JPH09148025A - Connection part holding mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection part holding structure which can generate coupling quickly and simply. SOLUTION: This holding structure is to hold the connection part of one cable (flexible flat cable) 13 with another cable (any external) 16. In the structure, at least a part of the connection part 17 is pinched by coupling a first holding means (lower) 121 with a second holding means (upper) 141, and the two holding means 121 and 141 are coupled together through the first checking mechanism which prohibits reverse motions.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connecting portion holding structure for holding a connecting portion between one cable and the other cable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As this type of connecting portion holding structure, for example, one provided in a relative rotary member relay device 10 shown in FIG. 10 is known. Relay device 10 between relative rotating members
As shown in FIG. 10, a rotating body (first rotating body) 11 having an inner cylindrical portion (inner tubular member) 11a and an outer cylindrical portion (a first rotating body) surrounding the inner cylindrical portion 11a at a predetermined interval ( A fixed body (second rotating body) 12 having an outer cylindrical member 12a, and an annular space K between the inner cylindrical portion 11a and the outer cylindrical portion 12a are spirally formed along the same space K. It is stored in a rolled state, and the inner peripheral end portion 13a has an inner cylindrical portion 1
A cable (flexible flat cable) which is held by 1a and whose outer peripheral end portion 13b is held by the outer cylindrical portion 12a.
13 and a C-shaped moving body 2 that is movably provided along the space K and that reverses the cable 13 at the opening 2a.

A cover member 14 is provided on the fixed body 12 so as to cover the upper side of the space K and the periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 12a. The cover member 14 is composed of an upper cover 14a that covers the upper side of the space K and a cylindrical portion 14b that surrounds the outer cylindrical portion 12a, and does not rotate relative to the fixed body 12. There is. And
An opening 14c is formed in the center of the upper cover 14a. A lower cover 12b that covers the lower side of the space K is formed integrally with the outer cylindrical portion 12a in the fixed body 12.

An external lead-out cover 110 for leading the cable 13 to the outside is provided above the cover member 14.
Are provided rotatably. This external lead-out cover 1
10 is connected to the inner cylindrical portion 11a through the opening 14c of the cover member 14 and is adapted to rotate together with the inner cylindrical portion 11a. The outer lead-out cover 110 is provided with a connector holder portion 110a for holding an inner connector 15 of the cable 13 which will be described later.

An inner peripheral end portion 13a of the cable 13 is connected to an external cable 16 via an inner connector 15. The outer peripheral end 13 b of the cable 13 is connected to the external cable 16 via the outer connector 17.

[0006] Further, the outer cylindrical portion 12a and the cylindrical portion 14
A connection portion holding structure 100 that holds the outer connector (connection portion) 17 is provided at b.

The connecting portion holding structure 100 includes an outer cylindrical portion 12
The lower holding part 120 provided in a and the upper holding part 140 provided in the cylindrical part 14b are provided. The lower holding part 120 is configured to accommodate the outer connector 17, and the upper holding part 140 covers the lower holding part 120 to hold the outer connector 17 in the lower holding part 120. Has become. Then, the lower holding part 120 and the upper holding part 140 are connected by using rivets (not shown).

The rotating body 11 is connected to, for example, the steering wheel side of a steering wheel of an automobile, and the fixed body 12 is fixed to the steering column side.

[0009]

However, in the connecting part holding structure 100, since the lower holding part 120 and the upper holding part 140 are connected using the rivet, the rivet is inserted into the predetermined hole. However, there is a problem that it takes a lot of man-hours to crush the end portion.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a connecting portion holding structure that can be easily connected in a short time.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a connecting portion holding structure for holding a connecting portion between one cable and the other cable.
The holding means and the second holding means are connected to each other so as to hold at least a part of the connecting portion, and the first holding means and the second holding means are prohibited from reverse movement. It is characterized in that it is configured to be connected via the first check mechanism.

Further, it is possible to configure such that either one of the first holding means and the second holding means is connected to the connecting portion via a second check mechanism for prohibiting reverse movement. preferable.

