Abstract:
A water stopping structure includes a water stopping member that has an outer peripheral face which is inclined with respect to an axis direction of a shielded wire, and that is adapted to contract a diameter thereof and attached on an outer face of the shielded wire in a state that the outer peripheral face of the water stopping member is positioned to an end portion of the sheath which is adjacent to an exposed portion of the outer sheath, and a fastening ring that has an inner peripheral face which is corresponded to the outer peripheral face of the water stopping member in inclination. The fastening ring is slid in the axis direction of the shielded wire so as to press the end portion of the sheath of the shielded wire for contracting the diameter of the water stopping member in a state that the inner peripheral face of the fastening ring is arranged on the outer peripheral face of the water stopping member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a water stopping structure of a shielded member in a shielded wire and a water stopping method using the water stopping structure. 
         [0002]    There is known a water stopping structure of an electric wire of permeating an adhering agent having a fluidity to an inner side of a cover member covering a core and curing the adhering agent to thereby prevent invasion of water through a gap on an inner side of the cover member. 
         [0003]    In this case, for example, as described in Patent Reference 1, the adhering agent is firmly permeated to a wide range by supplying the adhering agent from a wire terminal on one side and sucking air on an inner side of a cover member from a wire terminal on other side. 
         [0004]    [Patent Reference 1] JP-A-2004-355851 
         [0005]    Meanwhile, although when water is intended to cut off from a shielded wire arranged with a shielded member (knit structure, metal foil, net-like press metal or the like) surrounding the core on an inner side of an outer skin (sheath), separately from cutting off water from the core, also cut-off of water of the shielded member needs to be taken into consideration, by only supplying the adhering agent simply at an exposed portion of the shielded member as in the background art, the adhering agent cannot be permeated effectively to the shielded member, and there is a concern that a sufficient water stopping function cannot be ensured. 
         [0006]    On the other hand, although there is also the method of sucking air from a terminal side separately from a supply side of the adhering agent as one proposal, in the case of the method, a facility for sucking air is needed, or operation is troublesome and difficult, and therefore, there poses a problem that the method is not satisfactory in view of cost. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is an object of the invention to provide a water stopping structure and a water stopping method of a shielded wire capable of cutting off water from a shield portion at low cost, simply, firmly. 
         [0008]    In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a water stopping structure for a shielded wire having an outer sheath in which a part of the outer sheath is exposed and an adhering agent is permeated to the shielded wire through the exposed part, the water stopping structure comprising: 
         [0009]    a water stopping member that has an outer peripheral face which is inclined with respect to an axis direction of the shielded wire, and that is adapted to contract a diameter thereof and attached on an outer face of the shielded wire in a state that the outer peripheral face of the water stopping member is positioned to an end portion of the sheath which is adjacent to the exposed portion of the outer sheath; and 
         [0010]    a fastening ring that has an inner peripheral face which is corresponded to the outer peripheral face of the water stopping member in inclination, 
         [0011]    wherein the fastening ring is slid in the axis direction of the shielded wire so as to press the end portion of the sheath of the shielded wire for contracting the diameter of the water stopping member in a state that the inner peripheral face of the fastening ring is arranged on the outer peripheral face of the water stopping member. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the outer peripheral faces are provided at both end portions of the water stopping member. The water stopping member has a cylindrical shape and is configured by half-divided structures. The water stopping member include a hollow portion which contains the exposed portion of the shielded wire, and containing portions which contain both end portions of the sheath which are adjacent to the exposed portion of the outer sheath. A pair of the fastening rings are provided. 
         [0013]    Preferably, a drain hole is provided on a peripheral wall of the water stopping member, and is communicated with the hollow portion. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the water stopping structure further includes a fastening member that is provided between the fastening ring and the water stopping member. The fastening member slides the fastening ring in the axis direction. 
         [0015]    In the above configurations, the sheath of the shielded wire is peeled, the adhering agent is permeated to the exposed shielded member, thereafter, the water stopping member is mounted to cover the portion. Further, in the state of positioning the position of the outer peripheral taper face of the water stopping member to the end portion of the peeked sheath, the fastening ring is fitted to the outer periphery of the water stopping member, in the state of overlapping the inner peripheral taper face of the fastening ring to the outer peripheral taper face of the water stopping member, the fastening ring is slid in the axial line direction, thereby, by the wedge action produced between the fastening ring and the inner peripheral taper face, the diameter of the water stopping member is contracted, and the end portion of the sheath is fastened from the outer periphery. 
