Electrical junction box for vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses an electrical junction box for a vehicle and the vehicle. The electrical junction box includes a terminal and a housing. The shell comprises a main body part and a protective cover. The main body part is provided with a first connecting structure, the protective cover is rotatably connected with the main body part and is provided with a second connecting structure, and the second connecting structure and the first connecting structure can be connected or separated. Before the cable is connected with the wiring terminal, the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure are connected together, so that the protective cover is kept in an open state and the wiring terminal is exposed. Therefore, when the cable is connected with the wiring terminal, an operator does not need to open the protective cover, so that the installation efficiency of the cable is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle technology, and in particular to an electrical junction box for a vehicle. This application also relates to vehicles including such an electrical junction box. Background Technology

[0002] New energy vehicles are typically equipped with battery packs, which are electrically connected to electrical components (such as motors) via cables (or busbars) to provide power to these components.

[0003] For cable installation, the vehicle is also equipped with an electrical junction box, to which the battery pack and cables are electrically connected. Some junction boxes include a housing and terminals inside the housing. The housing has a protective cover that can be opened and closed. When installing cables, the protective cover needs to be opened to expose the terminals. After the cables are installed onto the terminals, the protective cover is closed to conceal the terminals. However, in practice, opening the protective cover is inconvenient, leading to reduced cable installation efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, a first aspect of this application provides an electrical junction box for a vehicle. The electrical junction box includes: at least one terminal block; and a housing, the housing comprising: a main body portion, the terminal block being located within a receiving space defined by the main body portion; the main body portion having a first connecting structure located outside the receiving space; and a protective cover, rotatably connected to the main body portion and having a second connecting structure; the second connecting structure being adapted to connect with the first connecting structure such that the protective cover is in an open state relative to the main body portion to expose the terminal block, and the second connecting structure being adapted to separate from the first connecting structure such that the protective cover is in a closed state relative to the main body portion to cover the terminal block.

[0005] In one embodiment, the first connecting structure is one of a connecting hole and a connecting post, and the second connecting structure is the other of a connecting hole and a connecting post; the connecting post is adapted to engage with or separate from the connecting hole.

[0006] In one embodiment, the connecting post includes a columnar body and a flange extending outward from the circumferential sidewall of the columnar body; the columnar body is adapted to be inserted into the connecting hole such that the protective cover is held in the open position by the flange, or the columnar body is adapted to be separated from the connecting hole.

[0007] In one embodiment, the extension dimension of the flange is between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

[0008] In one embodiment, the height of the connecting post is between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm.

[0009] In one embodiment, the columnar body includes a first column and a second column spaced laterally from the first column; the flange includes a first flange on the circumferential sidewall of the first column and a second flange on the circumferential sidewall of the second column, the first flange and the second flange being laterally spaced apart from each other.

[0010] In one embodiment, a first guide surface is formed between the free end of the first column and the first flange, and a second guide surface is formed between the free end of the second column and the second flange.

[0011] In one embodiment, the protective cover is connected to the main body via a flexible hinge.

[0012] In one embodiment, the main body includes: a receiving groove having an end opening and at least one sidewall at least partially surrounding the end opening, the sidewall having a third connecting structure; and an end cap detachably mounted at the end opening of the receiving groove; a first connecting structure being formed on the end cap; a protective cover includes: a cover plate rotatably connected to the end cap, a second connecting structure being formed on the cover plate; and a side plate connected to the cover plate and extending parallel to a corresponding sidewall of the receiving groove; a fourth connecting structure being formed on the side plate; in an open state of the protective cover, the third connecting structure is separated from the fourth connecting structure, and in a closed state of the protective cover, the third connecting structure is connected to the fourth connecting structure.

