Clip

Abstract

To provide a clip capable of easily and securely assembling two members together while simplifying a configuration of the two members.SOLUTION: A clip 1 for coupling a first member 12 and a second member 14 has: a grommet 45 having a body part 50 having an accepting hole 48, and a plurality of lock claws 52 extending along an axis line A of the accepting hole from the periphery of the accepting hole in the body part; and a pin 46 having a shaft part 64 to be inserted into the accepting hole. The plurality of lock claws have: a plurality of first lock claws 56 for locking the first member; a plurality of second lock claws 58 for locking the second member; and a plurality of third lock claws 60 for holding the pin. The shaft part has: a large diameter part 67 provided at a base end side; and a small diameter part 68 provided at a tip side from the large diameter part, and having a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter part. The pin is movable relative to the grommet between a temporary fixing position where the large diameter part is detached from the accepting hole, and a coupling position where the large diameter part is inserted into the accepting hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clip having grommets and pins.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, efforts have been actively made to provide access to a sustainable transportation system that takes into account people in vulnerable positions among traffic participants. Toward this realization, research and development focusing on further improving traffic safety and convenience through research and development on preventive safety technologies has been carried out. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sensor configuration for a sensor for monitoring the surroundings of a vehicle. The sensor configuration of Patent Document 1 includes a sensor and a sensor holder for holding the sensor. The sensor and the sensor holder are fixed to each other by a plurality of screws (bolts).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, in order to fix the sensor and the sensor holder to each other by a plurality of screws, a plurality of screw grooves are formed in the sensor holder. Therefore, the configuration of the sensor holder has become complicated. Further, in Patent Document 1, when fixing the sensor and the sensor holder to each other, with the sensor and the sensor holder overlapped, a plurality of screws are engaged one by one with the screw holes of the sensor and the screw grooves of the sensor holder. Therefore, the assembly work of the sensor and the sensor holder has become complicated.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a clip that simplifies the configuration of two members and enables the two members to be easily and reliably assembled to each other. And, by extension, it contributes to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a clip (1, 100) for coupling a first member (12) having a first coupling hole (23) and a second member (14) having a second coupling hole (41), the clip including a main body portion (50, 103) having receiving holes (48, 112), a grommet (45, 101) having a plurality of locking claws (52) extending along an axis (A) of the receiving hole from around the receiving hole in the main body portion, and a pin (46, 102) having a shaft portion (64) inserted into the receiving hole. The plurality of locking claws include a plurality of first locking claws (56, 105) that penetrate the first coupling hole to lock the first member, a plurality of second locking claws (58, 106) that penetrate the second coupling hole to lock the second member, and a plurality of third locking claws (60, 107) that hold the pin. The shaft portion has a large-diameter portion (67, 108) provided on the base end side and a small-diameter portion (68) provided on the tip side of the large-diameter portion and having a diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter portion. The pin is movable relative to the grommet between a temporary fixing position where the large-diameter portion is detached from the receiving hole and a coupling position where the large-diameter portion is inserted into the receiving hole. When the pin is in the temporary fixing position, the plurality of first locking claws and the plurality of second locking claws are displaceable toward the axis side. When the pin is in the coupling position, displacement of the plurality of first locking claws and the plurality of second locking claws toward the axis side is restricted.

[0007] According to this aspect, since the first member and the second member can be assembled without forming screw grooves in the first member and the second member, the configurations of the first member and the second member can be simplified. Further, with a plurality of first locking claws locking the first member and a plurality of second locking claws locking the second member, by moving the pin from the temporary fixing position to the coupling position, the first member and the second member can be easily and surely assembled to each other. Therefore, it is possible to provide a clip that can easily and surely assemble the first member and the second member to each other while simplifying the configurations of the first member and the second member.

[0008] In the above aspect, each of the first locking claws may have a first piece portion (56A) extending from the main body portion in parallel with the axis of the receiving hole, and a first claw portion (56B) protruding from the tip of the first piece portion to the side opposite to the axis. Each of the second locking claws may have a second piece portion (58A) extending from the main body portion in parallel with the axis of the receiving hole and longer than the first piece portion, and a second claw portion (58B) protruding from the tip of the second piece portion to the side opposite to the axis. Each of the third locking claws may have a third piece portion (60A) extending from the main body portion in parallel with the axis of the receiving hole and longer than the second piece portion, and a third claw portion (60B) protruding from the tip of the third piece portion toward the axis side.

[0009] According to this aspect, the first member and the second member can be assembled to each other with a simple configuration.

[0010] In the above aspect, when the pin is in the coupling position, the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion may contact at least a part of the surface on the axis side of the first piece portion and the surface on the axis side of the second piece portion.

