Electrical junction box

Abstract

The objective is to provide an electrical connection box that allows for proper replacement of mounted components. [Solution] The electrical connection box 1 comprises a housing 10 having a busbar connection portion 14 to which a busbar unit 4 is connected, and a mounted component 15 to which power is supplied from the busbar unit 4 via the busbar connection portion 14; a cover 20 that covers at least the conductive portion 16 of the mounted component 15 in an openable and closable manner; and a hinge 30 that rotatably connects the cover 20 to the housing 10 between a closed position P1 and an open position P2. The cover 20 has an interference portion 25 that, when positioned in the closed position P1, allows connection work between the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4, and when positioned in the open position P2, prevents connection work between the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connection box.

Background Art

[0002] As a technology related to a conventional electrical connection box, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connection box including a housing having mounted components, a cover that can open and close the mounted components, and a hinge that rotatably connects the cover to the housing between a closed position and an open position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the electrical connection box described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, for example, at least the conductor part of the mounted components is covered by the cover so as to be able to open and close, but there is still room for further improvement in properly performing the replacement work of the mounted components.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electrical connection box capable of properly performing the replacement work of mounted components.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the electrical junction box according to the present invention comprises a housing having a busbar connection portion to which a busbar unit is connected, and a mounted component to which power is supplied from the busbar unit via the busbar connection portion; a cover that opens and closes to cover at least the conductive portion of the mounted component; and a hinge that rotatably connects the cover to the housing between a closed position and an open position, wherein the cover has an interference portion that, when in the closed position, allows connection work between the busbar connection portion and the busbar unit, and when in the open position, prevents connection work between the busbar connection portion and the busbar unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the electrical junction box of the present invention, for example, when the cover is in the closed position due to interference from the cover, it is possible to connect the busbar connection part and the busbar unit, and when it is in the open position, it is possible to prevent the connection work between the busbar connection part and the busbar unit. As a result, the electrical junction box has the effect of allowing the replacement of mounted components to be carried out properly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an illustrative perspective view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an illustrative perspective view of the cover of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exemplary plan view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment, showing the cover in the closed position. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exemplary plan view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment, showing the cover in the open position. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment, showing the cover in the open position. [Figure 7]Figure 7 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment, showing the cover in the closed position and before the busbar unit is assembled. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment, showing the cover in the closed position and the busbar unit after assembly. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments described below include those that are easily substituted or substantially identical to those that are easily substituted by those skilled in the art. In this specification, ordinal numbers are used solely to distinguish parts, components, locations, directions, etc., and do not indicate order or priority.

[0010] [Embodiment] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box 1 according to an embodiment. The electrical junction box 1 of this embodiment shown in Figure 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and comprises, for example, a housing 10, a cover 20, and a hinge 30. The housing 10 has a busbar connection portion 14 to which a busbar unit 4 is connected, and a mounted component 15 to which power is supplied from the busbar unit 4 via the busbar connection portion 14. The cover 20 covers at least the conductive portion 16 (see Figure 2) of the mounted component 15 so as to be openable and closable. The hinge 30 rotatably connects the cover 20 to the housing 10 between a closed position P1 (see Figures 1 and 4) and an open position P2 (see Figure 5). In addition, the electrical junction box 1 may also include various other components such as fasteners and connectors.

[0011] In the following explanation, of the three intersecting directions, the first direction will be referred to as the "extension direction X," the second direction as the "width direction Y," and the third direction as the "height direction Z." Here, the extension direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are approximately orthogonal to each other. The extension direction X typically aligns with the depth direction (front-to-back direction) of the electrical junction box 1, the extension direction of the busbar unit 4, etc. The width direction Y typically aligns with the width direction (left-to-right direction) of the electrical junction box 1, the width direction of the busbar unit 4, etc. The height direction Z typically aligns with the height direction (up-down direction) of the electrical junction box 1, the height direction of the busbar unit 4, etc. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, each direction used in the following explanation refers to the direction when the electrical junction box 1 is assembled to the vehicle.

[0012] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical junction box 1. As shown in Figure 2, the housing 10 has a lower case 11 and an upper case 12, which are formed of, for example, an insulating resin material. The upper case 12 is assembled to the lower case 11 in a stacked state on one end side (upper side) in the height direction Z. With this configuration, the housing 10 is formed as a whole in the shape of a hollow box by combining the lower case 11 and the upper case 12. The internal space of the housing 10, which is partitioned by the lower case 11 and the upper case 12, functions as a housing space 11c in which electronic components such as the busbar connection part 14, mounted components 15, and conductive members 17 are housed.

