JP6222694B2 - Connector fixing structure for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector fixing structure for a vehicle, and relates to an improvement of a structure for fixing a connector.

  An automobile is equipped with accessory equipment such as a room lamp, an air conditioner, an audio device, a car navigation device, and a hands-free device for a mobile phone. These accessory devices are attached to interior members such as a front panel and an overhead console of a passenger compartment. Conductive wires for performing electrical wiring of accessory equipment are drawn into the interior member from other parts in the automobile. The accessory device is connected to a conducting wire drawn into the interior member, and acquires power supply power, passes signals, and the like.

  Patent Document 1 below describes a vehicle interior lamp provided in an overhead console. In this vehicular interior light, a lead wire that leads from the in-vehicle battery to the overhead console is connected to the circuit board of the vehicular interior light by a connector. Patent Document 2 describes an overhead module. In this overhead module, a conductor (harness) from the ECU to the overhead module is connected to the electronic board by a connector. Patent Document 3 also describes an overhead module. In this overhead module, each connector for connecting a voice recognition microphone, a garage door opener switch, and an intrusion sensor microphone is provided on a printed wiring board. The cords from these electrical components are connected to the printed wiring board by connectors.

JP 2004-182012 A JP 2010-137785 A JP 2000-272409 A

  It is rare that the same accessory device is mounted on all automobiles, and an accessory device selected according to design specifications or user preference is mounted. For example, an audio device, a hands-free device, and the like may not be mounted on an automobile depending on a user, and a spare space for adding these accessory devices in the future is provided in the interior member. In order to add an accessory device to the spare space, the interior member may be equipped with an unconnected conductor having a connector at the tip. Although this conducting wire has reached from the other part of the automobile to the interior member, it is terminated by an unconnected connector in the interior member. Even when the accessory device is attached to the interior member, some of the conductive wires drawn out from the accessory device may not be connected to other electrical devices having a connector at the tip.

  Conductive wires whose terminal ends are not connected to electrical devices or the like cause problems such as hindering assembly work, deteriorating aesthetics, and causing noise during traveling. Therefore, such an unconnected conducting wire is fixed to the interior member. However, when unconnected conducting wires are fixed to the interior member, there is a problem that the structure becomes complicated and the number of parts increases.

  An object of the present invention is to simplify a structure for fixing an unconnected conductor.

The present invention includes a first side wall in which a lower side is in contact with a panel of an interior member for a vehicle, a second side wall in which the lower side is in contact with the panel and facing the first side wall, and a lower side in contact with the panel. A U-shaped side wall provided with a third side wall closing one open end of a region sandwiched between the first side wall and the second side wall, and a protrusion provided on the first connector are inserted from above. A connector fixing hole, and an upper plate that is in contact with the upper side of the U-shaped side wall and covers an area surrounded by the U-shaped side wall. A connector receiving hole into which the second connector is inserted from the opening side of the U-shaped side wall is formed, the connector fixing hole has the protrusion inserted into the connector fixing hole, and the first connector has the main body portion By the protrusion when When the second connector is prevented from being inserted into the connector receiving hole, and the second connector is inserted into the connector receiving hole, the second connector is provided at a position where insertion of the protrusion is prevented. It is characterized by.

In the vehicle connector fixing structure according to the present invention, preferably, a frame portion formed between an edge of the connector fixing hole and an edge of the opening of the connector receiving hole is inserted into the connector receiving hole. The second connector is fitted between the two protrusions .

The vehicle connector fixing structure according to the present invention is desirably provided in a region covered with the main body portion on the panel, Ru comprising a connector support ribs extending in the insertion direction of the second connector.

  According to the present invention, a structure for fixing an unconnected conductor can be simplified.

It is a perspective view of a connector system. It is a perspective view of a main-body part. It is sectional drawing of a main-body part and a 1st connector. It is sectional drawing of a main-body part and a 1st connector. It is a perspective view of a main-body part and a 2nd connector. It is sectional drawing of a main-body part and a 2nd connector. It is a figure which shows notionally a mode that the 2nd connector was inserted in the connector accommodation hole by the regular direction. It is a figure which shows notionally a mode that it becomes impossible to insert a 2nd connector in a connector accommodation hole.

  FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a connector system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connector system 10 includes a first connector 12, a second connector 14, and a main body 16, and is arranged on an interior member of an automobile. The first connector 12 is connected to the tip of the first cable 18, and the second connector 14 is connected to the tip of the second cable 20. The first cable 18 is, for example, a cable drawn from an accessory device provided on the interior member. The second cable 20 is, for example, a cable drawn into the interior member from a device provided at a site different from the interior member. Each cable includes a conductor having a metal wire coated. Each cable may be a bundle of a plurality of conducting wires. The first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mechanically coupled to electrically connect the first cable 18 and the second cable 20. The first connector 12 and the second connector 14 may be detachable.

  In the connector system 10 according to the present embodiment, the second connector 14 can be fixed at an appropriate position regardless of whether or not the first cable 18 and the first connector 12 are provided in the interior member. For example, when an accessory device that is a connection source of the first cable 18 is provided in the interior member, the first cable 18 and the first connector 12 are also provided in the interior member. In this case, the second connector 14 is fixed to the first connector 12. However, when such an accessory device is not provided in the interior member, the first cable 18 and the first connector 12 are not provided in the interior member. Even in such a case, the connector system 10 can fix the second connector 14 at an appropriate position, as will be described later. Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the connector system 10 will be described.

  The main body 16 is fixed to a panel 22 as an interior member. The first connector 12 has an opening that receives the second connector 14 oriented in the positive x-axis direction and is fixed to the upper surface of the main body 16. A connector claw 24 is provided on the side surface of the second connector 14. The connector claw 24 elastically swings around the root to the second connector 14 body. A tip protrusion 26 is formed at the tip of the connector claw 24. An intermediate projection 28 is formed between the tip of the connector claw 24 and the base. While the second connector 14 is inserted from the opening of the first connector 12, the intermediate protrusion 28 on the connector claw 24 is pushed toward the main body side of the second connector 14 by the inner wall surface of the first connector 12. As a result, the connector claw 24 bends toward the main body side of the second connector 14.

  When the second connector 14 is inserted to a predetermined position in the first connector 12, for example, the deepest position, the protrusion structure provided on the inner wall surface of the first connector 12 causes the intermediate protrusion 28 and the tip protrusion of the connector claw 24 to be 26. As a result, the second connector 14 is fixed to the first connector 12. As described above, the second connector 14 is inserted into the first connector 12 through the opening thereof, whereby the second connector 14 is fixed to the first connector 12, and the first cable 18 and the second cable 20 are electrically connected. Connected to.

  FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the main body 16. The main body 16 includes a side wall 32 and an upper plate 30 that are formed in a U-shape (a U-shape) that opens to the right. The side wall 32 has an x axis extending from the first side wall 32-1, the second side wall 32-2 facing the first side wall 32-1, and the space between the first side wall 32-1 and the second side wall 32-2. It is comprised from the 3rd side wall 32-3 which blocks the opening which faces a negative direction.

  The upper plate 30 is bonded to the upper side of the side wall 32 and covers a region surrounded by the side wall 32. A connector fixing hole 34 for receiving a part of the first connector 12 is formed in the upper plate 30. Further, a pair of connector support portions 38 projecting upward are formed at both ends of the left side of the upper plate 30. The pair of connector support portions 38 has a U shape that opens upward.

  On the upper surface of the upper plate 30, two pillow-like protrusions 36 that support the first connector 12 when the first connector 12 is attached are further formed. The two pillow-like projections 36 sandwich the connector fixing hole 34 and extend in the y-axis direction. A first connector guide plate 40 and a second connector guide plate 42 are formed on the inner surface of the first sidewall 32-1 and the inner surface of the second sidewall 32-2, respectively. The first connector guide plate 40 and the second connector guide plate 42 protrude from the inner surfaces of the first sidewall 32-1 and the second sidewall 32-2 substantially parallel to the xy plane. Two connector support ribs 46 extending in the x-axis direction are provided in an area on the panel 22 covered with the main body 16.

