Connector accommodating implement, vehicle, and connector accommodating method

Abstract

A device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a connector accommodating implement which accommodates at least one connector, and which comprises: an accommodating frame that can accommodate the connector; and a direction limiting unit that limits the direction of an operation to remove the connector to a third direction, among a first direction, a second direction, and the third direction, described below.　First direction: Extension direction of wire harness Second direction: Any direction orthogonal to first direction, among in-plane directions of imaginary plane having normal line that coincides with first direction Third direction: Direction orthogonal to first direction and second direction, among in-plane directions of imaginary plane having normal line that coincides with first direction

Description

Connector accommodating device, vehicle, and connector accommodating method

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-108109, filed July 4, 2024, and incorporates by reference all of the contents of that application.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an electrical junction box that can reduce the number of parts and improve assembly and maintenance. The electrical junction box in Patent Document 1 is attached to a trim cover facing a cowl side panel, and includes a connector that automatically connects to a mating connector on the cowl side panel when the trim cover is closed.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-8013

[0004] An apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a connector receiving device that receives at least one connector, and includes a receiving frame capable of receiving the connector, and a direction limiting portion that limits the direction of the connector removal operation to the third direction among the first, second, and third directions described below.

[0005] First direction: extension direction of the wire harness. Second direction: any in-plane direction of a virtual plane whose normal coincides with the first direction and is perpendicular to the first direction. Third direction: any in-plane direction of a virtual plane whose normal coincides with the first direction and is perpendicular to the first and second directions.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector receiver (full state). FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector receiver (empty state). FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector receiving operation. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of a connector receiver (full state). FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 5 to show an example of a removal prevention portion. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of an installation location of a connector receiver.

[0007] <Problem to be Solved by the Present Disclosure> It is known that the cowl side of a vehicle is likely to be a target of physical attacks by suspicious individuals. However, Patent Document 1 does not anticipate measures to make physical attacks on connectors provided on the cowl side difficult. In view of the above conventional problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a connector receiver or the like that can make physical attacks on connectors difficult.

[0008] <Effects of the Present Disclosure> According to the present disclosure, physical attacks on connectors can be made more difficult.

[0009] <Outline of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> Below, an outline of embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] (1) A device according to one aspect of this embodiment is a connector receiving device that receives at least one connector, and includes a receiving frame that can receive the connector, and a direction limiting unit that limits the direction of the connector removal operation to a third direction among a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction described below.

[0011] First direction: extension direction of the wire harness. Second direction: any in-plane direction of a virtual plane whose normal coincides with the first direction and is perpendicular to the first direction. Third direction: any in-plane direction of a virtual plane whose normal coincides with the first direction and is perpendicular to the first and second directions.

[0012] According to the connector receptacle of this embodiment, the direction of the connector removal operation is limited to the third direction, which increases the time required for the removal operation compared to a connector receptacle in which the direction of the removal operation is not limited, thereby making it more difficult to physically attack the connector.

[0013] (2) In the connector receiving device of (1) above, if the receiving frame can receive a plurality of the connectors, the direction restricting unit may restrict the order in which the plurality of connectors are removed from the receiving frame to first-in, last-out. In this case, for example, by adopting a receiving order in which the higher the security risk, the first-in connector becomes more difficult to remove. Therefore, vehicle security can be further improved compared to when the receiving order of the connectors is random.

[0014] (3) In the connector receiving device of (2) above, the receiving frame may include a removal prevention portion that prevents the plurality of received connectors from being removed all at once. This increases the likelihood that a suspicious person will have difficulty removing the connectors compared to a receiving frame that allows for simultaneous removal, thereby further improving vehicle security.

[0015] (4) In the connector receiving device of (3) above, the receiving frame may have a pair of side plate portions facing each other in the second direction, and the removal prevention portion may be configured by the pair of side plate portions having cam surfaces formed on their opposing inner surfaces, and the cam surfaces may prevent an intervening plate interposed between adjacent connectors from moving in the third direction at a predetermined restriction position. In this case, the removal prevention portion can be configured with a simple structure, that is, a cam surface, so that the manufacturing cost of the receiving frame can be reduced compared to when an operating portion described below is used.

