JPH09237650A - Connection structure for unit having connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve workability, etc., by easily and securely connecting a connector provided in a meter to be assembled in an instrument panel to a connector at a terminal of a wire harness, and simultaneously performing connecting and fixing of the meter to the instrument panel at the time of connecting the connector. SOLUTION: A holder for temporarily locking a first connector 4 is fixed to an instrument panel 1, a second connector 6 is fixed to a meter 2, and a tightening bolt 20 and a screw whole 28 are provided on these connectors 4, 6 for removing the first connector 4 from the holder 5 and tightening the first connector 4 to the second connector 6. In addition, a connection member 30 and a lock member for connecting the holder 5 to the meter 2 as the first connector 4 is tightened with the second connector 6 are provided on the holder 5 and the meter 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connecting structure of a unit with a connector for connecting electric units each having a corresponding connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, connectors have been generally used for electrical connection between electric units in vehicles. For example, instruments such as a speedometer and a rotation system are provided on an instrument panel of a vehicle, and these instruments and a wire harness led out from the back side thereof are connected via a connector. As a method of assembling and electrical connection in this case, the instrument panel is first fitted with the instrument, and the instrument panel is attached to the dashboard on the vehicle body side. Male and female connectors are provided at the ends, and an operator fits and inserts both connectors on the back side of the instrument. The instrument is then screwed onto the instrument panel.

[0003]

According to the conventional method as described above, after attaching the instrument panel incorporating the instrument to the dashboard, the operator puts his / her hand on the back surface of the instrument panel to connect the connector. The work has to be done by hand, and the workability is very poor. Further, it is necessary to separately perform such a connector connecting work and a work of connecting an instrument to the instrument panel by screwing, and in this respect also, the work efficiency is poor.

By the way, the inventor of the present invention temporarily locks one connector to one of the first and second units connected to each other so that the connector can be engaged and disengaged, and fixes the other connector to the other unit. In addition, by providing a fastening means for fastening the housings of both connectors, connecting the both units, and then fastening the housings of both connectors by the fastening means, the one connector from the one unit A structure has been already proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 7-321770) in which the connector can be connected easily and surely by disconnecting it and connecting it to the other connector.

However, even in such a structure, the unit is connected and the connector is connected individually. Also, if a holder for temporarily locking the one connector is provided on one unit, this holder is necessary for the temporary locking before connecting the connector, but after connecting the connector, Is unnecessary, and there is still room for improvement in terms of effective use of this holder.

In view of such circumstances, the present invention effectively utilizes the holder for temporarily locking the connector and can also connect and fix the units at the time of connecting the connector, thereby improving workability and the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure of a unit with a connector that can be performed.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the first connector provided on the first unit side and the second connector provided on the second unit side are connected to each other, and A connecting structure of a unit with a connector for connecting units to each other, wherein a holder for temporarily locking the first connector is fixed to the first unit, while a second connector is fixed to the second unit. A fastening means for detaching the first connector from the holder and fastening it to the second connector is provided, and the first connector is the second connector.
The connection means is provided for connecting the holder and the second unit as they are fastened to the connector.

According to this structure, the first connector is detached from the holder and connected to the second connector by operating the fastening means in a state where the two units are associated with each other, and the holder and the holder are connected to each other. Both units are connected by being combined with the second unit.
Therefore, the holder provided for temporarily locking the first connector before connecting the connector is also used for connecting the units, and the connector and the unit can be connected simultaneously by operating the fastening means. Will be achieved.

The coupling means is, for example, rotatably supported by the holder, and is pushed by the housing of the first connector when the connector is fastened to a predetermined state in which the tip portion projects outward from the holder. It is composed of a rotating coupling member and a locking portion which is provided in the second unit and which is engaged with a tip end portion of the coupling device when the coupling member rotates in the predetermined state. Alternatively, the base end portion is inserted into the insertion hole formed in the holder and the base end portion is axially supported by the housing of the first connector, and the tip end portion of the holder moves along with the movement of the housing of the first connector when the connector is fastened. A coupling member that protrudes outward and swings in a predetermined state, and a locking portion that is provided in the second unit and that engages with a tip portion of the coupling unit when the coupling unit swings in the predetermined state. Composed.

With this configuration, when the first connector is pulled into the second connector side and fastened by the fastening means, the connector and the locking portion are surely moved as the housing of the first connector moves. And are fastened, and the coupling between the holder and the second unit is achieved.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the both units are provided with a fitting portion that fits into each other when the both units are aligned in a predetermined positional relationship.

