On-board unit receiving connector positioning structure

Abstract: In the guide ribs 2b of the meter unit 2 and the guide rail grooves 3b of the insertion opening 3 of the center cluster panel 1, there are formed play restrict portions 2c, 2d as well as 3c, 3d respectively for restricting the movements of the guide ribs 2b from the time just before the mutual fitting engagement of the terminals of the two connectors 4A and 4B to the time just after the mutual connection of the two connectors 4A and 4B. Due to this, from the time just before the mutual fitting engagement of the terminals of the two connectors 4A and 4B to the time during the mutual connection of the two connectors 4A and 4B, the inclination of the meter unit 2 can be reduced by setting the positioning accuracy in this range equivalent to the fitting accuracy of the terminals of the two connectors 4A and 4B. This eliminates a fear that an excessive force can be applied to the two connectors 4A and 4B while they are fitted with each other.

Description: BACKGROUND THE INVENTION (FIELD OF THE INVENTION) The present invention relates to a structure for positioning a connector for receiving an on-board unit. (RELATED ART) As a structure in which, in a car-body side panel, there is formed an insertion opening into which an on-board unit can be inserted, for example, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, there is known a structure in which, in a center cluster panel (car-body side panel) 1 which is so interposed between the front portion of a center console box of a car and the front portion of an instrument panel of the car as to straddle these two front portions, there is formed an insertion opening 3 in such a manner that it is situated in front of the driver's seat of the car and also that a meter unit (an on-board unit) 2 can be inserted into the insertion opening 3. And, on the upper portion of the insertion opening 3, there is mounted a backward-facing receiving connector 4A and, at the same time, on the upper portion of the meter unit 2, there is mounted a forward-facing connector 4B which, as shown in Fig. 4B, can be connected to the receiving connector 4A when the meter unit 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 3 of the center cluster panel 1 (see an arrow mark A shown in Fig. 4A). In the above-mentioned on-board unit receiving connector structure, in order to be able to absorb molding errors and assembling errors, it is necessary to set a relatively large clearance (play) between the outer surface of the meter unit 2 and the inner surface of the insertion opening 3, which resulting in the no-positioning of the two connectors 4A and 4B. Therefore, in some cases, it is difficult to connect the connector 4B, which is disposed on the meter unit 2 side, to the receiving connector 4A which is disposed on the center cluster panel 1 side. In view of the above, as shown in Fig. 5, at the right and left positions of the outer surface of the meter unit 2, there are disposed straight-shaped guide ribs 2a and, at the same time, at the right and left positions of the inner surface of the insertion opening 3 of the center cluster panel 1, there are formed straight-shaped guide rail grooves 3a: and, in operation, when the guide ribs 2a are respectively fitted into their associated guide rail grooves 3a to thereby insert the meter unit 2 into the insertion opening 3 (see an arrow mark A shown in Fig. 5) , the positioning of the two connectors 4A and 4B can be guided. That is, there is provided a device which can facilitate the connection of the connector 4B disposed on the meter unit 2 side to the receiving connector 4A disposed on the center cluster panel 1 side. (Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the positioning guiding structure simply using the straight-shaped guide ribs 2a and guide rail grooves 3a, the positioning accuracy thereof is poor when compared with the fitting accuracy of the two connectors 4A and 4B. Due to this, in case where the meter unit 2 is inclined in the inserting operation thereof when the former is inserted into the latter, there is a fear that an excessive force can be applied to the connectors 4A and 4B while they are fitted with each other. Also, in case where the position displacement of the meter unit 2 side connector 4B with respect to the center cluster panel 1 side receiving connector 4A is absorbed by the displacement of the receiving connector 4A, there is a fear that, due to the additional provision of such displacement mechanism, the receiving connector 4A can be increased in size. Document EP 0 800 237 A1 discloses the structure of interconnecting units with respective connectors for connecting a first connector to a second connector while inserting an instrument unit into a unit insertion recess in an instrument panel, and the unit is positioned by pins, and is fixed. The unit insertion recess has an introductory portion and an open portion, and guide grooves for respectively guiding stabilizers formed on the unit are formed in the introductory portion. The second connector is displaceably mounted. When the instrument unit reaches a position where the second connector is slightly fitted in the first connector, and the pins on the panel are not yet passed respectively through positioning holes in the instrument unit, the stabilizers are disengaged respectively from the guide grooves to be received in the open portion, so that the position limitation is released. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims at eliminating the above-mentioned problems found in the conventional on-board unit receiving connector positioning structures. