Box-shaped body

Abstract

A box-shaped body (1) is provided with: a housing (10) having a cylindrical peripheral wall (11); and a cover (20) attached to the peripheral wall (11) so as to cover the open end of the housing (10). The peripheral wall (11) of the housing (10) has a multilayer wall structure including a plurality of wall plates (14, 15, 16) arranged in the inside-outside direction of the housing (10). The cover (20) is attached to the peripheral wall (11) such that the peripheral wall (11) overlaps the edge (21) of the cover (20). Gaps defined between the peripheral wall (11) and the edge portion (21) are arranged such that a plurality of narrow regions (s1, s2, s3) and a plurality of wide regions (h1, h2) wider than the narrow regions (s1, s2, s3) are alternately arranged, the narrow regions (s1, s2, s3) being disposed adjacent to each other so that the peripheral wall (11) and the edge portion (21) can be in surface contact with each other. The innermost narrow region (s3) of the plurality of narrow regions (s1, s2, s3) communicates with an interlayer region (g1) between one wall panel (14) and the other wall panel (15) of the plurality of wall panels (14, 15, 16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a box-shaped body including: a housing having a cylindrical peripheral wall; and a cover attached to the peripheral wall so as to cover an opening end of the housing. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, box-shaped bodies constructed by assembling multiple components, such as electrical connection boxes (e.g., relay boxes) mounted on vehicles, have been proposed. For example, one conventional electrical connection box includes a main body housing for holding electronic components and a cover assembled to the main body housing (e.g., see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-182314 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in these types of electrical junction boxes, rubber gaskets or the like are sometimes used to seal the gap between the main housing and the cover to improve waterproofing in the event of water contact. However, from the perspective of workability and manufacturing costs during manufacturing, it is preferable not to use such gaskets or the like to improve waterproofing. Furthermore, as can be seen from the above description, improved waterproofing is desirable not only for electrical junction boxes but also for any box-shaped structure comprising a cover and a housing.

[0008] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a box-shaped body capable of improving waterproofness.

[0009] Technical means to solve the problem

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the box-shaped body according to the present invention has the following characteristics.

[0011] A box-shaped body,

[0012] The invention comprises: a housing having a cylindrical peripheral wall; and a cover mounted on the peripheral wall so as to cover an opening end of the housing.

[0013] The peripheral wall of the housing has:

[0014] a multi-layer wall structure comprising a plurality of wall panels arranged in an inner and outer direction of the shell,

[0015] The cover is mounted on the peripheral wall in such a manner that the peripheral wall and the edge of the cover overlap.

[0016] The gap defined between the peripheral wall and the edge is configured such that a plurality of narrow areas defined by the peripheral wall and the edge are arranged adjacent to each other and a plurality of wide areas wider than the narrow areas are arranged alternately, and

[0017] The innermost narrow region among the plurality of narrow regions communicates with an interlayer region between one wall panel and another wall panel among the plurality of wall panels.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the box-shaped body of the present invention, when the cover is installed on the shell, the peripheral wall of the shell overlaps with the edge of the cover, thereby dividing a gap between the peripheral wall of the shell and the edge of the cover. The gap is configured in a manner that a plurality of narrow areas divided by the adjacent arrangement of the peripheral wall and the edge and a plurality of wide areas wider than the narrow areas are arranged alternately. It should be noted that in the narrow area, the peripheral wall and the edge can be in surface contact, or the peripheral wall and the edge can be arranged adjacent to each other with a small gap such as a gap in the design or a gap caused by manufacturing tolerance. In the case where water invades the gap from the outside of the box-shaped body, if the water enters the wide area through the narrow area, the flow path area will expand and the water pressure will decrease, and the momentum of the water entering the gap will decrease. That is, the wide area functions as a decompression chamber. Furthermore, by providing multiple wide areas, the momentum of the water advancing in the gap is reduced multiple times, so that it is possible to prevent the water from advancing further in the gap in any of the wide areas. Furthermore, even if water does pass through the gap, the innermost narrow area communicates with the interlayer area between one wall panel and the other. Therefore, the water is drained into the interlayer area, preventing it from reaching the interior of the housing. Therefore, the box-shaped body can achieve sufficient waterproofing without using other components such as gaskets. Therefore, the box-shaped body of the present invention can improve waterproofing.

[0020] The present invention has been briefly described above, but details of the present invention will become more apparent by reading through the embodiments of the invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is an exploded perspective view of a box-shaped body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 Yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the box-shaped body in the assembled state is shown.

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Magnified view of part A.

