Electrical junction box

Abstract

Electrical junction box (1), comprising: a box body (2); an electrical power distribution unit (7) attached to the main body of the box (2) and supplied with electrical energy from a power source; and a block (20) attached to the box main body (2) and comprising a block main body (21) and a connection (22) connected to the electrical power distribution unit (7), wherein the block body (21), which accommodates the connector (22) attached to one end of an electrical power cable (28) connected to the power source, is designed separately from the box body (2) to form a clearance between the box body (2) and the block body (21), so that in the event that the electrical power distribution unit (7) vibrates against the box body (2), the connector (2) and the block body (21) vibrate and thus follow the electrical power distribution unit (7), and the connector (22) and the electrical power distribution unit (7) do not move relative to each other.

Description

[0001] The Japanese priority patent application No. 2011-145662, on which the present patent application is based, is hereby made the subject of this disclosure. Background of the invention; Subject area of ​​the invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrical junction box that is mounted in a vehicle as a moving object. Description of the related technique

[0003] Various electronic devices, for example, lights in general, such as a headlight and a taillight, and motors, such as a starter motor and an air conditioning motor, are mounted in a vehicle as a moving object.

[0004] The vehicle contains an electrical junction box located in a suitable position to supply various electronic devices with electrical power. The electrical junction box is constructed by assembling various types of electrical circuits and a multitude of fuses and relays.

[0005] The electrical junction box includes a fuse, a relay, a busbar, and the like. Thus, the electrical junction box (see, for example, patent specification 1) is referred to as a fuse block, a relay block, or a terminal block. In the present description, the fuse block, the relay block, and the terminal block are hereinafter collectively referred to as the electrical junction box.

[0006] The electrical junction box disclosed in patent specification 1 comprises a main body, which forms the outline of the electrical junction box, and a busbar. The main body is made of an insulating synthetic resin and is box-shaped. The main body includes electrical components, such as a relay and a fuse, a mounting section to which an energy integration device, such as an electrical power distribution unit, is mounted, and a connector mounting section to which a connector of a cable harness is attached. An energy input section, connected to a terminal installed in one end of an electrical power cable connected to a power source, is arranged in the energy integration device. Furthermore, the terminal installed in the end of the electrical power cable is received in and attached to the main body.

[0007] The busbar is made of a conductive metal sheet and is located within the main housing. The busbar is electrically connected to the electrical components, the energy integration device, and the cable harness connector according to a predefined pattern.

[0008] In the electrical junction box, the busbar electrically connects the power source, the electrical components, the energy integration device, and the wires of the cable harness according to a predefined pattern. The electrical junction box delivers the required electrical energy via the cable harness to the respective electronic devices.

[0009] In the electrical junction box disclosed in patent specification 1, the energy integration device is mounted separately from the main body of the box. Consequently, the energy integration device is moved relative to the main body of the box by the vibrations caused by vehicle movement. This movement causes the terminal attached to the end of the electrical power cable housed in the main body and the energy input section of the energy integration device to move relative to each other, resulting in deflection and displacement. This increases the electrical resistance between the terminal and the energy input section, hindering the distribution of electrical energy from the power source.

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide an electrical junction box with which electrical energy can be safely distributed from an energy source, even if the electrical junction box includes an electrical energy distribution unit.

[0011] [Patent 1]: published Japanese application no. 2008-199840 Overview of the invention Tasks to be solved

[0012] To solve the problem described above and to achieve the stated objective, the present invention comprises a box body; an electrical power distribution unit attached to the box body and supplied with electrical energy from a power source; and a block with a block body formed separately from the box body and with a connection received in the block body. The block body is attached to the box body. The connection is provided at one end of an electrical power cable that is connected to the power source and to the electrical power distribution unit.

[0013] Furthermore, a locking section for locking into the main box body is arranged in the main block body.

[0014] Furthermore, an inlet receiving tube for receiving the main block body is arranged in the electrical power distribution unit and has a flat inner surface.

[0015] In the electrical connection box according to the present invention, the main body of the block, which receives the connection attached to the end of the electrical power cable, is designed separately from the main body of the box. Consequently, a gap is created between the main body of the box and the main body of the block. Therefore, when the electrical power distribution unit vibrates against the main body of the box, the connection and the main body of the block vibrate and thus follow the movement of the electrical power distribution unit.

