wire harness

Abstract

The purpose of the present application is to provide a wire harness capable of reliably housing and fixing a connector in an electrical junction box. A frame of the wire harness (WH) has a partition wall (31). The partition wall (31) has a locking portion (33) that locks the connector (10) housed in a partition space portion (3aa) from an opening portion (3b) on a lower side. The locking portion (33) is located on a lower side than an electronic component block (6) in a state where the electronic component block (6) is fixed to the frame (3) by a fixing portion (32), and the locking portion (33) is separated from the electronic component block (6) in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to an insertion direction (first height direction Z1) of the electronic component block (6) when the frame (3) is viewed from the opening portion (3b) on the lower side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to wire harnesses. Background Technology

[0002] In an electrical junction box, electronic components (circuit protection components such as fuses and circuit breakers, relays, etc.) are housed within a casing. These electronic components are electrically connected to other electronic components and wires via a relay busbar within the casing. Such electrical junction boxes, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, prevent water and other foreign matter from entering the connectors by housing them within the cover of the junction box.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-7370

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-39044 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, when accommodating and fixing the connector inside the electrical junction box, it is necessary to consider interference with the wire harness, electronic components, relay blocks, etc., that are housed with the connector when setting the fixing position.

[0009] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a wire harness capable of reliably accommodating and securing a connector within an electrical junction box.

[0010] Technical means for solving problems

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the wiring harness of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a wire having conductivity; and an electrical junction box connected to the wire, the electrical junction box comprising: a frame formed as a cylinder with openings on an upper side and a lower side when installed, and having an internal receiving space for accommodating electronic components; an upper cover that closes the upper opening of the frame; and a lower cover that closes the lower opening of the frame, the frame having: at least one partition wall that divides the receiving space according to each electronic component block capable of assembling the electronic components. The electronic component block is secured to the partition space divided by the partition wall from the opening on the lower side. The partition wall has a locking part that locks the connector that is received from the opening on the lower side into the partition space and electrically connects the multiple wires to each other. When the electronic component block is secured to the frame by the fixing part, the locking part is located on the lower side of the electronic component block, and when the frame is viewed from the opening on the lower side, the locking part is separated from the electronic component block in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the electronic component block.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] The wire harness of the present invention has the following effect: it can reliably accommodate and fix the connector in the electrical junction box. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the general structure of the wire harness involved in the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 It is shown schematically. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the locking structure of the connector inside the electrical junction box.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a perspective view schematically showing the locking portion of a connector installed on the partition wall of an electrical junction box.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic plan view showing the locking portion of a connector installed on the partition wall of an electrical junction box.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a connector housed in an electrical junction box.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating other configuration examples of connectors housed in an electrical junction box.

[0020] Symbol Explanation

[0021] 1 Electrical junction box

[0022] 2. Shell

[0023] 3 Framework

[0024] 3a Accommodation Space

[0025] 3b Opening

[0026] 3c opening

[0027] 6 Electronic Component Blocks

[0028] 10 and 20 connectors

[0029] 10a Stuck part

[0030] 30 Frame sidewalls

[0031] 31. Partition wall

[0032] 31a Partition wall

[0033] 31b recess

[0034] 32 Fixing part

[0035] 33. Locking part

[0036] 33a Locking protrusion

[0037] 33b locking rib

[0038] 100 Electronic Components

[0039] W wire

[0040] W1 Main Line

[0041] W2 branch line

[0042] W3 sub-harness

[0043] WT wire harness

[0044] WH wiring harness Detailed Implementation

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below. Furthermore, the constituent elements of the following embodiments include elements that can be easily substituted by those skilled in the art, or elements that are substantially the same. Additionally, the constituent elements of the following embodiments can be omitted, substituted, or modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0046] [Implementation Method]

[0047] The wiring harness WH and electrical junction box 1 involved in the implementation method will be described. Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the general structure of the wire harness involved in the embodiment. Figure 2 It is shown schematically. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the locking structure of the connector inside the electrical junction box.

[0048] Figure 3 This is a perspective view schematically showing the locking portion of a connector installed on the partition wall of an electrical junction box. Figure 4 This is a schematic plan view showing the locking portion of a connector installed on the partition wall of an electrical junction box. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of connectors housed in an electrical junction box. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating other configuration examples of connectors housed in an electrical junction box. Furthermore, Figure 2 The branch line W2 and sub-wire harness W3 assembled on the connector 10 and connector 20 are omitted.

