Connector holder unit, and connector holder

Abstract

To provide a connector holder unit capable of properly holding a connector, and a connector holder.SOLUTION: A connector holder unit 1 comprises: a connector 10; a connector holder unit 20 which holds the connector 10 between a pair of wall parts 21a and 21b opposed to each other; and a binding member 30 which is inserted over the pair of wall parts 21a and 21b and binds the pair of wall parts 21a and 21b to each other. The connector 10 includes a recess 12 forming a gap space S between the wall parts 21a and 21b at a binding position P where the pair of wall parts 21a and 21b is bound by the binding member 30. The connector holder 20 includes gap narrowing ribs 24 protruding from the wall parts 21a and 21b into the gap space S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector holder unit and a connector holder. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are technologies for holding a connector in a connector holder. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector holder including a holder body, at least one locking part to which the connector can be detached, and an attachment part for attaching the holder body to an attachment part. Also, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a connector holder that is attached to a connector having a bracket attachment part provided on the connector housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-42981 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-228384 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in a connector holder, for example, a pair of walls that hold the connector therebetween may be fastened together by a binding member, and even in such a case, it is desirable to hold the connector properly.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a connector holder unit and a connector holder that can properly hold a connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector holder unit of the present invention comprises a connector, a connector holder that holds the connector by sandwiching it between a pair of opposing wall portions, and a binding member that is inserted across the pair of wall portions and tightens the pair of wall portions together, wherein the connector has a recess that forms a gap space between the wall portions at a tightening position where the binding member tightens the pair of wall portions, and the connector holder has a gap-filling rib that protrudes from the wall portion into the gap space.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the connector holder of the present invention comprises a pair of wall portions positioned opposite each other, holding a connector between them and fastened by a binding member, and a gap-filling rib that protrudes from the wall portions into the gap space formed between the wall portions and the connector at a fastening position where the pair of wall portions are fastened by the binding member. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The connector holder unit and the connector holder according to the present invention have the advantage that they can properly hold a connector. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a connector holder unit according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the connector holder unit according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the connector holder unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of the connector holder unit according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view including a gap-filling rib of the connector holder unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the connector holder unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the connector holder unit according to the comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that are replaceable and easy for a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0011] [Embodiment] The connector holder unit 1 according to this embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 is fixed to a target portion of a vehicle or the like to hold a connector 10. The connector holder unit 1 of this embodiment is provided with a gap-filling rib 24 at a portion that is fastened by the bundling member 30 with the connector 10 held in the connector holder 20, thereby realizing a configuration that can properly hold the connector 10 even when a portion of the connector holder 20 is fastened by the bundling member 30. Each component of the connector holder unit 1 will be described in detail below with reference to each drawing.

[0012] In the following description, the three mutually intersecting directions are referred to as the "first direction X", the "second direction Y", and the "third direction Z" for convenience. The first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are typically perpendicular to each other. The first direction X typically corresponds to the insertion direction when the connector 10 is inserted into the connector holder 20. The second direction Y typically corresponds to the opposing direction of the pair of walls 21a and 21b fastened by the bundling member 30 in the connector holder 20. Each direction used in the following description will be described as a direction in a state in which each part is assembled to each other, unless otherwise specified. In addition, in Figs. 1 and 2 described below, the bundling member 30 is simplified and illustrated by a two-dot chain line, and in Figs. 3 and 5, the bundling member 30 itself is omitted from illustration.

[0013] Specifically, the connector holder unit 1 of the present embodiment includes a connector 10, a connector holder 20, and a bundling member 30, as shown in FIGS.

[0014] The connector 10 is held by a connector holder 20. The connector 10 is provided at an end of a wiring material, and electrically connects the wiring materials together by fitting with a mating connector C provided on another wiring material. For example, the connector 10 constitutes a male connector and is configured to be able to be fitted with a mating connector C that constitutes a female connector, but the reverse may also be true.

[0015] The connector 10 is formed generally in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a locking portion 11 (see FIG. 3 in particular) formed on its outer surface. The locking portion 11 is provided on one of a pair of side surfaces 10a, 10b facing each other along the second direction Y, here side surface 10a, of the outer surface of the connector 10. The locking portion 11 is a portion that is locked to the connector holder 20, and is formed of, for example, a known male lock portion. The connector 10 is locked to and held in the connector holder 20 via the locking portion 11.

