Holding device

Abstract

To provide a holding device that is configured to correct deviations caused by a dimensional error which hinders an exterior component from being mounted on a normal position, without requiring special operation.SOLUTION: A base member 4 supports a female member 3 so that the member can move in a first direction y crossing a direction x in which a male member 2 is introduced into the female member 3. A guide part 5, which can contact a portion of one of the female member 3 and the male member 2, is formed in at least the other of the female member and the male member, in the course of introducing the male member 2 into the female member 3, where the contacting of the guide part enables the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. An engaging part 6 that can engage with a part 7 to be engaged formed on the other is provided, at least at a position of the moved female member 3, on the one of the base member 4 and the female member 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an improvement in a holding device that is interposed between an exterior part for a vehicle and an attachment target and functions to hold the exterior part to the attachment target.

Background Art

[0002] As a structure for making the attachment position of a bumper adjustable, there is one in which a spacer that supports a bumper is provided so as to be vertically movable with respect to a clip attached to the vehicle body side (see Patent Document 1). This structure according to Patent Document 1 can correct a deviation that occurs when the bumper cannot be attached to the normal position (desired position) on the vehicle body side due to dimensional errors or the like. However, in the structure according to Patent Document 1, it is necessary to move a moving block constituting the clip by a screw operation to move the spacer to a desired position and then attach the bumper.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The main problem to be solved by the present invention is that in a holding device that is interposed between an exterior part for a vehicle and an attachment target and functions to hold the exterior part to the attachment target, without requiring any special operation, when a deviation occurs such that the exterior part cannot be attached to the normal position (desired position) due to dimensional errors or the like, it can be corrected.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the above objective, this invention provides a base member that can be attached to either an exterior part for a vehicle or the object to which it is attached, A male member that can be provided on the other of the exterior part and the object to which it is attached, The system comprises a male member that is configured to be insertable and a female member that holds the male member at the end of the insertion position, The base member is configured to support the female member so that it is movable in a first direction that intersects the direction in which the male member is introduced into the female member. At least one of the female member and the male member is provided with a guide portion that can contact a part of the other during the process of introducing the male member into the female member, and this contact causes the female member to move in the first direction, Either the base member or the female member is provided with an engaging portion that can engage with the engaged portion formed on the other, at least at the position of the female member after the movement.

[0006] One embodiment of this invention is to form the engaged portion by a plurality of protrusions that are formed in a multi-stage manner, with recesses between adjacent protrusions in the first direction that allow the engaged portion to be received.

[0007] Furthermore, the female member is cylindrical in shape so as to be able to receive the male member, and a part of its side is a flexible deformation portion, and the outer surface of the flexible deformation portion which is the outer surface of the side is provided with the engagement portion for the engagement portion provided on the base member. One embodiment of this invention is to allow the introduction of the male member into the female member to the introduction end position by the elastic deformation of the easily elastic deformable portion due to the contact of the male member with the inner surface of the easily elastic deformable portion, and to ensure that the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion at least at the introduction end position due to this elastic deformation.

[0008] Furthermore, the female member is cylindrical in shape so as to be able to receive the male member, and a part of its side is a flexible deformation portion, and the outer surface of the flexible deformation portion which is the outer surface of the side is provided with the engagement portion for the engagement portion provided on the base member. The movement of the female member in the first direction is permitted by releasing the engagement through the elastic deformation of the easily elastic deformable portion of the female member directed inward, One embodiment of this invention involves re-establishing the engagement by allowing the easily elastic deformed portion to elastically return to its original position after the aforementioned movement. In this case, one embodiment of the present invention is to bring the male member into contact with the inner surface of the easily deformable portion at least at the introduction end position of the male member.

