Holding device

Abstract

To provide a holding device that is configured to correct deviations caused by a dimensional error which hinders an exterior component from being mounted on a normal position, without requiring special operation.SOLUTION: A base member 4 supports a female member 3 so that the member can move in a first direction y crossing a direction x in which a male member 2 is introduced into the female member 3. A guide part 5, which can contact a portion of one of the female member 3 and the male member 2, is formed in at least the other of the female member and the male member, in the course of introducing the male member 2 into the female member 3, where the contacting of the guide part enables the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. An engaging part 6 that can engage with a part 7 to be engaged formed on the other is provided, at least at a position of the moved female member 3, on the one of the base member 4 and the female member 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an improvement in a holding device that is interposed between an exterior part for a vehicle and an object to which the exterior part is to be attached and functions to hold the exterior part on the object to which it is to be attached.

Background Art

[0002] As a structure for making it possible to adjust the mounting position of a bumper, there is one in which a spacer that supports the bumper is provided so as to be vertically movable with respect to a clip attached to the vehicle body side (see Patent Document 1). When there is a deviation that prevents the bumper from being attached to the normal position (desired position) on the vehicle body side due to a dimensional error or the like, this structure can correct the deviation. However, in the structure of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to move a moving block that constitutes a clip by operating a screw to move the spacer to a desired position and then attach the bumper.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The main problem to be solved by the present invention is that, in a holding device that is interposed between an exterior part for a vehicle and an object to which the exterior part is to be attached and functions to hold the exterior part on the object to which it is to be attached, when there is a deviation that prevents the exterior part from being attached to the normal position (desired position) due to a dimensional error or the like without requiring any special operation, it is possible to correct this deviation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a holding device includes a base member that can be provided on either an exterior part for a vehicle or an object to be attached thereto, a male member that can be provided on the other of the exterior part and the object to be attached, and a female member that is configured to be able to introduce the male member and holds the male member at the end position of the introduction. The base member supports the female member so as to be movable in a first direction that intersects the introduction direction of the male member into the female member. At least one of the female member and the male member is formed with a guide portion that can contact a part of the other during the process of introducing the male member into the female member, and the contact causes the female member to move in the first direction. Either the base member or the female member is provided with an engaging portion that can engage with an engaged portion formed on the other at least at the position of the female member after the movement.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is to form the engaged portion by creating a concave portion capable of receiving the engaging portion between convex portions adjacent to each other in the first direction and forming a plurality of the convex portions in a multi-stage manner.

[0007] Further, the female member has a cylindrical shape capable of receiving the male member, a part of its side portion is an easily elastically deformable portion, and the outer surface of the easily elastically deformable portion, which is the outer surface of the side portion, is provided with the engaging portion for the engaged portion provided on the base member. One aspect of the present invention is to allow the introduction of the male member into the female member to reach the end position of the introduction by the elastic deformation of the easily elastically deformable portion accompanying the contact of the male member with the inner surface of the easily elastically deformable portion, and to cause the engaging portion to engage with the engaged portion at least at the end position of the introduction by this elastic deformation.

[0008] Further, the female member has a cylindrical shape capable of receiving the male member, and a part of its side portion is an easily elastically deformable portion. Also, an engaging portion for the engaged portion provided on the base member is provided on the outer surface of the easily elastically deformable portion that forms the outer surface of the side portion. The movement of the female member in the first direction is allowed by releasing the engagement by elastic deformation of the easily elastically deformable portion directed inward of the female member. One aspect of the present invention is to cause the engagement to occur again by elastic recovery of the easily elastically deformable portion after the movement. In this case, one aspect of the present invention is to bring the male member into contact with the inner surface of the easily elastically deformable portion at least at the introduction end position of the male member.

