Terminals, electrical connection devices, and electrical connection boxes

Abstract

To provide a terminal that makes it easier to exchange such a connection target component as a fuse without being affected by a set place.SOLUTION: A metal terminal 20 connects a terminal unit in the shape of a flat plate of a connection target component, and includes: a first connection unit 21k for inserting the terminal unit along a first direction to connect the terminal unit; and a second connection unit 21f for inserting the terminal unit along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to connect the terminal unit. The first connection unit 21k holds the thick part of the terminal unit along the second direction, and the second connection unit 21f holds the thick part of the terminal unit along the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal, an electrical connection device, and an electrical connection box. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are electrical connection devices or electrical junction boxes that are mounted on vehicles and have terminals for connecting connection target components such as fuses for protecting electrical circuits. Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to an electrical connection device that has a terminal into which a fuse having a pair of terminal portions, each of which is flat, can be inserted to connect the connection target component. Within the electrical connection device, two terminals for attaching one fuse are arranged side by side, one terminal connecting to one terminal portion of the fuse and the other terminal connecting to the other terminal portion of the fuse. Such an electrical connection device is generally housed in a housing box such as a waterproof box to form an electrical junction box. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 5-17905 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the electrical connection device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the terminal portion of the fuse is inserted in only one direction into the terminal. Here, it is assumed that when the electrical connection device is installed vertically in a storage box whose opening faces vertically upward, an operator can easily replace the fuse by inserting and removing the terminal portion of the fuse vertically. However, depending on the installation location of the terminal, the electrical connection device, or the electrical connection box, it may be necessary to change the orientation of the electrical connection device, for example, to install it horizontally in a storage box of a different shape. In this case, just because a fuse is easily replaced when the electrical connection device is installed vertically does not necessarily mean that it will be easy when the electrical connection device is installed horizontally. This is because when the electrical connection device is installed horizontally, the replacement area may be blocked by other devices around the electrical connection device, or the insertion direction of the fuse terminal portion may not match the opening direction of the storage box, making it difficult for the operator to visually determine the position of the fuse.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal, an electrical connection device, and an electrical junction box that allow for easy replacement of connection targets such as fuses, regardless of the installation location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An aspect of the present invention is a metal terminal that connects a flat terminal portion of a component to be connected, and has a first connection portion that can be connected by inserting the terminal portion along a first direction, and a second connection portion that can be connected by inserting the terminal portion along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first connection portion clamps the thick portion of the terminal portion along the second direction, and the second connection portion clamps the thick portion of the terminal portion along the first direction.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is an electrical connection device for attaching a connection target component having a flat terminal portion, comprising a plurality of terminals for connecting the terminal portions, and an electrical connection box main body that accommodates the plurality of terminals, wherein the terminals are terminals according to the above aspect, and the electrical connection box main body has a first mounting portion to which the connection target component can be attached along a first direction, and a second mounting portion to which the connection target component can be attached along a second direction, and the first connection portion included in the terminals connects the terminal portion of the connection target component attached to the first mounting portion, and the second connection portion included in the terminals connects the terminal portion of the connection target component attached to the second mounting portion.

[0008] An electrical connection box according to yet another aspect of the present invention comprises an electrical connection device for attaching a connection target component having a flat terminal portion, and a storage box for accommodating the electrical connection device, wherein the electrical connection device is the electrical connection device according to the above aspect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a terminal, an electrical connection device, and an electrical connection box that facilitate replacement of connection target components such as fuses, regardless of the installation location. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an electrical junction box employing a first installation example according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state before a fuse and the like are attached in a first installation example of the electrical connecting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state after a fuse and the like have been attached in a first installation example of the electrical connecting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which an electric connection box main body is removed in a first installation example of the electric connection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first bus bar terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a front view of the first bus bar terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a side view of the first bus bar terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a terminal head corresponding to the cross section XI-XI shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 12] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal head corresponding to the XII-XII cross section shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is a view of the main body of the electrical junction box as seen from the opposite direction to the viewing direction of FIG. 14. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram showing an electrical junction box employing a second installation example according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state before a fuse and the like are attached in a second installation example of the electrical connecting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a diagram showing a state after a fuse and the like have been attached in a second installation example of the electrical connecting device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 19] 10 is a view showing a state in which the main body of the electrical connection box is removed in a second installation example of the electrical connection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state before a fuse and the like are attached in a first installation example of the electrical connecting device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state after a fuse and the like have been attached in a first installation example of the electrical connecting device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 22] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which an electric connection box main body is removed in a first installation example of the electric connection device according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 23] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal head for explaining the positional relationship between the second terminal portion of the fuse and the first protruding piece of the first bus bar after insertion. FIG. [Figure 24]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the electrical connection box body is removed from the overall configuration when the second example is applied in a first installation example of the electrical connection device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the electrical connection box body is removed from the overall configuration when a third example is applied in a first installation example of the electrical connecting device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the electrical connection box body is removed from the overall configuration when a fourth example is applied in a first installation example of the electrical connecting device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the electrical connection box body is removed from the overall configuration when a fifth example is applied in a first installation example of the electrical connection device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state before fuses and the like are attached in a second installation example of the electrical connecting device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state after a fuse and the like have been attached in a second installation example of the electrical connecting device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the electrical connection box body has been removed in a second installation example of the electrical connection device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 31] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a terminal set according to another embodiment in which terminal portions of a fuse are connected along a first direction. [Figure 32] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a terminal set according to another embodiment in which terminal portions of a fuse are connected along the second direction. [Figure 33A] 10 is a diagram showing a first example of the shape relationship between a recess included in one terminal and a recess included in the other terminal. FIG. [Figure 33B] 10 is a diagram showing a second example of the shape relationship between a recess included in one terminal and a recess included in the other terminal. FIG. [Figure 33C] 10 is a diagram showing a third example of the shape relationship between a recess included in one terminal and a recess included in the other terminal. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The terminals, electrical connection devices, and electrical connection boxes according to the embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of convenience and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0012] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electrical junction box 1 employing a first installation example according to the first embodiment. The electrical junction box 1 is installed in a vehicle such as an automobile, and houses electronic components as components to be connected. The electrical junction box 1 includes an electrical connection device 3 and a first waterproof box 5. The electrical connection device 3 holds the components to be connected so that they can be attached and detached, and connects the components to be connected to electric wires and the like routed from the outside. The components to be connected in this embodiment are two types of cutouts: a fuse 90 as a first cutout, and a fusible link (hereinafter referred to as "FL") 91 as a second cutout.

[0013] Hereinafter, the spatial coordinates will be defined as follows as a reference for explaining the installation posture of the electrical connecting device 3 and the insertion / removal directions of the fuses 90 and FL91. The Z direction is the direction along the vertical direction. The X direction and Y direction are directions that are perpendicular to each other in a plane perpendicular to the Z direction.

[0014] The first waterproof box 5 is a storage box for storing the electrical connection device 3 and is installed in the engine compartment of a vehicle such as an automobile. The first waterproof box 5 includes a box body 5a and a lid 5b. The lid 5b is placed over the box body 5a to cover the opening 5c, thereby maintaining the waterproof function of the first waterproof box 5. The opening 5c has an opening surface parallel to the XY plane. The storage area of the box body 5a is configured so that the opening 5c is relatively narrow and relatively deep in the Z direction. When the electrical connection device 3 is installed in such a first waterproof box 5, it is desirable that the electrical connection device 3 be installed vertically, i.e., vertically, within the box body 5a in order to efficiently utilize the narrowness and depth of the opening 5c. Here, the example in which the electrical connection device 3 is installed vertically, as shown in FIG. 1, is referred to as the "first arrangement example."

[0015] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the electrical connection device 3 in the first installation example when the fuses 90 and FL91 are not attached, while Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the electrical connection device 3 in the first installation example when the fuses 90 and FL91 are attached.

[0016] The fuse 90 has a pair of flat terminals, a first terminal 90a and a second terminal 90b, which protrude in the same direction. Hereinafter, the dimensions of the first terminal 90a and the second terminal 90b will be defined as a terminal width W90 and a terminal thickness T90, respectively. On the other hand, the fuse FL91 has a first terminal fitting portion 91a and a second terminal fitting portion 91b, which are slit-shaped and parallel to each other.

[0017] As an example, the electrical connection device 3 can attach four fuses 90 from the same direction. The electrical connection device 3 can attach each fuse 90 along a first direction, or along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Also, as an example, the electrical connection device 3 can attach four FLs 91 from the same direction. The electrical connection device 3 can attach each FL 91 along the first direction, or along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0018] Here, in the first installation example, the spatial coordinates indicated by XYZ, the first direction and second direction based on the shape of the electrical connection device 3, and the third direction defined based on the first direction and second direction have the following relationship:

[0019] The first direction corresponds to the Z direction. In this case, the direction in which the fuses 90 and FL91 are installed is from top to bottom, opposite to the Z direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. The direction in which the fuses 90 and FL91 are removed is from bottom to top, which is the Z direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. In other words, when the electrical connection device 3 is placed in the first installation example, the installation and removal directions of the fuses 90 and FL91 are along the first direction, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0020] The second direction corresponds to the X direction. When the electrical connection device 3 is arranged in the first installation example, the fuses 90 and FL91 are not attached or detached in the second direction.

[0021] The third direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, i.e., the Y direction. In this case, as will be described in detail below, the arrangement direction of the multiple mounting portions for mounting the fuses 90 or FL91 is along the third direction.

[0022] 4 is a perspective view showing the first installation example of the electrical connection device 3 with the electrical connection box body 40 removed from the overall configuration thereof. The electrical connection device 3 includes a busbar structure 10, a plurality of terminals 20, a plurality of plate-like terminals 30, and the electrical connection box body 40.

[0023] The busbar structure 10 is a conductive member that electrically connects a plurality of electronic components. In this embodiment, the busbar structure 10 electrically connects all four fuses 90 and four FL91 cutouts.

[0024] 5 is a perspective view of the busbar structure 10. The busbar structure 10 extends in a band shape as a whole to match the arrangement of multiple mounting portions for mounting the fuses 90 or FL 91. The busbar structure 10 has a busbar main body 11, multiple first busbar terminals 12, and multiple second busbar terminals 13.

[0025] The busbar body 11 is a flat plate portion whose longitudinal direction is the third direction and whose main plane is parallel to the first and third directions. The busbar body 11 has a bolt hole 11a at one longitudinal end. As shown in FIG. 4 , an input terminal 52 is fastened to the bolt hole 11a using a bolt 50 and a nut 51. The input terminal 52 is connected to an end of an input electric wire 82 that is routed from the outside. When the electrical connection device 3 is in use, the busbar structure 10 distributes power input through the input electric wire 82 to all of the first busbar terminals 12 and second busbar terminals 13 via the busbar body 11.

[0026] The first bus bar terminal 12 connects to one of a pair of flat terminal portions of the fuse 90. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 , the first bus bar terminal 12 connects to the second terminal portion 90b. The electrical connection device 3 is capable of mounting four fuses 90, and accordingly, there are four first bus bar terminals 12. As will be described in detail below, in the electrical connection device 3, the other first terminal portion 90a of the fuse 90 is connected to a connection portion included in the terminal 20. Therefore, of the two types of terminals to which the fuse 90 is connected, the terminal 20 to which the first terminal portion 90a is connected can be defined as the "first terminal," and the first bus bar terminal 12 to which the other second terminal portion 90b is connected can be defined as the "second terminal."

[0027] Each of the first busbar terminals 12 is a plate having a longitudinal direction in the first direction and a main plane that is parallel to the first and second directions as a whole. The four first busbar terminals 12 are provided adjacent to each other on the busbar body 11 at a position opposite in the longitudinal direction to the side where the bolt holes 11a are provided.

