JP4973466B2 - Connector mounting structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector mounting structure for mounting a connector to a predetermined mounting location on a mating member.

For example, as an electrical part used in an automatic transmission of an automobile or the like, a connector and a support member that supports the connector in a freely movable manner are provided. By assembling the electrical part to a counterpart member, the connector is a predetermined part of the counterpart member. There exists a thing of the structure attached to the attachment location of (for example, following patent document 1). In such an electrical component mounting operation, it is necessary to carefully perform the operation so that the axial center position of the connector does not shift from a predetermined mounting position. In this regard, according to the electrical component, since the connector is supported so as to be freely movable with respect to the support member, it is possible to perform the mounting operation while absorbing the displacement and holding the connector core in a fixed position. .
JP 2006-4840 A

However, according to the above electrical component, since the connector is always supported so as to be freely movable with respect to the support member, the connector is aligned with the predetermined mounting position before the mounting operation for mounting the connector to the predetermined mounting position. It becomes difficult to do. On the other hand, if the connector is fixed to the support member so as not to be movable, the connector is not allowed to be displaced during the mounting of the connector, and an excessive force may be applied to the connector.
The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to facilitate an attaching operation for attaching a connector to a predetermined attachment location by assembling an electrical component to a counterpart member.

The present invention, connectors and by assembling the electrical component and a support member for supporting the connector movably to the mating member, the connector of only because of connector Installing a predetermined mounting position in the mating member The mounting structure has a structure in which the support member restricts the movement of the connector until immediately before the connector is attached to the predetermined mounting location, but the connector is not moving during the mounting process in which the connector is attached to the predetermined mounting location. And the support member has a mounting piece that can be inserted in the Z direction with respect to the insertion groove provided in the connector, and the connector mounting direction is defined as the Z direction. The connector is movably supported between a restriction position that restricts the movement of the connector and an allowable position that allows the connector to move, and the connector can be displaced in the plate thickness direction of the mounting piece. A locking piece is provided, and the mounting piece is locked with the locking piece at the restricting position, and the locking hole is locked with the locking piece at the permissible position. And a second retaining hole for retaining the connector rearward in the Z direction while allowing the connector to move freely .

According to such a configuration, until the connector of the electrical component is just attached to the predetermined mounting location on the counterpart member, the connector's movement is restricted, so that the connector can be easily aligned with the predetermined mounting location. Further, in the process of attaching the connector to the predetermined mounting location, the connector is allowed to move freely, so there is no possibility that the axial center position of the connector is displaced from the predetermined mounting location. Therefore, the attachment work for attaching the connector to a predetermined attachment location is facilitated.
In addition, since the mounting direction of the connector and the insertion direction of the mounting piece coincide with each other, it is possible to perform the work of mounting the connector to a predetermined mounting location following the work of inserting the mounting piece into the insertion groove.
Further, when the connector is in the restricting position, the connector can be prevented from being pulled back in the Z direction by locking the locking piece in the first retaining hole. On the other hand, when the connector is in the allowable position, the locking piece is locked in the second locking hole, so that the connector can be prevented from moving backward while allowing the connector to move freely.

The following configuration is preferable as an embodiment of the present invention .

When the direction intersecting the Z direction in the plate surface direction of the mounting piece is defined as the X direction, the peripheral wall constituting the insertion groove includes an X direction regulating wall capable of contacting both sides of the mounting piece in the X direction at the regulating position. It is good also as composition which has.
According to such a configuration, when the connector is in the restriction position, movement of the connector in the X direction is restricted by the X direction both sides of the mounting piece coming into contact with the X direction restriction wall.

When the plate thickness direction of the mounting piece is defined as the Y direction, the peripheral wall forming the insertion groove may have a Y-direction regulating wall that can contact both sides of the mounting piece in the Y direction at the regulating position.
According to such a configuration, when the connector is in the restriction position, movement of the connector in the Y direction is restricted by contacting both sides of the attachment piece in the Y direction against the Y direction restriction wall.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to facilitate an attaching operation for attaching a connector to a predetermined attachment location by assembling an electrical component to a counterpart member.

