Electrical connection box

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electrical connection box. The electrical connection box (1) includes a circuit connection device (10) and a main body (20). The main body (20) has a second terminal (50) that elastically contacts a first terminal (11) of the circuit connection device (10), a locking portion (27) that holds the circuit connection device (10) by clamping and mounting it on the device mounting portion (23), and a protruding portion (29). When the circuit connector (10) is mounted on the device mounting portion (23), the circuit connection device (10) moves through a first position, a second position, a third position, and a fourth position. At the first position, the circuit connection device (10) elastically deforms the locking portion (27) to push it back. At the second position, the first terminal (11) elastically deforms the second terminal (50) to push it back. At the third position, the circuit connection device (10) contacts the protruding portion (29). At the fourth position, the pushed-back locking portion (27) elastically returns in a direction closer to the circuit connection device (10) to engage with the circuit connection device (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrical connection box including a circuit connection device and a main body having a device mounting portion capable of mounting the circuit connection device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electrical connection box mounted on a vehicle or the like (for example, a distribution box incorporating a fuse, a relay, a fuse wire, etc.) is connected to various electrical mounting components via electric wires to supply power to these electrical mounting components. In such an electrical connection box, a device mounting portion (so-called slot) for mounting a fuse or the like is generally provided.

[0003] One of the conventional electrical connection boxes has a pair of elastic pieces in the device mounting portion that sandwich and hold a fuse or the like. When mounting a fuse or the like on the device mounting portion, an operator inserts the fuse or the like between the pair of elastic pieces while pushing the pair of elastic pieces apart, and presses the fuse or the like deeper into the device mounting portion. When the fuse or the like is pressed into a specified position deep in the device mounting portion, the pair of elastic pieces elastically return and engage with the fuse or the like to hold the fuse or the like. Further, by pressing the fuse or the like into the device mounting portion in this manner, the terminals of the fuse or the like come into contact with the object-side terminals built in the device mounting portion, and the two terminals are electrically connected together (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-169382).

[0004] However, as the object-side terminals built in the device mounting portion of the above-described electrical connection box, terminals having a structure that sandwiches and presses the terminals of a fuse or the like (so-called fork terminals) are sometimes used. In this case, even if the terminals of the fuse or the like are inserted into the fork terminals after the pair of elastic pieces are engaged with the fuse or the like during the process of pressing the fuse or the like into the device mounting portion, the operator applies the force required for the former engagement to the fuse or the like, and then applies the force required for the latter insertion to the fuse or the like. In other words, in the case of the above example, the force required to mount the fuse or the like on the device mounting portion (hereinafter referred to as "insertion force") changes so as to have peaks (maxima) at the time of the former engagement and the time of the latter insertion. Therefore, depending on the operator, there may be a case where the operator mistakenly believes that the fuse or the like has been completely mounted at a time when the insertion force fluctuates above and below the peak at the time of the former engagement. In this case, even if the latter insertion is not actually completed, the operator will end the mounting operation of the fuse or the like (so-called semi-insertion of the fuse occurs). From the viewpoint of ensuring reliable mounting of the fuse or the like, it is desirable to suppress such semi-insertion of the fuse. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure provides an electrical connection box capable of suppressing semi-insertion of a fuse.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical connection box includes: a circuit connection device; and a main body having a device mounting portion on which the circuit connection device can be mounted. The circuit connection device has a first terminal extending in an installation direction along which the device is mounted on the device mounting portion. The device mounting portion of the main body has: a second terminal that elastically contacts the first terminal and has a convex shape; and a locking portion and a protrusion portion that hold the circuit connection device mounted on the device mounting portion by clamping the circuit connection device in a direction intersecting the installation direction. The locking portion has a convex shape that can elastically engage with the circuit connection device. The protrusion portion protrudes so as to press the circuit connection device toward the locking portion. The electrical connection box is configured such that when the circuit connection device is mounted on the device mounting portion, the circuit connection device moves through a first position, a second position, a third position, and a fourth position. At the first position, the circuit connection device elastically deforms the locking portion to push the locking portion back. At the second position, the first terminal elastically deforms the second terminal to push the second terminal back. At the third position, the circuit connection device contacts the protrusion portion. At the fourth position, the pushed-back locking portion elastically returns toward the circuit connection device and engages with the circuit connection device.

[0007] As described above, the present disclosure has been briefly described. Further, by referring to the drawings and reading the following description of the embodiments for implementing the disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"), the details of the present disclosure will become clearer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a fuse and a housing constituting an electrical connection box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are separated.

