Storage box

Abstract

To prevent entry of water into a storage chamber.SOLUTION: A main body 10 has a bottom wall 11, a lower side wall 12 that arranges an intersection part 10d intersecting the bottom wall horizontally in a vertically lower part; and a drain part 40A that is swelled out from at least an outer wall face 12b of a lower side wall at the intersection part, and is provided with an exhaust port 40b opened in a direction opposite to an erection direction of the lower side wall and a drain path 40a communicating the storage chamber 10a with the exhaust port. The lower side wall has: a first rib 18A and a second rib 18B that are projected from the outer wall face, are arranged along a free end of a lower cover side wall 22 of a cover 20 and opposite to each other on an end face of the free end, and have an interval between their ends 18a and 18b in a direction along the free end; a first connection rib 18C that is projected from the outer wall face and connects an end of the first rib and the drain part to each other along the erection direction; and a second connection rib 18D that is projected from the outer wall face and connects an end of the second rib and the drain part to each other along the erection direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage box.

Background Art

[0002] The storage box has a storage chamber in which an energizable object to be stored, such as an electric wire, is stored. And when this storage box is installed in a place where water may touch the outer wall, it is necessary to prevent the water from entering the storage chamber. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses an electrical connection box (a form of a storage box) configured to allow water trying to enter the storage chamber from a fitting portion between members to enter a drainage space and discharge the water guided by this drainage space to the outside through a discharge port.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, the conventional storage box has a structure in which it is difficult for water to enter the storage chamber. However, the water that touches the outer wall of the storage box is not limited to only low-pressure water with a small amount, such as water splashed up as the vehicle travels or water dripping from the surroundings, or water with a low flow rate, such as condensed water. For example, in the storage box, depending on the usage environment, there is a possibility that water with a strong force, such as high-pressure water during high-pressure car washing, may be applied to the outer wall, and there is a risk of expanding the gap between members due to the pressure of the water.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage box capable of suppressing the intrusion of water into the storage chamber.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention includes a main body having an accommodation chamber for accommodating an energizable object to be accommodated and an insertion port for inserting the object to be accommodated into the accommodation chamber, and a cover assembled to the main body to close the insertion port. The main body includes a bottom wall forming the bottom wall portion of the accommodation chamber, and a cantilevered wall body erected from the bottom wall, which forms the side wall portion of the accommodation chamber, and a lower side wall in which an intersection portion intersecting with the bottom wall is horizontally arranged vertically downward. The main body further includes a drainage portion provided with a drainage port bulging from at least the outer wall surface of the lower side wall at the intersection portion and opening in a direction opposite to the erected direction of the lower side wall, and a drainage path communicating the accommodation chamber with the drainage port. The cover includes a closing wall closing the insertion port, and a cantilevered wall body erected from the closing wall, and a lower cover side wall arranged to face the outer wall surface of the lower side wall along the free end of the lower side wall. The lower side wall has a first rib and a second rib each protruding from the outer wall surface, arranged to face the end surface of the free end along the free end of the lower cover side wall, and having a space between their ends in the direction along the free end. The lower side wall also has a first connecting rib protruding from the outer wall surface and connecting the end of the first rib and the drainage portion along the erected direction, and a second connecting rib protruding from the outer wall surface and connecting the end of the second rib and the drainage portion along the erected direction.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a main body having an accommodation chamber for accommodating an energizable object to be accommodated and an insertion port for inserting the object to be accommodated into the accommodation chamber, and a cover assembled to the main body to close the insertion port. The main body includes a bottom wall forming the bottom wall portion of the accommodation chamber, a cantilevered wall body erected from the bottom wall, forming one side wall portion of the accommodation chamber, and having an intersection portion intersecting with the bottom wall horizontally disposed vertically downward, a lower side wall, a cantilevered wall body erected from the bottom wall in the same direction as the lower side wall, forming the other side wall portion of the accommodation chamber, and having an upper side wall with an insertion port between the free end of the lower side wall and its own free end, and a drain portion provided with a drain port bulging at least from the outer wall surface of the lower side wall at the intersection portion and opening in a direction opposite to the standing direction of the lower side wall, and a drain passage communicating the accommodation chamber with the drain port. The cover includes a closing wall closing the insertion port, a cantilevered wall body erected from the closing wall, a lower cover side wall disposed opposite to the outer wall surface of the lower side wall along the free end of the lower side wall, and a cantilevered wall body erected from the closing wall in the same direction as the lower cover side wall, an upper cover side wall disposed opposite to the outer wall surface of the upper side wall along the free end of the upper side wall. The lower side wall projects from its own outer wall surface, is respectively disposed opposite to the end face of the free end along the free end of the lower cover side wall, and has a first rib and a second rib with a space between their ends along the direction along the free end, projects from its own outer wall surface, and has a first connecting rib connecting the end of the first rib and the drain portion along the standing direction, projects from its own outer wall surface, and has a second connecting rib connecting the end of the second rib and the drain portion along the standing direction.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The storage box according to the present invention can suppress the intrusion of water applied from below between the main body and the cover by the first rib, the second rib, the first connecting rib, and the second connecting rib, and can suppress the intrusion of water from there into the accommodation chamber.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the storage box according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

[0011] [Embodiment] The storage box has a storage chamber for storing energizable objects to be stored. For example, this storage box is configured as a protector for avoiding interference between the protected part and peripheral components by storing the protected part of an electric wire as an object to be stored in a storage chamber surrounded by a wall. Also, for example, another type of storage box is configured as an electrical connection box that stores electric wires and electrical equipment (such as relays and electronic control devices, etc.) as objects to be stored in the storage chamber and electrically connects them inside the storage chamber. In the following, as one of the embodiments of the storage box according to the present invention, a protector will be taken as an example and described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. Also, regarding this storage box, although a vehicle such as an automobile is cited as an example of the installation target, the installation target can be anything.

