Fastener, housing structure, and device

Abstract

To provide a fastener, a housing structure, and a device, capable of suppressing deviation of a cable while easily performing a housing operation of a cable.SOLUTION: A housing structure 1 of a cable comprises: a housing part 10 that includes a groove-like housing space 13 in which the cable is housed; and a fastener 20 that is attached to an opening of the housing part 10. The housing part 10 includes a reception part 15 for fixing the fastener 20 at wall parts 12 on both sides. The fastener 20 includes: a pair of fixing parts 21 separately arranged and fixed to the reception part 15; and a coupling part 22 coupling the fixing parts 21 and deforming so as to be extendable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to fasteners, storage structures and devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Devices having electrical components such as power supplies, sensors, actuators, etc. have cables that connect the electrical components together. The cables that connect the electrical components together are generally fixed to the device with clamps, cable ties, etc., or stored in grooves provided in the device, so that the cables do not interfere with mechanical components (e.g., covers, etc.) inside the device, or to protect the cables from the mechanical components. Regarding cable storage, there is a technology described in Patent Document 1, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-324834 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a cable is laid on a molded product, a groove for accommodating the cable may be formed in the molded product, and the cable may be housed in the groove. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, in a conventional storage structure 610, a groove 618 for storing a cable 8 is formed in a molded product 611, and a part of the opening of the groove 618 is narrowed by a protrusion 612. When storing the cable 8 in the groove 618, the cable 8 is pushed into the groove 618 through a narrowed gap 619. Also, as shown in Fig. 9, in a conventional storage structure 710, a groove 718 for storing a cable 8 is formed in a molded product 711, and a part of the opening of the groove 718 is narrowed by a protrusion 712 and a rib 713. In this case as well, the cable 8 is pushed into the groove 718 through the narrowed gap 719.

[0005] 8 and 9 has the advantage of being able to reduce the number of parts, but has the problem that it takes a long time to store the cables 8 when there are a large number of cables 8 to be stored, because only a few cables 8 can be pushed into the narrowed gaps 619, 719 at a time. Furthermore, if the narrowed gaps 619, 719 are widened to improve the ease of storing the cables 8, there is a problem that the cables 8 are more likely to protrude from the gaps 619, 719 after storage.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides a fastener, a storage structure, and a device that can facilitate the operation of storing a cable and prevent the cable from protruding out. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a fastener according to one embodiment of the present invention is a fastener for a cable, characterized in that it comprises a pair of fixing parts that are spaced apart and fixed to an object, and a connecting part that connects the fixing parts and is deformable so as to be expandable and contractible.

[0008] Moreover, a storage structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is a storage structure for a cable, comprising a storage section having a groove-shaped storage space in which the cable is stored, and a fastener attached to an opening of the storage section, wherein the storage section has receiving portions on both walls for fixing the fastener, and the fastener is arranged at a distance from one another and has a pair of fixing portions fixed to the receiving portions, and a connecting portion that connects the fixing portions and is deformable to be expandable and contractible.

[0009] Moreover, an apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-mentioned storage structure. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the cable can be easily stored and the cable can be prevented from protruding. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a storage structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is a front view of a fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2C] 1 is a perspective view of a fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2D] 1 is a perspective view of a fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a cable is fixed by a storage structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a storage structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 11 is a front view of a fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5C] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a cable is fixed by a storage structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 13A to 13C are views for explaining an operation of removing a cable stored in a storage structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining problems with a conventional storage structure. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining problems with a conventional storage structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each drawing is merely a schematic illustration to the extent that the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to only the illustrated examples. In addition, in the drawings to which reference is made, the dimensions of the members constituting the present invention may be exaggerated or otherwise expressed in order to clarify the explanation. In addition, in each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to common or similar components, and their repeated explanations are omitted.

[0013] [First embodiment] <Configuration of the storage structure according to the first embodiment> A storage structure 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the storage structure 1. Fig. 2A is a plan view of a fastener 20 constituting the storage structure 1. Fig. 2B is a front view of the fastener 20. Figs. 2C and 2D are perspective views of the fastener 20. Fig. 3 is a view of a state in which a cable 8 is fixed by the storage structure 1. The storage structure 1 is a structure for storing the cable 8. The type of cable 8 fixed by the storage structure 1 is not limited, and may be, for example, a conductor wire, a communication cable, etc. The storage structure 1 is provided in a device having electrical components such as a power source, a sensor, an actuator, etc.

