Structure. release jig, and method for unlocking structure using release jig

Abstract

To provide a method capable of easily unlocking a fitting state without breaking a lock arm, and also to provide a release jig and a structure suitable to the unlocking method.SOLUTION: A structure 10 comprises a first member 20 and a second member 40. The first member 20 has a lock arm 26 provided with a lock part 32. The second member 40 has a locked part 52. The lock part 32 locks the locked part 52 with the first member 20 and second member 40 fitted to each other, and thus the fitting state is locked. A release jig 70 has a release part 84. The release jig 70 is moved along a vertical direction (Z direction), and then the release part 84 is inserted into the lock arm 26 in a horizontal direction (Y direction). The release part 84 which is thus inserted causes the lock arm 26 to elastically deform to unlock the locked part 52 locked by the lock part 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure having a first member and a second member that can be fitted together, and to a release tool that can release the locked fitted state of the structure. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure and a release tool of this type.

[0003] 17 and 18, a female connector (structure) 90 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a female housing (first member) 91 and a front holder (second member) 93 that are fittable with each other. A main engagement hole (locked portion) 92 is formed in the first member 91. The second member 93 has a lock arm 94 that is elastically deformable. The lock arm 94 has a main engagement projection (locking portion) 95. When the first member 91 and the second member 93 are fitted together, the lock portion 95 is received in the locked portion 92, thereby locking the fitted state of the structure 90.

[0004] The above-mentioned locked mated state can be released by a release tool 97 such as a flat-head screwdriver, as described below. First, a tip portion 98 of the release tool 97 is inserted under the lock arm 94. Next, the release tool 97 is used as a lever having a fulcrum 99 to pry open the lock arm 94. As a result, the locking portion 95 comes out of the locked portion 92, and the locked mated state is released. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-98114 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] According to the release method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the release tool needs to be handled carefully and appropriately. For example, applying too much force to the release tool may damage the lock arm.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a release method that can easily release the locked state without damaging the lock arm, and to provide a release tool and structure suitable for this release method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a first release method, A method for unlocking a fitted state in a structure having a first member and a second member that can be fitted to each other, using a release tool, comprising: The second member is engageable with the first member located forward in the front-rear direction along the front-rear direction, The first member has a locking arm, The lock arm extends along the front-rear direction and is elastically deformable, The lock arm has a locking portion and a released portion, The released portion is provided at a rear end portion of the lock arm, The second member has a locked portion, an opposing portion, and a guide groove, the locking portion locks the locked portion in the fitted state in which the first member and the second member are fitted together, thereby locking the fitted state; The guide groove extends along a vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the opposing portion is located in front of the guide groove, and faces the released portion in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction when the first member and the second member are in the fitted state, When the structure in the fitted state is viewed along the up-down direction, a gap between the opposing portion and the released portion is visible, The releasing tool has a guided portion and a releasing portion, The guided portion extends along the up-down direction, The release portion is located in front of the guided portion, The release tool is moved in the up-down direction while the guide groove restricts movement of the guided portion in the front-rear direction, thereby inserting the release portion into the gap; The release portion inserted into the gap causes the release portion of the lock arm to move toward the outside in the lateral direction of the structure, thereby elastically deforming the lock arm, thereby releasing the lock of the locked portion by the lock portion. Provide a release method.

[0009] The present invention provides a first release tool, A release tool for unlocking a fitted state in a structure having a first member and a second member that can be fitted to each other, The first member has a locking arm, The lock arm extends along a front-rear direction and is elastically deformable. The lock arm has a lock portion, The second member has a locked portion, the locking portion locks the locked portion in the fitted state in which the first member and the second member are fitted together, thereby locking the fitted state; The releasing tool has a guided portion and a releasing portion, The guided portion extends along a vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, The release portion is located in front of the guided portion, the release portion is inserted into the inside of the lock arm in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction by moving the release jig along the up-down direction while restricting movement of the guided portion in the front-rear direction, When the release portion is inserted inside the lock arm in the lateral direction, the release portion elastically deforms the lock arm, thereby releasing the lock of the locked portion by the lock portion. Provide a release tool.

[0010] The present invention provides a second release tool as the first release tool, The release portion has a surface that intersects with the up-down direction. Provide a release tool.

[0011] The present invention provides a third release tool, which is the first release tool, The lower end of the guided portion is located below the lower end of the release portion. Provide a release tool.

[0012] The present invention provides a fourth release jig, which is the first release jig, The guided portion is larger than the release portion in the lateral direction. Provide a release tool.

[0013] The present invention provides a fifth release jig, which is the first release jig, The release portion has a deformation maintaining portion, The deformation maintaining portion is an upper portion of the release portion, The deformation maintaining portion has a constant size in the lateral direction. Provide a release tool.

[0014] The present invention provides a sixth release tool as the fifth release tool, The guided portion is larger than the lock arm in the vertical direction. Provide a release tool.

[0015] The present invention provides a seventh release tool, which is any one of the first to sixth release tools, The release tool has two arms and a connecting portion, the connecting portion connects the two arm portions to each other in the lateral direction, Each of the arms extends downward from the connecting portion, Each of the arms has the guided portion and the release portion, The connecting portion has a butt portion, The second member has a receiving portion, The abutting portion abuts against the receiving portion when the release tool is moved in the vertical direction to release the locking of the locked part by the locking part, thereby defining a lower limit position of the release tool when the locking part releases the locking of the locked part by the locking part. Provide a release tool.

