Bracket fixing structure and bracket
The bracket fixing structure simplifies the alignment and fixation of electrical junction boxes to vehicle frames by using a protrusion and engagement mechanism, improving workability and versatility.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023033959
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-09
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-03-06
AI Technical Summary
The conventional method of fixing an electrical junction box to a vehicle body frame using bolts is cumbersome due to the need for manual alignment of through holes, which complicates the operation and reduces workability.
A bracket fixing structure with a protrusion and engagement portions that allow the bracket to be rotated into position, aligning through holes with fastening points, enabling temporary fixation before bolt fastening.
This method simplifies the alignment process, reduces the visual inspection burden, and allows for temporary fixation, enhancing the workability and versatility of the bracket fixing operation.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a bracket fixing structure including a bracket to which an electrical junction box is attached and a fixing object to which the bracket is fixed, and to the bracket itself. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, when wiring a wire harness (i.e., an electrical junction box, a sub-harness, etc.) in an automobile, the electrical junction box may be fixed to the body frame of the automobile, etc. For example, one conventional electrical junction box has a fixing arm portion extending from the outer wall of the electrical junction box, and this arm portion and the body frame are fastened with bolts or the like (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 7-42535 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-137372 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In the conventional electrical junction box described above, when fastening the arm portion of the electrical junction box to the vehicle body frame with a bolt, an operator must manually align, for example, the through hole provided in the arm portion with the fastening hole provided in the vehicle body frame while visually inspecting the position. Depending on the shape of the electrical junction box and the mounting position of the electrical junction box on the vehicle body frame, the operation of aligning the through hole with the fastening hole can be complicated. Due to this complexity, it may be difficult to improve the workability of the operation of fastening the electrical junction box to the vehicle body frame.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a bracket fixing structure and a bracket that are easy to fix. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the bracket fixing structure and bracket according to the present invention are characterized as follows.
[0007] A bracket fixing structure including a bracket to which an electrical junction box is attached and a fixing object to which the bracket is fixed, The bracket is A flat plate-shaped portion and a a protrusion protruding toward the object to be fixed; an engagement portion provided at a location different from the protrusion and engaging with the object to be fixed; and a through hole provided at a location different from the protrusion and the engagement portion and used for bolt fastening, The fixed object is an inserted portion into which the protrusion is inserted, an engaged portion into which the engaging portion is engaged, and a fastening portion corresponding to the through hole, The bracket is The protrusion is inserted into the insertion portion. And the part is in surface contact with the fixed object. In this state, the bracket is rotated around the protrusion, and the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion, thereby aligning the through hole with the fastening portion. The bracket has a fixed structure.
[0008] A bracket to which an electrical junction box is to be attached, The bracket is A flat plate-shaped portion and a The bracket has a protrusion that protrudes toward a fixing object to which the bracket is to be fixed, an engagement portion that is provided at a location different from the protrusion and that engages with the fixing object, and a through hole that is provided at a location different from the protrusion and the engagement portion and that is used for fastening the fixing object and the bracket with a bolt. and when the protrusion is inserted into the object to be fixed and the portion is in surface contact with the object to be fixed, the bracket is rotated around the protrusion, and the engaging portion is engaged with the object to be fixed, thereby aligning the through hole with the object to be fixed. It's a bracket. [Effects of the Invention]
[0009] According to the bracket fixing structure and bracket of the present invention, when fixing the bracket to a fixing object (e.g., an automobile body frame), first, the protrusion on the bracket is inserted into the insertion receiving portion on the fixing object, and then the entire bracket is rotated around the protrusion, thereby engaging the engaging portion of the bracket with the engagement receiving portion of the fixing object. Furthermore, engagement between the engaging portion and the engagement receiving portion allows alignment of the through hole of the bracket with the fastening portion of the fixing object. Therefore, compared to the conventional example described above, the burden on the worker of aligning the through hole with the fastening portion can be reduced or even eliminated. Furthermore, the bracket can be temporarily fixed to the fixing object before finally fixing the bracket to the fixing object by fastening bolts. Therefore, the bracket fixing structure of this configuration is excellent in terms of workability during the fixing operation.
