Locking device

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of easily locking a plate part to a locking counterpart, and capable of easily forming a locking structure.SOLUTION: A locking device 10 comprises: a locking counterpart 20 including a locking receiving part 22 with an insertion path 24 formed along a first direction; and a locking member 50 including a plate part 60 that is inserted along the insertion path 24 and is locked to the locking receiving part 22. A first presser part 26, a second presser part 30, and a third presser part 36 of the locking receiving part 22 are located in different regions along the first direction. A second guide surface 33 of the second presser part 30 and a third presser surface 37 of the third presser part 36 have positional relation that the plate part 60, which has passed the second guide surface 33 and is being inserted, is guided so that it is inclined with respect to the first direction. A first guide surface 28 of the first presser part 26 is located at a longitudinal tip side of the plate part 60 in the inclined posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to locking devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a thermistor that measures the temperature of an electricity storage element is held in an insulating protector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-14297 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is desirable that a plate portion provided on a thermistor or the like can be easily engaged with a mating member such as a protector, and that the engaging structure can be easily formed.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows a plate portion to be easily engaged with an engaging partner and that allows the engaging structure to be easily formed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The locking device of the present disclosure includes a locking partner including a lock receiving portion having an insertion path formed along a first direction, and a locking member including a plate portion that is inserted along the insertion path and locks with the lock receiving portion, the lock receiving portion having a first pressing portion, a second pressing portion, and a third pressing portion that are arranged in order from a tip side of the plate portion along the first direction, the first pressing portion, the second pressing portion, and the third pressing portion being located in different regions from one another along the first direction, the first pressing portion and the third pressing portion being located on one side of the plate portion along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the second pressing portion being located on the other side of the plate portion along the second direction, the plate portion having a locking recess formed therein, and the first pressing portion serving as a first pressing surface that presses the plate portion in a locked state. and a first guide surface extending from the first pressing surface toward the insertion opening of the insertion path and inclined with respect to the first direction, the second pressing portion having a second pressing surface that presses the plate portion in an engaged state, a locking protrusion that protrudes further from the second pressing surface toward the first pressing portion along the second direction and engages with the locking recess, and a second guide surface that is formed on the locking protrusion and is inclined with respect to the first direction, the third pressing portion having a third pressing surface that presses the plate portion in an engaged state, the second guide surface and the third pressing surface having a positional relationship that guides the plate portion that has passed the second guide surface and is in an inclined position with respect to the first direction during insertion, and the first guide surface is located at the longitudinal tip side of the plate portion in the inclined position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the plate portion can be easily locked to the locking counterpart, and the locking structure can be easily formed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a locking device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the locking device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the locking device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is an exploded plan view showing the first lock receiving portion and the first locking member. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the first lock receiving portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded plan view showing the second lock receiving portion and the second locking member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the first locking member is inserted into the first lock receiving portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the first locking member is inserted into the first lock receiving portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the first locking member locked to the first lock receiving portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The locking device of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0011] (1) A locking device comprising: a locking partner including a locking receiving portion having an insertion path formed along a first direction; and a locking member including a plate portion that is inserted along the insertion path and locks with the locking receiving portion, wherein the locking receiving portion has a first pressing portion, a second pressing portion, and a third pressing portion that are arranged in order from the tip side of the plate portion along the first direction, the first pressing portion, the second pressing portion, and the third pressing portion are located in different regions from each other along the first direction, the first pressing portion and the third pressing portion are located on one side of the plate portion along a second direction that intersects with the first direction, and the second pressing portion is located on the other side of the plate portion along the second direction, a locking recess is formed in the plate portion, and the first pressing portion has a first pressing surface that presses the plate portion in a locked state; a first guide surface extending from a first pressing surface toward the insertion opening of the insertion path and inclined with respect to the first direction, the second pressing portion having a second pressing surface that presses the plate portion in an engaged state, a locking protrusion that protrudes further from the second pressing surface toward the first pressing portion along the second direction and engages with the locking recess, and a second guide surface formed on the locking protrusion and inclined with respect to the first direction, the third pressing portion having a third pressing surface that presses the plate portion in an engaged state, the second guide surface and the third pressing surface having a positional relationship that guides the plate portion that has passed the second guide surface during insertion so that it assumes an inclined posture with respect to the first direction, and the first guide surface is located at the longitudinal tip side of the plate portion in the inclined posture.

