Electrical connection box

Abstract

An electrical connection box is provided that can be compacted by accommodating a high-voltage busbar and a low-voltage busbar in a space-saving manner. The electrical connection box is a vehicle electrical connection box, comprising a housing (50) that accommodates a high-voltage busbar (60) for high voltage and a low-voltage busbar (40) for low voltage, wherein the low-voltage busbar (40) is mounted on a top plate (30) of the housing (50), and the high-voltage busbar (60) is mounted on a bottom plate (70) opposite to the top plate (30), and the high-voltage busbar (60) and the low-voltage busbar (40) are arranged to overlap with each other in the vertical direction with a spatial distance therebetween.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle electrical connection box including a housing for accommodating a busbar.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-153778, filed on September 14, 2020, and incorporates by reference all the contents described in the aforementioned Japanese Application. Background Art

[0003] In recent years, with the expansion of vehicle functionality, there has been a growing demand for electrical junction boxes that accommodate both high-voltage busbars for high voltages exceeding 30 V and low-voltage busbars for low voltages below 30 V. When high-voltage and low-voltage busbars are housed together, short circuits or current leakage (so-called leakage) can occur, necessitating appropriate insulation measures.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connection box in which busbars are overlapped. When the overlapping portion is wide, an insulating plate is provided to cover the entire surface of the lower busbar. When the overlapping portion is narrow, a cover-shaped insulating member is provided to partially cover the overlapping portion of the lower busbar, thereby overlapping the busbars in multiple layers in the vertical direction.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-217437 Summary of the Invention

[0008] An electrical connection box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an electrical connection box for a vehicle, comprising a housing that accommodates a high-voltage busbar for high voltage and a low-voltage busbar for low voltage, wherein the low-voltage busbar is mounted on a top plate of the housing, and the high-voltage busbar is mounted on a bottom plate opposite the top plate, and the high-voltage busbar and the low-voltage busbar are arranged to overlap with each other in a vertical direction with a spatial distance therebetween. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrical junction box according to the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view based on line II-II.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view based on line III-III.

[0012] Figure 4This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the electrical junction box according to the second embodiment.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the electrical junction box according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] [Problems to be Solved by the Present Disclosure]

[0015] However, in the electrical connection box of Patent Document 1, the low-voltage busbar and the high-voltage busbar are insulated using an insulating plate and a cover-shaped insulating member. This causes problems such as a complicated structure of the electrical connection box and an increased size of the electrical connection box.

[0016] Therefore, an object is to provide an electrical connection box that can ensure insulation and can be made compact by accommodating a high-voltage busbar and a low-voltage busbar in a space-saving manner.

[0017] [Effects of the Present Disclosure]

[0018] According to the present disclosure, insulation can be ensured, and compactness can be achieved by accommodating the high-voltage busbar and the low-voltage busbar in a space-saving manner.

[0019] [Description of Embodiments of the Invention]

[0020] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by way of example. Furthermore, at least a portion of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0021] (1) An electrical connection box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an electrical connection box for a vehicle, comprising a housing that accommodates a high-voltage busbar for high voltage and a low-voltage busbar for low voltage, wherein the low-voltage busbar is mounted on a top plate of the housing, and the high-voltage busbar is mounted on a bottom plate opposite to the top plate, and the high-voltage busbar and the low-voltage busbar are arranged to overlap with each other in a vertical direction with a spatial distance therebetween.

[0022] In this embodiment, the low-voltage busbar is mounted on the top plate of the housing, and the high-voltage busbar is mounted on the bottom plate. As a result, the high-voltage busbar and the low-voltage busbar are arranged vertically and overlapped with each other, separated by a distance. This ensures insulation and allows the high-voltage busbar and the low-voltage busbar to be accommodated in the housing in a space-saving manner.

[0023] (2) The electrical junction box according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a distance maintaining portion provided in the housing and holding the high-voltage busbar or the low-voltage busbar to maintain the spatial distance.

[0024] In this embodiment, the distance maintaining unit holds the high-voltage busbar or the low-voltage busbar to maintain the spatial distance between the high-voltage busbar and the low-voltage busbar. Therefore, even in the case of external vibration, the high-voltage busbar and the low-voltage busbar can be reliably insulated.

[0025] (3) In the electrical connection box according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the low-voltage busbar is arranged above the high-voltage busbar.

[0026] In this embodiment, the majority of the removable external device carries low-voltage current and is intended for installation on the top plate of the housing. The low-voltage busbar is positioned above the high-voltage busbar. This facilitates the construction of the low-voltage busbar with both ends exposed outward from the top plate for connection to the external device, making the low-voltage busbar more compact.

