Rubber cover

Abstract

To make a rubber cover hardly come off from an electric apparatus.SOLUTION: An electric apparatus (41) is supported by a bracket (51) of a saddle riding type vehicle, and a cable is connected to a connector of the electric apparatus through an opening (53) or a notch of the bracket. A connection part between the connector and the cable is covered with a rubber cover (31). The rubber cover is provided with a cover body (32) having a mounting port (33) mounted around the connector, and an arm (35) extending from the cover body to the outside in the radial direction of the mounting port. The arm extends outward beyond the outer edge of the opening or the notch, and the arm is sandwiched between the bracket and the electrical device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rubber cover used for installing electrical equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, in saddle-ride type vehicles, a wire harness is connected to a connector of an electrical device such as a warning light unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such saddle-ride type vehicles, a cylindrical rubber cover is often used to waterproof the connection between the connector of the electrical device and the wire harness. In this case, a cylindrical wall protrudes from the periphery of the connector of the electrical device, and the inner edge of the attachment opening of the rubber cover is smaller than the outer edge of this cylindrical wall. By expanding the attachment opening of the rubber cover, the rubber cover is attached to the cylindrical wall of the electrical device, and the contraction force of the rubber makes it difficult for the rubber cover to come off the electrical device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 174762 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the rubber cover has a problem in that the rubber cover may come off from the electrical device when the cable of the wire harness or the like is moved.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has an object to provide a rubber cover that can be made difficult to come off from an electrical device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the rubber cover of the present invention is a rubber cover that covers the connection point between the connector and the cable, where an electrical device is supported on a bracket of a saddle-type vehicle and a cable is connected to a connector of the electrical device through an opening or notch in the bracket, and is equipped with a cover main body having an attachment port that is attached around the connector, and an arm that extends from the cover main body radially outward of the attachment port, whereby the arm extends outward beyond the outer edge of the opening or notch and is clamped between the bracket and the electrical device, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the arm is clamped between the bracket and the electrical device, making it difficult for the rubber cover to come off the meter even if the cable is moved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the front part of the vehicle according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the rubber cover of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a view of the vicinity of the meter of the present embodiment as seen from diagonally below. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the meter and its vicinity taken along line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the meter and its vicinity taken along line BB in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of an attachment operation of the rubber cover according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a rubber cover according to a first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a rubber cover according to a second modified example.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, an electrical device is supported on a bracket of a saddle-type vehicle, and a cable is connected to a connector of the electrical device through an opening or notch in the bracket. The connection point between the connector of the electrical device and the cable is covered with a rubber cover. In the rubber cover, the mounting opening of the cover body is mounted around the connector of the electrical device, and an arm extends from the cover body radially outward of the mounting opening. The arm extends outward beyond the outer edge of the opening or notch, and is clamped between the bracket and the electrical device, making it difficult for the rubber cover to come off the meter even if the cable is moved. [Example]

[0010] Hereinafter, a saddle-ride type vehicle according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a side view of the front of the vehicle according to this embodiment. In the following drawings, arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow RE indicates the rear of the vehicle, arrow L indicates the left side of the vehicle, and arrow R indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, a saddle-type vehicle 1 is provided with a body frame 10, and a pair of main frames 12 extend diagonally downward and rearward from a head pipe 11 of the body frame 10. A fuel tank 14 is placed on top of the pair of main frames 12, and the pair of main frames 12 and the fuel tank 14 are covered from the sides by front side covers 15. An engine 16 is located below the pair of main frames 12, and is supported from above by the pair of main frames 12. Down frames 13 extend downward from the head pipe 11, and the down frames 13 support the engine 16 from the front.

[0012] A steering shaft (not shown) is inserted into the head pipe 11. An upper bracket 21 is provided at the upper end of the steering shaft, and a lower bracket 22 is provided at the lower end of the steering shaft. The upper bracket 21 and the lower bracket 22 hold a front fork 23 at two positions, upper and lower. A handlebar 25 is attached to the upper bracket 21 via a handlebar holder 24, and a front fender 26 is attached to the lower bracket 22. A meter (electrical device) 41 is supported on the lower bracket 22 via a support bracket (bracket) 51.

