Electrical junction box

Abstract

To enhance rigidity of an electric connection box, while suppressing a sharp rise of a prime cost of a housing.SOLUTION: An electric connection box comprises: a metal housing 10 having a housing chamber 10a surrounded with a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 11 and a bottom wall 12; and an electric connection tool 20 electrically connecting a core wire of a first electric wire We1 and a core wire of a second electric wire We2 in the housing chamber. The outer peripheral wall includes a weighted wall body 11A on the assumption that an impact load is applied to an outer wall surface 11b. The outer wall surface of the weighted wall body includes a weighted wall surface Sl on the assumption that the impact load is received. The bottom wall includes: a main bottom part 12A; a raised bottom 12B that is protruded from an inner wall surface 11c of the weighted wall body on the weighted wall body side from the main bottom part, and which is off-set on an open 10b side of one end from the main bottom part and a back side of a centroid position of the weighted wall body in the inner wall surface; and a connection bottom part 12C connecting them. The housing includes a plurality of outer ribs 13A connecting the inner wall surface of the weighted wall body, a bottom surface 12Ba of the raised bottom part, and a bottom surface 12Ca of a connection bottom part in a space surrounded with the weighted wall body, the raised bottom part, and the connection bottom part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical junction box. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, vehicles are equipped with an electrical connection box that electrically connects electric wires on a first connection object side with electric wires on a second connection object side within a housing, for example, by being interposed between a secondary battery and multiple power supply objects to distribute power to each of the power supply objects. A chamber inside the housing accommodates various components, such as components that electrically connect the electric wires and components (relays, fuses, etc.) that are arranged on an electrical circuit. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses an electrical connection box of this type. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-93888 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, electrical junction boxes are sometimes mounted in locations where impact loads are applied, for example, during vehicle crash tests. In such electrical junction boxes, the rigidity of the housing is increased to protect the components inside the housing. For example, in conventional electrical junction boxes, the rigidity of the housing is increased by providing multiple ribs on the outer wall surface of the housing at locations that will receive the impact load during the crash test. However, such housings are made of a metal material such as aluminum, and providing multiple ribs on the outer wall surface of the cylindrical outer wall requires a slide in addition to a main mold to form the ribs. Therefore, conventional electrical junction boxes may result in a rise in the cost of the housing due to increased mold costs.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electrical junction box that can increase rigidity while suppressing increases in the cost of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a metal housing having a storage chamber surrounded by a cylindrical outer wall with one open end and a bottom wall that closes the opening at the other end of the outer wall, and an electric connecting device that electrically connects a core wire of a first electric wire on a first connection object side and a core wire of a second electric wire on a second connection object side, the core wires being drawn into the storage chamber from outside the housing, the outer wall having a load-bearing wall body that is designed to receive an impact load on its outer wall surface, the outer wall surface of the load-bearing wall having a load-bearing surface that is designed to receive the impact load, the bottom wall having a main bottom and a lower surface that is lower than the main bottom The housing has a bottom on the load-bearing wall side that protrudes from the inner wall surface of the load-bearing wall on the load-bearing wall side, a raised bottom that is offset from the main bottom toward the opening of one end and to the back side of the center of gravity of the load-bearing surface on the inner wall surface, and a connecting bottom that connects the main bottom and the raised bottom, and the housing is characterized in that it has a plurality of outer ribs that connect the inner wall surface of the load-bearing wall, the bottom surface of the raised bottom, and the bottom surface of the connecting bottom within the space enclosed by the load-bearing wall, the raised bottom, and the connecting bottom. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the electrical junction box according to the present invention, the bottom wall of the housing is formed in a crank shape with a main bottom, a raised bottom, and a connecting bottom. In this electrical junction box, a plurality of external ribs are provided within the space enclosed by the load-bearing wall, the raised bottom, and the connecting bottom, connecting the inner wall surface of the load-bearing wall, the bottom surface of the raised bottom, and the bottom surface of the connecting bottom. In this electrical junction box according to the present invention, the bottom wall and the plurality of external ribs ensure the rigidity of the housing when an impact load is applied to the load-bearing surface of the load-bearing wall. Therefore, the housing does not require reinforcing portions such as reinforcing ribs on the outer wall surface of the load-bearing wall, and the outer wall surface can be formed in a flat shape. In other words, the electrical junction box according to the present invention does not require a slide to form reinforcing portions such as reinforcing ribs on the outer wall surface of the load-bearing wall, and only a main mold is required, thereby suppressing increases in the cost of the housing due to increased mold costs. Therefore, this electrical junction box can increase the rigidity while suppressing increases in the cost of the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electrical junction box according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electrical junction box of the embodiment as viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the electrical junction box of the embodiment with the cover removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the case body as seen from the opening side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the case body as seen from the bottom wall side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the electric connecting device together with the second shielded electric wire and the like. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the electric connecting device with the cover member removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an electrical junction box according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0010] [Embodiment] An embodiment of an electrical junction box according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG.

