JP4062147B2

JP4062147B2 - Connector and wire cover

Info

Publication number: JP4062147B2
Application number: JP2003083315A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 丈博中田
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2003-03-25
Filing date: 2003-03-25
Publication date: 2008-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-25
Also published as: JP2004296121A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、電線カバー及び電線カバーを備えたコネクタに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
ハウジングから導出させた電線をＬ字状に曲げて配索する場合、電線カバーが用いられる。その一例として、一対の半割体をヒンジで連結した形態の単一部品からなるものがあり、ヒンジを折り返し状に屈曲させつつ両半割体を回動させて電線を包むように合体させるようになっている。
【０００３】
２つの半割体を合体状態に保持する手段として、一方の半割体に他方の半割体に向かって突出する撓み係止片を形成し、他方の半割体の外面に係止突起を形成し、この撓み係止片を弾性撓みさせつつ係止突起に係止させることにより、両半割体は離脱不能にロックされる。
尚、半割体を合体させた電線カバーとしては、特許文献１などに開示されているのものがある。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
特開平１１−７９９７号公報
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記の撓み係止片と係止突起とによるロック手段は、通常、ヒンジから遠い位置に配される。これにより、２つの半割体は、ヒンジでの連結位置と、ヒンジから遠い係止位置との２箇所で連結された状態となるため、確実に合体状態に保持される。
【０００６】
ところが、平板状（Ｉ字断面）に成形されたヒンジが、半割体の合体に伴なってＵ字形に折り曲げられる場合、ヒンジの弾性復元力のために、半割体におけるヒンジの近傍位置、即ち撓み係止片と係止突起との係止個所から遠い位置において、半割体同士が開いてしまうことが懸念される。
本願発明は上記事情に鑑みて創案され、合体した半割体が開くのを防止することを目的としている。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１の発明は、ハウジングにおける電線の導出端部に電線カバーを取り付け、そのハウジングから導出した前記電線を電線カバーで包囲するようにしたコネクタであって、前記電線カバーは、ヒンジにより連結された第１と第２の２つ半割体を有し、前記ヒンジの曲げ変形を伴ないつつ前記２つの半割体を相対的に回動させて合体させることで前記電線を包囲するようになっており、前記２つの半割体には、前記ヒンジから離間した位置に配され、互いに係止することで合体された前記２つの半割体の離間を規制するロック手段が設けられているコネクタにおいて、前記第２半割体を構成する壁部のうち、前記ヒンジの一端縁が連結されて前記両半割体の回動中心軸と略平行をなす壁部の内面には、同壁部の合せ面を挟んで前記ヒンジの一端縁と対向する位置に係止突起が形成され、前記第１半割体の外縁部のうち、前記ヒンジの他端縁が連結されて前記両半割体の回動中心軸と略平行をなす外縁部の内縁には、同外縁部の合せ面を挟んで前記ヒンジの他端縁と対向する位置に、前記第２半割体側に向かって突出する撓み係止片が形成され、また、この撓み係止片が形成された外縁部の外縁には、同外縁部の合せ面を挟んで前記撓み係止片と内外方向に対向する押さえ部が前記撓み係止片と同方向へ突出して設けられており、前記２つの半割体が合体した状態においては、前記撓み係止片が第２半割体の壁部の内面に当接しつつ前記係止突起と係止することで前記両半割体の離間が規制されるとともに、前記押さえ部が前記第２半割体の外面に当接することでその第２半割体が前記撓み係止片から離間する方向へ変位することが規制される構成とした。
【０００８】
請求項２の発明は、請求項１の発明において、前記ヒンジは、薄板状をなし、且つ前記第１半割体と前記第２半割体のほぼ中間位置において最小幅とされている構成とした。
請求項３の発明は、ハウジングにおける電線の導出端部に取り付けられ、そのハウジングから導出した前記電線を包囲する電線カバーであって、ヒンジにより連結された第１と第２の２つ半割体を有し、前記ヒンジの曲げ変形を伴ないつつ前記２つの半割体を相対的に回動させて合体させることで前記電線を包囲するようになっており、前記２つの半割体には、前記ヒンジから離間した位置に配され、互いに係止することで合体された前記２つの半割体の離間を規制するロック手段が設けられている電線カバーにおいて、前記第２半割体を構成する壁部のうち、前記ヒンジの一端縁が連結されて前記両半割体の回動中心軸と略平行をなす壁部の内面には、同壁部の合せ面を挟んで前記ヒンジの一端縁と対向する位置に係止突起が形成され、前記第１半割体の外縁部のうち、前記ヒンジの他端縁が連結されて前記両半割体の回動中心軸と略平行をなす外縁部の内縁には、同外縁部の合せ面を挟んで前記ヒンジの他端縁と対向する位置に、前記第２半割体側に向かって突出する撓み係止片が形成され、また、この撓み係止片が形成された外縁部の外縁には、同外縁部の合せ面を挟んで前記撓み係止片と内外方向に対向する押さえ部が前記撓み係止片と同方向へ突出して設けられており、前記２つの半割体が合体した状態においては、前記撓み係止片が第２半割体の壁部の内面に当接しつつ前記係止突起と係止することで前記両半割体の離間が規制されるとともに、前記押さえ部が前記第２半割体の外面に当接することでその第２半割体が前記撓み係止片から離間する方向へ変位することが規制される構成とした。
