JP6131914B2 - Connector protective cover and wire harness - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector protective cover and a wire harness for protecting a connector.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connector protective cover (hereinafter also simply referred to as a “protective cover”) that houses each end of a plurality of electric wires (hereinafter also referred to as “wire group”) to a connector and that is housed so as to protect the connector. A wire harness provided is known.

  In general, in a protective cover for housing such a connector, for example, a half-divided cover is often used, for example, because an electric wire group becomes an obstacle when assembled to the connector (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  However, in such a protective cover composed of a half split cover, in addition to positioning the connector and the protective cover, the split covers must be joined together while positioning the half split covers at the same time. .

  For this reason, in the protective cover using the divided cover, the number of parts increases and the assembling work becomes complicated, resulting in a problem that the parts cost and the work cost increase.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, by inserting the connector 2 into the frame-shaped cover body 1 with both opposite sides open, the number of parts is reduced while simplifying the configuration of the cover body 1, and the connector 2 is properly connected. There is a connector protective cover H configured to protect (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Specifically, the cover body 1 has a rectangular tube shape that can be loosely fitted so as to accommodate the entire periphery of the connector 2, and the engagement ribs 1 c and 1 d are integrally formed at substantially the center of the upper and lower side walls 1 a and 1 b. ing.

  The engaging ribs 1c and 1d have springs elastically with one open end side of the cover body 1 as a free end, and as shown in FIG. 10, engaging claws 1e and 1f are formed on the inner sides of the tips. ing.

  The female connector 2 has a front portion 2a that can be fitted to a male connector (not shown), and has a frame-like flange 2b on the base end side that is a wire connection side (not shown). Further, the substantially center of the upper and lower flanges 2b is cut out, and the engaged portions 2c and 2d are projected from the cutout portion at a position closer to the front portion 2a. In FIG. 9, only the engaged portion 2c on the upper side is shown.

  In the protective cover H for connectors thus configured, the connector 2 is inserted from the open end on one side of the cover body 1 from the front portion 2a side, as shown in FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, the connector 2 is pushed into the cover body 1 while the engaging ribs 1c, 1d are spread against the elasticity by the engaged portions 2c, 2d.

  As shown in FIG. 10C, when the engaged portions 2c and 2d get over the engaging claws 1e and 1f, the engaging ribs 1c and 1d are elastically restored.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10D, the connector 2 is pulled back to engage the engaged portions 2c and 2d with the engaging claws 1e and 1f.

  As a result, the connector protective cover H can prevent the connector 2 from coming off in the direction of pulling out the wire with respect to the cover body 1.

JP 2002-025684 A JP 2002-246106 A

  However, in such a conventional protective cover H for connectors, it is necessary to form the engaged portions 2c and 2d in the connector 2, and when the cover body 1 and the connector 2 are assembled, the engaging ribs It is necessary to push the connector 2 into the cover body 1 while spreading 1c and 1d against elasticity, and there is a problem that assembly is difficult.

  The present invention was made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a protective cover for a connector that can easily assemble a connector without providing a dedicated engaged portion on the connector side. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, a protective cover for a connector according to the present invention has a cylindrical cover body having both ends opened so as to accommodate the connector therein, and a retraction opening formed in at least one outer wall of the cover body. A thin hinge integrally formed on the inner surface of the outer wall so as to be along an opening edge perpendicular to the tube axis of the opening edge of the retraction opening, and integrally formed at the tip of the thin hinge and Located on the inner surface of the cover body, when receiving a load in the insertion direction along the cylinder axis from the connector, the thin hinge is used as a fulcrum to retreat to the retraction opening, and the connector is pulled out along the cylinder axis. An engagement portion that abuts against the inner surface of the outer wall when receiving a load.

  In the protective cover for connectors according to the present invention, the engaging portion is integrally formed at the tip of the thin hinge. When the connector is inserted along the cylinder axis from one open side to the other open side of the cover body, the engagement portion rotates through the thin hinge due to the load accompanying the insertion of the connector, Retreat to the retreat opening.

  Further, when the load from the connector is released by further insertion of the connector, the engaging portion returns to the inside of the original cover body by the return action of the thin hinge.

  Furthermore, the engaging portion comes into contact with the inner surface of the outer wall and the connector by pulling back the connector along the cylinder axis from the other open side of the cover body toward the one open side.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the connector from being pulled back with respect to the cover body, that is, the connector from being pulled out from the cover body.

  Thus, in the connector protective cover of the present invention, since the engaging portion engages with the connector itself, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated engaged portion for the connector. Further, the engaging portion is rotated by the thin-walled hinge and does not need to be positively engaged with the connector by elasticity or the like.

