Electrical Connectors

Abstract

To reduce a physical size in the prescribed direction.SOLUTION: An electric connecting tool comprises: an electric component 21 in which two terminals 21a, 21b are projected in the same plane P from a body 21c; and an electroconductive member 25 having a main constituent 25a that fixes and electrically connects one terminal 21b and a connector connecting terminal 25b that fits and connects a connector 52 at an end of an electric wire We2 and thereby electrically connects the electric wire We2. The main constituent 25a includes an adjacent part 25d which is extended in a direction orthogonal to the plane P to a position where it is aligned with the main constituent 21c, and the connector connecting terminal 25b is projected from the adjacent part 25d in a direction orthogonal to the plane P and a direction for separating from the main constituent 21c, with the connector 52 fitted and connected in a direction opposite the projecting direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, vehicles are equipped with an electrical connector that electrically connects electric wires on a first connection object with electric wires on a second connection object, for example, by being interposed between a secondary battery and multiple power supply objects to distribute power to each of the power supply objects. This electrical connector is called a junction box or the like, and includes electrical components (circuit protection components, relay components, etc.) and conductive members, through which the respective electric wires are electrically connected. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below disclose this type of electrical connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-70512 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-93888 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an electrical connecting device, terminal portions protruding from the body of an electrical component are fixed to a conductive member for electrical connection, and a connector at the end of an electric wire is mated and connected to the connector connection terminal portion of the conductive member at a location away from the fixed position. Therefore, depending on the arrangement of the connector connection terminal portions and the direction of mating and connection of the connector to the connector connection terminal portions, the electrical connecting device can become larger in size depending on the location. For example, in this electrical connecting device, when multiple electrical components are arranged on the same plane, two terminal portions of the electrical components protrude from the body along the plane. Therefore, if the connector connection terminal portions are arranged in a position that protrudes from the electrical components on the plane where the two terminal portions are arranged, the electrical connecting device can become larger in size in the direction along the plane.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electric connecting device that can be made smaller in size in the direction along the plane on which two terminal portions of an electric component are arranged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electrical connecting device according to the present invention comprises an electrical component having two terminal portions protruding from a main body on the same plane, a main body for fixing one of the terminal portions for electrical connection, and a conductive member having a connector connection terminal portion for electrically connecting the electric wire by fitting and connecting a connector at the end of the electric wire, wherein the main body has an adjacent portion extending to a position alongside the main body in a direction perpendicular to the plane, and the connector connection terminal portion protrudes from the adjacent portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane and away from the main body, and the connector is fitted and connected in a direction opposite to the protruding direction. A plurality of combinations of the electrical component and the conductive member are arranged along the plane. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the electrical connecting device according to the present invention, the adjacent portion of the main body of the conductive member and the connector connection terminal portion are arranged in a position aligned with the body of the electrical component in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement plane of the two terminal portions of the electrical component. Therefore, in this electrical connecting device, the connector that is mated and connected to the connector connection terminal portion is also arranged in a position aligned with the body of the electrical component in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement plane. Therefore, in the electrical connecting device according to the present invention, the connector connection terminal portion is not arranged in a position that significantly protrudes from the electrical component in a direction along the arrangement plane, and since the connector is not arranged in this position, it is possible to reduce the physical size in a direction along the arrangement plane. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electrical connection box in which electrical connecting devices are housed. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electrical connecting device together with an electrical connection box with the cover removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram that schematically illustrates the inside of the electrical junction box. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the electric connecting device with the cover member removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the main part of the electric connecting device together with the second connector before fitting and connection. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the main part of the electric connecting device together with the second connector after fitting and connection. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view showing the main part of the electric connecting device together with the second connector after mating connection. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the electric connecting device together with the second connector. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the electric connecting device together with the second shielded electric wire and the like. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the electric connecting device together with the second shielded electric wire and the like, viewed from a different angle. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the case main body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0010] [Embodiment] One embodiment of the electrical connecting device according to the present invention will be described together with an electrical connection box that houses it, with reference to Figs. 1 to 11.

[0011] Reference numeral 1 in Figures 1 to 3 indicates an electrical junction box of this embodiment. Reference numeral WH in Figures 1 to 3 indicates a wire harness of this embodiment that includes the electrical junction box 1. In the electrical junction box 1, an electrical connecting device 20 is housed in a housing 10 thereof.

