JP6928506B2 - Connector holder - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector holder that is used in a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle and holds a connector.

In recent vehicle development, the development of vehicles with quiet running noise (for example, hybrid vehicles) is increasing, and in such vehicles, measures to prevent abnormal noise generated in the vehicle are required. Therefore, even in the connector holder used in such a vehicle, measures for preventing abnormal noise generated from the connector holder (that is, rattling noise between the connector holder and the held connector) are required.

In the conventional measures to prevent abnormal noise in the connector holder, a crushing rib is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the connector housing portion of the connector holder, and the crushing rib is crushed by the connector inserted in the connector housing portion to hold the connector holder. The rattling between the connector and the connector was prevented, thereby preventing the above-mentioned rattling noise (see Patent Document 1).

However, in the conventional noise prevention measures for the connector holder, since the crushing ribs are used, the crushing ribs cannot be sufficiently crushed due to the error of the external dimensions of the connector to be held, and the above rattling noise cannot be prevented. There was a case. Further, even if the outer shape of the connector to be held is the same, it is slightly different for each manufacturing company. Due to this difference, when holding a connector of another manufacturing company, the crushing rib cannot be sufficiently crushed, and the above-mentioned In some cases, rattling noise could not be prevented.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-208785

Therefore, the present invention provides a connector holder capable of suppressing rattling between the connector holder and the held connector and preventing rattling noise even if the external dimensions and the external shape of the connector are slightly different. The purpose.

According to the present invention, a connector holder body having a connector accommodating portion into which a predetermined connector can be inserted and a connector provided on the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion and locked to the predetermined connector inserted into the connector accommodating portion. In a connector holder provided with a stop portion, the predetermined connector provided on the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion and inserted into the connector accommodating portion is urged, and the side of the inner peripheral surface in the urging direction. the predetermined connector e Bei elastic pieces pressed elastically, in the elastic piece, the aforementioned end portion that is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the connector housing portion and the base end portion, opposite end of the proximal portion The portion is the tip portion, the portion of the tip portion on the front side in the connector insertion direction is the front side portion, and the front side portion of the tip portion of the elastic piece has a shape inclined toward the base end portion. It is a connector holder.

In addition, "the predetermined connector is elastically pressed against the inner peripheral surface side in the urging direction" means that there is no other member between the inner peripheral surface in the urging direction and the predetermined connector. , It means that the predetermined connector is directly pressed against the inner peripheral surface in the urging direction, but when there is another member (for example, another elastic piece) between the inner peripheral surface in the urging direction and the predetermined connector. , Means pressing an elastic piece against the other member.

According to this configuration, the connector is urged by an elastic piece, and a predetermined connector is elastically pressed against the inner peripheral surface side in the urging direction. Therefore, even if the external dimensions of the connector are slightly different from the standard dimensions, the connector can be pressed. Differences in outer shape can be absorbed by elastic pressing of elastic pieces. As a result, even if the external dimensions are slightly different, the connector can be appropriately held, and rattling between the connector holder and the holding connector can be suppressed to prevent rattling noise.

Further, in the elastic piece, the end portion connected to the inner peripheral surface is set as the base end portion, the end portion on the opposite side of the base end portion is set as the tip end portion, and the portion of the tip end portion on the front side in the connector insertion direction is used. As the front side portion, the front side portion of the tip portion of the elastic piece is inclined toward the base end portion, so that the front side portion of the tip portion of the elastic piece is inclined toward the base end portion side. Due to the shape of the connector, the connector can be smoothly inserted all the way into the connector accommodating portion without being caught by the elastic piece.

As an aspect of the present invention, the locking portion constitutes a convex portion protruding from the inner peripheral surface, and the elastic piece is at least one of the concave portions on both sides of the convex portion when viewed from the connector insertion direction. It may be provided in one of the recesses.
According to this configuration, since the elastic pieces are provided in the recesses (that is, empty spaces) on both sides of the convex portion, the elastic pieces can be provided by utilizing the empty spaces, and the connector holder can be made compact. ..

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the elastic piece may be provided on the surface provided with the convex portion among the surfaces constituting the inner peripheral surface.

According to this configuration, when the elastic piece is provided in the concave portion on the side of the convex portion, the surface provided with the convex portion (that is, the bottom surface of the concave portion) can be used as the arrangement surface of the elastic piece.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the elastic piece may be provided on an adjacent surface of each surface constituting the inner peripheral surface, which is adjacent to the surface on which the convex portion is provided.