[0028] 6 is a perspective view of the first busbar terminal 12. The first busbar terminal 12 has a base 12a and two arms 12b supported by the base 12a. The base 12a is connected to the busbar body 11 so as to be bent perpendicularly to the main plane of the busbar body 11. The base 12a may be integral with the busbar body 11 in advance, or may be manufactured separately from the busbar body 11 and then joined to the busbar body 11 by welding or the like. The arms 12b are continuous with the base 12a, extend along the first direction, and face each other in the second direction.

[0029] The first bus bar terminal 12 has two types of connection portions, a first connection portion and a second connection portion, each of which can connect to the second terminal portion 90b. The first connection portion can be connected by inserting the second terminal portion 90b along the first direction. When connecting the second terminal portion 90b, the first connection portion holds the thickness portion of the second terminal portion 90b along the second direction. On the other hand, the second connection portion can be connected by inserting the second terminal portion 90b along the second direction. When connecting the second terminal portion 90b, the second connection portion holds the thickness portion of the second terminal portion 90b along the first direction.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a front view of the first bus bar terminal 12 as viewed in a third direction. The first connection portion of the first bus bar terminal 12 is a pair of tip portions 12c provided on each arm portion 12b, which sandwich the second terminal portion 90b relative to the base portion 12a. In FIG. 7, the position of the second terminal portion 90b when connected to the pair of tip portions 12c is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Each tip portion 12c includes a convex portion whose opposing end surfaces are curved to facilitate insertion of the second terminal portion 90b. The distance between the two arm portions 12b is represented by a distance L1 along the second direction. A gap G1 along the second direction is formed in the region where the pair of two tip portions 12c are closest to each other. The dimension of the gap G1 when the second terminal portion 90b is not inserted between the tip portions 12c is represented by a distance L2.

[0031] Here, distance L1 is longer than the terminal thickness T90 of the second terminal portion 90b. Therefore, the second terminal portion 90b can enter the area sandwiched between the arms 12b. Furthermore, distance L2 is shorter than both the terminal thickness T90 and distance L1. Therefore, when the second terminal portion 90b passes through the gap G1 along the first direction and is inserted between the arms 12b, the tip ends 12c of the second terminal portion 90b come into contact with the second terminal portion 90b, and gap G1 expands from distance L2 to a distance equal to the terminal thickness T90. As a result, the arms 12b deform away from each other, and the second terminal portion 90b receives a displacement force from the tip ends 12c due to the deformation of the arms 12b, and is held sandwiched between the tip ends 12c. Taking into account this structure and function, distance L2 is determined taking into account the contact resistance of the tip ends 12c with the second terminal portion 90b.

[0032] Fig. 8 is a side view of the first bus bar terminal 12 as viewed in the second direction. The second connection portion of the first bus bar terminal 12 is two recesses 12f, one on each arm portion 12b, shaped symmetrically in the second direction. In Fig. 8, the position of the second terminal portion 90b when connected to the two recesses 12f is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Each recess 12f separates the arm portion 12b into a first step portion 12d and a second step portion 12e along the first direction, and the second terminal portion 90b is sandwiched between the first step portion 12d and the second step portion 12e.

[0033] The recess 12f has a bottom 12g, a first side 12h, and a second side 12i. The bottom 12g is a wall parallel to the first and second steps 12d and 12e. The first side 12h connects the edge of the first step 12d facing the second step 12e to the edge of the bottom 12g facing the first step 12d. The second side 12i connects the edge of the second step 12e facing the first step 12d to the edge of the bottom 12g facing the second step 12e. A gap G2 is formed along the first direction in the region where the first step 12d and the second step 12e are closest to each other. The dimension of the gap G2 when the second terminal 90b is not inserted into each recess 12f is represented by a distance L3. The distance from the opening of recess 12f to the bottom surface of bottom 12g is represented by distance L4 in the third direction. The maximum width of the region within recess 12f near the bottom surface of bottom 12g is represented by distance L5 in the first direction. The distance between first side portion 12h and second side portion 12i is set in advance to increase from gap G2 toward bottom 12g. In other words, the distance between first side portion 12h and second side portion 12i gradually increases from distance L3 to distance L5 as it moves from gap G2 toward bottom 12g.

[0034] Here, distance L5 is longer than terminal thickness T90 of second terminal portion 90b. Therefore, second terminal portion 90b can enter the region sandwiched between first side portion 12h and second side portion 12i. Furthermore, distance L3 is shorter than terminal thickness T90 and also shorter than distance L5. Therefore, when second terminal portion 90b is inserted between first step portion 12d and second step portion 12e while passing through gap G2 in the second direction, the ends of first step portion 12d and second step portion 12e come into contact with second terminal portion 90b. In other words, gap G2 expands from distance L3 to a distance equal to terminal thickness T90. As a result, the first side portion 12h and the second side portion 12i deform in directions away from each other, and the second terminal portion 90b receives a displacement force generated by the deformation of the first side portion 12h and the second side portion 12i from both the first step portion 12d and the second step portion 12e. The second terminal portion 90b is then held sandwiched between the first step portion 12d and the second step portion 12e. In light of this structure and function, the distance L3 is determined in consideration of the contact resistance of the first step portion 12d and the second step portion 12e between the second terminal portion 90b and the first terminal portion 90b.

[0035] 8 shows the second terminal 90b not in contact with the bottom surface of the bottom 12g when connected to the recess 12f. However, the second terminal 90b may be in contact with the bottom surface of the bottom 12g when connected to the recess 12f, for example, to increase the contact area or to improve ease of positioning. Furthermore, the two recesses 12f provided on each arm 12b may have differences in size or shape as long as they are roughly symmetrical in the second direction.

[0036] The second bus bar terminal 13 is connected to one of a pair of slit-shaped terminal fitting portions of the FL91. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the second bus bar terminal 13 is connected to the second terminal fitting portion 91b. Since the electrical connecting device 3 can accommodate four FL91, there are four second bus bar terminals 13. In the electrical connecting device 3, the other first terminal fitting portion 91a of the FL91 is connected to the plate terminal 30, as will be described in detail below.

[0037] 5, each second bus bar terminal 13 is a plate body having a longitudinal direction in the first direction and a main plane that is parallel to the first and second directions as a whole. The four second bus bar terminals 13 are provided adjacent to each other in the same row as the first bus bar terminals 12 in a portion of the bus bar body 11 sandwiched in the longitudinal direction between an end where the bolt holes 11a are provided and an end where the first bus bar terminals 12 are provided.

[0038] The second busbar terminal 13 has a body plate 13a and a first insertion end portion 13b provided at the tip of the body plate 13a. A portion of the body plate 13a is connected to the busbar body 11 so as to be bent perpendicularly to the main plane of the busbar body 11. The body plate 13a may be integral with the busbar body 11 in advance, or may be manufactured separately from the busbar body 11 and then joined to the busbar body 11 by welding or the like. The first insertion end portion 13b has a shape that is thinner at the tip side than at the body plate 13a side to facilitate insertion into the second terminal fitting portion 91b.

[0039] The terminal 20 connects to one of a pair of flat terminal portions of the fuse 90. In this embodiment, as described above, the first bus bar terminal 12 provided on the bus bar structure 10 connects to the second terminal portion 90b of the fuse 90, and therefore the terminal 20 connects to the first terminal portion 90a of the fuse 90, as shown in Fig. 4. In addition, since the electrical connection device 3 can accommodate four fuses 90, there are four terminals 20.

[0040] 9 is a perspective view of the terminal 20. The terminal 20 is a metal rod-shaped terminal connected to an end of a first electric wire 80. The first electric wire 80 is, for example, part of a wire harness that is routed inside a vehicle and for which a fuse 90 is selected as a cutout compatible with an electronic device to which it is connected. The terminal 20 has a terminal head 21, a first crimped portion 22, and a second crimped portion 23. The terminal 20 may be formed by appropriately processing a thin metal plate, such as pressing, cutting, drilling, or bending.

[0041] Fig. 10 is a front view of terminal head 21 viewed in the second direction. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of terminal head 21 taken along a plane parallel to the first and third directions, corresponding to the XI-XI cross section shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of terminal head 21 taken along a plane parallel to the first and second directions, corresponding to the XII-XII cross section shown in Fig. 9.

[0042] The terminal head 21 has a cylindrical shape surrounded by four side walls whose longitudinal directions are aligned in the first direction. In this embodiment, the terminal head 21 includes five side walls: a first side wall 21a, a second side wall 21b, a third side wall 21c, a fourth side wall 21d, and a fifth side wall 21e. The terminal head 21 is ultimately formed into a cylindrical shape by bending adjacent side walls at a 90° angle and then overlapping the first side wall 21a and the fifth side wall 21e as shown in FIG. 11 . In this embodiment, the fifth side wall 21e is located more inward than the first side wall 21a. To improve the rigidity of the terminal head 21, several notches 21n may be formed in the end of the fourth side wall 21d that is continuous with the fifth side wall 21e, and engaging pieces 21p may be engaged with the notches 21n, protruding from the end of the first side wall 21a in alignment with the positions of the notches 21n. According to the cylindrical structure of the terminal head 21, the second side wall 21b and the fourth side wall 21d face each other in the second direction, and the third side wall 21c and the fifth side wall 21e face each other in the third direction.

[0043] The terminal head 21 has two types of connection portions, a first connection portion and a second connection portion, each of which can connect to the first terminal portion 90a. The first connection portion can be connected by inserting the first terminal portion 90a along a first direction. When connecting the first terminal portion 90a, the first connection portion clamps the thick portion of the first terminal portion 90a along the second direction. On the other hand, the second connection portion can be connected by inserting the first terminal portion 90a along the second direction. When connecting the first terminal portion 90a, the second connection portion clamps the thick portion of the first terminal portion 90a along the first direction.

[0044] The first connection portion of the terminal 20 is a pair of displacement pieces 21k that extend from the respective tips of the opposing second side wall 21b and fourth side wall 21d into the terminal head 21 and sandwich the first terminal portion 90a. In FIG. 12, the position of the first terminal portion 90a when connected to the pair of displacement pieces 21k is indicated by a two-dot chain line. At least a portion of each displacement piece 21k is a curved wall that convexly extends in the opposing direction to facilitate insertion of the first terminal portion 90a and generate an appropriate displacement force. In this embodiment, the displacement pieces 21k are shaped as an arc as a whole, but only a portion of each may be arc-shaped. A gap G13 is formed along the second direction between the pair of displacement pieces 21k at the region where they are closest to each other. The dimension of the gap G13 when the first terminal portion 90a is not inserted between the displacement pieces 21k is represented by a distance L16.

[0045] The spatial width between the second side wall 21b and the fourth side wall 21d, which face each other in the second direction, is longer than the terminal thickness T90 of the first terminal portion 90a due to the arrangement of the displacement pieces 21k. Furthermore, the spatial width distance L14 between the third side wall 21c and the fifth side wall 21e, which face each other in the third direction, is longer than the terminal width W90 of the first terminal portion 90a. Therefore, the first terminal portion 90a can enter the area sandwiched between the four side walls. Furthermore, the distance L16 is shorter than the terminal thickness T90. Therefore, when the first terminal portion 90a passes through the gap G13 along the first direction and is inserted between the displacement pieces 21k, the displacement pieces 21k come into contact with the first terminal portion 90a, and the gap G13 expands from the distance L16 to a distance equal to the terminal thickness T90. As a result, the displacement pieces 21k deform in directions away from each other, and the first terminal portion 90a is subjected to a displacement force generated by the deformation of the displacement pieces 21k, and is held in a state where it is sandwiched between the displacement pieces 21k. In consideration of this structure and action, the distance L16 is determined in consideration of the contact resistance of the displacement pieces 21k with the first terminal portion 90a.

[0046] Furthermore, each of the displacement pieces 21k may have an open end at the tip 21m opposite the side connected to the second side wall 21b or the fourth side wall 21d in the first direction. In this case, before the first terminal 90a is inserted, each of the tip 21m does not contact the inner wall surface of the second side wall 21b or the fourth side wall 21d. On the other hand, after the insertion of the first terminal 90a begins, each of the tip 21m abuts against the inner wall surface of the second side wall 21b or the fourth side wall 21d as the displacement piece 21k deforms. With this configuration, the displacement force of each of the displacement pieces 21k increases from the moment when each tip 21m contacts the inner wall surface of the second side wall 21b or the fourth side wall 21d with respect to the insertion stroke of the first terminal 90a. Therefore, each of the displacement pieces 21k can more easily ensure contact pressure, thereby stabilizing contact resistance.

