JP2010143388A - Connection structure and connection method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection structure and a connection method using the same which easily and surely connect metal plate-like members to each other, and easily attaching, for example, a bracket for an OBD connector to a base plate at the tip of the bracket for a knee airbag located toward a driver. <P>SOLUTION: The connection structure includes a first plate-like member with a flat part and supports; and a second plate-like member having an insert piece 25. The second plate-like member is mounted to the supports of the first plate-like member. The insert piece 25 of the second plate-like member is inserted from a space in which the flat part extending between the supports of the first plate-like member and the supports are separated from each other in a vertical direction, and in contact with the flat part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for suitably connecting plate-shaped members made of a material having high rigidity (for example, metal, particularly iron).

Depending on the country or region (for example, Europe), it may be obliged to arrange a connector for failure diagnosis (OBD) of a vehicle such as a truck around the driver's seat.
This is because a computer is connected to such a connector by connecting a coupler, and data of the engine control unit is input to the computer to determine the defective part.

Here, in order to arrange a vehicle failure diagnosis (OBD) connector around the driver's seat, it is necessary to arrange a connector mounting bracket.
Currently, the area around the front of the driver's left knee is planned

However, when a so-called “knee airbag” (a knee protection airbag) is mounted, a knee airbag bracket is provided in front of the driver's left knee, so an OBD connector for attaching an OBD connector. Brackets cannot be installed separately.
For this reason, it has been difficult in the prior art to attach the OBD connector bracket to the peripheral position in front of the driver's left knee.

On the other hand, the driver side tip of the knee airbag bracket may be covered with a metal (for example, iron) plate member (so-called “base plate”), and the OBD connector bracket may be connected to the base plate. Tried.
However, the OBD connector bracket is also often made of a metal (for example, iron) plate-like member. To fasten and connect a metal plate-like material, one plate-like member is operated at the time of fastening. Since the person has to hold it down, the fastening operation is very complicated.
In addition, since the OBD connector bracket and the metal plate-like member are concentrated on the fastening portion, there is a risk of stress concentration.

As another conventional technique, a knee airbag device that is an airbag module attached to a steering column and that can be easily assembled and removed has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
However, the knee airbag device (Patent Document 1) does not consider the installation of the OBD connector bracket at all, and cannot solve the above-described problem.
JP 2008-279856 A

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and can easily and reliably fasten metal plate-like members together. For example, a bracket for an OBD connector can be used as a bracket for a knee airbag. An object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure that can be easily attached to the base plate at the tip of the driver side, and a connection method using the connection structure.

  The connection structure of the present invention has a first plate member (1) in which a flat portion (11) and a support portion (15) are formed, and the support portion (15) extends from the flat portion (11) to the step portion (16). ) Through the second plate-like member (2) extending in parallel with the flat portion (11) at a position separated in the vertical direction through the second plate-like member (2) having the insertion piece (25). The member (2) is placed on the support portion (15) of the first plate-like member (1), and the insertion piece (25) of the second plate-like member (2) is the first plate-like member. The flat portion (11) and the support portion (15) between the support portions (15) of (1) are inserted from a space separated in the vertical direction, and contact the flat portion (the folded portion 11a downward in 11). The through holes (15h, 23h) for connection are formed in corresponding positions in the first and second plate-like members (1, 2), and the through holes (15h, 23) are formed. ) The first and second plate-like member by inserting a fastening member (4,7) to (1,2) is characterized by being coupled (claim 1).

  In carrying out the present invention, the third plate member (3) is placed on the first and second plate members (1, 2), and the third plate member (3) is the first and second plates. Bolt portions (4) are provided at positions corresponding to the connecting through holes (15h, 23h) formed in the plate-like members (1, 2), and the fastening member is the third plate-like member (3). (4) and a nut (5) screwed to the bolt part.

  Here, it is preferable that the connection mechanism of the present invention is provided at a place where a bracket for fault diagnosis (an OBD connector bracket: second plate-like member 2) is attached to a bracket (50) of a knee airbag. (Claim 3).

  In carrying out the present invention, the first plate-like member (1) is a base plate (1) at the tip of the driver side of the bracket (50) for the knee airbag, and the base plate (1) is made of resin knee. It has a fitting part (11t, 13t, 14t) that fits into an opening part (50o) formed in the bracket (50) for the airbag, and the second plate member (2) is a fault diagnosis connector. The failure diagnosis connector bracket (2) is provided with an opening (21s) for attaching the failure diagnosis connector, and the failure diagnosis connector bracket (2) supports the base plate (1). The insertion piece (25) of the failure diagnosis connector bracket (2) is placed on the portion (15) and is supported between the flat portion (11) between the support portions (15) of the base plate (1). (15) and is inserted from the space (E) spaced vertically, preferably in contact with the base plate (folded portion 11a downward in 11) the flat section (1) (claim 4).

