Patent Publication Number: US-7211733-B2

Title: Electric wire, electric wire connection method and wire harness

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates to a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   In a conventional ordinary method of connecting a branch wire to a main wire, first, a distal end  100   a  of the branch wire  100  is exposed, and a cut  102  is formed in a sheath  101   a  at a connecting region of the main wire  101  as shown in  FIG. 11(A) . 
   Then, as shown in  FIG. 11(B) , the sheath  101   a  of the main wire  101  is shifted a distance of about 20 mm to about 30 mm, thereby exposing a connecting portion  103 , and the distal end  100   a  of the branch wire  100  is connected to the connecting portion  103  by soldering or press-clamping. 
   In this case, the position in which the cut  102  is to be formed in the main wire  101  need to be determined by measuring the length each time this operation is effected, and this is cumbersome. 
   Therefore, it has now been brought into practice to provide a mark on the wire connecting region (see, for example, JP-A-2002-109976 (Pages 3 and 4, FIG. 2)). 
   For example, in the case of connecting another wire by press-contacting to a desired wire among a plurality of wires packed into a bundle, a marking, indicative of the wire to be subjected to the press-contacting and also of a press-contacting position, is provided on the press-contacting portion or its vicinity, and the above another wire is connected by press-contacting to this wire. 
   By doing so, an error in selecting the wire to be connected can be prevented, and also the connection can be effected at the predetermined position, so that the efficiency of the operation can be improved. 
   In the above-mentioned technique, however, merely the connecting region at the wire is indicated, and therefore a connection form and others such as an operation form can not be indicated, and each time the operation is carried out, the operation need to be effected while confirming a manual, and this is cumbersome. 
   DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention has been made in view of the above problem, and its object is to provide a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness, in which a proper operation can be carried out while easily recognizing the contents of the operation to be applied to the wire. 
   (1) In order to achieve the above object, a wire of the present invention has an indicating member which indicates an operation region, and is provided on a covering sheath, and the indicating member includes a first marking and a second marking which are provided at a predetermined interval along a longitudinal direction of the covering sheath, and the first marking indicates an operation position, and the second marking indicates an operation form. 
   (2) Further, preferably, the first marking of the wire of the above (1) indicates the operation position lying between the first marking and the second marking. 
   When the wire is constructed as in the above (1) or the above (2), for example, an operation whose operation form is indicated by the second marking is carried out at the region between the first marking and the second marking which are the indicating member provided on the covering sheath of the wire, and therefore the predetermined operation can be carried out errorlessly at the predetermined position without consulting a manual or the like. 
   (3) Further, preferably, the first marking of the wire, constructed as in the above (1) or the above (2) indicates a connecting position to which a branch wire is to be connected, and the second marking indicates the number of the branch wire and an installation direction thereof. 
   When the wire is constructed as in the above (3), at the region between the first and second markings provided on the covering sheath of the main wire to which the branch wire is to be connected, the branch wire whose number is indicated by the second marking is connected in the installation direction indicated by the second marking, and therefore a plurality of branch wires can be connected to the main wire at the predetermined position in the predetermined direction. 
   (4) Further, preferably, at least one of the first marking and the second marking of the wire, constructed as in any one of the above (1) to (3), is formed by a heat-sensitive paint. 
   In the wire constructed as in the above (4), at least one of the first marking and the second marking is formed by the heat-sensitive paint, and therefore when solder is used for connecting the branch wire to the main wire, the portion, formed by the heat-sensitive paint, is changed in color. Therefore, imperfect soldering, the omission of the soldering or the like can be easily detected. Here, the heat-sensitive paint means a paint which is changed in color upon application of heat of above a predetermined temperature. 
   (5) In order to achieve the above object, a wire connecting method of the present invention for connecting a second wire, serving as a branch wire, to a predetermined position of a first wire serving as a main wire comprising the steps of beforehand providing a first marking and a second marking at a predetermined interval along a longitudinal direction of a covering sheath of the first wire; connecting the second wire according to a connecting position which is indicated by the first marking, and lies between the first marking and the second marking; and installing the second wire according to a connection form indicated by the second marking. 
   In the wire connecting method constructed as in the above (5), the first marking and the second marking are beforehand provided on the covering sheath at the connection position of the first wire serving as the main wire to which the second wire (serving as the branch wire) is to be connected. Then, the second wire is connected to the first wire at the region between the first marking and the second marking. At this time, the connection is effected according to the connection form indicated by the second marking, and therefore the second wire can be connected in the predetermined form to the predetermined position of the first wire without consulting a manual or the like. 