[0047] The second connection portion of the terminal 20 is two through-hole portions provided in each of the two side walls to which the displacement piece 21k is connected, facing each other in the second direction. In this embodiment, the first through-hole portion 21f is provided in the second side wall 21b, and the second through-hole portion 21g is provided in the fourth side wall 21d. The first through-hole portion 21f sandwiches the first terminal portion 90a between two first protruding edge portions 21h that face each other in the first direction. Similarly, the second through-hole portion 21g sandwiches the first terminal portion 90a between two second protruding edge portions 21i that face each other in the first direction. In FIG. 11, the position of the first terminal portion 90a when connected to the first through-hole portion 21f and the second through-hole portion 21g is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0048] The shapes of the first through-hole portion 21f and the second through-hole portion 21g are symmetrical with respect to each other in the second direction, and as a whole, they are rectangular with their longitudinal direction extending in the third direction to match the cross-sectional shape of the first terminal portion 90a to be connected. The opening width of each of the first through-hole portion 21f and the second through-hole portion 21g is represented by a distance L11 along the third direction, and the opening height is represented by a distance L12 along the first direction. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the first through-hole portion 21f has a first protruding edge portion 21h on each long side of the opening edge. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the second through-hole portion 21g has a second protruding edge portion 21i on each long side of the opening edge. The first protruding edge portion 21h and the second protruding edge portion 21i are arc-shaped curved walls that make point contact with the first terminal portion 90a at their vertices to facilitate insertion of the first terminal portion 90a and obtain appropriate contact resistance. A gap G11 is formed along the first direction in the region where the pair of two first protruding edge portions 21h are closest to each other. Similarly, a gap G12 is formed along the first direction in the region where the pair of two second protruding edge portions 21i are closest to each other. The dimensions of the gap G11 and the gap G12 when the first terminal portion 90a is not inserted into the first through-hole portion 21f and the second through-hole portion 21g are each represented by a distance L13.

[0049] Here, with respect to each opening edge of the first through-hole portion 21f and the second through-hole portion 21g, the distance L11 is longer than the terminal width W90 of the first terminal portion 90a, and the distance L12 is longer than the terminal thickness T90 of the first terminal portion 90a. The first through-hole portion 21f and the second through-hole portion 21g face each other in the second direction. Therefore, the first terminal portion 90a can penetrate the first through-hole portion 21f from the outside along the second direction and then penetrate the second through-hole portion 21g. The distance L13 is shorter than the terminal thickness T90. Therefore, when the first terminal portion 90a passes through the gap G11 along the second direction and is inserted between the first protruding edge portions 21h, the first protruding edge portions 21h come into contact with the first terminal portion 90a, and the gap G11 expands from the distance L13 to a distance equal to the terminal thickness T90. As a result, the first protruding edges 21h are deformed in directions away from each other, and the first terminal 90a is subjected to a displacement force generated by the deformation of the first protruding edges 21h, and is held in a sandwiched state between the first protruding edges 21h. Similarly, as the first terminal 90a continues to pass through the gap G12 and is inserted between the second protruding edges 21i, the second protruding edges 21i come into contact with the first terminal 90a, and the gap G12 expands from the distance L13 to a distance equal to the terminal thickness T90. As a result, the second protruding edges 21i are deformed in directions away from each other, and the first terminal 90a is subjected to a displacement force generated by the deformation of the second protruding edges 21i, and is held in a sandwiched state between the second protruding edges 21i. That is, the first terminal 90a is supported at two points, between the first protruding edge portions 21h and between the second protruding edge portions 21i, and is therefore held more stably. In consideration of this structure and function, the distance L12 or the distance L13, or the curved shape of the first protruding edge portion 21h or the second protruding edge portion 21i, is determined in consideration of the contact resistance of the first protruding edge portion 21h or the second protruding edge portion 21i with the first terminal 90a.

[0050] Furthermore, the third side wall 21c and the fifth side wall 21e, which face each other in the third direction, may each have two protruding walls 21j that face each other and sandwich the first terminal 90a, which penetrates the first through-hole 21f and the second through-hole 21g, in the third direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11 , the distance L15 between the two protruding walls 21j is shorter than the distance L14 and shorter than the terminal width W90 of the first terminal 90a. Assume that, without the protruding wall 21j, it is difficult to ensure the desired contact resistance between the two first protruding edge portions 21h or the two second protruding edge portions 21i. In such a case, if the terminal head 21 has two more protruding walls 21j, the two protruding wall portions 21j can also sandwich the first terminal 90a, thereby compensating for the insufficient contact resistance. Similarly, the two convex wall portions 21j can also sandwich the first terminal portion 90a inserted between each of the displacement pieces 21k as the first connection portion while passing through the gap G13 as shown in Figure 12, thereby making up for the insufficient contact resistance for each of the displacement pieces 21k.

[0051] The first crimping portion 22 is continuous with one end of the terminal head 21 in the first direction, and crimps and connects the conductor portion 80a of the first electric wire 80. The second crimping portion 23 is continuous with one end of the first crimping portion 22 opposite to the end continuous with the terminal head 21 in the first direction, and crimps and connects the insulator portion, which is the exterior portion of the first electric wire 80. In other words, in the entire terminal 20, the terminal head 21, the first crimping portion 22, and the second crimping portion 23 are aligned in a roughly straight line along the first direction.

[0052] The plate terminal 30 is connected to one of a pair of slit-shaped terminal fitting portions of the FL91. In this embodiment, as described above, the second bus bar terminal 13 provided on the bus bar structure 10 connects to the second terminal fitting portion 91b of the FL91, and therefore the plate terminal 30 connects to the first terminal fitting portion 91a of the FL91, as shown in Fig. 4. In addition, there are four plate terminals 30, since the electrical connecting device 3 can attach four FL91.

[0053] 13 is a perspective view of plate terminal 30. Plate terminal 30 is a metal terminal connected to an end of second electric wire 81. Second electric wire 81 is, for example, part of a wire harness that is routed inside a vehicle and for which FL91 is selected as a safety device compatible with an electronic device to which it is connected. Plate terminal 30 has a terminal head 31, a first crimping portion 32, and a second crimping portion 33. Plate terminal 30 may be formed by appropriately processing a thin metal plate, such as pressing, cutting, drilling, or bending.

[0054] The terminal head 31 is a plate having a longitudinal direction in the first direction and a main plane parallel to the first and second directions as a whole. The terminal head 31 has a main body plate 31a and a second insertion end portion 31b provided at the tip of the main body plate 31a. The tip side of the second insertion end portion 31b is thinner than the main body plate 31a side to facilitate insertion into the first terminal fitting portion 91a.

[0055] The first crimping portion 32 is continuous with one end of the terminal head 31 in the first direction, and crimps and connects to the conductor portion 81a of the second electric wire 81. The second crimping portion 33 is continuous with one end of the first crimping portion 32 opposite to the end continuous with the terminal head 31 in the first direction, and crimps and connects to the insulator portion, which is the exterior portion of the second electric wire 81. In other words, in the entire plate terminal 30, the terminal head 31, the first crimping portion 32, and the second crimping portion 33 are aligned in a roughly straight line along the first direction.

[0056] The electrical junction box body 40 houses all of the bus bar structure 10, the terminals 20, and the plate-like terminals 30. The term "electrical junction box body" may also be referred to as a "holder" based on the function described in detail below. The electrical junction box body 40 may be formed from an insulating material such as resin. The electrical junction box body 40 may also be manufactured by processing using a slide mold.

[0057] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the electric junction box main body 40. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the electric junction box main body 40 as viewed from a direction opposite to the viewing direction of Fig. 14. The electric junction box main body 40 is generally flat with the third direction as its longitudinal direction, and has a first structural portion 41, a second structural portion 42, and a third structural portion 43 that are continuous along the third direction. Note that the first structural portion 41, the second structural portion 42, and the third structural portion 43 may be manufactured as a single unit from the beginning, or may be manufactured by combining parts that are independently configured.

[0058] The first structural portion 41 is a structural portion of the electrical junction box body 40 that corresponds to the attachment of the fuse 90. The first structural portion 41 has a plurality of first attachment portions 41a, a plurality of second attachment portions 41b, a plurality of terminal accommodating portions 41k, and a plurality of bus bar terminal accommodating portions 41m.

[0059] The first mounting portions 41a enable the fuse 90 to be mounted along the first direction. In this embodiment, there are four first mounting portions 41a. Each first mounting portion 41a is open in the first direction, specifically, from bottom to top in the Z direction, and is arranged along the third direction. Each first mounting portion 41a is divided into regions by a combination of a first side wall portion 41e provided on the outer periphery and a first partition wall 41f that separates adjacent first mounting portions 41a. A first notch portion 41g corresponding to each first mounting portion 41a may be formed in a portion of the first side wall portion 41e to make it easier for an operator to grip the fuse 90 when inserting or removing the fuse 90.

[0060] The second mounting portions 41b enable the fuse 90 to be mounted along the second direction. In this embodiment, there are four second mounting portions 41b. Each second mounting portion 41b opens toward one side of the second direction, specifically the X direction, and is arranged along the third direction. The four second mounting portions 41b and the four first mounting portions 41a open in directions perpendicular to each other at the same position in the third direction. Each second mounting portion 41b is divided into regions by a combination of a second side wall portion 41h provided on the outer periphery and a second partition wall 41i separating adjacent second mounting portions 41b. A cutout portion 41j corresponding to each second mounting portion 41b may be formed in a portion of the second side wall portion 41h to make it easier for an operator to grip the fuse 90 when inserting or removing the fuse 90.

[0061] As described above, the first mounting portion 41a and the second mounting portion 41b are each arranged in multiple numbers along the third direction, which makes it possible to mount multiple fuses 90 and FL91, which can be advantageous, for example, in improving convenience and expandability.

[0062] The terminal accommodating portion 41k accommodates the terminal 20. One terminal accommodating portion 41k is arranged for a combination of one corresponding first mounting portion 41a and one corresponding second mounting portion 41b at the same position in the third direction. When the terminal accommodating portion 41k accommodates the terminal 20, the first connecting portion included in the terminal 20, i.e., the pair of displacement pieces 21k, faces the first mounting portion 41a through a first terminal through-hole (not shown) formed in advance in the electric junction box main body 40. On the other hand, when the terminal accommodating portion 41k accommodates the terminal 20, the second connecting portion included in the same terminal 20, i.e., the first through-hole portion 21f, faces the second mounting portion 41b through a second terminal through-hole 41d formed in advance in the electric junction box main body 40.

[0063] The busbar terminal accommodating portion 41m accommodates the first busbar terminal 12 included in the busbar structure 10. The electric junction box main body 40 has a busbar accommodating portion 40a that accommodates the busbar main body 11 included in the busbar structure 10 so that the busbar main body 11 is disposed across the first structural portion 41, the second structural portion 42, and the third structural portion 43 along the third direction. The electric junction box main body 40 also has communication portions 41n that communicate between the busbar accommodating portion 40a and each of the busbar terminal accommodating portions 41m. Due to this internal structure of the electric junction box main body 40, when the busbar main body 11 is accommodated in the busbar accommodating portion 40a, the first busbar terminal 12 is accommodated in the busbar terminal accommodating portion 41m while remaining continuous with the busbar main body 11 via the communication portion 41n.