[0027] (4) In the electrical connection box according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the distance maintaining portion is provided on the top plate of the housing and holds the high-voltage busbar.

[0028] In this embodiment, the distance maintaining portion is provided on the top plate and holds the high-voltage busbar to maintain the spatial distance between the high-voltage busbar and the low-voltage busbar. Therefore, even in the event of external vibration, the high-voltage busbar and the low-voltage busbar can be reliably insulated.

[0029] [Details of Embodiments of the Invention]

[0030] Hereinafter, an electrical junction box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the examples shown, but is disclosed by the claims and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0031] (Implementation 1)

[0032] Hereinafter, an electrical junction box for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrical junction box 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0034] The electrical connection box 100 houses an electrical circuit that supplies electric power from a power source to various loads in the vehicle. The electrical connection box 100 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 50 made of an insulating material such as resin.

[0035] Four recessed engagement portions 11 for engaging with external devices such as an ECU are provided on the top plate 30 of the housing 50. Each engagement portion 11 is rectangular in cross-section and is recessed into the outer side of the top plate 30. The engagement portions 11 are integrally formed with the housing 50 (top plate 30).

[0036] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view based on line II-II, Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view based on line III-III.

[0037] The four engaging portions 11 are formed to be spaced apart from each other. More specifically, the four engaging portions 11 are formed so as to form a rectangular shape when the centers of the respective engaging portions 11 are connected. The four engaging portions 11 have the same shape, and only one engaging portion 11 will be described below.

[0038] The bottom 12 of the engagement portion 11 has a through hole 13 formed therein. The through hole 13 has a cross-sectional shape that conforms to the end 42 of a low-voltage busbar 40 described later. The end 42 of the low-voltage busbar 40 protrudes into the engagement portion 11 through the through hole 13.

[0039] The housing 50 houses a high-voltage busbar 60 for high voltages exceeding 30V and a low-voltage busbar 40 for low voltages below 30V. For example, high-voltage current of 400V-500V flows through the high-voltage busbar 60 to loads such as air conditioners, while low-voltage current of 5V-12V flows through the low-voltage busbar 40 to loads such as relays and lights. The low-voltage busbar 40 and the high-voltage busbar 60 are spaced apart from each other, with the low-voltage busbar 40 positioned above the high-voltage busbar 60. The electrical junction box 100 of Embodiment 1, for example, includes one high-voltage busbar 60 and two low-voltage busbars 40.

[0040] The low-voltage busbar 40 is made of a rectangular conductive metal plate bent into a U-shape. Specifically, the low-voltage busbar 40 has a flat portion 41 and two end portions 42 that rise vertically from both ends of the flat portion 41. A through-hole 43 is formed in the center of the flat portion 41.

[0041] On the other hand, a base 20 is provided on the inner side of the top plate 30 between the engaging portions 11. The base 20 is used to mount the low-voltage busbar 40. The base 20 has a quadrangular prism shape and extends downward from the top plate 30. A threaded hole 90 is formed on the lower end surface of the base 20.

[0042] Bolts 80 are inserted through through-holes 43 of the low-voltage busbar 40 and screwed into threaded holes 90 of the base 20. Thus, the low-voltage busbar 40 is attached to the base 20 with its flat portion 41 parallel to the top plate 30. At this point, the two ends 42 of the low-voltage busbar 40 are inserted through the corresponding through-holes 13 of the engaging portion 11 from the inside of the housing 50, protruding inwardly from the engaging portion 11.

[0043] That is, Figure 3 As shown, the two ends 42 of one of the two low-voltage busbars 40 protrude into the interior of the corresponding engaging portion 11 through the through-holes 13 of the pair of engaging portions 11. Furthermore, the two ends 42 of the other low-voltage busbar 40 protrude into the interior of the corresponding engaging portion 11 through the through-holes 13 of the other pair of engaging portions 11. The two low-voltage busbars 40 are arranged side by side with their main surfaces aligned.

[0044] The high-voltage busbar 60 is made of a rectangular conductive metal plate. It has a flat center portion 61; two upright portions 62 extending perpendicularly from each end of the center portion 61; and two flat end portions 63, each formed by bending the ends of the upright portions 62 outward and extending parallel to the center portion 61. A through-hole (not shown) is formed in the center of each flat end portion 63.

[0045] On the inner side of the bottom plate 70 opposite to the top plate 30, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, two bases 71 for mounting the high voltage busbar 60 are protruding below the engaging portion 11. The bases 71 have a quadrangular prism shape and extend upward from the bottom plate 70. Threaded holes (not shown) are formed on the upper end surfaces of the bases 71.

[0046] Bolts 80 are inserted through the through holes of the flat ends 63 of the high-voltage busbar 60 and screwed into the threaded holes of the base 71 corresponding to the flat ends 63. Thus, the high-voltage busbar 60 is attached to the base 71 with the center portion 61 parallel to the bottom plate 70.