【０００９】
請求項４の発明は、請求項３の発明において、前記ヒンジは、薄板状をなし、且つ前記第１半割体と前記第２半割体のほぼ中間位置において最小幅とされている構成とした。
【００１０】
【発明の作用及び効果】
［請求項１及び請求項３の発明］
ヒンジの弾性復元力が第１半割体におけるヒンジ近傍の外縁部と第２半割体におけるヒンジ近傍の壁部に対して離間させる力として作用しても、撓み係止片と係止突起との係止により、これらの外縁部と壁部とが離間することはない。
【００１１】
また、ヒンジから外縁部及び壁部に対して離間方向の力が作用したとき、両者は、ヒンジから遠い位置のロック手段を支点として斜めに姿勢を変える力も受けることになる。このとき、第１半割体の撓み係止片は、第２半割体の壁部の内面に押し当てられる方向、即ち係止突起から解離する方向とは逆方向に変位しようとするので、撓み係止片と係止突起との係止が外れることはない。
さらに、第２半割体と係止突起が撓み係止片に対して外面側へ変位しようとしても、第１半割体の押さえ部が第２半割体の壁部の外面に当接しているので、第２半割体が外面側へ変位することに起因して係止突起が撓み係止片から解離することもない。したがって、撓み係止片と係止突起とによる係止機能の信頼性が高い。
【００１２】
そして、撓み係止片と押さえ部は互いに対応する位置に配されているので、両半割体が合体した状態では、第２半割体の壁部が撓み係止片と押え部との間で挟み付けられる。これにより、第２半割体の壁部が押さえ部を支点として斜めに姿勢を変えたとしても、撓み係止片と係止突起との係止が解除されることはない。
［請求項２及び請求項４の発明］
ヒンジの屈曲の程度は、第１半割体と第２半割体のほぼ中間位置において最も大きくなるのであるが、この最大屈曲部ではヒンジの幅が最も狭くなっているので、ヒンジの弾性復元力も小さい。これにより、半割体におけるヒンジの近傍に位置する外縁部及び壁部に作用する離間方向の力も小さく抑えられる。
【００１３】
【発明の実施の形態】
［実施形態１］
以下、本発明を具体化した実施形態１を図１乃至図６を参照して説明する。
本実施形態のコネクタは、複数の端子金具（図示せず）を収容したハウジングＨと、このハウジングＨに取り付けられる略Ｌ字形をなす筒状の電線カバーＣとを備えて構成されており、ハウジングＨの後端面からは、各端子金具に接続された電線Ｗが後方（図１における右方）へ導出されている。導出された電線Ｗは電線カバーＣで包囲され、その電線カバーＣの内部で下向きに曲げられ、電線カバーＣから下方へ突出されるようになっている。
【００１４】
電線カバーＣは、合成樹脂製であって、第１と第２の２つの半割体１０，４０をヒンジ３０で連結した単一部品からなる。ヒンジ３０は薄板状をなし、このヒンジ３０を略Ｕ字形に屈曲させつつ第１半割体１０を反転させて第２半割体４０に合体させると、この２つの半割体１０，４０によって略Ｌ字形の筒状をなす電線カバーＣが構成される。
第１半割体１０は、全体として略平板状をなし、図２及び図３に示す展開状態（両半割体１０，４０を合体する前の成型直後の状態）においてはヒンジ３０に対してほぼ面一状となるように連なっている。第２半割体４０と合体した状態（展開状態に対して上下反転した状態）において後端側下端部となる位置には、電線Ｗの導出口を構成する半円筒部１１が形成されており、この略半円筒部１１には前後一対の板状の弾性ロック片１２（本発明の構成要件であるロック手段）が第２半割体４０側へ（第１半割体１０の板面とほぼ直角に）突出して形成されている。
【００１５】
第１半割体１０の外縁部のうち合体状態において上端に位置する上縁部１３（第１半割体１０におけるヒンジ３０の近傍に位置する縁部）には、第２半割体４０側に向かって第１半割体１０と略直角に突出する板状の撓み係止片１４と、同じく第２半割体４０側へ向かって第１半割体１０と略直角に突出する押さえ部１５とが形成されている。撓み係止片１４は、上縁部１３に沿った合せ面１６の内縁（図２における上側の縁部）に沿った位置から突出し、押さえ部１５は、合せ面１６の外縁に沿った位置から突出している。前後方向においては、押さえ部１５が上縁部１３の前端に位置しており、撓み係止片１４は、押さえ部１５よりも少し後方に位置していて、押さえ部１５の後端部と撓み係止片１４の前端部とが合せ面１６を挟んで内外方向に対応している。
【００１６】
また、ヒンジ３０の一端縁は、上縁部１３の合せ面１６の外縁に沿った位置であって、押さえ部１５よりも後方の位置に連なっている。そして、ヒンジ３０の前端部と撓み係止片１４の略後半部分とが合せ面１６を挟んで対応している。
撓み係止片１４は、略方形の略平板状をなし、方形に開口された係止孔１４ａを有している。撓み係止片１４は、その基端部（上縁部１３）を支点として内側（図２における上方）へ弾性撓みし得るようになっている。
【００１７】
第１半割体１０の前端部における下縁部１７（ヒンジ３０から遠い側の縁部）には、第２半割体４０側に向かって第１半割体１０と略直角に突出する板状の弾性ロック片１８（本発明の構成要件であるロック手段）と、同じく第２半割体４０側へ向かって第１半割体１０と略直角に突出する受け部１９とが形成されている。弾性ロック片１８は、下縁部１７に沿った合せ面１６の外縁（図２における上側の縁部）から突出し、受け部１９は、合せ面１６の内縁から突出している。この弾性ロック片１８と受け部１９とは合せ面１６を挟んで内外方向に対応している。また、下縁部１７の弾性ロック片１８と受け部１９は、上縁部１３の撓み係止片１４及び押さえ部１５と対応するように位置している。
【００１８】
第１半割体１０の上縁部１３の後端から斜め後方へ延びる傾斜縁部２０にも、下縁部１７と同様に、第２半割体４０側に向かって第１半割体１０と略直角に突出する板状の弾性ロック片２１（本発明の構成要件であるロック手段）と受け部２２とが形成されている。弾性ロック片２１は、傾斜縁部２０に沿った合せ面１６の外縁（図２における斜め上側の縁部）から突出し、受け部２２は、合せ面１６の内縁から突出しており、この弾性ロック片２１と受け部２２とは合せ面１６を挟んで対応している。
【００１９】
