Connector connection structure, and vehicle

Abstract

To provide a connector connection structure that allows assembly from a predetermined direction, prevents assembly from the opposite side, and allows the orientation of connection to the base material to be set to one direction only. [Solution] The connector connection structure comprises a base material having a through hole and a connector inserted into the through hole. The base material has a first surface, a second surface, a through hole, and a projection provided around the through hole and projecting toward the second surface. The connector comprises a connector body, a support portion provided on the outer circumference of the connector body on the base end side of the tip, and an elastically deformable claw portion extending from the tip side of the connector body beyond the support portion. The connector body can be inserted into the through hole from the tip. The support portion supports the first surface when the tip of the connector body is inserted into the through hole from the first surface side, and the claw portion supports the second surface between itself and the support portion. The support portion supports the projection when the tip of the connector body is inserted into the through hole from the second surface side, and the claw portion is positioned inside the through hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , ,

[0006] , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure of a connector and a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in a vehicle instrument panel, a display is generally attached inside (front side) of the instrument panel using an instrument panel base that serves as a vehicle-side base material (frame). In this case, a harness that is hidden by the instrument panel and usually not visible to vehicle occupants is arranged on the back side of the display.

[0003] The harness is pre-attached with, for example, a holding part (harness clip) that binds and holds one or more harnesses. Then, the holding part is connected to the vehicle-side base material by a connector.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] For example, when connecting the connector of the holding part to the base material, although the connector can be connected from one direction of the base material in consideration of workability in subsequent processes, etc., there may be cases where it is desired to prevent the connection of the connector from other directions of the base material.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a connector connection structure that can be assembled from a predetermined direction of the base material, prevents assembly from the opposite side of the base material, and allows the direction of connection to the base material to be set from one direction of the base material, and a vehicle having the connection structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A connector connection structure according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a base material having a through hole and a connector inserted into the through hole. The base material has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a hole edge surface that forms the through hole penetrating the first surface and the second surface, and one or more protrusions provided around the through hole and projecting toward the second surface. The connector comprises a connector body, a support portion, and one or more claw portions. The connector body is insertable into the through hole from the tip. The support portion is provided on the outer circumference of the connector body on the base end side of the tip, and supports the first surface when the tip of the connector body is inserted into the through hole from the first surface side, and supports the protrusions when the tip of the connector body is inserted into the through hole from the second surface side. The claw portion extends from the tip side of the connector body beyond the support portion, is elastically deformable, and can pass through the through hole when the tip of the connector body is inserted into the through hole from the first surface side, and supports the second surface between itself and the support portion when the support portion is in contact with the first surface, and is positioned inside the through hole when the tip of the connector body is inserted into the through hole from the second surface side and the support portion is in contact with the projection. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector connection structure that can be assembled from a predetermined direction of the base material, prevents assembly from the opposite side of the base material, and allows the direction of connection to the base material to be set from one direction of the base material, as well as a vehicle having the connection structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1]A schematic diagram showing a portion of the front section of a vehicle according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic perspective view of a portion of the substrate shown in Figure 1, viewed from the second side. [Figure 3] A schematic front view of a portion of the substrate shown in Figure 2, viewed from the second side. [Figure 4] A schematic front view of a portion of the substrate shown in Figure 1, viewed from the first side. [Figure 5] A schematic perspective view showing a connector connected to a predetermined through-hole in a substrate in the connector connection structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the connector connection structure as seen from the first surface side of the substrate. [Figure 7] A schematic cross-sectional view shown by line AA in Figure 5. [Figure 8] A schematic cross-sectional view shown by line BB in Figure 5. [Figure 9] A schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 7, showing the case where a connector is attempted to be connected from the opposite side of a predetermined direction of the substrate. [Figure 10] A schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 8, showing the case where a connector is attempted to be connected from the opposite side of a predetermined direction of the substrate. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] One or more harnesses 70 (see Figure 6) are routed to the rear side of the display unit 20, which is fixed to the base material (instrument panel base) 18 of the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, a connection structure 30 is described for connecting a connector 32 having a holding portion 68 that holds the harness (held member) 70 routed to the rear side of the display screen 20a of the display unit 20 to the base material 18.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the front side of the vehicle 10 as seen from above the vehicle 10 (roof side). An XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is taken in FIG. 1. The upper side in the plane of FIG. 1 is the front side along the +Y axis direction of the vehicle 10, the right side is the right side along the +X axis direction of the vehicle 10, the left side is the left side along the -X axis direction of the vehicle 10, and the lower side is the rear side along the -Y axis direction of the vehicle 10. In the vehicle 10 in FIG. 1, the parts used in the description of the embodiment are shown, and other illustrations are omitted.

