Electrical junction box

Abstract

To provide an electric connection box 1 that can prevent unintended defects in a second wire harness WH2 by regulating the position of the second wire harness WH2 toward a connection box body 10 to be located on a desired routing path.SOLUTION: An electric connection box 1 includes a connection box body 10 that includes a lower part enclosure 11 and an upper part enclosure 12 assembled along the vertical direction and a second connector 4 to which a harness connector HC2 provided on one end of a second wire harness WH2 is connected. The electric connection box 1 has a configuration in which a clamp 5 for making the second wiring harness WH2 fixed to the connection box body 10 and a to-be-fixed part 14 that is provided integrally with the connection box body 10 and to which the clamp 5 is fixed are included, and the to-be-fixed part 14 regulates a routing path of the second wiring harness WH2 directed to a second connector 4 in cooperation with the clamp 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connection box such as a relay box or a fuse box that is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and houses a circuit board on which electronic components such as fuses and electronic control circuits are mounted.

Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle such as an automobile, an electrical connection box that houses a circuit board on which electronic components such as fuses and electronic control circuits are mounted in a connection box body is provided, for example, in an engine room (see Patent Document 1). Such an electrical connection box is disposed, for example, between a battery and an electrical equipment and is connected to the battery and the electrical equipment via electric wires. At this time, the electric wires are fixed, for example, to a fixed portion of the vehicle body using a clamp or the like between the battery and the electrical connection box.

[0003] By the way, recently, in order to effectively utilize the limited space of the vehicle, there is a need to dispose the electrical connection box closer to the vehicle body or in-vehicle parts of the vehicle. However, when the electrical connection box is disposed closer to the vehicle body or in-vehicle parts, the electric wires routed toward the electrical connection box may come into contact with the vehicle body or in-vehicle parts, resulting in unintended problems.

[0004] Therefore, it is conceivable to provide a fixed portion to which the electric wire is fixed at a peripheral portion of the electrical connection box and regulate the routing path of the electric wire so as to avoid contact with the vehicle body or in-vehicle parts. However, in this case, there may be no peripheral parts where the fixed portion can be provided at a position suitable for regulating the routing path of the electric wire.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide an electrical junction box that can prevent unintended malfunctions of electric wires by restricting the position of electric wires leading to the junction box body to a desired routing path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention relates to an electrical junction box comprising a junction box body consisting of a first housing and a second housing assembled in a predetermined direction, and a junction box side connector to which a wire-side connector provided at one end of an electric wire is connected, wherein the junction box comprises a fixing member for fixing the electric wire to the junction box body, and a fixed portion integrally provided on the junction box body to which the fixing member is fixed, and the fixed portion is configured to restrict the routing path of the electric wire routed toward the junction box side connector in cooperation with the fixing member. The connecting box body is provided with a cover having a pair of opposing surfaces and a concave cross-section that integrally covers three continuous surfaces of the connecting box body, and the fixed portion is composed of a main body portion that faces the connecting box body with the opposing surfaces of the cover in between, and a connecting portion that straddles the ends of the opposing surfaces and connects the main body portion to the connecting box body. It is characterized by the following:

[0008] Furthermore, this invention relates to an electrical junction box comprising a junction box body consisting of a first housing and a second housing assembled in a predetermined direction, and a junction box side connector to which a wire-side connector provided at one end of a wire is connected, wherein the junction box comprises a fixing member for fixing the wire to the junction box body, and a fixed portion integrally provided on the junction box body to which the fixing member is fixed, and the fixed portion is configured to restrict the routing path of the wire routed toward the junction box side connector in cooperation with the fixing member. The connection box body is provided with a cover having a pair of opposing surfaces and a concave cross-section that integrally covers three continuous surfaces, the fixed portion is provided on the portion of the connection box body that faces the opposing surfaces of the cover, and the opposing surfaces of the cover are provided with an opening that exposes the fixed portion. It is characterized by the following:

[0009] The connectors on the connection box side mentioned above refer to, for example, input connectors that receive power or electrical signals, or output connectors that output power or electrical signals. The above-mentioned fixing members refer to clamps, cable ties, or adhesive tapes that have bands for holding electric wires. The above-mentioned fixed portion refers to a fixed portion that extends from the main body of the connection box, or a fixed portion that is formed on the end face of the main body of the connection box.

[0010] The above-mentioned cover refers to a cover with a concave cross-section formed by bending a thin plate or sheet material, or a cover molded into a concave cross-section. Furthermore, the above-mentioned cover refers to a heat shield cover, heat dissipation cover, drip-proof cover, or dustproof cover made of resin or metal.

[0011] According to this invention, by providing a fixing portion for securing the electric wires on the junction box body, the electrical junction box can easily regulate the position of the electric wires in the vicinity of the junction box body. Therefore, even if there are no surrounding components that can be fixed in a position suitable for restricting the routing of electrical wires, the electrical junction box can still restrict the position of the wires heading towards the connector on the junction box side.

[0012] Furthermore, since the fixed portion is integrally provided with the junction box body, the electrical junction box can reduce variations in the assembly of wires relative to the desired routing path compared to cases where the fixed portion is provided on peripheral parts of the junction box body.

[0013] This allows the electrical junction box to precisely control the position of the wires leading to the connector on the junction box side, thus preventing, for example, the wires from coming into contact with the vehicle body or onboard components. Therefore, the electrical junction box can prevent unintended malfunctions of the wires by regulating the position of the wires leading to the junction box body to the desired routing path.