第２半割体４０は、全体として箱状をなし、第１半割体１０と略対称形の側板部４１と、この側板部４１の上縁、下縁及び傾斜縁に沿った上壁部４２（第２半割体４０におけるヒンジ３０の近傍に位置する壁部）、下壁部４３及び傾斜壁部４４とを有し、これらの壁部４２，４３，４４の突出端面は、第１半割体１０との合せ面４５となっている。展開状態において、上壁部４２の後端部における合せ面４５に近い位置には、ヒンジ３０が上壁部４２と略直角に連なっている。第１半割体１０との合体状態において後端側下端部となる位置には、電線Ｗの導出口を構成する半円筒部４６が形成されており、この略半円筒部４６の前後両外側面には一対のロック突起４７（本発明の構成要件であるロック手段）が形成されている。
【００２０】
第２半割体４０の上壁部４２（ヒンジ３０に最も近い壁部）の内面には、係止突起４８が形成されている。係止突起４８は、第１半割体１０に形成されている撓み係止片１４の係止孔１４ａと対応するように配置されていて、ヒンジ３０の前端部と合せ面４５を挟んで対応している。係止突起４８における合せ面４５側の側面はテーパ面４８ａとされ、合せ面４５と反対側の側面は両半割体１０，４０の合体方向（左右方向）に対して直角な係止面４８ｂとされている。
【００２１】
第２半割体４０の下壁部４３（ヒンジ３０から遠い側の縁部）の外面には、第１半割体１０の弾性ロック片１８と係止可能なロック突起４９（本発明の構成要件であるロック手段）が形成されている。また、第２半割体４０の傾斜壁部４４の外面にも、第１半割体１０の弾性ロック片２１と係止可能なロック突起５０（本発明の構成要件であるロック手段）が形成されている。
ヒンジ３０は、薄板状をなし、展開状態（樹脂成型直後の状態）では平坦状をなしている。両半割体１０，４０を合体させる際には、ヒンジ３０が略Ｕ字形に折り返されるように曲げられ、その曲げ位置（即ち、両半割体１０，４０の回動中心軸３１となる位置）は、第１半割体１０の上縁部１３と第２半割体４０の上壁部４２のほぼ中間位置（ヒンジ３０のほぼ中間位置）となっている。このヒンジ３０の前後両縁部は、「＞」字形又は「＜」字形に切欠されている。したがって、ヒンジ３０の前後方向（回動中心軸３１と平行な方向）の幅寸法は、両半割体１０，４０のほぼ中央位置（即ち、両半割体１０，４０の回動中心軸３１とほぼ合致する位置であって、図２におけるほぼ中央高さの位置）において最も小さく、この位置よりも半割体１０，４０側に向かって次第に幅広となる。
【００２２】
次に、本実施形態の作用を説明する。
展開状態の両半割体１０，４０を合体する際には、ヒンジ３０を回動中心軸３１を支点として折り返すように変形しせつつ第１半割体１０を下方へ反転させる。反転させた第１半割体１０の合せ面１６と、これを待ち受ける第２半割体４０の合せ面４５とが当接すると、両半割体１０，４０が合体状態となる。
第１半割体１０を反転させる過程では、まず、ヒンジ３０に最も近い上縁部１３の撓み係止片１４と押さえ部１５とが上壁部４２を内外方向（上下方向）に挟むように位置し、これにより、半割体１０，４０が上下方向へ大きく遊動してヒンジ３０の曲げ位置（回動中心軸３１の位置）が上下にずれる、ということが防止される。
【００２３】
第１半割体１０の反転が進むと、撓み係止片１４は係止突起４８に対して斜め下方から接近するとともに、傾斜縁部２０の弾性ロック片２１が傾斜壁部４４のロック突起５０に当接するようになる。反転が更に進むと、撓み係止片１４が弾性撓みしつつ係止突起４８に対してほぼ真下から当接するとともに、傾斜縁部２０の弾性ロック片２１が弾性撓みしつつ傾斜壁部４４のロック突起５０との係合を進め、下縁部１７の弾性ロック片１８が下壁部４３のロック突起４９との係合を開始する。その後、略半円筒部１１，４６の弾性ロック片１２とロック突起４７とが係合を開始する。
【００２４】
そして、両半割体１０，４０が正規の合体状態に到達すると、撓み係止片１４及び全ての弾性ロック片１２，１８，２１がほぼ一斉に弾性復帰して、夫々、係止突起４８及びロック突起４７，４９，５０に係止した状態となる。これにより、合体した半割体１０，４０が離脱不能にロックされて、電線カバーＣが完成する。
この合体状態では、ヒンジ３０の弾性復元力が両半割体１０，４０に作用し、ヒンジ３０から最も遠い弾性ロック片１２とロック突起４７との係止位置を支点として、第１半割体１０の上縁部１３と第２半割体４０の上壁部４２とを左右に離間させようとする力が発生する。しかし、本実施形態では、ヒンジ３０に最も近い位置に設けた撓み係止片１４と係止突起４８とを係止させているので、上縁部１３と上壁部４２とが離間することはない。つまり、両半割体１０，４０の開きが防止されている。
【００２５】
また、ヒンジ３０から最も遠い弾性ロック片１２とロック突起４７との係止位置を支点として上縁部１３と上壁部４２とを離間させる力は、両半割体１０，４０に対しては斜めに姿勢を変える力として作用するのであるが、このとき、撓み係止片１４の延出端部（係止面４８ｂに係止されている側の端部）は、上壁部４２の内面に押し当てられる方向、即ち係止突起４８から解離する方向とは逆方向（図６における上向き）に変位しようとするので、撓み係止片１４と係止突起４８との係止が外れることはない。
【００２６】
さらに、上壁部４２と係止突起４８が撓み係止片１４に対して外面側（図６における上側）へ変位しようとしても、第１半割体１０の押さえ部１５が上壁部４２の外面に当接して押さえつけているので、上壁部４２が外面側へ変位することに起因して係止突起４８が撓み係止片１４から解離することもない。このように、本実施形態によれば、撓み係止片１４と係止突起４８とによる係止機能の信頼性に優れている。
【００２７】
また、撓み係止片１４と押さえ部１５は互いに対応する位置に配されているので、両半割体１０，４０が合体した状態では、上壁部４２が撓み係止片１４と押さえ部１５との間で挟み付けられるようになる。したがって、上壁部４２が、押さえ部１５との当接位置を支点として斜めに（前傾又は後傾するように）姿勢を変えたとしても、撓み係止片１４と係止突起４８との係止が解除されることはない。
【００２８】
また、ヒンジ３０の屈曲の程度は、第１半割体１０と第２半割体４０のほぼ中間位置（回動中心軸３１）において最も大きくなるのであるが、この最大屈曲部ではヒンジ３０の幅が最も狭くなっているので、ヒンジ３０の弾性復元力も小さく抑えられる。これにより、上縁部１３と上壁部４２に作用する離間方向の力も小さく抑えられている。