[0016] (5) In the connector receiving device of (3) above, the receiving frame may have a pair of side plate portions opposing each other in the second direction, and the removal prevention portion may be configured by an operating portion provided on opposing inner surfaces of the pair of side plate portions, and the operating portion may restrict movement of the connector in the third direction in a protruding state and release the restriction on movement in a pushed-in state. In this case, the removal prevention function can be achieved without using an intervening plate, making the operation of receiving the connector easier.

[0017] (6) In the connector receiving device of (2) to (5) above, the receiving order of the plurality of connectors may be determined based on an evaluation policy defined from the viewpoint of vehicle security risk, and the evaluation policy may be such that connectors with higher security risks are received first. In this way, it becomes more difficult to remove connectors with higher security risks, thereby further improving vehicle security compared to a case where the receiving order is random.

[0018] (7) In the connector receiving device of (6) above, the level of security risk may be determined based on at least one of a risk assessment value determined in accordance with a procedure specified in ISO / SAE 21434, a risk assessment value based on a vehicle control type, and a risk assessment value based on a communication protocol type. In this case, the level of security risk is quantified by the risk assessment value, so that the receiving order can be determined objectively and accurately.

[0019] (8) A device according to another aspect of this embodiment is a vehicle including the connector receptacle of any one of (1) to (5) above and a leading member that must be removed prior to removal of the connector receptacle. With the vehicle of this embodiment, the removal of the connector receptacle cannot be performed first, making it more difficult to remove the connector from the connector receptacle than in a case where the leading member is not used.

[0020] (9) A method according to one aspect of this embodiment is a method for accommodating multiple connectors in an accommodating space in which the accommodation direction and removal direction are limited to one direction perpendicular to the extension direction of a transmission line, and includes the steps of accommodating a first connector of the multiple connectors in the accommodating space, and accommodating a second connector of the multiple connectors, which poses a lower security risk than the first connector, in the accommodating space.

[0021] According to the accommodation method of this embodiment, the first connector, which poses a higher security risk, is accommodated in the accommodation space first, and therefore the first connector cannot be removed without first removing the second connector, which increases the effort required to remove the first connector. In this way, the effort required to remove the first connector, which poses a higher security risk, increases, thereby improving security compared to when the accommodation order is reversed or when the accommodation order is not specified.

[0022] <Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> Hereinafter, details of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any manner.

[0023] [Definition of Terms] Before describing the details of the embodiments of the present disclosure, we will first define key terms. "Male connector": A housing that is connected to the end of a transmission line and has a protrusion formed therein that fits into the insertion opening of a female connector. The housing of the male connector may be made of either plastic or metal, or may be a composite of plastic and metal.

[0024] "Female connector": A housing that is connected to the end of a transmission line and has an insertion opening formed to receive the protrusion of a male connector. The housing of the female connector may be made of either plastic or metal, or may be a composite of plastic and metal. "Connector": A pair of male and female connectors. In this embodiment, it mainly refers to the pair of male and female connectors after connection.

[0025] "Transmission line": An insulated wire or cable routed inside a vehicle. The insulated wire may be a single wire or multiple stranded or flat wires. The cable may have at least two wires inside a sheath, and may be either a round wire or a flat wire. "Wire harness": An assembly of transmission components with either or both male and female connectors attached to both ends of a transmission line. Also called a cable assembly.

[0026] "Extension direction": A direction along the center line of a transmission line of a wire harness that extends straight when the transmission line is extended substantially straight. "First direction": An extension direction of a wire harness. In this embodiment, the direction of the X-axis (X direction) in the illustrated three-dimensional coordinate system is defined as the first direction (extension direction).

[0027] "Second direction": Any in-plane direction of a virtual plane S (see FIG. 1 ) whose normal line coincides with the first direction (extension direction) and that is perpendicular to the first direction. In this embodiment, the direction of the Y axis (Y direction) in the illustrated three-dimensional coordinate system is defined as the second direction. "Third direction": Any in-plane direction of a virtual plane S (see FIG. 1 ) whose normal line coincides with the first direction (extension direction) and that is perpendicular to the first and second directions. In this embodiment, the direction of the Z axis (Z direction) in the illustrated three-dimensional coordinate system is defined as the third direction.

