Electrical connection unit

Abstract

One embodiment provides an electrical connection unit that can improve ease of assembly. [Solution] An electrical connection unit of one embodiment comprises a first plate having an engaging piece, and a second plate having a projection, which is laminated on one side in a first direction relative to the first plate. The engaging piece protrudes from the first plate body toward one side in a first direction. The engaging piece comprises an engaging piece body, a first rib, and a pair of second ribs. The first rib protrudes from the surface of the engaging piece body toward the projection. The first rib extends along the surface in the width direction of the engaging piece body, intersecting the first direction and the direction toward the projection, and is capable of engaging with the projection. The pair of second ribs extend along the surface from both ends in the width direction of the first rib toward the other side in a first direction. The protrusion dimension of the second ribs toward the projection from the surface toward the projection is smaller than the protrusion dimension of the first rib toward the projection from the surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electrical connection unit.

Background Art

[0002] An electrical connection unit is known in which a unit body on which electronic components are mounted is housed between an upper case and a lower case. Some unit bodies include an upper plate on which electronic components are mounted and a lower plate on which bus bars or the like are mounted. The upper plate and the lower plate may engage a locking claw provided on one of the upper plate and the lower plate and an engaging member provided on the other of the upper plate and the lower plate. The assembly property is improved by engaging the locking claw and the engaging member without using screws or the like that require tools.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, further improvement in the assembly property of the electrical connection unit is desired.

[0005] One embodiment provides an electrical connection unit that can improve the assembly property.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An electrical connection unit according to one embodiment comprises a first plate on which a first component can be mounted, and a second plate on which a second component can be mounted, and which is stacked on one side of the first plate in the first direction relative to the first plate, wherein the first plate comprises a first plate body on which the first component is mounted, and an engaging piece projecting from the first plate body toward one side in the first direction, and the second plate comprises a second plate body on which the second component can be mounted, and a part projecting from the second plate body in a direction intersecting the first direction and engaging with the engaging piece The engaging piece comprises a projection and a body of the engaging piece, a first rib projecting from the surface of the engaging piece body toward the projection and extending in the width direction of the engaging piece body that intersects the first direction and the direction toward the projection along the surface and is capable of engaging with the projection, and a pair of second ribs extending from both ends of the first rib in the width direction toward the other side of the first direction along the surface, wherein the projection dimension of the second ribs toward the projection from the surface toward the projection is smaller than the projection dimension of the first rib toward the projection from the surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, the ease of assembly of the electrical connection unit can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the electrical connection unit of the embodiment, seen from the other side in the first direction. [Figure 2] A perspective view of the electrical connection unit of the embodiment, seen from one side in the first direction. [Figure 3] A perspective view of the first plate of the embodiment, seen from one side in the first direction. [Figure 4] A perspective view of the second plate of the embodiment, seen from the other side in the first direction. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing the locking piece of the embodiment. [Figure 6] A side view showing the protrusions of the embodiment. [Figure 7] A cross-sectional view showing the engagement state between the locking piece and the projection in the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted. Note that the components described below do not limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0010] In this disclosure, terms are defined as follows: “Connection” may include electrical connections, not just mechanical ones. That is, “Connection” may include cases where two elements to be connected are connected with another element in between, not just directly connected. “Accommodation” may include cases where only a portion of a part is accommodated (with the remaining portion of the part protruding), not just the entire part. “Parallel,” “orthogonal,” or “same” may include cases where they are “approximately parallel,” “approximately orthogonal,” or “approximately the same,” respectively.

[0011] In this disclosure, the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are defined as follows: The first direction D1 is the direction in which the first plate 11 and the second plate 21, as described later, are stacked. One side D1a of the first direction D1 is the direction from the first plate 11 toward the second plate 21 in the first direction D1. The other side D1b of the first direction D1 is the direction from the second plate 21 toward the first plate 11. The second direction D2 is the direction that intersects (for example, is perpendicular to) the first direction D1. The third direction D3 is the direction that intersects (for example, is perpendicular to) the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0012] In the following, one side D1a of the first direction D1 may be referred to as "downward," and the other side D1b of the first direction D1 may be referred to as "upward." However, these expressions are for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the direction of gravity of the electrical connection unit 1 (the installation orientation of the electrical connection unit 1).

[0013] (Embodiment) <1. Configuration of the Electrical Connection Unit> FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electrical connection unit of the embodiment as viewed from the other side in the first direction. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical connection unit of the embodiment as viewed from one side in the first direction. The electrical connection unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is, for example, an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle such as an EV (Electric Vehicle), HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). The electrical connection unit 1 may be referred to as, for example, an "electrical connection box" or a "junction box". However, the electrical connection unit 1 is not limited to a box-shaped device.