［他の実施形態］
本発明は上記記述及び図面によって説明した実施形態に限定されるものではなく、例えば次のような実施態様も本発明の技術的範囲に含まれ、さらに、下記以外にも要旨を逸脱しない範囲内で種々変更して実施することができる。
【００２９】
（１）上記実施形態では、ヒンジは、第１半割体と第２半割体のほぼ中間位置において最小幅としたが、本発明によれば、ヒンジを全長に亘ってほぼ一定の幅としてもよい。
（２）上記実施形態では撓み係止片の一部と押さえ部の一部とが半割体の回動中心軸方向において対応するようにしたが、本発明によれば、撓み係止片と押さえ部のうちいずれか一方の全体と他方の一部とが対応するようにしてもよい。
【００３０】
（３）上記実施形態では撓み係止片と押え部との間では半割体の回動中心軸方向の寸法が互いに異なるようにしたが、本発明によれば、撓み係止片と押さえ部は、半割体の回動中心軸方向の寸法が互いに同じ寸法でもよい。この場合、両者が回動中心軸方向において互いに合致するように配置してもよく、両者が部分的に対応するように配置してもよい。
【００３１】
（４）上記実施形態では撓み係止片の突出寸法を押さえ部の突出寸法よりも長くしたが、本発明によれば、撓み係止片の突出寸法は、押さえ部と同じ寸法でもよく、押さえ部よりも短い寸法でもよい。
（５）上記実施形態では電線カバーが略Ｌ字形をなす場合について説明したが、本発明は、電線カバーが略Ｉ字形をなす場合にも適用できる。
【００３２】
（６）上記実施形態では第１半割体の上縁部を両半割体の回転中心軸に対して平行としたが、本発明は、上縁部を回転中心軸に対して略平行（僅かに斜め方向）の場合にも適用できる。
（７）上記実施形態では第２半割体の上壁部を両半割体の回転中心軸に対して平行としたが、本発明は、上壁部を回転中心軸に対して略平行（僅かに斜め方向）の場合にも適用できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】実施形態１において電線カバーをハウジングに組み付けた状態をあらわす右側面図
【図２】電線カバーの展開状態をあらわす右側面図
【図３】電線カバーの展開状態をあらわす正面図
【図４】電線カバーの展開状態をあらわす底面図
【図５】図２のＡ−Ａ拡大断面図
【図６】図５において半割体が合体した状態をあらわす部分拡大断面図
【符号の説明】
Ｈ…ハウジング
Ｗ…電線
Ｃ…電線カバー
１０…第１半割体
１２，１８，２１…弾性ロック片（ロック手段）
１３…上縁部（第１半割体の外縁部）
１４…撓み係止片
１５…押さえ部
３０…ヒンジ
３１…回動中心軸
４０…第２半割体
４２…上壁部（第２半割体の壁部）
４７，４９，５０…ロック突起（ロック手段）
４８…係止突起[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric wire cover and a connector provided with the electric wire cover.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When the electric wire led out from the housing is bent and arranged in an L shape, an electric wire cover is used. As an example, there is a single part of a form in which a pair of halves are connected by a hinge, and both halves are rotated while the hinges are folded back so that the wires are wrapped together. It has become.
[0003]
As a means for holding the two halves in a combined state, one half is formed with a bending locking piece protruding toward the other half, and a locking projection is formed on the outer surface of the other half. The halves are locked so as not to be detached by forming and engaging the engagement protrusions while elastically bending the bending engagement pieces.
In addition, as an electric wire cover which united the half-split body, there exist some which are indicated by patent documents 1 grade.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-7997
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The locking means by the above-described bending locking pieces and locking protrusions is usually arranged at a position far from the hinge. As a result, the two halves are connected to each other at the two positions of the connecting position at the hinge and the locking position far from the hinge, so that the two halves are reliably held in the combined state.