[0012] Reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 to 7 indicates the storage box of the present embodiment. This storage box 1 includes a main body 10 and a cover 20 that are assembled to each other. The main body 10 and the cover 20 shown here are each formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0013] The main body 10 has a storage chamber (hereinafter referred to as "electric wire storage chamber") 10a for storing an electric wire We (FIGS. 1 to 5 and FIG. 8) as an energizable object to be stored (FIGS. 3 to 6, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9). And this main body 10 has an outlet (hereinafter referred to as "electric wire outlet") 10b for pulling out the electric wire We outward from the electric wire storage chamber 10a, and an inlet (hereinafter referred to as "electric wire inlet") 10c for inserting the electric wire We into the electric wire storage chamber 10a (FIGS. 3 to 6, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9). The cover 20 is assembled to the main body 10 and closes the electric wire inlet 10c (FIGS. 3 to 5).

[0014] The wire accommodation chamber 10a shown here is a space surrounded by a bottom wall portion, and two side wall portions that are erected from this bottom wall portion in the same direction and are arranged opposite to each other with a space therebetween. In this wire accommodation chamber 10a, the bottom wall portion and the two side wall portions are formed along the wiring path of the wire We. The wiring path of this exemplary wire accommodation chamber 10a is formed by connecting two linear wiring paths (hereinafter referred to as "linear wiring paths") at an obtuse angle (FIGS. 6, 8, and 9). Further, the wire outlet 10b shown here is provided at the end of the wiring path of this wire accommodation chamber 10a (FIGS. 1, 6, 8, and 9). The wire outlet 10b is provided at one or two locations. Here, both ends in the wiring path of the wire accommodation chamber 10a are used as the wire outlet 10b. Also, the wire insertion port 10c shown here is provided between the end portions on the standing direction side of each of the two side wall portions (FIGS. 6, 8, and 9).

[0015] The main body 10 has a bottom wall 11 that forms the bottom wall portion of the wire accommodation chamber 10a (FIGS. 1 and 3 to 9). The bottom wall 11 shown here has a first bottom wall portion 11A that forms one linear wiring path and a second bottom wall portion 11B that forms the other linear wiring path (FIGS. 1 and 7 to 9). The first bottom wall portion 11A is a flat plate portion extending along one linear wiring path and has two side portions along this one linear wiring path. Also, the second bottom wall portion 11B is a flat plate portion extending along the other linear wiring path and has two side portions along this other linear wiring path.

[0016] The main body 10 is a cantilevered wall body erected from its bottom wall 11 and has a first side wall 12 and a second side wall 13 that form one side wall portion of the wire accommodation chamber 10a, and a cantilevered wall body erected from its bottom wall 11 in the same direction as the first side wall 12 and the second side wall 13 and having a third side wall 14 and a fourth side wall 15 that form the other side wall portion of the wire accommodation chamber 10a (FIGS. 6, 8, and 9).

[0017] The first side wall 12 and the third side wall 14 form one straight cable routing path and are erected from the first bottom wall portion 11A (Figs. 6, 8, and 9). In this first bottom wall portion 11A, the first side wall 12 is erected from one side portion along one straight cable routing path, and the third side wall 14 is erected from the other side portion. Also, the second side wall 13 and the fourth side wall 15 form the other straight cable routing path and are erected from the second bottom wall portion 11B (Figs. 6, 8, and 9). In this second bottom wall portion 11B, the second side wall 13 is erected from one side portion along the other straight cable routing path, and the fourth side wall 15 is erected from the other side portion.

[0018] In the main body 10, an opening formed by one end portion (the end portion on the side opposite to the other straight cable routing path) of each of the first bottom wall portion 11A, the first side wall 12, and the third side wall 14 of the bottom wall 11 is used as one wire outlet 10b (hereinafter, also referred to as "the first wire outlet 10b1"), and an opening formed by one end portion (the end portion on the side opposite to one straight cable routing path) of each of the second bottom wall portion 11B, the second side wall 13, and the fourth side wall 15 of the bottom wall 11 is used as the other wire outlet 10b (hereinafter, also referred to as "the second wire outlet 10b2") (Figs. 1, 6 to 8, and 9). Further, in this main body 10, openings that are oppositely arranged at intervals on the inner wall surface 11a of the bottom wall 11, and the opening between the free ends of each of the first side wall 12 and the third side wall 14 and the opening between the free ends of each of the second side wall 13 and the fourth side wall 15 are used as wire insertion ports 10c (Figs. 3 to 6, 8, and 9).

[0019] Also, in this main body 10, the first side wall 12 and the second side wall 13 are arranged at intervals from each other (Figs. 6, 8, and 9). On the other hand, in this main body 10, the third side wall 14 and the fourth side wall 15 are connected as one wall body (Figs. 6, 8, and 9).

[0020] In this storage box 1, in the installed state on the vehicle, the intersection portion 10d where the first bottom wall portion 11A of the bottom wall 11 and the first side wall 12 intersect is arranged horizontally directly below (Figs. 1 and 3 to 5). In the storage box 1 shown here, the first bottom wall portion 11A of the bottom wall 11 and the first side wall 12 are arranged such that the plane thereof faces obliquely upward with respect to the horizontal plane so that the intersection portion 10d is at the lowermost part between the first bottom wall portion 11A of the bottom wall 11 and the first side wall 12 (Figs. 3 to 5). Therefore, in the main body 10, the water adhering to the inner wall surface 11a of the first bottom wall portion 11A of the bottom wall 11 and the inner wall surface 12a of the first side wall 12 flows toward the intersection portion 10d. In the following, the first side wall 12 is referred to as the "lower side wall 12", and the third side wall 14 that is arranged opposite to the lower side wall 12 with a space thereabove is referred to as the "upper side wall 14".

[0021] Further, in this storage box 1, in the installed state on the vehicle, the second side wall 13 extends obliquely upward with respect to the lower side wall 12, and the fourth side wall 15 extends obliquely upward with respect to the upper side wall 14 (Figs. 6 and 9). Therefore, in the following, the second side wall 13 is referred to as the "lower inclined side wall 13", and the fourth side wall 15 is referred to as the "upper inclined side wall 15". In the main body 10, the water adhering to the inner wall surface 11a of the second bottom wall portion 11B of the bottom wall 11 and the inner wall surface 13a of the lower inclined side wall 13 (Fig. 8) flows to the place where the lower side wall 12 and the lower inclined side wall 13 intersect.