  In addition, the third plate-like member (3) is the upper member (auxiliary bracket 3), and the upper member (3) is placed on the base plate (1) and the failure diagnosis connector bracket (2). The member (3) is provided with bolts (4) at positions corresponding to the connection through holes (15h, 23h) formed in the base plate (1) and the failure diagnosis connector bracket (2), and the base plate (1) and The positions of the through holes (15h, 23h) formed in the failure diagnosis connector bracket (3) are aligned, and the bolt (4) of the upper member (3) is inserted into the through holes (15h, 23h). The nut (5) is preferably screwed together (claim 5).

  In the present invention, in the method of connecting the failure diagnosis connector bracket (2) to the base plate (1) using the connection mechanism described above (the connection mechanism of claim 4), the inserted piece (2) of the failure diagnosis connector bracket (2) 25) is inserted from the space (E) in which the flat portion (11) and the support portion (15) between the support portions (15) of the base plate (1) are vertically separated from each other, thereby flattening the base plate (1). A step of contacting the support portion side (downward turn-back portion 11a of the flat portion 11) of the portion (11) and a step of placing the failure diagnosis connector bracket (2) on the support portion (15) of the base plate (1) A step of aligning the connection through hole (23h) of the failure diagnosis connector bracket (2) with the connection through hole (15h) of the base plate (1), the through hole (15h, The step of coupling the base plate (1) and the fault diagnosis connector bracket (2) by inserting a fastening member (4,7) to 3h), it is preferable to have a capital (claim 6).

  In the method of connecting the failure diagnosis connector bracket (2) to the base plate (1) using the connection mechanism having the upper member (3) (the connection mechanism of claim 5), the failure diagnosis connector bracket (2) The insertion piece (25) is inserted from the space (E) in which the flat portion (11) and the support portion (15) between the support portions (15) of the base plate (1) are vertically separated, and the base plate (1) is inserted. ) In the flat portion (11) of the flat plate (11), the step of contacting the lower turn-back portion (11a), the step of placing the failure diagnosis connector bracket (2) on the support portion (15) of the base plate (1), and the failure diagnosis The step of aligning the connection through hole (23h) of the connector bracket (2) and the connection through hole (15h) of the base plate (1), the base plate (1) and the fault diagnosis connector; The upper member (3) is placed on the bracket (2), the bolt (4) of the upper member (3) is inserted into the connecting through hole (15h, 23h), the fastening member (4) is inserted, and the nut ( 5) and screwing the base plate (1) to the failure diagnosis connector bracket (2). (Claim 7)

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the second plate member (or the failure diagnosis connector bracket 2) is placed on the support portion (15) of the first plate member (or base plate 1). At this time, the insertion piece (25) of the second plate-like member (2) is inserted from the space (E) between the support portions (15) of the first plate-like member (1), and the flat portion (11 ) In contact with the folded portion (11a) on the support portion (15) side.
Here, in order for the area | region on the opposite side to the insertion piece (25) of a 2nd plate-shaped member (2) to fall from the support part (15) of a 1st plate-shaped member (1), an insertion piece ( 25) must move above the support portion (15), but the insertion piece (25) is in contact with the flat portion (11) of the first plate-like member (1), and the insertion piece (25 ) Cannot move above the support (15).
That is, the insertion piece (25) of the second plate-like member (2) is pulled out from between the support portions (15) of the first plate-like member (1), and the first plate-like member (1) is flat. As long as the second plate member (2) does not come into contact with the portion (11), the second plate member (2) drops from the state of being placed on the support portion (15) of the first plate member (1). There is no end to it.

And the insertion piece (25) of the 2nd plate-shaped member (2) is inserted from the space (E) between the support parts (15) of the 1st plate-shaped member (1), and a flat part (11) If the second plate-shaped member (2) is in contact with the folded portion (11a), the second plate-shaped member (2) is moved to the first plate-shaped member (2) even if the worker does not hold the second plate-shaped member (2). It does not fall off the support member (15) of 1).
Therefore, the operator aligns the connection through holes (15h, 23h) of the first and second plate members (1, 2) without holding the second plate member (2) by hand. The first and second plate-like members (1, 2) can be coupled by a fastening member (for example, a bolt 4, a nut 5, etc.).
Therefore, the operation | work which couple | bonds the 1st and 2nd plate-shaped member (1, 2) can be performed easily and reliably.

