Connection structure

Abstract

To provide a connection structure for suppressing damage of a structure related to connection between a cover and a housing.SOLUTION: A connection structure is a structure for connecting a housing 1 and a cover 2. An engaging part 23 projecting from a body part 21 arranged in an opening of the housing 1 is provided in the cover 2. The engaging part 23 includes: a first projection part 231 projecting in an outer direction α1 of an inner-outer direction α; and a second projection part 232 which continues with the first projection prat 231 and extends in a front-rear direction X. A housing groove 123 for housing the engaging part 23 is provided in the housing 1. The housing groove 123 includes: a first groove 123A extending in the inner-outer direction α; and a second groove 123B which continues with the first groove 123A and extends in the front-rear direction X. In a state in which the housing 1 and the cover 2 are connected, the first projection part 231 is housed in the first groove 123A and the second projection part 232 is housed in the second groove 123B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure. [Background technology]

[0002] A covered connector is known that includes a housing that accommodates terminals and a cover that is attached to the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a male connector that includes a male housing, a plurality of male terminals attached to the housing, a board attached to the base ends of the male terminals, and a board cover that protects the board. The board cover is box-shaped, and a pair of engaging portions formed in the shape of a rectangular frame that extends in the direction of connection with the housing is provided on both left and right sides of the board cover. When the board cover is attached to the housing, the engaging portions engage with the locking protrusions formed on the housing so as to accommodate the locking protrusions inside. This holds the board cover in the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-161493 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The housing has an accommodating groove formed therein that extends in the connection direction. The accommodating groove is composed of a pair of ribs that extend in the connection direction and that rise to sandwich the locking protrusion. The tip of the engaging portion that is engaged with the locking protrusion is accommodated and protected within the accommodating groove.

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned connector, although the tip of the engaging portion when engaged with the locking protrusion is protected by a pair of ribs, the base end of the engaging portion is exposed to the outside, and therefore there is a risk that the base end may be damaged if an impact or the like is applied to the base end of the engaging portion.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure that prevents damage to the structure relating to the connection between the cover and the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a connection structure is provided which connects a housing which accommodates terminals and a cover which opens and closes an opening provided in the housing, the cover is provided with a main body portion which is disposed within the opening and an engaging portion which protrudes from the main body portion, the engaging portion comprising: a first protruding portion which protrudes outward from the main body portion in an inward / outward direction toward the inside and outside of the opening, and a second protruding portion which is continuous with the first protruding portion and extends in an opening / closing direction which is a direction perpendicular to the inward / outward direction and in which the cover is opened and closed, the housing is provided with an accommodating groove which accommodates the engaging portion, the accommodating groove comprising: a first groove which extends in the inward / outward direction and a second groove which is continuous with the first groove and extends in the opening / closing direction, and when the housing and the cover are connected, the first protruding portion is accommodated in the first groove, and the second protruding portion is accommodated in the second groove. The engaging portion has a predetermined width in a width direction intersecting the opening / closing direction, and both ends of the engaging portion in the width direction abut against inner wall surfaces of the accommodation groove, thereby guiding the engaging portion in the opening / closing direction. The housing is provided with a pair of first ribs that face each other at a distance in the width direction, protrude from an opening edge of the opening in the opening / closing direction, and extend in the inward / outward direction, and a pair of second ribs that face each other at a distance in the width direction and extend from the opening edge in the opening / closing direction, the first ribs constituting the first groove, and the second ribs constituting the second groove. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a connection structure can be obtained that prevents damage to the structure relating to the connection between the cover and the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1A is a perspective view of a housing that constitutes a connection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a cover that constitutes a connection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] (A) is an enlarged view of region A in FIG. 1(A), and (B) is an enlarged view of region B in FIG. 1(B). [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the housing and cover in a connected state. [Figure 4](A) is a plan view showing the housing and cover before connection, (B) is a plan view showing the housing and cover in the middle of connection, and (C) is a plan view showing the housing and cover after connection is complete. [Figure 5] (A) is a cross-sectional view showing the housing and cover before connection, (B) is a cross-sectional view showing the housing and cover in the middle of connection, and (C) is a cross-sectional view showing the housing and cover after connection is complete. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The connection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is a structure for connecting a housing 1 that constitutes a part of a wire harness to be installed in a vehicle or the like, to a cover 2 that opens and closes an opening of the housing 1.

