Electrical junction box

Abstract

To provide an electric connection box in which mis-assemblies of terminals can be reduced.SOLUTION: A case 5 accommodates an electronic component 2 and a bus bar 3 connected to the electronic component 2. An LA terminal 6 is fastened with a bolt overlapping the bus bar 3. A first magnet 10 is accommodated in the case 5 and arranged at a position facing the LA terminal 6 in the vertical direction across the bus bar 3. A second magnet 11 is fixed to the LA terminal 6 and arranged at a position facing the first magnet 10 in the overlapping direction across the LA terminal 6 and the bus bar 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connection box.

Background Art

[0002] Automobiles are equipped with a variety of electronic devices. In order to supply power and transmit signals to these various electronic devices, automobiles are equipped with an electrical connection box. Although electrical connection boxes of various configurations are used, for example, an electrical connection box that houses a bus bar bolted to an LA terminal connected to the end of an electric wire is known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, in a conventional electrical connection box, when a plurality of LA terminals are bolted, there is a risk of accidentally misassembling them to a bus bar different from the bus bar that is originally intended to be fastened.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electrical connection box capable of reducing misassembly of terminals.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the electrical connection box according to the present invention is characterized as follows. An electrical connection box including an electronic component, a bus bar connected to the electronic component, a housing that houses the electronic component and the bus bar, a plate-like terminal bolted onto the bus bar, and an electric wire having the terminal connected to a terminal end. A first magnet is housed in the aforementioned housing and positioned opposite the terminals in the direction of overlapping with the busbar, The device comprises a second magnet fixed to the terminal and positioned opposite the first magnet in the overlapping direction, with the terminal and the busbar in between. It must be an electrical junction box. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrical connection box that can reduce incorrect assembly of terminals.

[0008] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by referring to the attached drawings and reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the electrical junction box of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the electrical junction box shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the AA line in Figure 1 when the LA terminal is incorrectly assembled. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a partially exploded top view showing an electrical junction box in another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures. The electrical junction box is equipped with electronic components and is located in the engine compartment of the vehicle.

[0011] For the sake of explanation, the terms "front," "back," "left," "right," "up," and "down" are defined below as shown in Figures 1 to 4. The "front-back direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are orthogonal to each other. The up-down direction corresponds to the "overlapping direction" of this invention.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electrical junction box 1 comprises electronic components 2 such as fuses and relays, busbars 3 connected to the electronic components 2, a resin holder 4 holding the electronic components 2 and busbars 3, a case 5 as an enclosure housing the resin holder 4, and LA terminals 6 as terminals bolted to the busbars 3. The electrical junction box 1 also comprises a wire 7 with LA terminals 6 connected to its end, bolts 8 and nuts 9 for bolting the busbars 3 and LA terminals 6 together, and a first magnet 10A and second magnets 11A, 11B (see Figure 4).

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the busbar 3 is constructed by punching and bending a metal plate, and is provided with a connecting portion 31 for connecting to the LA terminal 6. The connecting portion 31 is provided with a bolt through hole 32 that penetrates vertically for the shaft portion 81 of the bolt 8 to pass through.

[0014] The resin holder 4 is made of synthetic resin and holds the electronic component 2, busbar 3, and bolt 8 described above. In this embodiment, the resin holder 4 is integrally formed from resin, consisting of a component holding portion 41 (see Figure 1) that holds the electronic component 2, and a terminal block 42 (see Figure 2) that holds the connection portion 31 of the busbar 3 and the bolt 8. In this embodiment, the terminal block 42 has three connection portions 31 arranged side by side in the left-right direction on its upper surface. The flat connection portions 31 are arranged on the upper surface of the terminal block 42 so as to be vertical in the up-down direction. Note that in Figure 1, for the sake of simplicity, only the LA terminal 6 that is bolted to the central connection portion 31 is shown, and the LA terminals 6 that are bolted to the left and right connection portions 31 are omitted from the illustration.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the case 5 has a rectangular tube-shaped case body 51 that houses the resin holder 4, a lower cover 52 that closes the lower opening of the case body 51, and an upper cover (not shown) that closes the upper opening of the case body 51.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the LA terminal 6 is provided with a bus bar connection portion 61 connected to the bus bar 3 and a wire connection portion 62 connected to the wire 7 in series. The bus bar connection portion 61 is provided in a flat plate shape and is arranged to overlap the upper side in the vertical direction of the connection portion 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the bus bar connection portion 61 is provided with a bolt through hole 63 that penetrates in the vertical direction through which the shaft portion 81 of the bolt 8 passes. As shown in FIG. 2, the wire connection portion 62 is provided to hang downward from the rear end of the bus bar connection portion 61, and has a bottom plate portion 621 perpendicular to the front-rear direction, and core wire caulking pieces 622 that stand upright from both left and right ends of the bottom plate portion 621 and crimp the core wire of the wire 7, and a covering caulking piece 623 that crimps the covering portion of the wire 7.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the bolt 8 has a threaded shaft portion 81 into which the nut 9 is screwed, and a flange portion 82 provided at the lower end of the shaft portion 81. The flange portion 82 is press-fitted and held in a housing hole 43 provided in the terminal block 42 as shown in FIG. 2. The shaft portion 81 is provided to protrude upward from the terminal block 42.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the first magnet 10A is held by the terminal block 42 and is arranged below the connection portion 31 of the bus bar 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the first magnet 10A is provided in a cylindrical shape. The first magnet 10A is press-fitted and held in a circular housing groove 44 that surrounds the housing hole 43 provided in the terminal block 42. When the bolt 8 and the first magnet 10 are held by the terminal block 42, as shown in FIG. 3, the flange portion 82 of the bolt 8 is housed in the cylindrical first magnet 10A. In the present embodiment, the first magnet 10A arranged below the central connection portion 31 is arranged such that the upper side is the S pole and the lower side is the N pole. The first magnets (not shown) arranged below the left and right connection portions 31 are arranged conversely such that the upper side is the N pole and the lower side is the S pole.

