Feeder and harness wiring structure using same

In order to attain a compact and simplified feeder assembly 1, the feeder assembly adopts a space receiving a wiring harness 6 to be bend, a sliding member 7 provided in the wiring harness, and a sliding guide to guide the sliding member in the space side. The wiring harness is bent to loop or U-shape. The space is provided in a protector 4. The sliding guide 5 is formed in mountain shape or slanted. The sliding guide 5 is a pair of rails, guiding through-holes or walls opposed to each other, the wiring harness 6 is inserted between the pair of rails, and the sliding member 7 is a spherical member which contacts to slide freely on the pair of rails or walls, or an axis which engages with the guiding through-holes. An insulating cover of each electric cable of the wiring harness 6 or a protection tube of the circumference of the wiring harness 6 may be formed with a material which hardly degrades the rigidity with temperature and humidity changes or a loop portion 6b may be provided with a curved rigid member openable at a hinge.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a feeder assembly which absorbs an excess length of a wiring harness when moving a sliding structure in order to feed the sliding structure such as a sliding door or sliding seat of a vehicle from a power source.

RELATED ART

FIGS. 21 and 22show a harness arrangement structure utilizing a conventional feeder assembly (for example, see JP,2001-354085,A)

A feeder assembly61is attached to a sliding door62of a vehicle. The feeder assembly61is provided with a base63and cover (not shown) made of synthetic resin, and a metal flat spring65which receives a sag (excess length) by urging upward a wiring harness64in the protector.

The base63is fixed vertically to a inner panel66of the sliding door62and the cover is locked to the base63by a locking means. The flat spring65is fixed to the base63. A narrow opening67for guiding out the wiring harness is provided in the front of the protector and an elongated opening68is provided in the underneath the protector.

The wiring harness64is received crookedly in the protector and one end of the wiring harness64is arranged to an auxiliary apparatus to the side of the sliding door through the opening67of the front side and other end is arranged to the side of a vehicle body71, through the underneath opening68and through a step over, while being supported by a harness fixing portion near a step69and is connected to a wiring harness (not shown) to the side of the vehicle body (power supply side). “Front side” refers to the front side of the vehicle.

When the sliding door62inFIG. 21is fully closed, the wiring harness64is depressed upward by the flat spring65and is stretched to the backside (facing to the harness fixing portion70) from the underneath opening68of the protector. When the sliding door62is opened by sliding to backside, the wiring harness64is tend to sag downward but the flat spring65urges to absorb the sag. When the sliding door62is fully opened as inFIG. 22, the wiring harness64bends downward the flat spring65and is bent in a small radius and stretched to the front side (facing to the harness fixing portion70). The sliding door62is moved outward (to the direction apart from the vehicle body71) when opened from the, closed state inFIG. 21.

However, in the conventional feeder assembly and the harness arrangement structure, since the sag of the wiring harness64is absorbed by urging upward, the structure enlarges in height. As is anticipated, a large attachment space is not available in the sliding door, an attachment position is limited or an attachment is not possible, due to the sliding space of windows and the position of auxiliary apparatus for type of vehicles. Moreover, since many parts, such as metal flat spring65, a member fixing the metal flat spring65to the base63, a cap supporting stably the wiring harness64at the tip of the flat spring65and the like, are required, more cost of parts and assembly hours are necessary.

Wiring harness of insulating coating cable may be utilized in the structure other than the feeder assembly stated but special cable such as cabtire cable, curled cord or the like has a difficulty applying for many kinds of sliding doors and for changing design of circuit.

An object of the present invention is to provide a feeder assembly and a harness arrangement structure utilizing it. The feeder assembly and harness arrangement structure are capable of preventing from the height enlargement so that the assemblage can be made with a saved-space in a sliding structure body such as a sliding door and an excess length of a wiring harness can be absorbed by few parts without flat spring. Furthermore, they can use regular type cables and are applicable to many kinds of sliding doors.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to attain the above object, a feeder assembly of the present invention is provided with a receiving space in which a wiring harness is bent, a sliding member provided in the wiring harness, and a sliding guide to guide the sliding member. Thereby, when a sliding structure body such as a sliding door and the like engaged slidably with a fixed structure body such as a vehicle body and the like moves back and forth, the sliding member of the wiring harness arranged from the space of the sliding structure body to the fixed structure body side moves along the sliding guide in the space side and a loop portion or a bent portion of the wiring harness expands and contracts in the space so that the excess length of the wiring harness is absorbed when the loop portion expands the diameter or the bent portion contracts.

Thereby, as the sliding structure body slides, the sliding member moves along the sliding guide, and the loop portion or the bent portion of the wiring harness expands and contracts vertically or horizontally in the space so that the space is saved in the height direction compared to the feeder assembly utilizing a conventional flat spring. The rigidity of the wiring harness forms the loop portion or the bent portion without using a flat spring and hence absorbs the excess length of the wiring harness.

In the feeder assembly, the feeder assembly is provided with the receiving space in which the wiring harness is bent in loop shape, and the sliding guide to guide the sliding member in the direction to which the loop portion of the wiring harness expands or contracts.

Thereby, when the sliding structure body such as a sliding door and the like engaged slidably with the fixed structure body such as a vehicle body and the like moves back and forth, the sliding member of the wiring harness arranged from the space of the sliding structure body to the fixed structure body side moves along the sliding guide in the space side and the loop portion of the wiring harness expands and contracts in the space so that the excess length of the wiring harness is absorbed when the loop portion expands in the diameter and the wiring harness is pulled out to the fixed structure body side from the space when the loop portion contracts the diameter. Thereby, as the sliding structure body slides, the sliding member moves along the sliding guide, and the loop portion of the wiring harness expands and contracts in the radial direction vertically or horizontally in the space so that the space is saved in the height or crosswise direction compared to the feeder assembly utilizing a conventional flat spring. The rigidity of the wiring harness forms the loop portion without using a flat spring and hence absorbs the excess length of the wiring harness.

In the feeder assembly, the feeder assembly is provided with the receiving space in which the wiring harness is bent in U-shape, and the sliding guide to guide the sliding member in the direction to which the bent portion of the wiring harness expands or contracts.

