Locking structure

Abstract

To provide a lock structure capable of making a fitting position inconspicuous.SOLUTION: A lock structure 1 comprises: an engagement member 100 that includes an engaging-side structure 110 extending along a height direction X and an engagement projection part 120 formed at a tip part of the engaging-side structure 110; and an engaged member 200 that includes an engaged-side structure 210 extending in a first width direction Y and an engaged part 220 extending in an attachment / detachment direction X1 along the height direction X from the engaged-side structure 210 and elastically deformable in a second direction. The engaged part 220 includes an engaged hole part 220H formed in a coupling angle part 230 positioned between the engaged part and the engaged-side structure 210, and to be engaged with the engagement projection part 120 by insertion of the engagement projection part 120 into it. The engagement projection part 120 includes a mating surface 120S, which is aligned with an outer surface of the engaged member 100 when the engaged hole part 220H is engaged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking structure.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose a locking structure including a claw-shaped locking portion protruding outward from a wall of a housing member and a locking portion provided on a wall of a lid member that covers the wall from the outside and locked to the locking portion in an assembled state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the locking structures described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 mentioned above are provided on the outer surface side of the constituent members. Therefore, when the constituent members are fitted through the locking structure, there is a risk that the fitting position will be conspicuous, and there is room for further improvement in this regard.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a locking structure capable of making the fitting position inconspicuous.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the lock structure according to the present invention comprises a locking-side structure extending along a first direction and a locking member having a locking projection formed at the tip of the locking-side structure, a locked-side structure extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and a locked-to-lock member having a locked portion extending from the locked-side structure along the first direction and elastically deformable in the second direction, wherein the locked portion has a locked hole formed at a connecting corner located between it and the locked-side structure, into which the locking projection is inserted and locked to the locking projection, and the locking projection has a mating surface that aligns with the outer surface of the locked-to-lock member when the locked hole is locked.

[0007] The locking structure according to the present invention has the effect of making the mating position inconspicuous. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a lock structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the lock structure according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lock structure according to the embodiment, along the first direction. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the locked member of the locking structure according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, some of the components in the following embodiments may be easily substituted or substantially identical to those that are easily substituted by those skilled in the art.

[0010] [Embodiment] Lock structure 1 is applied to the electrical component housing box that constitutes the wire harness. A wire harness is, for example, a system that connects multiple wiring materials used for power supply and signal communication between various devices mounted on a vehicle, using connectors to connect each device. The wiring material is an insulated wire in which a core wire, which is made up of multiple conductive metal strands bundled together, is covered with an insulating coating. The electrical component housing box houses the wiring material and electronic components, and is a component made of an insulating resin material or the like. The electronic components referred to here include, for example, connectors, fuses, relays, capacitors, branching parts, electronic control units, and electronic component units that unitize these. Therefore, in this explanation, the electrical component housing box is described as an electrical connection box such as a relay box or junction box, an electronic component unit that connects objects via connectors, etc., and a protector that houses and protects electrical components.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lock structure 1 of this embodiment comprises a locking member 100 and a locked member 200. Furthermore, the lock structure 1 is provided with a mating surface 120S on the locking member 100, and by fitting the mating surface 120S together with the outer surface of the locked member 200, a configuration is achieved in which the fitting position is not noticeable. The various components of the lock structure 1 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0012] In the following explanation, of the three intersecting directions, the first direction will be referred to as the "height direction X," the second direction as the "first width direction Y," and the third direction as the "second width direction Z." Here, the height direction X, the first width direction Y, and the second width direction Z are orthogonal to each other. The height direction X typically corresponds to the direction X1 (see Figure 2) in which the locked member 200 is attached to and detached from the locking member 100. Unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following explanation refer to the directions when the lock structure 1 is engaged.

[0013] Furthermore, in the height direction X, the upper side corresponds to the side where the locked member 200 is located when the lock structure 1 is fitted, and the lower side in the height direction X corresponds to the side where the locked member 100 is located when the lock structure 1 is fitted.

[0014] First, the basic configuration of the locking member 100 and the locked member 200 will be explained.

[0015] [Locking member 100] The locking member 100 is, for example, part of the base member (not shown) of a power supply component housing box. Here, the base member is, for example, the main structural member that constitutes an electrical connection box or protector, and forms various housing spaces inside.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the locking member 100 has a locking-side structure 110 and a locking projection 120 formed at the tip of the locking-side structure 110 that can lock the member to be locked 200.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the locking side structure 110 is composed of a first section 110a formed along the first width direction Y, and a second section 110b extending from the end of the first section 110a in the first width direction Y and formed along the height direction X. More specifically, the first section 110a is a part of the bottom wall of the base member, which is formed in a plate shape with the height direction X being the plate thickness direction, and the second section 110b is a part of the side wall of the base member, which is formed in a plate shape with the first width direction Y being the plate thickness direction. The locking side structure 110 may also be the bottom wall or side wall that constitutes the housing space of the base member, or it may be a structure that protrudes outward in the first width direction Y from the outer surface of the side wall of the base member.