[0012] With this configuration, the connectors are connected and the units are connected by operating the fastening means in a state where both units are temporarily fitted by the fitting portion, and the work is facilitated and the fitting is performed. Both units are firmly connected by the fitting by the parts and the joining by the joining means.

Further, in the present invention, the first unit is an instrument panel, the first connector is a connector provided at an end of a wire harness, and the second connector is a connector.
When the unit is a meter and the second connector is a connector of an electric circuit incorporated in the meter, the connection between the connector at the end of the wire harness and the connector provided on the meter and the fixing of the meter to the instrument are easy. It will be achieved by work.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 to 6 show an embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, 1 is an instrument panel, 2 is an instrument attached to an instrument panel 1, and in this embodiment, an instrument. Ment panel 1
Corresponds to the first unit, and the instrument 2 corresponds to the second unit.

The instrument panel 1 includes a first connector 4 provided at an end of a higher harness 3.
Are mounted in the holder 5 in a temporarily locked state.
On the other hand, a second connector 6 which is a connector of the electric circuit in the instrument 1 is fixed to the instrument 1. The both connectors 4 and 6 are provided with fastening means for detaching the first connector 4 from the holder 5 and fastening it to the second connector 6, and the holder 5 and the instrument 2 are provided with connector fastening. A coupling means for coupling the holder 5 and the instrument 2 is provided.

More specifically, the holder 5 is
The front side is opened and the rear side is formed into a box shape having an opening 11 for inserting the wire harness 3, and a temporary locking portion 12 for temporarily locking the connector 4 therein.
Is provided. The temporary locking portion 12 is formed of, for example, an elastic material such as rubber into a predetermined shape having a groove 13 for temporary locking on the inner surface thereof, and is disposed in the inner portion of the four-part portion in the holder 5. In addition, locked projections 14 that project outward are provided at the four corners of the housing of the first connector 4. Then, the connector 4 is housed in the holder 5, and the connector 4 is temporarily locked to the holder 5 by fitting the locked projection 14 into the groove 13 of the temporary locking portion 12.

The holder 5 is fixed to a stay 16 attached to the instrument panel 1 by a clamp 17 or the like.

As the fastening means, a fastening bolt 20 is provided at the center of the second connector 6, and a screw hole 28 corresponding to the fastening bolt 20 is formed in the first connector 4. The fastening bolt 20 has a head portion 21, a shaft portion 22, and a male screw portion 23 provided on the tip side thereof, and the shaft portion 22 is inserted into a shaft insertion hole 24 formed in the housing of the connector 6. And is movable in the axial direction. Further, the collar portion 2 is provided on the head side of the fastening bolt 20.
5 is provided, and this collar portion 25 and the shaft insertion hole 2 of the housing
A coil spring 26 is interposed in a compressed state between the coil spring 26 and the periphery thereof, and the fastening spring 20 is elastically held at a predetermined position by the coil spring 26.

As the coupling means, the holder 5 is equipped with a coupling tool 30, and the coupling tool 30 is used.
Is provided on the instrument 2.

The above-mentioned coupling tool 30 comprises a pair of left and right arms 31.
And a rod 32 connected between the ends of both arms 31, and a cutout portion 3 provided on the upper wall of the holder 5.
3, the arm 31 is arranged, and the pivot portion 34 provided in the cutout portion 33 is fitted with the intermediate portion of the arm 31 so as to be rotatable about the pivot shaft 34.
A torsion spring 35 is installed between the pivot 34 and the arm 31 to urge the arm 31 in a direction in which the tip end side rises. The rear end side of the arm 31 extends obliquely downward, and when the first connector 4 is temporarily locked to the holder 5, the rear end of the arm 31 contacts the upper surface of the housing of the connector 4. ing. A projecting piece 36 for rotating the arm 31 when the connector is fastened is provided at the rear end of the upper surface of the housing of the connector 4, and the projecting piece 36 enables the connector 4 to be housed in the holder 5. It is set to height. A recess 37 is provided on the upper surface of the housing in front of the protrusion 36 so that the rear end of the arm 31 does not support when the arm 31 rotates.

On the other hand, at a predetermined position on the outer wall portion of the instrument 2, a notch 40 is formed as a locking portion into which the tip end of the connector 30 can be introduced, and a member facing the notch 40. A stop piece 41 is provided. In this locking piece 41, the tip portion of the coupling tool 30 has a cut portion 40.
The fulcrum portion 4 so as to engage with it when introduced into the
It projects from 2 to the notch 40. Further, an operation piece 43 for enabling disengagement is connected to the locking piece 41,
The operating piece 43 extends from the fulcrum portion 42 on the side opposite to the protruding direction of the locking piece 41.

