Electrical junction box

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electrical connection box capable of appropriately performing replacement work of a mounted component. An electrical connection box (1) is provided with: a housing (10) having a bus bar connection part (14) connected to a bus bar unit (4), and a mounting member (15) to which power is supplied from the bus bar unit (4) via the bus bar connection part (14); a cover (20) that covers at least the conductor part (16) of the mounting member (15) so as to be openable and closable; and a hinge (30) that connects the cover (20) to the housing (10) so as to be rotatable between a closed position (P1) and an open position (P2), the cover (20) having an interference part (25) that enables the connection work of the bus bar connection part (14) and the bus bar unit (4) in a state in which the cover is in the closed position (P1), and enables the connection work of the bus bar connection part (14) and the bus bar unit (4) in a state in which the cover is in the open position (P2). The connection work between the bus bar connection part (14) and the bus bar unit (4) cannot be performed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an electrical connection box. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a technology related to the conventional electrical connection box, for example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an electrical connection box that includes a frame having a mounting component, a cover that covers the mounting component in an openable and closable manner, and a hinge that links the cover to the frame in a manner rotatable between a closed position and an open position.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-082354 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] However, in the electrical connection box described in Patent Literature 1 described above, for example, at least the conductor portion of the mounting component is covered by the cover in an openable and closable manner, but there is room for further improvement in terms of appropriately performing a replacement work of the mounting component.

[0008] The present application has been achieved in view of the above-described circumstances, and aims to provide an electrical connection box that can appropriately perform a replacement work of a mounting component.

[0009] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] To achieve the above object, the electrical connection box according to the present application includes a frame having a bus bar connecting portion for connecting a bus bar unit and a mounting component supplied with electric power from the bus bar unit via the bus bar connecting portion, a cover that covers at least a conductor portion of the mounting component in an openable and closable manner, and a hinge that links the cover to the frame in a manner rotatable between a closed position and an open position, the cover having an interference portion that allows a connection work of the bus bar connecting portion and the bus bar unit in a state where the cover is located at the closed position and does not allow the connection work of the bus bar connecting portion and the bus bar unit in a state where the cover is located at the open position.

[0011] EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to the electrical connection box of the present application, for example, with the interference portion of the lid, the connection work of the bus bar connecting portion and the bus bar unit can be performed in a state where the lid is located at the closed position, and the connection work of the bus bar connecting portion and the bus bar unit cannot be performed in a state where the lid is located at the open position. As a result, the electrical connection box functions to appropriately perform the replacement work of the mounting component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is an example of the electrical connection box according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 is an example of the electrical connection box according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 is an example of the lid of the electrical connection box according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 is an example of the electrical connection box according to the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 is an example of the electrical connection box according to the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 is an example of the electrical connection box according to the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 is an example of the electrical connection box according to the embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 is an example of the electrical connection box according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that the present application is not limited to the following embodiment. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiment include elements that can be easily substituted by those skilled in the art, or substantially the same elements. Furthermore, in the present specification, numerals are used only to distinguish components, members, sites, positions, directions, and the like, and do not indicate order, priority.

[0022] [EMBODIMENT]

[0023] Figure 1 is an example of the electrical connection box 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 1The electric connection box 1 of the present embodiment shown is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and includes, for example, a frame body 10, a cover 20, and a hinge 30. The frame body 10 has a bus bar connecting portion 14 connected to the bus bar unit 4, and a mounting member 15 supplied with electric power from the bus bar unit 4 via the bus bar connecting portion 14. The cover 20 covers at least the conductor portion 16 of the mounting member 15 in an openable and closable manner (see Figure 2 ). The hinge 30 links the cover 20 to the frame body 10 in a manner rotatable between a closed position PI (see Figure 1 , Figure 4 ) and an open position P2 (see Figure 5 ). Further, the electric connection box 1 can also be configured to include various constituent members such as a fixing member, a connector, and the like.

