Additional unit

Abstract

To provide a branch circuit unit with excellent versatility capable of coping with increase / decrease of the number of branches with excellent space efficiency and handleability.SOLUTION: The branch circuit unit 10 comprises a basic unit 20 including a basic branch circuit 16 and a basic case 18, and at least one additional unit 30a, 30b including an additional branch circuit 26 and an additional case 28, the additional case 28 is coupled to the basic case 18, the basic branch circuit 16 has a basic-side branch connecting part 46, the basic-side branch connecting part 46 is connected to the additional branch circuit 26, and the additional branch circuit 26 has an additional-side branch connecting part 124; When a plurality of additional units 30a, 30b are used, the additional side branch connector 124 of one additional unit 30a is connected to the additional branch circuit 26 of another additional unit 30b, and the additional case 28 of the one additional unit 30a and the additional case 28 of the other additional unit 30b are linked.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to branch circuit units. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, automobiles have been equipped with branch circuit units that branch power from a power source such as a battery pack mounted on the vehicle to multiple onboard accessories. Because the number of branches to the accessories varies depending on the vehicle model and grade, a dedicated branch circuit unit had to be designed for each vehicle model and grade. Patent Document 1 proposes a structure in which an electrical junction box is configured to be shared between low-grade and high-grade vehicles, a relay mounting section for the high-grade vehicle is provided in a portion of the case, and an additional relay is mounted when the high-grade vehicle is used. Patent Document 2 further proposes a structure in which a main junction box is shared between low-grade and high-grade vehicles and a separate relay block used only in the high-grade vehicle is provided, and the separate relay block can be mounted in an empty space away from the main junction box. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-185062 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-140028 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the structure of Patent Document 1 leaves unused areas (relay mounting areas) in low-grade vehicles, posing a problem in terms of miniaturization and space saving. Also, the structure of Patent Document 2 has the main junction box and relay block as separate parts, which creates the inherent problem of poor handling.

[0005] Therefore, a highly versatile branch circuit unit is disclosed that can accommodate an increase or decrease in the number of branches while providing excellent space efficiency and ease of handling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The branch circuit unit of the present disclosure comprises a basic unit including a basic branch circuit having a basic side input section and a basic side output section, and a basic case that holds the basic branch circuit, and at least one additional unit including an additional branch circuit having an additional side input section and an additional side output section, and an additional case that holds the additional branch circuit, wherein the basic case has a first connected section to which a connecting section provided on the additional case can be connected, and the basic case and the additional case are connected by connecting the connecting section to the first connected section, and the additional case has the connecting section and a second connected section to which the connecting section can be connected, and the basic branch circuit has a basic-side branch connection part connected to an input part of the additional branch circuit, the basic-side branch connection part being connected to the additional-side input part of the additional branch circuit, the additional branch circuit having an additional-side branch connection part connected to the additional-side input part, and when a plurality of the additional units are used, the additional-side branch connection part of one of the additional units connected to the basic unit side is connected to the additional-side input part of another of the additional units, and the additional case of the one additional unit is connected to the additional case of the other additional unit by connecting the connecting part of the other additional unit to the second connected part of the one additional unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a highly versatile branch circuit unit that can accommodate an increase or decrease in the number of branches with excellent space efficiency and ease of handling. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a specific example of a branch circuit unit according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which a basic unit and two additional units are held in a temporarily fixed state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the branch circuit unit shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a basic unit that constitutes the branch circuit unit shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the basic unit shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an additional unit that constitutes the branch circuit unit shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the additional unit shown in FIG. 7 from the rear side. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the additional unit shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another specific example of the branch circuit unit according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which the basic unit and one additional unit are held in a temporarily fixed state. [Figure 11] 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the basic unit and two additional units are held in a fully fixed state in the branch circuit unit shown in FIG. 1, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the basic unit and two additional units are held in a fully fixed state in the branch circuit unit shown in FIG. 1, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a branch circuit unit according to another embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The branch circuit unit of the present disclosure comprises: a basic unit including a basic branch circuit having a basic side input section and a basic side output section, and a basic case holding the basic branch circuit; and at least one additional unit including an additional branch circuit having an additional side input section and an additional side output section, and an additional case holding the additional branch circuit, wherein the basic case has a first connected section to which a connecting section provided on the additional case can be connected, and the basic case and the additional case are connected by connecting the connecting section to the first connected section, and the additional case has the connecting section and a second connected section to which the connecting section can be connected, and the basic branch circuit is connected to the basic side input section. a basic-side branch connection part connected to the additional-side input part of the additional branch circuit, the additional branch circuit having an additional-side branch connection part connected to the additional-side input part, and when a plurality of the additional units are used, the additional-side branch connection part of one of the additional units connected to the basic unit side is connected to the additional-side input part of another of the additional units, and the additional case of the one additional unit is connected to the additional case of the other additional unit by connecting the connecting part of the other additional unit to the second connected part of the one additional unit.

[0010] The branch circuit unit disclosed herein includes a basic unit and at least one additional unit, and by adding additional units to the basic unit and adjusting the number of additional units added, it is possible to construct an appropriate branch circuit unit according to the number of branches, which differs for each vehicle model and grade. Furthermore, because the basic unit and additional unit are configured separately, each having a separate branch circuit and case, it is possible to construct a branch circuit unit according to the number of branches in a space-efficient manner by simply adding or removing additional units according to the required number of branches, thereby eliminating the problem of unused space occurring as in the structure of Patent Document 1.

[0011] Furthermore, the basic unit and the additional units can be interconnected by connecting the connecting portion provided on the additional case to the first connected portion provided on the basic case. Therefore, compared to the structure of Patent Document 2, handling during transportation and assembly can be significantly improved. In addition, when multiple additional units are used, the additional units can be interconnected by connecting the connecting portion provided on the additional case of one additional unit to the second connected portion of the additional case of the other additional unit that is already connected to the basic case. Therefore, an increase in the number of branches can be easily accommodated by simply adding additional units with the same structure, and excellent handling can also be enjoyed because the basic unit and multiple additional units can be interconnected and handled as a single unit.

[0012] The number of branches in the basic branching circuit and the additional branching circuit can be selected arbitrarily. For example, the number of branches in the basic branching circuit may be one or more, and the number of branches in the additional branching circuit may be one or more.

[0013] It is preferable that the basic side branch connection portion is arranged so as to be connectable to the additional side input portion of the additional branch circuit by connecting the connecting portion and the first connected portion, and when multiple additional units are added, the additional side branch connection portion of one of the additional units is arranged so as to be connectable to the additional side input portion of the other additional unit by connecting the connecting portion of the other additional unit to the second connected portion of the one of the additional units.

[0014] By connecting the connecting portion and the first connectable portion, the base-side branch connection portion and the additional-side input portion are arranged to be connectable. Therefore, once the base case and the additional cases are connected, the connection work between the base-side branch connection portion and the additional-side input portion can be smoothly performed using bolts or the like. Therefore, in addition to improved handleability of the base case and the additional cases, improved assembly workability can also be achieved. Furthermore, even when multiple additional units are added, by connecting the connecting portion of one additional unit to the second connectable portion of the other additional unit, the additional-side branch connection portion of one additional unit and the additional-side input portion of the other additional unit are arranged to be connectable. Therefore, once the additional cases are connected, the connection work between the additional-side branch connection portion and the additional-side input portion can be smoothly performed using bolts or the like. Therefore, in addition to improved handleability of the base case and multiple additional cases, improved assembly workability of the multiple additional cases can also be achieved.