<Embodiment>
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings of FIGS. In the present embodiment, an electrical component 1 disposed in a case (not shown) of an automatic transmission of an automobile is electrically connected to an external circuit via the case (an example of the “partner member” of the present invention) R. Indicates what is connected. In the following description, the width direction is based on the arrow X direction in FIG. 1, the front-rear direction is the front side on the left side with reference to the arrow Y direction in FIG. 2, and the vertical direction is the direction in FIG. Reference is made to the direction of the arrow Z of 2.

  The case R has a synthetic resin plate R1. An external circuit connection portion (not shown) connected to an external circuit and an electrical component connection connected to the electrical component 1 are connected to the plate R1. Part (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical component connecting portion is provided inside a mounting hole R2 (an example of the “predetermined mounting location” in the present invention) R2 opened on one surface (lower surface) of the plate R1. In addition, a guide surface R3 having an inclined surface whose opening gradually increases toward the outside (downward in the Z direction in the drawing) is provided around the opening edge of the mounting hole R2. A connector 10 described below can be inserted into the mounting hole R2.

  The electrical component 1 includes a connector 10 and a bracket (an example of the “support member” of the present invention) 30 attached to the lower end of the connector 10. The bracket 30 supports the connector 10 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (insertion direction into the mounting hole R2) between a restriction position that restricts the movement of the connector 10 and an allowable position that allows the movement of the connector 10.

  The bracket 30 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate. The bracket 30 includes a base portion 31 that extends in the front-rear direction, a pair of restricting pieces 32 that rise upward from both side edges of the base portion 31, and an attachment piece 33 that rises upward from the front edge of the base portion 31. . The attachment piece 33 includes a first wide portion 33A having a wide upper end portion, and a second wide portion 33B formed on the lower side (base portion 31 side) than the first wide portion 33A. . The second wide portion 33B is set to be slightly wider than the first wide portion 33A, and the vertical dimension is set to be longer than that of the first wide portion 33A. Further, in the mounting piece 33, a space between the lower end of the first wide portion 33A and the upper end of the second wide portion 33B is a first narrow portion 33C formed narrower than the first wide portion 33A. In 33, the part connected to the lower end of the second wide portion 33B is a second narrow portion 33D formed narrower than the second wide portion 33B.

  Further, in the attachment piece 33, in the range from the first wide portion 33A to the first narrow portion 33C, a first retaining hole (an example of the “first retaining portion” of the present invention) 33E having a substantially square shape is provided on the attachment plate 33. It penetrates in the plate | board thickness direction. In the mounting piece 33, below the upper end of the second wide portion 33 </ b> B, a second retaining hole (an example of the “second retaining portion” of the present invention) 33 </ b> F having a substantially square shape penetrates in the thickness direction of the mounting plate 33. Is formed. The upper end side of the second retaining hole 33F is formed to be narrow, and the width dimension of the narrow portion is set wider than the width dimension of the first retaining hole 33E. The vertical dimension of the second retaining hole 33F is set to be longer than the vertical dimension of the first retaining hole 33E.

  The connector 10 has a cylindrical main body 11 that opens upward, and a male tab (not shown) is provided at the back end (lower end) inside the main body 11 so as to protrude upward. A cam groove 12 is formed in a spiral shape at the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the main body 11. On the other hand, the electrical component connecting portion has a rotating member (not shown), and a cam pin (not shown) provided on the rotating member (not shown) can enter the cam groove 12. Yes. Therefore, after the connector 10 is inserted into the mounting hole R2 and the cam pin is inserted into the cam groove 12, the connector 10 is pulled back (upward) of the mounting hole R2 by rotating the rotating member. And if the connector 10 is inserted to the regular position inside the attachment hole R2, the connector 10 will be normally fitted with the electrical component connecting portion.