[0009] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of

[0010] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a top view of the housing shown in

[0011] Figure 4 (a) of Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part B of Figure 4 and (b) of Figure 3 is a perspective view showing part B of Figure 4 and (c) of Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part C of Figure 4 and (d) of Figure 3 is a perspective view showing part C of

[0012] Figure 5 (a) shows a cross-sectional view corresponding to the D-D section of the fuse when it is in the insertion position c of Figure 9 Figure 3 Figure 5 (b) is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the locking projection in (a) of Figure 5 Figure 5 (c) is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the protrusion in (a) of Figure 5

[0013] Figure 6 (a) shows a cross-sectional view corresponding to the D-D section of the fuse when it is in the insertion position e of Figure 9 Figure 3 Figure 6 (b) is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the locking projection in (a) of Figure 6 Figure 6 (c) is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the protrusion in (a) of Figure 6

[0014] Figure 7 (a) shows a cross-sectional view corresponding to the D-D section of the fuse when it is in the insertion position g of Figure 9 Figure 3 Figure 7 (b) is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the locking projection in (a) of Figure 7 Figure 7 (c) is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the protrusion in (a) of Figure 7

[0015] Figure 8 (a) shows a cross-sectional view corresponding to the D-D section of the fuse when it is in the insertion position h of Figure 9 Figure 3 Figure 8 (b) is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the locking projection in (a) of Figure 8 Figure 8 (c) is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the protrusion in (a) of Figure 8

[0016] Figure 9 is a line graph showing an example of the variation of the insertion force of the fuse with respect to the insertion position of the fuse.

[0017] Figure 10 (a) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the D-D section for explaining the amount of engagement of the locking projection when the fuse is in the insertion position g of Figure 9 Figure 3 Figure 10(b) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to D-D of Figure 3 which illustrates the engagement amount of the locking projection when the fuse in the fully assembled state is tilted and misaligned within the device mounting portion.

[0018] Figure 11 (a) is a perspective view showing the electrical connection box arranged horizontally, Figure 11 (b) is a diagram for explaining the function and effect of providing a protective wall for the housing.

[0019] Description of Reference Numerals

[0020] 1 Electrical connection box

[0021] 10 Fuse (circuit connection device)

[0022] 11 Terminal (first terminal)

[0023] 20 Housing (body)

[0024] 21 Protective wall

[0025] 23 Device mounting portion

[0026] 27 Locking piece (locking portion)

[0027] 29 Protrusion

[0028] 31 First protrusion

[0029] 32 Second protrusion

[0030] 50 Terminal (second terminal)

[0031] 52 Convex-shaped portion (convex-shaped part) Detailed Description of the Invention

[0032] <Embodiment>

[0033] Hereinafter, the electrical connection box 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The electrical connection box 1 is a power supply box incorporating circuit connection devices 10 such as fuses and relays. The electrical connection box 1 is mounted on a vehicle and functions to transmit electric power, control signals, etc. to various electrical components via a wiring harness.

[0034] Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, as Figures 1 to 10 shown, "front-rear direction", "up-down direction", "width direction", "front", "rear", "up" and "down" are defined. The front-rear direction, up-down direction and width direction are orthogonal to each other. The up-down direction is the same as the up-down direction of the vehicle on which the electrical connection box 1 is mounted, and is also the same as the "mounting direction" of the present disclosure.

[0035] AsFigure 1 As shown, the electrical connection box 1 includes a fuse 10 and a housing 20 having a plurality of device mounting portions 23 (to be described in detail later) capable of mounting the fuse 10. Hereinafter, each device constituting the electrical connection box 1 will be described in sequence.

[0036] First, the fuse 10 will be described. As Figure 1 shown, the fuse 10 is composed of a pair of metal terminals 11 separated and arranged in the width direction and a resin holding portion 12 that holds the pair of terminals 11. Each terminal 11 has a flat plate shape that extends in the width direction and the up-and-down direction and is relatively long in the up-and-down direction. The holding portion 12 includes a central holding portion 13 located between the pair of terminals 11 and an upper holding portion 14 that extends in a manner crossing the upper portions of the pair of terminals 11 in the width direction.

[0037] In the holding portion 12, a fusing portion (not shown) is built in. The fusing portion has the function of electrically connecting between the pair of terminals 11 and cutting off the electrical connection between the pair of terminals 11 by fusing when a current of a magnitude equal to or greater than a specified rated current flows through.

[0038] By mounting the fuse 10 on the device mounting portion 23, the pair of terminals 11 are respectively connected to a pair of terminals 50 (refer to Figure 2 ) that are accommodated in the housing 20 side by side in the front-rear direction below the device mounting portion 23, so that the pair of terminals 50 are electrically connected via the fuse 10.

[0039] Next, the housing 20 will be described. The housing 20 is a resin molded product. In this example, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the housing 20 has a substantially rectangular box shape that is long in the width direction. At both ends in the front-rear direction of the upper surface of the housing 20, a pair of protective walls 21 that protrude upward are formed in a manner opposed to each other in the front-rear direction and extending in the width direction.

[0040] Between the pair of protective walls 21, a recess 22 that is defined by a pair of side walls and a bottom wall and opens upward is formed so as to extend across the entire width direction. In the recess 22 that extends in the width direction, a plurality of device mounting portions 23 are provided side by side at a specified interval in the width direction. Each device mounting portion 23 is a (rectangular-shaped as viewed from the width direction) recess that is defined by a front wall 23a, a rear wall 23b, and a bottom wall 23c (refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 etc.) and opens upward (refer to Figure 5 etc.). The front wall 23a, the rear wall 23b, and the bottom wall 23c are parts of the pair of side walls and the bottom wall that define the recess 22.

