JP2023183821A - Connector holder and electrical junction box - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connector holder and an electrical junction box that can efficiently hold connectors in a minimum space.SOLUTION: A connector holder 11 holding a connector 1 includes a base portion 13, and a plate-shaped portion 15 extending from the base portion 13, and the plate-shaped portion 15 has connector holding portions 21 that can hold the connector 1 on both side surfaces and at an end opposite to the base portion 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a connector holder and an electrical connection box.

For example, vehicles such as automobiles are provided with a connector holder that holds a connector provided in a wire harness in order to prevent the connector from coming into contact with peripheral parts.
Some such connector holders include a plurality of holders that are engaged with each other, and the number of connectors held can be increased by engaging the holders with each other (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-185277 Utility Model Publication No. 5-53152

The connector holder has a structure having a hollow portion into which the connector is fitted and held. Therefore, this connector holder requires a large space to hold the connector, resulting in an increase in size. Furthermore, if the connector is not held, the hollow portion becomes a dead space.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector holder and an electrical connection box that can efficiently hold a connector in a minimum space.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following configuration.

A connector holder for holding a connector,
The base part and
a plate-shaped portion extending from the base portion;
has
A connector holder, wherein the plate-shaped portion has connector holding portions capable of holding the connector on both side surfaces and at an end opposite to the base portion.

The connector holder described above,
a base having a plurality of holder fixing parts;
Equipped with
An electrical connection box in which a plurality of the connector holders are arranged in parallel by fixing the base part to the holder fixing part of the base part.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector holder and an electrical connection box that can efficiently hold a connector in a minimum space.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the mode for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. .

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector holder according to this embodiment holding a connector. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector holder and connector according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box in which a connector is held in a connector holder. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an electrical connection box including a connector holder. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connector holder and a base that constitute the electrical connection box. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the holder fixing part of the base to which the base part of the connector holder is fixed. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a connector fixing portion provided at the base. FIG. 8 is a perspective view from below of a joint provided in the base portion of the connector holder. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the holder engaging portion of the side wall portion and the connector holding portion of the connector holder. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box according to a reference example in which a connector holder holds a connector. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a connector holder held in an electrical connection box according to a reference example.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to each figure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector holder according to this embodiment holding a connector. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector holder and connector according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector holder 11 according to this embodiment holds a plurality of (three in this example) connectors 1. The connector 1 is provided at the end of an electric wire (not shown) to constitute a wire harness, and is, for example, a joint connector or a branch connector.

The connector holder 11 is molded from synthetic resin, for example, and has a base portion 13 and a plate-like portion 15. The plate portion 15 is formed into a long plate shape, and the base portion 13 is integrally formed on one end side of the plate portion 15. A plate-shaped portion 15 is connected to the base portion 13 at a central position in the width direction thereof. As a result, the plate portion 15 stands up from the base portion 13.

The plate-shaped portion 15 has connector holding portions 21 on both sides thereof and at the other end opposite to the base portion 13 . These connector holding parts 21 are capable of holding the connectors 1, respectively. Thereby, the connector holder 11 can hold the connector 1 at three locations: on both sides of the plate-like portion 15 and at the other end on the opposite side of the base portion 13.

The connector holding section 21 includes a pair of support columns 23 and a locking plate section 25 supported by the support columns 23. The locking plate portion 25 is supported by the support portion 23 at a position spaced apart from the plate portion 15 .

Both end portions of the locking plate portion 25 extend laterally from a location where the locking plate portion 25 is connected to the support column portion 23, and these extended both end portions serve as locking pieces 27. Furthermore, the locking plate portion 25 has a notch portion 25a between the support portions 23. As a result, the width of the locking plate portion 25 is narrowed between the support portions 23, and the portion where the width is narrowed serves as the locking beam portion 26.

The connector holding portion 21 provided at the other end of the plate portion 15 opposite to the base portion 13 has a connector holding portion 21 on both sides thereof extending laterally and further extending in the same direction as the support portion 23. A protective wall portion 29 is formed. The connector holding portion 21 provided at the other end of the plate-like portion 15 is protected on both sides by protective wall portions 29 .

The connector 1 held by the connector holding portion 21 of the connector holder 11 has a housing 2 formed in a box shape. The housing 2 is molded from, for example, synthetic resin. The housing 2 has a front surface 2a, a bottom surface 2b, a top surface 2c, and a side surface 3d. The housing 2 is, for example, a male housing having male terminals. A female housing (not shown) having a female terminal to which an electric wire (not shown) of a wire harness is connected is fitted to the rear side of the housing 2, thereby electrically connecting the male terminal and the female terminal. be done.