[0014] Furthermore, since the electrical junction box has a pair of opposing surfaces and is equipped with a cover with a concave cross-section that integrally covers three continuous surfaces of the junction box body, the electrical junction box can protect the junction box body from moisture, heat, or dust. Therefore, the electrical junction box can prevent unintended malfunctions from occurring in the electronic components or circuit boards housed in the junction box body due to moisture, heat, or dust.

[0015] Furthermore, since the fixed portion is composed of a main body portion that faces the connection box body with the opposing surface portion of the cover in between, and a connecting portion that connects the main body portion to the connection box body by straddling the end of the opposing surface portion, the fixed portion is formed in a shape that straddles the cover, so the electrical connection box can easily expose the fixed portion to the outside of the cover without making a notch in the cover. For this reason, the electrical connection box can be made smaller than a cover that integrally covers the fixed portion and the electric wires.

[0016] Furthermore, since the fixing of the electric wires to the fixed part is not obstructed by the cover, the electrical junction box can position the electric wires leading to the junction box body in the desired routing path without impairing the ease of assembling the electric wires.

[0017] Furthermore, since the fixed portion is provided on the part of the connection box body that faces the opposing surface of the cover, and the opposing surface of the cover has an opening that exposes the fixed portion, the electrical connection box can easily expose the fixed portion to the outside of the cover through the opening in the cover. For this reason, the electrical connection box can be made smaller than a cover that integrally covers the fixed portion and the electric wire.

[0018] Furthermore, since the fixing of the electric wires to the fixed part is not obstructed by the cover, the electrical junction box can position the electric wires leading to the junction box body in the desired routing path without impairing the ease of assembling the electric wires.

[0019] In one aspect of this invention, the fixed portion may be provided with a through hole into which the locking portion of the fixing member is locked, the opening being elongated in the desired wire routing direction or in a direction intersecting the desired wire routing direction. The through hole refers to an opening having a substantially long elliptical shape or a substantially rectangular shape that is long in a desired wiring direction of the electric wire or in a direction intersecting the desired wiring direction of the electric wire.

[0020] According to this configuration, since the locking portion of the fixing member is locked to the through hole of the fixed portion, the electrical connection box can use, for example, an existing clamp or the like as a fixing member for fixing the electric wire to the fixed portion.

[0021] Furthermore, due to the through hole that is long in a desired wiring direction of the electric wire or in a direction intersecting the desired wiring direction of the electric wire, the electrical connection box can suppress the rotation of the locked fixing member as compared with, for example, a through hole having a substantially circular shape.

[0022] Therefore, the electrical connection box can stably maintain the wiring direction of the electric wire. Thus, the electrical connection box can reliably position-regulate the electric wire heading toward the connection box main body in a desired wiring path.

[0023] As another aspect of the present invention, the fixing member may be a binding band, and a pair of insertion holes through which the binding band is inserted may be provided so as to face each other in a direction orthogonal to a desired wiring direction of the electric wire on the fixed portion.

[0024] According to this configuration, the electrical connection box can position-regulate the electric wire heading toward the connection box main body with a simple configuration. Furthermore, since the rotation of the binding band can be prevented by the pair of insertion holes, the electrical connection box can stably maintain the wiring direction of the electric wire. Thus, the electrical connection box can reliably position-regulate the electric wire heading toward the connection box main body in a desired wiring path.

[0025] As another aspect of the present invention, the fixed portion may be disposed between both end faces in the predetermined direction of the connection box main body. With this configuration, the electrical junction box does not have any fixed parts protruding from both ends of the junction box body, thus reducing the size of the electrical junction box in a given direction. This improves the layout flexibility of the electrical junction box, making it easier to place it, for example, in the limited space of a vehicle.

[0026] In another aspect of this invention, the cover may be provided with a notch to prevent interference with the electric wire routed from the fixed portion toward the connector on the connection box side. With this configuration, the cooperation between the fixed portion and the notch portion allows the electrical junction box to position the wiring path between the connector on the junction box side and the fixed portion so that it follows the junction box body without interfering with the cover. As a result, the electrical junction box can make the wiring path leading to the junction box body more compact.

[0027] Furthermore, because the cover conceals a portion of the wire between the connector on the junction box side and the part to be fixed, the electrical junction box can reliably prevent a portion of the wire between the connector on the junction box side and the part to be fixed from coming into contact with, for example, the vehicle body or onboard components. Therefore, electrical junction boxes facilitate the routing of electrical wires in limited spaces and can better prevent unintended malfunctions of the wires.

[0028] In another aspect of this invention, the cover may be formed in a shape that integrally covers at least the connection box body and the connection box side connector. With this configuration, the electrical junction box can protect not only the junction box itself but also the area around the connector on the junction box side with a cover. Therefore, the electrical junction box can prevent unintended malfunctions in the electrical connection between the wires and the connector on the junction box side due to, for example, the adhesion of water droplets. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] The present invention provides an electrical junction box that can prevent unintended malfunctions of electrical wires by restricting the position of the wires leading to the junction box body to a desired routing path. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0030] [Figure 1] An external perspective view showing the appearance of an electrical junction box to which a wire harness is connected. [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram showing a schematic side view of the electrical junction box in its installed state. [Figure 3] An exploded perspective view showing the disassembled state of the electrical junction box from a forward and upward view. [Figure 4] An exploded perspective view showing the disassembled state of the electrical junction box from a rearward and downward view. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view taken along arrow AA in Figure 2. [Figure 6] A side view showing the appearance of the electrical junction box with the cover removed. [Figure 7] An explanatory diagram illustrating the essential components of an electrical junction box. [Figure 8] An external perspective view showing the appearance of the electrical junction box in Example 2. [Figure 9] An explanatory diagram showing a schematic side view of the electrical junction box in its installed state. [Figure 10] An exploded perspective view showing the disassembled state of the electrical junction box from a forward and upward view. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view taken along the DD arrow in Figure 9. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] One embodiment of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Examples]

