Bolt holding structure and electrical junction box

Abstract

A bolt holding structure (100) is provided with a bolt (13) and a holder (12). The bolt (13) holds a conductor (bus bar (14), terminal (15)) between the bolt (13) and the nut (17). The holder (12) holds the bolt (13). The bolt (13) is provided with a fixing part, a shaft part (33) and a receiving part (32). The fixing part can be fixed to the holder (12). A threaded groove is formed in the shaft portion (33), and the nut (17) is fastened to the shaft portion (33). The receiving section (32) is positioned between the fixed section and the shaft section (33) in the axial direction, and has a portion positioned radially outward of the fixed section when viewed in the axial direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bolt holding structure having a bolt and a holder. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a bolt support structure having a bolt and a mounting portion. The bolt has a head and a shaft. After the bus bar and the terminal fitting are passed through the shaft of the bolt, a nut is tightened on the shaft of the bolt. As a result, the bus bar and the terminal fitting are clamped and fixed by the head of the bolt and the nut. As a result, the bus bar is electrically connected to the terminal fitting.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5864151 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In Patent Document 1, since the conductor (busbar, terminal fitting) is clamped by bolts and nuts, the contact area between the bolts and the conductor is particularly likely to be reduced. As a result, since a local force is applied to the conductor, the conductor may be deformed or the force holding the conductor may be weakened.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a structure capable of suppressing deformation of a conductor sandwiched between a bolt and a nut and suppressing weakening of a force holding the conductor in a bolt holding structure having a bolt and a retainer.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, means for solving the problems and their effects will be described.

[0011] According to the viewpoint of the present invention, a bolt holding structure of the following structure is provided. That is, the bolt holding structure has a bolt and a retaining frame. The bolt holds a conductor between the bolt and the nut. The retaining frame holds the bolt. The bolt has a fixing portion, a shaft portion, and a receiving portion. The fixing portion can be fixed to the retaining frame. A thread groove is formed in the shaft portion, and the nut is fastened to the shaft portion. The receiving portion is axially located between the fixing portion and the shaft portion, and has a portion located radially outward of the fixing portion when viewed in the axial direction.

[0012] Since the bolt has the receiving portion, it is not easy to apply a local force to the conductor sandwiched between the bolt and the nut. As a result, it is possible to suppress deformation of the conductor and to suppress weakening of the force holding the conductor.

[0013] In the bolt holding structure, the retainer is preferably made of resin.

[0014] Thus, insulation between the bolt and the holder can be ensured, and the bolt can be stably fixed to the holder by utilizing elastic deformation of the resin.

[0015] In the bolt holding structure, the holder preferably has a structure capable of fixing the fixing portion of the bolt by press-fitting.

[0016] Thus, the bolt can be fixed to the retainer simply by inserting the fixing portion of the bolt into the retainer. In addition, play between the bolt and the retainer is less likely to occur.

[0017] In the bolt holding structure, the receiving portion is preferably circular when viewed in the axial direction.

[0018] Thus, the bolt having the receiving portion can be easily manufactured. In addition, the contact area between the receiving portion and the conductor can be ensured regardless of the orientation of the receiving portion.

[0019] In the bolt holding structure, the following structure is preferably adopted: that is, the retaining frame is formed with an opening portion of the fixing portion capable of mounting the bolt and an edge portion constituting the periphery of the opening portion. When viewed in the axial direction, the contour of the receiving portion of the bolt overlaps with the edge portion of the retaining frame.

[0020] Since the contour of the receiving portion overlaps with the edge of the holder, the size of the receiving portion can be increased within a range where the receiving portion does not protrude from the holder. Thus, the contact area between the receiving portion and the conductor can be increased, making it more difficult to apply a local force to the conductor.

[0021] In the bolt holding structure, the following structure is preferably adopted: that is, the retainer is formed with an opening portion in which the fixing portion of the bolt can be mounted, and when the opening portion is viewed in the axial direction, the length of one of two adjacent sides is longer than the length of the other side.

