Electrical junction box and relay connector

Abstract

To provide an electrical connection box and a relay connector capable of reducing the number of components required for connecting an electrical component and an external electric wire.SOLUTION: An electrical connection box 1 includes: an electrical component 2 accommodated in a housing 11 and having an electrical component-side connector 21; and a relay connector 3 having a first fitting portion 31 fitted to the electrical component-side connector 21 and a second fitting portion 32 fitted to an external electric wire-side connector 5 attached to an external electric wire 4 routed outside the housing 11. The first fitting portion 31 has a first terminal 8 electrically connected to the electrical component 2. The second fitting portion 32 can be fitted to the external electric wire-side connector 5 in a direction intersecting a fitting direction of the first fitting portion 31 and has a second terminal 9 electrically connected to the external electric wire 4. The first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 are configured to be electrically connected to each other in the relay connector 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical junction box and a relay connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as for electrical connection boxes and relay connectors, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there are known those which house electrical components such as relays inside a housing and have mounting parts for connecting the electrical components to external electric wires such as wire harnesses. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-230328 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-described electrical junction box leaves room for improvement in that it may require multiple components to connect an electrical component to an external electric wire. For example, the mounting portion of an electrical junction box may be located in a position or oriented in a direction that makes it difficult to connect to the external electric wire. In such cases, a connection may be made by routing a relay electric wire between the electrical component and the external electric wire. Specifically, connectors are attached to both ends of the relay electric wire, and one connector is mated with the mounting portion of the electrical component and the other connector is mated with a connector attached to the external electric wire. In other words, the relay electric wire and two connectors are interposed between the electrical component and the external electric wire, which increases the number of components required to connect the electrical component to the external electric wire.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electrical junction box and a relay connector that can reduce the number of parts required to connect an electrical component to an external electric wire. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] That is, the electrical connection box of the present invention comprises an electrical component housed in a housing and having an electrical component side connector, and a relay connector having a first fitting portion that fits with the electrical component side connector and a second fitting portion that fits with an external electric wire side connector attached to an external electric wire routed outside the housing, wherein the first fitting portion has a first terminal electrically connected to the electrical component, the second fitting portion is capable of fitting with the external electric wire side connector in a direction intersecting the fitting direction of the first fitting portion and has a second terminal electrically connected to the external electric wire, and the first terminal and the second terminal are configured to be electrically connected in the relay connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the electrical junction box and relay device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of parts required to connect electrical components to external electric wires. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical junction box according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a holder, a first terminal, and a second terminal in the electrical junction box according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of assembly of the electrical junction box according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of assembly of the electrical junction box according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] This embodiment relates to an electrical junction box and a relay connector. In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with each other, the first direction is referred to as the "first mating direction X," the second direction is referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction is referred to as the "second mating direction Z." Here, the first mating direction X, the width direction Y, and the second mating direction Z are perpendicular to each other. The first mating direction X corresponds to the direction in which the electrical component-side connector of the electrical component and the relay connector are mated or connected. The width direction Y corresponds to the width direction of the electrical junction box. The second mating direction Z corresponds to the direction in which the relay connector and the external wire-side connector are mated or connected, and corresponds to the height direction of the electrical junction box. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, each direction used in the following description refers to the direction in which each part is assembled to each other. Note that the term "orthogonal" here includes "approximately orthogonal."

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an electrical junction box 1 according to this embodiment is used, for example, as an electrical junction box mounted on a vehicle, such as a junction box or fuse box. The electrical junction box 1 includes an electrical component 2 and a relay connector 3. The electrical component 2 is a component housed in a housing 11 of the electrical junction box 1, such as a relay. For ease of explanation, FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified shape of the electrical component 2. The housing 11 is a box body used as a case for the electrical junction box 1. The housing 11 may house components other than the electrical component 2, and these other components are not shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] The housing 11 has, for example, a lid 111 that covers the electrical component 2 housed therein. The lid 111 is installed in a direction intersecting the second fitting direction Z. An opening 111A is formed in the lid 111. The opening 111A is a hole through which the relay connector 3 or the external wire-side connector is inserted. FIG. 1 shows a case in which the relay connector 3 is inserted into the opening 111A. The opening 111A is formed to penetrate the lid 111 along the second fitting direction Z.

