Patent Publication Number: US-2022214003-A1

Title: Corrugated-tube protective member

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is based on, and claims priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-001218, filed on Jan. 7, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a corrugated-tube protective member. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventionally, a corrugated-tube protective member having a tubular shape configured to be arranged at an inner circumference of an end part of a corrugated tube and configured to insert an electric wire through a tubular portion as a main body is known (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-75946). A dividing portion dividing the tubular portion in a circumferential direction is provided at one portion in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion. 
     The dividing portion is provided with an engagement portion for holding the divided surfaces facing each other in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion. The engagement portion has a coupling recess as a locked part and a coupling projection as a locking part formed to be elastically deformable and configured to engage with the coupling recess. 
     In such a corrugated-tube protective member, an electric wire is arranged inside the tubular portion in a state where the tubular portion is divided in the circumferential direction at the dividing portion. The tubular shape of the tubular portion is held by engaging the coupling recess and the coupling projection in a state where the dividing surfaces facing each other in the circumferential direction are engaged, and the electric wire is inserted through the tubular portion. 
     SUMMARY 
     In the conventional corrugated-tube protective member, a dividing surfaces facing in the circumferential direction of the main body is formed linearly along a longitudinal direction of the main body in the dividing portion. An elastically deformable locking part is largely exposed to the dividing surface, which is linearly divided. 
     Therefore, when the main body is circumferentially divided by the dividing portion, an external force may be applied to the locking part, such as interference of the locking part with a peripheral member. When an external force is applied to the locking part, deformation or damage may occur to the, locking part, and the engagement at the engagement portion may become unstable. 
     One or more aspects of the present disclosure are directed to providing a corrugated-tube protective member configured to stabilize the engagement at an engagement portion. 
     A corrugated-tube protective member according to one or more embodiments includes a main body with a tubular shape configured to be arranged at an inner circumference of an end part of a corrugated tube and configured to insert an electric wire through the main body. At least one portion in a circumferential direction of the main body is provided with a dividing portion dividing the main body in the circumferential direction. The dividing portion is provided with an engagement portion, the engagement portion being a portion configured to hold a first dividing surface and a second dividing surface facing each other in circumferential direction of the main body in an engaged state. The engagement portion comprises a locked part and a locking part formed to be elastically deformed and configured to engage with the locked part. The first dividing surface includes at least a first top part protruding toward the second dividing surface side. The second dividing surface includes a second bottom part indented to an opposite side of the first dividing surface and configured to engage with the first top part. The locked part is formed on the first top part. The locking part is formed on the second bottom part. 
     In some embodiments, the first dividing surface may further include a pair of first bottom parts arranged on both sides of the first top part and indented to an opposite side of the second dividing surface. The second dividing surface may further include a pair of second top parts arranged on both sides of the second bottom part and protruding toward the first dividing surface side and is configured to engage with the pair of first bottom parts. A tip of the locking part on the first-dividing-surface side may be formed to be on the second-bottom-part side relative to a tip of the pair of second top parts. 
     In some embodiments, the first top part, the pair of first bottom parts, the second bottom part, and the pair of second top parts may be formed of curved surfaces. 
     In some embodiments, the first top part and the pair of first bottom parts may be connected by a pair of first inclined surfaces inclined in a symmetrical shape and the second bottom part and the pair of second top parts may be connected by a pair of second inclined surfaces configured to engage with the pair of first inclined surfaces. 
     According to the above configuration, a corrugated-tube protective member configured to stabilize the engagement at the engagement portion is provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a corrugated-tube protective member according to one or more embodiments in a state the corrugated-tube protective member is attached to a corrugated tube; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the corrugated-tube protective member according to one or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the corrugated-tube protective member according to one or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed view of the corrugated-tube protective member according to the present embodiment; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the corrugated-tube protective member according to one or more embodiments in a state an electric wire is exposed from the corrugated-tube protective member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Hereinafter, the corrugated-tube protective member according to one or more embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The dimensional ratio of the drawings is may differ from the actual ratio. 
     The corrugated-tube protective member  1  is provided with a main body  7  with a tubular shape configured to be arranged at an inner circumference of an end part of a corrugated tube  3  and configured to insert an electric wire  5  through the main body  7 . At least one portion in a circumferential direction of the main body  7  is provided with a dividing portion  9  dividing the main body  7  in the circumferential direction. 