According to this configuration, when the elastic piece is provided in the concave portion on the side of the convex portion, the adjacent surface adjacent to the surface on which the convex portion is provided is provided among the surfaces constituting the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion. It can be used as an arrangement surface for elastic pieces.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the elastic piece may be provided on the inner peripheral surface on the inner side in the connector insertion direction.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the elastic piece from interfering with the connector insertion at the initial stage of connector insertion when the front portion of the connector is inserted into the connector housing portion, whereby the insertion posture of the connector can be changed from the initial stage of connector insertion. It can be stabilized and the connector can be inserted into the connector housing.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, two elastic pieces may be provided, and the two elastic pieces may be provided so that their inclination directions intersect with each other when viewed from the connector insertion direction.
According to this configuration, of the pressing force acting on the connector from each elastic piece, the components in the opposite direction of each elastic piece cancel each other out. Therefore, when the connector is inserted, each elastic piece causes the connector to move in the opposite direction of each elastic piece. It can be prevented from shifting to. That is, the connector can be inserted straight into the connector accommodating portion along the connector insertion direction.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the two elastic pieces may be provided so as to be inclined inward in a direction opposite to each other when viewed from the connector insertion direction.
According to this configuration, the distance between the base ends of the two elastic pieces (that is, the connecting portion with the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion) can be sufficiently widened, so that each elastic piece acts on the ceiling surface. It is possible to prevent the force (that is, the reaction force against the pressing force acting on the predetermined connector in the connector accommodating portion from each elastic piece) from being concentrated in one place on the ceiling surface.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the two elastic pieces may be provided so as to be inclined outward in the direction opposite to each other when viewed from the connector insertion direction.
According to this configuration, the distance between the tips of the two elastic pieces (that is, the contact portion with the predetermined connector inserted in the connector accommodating portion) can be sufficiently widened, so that the elastic piece stabilizes the connector. Can be pressed.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the elastic piece has a pair of sides along the longitudinal direction of the elastic piece, and one side of the pair of sides of the elastic piece is on the inner peripheral surface. It may be connected.

According to this configuration, the connector is pressed on the side of the other side of the pair of sides along the longitudinal direction of the elastic piece, so that the length of the side along the longitudinal direction of the elastic piece is utilized. , The contact surface between the elastic piece and the connector can be secured sufficiently large, whereby the connector can be stably pressed by the elastic piece.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, in the elastic piece, the end portion on the side opposite to the end portion connected to the inner peripheral surface is the tip end portion, and the front end portion in the connector insertion direction is the front side end portion. The connecting portion between the tip end portion and the front side end portion of the elastic piece may be chamfered.

According to this configuration, among the corners of the elastic piece, the corners (the above-mentioned connecting portions) that easily come into contact with the connector when the connector is inserted are chamfered, so that the connector is formed at the above-mentioned corners of the elastic piece when the connector is inserted. It can suppress damage.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, in the elastic piece, the end portion opposite to the end portion connected to the inner peripheral surface is set as the tip end portion, and the elastic piece is inserted into the connector accommodating portion among the main surfaces on both sides of the elastic piece. The main surface on the side facing the predetermined connector may be the main surface on the connector side, and the connecting portion between the tip end portion of the elastic piece and the main surface on the connector side may be chamfered.

According to this configuration, among the corners of the elastic piece, the corners (the above-mentioned connecting portions) that easily come into contact with the connector in the connector housing state are chamfered. It is possible to prevent the connector from being damaged.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, in the elastic piece, the end portion on the side opposite to the end portion connected to the inner peripheral surface is set as the tip portion, and the thickness of the elastic piece is the side of the tip portion of the elastic piece. It may be as thin as possible.

According to this configuration, the elastic piece can be flexed more flexibly toward the tip end side of the elastic piece while giving the elastic piece tenacious elasticity. As a result, the elastic piece can press the connector with a soft touch and strongly, and the elastic piece can sufficiently strongly press the connector while reducing the damage to the connector by the elastic piece.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the elastic piece may be provided so that its main surface is parallel to the connector insertion direction.

According to this configuration, since the main surface of the elastic piece is provided so as to be parallel to the connector insertion direction, the tip of the elastic piece (that is, the contact portion with the connector) is also parallel to the connector insertion direction. As a result, the frictional resistance between the tip of the elastic piece and the connector when the connector is inserted can be reduced, and the connector can be smoothly inserted into the connector accommodating portion.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the elastic piece may be provided so that its main surface is oblique with respect to the connector insertion direction.

According to this configuration, since the main surface of the elastic piece is provided so as to be oblique to the connector insertion direction, the tip of the elastic piece (that is, the contact portion with the connector) is also provided with respect to the connector insertion direction. It is slanted, which makes it possible to suppress both rattling around the axis parallel to the connector insertion direction and rattling around the axis orthogonal to the connector insertion direction in the connector housed state.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, in the elastic piece, the end portion connected to the inner peripheral surface is used as the base end portion, the end portion on the opposite side of the base end portion is used as the tip end portion, and the main ends on both sides of the elastic piece. Of the surfaces, the main surface on the side facing the predetermined connector inserted into the connector accommodating portion is the main surface on the connector side, and the elastic piece is the main surface on the connector side from the base end portion toward the tip end portion. It may be curved convexly toward the surface side.

According to this configuration, since the contact surface of the elastic piece with the connector is curved as described above, the contact surface of the elastic piece with the connector can be secured. Further, when the elastic piece is elastically displaced, it is possible to prevent the contact surface of the elastic piece with the connector from being caught on the surface of the connector.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the elastic piece may be formed by cutting out a part of the peripheral wall portion of the connector holder main body in a U shape and bending it into the connector accommodating portion.

According to this configuration, an opening is formed in a portion of the peripheral wall portion of the connector holder body cut out to form an elastic piece, so that the weight of the connector holder can be reduced by the amount of the opening. Can be done. In addition, elastic pieces can be retrofitted.