[0018] The engaging projection 120 is provided at the tip of the engaging-side structure 110 (the upper end in the height direction X), and is a portion that protrudes outward in the first width direction Y and is formed in a claw shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the engaging projection 120 can engage the locking member 200 at a desired position (the locking position L1 shown in FIG. 3) via the engaging surface 120K. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the engaging projection 120 includes an alignment surface 120S provided on the engaging projection 120, a stepped portion 121K provided on the engaging surface 120K, and a stepped portion 111 provided on the engaging-side structure 110, so that the fitting position is not conspicuous. The configurations of the alignment surface 120S, the stepped portion 121K, and the stepped portion 111 will be described later.

[0019] [Locked member 200] The locked member 200 is, for example, a part of a lid member (not shown) of an energized component housing box. Here, the lid member is, for example, assembled to a base member constituting an electrical connection box or a protector, and closes the opening of the base member.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the locked member 200 has a locked-side structure 210 extending in the first width direction Y and a locked portion 220 extending along the height direction X from the locked-side structure 210. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the locked member 200 has an R-shaped connecting corner portion 230 located between the locked-side structure 210 and the locked portion 220.

[0021] <U+ As shown in FIG. 2, the locked-side structure 210 is a portion formed along the first width direction Y, and is formed in a plate shape in which the height direction X is the plate thickness direction.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the locked portion 220 is a portion extending from the end of the locked-side structure 210 in the first width direction Y, and is formed in a plate shape in which the first width direction Y is the plate thickness direction, so that it is configured to be elastically deformable with respect to the first width direction Y.

[0023] Further, the locked portion 220 includes a locked hole portion 220H that is locked to the engaging projection 120. <0U+

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the locking hole portion 220H is formed in a connecting corner portion 230 located between the locking side structure 210 and the locking side structure 210, and is a through hole formed from the locking side structure 210 to the locking portion 220, sandwiching the connecting corner portion 230. As shown in Figure 3, the locking hole portion 220H has a locking surface 220K, and when the locking projection 120 is inserted as the locking portion 220 flexes in the first width direction Y, the locking surface 220K locks to the locking surface 120K, thereby locking to the locking projection 120. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the locking hole portion 220H is configured to include a stepped portion 221K provided on the locking surface 220K as a structure to make the fitting position inconspicuous. The configuration of the stepped portion 221K will be described later.

[0025] Furthermore, the locked member 200 is configured to include guide portions 211 and 220G that guide the locking-side structure 110 of the locking member 100 to a desired position when fitted with the locking member 100.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the guide portion 211 extends from the locked-side structure 210 along the height direction X and is a wall portion located on the inside of the first width direction Y, sandwiching the locking projection 120, when the locked-side hole 220H is locked to the locking projection 120. Here, "inside of the first width direction Y" means the side opposite to the locked-side piece 220 with respect to the first width direction Y, sandwiching the locking projection 120, when the locked-side hole 220H is locked to the locking projection 120. The guide portion 211 is positioned at a distance from the locked-side portion 220 in the first width direction Y and is formed in a plate shape where the first width direction Y is the plate thickness direction, so that it is configured to be elastically deformable with respect to the first width direction Y. With this configuration, when the locked member 200 is fitted with the locked member 100, the locked-side structure 110 can be housed in the internal space 200S formed between the locked portion 220 and the guide portion 211.

[0027] Furthermore, the guide portion 211 is provided at the tip (the lower end in the height direction X) and includes an inclined surface as a guide surface 211S formed at the outer end in the first width direction Y. When the locked member 200 is fitted into the locking member 100, the guide portion 211 can guide the locking-side structure 110 into the internal space 200S by bringing the guide surface 211S into contact with the inner end in the first width direction Y of the locking-side structure 110 (the stepped portion 111 described later). Therefore, the guide portion 211 makes it easier to fit the locking projection 120 formed at the tip of the locking-side structure 110 into the locking hole 220H formed in the locked portion 220 via the guide surface 211S.

