Connection structure and vehicle

Abstract

To provide a connection structure and a vehicle that can improve retention and vibration control.SOLUTION: A connection structure according to an embodiment includes a retainer including a first retaining member having a plurality of grooves in which a plurality of harnesses are arranged, and a second retaining member arranged opposite the first retaining member and blocking the grooves, a connector connected to the plurality of harnesses, and an outer cover provided on the outer periphery of the retainer and the connector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure and a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A connection structure is used in a vehicle engine, in which a plurality of wire harnesses are connected to a connector and a connector cover is attached. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-105482 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, a plurality of terminals formed at the ends of a plurality of wire harnesses are inserted into a plurality of terminal holes provided in a connector, and a connector cover is attached to surround the outer periphery of the insertion portion.

[0005] In such a connection structure, if the harness moves due to engine vibrations, for example, it may be damaged due to bending or external interference, so a connection structure with high retention and vibration damping properties is required.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a connection structure and a vehicle that can improve retention and vibration damping properties. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The connection structure according to the embodiment comprises a retainer including a first retaining member having a plurality of grooves in which a plurality of harnesses are arranged, and a second retaining member arranged opposite the first retaining member and blocking the grooves, a connector connected to the plurality of harnesses, and an outer cover provided on the outer periphery of the retainer and the connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connection structure and a vehicle that can improve retention and vibration damping properties. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connection structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an assembly procedure of the connection structure according to the embodiment; [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams showing an assembly procedure of the connection structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connection structure according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A connection structure according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Figs. 1 and 2 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of the connection structure according to one embodiment. In Fig. 2, the outer cover 50 is partially cut away to show the cross-sectional shape for the sake of explanation. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the assembly procedure. In the figure, X, Y, and Z respectively represent three mutually orthogonal directions. Note that in each figure, the configuration is enlarged, reduced, or omitted as appropriate for the sake of explanation.

[0011] 1 and 2, a connection part 10 (connection structure) includes a cable 20, a connector 30 into which the tip of the cable 20 is inserted, a retainer 40, and an outer cover 50. For example, the connection part 10 is a connection part that connects an engine harness provided in an engine of a vehicle. As an example, the connection part 10 is used to connect the wiring of a turbocharger provided in an engine 2 of a vehicle 1 such as a backhoe, as shown in FIG.

[0012] The electric cable 20 (electric wire) is configured by bundling a plurality of harnesses 21 (wiring) with an exterior material 23. For example, the electric cable 20 has a covered portion where the plurality of harnesses 21 are bundled and covered with the exterior material 23, and an exposed portion where the tip portions of the plurality of harnesses 21 are exposed from the exterior material 23. In this embodiment, as an example, the electric cable 20 has eight harnesses 21, and the eight harnesses 21 are arranged in two rows of four and connected to the connector 30.

[0013] Each harness 21 is made of coated copper wire. A terminal 22 is provided at the tip of the harness 21. The terminals 22 of the multiple harnesses 21 are inserted into respective terminal holes 32 of the connector 30 and are electrically connected to contact portions provided in the terminal holes 32.

[0014] For example, the exterior material 23 is made of a resin such as vinyl chloride, and is a tape-like or tube-like member that is wrapped around the plurality of harnesses 21 .

[0015] The connector 30 has a connector housing 31 formed with a plurality of terminal holes 32 into which the terminals 22 of the plurality of harnesses 21 are inserted. Contact portions to be connected and the like are provided inside the connector housing 31. As an example, the terminal holes 32 are arranged in two rows on the top surface of the connector housing 31.

[0016] The retainer 40 includes a first holding member 41 and one or more second holding members 42 arranged opposite the surface of the first holding member 41.

[0017] In this embodiment, the retainer 40 is configured by one first holding member 41 and a pair of second holding members 42, 42.

[0018] The first holding member 41 is formed in a block or plate shape from a rubber material such as silicone rubber or a resin material. For example, the first holding member 41 has a bottom surface portion 41a facing the upper end surface of the connector housing 31 of the connector 30, a pair of holding surface portions 41b and 41c (surface portions) in which a plurality of grooves 44 are formed, a pair of side surface portions 41d and 41e, and a top surface portion 41f.