In the present invention, the connector holder main body having a connector accommodating portion into which a predetermined connector can be inserted and the predetermined connector provided on the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion and inserted into the connector accommodating portion are locked. In a connector holder provided with a locking portion, the predetermined connector provided on the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion and inserted into the connector accommodating portion is urged, and the inner peripheral surface in the urging direction is urged. An elastic piece that elastically presses the predetermined connector on the side of the connector may be provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector holder capable of suppressing rattling between the connector holder and the connector and preventing rattling noise even if the external dimensions and the external shape of the connector are slightly different.

An exploded perspective view of the connector holder and the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a side view of the connector, and (b) is a rear view of the connector. Is the front view of the connector holder, FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. BB sectional view of FIG. (A) is a cross-sectional view of the connector holder in the connector housed state, and (b) is a front view of the connector holder in the connector housed state. The figure explaining the deformation example about the inclination direction of an elastic piece. The figure explaining the deformation example about the arrangement position of an elastic piece. The figure explaining the deformation example about the shape of an elastic piece. The figure explaining another deformation example about the shape of an elastic piece. The figure explaining the modification about the method of forming an elastic piece. The figure explaining the deformation example about the thickness of an elastic piece. The figure explaining the deformation example about the angle of the elastic piece with respect to the connector insertion direction. The figure explaining another deformation example about the shape of an elastic piece.

<Embodiment>
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The connector holder 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, the connector holder 1 is mounted on a vehicle (for example, a hybrid vehicle) and holds a predetermined connector 2.

In FIG. 1, the lower left side of the connector holder 1 is the front side of the connector holder 1, and the upper right side of the connector holder 1 is the rear side of the connector holder 1. Further, the reference numeral P is the insertion direction of the connector 2 with respect to the connector holder 1. In this case, in the connector holder 1, the back side of the connector insertion direction P is the rear side of the connector holder 1, and the front side of the connector insertion direction P is the front side of the connector holder 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 2 is used by being connected to, for example, an end of a wire harness (not shown), and includes a connector housing 21 and a plurality of connector terminals (not shown). ing.

The connector housing 21 is formed, for example, in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The front surface 21a of the connector housing 21 is provided with a concave connector fitting portion (not shown) into which a mating connector connected to the connector 2 is fitted. The above-mentioned plurality of connector terminals are provided inside the connector fitting portion. The electric wires constituting the above-mentioned wire harness are connected to the base ends of the respective connectors.

The upper surface 21b of the connector housing 21 is provided with a locked portion 22 to which the locking portion 14 described later of the connector holder 1 is locked. In this embodiment, the upper surface 21b of the connector housing 21 is composed of a flat second half 21d, a flat first half 21e protruding upward in a stepped manner with respect to the second half 21d, and the first half 21e and the second half 21d. It is composed of a step portion 21f between them, and the step portion 21f functions as a locked portion 22.

The lower surface 21g of the connector housing 21 is provided with an overhanging portion 21h that comes into contact with the stopper 13 described later of the connector holder 1. The overhanging portion 21h projects downward in a stepwise manner from the lower surface 21g of the connector housing 21. Further, the overhanging portion 21h is provided at the center of the width direction H1 on the lower surface 21g of the connector holder 1 (FIG. 2B), and is provided from the front end to the center of the front-rear direction H2 (FIG. 2). (A)).

The connector holder 1 is made of a synthetic resin (for example, polyethylene). As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 to 5, the connector holder 1 includes a connector holder main body 10 having a connector accommodating portion 11 capable of accommodating the connector 2.
The connector holder main body 10 is formed in a box shape having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the front surface 10a open, and the lower wall portion 102 straddled between the side wall portions 101 on both sides and the lower side portions of the side wall portions 101 on both sides. And an upper wall portion 103 straddling between the upper side portions of the side wall portions 101 on both sides, and a rear wall portion 104 provided on the rear surface of the connector holder main body 10.

The inside of the connector holder main body 10 (that is, the portion surrounded by the wall portions 101, 102, 103, 104) is the connector accommodating portion 11. The connector accommodating portion 11 communicates with the open front surface 10a of the connector holder main body 10, and the connector 2 can be inserted (that is, accommodated) into the connector accommodating portion 11 through the open front surface 10a. The bottom surface 11a, the ceiling surface 11b, and the side surfaces 11c on both sides of the connector accommodating portion 11 constitute an inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion 11.

As shown in FIG. 5, an opening 12 is provided in the rear wall portion 104 of the connector holder main body 10. The opening 12 is an opening through which the mating connector connected to the connector 2 is inserted, and communicates with the connector accommodating portion 11. The opening 12 is provided in the rear wall portion 104 of the connector holder 1 at a position one step higher than the bottom surface 11a of the connector accommodating portion 11. That is, the opening 12 is provided in the rear wall portion 104 so as to leave the lower portion of the rear wall portion 104 of the connector holder 1.

The lower portion of the rear wall portion 104 of the connector holder 1 (that is, the lower portion of the opening 12) constitutes the stopper 13. The stopper 13 prevents the connector 2 from coming off to the rear surface side of the connector holder main body 10, and is erected at the back end portion of the bottom surface 11a of the connector holder main body.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ceiling surface (that is, the inner main surface of the upper wall portion 103) 11b of the connector accommodating portion 11 has a locking portion 14 that locks to the locked portion 22 of the connector 2. A pair of urges the connector 2 in a direction away from the ceiling surface 11b, which is the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion 11, and elastically presses the connector 2 against the bottom surface 11a, which is the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion 11 in the urging direction. An elastic piece 15 is provided.
The locking portion 14 is composed of a locking portion main body 141 and a support portion 142 that supports the locking portion main body 141.