[0041] On the bottom wall 23c of each device mounting portion 23, as Figure 3 andFigure 4 As shown, in the central part in the front-rear direction, a through-hole 24 having a substantially rectangular shape penetrating in the up-down direction and a pair of slits 25 extending outward in the width direction from both front-rear direction side edges of the through-hole 24 and penetrating in the up-down direction are formed. The pair of slits 25 extend outward in the width direction to be continuous with the front wall 23a and the rear wall 23b. The central holding portion 13 of the fuse 10 is inserted into the through-hole 24, and a pair of terminals 11 of the fuse 10 are inserted into the pair of slits 25. The through-hole 24 and the pair of slits 25 communicate the device mounting portion 23 with the internal space of the housing 20 located below the device mounting portion 23 in the up-down direction.

[0042] In the internal space of the housing 20 located below each device mounting portion 23, as Figure 5 shown in (a) of Figure 5 shown in (b) of Figure 5 shown in (c) of Figure 2 shown, a pair of terminal accommodating chambers 26 extending in the up-down direction are provided in a side-by-side manner in the front-rear direction. For each terminal accommodating chamber 26, as Figure 2 shown, its upper end communicates with the corresponding slit 25, and its lower end is open. In each terminal accommodating chamber 26, a terminal 50 connected to one end portion of the electric wire 40 is inserted and accommodated from below. The other end portion of the electric wire 40 connected to each terminal 50 is connected to a circuit (not shown) inside the housing 20 or an electrical mounting member (not shown) outside the housing 20.

[0043] As Figure 2 shown, the terminal 50 is a so-called fork terminal in this example, and a pair of cantilever beam-shaped elastic pieces 51 opposed to each other in the width direction are provided at its front end portion (upper end portion). The pair of elastic pieces 51 can be elastically deformed so as to move away from each other in the width direction. The pair of elastic pieces 51 have a pair of convex-shaped portions 52 opposed to each other in the width direction and bent in the direction of approaching each other. Between the pair of convex-shaped portions 52, the corresponding terminal 11 of the fuse 10 is inserted.

[0044] As Figure 3 shown, Figure 4 in (a) of Figure 4 shown and Figure 4 in (b) of Figure 4 shown, a pair of slits 27a penetrating in the front-rear direction are formed at intervals in the width direction at one end portion in the width direction of the front wall 23a of each device mounting portion 23 (refer to Figure 4 in (a)). A locking piece 27 is formed between the pair of slits 27a. The locking piece 27 has a cantilever beam-shaped shape extending upward from the bottom wall 23c and can be elastically deformed in the front-rear direction. When not elastically deformed, the rear end face (the face opposed to the rear wall 23b) of the locking piece 27 is coplanar with the inner wall face of the front wall 23a.

[0045] At the front end portion (upper end portion) of the locking piece 27, as Figure 4As shown in (b) thereof, there is provided a locking projection 28 that projects rearward (rear wall 23b). The locking projection 28 has an inclined surface 28a and a protruding end surface 28b. The protruding end surface 28b is a plane that extends in the width direction and the vertical direction, and the inclined surface 28a is a plane that extends obliquely upward and forward from the upper edge of the protruding end surface 28b. The vertical position of the locking projection 28 is substantially the same as the vertical position of the upper edge portion of the front wall 23a.

[0046] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 in (c) and Figure 4 in (d) thereof, on the inner wall surface of the rear wall 23b of each device mounting portion 23, at positions on both sides in the width direction of the slit 25, a pair of protruding portions 29 are formed so as to project forward (front wall 23a) and extend in the vertical direction. More specifically, each protruding portion 29 is composed of a first protrusion 31 and a second protrusion 32 that is continuous with the lower side of the first protrusion 31. The protruding height of the second protrusion 32 is greater than the protruding height of the first protrusion 31.

[0047] The first protrusion 31 has an inclined surface 31a and a protruding end surface 31b (see Figure 4 (d) thereof). The protruding end surface 31b is a plane that extends in the width direction and the vertical direction, and the inclined surface 31a is a plane that extends obliquely upward and rearward from the upper edge of the protruding end surface 31b and reaches the inner wall surface of the rear wall 23b. The upper end of the first protrusion 31 is lower in the vertical direction than the locking projection 28. The lower end of the second protrusion 32 is continuous with the bottom wall 23c. Above, each device constituting the electrical connection box 1 has been described.

[0048] Next, with reference to Figures 5 to 10 the operation when assembling the fuse 10 into the device mounting portion 23 of the housing 20 will be described. In order to assemble the fuse 10 into the desired device mounting portion 23, as shown in Figure 1 the fuse 10 is pressed downward from above into the device mounting portion 23 in such a manner that the central holding portion 13 and the pair of terminals 11 of the fuse 10 are respectively inserted into the through hole 24 and the pair of slits 25 of the desired device mounting portion 23 from a state where the fuse 10 is disposed above the desired device mounting portion 23. In this process, the upper holding portion 14 of the fuse 10 pushes the locking projection 28 of the locking piece 27 backward, whereby the locking piece 27 is elastically deformed forward. Moreover, the pair of terminals 11 of the fuse 10 push the convex-shaped portions 52 of the pair of elastic pieces 51 of each of the pair of terminals 50 arranged side by side in the front-rear direction outward in the width direction, whereby the pair of elastic pieces 51 of each of the pair of terminals 50 are elastically deformed outward in the width direction.