[0016] Furthermore, since the locking section for securing the main box body is located within the main block body, it is not necessary to equip the electrical power distribution unit with a mechanism for attaching the main block body. Therefore, the design of the electrical power distribution unit can be simple.

[0017] Furthermore, since the inner surface of the receiving tube is flat, the construction of the electrical power distribution unit is not complex. Impact of the invention

[0018] In the electrical junction box according to the present invention, when the electrical power distribution unit vibrates against the main body of the box, the terminal and the main body of the box vibrate and thus follow the electrical power distribution unit. For this reason, the terminal and an energy input section of the electrical power distribution unit do not vibrate relative to each other, and these connections are not subjected to repeated movement and deflection. Therefore, the electrical junction box prevents an increase in the electrical resistance between the terminal and the energy input section, and it is not difficult to distribute electrical energy from the power source. Thus, even when the electrical power distribution unit is present, the electrical junction box can reliably distribute the electrical energy from the power source.

[0019] Furthermore, the design of the electrical power distribution unit in the electrical junction box according to the present invention is not complex. This allows for a reduction in the costs of the electrical power distribution unit.

[0020] The above-mentioned and further aims and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows a top view of the electrical junction box of Fig. 1; Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view depicting a state in which the block is attached to a main body section of a box body of the electrical connection box. Fig. 1 is attached; Fig. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view depicting a state in which an integrating device is attached to the main body section of the electrical junction box. Fig. 3 is attached; Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view depicting the state after the integration device has been attached to the main body section of the electrical junction box. Fig. 4; Fig. Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view along line VI-VI of Fig. 2; Fig. Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a state in which the integrating device is connected to the block of Fig. 6 is connected; Fig. Figure 8 shows a perspective view illustrating the integration device of the electrical connection box. Fig. 1; Fig. Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view along line IX-IX of Fig. 8; and Fig. Figure 10 shows a perspective view depicting a main section of the integration device of Fig. 8, viewed from below. Description of the preferred embodiment

[0021] In the following, an electrical junction box according to an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9 to Fig. 10 explained. The one in Fig. 1 The electrical connection box 1 shown in the embodiment is mounted in a vehicle as a moving object.

[0022] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the electrical connection box 1 comprises a main box body 2, an energy integration device (hereinafter referred to as integration device) 7 as an electrical energy distribution unit and a block 20.

[0023] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the main body of the box 2 comprises a main body section 4, a cassette block 5, an upper cover (not shown in the figure), and a lower cover 6. The main body section 4 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin and is formed using a known injection molding process. As shown in Figure 2, the main body section 4 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin and is formed using a known injection molding process. Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the main body section 4 is tubular with a plurality of interconnected outer walls 8. Furthermore, the main body section 4 is provided with a partition 9 that divides the body part 4. Additionally, a tubular block receiving section 15 for receiving a block 20 is arranged in the main body section 4. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the block receiving section 15 is provided with a locking projection 16 that protrudes from the opposite inner surface.

[0024] The cassette block 5 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin and is box-shaped. An upper surface of the cassette block 5, which is in Fig. 2 is provided with a mounting section on which electrical components, such as a relay and a fuse, are mounted, while a lower surface of the cassette block 5, which is in Fig. 2 is shown, equipped with a connector fastening section to which a connector of a cable harness (not shown in the drawings) is attached.

[0025] Cassette block 5 is equipped with a connection mounting section in which a terminal is attached to one end of an electrical power cable connected to a power source. Furthermore, cassette block 5 accommodates a busbar that electrically connects electrical components mounted on the assembly section, such as the cassette block described above, to a terminal of the cable harness connector attached to the connector mounting section, according to a predetermined pattern.

[0026] The wiring harness has a multitude of electrical wires and connectors attached to the ends of the electrical wires. The connector is attached to the connector mounting section described above, a connector mounting section 42 (explained below), and various electronic instruments mounted in a vehicle.

[0027] The upper cover is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin and formed using a known injection molding process. The upper cover is tubular and has a lower section with multiple, interconnected outer walls. The upper cover is attached to the main body section 4 in such a way that it covers an upper surface of the main body section 4.

[0028] The lower cover is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin and formed using a known injection molding process. The lower cover is tubular and has a lower section with multiple, interconnected outer walls. The lower cover is attached to the main body section 4 such that it covers a lower surface of the main body section 4.