The support portion 142 is provided so as to project downward from the center of the ceiling surface 11b of the connector accommodating portion 11 when viewed from the connector insertion direction P. The support portion 142 includes support side wall portions 142a on both sides protruding downward from the ceiling surface 11b, and a bottom wall portion 142b provided so as to straddle between the lower side portions of the support side wall portions 142a. The portion surrounded by the support side wall portions 142a, the bottom wall portion 142b, and the ceiling surface 11b on both sides is hollow.

Each support side wall portion 142a is formed in an elongated strip shape. The supporting side wall portions 142a are arranged side by side at intervals in the lateral width direction of the ceiling surface 11b, and are provided from the front end to the vicinity of the rear end of the ceiling surface 11b. The bottom wall portion 142b is provided from the front end of the ceiling surface 11b to the center in the front-rear direction.

The locking portion main body 141 includes an elastic piece portion 141a extending rearward from the rear end of the bottom wall portion 142b in the shape of a tongue piece, and a locking projection portion 141b protruding downward from the lower surface of the elastic piece portion 141a. have.
As shown in FIG. 5, the locking projection 141b has a rear end surface 141c orthogonal to the elastic piece portion 141a, and a slope 141d connecting the lower end of the rear end surface 141c and the base end of the elastic piece portion 141a. .. The locking projection 141b projects below the bottom wall portion 142b of the support portion 142. The elastic piece portion 141a elastically bends vertically, so that the locking projection portion 141b can be displaced up and down. The locking projection 141b is formed in an inverted right-angled triangular shape in a side view (FIG. 5), and is formed in a substantially U shape that opens to the front, for example, in a plan view (FIG. 4).

The locking portion 14 configured in this way is locked to the locked portion 22 when the rear end surface 141c of the locking protrusion 141b abuts on the locked portion 22 (stepped portion 21f) of the connector 2. .. As a result, it is possible to prevent the connector 2 from coming off to the opposite side of the insertion direction P.

The locking portion 14 configured in this way constitutes a convex portion 14T protruding from the ceiling surface 11b of the connector accommodating portion 11 into the internal space of the connector accommodating portion 11 when viewed from the connector insertion direction P (). Figure 3). Recesses 16 are formed on both sides of the convex portion 14T. Each recess 16 is a portion surrounded by a concave shape that is opened downward by the support side wall portion 142a of the locking portion 14, the ceiling surface 11b of the connector accommodating portion 11, and the upper portion of the side surface 11c of the connector accommodating portion 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, each elastic piece 15 is formed in, for example, a plate shape (for example, a flat plate shape) having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. Each elastic piece 15 is provided on the bottom surface of the recesses 16 on both sides of the convex portion 14T on the ceiling surface 11b of the connector accommodating portion 11. That is, each elastic piece 15 is provided in the recesses 16 on both sides of the convex portion 14T.

Each elastic piece 15 is erected so as to project downward on the ceiling surface 11b of the connector accommodating portion 11. The main surface of each elastic piece 15 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and has a pair of sides L along the longitudinal direction of the main surface of the elastic piece 15 (FIG. 4). In each elastic piece 15, the end portion (base end portion) 15a on the side of one side L of the pair of sides L is connected to the ceiling surface 11b of the connector accommodating portion 11, and the base end portion 15a The tip portion 15b, which is the end portion on the opposite side (that is, the side of the other side L), is directed downward. The tip portion 15b of each elastic piece 15 projects downward from the convex portion 14T.

Each elastic piece 15 is erected on the ceiling surface 11b of the connector accommodating portion 11 so as to be inclined toward one of the main surfaces on both sides thereof. More specifically, the elastic pieces 15 are provided so that their inclination directions intersect each other (specifically, they are inclined inward in the opposite direction to each other) when viewed from the connector insertion direction P.

Since each elastic piece 15 is inclined on the side of one main surface as described above, when the connector 2 is inserted into the connector accommodating portion 11, the connector 2 elastically attaches the elastic piece 15 to the side of the one main surface. The connector 2 is pressed against the bottom surface 11a of the connector accommodating portion 11 by the elastic recovery force.

As shown in FIG. 4, each elastic piece 15 is provided on the back side of the connector accommodating portion 11 on the ceiling surface 11b in the connector insertion direction P. The back side of the connector insertion direction P is deeper than the position in the connector accommodating portion 11 that is halfway into the connector insertion direction P from the open front surface 10a, and is preferably 2 / from the open front surface 10a to the connector insertion direction P. It is deeper than the position where 3 is entered. By providing each elastic piece 15 on the back side of the ceiling surface 11b in this way, it is possible to prevent each elastic piece 15 from interfering with the insertion of the connector. In particular, the "back side" is deeper than the position where the connector insertion direction P is half (preferably 2/3) from the open front surface 10a, so that the fixing of the connector 2 in the connector accommodating portion 11 is stabilized. Can be done. Further, by shifting the positional relationship between the elastic piece 15 and the locking portion 14 in the connector insertion direction P in this way, it is possible to achieve both the degree of freedom in designing the elastic piece 15 and the like and the above-mentioned stability. can.

