Holding device

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a holding device that allows the pressure contact force of a flexible part to be set larger, wherein the position of a compression spring is hardly restricted and which is hardly damaged even with increased pressure contact force. The present invention relates to a holding device that absorbs rattling by a compression spring that is provided between an object (1) and a holding member (2) that is attached to a vehicle, and in a state in which the object (1) serving as an object to be mounted is positioned by a relative sliding movement and engaged with the holding member (2). The compression spring comprises a flexible part (3) that is provided either on the holding member (2) or the object (1) and on the respective other component, ieon the holding element (2) or the object (1), and wherein, when one end in the width direction is referred to as a first connecting end (32a) and the other end as a second connecting end (32b) in a connection (32) between the holding element (2) and either the object (1) or the flexible part (3), the first connecting end (32a) is formed such that it is located on an upstream side of the second connecting end (32b) in a sliding movement direction of the object (1).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding device suitable for holding an object, for example an in-vehicle radar device, which is brought into engagement with a holding element by a relative sliding movement. background

[0002] The object, such as the in-vehicle radar device or a protective device, is positioned and engaged with the holding element by the relative sliding movement and, in this state, is pressed by a compression spring provided in the holding element to absorb rattles so that it does not rattle. Fig. 14(a) to (c) show a holder disclosed in Patent Document 1 listed below as an example of a holder. In this holder, a holder member 1 includes a bracket 2 on a vehicle body and a bracket 3 for an in-vehicle equipment R such as a radar device. That is, the bracket 3 includes a window opening 6 exposing a main part of an in-vehicle equipment R, a receiving portion 7 receiving a part of the in-vehicle equipment R by sliding the in-vehicle equipment R, and a guide portion 8 guiding a projection Rd projectingly provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the in-vehicle equipment R along a sliding direction.The receiving portion 7 includes a positioning wall 7b for a side surface of the vehicle equipment R, and a pressure piece 7c, which is a compression spring extending from a part of the receiving portion in a direction away from the receiving portion and making pressure contact with the front of the vehicle equipment. The guide portion 8 includes an elastic piece 8a that is elastically deformed by contact with the projection Rd during the sliding movement and elastically recovers at an end position of the sliding movement to engage with the projection Rd to prevent backward movement of the vehicle equipment.

[0003] In particular, since the protrusion Rd of the vehicle equipment slides along the guide portion 8 to receive the movable front side (head side) of the vehicle equipment in the receiving portion 7, this holding device can securely and stably hold a part of the vehicle equipment. In this holding device, the pressing piece 7c and the guide portion 8 can clamp the vehicle equipment, and the elastic piece 8a engages the protrusion Rd at the end position of the sliding movement to prevent the vehicle equipment from moving backward. Cited publicationsPatent documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application JP 2021-169283 A SummaryTechnical problem

[0005] However, in the retainer described above, the pressing piece extends in a direction away from the receiving portion and presses a corrugated portion formed at a distal end of the pressing piece into contact with the vehicle equipment. Therefore, space is required to place the pressing piece out of the way. Therefore, an increase in the pressing contact force of the corrugated portion results in poor sliding operability of the vehicle equipment. In addition, during the sliding movement of the vehicle equipment, a load may be applied evenly across the entire width of the joint between the pressing piece and the receiving portion, which may damage the joint.

[0006] The invention aims to solve the problems described above and to provide a holding device that allows the pressure contact force of a flexible part to be adjusted to a desired value, which is hardly limited by the position of the compression spring, and which is hardly damaged even when the pressure contact force is increased. Further objects of the invention will be explained in the following description. Solution to the problem

[0007] According to the invention, to achieve this object, there is provided a holding device which absorbs rattles by a compression spring provided between an object and a holding member mounted on a vehicle, in a state in which the object serving as an object to be mounted is positioned and engaged with the holding member by a relative sliding movement, wherein the compression spring comprises a flexible part provided on either the holding member or the object and on the other component, ieabuts the holding member or the object, and wherein, when one end in the width direction is referred to as a first connecting end and another end as a second connecting end in a connection between the holding member and either the object or the flexible part, the first connecting end is formed to be located on an upstream side of the second connecting end in a sliding movement direction of the object.