[0029] The electrical components, such as the relay or fuse, are mounted on the main body section 4 and on the cassette block 5, which is mounted on the main body section 4; the connectors of the cable harness are attached to the main body section 4 and to the cassette block 5; the terminals are attached to the terminal mounting section; and the top cover and the bottom cover are attached to the main body section 4, whereby the box body 2 accommodates the electrical components, such as the relay or fuse and the terminals.

[0030] As in Fig. 8 and Fig. As shown in 9, the integrating device 7 has a housing 37, a (in Fig. 9 shown) pair of busbars 38, a multitude of relays 39 (one relay is in Fig. 9 shown), a large number of fuses 40 (one fuse is in Fig. 9 shown).

[0031] The housing 37 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin and is designed in the form of a flat box. An upper surface of the housing 37, which is in Fig. 8 is provided with a fuse mounting section 41 on which the fuse 40 is mounted, while a lower surface of the housing 37, which is in Fig. 8 is shown, with a connector fastening section 42 which is in Fig. Figure 9 shows the connector of the cable harness being attached to it. Furthermore, the housing 37, namely the integrating device 7, is positioned between the partition walls 9 of the main body section 4 of the box main body 2 and is received in the main body section 4.

[0032] The pair of busbars 38 is made of an electrically conductive metal sheet. Each of the busbars 38 has a fuse connection terminal section 43, which is positioned inside the fuse mounting section 41 and is connected to the fuse 40, and a connector connection terminal section 44, which is positioned inside the connector mounting section 42 and is connected to the connector of the cable harness.

[0033] A busbar 38 has a one-piece formed connecting piece 45 which is in Fig. Figure 10 is shown as an electrical power input section, which is connected to a terminal 22 of the block 20 (explained below) when the integrating device 7 is received in the main body section 4. The connecting piece 45 is received in a tubular receiving tube 46, which is arranged in one piece in the housing 37. In the drawings of the embodiment, an inner surface of the receiving tube 46 is formed in the form of a flat square tube.

[0034] Relay 39 is mounted on one busbar 38. Fuse 40 is mounted on the fuse mounting sections 41 to connect the fuse connection terminals 43 of the pair of busbars 38. Each fuse 40 corresponds to each relay 39.

[0035] When the integrating device 7 is installed in the main body section 4 of the box body 2, the connecting piece 45 of a busbar 38 is supplied with electrical energy from the power source via the terminal 22 of the block 20. One busbar 38 then distributes the electrical energy and applies it alternately to the fuse 40 and the other busbar 38 via the relay 39. The integrating device 7 then supplies the distributed electrical energy, applied alternately to the relay 39 and the fuse 40, to the electronic instruments via the connectors of the cable harness, which are attached to the connector mounting section 42. Thus, the integrating device 7 distributes the electrical energy supplied by the power source to the respective electronic instruments.

[0036] As in Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the block 29 has a block main body 21, which is formed separately from the main body section 4 of the box main body 2, and a connection 22. The block main body 21 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin and has a tubular main body section 23, a pair of locking arms 24 as a locking section, and a guide wall 25. The main body section 23 is formed in the form of a square tube. The pair of locking arms 24 are arranged in outer surfaces, each positioned behind the main body section 23. One end section of the locking arm 24 extends into an edge of a lower surface of the main body section, while the other end section of the locking arm 24 is a free end. The locking arm 24 is arm-shaped such that the other end section gradually slopes away from the first end section toward the upper surface of the main body section 23.When the block 20 is received in the block receiving section 15, the locking arm 24 is engaged in the projection 16. Each guide wall 25 extends linearly in a longitudinal direction of the main body section 23, and the locking arm 24 is located between the guide walls 25.

[0037] The terminal 22 is made of a conductive metal sheet and has a one-piece formed cable connection section 26 and an electrical contact section 27. One end of an electrical power cable 28, which is connected to the power source, is attached to the cable connection section 26. The electrical contact section 27 has a main body section 29, which is tubular in shape, and a spring element 30 arranged in the main body section 29. The electrical contact section 27 is electrically connected to the connecting piece 45, namely the integrating device 7, by the fact that the connecting piece 45 is sandwiched between the spring element 30 and the inner surface of the main body section 29. That is to say, the terminal 22 electrically connects the electrical power cable 28 and the integrating device 7.

