Electrical junction box

Abstract

An electrical connection box (1) is provided with: a substrate (2); a terminal holder (3) fixed to the substrate; a terminal (4) that has a first connection part (41) connected to the counterpart terminal, is held by the terminal holder in a state in which the first connection part protrudes, and is connected to the substrate; a housing (5) that accommodates the substrate and the terminal holder; and a conductor unit (6) fixed to the terminal holder or the housing, the conductor unit comprising: a first conductor (7) having a frame portion (71) and fixed to the terminal holder or the housing; and a plurality of second conductors (8) each having a joining section joined to the frame section and a second connecting section (82) connected to the counterpart terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical connection box. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector having a female connector and four connection terminals, which are plate-shaped bodies formed by stamping, are insert-molded with respect to the female connector, and are used for electrical connection with the outside.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-087710 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In an electrical connection box having a plurality of terminals, it is preferable to be able to increase the degree of freedom in design when arranging the terminals. For example, it is preferable to be able to easily change the design according to the arrangement of the terminals to be connected.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical junction box capable of improving the degree of freedom in designing the arrangement of terminals.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] The electrical connection box of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a substrate; a terminal retaining body, which is fixed to the substrate; a terminal, which has a first connecting portion connected to a counterpart terminal and is retained by the terminal retaining body in a state where the first connecting portion protrudes, and the terminal is connected to the substrate; a shell, which accommodates the substrate and the terminal retaining body; and a conductor unit, which is fixed to the terminal retaining body or the shell, and the conductor unit includes: a first conductor, which has a frame portion and is fixed to the terminal retaining body or the shell; and a plurality of second conductors, each of which has a joining portion joined to the frame portion and a second connecting portion connected to the counterpart terminal.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] The electrical connection box of the present invention has a conductor unit fixed to a terminal holding body or a housing, and the conductor unit includes: a first conductor having a frame portion and fixed to the terminal holding body or the housing; and a plurality of second conductors, each of which has a joint portion joined to the frame portion and a second connection portion connected to a counterpart terminal. According to the electrical connection box of the present invention, the following effect is achieved: the position of the second conductor relative to the frame portion can be easily changed, and the degree of freedom in the design of the terminal configuration can be increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of an electrical connection box according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connection box according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of a housing according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of a terminal holding body according to the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a terminal holding body that holds the terminals.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of a conductor unit according to the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 is a development diagram of the second conductor according to the embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 1 is a top view of a conductor unit according to the embodiment.

[0021] Fig. 9 It is a top view of the conductor unit assembled to the terminal holding body.

[0022] Fig.10 It is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connection box according to a first modified example of the embodiment.

[0023] Fig.11 It is a perspective view of a tuning fork terminal and a substrate connecting portion according to a first modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an electrical connection box according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiment include elements that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art or substantially the same elements.

[0025] [Example]

[0026] Reference Figures 1 to 9 , an embodiment is described. This embodiment relates to an electrical connection box. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connection box according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connection box according to an embodiment, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a housing according to an embodiment, Figure 4 is a perspective view of a terminal holding body according to an embodiment, Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of a terminal holding body that holds a terminal. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a conductor unit according to an embodiment, Figure 7 is a development diagram of a second conductor according to the embodiment, Figure 8 is a top view of a conductor unit according to an embodiment, Fig. 9 It is a top view of the conductor unit assembled to the terminal holding body.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the electrical connection box 1 of this embodiment has a substrate 2, a terminal holder 3, a terminal 4, a housing 5, and a conductor unit 6. The electrical connection box 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as a car. The electrical connection box 1 may also have an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling equipment mounted on the vehicle, and the electronic control unit may also be a regional ECU. The substrate 2 is, for example, a rigid printed circuit board (PCB).