[0012] Note that the vehicle 10 here may be a so-called engine vehicle, or it may be any of an EV (Electric Vehicle), HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle), FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle), etc.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 has, for example, a left side member 12, a right side member 14, and, for example, a cylindrical beam 16 that connects the left side member 12 and the right side member 14 on the front side of the vehicle 10. The beam 16 is fixed to the left side member 12 and the right side member 14 respectively by bolts or the like (not shown). The beam 16 may be cylindrical or may be an appropriate polygonal cylindrical shape.

[0014] A base material 18 for fixing the display unit 20 to the cab side (rear side) with respect to the beam 16 is fixed to the beam 16. And a display unit 20 visible to the occupants of the vehicle 10 is fixed to the base material 18.

[0015] The instrument panel portion 22 is arranged on the rear side (cab side) with respect to the beam 16.

[0016] In this embodiment, the display unit 20 will be described as being arranged at the center in the width direction of the instrument panel portion 22, but it may be shifted to the right side or may be shifted to the left side.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the base material 18 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the second surface 44 side. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a part of the base material 18 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the second surface 44 side. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a part of the base material 18 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the first surface 42 side, that is, as viewed from the side opposite to FIG. 3.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where the connector 32 is connected to a predetermined through hole 46 of the base material 18 in the connection structure 30 of the connector 32 according to the embodiment. Therefore, FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the connection structure 30 of the connector 32 as viewed from the second surface 44 side of the base material 18. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the connection structure 30 of the connector 32 shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the first surface 42 side of the base material 18.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 5.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7 when attempting to connect the connector 32 from the side opposite to a predetermined direction of the base material 18. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8 when attempting to connect the connector 32 from the side opposite to a predetermined direction of the base material 18.

[0021] Hereinafter, the connection structure 30 of the connector 32 will be described, in which the harness 70 arranged on the back side of the display screen 20a of the display unit 20 is held by the connector 32 and the connector 32 is connected to the base material 18.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5, the connection structure 30 includes a base material (vehicle-side frame) 18 and a connector 32 that can be connected from a predetermined direction of the base material 18 and cannot be connected from the direction opposite to the predetermined direction.

[0023] The base material 18 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is formed, for example, as a part of a base (IP base) for an instrument panel portion 22 on the vehicle 10 side. The base material 18 may be a metal material or a resin material, but is preferably formed of a resin material.

[0024] A portion of the base material 18 is formed, for example, as a plate-shaped member. The base material 18 comprises a first surface 42, a second surface 44 opposite to the first surface 42, a hole edge surface 46a that forms a through hole 46 penetrating the first surface 42 and the second surface 44, and one or more protrusions (ribs) 48 provided around the through hole 46 and projecting relative to the second surface 44. The connector 32 is inserted from the first surface 42 side to the second surface 44 side.

[0025] The first surface 42 is formed as the surface into which the connector 32 is to be inserted. The first surface 42 may be a plane or it may not be a plane.

[0026] The second surface 44 is formed as the surface on which the connector 32, inserted from the first surface 42 side, protrudes. The second surface 44 may be a flat surface or it may not be a flat surface.

[0027] The first surface 42 and the second surface 44 are preferably formed parallel to each other.

[0028] The through hole 46 penetrates the first surface 42 and the second surface 44. Here, the through hole 46 penetrates in the Y-axis direction and is formed as an elongated hole that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the X-axis direction. The through hole 46 has a hole edge surface 46a similar to that of an athletics track. The hole edge surface 46a comprises a pair of semicircular portions spaced apart from each other and a rectangular portion sandwiched between the pair of semicircles. Preferably, the size and shape of the through hole 46 are the same when viewed from the first surface 42 side and when viewed from the second surface 44 side.

[0029] The projection 48 protrudes from the second surface 44 and is adjacent to the perimeter of the through hole 46. The projection 48 is provided on the side of the rectangular portion of the hole edge surface 46a of the through hole 46. In this embodiment, the projection 48 faces each other across the edge of the hole edge surface 46a of the through hole 46. It is preferable that the projections 48 are the same size and shape, but they may be of different sizes or shapes, for example, considering components arranged on the second surface 44 side.