[0013] Typically, the connection point between the meter's connector and cable is covered with a waterproof rubber cover. A cylindrical wall surrounding the connector protrudes from the underside of the meter, and the rubber cover's mounting opening is stretched out when attached to the cylindrical wall. However, there is a risk that the rubber cover may come off if the rubber cover is not properly attached or if the cable inside the cover is moved. To address this issue, the rubber cover 31 of this embodiment (see Figure 2) is provided with a pair of arms 35 that serve as handles. The state of attachment can be determined from the state of contact of the pair of arms 35 with the underside of the meter, and the pair of arms 35 are clamped between the meter 41 and support bracket 51 to prevent the rubber cover 31 from coming off.

[0014] The rubber cover will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Figure 2 is a bottom view of the rubber cover of this embodiment. Figure 3 is a view of the meter and its vicinity of this embodiment seen from diagonally below. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the meter and its vicinity in Figure 3 taken along line AA. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the meter and its vicinity in Figure 3 taken along line BB.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the cover body 32 of the rubber cover 31 is formed in a dome shape. The periphery of the cover body 32 is formed in a rounded rectangular shape, and this periphery of the cover body 32 forms an attachment opening 33 for attachment to a meter 41 (see Figure 3). A tubular portion 34 extends outward (toward the viewer in the drawing) from the top surface of the cover body 32, and a cable 46 (see Figure 4) extending from the meter 41 is housed inside the tubular portion 34. A pair of arms 35 extend outward from both side surfaces of the cover body 32, and by pinching and pulling the pair of arms 35, the attachment opening 33 of the cover body 32 is expanded, making it easier to attach to the meter 41.

[0016] 2 and 3, an opening 53 for passing the cable 46 (see FIG. 4) is formed in the center of the mounting plate 52 of the support bracket 51, and mounting holes are formed in two locations on either side of the opening 53 in the vehicle width direction and one location in front of the opening 53. Rubber bushings 55 are attached to the three mounting holes, and three bosses (not shown) protruding from the underside of the meter 41 are inserted into the rubber bushings 55. A female thread is formed in the front boss of the meter 41, and a bolt 57 is fixed to the female thread via a washer 56, so that the meter 41 is supported in a floating manner on the support bracket 51 via the rubber bushings 55.

[0017] The connector 42 (see FIG. 4) of the meter 41 is positioned inside the opening 53 of the support bracket 51, and a cable 46 (see FIG. 4) is connected to the connector 42. When the rubber cover 31 is attached to the underside of the meter 41, the rubber cover 31 covers the connection point between the connector 42 of the meter 41 and the cable 46. A cylindrical wall 43 (see FIG. 4) protrudes from around the connector 42, and the mounting opening 33 of the rubber cover 31 is attached to the cylindrical wall 43 around the connector 42. A pair of arms 35 extend outward from both sides of the cover body 32, sandwiching the mounting opening 33, and the pair of arms 35 are sandwiched between the support bracket 51 and the meter 41.

[0018] 3 and 4, the mounting opening 33 of the cover body 32 is attached from the outside to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 43 of the meter 41. The inner edge of the mounting opening 33 in its natural state is designed to be smaller than the outer edge of the cylindrical wall 43 of the meter 41, and the cover body 32 is attached to the cylindrical wall 43 of the meter 41 by the contractile force of the cover body 32. Multiple (two in this embodiment) retaining protrusions 44 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 43, and the multiple retaining protrusions 44 bite into the cover body 32, preventing the mounting opening 33 from coming off the cylindrical wall 43. An annular groove 45 surrounding the connector 42 (cylindrical wall 43) is formed on the underside of the meter 41, and the mounting opening 33 fits into the annular groove 45, allowing the rubber cover 31 to be properly attached to the meter 41.

[0019] In this case, the opposing surfaces of the meter 41 and the support bracket 51 are formed flat around the annular groove 45, and the upper and lower surfaces of the pair of arms 35 that contact the opposing surfaces of the meter 41 and the support bracket 51 are also formed flat. The pair of arms 35 are formed so that the length from the upper surface 36 to the tip of the mounting opening 33 matches the depth from the lower surface 47 of the meter 41 to the groove bottom of the annular groove 45. The mounting opening 33 is inserted into the annular groove 45, and the tip of the mounting opening 33 contacts the groove bottom of the annular groove 45, thereby completely attaching the mounting opening 33 to the meter 41. The upper surfaces 36 of the pair of arms 35 are formed so as to contact the lower surface 47 of the meter 41 when this mounting opening 33 is attached.