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 BB cross-sectional view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] <Example>

[0026] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings Figure 2 The box-shaped body 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The box-shaped body 1 is typically a relay box (electrical connection box) that is mounted on a frame of a vehicle or the like and houses electronic components such as relays.

[0027] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the box-shaped body 1 is a box-shaped body composed of the following components: a main body housing 10 that houses electronic components such as relays (and other components not shown); an upper cover 20 assembled to the upper end of the main body housing 10 to close the upper end opening (open end) of the main body housing 10; and a lower cover 30 assembled to the lower end of the main body housing 10 to close the lower end opening (open end) of the main body housing 10. The main body housing 10, upper cover 20, and lower cover 30 are each resin molded bodies. The main body housing 10 corresponds to the "housing" of the present invention, and the upper cover 20 corresponds to the "cover" of the present invention.

[0028] For the sake of convenience, the following description will define the direction of the box-shaped body 1 corresponding to the vertical direction of the vehicle in the vehicle mounting posture as the "vertical direction", the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 11 of the main body shell 10, which will be described later, as the "circumferential direction", and the thickness direction of the peripheral wall 11 as the "inside-outside direction". The "vertical direction", "circumferential direction" and "inside-outside direction" are orthogonal to each other (see Figure 3 The "inside" and "outside" of the "inside-outside direction" correspond to the inside and outside of the box-shaped housing 1, respectively. Furthermore, the "upper and lower directions" are merely defined for ease of explanation and do not necessarily correspond to the upper and lower directions of a vehicle, etc., when the box-shaped housing 1 is mounted thereon. For example, the box-shaped housing 1 can be used with the upper cover 20 positioned at the bottom, or with the lower cover 30 positioned at the top. The main body 10 and upper cover 20 that constitute the box-shaped housing 1 will be described in detail below.

[0029] First, the main body housing 10 will be described. Figure 1 As shown, the main body shell 10 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 11, which has a roughly L-shaped shape when viewed from the top and bottom and extends in the top and bottom directions. A plurality of storage portions 12 for storing electronic components 2 such as relays (and other components) are provided in the internal space of the main body shell 10 divided by the peripheral wall 11. On the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 11, a plurality of circumferential positions (three positions in this example) are provided with engaging portions 13. In the assembled state of the main body shell 10 and the upper cover 20 (see FIG. 2 ), the main body shell 10 and the upper cover 20 are assembled. Figure 2 ) under the plurality of engaged portions 13 are engaged with the plurality of engaging portions 23 of the upper cover 20 described later (see Figure 2 ).

[0030] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the peripheral wall 11 has a multi-layered structure. Specifically, the peripheral wall 11 includes a first wall 14 extending vertically along its entire circumference; a second wall 15 located outside the first wall 14 at a distance from the first wall 14 and extending vertically; and a third wall 16 located outside the second wall 15 at a distance from the second wall 15 and extending vertically. A stepped portion 15a with an upwardly facing stepped surface is formed on the outer side surface near the upper edge of the second wall 15. The upper edge of the third wall 16 and a portion of the second wall 15 below the stepped portion 15a are connected to each other along the entire circumference by a connecting wall 17 extending inward and outward. The interlayer region g1 between the first and second walls 14, 15 is open to the outside at both the upper and lower opening ends. Meanwhile, the interlayer region g2 between the second and third walls 15, 16, is closed by the connecting wall 17 at the upper opening end and open to the outside at the lower opening end.

[0031] Next, the upper cover 20 will be described. Figure 1 As shown, the upper cover 20 integrally comprises: a cylindrical peripheral wall 21, which corresponds to the peripheral wall 11 of the main housing 10 and has a generally L-shaped shape when viewed from the top and bottom, and extends in the top and bottom directions; and a bottom wall 22, which closes the upper end opening (open end) of the peripheral wall 21. Engaging portions 23 are provided on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 21 at multiple locations (three locations in this example) along the circumference, corresponding to the multiple engaged portions 13 of the main housing 10.

[0032] like Figure 4 As shown, the peripheral wall 21 has a multi-layered structure corresponding to the multi-layered structure of the peripheral wall 11. Specifically, the peripheral wall 21 includes a first wall 24 extending in the vertical direction, a second wall 25 located outside the first wall 24 and extending in the vertical direction at a distance therefrom, and a third wall 26 located outside the second wall 25 and extending in the vertical direction at a distance therefrom. The upper edge of the second wall 25 is connected to a portion approximately in the vertical middle of the first wall 24 by a connecting wall 27 extending in the inner and outer directions along the entire circumference. A step portion 25a having a downwardly facing stepped surface is formed on the inner side surface of the portion approximately in the vertical middle of the second wall 25, corresponding to the step portion 15a of the peripheral wall 11 (second wall 15). The upper edge of the third wall 26 is connected to a portion of the second wall 25 below the step portion 25a (a portion near the lower edge of the second wall 25) by a connecting wall 28 extending in the inner and outer directions along the entire circumference. The main body case 10 and the upper cover 20 constituting the box-shaped body 1 have been described above.

