Electrical connection box

Abstract

To provide an electrical connection box that can reduce the number of parts.SOLUTION: An electrical connection box 11 includes a plate-shaped first base member 22 and basic electrical circuit components 23 arranged on the first base member 22. The basic electrical circuit components 23 include a first metal plate 27 and a second metal plate 28 that are stacked and electrically connected. The electrical connection box 11 includes a tapping screw 51 that can fix the first metal plate 27 and the second metal plate 28 while forming a female screw 27a in the first metal plate 27.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrical junction box. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an electrical junction box has been provided in, for example, a battery pack of a vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The battery pack includes a battery pack case, an electrical junction box, and a plurality of battery cells.

[0003] The electrical junction box is housed in a battery pack case together with the multiple battery cells. The electrical junction box includes, for example, a case and electrical circuit components arranged on a base member that forms the bottom surface of the case. The electrical circuit components are connected to the multiple battery cells. The electrical circuit components include, for example, multiple relays, fuses, bus bars, etc. The electrical circuit components realize optimal input and output by monitoring the current value, temperature, etc. of the battery cells. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-16467 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in the electrical connection box described above, since it handles a large current, bus bars, which are metal plates, are often used instead of thin electric wires. In addition, in many places, multiple metal plates are stacked and electrically connected. In addition, these multiple metal plates are generally firmly fastened with nuts and bolts in order to reduce contact resistance and ensure stable connection. However, since many sets of nuts and bolts are required, there is a problem in that the number of parts increases.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electrical junction box that enables a reduction in the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electrical junction box of the present disclosure comprises a plate-shaped base member and an electrical circuit component arranged on the base member, the electrical circuit component being an electrical junction box including a plurality of metal plates that are stacked and electrically connected, and comprising a tapping screw capable of fixing the plurality of metal plates while forming a female thread in at least one of the plurality of metal plates. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the electrical junction box of the present disclosure, the number of parts can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical junction box according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first circuit unit and a heat dissipating metal plate in one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment at a pre-manufacturing stage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The electrical connection box of the present disclosure comprises: [1] An electrical junction box comprising a plate-shaped base member and an electrical circuit component arranged on the base member, the electrical circuit component including a plurality of metal plates which are stacked and electrically connected, and a tapping screw capable of fixing the plurality of metal plates while forming a female thread in at least one of the plurality of metal plates.

[0011] According to this configuration, since a tapping screw is provided that can fix a plurality of metal plates while forming a female thread in at least one of the plurality of metal plates that are stacked and electrically connected, a nut is not required and there is no need to form a female thread in advance, so that it is possible to reduce the number of parts while suppressing an increase in the number of processing steps.

[0012] [2] In the above item [1], the base member may have a partition portion that separates a space in which shavings are generated by the tapping screw from a space in which other electric circuit components are disposed.

[0013] According to this configuration, the base member has a partition that separates the space where the tapping screw generates shavings from the space where other electric circuit components are arranged, so that it is possible to prevent the shavings from coming into contact with the other electric circuit components, and therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the other electric circuit components from being electrically connected to each other unintentionally.

[0014] [3] In the above item [2], a blocking portion may be provided that blocks a space in which shavings are generated by the tapping screw together with the partition portion. According to this configuration, the electrical connection box is provided with a partition portion and a blocking portion that blocks the space in which shavings are generated by the tapping screw, thereby, for example, preventing shavings generated by the tapping screw from scattering outside the blocked space.

[0015] [4] In the above item [3], the blocking portion may be a heat dissipating metal plate attached under the base member. According to this configuration, since the blocking portion is a heat dissipating metal plate attached under the base member, it is possible to prevent the shavings from scattering outside the blocked space while improving heat dissipation. In this way, by giving the heat dissipating metal plate, which has the function of improving heat dissipation, the function of preventing the shavings from scattering, it is possible to reduce the number of parts compared to when each is a separate member.

[0016] [5] In any one of [1] to [4] above, the plurality of metal plates may include a first metal plate having a female thread hole in which the female thread is formed by the tapping screw, and a second metal plate having an insertion hole through which the tapping screw is inserted, and the first metal plate may be thicker than the second metal plate.

[0017] According to this configuration, the first metal plate having a female screw hole in which a female screw is formed by a tapping screw is thicker than the second metal plate having an insertion hole through which the tapping screw is inserted, so that the female screw can be made longer. This allows the multiple metal plates to be firmly fixed together. In addition, the second metal plate is thinner than the first metal plate, so that, for example, bending processing can be easily performed.