[0022] The lower inclined side wall 13 extends obliquely upward with a space therebetween from the other end portion (the end portion on the other straight cable routing path side) 12c of the lower side wall 12 (Figs. 8 and 9). And this lower inclined side wall 13 has an inner wall surface 13a where the virtual extension line from the other end portion 12c of the lower side wall 12 intersects (Figs. 8 and 9). The so-called virtual extension line here is a virtual line extended from the other end portion 12c of the lower side wall 12 along the extending direction of the lower side wall 12. Therefore, the lower inclined side wall 13 projects the other end portion (the end portion on one straight cable routing path side) 13c more than the virtual intersection line where the other end portion 12c of the lower side wall 12 extended along the virtual extension line intersects (Figs. 8 and 9).

[0023] The main body 10 has a bottom-raising portion on the inner wall surface 11a of the bottom wall 11 to raise the electric wire We upward from the inner wall surface 11a of the bottom wall 11. Here, a linear first bottom-raising portion 16A and a flat plate-shaped second bottom-raising portion 16B are provided. By placing the electric wire We on the first bottom-raising portion 16A and the second bottom-raising portion 16B, the electric wire We is raised upward from the inner wall surface 11a of the bottom wall 11 (FIGS. 8 and 9).

[0024] The first bottom-raising portion 16A is a protruding portion that protrudes linearly from the inner wall surface 11a of the bottom wall 11 and extends between one side wall portion and the other side wall portion (FIGS. 8 and 9). Here, three first bottom-raising portions 16A extending between the lower side wall 12 and the upper side wall 14 and one first bottom-raising portion 16A extending between the lower inclined side wall 13 and the upper inclined side wall 15 are provided.

[0025] The second bottom-raising portion 16B is formed in a flat plate shape having a plane parallel to the inner wall surface 11a of the bottom wall 11 and protrudes from the inner wall surface 11a (FIGS. 3, 8, and 9). A rectangular through-hole 11c that communicates the electric wire accommodation chamber 10a side (inner wall surface 11a side) and the outside (outer wall surface 11b side) is formed in the first bottom wall portion 11A of the bottom wall 11 shown here (FIGS. 1, 3, and 7). The second bottom-raising portion 16B is disposed opposite to the through-hole 11c on the electric wire accommodation chamber 10a side.

[0026] Here, the through-hole 11c communicates the electric wire accommodation chamber 10a side and the outside on the lower side wall 12 side than the second bottom-raising portion 16B and on the upper side wall 14 side than the second bottom-raising portion 16B (FIG. 3). In this main body 10, a binding band Bt is inserted into one communication portion of the through-hole 11c from the electric wire accommodation chamber 10a side to the outside, and the binding band Bt is returned to the electric wire accommodation chamber 10a again from the other communication portion of the through-hole 11c (FIG. 3). Then, in this main body 10, the electric wire We is fixed to the second bottom-raising portion 16B by winding and tightening the binding band Bt around the electric wire We placed on the second bottom-raising portion 16B.

[0027] The cover 20 has a closing wall 21 that closes the wire insertion opening 10c (Figs. 2 to 7). This closing wall 21 is formed in a flat plate shape and extends along the routing path of the electric wire We. The closing wall 21 shown here is a connector of flat plate portions that are arranged opposite to the first bottom wall portion 11A and the second bottom wall portion 11B on the bottom wall 11 with a space therebetween, and has two side portions along the routing path of the electric wire We. And this closing wall 21 arranges the end faces of the free ends of the lower side wall 12 and the upper side wall 14 opposite to its inner wall surface 21a (Figs. 3 to 5). Also, this closing wall 21 arranges the end faces of the free ends of the lower inclined side wall 13 and the upper inclined side wall 15 opposite to its inner wall surface 21a as well.

[0028] Furthermore, this cover 20 is a cantilevered wall body erected from the closing wall 21, and has a cover side wall (hereinafter referred to as "lower cover side wall") 22 that is arranged opposite to the outer wall surface 12b of the lower side wall 12 along the free end of the lower side wall 12, and a cantilevered wall body erected from the closing wall 21 in the same direction as the lower cover side wall 22, and has a cover inclined side wall (hereinafter referred to as "lower cover inclined side wall") 23 that is arranged opposite to the outer wall surface 13b of the lower inclined side wall 13 along the free end of the lower inclined side wall 13 (Figs. 3 to 7). Still further, this cover 20 is a cantilevered wall body erected from the closing wall 21 in the same direction as the lower cover side wall 22, and has a cover side wall (hereinafter referred to as "upper cover side wall") 24 that is arranged opposite to the outer wall surface 14b of the upper side wall 14 along the free end of the upper side wall 14, and a cantilevered wall body erected from the closing wall 21 in the same direction as the lower cover side wall 22, and has a cover inclined side wall (hereinafter referred to as "upper cover inclined side wall") 25 that is arranged opposite to the outer wall surface 15b of the upper inclined side wall 15 along the free end of the upper inclined side wall 15 (Figs. 3 to 5 and 7).

[0029] In this cover 20, the lower cover side wall 22 and the lower cover inclined side wall 23 are arranged at intervals from each other (Fig. 7). However, the lower cover side wall 22 and the lower cover inclined side wall 23 are connected at their respective ends by the cover side wall 26 of the drain part 40 (the second drain part 40B) described later (Figs. 6 and 7). On the other hand, in this cover 20, the upper cover side wall 24 and the upper cover inclined side wall 25 are connected as a single wall body (Fig. 7).

[0030] In this storage box 1, a corrugated tube COT for protecting the inserted electric wire We is assembled at the end on the side of each electric wire outlet 10b (Figs. 1, 2, and 8), and the electric wire We is drawn outwards from each electric wire outlet 10b through each corrugated tube COT.