Further, it is preferable that the one holding means is provided with a rib for applying a predetermined pressing force to the connecting portion when the connecting portion is connected via the second check mechanism.

Furthermore, the first checking mechanism is
A locking projection provided on one of the first holding means and the second holding means, and a locking projection provided on the other of the first holding means and the second holding means, and elastically deforms to ride on the locking projection and locks to the locking projection It is preferable that the first holding means and the second holding means are provided with a connecting piece that prevents the first holding means and the second holding means from moving backward in the separating direction.

The second check mechanism is provided with one of the holding means and the connecting portion, and the other is provided with the locking projection, and the other is provided with the locking projection so that the locking projection is elastically displaced. It is preferable that the first holding means and the connecting portion are provided with a locking end that locks to the locking protrusion and prevents the first holding means and the connecting portion from moving backward in the separating direction.

Further, it is preferable that two ribs are provided so as to abut on both sides of one cable or the other cable in the connecting portion.

Further, in the invention configured as described above, when the first holding means and the second holding means are moved so as to come into contact with each other, the first check mechanism operates,
It becomes impossible for the first holding means and the second holding means to move in the reverse direction in the separating direction. That is, the first holding means and the second holding means are connected to each other. Therefore, the first holding means and the second holding means can be easily connected in a short time.

Further, in the one configured such that either one of the first holding means and the second holding means and the connecting portion are connected via the second check mechanism,
The connection portion is held by the one holding means, and is sandwiched and held by the first and second holding means. Therefore, the connecting portion can be reliably held.

Further, in the case where one holding means is provided with a rib for applying a predetermined pressing force to the connecting portion when the connecting portion is connected through the second check mechanism, Since there is no play between the connecting portion and the connecting portion, the connecting portion can be stably and reliably held.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A connecting portion holding structure provided in a relay device between relative rotating members will be described below as an embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. However, elements common to the constituent elements of the conventional example shown in FIG. 10 are designated by the same reference numerals to simplify the description. This embodiment is different from the conventional example in that a cable (one cable) 13
And the structure of the connection part holding structure 101 is different.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the cable 13 is composed of a flexible flat cable, and its inner peripheral end portion 13a is turned at a right angle through a bent portion 13c. Then, at the position closer to the center than the bent portion 13c, the inner peripheral end holding portion 13d
Has been fixed. The inner peripheral end holding portion 13d is held by the holder portion 11b of the inner cylindrical portion 11a. In addition, the tip of the inner peripheral end 13a is connected to the external cable (the other cable) via the inner connector 15.
It is connected to 16.

On the other hand, the outer peripheral end portion 13b of the cable 13 is
The direction is changed at right angles through the bent portion 13e, and an outer peripheral end holding portion 13f is fixed at a position closer to the center than the bent portion 13e. This outer peripheral edge holding portion 13f
Is held by a holder portion 12c of the outer cylindrical portion 12a, which will be described later. In addition, the outer peripheral end 13b
The tip end of is connected to an external cable 16 via an outer connector (connecting portion) 17. The inner peripheral end holding portion 13d and the outer peripheral end holding portion 13f are fixedly provided on the cable 13 by insert molding.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the connecting part holding structure 101 connects the lower holding part (first holding means) 121 and the upper holding part (second holding means) 141 to each other. It is configured to hold at least a part of the outer connector (connecting portion) 17. Then, the lower holding portion 12
1 and the upper holding part 141 are connected via a first check mechanism.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the lower holding portion 121 is mainly composed of a holding frame 122 projecting from the wall surface of the outer cylindrical portion 12a in a rectangular frame shape.
The holding frame 122 has an opening 122a extending in the vertical direction at the center of the front surface thereof. In addition, the holding frame 122
As shown in FIG. 3, a groove 122b for vertically guiding a ridge 17a of an outer connector 17, which will be described later, is formed on the inner side of the inner wall of the outer connector 17 and a locking rib 17b of the outer connector 17.
A shelf 122c is formed to hold the above.

