Patent Publication Number: US-2023146742-A1

Title: Wire harness

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a wire harness. 
     Conventionally, a wire harness that employs a shielded electric wire to address electromagnetic noise has been known in the field of wire harnesses to which large currents are supplied. A shielded electric wire has a structure in which a coated electric wire is enclosed in an electromagnetic shield member such as metal foil or a metal braided tube, and the electromagnetic shield member is covered by a sheath that is an insulating covering member. 
     In the field of wire harnesses that employ a shielded electric wire, a structure has been proposed in which an end of the sheath is peeled off to expose the electromagnetic shield member at one end of the shielded electric wire, and the exposed core wire is connected to one end of a grounding electric wire. A grounding terminal provided at the other end of the grounding electric wire is grounded to the housing of a peripheral device, a vehicle body panel, or the like so that the shielded electric wire can achieve a stable electromagnetic shielding effect. 
     It is necessary to improve the waterproof property of the portion where the end of the sheath of the shielded electric wire is peeled off and the electromagnetic shield member is exposed. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-135073 proposes providing an intermediate portion of the shielded electric wire in the lengthwise direction thereof with an intermediate waterproof portion formed by impregnating the exposed portion of the shield member, exposed by peeling off a portion of the sheath, with a waterproofing agent such as silicone. As a result, the waterproofing agent applied to the exposed portion of the shield member permeates into the sheath on both sides of the exposed portion of the shield member, forming a waterproofing area in which the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the sheath and the electromagnetic shield member and the gap between the electromagnetic shield member and the coated electric wire are closed with the waterproofing agent. As a result, in the intermediate portion of the shielded electric wire in the lengthwise direction thereof, the gap between the electromagnetic shield member and the sheath and the coated wire can be closed with the waterproofing agent. 
     SUMMARY 
     In order for the waterproofing agent that has permeated into the electromagnetic shield member to exhibit the desired waterproofing performance, the waterproofing agent that has permeated into the sheath through the electromagnetic shield member needs to be sufficiently dried and solidified. 
     Therefore, a wire harness with a novel structure that can prevent the waterproofing agent penetrated into the sheath from being hindered from drying is disclosed herein. 
     A wire harness according to the present disclosure is a wire harness that includes: a shielded electric wire that includes a first coated electric wire that includes a first core electric wire and a first insulating coating that covers the first core electric wire, an electromagnetic shield member that covers the first coated electric wire, a sheath that covers the electromagnetic shield member, and a shield member exposed portion from which the sheath is removed and the electromagnetic shield member is exposed; an insulating cover that covers the shield member exposed portion; and a waterproofing agent applied to the shield member exposed portion and permeated into the electromagnetic shield member. The waterproofing agent is in tight contact with an inner circumferential surface of an end portion of the sheath on the shield member exposed portion side and an outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating so that a waterproofing area is formed, and the cover is separated from the end portion of the sheath, in a first direction that is a lengthwise direction of the shielded electric wire, and covers a portion of the shield member exposed portion. 
     According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a wire harness that can prevent a waterproofing agent that has permeated into the sheath from being hindered from drying. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a front view showing a wire harness according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along II-II in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view taken along in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is an enlarged front view for illustrating a process in which a waterproofing agent is applied to the wire harness shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    is a front view for illustrating a process in which a waterproofing agent is applied to a wire harness according to a second embodiment, and is a diagram corresponding to  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view showing the wire harness according to the second embodiment, and is a diagram corresponding to  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view showing a wire harness according to a third embodiment, and is a diagram corresponding to  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  8    is a front view for illustrating a process in which a waterproofing agent is applied to a wire harness according to a fourth embodiment, and is a diagram corresponding to  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  9    is a front view for illustrating a process in which a waterproofing agent is applied to a wire harness according to a fifth embodiment, and is a diagram corresponding to  FIG.  4   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Description of Embodiments According to Present Disclosure 
     First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. 
     A wire harness according to the present disclosure is 
     (1) a wire harness that includes: a shielded electric wire that includes a first coated electric wire that includes a first core electric wire and a first insulating coating that covers the first core electric wire, an electromagnetic shield member that covers the first coated electric wire, a sheath that covers the electromagnetic shield member, and a shield member exposed portion from which the sheath is removed and the electromagnetic shield member is exposed; an insulating cover that covers the shield member exposed portion; and a waterproofing agent applied to the shield member exposed portion and permeated into the electromagnetic shield member. The waterproofing agent is in tight contact with an inner circumferential surface of an end portion of the sheath on the shield member exposed portion side and an outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating so that a waterproofing area is formed, and the cover is separated from the end portion of the sheath, in a first direction that is a lengthwise direction of the shielded electric wire, and covers a portion of the shield member exposed portion. 
     The wire harness according to the present disclosure includes a shield member exposed portion from which the sheath is removed and the electromagnetic shield member is exposed, and a portion of the shield member exposed portion is covered by the cover. The waterproofing agent is applied to the shield member exposed portion that is not covered by the cover, and therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of the waterproofing agent that is to be applied to the shield member exposed portion by the amount corresponding to the area covered by the cover. Also, it is possible to prevent the waterproofing agent from being excessively applied to the shield member exposed portion. As a result, the waterproofing agent can be prevented from permeating into the sheath, and from being hindered from drying in the areas where the waterproofing agent is in tight contact with the inner circumferential surface of an end portion of the sheath on the shield member exposed portion side and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating (hereinafter referred to as a waterproofing area as appropriate). As a result of the waterproofing agent drying as desired, the state in which the waterproofing agent is in tight contact with the inner circumferential surface of the sheath and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating is desirably maintained. Therefore, it is possible to improve the waterproofing performance of the waterproofing agent. In addition, as a result of the amount of the waterproofing agent that is to be applied being reduced, it is also possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of the wire harness. 
