Connector Bracket and Wire Harness

Abstract

To provide a connector bracket and a wiring harness capable of making it difficult for a connector holding portion to come off from an engaging portion.SOLUTION: A connector bracket 14 includes a band-shaped connector holding portion 34, an engaging portion 35, and a restricting portion 47. The connector holding portion 34 surrounds a first connector 10 from the periphery and holds it on a bracket main body 16. The engaging portion 35 engages with the tip of the closed connector holding portion 34 to hold the first connector 10. When the direction in which the connector holding portion 34 is engaged with the engaging portion 35 is a first direction K1, the restricting portion 47 restricts the movement of the connector holding portion 34 in a second direction K2 that intersects with the first direction K1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector bracket and a wire harness.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a structure for locking a connector to a holder provided in an electrical junction box is well known. Patent Document 1 is a technique for attaching a connector to a holder by engaging a rail convex portion provided on the connector with a rail concave portion provided on the holder.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in order to make it difficult for the connector to fall off from the holder, for example, a structure for further holding the connector attached to the holder by a member such as a band has been studied. In the case of this structure, if the band comes off, this may cause the connector to fall off, so measures are required to make it difficult for the band to come off.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector bracket and a wire harness that can hardly cause the connector holding portion to come off from the engaging portion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector bracket for solving the above problems has a configuration for holding a connector provided at an end of an electric wire in a bracket body, and includes a belt-shaped connector holding portion that surrounds the connector from the periphery and holds it in the bracket body, an engaging portion that engages with a tip of the closed connector holding portion for holding the connector, and a restricting portion that restricts movement of the connector holding portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction when the direction when the connector holding portion engages with the engaging portion is defined as the first direction.

[0007] The wire harness for solving the above problems has a configuration including an electric wire having a connector at an end and a connector bracket for holding the connector in a bracket body. The connector bracket includes a belt-shaped connector holding portion that surrounds the connector from the periphery and holds it in the bracket body, an engaging portion that engages with a tip of the closed connector holding portion for holding the connector, and a restricting portion that restricts movement of the connector holding portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction when the direction when the connector holding portion engages with the engaging portion is defined as the first direction.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure can make it difficult for the connector holding portion to come off from the engaging portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The connector bracket of the present disclosure is configured to hold a connector provided at an end of an electric wire in a bracket main body, and includes a belt-shaped connector holding portion that surrounds the connector and holds it in the bracket main body, an engaging portion that engages with a tip of the closed connector holding portion for holding the connector, and a restricting portion that restricts movement of the connector holding portion in a second direction that intersects the first direction when the direction in which the connector holding portion engages with the engaging portion is defined as the first direction.

[0011] According to the configuration of this example, the connector is surrounded by the connector holding portion, and the tip of the connector holding portion is engaged with the engaging portion while closing the connector holding portion from the first direction. As a result, the connector is held in the bracket main body by the connector holding portion. In this held state, even if a load in the second direction that can cause the connector holding portion to drop off from the engaging portion is applied to the connector holding portion, the movement of the connector holding portion in the second direction is restricted by the restricting portion. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the connector holding portion to come off from the engaging portion.

[0012] [2] The engaging portion has an opening on one side surface in the second direction. The restricting portion is formed at the edge of the opening so as to contact the outer surface of the tip of the connector holding portion, thereby restricting the movement of the connector holding portion in one direction in the second direction, and the engaging portion is formed so as to restrict the movement of the connector holding portion in the other direction in the second direction. It includes a second restricting portion formed on the

[0013] According to this configuration, the movement of the connector holding portion in one direction in the second direction is restricted by the first restricting portion, and the movement of the connector holding portion in the other direction in the second direction is restricted by the second restricting portion. Therefore, it is possible to position and hold the connector holding portion so as not to move in both directions in the second direction by the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connector holding portion from moving in the second direction and coming off from the engaging portion.

[0014] [3] The connector holding portion has a knob portion provided so as to project from a belt-like portion that supports the connector when closed at the tip of the belt-like portion. The opening is provided so as not to interfere with the knob portion when the connector holding portion is closed. The first restricting portion restricts the movement of the connector holding portion in one direction in the second direction by contacting the outer surface of the knob portion. The second restricting portion is formed on the engaging portion and restricts the movement of the connector holding portion in the other direction in the second direction by contacting the inner surface of the knob portion.

[0015] According to this configuration, since the connector holding portion can be easily held by the knob portion with a finger or the like, it is possible to improve the workability when attaching and detaching the connector holding portion to and from the engaging portion. In addition, by applying the restricting portion to the knob portion with a large contact surface, it is possible to restrict the movement of the connector holding portion, which is more advantageous for preventing the connector holding portion from coming off from the engaging portion.

