Electrical junction box

Abstract

An electrical junction box is configured to accommodate electrical or electronic components. The electrical junction box includes a housing having a receiving recess, a casing configured to hold the electrical or electronic component therein and attached to the receiving recess, and a cable configured to be routed into the receiving recess. The casing includes a path-limiting wall configured to limit the routing direction of the cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The presently disclosed subject matter relates to electrical junction boxes. Background Art

[0002] For example, a battery pack mounted on a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle is provided with an electrical connection box, and a power cable is routed from the electrical connection box to a power source destination such as an inverter or auxiliary devices (see, for example, JP2006-44443A).

[0003] When vibrations are applied to an electrical junction box mounted on a vehicle during driving, the cables introduced through the lead-in portion of the housing may come into contact with surrounding electrical and electronic components, such as busbars or fuses, due to the vibrations and potentially be damaged. In particular, due to the space savings associated with miniaturization of electrical junction boxes, the space for routing the cables is also narrow, so the cables are likely to come into contact with surrounding components.

[0004] For example, when electric wires such as power lines on the battery pack side are fastened to the fastening portion of the busbar in the electrical junction box, care must be taken to prevent cables having passed through a narrow space from being caught in the fastening position, and wiring work becomes complicated. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Illustrative aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter provide an electrical junction box that is excellent in wiring workability, in which cables introduced into the interior of the electrical junction box can be wired without difficulty while achieving size reduction.

[0006] According to an exemplary aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, an electrical junction box is configured to accommodate electrical or electronic components. The electrical junction box includes: a housing having a receiving recess; a casing configured to retain the electrical or electronic component therein and configured to be attached to the receiving recess; and a cable configured to be introduced into the receiving recess. The casing includes a path-limiting wall configured to limit the routing direction of the cable.

[0007] The subject matter of the present disclosure has been briefly described above. By reading the following description of a mode for carrying out the subject matter of the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) with reference to the accompanying drawings, the details of the subject matter of the present disclosure will be further clarified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1A and Figure 1B An electrical junction box according to this embodiment is shown, wherein Figure 1A is a perspective view showing the electrical junction box viewed from the attachment side to the battery pack, and Figure 1B is a perspective view showing the electrical junction box viewed from the side opposite to the attachment side toward the battery pack;

[0009] Figure 2is a perspective view of a housing and wiring unit forming an electrical junction box;

[0010] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the wiring unit;

[0011] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an upper portion of a housing provided with a path limiting wall;

[0012] Figure 5 is a front view of a portion of a cable lead-in portion of the electrical junction box viewed from the attachment side toward the battery pack; and

[0013] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Examples of embodiments according to the presently disclosed subject matter will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1A and Figure 1B An electrical junction box according to this embodiment is shown, wherein Figure 1A is a perspective view showing the electrical junction box viewed from the attachment side to the battery pack, and Figure 1B is a perspective view showing the electrical junction box viewed from the side opposite to the attachment side toward the battery pack. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the housing and wiring unit that form an electrical junction box.

[0015] like Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 2 As shown in FIG, an electrical junction box 10 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 11 and a wiring unit 12. The electrical junction box 10 is assembled to, for example, a battery pack mounted on a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.

[0016] The housing 11 forming the electrical junction box 10 is molded from, for example, aluminum or aluminum alloy, and has an accommodation recess 22 opened at an opening 21 on one side. The wiring unit 12 is assembled to the housing 11 while being accommodated in the accommodation recess 22 of the housing 11.

[0017] The electrical junction box 10 is assembled to the battery pack by screwing bolts inserted into bolt insertion holes (not shown) formed in the outer casing 11 into screw holes in the battery pack and tightening the bolts. In addition, when the electrical junction box 10 is assembled to the battery pack, the space between the battery pack and the outer casing 11 is sealed by a packing (not shown) attached to the edge portion of the opening 21 of the outer casing 11.

[0018] At a side portion at the center of the housing 11 in the longitudinal direction, the housing 11 is provided with a signal line connector 40. To the signal line connector 40, for example, a connector of a wire harness including signal lines extending from a control unit (ECU) is connected.

[0019] The signal line connector 40 includes a connector housing 41 in which terminals (not shown) are accommodated, and the connector housing 41 is fastened and fixed to a side portion of the housing 11. The signal line connector 40 includes a signal cable 42 connected to the terminals provided within the connector housing 41, and the signal cable 42 is introduced into the housing 11.