Thereby, when the sliding structure body such as a sliding door and the like engaged slidably with the fixed structure body such as a vehicle body and the like moves back and forth, the sliding member of the wiring harness arranged from the space of the sliding structure body to the fixed structure body side moves along the sliding guide in the space side and the excess length of the wiring harness is absorbed when the wiring harness is bent. Thereby, as the sliding structure body slides, the sliding member moves along the sliding guide, and the wiring harness is bent in U-shape vertically and horizontally in the space so that the space is saved in the height or crosswise direction compared to the feeder assembly utilizing a conventional flat spring. The rigidity of the wiring harness forms the loop portion without using a flat spring and hence absorbs the excess length of the wiring harness.

In the feeder assembly, the feeder assembly is characterized by that the space is provided in a protector and the sliding guide is provided in the lengthwise direction of the protector.

Thereby, when a sliding structure body such as a sliding door and the like engaged slidably with a fixed structure body such as a vehicle body and the like moves back and forth, the protector provided in the sliding structure body moves with the sliding structure body and the fixed sliding member of a wiring harness arranged from the protector to the fixed structure body side moves along the sliding guide in the protector and the loop portion or the bent portion of the wiring harness expands or contracts in the protector and the excess length of the wiring harness is absorbed when the loop portion expands the diameter or the bent portion contracts and the wiring harness is pulled out to the fixed structure body side when the loop portion contracts the diameter. Thereby, as the sliding structure body slides, the sliding member moves along the sliding guide, and the loop portion of the wiring harness expands or contracts in the radial direction or the bent portion of the wiring harness expands or contracts in the vertical or horizontal protector so that the space is saved in the height or crosswise direction compared to the protector structure utilizing a conventional flat spring. The rigidity of the wiring harness forms the loop portion without using a flat spring and hence absorbs the excess length of the wiring harness.

In the feeder assembly, the feeder assembly has a sliding guide of mountain shape.

Thereby, as the sliding structure body moves, the sliding member moves to the top of the sliding guide of mountain shape and the loop portion of the wiring harness is forced to be expanded in the diameter and the excess length is assuredly absorbed. The excess length of the wiring harness is absorbed in the expanded radial direction of the loop portion. When the sliding member is positioned at the top of the sliding guide, the loop portion has the largest diameter. As the sliding member moves to the bottom of the sliding guide of mountain shape, the loop portion contracts the diameter and the wiring harness is pulled out of the space or the protector.

In the feeder assembly, the feeder assembly has a sliding guide which is formed in slanted from one end to the other end.

Thereby, as the sliding structure body moves, the sliding member moves upward along the slanted sliding guide and the loop portion of the wiring harness is forced to be expanded in the diameter and the excess length is assuredly absorbed. The loop portion expands the diameter to the direction (crosswise) along the sliding guide and the excess length is absorbed crosswise. As the sliding member moves downward along the slanted sliding guide and the loop portion contracts the diameter and the wiring harness is pulled out of the space or the protector.

In the feeder assembly the feeder assembly has the sliding guide which has a straight portion and a slanted portion followed from the straight portion.

Thereby, a space or a protector having a space is provided in the fixed structure body side such as a vehicle body and a wiring harness is arranged from the space to a sliding structure body side. When the sliding structure body such as a sliding door of a vehicle is opened from the fully closed state, or is fully closed from the nearly closed state, the sliding member moves along the slanted portion of the sliding guide and the wiring harness is bent in U-shape so that the stroke of the thickness direction of the sliding structure body is absorbed and the sag of the wiring harness outside the protector is prevented. When the sliding structure body moves parallel to the fixed structure body, the sliding member moves along the straight portion of the sliding guide.

In the feeder assembly, the feeder assembly is characterized by that the sliding guide is a pair of rails opposed to each other and the wiring harness penetrates between the pair of the rails and the sliding member is a spherical member to contact freely slidable to the pair of the rails.

Thereby, the wiring harness is bent in loop shape between the pair of the rails and its excess length is absorbed. Even though the direction of the sliding member changes due to the bending or swing of the wiring harness, the spherical sliding member always swings smoothly on the pair of the rails.

In the feeder assembly, the feeder assembly is characterized by that the sliding guide is a pair of guiding through-holes or a pair of guiding grooves opposed to each other, and the sliding member has an axis engaging slidably with the guiding through-holes or guiding grooves.

Thereby, the axis is engaged with the guiding through-hole or the guiding groove and the position of the sliding member is always accurately regulated so that the formation of the loop portion of the wiring harness is smoothly and assuredly made. Since the sliding guide does not project in the protector, the space (width) for inserting the wiring harness in the protector can be reduced and the reduction of the space and the protector is attained.

In the feeder assembly, the feeder assembly is characterized by that the sliding guide is a long side wall of the protector.

Thereby, the long side wall of the protector combines with the sliding guide, the structure is simplified and attains a low cost. The protector is made compact since the space inside the protector is fully utilized, that is (there is no useless space between the wall of the long side and the sliding guide).

In the feeder assembly, the feeder assembly is characterized by that a long opening for swinging the wiring harness is provided in the lengthwise direction of the protector and an opening of the wiring harness fixing side is provided in one end of the protector.

Thereby, the wiring harness guided in the protector from the one end of the protector is bent in loop shape in the protector or extends almost straight and is guided out of the long opening of the lengthwise direction. As the sliding structure body moves back and forth, the wiring harness swings back and forth along the long opening, and the loop portion or the bent portion expands or contracts.

In the feeder assembly, the feeder assembly is characterized by that an insulating cover of each electric cable constituting the wiring harness is formed with a material which hardly degrades with the change of temperature and humidity.

Thereby, the rigidity of each electric cable, that is, the rigidity of the whole wiring harness is always kept constant (high) and the wiring harness can keep the shape even at high temperature and high humidity and the wiring harness always bends in loop or U-shape. Then, the excess length of the wiring harness is further smoothly and assuredly absorbed. Only the material of the insulating cover of the electric cable is changed and the shape of the electric cable is same as that of the conventional cable so that it has a high versatility.

