Holding device

Abstract

To provide a holding device that can suppress displacement of linear bodies. [Solution] The holding device 1 holds the linear body 2. The holding device 1 comprises a main body portion 10 extending in a first direction, a vertical wall portion 16 extending from the main body portion 10 in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a hole portion 23 formed in the vertical wall portion 16 into which one end of the linear body 2 is inserted, a contact portion 25 against which one end of the linear body 2 abuts, and one and the other pressurizing portions 27, 28 that pressurize one end of the linear body 2. The one and the other pressurizing portions 27, 28 are positioned offset from each other in the first direction and are arranged to pressurize one end of the linear body 2 in directions that intersect the first direction and are different from each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding device for holding a linear body.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in a vehicle such as an automobile, a kick sensor (hands-free sensor) installed on a rear bumper (lower part of the vehicle) senses the insertion and removal of a user's foot to open and close a luggage compartment door such as a back door without touching the vehicle body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The kick sensor used in such a configuration includes a detector that is a linear body, and the detector is arranged along the vehicle width direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the rear bumper. Therefore, there is a concern that if the position of the detector is displaced from a predetermined mounting position in the left-right direction, a position where the sensor does not react will occur.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, it is desired to suppress the displacement of the linear body.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide a holding device capable of suppressing the displacement of a linear body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention is a holding device for holding a linear body, comprising: a main body portion extending in a first direction; a vertical wall portion extending from the main body portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a hole portion formed in the vertical wall portion into which one end of the linear body is inserted; a contact portion against which one end of the linear body abuts; and one and another pressurizing portions that pressurize one end of the linear body, wherein the one and the other pressurizing portions are located offset from each other in the first direction and are arranged to pressurize one end of the linear body in directions that intersect the first direction and are different from each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, displacement of linear bodies can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing a holding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a magnified portion of the same holding device. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the same holding device. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view showing a part of a vehicle equipped with the same holding device and a sensor device consisting of a linear body. [Figure 5] This is a partial perspective view showing a holding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of the position corresponding to II in Figure 5. [Figure 7] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing a holding device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing a holding device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing a holding device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In Figures 1 to 3, 1 represents a holding device. The holding device 1 holds the linear body 2, and in this embodiment, it is applied as a mounting structure for a sensor device 3 mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. In the illustrated example, the linear body 2 is a long wire, called a harness or sensor harness, used as a sensor detector for the sensor device 3, and multiple such harnesses, for example a pair, are set up. In this embodiment, the linear body 2 is a conductor that functions as a capacitance sensor. For example, the linear body 2 is formed in the shape of a long cylindrical or elongated cylindrical column. The linear body 2 is electrically connected to, for example, a signal processing unit.

[0011] The retaining device 1 is a linear retaining member (base material) formed in a long length from, for example, synthetic resin. In this embodiment, the retaining device 1 is a vehicle part also called a bracket rear bumper, and an example is given in which the sensor device 3 is located at the lower rear of the vehicle body 4 as shown in Figure 4. Therefore, the retaining device 1 is positioned on the vehicle body 4 with its longitudinal direction aligned with the left-right direction, which is the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, each direction is based on the usage state of the vehicle body 4, with arrow U direction being the upward direction, arrow D direction being the downward direction, arrow FR direction being the forward direction, and arrow RR direction being the rear direction. For the left-right direction, the direction is based on the view from the front of the vehicle, with arrow L direction being the left direction and arrow R direction being the right direction in the figure.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the holding device 1 comprises a main body portion 10 that is elongated in the left-right direction. The main body portion 10 has a support surface portion 11 that supports the linear body 2. The support surface portion 11 is the main surface of the main body portion 10 and in this embodiment constitutes the upper surface of the main body portion 10. The linear body 2 is arranged longitudinally along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 10 and is supported from below by the support surface portion 11.