   (6) In order to achieve the above object, a wire harness of the present invention is formed by the wire connecting method of the above (5). 
   In the wire harness of the above (6), the first marking and the second marking, indicating the connection form, are provided on the covering sheath at the connecting position of the first wire serving as the main wire, and therefore at the region between the first marking and the second marking of the first wire, the second wire (serving as the branch wire) is connected according to the connection form indicated by the second marking. Therefore, the second wire can be connected to the predetermined position of the first wire without consulting a manual or the like. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an explanatory view showing a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is view explanatory of a first marking and a second marking; 
       FIG. 3  is an explanatory view showing a condition in which a branch wire is connected to the wire; 
       FIG. 4  is an explanatory view showing a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an explanatory view showing a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B)  are explanatory views showing a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is an explanatory view showing a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B)  are explanatory views showing a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 9(A) to 9(D)  are examples of the first marking; 
       FIGS. 10(A) to 10(C)  are examples of the second marking; and 
       FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B)  are explanatory views showing a conventional ordinary wire connecting method. 
   

   In the drawings, reference numeral  10  denotes a wire (first wire),  11   a  covering sheath,  20 ,  21 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  and  26  a first marking (indicating member),  30 ,  31 ,  34 ,  35 ,  37  and  38  a second marking (indicating member),  40   a  branch wire (second wire), and  60   a  wire harness. 
   BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
   A wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 1  is an enlarged view of the first embodiment of the wire of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is an explanatory view showing the first embodiment of the wire connecting method of the present invention, and  FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a connecting portion. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , in the wire  10 A serving as a first wire according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a first marking  20  and a second marking  30  are provided on a covering sheath  11 , and are arranged at a predetermined interval. The first marking  20  indicates an operation position. More specifically, the first marking  20  indicates that the operation position lies between the first marking  20  and the second marking  30 , and this first marking has a portion  20   a  indicating one end limit of an operation range  12 . 
   On the other hand, the second marking  30  indicates the other end limit of the operation range  12 , and also indicates an operation form. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , two rings  30   a ,  30   a  are provided, and the ring  30   a  indicates that contents of the operation are the operation for connecting branch wires  40  which are second wires. At the same time, the provision of the two rings  30   a  indicates that the number of branch wires  40 A to be connected is two. 
   Therefore, in the wire connecting method of the present invention, the covering sheath  11  of the wire  10 A (which is the main wire) is cut within the operation range  12  lying between the first marking  20  and the second marking  30 , thereby providing an exposed portion  13  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   Distal ends  41  of the two branch wires  40 A are superposed on this exposed portion  13 , and for example, a terminal  52 , provided within a housing  51  of a joint connector  50 , is press-fastened, thereby connecting the wire  10 A and the branch wires  40 A together in a press-clamped manner. In this manner, the wire harness  60 A is formed. 
   As described above, in the above-mentioned wire, wire connecting method and wire harness, the operation whose operation form is indicated by the second marking  30  is carried out between the first marking  20  and the second marking  30  which are the indicating member provided on the covering sheath  11  of the wire  10 A, and therefore the predetermined operation can be carried out at the predetermined position without a mistake. 
   At this time, it is not necessary to see other materials such as a manual, and therefore the wire harness  60 A can be easily formed. 
   Next, a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the second embodiment of the wire of the present invention. 
   Those portions identical to those of the above-mentioned embodiment will be designated by identical reference numerals, respectively, and repeated explanation will be omitted. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , a plurality of (here, three) pairs of first markings  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c  and second markings  31   a ,  31   b ,  31   c  are provided on a covering sheath  11  of the wire  10 B of the second embodiment of the present invention. Each of the first markings  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c  indicates that an operation position lies between the first marking and the corresponding second marking  31   a ,  31   b ,  31   c , and also each first marking has a portion indicating one end limit of an operation range  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c.    
   The second markings  31   a ,  31   b ,  31   c  have respective described rings  32 , and therefore each operation form is a connecting operation. Two rings  32  are described only at the central marking  31   b , and therefore it will be appreciated that there are two branch wires  40 B to be connected. 
   At the same time, a mark  22 , described at the first marking  21 , corresponds to a mark  33  described at an end-adjacent portion of the branch wire  40 B which is to be connected relative to this first marking  21 . 