[0049] Hereinafter, the downward force required to press the fuse 10 downward toward the device mounting portion 23 will be referred to as the "insertion force", and the vertical position of the fuse 10 relative to the device mounting portion 23 when the fuse 10 moves downward relative to the device mounting portion 23 will be referred to as the "insertion position".

[0050] During the process of pressing the fuse 10 downward toward the device mounting portion 23, the insertion force Figure 9 shifts as shown (to the right in the figure). As Figure 9 shown, the insertion force can be represented by the resultant force (refer to the solid line) of the upward sliding frictional force (clamping projection clamping force, refer to the dashed line) that the fuse 10 receives from the clamping projection 28 and the rear wall 23b due to the elastic restoring force of the elastically deformed locking piece 27 and the upward sliding frictional force (terminal fitting force, refer to the single-dot chain line) that the fuse 10 receives from the convex-shaped portions 52 of the pair of elastic pieces 51 due to the elastic restoring force of the convex-shaped portions 52. Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 9 and Figures 5 to 8 the shift of the insertion force (= clamping projection clamping force + terminal fitting force) will be described in detail.

[0051] During the process of pressing the fuse 10 downward toward the device mounting portion 23, first, when the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position a (refer to Figure 9 ), the front and lower corner portion 14a of the upper holding portion 14 of the fuse 10 (refer to Figure 5 (a) of Figure 5 (b) of Figure 5 (c) of

[0052] Next, when the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position b (refer to Figure 9) Then, a pair of terminals 11 of the fuse 10 abut against the inclined portions of the convex-shaped portions 52 of a pair of elastic pieces 51 of a pair of terminals 50, respectively. Thereafter, the terminal 11 pushes back the inclined portions of the pair of convex-shaped portions 52 outward in the width direction, whereby the pair of elastic pieces 51 are elastically deformed outward in the width direction, and the terminal 11 is pressed and clamped by the inward elastic restoring force of the pair of elastic pieces 51 in the width direction against the pair of convex-shaped portions 52. Therefore, the terminal 11 slides while being pressed and clamped in the width direction by the inclined portions of the pair of convex-shaped portions 52. Corresponding to the travel of the insertion position of the fuse 10 from the insertion position b, the amount of elastic deformation (and thus the elastic restoring force) of the pair of elastic pieces 51 gradually increases from zero, whereby the terminal engagement force gradually increases from zero.

[0053] Next, if the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position c (see Figure 9 ), then as shown in (a) of Figure 5 , (b) of Figure 5 , and (c) of Figure 5 , the corner portion 14a of the fuse 10 climbs onto the protruding end face 28b of the locking projection 28 (the position where the corner portion 14a slides moves from the inclined surface 28a of the locking projection 28 to the protruding end face 28b). Thereafter, the fuse 10 slides while being pressed and clamped in the front-rear direction by the protruding end face 28b of the locking projection 28 and the rear wall 23b, and the locking projection engagement force is constantly pushed while maintaining a value reduced by a specified amount. The reason why the locking projection engagement force is reduced by such a specified amount is that: since the position where the corner portion 14a slides moves from the inclined surface 28a of the locking projection 28 to the protruding end face 28b, the upward sliding friction force received by the corner portion 14a from the locking projection 28 is reduced. The reason why the locking projection engagement force remains constant and is pushed after the reduction is that: when the insertion position of the fuse 10 travels from the insertion position c, the amount of elastic deformation (and thus the elastic restoring force) of the locking piece 27 remains constant.

[0054] Next, if the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position d (see Figure 9) Then, the terminal 11 of the fuse 10 climbs onto the top portion of the convex-shaped portion 52 of a pair of elastic pieces 51 (the position where the terminal 11 slides moves from the inclined portion of the pair of convex-shaped portions 52 to the top portion). Thereafter, while being pressed and clamped in the width direction by the top portion of the pair of convex-shaped portions 52, the terminal 11 slides, and the terminal engagement force steadily advances while maintaining a value reduced by a specified amount. The reason why the terminal engagement force is reduced by this specified amount is that: since the position where the terminal 11 slides moves from the inclined portion of the pair of convex-shaped portions 52 to the top portion, the upward sliding friction force that the terminal 11 receives from the pair of convex-shaped portions 52 is reduced. The reason why the terminal engagement force steadily advances while remaining constant after the reduction is that: when the insertion position of the fuse 10 advances from the insertion position d, the amount of elastic deformation (and thus the elastic restoring force) of the pair of elastic pieces 51 remains constant. Thereafter, the terminal engagement force remains constant until the pressing of the fuse 10 into the device mounting portion 23 is completed.