[0015] Preferably, the connecting portion includes a convex portion protruding outward from the surface of the additional case, and the first and second connected portions include recesses that open into the surfaces of the base case and the additional case, respectively, and can accommodate the convex portion. Because the connecting portion includes a convex portion and the first and second connected portions include recesses that can accommodate the connecting portion, the overall shape of the combined body of the base case and additional case connected by connecting the connecting portion and the first and second connected portions can be configured compactly. Furthermore, when the basic unit is used alone, the first connected portion is a recess that opens into the surface of the base case, so it is possible to prevent the connecting portion from protruding outward from the base case and becoming an obstacle. Similarly, even when the basic unit and the additional case are used in combination, the convex portion of the connecting portion is accommodated in a recess that opens into the surface of the base case, so it is possible to prevent the connecting portion from protruding outward.

[0016] It is preferable that the convex portion includes a first convex portion and a second convex portion, the concave portion includes a first concave portion and a second concave portion, the first convex portion provided on the additional case is accommodated in the first concave portion provided on the basic case or the additional case, and the first convex portion and the first concave portion engage with each other, thereby holding the basic case and the additional case or the additional cases together in a temporary fixed state, and the second convex portion provided on the additional case and the second concave portion provided on the basic case or the additional case are bolted to each other, thereby holding the basic case and the additional case or the additional cases together in a permanent fixed state.

[0017] The first convex portion and the first recessed portion engage with each other, thereby maintaining a temporary fixed state between the basic case and the additional case, or between the additional cases. In other words, a simple temporary fixed state between the connecting portion and the first / second connected portion can be provided even before the actual fastening is performed using bolts and nuts when mounting the vehicle. Therefore, the simple temporary fastening allows the basic unit to be connected to the additional unit, or between the additional units, during transportation, for example, thereby further improving handling. The first convex portion and the first recessed portion may have any structure that allows them to engage with each other. For example, the first convex portion may be configured as an elastic locking piece, and the first recessed portion may be configured as a recessed portion having a locking convex portion with which the elastic locking piece engages, thereby locking the first convex portion and the first recessed portion together. Furthermore, the first convex portion may be configured as a press-fit protrusion, and the second recessed portion may be configured as a press-fit hole, thereby press-fitting the first convex portion and the first recessed portion together.

[0018] In addition, the second convex portion and the second concave portion are fastened together with a bolt, thereby maintaining the basic case and the additional case or the additional cases in a fully fixed state. Therefore, when mounted on a vehicle, this fully fixed state can more stably maintain the connection between the basic unit and the additional unit or the additional units.

[0019] Preferably, the basic branch circuit has a bus bar, the basic-side input section is provided at one end of the bus bar, the basic-side branch connection section is provided at the other end of the bus bar, and an input terminal of a fuse is connected to the one end. The basic-side input section and the basic-side branch connection section can be provided using a single bus bar, and the input terminal of a fuse is connected to the one end of the bus bar (the side where the basic-side input section is provided). This advantageously reduces the number of parts and the size of the basic branch circuit and basic unit.

[0020] Preferably, the basic branch circuit includes a fuse connected to the basic side input section, and the basic side output section is configured by an output terminal of the fuse. Since the basic side output section of the basic branch circuit is configured by the output terminal of the fuse, it is possible to advantageously reduce the number of parts of the basic branch circuit and the basic unit and to make them smaller.

[0021] Preferably, the additional branch circuit has a bus bar, the additional input section is provided at one end of the bus bar, the additional branch connection section is provided at the other end of the bus bar, and an input terminal of a fuse is connected to the one end. The additional input section and the additional branch connection section can be provided using a single bus bar, and the input terminal of the fuse is connected to the one end of the bus bar (the side where the additional input section is provided). This advantageously reduces the number of parts and size of the additional branch circuit and additional unit.

[0022] Preferably, the additional branch circuit includes a fuse connected to the additional input section, and the additional output section is configured by an output terminal of the fuse. Since the additional output section of the additional branch circuit is configured by the output terminal of the fuse, it is possible to advantageously reduce the number of parts of the additional branch circuit and the additional unit and to make them smaller.

[0023] It is preferable that the connecting portion and the first connected portion or the second connected portion abut via an elastic member. This is because the connecting portion and the first connected portion or the second connected portion abut via the elastic member, which advantageously absorbs tolerances that can become a problem during connection. The elastic member may be an elastic pad or the like provided separately from the connecting portion or the first / second connected portion, or a pressure-contact rib or the like provided integrally with the connecting portion or the first / second connected portion.

[0024] <Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure> Specific examples of the branch circuit unit of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0025] <Embodiment 1> A branch circuit unit 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12 . The branch circuit unit 10 is installed in an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle and includes circuits that branch from a battery pack (not shown) that serves as a power source to various conventionally known auxiliary devices (not shown), such as an electric powering system, an electric parking brake, lighting, a wiper drive unit, a navigation system, and an air conditioner. The branch circuit unit 10 can be positioned in any orientation. However, in the following description, the upper side will be referred to as the upper side in FIG. 3 , the lower side as the lower side in FIG. 3 , the front side as the lower side in FIG. 2 , the rear side as the upper side in FIG. 2 , the left side as the left side in FIG. 2 , and the right side as the right side in FIG. 2 . In addition, when multiple identical components are shown, only some of the components will be designated by reference numerals, and the reference numerals for the other components will be omitted.

[0026] <Branch circuit unit 10> The branch circuit unit 10 of the first embodiment includes a basic unit 20 including a basic branch circuit 16 having a basic side input section 12 and a basic side output section 14, and a basic case 18 that holds the basic branch circuit 16. The branch circuit unit 10 also includes an add-on unit 30 including an add-on branch circuit 26 having an add-on side input section 22 and an add-on side output section 24, and an add-on case 28 that holds the add-on branch circuit 26. The branch circuit unit 10 includes one basic unit 20 and at least one add-on unit 30. In FIGS. 1 to 4, the branch circuit unit 10 includes one basic unit 20 and two add-on units 30 (a first add-on unit 30a and a second add-on unit 30b). That is, the first add-on unit 30a is connected to the basic unit 20, and the second add-on unit 30b is connected to the first add-on unit 30a. In addition, Figures 1 to 4 show a state in which the basic unit 20 (basic case 18) and the first additional unit 30a (additional case 28), and the first additional unit 30a (additional case 28) and the second additional unit 30b (additional case 28) are each held in a temporarily fixed state.

[0027] <Basic branch circuit 16> 5 and 6 , the basic branch circuit 16 is configured to include a basic bus bar 32 as a bus bar and a fuse 34. The basic bus bar 32 is connected to the fuse 34, and in the first embodiment, a first fuse 34a and a second fuse 34b are used as the fuses 34 connected to the basic bus bar 32. In particular, in the first embodiment, the first fuse 34a is larger than the second fuse 34b, but when multiple fuses are connected to the basic bus bar, fuses of different sizes or fuses of the same size may be used.

