Electrical connection box

Abstract

To disclose an electrical connection box that can stably suppress exposure of an electrical component installation part and an electrical component installed thereto.SOLUTION: An electrical connection box 10 comprises: a case 14; an electrical component installation part 18 that is provided in the case 14 and allows an electrical component 12 to be installed through an opening 16; and a cover member 20 that covers the opening 16. A rotation shaft 98 of the cover member 20 is held by bearing parts 68 of the case 14, and thereby the cover member 20 is rotatably held on the case 14. The cover member 20 is rotatable from a closed position C where it is overlapped with the opening 16 to cover the opening 16 to the maximum open position O. The rotation region R of the cover member 20 from the closed position C to the maximum open position O is restricted to a range where rotation of the cover member 20 to the closed position C occurs due to its own weight.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical junction box to be mounted on a vehicle, the electrical junction box having an electrical component mounting section in which electrical components such as fuses provided in a case are housed, and a cover member that covers an opening of the electrical component mounting section. During vehicle maintenance, the cover member can be removed from the opening to inspect or replace the electrical components mounted in the electrical component mounting section. After maintenance, the opening of the electrical component mounting section can be covered with the cover member to prevent exposure of live electrical components.

[0003] However, in the structure of Patent Document 1, the electric component mounting portion and the cover member are formed separately, so there is a possibility that the cover member that comes off the opening may be lost, or that the cover member may be forgotten to be attached after work. Therefore, as described in Patent Document 2, it is conceivable to connect the cover member to the case side member or the like via a hinge so that it can be opened and closed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-54661 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-90841 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the cover member is connected to the case side member or the like via a hinge, since the hinge is made of a thin resin, it is possible that the hinge will become brittle and break in a low temperature environment, making it impossible for the cover member to cover the electrical component mounting portion. Furthermore, since the elastic restoring force of the hinge biases the cover member in the opening direction, if the cover member is left unclosed, a gap may form between the cover member and the opening, exposing the live parts.

[0006] Therefore, an electrical junction box is disclosed that can stably prevent exposure of the electrical component mounting portion and the electrical components mounted thereon. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electrical connection box disclosed herein comprises a case, an electrical component mounting portion provided on the case and into which an electrical component is mounted through an opening, and a cover member covering the opening, wherein a pivot axis provided on one of the case and the cover member is held by a bearing portion provided on the other of the case and the cover member, such that the cover member is rotatably held relative to the case, the cover member is rotatable from a closed position in which it is placed over the opening and covers the opening, to a maximum open position, and the rotation range of the cover member from the closed position to the maximum open position is limited to a range in which the cover member rotates to the closed position due to its own weight. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the electrical junction box of the present disclosure, it is possible to stably prevent the electrical component mounting portion and the electrical components mounted thereon from being exposed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a protective cover is in a closed position in an electrical junction box according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electrical junction box shown in FIG. [Diagram 3]3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a main part taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a main part taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of a case constituting the electrical junction box shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the electrical junction box shown in FIG. 1 with a protective cover in an open position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the electric junction box shown in FIG. 6, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the protective cover is in the closed position in the electrical junction box according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the electrical junction box shown in FIG. 8 with a protective cover in an open position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a main part taken along line XX in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] <Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The electrical connection box of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A device comprising a case, an electrical component mounting portion provided on the case and into which an electrical component is mounted through an opening, and a cover member covering the opening, wherein a pivot shaft provided on one of the case and the cover member is held by a bearing portion provided on the other of the case and the cover member, such that the cover member is rotatably held relative to the case, the cover member is rotatable from a closed position in which it is placed over the opening and covers the opening, to a maximum open position, and the rotation range of the cover member from the closed position to the maximum open position is limited to a range in which the cover member rotates to the closed position under its own weight.

[0011] According to the electrical connection box of this aspect, a pivot shaft is provided on one of the cover member and the case, and a bearing portion is provided on the other of the cover member and the case, and the pivot shaft is held in the bearing portion, so that the cover member covering the opening of the electrical component mounting portion is pivotally held relative to the case. Therefore, compared to the case where the cover member is pivotally connected via a hinge as in the conventional structure, it is possible to prevent a problem in which the hinge becomes weak and breaks in a low-temperature environment, making it impossible for the cover member to cover the electrical component mounting portion. Furthermore, the pivotable area of ​​the cover member from the closed position (the position where the cover member overlaps the opening and covers the opening) to the maximum open position is limited to the range in which the cover member pivots to the closed position due to its own weight. Therefore, even if an operator forgets to close the cover member, the cover member moves to the closed position due to its own weight, thereby preventing or suppressing the exposure of the electrical component mounting portion. In this way, the electrical connection box of this aspect can stably suppress the exposure of the electrical component mounting portion and the electrical components mounted therein, compared to the conventional structure.

[0012] (2) In the above (1), it is preferable that a gap is provided between the rotating shaft and the bearing portion. Since the rotating shaft is held in the bearing portion across a gap, friction between the rotating shaft and the bearing portion during rotation of the cover member is suppressed. As a result, when the worker releases the cover member after the work is completed, the cover member automatically and quickly moves to the closed position, so that the electrical component mounting portion and the electrical components mounted thereon can be more reliably prevented from being exposed.

[0013] (3) In the above (1) or (2), it is preferable that the cover member abuts against the upper surface of the peripheral wall of the opening when the cover member is in the closed position. In the closed position, the cover member abuts against the upper surface of the peripheral wall of the opening where the electrical component mounting portion and the electrical components mounted therein are exposed, so that the electrical components that may become live parts during maintenance work are more effectively prevented from being exposed. This more effectively prevents or reduces the risk of electric shock to the worker, and improves work safety.

[0014] (4) In any one of the above (1) to (3), it is preferable that the cover member has an abutting portion, the case has an abutted portion against which the abutting portion abuts, and the abutting portion abuts against the abutted portion prevents the cover member from rotating beyond the maximum open position. Since the maximum open position of the cover member is determined by the abutting portion of the cover member abutting against the abutted portion of the case, the cover member can be reliably prevented from rotating beyond the maximum open position, and the cover member can be stably rotated to the closed position under its own weight, which more effectively prevents the cover member from being left unclosed.