[0009] Also, one aspect of the present invention is to make the guide portion an inclined surface.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, first, when attaching the exterior component to the attachment target, in the first direction, when the position of the female member is at the intended position relative to the position of the male member and both positions are aligned, the male member can be introduced into the female member up to the introduction end position. Second, when attaching the exterior component to the attachment target, in the first direction, when the position of the female member is not at the intended position relative to the position of the male member and there is a certain deviation between both positions, the movement of the female member in the first direction can be caused by the contact. Then, by the movement of the female member, the deviation can be eliminated (corrected) and the male member can be introduced into the female member up to the introduction end position. Third, the female member moved in the first direction as described above can be held in the position after the movement by the engagement, whereby the exterior component is appropriately and stably attached to the attachment target.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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[0012] Hereinafter, typical embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 34. The holding device 1 according to this embodiment has a member (the male member 3 described later, or the base member 4 combined with the female member 2 described later) that can be provided on the exterior component B for a vehicle, and a member (the male member 3 described later, or the base member 4 combined with the female member 2 described later) that can be provided on the mounting target M, and functions to hold the exterior component B on the mounting target M by combining both members.

[0013] Typical examples of the exterior component B include a grill, a bumper, and a fender. As the mounting target M of the exterior component B, the mounting location of the exterior component B on the vehicle body, the mounting location of the exterior component B on the vehicle's structural material, other exterior components B attached to the vehicle, etc. are assumed.

[0014] Such a holding device 1 includes a base member 4, a male member 2, and a female member 3.

[0015] The base member 4 can be provided on either the exterior component B for a vehicle or the mounting target M thereof. At the same time, the base member 4 supports the female member 3 so as to be movable in a first direction y (see FIG. 7) that intersects the introduction direction x (see FIG. 7) of the male member 2 into the female member 3.

[0016] The male member 2 can be provided on the other side of the exterior component B and the mounting target M.

[0017] The female member 3 is configured to be able to introduce the male member 2 and holds the male member 2 at the end position of the introduction (see FIGS. 5, 11, and 14).

[0018] Further, on at least one of the female member 3 and the male member 2, a guide portion 5 capable of abutting against a part of the other is formed during the process of introducing the male member 2 into the female member 3, and the abutment causes the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. In the illustrated example, the guide portion 5 can abut against a part of the other from the beginning to the middle of the introduction of the male member 2 into the female member 3.

[0019] At the same time, either the base member 4 or the female member 3 is provided with an engaging portion 6 capable of engaging with an engaged portion 7 formed on the other at least at the position of the female member 3 after the movement.

[0020] According to such a configuration, first, when attaching the exterior component B to the mounting target M, in the first direction y, if the position of the female member 3 is at the expected position with respect to the position of the male member 2 and both positions are aligned, the male member 2 can be introduced into the female member 3 to the end position of the introduction. Second, when attaching the exterior component B to the mounting target M, in the first direction y, if the position of the female member 3 is not at the expected position with respect to the position of the male member 2 and there is a certain deviation between both positions (FIG. 7), the abutment can cause the female member 3 to move in the first direction y (FIG. 8). Then, by moving the female member 3, the deviation can be eliminated (corrected), and the male member 2 can be introduced into the female member 3 to the end position of the introduction (FIGS. 9 to 11). Thirdly, as described above, the female member 3 moved in the first direction y can be held at the position after the movement by the engagement, whereby the exterior component B is appropriately and stably attached to the attachment target M.

[0021] More specifically, when attaching the exterior component B to the attachment target M, in the first direction y, the male member 2 is at a position where it is introduced into a front space 3a (described later) in the female member 3, but when the male member 2 is at a position where it cannot be introduced into a rear space 3b (described later) in the female member 3 that holds the male member 2 without movement of the female member 3 side, the contact in the front space 3a (described later) can cause the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. Then, by the movement of the female member 3, the deviation can be eliminated and the male member 2 can be introduced into the rear space 3b (described later) of the female member 3 to the introduction end position.