In the feeder assembly, the feeder assembly is characterized by that a protection tube covering the outer circumference of the wiring harness is formed with a material which hardly degrades with temperature and humidity changes.

Thereby, the rigidity of the wiring harness is always kept constant (high), and the wiring harness can keep the shape even at high temperature and high humidity and always bend in loop or U-shape. Then, the excess length of the wiring harness is further smoothly and assuredly absorbed. Only the material of the protection tube is changed and the shape of the protection tube is same as that of the conventional tube so that it has a high versatility.

In the feeder assembly, the feeder assembly is characterized by that a curved rigid member openable at a hinge is provided in the loop portion or the bent portion of the wiring harness.

Thereby, the loop portion or the bent portion of the wiring harness is always kept curved shape by the rigid member. For example, as the sliding structure body moves back and forth, when the loop portion contracts the diameter the rigid member rotates to the closing direction at the hinge to correct the loop a smaller diameter, when the loop portion expands the diameter the rigid member rotates to the opening direction at the hinge to correct the loop a larger diameter, and the excess length of the wiring harness is further smoothly and assuredly absorbed.

A harness arrangement structure utilizing the feeder assembly is characterized by that the space of the feeder assembly is provided in a sliding structure body or a fixed structure body, the sliding structure body engages to slide the fixed structure body, the wiring harness followed to the sliding member is guided out from the space to the fixed structure body or the sliding structure body side, the wiring harness followed to the loop portion is guided out and fixed to the sliding structure body or the fixed structure body side.

Thereby, when the sliding structure body moves back and forth, for example, the harness receiving space provided in the sliding structure body moves with the sliding structure body and swings to the lengthwise direction of the space, the sliding member slides along the sliding guide in the space side, the loop portion or the bent portion of the wiring harness expands or contracts in the space, and the excess length of the wiring harness is absorbed when the loop portion expands the diameter or the bent portion contracts. Thereby, as the sliding structure body slides, the sliding member moves along the sliding guide, and the loop portion of the wiring harness expands or contracts the diameter or the bent portion of the wiring harness expands or contracts in the vertical or horizontal direction in the space so that the space is saved in the height or crosswise direction compared to the feeder assembly structure utilizing a conventional flat spring. The rigidity of the wiring harness forms the loop portion or the bent portion without using a flat spring and hence absorbs the excess length of the wiring harness.

A harness arrangement structure utilizing the feeder assembly is characterized by that the protector of the feeder assembly is provided in a sliding structure body or a fixed structure body, the sliding structure body engages to slide the fixed structure body, the wiring harness followed to the sliding member is guided out from the long opening of the protector to the fixed structure body or the sliding structure body side, the wiring harness followed to the loop portion is guided out and fixed to the sliding structure body or the fixed structure body side.

Thereby, when the sliding structure body moves back and forth, for example, the protector provided in the sliding structure body moves therewith and swings along the long opening of the protector, the sliding member slides along the sliding guide in the protector, the loop portion or the bent portion of the wiring harness expands or contracts in the protector, and the excess length of the wiring harness is absorbed when the loop portion expands the diameter or the bent portion contracts. Thereby, as the sliding structure body slides, the sliding member moves along the sliding guide, and the loop portion of the wiring harness expands or contracts the diameter or the bent portion of the wiring harness expands or contracts in the vertical or horizontal direction in the protector so that the protector is made compact in the high direction compared to the protector utilizing a conventional flat spring. The rigidity of the wiring harness forms the loop portion without using a flat spring and hence absorbs the excess length of the wiring harness.

In the harness arrangement structure using the feeder assembly, the harness arrangement structure is characterized by that the feeder assembly is disposed vertically or horizontally.

For example, if the sliding structure body is a sliding door, the feeder assembly is disposed vertically (lengthwise) and a space is saved in the height direction (the direction perpendicular to the sliding) of the sliding door. If the sliding structure body is a sliding seat, the feeder assembly is disposed horizontally (flatly) and a space is saved in the widthwise direction (the direction perpendicular to the sliding) under the seat.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Detail of embodiments of the present invention is described below referring to drawings.FIGS. 1-3show a first embodiment of a feeder assembly according to the present invention.

The feeder assembly1is longitudinally (vertically) disposed in a sliding door (sliding structure body).FIG. 1shows the sliding door fully closed,FIG. 2shows the sliding door half opened andFIG. 3shows the sliding door fully opened.

As shown inFIG. 1, the feeder assembly1is provided with a case2made of synthetic resin with a relatively small height, a cover3(shown by a chain line) made of synthetic resin attached to the case2, a pair of sliding guides5of generally mountain-shape opposed to the case2and the cover3, and a sliding member7which is supported by a wiring harness6crooked in loop in the pair of sliding guides5and is slidable back and forth.

The front half of the case2is formed in generally rectangle shape and the back half is formed in generally slanted shape. The front and back corresponds with those of a vehicle. The case2is formed with a vertical base plate8and a circumferential wall of the base plate8. The circumferential wall includes a horizontal lower side wall9, an front upright wall10of crooked shape, an horizontal upper side short wall11, and a curved wall12of the back half following to the upper side wall11.

A restricted-opening13is provided in the upper side wall11for guiding the harness and one end of the wiring harness is fixed by a fastener14near the opening13. The wiring harness guided out of the opening13is connected with a wiring harness or auxiliary apparatus in the sliding door by a connector15. The case2is fixed to the inner panel of a sliding door (not shown) by fasteners (not shown) such as bolt or locking clip.

The cover3of flat shape is disposed parallel and opposed to the base plate8and fixed by locking means (not shown) of locking piece and engaging projection and the like along the circumferential walls10to12. The lower end of the cover3is positioned to a little higher than the lower wall9and a horizontal opening16of a long sideways slit shape is formed between the cover3and the lower wall9and the other end of the wiring harness6is guided out of the opening16, through a harness fastener17(fasteners) of a vehicle body (fixed structure body), to connect a wiring harness (not shown) of the vehicle body with a connector18.