[0009] Furthermore, making the guide portion an inclined surface is one embodiment of this invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this invention, firstly, when attaching an exterior part to an object to be attached, if the position of the female member is in the desired position relative to the position of the male member in the first direction and the two positions are aligned, the male member can be introduced into the female member up to the introduction end position. Secondly, when attaching the exterior component to the mounting object, if the position of the female member is not in the desired position relative to the position of the male member in the first direction, and a certain displacement occurs between the two positions, the contact can cause the female member to move in the first direction. This movement of the female member eliminates (corrects) the displacement, and the male member can be introduced into the female member to the introduction end position. Thirdly, the female member, which has been moved in the first direction as described above, can be held in its position after the movement by the engagement, thereby allowing the exterior component to be properly and stably attached to the mounting object. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a holding device (first example) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the male member is in the introduction end position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first example, and the male member is in the introduction end position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first example, and the male member is in a position midway through the introduction into the female member. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the first example, and the male member is in a position midway through the introduction into the female member. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the first example, and the male member is in the introduction end position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional configuration view at the position of line C-C in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional configuration view at the position of line A-A in FIG. 3, and the male member is in a position midway through the introduction into the female member. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional configuration view at the position of line A-A in FIG. 3, and the introduction of the male member into the female member has advanced from that in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional configuration view at the position of line A-A in FIG. 3, and the introduction of the male member into the female member has advanced from that in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional configuration view at the position of line A-A in FIG. 3, and the introduction of the male member into the female member has advanced from that in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional configuration view at the position of line A-A in FIG. 3, and the male member is in the introduction end position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional configuration view at the position of line B-B in FIG. 4, and the male member is in a position midway through the introduction into the female member. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional configuration view at the position of line B-B in FIG. 4, and the introduction of the male member into the female member has advanced from that in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional configuration view at the position of line B-B in FIG. 4, and the male member is in the introduction end position. [Figure 15]Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the first example, showing the engaging part and the engaged part. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the first example, showing the engaging part and the engaged part when the male member is at the end position of introduction. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a side view of the male member constituting the first example. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a side view of the male member constituting the first example. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a side view of the male member constituting the first example. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a plan view of the male member constituting the first example. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a bottom view of the male member constituting the first example. [Figure 22] Figure 22 is a side view of the female member constituting the first example. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a side view of the female member constituting the first example. [Figure 24] Figure 24 is a side view of the female member constituting the first example. [Figure 25] Figure 25 is a plan view of the female member constituting the first example. [Figure 26] Figure 26 is a bottom view of the female member constituting the first example. [Figure 27] Figure 27 is a side view of the base member constituting the first example. [Figure 28] Figure 28 is a side view of the base member constituting the first example. [Figure 29] Figure 29 is a side view of the base member constituting the first example. [Figure 30] Figure 30 is a plan view of the base member constituting the first example. [Figure 31] Figure 31 is a bottom view of the base member constituting the first example. [Figure 32] Figure 32 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a holding device (second example) according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the male member is at a position in the middle of being introduced into the female member. [Figure 33] Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of a holding device (third example) according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the engaging portion and the engaged portion. [Figure 34] Figure 34 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the third example, showing the engaging portion and the engaged portion when the male member is in the introduction end position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] A typical embodiment of this invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 34. The holding device 1 according to this embodiment has a member that can be attached to the exterior part B for a vehicle (a male member 3 described later, or a base member 4 described later when combined with a female member 2 described later), and a member that can be attached to the mounting target M (a male member 3 described later, or a base member 4 described later when combined with a female member 2 described later). By combining the two members, it functions to hold the exterior part B on the mounting target M.

[0013] Exterior parts B typically include the grille, bumper, and fenders. The mounting locations M for exterior part B include mounting points for exterior part B on the vehicle body, mounting points for exterior part B on the vehicle's structural materials, and other exterior parts B attached to the vehicle.

[0014] The holding device 1 comprises a base member 4, a male member 2, and a female member 3.

[0015] The base member 4 can be attached to either the exterior part B for the vehicle or the object M to which it is attached. In addition, the base member 4 is configured to support the female member 3 so that it can move in a first direction y (see Figure 7) that intersects with the direction x (see Figure 7) in which the male member 2 is introduced into the female member 3.

[0016] The male member 2 can be provided on the other of the exterior part B and the mounting target M.

[0017] The female member 3 is configured to allow the male member 2 to be introduced, and to hold the male member 2 at the end of this introduction position (see Figures 5, 11, and 14).

[0018] Furthermore, at least one of the female member 3 and the male member 2 is provided with a guide portion 5 that can contact a part of the other during the process of introducing the male member 2 into the female member 3, and this contact causes the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. In the illustrated example, the guide portion 5 can come into contact with a part of the other during the introduction of the male member 2 into the female member 3, from the beginning to partway through the process.