[0028] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the guide portion 220G is provided at the tip of the locked portion 220 (the lower end in the height direction X) and is a recess formed at the inner end in the first width direction Y. The guide portion 220G is composed of an inclined surface that serves as a guide surface 220GS. When the locked member 200 is fitted into the locking member 100, the guide portion 220G can guide the locking side structure 110 into the internal space 200S by bringing the guide surface 220GS into contact with the locking projection 120 located at the outer end of the locking side structure 110 in the first width direction Y. Therefore, the guide portion 220G facilitates fitting the locking projection 120 formed at the tip of the locking side structure 110 into the locking hole 220H formed in the locked portion 220 via the guide surface 220GS.

[0029] Next, the mating surface 120S provided on the locking projection 120, the stepped portion 121K provided on the locking surface 120K, the stepped portion 111 provided on the locking side structure 110, and the stepped portion 221K provided on the locked surface 220K will be described in more detail.

[0030] [Mating surface 120S] In this embodiment, the mating surface 120S is the portion that aligns with the outer surface of the locked member 200 when the locking member 100 is locked to the locked member 200.

[0031] In this context, the state in which the mating surface 120S of the locking member 100 aligns with the outer surface of the locked member 200 means that the extending direction of the outer surface of the locked member 200 aligns with the extending direction of the mating surface 120S of the locking member 100, and that the outer surfaces are located on substantially the same plane. It should be noted that small positional deviations within tolerance limits are permitted.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the mating surface 120S is composed of a first mating surface 120Sa that aligns with the outer surface of the locked-side structure 210 when the locking projection 120 is locked into the locked-hole 220H, a second mating surface 120Sb that aligns with the outer surface of the locked-in portion 220, and a third mating surface 120Sc that aligns with the outer surface of the connecting corner 230. More specifically, the first mating surface 120Sa is a plane extending in the first width direction Y and the second width direction Z, the second mating surface 120Sb is a plane extending in the height direction X and the second width direction Z, and the third mating surface 120Sc is a curved surface (R surface) extending in the second width direction Z. When the locking projection 120 is fitted with the locked member 200, the mating surface 120S appears to be continuous with the outer surface of the locked member 200, thereby making the fitting position less noticeable.

[0033] [Stepped section 121K, and stepped section 221K] In this embodiment, the stepped portions 121K and 221K are portions that are located opposite each other when the locking member 100 is locked to the locked member 200.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the stepped portion 121K has a locking member side projection 121Ka formed at the inner end of the locking surface 120K in the first width direction Y, and a locking member side recess 121Kb formed at the outer end of the locking surface 120K in the first width direction Y. The locking member side projection 121Ka protrudes toward and approaches the locked member 200 when the locking member 100 is locked toward the locked member 200, while conversely, the locking member side recess 121Kb is formed to move away from the locked member 200 when the locking member 100 is locked toward the locked member 200.

[0035] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, the stepped portion 221K has a recess 221Ka on the locking member side formed at the inner end of the locking surface 220K in the first width direction Y, and a protrusion 221Kb on the locking member side formed at the outer end of the locking surface 220K in the first width direction Y. The recess 221Ka on the locking member side separates from the locking member 100 when the locking member 100 is locked to the locking member 200, and conversely, the protrusion 221Kb on the locking member side is formed to protrude toward and approach the locking member 100 when the locking member 100 is locked to the locking member 200.

[0036] Therefore, the stepped portion 121K is positioned along the stepped portion 221K on the side of the locked hole 220H while the locking projection 120 is locked into the locked hole 220H. Furthermore, the groove M1 formed between the locking surface 120K and the locked surface 220K is divided into a groove on the side of the locking member side convex portion 121Ka (locked member side concave portion 221Ka) and a groove on the side of the locking member side concave portion 121Kb (locked member side convex portion 221Kb), as shown in Figure 3, and extends in a stepped manner. Consequently, the length of the groove M1 in the first width direction Y is shorter than when there is no stepped portion on the locking surface 120K or the locked surface 220K (when the locking surface 120K or the locked surface 220K is a flat surface).

[0037] Furthermore, the stepped portion 221K has a protrusion 221Kb on the locked member side, which increases the second moment of area compared to the case where the locked surface 220K does not have a stepped portion, thus increasing the resistance to bending (deflection in the first width direction Y). Therefore, the locked portion 220 of the locked member 200 can maintain a state in which the locked surface 120K is locked to the locked surface 220K, and maintain the fitting relationship with the locked projection 120.