Further, each elastic piece 15 is provided on the ceiling surface 11b so that their main surfaces are parallel to the connector insertion direction P. That is, considering that one side L of each elastic piece 15 along the longitudinal direction is connected to the ceiling surface 11b, the longitudinal direction of each elastic piece 15 is parallel to the connector insertion direction P. The front side portion (front side portion) 15c of the tip portion 15b of each elastic piece 15 in the connector insertion direction P is tapered toward the base end portion 15a toward the front side in the connector insertion direction P. ..

As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting portion (that is, the ridgeline portion) 10c between the side wall portion 101 and the lower wall portion 102 of one (for example, the left side) of the side wall portions 101 on both sides of the connector holder main body 10 has a concave angle shape. It is dented in. As a result, a stepped portion 17 is formed on the bottom surface 11a of the connector accommodating portion 11 on the same side as the one side wall portion 101 described above, which is projected in a stepped shape on the ceiling surface 11b side. Further, a rib 18 having the same height as the step portion 17 is erected along the front-rear direction of the bottom surface 11a near the end portion of the bottom surface 11a of the connector accommodating portion 11 opposite to the step portion 17. The overhanging portion 21h of the connector 2 can be fitted into the recessed portion between the step portion 17 and the rib 18.

As shown in FIG. 1, a notch 10e is provided in the front peripheral edge portion 10d of the peripheral wall portion (that is, the portion composed of the side wall portions 101, the lower wall portion 102, and the upper wall portion 103 on both sides) of the connector holder main body 10. Has been done. The cutout portion 10e partially retracts in the circumferential direction of the front peripheral edge portion 10d (for example, in a range straddling one side wall portion 101 and the lower wall portion 102) and retracts to the rear side of the connector holder 1 by a certain width. It is provided as follows.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, in the connector holder 1 configured in this way, the connector 2 is inserted from the front surface 10a side of the connector holder 1 to the depth of the connector accommodating portion 11 along the connector insertion direction P. (Fig. 1). At the time of this insertion, the overhanging portion 21h of the connector 2 hits the stopper 13 of the connector holder 1 along the recess in a state of being fitted into the recess between the step portion 17 of the connector holder 1 and the rib 18. Proceed until they come into contact (Fig. 6 (a)).

Further, at the time of the above insertion, the front half portion 21e of the upper surface 21b of the connector 2 slides on the slope 141d of the locking protrusion 141b of the connector holder 1, so that the locking protrusion 141b is elastically pushed upward. Be done. Then, when the overhanging portion 21h of the connector 2 comes into contact with the stopper 13 of the connector holder 1, the locking protrusion 141b elastically returns to the lower side, whereby the rear end surface 141c of the locking protrusion 141b becomes the connector 2 It is locked to the stepped portion 21f of the upper surface 21b of the above. That is, the locking portion 14 is locked to the locked portion 22 (FIG. 6A).

In this way, the connector 2 is prevented from coming off into the connector accommodating portion 11 by the locking between the locking portion 14 and the locked portion 22 and the contact between the overhanging portion 21h of the connector 2 and the stopper 13. It is fixed in a shape. That is, the connector 2 is held by the connector holder 1.

Further, at the time of the above insertion, since the front side portion 15c of the tip portion 15b of each elastic piece 15 is tapered toward the base end portion 15a, the connector 2 is in the connector insertion direction in each elastic piece 15. It is smoothly inserted to the back of the connector accommodating portion 11 without being caught by the front end portion.

Then, in a state where the connector 2 is held by the connector holder 1, each elastic piece 15 elastically presses the upper surface 21b of the connector 2 against the bottom surface 11a of the connector accommodating portion 11 (FIG. 6b). As a result, even if the external dimensions of the connector 2 are slightly different from the reference dimensions, the difference in the external dimensions can be absorbed by the elastic pressing of the elastic piece 15. As a result, even if the external dimensions are slightly different, the connector 2 can be appropriately held, and rattling between the connector holder 1 and the connector 2 can be suppressed to prevent rattling noise.

As described above, according to the connector holder 1 according to this embodiment, the connector holder main body 10 having the connector accommodating portion 11 into which the predetermined connector 2 can be inserted and the inner peripheral surface (for example, the ceiling surface 11b) of the connector accommodating portion 11 are provided. In the connector holder 1 provided with the locking portion 14 that is inserted into the connector accommodating portion 11 and engages with the predetermined connector 2, the connector is provided on the inner peripheral surface (for example, the ceiling surface 11b) of the connector accommodating portion 11. Since the connector 2 is provided with an elastic piece 15 that urges a predetermined connector 2 inserted into the accommodating portion 11 and elastically presses it toward the inner peripheral surface (for example, the bottom surface 11a) in the urging direction, the external dimensions of the connector 2. However, even if the size is slightly different from the reference size, the difference in the outer shape can be absorbed by the elastic pressing of the elastic piece 15. As a result, even if the external dimensions are slightly different, the connector 2 can be appropriately held, and rattling between the connector holder 1 and the connector 2 can be suppressed to prevent rattling noise.

Further, the locking portion 14 constitutes a convex portion 14T protruding from the inner peripheral surface (for example, the ceiling surface 11b) of the connector accommodating portion 11, and the elastic piece 15 is a convex portion 14T when viewed from the connector insertion direction P. Since it is provided in the recess 16 (that is, the empty space) of at least one of the recesses 16 on both sides (that is, both in this embodiment), the elastic piece 15 can be provided by utilizing the empty space, and the connector holder. 1 can be made compact.

