Housing and fixing structure for insertion member

Abstract

A housing (20) has inner periphery which is cylindrical. An insertion member (30) is inserted into the housing (20). When the insertion member (30) is defined as a first member (30), an elastic member (41) that is capable of deformation relative to the first member (30) is provided. The housing (20), which is a second member (20), is provided with a holding part (22) that holds the elastic member (41) and a locking grooves (35) that are capable of locking the elastic member (41). In a state where a first end part (41b) of the elastic member (41) is held by the holding part (22) and the first member (30) is capable of rotating, a second end part (41c) is capable of elastic deformation so as to pass over a plurality of locking grooves (35). In a state where the second end part (41c) is held between one of the plurality of locking grooves (35) and the second member (20), the second end part (41c) is cannot be elastically deformed.

Description

Housing and insert fixing structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing structure for a housing and an insertion member inserted into the housing.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A conventional technique in which a terminal serving as an insertion member is inserted into a cap serving as a housing is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-222999.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-25584

[0004] It is conceivable that an insert member (terminal) such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 may be inserted into the housing of different vehicle models in order to standardize parts. In such cases, depending on the orientation of the insert member, it may be impossible to insert a connector for supplying electricity to the terminal, or there may not be enough space for insertion, which may cause inconvenience.

[0005] It is not limited to cases where the shock absorber is mounted on a shock absorber of a different vehicle model, but it is preferable that the insertion member can be fixed to the housing in any direction, as this would improve convenience.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows an insertion member to be fixed to a housing in any direction.

[0007] After extensive research, the inventors discovered that when adjusting the position of the insertion member, the first end of the elastic member is held by the holding portion to establish a temporary holding state, allowing only the insertion member to rotate. Furthermore, when fully fixing the insertion member, the second end of the elastic member is sandwiched between the locking groove and the second member to prevent the insertion member from rotating, allowing the insertion member to be fixed in any direction relative to the housing. The present invention was completed based on this discovery.

[0008] The present disclosure will be described below.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, a device includes: a housing having a cylindrical inner periphery; an insertion member inserted into the housing; an elastic member disposed on a first member, which is either the housing or the insertion member, and capable of deforming relatively to the first member; a holding portion provided on a second member, which is the other of the housing or the insertion member, and holding the elastic member; and a plurality of locking groove portions provided on the first member, capable of locking the elastic member, wherein the elastic member has a first end portion that can be held by the holding portion and a second end portion that can be locked with one of the plurality of locking groove portions, and when the first end portion is held by the holding portion and the plurality of locking groove portions and the second end portion are disengaged from the second member, the second end portion is elastically deformable to ride over the plurality of locking groove portions, A fixing structure for the housing and the insertion member is provided in which the first end is held by the holding portion, and when the plurality of locking groove portions and the second end face the second member, the second end is held between one of the plurality of locking groove portions and the second member, and the second end is unable to elastically deform.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that allows an insertion member to be fixed in any direction relative to a housing.

[0011]

[0033] Figure 2A is an exploded perspective view of the housing and the insert member, and Figure 2B is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a state in which the insert member is temporarily held in a first position. This figure is an enlarged perspective view of the main parts of the housing and the insert member shown in Figure 1. This figure is a plan view of the housing and the insert member shown in Figure 3. This figure is a diagram illustrating the position adjustment of the insert member shown in Figure 2B. Figure 6A is a plan view of the housing and the insert member in a state before adjustment, Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6B-6B of Figure 6A, Figure 6C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the second end of the elastic member is elastically deformed during adjustment of the direction of the insert member, Figure 6D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6D-6D of Figure 6C, Figure 6E is a plan view of the housing and the insert member in a state after adjustment, Figure 6F is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6F-6F of Figure 6E, and Figure 6G is a diagram illustrating the insert member fixed and unrotatable in a second position.

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0013] <Example> Please refer to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows the head of a shock absorber 10 provided in a saddle-ride type vehicle. The shock absorber 10 is, for example, a rear cushion, and is a device that attenuates energy such as vibrations received from the road surface.