[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the detailed description of the invention below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a bracket constituting a bracket fixing structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an electric junction box attached to the bracket. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the bracket shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of part A in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of part A in FIG. 2 as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of part B in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of part B in FIG. 2 as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a first diagram for explaining the procedure for attaching a bracket to a fixed object. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a second diagram for explaining the procedure for attaching the bracket to the object to be fixed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, a bracket fixing structure 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 , the bracket fixing structure 2 according to this embodiment includes a bracket 10 and a fixing object 40 to which the bracket 10 is fixed. The fixing object 40 is typically a body frame of an automobile. As shown in FIG. 1 , an electrical junction box 20 belonging to a wire harness 1 is attached to the bracket 10. The wire harness 1 includes one or more electrical junction boxes 20 attached to the bracket 10 and electric wires 30 extending from each of the one or more electrical junction boxes 20. Thus, the wire harness 1 is fixed to the fixing object 40 via the bracket 10 using the bracket fixing structure 2. Note that the bracket 10 may be considered to be included in the wire harness 1. Also, the electrical junction box 20 may be considered to be included in the bracket fixing structure 2.
[0013] For ease of explanation, the following definitions are used for "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" as shown in FIG. 1 and elsewhere. The front-to-rear direction, left-to-right direction, and upper-to-lower direction are perpendicular to one another. The upper-to-lower direction coincides with the mounting direction of the electrical junction box 20 to the bracket 10, and the "upper" and "lower" sides may be different from or may coincide with the "upper" and "lower" sides of the automobile when the bracket 10 is fixed to a fixed object 40 (for example, the body frame of the automobile).
[0014] First, the electrical junction box 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical junction box 20 has a resin housing that is approximately rectangular parallelepiped and extends in the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions. The housing of the electrical junction box 20 may be formed from a single resin molded body, or may be formed by combining multiple resin molded bodies. The surface of the housing of the electrical junction box 20 does not have any portions for fixing electric wires, connectors, etc. (i.e., auxiliary mounting portions, which will be described later). The electrical junction box 20 is equipped with multiple types of electronic components 21, etc. for controlling the vehicle (see FIG. 1).
[0015] The front surface (front-facing surface) and rear surface (rear-facing surface) of the electrical junction box 20 are provided with locking portions 22 (see FIG. 1) that engage with locked portions 13 (13a, 13b) (see FIG. 2) of the bracket 10, which will be described later. In this example, the locking portions 22 are composed of a first locking portion 22a (see FIG. 1) provided on the front surface of the electrical junction box 20 and a second locking portion (not shown) provided on the rear surface of the electrical junction box 20. The structures of the first locking portion 22a and the second locking portion are different from each other in this example, but they may also be the same.
[0016] An electric wire insertion portion 23 is provided at the lower right end of the front surface of the electric junction box 20 (see FIG. 1). From the electric wire insertion portion 23, electric wires 30 (i.e., sub-harness) electrically connected to the electronic components 21 and the like mounted on the electric junction box 20 extend forward from the inside of the electric junction box 20 to the outside (see FIG. 1).
[0017] The housings of one or more electric junction boxes 20 included in the wire harness 1 each have a common, generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. Each of the one or more electric junction boxes 20 included in the wire harness 1 can be attached to either of two attachment locations 12 (12a, 12b) (see FIG. 2) of the bracket 10, which will be described later, but each has different electric circuit specifications.
[0018] Each of the one or more electric junction boxes 20 (electrical junction boxes 20A, 20B) included in the wire harness 1 has a locking portion 22 (first locking portion 22a+second locking portion) of a common shape. Each of the locking portions 22 (first locking portion 22a+second locking portion) included in the one or more electric junction boxes 20 included in the wire harness 1 can engage with a locked portion 13 (13a, 13b) provided at either of the two mounting portions 12 (12a, 12b) included in the bracket 10. The electric junction box 20 has been described above.
[0019] Next, the bracket 10 will be described. The bracket 10 is a resin molded body, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped box-shaped main body 11 that extends in the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions and is open upward. As shown in FIG. 2, two mounting locations 12 are defined in the roughly rectangular parallelepiped hollow portion of the main body 11 and are aligned adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. Each of the two mounting locations 12 has a common roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape to which an electrical junction box 20 can be attached. Hereinafter, when it is necessary to distinguish between the two mounting locations 12, the left and right mounting locations 12 will be referred to as "mounting location 12a" and "mounting location 12b," respectively.
[0020] Each mounting location 12 is provided with a locked portion 13 corresponding to the locking portion 22 of the electrical connection box 20 (see FIG. 2). In this example, the locked portion 13 is composed of a first locked portion 13a provided on the inner surface (rear-facing surface) of the front wall that defines the main body 11 in correspondence with the first locking portion 22a, and a second locked portion 13b provided on the inner surface (front-facing surface) of the rear wall that defines the main body 11 in correspondence with the second locking portion. Each mounting location 12 has locked portions 13 of a common shape (first locked portion 13a + second locked portion 13b).