     Note that the cover that covers a portion of the shield member exposed portion may be formed by leaving a portion of the sheath that is to be removed to provide the shield member exposed portion, or by covering a portion of the shield member exposed portion with another member such as a piece of binding tape. However, note that the cover is separated from the end portion of the sheath on the shield member exposed portion side in the first direction that is the lengthwise direction of the shielded electric wire. 
     (2) It is preferable that the sheath includes a first split sheath portion that is located on one side of the shield member exposed portion in the first direction, and a second split sheath portion that is located on the other side of the electromagnetic shield member, the waterproofing agent is in tight contact with an inner circumferential surface of the first split sheath portion and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating, and the cover is located between the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion in the first direction. The cover is located between the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion in the first direction of the cover, and therefore the waterproofing agent can be distributed to both the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion. The waterproofing agent also permeates into the second split sheath portion, and therefore the waterproofing agent can be prevented from jutting out from the shield member exposed portion. In addition, the waterproofing agent is in tight contact with the inner circumferential surface of the first split sheath portion and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating, and therefore water can be stopped on the first split sheath portion side. Note that the waterproofing agent may also be in tight contact with the inner circumferential surface of the second split sheath portion and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating in the second split sheath portion in order to realize waterproofing. The amount of the waterproofing agent that permeates into the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion can be controlled to an appropriate amount by controlling the size of the area covered by the cover. As a result, it is possible to prevent the waterproofing agent that has permeated into the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion from being hindered from drying, and it is possible to reliably improve the waterproofing performance as desired. 
     (3) In (2) described above, it is preferable that the cover is a portion of the sheath. The cover can be formed by leaving a portion of the sheath that is to be removed to provide the shield member exposed portion. It is possible to efficiently provide the cover without any additional member. 
     (4) In (3) described above, it is preferable that the cover is tubular and is separated from the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion in the first direction. It is possible to provide a tubular cover by removing both end portions, in the lengthwise direction, of the sheath that covers the shield member exposed portion, and leaving the central portion thereof. As a result, it is possible to easily form the cover, and simplify the manufacturing process. 
     (5) In (3) described above, it is preferable that the cover is spiral and is wound around the electromagnetic shield member. The cover has a shape that can be spirally wound around the shield member exposed portion, and therefore the ratio of exposure of the shield member exposed portion can be relatively uniform in the lengthwise direction thereof. Therefore, it is possible to promote the dispersion of the waterproofing agent, and prevent the waterproofing agent from being hindered from drying as a result of the waterproofing agent being nonuniformly retained. 
     (6) In any one of (2) to (5) described above, it is preferable that the wire harness further includes a reinforcing member that is attached to the shielded electric wire, and the reinforcing member is provided along the first split sheath portion, and is more rigid than the shielded electric wire. The reinforcing member that is more rigid than the shielded electric wire is provided along the first split sheath portion. As a result, the first split sheath portion in which the waterproofing area is formed is prevented by the reinforcing member from being deformed and bent, and the waterproofing agent can be prevented from peeling off from the inner circumferential surface of the sheath or the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating when the shielded electric wire is deformed and bent. Thus, it is possible to improve the waterproofing performance of the wire harness. 
     Note that, if either one of the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion is prevented from being deformed and bent, using the reinforcing member, the waterproofing agent can be prevented from peeling off from the inner circumferential surface of the sheath and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating at one position in the first direction of the shielded electric wire, and the waterproofing performance of the wire harness can be improved. The reinforcing member may have any shape as long as the reinforcing member can be provided along at least one of the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion, and any shape such as a plate shape, a rod shape, a tubular shape, or the like can be adopted. 
     (7) In (6) described above, it is preferable that the waterproofing agent is in tight contact with an inner circumferential surface of the second split sheath portion and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating, and the reinforcing member is provided along both the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion. This is because the waterproofing agent applied to the shield member exposed portion permeates into the gap between the sheath of the second split sheath portion and the electromagnetic shield member, the gap between the electromagnetic shield member and the first coated electric wire are closed by the waterproofing agent, and the reinforcing member prevents both the second split sheath portion and the first split sheath portion in which waterproofing areas are formed from being deformed and bent. As a result, the waterproofing agent can be prevented from peeling off from the sheath and the first coated electric wire at two positions in the first direction of the shielded electric wire when the shielded electric wire is deformed and bent, and the waterproofing performance of the wire harness can be further improved. 
     Note that any shape may be adopted for the reinforcing member as long as the reinforcing member can be provided along both the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion. For example, the reinforcing member may include two members that are respectively provided along the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion, or one member that includes a portion that extends along both the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion of the shielded electric wire. 
     (8) In (6) or (7) described above, it is preferable that the reinforcing member extends over the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion in the first direction. This is because the reinforcing member that extends over the entire lengths of the first split sheath portion, the shield member exposed portion, a portion of which is covered by the cover, and the second split sheath portion prevents the entire permeation area of the waterproofing agent from being deformed and bent, in the first direction of the shielded electric wire. As a result, the waterproofing agent can be prevented from peeling off from the sheath and the first coated electric wire in the entire permeation area of the waterproofing agent provided in the intermediate portion of the shielded electric wire in the first direction when the shielded electric wire is deformed and bent, and the waterproofing performance of the wire harness can be further improved. 
