Electrical connection box

Abstract

Provided is an electrical connection box that can be made low in height and that securely holds housings to each other. An electrical connection box (10) includes a first housing (12) and a second housing (11). The first housing includes a first main body portion (12A), an opening surface (12E) that is opposite the first main body portion and that opens upward (in a first direction), a side surface portion (12B) that faces a side direction that intersects with a vertical direction (the first direction), and a locking protrusion portion (12D) that protrudes from the side surface portion toward the side direction. The second housing (11) includes a second main body portion (11A) that closes the opening surface and an elastic locking portion (11C). The elastic locking portion includes a base end portion (11H) that protrudes from the second main body portion toward the side direction, a locking main body portion (11J) that is disposed at a position that is farther to the side than the side surface portion, that is locked with the locking protrusion portion, and that holds the first housing and the second housing in a closed state, and a curved portion (11P) that connects the base end portion (11H) and the locking main body portion (11J).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an electrical connection box in which a locking piece disposed on the cover connects the cover to the housing by locking it to a locking claw disposed on the housing.

[0003] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0004] [Patent Literature]

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-108306

[0006] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The locking plate in Patent Document 1 can elastically deform in the thickness direction by forming a slit in the side panel of the cover. However, in cases where it is necessary to suppress the upright dimension of the side panel due to factors such as reducing the height, the length of the slit may not be sufficiently ensured, and the locking plate may not be able to elastically deform sufficiently. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The electrical connection box disclosed herein is made based on the above-described situation, and its purpose is to provide an electrical connection box that can achieve a low height and smoothly lock the housings together.

[0009] [Methods used to solve problems]

[0010] The electrical connection box disclosed herein includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing has: a first main body portion; an opening surface opposite to the first main body portion and opening in a first direction; a side portion facing a side intersecting the first direction; and a locking protrusion protruding from the side portion toward the side. The second housing has: a second main body portion that closes the opening surface; and an elastic locking portion having: a base end portion that protrudes from the second main body portion toward the side; a locking main body portion disposed at a position closer to the side portion than the side portion, engaging with the locking protrusion to hold the first housing and the second housing in a closed state; and a bending portion that connects the base end portion to the locking main body portion.

[0011] [Invention Effects]

[0012] According to this disclosure, it is possible to smoothly lock the shells together while achieving a low height. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connection box according to Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 2 It is an enlarged 3D view showing the main parts of the locking protrusion and its surrounding area.

[0015] Figure 3 This is an enlarged side view showing the main parts of the locking protrusion and its surrounding area.

[0016] Figure 4 It is an enlarged perspective view of the main part, showing the elastic locking mechanism.

[0017] Figure 5 This is an enlarged top view showing the main part of the elastic locking mechanism.

[0018] Figure 6 This is an enlarged side sectional view of the main part showing the state in which the elastic locking part enters the locking recess.

[0019] Figure 7 This is an enlarged side sectional view of the main part, showing the state in which the elastic locking part enters the locking recess and undergoes elastic deformation.

[0020] Figure 8 This is an enlarged side sectional view of the main part showing the locked state of the elastic locking part and the locking protrusion.

[0021] Label Explanation

[0022] 10: Electrical connection box

[0023] 11: Second shell

[0024] 11A: Second Main Body

[0025] 11B: Second sidewall

[0026] 11C: Elastic locking part

[0027] 11D: Through hole

[0028] 11E: Peripheral section

[0029] 11H: Base end

[0030] 11J: Locking the main body

[0031] 11K: Locked chip

[0032] 11L: Locking hole

[0033] 11M: Partial

[0034] 11N: Covering section

[0035] 11P: Bend

[0036] 12: First shell

[0037] 12A: First Main Body

[0038] 12B: Side profile

[0039] 12C: Fitting recess

[0040] 12D: Locking protrusion

[0041] 12E: Open face

[0042] R: Flexibility allowance Detailed Implementation

[0043] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure]

[0044] First, embodiments of this disclosure will be described.

