Connector fixing structure and electrical connection box

Abstract

A connector fixing structure includes a connector having a main body portion and a locking portion provided on an outer surface of the main body portion, and a holder having a locked portion that is fitted with the locking portion, the main body portion having a first portion provided with the locking portion and a second portion provided so as to extend from the first portion toward a front side in a fitting direction, the holder having a first abutting portion that is provided so as to project from a surface thereof in a predetermined direction intersecting the fitting direction and faces the second portion in the predetermined direction, the first abutting portion abutting against the second portion when the second portion is inclined from a reference posture about the locking portion as a fulcrum in a manner having a component in a direction approaching the surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a connector fixing structure and an electrical connection box. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a fixing structure for securing a connector, which is disposed at the end of a wire harness, to a support. The connector fixing structure is, for example, disposed in an electrical connection box (also known as a "junction box") of an automobile.

[0003] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating the fixing structure of the connector in Patent Document 1. Figure 12 (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of connector 91. Figure 12 (b) shows the case where the connector 91 is fitted into the retainer 92 in this cross-section. In Patent Document 1, a generally cylindrical connector 91 is used. Figure 12 In (a), the left and right directions are the mating directions of the connector 91 relative to the retainer 92, with the left side being the front side of the mating direction and the right side being the rear side of the mating direction.

[0004] The connector 91 has a main body portion 911 and a locking portion 912. The locking portion 912 is integrally formed with the first surface 913 of the main body portion 911. A connection hole 914 opening to the rear side in the mating direction is formed in the main body portion 911, and a male connector (not shown) is inserted into the connection hole 914. The locking portion 912 is positioned further forward in the mating direction than the connection hole 914.

[0005] like Figure 12 As shown in (b), the retainer 92 has a lockable portion 921 and a reinforcing protrusion 93 that can engage with the locking portion 912. The lockable portion 921 and the reinforcing protrusion 93 protrude from the surface 922 of the retainer 92.

[0006] Furthermore, by inserting the locking portion 912 of the connector 91 from the rear to the front side in the mating direction into the locked portion 921 of the retainer 92, the connector 91 is fixed to the retainer 92. At this time, the front end portion 915 of the connector 91 in the mating direction abuts against and is supported by the support surface 931 of the reinforcing protrusion 93. The support surface 931 supports the external force applied to the connector 91, for example, via a wire harness (not shown). As a result, the possibility of the locked portion 921 breaking due to such external force can be reduced.

[0007] Existing technical documents

[0008] Patent documents

[0009] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-026281. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Solutions for solving technical problems

[0011] The connector fixing structure disclosed herein includes: a connector having a main body portion and a locking portion disposed on the outer surface of the main body portion; and a retainer having a locked portion on its surface that engages with the locking portion. The main body portion has a first portion on which the locking portion is disposed and a second portion extending forward from the first portion toward a mating direction. The retainer has a first abutting portion that protrudes from the surface along a predetermined direction intersecting the mating direction and faces the second portion in the predetermined direction. When the second portion tilts from a reference posture with a component having a direction closer to the surface, using the locking portion as a fulcrum, the first abutting portion abuts against the second portion. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the outline structure of the electrical connection box involved in the implementation method.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a front view of the connector involved in the implementation method.

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Sectional view III-III.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the connector involved in the implementation method, viewed from a downward angle.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the retainer involved in the implementation method.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a rear view of the retainer involved in the implementation method.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a top view of the retainer involved in the implementation method.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the connector fixing structure involved in the implementation method.

[0020] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 IX-IX sectional view.

[0021] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 XX sectional view.

[0022] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 XI-XI sectional view.

[0023] Figure 12 This diagram illustrates a previous technology.

[0024] Figure 13 The figure illustrates the technical problem of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] [The technical problem to be solved by this invention]

[0026] Figure 13 The figure illustrates the technical problem addressed by the present invention. Here, when the connector's fixing structure is installed inside a vehicle, vibrations continuously act on the connector's fixing structure due to the vehicle's movement, engine operation, etc. When the connector tilts due to such vibrations, the locking part of the connector and the locked part of the retainer may be damaged. Therefore, a technique to suppress connector tilting is needed.

[0027] As a connector, in addition to Figure 12 In addition to connector 91 shown in (a), sometimes, for example, is used Figure 13 (a) shows a connector 94. Moreover, the tilting of the connector 94 cannot be adequately suppressed in the technology of Patent Document 1.

[0028] The connector 94 has a main body portion 941 and a locking portion 942 that engages with the locking portion 921 of the retainer 92. The main body portion 941 has a first portion 943 on which the locking portion 942 is provided and a second portion 944 integrally formed with the front side of the first portion 943 in the engagement direction and whose width in a predetermined direction is smaller than that of the first portion 943. A connection hole 945 for inserting a male connector is formed in the first portion 943 in a state that opens to the rear side in the engagement direction.

[0029] like Figure 13 As shown in (b), the connector 94 is fixed to the retainer 92 by inserting the locking part 942 of the connector 94 from the rear to the front side in the mating direction into the locked part 921 of the retainer 92. At this time, the end part 946 of the connector 94 at the front side in the mating direction abuts against and is supported by the support surface 931 of the reinforcing protrusion 93.

[0030] Here, a gap d1a is created between the second portion 944 of the connector 94 and the surface 922 of the retainer 92. Consequently, compared to the locking portion 912 of the connector 91, the locking portion 942 is positioned further away from the support surface 931 in the mating direction. Therefore, when external forces such as vehicle vibration are applied to the connector 94, the end portion 946 slides on the support surface 931 in a predetermined direction, and the connector 94 tilts in the direction indicated by arrow AR1, which includes the mating direction and the predetermined direction. Moreover, due to the tilting of the connector 94, an external force is continuously applied to the locked portion 921, which may make the locked portion 921 prone to breakage. Thus, even if the support surface 931 abuts against and supports the end portion 946 of the connector 94, the tilting of the connector 94 cannot always be adequately reduced due to the shape of the connector 94.