[0028] 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an example of a connector receptacle 1, with Fig. 1 showing the connector receptacle 1 in a full state and Fig. 2 showing the connector receptacle 1 in an empty state. The full state refers to a state in which the connector receptacle 1 accommodates the maximum number of connectors 2 that can be accommodated therein (five in the illustrated example). The empty state refers to a state in which no connectors 2 are accommodated in the connector receptacle 1.

[0029] 1 and 2, the connector receptacle 1 of the first embodiment is a type of frame-shaped member having a receptacle frame 11 and a cover member 12. The receptacle frame 11 and the cover member 12 are made of hard materials, such as plastic or metal. The receptacle frame 11 has a frame structure that integrates a bottom plate portion 13, a pair of side plate portions 14, 14, and a rear plate portion 15. The bottom plate portion 13 is a rectangular plate member that is slightly larger than the XY plane shape (e.g., rectangular) of the connector 2.

[0030] The side plates 14 are elongated plate members in the Z direction extending upward in FIG. 1 (toward the positive Z direction) from both widthwise ends of the bottom plate 13. The side plates 14 have elongated holes 14a that are long in the Z direction. The rear plate 15 is also elongated plate member in the Z direction extending upward in FIG. 1 from the rear end of the bottom plate 13. The rear plate 15 has a guide groove 15a (see FIG. 4) that is long in the Z direction. The guide groove 15a opens at the upper end of the rear plate 15.

[0031] The cover member 12 is a rectangular plate member approximately the same size as the bottom plate portion 13. Mounting grooves 14b (see FIG. 4) extending in the X direction are formed at the upper ends of the side plates 14, 14. The cover member 12 has engagement portions (not shown) at both widthwise ends that engage with these mounting grooves 14b. Therefore, when the engagement portions are fitted into the mounting grooves 14b and the cover member 12 is slid toward the negative side in the X direction, the cover member 12 is fixed to the side plates 14, 14. Note that the cover member 12 may be fixed by a method other than slide fitting, such as screwing or adhesive bonding.

[0032] The storage width W1 of the storage frame 11 (the distance between the side plates 14, 14: see FIG. 2) is the same as the width W2 (see FIG. 3) of the connector 2 or is larger by a predetermined clearance (e.g., about 1 mm). The storage height H1 of the storage frame 11 (the distance between the cover member 12 and the bottom plate 13) is the same as five times the height H2 (see FIG. 3) of the connector 2 or is larger by a predetermined clearance (e.g., about 2 mm). Therefore, the storage frame 11 can store up to five connectors 2 lined up in a row in the Z direction.

[0033] [Example of Connector Structure (First Embodiment)] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the connector 2 is composed of a male connector 21 and a female connector 22 that are detachably connectable. One end of a transmission line 41 is connected to the male connector 21. One end of a transmission line 42 that is different from the transmission line 41 is connected to the female connector 22.

[0034] The male connector 21 and the transmission line 41 are components of a single wire harness 51. The female connector 22 and the transmission line 42 are components of a single wire harness 52 that is different from the wire harness 51. Therefore, when the male connector 21 is properly connected to the female connector 22 by fitting them to a predetermined depth, the transmission line 41 of the wire harness 51 and the transmission line 42 of the wire harness 52 are electrically connected to each other.

[0035] The male connector 21 is a housing integrally having a base plate portion 23, a standing plate portion 24, a protruding portion 25, and a slide engagement portion 26. The base plate portion 23 is a plate member having a rectangular shape in the XY plane. The standing plate portion 24 is a plate member that protrudes from the rear end of the base plate portion 23 in the positive Z direction and has a notched groove 24a of a predetermined depth at its upper end. The protruding portion 25 is a protrusion that protrudes from the center of the base plate portion 23 in the positive Z direction. The XY plane shape of the protruding portion 25 is rectangular.