[0006]
However, when the hinge formed in a flat plate shape (I-shaped cross section) is bent into a U shape along with the union of the halves, due to the elastic restoring force of the hinge, the position near the hinge in the halves, That is, there is a concern that the halves open at a position far from the locking portion between the bending locking piece and the locking projection.
The present invention was created in view of the above circumstances, and aims to prevent the combined halves from opening.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention of claim 1 is a connector in which a wire cover is attached to a lead-out end portion of the wire in the housing, and the wire led out from the housing is surrounded by the wire cover, and the wire cover is connected by a hinge. The first and second half halves are included, and the two halves are relatively rotated and joined together with bending deformation of the hinge so as to surround the electric wire. The two halves are provided with locking means that are arranged at positions separated from the hinges and that regulate the separation of the two halves joined together by locking together. In the connector, of the wall portions constituting the second half body, the inner wall of the wall portion, which is connected to one end edge of the hinge and is substantially parallel to the rotation center axis of the two half bodies, Of the hinge across the mating surface Locking projection at the edge opposite to the position is formed, of the outer edges of the first half body, substantially parallel to the central axis of rotation of the two halves other edge is connected to the hinge On the inner edge of the outer edge portion formed, a bending locking piece that protrudes toward the second halved body is formed at a position facing the other end edge of the hinge across the mating surface of the outer edge portion . On the outer edge of the outer edge portion on which the bending locking piece is formed, a pressing portion facing the bending locking piece inward and outward with the mating surface of the outer edge portion interposed therebetween projects in the same direction as the bending locking piece. In the state in which the two halves are combined, the flexure locking piece engages with the locking projection while abutting against the inner surface of the wall of the second halved body. The separation of the halves is restricted, and the pressing portion abuts on the outer surface of the second halves so that the second halves are separated. It has a configuration that is restricted to be displaced in the direction away from the serial resilient locking pieces.
[0008]
Invention 請 Motomeko 2 is the invention of claim 1, wherein the hinge forms a thin plate, and the configurations that are the minimum width at a substantially intermediate position of the first half body and the second halves It was.
Invention 請 Motomeko 3 is attached to the outlet end portion of the wire in the housing, a wire cover surrounding said electric wire derived from the housing, first and second two halves joined by a hinge The electric wire is surrounded by rotating the two halves relatively together while being bent and deforming the hinges, and the two halves Is arranged at a position spaced from the hinge, and in the electric wire cover provided with locking means for restricting the separation of the two halves joined together, the second half is Of the wall portions, one end edge of the hinge is connected and the inner surface of the wall portion that is substantially parallel to the rotation center axis of the two halves is sandwiched between the mating surfaces of the wall portions. engaging protrusions are formed on one edge and a position facing the front Of the outer edge of the first half body, the inner edge of the outer portion which is connected the other edge of the hinge having a substantially parallel and central axis of rotation of the two halves is a mating surface of the outer edge A bending locking piece that protrudes toward the second halved body is formed at a position facing the other end edge of the hinge across the pin, and an outer edge of the outer edge portion where the bending locking piece is formed A pressing portion that faces the bending engagement piece in the inner and outer directions across the mating surface of the outer edge portion is provided to protrude in the same direction as the bending engagement piece, and the two halves are combined. In the above, the bending locking piece is engaged with the locking projection while being in contact with the inner surface of the wall portion of the second halved body, so that the separation of the halves is restricted and the pressing portion is The second half is displaced in a direction away from the bending locking piece by contacting the outer surface of the second half. It was configured to be regulated.
[0009]
Invention 請 Motomeko 4 is the invention of claim 3, wherein the hinge forms a thin plate, and the configurations that are the minimum width at a substantially intermediate position of the first half body and the second halves It was.
[0010]
[Action and effect of the invention]
[Invention of Claims 1 and 3 ]
Even if the elastic restoring force of the hinge acts as a force for separating the outer edge of the first half near the hinge and the wall near the hinge of the second half, The outer edge portion and the wall portion are not separated by the locking.
[0011]
Further, when a force in the separating direction acts on the outer edge portion and the wall portion from the hinge, both are also subjected to a force that changes the posture obliquely with the locking means far from the hinge as a fulcrum. At this time, the bending locking piece of the first halved body tends to be displaced in the direction opposite to the direction pressed against the inner surface of the wall portion of the second halved body, that is, the direction dissociating from the locking protrusion. The locking between the bending locking piece and the locking projection is not released.
Furthermore, even if the second half and the locking projection are bent and try to displace to the outer surface side with respect to the locking piece, the pressing portion of the first half is in contact with the outer surface of the wall of the second half. Therefore, the locking projection is not bent and dissociated from the locking piece due to the displacement of the second half to the outer surface side. Therefore, the reliability of the locking function by the bending locking piece and the locking projection is high.
[0012]
And since the bending locking piece and the pressing portion are arranged at positions corresponding to each other, in the state where both halves are combined, the wall portion of the second half is located between the bending locking piece and the pressing portion. It is sandwiched with. Thereby, even if the wall portion of the second halved body changes its posture obliquely with the pressing portion as a fulcrum, the engagement between the bending engagement piece and the engagement protrusion is not released.
[Invention of Claims 2 and 4 ]
The degree of bending of the hinge is the largest at a substantially intermediate position between the first half and the second half. However, since the hinge has the smallest width at the maximum bent portion, the elastic recovery of the hinge is performed. The power is also small. Thereby, the force of the separation direction which acts on the outer edge part located in the vicinity of the hinge in a half body and a wall part is also restrained small.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The connector according to the present embodiment includes a housing H that houses a plurality of terminal fittings (not shown), and a substantially L-shaped cylindrical wire cover C that is attached to the housing H. From the rear end surface of H, the electric wires W connected to the respective terminal fittings are led out backward (to the right in FIG. 1). The derived electric wire W is surrounded by the electric wire cover C, bent downward in the electric wire cover C, and protrudes downward from the electric wire cover C.
