Electrical junction box

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrical connection box that easily prevents liquid that seeps in between the inner and outer walls of the frame from adhering to electronic components. [Solution] The electrical junction box comprises a cylindrical frame having an upper opening and a lower opening, an upper cover that closes the upper opening, and a lower cover that closes the lower opening. The frame has a cylindrical inner circumferential wall portion that surrounds the electronic components, a cylindrical outer circumferential wall portion that surrounds the inner circumferential wall portion so as to be spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface of the inner circumferential wall portion, and a connecting portion that connects the outer circumferential surface of the inner circumferential wall portion and the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall portion. The bottom of the lower cover has a first bottom portion and a second bottom portion that slopes so as to become progressively shallower in depth from the first bottom portion toward the inner circumferential wall portion. The connecting portion has a first rib that slopes downward from the second bottom portion toward the first bottom portion. The first rib has a slit provided in the middle of the first rib that penetrates vertically.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrical junction box. Background Art

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses an electrical junction box installed in an engine room of a vehicle such as an automobile. The electrical junction box houses electronic components such as fuses or relays therein. The electrical junction box includes a frame, a lower cover, and an upper cover.

[0003] The frame forms an accommodation space in which electronic components are assembled. The frame has a double-wall structure. The double-wall structure includes a rectangular cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion, a rectangular cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion, and a water exposure avoidance rib. The outer peripheral wall portion surrounds the outer circumference of the inner peripheral wall portion such that a gap is provided between the outer peripheral wall portion and the inner peripheral wall portion. The water exposure avoidance rib connects between the inner peripheral wall portion and the outer peripheral wall portion. Details of the water exposure avoidance rib will be described later. In a state where the electrical junction box is installed in the engine room, the upper portion and the lower portion of the frame are open.

[0004] The lower cover closes the opening below the frame. The lower cover includes a rectangular bottom portion and a rectangular cylindrical side wall portion extending upward from a peripheral edge of the bottom portion. The bottom portion of the lower cover has a bottom proximity portion that is close to the electronic component. The bottom proximity portion is configured in an inclined shape such that the depth gradually increases. The side wall portion of the lower cover is assembled to a lower portion of the double-wall structure of the frame.

[0005] The upper cover closes the opening above the frame. The upper cover includes a rectangular ceiling portion and a rectangular cylindrical side wall portion extending downward from a peripheral edge of the ceiling portion. The side wall portion of the upper cover is assembled to an upper portion of the double-wall structure of the frame.

[0006] The water-repellent ribs described above are provided to extend in a continuous line from above the bottom-proximity area to the avoidance point, which is located offset from above the bottom-proximity area. The water-repellent ribs have an inclined surface that slopes downward from above the bottom-proximity area towards the avoidance point. The lower end of the water-repellent rib is not connected to the frame, and a gap is formed at the end of the lower end of the water-repellent rib.

[0007] The electrical junction box guides water that has seeped between the inner and outer walls of the frame through the gap at the connection between the frame and the upper cover, by moving it along the inclined surface of the water-repellent rib by its own weight, from above the area near the bottom to the aforementioned avoidance point. This guidance causes the water to fall from the lower end of the water-repellent rib to the avoidance point, reducing the amount of water that would bounce up from the area near the bottom and adhere to the electronic components. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 175187 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] An electrical junction box is desired that more effectively prevents liquids that seep in between the inner and outer walls of the frame from adhering to electronic components.

