Component holding structure and electrical junction box

Abstract

To provide a component holding structure and an electrical junction box capable of stably holding an electronic component.SOLUTION: A fuse holding structure 1 includes: a fuse 10; and a housing 20 that holds the fuse 10. The housing 20 is provided with a housing main body 30 having an opening into which the fuse 10 is inserted and a housing portion 35 that houses the fuse 10 inserted from the opening in a state of being electrically connected to a terminal disposed therein, and a cover 40 that closes at least a part of the opening. In addition, a locked part 313 and a locking piece 52 that lock and fix the cover 40 and the housing main body 30 are provided, and the cover 40 is provided with a resin material 60 that comes into contact with the fuse 10 on a lower side HD on which the fuse 10 is inserted with respect to the housing main body 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a component holding structure and an electrical junction box that can hold, for example, electronic components. [Background technology]

[0002] Some electrical junction boxes mounted on vehicles are equipped with a component holding structure that can hold electronic components such as relays and fuses for controlling electrical equipment also mounted on the vehicle, thereby electrically connecting terminals provided inside the electrical junction box with the electronic components.

[0003] For example, the component retention structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 has crush ribs on the inner wall of a recessed accommodating section capable of accommodating an electronic component. When the electronic component is accommodated in the accommodating section, the tips of the crush ribs are scraped by the outer edge of the electronic component, ensuring reliable contact between the crush ribs and the outer edge of the electronic component. Therefore, the electronic component accommodated in the accommodating section can be reliably held, ensuring stable electrical continuity between the electronic component and the terminals to which the electronic component is connected.

[0004] However, in the component holding structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, the crush ribs are deformed by storing the electronic component in the storage section, so if it becomes necessary to replace the electronic component, there is a risk that the replaced electronic component will rattle while stored in the storage section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-158479 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a component holding structure and an electrical junction box that can stably hold electronic components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention is characterized by a component holding structure comprising an electronic component and a housing for holding the electronic component, the housing having an opening for inserting the electronic component and a housing main body having an accommodating portion for accommodating the electronic component inserted through the opening in a state where the electronic component is electrically connected to terminals arranged inside, and a cover for covering at least a portion of the opening, the housing having a locking and fixing portion for locking and fixing the cover to the housing main body, the cover having an abutting portion for abutting the electronic component in the insertion direction of inserting the electronic component into the housing main body.

[0008] The present invention also provides an electrical connection box having a housing for holding an electronic component, the housing having an opening for inserting the electronic component and a housing main body having a storage section for storing the electronic component inserted through the opening in a state where the electronic component is electrically connected to a terminal arranged inside, and a cover for covering at least a part of the opening, and a locking and fixing section for locking and fixing the cover to the housing main body, and the cover may have an abutting section for abutting against the electronic component in the insertion direction of inserting the electronic component into the housing main body.

[0009] The electronic components refer to components that are electrically connected to terminals arranged inside the housing and perform their functions, and include, for example, fuses, relays, resistors, capacitors, and the like. The abutment portion may be provided integrally with the cover or separately from the cover, i.e., the abutment portion may be formed integrally with the cover on the side facing the insertion direction, or may be attached to the cover on the side facing the insertion direction.

[0010] According to this invention, the electronic component is stably held in the housing. More specifically, by attaching the cover to the housing body, the abutment portion of the cover abuts against the electronic component housed in the accommodating portion, thereby pressing the electronic component in the insertion direction, thereby stably holding the electronic component and reducing rattling of the electronic component housed in the accommodating portion.

[0011] Furthermore, since the abutment portion is provided on the cover, deformation of the abutment portion due to sliding between the cover and the electronic component can be prevented. Therefore, even when an electronic component is replaced, the abutment portion can reliably press the replaced electronic component. Therefore, the replaced electronic component can be stably held and rattle of the electronic component housed in the housing portion can be prevented.

[0012] Furthermore, if the cover is detachable from the housing body, even if the contact portion or the cover is damaged, the electronic components housed in the housing body can be securely held in place simply by replacing the cover, thereby reducing the number of parts that need to be replaced.

[0013] As an aspect of the present invention, the contact portion may be made of a flexible member and press the electronic component in the insertion direction. The flexible member mentioned above is a member that can press an electronic component by contacting the electronic component without applying excessive external force to the electronic component, and includes, for example, a resin material such as urethane that deforms when subjected to external force, as well as a resin material such as elastic rubber.

[0014] According to this invention, the abutment portion is flexible, so that the abutment portion can press the electronic component in the insertion direction and prevent damage to the abutment portion due to the pressing of the electronic component. Therefore, the component holding structure and electrical junction box having the above configuration can reliably prevent the electronic component from rattling. Furthermore, stress relaxation can prevent a decrease in the pressing force of the abutment portion. Therefore, the component holding structure and electrical junction box having the above configuration can more stably hold the electronic component in the housing.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, at least one of the housing main body and the cover may be provided with a convex portion that protrudes toward the other, and the other may be provided with a concave portion that engages with the convex portion when the cover is engaged and fixed to the housing main body.