[0021] 1, the electric junction box 20 is attached to the attachment location 12 from above. When the electric junction box 20 is attached to the attachment location 12, the locked portion 13 (first locked portion 13a+second locked portion 13b) and the locking portion 22 (first locking portion 22a+second locking portion) engage with each other, thereby preventing the electric junction box 20 from being separated (disconnected) upward from the bracket 10 (main body portion 11).
[0022] At each mounting location 12, a wire insertion recess 14 is provided in a portion of the front wall defining the main body 11, corresponding to the wire insertion portion 23 of the electric junction box 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). When the electric junction box 20 is mounted at the mounting location 12, the root portions of the electric wires 30 extending forward from the wire insertion portion 23 of the electric junction box 20 are housed in the wire insertion recess 14 (see FIG. 1). The electric wires 30 extending from the wire insertion portion 23 are connected to corresponding electrical equipment (not shown) mounted on the automobile.
[0023] 1 and 2, a plurality of auxiliary mounting points 15 for fastening auxiliary components (such as electric wires and connectors) different from the electrical junction box are provided on the outer surface (the surface facing rearward) of the rear wall that defines the main body 11 of the bracket 10, and on the leg portions 16. Because these auxiliary mounting points 15 are provided on the bracket 10 side, as described above, there is no need for a portion on the electrical junction box 20 side for fastening electric wires, connectors, etc.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, legs 16 extend integrally from the outer surface (the surface facing left) of the left wall and the outer surface (the surface facing right) of the right wall that define the main body 11 of the bracket 10. A bolt hole (through hole) 17 is formed at the tip of each leg 16. For ease of explanation, as shown in FIG. 2, the legs 16 extending to the left and right from the main body 11 will be referred to as legs 16A and 16B, respectively, and the bolt holes 17 formed in legs 16A and 16B will be referred to as bolt holes 17A and 17B, respectively. When mounting the bracket 10 to a target 40 (such as the body frame of an automobile), the bolt holes 17A and 17B formed in legs 16A and 16B are used to fasten and secure the bracket 10 to the target 40 (see FIG. 9; details will be described later).
[0025] An extension piece 18 extends integrally from the outer surface (the surface facing left) of the left wall that defines the main body 11 of the bracket 10, rearward of the leg 16A. The extension piece 18 has a flat plate-like shape that extends in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction (strictly speaking, in a direction slightly inclined relative to the front-rear direction so that the rear side is positioned higher than the front side). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a protrusion 18a that protrudes downward is provided on the underside of the extension piece 18. As shown in FIG. 4, a cantilever-shaped locking arm 18b is provided on the protrusion 18a, extending obliquely from the tip end of the protrusion 18a toward the base (see also FIG. 8). The locking arm 18b is elastically deformable in the radial direction of the protrusion 18a. When attaching the bracket 10 to a fixed object 40 (the body frame of an automobile), the protrusion 18a provided on the extension piece 18 is used to temporarily fix the bracket 10 to the fixed object 40 (see Figures 7-9; details will be described later).
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a first engagement portion 19a and a second engagement portion 19b are integrally formed on the tip end of leg portion 16B (see FIG. 2) of bracket 10. Each of first engagement portion 19a and second engagement portion 19b has a flat plate shape extending in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction (strictly speaking, in a direction slightly inclined relative to the front-rear direction so that the rear side is positioned higher than the front side). Bolt hole 17B is formed in a part of first engagement portion 19a. First engagement portion 19a and second engagement portion 19b are arranged such that a lower surface 19c of first engagement portion 19a is positioned above an upper surface 19d of second engagement portion 19b by a length L (see FIG. 10). As a result, a gap S that is open at least forward and to the right and has a vertical length L is defined between the lower surface 19c of the first engagement portion 19a and the upper surface 19d of the second engagement portion 19b (see FIGS. 5 and 6, especially FIG. 6). The length L corresponds to the thickness of a flat second edge portion 44 (see FIGS. 7, 9, and 10) of a second portion 40B of a fixing object 40, which will be described later. When mounting the bracket 10 to the fixing object 40 (the body frame of an automobile), the first engagement portion 19a and the second engagement portion 19b provided at the tip of the leg portion 16B are used to temporarily fix the bracket 10 to the fixing object 40 (see FIG. 9; details will be described later).
[0027] Furthermore, above the second engagement portion 19b, a window portion 19e is provided that opens into the upper surface of the leg portion 16B so that the second engagement portion 19b can be seen when viewed from the direction in which the electrical junction box 20 is attached to the bracket 10 (i.e., from above to below). In other words, the upper surface of the second engagement portion 19b is exposed to the outside of the bracket 10 through the window portion 19e. As will be described in detail later, when the first engagement portion 19a and the second engagement portion 19b of the bracket 10 are engaged with the second edge portion 44 of the fixed object 40 (second portion 40B), at least a portion of the flat second edge portion 44 of the fixed object 40 (second portion 40B) is exposed through the window portion 19e (see FIG. 10). The bracket 10 has been described above.