[0010] One of the purposes of this disclosure is to provide an electrical connection box that makes it easier to prevent liquid that seeps in from between the inner and outer walls of the frame from adhering to electronic components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The electrical junction box of this disclosure is an electrical junction box for housing electronic components, comprising a cylindrical frame having an upper opening that opens upward and a lower opening that opens downward, an upper cover that closes the upper opening, and a lower cover that closes the lower opening. The frame has a cylindrical inner circumferential wall portion that surrounds the electronic components, a cylindrical outer circumferential wall portion that surrounds the inner circumferential wall portion so as to be spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface of the inner circumferential wall portion, and a connecting portion that connects the outer circumferential surface of the inner circumferential wall portion and the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall portion. The bottom of the lower cover has a first bottom portion and a second bottom portion that slopes so as to become progressively shallower in depth from the first bottom portion toward the inner circumferential wall portion. The connecting portion has a first rib that slopes downward toward the first bottom portion from the second bottom portion toward the first bottom portion. The first rib has a slit provided in the middle of the first rib that penetrates vertically. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The electrical junction box of this disclosure makes it easier to prevent liquid that seeps in between the inner and outer walls of the frame from adhering to electronic components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an electrical junction box of an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the liquid ingress path in the electrical junction box of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic top view showing the electrical connection box of the embodiment with the upper cover removed. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the VV section of Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 4. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0015] >(1) An electrical junction box according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an electrical junction box that houses electronic components inside, and comprises: a cylindrical frame having an upwardly opening upper opening and a downwardly opening lower opening; an upper cover that closes the upper opening; and a lower cover that closes the lower opening. The frame includes: a cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion surrounding the electronic components; a cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion surrounding the inner peripheral wall portion, the outer peripheral wall portion being disposed at an interval from an outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion; and a connecting portion connecting the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion and an inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion. A bottom portion of the lower cover includes a first bottom portion and a second bottom portion inclined such that a depth thereof gradually decreases from the first bottom portion toward the inner peripheral wall portion. The connecting portion includes a first rib inclined so as to descend downward from the second bottom portion toward the first bottom portion. The first rib has a slit provided in the middle of the first rib so as to penetrate vertically therethrough.

[0016] Liquid may pass through a gap between the upper cover and the outer peripheral wall portion of the frame. The liquid that has passed through this gap falls downward from an upper portion between the outer peripheral wall portion and the inner peripheral wall portion of the frame, thereby intruding into the space between the inner peripheral wall portion and the outer peripheral wall portion.

[0017] For example, unlike the electrical junction box of (1) above, in the case of a conventional electrical junction box that has a first rib but the first rib does not have a slit in the middle thereof, falling liquid comes into contact with the first rib, so it rarely directly hits the bottom portion, particularly the second bottom portion. However, in the case of the conventional electrical junction box, liquid can only fall from the first rib at the downstream end of the first rib, resulting in a small number of falling positions. Therefore, particularly when the amount of liquid is large, there is a risk that the liquid overflows into the space vertically above the first rib. When the liquid overflows, the liquid climbs over the upper end of the inner peripheral wall portion and adheres to the electronic components.

[0018] In the electrical connection box of (1) above, since the first rib has a slit in its middle portion, there are more locations where liquid drops from the first rib. Therefore, in the electrical connection box of (1) above, even if there is a large amount of liquid, the liquid is less likely to overflow into the space vertically above the first rib, and thus the liquid is less likely to climb over the upper end of the inner peripheral wall. Therefore, compared with conventional electrical connection boxes, the electrical connection box of (1) above is more prone to adhesion of liquid to electronic components.

[0019] (2) In the electrical connection box of (1) above, the distance along the vertical direction between the lower end of the inner peripheral wall and the slit may be not more than half the length along the vertical direction between the upper end and the lower end of the inner peripheral wall.

[0020] The electrical connection box of (2) above facilitates shortening the distance between the slit and the portion of the bottom located below the slit. Therefore, the electrical connection box of (2) above easily prevents the liquid that has traveled along the first rib, passed through the slit, dropped, and hit the bottom from splashing greatly upward and inward.

[0021] (3) In the electrical connection box of (1) or (2) above, the connecting portion may have a second rib provided below the slit so as to face the slit.

[0022] The electrical connection box of (3) above easily prevents intruded liquid from directly hitting the bottom portion through the slit without contacting the first rib.

[0023] (4) In the electrical connection box of (3) above, the second rib may be inclined so as to go downward as it goes from the second bottom portion toward the first bottom portion.

[0024] The electrical connection box of (4) above easily guides intruded liquid to the first bottom portion.