The harness fastener17may support rotatably the wiring harness6in a circumference direction. A long or circular auxiliary protector of a rectangular-shaped pipe may be provided between the sliding door and the vehicle body in place of the harness fastener17to receive the auxiliary protector the car body side to the direction of the vehicle width when opening or almost closing the sliding door.

The case2and cover3form a protector4. A long sideways space is formed in the protector4for receiving harness. The opening16to the lower side of the protector4is extended straight from the upright wall10to an opening19of the back end of the case2. The opening19of the back end may be closed by a vertical wall (not shown).

The sliding guide5rises up like a mountain from the lower wall9(the lower end of the base plate8) and the lower end of the cover3, and is formed in the base plate8and the vertical base plate of the cover3symmetrically. The sliding guide5of the cover3is shorter than the sliding guide of the base plate8to the size of the opening16. The shape of the sliding guide5may be mountain, bent or linearly slanted and has an almost equal length of a slanted portion5aand5bat the front half and the back half of the protector4respectively.

As shown inFIG. 4of a sectional view of an embodiment of the sliding guide5, the sliding guide5is provided saliently inside the base plate8of the case2and the cover3in a rail shape. The rail5is provided upper side with a curved surface5dwhich has a section of generally triangle shape and supports a sliding member7of ball shape. The projected length of the rail5is set for the wiring harness6to pass through between the pair of rails5freely. There is a space between the pair of rails5for the insertion of the harness.

The sliding member7of ball shape is made of synthetic resin and is divided in two pieces each side and holds the wiring harness6inside a through-hole to lock it by means of locking claw and locking means (not shown) such as locking recess. When the wiring harness6is covered by a corrugated tube21made of synthetic resin at the circumference and an inside projection of the sliding member7is engaged with a concave groove of the corrugated tube21in the circumferential direction, the sliding member7is movable freely in the circumferential direction and is resisted (fixed) to move to the longitudinal direction of the harness. The outer diameter of the sliding member7is set larger than the width of the underside opening16so that the sliding member7does not bounce out of the opening16.

Upper and lower construction of a pair of rails5may also hold the wiring harness6between the upper and lower rail5without dropping. The section shape of the rail5may set as depending the shape of the sliding member7. It is also possible that the sliding member7is not divided and the wiring harness6is inserted in the center through-hole20(FIG. 4) and is fixed by taping a projected piece (not shown) to the longitudinal direction of the harness. The sliding member7of ball shape may be formed in a protector tube such as a corrugated tube of the circumference of a wiring harness.

For the rail5and the sliding member7inFIG. 4, the sliding member7contacts (slides) the rail5by utilizing the weight of the wiring harness6and hence a simple structure and low cost is attained.FIG. 1shows the sliding member7and the sliding guide5of the embodiment ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 5shows other embodiment of a sliding guide. The sliding guide5′ is formed with a guiding through-hole (cam through-hole) penetrating in the base plate8of the case2and the cover3. An axis22of a sliding member7′ is engaged with the guiding through-hole5′ and slides freely. Front and back ends (lower end) of the through-hole5′ are not opened at the lower end of the cover3so that the axis22does not bounce out of the cover3.

The sliding member7′ is made of synthetic resin and is provided with an annular portion23, which is held and fixed by the wiring harness6or fixed by engaging with the concave groove of the corrugated tube21(FIG. 1) freely in the circumferential direction, and the pair of axes22projected in the radial direction of the annular portion23. The annular portion23can be divided in each side and fixed mutually by locking means, it can be fixed to the wiring harness6by taping a projected piece (not shown), or it may be formed integrally to the protector tube of the circumference of the wiring harness.

At the embodiment ofFIG. 5, the sliding position of the sliding member7′ is assuredly regulated by the through-hole5′ so that the contraction of the wiring harness6is carried out with an accurate diameter in the protector4and is prevented from the up-and-down backlash.

When the sliding door fully closed-shown inFIG. 1, the sliding member7is positioned to the back end (lower end of the back-half slanted portion5a) of the sliding guide5. The wiring harness6is inclined upward along the slanted portion5afrom the sliding member7, forming a small ring downward at the back side of the protector4, intersecting the harness back part21, and uprising to the opening13to the upper side along the back wall12in bent as in the numeral6a. The harness back part21is stretched backward to the direction of the harness fastener17of the vehicle body side through the lower opening16.

When the sliding door half opened (the sliding door is opened backward to the half of a full stroke) shown inFIG. 2, the harness fastener17of the vehicle body side is immobile and the protector4moves back a half stroke with the sliding door and thereby the sliding member7goes up along the backside slanted portion5aof the sliding guide5and almost reaches at a top5cof the sliding guide5.

Thereby, the wiring harness6forms a large loop in the front half of the protector4and is not loosened between the lower opening16and the harness fastener17, and is received in the protector4through the lower opening16in a loop shape. The excess length (looseness) of the wiring harness6between the sliding door half opened and the vehicle body is assuredly received.

When the sliding door fully opened as shown inFIG. 3, the protector4moves back with the sliding door and the sliding member7downs along the slanted portion5bof the front half of the sliding guide5to be positioned to the front end of the slanted portion5. The wiring harness6turns to be a reduced loop in the front half of the protector4and is lead out forward to the harness fastener17of the vehicle body. The harness6swings back and forth along the lower opening16when opening and closing the sliding door.

The sliding member7(7′) slides along the sliding guide5(5′) of generally mountain shape when opening and closing the sliding door so that the wiring harness6expands in loop shape and the excess length is absorbed in the protector4, or contracts in loop shape in the protector4and is guided out of the vehicle body, and then the contraction of the wiring harness6is smoothly and assuredly made.

Since the harness back part21from the sliding member7to the harness fastener17inFIG. 1is exposed to outside the protector, it is preferable to cover it with a flexible protective tube (exterior member) (numeral21) such as a corrugated tube for water-proofing and dust-proofing.

The wiring harness from the sliding member7to the upper opening13is bent in loop so that it is preferable to increase its rigidity (if its portion is soft, it can not form a loop and the loop collapses). It is preferable not to degrade the rigidity of the wiring harness6when atmospheric temperature and humidity are high.