The second connector 6 is attached to an appropriate portion of the instrument 2, for example, a side end portion, and the first connector 4 is attached.
The holder 5 is a stay 1 attached to the instrument panel 1 at a position corresponding to the second connector 6.
6, the instrument 2 and the instrument panel 1 are fitted with a convex shape and a concave shape which are fitted to each other at predetermined corresponding positions other than the connector installation position when the two are aligned. Parts 45 and 46 are provided.

According to the structure of this embodiment as described above,
The connection of both connectors 4 and 6 and the connection of the instrument 2 to the instrument panel 1 are performed as follows.

First, the instrument 2 is fitted into the instrument panel 1 and the fitting portions 45 and 46 are fitted together.
As a result, the instrument panel 1 and the instrument 2
Is positioned, and the first connector 4 temporarily locked to the holder 5 fixed to the instrument panel 1 and the second connector 6 fixed to the instrument 2 are in a corresponding state.

In this state, the fastening bolt 20 is pushed into the first connector 4 side, a tool is attached to the bolt head 21 and the fastening bolt 20 is turned, so that the male screw portion 23 is screwed into the screw of the first connector 4. It is screwed into the hole 28, and the fastening bolt 20 is rotated until the fastening state is reached. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first connector 4 is moved to the temporary locking portion 12 of the holder 5 by the fastening force generated by the rotation of the fastening bolt 20.
And the housings of both connectors 4 and 6 are fitted, and both connectors 4 and 6 are properly connected.

In the process of pulling the first connector 4 toward the second connector 6 side after the first connector 4 is disengaged from the temporary locking portion 12 of the holder 5, a protrusion provided at the rear end of the housing of the connector 4. The piece 36 is the arm 3 of the coupling device 30.
1, and the coupling tool 30 is rotated. This coupling 30
The rotation of causes the rod 32 at the tip thereof to enter the notch 40 provided on the outer wall of the instrument 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the connectors 4 and 6 are completely connected, the rod 32 and the locking piece 41 provided on the instrument 2 are engaged and locked. The holder 5 and the measuring instrument 2 are coupled, and the measuring instrument 2 is connected and fixed to the instrument panel 1 via the holder 5.

As described above, the holder 5 provided for temporarily locking the first connector 4 before connecting the connector does not need the temporary locking, and after the connector is connected,
It is effectively used as a means for fixing the instrument 2 to the instrument panel 1. Moreover, the connection of both connectors 4 and 6 and the holder 5 can be performed only by operating the fastening bolt 20.
Fixing of the instrument 2 to the instrument panel 1 via the at the same time is achieved, and the work is simplified.

From the state shown in FIG. 6, the connectors 4, 6 are
When detaching the instrument 2 after separating the
By rotating 0 in the direction opposite to the fastening direction, the first connector 4 is pushed back into the holder 5 contrary to the time of connection, and the connector 30 is locked as the connector 4 moves. It is rotated so as to separate from the piece 41,
The connection between the instrument 2 and the holder 5 is released. At this time, in order to facilitate the disengagement of the coupling tool 30 and the locking piece 41, the operation piece 43 connected to the locking piece 41 may be operated in the direction of opening the locking piece 41.

The arrangement of the connectors 4 and 6 with respect to the instrument panel 1 and the instrument 2 connected to the instrument panel 1 is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously changed according to the layout of the instrument.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a state in which a pair of adjacent units 2A and 2B are provided as a second unit, and the second connector 6 is disposed between the pair of units 2A and 2B. Then, when these are connected to the instrument panel 1, the first connector 4 and the holder 5 for temporarily locking the first connector 4 are arranged at a predetermined position of the instrument panel 1 corresponding to the second connector 6. The holder 30 is rotatably equipped with the coupling tools 30 on both sides thereof, and the protrusions 36 for pivoting the arms 31 of the coupling tool 30 on both sides of the rear end portion of the first connector 4.
On the other hand, on the other hand, each of the above units 2A and 2B,
It suffices to dispose a locking portion including the cut portion 40 and the locking piece 41.

In this way, by operating the fastening bolt 20, both connectors 4 and 6 are connected and the pair of units 2A and 2B and the holder 5 are connected.
And are combined, and these units 2A and 2B are fixed to the instrument panel 1.

