Electric connection box

Abstract

To provide an electric connection box capable of suppressing falling-off of a connector.SOLUTION: An electric connection box comprises an electric component holder 11;and a bus bar 12. The bus bar 12 is housed in the electric component holder 11. The electric component holder 11 has a cylinder-shaped connector housing 22 to which a connector C1 is fitted in a first direction D1. The connector C1 has a lock part 62 that is hooked to an engagement part 36 of the connector housing 22 in a second direction D2 as an opposite direction of the first direction D1. The connector housing 22 has a projection part 51 projected from a tip end part of the second direction D2 in the connector housing 22. The connector C1 has a contact part 63. The projection part 51 is constructed so that the contact part 63 can be contacted to an outer side surface of the projection part 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrical junction box. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connection box including a case, an electrical component holder, and a bus bar. The electrical component holder is accommodated in the case. The bus bar is accommodated in the electrical component holder and connected to electrical components held in the electrical component holder. The electrical component holder has a cylindrical connector housing into which a connector is fitted. The bus bar has a connection portion located in the connector housing. The connection portion of the bus bar is connected to a connector that is fitted into the connector housing. The connector has a lock portion that hooks onto a lock portion provided on the connector housing. The lock portion of the connector hooks onto the lock portion of the connector housing, thereby maintaining the connector attached to the connector housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-78146 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described electrical junction box, there is a concern that the locking portion may come off the engaging portion if the connector is tilted relative to the connector housing, causing the connector to fall off from the connector housing.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electrical junction box capable of preventing a connector from falling off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electrical connection box of the present disclosure is an electrical connection box including an electrical component holder and a bus bar, the bus bar being accommodated in the electrical component holder, the electrical component holder having a cylindrical connector housing into which a connector is fitted in a first direction, the bus bar having a connection portion located within the connector housing, the connection portion being connected to the connector fitted into the connector housing, the connector housing having a locking portion that engages with the locking portion in a second direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction, the connector housing having a protrusion that protrudes from a tip end of the connector housing in the second direction, and the connector having an abutment portion that is configured to abut against an outer surface of the protrusion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the electrical junction box of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the connector from falling off. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a part of the electrical junction box in the same embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the electrical component holder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The electrical connection box of the present disclosure comprises: [1] An electrical connection box comprising an electrical component holder and a bus bar, the bus bar being accommodated in the electrical component holder, the electrical component holder having a cylindrical connector housing into which a connector is fitted in a first direction, the bus bar having a connection portion located within the connector housing, the connection portion being connected to the connector fitted into the connector housing, the connector housing having a latching portion, the connector having a locking portion that latches onto the latching portion in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the connector housing having a protrusion protruding from a tip end of the connector housing in the second direction, and the connector having an abutment portion that is configured to be able to abut against an outer surface of the protrusion.

[0010] According to this configuration, the abutment portion of the connector abuts against the outer surface of the protrusion of the connector housing, thereby preventing the connector fitted into the connector housing from tilting relative to the connector housing, and therefore preventing the connector from falling off the connector housing due to the connector tilting, which causes the locking portion of the connector to come off the engaging portion of the connector housing.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the connection portion may be a first connection portion, the bus bar may have a second connection portion connected to an electrical component held in the electrical component holder, and a coupling portion connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion, the connector housing may have a cutout portion extending from the tip end of the connector housing along the first direction, and the coupling portion may be inserted into the cutout portion along the first direction.

[0012] According to this configuration, the connector housing is formed with a cutout portion into which the connecting portion of the bus bar is inserted. This makes it possible to assemble the bus bar to the electrical component holder from the first direction. Furthermore, since the cutout portion is formed to extend from the tip of the connector housing along the first direction, the connector housing is likely to deform so that the opening of the tip opens. In other words, the formation of the cutout portion makes it easier for the connector to tilt with respect to the connector housing. In this regard, the abutment between the abutment portion and the protrusion suppresses the connector from tilting with respect to the connector housing, so it is possible to effectively suppress the connector from falling off the connector housing even while forming the cutout portion in the connector housing.

[0013] [3] In the above [2], the locking portion may be arranged to protrude from an inner surface of the connector housing, and the abutment portion may be configured to abut against an outer surface of the protrusion in a direction that maintains the engagement of the locking portion with the locking portion.

