Cap and unit with cap

Abstract

To provide a cap capable of achieving both of workability of work for fitting the cap into an opening part of a mounting object and proper holding to the opening part while having an original function as the cap.SOLUTION: A cap 1 to be detachably attached to an opening 21 of an attachment object 2 includes a body part 30 to be fitted into the opening 21. The main body portion 30 includes an annular portion 34 facing the 21a of the opening inner peripheral surface of the opening portion 21, and a plurality of protruding portions 36 provided on the 34b of the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion 34. The plurality of protruding portions 36 include a first protruding portion 36A and a second protruding portion 36A having a shape different from that of the first protruding portion 36B. In at least a part of the course of fitting the body part 30 into the opening part 21, the first projection part 36A is brought into contact with the opening inner peripheral surface 21a, and the second projection part 36B is not brought into contact with the opening inner peripheral surface 21a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap that is to be removably attached to an opening of an attachment target, and a capped unit that uses the cap. [Background technology]

[0002] Charging connectors have been proposed for supplying power from outside the vehicle (charging) batteries mounted on vehicles such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. This type of connector is generally also called a charging inlet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-026288 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The conventional charging inlet described above has an opening where terminals are provided and a hinged lid for exposing or sealing the opening as needed. From the perspective of simplifying the charging inlet, it is conceivable to replace the hinged lid with a cap that can be attached and detached to the opening. Here, when fitting the cap into the opening, if the contact area between the cap and the opening (e.g., the number of contact ribs provided on the cap) is increased, the cap can be firmly fixed to the opening, but the task of fitting the cap into the opening becomes difficult. Conversely, if the contact area between the cap and the opening is reduced, the task of fitting the cap into the opening becomes easier, but it becomes difficult to retain the cap in the opening. For these reasons, there is a need for a cap that can be easily fitted into the opening of a charging inlet while retaining its original functions (e.g., dustproofness, waterproofness, etc.) and that can properly retain the cap in the opening. Furthermore, as will be understood from this description, regardless of whether it is a charging inlet, it is desirable for the cap to have both its original function as a cap, the ease of fitting it into the opening of any attachment target, and the ability to be properly held in the opening.

[0005] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a cap that has the original function of a cap while being easy to fit into the opening of the object to be attached and being properly held in the opening, and a capped unit using such a cap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the cap and capped unit according to the present invention are characterized as follows.

[0007] A cap to be detachably attached to an opening of an attachment target, a body portion adapted to fit within the opening; The main body portion is The opening has an annular portion facing an inner circumferential surface of the opening, and a plurality of protruding portions provided on an outer circumferential surface of the annular portion, The plurality of protruding portions are The device includes a first protruding portion having a predetermined shape and a second protruding portion having a shape different from that of the first protruding portion, and is configured such that, during at least a part of the process of fitting the main body into the opening, the first protruding portion contacts the inner circumferential surface of the opening and the second protruding portion does not contact the inner circumferential surface of the opening. It's a cap.

[0008] The cap described above; and an attachment object having an opening to which the cap is attached. It must be a capped unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the cap and capped unit of the present invention, the cap's main body is fitted into the opening of the target, thereby sealing the opening. This allows the cap's original functions (e.g., dustproofness, waterproofness, etc.) to be fulfilled. Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion of the main body is provided with multiple types of protrusions (i.e., first protrusions and second protrusions) with different shapes. During at least a portion of the process of fitting the main body into the opening (hereinafter referred to as the "cap fitting process" for convenience), the first protrusions contact the inner peripheral surface of the opening, but the second protrusions do not contact the inner peripheral surface of the opening. This makes it easier to fit the cap into the opening, compared to, for example, a case in which both the first protrusions and the second protrusions are constantly in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the opening throughout the entire cap fitting process. Furthermore, for example, if both the first protrusions and the second protrusions are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the opening at the end of the cap fitting process, the cap can be properly held in the opening. Alternatively, for example, one of the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion may function to hold the cap in the opening, and the other may function to prevent the cap from shifting position during the cap attachment process, thereby facilitating the task of fitting the cap into the opening and enabling the cap to be properly held in the opening. Thus, the cap and capped unit of the present invention can achieve both ease of fitting into the opening to which the cap is to be attached and proper holding in the opening, while retaining the original function of a cap.