[0016] According to this invention, the convex portion and the concave portion can be fitted together when the housing body and the cover are locked and fixed, thereby restricting movement of the cover relative to the housing body in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. This ensures that the abutment portion and the electronic component are in secure contact with each other, further reducing deformation of the abutment portion due to sliding of the cover relative to the housing body. Therefore, the component holding structure and electrical junction box having the above-described configuration can securely hold the electronic component housed in the housing portion and reliably reduce rattling of the electronic component.

[0017] As another aspect of the present invention, the housing main body may have a plurality of accommodating sections arranged in parallel, and each accommodating section may be capable of accommodating an electronic component. According to this invention, simply by attaching the cover to the housing body, the contact portions can collectively press the electronic components housed in the multiple storage sections in the insertion direction. Therefore, the component holding structure and electrical junction box having the above-mentioned configuration can improve the efficiency of the work of stably storing electronic components in the storage sections.

[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, the direction in which the accommodating sections are arranged in parallel may be defined as the parallel direction, and the locking and fixing section may be composed of an interlocking section in the housing main body, which is recessed in the insertion direction at both end portions of the parallel-arranged accommodating sections, and a pair of locking pieces in the cover, which extend along the insertion direction and are inserted into and engaged with the interlocking section.

[0019] According to this invention, the locking direction in which the locking fixing portion locks the cover and the housing main body and the insertion direction in which the abutting portion presses the electronic component are parallel, so the abutting portion can more reliably press the electronic component in the insertion direction.

[0020] Furthermore, since the cover and the housing body can be engaged and fixed at two points spaced apart in the parallel direction, the abutment portion can be pressed more stably against the electronic component housed in the housing portion compared to when the cover and the housing body are engaged and fixed at one point.

[0021] As another aspect of the present invention, the electronic component may be a fuse whose continuity can be confirmed in the insertion direction, and the cover may be provided with a continuity confirmation portion that can confirm the continuity of the fuse. The conductivity confirmation portion may include, for example, a structure in which the fuse is inserted in the insertion direction so that it can be seen, a structure in which a transparent material such as glass is provided at the location corresponding to the fuse, or a structure that can be detected by an image.

[0022] According to this invention, since the continuity of the fuse can be easily confirmed via the continuity confirmation unit, it is possible to easily and reliably determine when to replace the fuse, which is an electronic component. Therefore, the fuse confirmation and replacement work can be carried out efficiently.

[0023] As another aspect of the present invention, a positioning rib may be provided on an inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion. According to this invention, the positioning rib abuts against the electronic component in the transverse direction intersecting the insertion direction, thereby preventing the electronic component accommodated in the accommodation section from shifting in position in the transverse direction, thereby more reliably holding the electronic component accommodated in the accommodation section.

[0024] In another aspect of the present invention, the cover may have higher flexibility than the housing body. According to this invention, the cover is flexible, so that the repulsive force generated when the contact portion presses the electronic component can be absorbed by the cover's deformation. Therefore, the cover can be prevented from being damaged by the repulsive force. Furthermore, because damage to the cover due to the repulsive force can be prevented, the electronic component can be pressed in the insertion direction with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined force. This allows the electronic component to be securely held in the housing, preventing the electronic component from rattling.

[0025] In another aspect of the present invention, the cover may be a color different from that of the housing body. According to this invention, it is possible to visually confirm with certainty that the cover has been attached to the housing main body, thereby improving the workability of the operation of checking that the cover has been attached to the housing main body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a component holding structure and an electrical junction box that can stably hold electronic components. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] An explanatory diagram of a fuse. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram of the cover. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the electrical junction box 100, and Fig. 2 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the fuse holding structure 1. Fig. 3 shows an explanatory diagram of the fuse 10, Figs. 4 and 5 show explanatory diagrams of the housing main body 30, and Fig. 6 shows an explanatory diagram of the cover 40. Figs. 7 and 8 show explanatory diagrams of the fuse holding structure 1.

[0029] 3 to 8 will be described in detail. Fig. 3(a) shows a schematic side view of the fuse 10 as viewed from the front side LA, and Fig. 3(b) shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the fuse 10 taken along a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L at the center of the fuse 10 in the longitudinal direction L. Fig. 4(a) shows a schematic front view of the housing main body 30 as viewed from the left side WL, and Fig. 4(b) shows a schematic plan view of the housing main body 30. Fig. 5(a) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 4(b), Fig. 5(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Fig. 4(b), and Fig. 5(c) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in Fig. 4(b).

[0030] Fig. 6(a) shows a schematic plan view of the cover 40, Fig. 6(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in Fig. 6(a), and Fig. 6(c) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE in Fig. 6(a). Fig. 7(a) shows a schematic front view of the fuse holding structure 1, and Figs. 7(b) and 8 show schematic cross-sectional views of the fuse holding structure 1. 7(b) shows a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5(a), and FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5(b).

[0031] For convenience, the up-and-down direction in Fig. 1 is referred to as the height direction H, the direction along the long side of the generally rectangular fuse holding structure 1 in plan view is referred to as the longitudinal direction L, and the direction along the short side of the fuse holding structure 1 is referred to as the lateral direction W. In Fig. 1, the upper side along the height direction H is referred to as the upper side HU, and the lower side is referred to as the lower side HD. Similarly, along the lateral direction W, the left side is referred to as the left side WL, the right side is referred to as the right side WR, and along the longitudinal direction L, the right side is referred to as the front side LA, and the left side is referred to as the rear side LB. The directions defined in Fig. 1 are the same in Figs. 2 to 8.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the electrical connection box 100 is a housing that is electrically connected to electrical equipment installed in a vehicle, and is composed of a lower case 110 having an opening at the top and an upper case 120 that covers the opening of the lower case 110.