[0020] The housing 11 includes a cable introduction portion 15 at its upper portion, and a cable introduction member 50 is attached to the cable introduction portion 15. In the cable introduction portion 15, cables 51, 52 are held by the cable introduction member 50, and these cables 51, 52 are introduced into the accommodating recess 22 of the housing 11 via the cable introduction member 50. For example, one of the cables 51, 52 is a power cord, and the other is an interlocking wire. These cables 51, 52 are pulled out from the cable introduction member 50 and bundled, and are connected to a connector for a seat heater (not shown) as a wire harness 53 for the seat heater. The seat heater is an auxiliary device. The cables 51, 52 introduced into the accommodating recess 22 of the housing 11 are connected to the power supply part of the battery pack and the interlocking short terminal.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the wiring unit. Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the wiring unit 12 includes a housing 60. The housing 60 is molded from an insulating synthetic resin. A positive electrode bus bar 61 and a negative electrode bus bar 62 are assembled to the housing 60. For example, a power line of a wire harness extending from an inverter is connected to the positive electrode bus bar 61 and the negative electrode bus bar 62.

[0022] Electric and electronic components such as ferrite or fuse are assembled into accommodation space 60a within case 60. In addition, the opening side of case 60 to which positive electrode bus bar 61, negative electrode bus bar 62, ferrite and fuse are assembled is covered with a cover (not shown).

[0023] The housing 60 of the wiring unit 12 is assembled from the opening 21 and accommodated in the accommodation recess 22 of the housing 11 , and is fixed in this accommodated state with, for example, bolts.

[0024] The positive electrode bus bar 61 and the negative electrode bus bar 62 include fastening portions 73 and 74 at their end portions, and studs 73a and 74a are erected at the fastening portions 73 and 74. The case 60 has engaging grooves 85 and 86. When the positive electrode bus bar 61 and the negative electrode bus bar 62 are assembled into the case 60, the fastening portions 73 and 74 engage with the engaging grooves 85 and 86.

[0025] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the upper portion of the housing provided with the path-limiting wall. Figure 5It is a front view of a portion of a cable lead-in portion of the electrical junction box viewed from the attachment side toward the battery pack. Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

[0026] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown in FIG, the housing 60 forming the wiring unit 12 includes a path restricting wall 90. The path restricting wall 90 is formed integrally with an upper portion of the housing 60.

[0027] A path-restricting wall 90 is provided near the inner side surface of the housing 11 below the cable lead-in portion 15 to which the cable lead-in 50 in the housing 11 is attached and to which the cables 51, 52 are introduced. Furthermore, the path-restricting wall 90 is provided on the back side, which is a rear position with respect to the fastening portions 73, 74 of the positive electrode bus bar 61 and the negative electrode bus bar 62 that engage with the engaging grooves 85, 86 of the case 60.

[0028] The rear surface of the path restriction wall 90 is a guide surface 91. The guide surface 91 is an inclined surface that gradually slopes toward the front of the housing 60 in the transverse direction.

[0029] The cables 51 and 52 introduced into the accommodating recess 22 from the cable lead-in portion 15 of the housing 11 are restricted in their routing direction by a path-restricting wall 90 formed integrally with the housing 60. Specifically, the routing direction of the cables 51 and 52 is gradually guided laterally toward the front of the housing 60 by the guide surface 91 of the path-restricting wall 90. Accordingly, the cables 51 and 52 are guided in a direction away from the fastening portions 73 and 74 of the positive electrode bus bar 61 and the negative electrode bus bar 62, which are provided in front of the cable lead-in portion 15.

[0030] To assemble the electrical junction box 10 having the above-described structure, the housing 60 of the wiring unit 12 is accommodated in the accommodation recess 22 of the housing 11 and fastened to the housing 11 with bolts. Accordingly, the wiring unit 12 is fixed in a state of being accommodated in the accommodation recess 22 of the housing 11. Accordingly, the electrical junction box 10 in which the wiring unit 12 is assembled is implemented in the accommodation recess 22 of the housing 11.

[0031] As described above, when housing 60 of wiring unit 12 is assembled into accommodating recess 22 of outer casing 11, cables 51 and 52 introduced into accommodating recess 22 from cable lead-in portion 15 of outer casing 11 are laterally pushed by path-restricting wall 90, which is integrally formed with housing 60. Furthermore, cables 51 and 52 are gradually guided laterally along guide surface 91 of path-restricting wall 90. Path-restricting wall 90 of housing 60 is positioned so that its upper edge is close to the inner surface of outer casing 11. Therefore, cables 51 and 52 are not routed through the space between path-restricting wall 90 and the inner surface of outer casing 11 to the front of fastening portions 73 and 74 where positive and negative electrode bus bars 61 and 62 are located.