[0012] According to the locking device (1), the first, second, and third holding portions are located in different regions along the first direction, which reduces the likelihood of an undercut shape along the second direction in the locking receiving portion. This facilitates molding of the locking counterpart and simplifies the formation of the locking structure. Furthermore, if the first, second, and third holding portions are located in different regions along the first direction, there is a risk that the tip of the plate portion may slip outward from between the first and third holding portions during insertion after passing the second holding portion. In this case, it is necessary to return the tip of the plate portion that has slipped outward from between the first and third holding portions, which increases the labor required. In contrast, in the present disclosure, the first guide surface is located at the longitudinal tip of the inclined plate portion, which makes it easier for the plate portion that has passed the second guide surface to reach the first guide surface. This prevents the tip of the plate portion from coming outward from between the first and third holding portions while it is being inserted past the second holding portion, and allows the plate portion to be easily engaged with the engaging receiving portion.

[0013] (2) In the locking device of (1), the second pressing portion may have an insertion opening side guide surface that extends from the second pressing surface toward the insertion opening beyond the second guide surface and is inclined with respect to the first direction. This allows the plate portion to be guided to the second guide surface using the insertion opening side guide surface.

[0014] (3) In the locking device of (1) or (2), the plate portion may be made of resin, and the rigidity of the plate portion may be lower than the rigidity of the lock-receiving portion. This makes it easier for the plate portion to deform than the lock-receiving portion when the plate portion passes over the second guide surface. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the plate portion from coming off the first guide surface after passing over the second guide surface.

[0015] (4) In any one of the locking devices (1) to (3), the locking receiving portion may have a restricting portion arranged on the opposite side of the third holding portion from the second holding portion along the first direction and spaced apart from the third holding portion, the restricting portion being located on the other side of the plate portion along the second direction, the insertion opening being defined between the restricting portion and the third holding portion, and the third holding portion may have a third guide surface extending from the third holding surface toward the insertion opening and inclined with respect to the first direction. In this case, inserting the plate portion between the restricting portion and the third guide surface along the second direction makes it easier to guide the plate portion along the second guide surface. Furthermore, because the restricting portion is spaced apart from the third holding portion along the first direction, an undercut shape is less likely to occur in the locking counterpart along the second direction, making it easier to mold the locking counterpart.

[0016] (5) In the locking device of (4), the locking partner may include a first locking receiving portion and a second locking receiving portion as the locking receiving portion, and the positional relationship in the second direction between the first pressing portion, the second pressing portion, the third pressing portion, and the regulating portion may be reversed between the first locking receiving portion and the second locking receiving portion. Even when the first locking receiving portion and the second locking receiving portion are provided facing in opposite directions in the second direction, as in this case, the presence of the regulating portion makes it easier to guide the plate portion onto the second guide surface.

[0017] (6) In the locking device of any one of (1) to (5), the locking member may be a thermistor that measures the temperature of the battery, and the locking partner may be a protector attached to the battery. In this way, the thermistor can be positioned relative to the battery by locking the thermistor to the protector using the plate portion.

[0018] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the locking device of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0019] [Embodiment 1] The locking device according to the first embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the locking device 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the locking device 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the locking device 10 according to the first embodiment. In each drawing, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, which are orthogonal to each other, are shown.

[0020] The locking device 10 comprises a locking partner 20 and a locking member 50. The locking partner 20 includes a locking receiving portion 22. The locking receiving portion 22 has an insertion path 24 formed along a first direction. Here, the X direction in each drawing is the first direction. The locking member 50 includes a plate portion 60. The plate portion 60 is inserted along the insertion path 24 and locks with the locking receiving portion 22.

[0021] Here, an example will be described in which the locking member 50 is a thermistor 50 and the locking partner 20 is a protector 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the protector 20 is attached to a battery 80. The thermistor 50 measures the temperature of the battery 80. The thermistor 50 is positioned relative to the battery 80 by being locked to the protector 20 attached to the battery 80. Note that the battery 80 is not shown in the figures other than FIG. 1.

[0022] The battery 80 is mounted on, for example, a vehicle. The battery 80 supplies power to, for example, a drive motor in an electric vehicle. The battery 80 includes a plurality of cells 82. The plurality of cells 82 are connected in series to each other, so that the battery 80 has a voltage (for example, a voltage of several hundred volts) that can drive the vehicle. The plurality of cells 82 are connected to each other by electrical connection members such as bus bars. The protector 20 may hold the plurality of electrical connection members in a predetermined arrangement. The combination of the plurality of electrical connection members and the protector 20 is also called a bus bar module or a battery wiring module.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2 , the thermistor 50 includes a thermistor body 52, a wiring 54, and a bracket 56. The thermistor body 52 includes a temperature measuring element. The thermistor body 52 measures the temperature of a specific cell 82 in the battery 80. The wiring 54 extends from the thermistor body 52. ​​The other end of the wiring 54 (not shown) is connected to, for example, a control unit. The temperature measurement result of the thermistor body 52 is sent to, for example, the control unit via the wiring 54. The portion of the wiring 54 extending from the thermistor body 52 may be held by, for example, the protector 20. The protector 20 may include a wiring holding portion. The bracket 56 holds the thermistor body 52. ​​The bracket 56 is formed in a plate shape. A plate portion 60 that engages with the protector 20 is part of the bracket 56. The protector 20 and the bracket 56 are made of, for example, resin.