[0013] A second aspect of this application proposes a vehicle. The vehicle includes an electrical junction box for a vehicle as described above.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: The main body of the electrical junction box housing of this application has a first connecting structure, and the protective cover rotatably connected to the main body has a second connecting structure. Before connecting the cable to the terminal block, the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure are connected together so that the protective cover is kept open and the terminal block is exposed. In this way, when connecting the cable to the terminal block, the operator does not need to open the protective cover, which improves the cable installation efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0015] With the aid of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of this application, the present application will be further described in a detailed description following with reference to several accompanying drawings. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0016] Figure 1 A vehicle according to one embodiment of this application is schematically shown.

[0017] Figure 2 An electrical junction box for a vehicle according to one embodiment of this application is schematically shown, with the protective cover in a closed state.

[0018] Figure 3 A portion of the protective cover and connecting posts are shown schematically.

[0019] Figure 4 A portion of an electrical junction box is schematically shown, with the protective cover open and cables visible.

[0020] Figure 5 The third and fourth connection structures are schematically shown.

[0021] Figure 6 The connecting column is shown schematically.

[0022] List of reference numerals

[0023] 1 vehicle

[0024] 10 vehicle body 11 battery pack

[0025] 12 cables

[0026] 2 Electrical junction boxes for vehicles

[0027] 21 terminal blocks

[0028] 22 shell

[0029] 221 Flexible Hinges

[0030] 23 Main body

[0031] 231 First connecting structure 232 Gap

[0032] 233 Third connecting structure 234 End cap

[0033] 235 Receiving groove 236 Side wall of the receiving groove

[0034] 237 Columnar body 238 Flange

[0035] 237a First column 237b Second column

[0036] 238a First flange 238b Second flange

[0037] 239a First guide surface 239b Second guide surface

[0038] 24 protective covers

[0039] 242 Second connection structure 244 Fourth connection structure

[0040] 245 Cover plate 246 Side plate

[0041] H (height direction) T (lateral direction) of the shell

[0042] L-length direction Detailed Implementation

[0043] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0044] Figure 1 A vehicle 1 according to one embodiment of this application is schematically shown. Figure 1 As shown, vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 10 and a battery pack 11 disposed within the vehicle body 10. Vehicle 1 is also equipped with an electrical junction box 2 for the vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as electrical junction box 2). Electrical junction box 2 is electrically connected to battery pack 11 and is electrically connected to electrical components (not shown) via cables 12 (e.g., busbars), so that battery pack 11 can provide power to electrical components.

[0045] The electrical junction box 2 will now be described.

[0046] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 4 The electrical junction box 2 includes a housing 22 and a plurality of terminals 21 located within the housing 22.

[0047] The housing 22 includes a main body 23 and a protective cover 24. The main body 23 defines a receiving space in which the wiring terminal 21 is located. Optionally, other electrical components, such as fuses, relays, etc., may also be disposed within the receiving space. These are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here. In addition, a first connection structure 231 is provided on the main body 23.

[0048] The protective cover 24 is rotatably connected to the main body 23. The protective cover 24 is provided with a second connecting structure 242. The second connecting mechanism 242 can be connected to or separated from the first connecting structure 231.

[0049] Before connecting cable 12 to terminal 21, open protective cover 24 and keep the second connection structure 242 connected to the first connection structure 231, thereby keeping protective cover 24 in the open state and exposing terminal 21 (e.g. Figure 4 (As shown). In this way, when connecting cable 12 to terminal 21, the operator can connect cable 12 to terminal 21 without opening the protective cover 24, which improves the installation efficiency of cable 12 on the electrical junction box 2. It should be understood that after cable 12 installation is complete, the operator can easily separate the second connecting structure 242 from the first connecting structure 231 and close the protective cover 24.

[0050] Furthermore, since the protective cover 24 is rotatably connected to the main body 23, the protective cover 24 will not be lost during the transportation of the electrical junction box 2 and when connecting the cable 12 to the terminal block 21, which facilitates the use of the electrical junction box 2. In one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the protective cover 24 is connected to the main body 23 via a flexible hinge 221. With this structure, the material thickness at the flexible hinge 221 is small, and the elasticity is large, allowing the operator to manually rotate the protective cover 24 relative to the main body 23 of the housing 22.