  A rubber stopper mounting groove 13 is provided around the outer peripheral surface of the main body 11 below the cam groove 12. A rubber ring 40 is attached to the rubber plug mounting groove 13, and when the main body 11 is inserted into the mounting hole R 2, the rubber ring 40 connects the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole R 2 and the rubber plug mounting groove 13. It will be in the state closely_contact | adhered over the perimeter direction between the surrounding surface which comprises. For this reason, the intrusion of water from the outside to the inside of the mounting hole R2 is restricted.

  At the front end position on the lower surface 11 </ b> A of the main body 11, a bracket connection portion 14 that is connected to the mounting piece 33 of the bracket 30 is suspended. The bracket connection portion 14 includes a first insertion groove 15 through which the first wide portion 33A of the attachment piece 33 is inserted, and a second insertion groove 16 through which the second wide portion 33B of the attachment piece 33 is inserted. The insertion groove 15 is disposed above the second insertion groove 16. In addition, the bracket connecting portion 14 includes a pair of protective walls 17 disposed on both front and rear sides of the both insertion grooves 15 and 16, thereby restricting damage to the both insertion grooves 15 and 16 due to external impact. ing.

  The first insertion groove 15 is formed so that both side edges of the first wide portion 33A can be sandwiched from both the front-rear direction and the width direction. That is, the first insertion groove 15 has a pair of groove portions having a substantially portal shape in cross section, and the back surfaces (an example of the “X-direction regulating wall” of the present invention) 15A constituting the groove portions are opposed to each other. The groove portions are installed at a predetermined interval in the width direction. The distance between the back surfaces 15A is set to be substantially the same as the width of the first wide portion 33A or slightly larger than the width of the first wide portion 33A, and the width of the first narrow portion 33C. It is set wider than. Further, the front surface (an example of the “Y-direction regulating wall” of the present invention) 15B constituting the groove portion is disposed to face the rear surface (an example of the “Y-direction regulating wall” of the present invention) 15C. The interval is set to be substantially the same as the thickness of the first wide portion 33A or slightly larger than the thickness of the first wide portion 33A.

  The second insertion groove 16 is formed so that both side edges of the second wide portion 33B can be sandwiched from both the front-rear direction and the width direction. That is, the second insertion groove 16 has a pair of groove portions having a substantially portal shape in cross section, and the back surfaces (an example of the “X-direction regulating wall” of the present invention) 16A constituting the groove portions are opposed to each other. The groove portions are installed at a predetermined interval in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the distance between the back surfaces 16A is set to be substantially the same as the width of the second wide portion 33B or slightly larger than the width of the second wide portion 33B. As shown, the width is set wider than the width of the second narrow portion 33D. Further, the front surface (an example of the “Y-direction regulating wall” of the present invention) 16B that constitutes the groove portion is disposed to face the rear surface (an example of the “Y-direction regulating wall” of the present invention) 16C. The interval is set to be substantially the same as the plate thickness of the second wide portion 33B or slightly larger than the plate thickness of the second wide portion 33B.

  In the bracket connection portion 14, a first accommodation space 18 </ b> A that can accommodate the first wide portion 33 </ b> A is formed between the upper end of the first insertion groove 15 and the lower surface 11 </ b> A of the main body portion 11. The first storage space 18A is set to have a width that is wider than the width of the first wide portion 33A, and its vertical dimension is set to be larger than the vertical size of the first wide portion 33A. Further, the first wide portion 33 </ b> A accommodated inside the first accommodation space 18 </ b> A is freely movable in the front-rear direction between the two protection walls 17.