[0024] Here, the bracket 56 has a holding portion 58, a plate portion 60, and a connecting portion 68. The holding portion 58 holds the thermistor body 52. ​​The thermistor body 52 is fixed to one main surface of the holding portion 58. The connecting portion 68 connects the plate portion 60 and the holding portion 58. The connecting portion 68 is connected to the plate portion 60 in the X direction. The holding portion 58 is connected to the connecting portion 68 in the Y direction. The bracket 56 is bent in the Z direction between the plate portion 60 and the connecting portion 68. Note that in all figures except FIG. 2, the thermistor body 52 and wiring 54 are omitted from illustration.

[0025] The locking device 10 includes a first locking member 50A and a second locking member 50B as the locking member 50. The locking partner 20 includes a first locking receiving portion 22A and a second locking receiving portion 22B as the locking receiving portion 22. The first locking member 50A is locked to the first locking receiving portion 22A. The second locking member 50B is locked to the second locking receiving portion 22B.

[0026] The first locking receiving portion 22A and the second locking receiving portion 22B are spaced apart in the X direction. For example, the cell 82 is disposed between a first locking member 50A that is locked to the first locking receiving portion 22A and a second locking member 50B that is locked to the second locking receiving portion 22B. The first locking member 50A is provided on one side of the cell 82 in the X direction, and the second locking member 50B is provided on the other side. A plurality of the first locking receiving portions 22A and a plurality of the second locking receiving portions 22B may be provided along a third direction (Y direction) that is perpendicular to the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Z direction). The third direction (Y direction) may be a direction in which the plurality of cells 82 in the battery 80 are arranged side by side.

[0027] The first locking receiving portion 22A and the second locking receiving portion 22B have the same configuration except for their positional relationship and orientation. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the first locking receiving portion 22A and the second locking receiving portion 22B, they will be simply referred to as locking receiving portion 22. Similarly, the first locking member 50A and the second locking member 50B have the same configuration except for their positional relationship and orientation. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the first locking member 50A and the second locking member 50B, they will be simply referred to as locking member 50.

[0028] The locking structure between the lock receiving portion 22 and the plate portion 60 of the locking member 50 will be described in more detail with further reference to FIGS. 4 to 10. FIG. 4 is an exploded plan view showing the first lock receiving portion 22A and the first locking member 50A. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the first lock receiving portion 22A. FIG. 6 is an exploded plan view showing the second lock receiving portion 22B and the second locking member 50B. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 4. FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views showing the first locking member 50A being inserted into the first lock receiving portion 22A. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the first locking member 50A being locked into the first lock receiving portion 22A. The cross sections shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 correspond to the cross sections taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 5.

[0029] The plate portion 60 is formed in a flat plate shape extending along the XY plane. The plate portion 60 has, for example, a uniform thickness. The X direction is the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 60. The Y direction is the width direction of the plate portion 60. The Z direction is the thickness direction of the plate portion 60. One end (base end) of the plate portion 60 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the connecting portion 68. The plate portion 60 is inserted into the insertion path 24 from the other end (tip) in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] A locking recess 62 is formed in the plate portion 60. Here, the locking recess 62 is a through-hole that penetrates the plate portion 60 in the thickness direction. The through-hole is formed in the plate portion 60 at a middle portion in the X direction and at a middle portion in the Y direction. The locking recess 62 may be a notch formed in an edge portion of the plate portion 60.

[0031] Here, a fitting recess 64 is formed at the longitudinal tip of the plate portion 60. Here, one widthwise side portion of the longitudinal tip of the plate portion 60 is cut out to form the fitting recess 64. By forming the fitting recess 64, a protruding portion 66 that is narrower than the base end is provided at the tip of the plate portion 60. The fitting recess 64 is used, for example, to prevent erroneous fitting of the first locking member 50A and the second locking member 50B into the first locking receiving portion 22A and the second locking receiving portion 22B. Furthermore, for example, the fitting recess 64 is used to prevent insertion of the plate portion 60 into the insertion path 24.