[0055] Next, if the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position e (refer to Figure 9 ), then as shown in (a) of Figure 6 , (b) of Figure 6 , and (c) of Figure 6 , the rear and lower corner portion 14b of the upper holding portion 14 of the fuse 10 abuts against the inclined surface 31a of the first protrusion 31. Thereafter, the inclined surface 31a of the first protrusion 31 presses the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 forward, whereby the locking piece 27 further elastically deforms forward, and the fuse 10 is pressed against the inclined surface 31a of the first protrusion 31 by the backward elastic restoring force of the locking piece 27. Therefore, the fuse 10 slides while being pressed and clamped in the front-rear direction by the protruding end surface 28b of the locking protrusion 28 and the inclined surface 31a of the first protrusion 31. Corresponding to the advancement of the insertion position of the fuse 10 from the insertion position e, the amount of elastic deformation (and thus the elastic restoring force) of the locking piece 27 gradually increases again, whereby the locking protrusion engagement force gradually increases again.

[0056] Next, if the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position f (refer to Figure 9 ), then the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 climbs onto the protruding end surface 31b of the first protrusion 31 (the position where the corner portion 14b slides moves from the inclined surface 31a of the first protrusion 31 to the protruding end surface 31b). Thereafter, the fuse 10 slides while being pressed and clamped in the front-rear direction by the protruding end surface 28b of the locking protrusion 28 and the protruding end surface 31b of the first protrusion 31, and the locking protrusion engagement force steadily advances while remaining constant. The reason why the locking protrusion engagement force steadily advances while remaining constant is that: when the insertion position of the fuse 10 advances from the insertion position f, the amount of elastic deformation (and thus the elastic restoring force) of the locking piece 27 remains constant.

[0057] Next, when the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position g (refer to Figure 9 ), the front and upper corner portion 14c of the upper holding portion 14 of the fuse 10 (refer to Figure 7 (a), Figure 7 (b), Figure 7 (c)) crosses (passes through) the protruding end face 28b of the locking projection 28. Thereafter, as shown in Figure 7 (a), Figure 7 (b), Figure 7 (c), the locking piece 27 completely elastically returns to the zero elastic deformation amount, and the locking force of the locking projection is reduced to zero. Thus, the corner portion 14c of the fuse 10 is locked by the locking projection 28 (refer to Figure 7 (b)), thereby preventing the fuse 10 from falling off upward from the device mounting portion 23. In the state where the locking piece 27 is completely elastically returned (non-elastic deformation state), as shown in Figure 7 (b), there is a gap c1 in the front-rear direction between the front end face of the upper holding portion 14 of the fuse 10 and the inner wall surface of the front wall 23a (and the rear end face of the locking piece 27). Thereafter, the locking force of the locking projection remains zero until the pressing of the fuse 10 into the device mounting portion 23 is completed.

[0058] Next, when the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position h (refer to Figure 9 ), then as shown in Figure 8 (a), Figure 8 (b), Figure 8 (c), the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 abuts against the upper end portion of the second projection 32. Thereafter, the second projection 32 further presses the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 forward, whereby the fuse 10 moves forward while moving downward to narrow the gap c1 by the difference in the protruding heights between the second projection 32 and the first projection 31. Then, when the lower end face of the upper holding portion 14 of the fuse 10 abuts against the inner wall surface of the bottom wall 23c of the device mounting portion 23, the pressing of the fuse 10 into the device mounting portion 23 is completed (i.e., the assembly of the fuse 10 to the device mounting portion 23).

[0059] In the state where the assembly of the fuse 10 to the device mounting portion 23 is completed, the pair of terminals 11 of the fuse 10 are pressed and clamped by the convex-shaped portions 52 of the pair of elastic pieces 51 of the pair of terminals 50 arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. As a result, the pair of terminals 50 are electrically connected via the fuse 10 (the fuse portion). That is, if a current having a magnitude greater than the specified rated current flows between the pair of terminals 50, the fuse portion of the fuse 10 melts to cut off the electrical connection between the pair of terminals 50.

[0060] As described above, by moving the insertion position of the fuse 10 from the insertion position a to the insertion position h, the engaging force of the locking projection and the terminal fitting force are respectively displaced as shown by the dashed line and the dash-dotted line in Figure 9 . As a result, the resultant force of the engaging force of the locking projection and the terminal fitting force, that is, the insertion force, is displaced as shown by the solid line in Figure 9 .

[0061] Here, it should be noted that the timings (insertion positions c and f) of the two peaks (maxima) of the engaging force of the locking projection are different from the timing (insertion position d) of the one peak (maximum) of the terminal fitting force. Thus, in the process from when the fuse 10 starts to contact the locking projection 28 to when the fuse 10 is locked to the locking projection 28 (from the insertion position a to the insertion position g), excessive multiple peaks of the insertion force are suppressed.

[0062] Moreover, after the moment (insertion position d) when the terminal 11 of the fuse 10 climbs onto the top portion of the convex-shaped portion 52 of the pair of elastic pieces 51 (crosses over the convex-shaped portion 52), the moment (insertion position e) when the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 abuts against the inclined surface 31a of the first projection 31 arrives. Therefore, compared with the same situation at the two moments, the peak value of the insertion force at the insertion position d can be made smaller.