     (9) In any one of (6) to (8) described above, it is preferable that the reinforcing member is tubular. This is because the reinforcing member improves the rigidity over the entire length of the shielded electric wire in the circumferential direction thereof and the shielded electric wire can be prevented from being deformed and bent, on the portion where the reinforcing member is overlaid. As a result, it is also possible to eliminate the orientation of the portion on which the reinforcing member is provided, for example, and improve the versatility of the reinforcing member. Note that the tubular reinforcing member that is made of metal or resin may be adopted. Also, the tubular reinforcing member may be of a type in which the tubular body can be split by a slit that extends in the axial direction of the reinforcing member. 
     (10) In any one of (6) to (9) described above, it is preferable that the wire harness further includes an exterior member that covers the shielded electric wire, and the reinforcing member is provided inside the exterior member. By directly overlaying and fixing the reinforcing member to the shielded electric wire, it is possible to provide the reinforcing member along a predetermined portion of the shielded electric wire (a portion of at least one of the first split sheath portion and the second split sheath portion, or, in addition to such a portion, the portion of the shield member exposed portion covered by the cover). As a result, it is possible to attach the reinforcing member without being affected by the assembly tolerance of the exterior member. 
     Furthermore, the reinforcing member will not be affected by the movement of the exterior member relative to the shielded electric wire, and therefore it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the reinforcing member, and accordingly, it is possible to shorten the length of the reinforcing member in the first direction of the shielded electric wire. As a result, it is possible to prevent the flexibility of the wire harness from being unnecessarily impaired by the reinforcing member compared to the case where the reinforcing member is provided outside of the exterior member. In addition, it is possible to improve workability when the wire harness is connected to an onboard device, workability when the wire harness is to be attached to a vehicle, workability when the wire harness is to be routed, and so on. 
     (11) In any one of (6) to (9) described above, it is preferable that the wire harness further includes an exterior member that covers the shielded electric wire, and the reinforcing member is provided outside the exterior member. The reinforcing member can be provided outside the exterior member, and therefore the diameter of the exterior member can be reduced compared to the case in which the reinforcing member is provided inside the exterior member, and the wire harness can be downsized. Also, when the wire harness is connected to an onboard device or the wire harness is attached to a vehicle, it is easier for the operator to visually discern the portion where the reinforcing member is not present and can be easily deformed and bent, and the portion where the reinforcing member is present and cannot be easily deformed and bent. Therefore, it is possible to improve workability when the wire harness is connected to an onboard device, workability when the wire harness is to be attached to a vehicle, workability when the wire harness is to be routed, and so on compared to the case in which the reinforcing member is provided inside the exterior member. 
     (12) In (1) described above, it is preferable that the wire harness further includes a reinforcing member that is attached to the shielded electric wire, the sheath includes a first split sheath portion that is located on one side of the shield member exposed portion in a first direction that is a lengthwise direction of the shielded electric, the waterproofing agent is in tight contact with an inner circumferential surface of the first split sheath portion and an outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating, and the reinforcing member is provided along the first split sheath portion, and is more rigid than the shielded electric wire. If the first split sheath portion is prevented from being deformed and bent, using the reinforcing member, the waterproofing agent can be prevented from peeling off from the inner circumferential surface of the sheath and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating at one position in the first direction of the shielded electric wire, and the waterproofing performance of the wire harness can be improved. 
     DETAILS OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE 
     Specific examples of a wire harness according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the scope of claims and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. 
     First Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  4   . A wire harness  10  is used to electrically connect an inverter and a compressor of a vehicle to each other, for example. Specifically, the wire harness  10  is connected to an inverter-side connector (not shown) on the left side in  FIG.  1   , and to a compressor-side connector (not shown) on the right side in  FIG.  1   . In the drawings, the thicknesses of a binding tape  40 , a binding member  62 , and a reinforcing member  50 , and the diameter of a shielded electric wire  12 , and so on, which will be described later, are exaggerated to make these components more visible. Also, in the following description, the left side in  FIG.  1    will be referred to as “front side”, and the right side in  FIG.  1    will be described as “rear side”, but this orientation does not necessarily match the orientation of the wire harness  10  in the state in which it is attached to a vehicle. Furthermore, for a plurality of the same members, a reference numeral may be given to only some of the members, and the reference numeral may be omitted for the other members. 
     Wire Harness  10   
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the wire harness  10  includes a shielded electric wire  12  that is connected to an inverter-side connector and a compressor-side connector, and a grounding electric wire  18  that is electrically connected to an electromagnetic shield member  20 , which will be described later, of the shielded electric wire  12 . One end of the grounding electric wire  18  is electrically connected to one end portion (a front portion) of the electromagnetic shield member  20  described below, which is exposed to the outside by peeling off a sheath  22 , which will be described later, of the shielded electric wire  12  over a certain length. The other end of the grounding electric wire  18  is grounded to a housing of a high-voltage component, a vehicle body panel, or the like, so that the electromagnetic shield member  20  is grounded. The shielded electric wire  12  is covered by a corrugated tube  14 , which serves as an exterior member. In the first embodiment, one shielded electric wire  12  is provided. However, the number of shielded electric wires is not limited, and may be two or more. 
     Shielded Electric Wire  12   
     The shielded electric wire  12  includes a first coated electric wire  16 , the electromagnetic shield member  20  that encloses the first coated electric wire  16  to electromagnetically shield the first coated electric wire  16 , and the sheath  22  that is insulative and covers the electromagnetic shield member  20 . 