[0011] 1 to 4, reference numeral 1 denotes an electric junction box of this embodiment, and reference numeral WH denotes a wire harness of this embodiment that includes the electric junction box 1.

[0012] The electric junction box 1 is interposed between a first object to be connected (not shown) and a second object to be connected (not shown), and pulls inward a first electric wire We1 on the first object to be connected and a second electric wire We2 on the second object to be connected, thereby electrically connecting them (FIGS. 1 to 4). The electric junction box 1, together with the first electric wire We1 and the second electric wire We2, constitutes a wire harness WH. The electric junction box 1 and the wire harness WH use at least one first electric wire We1 and one second electric wire We2. For example, the electric junction box 1 and the wire harness WH shown here use shielded electric wires for the first electric wire We1 and the second electric wire We2, respectively, to prevent external noise from entering. Therefore, the electric junction box 1 and the wire harness WH will be described below as including a first shielded electric wire We1 as an example of the first electric wire We1 and a second shielded electric wire We2 as an example of the second electric wire We2.

[0013] Although not shown, the first shielded wire We1 includes a cylindrical conductive core wire, a cylindrical insulating inner coating (inner sheath) concentrically covering the core wire, a cylindrical conductive braided body concentrically covering the inner coating, and a cylindrical insulating outer coating (outer sheath) concentrically covering the braided body. Also, although not shown, the second shielded wire We2 includes a cylindrical conductive core wire, a cylindrical insulating inner coating (inner sheath) concentrically covering the core wire, a cylindrical conductive braided body concentrically covering the inner coating, and a cylindrical insulating outer coating (outer sheath) concentrically covering the braided body.

[0014] The electric junction box 1 and wire harness WH illustrated here are mounted on vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, and distribute power to the power distribution objects by electrically connecting a secondary battery as a first connection object with a power distribution object as a second connection object (e.g., an auxiliary device to be supplied with power). Thus, the electric junction box 1 and wire harness WH illustrated here use a pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 (the first shielded electric wire We1 for the positive electrode and the first shielded electric wire We1 for the negative electrode) electrically connected to the secondary battery, and a pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2 (the second shielded electric wire We2 for the positive electrode and the second shielded electric wire We2 for the negative electrode) electrically connected to the power distribution objects. Furthermore, the electric junction box 1 and wire harness WH illustrated here use multiple pairs of the second shielded electric wires We2, We2.

[0015] The electrical junction box 1 includes a metal housing 10 ( FIGS. 1 to 6 ). The electrical junction box 1 also includes a conductive electric connecting device 20 that electrically connects the first shielded electric wire We1 and the second shielded electric wire We2 inside the housing 10 ( FIGS. 3 , 4 , and 7 ). The electrical junction box 1 also includes a terminal fitting 30 that releases noise carried on the braid of the second shielded electric wire We2 ( FIGS. 3 , 4 , and 7 ). The electrical junction box 1 also includes a wire insertion portion (a second wire insertion portion described below) 17 that passes the second shielded electric wire We2 from the inside to the outside of the housing 10. Therefore, as a waterproof and dustproof measure for the accommodation chamber 10a of the housing 10, the electrical junction box 1 includes a waterproof and dustproof member 40 that prevents liquid and dust from entering the accommodation chamber 10a from outside the housing 10 through the second wire insertion portion 17 ( FIGS. 1 to 4 , and 7 ).

[0016] The housing 10 is made of a metal material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and is fixed to a conductive vehicle body (not shown). The housing 10 has a housing chamber 10a (FIGS. 3 to 5). The housing 10 is provided with an access opening 10b for inserting and assembling components to be placed in the housing chamber 10a (FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0017] The accommodation chamber 10a accommodates an electric connecting device 20 that electrically connects the core wire of the first shielded electric wire We1 and the core wire of the second shielded electric wire We2. The electric connecting device 20, the first shielded electric wire We1, and the second shielded electric wire We2 are inserted into the accommodation chamber 10a through the access opening 10b.

[0018] The housing 10 shown here comprises a metal case body 10A and a metal cover 10B (FIGS. 1 to 3). The housing 10 is fixed to the vehicle body with the access opening 10b facing upward. For example, the case body 10A is fixed to the floor panel of the vehicle body with screws.

[0019] The case body 10A has a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 11 (FIGS. 1 to 6). In this case body 10A, the inner space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 11 is used as the storage chamber 10a, and an opening on the inside of an annular end portion at one end of the outer peripheral wall 11 in the cylindrical axis direction is used as an access opening 10b. The cover 10B is assembled to the annular end face of the annular end portion at one end to close the opening at that end (access opening 10b). The outer peripheral wall 11 shown here has a flat surface that is located on the same plane as the annular end face at that end, and has a flange portion 11a that protrudes annularly outward from the annular end portion at that end (FIGS. 3 to 6). The cover 10B is assembled to this flange portion 11a.

[0020] Case body 10A has a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 11 that is open at one end, and the opening at the other end is closed by bottom wall 12 (FIGS. 1 to 6). Thus, in case body 10A, outer peripheral wall 11 and bottom wall 12 surround storage chamber 10a, which communicates with access opening 10b at one end of outer peripheral wall 11.

