1 to 12, the protector includes the protective tube portions that extend from the embedding portion, but a configuration is also possible in which the protector does not include protective tube portions.

In the above-described Embodiments 1 to 12, the protector includes a pair of protective tube portions that extend from the embedding portion toward two sides thereof, but a configuration is also possible in which the protector includes a single protective tube portion that extends from the embedding portion only toward one side thereof.

In the above-described Embodiments 1 to 12, the bracket is fixed in the vicinity of the branched portion of the conductive path main body, but a configuration is also possible in which the bracket is fixed to a portion where the entire conductive path main body is arranged while being curved, rather than the branched portion of the conductive path main body.

The configuration of the above-described Embodiment 2 in which the base portion is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the conductive path main body can also be applied to Embodiments 3 to 12.

In the above-described Embodiments 3 to 6, the cavity extends through the base portion, but a configuration is also possible in which the cavity does not extend through the base portion.

The configuration of the above-described Embodiment 5 in which the groove portions are formed in the embedding portion can also be applied to Embodiments 1 to 3 and 6 to 8.

The configuration of the above-described Embodiment 7 in which the cushioning portion is formed between the attachment portion and the base portion can also be applied to Embodiments 1 to 6 and 8.

The configuration of the above-described Embodiments 8 to 10 in which the upright portion extends substantially perpendicularly from the base portion can also be applied to Embodiments 1 to 7, 11, and 12.

In the above-described Embodiments 11 and 12, the reinforcing portions are formed only in the attachment portion of the bracket, but a configuration is also possible in which reinforcing portions are formed in both the base portion and the attachment portion or only in the base portion.

The configuration of the above-described Embodiments 11 and 12 in which the reinforcing portions are formed in the bracket can also be applied to Embodiments 1 to 10.

In the above-described Embodiments 1 to 10, the bracket is made of metal, but the bracket may be made of a synthetic resin in Embodiments 1 to 10.

In the above-described Embodiments 11 and 12, the bracket is made of a synthetic resin, but the bracket may be made of metal in Embodiments 11 and 12.