Nut holding structure and nut holding member

Abstract

To provide a nut holding structure and a nut holding member capable of suppressing unintended coming-off of a nut and surely holding the nut.SOLUTION: A nut holding structure 1 includes a polygonal nut 30 and a base member 20 holding the nut 30, and the base member 20 is provided with a nut housing part 40 housing the nut 30 and having an edge part 41 penetrating to a lower side HD. The nut accommodating portion 40 includes the first restricting portion 42 extending toward the lower side HD while facing the first surface 301 and configured to restrict the escape of the nut 30 toward the lower side HD and the side wall portion 43 extending toward the lower side HD along the second surface 302, and the first restricting portion 42 is configured to be resiliently deformable in the width direction W. Second restricting portions 44 for restricting the escape of the nuts 30 toward the upper side HU are provided on the upper side HU of the side wall portions 43.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nut holding structure and a nut holding member that hold a nut that is threaded onto, for example, a bolt. [Background technology]

[0002] In electrical equipment such as an electrical junction box mounted on a vehicle, a conductive member such as a bus bar that forms a circuit is fixed via a nut held by a nut holding member built into the electrical equipment (see Patent Document 1). The nut holding member disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a pair of opposing clamping pieces that stand upright in the opposite direction to the direction in which the bolt is inserted into the nut, and the clamping pieces are configured to be deformable in the opposing direction. Therefore, it is said that the bolt can be inserted reliably even if the nut is misaligned in the opposing direction relative to the bolt.

[0003] However, in the nut holding portion disclosed in Patent Document 1, if an external force acts on the clamping piece due to vibration or the like, there was a risk that the nut, to which the conductive member or the like is bolt-fixed, would come loose from the nut holding portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-57794 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a nut holding structure and a nut holding member that can prevent unintentional slipping out of a nut and can reliably hold the nut. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This invention provides a nut holding structure comprising a polygonal nut that screws onto a bolt and a resin nut holding member that holds the nut, wherein the direction in which the bolt is inserted into the nut is an insertion direction, and the nut holding member is provided with a nut accommodating portion that accommodates the nut and has a through portion that penetrates in the insertion direction, and the nut accommodating portion is provided with a first restricting portion that faces a part of the surface of the accommodated nut and extends in the insertion direction and restricts the nut from slipping out in the insertion direction, and a side wall portion that extends in the insertion direction along the surface of the accommodated nut at least in a portion different from the portion where the first restricting portion is provided, and the first restricting portion is configured to be elastically deformable outward in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, and a second restricting portion is provided on the side wall portion in the opposite direction to the insertion direction to restrict the nut accommodated in the nut accommodating portion from slipping out in the opposite direction.

[0007] The present invention also provides a resin nut holding member that holds a polygonal nut to be threaded onto a bolt, and is provided with a nut accommodating portion that accommodates the nut and has a through portion that penetrates in an insertion direction in which the bolt is inserted into the nut, and the nut accommodating portion is provided with a first regulating portion that extends in the insertion direction opposite to a part of the surface of the accommodated nut and regulates the nut from slipping out in the insertion direction, and a side wall portion that extends in the insertion direction along the surface of the accommodated nut at least in a portion different from the portion where the first regulating portion is provided, the first regulating portion is configured to be elastically deformable outward in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, and a second regulating portion is provided on the side of the side wall portion opposite to the insertion direction to regulate the nut accommodated in the nut accommodating portion from slipping out in the direction opposite to the insertion direction.

[0008] The nut has a polygonal shape when viewed from the insertion direction. Specifically, the nut may have a regular polygonal shape, a diamond shape, a trapezoidal shape, etc., when viewed from the insertion direction. The number of angles of the nut does not need to be an even number and may be an odd number.

[0009] According to this invention, the nut can be prevented from coming off unintentionally and can be held securely. In more detail, the first restricting portion extends in the insertion direction and is elastically deformable outward in the orthogonal direction, so that the nut can be accommodated in the nut accommodating portion from the side in the insertion direction. With the nut accommodated in the nut accommodating portion in this manner, the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion can restrict the nut from slipping out in the insertion direction and the opposite direction. Furthermore, when the nut is accommodated in this manner, the side wall portion faces the surface of the nut, so the nut can be accommodated without shifting position.

[0010] Furthermore, by threading the bolt onto the nut while the nut is housed, the second restricting portion can restrict the nut from slipping out in the opposite direction, and the nut can be fixed so that it abuts against the second restricting portion. This allows the fastening state between the bolt and the nut to be firmly maintained, and also prevents the nut from slipping out in the insertion direction due to deformation of the first restricting portion due to vibration, etc.

[0011] Furthermore, when the bolt is threaded onto the nut accommodated in the nut accommodating portion, the outer peripheral surface of the nut comes into surface contact with the side wall portion, and the opposite end face of the nut abuts against the second restricting portion. The base end of the first restricting portion faces the outer peripheral surface of the nut. Therefore, even if an external force acts on the nut due to vibration or the like, the nut can be prevented from moving inside the nut accommodating portion, and damage to the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion, which would cause the nut to slip out, can be prevented. Therefore, the nut accommodating portion can reliably maintain the nut secured to the bolt.