[0019] In addition, either the base member 4 or the female member 3 is provided with an engaging portion 6 that can engage with the engaged portion 7 formed on the other, at least in the position of the female member 3 after the movement.

[0020] With this configuration, firstly, when attaching the exterior part B to the mounting target M, if the position of the female member 3 is in the desired position relative to the position of the male member 2 in the first direction y, and the two positions are aligned, the male member 2 can be introduced into the female member 3 to the introduction end position. Secondly, when attaching the exterior part B to the mounting target M, if the position of the female member 3 is not in the desired position relative to the position of the male member 2 in the first direction y, and a certain displacement occurs between the two positions (Figure 7), the contact can cause the female member 3 to move in the first direction y (Figure 8). Then, by this movement of the female member 3, the displacement can be eliminated (corrected) and the male member 2 can be introduced into the female member 3 to the introduction end position (Figures 9 to 11). Thirdly, the female member 3, which has been moved in the first direction y as described above, can be held in its position after the movement by the engagement, thereby allowing the exterior part B to be properly and stably attached to the mounting target M.

[0021] More specifically, when attaching exterior part B to mounting target M, if in the first direction y the male member 2 is in a position to be introduced into the front space 3a of the female member 3 (described later), but the male member 2 is in a position where it cannot be introduced into the rear space 3b of the female member 3 (described later) that holds the male member 2 without movement of the female member 3, then the contact in the front space 3a (described later) can cause the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. This movement of the female member 3 eliminates the misalignment and allows the male member 2 to be introduced into the rear space 3b of the female member 3 (described later) to the introduction end position.

[0022] In this embodiment, the engaged portion 7 is formed by a plurality of protrusions 7a that are formed in a multi-stage manner, with recesses 7b between adjacent protrusions 7a in the first direction y that can receive the engaged portion 6 (Figure 6). In the illustrated example, as will be described later, the engaged portion 7 is formed on the base member 4. As a result, in this embodiment, the female member 3, which has been moved as described above, can be held by the engagement at each of the positions after the move.

[0023] (Example 1) First, a first example of the holding device 1 will be described based on Figures 1 to 31. In the first example, the female member 3 is cylindrical in shape so as to be able to receive the male member 2, and a part of its side is configured as an easily elastic deformable portion 8 that is easily elastically deformed, and the outer surface 8a of the easily elastic deformable portion 8, which is the outer surface of the side, is provided with the engaging portion 6 for the engaged portion 7 provided on the base member 4. In this first example, the introduction of the male member 2 into the female member 3 to the introduction end position is permitted by the elastic deformation of the easily elastic deformable portion 8 due to the contact of the male member 2 with the inner surface 8b of the easily elastic deformable portion 8, and this elastic deformation causes the engaging portion 6 to engage with the engaged portion 7 at least at the introduction end position. With this configuration, firstly, in the process of introducing the male member 2 into the female member 3, engagement of the engaging portion 6 with the engaged portion 7 is prevented until the male member 2 reaches the end of the introduction position, thereby allowing the female member 3 to move in the first direction y without resistance by contacting the guide portion 5. Secondly, when the male member 2 reaches the end position of the introduction, the female member 3, which has been moved as described above, can be held in its new position by the engagement.

[0024] In the illustrated example, the male member 2 has a rod-like shape, with one end being a base portion 2a that is integrated with the exterior part B or the mounting target M, and the other end being a leading portion 2b that serves as the starting point for introduction into the female member 3. The male member 2 is configured such that, at any position along its length, it has a contour inscribed within a virtual quadrilateral in a cross-section oriented perpendicular to this length. In other words, the male member 2 has a form in which four face portions 2c are facing each side of the virtual quadrilateral. Furthermore, the male member 2 is provided with ribs 2d along the longitudinal direction on two of the four opposing surfaces 2c. A gap is formed between one end 2da and the leading end 2b of the rib 2d, and between these two, the male member 2 inscribes its cross-sectional contour within a virtual rectangle S. On the other hand, between one end 2da and the base 2a of the rib 2d, the rib 2d is positioned outside the virtual rectangle. As a result, the male member 2 has a first portion 2e whose leading end portion 2b side does not come into contact with the inner surface 8b of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 in a way that causes the elastic deformation, The space between the first portion 2e and the base portion 2a is formed as a second portion 2f, which has a shape that brings into contact with the inner surface of the easily elastically deformable portion 8 in such a way that it causes the elastic deformation (see Figures 20 and 21).