[0032] The electrical junction box 1 of Example 1 is mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile and houses a circuit board on which electronic components such as fuses and electronic control circuits are mounted. This electrical junction box 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

[0033] Figure 1 is an external perspective view showing the external appearance of the electrical junction box 1 to which the wire harness is connected. Figure 1(a) shows an external perspective view of the electrical junction box 1 when viewed from the front and above, and Figure 1(b) shows an external perspective view of the electrical junction box 1 when viewed from the rear and below.

[0034] Furthermore, Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the schematic of the electrical junction box 1 in its mounted state in a side view, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical junction box 1 in a forward upward view, and Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical junction box 1 in a rear downward view.

[0035] In addition, Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA in Figure 2, Figure 6 shows a side view of the electrical junction box 1 with the cover removed, Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the main parts of the electrical junction box 1, Figure 7(a) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB in Figure 6, and Figure 7(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in Figure 6.

[0036] Furthermore, in order to clarify the illustrations, the second wire harness WH2 and clamp 5 are omitted from the illustration in Figure 5, and the second wire harness WH2 is also omitted from the illustration in Figure 7.

[0037] Furthermore, in Figure 1(a), the upper side is considered the upward direction of the electrical junction box 1, and the lower side is considered the downward direction of the electrical junction box 1. In the figure, arrow X indicates the front-to-back direction of the electrical junction box 1 (hereinafter referred to as the front-to-back direction X), and arrow Y indicates the width direction of the electrical junction box 1 which is perpendicular to the front-to-back direction X in a plan view (hereinafter referred to as the width direction Y). Furthermore, in the anterior-posterior direction X, the direction from right to left in Figure 1(a) will be described as the front, and the direction from left to right in Figure 1(a) will be described as the rear.

[0038] First, as shown in Figure 1, the electrical connection box 1 of Embodiment 1 is positioned between the first wire harness WH1 and the second wire harness WH2, and electrically connects the first wire harness WH1 and the second wire harness WH2.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the electrical connection box 1 is positioned such that, for example, the second connector 4 (described later) faces the front of the vehicle's onboard component P1, and its rear end is close to the onboard component P1.

[0040] Here, the first wire harness WH1 and the second wire harness WH2 described above will be explained in detail. The first wire harness WH1 and the second wire harness WH2 are made up of bundles of multiple wires (not shown) that electrically connect, for example, the vehicle's power supply and electrical equipment.

[0041] Furthermore, one end of the first wire harness WH1 is provided with a harness connector HC1 for connection to the electrical junction box 1. Similarly, one end of the second wire harness WH2 is provided with a harness connector HC2 for connection to the electrical junction box 1.

[0042] The first wire harness WH1 and the second wire harness WH2 are routed along the desired routing paths, and their ends are connected to the electrical junction box 1. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 2, the first wire harness WH1 is routed in a substantially straight line from front to rear in front of the electrical junction box 1, and its end is connected to the electrical junction box 1 via the harness connector HC1.

[0043] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 1(b) and 2, the second wire harness WH2 is routed adjacent to one side in the width direction Y of the electrical junction box 1, in a substantially linear manner from front to rear, and then routed downward and rearward, passing under the electrical junction box 1 and wrapping around to the rear of the electrical junction box 1. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the second wire harness WH2 is bent back towards the front at the rear of the electrical junction box 1 to avoid the vehicle component P1, and the bent end is connected to the electrical junction box 1 via the harness connector HC2.

[0044] Next, the electrical junction box 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the electrical junction box 1 comprises a roughly box-shaped junction box body 10 with an internal hollow structure, a circuit board 2 housed and held inside the junction box body 10, and a first connector 3 to which the first wire harness WH1 is connected via a harness connector HC1.

[0045] Furthermore, the electrical junction box 1 includes a second connector 4 to which the second wire harness WH2 is connected via a harness connector HC2, a clamp 5 for fixing the second wire harness WH2 to the junction box body 10, and a cover 6 with a concave cross-section that covers the junction box body 10.

[0046] Specifically, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the connection box body 10 is configured as a roughly box-like structure with a hollow interior, consisting of a lower housing 11 which is fixed to a predetermined location on the vehicle, for example, and an upper housing 12 which is assembled to the lower housing 11 from top to bottom. Furthermore, the connection box body 10 includes three fastening portions 13 that protrude in the width direction Y from the lower housing 11, and one fixed portion 14 to which the clamp 5 that holds the second wire harness WH2 is fixed.

[0047] More specifically, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the lower housing 11 is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top, consisting of a bottom surface 111 which is the bottom surface of the connection box body 10, and a front wall 112, a rear wall 113, and a pair of side wall 114 that are erected upward from the edge of the bottom surface 111.