[0033] The lower case 110 has a base portion (not shown) therein on which a printed circuit board, electronic components, etc. are mounted, and the base portion has a plurality of base terminals 130 protruding toward the upper side HU.

[0034] The base terminal 130 is a metal terminal formed in the shape of a plate that stands upright in the height direction H (see FIG. 2), and the base end portion is electrically connected to an electronic component attached to the base portion. Here, of the multiple base terminals 130, the wide base terminal 130 arranged on the left side WL is referred to as a first base terminal 131. Of the multiple base terminals 130, the three narrow base terminals 130 arranged on the right side WR are referred to as second base terminals 132. The width (length along the longitudinal direction L) of the first base terminal 131 is approximately three times the width of the second base terminal 132 (see FIG. 2).

[0035] The upper case 120 is configured to be attachable to the lower case 110 from the upper side HU so as to close the opening of the lower case 110. The upper surface portion 121 of the upper case 120 is provided with a plurality of fuse holding structures 1, each holding a fuse 10 electrically connected to the base terminal 130. The fuse holding structures 1 thus provided on the upper surface portion 121 include a fuse 10 that is attached from the outside and a housing 20 that holds the fuse 10.

[0036] The fuse 10 is a so-called slow-blow fuse that cuts off current when used for a certain period of time or longer at a current exceeding a predetermined value. More specifically, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the fuse 10 is integrally formed of a fuse body 11, which is a resin housing, and a top plate portion 12 provided on an upper side HU of the fuse body 11. In addition, a pair of terminal connection portions 13 for connecting base terminals 130 are provided on a lower side HD of the fuse body 11.

[0037] The fuse body 11 is a hollow housing formed in an approximately rectangular prism shape with an opening at the top end, and contains a fusing portion 111 having a conductor that is cut when an overcurrent flows, and a pair of conductive portions 112 that are electrically connected to the fusing portion 111.

[0038] The fusing portion 111 has a conductor configured to melt in the event of an overcurrent. As shown in Fig. 3(b), the fusing portion 111 is disposed on the upper side HU of the fuse body 11, and is disposed along the short-side direction W when the fuse 10 is held in the housing 20.

[0039] The conductive parts 112 are metal plates connected to both ends of the fusing part 111 and extending from both ends of the fusing part 111 toward the lower side HD, and are electrically connected to the conductor parts of the fusing part 111.

[0040] Top plate 12 is a translucent top plate provided to cover the opening of fuse body 11, and is configured so that the inside of fuse body 11 can be seen through top plate 12. In other words, an operator can visually check through top plate 12 whether fusing portion 111 built into fuse body 11 has blown.

[0041] Terminal connection portion 13 is a notch into which plate-shaped base terminal 130 can be inserted, and is formed by cutting out a portion of the lower side HD of fuse body 11 along the height direction H. A portion of conductive portion 112 is disposed near terminal connection portion 13 configured in this manner, and by inserting base terminal 130 into terminal connection portion 13, base terminal 130 and fusing portion 111 can be electrically connected via conductive portion 112.

[0042] The housing 20 that holds the fuse 10 is made up of a housing main body 30 that has an opening on the upper side HU through which the fuse 10 can be inserted, and a cover 40 that closes part of the opening in the housing main body 30 (see FIG. 2).

[0043] The housing main body 30 is a roughly box-shaped body that is elongated in the longitudinal direction L and is molded from a resin having a predetermined rigidity. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, it can accommodate a portion of the base terminal 130 on the lower side HD and can accommodate multiple fuses 10 inserted from the opening so that they can be connected to the base terminal 130.

[0044] In detail, the housing main body 30 is integrally formed of an accommodating portion main body 31 that accommodates the fuse 10, a terminal holding portion 32 that accommodates a portion of the base terminal 130, a partition plate 33 that divides the accommodating portion main body 31 in the short direction W, and multiple protrusions 34 that protrude from the upper end of the accommodating portion main body 31.

[0045] The storage section main body 31 is a cylindrical body that is approximately rectangular in plan view and penetrates in the height direction H, and is composed of a pair of first side surfaces 311 having main surfaces along the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H, and a pair of second side surfaces 312 that connect both ends of the pair of first side surfaces 311 in the longitudinal direction L in the short direction W.

[0046] The first side surface 311 is a generally rectangular flat plate having long sides that are approximately four times the length in the longitudinal direction L of the fuse 10 (which is defined as the width of the fuse 10) and short sides that are approximately twice the height of the fuse 10. The first side surfaces 311 configured in this manner are arranged to face each other in the lateral direction W, at a distance that is approximately equal to the length in the lateral direction W of the fuse 10 (which is defined as the depth of the fuse 10).

