Case body

Abstract

A case body for a stack of circuit assemblies 15 that prevents looseness of the circuit assemblies. The case body 10 receives circuit assemblies 15 in a case 20 having an opening 21, a cover 70, and a

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD 5

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a case body. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the related art, an electric junction box disclosed in JP-A- 2012-151961 is known as an electric junction box used in an automobile or 10 the like. The electric junction box disclosed in JP-A-20 I 2-1 5 1961 includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and an outer box that accommodates the ECU therein. The ECU includes a mounted surface that is a surface to be mounted to the outer box, and a protrusion that protrudes in parallel to the mounted surface. The outer box includes a mounting surface for mounting 15 the ECU and a protrusion accommodating portion into which the protrusion can be inserted. The protrusion of the ECU is inserted into the protrusion accommodating portion of the outer box, and the mounted surface of a lower face of the ECU comes into contact with the mounting surface of the outer box, so that looseness of the ECU inside the outer box is prevented. 20

[0003] However, in the electric junction box disclosed in JP-A-20 12- 151961, when a plurality of ECUs are stacked in an opening direction of the outer box and are mounted inside of the outer box, a problem of how to prevent looseness of the plurality of ECUs is not considered. 25 SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides a case body that accommodates a plurality of circuit assemblies and in which the plurality of circuit assemblies are stacked, the case body includes a case having an opening that opens in a stacking direction of the plurality of circuit 30 assemblies, a cover that closes the opening, and a single retainer that is mounted to the case, in which the case is provided with a plurality of locking pieces that lock the plurality of circuit assemblies inside the case, the plurality of locking pieces are arranged in a manner that the plurality of locking pieces do not overlap one another in the stacking direction, the retainer includes a plurality of deflection restricting portions that are provided in a plurality of elastic deformation regions where the plurality of locking pieces are elastically deformable in a state that the plurality of 5 locking pieces lock the plurality of circuit assemblies, and the retainer is held in a manner that the retainer is movable relative to the case between a final locking position where the plurality of deflection restricting portions are located in the plurality of elastic deformation regions and a temporary locking position where the plurality of deflection restricting portions are 10 located at positions different from the plurality of elastic deformation regions.

[0005] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a case body that can hold a plurality of circuit assemblies, in which the plurality of circuit assemblies are stacked, and that can prevent looseness of 15 the circuit assemblies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an electric junction box according to an embodiment. 20

[0007] Fig. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing mounting of a retainer to a first wall portion of a case.

[0008] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a second wall portion of the case.

[0009] Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the electric junction box. 25

[0010] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B in Fig. 4 and showing a state in which the retainer is held at a temporary locking position.

[0011] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B in Fig. 4 and showing a state in which the retainer is held at a final locking position. 30

[0012] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C-C in Fig. 5.

[0013] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line F-F in Fig. 6.

[0014] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line D-D in Fig. 5.

[0015] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line G-G in Fig. 6.

[0016] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A in Fig. 3 and showing the electric junction box.

[0017] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line E-E in Fig. 5.

[0018] Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the retainer. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] [Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. 15

[0020] (1) A case body according to the present disclosure is a case body that accommodates a plurality of circuit assemblies and in which the plurality of circuit assemblies are stacked. The case body includes a case having an opening that opens in a stacking direction of the plurality of circuit assemblies, a cover that closes the opening, and a single retainer that is 20 mounted to the case, in which the case is provided with a plurality of locking pieces that lock the plurality of circuit assemblies inside the case, the plurality of locking pieces are arranged in a manner that the plurality of locking pieces do not overlap one another when viewed in the stacking direction, the retainer includes a plurality of deflection restricting portions 25 that are provided in a plurality of elastic deformation regions where the plurality of locking pieces are elastically deformable in a state that the plurality of locking pieces lock the plurality of circuit assemblies, and the retainer is held in a manner that the retainer is movable relative to the case between a final locking position where the plurality of deflection restricting 30 portions are located in the plurality of elastic deformation regions and a temporary locking position where the plurality of deflection restricting portions are located at positions different from the plurality of elastic deformation regions.

[0021] According to such a configuration, since the retainer restricts elastic deformations of the plurality of locking pieces, it is possible to prevent looseness of the plurality of circuit assemblies that are locked inside the case by the plurality of locking pieces. Further, since the elastic 5 deformations of the plurality of locking pieces can be restricted by the single retainer, the number of components can be reduced and workability of mounting the retainer can be improved.

[0022] (2) It is preferable that the plurality of locking pieces are pushed out toward the plurality of circuit assemblies by pressing the 10 plurality of deflection restricting portions into the plurality of elastic deformation regions.

