Electrical junction box

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrical junction box that suppresses the increase in size of the electrical junction box, suppresses rattling between multiple housing components, and improves drainage within the junction box body. [Solution] An electrical junction box according to one embodiment comprises a lower housing member 12 and an upper housing member 13. The lower housing member 12 has a first positioning hole 15 that penetrates in the vertical direction. The upper housing member 13 is assembled to the upper part of the lower housing member 12 and together with the lower housing member 12 constitutes a junction box body 11 that houses electrical equipment. The upper housing member 13 has a second positioning hole 17 that penetrates in the vertical direction at a position corresponding to the first positioning hole 15. A fitting connection portion 30 is provided between the lower housing member 12 and the upper housing member 13. The fitting connection portion 30 connects the first positioning hole 15 and the second positioning hole 17 in the vertical direction by fitting together with each other.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electrical connection box. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with an electrical connection box that electrically connects various devices to be electrically connected, such as devices and power sources. Many of this type of electrical connection box are configured by assembling a plurality of housing members for a connection box body that houses wiring and devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). 【0003】 The electrical connection box described in Patent Document 1 includes a first housing member that houses devices such as electronic components, and a second housing member that covers a recess for housing the devices of the first housing member. The first housing member and the second housing member are positioned relative to each other after the devices are housed, and are fixed to each other by fastening members or the like in that state. 【0004】 Positioning holes are provided at corresponding positions of the first housing member and the second housing member. When assembling the first housing member and the second housing member, the positioning holes of each housing member are inserted through the positioning pins of the assembly jig. Thereby, the relative positions of the first housing member and the second housing member can be aligned, and the two housing members can be fixed in that state. The positioning pins of the assembly jig are pulled out from the positioning holes after the two housing members are fixed. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0005】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-088970 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0006】 In the electrical junction box described in Patent Document 1, the positioning holes of the first housing member and the second housing member are used only for positioning before assembly of both housing members, and are not effectively used after positioning. 【0007】 On the other hand, when this type of electrical junction box is used in vehicles or similar applications, there is a high probability of vibration input and splashing of water from the outside. However, adding structures to suppress rattling due to input vibrations or to improve drainage within the junction box itself would increase the size of the electrical junction box and the installation space it occupies. 【0008】 One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrical junction box that can suppress the enlargement of the electrical junction box, suppress rattling between multiple housing members, and improve drainage within the junction box body. [Means for solving the problem] 【0009】 An electrical junction box according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a lower housing member having a first positioning hole that penetrates in the vertical direction, and an upper housing member assembled to the upper part of the lower housing member and constituting a junction box body that houses electrical equipment together with the lower housing member, and having a second positioning hole that penetrates in the vertical direction at a position corresponding to the first positioning hole, wherein the lower housing member and the upper housing member are provided with a fitting connection portion that connects the first positioning hole and the second positioning hole in the vertical direction by fitting together with each other. [Effects of the Invention] 【0010】 According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical junction box can suppress the enlargement of the electrical junction box, suppress rattling between multiple housing members, and improve drainage within the junction box body. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0011】 [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of the electrical junction box of the embodiment, corresponding to section II in Figure 4. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the electrical junction box of the embodiment, corresponding to the section II-II in Figure 4. [Figure 3] This is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the lower housing member of the electrical junction box according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a plan view of the lower housing member of the electrical junction box according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the electrical junction box of the embodiment, corresponding to cross-section II in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 1, illustrating the assembly process of the electrical junction box according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0012】 The electrical junction box 10 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. 【0013】 Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the electrical junction box 10 of this embodiment. Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the electrical junction box 10 cut at a different position than in Figure 1. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to section II in Figure 4, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to section II-II in Figure 4. The electrical junction box 10 of this embodiment includes a junction box body 11 that houses electric wires and electrical equipment (not shown). Electric wires connected to the electrical equipment are drawn out from the junction box body 11 and connected to a power source, load, etc. The junction box body 11 includes a lower housing member 12 and an upper housing member 13. The upper housing member 13 is assembled in a position on top of the lower housing member 12. Between the upper housing member 13 and the lower housing member 12, a housing chamber (not shown) is formed for housing electrical equipment such as relays and fuses. Both the lower housing member 12 and the upper housing member 13 are made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. Other equipment such as connectors and circuit boards may be placed between the upper housing member 13 and the lower housing member 12. 【0014】 The lower housing member 12 includes a substantially horizontal lower base wall 14. The lower base wall 14 has a first positioning hole 15 that penetrates in the vertical direction. The upper housing member 13 includes a substantially horizontal upper base wall 16. The upper base wall 16 is positioned above the lower base wall 14 and spaced apart. The upper base wall 16 has a second positioning hole 17 that penetrates in the vertical direction. The first positioning hole 15 of the lower base wall 14 and the second positioning hole 17 of the upper base wall 16 are formed in positions that overlap in a plan view. 【0015】 Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the lower housing member 12, and Figure 4 is a plan view of the lower housing member 12. Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the electrical connection box 10 cut at the portion corresponding to section II in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 3, multiple partition walls 18a, 18b and reinforcing ribs 19 are erected on the upper surface of the lower base wall 14 of the lower housing member 12. Above the lower base wall 14, a space for arranging electronic components and wires is secured by the partition walls 18a, 18b, etc. The lower housing member 12 is also made rigid by the partition walls 18a, 18b and reinforcing ribs 19. A first cylindrical portion 20 that protrudes upward is formed on the upper surface of the lower base wall 14 in the area enclosed by the partition walls 18a, 18b and reinforcing ribs 19. The first cylindrical portion 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first cylindrical portion 20 has an internal passage 20a that extends in the vertical direction. The internal passage 20a forms part of the first positioning hole 15 in the lower housing member 12. In other words, the first positioning hole 15 of the lower housing member 12 is formed to penetrate the lower base wall 14 and the first cylindrical portion 20 in the vertical direction. 【0016】 A pair of substantially U-shaped notches 21 are formed at the upper part (extension end) of the first cylindrical portion 20, such that a portion of the circumferential direction of the first cylindrical portion 20 is missing. The pair of notches 21 are formed at positions 180° apart on the circumference of the first cylindrical portion 20. In addition, a tapered chamfer 22 is provided on the inner circumferential edge of the upper end surface (extension end surface) of the first cylindrical portion 20. 【0017】 In addition, a pair of drain holes 23 penetrating in the vertical direction are formed around the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 20 of the lower base wall 14. As shown in FIG. 4, each drain hole 23 is formed in an arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 20. The arcuate side on the radially inner side of the drain hole 23 is formed so as to overlap the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 20 in a plan view. Further, the pair of arcuate drain holes 23 are symmetrically arranged about the circular center o of the first cylindrical portion 20. Since the drain holes 23 penetrate the lower base wall 14 vertically around the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 20, as shown in FIG. 2, when the water droplets w2 enter the upper surface side of the lower base wall 14, the water droplets w2 can be suitably discharged to the outside (downward). 【0018】 On the upper surface of the upper base wall 16 of the upper housing member 13, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a plurality of vertical walls 24a, 24b, 24c are formed. The second positioning hole 17 of the upper base wall 16 is arranged in a concave region 40 surrounded by the plurality of vertical walls 24a, 24b, 24c. On the lower surface of the upper base wall 16, a second cylindrical portion 25 protruding downward is formed. The second cylindrical portion 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The second cylindrical portion 25 has an internal passage 25a extending in the vertical direction. The internal passage 25a forms a part of the second positioning hole 17 in the upper housing member 13. That is, the second positioning hole 17 of the upper housing member 13 is formed so as to penetrate the upper base wall 16 and the second cylindrical portion 25 in the vertical direction. 【0019】 The outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 25 is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion 20 on the side of the lower housing member 12. The lower end portion 25e of the second cylindrical portion 25 is fitted into the internal passage 20a of the first cylindrical portion 20 when the upper housing member 13 is assembled to the upper part of the lower housing member 12. That is, the axial lengths (the lengths in the extending direction) of the first cylindrical portion 20 and the second cylindrical portion 25 are formed to have a length that laps a predetermined length in the axial direction when the upper housing member 13 and the lower housing member 12 are assembled. A tapered chamfered portion 26 is provided at the outer peripheral side edge of the lower end surface (the end surface in the extending direction) of the second cylindrical portion 25. 