Electric connection box

Abstract

To provide an electric connection box capable of preventing size of an entire assembled electric connection box from being increased, when holders are connected and fixed to a body unit.SOLUTION: An electric connection box 1 comprises: a body unit 2; holders 3, 4; and attachment parts 70, 80. The body unit 2 comprises a first bus bar storage part 15 for storing a first circuit formation bus bar 20, and the holders 3, 4 comprise second bus bar storage parts 64 for storing respective second circuit formation bus bars 40, 41. The attachment part 70 comprises a first storage part 71 formed in the body unit 2, and a first connection bus bar 30 stored in the first storage part 71. The attachment part 80 comprises a second storage part 81 engaged with the first storage part 71 along an attachment direction of each of second components 93, 94, that is formed in each of the holders 3, 4. The attachment part 80 comprises second connection bus bars 50, 51 each electrically connected to the first connection bus bar 30 by engaging the first storage part 71 with the second storage part 81.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are electrical junction boxes that are installed in vehicles and that configure the power supply specifications for the vehicle's electrical equipment and that connect electronic components such as relays, fuses, fusible links, etc. Furthermore, since the power supply circuits of each vehicle are different, when it is necessary to add electronic components, a cassette-type holder may be connected and fixed to the box body of the electrical junction box via an attachment part.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique relating to an electrical junction box having a bus bar that includes a connection portion of an electronic component and a box body (a protection-system electrical junction box and a branch-system electrical junction box) that houses the bus bar. Patent Document 1 also discloses a technique relating to an electrical junction box in which the electrical connection portion protrudes from one of the protection-system electrical junction box and the branch-system electrical junction box, and the electrical connection portion is housed in an opening provided in the other of the protection-system electrical junction box and the branch-system electrical junction box. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3108608 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The electrical junction box disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a branching electrical junction box can be fitted to a protection-system electrical junction box in a lateral direction perpendicular to the height of the electrical junction box. This structure requires the formation of electrical junction portions that protrude from the protection-system electrical junction box or the branching electrical junction box in a lateral direction perpendicular to the height of the electrical junction box. This increases the overall dimensions of the assembled electrical junction box (particularly the lateral length), potentially resulting in increased manufacturing costs due to the increased size of the electrical junction box itself and the increased installation space required in the vehicle.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical junction box that can suppress an increase in the overall dimensions of the assembled electrical junction box when the holder is connected and fixed to the main unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An electrical junction box according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main unit to which a first component is to be connected, a holder to which a second component is to be connected, and an attachment section for attaching the holder to the main unit. The main unit includes a first circuit-forming busbar to which the first component is connected and a box main body having a first busbar accommodating portion that accommodates the first circuit-forming busbar. The holder includes a second circuit-forming busbar to which a second component is connected and a holder main body having a second busbar accommodating portion that accommodates the second circuit-forming busbar. The attachment section includes the first accommodating portion formed in the box main body, a first connection busbar that is accommodated in the first accommodating portion and electrically connected to the first circuit-forming busbar, a second accommodating portion formed in the holder main body and engages with the first accommodating portion in an attachment direction in which a second component is attached to the second circuit-forming busbar, and a second connection busbar that is accommodated in the second accommodating portion and electrically connected to the second circuit-forming busbar by engaging the first accommodating portion with the second accommodating portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrical junction box that can suppress an increase in the overall dimensions of the assembled electrical junction box when the holder is connected and fixed to the main unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a main body unit and a holder that constitute the electrical junction box according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main body unit that constitutes the electrical junction box according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first storage section formed in the main body unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom plan view of a main body unit that constitutes the electrical junction box according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view showing a first storage section formed in the main body unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a main unit that constitutes the electrical junction box according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a circuit-forming bus bar and a connection bus bar included in the main unit. [Figure 9] 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the structure of the circuit forming bus bar and the connection bus bar included in the main unit. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a holder that constitutes the electrical junction box according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view showing a second housing portion formed in the first holder. [Figure 12] 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the structure of the circuit-forming bus bar and the connection bus bar included in the first holder. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the structure of the circuit-forming bus bar and the connection bus bar included in the second holder. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a perspective view showing still another example of the structure of the circuit-forming bus bar and the connection bus bar included in the first holder. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a perspective view showing still another example of the structure of the circuit-forming bus bar and the connection bus bar included in the second holder. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the main unit and the first holder. [Figure 17] 4 is a schematic side view of a bus bar included in the main body unit and a bus bar included in the first holder. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The electrical junction box according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of convenience and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box 1 according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical junction box 1 shown in FIG. 1 disassembled into a main unit 2, a first holder 3, and a second holder 4. The electrical junction box 1 is installed in a vehicle such as an automobile, and holds connection targets for protecting the electrical circuits of various electronic devices in an attachable and detachable manner. The electrical junction box 1 is also sometimes called a fusible link box, fuse box, junction box, or the like. The electrical junction box 1 is generally installed in a vehicle while being housed in a vehicle-mounted box or waterproof box (not shown).

[0012] In this embodiment, the electrical junction box 1 is configured by connecting a main unit 2 and two cassette-type holders, a first holder 3 and a second holder 4.

[0013] In this embodiment, the electronic components to be connected to the main unit 2 are two types of cutouts: a fusible link (hereinafter referred to as "FL") 90 as a first cutout and a fuse 91 as a second cutout, and a relay 92. The FL 90 has a slit-shaped terminal portion (not shown), the fuse 91 has a flat terminal portion (not shown), and the relay 92 has a terminal portion not shown. Note that FIGS. 1 and 2 show the main unit 2 in a state in which the FL 90, fuse 91, and relay 92 are attached.