[0022] Therefore, the present invention can be realized by using openings of various shapes, not limited to a square shape.

[0023] In the bolt holding structure, the following structure is preferably adopted. That is, an opening portion of the fixing portion capable of mounting the bolt is formed in the retaining frame. When viewed in the axial direction, the opening portion and the fixing portion are rectangular. A plurality of inner ribs are formed on the inner wall surface of the opening portion. At least two of the inner ribs are arranged in an opposing manner. When viewed in the axial direction, the length of one side of the fixing portion is longer than the length of a line connecting the opposing inner ribs to each other, and is shorter than the length of one side of the opening portion.

[0024] This facilitates the work of inserting the fixing portion into the opening, and the fixing portion can be fixed to the holder using the inner rib.

[0025] In the bolt holding structure, the following structure is preferably adopted. That is, the receiving portion is circular when viewed in the axial direction. An opening portion of the fixing portion capable of mounting the bolt is formed in the retaining frame. The opening portion is square or rectangular with long sides and short sides when viewed in the axial direction. When viewed in the axial direction, the length of the diameter of the receiving portion is longer than the length of one side of the square or the length of the long side of the rectangle.

[0026] Since the length of the diameter of the receiving portion is longer than the length of one side of the square or the length of the long side of the rectangle of the opening, the receiving portion can be brought into contact with the retainer.

[0027] In the bolt holding structure, the following structure is preferably adopted. That is, the receiving portion is circular when viewed in the axial direction. An opening portion of the fixing portion capable of mounting the bolt is formed in the retaining frame. The opening portion is square when viewed in the axial direction. When viewed in the axial direction, the length of the diameter of the receiving portion is longer than the length of one side of the opening portion.

[0028] Since the length of the diameter of the receiving portion is longer than the length of one side of the opening portion, the receiving portion can be brought into contact with the retainer.

[0029] In the bolt holding structure, the following structure is preferably adopted. That is, the retaining frame is mounted on the base block. A protrusion protruding radially outward is formed on the retaining frame. When the retaining frame is mounted on the base block in a correct orientation, the protrusion does not interfere with the base block. When the retaining frame is mounted on the base block in an incorrect orientation, the protrusion interferes with the base block.

[0030] This can prevent the retainer from being mounted on the base block in an incorrect orientation.

[0031] In the bolt holding structure, it is preferable that a drainage hole for draining intruded water is formed in the retainer.

[0032] This can prevent water from accumulating in the cage.

[0033] In the bolt holding structure, it is preferable that a surface of the receiving portion of the bolt on the fixing portion side is in surface contact with an outer surface of the retainer.

[0034] Thus, the orientation of the receiving portion can be stabilized, so that the receiving portion can be directly opposite to the conductor. As a result, the contact area between the receiving portion and the conductor can be sufficiently ensured, so that it is more difficult to apply a local force to the conductor.

[0035] In the electrical connection box, it is preferable to adopt the following structure: That is, the electrical connection box has a bolt holding structure and a first conductor and a second conductor. By tightening the nut to the bolt, the first conductor and the second conductor are sandwiched and fixed by the bolt and the nut. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 It is a partially cutaway perspective view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the bus bar and the terminal being fixed by bolts and nuts.

[0038] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the bolt holding structure.

[0039] Figure 4 This is a diagram (top view) of the bolt holding structure as viewed along the axial direction.

[0040] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional view of the bolt and the retainer.

[0041] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the drainage hole formed on the bottom surface of the retainer.

[0042] Figure 7 It is a diagram (plan view) showing the positional relationship between the fixing portion and the opening portion when viewed in the axial direction.

[0043] Figure 8 It is a perspective view showing a portion of the base block where the retainer is fixed.

[0044] Fig. 9 It is a perspective view showing a state where the retainer is fixed to the base block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 The electrical connection box 1 will be described.

