Connector protection structure of vehicle

Abstract

To provide a connector protection structure of a vehicle which can suppress, when collision occurs in the vehicle, large force from transferring from a bracket to a controller in which the bracket forms a gap between a connector arranged in the controller and a facing protection cover to fix the protection cover to the controller.SOLUTION: A first bracket 35 and a second bracket 60 supporting a protection cover 85 include: contact parts which are apart from a controller before an object moves to the controller 20 to apply external force to the protection cover and contact with the controller when receiving the external force through the protection cover; and cushion parts which absorb, when receiving the external force through the protection cover, a part of the external force while being modified.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector protection structure for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A case constituting the exterior of a PCU (Power Control Unit) provided in a vehicle in the following Patent Document 1 is provided with a connector (electrical connector) to which an end of a harness can be connected. A metal bracket is also fixed to the case. Protectors are fixed to the left and right ends of the bracket using bolts. The protectors face the connector from behind, forming a gap between them.

[0003] When this vehicle experiences a frontal collision, the PCU moves rearward relative to the vehicle body, causing the protector, which is supported on the PCU case via a bracket, to come into contact with the dash panel or other object located immediately behind the protector. This causes the force transmitted from the dash panel or other object to the protector, which is then transmitted to the left and right ends of the bracket, causing the bracket to deform. The protector then collides with the rear of the PCU case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-50196 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of preventing a large force from being transmitted to the controller from the bracket that fixes the opposing protective cover to the controller while forming a gap with the connector provided on the controller when a vehicle collision occurs.

[0006] Taking the above facts into consideration, the present invention aims to provide a connector protection structure for a vehicle that can prevent a large force from being transmitted to the controller from a bracket for fixing an opposing protective cover to the controller while forming a gap with the connector provided on the controller when a vehicle collision occurs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The connector protection structure for a vehicle of claim 1 comprises: a controller provided inside the vehicle; and an object provided inside the vehicle and aligned with the controller in a predetermined direction in a planar view; a protective cover that faces a connector provided on the surface of the controller facing the object while forming a gap with the connector and extends along an extension direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction in a planar view; a first bracket that is provided at an end of the protective cover on one side in the extension direction and has a first fixed portion fixed to the controller; and a second bracket that is provided at an end of the protective cover on the other side in the extension direction and has a second fixed portion fixed to the controller; the first bracket and the second bracket are separated from the controller before the object moves toward the controller and applies an external force to the protective cover, and are provided with an abutment portion that contacts the controller when the external force is received through the protective cover, and a cushion portion that deforms and absorbs part of the external force when the external force is received through the protective cover.

[0008] The term "protective cover extending in an extension direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction in a plan view" means not only a protective cover that is completely parallel to the extension direction in a plan view, but also a protective cover that is approximately parallel to the extension direction in a plan view. Therefore, the protective cover does not have to have a linear shape in a plan view.

[0009] When a collision occurs in a vehicle having the connector protection structure of claim 1, an object may apply an external force to the protective cover as it moves toward the controller. At this time, the cushion portions of the first bracket and the second bracket for fixing the protective cover to the controller deform and absorb part of the external force. Therefore, when an object applies an external force to the protective cover as it moves toward the controller, although the abutment portions of the first bracket and the second bracket come into contact with the controller, it is difficult for a large force to be transmitted from the abutment portions to the controller.

[0010] The connector protection structure for a vehicle of claim 2 is the same as claim 1, wherein at least one of the first bracket and the second bracket is separated from the protective cover before the object applies an external force to the protective cover, and has a contacted portion with which the protective cover comes into contact when the object applies the external force to the protective cover, and which transmits the external force to the cushion portion when the protective cover comes into contact.

[0011] In the vehicle connector protection structure of claim 2, at least one of the first bracket and the second bracket has a contacted portion that separates from the protective cover before an external force is applied to the protective cover by an object and that the protective cover contacts when the object applies an external force to the protective cover. The contacted portion transmits this external force to the cushion portion. That is, at least one of the first bracket and the second bracket having the contacted portion can use the external force to deform the cushion portion before the abutting portion contacts the controller. Therefore, a large force is unlikely to be transmitted to the controller from the abutting portion of at least one of the first bracket and the second bracket having the contacted portion.