[0023] According to such a configuration, the plurality of circuit assemblies can be further firmly locked by the plurality of locking pieces without looseness. 15

[0024] (3) It is preferable the cover includes a detection portion, and in a state that the retainer is held at the temporary locking position, the cover is not assembled to the case since the detection portion comes into contact with the retainer.

[0025] According to such a configuration, it is possible to detect that 20 the retainer is held at the final locking position when the cover can be assembled to the case, and an assembling state of the cover can be easily determined.

[0026] (4) It is preferable that among the plurality of deflection restricting portions, the deflection restricting portions provided in the elastic 25 deformation regions of the locking pieces that lock the circuit assembly at a lowermost side of the opening are provided at two end edges of the retainer.

[0027] According to such a configuration, when the retainer is mounted to the case, the pair of deflection restricting portions provided at the two end edges of the retainer are inserted into the opening prior to the 30 other deflection restricting portions, so that an insertion posture of the retainer into the case can be stabilized.

[0028] (5) It is preferable that one of the case and the retainer is provided with a guide portion that extends in the stacking direction, the other one of the case and the retainer is provided with a guide receiving portion that extends in the stacking direction, and when the retainer moves between the temporary locking position and the final locking position, the guide portion and the guide receiving portion engage with each other to guide a 5 movement of the retainer.

[0029] According to such a configuration, since a movement of the retainer between the temporary locking position and the final locking position is guided by the engagement between the guide portion and the guide receiving portion, the retainer is easily mounted to the case. 10

[0030] [Details of Embodiments of Present Disclosure] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims. 15

[0031] <Embodiment> An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 13. An electric junction box 1 including a case body 10 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle (not shown) such as an electric vehicle and a hybrid vehicle. The electric junction box 20 1 distributes a current supplied from a power source (not shown) to an in- vehicle device (not shown). In the following description, a direction indicated by an arrow Z is referred to as an upper side, a direction indicated by an arrow X is referred to as a front side, and a direction indicated by an arrow Y is referred to as a left side. For a plurality of the same members, 25 reference numerals may be given to only some of the members, and reference numerals may be omitted for the other members. In the drawings, some members may be described in a simplified shape.

[0032] [Case Body] As shown in Fig. 1, the electric junction box 1 includes the case body 30 10 and a plurality of circuit assemblies 15 accommodated inside the case body 10. The case body 10 includes a box-shaped case 20, a retainer 50 mounted to the case 20 from above, and a cover 70 that closes an opening 21 of the case 20. The plurality of circuit assemblies 15 are accommodated in the case body 10 and are stacked in an upper-lower direction (an example of a stacking direction). Although not shown, the case body 10 is provided with an electric wire insertion port for drawing out a wire harness connected to the plurality of circuit assemblies 15 to the outside. 5

[0033] [A Plurality of Circuit Assemblies] Two circuit assemblies 15 are provided in the present embodiment. Among the plurality of circuit assemblies 15, one disposed in an upper layer in the case 20 is an upper layer circuit assembly 15U, and one disposed in a lower layer in the case 20 is a lower layer circuit assembly 15L as shown in 10 Fig. 1. The lower layer circuit assembly 15L is disposed at a lowermost position farthest from an opening edge of the opening 21. As shown in Figs. 1 and 11, rear lock receiving portions 17 are provided on rear surfaces of the plurality of circuit assemblies 15 in a manner that the rear lock receiving portions 17 protrude rearward. As shown in Figs. 7 to 10, front lock 15 receiving portions 16 are provided on front surfaces of the plurality of circuit assemblies 15 in a manner that the front lock receiving portions 16 protrude forward.

[0034] Although not shown, the plurality of circuit assemblies 15 include a circuit provided with a plurality of electronic components. A 20 mechanical relay, a semiconductor relay, a coil, a resistor, a capacitor, an integrated circuit, and the like can be appropriately selected and used as the electronic components. A structure of the plurality of circuit assemblies 15 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a printed circuit board, or may be a structure in which a busbar is disposed on an insulating plate 25 formed of a synthetic resin.