  The first accommodating space 18A faces forward from an opening extending in the width direction at a notch 17A formed by notching the protective wall 17 in a substantially T shape. At the lower end of the opening extending in the up-down direction in the notch 17A, there is a locking piece (the “locking portion” of the present invention) that can be bent in the thickness direction of the protective wall 17 (the thickness direction of the mounting piece 33). An example) 19 is provided protruding upward.

  In the bracket connection portion 14, a second accommodation space 18 </ b> B that can accommodate the second wide portion 33 </ b> B is formed between the lower end of the first insertion groove 15 and the upper end of the second insertion groove 16. The second storage space 18B is set such that its width dimension is wider than the width dimension of the second wide portion 33B, and its vertical dimension is slightly larger than the vertical dimension of the second wide portion 33B. . Further, the second wide portion 33 </ b> B accommodated inside the second accommodation space 18 </ b> B is freely movable in the front-rear direction between the two protection walls 17.

  As described above, the connector 10 is movable in the vertical direction between the restriction position and the allowable position with respect to the bracket 30 and is positioned at the restriction position until immediately before being attached to the attachment hole R2. Although the movement is restricted, it is configured so that the movement is allowed at the permissible position in the course of attachment to the attachment hole R2.

  When the connector 10 is in the restricted position, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper end portion of the first wide portion 33A enters the lower end portion of the first insertion groove 15, and the upper end portion of the second wide portion 33B is the second insertion groove. 16 enters the lower end of 16 and the locking piece 19 is fitted in the first locking hole 33E. For this reason, the connector 10 is restricted from moving in both the width direction and the front-rear direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the connector 10 is pulled upward from the bracket 30 when the upper end locking surface 19A of the locking piece 19 is locked with the upper surface of the inner peripheral surface of the first locking hole 33E. Is regulated.

  On the way of the connector 10 from the restriction position to the allowable position, as shown in FIG. 3, the first wide portion 33A is inserted through the first insertion groove 15 and the second wide portion 33B is inserted through the second insertion groove 16. ing. For this reason, the connector 10 is restricted from moving in both the width direction and the front-rear direction. At this time, the locking piece 19 is bent and deformed as shown in FIG. 4, and the upper end locking surface 19A rides between the first retaining hole 33E and the second retaining hole 33F on the mounting piece 33. Yes. When the connector 10 reaches the permissible position, as shown in FIG. 6, the locking piece 19 returns and the upper end locking surface 19A is fitted in the second locking hole 33F.

  When the connector 10 is in the allowable position, as shown in FIG. 5, the first wide portion 33 </ b> A is housed in the first housing space 18 </ b> A, and the first narrow portion 33 </ b> C is disposed between both groove portions of the first insertion groove 15. The second wide portion 33B is accommodated in the second accommodating space 18B, and the second narrow portion 33D is disposed between both groove portions of the second insertion groove 16. For this reason, the connector 10 is allowed to move both in the width direction and in the front-rear direction, as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, or FIG.

  Further, in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface 32 </ b> A of the restriction piece 32 of the bracket 30 contacts the upper surface 20 </ b> A of the recess 20 formed in the front-rear direction on the lower surface 11 </ b> A of the main body 11. Is located at the lowest point, and when it is at the lowest point, a gap is formed between the upper end locking surface 19A of the locking piece 19 and the upper surface of the inner peripheral surface of the second retaining hole 33F. The connector 10 is allowed to move upward by this gap. A detachment preventing restricting portion 21 for restricting the upper surface 32A of the restricting piece 32 from coming off from the recessed portion 20 is suspended from the outer edge of the upper surface 20A of the recessed portion 20.

  As described above, the connector 10 on the way from the restriction position to the allowance position moves in any of the width direction, the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. Is regulated. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the connector 10 in the allowable position is attached to the bracket 30 in a freely movable state, so that it can move in the width direction and the vertical direction as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, it is allowed to move in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, even if the connector 10 is inclined with respect to the bracket 30, the anti-disengagement restricting portion 21 restricts the upper surface 32 </ b> A of the restricting piece 32 from being removed from the recess 20. .

