Electrical connection box

Abstract

To provide an electrical connection box capable of improving assemblability.SOLUTION: An electrical connection box 11 includes: a lower case 12; an upper case 13 fixed to the lower case 12 and forming a housing unit 17 relative to the lower case 12; a bus bar 14 that has a relay terminal 19, being housed in the housing unit 17, and being held by the lower case 12; and an electrical component 15 that has a connection terminal 15a fitted to the relay terminal 19 and being arranged outside the housing unit 17. The lower case 12 has a through hole 12b, the relay terminal 19 is disposed at a position corresponding to the through hole 12b, the electrical component 15 is held by the lower case 12 outside the housing unit 17, and the connection terminal 15a is fitted to the relay terminal 19 via the through hole 12b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been an electrical connection box in which, for example, a bus bar fitted with a relay terminal is held in a first case (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A second case is fixed to the first case, and houses the bus bar together with the first case. A through hole is formed in the second case at a position corresponding to the relay terminal. An external terminal is fitted into the relay terminal from outside the housing section through the through hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-185921 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned electrical connection box, since the second case, which is separate from the first case that holds the bus bar, has a through hole, there is a problem that the through hole and the relay terminal are easily misaligned. Therefore, for example, when the second case is assembled to the first case, there is a risk that the relay terminal may collide with the periphery of the through hole. Also, for example, there is a risk that the external terminal that is fitted to the relay terminal via the through hole may not fit well with the relay terminal. For these reasons, the above-mentioned electrical connection box has a problem of poor assembly.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electrical junction box that can be easily installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electrical connection box disclosed herein is an electrical connection box comprising: a first case; a second case fixed to the first case and forming a storage section between the first case and the second case; a bus bar having a first terminal, stored in the storage section and held in the first case; and an electrical component having a second terminal engaged with the first terminal and arranged outside the storage section, wherein the first case has a through hole, the first terminal is arranged at a position corresponding to the through hole, the electrical component is held in the first case outside the storage section, and the second terminal is engaged with the first terminal via the through hole. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the electrical junction box of the present disclosure, the ease of assembly can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded cross-sectional view of a portion of the electrical junction box according to one embodiment. 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: a first case; a second case fixed to the first case and forming a storage section between the first case and the second case; a bus bar having a first terminal and housed in the storage section and held in the first case; and an electrical component having a second terminal fitted into the first terminal and arranged outside the storage section, wherein the first case has a through hole, the first terminal is arranged at a position corresponding to the through hole, the electrical component is held in the first case outside the storage section, and the second terminal is fitted into the first terminal via the through hole.

[0010] According to this configuration, the first case that holds the bus bar has a through hole, and the first terminal of the bus bar is disposed at a position corresponding to the through hole, so that the first terminal is prevented from being misaligned with respect to the through hole. That is, for example, in a configuration in which a second case separate from the first case that holds the bus bar has a through hole, misalignment between the through hole and the first terminal is likely to occur, but this misalignment is prevented. Furthermore, since an electrical component having a second terminal that fits into the first terminal via the through hole is held in the first case, misalignment between the first terminal and the second terminal is also prevented. These factors result in good assembly properties. Specifically, for example, in a configuration in which a second case separate from the first case that holds the bus bar has a through hole, there is a risk that the first terminal will collide with the periphery of the through hole when assembling the second case to the first case, but this can be avoided. In addition, for example, in a configuration in which a second case separate from a first case that holds a bus bar has a through hole and holds an electrical component, there is a risk that the first terminal and the second terminal will not fit together properly when the electrical component is assembled into the second case, but this is suppressed.

[0011] [2] In the above item [1], the busbar may have a busbar body made of a metal plate, and a relay terminal that is fitted into the busbar body to form the first terminal. According to this configuration, the busbar has a busbar body made of a metal plate and an intermediate terminal that is fitted into the busbar body to form a first terminal. Therefore, for example, it is possible to manufacture the busbar body, which forms the majority of the busbar, in a simple shape.

[0012] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the second case may have an air hole. According to this configuration, the second case has air holes, which improves the heat dissipation of the electrical junction box. In addition, since the members for holding the bus bars and electrical components are concentrated in the first case, the rigidity of the second case can be reduced, allowing air holes to be provided relatively freely in the second case.

[0013] [4] In any one of [1] to [3] above, the first case may have a retaining claw that engages with the electrical component and holds the electrical component by moving the electrical component relative to the first case so as to fit the second terminal into the first terminal.

[0014] According to this configuration, the first case has retaining claws that engage with and hold the electrical component by moving the electrical component relative to the first case so as to fit the second terminal into the first terminal, thereby improving assembly ease.

[0015] [5] In any one of the above [1] to [4], the first case may be a lower case that is fixed to a fixed object so as to be positioned lower than the second case.

[0016] According to this configuration, the first case that holds the bus bars and electrical components is a lower case that is fixed to a fixed object so that it is positioned lower than the second case, so that, for example, the center of gravity of the electrical connection box is lowered and the rigidity of the second case can be reduced.