[0014] In the description of the storage structure 1, the directions of "up and down," "front and back," and "left and right" follow the arrows in Figures 1 to 2D. These directions are defined for the convenience of the description and do not limit the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the storage structure 1 includes a storage section 10 having a space for storing a cable 8 (see Figure 3), and a fastener 20 attached to the storage section 10.

[0015] The storage section 10 shown in FIG. 1 is made of, for example, resin, and is formed into a molded product. As shown in FIG. 1, the storage section 10 mainly includes a bottom 11 and a pair of walls 12 (left wall 12A, right wall 12B) erected from the bottom 11. As a result, the storage section 10 has a groove-shaped storage space 13 for storing a cable 8 (see FIG. 3). Although FIG. 1 shows the linear storage space 13 extending in the front-rear direction, the storage space 13 may be bent or curved. Furthermore, the width H of the storage space 13 does not need to be constant, and may have narrow and wide parts. Furthermore, the storage space 13 may be separated or merged along the way.

[0016] The storage unit 10 has a pair of receiving portions 15 (left receiving portion 15A, right receiving portion 15B) for fixing the fastener 20. The left receiving portion 15A and the right receiving portion 15B have the same configuration and are symmetrical. The fastener 20 is prevented from coming off the storage unit 10 by fixing the fixing portion 21 of the fastener 20 to the receiving portions 15. The storage unit 10 is an example of an object to which the fastener 20 is fixed.

[0017] The receiving portion 15 has an overall shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and is provided so as to protrude outward from the wall portion 12. An upper surface 15e of the receiving portion 15 is lower than an upper surface 12e of the wall portion 12, and an insertion hole 15f into which the fixing portion 21 of the fastener 20 is inserted is formed. The shape of the insertion hole 15f corresponds to the shape and size of the fixing portion 21, and is shaped so that the fixing portion 21 can be inserted to a predetermined depth, but also makes it difficult to pull out the fixing portion 21 after it has been inserted to the predetermined depth.

[0018] 1 is a member for fastening cable 8 inside storage section 10. Fastener 20 has a pair of fixing parts 21 (left side fixing part 21A, right side fixing part 21B) fixed to receiving part 15, and a connecting part 22 that connects fixing parts 21. Left side fixing part 21A and right side fixing part 21B have the same configuration and are symmetrical.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2B, the fixing part 21 is formed by bending a plate-like member, so that it has a substantially V-shape (substantially U-shape) in front view. The fixing part 21 has a bent part 21e that bends from the connecting part 22, a folded part 21f that is provided continuously from the bent part 21e, an engagement claw 21g that is a protrusion that engages with the receiving part 15, and a release lever 21i. The fixing part 21 has a function of a leaf spring, and when the engagement claw 21g is brought close to the bent part 21e, a force that returns the engagement claw 21g to the outside is generated by the elastic force. A convex part 21h is formed on the back side of the bent part 21e (the side opposite to the surface facing the engagement claw 21g) for improving the contact state (increasing the contact area) with the inner surface 15g of the insertion hole 15f (see FIG. 1) (see FIG. 2D). As shown in FIG. 2D, two protruding portions 21h are provided near the side surfaces of the bent portion 21e (one each at the front and back).

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2B, the engagement claw 21g is a protrusion that has a triangular shape when viewed from the front, and has a slope on the outside that continues from the folded-back portion 21f. The engagement claw 21g engages with the engaged portion 15h (see Fig. 1) of the receiving portion 15, and serves to prevent the fastener 20 from slipping out upward. The engaged portion 15h is a beam-shaped portion formed on the receiving portion 17.

[0021] When the fixing part 21 is inserted into the insertion hole 15f of the receiving part 15, the inclined surface of the engaging claw 21g comes into contact with the inner surface of the engaged part 15h provided in the receiving part 17, and the engaging claw 21g is pushed inward and elastically deformed. By inserting the fixing part 21 to a predetermined depth, the interference between the inclined surface of the engaging claw 21g and the engaged part 15h is eliminated, and the engaging claw 21g is returned to its original position by the elastic force. As a result, the engaging claw 21g is caught by the engaged part 15h, preventing the fastener 20 from slipping out upward.