For this reason, an insulating cover26, which covers core wire25of each electric cable24constituting the wiring harness6inFIG. 6, is made of polyethylene, fluorocarbon resin or the like which is not affected by temperature. As inFIG. 7, it is also preferable to cover a plurality of electric cables24′ (a bundle of electric cables) by a protection tube28the rigidity of which is not degraded by temperature or humidity, same as inFIG. 6. It is also effective to adopt the structures ofFIGS. 6 and 7at the same time (both the insulating cover26and the protection tube28).

The construction shown inFIGS. 6 and 7(resin material with stable rigidity) is also adapted to not only the wiring harness6bfollowing inside the protector4but the wiring harness (noted by numeral21) following outside from the sliding member7(FIG. 1).

As shown inFIG. 8AandFIG. 8B, a rigid member29made of synthetic resin or metal with a curved shape (circular arc) may be attached to the outer surface of the bent portion6b(loop) of the wiring harness6so that the wiring harness6can be easily made a loop. The rigid member29is formed with a pair of curved plates30which are rotatable (openable) at a central hinge (fulcrum)31. The curved plate30may be bent in the width direction (radial direction of harness) and is fixed to the wiring harness by a tape32and the like.

In the case of the rigid member29made of synthetic resin, the hinge31may be a thin hinge. The rigid member29works as an auxiliary protector which protects the wiring harness6from the friction of the inner surface of the protector4. The shape of the rigid member29is not limited to a plate but may be a bent rod.

When the sliding door fully closed or opened, as shown inFIG. 8A, the wiring harness6becomes a reduced diameter and the rigid member29rotates to the closing direction to keep the loop of the wiring harness6. When the sliding door half opened, as shown inFIG. 8B, the wiring harness6expands the diameter and the rigid member29rotates to the direction of open to keep the loop of the wiring harness6. Thus, the loop of the wiring harness6is kept by the rigid member29and the excess length of the wiring harness6is assuredly received when the sliding door opened and closed.

FIGS. 9 to 11show the second embodiment of the feeder assembly according to the present invention.

A feeder assembly33is provided lengthwise (vertically) in a sliding door (sliding structure body) of a vehicle.FIG. 9is the sliding door fully closed,FIG. 10half opened, andFIG. 11fully opened. The same numerals as inFIG. 1are used for the same element and the detailed explanation is omitted.

As shown inFIG. 9, the feeder assembly33is provided with a case34made of synthetic resin with a relatively small height, a cover35(shown by a chain line) made of synthetic resin attached to the case34, a pair of slanted sliding guide37provided opposed to the case34and the cover35, and a sliding member7which is supported by a wiring harness6crooked in loop between the pair of sliding guide37and is slidable back and forth along the sliding guide37.

A protector36is formed with the case34and the cover35. An long sideways space is formed in the protector36for receiving a harness. The case34is formed in a long sideways rectangle and is provided above a front wall38and back wall39with a curved portion40along the looped bent portion6bof the wiring harness6. An upper wall41and lower wall42, which are parallel to each other, together with the front wall38and back wall39form a circumferential wall of a vertical base plate43. An long sideways opening44of horizontal direction for guiding (swinging) out a harness is provided between the lower end of the cover35and the lower wall42. A restricted opening45is provided in the lower part of the back wall39for guiding a harness (for fixing). One end21of the harness6is arranged to the vehicle body side from the long sideways opening44through a harness fastener17and the other end6dof the wiring harness6is arranged to the sliding door side with fixed near at the opening45of the back side.

The sliding guide37is inclined in straight and an upper end37aof the sliding guide37is positioned above the inside of the back wall39. A lower end37bof the sliding guide37is positioned lower the inside of the front wall38. The sliding member7fixes the wiring harness6and moves up and down along the sliding guide37with a back and forth movement.

It is possible to use the embodiment shown in.FIGS. 4 and 5for the sliding guide37and sliding member7. That is, as shown inFIG. 4, the sliding member7of spherical shape of the wiring harness6is engaged with and slides freely a pair of inclined rail on each side of the case34and the cover35of the protector36. As shown inFIG. 5, the axis22of the annular sliding member7′ of the wiring harness6is engaged with an inclined guiding through-hole5′ of the case34and the cover35of the protector36to slide freely.FIG. 9shows the embodiment ofFIG. 4.

When the sliding door fully closed shown in FIG.9., the sliding member7is positioned in the upper end37aof the back of the sliding guide37. The wiring harness6is bent in a long sideways loop with an expanded diameter inside the long sideways protector36and hangs along the back wall39of the protector39from the sliding member7and is guided out to the vehicle body side from the back end of the long sideways opening44.

When the sliding door half opened shown inFIG. 10, the protector36moves back with the sliding door. The harness fastener17of the vehicle body side does not move and the sliding member7moves half along the sliding guide37and is positioned halfway at the lengthwise direction of the sliding guide37. The wiring harness6becomes more reduced diameter than that fully closed shown inFIG. 9and the loop6bis positioned to the front half of the protector36. The wiring harness6dfollowing from the loop6bextends straight along the lower wall42of the protector36and reaches to the opening45fastening the harness at the back end.

When the sliding door fully opened shown inFIG. 11, the protector36moves back with the sliding door and the sliding member7moves forward along the sliding guide37and downs to the front end (lower end)37bof the sliding guide37. The loop6bof the wiring harness6becomes more reduced than that half opened shown inFIG. 10. The harness6dfollowing from the loop6bextends straight along the lower wall42of the protector36. The wiring harness21following from the sliding member7to outside swings back and forth along the long opening44when opening and closing the sliding door.

Accordingly, the wiring harness6is bent in loop in the long sideways protector36, and expands and contracts laterally to absorb the excess length. This is different from the conventional plate spring, which absorbs the excess length of a harness upward, so that the protector36is made more compact in the height.

The high rigid structure of electric cable24inFIG. 6and wiring harness inFIG. 7and the constitution of rigid member shown inFIGS. 8A and 8Bare also adapted to the embodiments inFIGS. 9-11. As in the case of the embodiment described, the resulting effect keeps the rigidity of the wiring harness6at high temperature and high humidity and makes always the wiring harness loop and keeps the loop and attains smoothly and assuredly to absorb the excess length.