[0018] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the electrical connection box of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratio of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "parallel," "orthogonal," and "perfect circle" do not only mean strictly parallel, orthogonal, or perfect circle, but also include approximately parallel, orthogonal, or perfect circle within the range of the action and effect of this embodiment. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0019] (Configuration of electrical connection box 11) 1 and 2, the electric junction box 11 includes a first circuit unit 21, a second circuit unit 31, and a heat dissipating metal plate 41. The second circuit unit 31 is stacked on the first circuit unit 21. The heat dissipating metal plate 41 is attached below the first circuit unit 21.

[0020] The electrical junction box 11 of this embodiment is provided in, for example, a battery pack mounted on a vehicle such as an electric automobile, etc. That is, the electrical junction box 11 is housed in a battery pack case together with a plurality of battery cells.

[0021] The figure also shows a first axis X, a second axis Y perpendicular to the first axis X, and a third axis Z perpendicular to the first axis X and the second axis Y. The figure also shows a longitudinal direction X1, which is a direction along the first axis X, and a transverse direction Y1, which is a direction along the second axis Y. The figure also shows an upward direction Z1 along the third axis Z, and a downward direction Z2 opposite to the upward direction Z1.

[0022] (Configuration of the first circuit unit 21) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first circuit unit 21 has a first base member 22 as a plate-shaped base member, and basic electric circuit components 23 that are arranged on the first base member 22 and form part of the electric circuit components.

[0023] The first base member 22 is made of a resin material. When viewed from above, the first base member 22 is formed in a rectangular shape. The first base member 22 has projections and recesses that allow the basic electric circuit components 23 to be positioned and arranged thereon. The first base member 22 forms the bottom surface of the case in the electric junction box 11. The first base member 22 also has a side wall portion 22a that protrudes upward from an edge portion. The side wall portion 22a, together with a side wall of an upper case (not shown), forms the side surface of the case in the electric junction box 11.

[0024] The basic electric circuit components 23 are electric circuit components that are always required regardless of the grade or options of the vehicle in which the vehicle is installed. The basic electric circuit components 23 include, for example, a relay 24, a fuse 25, a bus bar 26, and the like.

[0025] (Configuration of second circuit unit 31) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second circuit unit 31 has a plate-shaped second base member 32 and an additional electric circuit component 33 that is disposed on the second base member 32 and that constitutes a part of the electric circuit components.

[0026] The second base member 32 is made of a resin material. The second base member 32 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from above. When viewed from above, the second base member 32 is formed in a rectangular shape that fits within the range of the rectangular shape of the first base member 22 and is slightly shorter than the first base member 22. The second base member 32 has projections and recesses that allow the additional electric circuit component 33 to be positioned and arranged thereon.

[0027] The additional electric circuit components 33 are electric circuit components added to the basic electric circuit components 23 depending on the grade and options of the vehicle in which the vehicle is installed. The additional electric circuit components 33 include, for example, a control unit 34 including a microcomputer and bus bars 35. Note that the number and arrangement of the basic electric circuit components 23 and the additional electric circuit components 33 in each drawing are not necessarily strictly those shown, but are shown as an example.

[0028] The second circuit unit 31 is fixed to the first circuit unit 21 while being stacked on the first circuit unit 21. In the second circuit unit 31, the additional electric circuit components 33 are connected to the basic electric circuit components 23.

[0029] (Configuration of heat dissipating metal plate 41) The heat dissipating metal plate 41 is made of a metal material having high heat dissipation properties, such as aluminum, etc. The heat dissipating metal plate 41 is formed, for example, by subjecting an aluminum plate to press working or the like.

[0030] 3, the heat dissipating metal plate 41 is attached below the first base member 22. The heat dissipating metal plate 41 is formed so as to cover the entire area of ​​the lower surface of the first base member 22 as a single plate. In other words, the heat dissipating metal plate 41 is formed to include the entire area of ​​the first base member 22 when viewed from above. The heat dissipating metal plate 41 is formed in a rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the first base member 22 in both directions along the first axis X and in both directions along the second axis Y.

[0031] 4, the basic electric circuit component 23 of this embodiment includes a first metal plate 27 and a second metal plate 28 as multiple metal plates that are stacked and electrically connected. The first metal plate 27 and the second metal plate 28 are, for example, connection terminals of the relay 24, connection terminals of the fuse 25, bus bars 26, etc., and in this embodiment, they are configured by two types of bus bars 26.