[0011] According to this aspect, when the pin is in the coupling position, the displacement of the first piece portion and the second piece portion toward the axis side of the receiving hole is restricted. Therefore, the first claw portion can surely hold the first member, and the second claw portion can surely hold the second member.

[0012] In the above aspect, a female screw (104) may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion, and a thread (109) that engages with the female screw may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion when the pin is at the coupling position.

[0013] According to this aspect, the displacement of the pin from the coupling position to the temporary fixing position is reliably restricted.

[0014] In the above aspect, each of the third piece portions may be arranged to face each other around the axis, each of the second piece portions may face each other around the axis and be arranged between the third piece portions, and each of the plurality of first piece portions may be defined by a slit (62) provided at the base end portion of the third piece portion.

[0015] According to this aspect, each of the locking claws is arranged without interference and with a simple configuration.

[0016] In the above aspect, the outer diameter of the tip end portion of the third piece portion may be larger than the outer diameter of the base end portion of the third piece portion.

[0017] According to this aspect, since the rigidity of the tip end portion of the third piece portion can be ensured, the pin can be stably held by the third claw portion protruding from the tip end of the third piece portion.

[0018] In the above aspect, the shaft portion may further have a medium-diameter portion (69) provided at the tip end of the small-diameter portion, the diameter of the medium-diameter portion is larger than the diameter of the small-diameter portion and smaller than the diameter of the large-diameter portion, and when the pin is at the temporary fixing position, each of the third locking claws may face the small-diameter portion on the base end side of the medium-diameter portion.

[0019] According to this aspect, when the pin is at the temporary fixing position, the pin is restricted from coming out of the grommet.

[0020] In the above aspect, the shaft portion may further have an engaging portion (70) provided on the proximal end side of the middle diameter portion, and when the pin is in the coupling position, each of the third locking claws may engage with the engaging portion.

[0021] According to this aspect, the movement of the pin from the coupling position to the temporary fixing position is restricted.

[0022] In the above aspect, the first member may be a vehicle sensor (12), and the second member may be a bracket (14) that holds the vehicle sensor.

[0023] According to this aspect, while simplifying the configurations of the vehicle sensor and the bracket, the vehicle sensor and the bracket can be easily and surely assembled to each other.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a clip that simplifies the configurations of two members and enables the two members to be easily and surely assembled to each other.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of a clip 1 (see FIG. 2) according to the present invention and a sensor device 2 having the clip 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor device 2 is mounted on a vehicle 3. The vehicle 3 is, for example, a four-wheel automobile.

[0027] The vehicle 3 has a vehicle body frame (not shown) as a skeleton, a front bumper face 5 supported by the vehicle body frame and constituting an outer shell at the front of the vehicle 3, and a front grille 7 provided at the upper center of the front bumper face 5. Headlights 9, which are headlights, are provided on the left and right sides of the upper part of the front bumper face 5, respectively. The sensor device 2 is provided above the headlights 9.

[0028] The headlight 9 includes a light source, an outer lens that allows light from the light source to pass outward of the vehicle 3, a housing 10 (see FIG. 2) that holds the outer lens and is fixed to the vehicle body frame, and a cover for the light source that holds the light source. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of fastening holes 11 extending in the vertical direction are formed in the upper part of the housing 10. Female threads (not shown) are formed in the fastening holes 11.

[0029] Hereinafter, the direction in which the headlight 9 emits light toward the outside of the vehicle 3 (i.e., the direction from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle) is defined as the vehicle-outward direction, and the direction opposite to the vehicle-outward direction (i.e., the direction from the outside of the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle) is defined as the vehicle-inward direction. Also, the vehicle-outward direction and the vehicle-inward direction are collectively simply referred to as the vehicle-in-outward direction.

[0030] The sensor device 2 includes a vehicle sensor 12 (an example of a first member) that detects obstacles around the vehicle 3, a bracket 14 (an example of a second member) for holding the vehicle sensor 12, and a clip 1 that couples the vehicle sensor 12 and the bracket 14.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the vehicle sensor 12 is a millimeter-wave radar. The millimeter-wave radar includes, for example, a sensor body (not shown) including a circuit board, a transmitting antenna for irradiating millimeter waves (radio waves), and a receiving antenna for receiving millimeter waves reflected by an obstacle, a casing 16 that houses the sensor body, and a connector portion 18 that houses a sensor-side terminal (not shown) connected to the circuit board.

[0032] The casing 16 has a casing main body portion 21 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a plurality of protruding pieces 22 protruding from the left and right sides of the casing main body portion 21. Each protruding piece 22 is formed in a plate shape. A first coupling hole 23 penetrating in the vehicle-in-outward direction is formed in each protruding piece 22.