[0049] For ease of explanation, the X direction in the illustrations represents the first width direction of the electrical junction box in this embodiment. For ease of explanation, the Y direction in the illustrations represents the second width direction of the electrical junction box in this embodiment, and is orthogonal to the first width direction. For ease of explanation, the Z direction in the illustrations represents the height direction of the electrical junction box in this embodiment, and is orthogonal to both the first and second width directions. Specifically, the Z1 direction within the Z direction is designated as the first height direction, and the Z2 direction as the second height direction. Furthermore, the aforementioned directions are respectively denoted as "first width direction X", "second width direction Y", "height direction Z", "first height direction Z1", and "second height direction Z2".

[0050] Furthermore, for ease of understanding of the explanations of each section, Figures 1-6 The electrical junction box 1 is shown upside down in the diagram. In its actual vehicle-mounted configuration, the upper cover 4 of the electrical junction box 1 is positioned vertically upwards on the Z1 side, and the lower cover 5 is positioned vertically downwards on the Z2 side. Furthermore, the first width direction X corresponds to the short side of the housing (described later), and the second width direction Y corresponds to the long side of the housing. Unless otherwise specified, all directions used in the following description refer to the orientation of the electrical junction box after its components have been assembled and it has been mounted in a vehicle.

[0051] In this embodiment, the wiring harness WH, for example, is used for connecting various devices mounted in a vehicle. Multiple wires W used for power supply and signal communication are bundled together as a unit, and connectors (not shown) are used to connect the multiple wires W to each device. Figure 1 As shown, the wiring harness WH includes: a wiring harness WT comprising a main line W1 and branch lines W2 branching from the main line W1; and an electrical junction box 1 connected to the wiring harness WT. The wires W of the wiring harness WH also pass through a connection terminal P located at the end (see reference). Figure 2 It is electrically connected to the electrical junction box 1. Furthermore, the wiring harness WH can also be configured to include cable loops, protectors, fasteners, etc. (not shown).

[0052] The trunk line W1 is constructed by bundling together multiple wires W. Each wire W is configured, for example, to include a conductive conductor (core wire) and an insulating sheath covering the outside of the conductor. The core wire can be a stranded wire made of multiple metal wires twisted together, or it can be a single metal wire.

[0053] Branch lines W2 have connecting terminals P at the ends of each wire W. Connecting terminals P are metal fittings located at the ends of wires W, formed of a conductive metal material. Connecting terminals P are so-called female terminals, for example, inserted into and held in connectors 20, electronic component blocks 6, etc., as described later.

[0054] Connector 20 electrically connects multiple wires W to each other by engaging with connector 10 (described later). Figure 2 As shown, the connector 20 is formed into a rectangular shell shape from an insulating synthetic resin material or the like, and houses the connecting terminal P located at the end of the wire W constituting the branch line W2. The connector 20 is a so-called female connector, which is fitted with the connector 10, which is a male connector.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, the connector 10 is formed into a rectangular shell shape from an insulating synthetic resin material, and houses the connecting terminal Q located at the end of the wire W constituting the sub-wire harness W3. The connecting terminal Q is a metal fitting located at the end of the wire W and is formed from a conductive metal material. The connecting terminal Q is a so-called male terminal corresponding to the connecting terminal P.

[0056] The connector 10 has a locking portion 10a, which engages with a locking portion 33 (described later) provided in the electrical junction box 1. The locking portion 10a is provided on a side wall of the connector 10 in a direction orthogonal to the locking direction (first height direction Z1) in which the connector 10 engages with the locking portion 33 of the electrical junction box 1. The locking portion 10a has a common shape and structure in various connectors 10. By engaging the locking portion 10a with the locking portion 33, the connector 10 is fixed to the electrical junction box 1.

[0057] The sub-wiring harness W3, for example, comprises multiple wires W, a connecting terminal P located at one end of each wire W, a connecting terminal Q located at the other end of each wire W, and a connector 10. The sub-wiring harness W3, for example, accommodates the connecting terminal Q located at the other end of the wire W within the connector 10, and accommodates the connecting terminal P located at one end of the wire W within the electronic component block 6. The sub-wiring harness W3, for example, improves the ease of assembly by assembling the electronic component block 6 and the sub-wiring harness W3 in a one-to-one relationship with each other.