[0030] As shown in Figures 5 to 10, the connector 32 comprises a connector body 62, a support portion 64, a claw portion 66, and a holding portion 68.

[0031] As shown in Figure 7, the distance between the first surface 42 and the second surface 44, i.e., the thickness of the base material 18, is denoted as T.

[0032] The connector body 62 is formed as a shaft member that can pass through the through hole 46. The connector body 62 can be inserted into the through hole 46 from either the first surface 42 side or the second surface 44 side, starting from its tip 62a.

[0033] The support portion 64 is provided on the outer circumference of the connector body 62 on the base end side of the tip 62a. Preferably, the support portion 64 is formed as a flange that protrudes from the outer circumference of the connector body 62 in a direction intersecting the insertion direction into the through hole 46 of the connector body 62. Preferably, the support portion 64 is closer to the rear end 62b side of the connector body 62 along the Y-axis direction as it approaches the outer circumference of the connector body 62, and closer to the tip 62a side of the connector body 62 along the Y-axis direction as it approaches the outer circumference of the connector body 62.

[0034] If the tip 62a of the connector body 62 is inserted into the through hole 46 from the first surface 42 side, the support portion 64 supports the first surface 42. On the other hand, if the tip 62a of the connector body 62 is inserted into the through hole 46 from the second surface 44 side, the support portion 64 supports the protrusion 48 and does not reach the second surface 44. In other words, if the tip 62a of the connector body 62 is inserted into the through hole 46 from the second surface 44 side, the support portion 64 cannot support the second surface 44.

[0035] The claw portion 66 extends from a position closer to the tip 62a of the connector body 62 than the support portion 64. In this embodiment, the claw portion 66 extends from the tip 62a of the connector body 62. The claw portion 66 is elastically deformable in the Z-axis direction as shown in Figures 5, 7 to 10.

[0036] In this embodiment, the claw portion 66 includes a distal end 66a that supports the second surface 44 between itself and the support portion 64 that contacts the first surface 42 when the tip 62a of the connector body 62 is inserted into the through hole 46 from the first surface 42 side.

[0037] Even if the claw portion 66 is elastically deformable, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the distal end 66a of the connector body 62 is always positioned on the rear end 62b side (holding portion 68 side) relative to the tip 62a.

[0038] Furthermore, it is preferable that the distance between the distal end 66a of the claw portion 66 and the support portion 64 is approximately the same as the thickness T of the base material 18 (distance between the first surface 42 and the second surface 44) (see Figure 7) when the connector 32 is unloaded. The distance along the Y-axis between the distal end 64a of the support portion 64 and the distal end 66a of the claw portion 66 with respect to the thickness T of the base material 18 may be small or large.

[0039] The distal end 66a of the claw portion 66 is brought closer to the connector body 62 by elastic deformation when the tip 62a of the connector body 62 is inserted through the through hole 46 from the first surface 42 to the second surface 44, allowing it to pass through the through hole 46. When the connector body 62 and the claw portion 66 are viewed from the tip side of the connector body 62 than the tip 62a of the connector body 62, the size and shape of the connector body 62 and the claw portion 66 as viewed from the tip side are formed such that the tip 62a of the connector body 62 passes through the rectangular portion of the through hole 46, and the claw portion 66 passes through a pair of semicircular portions of the through hole 46. For this reason, the connector 32 is formed in a size and shape such that the claw portion 66 alone cannot pass through the rectangular portion of the through hole 46. Therefore, the tip 62a and claw portion 66 of the connector body 62 are formed to be insertable into the through hole 46 of the elongated hole when in a predetermined orientation relative to the through hole 46, but not insertable when the connector body 62 is rotated, for example, 90° around its axis relative to the through hole 46. When the connector body 62 is rotated around its axis, the rotation angle that allows insertion of the connector body 62 into the through hole 46 of the elongated hole is preferably about ±10°, and it is preferable that it cannot be inserted into the through hole 46 if rotated beyond that.

[0040] The distance in the Z-axis direction between the distal ends 66a of a pair of claw portions 66 is formed to be shorter than the combined length of the radius of the pair of semicircular portions and the rectangular portion of the through hole 46 when the connector 32 passes through the through hole 46. Therefore, the claw portions 66 can pass through the through hole 46 together with the tip of the connector body 62 when the tip of the connector body 62 is inserted into the through hole 46 from the first surface 42 side. Also, the distance in the Z-axis direction between the distal ends 66a of a pair of claw portions 66 is formed to be longer than the combined length of the radius of the pair of semicircular portions and the rectangular portion of the through hole 46 when the connector 32 is unloaded. Therefore, the claw portions 66 support the second surface 44 between themselves and the support portion 64 when the support portion 64 is in contact with the first surface 42.