[0016] The connector 10 of this embodiment further has a recess 12 on the outer surface. The recess 12 is formed on a pair of side surfaces 10a, 10b of the outer surface of the connector 10 that face each other along the second direction Y. That is, the connector 10 has a pair of recesses 12 formed on both sides of the outer surface in the second direction Y. Each recess 12 is formed on the side surfaces 10a, 10b at a corner located on one side in the first direction X (the back side in the insertion direction of the connector 10 into the connector holder 20) and one side in the third direction Z (the side on which the bundling member 30 is provided). Each recess 12 is formed as a portion that is stepped down in a concave shape along the second direction Y and the third direction Z at the corner of the side surfaces 10a, 10b. Each recess 12 constitutes a portion that forms a gap space S between the pair of walls 21a, 21b of the connector holder 20 at a fastening position P where the pair of walls 21a, 21b of the connector holder 20 are fastened by the bundling member 30 as described later.

[0017] The connector holder 20 holds the connector 10 and is fixed to a target fixing portion of a vehicle to support the connector 10. The connector holder 20 of the present embodiment holds the connector 10 by sandwiching it between a pair of walls 21a, 21b facing each other along the second direction Y.

[0018] Specifically, the connector holder 20 includes a main body 21 and a fixing portion 22, and the main body 21 and the fixing portion 22 are integrally formed from an insulating resin material. Note that, in addition to the main body 21 and the fixing portion 22, the connector holder 20 may further include accessories such as a cover member.

[0019] The main body 21 is a main part of the connector holder 20 that holds the connector 10. The main body 21 is configured to include walls 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d, and is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The pair of walls 21a, 21b are positioned facing each other with a gap therebetween along the second direction Y. The pair of walls 21a, 21b are both formed into a substantially rectangular plate shape whose plate thickness direction is along the second direction Y. The wall 21c is positioned on the other side of the pair of walls 21a, 21b in the third direction Z (opposite the side where the binding member 30 is provided). The wall 21c is formed into a substantially rectangular plate shape whose plate thickness direction is along the third direction Z, and connects the ends of the pair of walls 21a, 21b on the other side in the third direction Z along the second direction Y. The wall portion 21d is located on one side of the pair of walls 21a, 21b in the first direction X (the rear side in the insertion direction of the connector 10 into the connector holder 20). The wall portion 21d is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape whose plate thickness direction is along the first direction X, and connects the ends of the pair of walls 21a, 21b on one side in the first direction X along the second direction Y.

[0020] The main body 21 has an internal space surrounded by the walls 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d that constitutes a holding space 21e. The holding space 21e is a space for holding the connector 10 in the main body 21. The pair of walls 21a, 21b define both sides of the holding space 21e in the second direction Y. The wall 21c defines the other side of the holding space 21e in the third direction Z. The wall 21d defines one side of the holding space 21e in the first direction X.

[0021] Further, the main body 21 has an insertion opening 21f at the end of the walls 21a, 21b, 21c on the other side in the first direction X (the front side in the insertion direction of the connector 10 into the connector holder 20). The main body 21 has a fastening opening 21g at the end of the walls 21a, 21b, 21d on one side in the third direction Z (the side on which the bundling member 30 is provided). The insertion opening 21f opens toward the other side in the first direction X in the holding space 21e, and allows the connector 10 to be inserted into the holding space 21e between the pair of walls 21a, 21b along the first direction X. The fastening opening 21g opens toward one side in the third direction Z in the holding space 21e. The end of the pair of walls 21a, 21b on the fastening opening 21g side is fastened by the bundling member 30.

[0022] Further, the main body 21 has a locked portion 23 (see FIG. 5 in particular) formed on the inner surface on the side of the holding space 21e. The locked portion 23 is provided on one of a pair of walls 21a, 21b, which face each other along the second direction Y, of the inner surface on the side of the holding space 21e of the main body 21, here, the inner surface of the wall 21a. The locked portion 23 is a portion where the connector 10 is locked, and is constituted by, for example, a female lock shape portion corresponding to the male lock shape portion constituting the locking portion 11. The connector 10 is inserted into the holding space 21e along the first direction X through the above-mentioned insertion opening 21f, and the locking portion 11 fits into the locked portion 23 along the first direction X. As a result, the main body 21 can lock the connector 10 to the locked portion 23 and hold the connector 10 sandwiched between the pair of walls 21a, 21b.