[0024] Further, in the following description, the first direction among the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction that cross each other is referred to as an "extension direction X", the second direction is referred to as a "width direction Y", and the third direction is referred to as a "height direction Z". Here, the extension direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are substantially orthogonal to each other. The extension direction X is typically along the depth direction (front-rear direction) of the electric connection box 1, the extension direction of the bus bar unit 4, and the like. The width direction Y is typically along the width direction (left-right direction) of the electric connection box 1, the width direction of the bus bar unit 4, and the like. The height direction Z is typically along the height direction (up-down direction) of the electric connection box 1, the height direction of the bus bar unit 4, and the like. In addition, each direction used in the following description is described in a state in which the electric connection box 1 is assembled to a vehicle, unless otherwise specified.

[0025] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electric connection box 1. As shown in Figure 2 , the frame body 10 has, for example, a lower case 11 and an upper case 12 formed of an insulating resin material or the like. The upper case 12 is assembled in a state of being stacked on one end portion side (upper side) in the height direction Z with respect to the lower case 11. According to this structure, the frame body 10 is integrally formed in a hollow box shape by combining the lower case 11 and the upper case 12. The space portion of the inside of the frame body 10 partitioned by the lower case 11 and the upper case 12 functions as a housing space portion 11c that houses electronic components such as the bus bar connecting portion 14, the mounting member 15, the conductive member 17, and the like.

[0026] The lower case 11 has, for example, a bottom wall portion 11a and a peripheral wall portion 11b that protrudes from a peripheral edge portion of the bottom wall portion 11a toward one end portion side (upper side) in the height direction Z. The bottom wall portion 11a and the peripheral wall portion 11b are structures for dividing the aforementioned accommodation space portion 11c that is an internal space portion of the frame 10. In the present embodiment, the bus bar connecting portion 14 is provided at a position closer to one end portion side (right side) in the extension direction X than the center portion of the accommodation space portion 11c, and the mounting member 15 is provided at a position closer to the other end portion side (left side) in the extension direction X than the center portion of the accommodation space portion 11c. Also, the bus bar connecting portion 14 is electrically connected to the mounting member 15 in the accommodation space portion 11c via the conductive member 17. Further, in the present embodiment, a rib 11d is provided in the lower case 11, which supports the bus bar connecting portion 14, the mounting member 15, the conductive member 17, and the like on the one end portion side in the height direction of the accommodation space portion 11c.

[0027] The bus bar connecting portion 14 is composed of, for example, a stud bolt or the like. The bus bar connecting portion 14 is provided in a state of protruding from the conductive member 17 in the height direction Z, and is fastened to the bus bar 2 of the bus bar unit 4 via a nut or the like, thereby being electrically connected to the bus bar 2. The mounting member 15 is composed of, for example, an electronic component such as a fuse, a relay, a sensor, or the like that accompanies power supply. The mounting member 15 has, for example, a conductor portion 16 (live portion) composed of a stud bolt or the like. The mounting member 15 is fastened to the conductive member 17 via the conductor portion 16 and a nut or the like, thereby being electrically connected to the conductive member 17. At least the conductor portion 16 (live portion) of the mounting member 15 is covered by the cover 20 in an openable and closable manner. The conductive member 17 is composed of, for example, a terminal fitting or the like that electrically connects the bus bar connecting portion 14 and the mounting member 15.

[0028] The upper case 12 has, for example, a top wall portion 12a and a peripheral wall portion 12b that protrudes from a peripheral edge portion of the top wall portion 12a toward the other end portion side (lower side) in the height direction Z. The top wall portion 12a and the peripheral wall portion 12b are structures for dividing, together with the lower case 11, the aforementioned accommodation space portion 11c of the frame 10. In the present embodiment, the upper case 12 is provided with an opening portion 12c for exposing the bus bar connecting portion 14 and the mounting member 15 accommodated in the accommodation space portion 11c. The opening portion 12c is, for example, a through-hole that penetrates the top wall portion 12a in the height direction. In addition, the upper case 12 is provided with a standing wall portion 12d for engaging the bus bar unit 4. The standing wall portion 12d protrudes from a peripheral edge portion of the opening portion 12c in the top wall portion 12a, which exposes the bus bar connecting portion 14, toward the one end portion side (upper side) in the height direction Z. The standing wall portion 12d is composed of, for example, a pair of first standing walls that support both end portions in the width direction Y of the bus bar unit 4, and a second standing wall that supports the other end portion side (mounting member 15 side) in the extension direction X of the bus bar unit 4.