[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 3). 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 and a power distribution object as a second connection object (e.g., an auxiliary device to be supplied with power) using an electric connecting device 20. 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 3 ). 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. 2 to 10 ). 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. 2 , 3 , 9 , and 10 ). The electrical junction box 1 also includes a wire insertion portion (a second wire insertion portion described below) 16 that passes the second shielded electric wire We2 between the inside and 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 16 ( FIGS. 1 to 3 , 9 , and 10 ).

[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. 2, 3, and 11). The housing 10 is provided with an access opening 10b for inserting and assembling components to be placed in the housing chamber 10a (FIGS. 2, 3, and 11).

[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 and 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 3 and 11). 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 outward in an annular shape from the annular end portion at that end (FIGS. 2, 3 and 11). The cover 10B is assembled to this flange portion 11a.

[0020] The 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 a bottom wall 12 (FIGS. 1 to 3 and 11). Thus, in this case body 10A, an accommodation chamber 10a is formed that is surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 11 and the bottom wall 12 and that communicates with an access opening 10b at one end of the outer peripheral wall 11.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The electric connecting device 20 physically and electrically connects the first shielded electric wire We1 and the second shielded electric wire We2, thereby indirectly electrically connecting the first shielded electric wire We1 and the second shielded electric wire We2. Each first shielded electric wire We1 has a connector (hereinafter referred to as a "first connector") 51 connected to one end thereof, and is electrically connected to the electric connecting device 20 via this first connector 51 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Each second shielded electric wire We2 has a connector (hereinafter referred to as a "second connector") 52 connected to one end thereof, and is electrically connected to the electric connecting device 20 via this second connector 52 (FIGS. 3 and 5 to 10). Although not shown here, the other end of the first shielded electric wire We1 is provided with a connector for electrically connecting it to the first object to be connected. The other end of the second shielded electric wire We2 is provided with a connector for electrically connecting it to the second object to be connected.

[0023] The electric connecting device 20 includes an electric component 21 having two terminal portions (first terminal portion 21a, second terminal portion 21b) protruding from a main body 21c on the same plane (hereinafter, this plane will be referred to as the "reference plane P") (FIGS. 4 to 8). The electric component 21 here refers to a circuit protection component (such as a fuse) or a relay component. Here, a fuse is shown as an example of the electric component 21. The electric connecting device 20 includes a plurality of such electric components 21.

[0024] The electrical component 21 includes a cylindrical main body 21c serving as a fuse body. The main body 21c has a first terminal 21a at one axial end that protrudes in the axial direction beyond the end face, and a second terminal 21b at the other axial end that protrudes in the axial direction beyond the end face. The electrical component 21 shown here includes two identical terminals, one at each axial end of the main body 21c. The terminals are formed, for example, from a metal plate into an L-shape and have two flat plate-like pieces. The two terminals at both ends of the main body 21c have one flat plate-like piece protruding in the same direction from the outer peripheral surface of the axial end of the main body 21c, and the other flat plate-like piece protruding in opposite directions from the end face of the axial end of the main body 21c. One of the two flat plate-like pieces of each terminal protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane P. The other half of each terminal has one flat surface aligned with a reference plane P and protruding along the reference plane P. Here, the other half of the terminal is used as the first terminal 21a or the second terminal 21b. The first terminal 21a and the second terminal 21b each have a circular through-hole 21d whose axis is perpendicular to the plane of the first terminal 21a and the second terminal 21b (FIG. 8).

[0025] Furthermore, the electric connecting device 20 is a member that electrically connects the first terminal portion 21a of the electric component 21 and the first shielded electric wire We1, and includes a conductive member (hereinafter referred to as the "first conductive member") 22 that is interposed between the first terminal portion 21a and the first shielded electric wire We1 to indirectly electrically connect the first terminal portion 21a and the core wire of the first shielded electric wire We1 (FIGS. 4 to 8). In this electric connecting device 20, one of the pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 is electrically connected to the first terminal portion 21a of all the electric components 21. Therefore, in this electric connecting device 20, the first terminal portion 21a of all the electric components 21 is electrically connected to one first shielded electric wire We1 via one first conductive member 22.

[0026] The first conductive member 22 is a so-called bus bar formed into a predetermined shape using, for example, a metal plate as a base material. The first conductive member 22 has a main body 22a that electrically connects the first terminal portion 21a of the electrical component 21, and a connector connection terminal portion (hereinafter referred to as "first connector connection terminal portion") 22b that electrically connects the core wire of the first shielded electric wire We1 by fitting and connecting the first connector 51 at the end of the first shielded electric wire We1 (FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8).