[0022] In a state where the fixing part 21 is inserted into the receiving part 15 (see FIG. 3), that is, in a fixed state where the engagement claw 21g prevents the fastener 20 from being pulled out upward, the release lever 21i (see FIG. 2C) protrudes upward from the upper surface 15e of the receiving part 15. By moving the release lever 21i inward, the engagement claw 21g moves to a position where it does not engage with the engaged part 15h, so that the fixing part 21 can be pulled out upward from the insertion hole 15f of the receiving part 15. In other words, the fastener 20 has an unlocking means for easily releasing the fixed state with the receiving part 15.

[0023] 2C, the connecting portion 22 is a portion that connects the left fixing portion 21A and the right fixing portion 21B. When the fastener 20 is fixed to the storage portion 10 (see FIG. 3), the connecting portion 22 is disposed across the left wall portion 12A and the right wall portion 12B (disposed across the storage space 13 and blocking a part of the opening of the storage space 13 so that the cable 8 does not come out of the storage space 13). In other words, the connecting portion 22 plays a role in preventing the cable 8 from protruding out of the storage portion 10.

[0024] The connecting portion 22 is made of an elastic material and has a deformation portion 23 that is deformable to expand and contract. The deformation portion 23 is provided in a part or the whole of the connecting portion 22 (in this embodiment, the central portion (approximately 1 / 3 range) of the connecting portion 22 serves as the deformation portion 23). The deformation section 23 does not have a straight member corresponding to the line segment (the line segment in the left-right direction in FIG. 2A) that connects the fixed sections 21 at the shortest distance, but has a straight member, a bent member, or a curved member that intersects with the line segment. The deformation section 23 may be configured with a combination including at least two of the straight member, the bent member, and the curved member that intersects with the line segment. The deformation section 23 in this embodiment has a mesh shape, but may have a shape such as a ring shape, an S-shape, or a honeycomb structure.

[0025] When the cable 8 is fixed to the storage section 10, after the cable 8 is stored in the groove-shaped storage space 13, the left fixing part 21A and the right fixing part 21B are inserted into the insertion holes 15f of the left receiving part 15A and the right receiving part 15B and locked to close the opening of the groove of the storage section 10. At this time, the distance between the left fixing part 21A and the right fixing part 21B is variable because the connecting part 22 has a deformation part 23 that can be deformed to expand and contract. In addition, since the deformation part 23 can be bent, the position of the fixing part 21 can be adjusted in the up-down and front-rear directions. When the cable 8 is to be removed from the storage section 10, the release lever 21i is manually operated to release the lock, and the fastener 20 can be removed from the storage section 10.

[0026] The storage structure 1 according to the first embodiment described above has the following advantages, for example. According to the storage structure 1 of the first embodiment, since a narrow gap is not required in the storage section 10, the cable 8 can be easily stored in the storage space 13. Therefore, the time required for storing the cable 8 can be shortened (storage work is simple). In addition, since the opening of the storage section 10 can be blocked by the fastener 20, protrusion of the cable 8 can be suppressed.

[0027] According to the storage structure 1 of the first embodiment, the fastener 20 connects the two fixing parts 21 with the connecting part 22 that is deformable and flexible, so that one type of fastener 20 can be used for locations of the storage space 13 having different widths H (see FIG. 1). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, fasteners 20 of the same shape and size can be used for locations of the storage space 13 having different widths H1 and H2. The fasteners 20A, 20B, and 20E shown in FIG. 3 are installed in locations where the width H1 of the storage space 13 is wide. On the other hand, the fasteners 20C and 20D are installed in locations where the width H2 of the storage space 13 is narrow. The fasteners 20B and 20E are installed at locations where the cable 8 is bent, and the fastener 20D is installed at an angle to the cable 8, not perpendicular to the cable 8. Furthermore, the tolerance of the spacing of receiving portions 15, which are molded products, can be made wider (there is no need to make the tolerance of the spacing of receiving portions 15 strict).