[0064] Furthermore, one busbar terminal accommodating portion 41m is disposed for a combination of one corresponding first mounting portion 41a and one corresponding second mounting portion 41b at the same position in the third direction. That is, the electric junction box main body 40 can arrange one terminal 20 and one first busbar terminal 12 side by side for one pair of the first mounting portion 41a and the second mounting portion 41b. When the busbar terminal accommodating portion 41m accommodates the first busbar terminal 12, the first connecting portion of the first busbar terminal 12, i.e., the set of tip portions 12c, faces the first mounting portion 41a through a first terminal through-hole (not shown) formed in advance in the electric junction box main body 40. On the other hand, when the busbar terminal accommodating portion 41m accommodates the first busbar terminal 12, the second connecting portion of the same first busbar terminal 12, i.e., the recess 12f, faces the second mounting portion 41b through a second terminal through-hole 41d formed in advance in the electric junction box main body 40.

[0065] Here, the second mounting portion 41b includes a bottom portion 41c in which the second terminal through-hole 41d is formed. The bottom portion 41c may function as a stopper that the fuse 90 body ultimately abuts against when mounting the fuse 90 to the second mounting portion 41b, thereby completing the mounting. Similarly, the bottom portion of the first mounting portion 41a in which the first terminal through-hole is formed may also function as a stopper when mounting the fuse 90.

[0066] The second structural portion 42 is a structural portion of the electrical junction box body 40 that corresponds to the attachment of the FL91. The second structural portion 42 has a plurality of third attachment portions 42a, a plurality of fourth attachment portions 42b, a plurality of terminal accommodating portions 42g, and a plurality of bus bar terminal accommodating portions 42h.

[0067] The third mounting portion 42a enables the FL91 to be mounted along the first direction. In this embodiment, there are four third mounting portions 42a. Each third mounting portion 42a opens in the first direction, specifically in the direction from bottom to top in the Z direction, and is arranged along the third direction. In other words, each third mounting portion 42a is aligned with each first mounting portion 41a provided on the first structural portion 41. Each third mounting portion 42a is divided into areas as a single opening.

[0068] The fourth mounting portion 42b enables the FL91 to be mounted along the second direction. In this embodiment, there are four fourth mounting portions 42b. Each fourth mounting portion 42b opens in the second direction, specifically, toward one side of the X direction, and is arranged along the third direction. That is, each fourth mounting portion 42b is aligned with each second mounting portion 41b provided on the first structural portion 41. The four fourth mounting portions 42b and the four third mounting portions 42a open in directions perpendicular to each other at the same position in the third direction. Each fourth mounting portion 42b is divided into a single opening area.

[0069] The third mounting portion 42a is aligned with the first mounting portion 41a in the third direction, and the fourth mounting portion 42b is aligned with the second mounting portion 41b in the third direction, which facilitates replacement of not only the fuse 90 but also the FL 91. This can also be advantageous in terms of making the overall configuration and shape of the electrical connecting device 3 more compact.

[0070] The third mounting portion 42a and the fourth mounting portion 42b communicate with each other in directions perpendicular to each other inside the second structural portion 42. In this case, the bottom portion 42c of the third mounting portion 42a also serves as one of the inner walls of the fourth mounting portion 42b. Similarly, the bottom portion 42d of the fourth mounting portion 42b also serves as one of the inner walls of the third mounting portion 42a.

[0071] The terminal accommodating portion 42g accommodates the plate terminal 30. One terminal accommodating portion 42g is arranged for a combination of one corresponding third mounting portion 42a and one corresponding fourth mounting portion 42b at the same position in the third direction. When the terminal accommodating portion 42g accommodates the plate terminal 30, at least a portion of the main body plate 31a of the terminal head 31 included in the plate terminal 30 penetrates the third terminal through-hole 42e pre-formed in the bottom portion 42c and is exposed inside the third mounting portion 42a. Here, because the interior of the third mounting portion 42a is connected to the interior of the fourth mounting portion 42b as described above, the main body plate 31a is also exposed inside the fourth mounting portion 42b.

[0072] The busbar terminal accommodating portions 42h accommodate the second busbar terminals 13 included in the busbar structure 10. Here, the electric junction box main body 40 has the busbar accommodating portions 40a as described above. The electric junction box main body 40 also has communication portions 42i that connect the busbar accommodating portions 40a with the respective busbar terminal accommodating portions 42h. Due to this internal structure of the electric junction box main body 40, when the busbar main body 11 is accommodated in the busbar accommodating portions 40a, the second busbar terminals 13 are accommodated in the busbar terminal accommodating portions 42h while remaining continuous with the busbar main body 11 via the communication portions 42i.

[0073] Furthermore, one busbar terminal accommodating portion 42h is disposed for a combination of one corresponding third mounting portion 42a and one corresponding fourth mounting portion 42b at the same position in the third direction. That is, the electrical junction box body 40 can arrange one plate terminal 30 and one second busbar terminal 13 side by side for one pair of the third mounting portion 42a and the fourth mounting portion 42b. When the busbar terminal accommodating portion 42h accommodates the second busbar terminal 13, at least a portion of the main body plate 13a included in the second busbar terminal 13 penetrates the fourth terminal through-hole 42f formed in advance in the bottom portion 42c and is exposed inside the third mounting portion 42a. Note that, similar to the plate terminal 30, the main body plate 13a is also exposed inside the fourth mounting portion 42b.

[0074] Here, the bottom portion 42c may function as a stopper that, when attaching the FL91 to the third attachment portion 42a, finally butts the main body of the FL91 to complete the attachment. Similarly, the bottom portion 42d may function as a stopper when attaching the FL91 to the fourth attachment portion 42b.

[0075] The third structural portion 43 is a structural portion of the electrical junction box body 40 that accommodates at least a portion of the input terminal 52 fastened to the busbar structure 10, and the bolts 50 and nuts 51 used to fasten the input terminal 52 to the busbar structure 10. The third structural portion 43 has a busbar holding portion 43a and a nut accommodating portion 43b.

[0076] Busbar holding portion 43a communicates with busbar accommodating portion 40a, and holds busbar body 11 by sandwiching busbar body 11 between nut 51 and busbar holding portion 43a while exposing a portion of busbar body 11 to which input terminal 52 is fastened to the outside. Nut accommodating portion 43b communicates with busbar holding portion 43a, and accommodates a portion of nut 51.

[0077] The configuration of the electrical connection box 1 has been described above in accordance with the first installation example in which the electrical connection device 3 is placed vertically inside the first waterproof box 5. In the first installation example, the second mounting portion 41b and the fourth mounting portion 42b, which open in the second direction, are expected to be close to and face the inner surface of the box body 5a or other housed devices, as shown in FIG. 1 . Under such circumstances, it is difficult for an operator to attach the fuse 90 or FL91 to the second mounting portion 41b or the fourth mounting portion 42b. However, in the electrical connection device 3, the first mounting portion 41a and the third mounting portion 42a, which open in the first direction, are exposed to a wide space through the opening 5c of the box body 5a. Therefore, an operator can easily attach the fuse 90 or FL91 to the first mounting portion 41a or the third mounting portion 42a, transitioning from the state shown in FIG. 2 to the state shown in FIG. 3 .

[0078] In the first installation example, the fuse 90 and FL91 are connected to the respective terminals inside the electrical junction box body 40 as shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, the first terminal portion 90a of the fuse 90 is connected to the set of displacement pieces 21k that are the first connecting portion of the terminal 20. The second terminal portion 90b of the fuse 90 is connected to the set of tip portions 12c that are the first connecting portion of the first bus bar terminal 12. The first terminal fitting portion 91a of the FL91 is connected to the main body plate 13a of the plate terminal 30 along the first direction. The second terminal fitting portion 91b of the FL91 is connected to the main body plate 13a of the second bus bar terminal 13 along the first direction.

[0079] In contrast, even if the electrical connection device 3 cannot be placed vertically as in the first installation example due to restrictions on the structure and shape of the storage box where it is installed, it can be applied as follows by changing the installation posture.

[0080] 16 is a perspective view showing an electrical junction box 2 employing a second installation example according to the first embodiment. The electrical junction box 2 is similar to the electrical junction box 1 employing the first installation example in that it is installed in a vehicle such as an automobile and houses electronic components as components to be connected. The electrical junction box 2 is similar to the electrical junction box 1 employing the first installation example in that it includes an electrical connection device 3, but it includes a second waterproof box 6 instead of the first waterproof box 5.

[0081] The second waterproof box 6 is a housing box for housing the electrical connection device 3, which is installed on a battery 110 in a vehicle such as an automobile. The second waterproof box 6 includes a box body 6a, a lid 6b, and a simple lid 6c. The lid 6b is placed over the box body 6a to cover the opening 6d, thereby maintaining the waterproof function of the second waterproof box 6. The opening 6d has an opening surface parallel to the XY plane. As can be seen from a comparison with the first waterproof box 5, the storage area of the box body 6a is designed so that the opening 6d is relatively wide and relatively shallow in the Z direction. When the electrical connection device 3 is installed in such a second waterproof box 6, it is desirable that the electrical connection device 3 be installed horizontally within the box body 6a to efficiently utilize the width and shallowness of the opening 6d. Here, an arrangement example in which the electrical connection device 3 is installed horizontally, as shown in FIG. 16, is referred to as the "second arrangement example."

[0082] 1, the electrical connection device 3 is installed vertically, and in this case, each terminal 20, whose longitudinal direction is the first direction, is arranged in a position along the Z direction, i.e., the vertical direction. In contrast, when the electrical connection device 3 is installed horizontally as in the second installation example, each terminal 20 is arranged in a position perpendicular to the Z direction, i.e., the vertical direction, i.e., along the XY plane.

[0083] The lid 6b may be provided with a replacement port 6e, which is used by an operator when replacing the fuse 90 or FL91, at a position facing the openings of the second mounting portion 41b and the fourth mounting portion 42b of the electrical connection device 3 housed in the box body 6a. The simple lid 6c can be attached to and detached from the replacement port 6e. By removing the simple lid 6c from the lid 6b, an operator can replace the fuse 90 or FL91 through the replacement port 6e, so there is no need to remove the entire lid 6b from the box body 6a.

[0084] Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the electrical connection device 3 in the second installation example when the fuses 90 and FL91 are not attached, while Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the electrical connection device 3 in the second installation example when the fuses 90 and FL91 are attached.

[0085] In the second installation example, the spatial coordinates indicated by XYZ and the first, second and third directions based on the shape of the electrical connecting device 3 have the following relationship.

[0086] The first direction corresponds to the X direction. When the electrical connection device 3 is arranged in the second installation example, the fuses 90 and FL91 are not attached or removed in the first direction.

[0087] The second direction corresponds to the Z direction. In this case, the direction in which the fuses 90 and FL91 are installed is the direction from top to bottom in space, opposite to the Z direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. The direction in which the fuses 90 and FL91 are removed is the direction indicated by the Z direction arrow in the figure, which is the direction from bottom to top in space. In other words, when the electrical connection device 3 is placed in the second installation example, the installation and removal directions of the fuses 90 and FL91 are along the second direction, as shown in Figures 17 and 18.

[0088] The third direction corresponds to the Y direction, as in the first installation example.

[0089] In the second installation example, the first mounting portion 41a and the third mounting portion 42a, which open in the first direction, are expected to be close to and face the inner surface of the box body 6a, as shown in FIG. 16. Under such circumstances, unlike the first installation example shown in FIG. 1, it is difficult for an operator to attach the fuse 90 or FL91 to the first mounting portion 41a or the third mounting portion 42a. However, in the electrical connection device 3, the second mounting portion 41b and the fourth mounting portion 42b, which open in the second direction, are exposed to a wide space through the opening 6d of the box body 6a. Therefore, an operator can easily attach the fuse 90 or FL91 to the second mounting portion 41b or the fourth mounting portion 42b, transitioning from the state shown in FIG. 17 to the state shown in FIG. 18.

[0090] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the electrical connection device 3 in the second installation example, with the electrical connection box body 40 removed. In the electrical connection device 3 in the second installation example, the fuse 90 and FL91 are connected to the respective terminals inside the electrical connection box body 40, as shown in FIG. 19. Specifically, the first terminal portion 90a of the fuse 90 is connected to the first through-hole portion 21f and the second through-hole portion 21g, which are the second connection portions of the terminal 20. The second terminal portion 90b of the fuse 90 is connected to the two recesses 12f, which are the second connection portions of the first bus bar terminal 12. The first terminal fitting portion 91a of the FL91 is connected to the main body plate 13a of the plate terminal 30 along the second direction. The second terminal fitting portion 91b of the FL91 is connected to the main body plate 13a of the second bus bar terminal 13 along the second direction.