[0011] In the drawings, X, Y, and Z are directions that intersect at right angles (intersect) with one another. The opening direction of the housing 1 in which the cover 2 opens and closes is referred to as the front-rear direction, and is referred to as the "front-rear direction X." One side of the front-rear direction X is referred to as the "front side X1," and the other side is referred to as the "rear side X2." The left-right direction of the housing 1 is referred to as the "left-right direction Y." One side of the left-right direction Y is referred to as the "left side Y1," and the other side is referred to as the "right side Y2." The height direction of the housing 1 is referred to as the "height direction Z." One side of the height direction Z is referred to as the "upper side Z1," and the other side is referred to as the "lower side Z2." This is merely for convenience of explanation and does not necessarily coincide with the directions in actual use, and does not limit the directions in actual use.

[0012] The housing 1 is a cylindrical housing member that accommodates a terminal-equipped wire (not shown) and a mating terminal that is connected to the terminal of the terminal-equipped wire, and includes a first housing 11, a second housing 12, and a third housing 13 formed of a material such as resin.

[0013] The first housing 11 is a housing through which the electric wire of the above-mentioned electric wire with terminal is inserted. As shown in Fig. 1(A), this first housing 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the height direction Z, and a plurality of first housings 11 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction Y. In this embodiment, four first housings 11 are formed, but the number of first housings 11 is not limited to this, and may be four or less or four or more.

[0014] The second housing 12 is a housing that accommodates the terminals of the above-mentioned terminal-attached electric wire. The second housing 12 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a bottom that extends in the front-rear direction X and opens to the front side X1, and is made up of a bottom wall 121 that is substantially oval and long in the left-right direction Y, and a side wall 122 that rises from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 121 to the front side X1.

[0015] The bottom wall 121 is formed with three partition plates 1211 that rise from the front side X1 and extend in the height direction Z and are spaced apart in the left-right direction Y. These partition plates 1211 divide the space inside the second housing 12 into four terminal accommodating chambers S that are aligned in the left-right direction Y. A first hole 1211a that opens in the front-rear direction X is formed in the bottom wall 121 of each terminal accommodating chamber S. An end of an upper side Z1 of a terminal-attached electric wire is inserted into the first hole 1211a.

[0016] The side wall 122 is formed in a plate shape surrounding the edge of the bottom wall 121. An end of the upper side Z1 of the first housing 11 is connected to a lower side Z2 portion of the side wall 122. A second hole portion 122a penetrating in the height direction Z is formed in the lower portion of this side wall 122, and the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 communicate with each other via the second hole portion 122a.

[0017] An end portion of the side wall 122 on the front side X1 forms an opening edge portion 122b of the second housing 12. The opening edge portion 122b is formed in a curved shape that convexly faces the front side X1 so that an engaging portion 23 with an L-shaped cross section provided on the cover 2, which will be described later, can easily fit therein.

[0018] A packing P is attached to the inner surface of the side wall 122 along the edge of the opening, and the packing P seals the gap between the second housing 12 and the cover 2. Note that the packing P does not necessarily have to be attached to the inner surface of the side wall 122, and may be disposed on the cover 2 side.

[0019] An accommodation groove 123 extending in the front-rear direction X is formed on the outer surface of the side wall 122. The accommodation groove 123 is a portion that accommodates the engagement portion 23 of the cover 2, which will be described later. As shown in FIG. 2(A), the accommodation groove 123 includes a first groove 123A and a second groove 123B. In FIGS. 2(A), 2(B), 4, and 5, the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction X (opening / closing direction) and extending toward the inside and outside of the opening edge portion 122b (opening) is referred to as the "inside-outside direction α," and one side of the inside-outside direction α is referred to as the "outside direction α1," and the other side is referred to as the "inside direction α2." In addition, the width direction of the accommodation groove 123, which is a direction that intersects with the front-rear direction X, is referred to as the "width direction β."