  Thus, the connector housing hole 44 having an opening facing the positive x-axis direction is formed in the main body portion 16 by the side wall 32 and the upper plate 30. The connector receiving hole 44 receives the second connector 14 and fixes the second connector 14. In addition, a connector fixing hole 34 for receiving a part of the first connector 12 and fixing the first connector 12 is formed on the upper plate 30, that is, the upper surface of the connector receiving hole 44.

  FIG. 3 shows a cross section taken along line AB of the main body 16 and the first connector 12. This figure shows a state in which the first connector 12 is fixed to the main body 16. The first connector 12 has a fixed protrusion 48 that protrudes in the negative z-axis direction. The fixing protrusion 48 is inserted into the connector fixing hole 34. As a result, the first connector 12 is fixed to the main body 16. The bottom surface of the first connector 12 is in contact with the top of each pillow-like projection 36, and each pillow-like projection 36 supports the first connector 12. Each pillow-like protrusion 36 does not necessarily have to contact the first connector 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the pair of connector support portions 38 sandwich the first connector 12 to prevent an excessive force from being applied to the connector fixing hole 34 from the fixing protrusion 48.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure of the fixed protrusion 48. This figure shows a CD line cross section of the main body 16 and the first connector 12. The fixed protrusion 48 has a fixed claw 50. The fixed claw 50 extends obliquely upward from the vicinity of the distal end of the fixed projection 48 and elastically swings around the root of the fixed projection 48 main body. While the first connector 12 is inserted into the connector fixing hole 34, the fixing claw 50 is narrowed to the side surface side of the fixing protrusion 48. And when the 1st connector 12 is inserted to the predetermined position of the connector fixing hole 34, for example, the deepest position, the fixing nail | claw 50 spreads outside. As a result, the fixing protrusion 48 of the first connector 12 is fixed to the upper plate 30 of the main body 16, and the first connector 12 is fixed to the main body 16.

  The first connector 12 may be detachable from the main body 16 or may not be removed once it is fixed to the main body 16.

  Next, a case where the first cable 18 and the first connector 12 are not provided on the interior member will be described. FIG. 5 shows the main body 16 in a state where the second connector 14 is fixed. The second connector 14 is inserted from the opening of the main body 16 while being guided by the upper plate 30, the first connector guide plate 40, the second connector guide plate 42 and the connector support rib 46. While the second connector 14 is inserted into the main body portion 16, the intermediate protrusion 28 on the connector claw 24 of the second connector 14 is pushed by the upper plate 30 toward the main body side of the second connector 14. As a result, the connector claw 24 bends toward the main body side of the second connector 14.

  FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the main body 16 and the second connector 14 taken along the line EF. As shown in this figure, when the second connector 14 is inserted into a predetermined position of the connector receiving hole 44, for example, the deepest position, the edge of the opening of the main body 16 and the edge of the connector fixing hole 34 A frame portion 52 between the intermediate projection 28 and the tip projection 26 of the connector claw 24 is fitted. As a result, the second connector 14 is fixed to the main body 16.

  The second connector 14 may be detachable with respect to the main body 16 or may not be scheduled to be removed after being fixed to the main body 16 once.

  Thus, in the connector system 10 according to the present embodiment, when the first cable 18 and the first connector 12 are provided in the interior member and the second connector 14 needs to be fixed to the first connector 12, One connector 12 is fixed to the main body 16. The second connector 14 is fixed to the first connector 12, and the second cable 20 is electrically connected to the first cable 18. On the other hand, when the first cable 18 and the first connector 12 are not provided on the interior member, but the second connector 14 and the second cable 20 are provided on the interior member, the second connector 14 is connected to the body portion 16. Fixed to. When fixing the second connector 14 to the main body 16, the second connector 14 is fixed to the main body 16 without using any special parts.