FIGS. 8 to 11 show another embodiment of the coupling means for coupling the holder 5 mounted on the instrument panel 1 and the instrument 2. Also in this embodiment,
The coupling means provided by the coupling tool 50 mounted on the holder 5 and the locking portion provided on the instrument 2 is used as the coupling tool 50.
Is formed in a substantially U shape having a bar 51 and rod-shaped levers 52 connected to both ends of the bar 51. The bar 51 is located outside the holder 5, and the rod-shaped levers 52 on both sides are formed.
Through the insertion hole 54 formed in the holder 5, and in this state, the end 53 of the rod-shaped lever 52 is pivotally attached to the side surface of the housing of the connector 4 located in the holder 5. . The locking portion provided on the instrument 2 is composed of the notch 60, the locking piece 61, and the like as in the above embodiment.

Also with this structure, when the fastening bolt 20 is operated, the first connector 4 is disengaged from the temporary locking portion 12 of the holder 5 and pulled toward the second connector 6 side by its fastening force. While the two connectors 4 and 6 are connected and the first connector 4 is pulled toward the second connector 6 side, the lever 52 of the connector 50 inserted into the lever insertion hole 54 of the holder 5 is It swings so that it rises, which causes the bar 51 at the tip of the coupling 50 to
Enters the notch 60 and is engaged with the locking piece 61. In this way, the holder 5 and the instrument 2 are joined together, and the instrument 2 is fixed to the instrument panel 1 via the holder 5.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention is applied as a structure for mounting the instrument 2 on the instrument panel 1, but in addition to this, for example, a dashboard and an instrument panel are provided with connectors. It can also be applied to the case where these are connected together.

Further, the structure of the fastening means is not limited to that of the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the second connector and the fastening bolt are separately provided in advance, and the second connector is provided with the bolt insertion hole. At the time of fastening, the bolt may be screwed into the screw hole of the first connector through the bolt insertion hole. The structure of each of the other parts can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, the holder for temporarily locking the first connector is fixed to the first unit, while the second connector is fixed to the second unit. Since the connector is detached from the holder and the fastening means for fastening the second connector is provided, and the coupling means for joining the holder and the second unit with the fastening of the connector is provided, the fastening means is operated. By simply doing so, the connection of both connectors and the connection of both units can be performed at the same time, and the work can be greatly simplified. Moreover, since the holder provided for temporarily locking the first connector before connecting the connector is also used for connecting the units, the structure for connecting the connectors and connecting the units is simple. It can be anything.

In the present invention, the first unit is an instrument panel, the first connector is a connector provided at the end of a wire harness, the second unit is a meter, and the second connector is a meter. In the case of an electrical circuit connector, it is possible to extremely easily assemble the instrument to the instrument and connect the instrument to the wire harness.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before connection by a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a first connector and a holder.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a holder and a coupling tool.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of transition to a coupled state by the coupling structure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a connected state by the connecting structure.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing another example of arrangement of units and connectors.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a first connector and a holder in a connection structure according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a holder and a coupler in the same connecting structure.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of transition to a coupled state by the coupling structure.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a connected state according to the same connecting structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Instrument Panel 2 Instrument 3 Harness 4 First Connector 5 Holder 6 Second Connector 12 Temporary Locking Part 20 Fastening Bolt 28 Screw Hole 30,50 Coupling 41,61 Locking Piece 45,46 Fitting Part

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A connector for connecting a first connector provided on a side of a first unit and a second connector provided on a side of a second unit to each other, and connecting the both units to each other. A connection structure of units,
While the holder for temporarily locking the connector is fixed to the first unit, the second connector is fixed to the second unit, and the first connector is detached from the holder and fastened to the second connector. Connection of a unit with a connector, characterized in that a fastening means is provided, and a coupling means is provided for coupling the holder and the second unit as the first connector is fastened to the second connector. Construction. 2. The connecting means is rotatably supported by the holder and is pushed by the housing of the first connector when the connector is fastened to a predetermined state in which the tip portion projects outside the holder. 7. A rotating fitting, and a locking portion provided on the second unit and engaging with a tip portion of the connecting tool when the connecting tool is rotated to the predetermined state. 1. A connection structure for a unit with a connector according to 1. 3. The coupling means is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the holder and has a base end portion which is the first end.
Provided on the second unit, which is rotatably supported by the housing of the connector and swings in a predetermined state in which a tip portion thereof projects outside the holder as the housing of the first connector moves when the connector is fastened. The connecting structure for a unit with a connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a locking portion that engages with a tip portion of the coupling tool when the coupling tool swings in the predetermined state. 4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the two units are provided with a fitting portion that fits with each other when the two units are aligned in a predetermined positional relationship. Unit connection structure. 5. The electric circuit in which the first unit is an instrument panel, the first connector is a connector provided at an end of a wire harness, the second unit is an instrument, and the second connector is incorporated in the instrument. 5. The connecting structure for a unit with a connector according to claim 1, wherein the connecting structure is a connector.