[0021] The electrical connection box 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle in a location where it is subjected to impact loads during vehicle crash tests, etc. Therefore, in this electrical connection box 1, the rigidity of the housing 10 is increased as described below so that the electrical connecting devices 20 and the like in the accommodation chamber 10a are protected even when subjected to impact loads.

[0022] In this electrical junction box 1, it is assumed that an impact load will be applied to the outer peripheral wall 11 of the case body 10A during a vehicle crash test or the like. Specifically, the outer peripheral wall 11 has a load-bearing wall 11A, which is designed to receive an impact load on its outer wall surface 11b during a crash test or the like (FIGS. 2 to 6). The load-bearing wall 11A shown here is one of the four walls that make up the rectangular cylindrical outer peripheral wall 11. The outer wall surface 11b of the load-bearing wall 11A has a load-bearing surface S1 that is designed to receive an impact load (FIG. 2). For example, during a vehicle crash test, an impact load is applied to this load-bearing surface S1 from the vehicle body or other components around the load-bearing wall 11A. In this electrical junction box 1, the bottom wall 12 is formed into the following shape to suppress deformation of the load-bearing wall 11A due to the impact load applied to the load-bearing surface S1, thereby suppressing deformation of the housing 10.

[0023] The bottom wall 12 has a main bottom 12A, which is its main part, a raised bottom 12B, which is the bottom part on the load-bearing wall 11A side that protrudes from the inner wall surface 11c of the load-bearing wall 11A closer to the main bottom 12A and is offset from the main bottom 12A toward the opening at one end (the working opening 10b) and to the back side of the center of gravity of the load-bearing surface S1 on the inner wall surface 11c, and a connecting bottom 12C that connects the main bottom 12A and the raised bottom 12B (Figures 3, 5, and 6). The bottom wall 12 is roughly divided into three areas, from the load-bearing wall 11A side: the raised bottom 12B, the connecting bottom 12C, and the main bottom 12A. The main bottom 12A, the raised bottom 12B, and the connecting bottom 12C form a crank shape.

[0024] In the bottom wall 12, the raised bottom 12B functions as a reinforcing rib that receives an impact load applied to the load-bearing surface S1 of the load-bearing wall 11A. The impact load received by the raised bottom 12B is transmitted to the connecting bottom 12C and then to the main bottom 12A via the connecting bottom 12C. In the bottom wall 12, the raised bottom 12B, connecting bottom 12C, and main bottom 12A form a crank shape, so that when an impact load is applied to the load-bearing surface S1, the impact load can be absorbed. Therefore, in the housing 10, when an impact load is applied to the load-bearing surface S1 of the load-bearing wall 11A, deformation of the load-bearing wall 11A can be suppressed.

[0025] However, when absorbing the impact load, bottom wall 12 deforms under the impact load. Therefore, in order to suppress deformation of housing 10, it is desirable to suppress deformation of bottom wall 12 as well. Therefore, case body 10A of housing 10 is provided with a plurality of outer ribs 13A in the space enclosed by load-bearing wall 11A, raised bottom 12B, and connecting bottom 12C, connecting inner wall surface 11c of load-bearing wall 11A to bottom surface 12Ba of raised bottom 12B and bottom surface 12Ca of connecting bottom 12C (FIGS. 3 and 6). Each outer rib 13A is arranged at a distance from one another.

[0026] In the case body 10A of the housing 10, when an impact load is applied to the load-receiving surface S1 of the load-receiving wall 11A, the impact load is received by the raised bottom 12B and the plurality of outer ribs 13A, thereby suppressing deformation of the space enclosed by the load-receiving wall 11A, the raised bottom 12B, and the connecting bottom 12C. Therefore, in the case body 10A of the housing 10, deformation of the bottom wall 12 is suppressed when an impact load is applied to the load-receiving surface S1 of the load-receiving wall 11A. Therefore, in the electrical junction box 1, even if an impact load is applied to the load-receiving surface S1 of the load-receiving wall 11A, deformation of the case body 10A of the housing 10 is suppressed, so that components such as the electrical connecting devices 20 accommodated in the accommodation chambers 10a can be protected from the impact load.

[0027] In this electrical junction box 1, the bottom wall 12 and the multiple outer ribs 13A ensure the rigidity of the housing 10 when an impact load is applied to the load-bearing surface S1 of the load-bearing wall 11A. This eliminates the need for reinforcing portions such as reinforcing ribs on the outer wall surface 11b of the load-bearing wall 11A. Therefore, the outer wall surface 11b of the load-bearing wall 11A can be made flat. Therefore, the outer wall surface 11b of the load-bearing wall 11A shown here is formed flat (FIGS. 2 and 3). Therefore, the case body 10A of the housing 10 does not require a slide for forming reinforcing portions such as reinforcing ribs on the outer wall surface 11b of the load-bearing wall 11A as a mold, and only a master mold is required. Therefore, the electrical junction box 1 can prevent the cost of the housing from rising due to increased mold costs.