[0015] (5) In the above (4), it is preferable that the cover member has the pivot axis and the case has the bearing portion, the cover member has a cover wall portion covering the opening and a pivot axis holding piece protruding from one side edge of the cover wall portion to hold the pivot axis, the case has an accommodating recess provided near the bearing portion in which the pivot axis holding piece which pivotally displaces as the cover member rotates, and a protruding wall portion protruding into the accommodating recess and extending from the opening side toward the bearing portion, the abutted portion being formed by the extending end surface of the protruding wall portion, and the abutting portion being formed by an inner surface of the pivot axis holding piece which comes into face-to-face contact with the extending end surface as a result of the pivotal displacement of the pivot axis holding piece. By making good use of the pivot shaft holding piece necessary to hold the cover member rotatably relative to the case and the accommodating recess on the case side that must be provided to allow the pivot shaft holding piece to rotate, the abutment portion and abutted portion that determine the maximum open position of the cover member can be provided space efficiently with a small number of parts.

[0016] (6) In any one of the above (1) to (5), it is preferable that the central angle X in the rotation region of the cover member at the maximum open position, centered on the rotation axis, is set in a range of 75°≦X<90° around the rotation axis of the cover member, assuming that the closed position of the cover member is 0°. If the maximum central angle X around the rotation axis in the rotation region is smaller than 75°, workability during maintenance is deteriorated, and if it is 90° or more, the rotation of the cover member to the closed position due to its own weight cannot be reliably induced. For example, when this embodiment is adopted in combination with the above embodiment (5), this embodiment can be advantageously realized by setting the inclination angle x of the extended end face of the protruding wall portion with respect to the bottom surface of the accommodation recess to 75°≦x<90°.

[0017] (7) In any one of the above (1) to (6), it is preferable to have a locking mechanism that detachably holds the cover member in the closed position. The locking mechanism can reliably hold the cover member in the closed position, thereby preventing unintended exposure of the electrical component mounting portion and the electrical components mounted thereon. In addition, the locking mechanism can be released during maintenance.

[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. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0019] <Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, an electric junction box 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The electric junction box 10 is mounted inside a battery pack in an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, for example, and is equipped with electric components that can be replaced during maintenance. In the first embodiment, the electric junction box 10 is equipped with a fuse 12 as an example of an electric component. Note that the electric junction box 10 can be arranged in any direction in the vehicle, but in the following, the upper side will be described as the upper side in FIG. 3, the lower side as the lower side in FIG. 3, the left side as the left side in FIG. 2, the right side as the right side in FIG. 2, the front side as the lower side in FIG. 2, and the rear side as the upper side in FIG. 2. In addition, for multiple identical members, only some of the members may be labeled with reference numerals, and the reference numerals may be omitted for the other members.

[0020] <Electrical junction box 10> The electric connection box 10 includes a case 14, an electric component mounting section 18 that is provided in the case 14 and into which an electric component (fuse 12) is mounted through a mounting opening 16 as an opening, and a cover member 20 that covers the mounting opening 16. A known fuse is used as the electric component 12, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The fuse 12 has a fuse body 22 and a pair of terminal sections 24, 24 that protrude from the fuse body 22 on both sides in the length direction. In the first embodiment, the fuse 12 is mounted in a direction that extends in the left-right direction relative to the case 14, and each of the terminal sections 24 protrudes from the fuse body 22 on both sides in the left-right direction. Each of the terminal sections 24 of the fuse 12 has a bolt insertion hole 26 that penetrates in the thickness direction (up-down direction).

[0021] <Case 14> Case 14 constituting electrical junction box 10 can be formed, for example, by assembling lower case 28 and an upper case (not shown) in the vertical direction, but in embodiment 1, the characteristic parts are provided in lower case 28 and the shape of the upper case is not limited, so a description of the upper case is omitted. Also, the shape of lower case 28 shown in the drawings is merely an example and is not limited, and shows the characteristic parts of the present disclosure.

[0022] In the first embodiment, the lower case 28 shown in the drawings has a generally box-like shape that opens downward, and is made of an insulating synthetic resin. The lower case 28 includes an upper bottom wall portion 30 that is generally rectangular in plan view, and a peripheral wall portion 32 that protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the upper bottom wall portion 30. In the lower case 28, an accommodation space 34 that opens upward is formed on an upper surface 33 of the upper bottom wall portion 30, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 in which the cover member 20 is in the closed position C, and in which an electric component (fuse 12) and the cover member 20 in the closed position C are accommodated. The upper opening of this accommodation space 34 is a case opening 35.

[0023] The housing space 34 includes a cover housing section 36 in which the cover member 20 is housed, and the above-mentioned electric component mounting section 18 in which an electric component (fuse 12) is attached and housed. The cover member 20 is provided so as to cover the fuse 12 (electrical component mounting section 18), and therefore the cover housing section 36 is provided above the electric component mounting section 18. In short, the opening in the cover housing section 36 is the case opening 35, which is located above the mounting opening 16, which is the opening of the electric component mounting section 18. Therefore, the electric component mounting section 18 opens upward through the cover housing section 36, and the electric component (fuse 12) is mounted through the mounting opening 16 provided at the bottom of the cover housing section 36.

[0024] The upper surface 33 of the upper bottom wall 30 where the case opening 35 is provided is the surface that becomes the bottom surface of the lower case 28 when the electrical connection box 10 is placed with the upper case facing upward. That is, the lower case 28 shown in the figure is shown in a state in which it is turned upside down, and the upper case is assembled to the lower case 28 shown in the figure from below. Therefore, since the internal space of the case 14 can be formed including the internal space of the lower case 28, which is substantially box-shaped and opens downward, the lower side of the lower case 28 shown in the figure is the internal side of the case 14. The storage space 34 may be provided at the bottom of the internal space of the case 14, or the storage space 34 may be provided opening upward in the lower case to which the upper case is assembled from above.