[0036] The female connector 22 is a housing integrally having a main body 27 and an engaging piece 28. The main body 27 has an insertion opening 29 that opens on the negative Z-direction side. The shape of the insertion opening 29 in the XY plane is substantially the same as the shape of the protrusion 25 in the XY plane. Therefore, when the protrusion 25 of the male connector 21 is inserted into the insertion opening 29 of the female connector 22, the protrusion 25 is frictionally fitted into the main body 27.

[0037] The engagement piece 28 is a plate piece that protrudes from the upper end of the main body portion 27 toward the negative X-direction. The thickness dimension (Z-direction dimension) of the engagement piece 28 is approximately the same as the depth of the notched groove 24a, and the width dimension (Y-direction dimension) of the engagement piece 28 is approximately the same as the width dimension of the notched groove 24a. The engagement piece 28 functions as a marker for the degree of insertion of the connector 2. Specifically, when the upper surface of the engagement piece 28 and the upper surface of the standing plate portion 24 are flush with each other (the state on the right side in FIG. 3 ), this indicates that the protrusion 25 has been inserted to an appropriate depth into the main body portion 27.

[0038] The slide engagement portion 26 is composed of a pair of left and right claws 30 that protrude from the upright plate portion 24 toward the negative side in the X direction. Each claw 30 has a spring piece 30a that is elastically deformable in the Y direction and a head portion 30b formed at the free end of the spring piece 30a. The Y-direction separation dimension W3 between the spring piece pieces 30a is equal to the width dimension W4 of the guide groove 15a of the rear plate portion 15, and the separation dimension between the head portions 30b is greater than the width dimension W4 of the guide groove 15a.

[0039] Therefore, when the slide engagement portion 26 (a pair of claws 30 in the illustrated example) is fitted into the guide groove 15a, the male connector 21 is connected to the rear plate 15 of the receiving frame 11 in a state in which movement in the X and Y directions is restricted but movement in the Z direction is permitted. The head portion 30b has an inclined surface that is offset toward the center of the standing plate portion 24 as it approaches the tip. Therefore, the slide engagement portion 26 (a pair of claws 30) can be fitted into the guide groove 15a by the following two types of operations.

[0040] Operation 1: Insert the spring pieces 30a into the upper opening of the guide groove 15a into the storage frame 11 that does not yet have the lid member 12 attached. Operation 2: For the storage frame 11 that does not yet have the lid member 12 attached or that already has the lid member 12 attached, forcibly push the heads 30b into the guide groove 15a. At this time, the elastic deformation of the spring pieces 30a causes the heads 30b to move toward each other, and after a snap sound is generated, the heads 30b are caught on the rear plate 15.

[0041] [Connector Accommodating Operation (First Embodiment)] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the accommodating operation of the connector 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the accommodating operation of the connector 2 in the first embodiment includes a "serial accommodating process P1" and a "lid tightening process P2." Hereinafter, the reference symbol of the connector 2 to be accommodated may be written as "Ci" (i = 1, 2 ...). "i" is an identification number that indicates the accommodating order of the connector 2 in the accommodating frame 11.

[0042] (Serial Accommodation Process P1) The serial accommodation process P1 is a process of accommodating multiple connectors Ci in a predetermined accommodation sequence in one accommodation frame 11. Specifically, for each connector Ci of the multiple wire harnesses 51, 52, the slide engagement portion 26 is connected to the rear plate portion 15 by the above-described operation 1 or operation 2, and each connector Ci is accommodated in the accommodation frame 11 one by one.

[0043] In this embodiment, a maximum of five connectors C1 to C5 can be attached to the accommodating frame 11, but the number of connectors 2 accommodated in one connector accommodating device 1 may be less than the maximum number shown (five in the illustrated example).

[0044] (Lid Fastening Process P2) The lid fastening process P2 is a process for attaching the lid member 12 to the storage frame 11 after the serial storage process P1 has been completed. Specifically, with the lid member 12 fitted into the mounting groove 14b of the side plate portion 14, the lid member 12 is slid in the negative X direction to secure the lid member 12 to the side plate portions 14, 14. After being secured, the lid member 12 restricts movement of the housed connectors C1 to C5 in the Z direction.