[0031] In view of the above-mentioned technical problems, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a connector fixing structure that can more appropriately suppress connector tilting.

[0032] [The effects of the invention]

[0033] According to this disclosure, the tilting of the connector can be suppressed more appropriately.

[0034] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure]

[0035] The embodiments of this disclosure include at least the following as their main points.

[0036] (1) The connector fixing structure disclosed herein comprises: a connector having a main body portion and a locking portion disposed on the outer surface of the main body portion; and a retainer having a locked portion on its surface that engages with the locking portion, the main body portion having a first portion disposed on the locking portion and a second portion disposed extending forward from the first portion toward the engagement direction, the retainer having a first abutting portion that protrudes from the surface along a predetermined direction intersecting the engagement direction and faces the second portion in the predetermined direction, the first abutting portion abutting against the second portion when the second portion is tilted from a reference posture with a component having a direction closer to the surface, with the locking portion as a fulcrum.

[0037] According to the connector fixing structure disclosed herein, connector tilting can be suppressed by bringing the connector, which is tilted from a reference posture, abutting against a first abutting portion. In particular, the first abutting portion is opposite to the second part of the connector in a predetermined direction and abuts against the tilting connector in a predetermined direction; therefore, compared with conventional examples, connector tilting can be appropriately suppressed.

[0038] (2) Preferably, the first abutting portion does not abut against the second portion in the reference posture. This suppresses tilting of the connector and prevents unnecessary force from being applied to the locking portion and the locked portion when the connector is not tilting.

[0039] (3) Preferably, the first abutting portion has an inclined surface that is tilted such that the height of its protrusion from the surface increases as it moves toward the front of the mating direction. When the connector is tilted in a predetermined direction during mating, the abutting surface against the connector can reduce the tilt in the predetermined direction while guiding the connector along the mating direction. This prevents the connector from jamming during mating.

[0040] (4) Preferably, the retainer further comprises a pair of second abutment portions projecting from the surface along the predetermined direction, each pair of second abutment portions facing two sides of the connector in the width direction and abutting against the connector, which is inclined along the width direction with the locking portion as a fulcrum, the width direction being the direction intersecting both the mating direction and the predetermined direction. The tilting of the connector can be suppressed by abutting the connector, which tilts along the width direction, against the second abutment portions.

[0041] (5) The electrical connection box of the present disclosure comprises: a housing having a connector fixing structure as described in any one of (1) to (4); a relay mounted on the housing; and a thermistor having a first end connected to the relay and a second end connected to the housing.

[0042] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure]

[0043] Hereinafter, details of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Overall Structure of the Electrical Connection Box

[0045] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the outline structure of the electrical connection box 10 according to the embodiment. The electrical connection box 10 is a component that connects the battery of an automobile to multiple on-board devices, and is also called a junction box (JB). The electrical connection box 10 includes a housing 12 having a connector fixing structure 11 in one part, a relay 13 mounted on the housing 12, and a wiring harness 14.

[0046] The connector fixing structure 11 includes a connector 20 and a retainer 30 for fixing the connector 20. In this embodiment, the retainer 30 is formed on the outer wall 12a of the housing 12. Therefore, the connector 20 in this embodiment is a so-called housing-outer type connector that is fixed to the outer wall 12a of the housing 12. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example of the connector fixing structure 11 being provided in the housing 12 of the electrical connection box 10 is described, but the connector fixing structure 11 may also be provided in other structures (e.g., a battery, vehicle equipment).

[0047] Relay 13 is a component electrically connected between the battery and the vehicle equipment, controlling the on / off switching of electrical signals transmitted from the battery to the vehicle equipment. Wiring harness 14 is a wiring harness used to detect the temperature of relay 13. A thermistor (not shown) is mounted on a first end 14a on one side of wiring harness 14, and this thermistor is thermally connected to relay 13. A second end 14b on the other side of wiring harness 14 is electrically connected to connector 20. In this embodiment, connector 20 is a component used to electrically connect the wiring harness (not shown) to wiring harness 14.

[0048] Connector Structure

[0049] Reference Figures 2 to 4 The connector 20 of this embodiment will be described.

[0050] Figure 2 This is the front view of connector 20. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Sectional view III-III. Figure 4 Is it like this? Figure 3 The perspective view of connector 20 is shown from the locking part 22 side as indicated by arrow IV.

[0051] Connector 20 is a resin female connector disposed at the end of a wire harness (not shown). For example... Figure 2 As shown, the connector 20 has a main body portion 21, a locking portion 22, a first connecting portion 23, a second connecting portion 24, and a third connecting portion 25. The locking portion 22, the first connecting portion 23, the second connecting portion 24, and the third connecting portion 25 are integrally formed with the main body portion 21 (specifically, the second part 212 described later).

[0052] Here, the directions of connector 20 are defined. The direction in which connector 20 is fitted into retainer 30 is called the "fitting direction". The side in which connector 20 is fitted into retainer 30 is called the "front side" of the fitting direction, and the side in which connector 20 is pulled out of retainer 30 is called the "rear side" of the fitting direction. Figure 2The front side of the paper surface is the front side of the fitting direction. In addition, for the main body 21, the direction in which the locking part 22 and the third connecting part 25 are formed is called the "predetermined direction". With the main body 21 as the center, the side of the locking part 22 is called the "first side" of the predetermined direction, and the side of the third connecting part 25 is called the "second side" of the predetermined direction. Figure 2 The lower side is the first side of the predetermined direction. In addition, for the main body 21, the direction in which the first connecting part 23 and the second connecting part 24 are formed is called the "width direction". With the main body 21 as the center, the side of the first connecting part 23 is called the "first side" of the width direction, and the side of the second connecting part 24 is called the "second side" of the width direction. Figure 2 The left side is the first side in the width direction.