Further, the elastic piece 15 is a ceiling surface on which a convex portion 14T is provided among the surfaces (that is, the bottom surface 11a, the ceiling surface 11b, and the side surfaces 11c on both sides) constituting the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion 11. Since it is provided in 11b, when the elastic piece 15 is provided in the recess 16, the ceiling surface 11b, which is the surface on which the convex portion 14T is provided, can be used as the arrangement surface of the elastic piece 15.

Further, since the elastic piece 15 is provided on the inner peripheral surface (for example, the ceiling surface 11b) of the connector accommodating portion 11 on the back side of the connector insertion direction P, the connector for inserting the front end of the connector 2 into the connector accommodating portion 11. At the initial stage of insertion, the elastic piece 15 can be prevented from interfering with the insertion of the connector, whereby the insertion posture of the connector 2 can be stabilized and the connector 2 can be inserted into the connector accommodating portion 11 from the initial stage of connector insertion. can.

Further, since the two elastic pieces 15 are provided so that their inclination directions intersect with each other when viewed from the connector insertion direction P, each elastic piece of the pressing force acting on the connector 2 from each elastic piece 15 is provided. The components of the 15 in the opposite direction can be canceled out, whereby the elastic pieces 15 can prevent the connector 2 from shifting in the opposite direction of the elastic pieces 15 when the connector is inserted. That is, the connector 2 can be inserted straight into the connector accommodating portion 11 along the connector insertion direction P.

Further, since the two elastic pieces 15 are provided so as to be inclined inward in the direction opposite to each other when viewed from the connector insertion direction P, the base end portion 15a of the two elastic pieces 15 (that is, the inside of the connector accommodating portion 11). A sufficiently wide space (connecting portion with the peripheral surface) can be secured, whereby a force acting on the ceiling surface 11b from each elastic piece 15 (that is, a predetermined connector in the connector accommodating portion 11 from each elastic piece 15) can be secured. It is possible to prevent the reaction force) acting on the ceiling surface 11b from being concentrated in one place on the ceiling surface 11b.

Further, the elastic piece 15 has a pair of sides L along the longitudinal direction of the elastic piece 15, and one side L of the pair of sides L of the elastic piece 15 is the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion 11. For example, since it is connected to the ceiling surface 11b), the connector 2 is pressed on the side of the other side L of the pair of sides L, and as a result, the side L along the longitudinal direction of the elastic piece 15 is pressed. Utilizing the length, the contact surface between the elastic piece 15 and the connector 2 can be secured sufficiently large, whereby the elastic piece 15 can stably press the connector 2.

Further, since the front side portion 15c of the tip portion 15b of the elastic piece 15 is inclined toward the base end portion 15a, the connector 2 is not caught by the elastic piece 15 and reaches the depth of the connector accommodating portion 11. It can be inserted smoothly.

Further, since the main surface of the elastic piece 15 is provided so as to be parallel to the connector insertion direction P, the tip portion 15b (that is, the contact portion with the connector 2) of the elastic piece 15 is also parallel to the connector insertion direction P. As a result, the frictional resistance between the tip portion 15b of the elastic piece 15 and the connector 2 at the time of inserting the connector can be reduced, and the connector 2 can be smoothly inserted into the connector accommodating portion 11.

<Modification example 1>
In the above embodiment, the two elastic pieces 15 are provided in an inverted C shape, but as shown in FIG. 7, the two elastic pieces 15 may be provided in a C shape. That is, the two elastic pieces 15 may be provided so as to be inclined outward in the direction opposite to each other when viewed from the connector insertion direction P. According to this configuration, the distance between the tip portions 15b of the two elastic pieces 15 (that is, the contact portion with the predetermined connector 2 inserted into the connector accommodating portion 11) can be sufficiently widened, so that the elastic pieces can be sufficiently widened. At 15, the connector 2 can be pressed stably.

<Modification 2>
In the above embodiment, each elastic piece 15 is provided in the recess 16 by being provided on the ceiling surface 11b of the connector accommodating portion 11, but as shown in FIG. 8, each elastic piece 15 is provided in the connector accommodating portion 11. It may be provided in the recess 16 by being provided on the upper part of the side surface 11c on both sides of the 11. The side surface 11c is an adjacent surface adjacent to the ceiling surface 11b, which is a surface provided with the convex portion 14T, among the surfaces constituting the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion 11. Each elastic piece 15 is provided in an inverted C shape as in the case of the above embodiment.

According to this modification, when the elastic piece 15 is provided in the recess 16 on the side of the convex portion 14T, the surface on which the convex portion 14T is provided is one of the surfaces constituting the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion 11. The side surface 11c, which is an adjacent surface adjacent to (that is, the ceiling surface 11b), can be used as the arrangement surface of the elastic piece 15.

In this modification 2, the upper surface 21b of the connector 2 is pressed by each elastic piece 15, but the side surface of the connector 2 may be pressed by each elastic piece 15.
Further, as described above, when the elastic piece 15 is provided on the side surface 11c, the elastic piece 15 is provided above the side surface 11c of the connector accommodating portion 11 and is not limited to pressing the upper surface 21b of the connector 2. A sufficient distance between the convex portion 14T and the convex portion 14T can be secured, whereby the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the elastic piece 15 and the degree of freedom in the size and shape of the elastic piece 15 can be improved.