[0008] In the present invention, the term “state in which the object is positioned and engaged by a relative sliding movement” in an embodiment shown in the Fig. 3(a) to (c), to a state in which an elastic engagement member 27 is engaged with a projection 12 of the article by displacing an article 1 relative to a holding member 2, conversely, by displacing the holding member 2 relative to the article 1, or by displacing the holding member 2 and the article 1 in directions in which they approach each other, as shown in the Fig. 4(a) and (b). In an embodiment shown in the Fig. 11(a) to (c), the term refers to a state in which an engagement convexity 8b of a flexible part 8 is engaged with an engagement projection 56 of the article, as shown in the Fig. 10(a) and (b) by displacing an object 5 downward relative to a holding element 6, or conversely, by displacing the holding element 2 relative to the object 5 in directions to approach each other, by displacing the holding element 2 upward relative to the object 5, or by displacing the holding element 6 and the object 5 in directions directed toward each other.

[0009] The holding device according to the above-described aspect of the present invention is preferably constructed in the manner described below in (1) to (6). (1) The flexible member has a configuration including a protrusion provided to come into pressure contact with the object, and a curved surface or an inclined surface formed near an end of the protrusion that first comes into contact with the object during the relative sliding movement. With this configuration, the flexible member includes the protrusion that makes pressure contact with the object, thereby making it easy to adjust the pressing force against the object by adjusting the dimension of the protrusion. In addition, the protrusion has the curved surface or the inclined surface formed near the end that first comes into contact with the object, thereby enabling the sliding movement of the object without a large load due to the guiding action of the curved surface or the inclined surface. (2) The holding member is a bracket; the object to be mounted is a radar; and the flexible part is provided on the bracket and configured to make pressure contact with the radar and press the radar along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This radar, for example, transmits radio waves from a transmitting / receiving surface (surface on the Fig. 1(a) (i.e., a front side) and receives radio waves reflected from obstacles or the like, thereby enabling the detection of distances between a motor vehicle and other objects or the like. This radar device may be referred to as a sensor. This configuration can reliably prevent radar chatter, which can occur particularly while driving or during sudden stops. (3) The holding device further includes a projection provided on an upper end surface or a lower end surface of the radar device, and a pressing piece provided on the bracket so as to be elastically pivotable in correspondence with the projection, the projection being configured to be in pressure contact with an inclined surface formed on the pressing piece in a state where the bracket holds the radar device. This configuration enables the absorption of rattles along the vertical direction and in the lateral direction, from left to right, intersecting the vehicle longitudinal direction, even without providing a pressing piece for preventing rattles in multiple directions. (4) The flexible part includes an engaging convexity provided at a distal end; the article includes a window exposing a main part of the holding member or the radar device attached to the main part, engaging projections provided to protrude on an inner surface of the window, and a curved surface or an inclined surface formed near an end configured to first contact an engaging projection of the flexible part of the engaging projections; and wherein the engaging convexity is configured to engage with the engaging projection in a pressure-contact state through the relative sliding movement. This configuration enables the article to slide without being subjected to a large load by the guiding action of the curved surface or the inclined surface. (5) The support member is a bracket configured to fix the radar device; the object is a protective device; and the flexible part is provided on the bracket and abuts against the engagement projection of the protective device to press the protective device in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle's longitudinal direction. This configuration makes it possible to prevent rattling of the support member or the radar device, which is caused in particular by vibrations in the vertical direction of the vehicle. (6) The bracket includes a male part that can be inserted into a receptacle provided on the fender, and a pressing piece that is provided corresponding to the male part and projects in a direction intersecting a direction of relative sliding movement; and the pressing piece is configured to come into pressure contact with a back surface of the receptacle to press the fender in the vehicle longitudinal direction. With this configuration, in a state where the bracket holds the fender, the pressing piece of the bracket presses against the back surface of the receptacle to press the fender in the vehicle longitudinal direction. This can particularly dampen rattling