[0014]
The electric wire cover C is made of a synthetic resin, and is composed of a single component in which the first and second halves 10 and 40 are connected by a hinge 30. The hinge 30 has a thin plate shape, and when the first half 10 is inverted and joined to the second half 40 while the hinge 30 is bent into a substantially U shape, the two halves 10 and 40 An electric wire cover C having a substantially L-shaped cylindrical shape is formed.
The first half 10 has a substantially flat shape as a whole, and with respect to the hinge 30 in the unfolded state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 (the state immediately after molding before the two halves 10 and 40 are combined). It is connected so as to be almost flush. A semi-cylindrical portion 11 that constitutes a lead-out port for the electric wire W is formed at a position that becomes a lower end portion on the rear end side in a state of being combined with the second half-divided body 40 (a state that is vertically inverted with respect to the deployed state) In this substantially semi-cylindrical portion 11, a pair of front and rear plate-like elastic locking pieces 12 (locking means which is a constituent element of the present invention) is directed to the second half 40 (the plate surface of the first half 10 and the plate surface). It is formed to project (substantially at right angles).
[0015]
Of the outer edges of the first half 10, the upper edge 13 located at the upper end in the combined state (the edge located near the hinge 30 in the first half 10) is on the second half 40 side. A plate-like bending locking piece 14 that protrudes substantially perpendicular to the first half 10 toward the first side, and a pressing portion that protrudes substantially perpendicular to the first half 10 toward the second half 40 side. 15 is formed. The bending locking piece 14 protrudes from a position along the inner edge (upper edge in FIG. 2) of the mating surface 16 along the upper edge portion 13, and the pressing portion 15 from a position along the outer edge of the mating surface 16. It protrudes. In the front-rear direction, the pressing portion 15 is positioned at the front end of the upper edge portion 13, and the bending locking piece 14 is positioned slightly behind the pressing portion 15, and bends with the rear end portion of the pressing portion 15. The front end portion of the locking piece 14 corresponds to the inner and outer directions with the mating surface 16 in between.
[0016]
Further, one end edge of the hinge 30 is a position along the outer edge of the mating surface 16 of the upper edge portion 13, and continues to a position behind the pressing portion 15. The front end portion of the hinge 30 and the substantially second half portion of the bending locking piece 14 correspond to each other with the mating surface 16 interposed therebetween.
The bending locking piece 14 has a substantially square, substantially flat plate shape, and has a locking hole 14a that is opened in a square shape. The bending locking piece 14 can be elastically bent inward (upward in FIG. 2) with the base end portion (upper edge portion 13) as a fulcrum.
[0017]
A plate projecting substantially perpendicular to the first half 10 toward the second half 40 toward the second half 40 at the lower edge 17 (the edge far from the hinge 30) at the front end of the first half 10 And an elastic locking piece 18 (locking means that is a constituent element of the present invention) and a receiving portion 19 that protrudes substantially perpendicular to the first half 10 toward the second half 40 side. Yes. The elastic lock piece 18 protrudes from the outer edge (upper edge in FIG. 2) of the mating surface 16 along the lower edge portion 17, and the receiving portion 19 projects from the inner edge of the mating surface 16. The elastic lock piece 18 and the receiving portion 19 correspond to the inside and outside directions with the mating surface 16 in between. Further, the elastic lock piece 18 and the receiving portion 19 of the lower edge portion 17 are positioned so as to correspond to the bending locking piece 14 and the pressing portion 15 of the upper edge portion 13.
[0018]
Similarly to the lower edge portion 17, the inclined edge portion 20 extending obliquely rearward from the rear end of the upper edge portion 13 of the first half body 10 is also directed toward the second half body 40 side. A plate-like elastic locking piece 21 (locking means which is a constituent element of the present invention) and a receiving portion 22 are formed. The elastic lock piece 21 protrudes from the outer edge (the oblique upper edge in FIG. 2) of the mating surface 16 along the inclined edge portion 20, and the receiving portion 22 projects from the inner edge of the mating surface 16. 21 and the receiving portion 22 correspond to each other with the mating surface 16 in between.
[0019]
The second half 40 has a box shape as a whole, a side plate portion 41 that is substantially symmetrical with the first half 10, and an upper wall portion along the upper edge, the lower edge, and the inclined edge of the side plate portion 41. 42 (wall part located in the vicinity of the hinge 30 in the 2nd half split body 40), the lower wall part 43, and the inclination wall part 44, The projecting end surface of these wall parts 42, 43, 44 is 1st. It is a mating surface 45 with the half body 10. In the unfolded state, the hinge 30 is connected to the upper wall portion 42 at a position near the mating surface 45 at the rear end portion of the upper wall portion 42 at a substantially right angle. A semi-cylindrical portion 46 that constitutes a lead-out port for the electric wire W is formed at a position that becomes the lower end on the rear end side in the combined state with the first half-divided body 10. A pair of locking protrusions 47 (locking means which is a constituent feature of the present invention) are formed on the side surfaces.
[0020]
A locking projection 48 is formed on the inner surface of the upper wall portion 42 (wall portion closest to the hinge 30) of the second half 40. The locking projection 48 is disposed so as to correspond to the locking hole 14 a of the bending locking piece 14 formed in the first half body 10, and corresponds to the front end portion of the hinge 30 and the mating surface 45. is doing. The side surface of the locking projection 48 on the side of the mating surface 45 is a tapered surface 48a, and the side surface opposite to the mating surface 45 is a locking surface 48b that is perpendicular to the combined direction (left and right direction) of the halves 10 and 40. It is said that.
