Holder

Abstract

A holder 10 comprises: a body part 20 comprising a pair of holding parts for holding a long member 12; and a lid part that is rotatably mounted to the body part 20 by connecting a base end side to the body part 20. Each holding part is open in a radial direction of a long member and can receive the long member from the opening. The lid part brings the opening into a closed state and an open state. The lid part comprises: a lock part that is provided at a tip end side and restricts rotation of the lid part in an opening direction in a state in which the lid part is locked to the body part; an inner surface that faces the body part in a closing direction of the lid part; and a protruding part that protrudes from the inner surface toward the opening in the closed state and comes into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the long member being held. In a state in which the protruding part is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the long member, a gap is formed between the inner surface and an end surface in which the body part faces the inner surface.

Description

Holder

[0001] The present invention relates to a holder for holding an elongated member.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an anti-vibration fixture that is integrally formed with a base on which a U-shaped clamp is formed and a cover that is connected to the base via a hinge so as to close the opening of the clamp. When the clamp holds the pipe and the cover is closed, the cover abuts against the edge of the locking claw receiving hole in the base, and the pressing piece abuts against the pipe.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-232063

[0004] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the base prevents the cover from moving in the closing direction when the cover is closed, so depending on the dimensional variations in each part of the holder, the pressing piece may not contact the pipe sufficiently, which may result in an unstable holding state of the pipe.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a holder that can stably hold an elongated member.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a holder comprising a main body having a pair of holding portions for holding an elongated member, and a lid connected at its base end to the main body and rotatable relative to the main body. The holding portions open in the radial direction of the elongated member and are capable of receiving the elongated member through the opening, and the lid has an opening in both a closed and an open state, and the lid has a locking portion provided at the distal end thereof that restricts rotation of the lid in the opening direction when locked to the main body, an inner surface that faces the main body in the closing direction of the lid, and a protrusion that protrudes from the inner surface toward the opening in the closed state and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the held elongated member. When the protrusion abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the elongated member, a gap is formed between the inner surface and the end face of the main body that faces the inner surface.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a holder that can stably hold an elongated member.

[0008] Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view of the holder in a closed state as seen from above, and Fig. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view of the holder taken along line A-A in Fig. 3(a). Fig. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view of the holding structure in a closed state.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a holding structure 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a holder 10 according to an embodiment. The holding structure 1 is composed of the holder 10, a first elongated member 12a, and a second elongated member 12b (which will be referred to as "elongated members 12" when they are not distinguished from one another).

[0010] The holder 10 is capable of holding a plurality of elongated members 12. The elongated members 12 are, for example, pipes used in vehicles to allow the movement of liquid, and function as joints that connect the pipes together. A tube protrudes from the side of each elongated member 12 for connecting other pipes, and the shape of the tube on the side is different between the first elongated member 12a and the second elongated member 12b.

[0011] The holder 10 is capable of holding the elongated member 12 shown in Fig. 1, but is not limited to pipes as long as they are elongated, and may also hold a harness bundle or a rod. The holder 10 in the embodiment holds two elongated members 12, but may also hold one elongated member 12. A cap is attached to the upper end of the elongated member 12.

[0012] The holder 10 comprises a main body 20, a lid 24, a hinge 26, and an attachment 28. The main body 20 has a first holding portion 22a and a second holding portion 22b (referred to as "holding portion 22" when these are not distinguished). The first elongated member 12a and the second elongated member 12b are held in parallel alignment. The direction along the central axis of the elongated member 12 is referred to as the axial direction X. The longitudinal direction Y of the lid 24 is perpendicular to the axial direction X.

[0013] The main body 20 has a central portion 32 that connects the pair of holding portions 22. The main body 20 is provided with an attachment portion 28. The attachment portion 28 is capable of locking a band, and the retainer 10 is fixed to the vehicle body by this locking.

[0014] The pair of holding portions 22 are formed in a roughly semi-cylindrical shape and each hold an elongated member 12. The holding portions 22 open in the radial direction of the elongated member 12. The lid portion 24 has a base end connected to the main body portion 20 via a hinge portion 26 and is provided rotatable relative to the main body portion 20. The hinge portion 26 is formed to be thin and flexible. The hinge portion 26 allows the lid portion 24 to rotate and assume a closed state in which the opening of the holding portion 22 is closed, and an open state in which the opening is open.

[0015] The elongated member 12 is pushed radially into the opening of the holding portion 22 and is held by the holding portion 22. Next, the lid portion 24 is closed to prevent the elongated member 12 from coming off the holding portion 22. The insertion direction Z of the elongated member 12 into the holding portion 22 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y of the lid portion 24 and the axial direction X of the elongated member 12, and is the direction in which the holding portion 22 is open. Each component of the holder 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

[0016] Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view of the holder 10 in a closed state as viewed from above, and Fig. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view of the holder 10 shown in Fig. 3(a) taken along line A-A. The first engagement portion 34 of the main body 20 is located on the distal end side, and the second engagement portion 36 of the main body 20 is located on the proximal end side. The portion of the main body 20 that connects to the hinge portion 26 is the proximal end. The first engagement portion 34 and the second engagement portion 36 are formed in a claw shape.