[0028] Figure 1 The housing 5 shown has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a main body 51 and a cover 52. The main body 51 and the cover 52 are molded of, for example, insulating synthetic resin. The housing 5 accommodates the substrate 2, the terminal holder 3, the terminal 4, and the conductor unit 6. The main body 51 is a flat plate-like member that holds the substrate 2. Figure 2 As shown, the terminal holder 3, the terminal 4 and the conductor unit 6 are assembled to the substrate 2. The cover 52 has a bottomed square tube shape. The cover 52 is engaged with the body 51 to cover the substrate 2, the terminal holder 3, the terminal 4 and the conductor unit 6.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the cover 52 has a mating portion 53 that is mated with the other connector. The mating portion 53 is arranged at a position opposite to the terminal holding body 3. In this specification, the direction in which the housing 5 is mated with the other connector is referred to as the mating direction Z. The mating direction Z is a direction orthogonal to the substrate 2. The main body 51 and the cover 52 are engaged with each other along the mating direction Z.

[0030] The fitting portion 53 includes a cylindrical portion 54 and a bottom wall 55. The cylindrical portion 54 has a square cylindrical shape and protrudes from the top surface 52a of the cover 52 toward the fitting direction Z. The bottom wall 55 is a wall portion that closes the cylindrical portion 54 and faces the terminal holding body 3 in the fitting direction Z. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of through holes 55a are provided in the bottom wall 55. The plurality of through holes 55a are arranged so that the first connection portion 41 of the terminal 4 and the second connection portion 82 of the conductor unit 6 can be inserted. The through holes 55a of this embodiment are arranged in a lattice shape.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the terminal retaining body 3 of the present embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The terminal retaining body 3 is molded, for example, from an insulating synthetic resin. The terminal retaining body 3 has a plurality of through holes 31. The through holes 31 of the present embodiment are arranged in a lattice shape. That is, the plurality of through holes 31 are arranged in two directions orthogonal to each other. In this specification, one direction in which the through holes 31 are arranged is referred to as the "first direction X", and the other direction is referred to as the "second direction Y". The second direction Y is orthogonal to the first direction X. In addition, both the first direction X and the second direction Y are orthogonal to the mating direction Z.

[0032] The terminal retaining body 3 is provided with a plurality of rows 32 of through holes 31. The plurality of rows 32 are arranged at equal intervals in the second direction Y. Each row 32 has a plurality of through holes 31 arranged at equal intervals in the first direction X. The terminal retaining body 3 of the example has five rows 32. Each row 32 has four through holes 31. In addition, the number of through holes 31 in one row 32 and the number of rows 32 in the terminal retaining body 3 are arbitrary.

[0033] like Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the terminal 4 has a first connection portion 41 and a substrate connection portion 42. The terminal 4 is a male terminal having a square tube shape or a prism shape. Figure 5 As shown, the terminal 4 is inserted into the through hole 31 of the terminal holding body 3 and is held by the terminal holding body 3. The terminal holding body 3 holds the terminal 4 in such a manner that the first connection portion 41 and the substrate connection portion 42 protrude from the terminal holding body 3. The first connection portion 41 protrudes from the through hole 31 to one side of the mating direction Z. The substrate connection portion 42 protrudes from the through hole 31 to the other side of the mating direction Z. The substrate connection portion 42 is inserted into the through hole 21 of the substrate 2 and is soldered to the circuit of the substrate 2.

[0034] like Figure 5 As shown, the terminal 4 is inserted into a portion of the plurality of through holes 31. The other through holes 31 are not inserted with the terminal 4 and remain hollow. The second connection portion 82 of the second conductor 8 described later is positioned in the other through holes 31.

[0035] like Figure 6 As shown, the conductor unit 6 includes a first conductor 7 and a second conductor 8. The first conductor 7 and the second conductor 8 are formed of conductive metal. The first conductor 7 and the second conductor 8 are formed by, for example, punching a metal plate.

[0036] The first conductor 7 includes a frame portion 71 and a substrate connecting portion 72. The frame portion 71 is formed in a frame shape. Figure 6 The frame portion 71 shown in the example has a rectangular frame shape. The frame portion 71 has four sides 73. The frame portion 71 can be closed or partially interrupted. For example, a slit can be provided on any of the four sides 73. The width Wd1 of the sides 73 can be the same. In the frame portion 71 of the present embodiment, the four sides 73 have the same width Wd1.

