Electrical component storage box

Abstract

To provide an electric component housing box that enables a sub-housing to be easily removed from a main housing while minimizing the space required for removal work.SOLUTION: An electric component housing box comprises an electric component, a sub-housing 30 which houses the electric component and has a lock piece 22, and a main housing 40 which houses the sub-housing 30. The lock piece 22 is locked to the main housing 40, which has a lock part 45 locked to the lock piece 22 with the sub-housing 30 housed to restrict removal of the sub-housing 30. The sub-housing 30 has a retaining part 11 which retains the lock piece 22 in a state in which the lock piece 22 is released from being locked to the main housing 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] An example of an electrical component housing box that houses an electrical component such as a fuse is a power supply circuit breaker disclosed in Patent Document 1. This power supply circuit breaker includes a circuit housing having a pair of circuit terminals connected to a power supply circuit, a plug body that closes the power supply circuit by mating with the circuit housing, and a lever attached to the plug body for mating and separating the plug body from the circuit housing. The plug body includes a fuse having a pair of terminal portions connectable to the pair of circuit terminals, a housing with a locking arm that engages with notches provided in the terminal portions, and a cover that covers the entrance to the housing's accommodation space. The cover has a restricting portion that restricts the locking arm from moving in a direction that releases the locking arm from the terminal portions, thereby preventing the fuse from coming out of the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-37778 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above power supply circuit breaker, when replacing the fuse, the plug body is removed from the circuit housing by rotating the lever, which makes the removal process easy, but requires space around the power supply circuit breaker to allow the lever to rotate, which limits the installation position. Therefore, a structure is desired that minimizes the space required for the removal process and allows the sub-housing, such as the plug body, to be removed from the main housing, such as the circuit housing.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide an electrical component housing box that allows the sub-housing to be easily removed from the main housing while minimizing the space required for the removal operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the electrical component housing box according to the present invention has the following features. Electrical components and a sub-housing that houses the electrical component and has a locking piece; a main housing that accommodates the sub-housing, The locking piece is locked to the main housing, the main housing has a locking portion that locks with the locking piece when the sub-housing is housed therein to prevent the sub-housing from being removed, The sub-housing has a holding portion that holds the locking piece in a state where the locking of the locking piece with respect to the main housing is released. death , the main housing has a first side wall on the inside of which the locking portion is provided; the sub-housing has a second side wall on the outside of which the holding portion is provided; the locking portion and the holding portion are disposed in positions facing each other when the sub-housing is housed in the main housing, The locking piece is provided so as to be flexible in a direction in which the locking portion and the holding portion face each other. Electrical component storage box. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric component housing box in which the sub-housing can be easily removed from the main housing while minimizing the space required for the removal operation.

[0008] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric component housing box according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cover shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the case shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main housing shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part in a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which the locking piece is held by the holding portion in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an electric component housing box according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a state in which the locking piece is held by the holding portion in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] (First embodiment) An electric component housing box 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electric component housing box 1 according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 2 to 4 are perspective views of the cover 10, the case 20, and the main housing 40 shown in FIG. 1, respectively. FIG. 3 shows a state in which a fuse 9 is housed in the case 20. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main portion in a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion showing a state in which a locking piece 22 is held by a holding portion 11. For convenience of explanation, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined below as shown in FIG. 1. The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are perpendicular to one another.

[0012] The electrical component housing box 1 includes a fuse 9 as an example of an electrical component, a sub-housing 30 that houses the fuse 9, and a main housing 40 that houses the sub-housing 30. The electrical component housing box 1 constitutes, for example, a part of an electrical junction box mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The sub-housing 30 can be removed from the main housing 40, for example, when replacing the fuse 9.

[0013] The sub-housing 30 is made of insulating resin and has a case 20 that houses the fuse 9 and a cover 10 that is attached to the case 20, and is fitted and held in the main housing 40.

[0014] 3, the fuse 9 has a cylindrical fuse body 91 and a pair of plate-shaped fuse terminals 92 extending from the left and right sides of the fuse body 91. The fuse terminals 92 extend horizontally from the fuse body 91 and are then bent to extend downward.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the cover 10 has a cover main body 101, a pair of fitting portions 13 integrally formed with the cover main body 101 on the left and right sides of the cover main body 101, and a pair of retaining portions 11 formed on side walls 12 (second side walls) of the pair of fitting portions 13.

