Electrical connection box

Abstract

This application discloses an electrical connection box that, even when the insertion direction of the external conductive component connected to the terminal part is different, does not require redesigning the protective cover and locking part, and can reduce manufacturing costs by reducing the number of the protective cover. The electrical connection box (10) includes: a housing (16); a terminal portion (12) for connection to an external conductive component (14); and a protective cover (20) rotatable between an open position (O) exposing an opening (18) and a closed position (C) covering the opening (18). The protective cover (20) has multiple locking portions (86) provided at multiple locations. The housing (16) includes: a conductive component insertion portion (40) provided at the closed position (C) of the protective cover (20) having at least one of the multiple locking portions (86); and locked portions (48, 138, 140) provided at the other locations having at least one of the multiple locking portions (86) and engaging with the locking portions (86). The protective cover (20) is held in the closed position (C) by engaging the locking portions (86) with the locked portions (48, 138, 140).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to electrical connection boxes. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connection box mounted on a vehicle, which includes: a terminal portion for connecting to an external conductive component exposed at an opening in the housing; and a protective cover covering the terminal portion. During vehicle maintenance, the terminal portion exposed outside the housing of the electrical connection box may sometimes become live; therefore, by providing a protective cover covering the terminal portion, safety during operation can be ensured. Furthermore, in the electrical connection box of Patent Document 1, the protective cover has a locking portion and a mechanism that keeps the protective cover in a closed state by engaging with a locking portion provided around the opening in the housing. This reliably prevents the terminal portion from being exposed.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-71368 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in the electrical connection box disclosed in Patent Document 1, the external conductive component connected to the terminal portion overlaps with the terminal portion through a conductive component insertion portion provided on the side without a locking portion or the locked portion. Therefore, when the insertion direction of the conductive component overlapping the terminal portion due to the electrical connection box is different, it is necessary to design a protective cover and locking portion again for each individual electrical connection box in a manner corresponding to the locked portion and conductive component insertion portion on the housing side. Moreover, since each electrical connection box requires a separate protective cover, the product number of the protective cover increases, and management becomes complicated.

[0008] Therefore, an electrical connection box is disclosed that, even when the insertion direction of the external conductive part connected to the terminal part is different, there is no need to redesign the protective cover and locking part, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced by reducing the number of the protective cover.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] The electrical connection box disclosed herein includes: a housing; a terminal portion protruding from an opening in the housing and connected to an external conductive component; and a protective cover that is rotatably held in the housing from an open position to a closed position, the open position being a position where the opening is exposed and the closed position is a position overlapping and covering the opening, the protective cover having a plurality of locking portions disposed at a plurality of circumferentially separated locations, the housing having: a conductive component insertion portion, a portion of the protective cover disposed at the closed position where at least one of the plurality of locking portions is disposed; and a locked portion, disposed at a portion where at least another of the plurality of locking portions is disposed and engaging with the locking portion, wherein the protective cover is held in the closed position by the engagement of the locking portion with the locked portion.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] According to the electrical connection box disclosed herein, a highly versatile electrical connection box can be provided, which does not require redesigning the protective cover and locking part even when the insertion direction of the external conductive parts connected to the terminal part is different. Attached Figure Description

[0013] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrical connection box of Embodiment 1, showing the state of each protective cover in the closed position.

[0014] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 It means in Figure 1 A perspective view showing the protective covers in the electrical connection box in the open position.

[0015] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 Is Figure 1 The diagram shows a perspective view of the portion of the external conductive component removed from the electrical connection box and overlapping the terminal portion from the side.

[0016] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A plan view of the main parts of the electrical connection box shown.

[0017] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 VV sectional view in the image.

[0018] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 The perspective view of the main part of the electrical connection box shown is a diagram showing the protective cover in the open position in the initial state.

[0019] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A perspective view of the main part of the electrical connection box as seen from another direction.

[0020] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A plan view of the main parts of the electrical connection box shown.

[0021] [ Figure 9 ] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 IX-IX sectional view.

[0022] [ Figure 10 ] Figure 10 It means relative to Figure 6 The diagram shows a perspective view of the terminal section of the main part of the electrical connection box, in which external conductive components are connected from the side.

[0023] [ Figure 11 ] Figure 11 It means in Figure 10 The perspective view of the protective cover in the main part of the electrical connection box, showing its state during rotation from the open position to the closed position, is a diagram showing the state of elastic deformation of the locking protrusion by the locking wall.

[0024] [ Figure 12 ] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 The front view of the main parts of the electrical connection box shown.

[0025] [ Figure 13 ] Figure 13 It means in Figure 3 The diagram shows a perspective view of the main part of the electrical connection box, with the protective cover in the closed position rotated to the open position.

[0026] [ Figure 14 ] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 The longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connection box shown is consistent with... Figure 5 The corresponding diagram.

[0027] [ Figure 15 ] Figure 15 Is Figure 1 The diagram shows a perspective view of the portion of the external conductive component removed from the electrical connection box and overlapping the terminal portion from the front.

[0028] [ Figure 16 ] Figure 16 It means in Figure 15A perspective view of the main part of the electrical connection box with the protective cover in the closed position.

[0029] [ Figure 17 ] Figure 17 It means Figure 16 A longitudinal sectional view of the main part of section XVII-XVII in the diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0030] <Description of embodiments of this disclosure>

[0031] First, embodiments of this disclosure will be described.

[0032] (1) The electrical connection box of this disclosure includes: a housing; a terminal portion that protrudes from an opening in the housing and is connected to an external conductive component; and a protective cover that is rotatably held in the housing from an open position to a closed position, the open position being a position that separates from the opening and exposes the opening, and the closed position being a position that overlaps with and covers the opening, the protective cover having a plurality of locking portions provided at a plurality of locations separated in the circumferential direction, the housing having: a conductive component insertion portion, a portion of the protective cover provided at the closed position where at least one of the plurality of locking portions is disposed; and a locked portion, a portion provided at the other at least one of the plurality of locking portions and engaging with the locking portion, wherein the protective cover is held in the closed position by the engagement of the locking portion with the locked portion.

[0033] According to this method, the protective cover covering the opening of the housing exposing the terminals has multiple locking parts located at multiple points separated in the circumferential direction. On the housing side, a conductive component insertion part is provided at the location of the protective cover in the closed position where at least one locking part is provided, and a locked part is provided at the location where at least another locking part is provided. That is, since the protective cover has multiple locking parts located at multiple points separated in the circumferential direction, the locking part of the protective cover located at the location of the conductive component insertion part of the housing in one electrical connection box can be located at the location of the locked part of the housing in another electrical connection box and engage with the locked part. Therefore, even if the configuration of the locked part and the conductive component insertion part of the housing in the electrical connection box is different, the protective cover assembled on the housing can be universalized, eliminating the need to redesign the protective cover and locking parts, and management becomes easier through the reduction of the product number of the protective cover, and manufacturing costs can also be reduced.

[0034] (2) In (1) above, preferably, the protective cover has an upper wall portion that is rectangular in shape when viewed from above and a peripheral wall portion that protrudes from the periphery of the upper wall portion toward the opening portion. The peripheral wall portion includes: a front wall portion and a rear wall portion that are arranged opposite each other in the front-rear direction; and a left wall portion and a right wall portion that are arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction. A rotating shaft is provided in the rear wall portion and held in a bearing that is provided in the housing. A first locking portion is provided on the front wall portion side, a second locking portion is provided on the left wall portion side, and a third locking portion is provided on the right wall portion side. The plurality of locking portions include the first locking portion, the second locking portion and the third locking portion.