[0032] The lock receiving portion 22 has a first pressing portion 26, a second pressing portion 30, and a third pressing portion 36. Here, the lock receiving portion 22 has a restricting portion 40. The first pressing portion 26, the second pressing portion 30, the third pressing portion 36, and the restricting portion 40 are arranged in this order from the tip side of the plate portion 60 along the first direction (X direction). The first pressing portion 26, the second pressing portion 30, the third pressing portion 36, and the restricting portion 40 are located in different regions along the first direction (X direction). In other words, the first pressing portion 26, the second pressing portion 30, the third pressing portion 36, and the restricting portion 40 are positioned so as not to overlap with each other when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first direction (X direction). Here, the first pressing portion 26, the second pressing portion 30, the third pressing portion 36, and the restricting portion 40 are spaced apart from each other along the first direction (X direction).

[0033] The first pressing portion 26 and the third pressing portion 36 are located on one side of the plate portion 60 along a second direction (Z direction) that intersects with the first direction (X direction). The second pressing portion 30 and the restricting portion 40 are located on the other side of the plate portion 60 along the second direction (Z direction). The first pressing portion 26, the second pressing portion 30, the third pressing portion 36, and the restricting portion 40 are arranged in a staggered pattern. An insertion opening 25 in the insertion path 24 is defined between the restricting portion 40 and the third pressing portion 36.

[0034] The first pressing portion 26 has a first pressing surface 27 and a first guide surface 28. The first pressing surface 27 presses the plate portion 60 in the locked state. The first pressing surface 27 is a plane parallel to the XY plane. The first guide surface 28 extends from the first pressing surface 27 toward the insertion opening 25 of the insertion path 24. The first guide surface 28 is inclined with respect to the first direction (X direction). The first guide surface 28 is inclined along the Z direction from the connecting portion 68 with the first pressing surface 27 toward the side opposite to the side where the second pressing portion 30 is located. Here, the first guide surface 28 is longer than the first pressing surface 27 in the X direction.

[0035] The second holding portion 30 has a second holding surface 31, a locking protrusion 32, and a second guide surface 33. Here, the second holding portion 30 further has an insertion opening side guide surface 34. The second holding surface 31 holds the plate portion 60 in the locked state. The second holding surface 31 is a plane parallel to the XY plane. The locking protrusion 32 protrudes toward the first holding portion 26 along the second direction (Z direction) beyond the second holding surface 31. When the plate portion 60 is inserted a predetermined amount into the insertion path 24, the locking protrusion 32 locks into the locking recess 62. The second guide surface 33 is formed on the locking protrusion 32. The second guide surface 33 is formed on a portion of the locking protrusion 32 that faces the insertion opening 25 along the X axis. The insertion opening side guide surface 34 extends from the second holding surface 31 toward the insertion opening 25 beyond the second guide surface 33. The second guide surface 33 and the insertion opening side guide surface 34 are each inclined with respect to the first direction. The second guide surface 33 and the insertion opening side guide surface 34 are each inclined in the opposite direction to the first guide surface 28. Here, the insertion opening side guide surface 34 is longer in the X direction than the second pressing surface 31.

[0036] The locking protrusion 32 protrudes from the boundary between the insertion opening guide surface 34 and the second pressing surface 31. The locking protrusion 32 and the locking recess 62 are formed in shapes corresponding to each other. As shown in FIG. 4 , the locking protrusion 32 is formed in a circular shape in a plan view. The center of the circular locking protrusion 32 in a plan view is eccentric toward the insertion opening guide surface 34. The locking protrusion 32 with the second guide surface 33 is formed in a shape like a cylinder with the tip cut at an angle. The locking recess 62 is a through hole that is circular in a plan view. For example, the circle of the locking recess 62 is the same as or slightly larger than the circle of the locking protrusion 32. The second guide surface 33 is not formed on the rear portion of the locking protrusion 32 in the insertion direction. The rear portion in the insertion direction is caught on the inner surface of the locking recess 62, preventing the plate portion 60 in the locked state from slipping out of the insertion path 24.

[0037] The second guide surface 33 has a portion whose inclination angle is greater than the inclination angle of the insertion-slot-side guide surface 34. This allows the inclination angle of the inclined posture of the plate portion 60 to be increased by using the portion of the second guide surface 33 whose inclination angle is greater than the inclination angle of the insertion-slot-side guide surface 34. The second guide surface 33 has a concave surface portion 33a, a flat surface portion 33b, and a convex surface portion 33c. The concave surface portion 33a, the flat surface portion 33b, and the convex surface portion 33c are arranged in this order from the insertion slot 25 side. The concave surface portion 33a, the flat surface portion 33b, and the convex surface portion 33c are arranged in this order from the base end side of the locking convex portion 32. The end of the concave surface portion 33a on the insertion slot 25 side is continuous with the insertion-slot-side guide surface 34. The concave surface portion 33a and the insertion-slot-side guide surface 34 are smoothly continuous with each other so that no step is created between them. The inclination angle of the concave surface portion 33a and the inclination angle of the convex surface portion 33c each change along the first direction (X direction). The inclination angle of the concave surface portion 33a gradually increases from the insertion opening 25 side toward the back along the first direction (X direction). The inclination angle of the convex surface portion 33c gradually decreases from the insertion opening 25 side toward the back along the first direction (X direction). The inclination angle of the flat surface portion 33b is constant along the first direction (X direction). The inclination angle of the flat surface portion 33b is greater than the inclination angle of the insertion opening side guide surface 34.