[0014] According to this configuration, it is possible to effectively prevent the locking portion of the connector from coming off the engaging portion of the connector housing by the abutment between the abutting portion and the protruding portion. [4] In the above [3], the connector housing has a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the first direction, the connector housing has a first wall portion, a second wall portion, a third wall portion, and a fourth wall portion forming each side of the rectangular frame shape, the first wall portion and the second wall portion face each other, the third wall portion and the fourth wall portion face each other, the locking portion is arranged to protrude from an inner surface of the first wall portion, the protruding portion protrudes from an end portion of the first wall portion in the second direction, and the cutout portion may be provided in the third wall portion or the fourth wall portion.

[0015] According to this configuration, since the cutout portion is provided in the third wall portion or the fourth wall portion, the connector housing is easily deformed in a direction in which the first wall portion and the second wall portion move apart. Also, the locking portion of the connector housing is provided in the first wall portion. In contrast, by providing the protruding portion of the connector housing in the first wall portion, it is possible to effectively prevent the locking portion of the connector from coming off the locking portion of the connector housing by the abutment between the abutting portion and the protruding portion.

[0016] [5] In any one of the above [1] to [4], the connector housing may have a reinforcing rib protruding from the protrusion toward the inside of the connector housing.

[0017] According to this configuration, the reinforcing rib can increase the rigidity of the protrusion, thereby making it possible to suitably suppress tilt of the connector with respect to the connector housing by the abutment between the abutment portion and the protrusion.

[0018] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the electrical junction box of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for the convenience of explanation, some of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ from one drawing to another.

[0019] In addition, the term "cylindrical" used in the description of this specification does not only refer to a cylindrical shape having a continuous wall formed around the entire circumference, but also includes a cylindrical shape formed by combining multiple parts, and a C-shape having a notch in a part of the circumference. In addition, the shape of a "cylindrical shape" includes a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon with sharp or rounded corners.

[0020] In addition, "facing" in this specification refers to surfaces or members facing each other, and includes not only cases where they are completely facing each other, but also cases where they are partially facing each other. In addition, "facing" in this specification includes both cases where a member other than the two parts is interposed between the two parts, and cases where nothing is interposed between the two parts.

[0021] (Electrical junction box 10) 1, the electrical junction box 10 includes an electric component holder 11 housed in a case (not shown) of the electrical junction box 10, and a bus bar 12 housed in the electric component holder 11. The electrical junction box 10 is, for example, a relay box or a junction box mounted on a vehicle.

[0022] (Electrical component holder 11) The electric component holder 11 is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The electric component holder 11 has a holder main body 21 and a connector housing 22. The holder main body 21 accommodates electric components EC such as fuses and relays (not shown). When the electric components EC include fuses, the electric component holder 11 is called a fuse block. A connector C1 is fitted into the connector housing 22 from a first direction D1. The first direction D1 is, for example, a direction toward one side in the height direction of the electric connection box 10. The second direction D2 is a direction toward the other side in the height direction of the electric connection box 10, that is, the opposite direction to the first direction D1. In the following description, a side surface on one side in the height direction of the holder main body 21 is called a first side surface 21a, and a back surface of the first side surface 21a of the holder main body 21 is called a second side surface 21b. The busbar 12 and a connector C1, which will be described later, are each attached to the electric component holder 11 from the first side surface 21a in a first direction D1. The electric component EC is attached to the holder main body 21 from the second side surface 21b in a second direction D2. Note that, for example, a plurality of electric components EC may be provided.

[0023] (connector housing 22) The connector housing 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape into which the connector C1 can be fitted in the first direction D1. The connector housing 22 extends in the second direction D2 from the first side surface 21a of the holder main body 21, for example. The connector C1 is fitted into the inside of the connector housing 22.

[0024] As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the connector housing 22 has, for example, a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the first direction D1. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the peripheral portion of the connector housing 22 in the electric component holder 11 when viewed from the first direction D1. The connector housing 22 has a first wall portion 31, a second wall portion 32, a third wall portion 33, and a fourth wall portion 34 that form each side of the rectangular frame shape. The first wall portion 31 and the second wall portion 32 face each other in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1. The third wall portion 33 and the fourth wall portion 34 face each other in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1. The connector housing 22 has an opening 22a at its tip end in the second direction D2, into which the connector C1 is inserted. The opening 22a opens in the second direction D2.