[0013] The electrical component 2 has an electrical component connector 21. The electrical component connector 21 electrically connects the electrical component 2 to the outside and is mated with the relay connector 3 for connection. The electrical component connector 21 mates with the relay connector 3 along a first mating direction X. For example, the electrical component connector 21 mates with a first mating portion 31 of the relay connector 3, and the connection between the electrical component connector 21 and the first mating portion 31 is made along the first mating direction X. The electrical component connector 21 forms a mating space 211 along the first mating direction X, and the first mating portion 31 of the relay connector 3 is inserted along the mating space 211. The electrical component connector 21 is, for example, a male connector and holds a male terminal (not shown).

[0014] The relay connector 3 is a connector that is installed between the electric component 2 and the external electric wire 4 and relays the connection between the electric component 2 and the external electric wire 4. If the electric component 2 and the external electric wire 4 could be directly connected, the relay connector 3 would be unnecessary. However, as shown in FIG. 1 , if the mating direction of the electric component-side connector 21 of the electric component 2 is the first mating direction X and the opening 111A of the housing 11 is formed to penetrate along the second mating direction Z, it would be difficult to connect the external electric wire 4 to the electric component-side connector 21 through the opening 111A. The relay connector 3 makes it possible to connect the external electric wire 4 to the electric component-side connector 21 in such a case.

[0015] 2, the relay connector 3 is bent and has a first mating portion 31 and a second mating portion 32 that are mated in directions that intersect with each other. For example, the relay connector 3 is L-shaped, with the first mating portion 31 formed at one end and the second mating portion 32 formed at the other end. The first mating portion 31 is formed along the first mating direction X and is provided so as to be matable along the first mating direction X. The second mating portion 32 is formed along the second mating direction Z and is provided so as to be matable along the second mating direction Z.

[0016] The relay connector 3 is configured, for example, by assembling a holder 7, a first terminal 8, and a second terminal 9 to a housing 6. The housing 6 is a curved block or box body. A first fitting portion 31 is formed at one end of the housing 6, and a second fitting portion 32 is formed at the other end.

[0017] The housing 6 defines an accommodating space 61 therein for accommodating the holder 7, the first terminal 8, and the second terminal 9. The accommodating space 61 defines an opening 61A for accommodating the holder 7, the first terminal 8, and the second terminal 9. The opening 61A is a hole that communicates between the inside and outside of the accommodating space 61. The opening 61A is formed, for example, by opening the side surface of the first fitting portion 31.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3 , the holder 7 is a member that holds the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9. In other words, the holder 7 functions as a spacer that fills the space between the inner wall of the accommodation space 61 and the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9. The holder 7 is formed with a locking portion 73. The locking portion 73 engages with a locking portion 64 formed on the housing 6. The locking portion 73 and the locking portion 64 constitute a locking mechanism between the housing 6 and the holder 7. The locking portion 64 is formed, for example, as a protrusion that protrudes from the inner surface of the accommodation space 61. The locking portion 73 is formed, for example, as a recess or a hole that engages with the locking portion 64. When the holder 7 is inserted into the accommodation space 61, the locking portion 73 engages with the locking portion 64, and the holder 7 is held at a predetermined position in the accommodation space 61 so as not to come out. The locking mechanism for the housing 6 and the holder 7 may be provided at a location other than the locking portion 64 and the locked portion 73. For example, another locking mechanism may be provided at a position spaced apart from the locking portion 64 and the locked portion 73 in the first mating direction X.

[0019] The first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 are connected and assembled into a single unit and are mounted on the holder 7. The first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 are made of, for example, a conductive metal. For example, the holder 7 is formed with a groove 71 for accommodating the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9. The first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 are joined with their ends butted together and electrically connected. The first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 are connected by, for example, crimping. Note that the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 may be connected by a method other than crimping.