[0035] [Case] The case 20 is formed of an insulating synthetic resin and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the case 20 includes a bottom wall 22, a peripheral wall 23 extending upward 30 from a side edge of the bottom wall 22, and the opening 21 that opens upward. Of the peripheral wall 23, a front wall portion to which the retainer 50 is mounted serves as a first wall portion 23A as shown in Fig. 12. Of the peripheral wall 23, a rear wall portion facing the first wall portion 23A serves as a second wall portion 23B.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 3, two lower locking protrusions 24A are provided at a lower side of the second wall portion 23B in a manner that the two lower locking protrusions 24A protrude forward. The two lower 5 locking protrusions 24A are arranged side by side in a left-right direction at the same height position. A lower face of each of the lower locking protrusions 24A is parallel to the bottom wall 22. Similar to the lower locking protrusions 24A, two upper locking protrusions 24B are provided at an upper side of the second wall portion 23B. Two rear support portions 25 10 are provided side by side in the left-right direction at a central portion in the upper-lower direction of the second wall portion 23B. The rear support portions 25 extend in the left-right direction. An upper face of each of the rear support portions 25 is parallel to the bottom wall 22. As shown in Fig. 11, a lower face of the lower layer circuit assembly 15L is in contact with 15 an upper face of the bottom wall 22, and the rear lock receiving portion 17 of the lower layer circuit assembly 15L is locked to a lower face of the lower locking protrusion 24A from above. A lower face of the upper layer circuit assembly 15U is in contact with an upper face of the rear support portion 25, and the rear lock receiving portion 17 of the upper layer circuit assembly 20 15U is locked to a lower face of the upper lock protrusion 24B from above.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 2, the first wall portion 23A is provided with a plurality of locking pieces 26 that protrude rearward. The plurality of locking pieces 26 include two lower locking pieces 27 provided at a lower side of the first wall 23A and an upper locking piece 32 provided at an upper 25 side of the first wall portion 23A. The upper locking piece 32 is provided at a central portion in the left-right direction, and the two lower locking pieces 27 are provided at a left side and a right side of the upper locking piece 32. Therefore, the upper locking piece 32 and the lower locking pieces 27 are arranged in a manner that the upper locking piece 32 and the 30 lower locking pieces 27 do not overlap one another when viewed from above (from the opening 21 side).

[0038] The two lower locking pieces 27 have the same shape. As shown in Figs. 2 and 7, each of the lower locking pieces 27 extends upward from the bottom wall 22 and is formed to be thin in a front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 2, a partition wall 28 extending in the upper-lower direction is provided at a left side of each of the lower locking pieces 27. The partition wall 28 is thin in the left-right direction. A left end of an upper 5 end portion of the lower locking piece 27 is connected to the first wall portion 23A via the partition wall 28. A right end of an upper end portion of the lower locking piece 27 is connected to the first wall portion 23A via a case-side guide receiving portion 36 to be described later. That is, the lower locking piece 27 is supported at two ends with the upper end portion 10 and a lower end portion serving as base portions, and the lower locking piece 27 can be elastically deformed in the front-rear direction. A lower locking claw 29 is formed at a position slightly lower than a central portion in the upper-lower direction of the lower locking piece 27 in a manner that the lower locking claw 29 protrudes rearward. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a 15 lower face of the lower locking claw 29 is locked to the front lock receiving portion 16 of the lower layer circuit assembly 15L from above.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 7, a space in front of the lower locking piece 27 serves as a lower elastic deformation region 30 in which the lower locking piece 27 is elastically deformed. The first wall portion 23A facing the 20 lower locking piece 27 is inclined in a manner that the first wall portion 23A comes close to the lower locking piece 27 as going to a lower side. The first wall portion 23A includes a ridge portion 31 that protrudes rearward below the lower locking claw 29. Accordingly, the lower elastic deformation region 30 is narrowed toward the lower side. 25

[0040] As shown in Fig. 9, the upper locking piece 32 extends rearward and upward from a central portion in the upper-lower direction of the first wall portion 23A. The upper locking piece 32 has a U shape of which an upper side is opened when viewed from a side. As shown in Fig. 2, a lower side of the upper locking piece 32 is divided into a right end 30 portion and a left end portion, and the right end portion and the left end portion are connected to the first wall portion 23A. Accordingly, the upper locking piece 32 can be elastically deformed in the front-rear direction. Two upper locking claws 33 are provided slightly above a center portion in the upper-lower direction of the upper locking piece 32 in a manner that the two upper locking claws 33 protrude rearward. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, a lower face of each of the upper locking claws 33 is locked to the front lock receiving portion 16 of the upper layer circuit assembly 15U from above. 5