[0016] [4] The regulating part has a third regulating part protruding from the engaging part so as to be located behind the gripping part when the connector holding part is engaged with the engaging part. According to this configuration, since the detachment of the connector holding part from the engaging part is also regulated by the third regulating part, it is possible to make it more difficult for the connector holding part to come off from the engaging part.

[0017] [5] The first regulating part has a protrusion capable of regulating the movement of the connector holding part and a tapered part having a smaller width than the protrusion. According to this configuration, since it is possible to firmly support the connector holding part engaged with the engaging part by the protrusion of the first regulating part, it is more advantageous for preventing the connector holding part from coming off from the engaging part. Further, by providing a tapered part in the first regulating part, it is also possible to provide a finger placement space when gripping the connector holding part. Therefore, it is also possible to improve the workability when attaching and detaching the connector holding part to and from the engaging part.

[0018] [6] The regulating part is formed to be elastically deformable by an operating load applied by an operator when attaching and detaching the connector holding part to and from the engaging part. According to this configuration, it is possible to attach and detach the connector holding part to and from the engaging part while elastically deforming the regulating part. In this way, since the regulating part is not too rigid, it does not interfere with the attachment and detachment of the connector holding part. Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability of attaching and detaching the connector holding part.

[0019] [7] At least one of the connector holding part, the engaging part, and the regulating part is integrally formed with the bracket body. According to this configuration, the structure and the assembling process for assembling the connector holding part, the engaging part, and the regulating part to the bracket body become unnecessary.

[0020] [8] The connector holding part supports the part of the connector where the mating connector is connected. According to this configuration, the part of the connector where a load is likely to be applied is held by the connector holding part. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the connector to fall off from the connector bracket.

[0021] [9] The connector bracket includes a rail-shaped holding portion that attaches and holds the connector by a rail structure. According to this configuration, not only the connector holding portion but also the rail-shaped holding portion holds the connector to the bracket body, so that it is possible to hold the connector at a plurality of locations on the bracket body. Therefore, it is possible to make the connector more difficult to drop off from the connector bracket.

[0022]

[10] When attaching the connector to the rail-shaped holding portion along the guide rail of the rail structure, the connector bracket includes a locking mechanism that fixes the connector to the bracket body by hooking a protrusion formed on one of the connector and the bracket body on the other of them. According to this configuration, it is possible to maintain the state in which the connector is held by the rail-shaped holding portion by the locking mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to make the connector more difficult to drop off from the connector bracket.

[0023]

[11] The rail-shaped holding portion holds the connector on the first surface of the connector. The connector holding portion holds the connector on the second surface, which is the surface opposite to the first surface of the connector. According to this configuration, it is possible to firmly hold the connector to the bracket body by a plurality of surfaces. Therefore, it is possible to make the connector more difficult to drop off from the connector bracket.

[0024]

[12] The rail-shaped holding portion and the connector holding portion are respectively arranged at positions near one end and the other end of the connector in the second direction. According to this configuration, since the connector is held to the bracket body at both ends in the insertion / removal direction of the connector, it is possible to support the connector in a well-balanced manner. Therefore, it is possible to make the connector more difficult to drop off from the connector bracket.

[0025]

[13] When the electric wire is regarded as the first electric wire and the connector is regarded as the first connector, a second connector connected to a second electric wire different from the first electric wire is attached to the bracket body. According to this configuration, it is possible to hold a plurality of connectors with one connector bracket.

[0026]

[14] The wire harness of the present disclosure has a configuration including an electric wire having a connector at an end and a connector bracket that holds the connector on a bracket body. The connector bracket includes a strip-shaped connector holding portion that surrounds the connector and holds it on the bracket body, an engaging portion that engages with the tip of the closed connector holding portion for holding the connector, and when the direction when the connector holding portion engages with the engaging portion is defined as the first direction, a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the connector holding portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction. According to the configuration of this example, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those of the aforementioned connector bracket.

[0027] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may be different from the actual ones.

[0028] [Overview of Wire Harness 1] As shown in FIG. 1, an in-vehicle wire harness 1 electrically connects electrical components provided in a vehicle 2. The wire harness 1 is configured by connecting a plurality of electric wires 3. Each electric wire 3 is electrically connected by connecting the connectors 4 provided at the ends thereof. For example, the electric wire 3 includes a first electric wire 5 and a second electric wire 6. The first electric wire 5 is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable that connects devices constituting an in-vehicle network LAN (Local Area Network). The second electric wire 6 is, for example, a group of electric wires that electrically connect in-vehicle devices.