[0017] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the electrical connection box of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratio of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "parallel," "orthogonal," and "perfect circle" do not only mean strictly parallel, orthogonal, or perfect circle, but also include approximately parallel, orthogonal, or perfect circle within the range of the action and effect of this embodiment. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0018] (Configuration of electrical connection box 11) 1 and 2, the electrical junction box 11 includes a lower case 12 as a first case, an upper case 13 as a second case, a plurality of bus bars 14, and electrical components 15. The electrical junction box 11 of this embodiment is provided in, for example, a battery pack mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle. That is, the electrical junction box 11 is accommodated in a battery pack case 16 as an object to be fixed together with a plurality of battery cells, and is fixed onto a bottom 16a of the battery pack case 16.

[0019] (Configuration of lower case 12 and upper case 13) Each of the lower case 12 and the upper case 13 is made of a resin material. The upper case 13 is fixed to the lower case 12, and defines a storage section 17 between the upper case 13 and the lower case 12. More specifically, the upper case 13 is fixed above the lower case 12. The area surrounded by the upper surface 12a of the lower case 12 and the lower surface 13a of the upper case 13 defines the storage section 17. Note that Figs. 1 and 2 show a partial cross section of the electrical junction box 11, and do not show both side areas where the lower case 12 and the upper case 13 are fixed to each other.

[0020] The lower case 12 also has a through hole 12b. In this embodiment, the through hole 12b is formed so as to extend downward from the upper surface 12a in a cylindrical shape. A plurality of through holes 12b are provided. Although only a pair of through holes 12b are illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the lower case 12 may, of course, have additional through holes 12b in other locations.

[0021] The lower case 12 also has a pair of holding claws 12c. The pair of holding claws 12c has a pair of flexible pieces 12d extending downward from the lower case 12 to the outside of the storage section 17, and claw portions 12e protruding from each of the flexible pieces 12d in mutually approaching directions.

[0022] Additionally, upper case 13 has air holes 13b. A plurality of air holes 13b are provided. Air holes 13b are provided, for example, in housing portion 17 near a portion that is likely to generate heat.

[0023] (Configuration of busbar 14) Busbar 14 is accommodated in accommodation portion 17 and held in lower case 12. More specifically, busbar 14 has busbar body 18 made of a metal plate and relay terminal 19 that is fitted into busbar body 18 to form a first terminal. Busbar 14 is held in lower case 12 with busbar body 18 disposed along upper surface 12a of lower case 12. Note that FIG. 1 does not show the holding structure of busbar 14 in lower case 12. Busbar body 18 has terminal end 18a that is bent and extends downward. Relay terminal 19 is fitted into terminal end 18a. Note that FIGS. 1 and 2 show a fitting structure between relay terminal 19 and terminal end 18a as an example, but of course other fitting structures may be adopted.

[0024] The relay terminal 19 is disposed at a position corresponding to the through hole 12b. In this embodiment, the relay terminal 19 is disposed inside the through hole 12b. That is, the bus bar 14 is attached to the lower case 12 so that the relay terminal 19 is inserted into the through hole 12b. Note that other electric circuit components and the like housed in the housing portion 17 are not shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the bus bar 14 is electrically connected to, for example, electric circuit components and the like not shown.

[0025] (Configuration of Electrical Component 15) The electric component 15 is, for example, a resistor, a relay, a fuse, or the like. The electric component 15 has a connection terminal 15a as a second terminal that is fitted into the relay terminal 19. The electric component 15 of this embodiment has a pair of connection terminals 15a. The electric component 15 is disposed outside the accommodating portion 17. The electric component 15 is held by the lower case 12 outside the accommodating portion 17. The electric component 15 is held by a pair of holding claws 12c of the lower case 12. The connection terminal 15a is fitted into the relay terminal 19 via the through hole 12b. In detail, the electric component 15 is moved relative to the lower case 12 so that the connection terminal 15a is fitted into the relay terminal 19, and is engaged with and held by the holding claws 12c. In other words, the retaining claws 12c engage with and hold the electric component 15 by moving the electric component 15 relative to the lower case 12 so as to fit the connection terminal 15a into the relay terminal 19. Note that, although Figs. 1 and 2 show a schematic example of a fitting structure between the relay terminal 19 and the connection terminal 15a, of course, other fitting structures may be adopted.

[0026] Next, the operation of the electrical junction box 11 configured as above will be described. The electrical junction box 11 is housed in a battery pack case 16 together with multiple battery cells, and other electrical circuit components housed in a housing section 17 are electrically connected to the battery cells. The electrical circuit components of the electrical junction box 11 monitor the current value, temperature, etc. of the battery cells, thereby achieving optimal input and output of the battery pack.