[0041] As shown in Fig. 9, a space in front of the upper locking piece 32 serves as an upper elastic deformation region 34 in which the upper locking piece 32 is elastically deformed. Since the upper locking piece 32 is formed in a manner that the upper locking piece 32 comes close to the first wall portion 23A as going to a lower side, the upper elastic deformation 10 region 34 is narrowed as going to the lower side. The lower elastic deformation region 30 and the upper elastic deformation region 34 are combined to form a plurality of elastic deformation regions 35.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 2, case-side guide receiving portions 36 (an example of a guide receiving portion) are provided on the first wall portion 15 23A at a right side and at an upper side of the lower locking pieces 27. Similar to the lower locking pieces 27, two case-side guide receiving portions 36 are provided. Each of the case-side guide receiving portions 36 has a square tubular shape that is passed through in the upper-lower direction. Front support portions 37 are provided at lower sides of the case- 20 side guide receiving portions 36 in a manner that the front support portions 37 protrude rearward. As shown in Fig. 11, the front support portions 37 are provided at the same height position as the rear support portions 25. An upper face of each of the front support portions 37 is parallel to the bottom wall 22 and is brought into contact with a lower face of the upper layer 25 circuit assembly 15U. As shown in Fig. 2, a right end of an upper end portion of the lower locking piece 27 is connected to a lower end portion of a left wall 38 of the case-side guide receiving portion 36 having a square tubular shape. As shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 12, the left wall 38 has a groove 39 that is recessed rightward. As shown in Fig. 5, the groove 39 is formed 30 in a manner that the groove 39 extends in the upper-lower direction. A locking protrusion 40 that protrudes leftward is formed at a lower side of the groove 39. The locking protrusion 40 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an upper face and a lower face of the locking protrusion 40 are parallel to the bottom wall 22.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 2, two case-side guide portions 41 (an example of a guide portion) are provided at two sides in the left-right direction of the upper locking piece 32 of the first wall portion 23A. Each 5 of the case-side guide portions 41 protrudes rearward from the first wall portion 23A and extends upward from the bottom wall 22.

[0044] [Retainer] The retainer 50 is formed of an insulating synthetic resin, and has a gate-shaped plate shape as shown in Fig. 13. The retainer 50 includes a 10 retainer body portion 51 at a central portion in the left-right direction, two engagement plate portions 52 located at left and right sides of the retainer body portion 51, and two leg portions 53 provided at two end portions of the retainer 50. As shown in Fig. 2, the retainer 50 is mounted to the first wall portion 23A of the case 20 from above, and is movable in the upper-lower 15 direction between a temporary locking position (a position of the retainer 50 shown in Fig. 5) and a final locking position (a position of the retainer 50 shown in Fig. 6), which will be described later.

[0045] Two upper deflection restricting portions 54 are provided in parallel to each other in the left-right direction at a lower end portion of the 20 retainer body portion 51. Each of the upper deflection restricting portions 54 has a shape protruding rearward. A lower portion of the upper deflection restricting portion 54 is a gently inclined surface. As shown in Fig. 9, when the retainer 50 is held at the temporary locking position, the upper deflection restricting portion 54 is located above the upper elastic deformation region 25 34. As shown in Fig. 10, when the retainer 50 is held at the final locking position, the retainer body portion 51 and the upper deflection restricting portion 54 are located in the upper elastic deformation region 34 (see Fig. 9), and the upper deflection restricting portion 54 is pressed against the upper locking piece 32 from a front side. Accordingly, the upper locking 30 claw 33 is pushed rearward, and firmly locks the upper layer circuit assembly 15U without looseness.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 13, the engagement plate portion 52 is provided with a retainer-side guide receiving portion 55 that is recessed rearward. Of the two engagement plate portions 52, the left engagement plate portion 52 is provided with a retainer-side guide portion 56. As shown in Fig. 12, the retainer-side guide receiving portion 55 engages with the case-side guide portion 41. As shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 12, the retainer-5 side guide portion 56 engages with the case-side guide receiving portion 36 that is provided at the left side. Accordingly, an insertion posture of the retainer 50 is stabilized, and a movement of the retainer 50 is guided.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 5, a right end edge of the leg portion 53 engages with the left wall 38 of the case-side guide receiving portion 36. A 10 left end edge of the leg portion 53 engages with the partition wall 28.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 5 and 13, a through hole 57 that is long in the upper-lower direction is formed at a right side of the leg portion 53 in a manner that the through hole 57 passes through the leg portion 53 in the front-rear direction. Since the through hole 57 is formed, an elastic piece 15 58 that extends in the upper-lower direction and is thin in the left-right direction is provided at a right end portion of the leg portion 53. The elastic piece 58 can be elastically deformed in the left-right direction. A stopper portion 59 is provided at a lower end portion of the elastic piece 58 in a manner that the stopper portion 59 protrudes rightward. A lower portion of 20 the stopper portion 59 is a gently inclined surface. An upper face of the stopper portion 59 is perpendicular to the upper-lower direction. A final locking portion 60 is provided at an upper end portion of the elastic piece 58 in a manner that the final locking portion 60 protrudes rightward. A lower portion of the final locking portion 60 is a gently inclined surface. 25 An upper portion of the final locking portion 60 is a slightly steep inclined surface. A temporary locking portion 61 is provided on the elastic piece 58 at the stopper portion 59 side between the stopper portion 59 and the final locking portion 60 in a manner that the temporary locking portion 61 protrudes rightward. An upper portion and a lower portion of the temporary 30 locking portion 61 are gently inclined surfaces. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the stopper portion 59, the final locking portion 60, and the temporary locking portion 61 are disposed inside the groove 39 and engage with the locking protrusion 40.