[0012] The connector protection structure in a vehicle described in claim 3 is the same as claim 2, except that only the second bracket provided at the other end of the protective cover has the contacted portion, and a contact protrusion facing the protective cover is provided at a position located toward the one end of the object from a first central position, which is the center of the extension direction on the surface facing the protective cover of the object.

[0013] In the connector protection structure for a vehicle of claim 3, when a vehicle collision occurs, the contact protrusion of the object collides with the protective cover, causing the object to rotate around the contact portion between the contact protrusion and the protective cover. At this time, a portion of the surface of the object facing the protective cover that is located on the other side of the center in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction is likely to transmit force to the contacted portion of the second bracket. In other words, when the second bracket is the only bracket having a contacted portion, the rotational force of the object when a vehicle collision occurs can be reliably transmitted to the contacted portion of the second bracket, deforming the cushion portion of the second bracket.

[0014] The connector protection structure for a vehicle described in claim 4 is, in claim 3, such that the end portion on the other side in the extension direction of the object is located on the other side of a second central position, which is the center of the extension direction of the protective cover.

[0015] In the connector protective structure for a vehicle of claim 4, a portion of the surface of the object facing the protective cover that is located on the other side of the center in the vehicle longitudinal direction is likely to apply force to a portion of the protective cover that is close to the contacted portion, so that the force transmitted from the object to the protective cover is likely to be transmitted to the contacted portion of the second bracket. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the connector protection structure for a vehicle according to the present invention has the excellent effect of being able to prevent a large force from being transmitted to the controller from the bracket for fixing the opposing protective cover to the controller while forming a gap with the connector provided on the controller when the vehicle is hit by a collision. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a connector protection structure and an ESU in a vehicle according to an embodiment, as viewed from the rear. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the connector protection structure and ESU in a disassembled state. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the connector protection structure and ESU in a disassembled state. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a side view of the first bracket as seen from the right side. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the first bracket. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first bracket. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second bracket as seen from behind. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the second bracket. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a front view of the second bracket. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the relay box, ESU, first bracket, second bracket, and protective cover when another vehicle collides with the right side of the vehicle. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a portion of the first bracket and the ESU when the first bracket collides with the ESU. [Figure 12] 10 is a plan view of a portion of the second bracket and the ESU when the pressing portion comes into contact with the second bracket. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a portion of the second bracket and the ESU when the second bracket collides with the ESU. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An embodiment of a connector protection structure 100 for a vehicle according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, an arrow FR indicates the front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, an arrow LH indicates the left side in the lateral direction of the vehicle, and an arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an engine compartment 12 is formed in the front part of a body 11 of a vehicle 10. A relay box (object) 14 provided in the engine compartment 12 is located on the left side of a right side portion 13 at the front of the body 11. The relay box 14 is supported by components (not shown) of the body 11. The relay box 14 includes a case body 15 and a plurality of relays (not shown) provided inside the case body 15. A protrusion (contact protrusion) 16 that protrudes leftward from the left side of the case body 15 and extends in the vertical direction is provided near the front end of the left side surface of the case body 15. That is, in a plan view, the protrusion 16 is located forward of a central position (first central position) 15C of the case body 15 in the fore-and-aft direction (see Figure 10).