[0013] The lower case 11 has, for example, a bottom wall portion 11a and a peripheral wall portion 11b that protrudes from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 11a toward one end (upper side) in the height direction Z. The bottom wall portion 11a and the peripheral wall portion 11b are structures for partitioning the aforementioned housing space portion 11c, which is the internal space of the housing 10. In this embodiment, the busbar connection portion 14 is provided on the right side of the extension direction X, rather than the center of the extension direction X in the housing space portion 11c, and the mounted component 15 is provided on the left side of the extension direction X, rather than the center of the extension direction X in the housing space portion 11c. The busbar connection portion 14 is electrically connected to the mounted component 15 in the housing space portion 11c via a conductive member 17. In this embodiment, the lower case 11 is provided with ribs 11d that support the busbar connection portion 14, the mounted component 15, the conductive member 17, etc., on one end side in the height direction of the housing space portion 11c.

[0014] The busbar connection portion 14 is made of, for example, a stud bolt. The busbar connection portion 14 is provided in a state that protrudes from the conductive member 17 along the height direction Z, and is electrically connected to the busbar 2 of the busbar unit 4 by fastening it to the busbar 2 via a nut or the like. The mounted component 15 is made of, for example, an electronic component that conducts electricity, such as a fuse, relay, or sensor. The mounted component 15 has a conductive portion 16 (live portion) made of, for example, a stud bolt. The mounted component 15 is electrically connected to the conductive member 17 by fastening it to the conductive member 17 via, for example, the conductive portion 16 and a nut or the like. At least the conductive portion 16 (live portion) of the mounted component 15 is covered by the cover 20 so that it can be opened and closed. The conductive member 17 is made of, for example, a terminal fitting that electrically connects the busbar connection portion 14 and the mounted component 15.

[0015] The upper case 12 has, for example, a top wall portion 12a and a peripheral wall portion 12b that protrudes from the peripheral edge of the top wall portion 12a toward the other end (downward side) in the height direction Z. The top wall portion 12a and the peripheral wall portion 12b are structures for partitioning the housing space portion 11c of the housing 10 described above together with the lower case 11. In this embodiment, the upper case 12 is provided with an opening 12c for exposing the busbar connection portion 14 and mounted components 15 housed in the housing space portion 11c. The opening 12c is, for example, a through hole that penetrates the top wall portion 12a along the height direction. The upper case 12 is also provided with a vertical wall portion 12d into which the busbar unit 4 is engaged. The vertical wall portion 12d protrudes from the peripheral edge of the opening 12c in the top wall portion 12a through which the busbar connection portion 14 is exposed toward one end (upward side) in the height direction Z. The vertical wall portion 12d is composed of, for example, a pair of first vertical walls that support both ends of the busbar unit 4 in the width direction Y, and a second vertical wall that supports the other end side (the side with the mounted component 15) of the busbar unit 4 in the extension direction X.

[0016] Furthermore, the upper case 12 has a shaft portion 12e to which, for example, the locking portion 24 (see Figure 3) of the cover 20 is locked (supported). The shaft portion 12e, together with the locking portion 24 of the cover 20, constitutes a hinge 30. The shaft portion 12e is provided, for example, in the central part of the upper case 12 in the extending direction X, that is, between the opening 12c in which the mounted component 15 is exposed and the opening 12c in which the busbar connection portion 14 is exposed, and extends along the width direction Y. In this embodiment, the shaft portions 12e are provided in the upper case 12 in pairs, spaced apart from each other along the width direction Y. The pair of shaft portions 12e rotatably support the locking portion 24 of the cover 20 around a rotation center extending along the width direction Y.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover 20 of the electrical connection box 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 20 includes, for example, an upper wall portion 21, a pair of side wall portions 22 and 23, a locking portion 24, and an interference portion 25. The upper wall portion 21 covers the conductor portion 16 (live part) of the mounted component 15 described above so as to be openable and closable from one end side (upper side) in the height direction Z. In the present embodiment, the upper wall portion 21 is formed in a substantially U shape that is open toward the other end side (opposite side to the bus bar unit 4) in the extending direction X when viewed from the height direction Z. That is, the upper wall portion 21 includes a first portion that extends along the width direction Y on one end side (bus bar unit 4 side) in the extending direction X, and a second portion that extends from both end portions in the width direction Y of the first portion along the extending direction X toward the side opposite to the bus bar unit 4.