[0027] In this first conductive member 22, the first terminal portions 21a are fixed to the main body 22a, thereby electrically connecting the first terminal portions 21a to the main body 22a. The main body 22a shown here is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and fixes and electrically connects the first terminal portions 21a of all the electrical components 21 arranged in the longitudinal direction. In this first conductive member 22, the first terminal portions 21a of all the electrical components 21 are connected by the main body 22a, and therefore, hereinafter, this main body 22a will be referred to as the "connecting main body 22a."

[0028] The first terminals 21a are placed on the main connecting body 22a with their flat surfaces facing each other and are fixed thereto by screws. Therefore, a circular through-hole 22c coaxial with the through-hole 21d of the placed first terminals 21a is formed in the main connecting body 22a for each electric component 21 (FIG. 8). The electric connecting device 20 includes, for each electric component 21, a male screw member 23A that is inserted into the through-holes 21d, 22c of the first terminals 21a and the main connecting body 22a, respectively, and a female screw member 24A that is screwed onto the male screw member 23A and fixes the first terminals 21a and the main connecting body 22a by screws (FIGS. 4 to 8). Here, as will be described later, the first conductive member 22 is integrated with a conductor holding member 27, which will be described later, with one flat surface of the main connecting body 22a exposed. The exposed surface of the main connecting body 22a coincides with the reference plane P when the first terminal portion 21a is placed thereon. Here, the male screw member 23A is provided like a stud bolt in a state where it is inserted into the through hole 22c of the main connecting body 22a with respect to the conductor holding member 27. For this reason, here, the first terminal portion 21a is placed on the exposed main connecting body 22a while the male screw member 23A is inserted into the through hole 21d, and the female screw member 24A is screwed into the male screw member 23A, so that the first terminal portion 21a and the main connecting body 22a are screwed and fixed in a state where they can be electrically connected.

[0029] The first connector connection terminal portion 22b is a terminal portion that extends vertically from the main connecting body 22a relative to the plane of the main connecting body 22a. Therefore, when the first terminal portion 21a is placed on the main connecting body 22a, the first connector connection terminal portion 22b is perpendicular to the reference plane P. The first connector connection terminal portion 22b is integral with the conductor holding member 27 and protrudes from the conductor holding member 27. The first connector connection terminal portion 22b shown here is disposed at one longitudinal end of the main connecting body 22a and protrudes in the accommodating chamber 10a along the cylindrical axis of the outer peripheral wall 11 toward the access opening 10b. The first connector connection terminal portion 22b shown here has a so-called male tab shape. The first connector 51 is configured as a female connector and is inserted into the accommodating chamber 10a from the access opening 10b side to be mated and connected to the first connector connection terminal portion 22b in the accommodating chamber 10a.

[0030] Furthermore, the electric connecting device 20 is a member that electrically connects the second terminal portion 21b of the electric component 21 and the second shielded electric wire We2, and includes a conductive member (hereinafter referred to as a "second conductive member") 25 that is interposed between the second terminal portion 21b and the second shielded electric wire We2 to indirectly electrically connect the second terminal portion 21b and the core wire of the second shielded electric wire We2 (FIGS. 4 to 8). In this electric connecting device 20, one of the pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2 is electrically connected to the second terminal portion 21b of one electric component 21. Therefore, in this electric connecting device 20, the second conductive member 25 is provided for each electric component 21, and the second terminal portion 21b of one electric component 21 and one second shielded electric wire We2 are electrically connected via one second conductive member 25.

[0031] The second conductive member 25 is a so-called bus bar formed into a predetermined shape using, for example, a metal plate as a base material. The second conductive member 25 has a main body 25a that electrically connects the second terminal portion 21b of the electrical component 21, and a connector connection terminal portion (hereinafter referred to as "second connector connection terminal portion") 25b that electrically connects the core wire of the second shielded electric wire We2 by fitting and connecting the second connector 52 at the end of the second shielded electric wire We2 (FIGS. 4 to 8).