[0053] In this embodiment, the fitting direction, the predetermined direction, and the width direction are orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, the fitting direction, the predetermined direction, and the width direction only need to intersect each other; they do not necessarily have to be orthogonal. For example, the fitting direction, the predetermined direction, and the width direction can also intersect each other obliquely within a range of 70 degrees to 120 degrees.

[0054] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The main body 21 will be explained.

[0055] The main body 21 has a first portion 211 and a second portion 212. Both the first portion 211 and the second portion 212 are approximately cuboid portions having a dimension in a predetermined direction that is longer than that in the width direction. The second portion 212 is a portion that extends from the first portion 211 toward the front side in the fitting direction. The width of the first portion 211 in the predetermined direction is greater than the width of the second portion 212 in the predetermined direction, and the width of the first portion 211 in the width direction is greater than the width of the second portion 212 in the width direction.

[0056] A stepped portion 213 is formed at the boundary of the first part 211 and the second part 212 on the first side of the predetermined direction. That is, the second surface 215 of the second part 212 on the first side of the predetermined direction is located on the second side of the predetermined direction, which is closer to the first surface 214 of the first part 211 on the first side of the predetermined direction. The second end 14b of the wire harness 14 is provided on the front side of the fitting direction of the second part 212, which is the end surface 216. Figure 1 Terminals for electrical connection (illustration omitted).

[0057] The second part 212 has a pair of protrusions 26, 26. The pair of protrusions 26, 26 are respectively provided to protrude outward in the width direction from the first side and the second side of the second part 212. The protrusions 26 are members used to suppress the tilting of the connector 20 by abutting against the second abutment 34 described later when the connector 20 tilts.

[0058] A connection hole 217 with an opening to the rear in the mating direction is formed in the first part 211. A male connector (not shown) is inserted into the connection hole 217 in the mating direction, and the male connector is electrically connected to the second end 14b via the terminals of the connector 20.

[0059] Reference Figure 4 The locking part 22 will be explained.

[0060] The locking part 22 is provided protruding from the first surface 214 of the first part 211 in a predetermined direction. The locking part 22 has a pair of guide ribs 221, 221, a connecting part 222, and a locking protrusion 223.

[0061] A pair of guide ribs 221, 221 are members each having a generally L-shaped cross-section and extending in the mating direction. Each pair of guide ribs 221, 221 has an insertion portion 224 and a cover portion 225. The insertion portion 224 is a portion protruding from the first surface 214 of the first portion 211 toward a predetermined direction. The cover portion 225 is a portion protruding from the end of the insertion portion 224 on the predetermined direction toward the inside in the width direction. Each pair of guide ribs 221, 221 forms a groove 226. The groove 226 is a space surrounded by the first surface 214, the insertion portion 224, and the cover portion 225, and is a space for the insertion of the locking piece 321, described later.

[0062] The connecting portion 222 is the part that connects a pair of guide ribs 221, 221 in the width direction, and is respectively connected to the cover portion 225 on the first side in the width direction and the cover portion 225 on the second side in the width direction. A locking protrusion 223 is provided between the pair of guide ribs 221, 221, protruding from the first surface 214 towards the first side in a predetermined direction. The height of the locking protrusion 223 from the first surface 214 is lower than the height of the insertion portion 224 from the first surface 214. Therefore, as... Figure 2 As shown, the joint 222 and the cover 225 are located on the first side of the bicarding protrusion 223 in a predetermined direction.

[0063] Reference Figure 2 The first connecting part 23, the second connecting part 24 and the third connecting part 25 will be described.

[0064] Connector 20 is a connector that can be arranged in multiples and connected in a predetermined direction or a width direction. When multiple connectors 20 are arranged in the width direction, the first connecting portion 23 of connector 20 is connected to the second connecting portion 24 of the adjacent other connector 20. In addition, when multiple connectors 20 are arranged in the predetermined direction, the third connecting portion 25 of connector 20 is connected to the locking portion 22 of the adjacent other connector 20.

[0065] The first connecting portion 23 has a pair of guide ribs 231, 231 extending in the mating direction and a locking protrusion 232. Each of the guide ribs 231, 231 and the locking protrusion 232 protrudes from a side surface 218a on a first side in the width direction of the first portion 211. The pair of guide ribs 231, 231 forms a generally L-shaped cross-section through their respective portions protruding towards the first side in the width direction and portions protruding inward in a predetermined direction from their ends on the first side in the width direction. A pair of grooves 233, 233 are formed by the pair of guide ribs 231 and the side surface 218a.

[0066] The second connecting portion 24 has a pair of locking tabs 241, 241 and a locking protrusion 242 extending in the mating direction. Each of the locking tabs 241, 241 and the locking protrusion 242 protrudes from a side surface 218b on the second side of the width direction of the first portion 211. The pair of locking tabs 241, 241 form a generally L-shaped cross-section, allowing each of the pair of guide ribs 231, 231 to rotate 180 degrees, through portions protruding to the second side of the width direction and portions protruding outward in a predetermined direction from the ends on the second side of the width direction. The locking tab 241 has a shape corresponding to the groove 233 of the adjacent other connector 20. The locking protrusion 242 is a member for locking in the mating direction with the locking protrusions 232 of the other connector 20.