[0020] The first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 are housed in the groove 71 in a connected state and are assembled to the holder 7. For example, the groove 71 is formed with a protrusion 72 protruding from the inner surface, and the second terminal 9 is formed with a hole 91 at a position corresponding to the protrusion 72. The protrusion 72 is inserted into the hole 91 while the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 are housed in the groove 71, thereby restricting movement of the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 within the groove 71. In other words, the hole 91 and the protrusion 72 function as a positioning mechanism for the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9.

[0021] The first terminal 8 is configured in a straight line and arranged along the first mating direction X. Therefore, the tip portion of the first terminal 8 faces the first mating direction X. The first terminal 8 is a female terminal, and for example, a box-shaped contact portion with an open end face is formed at the tip portion. The first terminal 8 is arranged inside the first mating portion 31 of the housing 6. Therefore, the first mating portion 31 functions as a female connector.

[0022] The second terminal 9 is bent, for example, at a right angle. The tip portion of the second terminal 9 faces the second mating direction Z, and the bent portion of the tip portion of the second terminal 9 is arranged along the first mating direction X and is connected to the first terminal 8. The second terminal 9 is a male terminal, and the tip portion is, for example, tab-shaped, rod-shaped, or plate-shaped. The second terminal 9 is disposed inside the second mating portion 32 of the housing 6. Therefore, the second mating portion 32 functions as a male connector.

[0023] In FIG. 2 , the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 are inserted into the groove 71 of the holder 7 and accommodated in the accommodation space 61 of the housing 6. This allows the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 to be smoothly and easily assembled to the housing 6. The holder 7 is locked in the accommodation space 61 by the engagement of the latching portion 73 with the latching portion 64, preventing the holder 7 from coming off the accommodation space 61. For example, if the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 were to be directly assembled into the housing 6, this assembly would be difficult due to the bent shape of the connected first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9. Specifically, if the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 were to be directly assembled into the housing 6, a holding mechanism or a movement restricting mechanism would be required for each of the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9. Furthermore, a cover member would be required to close the assembly space to prevent foreign matter from entering the area where the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 are assembled, which would complicate the structure and make the assembly process cumbersome. In contrast, by incorporating the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 into the holder 7 and accommodating them in the accommodating space 61 of the housing 6, the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 can be assembled to the housing 6 smoothly and easily.

[0024] The external electric wires 4 are electric wires that are routed outside the housing 11. For example, two external electric wires 4 are provided, and when the electrical component 2 is a relay, they are used as excitation wires. An external electric wire-side connector 5 is attached to the end of the external electric wires 4. The external electric wire-side connector 5 is a connector for connecting the external electric wires 4 to the relay connector 3, and is capable of fitting and connecting with the second fitting portion 32. The external electric wires 4 and the external electric wire-side connector 5 are used, for example, as a wire harness that is routed in a vehicle.

[0025] A connection terminal (not shown) is attached to the end of the external electric wire 4. This terminal is held inside the external electric wire-side connector 5 and is, for example, a female terminal. Therefore, the external electric wire-side connector 5 is a female connector. The external electric wire-side connector 5 is configured to be able to mate with and connect to the second fitting portion 32. For example, the external electric wire-side connector 5 is fitted and connected to the second fitting portion 32 by being inserted into a fitting space (not shown) formed in the second fitting portion 32.

[0026] The external wire-side connector 5 is formed with a locking portion 51. The locking portion 51 engages with a locked portion 63 formed on the housing 6. The locked portion 63 and the locking portion 51 constitute a locking mechanism between the housing 6 and the external wire-side connector 5. The locking portion 51 is formed, for example, as a protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the external wire-side connector 5. The locked portion 63 is formed, for example, as a recess formed in the fitting space of the second fitting portion 32. When the external wire-side connector 5 is inserted into the fitting space of the second fitting portion 32, the locking portion 51 engages with the locked portion 63, and the external wire-side connector 5 and the second fitting portion 32 are fitted and connected. Engagement of the locking portion 51 with the locked portion 63 prevents the external wire-side connector 5 from coming off the second fitting portion 32 and holds it in the second fitting portion 32.