[0016] The cover body 101 has a rectangular box-like outer shape with an open bottom, and the inside is shaped to fit the top of the fuse 9. When the fuse 9 is housed in the case 20 and the cover 10 is attached, the cover body 101 covers the top of the fuse body 91 of the fuse 9, and a pair of fitting portions 13 cover the side surfaces of the fuse body 91. The fitting portion 13 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is provided with locking pieces 131 on each side surface in the front-to-rear direction, and with holding portions 11 on the outer side walls 12 in the left-to-right direction.

[0017] The locking piece 131 has a cantilevered arm portion 1311 that has one end fixed to the lower side of the fitting portion 13, extends upward, and has an upper end that is a free end, and a locking protrusion 1312 formed on the upper part of the arm portion 1311. The locking protrusion 1312 is locked to a locking portion 212 provided on the inner wall of the case 20, thereby fixing the cover 10 to the case 20 and preventing the cover 10 from slipping out of the case 20.

[0018] The retaining portion 11 is a protrusion that protrudes outward from the side wall 12 of the cover 10, tilts downward as it moves away from the side wall 12, and is provided so as to be able to engage and hold a retained portion 224 of a locking piece 22, which will be described later. The retaining portion 11 is disposed in a position facing a locking portion 45 (see FIG. 4) of the main housing 40 when the sub-housing 30, with the cover 10 attached to the case 20, is housed in the main housing 40.

[0019] 3, the case 20 is formed in a generally rectangular cylindrical shape with an open top, and has a fuse accommodating portion 21 that accommodates and holds the fuse 9 in an internal accommodating space, and a pair of locking pieces 22 that lock onto the main housing 40. The locking pieces 22 are provided on left and right side walls 211 of the fuse accommodating portion 21, respectively.

[0020] The locking piece 22 has a substantially rectangular plate-like portion 221 extending in the vertical direction, a protrusion 222 that locks with the locking portion 45 of the main housing 40, an operating portion 223 that an operator can grasp, and a held portion 224 that is held by the holding portion 11. The locking piece 22 is provided on the side wall 211 of the case 20 so as to be flexible in the direction in which the locking portion 45 and the holding portion 11, which will be described later, face each other.

[0021] The plate-like portion 221 has a lower end which is a fixed end connected to the side wall 211, and an upper end which is a free end which can be displaced in the left-right direction.

[0022] The protrusion 222 is a generally U-shaped rib provided to protrude outward from the plate-shaped portion 221. The protrusion 222 has a first portion 2221 extending in the front-rear direction on the plate-shaped portion 221, and a pair of second portions 2222 extending upward from both ends of the first portion 2221. An upper surface 222a of the first portion 2221 serves as a locking surface that locks with the locking portion 45 of the main housing 40. The distance between the pair of second portions 2222 corresponds to the size of the locking portion 45 in the front-rear direction.

[0023] The operating portion 223 is a portion that connects the upper ends of the pair of second portions 2222, and is a portion that is operated by an operator when removing the sub-housing 30 from the main housing 40. The operating portion 223 has a main body portion 2231 that extends in the front-rear direction, and a pair of connecting portions 2232 that extend in the left-right direction from both ends of the main body portion 2231 and connect to the plate-like portion 221, and is U-shaped in a plan view. When the operating portion 223 is pressed inward, the engagement between the protrusions 222 and the engaging portion 45 is released.

[0024] The held portion 224 has a width in the front-rear direction that corresponds to the width of the holding portion 11 in the front-rear direction, and the inner surface is inclined so that the thickness gradually decreases upward at the upper end of the plate-like portion 221. When the upper end of the held portion 224 catches on the holding portion 11 of the cover 10, the locking piece 22 is held, and the locking piece 22 is maintained in a released state from the main housing 40.

[0025] The main housing 40 has a hollow box 41 that is approximately rectangular and has an opening on a portion of its top surface, and a peripheral wall 42 that is approximately rectangular in plan view and is provided to surround the opening of the box 41. The box 41 is composed of a bottom and a cover that covers the bottom from above, and has a holding portion therein that holds a pair of relay terminals. The peripheral wall 42, together with the relay terminal holding portion provided inside the box 41, defines an accommodation space S that accommodates the sub-housing 30. The peripheral wall 42 has locking portions 45 on the inside of each of a pair of left and right side walls 43 (first side walls).