in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0010] In a holding device according to the present invention described above, a compression spring for absorbing rattle provided between an object and a holding member includes a flexible member provided on either the holding member or the object and abutting against the other component, that is, the holding member or the object, and wherein one end in a width direction is referred to as a first connecting end and the other end is referred to as a second connecting end when connected to either the holding member or the object, the first connecting end being formed to be located on an upstream side of the second connecting end in a sliding direction of the object. Therefore, in this holding device, the flexible member does not extend in the sliding direction of the object like a conventional device.This reduces the space constraints on the object, even if it's a radar device or the like that transmits radio waves forward and receives them from the front. Since the joint forming the proximal end of the flexible part is offset in the sliding direction of the object, the impact load during the sliding process is concentrated on the first joint end located on the upstream side, thus avoiding the risk of damage to the joint across its entire width. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 Fig. 1(a) and (b) are views illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an object (radar device) is held by a holding member, and wherein Fig. 1(b) is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which the article (radar device) is removed from the holding member. Fig. 2 Fig. 2(a) is a rear view showing a single element of the retaining member; Fig. 2(b) is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 2(a); and Fig. 2(c) is an enlarged sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 2(a). Fig. 3 Fig. 3(a) is a rear view of the holding member holding the article; Fig. 3(b) is an enlarged sectional view taken along line A1-A1 of Fig. 3(a); and Fig. 3(c) is an enlarged sectional view taken along line B1-B1 of Fig. 3(a). Fig. 4 Fig. 4(a) is an enlarged schematic arrow view taken along the line CC of Fig. 2(a), and Fig. 4(b) is an enlarged schematic arrow view taken along the line DD of Fig. 3(a). Fig. 5 Fig. 5(a) is a schematic view showing a Fig. 2(a) enlarged part E; Fig. Fig. 5(b) is a schematic view showing a flexible part of a first modification corresponding to the aforementioned part E; and Fig. 5(c) is a sectional view taken along line FF of Fig. 5(b). Fig. 6 Fig. Fig. 6(a) is a schematic view showing a flexible part of a second modification corresponding to the above-mentioned part E; Fig. 6(b) is a sectional view along F1-F1 of Fig. 6(a); and Fig. Fig. 6(c) is a schematic view showing a flexible part of a third modification corresponding to the above-mentioned part E. Fig. 7 Fig. Fig. 7(a) is a schematic view showing a flexible member of a fourth modification; Fig. Fig. 7(b) is a schematic view showing a flexible member of a fifth modification; and Fig. 7(c) is a schematic view showing a flexible part of a sixth modification. Fig. 8 Fig. 8(a) and (b) are views illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 8(a) and (b) are a plan view and a front view, respectively, illustrating a state in which an article (protector) is held by the holding member. Fig. 9 Fig. 9(a) is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the article is removed from the above-mentioned holding member, and Fig. 9(b) and (c) are an enlarged view of a part L and an enlarged view of a part M, respectively, shown in Fig. 9(a). Fig. 10 Fig. 10(a) is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line GG of Fig. 8(a); Fig. 10(b) is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line HH of Fig. 8(b); and Fig. 10(c) is an enlarged sectional view taken along line II of Fig. 8(b). Fig. 11 Fig. Fig. 11(a) is a schematic view showing a state before a relative sliding movement between the above-mentioned holding member and the object; Fig. 11(b) is a schematic view showing a Fig. 8(b) enlarged; and Fig. 11(c) is a schematic view showing Fig. 11(b) and shows the state before the relative sliding movement. Fig. 12 Fig. 12(a) to (c) are views showing a single element of the holding element, wherein Fig. 12(a) is a front view, Fig. 12(b) a sectional view along the line NN of Fig. 12(a) is, Fig. 12(c) is a sectional view taken along the line PP in Fig. 12(a) and Fig. 12(d) is a rear view. Fig. 13 Fig. 13(a) is a schematic view showing a printing member of a modification according to a Fig. 12(a) shows part Q, and Fig. 13(b) is a schematic sectional view taken along the line RR in Fig. 13(a). Fig. 14 Fig. 14(a) to (c) show drawings disclosed in Patent Document 1, wherein Fig. 14(a) Fig. 2 of Patent Document 1 shows, Fig. 14(b) Fig. 4 of patent document 1 and Fig. 14(c) Fig. 6 of Patent Document 1 shows. Description of the embodiments

[0011] The present invention will be disclosed below with reference to two embodiments in which the present invention is implemented. In particular, a first embodiment and its modifications, which are described in Fig. 1(a) to Fig. 7(c), and a second embodiment and its modifications shown in Fig. 8(a) to 13(b) will be described in this order. The description discloses the essential configurations of the embodiments, including their operational advantages.