[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the detailed description of the invention below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connector and a cap constituting a capped connector according to an embodiment of the present invention are separated. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cap shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the rear. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the cap shown in FIG. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an oblique view showing the periphery of the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the cap shown in Figure 4, where Figure 5(a) shows the periphery of the first protrusion shown in part A of Figure 4, and Figure 5(b) shows the periphery of the second protrusion shown in part B of Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 4, showing the contact / non-contact state between the first and second protrusions of the cap and the inner circumferential surface of the opening of the fitting recess when the cap is completely attached to the fitting recess of the housing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6, showing a case where the cap is displaced within the fitting recess during the process of fitting the cap into the fitting recess of the housing. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5, showing a first protrusion and a second protrusion according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6 in the case where the modified example shown in FIG. 8 is adopted. [Figure 10]Figure 10 is a side view showing the process of fitting a cap into a mating recess of a housing when the modified example shown in Figure 8 is adopted, where Figure 10(a) shows the stage at which the first protrusion begins to contact the inner surface of the opening of the mating recess, and Figure 10(b) shows the stage at which the second protrusion begins to contact the inner surface of the opening of the mating recess after the stage shown in Figure 10(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, a capped connector 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention, including a cap 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the capped connector 3 is composed of the cap 1 and a connector 2 to which the cap 1 is attached. The connector 2 is installed in a vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, and is connected to an electric wire extending from a battery mounted on the vehicle. The connector 2 is also called a charging inlet. By fitting a mating connector (a so-called charging gun) into the fitting recess 21 of the connector 2 (see FIG. 1), power is supplied to the battery from outside the vehicle, and the battery is charged.

[0013] For the sake of convenience, the following definitions are used for "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" as shown in FIG. 1 and elsewhere. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "upper-lower direction" are perpendicular to one another. The front-rear direction coincides with the mating direction of the connector 2 and the mating connector (not shown), and the front side of the mating direction (the side approaching the mating connector) as viewed from the connector 2 is referred to as the "front side," while the release side of the mating direction (the side moving away from the mating connector) as viewed from the connector 2 is referred to as the "rear side." Note that the "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "upper-lower direction" are defined merely for the sake of convenience, and do not necessarily correspond to the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and upper-lower direction of the vehicle when the connector 2 is mounted on the vehicle.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the connector 2 to which the cap 1 is attached includes a pair of left and right terminals 10 and a housing 20 that houses the pair of left and right terminals 10. One ends of a pair of left and right electric wires 4 are connected to the pair of left and right metal terminals (female terminals) 10, respectively. The other ends of the pair of left and right electric wires 4 are connected to, for example, a battery (not shown). In this example, the housing 20 is formed by combining multiple resin parts, etc., but it may also be formed from a single resin part.

[0015] A mating recess 21 that opens forward and is recessed rearward is defined at the front end of the housing 20. In this example, the mating recess 21 is a recess that has a circular shape when viewed from the front. The housing 20 is provided with a pair of left and right cylindrical terminal accommodating portions 22 that protrude forward within the mating recess 21 and correspond to the pair of left and right terminals 10. Each terminal accommodating portion 22 has an internal space that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction. The pair of left and right terminals 10 are accommodated in the pair of left and right terminal accommodating portions 22 of the housing 20, respectively. By mating a mating connector with the mating recess 21 of the housing 20, a pair of left and right male terminals (not shown) belonging to the mating connector are connected to the pair of left and right terminals 10, respectively, and power is supplied to the battery from outside the vehicle.

[0016] The cap 1 is a part that is removably fitted into the mating recess 21 of the housing 20, and by being fitted into the mating recess 21 and covering the opening of the mating recess 21, it serves the functions of protecting the pair of left and right terminals 10 located within the mating recess 21, as well as preventing dust from entering the mating recess 21.

[0017] The cap 1 is typically made of elastomer (or rubber) and is an elastically deformable molded body. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the cap 1 is made up of a main body 30 that is fitted into the fitting recess 21 to cover the opening of the fitting recess 21, and an operating part 40 that protrudes forward from the main body 30 and extends outward from the fitting recess 21.