[0045] (Connector Accommodation Order) The accommodation order of the connectors Ci in the serial accommodation process P1 is determined based on an "evaluation policy" defined from the perspective of the vehicle security risk. Specifically, the evaluation policy dictates that the connector Ci with a higher security risk should be accommodated first. As the vehicle security risk, for example, a risk assessment value E that numerically expresses the magnitude of the risk can be used.

[0046] In this case, if a large risk assessment value E indicates a high risk, the identification number i of the connector Ci with the large risk assessment value E is made as small as possible. That is, the connectors Ci connected to the communication transmission lines 41, 42 with the highest risk assessment value E are accommodated in the connector receptacle 1 in order. For example, if the risk assessment values ​​E of the connectors Ci are as follows, the accommodation order of the connectors Ci is, for example, C1 → C2 → C3 → C4 → C5.

[0047] Connector C1: E=8 Connector C2: E=6 Connector C3: E=5 Connector C4: E=5 Connector C5: E=2

[0048] In the above example, since the risk assessment values ​​E of both connectors C3 and C4 are "5," connector C4 may be accommodated before connector C3. The risk assessment value E may be an assessment value determined in accordance with the procedure specified in ISO / SAE 21434, for example. The risk assessment value E may be set according to the type of vehicle control or the type of communication protocol, such as CAN (Controller Area Network) or Ethernet (registered trademark).

[0049] An example of setting the risk assessment value E based on the type of vehicle control is to increase the assessment value for engine control, steering control, etc., which are more related to vehicle driving, and decrease the assessment value for media systems such as audio and navigation.An example of setting the risk assessment value E based on the type of communication protocol is to increase the assessment value for CAN communication, which is more likely to be related to vehicle driving, and decrease the assessment value for Ethernet communication, which is less likely to be related to vehicle driving.

[0050] (Connector Removal Operation) The removal operation of the connectors Ci accommodated by the accommodation operation of Fig. 4 is the reverse of the procedure of the accommodation operation of Fig. 4. Specifically, after removing the cover member 12 from the accommodation frame 11, the connectors Ci are slid in the positive Z direction in the order of C5 → C4 → C3 → C2 → C1, and the connectors Ci are removed one by one from the accommodation frame 11.

[0051] [Effects of the First Embodiment] According to the connector housing 1 of the first embodiment, the rear plate portion 15 having the guide groove 15a and the pair of side plate portions 14, 14 function as a "direction limiting portion" that limits the direction of the removal operation of the connector Ci to the Z direction among the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction.

[0052] This increases the time required for the removal operation compared to when a connector receptacle that does not restrict the direction of removal is used. This makes it difficult for a suspicious person attempting unauthorized access to the vehicle to connect an electrical device capable of generating an unauthorized signal to start the vehicle or steal information to the male connector 21 or the female connector 22. This improves vehicle security.

[0053] According to the connector receiving device 1 of the first embodiment, when multiple connectors Ci are received, the rear plate 15 and side plate portions 14, 14, which function as direction restricting portions, restrict the order in which the multiple connectors Ci are removed from the receiving frame 11 to first-in, last-out. Therefore, if a receiving order that prioritizes first-in connectors increases the security risk, it becomes more difficult to remove connectors Ci that pose a high security risk. Therefore, security can be improved compared to when the receiving order of the connectors Ci is random.

[0054] [Example of Connector Receiver Structure (Second Embodiment)] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of the connector receiver 101 (full state). As shown in Fig. 5, the connector receiver 101 of the second embodiment is a type of frame-shaped member having a receiving frame 111 and a cover member 112. The receiving frame 111 and the cover member 112 are made of hard members made of, for example, plastic or metal.

[0055] The storage frame 111 has a frame structure that integrates a bottom plate 113, a pair of side plates 114, 114, a rear plate 115, and a front plate 116. The bottom plate 113 is a rectangular plate member that is slightly larger than the XY plane shape (e.g., rectangular) of the connector 102. The side plates 114, 114 are plate members that are elongated in the Z direction and extend upward in Figure 5 (to the positive Z direction) from both widthwise ends of the bottom plate 113.