[0012] (First Embodiment) In a holder device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in accordance with Patent Document 1, a bracket 2 serving as a holding member is arranged so as to face an inner surface of a bumper of a motor vehicle, with a double-sided adhesive tape, by welding, or the like, in a state where a radar device 1 or the like as an object to be mounted is positioned and engaged by a relative sliding movement. The bracket 2, with which the radar device 1 is engaged and held, is attached to the right and left sides in the longitudinal direction of the bumper. The bracket 2 shown in the drawings is located on the left side of the bumper. Although not shown, the bracket 2 on the right side of the bumper is arranged laterally symmetrically to the bracket 2 on the left side.

[0013] The bracket 2 is an injection-molded plastic product, but can also be a non-plastic product. Fig. 1(a) where x denotes the vertical direction of a vehicle, y denotes the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and z denotes the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0014] The radar device 1 of the first embodiment comprises a main body 10 having the shape of a rectangular plate and a connector 11 which is Fig. 1(a) on the left side of the main body 10. A front side of the Fig. The main body 10 shown in Figure 1(a) is defined as a transmitting / receiving surface, and the upper and lower surfaces each have a pair of protrusions 12 provided spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance. The radar device 1 is electrically connected externally via the connector 11 and can detect obstacles or the like and distances to the obstacles or the like by transmitting radio waves from the transmitting / receiving surface of the main body 10 and receiving radio waves reflected from the obstacles or the like. The connector 11 is connected to one end of a wire harness (not shown).

[0015] The details of the bracket 2 are described below. The bracket 2 has a substantially rectangular frame shape and is slightly curved from left to right in the transverse direction, corresponding to the bumper. As shown in the Fig. 1(a) to 4(b), the bracket 2 includes upper and lower rims 21a and 22a upstanding on upper and lower walls 21 and 22, rims 23, 23 on both sides connecting the right and left sides of the upper and lower walls 21 and 22, upper and lower guides 21b and 22b extending transversely along the upper and lower edges on the rear side of the upper and lower rims 21a and 22a and guiding the projections 12 of the radar device, and a receptacle 26 provided to connect the right end sides of the guides 21b and 22b. A window hole 25 in a frame is defined by the upper and lower guides 21b and 22b, the receptacle 26, and the left rim 23 facing the receptacle 26.Reference numerals 21c and 22c denote reinforcing ribs which, in a state connected to the upper and lower edges 21a and 22a, are provided in a projecting manner in the upper and lower edges 21a and 22a corresponding to the upper and lower walls 21 and 22.

[0016] The upper and lower edges 21a and 22a include a total of four substantially rectangular brackets 24 provided protrudingly on the right and left sides. As described later, the bracket 2 is attached to an inner surface of the bumper (not shown), each of the brackets 24 being secured thereto with the double-sided adhesive tape or the like interposed therebetween, while the radar device 1 is held by the sliding movement.

[0017] A pair of guides 21b and a pair of guides 22b are each provided with a distance from each other. A gap between the guides 21b and a gap between the guides 22b are provided with projections 21d and 22d that extend rearwardly or in a direction away from the rear sides of the guides. In this holding device, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4(b), one of the two projections 12 of the radar device, which is closer to the connector 11, is slidably clamped between a receiving surface 21e of the projection 21d and the corresponding guide 21b. A receiving surface 21f, in the same plane as the receiving surface 21e, is provided between the upper and lower end faces of the receptacle 26 and the upper and lower walls 21 and 22. This receiving surface 12f also slidably clamps one of the two projections 12 of the radar device, which is remote from the connector 11, between this receiving surface and the corresponding guide 21b.

[0018] The upper and lower guides 21b and 22b are each provided with an elastic engagement member 27 that is pivotable forward and backward, with an L-shaped slot 28 disposed therebetween. Each engagement member 27 has a stepped engagement portion 27a formed near a distal end, as shown in FIGS. Fig. 4(a) and (b). As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4(b), in this holding device, the engaging element 27 is elastically displaced by the force exerted by one of the projections 12 closer to the connector during the sliding movement of the radar device 1 relative to the bracket 2 and is returned to its original position at the end of the sliding movement. Thus, one end of the projection 12 engages the engaging portion 27a and is held in a sliding-resistant manner.