[0033] Next, the assembly of the upper cover 20 to the main body housing 10 will be described. To assemble the main body housing 10 and the upper cover 20, first, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the main body shell 10 and the upper cover 20 are arranged in such a manner that the main body shell 10 is located below the upper cover 20. Next, the main body shell 10 and the upper cover 20 are brought close to each other in the up and down directions so that the peripheral wall 11 of the main body shell 10 is engaged with the peripheral wall 21 of the upper cover 20. The engagement is performed as follows: the lower end edge of the first wall 24 of the peripheral wall 21 enters the upper open end of the interlayer area g1 between the first wall 14 and the second wall 15 of the peripheral wall 11, the upper end edge of the second wall 15 of the peripheral wall 11 enters the lower open end of the interlayer area g3 between the first wall 24 and the second wall 25 of the peripheral wall 21, and the plurality of engaged portions 13 are engaged with the plurality of engaging portions 23, respectively. In the assembled state of the main body shell 10 and the upper cover 20 (refer to Figure 2 ) under the condition that the engaged portion 13 and the engaging portion 23 are locked to each other, thereby preventing the main body housing 10 and the upper cover 20 from separating in the vertical direction.

[0034] In the assembled state of the main body housing 10 and the upper cover 20 (see Figure 2 ) Figure 4 As shown, between the peripheral wall 11 of the main body shell 10 and the peripheral wall 21 of the upper cover 20, the "gap" connecting the outside of the box-shaped body 1 and the interlayer area g1 between the first wall 14 and the second wall 15 of the peripheral wall 11 is arranged in a manner that alternates between narrow areas s and wide areas h throughout the entire circumference. The narrow area s is an area divided by the adjacent arrangement of a part of the peripheral wall 11 and a part of the peripheral wall 21, and the wide area h is an area with a wider spacing in the inner and outer directions than the narrow area s. Between the peripheral wall 11 of the main body shell 10 and the peripheral wall 21 of the upper cover 20, there is no rubber gasket to seal the "gap". In the narrow area s, the peripheral wall 11 and the peripheral wall 21 can be in surface contact, or the peripheral wall and the edge can be arranged adjacent to each other with a small gap separated by a gap due to design gaps, gaps caused by manufacturing tolerances, etc.

[0035] Specifically, this "gap" is formed by, in order from the exterior of the box-shaped body 1 toward the interlayer region g1, a narrow region s1, a wide region h1, a narrow region s2, a wide region h2, and a narrow region s3. The narrow region s1 is defined by the proximity of the third wall 16 of the peripheral wall 11 and the third wall 26 of the peripheral wall 21. The narrow region s2 is defined by the proximity of the second wall 15 of the peripheral wall 11, including the step 15a, and the second wall 25 of the peripheral wall 21, including the step 25a. The narrow region s3 is defined by the proximity of the second wall 15 of the peripheral wall 11 and the first wall 24 of the peripheral wall 21. The wide region h1 is defined by the second wall 15 and connecting wall 17 of the peripheral wall 11 and the third wall 26 and connecting wall 28 of the peripheral wall 21. The wide region h2 is defined by the upper end of the second wall 15 of the peripheral wall 11, the first wall 24, the second wall 25, and the connecting wall 27 of the peripheral wall 21. The wide region h1 is spaced further apart in the inner and outer directions than the narrow regions s1 and s2 adjacent thereto. The wide region h2 is spaced further apart in the inner and outer directions than the narrow regions s2 and s3 adjacent thereto.