[0091] Next, the functions and effects of the terminals such as the terminal 20 or the first bus bar terminal 12, the electrical connection device 3 including these terminals, and the electrical connection box 1 or the electrical connection box 2 including the electrical connection device 3 will be described.

[0092] The terminal according to this embodiment is made of metal and connects to a flat terminal portion of a component to be connected. The terminal has a first connection portion into which the terminal portion can be inserted along a first direction to be connected, and a second connection portion into which the terminal portion can be inserted along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to be connected. The first connection portion clamps the thick portion of the terminal portion along the second direction. The second connection portion clamps the thick portion of the terminal portion along the first direction.

[0093] In the above example, the terminal here corresponds to the terminal 20 or the first bus bar terminal 12. For example, if the component to be connected here is a fuse 90, the terminal portion corresponds to either the first terminal portion 90a or the second terminal portion 90b. The fuse 90 is a component that may require replacement due to its functionality.

[0094] First, the terminal according to this embodiment has two connection portions, a first connection portion and a second connection portion, which can be inserted and connected from different directions. Here, depending on the orientation of the terminal due to, for example, the installation location, it may be difficult to connect the terminal portion to the first connection portion from the first direction, meaning that replacing the fuse 90 in the first direction may be difficult. In contrast, the terminal according to this embodiment can also connect the terminal portion to the second connection portion from the second direction, which may be advantageous in terms of workability.

[0095] Furthermore, in the terminal according to this embodiment, the first connection portion sandwiches the thick portion of the terminal portion along the second direction, and the second connection portion sandwiches the thick portion of the terminal portion along the first direction. Assume that two terminals having such a configuration are arranged side by side in the same orientation, with their respective first connection portions and their respective second connection portions facing the same direction. In this case, a connection target component having a pair of flat terminal portions, such as a fuse 90, can be connected to both terminals whether it is oriented from the first direction or the second direction. For example, when the fuse 90 is oriented toward both terminals from the first direction, the first terminal portion 90a can be connected to the first connection portion of one terminal, and the second terminal portion 90b can be connected to the first connection portion of the other terminal. When the fuse 90 is oriented toward both terminals from the second direction, the first terminal portion 90a can be connected to the second connection portion of one terminal, and the second terminal portion 90b can be connected to the second connection portion of the other terminal.

[0096] Furthermore, since the terminal according to this embodiment has two connection portions that connect terminal portions along different directions, it can be said that the terminal that can be connected by inserting a terminal portion along a first direction and the terminal that can be connected by inserting a terminal portion along a second direction are shared. Therefore, with the terminal according to this embodiment, it is not necessary to separately manufacture and prepare a terminal for connection along the first direction and a terminal for connection along the second direction, which can be advantageous in terms of ease of inventory management and cost reduction through component sharing.

[0097] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a terminal that allows easy replacement of a connection target component such as the fuse 90, regardless of the installation location.

[0098] Furthermore, when the terminal is terminal 20, terminal 20 may have a cylindrical terminal head 21 surrounded by four side walls whose longitudinal directions are in the first direction. In this case, the first connection portion may be a pair of displacement pieces 21k extending from the tips of the two opposing side walls into terminal head 21 and sandwiching the terminal portion. The second connection portion may be two through-hole portions provided on each of the two side walls to which the displacement pieces 21k are connected so as to face each other in the second direction, and having two convex edges facing each other in the first direction to sandwich the terminal portion.

[0099] Here, with respect to the first connection portion, the two side walls on which the displacement pieces 21k are provided in the terminal head 21 correspond to the second side wall 21b and the fourth side wall 21d in the above example. Also, with respect to the second connection portion, the two through-hole portions correspond to the first through-hole portion 21f having the two first protruding edge portions 21h and the second through-hole portion 21g having the two second protruding edge portions 21i in the above example.

[0100] Such a terminal 20 can be embodied as an example of the terminal according to the present embodiment described above. In particular, the configuration or shape of the terminal 20 allows both the first connection portion and the second connection portion to be provided in the cylindrical terminal head 21 surrounded by four side walls, so that the terminal 20 can be easily manufactured, for example, by subjecting a thin metal plate to various processes. Furthermore, the terminal 20 can be manufactured after appropriately adjusting the shape of the displacement piece 21k, the position of the through-hole portion relative to the position of the displacement piece 21k, or the shape of the convex edge portion provided in the through-hole portion, so that it is easy to set conditions such as contact pressure suitable for the specific shape of the terminal portion of the component to be connected.

[0101] Furthermore, when the terminal is a first bus bar terminal 12, the first bus bar terminal 12 may have two arms 12b extending along the first direction and facing each other in the second direction, and a base 12a supporting the two arms 12b. The two arms 12b may be plates having main planes parallel to the first and second directions. The first connection portion may be a pair of tip portions 12c provided on each arm 12b and sandwiching the terminal portion with respect to the base 12a. The second connection portion may be two recesses 12f provided on each arm 12b in a shape symmetrical in the second direction, separating the arm 12b into a first step portion 12d and a second step portion 12e along the first direction and sandwiching the terminal portion between the first step portion 12d and the second step portion 12e.

[0102] Such a first busbar terminal 12 can be embodied as an example of the terminal according to the present embodiment described above. In particular, the configuration or shape of the first busbar terminal 12 allows it to be easily molded using a plate as a base material, which can be advantageous in terms of reducing the time and cost required for manufacturing when provided as a part of the busbar structure 10, for example.

[0103] Furthermore, the recess 12f of the first bus bar terminal 12 may have a bottom 12g parallel to the first step 12d and the second step 12e. The recess 12f may have a first side 12h connecting an end edge of the first step 12d facing the second step 12e to an end edge of the bottom 12g facing the first step 12d. The recess 12f may also have a second side 12i connecting an end edge of the second step 12e facing the first step 12d to an end edge of the bottom 12g facing the second step 12e. Here, the distance between the first side 12h and the second side 12i may increase from a gap G2 between the first step 12d and the second step 12e toward the bottom 12g.

[0104] Due to the configuration or shape of the recess 12f, when the terminal portion is sandwiched between the first step 12d and the second step 12e, the first side 12h and the second side 12i are deformed in directions away from each other. With this first busbar terminal 12, the first step 12d and the second step 12e apply a displacement force generated by the deformation of the first side 12h and the second side 12i to the terminal portion, thereby holding the terminal portion in a sandwiched state. Furthermore, since the shapes of the components constituting the recess 12f can be adjusted as needed before manufacturing, it is easy to set conditions such as contact pressure appropriate for the specific shape of the terminal portion of the component to be connected.

[0105] Furthermore, the connection target component may be a first cutout in the terminal 20 or the first bus bar terminal 12. In this case, the terminal portion may be one of a pair of terminals protruding in the same direction.

[0106] Such a terminal 20 or first bus bar terminal 12 can be used as a first cutout, such as a fuse 90, as a component to be connected, and can therefore be used in devices such as the electrical connecting device 3 exemplified above.

[0107] Next, the electrical connection device 3 according to this embodiment attaches a connection target component having a flat terminal portion. The electrical connection device 3 includes a plurality of terminals for connecting the terminal portions and an electrical connection box main body 40 that houses the plurality of terminals. The terminals here refer to the above-described terminals 20 or first bus bar terminals 12. The electrical connection box main body 40 has a first mounting portion 41a to which the connection target component can be attached along a first direction, and a second mounting portion 41b to which the connection target component can be attached along a second direction. The first connection portion included in the terminal connects the terminal portion of the connection target component attached to the first mounting portion 41a. The second connection portion included in the terminal connects the terminal portion of the connection target component attached to the second mounting portion 41b.

[0108] Here, the connection target component having a flat terminal portion is assumed to be a fuse 90 having a first terminal portion 90a and a second terminal portion 90b. Furthermore, as in the first installation example, the electrical connection device 3 may be installed vertically inside the first waterproof box 5. In this case, it may be difficult for an operator to attach the fuse 90 to the second mounting portion 41b that opens in the second direction. In contrast, with the electrical connection device 3, the other mounting portion, the first mounting portion 41a that opens in the first direction, can be exposed to a wide space, allowing an operator to easily attach the fuse 90 to the first mounting portion 41a.

[0109] Conversely, as in the second installation example, there are cases where the electrical connection device 3 is installed horizontally inside the second waterproof box 6. In this case, it may be difficult for an operator to attach the fuse 90 to the first mounting portion 41a that opens in the first direction. In contrast, with the electrical connection device 3, the other mounting portion, the second mounting portion 41b that opens in the second direction, can be exposed to a wide space, making it easy for an operator to attach the fuse 90 to the second mounting portion 41b.

[0110] In this way, with the electrical connection device 3, even if it is difficult to attach the fuse 90 to one mounting portion from one direction due to the installation posture, it is possible to attach the fuse 90 to the other mounting portion from the other direction. In other words, with the electrical connection device 3, even if it is difficult to replace the fuse 90 from one direction, it is possible to replace the fuse 90 from the other direction.

[0111] The terminals employed in the electrical connecting device 3 are the above-described terminals 20 or first bus bar terminals 12. In other words, the first connection portion to which the terminal portion of the connection target component attached to the first mounting portion 41a is connected and the second connection portion to which the terminal portion of the connection target component attached to the second mounting portion 41b is connected are shared by one terminal 20 or one first bus bar terminal 12. Therefore, the electrical connecting device 3 can be advantageous in terms of, for example, reducing the number of components and making the overall configuration and shape more compact.

[0112] Furthermore, in the electrical connection device 3, the electrical connection box main body 40 has two mounting portions for mounting components to be connected in different directions. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately manufacture and prepare, for example, an electrical connection box main body having only a first mounting portion suitable for mounting components to be connected in a first direction, and an electrical connection box main body having only a second mounting portion suitable for mounting components to be connected in a second direction. Therefore, the electrical connection device 3 can be advantageous in terms of ease of inventory management and cost reduction through component sharing.

[0113] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the electrical connecting device 3 that allows easy replacement of connection target components such as the fuse 90, regardless of the installation location.

[0114] The electrical connection device 3 may also include a busbar structure 10 housed in the electrical connection box main body 40 and extending in accordance with the arrangement of the plurality of first mounting portions 41a and the plurality of second mounting portions 41b. Two types of terminals, a first terminal and a second terminal, may be present. The busbar structure 10 may have a first busbar terminal 12 as the second terminal. The electrical connection box main body 40 may be capable of arranging one first terminal and one first busbar terminal 12 side by side for the first mounting portion 41a and the second mounting portion 41b. Assume that the component to be connected is a fuse 90 as a first cutout having a first terminal portion 90a and a second terminal portion 90b protruding in the same direction as the terminal portions. In this case, when the first cutout is attached to the first mounting portion 41a, the first connecting portion included in the first terminal may connect the first terminal portion 90a, and the first connecting portion included in the first busbar terminal 12 may connect the second terminal portion 90b. On the other hand, when the first cutout is attached to the second attachment portion 41b, the second connection portion included in the first terminal may connect the first terminal portion 90a, and the second connection portion included in the first bus bar terminal 12 may connect the second terminal portion 90b. Furthermore, in the electrical connecting device 3, the first terminal may be the terminal 20.

[0115] According to such an electrical connection device 3, a configuration can be easily constructed using a small number of parts, in which multiple electrical circuits each include an individual fuse 90 as a first cutout, and these electrical circuits are electrically connected by the bus bar structure 10.