[0047] The second side surface 312 is a flat plate that connects both ends of the paired first side surfaces 311 in the longitudinal direction L in the short direction W. The height of the second side surface 312 is the same as the height of the first side surface 311. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the end of the upper side HU of the second side surface 312 configured in this manner is provided with a locked portion 313 for locking and fixing the housing main body 30 and the cover 40 together. The locked portion 313 is a protruding piece that protrudes inward in the longitudinal direction L from the end of the upper side HU of the second side surface 312, and is inclined toward the lower side HD as it extends inward in the longitudinal direction L.

[0048] As shown in Figures 4(a) and 5(a), the terminal holding portion 32 is a housing that connects the central portions of the paired first side surfaces 311 in the short direction W and protrudes from the first side surfaces 311 toward the downward side HD, and is connected to the base portion of the lower case 110.

[0049] More specifically, the terminal holder 32 is a housing that is elongated in the longitudinal direction L, and connects the first side surfaces 311 to each other in the short direction W on a side HD below the center of the first side surfaces 311 in the height direction H. More specifically, the terminal holder 32 has a generally rectangular shape that has a length in the longitudinal direction L that is approximately three times the width of the fuse 10 and a height in the height direction H that is approximately equal to the length of the first side surfaces 311 in the height direction H.

[0050] The terminal holding portion 32 configured in this manner is disposed with a distance between it and the second side surface 312 that is approximately equal to the width of the fuse 10. The distance between the opening on the upper side HU of the accommodating portion main body 31 and the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 32 is configured to be shorter than the height of the fuse 10. Therefore, when the fuse 10 is held in the housing main body 30, a portion of the fuse 10 protrudes beyond the accommodating portion main body 31 toward the upper side HU.

[0051] In addition, the terminal holding portion 32 is provided with a first insertion portion 321 configured to allow the first base terminal 131 to be inserted therethrough, and three second insertion portions 322 configured to allow the second base terminal 132 to be inserted therethrough, as shown in Figures 4(b), 5(a) and 5(b).

[0052] The first insertion portion 321 is a slit provided along the height direction H from the end of the lower side HD of the terminal holding portion 32 to match the width of the first base terminal 131 so that the first base terminal 131 can be inserted, and is provided on the left side WL of the center of the terminal holding portion 32 in the short direction W.

[0053] Similar to the first insertion portion 321, the second insertion portion 322 is a slit provided from the end of the lower side HD along the height direction H to match the width of the second base terminal 132 so that the second base terminal 132 can be inserted therethrough. The three second insertion portions 322 configured in this manner are provided side by side at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction L on the right side WR of the first insertion portion 321 so as to face the first insertion portion 321.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5(b), the partition plate 33 is a flat plate that divides the space formed by the accommodating body 31 on the upper side HU of the terminal holding portion 32 into three sections, connects the pair of first side surfaces 311 in the short direction W, and stands upright from the end of the upper side HU of the terminal holding portion 32.

[0055] Four partition plates 33 configured in this manner are provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction L (see FIG. 5(a)). Specifically, four partition plates 33 are provided: one at each end of the terminal holding portion 32 in the longitudinal direction L, and two on the inside of the terminal holding portion 32 in the longitudinal direction L, spaced apart by a length approximately equal to the width of the fuse 10. That is, the accommodating portion main body 31 is surrounded by the accommodating portion main body 31 and the partition plates 33, and three accommodating portions 35 capable of accommodating the fuses 10 are formed in the accommodating portion main body 31.

[0056] Furthermore, the partition plates 33 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction L and the second side surfaces 312 are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the longitudinal direction L. That is, both end portions of the storage unit main body 31 in the longitudinal direction L are recessed toward the downward side HD. More precisely, they penetrate in the height direction H.

[0057] A positioning rib 331 that slightly protrudes toward the storage section 35 is provided at the center of the partition plate 33 in the short-side direction W, from the upper side HU to the lower side HD. The partition plate 33 also has a lateral slit 333 that communicates with the first insertion section 321.

[0058] At the corner where the partition plate 33 configured in this manner and the storage unit main body 31 intersect, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a protrusion 34 is provided that stands up from the storage unit main body 31 and the partition plate 33 toward the upper side HU, surrounding the corner in a plan view.

[0059] More specifically, the protrusion 34 is composed of a first protrusion 341 standing upright from the partition plate 33 and a second protrusion 342 standing upright from the storage unit main body 31. That is, the partition plates 33 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction L are generally bracket-shaped in plan view, and the partition plate 33 provided in the central portion in the longitudinal direction L is generally T-shaped in plan view.

[0060] The first protrusions 341 are plate-like bodies having the same plate thickness as the partition plate 33, and protrude a predetermined length from both end portions of the partition plate 33 in the short-side direction W toward the upper side HU. The length of the first protrusions 341 in the short-side direction W is approximately one-third of that of the partition plate 33. In other words, the first protrusions 341 are erected at both ends of the partition plate 33 in the short-side direction W, spaced a predetermined distance apart in the short-side direction W. Note that the inner sides of the first protrusions 341 in the short-side direction W, spaced a predetermined distance apart in the short-side direction W, are inclined toward the storage unit main body 31 as they extend toward the upper side HU.