[0022] In this embodiment, the engaged portion 7 is formed by a plurality of the convex portions 7a formed in a multi-stage manner by creating a concave portion 7b capable of receiving the engaging portion 6 between the convex portions 7a adjacent to each other in the first direction y (FIG. 6). In the illustrated example, as will be described later, the engaged portion 7 is formed on the base member 4. Thereby, in this embodiment, the female member 3 moved as described above can be held at each position after the movement by the engagement.

[0023] (First Example) First, based on FIGS. 1 to 31, a first example of the holding device 1 will be described. In the first example, the female member 3 has a cylindrical shape that can receive the male member 2, and a part of its side portion is configured as an easily elastically deformable portion 8 that is likely to cause elastic deformation. Further, an engaging portion 6 for the engaged portion 7 provided on the base member 4 is provided on the outer surface 8a of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 that is the outer surface of the side portion. Also, in this first example, the introduction of the male member 2 to the female member 3 until the introduction end position is allowed by the elastic deformation of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 accompanying the contact of the male member 2 with the inner surface 8b of the easily elastically deformable portion 8, and the engagement of the engaging portion 6 with the engaged portion 7 occurs at least at the introduction end position due to this elastic deformation. According to such a configuration, first, in the process of introducing the male member 2 into the female member 3, before the male member 2 reaches the introduction end position, the engagement of the engaging portion 6 with the engaged portion 7 is prevented from occurring, and the movement of the female member 3 in the first direction y due to contact with the guide portion 5 can be caused without resistance. Second, when the male member 2 reaches the introduction end position, the female member 3 moved as described above can be held at the moved position by the engagement.

[0024] In the illustrated example, the male member 2 has a rod shape with a base portion 2a that integrates one end portion with the exterior component B or the mounting target M, and a leading portion 2b that is the leading end of the introduction to the female member 3 at the other end portion. The male member 2 is configured to have a contour inscribed in a virtual quadrilateral in a cross section in a direction orthogonal to the length direction at any position in the length direction. That is, the male member 2 has a form with four surface portions 2c facing each side of the virtual quadrilateral. In addition, the male member 2 is provided with ribs 2d along the longitudinal direction on two of the four facing surfaces 2c among the four surfaces 2c. A gap is formed between one end 2da of the rib 2d and the tip 2b, and between the two, the male member 2 is shaped such that the outline of the cross-section is inscribed in a virtual quadrilateral S. On the other hand, between one end 2da of the rib 2d and the base 2a, the rib 2d is positioned outside the virtual quadrilateral. As a result, the male member 2 has a first portion 2e shaped such that the tip 2b side does not come into contact with the inner surface 8b of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 to cause the elastic deformation, and a second portion 2f shaped such that the portion between the first portion 2e and the base 2a comes into contact with the inner surface of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 to cause the elastic deformation (see FIGS. 20 and 21).

[0025] In the illustrated example, one end of the rib 2d is inclined so that the protruding dimension of the rib 2d gradually decreases as it approaches the tip 2b. Also, in the illustrated example, the rib 2d is formed in a region between the central axis 2g of the male member 2 and one of the two surfaces 2c where the rib 2d is not formed on the male member 2 (FIG. 19).

[0026] Also, in the illustrated example, the base 2a is composed of a plate-like head 2h that is the terminal opposite to the tip 2b and an intermediate flange 2j that forms a neck 2i between the plate-like head 2h. In the illustrated example, by combining the male member 2 with the exterior component B or the object to be attached M so that a fitting portion (not shown) formed on the exterior component B or the object to be attached M is sandwiched between the plate-like head 2h and the intermediate flange 2j, the male member 2 is provided to protrude from the exterior component B or the object to be attached M.