[0014] In this embodiment, the electronic component to be connected to the first holder 3 is a fuse 93 as a cutout. This fuse 93 has a flat terminal portion 93a (see FIGS. 16 and 17). The first holder 3 may also be called a cassette holder or a fuse holder. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the first holder 3 with multiple fuses 93 attached. Furthermore, the first holder 3 can also be used to mount electronic components such as FLs.

[0015] In this embodiment, the electronic component to be connected to the second holder 4 is a relay 94. This relay 94 has a flat terminal portion (not shown). The second holder 4 is also referred to as a cassette holder or a relay holder. Also, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the second holder 4 with a plurality of relays 94 attached. Furthermore, the second holder 4 can also be equipped with electronic components such as diodes.

[0016] Hereinafter, spatial coordinates will be defined as follows as a reference for explaining the connection direction between the main unit and the holder, the connection direction between the holders, or the attachment direction of electronic components such as the FL90 and the fuse 91. First, the Z direction is the direction along the attachment direction of the FL90, the fuse 91, etc. According to the definition of the Z direction shown in each figure, the attachment direction of the FL90, the fuse 91, etc. is, strictly speaking, the opposite direction to the Z direction. Note that the Z direction may be, for example, the vertical direction. The X direction and the Y direction are directions that are perpendicular to each other in a plane perpendicular to the Z direction. In this embodiment, the connection direction between the main unit and the holder is the direction along the X direction, and the connection direction between the holders is the direction along the Y direction.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main unit 2 that constitutes the electrical junction box 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the main unit 2. FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view that schematically shows the main unit 2. FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view that shows the main parts of the main unit 2. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the main unit 2. Hereinafter, the upper side of the main unit 2 refers to the side on which the FL90, fuse 91, etc. are attached. On the other hand, the lower side of the main unit 2 refers to the opposite side in the Z direction from the upper side of the main unit 2.

[0018] The main unit 2 includes a box main body 10, first circuit forming bus bars 20, 21, 22, and a first connection bus bar 30.

[0019] The box body 10 is the main body of the main unit 2, and holds the other components included in the main unit 2, and is the main body of the main unit 2 to which the FL 90, fuse 91, and relay 92 are attached. The box body 10 is generally a rectangular parallelepiped member, with a height direction in the Z direction, which defines the upper and lower sides, a depth direction in the X direction, and a width direction in the Y direction, which is shorter than the length in the X direction. In this case, the box body 10 has six walls, at least partially exposed to the outside, including a top wall 11a, a bottom wall 11b, a first depth direction side wall 11c, a second depth direction side wall 11d, a first width direction side wall 11e, and a second width direction side wall 11f. The box body 10 may be formed of an insulating material, such as synthetic resin, and integrally manufactured by processing using a slide mold.

[0020] First, the box body 10 has a first mounting portion 12, a second mounting portion 13, and a third mounting portion 14 as portions to which connection objects are attached.

[0021] The first mounting section 12 is a portion where the FL90 is attached. As an example, the main unit 2 can attach up to 16 FL90s. Therefore, the first mounting section 12 has 16 first storage sections that open outward from the upper wall section 11a in the Z direction and are arranged in the X and Y directions. Each of these first storage sections has a shape that can store the tip portion of the FL90. The first storage sections are separated from adjacent first storage sections in the X or Y direction or from the outside by multiple partition walls or the like.

[0022] The second mounting section 13 is a section where the fuses 91 are attached. As an example, the main unit 2 can accommodate up to 17 fuses 91. Therefore, the second mounting section 13 has 17 second storage sections that open outward from the upper wall section 11a in the Z direction and are arranged in the X and Y directions. Each of these second storage sections has a shape that can store the tip portion of the fuse 91. The second storage sections are separated from other adjacent second storage sections in the X and Y directions or from the outside by a plurality of partition walls or the like.

[0023] The third mounting section 14 is a portion where a relay 92 is attached. As an example, the main unit 2 can mount one relay 92. Therefore, the third mounting section 14 has a third storage section for one relay that opens outward in the Z direction from the upper wall section 11a. This third storage section has a shape that can store the tip portion of the relay 92. The third storage section is separated from the adjacent second mounting section in the X direction or from the outside by a plurality of partition walls or the like.

[0024] Furthermore, the box body 10 has a first busbar accommodating portion 15 (see FIGS. 16 and 17) and a first terminal accommodating portion 16 as portions for accommodating members that directly and electrically connect the connection objects.

[0025] The first busbar accommodating portion 15 accommodates the first circuit-forming busbars 20, 21, and 22 from the direction opposite to the attachment direction of the FL 90, fuse 91, and the like. The first busbar accommodating portion 15 may have first busbar locking portions 17 that lock the first circuit-forming busbars 20, 21, and 22 accommodated in the first busbar accommodating portion 15. The number and positions of the first busbar locking portions 17 can be appropriately determined depending on the shapes and other factors of the first circuit-forming busbars 20, 21, and 22. As will be described in detail below, the first circuit-forming busbars 20, 21, and 22 are flat portions having a main plane extending along the ZX direction. Therefore, the first busbar accommodating portion 15 may have slits that maintain the orientation of the first circuit-forming busbars 20, 21, and 22 along the main plane extending along the ZX direction.