[0061] The second protrusions 342 are plate-like bodies having the same thickness as the accommodating body main body 31, and protrude from the intersection of the accommodating body main body 31 and the partition plate 33 toward the upper side HU by the same length as the first protrusions 341. The length of the second protrusions 342 in the longitudinal direction L is approximately one-third of the width of the fuse 10. In other words, the second protrusions 342 are provided at the intersection of the accommodating body main body 31 and the partition plate 33, spaced apart at intervals equal to the intervals between the first protrusions 341. Furthermore, the inner sides of the second protrusions 342 in the longitudinal direction L, which are arranged to face each other in the longitudinal direction L, are inclined toward the first protrusions 341 as they extend toward the upper side HU.

[0062] The protrusions 34 configured in this manner form recesses 36 recessed toward the lower side HD between adjacent first protrusions 341 and between adjacent second protrusions 342 (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0063] The cover 40 covers a part of the opening provided in the housing body 30, and prevents the fuse 10 housed in the housing portion 35 from slipping out to the upper side HU. More specifically, the cover 40 is made up of a locking frame 50 that is locked to the housing body 30, and a flexible resin material 60 that is assembled to the locking frame 50 (see FIG. 2).

[0064] The locking frame 50 is a frame body that is a different color from the housing main body 30 and is made of resin that is more flexible in deformation than the housing main body 30. As shown in Figure 6, the locking frame 50 is composed of a frame main body 51 that is rectangular in plan view and locking pieces 52 provided at both ends of the frame main body 51 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0065] As shown in Figure 6(a), the frame body 51 is a frame body formed in a lattice shape when viewed in a plane, and has three through holes that penetrate in the height direction H and are slightly smaller than the outer shape of the fuse 10, arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction L.

[0066] In detail, the frame main body 51 is composed of a pair of extending pieces 511 extending in the longitudinal direction L, four connecting pieces 512 connecting the extending pieces 511 to each other in the short direction W, and a convex portion 513 protruding from the extending pieces 511 and the connecting pieces 512 to the downward side HD.

[0067] The extending piece 511 has a length in the longitudinal direction L equal to the length of the terminal holding portion 32 in the longitudinal direction L, and a thickness in the lateral direction W equal to the thickness of the partition plate 33. In addition, the end face of the upper side HU of the extending piece 511 has a protruding upper surface portion 514 that protrudes toward the inside in the lateral direction W. The extending pieces 511 configured in this manner are arranged to face each other in the lateral direction W, separated by a distance equal to the distance between the first side surfaces 311.

[0068] The connecting pieces 512 are flat plates that connect the extending pieces 511 arranged in pairs in the short direction W, and four of them are provided at intervals equal to the intervals between the partition plates 33. More specifically, four connecting pieces 512 are provided: one at each end of the extending piece 511 in the longitudinal direction L, and two inward from each end of the extending piece 511 in the longitudinal direction L, spaced apart by a length approximately equal to the width of the fuse 10. The height of the connecting pieces 512 is the same as the height of the extending pieces 511.

[0069] The extending piece 511 and the connecting piece 512 configured in this manner form three through windows 53 that penetrate along the height direction H and are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction L. The through windows 53 are one size smaller than the outer shape of the fuse 10.

[0070] The extending piece 511 and the connecting piece 512 that form the through window 53 are provided with a protruding portion 513 that protrudes toward the lower side HD. The protrusions 513 are flat plates having the same thickness as the extending pieces 511 and the connecting pieces 512, and are configured to taper downward toward the lower side HD so that they can fit into the recesses 36. The protrusions 513 configured in this manner protrude from the center of the connecting piece 512 in the short-side direction W and from the center of each of the extending pieces 511 separated by the connecting pieces 512 in the long-side direction L. In other words, three protrusions 513 are provided at equal intervals from the bottom of the extending piece 511, and one protrusion is provided at the center of each connecting piece 512 in the short-side direction W.

[0071] When the housing body 30 and the cover 40 are assembled, the locking piece 52 is inserted between the second side surface 312 and the terminal holding portion 32 and is locked with the locked portion 313. In more detail, the locking piece 52 is composed of an extending portion 521 extending from a connecting piece 512 connecting both ends of the extending piece 511 in the longitudinal direction L, and a locking protrusion 522 provided at the tip of the extending portion 521.

[0072] The extending portion 521 protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction L from the connecting piece 512 and extends downward along the connecting piece 512 toward the downward side HD. The distance between the connecting piece 512 arranged on the outer side in the longitudinal direction L and the extending portion 521 is slightly shorter than the distance between the second side surface 312 and the locked portion 313. In other words, the extending portion 521 can be inserted between the second side surface 312 and the terminal holding portion 32 when the housing body 30 and the cover 40 are assembled together.

[0073] The locking projection 522 projects outward in the longitudinal direction L from the tip of the extending portion 521, and is configured to be able to lock with the locked portion 313 when the housing body 30 and the cover 40 are assembled together. The locking projection 522 is inclined inward in the longitudinal direction L as it extends toward the downward side HD.

[0074] The resin material 60 is a flat plate made of elastic rubber that is attached to the lower side HD of the protruding upper surface portion 514. More specifically, the resin material 60 is a flat plate that is approximately rectangular in plan view and has approximately the same width as the protruding upper surface portion 514 that protrudes inward in the short direction W at the end of the upper side HU of the extending piece 511, and has a length equal to the distance between the connecting pieces 512, and is configured to be easily deformed when an external force is applied to it.