[0051] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the housing 22 is generally cuboid in shape. The main body 23 includes a generally cuboid receiving groove 235 and a generally rectangular flat end cap 234. The receiving groove 235 has an end opening (not shown) and a sidewall 236 that extends generally along the height H of the housing 22 in a square shape, surrounding the end opening. The end cap 235 is detachably mounted over the end opening of the receiving groove 234 and connected to the sidewall 236. In this case, a first connecting structure 231 is formed on the end cap 234.

[0052] For example Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the protective cover 24 includes a cover plate 245 and a side plate 246. The cover plate 245 is connected to the end cap 234 via a flexible hinge 221, allowing the protective cover 24 and the end cap 234 to be integrally formed, facilitating the manufacturing of the housing 22. Overall, the cover plate 245 and the end cap 234 are generally in the same plane. A second connecting structure 242 is formed on the cover plate 245. The side plate 246 is generally perpendicular to the cover plate 25. When the protective cover 24 is in the closed state, the side plate 246 extends generally along the height square H of the housing 22 and is generally parallel to the corresponding side wall 236 of the receiving groove 235.

[0053] For example Figure 4 As shown, the terminal 21 is located within the receiving groove 235 and corresponds to the protective cover 24. Thus, opening the protective cover 24 exposes the terminal 21; when the protective cover 24 is closed, it covers the terminal 21 from above and / or to the side to achieve the preset protective performance.

[0054] It should be understood that, depending on the actual situation, the main body 23 and the protective cover 24 can also be constructed into other shapes and / or structures, which will not be elaborated here.

[0055] like Figure 2 and Figure 5As shown, a third connecting structure 233 is provided on the side wall 236 of the receiving groove 235, and a fourth connecting structure 244 is provided on the side plate 246 of the protective cover 24. For example, the third connecting structure 233 is a connecting protrusion, and the fourth connecting structure 244 is a connecting ring. When the protective cover 24 is in the open state, the connecting protrusion and the connecting ring are separated. When the protective cover 24 is closed, the side plate 246 of the protective cover 24 moves downward and encounters the connecting protrusion. Under the push of the connecting protrusion, the side plate 246 elastically deforms in the direction away from the side wall 236 of the receiving groove 235. After the connecting ring aligns with the connecting protrusion, the side plate 246 automatically returns to its original position and locks the connecting ring and the connecting protrusion together, thereby keeping the protective cover 24 stably in the closed state and achieving the preset protective performance. In addition, when the protective cover 24 is closed correctly, the operator can hear a "clicking" sound produced by the collision between the side plate 246 (or the connecting ring) and the side wall 236 of the receiving groove 235, which can help the operator judge whether the protective cover 24 is closed correctly. It should be understood that the third connection structure 233 and the fourth connection structure 244 can also be constructed in other forms, which are not limited here.

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown, the first connecting structure 231 is a connecting post formed on the end cap 234 of the main body 23, and the connecting post extends from the end cap 234 toward the outside of the receiving space. The second connecting structure 242 is a connecting hole formed on the cover plate 245 of the protective cover 24. With this structure, after the protective cover 24 is opened, the connecting post can be engaged into the connecting hole to keep the protective cover 24 in the open state; when the protective cover 24 is closed, the connecting hole and the connecting post can be separated. This simplifies the operation for the operator and helps to improve the assembly efficiency of the cable 12 on the electrical junction box 2. In addition, the structure of the connecting post and the connecting hole is relatively simple and will not significantly increase the manufacturing cost of the electrical junction box 2. It should be understood that, depending on the actual situation, the connecting post can also be formed on the cover plate 245 of the protective cover 24; correspondingly, the connecting hole is formed on the end cap 234 of the main body 23.