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved on-board unit receiving connector positioning structure which not only can prevent an excessive force from being applied to connectors during the mutually fitted state thereof but also can prevent a receiving connector from being increased in size. (Means for Solving the Problems) In attaining the above object, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an on-board unit receiving connector positioning structure, comprising: an insertion opening formed in a car-body side panel in such a manner that an on-board unit can be inserted into the insertion opening; a receiving connector mounted in the insertion opening; and, a connector disposed on the on-board unit in such a manner that, the on-board unit is inserted into the insertion opening of the car-body side panel, the connector can be connected to the receiving connector, wherein, in the inner surface of the insertion opening of the car-body side panel as well as in the outer surface of the on-board unit, there are disposed guide ribs and guide rail grooves in such a manner that they correspond in position to each other and can be fitted with each other to thereby be able to position the two connectors, and, in the guide ribs and guide rail grooves, there are respectively formed play restrict portions for restricting the play of the guide ribs and guide rail grooves from the time just before the terminals of the two connectors are fitted with each other to the time just after the two connectors are connected together. According to the first aspect of the invention, not only 'the guide rail grooves (or guide ribs) are disposed in the inner surface of the insertion opening of the car-body side panel and the guide ribs (or guide rail grooves) are disposed on the outer surface of the on-board unit but also, in these guide ribs and guide rail grooves, there are formed the play restrict portions for respectively restricting the play of the guide ribs and guide rail grooves from the time just before the terminals of the receiving connector of the car-body side panel and the connector of the car-body side panel are fitted with each other to the time just after the these two connectors are connected together. Thanks to this, when inserting the on-board unit into the insertion opening of the car-body side panel, in case where the guide ribs (or guide rail grooves) are respectively inserted into their associated guide rail grooves (or guide ribs) to thereby position the two connectors, the positioning accuracy in the above range can be set equivalent to the fitting accuracy of the terminals of the two connectors and thus the inclination of the on-board unit in the inserting operation thereof can be reduced. This can eliminate a fear that an excessive force can be applied to the two connectors while they are fitted with each other. Also, in the other portions than the above-mentioned range, the guide ribs and guide rail grooves are allowed to play positively, so that the inserting operation of the on-board unit into the insertion opening can be executed relatively smoothly. This can facilitate the connection of the on-board unit side connector with respect to the car-body side panel side receiving connector. Also, since the position displacement of the on-board unit side connector with respect to the car-body side panel side receiving connector can be absorbed by the displacement of the on-board unit due to the play of the guide ribs and guide rail grooves, the displacement absorption amount of the receiving connector can be reduced, which can prevent the receiving connector from being increased in size. Also, according to a second aspect of the invention, there can also be provided the following structure in which, in an on-board unit receiving connector positioning structure as set forth in the first aspect of the invention, at the right and left positions of the outer surface of the on-board unit, there are provided guide ribs; at the right and left positions of the inner surface of the insertion opening of the car-body side panel, there are formed guide rail grooves; on the front and rear sides of each of the guide rail grooves, there is formed a play restrict portion having a narrow clearance in the vertical direction thereof; between the front and rear play restrict portions, there is formed a play portion having a wide clearance in the vertical direction thereof; and, in the intermediate portion of each of the guide ribs, there is formed a narrow width portion which, when the rear portion of the guide rib is inserted into its associated play portion after connection of said two connectors, allows the rear portion of the guide rib to play in the vertical direction with the front portion of the guide rib fitted into the front-side play restrict portion of its associated guide rail groove as a fulcrum. Further, in addition to the structure according to the second aspect of the invention, according to a third aspect of the invention, preferably, there may be provided the following structure in which, in an on-board unit receiving connector positioning structure as set forth in the first or second aspect of the invention, at least at one of the upper and lower positions of the outer surface of the on-board unit, there is disposed a guide rib; in the inner surface of the insertion opening of the car-body side panel, there is formed a guide rail groove which corresponds in position to the guide rib; on the front and rear portions of said guide rail groove, there are formed play restrict portions each having a narrow clearance in the right and left direction; between the front and rear play restrict portions, there is formed a play portion having a wide clearance in the right and left direction; and, in the intermediate portion of the guide rib, there is formed a narrow width portion which, when the rear portion of the guide rib is inserted into the play portion after connection of the two connectors, allows the rear portion of the guide rib to play in the right and left direction with the front portion of the guide rib fitted into the front-side play restrict portion of the guide rail groove as a fulcrum. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an on-board unit receiving connector positioning structure according to the invention; Figs. 2A to 2C show a positioning procedure according to the invention: Fig. 2A is a section view of two connectors, showing a state thereof before they are connected together; Fig. 2B is a section of the terminals of the two connectors, showing a state thereof just before they are connected together; and, Fig. 2C is a section view of two connectors, showing a state thereof after they are connected together; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a center cluster panel and a meter unit; Fig. 4A is a section view of connectors, showing a state thereof before being connected together; and, Fig. 4B is a section view of the connectors, showing a state thereof after they are connected together; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional on-board unit receiving connector positioning structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Mode for Carrying Out the Invention) Now, description will be given below in detail of an embodiment of a structure for positioning an on-board unit receiving connector with reference to the accompanying drawings. By the way, the parts of the present embodiment that are the same as those of the above-mentioned conventional structure in structure and operation are given the same designations, and thus the detailed description thereof is omitted here. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, at two right and left positions as well as at a lower position of the outer surface of a meter unit 2 on which there is mounted a connector 4B, there are disposed straight-shaped guide ribs 2b respectively; and, similarly, at two right and left positions as well as at a lower position of the inner surface of an insertion opening 3 on which there is mounted a receiving connector 4A of a center cluster panel 1, there are formed straight-shaped guide rail grooves 3b respectively. By the way, in the entrance end portions of the guide rail grooves 3b, which are situated on the rear side of the guide rail grooves 3b, there are formed chamfered portions 3f respectively; and, in the fitting ends of the guide ribs 2b, which are situated on the front side of the guide ribs 2b, there are formed chamfered portions 2f respectively. And, basically, similarly to the previously described conventional on-board unit receiving connector positioning structure, in case where the guide ribs 2b are respectively fitted into their associated guide rail grooves 3b to thereby insert the meter unit 2 into the insertion opening 3 (see an arrow mark A shown in Figs. 1 and 2), the positioning of the two connectors 4A and 4B can be guided, thereby being able to facilitate the connection of the connector 4B disposed on the meter unit 2 side to the receiving connector 4A disposed on the center cluster panel 1 side. On the other hand, on the front (deep) and rear (entrance) sides of the respective guide rail grooves 3b, there are formed play restrict means 3c, 3d each having a narrow vertical-direction clearance t1 so that the guide ribs 2b each having a given width w1 can be fitted into their associated guide rail grooves 3b with almost no clearance between them from the time just before the mutual connection of the terminals of the two connectors 4A and 4B to the time just after the mutual connection of the two connectors 4A and 4B. And, between the right and left positioned front and rear play restrict portions 3c and 3d, there is formed a wide play portion 3e having a wide vertical-direction clearance t2 so that, when the rear portion 2d of the guide rib 2b having a given width w1 is inserted into its associated guide rail groove 3b, it is allowed to play in the vertical direction B (see Figs. 1 and 2 C); and, between the downwardly positioned front and rear play restrict portions 3c and 3d, there is formed a wide play portion 3e having a wide right-and-left-direction clearance t2 so that, when the rear portion 2d of the guide rib 2b having a given width w1 is inserted into its associated guide rail groove 3b, it is allowed to play in the right and left direction C (see Figs. 1 and 2C). Also, in the intermediate portion of the meter unit 2 that exists between the front portion (deep side) 2c and rear portion (entrance side) 2d of each of the right and left position guide ribs 2b, there is formed a narrow width portion 2e having a width w2 so that, when the rear portion 2d of the guide rib 2b is inserted into the play portion 3e just after the two connectors 4A and 4B are connected together, the rear portion 2d of the guide rib 2b is allowed to play in the vertical direction B with the front portion 2c of the guide rib 2b fitted into the front-side play restrict portion 3c of the guide rail groove 3b as a fulcrum thereof; and, in the intermediate portion of the meter unit 2 that exists between the front portion (deep side) 2c and rear portion (entrance side)2d of the lower position guide rib 2b, there is formed a narrow width portion 2e having a width w2 so that, when the rear portion 2d of the guide rib 2b is inserted into the play portion 3e just after the two connectors 4A and 4B are connected together, the rear portion 2d of the guide rib 2b is allowed to play in the right and left direction C with the front portion 2c of the guide rib 2b fitted into the front-side play restrict portion 3c of the guide rail groove 3b as a fulcrum thereof. In case where an on-board unit receiving connector positioning structure is constructed in the above-mentioned manner, in the guide ribs 2b of the meter unit 2 and the guide rail grooves 3b of the insertion opening 3 of the center cluster panel 1, there are formed the play restrict portions 2c, 2d as well as 3c, 3d respectively for restricting the movements of the guide ribs 2b from the time just before the mutual connection of the terminals of the two connectors 4A and 4B to the time just