[0012] As an aspect of the present invention, the first regulating portion may be provided corresponding to a surface on one side of the accommodated nut in the orthogonal direction and a surface on the other side opposite to the one side. According to this invention, the first restricting portion is disposed opposite the outer surfaces of one and the other sides of the polygonal nut when viewed from the insertion direction, so that the nut can be held in a balanced manner and external forces acting on the first restricting portion due to vibrations, etc. can be dispersed, thereby more reliably preventing the nut from coming loose.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, the nut is configured in a polygonal shape having multiple pairs of surfaces that face each other when viewed from the insertion direction, the first regulating portion is provided in a portion that corresponds to a pair of facing first surfaces of the nut accommodated in the nut accommodating portion, and the side wall portion is different from the first surface that faces the first regulating portion of the nut accommodated in the nut accommodating portion and is provided along the facing second surfaces.

[0014] According to this invention, the first restricting portions are disposed opposite the opposing first surfaces of the polygonal nut when viewed from the insertion direction, and the sidewall portions are provided along the opposing second surfaces of the nut that are different from the first surfaces facing the first restricting portions. Therefore, the first restricting portions and the sidewall portions disposed in the circumferential direction can hold the nut in a balanced manner and can evenly distribute external forces acting on the nut due to vibrations, etc., thereby more reliably preventing the nut from coming loose.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, the side wall portion may be composed of a side wall main body portion provided along a second surface different from a first surface facing the first regulating portion of the nut, and a pair of side wall extension portions extending from both ends of the side wall main body portion along portions facing two surfaces that are continuous with the second surface in the circumferential direction.

[0016] According to this invention, the side wall portion is configured to surround the outer surface of the nut across the apex of the nut, and includes a side wall main body portion provided along a second surface different from the first surface facing the first restricting portion of the nut, and a side wall extension portion provided along a portion of a surface circumferentially continuous with the second surface. The nut accommodating portion configured in this manner has improved rigidity of the side wall portion, so that the nut can be reliably held by the side wall portion and the first restricting portion.

[0017] Furthermore, even if an external force acts on the nut due to vibration or the like, the nut can be more reliably prevented from moving inside the nut accommodating portion, thereby more reliably preventing the first and second regulating portions from being damaged and the nut from coming loose.

[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, the second regulating portion may protrude inward in the perpendicular direction from the opposite end of the side wall main body portion, and may connect the opposite end of a pair of the side wall extension portions.

[0019] This invention improves the rigidity of the second restricting portion, thereby reliably preventing the nut from slipping out in the opposite direction. Also, because the second restricting portion further improves the rigidity of the side wall portion, even when an external force is applied to the nut due to vibration or the like, damage to the first restricting portion, the side wall portion, and the second restricting portion can be more reliably prevented, thereby preventing the nut from slipping out.

[0020] In another aspect of the present invention, a recess recessed in the insertion direction may be provided on the opposite end face of the nut, and the recess may engage with the second regulating portion when the bolt is threaded into the nut.

[0021] According to this invention, the second restricting portion can restrict movement of the nut in the insertion direction and in the direction in which the second restricting portion is disposed, thereby restricting movement of the nut due to vibration. Therefore, even if an external force acts on the nut due to vibration or the like, damage to the first restricting portion, the side wall portion, and the second restricting portion can be more reliably prevented, thereby preventing the nut from slipping out.

[0022] Furthermore, if the opposite end face of the nut is flush with or protrudes from the second restricting portion, the nut and the bolt can be brought into contact with each other, thereby preventing the bolt threaded onto the nut from coming into contact with the second restricting portion and damaging the second restricting portion.

[0023] As another aspect of the present invention, a tip portion of the first restricting portion may be configured to have a tapered shape that is inclined outward in the orthogonal direction as it approaches the insertion direction. According to this invention, when a nut is inserted into the nut receiving portion from the insertion direction side, the nut inserted from the opposite direction gradually abuts against the inclined portion of the first restricting portion, causing the first restricting portion to elastically deform outward in the orthogonal direction. Therefore, the nut can be easily inserted into the nut receiving portion, thereby improving the efficiency of the operation of inserting the nut into the nut receiving portion.

[0024] In another aspect of the present invention, the length of the side wall portion in the insertion direction may be the same as or longer than the length of the first regulating portion in the insertion direction. According to this invention, when the nut is inserted into the nut accommodating portion from the insertion direction side, the side wall portion having a length equal to or longer than the length of the first restricting portion in the insertion direction can guide the nut into the nut accommodating portion. Therefore, the nut can be more easily inserted into the nut accommodating portion, thereby improving the efficiency of the operation of inserting the nut into the nut accommodating portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a nut holding structure and a nut holding member that can prevent the nut from unintentionally coming loose and can reliably hold the nut. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a base member held inside the electrical junction box. [Figure 2]FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a base member in which the sensor and the base are separated. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram of a nut. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a process of accommodating a nut in a nut accommodating portion. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a process of fastening a bus bar to a nut accommodated in a nut accommodating portion with a bolt. [Figure 8] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a base member 20 held inside an electrical junction box 10, and Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the base member 20 with the current sensor R and the bus bar B separated. Fig. 3 shows an explanatory diagram of the base member 20, Fig. 4 shows an explanatory diagram of a nut 30, and Fig. 5 shows an explanatory diagram of a nut accommodating portion 40. Fig. 6 shows an explanatory diagram of the process of accommodating the nut 30 in the nut accommodating portion 40, and Fig. 7 shows an explanatory diagram of the process of bolt-fixing the bus bar B with the bolt X to the nut 30 accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40. Fig. 8 shows an explanatory diagram of the nut holding structure 1. In order to clarify the structure of the base member 20 held inside the electrical junction box 10, FIG. 1 shows the electrical junction box 10 in a see-through state, with the electrical junction box 10 indicated by dotted lines.