[0016] The present invention provides a first structure, A structure including a first member and a second member that can be fitted together, The first member has a locking arm, The lock arm extends along the front-rear direction and is elastically deformable, The lock arm has a locking portion and a released portion, The released portion is provided at a rear end portion of the lock arm, The second member has a locked portion, an opposing portion, and a guide groove, the locking portion locks the locked portion in the fitted state in which the first member and the second member are fitted together, thereby locking the fitted state; The guide groove extends along a vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the opposing portion is located in front of the guide groove, and faces the released portion in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction when the first member and the second member are in the fitted state, When the structure in the fitted state is viewed in the up-down direction, a gap located between the opposing portion and the released portion is visible. Provides structure.

[0017] The present invention provides a first structure as a second structure, The guide groove is open upward and downward. Provides structure.

[0018] The present invention provides a third structure, which is the first structure, The lock arm has a recess formed therein. The recess is located at the rear end of the lock arm, The recess is open toward the rear and recessed toward the outside of the structure in the lateral direction, The release portion is a surface of the recess that intersects with the up-down direction. Provides structure.

[0019] The present invention provides a fourth structure, which is any one of the first to third structures, The first member has two locking arms, The two lock arms are spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction, The second member has two sides and a receiving portion. The two side portions are located on both sides of the second member in the lateral direction, Each of the side portions has the locked portion, the facing portion, and the guide groove, The receiving portion faces upward and is located between the two guide grooves in the lateral direction. Provides structure. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, the lock of the mated state can be released by simply moving the release tool downward in the vertical direction, without using the principle of leverage, by elastically deforming the lock arm. At this time, there is no need to particularly adjust the force applied to the release tool. In other words, according to the present invention, a release method can be provided that can easily release the mated state without damaging the lock arm. In addition, according to the present invention, a release tool and structure suitable for this release method can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a first member and a second member of the structure are separated from each other. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of FIG. 1 together with a release jig, in which the first member and the second member are in a fitted state with each other, and the release jig is separated from the structure. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view showing a first member of the structure of FIG 1. A part of the first member (a part surrounded by a dashed line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. [Figure 4] 3 is a top view showing the structure of FIG. 2. The cables are not drawn. A part of the structure (a part surrounded by a dashed line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the structure of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of Fig. 5 taken along line VI-VI. The rear part of the second member is not drawn. A part of the structure (a part surrounded by a dashed line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. [Figure 7] 3 is a perspective view showing the release jig of Fig. 2. A part of the release jig (a part surrounded by a dashed line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. [Figure 8] 8 is another perspective view showing the releasing jig of Fig. 7. A part of the releasing jig (the part surrounded by the dashed line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. [Figure 9] 8 is a front view showing the release jig of Fig. 7. A part of the release jig (a part surrounded by a dashed line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. [Figure 10] 3 is a rear view showing the structure and the release jig of FIG 2. A part of the structure (a part surrounded by a dashed line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. In the enlarged view, the outline of the release part when the release jig is moved downward is drawn by a dashed line. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure and the release jig taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 10. The cable is not drawn. A part of the structure and the release jig (part surrounded by a dashed line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. [Figure 12]3 is a front view showing the structure and the release tool of Fig. 2. The release tool is attached to the structure. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure and the release jig taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12. The rear part of the second member is not drawn. A part of the structure and the release jig (a part surrounded by a dashed line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. [Figure 14] 13 is a perspective view showing the structure and the release tool of FIG. 12, with the first member removed from the second member. [Figure 15] 15 is a front view showing the second member and the release jig in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the second member and the release jig taken along line XVI-XVI of Fig. 15. The rear part of the second member is not drawn. [Figure 17] 1 is a perspective view showing a structure and a release jig of Patent Document 1. A part of the structure and the release jig (part surrounded by a dashed dotted line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. [Figure 18] 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the structure and the release jig in FIG. 17. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first member 20 and a second member 40. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the structure 10 includes a first member 20 and a second member 40 that can be fitted to each other. In detail, the second member 40 can be fitted to the first member 20 located forward in the front-rear direction along the front-rear direction. That is, the fitting direction in this embodiment is the front-rear direction and the X direction. In this embodiment, the front is the +X direction, and the rear is the -X direction. However, the terms front-rear direction, front, rear, etc. do not indicate an absolute relationship with respect to the ground, but merely indicate a relative relationship in the drawing. For example, the front-rear direction in the present invention is the direction in which the first member 20 and the second member 40 are aligned when they are fitted to each other.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, the illustrated structure 10 is in a separated state in which the first member 20 and the second member 40 are separated from each other. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the structure 10 is used in a mated state (state of FIG. 2) in which the first member 20 and the second member 40 are mated with each other. More specifically, the structure 10 of this embodiment is a branch connector having a waterproof structure, and when used, two or more cables 19 are connected to each other according to a predetermined connection relationship. The second member 40 of this embodiment is the main body of this connector. The first member 20 of this embodiment is the front cover of this connector. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the first member 20 covers and protects the second member 40 from the front in the mated state.

[0024] The structure 10 of this embodiment has the above-mentioned structure. However, the structure of the structure 10 in the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, the structure 10 does not need to have a waterproof structure. The structure 10 may also be a connector device that electrically connects an electronic device (not shown) and a mating electronic device (not shown) to each other. In this case, the first member 20 may be a connector connected to the electronic device, and the second member 40 may be a mating connector connected to the mating electronic device.