[0028] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, both fixing parts 21 provided on both sides of fastener 20 had release levers 21i (unlocking means). Therefore, by operating release levers 21i, fastener 20 could be easily removed from storage section 10. In the second embodiment, fastener 20 has release lever 21i (unlocking means) only on one side.

[0029] <Configuration of the storage structure according to the second embodiment> A storage structure 101 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 7. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the storage structure 101. Fig. 5A is a plan view of fastener 120 constituting the storage structure 101. Fig. 5B is a front view of fastener 120. Fig. 5C is a perspective view of fastener 120. Fig. 6 is a view showing a state in which cable 8 is fixed by storage structure 101. Fig. 7 is a view for explaining the operation of removing cable 8 stored in storage structure 101.

[0030] In the description of storage structure 101, "up and down," "front and back," and "left and right" refer to the arrows in Fig. 4. These directions are defined for the convenience of description and do not limit the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, storage structure 101 includes storage section 110 having a space for storing cable 8 (see Fig. 3), and fastener 120 attached to storage section 110.

[0031] 4 has a pair of fixing parts 121 (left fixing part 121A, right fixing part 121B) and a connecting part 22 that connects the fixing parts 121. The right fixing part 121B and the connecting part 22 have the same configurations as in the first embodiment, but the configuration of the left fixing part 121A differs from the first embodiment. The following mainly describes the configuration of the left fixing part 121A, which is the difference from the first embodiment.

[0032] 5C, the left fixed part 121A has a slit 121i at its tip (a notch at its tip) so that the tip is divided into two. That is, the left fixed part 121A has a first tip 121e and a second tip 121f. This allows the left fixed part 121A to function as a leaf spring, and when the first tip 121e and the second tip 121f are brought close to each other, a force is generated by the elasticity of the left fixed part 121A that returns the first tip 121e and the second tip 121f in the direction away from each other.

[0033] In addition, the first tip portion 121e and the second tip portion 121f each have an engagement claw 121g that is bent back toward the base side. The engagement claw 121g engages with an engaged portion 115h of the receiving portion 115 (see FIG. 4) to prevent the fastener 120 from slipping out upward. The engagement claw 121g has a slope that continues from the first tip portion 121e and the second tip portion 121f.

[0034] With this configuration, when the left fixing part 121A is inserted into the insertion hole 115f of the receiving part 115, the inclined surface of the engagement claw 121g contacts the inner surface 115g of the insertion hole 15f, and the first tip 121e and the second tip 121f are elastically deformed in a direction approaching each other. By inserting the fixing part 121 to a predetermined depth, the interference between the inclined surface of the engagement claw 121g and the inner surface 115g of the insertion hole 115f is eliminated, and the first tip 121e and the second tip 121f are returned to their original positions by the elastic force. As a result, the engagement claw 121g is caught by the receiving part 115, preventing the fastener 120 from slipping out upward.

[0035] 4 mainly includes a bottom portion 11 and a pair of walls 12 (a left wall portion 12A and a right wall portion 12B) erected from the bottom portion 11. As a result, the storage portion 10 has a groove-shaped storage space 13 for storing a cable 8 (see FIG. 6). The configuration of the storage space 13 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0036] The storage section 110 also has a pair of receiving sections 115 (left receiving section 115A and right receiving section 115B) for fixing the fastener 120. The right receiving section 115B has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, but the configuration of the left receiving section 115A differs from that in the first embodiment. The following description will focus on the configuration of the left receiving section 115A, which is the difference from the first embodiment.

[0037] The left side receiving portion 115A has an overall rectangular frame shape and is provided so as to protrude outward from the left wall portion 12A. The left side receiving portion 115A is formed with an insertion hole 115f into which the left side fixing portion 121A of the fastener 120 is inserted. The shape of the insertion hole 115f corresponds to the shape and size of the left side fixing portion 121A, and is shaped so that the left side fixing portion 121A can be inserted to a predetermined depth, and the left side fixing portion 121A is difficult to pull out after being inserted to the predetermined depth. The state in which the fastener 120 is attached to the storage portion 110 is as shown in FIG. 6. The engaged portion 115h (see FIG. 4) is a portion of the front wall portion and the rear wall portion of the receiving portion 115.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5B, the left fixed part 121A has a hinge part 121h at the boundary part with the connecting part 22 (the base part of the left fixed part 121A). In this embodiment, the hinge part 121h is realized by reducing the thickness of the boundary part between the left fixed part 121A and the connecting part 22. The hinge part 121h has a rotation axis in the front-rear direction, and makes it possible to change the angle θ (see FIG. 5B) between the left fixed part 121A and the connecting part 22. In other words, by increasing the angle θ from the state shown in FIG. 5B, it is possible to extend the connecting part 22 relative to the left fixed part 121A and make the left fixed part 121A and the connecting part 22 linear (see FIG. 7).