[0032] In this second conductive member 25, the second terminal portion 21b is fixed to the main body 25a, thereby electrically connecting the second terminal portion 21b to the main body 25a. The main body 25a shown here is formed as a flat, single piece. The second terminal portion 21b is placed on the main body 25a with its flat surfaces facing each other and is fixed thereto with screws. A circular through-hole 25c coaxial with the through-hole 21d of the placed second terminal portion 21b is formed in the main body 25a (FIG. 8). The electrical connecting device 20 includes, for each electrical component 21, a male screw member 23B that is inserted into the second terminal portion 21b and the through-holes 21d, 25c of the main body 25a, respectively, and a female screw member 24B that is screwed onto the male screw member 23B and that fixes the second terminal portion 21b to the main body 25a with screws (FIGS. 4 to 8). Here, as described below, the second conductive member 25 is integrated with a conductor holding member 27 (described later) with a main body 25a exposed. The exposed surface of the main body 25a coincides with a reference plane P when the second terminal portion 21b is placed thereon. Here, a male screw member 23B is inserted into a through hole 25c of the main body 25a and attached to the conductor holding member 27 like a stud bolt. Therefore, here, the second terminal portion 21b is placed on the exposed main body 25a while the male screw member 23B is inserted into the through hole 21d, and the female screw member 24B is screwed onto the male screw member 23B, thereby fixing the second terminal portion 21b and the main body 25a in an electrically connectable state.

[0033] The second connector connection terminal portion 25b is orthogonal to the reference plane P when the second terminal portion 21b is placed on the main body 25a. Therefore, the second connector connection terminal portion 25b shown here protrudes from the main body 25a in a direction orthogonal to the plane. Furthermore, the second connector connection terminal portion 25b protrudes from the main body 25a in the opposite direction to the first connector connection terminal portion 22b when integrated with the conductor holding member 27. That is, the second connector connection terminal portion 25b shown here protrudes along the cylindrical axis direction of the outer peripheral wall 11 and toward the bottom wall 12 within the accommodating chamber 10a. The second connector connection terminal portion 25b shown here is formed in a so-called male tab shape. The second connector 52 is mated and connected to the second connector connection terminal portion 25b before the electrical connecting device 20 is accommodated in the accommodating chamber 10a.

[0034] Here, the main body 25a of the second conductive member 25 has an adjacent portion 25d that extends to a position aligned with the main body 21c of the electrical component 21 in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane P (FIGS. 5 to 7). Here, the main body 25a is formed as a flat plate-like piece, and a portion of the piece becomes the adjacent portion 25d. However, the main body 25a may be formed into a shape having two bent flat plate-like pieces, one of which may be used as a portion for fixing the second terminal portion 21b and the other of which may be used as the adjacent portion 25d.

[0035] Furthermore, the second connector connection terminal portion 25b of the second conductive member 25 protrudes from the adjacent portion 25d in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane P and away from the main body 21c of the electrical component 21. The second connector connection terminal portion 25b is adapted to fit and connect the second connector 52 in the direction opposite to the protruding direction.

[0036] In this manner, adjacent portion 25d of main body 25a of second conductive member 25 and second connector connection terminal portion 25b are arranged at positions aligned with main body 21c of electric component 21 in the direction perpendicular to reference plane P. Therefore, in electric connecting device 20, second connector 52, which is mated and connected to second connector connection terminal portion 25b, is also arranged at a position aligned with main body 21c of electric component 21 in the direction perpendicular to reference plane P. Therefore, in this electric connecting device 20, second connector connection terminal portion 25b is not arranged at a position that significantly protrudes from electric component 21 in the direction along reference plane P, and second connector 52 is not arranged at this position, so that the size of electric connecting device 20 can be reduced in the direction along reference plane P. Furthermore, here, along with the reduction in size of electric connecting device 20, the size of electric junction box 1 can also be reduced in the direction along reference plane P.

[0037] Furthermore, in this electrical connecting device 20, a plurality of combinations of a set of electrical component 21 and second conductive member 25 are arranged along the reference plane P. Therefore, in all combinations of this electrical connecting device 20, the second connector connection terminal portion 25b and the second connector 52 are not positioned at a position that significantly protrudes from the electrical component 21 in the direction along the reference plane P, and therefore the physical size in the direction along the reference plane P can be significantly reduced.

[0038] In the second conductive member 25 shown here, the adjacent portion 25d of its main body 25a and the second connector connection terminal portion 25b are disposed directly below the main body 21c of the electrical component 21 when the electrical junction box 1 shown here is mounted on a vehicle. In the electrical junction box 1 shown here, there is ample space on the bottom wall 12 side of the accommodation chamber 10a (the second accommodation chamber 10a2 described below). Therefore, even if the second connector connection terminal portion 25b and the second connector 52 are disposed directly below the main body 21c of the electrical component 21, it is not necessary to expand the volume of the accommodation chamber 10a on the bottom wall 12 side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electrical junction box 1 from becoming larger on the bottom wall 12 side.