[0027] Also, in the illustrated example, the female member 3 has a rectangular tubular shape with one end of the tube as the open portion 3c of the male member 2 and the other end of the tube as the closed portion 3d. The female member 3 is configured to receive the male member 2 with the tip 2b first from the open portion 3c into its interior. The female member 3 has a front space 3a and a rear space 3b. In the front space 3a and the rear space 3b respectively, the female member 3 has a rectangular internal contour shape in the cross-section in the first direction y orthogonal to the introduction direction x of the male member 2 at any position in the introduction direction x. The front space 3a has a communication part 3e between the open part 3c and the rear space 3b. The front space 3a is configured such that the cross-sectional area in the cross-section is maximized at the open part 3c and gradually decreases as it approaches the communication part 3e from there (see FIGS. 7 and 12). On the other hand, the rear space 3b has a constant cross-sectional area in the cross-section across the communication part 3e and the closing part 3d. In the illustrated example, one inner surface of the four side parts constituting the front space 3a and one inner surface of the four side parts constituting the rear space 3b are flush with each other, constituting the first side part 3f of the female member 3. At the same time, the inner surface of the second side part 3g located at a position facing the first side part 3f is inclined in the front space 3a such that the distance from the open part 3c to the inner surface of the first side part 3f is maximized and the distance to the inner surface of the first side part 3f gradually decreases as it approaches the communication part 3e from there (FIG. 7). In the first example, the inner surface of the second side part 3g in the front space 3a functions as the guide part 5. In the illustrated example, the guide part 5 is a virtual line segment intersecting the later-described central axis 3m of the rear space 3b, and has an inclination along a virtual line segment that gradually increases the distance from the central axis 3m as it approaches the open part 3c. Also, both of the two third side parts 3h extending between the first side part 3f and the second side part 3g are inclined in the front space 3a such that the distance between the two third side parts 3h is maximized at the open part 3c and the distance between the two third side parts 3h gradually decreases as it approaches the communication part 3e from there (FIG. 12). As a result, the front space 3a has the largest cross-sectional area in the cross-section at the open part 3c, and the cross-sectional area gradually decreases as it approaches the communication part 3e from there. Also, the distance between the first side portion 3f and the second side portion 3g in the rear space 3b is substantially equal to the distance between the corresponding facing portions 2c in the first portion 2e and the second portion 2f of the male member 2. On the other hand, the distance between the two third side portions 3h in the rear space 3b is slightly larger than the distance between the corresponding facing portions 2c of the first portion 2e of the male member 2, but slightly smaller than the distance between the two ribs 2d in the second portion 2f of the male member 2.

[0028] Also, in the illustrated example, the female member 3 forms a part of each of the two third side portions 3h as the easily elastically deformable portion 8. In the illustrated example, the easily elastically deformable portion 8 is constituted by a part of the third side portion 3h divided by a first slit 3i continuing in a first direction y orthogonal to the introduction direction x of the male member 2, a second slit 3j formed at an interval from the first slit 3i in the introduction direction x and continuing in the first direction y orthogonal to the introduction direction x, and a third slit 3k continuing along the introduction direction x extending between one end of the first slit 3i and one end of the second slit 3j. In the illustrated example, the easily elastically deformable portion 8 is formed in a region between the communication portion 3e and a position in the middle in the front-rear direction of the rear space 3b in the third side portion 3h, and between the central axis 3m (see FIG. 24) of the rear space 3b and the first side portion 3f. The easily elastically deformable portion 8 is formed such that its base portion 8c is positioned on the central axis 3m side and its free end is positioned on the first side portion 3f side (FIG. 24).

[0029] In the illustrated example, a first guide rib 9 continuing in a first direction y orthogonal to the introduction direction x is formed at a position in the middle in the front-rear direction on the outer surface of the easily elastically deformable portion 8. The engaging portion 6 is formed on both sides of the outer surface of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 sandwiching the first guide rib 9. In the illustrated example, the engaging portion 6 is configured by providing three protruding strips 6a formed along the introduction direction x with grooves 6b formed between adjacent protruding strips 6a in the first direction y orthogonal to the introduction direction x.

[0030] In the illustrated example, second guide ribs 10 extending in the introduction direction x are respectively formed at corners where two third side portions 3h of the female member 3 and the closing portion 3d are in contact with each other.