[0036] As described above, due to the "gap" defined between the peripheral wall 11 of the main body housing 10 and the peripheral wall 21 of the upper cover 20, if water enters the narrow area s1 from the outside of the box-shaped body 1 through the lower opening of the narrow area s1 located at the end of this "gap" on the outer side of the box-shaped body 1, as the water passes through the narrow area s1 and into the wide area h1, the flow path area expands, thereby reducing the water pressure and slowing the water's entry into the "gap." In other words, the wide area h1 functions as a decompression chamber. Even if the water that has entered the wide area h1 further enters the narrow area s2 and passes through the narrow area s2 into the wide area h2, the flow path area expands again, further reducing the water pressure and further slowing the water's entry into the "gap." In other words, the wide area h2 functions as a decompression chamber, similar to the wide area h1. By providing two wide regions h1 and h2, each functioning as a decompression chamber, the momentum of water entering the "gap" is reduced twice. Consequently, further water intrusion into the "gap" is prevented in either wide region h1 or h2. Furthermore, even if water entering wide region h2 further intrudes into narrow region s3 and passes through narrow region s3, because narrow region s3 is connected to interlayer region g1 between first and second walls 14 and 15 of peripheral wall 11, the water will be discharged into interlayer region g1 and prevented from reaching the interior of main body housing 10. Furthermore, as described above, interlayer region g2 between second and third walls 15 and 16 of peripheral wall 11 is sealed at the upper open end by connecting wall 17 and communicates with the outside at the lower open end. Therefore, if water is applied to box-shaped body 1 from below, while water enters interlayer region g2 from the lower end, it will not flow out from the upper end. In other words, by allowing water to boldly invade the interlayer area g2 between the second wall 15 and the third wall 16 of the peripheral wall 11 and then intercepting the water, the amount of water entering the "gap" between the peripheral wall 11 of the main shell 10 and the peripheral wall 21 of the upper cover 20 (more specifically, the narrow area s1 at the end of the outer side of the box-shaped body 1 located in the "gap") can be reduced.

[0037] <Function and Effect>

[0038] As described above, according to the box-shaped body 1 of this embodiment, when the upper cover 20 is attached to the main body housing 10, the peripheral wall 11 of the main body housing 10 overlaps with the peripheral wall 21 of the upper cover 20, thereby defining a "gap" between the peripheral walls 11 and 21 of the main body housing 10. This "gap" is formed by alternating a plurality of narrow regions s1, s2, and s3, defined by the adjacent arrangement of the peripheral walls 11 and 21, and a plurality of wide regions h1 and h2, which are wider than the narrow regions s1, s2, and s3. Therefore, if water intrudes into this "gap" from outside the box-shaped body 1, if the water flows through the narrow regions s1 and s2 and into the wide regions h1 and h2, the flow path area expands, the water pressure decreases, and the momentum of the water entering the "gap" is reduced. In other words, the wide regions h1 and h2 function as decompression chambers. Furthermore, by providing multiple wide areas h1 and h2, the momentum of water advancing through the "gap" is reduced multiple times. Therefore, any one of the wide areas h1 and h2 can prevent water from further advancing through the "gap." Furthermore, even if water were to pass through the "gap," the innermost narrow area s3 would be connected to the interlayer area g1 between the first wall 14 and the second wall 15, so the water would be drained into the interlayer area g1 and prevented from reaching the interior of the main body case 10. Consequently, the box-shaped body 1 can achieve sufficient waterproofing without the use of additional components such as gaskets. Therefore, the box-shaped body 1 of this embodiment can achieve improved waterproofing.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the box-shaped body 1 involved in this embodiment, the interlayer region (the interlayer region g2 between the second wall 15 and the third wall 16) between the pair of wall panels located at the outermost side of the main body shell 10 is closed on the open end side (upper end side) of the main body shell 10, and is connected to the outside of the main body shell 10 on the side opposite to the open end side (lower end side). Thus, when the box-shaped body 1 is wet, although water enters the interlayer region g2 from the side opposite to the open end side (lower end side), the water does not flow out from the open end side (upper end side). In other words, by intercepting the water after allowing it to safely intrude into the interlayer region g2 between the pair of wall panels, the amount of water that enters the "gap" between the peripheral wall 11 of the main body shell 10 and the peripheral wall 21 of the upper cover 20 can be reduced. Therefore, the waterproofness of the box-shaped body 1 can be further improved.

[0040] <Other methods>

[0041] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications and improvements are possible as appropriate. Furthermore, the materials, shapes, sizes, quantities, and placement of the components in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited, as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0042] Here, the features of the box-shaped body 1 according to the present invention are briefly summarized and listed as follows [1] to [3].

[0043] [1] A box-shaped body (1),

[0044] The invention comprises: a housing (10) having a cylindrical peripheral wall (11); and a cover (20) mounted on the peripheral wall (11) so as to cover the opening end of the housing (10), wherein:

[0045] The peripheral wall (11) of the housing (10) has a multi-layer wall structure, which includes a plurality of wall panels (14, 15, 16) arranged in the inner and outer directions of the housing (10).