[0057] In one embodiment, the connecting hole can be a round hole, an elliptical hole, or a polygonal hole, etc.; the connecting post is a columnar member with a shape that matches the shape of the connecting hole to facilitate insertion into the connecting hole. In other embodiments, the connecting hole can also be a strip-shaped hole formed in the cover plate, or a slit extending from the edge of the cover plate to the center of the cover plate. In this case, the connecting post can still be a columnar member, as long as it can engage with the strip-shaped hole or the slit.

[0058] like Figure 6As shown, the connecting column includes a first column 237a and a second column 237b, which are spaced apart along a transverse direction T (i.e., a direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction L of either the first column 237a or the second column 237b). A first flange 238a is provided on the circumferential sidewall of the first column 237a, extending substantially along the transverse direction T away from the second column 237b; a second flange 238b is provided on the circumferential sidewall of the second column 237b, extending substantially along the transverse direction T away from the first column 237a (overall, the first flange 238a and the second flange 238b are far apart from each other along the transverse direction T). Thus, the gap 232 between the first column 237a and the second column 237b provides space for the first column 237a and the second column 237b to elastically deform toward each other.

[0059] While the protective cover 24 is kept open, the first post 237a and the second post 237b are passed through the connecting hole. The first post 237a and the second post 237b elastically bend towards each other (e.g., the first post 237a and the second post 237b are constrained by the connecting hole or pressed towards each other by the operator), thus reducing the distance between the first post 237a and the second post 237b to facilitate entry into the connecting hole. After passing through the connecting hole, the first post 237a and the second post 237b return to their original position and automatically separate, so that the first flange 238a and the second flange 238b each stably abut against the surface of the cover plate 245 of the protective cover 24. Thus, a stable connection between the connecting post (or the first post 237a and the second post 237b) and the connecting hole is achieved, thereby allowing the protective cover 24 to be stably in the open state via the first flange 238a and the second flange 238b.

[0060] In addition, when the first flange 238a and the second flange 238b engage with the connecting hole, the operator can hear a "clicking" sound produced by the collision of the first flange 238a and the second flange 238b with the cover plate 245 of the protective cover 24. This can help the operator determine whether the protective cover 24 is correctly in the open state.

[0061] When closing the protective cover 24, the first post 237a and the second post 237b are bent toward each other so that the first flange 238a and the second flange 238b are disengaged from the cover plate 245 of the protective cover 24. The protective cover 24 is rotated to separate the first connecting post 237a and the second post 237b from the connecting hole. The protective cover 24 is then rotated further to connect the fourth connecting structure 244 on the protective cover 24 with the third connecting structure 233 on the main body 23, thus closing the protective cover 24.

[0062] In one embodiment, the first flange 238a extends between 0.5 mm and 1 mm in the transverse direction T, as does the second flange 238b. This size of the first flange 238a and the second flange 238b allows them to engage stably with the connection hole, keeping the protective cover 24 in the open position. Furthermore, due to the small extension size of the first flange 238a and the second flange 238b, when closing the protective cover 24, the operator can easily disengage the first flange 238a and the second flange 238b from the protective cover 24 by simply manually turning the cover slightly, without needing to manually press the first flange 238a and the second flange 238b towards each other. This further simplifies the operator's operation and improves the assembly efficiency of the cable 12 on the electrical junction box 2. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can also set the extension size of the first flange 238a to other values ​​depending on the actual situation, as well as the second flange 238b.

[0063] For example Figure 6 As shown, a first guide surface 239a is formed between the free ends of the first flange 238a and the first column 237a. A second guide surface 239b is formed between the free ends of the second flange 238b and the second column 237b. Thus, when the protective cover 24 is opened, the first column 237a and the second column 237b can smoothly pass through the connecting hole under the guidance of the first guide surface 239a and the second guide surface 239b, which further facilitates the operator's operation. In one embodiment, both the first guide surface 239a and the second guide surface 239b are arc-shaped surfaces. In other embodiments, the first guide surface 239a and the second guide surface 239b can also be inclined surfaces.

