# US 2021/0083418 A1 · Connector holding structure

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- Number: US 2021/0083418 A1
- Document ID: US20210083418A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/642,272
- Filed: 2018-07-24
- Published: 2021-03-18
- Earliest claimed: 2017-08-30
- Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd.; Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.; Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
- Applicants: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd.; Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.; Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
- Inventors: Kosuke Sone; Kaho Hayashi; Tetsuji Tanaka; Makoto Higashikozono; Keishi Kitamura; Yasuto Takeda; Takahiro Maruyama
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210083418A1

## CPC

- H01R 13/436: Securing a plurality of contact members by one locking piece {or operation}
- H01R 13/562: {Bending-relieving}
- B60R 16/02: electric {constitutive elements}
- B60R 16/0215: {Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor}
- H01R 13/502: composed of different pieces (H01R13/514 takes precedence)
- H01R 13/56: Means for preventing chafing or fracture of flexible leads at outlet from coupling part
- H01R 13/58: Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip {, for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable (for flat or ribbon cables H01R12/771)}
- H01R 13/518: for holding or embracing several coupling parts, e.g. frames
- H02G 3/0437: {Channels}
- H02G 15/007: Devices for relieving mechanical stress
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES

## Abstract

A connector holding structure is provided with a plurality of connectors to be connected to a plurality of mating connectors arranged in an arrangement direction, a plurality of wires drawn out from the plurality of connectors, and a connector holding member including a plurality of connector mounting portions for respectively holding the plurality of connectors, the connector holding member collectively holding the plurality of connectors. The connector holding member includes a deflectable and deformable flexible portion between adjacent ones of the plurality of connector mounting portions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A connector holding structure, comprising:
a plurality of connectors to be connected to a plurality of mating connectors arranged in an arrangement direction;
a plurality of wires drawn out from the plurality of connectors; and
a connector holding member including a plurality of connector mounting portions for respectively holding the plurality of connectors, the connector holding member collectively holding the plurality of connectors,
the connector holding member including a deflectable and deformable flexible portion between adjacent ones of the plurality of connector mounting portions.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The connector holding structure of claim 1, wherein the flexible portion includes a first flexible portion deflectable and deformable in the arrangement direction of the plurality of connectors and a connecting direction to the mating connectors and a second flexible portion deflectable and deformable in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction and the connecting direction and the arrangement direction.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The connector holding structure of claim 1, wherein the connector holding member is configured such that the plurality of connector mounting portions are mounted on a flexible sheet extending along the arrangement direction of the plurality of connectors.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The connector holding structure of claim 3, wherein the connector mounting portion is mounted on the flexible sheet by a mounting protrusion including a shaft portion projecting toward the flexible sheet and configured to penetrate through a hole formed in the flexible sheet and an enlarged diameter portion enlarged in diameter on a tip side of the shaft portion and to be locked to a peripheral edge part of the hole.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The connector holding structure of claim 4, wherein the connector is integrally provided with a wiring groove for accommodating the plurality of wires along the arrangement direction of the plurality of connectors.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The connector holding structure of claim 5, wherein an opening of the wiring groove is closed by the connector holding member.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The connector holding structure of claim 1, wherein the connector is integrally provided with a wiring groove for accommodating the plurality of wires along the arrangement direction of the plurality of connectors.