[0025] In the illustrated example, one end of the rib 2d is inclined such that the protrusion dimension of the rib 2d gradually decreases as it approaches the leading portion 2b. Also, in the illustrated example, the rib 2d is formed in the region between the central axis 2g of the male member 2 and one of the two surfaces 2c of the male member 2 on which the rib 2d is not formed (Figure 19).

[0026] In the illustrated example, the base portion 2a is composed of a plate-shaped head portion 2h which is the end opposite to the front portion 2b, and an intermediate flange 2j which forms a neck portion 2i between the plate-shaped head portion 2h and the intermediate flange 2j. In the illustrated example, the male member 2 is attached to the exterior part B or the mounting target M by sandwiching a fitting portion (not shown) formed on the exterior part B or the mounting target M between the plate-shaped head portion 2h and the intermediate flange 2j, thereby providing the exterior part B or the mounting target M with a protruding male member 2.

[0027] In the illustrated example, the female member 3 has a rectangular tube shape, with one end of the tube being an open portion 3c of the male member 2 and the other end being a closed portion 3d. The female member 3 is designed to receive the male member 2 into its interior through the open portion 3c, with the leading portion 2b facing first. The female member 3 has a front space 3a and a rear space 3b. In the front space 3a and the rear space 3b, the female member 3 has a rectangular internal contour shape in the cross section in the first direction y perpendicular to the introduction direction x, at any position in the introduction direction x of the male member 2. The front space 3a has an open section 3c and a connecting section 3e to the rear space 3b. The front space 3a is configured such that the cross-sectional area is largest at the open section 3c, and gradually decreases as it approaches the connecting section 3e (see Figures 7 and 12). On the other hand, the rear space 3b maintains a constant cross-sectional area in the cross section between the communication portion 3e and the closing portion 3d. In the illustrated example, the inner surface of one of the four sides constituting the front space 3a and the inner surface of one of the four sides constituting the rear space 3b are flush, forming the first side 3f of the female member 3. At the same time, the inner surface of the second side 3g, which is located opposite the first side 3f, is inclined in the front space 3a such that the distance between it and the inner surface of the first side 3f is greatest at the open portion 3c, and gradually decreases as it approaches the communication portion 3e (Figure 7). In the first example, the inner surface of the second side 3g in the front space 3a functions as the guide portion 5. In the illustrated example, the guide section 5 is configured to have an inclination along a hypothetical line segment that intersects the central axis 3m of the rear space 3b (described later), and the distance from the central axis 3m gradually increases as it approaches the opening 3c. Furthermore, the two third side sections 3h extending between the first side section 3f and the second side section 3g are both inclined in the front space 3a such that the distance between the two third side sections 3h is greatest at the open section 3c, and then gradually decreases as it approaches the connecting section 3e (Figure 12). As a result, the front space 3a has the largest cross-sectional area at the open section 3c, and the cross-sectional area gradually decreases as it approaches the connecting section 3e. Furthermore, the distance between the first side portion 3f and the second side portion 3g in the rear space 3b is substantially equal to the distance between the corresponding surface portions 2c in the first portion 2e and the second portion 2f of the male member 2. On the other hand, the distance between the two third side portions 3h in the rear space 3b is slightly greater than the distance between the corresponding surface portions 2c in the first portion 2e of the male member 2, but slightly less than the distance between the two ribs 2d in the second portion 2f of the male member 2.

[0028] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the female member 3 has two third side portions 3h that each constitute the easily deformable elastic portion 8. In the illustrated example, the easily elastic deformable portion 8 is composed of a first groove 3i that extends in a first direction y perpendicular to the introduction direction x of the male member 2, a second groove 3j that is formed at a distance from the first groove 3i in the introduction direction x and extends in a first direction y perpendicular to the introduction direction x, and a part of the third side portion 3h that is separated by a third groove 3k that extends along the introduction direction x between one end of the first groove 3i and one end of the second groove 3j. In the illustrated example, the easily elastic deformable portion 8 is formed in the third side portion 3h, between the communication portion 3e and the midpoint of the rear space 3b in the front-rear direction, and in the region between the central axis 3m of the rear space 3b (see Figure 24) and the first side portion 3f. The easily elastic deformable portion 8 is formed such that its base 8c is located on the side of the central axis 3m and its free end is located on the side of the first side portion 3f (Figure 24).