[0014] The electrical connection unit 1 is electrically connected to an external device. In the present disclosure, the "external device" is an electrical device existing outside the electrical connection unit 1. The external device is, for example, a battery unit mounted on a vehicle or an inverter for driving a motor of the vehicle, but is not limited to these examples.

[0015] The electrical connection unit 1 has, for example, a main body 10 and a cover (not shown). The main body 10 is housed in the cover.

[0016] <2. Main Body> The main body 10 is a part that performs the main functions of the electrical connection unit 1 (for example, switching the electrical connection state or overcurrent protection). In the present embodiment, the main body 10 includes a first plate 11 and a second plate 21.

[0017] (First Plate) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first plate of the embodiment as viewed from one side in the first direction. The first plate 11 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin and has insulating properties. The first plate 11 may be referred to as, for example, an "upper plate". The first plate 11 is configured to be able to mount the first component 100. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first plate 11 integrally includes a first plate body 12 and an engagement piece 15 (see FIG. 3) described later.

[0018] The first plate body 12 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape as a whole when viewed from the first direction D1. The first plate body 12 may be formed in other shapes, such as a polygon other than a rectangle, when viewed from the first direction D1. The first plate body 12 integrally has a plate portion 13 and a peripheral wall portion 14.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of first components 100 are mounted on the plate portion 13. In the present embodiment, the plurality of first components 100 are provided on the other side D1b of the plate portion 13 in the first direction D1. The plate portion 13 has a flat surface portion 13p and a wall portion 13w.

[0020] The flat surface portion 13p intersects the first direction D1 and extends along a surface including the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. A part of the flat surface portion 13p supports the plurality of first components 100 from below. The flat surface portion 13p may be provided in a stepped manner at a plurality of different positions in the first direction D1 according to the height dimension and the like of the first component 100 in the first direction D1. Holes (not shown) penetrating the flat surface portion 13p in the first direction D1 may be appropriately formed in the flat surface portion 13p for the purpose of avoiding interference with other parts, achieving weight reduction, and the like.

[0021] <00001ength="104">The wall portion 13w rises from the flat surface portion 13p to the other side D1b in the first direction D1. The wall portion 13w extends in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 on the flat surface portion 13p. A part of the wall portion 13w is formed so as to surround the first component 100, which will be described later, when viewed from the first direction D1, and forms a housing portion 13s for the first component 100. The wall portion 13w also functions as a rib for reinforcing the flat surface portion 13p.

[0022] Reinforcing ribs (not shown) are appropriately provided on one side D1a and the other side D1b of the flat surface portion 13p in the first direction D1. The reinforcing ribs rise from the flat surface portion 13p to one side D1a and the other side D1b in the first direction D1 and extend in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 along the flat surface portion 13p.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the peripheral wall portion 14 is formed along the outer edge of the first plate body 12 when the first plate body 12 is viewed from the first direction D1. The peripheral wall portion 14 has a pair of side wall portions 14a and 14b and a pair of side wall portions 14c and 14d. The pair of side wall portions 14a and 14b are spaced apart in the third direction D3. The pair of side wall portions 14a and 14b extend in the second direction D2 when viewed from the first direction D1. The pair of side wall portions 14c and 14d are spaced apart in the second direction D2. The pair of side wall portions 14c and 14d extend in the third direction D3 when viewed from the first direction D1. The side wall portions 14a to 14d that constitute the peripheral wall portion 14 have a predetermined height in the first direction D1, and the entire peripheral wall portion 14 is cylindrical in shape extending in the first direction D1.

[0024] The peripheral wall portion 14 is provided with a plurality of outer peripheral engaging claws 16 for connecting the first plate 11 and the second plate 21. Each outer peripheral engaging claw 16 is formed in the peripheral wall portion 14 between a pair of notches 16k extending from one end D1a in the first direction D1 of the peripheral wall portion 14 to the other end D1b in the first direction D1. The tip of the outer peripheral engaging claw 16 on one end D1a in the first direction D1 is elastically deformable in a direction that moves toward and away from the second plate 21 when viewed from the first direction D1. As shown in Figure 3, the outer peripheral engaging claw 16 has an engaging rib 16r integrally formed thereon that can engage with the outer peripheral projection 26, which will be described later.