[0045] Regarding the electrical connection box of this disclosure, (1) The first housing has a first housing and a second housing, the first housing having: a first main body portion; an opening surface that is opposite to the first main body portion and opens in a first direction; a side portion that faces a side that intersects with the first direction; and a locking protrusion that protrudes from the side portion toward the side, the second housing having: a second main body portion that closes the opening surface; and an elastic locking portion having: a base end portion that protrudes from the second main body portion toward the side; a locking main body portion that is disposed at a position closer to the side portion than the side portion and engages with the locking protrusion to keep the first housing and the second housing in a closed state; and a bending portion that connects the base end portion to the locking main body portion.

[0046] According to (1) above, even if the extension dimension of the locking body portion of the elastic locking portion becomes shorter, the amount of shortening of the locking body portion can be compensated by the base end portion, thus ensuring the ease of elastic deformation of the elastic locking portion. In particular, since the base end portion protrudes from the second body portion that closes the opening surface of the first housing, it is possible to prevent the second housing from becoming larger in the first direction due to the presence of the elastic locking portion.

[0047] (2) In the electrical connection box described in (1) above, it is preferable that the bent portion bends from the base end to the locking body portion.

[0048] According to (2) above, when the elastic locking part undergoes elastic deformation, stress concentration in the bending part can be suppressed.

[0049] (3) In the electrical connection box described in (1) or (2) above, the elastic locking part may have a locking hole into which the locking protrusion is inserted, and the locking hole is formed through the range from the base end to the locking body part.

[0050] According to (3) above, the elastic locking part is prone to elastic deformation.

[0051] (4) In any of the electrical connection boxes described in (1) to (3) above, the second housing may have: a cover portion that protrudes from the second main body portion and covers the elastic locking portion from the side; and a flexural allowance space located between the cover portion and the elastic locking portion, allowing the elastic locking portion to flexurally deform.

[0052] According to (4) above, the cover allows the elastic locking part to undergo elastic deformation and prevents foreign objects from entering the electrical connection box through the locking hole. In addition, it can prevent the elastic locking part from bending excessively.

[0053] (5) In the electrical connection box described in (4) above, the second housing may have a second sidewall that intersects and protrudes from the second main body, the cover is part of the second sidewall, and the cover is continuous with the surrounding part of the second sidewall without steps.

[0054] According to the above (5), in particular, it can suppress the formation of unevenness on the sidewall of the inner surface of the mold on the fixed side, which can simplify the construction of the mold.

[0055] (6) In the electrical connection box described in (4) above, the second main body may be a flat closed wall, the second main body has a through hole, the through hole is through in the first direction which is the thickness direction of the plate, and the root of the base end is connected to the hole surface of the through hole.

[0056] According to (6) above, it is possible to confirm whether the elastic locking part and the locking protrusion are locked through the through hole.

[0057] (7) In the electrical connection box described in (6) above, the second main body may have a peripheral wall portion that rims the opening on the outside of the through hole in the first direction.

[0058] According to (7) above, when water or other liquids are attached to the surface of the second main body (closed wall), the liquid can be prevented from entering through the through hole by the peripheral wall.

[0059] [Details of the embodiments disclosed herein]

[0060] Specific examples of the electrical connection box of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims, as shown in the claims.

[0061] <Implementation Method 1>

[0062] Reference Figures 1 to 8 A specific example of Embodiment 1 will be described. The electrical connection box 10 of Embodiment 1 is, for example, mounted in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle. In the figures, "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "right," and "left" are represented by "F," "B," "U," "D," "R," and "L," respectively. Furthermore, the reference for direction is specified for convenience and does not necessarily correspond to the direction in which the electrical connection box 10 is mounted in a vehicle, etc. For example, the vertical direction is not limited to the direction of gravity.

[0063] Electrical connection box 10 may contain, for example, electrical components such as relays, registers, and busbars (not shown). Figure 1 As shown, the electrical connection box 10 includes a second housing 11 as an upper housing and a first housing 12 as a lower housing. The second housing 11 and the first housing 12 are made of, for example, synthetic resin.