   For example, the mark  22   a  of the first marking  21   a  and the mark  33   a  of the branch wire  40 B (which correspond to the left connecting position) both have a right-upper oblique-line hatching pattern. At the central connecting position, the two marks  22   b  and  33   b  both have a right-lower oblique-line hatching pattern, and at the right connecting position, the two marks  22   c  and  33   c  both have a dotted pattern. 
   The wire connecting method of the present invention for connecting the wire  10 B and the branch wires  40 B at each of the operation positions  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  is totally identical to the method described above for the first embodiment, and therefore explanation thereof is omitted. 
   As described above, in the above-mentioned wire, wire connecting method and wire harness, the operation is carried out according to the first markings  21  and the contents of the marks  32  described at the second markings  31 , and by doing so, the proper connecting operations can be carried out even in the case where the branch wires  40 B are connected respectively to the plurality of portions of the single wire  10 B. 
   At this time, the connecting operation is carried out in such a manner that the mark  22 , provided on each connecting portion of the wire  10 B, coincides with the mark  33  provided on the branch wire  40 B, and therefore a mistake can be prevented. And besides, it is not necessary to see other materials such as a manual, and therefore the wire harness  60 B can be easily formed. 
   Next, a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the wire according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
   Those portions identical to those of the above-mentioned embodiments will be designated by identical reference numerals, respectively, and repeated explanation will be omitted. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , a first marking  23  and a second marking  34  are provided on a covering sheath  11  of the wire  10 C of the third embodiment of the present invention. The first marking  23  has a hatching of a predetermined width, and indicates an operation range  12 . The second marking  34  consists of two arrows  34   a ,  34   a , and indicates that the number of branch wires (not shown) to be connected to the wire  10 C is two and that the branch wires should are installed from the right. Therefore, the branch wires are installed in the right direction from the hatching portion defining the operation range  12 . 
   The wire connecting method of connecting the wire  10 C and the branch wires together at the operation position  12  is totally identical to that described above for the first embodiment, and therefore explanation thereof is omitted. 
   As described above, in the above-mentioned wire, the wire connecting method and wire harness, the operation is carried out according to the contents described at the first and second markings  23  and  34 , and by doing so, the proper connecting operation can be carried out. 
   At this time, it is not necessary to see other materials such as a manual, and therefore the wire harness  60 C can be easily formed. 
   In the first to third embodiments, the wire  10   a ,  10 B,  10 C and the branch wire  40 A,  40 B are connected together by press-clamping, thermal welding or others, and as a protection form or a waterproofing form for the connected portions obtained after connecting these wires, the following four can be proposed. 
   1: To wind an adhesive tape on the connected portion 
   2: To wind an adhesive tape after soldering the connected portion 
   3: To cover the connected portion with a water stop material such as butyl rubber after soldering it and then to wind an adhesive tape 
   4: To wind an adhesive tape after covering the connected portion with a water stop material such as butyl rubber 
   By selecting the suitable color, pattern, thickness, length, etc., of the rings and arrows, the second markings  30 ,  31 ,  34  in the first to third embodiments can indicate the protection form for the above connected portion so as to indicate the operator of the operation form. 
   Also, the first marking and the second marking can be described by the use of a heat-sensitive paint. In this case, when the wire and the branch wire are joined together by soldering, the color of the heat-sensitive paint is changed by heat of the solder, and therefore the omission of the soldering and the imperfect soldering can be easily detected. 
   Next, a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.  FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B)  are enlarged views of the wire according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
   Those portions identical to those of the above-mentioned embodiments will be designated by identical reference numerals, respectively, and repeated explanation will be omitted. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6(A) , a first marking  24   a  and a second marking  24   b  are provided on a covering sheath  11  of the wire  10 D of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
   The first marking  24   a  is a ring-like mark, and a hatching portion  36   a  defines an operation range. 
   The second marking  24   b  consists of one arrow, and indicates that the number of the branch wire  40 D to be connected to the wire  10 D is one and that the branch wire is installed from the left. Therefore, the branch wire  40 D is installed in the left direction from the hatching portion  36   a  defining the operation range. The hatching  36   a  indicates a form of operation for effecting the joining by a press-contacting joint connector  53 . 
   On the other hand, a first marking  24   a ′ similar to the first marking  24   a  of the wire  10 D is provided on the branch wire  40 D, and a hatching  36   b  indicates a form of operation for effecting the joining by the press-contacting joint connector  53 . 