[0026] The first terminal accommodating portion 16 accommodates a first external terminal (not shown) to which a terminal portion of the FL 90 is connected, or a second external terminal (not shown) to which a terminal portion of the fuse 91 is connected.

[0027] The first external terminal is, for example, a metal terminal crimped to an end of the first electric wire. The first electric wire is, for example, part of a wire harness routed inside a vehicle and for which FL90 is selected as a safety device compatible with an electronic device to be connected. In particular, the head of the first external terminal has a shape that engages with the terminal portion of FL90.

[0028] The second external terminal is, for example, a metal terminal crimped to an end of the second electric wire. The second electric wire is, for example, part of a wire harness that is routed inside a vehicle and to which the fuse 91 is selected as a cutout compatible with an electronic device to which it is connected. In particular, the head of the second external terminal has a shape that can be engaged with the terminal portion of the fuse 91.

[0029] Furthermore, a plurality of first terminal accommodating sections 16 are provided in accordance with the positions of the plurality of first storage sections included in the first mounting section 12 and the plurality of second storage sections included in the second mounting section 13. Each of the first terminal accommodating sections 16 opens outward from the bottom wall section 11b in the direction opposite to the Z direction, and is arranged in the X and Y directions. In other words, the first terminal accommodating sections 16 accommodate the first external terminal or the second external terminal from the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the FL90 and the fuse 91 to the box body 10.

[0030] The main unit 2 of this embodiment includes a plurality of first circuit-forming busbars 20, 21, and 22, but of these first circuit-forming busbars 20, 21, and 22, only the first circuit-forming busbar 20 to which the first connection busbar 30 is directly and electrically connected will be described in detail. Note that the box main body 10 may be provided with a collar member 18 (which may or may not be conductive) that functions as a spacer by being interposed between the box main body 10 and the first circuit-forming busbars 20, 21, and 22 (see FIG. 5).

[0031] The first circuit-forming busbar 20 is a conductive member that electrically connects the multiple FLs 90 and fuses 91. In this embodiment, the first circuit-forming busbar 20 electrically connects all of the FLs 90 and fuses 91. The first circuit-forming busbar 20 is manufactured, for example, by subjecting a metal plate having a certain thickness to processes such as cutting, drilling, and bending. The first circuit-forming busbar 20 is made of a metal material such as copper or a copper alloy.

[0032] 8 is a perspective view of the first circuit-forming busbar 20 and the first connection busbar 30. The first circuit-forming busbar 20 has a first busbar body 23, a first connection plate portion 24, and a linking plate portion 25.

[0033] The first busbar body 23 connects the FLs 90 attached to the first mounting portion 12 and the fuses 91 attached to the second mounting portion 13. Specifically, the first busbar body 23 is a flat portion having a main plane along the ZX direction and having its edge portion in the Z direction as first busbar terminals 26 to which the FLs 90 are connected and second busbar terminals 27 to which the fuses 91 are connected. In this embodiment, a notch 23a for coupling the first connection busbar 30 is formed in the edge portion of the first busbar body 23 on the opposite side to the Z direction.

[0034] The first bus bar terminal 26 is a flat plate portion formed on the edge portion of the first bus bar body 23 in the Z direction, and is inserted into the slit-shaped terminal portion of the FL90.

[0035] The second bus bar terminal 27 is configured, for example, by a combination of a first arm portion 27a and a second arm portion 27b that face each other in the X direction. The second bus bar terminal 27 mechanically and electrically connects the fuse 91 by sandwiching the flat terminal portion of the fuse 91 between the first arm portion 27a and the second arm portion 27b. A plurality of second bus bar terminals 27 are formed to match the positions of the plurality of second storage portions of the second mounting portion 13.

[0036] The first connecting plate portion 24 has a main plane parallel to the ZX plane and is continuous with a part of the first busbar body 23 via the linking plate portion 25. The first connecting plate portion 24 has a through hole 24a through which a bolt portion (not shown) passes when the first circuit-forming busbar 20 is installed in the box body 10. Furthermore, when the first circuit-forming busbar 20 is installed in the box body 10, the first connecting plate portion 24 is located at an input portion 10a formed on the box body 10 (see FIG. 3).

[0037] Linking plate portion 25 has a main plane parallel to the YZ plane, and is continuous with a part of first connecting plate portion 24 so as to extend along the Y direction from first busbar main body 23. In other words, linking plate portion 25 extends from first busbar main body 23 in the direction opposite to the Y direction, and is interposed between first busbar main body 23 and first connecting plate portion 24.

[0038] The first connection busbar 30, also referred to as a joint busbar, is a conductive member electrically connected to the first circuit-forming busbar 20. In this embodiment, the first connection busbar 30 is electrically connected to the second connection busbars 50, 51 by engagement between a first housing portion 71 and a second housing portion 81, which will be described later. The first connection busbar 30 is manufactured, for example, by subjecting a metal plate having a certain thickness to processes such as cutting and bending. The first connection busbar 30 is formed, for example, from a metal material such as copper or a copper alloy.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first connection busbars 30 are arranged in pairs per first housing section 71. Therefore, in one first housing section 71, the first connection busbars 30 are arranged in pairs with a gap in the X direction. The pair of first connection busbars 30, 30 have relative shapes with respect to the X direction, and the second connection terminal portions 33, which will be described later, are bent in different directions. However, in consideration of the current value of the holder, which is the connection partner, only one first connection busbar 30 may be arranged per first housing section 71.