         [0016]    Thereby, a pressure can be applied to the adhering agent permeated to the inner side of the end portion of the sheath of the peeled portion from outside of the sheath, and the adhering agent can be cured while applying the pressure while increasing a degree of permeating the adhering agent to the gaps of the shielded member and inside and outside thereof. Therefore, the gap of the shielded member can firmly be sealed by the adhering agent, and the high water stopping function can be ensured. Further, by exerting the fastening force, the excellent adhering state can be maintained, and therefore, the high water stopping function can be maintained over a long period of time. 
         [0017]    Further, the water stopping portion by the adhering agent is covered by the water stopping structure, and therefore, the structure is strong at a temperature change or an external force, excellent in environment resistance and can also achieve insulation of the peeled portion of the sheath. Further, by controlling the fastening force by the fastening ring in accordance with a diameter of the wire or the like, a balance between the water stopping function and service life can optimally be set. Further, only the water stopping member and the fastening ring are used, and therefore, water stopping of the shield portion can be carried out at low cost, simply, firmly, and can easily be realized. 
         [0018]    In the above configurations, the water stopping member is constituted by the half-divided structure, the taper faces are provided at the both ends, and therefore, the water stopping member can simply be mounted to the middle peeled portion of the shielded wire, by fitting the fastening ring to the water stopping member, the water stopping of the middle peeled portion can simply and firmly be carried out. 
         [0019]    In the above configurations, the drain hole is formed at the peripheral wall of the water stopping member, and therefore, even when water invades by spreading through the shielded member by accidentally exceeding a water stopping limit, water is drained, thereby, invasion of water to a destination of connection can be prevented. 
         [0020]    In the above configurations, the fastening member is provided between the fastening ring and the water stopping member, and therefore, the fastening ring can simply be slid in a direction of producing the wedge action, further, the state can be maintained. 
         [0021]    In the above configurations, the pressure can be applied to the adhering agent permeated to the inner side of the end portion of the sheath of the peeled portion from outside of the sheath, and therefore, the adhering agent can be cured while applying the pressure while increasing a degree of permeating the adhering agent to gaps of the shielded member and inside and outside thereof. Therefore, the gap of the shielded member can simply be sealed by the adhering agent, the high water stopping function can be ensured. Further, by exerting the fastening force, an excellent adhering state can be maintained, and therefore, the high water stopping function can be maintained over a long period of time. 
         [0022]    Further, the water stopping portion by the adhering agent is covered by the water stopping member, and therefore, the structure is strong at a temperature change or an external force, excellent in environment resistance, an insulation of the peeled portion of the sheath can also be achieved. Further, by controlling the fastening force by the fastening ring in accordance with a diameter of the electric wire or the like, a balance between the water stopping function and the service life can optimally be set. Further, only the water stopping member and the fastening ring are used, and therefore, water stopping of the shield portion can be carried out at low cost, simply, firmly, and can easily be realized. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view showing a constitution of a water stopping structure according to a first embodiments: 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is an explanatory view of a peeling step constituting a step before mounting the water stopping structure: 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is an explanatory view of a next step of supplying an adhering agent: 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing a state of mounting the water stopping structure: 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a water stopping structure finished by using the water stopping structure: 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a water stopping structure according to a second embodiment of the invention: 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a water stopping structure finished by using the water stopping structure: 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a view showing an example of applying the water stopping structure using the water stopping structure: 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention: 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the invention: 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view showing a water stopping structure according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of a water stopping structure finished by using the water stopping structure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    Embodiments of the invention will be explained in reference to the drawings as follows. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0037]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view showing a constitution of a water stopping structure M 120  of a first embodiment,  FIG. 2  is an explanatory view of a skin peeling step as a step before mounting the water stopping structure M 10 ,  FIG. 3  is an explanatory view of a next step of supplying an adhering agent,  FIG. 4  is an explanatory view showing a state of mounting the water stopping member M 10 ,  FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a finished water stopping structure. 
         [0038]    As shown by, for example,  FIG. 2 , a shielded wire W constituting an object of using the water stopping structure M 10  is arranged with a core  1 , an insulating member  2 , a shielded member  3  of a knit structure or the like, and a sheath  4  constituting an outer skin successively from an inner side to an outer side. 
         [0039]    As shown by  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 5 , a middle of the sheath  4  of the shielded wire W is peeled, an adhering agent S is permeated to the disposed shielded member  3 , thereafter, the water stopping member M 10  is mounted to cover the portion. 
         [0040]    The water stopping structure M 10  in this case includes a water stopping member  10 , and a pair of fastening rings  20  mounted to outer peripheries of both ends of the water stopping member  10 . 