[0018] 2 to 4, the main body 30 includes a flat, disc-shaped central wall 31 extending in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, a tapered wall 32 extending obliquely from the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the central wall 31 toward the front and radially outward, an annular flange 33 extending radially outward from the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the tapered wall 32, and a substantially cylindrical annular portion 34 extending rearward from the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the tapered wall 32. When the cap 1 is attached to the fitting recess 21, the central wall 31 and the tapered wall 32 cover the opening of the fitting recess 21, the annular flange 33 faces an end face (front end face) 21b of the opening edge of the fitting recess 21 (see FIG. 1), and the annular portion 34 faces an inner circumferential surface 21a of the opening of the fitting recess 21 (see FIG. 6, etc.).

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , the outer peripheral surface 34b of the annular portion 34 of the main body 30 is provided with a plurality of (four in this example) first protrusions 36A protruding radially outward from the annular portion 34 and aligned at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 34, and a plurality of (four in this example) second protrusions 36B protruding radially outward from the annular portion 34 are aligned at equal intervals in the central positions between adjacent first protrusions 36A in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 34. As shown in FIG. 5( a), the first protrusions 36A are protruding in the front-rear direction. The first protrusions 36A extend from the annular flange portion 33 to a position a predetermined distance forward (front) of the open end 34a of the annular portion 34. As shown in FIG. 5( b), the second protrusions 36B are also protruding in the front-rear direction. The second protrusion 36B extends from the annular flange 33 to the open end 34a of the annular portion 34. The second protrusion 36B has a lower protrusion height from the outer peripheral surface 34b and a wider width than the first protrusion 36A. Therefore, the second protrusion 36B has higher rigidity than the first protrusion 36A. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), a tapered surface 38 is formed on the rear edge of each of the first protrusion 36A and the second protrusion 36B, which is inclined in a direction moving forward as it moves radially outward from the annular portion 34.

[0020] The diameter of an imaginary circle passing through the protruding ends of the multiple first protrusions 36A is the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of a circle that forms the opening inner circumferential surface 21a of the fitting recess 21 of the housing 20. Therefore, when the cap 1 is completely attached to the fitting recess 21 (hereinafter referred to as the "completed cap attachment state"), each of the first protrusions 36A contacts the opening inner circumferential surface 21a (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, the diameter of an imaginary circle passing through the protruding ends of the multiple second protrusions 36B is slightly smaller than the diameter of the circle that forms the opening inner circumferential surface 21a of the fitting recess 21 of the housing 20. Therefore, when the cap is completely attached, each of the second protrusions 36B does not contact the opening inner circumferential surface 21a (see FIG. 6). During the process of fitting the cap 1 into the fitting recess 21 (hereinafter referred to as the "cap attachment process"), the tapered surface 38 of each first protrusion 36A functions to guide the end face 21b (see Figure 1) of the opening edge of the fitting recess 21 so that it moves toward the protruding end face of the first protrusion 36A, and the tapered surface 38 of each second protrusion 36B functions to guide the end face 21b (see Figure 1) of the opening edge of the fitting recess 21 so that it moves toward the protruding end face of the second protrusion 36B.

[0021] 2 to 4, the outer peripheral surface 34b of the annular portion 34 of the main body 30 is further provided with a plurality of (two in this example) positioning protrusions 37 protruding radially outward from the annular portion 34 at intervals in positions in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 34 where the first protrusion 36A and the second protrusion 36B are not provided. When the cap is fully attached, the plurality of positioning protrusions 37 are inserted into and housed in a plurality of (two in this example) positioning recesses 23 (see FIG. 6) formed in the opening inner peripheral surface 21a of the fitting recess 21 in correspondence with the plurality of positioning protrusions 37. This determines the circumferential position of the cap 1 relative to the housing 20 (connector 2).

[0022] The operating portion 40 is a portion that is operated (external force is applied) by a user's finger or the like when attaching or detaching the cap 1 to or from the fitting recess 21 of the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 2 , the operating portion 40 has a cylindrical portion 41 that protrudes forward from the front surface of the central wall portion 31 of the main body portion 30. The cylindrical portion 41 has a cylindrical shape that is elongated in the left-right direction when viewed from the front. The opening at the protruding end (front end) of the cylindrical portion 41 is closed by a flat connecting portion 43 that extends in the up-down direction, while the rear end of the cylindrical portion 41 opens at the central wall portion 31. The cylindrical portion 41 includes a pair of upper and lower plate-like portions 44 that are approximately rectangular flat plates and extend in the front-to-rear direction. The pair of upper and lower plate-like portions 44 are portions that are actually operated (external force is applied) by a user's finger or the like when attaching or detaching the cap 1 to or from the fitting recess 21 of the housing 20.