[0039] Furthermore, the electrical connecting device 20 is a component that electrically connects the other of the pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 to the other of the pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2, and includes a conductive member (hereinafter referred to as a "third conductive member") 26 that is interposed between the other first shielded electric wire We1 and the other second shielded electric wire We2 to indirectly electrically connect the core wires of the first shielded electric wire We1 and the second shielded electric wire We2 (FIGS. 4 and 8). In this electrical connecting device 20, the other first shielded electric wire We1 is electrically connected to all of the other second shielded electric wires We2. Therefore, in this electrical connecting device 20, the other first shielded electric wire We1 is electrically connected to all of the other second shielded electric wires We2 via one third conductive member 26.

[0040] The third conductive member 26 is a so-called bus bar formed into a predetermined shape using, for example, a metal plate as a base material. The third conductive member 26 has a main body 26a, a connector connection terminal portion (hereinafter referred to as the "third connector connection terminal portion") 26b that electrically connects the core wire of the first shielded electric wire We1 by fitting and connecting a first connector 51 at the end of the first shielded electric wire We1, and a connector connection terminal portion (hereinafter referred to as the "fourth connector connection terminal portion") 26c that electrically connects the core wire of the second shielded electric wire We2 by fitting and connecting a second connector 52 at the end of the second shielded electric wire We2 (FIGS. 4 and 8).

[0041] The main body 26a shown here is formed as an L-shaped flat plate. The main body 26a is roughly divided into a rectangular long piece 26a1 and a rectangular short piece 26a2. The longitudinal direction of the long piece 26a1 is oriented in the arrangement direction of the respective electrical components 21 and second conductive members 25, and the long piece 26a1 is arranged adjacent to each second conductive member 25 (FIGS. 4 and 8). Here, as will be described later, the third conductive member 26 is integrated with a conductor holding member 27, which will be described later, with one flat surface of the main body 26a exposed.

[0042] The third connector connection terminal 26b is a terminal extending downward from the short piece 26a2 of the main body 26a relative to the plane thereof. The third connector connection terminal 26b is integral with the conductor holding member 27 and protrudes from the conductor holding member 27 in the same direction as the first connector connection terminal 22b. In other words, the third connector connection terminal 26b shown here protrudes along the cylindrical axis of the outer peripheral wall 11 and toward the access opening 10b within the accommodation chamber 10a. The third connector connection terminal 26b shown here has the same male tab shape as the first connector connection terminal 22b. The first connector 51 to be connected to the third connector connection terminal 26b is inserted into the accommodation chamber 10a from the access opening 10b side, similar to the connector to be connected to the first connector connection terminal 22b, and is mated and connected to the third connector connection terminal 26b in the accommodation chamber 10a.

[0043] Fourth connector connection terminal portion 26c is a terminal portion extending vertically from long piece portion 26a1 of main body 26a relative to the plane thereof and is provided in pairs with second conductive member 25. Fourth connector connection terminal portion 26c shown here is provided adjacent to second conductive member 25 on the long side of long piece portion 26a1 on the second conductive member 25 side, for each second conductive member 25. Fourth connector connection terminal portion 26c protrudes from long piece portion 26a1 of main body 26a in the same direction as second connector connection terminal portion 25b while being integrated with conductor holding member 27. That is, fourth connector connection terminal portion 26c shown here protrudes along the cylindrical axis direction of outer peripheral wall 11 and toward bottom wall 12 within accommodation chamber 10a. Fourth connector connection terminal portion 26c shown here is formed in the same male tab shape as second connector connection terminal portion 25b. The second connector 52 connected to this fourth connector connection terminal portion 26c is fitted and connected to the fourth connector connection terminal portion 26c, just like the one connected to the second connector connection terminal portion 25b, before the electrical connecting device 20 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 10a.

[0044] Furthermore, the electric connecting device 20 includes an electrically insulating member that holds the first conductive member 22, the second conductive member 25, and the third conductive member 26 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 "conductor holding member") 27 that holds the first conductive member 22, the second conductive member 25, and the third conductive member 26 and is screwed to the housing 10 (FIGS. 4, 9, and 10). The conductor holding member 27 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The conductor holding member 27 shown here is integrally molded with the first conductive member 22, the second conductive member 25, and the third conductive member 26 by insert molding. Here, the conductor holding member 27 is also integrally molded with the male screw members 23A and 23B by insert molding.