[0028] As described above, each of the one or more electrical junction boxes 20 included in the wire harness 1 can be attached to either of the two attachment locations 12a, 12b (see FIG. 2 ) of the bracket 10, but has different electrical circuit specifications. Therefore, for example, an electrical junction box 20 can be prepared in advance for each specific system (specification) of the automobile to which the wire harness 1 is applied. That is, each of the one or more electrical junction boxes 20 may store electronic components 21 corresponding to electrical equipment (not shown) that realizes the specific system of the automobile to which the wire harness 1 is applied. In other words, the electric wires 30 extending from each of the one or more electrical junction boxes 20 may be connected to the electrical equipment that realizes the specific system of the automobile to which the wire harness 1 is applied.
[0029] Specifically, for example, assume that a standard electrical junction box 20A corresponding to electrical components related to devices that are standardly equipped on an automobile (hereinafter referred to as "standard electrical components") and an optional electrical junction box 20B corresponding to electrical components related to devices that are selectively equipped on an automobile (hereinafter referred to as "optional electrical components") are prepared as electrical junction boxes 20 (see FIG. 1). Examples of standard electrical components include electrical components used in engine-equipped automobiles, and examples of optional electrical components include electrical components used in hybrid-equipped automobiles.
[0030] In this case, the standard-use electrical junction box 20A is attached to one of the two mounting locations 12a, 12b, and a corresponding option-use electrical junction box 20B is attached to the other of the two mounting locations 12a, 12b depending on the selected optional electrical equipment. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the standard-use electrical junction box 20A is attached to the mounting location 12a, and an option-use electrical junction box 20B corresponding to the selected optional electrical equipment is attached to the mounting location 12b. While the standard-use electrical junction box 20A is attached to one of the mounting locations 12a, 12b, the option-use electrical junction box 20B may not be attached due to the absence of an optional electrical equipment. The electric wires 30 extending from the standard-use electrical junction box 20A are connected to the standard electrical equipment, and the electric wires 30 extending from the option-use electrical junction box 20B are connected to the selected optional electrical equipment.
[0031] In this way, depending on the selected optional electrical equipment, a corresponding optional electrical junction box 20B can be added to the wire harness 1. This eliminates the need for electrical wires and the like (so-called throw-away circuits) that are preliminarily installed in the wire harness 1 regardless of whether or not the optional electrical equipment is installed.
[0032] Furthermore, instead of preparing an electric junction box 20 for each system (specification) of the automobile, an electric junction box 20 can be prepared in advance for each specific area of the automobile to which the wire harness 1 is applied. That is, each of one or more electric junction boxes 20 may store electronic components 21 corresponding to electrical equipment (not shown) installed in the specific area of the automobile to which the wire harness 1 is applied. In other words, the electric wires 30 extending from each of one or more electric junction boxes 20 may be connected to electrical equipment installed in the specific area of the automobile to which the wire harness 1 is applied.
[0033] This allows the electric wires 30 to be separated for each specific area of the automobile. This not only makes it easier to route the electric wires 30, but also improves the maintainability of the wire harness 1 because, if a problem occurs with the electric wire 30 corresponding to a specific area, only that electric wire 30 needs to be repaired or replaced, thereby improving the maintainability of the wire harness 1. Furthermore, as long as the electrical equipment installed in a specific area is the same, the same electric wires 30 can be used even if the automobile model is different, thereby improving the versatility of the wire harness 1.
[0034] Next, the work of attaching the bracket 10 to the fixed object 40 (vehicle body frame) will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. Note that Figures 7 and 9 show a state in which one or more electric junction boxes 20 are not attached to the bracket 10, but the work of attaching the bracket 10 to the fixed object 40 may be performed with one or more electric junction boxes 20 attached to the bracket 10. By attaching the bracket 10 to the fixed object 40 with the electric junction box 20 attached to the bracket 10, the bracket 10 and the electric junction box 20 can be handled as a unit, which makes it easier to handle the bracket 10 and the electric junction box 20 compared to cases in which the bracket 10 and the electric junction box 20 are produced and managed separately.