  The present embodiment has the above-described structure, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently. First, the electrical component 1 is brought closer to the case R in a state where the connector 10 is in the restriction position. In the connector 10 in the restricted position, the upper end portion of the first wide portion 33A is inserted through the first insertion groove 15, and the upper end portion of the second wide portion 33B is inserted through the second insertion groove 16. The movement in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is restricted. Therefore, the operation of aligning the connector 10 with the mounting hole R2 is facilitated.

  FIG. 1 shows a state immediately before the connector 10 is attached to the attachment hole R2. As the bracket 30 is pushed in, the connector 10 relatively approaches the bracket 30 side. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connector 10 on the way from the restricting position to the allowable position is inserted through the first insertion groove 15 and the second wide portion 33B is the second wide portion 33B. Since the entire insertion groove 16 is inserted, movement in the width direction, the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction is restricted.

  When the connector 10 reaches the permissible position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first wide portion 33 </ b> A is accommodated in the first accommodating space 18 </ b> A, and the first narrow portion 33 </ b> C is disposed in both the first insertion grooves 15. Located between the groove portions, the second wide portion 33B is housed in the second housing space 18B, and the second narrow portion 33D is located between both groove portions of the second insertion groove 16. For this reason, the connector 10 is allowed to move in the width direction, the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction. Therefore, the connector 10 in the allowable position is allowed to move in the width direction, the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction, as shown in FIGS.

  Subsequently, the assembly of the electrical component 1 to the case R is performed, and the connector 10 can be inserted into the mounting hole R2 following the operation of bringing the connector 10 relatively close to the mounting piece 33. At this time, although the assembly direction of the electrical component 1 may be inclined with respect to the regular assembly direction, the connector 10 is supported so as to be freely movable with respect to the bracket 30. There is no fear of being pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the lens and smooth insertion becomes possible. That is, since an assembly error in the work of assembling the electrical component 1 to the case R can be absorbed, a smooth insertion operation of the connector 10 into the mounting hole R2 can be ensured.

  As described above, in this embodiment, until the connector 10 of the electrical component 1 is mounted in the mounting hole R2 in the case R, the connector 10 is restricted from moving freely, and therefore the connector 10 is aligned with the mounting hole R2. It becomes easy. Further, in the process of attaching the connector 10 to the attachment hole R2, since the connector 10 is allowed to move freely, there is no possibility that the axial center position of the connector 10 is displaced with respect to the axis of the attachment hole R2. Therefore, the attachment work for attaching the connector 10 to the attachment hole R2 is facilitated.

  Further, since the mounting direction of the connector 10 to the mounting hole R2 and the insertion direction of the connector 10 to the mounting piece 33 are the same, the connector 10 is inserted following the operation of inserting the mounting piece 33 into both the insertion grooves 15 and 16. Can be attached to the attachment hole R2.

  Further, when the connector 10 is in the restricting position, both sides of the mounting piece 33 in the width direction are in contact with the back surfaces 15A and 16A of the both insertion grooves 15 and 16, so that the movement of the connector 10 in the width direction is restricted, The both sides of the piece 33 in the front-rear direction are in contact with the front-rear surfaces 15B, 15C, 16B, 16C of the insertion grooves 15, 16, thereby restricting the movement of the connector 10 in the front-rear direction.

  Further, when the connector 10 is in the restricting position, the upper end locking surface 19A of the locking piece 19 is locked to the upper surface of the inner peripheral surface of the first locking hole 33E, so that the connector 10 can be prevented from being pulled upward. . On the other hand, when the connector 10 is in the permissible position, the locking piece 19 is locked to the upper surface of the inner peripheral surface of the second retaining hole 33F, so that the connector 10 can be pulled upward while allowing the connector 10 to move freely.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the connector 10 is positioned at the restricting position up to a position separated from the mounting hole R2 by a predetermined distance. You may make it be located in a control position to the position (position of the connector 10 of FIG. 5) just before inserting in the hole R2.