<Modification example 3>
As shown in FIG. 9, in the above embodiment, the connecting portion 15e between the tip portion 15b and the front end portion 15d of each elastic piece 15 may be chamfered in an arc shape, for example. The front end 15d is the front end of the elastic piece 15 in the connector insertion direction P. According to this modification, among the corners of the elastic piece 15, the corners that easily come into contact with the connector 2 when the connector is inserted (that is, the connecting portion 15e) are chamfered, so that the elastic piece 15 is described above when the connector is inserted. It is possible to prevent the connector 2 from being damaged at the corners.

<Modification example 4>
As shown in FIG. 10, in the above embodiment, the connecting portion 15h between the tip portion 15b and the connector side main surface 15g of each elastic piece 15 may be chamfered in an arc shape, for example. The tip portion 15b of the elastic piece 15 is an end portion of the elastic piece 15 opposite to the base end portion 15a, and the connector-side main surface 15g of the elastic piece 15 is a main surface on both sides of the elastic piece 15. Of these, the main surface on the side facing the connector 2 inserted into the connector accommodating portion 11.

According to this modification, among the corners of the elastic piece 15, the corners (connecting portions 15h) that easily come into contact with the connector 2 in the connector housed state are chamfered, so that the elastic piece 15 is described above in the connector housed state. It is possible to prevent the connector 2 from being damaged at the corners of the connector 2.

<Modification 5>
As shown in FIG. 11, in the above embodiment, the elastic piece 15 is a part (for example, the upper wall portion 103) of the peripheral wall portion (that is, the portion composed of the wall portions 101, 102, 103) of the connector holder main body 10. ) May be formed by being cut out in a substantially U shape and bent into the connector accommodating portion 11. According to this modification, since an opening is formed in the portion of the peripheral wall portion of the connector holder main body 10 cut out to form the elastic piece 15, the connector holder 1 is provided by the portion of the opening. It can be made lighter. Further, the elastic piece 15 can be retrofitted to the connector holder 1.

<Modification 6>
As shown in FIG. 12, in the above embodiment, the thickness D of the elastic piece 15 (that is, the thickness between the main surfaces of the elastic piece 15) may be thinner toward the tip portion 15b side of the elastic piece 15. According to this modification, the elastic piece 15 can be flexed more flexibly toward the tip portion 15b side of the elastic piece 15 while giving the elastic piece 15 tenacious elasticity. As a result, the elastic piece 15 can press the connector 2 strongly with a soft touch, and the elastic piece 15 can sufficiently strongly press the connector 2 while reducing the damage to the connector 2 by the elastic piece 15. ..

<Modification 7>
As shown in FIG. 13, in the above embodiment, each elastic piece 15 may be provided so that its main surface is oblique with respect to the connector insertion direction P. More specifically, each elastic piece 15 may be provided so that its longitudinal direction is oblique to the connector insertion direction P. In FIG. 13, each elastic piece 15 is provided obliquely with respect to the connector insertion direction P so that the front end portion 15d thereof opens outward in the opposite direction of each elastic piece 15, but conversely, they are provided. The back end portion 15i of the elastic piece 15 may be provided diagonally with respect to the connector insertion direction P so as to open outward in the opposite direction of each elastic piece 15.

According to this modification, since the main surface of the elastic piece 15 is provided so as to be oblique with respect to the connector insertion direction P, the tip portion 15b of the elastic piece 15 (that is, the contact portion with the connector 2) is also provided. It is slanted with respect to the connector insertion direction P, so that even if only one elastic piece 15 is provided, the rattling around the axis AX1 parallel to the connector insertion direction P and the connector insertion direction in the connector accommodating state. Both rattling and rattling around the axis AX2 orthogonal to P can be suppressed (FIG. 1). Therefore, when there are a plurality of elastic pieces 15, it is possible to more reliably suppress the rattling around the axis and prevent the rattling noise.

<Modification 8>
As shown in FIG. 14, in the above embodiment, the elastic piece 15 may be curved convexly from the base end portion 15a toward the tip end portion 15b toward the connector side main surface 15g. According to this modification, since the contact surface of the elastic piece 15 with the connector 2 is curved as described above, the contact surface of the elastic piece 15 with the connector 2 can be secured. Further, when the elastic piece 15 is elastically displaced, it is possible to prevent the contact surface of the elastic piece 15 with the connector 2 from being caught on the surface of the connector 2.

<Other variants>
In the above embodiment, the elastic piece 15 is integrally formed with the connector holder main body 10, but the elastic piece 15 and the connector holder main body 10 are formed separately, and the elastic piece 15 is assembled to the connector holder main body 10. You may. In this case, the degree of freedom in the shape and arrangement of the elastic pieces 15 can be improved.

Further, in the above embodiment, the elastic piece 15 is provided on the ceiling surface 11b of the connector accommodating portion 11, and the connector 2 is elastically pressed against the bottom surface 11a side of the connector accommodating portion 11 by the elastic piece 15, but the elastic piece 15 is pressed. The connector 2 may be provided on one side surface 11c of the connector accommodating portion 11 and the connector 2 may be elastically pressed against the other side surface 11c side of the connector accommodating portion 11 by the elastic piece 15, or the elastic piece 15 may be pressed against the bottom surface of the connector accommodating portion 11. The connector 2 may be provided on the 11a and elastically pressed against the ceiling surface 11b side of the connector accommodating portion 11 by the elastic piece 15.