[0025] Two bus bars 38, 40 are fixed in a substantially buried state inside the lower case 28. The bus bars 38, 40 are arranged at a distance from each other in the left-right direction, and the fuse 12 is arranged to connect the inner ends of the bus bars 38, 40 in the left-right direction. That is, the inner ends of the bus bars 38, 40 in the left-right direction are exposed in the electric component mounting portion 18, and the terminal portions 24 of the fuse 12 are overlapped with the inner ends of the bus bars 38, 40 in the left-right direction. The inner ends of the bus bars 38, 40 in the left-right direction are formed with bolt insertion holes 42 through which bolts 52, which will be described later, are inserted. The opposite ends of the bus bars 38, 40 are exposed, for example, in the internal space of the lower case 28 (i.e., the internal space of the case 14), and are electrically connected to electric components such as relays (not shown) provided in the case 14, or bus bars constituting electric circuits.

[0026] <Electrical component mounting section 18> As described above, the fuse 12 is mounted in the lower case 28 in a direction extending in the left-right direction, and therefore the electric component mounting portion 18 is formed extending in the left-right direction in the lower case 28. That is, the electric component mounting portion 18 is generally concave in shape, opening upward through the mounting opening 16 and extending in the left-right direction, and the lower case 28 has a peripheral wall 43 that constitutes the electric component mounting portion 18 and extends in the circumferential direction. The peripheral wall 43 of the electric component mounting portion 18 is configured to include a main body accommodating portion 44 in which the fuse main body 22 of the fuse 12 is accommodated, and terminal accommodating portions 46, 46 located on both left-right sides of the main body accommodating portion 44 in which the terminals 24 of the fuse 12 are accommodated.

[0027] A terminal support portion 48 is provided at the bottom of each terminal accommodating portion 46, on which each terminal portion 24 of the fuse 12 is placed and supported, and each terminal support portion 48 is formed with a bolt fastening hole 50 into which a bolt 52, described below, is fastened. Each bolt fastening hole 50 may be configured by accommodating a nut into which the bolt 52 is fastened in each terminal support portion 48, or an internal thread into which the bolt 52 is screwed may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of each bolt fastening hole 50. When the bus bars 38, 40 are fixed to the lower case 28, the inner ends of each bus bar 38, 40 in the left-right direction are overlapped on the respective terminal support portion 48, and the bolt insertion holes 42 and the bolt fastening holes 50 in each bus bar 38, 40 are vertically connected to each other.

[0028] When the fuse 12 is mounted in the electric component mounting portion 18, the fuse body 22 of the fuse 12 is accommodated in the body accommodating portion 44, and the terminal portions 24 are overlapped with the terminal support portions 48 via the inner ends in the left-right direction of the bus bars 38, 40. This aligns the bolt insertion holes 26, 42 with the bolt fastening holes 50, and the bolts 52 are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 26, 42 and fastened into the bolt fastening holes 50, thereby mounting the fuse 12 to the electric component mounting portion 18.

[0029] <Cover storage section 36> As described above, the cover accommodating portion 36 is provided above the electric component mounting portion 18 in the lower case 28. The cover accommodating portion 36 is formed to a size capable of accommodating the cover member 20 in a plan view, and is formed in a generally rounded rectangular shape in which the left-right dimension is larger than the front-rear dimension. The cover accommodating portion 36 has larger front-rear and left-right dimensions than the electric component mounting portion 18. As a result, the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 43 of the electric component mounting portion 18 is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the cover accommodating portion 36 via the peripheral wall upper surface 54 that extends in a generally annular shape in the horizontal direction (direction perpendicular to the up-down direction).

[0030] <Containment Recess 56> Further, a housing recess 56 is formed in the rear wall portion constituting the housing space 34, in which a pivot shaft holding piece 86, which is pivotally displaced as the cover member 20 pivots, is housed. In the first embodiment, a pair of housing recesses 56, 56 are provided in the left-right central portion of the housing space 34, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Each housing recess 56 is substantially rectangular in plan view, has a predetermined left-right dimension and front-rear dimension, and opens upward and forward. That is, each housing recess 56 opens to the upper surface 33 of the lower case 28, and the upper opening of each housing recess 56 is connected to the case opening 35 in the housing space 34. Each housing recess 56 communicates with the housing space 34 at the front opening, in other words, each housing recess 56 opens to the rear inner peripheral surface of the housing space 34. In embodiment 1, the bottom surface 58 of each accommodating recess 56 is located below the peripheral wall upper surface 54 of the electrical component mounting portion 18, and each accommodating recess 56 is formed spanning the upper portion of the electrical component mounting portion 18 and the cover accommodating portion 36.

[0031] A substantially plate-shaped protruding wall portion 60 protruding upward is provided on the bottom surface 58 of each of the accommodating recesses 56. The protruding wall portion 60 extends in the front-rear direction inside each of the accommodating recesses 56, that is, extends from the mounting opening 16 side of the electric component mounting portion 18 located at the front toward a bearing portion 68 side, which will be described later, provided in the accommodating recess 56. In the first embodiment, a pair of protruding walls 60, 60 are provided in each of the accommodating recesses 56, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, and the pair of protruding walls 60, 60 are connected to each other at their front ends by a connecting portion 62. The upward protruding dimension of each of the protruding walls 60 is formed to be a dimension that does not reach the upper opening of each of the accommodating recesses 56 (in other words, the upper surface 33 of the upper bottom wall portion 30), and each of the protruding walls 60 is formed to be a size that does not protrude upward from the accommodating recess 56.

[0032] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the front end surface of each protruding wall portion 60 (the front end surface of the connecting portion 62) is a vertical surface 64 that extends in the up-down direction, and the extending end surface (rear end surface) of each protruding wall portion 60 is an inclined surface 66 whose upward protruding dimension gradually increases toward the front. The inclination angle x (see FIG. 3) of each inclined surface 66 with respect to the bottom surface 58 is not limited, but is preferably 75°≦x<90°. This inclined surface 66 is adapted to come into contact with an abutment portion (an inner surface 95 of an upper wall portion 94 described later) of the cover member 20 when the cover member 20 is in the maximum open position O described later, and the inclined surface 66 constitutes an abutted portion that comes into contact with the abutment portion (an inner surface 95 of the upper wall portion 94). By setting the inclination angle x of the inclined surface 66 within the above range, for example, the maximum central angle X of the rotation of the cover member 20 around the rotation shaft 98 can be set to 75°≦X<90° as described later.