[0028] The basic busbar 32 has a generally rectangular plate shape extending in the front-to-rear direction overall and is made of a metal with excellent conductivity. One longitudinal end (rear end) of the basic busbar 32 has a portion with an increased width dimension (left-to-right dimension), and the right end of this rear end constitutes the basic-side input section 12. The basic-side input section 12 has a bolt insertion hole 36 that penetrates the basic busbar 32 in the plate thickness direction (up-down direction). For example, a terminal (not shown) provided at the end of an electric wire extending from a battery pack is overlapped with the basic-side input section 12 and fixed with a bolt 38 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 1 and 2 ), thereby establishing electrical continuity between the battery pack and the basic busbar 32.

[0029] A first connection portion 39 is formed at the left end of the rear end of the basic busbar 32. This first connection portion 39 and an input terminal 40 of a first fuse 34a are overlapped and secured by a bolt 42. The first fuse 34a is arranged to extend in the left-right direction, and an output terminal provided on the opposite side (left side) of the first fuse 34a from the input terminal 40 constitutes the first basic side output portion 14a of the basic side output portion 14. A bolt insertion hole 44 penetrating the first basic side output portion 14a in the thickness direction (up-down direction) is formed in the first basic side output portion 14a. For example, a terminal (not shown) provided at the end of an electric wire extending from the auxiliary side is overlapped on the first basic side output portion 14a and secured by a bolt 38, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the auxiliary and the first fuse 34a. That is, a power path from the basic side input portion 12 to the first basic side output portion 14a in the basic branch circuit 16 is configured, including the first connection portion 39 and the first fuse 34a.

[0030] The other longitudinal end (front end) of the basic bus bar 32 forms a power path branching off from the power path extending from the basic side input section 12 to the first basic side output section 14a, and a basic side branch connection section 46 is formed at the other longitudinal end (front end) of the basic bus bar 32. The basic side branch connection section 46 includes a second connection section 48 extending to the left and a third connection section 50 extending forward.

[0031] An input terminal 52 of the second fuse 34b is overlapped with the second connection portion 48 and secured by a bolt 54. The second fuse 34b is disposed to extend in the left-right direction, and the second basic side output portion 14b of the basic side output portion 14 is configured by an output terminal provided on the opposite side (left side) of the second fuse 34b from the input terminal 52. A bolt insertion hole 56 penetrating the second basic side output portion 14b in the thickness direction (up-down direction) is formed in the second basic side output portion 14b. For example, a terminal (not shown) provided at the end of an electric wire extending from an accessory other than the accessory electrically connected to the first fuse 34a is overlapped with the second basic side output portion 14b and secured by a bolt 38, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the other accessory and the second fuse 34b. In other words, a power path from the basic side input portion 12 to the second basic side output portion 14b in the basic branch circuit 16 is configured, including the second connection portion 48 and the second fuse 34b.

[0032] A bolt insertion hole 58 penetrating in the thickness direction (vertical direction) is formed in the third connection part 50. The third connection part 50 in the base side branch connection part 46 is adapted to be connected to the additional side input part 22 in the additional branch circuit 26, as will be described later.

[0033] <Basic Case 18> The basic branch circuit 16 is held on a basic case 18, and in the first embodiment, the basic case 18 is composed of an upper basic case 60 and a lower basic case 62 that can be assembled in the vertical direction. The basic case 18 (upper basic case 60 and lower basic case 62) is formed from, for example, an insulating synthetic resin.

[0034] The upper-side basic case 60 has a generally box-like shape that opens downward and is generally rectangular in plan view. Specifically, the upper-side basic case 60 includes a generally rectangular upper bottom wall 64 and a peripheral wall 66 that protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the upper bottom wall 64. The upper surface of the upper bottom wall 64 is provided with a busbar accommodating section 68 that can accommodate the basic bus bar 32 and a fuse accommodating section 70 that can accommodate the first and second fuses 34a, 34b. The upper bottom wall 64 also includes a vertical wall 72 that extends vertically along the path from the basic side input section 12 to the basic side output section 14 (the first and second basic side output sections 14a, 14b) and the basic side branch connection section 46 (the third connection section 50). In particular, the vertical wall 72a that constitutes the fuse accommodating section 70 has a larger vertical dimension than the other vertical wall sections 72 and protrudes further upward.

[0035] Furthermore, through-windows 74 that penetrate in the vertical direction are formed in the upper bottom wall portion 64 at positions corresponding to the bolt insertion holes (e.g., bolt insertion holes 36, 44, 56, 58) provided in the basic bus bar 32 and the first and second fuses 34a, 34b. As a result, when the upper basic case 60 and the lower basic case 62 are assembled, nuts 116 (described later) provided on the lower basic case 62 are exposed on the top surface of the basic case 18 through the through-windows 74.

[0036] Furthermore, a leg 76 protruding rearward is provided on the rear wall constituting the peripheral wall 66. In the first embodiment, a pair of legs 76, 76 are provided spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, and each leg 76 is provided with a bolt insertion hole 78 that passes through in the up-down direction.

[0037] As will be described later, the additional case 28 can be connected to the front of the basic case 18, and a first connected portion 80 is provided on the front wall constituting the peripheral wall 66, to which a connecting portion 138 provided on the additional case 28 can be connected. In the first embodiment, the connecting portion 138 is configured to include a convex portion 140 that protrudes outward from the surface of the additional case 28, and the first connected portion 80 includes a concave portion 82 that opens on the surface of the basic case 18 and can accommodate the convex portion 140. In particular, in the first embodiment, the convex portion 140 includes a first convex portion 142 and a second convex portion 144, and the concave portion 82 includes a first concave portion 84 that can accommodate the first convex portion 142 and a second concave portion 86 that can accommodate the second convex portion 144. These first and second concave portions 84, 86 are formed so as to be recessed rearward from the front wall constituting the peripheral wall 66, and the first and second concave portions 84, 86 each open forward.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 , the first recess 84 is provided in a lower portion of the front wall constituting the peripheral wall 66, in a central portion in the left-right direction. In the first embodiment, two first recesses 84, 84 are provided spaced apart in the left-right direction. Each first recess 84 has a substantially rectangular cross section and extends in the front-rear direction with a predetermined length. That is, an upper wall 88, a lower wall 90, and left and right side walls 92, 92 constituting each first recess 84 are integrally formed with the peripheral wall 66, and the area surrounded by these walls 88, 90, 92, 92 forms the first recess 84. In other words, each wall 88, 90, 92, 92 has a portion extending in the front-rear direction. Spaces (or gaps) are provided above and on both the left and right sides of the upper wall 88, allowing the upper wall 88 to elastically deform in the up-down direction.