  Therefore, the connector can be easily assembled without providing a dedicated engaged portion on the connector side.

  In the connector protective cover having the above-described configuration, the retracting opening, the thin hinge, and the engaging portion are formed on the outer wall facing the cover body, and the engaging portion has a substantially L-shaped cross section. It is good also as a structure which the front-end | tip can be contact | abutted to the said inner surface of the said outer wall, when the load of the extraction direction along a cylinder axis is received from the said connector.

  With this configuration, when the engaging portion is engaged with the connector by pulling back the connector, the connector protective cover according to the present invention comes into contact with the inner surface of the outer wall. At this time, since the engaging part is substantially L-shaped, the cylinder shaft side of the cover body is closer to the connector pull-out side when the tip contacts the inner surface of the outer wall. It will be inclined toward. Therefore, it is possible to provide a function of displacing the connector toward the cylinder axis with respect to the pull-out load of the connector.

  In the connector protective cover having the above-described configuration, the retracting opening, the thin hinge, and the engaging portion are formed on the outer wall facing the cover body, and the engaging portion has a substantially L-shaped cross section. It is good also as a structure which the front-end | tip is inward so that it may be formed, and when the load of the extraction direction along a cylinder axis is received from the said connector along the 2 surfaces which comprise the corner | angular part of the said connector.

  With this configuration, when the engaging portion is engaged with the connector by pulling back the connector, the connector protective cover according to the present invention comes into contact with the inner surface of the outer wall. At this time, the engaging portion has a substantially L-shape, and when receiving a load in the pulling direction along the tube axis from the connector, the tip of the engaging portion extends along two surfaces constituting the corner portion of the connector. Becomes inward. Therefore, a supporting force can be provided in a direction orthogonal to the direction along the cylinder axis from the connector with respect to the pull-out load of the connector.

  The wire harness according to the present invention is described in any one of claims 1 to 3, in order to achieve the above object, a plurality of electric wires and a connector to which one ends of the plurality of electric wires are connected. And a protective cover for the connector.

  In this case, the cover body can integrally include an electric wire guide portion that supports the vicinity of the one end of the plurality of electric wires and defines a wiring direction.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the protective cover for connectors which can assemble | attach a connector easily can be provided, without providing a to-be-engaged part for exclusive use on the connector side.

The wire harness which concerns on one embodiment of this invention is shown, (A) is sectional drawing which abbreviate | omitted a part of wire harness, (B) is an expanded sectional view of the A section of FIG. 1 (A). It is a perspective view of the principal part of the wire harness which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The wire harness which concerns on one embodiment of this invention is shown, (A) is a top view of the principal part of a wire harness, (B) is a front view of the principal part of a wire harness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The protection cover for connectors which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown, (A) is a top view of the protection cover for connectors, (B) is a front view of the protection cover for connectors, (C) is a side view of the protection cover for connectors. It is. The protection cover for connectors which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown, (A) is sectional drawing of the protection cover for connectors which shows the state of the engaging part before connector insertion along the BB line of FIG. 4 (B), (B) is a cross-sectional view of the protective cover for the connector showing the state of the engaging portion when the connector is inserted along the line BB in FIG. 4 (B), and (C) is the line BB in FIG. 4 (B). It is sectional drawing of the protective cover for connectors which shows the state of the engaging part at the time of the connector support along. 1 shows a wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (A) is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness immediately after connector insertion, (B) is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness in the connector insertion process, and (C) is a wire just before connector pull-back. Sectional drawing of a harness, (D) is sectional drawing of the wire harness of a connector support state. The protection cover for connectors which concerns on other embodiment of this invention is shown, (A) is sectional drawing of the protection cover for connectors which shows the state of the engaging part before connector insertion, (B) is the engagement at the time of connector insertion Sectional drawing of the protective cover for connectors which shows the state of a part, (C) is sectional drawing of the protective cover for connectors which shows the state of the engaging part at the time of connector support. The wire harness which concerns on other embodiment of this invention is shown, (A) is sectional drawing of the wire harness immediately after connector insertion, (B) is sectional drawing of the wire harness in a connector insertion process, (C) is just before connector pullback. Sectional drawing of this wire harness, (D) is sectional drawing of the wire harness of a connector support state. It is a disassembled perspective view before the assembly | attachment of the protective cover for connectors and the connector in the conventional wire harness. The support process of the connector with respect to the connector protective cover in the conventional wire harness is shown in time series, (A) is a cross-sectional view of the main part before the connector is inserted, and (B) is an engagement that resists the elasticity by the engaged part. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the main part in a state where the engagement part is spread out, FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the main part in a state where the engaged part has overcome the engagement claw and the engagement rib is elastically restored, and FIG. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of the state which made the to-be-engaged part engaged with the engaging claw.