[0023] When fitting the cap 1 into the fitting recess 21 of the housing 20, the user pinches the pair of upper and lower plate-like portions 44 of the operating portion 40 of the cap 1 with their fingers, and in this state, pushes the cap 1 into the fitting recess 21 (applying a rearward external force to the operating portion 40) until the annular flange portion 33 of the main body portion 30 abuts against the end face (front end face) 21b of the opening edge of the fitting recess 21 so that the annular portion 34 of the main body portion 30 is inserted into the fitting recess 21. This allows the cap 1 to be fitted into the fitting recess 21.

[0024] 6, as described above, each of the first protrusions 36A contacts the opening inner peripheral surface 21a, while each of the second protrusions 36B does not contact the opening inner peripheral surface 21a. This makes it easier to fit the cap 1 into the fitting recess 21 compared to, for example, a case where both the first protrusions 36A and the second protrusions 36B are constantly in contact with the opening inner peripheral surface 21a throughout the entire cap attachment process.

[0025] 7, if the cap 1 is displaced within the fitting recess 21 as indicated by the white arrow during the cap attachment process (for example, if the worker attaches the cap 1 at an angle to the fitting recess 21), both the first protrusion 36A and the second protrusion 36B, which has a lower protrusion height than the first protrusion 36A, come into contact with the opening inner circumferential surface 21a, thereby preventing excessive displacement of the cap 1. This improves the workability of fitting the cap 1 into the fitting recess 21.

[0026] On the other hand, when the cap is fully attached, the user can pinch the pair of upper and lower plate-shaped portions 44 of the cap 1 with their fingers, and in that state, apply a forward external force to the operating portion 40 to remove (separate) the cap 1 from the fitting recess 21.

[0027] <Actions and Effects> As described above, according to the cap 1 and capped connector 3 of this embodiment, the main body 30 of the cap 1 is fitted into the fitting recess 21 of the connector 2, thereby sealing the fitting recess 21. This allows the cap 1 to perform its original functions (e.g., dustproofness, waterproofness, etc.). Furthermore, multiple types of protrusions 36 (i.e., first protrusions 36A and second protrusions 36B) with different shapes are provided on the outer peripheral surface 34b of the annular portion 34 of the main body 30. Then, during at least a part of the process of fitting the main body 30 into the fitting recess 21 (the cap attachment process), the first protrusions 36A come into contact with the opening inner peripheral surface 21a, but the second protrusions 36B do not come into contact with the opening inner peripheral surface 21a. This makes it easier to fit the cap 1 into the fitting recess 21 compared to, for example, a case where both the first protrusion 36A and the second protrusion 36B are constantly in contact with the opening inner peripheral surface 21a throughout the entire cap attachment process. Therefore, the cap 1 and capped connector 3 according to this embodiment can achieve both ease of fitting into the fitting recess 21 of the connector 2 and proper retention in the fitting recess 21 while retaining the original function of the cap 1.

[0028] Furthermore, with the cap according to this embodiment, the first protrusion 36A, which has a high protrusion height, comes into contact with the opening inner peripheral surface 21a of the fitting recess 21, thereby properly fixing the cap 1 to the fitting recess 21, and if the cap 1 is displaced within the fitting recess 21 during the cap attachment process (for example, if the worker attaches the cap 1 at an angle to the fitting recess 21), both the first protrusion 36A and the second protrusion 36B, which has a low protrusion height, come into contact with the opening inner peripheral surface 21a, thereby preventing excessive displacement. This improves the workability of fitting the cap 1 into the fitting recess 21 of the connector 2.

[0029] Furthermore, with the cap 1 of this embodiment, when the cap 1 is fitted into the fitting recess 21, the user can apply an external force to the operating portion 40 protruding from the main body portion 30 of the cap 1 to separate the cap 1 from the fitting recess 21 (for example, by the user pinching the operating portion 40 with their fingers and pulling it out in the protruding direction).

[0030] <Other aspects> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. are possible as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited thereto.