[0058] An electrical junction box 1, mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile (not shown), distributes power supplied from a battery or other power source to various electronic devices mounted in the vehicle via various electronic components 100. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the electrical junction box 1 is assembled on the wire harness WH, and houses and organizes electronic components 100, such as connectors, fuses, relays, branch terminals, and electronic control units, which constitute the connection processing components for wires W, which are wiring materials. When the electronic components 100 are installed in the electrical junction box 1, their terminals 101 protruding from the main body are electrically connected to the connection terminal P. In other words, the electronic components 100 are electrically connected to the wire W via the terminals 101 and the connection terminal P.

[0059] The electrical junction box 1 is installed, for example, in a location exposed to the external environment, such as the engine compartment of a vehicle, and connects a power source such as a battery to various electronic devices installed within the vehicle. Furthermore, the electrical junction box 1 is sometimes referred to as a junction box, fuse box, relay box, etc., but in this embodiment, they are collectively referred to as an electrical junction box. Figure 1 As shown, the electrical junction box 1 includes a housing 2 composed of multiple housing components. In this embodiment, the electrical junction box 1 is installed in a vehicle by means of a vehicle mounting part provided on the outside of the housing 2 contacting a vehicle-side mounting panel (not shown), and fastening the vehicle mounting part to the vehicle-side mounting panel by fastening components such as bolts.

[0060] like Figure 1As shown, the housing 2 is formed into a box shape from an insulating synthetic resin material, etc., and the housing space 2a formed inside the housing 2 accommodates the electronic component 100 and part of the extension direction of the wire harness WT. The housing 2 includes a frame 3, an upper cover 4, and a lower cover 5, forming a structure in which multiple layers (3 layers) of the lower cover 5, frame 3, and upper cover 4 are stacked sequentially from the second height direction Z2 side, that is, a structure divided into multiple housing components.

[0061] Frame 3 is part of shell 2. For example... Figure 1 As shown, when the electrical junction box 1 is installed in the vehicle, the outer periphery of the frame 3 is roughly rectangular when viewed from the height direction Z. The frame 3 has a receiving space 3a. The receiving space 3a is part of the receiving space 2a of the housing 2. In the frame 3, in the above-described installation state, an opening 3b is formed at the end on the second height direction Z2 side, and an opening 3c is formed at the end on the first height direction Z1 side. The frame 3 is formed as a hollow shape in which the openings 3b and 3c communicate in the height direction Z via the receiving space 3a. The receiving space 3a of the frame 3 is divided into multiple partitions, and electronic component blocks 6 and electronic components 100 that can accommodate electronic components 100 are inserted and held in the divided receiving space 3a. The frame 3 has: a frame side wall 30, a partition wall 31, and a fixing part 32.

[0062] The frame sidewall 30 is formed along the opening 3b in a manner that surrounds the receiving space 3a. The frame sidewall 30, for example, constitutes a double-layered wall including an outer wall and an inner wall. The outer wall and the inner wall are formed to be sandwiched between the lower cover sidewall constituting the lower cover 5 in the closed state of the lower cover 5 closing the opening 3b.

[0063] The partition wall 31 divides the receiving space 3a into electronic component blocks 6 for each assemblable electronic component 100. The two ends of the partition wall 31, for example, in its extending direction, are connected to the frame sidewall 30 in a direction intersecting the frame sidewall 30, and divide the receiving space 3a into multiple partitioned spaces 3aa. Each partitioned space 3aa accommodates an electronic component block 6. In one of the multiple partitioned spaces 3aa, a connector 10 and a connector 20 (see reference 10) are accommodated together with the electronic component block 6. Figure 5 , Figure 6 The partition wall 31 has a locking part 33.

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown, the fixing part 32 locks and secures the electronic component block 6. The fixing part 32 is formed, for example, protruding from the partition wall 31 toward the partition space 3aa. The fixing part 32 is arranged separately from the locking part 33 in the height direction Z.

[0065] The locking portion 33 engages with the connector 10, which is received in the partition space 3aa from the opening 3b on the lower side. The locking portion 33 is configured to engage with a locking portion 10a common in various connectors 10. Figure 5 As shown, the locking portion 33 is formed in one of the plurality of partition walls 31 between two adjacent partition spaces 3aa in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the insertion direction (first height direction Z1) of the electronic component block 6. The locking portion 33 is formed, for example, from the partition wall 31 toward the partition space 3aa.