[0040] The first connection bus bar 30 has a first connection terminal portion 31 and a second connection terminal portion 33 .

[0041] The first connection terminal portion 31 is a flat portion having a main surface along the YZ plane and an edge portion protruding in the Z direction serving as a first connection terminal 32 to which the first circuit-forming busbar 20 is connected. The first connection terminal 32 is formed on the edge portion of the first connection terminal portion 31 protruding in the Z direction. The first connection terminal 32 is configured, for example, by a combination of a first arm portion 32a and a second arm portion 32b that face each other in the Y direction. The first connection terminal 32 is electrically connected to the first circuit-forming busbar 20 by sandwiching the notch portion 23a of the first busbar body 23 of the first circuit-forming busbar 20 between the first arm portion 32a and the second arm portion 32b.

[0042] The second connection terminal portion 33 is a flat portion having a main surface along the ZX plane and an edge portion protruding in the Z direction serving as the second connection terminal 34 to which the second connection busbars 50, 51 are connected. The second connection terminal 34 is a flat portion formed on the edge portion of the second connection terminal portion 33 protruding in the Z direction, and is inserted into a slit-shaped terminal portion on the second connection busbars 50, 51 side.

[0043] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing another structural example of the first circuit-forming busbar and the first connection busbar. As shown in Fig. 9, the first circuit-forming busbar 20A and the first connection busbar 30A may be integrally formed. Components that are substantially the same as those in the first circuit-forming busbar 20 and the first connection busbar 30 shown in Fig. 8 are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. Note that a first integrated busbar 35 formed by integrally forming the first circuit-forming busbar 20A and the first connection busbar 30A may have a connection plate portion 36 that connects the first busbar main body 23 and the second connection terminal portion 33.

[0044] Fig. 10 is an exploded view of the first holder 3 and the second holder 4 that constitute the electrical junction box 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a bottom perspective view showing the main parts of the first holder 3. The second holder 4 has the same basic structure as the first holder 3, but is equipped with a second circuit-forming bus bar 41 and a second connection bus bar 51 instead of the second circuit-forming bus bar 40 and the second connection bus bar 50 that the first holder 3 is equipped with. Therefore, the following detailed description will focus on the first holder 3, and with regard to the second holder 4, parts that have the same configuration as the first holder 3 will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0045] The first holder 3 includes a holder body 60, a second circuit forming bus bar 40, and a second connection bus bar 50.

[0046] The second holder 4 includes a holder body 60, a second circuit forming bus bar 41, and a second connection bus bar 51.

[0047] The holder body 60 is the main body of the first holder 3 or the second holder 4, and holds other components included in the first holder 3 or the second holder 4, and also mounts the fuse 93 or the relay 94. The holder body 60 is a rectangular parallelepiped member with a height direction in the Z direction, a depth direction in the X direction, and a width direction in the Y direction, which define the upper and lower sides. In this case, the holder body 60 has six walls, at least partially exposed to the outside, including an upper wall portion 61a, a bottom wall portion 61b, a first connecting wall portion 61c, a second connecting wall portion 61d, a first side wall portion 61e, and a second side wall portion 61f. The holder body 60 may be formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin and integrally manufactured by processing using a slide mold.

[0048] First, the holder body 60 of the first holder 3 has a first mounting portion 62 as a portion for attaching a connection object.

[0049] The first mounting portion 62 is a portion where the fuses 93 are attached. For example, the holder body 60 of the first holder 3 can attach up to eight fuses 93. Therefore, the first mounting portion 62 has eight first storage sections that open outward from the upper wall portion 61a in the Z direction and are arranged in the X and Y directions. Each of these first storage sections has a shape that can store the tip portion of the fuse 93. The first storage sections are separated from other adjacent first storage sections in the X or Y direction or from the outside by a plurality of partition walls or the like.

[0050] The holder body 60 of the second holder 4 has a second mounting portion 63 as a site for attaching a connection target.

[0051] The second mounting portion 63 is a portion where a relay 94 is attached. For example, the holder body 60 of the second holder 4 can attach up to two relays 92. Therefore, the second mounting portion 63 has two second storage sections that open outward from the upper wall portion 61a in the Z direction and are arranged along the X direction. Each of these second storage sections has a shape that can store the tip portion of a relay 94. The second storage section is separated from other second storage sections adjacent in the X direction or from the outside by a plurality of partition walls or the like.

[0052] Moreover, the holder body 60 has a second busbar accommodating portion 64 (see FIGS. 16 and 17) and a second terminal accommodating portion 65 as portions for accommodating members that directly and electrically connect the connection objects.

[0053] The second busbar accommodating portion 64 accommodates the second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41 from the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the fuse 93 and the relay 94. The second busbar accommodating portion 64 may have second busbar locking portions 66 that lock the second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41 accommodated in the second busbar accommodating portion 64. The number and positions of the second busbar locking portions 66 can be appropriately determined depending on the shape and other factors of the second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41. As will be described in detail below, the second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41 are flat portions having main surfaces extending along the YZ directions. Therefore, the second busbar accommodating portion 64 may be a slit portion that maintains the orientation of the second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41 along the main surfaces extending along the YZ directions.

[0054] The second terminal accommodating portion 65 accommodates a third external terminal (not shown) to which a terminal portion of the fuse 93 is connected, or a fourth external terminal (not shown) to which a terminal portion of the relay 94 is connected.