[0046] The electrical connection box 1 is installed in a car. A plurality of relays and fuses are installed in the electrical connection box 1. The electrical connection box 1 distributes the electric power supplied from the battery or the generator and supplies it to each vehicle-mounted device. However, the installation destination of the electrical connection box 1 is not limited to the car.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, the electrical connection box 1 is a box-shaped component, and the outer casing of the electrical connection box 1 is composed of a lower cover 2, a base 3, and an upper cover 4. The lower cover 2 constitutes the bottom of the electrical connection box 1. The base 3 constitutes the side of the electrical connection box 1. The upper cover 4 constitutes the cover of the electrical connection box 1. In addition, Figure 1The bold lines shown are break lines, and a portion of the upper cover 4 is broken to show the inside. A base block 11 is provided in the space surrounded by the lower cover 2, the base 3, and the upper cover 4. In addition to the above-mentioned relays and fuses, bus bars, terminals, wires, etc. are also fixed to the base block 11.

[0048] The electrical connection box 1 also has a mounting portion 5 and a wire lead-out portion 6. The mounting portion 5 has a structure (mounting hole) for fixing to a setting destination. The wire lead-out portion 6 is a portion for leading out the wires 16 arranged inside the electrical connection box 1. The wires 16 are connected to a battery, a generator, or an on-board device. The wires 16 are fixed to a bolt retaining structure 100, and the bolt retaining structure 100 is fixed to the base block 11. The details of these fixing structures will be described later. In the electrical connection box 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of wires 16 are individually connected to a plurality of bolt retaining structures 100.

[0049] Next, refer to Figure 2 , the conductor mounted on the bolt holding structure 100 will be described.

[0050] The bolt holding structure 100 includes a holder 12 and a bolt 13. The holder 12 holds the bolt 13. A nut 17 can be fastened to the bolt 13. When a plurality of conductors are arranged between the bolt 13 and the nut 17, the nut 17 is fastened to the bolt 13, thereby enabling the conductors to be electrically and mechanically connected to each other. In the present embodiment, the bus bar 14 is used as the first conductor, and the terminal 15 is used as the second conductor. In addition, the combination of the first conductor and the second conductor is an example and is not limited to the structure of the present embodiment.

[0051] The bus bar 14 is made of metal and is a conductive plate-shaped component. The bus bar 14 is electrically connected to other terminals 15, relays, fuses, etc. A through hole for inserting the bolt 13 is formed in the bus bar 14. The terminal 15 is, for example, O-shaped or U-shaped, and is provided on the bolt 13. The terminal 15 is connected to an electric wire 16.

[0052] In this embodiment, the bus bar 14 is arranged on the bolt 13 side, and the terminal 15 is arranged on the nut 17 side. However, this is an example, and the positions of the bolt 13 and the terminal 15 may be reversed. In addition, in this embodiment, the nut 17 is installed via the washer 18. However, the washer 18 may also be omitted.

[0053] Next, refer to Figures 3 to 6 , the detailed structure of the retainer 12 and the bolt 13 will be described. In the following description, the axial direction of the bolt 13 is simply referred to as "axial direction".

[0054] The retainer 12 is made of resin and is molded using a mold. The retainer 12 has a main body 21 that is substantially rectangular. The shape of the main body 21 is an example and is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape. Figures 3 to 7 As shown, the main body 21 is formed with an opening 22 , an edge 23 , an inner rib 24 , an outer rib (protrusion) 25 , and a drain hole 26 .