[0031] In the illustrated example, on the second side portion 3g, a retaining portion 11 that engages with the anti-disengagement portion 12 of the male member 2 when the male member 2 is introduced into the female member 3 to the introduction end position is formed. The retaining portion 11 is formed by a part of the second side portion 3g demarcated by a split groove formed in the second side portion 3g. The retaining portion 11 is formed in an elastically deformable tongue-like shape with its free end positioned at a middle position in the front-rear direction of the rear space 3b, and has an engaging convex portion on its inner surface. The anti-disengagement portion 12 is formed at a corner where the leading end portion 2b of the male member 2 and the surface portion 2c facing the inner surface of the second side portion 3g come into contact with each other when inserted into the female member 3, and is composed of a raised portion 12a formed so as to border the surface portion 2c, and has a stepped surface facing the base portion 2a side of the male member 2. In the illustrated example, in the process of introducing the male member 2 into the female member 3, the engaging convex portion 11b contacts the raised portion 12a and the retaining portion 11 elastically deforms outward to allow the introduction of the male member 2 to the introduction end position. At this introduction end position, the retaining portion 11 is elastically restored so that the engaging convex portion 11b catches on the stepped surface (FIG. 11).

[0032] In the illustrated example, the base member 4 has a pair of first wall portions 4a with their wall surfaces along the introduction direction x of the male member 2, a second wall portion 4b orthogonal to the first wall portion 4a facing the closing portion 3d of the female member 3, and a mounting portion 4c that projects the wall portions 4a and 4b on one surface.

[0033] The portion constituting the rear space 3b in the female member 3 is housed in the base member 4. The portion constituting the front space 3a in the female member 3 is located outside the base member 4 through a first opening portion 4d facing the second wall portion 4b. In the illustrated example, the portion facing the mounting portion 4c is a second opening portion 4e.

[0034] Each of the pair of first wall portions 4a is formed with a guide groove 4f that allows the first guide rib 9 formed on the outer surface of the third side portion 3h of the corresponding female member 3 to be introduced from the inside of the base member 4. The guide groove 4f is a through groove that extends in a first direction y orthogonal to the introduction direction x of the male member 2. The distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of first wall portions 4a is substantially equal to the distance between the outer surfaces of the two third side portions 3h that constitute the rear space 3b of the female member 3, but is set to be slightly smaller than the distance between the two first guide ribs 9. Accordingly, when the operation of housing the female member 3 into the base member 4 with the first side portion 3f leading through the second opening portion 4e is performed, the first guide rib 9 comes into contact with the inner surface of the first wall portion 4a, and the easily elastically deformable portion 8 bends inward, allowing this housing operation. When the female member 3 is housed into the base member 4 until the first guide rib 9 can enter the guide groove 4f, the easily elastically deformable portion 8 elastically returns, and the first guide rib 9 enters the guide groove 4f. Thereby, within the range of the length of the guide groove 4f, the female member 3 is supported with respect to the base member 4 in a state movable in a first direction y that intersects the introduction direction x of the male member 2, in the example shown in the figure, the first direction y orthogonal to the introduction direction x. That is, in the first direction y, the length of the guide groove 4f is larger than the length of the first guide rib 9, and the difference in length between the two allows the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. Note that the second guide rib 10 of the female member 3 is adapted to fit into a guide recess 4g formed at the inner corner between the first wall portion 4a and the second wall portion 4b of the base member 4.

[0035] In the example shown in the figure, the base member 4 includes ear portions 4h that project in a direction orthogonal to the first wall portion 4a continuously with the mounting portion 4c on the outside of each of the pair of first wall portions 4a. By using a through hole 4i such as a screw formed in this ear portion 4h to fasten a screw or the like to the exterior component B or the mounting target M, the base member 4 and the female member 3 via this base member 4 are provided to the exterior component B or the mounting target M.