[0014] The shock absorber 10 is provided with a housing 20 into which the lower part of the insert member 30 is inserted. The insert member 30 is used to control the shock absorber 10. In other words, the shock absorber 10 is an electronically controlled suspension. An external power supply connector 15a, which is a connector for an external power supply 15 that is an external power source, is connected to the insert member 30. The external power supply 15 further has a harness 15b that connects a power source such as a battery to the external power supply connector 15a. The insert member 30 receives a supply of power from the external power supply 15.

[0015] In addition, the outer periphery of the insertion member 30 is provided with an elastic member 41 that is elastically deformable and is used to position the insertion member 30 relative to the housing 20, and an O-ring 42 that prevents dust from entering the inside of the housing 20.

[0016] Hereinafter, the insertion member 30 may be referred to as the first member 30 and the housing 20 may be referred to as the second member 20 .

[0017] It is also possible to apply the configuration of the first member to the housing 20 and the configuration of the second member to the insertion member 30. Details will be described later.

[0018] 2A and 2B. Fig. 2B shows the insert member 30 temporarily held in the housing 20. The housing 20 is formed with an engaged portion 21 formed to extend toward the center around the entire circumference of the tip, which is an opening; a holding portion 22 formed in a slit shape from the tip in a direction parallel to the axis and capable of holding an end portion (see reference symbol 41b) of the elastic member 41; and a temporary holding portion 23 tapered in diameter from the tip end toward the terminal end, which temporarily holds the insert member 30. An actuator 25 for adjusting the damping force generated by the shock absorber 10 is also provided inside the housing 20.

[0019] The locked portion 21 is a portion where the insertion member 30 is locked. The locked portion 21 is not formed at a position where the holding portion 22 is formed. Therefore, it can be said that the locked portion 21 is formed discontinuously around the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface of the housing 20.

[0020] Please refer to Figures 3 and 4. Figures 3 and 4 show the insertion member 30 in a state where it is fully fixed to the housing 20. The holding portions 22 are formed at four locations, for example, at 90° intervals.

[0021] The number of holding portions 22 formed may be one, or may be two, three, five or more.

[0022] 2B , the tip end (the upper end in the drawing) of the temporary holding portion 23 is located at approximately the same height as the bottom of the holding portion 22, based on the circumferential direction. The temporary holding portion 23 is formed continuously around the entire inner circumferential surface of the housing 20.

[0023] When the temporary holding portion 23 is formed at a height that overlaps the holding portion 22 with respect to the circumferential direction, the temporary holding portion 23 does not have to be continuous in the area where the holding portion 22 is formed. Moreover, regardless of the height of the holding portion 22, the temporary holding portion 23 may be formed intermittently.

[0024] Referring to Figure 1, the insert member 30 is a component in which a board 32, which is an engine control unit board (ECU board), is built into a housing 31 serving as a case. For example, based on information from a sensor (not shown), the board 32 energizes the actuator 25, causing the actuator 25 to operate. By operating the actuator 25, the flow path area of ​​the oil flow path inside the shock absorber 10 is adjusted, and the damping force generated by the shock absorber 10 is adjusted.

[0025] 2B , the inserting member 30 further includes an inserting member claw portion 34 formed in a claw shape to be locked to the locked portion 21, a plurality of locking groove portions 35 formed to lock the ends of the elastic member 41, and a displacement restricting portion 36 formed continuously from the locking groove portion 35 formed at the end with respect to the circumferential direction to restrict displacement of the elastic member 41 in the circumferential direction.

[0026] The housing 31 has an elastic member holding groove 31a formed in a groove shape around the entire circumference and into which the elastic member 41 is fitted, and an O-ring holding groove 31b formed in a groove shape around the entire circumference and into which the O-ring 42 is fitted. When the insertion member 30 is fixed to the housing 20 as a reference, the elastic member holding groove 31a is formed closer to the tip of the housing 20 than the O-ring holding groove 31b.

[0027] 2B, the elastic member holding groove 31a holds the elastic member 41 in a relatively rotatable manner. In other words, when a rotational force is applied to the insertion member 30 in the state shown in FIG. 2B, only the insertion member 30 rotates, and the elastic member 41 does not rotate.

[0028] The insertion member claw portion 34 extends parallel to the axis of the housing 20 and is formed so as to be displaceable toward the axis.