[0026] The locking portion 45 locks with the locking piece 22 when the sub-housing 30 is housed in the housing space S, thereby preventing the sub-housing 30 from being removed. The locking portion 45 is a protrusion extending in the front-to-rear direction on the upper edge of the plate-shaped portion 44. The plate-shaped portion 44 is a portion that forms the center of the side wall 43 in the front-to-rear direction, and has a lower end fixed to the side wall 43 by two slits in the side wall 43 that are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction and extend in the up-down direction, and an upper end that is a free end.

[0027] The electrical component housing box 1 is assembled in the following manner. First, the cover 10 is placed over the case 20 housing the fuse 9, and then the cover 10 is lowered toward the case 20 so that the left and right fitting portions 13 fit between the left and right side walls 211 and the left and right side surfaces of the fuse body 91, respectively. The four locking pieces 131 provided on the fitting portions 13 engage with the four locking portions 212 inside the case 20, respectively, and the cover 10 is attached to the case 20.

[0028] Next, the sub-housing 30, in which the cover 10 and the case 20 are integrated, is inserted from above into the accommodation space S of the main housing 40 shown in Fig. 4. At this time, as shown in Fig. 5, the protrusions 222 of the locking pieces 22 provided on the left and right sides of the case 20 are locked with the locking portions 45 of the main housing 40, respectively, thereby preventing the sub-housing 30 from being removed from the main housing 40. When the sub-housing 30 is accommodated in the main housing 40, the fuse terminals 92 of the fuse 9 extend into the box body 41 and are fitted and connected to the respective relay terminals, and the electric wires connected to the pair of relay terminals are electrically connected via the fuse 9.

[0029] The following describes the procedure for removing the sub-housing 30 from the electrical component housing box 1 configured as described above. When replacing the fuse 9, the worker removes the sub-housing 30 from the main housing 40 in the following manner. With the locking piece 22 locked by the locking portion 45, i.e., with the sub-housing 30 prevented from coming out of the main housing 40, the worker pushes the right operating portion 223 toward the inside of the case 20, i.e., toward the left in FIG. 5 , to bend the locking piece 22 to the left. Pressing the operating portion 223 moves the protrusion 222 away from the locking portion 45 of the main housing 40, thereby disengaging the protrusion 222 from the locking portion 45. When the worker further pushes the operating portion 223 inward, the locking piece 22 is further bent, and the upper end of the held portion 224 is positioned closer to the side wall 12 than the lower end of the holding portion 11, so that the held portion 224 is caught and held by the holding portion 11, as shown in FIG. 6 . In this way, the worker presses the operating portion 223 of the locking piece 22 provided on the right side of the sub-housing 30, and the held portion 224 is held by the holding portion 11, thereby maintaining the state in which the lock between the convex portion 222 and the locking portion 45 is released. At this time, the worker may also simultaneously press the operating portion 223 provided on the left side of the sub-housing 30 to hold the left and right locking pieces 22 in the respective holding portions 11, or may press the left and right operating portions 223 one by one to hold them in the holding portion 11. Next, the worker pulls the sub-housing 30 upward out of the main housing 40.

[0030] If the electrical component housing box 1 does not have a holding portion 11, when removing the sub-housing 3, the worker must continue to pinch the operating portion 223 of the locking piece 22 in order to release the lock, and the sub-housing 3 cannot be removed unless the worker continues to pinch it.

[0031] In contrast, with the electric component housing box 1 of this embodiment, the retaining portion 11 provided on the cover 10 holds the locking piece 22, so that the engagement between the protrusion 222 and the locking portion 45 can be maintained in a released state. Therefore, when removing the sub-housing 30 from the main housing 40, the worker does not need to continue to grasp the locking piece 22 while pulling the sub-housing 30 out of the main housing 40. As a result, the sub-housing 30 can be removed by grasping any part of it. Therefore, the removal work is easier than when the worker manually removes the sub-housing 30 by manipulating the locking piece 22. Furthermore, the worker can perform the removal work without being restricted by the part where he or she can grasp the sub-housing 30, improving workability.

[0032] (Second embodiment) An electric component housing box 1A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the electric component housing box 1A according to the second embodiment. Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a state in which the locking piece 22 is held by the holding portion 11A. In Figures 7 and 8, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same members and parts as those shown in Figures 1 to 6.