[0055] The opening portion 22 is a portion of an opening that is roughly rectangular. The opening portion 22 of the present embodiment may be through-shaped or non-through-shaped. The edge portion 23 is a portion that forms the periphery of the opening portion 22 when viewed in the axial direction. The edge portion 23 has a portion that is erected from the bottom surface. The surface of the edge portion 23 that faces the opening portion 22 (the surface that faces the inside) is the inner wall surface. A plurality of inner ribs 24 are formed on the inner wall surface. The inner rib 24 is a slender portion that protrudes from the inner wall surface to the inside (toward the center side of the opening portion 22). The length direction of the inner rib 24 is parallel to the axial direction. The inner rib 24 is a structure for fixing the bolt 13 (details will be described later). The two inner ribs 24 are arranged in an opposing manner. Specifically, respective inner ribs 24 are formed at corresponding positions of the opposing inner wall surfaces. In other words, a straight line that is perpendicular to the first inner wall surface and passes through the first inner rib 24 formed thereon passes through the second inner rib 24 formed on the opposing second inner wall surface. In this embodiment, there are four inner wall surfaces, and the inner ribs 24 are formed on two of them, but the inner ribs 24 may be formed on all the inner wall surfaces. The outer rib 25 is a slender portion protruding outward from the outer wall surface of the edge 23 (in a direction away from the center of the opening 22 when viewed in the axial direction). The length direction of the outer rib 25 is parallel to the axial direction. The outer rib 25 is a structure for fixing the retainer 12 to the base block 11 (details will be described later). The drainage hole 26 is formed on the bottom surface of the opening 22 of the retainer 12. Figure 6 The drain hole 26 is a hole for draining water that has flowed into the electrical junction box 1 and reached the bolt holding structure 100 to the outside. The drain hole 26 is not limited to being formed on the bottom surface of the opening 22 of the holder 12, but may be formed on the side surface of the holder 12.

[0056] The bolt 13 is made of metal and has electrical conductivity. Figures 3 to 8 As shown, the bolt 13 has a fixing portion 31 , a receiving portion 32 and a shaft portion 33 .

[0057] The fixing portion 31 is a portion for fixing the bolt 13 to the retaining frame 12. The fixing portion 31 has a shape corresponding to the opening portion 22 of the retaining frame 12. Therefore, the fixing portion 31 of the present embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped having substantially the same size as the opening portion 22. By pressing the fixing portion 31 into the opening portion 22, the bolt 13 is fixed to the retaining frame 12. In detail, Figure 5As shown, the bolt 13 is inserted into the retainer 12 with the fixing portion 31 as the front end, so that the fixing portion 31 is located inside the opening 22, and the inner rib 24 is compressed and elastically deformed, and the inner rib 24 presses the fixing portion 31 by its reaction force. Thus, the fixing portion 31 is fixed to the opening 22.

[0058] like Figure 7 As shown, when viewed in the axial direction, the opening portion 22 and the fixing portion 31 are rectangular. Therefore, when a rotational force with the axial direction as the rotation center is applied to the bolt 13, the bolt 13 can be prevented from idling. In addition, as long as the shape of the opening portion 22 and the fixing portion 31 when viewed in the axial direction is a polygon, the anti-rotation function can be exerted. Therefore, the shape of the opening portion 22 and the fixing portion 31 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped. In addition, the method of fixing the bolt 13 to the retaining frame 12 is not limited to press-fitting. For example, the bolt 13 can also be fixed to the retaining frame 12 by a snap or a fixing member.

[0059] The following describes the detailed shapes of the opening 22 and the fixing portion 31. The opening 22 is rectangular, and the fixing portion 31 is square. In addition, the lengths of the sides of the opening 22 and the fixing portion 31 are as follows. Figure 7 As shown, the long side of the opening 22 is set to length L1, the short side of the opening is set to length L2, the length of one side of the fixing portion 31 is set to length L3, and the length of the straight line connecting the opposing inner ribs 24 is set to length L4. In addition, the length L4 represents the length in a state where the fixing portion 31 is not inserted into the opening 22.

[0060] Among the above lengths, length L1>length L2>length L3>length L4 holds true. Since the opening 22 is a rectangle, length L1 is different from length L2. In other words, the lengths of two adjacent sides are different. In addition, the opening 22 may be a polygon other than a quadrilateral, or may be a square. Length L3 is shorter than length L1 and length L2. Thus, the fixing portion 31 can be inserted into the opening 22. Length L4 is shorter than length L3. Thus, the fixing portion 31 compresses the inner rib 24, so the restoring force of the inner rib 24 can be used to fix the fixing portion 31 to the retaining frame 12.

