Power feeding apparatus and harness wiring structure using the same

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

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a power feeding apparatus capable of feeding electricity to a sliding seat of an automobile at all times by curving a wire harness into a substantially U-shape even when the sliding seat is moved. The present invention also relates to a harness wiring structure in which the power feeding apparatus is used.

FIG. 7is a view showing a form of a conventional power feeding apparatus and also showing a form of a harness wiring structure in which the conventional power feeding apparatus is used. Concerning this matter, for example, refer to Patent Document 1.

This power feeding apparatus51is applied to a sliding seat52, which is incorporated into an automobile, and arranged on a floor53of the automobile body. The power feeding apparatus51includes: a case54made of metal or synthetic resin; a slider55slidably engaged with a guide rail (not shown) of the case54so that the slider55can slide in the longitudinal direction (in the backward and forward direction of the automobile); and a wire harness57arranged in the case being formed into a substantially J-shape or U-shape, wherein one end side of the wire harness is fixed to the slider55and connected to a circuit on the seat side by a connector56and the other end side is introduced out from the case54to the floor side.

The slider55includes: a vertical portion55aprotruding upward from the case54; and a horizontal portion55bengaged with a guide rail provided in the case. On an upper end side of the vertical portion55a, a connector56is arranged. The connector56includes: terminals (not shown) connected to end portions of a plurality of insulated covered wires composing the wire harness57; and a connector housing (substituted shown by reference numeral56) made of insulating resin for covering the terminals. The wire harness57is completely covered with the case54all over the length. The case54is longitudinally arranged in a recess portion58formed on the floor53.

As shown by the solid line inFIG. 7, at a forward end position of the slide of the seat52the slider55is located on a forward end side of a narrow width portion54ain the first half of the case54and the wire harness57is curved into a substantially J-shape in the case. As shown by the chain line in the drawing, at a rear end position of the slide of the seat52, the slider55is moved to a rear end side of a wide width portion54bin the second half of the case54and the wire harness57is curved into a substantially reverse-J-shape in the case.

However, in the conventional power feeding apparatus described above and the harness wiring structure in which the conventional power feeding apparatus is used, the wire harness57is completely covered with the large case54. Therefore, the following problems may be encountered. The structure becomes large-sized and further the weight becomes heavy. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost is raised. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 7, it is necessary to provide a deep recess portion58on the floor53. In the case where it is impossible to ensure a predetermined depth of the recess portion58, the case54must be protruded onto the floor53. Therefore, unless a gap (space) L formed on the lower side of the seat52is high, it is impossible to apply the conventional power feeding apparatus. Further, since a height of the position of the slider55can not be changed, it is impossible to apply the conventional power feeding apparatus to a vehicle, the height of the seat22of which is adjustable.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been accomplished in the light of the above points. An object of the present invention is to provide a power feeding apparatus characterized in that: the above problems, which are caused when the case is used, are solved; the structure is made compact so that the weight can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be decreased; and it is possible to apply the power feeding apparatus to a vehicle, the seat height of which is low, and it is also possible to apply the power feeding apparatus to a vehicle, the seat height of which is adjustable. Another object of the present invention is to provide a harness wiring structure in which the power feeding apparatus is used.

In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a power feeding apparatus including:

a wire harness which includes a first portion, a second portion, and a bended portion connected to the first portion and the second portion, the bended portion has a substantially U-shape;

a first protector which supports the first portion; and

a second protector which supports the second portion,

wherein the second protector includes a guide portion having an opening; and

wherein the guide portion receives the second portion so as to lead-out the second portion from the opening.