[0033] <Bearing part 68> Further, a bearing portion 68 for holding a pivot shaft 98, which is provided on the cover member 20 and will be described later, is provided on the inner surface of each of the accommodation recesses 56 on the outer side in the left-right direction. In other words, each accommodation recess 56 is provided near each of the bearing portions 68 for holding each of the pivot shafts 98. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, a groove 70 opening inward in the left-right direction is formed in a rear portion of the inner surface of each accommodation recess 56 on the outer side in the left-right direction, and each groove 70 is provided over the entire length of each accommodation recess 56 in the up-down direction. An insertion hole 72 through which the pivot shaft 98 is inserted is provided at the lower end of each of these grooves 70. The central axis of each insertion hole 72 extends in the left-right direction, and the insertion hole 72 is provided in a wall portion on the outer side in the left-right direction of each accommodation recess 56, which constitutes the bottom of each groove 70. In short, each insertion hole 72 opens on the inner surface on the outer side in the left-right direction of each accommodation recess 56. In the first embodiment, each insertion hole 72 is formed penetrating the bottom of each groove 70 (the wall portions on the left and right outer sides of each accommodation recess 56). This allows each insertion hole 72 to be formed by injection molding, and the lower case 28 can be easily formed. Also, in the first embodiment, guide surfaces 74 are formed at the upper end of each groove 70, and these guide surfaces 74 make it easy to insert each rotation shaft 98 of the cover member 20 into each groove 70 and each insertion hole 72.

[0034] <Lock mechanism housing 76> Furthermore, a lock mechanism accommodating portion 76 is formed in the front wall portion constituting the accommodation space 34, in which a lock mechanism support portion 104, which will be described later, is accommodated. The lock mechanism accommodating portion 76 is substantially rectangular in plan view, has a predetermined left-right dimension and front-rear dimension, and opens upward and backward. That is, the lock mechanism accommodating portion 76 opens on the upper surface 33 of the lower case 28, and the upper opening of the lock mechanism accommodating portion 76 is connected to the case opening 35 in the accommodation space 34. The lock mechanism accommodating portion 76 also communicates with the accommodation space 34 at the rear opening, in other words, the lock mechanism accommodating portion 76 opens on the front inner peripheral surface of the accommodation space 34. In the first embodiment, the bottom surface 78 of the lock mechanism accommodating portion 76 is at a height position (vertical position) substantially equal to the upper surfaces of the terminal support portions 48, and the lock mechanism accommodating portion 76 is formed over substantially the entire length in the vertical direction of the accommodation space 34 (the electric component mounting portion 18 and the cover accommodating portion 36).

[0035] Here, as shown in Figs. 2, 4, 5, etc., case side protrusions 80 that protrude inward in the left-right direction and constitute a lock mechanism 114 described later are formed on the inner surface on both left-right sides that constitute the lock mechanism accommodating portion 76. In the first embodiment, each case side protrusion 80 is configured to include a first case side protrusion 80a and a second case side protrusion 80b that are separated from each other in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. That is, compared to each second case side protrusion 80b, each first case side protrusion 80a is located forward and above. Each of these first case side protrusions 80a and each second case side protrusion 80b protrudes inward in the left-right direction with a predetermined protruding dimension, and in the first embodiment, each first case side protrusion 80a and each second case side protrusion 80b have approximately the same protruding dimension.

[0036] 1 to 4 is in the closed position C, the locking mechanism accommodating portion 76 extends further forward than a locking mechanism support portion 104 (described later) provided on the cover member 20. That is, when the cover member 20 is in the closed position C and the locking mechanism support portion 104 is accommodated in the locking mechanism accommodating portion 76, a working space 82 is formed in front of the locking mechanism support portion 104, into which an operator can insert his or her fingers to unlock a locking mechanism 114 (described later).

[0037] <Cover member 20> The cover member 20 is formed of an insulating synthetic resin, and has a cover wall portion 84 that covers the mounting opening 16, and a pivot shaft holding piece 86 that protrudes from one side edge of the cover wall portion 84 and holds a pivot shaft 98 described below. In the first embodiment, the cover wall portion 84 has a generally rounded rectangular shape corresponding to the case opening 35 (cover housing portion 36) in a plan view, and the pivot shaft holding piece 86 protrudes rearward from the rear edge of the cover wall portion 84. In particular, in the first embodiment, a pair of pivot shaft holding pieces 86, 86 are provided at a left-right central portion of the cover wall portion 84, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. 3, when the cover member 20 is in the closed position C, in other words when the cover wall portion 84 is housed in the cover housing portion 36, the upper surface 87 of the cover wall portion 84 is at the same height (vertical position) as the upper surface 33 of the upper bottom wall portion 30 of the lower case 28, that is, the upper surfaces 33, 87 are located on the same plane. As a result, when the cover member 20 is in the closed position C, the cover member 20 does not protrude above the upper surface 33 of the lower case 28.

[0038] A cover peripheral wall portion 88 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the cover wall portion 84, which protrudes downward toward the mounting opening 16 side when the cover member 20 is in the closed position C. The cover peripheral wall portion 88 is provided in a substantially annular shape over substantially the entire circumference, and a substantially annular flange-shaped portion 90 is provided in the vertical middle portion of the cover peripheral wall portion 88, protruding outwardly. The lower surface of the flange-shaped portion 90 is a flat surface that extends in a substantially annular shape in the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the flange-shaped portion 90 is adapted to abut substantially the entire surface against the substantially annular peripheral wall upper surface 54 of the electric component mounting portion 18 when the cover member 20 is in the closed position.

[0039] <Pivot shaft holding piece 86> Each of the rotating shaft holding pieces 86 has a pair of holding plate portions 92, 92 having a generally rectangular plate shape, and each of these holding plate portions 92 extends in the front-rear direction and is separated from each other in the left-right direction. Moreover, each of these holding plate portions 92 is connected to each other at its upper end by an upper wall portion 94. Furthermore, each of the holding plate portions 92 is connected to each other at its front end by a front wall portion 96. Moreover, these upper wall portion 94 and front wall portion 96 are integrally provided and connected to the rear portion of the cover peripheral wall portion 88.

