Electric connection box

Abstract

To provide an electric connection box excellent in waterproofness.SOLUTION: An electric connection box 100 comprises: a case having a case body 1 and a case cover 2 assembled to the case body 1; and an opening / closing cover 3 assembled to the case cover 2 to be openable / closable and rotatable to an opening part 11 of the case cover 2. The case cover 2 has: a cutoff wall 12 erected to surround an opening peripheral edge of the opening part 11; and a rotating shaft 13 extending approximately in parallel with an opening surface of the opening part 11 to rotatably and pivotally support the opening / closing cover 3, wherein a part corresponding to the rotating shaft 13 is provided with a molding hole 14 as a mold mark in formation of the rotating shaft 13 and penetrating in a first cross direction crossing the opening surface of the opening part 11, and a part corresponding to the molding hole 14 is provided with a cylindrical part extending from one end surface provided with the molding hole 14 in the first cross direction to the other end surface to communicate the inside and outside of the case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been proposed an electrical connection box that includes a case that houses electronic components and case-side connections electrically connected to the electronic components and has an opening that can expose the case-side connections to the outside, and an opening / closing cover that can rotate between a closed position that closes the case opening and an open position that exposes the case-side connections to the outside (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the opening / closing cover is journaled on a rotating shaft that extends parallel to the opening surface, and opens and closes by rotating vertically relative to the opening of the case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-197772 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in an electrical junction box having an openable cover as described above, when the case is exposed to water, the openable cover can prevent water from directly entering the inside of the case from the opening, but water may accumulate on the surface of the case or on the openable cover. In this case, water accumulated near the opening may enter the inside of the case through a gap between the case and the openable cover. In addition, in an electrical junction box in which the openable cover rotates vertically relative to the opening of the case to open and close the case, as in Patent Document 1, holes from the molding die tend to remain as molding marks on the rotating shaft portion, etc. Therefore, when the case is exposed to water, water may enter the inside of the case through the holes. In other words, there is room for improvement in conventional electrical junction boxes in terms of waterproofness.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical junction box that is excellent in waterproof properties. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the electrical junction box according to the present invention has the following features. a case including a case body capable of accommodating therein a case side connection part to be connected to a mating connection part and having a first opening, and a case cover attached to the case body so as to close the first opening and having a second opening communicating with the first opening and capable of exposing the case side connection part to the outside; an opening / closing cover that is assembled to the case cover and can rotate between an open position that exposes the case side connection portion to the outside and a closed position that covers the second opening; An electrical connection box comprising: The case cover is a water blocking wall erected so as to surround the opening periphery of the second opening; a rotation shaft portion that extends substantially parallel to an opening surface of the second opening portion and that rotatably supports the opening / closing cover; and A molding hole is provided at a location corresponding to the pivot shaft, the molding hole being a molding mark formed when the pivot shaft is formed, and penetrating in a first intersecting direction intersecting with an opening surface of the second opening. A cylindrical portion is provided at a location corresponding to the molding hole, extending from one end surface where the molding hole is provided in the first intersecting direction to the other end surface, thereby communicating the inside and outside of the case. It is an electrical junction box. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, by surrounding the periphery of the opening with a water blocking wall, when the electrical connection box is wet, direct intrusion of water from the second opening can be prevented. Also, according to the present invention, a cylindrical portion is provided that extends from one end face where the molding hole is provided to the other end face and communicates the inside and outside of the case, in correspondence with the molding hole, which is a molding mark when the pivot shaft is formed, so that water that drips into the molding hole flows down the cylindrical portion and is discharged to the outside on the other side face of the case. In other words, according to the present invention, direct intrusion of water from the second opening can be appropriately prevented, and water intrusion into the inside of the case from the molding hole can be prevented, resulting in superior waterproofing compared to conventional cases.

[0008] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the following description of the embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main portion of an electrical junction box according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the electrical junction box shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the openable cover is in a closed position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the electrical junction box shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the openable cover is in an open position. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the case cover shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the opening and closing cover shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a drainage method in the electrical junction box shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An electric junction box 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] For ease of explanation, the following definitions are used for "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper" and "lower" as shown in FIG. 1 etc. The "front-rear direction", "left-right direction" and "up-down direction" are mutually orthogonal. The up-down direction corresponds to the "first intersecting direction" of the present invention. The front-rear direction corresponds to the "second intersecting direction" of the present invention.