[0019] The guides 21b and 22b are provided with the overhangs 21d and 22d, which project rearwardly from parts of the guides 21b and 22b. As shown in an enlarged view in Fig. As shown in Fig. 2(c), a pressure piece 4 is provided at two locations between the projection 21d among these projections, which is located closer to the guide 21b and the upper wall 21, so that it can come into pressure contact with the projection 12 located above the radar body 10. Each pressure piece 4 can pivot through slots 40, 40 provided on both sides. Each pressure piece 4 has an inclined surface 41 formed inside, and the projection 12 abuts against the inclined surface 41, as shown in Fig. 3(c). In this structure, the protrusion 12 closer to the radar device is in pressure contact with the inclined surface 41 formed on the pressure piece 4, while the bracket 2 holds the radar device 1. Therefore, in the first embodiment, even without providing the pressure piece 4 for preventing multi-directional rattle, rattle in two directions, for example, the vertical direction and the lateral direction, which intersect the longitudinal direction of the vehicle can be absorbed.

[0020] In addition, as in the Fig. 2(b) and Fig. As shown in Fig. 3(b), the receptacle 26 is erected in the shape of an inverted L from a rear side of a corresponding side wall 23 and receives a rear part of the body 10 inwardly, while the radar device 1 is immovably held by the bracket 2 as described above. In this receptacle 26, a pair of flexible members 3 are provided with a predetermined distance therebetween.

[0021] Each of the flexible members 3 is defined by slits 30 on both sides, allowing elastic pivoting. Each of the flexible members 3 includes a projection 31 provided at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction, and is in pressure contact with the rear side of the radar 10 with the projection 31 therebetween. That is, in this structure, since the flexible member 3 is in pressure contact with the radar 10 with the projection 31 interposed therebetween to dampen rattling, the pressure contact force can be easily adjusted to a desired value when no pressure force is applied to the radar 10 by skillfully determining the dimension of the projection 31. The projection 31 is formed on one side into a curved surface or an inclined surface 31a.The inclined surface 31a is provided near an end where the radar 1 first comes into contact during the relative sliding movement, and the radar 1 is not subjected to a large load due to the guiding action of the curved surface or the inclined surface 31a of the projection 31, thereby enabling smooth and good sliding until the end. These flexible parts 3 are provided in the bracket 2 and are in pressure contact with the radar 1 to press the radar 1 from the rear to the front of the radar, that is, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, thereby reliably preventing rattling of the radar 1, which may occur particularly during driving or sudden stops.

[0022] In this structure, as in Fig. As shown in Fig. 5(a), in the connections 32 between the flexible piece 3 and the receptacle 26, that is, the upper and lower connections 32, one end in the thickness direction of the flexible piece 3 is referred to as the first connection end 32a and the other end in the thickness direction of the flexible piece 3 is referred to as the second connection end 32b, and the first connection end 32a is formed to be located on the upstream side of the second connection end 32b in the sliding direction of the radar device 1, that is, closer to the end where the radar device 1 first comes into contact. Since the flexible piece 3 in this holder device does not extend in the sliding direction of the object as in the conventional device, it is advantageous in that the object to be mounted is subject to fewer space restrictions, even if the object is the radar device 1 that transmits and receives radio waves forward.

[0023] Furthermore, in these joints 32, the first joint end 32a is offset from the second joint end 32b in the sliding direction of the radar device 1. Therefore, during the sliding operation, an impact load is concentrated on the first joint end 32a located on the upstream side, and an impact load on the second joint end 32b is mitigated, thereby eliminating the risk of damage to the joints 32 across the entire width. That is, by offsetting the first joint end 32a from the second joint end 32b in the sliding direction of the radar device 1, the holding device of the first embodiment can solve the problem that the joints are more easily damaged across the entire width when the pressing piece 7c extends in the sliding direction of the object and the first joint end and the second joint end are arranged at the same position in the sliding direction, as in Patent Document 1.

[0024] (Modifications) The following modifications 1 to 6 are further embodiments related to the flexible part 3 described above. In the description of the modifications, only configurations that have been modified from the first embodiment described above will be described in detail.