after the mutual connection of the two connectors 4A and 4B. Thanks to this, when, by fitting the guide ribs 2b of the meter unit 2 into the guide rail grooves 3b of the insertion opening 3, the positioning of the two connectors 4A and 4B in inserting the meter unit 2 into the insertion opening 3 is guided, the positioning accuracy in this range can be set equivalent to the fitting accuracy of the terminals of the two connectors 4A and 4B, so that the inclination of the meter unit 2 can be reduced; and, therefore, there is eliminated a fear that an excessive force can be applied to the two connectors 4A and 4B while they are fitted with each other, thereby avoiding a fear that the two connectors 4A and 4B can be damaged. Also, in the other portions than the above-mentioned range, the guide ribs 2b are allowed to play positively, so that the inserting operation of the meter unit 2 into the insertion opening 3 can be executed relatively smoothly. This can facilitate the connection of the connector 4B of the meter unit 2 with respect to the receiving connector 4A of the insertion opening 3. And, when the rear portions 2d of the guide ribs 2b are inserted into their associated play portions 3e after the mutual connection of the two connectors 4A and 4B, since the rear portions 2d of the guide ribs 2b are respectively allowed to play in the vertical direction B as well as in the right and left direction C with the front portions 2c of the guide ribs 2b fitted into the front-side play restrict portions 3c of the guide rail grooves 3b as the fulcrums thereof (see Fig. 2C), the position displacement of the connector 4B of the meter unit 2 with respect to the receiving connector 4A of the center cluster panel 1 can be absorbed by means of the displacement of the meter unit 2 due to such play of the rear portions 2d of the guide ribs 2b to thereby reduce the displacement absorption amount of the connector 4B, which can prevent the receiving connector 4B from being increased in size: that is, the receiving connector 4B can be made compact. In the present embodiment, as mentioned above, the guide rail grooves 3b are formed in the insertion opening 3 of the center cluster panel 1 and the guide ribs 2b are disposed on the meter unit 2. However, alternatively, the guide ribs may be disposed on the insertion opening 3 of the center cluster panel 1 and the guide rail grooves may be formed in the meter unit 2. Also, in the present embodiment, although the guide rail grooves 3b and guide ribs 2b are respectively disposed at the right and left positions as well as the lower positions of the insertion opening 3 and meter unit 2, such guide rail grooves 3b and guide ribs 2b may also be disposed at the upper positions of the insertion opening 3 and meter unit 2. Also, in the present embodiment, for the purpose of correspondence to the conventional on-board unit receiving connector positioning structure, the meter unit (on-board unit) 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 3 of the center cluster panel 1 from behind. However, alternatively, the meter unit 2 may also be inserted into the insertion opening 3 of the center cluster panel 1 from ahead. Further, in the present embodiment, there is provided the " receiving connectors 4A, 4B positioning structure which is used when the meter unit 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 3 of the center cluster panel 1 of a car. However, this is not limitative but, of course, the invention can also apply to a receiving connector positioning structure which is used when any of various units such as audio equipment (a car radio set, a CD player), a NAVI (a car navigation system), an air conditioner, a lamp is inserted the insertion opening of the center cluster panel of a car. (Effects of the Invention) As can be understood clearly from the foregoing description, according to the invention, not only the guide rail grooves (or guide ribs) are disposed in the inner surface of the insertion opening of the car-body side panel and the guide ribs (or guide rail grooves) are disposed on the outer surface of the on-board unit but also, in these guide ribs and guide rail grooves, there are formed the play restrict portions for respectively restricting the play of the guide ribs and guide rail grooves from the time just before the terminals of the receiving connector of the car-body side panel and the connector of the car-body side panel are fitted with each other to the time just after the these two connectors are connected together. Thanks to this, when inserting the on-board unit into the insertion opening of the car-body side panel, in case where the guide ribs (or guide rail grooves) are respectively inserted into their associated guide rail grooves (or guide ribs) to thereby position the two connectors, the positioning accuracy in the above range can be set equivalent to the fitting accuracy of the terminals of the two connectors and thus the inclination of the on-board unit in the inserting operation thereof can be reduced. This can eliminate a fear that an excessive force can be applied to the two connectors while they are fitted with each other. Also, in the other portions than the above range, the guide ribs are allowed to play positively, so that the inserting operation of the on-board unit into the insertion opening can be executed relatively smoothly. This can facilitate the connection of the on-board unit side connector with respect to the car-body side panel side receiving connector. Also, since the position displacement of the on-board unit side connector with respect to the car-body side panel side receiving connector can be absorbed by the displacement of the on-board unit due to the play of the guide ribs, the displacement absorption amount of the receiving connector can be reduced, which can prevent the receiving connector from being increased in size; that is, the receiving connector can be made compact.