[0029] In the illustrated example, a first guide rib 9 is formed on the outer surface of the easily elastic deformable portion 8 at a position midway in the front-rear direction, extending in a first direction y perpendicular to the introduction direction x. The engaging portion 6 is formed on both sides of the first guide rib 9 on the outer surface of the easily elastic deformable portion 8. In the illustrated example, the engaging portion 6 is constructed by providing three protrusions 6a formed along the introduction direction x, such that grooves 6b are formed between adjacent protrusions 6a in the first direction y perpendicular to the introduction direction x.

[0030] In addition, in the illustrated example, second guide ribs 10 are formed at the corners where the two third side portions 3h of the female member 3 and the closing portion 3d meet, extending in a direction along the introduction direction x.

[0031] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, a retaining portion 11 is formed on the second side portion 3g, which engages with the retaining portion 12 of the male member 2 when the male member 2 is introduced into the female member 3 to the end position. The retaining portion 11 is formed by a part of the second side portion 3g that is separated by a groove formed in the second side portion 3g. The retaining portion 11 is an elastically deformable tongue-shaped piece formed so that its free end is located in the middle of the front-rear direction of the rear space 3b, and has an engaging projection on its inner surface. The retaining portion 12 is formed at the corner where the leading edge 2b of the male member 2 and the surface portion 2c that faces the inner surface of the second side portion 3g when inserted into the female member 3 meet. It consists of a raised portion 12a formed to border the surface portion 2c and has a stepped surface facing the base portion 2a of the male member 2. In the illustrated example, during the process of introducing the male member 2 into the female member 3, the engaging projection 11b comes into contact with the raised portion 12a, causing the retaining portion 11 to elastically deform outward, allowing the male member 2 to be introduced to the end position. At this end position, the retaining portion 11 elastically returns to its original position, causing the engaging projection 11b to catch on the stepped surface (Figure 11).

[0032] In the illustrated example, the base member 4 has a configuration comprising a pair of first wall portions 4a whose wall surface is aligned with the introduction direction x of the male member 2, a second wall portion 4b perpendicular to the first wall portion 4a facing the closing portion 3d of the female member 3, and a mounting portion 4c which has these wall portions 4a and 4b protruding from one surface.

[0033] The portion of the female member 3 that constitutes the rear space 3b is housed within the base member 4. The portion of the female member 3 that constitutes the front space 3a is located outside the base member 4 through the first opening 4d, which faces the second wall portion 4b. In the illustrated example, the portion facing the mounting portion 4c is the second opening 4e.

[0034] Each of the pair of first wall portions 4a has a guide groove 4f formed therein, which allows the first guide rib 9, formed on the outer surface of the third side portion 3h of the corresponding female member 3, to be introduced from inside the base member 4. The guide groove 4f is a perforated groove that continues in a first direction y perpendicular to the introduction direction x of the male member 2. The distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of first wall portions 4a is substantially equal to the distance between the outer surfaces of the two third side portions 3h that constitute the rear space 3b of the female member 3, but is set to be slightly smaller than the distance between the two first guide ribs 9. As a result, when the female member 3 is inserted into the base member 4 with the first side portion 3f first through the second opening portion 4e, the first guide rib 9 contacts the inner surface of the first wall portion 4a, causing the easily elastic deformable portion 8 to bend inward, thus allowing this insertion operation. When the female member 3 is inserted into the base member 4 to a position where the first guide rib 9 can enter the guide groove 4f, the easily elastic deformable portion 8 elastically returns to its original position, and the first guide rib 9 enters the guide groove 4f. As a result, the female member 3 is supported by the base member 4 in a state where it can move within the length of the guide groove 4f in a first direction y that intersects the introduction direction x of the male member 2, or in the illustrated example, in a first direction y perpendicular to the introduction direction x. That is, in the first direction y, the length of the guide groove 4f is greater than the length of the first guide rib 9, and the difference in their lengths allows the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. Furthermore, the second guide rib 10 of the female member 3 is designed to fit into a guide recess 4g formed in the inner corner between the first wall portion 4a and the second wall portion 4b of the base member 4.