[0033] The connector portion 18 has a flat cylindrical shape. The connector portion 18 extends outward from one of the left and right side surfaces of the casing main body portion 21.

[0034] The bracket 14 has a base portion 24 fixed to the upper surface of the housing 10 of the headlight 9, and a holding portion 26 extending upward from the base portion 24 to hold the vehicle sensor 12.

[0035] The base portion 24 has a plate-shaped base main body portion 28 and a plurality of base portion side bosses 29 extending upward from the upper surface of the base main body portion 28. Through holes 31 penetrating in the vertical direction are formed in each of the base portion side bosses 29 and the base main body portion 28. The central axis of each through hole 31 is aligned with the central axis of the fastening hole 11 of the corresponding housing 10. The base portion 24 is fixed to the housing 10 by bolts 33 that pass through the through holes 31 and are screwed into female threads (not shown) of the fastening holes 11 of the housing 10. Thereby, the bracket 14 is assembled to the upper surface of the headlight 9.

[0036] The holding portion 26 has a plate-shaped holding main body portion 35 and a plurality of holding portion side bosses 37 extending outward from the outer surface of the holding main body portion 35 on the vehicle exterior side. Second coupling holes 41 penetrating in the vehicle interior and exterior direction are formed in each of the holding portion side bosses 37 and the holding main body portion 35. The central axis of each second coupling hole 41 is aligned with the central axis of the first coupling hole 23 of the corresponding vehicle sensor 12.

[0037] The vehicle sensor 12 is assembled to the bracket 14 via a plurality of clips 1. Since the configurations of the plurality of clips 1 are the same, only one of the plurality of clips 1 will be described below. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the clip 1 has a grommet 45 inserted into the first coupling hole 23 of the vehicle sensor 12 and the second coupling hole 41 of the bracket 14, and a pin 46 inserted into the grommet 45. The grommet 45 and the pin 46 are preferably formed of a resin material, respectively.

[0038] The grommet 45 has a main body portion 50 having a receiving hole 48 and a plurality of locking claws 52 extending along the axis A of the receiving hole 48 from around the receiving hole 48 in the main body portion 50.

[0039] The main body portion 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vehicle interior-exterior direction (the direction along the axis A of the receiving hole 48). The receiving hole 48 is defined by the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 50. The axis A of the receiving hole 48 is aligned with the central axis of the first coupling hole 23 and the central axis of the second coupling hole 41. The outer diameter of the main body portion 50 is equal to the diameter of the first coupling hole 23. A flange portion 54 protruding radially outward is provided at the base end portion (the end portion on the vehicle exterior side) of the main body portion 50. The outer diameter of the flange portion 54 is larger than the diameter of the first coupling hole 23.

[0040] The plurality of locking claws 52 include a plurality (two in this embodiment) of first locking claws 56 that penetrate the first coupling hole 23 to lock the vehicle sensor 12, a plurality (two in this embodiment) of second locking claws 58 that penetrate the second coupling hole 41 to lock the bracket 14, and a plurality (two in this embodiment) of third locking claws 60 that hold the pin 46. Each locking claw 52 is provided so as to be elastically deformable toward the axis A side (i.e., the radially inner side) of the receiving hole 48.

[0041] Each of the plurality of first locking claws 56 has a first piece portion 56A extending from the main body portion 50 in parallel with the axis A of the receiving hole 48, and a first claw portion 56B protruding from the tip end (the end portion on the vehicle interior side) of the first piece portion 56A to the side opposite to the axis A of the receiving hole 48. Each first piece portion 56A is provided so as to extend inwardly of the vehicle from the tip end portion of the main body portion 50. Specifically, each first piece portion 56A is defined by a slit 62 provided in a third piece portion 60A of a third locking claw 60 described later. Each of the first piece portions 56A is arranged opposite to each other about the axis A of the receiving hole 48.

[0042] Each first claw portion 56B is inclined toward the axis A side of the receiving hole 48 from the vehicle exterior side toward the vehicle interior side. Each first claw portion 56B has a first contact surface 56C facing the vehicle exterior side and contacting the inner surface of the protruding piece 22 of the vehicle sensor 12. The length in the vehicle interior-exterior direction from the inner surface of the flange portion 54 of the grommet 45 to the first contact surface 56C of the first claw portion 56B is equal to the thickness of the protruding piece 22 of the vehicle sensor 12.

[0043] Each of the plurality of second locking claws 58 extends parallel to the axis A of the receiving hole 48 from the main body portion 50, and has a second piece portion 58A that is longer than the first piece portion 56A, and a second claw portion 58B that protrudes from the tip (the end portion on the vehicle interior side) of the second piece portion 58A to the side opposite to the axis A of the receiving hole 48. Each second piece portion 58A is provided so as to extend inward from the tip of the main body portion 50. Each second piece portion 58A is arranged so as to face each other around the axis A of the receiving hole 48.