[0038] As described below, the block 20, which has the structure described above, and the integrating device 7 are attached to the main body section 4 of the box body 2. First, the block 20 receives the terminal 22, to which the end of the electrical power cable 28 is attached, in the block body 21, where it is mounted. Then, as described in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, block 20 is inserted from the side of the upper surface into the block receiving section 15 of the main body section 4 of the box main body 2. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the locking arm 24 is locked into the projection 16, and the block 20 is attached to the main body section 4 of the box main body 2.

[0039] Then, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the integrating device 7 is inserted from the side of the upper surface into the block receiving section 15 of the main body section 4 of the box main body 2. Then, as shown in Figure 4, the integrating device 7 is inserted into the block receiving section 15 of the main body section 4 of the box main body 2 from the side of the upper surface. Then, as shown in Figure 4, the integrating device 7 is inserted into the block receiving section 15 of the main body section 4 of the box main body 2. Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the integrating device 7 is attached to the main body section 4 of the box main body 2. Consequently, as shown in Figure 5, the integrating device 7 is attached to the main body section 4 of the box main body 2. Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the terminal 22 of block 20 and the connecting piece 45 are electrically connected, and electrical energy from the power source is supplied to the integrating device 7.

[0040] The cassette block 5 and the integrating device 7 are mounted on the main body section 4, various electrical components and fuses 40 are attached to the mounting sections and fuse mounting sections 41, and the cable harness connectors are attached to the connector mounting section 42, so that the electrical junction box 1 electrically connects the power source, electrical components, fuses 40, relays 39, and various electronic instruments connected to each other by means of the cable harness according to a predetermined pattern. The electrical junction box 1 then supplies electrical energy from the power source, through the electronic components, fuses 40, and relays 39, to the various electronic instruments.

[0041] In the embodiment described above, since the block body 21, which accommodates the terminal 22 attached to the end of the electrical power cable 28, is constructed separately from the box body 2, a clearance is created between the box body 2 and the block body 21. Consequently, when the integrating device 7 vibrates against the box body 2, the terminal 22 and the block body 21 vibrate and thus follow the integrating device 7. Therefore, the terminal 22 and the connector 45, as the power input section, do not vibrate relative to each other, and this connection remains unchanged. For this reason, the value of the electrical resistance between the terminal 22 and the connector 45, as the power input section, is not increased.Thus, even when the integrating device 7 is provided, the electrical connection box according to the present invention can safely distribute the electrical energy from the energy source.

[0042] Furthermore, since the locking arm 24, which is locked into the main body section 4 of the box main body 2, is arranged in the block main body 21, it is not necessary to provide a structure for installing the block main body 21 of the block 20 in the integrating device 7. Thus, the design of the integrating device 7 is not complex. Moreover, since the inner surface of the receiving tube 46, into which the block main body 21 is inserted, is flat, the design of the integrating device 7 can be simple. Therefore, costs for the integrating device 7 can be saved.

[0043] The preferred embodiments described above have been explained to provide a better understanding of the present invention, and modifications may be made by someone knowledgeable in the technology without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] Electrical junction box (1), comprising: a box body (2); an electrical power distribution unit (7) attached to the main body of the box (2) and supplied with electrical energy from a power source; and a block (20) attached to the box main body (2) and comprising a block main body (21) and a connection (22) connected to the electrical power distribution unit (7), wherein the block body (21), which accommodates the connector (22) attached to one end of an electrical power cable (28) connected to the power source, is designed separately from the box body (2) to form a clearance between the box body (2) and the block body (21), so that in the event that the electrical power distribution unit (7) vibrates against the box body (2), the connector (2) and the block body (21) vibrate and thus follow the electrical power distribution unit (7), and the connector (22) and the electrical power distribution unit (7) do not move relative to each other. [2] Electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein a locking section (24) provided for locking into the main body of the box (2) is arranged in the main body of the block (21). [3] Electrical connection box according to claim 1, wherein a receiving shaft (46) which receives the block main body (21) is arranged in the electrical power distribution unit (7) and has a flat inner surface. [4] Electrical connection box according to claim 2, wherein a receiving shaft (46) which receives the main block body (21) is arranged in the electrical power distribution unit (7) and has a flat inner surface.

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