[0048] As shown in Figure 5, the bottom surface 111 of the lower housing 11 is formed in a roughly plate-like shape with thickness in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 5, a plurality of roughly cylindrical boss portions 115 are erected on this bottom surface 111, facing upward, to fasten and fix the circuit board 2.

[0049] Furthermore, the front wall portion 112 of the lower housing 11 is a substantially flat plate that is erected upward from the front end of the bottom portion 111, and together with the front wall portion 122 of the upper housing 12, which will be described later, constitutes the front surface of the connection box body 10. Furthermore, the front wall portion 112 is formed by cutting out a fitting portion (not shown) from the upper end downwards into which the lower part of the first connector 3 fits.

[0050] Furthermore, the rear wall portion 113 of the lower housing 11 is a substantially flat plate that is erected upward from the rear end of the bottom portion 111, and together with the rear wall portion 123 of the upper housing 12 (described later), it constitutes the rear surface of the connection box body 10. Furthermore, the rear wall portion 113 is formed by cutting out a fitting portion (not shown) from the upper end downwards into which the lower part of the second connector 4 fits.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the pair of side walls 114 of the lower housing 11 are substantially flat plates that are erected upward from both ends of the bottom surface 111 in the width direction Y, and together with the pair of side walls 124 of the upper housing 12, which will be described later, they constitute the side surface of the connection box body 10. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, a locking claw 116 is provided projecting from the upper end of the outer surface of the side wall portion 114, approximately in the center in the front-rear direction X, to which the upper housing 12 is locked.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the upper housing 12 of the connection box body 10 is formed in a roughly box shape with an open bottom, consisting of an upper surface portion 121 which is the top surface of the connection box body 10, and a front wall portion 122, a rear wall portion 123, and a pair of side wall portions 124 which are suspended downward from the edge of the upper surface portion 121.

[0053] As shown in Figure 5, the upper surface portion 121 of the upper housing 12 is formed in a substantially flat shape with a thickness in the vertical direction and is approximately the same size as the bottom surface portion 111 of the lower housing 11. Furthermore, the front wall portion 122 of the upper housing 12 is formed in a substantially flat shape, extending downward from the front end of the upper surface portion 121. A fitting portion (not shown) into which the upper part of the first connector 3 fits is formed in this front wall portion 122 by cutting out from the lower end upward.

[0054] Furthermore, the rear wall portion 123 of the upper housing 12 is formed in a substantially flat shape, extending downward from the rear end of the upper surface portion 121. A fitting portion (not shown) into which the upper part of the second connector 4 fits is formed in this rear wall portion 123 by cutting out from the lower end upward.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the pair of side walls 124 of the upper housing 12 are suspended downward from both ends of the upper surface 121 in the width direction Y. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, a locking portion 125 is formed at the lower end of the outer surface of these side walls 124, approximately in the center in the front-to-back direction X, and is locked to the locking claw 116 of the lower housing 11.

[0056] Furthermore, the three fastening portions 13 of the connection box body 10 are formed in a roughly rectangular plate shape in plan view, protruding in the width direction Y from the lower end of the side wall portion 114 of the lower housing 11. As shown in Figure 4, through holes 13a are formed in these fastening portions 13, extending vertically through which bolts B for fixing to a predetermined location on the vehicle are inserted.

[0057] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the three fastening parts 13 consist of two fastening parts 13 provided at a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction X on one side wall 114 of the lower housing 11 (hereinafter referred to as the first side wall 114A), and one fastening part 13 provided at the front of the other side wall 114 of the lower housing 11 (hereinafter referred to as the second side wall 114B).

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the fixed portion 14 of the connection box body 10 is formed behind the fastening portion 13 provided on the second side wall portion 114B of the lower housing 11, extending in the width direction Y from the lower end of the second side wall portion 114B. This fixed portion 14, in cooperation with the clamp 5, restricts the routing path of the second wire harness WH2, which is routed toward the second connector 4.

[0059] More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the fixed portion 14 consists of a main body portion 141 that faces the second side wall portion 114B at a predetermined distance in the width direction Y, a connecting portion 142 that connects the lower end of the main body portion 141 to the lower end of the second side wall portion 114B along the width direction Y, and a pair of reinforcing wall portions 143 that are erected across the main body portion 141 and the connecting portion 142.

[0060] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the main body portion 141 of the fixed part 14 is a substantially flat plate with thickness in the width direction Y, and is positioned opposite the second side wall portion 114B of the lower housing 11, with the opposing surface portion 62 of the cover 6 (described later) in between.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6, this main body portion 141 is formed in a shape that is longer in the vertical direction than the lower housing 11 and shorter than the junction box body 10. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the main body portion 141 is positioned such that, in a side view, its lower end substantially coincides with the lower end of the lower housing 11.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, the main body portion 141 has a through hole 14a formed that penetrates in the width direction Y, into which the clamp 5 is locked. More specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the through-hole 14a is an opening with a substantially elongated ellipse shape in side view, and the opening is formed such that the major axis of the substantially elongated ellipse shape is substantially parallel to the routing direction of the second wire harness WH2, which is routed from the front to the rear and downward.

[0063] Furthermore, the connecting portion 142 of the fixed portion 14 is formed in a plate shape having thickness in the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the pair of reinforcing wall portions 143 of the fixed portion 14 are plate-shaped with thickness in the front-rear direction X, with one reinforcing wall portion 143 straddling the front end of the main body portion 141 and the front end of the connecting portion 142, and the other reinforcing wall portion 143 straddling the rear end of the main body portion 141 and the rear end of the connecting portion 142.