[0039] 3 and 4, an engagement claw 94 protruding downward is provided in a central portion of the upper wall 88 in the front-rear direction. A substantially rectangular through-hole 96 penetrating in the up-down direction is formed in a rear portion of the lower wall 90. Furthermore, the lower wall 90 is provided with a protrusion 98 protruding upward and extending in the front-rear direction. In the first embodiment, two protrusions 98 are provided spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Each protrusion 98 has a substantially semicircular cross-sectional shape, and when a first protrusion 142 is inserted into a first recess 84, as described below, the first protrusion 142 can be smoothly displaced on each protrusion 98.

[0040] 4 to 6, in the first embodiment, two second recesses 86, 86 are provided at both left and right end portions of the front wall constituting the peripheral wall 66. Each of these second recesses 86 has a substantially semicircular cross-sectional shape in plan view, carved out from front to rear, and has a predetermined longitudinal dimension. Left and right side walls 100 and a bottom wall 102 constituting each second recess 86 are integrally formed with the peripheral wall 66, and each second recess 86 is open forward and upward. A bolt insertion hole 104 penetrating vertically is formed in the approximate center of each bottom wall 102.

[0041] In the first embodiment, a rubber bushing 106 serving as an elastic member made of an elastic material such as rubber is provided on the bottom wall 102 of each second recess 86. The rubber bushing 106 is an annular member having a predetermined vertical dimension, and has a bolt insertion hole 108 formed in the center thereof, penetrating in the vertical direction. Each rubber bushing 106 is placed on the bottom wall 102 of each second recess 86 and is fixed to the bottom wall 102 as necessary, with the bolt insertion holes 104, 108 communicating with each other in the vertical direction. In the provisionally fixed state shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, each rubber bushing 106 is slightly spaced from or in zero contact with a second protrusion 144 (described later) of the additional unit 30, is not compressed in the vertical direction, and has a predetermined vertical dimension A (see FIG. 4).

[0042] In addition, at the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 66, at a position circumferentially away from each leg portion 76 and the first connected portion 80 (each first recess 84 and each second recess 86), a locking portion 110 is provided which engages with a locked portion 118 (described later) provided on the lower side basic case 62.

[0043] The lower basic case 62 is generally plate-shaped overall and is shaped to fit into the lower opening of the upper basic case 60. That is, the lower basic case 62 has a base portion 112 that is generally rectangular in plan view. A plurality of nut support portions 114 that protrude upward are provided at predetermined positions on the base portion 112, and a nut 116 is provided at the upper end of each nut support portion 114. Furthermore, on the outer circumferential surface of the base portion 112, at positions corresponding to the locking portions 110 on the upper basic case 60, locked portions 118 that engage with the locking portions 110 are provided.

[0044] <Basic Unit 20> The upper basic case 60 and the lower basic case 62 are assembled together in the vertical direction to form the basic case 18. When the upper basic case 60 and the lower basic case 62 are assembled together, the nut support portions 114 are inserted into the through-holes 74 formed in the upper bottom wall portion 64, and the nuts 116 are exposed on the top surface of the basic case 18. The basic bus bar 32 and the first and second fuses 34a, 34b are placed in the bus bar accommodating portion 68 and the fuse accommodating portion 70 of the upper basic case 60, and the bolts 42, 54 are fastened to the nuts 116, thereby holding the basic branch circuit 16 in the basic case 18 and forming the basic unit 20.

[0045] The following describes the additional units 30 that are assembled to the basic unit 20. In Figures 1 to 4, a first additional unit 30a and a second additional unit 30b are used as the additional units 30, but when multiple additional units 30 are used, each additional unit 30 has the same shape, so one additional unit 30 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9.

[0046] <Additional branch circuit 26> 7 to 9, the additional branch circuit 26 is configured to include an additional bus bar 120 as a bus bar and a fuse 34. The fuse 34 connected to the additional bus bar 120 is not limited, but in the first embodiment, the fuse 34 is the same as the second fuse 34b connected to the basic bus bar 32, and in the following description, for convenience, the fuse 34 connected to the additional bus bar 120 will be described as the second fuse 34b.

[0047] The additional bus bar 120 has a generally rectangular plate shape extending in the front-to-rear direction overall, and is made of a metal with excellent conductivity, similar to the basic bus bar 32. An additional-side input section 22 is configured at one end (rear end) in the length direction of the additional bus bar 120, and a bolt insertion hole 122 is formed in the additional-side input section 22, penetrating the additional bus bar 120 in the plate thickness direction (up-down direction). Furthermore, an additional-side branch connection section 124 is configured at the other end (front end) in the length direction of the additional bus bar 120, and a bolt insertion hole 126 is formed in the additional-side branch connection section 124, penetrating the additional bus bar 120 in the plate thickness direction (up-down direction).

[0048] In addition, the rear portion (additional-side input portion 22) of the additional bus bar 120 is located higher than the front portion (additional-side branch connection portion 124). As a result, as will be described later, when, for example, the additional unit 30 is connected to the basic unit 20, the additional-side input portion 22 is overlapped from above with the third connection portion 50 of the basic-side branch connection portion 46, and the respective bolt insertion holes 58, 122 communicate with each other, allowing them to be fixed with the bolt 38. Therefore, by fixing the additional-side input portion 22 and the third connection portion 50 of the basic-side branch connection portion 46 with the bolt 38, the additional-side input portion 22 and the third connection portion 50 of the basic-side branch connection portion 46 can be connected.

[0049] Furthermore, when one additional unit 30 (for example, the second additional unit 30b) is connected to another additional unit 30 (for example, the first additional unit 30a), the additional-side input portion 22 of the one additional unit 30 is placed over the additional-side branch connection portion 124 of the other additional unit 30 from above, and the respective bolt insertion holes 122, 126 communicate with each other so that they can be fixed with the bolt 38. Therefore, by fixing the additional-side input portion 22 and the additional-side branch connection portion 124 with the bolt 38, the additional-side input portion 22 and the additional-side branch connection portion 124 can be connected.

[0050] The connection portion between the additional side input portion 22 and the third connection portion 50 in the basic side branch connection portion 46, and / or the connection portion between the additional side input portion 22 and the additional side branch connection portion 124 may be simply fixed with a bolt 38, but the battery pack may also be made conductive to each connection portion by, for example, overlapping a terminal (not shown) provided at the end of an electric wire extending from the battery pack with the additional side input portion 22 and fixing it with a bolt 38.

[0051] Furthermore, an additional connection portion 128 that protrudes to the left is provided on the additional bus bar 120 between the additional-side input portion 22 and the additional-side branch connection portion 124 in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., on one end (rear end) side of the additional bus bar 120 in the longitudinal direction relative to the additional-side branch connection portion 124. This additional connection portion 128 and the input terminal 52 of the second fuse 34b are overlapped and fixed by a bolt 54. The second fuse 34b is disposed to extend in the left-to-right direction, and the additional-side output portion 24 is configured by an output terminal provided on the second fuse 34b on the opposite side (left side) from the input terminal 52. The additional side output section 24 has a bolt insertion hole 130 formed therethrough in the thickness direction (vertical direction), and by overlapping a terminal (not shown) provided at the end of an electric wire extending from an accessory other than the accessory that is electrically connected to the basic branch circuit 16 (first and second fuses 34a, 34b) with the additional side output section 24 and fixing it with a bolt 38, electrical continuity is established between the other accessory and the second fuse 34b in the additional branch circuit 26.