In the present invention, even when the first and second plate members (1, 2) are coupled using the third plate member (upper member 3) (Claim 2), the second plate shape The insertion piece (25) of the member (2) is inserted from the space (E) between the support portions (15) of the first plate-like member (1), and the flat portion (11) on the support portion (15) side is inserted. If the second plate-shaped member (2) is in contact with the folded portion (11a), the second plate-shaped member (2) becomes the first plate-shaped member (1) even if the operator does not hold the second plate-shaped member (2). ) Will not fall off the support part (11).
Accordingly, the positions of the connection through holes (23h) formed in the first and second plate members (2) are aligned, and the bolt portion (4) of the third plate member (3) is aligned with the through holes. If it inserts in (23h) and fastens with a nut (5), the operation | work which couple | bonds the 1st and 2nd plate-shaped members (1, 2) can be performed easily and reliably.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the external force acting on the second plate member (2) is such that the insertion piece (25) of the second plate member (2) is a flat portion (11 in the first plate member (1)). ) Is supported by the portion in contact with the folded portion (11a), and the vertical thickness dimension of the portion is equal to the sum of the thickness dimensions of the first and second plate members (1, 2). .
Therefore, the strength and durability of the portion that supports the external force acting on the second plate member (2) are improved.

  In addition, when a third plate member (upper member 3) is provided (Claim 2), the external force acting on the second plate member (2) is the first to third plates. Since it becomes equal to the sum of the thickness dimensions in the member, the strength and durability of the portion supporting the external force acting on the second plate member (2) are further improved.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, a first embodiment will be described based on FIGS.

In FIG. 1, a connection structure generally designated by reference numeral 100 is a first plate member (hereinafter referred to as a base plate) 1 and a failure diagnosis connector bracket (hereinafter referred to as a connector bracket) which is a second plate member. ) 2 and a third plate-like member (hereinafter referred to as an auxiliary bracket) 3.
In the illustrated example, the base plate 1 is configured to be fitted into an opening 50 o of a knee airbag storage container (hereinafter referred to as a storage container) 50.

  Referring to FIG. 2, base plate 1 is made of a thin steel plate, and includes a lower flat portion (hereinafter referred to as a flat portion) 11, a partition portion 12, a ceiling portion 13 (see FIG. 5), and a side portion. 14, a support portion 15 for attaching the connector bracket 2, a step portion 16, and a side support member 17.

Referring also to FIG. 5 described later, the flat portion 11, the screen portion 12, the ceiling portion 13, and the side portion 14 of the base plate 1 are formed so as to be fitted into the opening 50 o of the knee airbag storage container 50. Has been.
In the example of FIG. 2, the flat portion 11 is formed with claws 11t (FIG. 5) formed by burring (partial punching and bending simultaneous processing) at an obliquely lower position with respect to the flat surface 11 in three places. The container 50 is configured to be engaged with a claw hole 50h formed at an alignment position at the time of fitting.

In the example of FIG. 2, claws 13t by burring are formed on the ceiling portion 13 by being bent obliquely upward with respect to the ceiling portion 13, and are formed at alignment positions at the time of fitting in the storage container 50. It is configured to engage with the claw hole 50h.
In the side part 14, the burring claw 14 t is formed by bending in a direction that is obliquely away from the opening 50 o outside the side part 14 in a total of four places on the left and right in the example of FIG. 2. The storage container 50 is configured to be engaged with a claw hole 50h formed at an alignment position at the time of fitting.

Referring also to FIG. 2, support portions 15 for attaching the connector bracket 2 (FIG. 1) are formed at two positions away from the partition portion 12 of the flat portion 11. The flat part 11 and the support part 15 are substantially parallel, the flat part 11 and the support part 15 are connected by the step part 16, and the support part 15 is disposed at a position lower than the flat part 11.
Mounting holes 15h are formed in the two support portions 15 respectively.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 7 (FIG. 7 is used in the description of the assembly process), the connector bracket 2 includes a plane 21 having a connector insertion hole 21s, a crank bending portion 22, a mounting plane 23, and a step portion. 24 and an insertion portion 25.
The flat surface 21 having the connector insertion hole 21 s and the mounting flat surface 23 have an angle that is convex above the paper surface with the crank bending portion 22 in between.
The mounting plane 23 and the insertion piece 25 are formed with a slight relative angle. The mounting back surface 23 has mounting holes 23h formed at two locations.