[0046] The cover (20) is mounted on the peripheral wall (11) in such a manner that the peripheral wall (11) and the edge (21) of the cover (20) overlap with each other.

[0047] The gap defined between the peripheral wall (11) and the edge portion (21) is configured such that:

[0048] The peripheral wall (11) and the edge portion (21) are adjacently arranged to define a plurality of narrow areas (s1, s2, s3) and a plurality of wide areas (h1, h2) wider than the narrow areas (s1, s2, s3) are alternately arranged.

[0049] The innermost narrow region (s3) among the plurality of narrow regions (s1, s2, s3) is connected to an interlayer region (g1) between one wall panel (14) and another wall panel (15) among the plurality of wall panels (14, 15, 16).

[0050] According to the box-shaped body of the structure [1] above, when the cover is installed on the shell, the peripheral wall of the shell overlaps with the edge of the cover, thereby dividing a gap between the peripheral wall of the shell and the edge of the cover. The gap is configured in a manner that a plurality of narrow areas divided by the peripheral wall and the edge are arranged adjacent to each other and a plurality of wide areas wider than the narrow areas are arranged alternately. It should be noted that in the narrow area, the peripheral wall and the edge can be in surface contact, or the peripheral wall and the edge can be arranged adjacent to each other with a small gap. In the case where water invades the gap from the outside of the box-shaped body, if the water enters the wide area through the narrow area, the flow path area is expanded and the water pressure is reduced, and the momentum of water entering the gap is reduced. That is, the wide area functions as a decompression chamber. Furthermore, by providing multiple wide areas, the momentum of water advancing in the gap is reduced multiple times, thereby preventing water from advancing further in the gap in any wide area. In addition, even if water passes through the gap, since the narrow area located on the innermost side is connected to the interlayer area between one wall plate and another wall plate, the water is discharged to the interlayer area, preventing the water from reaching the inside of the shell. Therefore, the box-shaped body can exhibit sufficient waterproofness without using other components such as a gasket. Therefore, the box-shaped body of this structure can improve waterproofness. [2]

[0052] In the box-shaped body (1) described in [1] above,

[0053] A pair of the outermost wall panels (15, 16) among the plurality of the wall panels (14, 15, 16) is configured such that an interlayer region (g2) between the pair of the wall panels (15, 16) is closed on the open end side of the shell (10), and the interlayer region (g2) between the pair of the wall panels (15, 16) is connected to the outside of the shell (10) on the side opposite to the open end side.

[0054] According to the box-shaped body of the structure [2] above, the interlayer area between the pair of wall panels located on the outermost side of the shell is closed on the open end side of the shell and is connected to the outside of the shell on the side opposite to the open end side. As a result, when the box-shaped body is wetted, although water enters the interlayer area from the side opposite to the open end side, the water does not flow out from the open end side. In other words, by allowing water to safely enter the interlayer area between the pair of wall panels and then intercepting the water, the amount of water that enters the gap between the peripheral wall of the shell and the edge of the cover can be reduced. Therefore, the waterproofness of the box-shaped body can be further improved. [3]

[0056] The box-shaped body (1) described in [1] above does not have a gasket for sealing the gap.

[0057] According to the box-shaped body of the structure [3] above, the box-shaped body does not have a gasket for sealing the gap between the peripheral wall of the shell and the edge of the cover. Therefore, the workability during the manufacture of the box-shaped body can be improved and the manufacturing cost of the box-shaped body can be reduced.

Claims

1. A box-shaped body, characterized in that: The invention comprises: a housing having a cylindrical peripheral wall; and a cover mounted on the peripheral wall so as to cover an opening end of the housing. The peripheral wall of the housing has: a multi-layer wall structure comprising a plurality of wall panels arranged in an inner and outer direction of the shell, The cover is mounted on the peripheral wall in such a manner that the peripheral wall and the edge of the cover overlap. The gap defined between the peripheral wall and the edge is configured such that a plurality of narrow areas defined by the peripheral wall and the edge are arranged adjacent to each other and a plurality of wide areas wider than the narrow areas are arranged alternately, and The innermost narrow region among the plurality of narrow regions communicates with an interlayer region between one wall panel and another wall panel among the plurality of wall panels.

2. The box-shaped body according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pair of wall panels located on the outermost sides among the multiple wall panels are constructed as follows: on the open end side of the shell, the interlayer area between the pair of wall panels is closed; and on the side opposite to the open end side, the interlayer area between the pair of wall panels is connected to the outside of the shell.

3. The box-shaped body according to claim 1, characterized in that: There is no gasket sealing the gap.

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