[0064] Furthermore, the circuit board 2 of the electrical connection box 1 has electronic components such as fuses and electronic control circuits mounted on it, although these are not shown in the diagram. As shown in Figure 5, this circuit board 2 is housed inside the connection box body 10 with its thickness in the vertical direction, and is fastened and fixed to the boss portion 115 of the lower housing 11 using screws S.

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the first connector 3 of the electrical connection box 1 is fixed at one end near the front end of the circuit board 2, and the other end is sandwiched between the lower housing 11 and the upper housing 12, with the other end exposed in front of the front surface of the connection box body 10. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, this first connector 3 consists of a plurality of terminals connected to the circuit board 2 and a connector housing that integrally covers the plurality of terminals.

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the second connector 4 of the electrical connection box 1 is fixed at one end near the rear end of the circuit board 2, and the other end is sandwiched between the lower housing 11 and the upper housing 12, with the other end exposed behind the rear surface of the connection box body 10. Although not shown in detail, this second connector 4 consists of a plurality of terminals connected to the circuit board 2 and a connector housing that integrally covers the plurality of terminals.

[0067] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 7, the clamp 5 of the electrical connection box 1 consists of a locking portion 51 that engages with the through hole 14a of the connection box body 10 and a clamp body 52 that holds the second wire harness WH2.

[0068] More specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the locking portion 51 of the clamp 5 is a roughly elongated elliptical columnar body of roughly the same size as the through hole 14a of the connection box body 10, and the claw portion 51a that locks into the through hole 14a is formed facing each other in the direction of the long axis of the roughly elongated ellipse.

[0069] On the other hand, the clamp body 52 of the clamp 5 includes a substantially band-shaped band portion 52a extending in the direction of the short axis of the locking portion 51, and a lock portion 52b into which the tip of the band portion 52a, which is wrapped around the second wire harness WH2, is locked.

[0070] Due to this configuration, when the clamp 5 is locked into the through hole 14a of the connection box body 10, the rotation of the locking portion 51 around the width direction Y is restricted by the through hole 14a.

[0071] Furthermore, when the clamp 5 is locked into the through hole 14a of the connection box body 10, the band portion 52a of the clamp 5 extends in the direction of the short axis of the through hole 14a. Therefore, when the band portion 52a holds the second wire harness WH2, the clamp 5 restricts the routing direction of the second wire harness WH2 to a direction along the long axis of the through hole 14a.

[0072] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, the cover 6 of the electrical junction box 1 is a cover that protects the junction box body 10, and is formed by bending a thin sheet of resin to create a concave cross-sectional shape that integrally covers three continuous surfaces of the junction box body 10 and the first connector 3 and the second connector 4. This cover 6 is assembled to fit over the main junction box 10 from above and is fixed together with the main junction box 10 to a designated location on the vehicle using bolts B.

[0073] Specifically, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cover 6 is formed with a concave cross-section that is open at the bottom, consisting of a mounting surface portion 61 that rests on the upper surface of the connection box body 10 and a pair of opposing surface portions 62 that face each other in the width direction Y. In addition, the cover 6 has three protruding pieces 63 that project in the width direction Y from the lower end of the opposing surface portion 62.

[0074] To elaborate further, the mounting surface 61 of the cover 6 is formed in a flat, roughly rectangular shape in plan view, with thickness in the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, this mounting surface 61 is formed with a length in the front-to-back direction X that is longer than the length in the front-to-back direction X from the tip of the first connector 3 to the front end of the second connector 4, and a length in the width direction Y that is slightly longer than the width direction Y of the connection box body 10.

[0075] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, the pair of opposing surfaces 62 of the cover 6 are formed as flat plates with a roughly rectangular shape in side view, extending downward from both ends in the width direction Y of the mounting surface 61. As shown in Figure 5, these opposing surfaces 62 are formed to have a vertical length slightly shorter than the vertical length from the top surface of the connecting box body 10 to the connecting portion 142 of the fixed part 14.

[0076] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the protruding piece 63 of the cover 6 is provided to protrude in the width direction Y from the lower end of the opposing surface 62 so as to overlap the upper surface of the fastening portion 13 of the connection box body 10. An insertion hole (not shown in numerals) is formed in this protruding piece 63, which communicates with the insertion hole 13a of the fastening portion 13, through which a bolt B is inserted. With this configuration, the electrical junction box 1 of Embodiment 1 achieves both positional control of the second wire harness WH2 and protection of the junction box body 10.

[0077] As described above, the electrical connection box 1 of Embodiment 1 comprises a connection box body 10 consisting of a lower housing 11 and an upper housing 12 assembled in the vertical direction, and a second connector 4 to which a harness connector HC2 provided at one end of the second wire harness WH2 is connected.

[0078] Furthermore, the electrical junction box 1 includes a clamp 5 for fixing the second wire harness WH2 to the junction box body 10, and a fixed part 14 which is integrally provided with the junction box body 10 and to which the clamp 5 is fixed. Furthermore, the fixed portion 14, in cooperation with the clamp 5, restricts the routing path of the second wire harness WH2, which is routed toward the second connector 4.

[0079] With this configuration, by providing a fixing portion 14 on the connection box body 10 to which the second wire harness WH2 is fixed, the electrical connection box 1 can easily restrict the position of the second wire harness WH2 in the vicinity of the connection box body 10.