[0067] For example, by moving connector 20 from the rear side towards the front side in the mating direction and approaching another connector 20 adjacent in the width direction, a pair of locking tabs 241, 241 are inserted into a pair of slots 233 of the other connector 20. Furthermore, by elastically deforming the locking protrusion 232 of the other connector 20 in the width direction, the locking protrusion 242 passes over the locking protrusion 232 in the mating direction, thus locking the locking protrusion 242 against the locking protrusion 232 of the other connector 20. As a result, the second connecting portion 24 is connected to the first connecting portion 23 of the other connector 20. Moreover, the first connecting portion 23 and the second connecting portion 24 can be any shape capable of connecting to each other, and are not limited to the shape of this embodiment.

[0068] The third connecting portion 25 has a pair of locking tabs 251, 251 and a locking protrusion 252 extending in the mating direction. Each of the locking tabs 251, 251 and the locking protrusion 252 protrudes from a surface 219 on a predetermined second side of the first portion 211. The pair of locking tabs 251, 251 form a roughly L-shaped cross-section, allowing each of the pair of guide ribs 221, 221 to rotate 180 degrees, through portions protruding towards the predetermined second side and portions protruding outward in the width direction from their ends on the predetermined second side. The locking tab 251 has a shape corresponding to the groove 226 of the adjacent other connector 20. The locking protrusion 252 is a member for locking in the mating direction with the locking protrusions 223 of the other connectors 20.

[0069] For example, by moving connector 20 from the rear side toward the front side in the mating direction to approach another connector 20 adjacent in a predetermined direction, a pair of locking tabs 251, 251 are inserted into a pair of slots 226 of the other connector 20. Furthermore, by elastically deforming the locking protrusion 223 of the other connector 20 in the width direction, the locking protrusion 252 passes over the locking protrusion 223 in the mating direction, thereby locking the locking protrusion 252 against the locking protrusion 223 of the other connector 20. Thus, the third connecting portion 25 is connected to the locking portion 22 of the other connector 20. Moreover, the third connecting portion 25 can be any shape capable of connecting with the locking portion 22, and is not limited to the shape of this embodiment.

[0070] Structure of the retainer

[0071] Reference Figures 5 to 7 The retainer 30 of this embodiment will be described.

[0072] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional view of the retainer 30. Figure 6 This is a rear view of the retainer 30 viewed from the rear side in the fitting direction. Figure 7 This is a top view of the retainer 30 viewed from the second side of the predetermined direction.

[0073] The retainer 30 is a resin component used to secure the connector 20. The retainer 30 has a base 31, a locking portion 32, a first abutment portion 33, and a pair of second abutment portions 34, 34. In this embodiment, the base 31 of the retainer 30 is part of the housing 12, and the surface 31a of the base 31 is part of the outer wall 12a of the housing 12. The locking portion 32, the first abutment portion 33, and the pair of second abutment portions 34, 34 are integrally formed with the base 31, and each protrudes from the surface 31a in a predetermined direction to a second side.

[0074] The locking portion 32 is a component that engages with the locking portion 22 of the connector 20. The locking portion 32 has a pair of locking tabs 321, 321 extending in the engagement direction, a post portion 322, and a locking protrusion 323. The pair of locking tabs 321, 321 form an approximately L-shaped cross-section such that the pair of guide ribs 221, 221 can each rotate 180 degrees, through portions protruding to a second side in a predetermined direction and portions protruding outward in the width direction from the ends on the second side in the predetermined direction. The locking tab 321 has a shape corresponding to the groove portion 226 of the connector 20.

[0075] A post portion 322 is disposed between a pair of locking tabs 321, 321, and the strength of the locked portion 32 is increased by engaging the pair of locking tabs 321, 321 in the width direction. A locking protrusion 323 is a member for engaging with the locking protrusion 223 of the connector 20 in the mating direction. The locking protrusion 323 is provided to protrude from near the center of the post portion 322 in the mating direction towards a second side in a predetermined direction. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the end face 323a of the locking protrusion 323 on the second side of the predetermined direction is in the same position in the predetermined direction as the faces 324, 324 on the second side of the predetermined direction of the pair of locking pieces 321, 321 (or, the end face 323a is slightly closer to the second side of the predetermined direction than the faces 324, 324).

[0076] The first abutment portion 33 is a member that faces the second portion 212 of the connector 20 in a predetermined direction and is used to suppress the tilting of the connector 20 by abutting against the second surface 215 of the second portion 212 when the connector 20 tilts. The first abutment portion 33 has an abutment surface 331 and an inclined surface 332. Figure 7 As shown, the first abutting part 33 is provided on the front side of the locking part 32 in the engagement direction.

[0077] The abutment surface 331 is a surface parallel to the surface 31a. The abutment surface 331 is the surface that abuts against the second surface 215 when the connector 20 tilts. The inclined surface 332 is a surface in the first abutment portion 33 that is located on the rear side in the mating direction (i.e., on the rear side of the abutment surface 331 in the mating direction) and is inclined such that its height from the surface 31a increases as it moves from the rear side to the front side in the mating direction. The inclined surface 332 is the surface that guides the second portion 212 of the connector 20 when the connector 20 is fitted into the retainer 30.

[0078] A pair of second abutment portions 34, 34 are components that face the sides 218a, 218b and the pair of protrusions 26, 26 of the connector 20, respectively, and are used to suppress the tilting of the connector 20 by abutting against the sides 218a, 218b and the pair of protrusions 26, 26 when the connector 20 tilts. The pair of second abutment portions 34, 34 are also components used to guide the connector 20 when it is fitted into the retainer 30.

[0079] A pair of second abutment portions 34, 34 are plate-shaped components extending in the mating direction. Each second abutment portion 34 has an abutment surface 341, an inclined surface 342, and an upper end surface 343. The abutment surface 341 is a surface along the mating direction and a predetermined direction. The distance between the width of the pair of abutment surfaces 341, 341 is slightly greater than the width between the sides 218a, 218b of the connector 20 and the width between the pair of protrusions 26, 26, allowing the connector 20 to be inserted between the pair of abutment surfaces 341, 341.