  With reference to FIGS. 4 and 1, the auxiliary bracket 3 has a mounting surface 31, a stepped portion 32, and a surface 33 that contacts the flat portion of the base plate 1. The welding bolt 4 is welded to the mounting surface 31 at two locations. The pitch (distance) of the two welding bolts 4 is the same as the pitch of the mounting holes 23 h of the connector bracket 2. Cutouts 33 c are formed at two locations on the surface 33 that contacts the flat portion of the base plate 1.

  Next, based on FIG. 7 (refer FIG. 6), FIG. 8 (refer FIG. 1), and FIG. 9 (refer FIG. 1), the connection method of the connection structure 100 in embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

In the step shown in FIG. 7 (see FIG. 6), the connector bracket 2 is set on the base plate 1.
When the connector bracket 2 is set on the base plate 1, first, the insertion piece 25 of the connector bracket 2 is vertically separated from the flat portion 11 and the support portion 15 between the two support portions 15 of the base plate 1. Inserted from the space E toward the opening 50 o of the container 50.

  Then, the upper surface of the insertion piece 25 of the connector bracket 2 comes into contact with the bent portion 11a (see FIG. 6) at the center of the flat portion 11. On the other hand, the lower surface of the mounting plane 23 of the connector bracket 2 abuts on the upper surface of the support portion 15 of the base plate 1 via the anti-slip member 9.

Here, since the connector bracket 2 has a wide and heavy flat surface 21 having a connector insertion hole 21s, the connector bracket 2 tries to rotate counterclockwise with the end portion 15e of the support portion 15 as a fulcrum. Such rotation is prevented by the presence of the folded portion 11a of the one flat portion 11.
In this state, the mounting hole 15h of the base plate 1 and the mounting hole 23h of the connector bracket 2 are aligned.

In the process shown in FIG. 8 (see FIG. 1), the shaft portion with the threaded portion of the welding bolt 4 of the auxiliary bracket 3 is inserted into the mounting hole 23h of the connector bracket 2 in a state where the connector bracket 2 is set on the base plate 1. insert.
In the process from FIG. 8 to FIG. 9, the nut 5 is screwed onto the male screw of the welding bolt 4 and the nut 5 is tightened with a tool to complete the connection operation.

According to the first embodiment of the configuration and the connection method described above, when the connector bracket 2 is placed on the support portion 15 of the base plate 1, the insertion piece 25 of the connector bracket 2 is replaced with the support portion 15 of the base plate 1. It is inserted from the space E in between, and is in contact with the tip of the folded portion 11a of the flat portion 11.
Here, in order for the region opposite to the insertion piece 25 to fall from the support portion 15 of the base plate 1, the insertion piece 25 must move above the support portion 15. However, the insertion piece 25 is in contact with the tip of the folded portion 11 a of the flat portion 11, and the insertion piece 25 cannot move upward from the support portion 15.

  That is, unless the insertion piece 25 is pulled out from between the support portions 15 of the first base plate 1 and does not come into contact with the flat portion 11, the connector bracket 2 is placed on the support portion 15, It wo n’t fall.

  If the insertion piece 25 is inserted from the space E between the support portions 15 and is in contact with the turned-up portion 11a on the flat portion 11 side, the connector bracket 2 can be connected even if the worker does not hold the connector bracket 2. The bracket 2 does not fall off the support member 15 of the base plate 1.

Therefore, the operator aligns the mounting holes 15h and 23h of the base plate 1 and the connector bracket 2 without holding the connector bracket 2 by hand, and uses the welding bolt 4 and the nut 5 to fix the base plate 1 and the connector bracket 2. Can be combined.
And the operation | work which couple | bonds the baseplate 1 and the bracket 2 for connectors can be performed easily and reliably.

  In the first embodiment, when the auxiliary bracket 3 is provided, the external force acting on the connector bracket 2 is equal to the sum of the thickness dimensions of the base plate 1, the connector bracket 2 and the auxiliary bracket 3. The strength and durability of the portion that supports the external force acting on the bracket 2 for use are further improved.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, generally indicated by reference numeral 101, is an embodiment in which the auxiliary bracket 3 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 is eliminated. The base plate 1 is common to the first embodiment. A welding nut 6 is welded to the upper surface side (upper surface in FIG. 3) of the mounting hole of the connector bracket 2A.

  The process until the connector bracket 2A is set on the base plate 1 is the same as the process until the connector bracket 2 of the first embodiment is set on the base plate 1. 10 to 11, the mounting bolt 7 is inserted into the mounting hole 15h of the base plate 1 from the back surface side of the support portion 15 of the base plate 1, the welding nut 6 and the mounting bolt 7 are screwed together, and the bolt 7 Tighten.