  In the connector system 10 according to the present embodiment, the second connector 14 is prevented from being fixed to the main body portion 16 in a state where the first connector 12 is fixed to the main body portion 16. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the fixing projection 48 of the first connector 12 enters the connector receiving hole 44 from the connector fixing hole 34, and the second connector 14 is fixed to the connector receiving hole 44. Is impossible. Thereby, when the first connector 12 is fixed to the main body 16, it is possible to prevent erroneous assembly that the second connector 14 is fixed to the main body 16.

  Further, in a state where the second connector 14 is fixed to the main body portion 16, the first connector 12 is prevented from being fixed to the main body portion 16. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the second connector 14 is located immediately below the connector fixing hole 34, and the fixing protrusion 48 of the first connector 12 cannot enter the connector fixing hole 34. Become. Thereby, when the second connector 12 is fixed to the main body portion 16, it is possible to prevent erroneous assembly that the first connector 14 is fixed to the main body portion 16.

  Further, according to the connector system 10 according to the present embodiment, the connector support rib 46 provided on the panel 22 prevents the second connector 14 from being inserted into the connector receiving hole 44 in an incorrect direction. FIG. 7 conceptually shows a state in which the second connector 14 is inserted into the connector housing hole 44 in a normal orientation. Here, the second connector 14 is indicated by a broken line. The second connector 14 is inserted into the connector receiving hole 44 while being guided by the upper plate 30, the first connector guide plate 40, the second connector guide, and the connector support rib 46. In FIG. 8, when the second connector 14 is about to be inserted into the connector receiving hole 44 in the direction opposite to the normal direction, the second connector 14 and the connector support rib 46 interfere, and the second connector 14 is connected to the connector. The state that it becomes impossible to insert into the accommodation hole 44 is conceptually shown. That is, the connector projection 54 and the connector support rib 46 formed on the second connector 14 interfere with each other, and further, the connector claw 24 and the connector support rib 46 formed on the second connector 14 interfere with each other. 14 cannot be inserted into the connector receiving hole 44. As a result, erroneous assembly of the second connector 14 to the main body 16 can be prevented.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Connector system, 12 1st connector, 14 2nd connector, 16 Main body part, 18 1st cable, 20 2nd cable, 22 Panel, 24 Connector nail | claw, 26 Tip protrusion, 28 Intermediate protrusion, 30 Upper board, 32 Side wall, 32-1 1st side wall, 32-2 2nd side wall, 32-3 3rd side wall, 34 Connector fixing hole, 36 Pillow-shaped projection part, 38 Connector support part, 40 1st connector guide plate, 42 2nd connector guide plate , 44 Connector housing hole, 46 Connector support rib, 48 Fixed projection, 50 Fixed claw, 52 Frame, 54 Connector projection.

Claims (3)

A first side wall in which a lower side is in contact with a panel of an interior member for a vehicle, a second side wall in which the lower side is in contact with the panel and faces the first side wall, and a lower side in contact with the panel. A U-shaped side wall comprising a third side wall that closes one open end of a region sandwiched between the second side wall and the second side wall;
A connector fixing hole into which a protrusion provided on the first connector is inserted from above, and an upper plate that is in contact with the upper side of the U-shaped side wall and covers an area surrounded by the U-shaped side wall; With a body,
The panel and the main body form a connector receiving hole into which a second connector is inserted from the opening side of the U-shaped side wall,
The connector fixing hole is
When the protrusion is inserted into the connector fixing hole and the first connector is fixed to the main body, the protrusion prevents the second connector from being inserted into the connector receiving hole, 2. A connector fixing structure for a vehicle , wherein the second connector is provided at a position where insertion of the protrusion is prevented by the second connector when the connector is inserted into the connector receiving hole . In the vehicle connector fixing structure according to claim 1,
A frame portion formed between the edge of the connector fixing hole and the edge of the opening of the connector housing hole fits between two protrusions of the second connector inserted into the connector housing hole. The connector fixing structure for vehicles characterized by the above-mentioned. In the vehicle connector fixing structure according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein provided in a region covered with the main body portion, said second connector vehicle connector fixing structure according to claim Rukoto a connector support ribs extending in the insertion direction of on the panel.

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