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, an ESU (Electricity Supply Unit) (controller) 20 is provided in the engine compartment 12 and is supported by components of the vehicle body 11. The ESU 20 has a metal case 21 that is substantially rectangular. Inside the case 21, for example, a DC / DC converter and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) are provided (neither is shown). As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 10, the ESU 20 and the relay box 14 are aligned in the left-right direction (a predetermined direction) in a plan view.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, case 21 has three connectors 22, 23, and 24 lined up front and rear on its right side. Ends of three electrical cables 25A, 25B, and 25C can be electrically connected to connection portions provided inside connectors 22, 23, and 24, respectively. As shown in Figure 3, case 21 has a connection protrusion 26 that protrudes forward at the right end of its front surface. A female threaded hole 27 is provided on the front surface of connection protrusion 26. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, case 21 has a pair of front and rear connection protrusions 28 and 30 that protrude rightward from the rear of its right side. Female threaded holes 29 and 31 are provided on the right surfaces of connection protrusions 28 and 30.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a metal first bracket 35 is fixed to the connection protrusion 26 of the case 21 using bolts 55. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the first bracket 35 includes a first component member 36 and a second component member 45 fixed to the first component member 36. The first component member 36 and the second component member 45 are manufactured, for example, by press-forming a metal plate. The first component member 36 includes a fixed portion (first fixed portion) 37 perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, a connecting portion 40 extending rearward from the right end of the fixed portion 37, a first cushion portion (cushion portion) 41 connected to the rear end of the connecting portion 40, and a first abutting portion (abutting portion) 42 extending rearward from the left end of the first cushion portion 41. The upper ends of the connecting portion 40 and the first cushion portion 41 are located above the upper end of the fixed portion 37. The lower ends of the fixed portion 37, the connecting portion 40, and the first cushion portion 41 are located at the same height. A through hole 38 is formed in the fixed portion 37. As shown in Figure 6, the planar shape (cross-sectional shape) of the first cushion portion 41 is a substantially inverted S-shape. The second component member 45 includes a connected portion 46 that is fixed to the right side surface of the connecting portion 40, a support portion 48 that extends rightward from the upper edge of the connected portion 46, and a hanging portion 49 that extends downward from the front edge of the support portion 48. A through hole 51 is formed in the support portion 48, and a weld nut 52 that is concentric with the through hole 51 is fixed to the underside of the support portion 48.

[0023] 6, first bracket 35 is fixed to connecting protrusion 26 by inserting bolt 55 into through hole 38 and female threaded hole 27 with the rear surface of fixed portion 37 in contact with the front surface of connecting protrusion 26 so that through hole 38 is concentric with female threaded hole 27, and pressing head 56 of bolt 55 against fixed portion 37. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, connecting portion 40, first cushion portion 41, and first abutment portion 42 move away to the right from the right side surface of case 21.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a metal second bracket 60 is fixed to the connecting protrusions 28 and 30 of the case 21 using bolts 78 and 81. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 8 to 10, the second bracket 60 includes a first component 61 and a second component 73 fixed to the first component 61. The first component 61 and the second component 73 are manufactured, for example, by press-forming a metal plate. The first component 61 includes a fixed portion (second fixed portion) 62 that is perpendicular to the left-right direction, a fixed portion (second fixed portion) 64 that extends forward from the front end of the fixed portion 62 and is located to the right of the fixed portion 62, a connecting portion 67 that is connected to the upper edge of the fixed portion 62 and is located to the left of the fixed portion 62, and a support portion 68 that extends rightward from the rear of the upper edge of the connecting portion 67. A through hole 63 is formed in the fixed portion 62 (see FIG. 9), and a through hole 65 is formed in the fixed portion 64 (see FIG. 8). Furthermore, a through hole 69 is formed in the support portion 68, and a weld nut 70 is fixed to the underside of the support portion 68, concentric with the through hole 69. The second component 73 includes a connected portion 74 fixed to the right side of the connecting portion 67, a second cushion portion (cushion portion) 74A connected to the upper edge of the connected portion 74 and inclined relative to the connected portion 74 in a front view, a second abutting portion 75 extending upward from the upper edge of the second cushion portion 74A and positioned to the left of the connected portion 74, a third cushion portion (cushion portion) 76 connected to the front edge of the second abutting portion 75, and a contacted portion 77 connected to the right edge of the third cushion portion 76 and perpendicular to the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the planar shape (cross-sectional shape) of the third cushion portion 76 is approximately C-shaped.