[0039] When the cable 8 is fixed to the storage section 110, after the cable 8 is accommodated in the groove-shaped storage space 13, the left fixing section 121A is inserted into the insertion hole 115f of the left receiving section 115A. Also, the right fixing section 121B is inserted into the insertion hole 15f of the right receiving section 115B. As a result, the fastener 120 closes the opening of the groove of the storage section 110 (see FIG. 6). At this time, since the connecting section 22 has the deformation section 23 that is deformable so as to be expandable and contractible, the distance between the left fixing section 121A and the right fixing section 121B becomes variable. Also, since the deformation section 23 is flexible, the position of the fixing section 121 can be adjusted in the up-down and front-rear directions.

[0040] When removing the cable 8 from the storage unit 10, the release lever 21i of the right-side fixed part 121B is manually operated to release the lock, and the right-side fixed part 121B side is lifted to increase the angle θ between the left-side fixed part 121A and the connecting part 22, so that the left-side fixed part 121A and the connecting part 22 are made linear (see FIG. 7). This opens up the storage space 13 of the storage unit 110, making it possible to remove the cable 8.

[0041] The storage structure 101 according to the second embodiment described above can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, according to the storage structure 101 according to the second embodiment, since only the right fixing part 121B is released from the storage part 110, it is not necessary to completely remove the fastener 120 from the storage part 110. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fastener 120 from being lost. Furthermore, since the left side receiving portion 115A does not need to have a configuration for unlocking, it is possible to keep the amount of protrusion small.

[0042] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be practiced within the scope of the claims. Modifications of the embodiment are, for example, as shown below.

[0043] In the first embodiment, the two connecting fixing parts 21 have the same shape and size, but the connecting fixing parts 21 may have different shapes and sizes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 Storage structure 8 Cable 10 Storage area 11 Bottom 12 Wall 13 Storage space 15 Receiving part 15e top 15f Insertion hole 15g inner surface 15h Engaged part 20 Fasteners 21 Fixed part 21e Bend part 21f Turn-around section 21g engaging claw 21h Convex 21i Release lever 22 Connecting part 101 Storage structure 110 Storage section 115 Receiving part 115f Insertion hole 115g inner surface 115h Engaged part 120 Fasteners 121 Fixed part 121e First tip 121f Second tip 121g engaging claw 121h Hinge part

Claims

1. A fastener for a cable, comprising: A pair of fixed parts that are spaced apart from each other and fixed to an object; A connecting portion that connects the fixing portion and is deformable to be expandable and contractible, A fastener characterized by:

2. The connecting portion does not have a straight member corresponding to a line segment connecting the fixed portions at the shortest distance, and has any one of a straight member intersecting the line segment, a bent member, and a curved member. The fastener according to claim 1 .

3. The fastener according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion has a mesh shape, a ring shape, or an S-shape.

4. The fastener according to claim 1 , wherein each of the fixing portions has a release lever for releasing the fixing state with the object.

5. One of the fixing parts has a release lever for releasing the fixing state with the object, The other fixing part does not have the release lever for releasing the fixed state with the object, and a hinge part is provided between the fixing part and the connecting part. The fastener according to claim 1 .

6. A cable storage structure, comprising: a storage section having a groove-shaped storage space in which the cable is stored; A fastener attached to the opening of the storage portion, The storage section has receiving portions on both wall portions for fixing the fasteners, The fastener is A pair of fixing parts that are spaced apart from each other and fixed to the receiving part; A connecting portion that connects the fixing portion and is deformable to be expandable and contractible, A storage structure characterized by:

7. An apparatus comprising the storage structure according to claim 6.

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