[0013] The main body portion 10 has a holding portion 13 for holding the linear body 2. The holding portion 13 is formed in a claw shape rising from the support surface portion 11 in the vertical direction, which is a second direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 10, and is the part that sandwiches the linear body 2 between itself and the support surface portion 11 from above and below. The holding portion 13 extends in a claw shape in the front-to-back direction, which is the direction intersecting the linear body 2, in the short direction of the holding device 1 or the support surface portion 11. Therefore, the holding portion 13 restricts the front-to-back position of the linear body 2. Multiple holding portions 13 are arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the support surface portion 11. Also, a holding portion 13 is formed for each linear body 2. In this embodiment, the holding portions 13 are arranged in two rows side by side in the short direction of the support surface portion 11. An opening 14 is formed in the support surface portion 11 at a position corresponding to the holding portion 13. The opening 14 is a mold hole for forming the holding portion 13. In this embodiment, the opening 14 is formed in a rectangular shape.

[0014] Furthermore, the main body portion 10 has a vertical wall portion 16 formed thereon for positioning one end of the linear body 2. The vertical wall portion 16 rises vertically from the support surface portion 11. The vertical wall portion 16 is located, for example, at one end of the main body portion 10 in the longitudinal direction, the right end in the illustrated example. The vertical wall portion 16 is formed along one end of the main body portion 10 in the longitudinal direction, along the front-rear direction, which is a third direction that intersects with the first and second directions. In this embodiment, the vertical wall portion 16 is formed for each pair of linear bodies 2, but it is not limited to this, and the vertical wall portion 16 may be formed across the linear bodies 2. Also, in Figures 1 and 2, only one vertical wall portion 16 is shown, but the other vertical wall portion 16 has the same configuration as the first vertical wall portion 16, so its explanation is omitted.

[0015] In the present embodiment, the standing wall portion 16 integrally includes a rising portion 20 that rises upward from the support surface portion 11 and a connecting portion 21 that is continuous with the upper portion of the rising portion 20. The rising portion 20 has a surface that extends in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction, and is formed, for example, in an inclined shape outward in the vehicle width direction from the support surface portion 11, and in the illustrated example, toward the right. Further, the connecting portion 21 extends from the rising portion 20 in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the main body portion 10 or the support surface portion 11 outward in the vehicle width direction, and in the illustrated example, toward the right.

[0016] A hole portion 23 is formed in the standing wall portion 16. The hole portion 23 is formed to penetrate the rising portion 20 in the standing wall portion 16. That is, the hole portion 23 is opened in the left-right direction. The hole portion 23 has a shape into which the linear body 2 can be inserted. In the present embodiment, the upper portion of the hole portion 23 is formed to be curved in an arch shape along the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the inserted linear body 2. Further, the width of the hole portion 23 is set according to the outer diameter dimension of the linear body 2, and is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter dimension of the linear body 2. Therefore, the position in the front-rear direction of one end portion of the linear body 2 inserted into the hole portion 23 is regulated by the front-rear edge portions of the hole portion 23.

[0017] Further, in the standing wall portion 16, a contact portion 25 against which one end portion of the linear body inserted into the hole portion 23 abuts is formed at a position facing the hole portion 23. The contact portion 25 is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, which is opposite to the main body portion 10 with respect to the opening position of the hole portion 23, and in the present embodiment, is located at a position separated to the right. In the illustrated example, the contact portion 25 projects downward from the lower portion on the back side of the connecting portion 21. The contact portion 25 is formed in a planar shape (flat plate shape) extending in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction, and is parallel or substantially parallel to the rising portion 20. In the illustrated example, the contact portion 25 is formed in a plate shape having a smaller thickness in the left-right direction than the rising portion 20.

[0018] The holding device 1 includes a first and a second pressing parts 27, 28 for pressing and holding one end side of the linear body 2. The first and the second pressing parts 27 are arranged side by side with the holding part 13 and the hole part 23 in the left - right direction. The first and the second pressing parts 27, 28 are arranged at positions shifted from each other in the left - right direction. For example, one pressing part 27 is arranged on the main body part 10, and the other pressing part 28 is arranged in the hole part 23. Also, the one pressing part 27 and the other pressing part 28 are arranged so as to press one end side of the linear body 2 in directions that intersect the left - right direction, which is the first direction, for example, in the up - down direction in the present embodiment, and in different directions from each other.