[0075] The cover 40 configured in this manner can be attached to the housing main body 30 that holds the fuse 10, thereby preventing the fuse 10 held in the housing main body 30 from slipping out to the upper side HU and preventing the fuse 10 housed in the housing section 35 from rattling.

[0076] In detail, the fuse 10 is arranged so that the terminal connection portion 13 faces the lower side HD, and is inserted from the opening of the housing main body 30 toward the lower side HD, and is attached to each of the three storage portions 35 arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction L.

[0077] By accommodating the fuse 10 in the accommodating portion 35 in this manner, the first base terminal 131 and the second base terminal 132 are inserted into the pair of terminal connection portions 13. This electrically connects the first base terminal 131 and the second base terminal 132 to the fusing portion 111 via the conductive portion 112. The fuse 10 accommodated in the accommodating portion 35 protrudes upward to the upper side HU beyond the protruding portion 34 (see FIG. 7(b)).

[0078] Next, the cover 40 is assembled to the housing main body 30 accommodating the fuse 10. More specifically, with the resin material 60 attached below the protruding upper surface portion 514, the locking pieces 52 of the locking frame 50 are inserted between the second side surface 312 and the terminal holding portion 32, and the cover 40 is pushed toward the lower side HD, thereby locking the locked portions 313 and the locking projections 522. This allows the cover 40 to be locked and fixed to the housing main body 30 with the fuse 10 accommodated in the accommodation portion 35.

[0079] By locking and fixing the housing main body 30 and the cover 40 in this way, the protruding upper surface portion 514 and the resin material 60 attached to the lower side HD of the protruding upper surface portion 514 cover part of the outer side in the short direction W of the opening of the cover 40 (see FIG. 8). This prevents the fuse 10 accommodated in the accommodation portion 35 from slipping out to the upper side HU, so that the fuse 10 can be securely held.

[0080] Furthermore, in the process of locking the cover 40 to the housing main body 30, the resin material 60 comes into contact with the top plate portion 12, which is the end face of the upper side HU of the fuse 10. In this state, by moving the cover 40 to the lower side HD and locking the housing main body 30 and the cover 40 together, the resin material 60 presses the fuse 10 against the lower side HD.

[0081] Here, because the resin material 60 is a flexible rubber plate, when pressed against the top plate portion 12, a repulsive force acts on the upper side HU, causing the resin material 60 to deform so as to recess into the upper side HU. This allows the resin material 60 to press the fuse 10 against the lower side HD while securely abutting against the top plate portion 12. Therefore, the fuse 10 can be stably held by the housing main body 30, and rattle of the fuse 10 accommodated in the accommodation portion 35 can be suppressed. Furthermore, because the flexible resin material 60 deforms appropriately due to the repulsive force of the fuse 10, damage to the fuse 10 caused by excessive external force can also be suppressed.

[0082] Furthermore, when the housing body 30 and the cover 40 are locked and fixed together, the convex portion 513 and the concave portion 36 are fitted together (see FIG. 7(a)), which prevents the cover 40 from moving in the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction W relative to the housing body 30. This allows the resin material 60 to reliably and stably press the fuse 10, preventing the fuse 10 from rattling, even when an unintended external force such as vibration is applied.

[0083] Furthermore, since the positioning rib 331 abuts against the side surface of the fuse 10 accommodated in the accommodation portion 35, it is possible to prevent the fuse 10 from shifting in position in the short direction W. This allows the fuse 10 to be stably held in the housing body 30, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the fuse 10 from wobbling when accommodated in the accommodation portion 35.

[0084] The fuse holding structure 1 configured in this manner includes a fuse 10 and a housing 20 that holds the fuse 10. The housing 20 has an opening for inserting the fuse 10, and is provided with a housing main body 30 having an accommodating portion 35 that accommodates the fuse 10 inserted through the opening while electrically connecting it to terminals arranged inside, and a cover 40 that closes at least a portion of the opening. The housing 20 is also provided with an engaged portion 313 and an engaging piece 52 that engage and fix the cover 40 to the housing main body 30, and the cover 40 is provided with a resin material 60 that abuts against the fuse 10 on the lower side HD of the housing main body 30 where the fuse 10 is inserted. The electrical junction box 100 includes a housing 20 that holds the fuse 10 .

[0085] The fuse holding structure 1 configured in this manner can stably hold the fuse 10. More specifically, by attaching the cover 40 to the housing main body 30, the resin material 60 provided on the cover 40 comes into contact with the fuse 10 housed in the housing portion 35, thereby pressing the fuse 10 against the lower side HD. Therefore, the fuse 10 can be stably held in the housing main body 30, and rattle of the fuse 10 housed in the housing portion 35 can be suppressed.

[0086] Furthermore, since the resin material 60 is provided on the cover 40, deformation of the resin material 60 due to sliding between the cover 40 and the fuse 10 can be suppressed. Therefore, even when the fuse 10 is replaced, the replaced fuse 10 can be reliably pressed against it by the resin material 60. Therefore, the replaced fuse 10 can also be stably held in the housing main body 30, and rattle of the fuse 10 accommodated in the accommodating portion 35 can be suppressed.

[0087] Furthermore, even if the locking frame 50 or the resin material 60 is damaged, the fuse 10 housed in the housing main body 30 can be securely held in place simply by replacing the locking frame 50 or the resin material 60. This reduces the number of parts that need to be replaced.