[0038] The third pressing portion 36 has a third pressing surface 37. Here, the third pressing portion 36 further has a third guide surface 38. The third pressing surface 37 presses the plate portion 60 in the locked state. The third pressing surface 37 is a plane parallel to the XY plane. The third guide surface 38 extends from the third pressing surface 37 toward the insertion opening 25. The third guide surface 38 is inclined with respect to the first direction. The third guide surface 38 is inclined in the same direction as the first guide surface 28.

[0039] The restricting portion 40 is arranged on the opposite side of the second retaining portion 30 with respect to the third retaining portion 36 along the first direction (X direction). The restricting portion 40 has a restricting surface 41. The restricting surface 41 is parallel to the XY plane. Here, the restricting surface 41 is provided at a position farther away from the plate portion 60 along the Z direction than the second retaining surface 31. The tip of the insertion port side guide surface 34 is located at the end of the restricting surface 41 extended along the X direction. The restricting surface 41 may be located at the same height as the second retaining surface 31 along the Z direction.

[0040] Further, the lock receiving portion 22 is provided with a rib 44. The rib 44 is formed at a position corresponding to the fitting recess 64. The rib 44 is not formed at a position corresponding to the protruding portion 66. Here, the rib 44 protrudes in the Z direction from the first pressing portion 26. The rib 44 is connected to the side wall of the insertion path 24. As shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 6 , when the plate portion 60 is inserted into the insertion path 24 by a predetermined amount, the rib 44 fits into the fitting recess 64.

[0041] The first lock receiving portion 22A and the second lock receiving portion 22B are rotationally symmetric about the Y axis. Therefore, the positional relationships between the first pressing portion 26, the second pressing portion 30, the third pressing portion 36, and the restricting portion 40 in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Z direction) are reversed between the first lock receiving portion 22A and the second lock receiving portion 22B.

[0042] The first locking member 50A and the second locking member 50B are formed in different shapes. Here, the bracket 56 of the first locking member 50A and the bracket 56 of the second locking member 50B are mirror images of each other with respect to the YZ plane. As a result, the relationship between the bending direction of the bracket 56 and the position of the fitting recess 64 of the bracket 56 of the first locking member 50A and the bracket 56 of the second locking member 50B is opposite to each other. These two types of brackets 56 are formed, for example, by bending the portion that will become the plate portion 60 of a flat plate of the same shape in opposite directions.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows the dimensions and angles of the lock receiving portion 22 and the plate portion 60.

[0044] In Figure 7, dimension T1 is the thickness of plate portion 60. Dimension T1 is set appropriately within a range that achieves both the flexibility of plate portion 60 and the rigidity required for locking. The lower limit of dimension T1 may be, for example, 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm. The upper limit of dimension T1 may be, for example, 2.0 mm or 3.0 mm.

[0045] In FIG. 7, dimension D1 is the distance between the first pressing portion 26 and the second pressing portion 30 in the X direction. Dimension D2 is the distance between the second pressing portion 30 and the third pressing portion 36 in the X direction. Dimension D3 is the distance between the third pressing portion 36 and the restricting portion 40 in the X direction. Dimensions D1, D2, and D3 are set appropriately within a range that allows the mold to be removed. The mold removal direction (the direction in which the upper and lower molds move in the mold) is the Z direction. The lock receiving portion 22 is injection molded using an upper mold located on one side in the Z direction and a lower mold located on the other side. The lower limit of each of dimensions D1, D2, and D3 may be, for example, 0.5 mm or 1 mm. The upper limit of each of dimensions D1, D2, and D3 may be, for example, 2.0 mm or 3.0 mm.

[0046] 7, dimension D4 is the distance in the Z direction between first pressing surface 27 and second pressing surface 31. Dimension D4 may be, for example, the same as or slightly larger than dimension T1. Dimension D4 may be, for example, approximately 0.1 mm larger than dimension T1.

[0047] 7, dimension H1 is the protruding height of the locking protrusion 32 from the second pressing surface 31 in the Z direction. Dimension H1 is set appropriately within a range in which the locking protrusion 32 can be locked into the locking recess 62. Dimension H1 may be, for example, any value between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm. Here, dimension H1 is the same as or slightly larger than dimension T1 and dimension D4.