[0029] The two first electric wires 5 are electrically connected by fitting a first connector 10, which is the connector 4 of one of the first electric wires 5, and a mating connector 11, which is the connector 4 of the other first electric wire 5. The two second electric wires 6 are electrically connected by fitting a second connector 12, which is the connector 4 of one of the second electric wires 6, and a mating connector 13, which is the connector 4 of the other second electric wire 6. In the case of the example in FIG. 1, the mating connector 13 of the second electric wire 6 is not limited to two, and may be, for example, one or three or more.

[0030] The connector 4 is attached to the vehicle body 15 via a connector bracket 14. Only one connector bracket 14 may be provided on the vehicle 2, or a plurality of connector brackets 14 may be provided. The vehicle body 15 to which the connector bracket 14 is attached is, for example, a vehicle body wall portion constituting the driver's seat. A known structure is appropriately used as the fixing structure for attaching the connector bracket 14 to the vehicle body 15.

[0031] The connector bracket 14 includes a bracket main body 16 as an attachment portion to the vehicle body 15. The bracket main body 16 holds, for example, the second connector 12 connected to the second electric wire 6. In this way, the second connector 12 is attached and held to the bracket main body 16 itself. The bracket main body 16 is formed, for example, in a shape in which two opposing side portions are open, and the second connectors 12 are arranged and accommodated inside the openings.

[0032] [Holding Structure of the First Connector 10] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connector bracket 14 includes a holder portion 19 that holds the first connector 10 connected to the first electric wire 5. The holder portion 19 is held, for example, on an outer surface that can be the bottom surface of the bracket main body 16. In this way, the first connector 10 is attached and fixed to the bracket main body 16 via the holder portion 19.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the connector bracket 14 (holder portion 19) includes a rail-shaped holding portion 21 that attaches and holds the first connector 10 by a rail structure, and a band-shaped holding portion 22 that cooperates with the rail-shaped holding portion 21 to hold the first connector 10. The rail-shaped holding portion 21 holds the first connector 10 to the bracket main body 16 by the unevenness of the rail structure. The band-shaped holding portion 22 has a band structure that holds the first connector 10 to the bracket main body 16 by band binding. In this way, the connector bracket 14 holds the first connector 10 at two locations, the rail-shaped holding portion 21 and the band-shaped holding portion 22.

[0034] [Rail-shaped holding portion 21] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the rail-shaped holding portion 21 has a guide rail 23 (see FIGS. 4 etc.) that extends in the linear sliding direction (X-axis direction shown in FIG. 4 etc.) of the first connector 10. A moving rail 24 (see FIG. 3) of the first connector 10 that moves along the guide rail 23 is inserted into the guide rail 23. The guide rail 23 is disposed on an outer surface that can be the bottom surface of the bracket main body 16. The guide rail 23 can be, for example, a T-shaped rail. The moving rail 24 is disposed on an outer surface that can be the upper surface of the first connector 10.

[0035] When attaching the first connector 10 to the rail-shaped holding portion 21, the moving rail 24 of the first connector 10 is inserted into the guide rail 23 of the bracket main body 16, and the first connector 10 is slid in the depth direction (-X-axis direction in FIGS. 3 etc.). Thereby, the first connector 10 is held to the bracket main body 16 by the rail-shaped holding portion 21. Also, when removing the first connector 10 from the rail-shaped holding portion 21, the first connector 10 is slid in the opposite depth direction (+X-axis direction in FIGS. 3 etc.).

[0036] [Lock mechanism 26] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, when attaching the first connector 10 to the rail-shaped holding portion 21 along the guide rail 23 of the rail structure, the connector bracket 14 (holder portion 19) is provided with a locking mechanism 26 for fixing the first connector 10 to the bracket body 16. The locking mechanism 26 fixes the first connector 10 to the bracket body 16, for example, by hooking a protrusion 27 formed on one of the first connector 10 and the bracket body 16 onto the other of them.

[0037] Specifically, the locking mechanism 26 locks the sliding movement of the first connector 10 along the guide rail 23 by hooking the protrusion 27 provided on the bracket body 16 onto the latching protrusion 28 provided on the first connector 10. The protrusion 27 is disposed at the end of the guide rail 23 and is formed in a shape protruding along the linear sliding direction of the rail structure (X-axis direction shown in FIG. 3, etc.). For example, the protrusion 27 has a plate-shaped main body 29 and a claw portion 30 disposed at the tip of the main body 29. A recess 31 into which the latching protrusion 28 is engaged is recessed in the main body 29. The latching protrusion 28 is disposed on the upper surface of the first connector 10.

[0038] When the first connector 10 is inserted all the way into the guide rail 23, the latching protrusion 28 of the first connector 10 enters the recess 31 of the protrusion 27 and the claw portion 30 is hooked onto the latching protrusion 28. In this way, when the locking mechanism 26 is in the locked state, the first connector 10 attached to the guide rail 23 is locked to the bracket body 16.