[0025] The connector housing 22 has a cutout portion 35. The cutout portion 35 extends linearly along the first direction D1 from the tip end portion of the third wall portion 33 in the second direction D2. The cutout portion 35 is formed so as to penetrate the third wall portion 33.

[0026] The connector housing 22 has a locking portion 36. The locking portion 36 is provided, for example, so as to protrude from the inner surface of the first wall portion 31. The locking portion 36 is configured to be able to be locked with a locking portion 62 provided on the connector C1. The locking portion 62 is caught by the locking portion 36 in the second direction D2, thereby maintaining the connector C1 fitted inside the connector housing 22.

[0027] (Busbar 12) The bus bar 12 is made of a conductor such as metal. The bus bar 12 is formed, for example, by pressing a metal plate. The bus bar 12 is attached to the holder main body 21 from the first side surface 21a side along the first direction D1. The electric component EC is attached to the holder main body 21 from the second side surface 21b side.

[0028] 1, the bus bar 12 has a first connection portion 41 connected to the connector C1, a second connection portion 42 connected to an electric component EC held in the holder main body 21, and a coupling portion 43 connecting the first connection portion 41 and the second connection portion 42. The second connection portion 42 is accommodated in the holder main body 21. A plurality of second connection portions 42 are provided corresponding to the plurality of electric components EC, for example.

[0029] The connecting portion 43 is inserted in a first direction D1 into a notch 35 provided in a third wall portion 33 of the connector housing 22. The connecting portion 43 extends from the outside of the connector housing 22 in the holder main body 21 to the inside of the connector housing 22 through the notch 35. The first connecting portion 41 is located inside the connector housing 22. The first connecting portion 41 extends in a second direction D2 inside the connector housing 22. The first connecting portion 41 is connected to a connector C1 fitted into the connector housing 22.

[0030] (Protrusion 51) 3 and 4, the connector housing 22 has a protrusion 51 that protrudes from a tip end of the connector housing 22 in the second direction D2. The protrusion 51 is provided on, for example, the first wall portion 31. That is, the protrusion 51 protrudes from a tip end of the first wall portion 31 in the second direction D2. The width of the protrusion 51 is set to be smaller than the width of the first wall portion 31, for example.

[0031] The connector housing 22 has a reinforcing rib 52 that protrudes from the protruding portion 51 toward the inside of the connector housing 22. For example, two reinforcing ribs 52 are provided. The two reinforcing ribs 52 protrude, for example, from both ends of the protruding portion 51 in the width direction toward the inside of the connector housing 22. For example, each reinforcing rib 52 extends linearly along the first direction D1. Also, each reinforcing rib 52 extends from the protruding portion 51 to the bottom of the connector housing 22. In this manner, by forming the two reinforcing ribs 52, the protruding portion 51 is substantially U-shaped when viewed from the first direction D1.

[0032] (Connector C1) The connector C1 has a connector case 61. Terminals (not shown) connected to the first connection portions 41 of the bus bars 12 are housed inside the connector case 61. For ease of explanation, the internal structure of the connector case 61 is shown in a simplified form in Fig. 3. The connector C1 includes electric wires (not shown) connected to the terminals.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, the connector case 61 has the locking portion 62 and the abutment portion 63. The locking portion 62 is an elastic piece extending from the connector case 61. The locking portion 62 has elasticity capable of pressing the first wall portion 31 of the connector housing 22. The locking portion 62 has a locking protrusion 64. When the connector case 61 is fitted inside the connector housing 22, the locking protrusion 64 of the locking portion 62 is adapted to be caught by the locking portion 36 of the connector housing 22 in the second direction D2. This maintains the connector case 61 fitted inside the connector housing 22.

[0034] 2, the abutment portion 63 is formed, for example, so as to connect a pair of base portions 65 protruding from the connector case 61. In a state in which the connector case 61 is fitted inside the connector housing 22, the protrusion portion 51 of the connector housing 22 is inserted into an inner space formed by each base portion 65 and the abutment portion 63. This allows the abutment portion 63 to abut against the outer surface of the protrusion portion 51. In detail, the abutment portion 63 is configured to be able to abut against the outer surface of the protrusion portion 51 in a direction D3 in which the lock portion 62 moves away from the engagement portion 36. In other words, the abutment portion 63 is configured to be able to abut against the outer surface of the protrusion portion 51 in a direction that keeps the lock portion 62 hooked to the engagement portion 36.