[0044] Each second claw portion 58B is inclined toward the axis A of the receiving hole 48 from the outside to the inside of the vehicle. Each second claw portion 58B has a second contact surface 58C that faces the outside of the vehicle and contacts the inner surface of the holding portion 26 of the bracket 14 on the vehicle interior side. The radial length of the second contact surface 58C is longer than the radial length of the first contact surface 56C. The length in the vehicle interior and exterior direction from the inner surface of the flange portion 54 of the grommet 45 to the second contact surface 58C of the second claw portion 58B is equal to the sum of the thickness of the protruding piece 22 of the vehicle sensor 12 and the thickness of the holding portion 26 of the bracket 14.

[0045] Each of the plurality of third locking claws 60 extends parallel to the axis A of the receiving hole 48 from the main body portion 50, and has a third piece portion 60A that is longer than the second piece portion 58A, and a third claw portion 60B that protrudes from the tip (the end portion on the vehicle interior side) of the third piece portion 60A toward the axis A of the receiving hole 48. Each third piece portion 60A is provided so as to extend inward from the tip of the main body portion 50. Each third piece portion 60A is arranged so as to face each other around the axis A of the receiving hole 48. More specifically, each third piece portion 60A is arranged between the second piece portions 58A.

[0046] The outer diameter of the tip of the third piece portion 60A is larger than the outer diameter of the base of the third piece portion 60A. In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of a part of the tip side portion of the third piece portion 60A (the portion on the vehicle interior side of the tip portion of the second locking claw 58 in the vehicle interior and exterior direction) is larger than the outer diameter of the base of the third piece portion 60A. In other embodiments, the entire outer diameter of the tip side portion of the third piece portion 60A may be larger than the outer diameter of the base of the third piece portion 60A.

[0047] A slit 62 is provided at the base end portion (the end portion on the vehicle outer side) of each third piece portion 60A. The slit 62 has a pair of vertical portions 62A extending in the vehicle interior-exterior direction and a horizontal portion 62B extending in the circumferential direction and connecting the end portions on the vehicle interior side of the pair of vertical portions 62A. The first piece portion 56A is defined by the slit 62 provided in each third piece portion 60A.

[0048] Each third claw portion 60B is arranged to face each other with a gap therebetween about the axis A of the receiving hole 48. Each third claw portion 60B is inclined toward the axis A side of the receiving hole 48 from the vehicle outer side toward the vehicle inner side.

[0049] The pin 46 has a shaft portion 64 inserted into the receiving hole 48. The shaft portion 64 extends in the vehicle interior-exterior direction. The shaft portion 64 inserted into the receiving hole 48 is arranged coaxially with the axis A of the receiving hole 48. A flange portion 66 protruding radially outward is provided at the base end portion (the end portion on the vehicle outer side) of the shaft portion 64. The diameter of the flange portion 66 of the pin 46 is at least larger than the diameter of the receiving hole 48. In the present embodiment, the diameter of the flange portion 66 of the pin 46 is larger than the diameter of the receiving hole 48 and smaller than the diameter of the flange portion 54 of the grommet 45.

[0050] The shaft portion 64 has a large-diameter portion 67 provided on the base end side (the vehicle outer side), a small-diameter portion 68 provided on the tip end side (the vehicle inner side) of the large-diameter portion 67 and having a diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter portion 67, a medium-diameter portion 69 provided at the tip of the small-diameter portion 68, and an engaging portion 70 provided on the base end side of the medium-diameter portion 69.

[0051] The diameter of the large-diameter portion 67 is equal to the diameter of the receiving hole 48. The length of the large-diameter portion 67 in the vehicle interior-exterior direction is longer than at least the sum of the length of the main body portion 50 of the grommet 45 in the vehicle interior-exterior direction and the length of the first locking claw 56 in the vehicle interior-exterior direction. In the present embodiment, the length of the large-diameter portion 67 in the vehicle interior-exterior direction is substantially equal to the sum of the length of the main body portion 50 of the grommet 45 in the vehicle interior-exterior direction and the length of the second locking claw 58 in the vehicle interior-exterior direction.

[0052] The diameter of the small-diameter portion 68 is smaller than the diameter of the receiving hole 48. More specifically, the diameter of the small-diameter portion 68 is set such that each third claw portion 60B abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 68. The length of the small-diameter portion 68 in the vehicle interior-exterior direction is substantially equal to the sum of the length of the main body portion 50 of the grommet 45 in the vehicle interior-exterior direction and the length of the third locking claw 60 in the vehicle interior-exterior direction.