According to the above structure, the first protector on the stationary side is fixed to the stationary structural body such as a vehicle body. The second protector on the movable side is fixed to the movable structural body such as a sliding seat. The wire harness is wired from the stationary structural body to the movable structural body. In accordance with a movement of the movable structural body in the positive direction, one portion (a second portion) of the wire harness is accommodated in the guide portion of the second protector. In accordance with a movement of the movable structural body in the reverse direction, the other portion of the wire harness is introduced out from the harness guide portion being curved, so that the thus introduced out portion (the second portion) can become a portion of one portion (the first portion or the bended portion) of the wire harness. The harness guide portion accommodates and protects the other portion of the wire harness and smoothly introduces out the wire harness from the long opening. Between both protectors, the wire harness can be exposed being freely curved. In this case, the wire harness may be covered with a flexible protective tube. Therefore, the wire harness can be moved in the three-dimensional directions, that is, the wire harness can be moved in the longitudinal direction, the vertical direction and the lateral direction. Of course, one portion and the other portion of the wire harness are portions of the wire harness located on both sides with respect to the bended portion. An assembled body, in which a plurality of electric wires and a protective tube are assembled to each other, may be referred to as a wire harness.

Preferably, the first protector includes a support portion which supports the first portion.

Due to the above structure, one portion (the first portion) of the wire harness is stably supported along the harness support portion of the stationary side protector and an introducing direction of one portion is prescribed. In the same manner as that of the harness guide portion, the harness support portion may be a portion having a long opening for introducing out the wire harness from an accommodation state while the wire harness is being curved. The harness support portion may be extended so that the harness support portion can get over a step formed on the floor.

Preferably, the wire harness is covered with a protective tube and the protective tube is fixed to the first protector and the second protector.

Preferably, the first protector is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the second protector.

Due to the above structure, when the protective tube comes into contact with each protector, the wire harness (a plurality of electric wires) in the protective tube can be safely protected from abrasion caused by the contact with the protector. Of course, the electric wires are safely protected from interference with the outside being covered with the protective tube. Concerning the protective tube, it is preferable to use a bellows-shaped corrugated tube because it is easy to attach the bellows-shaped corrugated tube to each protector. From the viewpoint of enhancing the flexibility, it is preferable that the protective tube has a flat cross-section.

In order to accomplish the above another objects, the present invention provides a harness wiring structure using the power feeding apparatus,

wherein the first protector is fixed to a fixing structural body;

wherein the second protector is fixed to a movable structural body; and

wherein the wire harness is wired from the fixing structural body to the movable structural body.

Preferably, when the movable structural body moves in a direction away from the stationary structural body, the wire harness is led-out from the opening of the guide portion.

Due to the above structure, it is possible to provide the same action effect as that of the above-described invention. Accordingly, electricity can be positively fed from the stationary structural body to the movable structural body at all times in a small space.

According to the invention, without using the conventional case, the wire harness is partially covered with two protectors. Therefore, the structure can be made compact, the weight can be made light and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, the structure of the present invention can be applied to a vehicle, the seat height of which is small. Furthermore, between both protectors, the wire harness can be freely curved and moved in the three-dimensional directions. Therefore, the structure of the present invention can be applied to a vehicle, the seat height of which can be adjusted, and it becomes possible to adjust an attaching position in the protector width direction of one of the protectors. Further, one portion of the wire harness introduced out from the stationary side protector can be freely wired in accordance with a shape of the floor and the like.

According to the invention, a direction of introducing out one portion of the wire harness is prescribed along the harness support portion. Therefore, at the time of moving the movable side protector, the wire harness can be smoothly and positively introduced into the harness guide portion.

According to the invention, the wire harness (electric wires) provided in the protective tube can be safely protected from the interference with each protector. Therefore, the reliability of feeding electricity at all times can be enhanced.

Furthermore, according to the invention, electricity can be positively fed from the stationary structural body to the movable structural body at all times in a space, the height of which is suppressed. Further, it is possible to cope with a movement of the movable structural body in the three-dimensional directions. Further, in accordance with a shape of the stationary structural body side, the wire harness can be smoothly curved and electricity can be positively fed at all times.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 3are views showing an embodiment of a power feeding apparatus and a harness wiring structure, in which the power feeding apparatus is used, of the present invention.