     Further, the dividing portion  9  is provided with an engagement portion  15 , the engagement portion  15  being a portion configured to hold a first dividing surface  11  and a second dividing surface  13  facing each other in a circumferential direction of the main body  7  in an engaged state. The engagement portion  15  has a locked part  17  and a locking part  19  formed to be elastically deformed and configured to engage with the locked part  17 . 
     Further, the first dividing surface  11  includes at least a first top part  21  projecting toward the second dividing surface  13  side. The second dividing surface  13  includes a second bottom part  23  indented to an opposite side of the first dividing surface  11  and configured to engage with the first top part  21 . 
     The locked portion  17  is formed on the first top part  21 , and the locking part  19  is formed on the second bottom part  23 . The first dividing surface  11  further includes a pair of first bottom parts  25  arranged on both sides of the first top part  21  and indented to a side opposite to the second dividing surface  13 . Further, the second divided surface  13  further includes a pair of second top parts  27  arranged on both sides of the second bottom part  23  and protruding toward the first dividing surface  11  side and is configured to engage with the pair of first bottom parts  25 . 
     A tip of the locking part  19  on the first dividing surface  11  side is formed to be on the second bottom part  23  side relative to a tip of the pair of second top parts  27 . 
     The first top part  21 , the pair of first bottom parts  25 , the second bottom part  23 , and the pair of second top parts  27  are formed of curved surfaces. 
     Further, the first top part  21  and the pair of first bottom parts  25  are connected by a pair of first inclined surfaces  29  inclined in a symmetrical shape. The second bottom part  23  and the pair of second top parts  27  are connected by a pair of second inclined surfaces  31  configured to engage with the pair of first inclined surfaces  29 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the corrugated tube  3  has a plurality of ridge portions  33  disposed along a longitudinal direction. The corrugated tube  3  is flexible. The corrugated tube  3  prevent interference between an electric wire  5  (see  FIG. 5 ) and a peripheral member in a state that the electric wire  5  for electrically connecting a power source and an apparatus mounted on a vehicle is inserted through the corrugated tube  3 , for example. 
     In the corrugated tube  3 , a slit (not illustrated) into which an electric wire  5  can be inserted is formed along the longitudinal direction of the corrugated tube  3 . By forming the slit as described above, the corrugated tube  3  can be attached to an intermediate portion of the electric wire  5  even in a state the electric wire  5  is routed in a vehicle. In some embodiments, the corrugated tube  3  may not be provided with a slit. 
     When an external force is applied to the corrugated tube  3  from the outside in the radial direction, the corrugated tube  3  may be deformed so as to collapse toward the inside. In particular, if deformation occurs at the end part of the corrugated tube  3 , the corrugated tube  3  may not be attached to a mounting member (not illustrated) such as a protector on which the electric wire  5  is routed. Therefore, the corrugated-tube protective member  1  is arranged at the inner circumference of the end part of the corrugated tube  3 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the corrugated-tube protective member  1  is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin having rigidity higher than rigidity of the corrugated tube  3 . The corrugated-tube protective member  1  includes a main body  7 , a rib  35 , and a stopper  37 . 
     The main body  7  is formed into a tubular shape having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the corrugated tube  3  and configured to be inserted into the corrugated tube  3 . The main body  7  is divided in the circumferential direction at one dividing portion  9  in the circumferential direction so as to have a first dividing surface  11  and a second dividing surface  13  opposed to each other in the circumferential direction. In the main body  7 , a part opposed to the dividing portion  9  in the radial direction is connected via a hinge  39  so as the main body  7  to open and close. 
     By providing the dividing portion  9  to the main body  7  as described above, the corrugated-tube protective member  1  can be attached to the intermediate portion of the electric wire  5  even in a state the electric wire  5  is routed in the vehicle. The main body  7  is held in a state where the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13  of the dividing portion  9  is engaged through the engagement portion  15 . The rib  35  and the stopper  37  are provided on the outer circumference of the main body  7 . 
     The rib  35  is provided on the outer circumference of the main body  7  continuous in the circumferential direction of the main body  7  and protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the main body  7  toward the outside. The rib  9  and the main body  7  are formed as a single member being continuous with each other. An outer diameter of the rib  35  is set smaller than the outer diameter of the ridge portion  33  of the corrugated tube  3 . The rib  35  is disposed inside the ridge portion  33  in a state the main body  7  is inserted into the inner circumference of the end part of the corrugated tube  3 . 