[0032] The first metal plate 27 and the second metal plate 28 are electrically connected while being stacked on the first base member 22. More specifically, the first metal plate 27 is disposed so as to abut against the upper surface of the first base member 22. Moreover, the second metal plate 28 is disposed so as to abut against the upper surface of the first metal plate 27.

[0033] The electric junction box 11 includes a tapping screw 51 that fixes the first metal plate 27 and the second metal plate 28 together while forming a female thread 27a in the first metal plate 27. The tapping screw 51 of the present embodiment is capable of forming the female thread 27a in the first metal plate 27 by being rotated about the third axis Z and moved in the downward direction Z2.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the second metal plate 28 has an insertion hole 28a through which the tapping screw 51 is inserted. The inner diameter of the insertion hole 28a is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tapping screw 51. The first metal plate 27 has a female thread hole 27b in which a female thread 27a (see FIG. 4) is formed by the tapping screw 51. The female thread hole 27b is a hole before the female thread 27a is formed. That is, the female thread hole 27b is, for example, a hole formed only by punching the first metal plate 27 in the downward direction Z2, and is a simple hole without a groove formed on the inner peripheral surface. The inner diameter of the female thread hole 27b is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 28a, and is set to a size such that the female thread 27a is formed by the tapping screw 51.

[0035] Moreover, the first metal plate 27 is formed to be thicker than the second metal plate 28. In detail, the plate thickness of the first metal plate 27 along the third axis Z is set to be larger than the plate thickness of the second metal plate 28 along the third axis Z.

[0036] 4, the first base member 22 has a partition portion 22b that separates a space S1 in which shavings are generated by the tapping screw 51 from a space S2 in which other basic electric circuit components 23 are arranged. The partition portion 22b is formed by an upper edge portion of a through hole 22c formed in the first base member 22. That is, the space S1 in which shavings are generated by the tapping screw 51 is a space in the downward direction Z2 of the first metal plate 27, and a portion that abuts against the periphery of the female thread 27a on the lower surface of the first metal plate 27 is the partition portion 22b.

[0037] Further, the space S1 in which shavings are generated by the tapping screw 51 is closed by the heat dissipating metal plate 41 as a closing portion together with the partition portion 22b.

[0038] Next, the operation of the electrical junction box 11 configured as above will be described. The electric junction box 11 is electrically connected to the battery cells housed in the battery pack case together with the electric circuit components including the basic electric circuit components 23 and the additional electric circuit components 33. The electric circuit components monitor the current values, temperatures, etc. of the battery cells to achieve optimal input and output.

[0039] Furthermore, if the additional electric circuit components 33 required for higher grade models or as options are not required, the electric junction box 11 will be housed in the battery pack case in a form in which the second circuit unit 31 is not provided.

[0040] Next, the effects of the above embodiment will be described below. (1) The first metal plate 27 and the second metal plate 28, which are multiple metal plates, are overlapped and electrically connected. The electrical junction box 11 includes tapping screws 51 that can fix the first metal plate 27 and the second metal plate 28 together while forming the female threads 27a in the first metal plate 27. This eliminates the need for nuts and the need to previously form the female threads 27a. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts while suppressing an increase in the number of processing steps.

[0041] (2) The first base member 22 has a partition portion 22b that separates the space S1 where shavings are generated by the tapping screws 51 from the space S2 where the other basic electric circuit components 23 are arranged. This can prevent the shavings from coming into contact with the other basic electric circuit components 23. This can prevent, for example, the other basic electric circuit components 23 from being unintentionally electrically connected to each other.

[0042] (3) The electric junction box 11 includes the heat dissipating metal plate 41 as a blocking portion that, together with the partition portion 22b, blocks the space S1 in which shavings are generated by the tapping screws 51. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the shavings generated by the tapping screws 51 from scattering outside the closed space.

[0043] (4) The blocking portion is the heat dissipating metal plate 41 attached under the first base member 22, so that it is possible to prevent shavings from scattering outside the blocked space while improving heat dissipation. In this way, by giving the heat dissipating metal plate 41, which has the function of improving heat dissipation, the function of preventing shavings from scattering, it is possible to reduce the number of parts compared to when each is a separate part.

[0044] (5) The first metal plate 27 having the female thread hole 27b in which the female thread 27a is formed by the tapping screw 51 is thicker than the second metal plate 28 having the insertion hole 28a through which the tapping screw 51 is inserted, so that the female thread 27a can be made longer. This allows the first metal plate 27 and the second metal plate 28 to be firmly fixed together. In addition, the second metal plate 28 is thinner than the first metal plate 27, so that, for example, bending processing can be easily performed.