[0035] The fixed object 40 (vehicle body frame) shown in FIG. 7 has a first portion 40A on the left side and a second portion 40B on the right side. The first portion 40A and the second portion 40B are spaced apart in the left-right direction by a distance corresponding to the entire left-right length of the bracket 10 (see FIG. 2). The first portion 40A and the second portion 40B are provided with fastening holes 41A and 41B, respectively, corresponding to the bolt holes 17A and 17B of the bracket 10. A flat first edge portion 42 of the first portion 40A, located rearward of the fastening hole 41A, is provided with an insertion hole (through hole) 43 (received portion) corresponding to the protrusion 18a of the bracket 10. A flat second edge portion 44 of the second portion 40B, located rearward of the fastening hole 41B, functions as an "engaged portion" that is clamped and engaged by the first engaging portion 19a and the second engaging portion 19b (engaging portion) of the bracket 10 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).
[0036] To attach the bracket 10 to the object 40 (vehicle frame), first, as shown in FIG. 7, the bracket 10 is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle as viewed from above from the orientation extending in the left-right direction (the orientation shown in FIG. 2), and the protrusion 18a of the bracket 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 43 of the object 40 (first portion 40A) (see FIG. 8). During the insertion of the protrusion 18a, the locking arm 18b of the protrusion 18a is temporarily elastically deformed radially inward of the protrusion 18a due to pressure from the edge of the insertion hole 43. When the insertion of the protrusion 18a is complete, as shown in FIG. 8, the locking arm 18b elastically recovers radially outward of the protrusion 18a, and the tip of the locking arm 18b remains engaged with the edge of the insertion hole 43. Therefore, when the insertion of the protrusion 18a is complete, the protrusion 18a is prevented from coming out of the insertion hole 43. This prevents the protrusion 18a from accidentally coming out of the insertion hole 43 when the bracket 10 is rotated as described below.
[0037] 9, the entire bracket 10 is rotated clockwise around the protrusion 18a as viewed from above, whereby the first engagement portion 19a and the second engagement portion 19b of the bracket 10 are engaged with the second edge portion 44 of the fixed object 40 (second portion 40B). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the flat plate-shaped second edge portion 44 of the fixed object 40 (second portion 40B) is inserted into and clamped in a gap S (see FIGS. 5 and 6) defined between the lower surface 19c of the first engagement portion 19a and the upper surface 19d of the second engagement portion 19b, whereby the first engagement portion 19a and the second engagement portion 19b of the bracket 10 are engaged with the second edge portion 44 of the fixed object 40. When this engagement is complete, when the bracket 10 is viewed from above downward (i.e., in the direction of attachment of the electrical connection box 20 to the bracket 10), at least a portion of the second edge 44 of the fixed object 40 is exposed from the window portion 19e (see Figures 9 and 10).
[0038] In this way, by engaging first engaging portion 19a and second engaging portion 19b with second edge portion 44 of fixed object 40, bracket 10 is temporarily fixed to fixed object 40 in a state where bolt holes 17A, 17B of bracket 10 are aligned with fastening holes 41A, 41B of fixed object 40, respectively, and where movement of bracket 10 in a direction away from fixed object 40 (upward) is suppressed by protrusion 18a and first engaging portion 19a and second engaging portion 19b (see FIG. 9). As a result, bracket 10 can be temporarily fixed to fixed object 40 for bolt fastening without the need for an operator to visually align bolt holes 17A, 17B with fastening holes 41A, 41B.
[0039] Then, bolts (not shown) are inserted into the mutually aligned bolt hole 17A and fastening hole 41A, and the mutually aligned bolt hole 17B and fastening hole 41B, respectively, and these bolts are used to fasten and fix the bracket 10 to the fixed object 40. By fastening and fixing the bracket 10 to the fixed object 40 in this manner, the wire harness 1 including one or more electric junction boxes 20 attached to the bracket 10 is fixed to the fixed object 40 via the bracket 10.
[0040] <Actions and Effects> As described above, according to the bracket fixing structure 2 of this embodiment, when fixing the bracket 10 to the fixing target 40 (e.g., the body frame of an automobile), first, the protrusion 18a of the bracket 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 43 of the fixing target 40. Then, the entire bracket 10 is rotated around the protrusion 18a, so that the engaging portions (first engaging portion 19a and second engaging portion 19b) of the bracket 10 engage with the engaging portion (second edge portion 44) of the fixing target 40. Furthermore, when the engaging portions 19a and 19b engage with the engaging portion 44, the through holes (bolt holes 17A and 17B) of the bracket 10 and the fastening portions (fastening holes 41A and 41B) of the fixing target 40 are aligned. Therefore, compared to the conventional example described above, the burden of visual inspection by the worker can be reduced or the inspection can be eliminated. Furthermore, the bracket 10 can be temporarily fixed to the fixing target 40 for bolt fastening. Therefore, the bracket fixing structure 2 according to this embodiment is excellent in workability of fixing work.