     The first coated electric wire  16  includes a first core electric wire  24  that is a conductive metal core wire, and a first insulating coating  26  that covers the first core electric wire  24 . The first insulating coating  26  may be formed in a tubular shape from a soft synthetic resin or the like, for example. 
     The electromagnetic shield member  20  is constituted by, for example, a tubular braided wire formed by braiding conductive thin metal wires. In an initial state before the grounding electric wire  18  is connected, the electromagnetic shield member  20  encloses the first coated electric wire  16  over substantially the entire length in the lengthwise direction thereof (the horizontal direction in  FIG.  1   ). Note that the mode in which the thin metal wires are braided in the electromagnetic shield member  20  is not limited, and a conventionally known braided structure, braided or woven structure, or the like may be appropriately adopted. 
     The sheath  22  is a tubular member that is made of a soft synthetic resin, for example. In an initial state before the grounding electric wire  18  is connected to the electromagnetic shield member  20 , the sheath  22  encloses the first coated electric wire  16  and the electromagnetic shield member  20  over substantially their entire length in the lengthwise direction. 
     Shield Member Exposed Portion  30 , First Split Sheath Portion  32 , and Second Split Sheath Portion  34   
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2  and  4   , an intermediate portion of the shielded electric wire  12  in a first direction that is the lengthwise direction of the shielded electric wire  12  (the horizontal direction in  FIGS.  1 ,  2  and  4   ) is provided with a shield member exposed portion  30  from which the sheath  22  is removed and the electromagnetic shield member  20  is exposed to the outside. Note that the intermediate portion in the first direction is any portion between the two ends in the first direction, other than the two ends. In the first direction, a first split sheath portion  32  is located on the front side (the left side in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  4   ), which is one side in the first direction of the shield member exposed portion  30 , and a second split sheath portion  34  is located on the rear side (the right side in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  4   ), which is the other side in the first direction of the shield member exposed portion  30 . 
     Cover  36   
     More specifically, in the shielded electric wire  12 , the sheath  22  is removed from two areas that are separate from each other in an intermediate portion of the shielded electric wire  12  in the first direction (the horizontal direction in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  4   ) so that the electromagnetic shield member  20  is exposed to the outside. The two areas of the intermediate portion are separated from each other in the lengthwise direction thereof, and therefore a portion of the sheath  22  remains between the two areas of the intermediate portion without being removed therefrom. This remaining portion of the sheath  22  constitutes a cover  36 . That is to say, the cover  36  is a portion of the sheath  22 . Therefore, it is possible to efficiently provide the cover  36  without any additional member. That is to say, it is possible to simplify the manufacturing process. 
     In short, a central portion of the shield member exposed portion  30  in the lengthwise direction thereof is partially covered by the insulating cover  36 . Also, the electromagnetic shield member  20  is exposed to the outside at portions located on the two sides of the cover  36  in the lengthwise direction of the shield member exposed portion  30 . The cover  36  is tubular and is located between the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34  in the first direction of the shielded electric wire  12 . In addition, the cover  36  is located at a position separated from the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34  in the first direction of the shielded electric wire  12 . 
     Waterproofing Agent  38   
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , a waterproofing agent  38  is applied to the shield member exposed portion  30 . That is to say, the waterproofing agent  38  is applied to the shield member exposed portion  30  that is not covered by the cover  36 . For example, a silicone resin, silicone rubber, grease, butyl rubber, an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a thermoplastic resin, or another adhesive that has viscosity and elasticity may be used as the waterproofing agent  38 . In the present embodiment, a silicone resin that solidifies when dried is used. As shown in  FIG.  2   , a piece of binding tape  40  such as vinyl tape is wound around the entire shield member exposed portion  30  and the end portions of the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34  on the shield member exposed portion  30  side. As a result, the applied waterproofing agent  38  is stably held between the first coated electric wire  16  in the shield member exposed portion  30  and the piece of binding tape  40 . 
     First Waterproofing Area  43  and Second Waterproofing Area  44   
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the waterproofing agent  38  applied to the portion of the shield member exposed portion  30  not covered by the cover  36  permeates into first gaps  42  between the thin metal wires in the electromagnetic shield member  20 . The waterproofing agent  38  further penetrates through the first gaps  42  in both directions in the lengthwise direction of the first gaps  42  to form a first waterproofing area  43  and a second waterproofing area  44  at the respective ends of the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34  on the shield member exposed portion  30  side. That is to say, the first split sheath portion  32  is constituted by a portion of the sheath  22  located so as to cover the area where the waterproofing agent  38  permeates through the electromagnetic shield member  20  (the first waterproofing area  43 ) on the front side, which is one side in the lengthwise direction of the shield member exposed portion  30 . Also, the second split sheath portion  34  is constituted by a portion of the sheath  22  located so as to cover the area where the waterproofing agent  38  permeates through the electromagnetic shield member  20  (the second waterproofing area  44 ) on the rear side, which is the other side in the lengthwise direction of the shield member exposed portion  30 . 