[0023] Further, the main body 21 has insertion holes 21h, 21i formed at the end of the pair of walls 21a, 21b on the side of the fastening opening 21g fastened by the fastening member 30. That is, the pair of walls 21a, 21b each have the insertion holes 21h, 21i formed at the end on the fastening opening 21g side in the third direction Z. The insertion holes 21h, 21i are holes through which the fastening member 30 is inserted, and are formed at positions facing each other along the second direction Y at the end of the pair of walls 21a, 21b on the side of the fastening opening 21g. The insertion hole 21h is formed penetrating the wall 21a along the second direction Y, and the insertion hole 21i is formed penetrating the wall 21b.

[0024] In the main body 21, the portion where the insertion holes 21h, 21i are formed at the end of the fastening opening 21g side of the walls 21a, 21b becomes the fastening position P where the main body 21 is fastened by the binding member 30. Each recess 12 of the connector 10 described above is located adjacent to this fastening position P in a state in which the connector 10 is locked to the locked portion 23 and held between the walls 21a, 21b. That is, here, each recess 12 is located between the pair of insertion holes 21h, 21i in the second direction Y when viewed along the third direction Z (see FIG. 4 in particular).

[0025] The fixing portion 22 is a portion of the connector holder 20 that is fixed to a target portion of the vehicle. The fixing portion 22 is formed integrally with the main body 21, and is fixed to the target portion of the vehicle via various types of fixing mechanisms such as bolt fixing, clip fixing, and engagement fixing. Here, three fixing portions 22 (one bolt fixing portion and two clip fixing portions) are provided on the outer surface (the surface opposite to the retaining space portion 21e side) of the wall portion 21b of the main body 21. This allows the connector holder 20 to be fixed to the target portion of the vehicle via the fixing portions 22.

[0026] The bundling member 30 is a member that is inserted across a pair of wall portions 21a, 21b of the connector holder 20 and fastens the pair of wall portions 21a, 21b together. The bundling member 30 is typically a so-called cable tie, and is configured to include a head portion 31 and a band portion 32 extending from the head portion 31. The bundling member 30 has the band portion 32 inserted through the insertion holes 21h, 21i formed in the pair of wall portions 21a, 21b along the second direction Y. The tip of the band portion 32 inserted across the pair of insertion holes 21h, 21i is folded back so as to straddle the end of the fastening opening portion 21g side of the wall portions 21a, 21b, and is engaged with the head portion 31 and fastened, so that the pair of wall portions 21a, 21b can be fastened so as to approach each other along the second direction Y. In this state, the band portion 32 of the binding member 30 does not interfere with the connector 10.

[0027] In the connector holder unit 1 of this embodiment, when the pair of walls 21a, 21b are fastened by the bundling member 30, a gap space S is formed between each recess 12 of the connector 10 and each wall 21a, 21b at the fastening position P (see FIG. 4 in particular). A total of two gap spaces S are formed, one between one recess 12 and the wall 21a, and one between the other recess 12 and the wall 21b. Each gap space S is located adjacent to the fastening position P. That is, here, each gap space S is located between the pair of insertion holes 21h, 21i in the second direction Y when viewed along the third direction Z, similar to each recess 12 (see FIG. 4 in particular). And, the connector holder unit 1 of this embodiment has a gap filling rib 24 that fills the gap space S at a position of the connector holder 20 corresponding to each gap space S.

[0028] More specifically, the connector holder 20 includes gap filling ribs 24 that protrude from the walls 21a and 21b into the gap space S. Here, a total of two gap filling ribs 24 are formed, one on the wall 21a and one on the wall 21b. One of the gap filling ribs 24 is formed to protrude from the wall 21a along the second direction Y into the gap space S, in other words, into the recess 12. Similarly, the other gap filling rib 24 is formed to protrude from the wall 21b along the second direction Y into the gap space S, in other words, into the recess 12.