[0041] Furthermore, according to the bracket fixing structure 2 of this embodiment, the locking structure (locking arm 18b) of the protrusion 18a prevents the protrusion 18a from slipping out (upward) from the inserted portion 43. This prevents the protrusion 18a from accidentally coming off the inserted portion 43 when rotating the bracket 10, further improving the workability of the fixing work.
[0042] Furthermore, according to the bracket fixing structure 2 of this embodiment, engaging portions 19a, 19b of bracket 10 are engaged with plate-shaped engaged portion 44 (second edge portion 44) while sandwiching the engaged portion. As a result, movement of bracket 10 in a direction away from fixed object 40 (upward movement) is suppressed by both protrusion 18a and engaging portions 19a, 19b. This makes it possible to more strongly suppress displacement of bracket 10 when fixing bracket 10, thereby further improving the workability of the fixing work.
[0043] Furthermore, the worker can visually determine whether the bracket 10 and the object 40 to be fixed are properly positioned (in other words, aligned) with each other based on whether the engaged portion (second edge 44) is exposed in the window 19e provided in the engaging portions 19a and 19b of the bracket 10. This further improves the workability of the bracket fixing work.
[0044] Furthermore, according to the bracket fixing structure 2 of this embodiment, one or more electrical junction boxes 20 attached to the bracket 10 have locking portions 22 of a common shape. The multiple mounting locations 12 of the bracket 10 are provided with locked portions 13 shaped to correspond to the locking portions 22 of the electrical junction boxes 20. Therefore, for example, by providing the locking portions 22 of a common shape to electrical junction boxes 20 of a general-purpose shape (e.g., a simple rectangular parallelepiped shape), the number of electrical junction boxes 20 attached to the bracket 10 can be increased or decreased, or the electronic components 21 stored in the electrical junction boxes 20 can be changed, depending on the specifications of the automobile. In other words, the electrical junction boxes 20 can be made versatile. Meanwhile, although the bracket 10 has a different shape depending on the specifications of the automobile, the bracket 10 does not require a structure for storing electronic components therein, unlike the electrical junction boxes 20, and therefore the impact on overall productivity is limited. Therefore, the electrical junction boxes 20 can be made versatile and fixed to various fixed targets 40 via the bracket 10.
[0045] Furthermore, according to the bracket fixing structure 2 of this embodiment, the bracket 10 is fixed to the fixing object 40 with the electrical junction box 20 attached to the bracket 10. This allows the bracket 10 and the electrical junction box 20 to be handled as a single unit, making handling of the bracket 10 and the electrical junction box 20 easier than when the bracket 10 and the electrical junction box 20 are produced and managed separately.
[0046] <Other forms> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. are possible as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.
[0047] Here, the features of the embodiments of the bracket fixing structure 2 and bracket 10 according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [6].
[0048] [1] A bracket fixing structure (2) comprising a bracket (10) to which an electrical junction box (20) is to be attached and a fixing object (40) to which the bracket (10) is fixed, The bracket (10) is a protrusion (18a) protruding toward the object (40) to be fixed; engagement portions (19a, 19b) provided at a location different from the protrusion (18a) and engaging with the object (40); and through holes (17A, 17B) provided at a location different from the protrusion (18a) and the engagement portions (19a, 19b) to be used for bolt fastening, The fixed object (40) is the insertion portion (43) into which the protrusion (18a) is inserted, the engagement portion (44) into which the engagement portion (19a, 19b) is engaged, and fastening portions (41A, 41B) corresponding to the through holes (17A, 17B), The bracket (10) is With the protruding portion (18a) inserted into the inserted portion (43), the bracket (10) is rotated about the protruding portion (18a), and the engaging portions (19a, 19b) are engaged with the engaged portions (44), thereby aligning the through holes (17A, 17B) with the fastening portions (41A, 41B). Bracket fixing structure (2).
[0049] According to the bracket fixing structure of the configuration [1] above, when fixing the bracket to a fixing object (e.g., an automobile body frame), first, the protrusion on the bracket is inserted into the insertion portion on the fixing object, and then the entire bracket is rotated around the protrusion, thereby engaging the engaging portion of the bracket with the engaging portion on the fixing object. Furthermore, by engaging the engaging portion with the engaging portion, the through hole of the bracket and the fastening portion of the fixing object can be aligned. Therefore, compared to the conventional example described above, the burden of visual confirmation by the worker can be reduced, or even that confirmation work can be eliminated. Furthermore, the bracket can be temporarily fixed to the fixing object for bolt tightening. Therefore, the bracket fixing structure of this configuration is excellent in workability of the fixing work.