[0019] A plurality of grooves 44 are formed in the pair of holding surface portions 41b, 41c, in which the individual harnesses 21 are placed. The inner surface of the groove 44 has a curved surface portion having an R that fits along the outer surface of the harness 21. For example, the inner surface of the groove 44 has a curved surface portion whose cross section is formed in an arc shape.

[0020] The second holding member 42 is formed in a block or plate shape from a rubber material such as silicone rubber or a resin material. For example, the second holding member 42 has a bottom surface 42a facing the upper end surface of the connector housing 31 of the connector 30, a holding surface 42b (surface portion) arranged facing the holding surfaces 41b and 41c of the first holding member 41, an outer wall 42c arranged facing the outer cover, a pair of side surfaces 42d and 42e, and an upper surface 42f. For example, a double-sided adhesive tape 42g is attached to the holding surface 42b as a joining member.

[0021] With the harness 21 placed in the grooves 44 of the holding surface portions 41b, 41c of the first holding member 41, the pair of second holding members 42 are disposed opposite the holding surface portions 41b, 41c, respectively, and are adhered to the first holding member 41 with, for example, adhesive tape 42g, thereby closing the grooves 44. The retainer 40, in which the first holding member 41 and the pair of second holding members 42, 42 are assembled together, has an outer surface that follows the shape of the inner surface of the outer cover 50.

[0022] The outer cover 50 is made of a rubber or resin material and is a case member that defines an accommodation chamber 51 therein for accommodating the connector 30 and the retainer 40. For example, the outer cover 50 is configured in a cylindrical shape with one end open and the other end open. The outer cover 50 has an outlet 52 at one end that follows the outer diameter of the cable 20, and a flange opening 53 at the other end that engages with the underside of the connector 30. For example, the flange opening 53 of the outer cover 50 has a protruding edge 53a that protrudes inward, and the inner edge of the protruding edge 53a is formed slightly narrower than the outer peripheral wall of the connector 30. Therefore, during assembly, the retainer 40 and the connector 30 are accommodated in the accommodation chamber 51 of the outer cover 50, and the protruding edge 53a of the flange opening 53 engages with and holds the underside of the connector 30.

[0023] The assembly process of the connection part 10 configured as above will be described with reference to FIG. First, in ST1, terminals 22 are crimped to the tip portions of the multiple harnesses 21 constituting the electric cable 20. Next, in ST2, the electric cable 20 is inserted into the outer cover 50. For example, the electric cable 20 is inserted tip-first into the outlet 52 of the outer cover 50. After that, in ST3, an exterior covering 23 is attached to the multiple harnesses 21 except for their tip portions. For example, the multiple harnesses 21 are bundled by wrapping a tape-like exterior covering around them. Then, in ST4, the terminals 22 are inserted into the multiple terminal holes 32 of the connector 30 and electrically connected. Furthermore, in ST5, the retainer 40 is attached. Specifically, the first holding member 41 is arranged between the two rows of harnesses 21, and one harness 21 is arranged in each holding groove 44. The second holding member 42 is arranged opposite to the first holding member 41, and the first holding member 41 and the second holding member 42 are attached and joined with adhesive tape 42g, thereby assembling the retainer 40 as shown in ST6. Next, in ST7, the outer cover 50, which has been previously passed through the electric cable 20, is placed over and engaged with the connector 30 and the retainer 40. At this time, while widening the flange opening 53 of the outer cover 50, the protruding edge 53a of the flange opening 53 is moved to the lower side of the connector 30 and engaged with and held by the lower end of the connector 30.

[0024] As a result of the above, the connector 30 and the retainer 40 are disposed in the receiving chamber 51, and each harness 21 is held in the groove 44.