[0063] Moreover, after the moment (insertion position g) when the locking piece 27 is fully elastically restored, the moment (insertion position h) when the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 abuts against the upper end portion of the second projection 32 arrives. Therefore, in a state where the elastic restoring force of the locking piece 27 is not applied to the fuse 10, the corner portion 14b climbs onto the second projection 32 (the fuse 10 moves forward), and thus even if the second projection 32 with a large protruding height is provided, an increase in the insertion force can be suppressed. Note that when removing the fuse 10 mounted on the device mounting portion 23, for the same reason, the force required for removal can also be made smaller.

[0064] Moreover, at the moment (insertion position c) when the corner portion 14a of the fuse 10 climbs onto the protruding end surface 28b of the locking projection 28, the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 has not climbed onto the first projection 31 yet. Therefore, compared with a manner in which the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 has climbed onto the first projection 31 at the moment (insertion position c) when the corner portion 14a of the fuse 10 climbs onto the protruding end surface 28b of the locking projection 28, the elastic deformation amount (i.e., the elastic restoring force) of the locking piece 27 at the moment (insertion position c) when the corner portion 14a of the fuse 10 climbs onto the protruding end surface 28b of the locking projection 28 can be made smaller. As a result, the peak value of the engaging force of the locking projection at the insertion position c can be made smaller.

[0065] Moreover, at the moment when the locking piece 27 is fully elastically restored (insertion position g), the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 has climbed onto the first protrusion 31. Therefore, compared with the case where the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 has not climbed onto the first protrusion 31 at the moment when the locking piece 27 is fully elastically restored (insertion position g), the fuse 10 moves forward by the protruding height amount of the first protrusion 31, whereby the engagement amount c2 of the locking protrusion 28 (refer to Figure 10 of (a)) increases. As a result, even if the locking piece 27 is provided only on the front side of the fuse 10, accidental detachment of the fuse 10 from the device mounting portion 23 can be suppressed.

[0066] Moreover, in a state where the assembly of the fuse 10 to the device mounting portion 23 group is completed (a state where the lower end surface of the upper holding portion 14 of the fuse 10 abuts against the inner wall surface of the bottom wall 23c of the device mounting portion 23), the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 climbs onto the second protrusion 32. Therefore, compared with the case where the protrusion portion 29 is constituted only by the first protrusion 31, the fuse 10 moves forward by the difference in the protruding height between the second protrusion 32 and the first protrusion 31. As a result, for example, as shown in Figure 10 of (b), even if the fuse 10 is displaced such as to be tilted within the device mounting portion 23, the engagement amount c3 of the locking protrusion 28 (refer to Figure 10 of (b)) can be sufficiently ensured, and thus accidental detachment of the fuse 10 from the device mounting portion 23 can be suppressed.

[0067] Moreover, as shown in Figure 11 of (a), assume a case where the electrical connection box 1 is arranged horizontally. In this case, since a pair of protective walls 21 are provided on the housing 20 so as to sandwich a plurality of device mounting portions 23, even if water flows in as indicated by the arrow in Figure 11 of (b) for some reason, it is possible to suppress water from entering the inside from the outside of the housing 20 through a pair of slits 27a around the cantilever-shaped locking piece 27 or the like.

[0068] <Function, Effect>

[0069] As described above, in the electrical connection box 1 according to the present embodiment, when the fuse 10 is mounted on the device mounting portion 23 of the housing 20, the fuse 10 moves in such a manner that it sequentially passes through the first position (insertion positions a to c), the second position (insertion positions b to d), the third position (insertion positions e to h), and the fourth position (insertion position g). In the first position (insertion positions a to c), the fuse 10 elastically deforms the locking piece 27 to push the locking piece 27 back. In the second position (insertion positions b to d), the terminal 11 elastically deforms the convex-shaped portions 52 of the pair of elastic pieces 51 of the terminal 50 to push the convex-shaped portions 52 of the pair of elastic pieces 51 of the terminal 50 back. In the third position (insertion positions e to h), the fuse 10 comes into contact with the protrusion 29. In the fourth position (insertion position g), the pushed-back locking piece 27 elastically returns in the direction closer to the fuse 10 and engages with the fuse 10. Thus, by continuously generating the action of pushing back the locking piece 27 with the fuse 10, the action of pushing back the pair of elastic pieces 51 of the terminal 50 with the terminal 11, the action of pressing the fuse 10 against the locking piece 27 by the protrusion 29, and the action of the locking piece 27 engaging with the fuse 10, during the process from when the fuse 10 starts to contact the locking piece 27 to when the fuse 10 is locked with the locking piece 27, multiple excessive peaks of the insertion force are suppressed. Moreover, by providing the locking piece 27 only on one side (front side) that clamps the fuse 10, compared with the case where the locking piece 27 is provided on both sides that clamp the fuse 10, the insertion force itself can be reduced. In addition, by pressing the fuse 10 against the locking piece 27 by the protrusion 29, the degree of engagement by the locking piece 27 (the engagement amount of the locking protrusion 28) increases. Therefore, even if the locking piece 27 is provided only on the above-mentioned one side, accidental detachment of the fuse 10 from the device mounting portion 23 can be suppressed. Thus, the electrical connection box 1 of the present embodiment can suppress both an increase in the insertion force and semi-embedding of the fuse.