The connector 1 has an engaging portion 3 on the bottom surface 2b of the housing 2. The engaging portion 3 has a rear wall portion 3a and a pair of side wall portions 3b, and an engaging wall portion 3c is connected to the edge of each side wall portion 3b. The respective engagement walls 3c protrude toward each other and are also connected to the rear wall 3a. The engaging part 3 has an engaging recess 5 on both sides thereof, which is surrounded by the bottom part 2b, the rear wall part 3a, the side wall part 3b, and the engaging wall part 3c of the housing 2, and is open at the front side. There is.

Further, the engaging portion 3 has an engaging claw 7. The engaging pawl 7 is integrally formed with the rear wall portion 3a at the center position of the engaging portion 3 in the width direction, and extends toward the front side of the housing 2. The engagement claw 7 has a claw portion 8 at its tip portion that projects toward the bottom surface 2b of the housing 2.

In order to hold the connector 1 in the connector holding part 21 of the connector holder 11, the housing 2 of the connector 1 is approached from the rear side of the connector holding part 21, and the locking plate part 25 of the connector holding part 21 is fitted into the engaging part 3. Match. Then, the locking pieces 27 at both ends of the locking plate part 25 are engaged with the engaging recesses 5 of the engaging part 3, and the engaging claws 7 are inserted between the pillar parts 23 of the locking plate part 25. Then, the claw portion 8 of the engaging claw 7 locks the locking beam portion 26 of the locking plate portion 25. As a result, the connector 1 is held in the connector holding portion 21.

As described above, the connector holder 11 according to the present embodiment has the connector holding portions 21 that can hold the connector 1 on both side surfaces and end portions of the plate-like portion 15. Therefore, compared to a connector holder that has a hollow part for holding the connector, the space for holding the connector 1 can be minimized, and dead space is generated even when the connector 1 is not held in the connector holding part 21. can be suppressed.

Furthermore, since the connector 1 can be held on either side of the plate-shaped portion 15 or on the connector holding portions 21 at the ends, the layout of the connector 1 can be easily changed. Thereby, there is no need to prepare a connector holder when changing the layout of the connector 1, and the number of parts can be reduced, and the number of man-hours and cost for designing the connector holder 11 can be reduced.

Next, the electrical connection box 100 including the connector holder 11 having the above structure will be described.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box in which a connector is held in a connector holder. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an electrical connection box including a connector holder. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connector holder and a base that constitute the electrical connection box.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the electrical connection box 100 includes a plurality of (three in this example) connector holders 11 and a base 31. The base portion 31 is molded from, for example, synthetic resin. The base portion 31 has a base main body 32 and a side wall portion 33. The side wall portion 33 is integrally formed on one end side of the base body 32 and extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction with respect to the base body 32. As a result, the base 31 including the base main body 32 and the side wall portion 33 is formed into a substantially L-shape.

The base portion 31 constituting the electrical connection box 100 has a plurality of body engaging portions 38 and a body attaching portion 39 in the base body 32. The body engaging portion 38 is provided on the side of the base body 32 opposite to the side wall portion 33 . The body engaging portion 38 projects from the lower surface of the base main body 32, and has a body engaging claw 38a projecting toward the side opposite to the side wall portion 33 at its tip. The body attachment portion 39 is provided on the side wall portion 33 side of the base main body 32. The body attaching portion 39 projects from the lower surface of the base main body 32, and has a body engaging piece 39a extending toward the periphery at its tip.

The base portion 31 that constitutes this electrical connection box 100 is attached to the body of a vehicle. To attach the base portion 31 to the vehicle body, first, the body engagement claw 38a of the body engagement portion 38 is engaged with a bracket or an engagement hole (not shown) in the vehicle body. Next, the body mounting portion 39 is inserted into a mounting hole (not shown) in the body of the vehicle, and the body engaging piece 39a of the body mounting portion 39 is engaged with the edge of the mounting hole in the body. Thereby, the base portion 31 is attached to the vehicle body. In this way, the electrical junction box 100 can be mounted on a vehicle by attaching the base portion 31 to the body of the vehicle. Note that the base 31 can be attached to the vehicle in any orientation. For example, the base 31 that is attached to the body of the vehicle may be attached to the vehicle in a vertical position with the side wall 33 disposed above or below, or in a horizontal position with the side wall 33 disposed laterally. Can be installed with.