[0048] In FIG. 7, angle A1 is the inclination angle of first guide surface 28 with respect to the X direction. Angle A2 is the inclination angle of flat portion 33b of second guide surface 33 with respect to the X direction. Angle A3 is the inclination angle of third guide surface 38 with respect to the X direction. Angle A4 is the inclination angle of insertion slot guide surface 34 with respect to the X direction. Angle A2 is larger than angle A4. Each of angles A1, A2, A3, and A4 may be, for example, any value between 5 degrees and 45 degrees.

[0049] <Latching operation> The operation of locking the plate portion 60 to the lock receiving portion 22 will be described.

[0050] 7, the tip of the plate portion 60 is placed outside the insertion opening 25 of the lock receiving portion 22. Then, the tip of the plate portion 60 is inserted into the insertion path 24 from the insertion opening 25.

[0051] 8 indicates a state in which the plate portion 60 is inserted into a predetermined position (a position abutting the second guide surface 33) along the Z direction, and the plate portion 60 is inserted into a position displaced from the predetermined position along the Z direction, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 8. When the position of the tip of the plate portion 60 in the Z direction is displaced toward the third guide surface 38, the tip of the plate portion 60 is guided to the predetermined position by the third guide surface 38. When the position of the tip of the plate portion 60 in the Z direction is displaced toward the restriction surface 41, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 8, the tip of the plate portion 60 is guided to the predetermined position by the insertion opening-side guide surface 34 located beyond the restriction surface 41.

[0052] As shown by the solid line in Fig. 8, if the plate portion 60 is further inserted after the tip of the plate portion 60 hits the second guide surface 33, the plate portion 60 passes over the locking protrusion 32, and at least the plate portion 60 of the plate portion 60 and the locking receiving portion 22 is elastically deformed. Specifically, the tip of the plate portion 60 is guided by the second guide surface 33 and moves in the Z direction. On the other hand, the portion of the plate portion 60 located on the third pressing surface 37 is pressed by the third pressing surface 37 and does not move in the Z direction. As a result, the plate portion 60 is elastically deformed so as to bend or curve in the thickness direction (Z direction) as shown in Fig. 9.

[0053] The plate portion 60 shown in Figure 9 is in a state in which it has passed the second guide surface 33 and is in the middle of being inserted. As shown in Figure 9, the second guide surface 33 and the third pressing surface 37 have a positional relationship that guides the plate portion 60, which has passed the second guide surface 33 and is in the middle of being inserted, so that it assumes an inclined posture with respect to the first direction (X direction). As indicated by the arrow in Figure 9, the first guide surface 28 is located on the longitudinal tip side of the plate portion 60 that has assumed this inclined posture. Therefore, when the plate portion 60 is further inserted in this state, the tip of the plate portion 60 can more reliably reach the first guide surface 28.

[0054] Here, the rigidity of the plate portion 60 is lower than the rigidity of the locking receiving portion 22. Therefore, the elastic deformation required for the plate portion 60 to pass over the locking protrusion 32 is mostly borne by the plate portion 60, and the locking receiving portion 22 is hardly elastically deformed at all. The difference in rigidity between the plate portion 60 and the locking receiving portion 22 may be caused by, for example, a difference in material. For example, the plate portion 60 may be made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and the locking receiving portion 22 may be made of FRP (fiber reinforced plastic), so that the rigidity of the plate portion 60 is lower than the rigidity of the locking receiving portion 22.

[0055] When the plate portion 60 is further inserted beyond the locking protrusion 32, the tip of the plate portion 60 abuts against the first guide surface 28. Therefore, the lock receiving portion 22 is formed to have a positional relationship in which the tip side portion of the plate portion 60 during insertion abuts against three points: the first guide surface 28, the second guide surface 33 (locking protrusion 32), and the third pressing surface 37. In particular, here, the linear plate portion 60 abuts against three points: the first guide surface 28, the second guide surface 33 (locking protrusion 32), and the third pressing surface 37.

[0056] If the plate portion 60 is further inserted after the tip of the plate portion 60 hits the first guide surface 28, the tip of the plate portion 60 is guided by the first guide surface 28 and moves toward the first holding surface 27. At this time, as the tip of the plate portion 60 is guided by the first guide surface 28, the portion of the plate portion 60 further toward the tip side than the third holding portion 36 may be bent into a U-shape or a V-shape by the first holding portion 26, the locking protrusion 32, and the third holding portion 36. Then, when the tip of the plate portion 60 reaches the first holding surface 27 and the insertion amount of the plate portion 60 reaches a predetermined amount, the locking recess 62 reaches the position of the locking protrusion 32. The locking protrusion 32 fits into the locking recess 62, and the plate portion 60 elastically returns to its original flat shape, thereby locking the plate portion 60 to the lock receiving portion 22.