The power feeding apparatus1includes: a corrugated tube2, the cross-section of which is flat (elliptical), which is a protective tube made of synthetic resin; a stationary side protector3made of synthetic resin fixed to a lower side corrugated tube portion2aunder the condition that the corrugated tube2is curved into a substantial U-shape or J-shape above and below; and a movable side protector4made of synthetic resin fixed to an upper side corrugated tube portion2b.

The corrugated tube2is of the existing type in which recess grooves5and protrusions6formed in the circumferential direction are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction so that the corrugated tube2can be given flexibility. The corrugated tube2is formed thin in the curved direction. A length of the corrugated tube2is appropriately set in accordance with the necessity. Into the corrugated tube, a plurality of insulated covered wires7are inserted. A plurality of wires7compose a wire harness8. In some cases, a plurality of wires7and a corrugated tube2are referred to as a wire harness.

Each of the upper and the lower protector3,4has a tube fixing portion (harness fixing portion)9,10, the shape of which is substantially rectangular cylindrical. Each tube fixing portion9,10has ribs (protrusions) not shown engaged with recess grooves5formed in the corrugated tube2and these ribs are provided on an inner circumferential face of the tube fixing portion9,10. The upper and the lower protector3,4are arranged in parallel with each other.

The lower side protector3has a tube support portion (harness support portion)11which is formed integrally with the lower side protector3at the rear of the tube fixing portion9. The upper side protector4has a tube guide portion (harness guide portion)12, which guides the corrugated tube2, which is formed integrally with the upper side protector4at the rear of the tube fixing portion10. The tube support portion11and the tube guide portion12are straightly extended from the tube fixing portions9,10. In the present embodiment, the tube guide portion12is formed two or three times longer than the tube support portion11.

Cross-sectional shapes of the tube support portion11and the tube guide portion12are substantially the same with each other. That is, the tube support portion11is formed out of a horizontal bottom wall13and both vertical side walls14into a shape, and the cross-section of the tube support portion11is formed being recessed. The tube guide portion12is formed out of a horizontal ceiling wall15and both vertical side walls16into a channel shape, the cross-section of the tube guide portion12is formed being recessed.

In the present embodiment, heights of both side walls14,16are set to be smaller than an outer diameter (thickness) on the short diameter side of the corrugated tube2. Into the recess portion17, the cross-section of which is rectangular, surrounded by both side walls14and the bottom wall13(right, left and lower side) of the tube support portion11, a lower side portion2aof the corrugated tube2enters from the upper side opening17aand engages. Into the recess portion35(shown inFIG. 2), the cross-section of which is rectangular, surrounded by both side walls16and the ceiling wall15(right, left and upper side) of the tube guide portion12, an upper side portion2bof the corrugated tube2enters and engages from the lower side opening portion35a.

A size of the inside width of each recess portion17,35is set to be somewhat larger than the outer diameter on the long diameter side of the corrugated tube2. It is preferable that chamfering (not shown) is made inside of the forward end portions of both side walls13,16so that the corrugated tube2can be smoothly entered.

As shown inFIG. 2A, when the upper side protector4is moved forward together with the corrugated tube2and both protectors3,4are opposed to each other in the vertical direction, the corrugated tube2enters the tube guide portion12all over the length. As shown inFIG. 2B, when the upper side protector4is moved backward together with the corrugated tube2, the corrugated tube2leaves downward from the tube guide portion12and becomes a portion of the lower side corrugated tube portion2a.

As shown inFIG. 2A, the corrugated tube2enters the tube support portion11of the lower side protector3all over the length. These circumstances are the same as those shown inFIG. 2B. In this connection, inFIG. 2A, in the case where the upper side protector4is further advanced, the corrugated tube2leaves upward from the tube support portion11of the lower side protector3and becomes a portion of the upper side corrugated tube portion2b.

In the present embodiment, on the lower side protector3, a pair of right and left brackets18(shown inFIG. 1) are provided. On the upper side protector4, two pairs of right and left brackets19(shown inFIG. 1) are provided. Each bracket18,19has a hole portion20into which a bolt or an engaging clip is inserted. The bracket18of the lower side protector3is fixed to, for example, the floor21side (shown inFIG. 2) of a vehicle body. The bracket19of the upper side protector4is fixed to, for example, the seat22side.