[0052] <Additional Case 28> The additional branch circuit 26 is held on an additional case 28, which in the first embodiment is composed of an upper additional case 132 and a lower additional case 134 that can be assembled in the vertical direction. The additional case 28 (upper additional case 132 and lower additional case 134) is formed, for example, from an insulating synthetic resin. The structures of the upper additional case 132 and the lower additional case 134 in the additional case 28 are basically the same as the structures of the upper basic case 60 and the lower basic case 62 in the basic case 18, respectively. Therefore, in the upper additional case 132 and the lower additional case 134, structures and parts that are substantially the same as those of the upper basic case 60 and the lower basic case 62 are denoted in the drawings with the same reference numerals as those of the upper basic case 60 and the lower basic case 62.

[0053] The upper additional case 132 has a substantially rectangular upper bottom wall 64 and a peripheral wall 66 that protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the upper bottom wall 64. A busbar accommodating portion 68 capable of accommodating the additional bus bar 120 and a fuse accommodating portion 70 capable of accommodating the second fuse 34b are provided on the upper surface of the upper bottom wall 64. The upper bottom wall 64 also has a vertical wall 72 (the portion that constitutes the fuse accommodating portion 70 is the vertical wall 72a) that extends in the vertical direction along the path from the additional side input portion 22 to the additional side output portion 24. Furthermore, a through window 74 that penetrates the upper bottom wall 64 in the vertical direction is provided at a predetermined position.

[0054] Furthermore, a second connected portion 136, which can be connected to a connecting portion 138 (described later) provided on the additional case 28, is provided on the front wall that constitutes the peripheral wall 66 and opens onto the surface of the additional case 28. This second connected portion 136 has a similar structure to the first connected portion 80 provided on the basic case 18. That is, the second connected portion 136 is configured to include a recess 82, which includes a first recess 84 and a second recess 86. In the first embodiment, two first recesses 84, 84 are provided spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction in the middle part of the front wall that constitutes the peripheral wall 66 of the upper additional case 132, and second recesses 86, 86 are provided at both left-right end parts.

[0055] When a plurality of additional units 30 are provided, in the forward-most additional unit 30 (the second additional unit 30b in the branch circuit unit 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4), rubber bushings 106 are not placed on the bottom walls 102 of the second recesses 86. In addition, in the additional unit 30 (the first additional unit 30a in the branch circuit unit 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4) between the basic unit 20 and the forward-most additional unit 30, rubber bushings 106 are placed on the bottom walls 102 of the second recesses 86.

[0056] 8, in the upper additional case 132, a connecting portion 138 that can be connected to the base case 18 or another additional case 28 is provided on the rear wall that constitutes the peripheral wall 66. The connecting portion 138 is configured to include a protrusion 140 that protrudes outward from the surface of the additional case 28, and in the first embodiment, the protrusion 140 is configured to include a first protrusion 142 and a second protrusion 144. The first protrusion 142 and the second protrusion 144 are each formed to protrude rearward from the rear wall that constitutes the peripheral wall 66.

[0057] The first protrusion 142 is provided in a left-right intermediate portion of a lower portion of a rear wall constituting the peripheral wall 66. In the first embodiment, two first protrusions 142 are provided spaced apart in the left-right direction. Each first protrusion 142 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and extends in the front-rear direction with a predetermined length. That is, the peripheral wall 66 integrally forms an upper wall 146, a rear wall 148, and left and right side walls 150, 150 constituting each first protrusion 142, and each first protrusion 142 opens downward. In other words, each wall 146, 148, 150, 150 has a portion extending in the front-rear direction, and the rear wall 148 and left and right side walls 150, 150 protrude downward from the peripheral edge of the upper wall 146.

[0058] 3 and 8, an engagement hole 152 is formed in the middle of the top wall 146 in the front-rear direction, penetrating the top wall 146 in the up-down direction and engageable with an engagement claw 94 that protrudes downward in the first recess 84. A downwardly protruding locking portion 154 is provided at the rear end of each first protrusion 142. That is, each locking portion 154 is configured such that the downward protrusion dimension from the top wall 146 at the rear end of the rear wall 148 and each side wall 150 is greater than that of other portions of each side wall 150.

[0059] In the first embodiment, two second protrusions 144 are provided at a predetermined height on both left and right ends of the rear wall that constitutes the peripheral wall 66. Each of these second protrusions 144 has a substantially semicircular cross section in plan view and has predetermined front-rear and up-down dimensions. A bolt insertion hole 156 that penetrates vertically is formed in the approximate center of each second protrusion 144.

[0060] Furthermore, at the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 66, a locking portion 110 is provided at a position circumferentially away from the second connected portion 136 (each first recess 84 and each second recess 86) and the connecting portion 138 (each first convex portion 142 and each second convex portion 144).

[0061] The lower additional case 134 is generally plate-shaped overall, and is shaped to fit into the lower opening of the upper additional case 132. That is, the lower additional case 134 has a base portion 112 that is generally rectangular in plan view, and a plurality of nut support portions 114 with nuts 116 at their upper ends are provided at predetermined positions on the base portion 112. Furthermore, locked portions 118 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the base portion 112 at positions corresponding to the locking portions 110.

[0062] <30 additional units> The additional case 28 is formed by assembling the upper additional case 132 and the lower additional case 134 together in the vertical direction. When the upper additional case 132 and the lower additional case 134 are assembled, the nut support portions 114 are inserted into the through-holes 74 provided in the upper bottom wall portion 64, and the nuts 116 are exposed on the top surface of the additional case 28. The additional branch circuit 26 is held in the additional case 28 by placing the additional bus bar 120 and the second fuse 34b in the bus bar accommodating portion 68 and the fuse accommodating portion 70 of the upper additional case 132 and fastening the bolts 54 to the nuts 116, thereby forming the additional unit 30. In the additional unit 30, the rear portion of the additional bus bar 120 (the additional input portion 22) protrudes rearward from the upper bottom wall portion 64 of the additional case 28.

[0063] <Method of Assembling the Branch Circuit Unit 10> The following describes a specific example of a method for assembling the branch circuit unit 10. However, the method for assembling the branch circuit unit 10 is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0064] First, the lower basic case 62, with nuts 116 placed on the nut support portions 114, is brought closer to the upper basic case 60 from below, and the locking portions 110 and locked portions 118 are engaged to assemble the upper basic case 60 and the lower basic case 62. This completes the basic case 18. The basic bus bar 32 and the first and second fuses 34a, 34b are placed in the bus bar accommodating portions 68 and the fuse accommodating portions 70 of the basic case 18, and the bolts 42, 54 are tightened to the nuts 116. Additionally, rubber bushings 106 are placed on the bottom walls 102 of the second recesses 86 and secured as necessary. This completes the basic unit 20.

[0065] Next, the lower additional case 134, with nuts 116 placed on the nut support portions 114, is brought closer to the upper additional case 132 from below, and the locking portions 110 are engaged with the locked portions 118, thereby assembling the upper additional case 132 and the lower additional case 134. This completes the additional case 28. The additional bus bar 120 and the second fuse 34b are placed in the bus bar accommodating portion 68 and the fuse accommodating portion 70 of this additional case 28, and the bolts 54 are tightened to the nuts 116. Furthermore, if necessary, rubber bushings 106 are placed on and fixed to the bottom walls 102 of the second recesses 86. This completes the additional unit 30 (first and second additional units 30a, 30b).