[0029] In addition, the upper case 12 has, for example, a shaft portion 12e in which a locking portion 24 (refer to Figure 3 ) of the cover 20 is locked (pivotally supported). The shaft portion 12e constitutes a hinge 30 together with the locking portion 24 of the cover 20. The shaft portion 12e is provided, for example, at a central portion of the upper case 12 in the extension direction X, that is, between an opening portion 12c in which the mounting member 15 is exposed and an opening portion 12c in which the bus bar connecting portion 14 is exposed, and extends along the width direction Y. In the present embodiment, the shaft portion 12e is provided at a pair of positions spaced apart from each other along the width direction Y in the upper case 12. The pair of shaft portions 12e support the locking portion 24 of the cover 20 so as to be rotatable about a rotation center extending along the width direction Y.

[0030] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cover 20 of the electric connection box 1. As Figure 3 indicated, the cover 20 is configured to include an upper wall portion 21, a pair of side wall portions 22, 23, a locking portion 24, and an interference portion 25. The upper wall portion 21 covers the conductor portion 16 (live portion) of the mounting member 15 in an openable and closable manner from the one end portion side (upper side) in the height direction Z. In the present embodiment, the upper wall portion 21 is formed in a substantially U shape that is open toward the other end portion side (the side opposite to the bus bar unit 4) in the extension direction X when viewed from the height direction Z. That is, the upper wall portion 21 is configured to include a first portion that extends along the width direction Y at the one end portion side (the bus bar unit 4 side) in the extension direction X, and a second portion that extends toward the side opposite to the bus bar unit 4 along the extension direction X from both end portions in the width direction Y of the first portion.

[0031] The pair of side wall portions 22, 23 cover the conductor portion 16 (live portion) of the mounting member 15 in an openable and closable manner from both sides in the width direction Y. The pair of side wall portions 22, 23 protrude from the peripheral portion of the upper wall portion 21 toward the other end portion side (lower side) in the height direction Z. In the present embodiment, the pair of side wall portions 22, 23 extend in a substantially U shape along the first portion and the second portion of the upper wall portion 21 described above. The side wall portion 22 constitutes a side wall on the inner peripheral side of the upper wall portion 21, and the side wall portion 23 constitutes a side wall on the outer peripheral side of the upper wall portion 21.

[0032] The locking portion 24 is locked to the shaft portion 12e of the upper case 12 described above (refer to Figure 4The locking portions 24 constitute hinges 30 together with the shaft portions 12e of the upper case 12. The locking portions 24 protrude claw-like from the side wall portions 23 of the outer periphery side of the lid 20, for example. A recessed portion 24a for engaging the shaft portions 12e is provided at the tip end portions of the locking portions 24. The recessed portions 24a extend in the width direction Y along the shaft portions 12e. In the present embodiment, a pair of the locking portions 24 are provided at intervals from each other in the width direction Y in correspondence with the pair of the shaft portions 12e. The pair of the locking portions 24 are locked (shaft supported) to the pair of the shaft portions 12e in a manner rotatable about a rotation center extending in the width direction Y.

[0033] The interference portion 25 makes it possible to perform the connection work of the bus bar connecting portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4 in a state where the lid 20 is located at the closed position P1 (refer to Figure 4 The interference portion 25 makes it impossible to perform the connection work of the bus bar connecting portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4 in a state where the lid 20 is located at the open position P2 (refer to Figure 5 The interference portion 25 is provided between the pair of the locking portions 24 in the lid 20, for example. The interference portion 25 is configured to include a pair of protruding walls 25a protruding from the side wall portions 23 of the outer periphery side of the lid 20 in the extending direction X, and a linking wall 25b linking one end portions (upper end portions) in the height direction Z of the pair of the protruding walls 25a to each other, for example. In the present embodiment, the pair of the protruding walls 25a protrude more toward the one end portion side (the bus bar unit 4 side) in the extending direction X than the locking portions 24. In addition, the pair of the protruding walls 25a protrude more toward the one end portion side (upper side) in the height direction Z than the upper wall portion 21. The linking wall 25b is formed in a substantially U-letter shape open toward the other end portion side (lower side) in the height direction Z, for example, and links the pair of the protruding walls 25a to each other toward the one end portion side (upper side) in the height direction Z than the upper wall portion 21.