[0066] In the fixed state where the electronic component block 6 is fixed to the partition wall 31 by the fixing part 32, the locking part 33 is located below the electronic component block 6, and the connector 10 locked to the locking part 33 is positioned in a position that does not interfere with the electronic component block 6. The locking part 33 is separated from the electronic component block 6 in the second height direction Z2 in the fixed state described above. The locking part 33 is provided on the partition wall surface 31a of the partition wall 31 and on the bottom surface 31c of the recess 31b. That is, the locking part 33 is formed by protruding from the bottom surface 31c of the recess 31b of the partition wall 31 toward the partition space 3aa. Figure 4 As shown, the thickness of the recess 31b in the second width direction Y is thinner than the thickness of the partition wall 31 outside the recess 31b in the second width direction Y by an amount of thickness M. In other words, the bottom surface 31c is thinner than the partition wall surface 31a in the second width direction Y by an amount of thickness M.

[0067] Viewed from the lower opening 3b, the locking portion 33 is separated from the electronic component block 6 in an orthogonal direction to the insertion direction (first height direction Z1) of the electronic component block 6. The electronic component block 6 and the end of the locking portion 33 on the electronic component block 6 side in the second width direction Y are separated by a width (length) L. The locking portion 33 has a locking protrusion 33a and a pair of locking ribs 33b. The locking protrusion 33a is disposed between the pair of locking ribs 33b along the bottom surface 31c of the recess 31b and protrudes toward the partition space 3aa. Viewed from the second height direction Z2, the pair of locking ribs 33b are each formed in an L-shape.

[0068] The upper cover 4 is part of the housing. In the above-described configuration, the upper cover 4 is located on the first height direction Z1 side of the frame 3 and closes the opening 3c of the frame 3. When viewed from the height direction Z, the outer periphery of the upper cover 4 is formed to be approximately rectangular, the same as (or substantially the same as) the outer periphery of the frame 3. The upper cover 4 has a receiving space portion 4a. The receiving space portion 4a is part of the receiving space portion 2a of the housing 2. Therefore, the receiving space portion 2a of the housing 2 is composed of the receiving space portion 3a of the frame 3, the receiving space portion 4a of the upper cover 4, and the receiving space portion 5a of the lower cover 5. An opening 4b is formed at the end of the upper cover 4 on the second height direction Z2 side. The upper cover 4 is formed as a cover that connects the receiving space portion 4a and the opening 4b. When the upper cover 4 is assembled to the frame 3, with the opening 4b facing the opening 3c of the frame 3 in the height direction Z, it is locked to the frame 3 by a locking mechanism (not shown) provided on the side of the upper cover 4.

[0069] The lower cover 5 is part of the housing 2. In the above-described configuration, the lower cover 5 is located on the second height direction Z2 side of the frame 3 and closes the opening 3b of the frame 3. Viewed from the height direction Z, the lower cover 5 is formed into a generally rectangular shape with an outer periphery that is the same (or substantially the same) as the outer periphery of the frame 3. The lower cover 5 has a receiving space portion 5a. The receiving space portion 5a is part of the receiving space portion 2a of the housing 2. An opening 5b is formed at the end of the lower cover 5 on the first height direction Z1 side. The lower cover 5 is formed in a tray shape that connects the receiving space portion 5a and the opening 5b. When assembled to the frame 3, the lower cover 5 is locked in place by the frame 3 such that the opening 5b and the opening 3b of the frame 3 are opposite each other in the height direction Z.

[0070] Next, the assembly sequence of the wire harness WH involved in this embodiment will be described. First, the operator assembles the connection terminals P of the wires W onto the electronic component block 6 to create branch wires W2. In addition, the operator prepares the necessary sub-wire harnesses W3.

[0071] Next, the operator inserts the electronic component block 6 and the branch line W2 into the designated partition space 3aa from the second height direction Z2 side of the frame 3, and fixes the electronic component block 6 relative to the fixing part 32. Next, the operator accommodates the connector 10 of the sub-wire harness W3 in the designated partition space 3aa, and locks the locking part 10a against the locking part 33 of the partition wall 31 to fix the connector 10 to the frame 3 side. Then, the operator lays the sub-wire harness W3 inside the frame 3, and engages the connector 20 holding the connection terminal P at the end of the branch line W2 with the connector 10. Next, the operator installs the electronic component 100 on each electronic component block 6 from the first height direction Z1 side of the frame 3, and electrically connects the electronic component 100 to the wire W.