[0045] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction. In the above embodiment, the first base member 22 has a partition portion 22b that separates the space S1 in which shavings are generated by the tapping screw 51. However, this is not limited to this, and the first base member 22 may be configured not to have the partition portion 22b.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the partition 22b is configured by the upper edge of the through hole 22c formed in the first base member 22 with the first metal plate 27 abutting against the upper surface, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be changed to another configuration. For example, the partition may be a partition wall erected in the upward direction Z1 from the first base member 22 so as to separate a space where shavings are generated by the tapping screw 51 from a space where other basic electric circuit components 23 are arranged.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the electrical connection box 11 includes the heat dissipating metal plate 41 as a blocking portion that blocks the space S1 where chippings are generated by the tapping screw 51 together with the partition portion 22b, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be configured without a blocking portion. In other words, the space S1 may be open to the outside.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the blocking part that blocks the space S1 is the heat dissipating metal plate 41 attached under the first base member 22, but this is not limited to this and may be a separate member from the heat dissipating metal plate 41.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the first metal plate 27 having the female screw hole 27b is thicker than the second metal plate 28 having the insertion hole 28a, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, the first metal plate 27 and the second metal plate 28 may be the same thickness. Also, for example, the first metal plate 27 may be thinner than the second metal plate 28.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the multiple metal plates that are stacked and electrically connected are the first metal plate 27 and the second metal plate 28, but this is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which three or more metal plates are connected by tapping screws 51 may be used.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the electric junction box 11 includes the first circuit unit 21 and the second circuit unit 31, but is not limited to this and may be configured without including the second circuit unit 31. In this case, the additional electric circuit components 33 may be disposed on the first base member 22.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the electrical junction box 11 is provided with a heat dissipating metal plate 41 attached below the first base member 22, but this is not limited thereto, and the electrical junction box 11 may be configured not to include a heat dissipating metal plate 41 below the first base member 22. Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, the electrical junction box 11 may include a heat dissipating metal plate attached above the first base member 22, or may include a heat dissipating metal plate attached above or below the second base member 32.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the heat dissipating metal plate 41 is formed so as to cover the entire area of ​​the lower surface of the first base member 22 as a single sheet, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, the heat dissipating metal plate 41 may be formed to be smaller than the first base member 22. Furthermore, the electrical junction box 11 may be configured to include a plurality of heat dissipating metal plates.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the basic electric circuit components 23 include, for example, the relays 24, the fuses 25, the bus bars 26, etc., but are not limited to these and may include other electric circuit components.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the additional electric circuit components 33 include, for example, the control unit 34 including a microcomputer and the bus bar 35, but are not limited to this and may include other electric circuit components.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the electrical connection box 11 is provided in a battery pack mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be provided in other devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 11 Electrical junction box 21 First circuit unit 22 First base member (base member) 22a Side wall part 22b Partition 22c through hole 23 Basic Electrical Circuit Components (Constitute a part of electrical circuit components) 24 Relay 25. Fuse 26 Busbar (metal plate) 27 First metal plate (metal plate) 27a Female thread 27b Female thread hole 28 Second metal plate (metal plate) 28a Insertion hole 31 Second circuit unit 32 Second base member 33 Additional electrical circuit parts (constituting part of electrical circuit parts) 34 Control Unit 35 Busbar 41 Heat dissipation metal plate 51 Tapping screw S1 space S2 space X 1st axis X1 Longitudinal direction Y 2nd axis Y1 Width direction Z 3rd axis Z1 upward direction Z2 Downward

Claims

1. An electric junction box comprising: a plate-shaped base member; and an electric circuit component disposed on the base member, the electric circuit component including a plurality of metal plates that are stacked and electrically connected, A tapping screw is provided that can fix the plurality of metal plates while forming a female thread in at least one of the plurality of metal plates. Electrical junction box.

2. the base member has a partition portion that separates a space in which shavings are generated by the tapping screw from a space in which other electric circuit components are disposed; 2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1.

3. A closing part is provided which closes a space where chips are generated by the tapping screw together with the partition part.

3. The electrical junction box according to claim 2.

4. The blocking portion is a heat dissipating metal plate attached under the base member.

4. The electrical junction box according to claim 3.

5. the plurality of metal plates include a first metal plate having a female thread hole in which the female thread is formed by the tapping screw, and a second metal plate having an insertion hole through which the tapping screw is inserted, The first metal plate is thicker than the second metal plate.

2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1.

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