[0039] [Band-shaped holding portion 22] As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the connector bracket 14 (band-shaped holding portion 22) has a connector holding portion 34 and an engaging portion 35. The connector holding portion 34 is, for example, strip-shaped and holds the first connector 10 around it and holds it on the bracket body 16. In this way, the band-shaped holding portion 22 holds the first connector 10 on the bracket body 16 by a band structure in which the strip-shaped connector holding portion 34 surrounds the first connector 10 from the periphery. The connector holding portion 34 is integrally formed with the bracket body 16. The connector holding portion 34 supports the portion where the mating connector 11 is connected to the first connector 10, specifically, the tip portion of the first connector 10.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the like, the engaging portion 35 has an insertion hole 37 at the bottom for passing the tip of the connector holding portion 34. The engaging portion 35 has an opening 39 on the side surface 38 on the removing side in the direction (X-axis direction in FIGS. 5 and the like) of inserting and removing the first connector 10 with respect to the rail-shaped holding portion 21.

[0041] The engaging portion 35 engages with the tip of the closed connector holding portion 34 for holding the first connector 10. Specifically, the engaging portion 35 has a claw fixing portion 41 that can engage with a claw portion 40 (see FIGS. 6 and the like) provided at the tip of the connector holding portion 34. The connector holding portion 34 is in an open state when the claw portion 40 does not engage with the claw fixing portion 41, and is in a closed state when the claw portion 40 engages with the claw fixing portion 41. The engaging portion 35 is integrally formed with the bracket body 16.

[0042] The connector holding portion 34 has a strip-shaped portion 43 that supports the first connector 10 when closed, and a grip portion 44 provided so as to project from the strip-shaped portion 43. The grip portion 44 is provided, for example, at the tip of the strip-shaped portion 43. The grip portion 44 is a portion that an operator grips with a finger when attaching or detaching the connector holding portion 34 to or from the engaging portion 35. The grip portion 44 is, for example, a wide protruding piece. The opening 39 is provided so as not to interfere with the grip portion 44 when the connector holding portion 34 is closed.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 7, the direction when engaging the connector holding portion 34 with the engaging portion 35 is the operation direction from below (hereinafter referred to as the first direction K1). When the connector holding portion 34 is engaged with the engaging portion 35, since the claw portion 40 at the tip of the connector holding portion 34 and the claw fixing portion 41 are fixed, the movement in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction in Fig. 7) is restricted. In this way, while setting the direction when closing the connector holding portion 34 as the direction from below (the first direction K1), and fixing the claw portion 40 at the tip to the claw fixing portion 41 of the engaging portion 35, the connector holding portion 34 after closing becomes difficult to move in the vertical direction.

[0044] [Restricting portion 47] As shown in Figs. 2, 7, and 8, the connector bracket 14 (holder portion 19) has a restricting portion 47 that restricts the movement of the connector holding portion 34 in a second direction K2 (see Fig. 7) that intersects the first direction K1. The restricting portion 47 is formed to be elastically deformable by an operating load applied by an operator when attaching and detaching the connector holding portion 34 to and from the engaging portion 35. The restricting portion 47 is integrally formed with the bracket body 16. The second direction K2 is, for example, the direction when sliding the first connector 10 along the guide rail 23 of the rail-shaped holding portion 21.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 7 and the like, the restricting portion 47 includes a first restricting portion 49 formed at the edge of the opening 39 so as to contact the outer surface 48 at the tip of the connector holding portion 34, and a second restricting portion 50 that restricts the movement of the connector holding portion 34 in the direction opposite to the first restricting portion 49. The first restricting portion 49 restricts the movement of the connector holding portion 34 in one direction (arrow K2A direction in Fig. 7) of the second direction K2 by contacting the outer surface 48 of the knob portion 44. The second restricting portion 50 is formed on the engaging portion 35 and restricts the movement of the connector holding portion 34 in the other direction (arrow K2B direction in Fig. 7) of the second direction K2 by contacting the inner surface 51 of the knob portion 44.

[0046] The restricting portion 47 has a third restricting portion 53 that protrudes from the engaging portion 35 so as to be located behind the gripping portion 44 when the connector holding portion 34 is engaged with the engaging portion 35. The third restricting portion 53 suppresses the gripping portion 44 from being pushed in a direction that would release the closed state of the connector holding portion 34. The third restricting portion 53 is a portion where a part of the engaging portion 35 is thickened and protrudes.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 8, the first restricting portion 49 has a protrusion 56 that can restrict the movement of the first connector 10 and a tapered portion 57 that is narrower than the protrusion 56. The protrusion 56 is, for example, a wall that protrudes so as to close a part of the opening 39. The tapered portion 57 provides a working space, for example, when an operator attaches and detaches the connector holding portion 34 to and from the engaging portion 35. In this example, the tapered portion 57 can restrict the movement of the first connector 10, for example, by protruding a predetermined amount toward the opening 39 side at its edge.