[0028] Furthermore, in this electrical junction box 1, there is no need to provide reinforcing portions such as reinforcing ribs on the outer wall surface 11b of the load-bearing wall 11A, and no protrusions are present on the outer wall surface 11b of the load-bearing wall 11A. Therefore, this electrical junction box 1 can prevent the size of the housing 10 from increasing, thereby improving the ease of installation in a vehicle. Also, since this electrical junction box 1 has a smooth outer wall surface 11b of the load-bearing wall 11A, even if a peripheral component interferes with the outer wall surface 11b of the load-bearing wall 11A, a decrease in the durability of the peripheral component can be prevented.

[0029] In the case body 10A of the housing 10, the greater the impact load on the load-bearing surface S1, the greater the amount of protrusion of the raised bottom 12B from the inner wall surface 11c of the load-bearing wall 11A, and the corresponding enlargement of the multiple outer ribs 13A can be used to ensure rigidity that can withstand large impact loads. In this way, in this electrical junction box 1, if there is surplus space in the accommodation chamber 10a, the rigidity that can withstand large impact loads can be ensured by enlarging the raised bottom 12B and the multiple outer ribs 13A, without having to increase the size of the housing 10 by providing reinforcing parts such as reinforcing ribs on the outer wall surface 11b of the load-bearing wall 11A.

[0030] Furthermore, the case body 10A of the housing 10 may be provided with a plurality of inner ribs 13B that connect the inner wall surface 11c of the load-bearing wall 11A and the inner wall surface 12Bb of the raised bottom 12B in the accommodation chamber 10a (FIGS. 3 and 5). This allows the rigidity of the housing 10 to be further improved in this electrical junction box 1. Components such as electrical connecting devices 20 are accommodated in the accommodation chamber 10a. For this reason, the inner ribs 13B shown here have an arc-shaped recessed end face on the accommodated component side to avoid interference with the accommodated components.

[0031] Furthermore, in the case body 10A, by suppressing the collapse of the connecting bottom 12C toward the storage chamber 10a when an impact load is applied, the rigidity of the housing 10 is improved. Therefore, the connecting bottom 12C shown here is formed as an inclined wall portion that approaches the inner wall surface 11c of the load-bearing wall 11A as it moves closer to the opening at one end (the working opening 10b) side than the main bottom 12A (FIG. 3).

[0032] In this case body 10A, the first shielded electric wire We1 and the second shielded electric wire We2 are drawn into the accommodation chamber 10a from the opening (access opening 10b) at one end. In addition, in this case body 10A, the electric connecting device 20 is inserted into the accommodation chamber 10a from the access opening 10b, and then fixed with screws from the access opening 10b.

[0033] The electric connecting device 20 includes a conductive member that electrically connects the core wire of the first shielded electric wire We1 and the core wire of the second shielded electric wire We2. The electric connecting device 20 shown here includes, as its conductive members, a first bus bar 21 that electrically connects the core wire of one of the pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 and electrically connects the core wire of one of the pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2, and a second bus bar 22 that electrically connects the core wire of the other of the pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 and electrically connects the core wire of the other of the pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2 (FIG. 8). Main bodies 21a, 22a of the first bus bar 21 and the second bus bar 22 are formed into plate shapes from a metal material. The first shielded electric wire We1 is electrically connected to the first bus bar 21 or the second bus bar 22 via a first connector 51 (FIGS. 3 and 4) at one end. Although not shown here, a connector is provided at the other end of the first shielded electric wire We1 for electrical connection to the first connection object.

[0034] The electric connecting device 20 also includes a fuse 23 that physically and electrically connects a first terminal portion 23a to the first bus bar 21 and is interposed between the first bus bar 21 and one of the second shielded electric wires We2 (FIG. 8). The electric connecting device 20 further includes a third bus bar 24 (FIG. 8) that physically and electrically connects a second terminal portion 23b of the fuse 23 and electrically connects a core wire of one of the second shielded electric wires We2 to the third bus bar 24. A main body 24a of the third bus bar 24 is formed into a plate shape from a metal material. The fuse 23 and the third bus bar 24 are provided for each of the second shielded electric wires We2. The second shielded electric wire We2 is electrically connected to the second bus bar 22 or the third bus bar 24 via a second connector 52 (FIGS. 3 and 7) at one end. Although not shown in the drawings, the other end of the second shielded electric wire We2 is provided with a connector for electrical connection to the second connection object.

[0035] Furthermore, the electrical connecting device 20 includes a male screw member 25A for screwing and fixing the first terminal portion 23a of the fuse 23 to the first bus bar 21, and a male screw member 25B for screwing and fixing the second terminal portion 23b of the fuse 23 to the third bus bar 24. The electrical connecting device 20 also includes female screw members 26 that are screwed into the male screw members 25A and 25B, respectively (FIG. 8).

