JP2009293661A - Plug - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plug insertable into a hole of a panel with low insertion resistance, and firmly engageable with the hole. <P>SOLUTION: This plug 10 has a flange part 12 abutting on the surface side peripheral edge of the hole 3 arranged in the panel 1, a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 14 suspended from the inner periphery of the flange part 12, a bottom part 16 extended in the inner diameter direction from the lower end of the outer peripheral surface 14, a cylindrical inner peripheral wall 18 rising to the flange part 12 side from the inner periphery of the bottom part 16, a pressing part 20 connected to an upper end part of the inner peripheral wall 18, and an annular groove 22 formed between the outer peripheral wall 14 and the inner peripheral wall 18 and forming a shape of opening the flange part 12 side. The outer peripheral wall 14 is provided with a plurality of first locking parts 25 projected in the outer diameter direction at a predetermined interval in the peripheral direction and engaging with the back side peripheral edge of the hole 3, and a plurality of second locking parts 30 formed between these first locking parts 25, projected in the outer diameter direction in the height lower than the first locking parts 25 and engaging with the back side peripheral edge of the hole 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a plug used for closing a hole formed in a panel.

  For example, various holes may be formed in an automobile panel depending on the purpose, and plugs are used to close the holes.

  As this type of conventional one, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a cover portion that covers a hole in the panel plate, an engagement portion that is continuous with the lower surface portion of the cover portion, and that engages with a hole in the panel plate. An insertion part inclined toward the tip, a blind hole formed in the center part of the insertion part, a boss formed in the center of the cover part by forming a ring groove so as to wrap the blind hole from the cover part, and soft A plug made of material is disclosed. The engaging portion is formed in an annular shape and engages with the entire periphery of the back side of the hole in the panel plate.

  Further, the following Patent Document 2 includes a flange portion that comes into pressure contact with the surface of the panel, and an insertion portion that hangs down from the lower surface of the flange portion and is inserted into a hole made in the panel. Is a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral wall extending downwardly from the flange portion, an inner peripheral wall extending in a rising shape so as to be folded inward from the lower end of the outer peripheral wall, and an inner peripheral wall It is constituted by a face plate that closes the upper end, and an annular body is provided with an annular groove that opens upward between the outer peripheral wall surface and the inner peripheral wall surface. A hole closure device is disclosed in which a plurality of engagement protrusions that are hollowed in communication with the grooves are radially provided and locking claws that engage the holes of the panel are provided on the outer wall surface thereof. Yes.

And the latching claw provided in the some engagement protrusion radially projected on the outer peripheral wall surface engages with the hole of a panel, respectively, and a plug is attached to the hole and it is obstruct | occluded.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-2821 No. 2-8867

  In the plug described in Patent Document 1, the engaging portion is formed in an annular shape. For this reason, when the plug is inserted into the hole in the panel plate, the entire circumference of the annular engaging portion is pushed into the inner periphery of the hole while being pushed in, so there is a demerit that the insertion resistance is high and it is difficult to insert the plug.

  Moreover, since the plug of the following patent document 2 is only engaging the latching claw provided in the radial engagement protrusion with respect to the hole, when a force acts on the plug in the pulling direction. However, there was a risk that the plug could be removed from the hole relatively easily.

  Furthermore, the plug may be pushed in with the hole inclined. In that case, not all the locking claws provided on the radial engaging projections are engaged with the holes, but the plugs are attached to the holes in a half-hanging state where only some of the locking claws are engaged with the holes. As a result, the plug may be easily detached from the hole.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a plug that can be inserted into a hole of a panel with low insertion resistance and can be firmly engaged with the hole.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a plug that closes a hole formed in a panel, and includes an annular flange portion that comes into contact with a front peripheral edge of the hole, and an inner periphery of the flange portion. A cylindrical outer peripheral wall that hangs down, an annular bottom that extends in the inner diameter direction from the lower end of the outer peripheral wall, a cylindrical inner peripheral wall that rises from the inner periphery of the bottom toward the flange, and the upper end of the inner peripheral wall A pressing portion that is connected to a portion and closes the opening, and an annular groove that is formed between the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall and has an opening on the flange portion side. Is formed between the first locking portions, and a plurality of first locking portions that project in the outer diameter direction at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction and engage with the back side peripheral edge of the hole. A plurality of first protrusions projecting in the outer diameter direction at a height lower than the first locking portion and engaging with the rear peripheral edge of the hole. There is provided a plug, characterized in that the locking portion is provided.