[0056] The rear plate 115 is a plate member that is elongated in the Z direction and extends upward in FIG. 5 from the rear end of the bottom plate 113. The rear plate 115 has a slit 115a that is open at the top and is elongated in the Z direction. The slit 115a has a width dimension that is larger than the diameter of the transmission line 141. The front plate 116 is a plate member that is elongated in the Z direction and extends upward in FIG. 5 from the front and rear ends of the bottom plate 113. The front plate 116 has a slit 116a that is open at the top and is elongated in the Z direction. The slit 116a has a width dimension that is larger than the diameter of the transmission line 142.

[0057] The storage space of the storage frame 111 is formed by a space having a rectangular shape in the XY plane, which is defined by the inner surfaces of the bottom plate 113, the pair of side plate portions 114, 114, and the rear plate portion 115. The lid member 112 is a rectangular plate member having approximately the same size as the storage space of the storage frame 111. After being fitted into the storage space of the storage frame 111, the lid member 112 is fixed to the storage frame 111 by, for example, screws or adhesive.

[0058] The width dimension W11 of the accommodation space of the accommodation frame 111 is the same as or larger by a predetermined clearance dimension (e.g., about 1 mm) than the width dimension W12 of the connector 102. The depth dimension D11 of the accommodation space of the accommodation frame 111 is the same as or larger by a predetermined clearance dimension (e.g., about 1 mm) than the depth dimension D12 of the connector 102. The height dimension of the accommodation space of the accommodation frame 111 is set to a dimension that allows a predetermined upper limit number of connectors 102 (five in the illustrated example) to be arranged in a line in the Z direction.

[0059] Therefore, the accommodation frame 111 can accommodate a predetermined upper limit number of connectors 102 lined up in a row in the Z direction. In the following, the reference character of the connector 102 to be accommodated may be written as "Cj" (j = 1, 2 ...). "j" is an identification number that indicates the accommodation order of the connector 102 in the accommodation frame 111.

[0060] In the case of the connector receptacle 101 of the second embodiment, the rear plate 115 having the slit 115a, the front plate 116 having the slit 116a, and the pair of side plate portions 114, 114 function as "direction limiting portions" that limit the direction of the removal operation of the connector 102 to the Z direction among the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction. Therefore, the connector receptacle 101 of the second embodiment achieves the same effects as the connector receptacle 1 of the first embodiment.

[0061] [Example of Connector Structure (Second Embodiment)] As shown in Fig. 5 , the connector 102 of the second embodiment is composed of a male connector 121 and a female connector 122. Unlike the connector 2 of the first embodiment, in the connector 102 of the second embodiment, the connection direction between the male connector 121 and the female connector 122 is the X direction. One end of a transmission line 141 is connected to the male connector 121. One end of a transmission line 142, which is different from the transmission line 141, is connected to the female connector 122.

[0062] [Structural Example of Pull-Out Prevention Section (Second Embodiment)] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 5, showing an example of the pull-out prevention section 150. As shown in Fig. 6, the storage frame 111 of the second embodiment has the pull-out prevention section 150 that can restrict and release movement of the connector 102 in the Z direction after storage.

[0063] The removal prevention portion 150 can be configured by side plate portions 114, 114 having cam surfaces 151 (left diagram in FIG. 6 ) on their opposing inner surfaces. The cam surfaces 151 are located in the rear portions (upper portions in FIG. 6 ) of the inner surfaces of the side plate portions 114, 114. At these positions, the cam surfaces 151 press against the intervening plate 152 from both ends in the width direction, restricting movement of the intervening plate 152 in the Z direction.

[0064] The interposing plate 152 is a rectangular plate whose dimension in the X direction is less than half the depth dimension D11 of the accommodation space. Therefore, the interposing plate 152 can be switched between a restricting position A, in which movement in the Z direction is restricted, and a releasing position B, in which the restriction is released. The interposing plate 152 is used by being interposed between adjacent connectors Cj and Cj+1 during the operation of accommodating the connectors 102.

[0065] Specifically, the operation of accommodating the connector 102 when using the interposing plate 152 includes the following steps: Step a1: accommodating the connector C1 in the accommodating frame 111. Step a2: accommodating the interposing plate 152 from the release position B and switching it to the restricting position A. Step a3: accommodating the connector C2 in the accommodating frame 111.