[0012] The electrical connection box 100 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and is electrically connected to an in-vehicle device (not shown) such as a power supply by fastening a mating connection portion 5 (see Figures 1 to 3) connected to the in-vehicle device such as a power supply (not shown) to a case side connection portion 4 (see Figures 1 to 3) using a bolt 6 (see Figures 1 to 3).

[0013] 1 to 3, the electrical junction box 100 is configured to include a case having a case body 1 and a case cover 2, and an opening / closing cover 3. The case body 1, the case cover 2, and the opening / closing cover 3 that configure the electrical junction box 100 will be described in order below.

[0014] First, a description will be given of the case body 1. The case body 1 has an upper end opening (reference numeral omitted, corresponding to the "first opening" of the present invention) that penetrates in the vertical direction so as to communicate the inside and outside, and is formed in a substantially rectangular tubular shape with a bottom formed at the lower end (in other words, a substantially rectangular tubular shape with a bottom), and accommodates electronic components (not shown) and a case side connection part 4 that is connected to the electronic components and a mating connection part 5 inside.

[0015] 2 and 3, a body-side tubular portion 17 is provided inside the case body 1, extending in the vertical direction in correspondence with a cover-side tubular portion 15 described later. The upper end of the body-side tubular portion 17 overlaps briefly with the lower end of the cover-side tubular portion 15 in the vertical direction, and the lower end of the body-side tubular portion 17 extends to the lower surface of the case body 1 so that the tubular hole of the body-side tubular portion 17 is connected to the outside of the case below. That is, an opening is formed on the lower surface of the case body 1 by the body-side tubular portion 17. The body-side tubular portion 17 is a drainage hole for draining water that has entered through a molding hole portion 14 described later to the outside of the case.

[0016] Next, a description will be given of the case cover 2. The case cover 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular tubular shape with a bottom formed at the upper end corresponding to the case main body 1 (in other words, a substantially rectangular tubular shape with a bottom), and is attached to the case main body 1 so as to close the upper end opening of the case main body 1.

[0017] 1 and 4, an opening 11 is provided in the top surface of the case cover 2, penetrating in the vertical direction. The opening 11 communicates with the upper end opening of the case main body 1 in the vertical direction, and exposes the case side connection part 4 to the outside of the case when the opening / closing cover 3 is in the open position (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

[0018] 1 and 4, a frame-shaped water blocking wall 12 is provided around the periphery of the opening 11 on the upper surface of the case cover 2, standing vertically so as to surround all four sides of the opening 11. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper end face of the right side wall 12a of the water blocking wall 12 is recessed downward relative to the upper end faces of the front wall, rear wall, and left wall. As a result, a space is defined in the right side wall of the water blocking wall 12 that communicates between the inside and outside of the case in the left-right direction, and from this space, the mating connection part 5, which is fastened together with the case side connection part 4 by the bolt 6, is led out to the right.

[0019] As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, a pivot shaft 13 is provided behind the opening 11 on the upper surface of the case cover 2, extending in the left-right direction and supporting the open-close cover 3 so as to be pivotable. Generally, when such a pivot shaft is formed, a mold hole is formed in the product for molding convenience. In this example, a molding hole 14, which is a mold hole required for forming the pivot shaft 13, is formed in a position corresponding to the pivot shaft 13 on the upper surface of the case cover 2 (below the pivot shaft 13 in this example) (see Figs. 2 and 3). That is, the molding hole 14 is not provided intentionally, but is a so-called molding mark. This molding hole 14 is formed penetrating the upper surface of the case cover 2 in the vertical direction.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the upper surface of the case cover 2 is provided with a cover-side cylindrical portion 15 that extends inside the case in the vertical direction in correspondence with the molding hole 14. More specifically, the cover-side cylindrical portion 15 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a cylindrical hole whose diameter is approximately equal to that of the molding hole 14 so that the upper end opening becomes the molding hole 14. The cover-side cylindrical portion 15 is formed with a smaller diameter than the main body-side cylindrical portion 17 of the case main body 1, and is inserted into the cylindrical hole of the main body-side cylindrical portion 17 so that the lower end of the cover-side cylindrical portion 15 overlaps the upper end of the main body-side cylindrical portion 17 slightly in the vertical direction. Therefore, the electric connection box 100 (case) has a tunnel structure that communicates the upper outside and the lower outside inside the case by the cover-side cylindrical portion 15 and the main body-side cylindrical portion 17. The cover-side cylindrical portion 15 is a drainage hole for discharging water that has entered from the molding hole 14 to the outside of the case.