[0031] In the above embodiment, the second protrusion 36B protrudes less from the outer peripheral surface 34b of the annular portion 34 of the cap 1 than the first protrusion 36A, so that, during at least a portion of the cap attachment process, the first protrusion 36A contacts the opening inner peripheral surface 21a but the second protrusion 36B does not contact the opening inner peripheral surface 21a. In contrast, as in the modified example shown in Fig. 8, the first protrusion 36A and the second protrusion 36B may protrude the same height from the outer peripheral surface 34b, but the length of the second protrusion 36B in the front-to-rear direction may be shorter than the length of the first protrusion 36A, so that, during at least a portion of the cap attachment process, the first protrusion 36A contacts the opening inner peripheral surface 21a but the second protrusion 36B does not contact the opening inner peripheral surface 21a.

[0032] In the modified example shown in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the first protrusion 36A extends from the annular flange 33 to the opening end 34a of the annular portion 34, while as shown in FIG. 8(b), the second protrusion 36B extends from the annular flange 33 only a predetermined distance forward (toward the front) of the opening end 34a of the annular portion 34. The diameter of an imaginary circle passing through the protruding ends of the first protrusion 36A and the second protrusion 36B is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the circle that defines the opening inner circumferential surface 21a of the fitting recess 21 of the housing 20. Therefore, when the cap is fully attached, both the first protrusion 36A and the second protrusion 36B contact the opening inner circumferential surface 21a (see FIG. 9). This allows the cap 1 to be properly secured to the fitting recess 21. Furthermore, during the cap attachment process, the state changes from one in which only the long first protrusion 36A contacts the opening inner peripheral surface 21a of the fitting recess 21 (see FIG. 10(a)) to one in which both the first protrusion 36A and the short second protrusion 36B contact the opening inner peripheral surface 21a (see FIG. 10(b)). This gradually increases the external force required to fit the cap 1 into the connector 2, improving the ease of fitting the cap 1 into the fitting recess 21 of the connector 2.

[0033] Here, the features of the embodiments of the cap 1 and the capped connector 3 according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [5].

[0034] [1] A cap (1) to be detachably attached to an opening (21) of an attachment object (2), a main body (30) to be fitted into the opening (21); The main body portion (30) is a ring-shaped portion (34) facing an inner peripheral surface (21 a) of the opening (21) and a plurality of protrusions (36) provided on an outer peripheral surface (34 b) of the ring-shaped portion (34), The plurality of protruding portions (36) are The fitting includes a first protrusion (36A) having a predetermined shape and a second protrusion (36B) having a shape different from that of the first protrusion (36A), and is configured such that, during at least a part of the process of fitting the main body (30) into the opening (21), the first protrusion (36A) contacts the opening inner circumferential surface (21a) and the second protrusion (36B) does not contact the opening inner circumferential surface (21a). Cap(1).

[0035] According to the cap having the configuration [1] above, the main body of the cap is fitted into the opening to which it is to be attached, thereby sealing the opening. This allows the cap to perform its intended functions (e.g., dustproofness, waterproofness, etc.). Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion of the main body is provided with multiple types of protrusions (i.e., first protrusions and second protrusions) with different shapes. During at least a portion of the process of fitting the main body into the opening (hereinafter referred to as the "cap attachment process" for convenience), the first protrusions contact the inner peripheral surface of the opening, but the second protrusions do not contact the inner peripheral surface of the opening. This makes it easier to fit the cap into the opening, compared to, for example, a case in which both the first protrusions and the second protrusions are constantly in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the opening throughout the entire cap attachment process. Furthermore, for example, if both the first protrusions and the second protrusions are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the opening at the end of the cap attachment process, the cap can be properly held in the opening. Alternatively, for example, one of the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion may function to hold the cap in the opening, and the other may function to prevent the cap from shifting position during the cap attachment process, thereby facilitating the task of fitting the cap into the opening and enabling the cap to be properly held in the opening. Thus, the cap of this configuration can achieve both ease of fitting into the opening to which it is to be attached and proper holding in the opening, while retaining its original function as a cap.

[0036] [2] In the cap (1) described in [1] above, The first protrusion (36A) The annular portion (34) has a shape that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface (34b) of the annular portion (34) by a predetermined height, The second protrusion (36B) is The annular portion (34) has a shape that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface (34b) of the annular portion (34) by a height that is lower than the predetermined height. Cap(1).