         [0041]    The water stopping member  10  includes outer peripheral taper faces  14  at the outer peripheries of the both ends. The water stopping member  10  is constituted by a cylindrical shape mounted to an outer periphery of the shielded wire W in a state of positioning the position of the outer peripheral taper face  14  to an end portion of the peeled sheath  4 . The water stopping member  10  is constituted by a half-divided structure to be able to contract a diameter thereof. That is, the water stopping member  10  in the cylindrical shape is constituted by matching two half members  10   a ,  10   b  divided by a plane including an actual line. 
         [0042]    Inside of the water stopping member  10  is provided with a hollow portion  12  having a small diameter containing the middle peeled portion A of the shielded wire W, and containing portions  11  of sheath end portions on both sides having a diameter larger than the diameter of the hollow portion  12 , and stepped differences are attached to between the center hollow portion  12  having the small diameter and the containing portions  11  of the sheath end portions having the large diameter on both sides thereof to facilitate positioning. 
         [0043]    Further, the fastening ring  20  is constituted by a cylindrical shape and is provided with an inner peripheral face  24  in correspondence with the outer peripheral taper face  14  on a side of the water stopping member  10 . 
         [0044]    When water stopping is carried out by using the water stopping structure M 10 , first, as shown by  FIG. 2 , the middle of the sheath  4  of the shielded wire W is peeled, and the adhering agent S is permeated to the portion A at which the shielded member  3  is exposed by peeling the middle. Then, as shown by an arrow mark of  FIG. 3 , the adhering agent S is permeated to an inner side of an end portion of the sheath  4  by spreading through a small gap of the shielded member  3 . 
         [0045]    Under the state, as shown by  FIG. 4 , the water stopping member  10  is formed so as to cover the middle peeled portion A, the end portion of the sheath  4  is contained in the containing portion  11 , and the exposed portion of the shielded member  3  is contained in the hollow portion  12 . Under the state, the position of the outer peripheral taper face  14  is positioned to the end portion of the peeled sheath  4 . 
         [0046]    Successively, the fastening ring  20  previously passed through the outer periphery of the shielded wire W is slid in an arrow mark X direction and the fastening ring  20  having the inner peripheral taper face  24  is fitted to the outer periphery of the water stopping member  10 . 
         [0047]    Further, by further sliding the fastening ring  20  in X direction in a state of overlapping the inner peripheral taper face  24  to the outer peripheral taper face  14 , the diameter of the water stopping member  10  is contracted by a wedge action produced between the inner peripheral taper face  24  and the outer peripheral taper face  14 , thereby, a fastening force (arrow mark Y) is exerted from the outer periphery to the end portion of the sheath  4 . Thereby, the water stopping structure MA 10  of  FIG. 5  is finished. 
         [0048]    According to the structure of fastening by the water stopping structure M 10  in this way, a pressure can be applied from outside of the sheath  4  to the adhering agent S permeated to the inner side of the end portion of the sheath  4  at the peeled portion, and therefore, the adhering agent S can be cured while applying the pressure by increasing a degree of permeating the adhering agent to gaps of the shielded member  3  and inside and outside thereof. 
         [0049]    Therefore, the gap of the shielded member  3  can be sealed firmly by the adhering agent S, and a high water stopping function can be ensured. Further, excellent adhered state can be maintained by applying the fastening force, and therefore, the high water stopping function can be maintained over a long period of time. 
         [0050]    Further, the water stopping portion by the adhering agent S is covered by the water stopping structure M 10 , and therefore, the structure is strong at a temperature change or an external force, and is excellent in environment resistance, and also insulation of the peeled portion A of the sheath  4  can be achieved. Further, by controlling the fastening force by the fastening ring  20  in accordance with a diameter of the shielded wire W or the like, a balance between the water stopping function and service life can optimally be set. Further, only the water stopping member  10  and the fastening ring  20  are used, and therefore, water stopping of the shield portion can be carried out at low cost, simply, firmly, and is easily realized. 
         [0051]    Further, according to the water stopping structure M 10 , the water stopping member  10  in the cylindrical shape is constituted by the half-divided structure, and therefore, can simply be mounted to the middle peeled portion A of the shielded wire W and also achieve an advantage of capable of carrying out water stopping of the middle peeled portion A simply and firmly. 
       Second Embodiment  
       [0052]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a water stopping structure M 110  of a second embodiment of the invention. 
         [0053]    The water stopping structure M 110  is constructed by a constitution the same as that of the water stopping structure M 10  of the first embodiment except that a drain hole  16  is formed at a peripheral wall of a water stopping member  110  to be communicated with the hollow portion  12 . The water drain hole  16  is constituted by a ring-like groove  16   a  formed at an inner peripheral wall of the hollow portion  12 , and a through hole  16   b  bored in a radius direction to be communicated with the ring-like groove  16   a . Also in a case of using the water stopping structure M 110 , the water stopping structure MA 110  as shown by  FIG. 7  is provided after having been processed by steps similar to those of the first embodiment. 