[0049] [Temporary Locking Position] As shown in Fig. 5, a temporary locking position is a position of the retainer 50 in a state that the locking protrusion 40 is disposed between the stopper portion 59 and the temporary locking portion 61. When the retainer 5 50 is pushed into the case 20, first, the locking protrusion 40 is brought into contact with a lower portion of the stopper portion 59. Since the lower portion of the stopper portion 59 is a gently inclined surface, the locking protrusion 40 can easily climb over the stopper portion 59 while bending the elastic piece 58 to the left side. Next, an upper face of the locking 10 protrusion 40 is locked to an inclined surface at a lower side of the temporary locking portion 61, so that the retainer 50 is held at the temporary locking position. When the retainer 50 is moved upward in a state that the retainer 50 is held at the temporary locking position, a lower face of the locking protrusion 40 and an upper face of the stopper portion 59 are brought into 15 contact with each other, so that the retainer 50 is not pulled upward from an inner side of the case 20.

[0050] [Final Locking Position] As shown in Fig. 6, a final locking position is a position of the retainer 50 in a state that the locking protrusion 40 is disposed above the 20 final locking portion 60. When the retainer 50 held at the temporary locking position is pushed downward, first, the locking protrusion 40 climbs over the temporary locking portion 61 while bending the elastic piece 58 to the left side. Here, since a lower portion of the temporary locking portion 61 is a gently inclined surface, the locking protrusion 40 can easily climb 25 over the temporary locking portion 61. When the retainer 50 is further pushed downward, the locking protrusion 40 is brought into contact with the lower portion of the final locking portion 60. Since the lower portion of the final locking portion 60 is a gently inclined surface, the locking protrusion 40 can easily climb over the final locking portion 60 while 30 bending the elastic piece 58 to the left side. In this manner, a movement of the retainer 50 to the final locking position is completed. At the final locking position, the upper deflection restricting portion 54 is pressed against the upper locking piece 32 (see Fig. 10), and a flexible portion 62 is pressed against the ridge portion 31 (see Fig. 8) which will be described later, and the retainer 50 is considered to receive an upward reaction force. As shown in Fig. 6, a lower face of the locking protrusion 40 and a slightly steep inclined surface at an upper side of the final locking portion 60 come 5 into contact with each other, so that the retainer 50 is mounted to the case 20 in a state that the retainer 50 is held in the case 20 and cannot come off upward. As shown in Fig. 11, since an upper face 55A of the retainer-side guide receiving portion 55 comes into contact with an upper face 41A of the case-side guide portion 41, the retainer 50 cannot move downward of the 10 final locking position.

[0051] As shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 13, the flexible portion 62 that is thin in the front-rear direction is provided at a lower side of the leg portion 53. A lower deflection restricting portion 63 is provided at a lower end portion of the flexible portion 62 in a manner that the lower deflection 15 restricting portion 63 protrudes rearward. As shown in Fig. 7, in a state that the retainer 50 is held at the temporary locking position, the flexible portion 62 is not bent and is in a natural state, and the lower deflection restricting portion 63 is located above the lower elastic deformation region 30. As shown in Fig. 8, in a state that the retainer 50 is held at the final 20 locking position, the flexible portion 62 is pressed against the ridge portion 31 of the first wall portion 23A and is elastically deformed toward a rear side. The lower deflection restricting portion 63 is located in the lower elastic deformation region 30 and is pressed against the lower locking piece 27 from a front side. Accordingly, the lower locking claw 29 is pushed 25 rearward, and firmly locks the lower layer circuit assembly 15L without looseness.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 13, the lower deflection restricting portion 63 and the upper deflection restricting portion 54 are combined to form a plurality of deflection restricting portions 64. Since the plurality of 30 locking pieces 26 of the case 20 are arranged in a manner that the plurality of locking pieces 26 do not overlap one another in the upper-lower direction (see Fig. 2), the plurality of deflection restricting portions 64 are also arranged in a manner that the plurality of deflection restricting portions 64 do not overlap one another in the upper-lower direction. Accordingly, since the plurality of deflection restricting portions 64 can be provided in a single retainer 50, the number of components can be reduced, and the workability of mounting the retainer 50 can be improved. 5