[0047] At this time, the high-voltage busbar 60 is arranged directly below the two low-voltage busbars 40. That is, the high-voltage busbar 60 is arranged to overlap the two low-voltage busbars 40 in the vertical direction. Moreover, the high-voltage busbar 60 is arranged to be spaced apart from each low-voltage busbar 40 in the vertical direction.

[0048] As described above, in the electrical junction box 100 of the first embodiment, the low-voltage busbars 40 are attached to the top plate 30, and the high-voltage busbars 60 are attached to the bottom plate 70. Therefore, the low-voltage busbars 40 and the high-voltage busbars 60 are housed in the housing 50 in a stacked arrangement. This allows the low-voltage busbars 40 and the high-voltage busbars 60 to be housed in the housing 50 in a space-saving manner, making the electrical junction box 100 more compact.

[0049] Furthermore, since the high-voltage busbar 60 and the low-voltage busbar 40 are separated by a spatial distance in the vertical direction, not only the creepage distance but also the spatial distance can be ensured, and the high-voltage busbar 60 can be reliably insulated from the low-voltage busbar 40 .

[0050] In general vehicles, parts or devices that can be replaced during maintenance are placed in a position that can be visually identified from the top to improve the convenience of replacement work. In addition, for the sake of safety, most of the parts or devices that can be replaced are structures that flow low-voltage current.

[0051] In the electrical junction box 100 of the first embodiment, as described above, the top plate 30 of the housing 50 is formed with the engaging portion 11 for engaging with a replaceable external device. Furthermore, the end 42 of the low-voltage busbar 40 protrudes into the interior of the engaging portion 11 through the through-hole 13 of the engaging portion 11.

[0052] In response to this, in the electrical junction box 100 of the first embodiment, the low-voltage busbar 40 is positioned above the high-voltage busbar 60 and close to the engagement portion 11. This facilitates assembly of the electrical junction box 100 and enables the low-voltage busbar 40 to be made more compact.

[0053] (Implementation Method 2)

[0054] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the electrical junction box 100 according to the second embodiment. Figure 4 Corresponding to Implementation 1 Figure 2 , Figure 5 Corresponding to Implementation 1 Figure 3 .

[0055] The electrical junction box 100 of the second embodiment includes a housing 50 similar to the first embodiment, and four engaging portions 11 are formed on the top plate 30 of the housing 50. The four engaging portions 11 have the same shape, and only one engaging portion 11 will be described below.

[0056] The engaging portion 11 has a concave rectangular shape in a transverse cross-section and is recessed on the outer side of the top plate 30. A through hole 13 is formed in the bottom 12 of the engaging portion 11, and the end 42 of the low-voltage busbar 40 protrudes into the inner side of the engaging portion 11 through the through hole 13.

[0057] The housing 50 accommodates the low-voltage busbar 40 and the high-voltage busbar 60 . The low-voltage busbar 40 and the high-voltage busbar 60 are vertically spaced apart from each other, and the low-voltage busbar 40 is positioned above the high-voltage busbar 60 .

[0058] The low-voltage busbar 40 is formed of a rectangular conductive metal plate and has a flat portion 41 and two end portions 42 vertically rising from both ends of the flat portion 41. A through hole 43 is formed in the center of the flat portion 41.

[0059] On the inner side surface of the top plate 30 , a base 20 having a quadrangular prism shape is provided protrudingly between the engaging portions 11 , and a screw hole 90 is formed on the lower end surface of the base 20 .

[0060] The bolts 80 are inserted through the through holes 43 of the low voltage busbar 40 and screwed into the threaded holes 90 of the base 20 , thereby attaching the low voltage busbar 40 to the base 20 .

[0061] like Figure 5 As shown, the two ends 42 of one of the two low-voltage busbars 40 protrude into the inner sides of the corresponding engaging portions 11 through the through-holes 13 of the pair of engaging portions 11. Furthermore, the two ends 42 of the other low-voltage busbar 40 protrude into the inner sides of the corresponding engaging portions 11 through the through-holes 13 of the other pair of engaging portions 11. The two low-voltage busbars 40 are arranged side by side with their main surfaces aligned.

[0062] The high-voltage busbar 60 is made of a rectangular conductive metal plate. It has a flat center portion 61; two upright portions 62 extending perpendicularly from each end of the center portion 61; and two flat end portions 63, each formed by bending the ends of the upright portions 62 outward and extending parallel to the center portion 61. A through-hole (not shown) is formed in the center of each flat end portion 63.