[0019] One pressing part 27 is arranged on the main body part 10 in the vicinity of the hole part 23. One pressing part 27 is arranged on the main body part 10 between the hole part 23 and the holding part 23 closest to the hole part 23. One pressing part 27 is formed in a claw shape and protrudes upward in the up - down direction, which is the direction away from the main body part 10 or the support surface part 11 in the present embodiment. The upper end part of one pressing part 27 is above the support surface part 11 in the up - down direction.

[0020] The other pressing part 28 is arranged on the opposite side of the one pressing part 27 with respect to the hole part 23. In the present embodiment, the other pressing part 28 is arranged at a lower part on the back side of the connecting part 21 at a position between the hole part 23 and the contact part 25. The other pressing part 28 is formed in a claw shape, is on the upper edge side of the hole part 23, and protrudes downward in the up - down direction, which is the direction toward the main body part 10 or the support surface part 11 in the present embodiment. The lower end part of the other pressing part 28 is below the upper edge of the hole part 23 in the up - down direction.

[0021] Therefore, the direction of pressing by the one pressing part 27 and the direction of pressing by the other pressing part 28 are opposite to each other. The first and the second pressing parts 27, 28 extend in the direction across the linear body 2, in the illustrated example, in the front - back direction. Therefore, the first and the second pressing parts 27, 28 are adapted to be in line contact with the linear body 2.

[0022] Preferably, one pressurizing portion 27 is flexibly deformable in a direction intersecting the first direction, in this embodiment, in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, one pressurizing portion 27 is formed on a movable piece 31 of the main body 10 that is elastically flexibly deformable in the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, two slits 30 extending in the left-right direction are formed in the main body 10 in the front-rear direction, and one pressurizing portion 27 is positioned at the free end of an island-shaped movable piece 31 extending in the left-right direction, which is formed by these slits 30 being connected to the hole 23.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one pressurizing portion 27 forms part of a guide portion 32 that guides the linear body 2 toward the hole portion 23. In the illustrated example, the main body portion 10 is provided with an inclined portion 33 extending in the left-right direction on the support surface portion 11, and the inclined portion 33 and the one pressurizing portion 27 are connected to form a guide portion 32 extending in the left-right direction. The inclined portion 33 is inclined vertically along the left-right direction. The inclined portion 33 is gradually inclined upward toward the hole portion 23. Preferably, the inclination angle of the inclined portion 33 is about 15°. In this embodiment, the inclined portion 33 is the fixed end side of the movable piece 31.

[0024] In addition, the main body 10 may be provided with a support structure 35 for supporting other components such as a signal processing unit, as well as holes and locking structures for attaching the holding device 1 to the placement section, as needed.

[0025] Then, the linear bodies 2 are placed on the support surface 11 and hooked onto the lower part of the holding part 13, and one end is inserted into the hole 23 as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1. In this embodiment, one end of the linear body 2 is guided to the hole 23 of the vertical wall 16 along the inclined part 33 of the guide part 32 and one of the pressurizing parts 27. As a result, one end of the linear body 2 moves upward toward the hole 23, that is, toward the other pressurizing part 28, following the inclination of the inclined part 33. Thereafter, one end of the linear body 2 inserted into the hole 23 comes into contact with the other pressurizing part 28 and is pressed, causing it to bend slightly downward.

[0026] Therefore, when one end of the linear body 2 inserted into the hole 23 is pushed in until it contacts the contact portion 25, the one end of the linear body 2 is pressed and sandwiched from above by one and the other pressurizing portions 27 and 28 which are positioned alternately in the left and right directions, and as shown by the solid line in Figure 1, the linear body 2 is held in the predetermined mounting position without coming loose by bending in an S-shape.