[0025] (5) In the electrical connection box of (3) or (4) above, the length of the second rib may be shorter than the length of the slit.

[0026] The electrical junction box described in (5) above is easy to form a frame for.

[0027] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] The embodiments of the electrical junction box of this disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. The shapes, sizes, and positional relationships shown in each figure are for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily represent the actual shapes, sizes, and positional relationships. The same reference numerals in the figures indicate the same parts.

[0028] [Embodiment] <Electrical junction box> The electrical junction box 1 of this embodiment houses an electronic component 8 inside, as shown in Figure 2. The electrical junction box 1 comprises a frame 2, an upper cover 3, and a lower cover 4, as shown in Figure 1. The frame 2 is cylindrical. The frame 2 has an upper opening that opens upward and a lower opening that opens downward, as shown in Figure 2. The upper cover 3 closes the upper opening. The lower cover 4 closes the lower opening. The frame 2 has a cylindrical inner circumferential wall portion 2i, a cylindrical outer circumferential wall portion 2e, and a connecting portion 2c, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The inner circumferential wall portion 2i surrounds the electronic component 8. The outer circumferential wall portion 2e surrounds the inner circumferential wall portion 2i so as to be spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface of the inner circumferential wall portion 2i. The connecting portion 2c connects the outer circumferential surface of the inner circumferential wall portion 2i and the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall portion 2e. One of the features of the electrical junction box 1 is that the connecting portion 2c has a specific first rib 23.

[0029] ≪Frame≫ [Inner peripheral wall / outer peripheral wall] The shapes of the inner circumferential wall portion 2i and the outer circumferential wall portion 2e are not particularly limited. The shapes of the inner circumferential wall portion 2i and the outer circumferential wall portion 2e may be, for example, polygonal or cylindrical. In this example, the shapes of the inner circumferential wall portion 2i and the outer circumferential wall portion 2e are rectangular, as shown in Figure 4. The inner circumferential wall portion 2i and the outer circumferential wall portion 2e have four wall portions: a first wall portion 211, a second wall portion 212, a third wall portion 213, and a fourth wall portion 214, and four corner portions: a first corner portion 221, a second corner portion 222, a third corner portion 223, and a fourth corner portion 224. Each first wall portion 211 and each second wall portion 212 are aligned along the short side of the rectangle. Each first wall portion 211 and each second wall portion 212 are aligned with each other in the direction along the long side of the rectangle. Each third wall section 213 and each fourth wall section 214 are aligned along the long side. Each third wall section 213 and each fourth wall section 214 face each other in the direction along the short side. The first end of each first wall section 211 and the first end of each third wall section 213 are connected by each first corner section 221. The second end of each first wall section 211 and the first end of each fourth wall section 214 are connected by each second corner section 222. The second end of each third wall section 213 and the first end of each second wall section 212 are connected by each third corner section 223. The second end of each fourth wall section 214 and the second end of each second wall section 212 are connected by each fourth corner section 224.

[0030] [Connection part] <First Rib> The connecting portion 2c has a first rib 23, as shown in Figures 4 to 7. The first rib 23 has a portion that slopes downward as it moves from the second bottom portion 412 towards the first bottom portion 411, which will be described later. The first rib 23 facilitates the guidance of liquid that has seeped between the inner peripheral wall portion 2i and the outer peripheral wall portion 2e of the frame 2 from the outside of the electrical junction box 1, moving away from the second bottom portion 412 and towards the first bottom portion 411. The liquid intrusion path will be described later. The inclination angle of the first rib 23 can be selected as appropriate. The inclination angle of the first rib 23 is the angle between the horizontal direction and the first rib 23 when the electrical junction box 1 is installed on the target.

[0031] In this example, the first rib 23 is provided between the inner circumferential wall portion 2i and the outer circumferential wall portion 2e of the frame 2, in the area extending along the short side between the first wall portions 211 as shown in Figure 5, in the area extending along the long side between the third wall portions 213 as shown in Figure 6, and in the area extending along the long side between the fourth wall portions 214 as shown in Figure 7. In this example, the first rib 23 is not provided in the remaining area along the long side between the third wall portions 213 as shown in Figure 6, in the remaining area along the long side between the fourth wall portions 214 as shown in Figure 7, and in the entire area between the second wall portions 212, although this is not shown.