[0033] In the electric component housing box 1A of the second embodiment, instead of the holding portions 11 of the electric component housing box 1 of the first embodiment, holding portions 11A are provided on the left and right fitting portions 13 of the cover 10. The holding portions 11A are recesses provided on the side walls 12 of the fitting portions 13, and are U-shaped grooves in a plan view that extend in the up-down direction and have a width corresponding to the front-to-rear width of the locking pieces 22. As shown in FIG. 8 , the operating portions 223 of the locking pieces 22 are pressed inward to bend the plate-like portions 221, and the operating portions 223 are press-fitted into the holding portions 11A so that the pair of connecting portions 2232 abut against the inner surfaces of the holding portions 11A, thereby holding the locking pieces 22.

[0034] As described above, according to the electric component housing box 1A of the second embodiment, the retaining portion 11A press-fits and holds the locking piece 22, thereby maintaining the unlocked state between the protrusion 222 and the locking portion 45, similar to the electric component housing box 1 of the first embodiment. This makes the removal work easier than when the worker removes the sub-housing 30 by manipulating the locking piece 22. Furthermore, the worker can perform the removal work without being restricted by where to grip the sub-housing 30, improving workability.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified, improved, and the like as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, numerical values, configuration, number, location, and the like of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as they achieve the present invention. While the above-described embodiments illustrate an example in which the electrical component is a fuse 9, the electrical component may also be various sensor components, etc. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the retained portion 224 of the locking piece 22 is hooked and held by the retaining portion 11 protruding from the side wall 12 of the cover 10. However, a recess may be formed in the locking piece 22, and the retaining portion 11 may be press-fitted into the recess and held.

[0036] Here, the features of the electrical component housing box according to the embodiment of the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [6].

[0037] [1] Electrical components (fuse 9) and a sub-housing (30) that houses the electrical components and has a locking piece (22); a main housing (40) that accommodates the sub-housing; The locking piece (22) is locked to the main housing, The main housing (40) has a locking portion (45) that locks onto the locking piece when the sub-housing is housed therein to prevent the sub-housing from being removed, The sub-housing has a holding portion (11, 11A) that holds the locking piece in a state where the locking of the locking piece with respect to the main housing is released. Electrical component storage box (1, 1A).

[0038] According to the electrical component housing box having the configuration [1] above, the locking piece provided on the sub-housing locks with the locking portion provided on the main housing, thereby preventing the sub-housing from being removed, and the retaining portion holds the locking piece, maintaining the unlocked state. Therefore, the unlocked sub-housing can be easily removed from the main housing by lifting it. Therefore, there is no need to provide a lever for the removal operation, and the sub-housing can be removed from the main housing as long as there is space for pulling it out, thereby minimizing the space required for the removal operation.

[0039] Furthermore, with the electrical component housing box having the configuration [1] above, the retaining portion provided on the sub-housing can hold the locking piece to maintain the unlocked state from the main housing. Therefore, the operator can pull the sub-housing out of the main housing without having to perform an operation to maintain the unlocked state, such as continuing to grip the locking piece. This makes the removal process easier than if the operator were to continue manipulating the locking piece to pull out the sub-housing. Furthermore, the operator can perform the removal process without being restricted by where to grip the sub-housing, improving workability.

[0040] [2] The main housing (40) has a first side wall (side wall 43) on the inside of which the locking portion (45) is provided, The sub-housing (30) has a second side wall (side wall 12 of cover 10) on the outside of which the holding portion (11, 11A) is provided, the locking portion (45) and the holding portion (11, 11A) are arranged in positions facing each other in a state in which the sub-housing (30) is housed in the main housing (40), The locking piece (22) is provided so as to be flexible in a direction in which the locking portion and the holding portion face each other. An electrical component storage box (1, 1A) having the configuration described above in [1].

[0041] According to the electrical component housing box having the configuration [2] above, the locking piece that was locked to the locking portion can be bent and held by the retaining portion, thereby maintaining the unlocked state between the locking piece and the locking portion. For example, if a sub-housing extending in one direction has a locking structure for the locking portion and the locking piece at both longitudinal ends, the retaining portion need only be provided at one end. With this configuration, even if the size of the sub-housing is such that an operator cannot grasp both ends of the sub-housing with one hand, the operator can retain the locking piece at one end in the retaining portion. Therefore, the sub-housing can be removed from the main housing with one hand while manually releasing the lock at the other end.

[0042] Furthermore, even if the sub-housing is firmly locked to the main housing by three or more locking mechanisms, if each locking mechanism is provided with a retaining portion, the retaining portion can hold the locking piece, maintaining the unlocked state. This eliminates the need for the operator to continue pressing the locking piece with their fingers while removing the sub-housing from the main housing, improving workability.