[0035] The protective cover has a rectangular upper wall portion when viewed from above, front and rear wall portions protruding from its periphery toward the opening, and left and right wall portions, thus advantageously ensuring the rigidity of the protective cover. Furthermore, by providing a rotating shaft protruding from the rear wall portion constituting the protective cover and holding it to the housing side with a bearing, the protective cover can be rotatably assembled relative to the housing. In addition, a first locking part, a second locking part, and a third locking part, consisting of multiple locking parts arranged in different orientations, can be provided on the remaining peripheral wall portions of the protective cover, namely the front wall portion side, the left wall portion side, and the right wall portion side. Thus, a protective cover that can be assembled even when the insertion direction of the conductive component into the opening of the housing is different can be advantageously constructed.

[0036] (3) In (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the electrical connection box has an open position side locking mechanism that can detachably hold the protective cover in the open position. This is because, with the open position side locking mechanism, the protective cover can be stably held in the open position where the opening is exposed in the initial state, thereby improving the assembly operability of the electrical connection box when it is mounted on a vehicle.

[0037] (4) In any of (1)-(3) above, preferably, the electrical connection box includes: a locking protrusion disposed on one of the housing and the protective cover; and a locking wall disposed on the other of the housing and the protective cover, wherein the protective cover is initially positioned in the open position, the open position being a position where the opening is exposed after separation from the opening, and the protective cover is allowed to rotate from the open position to the closed position by the elastic deformation of the locking protrusion over the locking wall, the closed position being a position overlapping with and covering the opening, and the rotation area of ​​the protective cover toward the open position is limited to the range of rotation toward the closed position caused by the weight of the protective cover itself, by the abutment of the locking protrusion, which elastically recovers after passing over the locking wall.

[0038] A protective cover that covers the opening of the housing exposing the terminal section is positioned in the open position, where the opening is initially exposed. This ensures ample workspace during vehicle assembly, facilitating easy connection of external conductive components, such as wiring harnesses, to the terminal section. Furthermore, after the connection is complete, rotating the protective cover towards the closed position covering the opening causes a locking protrusion on one side of the housing and the protective cover to elastically deform and pass over a locking wall on the other side, allowing the cover to cover the opening. During subsequent vehicle maintenance, when the protective cover is opened, the locking protrusion, having elastically returned to its original position, abuts against the locking wall, limiting the cover's rotation towards the open position to the range caused by its own weight. Therefore, for maintenance or other operations, the protective cover, when rotated to the open position, will inevitably rotate towards the closed position afterward due to its own weight, reliably preventing forgetting to close the protective cover. Furthermore, the restriction of the rotation area of ​​the protective cover towards the open position is achieved through engaging protrusions and engaging walls provided on one side of the housing and the protective cover. Within this restricted rotation area, the protective cover rotates towards the closed position due to its own weight. Therefore, compared to conventional structures that use hinges made of thin-walled resin to apply force to the protective cover towards the closed position, durability is also improved. Thus, it is possible to provide an electrical connection box that can stably suppress the exposure of the terminal portions.

[0039] (5) In (4) above, preferably, the rotation axis of the protective cover is held in a bearing provided on the housing, and a gap is provided between the rotation axis and the bearing. Since the rotation axis of the protective cover is held in a bearing on the housing side with the gap, friction between the rotation axis and the bearing when the protective cover rotates is suppressed. As a result, the protective cover automatically moves to the closed position after being removed from the operator's hand after the operation, thus more reliably preventing forgetting to close it.

[0040] (6) In any of (1) to (5) above, preferably, when the protective cover is in the closed position, the protective cover abuts against the upper surface of the peripheral wall of the opening. In the closed position, the protective cover abuts against the upper surface of the peripheral wall of the opening where the terminal portion is exposed, thus more advantageously preventing the exposure of the terminal portion, which may become live during maintenance work. This further advantageously prevents or reduces the risk of electric shock to the operator, thereby improving work safety.

[0041] <Details of the embodiments of this disclosure>

[0042] Hereinafter, specific examples of the electrical connection box of this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0043] <Implementation Method 1>

[0044] The following uses Figures 1 to 17 The electrical connection box 10 of Embodiment 1 of this disclosure will be described. This electrical connection box 10 is, for example, installed inside the battery pack of an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle, and connected to external conductive components. In Embodiment 1, the electrical connection box 10 has multiple terminal portions 12, and a busbar 14, as an example of a conductive component, is connected to each terminal portion 12. Specifically, in Embodiment 1, the electrical connection box 10 has two portions: a portion (main portion A) where the busbar 14 overlaps and connects to the terminal portion 12 from the side, and a portion (main portion B) where the busbar 14 overlaps and connects to the terminal portion 12 from the front. Furthermore, in a vehicle, the electrical connection box 10 can be configured in any orientation, but in the following... Figures 3 to 14 In the explanation, "above" refers to Figure 5 Above and below refer to Figure 5 The bottom and left side refer to Figure 4 The bottom and right of the middle refer to Figure 4 Above and in front of the middle refers to Figure 4 The right and the back refer to Figure 4 The explanation will be given from the left side. Additionally, in... Figures 15 to 17 In the description, the up-down, left-right, and front-back directions are explained as the directions shown in the figure. Additionally, for multiple identical components, sometimes only some components are labeled with reference numerals, while the reference numerals for the other components are omitted.

[0045] <Electrical Connection Box 10>

[0046] As a common structure of the main parts A and B in the electrical connection box 10, the electrical connection box 10 includes a housing 16 and a terminal portion 12 of a conductive component (busbar 14) that protrudes from the upper opening 18, which is an opening of the housing 16, and connects to the outside. Additionally, the electrical connection box 10 includes a protective cover 20, which is positioned at an open position O (see reference 10) where the upper opening 18 is exposed. Figure 2 (etc.) to the closed position C that overlaps with and covers the upper opening 18 (refer to) Figure 1 It is held in the housing 16 by rotating between (etc.). In embodiment 1, a bolt insertion hole 22 is formed in the portion of the busbar 14 that overlaps with the terminal portion 12.

[0047] <Shell 16>

[0048] The housing 16 constituting the electrical connection box 10 can be constructed, for example, by assembling an upper housing 24 and a lower housing (not shown) in the vertical direction. However, in Embodiment 1, the feature portion is provided on the upper housing 24, and the shape of the lower housing is not limited; therefore, a description of the lower housing is omitted. Furthermore, the shape of the upper housing 24 shown in the figures is merely illustrative and not limiting, especially... Figures 3 to 17 It is a diagram showing the characteristic parts (main parts A and B) of this disclosure.

[0049] <Main Part A>

[0050] The following, firstly, shows Figures 3 to 14 The main part A will be explained. Figures 3 to 14 In this design, the upper housing 24 is integrally represented as a generally box-shaped structure with a downward opening (having a downward opening portion 26), and is formed of an insulating synthetic resin. The upper housing 24 has an upper bottom wall portion 28 that is generally rectangular when viewed from above, and an upper upper wall portion 30 that protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the upper bottom wall portion 28. Specifically, the upper upper wall portion 30 is configured to include four wall portions: a front housing portion 32a located at the front, a rear housing portion 32b located at the rear, and a left housing portion 32c and a right housing portion 32d located on the left and right sides. Furthermore, the front-to-back dimension of the upper bottom wall portion 28 is larger than its left-to-right dimension.