The base portion 31 that constitutes the electrical connection box 100 has a plurality of holder fixing portions 35 . These holder fixing parts 35 are provided on the upper surface 32a of the base body 32, and are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base body 32. The connector holder 11 is fixed to these holder fixing parts 35 . As a result, a plurality of connector holders 11 are arranged in parallel on the base body 32 of the base 31 at intervals.

Further, the side wall portion 33 has a holder engaging portion 37. The holder engaging portion 37 engages the connector holder 11 assembled along the side wall portion 33 among the plurality of connector holders 11 fixed to the holder fixing portion 35 of the base main body 32 .

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the holder fixing part of the base to which the base part of the connector holder is fixed. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a connector fixing portion provided at the base. FIG. 8 is a perspective view from below of a joint provided in the base portion of the connector holder.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the holder fixing part 35 includes an insertion part 41 having a pair of side walls 41a and a rear wall part 41b, and the insertion part 41 has an open upper and front side. It is formed in a concave shape. The base portion 13 of the connector holder 11 is slid and inserted into the insertion portion 41 from the front side thereof.

The holder fixing part 35 has a first lock part 43 on the back side of the insertion part 41 . The first lock portion 43 is integrally formed with the rear wall portion 41b. The first locking portion 43 has a locking piece 45 that projects forward at a position that is spaced upward from the bottom surface 41c of the insertion portion 41. This lock piece 45 has an opening 47 at the center position in its width direction. Further, the first lock portion 43 has a pair of locking pieces 49 that project laterally on both sides thereof.

The holder fixing part 35 has a second lock part 51 on the front side of the first lock part 43 in the insertion part 41 . This second lock portion 51 is provided to protrude upward from the bottom surface 41c of the insertion portion 41. The second lock portion 51 includes a lock wall 52 erected on the bottom surface 41c, and a plurality of (three in this example) lock protrusions 53 connected to the lock wall 52. The lock wall 52 is provided along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the base portion 13 of the connector holder 11 is inserted into the insertion portion 41 . Further, the plurality of lock protrusions 53 have a guide surface 53a on the front side of the insertion section 41 that slopes upward toward the back side of the insertion section 41.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the base portion 13 of the connector holder 11 is provided with a joint portion 61. As shown in FIGS. The joint portion 61 is provided on the bottom surface portion 13a of the base portion 13. The joint portion 61 has a rear wall portion 61a and a pair of side wall portions 61b, and each side wall portion 61b has an engagement wall portion 61c connected to its edge. The respective engagement walls 61c are provided to protrude in a direction in which they approach each other. The joint portion 61 has an engagement recess 63 on both sides thereof, which is surrounded by the bottom portion 13a of the base portion 13, the side wall portion 61b, and the engagement wall portion 61c.

Further, the joint portion 61 has a connecting beam portion 64 that connects the engaging wall portions 61c, and an engaging claw 65 is formed in the connecting beam portion 64. The engaging claw 65 is integrally formed with the connecting beam portion 64 at the center position in the width direction of the joint portion 61 and extends forward in the insertion direction of the holder fixing portion 35 into the insertion portion 41 . The engaging claw 65 has a claw portion 66 at its tip portion that projects toward the bottom surface 13a of the base portion 13. The claw portion 66 is disposed with a gap from the bottom surface portion 13a of the base portion 13. The claw portion 66 has a tapered guide surface 66a that gradually approaches the bottom surface portion 13a toward the rear in the direction of insertion into the insertion portion 41.

To fix the connector holder 11 to the holder fixing part 35 , the base part 13 of the connector holder 11 is approached from the front side of the holder fixing part 35 , and the joining part 61 is inserted into the insertion part 41 of the holder fixing part 35 .

Then, in the first locking part 43, the locking pieces 49 on both sides are engaged with the engagement recesses 63 of the joint part 61, and the claw parts 66 of the joint part 61 are engaged with the openings 47 of the locking piece 45. . As a result, the joint portion 61 of the base portion 13 is locked to the first lock portion 43 of the holder fixing portion 35 .

Further, in the second locking portion 51, the joint portion 61 is pushed into the inner side of the insertion portion 41 while sliding on the guide surface 53a of the locking protrusion 53. Then, as the joint portion 61 climbs over the lock protrusion 53, the rear wall portion 61a of the joint portion 61 is locked to the lock wall 52. As a result, the joint portion 61 of the base portion 13 is locked to the second lock portion 51 of the holder fixing portion 35 .