[0053] The diameter of the middle-diameter portion 69 is larger than the diameter of the small-diameter portion 68 and smaller than the diameter of the large-diameter portion 67. The portion from the base end portion (the vehicle exterior side end portion) to the central portion of the middle-diameter portion 69 is formed in an inverted taper shape with the diameter increasing toward the vehicle interior. The portion from the central portion to the tip portion (the vehicle interior side end portion) of the middle-diameter portion 69 is formed in a taper shape with the diameter decreasing toward the vehicle interior.

[0054] The engaging portion 70 is provided so as to project radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 68. The engaging portion 70 is inclined toward the axis A side of the receiving hole 48 from the base end side (the vehicle exterior side) to the tip end side (the vehicle interior side).

[0055] The pin 46 is movable relative to the grommet 45 between a temporary fixing position where the large-diameter portion 67 is detached from the receiving hole 48 and a coupling position where the large-diameter portion 67 is inserted into the receiving hole 48. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, in the temporary fixing position, the third claw portion 60B is located on the vehicle exterior side of the middle-diameter portion 69. Also, in the temporary fixing position, each first locking claw 56 and each second locking claw 58 are displaceable toward the axis A side of the receiving hole 48. As shown in FIG. 9, in the coupling position, the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 67 abuts against the surface on the axis A side of the first piece portion 56A and the surface on the axis A side of the second piece portion 58A. Thereby, the displacement of each first locking claw 56 and each second locking claw 58 toward the axis A side of the receiving hole 48 is restricted. Also, in the coupling position, each of the third claw portions 60B is engaged with the engaging portion 70. The state where the pin 46 is in the temporary fixing position is referred to as the temporary fixing state of the clip 1. The state where the pin 46 is in the fastening position is referred to as the fastening state of the clip 1.

[0056] A method of assembling the sensor device 2 configured as described above will be described.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B), first, the operator inserts the pin 46 of the clip 1 into the grommet 45 of the clip 1 to temporarily fix the clip 1. Specifically, the operator inserts the tip of the pin 46 into the receiving hole 48 of the grommet 45. At this time, the tip of the middle diameter portion 69 of the shaft portion 64 of the pin 46 abuts against the third claw portion 60B of the third locking claw 60. As the shaft portion 64 of the pin 46 is inserted into the receiving hole 48 of the grommet 45, the outer peripheral surface of the middle diameter portion 69 of the shaft portion 64 of the pin 46 presses the third claw portion 60B of each third locking claw 60 radially outward, and the third piece portion 60A of each third locking claw 60 elastically deforms radially outward. When the shaft portion 64 of the pin 46 is further inserted into the receiving hole 48 of the grommet 45 and the middle diameter portion 69 of the shaft portion 64 of the pin 46 moves to the tip side of the third claw portion 60B of each third locking claw 60, the third piece portion 60A of each third locking claw 60 elastically returns radially inward and abuts against the small diameter portion 68 of the shaft portion 64 of the pin 46. That is, each of the third locking claws 60 faces the small diameter portion 68 on the base end side of the middle diameter portion 69. At this time, the large diameter portion 67 of the shaft portion 64 of the pin 46 is in a state of being separated from the receiving hole 48. Thereby, the clip 1 is in a temporarily fixed state.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B), next, the operator locks the clip 1 to the vehicle sensor 12. Specifically, the operator inserts the tip of the grommet 45 of the clip 1, that is, the tip of each locking claw 52, into the first coupling hole 23 provided in the protruding piece 22 of the vehicle sensor 12. After the tip of the second claw portion 58B of each second locking claw 58 passes through the first coupling hole 23, the tip of the first claw portion 56B of each first locking claw 56 abuts against the edge of the protruding piece 22 that defines the first coupling hole 23. As the grommet 45 is inserted into the first coupling hole 23, the edge of the protruding piece 22 that defines the first coupling hole 23 presses the first claw portion 56B of each first locking claw 56 radially inward, and the first piece portion 56A of each first locking claw 56 elastically deforms radially inward. When the grommet 45 is further inserted into the first coupling hole 23 and the first claw portion 56B of each first locking claw 56 moves to the inner side of the vehicle with respect to the first coupling hole 23, the first piece portion 56A of each first locking claw 56 elastically returns radially outward, and the first contact surface 56C of the first claw portion 56B of each first locking claw 56 abuts against the inner surface of the vehicle of the protruding piece 22. At this time, the inner surface of the flange portion 54 of the grommet 45 abuts against the outer surface of the vehicle of the protruding piece 22. Thereby, the clip 1 is locked to the vehicle sensor 12.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B), next, the operator locks the clip 1 locked to the vehicle sensor 12 to the bracket 14. Specifically, the operator inserts the tip of the grommet 45 of the clip 1 into the second coupling hole 41 provided in the holding portion 26 of the bracket 14. At this time, the tip of the second claw portion 58B of each second locking claw 58 abuts against the edge of the holding portion 26 that defines the second coupling hole 41. As the grommet 45 is inserted into the second coupling hole 41, the edge of the holding portion 26 that defines the second coupling hole 41 presses the second claw portion 58B of each second locking claw 58 radially inward, and the second piece portion 58A of each second locking claw 58 elastically deforms radially inward. When the grommet 45 is further inserted into the second coupling hole 41 and the second claw portion 58B of each second locking claw 58 moves to the vehicle interior side of the second coupling hole 41, the second piece portion 58A of each second locking claw 58 elastically returns radially outward, and the second contact surface 58C of the second claw portion 58B of each second locking claw 58 abuts against the vehicle interior side surface of the holding portion 26. At this time, the vehicle exterior side surface of the holding portion 26 of the bracket 14 abuts against the vehicle interior side surface of the protruding piece 22 of the vehicle sensor 12. The first claw portion 56B of each first locking claw 56 may be inserted into the second coupling hole 41, and the radially outer end of the first claw portion 56B of each first locking claw 56 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion 26 that defines the second coupling hole 41. Thereby, the clip 1 locked to the vehicle sensor 12 is locked to the bracket 14. Therefore, the sensor device 2 is in a state where the vehicle sensor 12 is temporarily fixed to the bracket 14 by the clip 1.