[0040] As described above, each of the pivot shaft holding pieces 86 is accommodated in each of the accommodation recesses 56 provided in the lower case 28. That is, each of the holding plate portions 92 is located outward in the left-right direction from each of the protruding wall portions 60 provided in each of the accommodation recesses 56. In other words, the opposing distance of each of the holding plate portions 92 (the separation distance between the left-right inner surfaces of each of the holding plate portions 92) is set to be larger than the separation distance between the left-right outer surfaces of each of the protruding wall portions 60. Also, when the cover member 20 is in the closed position C, each of the upper wall portions 94 is separated upward from each of the protruding wall portions 60 at a predetermined distance, and the upper wall portions 94 and the protruding wall portions 60 face each other in the up-down direction. More specifically, when the cover member 20 is in the closed position C, each of the upper wall portions 94 is located in each of the accommodation recesses 56 and does not protrude upward from each of the accommodation recesses 56.

[0041] Meanwhile, as a result of rotational displacement of the cover member 20 including each rotation shaft holding piece 86 as described below, when the cover member 20 is in the maximum open position O, the rear end portion of the inner surface 95 of the upper wall portion 94 abuts against the rear end surfaces (inclined surfaces 66) of each protruding wall portion 60 to restrict the rotation of the cover member 20. Therefore, the inner surface 95 of the upper wall portion 94, particularly the rear end portion, forms an abutment portion that prevents the cover member 20 from rotating beyond the maximum open position O by coming into surface contact with the abutted portion (inclined surface 66).

[0042] <Pivot shaft 98> Of the pair of holding plate portions 92, 92 in each rotating shaft holding piece 86, the outer holding plate portion 92 in the left-right direction is provided with a rotating shaft 98 that protrudes outward in the left-right direction. Each rotating shaft 98 has a circular cross section and protrudes outward in the left-right direction with a predetermined protruding dimension. The cover member 20 is assembled to the lower case 28 in the orientation shown in Figures 1 to 4. In the state shown in Figures 1 to 4, a lower portion of the outer circumferential surface of each rotating shaft 98 is provided with an inclined surface 100 that is inclined in the same direction as each of the aforementioned guide surfaces 74. The inclined surfaces 100 come into contact with the guide surfaces 74 of each bearing portion 68, so that each of the holding plate portions 92 on which each rotating shaft 98 is provided is easily elastically deformed inward in the left-right direction.

[0043] The rotation shafts 98 of the cover member 20 are inserted into and held in the insertion holes 72 provided in the bearings 68 of the lower case 28, thereby allowing the cover member 20 to be rotatably held relative to the lower case 28. The cover member 20 is rotatable from a closed position C (see FIGS. 1 to 4) where it is placed over the mounting opening 16 and covers the mounting opening 16, to a maximum open position O (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0044] The outer diameter of each of the rotating shafts 98 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 72 provided in each of the bearings 68, and a small gap 102 is formed between each of the rotating shafts 98 and each of the insertion holes 72 when each of the rotating shafts 98 is inserted into each of the insertion holes 72. This allows the rotating shafts 98 to rotate smoothly without being caught on the inner peripheral surface of each of the insertion holes 72 when the cover member 20 rotates. In particular, the formation of such a gap 102 makes the rotating force of the cover member 20 to rotate to the closed position C due to its own weight larger than the resistance force against the rotating force. As a result, the resistance force that prevents the cover member 20 from rotating due to a free fall to the closed position C due to its own weight after the operator releases the cover member 20 after the cover member 20 is opened as described later can be made very small. Therefore, the cover member 20 released from the holding can be quickly rotated toward the closed position C.

[0045] <Lock mechanism support portion 104> Further, when the cover member 20 is in the closed position C, a lock mechanism support portion 104 on which a lock mechanism 114 described later is provided protrudes from the front edge of the cover wall portion 84. In this state, the lock mechanism support portion 104 is substantially rectangular in plan view and has left-right dimensions and front-rear dimensions that allow it to be accommodated in the lock mechanism accommodating portion 76 described above. In the first embodiment, the lock mechanism support portion 104 has a pair of support plate portions 106, 106 each having a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the front-rear direction, and the upper ends of the support plate portions 106 are connected to each other by an upper wall portion 108. Furthermore, the support plate portions 106 are connected to each other by a rear wall portion 110 at their rear ends. The upper wall portion 108 and the rear wall portion 110 are integrally provided in such a manner that they are connected to the front portion of the cover peripheral wall portion 88.

[0046] Here, as shown in Figs. 2, 4, 6, etc., a cover-side protrusion 112 that protrudes outward in the left-right direction and constitutes a lock mechanism 114 described later is formed on the outer surface of each support plate portion 106 in the left-right direction. In the first embodiment, each cover-side protrusion 112 includes a first cover-side protrusion 112a and a second cover-side protrusion 112b that are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. That is, compared to each second cover-side protrusion 112b, each first cover-side protrusion 112a is located forward and above. Each of these first cover-side protrusions 112a and each second cover-side protrusion 112b protrudes outward in the left-right direction with a predetermined protrusion dimension, and in the first embodiment, each of the first cover-side protrusions 112a and each second cover-side protrusion 112b has approximately the same protrusion dimension.

[0047] <Lock mechanism 114> When the cover member 20 is in the closed position C, each of the first cover side projections 112a is located at the same position as each of the first case side projections 80a provided in the lock mechanism housing portion 76 in the front-rear direction, and is located lower than each of the first case side projections 80a. Similarly, each of the second cover side projections 112b is located at the same position as each of the second case side projections 80b in the front-rear direction, and is located lower than each of the second case side projections 80b. As a result, when the cover member 20 is rotated and displaced to the closed position C, each of the first cover side projections 112a rides over each of the first case side projections 80a, and each of the second cover side projections 112b rides over each of the second case side projections 80b. As a result, the cover side projections 112 are engaged with the case side projections 80, and the cover member 20 is held in the closed position C. Furthermore, by rotating the cover member 20 in the opening direction (toward the maximum open position O), the second cover side projections 112b climb over the second case side projections 80b, and the first cover side projections 112a climb over the first case side projections 80a. As a result, the cover side projections 112 are released from engagement with the case side projections 80. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the locking mechanism 114 that detachably holds the cover member 20 in the closed position C is configured to include the case side projections 80 and the cover side projections 112.