[0035] In the illustrated example, the base member 4 is provided with ear portions 4h on the outside of each pair of first wall portions 4a, which protrude in a direction perpendicular to the first wall portions 4a and are continuous with the mounting portion 4c. By using the through holes 4i formed in these ear portions 4h to fasten screws or the like to the exterior part B or the mounting target M, the base member 4 and, via this base member 4, the female member 3 is attached to the exterior part B or the mounting target M.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the engaged portion 7 is formed on the inner surface of the first wall portion 4a. The engaged portion 7 is formed on both sides of the guide groove 4f. In the illustrated example, the engaged portion 7 is constructed by providing multiple convex portions 7a (ridges) formed along the introduction direction x, such that recesses 7b (grooves) are formed between adjacent convex portions 7a in the first direction y. As described above, when the female member 3 is combined with the base member 4, the engaging portion 6 and the engaged portion 7 face each other with a gap between them. The protrusion 6a of the engaging portion 6 has a shape that matches the recess 7b of the engaged portion 7, and the protrusion 7a of the engaged portion 7 has a shape that matches the groove 6b of the engaging portion 6.

[0037] At the end of the introduction position, the male member 2 is positioned with its first portion 2e in the rear space 3b of the female member 3, and its second portion 2f in the area extending from the location where the easily elastic deformable portion 8 is formed in the rear space 3b of the female member 3 to the front space 3a (Figure 14). Furthermore, from the middle of the introduction into the female member 3, the male member 2 brings the rib 2d into contact with the inner surface of the easily elastic deformable portion 8, and is introduced into the female member 3 while elastically deforming this easily elastic deformable portion 8 outward (Figure 13).

[0038] When attaching exterior part B to mounting target M, in the first direction y, the male member 2 is in a position to be introduced into the front space 3a of the female member 3, but the male member 2 is in a position in the rear space 3b of the female member 3 that prevents it from being introduced without movement of the female member 3. Specifically, when the inner surface 3ga of the second side portion 3g constituting the rear space 3b and the surface portion 2c of the male member 2 that faces this inner surface 3ga at the end of the introduction position are not on the same plane (see Figure 7), the leading edge 2b of the male member 2 will come into contact with the guide portion 5 in the front space 3a by the introduction operation (Figure 8). In other words, when attaching exterior part B to mounting target M, if there is a misalignment in the first direction y such that the guide portion 5 is positioned in front of a part of the leading edge 2b of the male member 2, the leading edge 2b of the male member 2 will come into contact with the guide portion 5 in the front space 3a by the introduction operation (Figure 8). In the illustrated example, when the corner between the leading portion 2b and the upper surface portion 2c of the male member 2 is positioned above the inner surface 3ga of the second side portion 3g that constitutes the rear space 3b, this corner is positioned in front of the guide portion 5 and comes into contact with the guide portion 5 during the introduction operation, thereby causing the female member 3 to move upward.

[0039] Since the guide portion 5 has the aforementioned inclination, this contact can cause the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. This movement of the female member 3 eliminates the misalignment between the inner surface of the second side portion 3g and the surface portion 2c of the male member 2, allowing the first portion 2e of the male member 2 to be introduced into the rear space 3b of the female member 3 (Figures 8 to 9). Furthermore, by continuing the introduction operation, the rib 2d is introduced to a position where it contacts the easily deformable portion 8 (Figures 9 to 10), and engagement between the engaging portion 6 and the engaged portion 7 can be created at a position where there is no misalignment.

[0040] In the illustrated example, a recess 3ha is formed on the inside of the third side portion 3h of the female member 3, in front of the easily elastic deformable portion 8. This recess 3ha causes the inner surface 8b of the easily elastic deformable portion 8 to be positioned inward from the inner surface of the third side portion 3h between the easily elastic deformable portion 8 and the open portion 3c (Figures 7 and 12). As a result, the male member 2 brings the rib 2d into contact with the inner surface 8b of the easily elastic deformable portion 8 midway through its introduction into the female member 3, and is introduced into the female member 3 while elastically deforming the easily elastic deformable portion 8 outward.