The feeder assembly of each embodiment described above is adapted to several kinds of sliding doors besides a sliding door of a vehicle and also to sliding structure body such as a sliding seat of a vehicle described below. In this case, the harness arrangement structure from a vehicle body to a sliding door corresponds to that from a fixed structure body to a sliding structure body.

The case2,34may be formed integrally with the cover3,35to form the protector4,36if they are formed with resin molding. The sliding guide5,37may be formed separately from the protector4,36and may be fixed thereto4,36. One sliding guide5,5′,37may be formed in the case2,34or the cover3,35without a pair and can slide the sliding member7,7′. If the sliding guide5,5′,37is provided in the case2,34, it is preferable for the sliding member7,7′ to contact inside the cover3,35without backlash. The guiding through-hole5′ of the sliding guide may be replaced by a guiding groove. The sliding guide37ofFIG. 9may not be a straight slant but may be a curved slant. In this case which is different from the sliding guide5ofFIG. 1, the one end37aof the sliding guide37is always higher than the other end37band the halfway point is always lower than the one end37aso as that the sliding guide37downs gradually from the one end to the other end. The sliding member7is not limited to sphere. However, even a sphere it is preferable to have a groove to engage with the pair of rails5for sliding.

Since the feeder assembly1,33includes the wiring harness6received in the protector4,36, the wiring harness6is assumed as a part of the feeder assembly1,33. The protector4,36may be provided in the vehicle body side instead of the sliding door. In this case, the protector4,36is disposed flat and horizontally in the vehicle body side and the lower wall9,42of the case2,34is opened for the long sideways opening16,44for guiding and swinging the harness. Moreover, without using the fastener14, the wiring harness6may be guided through the restricted opening13,45and may be fixed by a fixing means of the sliding door side.

FIGS. 12 to 16show the examples in which the feeder assembly is applied to a sliding seat of a vehicle as the third embodiment of the feeder assembly and the harness arrangement structure with its use according to the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 12, a seat46is fixed on a seat base47of generally gate shape, the seat base47is engaged, freely slidable back and forth, with each right and left side rail48of the floor side by a pulley47a, and a feeder assembly49is disposed under the seat base47. The feeder assembly49feeds auxiliary apparatus such as passenger detecting sensor, seat heater, power seat, seat belt and side air-bag of the seat side46. The feeder assembly49utilizes the similar embodiment asFIG. 9and the same numerals are given for the same functions as inFIG. 9and the detailed explanation is omitted. A sliding member7′ (FIG. 13) and sliding guide37′ utilize the embodiment ofFIG. 5.

As shown by a chained line inFIG. 13, the seat base47slides widely back and forth and the feeder assembly49is disposed horizontally (flatly) on a floor panel50as shown inFIG. 14. The feeder assembly49is embedded and fixed in a recess of the floor panel50. The wiring harness6of the swinging side is guided out of a long opening44of an upper cover35and is connected to the wiring harness or auxiliary apparatus (not shown) of the seat46at the connector18of the seat base47. The wiring harness of the fixed side is connected to the wiring harness (not shown) of the vehicle body side (power supply side) at the connector15of a wall41of one side.

As shown by a solid line inFIG. 13, when the seat46(seat base47) is positioned forward, the wiring harness6is positioned to the front half of the protector36same as inFIG. 9and is bent to a long sideways loop. A space for receiving the harness is formed in the protector36. As the seat46slides backward as the chained line, the sliding member7′ slides along the slanted sliding guide37′ to the long opening44in the protector36. The wiring harness6becomes a reduced diameter at the back of the protector36likeFIGS. 10 and 11and the protector36absorbs the harness6to the amount of the sliding of the seat46. The wiring harness6swings backward along the long opening44.

Since the protector36is long along the opening44and short perpendicular to the opening44, the space of the seat width46is saved to the side of the protector36and the protector36is adapted to all kinds of seat46. If the wiring harness6guided out (exposed) of the protector36becomes long, the protector36can be shorter to the lengthwise direction thanFIG. 13.

FIGS. 15 and 16show the example where the feeder assembly49is disposed to the seat base47instead of the floor panel49. The protector36is fixed to the back of the seat base47and a space for receiving harness is formed in the protector36. The long opening44is provided in the lower cover35of the protector36and the wiring harness6is guided out downward from the opening44and connected to the wiring harness of the floor panel50(power supply side) at the connector18. The connector15of the fixed wiring harness is provided in the side of the protector36and is connected to the wiring harness of the seat side46.

As shown inFIG. 16, the feeder assembly49moves back and forth with the seat46and concurrently the wiring harness6(FIG. 15) swings along the long opening44of the protector36and the excess length of the wiring harness6is absorbed in the protector36as inFIG. 13when it is extended and contracted. The embodiment ofFIG. 15shows that the wiring harness6from the protector36is exposed short and the wiring harness is protected well compared to the embodiment ofFIG. 13.

The protector4,36is disposed inside the sliding door or sliding seat in the above embodiment. However, the sliding guide5,5′,37may be provided, for example, integrally to or separately from an inner panel66and outer panel, or the inner panel66and door trim (not shown) of the sliding door62(refer toFIG. 17) without using the protector4,36. In this case, the space between the inner panel66and the outer panel, or the space between the inner panel66and the door trim is utilized to receive the harness.

FIGS. 17 to 20show the fourth embodiment of a feeder assembly and a harness arrangement structure of its use according to the present invention.

A feeder assembly51absorbs the slack of a wiring harness52when the sliding door (sliding structure body) of a vehicle is opened and closed. As shown inFIGS. 17 and 18, the feeder assembly51is provided, at a wall52of the long side, with a long sideways protector54made of synthetic resin having a long slit-opening53for guiding a harness (swing side) and a generally spherical sliding member7which is provided in the wiring harness, which bends to U or J shape in the space of the protector54and slides along the long opening53.