[0043] [3] The main housing (40) has a pair of the first side walls (side walls 43) facing each other, The sub-housing (30) is A pair of second side walls (side walls 12 of cover 10) facing each other; a third side wall (side wall 211 of case 20) on the outside of which the locking piece is provided; A pair of the locking pieces; a pair of the holding portions, The pair of locking pieces (22) are provided on the pair of third side walls, respectively, The pair of holding portions (11, 11A) are provided on the pair of second side walls, respectively. The electrical component storage box (1, 1A) according to [2] above.

[0044] According to the electrical component housing box having the configuration [3] above, the pair of locking pieces and retaining portions are provided on the opposing wall portions, so that the sub-housing can be securely locked to the main housing. Furthermore, depending on the distance between the opposing wall portions, an operator can release the locking of both wall portions simultaneously with one hand, or release the locking of each wall portion one by one, and then grasp the sub-housing at any desired location to remove it.

[0045] [4] The holding portion (11) is a protrusion protruding outward from the second side wall (side wall 12 of the cover 10), The locking piece (22) is held by being caught on the protrusion. The electrical component housing box (1) according to the above [2] or [3].

[0046] According to the electrical component housing box having the configuration [4] above, the locking piece is held by being caught on the protrusion, so that the unlocked state can be maintained.

[0047] [5] The holding portion (11A) is a recess provided in the second side wall, The locking piece (22) is press-fitted and held in the recess. The electrical component storage box (1A) according to the above [2] or [3].

[0048] According to the electrical component housing box having the configuration [5] above, the locking piece is press-fitted and held in the recess, so that the unlocked state can be maintained.

[0049] [6] The sub-housing has a main body (case 20) that houses the electrical components and a lid (cover 10) that is attached to the main body, The locking piece (22) is provided on the main body portion, The holding portion (11, 11A) is provided on the lid portion. An electrical component housing box (1, 1A) according to any one of the above [1] to [5].

[0050] According to the electrical component housing box having the configuration [6] above, the locking piece and the holding portion are provided on the main body and the lid, respectively, so that the box can be easily manufactured without complicating the mold. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1. 1A Electrical Component Storage Box 9. Fuse 10 Cover 11, 11A holding part 12 Side wall (second side wall) 20 cases 22 Locking piece 30 Sub-housing 40 Main Housing 43 Sidewall (first sidewall) 45 Locking part 211 Side Wall (Third Side Wall)

Claims

1. Electrical components and a sub-housing that houses the electrical component and has a locking piece; a main housing that accommodates the sub-housing, The locking piece is locked to the main housing, the main housing has a locking portion that locks with the locking piece when the sub-housing is housed therein to prevent the sub-housing from being removed, the sub-housing has a holding portion that holds the locking piece in a state in which the locking piece is released from the main housing, the main housing has a first side wall on the inside of which the locking portion is provided, the sub-housing has a second side wall on the outside of which the holding portion is provided, the locking portion and the holding portion are disposed in positions facing each other when the sub-housing is housed in the main housing, The locking piece is provided so as to be flexible in a direction in which the locking portion and the holding portion face each other. Electrical component storage box.

2. The main housing has a pair of the first side walls facing each other, The sub-housing includes: A pair of the second side walls facing each other; a pair of opposing third side walls each having the locking pieces provided on the outer sides thereof; A pair of the locking pieces; a pair of the holding portions, the pair of locking pieces are provided on the pair of third side walls, respectively; The pair of holding portions are provided on the pair of second side walls, respectively.

2. The electrical component storage box according to claim 1.

3. the holding portion is a protrusion protruding outward from the second side wall, The locking piece is held by being caught on the protrusion.

3. The electrical component housing box according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the holding portion is a recess provided in the second side wall, The locking piece is press-fitted and held in the recess.

3. The electrical component housing box according to claim 1 or 2.

5. An electrical component; a sub-housing that houses the electrical component and has a locking piece; a main housing that accommodates the sub-housing, The locking piece is locked to the main housing, the main housing has a locking portion that locks with the locking piece when the sub-housing is housed therein to prevent the sub-housing from being removed, the sub-housing has a holding portion that holds the locking piece in a state in which the locking piece is released from the main housing, the sub-housing has a main body that houses the electrical components and a lid that is attached to the main body, The locking piece is provided on the main body portion, The holding portion is provided on the lid portion. Electrical component storage box.

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