  Next, an embodiment of a wire harness according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The wire harness shown as the present embodiment is applied to, for example, a vehicle wire harness.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the wire harness 10 includes a connector 20 to which one ends of a plurality of electric wires 11 are connected, a connector protective cover 30 that protects the connector 20, and a plurality of electric wires as shown in FIG. 1. 11 and the other end of the connector 40 (not connected in FIG. 1).

  The connector 20 and the connector 40 shown in FIG. 1 can be connected to a connector such as a control circuit unit (not shown) for the power supply side, and the connector 40 is not shown for the power supply side. It can be connected to connectors such as in-vehicle devices.

  In FIG. 1, the number of the plurality of electric wires 11 is omitted from the actual number. Terminals 12 are provided at the ends of the electric wires 11 according to the connectors 20 and 40, and the electric wires 11 and the connectors 20 and 40 are electrically connected via the terminals 12. Thus, the plurality of electric wires 11 are used as power supply lines or signal transmission / reception lines between the control circuit unit and the vehicle-mounted device.

  The connector 20 is positioned at a predetermined storage position by being inserted into the inside from one open side of the connector protective cover 30 and is protected by the connector protective cover 30. When the connector 21 is connected to a connector such as a control circuit unit (not shown), the lock claw 22 that engages with the connector of the control circuit unit or the like, and the lock claw 22 is not pushed unexpectedly by peripheral devices or the like. And a peripheral wall 23 for the purpose.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the connector protective cover 30 includes a cylindrical cover body 31 with both ends open, a retraction opening 33 formed in the outer wall 32 facing the cover body 31, and the inner surface of the outer wall 32. The thin-walled hinge 34 formed integrally with the thin-walled hinge 32 a and the engaging portion 35 formed integrally with the tip of the thin-walled hinge 34 are provided.

  The cover body 31 is open at both ends so that one open end is the insertion side of the connector 20 and the other open end is a connection side with a connector such as a control circuit unit (not shown). The R-shaped cross-section rectangle is formed.

  The retraction opening 33 is formed in the outer wall 32 facing the long side of the cover body 31. By opening the connection side of the retraction opening 33, the lock claw 22 of the connector 20 is not shown in a control circuit unit or the like. It is designed to be connected to the connector. That is, the retracting opening 33 also serves as a guide function when the connector 20 such as a control circuit unit (not shown) is engaged with the connector 20. Further, on one outer wall 36 on the short side of the cover main body 31, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a wire guide portion 37 that supports the vicinity of one end of the plurality of wires 11 and regulates the wiring direction is provided. Projecting integrally.

  The wire guide portion 37 is formed to have a substantially U-shaped cross section and is open to the insertion side of the connector 20 in the same manner as the cover body 31. Note that a tape member 38 for preventing the plurality of electric wires 11 from falling off is preferably wound around the electric wire guide portion 37. Further, the protruding direction and the number of the wire guide portions 37 are arbitrary depending on the wiring direction of the plurality of wires 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the thin-walled hinge 34 is formed on the inner surface 32a of the outer wall 32 along the opening edge portion 33a of the retraction opening 33 that is perpendicular to the cylinder axis P of the cover body 31. It is integrally formed.

  The engaging portion 35 has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and a base end thereof is integrally connected to the thin-walled hinge 34, and a distal end 35a is a free end. As a result, the engaging portion 35 stands up with respect to the inner surface 32a of the outer wall 32 as shown in FIG. 5A, and is retracted into the retracting opening 33 as shown in FIG. 5B. As shown in FIG. 5C, the thin hinge 34 can be turned as a fulcrum in a state where the tip 35a is in contact with the inner surface 32a.

  In the above configuration, the plurality of electric wires 11 are already connected to the connector 20, and when the connector 20 is moved in the insertion direction, the engaging portion 35 comes into contact with the tip of the connector 20, and then the insertion position of the connector 20, That is, the engaging portion 35 rotates toward the retreat opening 33 according to the contact position. When the connector 20 is further moved in the insertion direction and the connector 20 is released from the load past the position of the engaging portion 35, the engaging portion 35 is rotated in the reverse direction by the restoring force of the thin hinge 34, Return to position.