The protector54is formed with a broad portion56at the front and a restricted portion57at the back and is surrounded by four walls and has a space inside for bending a harness. It is possible to form the protector54with a case and a cover as the embodiment ofFIG. 1. The wall52of the long side having the opening53is formed with a long straight portion52aand a short slant portion52band both52aand52bcontinue smoothly in curvature. The slant portion52bintersects with a short wall58in which an opening59is provided for guiding a harness (fixed side).

A wiring harness55is guided out of the both openings53and59to outside and freely bends inside the protector54and forms a bending portion55a(FIG. 18) with U-shape therein. The sliding member7is fixed at the circumference of the wiring harness55. Both length of the wiring harness from the sliding member7to the fixed side opening59and from the sliding member7to a movable connector60are not changed. The wall52of the long side operates as a sliding guide and stopper for the sliding member7.

The long opening53is provided in the middle of the width of the wall52of the long side and is extended near to the short walls58and71of front and back. The inner face of the wall52to both sides of the width of the long opening53operates as the sliding guide for the sliding member7Since the sliding member7is the same as the embodiment ofFIG. 1and its detailed explanation is omitted. The sliding member7may be integrated with or separated from a circumferential corrugated tube72of the wiring harness55. The corrugated tube72is provided with circumferential concave groove and convex chamfer alternately along the longitudinal direction and has a good bending property and electric cable protection.

The above feeder assembly51is disposed horizontally at the back side of a step69of a vehicle body (fixed structure body)71as shown inFIGS. 19 and 20. One side of the wiring harness55is arranged horizontally from the fixed side opening59of the protector54to the vehicle body71and is connected to the wiring harness (not shown) of the vehicle body side at a connector73. The other side of the wiring harness55is arranged horizontally from the movable long opening53(FIG. 17) to the side of the sliding door62and is connected to a wiring harness74of the sliding door side at a connector60.

When a sliding door62fully closed as inFIG. 19, the wiring harness55is bent in generally U-shape in the protector54as shown inFIG. 18and is guided out front. The sliding member7moves (contacts) along the slanted portion52bof the wall52of the protector54and is positioned to the side of the front end53aof the opening53.

As the sliding door62moves back from the fully closed position ofFIG. 19, the wiring harness55extends and is expanded backward in the protector54as shown inFIG. 20and swings along the long opening53. The sliding member7moves along the straight portion52afrom the slanted portion52bof the wall (sliding guide)52ofFIG. 18and is apart from the straight portion52ato locate inside the protector54as shown inFIG. 17when the sliding door62fully opened as inFIG. 20.

The slanted portion52bof the wall52of the protector54absorbs the stroke of the thickness direction of the sliding door when the sliding door62is opened outward the vehicle from the fully closed state or when the sliding door62is fully closed inward the vehicle from the almost closed state. The sliding member7is guided along the slanted portion52bso that the stroke of the thickness direction of the sliding door62is smoothly absorbed and the sag of the wiring harness55is prevented.

It is also possible to substitute the pin-like sliding member7′ ofFIG. 5for the spherical sliding member7of the embodiment ofFIG. 17. In this case, the inner face of the wall52to the both sides of the width direction of the long opening53operates as a sliding guide for the sliding member7′. The guiding through-hole5′ same asFIG. 5may be provided in the wall (numerals56and57inFIG. 17) of the both sides of the protector54along the long opening53with down-turning of corners.

If the protector54is formed within the thickness of the sliding door62atFIG. 19, it is capable of disposing the protector54horizontally to the sliding door side instead of the vehicle body side. In this case, the protector54is disposed symmetrical toFIG. 19and the slanted portion52bof the wall52(sliding guide) absorbs the stroke of the thickness direction of the sliding door.

When the protector54is disposed perpendicular to the sliding door62, the protector54is reversed back and forth as toFIG. 19and the sliding member7is positioned to contact the slanted portion52bof the sliding guide52at the almost closed position of the sliding door62so as to absorb the stroke of the thickness direction of the sliding door. It is preferable to provide the long opening53at the lower end side (close to the wall52) of the perpendicular wall (Numerals56and57inFIG. 17).

Moreover, the protector54in the horizontal position as inFIG. 19may be disposed in the sliding seat46or the floor panel50as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15. In this case, the slanted portion52bof the sliding guide52is positioned close to the sliding seat46to absorb the sag of the wiring harness55.

InFIG. 19, the protector54maybe integrated to the vehicle body71, vehicle panel or the like (without using the protector,54) and the long opening53to guide the sliding member7may be provided in the vehicle body71or panel. This constitution is also adapted to the case of disposing the protector54to the sliding door side or the sliding seat side.

The electric cable24or protection tube28with a stable rigidity for temperature and humidity changes inFIGS. 6 and 7may be utilized in the wiring harness55of the embodiment inFIG. 17and the rigid member29ofFIG. 8may also be provided in the bending portion55a(FIG. 18) of the wiring harness55.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the invention, a sliding member of a wiring harness side moves along a sliding guide of a space side. A loop and a bent portion of the wiring harness expands and contracts so that the excess length of the wiring harness is absorbed smoothly and assuredly by a few parts without using conventional flat spring or its fixing member. The excess length is absorbed in the radial direction of the loop portion or the bending direction of the bent portion instead of being absorbed upward so that the receiving space, for the wiring harness is saved in the height and crosswise direction. Thereby, a feeder assembly structure is simplified and attains a low cost. Accordingly, the feeder assembly or the wiring harness are incorporated with a small space into a sliding door of a vehicle or a vehicle body having a limited space in the height direction, and are utilized for many kinds of vehicle.

According to the invention, the sliding member of the wiring harness side moves along the sliding guide of the space side. The loop portion of the wiring harness expands and contracts so that the excess length of the wiring harness is absorbed smoothly and assuredly by a few parts without using conventional flat spring or its fixing member. The excess length is absorbed in the radial or crosswise direction of the loop portion instead of being absorbed upward so that the receiving space for the wiring harness is saved in the height and crosswise direction. Thereby, the feeder assembly structure is simplified and attains a low cost. Accordingly, the feeder assembly or the wiring harness are incorporated with a small space into a sliding door of a vehicle having a limited space in the height direction, and are utilized for many kinds of vehicle.