[0021]
On the outer surface of the lower wall portion 43 (the edge portion on the side far from the hinge 30) of the second half body 40, there is a lock protrusion 49 (configuration of the present invention) that can be engaged with the elastic lock piece 18 of the first half body 10. The locking means, which is a requirement, is formed. Further, a lock protrusion 50 (locking means that is a constituent element of the present invention) that can be engaged with the elastic lock piece 21 of the first half 10 is also formed on the outer surface of the inclined wall portion 44 of the second half 40. Has been.
The hinge 30 has a thin plate shape, and has a flat shape in a developed state (a state immediately after resin molding). When the two halves 10 and 40 are combined, the hinge 30 is bent so as to be folded back into a substantially U shape, and the bending position (that is, the position serving as the rotation center axis 31 of the two halves 10 and 40). ) Is a substantially intermediate position between the upper edge 13 of the first half 10 and the upper wall 42 of the second half 40 (almost intermediate position of the hinge 30). Both front and rear edges of the hinge 30 are notched into a “>” shape or a “<” shape. Therefore, the width dimension of the hinge 30 in the front-rear direction (the direction parallel to the rotation center axis 31) is substantially the center position of both the halves 10, 40 (that is, the rotation center axis 31 of both halves 10, 40). Is the smallest position at a position substantially at the center height in FIG. 2 and gradually becomes wider toward the halves 10 and 40 from this position.
[0022]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
When the unfolded halves 10 and 40 are combined, the first half 10 is inverted downward while the hinge 30 is deformed so as to be folded back with the rotation center shaft 31 as a fulcrum. When the inverted mating surface 16 of the first half 10 and the mating surface 45 of the second half 40 waiting for this contact, both halves 10 and 40 are in a combined state.
In the process of inverting the first half 10, first, the bending locking piece 14 and the pressing portion 15 of the upper edge portion 13 closest to the hinge 30 sandwich the upper wall portion 42 in the inner and outer direction (vertical direction). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the halves 10 and 40 from largely moving in the vertical direction and the bending position of the hinge 30 (the position of the rotation center shaft 31) from shifting up and down.
[0023]
When the inversion of the first half 10 progresses, the bending locking piece 14 approaches the locking projection 48 from obliquely below, and the elastic locking piece 21 of the inclined edge portion 20 is locked to the locking projection 50 of the inclined wall portion 44. Will come into contact. When the reversal further proceeds, the bending locking piece 14 is elastically bent and comes into contact with the locking projection 48 from directly below, and the elastic locking piece 21 of the inclined edge portion 20 is elastically bent and the inclined wall portion 44 is locked. The engagement with the protrusion 50 is advanced, and the elastic locking piece 18 of the lower edge portion 17 starts to engage with the lock protrusion 49 of the lower wall portion 43. Thereafter, the elastic locking pieces 12 of the substantially semi-cylindrical portions 11 and 46 and the locking projections 47 start to be engaged.
[0024]
When the halves 10 and 40 reach the normal combined state, the bending locking piece 14 and all the elastic locking pieces 12, 18, and 21 are elastically restored almost simultaneously, and the locking protrusions 48 and The lock projections 47, 49, 50 are locked. As a result, the combined halves 10 and 40 are locked so as not to be detached, and the wire cover C is completed.
In this combined state, the elastic restoring force of the hinge 30 acts on both halves 10 and 40, and the first halved body uses the locking position of the elastic lock piece 12 and the lock protrusion 47 farthest from the hinge 30 as a fulcrum. A force is generated to cause the upper edge portion 10 and the upper wall portion 42 of the second half body 40 to be spaced apart from each other. However, in this embodiment, since the bending locking piece 14 and the locking projection 48 provided at the position closest to the hinge 30 are locked, the upper edge portion 13 and the upper wall portion 42 are not separated from each other. Absent. That is, the opening of both halves 10 and 40 is prevented.
[0025]
Further, the force that separates the upper edge portion 13 and the upper wall portion 42 from the locking position of the elastic lock piece 12 farthest from the hinge 30 and the lock projection 47 as a fulcrum is applied to the halves 10 and 40. At this time, the extension end portion of the bending locking piece 14 (the end portion on the side locked by the locking surface 48b) is the inner surface of the upper wall portion 42. 6, that is, the direction disengaging from the locking projection 48 (upward in FIG. 6), the bending locking piece 14 and the locking projection 48 are disengaged from each other. Absent.
[0026]
Further, even if the upper wall portion 42 and the locking protrusion 48 are bent and are displaced toward the outer surface side (upper side in FIG. 6), the pressing portion 15 of the first half 10 is not attached to the upper wall portion 42. Since the upper wall portion 42 is displaced toward the outer surface side because it is pressed against the outer surface, the locking protrusion 48 is not bent and dissociated from the locking piece 14. Thus, according to this embodiment, the reliability of the locking function by the bending locking piece 14 and the locking projection 48 is excellent.
[0027]
In addition, since the bending locking piece 14 and the pressing portion 15 are arranged at positions corresponding to each other, the upper wall portion 42 is bent and the bending locking piece 14 and the pressing portion 15 in a state where both the halves 10 and 40 are combined. It will be sandwiched between. Therefore, even if the upper wall portion 42 changes its posture obliquely (so that it tilts forward or backward) with the contact position with the pressing portion 15 as a fulcrum, the bending locking piece 14 and the locking projection 48 The lock is not released.
[0028]
Further, the degree of bending of the hinge 30 is the largest at a substantially intermediate position (rotation center axis 31) between the first half 10 and the second half 40, but at the maximum bent portion, the hinge 30 Since the width is the narrowest, the elastic restoring force of the hinge 30 can be kept small. Thereby, the force of the separation direction which acts on the upper edge part 13 and the upper wall part 42 is also restrained small.