[0116] The electrical connection device 3 may also include a metal plate-like terminal 30 housed in an electrical junction box body 40 and parallel to the first and second directions. The bus bar structure 10 may also include a second bus bar terminal 13 having a flat plate shape parallel to the first and second directions. The electrical junction box body 40 may also include a third mounting portion 42a to which an FL91 serving as a second cutter can be attached along the first direction, and a fourth mounting portion 42b to which the second cutter can be attached along the second direction. The second cutter may have a first terminal fitting portion 91a and a second terminal fitting portion 91b having slit shapes parallel to each other. In this case, at least a portion of each of the plate-like terminal 30 and the second bus bar terminal 13 may be exposed to both the third mounting portion 42a and the fourth mounting portion 42b. On the other hand, when the second safety device is attached to either the third mounting portion 42a or the fourth mounting portion 42b, the plate-shaped terminal 30 may be connected to the first terminal fitting portion 91a, and the second bus bar terminal 13 may be connected to the second terminal fitting portion 91b.

[0117] Such an electrical connection device 3 can be configured to allow a second cutout device such as the FL91 to be attached in addition to a first cutout device such as the fuse 90. Furthermore, the electrical connection device 3 can be configured to electrically connect an electrical circuit including the FL91 using the busbar structure 10 that electrically connects an electrical circuit including the fuse 90, which can be advantageous in terms of reducing the number of parts, etc.

[0118] The electrical connection box according to this embodiment includes an electrical connection device for attaching a connection target component having a flat terminal portion, and a housing box for housing the electrical connection device. The electrical connection device is the electrical connection device 3 described above.

[0119] Here, the electrical junction box may be the electrical junction box 1 employing the first arrangement example, or the electrical junction box 2 employing the second arrangement example, among the above examples. The housing box provided in the electrical junction box 1 is the first waterproof box 5. The housing box provided in the electrical junction box 2 is the second waterproof box 6.

[0120] According to this embodiment, since the electrical connecting device 3 is provided, it is possible to provide the electrical connection box 1 etc. that allows easy replacement of connection target components such as the fuse 90.

[0121] Furthermore, the electrical connection device 3 is provided with an electrical junction box body 40 having two mounting portions to which components to be connected can be attached in different directions. Therefore, whether the electrical connection device 3 is placed in the housing box in a vertical or horizontal position, there is a high possibility that one of the mounting portions will be exposed to a wide area through one opening in the housing box. In other words, with the electrical junction box 1 and the like, it is not necessary to pre-form multiple openings in the housing box in anticipation of, for example, allowing the fuse 90 or the like to be replaced from multiple directions. This prevents the specific shape of the housing box from becoming complicated, which can be advantageous for reducing manufacturing costs, etc.

[0122] Furthermore, the shapes of vehicle-mounted storage boxes generally vary depending on the vehicle model. In contrast, the electrical junction box 1, etc., can easily replace fuses 90, etc., simply by being provided with the electrical connection device 3, thereby reducing restrictions on the shapes of applicable storage boxes and, as a result, expanding the range in which the electrical junction box 1, etc. can be used.

[0123] (Second embodiment) The electrical junction box according to the second embodiment is similar to the electrical junction box 1 according to the first embodiment in that it may include a first waterproof box 5 or a second waterproof box 6 as a housing box. In contrast, the electrical junction box according to the second embodiment includes an electrical connection device 4 that is the electrical connection device 3 according to the first embodiment modified in the following respects. Specifically, the electrical connection device 3 is applicable to cases where the components to be connected are two types of cutouts, namely, a fuse 90 and an FL91. In contrast, in the electrical connection device 4, the only component to be connected as a cutout is the fuse 90. Furthermore, instead of the busbar structure 10 included in the electrical connection device 3, the electrical connection device 4 includes busbars of several possible configurations as a type of component to be connected to each mounting portion.

[0124] Hereinafter, with regard to the components of the electrical connection device 4 and the components to be connected that are the same as those of the electrical connection device 3 according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used, and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, the relationship between the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction based on the shape of the electrical connection device 4 and the XYZ spatial coordinates is the same as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the installation postures of the electrical connection device 4 in the first and second installation examples of this embodiment are also the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the arrangement posture of the electrical connection device 4 in the first installation example is a vertical posture, i.e., a vertical installation, as when the electrical connection device 4 is installed in the first waterproof box 5 shown in FIG. 1 . On the other hand, the arrangement posture of the electrical connection device 4 in the second installation example is a horizontal posture, i.e., a horizontal installation, as when the electrical connection device 4 is installed in the second waterproof box 6 shown in FIG. 16 .

[0125] Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing the electrical connection device 4 in the first installation example when the fuse 90 and first bus bar 70 are not attached when the first embodiment is applied. Meanwhile, Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing the electrical connection device 4 in the first installation example when the fuse 90 and first bus bar 70 are attached when the first embodiment is applied. Furthermore, Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the electrical connection device 4 in the first installation example when the first embodiment is applied, with the electrical junction box body 60 removed.

[0126] The electrical connection device 4 has a basic configuration in which four fuses 90 can be attached from the same direction. The electrical connection device 4 can attach each fuse 90 along a first direction, or along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. On the other hand, the electrical connection device 4 does not assume that FL91 will be attached.

[0127] Here, the first example of this embodiment refers to an example in which the electrical connection device 4 is provided with a total of four electrical circuits that electrically connect the upstream first electric wire 80 and the downstream first electric wire 80 via one fuse 90, and each electrical circuit is connected by a bus bar. In this case, the electrical connection device 4 includes eight terminals 20, a first bus bar 70, and an electrical junction box main body 60. The terminals 20 are the same as those described in the first embodiment. The terminals 20 are arranged along the third direction with their longitudinal directions aligned with the first direction. In this case, of a pair of terminal portions of the fuse 90 attached along the first direction, the first terminal portion 90a is connected to a pair of displacement pieces 21k that are first connecting portions included in one terminal 20. Meanwhile, the second terminal portion 90b is connected to a pair of displacement pieces 21k that are first connecting portions included in another adjacent terminal 20.

[0128] The first bus bar 70 is an example of a bus bar that can be used in the electrical connection device 4 and is a flat, electrically conductive member. The first bus bar 70 has a main body plate 70a and four protruding pieces that protrude in the same direction from the main body plate 70a as terminal portions. Each of the protruding pieces is arranged to be electrically connected to an electrical circuit including one fuse 90. For example, the first bus bar 70 may have a first protruding piece 70b, a second protruding piece 70c, a third protruding piece 70d, and a fourth protruding piece 70e that are equally spaced along the third direction so as to match the arrangement of the terminals 20 to which the second terminals 90b of the respective fuses 90 are connected. The first bus bar 70 is attached to the electrical connection device 4 in the second direction. In this case, the first protruding piece 70b is connected to the first through-hole 21f and the second through-hole 21g, which are second connection portions included in the terminal 20 to which the second terminal 90b of the first fuse 90 is connected. Similarly, the second protruding piece 70c is connected to the first through hole 21f and the second through hole 21g included in the terminal 20 to which the second terminal 90b of the second fuse 90 is connected. The third protruding piece 70d is connected to the first through hole 21f and the second through hole 21g included in the terminal 20 to which the second terminal 90b of the third fuse 90 is connected. Furthermore, the fourth protruding piece 70e is connected to the first through hole 21f and the second through hole 21g included in the terminal 20 to which the second terminal 90b of the fourth fuse 90 is connected.

[0129] 23 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal head 21 corresponding to FIG. 12 and illustrating the positional relationship between the second terminal portion 90b of the fuse 90 and the first protruding piece 70b of the first bus bar 70 after insertion. In the electrical connecting device 4 according to the first embodiment, there is a terminal 20 to which the second terminal portion 90b of the fuse 90 or one of the protruding pieces of the first bus bar 70 should be connected simultaneously to a set of displacement pieces 21k that is the first connecting portion and a first through-hole portion 21f and a second through-hole portion 21g that is the second connecting portion. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23, the installation completion position of the second terminal portion 90b of the fuse 90 is set to a position that is spaced apart in the first direction by a gap G21 from the protruding piece (e.g., the first protruding piece 70b) when the first bus bar 70 is in the installation completion position. Here, if it is desired to further ensure the contact area of the second terminal portion 90b with the first connection portion, for example, the positions of the first through-hole portion 21f and the second through-hole portion 21g may be changed to positions farther away from the first connection portion along the first direction in the terminal head 21. Note that, in the first embodiment, each protruding piece of the first bus bar 70 is connected to the terminal 20 to which the second terminal portion 90b of the fuse 90 is connected, but the same applies to the case where each protruding piece is connected to the terminal 20 to which the first terminal portion 90a of the fuse 90 is connected.

[0130] The electric junction box body 60 corresponds to the electric junction box body 40 in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the attachment of the FL91 is not assumed, and the bus bar structure 10 is not adopted. Therefore, the external shape of the electric junction box body 60 is basically a shape in which only the first structural portion 41 is extracted from the electric junction box body 40. On the other hand, the internal shape of the electric junction box body 60 is a shape in which terminal accommodating portions similar to the terminal accommodating portion 41k included in the electric junction box body 40 are arranged in the number corresponding to the number of terminals 20, but the bus bar accommodating portion 40a included in the electric junction box body 40 is not provided. In addition, the electric junction box body 60 has a plurality of first mounting portions 60a and a plurality of second mounting portions 60b.

[0131] The first mounting portion 60a corresponds to the first mounting portion 41a of the electrical connection device 3 and allows the fuse 90 to be mounted along the first direction. In this embodiment, there are four first mounting portions 60a. Each first mounting portion 60a is open in the first direction, specifically, from bottom to top in the Z direction, and is arranged along the third direction. Each first mounting portion 60a is divided into regions by a combination of a first side wall portion 60c provided on the outer periphery and a first partition wall 60e that separates adjacent first mounting portions 60a. Note that the first side wall portion 60c may have a cutout similar to the first cutout portion 41g of the electrical connection device 3.

[0132] In the electrical connection device 4, the insertion depth of the second terminal portion 90b of the fuse 90 into the first connection portion of the terminal 20 is less than that in the electrical connection device 3 because, as shown in FIG. 23 , a protruding piece of the first bus bar 70 is connected to the second connection portion. As a result, the height position of the head of the fuse 90 in the installation completion position at the first mounting portion 60a is higher than when the fuse 90 is in the installation completion position at the first mounting portion 41a of the electrical connection device 3. Therefore, in the first mounting portion 60a, as shown in FIG. 21 , the heights of two end wall portions 60d corresponding to both ends in the third direction of the first side wall portion 60c may be adjusted along the first direction to match the height of the head of the fuse 90 in the installation completion position. Similarly, the height of a second first partition wall 60e sandwiching one first partition wall 60e from the two end wall portions 60d along the third direction may also be adjusted along the first direction to match the height of the head of the fuse 90 in the installation completion position. This shape of the first mounting portion 60a allows the height position of the fuse 90's head to be easily aligned with the height position of the adjacent wall portion that is set higher in the first direction, regardless of which first mounting portion 60a the fuse 90 is mounted to. This makes it easy to position the fuse 90 at the completed mounting position, particularly in the first direction. This is also advantageous in terms of protecting the fuse 90 mounted to the first mounting portion 60a.

[0133] Furthermore, all of the first partition walls 60e have first slits 60f through which a portion of the first bus bar 70 passes when the first bus bar 70 is attached across multiple first mounting portions 60a. In the first installation example, the first bus bar 70 is not attached across multiple first mounting portions 60a. On the other hand, in the second installation example described below, the first bus bar 70 may need to be attached across multiple first mounting portions 60a. In this case, by providing the first slits 60f in each of the first partition walls 60e in advance, the first bus bar 70 can be attached without being obstructed by any of the first partition walls 60e. Furthermore, with the first partition walls 60e including the first slits 60f, the only space that communicates between adjacent first mounting portions 60a is the first slit 60f. Therefore, most of the first partition wall 60e remains, and the insulating function between the adjacent first mounting portions 60a can be ensured.