[0055] The third external terminal is, for example, a metal terminal crimped to an end of the third electric wire. The third electric wire is, for example, part of a wire harness that is routed inside a vehicle and to which the fuse 93 is selected as a cutout compatible with an electronic device to which it is connected. In particular, the head of the third external terminal has a shape that engages with the terminal portion 93a of the fuse 93.

[0056] The fourth external terminal is, for example, a metal terminal crimped to an end of the fourth electric wire. The fourth electric wire is, for example, part of a wire harness that is routed inside a vehicle and for which a relay 94 compatible with an electronic device to be connected is selected. In particular, the head of the fourth external terminal has a shape that can engage with a terminal portion of the relay 94.

[0057] Furthermore, the second terminal accommodating portions 65 are provided in multiple locations corresponding to the positions of the multiple first accommodating portions included in the first mounting portion 62 or the multiple second accommodating portions included in the second mounting portion 63. Each second terminal accommodating portion 65 opens outward from the bottom wall portion 61b in the direction opposite to the Z direction, and is arranged in the X and Y directions. In other words, the second terminal accommodating portions 65 accommodate the third external terminal or the fourth external terminal from the direction opposite to the attachment direction of the fuse 93 and the relay 94 to the holder body 60.

[0058] The second circuit-forming bus bar 40 of the first holder 3 is a conductive member that electrically connects the multiple fuses 93. In this embodiment, the second circuit-forming bus bar 40 electrically connects all of the fuses 93. The second circuit-forming bus bar 40 is manufactured, for example, by subjecting a metal plate having a certain thickness to processes such as cutting and bending. The second circuit-forming bus bar 40 is made of a metal material such as copper or a copper alloy.

[0059] The second circuit-forming bus bar 41 of the second holder 4 is a conductive member that electrically connects the multiple relays 94. In this embodiment, the second circuit-forming bus bar 41 electrically connects all of the relays 94. The second circuit-forming bus bar 41 is manufactured, for example, by subjecting a metal plate having a certain thickness to various processes such as cutting and bending. The second circuit-forming bus bar 41 is formed, for example, from a metal material such as copper or a copper alloy.

[0060] Each of the second circuit forming bus bars 40 and 41 has a pair of second bus bar bodies 42 and 42 and a second connecting plate portion 43.

[0061] The second busbar bodies 42 connect the fuses 93 attached to the first mounting portion 62 or the relays 94 attached to the second mounting portion 63. Specifically, the second busbar bodies 42 are flat portions having a main surface along the YZ plane and having end edges protruding in the Z direction as third busbar terminals 44 to which the relays 94 are connected.

[0062] The third bus bar terminal 44 is configured, for example, by a combination of a first arm portion 44a and a second arm portion 44b that face each other in the Y direction. The third bus bar terminal 44 mechanically and electrically connects the fuse 93 or the relay 94 by sandwiching the flat terminal portion of the fuse 93 or the relay 94 between the first arm portion 44a and the second arm portion 44b. A plurality of third bus bar terminals 44 are formed to match the positions of the plurality of first storage portions of the first mounting portion 62 or the plurality of second storage portions of the second mounting portion 63.

[0063] The second connecting plate portion 43 has a main plane parallel to the ZX plane, and connects the pair of second busbar bodies 42, 42. In other words, the second connecting plate portion 43 is interposed between the pair of second busbar bodies 42, 42.

[0064] The second connection busbars 50, 51 are also referred to as joint busbars, and are conductive members electrically connected to the second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41. In this embodiment, the second connection busbars 50, 51 are electrically connected to the first connection busbar 30 by engagement between a first accommodating portion 71 and a second accommodating portion 81, which will be described later. The second connection busbars 50, 51 are manufactured, for example, by subjecting a metal plate having a certain thickness to processes such as cutting and bending. The second connection busbars 50, 51 are formed, for example, from a metal material such as copper or a copper alloy.

[0065] The second connection busbars 50, 51 are arranged one per second accommodating section 81. The second connection busbar 50 of the first holder 3 has a similar structure to the second connection busbar 51 of the second holder 4, and the second connection busbar 50 and the second connection busbar 51 can be made into a common component.

[0066] The second connection bus bars 50 and 51 each have a third connection terminal portion 52 and a fourth connection terminal portion 54.

[0067] The third connection terminal portion 52 is a flat portion having a main surface along the YZ plane and an edge portion protruding in the Z direction serving as a third connection terminal 53 to which the second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41 are connected. The third connection terminal 53 is formed on the edge portion of the third connection terminal portion 52 protruding in the Z direction. The third connection terminal 53 is configured, for example, by a combination of a first arm portion 53a and a second arm portion 53b that face each other in the Y direction. The third connection terminal 53 is electrically connected to the second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41 by sandwiching the second connection plate portion 43 of the second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41 between the first arm portion 53a and the second arm portion 53b.

[0068] The fourth connection terminal portion 54 is a flat plate portion having a main surface along the YZ plane and an edge portion protruding in the Z direction serving as a fourth connection terminal 55 to which the first connection busbar 30 is connected. The fourth connection terminal 55 is formed on the edge portion of the fourth connection terminal portion 54 protruding in the Z direction. The fourth connection terminal 55 is configured, for example, by a combination of a first arm portion 55a and a second arm portion 55b that face each other in the Y direction. The fourth connection terminal 55 is electrically connected to the first connection busbar 30 by sandwiching the first connection plate portion 24 of the first connection busbar 30 between the first arm portion 55a and the second arm portion 55b.