[0025] 1 and 2, the fitted state of the structure 10 (the state of FIG. 2) is locked as described below. More specifically, the fitted state cannot be released simply by applying a force to the first member 20 in the front-rear direction to move it away from the second member 40. However, as described below, the fitted state can be easily released by using a release tool 70. When releasing the fitted state of the structure 10, the release tool 70 is disposed above the structure 10 in the up-down direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The up-down direction in this embodiment is the Z direction. In this embodiment, the up is the +Z direction, and the down is the -Z direction. The up-down direction does not need to coincide with the direction of gravity. The up-down direction in the present invention is the direction in which the structure 10 and the release tool 70 are aligned when releasing the fitted state of the structure 10.

[0026] The first member 20 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0027] 3, the first member 20 of the present embodiment has a box shape that is open toward the rear. The first member 20 of the present embodiment includes a first housing 22 made of an insulating material, and also includes a waterproof member 29 made of an elastic material. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first member 20 may include only the first housing 22.

[0028] The first member 20 of this embodiment has a base 24 and two lock arms 26. The base 24 is a front portion of the first member 20, and extends long in a horizontal direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The two lock arms 26 are located on both sides of the base 24 in the horizontal direction. That is, the two lock arms 26 are separated from each other in the horizontal direction. The horizontal direction in this embodiment is the Y direction. The two lock arms 26 are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a predetermined plane (XZ plane) perpendicular to the horizontal direction.

[0029] Each of the lock arms 26 extends along the front-rear direction. More specifically, each of the lock arms 26 extends rearward from the rear edge of the base 24. In other words, each of the lock arms 26 in the present embodiment is a portion of a side portion of the first member 20 in the lateral direction that protrudes rearward from the rear edge of the base 24.

[0030] Each of the lock arms 26 has a thin flat plate shape perpendicular to the lateral direction. As can be seen from this structure, each of the lock arms 26 is a cantilever beam and is elastically deformable. The front end of each of the lock arms 26 is a fixed end fixed to the rear edge of the base 24 and hardly moves even when the lock arm 26 is elastically deformed. On the other hand, the rear end of each of the lock arms 26 is a free end and is able to move laterally as the lock arm 26 is elastically deformed.

[0031] The first member 20 of the present embodiment has two lock arms 26 each having the above-mentioned structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of lock arms 26 may be one.

[0032] Each of the lock arms 26 in this embodiment has an inner side surface 38. Each of the inner side surfaces 38 is an inner surface of the lock arm 26 in the lateral direction. The two inner side surfaces 38 face each other in the lateral direction with a rear portion of the first member 20 sandwiched therebetween. Each of the inner side surfaces 38 is a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction when the lock arm 26 is not elastically deformed.

[0033] Each of the lock arms 26 has a lock portion 32 and a release portion 36. Each of the lock arms 26 is also formed with a rectangular lock hole 32 and a recess 34.

[0034] Each of the lock holes 32 in this embodiment is a hole that penetrates laterally through the lock arm 26. Each of the lock holes 32 is located in the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the lock arm 26. Each of the lock holes 32 functions as a lock portion 32.

[0035] Each of the recesses 34 in the present embodiment is a recess formed in the inner surface 38. Each of the recesses 34 is located at the rear end of the locking arm 26. Each of the recesses 34 is open toward the rear and is recessed toward the outside of the first member 20 in the lateral direction.

[0036] Each of the release parts 36 in this embodiment is an inclined surface that intersects with the vertical direction of the recess 34. More specifically, each of the release parts 36 in this embodiment is an inclined surface that intersects with the vertical direction at an angle and is parallel to the front-rear direction. The lower end of each of the release parts 36 is connected to the inner surface 38. Each of the release parts 36 extends from the lower end of the release part 36 toward the outside in the upward and horizontal directions. Each of the release parts 36 is provided at the rear end of the lock arm 26. Each of the release parts 36 arranged in this manner is easy to move in the horizontal direction. When the first member 20 is viewed from the rear along the front-rear direction, the front inner wall surface of the recess 34 and the rear edge of the release part 36 are visible.

[0037] The first member 20 of the present embodiment has the above-mentioned structure. However, as long as the first member 20 has at least one locking arm 26 provided with the locking portion 32 and the released portion 36, the structure of the first member 20 is not particularly limited.

[0038] The second member 40 (see FIG. 4) of this embodiment will be described below.

[0039] 4 and 6, the second member 40 of this embodiment includes a second housing 42 made of an insulator, a waterproof member 49 made of an elastic body, two or more terminals 47 attached to the cables 19, and a connecting member 48 connecting the terminals 47 to each other. If necessary, the connecting member 48 can be partially removed to divide the cables 19 connected to the terminals 47 into two or more groups. As a result, only the cables 19 in the same group can be connected to each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second member 40 may include only the second housing 42.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, the second member 40 of this embodiment has a mirror-symmetric shape with respect to the XZ plane. The second member 40 has a front portion 43, a constricted portion 44, and a rear portion 45. The front portion 43 is a front portion of the second member 40. The rear portion 45 is a rear portion of the second member 40. The constricted portion 44 is a portion located between the front portion 43 and the rear portion 45 in the front-rear direction. That is, the constricted portion 44 is located in the middle of the second member 40 in the front-rear direction. The size of the constricted portion 44 in the lateral direction is smaller than the size of each of the front portion 43 and the rear portion 45 in the lateral direction. In other words, both sides of the constricted portion 44 in the lateral direction are recessed inward in the lateral direction.