[0080] Therefore, even if there are no surrounding components that can be fixed in a position suitable for restricting the routing path of the second wire harness WH2, the electrical junction box 1 can still restrict the position of the second wire harness WH2 heading towards the second connector 4.

[0081] Furthermore, since the fixed portion 14 is integrally provided with the connection box body 10, the electrical connection box 1 can reduce assembly variations of the second wire harness WH2 with respect to the desired routing path compared to the case where the fixed portion is provided on peripheral parts of the connection box body 10.

[0082] As a result, the electrical connection box 1 can precisely control the position of the second wire harness WH2 leading to the second connector 4, thus preventing the second wire harness WH2 from coming into contact with the vehicle body or onboard components. Therefore, the electrical junction box 1 can prevent unintended malfunctions of the second wire harness WH2 by positioning it to the desired routing path, thereby restricting the second wire harness WH2 that leads to the junction box body 10.

[0083] Furthermore, the fixed portion 14 has an opening that is elongated in the direction of routing of the desired second wire harness WH2, and is provided with a through hole 14a into which the locking portion 51 of the clamp 5 is locked. With this configuration, the locking portion 51 of the clamp 5 is locked into the through hole 14a of the fixed portion 14, so the electrical connection box 1 can use, for example, an existing clamp 5 as a fixing member to fix the second wire harness WH2 to the fixed portion 14.

[0084] Furthermore, due to the through-hole 14a which is long in the routing direction of the desired second wire harness WH2, the electrical junction box 1 can suppress the rotation of the locked clamp 5 compared to, for example, a substantially circular through-hole.

[0085] Therefore, the electrical junction box 1 can stably maintain the routing direction of the second wire harness WH2. Therefore, the electrical junction box 1 can reliably position the second wire harness WH2 leading to the junction box body 10 in the desired routing path.

[0086] Furthermore, the fixed portion 14 is positioned between the top surface of the connection box body 10 and the bottom surface of the connection box body 10. With this configuration, the electrical junction box 1 does not have its fixed portion 14 protruding from the top and bottom surfaces of the junction box body 10, thus reducing the size of the electrical junction box 1 in the vertical direction. As a result, the electrical junction box 1 can be arranged with greater flexibility, for example, by facilitating its placement in the limited space of a vehicle.

[0087] Furthermore, the electrical junction box 1 has a pair of opposing surfaces 62, and is equipped with a cover 6 with a concave cross-section that integrally covers three continuous surfaces of the junction box body 10. With this configuration, the electrical junction box 1 can protect the junction box body 10 from moisture and other elements. Therefore, the electrical junction box 1 can prevent unintended malfunctions from occurring in the electronic components and circuit board 2 housed in the junction box body 10 due to moisture and other elements.

[0088] Furthermore, the fixed portion 14 is composed of a main body portion 141 that faces the connection box body 10 with the opposing surface portion 62 of the cover 6 in between, and a connecting portion 142 that straddles the lower end of the opposing surface portion 62 and connects the main body portion 141 to the connection box body 10.

[0089] With this configuration, since the fixed portion 14 is formed to straddle the cover 6, the electrical junction box 1 can easily expose the fixed portion 14 to the outside of the cover 6 without having to make a cutout in the cover 6. For this reason, the electrical junction box 1 can be made smaller than a cover that integrally covers the fixed portion 14 and the second wire harness WH2.

[0090] Furthermore, since the fixing of the second wire harness WH2 to the fixed part 14 is not obstructed by the cover 6, the electrical junction box 1 can position the second wire harness WH2 toward the junction box body 10 to the desired routing path without impairing the ease of assembly of the second wire harness WH2.

[0091] Furthermore, the cover 6 is formed in a shape that integrally covers at least the main body of the connection box 10 and the second connector 4. With this configuration, the electrical junction box 1 can protect not only the junction box body 10 but also the vicinity of the second connector 4 with the cover 6. Therefore, the electrical junction box 1 can prevent unintended malfunctions in the electrical connection between the second wire harness WH2 and the second connector 4 due to, for example, the adhesion of water droplets. [Examples]

[0092] The electrical junction box 1 of Embodiment 2 differs from that of Embodiment 1 in that the upper housing 21 is fixed to a predetermined location on the vehicle. This electrical junction box 1 of Embodiment 2 will be explained with reference to Figures 8 to 11. Note that components identical to those in Example 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0093] Furthermore, Figure 8 is an external perspective view showing the external appearance of the electrical junction box 1 in Embodiment 2, where Figure 8(a) shows an external perspective view of the electrical junction box 1 when viewed from the front and above, and Figure 8(b) shows an external perspective view of the electrical junction box 1 when viewed from the front and below.

[0094] Furthermore, Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the schematic of the electrical junction box 1 in its mounted state in a side view, Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical junction box 1 in a forward-upward view, and Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the DD arrow in Figure 9. In addition, to clarify the illustration, the second wire harness WH4 and clamp 5 are omitted from the illustration in Figure 11.

[0095] As shown in Figure 8, the electrical connection box 1 of Example 2 is positioned between the first wire harness WH3 and the second wire harness WH4, and electrically connects the first wire harness WH3 and the second wire harness WH4. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the electrical connection box 1 is positioned such that, for example, the second connector 8 (described later) faces the rear surface of the vehicle's onboard component P2, and its front end and front lower end are close to the onboard component P2.