[0034] Figure 4 is a plan view of the electrical connection box 1, and is a view of a state where the lid 20 is located at the closed position P1, Figure 5 is a plan view of the electrical connection box 1, and is a view of a state where the lid 20 is located at the open position P2. As Figure 4 、 Figure 5 The bus bar unit 4 supplies electric power to the mounting member 15 via the bus bar connecting portion 14 described above, as shown. The bus bar unit 4 is configured to include the bus bar 2 and a bus bar case 3 housing the bus bar 2, for example. The bus bar case 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape by a resin material or the like that is insulating, for example. An opening portion for exposing the bus bar 2 is provided in the bus bar case 3. The bus bar unit 4 can perform the connection (fastening) of the bus bar 2 and the bus bar connecting portion 14 via the opening portion of the bus bar case 3. In addition, a through-hole for the bus bar connecting portion 14 to penetrate along the height direction Z is provided in the bus bar 2.

[0035] In this embodiment, the interference portion 25 is configured to be located outside the connection region T of the bus bar connecting portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4 in a state where the cover 20 is located at the closed position PI (see Figure 4 ), and to intrude inside the connection region T in a state where the cover 20 is located at the open position P2 (see Figure 5 ). The connection region T is, for example, a region surrounded by the outer shape of the bus bar box 3 when viewed in the height direction Z in a state where the bus bar connecting portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4 have been connected. That is, the connection region T is a region where the bus bar unit mounting portion in the frame body 10 and the bus bar box 3 overlap along the height direction Z.

[0036] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connection box 1, and is a view of a state where the cover 20 is located at the open position P2, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connection box 1, and is a view of a state where the cover 20 is located at the closed position PI and before the bus bar unit 4 is assembled, Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connection box 1, and is a view of a state where the cover 20 is located at the closed position PI and after the bus bar unit 4 is assembled.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6 , in this embodiment, the interference portion 25 intrudes inside the above-described connection region T in a state where the cover 20 is located at the open position P2. Therefore, in this embodiment, in a state where the cover 20 is located at the open position P2, when the bus bar unit 4, that is, the bus bar 2 exposed from the opening portion of the bus bar box 3 is to be connected to the bus bar connecting portion 14 (see Figure 5 ), the interference portion 25 interferes with the bus bar box 3 with respect to each other along the height direction Z. Thus, the connection work of the bus bar connecting portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4 cannot be performed.

[0038] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7 , in this embodiment, the interference portion 25 is located outside the above-described connection region T in a state where the cover 20 is located at the closed position PI. In other words, in a state where the cover 20 is located at the closed position PI, the interference portion 25 is located at a position shifted to the other end portion side with respect to the connection region T in the axis direction X. Therefore, in this embodiment, in a state where the cover 20 is located at the closed position PI, when the bus bar unit 4, that is, the bus bar 2 exposed from the opening portion of the bus bar box 3 is to be connected to the bus bar connecting portion 14 (see Figure 4 ), the interference portion 25 does not interfere with the bus bar box 3 with respect to each other along the height direction Z. Thus, the connection work of the bus bar connecting portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4 can be performed.

[0039] Further, as shown in Figure 8As shown, in the present embodiment, in a state where the cover 20 is located at the closed position PI, when the cover 20 is caused to rotate toward the open position P2, the interference portion 25 interferes with (abuts against) the bus bar box 3, maintaining the cover 20 in the state where it is located at the closed position PI. Thereby, in a state where the bus bar unit 4 is electrically connected to the mounting component 15, the cover 20 is inhibited from moving toward the open position P2, and further, the conductor portion (charged portion) of the mounting component 15 is inhibited from being exposed.

[0040] As described above, in the electrical connection box 1 of the present embodiment, the cover 20 has the interference portion 25 that makes it possible to perform the connection work of the bus bar connection portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4 in a state where the cover 20 is located at the closed position PI, and makes it impossible to perform the connection work of the bus bar connection portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4 in a state where the cover 20 is located at the open position P2. According to this structure, the electrical connection box 1 makes it possible to perform the connection work of the bus bar connection portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4 in a state where the cover 20 is located at the closed position PI, and makes it impossible to perform the connection work of the bus bar connection portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4 in a state where the cover 20 is located at the open position P2, for example, by means of the interference portion 25. As a result, the electrical connection box 1 can properly perform the replacement work of the mounting component 15, and further, can more securely perform the replacement work of the mounting component 15.