[0064] [Structure of the first shell]

[0065] The first housing 12 is a box-shaped structure that opens upwards. The first housing 12 has a first main body portion 12A that extends in a flat, plate-like shape in the thickness direction along the vertical direction, and a side portion 12B that rises from the outer periphery of the first main body portion 12A. The side portion 12B is a flat plate-like structure that extends laterally in the thickness direction, facing a side that intersects the vertical direction (first direction). The upper edge of the side portion 12B is an opening surface 12E that faces the first main body portion 12A and opens upwards (in the first direction).

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown, a fitting recess 12C and a locking protrusion 12D are provided on the side portion 12B. The fitting recess 12C is formed by recessing a portion of the side portion 12B into the inside of the first housing 12.

[0067] The locking protrusion 12D protrudes forward (laterally) from the vertical center and horizontal center of the front surface of the fitting recess 12C. In other words, the locking protrusion 12D protrudes laterally from the side portion 12B. The upper side of the locking protrusion 12D slopes so that its protrusion dimension decreases towards the upper end. The left and right sides of the locking protrusion 12D slope so that its protrusion dimension decreases towards the left and right ends (see reference). Figure 3 The lower end of the locking protrusion 12D has its front edge chamfered.

[0068] [Structure of the second shell]

[0069] like Figure 1As shown, the second housing 11 is a box-shaped structure that opens downwards. The second housing 11 has a second main body portion 11A, a second sidewall 11B that intersects and protrudes from the second main body portion 11A, and an elastic locking portion 11C. The second main body portion 11A is a closed wall that extends in a flat, plate-like shape in the vertical direction along the thickness direction. The second main body portion 11A has a through hole 11D that extends in the vertical direction (first direction), which is the thickness direction. The through hole 11D has a rectangular shape that extends along the front edge of the second main body portion 11A in the horizontal direction. The second main body portion 11A has a peripheral wall portion 11E that edges the opening of the through hole 11D on the outer side in the first direction. The peripheral wall portion 11E is cylindrical and communicates with the through hole 11D.

[0070] The second sidewall 11B is a flat plate with the thickness direction transverse, hanging down from the second main body 11A.

[0071] like Figure 4 As shown, the resilient locking part 11C has a pair of base ends 11H, a pair of bent portions 11P, a pair of locking body portions 11J, and a locking hole 11L. The roots of the pair of base ends 11H are connected to the hole surface of the through hole 11D. In other words, the base ends 11H protrude forward (laterally) from the second body portion 11A. The pair of base ends 11H are arranged separately in the left-right direction. The pair of bent portions 11P are connected to the front ends of each base end 11H and extend downward in a bent manner. The pair of locking body portions 11J are connected to the lower ends of each bent portion 11P and extend downward. Each bent portion 11P bends from each base end 11H to each locking body portion 11J. Each bent portion 11P connects each base end 11H to each locking body portion 11J. A locking piece 11K is provided at the lower end of each locking body portion 11J. The locking piece 11K extends in the left-right direction and connects the lower ends of each locking body portion 11J to each other.

[0072] The locking hole 11L is formed by a pair of base ends 11H, a pair of bent portions 11P, a pair of locking body portions 11J, a locking piece 11K, and the hole surface of the through hole 11D connected to the pair of base ends 11H. In other words, the locking hole 11L is formed to extend from the root of the base ends 11H to the lower end (front end) of the locking body portion 11J. The elastic locking portion 11C formed in this way can elastically deform in the front-back direction with the base end 11H connected to the through hole 11D in the pair of base ends 11H as the fulcrum.

[0073] The elastic locking part 11C is positioned within the forming area of ​​the through hole 11D when viewed from above (see reference). Figure 5 In other words, the through hole 11D is formed in such a way that the elastic locking part 11C is exposed upwards.

[0074] A portion of the second sidewall 11B is the cover 11N that covers the elastic locking part 11C from the front (side) (see reference). Figure 5 In other words, the covering portion 11N protrudes from the second main body portion 11A and covers the elastic locking portion 11C from the side.