[0025] Note that the shapes and configurations of the parts of the first plate 11 shown in Figures 1 to 3 are merely examples and can be modified as appropriate.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the first component 100 is mounted on the first plate 11 according to the function required of the main body 10 of the electrical connection unit 1. The first component 100 is, for example, a connector, a fuse, a relay (e.g., a mechanical relay or a semiconductor relay), a capacitor, a branching component, various sensors (e.g., a current sensor or a voltage sensor), an electronic control unit, or a component unit that combines two or more of these. The type of the first component 100 is not limited to the above examples.

[0027] Each of the multiple first components 100 is fixed to the flat portion 13p of the plate portion 13 by bolts or the like (not shown). At least some of the multiple first components 100 are housed in a housing portion 13s surrounded by a wall portion 13w. Here, the number and arrangement of the first components 100 mounted on the first plate 11 are not limited in any way to the configuration shown in Figure 1.

[0028] (Plate 2) Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second plate of the embodiment, seen from the other side in the first direction. The second plate 21 is positioned on one side D1a of the first direction D1 relative to the first plate 11. The second plate 21 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and has insulating properties. The second plate 21 may also be called, for example, a "lower plate". As shown in Figure 4, the second plate 21 is capable of mounting multiple second components 200. Note that in Figure 4, only one of the multiple second components 200 is shown. The second plate 21 integrally comprises a second plate body 22 and a projection 25, which will be described later.

[0029] The second plate body 22 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the first direction D1. The second plate body 22 may be formed in a shape other than a rectangle, such as a polygon, when viewed from the first direction D1. The second plate body 22 is housed inside the peripheral wall portion 14 of the first plate 11.

[0030] The second plate body 22 is to which the second component 200 is attached. In this embodiment, a plurality of second components 200 are provided on the other side D1b of the second plate body 22 in the first direction D1. The second plate body 22 has a flat portion 22p and a raised portion 22s.

[0031] The flat portion 22p extends along a plane intersecting the first direction D1. The raised portion 22s rises from the flat portion 22p toward the other side D1b of the first direction D1. Multiple second components 200 are attached to the flat portion 22p and the raised portion 22s.

[0032] Reinforcing ribs (not shown) are appropriately provided on one side D1a and the other side D1b of the flat section 22p in the first direction D1. The reinforcing ribs rise from the flat section 22p to one side D1a and the other side D1b in the first direction D1, and extend along the flat section 22p in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the outer circumference of the second plate body 22 is provided with a plurality of outer circumferential protrusions 26 for connecting the first plate 11 and the second plate 21. Each of the plurality of outer circumferential protrusions 26 is positioned opposite the outer circumferential engaging claw 16. Each outer circumferential protrusion 26 protrudes outward from the outer circumferential side surface of the second plate body 22. The first plate 11 and the second plate 21 are connected when the engaging rib 16r of the outer circumferential engaging claw 16 engages with the outer circumferential protrusion 26.

[0034] Note that the shapes and configurations of the parts of the second plate 21 shown in Figures 2 and 4 are merely examples and can be modified as appropriate.

[0035] The second component 200 is electrically connected to the first component 100. The second component 200 is, for example, a busbar, a circuit board, etc. The busbar is made of metal (for example, copper or a copper alloy) and is conductive. The busbar has a predetermined shape set according to the arrangement of the first component 100 mounted on the first plate 11. The second component 200 is formed to extend along the surface of the flat portion 22p and the raised portion 22s.

[0036] Furthermore, nuts (not shown) are held in the flat portion 22p and the raised portion 22s, to which bolts for fixing the second component 200 are fastened.

[0037] (Connection point between the first and second plates) The first plate 11 and the second plate 21 are connected in a stacked state in the first direction D1. The first plate 11 and the second plate 21 are connected by engaging the engaging piece 15 and the projection 25.

[0038] (Engaging piece) Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the locking piece of the embodiment. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement state between the locking piece and the projection of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, multiple engaging pieces 15 are provided on the first plate 11. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the multiple engaging pieces 15 are integrally formed with the first plate 11. The engaging pieces 15 are provided on the inner plate portion 13 of the first plate 11 relative to the peripheral wall portion 14. The number, position, and orientation of the multiple engaging pieces 15 are not limited in any way. In this embodiment, two engaging pieces 15 are provided.

[0039] Each of the multiple engaging pieces 15 protrudes from the first plate body 12 toward one side D1a in the first direction D1. As shown in Figure 3, a recess 18 is formed in the first plate body 12. The recess 18 is recessed from the flat portion 13p of the first plate body 12 toward the other side D1b in the first direction D1. In the recess 18, the engaging piece 15 protrudes toward one side D1a in the first direction D1 from the bottom surface 18d facing the other side D1b in the first direction D1. This makes it possible to increase the length of the engaging piece 15 in the first direction D1 within a limited space.