[0031] The corrugated tube COT is a tubular body in which annular ridges COTa and annular valleys COTb are alternately arranged in the cylinder axis direction (Figs. 2 and 8). The main body 10 and the cover 20 are each a protruding fitting body for each valley COTb that fits into the valley COTb of the corrugated tube COT and holds the corrugated tube COT, and have corrugated tube holding parts 17 and 27 provided at the end on the side of the electric wire outlet 10b (Figs. 6 to 9). The corrugated tube holding part 17 on the side of the first electric wire outlet 10b1 of the main body 10 protrudes from the inner wall surfaces 11a, 12a, and 14a of the first bottom wall part 11A, the lower side wall 12, and the upper side wall 14 of the bottom wall 11 (Figs. 6 and 9). Further, the corrugated tube holding part 17 on the side of the second electric wire outlet 10b2 of the main body 10 protrudes from the inner wall surfaces 11a, 13a, and 15a of the second bottom wall part 11B, the lower inclined side wall 13, and the upper inclined side wall 15 of the bottom wall 11 (Figs. 6 and 9). The corrugated tube holding part 27 of the cover 20 protrudes from the inner wall surface 21a of the closing wall 21 (Fig. 7).

[0032] The corrugated holding parts 17 and 27 shown here each have at least an arc part formed in an arc shape as an inner peripheral part (Figs. 6, 7, and 9), and the respective arc parts are fitted into an annular valley part COTb. However, a guide part is provided on the inner peripheral part of the corrugated holding part 17 shown here, which extends from both ends of the arc part toward the wire insertion port 10c, guides the valley part COTb to the arc part, and is fitted into the valley part COTb. That is, the inner peripheral part of the corrugated holding part 17 is formed in a U shape. The guide part on the side of the first wire outlet 10b1 is a protrusion protruding from the inner wall surfaces 12a and 14a of the lower side wall 12 and the upper side wall 14, respectively. The guide part on the side of the second wire outlet 10b2 is a protrusion protruding from the inner wall surfaces 13a and 15a of the lower inclined side wall 13 and the upper inclined side wall 15, respectively. Here, a pair of corrugated holding parts 17 and 27 are fitted into one annular valley part COTb. A plurality of this pair of corrugated holding parts 17 and 27 are arranged for each valley part COTb from the inside of the wire accommodation chamber 10a toward the wire outlet 10b side.

[0033] This storage box 1 is provided with a locking mechanism 30 for holding the main body 10 and the cover 20 in an assembled state between them (Figs. 1, 2, 6, and 7). This locking mechanism 30 is provided at a plurality of locations. This locking mechanism 30 includes a first locking body 31 provided on the main body 10 and a second locking body 32 provided on the cover 20 (Figs. 1, 6, and 7). This locking mechanism 30 holds the main body 10 and the cover 20 in an assembled state by hooking and locking a claw part of at least one of the first locking body 31 and the second locking body 32 to the other.

[0034] On the main body 10 shown here, a first locking body 31 is provided on each of the outer wall surfaces 12b, 13b, 14b, and 15b of the lower side wall 12, the lower inclined side wall 13, the upper side wall 14, and the upper inclined side wall 15 (FIG. 8). And on the cover 20 shown here, a second locking body 32 protruding in the standing direction is provided respectively from the lower cover side wall 22, the lower cover inclined side wall 23, the upper cover side wall 24, and the upper cover inclined side wall 25 (FIG. 7). In this locking mechanism 30, a claw portion 32a is provided on the second locking body 32 (FIGS. 1, 6, and 7).

[0035] This storage box 1 suppresses the intrusion of water from the mating surface of the main body 10 and the cover 20 as follows.

[0036] The lower side wall 12 of the main body 10 projects from its outer wall surface 12b, is respectively arranged opposite to the end surface of the free end of the lower cover side wall 22 along the free end, and the first rib 18A and the second rib 18B with a space between the ends 18a and 18b of each other in the direction along the free end, and projects from its outer wall surface 12b, and the end 18a of the first rib 18A and the drain part 40 (the first drain part 40A) to be described later are connected along the standing direction of itself (the lower side wall 12). And the first connecting rib 18C, and projects from its outer wall surface 12b, and the end 18b of the second rib 18B and the drain part 40 (the first drain part 40A) are connected along the standing direction of itself (the lower side wall 12). And it has a second connecting rib 18D (FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7, and 10).

[0037] The first rib 18A extends along the free end of the lower cover side wall 22 between the first wire outlet 10b1 side and the first connecting rib 18C (FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7). This first rib 18A is formed so that the distance from the end surface of the free end of the lower cover side wall 22 can suppress the intrusion of water from the outside in a state where the closing wall 21 of the cover 20 is in contact with the end surfaces of the free ends of the lower side wall 12, the lower inclined side wall 13, the upper side wall 14, and the upper inclined side wall 15 respectively. However, this first rib 18A is formed at a place except the place where the first locking body 31 of the locking mechanism 30 is provided.

[0038] The second rib 18B is provided not only on the outer wall surface 12b of the lower side wall 12, but also on the outer wall surfaces (the respective outer wall surfaces of the second wall body 42, the third wall body 43, and the sixth wall body 46) of the water drainage part 40 (the second water drainage part 40B) to be described later and on the outer wall surface 13b of the lower inclined side wall 13 (FIGS. 6, 8, and 10). This second rib 18B extends along the free end of the lower cover inclined side wall 23, the free end of the cover side wall 26 of the water drainage part 40 (the second water drainage part 40B), and the free end of the lower cover side wall 22 between the second wire lead-out port 10b2 side and the second connecting rib 18D (FIGS. 8 and 10). This second rib 18B is formed such that the distance between the end surface of the free end of the lower cover side wall 22, the end surface of the free end of the cover side wall 26 of the water drainage part 40 (the second water drainage part 40B), and the end surface of the free end of the lower cover inclined side wall 23 can suppress the intrusion of water from the outside in a state where the closing wall 21 of the cover 20 is in contact with the end surfaces of the free ends of the lower side wall 12, the lower inclined side wall 13, the upper side wall 14, and the upper inclined side wall 15. However, this second rib 18B is formed at a location excluding the location where the first locking body 31 of the locking mechanism 30 is provided.

[0039] The first connecting rib 18C and the second connecting rib 18D extend in the direction of facing arrangement between the discharge port 40b to be described later in the water drainage part 40 (the first water drainage part 40A) and the first wall body 41, and are arranged facing each other with a space therebetween (FIGS. 1, 5 to 7, and 10). In the main body 10, the direction of facing arrangement between the discharge port 40b and the first wall body 41 is the mold release direction of the molding die. Further, the first connecting rib 18C is formed flush with the outer wall surface of the fourth wall body 44 to be described later in the water drainage part 40 (the first water drainage part 40A) (FIGS. 1, 7, and 10). And the second connecting rib 18D is formed flush with the outer wall surface of the fifth wall body 45 to be described later in the water drainage part 40 (the first water drainage part 40A) (FIGS. 7 and 10).