[0036] In the illustrated example, an engaged portion 7 is formed on the inner surface of the first wall portion 4a. The engaged portion 7 is formed on both sides sandwiching the guide groove 4f. In the illustrated example, the engaged portion 7 is configured by providing a plurality of convex portions 7a (ribs) formed along the introduction direction x and forming concave portions 7b (grooves) between the adjacent convex portions 7a in the first direction y. In the state where the female member 3 is combined with the base member 4 as described above, the engaging portion 6 and the engaged portion 7 face each other with a gap therebetween. The rib 6a of the engaging portion 6 has a shape that matches the concave portion 7b of the engaged portion 7, and the convex portion 7a of the engaged portion 7 has a shape that matches the groove 6b of the engaging portion 6.

[0037] At the introduction end position, the male member 2 positions the first portion 2e in the rear space 3b of the female member 3 and positions the second portion 2f in a range extending from the formation location of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 in the rear space 3b of the female member 3 to the front space 3a (FIG. 14). Further, the male member 2 brings the rib 2d into contact with the inner surface of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 during the introduction into the female member 3, and is introduced into the female member 3 while elastically deforming the easily elastically deformable portion 8 outward (FIG. 13).

[0038] When attaching the exterior component B to the attachment target M, in the first direction y, although the male member 2 is positioned at a location where it can be introduced into the front space 3a of the female member 3, when the male member 2 is located at a position where it cannot be introduced into the rear space 3b of the female member 3 without movement on the female member 3 side. Specifically, when the inner surface 3ga of the second side portion 3g constituting the rear space 3b and the surface portion 2c of the male member 2 facing it at the introduction end position are not on the same plane (see Fig. 7), the tip portion 2b of the male member 2 abuts against the guide portion 5 in the front space 3a by the introduction operation (Fig. 8). In other words, when a deviation occurs such that the guide portion 5 is positioned in front of a part of the tip portion 2b of the male member 2 in the first direction y when attaching the exterior component B to the attachment target M, the tip portion 2b of the male member 2 abuts against the guide portion 5 in the front space 3a by the introduction operation (Fig. 8). In the illustrated example, when the corner between the tip portion 2b of the male member 2 and the upper surface portion 2c is positioned above the inner surface 3ga of the second side portion 3g constituting the rear space 3b, this corner is positioned in front of the guide portion 5 and abuts against the guide portion 5 in the introduction operation, whereby the female member 3 is moved upward.

[0039] Since the guide portion 5 has the above-mentioned inclination, this abutment can cause the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. And by the movement of this female member 3, the deviation between the inner surface of the second side portion 3g and the surface portion 2c of the male member 2 is eliminated, and first, the first part 2e of the male member 2 can be introduced into the rear space 3b of the female member 3 (from Fig. 8 to Fig. 9). Then, when the introduction operation is further continued, it is introduced to a position where the rib 2d contacts the easily elastically deformable portion 8 (from Fig. 9 to Fig. 10), and the engagement between the engaging portion 6 and the engaged portion 7 can occur at the position where the deviation is eliminated.

[0040] In the illustrated example, a recess 3ha is formed inside the third side portion 3h of the female member 3 and in front of the easily elastically deformable portion 8. Due to this recess 3ha, the inner surface 8b of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 is positioned more inward than the inner surface of the third side portion 3h between the easily elastically deformable portion 8 and the opening portion 3c (FIGS. 7 and 12). As a result, during the introduction of the male member 2 into the female member 3, the rib 2d is brought into contact with the inner surface 8b of the easily elastically deformable portion 8, and the male member 2 is introduced into the female member 3 while elastically deforming the easily elastically deformable portion 8 outward.