[0029] Each gap filling rib 24 is formed adjacent to the insertion hole 21h, 21i at a position on the wall portion 21c side of the insertion hole 21h, 21i in the third direction Z. Therefore, each gap filling rib 24 is located between the pair of insertion holes 21h, 21i in the second direction Y when viewed in the third direction Z, similar to the recess 12 and each gap space S (see FIG. 4 in particular).

[0030] Here, each gap filling rib 24 is formed as a straight protrusion extending along the first direction X. Each gap filling rib 24 is located within and fills the gap space S formed by the recess 12 of the connector 10 when the connector 10 is engaged with the engaged portion 23 and held between the walls 21a, 21b.

[0031] Each gap filling rib 24 has a tapered surface 24a formed at an end on the insertion opening 21f side in the first direction X. Each tapered surface 24a is inclined so that the amount of protrusion from the walls 21a, 21b gradually decreases as it approaches the insertion opening 21f side along the first direction X. In other words, the pair of tapered surfaces 24a formed on each gap filling rib 24 is inclined so that the interval along the second direction Y gradually increases as it approaches the insertion opening 21f side along the first direction X. Each tapered surface 24a functions as a guide surface that guides the connector 10 to the rear side in the first direction X when the connector 10 is inserted into the holding space 21e along the first direction X through the insertion opening 21f.

[0032] In the connector holder unit 1 configured as described above, the connector 10 is inserted into the holding space 21e of the connector holder 20 through the insertion opening 21f along the first direction X. At this time, in the connector holder unit 1, as the connector 10 is inserted, the connector 10 is guided toward the rear side in the first direction X by the tapered surfaces 24a of the gap filling ribs 24. As a result, the connector 10 is smoothly guided toward the rear side of the holding space 21e while avoiding hitting and interfering with the gap filling ribs 24.

[0033] Then, when the connector 10 is further pushed into the connector holder unit 1, the locking portion 11 of the connector 10 fits into the locked portion 23 along the first direction X. As a result, the connector 10 is locked into the locked portion 23 of the connector holder unit 1, and the connector 10 can be sandwiched and held between the pair of walls 21a, 21b of the connector holder 20.

[0034] The connector holder unit 1 has the band portion 32 of the binding member 30 inserted through the insertion holes 21h, 21i formed in the pair of walls 21a, 21b, and the tip of the band portion 32 is engaged with the head portion 31 and tightened, thereby tightening the ends of the pair of walls 21a, 21b on the tightening opening 21g side. This allows the connector holder unit 1 to suppress the tightening opening 21g and the insertion opening 21f from spreading outward when, for example, fitting the mating connector C to the connector 10. As a result, the connector holder unit 1 can suppress the pair of walls 21a, 21b from spreading outward even if, for example, the mating connector C is fitted at a slight inclination along the second direction Y due to work variation during the fitting operation of the mating connector C.

[0035] In the connector holder unit 1, when the connector 10 is held by the pair of walls 21a, 21b and the pair of walls 21a, 21b is fastened by the binding member 30, the gap filling rib 24 is located in a gap space S formed between each recess 12 of the connector 10 and the walls 21a, 21b at the fastening position P. As a result, even if the ends of the pair of walls 21a, 21b on the fastening opening 21g side are fastened together by the binding member 30 as shown in Fig. 6, the connector holder unit 1 can prevent the pair of walls 21a, 21b from being deformed by the fastening of the binding member 30 because each gap space S is filled by the gap filling rib 24 at the fastening position P.

[0036] 7 shows a connector holder unit 100 according to a comparative example that does not have the gap filling rib 24. In the connector holder unit 100 according to the comparative example, the gap filling rib 24 is not provided in the gap space S, and the gap remains open, so that when the pair of walls 21a, 21b are fastened by the binding member 30, there is a risk that the pair of walls 21a, 21b will be deformed as a whole so as to crush the gap space S.

[0037] In contrast, in the connector holder unit 1, since each gap S is filled by the gap filling rib 24 at the fastening position P as described above, even if the pair of wall portions 21a, 21b are fastened by the binding member 30, each gap filling rib 24 supports the wall portions 21a, 21b from the gap space S side and can receive the fastening force of the binding member 30. As a result, the connector holder unit 1 can prevent the pair of wall portions 21a, 21b from being entirely deformed so as to crush the gap space S.