[0075] The portion 11M surrounding the cover 11N and the second sidewall 11B is continuous without steps (see reference). Figure 1 The cover portion 11N is located in a position further forward than the elastic locking portion 11C (see reference). Figure 5 The cover 11N covers the locking hole 11L from the front (side) (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0076] like Figure 6 As shown, a deflection allowance space R is formed between the covering portion 11N and the elastic locking portion 11C. The deflection allowance space R is arranged such that the covering portion 11N and the elastic locking portion 11C are sandwiched in the front-to-back direction. The elastic locking portion 11C, which elastically deforms forward, enters the deflection allowance space R (see reference). Figure 7 That is, the flexural allowable space R is the space that allows the flexural deformation of the elastic locking part 11C.

[0077] [An example of the order in which the first and second shells are connected]

[0078] First, such as Figure 1 As shown, the open side of the second housing 11 is aligned with the opening surface 12E of the first housing 12. Furthermore, the second housing 11 and the first housing 12 are aligned in orientation by placing the elastic locking part 11C above the fitting recess 12C, bringing the second housing 11 and the first housing 12 closer together, allowing the first housing 12 to enter the inner side of the second sidewall 11B. At this time, the locking body 11J of the elastic locking part 11C extends towards the first housing 12 (see reference). Figure 6 ).

[0079] At this time, as Figure 6 As shown, the locking pieces 11K, which connect the lower edges of the locking body 11J to each other, enter the fitting recess 12C from above. Furthermore, when the first housing 12 is inserted into the inner side of the second sidewall 11B, as... Figure 7 As shown, the locking piece 11K contacts the locking protrusion 12D, contacts the front surface of the locking protrusion 12D, and slides downward. As a result, the base end portion 11H of the elastic locking portion 11C, the bent portion 11P, and the locking body portion 11J elastically deform forward. At this time, the bent portion 11P and the locking body portion 11J enter the flexural allowable space R.

[0080] Furthermore, when the first housing 12 is brought into the inner side of the second sidewall 11B, as... Figure 8As shown, the locking piece 11K passes downward through the locking protrusion 12D. Consequently, the forward-elastically deformed base end portion 11H, the bent portion 11P, and the locking body portion 11J elastically recover, and the locking piece 11K is positioned below the locking protrusion 12D. At this time, the locking protrusion 12D is embedded in the locking hole 11L. Thus, the elastic locking portion 11C is engaged with the locking protrusion 12D, thereby keeping the second housing 11 and the first housing 12 in a closed state. At this time, the second body portion 11A of the second housing 11 closes the opening surface 12E of the first housing 12. At this time, the locking body portion 11J is positioned forward (laterally) of the side portion 12B.

[0081] As described above, the electrical connection box 10 of this embodiment 1 includes a first housing 12 and a second housing 11. The first housing 12 has a first main body portion 12A, an opening surface 12E opposite to the first main body portion 12A and opening upward (in a first direction), a side surface portion 12B facing a side that intersects with the vertical direction (in the first direction), and a locking protrusion 12D protruding laterally from the side surface portion 12B. The second housing 11 has a second main body portion 11A that closes the opening surface 12E and an elastic locking portion 11C. The elastic locking portion 11C has: a base end portion 11H that protrudes laterally from the second main body portion 11A; a locking main body portion 11J that is disposed at a position laterally than the side surface portion 12B and engages with the locking protrusion 12D to keep the first housing 12 and the second housing 11 in a closed state; and a bending portion 11P that connects the base end portion 11H to the locking main body portion 11J.

[0082] According to this structure, even if the extension dimension of the locking body portion 11J of the elastic locking portion 11C becomes shorter, the amount of shortening of the locking body portion 11J can be compensated by the base portion 11H, ensuring the ease of elastic deformation of the elastic locking portion 11C. In particular, the base portion 11H protrudes from the second body portion 11A that closes the opening surface 12E of the first housing 12, thus preventing the second housing 11 from becoming larger in the vertical direction (first direction) due to the presence of the elastic locking portion 11C.

[0083] The bent portion 11P bends from the base end portion 11H to the locking body portion 11J. According to this structure, when the elastic locking portion 11C undergoes elastic deformation, stress concentration at the bent portion 11P can be suppressed.