[0032] In order to assemble the electrical junction box 10 assembled in this manner to the battery pack, the connectors or terminals (not shown) provided at the end portions of the signal cable 42 and the cables 51, 52 are connected to the connectors or terminals on the battery pack side. In addition, the terminals of the power cables on the battery pack side are fastened to the fastening portions 73, 74 of the positive electrode busbar 61 and the negative electrode busbar 62 with nuts. At this time, the cables 51, 52 introduced into the housing 11 from the cable lead-in portion 15 are routed at a position away from the fastening portions 73, 74 of the positive electrode busbar 61 and the negative electrode busbar 62. Therefore, when the terminals of the power cables on the battery pack side are fastened to the fastening portions 73, 74 with nuts, the cables 51, 52 are not clamped in the fastening position. That is, it is not necessary to perform the fastening operation while taking care to prevent the cables 51, 52 from being clamped.

[0033] The electrical junction box 10 is assembled to the battery pack in a packaged and sealed state by fastening the outer casing 11 to the battery pack with bolts after wiring with the battery pack.

[0034] As described above, according to the electrical junction box 10 in this embodiment, the housing 60 of the wiring unit 12 assembled into the accommodating recess 22 of the housing 11 includes the path restricting wall 90 that restricts the routing direction of the cables 51, 52 introduced into the accommodating recess 22 of the housing 11. Therefore, the cables 51, 52 introduced into the accommodating recess 22 of the housing 11 can be routed along a predetermined path by restricting the routing direction in a narrow space.

[0035] Accordingly, interference between the introduced cables 51, 52 and the electrical and electronic components, etc., can be prevented while achieving size reduction. For example, when the wires are fastened and connected to the fastening portions 73, 74 of the positive electrode bus bar 61 and the negative electrode bus bar 62, the cables 51, 52 introduced into the housing recess 22 of the outer case 11 can be prevented from being caught in the fastening position. Accordingly, internal wiring workability can be improved.

[0036] Since the path limiting wall 90 has a guide surface 91 that guides the cables 51, 52 to the set wiring path, the cables 51, 52 introduced into the accommodating recess 22 of the housing 11 can be guided by the guide surface 91 of the path limiting wall 90 and can be routed along the predetermined wiring path without difficulty.

[0037] According to the electrical junction box 10 , the cables 51 , 52 and the like routed in the housing 11 can be smoothly routed to the battery pack side and assembled to the battery pack without difficulty.

[0038] Although the subject matter of the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, the scope of the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the subject matter of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0039] According to aspects of the above-described embodiment, an electrical junction box (10) is configured so that electrical or electronic components (e.g., a positive electrode bus bar 61, a negative electrode bus bar 62, a ferrite, and a fuse) are mounted thereon. The electrical junction box (10) includes a housing (11) having a housing recess (22), a case (60), and cables (51, 52). The case (60) is configured so that the electrical or electronic components (the positive electrode bus bar 61, the negative electrode bus bar 62, the ferrite, and the fuse) are held therein and are configured to be attached to the housing recess (22). The cables (51, 52) are configured to be introduced into the housing recess (22). The case (60) includes a path limiting wall (90) configured to limit the routing direction of the cables (51, 52).

[0040] According to the electrical junction box having the above configuration, the housing assembled into the housing's accommodating recess includes a path-limiting wall that restricts the routing direction of the cables introduced into the housing's accommodating recess. Consequently, the cables introduced into the housing's accommodating recess can be routed along a predetermined path by restricting their routing direction within a narrow space. Consequently, interference between the introduced cables and electrical and electronic components, etc., can be prevented while achieving size reduction. For example, when the wires are fastened to the fastening portion of the busbar, the cables introduced into the housing's accommodating recess can be prevented from being clamped in the fastening position. Consequently, internal wiring workability can be improved.

[0041] The path limiting wall (90) may have a guide surface (91) configured to guide the cables (51, 52) along a predetermined routing path.

[0042] With this configuration, the cable introduced into the accommodating recess of the housing can be guided by the guide surface of the path restricting wall and can be routed along a predetermined routing path without difficulty.

[0043] The housing (11) may be configured so that the open side of the accommodating recess (22) is attached to the battery pack, and the cables (51, 52) may be configured so as to be routed to the battery pack.

[0044] With this configuration, the cables wired in the housing can be smoothly routed to the battery pack side and assembled to the battery pack without difficulty.

Claims

1. An electrical junction box configured to allow electrical or electronic components to be mounted thereon, the electrical junction box comprising: a housing having a receiving recess; a housing configured such that the electric or electronic component is held therein and configured to be attached in the receiving recess; as well as a cable configured to be introduced into the accommodating recess, wherein the housing includes a path limiting wall configured to limit a routing direction of the cable, a rear surface of the path limiting wall being a guide surface, The guide surface is an inclined surface that gradually inclines laterally toward the front of the housing, and the cable is gradually guided laterally along the guide surface of the path-limiting wall.

2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, The path restricting wall has a guide surface configured to guide the cable along a predetermined routing path.

3. The electrical junction box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing is configured so that the opening side of the accommodating recess is attached to the battery pack, and The cable is configured to be routed to the battery pack.

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