  (2) In the present embodiment, the connector 10 is inserted in the vertical direction with respect to both the insertion grooves 15 and 16, but according to the present invention, the connector 10 may be inserted in the width direction with respect to the insertion groove. And it is good also as what is penetrated in the front-back direction, and good also as what rotates around the axis line which passes the center of the main-body part 11 to an up-down direction.

  (3) In the present embodiment, the connector 10 at the restriction position is restricted from moving in any of the width direction, the front-rear direction, and the vertical direction. The movement may be restricted in one direction.

The front view which showed the state in which the connector in this embodiment exists in a control position Partial cutaway side cross-sectional view showing the connector in the restricted position Front view showing the connector on its way from the restricted position to the allowed position Partially cutaway side sectional view showing the connector on its way from the restricted position to the allowed position Front view showing the connector in the allowable position Partially cutaway side sectional view showing the connector in the allowable position Front view showing a state in which the connector is inclined in the width direction and the vertical direction at the allowable position Partially cutaway side sectional view showing the connector tilted in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction at the allowable position Sectional drawing which showed the state by which the movement was controlled in the width direction and the front-back direction in the state in which the connector exists in a control position Sectional drawing which showed the state currently supported so that it can float freely in the width direction and the front-back direction in the state in which the connector exists in a permission position Sectional drawing which showed the state inclined in the width direction and the front-back direction in the state in which the connector exists in an allowance

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electrical component 10 ... Connector 15 ... 1st insertion groove 15A ... Back surface (X direction regulation wall) of 1st insertion groove
15B ... Front surface of first insertion groove (Y-direction regulating wall)
15C ... rear surface of first insertion groove (Y-direction regulating wall)
16 ... 2nd insertion groove 16A ... Back surface (X direction regulation wall) of 2nd insertion groove
16B ... Front surface of second insertion groove (Y-direction regulating wall)
16C ... Rear surface of second insertion groove (Y-direction regulating wall)
19 ... locking piece (locking part)
30 ... Bracket (support member)
33 ... Mounting piece 33E ... First retaining hole (first retaining part)
33F ... Second retaining hole (second retaining part)
R ... Case (mating member)
R2 ... Mounting hole (predetermined mounting location)

Claims (3)

By assembling the connector and the electric component and a supporting member for supporting the connector movably to the mating member, the mounting structure of only because of connector Installing the connector at the predetermined mounting position in the mating member Because
The support member regulates the movement of the connector until immediately before the connector is attached to the predetermined attachment location, but in the process of attachment where the connector is attached to the predetermined attachment location, Allow play ,
When the attachment direction of the connector to the predetermined mounting location is defined as the Z direction, the support member has an attachment piece that can be inserted in the Z direction with respect to an insertion groove provided in the connector, The connector is movably supported between a restricting position that restricts the movement of the connector and an allowable position that allows the connector to move freely,
The connector includes a locking piece that is displaceable in the plate thickness direction of the mounting piece, and the mounting piece is locked to the locking piece at the restricting position to move the connector to the rear side in the Z direction. A first retaining hole for retaining the retaining member, and a second retaining hole for retaining the connector in the Z-direction rear side while allowing the connector to move freely by retaining the retaining piece at the permissible position. Characteristic connector mounting structure.   When the direction intersecting the Z direction in the plate surface direction of the mounting piece is defined as the X direction, the peripheral wall constituting the insertion groove can contact both sides of the mounting piece in the X direction at the restriction position. The connector mounting structure according to claim 1, further comprising an X-direction regulating wall.   When the thickness direction of the mounting piece is defined as the Y direction, the peripheral wall constituting the insertion groove includes a Y-direction regulating wall that can abut on both sides of the mounting piece in the Y direction at the regulating position. The connector mounting structure according to claim 1 or 2.

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