[0025] 1, 7, and 8, the left side surface of the fixed portion 62 is brought into contact with the right end surface of the connecting protrusion 30 so that the through hole 63 is concentric with the female threaded hole 31, and the left side surface of the fixed portion 64 is brought into contact with the right end surface of the connecting protrusion 28 so that the through hole 65 is concentric with the female threaded hole 29. Furthermore, in this state, the bolt 78 is inserted into the through hole 63 and the female threaded hole 31 and the head 79 of the bolt 78 is pressed against the fixed portion 62, and the bolt 81 is inserted into the through hole 65 and the female threaded hole 29 and the head 82 of the bolt 81 is pressed against the fixed portion 64, thereby fixing the second bracket 60 to the connecting protrusions 28 and 30. At this time, the second abutment portion 75, the third cushion portion 76, and the contacted portion 77 move rightward away from the right side surface of the case 21, as shown in FIG.

[0026] 1 to 3, both front and rear ends of a protective cover 85, which is an integrally molded metal product, are supported by a first bracket 35 and a second bracket 60 fixed to the case 21. The protective cover 85 is manufactured, for example, by press-forming a metal plate. The protective cover 85 includes a main body portion 86 that is a portion excluding both front and rear ends and extends in the front-to-rear direction, a first supported portion 88 that is provided at the front end of the protective cover 85 and is perpendicular to the up-down direction, a second supported portion 91 that is provided at the rear end of the protective cover 85 and is perpendicular to the up-down direction, and a pressing portion 92 that is located between the main body portion 86 and the second supported portion 91 and is substantially perpendicular to the left-to-right direction.

[0027] 1 and 2 , the first supported portion 88 of the protective cover 85, which extends in the front-to-rear direction (extension direction) in a plan view, is placed on the upper surface of the support portion 48 of the first bracket 35, and the second supported portion 91 is placed on the upper surface of the support portion 68 of the second bracket 60. Furthermore, a bolt 93 is inserted from above into a through hole (not shown) formed in the first supported portion 88 and the through hole 51 of the support portion 48, the bolt 93 is screwed into the weld nut 52, and the head 94 of the bolt 93 is pressed against the upper surface of the first supported portion 88. Furthermore, a bolt 95 is inserted from above into a through hole (not shown) formed in the second supported portion 91 and the through hole 69 of the support portion 68, the bolt 95 is screwed into the weld nut 70, and the head 96 of the bolt 95 is pressed against the upper surface of the second supported portion 91. As a result, both front and rear ends of the protective cover 85 are attached to the case 21 via the first bracket 35 and the second bracket 60. As shown in FIG. 1, most of the connectors 22, 23, and 24 are covered from the right side by the main body 86. That is, the main body 86 faces the connectors 22, 23, and 24 horizontally, forming a gap therebetween. At this time, the protrusion 16 of the case body 15 of the relay box 14 and the main body 86 face each other in the left-right direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the pressing portion 92 of the protective cover 85 is separated to the right from the contacted portion 77 of the second bracket 60, and the contacted portion 77 and the pressing portion 92 face each other in the left-right direction. Furthermore, in a plan view, the rear corner (rear end) 15R of the left side of the case body 15 is located behind a central position (second central position) 85C in the fore-aft direction of the protective cover 85 (see FIG. 10).

[0028] Of the above-described configuration, the first bracket 35, the bolt 55, the second bracket 60, the bolts 78 and 81, the protective cover 85, the bolt 93, and the bolt 95 are components of the connector protective structure 100.

[0029] (Action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 10 , if another vehicle (not shown) collides with a predetermined portion A on the right side 13 of the vehicle body 11 of the vehicle 10, for example, the case body 15 of the relay box 14 moves leftward relative to the vehicle body 11 due to the external force applied to the right side 13 from the other vehicle, causing the protrusion 16 to collide with the body portion 86 of the protective cover 85 (phantom lines omitted in FIG. 10 ). Furthermore, the relay box 14 rotates clockwise in FIG. 10 (see arrow) around the contact point between the body portion 86 and the protrusion 16. Therefore, as shown by the imaginary lines in FIG. 10 , the corner 15R of the case body 15 collides with a portion rearward of the center position 85C of the body portion 86. That is, an external force is applied from the case body 15 to the protective cover 85. As a result, the protective cover 85 deforms and absorbs part of this external force.