     The surface of the rib  35  in the direction of removal of the main body  7  with respect to the corrugated tube  3  (a left side surface of the rib  35  illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) is a contacted surface  41  formed substantially perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface of the main body  7 . The contacted surface  41  is configured to engage with an inner surface facing the contacted surface  41  on the inner circumference of the ridge portion  33  inside the ridge portion  33 . 
     The main body  7  is prevented from coming off the corrugated tube  3  by the engagement of the rib  35  and the ridge portion  33 . A plurality of ribs  35  (three ribs in this embodiment) are provided along the longitudinal direction of the main body  7 . By providing a plurality of ribs  35  as described above, a plurality of engagement portions between the ribs  35  and the ridge portions  33  can be obtained, and the corrugated-tube protective member  1  can be stably held on the corrugated tube  3 . 
     The surface of the rib  35  in the insertion direction of the main body  7  into the corrugated tube  3  (a right side surface of the rib  35  illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) is an inclined surface  43  inclined upward from the front side in the insertion direction toward the rear side in the insertion direction with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the main body  7 . That is, the inclined surface  43  is inclined so as to increase the outer diameter of the corrugated-tube protective member  1  from the front side toward the rear side in the insertion direction. By providing the inclined surface  43  on the rib  35  as described above, the main body  7  can be stably inserted into the corrugated tube  3 , and the assemblability of the corrugated-tube protective member  1  to the corrugated tube  3  can be improved. 
     The stopper  37  is provided on the outer circumference of the end part of the main body  7  continuous in the circumferential direction of the main body  7  and protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the main body  7  toward the outside. The stopper  11  and the main body  7  are formed as a single member being continuous with each other. An outer diameter of the stopper  37  is set equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the ridge portion  33  of the corrugated tube  3 . In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the stopper  37  may be set equal to the outer diameter of the ridge portion  33  of the corrugated tube  3 . The stopper  37  is exposed from the corrugated tube  3  in a state that the main body  7  is inserted into the inner circumference of the end part of the corrugated tube  3 , and is arranged to face the end surface in the longitudinal direction of the corrugated tube  3 . 
     By arranging the stopper  37  in a manner described above, the stopper  37  abuts the end surface of the corrugated tube  3 , when the main body  7  is to be excessively inserted into the corrugated tube  3 . The main body  7  can be prevented from being excessively inserted into the corrugated tube  3  by abutting the stopper  37  with the end face of the corrugated tube  3 . 
     In a corrugated-tube protective member  1  of one or more embodiments, the engaged state of the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13  is configured to be hold by the engagement portion  15 . The engagement portion  15  includes a locked part  17  provided formed on the first divided surface  11  side and a locking part  19  provided on the second divided surface  13  side. 
     The locked part  17  is formed protrudes outwardly from the outer surface of the main body  7  on the first divided surface  11  side. The locked part  17  and the main body  7  are formed as a single member being continuous with each other. The surface of the locked part  17  on the second divided surface  13  side is an inclined surface, and the surface on the first divided surface  11  side is a contacting surface, the contacting surface formed vertically from the outer surface of the main body  7 . 
     The locking part  19  is formed to be elastically deformable on the of the second dividing surface  13  side, and extends in a frame-like shape configured to engage with the locked portion  17  toward the first divided surface  11  side. The locking part  19  and the main body  7  are formed as a single member being continuous with each other. When closing the main body  7  in a manner that the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13  are in a process of engaging each other, the locking part  19  slides onto the inclined surface of the locked part  17  and the locking part  19  is elastically deformed. 
     When the main body  7  is closed in a manner that the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13  engage each other, the locking part  19  is restored from the elastic deformation and engaged with the contacting surface of the locked part  17 . By the engagement of the locked part  17  and the locking pat  19 , the state in which the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13  engage each other, that is, the state in which the main body  7  is closed and the main body  7  is in an annular state is retained. 
     Here, for example, when the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13  are formed linearly along the longitudinal direction of the main body  7 , the exposure amount of the locking part  19  from the second dividing surface  13  increases in order to be engaged with the locked part  17  positioned on the side of the first dividing surface  11 . When the exposure of the locking part  19 , which is elastically deformable, is large, a possibility that an external force is applied to the locking part  19  increases, and the locking part  19  may interfere with a peripheral member in a state where the main body  7  is opened. When an external force is applied to the locking part  19 , deformation or damage may occur to the locking part  19 , and engagement in the engagement portion  15  may become unstable. 