[0036] The electric connecting device 20 also includes an electrically insulating member that holds the conductive members (first bus bar 21, second bus bar 22, third bus bar 24) and is screwed to the housing 10 in the accommodation chamber 10a. The electric connecting device 20 includes, as its insulating member, a holding member (hereinafter referred to as a "bus bar holding member") 27 that holds the conductive members (first bus bar 21, second bus bar 22, third bus bar 24) and screws them to the housing 10 (FIGS. 3, 7, and 8). The bus bar holding member 27 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The bus bar holding member 27 shown here is integrally molded with the conductive members (first bus bar 21, second bus bar 22, third bus bar 24) by insert molding. Here, the bus bar holding member 27 is also integrally molded with the male screw members 25A and 25B by insert molding.

[0037] In this bus bar holding member 27, the main bodies 21a, 22a, and 24a of the first bus bar 21, the second bus bar 22, and the third bus bar 24 are exposed at a top surface 27U on the access opening 10b side (FIG. 8), and the male screw members 25A and 25B protrude from the top surface 27U toward the access opening 10b. In the first bus bar 21 and the third bus bar 24, the exposed surfaces of the main bodies 21a and 24a are used as fuse connection portions. The electrical connecting device 20 further includes a cover member 28 as another insulating member, which is attached to the bus bar holding member 27 and covers the main bodies 21a, 22a, and 24a and the male screw members 25A and 25B from the access opening 10b side (FIGS. 3, 4, and 7). The cover member 28 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0038] In the electric connecting device 20, an upper connector for mating and connecting the first connector 51 is formed on the cover member 28 on the access opening 10b side. Here, a pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 with the first connectors 51 are drawn into the accommodation chamber 10a, and therefore a first upper connector 28a for mating and connecting one of the first connectors 51 and a second upper connector 28b for mating and connecting the other first connector 51 are provided (FIGS. 3 and 7). The first connector 51 of one of the first shielded electric wires We1 is mated and connected to the first upper connector 28a, thereby electrically connecting the core wire of one of the first shielded electric wires We1 to the terminal portion 21b (FIG. 8) of the inner first bus bar 21. Furthermore, the first connector 51 of the other first shielded electric wire We1 is mated and connected to the second upper connector 28b, thereby electrically connecting the core wire of the other first shielded electric wire We1 to the terminal portion 22b (FIG. 8) of the inner second bus bar 22.

[0039] In the case body 10A, a pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 are inserted through the access opening 10b into the storage chamber 10a in which the electric connecting device 20 is stored, and the first connector 51 at one end of one of the first shielded electric wires We1 is fitted and connected to the first upper connector 28a of the electric connecting device 20, and the first connector 51 at one end of the other first shielded electric wire We1 is fitted and connected to the second upper connector 28b of the electric connecting device 20 (Figures 3 and 4).

[0040] In the case body 10A, the outer peripheral wall 11 is cut out from an annular end face at one end on the access opening 10b side, and an electric wire insertion portion (hereinafter referred to as the "first electric wire insertion portion") 14 is formed therein, through which the pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 are inserted from the inside to the outside of the housing 10 (in other words, the pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 are pulled into the accommodation chamber 10a from the outside of the housing 10, or the pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 are pulled out from the accommodation chamber 10a to the outside of the housing 10) (FIG. 5). The first electric wire insertion portion 14 shown here is formed in a shape in which the flange portion 11a is also cut out together with the outer peripheral wall 11. The end face of this first electric wire insertion portion 14 on the access opening 10b side is used as an insertion port for inserting the pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 into this first electric wire insertion portion 14. When the cover 10B is attached to the case body 10A, the first wire insertion portion 14 forms an opening whose insertion port is blocked by the cover 10B. Here, the opening serves as an opening connecting the inside and outside of the housing 10 and is used as an inlet or outlet for the pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1. Note that a first wire insertion portion 14 may be provided for each first shielded electric wire We1.

[0041] The pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 shown here are held together by an electric wire holder 55 made of, for example, synthetic resin, and are fixed to the housing 10 via this electric wire holder 55 (FIG. 4). The electric wire holder 55 is disposed in the first electric wire insertion portion 14. The electric wire holder 55 is then fixed to the housing 10 by being screwed to the case main body 10A. An electric wire fixing portion 15 having a male screw member B1 such as a stud bolt is provided in the accommodation chamber 10a of the case main body 10A in a state where it protrudes from the inner wall surface 11c of the outer peripheral wall 11 (FIG. 5). The electric wire holder 55 is fixed to the electric wire fixing portion 15 by screwing a female screw member (not shown) into the male screw member B1.

[0042] Furthermore, in the electric connecting device 20, a lower connector for mating and connecting the second connector 52 is formed on the bottom wall 12 side of the bus bar holding member 27. Here, a pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2 with the second connector 52 is drawn into the accommodating chamber 10a. For this purpose, here, a first lower connector 27a for mating and connecting one of the second connectors 52 of the pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2 and a second lower connector 27b for mating and connecting the other second connector 52 are provided (FIGS. 3 and 7). Also, here, a plurality of pairs of second shielded electric wires We2, We2 with the second connector 52 are drawn into the accommodating chamber 10a. For this purpose, here, the first lower connector 27a and the second lower connector 27b are provided as a pair for each combination of a pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2.