[0048] [Arrangement relationship between the rail-shaped holding portion 21 and the band-shaped holding portion 22] As shown in FIG. 7, the rail-shaped holding portion 21 holds the first connector 10 on the first surface 60 of the first connector 10. The first surface 60 is, for example, the upper surface of the first connector 10. The connector holding portion 34 holds the first connector 10 on the second surface 61, which is the surface of the first connector 10 opposite to the first surface 60. The second surface 61 is, for example, the bottom surface of the first connector 10.

[0049] The rail-shaped holding portion 21 and the connector holding portion 34 are respectively arranged at positions closer to one end and the other end of the first connector 10 in the second direction K2. Specifically, the rail-shaped holding portion 21 and the connector holding portion 34 are respectively arranged at one end portion 62 and the other end portion 63 of the bracket body 16 in the insertion / removal direction of the first connector 10 (the X-axis direction in FIG. 7), which can be the linear sliding direction of the first connector 10. Thus, the rail-shaped holding portion 21 and the connector holding portion 34 are arranged at both ends separated from each other in the insertion / removal direction of the first connector 10 (the X-axis direction in FIG. 7).

[0050] [Operation] Next, the operation of the connector bracket 14 (wire harness 1) of the present embodiment will be described.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 9, when attaching the first connector 10 to the connector bracket 14, first, the first connector 10 is inserted into the band-shaped holding portion 22 where the connector holding portion 34 is not in the closed state. That is, the first connector 10 is inserted in the direction of arrow A in the figure so as to fit inside the connector holding portion 34 in the open state.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 10, after inserting the first connector 10 inside the connector holding portion 34 in the open state, the first connector 10 is attached to the rail-shaped holding portion 21 of the connector bracket 14. Specifically, the first connector 10 inserted inside the connector holding portion 34 in the open state is pulled in the forward direction (the direction of arrow B in the figure), so that the moving rail 24 of the first connector 10 is inserted into the guide rail 23 of the rail-shaped holding portion 21.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 11, the moving rail 24 of the first connector 10 is inserted deep into the guide rail 23 of the rail-shaped holding portion 21, and then further pushed in the direction of arrow C in the figure with a finger or the like. At this time, the first connector 10 is fixed to the rail-shaped holding portion 21 by the locking mechanism 26. That is, when the first connector 10 is inserted deep into the guide rail 23 of the connector bracket 14, the protrusion 27 of the bracket body 16 is caught by the latching protrusion 28 of the first connector 10, thereby being locked.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 12, after inserting and locking the first connector 10 deep into the guide rail 23 of the rail-shaped holding portion 21, the first connector 10 is further held by the connector holding portion 34. For example, the claw portion 40 at the tip of the connector holding portion 34 is inserted into the insertion hole 37 of the engaging portion 35 from below (the first direction indicated by "K1"), and then the claw portion 40 is engaged with the claw fixing portion 41 of the engaging portion 35.

[0055] Incidentally, the connector bracket 14 is packaged and shipped to the market with the connector holding portion 34 engaged with the engaging portion 35. Therefore, if a load in the release direction is applied to the connector holding portion 34 when the connector bracket 14 is being packaged or taken out of the box, the connector holding portion 34 may unintentionally become disengaged from the engaging portion 35. If the connector holding portion 34 becomes disengaged from the engaging portion 35, it is also assumed that the connector holding portion 34 may be deformed unintentionally. Therefore, it is desired to maintain the state in which the connector holding portion 34 is engaged with the engaging portion 35.

[0056] In the case of this example, even if a load in the release direction is applied to the connector holding portion 34, the position of the connector holding portion 34 is regulated by the regulating portion 47, so it is easy to keep the connector holding portion 34 engaged with the engaging portion 35. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for a situation in which the connector holding portion 34 is unintentionally disengaged from the engaging portion 35 to occur.

[0057] [Effects of the Embodiment] According to the connector bracket 14 (wire harness 1) of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0058] (1) The connector bracket 14 holds the first connector 10 provided at the end of the first electric wire 5 on the bracket main body 16. The connector bracket 14 includes a belt-shaped connector holding portion 34, an engaging portion 35, and a regulating portion 47. The connector holding portion 34 surrounds the first connector 10 and holds it on the bracket main body 16. The engaging portion 35 engages with the tip of the closed connector holding portion 34 for holding the first connector 10. When the direction when the connector holding portion 34 engages with the engaging portion 35 is defined as the first direction K1, the regulating portion 47 regulates the movement of the connector holding portion 34 in the second direction K2 that intersects the first direction K1.