[0088] Furthermore, the resin material 60 is made of a flexible material and presses the fuse 10 against the lower HD. The fuse holding structure 1 configured in this manner can press the fuse 10 against the lower HD with the flexible resin material 60, and can prevent damage to the resin material 60 caused by pressing the fuse 10. Therefore, the fuse holding structure 1 can reliably prevent the fuse 10 from rattling. Furthermore, stress relaxation can prevent a decrease in the pressing force of the resin material 60. Therefore, the fuse holding structure 1 and the electrical junction box 100 can more stably hold the fuse 10 in the accommodating portion 35.

[0089] Furthermore, the locking frame 50 constituting the cover 40 is provided with a protrusion 513 that protrudes toward the housing main body 30, and the housing main body 30 is provided with a recess 36 that fits into the protrusion 513 when the cover 40 is locked and fixed to the housing main body 30.

[0090] By providing the convex portion 513 and the concave portion 36 that can be fitted together in this manner, when the housing main body 30 and the cover 40 are locked and fixed together, the convex portion 513 and the concave portion 36 can be fitted together, and movement of the cover 40 relative to the housing main body 30 in a direction that intersects with the lower side HD can be restricted. This ensures that the resin material 60 and the fuse 10 are in secure contact with each other, and further suppresses deformation of the resin material 60 due to sliding of the cover 40 relative to the housing main body 30. Therefore, the fuse holding structure 1 can securely hold the fuse 10 accommodated in the accommodation portion 35 and can also securely prevent rattling of the fuse 10.

[0091] Furthermore, the housing main body 30 has a plurality of accommodating sections 35 arranged in parallel, and a fuse 10 can be placed in each of the accommodating sections 35. As a result, simply by attaching the cover 40 to the housing main body 30, the fuses 10 accommodated in the plurality of accommodating sections 35 can be pressed collectively against the lower side HD by the resin material 60. Therefore, the fuse holding structure 1 and the electrical junction box 100 can improve the efficiency of the work required to stably accommodate the fuses 10 in the accommodating sections 35.

[0092] Furthermore, the longitudinal direction L is the direction in which the accommodating sections 35 are arranged in parallel. In the housing main body 30, both end portions of the accommodating sections 35 arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction L are recessed into the lower side HD to form locked sections 313. In addition, the cover 40 is provided with a pair of locking pieces 52 that extend along the lower side HD and are inserted into and locked into the locked sections 313.

[0093] As a result, the direction in which the locked portion 313 and the locking piece 52 lock the cover 40 and the housing main body 30 is parallel to the lower side HD against which the resin material 60 presses the fuse 10, so that the resin material 60 can reliably press the fuse 10 against the lower side HD.

[0094] Furthermore, since the cover 40 and the housing main body 30 can be fastened and engaged at two locations spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L, the resin material 60 can be pressed more stably against the fuse 10 accommodated in the accommodation section 35 compared to when the cover 40 and the housing main body 30 are fastened and engaged at one location.

[0095] Furthermore, since the resin material 60 is made of a flexible material, it can absorb design errors that occur between the locked portion 313 and the locking piece 52, thereby suppressing the generation of abnormal noise and more reliably holding the fuse 10 housed in the housing portion 35 stably.

[0096] Furthermore, fuse 10 is a slow-blow fuse whose continuity can be confirmed on the lower HD, and cover 40 is provided with a through window 53 through which the continuity of fusing portion 111 can be confirmed. This makes it easy to confirm the continuity of fusing portion 111 through through window 53, making it easy and reliable to determine when to replace fuse 10. Therefore, the checking and replacement work of fuse 10 can be carried out efficiently.

[0097] Furthermore, since the positioning rib 331 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion 35, the positioning rib 331 abuts against the fuse 10 in the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction W, and therefore it is possible to prevent the fuse 10 accommodated in the accommodating portion 35 from shifting in the direction intersecting with the height direction H. Therefore, the fuse 10 accommodated in the accommodating portion 35 can be held more reliably.

[0098] Furthermore, because the cover 40 is more flexible than the housing body 30, the repulsive force generated when the resin material 60 presses against the fuse 10 can be absorbed by the cover 40 deforming. This prevents the cover 40 from being damaged by the repulsive force. Furthermore, because damage to the cover 40 due to the repulsive force can be prevented, the fuse 10 can be pressed against the lower side HD with a predetermined force or more. This allows the fuse 10 to be securely held in the housing 20, preventing the fuse 10 from rattling.

[0099] Furthermore, since the cover 40 is a different color from the housing main body 30, it is possible to visually confirm with certainty that the cover 40 has been attached to the housing main body 30, thereby improving the workability of the task of checking that the cover 40 has been attached to the housing main body 30.

[0100] In the correspondence between the configuration of this invention and the above-mentioned embodiment, the electronic component corresponds to the fuse 10, and similarly, The housing corresponds to the housing 20, The receiving section corresponds to receiving section 35, The housing body corresponds to the housing body 30, The cover corresponds to Cover 40, The locking and fixing portion corresponds to the locked portion 313 and the locking piece 52, The insertion direction corresponds to the lower HD. The contact portion corresponds to the resin material 60, The component holding structure corresponds to fuse holding structure 1, The protrusion corresponds to the protrusion 513, The recess corresponds to the recess 36, The parallel direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction L, The locked portion corresponds to the locked portion 313, The locking piece corresponds to the locking piece 52, The continuity check portion corresponds to the through window 53, The positioning rib corresponds to the positioning rib 331, The electrical junction box corresponds to the electrical junction box 100, The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and many other embodiments can be obtained.