[0041] With the above-described structure, the second member 40 is formed with two grooves (guide grooves 56) recessed in the lateral direction. That is, the second member 40 of the present embodiment has two guide grooves 56. The two guide grooves 56 are located on both sides of the constricted portion 44 in the lateral direction. Each of the guide grooves 56 is a space defined by the rear end surface of the front portion 43, the front end surface of the rear portion 45, and the side surface of the constricted portion 44 in the lateral direction. Each of the guide grooves 56 extends in the up-down direction. The rear end surface of the front portion 43 and the front end surface of the rear portion 45 are each a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The side surface of the constricted portion 44 in the lateral direction is a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction.

[0042] Each of the guide grooves 56 in this embodiment has the structure described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each surface defining the guide groove 56 may be a curved surface or may be an uneven surface.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 4 together with FIG. 6, the second member 40 of the present embodiment has two locked portions 52 and two opposing portions 54.

[0044] 4, the two locked portions 52 in this embodiment are located on both lateral sides of the front portion 43. Each of the locked portions 52 protrudes outward in the lateral direction from a lateral side surface of the front portion 43. The rear end of each of the locked portions 52 extends along the lateral direction.

[0045] The two facing portions 54 in this embodiment are located on both sides of the front portion 43 in the lateral direction. Each of the facing portions 54 is a part of the side surface of the front portion 43 in the lateral direction. The lower portion of each of the facing portions 54 is a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction. The upper portion of each of the facing portions 54 is a curved surface that bends toward the inside in the lateral direction. The two facing portions 54 correspond to the two locked portions 52, respectively, and also correspond to the two guide grooves 56, respectively. More specifically, each of the facing portions 54 is located behind the corresponding locked portion 52 and in front of the corresponding guide groove 56. In other words, each of the facing portions 54 is located between the corresponding locked portion 52 and the corresponding guide groove 56 in the front-rear direction.

[0046] Describing the arrangement of the locked portion 52, the facing portion 54, and the guide groove 56 in this embodiment from another perspective, the second member 40 has two side portions 46. The two side portions 46 are located on both sides of the second member 40 in the lateral direction. Each of the side portions 46 in this embodiment includes a side portion in the lateral direction of the front portion 43, a side portion in the lateral direction of the narrowed portion 44, and a side portion in the lateral direction of the rear portion 45. That is, each of the side portions 46 has the locked portion 52, the facing portion 54, and the guide groove 56.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 6, the second member 40 of the present embodiment has two sets each consisting of the locked portion 52, the facing portion 54, and the guide groove 56 having the above-mentioned structure. The two sets correspond to the two locking arms 26 of the first member 20, respectively. The second member 40 has two side portions 46 on which the two sets are formed, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when only one locking arm 26 is provided, the locked portion 52, the facing portion 54, and the guide groove 56 may be formed only on one of the two side portions 46. In other words, the number of the locked portions 52, the number of the facing portions 54, and the number of the guide grooves 56 may each be one.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 4 together with FIG. 2, the second member 40 of this embodiment has two receiving portions 59 in addition to the above-mentioned portions. Each of the receiving portions 59 is the upper surface of a convex portion formed in the narrowed portion 44. Each of the receiving portions 59 faces upward. The two receiving portions 59 are aligned in the horizontal direction and are located between the two guide grooves 56 in the horizontal direction. Each of the receiving portions 59 extends along a horizontal plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the up-down direction. The receiving portions 59 of this embodiment are provided as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the receiving portions 59 may be provided as necessary. The receiving portions 59 may be curved or uneven.

[0049] The second member 40 of the present embodiment has the above-mentioned structure. However, as long as the second member 40 has at least one set consisting of the locked portion 52, the facing portion 54, and the guide groove 56, the structure of the first member 20 is not particularly limited.

[0050] The fitted state of the structure 10 of this embodiment will now be described.

[0051] 6, in the mated state, the front end of the second member 40 is received inside the first member 20, and each of the locked portions 52 is received in the locking portion 32 of the corresponding locking arm 26. When a forward force is applied to the first member 20, the rear end of the locked portion 52, which is perpendicular to the front-rear direction, hits the inner wall surface of the locking portion 32, which is perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Therefore, the mated state cannot be released even if a force that moves the first member 20 away from the second member 40 in the front-rear direction is simply applied to the first member 20.

[0052] As described above, in the fitted state, the locking portion 32 locks the locked portion 52, thereby locking the fitted state. According to this embodiment, the two locking portions 32 located on both sides in the lateral direction of the first member 20 lock the two locked portions 52 located on both sides in the lateral direction of the second member 40. This structure more reliably locks the fitted state.

[0053] According to this embodiment, each of the locking portions 32 is a hole penetrating the locking arm 26, and each of the locked portions 52 is a protrusion. In the mated state, the locked portion 52 engages with the locking portion 32. However, as long as the locking portion 32 can lock the locked portion 52, the structures of each of the locking portion 32 and the locked portion 52 are not particularly limited. For example, each of the locking portions 32 may be a hole whose outer side in the lateral direction is covered. Each of the locking portions 32 may be a protrusion, and each of the locked portions 52 may be a hole.