[0029] See Figure 4. The locking grooves 35 are formed, for example, at eight locations spaced at 10° intervals. The angle θ formed between the locking grooves 35, 35 formed at both ends relative to the circumferential direction is 80°.

[0030] The number of locking grooves 35 formed can be selected arbitrarily. The more locking grooves 35 there are, the more precisely the orientation of the insertion member 30 can be adjusted. It is also preferable to set the number of holding portions 22 and the number of locking grooves 35 so that the insertion member 30 can be oriented more circumferentially. Details will be described later.

[0031] The displacement restricting portion 36 protrudes toward the inner peripheral surface of the housing 20. The tip of the displacement restricting portion 36 may abut against the inner peripheral surface of the housing 20. Furthermore, if there is a gap between the displacement restricting portion 36 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 20, the size of this gap is made narrower than the thickness of the wire material that makes up the elastic member 41. This makes it possible to prevent the elastic member 41 from being displaced beyond the range in which the locking groove portion 35 is formed.

[0032] 1 , the elastic member 41 is a C-shaped ring that is elastically deformable in the radial direction, and includes an elastic member main body 41a that is generally C-shaped and elastically deformable so as to expand from the center, a first end 41b that extends radially from one end of the elastic member main body 41a and is held by the holding portion 22, and a second end 41c that extends parallel to the axis from the other end of the elastic member main body 41a and is engaged with the engaging groove portion 35. The second end 41c is elastically deformable so as to tilt relative to the axis of the housing 20.

[0033] A method for fixing the insertion member 30 described above to the housing 20 will now be described.

[0034] 2A and 2B , first, the position of the first end 41b is aligned with the position of one of the holding portions 22, and the insert member 30 is inserted into the housing 20 until the O-ring 42 abuts against the temporary holding portion 23 (temporary holding step). The position where the insert member 30 is temporarily held by this step is referred to as the first position.

[0035] When the insertion member 30 is inserted to the first position, a resistance force is applied (or the resistance force increases) against the force of inserting the insertion member 30 due to the friction force between the O-ring 42 and the temporary holding portion 23. This allows the user to recognize that the temporary holding state has been reached.

[0036] In the temporarily held state, the frictional force of the O-ring 42 makes it difficult for the insert member 30 to displace in the axial direction. On the other hand, the insert member 30 is rotatable. Because the first end 41 b of the elastic member 41 is held by the holding portion 22, the elastic member 41 does not rotate even when the insert member 30 is rotated.

[0037] See Fig. 5. Once the temporary holding state is achieved, the insertion member 30 is rotated and directed to an arbitrary position (position adjustment step). This will be described in more detail.

[0038] 6A and 6B . Before the insertion member 30 is rotated, the second end 41 c is locked in the locking groove 35. When the insertion member 30 is rotated from this state, the locking groove 35 is displaced in the circumferential direction, and the second end 41 c is elastically deformed radially outward, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D . In other words, the insertion member 30 is rotated against the biasing force of the second end 41 c.

[0039] 6E and 6F. For example, when the insertion member 30 is rotated by approximately 10 degrees, the second end 41c is locked into the locking groove 35 adjacent to the locking groove 35 (see FIG. 6A) to which it was initially locked. Adjustment is performed by rotating the insertion member 30 until the insertion member 30 reaches a predetermined position.

[0040] The insertion member 30 can be rotated both clockwise and counterclockwise. Therefore, in this embodiment, the orientation of the insertion member 30 can be adjusted within a range of approximately 160° for each holding portion 22. Therefore, by selecting the holding portion 22, the insertion member 30 can be fixed in any orientation within 360°.

[0041] 6F and 6G. After adjusting to a desired position, the insertion member 30 is pushed into the housing 20 against the frictional force between the O-ring 42 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 20 (fixing step). The pushed-in position is referred to as the second position (see FIG. 6G).

[0042] When the insertion member 30 is in the second position, the second end 41c is sandwiched between the locking groove 35 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 20, so that the second end 41c cannot be displaced radially even when a rotational force is applied to the insertion member 30. Furthermore, because the first end 41b is held by the holding portion 22 (see FIG. 6E), the elastic member 41 cannot rotate. Therefore, when the insertion member 30 is in the second position, the insertion member 30 also cannot rotate. In other words, the insertion member 30 is fixed to the housing 20.