Further, on one side surface of the holding frame 122, a locking projection 103 as one component of the first check mechanism is provided. The locking projection 103 as one component of the first check mechanism is also provided on the outer cylindrical portion 12a near the holding frame 122.

Further, the outer cylindrical portion 12a adjacent to the holding frame 122 is provided with a holder portion 12c for holding the outer peripheral end holding portion 13f of the cable 13. Holder part 12
c holds the outer peripheral edge holding portion 13f by inserting the outer peripheral edge holding portion 13f in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Therefore, the holder portion 12c is formed in substantially the same shape as the outer peripheral end holding portion 13f so that the outer peripheral end holding portion 13f does not rattle. Further, the holder portion 12c is provided with a locking projection 12d that fits into a locking groove 13g formed in the outer peripheral edge holding portion 13f. The locking projection 12d and the locking groove 13g are provided on the outer peripheral edge holding portion 1
It is provided to prevent 3f from being inserted into the holder portion 12c in the opposite direction.

Further, the outer cylindrical portion 12a is provided with a guide member 12e for holding the cable 13 along the side wall of the outer cylindrical portion 12a in the lower holding portion 121. The guide member 12e is adapted to hold the portion of the cable 13 before bending the bent portion 13e between the side wall of the outer cylindrical portion 12a. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the guide member 12e has a sufficient overlap with the cable 13 and is sufficiently spaced apart from the bent portion 13e so that the guide member 12e extends in the direction of 45 degrees along the bent portion 13e. It is formed in a triangular shape having an inclined surface inclined to. Further, a gap is formed between the side wall of the outer cylindrical portion 12a and the guide member 12e so that the cable 13 can freely move.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 6 to 8, the outer connector 17 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and ridges 17a are formed along the left and right edges of its front surface. Has been done. The ridges 17a are formed in the grooves 12 of the holding frame 122.
2b is fitted (see FIG. 3). Also,
A locking rib 17b is formed on the back surface of the outer connector 17 along the upper end thereof so as to abut the shelf 122c of the holding frame 122. Furthermore, on the front of the outer connector 17,
Guide groove 1 of the connecting plate 142a of the upper holding portion 141 described later
A raised portion 17c that fits into 42d is formed. The raised portion 17c is provided with a locking protrusion 17d as a component of the second check mechanism 106.

The upper holding portion 141 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.
As shown in, the main part is constituted by the cover frame 142 formed so as to cover the upper side of the holding frame 122.
The cover plate 142 has a connecting plate 14 extending downward from the center of the front surface and fitted in the opening 122a of the holding frame 122.
2a is provided. The connecting plate 142a is formed so that its central portion 142b fits into the opening 122a of the holding frame 122 and is flush with the front surface of the holding frame 122, and the left and right portions of the central portion 142b are parallel to each other. The stepped portion 142c is shifted to The step portion 142c is adapted to fit in a space portion (see FIG. 3) formed by the back side of the opening 122a and the outer connector 17. The central portion 142b and the stepped portion 142 are provided on the back side of the connecting plate 142a.
A guide groove 142d is formed by c and c. The guide groove 142d is adapted to fit into the raised portion 17c of the outer connector 17. Further, a vertically extending locking groove 142e is formed in the central portion 142b, and a lower end portion of the locking groove 142e serves as a locking end 142f that locks with the locking projection 17d of the outer connector 17. .

Then, the connecting plate 142a and the locking projection 1
The second check mechanism is configured by 7d.
That is, the second check mechanism is the outer connector 1
By moving the upper holding part 141 toward 7, the locking end 142f of the connecting plate 142a is locked by the locking protrusion 17d of the outer connector 17, and the upper holding part 141 and the outer connector 17 are in the opposite direction, That is, it is prohibited to move away.

Further, inside the upper surface of the cover frame 142,
Two ribs 142g are provided on the upper surface of the outer connector 17 to apply a predetermined pressing force when the outer connector 17 is connected to the cover frame 142 via the second check mechanism. These ribs 142g are provided at intervals so as to be located on both sides of the cable 13 connected to the outer connector 17.