[0041] (Example 2) Next, a second example of the holding device 1 will be described based on Figure 32. In the second example, a guide portion 5 is formed on the male member 2. In the illustrated example, an inclined surface is formed between the leading edge 2b of the male member 2 and one of the four face surfaces 2c, such that the distance from the central axis 2g of the male member 2 gradually increases as it moves away from the leading edge 2b. This inclined surface functions as a guide portion 5. In other words, when attaching the exterior part B to the mounting target M, if a misalignment occurs in the first direction y such that the edge of the opening 3c of the female member 3 is positioned in front of the guide portion 5 of the male member 2, the guide portion 5 of the male member 2 will come into contact with the edge of the opening by the introduction operation. Since the guide portion 5 has the aforementioned inclination, this contact can cause the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. This movement of the female member 3 eliminates the misalignment, allowing the male member 2 to be introduced into the female member 3. In Figure 32, the distance between the first side portion 3f and the second side portion 3g of the female member 3 is constant at any position along the introduction direction x. However, a guide portion 5, as in the first example, may be provided on the female member 3 on the opening portion 3c side (not shown). Since the remaining configuration of the second example is the same as or substantially the same as the configuration of the first example, its explanation will be omitted.

[0042] (Example 3) Next, a third example of the holding device 1 will be described based on Figures 33 and 34. In the third example, the female member 3 is cylindrical in shape so as to be able to receive the male member 2, and a part of its side is made into an easily elastic deformable portion 8, and the outer surface 8a of the easily elastic deformable portion 8, which is the outer surface of the side, is provided with the engaging portion 6 for the engaged portion 7 provided on the base member 4. Furthermore, in this third example, movement of the female member 3 in the first direction y is permitted by releasing the engagement through the elastic deformation of the easily elastic deformable portion 8 directed inward of the female member 3, and the engagement is restored by the elastic return of the easily elastic deformable portion 8 after the movement. In other words, in this third example, the engaging portion 6 and the engaged portion 7 are engaged even before the aforementioned movement occurs (see Figure 33). At the same time, when a force is applied to the female member 3 in a direction that causes movement in the first direction y due to contact with the guide portion 5, the easily elastic deformable portion 8 is elastically deformed toward the inside of the female member 3 (left side in Figure 33) as described above, disengaging the engagement and causing the female member 3 to move. Furthermore, when the force acting on the member in a direction that causes movement in the first direction y ceases to be applied, the easily elastic deformable portion 8 returns to its elastic position after the female member 3 has moved, causing the engaging portion 6 and the engaged portion 7 to be re-engaged (Figure 34). With this configuration, firstly, in the process of introducing the male member 2 into the female member 3, up to the stage before the male member 2 reaches the end position of introduction, the movement of the female member 3 in the first direction y by contact with the guide portion 5 can be made while generating a certain amount of resistance. Secondly, when the male member 2 reaches the end position of the introduction, the female member 3, which has been moved as described above, can be held in its new position by the engagement.

[0043] In the illustrated example, each of the engaging portions 6 has a side surface 6aa located above it in Figure 33, which is inclined in a direction that gradually reduces the vertical dimension of the protrusion 6a as it approaches the tip of the protrusion 6a. On the other hand, each engaged portion 7 has a side surface 7aa located below the convex portion 7a in Figure 33 that is inclined in a direction that gradually reduces the vertical dimension of the convex portion 7a as it approaches the tip of the convex portion 7a. As a result, when an upward force is applied to the female member 3 as shown in Figure 33, the easily elastic deformable portion 8 is elastically deformed inward from the female member 3 due to the inclination of the sides 6aa and 7aa, disengaging the engagement between the engaging portion 6 and the engaged portion 7, causing the female member 3 to move in the first direction y. When the upward force applied to the female member 3 as shown in Figure 33 is removed, the easily elastic deformable portion 8 elastically returns to its original position, and the engaging portion 6 and the engaged portion 7 are re-engaged at the end of the female member 3's movement (Figure 34). In the illustrated example, the sides 6ab and 7ab of the convex ridge 6a and convex portion 7a opposite to the sides 6aa and 7aa are surfaces oriented perpendicular to the first direction y, making it difficult for the easily elastic deformable portion 8 to undergo elastic deformation when a downward force is applied to the female member 3.