[0025] As in the Fig. As shown in Figs. 5(b) and (c), a flexible member 3A of the first modification is pivotally provided by providing an inverted L-shaped slot 34 extending from a side end surface with respect to the receptacle 26, and the link 32 to the receptacle 26 extends in the sliding direction. Therefore, even in the flexible member 3A of the first modification, the impact load during sliding is concentrated on the first link end 32a located on the upstream side. This mitigates the impact force on the second link end 32b, and the risk of damage or separation of the links 32 across the entire width can be eliminated. The projection 31 and the inclined surface 31a are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0026] The Fig. 6(a) and (b) show a flexible member of the second modification. Unlike the flexible member 3 of the first embodiment and the flexible member 3A of the first modification, this flexible member 3B is formed to be pivotable via a groove 35 having a concave portion instead of a slit. The depth of the groove 35 is designed according to a required displacement amount of the flexible member 3B. In the flexible member 3B, the projection 31 and the inclined surface 31a are the same as in the above-described first embodiment, and the links 32, the first connecting end 32a, and the second connecting end 32b are also the same as in the above-described first embodiment and the first modification.

[0027] Fig. Figure 6(c) shows a flexible part of the third modification. This flexible part 3C is provided at an angle to the receptacle 26 in a state defined by an inverted U-shaped slot 37. In this case, the connection 32 of the flexible part 3C with the receptacle 26 is also oblique, and the impact load during the sliding operation is concentrated on the first connection end 32a located on the upstream side, thereby mitigating the impact on the second connection end 32b located on the downstream side. This eliminates the risk of damage or separation of the connections 32 across the entire width. Although in Fig. 6(c) are not shown, the projection 31 and the inclined surface 31a are the same as in the first embodiment, the first modification and the second modification described above.

[0028] The Fig. 7(a) to (c) show three examples in which a flexible part is provided at a location other than the above-described receptacle 26. Among these examples, a flexible part 3D of the fourth modification is set up in a state in which it is connected to a target position on the underside of the above-described window hole 25, as shown in Fig. 7(a). As shown in Fig. 7(b), the flexible part 3D of the fifth modification has the same shape as the flexible part 3D in Fig. 7(a), but includes a recess 26a having a predetermined height at the bottom of the window hole 25 and defined by two slits provided in the recess 26a. A flexible member 3F of the sixth modification has a semicircular shape positioned at a target position at the bottom of the window hole 25. That is, the flexible members 3D and 3F are each provided at a position in the window hole 25 where the transmission and reception of the radar device 7 are not affected, and the projection 31 and the tapered surface 31a are formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the first modification, and the second modification described above.

[0029] (Second Embodiment) In the holding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, for a protector 5 as an object to be mounted, a bracket 6 is fixed to, for example, a rear panel or the like included in the body of the vehicle in a state where the radar bracket 6 as a holding member is positioned and engaged by a relative sliding movement. In this fixed state, for example, the bumper and other components are located in front of a protector 55, and the radar device 7 mounted in front of the bracket 6 is protected by the protector 5.The radar device 7 is externally electrically connected via a lower connector 71 and can detect the obstacles or the like and the distances to the obstacles or the like by transmitting the radio waves from the transmitting / receiving surface of a main body 70 and receiving the radio waves reflected from the obstacles or the like.

[0030] The radar device 7 is attached to the bracket 6. In this case, the radar device 7 can be bonded to the bracket 6 with an adhesive or the like, or the radar device 7 can be provided with a bracket and secured to the bracket 6 with screws or the like. The protective device 5 is generally an injection-molded plastic product, but may also be a non-plastic product if the radio waves can be blocked. Fig. In FIGS. 8(a) and (b), x denotes the vertical direction of the vehicle; y denotes the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and z denotes the transverse direction of the vehicle from right to left. The arrangement of the bracket 6 or the protective device 5 on the motor vehicle is not described, but if necessary, reference is made to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP 2019-064417 A.

[0031] The above-described protective device 5 protects the radar device 7 located in the rear area by preventing stones, snow, or the like thrown up during driving from entering the interior. The shape of the protective device 5 is such that the interior forms surrounding walls with an upper cover 50 and a lower cover 51, the front is wide open, and the rear is formed as a rectangular window hole 53 to expose the main body 70 of the radar device 7. The bottom of the window hole 53 is provided with a lower opening 54, which allows the bottom of the radar body 70 and the connector 71 to be inserted downward. Both inner surfaces of the window opening 53 are provided with oppositely arranged engagement projections 56. As shown in the Fig. 11(b) and (c), each of the engaging projections 56 is formed as a flat surface 56b on the upper side and as an inclined surface 56a on the lower side, which projects more outwardly from the lower side to the upper side.