[0134] The second mounting portion 60b corresponds to the second mounting portion 41b of the electrical connection device 3 and allows the fuse 90 to be mounted along the second direction. In this embodiment, there are four second mounting portions 60b. Each second mounting portion 60b opens toward one side of the second direction, specifically the X direction, and is arranged along the third direction. The four second mounting portions 60b and the four first mounting portions 60a open in directions perpendicular to each other at the same position in the third direction. Each second mounting portion 60b is divided into regions by a combination of a second side wall portion 60g provided on the outer periphery and a second partition wall 60h that separates adjacent second mounting portions 60b. The second side wall portion 60g may have a notch similar to the first notch portion 41g of the electrical connection device 3.

[0135] Furthermore, all of the second partition walls 60h have second slits 60i through which a portion of the first bus bar 70 passes when the first bus bar 70 is attached across the plurality of second attachment portions 60b. By providing the second slits 60i in advance in each of the second partition walls 60h, the first bus bar 70 can be attached to the electrical junction box body 60 without being obstructed by any of the second partition walls 60h. Furthermore, the second partition walls 60h including the second slits 60i leave most of the second partition walls 60h intact, thereby ensuring insulation between adjacent second attachment portions 60b, similar to the first partition walls 60e.

[0136] The configuration of the electrical connection device 4 has been described above in accordance with the first installation example in which the electrical connection device 4 is placed vertically. In the first installation example of the electrical connection device 4, the first mounting portion 60a, which opens in the first direction, is exposed to a wide space. Therefore, a worker can easily mount the fuse 90 on the first mounting portion 60a, transitioning from the state shown in FIG. 20 to the state shown in FIG. 21 . Meanwhile, in the first installation example of the electrical connection device 4, the first bus bar 70 is mounted on the second mounting portion 60b, which opens in the second direction and is likely to face the inner surface of the mounting portion or other housed devices while being close to them. However, once installed in the electrical connection device 4, a bus bar such as the first bus bar 70 generally does not need to be replaced. Therefore, the first bus bar 70 may be mounted on the second mounting portion 60b, which has poor external accessibility. According to the first embodiment, the electrical connection box equipped with the electrical connection device 4 can be used as a fuse box corresponding to a plurality of fuses 90, and also as a joint box that connects a plurality of first electric wires 80 downstream of the fuses 90.

[0137] Furthermore, as a first working example of the first installation example, an embodiment has been described in which four electrical circuits that electrically connect the upstream first electric wire 80 and the downstream first electric wire 80 via the fuse 90 are connected by the first bus bar 70 in the electrical connection device 4. Here, the bus bar in the electrical connection device 4 is a type of component to be connected. Therefore, with the electrical connection device 4, various electrical circuits can be configured internally by appropriately changing the shape or presence or absence of the bus bar, or the number or arrangement of the terminals 20.

[0138] 24 is a perspective view showing the state in which the electric junction box body 60 is removed from the overall configuration of the electric connection device 4 when the second embodiment is applied to the first installation example. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, there is no bus bar such as the first bus bar 70. According to the second embodiment, the electric junction box equipped with the electric connection device 4 can be used as a so-called fuse box for four electric circuits.

[0139] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the electrical connection device 4 in the first installation example, with the electrical connection box body 60 removed when the third embodiment is applied. In the third embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, two terminals 20 are arranged only in a portion corresponding to one first mounting portion 60a, forming an electrical circuit that electrically connects an upstream first electric wire 80 and a downstream first electric wire 80 via a fuse 90. The other three first mounting portions 60a each have only one terminal 20 arranged therein, and no fuse 90 is attached. Meanwhile, the first protruding piece 70b of the first bus bar 70 is connected to the terminal 20 of the electrical circuit to which the fuse 90 is connected, and the other protruding pieces are each connected to an independent terminal 20, one by one. According to the third embodiment, an electrical connection box including the electrical connection device 4 can be used as a so-called joint box that connects multiple first electric wires 80 downstream of the fuse 90.

[0140] FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the electrical connection device 4 in the first installation example, with the electrical connection box body 60 removed when the fourth embodiment is applied. Unlike the first embodiment, the fourth embodiment does not use a fuse 90 as a connection target component. Instead, terminals 20, each arranged corresponding to each first mounting portion 60a, are connected to respective protruding pieces of the first bus bar 70. According to the fourth embodiment, an electrical connection box including the electrical connection device 4 can be used as a joint box that connects four first electric wires 80. Here, the four first electric wires 80 are connected to the first bus bar 70 in accordance with the shape of the first bus bar 70 having four protruding pieces. However, if two terminals 20 are arranged on each first mounting portion 60a and a bus bar having eight protruding pieces corresponding to a total of eight terminals 20 is prepared, a maximum of eight first electric wires 80 can be connected.

[0141] FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the electrical connection device 4 in the first installation example, with the electrical connection box body 60 removed when the fifth embodiment is applied. In the fifth embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, two terminals 20 are arranged in the portions corresponding to the two first mounting portions 60a, forming two electrical circuits that electrically connect the upstream first electric wire 80 and the downstream first electric wire 80 via fuses 90. Note that only one terminal 20 is arranged in each of the other two first mounting portions 60a, and no fuses 90 are attached. Meanwhile, in the fifth embodiment, instead of the first bus bar 70 having four protruding pieces, a second bus bar 71 having three protruding pieces, a first protruding piece 71c, a second protruding piece 71d, and a third protruding piece 71e, protruding from a body plate 71a is employed. In this case, the first protruding piece 71c of the second bus bar 71 is connected to the terminal 20 of one of the electric circuits to which the fuse 90 is connected, and each of the other protruding pieces is connected to an independent terminal 20. The second bus bar 71 is not connected to the other electric circuit to which the other fuse 90 is connected. According to the fifth embodiment, the electrical junction box including the electrical connection device 4 can be used as a fuse box, and also as a joint box that connects multiple first electric wires 80 downstream of the fuse 90.

[0142] Furthermore, similar to the electrical connecting device 3, even when it is not possible to place the electrical connecting device 4 vertically, it can be placed horizontally as follows.

[0143] Fig. 28 is a perspective view showing the electrical connection device 4 in the second installation example in a state where the fuse 90 and the first bus bar 70 are not attached. Meanwhile, Fig. 29 is a perspective view showing the electrical connection device 4 in the second installation example in a state where the fuse 90 and the first bus bar 70 are attached. Note that in the second installation example, the relationship between the spatial coordinates indicated by XYZ and the first direction, second direction, and third direction based on the shape of the electrical connection device 4 is the same as in the second installation example for the electrical connection device 3.

[0144] In the second installation example of the electrical connection device 4, the second mounting portion 60b, which opens in the second direction, is exposed to a wide space, so that the worker can easily mount the fuse 90 on the second mounting portion 60b, transitioning from the state shown in Fig. 28 to the state shown in Fig. 29. Meanwhile, in the second installation example of the electrical connection device 4, the first bus bar 70 is mounted on the first mounting portion 60a, which opens in the first direction and is likely to face the inner surface of the placement section or other housed equipment while being close to it. However, as with the second mounting portion 60b in the first installation example, replacement of the first bus bar 70 is not generally required, so the first bus bar 70 may be mounted on the first mounting portion 60a.

[0145] FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the electrical connection device 4 in the second installation example, with the electrical connection box main body 60 removed. In the second installation example of the electrical connection device, the fuse 90 and the first bus bar 70 are connected to the respective terminals inside the electrical connection box main body 60, as shown in FIG. 30. Specifically, the first terminal portion 90a of the fuse 90 is connected to the first through-hole portion 21f and the second through-hole portion 21g, which are the second connection portions of one terminal 20. The second terminal portion 90b of the fuse 90 is connected to the first through-hole portion 21f and the second through-hole portion 21g, which are the second connection portions of another adjacent terminal 20. Each protruding piece of the first bus bar 70 is connected to a pair of displacement pieces 21k, which are the first connection portions of the terminal 20 to which the second terminal portion 90b of the fuse 90 is connected.

[0146] Next, the operation and effects of the electrical connection device 4 and the electrical connection box equipped with the electrical connection device 4 will be described.

[0147] First, the electrical connection device 4 attaches a connection target component having a flat terminal portion. The electrical connection device 4 includes a plurality of terminals 20 for connecting the terminal portions, and an electrical connection box main body 60 that houses the plurality of terminals 20. The electrical connection box main body 40 has a first attachment portion 60a to which the connection target component can be attached along a first direction, and a second attachment portion 60b to which the connection target component can be attached along a second direction. The first connection portion included in the terminal 20 connects the terminal portion of the connection target component attached to the first attachment portion 60a. The second connection portion included in the terminal 20 connects the terminal portion of the connection target component attached to the second attachment portion 60b.

[0148] With this configuration and shape, similar to the effect of the electrical connection device 3 of the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an electrical connection device 4 that makes it easy to replace connection targets such as fuses 90 without being affected by the installation location.

[0149] Furthermore, in the electrical connection device 4, the electrical connection box body 60 may have a plurality of first mounting portions 60a and second mounting portions 60b along a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, similar to the case of the electrical connection device 3. In other words, the electrical connection device 4 allows for the attachment of a plurality of components to be connected, thereby improving convenience and expandability.

[0150] Furthermore, in the electrical connection device 4, the terminals may be the above-described terminals 20, and the electrical connection box body 60 may be capable of arranging two terminals 20 side by side relative to the first mounting portion 60a and the second mounting portion 60b. Here, it is assumed that the component to be connected is a fuse 90 serving as a first cutout having a first terminal portion 90a and a second terminal portion 90b that protrude in the same direction. In this case, when the first cutout is attached to the first mounting portion 60a, the first connection portion included in one terminal 20 may connect to the first terminal portion 90a, and the first connection portion included in the other terminal 20 may connect to the second terminal portion 90b. When the first cutout is attached to the second mounting portion 60b, the second connection portion included in one terminal 20 may connect to the first terminal portion 90a, and the second connection portion included in the other terminal 20 may connect to the second terminal portion 90b.

[0151] According to such an electrical connection device 4, a plurality of electrical circuits each including one fuse 90 as a first cutout can be easily constructed with a small number of parts.

[0152] Furthermore, in the terminal 20 included in the electrical connecting device 4, the component to be connected may be a bus bar such as the first bus bar 70. In this case, the terminal portion may be a protruding piece such as the first protruding piece 70b that is part of the first bus bar 70.

[0153] On the other hand, the electrical connection device 4 may include, as one type of connection target component, a flat bus bar having at least two protruding pieces, a first protruding piece and a second protruding piece, protruding in the same direction as a terminal. When the bus bar is attached across multiple first mounting portions 60a, the first connection portion corresponding to one first mounting portion 60a may connect the first protruding piece, and the first connection portion corresponding to another first mounting portion 60a may connect the second protruding piece. When the bus bar is attached across multiple second mounting portions 60b, the second connection portion corresponding to one second mounting portion 60b may connect the first protruding piece, and the second connection portion corresponding to another second mounting portion 60b may connect the second protruding piece.

[0154] Here, in the above example, the bus bar corresponds to the first bus bar 70 or the second bus bar 71. For example, if the bus bar is the first bus bar 70, the protruding pieces correspond to the first protruding piece 70b, the second protruding piece 70c, etc.

[0155] According to such terminals 20 or electrical connection device 4, by using bus bars such as the first bus bar 70 and the second bus bar 71, it is possible to easily electrically connect a plurality of electrical circuits each including the terminals 20. Furthermore, according to the electrical connection device 4, the bus bars are attached across the plurality of first mounting portions 60a or the plurality of second mounting portions 60b, so that the configuration of the internal electrical circuits can be easily changed without changing the configuration or shape of the electrical junction box main body 60.

[0156] In the electrical connection device 4, the electrical connection box body 60 may have a first partition wall 60e that separates two adjacent first mounting portions 60a and a second partition wall 60h that separates two adjacent second mounting portions 60b. The first partition wall 60e and the second partition wall 60h may have slits that allow a portion of a bus bar to pass through.

[0157] Here, the slit provided in the first partition wall 60e is the first slit 60f in the above example, while the slit provided in the second partition wall 60h is the second slit 60i in the above example.