[0051] Here, a receiving space 36 is formed in the front portion of the internal space of the upper housing 24. This receiving space 36 receives the aforementioned terminal portion 12 and the nut 34 for fastening the bolt 76 (described later). The receiving space 36 is generally rectangular when viewed from above and extends vertically through the upper housing 24. That is, the receiving space 36 is formed by the area surrounded by the front portions of the housing front portion 32a, the housing left portion 32c, and the housing right portion 32d. Furthermore, a nut receiving portion 38 is disposed in the receiving space 36, and the nut 34 is assembled in this nut receiving portion 38, thereby receiving the nut 34 within the receiving space 36. In addition, the nut receiving portion 38 is formed separately from the upper housing 24, for example, and is inserted into the receiving space 36 from below through the lower opening 26. For example, it can be fixedly mounted to at least one wall portion of the housing front portion 32a, housing rear portion 32b, housing left portion 32c, and housing right portion 32d constituting the receiving space 36 by a locking mechanism (not shown).

[0052] Furthermore, an upper opening 18, extending through the thickness direction (vertical direction), is formed on the front portion of the upper bottom wall portion 28, through which the aforementioned receiving space 36 opens upward. This upper opening 18, like the receiving space 36, is generally rectangular when viewed from above. Additionally, the vertical dimension of the front portion of the right side 32d of the housing constituting the receiving space 36 is smaller than that of other portions (e.g., the rear portion), and a right opening 40 opening to the right is formed at the upper end of the receiving space 36.

[0053] Furthermore, as described later, in the receiving space 36, a terminal portion 12 is disposed above the nut 34, protruding upward through the upper opening 18 and also protruding to the side (right) through the right opening 40. In the main part A, the busbar 14 is inserted into the receiving space 36 from the side (right) and overlaps with the terminal portion 12. Therefore, the conductive component insertion portion (busbar 14) in the housing 16 (upper housing 24) is formed by the right opening 40. In particular, as described later, the protective cover 20 has a plurality of locking portions 86 provided at a plurality of locations separated in the circumferential direction, and the conductive component insertion portion (right opening 40) in the housing 16 (upper housing 24) is provided at a position corresponding to the location where at least one of the plurality of locking portions 86 is disposed. Specifically, in the main part A, the conductive component insertion part (right opening 40) and the third locking part 98, which constitutes a plurality of locking parts 86 and is provided on the right side of the protective cover 20 (right wall 82d), are respectively provided on the right side of the peripheral wall 42.

[0054] Therefore, the peripheral wall 42 forming the upper opening 18 at the upper end of the receiving space 36 is composed of walls on three sides except the right side. In summary, the peripheral wall 42 is configured to include the upper portion of the front portion 32a of the housing, the upper portion of the front portion of the left portion 32c of the housing, and the intermediate wall portion 44 located behind the upper opening 18 (i.e., the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the upper housing 24). This intermediate wall portion 44 is formed along the entire length of the upper portion of the housing 16 (upper housing 24) in the left-right direction, and the right end of the intermediate wall portion 44 is connected to the right portion 32d of the housing, and the aforementioned right opening 40 is formed at the right end of the intermediate wall portion 44. The upper surface 46 of the peripheral wall 42 thus configured is located at approximately the same position in the vertical direction, on the same plane extending in the horizontal direction (a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction).

[0055] Furthermore, the upper surface 46 of the peripheral wall 42 is located below the upper surface of the upper bottom wall portion 28 of the portion of the upper housing 24 where the receiving space 36 is not provided (e.g., the rear portion). Thus, as will be described later, when the protective cover 20 rotates from the open position O to the closed position C and abuts against the upper surface 46 of the peripheral wall 42, it is possible to prevent the vertical dimension of the front portion of the main part A from becoming excessive.

[0056] <Locked Section (First Locked Section 48)>

[0057] Furthermore, in the upper housing 24, a locked portion is provided at a position corresponding to the location where the locking portion 86 is provided, which engages with the locking portion 86. This locking portion 86 is different from the locking portion 86 of the protective cover 20 that is located at a position corresponding to the conductive component insertion portion (right opening 40). In the main part A, a first locked portion 48 is provided on the front portion of the upper surface 46 of the peripheral wall 42 (in general, the upper surface of the front part 32a of the housing), which constitutes the locked portion of the A-side locking mechanism 94 described later. This first locked portion 48 is located at the center portion in the left-right direction of the upper surface of the front part 32a of the housing and protrudes upward. Moreover, a locking claw 50 protruding rearward is provided at the protruding front end (upper end) of the first locked portion 48. Specifically, in the main part A, the first locked part 48 and the first locking part 88 that constitutes the plurality of locking parts 86 described later and are disposed in front of the protective cover 20 (on the front wall part 82a side) are respectively disposed in front of the peripheral wall 42.

[0058] <Bearing 52>

[0059] Furthermore, in the upper bottom wall portion 28 of the upper housing 24, a pair of bearings 52 are integrally formed on the left and right sides in the portion rear of the middle wall portion 44, holding the rotating shaft 116 (described later) in the protective cover 20. Each of these bearings 52 is a generally plate-shaped structure with a predetermined thickness (dimension in the left-right direction) and protrudes upward from the upper bottom wall portion 28. In addition, a circular insertion hole 54 extending through in the thickness direction is formed at the upper end portion of each bearing 52. In particular, a cut 56 is formed on the inner surface (inner surface in the left-right direction) of each bearing 52, opening upward and communicating with each insertion hole 54, so that each rotating shaft 116 can be easily inserted into each insertion hole 54 through each cut 56. Furthermore, in each bearing 52, an inclined surface is provided on the inner circumferential surface at the upper end of the portion forming the cut 56, and this inclined surface constitutes a guide surface 58 for guiding the insertion of each rotating shaft 116.

[0060] <Closing Section 60>

[0061] Furthermore, between the left and right sides of these bearings 52, a locking wall portion 60 is provided in the central part of the upper bottom wall portion 28 in the left and right direction, which engages with the locking protrusion 122 of the protective cover 20 (described later). Figure 5 , Figure 12 As shown, the engaging wall portion 60 is a generally plate-shaped portion that protrudes upward by a predetermined protrusion dimension. The engaging wall portion 60 is... Figure 12The front view shown has a roughly hexagonal shape, with its rear end face being an inclined surface 62 that gradually slopes upwards towards the front end. Furthermore, the left and right end faces of the engaging wall portion 60 are flat surfaces 64, 64 that extend vertically, and inclined surfaces 66, 66 that gradually slope inwards to the left and right from the upper end of each flat surface 64. Figures 6 to 8 With the protective cover 20 in the open position O, the inclined surface 128 of each of the engaging protrusions 122 (described later) is located above each of the inclined surfaces 66, and the inclined surfaces 66 of the engaging wall portion 60 and the inclined surfaces 128 of each engaging protrusion 122 are slightly separated and opposite each other in the inclined direction.

[0062] Additionally, on the upper bottom wall portion 28, located rearward of each bearing 52, open position side locking portions 68 constituting the open position side locking mechanism 112 described later are provided on both sides in the left-right direction. Each of these open position side locking portions 68 protrudes upward, and a locking claw 70 protruding inward in the left-right direction is provided at the protruding front end (upper end) of each open position side locking portion 68.