[0031] Furthermore, an external force directed leftward is applied to the first bracket 35 from the first supported portion 88 of the protective cover 85, causing the first bracket 35 to move leftward relative to the case 21. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11 , the first abutting portion 42 of the first bracket 35, which was separated from the right side surface of the case 21 to the right before the collision, now collides with the right side surface of the case 21 from the right side. Furthermore, the force transmitted from the right side surface of the case 21 to the first abutting portion 42 deforms the first cushion portion 41. At this time, the first cushion portion 41 absorbs part of the force transmitted from the right side surface of the case 21 to the first abutting portion 42.

[0032] Furthermore, corner 15R of case main body 15 collides with a portion of main body portion 86 rearward of center position 85C (a portion close to pressing portion 92) (see imaginary lines in FIG. 10 ), causing pressing portion 92 to move leftward relative to case 21 and collide with contacted portion 77 of second bracket 60 (not shown). As a result, force is transmitted from contacted portion 77 to second cushion portion 74A and third cushion portion 76, which deforms second cushion portion 74A and third cushion portion 76. At this time, second cushion portion 74A and third cushion portion 76 absorb a portion of the force transmitted from pressing portion 92 to contacted portion 77. Furthermore, after second cushion portion 74A and third cushion portion 76 deform as shown in FIG. 12 , second abutment portion 75 moves leftward due to the deformation of second cushion portion 74A and third cushion portion 76, and second abutment portion 75 collides with the right side surface of case 21 (see FIG. 13 ).

[0033] In this manner, when the case body 15 moves toward the ESU 20 due to a collision, the first cushion portion 41 of the first bracket 35 deforms to absorb a portion of the force applied to the first bracket 35, and the second cushion portion 74A and the third cushion portion 76 of the second bracket 60 deform to absorb a portion of the force applied to the second bracket 60. Therefore, even if the first bracket 35 and the second bracket 60 collide with the case 21, a large force is unlikely to be transmitted from the first bracket 35 and the second bracket 60 to the ESU 20. Therefore, the electronic components provided inside the case 21 are unlikely to be damaged. Furthermore, even if the protective cover 85 comes into contact with the connectors 22, 23, and 24 due to a collision, most of the force applied to the protective cover 85 from the relay box 14 is absorbed by the protective cover 85, the first bracket 35, and the second bracket 60 before the protective cover 85 comes into contact with the connectors 22, 23, and 24, so the connectors 22, 23, and 24 are unlikely to be damaged.

[0034] In particular, the second cushion portion 74A and the third cushion portion 76 of the second bracket 60 absorb part of the force applied to the second bracket 60 from the protective cover 85 before the second abutment portion 75 collides with the case 21, so that large forces are unlikely to be transmitted from the second bracket 60 to the ESU 20.

[0035] Furthermore, because the case body 15 is provided with the protrusion 16, when an external force is applied to the right side 13 of the vehicle body 11, the rotational force of the case body 15 is used to bring the pressing portion 92, which is a portion located rearward of the center position 85C of the protective cover 85, into contact with the contacted portion 77 of the second bracket 60. In other words, the corner 15R located rearward of the center position 15C of the case body 15 applies force to a portion of the main body 86 that is close to the pressing portion 92 (contacted portion 77). This makes it easy to transmit the rotational force of the case body 15 to the contacted portion 77 of the second bracket 60 via the main body 86 and the pressing portion 92. Therefore, before the second abutment portion 75 collides with the case 21, a portion of the force applied from the protective cover 85 to the second bracket 60 can be reliably absorbed by the second cushion portion 74A and the third cushion portion 76.

[0036] Furthermore, since the rotational force of the case main body 15 is reliably transmitted to the contacted portion 77 of the second bracket 60 via the main body portion 86 and the pressing portion 92, even though the second bracket 60 is the only bracket having the contacted portion 77, the second cushion portion 74A and the third cushion portion 76 of the second bracket 60 can be reliably deformed in the event of a collision.