[0053] [Cover] The cover 70 is formed of an insulating synthetic resin and has a square shape in a plan view as shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Figs. 6, 8, 10, and 11, the cover 70 includes a cover upper wall 71 and a cover side wall 72 extending downward from a side edge of the cover upper wall 71. A fitting 10 groove 73 that opens downward is provided at a lower side of the cover side wall 72. A wall portion inside the fitting groove 73 is formed by the cover side wall 72. In a state that the cover 70 is assembled to the case 20, an upper end edge of the peripheral wall 23 of the case 20 is fitted into the fitting groove 73. 15

[0054] Although not shown, one of the cover 70 and the case 20 is provided with a lock portion, and the other one is provided with a lock receiving portion that elastically engages with the lock portion. The cover 70 is assembled to the case 20 by engaging the lock portion with the lock receiving portion. 20

[0055] As shown in Figs. 8, 10, and 11, a front side of the cover side wall 72 serves as a cover front wall 72A, and a lower face of the cover front wall 72A serves as a detection portion 74. In a state that the retainer 50 is held at the final locking position and the cover 70 is assembled to the case 20, the detection portion 74 is disposed at a position in contact with an upper 25 face 50A of the retainer 50. Therefore, in a state that the retainer 50 is held at the temporary locking position (see Figs. 2, 7, and 9), the detection portion 74 comes into contact with the upper face 50A of the retainer 50, so that the cover 70 cannot be assembled to the case 20. That is, since the detection portion 74 is provided, it is possible to detect that the retainer 50 is held at 30 the final locking position when the cover 70 can be assembled to the case 20.

[0056] [Example of Manufacturing Process of Electric Junction Box 1] Next, an example of a manufacturing process of the electric junction box 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The manufacturing process of the electric junction box 1 is not limited to the following description.

[0057] The retainer 50 is assembled to the first wall portion 23A of 5 the case 20 from above (see Fig. 2). First, a right end edge of the leg portion 53 of the retainer 50 is engaged with the left wall 38 of the case-side guide receiving portion 36, and then a left end edge of the leg portion 53 is engaged with the partition wall 28. Since the leg portions 53 provided at two end portions of the retainer 50 are engaged with the case 20, an insertion 10 posture of the retainer 50 is stabilized. Subsequently, the retainer-side guide portion 56 and the case-side guide receiving portion 36 are engaged with each other, thereafter the retainer-side guide receiving portion 55 and the case-side guide portion 41 are engaged with each other, so that an insertion operation of the retainer 50 is smoothly performed. 15

[0058] When the retainer 50 is further pushed downward, the elastic piece 58 is bent, so that the locking protrusion 40 climbs over the stopper portion 59. The locking protrusion 40 is locked to an inclined surface at a lower side of the temporary locking portion 61, and the retainer 50 is held at the temporary locking position (see Fig. 5). 20

[0059] The plurality of circuit assemblies 15 are assembled into the case 20 through the opening 21. First, the lower layer circuit assembly 15L is put into the case 20 such that a rear end portion of the lower layer circuit assembly 15L is positioned below a front end portion of the lower layer circuit assembly 15L. The rear lock receiving portion 17 of the lower layer 25 circuit assembly 15L is fitted to a lower side of the lower locking protrusion 24 A.

[0060] Subsequently, the front lock receiving portion 16 of the lower layer circuit assembly 15L is brought into contact with the lower locking claw 29 from above. Accordingly, the lower locking piece 27 is elastically 30 deformed to a front side. At this time, the lower locking piece 27 is located in the lower elastic deformation region 30. When the lower layer circuit assembly 15L is further pushed down, the lower locking piece 27 is restored and deformed. Then, a lower face of the lower locking claw 29 is locked to the front locking receiving portion 16 of the lower layer circuit assembly 15L from above, so that the lower layer circuit assembly 15L is held in the case 20 in a state that the lower layer circuit assembly 15L is prevented from coming off upward (see Fig. 7). 5

[0061] Next, the upper layer circuit assembly 15U is inserted into the case 20 such that a rear end portion of the upper layer circuit assembly 15U is positioned below a front end portion of the upper layer circuit assembly 15U. In a state that a lower face of the upper layer circuit assembly 15U is in contact with the rear support portion 25, the rear lock 10 receiving portion 17 of the upper layer circuit assembly 15U is fitted to a lower side of the upper lock protrusion 24B.