[0043] The fixing structure between the housing 20 and the insertion member 30 described above will be summarized below.

[0044] 2A and 2B . First, the fixing structure between the housing 20 and the insert member 30 is based on the premise that the fixing structure includes the housing 20 having a cylindrical inner periphery, the insert member 30 inserted into the housing 20, an elastic member 41 disposed on a first member 30 (the insert member 30 in the embodiment), which is either the housing 20 or the insert member 30, and capable of deforming relative to the first member 30, a retaining portion 22 provided on a second member 20 (the housing 20 in the embodiment), which is the other of the housing 20 or the insert member 30, and which holds the elastic member 41, and a plurality of locking grooves 35 provided on the first member 30, capable of locking the elastic member 41. The elastic member 41 has a first end 41 b that can be held by the retaining portion 22 and a second end 41 c that can be locked with one of the plurality of locking grooves 35. When the first end 41b is held by the holding portion 22 and the multiple locking groove portions 35 and the second end 41c are detached from the second member 20, the second end 41c can elastically deform so as to overcome the multiple locking groove portions 35.

[0045] 3 and 6G , in a state where the first end 41 b is held by the holding portion 22, and the plurality of locking grooves 35 and the second end 41 c face the second member 20, the second end 41 c is held between one of the plurality of locking grooves 35 and the second member 20, and the second end 41 c is unable to elastically deform.

[0046] In particular, when one of the housing 20 and the insert member 30 is made of a metal material such as iron and the other is made of a resin material, it is easy to provide a rotation stop such as multiple locking grooves 35 in the resin material by resin molding or processing, but it is difficult and costly to process a metal material to provide a rotation stop such as multiple locking grooves 35. According to this embodiment, by forming multiple grooves in a resin material that is easy to mold or process, and using the first end 41 b and second end 41 c of the elastic member 41, the metal material is basically cylindrical, and by simply forming a simple retaining portion 22 that locks the first end 41 b, it becomes possible to easily select and position the metal material in the circumferential direction.

[0047] See Figure 4. When adjusting the position of the insertion member 30, the first end 41b of the elastic member 41 is held by the holding portion 22 while the elastic member 41 is attached to the first member 30, creating a temporary holding state. This prevents the elastic member 41 from easily coming off while allowing the position adjustment, ensuring high workability. The second end 41c of the elastic member 41 is then sandwiched between the locking groove portion 35 and the second member 20, thereby achieving full fixation. The position can be easily adjusted according to the purpose. Furthermore, no other parts are required for the position adjustment, ensuring high workability.

[0048] Second, in the structure for fixing the first housing 20 and the insertion member 30, the multiple locking grooves 35 are formed within a predetermined angular range (the angle θ between the locking grooves 35, 35). As a result, the multiple locking grooves 35 are not formed around the entire circumference, and therefore the area where the multiple locking grooves 35 are not formed can be used for the insertion member claws 34, etc. Furthermore, since the multiple locking grooves 35 are formed at regular intervals, it is easy to adjust the positions of the multiple locking grooves 35 and the second end 41c.

[0049] Third, in the fixing structure between the first or second housing 20 and the insertion member 30, the elastic member 41 is a C-ring with a first end 41 b extending radially and a second end 41 c extending axially. Using a C-ring makes it easier to attach the elastic member 41 and makes it less likely to fall off.

[0050] Fourth, in the fixing structure of any one of the first to third housings 20 and the insertion member 30, a plurality of holding portions 22 are formed in the circumferential direction. As a result, by selecting the holding portion 22 that holds the first end 41 b and matching it with the plurality of locking grooves 35 formed within a predetermined angular range, adjustment in a wider variety of directions becomes possible.

[0051] See also Figure 2B. Fifth, in any one of the first to fourth fixing structures for the housing 20 and the insert member 30, the housing 20 has a groove-shaped locking portion 21 formed around the entire periphery of its inner surface so that the insert member 30 can be locked. The insert member 30 has an insert member claw portion 34 formed in a claw shape so that it can be locked to the locking portion 21. The second end 41c can be sandwiched between the upper portion of the locking portion 21 and the insert member 30. This is preferable because it allows the insert member 30 to be easily fixed to the housing 20 while preventing unintentional detachment after installation.