Claims: An on-board unit (2) receiving connector positioning structure, comprising: an insertion opening (3) formed in a car-body side panel (1) in such a manner that an on-board unit (2) can be inserted into said insertion opening (3); a receiving connector (4A) mounted in said insertion opening (3); and a connector (4B) disposed on said on-board unit (2), wherein when said on-board unit (2) is inserted into said insertion opening (3) of said car-body side panel (1), said connector (4B) can be connected to said receiving connector (4A), and wherein in the inner surface of said insertion opening (3) of said car-body side panel (1) as well as in the outer surface of said on-board unit (2), guide ribs (2b) and guide rail grooves (3b) are respectively disposed to correspond in position to each other and to be fitted with each other so as to be able to position said two connectors (4A, 4B),and in said guide ribs (2b) and said guide rail grooves (3b), play restrict portions (3c, 3d) are respectively formed for restricting the play of said guide ribs (2b) and said guide rail grooves (3b) from the time just before the terminals of said two connectors (4A, 4B) are fitted with each other to the time just after said two connectors (4A, 4B) are connected together, characterized in that on the front and rear sides of each of said guide rail grooves (3b), a play restrict portions (3c, 3d) having a narrow clearance in the vertical direction thereof is formed; between said front and rear play restrict portions (3c, 3d), a play portion (3e) having a wide clearance in the vertical direction thereof is formed; and in that in the intermediate portion of each of said guide ribs (2b), there is formed a narrow width portion (2e) which, when the rear portion (2d) of said guide rib (2b) is inserted into the associated play portion (3e) after connection of said two connectors (4A, 4B), allows the rear portion (2d) of said guide rib (2b) to play in the vertical direction thereof with the front portion (2c) of said guide rib (2b) fitted into the front-side play restrict portion (3c) of the associated guide rail groove (3b) as a fulcrum. The on-board unit receiving connector positioning structure as set forth in Claim 1, wherein at least at one of the upper and lower positions of the outer surface of said on-board unit (2), a guide rib (2b) is disposed; in the inner surface of the insertion opening (3) of said car-body side panel (1), a guide rail groove (3b) which corresponds in position to said guide rib (2b) is formed; on the front and rear portions of said guide rail groove (3b), play restrict portions (3c, 3d) each having a narrow clearance in the right and left direction are formed; between said front and rear play restrict portions (3c, 3d), a play portion (3e) having a wide clearance in the right and left direction is formed; and in the intermediate portion of said guide rib (2b), there is formed a narrow width portion (2e) which, when the rear portion (2d) of said guide rib (2b) is inserted into said play portion (3e) after connection of said two connectors (4A, 4B), allows the rear portion (2d) of said guide rib (2b) to play in the right and left direction with the front portion (2c) of said guide rib (2b) fitted into said front-side play restrict portion (3c) of said guide rail groove (3b) as a fulcrum. The on-board unit receiving connector positioning structure as set forth in Claim 1, wherein at least at one of the upper and lower positions of the outer surface of said on-board unit (2), a guide rib (2b) is disposed; in the inner surface of the insertion opening (3) of said car-body side panel (1), a guide rail groove (3b) which corresponds in position to said guide rib (2b) is formed; on the front and rear portions of said guide rail groove (3b), play restrict portions (3c, 3d) each having a narrow clearance in the right and left direction are formed; between said front and rear play restrict portions (3c, 3d), a play portion (3e) having a wide clearance in the right and left direction is formed; and in the intermediate portion of said guide rib (2b), there is formed a narrow width portion (2e) which, when the rear portion (2d) of said guide rib (2b) is inserted into said play portion (3e) after connection of said two connectors (4A, 4B), allows the rear portion (2d) of said guide rib (2b) to play in the right and left direction with the front portion (2c) of said guide rib (2b) fitted into said front-side play restrict portion (3c) of said guide rail groove (3b) as a fulcrum.

Inventors: KATO KATSUTOSHI, TAKATA KENSAKU, KATO, KATSUTOSHI, TAKATA, KENSAKU, Kato, Katsutoshi, Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Takata, Kensaku, Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd.
Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES LTD, SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R13, H01R33, B60R16