[0063] On the inner side of the bottom plate 70, as shown Figure 4 As shown, two bases 71 for mounting the high-voltage busbar 60 are protrudingly provided below the engaging portion 11 , and threaded holes (not shown) are formed on the upper end surfaces of the bases 71 .

[0064] Bolts 80 are inserted through the through holes of the flat ends 63 of the high-voltage busbar 60 and screwed into the threaded holes of the base 71 corresponding to the flat ends 63. Thus, the high-voltage busbar 60 is attached to the base 71 with the center portion 61 parallel to the bottom plate 70.

[0065] At this time, the high-voltage busbar 60 is vertically spaced apart from the low-voltage busbar 40. Furthermore, the high-voltage busbar 60 is positioned directly below the two low-voltage busbars 40 associated with the pair of engaging portions 11 and the other pair of engaging portions 11, with the two low-voltage busbars 40 overlapping the high-voltage busbar 60 in the vertical direction.

[0066] Furthermore, in the electrical junction box 100 of the second embodiment, a distance maintaining portion 14 is protrudingly provided on the inner side surface of the top plate 30 between the pair of engaging portions 11 and the other pair of engaging portions 11 (see FIG. Figure 5 ), the distance maintaining portion 14 maintains the distance between the high-voltage busbar 60 and the low-voltage busbar 40. The distance maintaining portion 14 has a rectangular plate shape and extends between the two low-voltage busbars 40 to the high-voltage busbar 60. The lower end of the distance maintaining portion 14 abuts against the center portion 61 of the high-voltage busbar 60, thereby holding the high-voltage busbar 60.

[0067] As described above, in the electrical junction box 100 of the second embodiment, the low-voltage busbars 40 and the high-voltage busbars 60 are housed in the housing 50 in a stacked state. This allows the low-voltage busbars 40 and the high-voltage busbars 60 to be housed in the housing 50 in a space-saving manner, making the housing 50 more compact.

[0068] Furthermore, since the high-voltage busbar 60 and the low-voltage busbar 40 are vertically spaced apart, not only creepage distance but also space distance can be ensured, and the low-voltage busbar 40 can be reliably insulated from the high-voltage busbar 60 .

[0069] In addition, the distance maintaining portion 14 supports and holds the high-voltage busbar 60 from the top plate 30 side, so even if the high-voltage busbar 60 swings due to external vibration, the high-voltage busbar 60 can be prevented from approaching the low-voltage busbar 40 and shortening the spatial distance.

[0070] Furthermore, the distance maintaining portion 14 is provided between the two low-voltage busbars 40 , so that the housing 50 can be made compact.

[0071] Furthermore, regarding the high-voltage busbar 60, the two flat end portions 63 are attached to the bottom plate 70 via the base 71, and the central portion 61 is supported from the top plate 30 side by the distance maintaining portion 14. The base 71 and the distance maintaining portion 14 jointly support the high-voltage busbar 60 from opposite directions. Thus, even if the bolts 80 fall out of the threaded holes of the base 71 for some reason, the high-voltage busbar 60 can be prevented from approaching the low-voltage busbar 40 and shortening the spatial distance therebetween.

[0072] The above description takes the case where the distance maintaining unit 14 holds the high-voltage busbar 60 as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the distance maintaining unit 14 may be configured to hold the low-voltage busbar 40 .

[0073] The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0074] The technical features (structural requirements) described in Embodiments 1 and 2 can be combined with each other, and new technical features can be formed by the combination.

[0075] The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the foregoing, and is intended to encompass all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0076] Description of labels

[0077] 11. Engagement

[0078] 12 bottom

[0079] 13 through holes

[0080] 14 Distance Maintenance Department

[0081] 20 base

[0082] 30 Top Plate

[0083] 40 low voltage busbar

[0084] 41 flat part

[0085] 42 end

[0086] 43 through holes

[0087] 50 shell

[0088] 60 high voltage busbar

[0089] 61 Central Department

[0090] 62 upright part

[0091] 63 flat end

[0092] 70 base plate

[0093] 71 base

[0094] 100 Electrical connection box

[0095] 80 bolts

[0096] 90 threaded holes.

Claims

1. An electrical connection box for a vehicle, comprising a housing for accommodating a high-voltage busbar for high voltage and a low-voltage busbar for low voltage, wherein: The low voltage busbar is mounted on the top plate of the housing. The high voltage busbar is installed on the bottom plate opposite to the top plate, The high-voltage busbar and the low-voltage busbar are arranged to overlap with each other with a space distance therebetween in the vertical direction. The electrical connection box includes a distance maintaining portion provided on the top plate of the housing and configured to hold the high-voltage busbar to maintain the spatial distance.

2. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, wherein The low-voltage busbar is arranged above the high-voltage busbar.

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