[0063] <Terminal Section 12>

[0064] The upper housing 24 in the main part A houses a busbar 72 constituting the terminal section 12. Two busbars 72 (a first busbar 72a and a second busbar 72b) are provided in the main part A. Each of these busbars 72a and 72b extends integrally within the upper housing 24 in the front-rear direction, and is formed, for example, by bending a conductive metal blank into a predetermined shape. The front ends of each of these busbars 72a and 72b overlap vertically within the receiving space 36 of the upper housing 24, and are positioned opposite each other at a predetermined distance rearward from the receiving space 36. Furthermore, the busbar 72 located above the receiving space 36 is the first busbar 72a, and the busbar 72 overlapping the first busbar 72a below is the second busbar 72b. Also... Figure 9 As shown, the rear portions of these busbars 72a and 72b are arranged separately from each other in the left-right direction in the right portion of the interior space of the upper housing 24, and these busbars 72a and 72b are exposed from the rear portion 32b of the upper housing 24 in a state of being separated from each other in the left-right direction.

[0065] Here, the terminal portion 12 disposed within the receiving space 36 is formed by overlapping the front ends of each busbar 72a and 72b. Bolt insertion holes 74 are formed at the front ends of each busbar 72a and 72b, and the busbars 72a and 72b overlap in such a way that the bolt insertion holes 74 are interconnected in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the terminal portion 12 overlaps with the upper surface of the nut 34 in such a way that the bolt insertion holes 74 in each busbar 72a and 72b are aligned with the inner hole of the nut 34 housed within the receiving space 36.

[0066] Furthermore, when the terminal section 12 is electrically connected to the busbar 14, one end of the busbar 14 overlaps with the terminal section 12 through the upper opening 18 and the right opening 40, and the bolt insertion holes 22, 74, 74 are aligned with the inner holes of the nut 34. By inserting the bolts 76 through these bolt insertion holes 22, 74, 74 and tightening them to the nut 34, the terminal section 12 and the busbar 14 are electrically connected. For example, the power input through the busbar 14 can be output from the rear end of the main part A (upper housing 24) in two different directions via the busbars 72a, 72b.

[0067] <Protective Cover 20>

[0068] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, when the protective cover 20 overlaps with the upper opening 18 and is in the closed position C covering the upper opening 18, it is generally box-shaped with an opening to the bottom. It includes an upper wall portion 78 and a peripheral wall 80 that protrudes downward from the periphery of the upper wall portion 78 toward the upper opening 18. The upper wall portion 78 is generally rectangular in plan view and is formed to approximately the same size as the peripheral wall 42 of the front portion of the upper housing 24. Furthermore, the peripheral wall 80 includes a front wall portion 82a and a rear wall portion 82b arranged opposite each other in the front-rear direction, and a left wall portion 82c and a right wall portion 82d arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction.

[0069] Therefore, as Figures 3 to 5 As shown, with the protective cover 20 in the closed position C, the upper opening 18 located at the front of the upper housing 24 is covered from above by the protective cover 20. In the main part A, the upper surface 46 of the peripheral wall 42 constituting the upper opening 18 is on the same plane, so when the protective cover 20 is in the closed position C, the protective cover 20 abuts against almost the entire surface of the upper surface 46 of the peripheral wall 42. In addition, when the protective cover 20 is in the closed position C, a receiving recess 84 for receiving the head of the bolt 76 is formed in the central part of the upper wall 78 in the left-right direction with a downward-opening recess shape.

[0070] <Multiple locking units 86 (first locking unit 88, second locking unit 96, and third locking unit 98)>

[0071] The protective cover 20 has multiple locking portions 86 provided at multiple locations separated in the circumferential direction. Specifically, a first locking portion 88 constituting the multiple locking portions 86 is provided at the central portion of the protective cover 20 in the left-right direction, located forward of the receiving recess 84. In Embodiment 1, the first locking portion 88 protrudes upward from the upper wall portion 78 and then folds downward, protruding through a through hole 90 provided at the front end of the upper wall portion 78 to a position lower than the upper wall portion 78. As a result, the first locking portion 88 can elastically deform in the front-back direction inside the through hole 90, and a locking claw 92 protruding forward is provided at the lower end of the first locking portion 88. Therefore, the first locking portion 88 is provided on the front wall portion 82a side of the peripheral wall 80 of the protective cover 20. As a result, when the protective cover 20 is in the closed position C, the locking claw 92 of the first locking portion 88 is engaged with the locking claw 50 of the first locked portion 48, thereby keeping the protective cover 20 in the closed position C. As a result, in the main part A, the A-side locking mechanism 94 that holds the protective cover 20 in the closed position C is composed of the first locked part 48 and the first locking part 88, specifically the locked claw 50 and the locking claw 92.

[0072] Furthermore, in the peripheral wall 80 of the protective cover 20, a second locking part 96 constituting multiple locking parts 86 is provided on the left wall portion 82c side, and a third locking part 98 constituting multiple locking parts 86 is provided on the right wall portion 82d side. In Embodiment 1, the second locking part 96 is provided on the left wall portion 82c, and the third locking part 98 is provided on the right wall portion 82d. These second locking parts 96 and third locking parts 98 protrude outward in the left-right direction from the outer peripheral surfaces of the left wall portion 82c and the right wall portion 82d. It should be noted that these second and third locking parts 96 and 98 do not perform any special function when the busbar 14 overlaps from the side (right side) as in the main part A. A recess 100 opening outward in the left-right direction is formed in the middle portion of the outer peripheral surface of the left wall portion 82c and the right wall portion 82d, and the second locking part 96 and the third locking part 98 protrude from the bottom surface of each recess 100. Therefore, the protrusion of the second and third locking portions 96 and 98 to the left and right is reduced to a smaller extent. In Embodiment 1, the second and third locking portions 96 and 98 do not protrude to the left and right sides beyond the outer peripheral surfaces of the left wall portion 82c and the right wall portion 82d.

[0073] Furthermore, an operating part 102, which can be hooked by the operator's fingers, is formed in the central part of the front wall portion 82a of the protective cover 20 in the left-right direction. On the other hand, operating parts 104, 104, are formed in the front end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the left wall portion 82c and the right wall portion 82d of the protective cover 20, which can be hooked by the operator's fingers when the manifold 14 overlaps from the front as in the main part B described later. These operating parts 104 do not perform any special function when the manifold 14 overlaps from the side (right) as in the main part A.

[0074] <Open position side locking mechanism 112>

[0075] Here, as Figures 3 to 5 As shown, when the protective cover 20 is in the closed position C, a thick-walled portion 106, which extends continuously from the receiving recess 84 and is thick in the vertical direction, is provided at the rear end of the upper wall portion 78. This thick-walled portion 106 also extends continuously from the rear wall portion 82b of the peripheral wall 80. The thick-walled portion 106 has a larger left-right dimension than the receiving recess 84, and its left and right ends are located on the left and right sides of the upper wall portion 78. Furthermore, open-position side locking portions 108, which protrude downwards from above and are elastically deformable in the left-right direction, are formed at the left and right ends of the thick-walled portion 106. Locking claws 110 protruding outwards in the left-right direction are provided at the middle portion of each open-position side locking portion 108 in the vertical direction. Thus, as... Figures 6 to 9 As shown, when the protective cover 20 is in the open position O, the locking claw 110 of the open position side locking part 108 engages with the locking claw 70 of the open position side locked part 68, thereby keeping the protective cover 20 in the open position O. As a result, in Embodiment 1, the open position side locking mechanism 112 that detachably holds the protective cover 20 in the open position O is composed of the open position side locked part 68 and, in particular, the locking claw 70 and the locking claw 110 of the open position side locking part 108.