[0069] Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing another structural example of the circuit-forming busbars and connection busbars included in the first holder 3. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing another structural example of the circuit-forming busbars and connection busbars included in the second holder 4. The second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41 and the second connection busbars 50, 51 shown in Fig. 10 are engaged with the second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41 along the Z direction. In contrast, in the structural examples shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the second circuit-forming busbars 40A, 41A and the second connection busbars 50A, 51A are engaged with the second circuit-forming busbars 40A, 41A along the direction opposite to the Z direction.

[0070] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing yet another example of the structure of the circuit-forming busbars and connection busbars included in the first holder 3. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing yet another example of the structure of the circuit-forming busbars and connection busbars included in the second holder 4. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 , second circuit-forming busbars 40B, 41B and second connection busbars 50B, 51B may be integrally formed. Components that are substantially the same as those in the second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41 and second connection busbars 50, 51 shown in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. Second integrated busbars 56, 57, in which the second circuit-forming busbar and the second connection busbar are integrally formed, may each have connecting plate portions 58, 59 that connect the portions that constitute the second circuit-forming busbar and the portions that constitute the second connection busbar.

[0071] Furthermore, the first holder 3 and the second holder 4 have a first connecting portion 67 and a second connecting portion 68 that are shaped to be engageable with each other as a mechanism for connecting adjacent holders in the X direction in order to connect adjacent holders in the X direction. The specific structures of the first connecting portion 67 and the second connecting portion 68 can be set as appropriate.

[0072] Furthermore, the first holder 3 and the second holder 4 have a third connecting portion 69 as a mechanism for connecting a vehicle mounting box or a waterproof box (not shown) to the first holder 3 and the second holder 4. The specific structure of this third connecting portion 69 can be set as appropriate.

[0073] Fig. 16 is a schematic side view of the main unit 2 and the first holder 3. Fig. 17 is a schematic side view of the bus bar included in the main unit 2 and the bus bar included in the first holder 3.

[0074] The electrical junction box 1 according to this embodiment includes mounting portions 70 and 80 for mounting the first holder 3 and the second holder 4 to the main unit 2.

[0075] 16 and 17 , the mounting portion 70 has a first accommodating portion 71 formed in the box main body 10 of the main unit 2, and the mounting portion 80 has a second accommodating portion 81 formed in the holder main body 60 of the first holder 3 and the second holder 4. The first accommodating portion 71 accommodates the first connection bus bar 30, and the second accommodating portion 81 accommodates the second connection bus bars 50, 51. The second accommodating portion 81 engages with the first accommodating portion 71 along the attachment direction in which the fuse 93 and the relay 94 are attached to the second circuit forming bus bars 40, 41. By engaging the second accommodating portion 81 with the first accommodating portion 71 in the direction opposite to the Z direction, the first connection bus bar 30 accommodated in the first accommodating portion 71 and the second connection bus bar 50 accommodated in the second accommodating portion 81 are fitted together and electrically connected. Therefore, it is possible to electrically connect the first circuit forming busbar 20 of the box body 10 and the second circuit forming busbars 40, 41 of the holder body 60 without connecting them using electrical wires or the like outside the box body 10 and the holder body 60.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the first accommodating section 71 has a first protective wall 72 extending from the box body 10 and a first insertion groove 73 formed in the first protective wall 72, into which the first connection bus bar 30 is inserted. The first accommodating section 71 also has first locking sections 74 formed at the openings of the first insertion grooves 73, which lock and hold the first connection bus bar 30 inserted into the first insertion grooves 73. The number and positions of the first locking sections 74 can be appropriately determined depending on the shape of the first connection bus bar 30. The first accommodating section 71 has first slits 75 that expose the second connection terminals 34 of the first connection bus bar 30 from the first protective wall 72. Furthermore, the first accommodating section 71 has locking protrusions 76 that protrude from the wall of the box body 10.

[0077] In this embodiment, two first protective walls 72 are provided on the first depth direction side wall 11c of the box body 10. Each first protective wall 72 protrudes in the Y direction from the first depth direction side wall 11c and has a pair of recesses 72a facing each other in the X direction. Each recess 72a extends along the Z direction.

[0078] 10 and 11 , the second accommodating portion 81 has a second protective wall portion 82 extending from the holder main body 60, and a second insertion groove portion 83 formed in the second protective wall portion 82, into which the second connection busbars 50, 51 are inserted. The second accommodating portion 81 also has second locking portions 84 formed at the openings of the second insertion grooves 83, which lock and hold the second connection busbars 50, 51 inserted into the second insertion grooves 83. The number and positions of the second locking portions 84 can be appropriately set depending on the shapes of the second connection busbars 50, 51, etc. The second accommodating portion 81 has second slit portions 85 that expose the fourth connection terminal portions 54 of the second connection busbars 50, 51 from the second protective wall portion 82. Furthermore, the second storage section 81 is formed with a locking arm section 86 that protrudes from the wall section of the holder main body 60, and a locking section 87 that is locked to the locking protrusion section 76 is formed at the tip of this locking arm section 86.

[0079] In this embodiment, a pair of second protective walls 82 are provided on the first connecting wall 61c of the holder body 60. Each second protective wall 82 has a protrusion 82a that protrudes from the first connecting wall 61c in the opposite Y direction, and guide portions 82b that are provided on both side surfaces of the protrusion 82a in the X direction. Each guide portion 82b extends along the Z direction.