[0020] 2(A), the first groove 123A is a groove extending in the inward-outward direction α. The first groove 123A is configured by a pair of first ribs 123a that face each other with a gap in the width direction β, protrude from the opening edge portion 122b to the front side X1, and extend in the inward-outward direction α.

[0021] 2(A), the second groove 123B is a groove extending in the front-rear direction X. The second groove 123B is formed by a pair of second ribs 123b that face each other with a gap in between in the width direction β and extend from the opening edge portion 122b to the rear side X2.

[0022] A locking protrusion 124 that rises toward the outside α1 of the second housing 12 is formed inside the accommodation groove 123. The locking protrusion 124 is a part that locks the engaging portion 23 of the cover 2, and is designed to fit into an engaging hole 234 of the engaging portion 23 as shown in FIG.

[0023] The third housing 13 is a housing that accommodates mating terminals to be connected to the terminals of the terminal-attached electric wire. The third housing 13 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens to the rear side X2, and is connected to an upper side Z1 portion of the rear side X2 surface of the bottom wall 121 of the second housing 12. Although not shown, four mating terminal accommodating chambers are formed inside the third housing 13, partitioned in the left-right direction Y, and these mating terminal accommodating chambers communicate with the corresponding terminal accommodating chambers S via the first hole portions 1211a formed in the above-mentioned terminal accommodating chambers S.

[0024] The cover 2 is a lid member that opens and closes the opening of the second housing 12 (housing 1). The cover 2 may be made of various materials, such as resin or conductive materials, depending on the intended use of the housing 1, and may have a shielding function when the terminal-equipped electric wire housed in the housing 1 is a shielded electric wire. As shown in FIG. 1(B), the cover 2 includes a main body portion 21, a sealing portion 22, and an engaging portion 23.

[0025] The main body 21 is formed in a generally oval plate shape that fits into and closes the opening of the second housing 12. That is, the main body 21 is disposed within the opening of the second housing 12.

[0026] The sealing portion 22 rises from the surface of the rear side X2 of the main body portion 21 toward the rear side X2 and is formed so as to surround the main body portion 21 along the edge of the main body portion 21. When the cover 2 is attached to the housing 1, the outer surface of the sealing portion 22 abuts against the inner surface of the packing P attached to the side wall 122 described above, thereby sealing the gap between the housing 1 and the cover 2.

[0027] The engaging portion 23 is made of an elastic member having a predetermined width in the width direction β, and is formed with an L-shaped cross section protruding from the main body portion 21. As shown in FIG. 2(B), the engaging portion 23 includes a pair of first protruding portions 231, a pair of second protruding portions 232, and a connecting portion 233.

[0028] The pair of first protrusions 231 face each other at an interval in the width direction β, and each protrudes outward α1 (outward) from an edge of the main body 21. The pair of second protrusions 232 are continuous with the pair of first protrusions 231, and extend from the protruding end of the first protrusion 231 toward the rear side X2. The dimension in the width direction β from one to the other of the pair of first protrusions 231 (the dimension in the width direction β from one to the other of the pair of second protrusions 232) is set to be approximately the same as the groove width of the accommodating groove 123. As a result, when the cover 2 is connected to the housing 1, both ends of the engaging portion 23 in the width direction β abut against the inner wall surfaces of the accommodating groove 123, thereby guiding the engaging portion 23 in the front-rear direction X.