[0076] <Rotation axis 116>

[0077] Furthermore, when the protective cover 20 is in the closed position C, the elastic arms 114, 114 protrude rearward from both ends of the thick-walled portion 106 in the left and right directions. At the protruding front (rear) end of each elastic arm 114, the rotating shafts 116, 116 protrude outward in the left and right directions, respectively. That is, each rotating shaft 116 is provided protruding from the rear wall portion 82b of the peripheral wall 80 via the thick-walled portion 106 and each elastic arm 114. Each elastic arm 114 can elastically deform in the left and right direction. When the protective cover 20 is assembled to the upper housing 24, for example, each elastic arm 114 elastically deforms inward in the left and right direction, thereby allowing each rotating shaft 116 to be inserted into the insertion hole 54 of each bearing 52. The protective cover 20 is... Figures 6 to 9 The orientation shown indicates that it is assembled on the upper housing 24, but... Figures 6 to 9 In the state shown, an inclined surface 118 is provided on the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of each rotating shaft 116. The inclined surface 118 abuts against each bearing 52, which easily causes the elastic arm 114 to elastically deform inward in the left and right direction.

[0078] Furthermore, the outer diameter of each rotating shaft 116 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of each through hole 54. When each rotating shaft 116 is inserted into each through hole 54, a small gap 120 is formed between each rotating shaft 116 and each through hole 54 (see reference). Figure 5 Therefore, when the protective cover 20 rotates, the rotating shafts 116 will not get stuck on the inner circumferential surfaces of the insertion holes 54, allowing for smooth rotation. In particular, by forming such a gap 120, the rotational force of the protective cover 20 rotating towards the closed position C due to its own weight is greater than the resistance to the rotational force. As a result, during maintenance services such as maintenance described later, the resistance to rotation caused by the protective cover 20 falling freely towards the closed position C due to its own weight after the operator releases the retaining mechanism is very small. Therefore, the protective cover 20, after being released, can quickly rotate towards the closed position C.

[0079] <Kahe Protrusion 122>

[0080] Furthermore, when the protective cover 20 is in the closed position C, at a position on the thick-walled portion 106 that is further inward in the left-right direction than each elastic arm portion 114, a pair of engaging protrusions 122, 122 separate from each other in the left-right direction and protrude rearward. Each engaging protrusion 122 is configured to include an elastic support portion 124 protruding rearward from the thick-walled portion 106 and an inner protrusion 126 protruding inward in the left-right direction from the protruding front end (rear end) of each elastic support portion 124. Each elastic support portion 124 is capable of elastic deformation in the left-right direction.

[0081] Each inner protrusion 126 protrudes inward in the left-right direction from each elastic support portion 124 with a prescribed shape and protruding size. That is, as shown... Figures 6 to 9 As shown, when the protective cover 20 is in the open position O, each inner protrusion 126 has an inclined surface 128 on its lower end surface that gradually slopes upwards as it moves inwards in the left-right direction. As described above, when the protective cover 20 is in the open position O, these inclined surfaces 128 are slightly separated from and opposite the inclined surfaces 66 of the engaging wall portion 60 in the inclined direction. Furthermore, the protruding front end surface (the end surface in the left-right direction) of each inner protrusion 126 is a vertical surface 130 that extends continuously from each inclined surface 128 and in the vertical direction. Moreover, the upper end surface of each inner protrusion 126 is a flat surface 132 that extends continuously from each vertical surface 130 and in the front-back direction. Figures 6 to 9In the initial state shown, each inner protrusion 126 is located above the engaging wall portion 60 provided on the upper housing 24, and is located in the front-back direction at a position approximately equal to or slightly forward of the engaging wall portion 60.

[0082] <Main Part B>

[0083] Next, use Figures 15 to 17 The main part B of the electrical connection box 10 will be described. The basic structure of main part B is the same as that of main part A. However, in main part A, the busbar 14, as a conductive component, overlaps with terminal part 12 from the side (right side). In contrast, in main part B, the busbar 14, as a conductive component, overlaps with terminal part 12 from the front. It should be noted that in the following description, components and parts that are substantially the same as those in main part A will be labeled with the same reference numerals as those in main part A, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0084] In the main part B, an upper opening 18 is also provided on the upper housing 24 as an opening for exposing the terminal portion 12. Furthermore, in the main part B, the busbar 14 overlaps from the front, thus a front opening 136 is formed on the peripheral wall 134 of the upper opening 18. Therefore, in the main part B, the conductive component insertion portion provided on the upper housing 24 and through which the conductive component (busbar 14) is inserted into the receiving space 36 is constituted by the front opening 136. Moreover, the peripheral wall 134 of the upper opening 18 is configured to include the upper portion of the left housing portion 32c, the upper portion of the right housing portion 32d, and a middle wall portion 44 located behind the upper opening 18. Therefore, in the main part B, the conductive component insertion portion (front opening 136) and a first locking portion 88, which constitutes a plurality of locking portions 86 and is provided on the front of the protective cover 20 (on the front wall portion 82a side), are correspondingly provided on the front of the peripheral wall 134.

[0085] <Locked sections (Second locked section 138 and Third locked section 140)>

[0086] In the main part B, a second locking part 138 protruding upwards and serving as a locking part is provided at the upper end of the left part 32c of the housing, and a third locking part 140 protruding upwards and serving as a locking part is provided at the upper end of the right part 32d of the housing. Locking claws 142 protruding inwards in the left-right direction are formed at the protruding front ends (upper ends) of these second and third locking parts 138 and 140, respectively.

[0087] Furthermore, as mentioned above, a second locking part 96 and a third locking part 98 protruding outward in the left and right directions are respectively provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the left wall portion 82c and the right wall portion 82d of the protective cover 20. Therefore, as Figure 16 and Figure 17 As shown, when the protective cover 20 is in the closed position C, the second locking part 96 and the third locking part 98 are engaged with the locking claws 142 of the second locked part 138 and the third locked part 140, respectively, and the protective cover 20 is held in the closed position C. Thus, in the main part B, the second locked part 138 and the third locked part 140 are correspondingly provided on the left and right sides of the peripheral wall 134, respectively, with the second locking part 96 and the third locking part 98, which constitute multiple locking parts 86 and are provided on the left (left wall 82c) and right (right wall 82d) sides of the protective cover 20. Therefore, in the main part B, the B-side locking mechanism 144 that detachably holds the protective cover 20 in the closed position C is configured to include the second locking part 96 and the second locked part 138, as well as the third locking part 98 and the third locked part 140.

[0088] Assembly of Electrical Connection Box 10

[0089] The following describes a specific example of the assembly method for the electrical connection box 10. However, the assembly method for the electrical connection box 10 is not limited to the method described below. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the electrical connection box 10 is constructed by providing each main part A and B relative to the common upper housing 24. However, each main part A and each main part B are assembled in basically the same way. Therefore, the assembly method of the main part A will be described below.