In this way, the connector holder 11 is firmly fixed to the base 31 with the joint 61 of the base 13 being locked by the first locking part 43 and the second locking part 51 of the holder fixing part 35 of the base 31. be done.

Note that, of the holder fixing portions 35, the holder fixing portion 35A that fixes the connector holder 11 assembled along the side wall portion 33 has only the first lock portion 43. Therefore, the connector holder 11 fixed to the holder fixing part 35 is fixed to the base 31 by having the joint part 61 of the base part 13 locked by the first locking part 43 of the holder fixing part 35A of the base part 31.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the holder engaging portion of the side wall portion and the connector holding portion of the connector holder.
As shown in FIG. 9, the holder engaging portion 37 of the side wall portion 33 that engages the connector holder 11 assembled along the side wall portion 33 is formed on a base 71 provided on the side wall portion 33.

The holder engaging portion 37 has a rear wall portion 37a and a pair of side wall portions 37b, and an engaging wall portion 37c is connected to the edge of each side wall portion 37b. The respective engaging wall portions 37c protrude toward each other and are also connected to the rear wall portion 37a. The holder engaging part 37 has an engaging recess 73 on both sides thereof, which is surrounded by the surface 71a of the base 71, the rear wall part 37a, the side wall part 37b, and the engaging wall part 37c and is open at the front side. There is.

Further, the holder engaging portion 37 has an engaging claw 75. The engaging pawl 75 is formed integrally with the rear wall portion 37a at a central position in the width direction of the holder engaging portion 37, and extends forward. The engagement claw 75 has a claw portion 76 at its tip portion that projects toward the surface 71a of the base 71. The claw portion 76 is arranged with a gap between it and the surface 71a of the base 71.

In order to hold the connector holder 11 in the holder engaging part 37 , the connector holder 11 is approached from the front side of the holder engaging part 37 , and the connector holding part 21 of the connector holder 11 is fitted into the holder engaging part 37 . Then, the locking pieces 27 at both ends of the locking plate portion 25 of the connector holding portion 21 are engaged with the engaging recesses 73 of the holder engaging portion 37, and the locking pieces 27 of the locking plate portion 25 are engaged with the engagement recesses 73 of the locking plate portion 25. A claw portion 76 of an engaging claw 75 is engaged with the retaining beam portion 26 . Thereby, the connector holding part 21 of the connector holder 11 is engaged with the holder engaging part 37.

In this way, the connector holder 11 assembled along the side wall 33 has its base 13 fixed to the holder fixing part 35A of the base main body 32, and the connector holding part 21 is attached to the holder engaging part of the side wall 33. 37. That is, the connector holder 11 assembled along the side wall portion 33 is fixed at two locations: the holder fixing portion 35A and the holder engaging portion 37.

In this way, by assembling a plurality of connector holders 11 to the base 31, the electrical connection box 100 can be configured in which each connector holder 11 can hold three connectors 1.

Here, an electrical connection box according to a reference example will be explained.
Note that the same components as those of the electrical connection box 100 according to the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box according to a reference example in which a connector holder holds a connector. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a connector holder held in an electrical connection box according to a reference example.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the electrical connection box 100A according to the reference example, three connector holders 91A, 91B, and 91C are attached to the base 31.

As shown in FIG. 11, the connector holder 91A is provided with a connector holding part 21 on one side and an upper end, the connector holder 91B is provided with a connector holding part 21 on both sides, and the connector holder 91C is provided with a connector holding part 21 on the other side and an upper end. A connector holding portion 21 is provided at the upper end.

In this reference example, when adding connector 1 to the wire harness due to function expansion, etc., the connector holders 91A, 91B, and 91C cannot hold the additional connector 1, so they must be replaced with connector holders that can accommodate the addition. Must be. Further, in the reference example, a wasted space is created between the connector holders 91A, 91B, and 91C in which the connector 1 is not accommodated.

On the other hand, according to the electrical connection box 100 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of connector holders 11 having connector holding parts 21 are arranged in parallel on both sides of the plate-shaped part 15 and at the end opposite to the base part 13. be done. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace the connector holder with a separate connector holder corresponding to the addition of the connector 1, and the versatility can be improved. In addition, since the connector holders 11 are arranged in parallel so that the space for holding the connectors 1 can be minimized, wasteful space between the connector holders 11 can be suppressed, and the mounting density of the connectors 1 can be increased.