[0062] The front lock receiving portion 16 of the upper layer circuit assembly 15U is brought into contact with the upper locking claw 33 from above. Accordingly, the upper locking piece 32 is elastically deformed to 15 a front side. At this time, the upper locking piece 32 is located in the upper elastic deformation region 34. When the upper layer circuit assembly 15U is further pushed down, the upper locking piece 32 is restored and deformed, and a lower face of the upper layer circuit assembly 15U is brought into contact with an upper face of the front support portion 37. Then, a lower 20 face of the upper locking claw 33 is locked to the front lock receiving portion 16 of the upper layer circuit assembly 15U from above, so that the upper layer circuit assembly 15U is held in the case 20 in a state that the upper layer circuit assembly 15U is prevented from coming off upward (see Fig. 9). 25

[0063] After the plurality of circuit assemblies 15 are accommodated in the case 20, the retainer 50 held at the temporary locking position is pushed downward to move the retainer 50 to the final locking position. When the elastic piece 58 is bent, the locking protrusion 40 climbs over the temporary locking portion 61. When the retainer 50 is further pushed 30 downward, the locking protrusion 40 climbs over the final locking portion 60. The locking protrusion 40 is locked to an inclined surface at an upper side of the final locking portion 60, and the retainer 50 is prevented from coming off upward (see Fig. 6).

[0064] When the retainer 50 moves from the temporary locking position to the final locking position, the plurality of deflection restricting portions 64 are disposed in the plurality of elastic deformation regions 35. As shown in Fig. 10, the upper deflection restricting portion 54 is located in 5 the upper elastic deformation region 34, so that an elastic deformation to a front side of the upper locking piece 32 is restricted. Further, the upper deflection restricting portion 54 is pressed against the upper locking piece 32 from the front side. Accordingly, the upper locking claw 33 is pushed rearward, and the upper layer circuit assembly 15U is firmly locked, so that 10 looseness of the upper layer circuit assembly 15U is prevented.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 8, the lower deflection restricting portion 63 is located in the lower elastic deformation region 30, so that an elastic deformation to a front side of the lower locking piece 27 is restricted. Further, the flexible portion 62 is pressed against the ridge portion 3 1 of the 15 first wall portion 23A and is elastically deformed to a rear side, so that the lower deflection restricting portion 63 is pressed against the lower locking piece 27 from a front side. Accordingly, the lower locking claw 29 is pushed rearward, and the lower layer circuit assembly 15L is firmly locked, so that looseness of the lower layer circuit assembly 15L is prevented. 20

[0066] In a state that the retainer 50 is held at the final locking position, the cover 70 is assembled to the case 20 from above (see Figs. 8, 10, and 11). In this manner, the manufacturing process of the electric junction box 1 is completed.

[0067] [Function and Effect of Embodiment] 25 According to the embodiment, the following functions and effects are obtained.

[0068] The case body 10 according to the embodiment is the case body 10 that accommodates the plurality of circuit assemblies 15 and in which the plurality of circuit assemblies 15 are stacked. The case body 10 30 includes the case 20 having the opening 21 that opens in the stacking direction of the plurality of circuit assemblies 15, the cover 70 that closes the opening 21, and the single retainer 50 that is mounted to the case 20. The case 20 is provided with a plurality of locking pieces 26 that lock the plurality of circuit assemblies 15 inside the case 20. The plurality of locking pieces 26 are arranged in a manner that the plurality of locking pieces 26 do not overlap one another when viewed in the stacking direction. The retainer 50 includes a plurality of deflection restricting portions 64 that 5 are provided in a plurality of elastic deformation regions 35 where the plurality of locking pieces 26 can be elastically deformed in a state that the plurality of locking pieces 26 lock the plurality of circuit assemblies 15. The retainer 50 is held in a manner that the retainer 50 is movable relative to the case 20 between the final locking position where the plurality of 10 deflection restricting portions 64 are located in the plurality of elastic deformation regions 35 and the temporary locking position where the plurality of deflection restricting portions 64 are located at positions different from the plurality of elastic deformation regions 35.

[0069] According to the above configuration, since the retainer 50 15 restricts elastic deformations of the plurality of locking pieces 26, looseness of the plurality of circuit assemblies 15 that are locked inside the case 20 by the plurality of locking pieces 26 can be prevented. Further, since the elastic deformations of the plurality of locking pieces 26 can be restricted by the single retainer 50, the number of components can be reduced and the 20 workability of mounting the retainer 50 can be improved.

[0070] In the embodiment, the plurality of locking pieces 26 are pushed out toward the plurality of circuit assemblies 15 by pressing the plurality of deflection restricting portions 64 into the plurality of elastic deformation regions 35. 25

[0071] According to the above configuration, the plurality of circuit assemblies 15 can be further firmly locked by the plurality of locking pieces 26 without looseness.