[0037] The substrate connection portion 72 is a portion connected to the circuit of the substrate 2. The illustrated substrate connection portion 72 is bent into an L shape and has a base end portion 72a and a terminal end portion 72b. The base end portion 72a is connected to the outer edge of the frame portion 71 and protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the mating direction Z. The terminal end portion 72b protrudes from the base end portion 72a toward the mating direction Z.

[0038] The second conductor 8 is joined to the frame portion 71 and electrically connected to the frame portion 71. The second conductor 8 has a joining portion 81, a second connecting portion 82, and a connecting portion 83. The joining portion 81 is a portion joined to the frame portion 71 and has a flat plate shape. The second connecting portion 82 is a portion connected to the other terminal and has a cylindrical shape or a rod shape. The connecting portion 83 is a portion connecting the joining portion 81 and the second connecting portion 82. The second conductor 8 has a bent portion 84, which is bent so that the connecting portion 83 contacts the terminal holding body 3. The bent portion 84 positions the connecting portion 83 on the same plane as the frame portion 71.

[0039] Figure 7 FIG. 8 is an example of a development view of the second conductor 8. The second connection portion 82 of the present embodiment is formed by bending a metal plate into a cylindrical shape. The shape of the second connection portion 82 is, for example, a square cylindrical shape similar to the first connection portion 41. The shape of the connection portion 83 is a shape that connects the joint portion 81 and the second connection portion 82 while bypassing the terminal 4. Figure 7 The connecting portion 83 shown is L-shaped.

[0040] exist Figure 8 Shown in Figure 6 The conductor element 6 shown corresponds to the configuration of the terminal 4 . Figure 8 The conductor unit 6 has three second conductors 8. The second conductor 8 can be joined to any of the four sides 73 of the frame portion 71. Figure 8 In the conductor unit 6 shown, two second conductors 8 are joined to the side 73 having the substrate connection portion 72. Another second conductor 8 is joined to the side 73 opposite to the substrate connection portion 72. The joint portion 81 is joined to the frame portion 71 by welding or the like. In addition, the joining method of the joint portion 81 to the frame portion 71 is not limited to welding, and may also be crimping or the like. It is preferred that a mark for positioning the joint portion 81 is provided on the frame portion 71. The mark is, for example, a line or a dot.

[0041] The conductor unit 6 is placed on the terminal holding body 3 and fixed to the terminal holding body 3. The conductor unit 6 may also have an engaging portion that engages with the terminal holding body 3. Fig. 9 4 shows the conductor unit 6 assembled to the terminal holding body 3. The second conductor 8 is fixed to the frame 71 in a manner that the first connecting portion 41 and the second connecting portion 82 are arranged in a grid. The connecting portion 83 of the second conductor 8 extends between the arranged terminals 4. That is, the second conductor 8 is joined to the frame 71 in a manner that the connecting portion 83 is positioned between two arranged terminals 4. Figure 2 As shown, the second connection portion 82 is positioned on the extension line of the through hole 31. That is, the conductor unit 6 positions the second connection portion 82 on the extension line of the through hole 31 into which the terminal 4 is not inserted.

[0042] The terminal holder 3 assembled with the conductor unit 6 is fixed to the substrate 2. When the terminal holder 3 is placed at a predetermined position on the substrate 2, the substrate connection portion 42 of the terminal 4 and the substrate connection portion 72 of the conductor unit 6 are inserted into the through hole 21 of the substrate 2. The terminal holder 3 may also be fixed to the substrate 2 by a pin. The substrate connection portion 42 of the terminal 4 and the substrate connection portion 72 of the conductor unit 6 are soldered to the circuit of the substrate 2. The substrate 2 assembled with the terminal holder 3 is fixed to the main body 51 of the housing 5.

[0043] The second conductor 8 may be a male terminal for GND. In this case, the plurality of second conductors 8 as ground terminals are electrically connected to each other through the frame portion 71. The plurality of second conductors 8 are connected to the circuit of the substrate 2 via the substrate connection portion 72.