[0066] 10 , the connecting portion 138 of the first additional unit 30a is connected to the first connected portion 80 of the basic unit 20, thereby assembling the basic unit 20 and the first additional unit 30a. Specifically, the first convex portions 142 of the first additional unit 30a are inserted into the first concave portions 84 of the basic unit 20, and the second convex portions 144 of the first additional unit 30a are inserted into the second concave portions 86 of the basic unit 20. By inserting the first convex portions 142 into the first concave portions 84, the first convex portions 142 are displaced rearward on the ridges 98, and the front end portions of the upper walls 146 come into contact with the engaging claw portions 94.

[0067] Then, by further pushing the first additional unit 30a into the basic unit 20, the upper walls 88 elastically deform upward, allowing further insertion of the first protrusions 142 into the first recesses 84. Thereafter, the engaging claws 94 enter the engaging holes 152, causing the upper walls 88 to elastically restore their original shape, and the engaging claws 94 are locked in the engaging holes 152. This prevents the first protrusions 142 from being displaced in the direction of removal from the first recesses 84, and the basic unit 20 (basic case 18) and the first additional unit 30a (additional case 28) are connected in a temporarily fixed state. As a result, a branch circuit unit 10′ including three output sections (first and second basic-side output sections 14a, 14b, and additional-side output section 24) is completed with the basic unit 20 and the first additional unit 30a temporarily fixed together. As described above, when the basic unit 20 and the first additional unit 30a are temporarily fixed, the rubber bushings 106 on each second recess 86 are not compressed in the vertical direction and have a predetermined vertical dimension A.

[0068] In this state where the basic unit 20 and the first additional unit 30a are connected (branch circuit unit 10′), the additional-side input portion 22 of the additional branch circuit 26 protruding rearward from the additional case 28 is overlapped from above with the third connection portion 50 of the basic-side branch connection portion 46 in the basic branch circuit 16, and the respective bolt insertion holes 122, 58 communicate with each other in the vertical direction. By inserting bolts 38 into these bolt insertion holes 122, 58 and fastening them with nuts 116, the additional-side input portion 22 and the basic-side branch connection portion 46 are overlapped and brought into a conductive state. Therefore, the basic-side branch connection portion 46 is arranged so as to be connectable to the additional-side input portion 22 of the additional branch circuit 26 by the connection between the coupling portion 138 and the first coupled portion 80.

[0069] Thereafter, the connecting portion 138 of the second additional unit 30b is connected to the second connected portion 136 of the first additional unit 30a in the branch circuit unit 10', thereby assembling the first additional unit 30a and the second additional unit 30b. Note that the operation of connecting the second connected portion 136 and the connecting portion 138 is similar to the operation of connecting the first connected portion 80 and the connecting portion 138 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. As a result, the first additional unit 30a and the second additional unit 30b are connected in a provisionally fixed state. As a result, as shown in Figure 1, a branch circuit unit 10 having four output sections (first and second basic side output sections 14a, 14b, additional side output section 24 in first additional unit 30a, and additional side output section 24 in second additional unit 30b) is completed with the basic unit 20 and first additional unit 30a, and the first additional unit 30a and second additional unit 30b temporarily fixed together.

[0070] In this branch circuit unit 10, similar to the branch circuit unit 10' described above, not only the rubber bushings 106 in the basic unit 20 but also the rubber bushings 106 in the first additional unit 30a are not compressed in the vertical direction and have a predetermined vertical dimension A. Furthermore, when the first additional unit 30a and the second additional unit 30b are connected, the add-side input portion 22 of the add-on branch circuit 26 protruding rearward in the second additional unit 30b is overlapped from above with the add-on branch connection portion 124 in the first additional unit 30a, and the respective bolt insertion holes 122, 126 are mutually communicated in the vertical direction. By inserting bolts 38 into these bolt insertion holes 122, 126 and fastening them with nuts 116, the add-on input portion 22 and the add-on branch connection portion 124 are overlapped and brought into a conductive state. Therefore, the additional side branch connection portion 124 of one additional unit (first additional unit 30a) is arranged so as to be connectable to the additional side input portion 22 of another additional unit (second additional unit 30b) by connecting the connecting portion 138 and the second connected portion 136.

[0071] In the branch circuit unit 10 manufactured in this manner, a terminal (not shown) provided on an end of an electric wire extending from, for example, a battery pack is overlapped with the base-side input portion 12 of the basic unit 20, and the bolt 38 is fastened. At the overlapping portion of the third connection portion 50 and the additional-side input portion 22 in the base-side branch connection portion 46, the bolt 38 is inserted into the respective bolt insertion holes 58, 122 and fastened. Similarly, at the overlapping portion of the additional-side branch connection portion 124 and the additional-side input portion 22, the bolt 38 is inserted into the respective bolt insertion holes 126, 122 and fastened. Note that a terminal (not shown) provided on an end of an electric wire extending from the battery pack may be overlapped with the overlapping portion of the third connection portion 50 and the additional-side input portion 22 and / or the overlapping portion of the additional-side branch connection portion 124 and the additional-side input portion 22, and fastened together with the bolt 38.

[0072] Furthermore, terminals (not shown) provided at the ends of electric wires extending from different accessories are overlapped with the four output sections (first and second base side output sections 14a, 14b, the additional side output section 24 in the first additional unit 30a, and the additional side output section 24 in the second additional unit 30b) provided in the branch circuit unit 10, and bolts 38 are fastened. As a result, the power paths from the battery pack to the accessories are branched into the required number of branches.

[0073] In the branch circuit unit 10 in the temporarily fixed state as described above, the bottom walls 102 of the second recesses 86 in the basic unit 20 and the second protrusions 144 in the first additional unit 30a are overlapped via the rubber bushings 106, and the bolt insertion holes 104, 108, 156 are aligned and communicate with each other in the vertical direction. Similarly, the bottom walls 102 of the second recesses 86 in the first additional unit 30a and the second protrusions 144 in the second additional unit 30b are overlapped via the rubber bushings 106, and the bolt insertion holes 104, 108, 156 are aligned and communicate with each other in the vertical direction. By inserting and fastening bolts 38 through these bolt insertion holes 104, 108, 156 as well as through the bolt insertion holes 78, 104 provided in the legs 76 of the basic unit 20 and the bottom wall 102 of each second recess 86 in the additional unit 30 (second additional unit 30b) located furthest forward, the branch circuit unit 10 is fixed, for example, inside the housing of the battery pack or near the battery pack. This brings the basic unit 20 and the first additional unit 30a, and the first additional unit 30a and the second additional unit 30b into a fixed state.