[0061] The receiving portion 32 is a portion for sandwiching the conductor between the receiving portion 32 and the nut 17. That is, the conductor is fixed in a manner sandwiched between the receiving portion 32 and the nut 17. Therefore, the receiving portion 32 is a portion located between the fixing portion 31 and the shaft portion 33 in the axial direction. Figure 4 ), the receiving portion 32 is circular. By setting the receiving portion 32 to a simple shape, the manufacture of the bolt 13 becomes easy. In particular, when cutting is performed while rotating the bolt 13 with the axial direction as the rotation center, the manufacture of the circular receiving portion 32 is easier.

[0062] Here, the bolt of Patent Document 1 does not have a portion corresponding to the receiving portion. Therefore, since the conductor is sandwiched between the bolt head and the nut having a smaller diameter, the contact area between the bolt and the conductor is likely to be reduced. As a result, a local force is applied to the conductor, so that the conductor may be deformed, or the force holding the conductor may be weakened, or the contact resistance value related to electrical conduction may increase.

[0063] In this regard, in the present embodiment, a receiving portion 32 is formed on the bolt 13. The receiving portion 32 is relatively large. Specifically, when viewed in the axial direction, the receiving portion 32 is larger than the fixing portion 31. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the entire fixing portion 31 overlaps with the receiving portion 32. However, as long as at least a portion of the receiving portion 32 is located radially outside the fixing portion 31, the size of the receiving portion 32 can be appropriately changed. In the present embodiment, since the size of the receiving portion 32 is large, the contact area between the bolt 13 and the conductor (bus bar 14 or terminal 15) becomes large, so the force applied to the conductor is dispersed. As a result, the deformation of the conductor can be suppressed, the conductor can be stably held, and the contact resistance value related to electrical conduction can be reduced.

[0064] In addition, in the present embodiment, the lower surface of the receiving portion 32 (the surface on the fixing portion 31 side) is in surface contact with the outer surface (more specifically, the upper surface) of the holder 12. As a result, the receiving portion 32 is not easily shaken, and the orientation (posture) of the receiving portion 32 can be stabilized. As a result, the conductor can be stably held.

[0065] Here, in the case where the size of the receiving portion 32 is too large, the size of the base block 11, which is the fixing destination of the bolt holding structure 100, may become too large. On the other hand, if the size of the receiving portion 32 is ensured to a certain extent, the above-mentioned effect can be fully exerted. Taking the above into consideration, in the present embodiment, in the figure observed along the axial direction, the contour of the receiving portion 32 overlaps with the edge 23. In other words, the contour of the receiving portion 32 is the radially outermost position of the receiving portion 32. The edge 23 is the portion located on the relatively outer side of the retaining frame 12. Therefore, by overlapping the contour of the receiving portion 32 with the edge 23, the size of the receiving portion 32 is fully ensured relative to the retaining frame 12, and the receiving portion 32 does not extend from the retaining frame 12. That is, the size of the receiving portion 32 can be increased within a range that does not affect the installation of the base block 11.

[0066] In addition, from another point of view, in the present embodiment, the position of the center of the receiving portion 32 is consistent with the center of the edge 23 (the intersection of the diagonals), and the length of the diameter of the receiving portion 32 is substantially the same as the length of one side of the edge 23. In other words, the length of the diameter of the receiving portion 32 is longer than the length of one side of the opening 22. When this condition is met, the size of the receiving portion 32 can be fully ensured relative to the retaining frame 12, and the receiving portion 32 will not (almost or completely) extend from the retaining frame 12. In addition, substantially the same length means the same length in the technical field, or the range in which the functions of each component are not affected even if there is a difference in length. Specifically, although it also depends on the overall size of each component, for example, the difference in length is about 1 mm or less or about 2 mm or less.

[0067] The shaft portion 33 is a cylindrical portion in which a thread groove is formed. As described above, the nut 17 is fastened to the shaft portion 33 .

[0068] Next, refer to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The structure for fixing the holder 12 to the base block 11 will be described.