[0044] Furthermore, in this third example, the male member 2 is brought into contact with the inner surface 8a of the easily deformable portion 8 at least at the end position of the male member 2's introduction. As a result, in this third example, at the introduction end position of the male member 2, the elastic deformation of the easily deformable portion 8 is prevented by the male member 2, and the female member 3, which has been moved as described above, can be stably held by the engagement.

[0045] In the illustrated example, the first portion 2e at the beginning of the introduction in the male member 2 is shaped so as not to come into contact with the inner surface of the easily elastic deformable portion 8, The rib 2d that constitutes the second portion 2f between the first portion 2e and the base portion 2a of the male member 2 is shaped to contact the inner surface 8a of the easily elastic deformable portion 8 at the introduction end position (Figure 34).

[0046] Since the remaining configuration of the third example is the same or substantially the same as that of the first example, its explanation will be omitted.

[0047] The imparting of elastic deformation properties to the parts that should possess these properties in the first to third examples described above can be easily achieved by making all or part of the constituent members of these parts plastic molded products. Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes all embodiments that can achieve the objectives of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] x Direction of introduction y First direction B Exterior parts M Installation target 1 Holding device 2 Male members 2a base 2b Front section 2c surface 2D Rib 2da one end 2e Part 1 2f 2nd part 2g center axis 2h plate head 2i Cervical 2J intermediate flange 3 Female component 3a Front space 3b Rear space 3c Open area 3d occlusion 3e Communication part 3f First side 3g Second side 3h 3rd side 3i 1st split groove 3j 2nd groove 3k 3rd groove 3m center axis 4 Base member 4a 1st wall 4b 2nd wall section 4c Mounting part 4d 1st opening 4e 2nd opening 4F Guide groove 4g guide recess 4h ears 4i passing hole 5 Information Department 6 Engaging part 6a Convex stripe 6b Groove 7. Engaged portion 7a Convex part 7b recess 8. Easily elastic deformable part 8a Exterior 8b Inner Self 8c base 8d free end 9. First guide rib 10. Second guide rib 11 Retaining part 11a split groove 11b Engagement protrusion 12 Retaining part 12a Ridge

Claims

1. A base member that can be provided on either an exterior part for a vehicle or the object to which it is attached, A male member that can be provided on the other of the exterior part and the object to which it is attached, The system comprises a male member that is configured to be insertable and a female member that holds the male member at the end of the insertion position, The base member is configured to support the female member so that it is movable in a first direction that intersects the direction in which the male member is introduced into the female member. At least one of the female member and the male member is provided with a guide portion that can contact a part of the other during the process of introducing the male member into the female member, and this contact causes the female member to move in the first direction, A holding device comprising: a base member and a female member, or either one thereof, having an engaging portion that can engage with a engaged portion formed on the other, at least at the position of the female member after the movement.

2. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the engaged portion is formed by a plurality of protrusions formed in a multi-stage manner, with recesses between adjacent protrusions in the first direction that allow the engaged portion to be received.

3. The female member is cylindrical in shape so as to be able to receive the male member, and a part of its side is a flexible deformation portion, and the outer surface of the flexible deformation portion which is the outer surface of the side is provided with the engagement portion for the engagement portion provided on the base member. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the introduction of the male member into the female member to the introduction end position is permitted by the elastic deformation of the easily elastic deformable portion due to the contact of the male member with the inner surface of the easily elastic deformable portion, and this elastic deformation causes engagement of the engaging portion with the engaged portion at least at the introduction end position.

4. The female member is cylindrical in shape so as to be able to receive the male member, and a part of its side is a flexible deformation portion, and the outer surface of the flexible deformation portion which is the outer surface of the side is provided with the engagement portion for the engagement portion provided on the base member. The movement of the female member in the first direction is permitted by releasing the engagement through the elastic deformation of the easily elastic deformable portion of the female member directed inward, The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the engagement is re-established by the elastic return of the easily deformable part after the movement.

5. The holding device according to claim 4, wherein the male member is brought into contact with the inner surface of the easily deformable portion at least at the introduction end position of the male member.

6. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is an inclined surface.

Images