[0017] The holding portions 22 are open in the radial direction of the elongated member 12 and can receive the elongated member through the openings 31. The holding portions 22 have a C-shaped inner peripheral surface when viewed in the axial direction X. The pair of holding portions 22 are open in the same direction.

[0018] The holding portion 22 has a pair of wall-like portions 30 that face each other and form an opening 31. The wall-like portions 30 are provided in pairs facing each other, and their facing surfaces are curved to match the outer peripheral surface of the elongated member 12. The wall-like portions 30 protrude inward in the facing direction. The facing direction is the direction in which the holding portion 22 sandwiches the elongated member 12. The insertion direction Z of the elongated member 12 is the direction from the opening 31 toward the back side of the holding portion 22. When the holding portion 22 holds the elongated member 12, the pair of wall-like portions 30 expand.

[0019] The central portion 32 connects the holding portions 22. The first engaging portion 34 extends outward from the first holding portion 22a, and the second engaging portion 36 is formed on the outer surface of the second holding portion 22b.

[0020] The cover 24 has a first locking portion 40, a second locking portion 42, a first protrusion 44a, and a second protrusion 44b. The first locking portion 40 is located on the distal end side and engages with the first engaging portion 34, and the second locking portion 42 is located on the proximal end side and engages with the second engaging portion 36. The first locking portion 40 and the second locking portion 42 are formed in a claw shape.

[0021] The first locking portion 40 engages with the first engaging portion 34, thereby placing the lid portion 24 in a closed state and restricting rotation in the opening direction. In addition, in the closed state, the lid portion 24 is caught in the axial direction X relative to the main body portion 20, restricting movement in the axial direction X. The second locking portion 42 engages with the second engaging portion 36, thereby maintaining the closed state even if the hinge portion 26 is broken.

[0022] The first protrusion 44a and the second protrusion 44b (referred to as "protrusion 44" when not distinguishing between them) are formed on the inner surface of the lid portion 24 facing the main body portion 20, and protrude toward the opening 31 in the closed state. The protrusion 44 has ribs 46 extending on both sides. The protrusion 44 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the elongated member 12 in the closed state, thereby preventing the main body portion 20 and the lid portion 24 from rattling. Furthermore, the strong abutment of the protrusion 44 against the elongated member 12 pushes the elongated member 12 toward the back of the holding portion 22, allowing it to be stably held.

[0023] In the closed state, the protrusion 44 stops rotation of the lid portion 24 in the closing direction simply by the protrusion 44 coming into contact with the elongated member 12. In other words, the protrusion 44 stops the movement of the lid portion 24 approaching the main body portion 20 by coming into contact with the elongated member 12. As a result, even if there is dimensional variation between the main body portion 20 and the lid portion 24, rattling of the lid portion 24 can be suppressed by the protrusion 44 coming into contact with the elongated member 12.

[0024] The protrusions 44 are provided on each of the pair of holding portions 22. The first protrusion 44a, which is located on the distal end side of the pair of protrusions 44, protrudes more than the second protrusion 44b. When the protrusion 44 abuts against the elongated member 12, a reaction force is generated in a direction in which the lid portion 24 moves away from the main body portion 20, causing the first locking portion 40 to bite into the first engaging portion 34. Because the first protrusion 44a is formed high, the first locking portion 40 bites into the first engaging portion 34 strongly in the closed state, thereby firmly engaging the first locking portion 40 and the first engaging portion 34. Furthermore, because the second protrusion 44b is formed low, the lid portion 24 is inclined toward the distal end in the closed state, thereby firmly engaging the first locking portion 40 and the first engaging portion 34.

[0025] The protrusion 44 is formed over almost the entire inner surface of the lid 24 in the axial direction X. The protrusion 44 has a length of 90 percent or more of the length of the lid 24 in the axial direction X. This makes it possible to suppress axial wobble of the held elongated member 12 relative to the holder 10.

[0026] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the holding structure 1 in the closed state. The first protrusion 44a abuts against the first elongated member 12a, and the second protrusion 44b abuts against the second elongated member 12b. The end surface 32a of the main body 20 facing the lid 24 is configured not to abut against the lid 24 in the closed state.

[0027] In other words, when the protrusion 44 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the elongated member 12, a gap C is formed between the inner surface 24a of the lid portion 24 and the end surface 32a of the main body portion 20 facing the inner surface 24a. A gap C1 is formed between the tip of the first locking portion 40 and the base portion of the first engaging portion 34 of the main body portion 20. A gap C2 and a gap C3 are formed between the inner surface 24a of the lid portion 24 and the pair of wall-like portions 30 of the first holding portion 22a.