[0044] In the electrical connection box 1 of the present embodiment, the second connection portion 82 can be positioned at any through hole 31 of the terminal holding body 3. The connection portion 83 is bent in a manner that does not interfere with the terminal 4, and the second connection portion 82 is positioned on the extension line of the through hole 31. The position of the grounding terminal of the other connector varies depending on the vehicle and the specification. The electrical connection box 1 of the present embodiment can easily change the position of the second connection portion 82 according to the other connector, so the design freedom is high and the cost can be reduced. In addition, it is not necessary to set a bonding pattern for connecting multiple grounding terminals on the substrate 2. Therefore, the cost reduction of the substrate 2 and the space saving of the substrate 2 can be achieved.

[0045] As described above, the electrical connection box 1 of the present embodiment includes a substrate 2, a terminal holder 3, a terminal 4, a housing 5, and a conductor unit 6. The terminal holder 3 is fixed to the substrate 2. The terminal 4 has a first connection portion 41 connected to a counterpart terminal. The terminal 4 is held by the terminal holder 3 in a state where the first connection portion 41 protrudes, and is connected to the substrate 2. The housing 5 accommodates the substrate 2 and the terminal holder 3. The conductor unit 6 of the present embodiment is fixed to the terminal holder 3.

[0046] The conductor unit 6 includes a first conductor 7 having a frame portion 71 and a plurality of second conductors 8. The first conductor 7 of the present embodiment is fixed to the terminal holding body 3. The second conductor 8 has a joint portion 81 joined to the frame portion 71 and a second connection portion 82 connected to a counterpart terminal. In the electrical connection box 1 of the present embodiment, the plurality of second conductors 8 are joined to the frame portion 71 of the first conductor 7. The second conductors 8 can be freely arranged according to the terminal position of the connection object. Therefore, the electrical connection box 1 of the present embodiment has a high degree of design freedom.

[0047] The first conductor 7 of this embodiment has a substrate connection portion 72 connected to the substrate 2. The plurality of second conductors 8 are connected to the substrate 2 via the substrate connection portion 72. By connecting the plurality of second conductors 8 to the substrate 2 via the substrate connection portion 72, the circuit in the substrate 2 can be simplified and the substrate 2 can be miniaturized.

[0048] The terminal holding body 3 of the present embodiment has a plurality of through holes 31. The terminals 4 are inserted into a portion of the plurality of through holes 31. The first conductor 7 is fixed to the terminal holding body 3 in such a manner that the second connection portion 82 is positioned on an extension line of another portion of the plurality of through holes 31. Therefore, the electrical connection box 1 of the present embodiment can replace a portion of the plurality of first connection portions 41 arranged with the second connection portion 82.

[0049] In addition, the second conductor 8 is not limited to a terminal for grounding. The second conductor 8 may be a terminal for power supply, a terminal for signal, or other terminals. The second conductor 8 may also have a plurality of second connecting portions 82. In this case, the plurality of second connecting portions 82 are connected to the frame portion 71 via a joint 81. The shape of the connecting portion 83 when viewed from above is not limited to an L-shape. The shape of the connecting portion 83 is any shape that bypasses the first connecting portion 41 of the terminal 4.

[0050] [First Modification of the Embodiment]

[0051] Reference Fig.10 and Fig.11 , a first variant of the embodiment is described. Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connection box according to a first modified example of the embodiment, Fig.11 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conductor unit according to a first modified example of the embodiment. Fig.10 The illustrated electrical connection box 1 is different from the electrical connection box 1 of the above-described embodiment in that, for example, the first conductor 7 is held by the housing 5 .

[0052] like Fig.10As shown, the housing 5 involved in the first modified example of the embodiment has a holding portion 56 for holding the first conductor 7. The holding portion 56 of the example is provided on the fitting portion 53 of the cover 52. The holding portion 56 is, for example, a groove or a recessed portion into which the outer edge of the frame portion 71 is inserted. The holding portion 56 has a claw 56a for locking the frame portion 71. The claw 56a protrudes from the inner side surface of the cylindrical portion 54. The frame portion 71 is engaged with the holding portion 56, for example, along the fitting direction Z. At this time, the second connection portion 82 of the second conductor 8 is inserted into the through hole 55a of the housing 5. The holding portion 56 holds the first conductor 7 in a manner that the second connection portion 82 is positioned on the extension line of the through hole 31 of the terminal holding body 3. The first conductor 7 held by the holding portion 56 is opposed to the bottom wall 55 of the fitting portion 53 in the fitting direction Z.