[0041] (Second Example) Next, a second example of the holding device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 32. In the second example, a guide portion 5 is formed on the male member 2. In the illustrated example, an inclined surface is formed between the leading end portion 2b of the male member 2 and one of the four surface portions 2c, which is inclined so as to gradually increase the distance from the leading end portion 2b to the central axis 2g of the male member 2. This inclined surface functions as the guide portion 5. That is, when, in the first direction y, there is a deviation such that the edge of the opening portion 3c of the female member 3 is positioned in front of the guide portion 5 of the male member 2 when attaching the exterior component B to the attachment target M, the guide portion 5 of the male member 2 is brought into contact with the edge by the introduction operation. Since the guide portion 5 has the above-described inclination, this contact can cause the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. Then, by the movement of the female member 3, the deviation can be eliminated, and the male member 2 can be introduced into the female member 3. In FIG. 32, the distance between the first side portion 3f and the second side portion 3g of the female member 3 is constant at any position along the introduction direction x. However, a guide portion 5 as in the first example may be further provided on the female member 3 on the opening portion 3c side (illustration is omitted). Since the remaining configuration of the second example is the same as or substantially the same as the configuration of the first example, the description thereof is omitted.

[0042] (Third Example) Next, based on FIGS. 33 and 34, a third example of the holding device 1 will be described. In the third example, the female member 3 has a cylindrical shape that can receive the male member 2, and a part of its side portion is an easily elastically deformable portion 8. Further, an engaging portion 6 for the engaged portion 7 provided on the base member 4 is provided on the outer surface 8a of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 that is the outer surface of the side portion. Also, in this third example, the movement of the female member 3 in the first direction y is allowed by releasing the engagement by elastic deformation of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 directed inward of the female member 3, and the engagement is caused to occur again by elastic recovery of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 after the movement. That is, in this third example, the engaging portion 6 and the engaged portion 7 are engaged even before the movement occurs (see FIG. 33). At the same time, when a force in the direction of causing the female member 3 to move in the first direction y is applied by contact with the guide portion 5, the easily elastically deformable portion 8 is elastically deformed inward of the female member 3 (the left side in FIG. 33) as described above to release the engagement and cause the female member 3 to move. Also, when the action of the force in the direction of causing the member to move in the first direction y disappears, the engagement between the engaging portion 6 and the engaged portion 7 can be caused to occur again by elastic recovery of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 at the position of the female member 3 after movement (FIG. 34). According to such a configuration, first, in the process of introducing the male member 2 into the female member 3, before the male member 2 reaches the introduction end position, the movement of the female member 3 in the first direction y due to contact with the guide portion 5 can be caused while generating a certain resistance. Second, when the male member 2 reaches the introduction end position, the female member 3 moved as described above can be held by the engagement at the position after movement.

[0043] In the illustrated example, each of the engaging portions 6 inclines the side surface 6aa located above in FIG. 33 in the ridge 6a constituting the engaging portion 6 in a direction of gradually decreasing the vertical dimension of the ridge 6a as it approaches the tip of the ridge 6a. On one hand, each of the engaged parts 7 inclines the side surface 7aa located below in FIG. 33 in the convex part 7a constituting the same in a direction of gradually reducing the vertical dimension of the convex part 7a as approaching the tip of the convex part 7a. Thereby, when an upward force in FIG. 33 acts on the female member 3, due to the inclination of the side surfaces 6aa and 7aa, the easily elastically deformable part 8 is elastically deformed inward of the female member 3, disengaging the engagement between the engaging part 6 and the engaged part 7 and causing the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. When the upward force acting on the female member 3 disappears, the easily elastically deformable part 8 elastically returns, and the engaging part 6 and the engaged part 7 are engaged again at the end position of the movement of the female member 3 (FIG. 34). In the illustrated example, the side surfaces 6ab and 7ab opposite to the side surfaces 6aa and 7aa in the convex strip 6a and the convex part 7a are surfaces in a direction orthogonal to the first direction y, and when a downward force acts on the female member 3, the elastic deformation of the easily elastically deformable part 8 hardly occurs.

[0044] Also, in this third example, at least at the introduction end position of the male member 2, the male member 2 is brought into contact with the inner surface 8a of the easily elastically deformable part 8. Thereby, in this third example, at the introduction end position of the male member 2, the elastic deformation of the easily elastically deformable part 8 can be blocked by the male member 2, and the female member 3 moved as described above can be stably held by the engagement.