[0018] The pair of side wall portions 22 and 23 cover the conductor portion 16 (live part) of the mounted component 15 described above so as to be openable and closable from both sides in the width direction Y. The pair of side wall portions 22 and 23 project from the peripheral edge portion of the upper wall portion 21 toward the other end side (lower side) in the height direction Z. In the present embodiment, the pair of side wall portions 22 and 23 extend in a substantially U shape along the first portion and the second portion of the upper wall portion 21 described above. The side wall portion 22 constitutes the inner peripheral side wall of the upper wall portion 21, and the side wall portion 23 constitutes the outer peripheral side wall of the upper wall portion 21.

[0019] The locking portion 24 is locked to the shaft portion 12e (see FIG. 4) of the upper case 12 described above. The locking portion 24 constitutes a hinge 30 together with the shaft portion 12e of the upper case 12. The locking portion 24 projects in a claw shape, for example, from the outer peripheral side wall portion 23 of the cover 20 described above. A recess 24a for engaging the shaft portion 12e is provided at the tip of the locking portion 24. The recess 24a extends in the width direction Y along the shaft portion 12e. In the present embodiment, the locking portion 24 is provided in a pair at intervals in the width direction Y corresponding to the pair of shaft portions 12e. The pair of locking portions 24 are rotatably locked (shaft-supported) around a rotation center extending in the width direction Y with respect to the pair of shaft portions 12e.

[0020] The interference portion 25 allows connection between the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4 when the cover 20 is in the closed position P1 (see Figure 4), and prevents connection between the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4 when the cover 20 is in the open position P2 (see Figure 5). The interference portion 25 is provided, for example, between the pair of locking portions 24 on the cover 20. The interference portion 25 is composed of, for example, a pair of protruding walls 25a that protrude along the extending direction X from the outer peripheral side wall portion 23 of the cover 20, and a connecting wall 25b that connects one end (upper end) of the pair of protruding walls 25a in the height direction Z. In this embodiment, the pair of protruding walls 25a protrude toward one end (busbar unit 4 side) in the extending direction X than the locking portion 24. Also, the pair of protruding walls 25a protrude toward one end (upper side) in the height direction Z than the upper wall portion 21. The connecting wall 25b is formed in a substantially U-shape, for example, opening toward the other end (downward) in the height direction Z, and connects a pair of protruding walls 25a to each other at one end (upper) in the height direction Z than the upper wall portion 21.

[0021] Figure 4 is a plan view of the electrical junction box 1 with the cover 20 in the closed position P1, and Figure 5 is a plan view of the electrical junction box 1 with the cover 20 in the open position P2. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the busbar unit 4 supplies power to the mounted components 15 via the busbar connection portion 14 described above. The busbar unit 4 is composed of, for example, a busbar 2 and a busbar case 3 that houses the busbar 2. The busbar case 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape from, for example, an insulating resin material. The busbar case 3 is provided with an opening for exposing the busbar 2. The busbar unit 4 can connect (fasten) the busbar 2 and the busbar connection portion 14 through the opening in the busbar case 3. The busbar 2 is also provided with a through hole through which the busbar connection portion 14 penetrates along the height direction Z.

[0022] In this embodiment, the interfering portion 25 is configured to be located outside the connection area T between the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4 when the cover 20 is in the closed position P1 (see Figure 4), and to penetrate inside the connection area T when the cover 20 is in the open position P2 (see Figure 5). The connection area T is, for example, the area enclosed by the outer shape of the busbar case 3 when viewed from the height direction Z, when the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4 are connected. That is, the connection area T is the area in the housing 10 where the busbar unit mounting portion and the busbar case 3 overlap along the height direction Z.

[0023] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical junction box 1 with the cover 20 in the open position P2, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical junction box 1 with the cover 20 in the closed position P1 and before the busbar unit 4 is assembled, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical junction box 1 with the cover 20 in the closed position P1 and after the busbar unit 4 is assembled.

[0024] As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, when the cover 20 is in the open position P2, the interfering portion 25 penetrates inside the connection region T described above. Therefore, in this embodiment, when attempting to connect the busbar unit 4, i.e., the busbar 2 exposed from the opening of the busbar case 3, to the busbar connection portion 14 (see Figure 5) with the cover 20 in the open position P2, the interfering portion 25 and the busbar case 3 interfere with each other along the height direction Z. As a result, the connection work between the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4 becomes impossible.