[0028] 3 to 8 will be described in detail. Fig. 3(a) shows a plan view of the base member 20, and Fig. 3(b) shows an enlarged view of part a in Fig. 3(a). Fig. 3(c) shows a bottom view of the base member 20, and Fig. 3(d) shows an enlarged view of part b in Fig. 3(c). Fig. 4(a) shows a schematic perspective view of the nut 30, Fig. 4(b) shows a plan view of the nut 30, and Fig. 4(c) shows a side view of the nut 30.

[0029] Figure 5 shows an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the nut accommodating portion 40, Figure 5(a) shows an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the nut accommodating portion 40 corresponding to the cross-section along the arrow AA in Figure 3(a), and Figure 5(a) shows an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the nut accommodating portion 40 corresponding to the cross-section along the arrow BB in Figure 3(a).

[0030] Fig. 6(a) shows an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the nut accommodating portion 40 with the nut 30 disposed on the lower side HD, and Fig. 6(b) shows an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the nut accommodating portion 40 in the process of accommodating the nut 30 in the nut accommodating portion 40. Fig. 7(a) shows an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the nut accommodating portion 40 with the nut 30 accommodated therein, and Fig. 7(b) shows an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the state in which the bus bar B is fixed by the nut 30 accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40 and the bolt X. Figs. 6 and 7 each show an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section seen from the arrow BB. FIG. 8(a) shows an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the nut holding structure 1 corresponding to the cross section taken along the line AA, and FIG. 8(a) shows an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the nut holding structure 1 corresponding to the cross section taken along the line BB.

[0031] 1 is defined as a height direction H, and a direction perpendicular to the height direction H and extending from the upper left to the lower right is defined as a longitudinal direction L. A direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H is defined as a width direction W. In addition, in FIG. 1, the left side along the longitudinal direction L is defined as the leading side LA, the right side is defined as the rear side LB, the lower side along the height direction H is defined as the lower side HD, the upper side is defined as the upper side HU, the left side along the width direction W is defined as the left side WL, and the right side along the width direction W is defined as the right side WR. The above-mentioned directions are the same as the corresponding directions in FIGS. 2 to 8.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the electrical connection box 10, which is electrically connected to electrical equipment, has inside it a current sensor R that controls the electrical equipment, and a base member 20 that holds a bus bar B that is electrically connected to the current sensor R. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical junction box 10 is made up of a base 11 that houses electronic components therein, and an upper cover 12 that can be attached to the base 11.

[0033] The base 11 is a hollow box-shaped body having a flat bottom surface and side walls extending from the outer edge of the bottom surface, and has an opening on the upper side HU. The upper cover 12 is a lid that closes the opening of the base 11, and has an upper surface that faces the bottom surface when the upper cover 12 is attached to the base 11, and side walls that extend from the outer edge of the upper surface toward the base 11. The side walls of the base 11 and the side walls of the upper cover 12 are provided with locking portions (not shown) that lock the base 11 and the upper cover 12 together.

[0034] 1 and 2, a base member 20 is disposed in the internal space of the electrical junction box 10, on which a current sensor R, which is one of the electronic components, and a bus bar B that connects the current sensor R are disposed. The bus bar B is connected to a connector C that connects to a wire harness that is routed outside the electrical junction box 10.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 2, the current sensor R includes a sensor body R1 that incorporates a sensor for detecting current, and plate-shaped conductive terminals R2 that extend from both ends of the sensor body R1 in the width direction W. The conductive terminals R2 are provided with sensor penetration portions R3 that penetrate the sensor body R1 in the plate thickness direction.

[0036] The busbar B is a conductive metal plate material and is formed to have a desired wiring path according to the design. Stud bolts B1 that are inserted into the sensor penetration portions R3 and fix the base member 20 and the current sensor R penetrate through predetermined locations of the busbar B, and circular busbar fixing holes B2 that penetrate through the plate thickness direction are also provided. The busbar B may be manufactured by cutting out a single plate material into the desired shape, or may be manufactured by combining multiple plate materials to form the desired shape.

[0037] The base member 20 is made of a resin material molded to match the internal design of the electrical junction box 10, and as shown in Figures 2, 3(a) and 3(c), is provided with a sensor arrangement section 21 for arranging the current sensor R and a bus bar arrangement section 22 for arranging the bus bar B. In addition, a reinforcing rib 23 is provided on the bottom surface of the base member 20 to improve the rigidity of the base member 20.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3(a), the sensor placement portion 21 is a recess configured to be able to fit a portion of the sensor main body R1, and is provided at a desired location on the base member 20 in accordance with the circuit design in the internal space, such as the routing path of the bus bar B, the location of the electronic components, and the routing path of the wire harness to be routed inside.

[0039] The bus bar arrangement portion 22 is provided in a groove shape that matches the planar shape of the bus bar B when viewed from the upper side HU, and is configured to allow the bus bar B to be loosely fitted in. The bus bar arrangement portion 22 configured in this manner is provided with a nut accommodating portion 40 that accommodates a nut 30 for bolt-fixing the bus bar B, as shown in Figures 3(b), 3(c), and 3(d).