Further, in the above embodiment, the elastic piece 15 is provided on the ceiling surface 11b of the connector accommodating portion 11, but the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion 11 other than the ceiling surface 11b (that is, the bottom surface 11a or the side surface 11c). It may be provided in.
Further, the number of elastic pieces 15 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

Further, in the above embodiment, only the base end portion 15a of the tip end portion 15b and the base end portion 15a of the elastic piece 15 is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion 11, but the elastic piece 15 has a U shape. Both the base end portion 15a and the tip end portion 15b may be curved to connect to the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion 11. In this case, the tip end portion 15b may be connected to the same surface as the surface to which the base end portion 15a is connected (ceiling surface 11b), and may be connected to a surface different from the surface to which the base end portion 15a is connected (for example, the side surface 11c). ) May be connected.
Further, the inner peripheral surface (for example, the bottom surface 11a) of the connector accommodating portion 11 may be provided with a crushing rib that is crushed by the connector inserted in the connector accommodating portion 11, and the crushing rib and the elastic piece 15 may be used together.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments and modifications, but also includes combinations of the above-described embodiments and modifications, and many embodiments can be obtained.

1 ... Connector holder 2 ... Connector (predetermined connector)
10 ... Connector holder body 11 ... Connector housing 11b ... Ceiling surface (inner peripheral surface)
11c ... Side surface (adjacent surface)
14 ... Locking part 14T ... Convex part 15a ... Base end part 15b ... Tip part 15c ... Front side part 15d ... Front side end 15e ... Connecting part 15g ... Connector side main surface 15h ... Connecting part 16 ... Recessed part D ... Elastic Piece thickness L: Sides of elastic pieces along the longitudinal direction

Claims (15)

A connector holder main body having a connector accommodating portion into which a predetermined connector can be inserted, and a locking portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion and locking to the predetermined connector inserted into the connector accommodating portion. In the provided connector holder
The predetermined connector provided on the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion and inserted into the connector accommodating portion is urged, and the predetermined connector is elastically pressed against the inner peripheral surface side in the urging direction. for example Bei an elastic piece,
In the elastic piece, the end portion of the connector accommodating portion connected to the inner peripheral surface is set as the base end portion, the end portion on the opposite side of the base end portion is used as the tip end portion, and the front side of the tip end portion in the connector insertion direction. The part of is the front part,
The front side portion of the tip portion of the elastic piece is a connector holder having a shape inclined toward the base end portion. The locking portion constitutes a convex portion protruding from the inner peripheral surface, and forms a convex portion.
The connector holder according to claim 1, wherein the elastic piece is provided in at least one of the recesses on both sides of the convex portion when viewed from the connector insertion direction. The connector holder according to claim 2, wherein the elastic piece is provided on the surface provided with the convex portion among the surfaces constituting the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion. The connector holder according to claim 2, wherein the elastic piece is provided on an adjacent surface adjacent to a surface provided with the convex portion among the surfaces constituting the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion. The elastic piece is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion on the back side in the connector insertion direction.
The connector holder according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Two elastic pieces are provided,
The two elastic pieces are provided so that their inclination directions intersect each other when viewed from the connector insertion direction.
The connector holder according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The connector holder according to claim 6, wherein the two elastic pieces are provided so as to be inclined inward in a direction opposite to each other when viewed from the connector insertion direction. The connector holder according to claim 6, wherein the two elastic pieces are provided so as to be inclined outward in the direction opposite to each other when viewed from the connector insertion direction. In the elastic piece, the end on the side opposite to the end connected to the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion is the tip end portion, and the end portion on the front side in the connector insertion direction is the front side end portion.
The connecting portion between the tip end portion and the front side end portion of the elastic piece is chamfered.
The connector holder according to any one of claims 1 to 8. In the elastic piece, the end portion opposite to the end portion connected to the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion is used as the tip end portion.
Of the main surfaces on both sides of the elastic piece, the main surface on the side facing the predetermined connector inserted into the connector accommodating portion is defined as the main surface on the connector side.
The connecting portion between the tip portion of the elastic piece and the main surface on the connector side is chamfered.
The connector holder according to any one of claims 1 to 9. In the elastic piece, the end portion on the side opposite to the end portion connected to the inner peripheral surface of the connector accommodating portion is defined as the tip end portion.
The thickness of the elastic piece becomes thinner toward the tip end side of the elastic piece.
The connector holder according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The elastic piece is provided so that its main surface is parallel to the connector insertion direction.
The connector holder according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The elastic piece is provided so that its main surface is slanted with respect to the connector insertion direction.
The connector holder according to any one of claims 1 to 11. In the elastic piece, the end portion connected to the inner peripheral surface is used as the base end portion, and the end portion on the opposite side of the base end portion is used as the tip end portion.
Of the main surfaces on both sides of the elastic piece, the main surface on the side facing the predetermined connector inserted into the connector accommodating portion is defined as the main surface on the connector side.
The elastic piece is convexly curved toward the main surface on the connector side from the base end portion toward the tip end portion.
The connector holder according to any one of claims 1 to 13. The elastic piece is formed by cutting out a part of the peripheral wall portion of the connector holder main body in a U shape and bending it into the connector accommodating portion.
The connector holder according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Images