[0021] 1 to 4, a locking projection 16 for locking with a locking projection 35 of the opening / closing cover 3 (described later) is provided on the front wall of the case cover 2 so as to protrude forward. When the opening / closing cover 3 is in the closed position, the locking projections 16, 35 are locked with each other, thereby maintaining the opening / closing cover 3 in the closed position.

[0022] Next, the opening / closing cover 3 will be described. The directions used in the description of the opening / closing cover 3 are the directions when the opening / closing cover 3 is in the closed position. The opening / closing cover 3 is attached to the case cover 2 so as to be rotatable between an open position (see FIG. 3) in which the case side connection portion 4 is exposed to the outside of the case, and a closed position (see FIG. 2) in which the opening / closing cover 3 covers the opening 11 to block it. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the opening / closing cover 3 has a fitting portion 31 and an extension portion 32 formed integrally therewith.

[0023] The fitting portion 31 has an outer dimension corresponding to the opening 11, and is formed in a substantially rectangular tubular shape with a bottom that can fit into the frame-shaped water stopping wall 12. More specifically, the peripheral wall 31a of the fitting portion 31 is formed to have a larger diameter than the frame-shaped water stopping wall 12, and surrounds the outer periphery of the water stopping wall 12 when the fitting portion 31 and the water stopping wall 12 are fitted together (see FIG. 2). A bearing portion 33 is provided at the rear end of the fitting portion 31 in correspondence with the rotating shaft portion 13 of the case cover 2 (see FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5). The bearing portion 33 is journaled on the rotating shaft portion 13.

[0024] 1, the extension portion 32 extends forward from the front end of the fitting portion 31 and has a left-right width substantially equal to that of the fitting portion 31. When the opening / closing cover 3 is assembled to the case cover 2, the extension portion 32 is placed on the upper surface of the case cover 2 between the front wall portions of the water blocking wall 12 (see FIG. 2).

[0025] 1 to 3 and 5, a downwardly extending locking portion 34 is provided at the front end of the extension portion 32, and a short locking projection 35 that projects rearward is provided at the rear end surface at the lower end of the locking portion 34. The locking projection 35 is locked to the locking projection 16 of the case cover 2.

[0026] The above describes the case body 1, the case cover 2, and the opening / closing cover 3 that constitute the electrical junction box 100. An example of a method for manufacturing the electrical junction box 100 will now be described.

[0027] First, with electronic components and case side connection parts 4 housed inside the case body 1, the case cover 2 is attached to the case body 1 from above so as to close the upper end opening of the case body 1. Then, the bearing part 33 of the opening / closing cover 3 is pivotally supported by the rotating shaft part 13 of the case cover 2. In this way, the electrical connection box 100 is completed.

[0028] Thereafter, for example, the opening / closing cover 3 can be rotated from the closed position to the open position, and the case side connection part 4 and the mating side connection part 5 can be fastened together with the bolt 6 to be electrically connected.

[0029] The above describes one example of a manufacturing method for the electrical junction box 100. The following describes the manner in which the opening / closing cover 3 rotates. In this embodiment, the opening / closing cover 3 is configured to rotate vertically relative to the opening 11.

[0030] First, the manner in which the opening / closing cover 3 rotates from the closed position to the open position will be described. When the opening / closing cover 3 is in the closed position, the locking projection 35 of the opening / closing cover 3 is locked with the locking projection 16 of the case cover 2. Therefore, the locking projections 16, 35 are released, and the extension 32 is lifted to rotate the opening / closing cover 3 so that it stands up. Then, the case side connection portion 4 is exposed to the outside of the case (see FIG. 3), and the rotation of the opening / closing cover 3 from the closed position to the open position is completed.