[0043] The first lower connector 27a and the second lower connector 27b are formed on a lower surface 27L of the bus bar holding member 27 on the bottom wall 12 side (FIGS. 7 and 8). The first lower connector 27a is fitted with the second connector 52 of one of the pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2, thereby electrically connecting the core wire of the one second shielded electric wire We2 to a terminal portion (not shown) of the inner third bus bar 24. The first lower connector 27a is provided for each third bus bar 24 (for each second shielded electric wire We2). The second lower connector 27b is fitted with the second connector 52 of the other second shielded electric wire We2, We2, thereby electrically connecting the core wire of the other second shielded electric wire We2 to a terminal portion (not shown) of the inner second bus bar 22. The second lower connector 27b is provided for each terminal portion 22c of the second bus bar 22 (for each other second shielded electric wire We2).

[0044] The electrical connecting device 20 is fixed in the accommodation chamber 10a by screwing the bus bar holding member 27 or the cover member 28 to the fixing portion 16 (FIG. 5) of the housing 10 with a screw member (male screw member or female screw member). The fixing portion 16 is a portion that protrudes from the inner wall surface 11c of the outer peripheral wall 11 of the case body 10A and has a flat surface that faces the access opening 10b and is parallel to the access opening 10b. The fixing portion 16 is formed with a female screw portion N2 whose screw axis is perpendicular to the flat surface (FIG. 5). The bus bar holding member 27 or the cover member 28 is provided with a fixed portion 27c (FIG. 8), which is a flat plate-shaped piece that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface and is arranged in the accommodation chamber 10a with one flat surface facing the access opening 10b and the other flat surface facing the bottom wall 12. The fixed portion 27c is formed with a through-hole 27c1 through which a male screw member (not shown) is inserted. The other flat surface of this fixed portion 27c is placed on the flat surface of the fixing portion 16 on the working opening 10b side, and the male screw member inserted into the through hole 27c1 is screwed into the female screw portion N2, thereby fixing the bus bar holding member 27 or the cover member 28 to the case main body 10A in the accommodation chamber 10a. Here, the fixed portion 27c is provided on the bus bar holding member 27, and the bus bar holding member 27 is fixed to the fixing portion 16 of the housing 10 by screwing.

[0045] This electrical junction box 1 is provided with a plurality of pairs (four pairs in this example) of fixing portions 16 and fixed portions 27c. In this electrical junction box 1, a male screw member (not shown) such as a stud bolt may be provided on the fixing portion 16, and a female screw member (not shown) may be screwed into the male screw member to fix the fixing portion 16 and the fixed portion 27c together.

[0046] The storage chamber 10a is roughly divided into a space (hereinafter referred to as the "first storage chamber") 10a1 from the assembled electrical connector 20 in the chamber to the opening at one end (work opening 10b), and a space (hereinafter referred to as the "second storage chamber") 10a2 from the electrical connector 20 in the chamber to the bottom wall 12 (Figure 3).

[0047] In this accommodating chamber 10a, a first shielded electric wire We1 with a first connector 51 is accommodated in the first accommodating chamber 10a1 and is drawn out from the first accommodating chamber 10a1 to the outside. Also, in this accommodating chamber 10a, a second shielded electric wire We2 with a second connector 52 is accommodated in the second accommodating chamber 10a2 and is drawn from the second accommodating chamber 10a2 to the first accommodating chamber 10a1 and is drawn out from the first accommodating chamber 10a1 to the outside.

[0048] Here, the second connectors 52 at one end of all the second shielded electric wires We2 are mated and connected to the first lower connector 27a or the second lower connector 27b before the electric connecting device 20 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 10a (FIG. 7). Therefore, when the electric connecting device 20 is inserted into the accommodation chamber 10a through the access opening 10b, the second shielded electric wires We2 are inserted into the accommodation chamber 10a together with the electric connecting device 20 from the access opening 10b. Furthermore, for example, before the second shielded electric wires We2 are accommodated in the accommodation chamber 10a, a terminal fitting 30 and a waterproof / dustproof member 40 are assembled to the second shielded electric wires We2 (FIG. 7). The terminal fitting 30 and the waterproof / dustproof member 40 are assembled to the housing 10 (here, the case main body 10A) after the second shielded electric wires We2 are accommodated in the accommodation chamber 10a.

[0049] The terminal fitting 30 is an earthing member for dissipating noise carried on the braid of the second shielded wire We2 from the housing 10 to the vehicle body. Therefore, the terminal fitting 30 is made of a metal material and physically and electrically connects the braid of the second shielded wire We2. The terminal fitting 30 is also physically and electrically connected to the housing 10.

[0050] The terminal fitting 30 has an electrical connection portion 31 to which the braided body of the second shielded electric wire We2 is physically and electrically connected, and a fixed portion 32 that is fixed to the housing 10 inside the accommodating chamber 10a (FIG. 7).