[0054] Each of the locked parts 52 in this embodiment is fixed so as not to move relative to the second member 40. On the other hand, each of the locking parts 32 can move relative to the locked parts 52 by elastically deforming the locking arms 26. However, as shown in FIG. 4, according to this embodiment, in the fitted state, the entire locking arm 26 is located in front of the guide groove 56. According to this structure, in the fitted state, a large space large enough to insert a finger is not formed on the inside of the locking arm 26 in the lateral direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lock of the fitted state from being released due to unintentional elastic deformation of the locking arm 26. On the other hand, by intentionally moving each of the locking parts 32 outward in the lateral direction, the lock of the locked parts 52 by the locking parts 32 can be released, and thus the lock of the fitted state can be released.

[0055] In detail, the facing portions 54 of the second member 40 face the release portions 36 of the first member 20 in the lateral direction when the first member 20 and the second member 40 are in the fitted state. When the structure 10 in the fitted state is viewed in the vertical direction, the gaps 58 located between the facing portions 54 and the corresponding release portions 36 can be seen. This arrangement is suitable for inserting a jig into the gaps 58 by moving it in the vertical direction. According to this arrangement, by inserting a jig into the gaps 58, each of the locking portions 32 can be moved outward in the lateral direction. In other words, the structure 10 of this embodiment has a structure suitable for releasing the lock in the fitted state using a jig.

[0056] A release jig 70 (see FIG. 2) suitable as the above-mentioned jig will be described below.

[0057] Referring to Fig. 9, the release jig 70 of this embodiment is molded from an insulating material such as resin, and has a shape that is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the XZ plane. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the release jig 70 has two arms 72 and a connecting portion 74. Each of the arms 72 and the connecting portion 74 has a rectangular rod shape. The connecting portion 74 connects the two arms 72 to each other in the lateral direction. Each of the arms 72 extends downward from the connecting portion 74. The upper ends of the two arms 72 are connected to both ends of the connecting portion 74 in the lateral direction.

[0058] The release jig 70 is formed with an intermediate groove 76 and an inner circumferential recess 78. The intermediate groove 76 is located at the middle of the connecting portion 74 in the lateral direction. The intermediate groove 76 is a groove that opens downward and penetrates the connecting portion 74 in the front-rear direction. The inner circumferential recess 78 is a recess that is recessed from the front surface of the release jig 70 toward the rear. That is, the inner circumferential recess 78 is located at the front end of the release jig 70 and opens forward. The inner circumferential recess 78 is formed by partially cutting out the inner circumference of the release jig 70 in the vertical plane (YZ plane). The inner circumferential recess 78 extends between the lower ends of the two arm portions 72, sandwiching the intermediate groove 76 in the YZ plane.

[0059] Each of the arms 72 in this embodiment has a guided portion 82 and a releasing portion 84. That is, the releasing jig 70 in this embodiment has two guided portions 82 and two releasing portions 84. In other words, the releasing jig 70 has two sets each consisting of a guided portion 82 and a releasing portion 84. The two sets correspond to the two lock arms 26 (see FIG. 11) of the first member 20 (see FIG. 11), respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when only one lock arm 26 is provided, the releasing jig 70 may have one guided portion 82 and one releasing portion 84. More specifically, the releasing jig 70 may have only one arm 72.

[0060] Each of the guided portions 82 in this embodiment is a rear portion of the arm portion 72. Each of the guided portions 82 extends in the up-down direction. Referring to Fig. 11 together with Fig. 4, each of the guided portions 82 has a rectangular shape corresponding to the guide groove 56 of the second member 40 in the XY plane.

[0061] More specifically, the size of each of the guided portions 82 in the front-rear direction is the same as the size of the corresponding guide groove 56 in the front-rear direction. The front and rear surfaces of each of the guided portions 82 are planes perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The inner surface of each of the guided portions 82 in the lateral direction is a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction. The shortest distance between the two guided portions 82 in the lateral direction is equal to the shortest distance between the two guide grooves 56 in the lateral direction. As can be understood from the above-described structure, the release jig 70 of this embodiment has a structure that allows the two guided portions 82 to be inserted into the two guide grooves 56 simultaneously.

[0062] The guided portion 82 in this embodiment has the structure described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each surface of the guided portion 82 may be a curved surface or may be an uneven surface.

[0063] 7 and 8, each of the releasing portions 84 in this embodiment is a front portion of the arm portion 72. That is, each of the releasing portions 84 is located in front of the guided portion 82. Each of the releasing portions 84 is located outside the inner circumferential recess 78 in the lateral direction. Each of the releasing portions 84 in this embodiment has a releasing surface 85 and a deformation maintaining portion 86.

[0064] Each of the release surfaces 85 is located outside the release portion 84 in the lateral direction and faces outward in the lateral direction. Each of the release surfaces 85 in this embodiment is an inclined surface that intersects obliquely with the up-down direction and is parallel to the front-to-rear direction. Each of the release surfaces 85 extends upward and outward in the lateral direction from the lower end of the release portion 84. On the other hand, the inner surface of the release portion 84 in the lateral direction is a plane that is perpendicular to the lateral direction. The size of each of the release portions 84 in the lateral direction gradually increases toward the top. When the release jig 70 is viewed from the front along the front-to-rear direction, the front surface of the release portion 84 is visible.