[0069] like Figure 8 As shown, a storage portion 41, a snap-fit ​​portion 42, and a rib groove 43 are formed in the base block 11. The storage portion 41 is a portion for storing the retaining frame 12. The snap-fit ​​portion 42 is formed to interfere with the inner area of ​​the storage portion 41 (the area for retaining the retaining frame 12). The snap-fit ​​portion 42 has a step shape and is configured to be elastically deformable toward the outside of the storage portion 41. By inserting the retaining frame 12 into the storage portion 41, the snap-fit ​​portion 42 is pressed by the retaining frame 12 and deformed toward the outside. Thus, in a state where the retaining frame 12 is placed on the step-shaped portion of the snap-fit ​​portion 42, the retaining frame 12 is fixed to the storage portion 41. In addition, the structure for fixing the retaining frame 12 to the storage portion 41 is an example, and the retaining frame 12 may be fixed to the storage portion 41 by a structure different from the present embodiment.

[0070] The rib groove 43 is a groove having a position and shape corresponding to the outer rib 25 of the retaining frame 12. In the present embodiment, the outer rib 25 of the retaining frame 12 is formed only on one side of the retaining frame 12. Therefore, the rib groove 43 is formed only on one side of the inner wall surface of the storage portion 41. When the retaining frame 12 is inserted into the storage portion 41 in the correct orientation, the outer rib 25 enters the rib groove 43, so no interference occurs. On the other hand, when the retaining frame 12 is inserted into the storage portion 41 in the wrong orientation, the outer rib 25 contacts and interferes with the inner wall surface of the storage portion 41 other than the rib groove 43, so that the retaining frame 12 cannot be inserted into the base block 11. In this way, the retaining frame 12 can be fixed to the base block 11 in the correct orientation using the outer rib 25 and the rib groove 43.

[0071] In addition, if Fig. 9 As shown in the figure, when the retainer 12 is fixed to the base block 11, the outer rib 25 enters the rib groove 43. In addition, the upper part of the rib groove 43 (the end part on the opposite side of the bottom surface of the storage part 41) is closed by the closing part 43a. Therefore, even if a force in the extraction direction is applied to the retainer 12, the outer rib 25 interferes with the closing part 43a, so the retainer 12 is not easy to fall off. In addition, the rib groove 43 and the closing part 43a are not necessary structures and can be omitted.

[0072] As described above, the bolt holding structure 100 of the present embodiment includes the bolt 13 and the holder 12. The bolt 13 holds the conductor (bus bar 14, terminal 15) between the bolt 13 and the nut 17. The holder 12 holds the bolt 13. The bolt 13 includes a fixing portion 31, a shaft portion 33, and a receiving portion 32. The fixing portion 31 can be fixed to the holder 12. A thread groove is formed in the shaft portion 33, and the nut 17 is fastened to the shaft portion 33. The receiving portion 32 is located between the fixing portion 31 and the shaft portion 33 in the axial direction, and has a portion located radially outward of the fixing portion 31 when viewed in the axial direction.

[0073] Since the bolt 13 has the receiving portion 32, it is difficult for a local force to be applied to the conductor sandwiched between the bolt 13 and the nut 17. As a result, deformation of the conductor can be suppressed, and weakening of the force holding the conductor can be suppressed.

[0074] In the bolt holding structure 100 of the present embodiment, the holder 12 is made of resin.

[0075] Thus, it is possible to ensure insulation between the bolt 13 and the holder 12 and stably fix the bolt 13 to the holder 12 by utilizing elastic deformation of the resin.

[0076] In the bolt holding structure 100 of the present embodiment, the holder 12 has a structure capable of fixing the fixing portion 31 of the bolt 13 by press-fitting.

[0077] Thus, the bolt 13 can be fixed to the holder 12 simply by inserting the fixing portion 31 of the bolt 13 into the holder 12 .

[0078] In the bolt holding structure 100 of the present embodiment, the receiving portion 32 is circular when viewed in the axial direction.

[0079] This makes it easy to manufacture the bolt 13 having the receiving portion 32. In addition, regardless of the orientation of the receiving portion 32, the contact area between the receiving portion 32 and the conductor can be ensured.