     In the present embodiment, the piece of binding tape  40  is wound around the shield member exposed portion  30  to which the waterproofing agent  38  is applied and the vicinity thereof, and therefore, a force is applied to the waterproofing agent  38  in a direction toward the first coated electric wire  16 . As a result, the waterproofing agent  38  is promoted to permeate into the electromagnetic shield member  20  in the shield member exposed portion  30 , the first waterproofing area  43 , and the second waterproofing area  44 . As a result, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the waterproofing agent  38  is in tight contact with the inner circumferential surface of the first split sheath portion  32  and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating  26  of the first coated electric wire  16  in the first waterproofing area  43 . Similarly, the waterproofing agent  38  is in tight contact with the inner circumferential surface of the second split sheath portion  34  and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating  26  of the first coated electric wire  16  in the second waterproofing area  44 . More specifically, in the first waterproofing area  43  and the second waterproofing area  44 , the first gaps  42  between the thin metal wires in the electromagnetic shield member  20 , a second gap  46  between the electromagnetic shield member  20  and the first coated electric wire  16 , and a third gap  48  between the sheath  22  and the electromagnetic shield member  20  are filled with the waterproofing agent  38  so as to be waterproof. As described above, the sheath  22  is peeled off from one end portion (a front portion) of the shielded electric wire  12  so that the electromagnetic shield member  20  is exposed to the outside (see  FIG.  1   ). Therefore, when one end side of the shielded electric wire  12  gets wet with water, water may permeate through the first gaps  42 , the second gap  46 , and the third gap  48  formed between the sheath  22  and the first coated electric wire  16 , and enter a device provided on the other end portion side (the rear side) of the shielded electric wire  12  such as a connector (not shown). As shown in  FIG.  2   , the first waterproofing area  43  and the second waterproofing area  44  are provided to prevent such entrance of water at two positions in the first direction of the shielded electric wire  12 . 
     Reinforcing Member  50   
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the shielded electric wire  12  is provided with a reinforcing member  50  that extends over the entire lengths of the first split sheath portion  32 , the shield member exposed portion  30 , and the second split sheath portion  34 , in the first direction (the horizontal direction in  FIG.  2   ) of the shielded electric wire  12 . That is to say, the reinforcing member  50  is provided along both the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34 . More specifically, the reinforcing member  50  has a cylindrical shape that extends along the shielded electric wire  12  and is open in the front-rear direction (see  FIG.  3   ). The reinforcing member  50  is made of a synthetic resin that is more rigid than the shielded electric wire  12 . The reinforcing member  50  has a tubular shape as a whole, and covers the first waterproofing area  43 , the shield member exposed portion  30 , and the second waterproofing area  44 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the reinforcing member  50  includes an upper split tubular body  52  and a lower split tubular body  54 , and is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the shielded electric wire  12 . The upper split tubular body  52  and the lower split tubular body  54  are constituted by the upper split tubular body  52  located on the upper side (the upper side in  FIGS.  2  and  3   ) and the lower split tubular body  54  located on the lower side (the lower side in  FIGS.  2  and  3   ). The upper split tubular body  52  and the lower split tubular body  54  are each a half tube that has a semi-circular cross section and extends in an axial direction. The upper split tubular body  52  and the lower split tubular body  54  are combined with each other from above and below, so that the first waterproofing area  43  and the second waterproofing area  44  of the shielded electric wire  12  are sandwiched therebetween. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the upper split tubular body  52  and the lower split tubular body  54  are coupled to each other using a hinge portion  56  that is thin at one end (the right end in  FIG.  3   ) in the circumferential direction thereof. A locking projection  58  provided at the other end (the left end in  FIG.  3   ) of the upper split tubular body  52  in the circumferential direction thereof is locked to a lock-target recess  60  provided at the other end of the lower split tubular body  54  in the circumferential direction thereof, and thus the respective other ends of the upper split tubular body  52  and the lower split tubular body  54  in the circumferential direction thereof are locked to each other. As shown in  FIG.  2   , both ends of the reinforcing member  50  in the lengthwise direction thereof are fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the shielded electric wire  12 , using a binding member  62  such as a piece of binding tape. By adopting the reinforcing member  50  that includes the upper split tubular body  52  and the lower split tubular body  54  in this way, it is possible to improve assembling workability compared to when an unsplit tubular body is used, for example. Here, the reinforcing member  50  is made of a synthetic resin that is more rigid than the shielded electric wire  12 , and therefore the rigidity of the shielded electric wire  12  is improved by the reinforcing member  50 , and the shielded electric wire  12  can be prevented from being deformed and bent. 
     Corrugated Tube  14   
     The corrugated tube  14  that is made of a synthetic resin and has a cylindrical shape is additionally attached to the shielded electric wire  12  thus formed. That is to say, the reinforcing member  50  is provided inside the corrugated tube  14 . Note that both ends of the corrugated tube  14  in the lengthwise direction thereof are fixed to the shielded electric wire  12 , using a binding member such as a piece of binding tape (not shown). 
     Method for Manufacturing Wire Harness  10   
     A method for manufacturing the wire harness  10  will be described with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  4   . First, a shielded electric wire  12  cut to a desired length is prepared. Next, as shown in  FIG.  4   , the shield member exposed portion  30  that exposes the electromagnetic shield member  20  to the outside is provided by removing a portion of the sheath  22  over a predetermined length in an intermediate portion, with respect to the first direction, of the shielded electric wire  12 . In the present embodiment, the cover  36  constituted by the portion of the sheath  22  left unremoved is provided on a central portion, with respect to the lengthwise direction, of the shield member exposed portion  30 . Subsequently, the waterproofing agent  38 , which is liquid, is applied to the shield member exposed portion  30  from above. Next, the piece of binding tape  40  such as vinyl tape is wound around the entire shield member exposed portion  30  and the end portions of the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34  on the shield member exposed portion  30  side. As a result, as shown in  FIG.  2   , the applied waterproofing agent  38  is stably held between the first coated electric wire  16  in the shield member exposed portion  30  and the piece of binding tape  40 . Subsequently, an intermediate portion of the shielded electric wire  12  (including the shield member exposed portion  30 ) is placed inside the lower split tubular body  54  with the inner side of the lower split tubular body  54  of the reinforcing member  50  facing upward. Next, the locking projection  58  of the upper split tubular body  52  of the reinforcing member  50  is lock-fitted into the lock-target recess  60  of the lower split tubular body  54 . As a result, the reinforcing member  50  is attached, covering the intermediate portion of the shielded electric wire  12 . Thereafter, both ends of the reinforcing member  50  in the lengthwise direction thereof are fixed to the shielded electric wire  12 , using a binding member  62  such as a piece of binding tape. 