[0060] Next, as shown in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B), the operator makes the clip 1 in a coupled state. Specifically, the operator further inserts the pin 46 at the temporary fixing position into the receiving hole 48 of the grommet 45. At this time, the engaging portion 70 of the shaft portion 64 of the pin 46 abuts against the tip of the third claw portion 60B of each third locking claw 60. As the pin 46 is inserted into the receiving hole 48, the engaging portion 70 of the shaft portion 64 of the pin 46 presses the third claw portion 60B of each third locking claw 60 radially outward, and the third piece portion 60A of each third locking claw 60 elastically deforms radially outward. When the pin 46 is further inserted into the receiving hole 48 of the grommet 45 and the engaging portion 70 of the shaft portion 64 of the pin 46 moves to the vehicle interior side of the third claw portion 60B of each third locking claw 60, the third piece portion 60A of each third locking claw 60 elastically returns radially inward, and the third claw portion 60B of each third locking claw 60 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 68 of the shaft portion 64 of the pin 46. At this time, the inner surface of the flange portion 66 of the pin 46 may abut against the outer surface of the flange portion 54 of the grommet 45. Thereby, the clip 1 is in a coupled state. As described above, the sensor device 2 is assembled.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, the operator performs the assembling operation of the sensor device 2 to the housing 10 of the headlight 9 in addition to the assembling operation of the sensor device 2 as described above. Specifically, the operator passes the bolt 33 through each through hole 31 provided in the base portion 24 of the bracket 14 and screws it into the female screw (not shown) of the corresponding fastening hole 11 of the housing 10 of the headlight 9. Thereby, the bracket 14 is assembled to the housing 10 of the headlight 9. Thereafter, the operator connects a terminal (not shown) of the harness provided in the vehicle 3 to the connector portion 18 of the vehicle sensor 12. In another embodiment, the operator may connect the connector portion 18 of the vehicle sensor 12 to the terminal of the harness provided in the vehicle 3 before assembling the bracket 14 to the housing 10 of the headlight 9.

[0062] For example, the sensor device 2 may be assembled to the housing 10 of the headlight 9 with the vehicle sensor 12 temporarily fixed to the bracket 14 by the clip 1. Alternatively, the sensor device 2 may be assembled to the housing 10 of the headlight 9 with the vehicle sensor 12 fastened to the bracket 14 by the clip 1. Alternatively, after the bracket 14 is assembled to the housing 10 of the headlight 9, the vehicle sensor 12 may be assembled to the bracket 14 via the clip 1.