  From this state, by moving the connector 20 in the retracting direction, the engaging portion 35 comes into contact with the rear end of the connector 20, and then the engaging portion 35 rotates in the reverse direction, so that the front end of the engaging portion 35 is moved. It contacts the inner surface 32a of the outer wall 32. At this time, the rear end of the connector 20 and the engaging portion 35 are in contact with each other, and further movement in the pull-back direction, that is, the pull-out direction is prevented. In this state, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of wires 11 are taped together with the wire guide portion so that the plurality of wires 11 are fixed to the cover body 31 and at the same time the wiring direction is defined. Can be fixed to the cover main body 31.

  Further, when the connector 20 is fixed to the cover body 31 and then inserted into the mating connector (not shown), the rear end of the connector 20 and the engaging portion 35 are in contact with each other. The connector 20 does not move in the direction, and the connector 20 and the mating connector can be more reliably fitted.

  In this way, by configuring the support structure of the connector 20 with the thin hinge 34 and the engaging portion 35, it is not necessary to provide a special engaged portion on the connector 20, and when the connector 20 is assembled to the cover body 31. As well as improving the ease of assembly, the molding structure of the protective cover 30 for the connector can be made easier, and the cover body 31 for the connector 20 can be formed without the need for lock fitting. It becomes possible.

  Thus, in the connector protective cover 30 according to the present embodiment, the engaging portion 35 is integrally formed at the tip of the thin hinge 34. When the connector 20 is inserted along the cylinder axis P from the one open side of the cover body 31 to the other open side, the engagement portion 35 causes the thin hinge 34 to be moved by the load accompanying the insertion of the connector 20. And retreats to the retreat opening 33.

  Further, when the load from the connector 20 is released by further insertion of the connector 20, the engaging portion 35 returns to the inside of the original cover body 31 by the return action of the thin hinge 34.

  Further, the engaging portion 35 pulls back the connector 20 along the cylinder axis P from the other open side of the cover body 31 toward the one open side, whereby the engaging portion 35 is connected to the inner surface 32a of the outer wall 32, the connector 20 and the like. Abut.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the connector 20 from being pulled back with respect to the cover body 31, that is, the connector 20 from being pulled out from the cover body 31.

  Thus, in the connector protective cover 30 according to the present embodiment, the engaging portion 35 is engaged with the connector 20 itself, so that it is not necessary to provide a dedicated engaged portion for the connector 20. Further, the engaging portion 35 is rotated by the thin hinge 34 and does not need to be positively engaged with the connector 20 by elasticity or the like.

  Therefore, the connector 20 can be easily assembled without providing a dedicated engaged portion on the connector 20 side.

  In the connector protective cover 30, the retraction opening 33, the thin hinge 34, and the engaging portion 35 are formed on the outer wall 32 facing the cover body 31, respectively. The engaging portion 35 is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section, and its tip 35a can come into contact with the inner surface 32a of the outer wall 32 when receiving a load in the pulling direction along the cylinder axis P from the connector 20. The configuration is adopted.

  With this configuration, when the engaging portion 35 is engaged with the connector 20 by pulling back the connector 20, the connector protection cover 30 abuts the tip 35 a of the engaging portion 35 against the inner surface 32 a of the outer wall 32. At this time, since the shape of the engaging portion 35 is substantially L-shaped, the contact portion with the connector 20 when the tip 35 a comes into contact with the inner surface 32 a of the outer wall 32 is closer to the drawing side of the connector 20. The cover body 31 is inclined toward the cylinder axis P side. Therefore, the connector 20 can be provided with a function of displacing the connector 20 toward the cylinder axis P with respect to the pull-out load of the connector 20.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments (and examples), and the technical scope of the present invention described in the claims can be variously changed without departing from the gist of the invention. Designed forms are included.

  For example, the connector protective cover 50 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has the engaging portion 55 opposite to the engaging portion 35 shown in the above embodiment. 7 and 8, the same components as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the connector protective cover 50 includes a cylindrical cover main body 51 having both ends opened, a retraction opening 53 formed in the outer wall 52 facing the cover main body 51, and the inner surface of the outer wall 52. The thin-walled hinge 54 formed integrally with the 52a and the engaging portion 55 formed integrally with the tip of the thin-walled hinge 54 are provided. The appearance of the connector protective cover 50 is the same as that in FIG. 4 of the above embodiment. Therefore, although not shown in the figure, the cover body 51 is also formed by integrally projecting a wire guide portion that supports the vicinity of one end of the plurality of electric wires and defines the wiring direction on one outer wall on the short side. Yes.

  The cover body 51 is open at both ends so that one open end is on the insertion side of the connector 20 and the other open end is on the connection side with a connector such as a control circuit unit (not shown). The R-shaped cross-section rectangle is formed.