[0158] As described in detail above, with such an electrical connection device 4, the first bus bar 70 and the like can be attached to the electrical connection box body 60 without being obstructed by any of the first partition walls 60e or second partition walls 60h. Furthermore, since most of the first partition walls 60e and second partition walls 60h remain, insulation between adjacent first mounting portions 60a or second mounting portions 60b can be ensured.

[0159] Furthermore, in the electrical connection device 4, one connection target component may be a bus bar such as the first bus bar 70. Another connection target component may be a first cutout such as a fuse 90 having a first terminal portion 90a and a second terminal portion 90b that protrude in the same direction as terminal portions. When the first cutout is attached to any of the first mounting portions 60a, the bus bar may be attached across any of the plurality of second mounting portions 60b. When the first cutout is attached to any of the second mounting portions 60b, the bus bar may be attached across any of the plurality of first mounting portions 60a.

[0160] In this case, the bus bar is attached to a mounting portion on the side that is difficult to access from the outside, but basically, replacement is not required once it is installed in the electrical connection device 4. Therefore, according to the electrical connection device 4, even if an electrical circuit is constructed using a bus bar, the ease of replacing the fuse 90 is not affected.

[0161] The electrical connection box according to this embodiment includes an electrical connection device for attaching a connection target component having a flat terminal portion, and a housing box for housing the electrical connection device. The electrical connection device is the electrical connection device 4 described above.

[0162] According to this embodiment, since the electric connection device 4 is provided, it is possible to provide an electric connection box that has the same effects as the electric connection box 1 or the electric connection box 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0163] (Other embodiments of terminals) In the first embodiment, an example has been given of an electrical connection device 3 including a busbar structure 10 having a plurality of first busbar terminals 12. In the electrical connection device 3, the first busbar terminal 12 connects only one of a pair of terminals of a fuse 90 as a connection target component, for example, the second terminal 90b, and the other terminal is connected to the terminal 20. However, terminals having a shape like the first busbar terminal 12 are not limited to those used in the electrical connection device 3.

[0164] Fig. 31 is a perspective view showing a terminal set 14 according to another embodiment, in which a pair of terminal portions of a fuse 90 is connected along a first direction. Meanwhile, Fig. 32 is a perspective view showing a terminal set 14 in which a pair of terminal portions of a fuse 90 is connected along a second direction. Note that, with regard to the components of the terminal set 14 and the parts to be connected that are the same as those related to the electrical connecting device 3 according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the relationship between the first direction, second direction, and third direction based on the shape of the terminal set 14 and the XYZ spatial coordinates is also the same as in the first embodiment.

[0165] As described above, the fuse 90 has a pair of flat terminals, a first terminal 90a and a second terminal 90b, which protrude in the same direction. The terminal set 14 uses the fuse 90 as a connection target component, and includes a terminal 15 that is connected to the first terminal 90a and a terminal 16 that is connected to the second terminal 90b. The shapes of the terminals 15 and 16 are the same as the shapes of the first bus bar terminals 12 included in the electrical connection device 3.

[0166] The terminals 15 and 16 face each other in the third direction with their main planes parallel to each other. For example, the terminal 15 may be a busbar terminal provided on one busbar structure, and the terminal 16 may be a busbar terminal provided on another busbar structure. Alternatively, the terminals 15 and 16 may be terminals connected to different first electric wires 80, respectively, as replacements for the terminals 20 employed in the first and second embodiments. Furthermore, the terminal set 14, which is a combination of the terminals 15 and 16, may be employed as a replacement for, for example, part of the configuration of the electrical connection device 3 according to the first embodiment or the electrical connection device 4 according to the second embodiment.

[0167] 31, the terminal set 14 can connect the fuse 90 along the first direction by connecting the first terminal portion 90a to the pair of tip portions 12c that are the first connection portions of the terminals 15 and connecting the second terminal portion 90b to the pair of tip portions 12c that are the first connection portions of the terminals 16. On the other hand, the terminal set 14 can connect the fuse 90 along the second direction by connecting the first terminal portion 90a to the two recesses 12f that are the second connection portions of the terminals 15 and connecting the second terminal portion 90b to the two recesses 12f that are the second connection portions of the terminals 16 as shown in FIG.

[0168] 33A to 33C are plan views illustrating the shape relationship between two recesses 12f included in terminal 15 and two recesses 12f included in terminal 16. For example, as shown in a first example in FIG. 33A, terminals 15 and 16 may be arranged side by side so that the openings of recesses 12f of terminal 15 and the openings of recesses 12f of terminal 16 face each other in the third direction. Alternatively, as shown in a second example in FIG. 33B, terminals 15 and 16 may be arranged side by side so that the openings of recesses 12f of terminal 15 and the openings of recesses 12f of terminal 16 face opposite each other in the third direction. Furthermore, as shown in a third example in FIG. 33C, terminals 15 and 16 may be arranged side by side so that the openings of recesses 12f of terminal 15 and the openings of recesses 12f of terminal 16 face the same direction in the third direction.

[0169] The above description exemplifies the case where the terminal set 14 uses the fuse 90 as a connection target component. However, in such a terminal set 14, the connection target component may be a bus bar for a joint, such as the first bus bar 70 described in the second embodiment. This bus bar has, as a terminal portion, two protruding pieces protruding in the same direction from the main plate. One protruding piece may be connected to any connection portion of the terminal 15, and the other protruding piece may be connected to any connection portion of the terminal 16. Here, it is assumed that the terminal 15 is a bus bar terminal provided on one bus bar structure, and the terminal 16 is a bus bar terminal provided on another bus bar structure. In this case, the terminal set 14 can electrically communicate the bus bar structure on which the terminal 15 is provided and the bus bar structure on which the terminal 16 is provided by connecting the terminal 15 and the terminal 16 via the bus bar.

[0170] Although the embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0171] 1,2 Electrical junction box 3,4 Electrical connection device 5. First waterproof box 6 Second waterproof box 10 Busbar structure 12 First bus bar terminal 12a base 12b Arm 12c Tip 12d 1st stage section 12e 2nd stage section 12f recess 12g bottom 12h First side 12i Second side 13 Second bus bar terminal 20 terminals 21 Terminal head 21b 2nd side wall 21c 3rd side wall 21d 4th side wall 21e 5th side wall 21f 1st through hole section 21g 2nd through hole section 21h 1st convex edge 21i 2nd convex edge 21k displacement piece 30 Plate terminal 40,60 Electrical junction box body 41a, 60a First mounting part 41b, 60b Second mounting part 42a Third mounting part 42b 4th mounting part 70 No. 1 bus bar 70b,71c 1st protruding piece 70c,71d 2nd protruding piece 71 Second bus bar 90 Fuse 90a 1st terminal section 90b 2nd terminal section 91 FL 91a First terminal mating part 91b Second terminal fitting portion

Claims

1. A metal terminal that connects a flat terminal portion of a connection target component, a first connection portion into which the terminal portion can be inserted and connected along a first direction; a second connection portion into which the terminal portion can be inserted and connected along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a cylindrical terminal head surrounded by four side walls each having a longitudinal direction in the first direction, the first connection portion sandwiches a thickness portion of the terminal portion along the second direction, the second connection portion sandwiches a thickness portion of the terminal portion along the first direction, the first connection portion is a pair of displacement pieces extending from the respective tips of the two opposing side walls into the terminal head and sandwiching the terminal portion therebetween, The second connection portion is a terminal that is provided on each of the two side walls to which the displacement piece is connected so as to face each other in the second direction, and is two through-hole portions that sandwich the terminal portion between two convex edge portions that face each other in the first direction.

2. A metal terminal for connecting a flat terminal portion of a connection target component, a first connection portion into which the terminal portion can be inserted and connected along a first direction; a second connection portion into which the terminal portion can be inserted and connected along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a plate body having a main plane parallel to the first direction and the second direction, and two arm portions extending along the first direction and facing each other in the second direction; a base portion supporting the two arms, the first connection portion is provided on each of the arm portions, and is a pair of tip portions that sandwich the terminal portion with the base portion as a reference; the second connection portion is provided on each of the arm portions in a shape symmetrical with respect to the second direction, the arm portions are separated along the first direction into a first step portion and a second step portion, and the terminal portion is sandwiched between the first step portion and the second step portion; the first connection portion sandwiches a thickness portion of the terminal portion along the second direction, The second connection portion sandwiches a thick portion of the terminal portion along the first direction.

3. The recessed portion is a bottom portion parallel to the first step portion and the second step portion; a first side portion that connects an end edge of the first step portion facing the second step portion to an end edge of the bottom portion on the first step portion side; a second side portion connecting an end edge of the second step portion on a side facing the first step portion and an end edge of the bottom portion on the second step portion side, The terminal according to claim 2 , wherein the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion increases from the gap between the first step portion and the second step portion toward the bottom portion.

4. the component to be connected is a first cutout, The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the terminal portion is one of a pair of terminal portions protruding in the same direction.

5. the component to be connected is a bus bar, The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the terminal portion is a protruding piece that is a part of the bus bar.

6. An electrical connection device for attaching a connection target component having a flat terminal portion, a plurality of terminals connecting the terminal portions; an electric junction box body that houses a plurality of the terminals, The terminal is the terminal according to claim 1, The electrical junction box body comprises: a first attachment portion to which the connection target component can be attached along the first direction; a second attachment portion to which the connection target component can be attached along the second direction, the first connection portion included in the terminal connects to the terminal portion of the connection target component attached to the first attachment portion, The second connection portion included in the terminal connects to the terminal portion of the connection target component attached to the second attachment portion.

7. a bus bar structure that is housed in the electrical junction box body and extends in accordance with the arrangement of the plurality of first mounting portions and the plurality of second mounting portions; There are two types of terminals, a first terminal and a second terminal, the bus bar structure has a first bus bar terminal as the second terminal, the electrical connection box body is capable of arranging one of the first terminals and one of the first bus bar terminals side by side with respect to the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, When the component to be connected is a first cutout having a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion that protrude in the same direction as the terminal portion, when the first cutout is attached to the first attachment portion, the first connection portion included in the first terminal connects the first terminal portion, and the first connection portion included in the first bus bar terminal connects the second terminal portion; 7. The electrical connection device according to claim 6, wherein when the first cutout is attached to the second attachment portion, the second connection portion included in the first terminal connects the first terminal portion, and the second connection portion included in the first bus bar terminal connects the second terminal portion.

8. a metal plate-shaped terminal housed in the electrical junction box body and parallel to the first direction and the second direction; the bus bar structure includes a second bus bar terminal having a flat plate shape parallel to the first direction and the second direction, The electrical junction box body comprises: a third mounting portion to which a second cutout device having a first terminal fitting portion and a second terminal fitting portion parallel to each other and slit-shaped, can be mounted along the first direction; a fourth mounting portion to which the second cutout can be attached along the second direction, At least a portion of each of the plate terminal and the second bus bar terminal is exposed to both the third mounting portion and the fourth mounting portion, 8. The electrical connection device according to claim 7, wherein when the second cutout is attached to either the third mounting portion or the fourth mounting portion, the plate terminal is connected to the first terminal fitting portion, and the second bus bar terminal is connected to the second terminal fitting portion.

9. One type of the connection target component includes a flat bus bar having at least two protruding pieces, a first protruding piece and a second protruding piece, protruding in the same direction as the terminal portion, when the bus bar is attached across the plurality of first attachment portions, the first connection portion corresponding to one of the first attachment portions connects the first protruding piece, and the first connection portion corresponding to another of the first attachment portions connects the second protruding piece, 7. The electrical connection device according to claim 6, wherein when the bus bar is attached across a plurality of the second attachment portions, the second connection portion corresponding to one of the second attachment portions connects the first protruding piece, and the second connection portion corresponding to another of the second attachment portions connects the second protruding piece.

10. an electrical connecting device for attaching a connection target component having a flat terminal portion; a housing box that houses the electrical connection device, The electrical connection device is an electrical connection box according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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