[0040] In this storage box 1, the first rib 18A and the second rib 18B can suppress the intrusion of water between the main body 10 and the cover 20.

[0041] Also, in the main body 10, if the ends 18a and 18b of the first rib 18A and the second rib 18B are connected to each other, the drain part 40 (the first drain part 40A) cannot be formed by a molding die. However, since the ends 18a and 18b of the first rib 18A and the second rib 18B are separated from each other when viewed in the die ejection direction from the drain part 40 (the first drain part 40A), the drain part 40 (the first drain part 40A) can be formed by a molding die. And in this storage box 1, there are a first connecting rib 18C that connects the end 18a of the first rib 18A and the drain part 40 (the first drain part 40A) in the die ejection direction, and a second connecting rib 18D that connects the end 18b of the second rib 18B and the drain part 40 (the first drain part 40A) in the die ejection direction. For this reason, in this storage box 1, since the first connecting rib 18C and the second connecting rib 18D can stop the water flowing from the outside between the respective ends 18a and 18b of the first rib 18A and the second rib 18B, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of water between the main body 10 and the cover 20 through between the ends 18a and 18b.

[0042] In this storage box 1, the intrusion of water from the mating surface of the main body 10 and the cover 20 is suppressed in this way. However, the possibility that water seeps in by capillary action from the gap between the first rib 18A and the second rib 18B and the cover 20 is taken into consideration. Even if such water reaches the wire storage chamber 10a, it is discharged from the drain part 40 (the first drain part 40A, the second drain part 40B) along the inner wall surface 12a of the lower side wall 12 and the inner wall surface 13a of the lower inclined side wall 13.

[0043] On the one hand, in this storage box 1, when strong water hits the first rib 18A or the second rib 18B, its momentum helps water to enter between the lower side wall 12 and the lower cover side wall 22 and between the lower inclined side wall 13 and the lower cover inclined side wall 23. Considering the possibility that water may splash into the wire accommodation chamber 10a from between the end faces of the free ends of the lower side wall 12 and the lower inclined side wall 13 and the closing wall 21 of the cover 20, it is advisable to take this into account. Therefore, in this storage box 1, before the water that has entered the wire accommodation chamber 10a splashes, the momentum of the water is stopped, and the water is made to travel from the inner wall surfaces 12a of the lower side wall 12 and 13a of the lower inclined side wall 13 to the water drainage parts 40 (the first water drainage part 40A, the second water drainage part 40B).

[0044] For this purpose, the cover 20 has a third rib 18E that is erected from the closing wall 21 in the same direction as the lower cover side wall 22 and is arranged opposite to the inner wall surface 12a of the lower side wall 12 along the free end of the lower side wall 12 (from FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7). Also, this cover 20 has a fourth rib 18F that is erected from the closing wall 21 in the same direction as the lower cover inclined side wall 23 and is arranged opposite to the inner wall surface 13a of the lower inclined side wall 13 along the free end of the lower inclined side wall 13 (FIG. 7). Thereby, in this storage box 1, before the water that has entered the wire accommodation chamber 10a splashes, it hits the third rib 18E or the fourth rib 18F, and the water whose momentum has been stopped here is dropped onto the inner wall surface 12a of the lower side wall 12 and the inner wall surface 13a of the lower inclined side wall 13, and is discharged from the water drainage parts 40 (the first water drainage part 40A, the second water drainage part 40B) shown in FIGS. 1 to FIG. 8 and FIG. 11 along these inner wall surfaces 12a, 13a.

[0045] Further, ribs similar to the first rib 18A and the second rib 18B (ribs extending between the first wire outlet 10b1 and the second wire outlet 10b2) may be provided on the outer wall surfaces 14b and 15b of the upper side wall 14 and the upper inclined side wall 15, respectively, of the main body 10 (not shown). Further, the cover 20 shown here has a fifth rib 18G that stands upright from the closing wall 21 in the same direction as the upper cover side wall 24 and is disposed to face the inner wall surface 14a of the upper side wall 14 along the free end of the upper side wall 14, and a sixth rib 18H that stands upright from the closing wall 21 in the same direction as the upper cover inclined side wall 25 and is disposed to face the inner wall surface 15a of the upper inclined side wall 15 along the free end of the upper inclined side wall 15 (FIG. 7).

[0046] In this storage box 1, it is advisable to consider not only the mating surface between the main body 10 and the cover 20, but also the possibility that external water may enter the wire storage chamber 10a, for example, between the main body 10 and the corrugated tube COT or between the cover 20 and the corrugated tube COT. Therefore, in this storage box 1, water (for example, water that has entered from the outside, water that has condensed in the wire storage chamber 10a, etc.) inside the wire storage chamber 10a is discharged to the outside.

[0047] The main body 10 has a drain portion 40 provided with a drain passage 40a disposed below the wire storage chamber 10a in the installed state on the vehicle, a discharge port 40b opened vertically downward or obliquely downward in the installed state on the vehicle and communicating the drain passage 40a to the outside, and an inlet 40c disposed orthogonally to the discharge port 40b and communicating the wire storage chamber 10a to the drain passage 40a (FIGS. 5 and 11). This drain portion 40 is a wall body disposed to face the discharge port 40b above the inlet 40c in the installed state on the vehicle, and includes a first wall body 41 forming the wall portion of the drain passage 40a, a second wall body 42 that is a wall body connecting the inlet 40c and the discharge port 40b and forms the wall portions of the drain passage 40a and the discharge port 40b, and a third wall body 43 extending from the first wall body 41 to the discharge port 40b and disposed to face the inlet 40c and the second wall body 42 with a space therebetween and forming the wall portions of the drain passage 40a and the discharge port 40b (FIGS. 5 and 11).

[0048] The first wall body 41, the second wall body 42, and the third wall body 43 each have one end and the other end forming openings in a direction orthogonal to the discharge port 40b and the facing arrangement directions of the first wall body 41 and the second and third wall bodies 42 and 43. Therefore, the drain part 40 further has a fourth wall body 44 that closes part or all of one opening and a fifth wall body 45 that closes part or all of the other opening (FIGS. 1, 6, 7, 11, and 12).