[0040] As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the nut 30 held in the nut accommodating portion 40 is a metal, generally rectangular prism shaped in a plan view. That is, the nut 30 has two pairs of opposing surfaces when viewed from the upper side HU. Here, the surface along the longitudinal direction L is referred to as a first surface 301, and the surface along the width direction W is referred to as a second surface 302.

[0041] The central portion of the nut 30 is provided with a through hole 31 that penetrates along the height direction H, and the end face of the upper side HU of the nut 30 is provided with a recess 32 recessed into the lower side HD of Figures 4(a) to 4(c) so as to face the longitudinal direction L. The through hole 31 is configured so that the bolt X can be inserted into the central portion of the nut 30 from the upper side HU and the bolt X can be screwed into the through hole 31.

[0042] 4(a) and 4(c), the recess 32 is a recess formed by recessing both end portions of the long side of the nut 30, which is generally rectangular in plan view, and is formed from one end to the other end of the short side of the nut 30. In other words, in the central portion of the nut 30, a central protrusion 33 formed in a square shape in plan view protrudes upward HU relative to the recess 32. The height in the height direction H of the central protrusion 33, i.e., the depth of the recess 32, is the same as the plate thickness of the busbar arrangement portion 22.

[0043] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the nut accommodating portion 40 is provided on the back side of the busbar arrangement portion 22 at a position corresponding to the busbar fixing hole B2 when the busbar B is fixed, and has a bolt insertion hole 40a in the central portion of the upper side HU into which the bolt X can be inserted.

[0044] The bolt insertion hole 40a is formed to penetrate the bus bar arrangement portion 22 in the plate thickness direction, and when viewed from the upper side HU, is provided in a square shape in plan view, which is the same shape as the central protrusion 33. The inner edge of the square shape in plan view that forms the bolt insertion hole 40a is referred to as an edge portion 41.

[0045] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the nut accommodating portion 40 has a pair of opposing first regulating portions 42, a pair of side wall portions 43 opposing each other in a direction perpendicular to the first regulating portions 42 (longitudinal direction L), and a second regulating portion 44 provided on the upper side HU of the side wall portions 43.

[0046] The first restricting portion 42 has an extension piece 421 extending from the edge portion 41 toward the downward side HD, which is the insertion direction of the bolt X, so as to face the side of the nut 30 accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40, and a protruding locking portion 422 protruding inward from the tip portion of the extension piece 421.

[0047] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the extension piece 421 is a plate-like body that extends a predetermined length downward HD from the center of the inner edge (referred to as a first edge portion 411) of the edge portion 41 along the longitudinal direction L. The width of the extension piece 421 (length in the longitudinal direction L) is approximately one-fourth the length of the first edge portion 411 in the longitudinal direction L. The inner surface of the extension piece 421 (the inner surface in the longitudinal direction L) is flush with the first edge portion 411, as shown in Figure 5(b).

[0048] The protruding locking portion 422 is a convex portion that protrudes inward in the width direction W from the tip of the extending piece 421 that extends toward the downward side HD, and is configured to incline inward in the width direction W as it approaches the upper side HU, as shown in Fig. 5(b) . In other words, a cross section of the protruding locking portion 422 obtained by cutting the central portion of the protruding locking portion 422 in the longitudinal direction L along a plane that is along the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H has a cross section that is approximately a right-angled triangle. Note that the length from the end of the upper side HU of the protruding locking portion 422 to the end of the upper side HU of the first edge portion 411 (the end face of the upper side HU of the bus bar arrangement portion 22) is slightly longer than the height of the nut 30 (the length in the height direction H).

[0049] The edge portion 41, which is made up of the extension piece 421 and the protruding locking portion 422, is provided opposite to each other in the width direction W, and is configured so that each can be elastically deformed in the width direction W.

[0050] The side wall portion 43 is a plate-like wall having a concave cross section that extends from the bus bar arrangement portion 22 toward the downward side HD. In more detail, the side wall portion 43 is composed of a side wall main body portion 431 that is arranged so as to be perpendicular to the first restriction portion 42, and side wall extension portions 432 that protrude inward in the longitudinal direction L from both ends of the side wall main body portion 431 (see FIGS. 3(c), 3(d), 5(a), and 5(b)).

[0051] The side wall main body portion 431 is a rectangular wall extending from the bus bar arrangement portion 22, and extends from the outer side in the longitudinal direction L of a pair of inner edges (referred to as second edge portions 412) of the edge portion 41 along the width direction W toward the downward side HD. In addition, both end portions of the side wall main body portion 431 are disposed at positions corresponding to the first edge portions 411.

[0052] The length in the width direction W of the side wall main body portion 431 is slightly longer than the short side of the nut 30 when viewed from the height direction H, and the length in the height direction H of the side wall main body portion 431 is the same as the length in the height direction H of the extension piece 421. In addition, the end portion on the lower side HD of the side wall main body portion 431 is chamfered on the inside in the longitudinal direction L.

[0053] The side wall main body portion 431 configured in this manner is disposed outside the pair of second edge portions 412 in the width direction W by a length equal to the length along the width direction W of the recess 32. Furthermore, a reinforcing rib 23 extending outward in the longitudinal direction L is provided in the central portion of the side wall main body portion 431 in the width direction W, and the reinforcing rib 23 extends along the longitudinal direction L at both end portions of the side wall main body portion 431 in the width direction W (see FIGS. 3(c) and 3(d)).