[0038] [Stepped section 111] The stepped portion 111 is the part in which the end of the locked-side structure 210 fits in when the locking member 100 is locked to the locked-to-locking member 200.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the stepped portion 111 is a recess formed at the tip of the locking-side structure 110. When the locking-side structure 110 is fitted with the locked-to-lock member 200, the end of the locked-to-lock member 200 partially fits into the stepped portion 111, so that the groove M2 formed between the locking-side structure 110 and the locked-to-lock side structure 210 extends in a stepped shape, as shown in Figure 3. Therefore, the length of the groove M2 in the height direction X is shorter than when the locking member 100 is not provided with a stepped portion 111 (when the locking-side structure 110 is flat along the height direction X).

[0040] Next, we will explain the mating operation of lock structure 1 in more detail.

[0041] First, the worker assembles the locked member 200 onto the locking member 100 along the attachment / detachment direction X1. At this time, the locked member 200 is assembled from the upper side to the lower side in the height direction X, and the locking projection 120 formed at the tip of the locking member 100 comes into contact with the guide surface 220GS of the guide portion 220G provided on the locked member 220, thereby guiding the locking member 100 into the internal space 200S.

[0042] Then, the worker pushes the locking member 200 further. At this time, the locking member 200 can be guided into the internal space 200S by the stepped portion 111 (recess) formed at the tip of the locking member 100 coming into contact with the guide surface 211S of the guide portion 211 extending from the locking-side structure 210. In addition, the locking member 200 can guide the locking member 100 so that the locking projection 120 is positioned in the appropriate location relative to the locking hole 220H by preventing the locking-side structure 110 from collapsing (bending inward in the first width direction Y) via the guide portion 211. Therefore, the locking member 100 is more easily guided into the internal space 200S of the locking member 200 via the guide portion 220G and the guide portion 211, and the locking projection 120 formed at its tip is more easily inserted into the locking hole portion 220H located at the connecting corner portion 230.

[0043] The worker then pushes the locking member 200 further, inserting the locking projection 120 into the locking hole 220H, thereby locking the locking member 200 at the desired position (locking position L1 shown in Figure 3). At this time, the end of the locked-side structure 210 of the locked member 200 fits into the stepped portion 111 of the locking member 100, and the outer surface of the locked-side structure 210 is aligned with the first mating surface 120Sa of the locking member 100. In addition, the locked member 200 is positioned so that the outer surface of the locked portion 220 is aligned with the second mating surface 120Sb of the locking member 100, and the outer surface of the connecting corner portion 230 is aligned with the third mating surface 120Sc of the locking member 100. Therefore, when the locking member 100 and the locked member 200 are fitted together, the locking structure 1 can make it appear as if the mating surface 120S of the locking member 100 exposed from the locked hole 220H and the outer surface of the locked member 200 surrounding the mating surface 120S are continuously positioned on substantially the same plane. Furthermore, the stepped portion 221K formed on the locked surface 220K of the locked member 200 is positioned along the stepped portion 121K formed on the locking surface 120K of the locking member 100. Therefore, when the locking member 100 and the locked member 200 are fitted together, the locking structure 1 can make the depth of the groove M1 (see Figure 3) visible from the first width direction Y appear shallower. Thus, the locking structure 1 can make the fitted position inconspicuous.

[0044] The lock structure 1 described above comprises a locking-side structure 110 extending along the height direction X (first direction), and a locking member 100 having a locking projection 120 formed at the tip of the locking-side structure 110; a locked-side structure 210 extending in a first width direction Y (second direction) intersecting the height direction X, and a locked-to-lock member 200 having a locked portion 220 extending from the locked-side structure 210 along the height direction X and being elastically deformable in the first width direction Y. The locked portion 220 is formed at a connecting corner portion 230 located between it and the locked-side structure 210, and has a locked hole portion 220H into which the locking projection 120 is inserted and locked to the locking projection 120. The locking projection 120 has a mating surface 120S that aligns with the outer surface of the locked-to-lock member 200 when the locked hole portion 220H is locked.

[0045] With this configuration, when the locking member 100 and the locked member 200 are fitted together, the locking structure 1 can align the mating surface 120S of the locking member 100 that is exposed from the locked hole 220H with the outer surface of the locked member 200 that surrounds the mating surface 120S. Therefore, the locking structure 1 can be made to appear as if the mating surface 120S of the locking member 100 and the outer surface of the locked member 200 are in continuous position, making the fitted position less conspicuous.

[0046] Furthermore, the locking surface 120K formed on the locking projection 120 and the locking surface 220K formed on the locking hole 220H of the lock structure 1 described above each have stepped portions 121K and 221K, respectively. The stepped portion 121K on the locking projection 120 side is positioned along the stepped portion 221K on the locking hole 220H side when the locking hole 220H is locked. With this configuration, when the locking member 100 and the locking member 200 are fitted together, the lock structure 1 can make the gap portion visible from the first width direction Y (groove portion M1 shown in Figure 3) appear shallower than the depth that can be inferred from the amount of protrusion of the locking projection 120 relative to the locking side structure 110. Therefore, the fitted position of the lock structure 1 can be made less conspicuous.