[0080] The inclined surface 342 is a surface on the rear side in the mating direction and the inner side in the width direction, and it is inclined inward in the width direction as it moves from the rear side to the front side in the mating direction. The width distance between the pair of inclined surfaces 342, 342 gradually decreases as it moves from the rear side to the front side in the mating direction. Therefore, each of the pair of inclined surfaces 342, 342 is a surface that guides the second portion 212 of the connector 20 when the connector 20 is mated to the retainer 30. The upper end surface 343 is a surface on the second side of the second abutment portion 34 in a predetermined direction.

[0081] Here, refer to Figure 6 The heights of each part of the retainer 30 from the surface 31a are described below. The height h2 of the abutment surface 331 is higher than the height h1 of the pair of locking tabs 321, 321, and the height h3 of the upper end surface 343 is higher than the height h2 of the abutment surface 331 (h1 < h2 < h3). More specifically, the height h3 of the upper end surface 343 is approximately twice the height h2 of the abutment surface 331, and approximately 3.5 times the height h1 of the pair of locking tabs 321, 321 (h3 ≈ 2 × h2, h3 ≈ 3.5 × h1).

[0082] In this way, by making the height h3 of the upper end face 343 (i.e., the height of the second abutment portion 34) sufficiently (for example, more than twice) higher than the heights h1 and h2 of the locking piece 321 and the abutment surface 331, the abutment surface 341 can more easily and reliably abut against the connector 20 that tilts in the width direction, and the tilting of the connector 20 can be more appropriately suppressed.

[0083] like Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the pair of second abutting portions 34, 34 are separated from the first abutting portion 33 in the width direction. However, in order to improve the strength of the first abutting portion 33 and the second abutting portion 34, a connecting portion that joins the first abutting portion 33 and the second abutting portion 34 in the width direction may be further provided. In this case, it is preferable that the connecting portion is provided, for example, at a height lower than the height h2 of the abutting surface 331 to avoid the position where the connector 20 is engaged.

[0084] Structure of Connector Fixing Structure

[0085] Reference Figures 8 to 11 The connector fixing structure 11 according to this embodiment will be described. The connector fixing structure 11 includes a retainer 30 and a connector 20 that engages with the retainer 30.

[0086] Figure 8 From and Figure 5 A perspective view of the connector fixing structure 11 viewed from the same angle. Figure 9 yes Figure 8 IX-IX sectional view. Figure 9This indicates a cross-section including the width direction and the predetermined direction of the locking protrusion 323. Figure 10 yes Figure 9 XX sectional view. Figure 11 yes Figure 10 XI-XI sectional view.

[0087] First, the method of engagement between connector 20 and retainer 30 will be described. For example... Figure 9 As shown, by moving the locking portion 22 of the connector 20 from the rear side of the mating direction toward the front side near the locked portion 32 of the retainer 30, a pair of locking pieces 321, 321 are inserted into a pair of slots 226, 226.

[0088] Ideally, the connector 20 should be positioned straight towards the retainer 30 in the mating direction. However, in reality, due to the operator manually moving the connector 20 towards the retainer 30, the connector 20 sometimes tilts in the predetermined direction and width direction during mating. In this embodiment, when the connector 20 tilts towards the first side of the predetermined direction during mating, the inclined surface 332 of the first abutment portion 33 can abut against the connector 20 (e.g., the end of the end face 216 on the first side of the predetermined direction), reducing the tilt of the connector 20 in the predetermined direction while guiding the connector 20 in the mating direction. Furthermore, when the connector 20 tilts in the width direction during mating, the inclined surface 342 of the second abutment portion 34 can abut against the connector 20 (e.g., the end of the end face 216 on the outer side of the width direction), reducing the tilt of the connector 20 in the width direction while guiding it in the mating direction. Thus, by providing the inclined surfaces 332 and 342, the connector 20 can be prevented from jamming during mating.

[0089] Moreover, such as Figure 10 As shown, by elastically deforming the locking protrusion 323 of the retainer 30 in a predetermined direction, the locking protrusion 223 of the connector 20 passes over the locking protrusion 323 in the mating direction, thereby locking the locking protrusion 223 with the locking protrusion 323. Thus, the locking part 22 is fixed to the locked part 32 in a state where it is prevented from disengaging to the rearward side in the mating direction. Furthermore, when the connector 20 is mated with the retainer 30, the locking protrusions 223 and 323 can also be provided with a slight gap in the mating direction.

[0090] Here, the connector fixing structure 11 is configured as part of the vehicle's electrical connection box 10. Therefore, the connector fixing structure 11 is continuously subjected to vibration due to vehicle movement, engine driving, etc. During this vibration, the connector 20, which is fitted into the retainer 30, tilts with the locking part 22 as a fulcrum. For example, the connector 20... Figure 10 Arrow AR2 indicates tilting in a direction that includes both the engagement direction and the predetermined direction, or, as... Figure 9 and Figure 11 Arrow AR3 indicates tilting in a direction that includes both the width direction and the predetermined direction.

[0091] In particular, the connector 20 of this embodiment is prone to tilting significantly in the direction indicated by arrow AR2, with the locking part 22 as the fulcrum. This is because, for example, the second part 212 is shorter than the first part 211 in a predetermined direction, and a first gap d1 is left between the second part 212 and the surface 31a, and the locking part 22 is provided in the first part 211, and the connector 20 is cantilevered from the first part 211 toward the second part 212.