[0045] Conductor holding member 27 has main connecting portion 22a of first conductive member 22, main portion 25a of second conductive member 25, and main portion 26a of third conductive member 26 exposed at top surface 27U on the access opening 10b side, and has first connector connection terminal portion 22b of first conductive member 22 and third connector connection terminal portion 26b of third conductive member 26 protruding from top surface 27U toward access opening 10b ( FIG. 4 ). Furthermore, conductor holding member 27 has male screw members 23A and 23B protruding from top surface 27U toward access opening 10b. Meanwhile, conductor holding member 27 has second connector connection terminal portion 25b of second conductive member 25 and fourth connector connection terminal portion 26c of third conductive member 26, which protrude in the opposite direction from first connector connection terminal portion 22b and third connector connection terminal portion 26b, embedded in bottom wall 12.

[0046] The electrical connecting device 20 further includes a cover member 28 as another insulating member, which is assembled to the conductor holding member 27 and covers the main connecting member 22a of the electrical component 21 and the first conductive member 22, the main body 25a of the second conductive member 25, the main body 26a of the third conductive member 26, and the male screw members 23A, 23B from the access opening 10b side (FIGS. 2, 9, and 10). The cover member 28 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0047] In the electric connecting device 20, a connector portion (hereinafter referred to as the "upper connector portion") for fitting and connecting the first connector 51 on the access opening 10b side is formed on the cover member 28. Here, a first upper connector portion 28a for fitting and connecting the first connector 51 at an end of one first shielded electric wire We1, and a second upper connector portion 28b for fitting and connecting the first connector 51 at the end of the other first shielded electric wire We1 are provided (FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0048] The first upper connector portion 28a has the first connector connection terminal portion 22b of the first conductive member 22 disposed therein, and when the first connector 51 of one first shielded electric wire We1 is mated and connected thereto, the core wire of the first shielded electric wire We1 is indirectly electrically connected to the first connector connection terminal portion 22b. The second upper connector portion 28b has the third connector connection terminal portion 26b of the third conductive member 26 disposed therein, and when the first connector 51 of the other first shielded electric wire We1 is mated and connected thereto, the core wire of the first shielded electric wire We1 is indirectly electrically connected to the third connector connection terminal portion 26b. The first upper connector portion 28a and the second upper connector portion 28b shown here protrude toward the access opening 10b in the accommodation chamber 10a and are formed as mating connection portions for the first connector 51 that is fitted from the access opening 10b side toward the bottom wall 12.

[0049] 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 the end of one of the first shielded electric wires We1 is fitted and connected to the first upper connector portion 28a of the electric connecting device 20, and the first connector 51 at the end of the other first shielded electric wire We1 is fitted and connected to the second upper connector portion 28b of the electric connecting device 20 (Figures 2, 3 and 9).

[0050] 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") 13 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) (FIGS. 3 and 11). The first electric wire insertion portion 13 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 first electric wire insertion portion 13 on the access opening 10b side is used as an insertion port for inserting the pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 into the first electric wire insertion portion 13. When the cover 10B is attached to the case body 10A, the first wire insertion portion 13 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 13 may be provided for each first shielded electric wire We1.

[0051] 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. 2). The electric wire holder 55 is disposed in the first electric wire insertion portion 13. 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 14 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 11b of the outer peripheral wall 11 (FIG. 4). The electric wire holder 55 is fixed to the electric wire fixing portion 14 by screwing a female screw member (not shown) into the male screw member B1.

[0052] Furthermore, in the electric connecting device 20, a connector portion (hereinafter referred to as the "lower connector portion") for fitting and connecting the second connector 52 on the bottom wall 12 side is formed in the conductor holding member 27. Here, a first lower connector portion 27a for fitting and connecting the second connector 52 at the end of one second shielded electric wire We2, and a second lower connector portion 27b for fitting and connecting the second connector 52 at the end of the other second shielded electric wire We2 are provided (FIGS. 3 and 10).

[0053] The first lower connector portion 27a and the second lower connector portion 27b are provided as a pair for each combination of a pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2. That is, the first lower connector portion 27a is provided for each second shielded electric wire We2. The second lower connector portion 27b is provided for each second shielded electric wire We2. The first lower connector portion 27a and the second lower connector portion 27b are formed as fitting connection portions for the second connector 52 on the lower surface 27L of the conductor holding member 27 on the bottom wall 12 side (FIGS. 3 and 10).