Further, one side surface of the cover frame 142 is locked by a locking projection 103 provided on one side surface of the lower holding portion 121 to bring the upper holding portion 141 and the lower holding portion 121 into a connected state. A connecting piece 104 is provided. In addition, the outer cylindrical portion 12a is also attached to the cylindrical portion 14b near the cover frame 142.
The upper holding portion 1 is locked by the locking projection 103 provided on the
Connecting piece 10 for connecting 41 and the lower holding part 121 to a connected state
4 are provided. Then, the connecting piece 104 and the locking projection 103 constitute a first check mechanism. That is, in the first check mechanism, the connecting piece 104 is locked to the locking projection 103 by moving the upper holding part 141 and the lower holding part 121 so as to contact each other, and The lower holding portion 121 is in the opposite direction,
That is, it is prohibited to move away.

The connecting piece 104 and the locking projection 103 are also provided.
Is a cylindrical portion 14b and an outer cylindrical portion 1 as shown in FIG.
It is provided around each of the 2a. Then, the connecting piece 104 provided on the cylindrical portion 14b and the outer cylindrical portion 12a.
And the locking projection 103 includes the cylindrical portion 14b and the outer cylindrical portion 12
It is designed to connect with a.

Connection part holding structure 1 constructed as described above
In 01, first, the outer connector 17 is attached to the lower holding portion 1.
21 from above. This allows the outer connector 1
The locking rib 17b of No. 7 comes into contact with the shelf 122c of the lower holding portion 121. Then, the outer cylindrical portion 12a is attached so as to cover the cover member 14. Then,
The connecting piece 104 is locked to the locking projection 103, and the outer cylindrical portion 12a and the cover member 14 are connected to each other. Particularly, the upper holding part 141 and the lower holding part 121 are in a state of being connected by the connecting piece 104 and the locking projection 103 as the first check mechanism.

At this time, the ribs 1 of the upper holding portion 141
42 g comes into contact with the upper surface of the outer connector 17. Then, when pushing the upper holding part 141 downward,
The rib 142g elastically bends, and the locking end 142f of the connecting plate 142a locks with the locking projection 17d of the outer connector 17. That is, the upper holding part 141 and the outer connector 17 are connected by the second check mechanism.

According to the connecting portion holding structure 101 constructed as described above, the connecting piece 104 and the locking projection 103 are formed.
With this configuration, the outer cylindrical portion 12a and the cover member 14 are connected to each other, so that the outer cylindrical portion 12a and the cover member 14 can be easily connected to each other in a short time. Moreover, the upper holding part 141 and the lower holding part 121 can also be easily connected in a short time by the connecting piece 104 and the locking projection 103 as the first check mechanism. In addition, the outer connector 17 has the upper holding portion 141.
The outer connector 17 is held by the connection between the lower holding part 121 and the lower holding part 121, and is connected to the upper holding part 141 by the second check mechanism.
Can be reliably held.

Further, when the outer connector 17 is connected to the upper holding portion 141 via the second check mechanism, the outer connector 17 is provided with the rib 142g for applying a predetermined pressing force to the outer connector 17, so that the outer connector 17 is placed on the upper side. It comes into close contact with the holding portion 141. Therefore, it is possible to completely prevent the outer connector 17 from rattling with respect to the upper holding portion 141 and the lower holding portion 121.

The rib 1 is used in the above embodiment.
By elastically bending 42g, the connecting plate 14
Although the locking end 142f of the 2a and the locking protrusion 17d are configured to engage with each other, the rib 142g is elastically bent to thereby connect the connecting piece 104 as the first check mechanism.
The locking protrusion 103 may be engaged with the locking protrusion 103.
In this case, the outer connector 17 can be sandwiched between the upper holding part 141 and the lower holding part 121 in a close contact state. That is, rattling of the outer connector 17 can be prevented, and the outer connector 17 can be stably held.