According to the second embodiment, the external force acting on the connector bracket 2 is supported by the portion where the insertion piece 25 is in contact with the folded portion 11a of the base plate 1, and the vertical thickness dimension of the portion is determined as follows. And it becomes equal to the sum of the thickness dimension in the bracket 2 for connectors.
Therefore, the strength and durability of the portion that supports the external force acting on the connector bracket 2 are improved.
Other functions and effects of the second embodiment are substantially the same as the functions and effects of the first embodiment.

 The illustrated embodiment is merely an example, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

The perspective view explaining the structure of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view explaining the structure of the base plate in 1st Embodiment. The perspective view explaining the structure of the bracket for connectors used in 1st Embodiment. The perspective view explaining the structure of the auxiliary | assistant bracket used by 1st Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view explaining the structure of the base plate in 1st Embodiment. The perspective view explaining the 1st process in the connection method of a 1st embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view explaining the 2nd process in the connection method of 1st Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view explaining the 3rd process in the connection method of 1st Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view explaining the last process in the connection method of 1st Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view explaining the first-term process of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view explaining the last process of 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... 1st plate-shaped member / base plate 2 ... 2nd plate-shaped member / connector bracket 3 ... 3rd plate-shaped member / auxiliary bracket 4 ... bolt member / weld bolt 5 ··· Nut 6 ··· Welding nut 7 ··· Bolt 9 ··· Anti-slip member 11 ··· Flat portion 15 ··· Support portion 21 ··· Planar surface 23 having connector insertion hole ··· Mounting plane 25 ... Inserting piece

Claims (7)

  A first plate-like member having a flat end portion and a support portion, the support portion extending in parallel to the flat portion at a position spaced apart from the flat portion through the step portion in a vertical direction; The second plate-like member is mounted on the support portion of the first plate-like member, and the insertion piece of the second plate-like member is the first plate-like member. The flat portion and the support portion between the support portions of the member are inserted from a space separated in the vertical direction, abut against the flat portion, and the first and second plate-like members have connection through holes at corresponding positions. Is formed, and the first and second plate-like members are joined by inserting a fastening member into the through hole.   A third plate-like member is placed on the first and second plate-like members, and the third plate-like member is at a position corresponding to the connection through-hole formed in the first and second plate-like members. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein a bolt portion is provided, and the fastening member includes a bolt portion of a third plate-like member and a nut screwed with the bolt portion.   The connection structure according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the connection structure is provided at a position where the bracket of the fault diagnosis connector is attached to the bracket of the knee airbag.   The first plate-like member is a base plate at the tip of the driver side of the knee airbag bracket, and the base plate has a fitting portion that fits into an opening formed in the resin knee bracket. The second plate-like member is a failure diagnosis connector bracket, the failure diagnosis connector bracket is provided with an opening for attaching the failure diagnosis connector, and the failure diagnosis connector bracket is a support portion of the base plate. The insertion piece of the failure diagnosis connector bracket is inserted from a space in which the flat portion between the support portions of the base plate and the support portion are vertically separated from each other, and comes into contact with the flat portion of the base plate. The connection structure according to any one of claims 1 and 3.   The third plate-shaped member is an upper member, and the upper member is placed on the base plate and the failure diagnosis connector bracket. The upper member is located at a position corresponding to the connection through hole formed in the base plate and the failure diagnosis connector bracket. The bolt is provided, the position of the through hole formed in the base plate and the failure diagnosis connector bracket is aligned, the bolt of the upper member is inserted into the through hole, and the nut is screwed. Any one of the connection structures of 3.   5. A method for connecting a failure diagnosis connector bracket to a base plate using the connection mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the flat portion and the support portion between the support portions of the base plate are vertically separated from each other. The step of abutting against the support portion side (lower side) surface of the flat portion of the base plate, the step of placing the failure diagnosis connector bracket on the support portion of the base plate, and the failure diagnosis connector bracket A connection comprising: a step of aligning the connection through hole and the connection through hole of the base plate; and a step of inserting a fastening member into the through hole and coupling the base plate and the bracket for the fault diagnosis connector. Method.   6. A method of connecting a failure diagnosis connector bracket to a base plate using the connection mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the flat portion and the support portion between the support portions of the base plate are separated from each other in the vertical direction. The step of abutting against the support portion side (lower side) surface of the flat portion of the base plate, the step of placing the failure diagnosis connector bracket on the support portion of the base plate, and the failure diagnosis connector bracket The step of aligning the connection through hole and the connection through hole of the base plate, placing the upper member on the base plate and the failure diagnosis connector bracket, and inserting the fastening member into the connection through hole with the bolt of the upper member , And a step of screwing the nut, and thereby connecting the base plate and the bracket for the fault diagnosis connector. Connection wherein the.

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