[0054] The first lower connector portion 27a has the second connector connection terminal portion 25b of the second conductive member 25 disposed therein, and when the second connector 52 of one second shielded electric wire We2 is mated and connected thereto, the core wire of that second shielded electric wire We2 is indirectly electrically connected to the second connector connection terminal portion 25b. The second lower connector portion 27b has the fourth connector connection terminal portion 26c of the third conductive member 26 disposed therein, and when the second connector 52 of the other second shielded electric wire We2 is mated and connected thereto, the core wire of that second shielded electric wire We2 is indirectly electrically connected to the fourth connector connection terminal portion 26c.

[0055] The first lower connector portion 27a and the second lower connector portion 27b are formed so that the second connector 52 is fitted into them from the lower surface 27L toward the top surface 27U. Therefore, in the electrical junction box 1, the second shielded electric wire We2 that is pulled in from the access opening 10b side is routed toward the bottom wall 12 and then folded back toward the access opening 10b on the bottom wall 12 side, and the second connector 52 of the second shielded electric wire We2 is fitted and connected to the first lower connector portion 27a or the second lower connector portion 27b.

[0056] The electrical connecting device 20 is fixed in the accommodation chamber 10a by screwing the conductor holding member 27 or the cover member 28 to the fixing portion 15 of the housing 10 with a screw member (male screw member or female screw member) (FIGS. 3 and 11). The fixing portion 15 is a portion that protrudes from the inner wall surface 11b 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. A female screw portion N2 is formed in the fixing portion 15, with the screw axis being perpendicular to the flat surface (FIG. 11). The conductor holding member 27 or the cover member 28 is provided with a fixed portion 27c that is a flat plate-like 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 (FIGS. 3, 4, 9, and 10). The fixed portion 27c has a through hole 27c1 formed therein for inserting the male screw member B2 (FIGS. 4, 9, and 10). The other flat surface of the fixed portion 27c is placed on the flat surface of the fixing portion 15 on the working opening 10b side, and the male screw member B2 inserted into the through hole 27c1 is screwed into the female screw portion N2, thereby fixing the fixed portion 27c to the fixing portion 15. In this way, the conductor holding member 27 or the cover member 28 is fixed to the case main body 10A in the accommodation chamber 10a. Here, the fixed portion 27c is provided on the conductor holding member 27, and the conductor holding member 27 is fixed to the fixing portion 15 of the housing 10 by screwing.

[0057] This electrical junction box 1 is provided with a plurality of pairs (four pairs in this example) of fixing portions 15 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 15, and a female screw member (not shown) may be screwed into the male screw member to fix the fixing portion 15 and the fixed portion 27c together.

[0058] The accommodation chamber 10a is roughly divided into a space (hereinafter referred to as the "first accommodation chamber") 10a1 from the assembled electric connecting device 20 in the chamber to the access opening 10b, and a space (hereinafter referred to as the "second accommodation chamber") 10a2 from the electric connecting device 20 in the chamber to the bottom wall 12 (FIG. 3). In this accommodation chamber 10a, a first shielded electric wire We1 with a first connector 51 is accommodated in the first accommodation chamber 10a1, and this first shielded electric wire We1 is drawn out from the first accommodation chamber 10a1. In this accommodation chamber 10a, a second shielded electric wire We2 with a second connector 52 is accommodated in the second accommodation chamber 10a2, and this second shielded electric wire We2 is drawn from the second accommodation chamber 10a2 to the first accommodation chamber 10a1 and drawn out from the first accommodation chamber 10a1.

[0059] Here, the second connectors 52 at one end of all the second shielded electric wires We2 are fitted and connected to the first lower connector portion 27a or the second lower connector portion 27b before the electric connecting device 20 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 10a. 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. 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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 (FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0062] 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.

[0063] The fixed portion 32 is formed as a flat plate-like piece, and has a circular through-hole 32a formed therein (FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0064] The terminal fitting 30 shown here is formed as a flag terminal (Figs. 9 and 10). 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 arranged offset from the assembly of the two electrical connection parts 31.