Further, the locking projection 103 is attached to the lower holding portion 121.
Although the connecting piece 104 is provided on the upper holding part 141 side, the locking protrusion 103 is provided on the upper holding part 141 side.
Alternatively, the connecting piece 104 may be provided on the lower holding portion 121 side.

Further, the outer connector 17 is provided with a locking projection 17
a locking end 142 which is provided with d and is locked to the locking projection 17d.
Although the f is configured to be provided in the upper connection portion 141, the outer connector 17 is provided with a locking recess serving as the locking end 142f,
The upper connection portion 141 may be provided with a locking protrusion that locks in the locking recess.

[0041]

According to the present invention, when the first holding means and the second holding means are moved so as to be brought into contact with each other, the first check mechanism is actuated, and the first holding means and the second holding means. The holding means cannot be moved backward in the direction away from the holding means. That is,
The first holding means and the second holding means are connected. Therefore, the first holding means and the second holding means can be easily connected in a short time.

Further, in the one configured such that either one of the first holding means and the second holding means and the connecting portion are connected via the second check mechanism,
The connection portion is held by the one holding means, and is sandwiched and held by the first and second holding means. Therefore, the connecting portion can be reliably held.

Further, in the case where one holding means is provided with a rib which applies a predetermined pressing force to the connecting portion when the connecting portion is connected via the second check mechanism, Since there is no play between the connecting portion and the connecting portion, the connecting portion can be stably and reliably held.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded front view of a connecting portion holding structure shown as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing an upper holding portion of the connecting portion holding structure.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a lower holding portion of the connection portion holding structure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an upper holding part of the same connection part holding structure, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing a lower holding part of the same connection part holding structure, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an outer connector of the connection part holding structure.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing an outer connector of the connecting portion holding structure.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing the outer connector of the connection part holding structure.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a relay device between relative rotating members having the same connection portion holding structure.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a relay device between relative rotating members having a connecting portion holding structure shown as a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

13 One Cable (Flexible Flat Cable) 16 The Other Cable (External Cable) 17 Connection Part (Outer Connector) 17d Locking Protrusion (Second Check Mechanism) 101 Connection Part Holding Structure 102 First Check Mechanism 103 Lock Protrusion (first check mechanism) 104 Connection piece (first check mechanism) 106 Second check mechanism 121 First holding means (lower holding portion) 141 Second holding means (upper holding portion) 142a Connection plate (Second check mechanism) 142f Locking end 142g Rib

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A connecting portion holding structure for holding a connecting portion between one cable and the other cable, wherein the connecting portion of the connecting portion is formed by connecting the first holding means and the second holding means. At least a part is sandwiched, and the first holding means and the second holding means are connected to each other via a first check mechanism for prohibiting reverse movement. A connecting portion holding structure characterized by: 2. A second holding means for prohibiting reverse movement of either one of the first holding means and the second holding means and the connecting portion.
The connecting portion holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion holding structure is configured so as to be connected via the check mechanism. 3. The one holding means is provided with a rib for applying a predetermined pressing force to the connecting portion when the connecting portion is connected via the second check mechanism. Connection holding structure. 4. The first check mechanism is provided on either one of the first holding means and the second holding means, and on the other, the first check mechanism is configured to ride on the locking projection. A connecting piece that elastically deforms and locks on the locking projection, and prevents the first holding means and the second holding means from moving in opposite directions in a separating direction. The connection part holding structure according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3. 5. The second check mechanism is provided on either one of the holding means and the connection portion, and the other is provided on the other, and the second check mechanism is elastically displaced so as to ride on the engagement projection. 4. A locking end, which is locked to the locking projection, and which prevents the first holding means and the connecting portion from moving backward in the separating direction. Alternatively, the connection portion holding structure according to claim 4. 6. The rib according to claim 3, wherein two ribs are provided so as to come into contact with one cable or both side portions of the other cable in the connecting portion. Connection holding structure.