The tube fixing portion9.10of each protector3,4includes: a base portion23(shown inFIG. 1) continuing to the tube support portion11and the tube guide portion12; and a cover portion24(shown inFIG. 1) which is arranged on the base portion23being capable of freely opening and closing through a hinge (not shown). When each cover portion24is closed, it is fixed to the base portion23by an engaging means such as an engaging protrusion25and an engaging frame piece26. It is preferable that ribs (not shown) for fixing the tube are protruded from both inner circumferential faces of the base portion23and the cover portion24. When the ribs of each tube fixing portion9,10enter and engage with the recess grooves5of the corrugated tube2, the corrugated tube2is fixed to each protector3,4.

As shown inFIG. 3, the upper side protector4can be freely moved upward and downward together with the corrugated tube2, for example, in accordance with an adjustment of the height of the seat22. The upper side protector4is moved upward integrally with the seat22as shown by the chain line when the seat22is raised, and the corrugated tube2is curved into a curved shape of a large diameter between the upper side protector4and the lower side protector3. The corrugated tube2is released from the tube guide portion12of the upper side protector4and curved downward from the rear end portion side of the tube fixing portion10.

In the case where a rising distance of the seat22is short, the corrugated tube2is curved downward from an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the tube guide portion12. These circumstances are the same in the case where the upper side protector4is advanced inFIG. 2A.FIG. 3shows a moving state in which the upper side protector4shown in FIG.2B moves upward and downward.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bare views showing an embodiment in which the above power feeding apparatus1is applied to a sliding type seat22of an automobile.

The power feeding apparatus1is arranged on one side of the seating portion27of the seat22. The lower side protector3is fixed to the floor21of the vehicle body. The upper side protector4is fixed to the upper wall28ain the inside space28of the seat22. Height H of the seat22from the floor21is set to be low. When this power feeding apparatus1is used, it is possible to cope with the power seat22arranged at a low position.

The electric wire7(shown inFIG. 1) introduced out from the lower side corrugated portion2a, which is laid along the lower side protector3, is connected to a wire harness (not shown) on the floor side by means of a connector. The electric wire7(shown inFIG. 1) introduced out from the upper side corrugated tube portion2b, which is laid along the upper side protector4, is connected to a seat side wire harness by means of a connector. It is possible to integrate each electric wire7with the floor side wire harness. Alternatively, it is possible to directly connect each electric wire7to an auxiliary machine, which is provided on the seat side, by means of a connector.

The electric wire (wire harness)29shown by the chain line inFIG. 4Ais an example of the form of the conventional floor side wire harness which is shown for reference. The electric wire is connected to the seat side wire harness or an auxiliary machine through the connector30provided on the forward end side. The electric wire29is arranged along the floor21and further arranged in the seating portion27on the lower side of the seat22while enough length of the electric wire29is being provided.

InFIG. 4B, the seat22retracts a little along the guide rail31on the floor side, that is, the seat22is located at a movement position in the middle betweenFIGS. 2A and 2B. When the seat22is advanced along the guide rail31in the state shown inFIG. 4B, as shown inFIG. 2A, while the upper side corrugated tube portion2bis entering the tube guide portion12of the upper side protector4, a portion of the lower side corrugated tube portion2amoves upward and becomes an upper side corrugated tube portion2bthrough the arcuate curved portion2c.

When the seat22retracts, the corrugated tube2is curved and moved by a reverse action to that described above. At the time of adjusting a height of the seat22, as shown inFIG. 3, the upper side protector4elevates together with the corrugated tube2. In any case, the electric wire7in the corrugated tube integrally moves together with the corrugated tube2.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bare views showing an example of the wire harness wiring structure in which the upper side protector4is moved in the lateral direction (to the right and left).