[0080] In this embodiment, the first connection busbars 30 are arranged in pairs for each first accommodating section 71. Therefore, in each first accommodating section 71, the second connection terminals 34 of the first connection busbars 30 are arranged in pairs with a gap in the X direction. Therefore, the first protective wall portions 72 and the first slit portions 75 are also formed in pairs with a gap in the X direction.

[0081] In this embodiment, the fourth connection terminal portions 54 of the second connection bus bars 50, 51 are arranged in pairs for each second accommodating portion 81. Therefore, in each second accommodating portion 81, the fourth connection terminal portions 54 of the second connection bus bars 50, 51 are arranged in pairs with a gap in the X direction. Therefore, the second protective wall portions 82 and the second slit portions 85 are similarly formed in pairs with a gap in the X direction.

[0082] If the dimension (pitch) between the pair of first slit portions 75, 75 is defined as a first dimension H1 (see FIG. 4) and the dimension (pitch) between the pair of fourth connection terminal portions 54, 54 is defined as a second dimension H2 (see FIG. 10), then the first dimension H1 is the same as the second dimension H2. Incidentally, "the dimensions are the same" is not limited to the narrow meaning of strict dimensional identity. In other words, "the dimensions are the same" can also be interpreted in a broad sense to include a dimensional range that allows the pair of fourth connection terminal portions 54, 54 to engage with the pair of first slit portions 75, 75.

[0083] For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , consider a case where the first holder 3 and the second holder 4 are connected to the main unit 2. In this case, the first storage section 71 on the box body 10 on the main unit 2 side and the second storage section 81 on the holder body 60 on the first holder 3 and second holder 4 side are connected facing each other. Focusing on a pair of the first storage section 71 and the second storage section 81 at this time, the guide section 82b of the second storage section 81 is fitted into the recessed section 72a of the first storage section 71 that faces each other in the X direction, along the opposite direction in the Z direction. Then, the locked section 87 of the locking arm section 86 on the holder body 60 rides over and gets caught on the locking protrusion 76 on the box body 10, thereby positioning and connecting the second storage section 81 to the first storage section 71.

[0084] Furthermore, with the first accommodating portion 71 and the second accommodating portion 81 engaged, the second connection terminal 34 exposed from the first protective wall portion 72 due to the formation of the first slit portion 75 is inserted into the fourth connection terminal portion 54 exposed from the second protective wall portion 82 due to the formation of the second slit portion 85. This electrically connects the first connection bus bar 30 and the second connection bus bars 50, 51. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the first circuit-forming bus bar 20 of the box body 10 and the second circuit-forming bus bars 40, 41 of the holder body 60 can be electrically connected without using electric wires or the like to connect them outside the box body 10 and the holder body 60.

[0085] Next, the effects of the electrical junction box 1 will be described.

[0086] As described above, the electrical junction box 1 according to this embodiment includes the main unit 2 to which the first component is connected, a holder to which the second component is connected, and mounting portions 70, 80 for attaching the holder to the main unit 2. The main unit 2 includes the first circuit-forming busbar 20 to which the first component is connected and the box main body 10 having the first busbar accommodating portion 15 that accommodates the first circuit-forming busbar 20. The holder includes the second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41 to which the second component is connected and the holder main body 60 having the second busbar accommodating portion 64 that accommodates the second circuit-forming busbars 40, 41. The mounting portion 70 includes the first accommodating portion 71 formed in the box main body 10 and the first connection busbar 30 that is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 71 and electrically connected to the first circuit-forming busbar 20. The mounting portion 80 is formed in the holder body 60 and has a second accommodating portion 81 that engages with the first accommodating portion 71 along the mounting direction in which the second component is mounted to the second circuit forming busbars 40, 41. The mounting portion 80 has second connection busbars 50, 51 that are accommodated in the second accommodating portion 81 and electrically connected to the second circuit forming busbars 40, 41, and are electrically connected to the first connection busbar 30 by engaging the first accommodating portion 71 with the second accommodating portion 81.

[0087] In the above example, the first component corresponds to the FL 90 and the fuse 91, the second component corresponds to the fuse 93 and the relay 94, and the holders correspond to the first holder 3 and the second holder 4. In this case, the attachment direction for attaching the second component to the second circuit forming bus bars 40, 41 corresponds to the opposite direction to the Z direction.

[0088] In this embodiment, the first accommodating portion 71 accommodates the first connection bus bar 30, and the second accommodating portion 81 accommodates the second connection bus bars 50, 51. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first accommodating portion 71 and the second accommodating portion 81 are engaged with each other to electrically connect the first connection bus bar 30 and the second connection bus bars 50, 51. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mounting portion 70 engages the second accommodating portion 81 with the first accommodating portion 71 along the mounting direction in which the second components, FL90 and fuse 91, are attached to the second circuit forming bus bars 40, 41. Therefore, the dimension of the protrusion from the box body 10 or the holder body 60 can be kept small compared to a structure in which the components are fitted together in a lateral direction (X direction or Y direction) perpendicular to the height direction (Z direction) of the electrical junction box 1.

[0089] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the first holder 3 and the second holder 4 are connected and fixed to the main unit 2, an electrical connection box 1 can be provided that can suppress the increase in the overall dimensions of the electrical connection box 1 after assembly.