[0066] Step a4: The intervening plate 152 is accommodated from the release position B and switched to the restricting position A. Step a5: The connector C3 is accommodated in the accommodating frame 111. Step a6: The intervening plate 152 is accommodated from the release position B and switched to the restricting position A. Step a7: The connector C4 is accommodated in the accommodating frame 111. Step a8: The intervening plate 152 is accommodated from the release position B and switched to the restricting position A. Step a9: The connector C5 is accommodated in the accommodating frame 111.

[0067] When the above-described storage operation is performed, the intervening plate 152 cannot move in the Z direction when in the restricted position A, and therefore the connector Cj stored before the intervening plate 152 cannot be removed unless the intervening plate 152 is returned to the released position B and removed. This makes it impossible to remove all of the connectors C1 to C5 at once in the positive Z direction. Therefore, compared to when the intervening plate 152 is not used, there is a higher chance that a suspicious person will have difficulty with the removal operation, which can further improve the security of the vehicle.

[0068] The removal prevention section 150 may be configured by an operating section 153 (right diagram in FIG. 6 ) provided on the inner surface of the side plate sections 114, 114. The operating section 153 is, for example, a push button that is normally protruding and can be pressed with a finger. The operating section 153 is located approximately in the center in the X direction on the inner surface of the side plate sections 114, 114, and is provided at least one position on the inner surface in the Z direction.

[0069] When in the protruding state, the operation unit 153 restricts movement of the connector 102 in the Z direction, and when in the pushed-in state, the restriction on movement is released. Therefore, in the storage frame 111 having the operation unit 153, the operation of storing the connector 102 includes the following steps. Note that in this example, the storage frame 111 is provided with a lower operation unit 153 for connectors C1 and C2 and an upper operation unit 153 for connectors C3 and C4.

[0070] Step b1: The lower and upper operating units 153 are pressed in, connectors C1 and C2 are accommodated in the storage frame 111, and both operating units 153 are returned to their protruding state (normal state). Step b2: The upper operating unit 153 is pressed in, connectors C3 and C4 are accommodated in the storage frame 111, and the upper operating unit 153 is returned to its protruding state (normal state). Step b3: Connector C5 is accommodated in the storage frame 111.

[0071] When the above-described storage operation is performed, the upper operation unit 153 restricts movement of connectors C3 and C4 in the Z direction, so connectors C3 and C4 cannot be removed unless the upper operation unit 153 is pushed in. Similarly, the upper and lower operation units 153 restrict movement of connectors C1 and C2 in the Z direction, so connectors C1 and C2 cannot be removed unless both the upper and lower operation units 153 are pushed in.

[0072] In this way, connector Cj cannot be removed unless operation unit 153 is pushed in, making it impossible to simultaneously move all connectors C1 to C5 in the positive Z direction at once for removal. Therefore, compared to when operation unit 153 is not used, there is a higher possibility that a suspicious person will have difficulty removing the connectors, thereby further improving vehicle security.

[0073] [Installation Location of Connector Receiver] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of an installation location of the connector receiver 1, 101. As shown in Fig. 7, the connector receiver 1, 101 of this embodiment is installed, for example, in a cowl side portion 301 of a vehicle 300. The cowl side portion 301 of the vehicle 300 is often configured so that the wire harness is exposed simply by removing an interior panel, and is an area that is an easy target for physical attacks.

[0074] In this case, it is preferable to install a leading member 302 in the cowl side portion 301 in proximity to the connector receptacle 1, 101. The leading member 302 is a member that needs to be removed prior to removing the connector receptacle 1, 101. The leading member 302 may be, for example, a metal fitting such as a mounting bracket for an in-vehicle device, or may be an electronic device such as a sensor or an electronic control unit.

[0075] By providing the preceding member 302, the removal work of the connector receiving device 1, 101 cannot be carried out first, so it is possible to make it more difficult to remove the connector 2, 102 from the connector receiving device 1, 101 compared to when the preceding member 302 is not used.