[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment 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, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
[0029]
(1) In the above embodiment, the hinge has a minimum width at a substantially intermediate position between the first half and the second half, but according to the present invention, the hinge has a substantially constant width over the entire length. Also good.
(2) In the above embodiment, a part of the bending locking piece and a part of the pressing part correspond to each other in the direction of the rotation center axis of the halved body. Any one of the pressing parts may correspond to a part of the other .
[0030]
(3) In the above-described embodiment, the dimensions of the halved body in the direction of the central axis of rotation are different between the bending locking piece and the pressing portion. The halves may have the same dimension in the rotation central axis direction. In this case, the two may be arranged so as to coincide with each other in the rotation central axis direction, or may be arranged so as to partially correspond to each other .
[0031]
( 4 ) In the above embodiment, the protruding dimension of the bending locking piece is longer than the protruding dimension of the pressing part. However, according to the present invention, the protruding dimension of the bending locking piece may be the same as the pressing part. The dimension may be shorter than the portion.
( 5 ) Although the case where the wire cover has a substantially L shape has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the wire cover has a substantially I shape.
[0032]
( 6 ) In the above embodiment, the upper edge of the first half is parallel to the rotation center axis of both halves. However, in the present invention, the upper edge is substantially parallel to the rotation center axis ( (Slightly oblique direction) can also be applied.
( 7 ) In the above embodiment, the upper wall portion of the second halved body is parallel to the rotation center axis of both halves. However, in the present invention, the upper wall portion is substantially parallel to the rotation center axis ( (Slightly oblique direction) can also be applied.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a right side view showing a state where an electric wire cover is assembled to a housing in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a right side view showing an expanded state of the electric wire cover. FIG. 3 is a front view showing an expanded state of the electric wire cover. 4] Bottom view showing the unfolded state of the wire cover [FIG. 5] AA enlarged sectional view of FIG. 2 [FIG. 6] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a state in which the halves are combined in FIG.
H ... Housing W ... Electric wire C ... Electric wire cover 10 ... First half 12, 12, 21 ... Elastic locking piece (locking means)
13 ... Upper edge (outer edge of the first half)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Bending locking piece 15 ... Holding part 30 ... Hinge 31 ... Turning center axis 40 ... 2nd half body 42 ... Upper wall part (wall part of 2nd half body)
47, 49, 50 ... Lock protrusion (locking means)
48 ... Locking protrusion

Claims

A wire cover is attached to the lead-out end of the electric wire in the housing, and the electric wire led out from the housing is surrounded by the electric wire cover,
The electric wire cover includes first and second two halves connected by a hinge, and the two halves are relatively rotated and united with each other while bending the hinge. To surround the wire,
In the connector in which the two halves are arranged at positions spaced apart from the hinges and provided with locking means for restricting the separation of the two halves joined together by locking,
Of the wall portions constituting the second halved body, one end edge of the hinge is connected to the inner surface of the wall portion substantially parallel to the rotation center axis of the two halved bodies, and the wall portion is aligned. A locking projection is formed at a position facing one end edge of the hinge across the surface,
Of the outer edges of the first half, the other edge of the hinge is connected to the inner edge of the outer edge that is substantially parallel to the pivot center axis of the two halves, and the mating surface of the outer edge A bending locking piece that protrudes toward the second halved body is formed at a position facing the other end edge of the hinge across the edge, and an outer edge of the outer edge portion on which the bending locking piece is formed is formed. Is provided with a pressing portion that faces the bending locking piece in the inner and outer direction across the mating surface of the outer edge portion and protrudes in the same direction as the bending locking piece,
In the state in which the two halves are combined, the bending locking piece is in contact with the inner surface of the wall portion of the second halved body and is locked with the locking protrusion, thereby separating the two halves. And the displacement of the second half body in a direction away from the flexure locking piece when the pressing portion contacts the outer surface of the second half body. A connector characterized by that.

The hinge forms a thin plate, and the connector of claim 1 Symbol mounting, characterized in that there is a minimum width at a substantially intermediate position of the first half body and the second halves.

An electric wire cover attached to a lead-out end portion of the electric wire in the housing and surrounding the electric wire led out from the housing;
The first and second half halves connected by a hinge have a bending deformation of the hinge, and the two halves are relatively rotated to unite the electric wires. To be surrounded,
In the electric wire cover in which the two halves are arranged at positions spaced apart from the hinges and provided with locking means for restricting the separation of the two halves joined together.
Of the wall portions constituting the second halved body, one end edge of the hinge is connected to the inner surface of the wall portion substantially parallel to the rotation center axis of the two halved bodies, and the wall portion is aligned. A locking projection is formed at a position facing one end edge of the hinge across the surface,
Of the outer edges of the first half, the other edge of the hinge is connected to the inner edge of the outer edge that is substantially parallel to the pivot center axis of the two halves, and the mating surface of the outer edge A bending locking piece that protrudes toward the second halved body is formed at a position facing the other end edge of the hinge across the edge, and an outer edge of the outer edge portion on which the bending locking piece is formed is formed. Is provided with a pressing portion that faces the bending locking piece in the inner and outer direction across the mating surface of the outer edge portion and protrudes in the same direction as the bending locking piece,
In the state in which the two halves are combined, the bending locking piece is in contact with the inner surface of the wall portion of the second halved body and is locked with the locking protrusion, thereby separating the two halves. And the displacement of the second half body in a direction away from the flexure locking piece when the pressing portion contacts the outer surface of the second half body. An electric wire cover characterized by that.

The electric wire cover according to claim 3, wherein the hinge has a thin plate shape and has a minimum width at a substantially middle position between the first half and the second half.