[0092] Furthermore, since the connector 20 has a shape where its dimension in the predetermined direction is longer than its width, it is prone to tilting significantly in the direction indicated by arrow AR3, with the locking part 22 as the fulcrum. Moreover, when, for example, the third connecting part 25 (or the first connecting part 23, the second connecting part 24) of the connector 20 is fitted into the retainer 30 with other connectors 20 connected to it, the center of gravity will move away from the locking part 22 by a corresponding amount due to the other connectors 20, making it even easier to tilt significantly.

[0093] When the connector 20 tilts, the locking part 22 and the locked part 32 undergo continuous and repeated elastic deformation, becoming fragile. Therefore, compared to the case where the connector 20 does not tilt at all, the locking part 22 and the locked part 32 may break prematurely. That is, the durability of the connector fixing structure 11 may be shortened. Therefore, in this embodiment, the tilting of the connector 20 is suppressed by providing the first abutting part 33 and a pair of second abutting parts 34, 34 within the range where the connector 20 tilts, and by having the tilting connector 20 abut against at least one of the first abutting part 33 and the pair of second abutting parts 34, 34.

[0094] The first abutment portion 33 and the pair of second abutment portions 34, 34 face the connector 20 in the reference posture with a predetermined gap d2, d3 (described later). Here, the "reference posture" of the connector 20 refers to the posture in which no external force is applied to the connector 20 fitted into the retainer 30 and the connector 20 does not tilt. Figures 8 to 11 Connector 20 is shown in the reference orientation.

[0095] Reference Figure 10 The positional relationship between the second portion 212 and the first abutment portion 33 in a reference posture will be described. With the connector 20 engaged in the retainer 30, the second portion 212 faces the surface 31a with a predetermined first gap d1 in a predetermined direction. Furthermore, at least a portion of the first abutment portion 33 (such as...) Figure 11 As shown, in this embodiment, most of the material (excluding a portion outside the width direction) is accommodated in the first gap d1.

[0096] Furthermore, the second surface 215 of the second portion 212 faces the abutment surface 331 of the first abutment portion 33 in a predetermined direction with a predetermined second gap d2. The second gap d2 is narrower than the first gap d1 (d2 < d1). In addition, the second gap d2 is narrower than the maximum amplitude of the connector 20 tilting from the reference posture to the first side in the predetermined direction when the first abutment portion 33 is not provided. Therefore, when the connector 20 tilts from the reference posture, the connector 20 abuts against the first abutment portion 33 during the tilting process. More specifically, the second surface 215 of the second portion 212 abuts against the abutment surface 331 of the first abutment portion 33 before the connector 20 swings completely to the maximum amplitude of the tilt.

[0097] When connector 20 swings to its maximum tilting amplitude, locking part 22 and locked part 32 undergo correspondingly large elastic deformation. First abutting part 33 stops the tilting of connector 20 (reduces the tilting amplitude) during its tilting process by abutting against second part 212. As a result, the degree of elastic deformation of locking part 22 and locked part 32 can be minimized, and the shortening of the durability of connector fixing structure 11 caused by tilting can be suppressed.

[0098] Furthermore, the first abutting portion 33 can also abut against the second portion 212 in a reference posture. In this case, the height h2 of the abutting surface 331 is equal to the first gap d1, and the second gap d2 disappears. That is, the first abutting portion 33 can also abut against the connector 20 in an untilted state from the beginning, thereby almost completely preventing the second portion 212 from swinging towards the surface 31a.

[0099] However, when the height h2 of the abutment surface 331 is designed to be equal to the first gap d1, the height h2 is sometimes slightly larger than the first gap d1 due to the tolerances of the connector 20 and the retainer 30. In this case, the second part 212, which is in the reference posture, rests on the first abutment part 33, resulting in the connector 20 always being tilted. As a result, the locking part 22 and the locked part 32 are always elastically deformed, which may shorten the durability of the connector fixing structure 11.

[0100] Furthermore, when the first abutting portion 33 initially abuts against the connector 20 in its stationary state, it may sometimes exert a force on the locking portion 22 and the locked portion 32, using the second portion 212 and the abutting portion of the first abutting portion 33 as fulcrums. In this case, compared to the case where the connector 20 tilts with the locking portion 22 as the fulcrum, the distance between the abutting portion of the second portion 212 and the first abutting portion 33 (fulcrum) and the locking portion 22 and the locked portion 32 (point of action) is greater, so it is possible that a greater force will be exerted on the locking portion 22 and the locked portion 32.

[0101] Therefore, in this embodiment, the height h2 of the abutment surface 331 is intentionally made lower than the first gap d1 (h2 < d1), and a second gap d2 is provided between the abutment surface 331 and the second surface 215. This suppresses tilting of the connector 20 and prevents unnecessary force from being applied to the locking part 22 and the locked part 32 when the connector 20 is not tilting.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by ensuring that the portion of the connector 20 in its reference posture outside the locking portion 22 does not contact the retainer 30, the fulcrum for tilting the connector 20 is limited to the locking portion 22. This prevents the locking portion 22 and the locked portion 32 from being subjected to greater forces due to an unexpected location becoming the fulcrum. Consequently, the shortening of the lifespan of the connector fixing structure 11 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0103] The first contact portion 33 and the second surface 215 face each other in a predetermined direction, and also contact the tilting connector 20 in a predetermined direction, thus... Figure 13 Compared to the example shown, this method can appropriately suppress the tilting of the connector 20. Furthermore, the first abutment portion 33 is positioned facing the second portion 212 in a predetermined direction at a location further rearward than the end face 216 in the mating direction, thus allowing for a further reduction in the connector fixing structure 11 in the mating direction. That is, the distance from the rearward side of the locking portion 32 in the mating direction to the frontward side of the first abutment portion 33 in the mating direction of the retainer 30 is shorter than the length of the connector 20 in the mating direction, preventing the locking portion 32 and the first abutment portion 33 from protruding from the connector 20 in the mating direction. Therefore, the tilting of the connector 20 can be suppressed by the retainer 30, and compared to the example using... Figure 13 Compared to the conventional retainer 92 shown, the connector fixing structure 11 can be miniaturized in the mating direction.