[0025] According to the connection part 10 of this embodiment, the harness 21 is held in the grooves 44 formed on the opposing surfaces of the opposing members 41, 42 and covered with the outer cover 50. This allows the harness 21 to be individually held in the grooves 44 within the outer cover 50, thereby suppressing wiring variation and improving retention and vibration damping. For example, by using the retainer 40, distortion of the harness 21 subjected to vibration can be reduced to, for example, approximately one-fifth. This prevents the harness 21 from being broken due to vibration. Furthermore, the connection part 10 allows the harness 21 to be easily held and protected simply by arranging the multiple members 41, 42 opposite each other and covering them with the outer cover 50. For example, if a filler material such as silicone is injected into the space within the outer cover after the outer cover is attached, an injection hole is required and time is required for the filler material to harden. Furthermore, the method of injecting the filler material into the outer cover can result in problems such as filler leakage, air bubbles, and insufficient filling. In contrast, according to the above embodiment, a highly reliable connection structure can be easily obtained by simply assembling the holding members 41, 42 having a shape that matches the shape of the accommodation chamber 51 of the outer cover 50.

[0026] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the arrangement of the harness 21 and the specific shapes and arrangements of the members 41 and 42 of the retainer 40 are not limited to those described above, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications.

[0027] For example, in the above embodiment, the retainer 40 is configured from three members 41, 42, 42, but it is not limited to this and may be configured from two members or four or more members.

[0028] In the above embodiment, the groove 44 is formed on the first holding member 41 side, but this is not limiting. For example, the groove 44 may be formed on the holding surface portion 42b, which is the opposing surface of the second holding member 42, or the groove 44 may be formed on each of the holding surface portions 41b, 41c, and 42b, which are the opposing surfaces of the first holding member 41 and the second holding member 42.

[0029] 4 as another embodiment, a retainer 140 includes one first holding member 141 and one second holding member 142. In this embodiment, grooves 144 are formed on both the opposing surfaces of the first holding member 141 and the second holding member 142 of the retainer 140. The other configurations of the retainer 140 are the same as those of the retainer 40 of the first embodiment. The configurations of the electric cable 20, the connector 30, and the outer cover 50 are also the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0030] In the above embodiment, the first holding member 41 and the second holding member 42 are joined with adhesive tape 42g, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, a convex portion 42h may be formed on one of the holding surface portions 41b, 42b of each of the members 41, 42, and a concave portion 41h into which the convex portion 42h fits may be formed on the other surface, and the members 41, 42 may be positioned relative to each other by fitting the convex portion 42h into the concave portion 41h.

[0031] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. The present invention is defined by the claims and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 10...Connection portion (connection structure), 20...Electric cable (electric wire), 20a...Covering portion, 20b...Exposed portion, 21...Harness (wiring), 22...Terminal, 23...Outer material, 30...Connector, 31...Connector housing, 32...Terminal hole, 40...Retainer, 41...First holding member, 41a...Bottom surface portion, 41b...Holding surface portion, 41c...Holding surface portion, 41d...Side portion, 41e...Side portion, 41f...Top surface portion, 41h...recess, 42...second retaining member, 42a...bottom surface, 42b...retaining surface, 42c...outer wall, 42d...side surface, 42e...side surface, 42f...top surface, 42g...double-sided adhesive tape, 42h...convex portion, 44...groove, 50...outer cover, 51...storage chamber, 52...outlet, 53...flange opening, 53a...protruding edge, 140...retainer, 141...first retaining member, 142...second retaining member.

Claims

1. a retainer including a first holding member having a plurality of grooves in which a plurality of harnesses are disposed, and a second holding member disposed opposite the first holding member and closing the grooves; a connector connected to the plurality of harnesses; an outer cover provided on an outer periphery of the retainer and the connector; A connection structure comprising:

2. The connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the groove is a curved surface.

3. The groove is formed on one or more surface portions of the first holding member, The connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein one or more of the second holding members are disposed opposite a surface portion of the first holding member.

4. the connector has a plurality of terminal holes into which the plurality of harnesses are respectively inserted, The connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein the retainer is disposed opposite an end face of the connector on which the terminal hole is formed.

5. The connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein the harness is an engine harness.

6. A vehicle having the connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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