  According to the above invention, when the plug is inserted into the hole of the panel, the first locking portion and the second locking portion are pressed into the inner periphery of the hole, and the outer peripheral wall is pushed in while being bent. When the locking portion and the second locking portion are pulled out to the back side of the hole, the outer peripheral wall is elastically restored so that both locking portions engage with the back side peripheral edge of the hole and the flange portion comes into contact with the front side peripheral edge of the hole. Then, the plug is attached to the hole and the hole is closed.

  In this plug, a plurality of first locking portions are provided on the outer peripheral wall, and a second locking portion having a lower height is provided between the first locking portions. Is inserted into the hole, the first locking portion having a high height is pressed against the inner periphery of the hole, the outer peripheral wall is bent, and the second locking portion hardly comes into contact with the inner periphery of the hole. Therefore, the insertion resistance can be kept low.

  In addition, since the first locking portion and the second locking portion are engaged with the back side periphery of the hole, the plug can be firmly attached to the hole. Furthermore, a second locking portion is disposed between the plurality of first locking portions disposed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall, and the first locking portion having a high height and the second locking portion having a low height. Since the engaging portions are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall, a uniform holding force can be obtained in the circumferential direction with respect to the hole, and the inclination and backlash of the plug can be suppressed to prevent the hole. Can be installed on.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the plug according to the first aspect, wherein the second locking portion extends in a circumferential direction by a predetermined length, and both end portions thereof are connected to the first locking portion. It is to provide.

  According to the said invention, the engagement margin with respect to the back side periphery of a hole of a 2nd latching | locking part increases, and it can attach a plug more firmly with respect to a hole.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first invention, there is a predetermined gap between both end portions of the second locking portion and the first locking portions located on both sides in the circumferential direction of the second locking portion. The plug is provided with the gap.

  According to the above invention, the gap is provided between the both end portions of the second locking portion and the first locking portions on both sides thereof, and the second locking portion is connected to the first locking portions on both sides. Are not connected, so when the plug is inserted into the hole and the first locking portion is pressed against the inner periphery of the hole and the outer peripheral wall is bent, the portion of the outer peripheral wall provided with the second locking portion is bent. The insertion resistance can be further reduced.

  In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the outer peripheral surface on the bottom side of the first locking portion and the second locking portion is gradually toward the flange portion side. A tapered insertion guide having a protruding height is formed, and the insertion guide of each locking portion is provided with the described plug formed at the same inclination angle with respect to the axial center of the plug.

  According to the above invention, since the insertion guide is provided in the first locking portion and the second locking portion, when the plug is inserted into the hole, it is guided without being caught in the inner periphery of the hole, so that the insertion is smoothly performed. can do. Also, since the plug is pushed in while the insertion guides of the first locking portion and the second locking portion inclined at the same angle are in contact with the inner periphery of the hole, the inclination when the plug is inserted The plug can be inserted with the axial center of the plug substantially aligned with the center of the hole, and both locking portions can be firmly engaged with the peripheral edge of the back side of the hole.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the outer peripheral surface on the bottom side of the first locking portion and the second locking portion gradually protrudes toward the flange portion side. A tapered insertion guide having a higher height is formed, and the inclination angle of the insertion guide of the second locking portion with respect to the axis of the plug is inclined with respect to the axis of the plug of the insertion guide of the first locking portion. Plugs that are set to be smaller than the above are provided.

  According to the above invention, since the insertion guide is provided in the first locking portion and the second locking portion, when the plug is inserted into the hole, it is guided without being caught in the inner periphery of the hole, so that the insertion is smoothly performed. can do. In addition, since the inclination angle of the insertion guide of the second locking portion is set smaller than the inclination angle of the insertion guide of the first locking portion, the first locking portion is inserted when the plug is inserted into the hole. This insertion guide comes into contact with the inner periphery of the hole before the insertion guide of the second locking portion, and the outer peripheral wall provided with the first locking portion is more easily bent.