[0035] The operation of this embodiment will be described. In the connector housing 22 of the present embodiment, a notch 35 is formed in the third wall portion 33. This makes it possible to assemble the bus bar 12 including the first connection portion 41 arranged in the connector housing 22 from the first side surface 21a side of the holder main body 21 along the first direction D1.

[0036] However, by providing the cutout portion 35 in the third wall portion 33 of the connector housing 22, there is a concern that the rigidity of the connector housing 22 may decrease. Specifically, by providing the cutout portion 35 in the third wall portion 33, the connector housing 22 becomes more likely to deform in a direction in which the first wall portion 31 and the second wall portion 32 move apart. Since the locking portion 36 is provided in the first wall portion 31, if no measures are taken, there is a risk that the locking portion 36 and the locking portion 62 of the connector C1 may come off when the connector housing 22 deforms in a direction in which the first wall portion 31 and the second wall portion 32 move apart. Therefore, in this embodiment, the abutting portion 63 of the connector C1 is abutted against the outer surface of the protrusion 51 provided in the first wall portion 31, thereby suppressing the connector C1 from tilting in the arrow direction D4 relative to the connector housing 22 due to an external force or the like. As a result, the engagement between the engaging portion 36 and the locking portion 62 is unintentionally released, and the connector C1 is prevented from falling off the connector housing 22.

[0037] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The connector housing 22 has a protruding portion 51 protruding from a tip end of the connector housing 22 in the second direction D2. The abutting portion 63 provided on the connector C1 is configured to be able to abut against an outer surface of the protruding portion 51. According to this configuration, the abutting portion 63 of the connector C1 abuts against the outer surface of the protruding portion 51 of the connector housing 22, thereby preventing the connector C1 fitted into the connector housing 22 from tilting with respect to the connector housing 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connector C1 from falling off the connector housing 22 due to the connector C1 tilting in its posture and causing the locking portion 62 of the connector C1 to come off the engaging portion 36 of the connector housing 22.

[0038] (2) The bus bar 12 has a first connection portion 41 connected to the connector C1, a second connection portion 42 connected to an electric component EC held by the electric component holder 11, and a coupling portion 43 connecting the first connection portion 41 and the second connection portion 42. The connector housing 22 has a notch portion 35 extending from a tip portion of the connector housing 22 along the first direction D1. The coupling portion 43 of the bus bar 12 is inserted into the notch portion 35 along the first direction D1. According to this configuration, the connector housing 22 has the notch portion 35 into which the coupling portion 43 of the bus bar 12 is inserted. This makes it possible to assemble the bus bar 12 to the electric component holder 11 from the first direction D1. In addition, since the notch portion 35 is formed to extend from a tip portion of the connector housing 22 along the first direction D1, the connector housing 22 is easily deformed so that the opening 22a at the tip portion opens. That is, by forming the cutout portion 35, the connector C1 becomes more likely to tilt with respect to the connector housing 22. In this regard, the abutment between the abutment portion 63 and the protrusion 51 suppresses the inclination of the connector C1 with respect to the connector housing 22, so that it is possible to effectively suppress the connector C1 from falling off even while forming the cutout portion 35 in the connector housing 22.

[0039] (3) The locking portion 36 is provided so as to protrude from the inner surface of the connector housing 22. The abutting portion 63 is configured to be able to abut against the outer surface of the protruding portion 51 in the direction D3 in which the locking portion 62 moves away from the locking portion 36. In other words, the abutting portion 63 is configured to be able to abut against the outer surface of the protruding portion 51 in a direction that keeps the locking portion 62 hooked onto the locking portion 36. With this configuration, the abutting portion 63 and the protruding portion 51 can effectively prevent the locking portion 62 of the connector C1 from coming off the locking portion 36 of the connector housing 22.