[0032] In this example, the first rib 231 connecting the first wall sections 211 shown in Figure 5 is connected to the first rib 233 connecting the third wall sections 213 shown in Figure 6. The first rib 231 connecting the first wall sections 211 shown in Figure 5 is connected to the first rib 234 connecting the fourth wall sections 214 shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 5, the first rib 231 of the first wall section 211 is configured in a mountain shape, convex upwards. Specifically, the first rib 231 of the first wall section 211 is configured to slope downwards from the center in the direction along the short side toward the first corner section 221 and the second corner section 222, respectively. As shown in Figure 6, the first rib 233 of the third wall section 213 is configured to slope downwards from the first corner section 221 toward the third corner section 223. The first rib 233 of the third wall 213 is not connected to the third corner 223. As shown in Figure 7, the first rib 234 of the fourth wall 214 is configured to slope downwards from the second corner 222 to the fourth corner 224. The first rib 234 of the fourth wall 214 is not connected to the fourth corner 224.

[0033] The first rib 23 has a slit 24 provided in the middle of the first rib 23, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The slit provided in the middle of the first rib 23 refers to the slit located between the uppermost point and the lowermost point of the first rib 23, and does not include the gap at the end of the lowermost end of the first rib 23. In this example, the uppermost point of the first rib 23 is the peak of the mountain shape of the first rib 231 of the first wall 211, and the lowermost points are the downstream end of the lowest first rib 233 of the third wall 213 and the downstream end of the lowest first rib 234 of the fourth wall 214. In other words, the gap at the end of the downstream end of the lowest first rib 233 of the third wall 213 and the gap at the end of the downstream end of the lowest first rib 234 of the fourth wall 214 are not slits 24. In this example, the first rib 231 of the first wall 211 shown in Figure 5 does not have a slit 24 in the middle, the first rib 233 of the third wall 213 shown in Figure 6 has a slit 243 provided in the middle, and the first rib 234 of the fourth wall 214 shown in Figure 7 has a slit 244 provided in the middle. Each slit 24 penetrates each first rib 23 vertically.

[0034] The liquid infiltration path will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 shows an example of liquid infiltration between the first wall portions 211. However, the liquid also infiltrates between the second wall portions 212, between the third wall portions 213, and between the fourth wall portions 214 through the same infiltration path as the infiltration path between the first wall portions 211 described below. As indicated by the black dashed arrow at the top of Figure 3, the liquid may pass from bottom to top through the gap between the outer peripheral wall portion 32e of the upper cover 3 and the outer peripheral wall portion 2e of the frame 2, which will be described later. The liquid that has passed through this gap may flow downward along the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 2e of the frame 2, or flow downward along the inner peripheral wall portion 32i of the upper cover 3, which will be described later, and fall downward from the inner peripheral wall portion 32i of the upper cover 3. The liquid seeps into the interior of the frame 2 from the upper part between the outer periphery wall 2e and the inner periphery wall 2i. Hereinafter, the liquid seeping in from above the frame 2 will be referred to as the first liquid. The liquid may also pass through the gap between the outer periphery wall 42e and the inner periphery wall 42i of the lower cover 4, which will be described later, from bottom to top, as indicated by the black dotted arrow at the bottom of Figure 3. The liquid that passes through this gap may flow downward along the inner surface of the inner periphery wall 42i of the lower cover 4, or flow downward along the outer surface of the inner periphery wall 2i of the frame 2 and fall downward from the inner periphery wall 2i of the frame 2. Hereinafter, the liquid seeping in from below the frame 2 will be referred to as the second liquid.