[0065] 7 to 9, each of the deformation maintaining portions 86 is an upper portion of the releasing portion 84. The inner surface in the lateral direction of each of the deformation maintaining portions 86 is a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction, and extends upward from the upper end of the inner surface in the lateral direction of the releasing portion 84. The outer surface in the lateral direction of each of the deformation maintaining portions 86 is a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction, and extends upward from the upper end of the releasing surface 85. That is, each of the deformation maintaining portions 86 has a constant size TD in the lateral direction.

[0066] The release portion 84 in this embodiment has the structure described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the deformation maintaining portion 86 may be provided as necessary.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 8, the connecting portion 74 of this embodiment has two abutting portions 88. That is, the release jig 70 of this embodiment has two abutting portions 88 in addition to the above-mentioned portions. Each of the abutting portions 88 is the upper surface of the inner peripheral recess 78 formed in the connecting portion 74. Each of the abutting portions 88 faces downward. The two abutting portions 88 are aligned in the horizontal direction and are located between the two guided portions 82 in the horizontal direction. Each of the abutting portions 88 is a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. The abutting portions 88 of this embodiment are provided as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the abutting portions 88 may be provided as necessary. The abutting portions 88 may be curved or uneven.

[0068] Hereinafter, a release method (hereinafter simply referred to as the "release method of this embodiment") for releasing the lock of the fitted state in the structure 10 (see FIG. 2) including the first member 20 (see FIG. 2) and the second member 40 (see FIG. 2) that can be fitted together using the release jig 70 of this embodiment will be described. The release method of this embodiment described below is merely one example and can be modified as necessary.

[0069] 10 and 11, first, the release jig 70 is placed above the structure 10. At this time, the two arms 72 are positioned below the connecting portion 74. The release jig 70 is placed so that each of the arms 72 extends straight in the up-down direction. In addition, the two guided portions 82 are positioned directly above the two guide grooves 56.

[0070] 10 and 12, next, the releasing jig 70 is moved downward toward the structure 10. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the guided portions 82 extends downward beyond the lower end of the releasing portion 84. In other words, the lower end of the guided portion 82 is located below the lower end of the releasing portion 84. Therefore, referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 13, during the above-mentioned movement, first, the two guided portions 82 are received in the two guide grooves 56, respectively. As a result, the releasing portion 84 is positioned in the XY plane. When the releasing jig 70 continues to be moved downward, the positioned releasing portion 84 is inserted into the gap 58 without being misaligned in the front-rear and lateral directions.

[0071] To summarize the above explanation, according to the release method of this embodiment, the release jig 70 is moved in the vertical direction while the guide groove 56 restricts the movement of the guided portion 82 in the front-to-rear direction, thereby inserting the release portion 84 into the gap 58.

[0072] 10, as the release jig 70 continues to move downward, the release surface 85 of the release portion 84 inserted into the gap 58 comes into contact with the released portion 36 of the lock arm 26. As the release jig 70 continues to move further downward, the release surface 85 presses the released portion 36 outward in the lateral direction. As a result, the lock arm 26 is elastically deformed, and the released portion 36 moves outward in the lateral direction. As shown in FIG. 13, as the release jig 70 continues to move further downward, the lock portion 32 of the lock arm 26 moves to a position where it does not engage with the locked portion 52 in response to the movement of the released portion 36. That is, the locked portion 52 comes out of the lock portion 32, and the fitted state is released.

[0073] To summarize the above explanation with reference to Figures 10 and 13, according to the release method of this embodiment, the release part 84 inserted into the gap 58 elastically deforms the lock arm 26 by moving the released part 36 of the lock arm 26 toward the outside in the lateral direction of the structure 10, thereby releasing the lock of the locked part 52 by the lock part 32.

[0074] As can be understood from the above description, according to this embodiment, the lock of the fitted state can be released by simply moving the release jig 70 linearly downward along the up-down direction, without using the principle of leverage, by elastically deforming the lock arm 26. At this time, there is no need to particularly adjust the force applied to the release jig 70. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a release method that can easily release the fitted state without damaging the lock arm 26.

[0075] 7 together with FIG. 13, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a release tool 70 for releasing the lock of a fitted state in a structure 10 including a first member 20 and a second member 40 that are fittable with each other. The release portion 84 of the release tool 70 is inserted inside the lock arm 26 in the lateral direction by moving the release tool 70 in the up-down direction while restricting the movement of the guided portion 82 in the front-rear direction. When inserted inside the lock arm 26 in the lateral direction, the release portion 84 elastically deforms the lock arm 26, thereby releasing the lock of the locked portion 52 by the lock portion 32. That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a release tool 70 that is suitable for the release method of this embodiment.

[0076] 4 together with FIG. 11, according to this embodiment, a structure 10 suitable for the releasing method of this embodiment can be provided. More specifically, the structure 10 includes a first member 20 having an elastically deformable locking arm 26, and a second member 40 having a locked portion 52 that is locked by the locking arm 26. The second member 40 has a guide groove 56 that guides the guided portion 82 of the releasing jig 70. In the engaged state, the structure 10 has a gap 58 into which the releasing portion 84 of the releasing jig 70 can be inserted.