[0027] In this way, a hole 23 is formed in the vertical wall portion 16 extending vertically from the main body portion 10 into which one end of the linear body 2 is inserted, and a contact portion 25 is formed against which one end of the linear body 2 abuts. Furthermore, by applying pressure to one end of the linear body 2 in directions that intersect with the left-right direction but are different from each other, the position of the end of the linear body 2 can be restricted and held, thereby suppressing displacement of the linear body 2 relative to the predetermined mounting position.

[0028] Furthermore, since the linear body 2 can be held at one end simply by sliding it toward the vertical wall portion 16 and the hole portion 23, no significant changes from conventional work processes are required, and the impact on work efficiency is minimal.

[0029] Furthermore, the holding device 1 does not require the addition of separate parts or a slide core to the mold, thus avoiding increased costs.

[0030] In particular, by positioning one pressurizing part 27 near the hole 23 on the main body 10 and projecting upward away from the main body 10 in the vertical direction, and positioning the other pressurizing part 28 at the hole 23 and projecting downward toward the main body 10 in the vertical direction, the linear body 2 can be held at a position close to one end of the linear body 2.

[0031] In other words, by simply inserting one end of the highly flexible linear body 2 into the hole 23, positioning and suppression of displacement of the linear body 2 can be achieved simultaneously, which is advantageous compared to conventional configurations that use a retaining structure at the position between both ends of the linear body 2.

[0032] Since one of the pressurizing sections 27 can be deformed by bending in the vertical direction intersecting the left-right direction, the insertion and removal load of the linear body 23 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of bending of the first pressurizing section 27. For example, in this embodiment, since the first pressurizing section 27 is located on a movable piece 31 formed in an island shape by a slit 30, the amount of bending of the first pressurizing section 27 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of protrusion of the first and other pressurizing sections 27, 28 and the length of the slit 30, thereby fine-tuning the insertion and removal load of the linear body 23.

[0033] Furthermore, by configuring a guide portion 32 that guides the linear body 2 toward the hole portion 23 with an inclined portion 33 that is inclined in the vertical direction and a pressurizing portion 27 connected to the inclined portion 33, the linear body 2 can be easily inserted into the hole portion 23 without precise alignment simply by sliding one end of the linear body 2 toward the hole portion 23 along the guide portion 32, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0034] The sensor device 3, which is configured by attaching the linear body 2 to the holding device 1, is positioned on the vehicle body 4, for example, below the rear bumper 37, as shown in Figure 4, with the longitudinal direction of the holding device 1 aligned with the vehicle width direction and the short direction of the holding device 1 aligned with the front-rear direction. The sensor device 3 functions as a kick sensor that allows a user 38 whose hands are full with luggage to automatically open and close the back door 39, which is the opening and closing mechanism (cargo door) of the vehicle body 4, using their leg 38a. In this embodiment, the sensor device 3 is a capacitive sensor, with the linear body 2 (Figure 1) functioning as the electrode and the rear bumper 37 functioning as the dielectric.

[0035] In other words, when user 38 inserts the tip of the leg portion 38a below the rear bumper 31, the linear body 2 (Figure 1) detects the resulting change in capacitance, thereby detecting the user's movement. The signal processing unit processes this detection signal and outputs a signal to the control means on the vehicle body 4 side, causing the back door 39 to open and close automatically.

[0036] In other words, since the linear body 2 is a sensor detector, a sensor device 3 can be constructed by attaching the linear body 2 to the holding device 1, and this sensor device 3 can be suitably used, for example, as a kick sensor for an automobile.

[0037] Furthermore, because the linear body 2 is held by the holding device 1 described above, the position of the linear body 2 is less likely to vary from side to side, thus suppressing sensitivity variations of the sensor device 3 caused by variations in the position of the linear body 2.

[0038] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Note that components and operations similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0039] In this embodiment, the guide portion 32 further comprises a restricting portion 41 provided on the main body portion 10. In the illustrated example, the restricting portion 41 restricts one end of the linear body 2 in the front-rear direction.