[0035] For example, in the case of an electrical junction box X that does not have the first rib 23, unlike this example, the fallen first liquid will hit the bottom 41 of the lower cover 4. Because there is no first rib 23, the height from which the first liquid falls is greater. Therefore, the first liquid that falls and hits the bottom 41 of the lower cover 4 may bounce upward and inward towards the inner circumferential wall portion 2i of the frame 2. The first liquid that bounces upward and inward may adhere to the electronic component 8. In particular, if the fallen first liquid hits the second bottom 412, the depth of the second bottom 412 is shallower in many places compared to the first bottom 411, and the distance between the second bottom 412 and the electronic component 8 is shorter in many places compared to the distance between the first bottom 411 and the electronic component 8, so the first liquid is likely to adhere to the electronic component 8.

[0036] For example, unlike this example, in the case of an electrical junction box Y that has a first rib 23 but does not have a slit 24 in the middle of the first rib 23, the fallen first liquid will come into contact with the first rib 23, and therefore, unlike the case where there is no first rib 23, it will rarely directly hit the bottom 41, especially the second bottom 412. However, in the case of electrical junction box Y, the first liquid falls from the first rib 23 only at the downstream end of the first rib 23, so there are few places where it can fall. Therefore, there is a risk that the first liquid will overflow into the space vertically above the first rib 23. If the first liquid overflows, it will go over the upper end of the inner circumferential wall 2i and adhere to the electronic component 8.

[0037] In the case of the electrical junction box 1 in this example, the first rib 23 has a slit 24 in the middle, so there are many places where the first liquid falls from the first rib 23. Therefore, in the case of the electrical junction box 1 in this example, even if the amount of the first liquid is large, the first liquid is unlikely to overflow into the space vertically above the first rib 23, and therefore the first liquid is unlikely to overflow the upper end of the inner circumferential wall 2i. Thus, in the electrical junction box 1 in this example, the first liquid is more likely to adhere to the electronic components 8 compared to the electrical junction box Y. The second liquid is less likely to bounce back upwards and inwards because it falls from a lower height.

[0038] The number of slits 243 provided in the middle of the first rib 233 of the third wall 213 and the number of slits 244 provided in the middle of the first rib 234 of the fourth wall 214 can be selected as appropriate. The number of slits 243 on the first rib 233 and the number of slits 244 on the first rib 234 may be singular or plural. The number of slits 243 on the first rib 233 and the number of slits 244 on the first rib 234 may be the same or different. The more slits 243 and 244 there are, the shorter the individual length of each first rib 233 and 234 separated by the slits 243 and 244 will be compared to when there are no slits 243 and 244. Therefore, the flow of liquid over each separated first rib 233 and 234 is less likely to become fast. Furthermore, because it is easier for the liquid to pass through different slits 243 and 244, even if a large amount of liquid is entering, the liquid is easily dispersed and flows. In this example, the number of slits 243 in the first rib 233 and the number of slits 244 in the first rib 234 are both 2.

[0039] The first rib 233 of the third wall portion 213 and the slit 243 in the middle of it, and the first rib 234 of the fourth wall portion 214 and the slit 244 in the middle of it, may be provided at the same height as each other, or at different heights as each other. The distances D1 and D2 shown in Figures 6 and 7 may be less than or equal to half the length L1 shown in Figure 2, for example. As shown in Figure 6, distance D1 is the vertical distance between the lower end of the inner circumferential wall portion 2i of the frame 2 and the slit 243 provided in the middle of the first rib 233 of the third wall portion 213. When multiple slits 243 are provided as in this example, slit 243 refers to the uppermost slit 243. As shown in Figure 7, distance D2 is the vertical distance between the lower end of the inner circumferential wall portion 2i of the frame 2 and the slit 244 provided in the middle of the first rib 234 of the fourth wall portion 214. When multiple slits 244 are provided as in this example, slit 244 refers to the uppermost slit 244. As shown in Figure 2, length L1 is the length between the upper and lower ends of the inner circumferential wall portion 2i of frame 2. Since distances D1 and D2 are less than half of length L1, it is easy to shorten the distance between the point located below the slits 243 and 244 on the bottom portion 41 and the slits 243 and 244. Therefore, the first liquid falling from the slits 243 and 244 is less likely to bounce back significantly upward and inward upon hitting the bottom portion 41.