【0020】 The lower end portion 25e of the second cylindrical portion 25 and the upper end portion 20e of the first cylindrical portion 20 (the end portions facing each other) are fitted to each other as described above. The end portions 25e and 20e of the second cylindrical portion 25 and the first cylindrical portion 20 that are fitted to each other constitute the fitting connection portion 30. When the upper housing member 13 is assembled to the upper part of the lower housing member 12, the fitting connection portion 30 connects the internal passage 25a of the second cylindrical portion 25 to the internal passage 20a of the first cylindrical portion 20. When the internal passages 25a and 20a of the second cylindrical portion 25 and the first cylindrical portion 20 are connected to each other, the water droplets w1 flowing into the concave region 40 on the upper surface side of the upper housing member 13 can be discharged to the outside (downward) through the second positioning hole 17 (including the internal passage 25a) and the first positioning hole 15 (including the internal passage 20a). 【0021】 FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1 for explaining the assembling process of the electrical connection box 10. The electrical connection box 10 of the present embodiment is assembled as follows. As shown in FIG. 6, an assembling jig 35 having a first pin 35f and a second pin 35s is prepared. The assembling jig 35 has a second pin 35s with an outer diameter smaller than that of the first pin 35f continuously provided on the upper part of the first pin 35f. The outer diameter of the first pin 35f is set to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first positioning hole 15 of the lower housing member 12. The outer diameter of the second pin 35s is set to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second positioning hole 17 of the upper housing member 13. Also, electronic components and the like are pre-assembled to the lower housing member 12. 【0022】 First, the second pin 35s and the first pin 35f of the assembling jig 35 are inserted into the first positioning hole 15 of the lower housing member 12, and the lower first pin 35f of the assembling jig 35 is fitted into the first positioning hole 15. After that, the upper housing member 13 is moved above the assembling jig 35, the second pin 35s is inserted into the second positioning hole 17 of the upper housing member 13, and the upper second pin 35s of the assembling jig 35 is fitted into the second positioning hole 17. Thereby, the lower housing member 12 and the upper housing member 13 are relatively positioned with the assembling jig 35 as a reference. 【0023】 As shown in Figure 6, the lower end 25e of the second cylindrical portion 25 of the upper housing member 13 is fitted into the internal passage 20a of the upper end 20e of the first cylindrical portion 20 of the lower housing member 12 (connected by the fitting connection portion 30). At this time, even if the position of the upper housing member 13 is slightly misaligned with the position of the lower housing member 12, the chamfered portion 26 at the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 25 comes into contact with the chamfered portion 22 at the upper end of the first cylindrical portion 20, thereby adjusting the position of the second cylindrical portion 25. Also, when the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 25 is pushed into the internal passage 20a of the first cylindrical portion 20, the upper edge portion sandwiching the notch portion 21 of the first cylindrical portion 20 bends radially outward. As a result, the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 25 is smoothly fitted into the first cylindrical portion 20. 【0024】 After this, the lower housing member 12 and the upper housing member 13 are fixed to each other by fastening with fastening members or by engagement with protrusions and recesses. The first pin 35f and the second pin 35s of the assembly jig 35 are finally pulled out from the positioning holes 15 and 17. 【0025】 As described above, in this embodiment, the electrical connection box 10 is provided with a fitting connection portion 30 on the lower housing member 12 and the upper housing member 13 that connects the first positioning hole 15 and the second positioning hole 17 in the vertical direction by fitting together. When assembling the lower housing member 12 and the upper housing member 13, the lower housing member 12 and the upper housing member 13 are positioned using an assembly jig 35 or the like, and then their positions are firmly restrained by the fitting connection portion 30, and the second positioning hole 17 and the first positioning hole 15 can be connected in the vertical direction. 【0026】 Therefore, after assembling the lower housing member 12 and the upper housing member 13, looseness between the upper housing member 13 and the lower housing member 12 can be suppressed, and drainage within the connection box body 11 can be improved. In other words, if water droplets w1 flow into the concave region 40 at the top of the upper housing member 13, the water droplets w1 can be smoothly discharged downwards to the connection box body 11 through the second positioning hole 17 and the first positioning hole 15. At this time, since the second positioning hole 17 and the first positioning hole 15 are connected in a substantially sealed state through the fitting connection part 30, water droplets w1 flowing from the second positioning hole 17 to the second positioning hole 15 will not drip onto the lower base wall 14 of the lower housing member 12. Furthermore, in the electrical junction box 10 of this embodiment, the function of suppressing rattle between the upper housing member 13 and the lower housing member 12, and the function of draining water from the top of the upper housing member 13 are integrated into the positioning parts of both housing members 13 and 12. For this reason, the electrical junction box 10 can be made smaller compared to cases where the rattle suppression function and the drainage function are provided in separate parts. Therefore, by adopting the electrical connection box 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the electrical connection box 10, suppress rattling between the multiple housing members 12 and 13, and improve drainage inside the connection box body 11. 