  The retraction opening 53 is formed in the opposing outer wall 52 on the long side of the cover body 51, and the connection side of the retraction opening 53 is open.

  The thin hinge 54 is formed integrally with the inner surface 52a of the outer wall 52 so as to follow the opening edge 53a of the retraction opening 53 that is orthogonal to the cylinder axis P of the cover body 51.

  The engaging portion 55 has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and a base end thereof is integrally connected to the thin-walled hinge 54, and a distal end 55a is a free end. As a result, the engaging portion 55 stands up with respect to the inner surface 52a of the cover main body 51 as shown in FIG. 8A, and retracts into the retracting opening 53 as shown in FIG. 8B. In this state, as shown in FIG. 8C, the tip 55a can be rotated to a one-way state in a direction away from the inner surface 52a.

  As described above, in the connector protective cover 50, the retraction opening 53, the thin hinge 54, and the engaging portion 55 are formed on the opposing outer wall 52 of the cover body 51, and the engaging portion 55 has a substantially L-shaped cross section. When it is formed and receives a load in the pulling direction along the cylinder axis P from the connector 20, its tip is directed inward so as to follow two surfaces constituting the corner of the connector 20.

  With this configuration, when the engaging portion 55 is engaged with the connector 20 by pulling back the connector 20, the connector protective cover 50 comes into contact with the inner surface of the cover main body 51. At this time, the engaging portion 55 is substantially L-shaped, and when it receives a load in the pulling direction along the cylinder axis P from the connector 20, the engaging portion 55 extends along two surfaces constituting the corner portion of the connector 20. The tip is inward. Therefore, a supporting force can be provided in a direction orthogonal to the direction along the cylinder axis P from the connector 20 with respect to the pulling-out load of the connector 20.

  Even in such a configuration, the connector 20 can be easily assembled without providing a dedicated engaged portion for the connector 20. The connector protective cover 50 can be configured as a simple molded product such as resin or rubber, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 7A, for example. It is possible to provide a simple configuration even in a molding die without using. The state where the connector 20 is not inserted, that is, the state of the connector protective covers 30 and 50 shown in FIGS. 5A and 7A means “always” in the claims.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although what made the engaging parts 35 and 55 the cross-sectional L shape was disclosed, a cross-section spherical body and a polygonal body may be sufficient, for example.

  Further, the retraction openings 33 and 53, the thin hinges 34 and 54, and the engaging portions 35 and 55 are formed in the opposing outer walls 32 and 52 of the cover main bodies 31 and 51, respectively, but any one of them may be used. The retreat openings 33 and 35 may be dedicated slit-shaped openings.

  As described above, the connector protective cover 30 according to the present invention has an effect that the connector can be easily assembled without providing a dedicated engaged portion on the connector, and for the connector that protects the connector. Useful for protective covers and wire harnesses in general.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wire harness 11 Electric wire 20 Connector 30 Connector protective cover 31 Cover main body 32 Outer wall 32a Inner surface 33 Retraction opening 33a Opening edge part 34 Thin-walled hinge 35 Engagement part 35a Tip 37 Electric wire guide part

Claims (5)

A cylindrical cover body with both ends open to accommodate the connector inside,
A retraction opening formed in at least one outer wall of the cover body;
A thin hinge integrally formed on the inner surface of the outer wall so as to be along an opening edge portion perpendicular to the tube axis of the opening edge portion of the retraction opening;
The retraction opening is formed integrally with the tip of the thin hinge and is normally positioned on the inner surface of the cover body, and receives the load in the insertion direction along the tube axis from the connector, with the thin hinge as a fulcrum. The connector protective cover further comprising: an engaging portion that comes into contact with the inner surface of the outer wall when receiving a load in the pulling direction along the cylinder axis from the connector. The retracting opening, the thin hinge, and the engaging portion are respectively formed on the outer walls facing the cover body,
The engaging portion is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section, and its tip can be brought into contact with the inner surface of the outer wall when receiving a load in the pulling direction along the cylinder axis from the connector. The connector protective cover according to claim 1. The retracting opening, the thin hinge, and the engaging portion are respectively formed on the outer walls facing the cover body,
The engaging portion is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section, and when receiving a load in the pulling direction along the tube axis from the connector, the tip of the engaging portion extends along two surfaces constituting the corner of the connector. The connector protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the connector protective cover is oriented. Multiple wires,
A connector to which one end of the plurality of electric wires is connected;
A wire harness comprising: the connector protective cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The wire harness according to claim 4, wherein the cover main body integrally includes an electric wire guide portion that supports the vicinity of the one end of the plurality of electric wires and defines a wiring direction.

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