[0027] A locking portion 62 is formed on the first fitting portion 31. The locking portion 62 engages with a locked portion 212 formed on the electric component connector 21. The locked portion 212 and the locking portion 62 constitute a locking mechanism between the housing 6 and the electric component connector 21. The locking portion 62 is formed, for example, as a protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the first fitting portion 31. The locked portion 212 is formed, for example, as a recess formed in the fitting space 211 of the electric component connector 21. When the first fitting portion 31 is inserted into the fitting space 211 of the electric component connector 21, the locking portion 62 engages with the locked portion 212, and the electric component connector 21 and the first fitting portion 31 are fitted and connected. Engagement of the locking portion 62 with the locked portion 212 prevents the first fitting portion 31 from coming off the electric component connector 21 and keeps the first fitting portion 31 in place.

[0028] Next, assembly of the electrical junction box 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, an electric junction box 1 is used by attaching a relay connector 3 to an electric component 2 housed in a housing 11 and connecting an external electric wire 4 to the relay connector 3.

[0030] First, as shown in FIG. 4 , the relay connector 3 is connected to the electric component-side connector 21 of the electric component 2. The electric component 2 is installed with the electric component-side connector 21 facing the first fitting direction X. The relay connector 3 is positioned with the first fitting portion 31 facing the first fitting direction X and the second fitting portion 32 facing the second fitting direction Z. The relay connector 3 is then moved along the first fitting direction X toward the electric component-side connector 21. The first fitting portion 31 is inserted into the electric component-side connector 21. The locking portion 62 of the first fitting portion 31 engages with the locked portion 212 of the electric component-side connector 21, the electric component-side connector 21 and the first fitting portion 31 are mated, and the relay connector 3 is connected to the electric component-side connector 21. This connection of the relay connector 3 to the electric component-side connector 21 may be performed before or after the electric component 2 is installed in the housing 11.

[0031] 5, the external wire-side connector 5 is connected to the second fitting portion 32 of the relay connector 3. The second fitting portion 32 of the relay connector 3 faces the second fitting direction Z when the first fitting portion 31 is connected to the electric component-side connector 21. This makes it easier to connect the external wire-side connector 5 inserted from outside the housing 11.

[0032] The external electric wire-side connector 5 is arranged to abut against the second fitting portion 32. Then, the external electric wire-side connector 5 is moved along the second fitting direction Z and inserted into the second fitting portion 32. The locking portion 51 of the external electric wire-side connector 5 engages with the locked portion 63 of the second fitting portion 32, the external electric wire-side connector 5 and the second fitting portion 32 are fitted together, and the external electric wire-side connector 5 is connected to the relay connector 3. This connection of the external electric wire-side connector 5 to the relay connector 3 is performed after the electric component 2 is installed in the housing 11. By connecting the external electric wire-side connector 5 to the relay connector 3, the external electric wire 4 is electrically connected to the electric component 2 via the relay connector 3.

[0033] In this manner, the electrical junction box 1 electrically connects the external electric wire 4 to the electrical component 2 via the relay connector 3, thereby enabling the electrical component 2 and the external electric wire 4 to be connected with a reduced number of components. Specifically, the electrical contact points in the connection between the electrical component 2 and the external electric wire 4 are reduced to three points: between the electrical component connector 21 and the first terminal 8, between the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9, and between the second terminal 9 and the external electric wire connector 5. For example, if a relay electric wire with connection terminals attached to both ends is used instead of the relay connector 3, the electrical contact points in the connection between the electrical component 2 and the external electric wire 4 would be reduced to four points: between the electrical component connector 21 and one connection terminal, between the one connection terminal and the relay electric wire, between the relay electric wire and the other connection terminal, and between the other connection terminal and the external electric wire connector 5, resulting in a larger number of contact points. In contrast, the electrical junction box 1 according to this embodiment includes the relay connector 3, thereby reducing the number of components required to connect the electrical component 2 and the external electric wire 4 and reducing the number of electrical contact points, thereby reducing electrical resistance and stabilizing the electrical connection.