[0051] Specifically, the electrical connection portion 31 is a tubular portion that is physically and electrically connected to the braid of the second shielded electric wire We2, which has had its outer covering partially or entirely stripped away and is exposed. The electrical connection portion 31 shown here has the exposed braid placed inside a tube, and the inner circumferential wall of the tube is physically and electrically connected to the exposed braid. For example, before being connected to the braid, the electrical connection portion 31 has a single-piece shape, and the inner circumferential wall of the tubular portion is physically and electrically connected to the braid by wrapping it around the exposed braid from the outside and crimping it.

[0052] The fixed portion 32 is formed as a flat plate-like piece, and has a circular through-hole 32a formed therein (FIG. 7).

[0053] The terminal fitting 30 shown here is formed as a flag terminal (Fig. 7). A flag terminal is a terminal in which two electrical connection parts 31 are arranged in parallel with their cylindrical axes aligned in the same direction, and the fixed part 32 is offset from the assembly of the two electrical connection parts 31.

[0054] This terminal fitting 30 is provided for each combination of a pair of the first lower connector 27 a and the second lower connector 27 b. In this terminal fitting 30, the braided body of the second shielded wire We2 connected to one of the pair of the first lower connector 27 a and the second lower connector 27 b is physically and electrically connected to one of the two electrical connection parts 31, and the braided body of the second shielded wire We2 connected to the other of the pair of the first lower connector 27 a and the second lower connector 27 b is physically and electrically connected to the other of the two electrical connection parts 31.

[0055] The terminal fittings 30 are fixed to the housing 10 in the accommodation chamber 10a. The terminal fittings 30 shown here are arranged in the accommodation chamber 10a near second electric wire insertion portions 17 (described later) of the case body 10A and are fixed to the case body 10A. The electrical junction box 1 also includes a plurality of terminal fittings 30. In the electrical junction box 1, all of the terminal fittings 30 are arranged in the accommodation chamber 10a near the second electric wire insertion portions 17 for each terminal fitting 30 and are fixed to the case body 10A.

[0056] In the case main body 10A, the outer peripheral wall 11 is cut out from an annular end face at one end on the access opening 10b side, and an electric wire insertion portion (hereinafter referred to as the "second electric wire insertion portion") 17 is formed (FIG. 5), through which the second shielded electric wire We2 is inserted from the inside to the outside of the housing 10 (in other words, through which the second shielded electric wire We2 is pulled into the accommodation chamber 10a from the outside of the housing 10, or through which the second shielded electric wire We2 is pulled out from the accommodation chamber 10a to the outside of the housing 10). The second electric wire insertion portion 17 shown here is formed in a shape in which the flange portion 11a is also cut out together with the outer peripheral wall 11. The end face of the second electric wire insertion portion 17 on the access opening 10b side is used as an insertion port for inserting the pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2 into the second electric wire insertion portion 17. When the cover 10B is attached to the case body 10A, the second wire insertion portion 17 forms an opening whose insertion port is blocked by the cover 10B. Here, the opening serves as an opening connecting the inside and outside of the housing 10, and is used as an inlet or outlet for the second shielded wire We2.

[0057] The second wire insertion portion 17 shown here is formed for each terminal fitting 30 (that is, for each combination of a pair of a first lower connector 27a and a second lower connector 27b), and for each terminal fitting 30, two second shielded wires We2 connected to the two electrical connection portions 31 of the terminal fitting 30 are inserted between the inside and outside of the housing 10. Note that a second wire insertion portion 17 may be provided for each second shielded wire We2.

[0058] This second wire insertion portion 17 also functions as a protective member holding portion that holds the waterproof / dustproof member 40. Therefore, the waterproof / dustproof member 40 is inserted into this second wire insertion portion 17 together with the second shielded wire We2, and this waterproof / dustproof member 40 is assembled.

[0059] The waterproof / dustproof member 40 is a member that prevents liquid and dust from entering the accommodating chamber 10a from outside the housing 10 via the second electric wire insertion portion 17. For this reason, the waterproof / dustproof member 40 is an elastically deformable member molded from a rubber material. The waterproof / dustproof member 40 has a main part that is a tubular part through which the pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2 are inserted, and is held, for example, in the second electric wire insertion portion 17.

[0060] To secure the terminal fittings 30 near the waterproof and dustproof member 40, the case body 10A has a fixing portion 18 on the access opening 10b side of the accommodation chamber 10a, on which the fixed portion 32 of the terminal fitting 30 is placed and fixed (FIG. 5). A fixing portion 18 is provided for each terminal fitting 30. For example, a male screw member B3 such as a stud bolt is suspended from the fixing portion 18 shown here, and the fixed portion 32 is placed with the male screw member B3 inserted into the through hole 32a (FIGS. 4, 5, and 7). The fixed portion 32 is screwed to the fixing portion 18 by a female screw member N3 that is threaded onto the male screw member B3 (FIG. 4).