[0054] The side wall extension 432 is a wall that extends inward in the longitudinal direction L from both ends of the side wall main body 431 in the width direction W, and extends from the end of the upper side HU to the end of the lower side HD of the side wall main body 431. The length of the side wall extension 432 in the longitudinal direction L is approximately one-fourth the length of the first edge 411 in the longitudinal direction L. The inner surface of the side wall extension 432 extending along the longitudinal direction L is flush with the inner surface of the first edge 411 (see FIG. 5(a)).

[0055] A predetermined distance is provided between the side wall extensions 432 configured in this manner and the first restriction portion 42. That is, the first restriction portion 42 is sandwiched between the side wall extensions 432 arranged in the longitudinal direction L (see FIG. 5(a)).

[0056] The second restricting portion 44 extends inward in the longitudinal direction L from the upper end of the side wall main body portion 431 so as to connect outer end portions in the longitudinal direction L of the side wall extending portions 432 that face each other in the width direction W. The length of the second restricting portion 44 configured in this manner along the longitudinal direction L is equal to the length of the recess 32 in the longitudinal direction L, and the plate thickness of the second restricting portion 44 is equal to the plate thickness of the bus bar arrangement portion 22.

[0057] Furthermore, an end surface of the upper-side HU of the second restricting portion 44 is flush with an end surface of the upper-side HU of the bus bar arrangement portion 22. That is, an inner end surface of the second restricting portion 44 in the longitudinal direction L is a second edge portion 412 of the edge portion 41 that forms the bolt insertion hole 40a provided in the bus bar arrangement portion 22.

[0058] The nut accommodating portion 40 having the first restricting portion 42, side wall portion 43, and second restricting portion 44 configured in this manner forms an accommodating space S with a generally rectangular cross section on the back surface side of the bus bar arrangement portion 22, into which the nut 30 can be inserted from the lower side HD and accommodated. Furthermore, the nut accommodating portion 40, together with the first restricting portion 42, side wall portion 43, and second restricting portion 44, can restrict the nut 30 from slipping out to the upper side HU and the lower side HD.

[0059] More specifically, the nut 30 arranged on the lower side HD of the nut accommodating portion 40 is moved to the upper side HU so that the central protrusion 33 protrudes toward the upper side HU and the recessed portion 32 is positioned outward in the longitudinal direction L (see FIG. 6(a)). By moving the nut 30 to the upper side HU in this manner, the central protrusion 33 comes into contact with the protruding locking portion 422. This causes the first restricting portion 42 to elastically deform outward in the width direction W, allowing the nut 30 to be moved toward the accommodating space S (see FIG. 6(b)).

[0060] Furthermore, by moving the nut 30 to the upper side HU, the second surface 302 comes into contact with the inner surface of the side wall portion 43, allowing the nut 30 to be moved along the height direction H without tilting. Then, when the end of the lower side HD of the nut 30 passes over the upper side HU of the protruding locking portion 422, the first restricting portion 42 returns to its original shape, allowing the nut 30 to be accommodated in the accommodation space S (see FIG. 7(a)). In this way, the base member 20 having the nut accommodating portion 40 and the nut 30 accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40 form a nut holding structure 1 that holds the nut 30 in the nut accommodating portion 40.

[0061] 8(a) and 8(b), in the nut holding structure 1, the first restricting portions 42 extending from the first edge portions 411 face the first surfaces 301 of the nut 30 that face in the width direction W. The side wall main body portions 431 face the second surfaces 302 that are different from the first surfaces 301 that face the first restricting portions 42. The side wall extending portions 432 that also extend from the side wall main body portions 431 in the longitudinal direction L face the first surfaces 301.

[0062] That is, the side wall extension portion 432 faces the first surface 301 of the nut 30 that faces the first restricting portion 42, and together with the side wall main body portion 431 surrounds the nut 30 so as to straddle the corner portions of the nut 30.

[0063] In addition, in the state where the nut 30 is accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40, the protruding locking portion 422 supports the nut 30, thereby preventing the nut 30 from falling out to the lower side HD. In the accommodated state, the upper end portion of the central protrusion 33 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 40a.

[0064] With the nut 30 thus positioned in the storage space S, the bus bar B can be arranged in the bus bar arranging section 22, and the bolt X inserted into the through hole 31 and the bus bar fixing hole B2 can be screwed into the nut 30 to fix the bus bar B to the bus bar arranging section 22 (see Figure 7(b)).

[0065] By threading the bolt X into the nut 30 in this manner, the second restricting portion 44 is fitted into the recess 32, and the central protrusion 33 is disposed in the bolt insertion hole 40a so that the upper surface of the central protrusion 33 is flush with the bus bar arrangement portion 22. Therefore, the recess 32 can prevent the nut 30 from slipping out to the upper side HU. Furthermore, because the end face of the bolt X can be brought into contact with the nut 30, it is possible to prevent the bus bar arrangement portion 22 from coming into contact with the bolt X and being damaged.