[0020] By visually confirming that the upper surfaces 36 of the pair of arms 35 are in contact with the lower surface 47 of the meter 41, it is possible to know whether the rubber cover 31 is properly attached to the cylindrical wall 43 of the meter 41. This prevents improper attachment of the rubber cover 31 to the meter 41, and the dustproof and waterproof functions of the rubber cover 31 can be maintained in good condition. Also, by fitting the attachment opening 33 of the rubber cover 31 into the annular groove 45 of the meter 41, exposure of the attachment opening 33 is reduced, improving the appearance. Furthermore, by having the pair of arms 35 abut the lower surface 47 of the meter 41, the rubber cover 31 is not pushed into the meter 41 more than necessary, and deformation of the rubber cover 31 is reduced.

[0021] The rubber cover 31 is positioned inside the opening 53 of the support bracket 51, and the pair of arms 35 of the rubber cover 31 extend outward beyond the outer edge of the opening 53. The pair of arms 35 extend to the opposing portions of the support bracket 51 and the meter 41, so that the tip sides of the pair of arms 35 are sandwiched between the support bracket 51 and the meter 41. As described above, the cable 46 connected to the connector 42 is housed inside the rubber cover 31, and the pair of arms 35 are sandwiched between the support bracket 51 and the meter 41, making it difficult for the rubber cover 31 to come off the cylindrical wall 43 even if the cable 46 is moved.

[0022] 3 and 5, the cross section of the pair of arms 35 is formed in a square shape, and the clamping force between the support bracket 51 and the meter 41 is received over a wide area, preventing irregular deformation of the pair of arms 35. The thickness of the pair of arms 35 in their natural state in the direction perpendicular to the opposing surfaces of the support bracket 51 and the meter 41 is formed to be larger than the distance between the opposing surfaces of the support bracket 51 and the meter 41. By slightly squeezing the pair of arms 35 against the opposing surfaces of the support bracket 51 and the meter 41, the pair of arms 35 are in close contact with the opposing surfaces of the support bracket 51 and the meter 41, effectively suppressing vibration of the rubber cover 31.

[0023] In the longitudinal direction of the meter 41, the outer edge of the cover body 32 of the rubber cover 31 is adjacent to the inner edge of the opening 53 of the support bracket 51 with a gap therebetween. A pair of arms 35 extend from the cover body 32 in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the meter 41, and the pair of arms 35 are sandwiched over a wide area between the support bracket 51 and the meter 41, making it difficult for the rubber cover 31 to come off. Note that the direction along the longitudinal direction of the meter 41 includes not only a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the meter 41 but also a direction slightly intersecting the longitudinal direction of the meter 41. In this embodiment, one arm 35 slightly intersects the longitudinal direction of the meter 41, and the other arm 35 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the meter 41.

[0024] The operation of attaching the rubber cover will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of attaching the rubber cover of this embodiment.

[0025] As shown in Figure 6(A), a cable 46 is passed through the inside of the rubber cover 31, and the cable 46 is connected to a connector 42 on the underside of the meter 41. The rubber cover 31 is positioned below the connector 42, and when the rubber cover 31 is not attached, the inner edge of the mounting opening 33 of the rubber cover 31 is smaller than the outer edge of the cylindrical wall 43 around the connector 42. An annular groove 45 is formed on the underside of the meter 41 along the outer edge of the cylindrical wall 43. The rubber cover 31 is provided with a pair of arms 35 (see Figure 2) that serve as handles, and the depth of the annular groove 45 is designed to match the dimension from the top surfaces of the pair of arms 35 to the tip of the mounting opening 33.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6(B), pulling the pair of arms 35 expands the mounting opening 33, making the inner edge of the mounting opening 33 of the rubber cover 31 larger than the outer edge of the cylindrical wall 43 around the connector 42. With the mounting opening 33 still expanded, the rubber cover 31 is brought closer to the underside of the meter 41, and the rubber cover 31 is pushed in until the pair of arms 35 contact the underside 47 of the meter 41 (see Figure 6(C)). When the pair of arms 35 come into contact with the underside of the meter 41, the worker can see that the mounting opening 33 is completely attached, with the tip of the mounting opening 33 contacting the bottom of the annular groove 45. The multiple anti-detachment protrusions 44 on the cylindrical wall 43 bite into the cover body 32, preventing the rubber cover 31 from coming off.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6(C), when the rubber cover 31 is attached to the meter 41, the meter 41 is brought close to the support bracket 51, and the pair of arms 35 are pressed against the support bracket 51 outside the opening 53 (see FIG. 6(B)) of the support bracket 51. When the meter 41 is fixed to the support bracket 51, the pair of arms 35 are sandwiched between the opposing surfaces of the meter 41 and the support bracket 51. In this way, not only is the cover body 32 of the rubber cover 31 attached to the cylindrical wall 43 of the meter 41, but the pair of arms 35 of the rubber cover 31 are also sandwiched between the meter 41 and the support bracket 51.