[0019] The second magnets 11A and 11B are fixed in a state of being overlapped on the upper surface of the bus bar connection portion 61 of the LA terminal 6. The second magnets 11A and 11B are provided in a cylindrical shape and are arranged so as to surround the bolt through holes 63 provided in the bus bar connection portion 61. The fixing of the LA terminal 6 to the second magnets 11A and 11B may be by an adhesive or the like, or may be fixed by engaging with locking claws provided on the LA terminal 6. In the present embodiment, the second magnet 11A fixed to the LA terminal 6 bolt-fastened to the central connection portion 31 is arranged such that the upper side is the S pole and the lower side is the N pole as shown in FIG. 3. The second magnet 11B fixed to the LA terminal 6 bolt-fastened to the left and right connection portions 31 is arranged such that the upper side is the N pole and the lower side is the S pole as shown in FIG. 4.

[0020] Next, the fastening procedure of the LA terminal 6 of the electrical connection box 1 having the above-described configuration to the bus bar 3 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 3, when the LA terminal 6 to which the second magnet 11A for the center is fixed is overlapped on the central connection portion 31, it is induced by the attractive force F1 between the S pole of the first magnet 10A and the N pole of the second magnet 11A, and the LA terminal 6 can be arranged on the central connection portion 31. At this time, the first magnet 10A is positioned to face the LA terminal 6 in the vertical direction with the connection portion 31 of the bus bar 3 interposed therebetween. Also, the second magnet 11A is positioned to face the first magnet 10A in the vertical direction with the LA terminal 6 and the connection portion 31 of the bus bar 3 interposed therebetween. Then, when a nut 9 is passed through the tip of the bolt 8 and the socket of a wrench is inserted into the second magnet 11A and the nut 9 is screwed onto the shaft portion 81 of the bolt 8, the LA terminal 6 and the bus bar 3 are fastened.

[0021] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the LA terminal 6 to which the second magnet 11B for the left and right is erroneously fixed is overlapped on the central connection portion 31, a repulsive force F2 is generated by the S pole of the first magnet 10A and the S pole of the second magnet 11B, and the LA terminal 6 cannot be overlapped on the connection portion 31 of the bus bar 3.

[0022] According to the embodiment described above, the first magnet 10A is housed in the case 5 and positioned opposite the LA terminal 6 in the vertical direction, with the busbar 3 in between. The second magnet 11A is fixed to the LA terminal 6 and positioned opposite the first magnet 10A in the vertical direction, with the LA terminal 6 and busbar 3 in between. As a result, if an attempt is made to connect the wrong LA terminal 6, the same magnetic poles of the first magnet 10A and the second magnet 11B will repel each other in the vertical direction, preventing the LA terminal 6 and the connection portion 31 of the busbar 3 from overlapping, thus preventing incorrect assembly. Furthermore, if an attempt is made to connect the correct LA terminal 6, the different magnetic poles of the first magnet 10A and the second magnet 11A will face each other vertically, generating an attractive force, which allows the LA terminal 6 on the connection portion 31 of the busbar 3 to easily overlap, thereby improving ease of assembly.