     The waterproofing agent  38  does not solidify and maintains its fluidity during the manufacture of the wire harness  10 . Therefore, in the shield member exposed portion  30 , the applied waterproofing agent  38  permeates from the outer circumferential surface of the electromagnetic shield member  20  into the first gaps  42  between the thin metal wires in the electromagnetic shield member  20 . The waterproofing agent  38  further penetrates through the first gaps  42  in both directions in the lengthwise direction of the first gaps  42  forms the first waterproofing area  43  and the second waterproofing area  44  at the respective ends of the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34  on the shield member exposed portion  30  side. As a result, in the first waterproofing area  43  and the second waterproofing area  44 , the first gaps  42  in the electromagnetic shield member  20 , the second gap  46  between the electromagnetic shield member  20  and the first coated electric wire  16 , and the third gap  48  between the sheath  22  and the electromagnetic shield member  20  are filled with the waterproofing agent  38 . 
     Next, the shielded electric wire  12  is enclosed by the corrugated tube  14 , and both ends of the corrugated tube  14  in the lengthwise direction thereof are fixed to the shielded electric wire  12 , using a binding member (not shown). Finally, the grounding electric wire  18  and the electromagnetic shield member  20  are connected to each other at an end of the shielded electric wire  12  (on the left side in  FIG.  1   ). The wire harness  10  with this configuration is dried for a certain period of time, solidifying the waterproofing agent  38 . Thus, the wire harness  10  according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is complete. 
     In the wire harness  10  according to the present disclosure with this configuration, the shield member exposed portion  30  is provided in an intermediate portion, with respect to the first direction, of the shielded electric wire  12 , and a portion of the shield member exposed portion  30  is covered by the cover  36 . The waterproofing agent  38  is applied to the shield member exposed portion  30  when it is not covered by the cover  36 . Therefore, the amount of the waterproofing agent  38  that is to be applied to the shield member exposed portion  30  can be reduced by the amount corresponding to the area covered by the cover  36 . That is to say, the amount of the waterproofing agent  38  that permeates into the first waterproofing area  43  and the second waterproofing area  44  of the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34  can be controlled to an appropriate amount by controlling the size of the area covered by the cover  36 . As a result, the waterproofing agent  38  that has permeated through the first waterproofing area  43  and the second waterproofing area  44  can be dried at an early stage. That is to say, the waterproofing agent  38  can be prevented from permeating into the sheath  22 , and from being hindered from drying in the areas where the waterproofing agent  38  is in tight contact with the inner circumferential surface of the sheath  22  and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating  26  (the first waterproofing area  43  and the second waterproofing area  44 ). As a result of the waterproofing agent  38  being dried as desired, a state in which the waterproofing agent  38  is in tight contact with the inner circumferential surface of the sheath  22  and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating  26  is desirably maintained in the areas where the waterproofing agent  38  is in tight contact with the inner circumferential surface of the sheath  22  and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating  26  (the first waterproofing area  43  and the second waterproofing area  44 ). Therefore, it is possible to improve the waterproofing performance of the waterproofing agent  38 , and stably form a wire harness  10  with the desired waterproofing performance. Also, it is possible to prevent the waterproofing agent  38  from being excessively applied to the shield member exposed portion  30 , and therefore it is possible to realize desirable drying of the waterproofing agent  38  in the first waterproofing area  43  and the second waterproofing area  44  at an early stage. In addition, since it is possible to realize drying of the waterproofing agent  38  at an early stage, it is also possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of the wire harness  10 . 
     Furthermore, the cover  36  is located between the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34  in the first direction of the cover  36 , and therefore the waterproofing agent  38  can be distributed to both the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34 . In addition, the waterproofing agent  38  is in tight contact with the inner circumferential surface of the first split sheath portion  32  and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating  26 , and therefore water can be stopped on the first split sheath portion  32  side. The waterproofing agent  38  may also be in tight contact with the inner circumferential surface of the second split sheath portion  34  and the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating  26  in the second split sheath portion  34  in order to realize waterproofing. The amount of the waterproofing agent  38  that permeates into the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34  can be controlled to an appropriate amount by controlling the size of the area covered by the cover  36 . As a result, it is possible to prevent the waterproofing agent  38  that has permeated into the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34  from being hindered from drying, and it is possible to reliably improve the waterproofing performance as desired. 