     The first dividing surface  11  has the first top part  21 , the pair of first bottom parts  25 , and the pair of first inclined surfaces  29 . The second dividing surface  13  has the second bottom part  23 , the pair of second top parts  27 , and the pair of second inclined surfaces  31 . 
     The first top part  21  is disposed at a center portion in the longitudinal direction of the main body  7  on the first dividing surface  11 . The first top part  21  is formed as a single member being continuous with the main body  7  and protrudes toward the second dividing surface  13  side. A tip side of the first top part  21  is formed of a curved surface. 
     The pair of first bottom parts  25  are disposed on both sides of the first top part  21  with respect to the longitudinal direction of the main body  7  on the first dividing surface  11 . The pair of first bottom parts  25  are indented to the opposite side of the second dividing surface  13  in the main body  7 . Bottom sides of the pair of first bottom parts  25  are formed of curved surfaces. 
     The pair of first inclined surfaces  29  respectively connect the first top part  21  and the pair of first bottom parts  25  on the first dividing surface  11 . The pair of first inclined surfaces  29  are inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the main body  7  so as to form a symmetrical shape with the first top part  21  as a symmetry plane. 
     In such a first dividing surface  11 , the locked part  17  is formed on the first top part  21  protruding toward the second dividing surface  13  side. Therefore, in a state where the main body  7  is closed, since the locked part  17  is disposed adjacent on the second dividing surface  13  side, the amount of protrusion of the locking part  19  formed to be elastically deformable toward the first dividing surface  11  side can be reduced. 
     The second bottom part  23  is disposed at a center portion in the longitudinal direction of the main body  7  on the second dividing surface  13 . The second bottom part  23  is formed so as to be indented to the side opposite to the first dividing surface  11  with respect to the main body  7 , and is configured to be engaged with the first top part  21  in a state where the main body  7  is closed. A bottom side of the second bottom part  23  is formed of a curved surface. 
     The pair of second top parts  27  are disposed on both sides of the second bottom part  23  with respect to the longitudinal direction of the main body  7  on the second dividing surface  13 . The pair of second top parts  27  are formed as a single member being continuous with the main body  7  and protrudes toward the first dividing surface  11  side, and is configured to be engaged with the pair of first bottom parts  25  in a state where the main body  7  is closed. Tips of the pair of second top parts  27  are formed of curved surfaces. 
     The pair of second inclined surfaces  31  respectively connect the second bottom part  23  and the pair of second top parts  27  on the second dividing surface  13 . The pair of second inclined surfaces  31  are inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the main body  7  so as to form a symmetrical shape with the second bottom part  23  as a symmetry plane, and is configured to be engaged with the pair of first inclined surfaces  29  in a state where the main body  7  is closed. 
     In such a second dividing surface  13 , the locking part  19  is formed on the second bottom part  23  at a position retreat from the first dividing surface  11  side. Therefore, in a state that the main body  7  is opened, the exposure amount of the locking part  19  reduces, and the application of external force to the locking part  19  can be prevented. 
     The tip of the locking part  19  on the first dividing surface  11  side is formed to be on the second bottom part  23  side relative to the tip of the pair of second top parts  27 . Therefore, the locking part  19  is in a state where the main body  7  is arranged around the locking part  19  and does not expose from the pair of second top parts  27 , and the locking part  19  can be further protected. 
     If the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13  are formed linearly, there is a possibility that the electric wire  5  gets on the first dividing surface  11  or the second dividing surface  13 , and there is a possibility that the electric wire  5  gets caught when the main body  7  is closed. 
     The first dividing surface  11  has a first top part  21 , and the second dividing surface  13  has a second bottom part  23 . That is, the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13  are not linearly formed. Therefore, even if the electric wire  5  gets on the first dividing surface  11  or the second dividing surface  13 , the electric wire  5  returns to the inner side of the main body  7  or, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the electric wire  5  comes out to the outside of the main body  7  and can be visually checked. By forming the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13  in this manner, the electric wire  5  is prevented from getting on the first dividing surface  11  or the second dividing surface  13 , and to prevent the electric wire  5  from being caught when the main body  7  is closed. 