[0066] Furthermore, the nut 30 is disposed in the accommodation space S so that the recess 32 fits into the second restricting portion 44 when the nut 30 is threadedly engaged with the bolt X. That is, the recess 32 fits into the second restricting portion 44, and the outer peripheral surface of the nut 30 is in face-to-face contact with the inner surface of the side wall portion 43. The base end side of the first restricting portion 42 faces the outer peripheral surface of the nut 30. Therefore, even if an external force acts on the nut 30 due to vibration or the like, the nut 30 can be prevented from moving in the accommodation space S, and damage to the first restricting portion 42 and the second restricting portion 44, which would cause the nut 30 to come loose, can be prevented. Therefore, the nut accommodation portion 40 can reliably maintain the nut 30 fixed to the bolt X.

[0067] Then, with the bus bar B arranged in the bus bar arrangement section 22 fixed in this manner, the sensor main body R1 is arranged in the sensor arrangement section 21 so that the sensor penetration section R3 is inserted into the stud bolt B1, and the current sensor R is fixed to the stud bolt B1. This allows the current sensor R to be fixed to the base member 20.

[0068] As described above, the nut holding structure 1 includes a polygonal nut 30 that screws onto the bolt X, and a resin base member 20 that holds the nut 30. The base member 20 is provided with a nut accommodating portion 40 that accommodates the nut 30 and has an edge portion 41 that penetrates toward the lower side HD, which is the direction in which the bolt X is inserted into the nut 30. The nut accommodating portion 40 is provided with a first restricting portion 42 that faces a portion of a surface (first surface 301) of the accommodated nut 30 and extends toward the lower side HD, and restricts the nut 30 from slipping out toward the lower side HD. The nut accommodating portion 40 is also provided with a side wall portion 43 that extends toward the lower side HD along the surface (second surface 302) of the accommodated nut 30, at least in a portion different from the portion where the first restricting portion 42 is provided. In addition, the first restricting portion 42 is configured to be elastically deformable outward in a direction perpendicular to the lower side HD, and a second restricting portion 44 is provided on the lower side HD and the upper side HU of the side wall portion 43 to restrict the nut 30 accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40 from slipping out to the upper side HU.

[0069] The base member 20 is made of resin and holds a polygonal nut 30 that threads onto the bolt X. The base member 20 is provided with a nut accommodating portion 40 that accommodates the nut 30 and has an edge portion 41 that penetrates to the lower side HD. The nut accommodating portion 40 is provided with a first restricting portion 42 that faces a portion of a surface (first surface 301) of the accommodated nut 30 and extends toward the lower side HD, and that restricts the nut 30 from slipping out toward the lower side HD. The nut accommodating portion 40 is also provided with a side wall portion 43 that extends toward the lower side HD along the surface (second surface 302) of the accommodated nut 30, at least in a portion different from the portion where the first restricting portion 42 is provided. The first restricting portion 42 is configured to be elastically deformable outward in a direction perpendicular to the lower side HD, and a second restricting portion 44 is provided on the side of the side wall portion 43 opposite the lower side HD, that restricts the nut 30 accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40 from slipping out toward the lower side HD and the upper side HU.

[0070] The nut holding structure 1 and the base member 20 configured in this manner can prevent the nut 30 from unintentionally coming out, and can hold the nut 30 securely. More specifically, the first restricting portion 42 extends toward the lower side HD and is configured to be elastically deformable outward in the orthogonal direction, so that the nut 30 can be accommodated from the lower side HD into the nut accommodating portion 40. When the nut 30 is accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40 in this manner, the first restricting portion 42 and the second restricting portion 44 can restrict the nut 30 from slipping out toward the lower side HD and the upper side HU. Furthermore, when the nut 30 is accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40, the side wall portion 43 faces the surface of the nut 30, so the nut 30 can be accommodated without being displaced.

[0071] Furthermore, by threading the bolt X onto the nut 30 while the nut 30 is accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40, the second restricting portion 44 can restrict the nut 30 from slipping out toward the upper side HU, and the nut 30 can be fixed so that it abuts against the second restricting portion 44. This makes it possible to firmly maintain the fastened state between the bolt X and the nut 30, and also to prevent the nut 30 from slipping out toward the lower side HD due to deformation of the first restricting portion 42 caused by vibration or the like.

[0072] Furthermore, when the bolt X is threaded onto the nut 30 accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40, the outer peripheral surface of the nut 30 comes into surface contact with the side wall portion 43, and the end face of the upper side HU of the nut 30 abuts against the second restricting portion 44. Furthermore, the base end side of the first restricting portion 42 faces the outer peripheral surface of the nut 30. Therefore, even if an external force acts on the nut 30 due to vibration or the like, the nut 30 can be prevented from moving inside the nut accommodating portion 40, and damage to the first restricting portion 42 and the second restricting portion 44, which would cause the nut 30 to come loose, can be prevented. Therefore, the nut accommodating portion 40 can reliably maintain the state in which the nut 30 is fixed by the bolt X.

[0073] The first restricting portion 42 may be provided corresponding to one surface (first surface 301) in the orthogonal direction (width direction W) of the accommodated nut 30 and the other surface (first surface 301) opposite to the one surface. That is, the first restricting portion 42 is provided so as to face the opposing first surfaces 301.

[0074] In this way, the first restricting portions 42 are disposed opposite the outer surfaces of one and the other sides of the polygonal nut 30 when viewed from the lower side HD, so that the nut 30 can be held in a balanced manner and external forces acting on the first restricting portions 42 due to vibrations and the like can be dispersed. Therefore, the nut 30 can be more reliably prevented from coming loose.