  According to the plug of the present invention, a plurality of first locking portions are provided on the outer peripheral wall, and a second locking portion having a height lower than that is provided between the first locking portions. When the plug is inserted into the hole, the first locking portion having a high height is pressed against the inner periphery of the hole and the outer peripheral wall is bent, and the second locking portion is hardly brought into contact with the inner periphery of the hole. Therefore, the insertion resistance can be kept low. In addition, since the first locking portion and the second locking portion are engaged with the back side periphery of the hole, the plug can be firmly attached to the hole.

  Embodiments of the plug according to the present invention will be described below.

  1 to 6 show an embodiment of a plug according to the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the plug 10 is used to close a hole 3 formed in a panel 1 such as a vehicle body panel used in an automobile.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plug 10 includes an annular flange portion 12 that is in contact with the front peripheral edge of the hole 3, a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 14 that hangs down from the inner periphery of the flange portion 12, and an outer periphery thereof. An annular bottom 16 extending in the inner diameter direction from the lower end of the wall 14, a cylindrical inner peripheral wall 18 rising from the inner periphery of the bottom 16 toward the flange portion 12, and an upper end of the inner peripheral wall 18 And a pressing portion 20 that closes the opening, and an annular groove 22 that is formed between the outer peripheral wall 14 and the inner peripheral wall 18 and has an opening on the flange portion 12 side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the flange portion 12 has a shape that spreads in a skirt shape obliquely downward as shown in FIG. 2. When the plug 10 is attached to the hole 3 as shown in FIG. It is elastically deformed so as to elastically abut on the front side periphery of the hole 3.

  Further, the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 14 on the bottom 16 side forms a tapered surface 14 a that gradually decreases in diameter toward the bottom 16, so that the plug 10 can be easily inserted into the hole 3.

  Further, by providing the annular groove 22 between the outer peripheral wall 14 and the inner peripheral wall 18, the outer peripheral wall 14 pressed against the inner periphery of the hole 3 is deformed by bending when the plug 10 is inserted into the hole 3. It is easy to do.

  The outer peripheral wall 14 of the plug 10 is provided with a first locking portion 25 and a second locking portion 30.

  In other words, a plurality of first locking portions 25 are protruded at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall 14. In this embodiment, four first locking portions 25 are projected from the outer peripheral wall 14 with a uniform interval in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a taper-shaped first insertion guide 26 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first locking portion 25 on the bottom portion 16 side so that the protruding height gradually increases toward the flange portion 12 side. Has been. The first insertion guide 26 is continuously formed on the tapered surface 14a of the outer peripheral wall 14 without a step.

  A top portion 27 that protrudes highest from the outer peripheral wall 14 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first locking portion 25 and above the first insertion guide 26. The top portion 27 protrudes at a constant height with the same radius with respect to the axis S of the plug 10. Further, the end portion of the first locking portion 25 on the flange portion 12 side is formed in a step shape, and forms a locking step portion 28 that engages with the back side periphery of the hole 3.

  On the other hand, the 2nd latching | locking part 30 is each provided between the some 1st latching | locking parts 25 mentioned above. As shown in FIG. 3, the second locking portion 30 extends along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall 14, and both end portions thereof are connected to the first locking portions 30 and 30, respectively. Yes. The second locking portion 30 extends longer in the circumferential direction than the first locking portion 25.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, each second locking portion 30 has basically the same structure as the first locking portion 30.

  That is, on the outer peripheral surface of the second locking portion 30 on the bottom 16 side, a tapered second insertion guide 31 whose protruding height gradually increases toward the flange portion 12 side is formed on the tapered surface 14 a of the outer peripheral wall 14. It is formed continuously (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 4, the inclination angle θ2 of the second insertion guide 31 with respect to the axis S of the plug 10 is the same as the inclination angle θ1 of the first insertion guide 26 with respect to the axis S of the plug 10 described above. ing.

  In addition, a top portion 32 having a height lower than that of the first locking portion 25 is formed on the second locking portion 30 above the second insertion guide 31. The top 32 protrudes at a constant height with the same radius with respect to the axis S of the plug 10. Further, the end portion of the second locking portion 30 on the flange portion 12 side is formed in a step shape, and forms a locking step portion 33 that engages with the rear peripheral edge of the hole 3.

  Next, a method of using the plug 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  That is, after the bottom side of the outer peripheral wall 14 of the plug 10 is aligned with the hole 3 formed in the panel 1 such as a vehicle body panel for an automobile, the pressing portion 20 is pushed in, so that FIG. As shown in (b), it is inserted into the inner periphery of the hole 3.