[0028] As described above, according to the rubber cover 31 of this embodiment, the pair of arms 35 function as handles, and by extending the pair of arms 35, the mounting opening 33 of the rubber cover 31 can be easily expanded, improving the ease of mounting the rubber cover 31 to the meter 41. By visually checking the state in which the pair of arms 35 are in contact with the surface of the meter 41, it is possible to ascertain that the rubber cover 31 is properly mounted to the meter 41. Furthermore, the pair of arms 35 are sandwiched between the support bracket 51 and the meter 41, making it difficult for the rubber cover 31 to come off the meter 41 even if the cable 46 is moved.

[0029] In this embodiment, a pair of arms extend outward from the cover body, but the number of arms extending from the cover body is not particularly limited. As long as the arms extend from the cover body radially outward from the mounting opening and are sandwiched between the bracket and the electrical device, a single arm 63 may extend radially outward from the cover body 62 from the mounting opening, as in the rubber cover 61 shown in Fig. 7 .

[0030] In this embodiment, the pair of arms are located on either side of the cover body with the mounting opening between them, but the installation positions of the pair of arms are not particularly limited. As long as the arms extend from the cover body radially outward of the mounting opening and are configured to be sandwiched between the bracket and the electrical device, the pair of arms 73 may be located on one side of the cover body 72, as in the rubber cover 71 shown in Fig. 8.

[0031] In this embodiment, the cross section of the pair of arms is square, but if the purpose is simply to check whether the rubber cover is properly attached, the cross section of the pair of arms may be plate-shaped. In this case, the pair of arms are formed so that the narrow upper surfaces of the pair of arms contact the lower surface of the meter when the attachment port is completely attached to the meter.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an opening is formed in the support bracket, but the support bracket may be formed with a notch through which the cable passes.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a meter is used as an example of an electrical device, but the electrical device is not limited to a meter and may be any electrical device provided with a connector to which a cable is connected.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pair of arms extend in the longitudinal direction of the meter, but it is sufficient that the pair of arms extend outward from both sides of the cover body that sandwich the mounting opening.

[0035] Furthermore, although the present embodiment is configured such that a pair of arms are clamped between the bracket and the electrical device, a configuration in which the pair of arms are not clamped between the bracket and the electrical device is also possible. In this case, the rubber cover is a rubber cover that covers the connection point between the connector of the electrical device and the cable, and includes a cover main body having an attachment opening that is attached around the connector of the electrical device, and a pair of arms extending outward from both sides of the cover main body that sandwich the attachment opening. With this configuration, the pair of arms function as handles, and by extending the pair of arms, the attachment opening of the rubber cover can be easily expanded, improving the ease of attachment of the rubber cover to the electrical device.

[0036] The rubber cover of this embodiment may be attached to cover the connection between the connector and the cable of various electrical devices, not limited to the electrical devices of the above-mentioned saddle-ride type vehicle. Note that the saddle-ride type vehicle is not limited to all vehicles in which the rider sits astride the seat, but also includes scooter-type vehicles in which the rider does not sit astride the seat.