     Here, if the first top part  21 , the pair of first bottom parts  25 , the second bottom part  23 , and the pair of second top parts  27  are formed linearly or sharply, there is a possibility that the electric wire  5  is caught on the linear surface or on the sharp portion. 
     In the one or more embodiments, the first top part  21 , the pair of first bottom parts  25 , the second bottom part  23 , and the pair of second top parts  27  are formed of curved surfaces. Therefore, the electric wire  5  is prevented from getting on or from being caught on the first top part  21 , the pair of the first bottom parts  25 , the second bottom part  23 , and the pair of the second top parts  27 . 
     Here, if surfaces corresponding to the pair of first inclined surfaces  29  and the pair of second inclined surfaces  31  are formed perpendicular to the first top part  21  and the second bottom part  23 , there is a possibility that the electric wire  5  stays on the perpendicular surface. 
     In the one or more embodiments, the first top part  21  and the pair of first bottom parts  25  are connected by the pair of first inclined surfaces  29  inclined symmetrically. The second bottom part  23  and the pair of second top parts  27  are connected by the pair of second inclined surfaces  31  configured to engage with the pair of first inclined surfaces  29 . Therefore, the electric wire  5  can be prevented from remaining on the pair of first inclined surfaces  29  and the pair of second inclined surfaces  31 , and the electric wire  5  can be prevented from being caught. 
     In the corrugated-tube protective member  1 , the locked portion  17  is formed on the first top part  21 , and the locking portion  19  is formed on the second bottom part  23 . Therefore, in a state where the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13  engage each other, since the locked portion  17  is disposed adjacent on the second dividing surface  13  side, the amount of protrusion of the locking part  19  toward the first dividing surface  11  side can be reduced. In addition, in the state where the second dividing surface  13  is opened, the locking part  19 , which is elastically deformable, is arranged at the retracted position of the second dividing surface  13 , so that the exposure amount of the locking part  19  can be reduced, and the application of external force to the locking part  19  can be prevented. 
     Accordingly, in the corrugated-tube protective member  1 , deformation and damage of the locking part  19 , which is elastically deformable, can be prevented, and engagement of the engagement portion  15  can be stabilized. 
     The first dividing surface  11  has the first top part  21 , and the second dividing surface  13  has the second bottom portion  23 . Therefore, the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13  are not formed linearly, and the electric wire  5  can hardly get on the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13 , and the electric wire  5  can be prevented from being caught between the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13 . 
     Further, the tip of the locking part  19  on the first dividing surface  11  side is formed to be on the second bottom portion  23  side relative to a tip of the pair of second top parts  27 . Therefore, the locking part  19  is not exposed from the pair of second top parts  27 . Therefore, when the second dividing surface  13  is opened, the main body  7  is arranged around the locking part  19 , and the locking part  19  can be further protected. 
     The first top part  21 , the pair of first bottom parts  25 , the second bottom part  23 , and the pair of second top parts  27  are formed by curved surfaces. Therefore, the electric wire  5  is prevented from getting on or from being caught on the first top part  21 , the pair of first bottom parts  25 , the second bottom part  23 , and the pair of second top parts  27 , and to prevent the electric wire  5  from being caught between the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13 . 
     Further, the first top part  21  and the pair of first bottom parts  25  are connected by the pair of first inclined surfaces  29  inclined symmetrically. The second bottom part  23  and the pair of second top parts  27  are connected by the pair of second inclined surfaces  31  configured to engage with the pair of first inclined surfaces  29 . Therefore, the electric wire  5  can be prevented from remaining on the pair of first inclined surfaces  29  or the pair of second inclined surfaces  31 , and the electric wire  5  can be prevented from being caught between the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13 . 
     Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. 
     For example, in the present embodiment, one dividing portion  9  is provided in the circumferential direction of the main body  7 , but the present invention is not limited thereto, and two or more dividing portions may be provided in the circumferential direction of the main body. 
     In this case, an engagement portion may be provided in each of the dividing portions. In addition, a plurality of engagement portions may be provided for one dividing portion. 
     Although the first top part  21  and the second bottom part  23  are provided with one each for the first dividing surface  11  and the second dividing surface  13 , the first top part and the second bottom part may be provided with two or more each for the first dividing surface and the second dividing surface. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.