     In the present embodiment, the reinforcing member  50  is made of a synthetic resin that is more rigid than the shielded electric wire  12 . Therefore, the rigidity of the shielded electric wire  12  is improved by the reinforcing member  50 , and the shielded electric wire  12  can be prevented from being deformed and bent. In addition, the reinforcing member  50  extends over the entire lengths of the first split sheath portion  32 , the shield member exposed portion  30 , and the second split sheath portion  34 . That is to say, the reinforcing member  50  prevents the entire permeation area, through which the waterproofing agent  38  has permeated, from being deformed and bent. As a result, in the entire permeation area (the area in which the first waterproofing area  43 , the second waterproofing area  44 , and the electromagnetic shield member  20  are exposed to the outside), the solidified waterproofing agent  38  can be prevented from peeling off from the inner circumferential surface of the sheath  22 , the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating  26  of the first coated electric wire  16 , or the electromagnetic shield member  20 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first gaps  42 , the second gap  46 , and the third gap  48  from being formed again, and therefore it is possible to further improve the waterproofing property of the wire harness  10  according to the present disclosure. Moreover, the reinforcing member  50  is tubular. Therefore, it is also possible to eliminate the directionality of the portion on which the reinforcing member  50  is provided, for example, and improve the versatility of the reinforcing member  50 . 
     In addition, the reinforcing member  50  is provided directly along predetermined portions (the first split sheath portion  32 , the shield member exposed portion  30 , and the second split sheath portion  34 ) of the shielded electric wire  12 . As a result, it is possible to attach the reinforcing member  50  without being affected by the assembly tolerance of the corrugated tube  14  with respect to the shielded electric wire  12 . Therefore, it is possible to precisely position the reinforcing member  50  on the shielded electric wire  12 . Therefore, it is also possible to shorten the length of the reinforcing member  50  in the first direction of the shielded electric wire  12 . As a result, it is possible to prevent the flexibility of the wire harness  10  from being unnecessarily impaired by the reinforcing member compared to the case where the reinforcing member is provided outside of the corrugated tube  14 . Therefore, it is possible to improve workability when the wire harness  10  is connected to an onboard device (not shown), workability when the wire harness  10  is to be attached to a vehicle (not shown), workability when the wire harness  10  is to be routed, and so on. 
     Other Embodiments 
     The techniques described herein are not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings, and for example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the techniques described herein. 
     (1) In the above-described first embodiment, two portions of the sheath  22  that are separated from each other in the first direction are removed from the intermediate portion of the shielded electric wire  12  in the first direction, and the remaining portion of the sheath  22  between the two portions constitutes the cover  36 . However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. As in a wire harness  64  according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , in a shield member exposed portion  66 , a cover  68  may have a shape that can be spirally wound around the shield member exposed portion  66 . More specifically, the cover  68  is formed by spirally removing a portion of the sheath  22  from the intermediate portion of the shielded electric wire  12  in the first direction. The cover  68  has a spiral shape and is wound around the shield member exposed portion  66 , and therefore, in the shield member exposed portion  66 , the ratio of the portions of the electromagnetic shield member  20  exposed to the outside can be relatively uniform along its lengthwise direction. Therefore, the waterproofing agent  38  applied to the electromagnetic shield member  20  can also be uniform in the lengthwise direction of the electromagnetic shield member  20 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the waterproofing agent  38  from being hindered from drying as a result of the waterproofing agent  38  being nonuniformly retained. Note that, as shown in  FIG.  6   , in the wire harness  64  according to the second embodiment, the reinforcing member  50  and the corrugated tube  14  provided in the first embodiment are not provided. In this way, the reinforcing member  50  and the corrugated tube  14  are optional, and do not necessarily have to be provided in the above first embodiment and so on. 
     (2) In the above-described first embodiment, the reinforcing member  50  is provided inside the corrugated tube  14 . However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. As in a wire harness  70  according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure shown in  FIG.  7   , a reinforcing member  72  may be provided outside the corrugated tube  14  that serves as an exterior member. With such a configuration, the diameter of the corrugated tube  14  can be reduced compared to the case in which the reinforcing member is provided inside the corrugated tube  14 . Therefore, it is possible to downsize the wire harness  70 . Also, since the reinforcing member  72  is provided outside the corrugated tube  14 , it is easier for the operator to visually discern the portion where the reinforcing member  72  is not present and the corrugated tube  14  can be easily deformed and bent, and the portion where the reinforcing member  72  is present and the corrugated tube  14  cannot be easily deformed and bent. Therefore, it is possible to improve workability when the wire harness  70  is connected to an onboard device, workability when the wire harness  70  is attached to a vehicle, workability when the wire harness  70  is routed, and so on compared to the case in which the reinforcing member is provided inside the corrugated tube  14 . 
     (3) In the above-described second embodiment, the cover  68  has a shape that can be spirally wound around the shield member exposed portion  66 . However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. As with a shield member exposed portion  74  according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure shown in  FIG.  8   , covers  76  each having a cylindrical shape may be provided at four positions that are separated from each other in the lengthwise direction of the shield member exposed portion  66 . More specifically, these covers  76  are formed by removing portions of the sheath  22  at five positions that are separated from each other in the first direction of an intermediate portion in the first direction of the shielded electric wire  12 . In the fourth embodiment, in the shield member exposed portion  74 , the ratio of the portions of the electromagnetic shield member  20  exposed to the outside can be relatively uniform in the lengthwise direction thereof. Therefore, as in the above-described second and third embodiments, it is possible to prevent the waterproofing agent  38  from being hindered from drying as a result of the waterproofing agent  38  being nonuniformly retained. 