[0080] In the bolt holding structure 100 of this embodiment, the retainer 12 is formed with an opening 22 in which the fixing portion 31 of the bolt 13 can be mounted and an edge 23 surrounding the opening 22. The contour of the receiving portion 32 of the bolt 13 overlaps with the edge 23 of the retainer 12 when viewed in the axial direction.

[0081] Since the contour of the receiving portion 32 overlaps with the edge 23 of the holder 12, the size of the receiving portion 32 can be increased within a range where the receiving portion 32 does not extend from the holder 12. Thus, the contact area between the receiving portion 32 and the conductor can be increased, making it more difficult to apply a local force to the conductor.

[0082] In the bolt holding structure 100 of the present embodiment, the retainer 12 is formed with the opening 22 into which the fixing portion 31 of the bolt 13 can be mounted. When the opening 22 is viewed in the axial direction, the length L1 of one of two adjacent sides is longer than the length L2 of the other side.

[0083] Thus, the holder 12 can be realized using the opening 22 in various shapes, not limited to a square shape.

[0084] In the bolt holding structure 100 of the present embodiment, an opening portion 22 is formed in the retaining frame 12 to which a fixing portion 31 of a bolt 13 can be mounted. When viewed in the axial direction, the opening portion 22 and the fixing portion 31 are rectangular. A plurality of inner ribs 24 are formed on the inner wall surface of the opening portion 22. At least two inner ribs 24 are arranged in an opposing manner. When viewed in the axial direction, the length L3 of one side of the fixing portion 31 is longer than the length L4 of a straight line connecting the opposing inner ribs 24 to each other, and is shorter than the lengths L1 and L2 of one side of the opening portion 22.

[0085] This facilitates the work of inserting the fixing portion 31 into the opening 22 , and the fixing portion 31 can be fixed to the holder using the inner rib 24 .

[0086] In the bolt holding structure 100 of the present embodiment, the receiving portion 32 is circular when viewed in the axial direction. The retaining frame 12 is formed with an opening 22 in which the fixing portion 31 of the bolt 13 can be mounted. The opening 22 is square or rectangular with long sides and short sides when viewed in the axial direction. When viewed in the axial direction, the length of the diameter of the receiving portion 32 is longer than the length L1 of one side of the square or the long side of the rectangle.

[0087] Since the length of the diameter of the receiving portion is longer than the length of one side of the square or the length of the long side of the rectangle of the opening, the receiving portion can be brought into contact with the retainer.

[0088] In the bolt holding structure 100 of the present embodiment, the receiving portion 32 is circular when viewed in the axial direction. The retaining frame 12 is formed with an opening 22 in which the fixing portion 31 of the bolt 13 can be mounted. The opening 22 is square when viewed in the axial direction. When viewed in the axial direction, the length of the diameter of the receiving portion 32 is longer than the length of one side of the opening 22.

[0089] Since the diameter of the receiving portion 32 is longer than the length of one side of the opening 22 , the receiving portion 32 can be brought into contact with the holder 12 .

[0090] In the bolt holding structure 100 of the present embodiment, the retainer 12 is mounted on the base block 11. The retainer 12 is formed with an outer rib 25 protruding radially outward. When the retainer 12 is mounted on the base block 11 in the correct orientation, the outer rib 25 does not interfere with the base block 11. When the retainer 12 is mounted on the base block 11 in the wrong orientation, the outer rib 25 interferes with the base block 11.

[0091] This can prevent the holder 12 from being mounted on the base block 11 in an incorrect orientation.

[0092] In the bolt holding structure 100 of the present embodiment, the retainer 12 is provided with the drain hole 26 for draining the intruded water.

[0093] This can suppress water from accumulating in the retainer 12 .

[0094] In the bolt holding structure 100 of the present embodiment, the surface of the receiving portion 32 of the bolt 13 on the fixing portion 31 side is in surface contact with the outer surface of the holder 12 .