[0047] Furthermore, the locking-side structure 110 of the lock structure 1 described above has a stepped portion 111 formed at its tip, into which the end of the locked-side structure 210 fits when the locking projection 120 is locked into the locked hole 220H. With this configuration, when the locking member 100 and the locked member 200 are fitted together, the lock structure 1 can make the gap portion visible from the height direction X (groove portion M2 shown in Figure 3) appear shallower than the depth that can be inferred from the height direction X of the locking-side structure 110. Therefore, the lock structure 1 can make the fitted position less conspicuous.

[0048] Furthermore, the locked-side structure 210 of the lock structure 1 described above extends along the height direction X and has a guide portion 211 located on the opposite side of the locked piece 220 with respect to the first width direction Y, with the locking projection 120 in between, when the locked-side hole 220H is locked to the locking projection 120. With this configuration, when the locking member 100 and the locked-side member 200 are fitted together, the lock structure 1 can guide the lock-side structure 110 into the internal space 200S by bringing the guide surface 211S into contact with the inner end of the lock-side structure 110 in the first width direction Y. In addition, the lock structure 1 can prevent the lock-side structure 110 from collapsing (bending inward in the first width direction Y) via the guide portion 211 and guide the locking member 100 so that the locking projection 120 is positioned appropriately with respect to the locked-side hole 220H. Therefore, the locking structure 1 makes it easier to fit the locking projection 120 formed at the tip of the locking-side structure 110 into the locking hole 220H via the guide portion 211.

[0049] Furthermore, the lock structure 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0050] For example, the mating surface provided on the locking projection of the locking member is not particularly limited to the form shown in Figures 1 to 3, and can be changed according to the form of the locking hole (position, shape, size, etc. relative to the locking member).

[0051] Furthermore, the stepped portion provided on the locking surface formed on the locking projection of the locking member and the locked surface formed on the locked hole of the locked member is not particularly limited to the form shown in Figure 3, and the positional relationship between the convex and concave portions provided on each surface may be the opposite of the form shown in Figure 3. Also, the locking surface and the locked surface do not necessarily have stepped portions.

[0052] Furthermore, the locking member does not necessarily have to have a stepped portion into which the end of the locking member fits when the locking projection is locked into the locking hole.

[0053] Furthermore, the locking member does not necessarily have to have a guide portion.

[0054] The lock structure according to this embodiment may be constructed by appropriately combining the components of the embodiments and modified examples described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Locking mechanism 100 Locking member 110 Locking side structure 111 Stepped section 120 Locking protrusion 120K locking surface 120S mating surface 121K Stepped portion of the locking surface 200 Locked member 210 Locked side structure 211 Guide portion on the locked-side structure 220 Locked part 220G Guide section on the locking side 220H Locked hole 220K Locked surface 221K Stepped portion of the locking surface 230 Connecting corner L1 locking position X Height direction (first direction) Y First width direction (second direction) Z 2nd width direction (3rd direction) X1 Attachment / Detachment Direction

Claims

1. A locking side structure extending along a first direction, and a locking member having a locking projection formed at the tip of the locking side structure, The device comprises a locking-side structure extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a locking member having a locking portion that extends from the locking-side structure along the first direction and is elastically deformable in the second direction, The locking portion is formed at a connecting corner located between it and the locking side structure, and has a locking hole into which the locking projection is inserted and locked to the locking projection. The locking projection is characterized by having a mating surface that aligns with the outer surface of the locked member when the locking hole is locked. Locking mechanism.

2. The locking surface formed on the locking projection and the locking surface formed on the locking hole each have a stepped portion. The stepped portion on the side of the locking projection is positioned along the stepped portion on the side of the locking hole when the locking hole is engaged. The locking structure according to claim 1.

3. The locking side structure has a stepped portion formed at its tip, into which the end of the locked side structure fits when the locking projection is locked into the locked hole. The locking structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The locking-side structure extends along the first direction and has a guide portion located on the opposite side of the locking side with respect to the second direction, with the locking hole engaged with the locking projection, with respect to the locking projection in between. The locking structure according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The locking-side structure extends along the first direction and has a guide portion located on the opposite side of the locking side with respect to the second direction, with the locking hole engaged with the locking projection, with respect to the locking projection in between. The locking structure according to claim 3.

Images