[0077] 15 and 16, according to the release method of this embodiment, when the release tool 70 continues to be moved downward, the abutment portion 88 of the release tool 70 abuts against the receiving portion 59 of the second member 40, and the release tool 70 stops. In other words, when the release tool 70 is moved in the vertical direction to release the lock of the locked part 52 (see FIG. 13) by the lock part 32 (see FIG. 13), the abutment portion 88 abuts against the receiving portion 59, and this defines the lower limit position of the release tool 70 when the lock of the locked part 52 by the lock part 32 is released. When the release tool 70 is in the lower limit position (the position in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16), the lock of the mating state is released. According to this embodiment, the lock of the mating state can be released by simply continuing to move the release tool 70 downward without being aware of the lower limit position of the release tool 70.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 13, when the release jig 70 is at the lower limit position, the deformation maintaining portion 86 of the release portion 84 maintains the state in which the locked portion 52 is released from the locking portion 32. Since the size of the deformation maintaining portion 86 in the lateral direction is constant, the lock arm 26 does not deform excessively. According to this embodiment, the lock of the mating state can be released without damaging the lock arm 26 by simply continuing to move the release jig 70 downward. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the release jig 70 is at the lower limit position, the upper end of the release surface 85 (see FIG. 7) may push the released portion 36 of the lock arm 26 outward in the lateral direction. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the deformation maintaining portion 86.

[0079] 13, the releasing portion 84 is pressed against the opposing portion 54 toward the inside in the lateral direction, while pushing the released portion 36 toward the outside in the lateral direction. With this structure, the released portion 36 can be reliably moved outward in the lateral direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the releasing portion 84 is pushing the released portion 36, the releasing portion 84 may be separated from the opposing portion 54 in the lateral direction.

[0080] 13 and 14, after the lock of the mated state is released, when the first member 20 is pulled forward, the first member 20 is detached from the second member 40, and the structure 10 is in a separated state (the state of FIG. 14). According to this embodiment, the first member 20 can be easily removed from the second member 40 by simply operating the release tool 70 with one hand and pulling the first member 20 with the other hand. The release tool 70 of this embodiment has two arms 72 integrated by a connecting portion 74, and is suitable for the easy removal direction described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the release tool 70 has only one arm 72, the lock of the mated state may be released by operating two separate release tools 70 from each other.

[0081] In addition to the various modifications already described, this embodiment can be modified in many ways.

[0082] For example, referring to Fig. 4, according to this embodiment, a space including a gap 58 is formed between the second member 40 and the entire lock arm 26 in the lateral direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the lock arm 26 may be in contact with the second member 40 except for the gap 58 formed only above the released portion 36 of the lock arm 26. Furthermore, the gap 58 may be formed only between the rear end of the released portion 36 and the rear end of the opposing portion 54.

[0083] For example, referring to Fig. 10, the released portion 36 in this embodiment is a sloping surface extending outward in the upward and lateral directions. Similarly, the release surface 85 of the releasing jig 70 is a sloping surface extending outward in the upward and lateral directions. With this structure, the gap 58 can be reliably formed, and the releasing portion 84 can be easily inserted into the gap 58. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the released portion 36 and the facing portion 54 form the gap 58 in the engaged state, and the released portion 36 is arranged so as to be pressurizable by the releasing portion 84, the respective shapes of the releasing portion 84 and the released portion 36 are not particularly limited.

[0084] For example, the release surface 85 may be a curved surface intersecting with the vertical direction. That is, the release portion 84 may have a surface intersecting with the vertical direction. Similarly, the release target portion 36 may be a curved surface intersecting with the vertical direction. That is, the release target portion 36 may be a surface intersecting with the vertical direction in the recess 34. Also, only one of the release surface 85 and the release target portion 36 may be a surface intersecting with the vertical direction. For example, when the curved surface shown in the figure is formed on the upper part of the facing portion 54 and the size of the gap 58 in the horizontal direction is sufficiently large, the release target portion 36 may be a plane perpendicular to the horizontal direction, and the release portion 84 may have a flat plate shape having a certain size in the horizontal direction.

[0085] For example, referring to Fig. 3, the released portion 36 in this embodiment is formed only at the rear end of the lock arm 26. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the released portion 36 may be formed over the entire inner surface 38 in the front-rear direction. In this case, the illustrated recess 34 is not formed in the lock arm 26. In other words, the recess 34 may be provided as necessary.

[0086] 7, the guided portion 82 in this embodiment is sufficiently large, more specifically, the guided portion 82 is larger than the releasing portion 84 in the lateral direction. Referring to FIG. 11, if the size of the guided portion 82 in the lateral direction is small, the posture of the releasing jig 70 may not be stable when the releasing jig 70 is moved downward. For example, the releasing jig 70 may rotate relative to the structure 10. On the other hand, by making the size of the guided portion 82 in the lateral direction sufficiently large, the guided portion 82 can be reliably guided by the guide groove 56. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the size of the guided portion 82 in the lateral direction may be set as necessary.

[0087] 10, in this embodiment, the size LG of the guided portion 82 in the up-down direction is larger than the size LL of the lock arm 26 in the up-down direction. In other words, the guided portion 82 is larger than the lock arm 26 in the up-down direction. With this structure, the lock arm 26 can be reliably elastically deformed when the guided portion 82 is guided in the up-down direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the size LG of the guided portion 82 in the up-down direction may be set as necessary.