[0032] Vertical plates 55 are provided on both sides of the window opening 53. Both vertical plates 55 are provided with receptacles 57 at two upper and lower sections, each of which is located lower in a right and left intermediate section. Each of the receptacles 57 has an opening 58 at its bottom, as shown in Fig. 9(b). An insert 64 provided on the bracket 6 is inserted through the opening 58 into the receptacle 57.

[0033] That is, as in Fig. As shown in Fig. 12(a), the bracket 6 is provided with the substantially L-shaped insertion parts 64 provided at two upper and lower positions on both sides of the front side, with cavities 66 formed by cutting out portions facing the respective insertion parts 64, with pressing pieces 9 projecting downward from the upper front edges of the cavities 66, and with flexible parts 8 projecting inside the right and left insertion parts 64.

[0034] Among these components, the pressure piece 9 is defined by slots 65 on both sides and slopes downwards to get closer to the insert part 64. Reference numeral 60a denotes a vertical rib provided along the outside of the slot 65. As shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 12(c), in each of the flexible parts 8, a proximal end 8a is connected to an inner surface of a hole 63 penetrating the holder 6 on both sides, and the distal end protrudes outward from the hole 63. The distal end of each of the flexible parts 8 is provided with an engagement convexity 8b protruding toward an outer surface. As shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 9(c), the upper and lower ends 8d of the engagement convexity 8b are each formed into a gently sloping surface, and an outer surface 8c is also formed into a sloping surface.

[0035] A connection 80, which is closer to the proximal end 8a connected to the inner wall of the hole 63, extends in the vertical direction, as shown in Fig. 11(b), and when one end in the width direction is referred to as the first connecting end 80a and the other end as the second connecting end 80b, the first connecting end 80a is provided to be located on the upstream side of the second connecting end 80b in the sliding movement direction of the protector 5.

[0036] In the joint 80 described above, the first joint end 82a and the second joint end 82b are offset from each other in the sliding direction of the bracket 6. Therefore, during the sliding operation, the impact load generated by contact with the engagement projection 56 is concentrated on the first joint end 80a located on the upstream side, and the load on the second joint end 80b side is alleviated. This eliminates the risk of damage to the joint 80 across its entire width.

[0037] In detail, the bracket 6 engages the front of the protective device 5 through the sliding movement when attaching the radar device 7 and is held therein. During this process, each of the plug-in parts 64 is first inserted through the opening 58 into the receptacle 57. Through this insertion, the pressure piece 9 of the bracket comes into pressure contact with the back of the receptacle 57 of the protective device, as shown in Fig. 10(c), thereby absorbing the rattling between the bracket 6 and the guard 5. In this construction, a total of four pressure pieces 9 are provided on the left, right, upper, and lower sides, and the four receptacles 57 are clamped between the corresponding male parts 64 and the pressure pieces 9 to enable secure damping of the rattling.

[0038] At the same time, during the insertion process of each of the insertion parts 64, the engaging convexity 8b of the flexible part 8 contacts the inclined surface 56a of the engaging projection 56, and then the flexible part 8 passes the engaging projection 56 while being elastically displaced in a direction away from the engaging projection 56 by the tension received by the inclined surface 56a. Simultaneously with passing the engaging projection 56, the engaging convexity 8b engages the flat surface 56b on the opposite side of the inclined surface 56a of the engaging projection 56.

[0039] In the holding device described above, the bracket 6 is held against the protector 5 by the pressure contact forces of the right and left flexible parts 8 engaged with the right and left engaging projections 56 in a state where rattling in the transverse direction of the protector 5 is absorbed. When the flexible part 8 is configured such that the first connecting end 80a and the second connecting end 80b are arranged at the same position in the sliding direction, the problem that the connection is easily damaged across the entire width can be solved by offsetting the first connecting end 80a from the second connecting end 80b in the sliding direction of the bracket 6.

[0040] (Modification) The Fig.The modification shown in FIGS. 13(a) and (b) is another configuration example with respect to the pressing piece 9 described above. In the description of this modification, only the configuration that is modified from the above-described embodiment will be described in detail. That is, this pressing piece 9 includes a protrusion 9a for pressure contact at the distal end. The protrusion 9a is provided on its upper surface with a guide slope 9b that becomes shallower toward the top. This structure makes it easy to change the pressure contact force of the pressing piece 9 by the protruding amount of the protrusion 9a. The slope 9b causes the receptacle 57 to be press-fitted smoothly between the male part 64 and the pressing piece 9 without being subjected to excessive stress.