     (4) As in a shield member exposed portion  78  according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure shown in  FIG.  9   , covers  80  may be provided at four positions that are separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the shield member exposed portion  78  so that each cover  80  has a strip shape that extends in the lengthwise direction thereof. In the fifth embodiment, in the shield member exposed portion  78 , the ratio of the portions of the electromagnetic shield member  20  exposed to the outside can be relatively uniform in the lengthwise direction thereof. Therefore, as in the above-described second to fourth embodiments, it is possible to prevent the waterproofing agent  38  from being hindered from drying as a result of the waterproofing agent  38  being nonuniformly retained. Note that, regarding the configuration of the cover, any shape may be adopted as long as the cover is separated in the lengthwise direction or the circumferential direction of the shield member exposed portion. 
     (5) The piece of binding tape  40  wound around the shield member exposed portion  30  to which the waterproofing agent  38  has been applied and the ends of the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34  on the shield member exposed portion  30  side is optional, and does not necessarily have to be provided. Also, a piece of binding tape, a cable tie, or another well-known binding member may be used as the binding member  62  for fixing the reinforcing member  50  or  72  to the shielded electric wire  12  and the corrugated tube  14 . 
     (6) In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the covers  36 ,  68 ,  76 , and  80  are constituted by the sheath  22 , but they may also be constituted by a piece of binding tape such as vinyl tape, a cable tie such as a rubber band, or the like, instead of the sheath  22 . 
     (7) In the above-described first embodiment, the reinforcing member  50  extends over the entire lengths of the first split sheath portion  32 , the shield member exposed portion  30 , and the second split sheath portion  34 . However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The reinforcing member  50  may also be provided along only the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34 . With such a configuration, the reinforcing member  50  prevents the first waterproofing area  43  and the second waterproofing area  44  located on the two sides of the shield member exposed portion  30  from being deformed and bent. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the waterproofing agent  38  from peeling off from the inner circumferential surface of the sheath  22 , the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating  26  of the first coated electric wire  16 , or the electromagnetic shield member  20  due to the shielded electric wire  12  being deformed and bent, at two positions in the first direction of the shielded electric wire  12 . Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently improve the waterproofing property of the wire harness  10 . Note that any shape may be adopted for the reinforcing member  50  as long as the reinforcing member  50  can be provided along both the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34 . For example, the reinforcing member  50  may include two members that are respectively provided along the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34 , or one member that includes a portion that extends along both the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34  of the shielded electric wire  12 . 
     (8) In the above-described first embodiment, the reinforcing member  50  extends over the entire lengths of the first split sheath portion  32 , the shield member exposed portion  30 , and the second split sheath portion  34 . However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The reinforcing member  50  may also be provided along only one of the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34 . With this configuration, the reinforcing member  50  prevents only one of the first waterproofing area  43  and the second waterproofing area  44  from being deformed and bent. Therefore, the waterproofing agent  38  can be prevented from peeling off from the inner circumferential surface of the sheath  22 , the outer circumferential surface of the first insulating coating  26  of the first coated electric wire  16 , and the electromagnetic shield member  20  when the shielded electric wire  12  is deformed to be formed, only in one of the first waterproofing area  43  and the second waterproofing area  44 . Therefore, even in such a case, it is possible to realize the waterproofing performance of the wire harness  10 . Note that the reinforcing member  50  may have any shape as long as the reinforcing member  50  can be provided along at least one of the first split sheath portion  32  and the second split sheath portion  34 , and any shape such as a plate shape, a rod shape, a square tube shape, or the like can be adopted. Also, in the above-described first embodiment, the reinforcing member  50  may have any shape as long as the reinforcing member  50  can prevent the shielded electric wire  12  from being deformed and bent, and any shape such as a plate shape, a rod shape, a square tube shape, or the like can be adopted. For example, it is possible to provide a reinforcing member that has a plate shape or a rod shape only on the side where the shielded electric wire  12  may be deformed and bent. Note that the first split sheath portion may be provided on the front side or the rear side with respect to the shield member exposed portion. That is to say, one side with respect to the shield member exposed portion is not limited to the front side of the shield member exposed portion. 
     (9) In the above-described first embodiment, the reinforcing member  50  is made of a synthetic resin that is more rigid than the shielded electric wire  12 . However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and a metal reinforcing member that is more rigid than the shielded electric wire  12  may be adopted. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               10  Wire Harness (First Embodiment) 
               12  Shielded Electric Wire 
               14  Corrugated Tube (Exterior Member) 
               16  First Coated Electric Wire 
               18  Grounding Electric Wire 
               20  Electromagnetic Shield Member 
               22  Sheath 
               24  First Core Electric Wire (Core Wire) 
               26  First Insulating Coating 
               30  Shield Member Exposed Portion 
               32  First Split Sheath Portion 
               34  Second Split Sheath Portion 
               36  Cover 
               38  Waterproofing Agent 
               40  Binding Tape 
               42  First Gaps 
               43  First Waterproofing Area (Waterproofing Area) 
               44  Second Waterproofing Area (Waterproofing Area) 
               46  Second Gap 
               48  Third Gap 
               50  Reinforcing Member 
               52  Upper Split Tubular body (Split Tubular body) 
               54  Lower Split Tubular body (Split Tubular body) 
               56  Hinge Portion 
               58  Locking Protrusion 
               60  Lock-target Recess 
               62  Binding Member 
               64  Wire Harness (Second Embodiment) 
               66  Shield Member Exposed Portion 
               68  Cover 
               70  Wire Harness (Third Embodiment) 
               72  Reinforcing Member 
               74  Shield Member Exposed Portion (Fourth Embodiment) 
               76  Cover 
               78  Shield Member Exposed Portion (Fifth Embodiment) 
               80  Cover