[0050] [2] In the bracket fixing structure (2) described in [1] above, The fixed object (40) is The engaged portion (44) has a plate-like shape, The engaging portions (19a, 19b) are The engaged portion (44) is engaged with the engaged portion (44) by sandwiching the engaged portion (44) in the plate thickness direction. Bracket fixing structure (2).
[0051] According to the bracket fixing structure of the configuration [2] above, the engaging portion of the bracket is engaged with the plate-shaped engaged portion while sandwiching the engaged portion. As a result, movement of the bracket away from the object to be fixed is suppressed by both the protrusion and the engaging portion. This further strongly suppresses misalignment of the bracket when fixing the bracket, further improving the workability of the fixing work.
[0052] [3] In the bracket fixing structure described in [2] above, The engaging portions (19a, 19b) are a window portion (19e) through which, when viewed from the mounting direction of the electrical connection box (20) to the bracket (10), a part of the engaged portion (44) is exposed when the engaging portions (19a, 19b) are engaged with the engaged portion (44), and the engaged portion (44) is not exposed when the engaging portions (19a, 19b) are not engaged with the engaged portion (44); Bracket fixing structure (2).
[0053] According to the bracket fixing structure of the configuration [3] above, a worker can visually determine whether the bracket and the object to be fixed are properly positioned (in other words, aligned) based on whether the engaged portion is exposed in the window provided in the engaging portion of the bracket. This further improves the workability of the bracket fixing work.
[0054] [4] In the bracket fixing structure (2) described in [1] above, The electric wiring board further includes one or more electrical connection boxes (20) attached to the bracket (10), The one or more electrical connection boxes (20) include: A locking portion (22) of a common shape for attachment to the bracket (10) is provided. The bracket (10) is a plurality of mounting locations (12) to which the one or more electric connection boxes (20) can be mounted, and a locked portion (13) provided at each of the plurality of mounting locations (12) and having a shape corresponding to the locking portion (22), Bracket fixing structure (2).
[0055] According to the bracket fixing structure of the above-mentioned [4], one or more electrical junction boxes attached to the bracket have a locking portion of a common shape. The bracket has multiple mounting locations with lockable portions of a shape corresponding to the locking portion of the electrical junction box. Therefore, for example, by providing a locking portion of a common shape to an electrical junction box of a general-purpose shape (e.g., a simple rectangular parallelepiped shape), it is possible to increase or decrease the number of electrical junction boxes attached to the bracket or change the electronic components stored in the electrical junction box depending on the specifications of the vehicle. In other words, the electrical junction box can be made versatile. Meanwhile, although the bracket has a different shape depending on the specifications of the vehicle, the bracket does not require a structure for storing electronic components inside it like an electrical junction box, so the impact on overall productivity is limited. Therefore, the electrical junction box can be made versatile and fixed to various attachment targets via the bracket.
[0056] [5] In the bracket fixing structure (2) described in [4] above, With the one or more electrical connection boxes (20) attached to the bracket (10), the bracket (10) is fixed to the fixing object (40). Bracket fixing structure (2).
[0057] According to the bracket fixing structure of the configuration [5] above, the bracket is fixed to the fixing object with the electrical junction box attached to the bracket. This allows the bracket and the electrical junction box to be handled as a single unit, making them easier to handle than when the bracket and the electrical junction box are produced and managed separately.
[0058] [6] A bracket (10) to which an electrical junction box (20) is to be attached, The bracket (10) is The bracket (10) has a protrusion (18a) that protrudes toward a fixing object (40) to which the bracket (10) is to be fixed, engagement portions (19a, 19b) that are provided at a location different from the protrusion (18a) and that engage with the fixing object (40), and through holes (17A, 17B) that are provided at a location different from the protrusion (18a) and the engagement portions (19a, 19b) and that are used for fastening the fixing object (40) and the bracket (10) with a bolt. Bracket (10).