[0065] This terminal fitting 30 is provided for each combination of a pair of the first lower connector portion 27 a and the second lower connector portion 27 b. In this terminal fitting 30, the braided body of the second shielded electric wire We2 connected to one of the pair of the first lower connector portion 27 a and the second lower connector portion 27 b is physically and electrically connected to one of the two electrical connection portions 31, and the braided body of the second shielded electric wire We2 connected to the other of the pair of the first lower connector portion 27 a and the second lower connector portion 27 b is physically and electrically connected to the other of the two electrical connection portions 31.

[0066] 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 16 (described later) of the case body 10A and 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 16 for each terminal fitting 30 and fixed to the case body 10A.

[0067] In the case main body 10A, the outer peripheral wall 11 is cut out from an annular end face at one end facing the access opening 10b, forming an electric wire insertion portion (hereinafter referred to as the "second electric wire insertion portion") 16 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 from the outside of the housing 10 into the accommodation chamber 10a, or through which the second shielded electric wire We2 is pulled from the accommodation chamber 10a to the outside of the housing 10) (FIGS. 3 and 11). The second electric wire insertion portion 16 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 16 facing the access opening 10b is used as an insertion port for inserting the pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2 into the second electric wire insertion portion 16. When the cover 10B is attached to the case body 10A, the second wire insertion portion 16 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.

[0068] The second wire insertion portion 16 shown here is formed for each terminal fitting 30 (that is, for each combination of a first lower connector portion 27a and a second lower connector portion 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 16 may be provided for each second shielded wire We2.

[0069] This second wire insertion portion 16 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 16 together with the second shielded wire We2, and this waterproof / dustproof member 40 is assembled.

[0070] 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 16. 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 16.

[0071] To secure the terminal fittings 30 near the waterproof and dustproof member 40, the case body 10A has a fixing portion 17 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. 11). A fixing portion 17 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 17 shown here, and the fixed portion 32 is placed with the male screw member B3 inserted into the through hole 32a (FIGS. 2 and 9 to 11). The fixed portion 32 is screwed to the fixing portion 17 by a female screw member N3 that is threaded onto the male screw member B3 (FIG. 2).

[0072] 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 17 of the case body 10A, and the waterproof / dustproof members 40 are inserted into the second electric wire insertion portions 16 of the case body 10A, and the fixed portions 32 are fixed to the fixing portions 17 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 and 2 ). 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 and 2 ).

[0073] As described above, the electrical connecting device 20 of this embodiment can be made smaller in size in the direction along the reference plane P, and accordingly, the electrical connection box 1 can also be made smaller in size in the direction along the reference plane P. Therefore, the electrical connecting device 20 can improve the mountability of the electrical connection box 1 in a vehicle, and improve the ease of assembly. Furthermore, the reduction in size of the electrical connecting device 20 can reduce the weight and cost of not only the electrical connecting device 20 itself but also the electrical connection box 1. From another perspective, the reduction in size of the electrical connecting device 20 can reduce the occupancy rate of the accommodating chamber 10a, making it possible to add other components to the accommodating chamber 10a (for example, as described above, it is possible to place the terminal fitting 30 in the accommodating chamber 10a), making it highly useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 20 Electrical connectors 21 Electrical Components 21a 1st terminal section (terminal section) 21b 2nd terminal section (terminal section) 21c main body 22 First conductive member 25 second conductive member (conductive member) 25a Subject 25b Second connector connection terminal portion (connector connection terminal portion) 25d Adjacent section 27 Conductor holding member (insulating member) 27a First lower connector part (connector part) 28 Cover material (insulating material) 52 Second connector (connector) We1 1st shielded wire (electric wire) We2 Second Shielded Wire (Electric Wire)

Claims

1. an electrical component having two terminals protruding from a main body on the same plane; a conductive member having a main body for fixing one of the terminal portions to electrically connect it, and a connector connection terminal portion for electrically connecting the electric wire by fitting and connecting a connector at an end of the electric wire; Equipped with The main body has an adjacent portion extending to a position aligned with the main body in a direction perpendicular to the plane, the connector connection terminal portion protrudes from the adjacent portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane and away from the main body, and the connector is fitted and connected in a direction opposite to the protruding direction; An electrical connecting device characterized in that a plurality of combinations of a set of the electrical component and the conductive member are arranged along the plane.

2. An electrically insulating member that holds the conductive member, 2. The electrical connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the insulating member has a connector portion in which the connector connection terminal portion is disposed and into which the connector is fitted.

3. An electrical connector as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a first conductive member which is a member separate from the conductive member serving as the second conductive member and electrically connects the other terminal portion of the electrical component to an electric wire separate from the electric wire.

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