[0059] According to the configuration of this example, the first connector 10 is surrounded by the connector holding portion 34 from the periphery, and the tip of the connector holding portion 34 is engaged with the engaging portion 35 while closing the connector holding portion 34 from the first direction K1. Thereby, the first connector 10 is held by the connector holding portion 34 to the bracket main body 16. In this held state, even if a load in the second direction K2 in which the connector holding portion 34 can drop off from the engaging portion 35 is applied to the connector holding portion 34, the movement of the connector holding portion 34 in the second direction K2 is restricted by the restricting portion 47. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the connector holding portion 34 to come off from the engaging portion 35.

[0060] (2) The engaging portion 35 has an opening 39 on one side surface 38 in the second direction K2. The restricting portion 47 has a first restricting portion 49 and a second restricting portion 50. The first restricting portion 49 is formed at the edge of the opening 39 so as to contact the outer surface 48 of the tip of the connector holding portion 34, thereby restricting the movement of the connector holding portion 34 in one direction in the second direction K2. The second restricting portion 50 is formed on the engaging portion 35 so as to restrict the movement of the connector holding portion 34 in the other direction in the second direction K2.

[0061] According to this configuration, the movement of the connector holding portion 34 in one direction (the direction of arrow K2A in FIG. 7) in the second direction K2 is restricted by the first restricting portion 49, and the movement of the connector holding portion 34 in the other direction (the direction of arrow K2B in FIG. 7) in the second direction K2 is restricted by the second restricting portion 50. For this reason, it becomes possible to position and hold the connector holding portion 34 so as not to move in both directions of the second direction K2 by the first restricting portion 49 and the second restricting portion 50. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the connector holding portion 34 from moving in the second direction K2 and coming off from the engaging portion 35.

[0062] (3) The connector holding portion 34 has a knob portion 44 provided so as to project from a strip portion 43 that supports the first connector 10 when closed, at the tip of the strip portion 43. The opening 39 is provided so as not to interfere with the knob portion 44 when closing the connector holding portion 34. The first restricting portion 49 restricts the movement of the connector holding portion 34 in one direction of the second direction K2 by contacting the outer surface 48 of the knob portion 44. The second restricting portion 50 is formed on the engaging portion 35 and restricts the movement of the connector holding portion 34 in the other direction of the second direction K2 by contacting the inner surface 51 of the knob portion 44.

[0063] According to this configuration, since it becomes easier to hold the connector holding portion 34 with the knob portion 44 by a finger or the like, it is possible to improve the workability when attaching and detaching the connector holding portion 34 to and from the engaging portion 35. Further, by applying the restricting portion 47 to the knob portion 44 having a large contact surface, it is possible to restrict the movement of the connector holding portion 34, which is more advantageous for preventing the connector holding portion 34 from coming off the engaging portion 35.

[0064] (4) The restricting portion 47 has a third restricting portion 53 projecting from the engaging portion 35 so as to be located at the back of the knob portion 44 when the connector holding portion 34 is engaged with the engaging portion 35. According to this configuration, since the third restricting portion 53 also restricts the detachment of the connector holding portion 34 from the engaging portion 35, it is possible to make it even more difficult for the connector holding portion 34 to come off the engaging portion 35.

[0065] (5) The first restricting portion 49 has a protrusion 56 capable of restricting the movement of the connector holding portion 34 and a cutout portion 57 having a smaller width than the protrusion 56. According to this configuration, it is possible to firmly support the connector holding portion 34 engaged with the engaging portion 35 with the protrusion 56 of the first restricting portion 49, which is more advantageous for preventing the connector holding portion 34 from coming off the engaging portion 35. Further, by providing the cutout portion 57 in the first restricting portion 49, it is also possible to provide a finger placement space when gripping the connector holding portion 34. Therefore, the workability when attaching and detaching the connector holding portion 34 to and from the engaging portion 35 can also be improved.

[0066] (6) The restricting portion 47 is formed to be elastically deformable by the operating load applied by the operator when attaching / detaching the connector holding portion 34 to / from the engaging portion 35. According to this configuration, it becomes possible to attach / detach the connector holding portion 34 to / from the engaging portion 35 while elastically deforming the restricting portion 47. In this way, since the restricting portion 47 is not too rigid, it does not interfere with the attachment / detachment of the connector holding portion 34. Therefore, the workability of attaching / detaching the connector holding portion 34 can be improved.

[0067] (7) At least one of the connector holding portion 34, the engaging portion 35, and the restricting portion 47 is integrally formed with the bracket main body 16. According to this configuration, the structure and the assembling process for assembling the connector holding portion 34, the engaging portion 35, and the restricting portion 47 to the bracket main body 16 become unnecessary.

[0068] (8) The connector holding portion 34 supports the portion where the mating connector 11 is connected in the first connector 10. According to this configuration, the connector holding portion 34 holds the portion where the load is likely to be applied in the first connector 10. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the first connector 10 to fall off from the connector bracket 14.