[0037] According to the cap having the configuration [2] above, the first protruding portion, which has a high protruding height, contacts the inner circumferential surface of the opening, thereby enabling the cap to be properly held in the opening. Furthermore, if the cap becomes misaligned within the opening during the cap installation process (for example, if the worker installs the cap at an angle relative to the opening), both the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion, which has a low protruding height, contact the inner circumferential surface of the opening and resist the misalignment, thereby preventing excessive misalignment. This improves the workability of fitting the cap into the opening to which it is to be installed.

[0038] [3] The cap (1) described in [1] above, The first protrusion (36A) The body portion (30) has a shape that extends a predetermined length in a direction in which the body portion (30) is fitted into the opening (21), The second protrusion (36B) is having a shape extending in the direction by a length shorter than the predetermined length, Cap(1).

[0039] According to the cap having the configuration [3] above, the first and second protruding portions can be arranged so that, during the cap attachment process, first, only the longer first protruding portion comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the opening, and then both the first and second protruding portions come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the opening. This allows the external force required to fit the cap into the attachment target to gradually increase, improving the ease of fitting the cap into the opening of the attachment target compared to when the external force increases suddenly.

[0040] [4] The cap (1) described in [1] above, The device further includes an operating portion (40) that protrudes from the main body portion (30) and extends outward from the opening portion (21). Cap(1).

[0041] With the cap having the configuration [4] above, when the cap is fitted into the opening, the user can apply an external force to the operating part protruding from the main body of the cap to separate the cap from the opening (for example, by the user pinching the operating part with their fingers and pulling it in the protruding direction).

[0042] [5] The cap (1) according to any one of [1] to [4] above, and an attachment object (2) having an opening (21) to which the cap (1) is attached. Capped unit (3).

[0043] According to the capped unit having the configuration [5] above, the main body of the cap is fitted into the opening to which it is to be attached, thereby sealing the opening. This allows the cap to perform its intended functions (e.g., dustproofness, waterproofness, etc.). Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion of the main body is provided with multiple types of protrusions (i.e., first protrusions and second protrusions) with different shapes. Furthermore, during at least a portion of the process of fitting the main body into the opening (hereinafter referred to as the "cap fitting process" for convenience), the first protrusions contact the inner peripheral surface of the opening, but the second protrusions do not contact the inner peripheral surface of the opening. This makes it easier to fit the cap into the opening, compared to, for example, a case in which both the first protrusions and the second protrusions are constantly in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the opening throughout the entire cap fitting process. Furthermore, for example, if both the first protrusions and the second protrusions are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the opening at the end of the cap fitting process, the cap can be properly held in the opening. Alternatively, for example, one of the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion may function to hold the cap in the opening, and the other may function to prevent the cap from shifting position during the cap attachment process, thereby facilitating the task of fitting the cap into the opening and enabling the cap to be properly held in the opening. Thus, the capped unit of this configuration can achieve both the ease of fitting the cap into the opening to which it is to be attached and the ability to properly hold the cap in the opening, while retaining its original function as a cap. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 cap 2 Connector (mounting target) 3 Capped connector (capped unit) 21 Fitting recess (opening) 21a Opening inner surface 30 Main body 34 Annular section 34b Outer surface 36 Protrusion 36A 1st protrusion 36B 2nd protrusion 40 Control section

Claims

1. A cap to be detachably attached to an opening of an attachment target, a body portion adapted to fit within the opening; The main body portion is The opening has an annular portion facing an inner circumferential surface of the opening, and a plurality of protruding portions provided on an outer circumferential surface of the annular portion, The plurality of protruding portions are The fitting includes a first protrusion having a predetermined shape and a second protrusion having a shape different from that of the first protrusion, and is configured such that, during at least a part of the process of fitting the main body into the opening, the first protrusion comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the opening and the second protrusion does not come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the opening. cap.

2. The cap according to claim 1, The first protruding portion is The annular portion has a shape that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface by a predetermined height, The second protruding portion is The annular portion has a shape that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface by a height that is lower than the predetermined height. cap.

3. 2. The cap of claim 1, The first protruding portion is The body portion has a shape that extends a predetermined length in a direction in which the body portion is fitted into the opening, The second protruding portion is having a shape extending in the direction by a length shorter than the predetermined length, cap.

4. 2. The cap of claim 1, Further provided is an operating portion that protrudes from the main body portion and extends toward the outside of the opening, cap.

5. The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and an attachment object having an opening to which the cap is attached. Capped unit.

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