[0072] Next, the operator positions the lower cover 5 on the second height direction Z2 side of the frame 3, and inserts the lower cover 5 relative to the frame 3 from the second height direction Z2 side toward the first height direction Z1 side. When the operator can no longer insert the lower cover 5 relative to the frame 3 toward the first height direction Z1 side, and can no longer move the lower cover 5 further toward the first height direction Z1 side, the assembly of the lower cover 5 relative to the frame 3 is completed.

[0073] Next, the operator positions the top cover 4 on the first height direction Z1 side of the frame 3 and inserts the top cover 4 into the frame 3 from the first height direction Z1 side toward the second height direction Z2 side. When the operator can no longer insert the top cover 4 relative to the frame 3 toward the second height direction side, and can no longer move the top cover 4 further toward the second height direction Z2 side, the assembly of the top cover 4 relative to the frame 3 is completed, and the assembly of the electrical junction box 1 is completed.

[0074] As described above, in the wire harness WH according to this embodiment, the frame has a partition wall 31. The partition wall 31 has a locking part 33, which locks the connector 10, which is received in the partition space 3aa from the opening 3b on the lower side. When the electronic component block 6 is fixed to the frame 3 by the fixing part 32, the locking part 33 is located at a position lower than the electronic component block 6, and when the frame 3 is viewed from the opening 3b on the lower side, the locking part 33 is separated from the electronic component block 6 in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the insertion direction (first height direction Z1) of the electronic component block 6.

[0075] According to the above structure, in the partitioned space 3aa, the wire harness WH separates the connector 10 and the electronic component block 6 in the height direction Z and in a direction orthogonal to the height direction Z, thus reliably accommodating and fixing the connector in the electrical junction box without interference. Since the fixing structure for fixing the connector 10, etc., is provided in the frame 3, the wire harness WH according to this embodiment does not require additional components for fixing the connector 10, etc., to the frame 3 side, thereby suppressing cost increases.

[0076] Furthermore, in the wire harness WH according to this embodiment, the locking portion 33 is formed to be able to lock with the locking portion 10a, which is common to various connectors 10. Therefore, a connector that is not specific to the wire harness WH according to this embodiment but is a general-purpose connector can be used, thus suppressing the increase in component costs.

[0077] Furthermore, in the wire harness WH according to this embodiment, the locking portion 33 is formed in one of the plurality of partition walls 31 between two adjacent partition spaces 3aa in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the insertion direction. Thus, the wire harness WH according to this embodiment, by providing the locking portion 33 in the partition wall 31 instead of the frame-side sidewall 30, achieves, for example, Figure 5 As shown, the length of the wire W used between the connector 10 and the electronic component block 6 can be relatively shortened. Furthermore, the wire harness WH according to this embodiment, by providing the locking portion 33 on the partition wall 31 instead of on the frame-side side wall 30, for example, ... Figure 6 As shown, the length of the wire W used between the branch position Wta of the wire harness WT and the connector 10 and the electronic component block 6 can be relatively shortened.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the connector 10 is fixed to the frame 3 by engaging the locking portion 10a of the connector 10 with the locking portion 33 of the partition wall 31, but this is not a limitation. For example, it is also possible for the locking portion of the connector 20 to engage with the locking portion 33 of the partition wall 31. In this case, the connector 20 is fixed to the frame 3.

Claims

1. A wire harness, characterized in that, have: Wire, the wire being conductive; and An electrical junction box, which is connected to the electrical wires. The electrical junction box includes: A frame, which is formed as a cylinder with openings on the upper and lower sides when installed, and has an internal space for accommodating electronic components; A top cover that closes the opening on the upper side of the frame; and The lower cover closes the opening on the lower side of the frame. The framework has: At least one partition wall divides the accommodating space into blocks of electronic components capable of assembling the electronic components; and A fixing part secures the electronic component block to the partitioned space divided by the partition wall from the opening on the lower side. The partition wall has a locking portion that receives the partition space from the opening on the lower side and locks the connector that electrically connects the multiple wires to each other. With the electronic component block fixed to the frame by the fixing part, the locking part is located on the lower side of the electronic component block, and When the frame is viewed from the opening on the lower side, the locking part is separated from the electronic component block in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the electronic component block.

2. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein, The locking portion is configured to lock into a locking portion common to various connectors.

3. The wire harness according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The locking portion is formed in one of the plurality of partition walls between two adjacent partition spaces in the orthogonal direction.

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