[0029] The connecting portion 233 extends in the width direction β and connects the rear side X2 ends of the pair of second protruding portions 232. With this structure, an engaging hole 234 is formed in the center of the engaging portion 23, surrounded by the first protruding portion 231, the second protruding portion 232, and the connecting portion 233, and penetrating in the height direction Z and the front-rear direction X. The engaging hole 234 is adapted to receive the locking protrusion 124 described above, thereby fixing the cover 2 to the housing 1 as shown in FIG.

[0030] Next, the connection between the housing 1 and the cover 2 will be described. Fig. 4(A) is a plan view showing the housing 1 and cover 2 before connection, Fig. 4(B) is a plan view showing the housing 1 and cover 2 in the middle of connection, and Fig. 4(C) is a plan view showing the housing 1 and cover 2 in the completed connection. Fig. 5(A) is a cross-sectional view showing the housing 1 and cover 2 before connection, Fig. 5(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the housing 1 and cover 2 in the middle of connection, and Fig. 5(C) is a cross-sectional view showing the housing 1 and cover 2 in the completed connection.

[0031] First, as shown in Fig. 4(A), the cover 2 is placed in a position where the connecting portion 233 of the engaging portion 23 and the opening edge portion 122b of the accommodation groove 123 face each other in the front-rear direction X. At this time, as shown in Fig. 5(A), As shown in FIG. 1, the position of the cover 2 is adjusted so that the end of the outer side α1 of the connecting portion 233 is positioned inward α2 from the end of the outer side α1 of the receiving groove 123.

[0032] 4(B), the cover 2 is moved to the rear side X2. At this time, the outer wall surface of the second protruding portion 232 of the engaging portion 23 in the width direction β slides against the inner wall surfaces of the first rib 123a and the second rib 123b, thereby guiding the engaging portion 23 in the front-rear direction X. As a result, the cover 2 is connected to the housing 1 without shifting its position relative to the housing 1.

[0033] When the cover 2 is further moved toward the rear side X2, as shown in FIGS. 4(C) and 5(C), the connecting portion 233 moves over the locking protrusion 124 while elastically deforming outward α1. As a result, the locking protrusion 124 fits into the engaging hole 234 of the engaging portion 23. In this state, the end of the connecting portion 233 on the front side X1 abuts against the end of the locking protrusion 124 on the rear side X2, thereby locking the engaging portion 23. In this state, the engaging portion 23, which has an L-shaped cross section, is hooked onto the opening edge portion 122b like a hook, thereby restricting displacement of the cover 2 relative to the housing 1.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4(C) and 5(C), when the connection between the housing 1 and the cover 2 is complete, the first protrusion 231 is accommodated in the first groove 123A, and the second protrusion 232 is accommodated in the second groove 123B.

[0035] According to the above-described embodiment, the connection structure connects a housing 1 that accommodates terminals and a cover 2 that opens and closes an opening provided in the housing 1. The cover 2 is provided with a main body 21 that is disposed within the opening and an engaging portion 23 that protrudes from the main body 21. The engaging portion 23 includes a first protruding portion 231 that protrudes outward α1 in the inward-outward direction α from the main body 21, and a second protruding portion 232 that is continuous with the first protruding portion 231 and extends in the front-rear direction X (opening and closing direction). The housing 1 is provided with an accommodating groove 123 that accommodates the engaging portion 23. The accommodating groove 123 includes a first groove 123A that extends in the inward-outward direction α and a second groove 123B that is continuous with the first groove 123A and extends in the front-rear direction X. When the housing 1 and the cover 2 are connected, the first protruding portion 231 is accommodated in the first groove 123A, and the second protruding portion 232 is accommodated in the second groove 123B.