[0063] The clip 1 configured as described above can assemble the vehicle sensor 12 and the bracket 14 without forming screw grooves in the vehicle sensor 12 and the bracket 14, thus simplifying the configurations of the vehicle sensor 12 and the bracket 14. Also, with a plurality of first locking claws 56 locking the vehicle sensor 12 and a plurality of second locking claws 58 locking the bracket 14, by moving the pin 46 from the temporary fixing position to the coupling position, the vehicle sensor 12 and the bracket 14 can be easily and reliably assembled to each other. Therefore, while simplifying the vehicle sensor 12 and the bracket 14, the vehicle sensor 12 and the bracket 14 can be easily and reliably assembled to each other. As shown in FIG. 2, the direction in which the clip 1 is inserted to assemble the vehicle sensor 12 to the bracket 14, the direction in which the bolt 33 is inserted to assemble the bracket 14 to the housing 10 of the headlight 9, and the direction in which the connector portion 18 of the vehicle sensor 12 is connected to the terminal of the harness provided in the vehicle 3 are different from each other. Since the vehicle sensor 12 is held by the bracket 14 by the clip 1, an operator can perform the steps of assembling the bracket 14 to the housing 10 of the headlight 9 and connecting the connector portion 18 of the vehicle sensor 12 to the terminal of the harness provided in the vehicle 3 without pressing the vehicle sensor 12 against the bracket 14.

[0064] Each of the plurality of first locking claws 56 has a first piece portion 56A extending parallel to the axis A of the receiving hole 48 from the main body portion 50, and a first claw portion 56B protruding from the tip of the first piece portion 56A to the side opposite to the axis A of the receiving hole 48. Further, each of the plurality of second locking claws 58 has a second piece portion 58A extending parallel to the axis A of the receiving hole 48 from the main body portion 50 and longer than the first piece portion 56A, and a second claw portion 58B protruding from the tip of the second piece portion 58A to the side opposite to the axis A of the receiving hole 48. Thus, the vehicle sensor 12 and the bracket 14 can be assembled to each other with a simple configuration.

[0065] When the pin 46 is in the coupling position, the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 67 abuts against the surface on the axis A side of the first piece portion 56A and the surface on the axis A side of the second piece portion 58A. Thereby, the displacement of the first piece portion 56A and the second piece portion 58A toward the axis A of the receiving hole 48 is restricted. Therefore, the first claw portion 56B can securely hold the vehicle sensor 12, and the second claw portion 58B can securely hold the bracket 14.

[0066] Each of the third piece portions 60A is arranged to face each other around the axis A of the receiving hole 48, each of the second piece portions 58A is arranged to face each other around the axis A of the receiving hole 48 and is arranged between the third piece portions 60A, and each of the plurality of first piece portions 56A is defined by a slit 62 provided at the base end portion of the third piece portion 60A. Thus, each of the locking claws 52 is arranged without interference and with a simple configuration.

[0067] The outer diameter of the tip portion of the third piece portion 60A is larger than the outer diameter of the base end portion of the third piece portion 60A. Thereby, the rigidity of the tip portion of the third piece portion 60A can be ensured, so that the pin 46 can be stably held by the third claw portion 60B protruding from the tip of the third piece portion 60A.

[0068] The shaft portion 64 further has a middle-diameter portion 69 provided at the tip of the small-diameter portion 68. The diameter of the middle-diameter portion 69 is larger than the diameter of the small-diameter portion 68 and smaller than the diameter of the large-diameter portion 67. When the pin 46 is in the temporary fixing position, each of the third locking claws 60 faces the small-diameter portion 68 on the proximal end side of the middle-diameter portion 69. Thereby, when the pin 46 is in the temporary fixing position, the pin 46 is restricted from coming out of the grommet 45.

[0069] When the pin 46 is in the coupling position, each of the third locking claws 60 engages with the engaging portion 70. Thereby, the movement of the pin 46 from the coupling position to the temporary fixing position is restricted.

[0070] (Second Embodiment) The clip 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. In the clip 100 according to the second embodiment, the configurations of the grommet 101 and the pin 102 are different from the configurations of the grommet 45 and the pin 46 according to the first embodiment, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same or similar elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 10(A), a female thread 104 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 103 of the grommet 101. In the present embodiment, in addition to the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 103 of the grommet 101, the female thread 104 is also formed on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the first piece portion 105A of the first locking claw 105, the inner peripheral surface of the second piece portion 106A of the second locking claw 106, and the inner peripheral surface of the third piece portion 107A of the third locking claw 107.

[0072] On the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 108 of the pin 102, a thread 109 that engages with the female thread 104 provided on the main body portion 103 of the grommet 101 when the pin 102 is in the coupling position is formed. On the outer surface of the vehicle outside of the flange portion 110 of the pin 102, a tool engaging portion 111 that is recessed toward the vehicle inside is formed. The tool engaging portion 111 may be formed so as to be engageable with a tool such as a plus driver or a minus driver.