[0061] In the electrical junction box 1, first, all of the second shielded electric wires We2 with second connectors 52 are assembled to the electrical connecting devices 20, and terminal fittings 30 and waterproof / dustproof members 40 are assembled to all of the second shielded electric wires We2. Next, in this electrical junction box 1, the electrical connecting devices 20 and the second shielded electric wires We2 are inserted into the accommodation chamber 10a through the access opening 10b, and the electrical connecting devices 20 are assembled to the case body 10A. Then, in this electrical junction box 1, the fixed portions 32 of the terminal fittings 30 are placed on the fixing portions 18 of the case body 10A, and the waterproof / dustproof members 40 are inserted into the second electric wire insertion portions 17 of the case body 10A, and the fixed portions 32 are fixed to the fixing portions 18 with screws. In addition, in this electrical junction box 1, two first shielded electric wires We1 with first connectors 51 are inserted into the accommodation chamber 10a through the access opening 10b, and these are assembled to the electric connecting device 20 in the accommodation chamber 10a and the case body 10A. Thereafter, in this electrical junction box 1, the cover 10B is assembled to the case body 10A, and the access opening 10b is closed with this cover 10B. A female screw portion N4 is formed in the flange portion 11a of the case body 10A shown here, and the cover 10B is placed with the screw axis of this female screw portion N4 aligned with the center of a through hole (not shown) ( FIGS. 1 to 5 ). The cover 10B is fixed to the flange portion 11a by screwing a male screw member B4 inserted into the through hole into the female screw portion N4 ( FIGS. 1 to 3 ).

[0062] As described above, in the electrical junction box 1 of this embodiment, the bottom wall 12 of the case body 10A of the housing 10 is formed in a crank shape by the main bottom 12A, the raised bottom 12B, and the connecting bottom 12C. In this electrical junction box 1, a plurality of outer ribs 13A are provided in the space enclosed by the load-bearing wall 11A, the raised bottom 12B, and the connecting bottom 12C of the case body 10A of the housing 10, connecting the inner wall surface 11c of the load-bearing wall 11A to the bottom surface 12Ba of the raised bottom 12B and the bottom surface 12Ca of the connecting bottom 12C. In the electrical junction box 1 of this embodiment, the bottom wall 12 and the plurality of outer ribs 13A ensure the rigidity of the housing 10 when an impact load is applied to the load-bearing surface S1 of the load-bearing wall 11A. Therefore, in the housing 10, there is no need to provide reinforcing portions such as reinforcing ribs on the outer wall surface 11b of the load-bearing wall 11A, and the outer wall surface 11b can be formed in a flat shape. In other words, in the electrical junction box 1 of this embodiment, as a mold for molding the case main body 10A of the housing 10, no slide is required to form reinforcing portions such as reinforcing ribs on the outer wall surface 11b of the load-bearing wall 11A, and only a main mold is required, so that a rise in the cost of the housing due to an increase in mold costs can be suppressed. Therefore, this electrical junction box 1 can increase the rigidity while suppressing a rise in the cost of the housing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 Electrical junction box 10. Cabinet 10a Containment Cell 10b Working opening (opening at one end) 11 Peripheral wall 11b External wall surface 11c Inner wall 11A Loaded wall 12 Bottom wall 12A main bottom 12B False bottom 12Ba bottom 12Bb inner wall 12C connection bottom 12Ca bottom 13A Outer Rib 13B Inner rib 20 Electrical connectors Sl Loaded surface We1 First shielded wire (first wire) We2 Second shielded wire (second wire)

Claims

1. a metal housing having a storage chamber surrounded by a cylindrical outer wall having an open end and a bottom wall that closes the opening at the other end of the outer wall; an electric connecting tool that electrically connects a core wire of a first electric wire on a first connection object side and a core wire of a second electric wire on a second connection object side, the core wires being drawn into the accommodation chamber from outside the housing; Equipped with The outer peripheral wall has a load-bearing wall body that is designed to receive an impact load on the outer wall surface, the outer wall surface of the load-bearing wall body has a load-bearing surface that is expected to receive the impact load, The bottom wall has a main bottom, a raised bottom which is a bottom on the load-bearing wall side that protrudes from the inner wall surface of the load-bearing wall closer to the load-bearing wall than the main bottom and is offset from the main bottom to the opening side of the one end and to the back side of the center of gravity of the load-bearing surface on the inner wall surface, and a connecting bottom which connects the main bottom and the raised bottom, The electrical connection box is characterized in that the housing has a plurality of outer ribs within the space enclosed by the load-bearing wall, the raised bottom, and the connecting bottom, which connect the inner wall surface of the load-bearing wall, the bottom surface of the raised bottom, and the bottom surface of the connecting bottom.

2. 2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall surface of the load-bearing wall is formed in a flat shape.

3. 3. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a plurality of inner ribs in the accommodation chamber that connect the inner wall surface of the load-bearing wall and the inner wall surface of the raised bottom.

4. 4. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein the connecting bottom is an inclined wall portion that approaches the inner wall surface of the load-bearing wall body as it moves closer to the opening side of the one end than the main bottom portion.

Images