[0057] When the plate portion 60 is locked in the locking receiving portion 22, even if the plate portion 60 attempts to move forward in the insertion direction, the locking protrusion 32 catches on the inner surface of the locking recess 62, thereby preventing the plate portion 60 from moving. Furthermore, when the plate portion 60 is locked in the locking receiving portion 22, the rib 44 is positioned in the fitting recess 64. As a result, when the plate portion 60 is inserted further to the rear, the tip surface of the plate portion 60 in the fitting recess 64 abuts against the rib 44, preventing further insertion.

[0058] <Prevents mis-mating> Here, the fitting recess 64 and the rib 44 prevent erroneous fitting of multiple sets of lock receiving portions 22 and locking members 50. Specifically, the fitting recess 64 and the rib 44 prevent erroneous fitting of the second locking member 50B into the first lock receiving portion 22A, and erroneous fitting of the second locking member 50B into the second lock receiving portion 22B. Below, an example will be described in which the first locking member 50A is inserted into the second lock receiving portion 22B.

[0059] Each locking member 50 is positioned so that the bending direction of the bracket 56 is in a predetermined direction. Here, the bending direction of the bracket 56 is set so that the connecting portion 68 is positioned on the negative side of the Z direction relative to the plate portion 60. Therefore, if the first locking member 50A is mistakenly inserted into the second locking receiving portion 22B, the bracket 56 will be inserted in the same bending direction as the bracket 56 of the second locking member 50B. More specifically, the bracket 56 shown in FIG. 4 is inserted into the second locking receiving portion 22B shown in FIG. 6 in an orientation rotated 180 degrees around the Z axis. If the first locking member 50A is mistakenly inserted into the second locking receiving portion 22B, the rib 44 will not be present at the end of the fitting recess 64, but will instead be present at the end of the protruding portion 66. Then, as the plate portion 60 is inserted, the protruding portion 66 will abut the rib 44 before the locking protrusion 32 fits into the locking recess 62. This prevents the plate portion 60 from being inserted to a position where the locking protrusions 32 fit into the locking recesses 62, allowing the operator to notice any incorrect fitting of the locking member 50.

[0060] <Effects, etc.> In the locking device 10 configured as described above, the first holding portion 26, the second holding portion 30, and the third holding portion 36 are located in different regions along the first direction, which reduces the likelihood of an undercut shape along the second direction in the lock receiving portion 22. This makes it easier to mold the locking mating portion 20 and simplify the formation of the locking structure. Furthermore, if the first holding portion 26, the second holding portion 30, and the third holding portion 36 are located in different regions along the first direction, there is a risk that the tip of the plate portion 60 will come outward from between the first holding portion 26 and the third holding portion 36 during insertion after passing the second holding portion 30. In this case, it will be necessary to return the tip of the plate portion 60 that has come outward from between the first holding portion 26 and the third holding portion 36, which increases the number of steps required. In contrast to this, in the present disclosure, the first guide surface 28 is positioned on the longitudinal tip side of the inclined plate portion 60, which makes it easier for the plate portion 60, which has passed the second guide surface 33, to reach the first guide surface 28. This makes it possible to prevent the tip of the plate portion 60 from slipping outward from between the first pressing portion 26 and the third pressing portion 36 while it is being inserted after passing the second pressing portion 30, and makes it easy for the plate portion 60 to be locked to the lock receiving portion 22.

[0061] The second pressing portion 30 also has an insertion opening-side guide surface 34 that extends from the second pressing surface 31 toward the insertion opening 25 beyond the second guide surface 33 and is inclined with respect to the first direction. This allows the plate portion 60 to be guided to the second guide surface 33 using the insertion opening-side guide surface 34.

[0062] Furthermore, the plate portion 60 is made of resin, and the rigidity of the plate portion 60 is lower than the rigidity of the lock receiving portion 22. As a result, when the plate portion 60 passes over the second guide surface 33, the plate portion 60 is more likely to deform than the lock receiving portion 22. Even in this case, the plate portion 60 can be prevented from coming off the first guide surface 28 after passing over the second guide surface 33.

[0063] Furthermore, the locking receiving portion 22 has a restricting portion 40, and the third holding portion 36 has a third guide surface 38. By inserting the plate portion 60 between the restricting portion 40 and the third guide surface 38 along the second direction, it becomes easier to guide the plate portion 60 to the second guide surface 33. Furthermore, because the restricting portion 40 is separated from the third holding portion 36 along the first direction, an undercut shape is less likely to occur in the locking partner 20 along the second direction, making it easier to mold the locking partner 20 with a mold.