         [0054]    When the drain hole  16  is formed at the peripheral wall of the water stopping member  110  in this way, even in a case in which water F invades by spreading through the shielded member  3  accidentally by exceeding a water stopping limit, the water is drained at the midway at the water stopping structure MA 110  of the middle portion of the shielded wire W, thereby, invasion of water to a destination of connection can be prevented. 
         [0055]    That is, in a case of connecting an inverter  101  and a battery  102  arranged with a height difference by the shielded wire W as shown by an example of  FIG. 8 , when water invades a side of the inverter  101 , by presence of the height difference, water flows to a side of the battery  102  by spreading through the shielded member  3  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) at inside of the shielded wire W. 
         [0056]    At normal level, invasion of the water can be prevented by providing the water stopping structure M 110  at the midway, however, at a level of exceeding the water stopping limit, there is a possibility of extending invasion of water to the side of the battery  102 . In this respect, the water stopping structure M 110  is provided with the drain hole  16  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) at the water stopping member  110 , and therefore, even in the case of exceeding the water stopping limit, water can be escaped by the water stopping structure M 110  per se. Therefore, a concern of invasion of water to the side of the battery  102  can be eliminated. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0057]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of a water stopping structure MA 210  realized by using a water stopping structure M 210  according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
         [0058]    The water stopping structure M 210  is provided with screw mechanism (fastening member) comprising a male screw  212  and a female screw  222  for sliding a fastening ring  220  in a direction of producing a wedge action between the fastening ring  220  and a water stopping member  220 . 
         [0059]    Here, a large diameter portion  221  is provided at an end portion of the fastening ring  220 , the female screw  222  is provided at an inner periphery thereof, on the other hand, the male screw  212  to be screwed with the female screw  222  is provided at an outer periphery of an end portion of the water stopping member  210 . Other constitution is the same as that of the first embodiment. 
         [0060]    In this way, by providing the screw mechanism comprising the female screw  222  and the male screw  212  between the water stopping member  210  and the fastening ring  220 , by turning the fastening ring  220 , the fastening ring  220  is slid in a direction of producing the wedge action, thereby, the water stopping member  210  can be fastened. Further, the state can stably be maintained. 
       Fourth Embodiment 
       [0061]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of a water stopping structure MA 320  realized by using a water stopping structure M 320  according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
         [0062]    According to the water stopping structure M 320 , although the water stopping member  210  the same as that of the third embodiment is used, a constitution of a side of a fastening ring  320  is made to differ from that of the third embodiment. 
         [0063]    That is, the fastening ring  320  is not directly provided with a female screw  332  but a total periphery flange portion  321  is provided at an end portion of the fastening ring  320 , one end of a rotating ring  330  is rotatably engaged with the total periphery flange portion  321 , and an inner periphery of the rotating ring  330  is formed with the female screw  332  to be screwed with the male screw  212  on the side of the water stopping member  210  Other constitution is the same as that of the third embodiment. 
         [0064]    According to the embodiment, by turning the rotating ring  330 , by operation of the screws, the fastening ring  320  can be slid. In this case, it is not necessary to directly rotate the fastening ring  320 , and therefore, a friction resistance can be reduced, and the fastening ring  320  can be slid in an axial direction easily by that amount. 
       Fifth Embodiment  
       [0065]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of a water stopping structure M 520  according to a fifth embodiment of the invention,  FIG. 12  is a sectional view of a water stopping structure MA 510  realized by using the water stopping structure M 510 . 
         [0066]    Although according to the first through the fourth embodiments, there is shown a case of simultaneously cutting off water from the both sides of the middle peeled portion A, according to the embodiment, one side water stopping is taken into consideration. That is, the water stopping structure M 520  is constituted by a water stopping structure  510  constituted by cutting the water stopping member  10  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) of the first embodiment by a half in a longitudinal direction by one piece of the fastening ring  20 . The water stopping member  510  is halved to two half members  510 A,  510 B similar to the first embodiment. 
         [0067]    Since the one side water stopping type is constituted in this way, as shown by  FIG. 12 , water can be cut off from a terminal portion of the shielded wire W. 
         [0068]    Further, water stopping of the middle peeled portion can also be carried out by using 2 sets of the water stopping structures M 510 . 
         [0069]    Further, the water stopping structure  510  may be provided with a screw mechanism as in the third, the fourth embodiments. 
         [0070]    Although the invention has been illustrated and described for the particular preferred embodiments, it is apparent to a person skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made on the basis of the teachings of the invention. It is apparent that such changes and modifications are within the spirit, scope, and intention of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0071]    The present application is based on Japan Patent Application No. 2006-145253 filed on May 25, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein for reference.