[0096] Here, the first wire harness WH3 and the second wire harness WH4 described above will be explained in detail. The first wire harness WH3 and the second wire harness WH4 are made up of bundles of multiple wires (not shown) that electrically connect, for example, the vehicle's power supply and electrical equipment.

[0097] Furthermore, one end of the first wire harness WH3 is provided with a harness connector HC3 for connecting to the electrical junction box 1. Similarly, one end of the second wire harness WH4 is provided with a harness connector HC4 for connecting to the electrical junction box 1.

[0098] The first wire harness WH3 and the second wire harness WH4 are routed along the desired routing paths, and their ends are connected to the electrical junction box 1. Specifically, as shown in Figures 8(b) and 9, the first wire harness WH3 is routed in a substantially straight line from rear to front behind the electrical junction box 1, and its end is connected to the electrical junction box 1 via the harness connector HC3.

[0099] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 8(b) and 9, the second wire harness WH4 is routed substantially linearly from rear to front adjacent to one side in the width direction Y relative to the electrical junction box 1, and then bent back toward the front of the electrical junction box 1 to avoid the vehicle component P2. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(b), the bent end of the second wire harness WH4 is connected to the electrical junction box 1 via the harness connector HC4.

[0100] Next, the electrical junction box 1 of Embodiment 2 will be described. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the electrical junction box 1 comprises a roughly box-shaped junction box body 20 with an internal hollow structure, a circuit board 2 housed and held inside the junction box body 20, and a first connector 7 to which the first wire harness WH3 is connected via a harness connector HC3.

[0101] Furthermore, the electrical junction box 1 includes a second connector 8 to which the second wire harness WH4 is connected via a harness connector HC4, a clamp 5 for fixing the second wire harness WH4 to the junction box body 20, and a cover 9 with a concave cross-section that covers the junction box body 20.

[0102] Specifically, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the connection box body 20 is configured as a roughly box-like structure with an internal hollow shape, consisting of an upper housing 21 which is fixed to a predetermined location on the vehicle, for example, and a lower housing 22 which is assembled to the upper housing 21 from below upward. Furthermore, the connection box body 20 includes three fastening portions 23 that protrude in the width direction Y from the upper housing 21, and one fixed portion 24 to which the clamp 5 that holds the second wire harness WH4 is fixed.

[0103] The connection box body 20 of this embodiment 2 is formed by inverting the connection box body 10 of embodiment 1 described above both vertically and horizontally, so it will be briefly explained here. Specifically, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the upper housing 21 of Embodiment 2 is formed in a substantially box shape with an open bottom, consisting of an upper surface portion 211 which is the upper surface of the connection box body 20, a front wall portion 212, a rear wall portion (not shown in numerals), and a pair of side wall portions 213 which are suspended downward from the edge of the upper surface portion 211.

[0104] The upper housing 21 has an upper surface portion 211 that is substantially the same shape as the bottom surface portion 111 of the lower housing 11 of Embodiment 1, and a front wall portion 212 that is substantially the same shape as the rear wall portion 113 of the lower housing 11 of Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the upper housing 21 has a rear wall portion that is substantially the same shape as the front wall portion 112 of the lower housing 11 of Embodiment 1, and a side wall portion 213 that is substantially the same shape as the side wall portion 114 of the lower housing 11 of Embodiment 1.

[0105] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the lower housing 22 of the connection box body 20 is formed in a roughly box shape with an open top, consisting of a bottom surface portion 221 which is the bottom surface of the connection box body 20, and a front wall portion 222, a rear wall portion (not shown in numerals), and a pair of side wall portions 223 which are erected upward from the edge of the bottom surface portion 221.

[0106] The lower housing 22 has a bottom surface 221 that is substantially the same shape as the top surface 121 of the upper housing 12 of Embodiment 1, and a front wall 222 that is substantially the same shape as the rear wall 123 of the upper housing 12 of Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the lower housing 22 has a rear wall portion that is substantially the same shape as the front wall portion 122 of the upper housing 12 of Embodiment 1, and a side wall portion 213 that is substantially the same shape as the side wall portion 124 of the upper housing 12 of Embodiment 1.

[0107] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the three fastening portions 23 of the connection box body 20 are formed in a roughly rectangular plate shape in plan view, protruding in the width direction Y from the upper end of the side wall portion 213 of the upper housing 21. Through holes 23a are formed in these fastening portions 23, penetrating vertically through which bolts B for fixing to a predetermined location on the vehicle are inserted.

[0108] Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, the three fastening portions 23 consist of two fastening portions 23 provided at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction X on one side wall portion 114 of the upper housing 21, and one fastening portion 23 provided at the rear of the other side wall portion 114 of the upper housing 21.

[0109] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the fixed portion 24 of the connection box body 20 is formed on the other side wall portion 213 of the upper housing 21, in a position forward of the fastening portion 23, extending from the upper end of the other side wall portion 213 in the width direction Y. This fixed portion 24, in cooperation with the clamp 5, restricts the routing path of the second wire harness WH4, which is routed toward the second connector 8.

[0110] More specifically, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the fixed portion 24 consists of a main body portion 241 that faces the side wall portion 213 at a predetermined distance in the width direction Y, a connecting portion 242 that connects the upper end of the main body portion 241 to the upper end of the side wall portion 213 along the width direction Y, and a pair of reinforcing wall portions 243 that are erected across the main body portion 241 and the connecting portion 242.