[0040] The engaging piece 15 integrally comprises an engaging piece body 151, a first rib 152, and a pair of second ribs 153.

[0041] In this embodiment, the engaging piece body 151 is formed in a plate shape that extends along a plane intersecting the second direction D2. As shown in Figure 5, when viewed from the second direction D2, the length dimension L in the first direction D1 of the engaging piece body 151 is larger than the width dimension W in the width direction (third direction D3) of the engaging piece body 151.

[0042] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first rib 152 is provided on the engagement piece body 151 at the tip of one side D1a in the first direction D1. The first rib 152 protrudes from the surface 151f of the engagement piece body 151 in the direction approaching the projection 25 (second direction D2 in Figures 5 and 6). The first rib 152 extends along the surface 151f in the width direction of the engagement piece body 151 (third direction D3 in Figures 5 and 6), intersecting the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 (direction approaching the projection 25). The first rib 152 is engageable with the projection 25.

[0043] A pair of second ribs 153 extend from the widthwise ends of the first rib 152 to the other side D1b in the first direction D1 along the surface 151f. The pair of second ribs 153 extend in the first direction D1 along the widthwise side edges of the engaging piece body 151.

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, the projection dimension H2 of the second rib 153 in the direction approaching the projection 25 from the surface 151f is constant along the entire length of the second rib 153 in the first direction D1. The projection dimension H2 of the second rib 153 in the direction approaching the projection 25 from the surface 151f is smaller than the projection dimension H1 of the first rib 152 in the direction approaching the projection 25 from the surface 151f.

[0045] An opening 17 is formed in the flat portion 13p of the plate portion 13 of the first plate body 12. This opening 17 is formed in the portion that overlaps with the first rib 152 and the pair of second ribs 153 when viewed from the first direction D1. The opening 17 penetrates the flat portion 13p in the first direction D1. This opening 17 is a punch hole for forming the engagement piece 15 as described above in the first plate 11 made of synthetic resin.

[0046] (protrusion) Figure 7 is a side view showing the protrusions of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, multiple projections 25 are provided on the second plate 21. As shown in Figure 6, the projections 25 are provided on the second plate 21 at a position facing the engaging piece 15 when the first plate 11 and the second plate 21 are connected. As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, a through hole 27 is formed in the second plate 21 at a position facing the engaging piece 15 when viewed from the first direction D1, when the first plate 11 and the second plate 21 are connected. The through hole 27 penetrates the plate portion 23 of the second plate 21 in the first direction D1. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the tip portions 15s of the multiple engaging pieces 15 on one side D1a in the first direction D1 are inserted into the through hole 27.

[0047] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the projection 25 is formed on the inner circumferential surface 27f of the through hole 27. The projection 25 is formed on the inner circumferential surface 27f of the through hole 27 that faces the surface 151f of the engaging piece 15 inserted into the through hole 27. The projection 25 rises from the inner circumferential surface 27f toward the engaging piece 15 in a direction intersecting the first direction D1 (second direction D2 in Figure 6).

[0048] <3. Procedure for connecting the first and second plates> To connect the first plate 11 and the second plate 21, a predetermined first component 100 is attached to the first plate 11 and a predetermined second component 200 is attached to the second plate 21 in advance.

[0049] Next, the respective tip portions 15s of the multiple engaging pieces 15 of the first plate 11 are inserted into the through holes 27 of the second plate 21. At this time, each engaging piece 15 is sequentially inserted into the through hole 27 from the other side D1b to the one side D1a in the first direction D1. When the first rib 152 of the engaging piece 15 rides up onto the projection 25, the tip portion 15s of the engaging piece 15 elastically deforms in the direction away from the projection 25 in the second direction D2. In the engaging piece 15, the protrusion dimension H2 of the pair of second ribs 153 provided on the base end side of the engaging piece 15 relative to the first rib 152 is smaller than the protrusion dimension H1 of the first rib 152. Therefore, when the engaging piece 15 rides up onto the projection 25, the engaging piece 15 is more likely to undergo elastic deformation.

[0050] Subsequently, as the first rib 152 passes over the projection 25, the first rib 152 engages with the projection 25. In parallel with this engagement operation between the engaging piece 15 and the projection 25, the outer peripheral engaging claw 16 engages with the outer peripheral projection 26 on the outer periphery of the first plate 11 and the second plate 21, thereby connecting the first plate 11 and the second plate 21.