[0040] In other words, the restricting portion 41 is formed to extend in the left-right and up-down directions. In the illustrated example, the restricting portion 41 is longitudinal in the left-right direction and is erected as a wall above the support surface portion 11. For example, the restricting portion 41 is formed as a rib that extends in the left-right direction between the holding portion 13 and the rising portion 20 of the vertical wall portion 16. The restricting portion 41 is also located close to one of the pressurizing portions 27 and inclined portions 33, i.e., the rear or front of the movable piece 31.

[0041] In this way, by providing a restricting portion 41 that restricts one end of the linear body 2 in the front-rear direction, the linear body 2 can be easily aligned with the hole 23 in the front-rear direction simply by sliding one end along the restricting portion 41, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0042] In each embodiment, the restricting portion 41 is not limited to a wall shape, but may also be a shape that protrudes from the main body portion 10 in a convex cross-section, as in the third embodiment shown in Figure 7. In this example, since the restricting portion 41 is formed using the thickness of the main body portion 10, the strength of the restricting portion 41 can be obtained compared to when it is formed in a plate shape, and because there is little change in the thickness of the retaining device 1 in the restricting portion 41, molding defects such as shrinkage are less likely to occur without any countermeasures.

[0043] Furthermore, the restricting sections 41 are not limited to those formed in a continuous line in the left-right direction, but may also be arranged intermittently in multiple sections in the left-right direction.

[0044] Furthermore, the guide portion 32 may be provided with grooves 43 on the support surface portion 11 along the left-right direction, having a cross-sectional shape that follows the lower part of the linear body 2, as shown in the fourth embodiment in Figure 8. These grooves 43 are not limited to being formed in a continuous manner in the left-right direction, but may also be arranged intermittently in multiple locations in the left-right direction.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in the fifth embodiment in Figure 9, the contact portion 25 may be formed as a general shape of the main body portion 10 or the vertical wall portion 16. In this case, since the contact portion 25 is not specially formed, it is unnecessary to change the shape of the mold for the holding device 1.

[0046] Furthermore, the contact portion 25 may be located outside the hole 23, not just inside it.

[0047] Furthermore, each embodiment may be combined in any way that does not contradict the others.

[0048] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the holding device 1 is not limited to being applied to a vehicle sensor device 3, but can be used to attach any linear body 2. [Industrial applicability]

[0049] The present invention is suitably used as a sensor substrate for holding a sensor detector of a kick sensor for opening and closing, such as the back door of an automobile. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Holding device 2 linear body 10 Main body 16 Vertical wall section 23 Hole 25 Contact part 27 First pressurized section 28 Other pressurized parts 32 Guide section 33 Slope 41 Regulatory Department

Claims

1. A holding device for holding a linear body, A main body extending in the first direction, A vertical wall portion extends from this main body in a second direction intersecting the first direction, A hole is formed in this vertical wall portion into which one end of the linear body is inserted, The contact portion against which one end of the linear body is abutted, The linear body comprises one and another pressurizing parts that pressurize one end of the linear body, The aforementioned pressurizing portions one and the other are located offset from each other in the first direction and are arranged to pressurize one end of the linear body in directions that intersect with the first direction and are different from each other. A holding device characterized by the following features.

2. One pressurizing part is located near the hole in the main body and protrudes away from the main body in the second direction. Other pressurizing parts are positioned in the vertical wall portion and protrude toward the main body portion in the second direction. The holding device according to claim 1, characterized by the feature.

3. One of the pressurized sections is capable of bending and deforming in a direction intersecting the first direction. The holding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is a holding device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The main body is provided with an inclined portion that is inclined in a direction intersecting the first direction along the first direction, This inclined section and a pressurized section connected to it form a guide section that guides the linear body toward the hole. The holding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is a holding device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The guide section includes a restricting section provided on the main body that restricts one end of the linear body in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions. The holding device according to feature 4.

6. This is a holding device for holding a sensor detector as a linear object. The holding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is a holding device according to claim 1 or 2.

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