[0070] Moreover, the action of pressing the fuse 10 against the locking piece 27 by the protrusion 29 and the action of the terminal 11 pushing back the pair of elastic pieces 51 of the terminal 50 do not occur repeatedly. Therefore, an increase in the peak value of the insertion force when the terminal 11 passes over the pair of convex-shaped portions 52 of the terminal 50 can be further suppressed.

[0071] Further, the protrusion 29 has a second protrusion 32 that protrudes to a greater height than the first protrusion 31 that comes into contact when the fuse 10 is in the above-described third position. Thereby, by using the second protrusion 32 to further increase the degree of engagement by the locking piece 27 (the amount of engagement of the locking protrusion 28), accidental detachment of the fuse 10 can be more strongly suppressed. For example, even if the fuse 10 is misaligned such as being tilted within the device mounting portion 23, detachment of the fuse 10 can be suppressed. Further, by bringing the second protrusion 32 into contact with the fuse 10 after the fuse 10 passes through the fourth position, even if the second protrusion 32 with a large protrusion height is provided, an increase in the insertion force can be suppressed. Note that, for the same reason, when removing the fuse 10 mounted on the device mounting portion 23, the force required for removal can also be made smaller.

[0072] Further, by providing the protective wall 21 extending along the locking piece 27, it is possible to suppress water from entering the interior from the outside of the housing 20 through the slit 27a or the like around the cantilever-shaped locking piece 27.

[0073] <Other embodiments>

[0074] Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. Further, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement position, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as the present disclosure can be implemented, and are not limited.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, the protrusion 29 is composed of the first protrusion 31 and the second protrusion 32 continuous with the lower side of the first protrusion 31. In contrast, the protrusion 29 may be composed only of the first protrusion 31. [1]

[0077] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical connection box (1) includes: a circuit connection device (10); and a main body (20) having a device mounting portion (23) capable of mounting the circuit connection device (10). The circuit connection device (10) has a first terminal (11) extending in an installation direction along which the circuit connection device (10) is mounted on the device mounting portion (23). The device mounting portion (23) of the main body (20) includes: a second terminal (50) that elastically contacts the first terminal (11) and has a convex shape; and a locking portion (27) and a protrusion portion (29) that hold the circuit connection device (10) mounted on the device mounting portion (23) by clamping the circuit connection device (10) in a direction intersecting the installation direction. The locking portion (27) has a convex shape capable of elastically engaging with the circuit connection device (10). The protrusion portion (29) protrudes so as to press the circuit connection device (10) in a direction approaching the locking portion (27). The electrical connection box (1) is configured such that when the circuit connection device (10) is mounted on the device mounting portion (23), the circuit connection device (10) moves through a first position, a second position, a third position, and a fourth position. At the first position, the circuit connection device (10) elastically deforms the locking portion (27) to push the locking portion (27) back. At the second position, the first terminal (11) elastically deforms the second terminal (50) to push the second terminal (50) back. At the third position, the circuit connection device (10) contacts the protrusion portion (29). At the fourth position, the pushed-back locking portion (27) elastically returns in a direction approaching the circuit connection device (10) to engage with the circuit connection device (10).

[0078] According to the electrical connection box of the structure [1], when the circuit connection device (fuse, etc.) is installed in the device installation part (so-called slot) of the body, the circuit connection device moves in a manner of passing through a first position, a second position, a third position and a fourth position. In the first position, the circuit connection device elastically deforms the locking part (spring-shaped locking protrusion, etc.) to push the locking part (spring-shaped locking protrusion, etc.), in the second position, the first terminal (terminal of the fuse, etc.) elastically deforms the second terminal (fork-shaped terminal, etc.) to push the second terminal (fork-shaped terminal, etc.), in the third position, the circuit connection device contacts the protrusion, and in the fourth position, the pushed-back locking part elastically returns to a direction close to the circuit connection device and engages with the circuit connection device. Thus, the actions of pushing the locking part back by the circuit connection device, pushing the second terminal back by the first terminal, pressing the circuit connection device by the protrusion toward the locking part, and engaging the locking part with the circuit connection device are successively performed. Thus, the insertion force is prevented from generating a plurality of large peaks in the process from when the circuit connecting device comes into contact with the locking portion to when it is locked with the locking portion. Therefore, the electrical connection box of this structure can prevent the fuse from being half-fitted compared to the electrical connection box of the above example.