[0051] <4. Advantages> In this embodiment, the protrusion dimension H1 of the first rib 152 in the direction approaching the projection 25 from the surface 151f of the engaging piece 15 is less than the protrusion dimension H2 of the second rib 153. With this configuration, when connecting the first plate 11 and the second plate 21, the engaging piece 15 is more easily elastically deformed when the first rib 152 of the engaging piece 15 rides up onto the projection 25. As a result, the ease of assembly when connecting the first plate 11 and the second plate 21 to assemble the electrical connection unit 1 can be improved.

[0052] In this embodiment, the first plate body 12 has an opening 17 in the portion that overlaps with the first rib 152 and the pair of second ribs 153 when viewed from the first direction D1. With this configuration, the engaging piece 15 can be smoothly formed when the first plate 11 is formed by resin molding.

[0053] In this embodiment, the engaging piece 15 protrudes from the bottom surface of a recess 18 formed in the first plate body 12, which is recessed on the other side D1b of the first direction D1, to one side D1a of the first direction D1. With this configuration, the length of the engaging piece 15 in the first direction D1 can be greatly increased in a limited space. As a result, the engaging piece 15 becomes more elastically deformable, improving the ease of assembly of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0054] In this embodiment, the second plate 21 has a through hole 27 into which the tip 15s of the engaging piece 15 is inserted, and the projection 25 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 27. With this configuration, the tip 15s of the engaging piece 15 is inserted into the through hole 27, and the engaging piece 15 and the projection 25 engage inside the through hole 27. As a result, the engaging piece 15 and the projection 25 can be engaged in a limited space.

[0055] <5. Variation> Next, we will describe some variations. Note that, apart from the configurations described below, the configurations in each variation are the same as those of the embodiments described above.

[0056] In the above-described embodiment, the engaging piece 15 is provided on the plate portion 13 located inward relative to the peripheral wall portion 14 in the first plate 11, but the embodiment is not limited to this. A configuration similar to that of the engaging piece 15 having a first rib 152 and a second rib 153 may be applied to the outer peripheral engaging claw 16.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the first component 100 and the second component are mounted on the other side D1b of the first plate 11 and the second plate 21 in the first direction D1. However, the first component 100 and the second component may also be mounted on one side D1a of the first plate 11 and the second plate 21 in the first direction D1.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the first component 100 is provided as a connector, fuse, relay, capacitor, branching component, various sensors, electronic control unit, or a component unit comprising two or more of these, and the second component 200 is provided as a busbar, but it is not limited to this. The first component 100 may be provided as a busbar on the first plate 11, and the second component 200 may be provided as a connector, fuse, relay, capacitor, branching component, various sensors, electronic control unit, or a component unit comprising two or more of these, on the second plate 21.

[0059] Several embodiments and modifications have been described above. However, the embodiments and modifications are not limited to the examples described above. For example, multiple embodiments may be implemented in combination with each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1. Electrical connection unit 11 Plate 1 12. Main body of the first plate 15 Engaging piece 151 Engaging piece body 151f surface 15s tip 152 First Rib 153 Second Rib 17 Aperture 18 recesses 21 Second Plate 22. Second Plate Body 25 Protrusion 27 Through hole 27f Inner surface 100 First part 200 Second part

Claims

1. A first plate on which the first component can be attached, A second plate is provided stacked on one side in the first direction relative to the first plate, and a second component can be attached to the second plate. The first plate is, The first plate body on which the first component is attached, The first plate body comprises an engaging piece that protrudes toward one side in the first direction, The aforementioned second plate is A second plate body on which the second component can be attached, A projection extending from the second plate body in a direction intersecting the first direction and engaging with the engaging piece, Equipped with, The aforementioned engaging piece is Engaging piece body and A first rib protrudes from the surface of the engaging piece body in a direction approaching the projection, extends along the surface in the width direction of the engaging piece body intersecting the first direction and the direction approaching the projection, and is capable of engaging with the projection, The first rib comprises a pair of second ribs extending from both ends of the first rib in the width direction to the other side along the surface in the first direction, The protrusion dimension of the second rib in the direction approaching the protrusion from the surface is smaller than the protrusion dimension of the first rib in the direction approaching the protrusion from the surface. Electrical connection unit.

2. The first plate body, when viewed from a first direction, has an opening formed in the portion that overlaps with the first rib and the pair of second ribs, which penetrates the first plate body in a first direction. The electrical connection unit according to claim 1.

3. The first plate body has a recess that is recessed on the other side in the first direction, The engaging piece protrudes from the bottom surface of the recess facing the other side in the first direction, towards one side in the first direction. The electrical connection unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The second plate has a through hole that penetrates the second plate in the first direction, into which the tip of the engaging piece is inserted. The projection is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole. The electrical connection unit according to claim 1 or 2.

Images