[0041] Further, in the electrical connection box 1 of the present embodiment, in a state where the cover 20 is located at the closed position PI, the interference portion 25 is located outside the connection region T of the bus bar connection portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4, and in a state where the cover 20 is located at the open position P2, the interference portion 25 intrudes inside the connection region T. According to this structure, the electrical connection box 1 makes it possible to perform the connection work of the bus bar connection portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4 in a state where the cover 20 is located at the closed position PI, and makes it impossible to perform the connection work of the bus bar connection portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4 in a state where the cover 20 is located at the open position P2, and can inhibit the cover 20 from moving from the closed position PI toward the open position P2 by means of the interference portion 25 in a state where the bus bar unit 4 is electrically connected to the mounting component 15.

[0042] Further, in the electrical connection box 1 of the present embodiment, the bus bar unit 4 is configured to include the bus bar 2 and the bus bar box 3 that houses the bus bar 2, and the connection region T is a region surrounded by the outer shape of the bus bar box 3 in a state where the bus bar connection portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4 have been connected. According to this structure, the electrical connection box 1 can easily configure the connection region T of the bus bar connection portion 14 and the bus bar unit 4, for example, by means of the region surrounded by the outer shape of the bus bar box 3, in other words, the region in which the bus bar unit mounting portion and the bus bar box 3 overlap along the height direction Z in the frame body 10.

[0043] In addition, in the present embodiment, a case in which the bus bar unit 4 is configured to include the bus bar 2 and the bus bar case 3 that houses the bus bar 2 is exemplified, but is not limited to this example, and for example, the bus bar unit 4 can be configured solely by the bus bar 2. In addition, in the present embodiment, a case in which the frame body 10 is configured to include the lower case 11 and the upper case 12 is exemplified, but is not limited to this example, and for example, the frame body 10 can be configured solely by the lower case 11. In addition, in the present embodiment, a case in which the cover 20 covers at least the conductor portion 16 of the mounting component 15 in an openable and closable manner is exemplified, but is not limited to this example, and for example, the cover 20 can cover the entire mounting component 15 in an openable and closable manner.

[0044] The above exemplifies an embodiment of the present application, but the above embodiment is one example and is not intended to limit the scope of the application. The above embodiment can be implemented in other various ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the application. In addition, each of the specifications (configuration, type, direction, form, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, and the like) can be appropriately changed and implemented.

[0045] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0046] 1 electrical connection box

[0047] 2 bus bar

[0048] 3 bus bar case

[0049] 4 bus bar unit

[0050] 10 frame body

[0051] 11 lower case

[0052] 12 upper case

[0053] 14 bus bar connection portion

[0054] 15 mounting component

[0055] 16 conductor portion

[0056] 17 conductive component

[0057] 20 cover

[0058] 25 interference portion

[0059] 30 hinge

[0060] P1 closed position

[0061] P2 open position

[0062] T connection region

[0063] X extension direction

[0064] Y width direction

[0065] Z height direction

Claims

1. An electrical connection box, characterized in that, have: The frame includes: a busbar connection portion for connecting a busbar unit; and a mounting component that supplies power from the busbar unit via the busbar connection portion; A cover that covers at least the conductor portion of the mounted component in an openable and closable manner; as well as A hinge connects the cover to the frame in a manner that allows it to rotate between a closed position and an open position. The cover has an interference portion that allows the connection between the busbar connection portion and the busbar unit to be performed when the cover is in the closed position, but prevents the connection between the busbar connection portion and the busbar unit when the cover is in the open position.

2. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, wherein, The interference portion is located outside the connection area between the busbar connection portion and the busbar unit when the cover is in the closed position, and intrudes into the inside of the connection area when the cover is in the open position.

3. The electrical connection box according to claim 2, wherein, The busbar unit is configured to include a busbar and a busbar housing that contains the busbar. The connection area is the area surrounded by the outer shape of the busbar box when the busbar connection part is connected to the busbar unit.

Images