[0040] The length L2, the ratio of distance D3 to distance D4 (D4 / D3), and distance D4 shown in Figure 6, and the length L3, the ratio of distance D5 to distance D6 (D6 / D5), and distance D5 shown in Figure 7 can be selected as appropriate. As shown in Figure 6, length L2 is the length of the slit 243 provided in the middle of the first rib 233 of the third wall portion 213, and is the shortest distance between adjacent first ribs 233 on either side of the slit 243. Distance D3 is the vertical distance between the first specific location of the second bottom portion 412 and the lower end of the inner circumferential wall portion 32i of the upper cover 3. The first specific location of the second bottom portion 412 is located vertically below the downstream end of the first specific rib. The first specific rib is the upper of the first ribs 233 that sandwich the slit 243 provided in the middle of the first ribs 233 of the third wall portion 213. In this example, where multiple slits 243 are provided, the slit 243 referred to is the uppermost slit 243. Distance D4 is the vertical distance between the downstream end of the first specific rib and the first specific location of the second bottom 412. As shown in Figure 7, length L3 is the length of the slit 244 provided in the middle of the first rib 234 of the fourth wall 214, and is the shortest distance between adjacent first ribs 234 on either side of the slit 244. Distance D5 is the vertical distance between the second specific location of the second bottom 412 and the lower end of the inner circumferential wall 32i of the upper cover 3. The second specific location of the second bottom 412 is located vertically below the downstream end of the second specific rib. The second specific rib is the uppermost of the first ribs 234 that sandwich the slit 244 provided in the middle of the first rib 234 of the fourth wall 214. In this example, where multiple slits 244 are provided, the slit 244 referred to is the uppermost slit 244. Distance D6 is the vertical distance between the downstream end of the second specific rib and the second specific location of the second bottom 412.

[0041] Lengths L2 and L3 may be the same or different. In this example, lengths L2 and L3 are the same.

[0042] The ratios D4 / D3 and D6 / D5 may be the same or different. In this example, the ratios D4 / D3 and D6 / D5 are the same.

[0043] Distances D4 and D6 may be the same or different. In this example, distances D4 and D6 are the same.

[0044] <Second Rib> The connecting portion 2c in this example may further have a second rib 25, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The second rib 25 is provided below the slit 24 of the first rib 23 and facing the slit 24. The second rib 25 makes it easier to prevent the first liquid from passing through the slit 24 without contacting the first rib 23 and directly hitting the bottom 41. The second rib 25 can shorten the distance the first liquid falls to the bottom 41 after passing through the slit 24 of the first rib 23 compared to the distance the first liquid falls to the bottom 41 after passing through the slit 24 without contacting the first rib 23. Therefore, it is easier to prevent the first liquid from bouncing back upward and inward after hitting the bottom 41. When the first rib 23 is provided with multiple slits 24 as in this example, the second rib 25 may be provided so as to face below at least one of the slits 24. For example, the second rib 25 may be provided below at least the uppermost slit 24. In this example, the second rib 25 is provided below each slit 24 of the first rib 23. That is, the connecting portion 2c has, as shown in Figure 6, a second rib 253 positioned below each slit 243 provided in the middle of the first rib 233 of the third wall portion 213, and, as shown in Figure 7, a second rib 254 positioned below each slit 244 provided in the middle of the first rib 234 of the fourth wall portion 214.

[0045] The configurations of each second rib 253, 254 may be the same as or different from each other. Each second rib 253, 254 may be inclined downward from the second bottom 412 toward the first bottom 411, similar to the first ribs 233, 234; unlike the first ribs 233, 234, it may be inclined downward from the first bottom 411 toward the second bottom 412; and unlike the first ribs 233, 234, it may be aligned horizontally when the electrical junction box 1 is installed on the target. In this example, each second rib 253, 254 is inclined downward from the second bottom 412 toward the first bottom 411, similar to the first ribs 233, 234. That is, each second rib 253, 254 in this example is inclined downward from the first wall portion 211 toward the second wall portion 212. Therefore, the first liquid is easily guided to the first bottom 411. The inclination angles of each second rib 253, 254 may be the same or different from each other. The inclination angle of each second rib 253, 254 is the angle made between the horizontal direction and each second rib 253, 254 when the electrical junction box 1 is installed on the target. The inclination angle of each second rib 253, 254 may be the same as or different from the inclination angle of the first rib 233, 234.