[0090] First, the first and second busbars 72a and 72b are inserted into the upper housing 24 through the lower opening 26. Next, the nut receiving portion 38, to which the nut 34 is assembled, is inserted from below into the receiving space 36 of the upper housing 24 and secured by a locking mechanism (not shown). As a result, the bolt through holes 74, 74 in each busbar 72a and 72b are aligned with the inner hole of the nut 34, and the nut 34 is pressed down from below the second busbar 72b. The first and second busbars 72a and 72b are clamped between the upper bottom wall portion 28 of the upper housing 24 and the nut 34 in the vertical direction.

[0091] Additionally, the protective cover 20 is assembled from above relative to the upper housing 24. Specifically, the inclined surfaces 118 of each rotation axis 116 in the protective cover 20 are positioned downwards ( Figures 6 to 9(As shown in the orientation), so that each rotating shaft 116 approaches each bearing 52 in the upper housing 24 from above. As a result, the guide surface 58 provided on the inner surface of each bearing 52 contacts the inclined surface 118 provided on each rotating shaft 116, causing each bearing 52 and / or each elastic arm 114 to elastically deform. This allows the protective cover 20 to be pressed further downwards, and when each rotating shaft 116 enters each through hole 54, each bearing 52 and / or each elastic arm 114 elastically recovers its deformation. Furthermore, each locking claw 110 provided on the open-position side locking portion 108 of the protective cover 20 is engaged with each locking claw 70 provided on the open-position side locked portion 68 of the upper housing 24. Thus, as... Figures 6 to 9 As shown, in the initial state of main part A, the protective cover 20 is held in the open position O. Similarly, in each main part B, the protective cover 20 is assembled to the upper housing 24, and each protective cover 20 is held in the open position O. As a result, as... Figure 2 As shown, the electrical connection box 10 is completed in which the protective covers 20 in each of the main parts A and B are kept in the open position O.

[0092] <How to use electrical connection box 10>

[0093] The following describes how to use the electrical connection box 10. However, since each main part A and each main part B are used in basically the same way, the following describes how to use the main part A.

[0094] In the initial state of the electrical connection box 10 manufactured as described above, the protective cover 20 is positioned in an open position O, away from the upper opening 18, exposing the upper opening 18 and the terminal portion 12 to the outside. With respect to the exposed terminal portion 12, the busbar 14, for example, with its ends bent horizontally, overlaps with the terminal portion 12 through the upper opening 18 and the right opening 40, aligning each bolt insertion hole 74 with the bolt insertion hole 22 in the busbar 14. Then, by inserting bolts 76 into each bolt insertion hole 74, 22 and tightening them with nuts 34, the connection is completed as described above. Figure 10 As shown, terminal 12 is connected to busbar 14.

[0095] Thus, with the terminal 12 connected to the busbar 14, this connection becomes a live part. Therefore, it is preferable to cover the live part with the protective cover 20 to prevent the operator from being electrocuted. Therefore, from Figure 10 The protective cover 20 shown is in the open position O, causing the protective cover 20 to rotate about each rotation axis 116 toward the closed position C. Figure 11 , Figure 12 This indicates the state of the protective cover 20 during rotation.

[0096] In the electrical connection box 10 of Embodiment 1, by rotating the protective cover 20 about each rotation axis 116, firstly, the inclined surfaces 128 of the inner protrusions 126 of each engaging protrusion 122 abut against the inclined surfaces 66 of the engaging wall portion 60. By further rotating the protective cover 20 while these inclined surfaces 128, 66 are in contact, the elastic support portions 124 of each engaging protrusion 122 elastically deform outward in the opposite direction (left-right direction) along the inclined direction of each inclined surface 128, 66. By contacting each inclined surface 128, 66 and rotating the protective cover 20, each elastic support portion 124 further elastically deforms outward in the left-right direction. Thus, as... Figure 12 As shown, the vertical surfaces 130 of each inner protrusion 126 abut against the flat surfaces 64 of each engaging wall portion 60.

[0097] By bringing each vertical surface 130 into contact with each flat surface 64, and further rotating the protective cover 20, the inner protrusions 126 of each engaging protrusion 122 pass over the engaging wall portion 60. As a result, each elastic support portion 124 elastically recovers its deformation, and each engaging protrusion 122 returns to its initial shape. In this state, it is also as... Figure 5 As shown, each inner protrusion 126 is located behind the locking wall portion 60. Then, the protective cover 20 is rotated further towards the closed position C, so that the upper surface 46 of the peripheral wall 42 of the upper opening 18 overlaps with the protective cover 20. Thus, the protective cover 20 is positioned in the closed position C. That is, rotation from the open position O to the closed position C is allowed by the locking protrusions 122 passing over the locking wall portion 60. Furthermore, at the front end of the upper housing 24, the locking claw 92 of the first locking portion 88 is engaged with the locking claw 50 of the first locked portion 48, as... Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the protective cover 20 is held in the closed position C. In this state, the live parts are covered by the protective cover 20 to prevent accidental contact and electric shock by the operator. Furthermore, in each main part B, the second locking part 96 and the third locking part 98 are engaged with the locking claws 142 of the second locked part 138 and the third locked part 140, respectively, as shown... Figure 16 , Figure 17 As shown, the protective cover 20 is held in the closed position C.

[0098] Additionally, during maintenance services such as maintenance, Figure 13 , Figure 14As shown, the locking between the first locked part 48 and the first locking part 88 is released, causing the protective cover 20 to move towards the open position O, releasing the bolt 76, and allowing for component replacement, etc. That is, the protective cover 20 in the closed position C is rotated about each rotation axis 116 towards the open position O. However, in Embodiment 1, this rotational displacement towards the open position O is limited by the abutment between each engaging protrusion 122 and the engaging wall 60. Specifically, as... Figure 14 As shown, the flat surfaces 132 of the inner protrusions 126 of each engaging protrusion 122 abut against the left and right ends of the rear end face (inclined surface 62) of the engaging wall portion 60, thereby limiting further rotational displacement of the protective cover 20 towards the open position O. Here, the rotational area R of the protective cover 20 towards the open position O is preferably limited to the range of rotation towards the closed position C caused by the weight of the protective cover 20 itself.

[0099] exist Figure 13 , Figure 14 The text indicates the maximum central angle X (referring to the rotation area R of the protective cover 20) with the protective cover 20 rotated to its maximum position O. It also indicates the maximum central angle X centered on each rotation axis 116 within the rotation area R of the protective cover 20 when the closed position C of the protective cover 20 is set to 0°. Figure 14 Preferably, the angle is set within the range of 75° ≤ X < 90° around each rotation axis 116. It should be noted that, as described above, the rotational displacement of the protective cover 20 towards the open position O is limited by the contact between the flat surface 132 of each inner protrusion 126 and the inclined surface 62 of the engaging wall portion 60. Therefore, the magnitude of the maximum central angle X of the rotation area R of the protective cover 20 centered on each rotation axis 116 can be set, for example, by the inclination angle of the inclined surface 62.

[0100] Thus, with each engaging protrusion 122 passing over the engaging wall portion 60, even when the protective cover 20 is fully opened, its angle will not exceed 90°, allowing it to automatically rotate towards the closed position C using its own weight. In particular, a small gap 120 is formed between each rotating shaft 116 and the insertion hole 54 through which each rotating shaft 116 passes. During maintenance, the protective cover 20 needs to be kept open, but by releasing the open position, the protective cover 20 can quickly and automatically rotate towards the closed position C. After the protective cover 20 reaches the closed position C, the first locking portion 88 engages with the first locked portion 48, thereby holding the protective cover 20 in the closed position C. Furthermore, as described above, the structure that restricts the rotation area R of the protective cover 20 during maintenance and automatically rotates the protective cover 20 towards the closed position C after the work can also be adopted in each main part B.