[0037] Although the connector protection structure according to the embodiment has been described above, the design can be appropriately modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0038] For example, connectors 22, 23, and 24 may be provided on the left side of the case 21 of the ESU 20, and a first bracket 35 and a second bracket 60 may be attached to the case 21, and a protective cover 85 located on the left side of the case 21 may be supported by the first bracket 35 and the second bracket 60, and the relay box 14 may be positioned between the left side of the vehicle body 11 and the protective cover 85.

[0039] Alternatively, connectors 22, 23, and 24 may be provided at the rear of case 21 of ESU 20, and first bracket 35 and second bracket 60 may be attached to case 21, with protective cover 85 located at the rear of case 21 being supported by first bracket 35 and second bracket 60, and relay box 14 may be positioned between a dash panel (not shown) located at the rear of engine compartment 12 and protective cover 85. In this case, for example, a rear-end collision of vehicle 10 may cause relay box 14 to collide with the dash panel, and then relay box 14 may move forward and collide with protective cover 85.

[0040] The first bracket 36 and the second bracket 60 may be formed as a single unit.

[0041] When the relay box 14 collides with the protective cover 85, one of the second cushion portion 74A and the third cushion portion 76 of the second bracket 60 may substantially maintain its initial shape, while the other may deform to absorb the force applied to the second bracket 60. That is, in this modified example, only one of the second cushion portion 74A and the third cushion portion 76 corresponds to the "cushion portion" in claim 1.

[0042] Furthermore, the member (object) that collides with the protective cover 85 when an impact force occurs to the vehicle may be a member other than the relay box 14.

[0043] The first bracket 36 may have portions corresponding to the second contact portion 75, the second cushion portion 74A, the third cushion portion 76, and the contacted portion 77, and the second bracket 60 may have portions corresponding to the first cushion portion 41 and the first contact portion 42. Furthermore, both the first bracket and the second bracket that connect both ends of the protective cover 85 to the ESU 20 may have the same structure as the second bracket 60.

[0044] Furthermore, a protective cover 85 that faces a connector provided on the outer surface of the case of a controller other than the ESU 20 may be attached to this case using the first bracket and the second bracket. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 vehicles 14 Relay box (object) 15C Center position (1st center position) 16 Projection (contact projection) 20 ESU (controller) 22 23 24 Connector 35 First Bracket 37 Fixed part (first fixed part) 41 First cushion part (cushion part) 42 1st contact part (contact part) 60 Second Bracket 62 Fixed part (second fixed part) 64 Fixed part (second fixed part) 74A Second cushion part (cushion part) 75 Second contact part (contact part) 76 Third cushion section (cushion section) 77 Contacted part 85 Protective Cover 85C center position (second center position) 100 Connector protection structure

Claims

1. a protective cover positioned between a controller provided inside a vehicle and an object provided inside the vehicle and aligned with the controller in a predetermined direction in a plan view, the protective cover facing a connector provided on a surface of the controller facing the object while forming a gap therebetween, and extending along an extension direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction in a plan view; a first bracket provided at one end of the protective cover in the extension direction and having a first fixed portion fixed to the controller; a second bracket provided at the other end of the protective cover in the extension direction and having a second fixed portion fixed to the controller; Equipped with The first bracket and the second bracket are a contact portion that separates from the controller before applying an external force to the protective cover while the object is moving toward the controller and that comes into contact with the controller when the object receives the external force via the protective cover; a cushion portion that absorbs a part of the external force while deforming when the external force is received through the protective cover; A connector protection structure for a vehicle.

2. At least one of the first bracket and the second bracket is 2. The connector protection structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a contacted portion that is separated from the protective cover before the object applies an external force to the protective cover, that contacts the protective cover when the object applies the external force to the protective cover, and that transmits the external force to the cushion portion when the protective cover contacts the contacted portion.

3. Only the second bracket provided at the other end of the protective cover has the contacted portion, 3. A connector protection structure in a vehicle as described in claim 2, wherein a contact protrusion facing the protective cover is provided at a location located on the one end side of a first central position, which is the center of the extension direction on the surface of the object facing the protective cover.

4. 4. The connector protection structure for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the other end of the object in the extension direction is located on the other side of a second center position that is the center of the protective cover in the extension direction.

Images