[0079] As a further effect, by clamping the circuit connection device with the locking portion and the protrusion, the elastic force acting on the circuit connection device becomes smaller than in the case where the circuit connection device is clamped with a pair of elastic sheets as in the above-mentioned conventional electrical connection box, so that the insertion force itself can be reduced. In addition, by pressing the circuit connection device toward the locking portion with the protrusion, the degree of engagement by the locking portion (for example, the amount of engagement between the locking protrusion and the circuit connection device) increases, so that the circuit connection device can be prevented from accidentally falling off from the device mounting portion in the same manner or better than in the case where the circuit connection device is clamped with a pair of elastic sheets. [2]

[0081] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrical connection box (1) may be configured such that, after the first terminal (11) of the circuit connection device (10) in the second position pushes back the convex portion (52) of the second terminal (50) and passes over the convex portion (52), the circuit connection device (10) reaches the third position.

[0082] In the electrical connection box having the structure according to [2] above, the action of the convex portion of the first terminal pushing back the convex portion of the second terminal and crossing over the convex portion of the second terminal and the action of the circuit connection device being pressed by the protrusion against the locking portion are not repeatedly generated. Therefore, by making the insertion force required when the first terminal crosses over the convex portion of the second terminal small, the workability of the operation of mounting the circuit connection device to the device mounting portion can be improved. Note that when removing the circuit connection device from the device mounting portion, for the same reason as above, the force required for removal can be made small. [3]

[0084] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, it may also be that: the protrusion portion (29) has a first protrusion (31) and a second protrusion (32) having a protrusion height larger than that of the first protrusion (31), and the first protrusion (31) contacts the circuit connection device (10) when the circuit connection device (10) is in the third position, and the second protrusion (32) contacts the circuit connection device (10) after the time point when the circuit connection device (10) passes through the fourth position.

[0085] In the electrical connection box having the structure according to [3] above, the protrusion portion has a first protrusion that contacts when the circuit connection device is in the third position and a second protrusion having a protrusion height larger than that of the first protrusion. Thereby, by means of the second protrusion, the degree of engagement (for example, the amount of engagement) using the locking portion is further increased, and accidental detachment of the circuit connection device can be more strongly suppressed. Specifically, even if the circuit connection device is misaligned such as being tilted in the device mounting portion, detachment of the circuit connection device can be suppressed. Moreover, since the second protrusion contacts the circuit connection device after the circuit connection device passes through the fourth position (that is, the locking portion and the circuit connection device are completely engaged), even if the second protrusion having a large protrusion height is provided, an increase in the insertion force can be avoided. Note that when removing the circuit connection device from the device mounting portion, for the same reason as above, the force required for removal can also be made small. [4]

[0087] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, it may also be that: the locking portion (27) has a shape of a cantilever beam extending in the mounting direction, and the main body (20) further has a protective wall (21) extending in the mounting direction along the locking portion (27).

[0088] In the electrical connection box having the structure according to [4] above, by providing a protective wall extending along the locking portion, it is possible to effectively suppress water from entering the inside from the outside of the main body through the gaps (slits, etc.) around the cantilever beam-shaped locking portion.

[0089] According to the present disclosure, an electrical connection box capable of suppressing semi-embedding of a fuse can be provided.

Claims

1. An electrical connection box, comprising: A circuit connection device; and A main body having a device mounting portion capable of mounting the circuit connection device; The electrical connection box is characterized in that The circuit connection device has a first terminal extending along the mounting direction for mounting to the device mounting portion, The device mounting portion of the main body has: A second terminal that elastically contacts the first terminal and has a convex shape; and A locking portion and a protrusion portion that hold the circuit connection device mounted to the device mounting portion by clamping in a direction crossing the mounting direction; The locking portion has a convex shape capable of elastically engaging with the circuit connection device, The protrusion portion protrudes in a manner of pressing the circuit connection device toward the locking portion, The electrical connection box is configured such that when the circuit connection device is mounted to the device mounting portion, the circuit connection device moves through a first position, a second position, a third position, and a fourth position. At the first position, the circuit connection device elastically deforms the locking portion to push the locking portion back. At the second position, the first terminal elastically deforms the second terminal to push the second terminal back. At the third position, the circuit connection device contacts the protrusion portion. At the fourth position, the pushed-back locking portion elastically returns toward the circuit connection device to engage with the circuit connection device.

2. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, Characterized in that The electrical connection box is configured such that after the time point when the first terminal of the circuit connection device in the second position pushes back the convex-shaped portion of the second terminal and crosses the convex-shaped portion, the circuit connection device reaches the third position.

3. The electrical connection box according to claim 1 or 2, Characterized in that The protrusion portion has a first protrusion and a second protrusion with a protrusion height greater than that of the first protrusion, The first protrusion contacts the circuit connection device when the circuit connection device is in the third position, The second protrusion contacts the circuit connection device after the time point when the circuit connection device passes through the fourth position.

4. The electrical connection box according to claim 1 or 2, Characterized in that The locking portion has a cantilever beam shape extending in the mounting direction, The main body further has a protective wall extending in the mounting direction along the locking portion.

5. The electrical connection box according to claim 3, Characterized in that The locking portion has a cantilever beam shape extending in the mounting direction, The main body further has a protective wall extending in the mounting direction along the locking portion.

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