[0074] 11 and 12, in the permanently fixed state, the upper basic case 60 and the lower basic case 62, and the upper additional cases 132 and the lower additional cases 134, are closer to each other in the vertical direction than in the provisionally fixed state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the locking portions 154 provided at the rear end of each first protrusion 142 overlap with the protrusions 98 provided on the bottom wall 90 of each first recess 84 in the front-to-rear direction, and can be inserted into the through holes 96, for example. This more reliably prevents the first protrusions 142 from slipping out of the first recesses 84. Note that at this time, the engagement between the engagement claws 94 and the engagement holes 152 may be released, and the engagement claws 94 may slip out of the engagement holes 152.

[0075] 12, each bolt 38 is inserted into the overlapping portion between the bottom wall 102 of each second recess 86 and each second protrusion 144 via each rubber bushing 106 and fastened, so that each bottom wall 102 and each second protrusion 144 abut each other via each rubber bushing 106. Fastening each bolt 38 in this manner compresses each rubber bushing 106 in the up-down direction between each bottom wall 102 and each second protrusion 144, and the up-down dimension becomes B (see FIG. 12) which is smaller than A. In this way, fixing each bottom wall 102 and each second protrusion 144 via each rubber bushing 106 can absorb tolerances, allowing the bolt fastening work to be performed stably.

[0076] According to the branch circuit unit 10 of the first embodiment, when providing branch circuits to a plurality of automobiles of different models and grades, even when the number of required output ports differs, this can be accommodated by simply connecting the required number of additional units 30 to the basic unit 20, eliminating unused space as in, for example, Patent Document 1, and preventing the branch circuit unit 10 from becoming unnecessarily large. In particular, when a plurality of additional units 30 are connected, each additional unit has the same structure, so no special process or the like is required to manufacture the multiple additional units, and further, the same assembly process can be repeated to connect the multiple additional units 30, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency and work efficiency.

[0077] The basic unit 20 and one additional unit 30 (first additional unit 30a) are connected by the first connected portion 80 and the connecting portion 138, so that the third connecting portion 50 in the basic-side branch connection portion 46 and the additional-side input portion 22 are arranged to be connectable to each other. Furthermore, when another additional unit (second additional unit 30b) is used, the one additional unit (first additional unit 30a) and the other additional unit (second additional unit 30b) are connected by the second connected portion 136 and the connecting portion 138, so that the additional-side branch connection portion 124 and the additional-side input portion 22 are arranged to be connectable to each other. Therefore, when connecting the units 20, 30a, 30b, the basic-side branch connection portion 46 and the additional-side input portion 22, and the additional-side branch connection portion 124 and the additional-side input portion 22 can be connected simply by tightening bolts, etc., improving work efficiency.

[0078] The connecting portion 138 includes a convex portion 140 that protrudes outward from the surface of the additional case 28, and the first connected portion 80 and the second connected portion 136 include recesses 82 that open to the surface of the basic case 18 and the surface of the additional case 28, respectively, and can accommodate the convex portion 140. As a result, when the connecting portion 138 and the first connected portion 80, and the connecting portion 138 and the second connected portion 136 are connected, the convex portion 140 is accommodated in the recess 82, so that the portions involved in the connection do not protrude, and an increase in the size of the branch circuit unit 10 is avoided. Furthermore, because the basic unit 20 does not have the connecting portion 138 and only has the first connected portion 80, which is the recess 82, the space required can be reduced, for example, when storing or transporting the basic unit 20.

[0079] The protrusion 140 includes a first protrusion 142 and a second protrusion 144, and the recess 82 includes a first recess 84 that can accommodate the first protrusion 142 and a second recess 86 that can accommodate the second protrusion 144. By inserting the first protrusion 142 into the first recess 84, the basic unit 20 and the first additional unit 30a, and the first additional unit 30a and the second additional unit 30b are temporarily fixed. By inserting the second protrusion 144 into the second recess 86 and fastening with the bolt 38, the basic unit 20 and the first additional unit 30a, and the first additional unit 30a and the second additional unit 30b are permanently fixed. In this way, the units 20, 30a, and 30b can be stored, transported, and the like in a temporarily fixed state, and can be fixed to the vehicle in actual use in a permanently fixed state. This not only facilitates storage and transportation, but also allows for flexible response to changes in specifications immediately before installation, for example.

[0080] The basic branch circuit 16 has a bus bar (basic bus bar 32), and a basic-side input section 12 is provided at one end (rear end) of the basic bus bar 32, and a basic-side branch connection section 46 is provided at the other end (front end) of the basic bus bar 32. An input terminal 40 of a first fuse 34a is connected to one end (rear end) of the basic bus bar 32. In this way, the input section, a connection section with the additional bus bar 120, and a connection section with the fuse 34 are configured in one bus bar (basic bus bar 32), which provides the effect of reducing the number of parts, etc.

[0081] Similarly, additional branch circuit 26 has a bus bar (additional bus bar 120), and an additional-side input section 22 is provided at one end (rear end) of additional bus bar 120, and an additional-side branch connection section 124 is provided at the other end (front end) of additional bus bar 120. In addition, input terminal 52 of second fuse 34b is connected to the additional bus bar 120 on the one end side (rear end side) of additional bus bar 120 relative to additional-side branch connection section 124. This also allows the input section, connection sections with other additional bus bars 120, and connection sections with fuse 34 (second fuse 34b) to be configured in one bus bar (additional bus bar 120), thereby achieving effects such as a reduction in the number of parts.

[0082] The basic branch circuit 16 includes fuses 34 (first fuse 34a and second fuse 34b), and the basic side output section 14 (first basic side output section 14a and second basic side output section 14b) is configured by the output terminals of the fuses 34. This eliminates the need to provide a separate bus bar or the like on the output side of the basic branch circuit 16, thereby reducing the number of parts and achieving the effect of miniaturizing the basic unit 20 and therefore the branch circuit unit 10.

[0083] Similarly, the additional branch circuit 26 includes a fuse 34 (second fuse 34b), and the output terminal of the second fuse 34b constitutes the additional-side output section 24. This also eliminates the need to provide a separate bus bar or the like on the output side of the additional branch circuit 26, thereby reducing the number of parts and achieving the effect of miniaturizing the additional unit 30 and, ultimately, the branch circuit unit 10.

[0084] Each second convex portion 144 in each connecting portion 138 and the bottom wall 102 of each second concave portion 86 in each first connected portion 80 or each second connected portion 136 are in contact via each rubber bushing 106 serving as an elastic member. This allows each rubber bushing 106 to absorb the tolerance between each second convex portion 144 and each bottom wall 102, and the second convex portion 144 and each bottom wall 102 can be stably fixed by the bolt 38.

[0085] <Modification> Although the first embodiment has been described above as a specific example of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to this specific description. Modifications, improvements, etc., within the scope of achieving the object of the present disclosure, are included in the present disclosure. For example, the following modifications of the embodiment are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0086] (1) In the above embodiment, rubber bushings 106 were provided as elastic members between the bottom walls 102 of the second recesses 86 and the second protrusions 144. However, the elastic members are not limited to rubber bushings and may be resin springs or metal springs. When the elastic members are resin springs, they may be formed integrally with the basic case or the additional case. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rubber bushings 106 were fixed onto the bottom walls 102 of the second recesses 86. However, regardless of whether the elastic members are formed integrally with or separately from the basic case and the additional case, the elastic members may be provided on the undersides of the second protrusions. In addition, in the branch circuit unit of the present disclosure, an elastic member is not essential, and as in the branch circuit unit 160 shown in Figure 13, an elastic member does not have to be provided between each bottom wall 102 of each second recess 86 and each second protrusion 144, and when the bolt 38 is inserted and fastened during actual fixation, the bottom wall 102 of each second recess 86 and each second protrusion 144 may directly abut each other.