[0101] According to the electrical connection box 10 of Embodiment 1 with the structure described above, a right opening 40 is provided in the main part A of the upper housing 24 as a conductive component insertion part, and a front opening 136 is provided in the main part B as a conductive component insertion part. Furthermore, as in the main part A, when the busbar 14 overlaps with the terminal part 12 through the right opening 40, the protective cover 20 is held in the closed position C by the locking of the first locking part 88 relative to the first locked part 48 provided at the front. Similarly, as in the main part B, when the busbar 14 overlaps with the terminal part 12 through the front opening 136, the protective cover 20 is held in the closed position C by the locking of the second and third locking parts 96 and 98 relative to the second and third locked parts 138 and 140 provided on the left and right sides. By designing the structure in this way, even if the busbar 14 overlaps from either the side or the front, the same protective cover 20 can be used. This eliminates the need to manufacture separate protective covers for cases where the busbar 14 overlaps from the side and from the front, making component management easier and enabling cost reduction.

[0102] In particular, the protective cover 20 has an upper wall portion 78 that is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from above, and a peripheral wall 80 protruding from the upper wall portion 78. This ensures the rigidity of the protective cover 20. Furthermore, each rotation axis 116 is provided on the rear side of the protective cover 20, and a first locking part 88 is provided on the front side of the protective cover 20, while a second locking part 96 and a third locking part 98 are provided on the left and right sides. In short, the first locking part 88, the second locking part 96, and the third locking part 98 can be provided on the front wall portion 82a, the left wall portion 82c, and the right wall portion 82d, rather than at the four corners of the protective cover 20 which is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from above, thereby enabling stable locking of each locking part 88, 96, 98 to each locked part 48, 138, 140.

[0103] The electrical connection box 10 has an open position side locking mechanism 112 that allows the protective cover 20 to be easily attached and detached in the open position O. This prevents the protective cover 20 in the open position O from accidentally shifting to the closed position C.

[0104] Furthermore, according to the electrical connection box 10 of Embodiment 1, in the initial state, the protective cover 20 is held in the open position O, exposing the upper opening 18 and the terminal portion 12. Therefore, it is easy to perform the operation of connecting the external conductive component, namely the busbar 14, to the terminal portion 12 by overlapping. In addition, when the protective cover 20 is rotated from the open position O to the closed position C, each engaging protrusion 122 needs to elastically deform and pass over the engaging wall portion 60, thus preventing the protective cover 20 from accidentally moving from the open position O to the closed position C. Moreover, the connection between the terminal portion 12 and the busbar 14 makes these connected parts live, but by rotating the protective cover 20 to the closed position C, the live parts are covered by the protective cover 20, which reduces the risk of electric shock to the operator. Furthermore, each engaging protrusion 122 extends beyond the engaging wall portion 60, thereby causing the protective cover 20 to automatically and rapidly move towards the closed position C due to its own weight. This more reliably prevents the connection portion between the terminal portion 12 and the busbar 14, which is a live part, from being exposed to the outside, and also reduces the burden on the operator.

[0105] Furthermore, when the protective cover 20 is in the closed position C, it is displaced towards the open position O during maintenance services such as maintenance. However, the rotation area R of the protective cover 20 towards the open position O is limited by the contact between each engaging protrusion 122 and the engaging wall portion 60, and is confined to the range of rotation towards the closed position C caused by the weight of the protective cover 20 itself. Therefore, even if the protective cover 20 is opened for maintenance services, after the work is completed, the protective cover 20 automatically moves towards the closed position C by releasing the external force that keeps it in the open state, thus preventing the protective cover 20 from being forgotten to be closed. In addition, when the protective cover 20 is rotated from the initial state (open position O), once each engaging protrusion 122 passes the engaging wall portion 60, the rotational displacement towards the open position O is limited by the contact between each engaging protrusion 122 and the engaging wall portion 60, making it difficult to return to the initial state (open position O). Therefore, by confirming whether the protective cover 20 is in the closed position C or the open position O, it is easy to determine whether the terminal 12 and the busbar 14 are connected.

[0106] In particular, since the structure described above prevents forgetting to close the protective cover 20, it does not use a hinge like those in existing structures, so there will be no adverse situations such as hinge breakage due to exposure to low temperature environments, and the live parts can be covered with the protective cover 20 quickly and more reliably.

[0107] In Embodiment 1, each rotation axis 116 of the protective cover 20 is held in place by a bearing 52 provided on the upper housing 24, and a gap 120 is provided between each rotation axis 116 and each bearing 52. As a result, the rotational force that causes the protective cover 20 to rotate toward the closed position C due to its own weight is greater than the resistance to the rotational force. Consequently, the protective cover 20, with each engaging protrusion 122 passing over the engaging wall portion 60, can automatically and quickly rotate to the closed position C. Furthermore, this can be achieved, for example, by setting the outer diameter of each rotation axis 116 to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 54 in each bearing 52, and by providing a gap 120 between each rotation axis 116 and each insertion hole 54.

[0108] With the protective cover 20 in the closed position C, the protective cover 20 abuts against the upper surface 46 of the peripheral wall 42 of the upper opening 18. In particular, in Embodiment 1, the upper surface 46 is located almost entirely on the same plane, and the protective cover 20 abuts against the upper surface 46 almost entirely, thus more reliably preventing accidental contact with the live parts (the connection portion between the terminal part 12 and the busbar 14) through the upper opening 18.

[0109] For example, when the protective cover 20 is opened during maintenance services, the rotation angle of the protective cover 20 is set such that the maximum central angle X around the central axis of each rotation axis 116 is in the range of 75° ≤ X < 90°. By setting the protective cover 20 to open at an angle of 75° or more, maintenance services can be performed stably. Furthermore, by setting the protective cover 20 to open at an angle of less than 90°, after the work is completed, the protective cover 20 can be automatically moved to the closed position C by releasing the external force in the direction in which it was opened.

[0110] <Variation Example>

[0111] The above description of Embodiment 1 is a specific example of this disclosure, but this disclosure is not limited to this specific description. Modifications and improvements within the scope of achieving the purpose of this disclosure are included in this disclosure. For example, the following modifications of the embodiment are also included within the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0112] (1) In the above embodiment, the main portion A of the busbar 14 overlapping the terminal portion 12 from the side (right) and the main portion B of the busbar 14 overlapping the terminal portion 12 from the front are provided in the same housing 16 (upper housing 24), but this is not limited to this arrangement. That is, the electrical connection box having the main portion A and the electrical connection box having the main portion B may have different structures. In addition, in the above embodiment, the main portion A and the main portion B are provided in multiple locations in the electrical connection box 10, but the electrical connection box of this disclosure may, for example, provide one main portion A and one main portion B.

[0113] (2) In the above embodiment, three locking parts 86 (first locking part 88, second locking part 96, and third locking part 98) are provided in the protective cover 20. In the main portion A where the busbar 14 overlaps with the terminal portion 12 from the right, the first locking part 88 is locked to the first locked part 48. In the main portion B where the busbar 14 overlaps with the terminal portion 12 from the front, the second and third locking parts 96 and 98 are locked to the second and third locked parts 138 and 140, respectively. However, this embodiment is not limited to this method. That is, when the busbar overlaps with the terminal portion from the right, the first and second locking parts provided at the front and left can be locked. When the busbar overlaps with the terminal portion from the left, the first and third locking parts provided at the front and right can be locked. Furthermore, the number of locking parts provided in the protective cover is not limited to three; there can be two or more.