[0075] More specifically, the nut 30 has a rectangular shape having multiple pairs of opposing faces when viewed from the lower side HD. The first restricting portion 42 is provided at a portion corresponding to a pair of opposing first faces 301 of the nut 30 housed in the nut accommodating portion 40. The side wall portion 43 is different from the first faces 301 of the nut 30 housed in the nut accommodating portion 40 that face the first restricting portion 42, and is provided along the opposing second faces 302.

[0076] In this way, the first restricting portions 42 are arranged opposite each of the mutually opposing first surfaces 301 of the rectangular nut 30, and the side wall portions 43 are provided along the second surface 302 that is different from the first surface 301 that faces the first restricting portions 42 of the nut 30. Therefore, the first restricting portions 42 and the side wall portions 43 that are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction can hold the nut 30 in a balanced manner and can evenly distribute external forces acting on the nut 30 due to vibrations, etc. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the nut 30 from coming loose.

[0077] Furthermore, the side wall portion 43 is composed of a side wall main body portion 431 provided along a second surface 302 different from the first surface 301 facing the first restricting portion 42 in the nut 30, and a pair of side wall extension portions 432 extending from both ends of the side wall main body portion 431 along portions facing the second surface 302 and two surfaces (first surface 301) that are continuous circumferentially.

[0078] As a result, the side wall portion 43, which is composed of the side wall main body portion 431 provided along the second surface 302 different from the first surface 301 facing the first restricting portion 42, and the side wall extension portion 432 provided along the first surface 301 that is continuous with the second surface 302 in the circumferential direction, is provided so as to straddle the apex of the nut 30 and surround the outer surface of the nut 30. The nut accommodating portion 40 configured in this manner has improved rigidity of the side wall portion 43, so that the nut 30 can be reliably held by the side wall portion 43 and the first restricting portion 42.

[0079] Furthermore, even if an external force acts on the nut 30 due to vibration or the like, the nut 30 can be more reliably prevented from moving inside the nut accommodating portion 40, thereby more reliably preventing the first regulating portion 42 and the second regulating portion 44 from being damaged and the nut 30 from coming loose.

[0080] Furthermore, the second restricting portion 44 protrudes inward in the longitudinal direction L from the end of the upper HU of the side wall main body portion 431 and connects the end of the upper HU of the pair of side wall extending portions 432 together, thereby improving the rigidity of the second restricting portion 44. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the nut 30 from slipping out into the upper HU.

[0081] In addition, the second regulating portion 44 can further improve the rigidity of the side wall portion 43, so that even if an external force acts on the nut 30 due to vibration or the like, the first regulating portion 42, the side wall portion 43 and the second regulating portion 44 can be more reliably prevented from being damaged and the nut 30 from coming loose.

[0082] Furthermore, a recess 32 recessed toward the lower side HD is provided on an end face of the upper side HU of the nut 30, and the recess 32 is fitted with the second restricting portion 44 when the bolt X is threadedly engaged with the nut 30, thereby enabling the second restricting portion 44 to restrict movement of the nut 30 toward the lower side HD and the longitudinal direction L. In other words, the second restricting portion 44 can restrict movement of the nut 30 due to vibration. Therefore, even if an external force acts on the nut 30 due to vibration or the like, damage to the first restricting portion 42, the side wall portion 43, and the second restricting portion 44 and the resulting slippage of the nut 30 can be more reliably prevented.

[0083] Furthermore, since the end face of the upper side HU of the nut 30 is flush with the second restricting portion 44, the nut 30 can be brought into contact with the bolt X. This prevents the bolt X threaded onto the nut 30 from coming into contact with the second restricting portion 44 and damaging the second restricting portion 44.

[0084] Furthermore, the tip portion of the first restricting portion 42 is configured with a tapered shape that slopes outward in the orthogonal direction (width direction W) as it approaches the lower side HD. As a result, when the nut 30 is accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40 from the lower side HD, the nut 30 inserted from the upper side HU gradually comes into contact with the sloped portion of the first restricting portion 42, causing the first restricting portion 42 to elastically deform outward in the width direction W. Therefore, the nut 30 can be easily accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40, and the operation of accommodating the nut 30 in the nut accommodating portion 40 can be made more efficient.

[0085] Furthermore, because the length of the lower side HD of the side wall portion 43 is the same as the length of the lower side HD of the first restricting portion 42, when the nut 30 is accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40 from the lower side HD, the side wall portion 43, which has the same length as the lower side HD of the first restricting portion 42, can guide the nut 30 into the nut accommodating portion 40. Therefore, the nut 30 can be accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40 more easily, and the operation of accommodating the nut 30 in the nut accommodating portion 40 can be made more efficient.

[0086] In correspondence between the configuration of this invention and the above-mentioned embodiment, The bolt of this invention corresponds to the bolt X in the embodiment, and the same applies hereinafter. The nut corresponds to nut 30, The nut holding member corresponds to the base member 20, The nut holding structure corresponds to the nut holding structure 1, The insertion direction corresponds to the lower HD. The through portion corresponds to the edge portion 41, The nut receiving portion corresponds to the nut receiving portion 40, The first restricting portion corresponds to the first restricting portion 42, The side wall portion corresponds to the side wall portion 43, The opposite direction corresponds to the upper HU, The orthogonal direction corresponds to the width direction W, The second restricting portion corresponds to the second restricting portion 44, The first surface corresponds to the first surface 301; The second surface corresponds to the second surface 302; The side wall main body portion corresponds to the side wall main body portion 431, The side wall extension corresponds to the side wall extension 432, The recess corresponds to the recess 32, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and many other embodiments can be obtained.