[0025] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, when the cover 20 is in the closed position P1, the interference portion 25 is located outside the connection region T described above. In other words, when the cover 20 is in the closed position P1, the interference portion 25 is positioned offset from the connection region T towards the other end in the axial direction X. Therefore, in this embodiment, when attempting to connect the busbar unit 4, i.e., the busbar 2 exposed from the opening of the busbar case 3, to the busbar connection portion 14 (see Figure 4) with the cover 20 in the closed position P1, the interference portion 25 and the busbar case 3 do not interfere with each other along the height direction Z. This makes it possible to connect the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, in this embodiment, when attempting to rotate the cover 20 to the open position P2 while the cover 20 is in the closed position P1, the interference portion 25 and the busbar case 3 interfere (come into contact), and the cover 20 is maintained in the closed position P1. This prevents the cover 20 from moving to the open position P2 while the busbar unit 4 and the mounted component 15 are electrically connected, and consequently prevents the conductor portion (live portion) of the mounted component 15 from being exposed.

[0027] As described above, in the electrical junction box 1 of this embodiment, the cover 20 has an interference portion 25 that allows connection work between the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4 when the cover 20 is in the closed position P1, and prevents connection work between the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4 when the cover 20 is in the open position P2. With this configuration, for example, the electrical junction box 1 allows connection work between the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4 when the cover 20 is in the closed position P1, and prevents connection work between the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4 when the cover 20 is in the open position P2. As a result, the electrical junction box 1 can properly perform replacement work on the mounted components 15, and consequently, the replacement work on the mounted components 15 can be performed more safely.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electrical junction box 1 has an interference portion 25 that is located outside the connection area T between the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4 when the cover 20 is in the closed position P1, and that enters inside the connection area T when the cover 20 is in the open position P2. With this configuration, the electrical junction box 1 can, for example, enable the connection work between the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4 when the cover 20 is in the closed position P1, and disable the connection work between the busbar connection portion 14 and the busbar unit 4 when it is in the open position P2, while the interference portion 25 prevents the cover 20 from moving from the closed position P1 to the open position P2 while the busbar unit 4 and the mounted component 15 are electrically connected.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electrical connection box 1 is configured such that the busbar unit 4 includes a busbar 2 and a busbar case 3 that houses the busbar 2, and the connection area T is the area enclosed by the outer shape of the busbar case 3 when the busbar connection part 14 and the busbar unit 4 are connected. With this configuration, the electrical connection box 1 can be configured relatively easily, for example, by defining the connection area T between the busbar connection part 14 and the busbar unit 4 as the area enclosed by the outer shape of the busbar case 3, in other words, the area in the housing 10 where the busbar unit mounting part and the busbar case 3 overlap along the height direction Z.

[0030] In this embodiment, the busbar unit 4 is exemplified as comprising a busbar 2 and a busbar case 3 housing the busbar 2, but is not limited to this example. For example, the busbar unit 4 may consist of the busbar 2 alone. Also, in this embodiment, the housing 10 is exemplified as comprising a lower case 11 and an upper case 12, but is not limited to this example. For example, the lower case 11 may consist of the lower case 11 alone. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cover 20 is exemplified as covering at least the conductive portion 16 of the mounted component 15 in an openable and closable manner, but is not limited to this example. For example, the cover 20 may cover the entire mounted component 15 in an openable and closable manner.

[0031] Although embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, each configuration, shape, and other specifications (structure, type, direction, form, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) can be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0032] 1. Electrical junction box 2 Bassba 3 Bus case 4 Bass Units 10 cabinets 11 Lower Case 12 Upper Case 14 Busbar connection 15 Components 16 Conductor section 17 Conductive material 20 Covers 25 Interference section 30 hinges P1 closed position P2 open position T connection area X extension direction Y width direction Z (height direction)

Claims

1. A housing having a busbar connection section to which a busbar unit is connected, and a mounted component to which power is supplied from the busbar unit via the busbar connection section, A cover that can open and close to cover at least the conductive portion of the mounted component, The housing is provided with a hinge that rotatably connects the cover between a closed position and an open position, The cover has an interference portion that, when in the closed position, allows connection work between the busbar connection portion and the busbar unit, and when in the open position, prevents connection work between the busbar connection portion and the busbar unit. Electrical junction box.

2. The interfering portion is located outside the connection area between the busbar connection portion and the busbar unit when the cover is in the closed position, and enters inside the connection area when the cover is in the open position. The electrical junction box according to claim 1.

3. The busbar unit comprises a busbar and a busbar case that houses the busbar. The aforementioned connection area is the area enclosed by the outer shape of the busbar case when the busbar connection portion and the busbar unit are connected. The electrical junction box according to claim 2.

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