[0037] As described above, in the first aspect, an electrical device (meter 41) is supported on a bracket (support bracket 51) of a saddle-ride type vehicle, a cable (46) is connected to a connector (42) of the electrical device through an opening (53) or notch in the bracket, and a rubber cover (31) covering the connection point between the connector and the cable includes a cover main body (32) having an attachment opening that is attached around the connector, and an arm (35) extending from the cover main body radially outward from the attachment opening, the arm extending outward beyond the outer edge of the opening or notch and being clamped between the bracket and the electrical device. With this configuration, the arm is clamped between the bracket and the electrical device, making it difficult for the rubber cover to come off the meter even if the cable is moved.

[0038] In the second aspect, in the first aspect, the arms are a pair of arms extending outward from both sides of the cover body on either side of the mounting opening. With this configuration, the pair of arms function as handles, and by extending the pair of arms, the mounting opening of the rubber cover can be easily expanded, improving the ease of mounting the rubber cover to the electrical device.

[0039] In a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the arm contacts the surface of the electrical device when the mounting opening is fully attached to the electrical device. With this configuration, by visually checking the state in which the arm is in contact with the surface of the electrical device, it is possible to determine whether the rubber cover is properly attached to the electrical device. This prevents improper attachment of the rubber cover to the electrical device and allows the dustproof and waterproof functions of the rubber cover to be well maintained.

[0040] In the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, an annular groove (45) is formed in the electrical device surrounding the connector, and when the mounting opening fits into the annular groove and is fully attached to the electrical device, the arm comes into contact with the surface of the electrical device. With this configuration, the mounting opening of the rubber cover fits into the annular groove of the electrical device, preventing the mounting opening from being exposed. The rubber cover is not pushed into the electrical device more than necessary, preventing deformation of the rubber cover.

[0041] In a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the thickness of the arm in its natural state in the direction perpendicular to the opposing surfaces of the bracket and the electrical device is greater than the distance between the opposing surfaces of the bracket and the electrical device. With this configuration, the arm comes into close contact with the opposing surfaces of the bracket and the electrical device, effectively suppressing vibration of the rubber cover.

[0042] In a sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the outer edge of the cover body is adjacent to the inner edge of the opening or notch with a gap in the longitudinal direction of the electrical device, and the arm extends in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the electrical device. With this configuration, the arm is pinched over a wide area between the bracket and the electrical device, making it difficult for the rubber cover to come off.

[0043] Although the present embodiment has been described, other embodiments may be made by combining the above-described embodiments and modifications in whole or in part.

[0044] Furthermore, the technology of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the technical idea. Furthermore, if the technical idea can be realized in a different way due to technological advances or other derived technologies, it may be implemented using that method. Therefore, the claims cover all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the technical idea. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1: Saddle-type vehicle 31: Rubber cover 32: Cover body 33: Cover body attachment port 35: Arm 41: Meter (electrical equipment) 42: Connector 45: Annular groove 46: Cable 51: Support bracket (bracket) 53: Support bracket opening

Claims

1. An electrical device is supported on a bracket of a saddle-ride type vehicle, a cable is connected to a connector of the electrical device through an opening or a notch in the bracket, and a rubber cover is provided to cover a connection point between the connector and the cable, a cover body having an attachment opening attached to the periphery of the connector; an arm extending from the cover body radially outward of the mounting opening, The rubber cover is characterized in that the arm extends outward beyond the outer edge of the opening or notch, and the arm is clamped between the bracket and the electrical device.

2. 2. The rubber cover according to claim 1, wherein the arms are a pair of arms extending outward from both sides of the cover body with the mounting opening between them.

3. 3. The rubber cover according to claim 1, wherein the arm contacts a surface of the electrical device when the mounting opening is completely mounted on the electrical device.

4. The rubber cover according to claim 3, characterized in that the electrical device has an annular groove surrounding the connector, and when the mounting port is inserted into the annular groove and the mounting port is fully attached to the electrical device, the arm contacts the surface of the electrical device.

5. The rubber cover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the thickness of the arm in its natural state in a direction perpendicular to the opposing surfaces of the bracket and the electrical equipment is formed to be larger than the distance between the opposing surfaces of the bracket and the electrical equipment.

6. A rubber cover as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the outer edge of the cover body is adjacent to the inner edge of the opening or notch with a gap in the longitudinal direction of the electrical equipment, and the arm extends in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the electrical equipment.

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