[0064] Furthermore, the positional relationship in the second direction between the first pressing portion 26, the second pressing portion 30, the third pressing portion 36, and the restricting portion 40 is reversed between the first lock receiving portion 22A and the second lock receiving portion 22B. In this way, even when the first lock receiving portion 22A and the second lock receiving portion 22B are provided facing in opposite directions in the second direction, the presence of the restricting portion 40 makes it easier to guide the plate portion 60 to the second guide surface 33.

[0065] The locking member 50 is a thermistor 50 that measures the temperature of the battery 80, and the locking partner 20 is a protector 20 that is attached to the battery 80. As a result, by locking the thermistor 50 to the protector 20 using the plate portion 60, the thermistor 50 can be positioned relative to the battery 80.

[0066] [Note] In the first embodiment, an example in which the locking device 10 is applied to the thermistor 50 and the protector 20 has been described, but this is not a required configuration. The locking device 10 can also be applied to combinations other than the thermistor 50 and the protector 20, as long as the combination includes the plate portion 60 and the lock receiving portion 22.

[0067] The configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually contradictory. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10 Locking device 20 Protector 22 Locking receiving part 22A 1st locking receiver (locking receiver) 22B Second locking receiver (locking receiver) 24 Insertion Path 25 Insertion port 26 First presser foot 27 First presser surface 28 First guide surface 30 Second presser foot 31 Second presser surface 32 Locking protrusion 33 Second guide surface 33a Concave part 33b Plane part 33c Convex part 34 Insertion port guide surface 36 Third presser foot 37 Third presser surface 38 Third guide surface 40 Regulatory Department 41 Regulatory aspects 44 Ribs 50 Locking member (thermistor) 50A 1st locking member (locking member) 50B Second locking member (locking member) 52 Thermistor body 54 Wiring 56 Bracket 58 Holding part 60 Board part 62 Locking recess 64 Mating recess 66 Protruding part 68 Connecting part 80 Battery 82 cells

Claims

1. a locking partner including a locking receiving portion having an insertion path formed along a first direction; a locking member including a plate portion that is inserted along the insertion path and locks onto the lock receiving portion; Equipped with the lock receiving portion has a first pressing portion, a second pressing portion, and a third pressing portion that are arranged in this order from a tip end side of the plate portion along the first direction, the first pressing portion, the second pressing portion, and the third pressing portion are located in different regions along the first direction, the first pressing portion and the third pressing portion are located on one side of the plate portion along a second direction intersecting the first direction, the second pressing portion is located on the other side of the plate portion along the second direction, The plate portion is formed with a locking recess, the first pressing portion has a first pressing surface that presses the plate portion in a locked state, and a first guide surface that extends from the first pressing surface toward an insertion opening of the insertion path and is inclined with respect to the first direction, the second pressing portion has a second pressing surface that presses the plate portion in a locked state, a locking protrusion that protrudes toward the first pressing portion along the second direction beyond the second pressing surface and is locked into the locking recess, and a second guide surface that is formed on the locking protrusion and is inclined with respect to the first direction, the third pressing portion has a third pressing surface that presses the plate portion in the locked state, the second guide surface and the third pressing surface have a positional relationship that guides the plate portion that has passed the second guide surface and is in the middle of insertion so as to assume an inclined posture with respect to the first direction, The locking device has the first guide surface located on the longitudinal tip side of the plate portion in the inclined position.

2. 2. The locking device of claim 1, The second pressing portion has an insertion opening side guide surface that extends from the second pressing surface toward the insertion opening beyond the second guide surface and is inclined with respect to the first direction.

3. The locking device according to claim 1 or 2, The plate portion is made of resin, The rigidity of the plate portion is lower than the rigidity of the locking receiving portion.

4. The locking device according to claim 1 or 2, the lock receiving portion has a restricting portion arranged apart from the third pressing portion on the opposite side of the second pressing portion with respect to the third pressing portion along the first direction, the restricting portion is located on the other side of the plate portion in the second direction, The insertion opening is defined between the restricting portion and the third pressing portion, The third pressing portion has a third guide surface that extends from the third pressing surface toward the insertion opening and is inclined with respect to the first direction.

5. 5. The locking device according to claim 4, The locking partner includes a first locking receiving portion and a second locking receiving portion as the locking receiving portion, A locking device in which the positional relationship between the first pressing portion, the second pressing portion, the third pressing portion, and the regulating portion in the second direction is reversed between the first locking receiving portion and the second locking receiving portion.

6. The locking device according to claim 1 or 2, the locking member is a thermistor that measures the temperature of the battery, A locking device, wherein the locking partner is a protector attached to the battery.

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