[0084] The resilient locking portion 11C has a locking hole 11L into which the locking protrusion 12D is inserted. The locking hole 11L is formed through the entire length from the base end portion 11H to the locking body portion 11J. According to this structure, the resilient locking portion 11C is easily elastically deformable.

[0085] The second housing 11 has: a cover 11N that protrudes from the second main body 11A and covers the resilient locking part 11C from the side; and a flexural allowance space R located between the cover 11N and the resilient locking part 11C, allowing the resilient locking part 11C to flexurally deform. According to this structure, the cover 11N allows the resilient locking part 11C to elastically deform, and it can prevent foreign objects from entering the electrical connection box 10 through the locking hole 11L. Furthermore, it can prevent the resilient locking part 11C from excessively flexing.

[0086] The second housing 11 has a second sidewall 11B that intersects and protrudes from the second main body 11A. The cover portion 11N is part of the second sidewall 11B and is continuous with the surrounding portion 11M of the second sidewall 11B without steps. According to this structure, in particular, it is possible to suppress the formation of unevenness on the sidewall of the inner surface of the mold on the fixed side, which simplifies the construction of the mold.

[0087] The second main body 11A is a flat, closed wall with a through hole 11D extending in the vertical direction (first direction) that is the thickness direction of the plate. The root of the base end portion 11H is connected to the hole surface of the through hole 11D. With this structure, it is possible to confirm whether the elastic locking portion 11C and the locking protrusion 12D are engaged through the through hole 11D.

[0088] The second main body 11A has a peripheral wall portion 11E that rims the opening above (outer side in the first direction) of the through hole 11D. According to this structure, when a liquid such as water adheres to the surface of the second main body 11A, the peripheral wall portion 11E can be used to prevent the liquid from entering through the through hole 11D.

[0089] [Other embodiments of this disclosure]

[0090] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects.

[0091] (1) Unlike the above embodiment, the bending portion may not be bent. For example, it may be a shape that extends in a direction that intersects the base end and the locking body at a 45-degree angle, or it may be a structure that is bent at a right angle.

[0092] (2) Alternatively, unlike the above embodiments, the locking hole may be formed only at the front end of the locking body.

[0093] (3) Unlike the above embodiments, it can also be configured as a structure without a cover, that is, the elastic locking part is exposed to the side.

[0094] (4) Unlike the above embodiment, the base end of the elastic locking part can also protrude from the inner surface of the peripheral wall. In this case, the length of the main body can be ensured, and elastic deformation is more likely to occur.

[0095] (5) Unlike the above-described embodiments, it is also possible to configure the device without a peripheral wall portion.

Claims

1. An electrical connection box, wherein, The electrical connection box has a first housing and a second housing. The first housing has: First main body section; An opening surface that is opposite to the first main body portion and opens in a first direction; The side portion faces the side that intersects with the first direction; and A locking protrusion protrudes from the side portion toward the side. The second housing has: The second main body closes the opening surface; and Elastic locking part, The elastic locking part has: The base end protrudes laterally from the second main body portion; The locking main body is positioned closer to the side than the side portion, and engages with the locking protrusion to keep the first housing and the second housing in a closed state; and The curved portion connects the base end portion to the locking body portion.

2. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, wherein, The curved portion bends from the base end to the locking body portion.

3. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, wherein, The resilient locking part has a locking hole into which the locking protrusion is inserted. The locking hole is formed through the range from the base end to the locking body portion.

4. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, wherein, The second housing has: a cover portion that protrudes from the second main body portion and covers the resilient locking portion from the side; and a flexural allowance space located between the cover portion and the resilient locking portion, allowing the resilient locking portion to flexurally deform.

5. The electrical connection box according to claim 4, wherein, The second housing has a second sidewall that intersects and protrudes from the second main body. The covering portion is part of the second sidewall, and the covering portion is continuous with the surrounding portion of the second sidewall without steps.

6. The electrical connection box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The second main body is a flat, closed wall, and has a through hole that extends in the first direction, which is the thickness direction of the plate. The root of the base end is connected to the hole surface of the through hole.

7. The electrical connection box according to claim 6, wherein, The second main body has a peripheral wall portion that rims the opening on the outer side of the through hole in the first direction.

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