[0049] In this drain part 40, the drain passage 40a communicates the wire accommodation chamber 10a with the discharge port 40b via the inflow port 40c. Thus, in the accommodation box 1, by providing such a drain part 40, the water in the wire accommodation chamber 10a can be made to flow from the inflow port 40c into the drain passage 40a and discharged outside from the discharge port 40b.

[0050] The main body 10 shown here has a first drain part 40A and a second drain part 40B as the drain part 40 (FIGS. 1 to 12).

[0051] The first drain part 40A bulges at least from the outer wall surface 12b of the lower side wall 12 at the intersection 10d of the first bottom wall part 11A of the bottom wall 11 and the lower side wall 12. The first drain part 40A shown here bulges from both the outer wall surface 11b of the first bottom wall part 11A and the outer wall surface 12b of the lower side wall 12 at the intersection 10d (FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 7).

[0052] In this first drain part 40A, the discharge port 40b is opened in a direction opposite to the standing direction of the lower side wall 12 (FIG. 5). Also, in this first drain part 40A, the inflow port 40c is formed as a through hole provided in the lower side wall 12 at the intersection 10d (FIG. 5).

[0053] Also, in this first water drainage portion 40A, the first wall body 41 is formed as a wall body protruding from the outer wall surface 12b on the standing direction side (the standing direction side of the lower side wall 12) of the lower side wall 12 with respect to the inflow port 40c (FIG. 5). Also, in this first water drainage portion 40A, the second wall body 42 is formed as a wall body protruding from the outer wall surface 11b of the bottom wall 11 on the bottom wall 11 side with respect to the inflow port 40c in a direction opposite to the standing direction (the standing direction of the lower side wall 12) (FIG. 5). Also, in this first water drainage portion 40A, the third wall body 43 is formed as a wall body protruding from the end portion on the protruding direction side of the first wall body 41 in a direction opposite to the standing direction (the standing direction of the lower side wall 12) (FIG. 5). Also, in this first water drainage portion 40A, the fourth wall body 44 and the fifth wall body 45 extend from the first wall body 41 side to the discharge port 40b side to the same position as the second wall body 42 and the third wall body 43, and are formed to form the wall portions of the water drainage path 40a and the discharge port 40b (FIGS. 1, 6, and 7). The fourth wall body 44 and the fifth wall body 45 shown here are formed to block all the previous openings.

[0054] The second water drainage portion 40B bulges from both the other end portion 12c of the lower side wall 12 and the other end portion 13c of the lower inclined side wall 13 (FIGS. 8, 9, and 11).

[0055] In this second water drainage portion 40B, the discharge port 40b is arranged to face the outer wall surface 12b of the other end portion 12c of the lower side wall 12 with a space therebetween (FIG. 11). The discharge port 40b shown here is arranged to face the bottom wall 11 side on the outer wall surface 12b of the other end portion 12c of the lower side wall 12 (FIG. 11). Also, in this second water drainage portion 40B, the lower side wall 12 and the lower inclined side wall 13 are arranged such that the end faces of their respective other end portions have a gap in the facing arrangement direction between the discharge port 40b and the outer wall surface 12b of the other end portion 12c of the lower side wall 12 (FIG. 11). As the inflow port 40c of this second water drainage portion 40B, a gap provided between the end faces of the respective other end portions 12c and 13c of the lower side wall 12 and the lower inclined side wall 13 is utilized.

[0056] Also, in this second drain part 40B, the first wall body 41 utilizes the other end 12c of the lower side wall 12 (Figs. 8 and 11). Therefore, the first wall body 41 shown here extends from the bottom wall 11 to the wire insertion port 10c, and exists not only on the side of the bottom wall 11 facing the discharge port 40b, but also on the side of the wire insertion port 10c (Fig. 12). Also, in this second drain part 40B, the second wall body 42 is formed as a wall body that protrudes from the outer wall surface 12b of the other end 12c (that is, the first wall body 41) of the lower side wall 12 to the discharge port 40b from the end face of the other end 13c of the downwardly inclined side wall 13 in the direction facing the discharge port 40b (Fig. 11). Therefore, the second wall body 42 shown here extends from the bottom wall 11 to the wire insertion port 10c, and exists not only on the side of the bottom wall 11, but also on the side of the wire insertion port 10c (Fig. 12). Also, in this second drain part 40B, the third wall body 43 is formed as a wall body that protrudes from the outer wall surface 12b of the other end 12c of the lower side wall 12 to the discharge port 40b (Figs. 1, 6, 7, and 11). The third wall body 43 shown here extends from the bottom wall 11 to the wire insertion port 10c (Figs. 1, 6, and 7). Also, in this second drain part 40B, the fourth wall body 44 extends from the side of the first wall body 41 to in front of the discharge port 40b, and is formed as a wall part of the drain passage 40a (Figs. 1, 7, 11, and 12). Also, in this second drain part 40B, the fifth wall body 45 closes all the other openings formed by the other ends of the first wall body 41, the second wall body 42, and the third wall body 43, and is provided on the cover 20 (Figs. 6, 7, and 12). Furthermore, this second drain part 40B is a wall body that connects the side of the second wall body 42 on the side of the wire insertion port 10c and the side of the third wall body 43 on the side of the wire insertion port 10c, and has a sixth wall body 46 that exists on the same plane as the discharge port 40b (Figs. 1, 6, 7, and 12).

[0057] Here, in this storage box 1, since the wire We is separated from the inner wall surface 11a of the bottom wall 11 by the first bottom raising portion 16A and the second bottom raising portion 16 shown above, it is difficult for the water (for example, water that has entered from the outside, water that has condensed in the wire storage chamber 10a, etc.) in the wire storage chamber 10a to touch the wire We. And in this storage box 1, the water in the wire storage chamber 10a is transmitted to the inner wall surface side at the intersection portion 10d of the first bottom wall portion 11A of the bottom wall 11 and the lower side wall 12, and the water can be discharged to the outside from the previous drain portion 40 (the first drain portion 40A and the second drain portion 40B).