[0031] In addition, when the opening / closing cover 3 is rotated from the closed position to the open position, for example, if water has accumulated above the opening / closing cover 3, when the opening / closing cover 3 is raised upward as shown in Figure 6, the upper surface of the fitting portion 31 will slope downwardly toward the molding hole portion 14, so that the accumulated water will flow into the molding hole portion 14 and then flow down the cover side tubular portion 15 and the main body side tubular portion 17 in that order, and be discharged to the outside of the case from the lower end opening of the main body side tubular portion 17.

[0032] Next, the manner in which the opening / closing cover 3 rotates from the open position to the closed position will be described. When the opening / closing cover 3 is in the open position, the extension portion 32 of the opening / closing cover 3 is lowered downward, and the opening / closing cover 3 is rotated so as to lie down. Then, the fitting portion 31 of the opening / closing cover 3 fits into the frame-shaped water blocking wall 12, and the rotation of the opening / closing cover 3 from the closed position to the open position is completed. At this time, the locking projections 16, 35 are locked to each other, and the opening / closing cover 3 is maintained in the closed position.

[0033] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the electrical connection box 100 is wet, direct intrusion of water from the opening 11 can be prevented by surrounding the periphery of the opening with the water blocking wall 12. Also, according to this embodiment, in correspondence with the molding hole 14, which is a molding mark when the rotating shaft 13 is formed, cylindrical parts (the cover side cylindrical part 15 and the main body side cylindrical part 17) are provided that extend from the upper surface where the molding hole 14 is provided to the lower surface and communicate the inside and outside of the case, so that water dripping into the molding hole 14 flows down the cover side cylindrical part 15 and the main body side cylindrical part 17 in that order and is discharged to the lower outside of the case. That is, according to this embodiment, direct intrusion of water from the opening 11 can be appropriately prevented, and water intrusion into the inside of the case from the molding hole 14 can be prevented, so that the waterproofness is superior to that of the conventional case.

[0034] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by providing the locking projections 16 on the front side wall, molding marks (punch holes) required when forming the locking projections 16 on the top surface are not formed on the case cover 2, reducing the possibility of water entering the inside of the case. Also, when the electrical junction box 100 is exposed to water, water dripping onto the locking points between the case cover 2 and the opening / closing cover 3 runs down the front side surface, preventing water from entering the inside of the case.

[0035] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the peripheral wall 31a of the fitting portion 31 surrounds the outer periphery of the water-stopping wall 12, and the water-stopping wall 12 and the fitting portion 31 are fitted together, thereby more reliably preventing water from entering through the opening 11 via the gap between the case cover 2 and the opening / closing cover 3.

[0036] <Other forms> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the locking projection 16 is provided on the front wall of the case cover 2, but it may be provided on the top surface of the case cover 2. However, when the locking projection 16 is provided on the top surface of the case cover 2, a through hole is generated as a molding mark, similar to the molding hole portion 14, and therefore, by providing the cover side cylindrical portion 15 and the main body side cylindrical portion 17 to correspond to this through hole, it is possible to prevent water from entering the inside of the case.

[0038] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the electrical junction box according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [3].

[0039] [1] a case including a case body (1) capable of accommodating therein a case side connection part (4) to be connected to a mating connection part (5) and having a first opening, and a case cover (2) attached to the case body (1) so as to close the first opening and having a second opening (11) communicating with the first opening and capable of exposing the case side connection part (4) to the outside; an opening / closing cover (3) assembled to the case cover (2) so as to be rotatable between an open position in which the case side connection portion (4) is exposed to the outside and a closed position in which the case side connection portion (4) covers the second opening portion (11) to close it; An electrical connection box (100) comprising: The case cover (2) is a water blocking wall (12) erected so as to surround the periphery of the second opening (11); a rotation shaft portion (13) extending substantially parallel to an opening surface of the second opening portion (11) and supporting the opening / closing cover (3) so as to be rotatable; and A molding hole (14) is provided at a location corresponding to the pivot shaft (13), which is a molding mark created when the pivot shaft (13) is formed and penetrates in a first intersecting direction (vertical direction) that intersects with the opening surface of the second opening (11). A cylindrical portion (cover side cylindrical portion 15, main body side cylindrical portion 17) is provided at a location corresponding to the molding hole (14), extending in the first intersecting direction from one end surface (upper surface) where the molding hole (14) is provided to the other end surface (lower surface) to communicate between the inside and the outside of the case. An electrical junction box (100).