[0023] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the first magnet 10A and the second magnets 11A and 11B are arranged in a cylindrical shape that accommodates the bolt 8. This prevents the first magnet 10A and the second magnet 11A from interfering with the bolt 8. In addition, by arranging the second magnets 11A and 11B in a cylindrical shape, they can also be used to guide the socket of the wrench.

[0024] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc., as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, placement, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited, as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0025] In the embodiment described above, the first magnet 10A and the second magnets 11A and 11B were each cylindrical, but this is not the only option. However, for example, as shown in Figure 6, multiple first magnets 10 and second magnets 11 may be provided so as to surround the bolt holes 32 of the busbar 3 and the bolt holes 63 of the LA terminal 6, i.e., the shaft portion 81 of the bolt 8. That is, when the LA terminal 6 is placed on the busbar 3, the LA terminal 6 can only be fastened to the busbar 3 if all the first magnets 10 and second magnets 11 have opposing magnetic poles. If even one of the multiple first magnets 10 and second magnets 11 has opposing magnetic poles, a repulsive force is generated, and the LA terminal 6 cannot be placed on the busbar 3. In this case, the number of types of LA terminals 6 that can be assembled incorrectly can be increased by combining the S and N poles of the multiple first magnets 10 and second magnets 11.

[0026] In other words, by varying the arrangement of the S and N poles of the first magnet 10 housed in the case 5, and the number of first magnets 10, for each type of LA terminal 6, and by fixing the second magnet 11 so that the magnetic poles facing the correct LA terminal 6 are different from those of the first magnet 10, it is possible to prevent incorrect LA terminal 6 from being connected.

[0027] Herein, the features of the embodiments of the electrical junction box according to the present invention described above are briefly listed below in [1] to [3]. [1] An electrical junction box (1) comprising an electronic component (2), a busbar (3) connected to the electronic component (2), a housing (5) housing the electronic component (2) and the busbar (3), a plate-shaped terminal (6) bolted onto the busbar (3), and an electric wire (7) to which the terminal (6) is connected, A first magnet (10A) is housed in the housing (5) and positioned opposite the terminal (6) in the overlapping direction (up and down direction) with the busbar (3) in between, The system includes a second magnet (11A, 11B) fixed to the terminal (6) and positioned opposite the first magnet (10A) in the overlapping direction (up and down direction) with respect to the terminal (6) and the busbar (3). Electrical junction box (1).

[0028] According to the configuration described in [1] above, if an incorrect terminal (6) is attempted to be connected, the first magnet (10A) and the second magnet (11B) will repel each other, preventing the terminal (6) and the busbar (3) from being stacked, thus preventing incorrect assembly. Furthermore, if the correct terminal (6) is attempted to be connected, the different magnetic poles of the first magnet (10A) and the second magnet (11A) will face each other vertically, generating an attractive force, which allows the terminal (6) on the busbar (3) to be easily stacked, thereby improving ease of assembly.

[0029] [2] In the electrical junction box (1) described in [1], The first magnet (10A) and the second magnets (11A, 11B) are provided in a cylindrical shape that houses the bolts (8) that fasten the busbar (3) and the terminal (6). Electrical junction box (1).

[0030] According to the configuration described in [2] above, the first magnet (10A) and the second magnets (11A, 11B) do not interfere with the bolt (8).

[0031] [3] In the electrical junction box (1) described in [1], The first magnet (10) and the second magnet (11) are each provided in multiple quantities so as to surround the busbar (3) and the bolt (8) that fastens the terminal. Electrical junction box (1).

[0032] According to the configuration described in [3] above, the first magnet (10) and the second magnet (11) do not interfere with the bolt (8). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1. Electrical junction box 2 Electronic components 3 Busba 5 cases (enclosures) 6 LA terminal (terminal) 7 Electric wire 8 volts 10. 10A 1st magnet 11, 11A, 11B Second Magnet

Claims

1. An electrical junction box comprising an electronic component, a busbar connected to the electronic component, a housing for housing the electronic component and the busbar, a plate-shaped terminal bolted onto the busbar, and an electric wire to which the terminal is connected, A first magnet is housed in the aforementioned housing and positioned opposite the terminals in the overlapping direction, with the busbar in between; The device comprises a second magnet fixed to the terminal and positioned opposite the first magnet in the overlapping direction, with the terminal and the busbar in between. Electrical junction box.

2. In the electrical junction box according to claim 1, The first magnet and the second magnet are provided in a cylindrical shape that houses the bolts for fastening the busbar and the terminal. Electrical junction box.

3. In the electrical junction box according to claim 1, Multiple first magnets and second magnets are provided so as to surround the busbar and the bolts that fasten the terminals. Electrical junction box.

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