[0058] Therefore, in this storage box 1, the water in the wire storage chamber 10a is guided to the drain portion 40 (the first drain portion 40A and the second drain portion 40B) to assist the discharge of water from this drain portion 40. The main body 10 has a first discharge assisting portion 51 that guides the water to the first drain portion 40A and a second discharge assisting portion 52 that guides the water to the second drain portion 40B (FIGS. 8, 9, and 11).

[0059] The first discharge assisting portion 51 and the second discharge assisting portion 52 are provided as bulging portions bulging from the inner wall surface on the inner wall surface side at the intersection portion 10d of the first bottom wall portion 11A of the bottom wall 11 and the lower side wall 12. The second discharge assisting portion 52 is provided on the inner wall surface side at the portion where the first bottom wall portion 11A of the bottom wall 11 and the first wall body 41 (the other end portion 12c of the lower side wall 12) of the second drain portion 40B intersect within the intersection portion 10d.

[0060] The first discharge assisting portion 51 has an inclined surface (hereinafter referred to as the "first inclined surface") 51a whose bulging amount gradually decreases as it approaches the inlet 40c of the first drain portion 40A (FIGS. 3 to 5, 8, and 9). This first inclined surface 51a gradually decreases the bulging amount as it approaches the inlet 40c from the wire outlet 10b side. The main body 10 shown here is provided with one first discharge assisting portion 51 on each of the first wire outlet 10b1 side and the second wire outlet 10b2 side with the first drain portion 40A as the boundary.

[0061] The first discharge assisting portion 51 on the side of the first wire outlet 10b1 has a first inclined surface 51a with a gradually decreasing bulging amount between the first wire outlet 10b1 and the position before the inlet 40c of the first draining portion 40A, and guides the water reaching the first inclined surface 51a to the inlet 40c of the first draining portion 40A. Also, the first discharge assisting portion 51 on the side of the second wire outlet 10b2 has a first inclined surface 51a with a gradually decreasing bulging amount between the inlet 40c side of the first draining portion 40A and the position before the inlet 40c from the other end portion on the lower side wall 12, and guides the water reaching the first inclined surface 51a to the inlet 40c of the first draining portion 40A.

[0062] The second discharge assisting portion 52 has an inclined surface (hereinafter referred to as "second inclined surface") 52a with a gradually increasing bulging amount as it moves away from the inlet 40c of the second draining portion 40B (FIGS. 8 and 9). This second discharge assisting portion 52 guides the water reaching the second inclined surface 52a to the inlet 40c of the second draining portion 40B.

[0063] Here, for the first discharge assisting portion 51 and the second discharge assisting portion 52 on the side of the second wire outlet 10b2, the first inclined surface 51a and the second inclined surface 52a are formed so as to be connected without a step. That is, the first inclined surface 51a and the second inclined surface 52a connect their wall surfaces so that no step is formed by sharing the portion where the bulging amount is maximum along with their shapes. As a result, in this storage box 1, even if the water on the second inclined surface 52a transfers to the first inclined surface 51a due to acceleration and deceleration during vehicle travel, etc., the water can be guided from the first inclined surface 51a to the inlet 40c of the first draining portion 40A. Also, in this storage box 1, even if the water on the first inclined surface 51a transfers to the second inclined surface 52a due to acceleration and deceleration during vehicle travel, etc., the water can be guided from the second inclined surface 52a to the inlet 40c of the second draining portion 40B.

[0064] Incidentally, in this storage box 1, even if water with a strong force such as high-pressure water during high-pressure car washing is applied from the outside to the drain part 40, each wall from the first wall 41 to the fifth wall 45 can regulate the intrusion path of the water that enters the drain path 40a from the discharge port 40b, and can prevent direct water intrusion into the inflow port 40c. In particular, in this storage box 1, the third wall 43 disposed opposite to the inflow port 40c can prevent direct water intrusion from the front into the inflow port 40c. And in this storage box 1, the third wall 43 is extended to the discharge port 40b, and the third wall 43 is also disposed opposite to the second wall 42, so that the intrusion path of water directly heading from the third wall 43 side of the discharge port 40b to the inflow port 40c is regulated, and the intrusion of water from the discharge port 40b toward the inflow port 40c can be prevented. Therefore, in the drain part 40, it is desirable to extend the third wall 43 from the end of the first wall 41 to a position where the water that has entered the drain path 40a from the third wall 43 side of the discharge port 40b does not directly reach the inflow port 40c, and accordingly, to separate the discharge port 40b from the inflow port 40c. In other words, it is desirable that the third wall 43 extends from the end of the first wall 41 to a position where water is not directly directed from the third wall 43 side of the discharge port 40b to the inflow port 40c. In this storage box 1, from the same viewpoint, it is also desirable to provide the end of the fourth wall 44 on the discharge port 40b side at a position where water is not directly directed from the fourth wall 44 side of the discharge port 40b to the inflow port 40c. And in this storage box 1, from the same viewpoint, it is also desirable to provide the end of the fifth wall 45 on the discharge port 40b side at a position where water is not directly directed from the fifth wall 45 side of the discharge port 40b to the inflow port 40c.

[0065] Furthermore, in this storage box 1, even if external water enters the drain path 40a from the drain port 40b, the water entry path is restricted, so the water hits the first wall 41 and is returned to the drain port 40b side. However, if the water hitting the first wall 41 has strong momentum, it may bounce back off the first wall 41 and enter the wire storage chamber 10a from the inlet 40c. However, in this storage box 1, the drain path 40a is arranged below the wire storage chamber 10a, and the drain port 40b and the inlet 40c are arranged orthogonally, so the water hitting the first wall 41 does not bounce back towards the wire We. Therefore, in this storage box 1, the water hitting the first wall 41 can be returned to the drain port 40b side and discharged from this drain port 40b, and the water that bounces back off the first wall 41 and enters the wire storage chamber 10a from the inlet 40c can also be returned from the inlet 40c to the drain path 40a and discharged from the drain port 40b. Also, in this storage box 1, if the momentum of the water entering the drain path 40a from the drain port 40b weakens midway, the water is returned to the drain port 40b side and discharged from the drain port 40b.