[0087] (2) In the above embodiment, the basic case 18 is composed of the upper basic case 60 and the lower basic case 62, and the additional case 28 is composed of the upper additional case 132 and the lower additional case 134, but this is not limiting. For example, since the lower basic case 62 and the lower additional case 134 are simply for supporting the nut 116, the basic case and the additional case may be composed of a single member in cases where the nut is housed and arranged inside. Furthermore, when the basic case is composed of the upper basic case and the lower basic case and / or when the additional case is composed of the upper additional case and the lower additional case, the various members can be housed in any arrangement.

[0088] (3) In the above embodiment, fuses 34 (first fuse 34a and second fuse 34b) are provided on the basic branch circuit 16 and the additional branch circuit 26, but this is not limited to this. That is, fuses may not be provided on the basic branch circuit and the additional branch circuit, and portions extending leftward from the bus bars (basic bus bars and additional bus bars) may be provided, with the left ends of these extending portions constituting the basic side output section and the additional side output section. Alternatively, electrical components such as relays may be provided on the basic branch circuit and / or the additional branch circuit instead of or in addition to fuses.

[0089] (4) In the above embodiment, the branch circuit unit 10 has one basic unit 20 and two additional units 30 (first additional unit 30a and second additional unit 30b), but the number of additional units is not limited. For example, a branch circuit unit 10' in which one additional unit is connected to one basic unit (i.e., the state shown in FIG. 10) may be installed in a vehicle, or a branch circuit unit in which three or more additional units are connected to one basic unit may be installed in a vehicle. When multiple additional units are installed, each additional unit has the same structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 10 Branch circuit unit (Figure 1) 10' Branch Circuit Unit (Figure 10) 12 Basic input section 14 Basic side output section 14a First basic side output section (output terminal) 14b Second basic side output section (output terminal) 16 Basic Branch Circuit 18 Base Case 20 Basic Unit 22 Additional input section 24 Additional output section (output terminal) 26 Additional branch circuit 28 Additional Cases 30 additional units 30a First Additional Unit (One Additional Unit) 30b Second Additional Unit (Other Additional Units) 32 Basic busbar (busbar) 34 Fuse 34a First Fuse 34b Second Fuse 36 Bolt insertion hole 38 volts 39 First connection part 40 Input terminal 42 volts 44 Bolt insertion hole 46 Basic side branch connection 48 Second connection part 50 Third connection part 52 Input terminal 54 volts 56,58 Bolt insertion holes 60 Upper base case 62 Lower base case 64 Upper bottom wall 66 Peripheral wall section 68 Busbar receiving section 70 Fuse housing 72,72a Vertical wall part 74 Through window 76 Legs 78 Bolt insertion hole 80 1st connected part 82 recess 84 First recess 86 Second recess 88 Upper Wall 90 Lower Wall 92 Side wall 94 Engagement claw 96 Through Hole 98 protrusion 100 side wall 102 Bottom wall 104 Bolt insertion hole 106 Rubber bush (elastic member) 108 Bolt insertion hole 110 Lock Section 112 Base 114 Nut support 116 Nut 118 Locked part 120 additional busbars (busbars) 122 Bolt insertion hole 124 Additional branch connection 126 Bolt insertion hole 128 additional connections 130 Bolt insertion hole 132 Upper side additional case 134 Lower side additional case 136 Second connected part 138 Connection section 140 convex part 142 First convex part 144 Second convex part 146 Upper Wall 148 Back wall 150 side wall 152 Engagement hole 154 Locking part 156 Bolt insertion hole 160 Branch circuit unit (Figure 13)

Claims

1. a basic unit including a basic branch circuit having a basic side input section and a basic side output section, and a basic case for holding the basic branch circuit; at least one add-on unit including an add-on branch circuit having an add-on input section and an add-on output section, and an add-on case for holding the add-on branch circuit; the base case has a first connected portion to which a connecting portion provided on the additional case can be connected, and the base case and the additional case are connected by connecting the connecting portion and the first connected portion; the additional case has the connecting portion and a second connected portion to which the connecting portion can be connected, the basic branch circuit has a basic-side branch connection section connected to the basic-side input section, and the basic-side branch connection section is connected to the add-on input section of the add-on branch circuit; the additional branch circuit has an additional branch connection section connected to the additional input section, When multiple additional units are used, The addition-side branch connection portion of one of the addition units connected to the basic unit side is connected to the addition-side input portion of another of the addition units, the additional case of the one additional unit is connected to the additional case of the other additional unit by connecting the connecting portion of the other additional unit to the second connected portion of the one additional unit; Branch circuit unit.

2. the basic-side branch connection unit is arranged to be connectable to the additional-side input unit of the additional branch circuit by coupling the coupling unit and the first coupled unit, In the case where a plurality of said additional units are added, 2. The branch circuit unit according to claim 1, wherein the additional side branch connection portion of the one additional unit is arranged to be connectable to the additional side input portion of the other additional unit by connecting the connecting portion of the other additional unit to the second connected portion of the one additional unit.

3. 3. The branch circuit unit according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion includes a convex portion protruding outward from the surface of the additional case, and the first connected portion and the second connected portion include concave portions that open onto the surface of the base case and the surface of the additional case, respectively, and are capable of accommodating the convex portion.

4. the protrusion includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion, and the recess includes a first recess and a second recess; the first convex portion provided on the additional case is received in the first concave portion provided on the base case or the additional case, and the first convex portion and the first concave portion are engaged with each other, thereby holding the base case and the additional case, or the additional cases together, in a temporarily fixed state; 4. The branch circuit unit according to claim 3, wherein the second convex portion provided on the additional case and the second concave portion provided on the base case or the additional case are fastened to each other with bolts, thereby maintaining the base case and the additional case, or the additional cases together, in a fixed state.

5. The basic branch circuit has a bus bar, 3. The branch circuit unit according to claim 1, wherein the basic side input section is provided at one end of the bus bar, the basic side branch connection section is provided at the other end of the bus bar, and an input terminal of a fuse is connected to the one end side.

6. 3. The branch circuit unit according to claim 1, wherein the basic branch circuit includes a fuse connected to the basic side input section, and the basic side output section is configured by an output terminal of the fuse.

7. the additional branch circuit includes a bus bar; 3. The branch circuit unit according to claim 1, wherein the additional side input portion is provided at one end of the bus bar, the additional side branch connection portion is provided at the other end of the bus bar, and an input terminal of a fuse is connected to the one end side.

8. 3. The branch circuit unit according to claim 1, wherein the additional branch circuit includes a fuse connected to the additional input section, and the additional output section is configured by an output terminal of the fuse.

9. The branch circuit unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portion and the first connected portion or the second connected portion are in contact with each other via an elastic member.

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