[0027] Next, the effects of the above embodiment will be described below. (1) Lower case 12 that holds busbar 14 has through hole 12b, and relay terminal 19 of busbar 14 is disposed at a position corresponding to through hole 12b, so that misalignment of relay terminal 19 with respect to through hole 12b is suppressed. That is, for example, in a configuration in which upper case 13, which is separate from lower case 12 that holds busbar 14, has a through hole, misalignment between the through hole and relay terminal 19 is likely to occur, but this misalignment is suppressed. Furthermore, electrical component 15 having connection terminal 15a that fits into relay terminal 19 via through hole 12b is held in lower case 12, so that misalignment between relay terminal 19 and connection terminal 15a is also suppressed. These factors result in good assembly performance.

[0028] Specifically, for example, in a configuration in which upper case 13 separate from lower case 12 that holds busbar 14 has a through hole, there is a risk that relay terminal 19 will collide with the periphery of the through hole when upper case 13 is assembled to lower case 12, but this can be avoided. Also, for example, in a configuration in which upper case 13 separate from lower case 12 that holds busbar 14 has a through hole and holds electrical component 15, there is a risk that relay terminal 19 will not fit properly with connection terminal 15a when electrical component 15 is assembled to upper case 13, but this is suppressed.

[0029] In addition, since the members for holding the bus bars 14 and the electric components 15 are concentrated in the lower case 12, it is possible to reduce the rigidity of the upper case 13. This makes it possible to reduce, for example, the total weight and manufacturing costs of the electric junction box 11.

[0030] (2) Busbar 14 has busbar body 18 made of a metal plate and relay terminal 19 that constitutes a first terminal by being fitted into busbar body 18. Therefore, for example, busbar body 18, which constitutes most of busbar 14, can be manufactured in a simple shape.

[0031] (3) Upper case 13 has air holes 13b, which improves the heat dissipation of electrical junction box 11. In this embodiment, the members for holding bus bars 14 and electrical components 15 are concentrated in lower case 12, which reduces the rigidity of upper case 13. Therefore, air holes 13b can be provided in upper case 13 with relative freedom.

[0032] (4) The lower case 12 has retaining claws 12c that engage with and hold the electrical component 15 by moving the electrical component 15 relative to the lower case 12 so as to fit the connection terminal 15a into the relay terminal 19, thereby improving assembly performance.

[0033] (5) Lower case 12, which holds bus bars 14 and electrical components 15, is fixed to battery pack case 16 so as to be disposed lower than upper case 13. Therefore, for example, the center of gravity of electrical junction box 11 is lowered and the rigidity of upper case 13 can be reduced.

[0034] 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. In the above embodiment, busbar 14 has busbar body 18 made of a metal plate and relay terminal 19 that is fitted into busbar body 18 to form the first terminal, but is not limited to this. For example, busbar 14 may not have a separate relay terminal 19, and the first terminal may be integrally provided with busbar body 18.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the upper case 13 has the air hole 13b, but this is not limited thereto and the upper case 13 may have no air hole 13b. Also, the number and positions of the air holes 13b may be different from those shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the lower case 12 has the holding claws 12c for holding the electric components 15. However, this is not limited to this, and the electric components 15 may be held in another configuration.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the first case is disposed below the lower case 12, and the lower case 12 is configured to hold the bus bars 14 and the electrical components 15. However, this is not limited to the above and the direction in which the first case is disposed may be other than downward.

[0038] Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, the electrical connection box 11 includes a plurality of electrical components 15, and the plurality of electrical components 15 may be held in the lower case 12 in a configuration similar to that of the above embodiment.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the electric connection box 11 is provided in a battery pack mounted on a vehicle such as an electric car, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be provided in other devices. In other words, the object to which the electric connection box 11 is fixed may be something other than the battery pack case 16. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 11 Electrical junction box 12 Lower case (first case) 12a Top side 12b Through hole 12c retaining claw 12d flexible piece 12e Claw part 13 Upper case (second case) 13a Bottom side 13b Air hole 14 Busbar 15 Electrical Components 15a Connection terminal (2nd terminal) 16 Battery pack case (fixed object) 16a bottom 17 Storage unit 18 Busbar body 18a Terminal end 19 Relay terminal (first terminal)

Claims

1. The first case, a second case fixed to the first case and defining a storage section between the first case and the second case; a bus bar having a first terminal, being accommodated in the accommodating portion and being held by the first case; an electrical component having a second terminal fitted to the first terminal and disposed outside the housing; An electrical connection box comprising: The first case has a through hole, the first terminal is disposed at a position corresponding to the through hole, the electrical component is held in the first case outside the housing portion, The second terminal is fitted to the first terminal via the through hole. Electrical junction box.

2. The bus bar includes a bus bar body made of a metal plate material, and a relay terminal that is fitted into the bus bar body to form the first terminal.

2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1.

3. The second case has an air hole.

2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1.

4. the first case has a retaining claw that engages with the electric component and holds the electric component by moving the electric component relative to the first case so as to fit the second terminal into the first terminal; 2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1.

5. The first case is a lower case that is fixed to a fixed object so as to be disposed lower than the second case.

2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1.

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