[0041] The above-described embodiments and modifications do not limit the present invention. The present invention only needs to have the technical features recited in the claims, and the details can be variously changed as needed. For example, the flexible part is provided on the holding member, but it may also be provided on the side of the object. The flexible part and the pressing part of the first embodiment and the flexible part and the pressing part of the second embodiment have in common that they are elastically displaceable. Therefore, for example, the pressing part may be referred to as a "second flexible part," or conversely, the flexible part may be referred to as a "pressing part" and the other pressing parts as a "second pressing part."The basic shapes of the brackets and guards are shown in the drawings, but can be modified in various ways depending on the areas in which they are located on the side of the vehicle and are not limited to what is shown in the drawings. List of reference symbols 1 radar device (corresponds to the object; 10 is the body; 12 is the projection) 2 Bracket (corresponds to the holding element; 24 is the fastening; 25 is the window opening) 3 flexible part (30 is slot; 31 is projection; 31a is beveled surface) 3A flexible part (32 is connection; 34 is groove) 3B flexible part (32 is connection; 35 is recess) 3C flexible part (32 is connection; 37 is groove) 3D flexible part (32 is connection) 3F flexible part (32 is connection) 4 Pressure piece (41 is bevelled surface) 5 Protective device (corresponds to the object; 53 is window opening; 56 is engagement projection) 6 Bracket (corresponds to the holding element; 64 is the insert part) 7 Radar device (second item, 70 is the main body) 8 flexible part (8a is proximal end; 8b is engagement convexity) 9 Pressure piece (41 is bevelled surface) 26 recording 26a Recording 27 elastic engagement part (27a is engagement section) 32 connection (32a is first connection end; 32b is second connection end) 34 grooves 35 recess 37 grooves 53 Window opening (54 is lower opening) 57 recording 64 Insert part 80 connection (82a is the first connection end; 82b is the second connection end) x Vertical direction y transverse direction z longitudinal direction

[0042] The entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-7762, filed on January 23, 2023, are cited as disclosing the description of the invention and are incorporated into this application. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2021-169283 A

[0004] JP 2019-064417 A

[0030] JP 2023-7762

[0042]

Claims

[1] A retaining device configured to absorb rattle by a compression spring provided between an object and a retaining member in a state where the object serving as an object to be mounted is positioned and engaged by relative sliding movement with the retaining member mounted on a vehicle, wherein the compression spring includes a flexible part provided on one of the retaining member and the object and abutting against the other component, that is, the retaining member or the object, and wherein, when one end in the width direction is referred to as a first connecting end and another end is referred to as a second connecting end in a connection between the retaining member and either the object or the flexible part, the first connecting end is formed to be located on an upstream side of the second connecting end in a sliding movement direction of the object. [2] The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member has a projection configured to make pressure contact with the object, and a curved surface or an inclined surface formed near an end of the projection and configured to first come into contact with the object during the relative sliding movement. [3] A holding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding member is a bracket, the object to be mounted is a radar device, and the flexible part is provided on the bracket and configured to come into pressure contact with the radar device and press the radar device in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle. [4] The holding device according to claim 3, further comprising a projection provided on an upper end surface or a lower end surface of the radar device, and a pressing piece elastically pivotally provided on the bracket corresponding to the projection, wherein the projection is configured to make pressure contact with an inclined surface formed on the pressing piece in a state where the bracket holds the radar device. [5] The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible part includes an engaging convexity provided at a distal end thereof; wherein the article includes a window configured to expose a main part of the holding member or a radar device attached to the main part, engaging projections provided to project on an inner surface of the window, and a curved surface or an inclined surface formed near an end configured to first contact an engaging projection of the flexible part of the engaging projections; and wherein the engaging convexity is configured to engage with the engaging projection in a press-contact state by the relative sliding movement. [6] A holding device according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the holding member is a bracket adapted to fix the radar device; wherein the article is a protective device; and wherein the flexible member is provided on the bracket and abuts against the protective device to urge the protective device in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of a vehicle. [7] The retaining device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the holder comprises a male part which is insertable into a receptacle provided on the protection device, and a pressing piece which is provided corresponding to the male part and projects in a direction which intersects the direction of the relative sliding movement; and wherein the pressing piece is configured to come into pressure contact with a rear side of the receptacle to press the protection device in a direction from the front to the rear of a vehicle.

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