[0034] Furthermore, by including the relay connector 3, the electrical junction box 1 can connect the electrical component 2 and the external wire 4 even when the mating directions of the electrical component-side connector 21 and the external wire-side connector 5 are different. That is, the relay connector 3 is oriented in a direction where the mating directions of the first mating portion 31 and the second mating portion 32 intersect. Therefore, the electrical junction box 1 can be connected to the electrical component-side connector 21 and the external wire-side connector 5, which have different mating directions.

[0035] As described above, the electrical junction box 1 according to this embodiment includes the relay connector 3, thereby reducing the number of components required to connect the electrical component 2 and the external electric wire 4. Furthermore, the electrical junction box 1 according to this embodiment includes the relay connector 3, thereby enabling the electrical component 2 and the external electric wire 4 to be connected even when the fitting directions of the electrical component-side connector 21 and the external electric wire-side connector 5 are different.

[0036] Furthermore, in the relay connector 3 according to this embodiment, the first fitting portion 31 and the second fitting portion 32 are provided in intersecting directions, so that the electrical component 2 and the external electric wire 4 can be connected with each other by making the connecting direction of the electrical component 2 different from the connecting direction of the external electric wire 4. Furthermore, the relay connector 3 according to this embodiment can reduce the number of parts required to connect the electrical component 2 and the external electric wire 4.

[0037] Furthermore, in the electrical connection box 1 and relay connector 3 of this embodiment, the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 are held by the holder 7 and accommodated in the housing 6, so that the first terminal 8 and the second terminal 9 can be smoothly and easily assembled to the housing 6.

[0038] Although the electrical junction box and relay connector according to the present embodiment have been described, the electrical junction box and relay connector according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The electrical junction box and relay connector according to the present embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the respective embodiments and modified examples described above.

[0039] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the electrical junction box 1 and the relay connector 3 are described as being mounted on a vehicle, but they may also be used in devices other than vehicles, etc. Even in such a case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1: Electrical junction box 2: Electrical parts 3: Relay connector 4: External wire 5: External wire connector 6: Housing 7: Holder 8:First terminal 9:Second terminal 11: Housing 21: Electrical component side connector 31: First fitting part 32: Second fitting part 61: Containment Space X: First mating direction Z: Second mating direction

Claims

1. an electrical component housed in a housing and having an electrical component-side connector; a relay connector having a first fitting portion that fits with the electrical component side connector and a second fitting portion that fits with an external electric wire side connector attached to an external electric wire routed outside the housing, the first fitting portion has a first terminal electrically connected to the electrical component, the second fitting portion is connectable with the external wire-side connector in a direction intersecting a fitting direction of the first fitting portion, and has a second terminal electrically connected to the external wire; the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other in the relay connector; Electrical junction box.

2. the relay connector includes a housing that defines the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion, and a holder that is accommodated in an accommodating space formed in the housing, the holder holds the first terminal and the second terminal, and is accommodated in the accommodating space, thereby enabling the first terminal and the second terminal to be assembled to the housing; 2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1.

3. a first fitting portion provided in a first fitting direction; a second fitting portion provided in a second fitting direction that intersects with the first fitting direction, the first fitting portion has a first terminal electrically connected to an electrical component, the second fitting portion has a second terminal electrically connected to an external electric wire, The first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected. Relay connector.

4. a housing that forms the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion; a holder accommodated in an accommodation space formed in the housing, the holder holds the first terminal and the second terminal, and is accommodated in the accommodating space, thereby enabling the first terminal and the second terminal to be assembled to the housing; The relay connector according to claim 3.

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