[0076] [Other Modifications] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes all modifications within the scope of equivalents to the configurations described in the claims. In the above-described embodiments, a case where a plurality of connectors Ci, Cj are accommodated is exemplified, but the number of connectors Ci, Cj that are accommodated may be only one.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the case where the accommodation method for accommodating a plurality of connectors Ci, Cj in a predetermined accommodation order is executed on the accommodation frames 11, 111 has been exemplified, but the accommodation method may also be executed on another accommodation space (not shown) configured inside the vehicle 300. In this case, the accommodation space configured on the vehicle 300 may be an accommodation space in which the accommodation direction and removal direction are limited to one direction perpendicular to the X direction (extension direction), similar to the case of the accommodation frames 11, 111.

[0078] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 connector receiver 2 connector 11 receiver frame 12 cover member 13 bottom plate portion 14 side plate portion (direction limiting portion) 14a elongated hole 14b mounting groove 15 rear plate portion (direction limiting portion) 15a guide groove 21 male connector 22 female connector 23 base plate portion 24 standing plate portion 24a notched groove 25 protrusion portion 26 slide engagement portion 27 main body portion 28 engagement piece 29 insertion opening 30 claw portion 30a spring piece portion 30b head portion 41 transmission line 42 transmission line 51 wire harness 52 wire harness 101 connector receiver 102 connector 111 receiver frame 112 cover member 113 bottom plate portion 114 side plate portion (direction limiting portion) 115 Rear plate portion (direction limiting portion) 115a Slit 116 Front plate portion (direction limiting portion) 116a Slit 121 Male connector 122 Female connector 141 Transmission line 142 Transmission line 150 Removal prevention portion 151 Cam surface 152 Intervening plate 153 Operation portion 300 Vehicle 301 Cowl side portion 302 Leading member

Claims

1. A connector receiving device for receiving at least one connector, comprising: a receiving frame capable of receiving the connector; and a direction restricting part for restricting the direction of removal of the connector to the third direction among the following first, second and third directions: First direction: extension direction of the wire harness Second direction: any in-plane direction of an imaginary plane whose normal coincides with the first direction and perpendicular to the first direction Third direction: any in-plane direction of an imaginary plane whose normal coincides with the first direction and perpendicular to the first and second directions 2. A connector receiving device as described in claim 1, wherein the receiving frame is capable of receiving a plurality of the connectors, and the direction restricting portion restricts the order in which the plurality of connectors are removed from the receiving frame to first-in, last-out.

3. The connector receiving device according to claim 2, wherein the receiving frame includes a removal prevention portion that prevents the plurality of received connectors from being removed all at once.

4. A connector receiving device as described in claim 3, wherein the receiving frame has a pair of side plate portions opposing each other in the second direction, and the removal prevention portion is constituted by the pair of side plate portions having cam surfaces formed on opposing inner surfaces, and the cam surfaces restrict movement of an intervening plate interposed between adjacent connectors in the third direction at a predetermined restricting position.

5. A connector receiving device as described in claim 3, wherein the receiving frame has a pair of side plate portions opposing each other in the second direction, the removal prevention portion is constituted by an operating portion provided on opposing inner surfaces of the pair of side plate portions, and the operating portion restricts movement of the connector in the third direction in a protruding state and releases the restriction on movement in a pushed-in state.

6. A connector receiving device as described in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the order in which the multiple connectors are accommodated is determined based on an evaluation policy defined from the perspective of vehicle security risk, and the evaluation policy dictates that connectors with higher security risk be accommodated first.

7. A connector receptacle as described in claim 6, wherein the level of security risk is determined based on at least one of a risk assessment value determined in accordance with a procedure specified in ISO / SAE 21434, a risk assessment value based on the vehicle control type, and a risk assessment value based on the communication protocol type.

8. A vehicle comprising: a connector receiving device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and a preceding member that must be removed prior to the removal of the connector receiving device.

9. A method for accommodating multiple connectors in an accommodating space in which the accommodation direction and removal direction are limited to one direction perpendicular to the extension direction of a transmission line, comprising: a step of accommodating a first connector of the multiple connectors in the accommodating space; and a step of accommodating a second connector of the multiple connectors, which poses a lower security risk than the first connector, in the accommodating space.

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