[0040] According to the configuration of [1] above, by surrounding the periphery of the opening with a water blocking wall, when the electrical connection box is wet, direct intrusion of water from the second opening can be prevented. Also, according to this configuration, a cylindrical portion is provided that extends from one end face where the molding hole is provided to the other end face and communicates the inside and outside of the case, in correspondence with the molding hole, which is a molding mark when the pivot shaft is formed, so that water that drips into the molding hole flows down the cylindrical portion and is discharged to the outside on the other side of the case. In other words, according to this configuration, direct intrusion of water from the second opening can be appropriately prevented, and water intrusion into the inside of the case from the molding hole can be prevented, resulting in superior waterproofing compared to conventional configurations.

[0041] [2] The electrical connection box (100) according to the above [1], The case is A locking portion (locking protrusion 16) for engaging with the opening / closing cover (3) is provided on one side wall (front wall) in a second intersecting direction (front-rear direction) that intersects with the first intersecting direction. Electrical junction box (100).

[0042] According to the above configuration [2], the locking portion is provided on one side wall in the second intersecting direction, so that the molding marks (punch holes) required when the locking portion is formed on one end face are not formed on the case, thereby reducing the possibility of water entering the case. In addition, when the electrical junction box is exposed to water, water that drips onto the locking portion flows down the one side surface, preventing water from entering the case.

[0043] [3] The electrical connection box (100) according to the above [1] or [2], The openable cover (3) has a fitting portion (31) that fits with the water blocking wall (12), The peripheral wall (31a) of the fitting portion (31) surrounds the outer periphery of the water blocking wall (12). An electrical junction box (100).

[0044] According to the above configuration [3], the peripheral wall of the fitting portion surrounds the outer periphery of the water-stopping wall, and the water-stopping wall and the fitting portion are fitted together, thereby more reliably preventing water from entering through the second opening through the gap between the case cover and the opening / closing cover. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 Case body 2 Case cover 3 Opening and closing cover 11 Opening (second opening) 12 Water cutoff wall 13 Rotating shaft 14 Molding hole 15 Cover side cylindrical part 16 Locking protrusion 17 Body side cylindrical part 31 Fitting part 31a Peripheral wall 33 Bearing section 35 Locking protrusion 100 Electrical junction box

Claims

1. a case including a case body capable of accommodating therein a case side connection part to be connected to a mating connection part and having a first opening, and a case cover attached to the case body so as to close the first opening and having a second opening communicating with the first opening and capable of exposing the case side connection part to the outside; an opening / closing cover attached to the case cover so as to be rotatable between an open position in which the case side connection portion is exposed to the outside and a closed position in which the case side connection portion is covered to close the second opening; An electrical connection box comprising: The case cover is a water blocking wall erected so as to surround an opening periphery of the second opening; a rotation shaft portion that extends substantially parallel to an opening surface of the second opening portion and that rotatably supports the opening / closing cover; and A molding hole is provided at a location corresponding to the pivot shaft, the molding hole being a molding mark formed when the pivot shaft is formed, and penetrating in a first intersecting direction intersecting with an opening surface of the second opening. A cylindrical portion is provided at a location corresponding to the molding hole, extending in the first intersecting direction from one end surface on which the molding hole is provided to the other end surface, thereby communicating the inside and outside of the case. Electrical junction box.

2. 2. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, The case is A locking portion for engaging with the opening / closing cover is provided on one side wall in a second intersecting direction intersecting with the first intersecting direction. Electrical junction box.

3. 2. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, The openable cover has a fitting portion that is fitted into the water blocking wall, The peripheral wall of the fitting portion surrounds the outer periphery of the water blocking wall. Electrical junction box.

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