[0048] The cover-side projection 112 is released from the case-side projection 80 (the cover member 20 is rotated in the opening direction) by the operator inserting his / her fingers into the working space 82 as described above. Here, the lock mechanism support part 104 has a narrow portion 116 in the longitudinal (front-rear) middle portion, which is narrower than the other portions. This allows the lock mechanism support part 104 to be elastically deformed to some extent, particularly in the portion forward of the narrow portion 116. As a result, when the cover member 20 is rotated in the opening direction, the operator hooks his / her fingers on the front end of the lock mechanism support part 104 and pulls it upward, so that the portion forward of the narrow portion 116 in the lock mechanism support part 104 is first elastically deformed, and the second cover-side projections 112b climb over the second case-side projections 80b. Thereafter, the operator further pulls the cover member 20 upward, causing the cover member 20 to rotate around each pivot axis 98, and each first cover side protrusion 112a overcomes each first case side protrusion 80a, thereby achieving rotational displacement of the cover member 20 in the opening direction.

[0049] <Assembly of the electrical junction box 10> The electric junction box 10 thus constructed is constructed by assembling the cover member 20 to the lower case 28. That is, the rotating shafts 98 of the cover member 20 are inserted from above into the bearings 68 of the lower case 28. When the inclined surfaces 100 of the rotating shafts 98 come into contact with the guide surfaces 74 of the bearings 68, the holding plates 92 on which the rotating shafts 98 are provided are elastically deformed inwardly in the left-right direction, so that the rotating shafts 98 can pass through the recessed grooves 70 in the up-down direction. When the rotating shafts 98 move downward in the recessed grooves 70 and reach the insertion holes 72, the holding plates 92 are elastically restored to their original shape, so that the rotating shafts 98 are inserted into the insertion holes 72. As a result, the cover member 20 is assembled to the lower case 28, and then a relay (not shown) and the like are fixed to the internal space of the lower case 28, and the upper case is assembled to the lower case 28 to form the case 14, thereby completing the electrical connection box 10 of embodiment 1.

[0050] In the electrical junction box 10, the cover member 20 is automatically displaced to the closed position C by its own weight, and in the initial state, the cover member 20 is in the closed position C. In this state, the cover side projection 112 is engaged with the case side projection 80, so that the cover member 20 is held in the closed position C.

[0051] <How to use the electrical junction box 10> In the electric junction box 10 in the initial state manufactured as described above, the cover member 20 is held in the closed position C, so that first, fingers are inserted into the working space 82 to pull the cover member 20 upward and release the engagement of the cover-side projection 112 with the case-side projection 80. At that time, as described above, the front side of the narrow width portion 116 in the lock mechanism support portion 104 elastically deforms preferentially, and the engagement of the second cover-side projection 112b with the second case-side projection 80b is released first, and the engagement of the first cover-side projection 112a with the first case-side projection 80a is released later.

[0052] After the cover-side projections 112 are released from the case-side projections 80, the cover member 20 is further pulled up and rotated about the rotation shafts 98 in the opening direction. This rotational displacement in the opening direction is limited by the contact portions (the inner surfaces 95 of the upper wall portions 94) coming into contact with the contacted portions (the inclined surfaces 66). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the contact portions (the inner surfaces 95 of the upper wall portions 94) come into contact with the contacted portions (the inclined surfaces 66), preventing the cover member 20 from rotating beyond the maximum open position O. Here, the rotational range R of the cover member 20 from the closed position C to the maximum open position O is limited to a range in which the cover member 20 rotates to the closed position C due to its own weight.

[0053] 6 and 7 show a state in which the cover member 20 has been rotated to the maximum open position O, and it is preferable that the central angle X (see FIG. 7) centered on each rotation shaft 98 in the rotation region R of the cover member 20 is set in the range of 75°≦X<90° around each rotation shaft 98 when the closed position C of the cover member 20 is set to 0°. As described above, since the rotational displacement of the cover member 20 toward the maximum open position O is limited by the abutment between the inner surface 95 of each upper wall portion 94 and each inclined surface 66, the magnitude of the central angle X of the cover member 20 around each rotation shaft 98 can be set by the inclination angle x of each inclined surface 66. For example, the inclination angle x of each inclined surface 66 can be set equal to the central angle X, 75°≦x<90°.

[0054] Next, the cover member 20 is held in an open state (for example, in a state where it is in the maximum open position O shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) and the fuse 12 is housed in the electric component mounting portion 18. That is, the terminal portions 24 of the fuse 12 are overlapped with the bus bars 38, 40 exposed on the terminal support portions 48 and fixed by the bolts 52. Thereafter, the open state of the cover member 20 is released, and the cover member 20 is rotated and displaced to the closed position C by its own weight. Thereafter, the cover side projections 112 are engaged with the case side projections 80, so that the fuse 12 is mounted (housed) in the electric component mounting portion 18 and the cover member 20 is held in the closed position C, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0055] In this manner, by setting the central angle X of the cover member 20 to less than 90° when the cover member 20 is in the maximum open position O, the cover member 20 can be automatically rotated to the closed position C by its own weight. In particular, a small gap 102 is formed between each rotation shaft 98 and each insertion hole 72 through which each rotation shaft 98 is inserted, and although it is necessary to hold the cover member 20 in the open state when installing or removing an electric component (fuse 12), by releasing the holding of the open state, the cover member 20 can be automatically rotated to the closed position C quickly. After the cover member 20 reaches the closed position C, the cover side protrusion 112 is engaged with the case side protrusion 80, so that the cover member 20 is held in the closed position C.

[0056] Then, at the time of service such as maintenance, the cover-side projection 112 is released from the case-side projection 80 again, the cover member 20 is displaced toward the maximum open position O, the fastening of each bolt 52 is released, and the electric component (fuse 12) is replaced, etc. Rotational displacement of the cover member 20 in the opening direction is limited by the abutment between each abutting portion (the inner surface 95 of each upper wall portion 94) and each abutted portion (each inclined surface 66) in the same manner as above, and after the completion of work such as maintenance, the holding force in the opening direction is released, so that the cover member 20 is automatically displaced to the closed position C.