   Therefore, for connecting the wire  10 D and the branch wire  40 D together, the wire  10 D and the branch wire  40 D are arranged in such a manner that the operation range  12   a  of the wire  10 D and the operation range  12   b  of the branch wire  40 D are disposed in registry with each other as shown in  FIG. 6(A) . Then, the two  10 D,  40 D are joined by a press-contacting blade  54  of the press-contacting joint connector  53  as shown in  FIG. 6(B) . 
   Namely, the press-contacting blade  54  is secured to the two operation ranges  12   a  and  12   b.    
   As described above, in the above-mentioned wire, the wire connecting method and wire harness, the operation is carried out according to the contents described at the first marking  24   a  and the second marking  35   a , and by doing so, the proper connecting operation can be carried out. 
   At this time, it is not necessary to see other materials such as a manual, and therefore the wire harness  60 D can be easily formed. 
   Next, a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness, according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the fifth embodiment of the wire of the present invention. 
   Those portions identical to those of the above-mentioned embodiments will be designated by identical reference numerals, respectively, and repeated explanation will be omitted. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , a first marking  25  and a second marking  37  are provided on a covering sheath  11  of the wire  10 E of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The first marking  25  is a ring, and the second marking  37  has a shading pattern. 
   Therefore, a region, lying between the first marking  25  and the second marking  37 , defines an operation range  12 . The second marking  37  indicates an operation form, and the shading pattern indicates that there is the next operation. 
   As described above, in the above-mentioned wire, wire connecting method and wire harness, the operation is carried out according to the contents described at the first marking  25  and the second marking  37 , and by doing so, the proper connecting operation can be carried out. 
   At this time, it is not necessary to see other materials such as a manual, and therefore the wire harness  60 E can be easily formed. 
   Next, a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness, according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.  FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B)  are enlarged views of the sixth embodiment of the wire of the present invention. Those portions identical to those of the above-mentioned embodiments will be designated by identical reference numerals, respectively, and repeated explanation will be omitted. 
   As shown in  FIG. 8(A) , a first marking  26  and a second marking  38  are provided on a covering sheath  11  of the wire  10 F of the sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
   The first marking  26  is a ring-like mark, and the second marking  38  is lettering “D 50 ” indicating an operation form, and “D” indicates a waterproof treatment, and “ 50 ” indicates the kind of a waterproof plug. 
   Therefore, a grommet  70 , designated by “ 50 ”, is mounted on a region between the first marking  26  and the second marking  38  as shown in  FIG. 8(B) . 
   As described above, in the above-mentioned wire, the wire connecting method and wire harness, the operation is carried out according to the contents described at the first marking  26  and the second marking  38 , and by doing so, the proper connecting operation can be carried out. At this time, it is not necessary to see other materials such as a manual, and therefore the operation can be easily carried out. 
   The wires, the wire connecting methods and the wire harnesses of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments, and suitable changes, improvements and so on can be made. 
   For example, although the triangular mark shown in  FIG. 9(A)  and the ring-like mark shown in  FIG. 9(B)  have been illustrated as the signs of the first markings  20 ,  21 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 , the markings are not limited to these marks, and any other mark, such as a round shape shown in  FIG. 9(C)  and a square shape shown in  FIG. 9(D) , can be illustrated. 
   Also, as the signs of the second markings  30 ,  31 ,  34 ,  35 ,  37 ,  38 , a ring-like mark (shown in  FIG. 10(A) , varied in thickness and color, a broken-line ring and a dot-and-dash line ring shown respectively in  FIGS. 10(B) and 10(C)  and so on can be illustrated. Furthermore, a combination of various rings, lettering and so on can be used. 
   As described above, in the wires, the wire connecting methods and the wire harnesses of the present invention, the operation whose operation form is indicated by the second marking is carried out at the region indicated by the first marking (which is the indicating member) provided on the covering sheath of the wire, and therefore the predetermined operation can be carried out at the predetermined position without a mistake. 
   Although the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments, it will clear to those versed in the art that various changes and modifications can be added without departing from the spirits and scope of the present invention. 
   The present Application is based on Japanese Patent Application (Patent Application No. 2003-129161) filed on May 7, 2003, and its contents are incorporated herein as a reference. 
   INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
   The wire, the wire connecting method and the wire harness of the present invention are useful not only as a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness used in a vehicle such as an automobile but also as a wire, a wire connecting method and a wire harness used in various apparatuses.