[0059] According to the bracket having the configuration [6] above, when the bracket is fixed to a target object (e.g., an automobile body frame), first, the protrusion on the bracket is inserted into the receiving portion on the target object, and then the entire bracket is rotated around the protrusion, thereby engaging the engaging portion of the bracket with the receiving portion on the target object. Furthermore, by engaging the engaging portion with the receiving portion, the through hole of the bracket and the fastening portion of the target object can be aligned. Therefore, compared to the conventional example described above, the burden of visual confirmation by the worker can be reduced, or even that confirmation work can be eliminated. Furthermore, the bracket can be temporarily fixed to the target object for bolt tightening. Therefore, the bracket fixing structure of this configuration is excellent in workability of the fixing work. [Explanation of symbols]
[0060] 2 Bracket fixing structure 10 Bracket 12 Mounting location 13 Locked part 17A Bolt hole (through hole) 17B Bolt hole (through hole) 18a Protrusion 18b Lock arm (lock structure) 19a First engagement portion (engagement portion) 19b Second engaging part (engaging part) 19e Window section 20 Electrical junction box 22 Rock Club 40 Body frame (fixed object) 41A Fastening hole (fastening part) 41B Fastening hole (fastening part) 43 Insertion hole (inserted part) 44 Second edge part (engaged part)
Claims
1. A bracket fixing structure including a bracket to which an electrical junction box is attached and a fixing object to which the bracket is fixed, The bracket is a flat plate-shaped portion, a protrusion provided on the portion and protruding toward the object to be fixed, an engagement portion provided at a location different from the protrusion and engaging with the object to be fixed, and a through hole provided at a location different from the protrusion and the engagement portion and used for bolt fastening, The fixed object is an inserted portion into which the protrusion is inserted, an engaged portion into which the engaging portion is engaged, and a fastening portion corresponding to the through hole, The bracket is The bracket is rotated around the protruding portion while the protruding portion is inserted into the inserted portion and the portion is in surface contact with the fixed object, and the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion, thereby aligning the through hole and the fastening portion. Bracket fixing structure.
2. The bracket fixing structure according to claim 1, The fixed object is The engaged portion has a plate-like shape, The engagement portion is The engaged portion is engaged with the engaged portion by sandwiching the engaged portion in the plate thickness direction. Bracket fixing structure.
3. The bracket fixing structure according to claim 2, The engagement portion is a window portion, which, when viewed from the mounting direction of the electrical connection box to the bracket, exposes a part of the engaged portion when the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion, and which does not expose the engaged portion when the engaging portion is not engaged with the engaged portion; Bracket fixing structure.
4. The bracket fixing structure according to claim 1, one or more electrical junction boxes attached to the bracket; The one or more electrical connection boxes include: A locking portion having a common shape for attachment to the bracket, The bracket is a plurality of mounting locations to which the one or more electric junction boxes can be mounted; and a locked portion provided at each of the plurality of mounting locations and having a shape corresponding to the locking portion. Bracket fixing structure.
5. The bracket fixing structure according to claim 4, The bracket is fixed to the fixing object in a state in which the one or more electrical connection boxes are attached to the bracket. Bracket fixing structure.
6. A bracket fixing structure comprising a bracket to which an electrical connection box is attached and a fixing object to which the bracket is fixed, The bracket is a protrusion protruding toward the object to be fixed; an engagement portion provided at a location different from the protrusion and engaging with the object to be fixed; and a through hole provided at a location different from the protrusion and the engagement portion and used for bolt fastening, The fixed object is an inserted portion into which the protrusion is inserted, an engaged portion into which the engaging portion is engaged, and a fastening portion corresponding to the through hole, The bracket is With the protruding portion inserted into the inserted portion, the bracket is rotated around the protruding portion, and the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion, thereby aligning the through hole and the fastening portion, The fixed object is The engaged portion has a plate-like shape, The engagement portion is a window portion that engages with the engaged portion by sandwiching the engaged portion in the plate thickness direction, and that exposes a part of the engaged portion when the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion and does not expose the engaged portion when the engaging portion is not engaged with the engaged portion, when viewed from the mounting direction of the electrical connection box to the bracket; Bracket fixing structure.
7. A bracket to which an electrical junction box is to be attached, The bracket is a flat portion, a protrusion provided on the portion and protruding toward a fixed object to which the bracket will be fixed, an engagement portion provided at a location different from the protrusion and engaging with the fixed object, and a through hole provided at a location different from the protrusion and the engagement portion and used for bolting the fixed object and the bracket, and configured so that when the protrusion is inserted into the fixed object and the portion is in surface contact with the fixed object, the bracket is rotated around the protrusion, and the engagement portion engages with the fixed object, thereby aligning the through hole and the fixed object. bracket.
8. A bracket to which an electrical junction box is to be attached, The bracket is a protrusion protruding toward a plate-shaped fixing object to which the bracket is fixed, an engagement portion provided at a location different from the protrusion and engaging with the fixing object, and a through hole provided at a location different from the protrusion and the engagement portion and used for fastening the fixing object and the bracket with a bolt, The engagement portion is a window portion that engages with the fixed object by sandwiching the fixed object in a plate thickness direction, and that, when viewed from the mounting direction of the electrical connection box to the bracket, exposes a part of the fixed object when the engaging portion is engaged with the fixed object and does not expose the fixed object when the engaging portion is not engaged with the fixed object; bracket.
Citation Information
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