[0041] The claw portion 66 is positioned within the through hole 46 without contacting the first surface 42 when the tip 62a of the connector body 62 is inserted into the through hole 46 from the second surface 44 side and the support portion 64 contacts the protrusion (rib) 48.

[0042] The retaining portion 68 is preferably provided on the rear end 62b side of the connector body 62, opposite to the front end 62a. As an example, the retaining portion 68 may be a belt-like object such as a cable tie. The object to be held by the retaining portion 68 could be, for example, a wire harness 70 for a vehicle 10.

[0043] Figures 5 to 8 show the state in which the connector 32 is inserted from the first surface 42 side, which is a predetermined direction of the base material 18, and the connector 32 is engaged with the base material 18 in the desired state.

[0044] When the tip 62a of the connector body 62 is inserted into the through hole 46 from the first surface 42 side, the claw portion 66 is oriented so as to be spaced apart from the base material 18 in the Z-axis direction. The claw portion 66 is biased toward the connector body 62 by elastic deformation, and the connector body 62 and the claw portion 66 pass through the through hole 46.

[0045] Then, the distal end 64a of the support portion 64 of the connector 32 supports the first surface 42, and the distal end 66a of the claw portion 66 extends beyond the through hole 46 and further extends beyond the second surface 44. As a result, the distal ends 66a of the claw portions 66 are separated from each other in the Z-axis direction by elastic deformation and come into contact with the second surface 44. That is, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the base material 18 is sandwiched between the distal end 66a of the claw portion 66 and the support portion 64.

[0046] Figures 9 and 10 show the state in which the connector 32 is inserted from the second surface 44 side and the connector 32 is not engaged with the base material 18.

[0047] When the tip 62a of the connector body 62 is inserted into the through hole 46 from the second surface 44 side, the claw portion 66 is oriented so as to be spaced apart from the base material 18 in the Z-axis direction. The claw portion 66 is biased toward the connector body 62 by elastic deformation, and the connector body 62 and the claw portion 66 are housed within the through hole 46.

[0048] Then, the distal end 64a of the support portion 64 of the connector 32 abuts against the projection 48 that protrudes from the second surface 44. At this time, even if the operator pushes the connector 32 in, the distal end 66a of the claw portion 66 remains positioned within the through hole 46 and does not extend beyond the first surface 42. Therefore, when the tip 62a of the connector body 62 is inserted into the through hole 46 from the second surface 44 side, the connector 32 does not engage with the base material 18.

[0049] Thus, the connection structure 30 of the connector 32 according to this embodiment engages when the connector 32 is passed through the through hole 46 from the first surface 42 side of the base material 18 to the second surface 44 side, thereby connecting the connector 32 to the base material 18. For this reason, when the connector 32 is inserted into the through hole 46 from a predetermined direction relative to the base material 18, the connector 32 engages with the base material 18, thereby connecting the connector 32 to the base material 18.

[0050] On the other hand, the connection structure 30 of the connector 32 according to this embodiment does not engage when the connector 32 is passed through the through hole 46 from the second surface 44 side of the base material 18 to the first surface 42 side, and the connector 32 cannot be connected to the base material 18. Therefore, when the connector 32 is inserted into the through hole 46 from a direction opposite to the predetermined direction relative to the base material 18, the connector 32 cannot be connected to the base material 18.

[0051] Therefore, according to the connector 32 connection structure 30 of this embodiment, it is possible to provide a connector 32 connection structure 30 that allows the connector 32 to be assembled from a predetermined direction of the base material 18, prevents the connector 32 from being assembled from the opposite side of the base material 18, and allows the direction in which it is connected to the base material 18 to be set from one direction of the base material 18.

[0052] Furthermore, the support portion 64 does not need to be provided in an annular shape if the connector body 62 is inserted only in a predetermined direction, depending on the shape of the through hole 46. For example, the support portion 64 may be provided on the opposite side of the connector body 62, for example, in a pair of wing-like shapes.