[0040] (4) The connector housing 22 has a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the first direction D1. The connector housing 22 has a first wall portion 31, a second wall portion 32, a third wall portion 33, and a fourth wall portion 34 that form each side of the rectangular frame shape. The first wall portion 31 and the second wall portion 32 face each other. The third wall portion 33 and the fourth wall portion 34 face each other. The locking portion 36 is provided so as to protrude from the inner surface of the first wall portion 31. The protruding portion 51 protrudes from the tip end of the first wall portion 31 in the second direction D2. The cutout portion 35 is provided in the third wall portion 33. According to this configuration, since the cutout portion 35 is provided in the third wall portion 33, the connector housing 22 is easily deformed in a direction in which the first wall portion 31 and the second wall portion 32 are separated from each other. In addition, the locking portion 36 of the connector housing 22 is provided on the first wall portion 31. By providing the protruding portion 51 of the connector housing 22 on the first wall portion 31, it is possible to effectively prevent the locking portion 62 of the connector C1 from coming off the locking portion 36 of the connector housing 22 by the abutment between the abutting portion 63 and the protruding portion 51.

[0041] (5) The connector housing 22 has the reinforcing rib 52 that protrudes from the protrusion 51 toward the inside of the connector housing 22. With this configuration, the reinforcing rib 52 can improve the rigidity of the protrusion 51. As a result, the inclination of the connector C1 with respect to the connector housing 22 can be suitably suppressed by the abutment between the abutment portion 63 and the protrusion 51.

[0042] (Example of change) This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0043] In the connector housing 22, the configuration such as the number of the reinforcing ribs 52 is not limited to that in the above embodiment, and may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration. In the connector housing 22, the cutout portion 35 may be formed in the fourth wall portion 34 instead of the third wall portion 33. Also, the cutout portion 35 may be formed in the first wall portion 31 or the second wall portion 32.

[0044] In the connector housing 22 , the locking portion 36 may be provided on any of the second wall portion 32 , the third wall portion 33 and the fourth wall portion 34 instead of the first wall portion 31 . In the connector housing 22 , the protrusion 51 may be provided on any of the second wall portion 32 , the third wall portion 33 and the fourth wall portion 34 , instead of on the first wall portion 31 .

[0045] The electric components EC accommodated in the electric component holder 11 are not limited to those in the above embodiment, and may include electric components other than fuses and relays. Furthermore, the electric components EC may be composed only of electric components other than fuses and relays.

[0046] The embodiments and modified examples disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10 Electrical junction box 11 Electrical component holder 12 Busbar 21 Holder body 21a 1st side 21b Second side 22 Connector housing 22a opening 31 1st wall section 32 Second wall section 33 Third wall 34 4th wall 35 Cutout 36 Locking part 41 First connection part (connection part) 42 Second connection part 43 Connecting part 51 Protrusion 52 Reinforcing rib 61 Connector case 62 Rock Section 63 Contact part 64 Locking protrusion 65 base C1 Connector EC Electrical Parts D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction

Claims

1. An electrical connection box including an electrical component holder and a bus bar, the bus bar is accommodated in the electrical component holder; the electrical component holder has a cylindrical connector housing into which a connector is fitted in a first direction, The bus bar has a connection portion located within the connector housing, The connection portion is connected to the connector that is fitted into the connector housing, The connector housing has a locking portion, the connector has a lock portion that is hooked on the engaging portion in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the connector housing has a protruding portion protruding from a tip end portion of the connector housing in the second direction, The connector has an abutment portion, The abutment portion is configured to be able to abut against an outer surface of the protrusion. Electrical junction box.

2. The connection portion is a first connection portion, the bus bar includes a second connection portion connected to an electrical component held by the electrical component holder, and a coupling portion connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion, the connector housing has a notch extending from the tip end of the connector housing along the first direction, The connecting portion is inserted into the notch portion along the first direction.

2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1.

3. The locking portion is provided so as to protrude from an inner surface of the connector housing, The abutment portion is configured to be able to abut against an outer surface of the protrusion in a direction to maintain the engagement of the lock portion with the engaging portion.

3. The electrical junction box according to claim 2.

4. The connector housing has a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the first direction, The connector housing has a first wall portion, a second wall portion, a third wall portion, and a fourth wall portion which form each side of the rectangular frame, The first wall portion and the second wall portion face each other, The third wall portion and the fourth wall portion face each other, The locking portion is provided so as to protrude from an inner surface of the first wall portion, The protruding portion protrudes from a tip end portion of the first wall portion in the second direction, The cutout portion is provided in the third wall portion or the fourth wall portion.

4. The electrical junction box according to claim 3.

5. The connector housing has a reinforcing rib protruding from the protruding portion toward the inside of the connector housing.

2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1.

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