[0038] The connector holder unit 1 is assembled to the vehicle by fixing the connector holder 20 to a target portion of the vehicle via the fixing portion 22. In this case, the connector holder unit 1 is provided with the gap-filling rib 24 as described above, which can prevent the pair of walls 21a, 21b from being entirely deformed by fastening the binding member 30, and can therefore prevent, for example, a situation in which the wall 21b on which the fixing portion 22 is provided is deformed and the fixing portion 22 cannot be fixed to a specified target portion. As a result, the connector holder unit 1 can reliably fix each fixing portion 22 to the target portion.

[0039] In the connector holder 20 and the connector holder unit 1 described above, the pair of walls 21a, 21b of the connector holder 20 that holds the connector 10 are fastened by the fastening member 30. In this case, the connector holder 20 and the connector holder unit 1 are provided with the gap filling rib 24 so as to protrude into the gap space S formed between the recess 12 of the connector 10 and the walls 21a, 21b at the fastening position P by the fastening member 30. With this configuration, in the connector holder 20 and the connector holder unit 1, since the gap space S is filled by the gap filling rib 24 at the fastening position P, even if the pair of walls 21a, 21b are fastened by the fastening member 30, the pair of walls 21a, 21b can be prevented from being deformed by the fastening of the fastening member 30. As a result, the connector holder 20 and the connector holder unit 1 can properly hold the connector 10.

[0040] Moreover, in the connector holder 20 and the connector holder unit 1 described above, the gap filling rib 24 has a tapered surface 24a. With this configuration, the connector holder 20 and the connector holder unit 1 can guide the connector 10 by the tapered surface 24a as the connector 10 is inserted into the connector holder 20. As a result, when assembling the connector 10 to the connector holder 20, the connector holder 20 and the connector holder unit 1 can smoothly guide the connector 10 to the inner side of the holding space portion 21e while avoiding the connector 10 hitting the gap filling rib 24 and interfering with it. As a result, the connector holder 20 and the connector holder unit 1 can realize a configuration in which the connector 10 can be properly held by the gap filling rib 24 as described above, and can also suppress a decrease in the ease of assembling the connector 10.

[0041] The connector holder unit and the connector holder according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0042] In the above description, the recess 12, the gap space S, and the gap filling rib 24 are described as being provided in pairs on both sides in the second direction Y, but this is not limited thereto. It is sufficient that the recess 12, the gap space S, and the gap filling rib 24 are provided on at least one side in the second direction Y.

[0043] In the above description, the gap filling rib 24 is described as having the tapered surface 24a formed thereon, but this is not limiting.

[0044] In the above description, the insertion holes 21h, 21i are described as being formed at positions facing each other along the second direction Y, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the pair of insertion holes 21h, 21i may be formed at positions offset from each other along the first direction X within a range that allows one binding member 30 to be inserted therethrough.

[0045] The connector holder unit and the connector holder according to this embodiment may be constructed by appropriately combining the components of the embodiments and modified examples described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Connector holder unit 10 Connectors 12 Recess 20 Connector holder 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d Wall section 21e Holding space 21f Insertion opening 21g Clamping opening 24 Gap filling rib 24a Tapered surface 30 Binding material P Tightening position S Gap space X 1st direction Y Second direction Z 3rd direction

Claims

1. A connector; a connector holder that holds the connector by sandwiching it between a pair of opposing walls; a fastening member that is inserted across the pair of wall portions and fastens the pair of wall portions together, the connector has a recess that forms a gap space between the wall portions and the recess at a fastening position where the pair of wall portions are fastened by the fastening member, The connector holder has a gap filling rib protruding from the wall portion into the gap space. Connector holder unit.

2. the connector holder has an insertion opening between the pair of walls through which the connector can be inserted, The gap filling rib has a tapered surface that is inclined so that the amount of protrusion from the wall portion decreases toward the insertion opening portion. The connector holder unit according to claim 1 .

3. a pair of walls positioned opposite to each other, sandwiching and holding the connector therebetween, and fastened by a fastening member; a gap filling rib protruding from the wall portion into a gap space formed between the wall portion and the connector when the wall portion is in a fastening position where the fastening member fastens the pair of wall portions, Connector holder.

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