[0088] 2, the guide groove 56 in this embodiment is open upward and downward. With this structure, the guided portion 82 can be reliably guided until the abutting portion 88 abuts against the receiving portion 59, regardless of the size LG (see FIG. 10) of the guided portion 82 in the up-down direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the guide groove 56 may be covered from below. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10 Structure 19 Cable 20 First member 22 1st Housing 24 base 26 Lock Arm 29 Waterproofing materials 32 Locking part (locking hole) 34 Recess 36 Released part 38 Inner surface 40 Second member 42 Second Housing 43 Front 44 Waist 45 Rear 46 Side 47 Terminal 48 Connecting member 49 Waterproofing materials 52 Locked part 54 Opposing Part 56 Guide groove 58 Gap 59 Receiving part 70 Release tool 72 Arm 74 Connecting part 76 Middle Groove 78 Inner recess 82 Guided part 84 Release section 85 Release surface 86 Deformation Maintenance Section 88 End

Claims

1. A method for unlocking a fitted state in a structure having a first member and a second member that can be fitted to each other, using a release tool, comprising: The second member is engageable with the first member located forward in the front-rear direction along the front-rear direction, The first member has a locking arm, The lock arm extends along the front-rear direction and is elastically deformable, The lock arm has a locking portion and a released portion, The released portion is provided at a rear end portion of the lock arm, The second member has a locked portion, an opposing portion, and a guide groove, the locking portion locks the locked portion in the fitted state in which the first member and the second member are fitted together, thereby locking the fitted state; The guide groove extends along a vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the opposing portion is located in front of the guide groove, and is opposed to the released portion in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction when the first member and the second member are in the fitted state, When the structure in the fitted state is viewed along the up-down direction, a gap between the opposing portion and the released portion is visible, The releasing tool has a guided portion and a releasing portion, The guided portion extends along the up-down direction, The release portion is located in front of the guided portion, The release tool is moved in the up-down direction while the guide groove restricts the movement of the guided portion in the front-rear direction, thereby inserting the release portion into the gap; The release portion inserted into the gap causes the release portion of the lock arm to move toward the outside in the lateral direction of the structure, thereby elastically deforming the lock arm, thereby releasing the lock of the locked portion by the lock portion. How to cancel.

2. A release tool for unlocking a fitted state in a structure having a first member and a second member that can be fitted to each other, comprising: The first member has a locking arm, The lock arm extends along a front-rear direction and is elastically deformable. The lock arm has a lock portion, The second member has a locked portion, the locking portion locks the locked portion in the fitted state in which the first member and the second member are fitted together, thereby locking the fitted state; The releasing tool has a guided portion and a releasing portion, The guided portion extends along a vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, The release portion is located in front of the guided portion, the release portion is inserted into the inside of the lock arm in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction by moving the release jig along the up-down direction while restricting movement of the guided portion in the front-rear direction, When the release portion is inserted inside the lock arm in the lateral direction, the release portion elastically deforms the lock arm, thereby releasing the lock of the locked portion by the lock portion. Release tool.

3. The release tool according to claim 2, The release portion has a surface that intersects with the up-down direction. Release tool.

4. The release tool according to claim 2, The lower end of the guided portion is located below the lower end of the release portion. Release tool.

5. The release tool according to claim 2, The guided portion is larger than the releasing portion in the lateral direction. Release tool.

6. The release tool according to claim 2, The release portion has a deformation maintaining portion, The deformation maintaining portion is an upper portion of the release portion, The deformation maintaining portion has a constant size in the lateral direction. Release tool.

7. The release tool according to claim 6, The guided portion is larger than the lock arm in the vertical direction. Release tool.

8. The release tool according to any one of claims 2 to 7, The release tool has two arms and a connecting portion, The connecting portion connects the two arm portions to each other in the lateral direction, Each of the arms extends downward from the connecting portion, Each of the arms has the guided portion and the release portion, The connecting portion has a butt portion, The second member has a receiving portion, The abutting portion abuts against the receiving portion when the release tool is moved in the up-down direction to release the lock of the locked part by the locking part, thereby defining a lower limit position of the release tool when the lock of the locked part by the locking part is released. Release tool.

9. A structure including a first member and a second member that are engageable with each other, The first member has a locking arm, The lock arm extends along the front-rear direction and is elastically deformable, The lock arm has a locking portion and a released portion, The released portion is provided at a rear end portion of the lock arm, The second member has a locked portion, an opposing portion, and a guide groove, the locking portion locks the locked portion in the fitted state in which the first member and the second member are fitted together, thereby locking the fitted state; The guide groove extends along a vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the opposing portion is located in front of the guide groove, and is opposed to the released portion in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction when the first member and the second member are in the fitted state, When the structure in the fitted state is viewed in the up-down direction, a gap located between the opposing portion and the released portion is visible. structure.

10. 10. The structure of claim 9, The guide groove is open upward and downward. structure.

11. 10. The structure of claim 9, The lock arm has a recess formed therein. The recess is located at the rear end of the lock arm, The recess is open toward the rear and recessed toward an outside of the first member in the lateral direction, The release portion is a surface of the recess that intersects with the up-down direction. structure.

12. A structure according to any one of claims 9 to 11, The first member has two locking arms, The two lock arms are spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction, The second member has two sides and a receiving portion. The two side portions are located on both sides of the second member in the lateral direction, Each of the side portions has the locked portion, the facing portion, and the guide groove, The receiving portion faces upward and is located between the two guide grooves in the lateral direction. structure.

Images