[0053] In this embodiment, an example in which the through-hole 46 is an elongated hole has been described. In this case, the orientation of the connector body 62 can also be set to a desired orientation.

[0054] Furthermore, the protrusions 48 around the through-hole 46 are formed as ribs. Therefore, by forming the protrusions 48 around the through-hole 46, the strength of the base material 18 can be maintained.

[0055] The through hole 46 may be a circular hole. In this case, the support portion 64 is preferably formed as an annular flange. When the through hole 46 is a circular hole, depending on the direction of rotation of the connector 32, the tip 62a of the connector body 62 may interfere with the through hole 46 when the connector 32 is passed through the first surface 42 side of the base material 18 to the second surface 44 side, and the distal end 66a of the claw portion 66 may not contact the second surface 44 side. Even in this case, the connector 32 can be engaged with the base material 18 by rotating the connector 32 with respect to its insertion direction as the axis.

[0056] Even when attempting to pass the connector 32 through the through hole 46 from the second surface 44 side of the base material 18 to the first surface 42 side, the tip 62a of the connector body 62 will hit the protrusion 48 due to the support portion 64. The claw portion 66 will then be biased toward the connector body 62 by elastic deformation and will maintain its position within the through hole 46. Therefore, when the tip of the connector body 62 is inserted into the through hole 46 from the second surface 44 side, the connector 32 will not engage with the base material 18.

[0057] In this embodiment, an example was described in which a plurality of claw portions 66 extending from the tip 62a of the connector body 62 and spaced apart in the Z-axis direction are used as the connector 32. The claw portions 66 may be formed only on one side of the tip 62a of the connector body 62. That is, there may be only one claw portion 66. In this case, it is preferable that the through hole (elongated hole) 46 be formed in a shape that combines one semicircular portion and one rectangular portion. This allows the connector 32 to be connected to the base material 18 from only one direction, and furthermore, the orientation of the connector 32 around the axis with respect to the base material 18 can be set to a predetermined orientation.

[0058] Although the connection structure 30 of the connector 32 according to this embodiment has been described as being used in a vehicle 10, it can be applied to any other suitable product.

[0059] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways during implementation without departing from its essence. Furthermore, each embodiment may be combined as appropriate, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Moreover, the above embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by selecting combinations from the multiple constituent elements disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and effects obtained even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, then the configuration with these deleted constituent elements can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 10...Vehicle, 12...Left side member, 14...Right side member, 16...Beam, 18...Base material, 20...Display unit, 20a...Display screen, 22...Instrument panel section, 30...Connection structure, 32...Connector, 42...First surface, 44...Second surface, 46...Through hole, 46a...Hole edge surface, 48...Protrusion, 62...Connector body, 62a...Tip, 62b...Rear end, 64...Support part, 64a...Distal end, 66...Claw part, 66a...Distal end, 68...Holding part, 70...Wire harness.

Claims

1. A connector connection structure comprising a base material having a through hole and a connector inserted into the through hole, The substrate comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a hole edge surface that forms the through hole penetrating the first surface and the second surface, and one or more protrusions provided around the through hole and projecting toward the second surface. The aforementioned connector is A connector body that can be inserted into the aforementioned through hole from the tip, A support portion is provided on the outer circumference of the connector body on the base end side of the tip, and supports the first surface when the tip of the connector body is inserted into the through hole from the first surface side, and supports the projection when the tip of the connector body is inserted into the through hole from the second surface side, One or more claw portions extend from the tip side of the connector body beyond the support portion, are elastically deformable, can pass through the through hole when the tip of the connector body is inserted into the through hole from the first surface side, support the second surface between the support portion and the support portion when the support portion is in contact with the first surface, and are positioned within the through hole when the tip of the connector body is inserted into the through hole from the second surface side and the support portion is in contact with the projection. A connector connection structure comprising the above.

2. The aforementioned through hole is formed as an elongated hole, The tip and claw portion of the connector body can be inserted into the through hole when they are in a predetermined orientation relative to the elongated hole. The connection structure according to claim 1.

3. The claw portion has a distal end that supports the second surface between itself and the support portion that is in contact with the first surface, The distal end is brought closer to the connector body by elastic deformation when the tip is inserted through the through hole from the first side to the second side, and is capable of passing through the through hole. The connection structure according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned multiple protrusions are opposite each other, with the edge of the through hole in between. The connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The support portion includes a flange that protrudes in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the connector body into the through hole. The connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. A vehicle having the connection structure described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images