[0095] This stabilizes the orientation of the receiving portion 32, so that the receiving portion 32 can face the conductor. As a result, the contact area between the receiving portion 32 and the conductor can be sufficiently ensured, so that local force is less likely to be applied to the conductor.

[0096] In the bolt holding structure 100 of the present embodiment, the receiving portion 32 is circular when viewed in the axial direction. The retainer 12 is square when viewed in the axial direction. When viewed in the axial direction, the length of the diameter of the receiving portion 32 is substantially the same as the length of one side of the retainer 12.

[0097] Since the length of the diameter of the receiving portion 32 is substantially the same as the length of one side of the retainer 12, the size of the receiving portion 32 can be increased within the range where the receiving portion 32 does not extend from the retainer. Thus, the contact area with the conductor can be increased, so it is less likely to apply a local force to the conductor.

[0098] Description of symbols

[0099] 1: electrical connection box; 11: base block; 12: retaining frame; 13: bolt; 21: main body; 22: opening; 23: edge; 24: inner rib; 25: outer rib (protrusion); 26: drainage hole; 31: fixing part; 32: receiving part; 33: shaft part.

Claims

1. A bolt retaining structure, characterized in that: The bolt retaining structure has: a bolt holding an electrical conductor between the bolt and a nut; and a retainer, which retains the bolt, The bolt has: a fixing portion capable of being fixed to the retaining frame; a shaft portion having a thread groove formed therein and to which the nut is fastened; and The receiving portion is located between the fixing portion and the shaft portion in the axial direction and has a portion located radially outward of the fixing portion when viewed in the axial direction.

2. The bolt holding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retainer is made of resin.

3. The bolt holding structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The retainer has a structure capable of fixing the fixing portion of the bolt by press-fitting.

4. The bolt holding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiving portion is circular when viewed along the axial direction.

5. The bolt holding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retainer is formed with an opening portion of the fixing portion to which the bolt can be mounted and an edge portion constituting the periphery of the opening portion. When viewed in the axial direction, the contour of the receiving portion of the bolt overlaps with the edge of the retainer.

6. The bolt holding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retainer is formed with an opening portion to which the fixing portion of the bolt can be mounted. When the opening is viewed in the axial direction, the length of one of two adjacent sides is longer than the length of the other side.

7. The bolt holding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retainer is formed with an opening portion to which the fixing portion of the bolt can be mounted. When viewed along the axial direction, the opening portion and the fixing portion are rectangular. A plurality of inner ribs are formed on the inner wall surface of the opening. At least two of the inner ribs are arranged in an opposing manner, When viewed in the axial direction, the length of one side of the fixing portion is longer than the length of a straight line connecting the opposing inner ribs, and is shorter than the length of one side of the opening.

8. The bolt holding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiving portion is circular when viewed along the axial direction. The retainer is formed with an opening portion to which the fixing portion of the bolt can be mounted. The opening is a square or a rectangle having a long side and a short side when viewed along the axial direction. When viewed in the axial direction, the length of the diameter of the receiving portion is longer than the length of one side of the square or the length of the long side of the rectangle.

9. The bolt holding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiving portion is circular when viewed along the axial direction. The retainer is formed with an opening portion to which the fixing portion of the bolt can be mounted. The opening is square when viewed along the axial direction. When viewed in the axial direction, the receiving portion has a diameter that is longer than a length of one side of the opening.

10. The bolt holding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retaining frame is mounted on the base block, The retainer is formed with a protrusion protruding outward in the radial direction. When the retainer is mounted on the base block in the correct orientation, the protrusion does not interfere with the base block. When the retainer is mounted on the base block in an incorrect orientation, the protrusion interferes with the base block.

11. The bolt holding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retainer is formed with a drain hole for draining the intruded water.

12. The bolt holding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A surface of the receiving portion of the bolt on the fixing portion side is in surface contact with an outer surface of the retainer.

13. An electrical connection box, characterized in that: The electrical connection box has: The bolt retaining structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and The first conductor and the second conductor are fixed by being sandwiched between the bolt and the nut by tightening the nut to the bolt.

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