[0072] In the embodiment, the cover 70 includes the detection portion 74, and in a state that the retainer 50 is held at the temporary locking 30 position, the cover 70 is not assembled to the case 20 since the detection portion 74 comes into contact with the retainer 50.

[0073] According to the above configuration, it is possible to detect that the retainer 50 is held at the final locking position when the cover 70 can be assembled to the case 20, and an assembling state of the cover can be easily determined.

[0074] In the embodiment, among the plurality of deflection restricting portions 64, the lower deflection restricting portions 63 provided 5 in the lower elastic deformation regions 30 of the lower locking pieces 27 that lock the lower layer circuit assembly 15L at the lowermost side of the opening 21 are provided at two end edges of the retainer 50.

[0075] According to the above configuration, when the retainer 50 is mounted in the case 20, the pair of lower deflection restricting portions 63 10 provided at the two end edges of the retainer 50 are inserted into the opening 21 prior to the upper deflection restricting portion 54, so that an insertion posture of the retainer 50 into the case 20 can be stabilized.

[0076] In the embodiment, the case 20 is provided with the case-side guide portion 41 and the case-side guide receiving portion 36 that extend in 15 the stacking direction, and the retainer 50 is provided with the retainer-side guide portion 56 and the retainer-side guide receiving portion 55 that extend in the stacking direction. When the retainer 50 moves between the temporary locking position and the final locking position, the case-side guide portion 41 and the retainer-side guide receiving portion 55 engage with 20 each other, and the retainer-side guide portion 56 and the case-side guide receiving portion 36 engage with each other to guide a movement of the retainer 50.

[0077] According to the above configuration, since a movement of the retainer 50 between the temporary locking position and the final locking 25 position is guided by the engagement between the case-side guide portion 41 and the retainer-side guide receiving portion 55 and the engagement between the retainer-side guide portion 56 and the case-side guide receiving portion 36, the retainer 50 is easily mounted to the case 20.

[0078] <Other Embodiments> 30

[0079] (1) The electric junction box 1 according to the present disclosure can be attached to a vehicle or the like in any posture.

[0080] (2) Although the plurality of circuit assemblies 15 includes two circuit assemblies of the lower layer circuit assembly 15L and the upper layer circuit assembly 15U in the embodiment described above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the plurality of circuit assemblies may include three or more circuit assemblies.

[0081] (3) Although the number of the upper locking piece 32 and 5 the upper deflection restricting portion 54 is one and the number of the lower locking piece 27 and the lower deflection restricting portion 63 is two in the embodiment described above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the number or arrangement of the plurality of locking pieces and the plurality of deflection restricting portions can be freely set.

Claims

1. A case body that accommodates a plurality of circuit assemblies and in which the plurality of circuit assemblies are stacked, the case body5 comprising:a case having an opening that opens in a stacking direction of the plurality of circuit assemblies;a cover that closes the opening; anda single retainer that is mounted to the case,10 wherein the case is provided with a plurality of locking pieces thatlock the plurality of circuit assemblies inside the case,the plurality of locking pieces are arranged in a manner that the plurality of locking pieces do not overlap one another when viewed in the stacking direction,15 the retainer includes a plurality of deflection restricting portions thatare provided in a plurality of elastic deformation regions where the plurality of locking pieces are elastically deformable in a state that the plurality of locking pieces lock the plurality of circuit assemblies, andthe retainer is held in a manner that the retainer is movable relative20 to the case between a final locking position where the plurality of deflection restricting portions are located in the plurality of elastic deformation regions and a temporary locking position where the plurality of deflection restricting portions are located at positions different from the plurality of elastic deformation regions.

252. The case body according to claim 1,wherein the plurality of locking pieces are pushed out toward the plurality of circuit assemblies by pressing the plurality of deflection restricting portions into the plurality of elastic deformation regions.

303. The case body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover includes a detection portion, and in a state that the retainer is held at the temporary locking position,the cover is not assembled to the case since the detection portion comes into contact with the retainer.

4. The case body according to any one of claims 1 to 3,5 wherein among the plurality of deflection restricting portions, thedeflection restricting portions provided in the elastic deformation regions of the locking pieces that lock the circuit assembly at a lowermost side of the opening are provided at two end edges of the retainer.10 5. The case body according to any one of claims 1 to 4,wherein one of the case and the retainer is provided with a guide portion that extends in the stacking direction,the other one of the case and the retainer is provided with a guide receiving portion that extends in the stacking direction, and15 when the retainer moves between the temporary locking position andthe final locking position, the guide portion and the guide receiving portion engage with each other to guide a movement of the retainer.

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