[0046] Lengths L4 and L6 shown in Figure 6, and lengths L5 and L7 shown in Figure 7 can be selected as appropriate. Length L4 is the straight length of the second rib 253 of the third wall 213. Length L6 is the shortest distance between adjacent second ribs 253 of the third wall 213, i.e., the length of the slit between adjacent second ribs 253. Length L5 is the straight length of the second rib 254 of the fourth wall 214. Length L7 is the shortest distance between adjacent second ribs 253 of the fourth wall 214, i.e., the length of the slit between adjacent second ribs 254. Lengths L4 and L5 are shorter than lengths L2 and L3. The frame 2, i.e., the connecting portion 2c, the inner circumferential wall portion 2i, and the outer circumferential wall portion 2e, are integrally molded from an electrically insulating resin. Since lengths L4 and L5 are shorter than lengths L2 and L3, it is easier to remove the frame 2 from the mold when forming it, thus making it easier to form the frame 2. Lengths L4 and L5 may be the same or different. In this example, lengths L4 and L5 are the same. In this example, lengths L6 and L7 are longer than lengths L2 and L3. Lengths L6 and L7 may be the same or different. In this example, lengths L6 and L7 are different, and length L6 is longer than length L7.

[0047] Distance D7 shown in Figure 6 and distance D8 shown in Figure 7 can be selected as appropriate. Distance D7 is the length along the vertical direction between the ends of each first rib 233 of the third wall 213 and the ends of each second rib 253 of the third wall 213. Distance D8 is the length along the vertical direction between the ends of each first rib 234 of the fourth wall 214 and the ends of each second rib 254 of the fourth wall 214. The ends of the first rib 233 and the ends of the second rib 253 are adjacent to each other. Distances D7 and D8 may be the same or different. In this example, distances D7 and D8 are the same.

[0048] Upper cover The upper cover 3 has a ceiling portion 31 and a peripheral wall portion 32 extending downward from the periphery of the ceiling portion 31. The ceiling portion 31 in this example is rectangular in shape. The peripheral wall portion 32 in this example is rectangular in shape. The peripheral wall portion 32 in this example has an inner peripheral wall portion 32i and an outer peripheral wall portion 32e. The inner peripheral wall portion 32i is inserted between the inner peripheral wall portion 2i and the outer peripheral wall portion 2e of the frame 2. The outer peripheral wall portion 32e is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 2e of the frame 2. The upper cover 3 is assembled to the frame 2 by engaging the peripheral wall portion 32 with the frame 2 by a known engaging mechanism (not shown).

[0049] Lower cover The lower cover 4 has a bottom portion 41 and a peripheral wall portion 42 extending upward from the periphery of the bottom portion 41. In this example, the shape of the bottom portion 41 is rectangular. The bottom portion 41 has a first bottom portion 411 and a second bottom portion 412. The second bottom portion 412 is inclined such that its depth decreases from the first bottom portion 411 toward the inner peripheral wall portion 2i of the frame 2. In this example, the first bottom portion 411 is configured to be flat. In this example, the second bottom portion 412 is inclined such that its depth decreases from the first bottom portion 411 toward the first wall portion 211 of the inner peripheral wall portion 2i. The electrical junction box 1 may be placed, for example, above the wheel well in the engine compartment of an automobile. Having an inclined second bottom portion 412 makes it easier to place above the wheel well without wasting space. The deepest part of the second bottom portion 412 is connected to the first bottom portion 411. As shown in Figure 4, the first bottom 411 of this example is provided with an outlet 411h. The outlet 411h discharges the first liquid and the second liquid to the outside of the electrical junction box 1. The outlet 411h is a through-hole that penetrates the first bottom 411. Figure 4 shows an example where there is one outlet 411h, but the number of outlets 411h is not limited to one and may be multiple. The outlet 411h is preferably located at the deepest position of the first bottom 411 when the electrical junction box 1 is installed on the target.