  Then, the outer peripheral wall 14 enters the hole 3 while being guided by the tapered surface 14a, and the first insertion guide 26 and the second insertion guide 31 below the first locking portion 25 and the second locking portion 30 are also included. It will be inserted. In this manner, the plug 10 can be smoothly inserted by being guided by the tapered surface 14a, the first insertion guide 26, and the second insertion guide 31 without being caught by the inner periphery of the hole 3.

  Further, when the plug 10 is pushed in, the top portion 27 of the first locking portion 30 contacts the inner periphery of the hole 3 through the second insertion guide 31 and the first insertion guide 26. At this time, the top portion 27 of the first locking portion 30 is pressed to the inner periphery of the hole 3 (see FIG. 5A), and the second locking portion 30 between the first locking portions 25, 25 is provided. The outer peripheral wall 14 is pushed in while being bent inward (see FIG. 5B).

  When the plug 10 is further pushed deeper, the top portion 27 passes through the hole 3, and the first locking portion 25 and the second locking portion 30 come out to the back side periphery of the hole 3. As a result, the outer peripheral wall 14 is elastically restored, and both the first locking step portion 28 and the second locking step portion 33 of each locking portion 25, 30 are engaged with the rear side periphery of the hole 3 ( (Refer to Drawing 6 (a) and (b)). At the same time, the flange portion 12 bends and deforms in a flat shape and elastically abuts on the front side periphery of the hole 3. As a result, the front and back peripheral edges of the hole 3 of the panel 1 are sandwiched between the flange portion 12 and the locking portions 25 and 30, and the plug 10 is attached to the panel 1 so that the hole 3 can be closed.

  And in this plug 10, while providing the some 1st latching | locking part 25 in the outer peripheral wall 14, between these 1st latching | locking parts 25, the 2nd latching | locking part 30 with a height lower than it is provided. When the plug 10 is inserted into the hole 3, the top portion 27 of the first locking portion 25 having a high height is pressed against the inner periphery of the hole 3 (FIG. 5A). reference). Thereby, the outer peripheral wall 14 provided with the second locking portion 30 between the first locking portions 25, 25 is bent inward as shown in FIG. It is the structure which hardly touches the inner periphery of. For this reason, the contact area to the inner periphery of the hole 3 becomes small, and the insertion resistance of the plug 10 can be kept low.

  Further, as described above, when the plug 10 is engaged with the hole 3, the engaging step portions 28 and 33 of the engaging portions 25 and 30 are engaged with the rear peripheral edge of the hole 3 together. Therefore, the plug 10 can be firmly attached to the hole 3.

  Furthermore, the 2nd latching | locking part 30 is arrange | positioned between the some 1st latching | locking parts 25 arrange | positioned at the predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall 14, and the high 1st latching | locking part 25 and high Since the second locking portions 30 having a small height are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall 14, a uniform holding force can be obtained in the circumferential direction with respect to the hole 3, and the plug 10 It can be attached to the hole 3 while suppressing inclination and backlash.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the 2nd latching | locking part 30 is extended in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall 14, and the both ends are each connected with the 1st latching | locking part 25, it is the 2nd latching | locking part. It is possible to increase the margin of engagement of the second locking step portion 33 of 30 with respect to the rear side periphery of the hole 3 (the circumferential length of the second locking step portion 33 engaged with the rear side periphery of the hole 3), As a result, the plug 10 can be more firmly attached to the hole 3.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the first insertion guide 26 and the second insertion guide of both the locking portions 25 and 30 are formed at the same inclination angles θ1 and θ2 (see FIG. 4), the plug 10 is inserted into the hole 3. When inserting the plug 10, both the insertion guides 26 and 31 are brought into contact with the inner periphery of the hole 3 and the plug 10 is pushed in. As a result, even when the plug 10 is inserted, even if the plug 10 is inclined, the inclination is corrected and the plug 10 is inserted with the axial center S of the plug 10 substantially aligned with the center of the hole 3. Thus, both the locking portions 25 and 30 can be firmly engaged with the back side periphery of the hole 3.

  FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a plug according to the present invention. It should be noted that substantially the same parts as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  This plug 10a is different from the above-described embodiment in that both end portions in the circumferential direction of the second locking portion 30 formed between the plurality of first locking portions 25 are not connected to the first locking portion 25. Is different. That is, it does not engage with the hole 3 between the circumferential direction both ends of the second locking portion 30 of this embodiment and the first locking portions 25 located at both circumferential ends of the second locking portion 30. It has a structure in which a predetermined gap V composed of a height wall portion is provided.

  As described above, since both end portions in the circumferential direction of the second locking portion 30 are not connected to the first locking portion 25, the plug 10 is inserted into the hole 3, and the top portion of the first locking portion 25 is inserted. When the outer peripheral wall 14 is bent by being pressed by the inner periphery of the hole 3, the portion of the outer peripheral wall 14 provided with the second locking portion 30 is easily bent, and the insertion resistance can be further reduced.

  FIG. 8 shows still another embodiment of the plug according to the present invention. It should be noted that substantially the same parts as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the plug 10 b of this embodiment, the inclination angle θ <b> 2 of the second insertion guide 31 provided in the second locking part 30 with respect to the axis S of the plug 10 is in the first locking part 25. The first insertion guide 26 provided is set to be smaller than the inclination angle θ1 with respect to the axis S of the plug 10.

  According to this embodiment, since the inclination angle θ2 of the second insertion guide 31 of the second locking part 30 is set smaller than the inclination angle θ1 of the first insertion guide 26 of the first locking part 25, When the plug 10 is inserted into the hole 3, the first insertion guide 26 of the first locking part 25 contacts the inner periphery of the hole 3 before the second insertion guide 31 of the second locking part 30. Thus, the second locking portion 30 is more easily bent on the inner side, and the insertion resistance can be further reduced.

It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the plug of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the plug. It is a bottom view of the plug. The state before inserting the plug into the hole is shown, (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part, and (b) is an enlarged bottom view of the main part. The state which has let the plug pass through the hole is shown, (a) is an important section expanded sectional view, and (b) is an important section expanded bottom view. The state which attached the plug to the hole is shown, (a) is a principal part expanded sectional view, (b) is a principal part expanded bottom view. It is a principal part expanded bottom view which shows other embodiment of the plug of this invention. It is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows other embodiment of the plug of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Panel 3 Hole 10, 10a, 10b Plug 12 Flange part 14 Outer peripheral wall 16 Bottom part 18 Inner peripheral wall 20 Press part 22 Annular groove 25 First latching part 26 First insertion guide 30 Second latching part 31 Second insertion guide S Axis center V Gap θ1 Inclination angle (Inclination angle with respect to the axis of the plug of the first insertion guide)
θ2 Inclination angle (Inclination angle with respect to the axis of the plug of the second insertion guide)

Claims (5)

A plug for closing a hole drilled in a panel, an annular flange portion contacting the front peripheral edge of the hole, a cylindrical outer peripheral wall hanging from the inner periphery of the flange portion, and a lower end of the outer peripheral wall An annular bottom extending in the inner diameter direction, a cylindrical inner peripheral wall rising from the inner periphery of the bottom toward the flange, and a pressing portion connected to the upper end of the inner peripheral wall and closing the opening And an annular groove formed between the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall and having a shape in which the flange portion side is open,
A plurality of first locking portions that protrude in the outer diameter direction at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral wall and engage with the rear peripheral edge of the hole, and between these first locking portions A plurality of second locking portions that are formed and project in the outer diameter direction at a height lower than that of the first locking portion, and are engaged with the peripheral edge of the back side of the hole. plug.   The plug according to claim 1, wherein the second locking portion extends in a circumferential direction by a predetermined length, and both end portions thereof are respectively connected to the first locking portion.   The plug according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined gap is provided between both end portions of the second locking portion and the first locking portions located on both sides in the circumferential direction of the second locking portion.   A tapered insertion guide that gradually increases in height toward the flange side is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bottom side of the first locking part and the second locking part. The plug according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insertion guide is formed at the same inclination angle with respect to the axis of the plug.   A tapered insertion guide is formed on the outer peripheral surface on the bottom side of the first locking portion and the second locking portion so that the protruding height gradually increases toward the flange portion side, and the second locking portion The inclination angle of the insertion guide with respect to the axis of the plug axis is set to be smaller than the inclination angle of the insertion guide of the first locking portion with respect to the axis of the plug. Plug as described in.

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