According to the invention, the sliding member of the wiring harness side moves along the sliding guide of the space side. The bent portion of the wiring harness expands and contracts so that the excess length of the wiring harness is absorbed smoothly and assuredly by a few parts without using conventional flat spring or its fixing member. The excess length is absorbed in the bending direction of the bent portion instead of being absorbed upward so that the receiving space for the wiring harness is saved in the height and crosswise direction. Thereby, the feeder assembly structure is simplified and attains a low cost. Accordingly, the feeder assembly or the wiring harness are incorporated with a small space into a sliding door of a vehicle or a vehicle body having a limited space in the height direction, and are utilized for many kinds of vehicle.

According to the invention, the sliding member of the wiring harness side moves along the sliding guide of the protector. The loop portion or the bent portion of the wiring harness expands and contracts so that the excess length of the wiring harness is absorbed smoothly and assuredly by a few parts without using conventional flat spring or its fixing member. The excess length is absorbed in the radial direction of the loop or the bending direction of the bent portion instead of being absorbed upward so that the receiving space for the wiring harness is saved in the height and crosswise direction. Thereby, the feeder assembly structure is simplified and attains a low cost. Accordingly, the feeder assembly or the wiring harness are incorporated with a small space into a sliding door of a vehicle or a vehicle body having a limited space in the height direction, and are utilized for many kinds of vehicle.

According to the invention, the sliding member moves up and down along the sliding guide with mountain shape as a sliding structure body moves. The loop portion of the wiring harness is forced to expand and contract to absorb the excess length in the radial direction of the loop portion. Compared to the conventional feeder assembly using flat spring, the space or the protector receiving a wiring harness is saved in the height direction and is minimized to expand the versatility.

According to the invention, the sliding member moves up and down along a slanted sliding guide as the sliding structure body moves. The loop portion expands and contract along the direction of the sliding guide to absorb the excess length in the crosswise direction. Compared to the conventional feeder assembly using flat spring, the space or the protector receiving a wiring harness is saved in the height direction and is minimized to expand the versatility.

According to the invention, the stroke of the thickness direction of the sliding structure body is smoothly absorbed by the slanted portion of the sliding guide so that the sag of the wiring harness outside the protector is prevented and the pinch of the wiring harness between the sliding structure body and the fixed structure body is prevented. Thereby, the reliability feeding the sliding structure body is improved.

According to the invention, even though the sliding member changes the direction with the bending or swing of the wiring harness, a spherical sliding member slides always smoothly on a pair of rails so that the excess length of the wiring harness is smoothly and assuredly absorbed.

According to the invention, an axis is engaged with a guiding through-hole or a guiding groove and the position of the sliding member is accurately regulated so that the formation of the loop portion of the wiring harness, that is, the absorption of the excess length is smoothly and assuredly made.

According to the invention, since a long sidewall of the protector combines with the sliding guide, the structure is simplified and attains a low cost and the protector is made compact since the space inside the protector is fully utilized. Thereby, a protector can be incorporated in the sliding door of a vehicle or a vehicle body having a limited space in the height direction and can be made many kinds of vehicle versatile.

According to the invention, as the sliding structure body moves back and forth, the wiring harness swings back and forth along the long opening and the loop portion expands and contracts or the bent portion expands so that the excess length of the wiring harness is smoothly and assuredly absorbed corresponding to the back-and-forth movement of the sliding door and the movement outward apart from the vehicle body.

According to the invention, the wiring harness is always bent in loop shape without losing the shape even high temperature and humidity and the excess length of the wiring harness is smoothly and assuredly absorbed and the reliability of feeding the sliding structure body is improved. The only change is the material of the insulating cover of electric cable and the shape of the electric cable is the same as the conventional cable. Then, with the high versatility, it is adapted with a low cost to any type of the sliding structure body without using a special electric cable.

According to the invention, the wiring harness is always bent in loop shape without losing the shape even high temperature and humidity and the excess length of the wiring harness is smoothly and assuredly absorbed and the reliability of feeding the sliding structure body is improved. The only change is the material of the protection tube and the shape of the protection tube is the same as the conventional tube. Then, with the high versatility, it is adapted with a low cost to any type of the sliding structure body without using a special electric cable.

According to the invention, the loop portion or bent portion of the wiring harness expands and contracts, or bends while always keeping the bending shape with a rigid member, and the excess length of the wiring harness is smoothly and assuredly absorbed and the reliability of feeding the sliding structure body is improved.

According to the invention, the sliding member of the wiring harness side moves along the sliding guide of the space side. The loop and bent portion of the wiring harness expands and contracts so that the excess length of the wiring harness is absorbed smoothly and assuredly by a few parts without using conventional flat spring or its fixing member. The excess length is absorbed in the radial direction of the loop portion or the bending direction of the bent portion instead of being absorbed upward so that the receiving space for the wiring harness is saved in the height direction. Thereby, the feeder assembly structure is simplified and attains a low cost. Accordingly, the feeder assembly or the wiring harness are incorporated with a small space into a sliding door of a vehicle or a vehicle body having a limited space in the height direction, and are utilized for many kinds of vehicle.

According to the invention, the sliding member of the wiring harness side moves along the sliding guide inside the protector. The loop portion or the bent portion of the wiring harness expands and contracts so that the excess length of the wiring harness is absorbed smoothly and assuredly by a few parts without using conventional flat spring or its fixing member. The excess length is absorbed in the radial direction of the loop portion or the bending direction of the bent portion instead of being absorbed upward so that the protector is made compact in the height direction. Thereby, the structure is simplified and attains a low cost. Accordingly, the protector is incorporated with a small space into the sliding door of a vehicle or a vehicle body having a limited space in the height or crosswise direction, and is utilized for many kinds of vehicle.

According to the invention, in the case of a sliding door, the space inside the sliding door is saved in the height direction and a feeder assembly is easily incorporated in the sliding door. In the case of a seat, the space under the seat is utilized effectively and can be saved in the horizontal width direction and it is capable of disposing compactly a feeder assembly. The versatility of feeder assembly attains a low cost.