[0057] In the above explanation, the state in which cover member 20 is assembled to lower case 28 is regarded as the initial state of electrical junction box 10, and the electrical component (fuse 12) is attached to electrical junction box 10 in this state. However, for example, cover member 20 may be assembled after the electrical component (fuse 12) is attached to lower case 28, or electrical junction box 10 with the electrical component (fuse 12) attached (i.e., electrical junction box 10 in the state shown in Figures 1 to 4) may be regarded as the initial state.

[0058] According to the electric connection box 10 of the first embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the cover member 20 is displaced from the closed position C to the maximum open position O side when installing an electric component (fuse 12) or performing a service such as maintenance. However, the rotation region R of the cover member 20 to the maximum open position O side is limited to a range where the cover member 20 rotates to the closed position C by its own weight due to the contact between each abutting portion (inner surface 95 of each upper wall portion 94) and each abutted portion (each inclined surface 66). As a result, even if the cover member 20 is opened to perform work, the cover member 20 is automatically displaced to the closed position C by releasing the external force that keeps the cover member 20 open after the work, so that the cover member 20 can be prevented from being left unclosed. In particular, since the structure for preventing the cover member 20 from being left unclosed as described above does not use a hinge as in the conventional structure, the hinge is not damaged due to exposure to a low-temperature environment, for example, and the live part can be covered with the cover member 20 quickly and more reliably.

[0059] In the first embodiment, a gap 102 is provided between each of the rotation shafts 98 and the insertion hole 72 in each of the bearings 68. This makes the rotation force of the cover member 20 to rotate to the closed position C due to its own weight greater than the resistance force against the rotation force, and the cover member 20, which has released the holding force in the opening direction, can automatically and quickly rotate to the closed position C. This aspect can be achieved, for example, by setting the outer diameter of each of the rotation shafts 98 slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 72 in each of the bearings 68.

[0060] When the cover member 20 is disposed in the closed position C, the cover member 20 abuts against the peripheral wall upper surface 54 of the electric component mounting portion 18. In particular, in the first embodiment, substantially the entire peripheral wall upper surface 54 is located on the same plane, and substantially the entire flange-like portion 90 of the cover member 20 abuts against the peripheral wall upper surface 54, so that unintentional contact with live parts (connections between the fuse 12 and each of the bus bars 38, 40) through the case opening 35 and the mounting opening 16 can be more reliably prevented.

[0061] The restriction of the rotational displacement of the cover member 20 as described above is realized by the contact between each abutting portion (the inner surface 95 of each upper wall portion 94) and each abutted portion (each inclined surface 66). That is, the restriction of the rotational displacement of the cover member 20 is achieved by the contact between each abutting portion (the inner surface 95 of each upper wall portion 94) and each abutted portion (each inclined surface 66), which are all made of a hard synthetic resin, so that the rotational displacement beyond the maximum open position O of the cover member 20 is more reliably restricted. In particular, the abutting portions (the inner surface 95 of each upper wall portion 94) and each abutted portion (each inclined surface 66) are in surface contact. Therefore, for example, even if an external force is applied in the opening direction when the cover member 20 is in the maximum open position O, the abutting state between each abutting portion (the inner surface 95 of each upper wall portion 94) and each abutted portion (each inclined surface 66) is maintained, and the cover member 20 can be more reliably prevented from being rotated beyond the maximum open position O.

[0062] For example, when opening the cover member 20 to install or remove an electrical component (fuse 12), the rotation angle of the cover member 20 is set so that the maximum central angle X around the central axis of each rotation shaft 98 is in the range of 75°≦X<90°. By setting the cover member 20 to open at an angle of 75° or more, the work of installing or removing the electrical component (fuse 12) can be performed stably. Furthermore, by setting the cover member 20 to open at an angle smaller than 90°, the cover member 20 can be automatically displaced to the closed position C by releasing the external force in the direction in which the cover member 20 is opened after the work is completed.

[0063] The electric connection box 10 has a locking mechanism 114 that detachably holds the cover member 20 in the closed position C. This can prevent the cover member 20 in the closed position C from being unintentionally displaced toward the maximum open position O. In particular, in the first embodiment, the locking mechanism 114 is a two-stage locking mechanism including the first case side projections 80a and the first cover side projections 112a, and the second case side projections 80b and the second cover side projections 112b. This makes it easier for an operator to confirm that the locking mechanism 114 is in the locked state by the feel of the operation, and can more reliably hold the cover member 20 in the closed position C by the locking mechanism 114.

[0064] <Embodiment 2> Next, an electric connection box 120 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. The basic structure of the electric connection box 120 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the electric connection box 10 according to the first embodiment. However, while the fuse 12 is exemplified as an electric component mounted on the electric component mounting portion 18 in the first embodiment, a current sensor 122 is adopted as an electric component in the second embodiment. Since a known current sensor 122 is adopted as an electric component, detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, the current sensor 122 has a sensor body 124 and a pair of terminal portions 126, 126 protruding from the sensor body 124 on both sides in the left and right direction. The sensor body 124 includes a sensor element 128 provided therein and a sensor housing 130 made of synthetic resin that covers the outer periphery of the sensor element 128. The sensor housing 130 may be composed of, for example, a plurality of members. In the following description, the members and parts that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. 8 to 10 also show only characteristic parts of the second embodiment, and do not show the entire electrical junction box 120. FIG.

[0065] In the first embodiment, the pivot shaft holding pieces 86 protrude rearward from the cover wall portion 84 in the cover member 20 extending in the left-right direction. In the second embodiment, the cover member 132 extends in the left-right direction, but the pivot shaft holding piece 136 protrudes leftward from the cover wall portion 134. The structure of the pivot shaft holding piece 136 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and includes a pair of holding plate portions 92, 92 and an upper wall portion 94 connecting upper ends of the holding plate portions 92. Similarly to the first embodiment, the lower case 28 is provided with an accommodation recess 138 in which the pivot shaft holding piece 136 is accommodated. The pivot shafts 98 provided in the pivot shaft holding pieces 136 are inserted into the insertion holes 72 in the bearing portions 68 provided in the accommodation recess 138, so that the cover member 132 can be pivotally displaced around the pivot shafts 98. Each protruding wall portion 60 is provided in the accommodating recess 138, and the abutment portion (the inner surface 95 of the upper wall portion 94) abuts against the abutted portion (each inclined surface 66), thereby limiting the rotational displacement of the cover member 132 around each rotation axis 98.