[0064] In one embodiment, the heights of both the first post 237a and the second post 237b are between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm. Overall, the heights of the first post 237a and the second post 237b are relatively small. This size of the first post 237a and the second post 237b will not obstruct the operator's work when installing the cable 12 onto the electrical junction box 2. Furthermore, when the electrical junction box 2 is applied to the vehicle 1, the first post 237a and the second post 237b will not interfere with other components of the vehicle. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can set the height of the first post 237a to other values, and the same applies to the second post 237b, depending on the actual situation.

[0065] It should also be understood that, in some embodiments, the connecting post may also be constructed as a column with outwardly extending (i.e., extending laterally T) flanges on its circumferential sidewalls. Such a connecting post can also stably connect to or separate from the connecting hole.

[0066] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principle of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. An electrical junction box for a vehicle, characterized by, The electrical junction box (2) comprises: at least one terminal (21); and a housing (22) comprising: a main body portion (23) in which the terminal (21) is accommodated; the main body portion (23) is provided with a first connecting structure (231) outside the accommodation space; and a protective cover (24) rotatably connected with the main body portion (23) and provided with a second connecting structure (242); the second connecting structure (242) is adapted to be connected with the first connecting structure (231), so that the protective cover (24) is in an open state relative to the main body portion (23) to expose the terminal (21), or the second connecting structure (242) is adapted to be separated from the first connecting structure (231), so that the protective cover (24) is in a closed state relative to the main body portion (23) to shield the terminal (21).

2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first connecting structure (231) is one of a connecting hole and a connecting column, and the second connecting structure (242) is the other of the connecting hole and the connecting column; the connecting column is adapted to be connected with or separated from the connecting hole.

3. The electrical junction box of claim 2, wherein, The connecting column comprises a columnar body (237) and a flange (238) extending outward from the circumferential sidewall of the columnar body (237); The columnar body (237) is adapted to be inserted into the connecting hole, so that the protective cover (24) is kept in the open state by the flange (238), or the columnar body (237) is adapted to be separated from the connecting hole.

4. The electrical junction box of claim 3, wherein, The extension size of the flange (238) is between 0.5mm and 1mm.

5. The electrical junction box of claim 2, wherein, The height of the connecting column is between 0.5mm and 0.7mm.

6. The electrical junction box of claim 3, wherein, The columnar body (237) comprises a first column body (237a) and a second column body (237b) laterally spaced apart from the first column body (237a); The flange (238) comprises a first flange (238a) on the circumferential sidewall of the first column body (237a) and a second flange (238b) on the circumferential sidewall of the second column body (237b), and the first flange (238a) and the second flange (238b) are away from each other.

7. The electrical junction box of claim 6, wherein, A first guide surface (239a) is formed between the free end of the first column body (237a) and the first flange (238a), and a second guide surface (239b) is formed between the free end of the second column body (237b) and the second flange (238b).

8. The electrical junction box of claim 1, wherein, The protective cover (24) and the main body portion (23) are connected by a flexible hinge (221).

9. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein The main body portion (23) comprises: an accommodation groove (235) having an end opening and at least one sidewall (236) at least partially surrounding the end opening, and a third connecting structure (233) on the sidewall (236); and an end cover (234) detachably mounted at the end opening of the accommodating groove (235); the first connecting structure (231) being formed on the end cover (234); The protective cover (24) comprises: a cover plate (245) rotatably connected with the end cover (234), the second connecting structure (242) being formed on the cover plate (245); and a side plate (246) connected with the cover plate (245) and extending in parallel with the corresponding side wall (236) of the accommodating groove (235), the fourth connecting structure (244) being formed on the side plate (246); In the open state of the protective cover (24), the third connecting structure (233) is separated from the fourth connecting structure (244), and in the closed state of the protective cover (24), the third connecting structure (233) is connected with the fourth connecting structure (244).

10. A vehicle characterized by comprising: The vehicle (1) comprises the electrical junction box (2) for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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