[0052] See Figures 6B and 6G. Sixth, in any one of the first to fifth fixing structures for the housing 20 and the insert member 30, an O-ring 42 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insert member 30, which abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the housing 20. At a first position (see Figure 6B) based on the axial direction, the insert member 30 is held relatively rotatable by the frictional force between the O-ring 42 and the housing 20, and at a second position (see Figure 6G) that is pushed in further than the first position, the insert member 30 is made non-rotatable, and the O-ring 42 seals the housing 20.

[0053] By using the O-ring 42, it is possible to temporarily hold it in the first position, and at the same time, it is used as a seal in the second position after installation, so that the installation work can be performed reliably with a small number of parts.

[0054] See Fig. 1. Seventh, there is a fixing structure between the housing 20 and the insert member 30 according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments, which is used in the shock absorber 10. Generally, the space in which the shock absorber 10 is installed is often narrow, and the direction in which harnesses and the like are routed differs for each product. For this reason, it is preferable to apply the fixing structure between the housing 20 and the insert member 30 to the shock absorber 10.

[0055] Although the fixing structure for the housing 20 and the insert member 30 according to the present invention has been described as being applied to a rear cushion of a saddle-ride type vehicle, it can also be applied to shock absorbers for passenger cars and front forks of saddle-ride type vehicles. Furthermore, the fixing structure for the housing 20 and the insert member 30 according to the present invention can be applied to any device other than shock absorbers that requires the orientation of the insert member relative to the housing to be adjusted depending on the purpose.

[0056] Furthermore, even if the elastic member 41 is attached to the housing 20 to form the first member and the retaining portion 22 is formed on the insert member 30 to form the second member, that is, even if the first member and the second member are reversed from those in the embodiment, the desired effect of the present invention can be achieved.

[0057] As long as the functions and effects of the present invention are exhibited, the present invention is not limited to the examples.

[0058] The fixing structure of the housing and the insert member of the present invention is suitable for use in a rear cushion of a saddle-ride type vehicle.

[0059] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 shock absorber 20 housing (second member) 21 engaged portion 22 holding portion 30 insertion member (first member) 34 insertion member claw portion 35 engaging groove portion 41 elastic member 41b first end portion 41c second end portion 42 O-ring

Claims

1. A housing having a cylindrical inner periphery; an insert member inserted into said housing; an elastic member disposed on a first member, which is either said housing or said insert member, and capable of deforming relatively to said first member; a retaining portion provided on a second member, which is the other of said housing or said insert member, for retaining said elastic member; and a plurality of locking groove portions provided on said first member, capable of locking said elastic member; said elastic member has a first end portion capable of being held by said retaining portion, and a second end portion capable of being locked with one of said plurality of locking groove portions, and when said first end portion is held by said retaining portion, and said plurality of locking groove portions and said second end portion are disengaged from said second member, said second end portion is elastically deformable so as to overcome said plurality of locking groove portions; A fixing structure for a housing and an insertion member, wherein when the first end is held by the holding portion and the plurality of locking groove portions and the second end face the second member, and when the second end is held between one of the plurality of locking groove portions and the second member, the second end cannot be elastically deformed.

2. A fixing structure for a housing and an insert member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of locking grooves are formed within a predetermined angular range in the circumferential direction.

3. The fixing structure for a housing and an insert member according to claim 1, wherein said elastic member is a C-ring, said first end extending radially and said second end extending axially.

4. The fixing structure for the housing and the insertion member according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said holding portions are formed.

5. A fixing structure for a housing and an insertion member as described in claim 1, wherein the housing has a groove-shaped engaging portion around the entire circumference of its inner surface so that the insertion member can be engaged therewith, and the insertion member has an insertion member claw portion formed in a claw shape so that it can be engaged with the engaging portion, and the second end can be sandwiched between the upper part of the engaging portion and the insertion member.

6. A fixing structure for a housing and an insert member as described in claim 1, wherein an O-ring is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insert member in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the housing, and the insert member is held relatively rotatable at a first position based on the axial direction by the frictional force between the O-ring and the housing, and is made non-rotatable at a second position that is pushed in further than the first position, and the O-ring seals between the insert member and the housing.

7. The fixing structure of claim 1 for a housing and an insert member, which is used in a shock absorber.

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