[0087] For example, in the present embodiment, the length of the lower side HD of the side wall portion 43 is the same as the length of the lower side HD of the first restricting portion 42, but, for example, it may be longer than the length of the lower side HD of the first restricting portion 42. As a result, when the nut 30 is accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40 from the upper side HU, the side wall portion 43, which is longer than the length of the lower side HD of the first restricting portion 42, can guide the nut 30 into the nut accommodating portion 40. Therefore, the nut 30 can be accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 40 more easily, and the operation of accommodating the nut 30 in the nut accommodating portion 40 can be made more efficient.

[0088] In this embodiment, the nut 30 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the lower side HD, but this is not limited to a rectangle. For example, the nut 30 may have a polygonal shape, such as a regular polygon, a rhombus, or a trapezoid, when viewed from the lower side HD. The number of corners of the nut 30 does not need to be an even number, and may be an odd number.

[0089] If the nut 30 has an odd number of corners, it is preferable that the first restriction portions 42 are disposed on one side (left side WL) and the other side (right side WR) in the width direction W. Specifically, if the nut 30 has a regular pentagonal shape, it is preferable that the first restriction portions 42 are provided corresponding to three faces located on opposite sides in the width direction W when viewed from the lower side HD.

[0090] Furthermore, when the opposite end face of the nut 30 is flush with the second restricting portion 44 or protrudes to the opposite side, the nut 30 can be brought into contact with the bolt X. This prevents the bolt X threaded onto the nut 30 from coming into contact with the second restricting portion 44 and damaging the second restricting portion 44. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1...Nut holding structure 20...Base member 30...Nut 32...recess 40...Nut receiving section 41...Edge 42…First Regulation Department 43...Side wall 44...Second Regulation Department 301…Front page 302…Second side 431...Side wall main body 432...Side wall extension X...Bolt W: Width direction HD…Lower side HU…Upper side

Claims

1. A nut holding structure including a polygonal nut that is threaded onto a bolt and a resin nut holding member that holds the nut, a direction in which the bolt is inserted into the nut is defined as an insertion direction; The nut holding member has a nut accommodating portion that accommodates the nut and has a through-portion that penetrates in the insertion direction; The nut accommodating portion has a first restriction portion that faces a portion of a surface of the accommodated nut, extends in the insertion direction, and restricts the nut from slipping out in the insertion direction; a side wall portion extending in the insertion direction along a surface of the accommodated nut at least in a portion different from a portion where the first restricting portion is provided, the first restricting portion is configured to be elastically deformable outward in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, A second restricting portion is provided on the side wall portion in a direction opposite to the insertion direction, the second restricting portion restricting the nut accommodated in the nut accommodating portion from slipping out in the opposite direction. Nut retention structure.

2. The first restricting portion is provided corresponding to a surface on one side of the accommodated nut in the orthogonal direction and a surface on the other side opposite to the one side. The nut holding structure according to claim 1 .

3. The nut is configured in a polygonal shape having a plurality of pairs of surfaces facing each other when viewed from the insertion direction, The first restricting portion is provided at a portion corresponding to a pair of first surfaces facing each other of the nut accommodated in the nut accommodating portion, The side wall portion is different from the first surface facing the first restricting portion of the nut accommodated in the nut accommodating portion and is provided along a second surface facing each other. The nut holding structure according to claim 2.

4. The side wall portion has a side wall main body portion provided along a second surface different from a first surface of the nut facing the first restricting portion, a pair of side wall extension portions extending from both ends of the side wall main body portion along portions facing the second surface and two surfaces continuous along the circumferential direction; The nut holding structure according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The second restricting portion protrudes inward in the orthogonal direction from the opposite end of the side wall main body portion and connects the opposite end of the pair of side wall extending portions. The nut holding structure according to claim 4.

6. A recess recessed in the insertion direction is provided on the end surface of the nut on the opposite side, The recess is fitted with the second restricting portion in a state where the bolt is screwed onto the nut. The nut holding structure according to claim 1 .

7. The tip portion of the first restricting portion is configured to have a tapered shape that is inclined outward in the orthogonal direction as it advances in the insertion direction. The nut holding structure according to claim 1 .

8. The length of the side wall portion in the insertion direction is the same as or longer than the length of the first restriction portion in the insertion direction. The nut holding structure according to claim 6.

9. A resin nut holding member that holds a polygonal nut that screws onto a bolt, a nut accommodating portion is provided which accommodates the nut and has a through-portion which penetrates in an insertion direction in which the bolt is inserted into the nut; The nut accommodating portion includes a first regulating portion that extends in the insertion direction and faces a portion of the surface of the accommodated nut, and that regulates the nut from slipping out in the insertion direction. a side wall portion extending in the insertion direction along a surface of the accommodated nut at least in a portion different from a portion where the first restricting portion is provided, the first restricting portion is configured to be elastically deformable outward in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, A second restricting portion is provided on the side wall portion opposite to the insertion direction to restrict the nut accommodated in the nut accommodating portion from slipping out in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. Nut retaining member.

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