[0028] A gap C4 exists between the inner surface 24a of the lid portion 24 and the end surface 32a of the central portion 32. A gap C5 and a gap C6 exist between the inner surface 24a of the lid portion 24 and the pair of wall-like portions 30 of the second holding portion 22b. The movement of the lid portion 24 toward the main body portion 20 is stopped when the protruding portion 44 comes into contact with the elongated member 12, and the reaction force that the lid portion 24 receives in the opening direction is generated only by the protruding portion 44 coming into contact with the elongated member 12. Therefore, the lid portion 24 is pressed against the elongated member 12, suppressing rattling of the elongated member 12.

[0029] The end surfaces 32a of the main body 20 are located along both side edges of the opening 31. Both side edges of the opening 31 are the tip of the wall-shaped portion 30 and are continuous with the end surfaces 32a of the main body 20. The gaps C2 and C3 on the tip side are larger than the gaps C5 and C6 on the base end side. As a result, the first protrusion 44a on the tip side of the lid 24 strongly abuts against the first elongated member 12a, and the first locking portion 40 is firmly engaged with the first engaging portion 34.

[0030] In addition, if the gap C6 is set to a small distance, it may become zero depending on the mounting state. In any case, the second protrusion 44b is pressed against the elongated member 12, and the movement of the lid portion 24 toward the main body portion 20 is stopped.

[0031] The first protrusion 44a may cause gaps C2 and C3 to be formed between the inner surface 24a of the lid portion 24 and the end surface 32a of the main body portion 20 at least on the tip side of the lid portion 24. The tip side of the lid portion 24 may be closer to the tip side than the central position of the lid portion 24 in the longitudinal direction Y. The inner surface 24a of the lid portion 24 and the end surface 32a of the main body portion 20 may have at least gaps C2, C3, and C4 between the tip side of the lid portion 24 and the central portion 32.

[0032] The width W of the first protrusion 44a along the longitudinal direction Y of the lid portion 24 is 20 percent or more of the diameter D of the first elongated member 12a. The width of the second protrusion 44b is the same as the first protrusion 44a, and the diameter of the second elongated member 12b is the same as the first elongated member 12a. Because the hinge portion 26 is thin and flexible, the lid portion 24 may shift relative to the main body portion 20 and become locked. Because the width of the protrusion 44 is sufficiently ensured, the protrusion 44 can abut against the lid portion 24 even when the lid portion 24 is locked in a state shifted relative to the main body portion 20 in the longitudinal direction Y. More preferably, the width W of the first protrusion 44a may be 30 percent or more of the diameter D of the first elongated member 12a.

[0033] The surface of the protrusion 44 that comes into contact with the elongated member 12 is flat. If the protrusion 44 were curved in a semi-cylindrical shape, there is a risk that the lid 24 would not close if the center positions of the elongated member 12 and the protrusion 44 were misaligned in the longitudinal direction Y. By flattening the surface of the protrusion 44, the elongated member 12 can be pushed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the protrusion 44 as long as the protrusion 44 comes into contact with the elongated member 12. This makes it possible to prevent the lid 24 from becoming unable to close or from being placed in a closed state with excessive load being applied to the lid 24.

[0034] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications such as design changes may be made to the embodiments based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and such modified embodiments may also be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0035] The present invention relates to a holder for holding an elongated member.

[0036] 1 Retaining structure, 10 Retaining tool, 12a First elongated member, 12b Second elongated member, 20 Main body portion, 22a First retaining portion, 22b Second retaining portion, 24 Lid portion, 26 Hinge portion, 28 Mounting portion, 30 Wall-like portion, 31 Opening, 32 Central portion, 34 First engaging portion, 36 Second engaging portion, 40 First locking portion, 42 Second locking portion, 44 Protruding portion, 44a First protruding portion, 44b Second protruding portion, 46 Rib.

Claims

1. A holder comprising: a main body having a holding portion for holding a long member; and a lid portion connected at its base end to the main body and rotatable relative to the main body, wherein the holding portion opens in the radial direction of the long member and is capable of receiving the long member through the opening, the lid portion having a state in which the opening is closed and an open state, the lid portion having: a locking portion provided at the tip end side that restricts rotation of the lid portion in the opening direction when locked to the main body, an inner surface that faces the main body in the closing direction of the lid portion, and a protruding portion that protrudes from the inner surface towards the opening in the closed state and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the held long member, wherein when the protruding portion abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the long member, a gap is formed between the inner surface and the end face of the main body that faces the inner surface.

2. A holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the end faces are located along both side edges of the opening, and the gap is larger on the tip side than on the base side.

3. A holder as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the width of said protrusion along the longitudinal direction of said lid is 20 percent or more of the diameter of said elongated member.

4. A holder as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a pair of the holding portions are provided, the protrusions are provided for each of the pair of holding portions, and the protrusion located on the tip side of the pair of protrusions has a larger protrusion amount than the protrusion located on the base end side.

5. A holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surface of said protrusion that contacts said elongated member is flat.

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