FIG. 5Ais a view showing an example in which the upper and lower protectors3,4are arranged being opposed to each other in the vertical direction in the same manner as that shown inFIG. 1. In the case where some interference object32on the seat side, which is arranged on the side of the protector4, interferes with the upper side protector4, as shown inFIG. 5B, the upper side protector4can be moved in a reverse direction to that of the upper side protector4and fixed to the seat22.

The above structure is composed in such a manner that the entire wire harness (the plurality of electric wires and the entire corrugated tube) is not covered with the protector but covered with only the upper and lower protectors3,4and the corrugated tube2is flexibly exposed between both protectors3,4. The corrugated tube2is exposed being flexible not only in the vertical direction but also in the twisting direction (in the inclination direction). Therefore, as shown by the chain line inFIG. 5B, the upper side protector4can be fixed to the seat22being inclined.

In the case where the interference object32is located on the floor side21, it is possible to cope with the circumstances when the lower side protector3is moved in the lateral direction. The lower side protector3can be fixed to the floor21under the condition that the lower side protector3is inclined. Both protectors3,4can be arranged being inclined.

FIGS. 6A to 6Care views showing examples of the harness wiring structure which copes with a shape of a recess portion formed on the floor21side of a vehicle body. In the drawings, reference numeral4is an upper side protector, reference numeral3is a lower side protector and reference numeral2is a corrugated tube.

FIG. 6Ais a view showing an example in which the lower side corrugated tube portion2ais horizontally wired on the floor21in the same manner as that shown inFIG. 1. In the case where the step33is provided on the floor21as shown inFIG. 6B, the lower side corrugated tube portion2ais set into the recess portion34of the step portion33and the wire harness8can be wired along a shape of the floor21.

As shown inFIG. 6C, the tube support portion11of the lower side protector3is horizontally extended on the same face as that of the floor21on the upper side of the step33and the lower side corrugated tube portion2ais horizontally supported together with the wire harness8without being curved.

In this connection, in the embodiments described above, explanations are made into a case in which the present invention is applied to a sliding type seat22of an automobile. However, instead of the sliding type seat22of an automobile, it is possible to apply the above power feeding apparatus and the harness wiring structure, in which the power feeding apparatus is used, to a sliding type seat of any vehicles or any apparatuses. It is also possible to apply the above power feeding apparatus and the harness wiring structure, in which the power feeding apparatus is used, to a sliding type door incorporated into a device as well as the seat.

In the above embodiment, the protectors3,4are arranged upward and downward and the corrugated tube2is curved in the vertical direction. However, for example, in the case where it is impossible to obtain a space in the longitudinal direction on the seat side, the following structure can be adopted. The power feeding apparatus1shown inFIG. 1is inverted by 90° in the lateral direction. (In this case,FIG. 2becomes a plan view.) Then, the protectors3,4are arranged on the right and left and the corrugated tube2is curved to the right and left.

In the above embodiment, the flat corrugated tube2to cover a plurality of electric wires7is used. However, instead of the flat corrugated tube2, other corrugated tubes (not shown) such as a corrugated tube, the cross-section of which is circular, and a soft net-shaped tube can be adopted. Further, it is possible to adopt such a structure that a plurality of electric wires7are exposed without using the protective tube2and the plurality of electric wires7are bundled with a band or a tape. In this case, the plurality of electric wires7are held, for example, by the cover24of the harness fixing portion9,10of each protector3,4. Alternatively, the plurality of electric wires7are fixed by winding a tape round the electric wires7or fastening the electric wires7with a band, in the harness fixing portion9,10. Alternatively, the cover24of the harness fixing portion8,10is abolished and the plurality of electric wires are fixed to the base portion23with a tape or a band.

In the above embodiment, the harness support portion11is provided on the lower side protector3. However, for example, the harness support portion11can be abolished and the lower side protector3can be composed of only the harness fixing portion9. In this case, the bracket18is provided on the harness fixing portion9.

In the above embodiment, heights of the tube support portion11of each protector3,4and the tube guide portion12are set smaller than the short diameter of the corrugated tube2. However, it is possible to set these heights to be the same as the short diameter of the corrugated tube2or to be larger than that so as to enhance the protection property of accommodation.