[0090] In the electrical junction box 1, the first accommodating portion 71 may have a first protective wall portion 72 extending from the box body 10 and a first insertion groove portion 73 formed in the first protective wall portion 72 and into which the first connection bus bar 30 is inserted. The first accommodating portion 71 may have a first locking portion 74 formed in an opening of the first insertion groove portion 73 and locking and holding the first connection bus bar 30 inserted in the first insertion groove portion 73. The second accommodating portion 81 may have a second protective wall portion 82 extending from the holder body 60 and a second insertion groove portion 83 formed in the second protective wall portion 82 and into which the second connection bus bars 50, 51 are inserted. The second accommodating portion 81 may have a second locking portion 84 formed in an opening of the second insertion groove portion 83 and locking and holding the second connection bus bars 50, 51 inserted in the second insertion groove portion 83.

[0091] Without the first protective wall portion 72, the first connection bus bar 30 would be exposed over a wider area, and without the second protective wall portion 82, the second connection bus bars 50, 51 would be exposed over a wider area. In contrast, in this embodiment, the first connection bus bar 30 is housed inside the first protective wall portion 72, and the second connection bus bars 50, 51 are housed inside the second protective wall portion 82. This prevents the first connection bus bar 30 or the second connection bus bars 50, 51 from being deformed when connecting the holder to the main unit 2, and prevents the electrical connection between the first connection bus bar 30 and the second connection bus bars 50, 51 from being hindered due to the deformation.

[0092] In the electrical junction box 1, the first accommodating portion 71 may have a first slit portion 75 that exposes a portion of the first connection bus bar 30 from the first protective wall portion 72. The second accommodating portion 81 may have a second slit portion 85 that exposes a portion of the second connection bus bars 50, 51 from the second protective wall portion 82.

[0093] In this embodiment, the first slit 75 exposes a portion of the first connection busbar 30 from the first protective wall 72, and the second slit 85 exposes a portion of the second connection busbars 50, 51 from the second protective wall 82. When the first accommodating section 71 and the second accommodating section 81 are engaged with each other, the exposed first connection busbar 30 and the exposed second connection busbars 50, 51 come into contact with each other, thereby electrically connecting the first connection busbar 30 and the second connection busbars 50, 51.

[0094] In the electrical junction box 1, the first circuit-forming bus bar 20 and the first connection bus bar 30 may be integrally formed.

[0095] By using an integrated busbar (see Figure 9) in which the first circuit-forming busbar 20 and the first connection busbar 30 are integrally formed, the number of parts can be reduced and the number of work steps can be reduced, making it possible to suppress increases in manufacturing costs.

[0096] In the electrical junction box 1, the second circuit forming bus bars 40, 41 and the second connection bus bars 50, 51 may be integrally formed.

[0097] By using an integrated bus bar (see Figures 14 and 15) in which the second circuit forming bus bars 40, 41 and the second connection bus bars 50, 51 are integrally formed, the number of parts can be reduced and the number of work steps can be reduced, making it possible to suppress increases in manufacturing costs.

[0098] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1 Electrical junction box 2 Main unit 3 First Holder 4 Second Holder 10 Boxes 15 First bus bar housing 20 First circuit forming bus bar 30 First connection bus bar 35 First integrated bus bar 40 Second circuit forming bus bar 41 Second circuit forming bus bar 50 Second connection bus bar 51 Second connection bus bar 56 Second integrated bus bar 57 Second integrated bus bar 64 Second bus bar housing 70 Mounting part 71 First storage section 72 1st protection wall section 73 First insertion groove portion 74 First locking part 75 First slit section 80 Mounting part 81 Second storage section 82 2nd protection wall section 83 Second insertion groove portion 84 Second locking part 85 Second slit section 90 FL (fusible link) 91 Hughes 93 Hughes 94 Relay

Claims

1. a main unit to which the first component is connected; a holder to which a second component is connected; an attachment portion for attaching the holder to the main unit, The main unit includes: a first circuit forming bus bar to which the first component is connected; a box body having a first bus bar accommodating portion that accommodates the first circuit forming bus bar, The holder is a second circuit forming bus bar to which the second component is connected; a holder body having a second bus bar accommodating portion that accommodates the second circuit forming bus bar, The mounting portion is a first storage section formed in the box body; a first connection bus bar accommodated in the first accommodation portion and electrically connected to the first circuit forming bus bar; a second receiving portion formed in the holder body and engaged with the first receiving portion along an attachment direction in which the second component is attached to the second circuit forming bus bar; a second connection bus bar that is accommodated in the second accommodating portion and electrically connected to the second circuit forming bus bar, and that is electrically connected to the first connection bus bar by engaging the first accommodating portion with the second accommodating portion, Electrical junction box.

2. The first storage section is a first protective wall portion formed extending from the box body; a first insertion groove formed in the first protective wall portion, into which the first connection bus bar is inserted; a first locking portion formed at an opening of the first insertion groove portion, for locking and holding the first connection bus bar inserted into the first insertion groove portion, The second storage section is a second protective wall portion formed extending from the holder body; a second insertion groove formed in the second protective wall portion, into which the second connection bus bar is inserted; a second locking portion formed at an opening of the second insertion groove portion, which locks and holds the second connection bus bar inserted into the second insertion groove portion, 2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1.

3. the first accommodating portion has a first slit portion that exposes a portion of the first connection bus bar from the first protective wall portion, the second accommodating portion has a second slit portion that exposes a portion of the second connection bus bar from the second protective wall portion.

3. The electrical junction box according to claim 2.

4. The electrical junction box according to claim 1 , wherein the first circuit forming bus bar and the first connecting bus bar are integrally formed.

5. The electrical junction box according to claim 1 , wherein the second circuit forming bus bar and the second connection bus bar are integrally formed.

Images