[0050] The peripheral wall portion 42 in this example has a rectangular cylindrical shape. The peripheral wall portion 42 has an inner peripheral wall portion 42i and an outer peripheral wall portion 42e. The inner peripheral wall portion 42i is inserted between the inner peripheral wall portion 2i and the outer peripheral wall portion 42e of the frame 2. The outer peripheral wall portion 42e supports the outer peripheral wall portion 2e of the frame 2 by abutting against the end face of the outer peripheral wall portion 2e of the frame 2. The lower cover 4 is assembled to the frame 2 by the peripheral wall portion 42 being engaged with the frame 2 by a known engagement mechanism (not shown).

[0051] ≪Other≫ The electrical junction box 1 may have a cable insertion section 5 through which a cable 9 is inserted, as shown in Figure 1. The cable 9 is, for example, a cable for supplying power to an electronic component 8 or a cable for signal communication with the electronic component 8. In Figures 1, 4 to 7, the cable 9 is shown in a simplified manner for ease of explanation. The cable insertion section 5 in this example is composed of two split pieces 51 and 52. The split pieces 51 and 52 are composed of an arc portion and flange portions protruding from each end of the arc portion. When the flange portions of the split pieces 51 and 52 are overlapped, a cylindrical space is formed between the arc portions of the split pieces 51 and 52 through which the cable 9 is inserted. The split piece 51 is integrally provided on the fourth wall portion 214 of the outer peripheral wall portion 2e of the frame 2. The split piece 52 is integrally provided on the peripheral wall portion 42 of the lower cover 4.

[0052] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the configurations shown in the embodiments, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims as indicated by the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Electrical junction box 2 frames 2i Inner wall, 2e Outer wall 211 1st wall, 212 2nd wall, 213 3rd wall, 214 4th wall 221 1st corner, 222 2nd corner, 223 3rd corner, 224 4th corner 2c Connecting part 23, 231, 233, 234 First Rib 24, 243, 244 slits 25, 253, 254 Second Rib 3 Upper cover 31 Ceiling, 32 Peripheral wall, 32i Inner wall, 32e Outer wall 4 Lower Cover 41 bottom, 411 1st bottom, 411h outlet, 412 2nd bottom 42 peripheral wall, 42i inner peripheral wall, 42e outer peripheral wall 5 Cable insertion point 51, 52 Half-broken pieces 8 Electronic Components 9 Cables D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7,D8 distance L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7 length

Claims

1. An electrical connection box that houses electronic components inside, A cylindrical frame having an upper opening that opens upward and a lower opening that opens downward, An upper cover that closes the aforementioned upper opening, It comprises a lower cover that closes the lower opening, The aforementioned frame is A cylindrical inner circumferential wall portion surrounding the aforementioned electronic component, A cylindrical outer wall portion surrounds the inner circumferential wall portion so as to be spaced apart from the outer surface of the inner circumferential wall portion, It has a connecting portion that connects the outer surface of the inner circumferential wall portion to the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall portion, The bottom of the lower cover is The first bottom and, It has a second bottom that slopes so that the depth gradually decreases from the first bottom toward the inner circumferential wall, The connecting portion has a first rib that slopes downward from the second bottom to the first bottom, The first rib has a slit provided in the middle of the first rib so as to penetrate vertically. Electrical junction box.

2. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, wherein the distance in the vertical direction between the lower end of the inner circumferential wall portion and the slit is less than or equal to half the length in the vertical direction between the upper end and the lower end of the inner circumferential wall portion.

3. The electrical connection box according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connecting portion has a second rib provided below the slit so as to face the slit.

4. The electrical junction box according to claim 3, wherein the second rib is inclined to slope downward from the second bottom towards the first bottom.

5. The electrical junction box according to claim 4, wherein the length of the second rib is shorter than the length of the slit.

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