Further, the holder fixing part 35 has a first locking part 43 and a second locking part 51, and the base part 13 of the connector holder 11 inserted into the insertion part 41 is fixed by the first locking part 43 and the second locking part 51. Since the connector holder 11 is locked, the connector holder 11 can be firmly fixed to the base 31. Therefore, the connector holder 11 that holds the connector 1 can be held well even against vibrations during transportation or when the vehicle is running after being mounted on a vehicle.

In addition, in the connector holder 11 whose base portion 13 is locked by one first lock portion 43 in the holder fixing portion 35A, the connector holding portion 21 thereof is engaged with the holder engaging portion 37 of the side wall portion 33. Thereby, even the connector holder 11 assembled to the base 31 along the side wall 33 can be firmly fixed to the base 31. Therefore, the connector holder 11 that holds the connector 1 can be held well even against vibrations during transportation or when the vehicle is running after being mounted on a vehicle.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

Here, the features of the connector holder and the electrical connection box according to the embodiments of the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4].
[1] A connector holder that holds a connector,
The base part and
a plate-shaped portion extending from the base portion;
has
The plate-shaped portion has connector holding portions capable of holding the connector on both side surfaces and at an end opposite to the base portion.
connector holder.

According to the connector holder having the configuration described in [1] above, the plate-shaped portion has connector holding portions on both side surfaces and at the end thereof, which can hold the connector. Therefore, compared to a connector holder that has a hollow part that holds the connector, the space required to hold the connector can be minimized, and even when the connector is not held in the connector holding part, the generation of dead space can be suppressed. .
Furthermore, since the connector can be held on either side of the plate-shaped portion or on the connector holding portion at the end, the layout of the connector can be easily changed. Thereby, there is no need to prepare a connector holder when changing the layout of the connector, the number of parts can be reduced, and the number of man-hours and cost for designing the connector holder can be reduced.

[2] The connector holder according to [1] above,
a base having a plurality of holder fixing parts;
Equipped with
A plurality of the connector holders are arranged in parallel by fixing the base part to the holder fixing part of the base part.
Electrical connection box.

According to the electrical junction box having the configuration [2] above, a plurality of common connector holders having connector holding parts on both sides and ends of the plate part are arranged in parallel, so that separate connectors corresponding to the addition of connectors can be installed. There is no need to replace the holder, increasing versatility. Furthermore, since the connector holders that require a minimum space for holding the connectors are arranged in parallel, the generation of wasted space between the connector holders can be suppressed, and the mounting density of the connectors can be increased.

[3] The holder fixing part is
an insertion portion into which the base portion of the connector holder can be inserted;
comprising a plurality of locking parts that lock the base part inserted into the insertion part;
The electrical connection box described in (2) above.

According to the electrical connection box having the configuration [3] above, the base portion of the connector holder inserted into the insertion portion is locked by the plurality of lock portions, so that the connector holder can be firmly fixed to the base portion. Therefore, the connector holder that holds the connector can be held well even against vibrations during transportation or when the vehicle is running after being mounted on a vehicle.

[4] The base portion has a side wall portion on at least one end side,
The side wall part has a holder engaging part that fixes the connector holder assembled along the side wall part by fixing the base part to the holder fixing part of the base part.
The electrical connection box according to [2] or [3] above.

According to the electrical connection box having the configuration [4] above, the connector holder can be fixed by the holder engaging part together with the holder fixing part, so that the fixing strength of the connector holder can be increased. Therefore, the connector holder that holds the connector can be held well even against vibrations during transportation or when the vehicle is running after being mounted on a vehicle.

1 Connector 11 Connector holder 13 Base part 15 Plate part 21 Connector holding part 31 Base part 33 Side wall part 35 Holder fixing part 37 Holder engaging part 41 Insertion part 43 First lock part (lock part)
51 Second lock part (lock part)
100 Electrical junction box

Claims (4)

A connector holder for holding a connector,
The base part and
a plate-shaped portion extending from the base portion;
has
The plate-shaped portion has connector holding portions capable of holding the connector on both side surfaces and at an end opposite to the base portion.
connector holder. The connector holder according to claim 1;
a base having a plurality of holder fixing parts;
Equipped with
A plurality of the connector holders are arranged in parallel by fixing the base part to the holder fixing part of the base part.
Electrical connection box. The holder fixing part is
an insertion portion into which the base portion of the connector holder can be inserted;
comprising a plurality of locking parts that lock the base part inserted into the insertion part;
The electrical connection box according to claim 2. The base portion has a side wall portion on at least one end side,
The side wall part has a holder engaging part that fixes the connector holder assembled along the side wall part by fixing the base part to the holder fixing part of the base part.
The electrical connection box according to claim 2 or 3.

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