[0114] (3) In the above embodiment, the protective cover 20 is configured such that when it rotates from the open position O to the closed position C, each engaging protrusion 122 elastically deforms and passes over the engaging wall portion 60, and the protective cover 20, upon reaching the closed position C, will not open to an angle greater than a predetermined angle during maintenance services, for example, due to the contact between the engaging protrusions 122 and the engaging wall portion 60. However, such a structure is not necessary in the electrical connection box of this disclosure. In addition, in the above embodiment, the protective cover 20 is provided with each rotating shaft 116, and the upper housing 24 is provided with each bearing 52 having each insertion hole 54. The protective cover 20 can rotate by rotating the rotating shaft 116 within each insertion hole 54. However, the rotational displacement of the protective cover can also be achieved by a hinge as in conventional structures.

[0115] (4) In the above embodiment, each engaging protrusion 122 is provided on the protective cover 20, and the engaging wall portion 60 is provided on the housing 16 (upper housing 24). However, the engaging protrusion may also be provided on the housing, and the engaging wall portion may also be provided on the protective cover. In addition, in the above embodiment, each rotating shaft 116 is provided on the protective cover 20, and each bearing 52 is provided on the housing 16 (upper housing 24). However, the rotating shaft may also be provided on the housing, and the bearing may also be provided on the protective cover.

[0116] (5) In the main part A of the above embodiment, the bus bar 72 constituting the terminal part 12 is composed of two bus bars, the first bus bar 72a and the second bus bar 72b. However, the bus bar constituting the terminal part may also be a single bus bar as in the main part B.

[0117] (6) In the above embodiment, a nut 34 is housed in the housing 16 (upper housing 24), and the terminal portion 12 and the busbar 14 are fixed by a bolt 76 inserted from above. Alternatively, a double-headed bolt protruding upwards can be housed in the housing, and the terminal portion and the conductive component are fixed by a nut tightened from above.

[0118] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0119] 10 Electrical connection box

[0120] 12 terminal section

[0121] 14. Busbar (Conductive Component)

[0122] 16. Shell

[0123] 18. Upper opening (opening)

[0124] 20 Protective Cover

[0125] 22 Bolt through holes

[0126] 24 Upper shell

[0127] 26. Lower opening

[0128] 28. Upper bottom wall section

[0129] 30 Last week's wall section

[0130] 32a Front of the casing

[0131] 32b Rear of the housing

[0132] 32c Left side of the casing

[0133] 32d Right side of the shell

[0134] 34 Nuts

[0135] 36 Containment Space

[0136] 38 Nut housing

[0137] 40. Right-side opening (conductive component insertion section)

[0138] 42 Zhou Bi

[0139] 44. Intermediate wall portion

[0140] 46. ​​Top surface

[0141] 48 First locked part (locked part)

[0142] 50 Locked Claws

[0143] 52 bearing

[0144] 54 Through Holes

[0145] 56 Incisions

[0146] 58 Guide Surface

[0147] 60-card joint section

[0148] 62 Inclined surface

[0149] 64 Flat surface

[0150] 66 Inclined surface

[0151] 68. Locked part on the open position side

[0152] 70 Locked Claws

[0153] 72 busbars

[0154] 72a First busbar

[0155] 72b Second busbar

[0156] 74 Bolt through hole

[0157] 76 bolts

[0158] 78 Upper wall

[0159] 80th week wall

[0160] 82a Anterior wall portion

[0161] 82b Rear wall portion

[0162] 82c Left wall

[0163] 82d right wall

[0164] 84 Containment recess

[0165] 86 (multiple) locking units

[0166] 88 First Lockdown Department

[0167] 90 through hole

[0168] 92 Locking Claw

[0169] 94 A-side locking mechanism

[0170] 96 Second Locking Section

[0171] 98 Third Lockdown Department

[0172] 100 recess

[0173] Operations Departments 102 and 104

[0174] 106 Thick-walled section

[0175] 108. Open the position side locking part.

[0176] 110 Locking Claw

[0177] 112 Open the position-side locking mechanism

[0178] 114 Flexible Arm

[0179] 116 Rotational axis

[0180] 118 Inclined Surface

[0181] 120 gap

[0182] 122 Clamping protrusion

[0183] 124 Elastic support section

[0184] 126 Medial protrusion

[0185] 128 Inclined Surface

[0186] 130 vertical plane

[0187] 132 Flat surface

[0188] 134 Zhou Bi

[0189] 136 Front opening (conductive component insertion section)

[0190] 138 Second locked part (locked part)

[0191] 140 Third Locked Section (Locked Section)

[0192] 142 Locked Claw

[0193] 144 B-side locking mechanism

[0194] A and B, main parts

[0195] C Close position

[0196] O Open location

[0197] R rotation area

[0198] X Maximum central angle

Claims

1. An electrical connection box, comprising: case; The terminal portion protrudes from the opening of the housing and connects to external conductive components; and A protective cover is held in the housing in a manner that allows it to rotate between an open position and a closed position, wherein the open position is a position where it separates from the opening to expose the opening, and the closed position is a position where it overlaps with the opening to cover the opening. The protective cover has multiple locking parts, which are located at multiple circumferentially separated locations. The housing has: a conductive component insertion portion, a portion of the protective cover provided in the closed position that has at least one of the plurality of locking portions; and a locked portion, provided in the portion that has at least one other locking portion among the plurality of locking portions and engages with the locking portion. The protective cover is held in the closed position by engaging the locking part with the locked part.

2. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, wherein, The protective cover has an upper wall portion that is rectangular in shape when viewed from above, and a peripheral wall portion that protrudes from the periphery of the upper wall portion toward the opening. The peripheral wall portion includes: a front wall portion and a rear wall portion, which are arranged opposite each other in the front-rear direction; and a left wall portion and a right wall portion, which are arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction. A rotating shaft is provided protruding from the rear wall and held in place by a bearing that protrudes from the housing. A first locking part is provided on the front wall side, a second locking part is provided on the left wall side, and a third locking part is provided on the right wall side. The plurality of locking parts include the first locking part, the second locking part, and the third locking part.

3. The electrical connection box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The electrical connection box has an open position side locking mechanism that keeps the protective cover in the open position, allowing it to be easily attached and detached.

4. The electrical connection box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The electrical connection box includes: A locking protrusion is provided on one of the housing and the protective cover; and A locking portion is provided on the other side of the housing and the protective cover. The protective cover is initially positioned in the open position, which is the position where it separates from the opening to expose the opening portion. The protective cover is allowed to rotate from the open position to the closed position by elastically deforming the engaging protrusion over the engaging wall portion, the closed position being the position that overlaps with and covers the opening. By abutting against the locking wall portion with the locking protrusion that elastically recovers after passing over the locking wall portion, the rotation area of ​​the protective cover toward the open position is limited to the range of rotation toward the closed position caused by the weight of the protective cover itself.

5. The electrical connection box according to claim 4, wherein, The rotation axis of the protective cover is held in a bearing provided in the housing, and a gap is provided between the rotation axis and the bearing.

6. The electrical connection box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the protective cover is in the closed position, the protective cover abuts against the upper surface of the peripheral wall of the opening.

Images