[0036] According to this configuration, when the housing 1 and the cover 2 are connected, the main body 21 of the cover 2 is disposed within the opening of the housing 1, the first protruding portion 231 of the engaging portion 23 of the cover 2 is housed in the first groove 123A of the accommodating groove 123, and the second protruding portion 232 is housed in the second groove 123B of the accommodating groove 123. As a result, no part of the engaging portion 23 is exposed to the outside, and damage to the engaging portion 23 can be suppressed when an impact or the like is applied to the engaging portion 23. Therefore, a connection structure can be obtained that suppresses damage to the structure related to the connection between the cover 2 and the housing 1.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the engaging portion 23 has a predetermined width in the width direction β, and both ends of the engaging portion 23 in the width direction β abut against the inner wall surfaces of the accommodating groove 123, thereby guiding the engaging portion 23 in the front-to-rear direction X. With this configuration, the engaging portion 23 is guided by the inner wall surfaces of the accommodating groove 123, allowing the cover 2 to be smoothly connected to the housing 1. Furthermore, since the accommodating groove 123 thus functions as a guide that determines the position when connecting the cover 2 to the housing 1, there is no need to provide additional positioning guides in other parts of the housing 1 or the cover 2, and the structures of the housing 1 and the cover 2 can be made smaller accordingly.

[0038] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the pair of first ribs 123a formed on the housing 1 can form the first groove 123A, and the pair of second ribs 123b formed on the housing 1 can form the second groove 123B.

[0039] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, engaging portion 23 is formed with an L-shaped cross section by first protruding portion 231 and second protruding portion 232. Therefore, engaging portion 23 can be hooked onto opening edge portion 122b like a hook, thereby restricting displacement of cover 2 relative to housing 1, and the state in which cover 2 is connected to housing 1 can be stably maintained.

[0040] Above, one embodiment of the connection structure has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes design changes and the like that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0041] For example, in the present embodiment, the first groove 123A of the accommodating groove 123 is formed using the first rib 123a, but the structure of the first groove 123A is not limited thereto. For example, the first groove 123A may be formed by forming a recess recessed toward the rear side X2 in a portion of the opening edge portion 122b of the second housing 12 that forms the accommodating groove 123. Furthermore, while the second groove 123B of the accommodating groove 123 is formed using the second rib 123b, the structure of the second groove 123B is not limited thereto. For example, the second groove 123B may be formed by forming a recess recessed downward in the outer surface of the side wall 122. With this configuration, damage to the accommodating groove 123 due to chipping of the first rib 123a or the second rib 123b is prevented, and the connection structure can be maintained stably. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] α Internal and external direction X Front and back direction (opening / closing direction) 1. Housing 123 Storage groove 123A First groove 123B Second groove 2 Cover 21 Main body 23 Engagement part 231 First protrusion 232 Second protrusion

Claims

1. A connection structure for connecting a housing that accommodates terminals and a cover that opens and closes an opening provided in the housing, The cover is provided with a main body portion disposed in the opening and an engagement portion protruding from the main body portion, the engaging portion includes a first protruding portion that protrudes outward from the main body portion in an inward / outward direction toward the inside and outside of the opening, and a second protruding portion that is continuous with the first protruding portion and extends in an opening / closing direction that is a direction perpendicular to the inward / outward direction and in which the cover is opened and closed, The housing is provided with an accommodation groove for accommodating the engagement portion, the accommodation groove includes a first groove extending in the inward / outward direction and a second groove continuing from the first groove and extending in the opening / closing direction, When the housing and the cover are connected, the first protrusion is accommodated in the first groove, and the second protrusion is accommodated in the second groove, the engaging portion has a predetermined width in a width direction intersecting the opening / closing direction, and both ends of the engaging portion in the width direction abut on inner wall surfaces of the accommodating groove, thereby guiding the engaging portion in the opening / closing direction, The housing is provided with a pair of first ribs that face each other at an interval in the width direction, protrude from an opening edge portion of the opening in the opening / closing direction, and extend in the inward / outward direction, and a pair of second ribs that face each other at an interval in the width direction and extend from the opening edge portion in the opening / closing direction, the first rib defines the first groove; A connection structure in which the second rib constitutes the second groove.

2. 2. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is formed with an L-shaped cross section by the first protruding portion that protrudes in the inward / outward direction from the edge of the main body portion, and the second protruding portion that extends in the opening / closing direction from the protruding end of the first protruding portion.

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