[0045] In the illustrated example, the first part 2e at the start of the introduction in the male member 2 is shaped so as not to contact the inner surface of the easily elastically deformable part 8, and the rib 2d constituting the second part 2f between the first part 2e and the base 2a of the male member 2 is shaped to contact the inner surface 8a of the easily elastically deformable part 8 at the introduction end position (FIG. 34).

[0046] Since the remaining configuration of the third example is the same as or substantially the same as the configuration of the first example, the description thereof is omitted.

[0047] The imparting of this elastic deformation characteristic to the portion that should have the elastic deformation characteristic in the first to third examples described above can be easily realized by making all or part of the members constituting them into plastic molded products. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes all embodiments capable of achieving the object of the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0048] x Introduction direction y First direction P Exterior component M Attachment target 1 Holding device 2 Male member 2a Base 2b Tip 2c Face 2d Rib 2da One end 2e First part 2f Second part 2g Central axis 2h Plate-shaped head 2i Neck 2j Intermediate flange 3 Female member 3a Front space 3b Rear space 3c Open part 3d Closed part 3e Communication part 3f First side part 3g Second side part 3h Third side part 3i First split groove 3j Second split groove 3k Third split groove 3m Central axis 4 Base member 4a First wall part 4b Second wall part 4c Attachment part 4d First open part 4e Second open part 4f Guide groove 4g Guide recess 4h Ear part 4i through-hole 5 guide portion 6 engaging portion 6a rib 6b groove 7 engaged portion 7a protrusion 7b recess 8 easily elastically deformable portion 8a outer surface 8b inner surface 8c base portion 8d free end 9 first guide rib 10 second guide rib 11 retaining portion 11a split groove 11b engaging protrusion 12 engaged retaining portion 12a raised portion

Claims

1. A base member that can be provided on either an exterior part for a vehicle or an object to which the exterior part is to be attached, a male member that can be provided on the other of the exterior part and the object to which the exterior part is to be attached, and a female member that is configured to be able to introduce the male member and holds the male member at the end position of the introduction, wherein the base member supports the female member so as to be movable in a first direction that intersects the introduction direction of the male member into the female member, at least one of the female member and the male member is formed with a guide portion that can abut against a part of the other of them during the process of introducing the male member into the female member, and the abutment causes the female member to move in the first direction, A holding device, wherein either the base member or the female member is provided with an engaging portion that can engage with an engaged portion formed on the other of them, at least at the position of the female member after the movement.

2. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the engaged portion is formed by a plurality of the convex portions formed in a multi-stage manner by creating a concave portion capable of receiving the engaging portion between the convex portions adjacent to each other in the first direction.

3. The female member has a cylindrical shape capable of receiving the male member, a part of its side portion is an easily elastically deformable portion, and an engaging portion for the engaged portion provided on the base member is provided on the outer surface of the easily elastically deformable portion that becomes the outer surface of the side portion, The introduction of the male member into the female member until the end position of the introduction is allowed by the elastic deformation of the easily elastically deformable portion accompanying the contact of the male member with the inner surface of the easily elastically deformable portion, and the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion at least at the end position of the introduction by this elastic deformation. The holding device according to claim 1.

4. The female member has a cylindrical shape capable of receiving the male member, a part of its side portion is an easily elastically deformable portion, and an engaging portion for the engaged portion provided on the base member is provided on the outer surface of the easily elastically deformable portion that becomes the outer surface of the side portion, The movement of the female member in the first direction is allowed by releasing the engagement by the elastic deformation of the easily elastically deformable portion directed inward of the female member, and the engagement is caused to occur again by the elastic recovery of the easily elastically deformable portion after the movement. The holding device according to claim 1.

5. The holding device according to claim 4, wherein the male member is brought into contact with the inner surface of the easily elastically deformable portion at least at the introduction end position of the male member.

6. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is an inclined surface.

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