[0104] Reference Figure 9 and Figure 11 The positional relationship between the connector 20 in its reference posture and the pair of second abutment portions 34 will be explained. With the connector 20 engaged in the retainer 30, the upper end face 343 is located on a first side in a predetermined direction relative to the first connecting portion 23 and the second connecting portion 24. Furthermore, the side faces 218a and 218b, which are on the first side in a predetermined direction relative to the first connecting portion 23 and the second connecting portion 24, face the pair of abutment surfaces 341 and 341 respectively, with a predetermined third gap d3 in the width direction. The outer surfaces in the width direction of the pair of protrusions 26 and 26 provided on the second portion 212, namely the pair of protrusions 26a and 26a, also face the pair of abutment surfaces 341 and 341 respectively, with a predetermined third gap d3 in the width direction.

[0105] The third gap d3 is narrower than the maximum tilting amplitude of the connector 20 from its reference position towards the first or second side in the width direction when the pair of second abutment portions 34, 34 are not provided. Therefore, when the connector 20 tilts, the connector 20 abuts against the second abutment portion 34 during the tilting process. More specifically, before the connector 20 fully swings to its maximum tilting amplitude, at least one of the sides 218a, 218b and the pair of protruding surfaces 26a, 26a abuts against the abutment surface 341 of the second abutment portion 34. Thus, the pair of second abutment portions 34, 34 stops the tilting of the connector 20 during the tilting process. As a result, the degree of elastic deformation of the locking portion 22 and the locked portion 32 can be suppressed to a smaller extent, and the shortening of the durability of the connector fixing structure 11 caused by tilting can be suppressed.

[0106] In this embodiment, by providing a pair of protrusions 26, 26, it is possible to prevent the connector 20, which abuts against the second abutment portion 34, from twisting during tilting. For example, without the pair of protrusions 26, 26, when the connector 20 tilts towards the first side in the width direction, the side surface 218a abuts against the abutment surface 341, and the tilting of the first portion 211 towards the first side in the width direction stops, but the tilting of the second portion 212 does not stop, and the connector 20 may twist (the front side in the mating direction tilts significantly towards the first side in the width direction relative to the rear side). In this case, the locking portion 22 and the locked portion 32 elastically deform in a twisting manner, which may make them more prone to breakage.

[0107] In this embodiment, for example, when the connector 20 tilts to a first side in the width direction, the side surface 218a and the protrusion 26 abut against the contact surface 341, thus providing more stable support for the connector 20 and preventing it from twisting. Similarly, when the connector 20 tilts to a second side in the width direction, the side surface 218b and the protrusion 26 abut against the contact surface 341, also preventing twisting of the connector 20. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the elastic deformation of the locking part 22 and the locked part 32 in a torsional manner, and to suppress the shortening of the durability of the connector fixing structure 11 caused by tilting.

[0108] Furthermore, the pair of second abutting portions 34, 34 can also abut against the sides 218a, 218b and the pair of protruding surfaces 26a, 26a in the reference posture. That is, the pair of second abutting portions 34, 34 can abut against the connector 20 in its untilted state from the beginning, thereby almost completely preventing the connector 20 from swinging in the width direction. In this case, the distance in the width direction between the pair of abutting surfaces 341, 341 is equal to the distance between the sides 218a, 218b and the distance between the pair of protruding surfaces 26a, 26a.

[0109] However, when the pair of second abutment portions 34, 34 are designed as described above to abut against the connector 20 without gap, the following situation occurs: due to the tolerances of the connector 20 and the retainer 30, the distance in the width direction of the pair of second abutment portions 34, 34 is smaller than the width of the connector 20, making it impossible to fit the connector 20 into the retainer 30. Therefore, in this embodiment, a third gap d3 is provided as a gap to allow the connector 20 to be fitted into the retainer 30.

[0110] Furthermore, when the second abutment portion 34 abuts against the connector 20 in its stationary state from the beginning, the same technical problem arises as when the connector 20 abuts against the first abutment portion 33 from the beginning. That is, there is a possibility that the connector 20, in its reference posture, tilts in the width direction via the second abutment portion 34, causing the locking portion 22 and the locked portion 32 to remain elastically deformed. Additionally, there is a possibility that a greater force may be applied to the locking portion 22 and the locked portion 32 using the abutment portion between the connector 20 and the second abutment portion 34 as a fulcrum.

[0111] Therefore, in this embodiment, a third gap d3 is intentionally provided. This suppresses tilting of the connector 20 and prevents unnecessary force from being applied to the locking part 22 and the locked part 32 when the connector 20 is not tilting, and prevents greater force from being applied to the locking part 22 and the locked part 32 due to unexpected locations becoming fulcrums. This more effectively suppresses the shortening of the lifespan of the connector fixing structure 11.

[0112] As described above, the connector fixing structure 11 according to this embodiment includes: a connector 20 having a main body 21 and a locking portion 22 provided on a first surface 214 (the outer surface of this disclosure) of the main body 21; and a retainer 30 having a locked portion 32 on its surface 31a that engages with the locking portion 22. The main body 21 has a first portion 211 provided with the locking portion 22 and a second portion 212 provided extending forward from the first portion 211 in the engagement direction. The retainer 30 has a first abutting portion 33, which protrudes from the surface 31a in a predetermined direction intersecting the engagement direction and faces the second portion 212 in the predetermined direction. When the second portion 212 is tilted from a reference posture with a component in the direction close to the surface 31a, with the locking portion 22 as a fulcrum, the first abutting portion 33 abuts against the second portion 212.