[0069] (9) The connector bracket 14 includes a rail-shaped holding portion 21 that attaches and holds the first connector 10 by a rail structure. According to this configuration, not only the connector holding portion 34 but also the rail-shaped holding portion 21 holds the first connector 10 to the bracket main body 16, so it becomes possible to hold the first connector 10 at a plurality of locations on the bracket main body 16. Therefore, it is possible to make it even more difficult for the first connector 10 to fall off from the connector bracket 14.

[0070] (10) The connector bracket 14 is provided with a locking mechanism 26. When attaching the first connector 10 to the rail-shaped holding portion 21 along the guide rail 23 of the rail structure, the locking mechanism 26 fixes the first connector 10 to the bracket main body 16 by hooking a protrusion 27 formed on one of the first connector 10 and the bracket main body 16 onto the other. According to this configuration, it is possible to maintain the state in which the first connector 10 is held by the rail-shaped holding portion 21 by the locking mechanism 26. Therefore, it is possible to make the first connector 10 more difficult to fall off from the connector bracket 14.

[0071] (11) The rail-shaped holding portion 21 holds the first connector 10 on the first surface 60 of the first connector 10. The connector holding portion 34 holds the first connector 10 on the second surface 61 which is the surface opposite to the first surface 60 of the first connector 10. According to this configuration, it is possible to firmly hold the first connector 10 to the bracket main body 16 by a plurality of surfaces. Therefore, it is possible to make the first connector 10 more difficult to fall off from the connector bracket 14.

[0072] (12) The rail-shaped holding portion 21 and the connector holding portion 34 are respectively arranged at positions closer to one end and the other end of the first connector 10 in the second direction K2. According to this configuration, since the first connector 10 is held by the bracket main body 16 at both ends in the insertion / removal direction of the first connector 10, it is possible to support the first connector 10 in a well-balanced manner. Therefore, it is possible to make the first connector 10 more difficult to fall off from the connector bracket 14.

[0073] (13) A second connector 12 connected to a second electric wire 6 different from the first electric wire 5 is attached to the bracket main body 16. According to this configuration, a plurality of connectors 4 can be held by one connector bracket 14.

[0074] [Other Embodiments] Note that this embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other as long as there is no technical conflict.

[0075] · The restricting portion 47 may be a single U-shaped cross-sectional member. In this case, the connector holding portion 34 is sandwiched inside the U-shape to maintain its position. · The first restricting portion 49 may have a shape having, for example, only the protrusion 56.

[0076] · The first restricting portion 49 may have a shape that covers most of the opening 39. · The second restricting portion 50 may be the wall that forms the insertion hole 37 of the engaging portion 35. · The third restricting portion 53 may be omitted.

[0077] · The knob portion 44 may be provided at a portion other than the tip of the connector holding portion 34, rather than at the tip. · The connector holding portion 34 may have a shape in which the knob portion 44 is omitted.

[0078] · In the rail-shaped holding portion 21, the guide rail 23 may be provided on the first connector 10, and the moving rail 24 may be provided on the connector bracket 14. · The rail structure of the rail-shaped holding portion 21 may be any structure that allows the first connector 10 to be attached and detached along the rail portion.

[0079] · The band-shaped holding portion 22 may be arranged anywhere as long as it can support the first connector 10. · The first surface 60 on which the rail-shaped holding portion 21 is arranged is not limited to the upper surface of the first connector 10, and may be changed to, for example, the side portion of the first connector 10.

[0080] · The second surface 61 on which the band-shaped holding portion 22 is arranged is not limited to the bottom surface of the first connector 10, and may be changed to, for example, the upper surface or the side portion of the first connector 10. · The rail-shaped holding portion 21 and the band-shaped holding portion 22 may be arranged at the same end of the first connector 10.

[0081] · The rail-shaped holding part 21 may be omitted. · The locking mechanism 26 may be changed to various structures as long as it can fix the first connector 10 inserted into the guide rail 23 to the bracket body 16.

[0082] · The connector bracket 14 may omit the part that holds the second connector 12. · The wire harness 1 may be a group of wires 3 bundled together. Also, the wire harness 1 may be a wire member whose periphery is covered with a covering material.