[0066] Note that the main body 10 shown here has a protrusion 19 protruding from the outer wall surface 14b of the upper side wall 14 and the outer wall surface 15b of the upper inclined side wall 15 (Figs. 1, 2, and 6 to 9). And this protrusion 19 is arranged below the cover 20 in the state of being installed on the vehicle. Therefore, in this storage box 1, there is a risk that water may accumulate at the location where the upper side wall 14, the upper inclined side wall 15, and the protrusion 19 intersect. For this reason, a plurality of through holes 19a for discharging the water without accumulating it are provided in the protrusion 19 (Figs. 1 and 8).

[0067] As described above, the storage box 1 of the present embodiment can suppress the intrusion of water from below between the main body 10 of the water hitting from below and the cover 20 by the first rib 18A, the second rib 18B, the first connecting rib 18C, and the second connecting rib 18D, and can suppress the intrusion of water from there into the wire storage chamber 10a. Further, as described above, the storage box 1 of the present embodiment does not reduce the moldability of the main body 10 by the first rib 18A, the second rib 18B, the first connecting rib 18C, and the second connecting rib 18D, so that it is possible to suppress the intrusion of water into the wire storage chamber 10a while suppressing an increase in cost.

[0068] Furthermore, even if the strong water enters between the main body 10 and the cover 20 and tries to enter the wire storage chamber 10a while scattering from there, the storage box 1 of the present embodiment can stop the scattering with the third rib 18E or the fourth rib 18F. For this reason, this storage box 1 can prevent the water from hitting the wire We in the wire storage chamber 10a. And this storage box 1 discharges the water whose momentum has stopped with the third rib 18E or the fourth rib 18F along the inner wall surface 12a of the lower side wall 12 and the inner wall surface 13a of the lower inclined side wall 13 from the drain part 40 (the first drain part 40A, the second drain part 40B), so that it is possible to avoid water from accumulating in the wire storage chamber 10a.

[0069] Moreover, even if external water enters the drain path 40a from the discharge port 40b of the drain part 40 by the first wall body 41, the second wall body 42, and the third wall body 43 of the drain part 40, the storage box 1 of the present embodiment can suppress the intrusion of the water into the wire storage chamber 10a.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0070] 1 Storage box 10 Main body 10a Wire storage chamber (storage chamber) 10b Wire lead-out port 10c Wire insertion port (insertion port) 10d Intersection part 11 Bottom wall 12 Lower side wall 12a Inner wall surface 12b Outer wall surface 13a Inner wall surface 14 Upper side wall 14b Outer wall surface 18A First rib 18B Second rib 18a, 18b Ends 18C First connecting rib 18D Second connecting rib 18E Third rib 20 Cover 21 Closing wall 22 Lower cover side wall 24 Upper cover side wall 40 Drainage part 40A First drainage part 40a Drainage path 40b Outlet

Claims

1. A main body having a storage chamber for storing an energizable object to be stored and an insertion port for inserting the object to be stored into the storage chamber, a cover assembled to the main body to close the insertion port, and comprising: The main body includes a bottom wall forming the bottom wall portion of the storage chamber, and a cantilevered wall body erected from the bottom wall, which forms a side wall portion of the storage chamber, and a lower side wall in which an intersection portion intersecting with the bottom wall is horizontally disposed vertically downward, and a drain portion provided with a drain port bulging from at least an outer wall surface of the lower side wall at the intersection portion and opening in a direction opposite to the standing direction of the lower side wall, and a drain passage communicating the storage chamber with the drain port. The cover includes a closing wall closing the insertion port, and a cantilevered wall body erected from the closing wall, and a lower cover side wall disposed to face the outer wall surface of the lower side wall along a free end of the lower side wall. The lower side wall has a first rib and a second rib each protruding from the outer wall surface, disposed to face an end surface of the free end along the free end of the lower cover side wall, and spaced apart from each other at their ends in a direction along the free end; a first connecting rib protruding from the outer wall surface and connecting the end of the first rib and the drain portion along the standing direction; and a second connecting rib protruding from the outer wall surface and connecting the end of the second rib and the drain portion along the standing direction. A storage box characterized by this.

2. A main body having a storage chamber for storing an energizable object to be stored and an insertion port for inserting the object to be stored into the storage chamber, a cover assembled to the main body to close the insertion port, and comprising: The main body includes a bottom wall forming the bottom wall portion of the storage chamber, and a cantilevered wall body erected from the bottom wall, which forms one side wall portion of the storage chamber, and a lower side wall in which an intersection portion intersecting with the bottom wall is horizontally disposed vertically downward, and a cantilevered wall body erected from the bottom wall in the same direction as the lower side wall, which forms the other side wall portion of the storage chamber, and an upper side wall having the insertion port between a free end of the lower side wall and its own free end, and a drain portion provided with a drain port bulging from at least an outer wall surface of the lower side wall at the intersection portion and opening in a direction opposite to the standing direction of the lower side wall, and a drain passage communicating the storage chamber with the drain port. The cover includes a closing wall that closes the insertion opening, and a cantilevered wall body erected from the closing wall. A lower cover side wall is disposed opposite to the outer wall surface of the lower side wall along the free end of the lower side wall. The lower cover side wall is a cantilevered wall body erected from the closing wall in the same direction as the lower cover side wall. An upper cover side wall is disposed opposite to the outer wall surface of the upper side wall along the free end of the upper side wall. The lower side wall has a first rib and a second rib that each protrude from the outer wall surface of the lower side wall, are each disposed opposite to the end face of the free end along the free end of the lower cover side wall, and have a space between their ends in the direction along the free end. The lower side wall also has a first connecting rib that protrudes from the outer wall surface of the lower side wall and connects the end of the first rib and the drain part along the erected direction, and a second connecting rib that protrudes from the outer wall surface of the lower side wall and connects the end of the second rib and the drain part along the erected direction. The housing box is characterized by this.

3. The cover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a third rib that is erected from the closing wall in the same direction as the lower cover side wall and is disposed opposite to the inner wall surface of the lower side wall along the free end of the lower side wall.

4. The main body according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it has a wire housing chamber as a housing chamber for housing the wire as the object to be housed, and a wire outlet for pulling out the wire outward from the wire housing chamber.

Images