[0113] Variations

[0114] The following describes variations of the implementation method.

[0115] Alternatively, the first connecting portion 23, the second connecting portion 24, and the third connecting portion 25 may not be provided in the connector 20. For example, when it is not necessary to connect multiple connectors 20 side by side, omitting the first connecting portion 23, the second connecting portion 24, and the third connecting portion 25 simplifies the structure of the connector 20 and is therefore preferred.

[0116] The connector 20 can also be a shape where the dimension in the predetermined direction is shorter than that in the width direction, or it can be a shape where the width in the width direction and the width in the predetermined direction are equal. Even in such cases, there is a technical problem of the connector 20 tilting, which can be solved by using the retainer 30 of this embodiment to fix the connector 20.

[0117] Alternatively, the pair of protrusions 26, 26 may not be provided on the connector 20. For example, if the tilting of the connector 20 in the direction of arrow AR3 can be appropriately suppressed by the contact between the sides 218a, 218b and the pair of abutting surfaces 341, 341, the pair of protrusions 26, 26 may be omitted.

[0118] Alternatively, the pair of second abutments 34, 34 may not be provided in the retainer 30. For example... Figure 11 As shown, since the first abutment portion 33 and the portion of the second portion 212 excluding the protrusion 26 face each other in the width direction, when the connector 20 tilts in the direction of arrow AR3, the tilting of the connector 20 can be suppressed by the abutment surface 331 abutting against the second surface 215 of the connector 20. In this way, the tilting of the connector 20 in both directions of arrows AR2 and AR3 can be suppressed by the first abutment portion 33 alone.

[0119] Postscript

[0120] Furthermore, at least some of the above-described embodiments and various modifications can be arbitrarily combined with each other. Additionally, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is set forth in the claims and is intended to include all modifications of the same meaning and scope as those claims.

[0121] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0122] 10 Electrical connection box

[0123] 11 Connector fixing structure

[0124] 12. Shell

[0125] 12a outer wall

[0126] 13 Relays

[0127] 14. Wiring harness (wiring)

[0128] 14a First end

[0129] 14b Second end

[0130] 20 connectors

[0131] 21 Main Body

[0132] 211 Part 1

[0133] 212 Part Two

[0134] 213 Steps

[0135] 214 First surface (outer surface)

[0136] 215 Second page

[0137] 216 end surface

[0138] 217 Connecting hole

[0139] 218a Side View

[0140] 218b Side View

[0141] 219 sides

[0142] 22 Locking section

[0143] 221 Guide Rib

[0144] 222 Joint

[0145] 223 Carding protrusion

[0146] 224 Insertion section

[0147] 225 cover

[0148] 226 Groove

[0149] 23 First Linkage Section

[0150] 231 Guide rib

[0151] 232 Carding protrusion

[0152] 233 Groove

[0153] 24 Second connecting section

[0154] 241 Locking Piece

[0155] 242 Carding protrusion

[0156] 25 Third Link

[0157] 251 Locking Piece

[0158] 252 Cardinous protrusion

[0159] 26. Protrusions

[0160] 26a Protruding surface

[0161] 30 Retainer

[0162] 31 Base

[0163] 31a Surface

[0164] 32 Locked Department

[0165] 321 Locking Piece

[0166] 322 Column

[0167] 323 Carding protrusion

[0168] 323a end face

[0169] 324 sides

[0170] 33 First landing section

[0171] 331 Contact Surface

[0172] 332 Inclined Surface

[0173] 34 Second contact section

[0174] 341 Contact surface

[0175] 342 Inclined Surface

[0176] 343 Top surface

[0177] 91 connector

[0178] 911 Main Body

[0179] 912 Locking Unit

[0180] 913 First Page

[0181] 914 Connecting hole

[0182] 915 terminal part

[0183] 92 Retainer

[0184] 921 Locked Department

[0185] 922 surface

[0186] 93. Strengthen the protrusion

[0187] 931 Support Surface

[0188] 94 Connector

[0189] 941 Main Body

[0190] 942 Locking Unit

[0191] 943 Part 1

[0192] 944 Part Two

[0193] 945 connection hole

[0194] 946 terminal part

[0195] AR1 Arrow

[0196] AR2 Arrow

[0197] AR3 Arrow

[0198] d1a gap

[0199] d1 First gap

[0200] d2 Second gap

[0201] d3 Third gap.

Claims

1. A connector fixing structure, comprising: A connector having a main body and a locking portion disposed on the outer surface of the main body; and A retainer having a locked portion on its surface that engages with the locking portion. The main body has a first portion on which the locking portion is provided and a second portion extending forward from the first portion in the fitting direction. The retainer has a first abutting portion that protrudes from the surface along a predetermined direction intersecting the engagement direction and faces the second portion in the predetermined direction. When the second part tilts from a reference posture with a component in the direction close to the surface, using the locking part as a fulcrum, the first abutting part abuts against the second part. The retainer also has a pair of second abutting portions that protrude from the surface along the predetermined direction. The pair of second abutting portions each face the two sides of the connector in the width direction and abut against the connector which is inclined in the width direction with the locking portion as the fulcrum. The width direction is the direction that intersects both the fitting direction and the predetermined direction.

2. The connector fixing structure according to claim 1, wherein, The first abutting portion does not abut against the second portion which is in the reference posture.

3. The connector fixing structure according to claim 2, wherein, The first abutting portion has an inclined surface that is tilted such that the height of its protrusion from the surface increases as it moves toward the front of the engagement direction.

4. An electrical connection box, comprising: The housing has the connector fixing structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 3; The relay is mounted in the housing; and The wiring has a first end connected to the relay and a second end connected to the connector.

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