[0101] For example, in this embodiment, the fuse 10 corresponding to the electronic component is a so-called slow-blow fuse, but this is not limiting and other fuses, such as blade fuses, may be used. Furthermore, the electronic component may not be a slow-blow fuse, but may be a relay, resistor, capacitor, or other electronic component. In this case, the structure of the housing main body 30 is appropriately modified to suit the electronic component.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the locked portions 313 are provided on the housing main body 30, and the locking pieces 52 are provided on the locking frame 50 that constitutes the cover 40, but the locked portions 313 may be provided on the locking frame 50, and the locking pieces 52 may be provided on the housing main body 30. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the locked portions 313 and the locking pieces 52 are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction L, but they may also be connected so as to be pivotable on one side in the longitudinal direction L. For example, the locked portions 313 and the locking pieces 52 may be provided on one side in the longitudinal direction L (front side LA), and the other side in the longitudinal direction L (rear side LB) may be formed as a hinge structure, so that the cover 40 is pivotable relative to the housing main body 30.

[0103] Furthermore, although the resin material 60 corresponding to the contact portion is separate from the locking frame 50, the resin material 60 and the locking frame 50 may be integrated. Also, instead of the resin material 60, the contact portion may be provided with a protruding piece that protrudes from the protruding upper surface portion 514 toward the lower side HD.

[0104] Furthermore, resin material 60 is made of a flexible rubber plate, but any material can be used as long as it can press fuse 10 by contacting fuse 10 without applying excessive external force to fuse 10. For example, resin material 60 may be made of urethane or the like that deforms when subjected to an external force.

[0105] Although the through window 53 is configured to penetrate the fuse 10 in the height direction H so that the fuse 10 can be visually observed, for example, a transparent material such as glass may be provided in the area corresponding to the through window 53 so that the fuse 10 can be visually observed. The through window 53 may also be configured so that the continuity of an electronic component such as the fuse 10 can be detected by, for example, an image.

[0106] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the locking frame 50 constituting the cover 40 is provided with the convex portion 513 that protrudes toward the housing main body 30, and the housing main body 30 is provided with the concave portion 36 that fits with the convex portion 513, but this is not limiting. For example, the housing main body 30 may be provided with the convex portion 513 that protrudes toward the locking frame 50, and the locking frame 50 may be provided with the concave portion 36 that fits with the convex portion 513. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1...Fuse holding structure 10...Fuse 20…Housing 30...Housing body 35...Storage section 36...recess 40...Cover 52...Latching piece 53...Through window 60...Resin material 100...Electrical junction box 313…Locked part 331... Positioning rib 513...Convex part L...Longitudinal direction HD…Lower side

Claims

1. an electronic component and a housing that holds the electronic component; The housing includes: a housing body having an opening for inserting the electronic component and an accommodating portion for accommodating the electronic component inserted through the opening in a state in which the electronic component is electrically connected to a terminal disposed inside the housing body; a cover that covers at least a portion of the opening, a locking and fixing portion that locks and fixes the cover and the housing main body; The cover is provided with an abutment portion that abuts against the electronic component in an insertion direction of the electronic component into the housing body. Parts holding structure.

2. The contact portion is made of a flexible material and presses the electronic component in the insertion direction. The component holding structure according to claim 1 .

3. At least one of the housing body and the cover is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the other, The other side is provided with a recess that fits into the protrusion when the cover is locked and fixed to the housing body. The component holding structure according to claim 1 .

4. The housing main body has a plurality of the accommodating portions arranged in parallel, The electronic components can be placed in each of the housing sections. The component holding structure according to claim 1 .

5. the direction in which the storage sections are arranged in parallel is defined as a parallel direction, The locking and fixing portion is a locking portion formed by recessing both end portions of the accommodating portions arranged in parallel in the housing main body in the parallel direction in the insertion direction; a pair of locking pieces extending in the insertion direction of the cover and inserted into the locked portion to lock it; The component holding structure according to claim 4.

6. the electronic component is a fuse whose continuity can be confirmed in the insertion direction, The cover is provided with a continuity check portion that allows the conduction of the fuse to be checked. The component holding structure according to claim 1 .

7. A positioning rib is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion. The component holding structure according to claim 1 .

8. The cover has a higher flexibility than the housing body. The component holding structure according to claim 1 .

9. The cover is a different color from the housing body. The component holding structure according to claim 1 .

10. An electrical junction box having a housing for holding electronic components, The housing includes: a housing body having an opening for inserting the electronic component and an accommodating portion for accommodating the electronic component inserted through the opening in a state in which the electronic component is electrically connected to a terminal disposed inside the housing body; a cover that covers at least a portion of the opening, a locking and fixing portion that locks and fixes the cover and the housing main body, The cover is provided with an abutment portion that abuts against the electronic component in an insertion direction of the electronic component into the housing body. Electrical junction box.

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