[0066] That is, also in the second embodiment, the rotation region R' of the cover member 132 from the closed position C (see FIG. 8) to the maximum open position O (see FIGS. 9 and 10) is limited to a range in which the cover member 132 rotates to the closed position C due to its own weight. In the rotation region R' of the cover member 132, the central angle X at the maximum open position O about each rotation shaft 98 is preferably set in the range of 75°≦X<90° around each rotation shaft 98 of the cover member 132 when the closed position C of the cover member 132 is set to 0°. The electric junction box 120 in the second embodiment thus structured can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment, since the electric component mounted in the electric component mounting portion 18 is simply changed from the fuse 12 to the current sensor 122.

[0067] <Modification> Although the first and second embodiments have been described above as specific examples of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific descriptions. Modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope of the present disclosure that can achieve the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure. For example, the following modified examples of the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0068] (1) In the above embodiment, each pivot shaft 98 was provided on the cover members 20, 132, and each bearing portion 68 for holding each pivot shaft 98 was provided on the lower case 28. However, the bearing portion may be provided on the cover member, and the pivot shaft may be provided on the case (e.g., the lower case).

[0069] (2) In the first embodiment, one electric component mounting portion 18 is provided in the lower case 28 and the fuse 12 is mounted therein, and in the second embodiment, the current sensor 122 is mounted in the one electric component mounting portion 18, but this is not limited to the above. That is, a case (e.g., the lower case) may be provided with a plurality of electric component mounting portions, and both a fuse and a current sensor may be mounted therein. Note that the electric components mounted in the electric component mounting portion are not limited to a fuse and a current sensor, and any known electric component may be used, but it is preferable that the electric components be replaceable during service such as maintenance.

[0070] (3) In the electrical junction box according to the present disclosure, a locking mechanism that detachably holds the cover member in the closed position is not essential. Even if such a locking mechanism is provided, it does not need to be a two-stage locking mechanism as described in the above embodiment.

[0071] (4) In the above embodiment, the electrical component mounting portion 18 is provided in the lower case 28 constituting the case 14. However, the electrical component mounting portion may be provided in the upper case instead of or in addition to the lower case. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 10 Electrical junction box (embodiment 1) 12 Fuses (electrical components) 14 cases 16 Installation opening (opening) 18 Electrical component mounting section 20 Cover member 22 Fuse body 24 Terminal section 26 Bolt insertion hole 28 Lower case 30 Upper bottom wall 32 Peripheral wall part 33 (Upper bottom wall) upper surface 34 Containment Space 35 Case opening 36 Cover housing 38,40 Busbar 42 Bolt insertion hole 43 Peripheral wall 44 Main body storage section 46 Terminal housing 48 Terminal support part 50 Bolt fastening holes 52 Volts 54 Upper surface of surrounding wall 56 Storage Recess 58 (of the storage recess) bottom 60 Projecting wall part 62 Connection 64 Vertical Plane 66 Inclined surface (abutted part, extended end surface) 68 Bearing section 70 Groove 72 Insertion hole 74 Inviting Surface 76 Lock mechanism housing 78 (Locking mechanism housing) bottom surface 80 Case side protrusion 80a First case side protrusion 80b Second case side protrusion 82 Working Space 84 Cover wall 86 Rotating shaft holder 87 (Cover wall) top surface 88 Cover peripheral wall 90 Flange-shaped part 92 Holding plate part 94 Upper wall section 95 Inner surface (contact part) 96 Front wall 98 Rotating shaft 100 Slope 102 Gap 104 Lock mechanism support part 106 Support plate part 108 Upper wall section 110 Rear wall 112 Cover side protrusion 112a First cover side protrusion 112b Second cover side protrusion 114 Locking mechanism 116 Narrow section 120 Electrical junction box (embodiment 2) 122 Current sensor (electrical component) 124 Sensor body 126 Terminal section 128 Sensor Element 130 Sensor housing 132 Cover member 134 Cover wall 136 Rotating shaft holding piece 138 Storage Recess C Closed position O Maximum open position R,R' Rotation area X center angle x (extended end face) inclination angle

Claims

1. Case and an electric component mounting portion provided in the case and into which an electric component is mounted through an opening; A cover member for covering the opening, a rotation shaft provided on one of the case and the cover member is held by a bearing portion provided on the other of the case and the cover member, so that the cover member is held rotatably relative to the case, The cover member is rotatable from a closed position where the cover member overlaps the opening and covers the opening to a maximum open position, an electrical junction box, wherein a rotation range of the cover member from the closed position to the maximum open position is limited to a range in which the cover member rotates to the closed position under its own weight.

2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1 , wherein a gap is provided between the rotation shaft and the bearing portion.

3. 3. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein the cover member abuts against an upper surface of a peripheral wall of the opening when the cover member is disposed at the closed position.

4. The cover member has an abutment portion, the case has an abutted portion against which the abutting portion abuts, 3. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is prevented from rotating beyond the maximum open position by the abutment of the abutting portion against the abutted portion.

5. the cover member has the pivot shaft, and the case has the bearing portion, The cover member has a cover wall portion that covers the opening portion, and a pivot shaft holding piece that protrudes from one side edge of the cover wall portion and holds the pivot shaft, the case has an accommodation recess provided near the bearing portion and accommodating the pivot shaft holding piece which pivotally displaces as the cover member pivots, and a protruding wall portion protruding into the accommodation recess and extending from the opening side toward the bearing portion, 5. An electrical connection box as described in claim 4, wherein the abutted portion is formed by the extended end surface of the protruding wall portion, and the abutting portion is formed by the inner surface of the pivot shaft holding piece that comes into surface contact with the extended end surface as a result of the pivot displacement of the pivot shaft holding piece.

6. 3. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein a central angle X at the maximum open position in the rotation region of the cover member, centered on the rotation axis, is set in a range of 75°≦X<90° around the rotation axis of the cover member, when the closed position of the cover member is defined as 0°.

7. 3. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism for detachably holding said cover member in said closed position.

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