【0027】 Furthermore, in the electrical connection box 10 of this embodiment, the first cylindrical portion 20 is provided on the lower housing member 12, and the second cylindrical portion 25 is provided on the upper housing member 13. The first cylindrical portion 20 has an internal passage 20a that forms part of the first positioning hole 15, and the second cylindrical portion 25 has an internal passage 25a that forms part of the second positioning hole 17. The mutually opposing ends 20e and 25e of the first cylindrical portion 20 and the second cylindrical portion 25 constitute the fitting connection portion 30. In the case of the electrical junction box 10 with this configuration, since the lower housing member 12 and the upper housing member 13 are each provided with cylindrical portions that protrude in a direction toward each other, the length of each cylindrical portion can be shortened. For this reason, the manufacturing of the cylindrical portions becomes easier, and the support rigidity of the cylindrical portions is also increased. Therefore, by adopting this configuration, it becomes possible to simplify the manufacturing of the electrical junction box 10, as well as to improve the rattling suppression performance and durability of the mating connection portion 30. 【0028】 Furthermore, in the electrical connection box 10 of this embodiment, a notch 21 is provided at the upper end of the first cylindrical portion 20 such that a portion in the circumferential direction is missing. Due to the function of this notch 21, when the second cylindrical portion is fitted into the first cylindrical portion 20, the upper end of the first cylindrical portion 20 is more easily deformed by bending in the diameter expansion direction. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, it is possible to reduce the assembly resistance (resistance when fitting the second cylindrical portion 25 into the first cylindrical portion 20) when assembling the upper housing member 13 to the lower housing member 12, and to improve ease of assembly. 【0029】 Furthermore, in the electrical connection box 10 of this embodiment, a drain hole 23 is formed around the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 20 of the lower base wall 14, penetrating in the vertical direction. With this configuration, even if water droplets w2 flow into the upper surface of the lower housing member 12, the water droplets w2 can be discharged to the outside through the drain hole 23 around the first cylindrical portion 20. 【0030】 Furthermore, in the electrical connection box 10 of this embodiment, the drain hole 23 is formed in an arc shape that, when viewed from above, follows the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 20, so that water droplets w2 can be smoothly discharged to the outside from a wide area around the first cylindrical portion 20 on the lower base wall 14. In particular, in this embodiment, the radially inward arc-shaped edge of the drain hole 23 is formed to overlap with the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 20 in a plan view. This configuration allows water droplets w2 that have accumulated on the lower base wall 14 toward the base end of the first cylindrical portion 20 to be efficiently discharged to the outside through the drain hole 23. 【0031】 While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, these embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. 【0032】 In the above embodiment, the first cylindrical portion 20 protruding from the lower housing member 12 and the second cylindrical portion 25 protruding from the upper housing member 13 are fitted together, and the fitted portion constitutes the fitting connection portion 30. However, the fitting connection portion 30 can also be configured in ways other than fitting the cylindrical portions together. For example, a cylindrical portion may be provided on only one of the lower housing member 12 or the upper housing member 13, and that cylindrical portion may be fitted into the positioning hole of the other. 【0033】 Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a notch 21 is formed at the upper end of the first cylindrical portion 20, but the notch may also be formed at the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 25. Also, the notches may be formed in both the first cylindrical portion 20 and the second cylindrical portion 25, as long as the positions of the notches do not coincide when the fitting connection portions are connected. [Explanation of symbols] 【0034】 10… Electrical junction box 11…Connection box body 12…Lower housing component 13…Upper housing component 14…Lower base wall 15…First positioning hole 16… Upper base wall 17…Second positioning hole 20...First cylindrical part 20a...Internal passageway 21... Notch 23…Drainage holes 25...Second cylinder part 25a…Internal passage 30…Matching connection part

Claims

[Claim 1] A lower housing member having a first positioning hole that penetrates in the vertical direction, The upper housing member is assembled to the upper part of the lower housing member and constitutes a connection box body that houses electrical equipment together with the lower housing member, and has a second positioning hole that penetrates vertically at a position corresponding to the first positioning hole, The lower housing member and the upper housing member are provided with a fitting connection portion that connects the first positioning hole and the second positioning hole in the vertical direction by fitting together. Electrical junction box. [Claim 2] The lower housing member comprises a first cylindrical portion that protrudes upward from the substantially horizontal lower base wall of the lower housing member and has an internal passage that forms part of the first positioning hole, The upper housing member comprises a second cylindrical portion that protrudes substantially horizontally from the upper housing member or downward from the upper base wall and has an internal passage that forms part of the second positioning hole, The mutually opposing ends of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion constitute the fitting connection portion. The electrical junction box according to claim 1. [Claim 3] At least one of the ends of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion is provided with a notch such that a portion in the circumferential direction is missing. The electrical junction box according to claim 2. [Claim 4] A drainage hole is formed around the lower end of the first cylindrical portion of the lower base wall, which penetrates vertically. The electrical junction box according to claim 2. [Claim 5] The drain hole is formed in an arc shape that, when viewed from above, follows the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the first cylindrical portion. The electrical junction box according to claim 4.

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