[0073] In order to displace the pin 102 from the temporary fixing position to the coupling position, the operator may rotate the pin 102 clockwise with respect to the axis A of the receiving hole 112 of the main body portion 103 of the grommet 101 by using the above-described tool. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10(B), the large-diameter portion 108 of the pin 102 moves in the vehicle interior direction while screwing into the main body portion 103 of the grommet 101, the first piece portion 105A, the second piece portion 106A, and the third piece portion 107A. When the large-diameter portion 108 of the pin 102 is screwed into the main body portion 103, the first piece portion 105A, the second piece portion 106A, and the third piece portion 107A, the displacement of the pin 102 from the coupling position to the temporary fixing position is reliably restricted.

[0074] Although the description of the specific embodiments has been completed above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be widely modified and implemented. For example, in the above embodiment, the engaging portion 70 provided on the shaft portion 64 is provided so as to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 68, but it may be provided so as to be recessed radially inward from the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 68. Further, although the millimeter-wave radar is taken as an example of the vehicle sensor 12, in other embodiments, a sensor other than the millimeter-wave radar (for example, a microwave radar, a lidar, or an ultrasonic sensor) may be taken as an example of the vehicle sensor 12.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0075] 1, 100: Clip 12: Vehicle sensor (first member) 14: Bracket (second member) 23: First coupling hole 41: Second coupling hole 45, 101: Grommet 46: Pin 48, 112: Receiving hole 50, 103: Main body portion 52: Locking claw 56, 105: First locking claw 56A: First piece portion 56B: First claw portion 58, 106: Second locking claw 58A: Second piece portion 58B: Second Claw Portion 60, 107: Third Locking Claw 60A: Third Piece Portion 60B: Third Claw Portion 62: Slit 64: Shaft Portion 67, 108: Large Diameter Portion 68: Small Diameter Portion 69: Medium Diameter Portion 70: Engagement Portion 104: Female Thread 109: Thread A: Axis

Claims

1. A clip for coupling a first member having a first coupling hole and a second member having a second coupling hole, comprising: a grommet having a body portion with a receiving hole and a plurality of locking claws extending along the axis of the receiving hole from around the receiving hole in the body portion; a pin having a shaft portion inserted into the receiving hole; The plurality of locking claws include: a plurality of first locking claws that penetrate the first coupling hole and lock the first member; a plurality of second locking claws that penetrate the second coupling hole and lock the second member; a plurality of third locking claws that hold the pin; The shaft portion has a large-diameter portion provided on the proximal end side and a small-diameter portion provided on the distal end side of the large-diameter portion and having a diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter portion; The pin is movable relative to the grommet between a temporary fixing position where the large-diameter portion is disengaged from the receiving hole and a coupling position where the large-diameter portion is inserted into the receiving hole; When the pin is in the temporary fixing position, the plurality of first locking claws and the plurality of second locking claws are displaceable toward the axis side; When the pin is in the coupling position, displacement of the plurality of first locking claws and the plurality of second locking claws toward the axis side is restricted.

2. Each of the first locking claws has a first piece portion extending from the body portion parallel to the axis of the receiving hole and a first claw portion protruding from the tip of the first piece portion to the side opposite to the axis; Each of the second locking claws has a second piece portion extending from the body portion parallel to the axis of the receiving hole and longer than the first piece portion, and a second claw portion protruding from the tip of the second piece portion to the side opposite to the axis; The clip according to claim 1, wherein each of the third locking claws has a third piece portion extending from the body portion parallel to the axis of the receiving hole and longer than the second piece portion, and a third claw portion protruding from the tip of the third piece portion toward the axis side.

3. The clip according to claim 2, wherein when the pin is in the coupling position, an outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion abuts at least a part of a surface on the axis side of the first piece portion and a surface on the axis side of the second piece portion.

4. A female thread is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the body portion; The clip according to claim 2, wherein a thread is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion that engages with the female thread when the pin is in the coupling position.

5. Each of the third piece portions is arranged opposite to each other about the axis. Each of the second piece portions faces each other about the axis and is disposed between the third piece portions. The clip according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of first piece portions is defined by a slit provided at a proximal end portion of the third piece portion. **Claim 6** The clip according to claim 5, wherein an outer diameter of a distal end portion of the third piece portion is larger than an outer diameter of the proximal end portion of the third piece portion. **Claim 7** The shaft portion further has a middle diameter portion provided at a tip of the small diameter portion. A diameter of the middle diameter portion is larger than a diameter of the small diameter portion and smaller than a diameter of the large diameter portion. The clip according to claim 1, wherein when the pin is in the temporary fixing position, each of the third locking claws faces the small diameter portion on a proximal end side of the middle diameter portion. **Claim 8** The shaft portion further has an engaging portion provided on a proximal end side of the middle diameter portion. The clip according to claim 7, wherein when the pin is in the coupling position, each of the third locking claws engages with the engaging portion. **Claim 9** The first member is a vehicle sensor. The clip according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second member is a bracket that holds the vehicle sensor.

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