[0053] Similar to the electrical connection box 1 of the above-described embodiment, the terminal 4 is inserted into a part of the plurality of through holes 31 of the terminal holding body 3. The through hole 31 corresponding to the second connection portion 82 is hollow without the terminal 4 being inserted therein.

[0054] The conductor unit 6 involved in the first modified example of the embodiment has a tuning fork terminal 74. The substrate connection portion 72 is connected to the substrate 2 via the tuning fork terminal 74. The tuning fork terminal 74 is inserted into the holding hole 33 provided in the terminal holding body 3 and is held by the holding hole 33. The tuning fork terminal 74 has a pair of clamping pieces 74a and a substrate connection portion 74b. The pair of clamping pieces 74a is configured to clamp the substrate connection portion 72 of the first conductor 7. The substrate connection portion 74b is inserted into the through hole 21 of the substrate 2 and is soldered to the circuit of the substrate 2.

[0055] When the cover 52 is engaged with the main body 51 of the housing 5, Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the substrate connection portion 72 of the first conductor 7 is inserted between the pair of clamping pieces 74 a. Thus, the first conductor 7 is connected to the circuit of the substrate 2 via the tuning fork terminal 74 .

[0056] [Second Modification of the Embodiment]

[0057] A second variation of the embodiment will be described. The first conductor 7 of the conductor unit 6 may not have the substrate connection portion 72. In this case, a joint connector may be connected to the second connection portion 82 of the second conductor 8. When the second conductor 8 is a grounding terminal, the second conductor 8 is grounded to the vehicle body via the joint connector.

[0058] The second conductor 8 is not limited to a grounding terminal. The joint connector connected to the second conductor 8 can be connected to a power line of a lighting fixture, a signal line of a LIN communication, or other power lines and signal lines.

[0059] The contents disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications can be implemented in combination as appropriate.

[0060] Description of Reference Numerals

[0061] 1: Electrical connection box;

[0062] 2: substrate; 3: terminal holder; 4: terminal; 5: housing;

[0063] 6: conductor unit; 7: first conductor; 8: second conductor;

[0064] 21: through hole;

[0065] 31: through hole; 32: row;

[0066] 41: first connection portion; 42: substrate connection portion;

[0067] 51: main body; 52: cover; 52a: top surface; 53: fitting portion; 54: cylindrical portion;

[0068] 55: bottom wall; 55a: through hole; 56: holding portion;

[0069] 71: frame portion; 72: substrate connection portion; 72a: base end portion; 72b: terminal end portion; 73: side;

[0070] 74: tuning fork terminal; 74a: clamping piece; 74b: substrate connection portion;

[0071] 81: joint portion; 82: second connection portion; 83: connection portion;

[0072] X: first direction; Y: second direction; Z: mating direction.

Claims

1. An electrical connection box, characterized in that: have: substrate; a terminal retaining body fixed to the substrate; a terminal having a first connection portion connected to a counterpart terminal, and being held by the terminal holding body in a state where the first connection portion is protruded, and the terminal is connected to the substrate; a housing that accommodates the substrate and the terminal holding body; as well as a conductor unit fixed to the terminal holding body or the housing, The conductor unit comprises: a first conductor having a frame portion and fixed to the terminal holding body or the housing; and A plurality of second conductors each have a joint portion joined to the frame portion and a second connection portion connected to a mating terminal.

2. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first conductor has a substrate connecting portion connected to the substrate. The plurality of second conductors are connected to the substrate via the substrate connecting portion.

3. The electrical connection box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The terminal holding body has a plurality of through holes, and the terminals are inserted into some of the through holes. The first conductor is fixed to the terminal holding body or the housing in such a manner that the second connecting portion is positioned on an extension line of another part of the plurality of through holes.

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