[0083] · The wire harness 1 is not limited to in-vehicle use and may be used in other devices or apparatuses. · Although the present disclosure has been described based on the embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or structures. The present disclosure includes various modifications and modifications within the equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and forms, and further other combinations and forms including only one element, more, or less thereof, are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0084] 1 Wire harness 3 Wire 4 Connector 5 First wire 6 Second wire 10 First connector 11 Mate connector 12 Second connector 13 Mate connector 14 Connector bracket 15 Vehicle body 16 Bracket body 19 Holder part 21 Rail-shaped holding part 22 Band-shaped holding part 23 Guide rail 24 Moving rail 26 Locking mechanism 27 Projection 28 Locking projection 29 Body 30 Claw part 31 Recess 34 Connector holding part 35 Engaging part 37 Insertion hole 38 Side surface 39 Opening 40 Claw part 41 Claw fixing part 43 Belt-like part 44 Knob part 47 Regulation part 48 Outer surface 49 First regulation part 50 Second regulation part 51 Inner surface 53 Third regulation part 56 Projection 57 Undercut part 60 First surface 61 Second surface 62 End part 63 End part K1 First direction K2 Second direction

Claims

1. A connector bracket for holding a connector provided at an end of an electric wire to a bracket body, a belt-shaped connector holding portion that surrounds the connector and holds it to the bracket body, an engaging portion that engages with a tip of the closed connector holding portion for holding the connector, a restricting portion that restricts movement of the connector holding portion in a second direction intersecting with the first direction when the direction when the connector holding portion engages with the engaging portion is defined as the first direction, the engaging portion has an opening on one side surface in the second direction, the restricting portion is formed at an edge of the opening so as to contact an outer surface of a tip of the connector holding portion, and includes a first restricting portion that restricts movement of the connector holding portion in one direction in the second direction, and a second restricting portion formed on the engaging portion so as to restrict movement of the connector holding portion in the other direction in the second direction, the connector holding portion has a grip portion protruding from a belt-shaped portion that supports the connector when closed at a tip of the belt-shaped portion, the opening is provided so as not to interfere with the grip portion when the connector holding portion is closed, the first restricting portion restricts movement of the connector holding portion in one direction in the second direction by contacting the outer surface of the grip portion, the second restricting portion is formed on the engaging portion and restricts movement of the connector holding portion in the other direction in the second direction by contacting an inner surface of the grip portion, the connector bracket.

2. The connector bracket according to claim 1, wherein the restricting portion has a third restricting portion protruding from the engaging portion so as to be located at a back surface of the grip portion when the connector holding portion is engaged with the engaging portion.

3. The connector bracket according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first restricting portion has a protrusion capable of restricting movement of the connector holding portion and a tapered portion having a width smaller than that of the protrusion.

4. The connector bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the restricting portion is formed to be elastically deformable by an operating load applied by an operator when attaching and detaching the connector holding portion to and from the engaging portion.

5. The connector bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the connector holding portion, the engaging portion, and the restricting portion is integrally formed with the bracket body.

6. The connector bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connector holding portion supports a portion of the connector to which a mating connector is connected.

7. It includes a rail-shaped holding portion that attaches and holds the connector by a rail structure. The connector bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The connector bracket according to claim 7, further comprising a locking mechanism for fixing the connector to the bracket body by hooking a protrusion formed on one of the connector and the bracket body on the other when attaching the connector to the rail-shaped holding portion along the guide rail of the rail structure.

9. The rail-shaped holding portion holds the connector on the first surface of the connector. The connector bracket according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the connector holding portion holds the connector on a second surface, which is a surface opposite to the first surface, of the connector.

10. The connector bracket according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the rail-shaped holding portion and the connector holding portion are respectively arranged at positions closer to one end and the other end of the connector in the second direction.

11. The connector bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein when the electric wire is used as a first electric wire and the connector is used as a first connector, a second connector connected to a second electric wire different from the first electric wire is attached to the bracket body.

12. A wire harness comprising an electric wire having a connector at an end and a connector bracket for holding the connector to a bracket body, wherein the connector bracket comprises a belt-shaped connector holding portion that surrounds the connector and holds it to the bracket body, an engaging portion that engages with the tip of the closed connector holding portion for holding the connector, and a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the connector holding portion in a second direction that intersects the first direction when the first direction is defined as the direction when the connector holding portion engages with the engaging portion. The engaging portion has an opening on one side surface in the second direction. The regulation unit includes a first regulation unit formed at an edge of the opening so as to contact an outer surface of a tip of the connector holding unit, and the first regulation unit regulates movement of the connector holding unit in one direction of the second direction; and a second regulation unit formed at the engaging unit so as to regulate movement of the connector holding unit in the other direction of the second direction. The connector holding unit has a knob portion provided so as to project from a belt-like portion that supports the connector when closed, at a tip of the belt-like portion. The opening is provided so as not to interfere with the knob portion when the connector holding unit is closed. The first regulation unit regulates movement of the connector holding unit in one direction of the second direction by contacting the outer surface of the knob portion. The second regulation unit is formed at the engaging unit and regulates movement of the connector holding unit in the other direction of the second direction by contacting an inner surface of the knob portion. A wire harness.

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