[0111] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the main body portion 241 of the fixed portion 24 is a substantially flat plate with thickness in the width direction Y, and is positioned opposite the side wall portion 213 of the upper housing 21 via an opening 92a provided on the opposing surface portion 92 of the cover 9, which will be described later.

[0112] This main body section 241 is formed in a shape that is longer in the vertical direction than the upper housing 21 and shorter than the junction box body 20. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the main body portion 241 is positioned so that its upper end substantially coincides with the upper end of the upper housing 21.

[0113] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the main body portion 241 has a through hole 24a formed that penetrates in the width direction Y, into which the locking portion 51 of the clamp 5 is locked. More specifically, the through-hole 24a is an opening with a substantially elongated elliptical shape in side view, and the opening is formed such that the major axis of the substantially elongated ellipse is substantially parallel to the routing direction (front-to-back direction X) of the second wire harness WH4 which is routed from rear to front.

[0114] Furthermore, the connecting portion 242 of the fixed portion 24 is formed in a plate shape having thickness in the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 11. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the pair of reinforcing wall portions 243 of the fixed portion 24 are plate-shaped with thickness in the front-rear direction X, with one reinforcing wall portion 243 straddling the front end of the main body portion 241 and the front end of the connecting portion 242, and the other reinforcing wall portion 243 straddling the rear end of the main body portion 241 and the rear end of the connecting portion 242.

[0115] Furthermore, the first connector 7 of the electrical connection box 1 is fixed at one end near the rear end of the circuit board 2, and the other end is sandwiched between the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22, with the other end exposed behind the rear surface of the connection box body 20. Similar to the first connector 3 of Embodiment 1, this first connector 7 consists of a plurality of terminals connected to the circuit board 2 and a connector housing that integrally covers the plurality of terminals.

[0116] Furthermore, the second connector 8 of the electrical connection box 1 is fixed at one end near the front end of the circuit board 2, and the other end is sandwiched between the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22, with the other end exposed in front of the front surface of the connection box body 20. Similar to the second connector 4 in Embodiment 1, this second connector 8 consists of a plurality of terminals connected to the circuit board 2 and a connector housing that integrally covers the plurality of terminals.

[0117] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 and 11, the cover 9 of the electrical junction box 1 is formed by bending a thin sheet of resin to create a concave cross-sectional shape that integrally covers the three continuous surfaces of the junction box body 20 and the first connector 7 and the second connector 8. This cover 9 is assembled to fit over the main junction box 20 from above and is fixed together with the main junction box 20 to a designated location on the vehicle using bolts B.

[0118] Specifically, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the cover 9 is formed with a concave cross-section that is open at the bottom, consisting of a mounting surface portion 91 that rests on the upper surface of the connection box body 20 and a pair of opposing surface portions 92 that face each other in the width direction Y. In addition, the cover 9 has three protruding pieces 93 that project in the width direction Y from the upper end of the opposing surface portion 92.

[0119] More specifically, as shown in Figures 8 and 11, the mounting surface portion 91 of the cover 9 is formed in a flat, roughly rectangular shape in plan view, with thickness in the vertical direction. This mounting surface portion 91 is formed to have a length in the front-to-back direction X that is longer than the length in the front-to-back direction X from the first connector 7 to the second connector 8, and a length in the width direction Y that is slightly longer than the length in the width direction Y of the connection box body 20.

[0120] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 and 11, the pair of opposing surfaces 92 of the cover 9 are formed as flat plates with a roughly rectangular shape in side view, extending downward from both ends in the width direction Y of the mounting surface 91. As shown in Figure 11, these opposing surfaces 92 are formed to be slightly shorter in the vertical direction than the main body of the connecting box 20.

[0121] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 and 10, the opposing surface portion 92 facing the side of the connection box body 20 on which the fixed portion 24 is provided has an opening portion 92a for exposing the fixed portion 24 to the outside and a notch portion 92b for passing the second wire harness WH4 toward the second connector 8.

[0122] Specifically, the opening 92a is formed by cutting out a roughly rectangular area in a side view from the lower end to the upper end of the opposing surface portion 92 at approximately the same front-to-back direction X position as the main body portion 241 of the fixed portion 24. Furthermore, the opening 92a is cut out of the fixed portion 24 with a length in the front-to-back direction X that is approximately the same as that of the fixed portion 24.

[0123] On the other hand, the notch 92b is formed by cutting out a roughly rectangular shape in side view from the front end to the rear of the opposing surface 92, so as to remove the portion that overlaps with the second wire harness WH4 that goes toward the second connector 8.

[0124] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the protruding piece 93 of the cover 9 is provided to protrude in the width direction Y so as to overlap the upper surface of the fastening portion 23 of the connection box body 20. An insertion hole (not shown in numerals) is formed in this protruding piece 93, which communicates with the insertion hole 23a of the fastening portion 23, through which the bolt B is inserted.

[0125] The protruding piece 93 is integrally formed with the opposing surface portion 92 in the unfolded state when the resin sheet is unfolded into a thin plate shape, and is composed of the portion cut along the notches provided in the opposing surface portion 92 when the unfolded opposing surface portion 92 is folded. With this configuration, the electrical junction box 1 of Embodiment 2 achieves both positional control of the second wire harness WH4 and protection of the junction box body 20.

[0126] As described above, the electrical connection box 1 of Embodiment 2 comprises a connection box body 20 consisting of a lower housing 22 and an upper housing 21 assembled in the vertical direction, and a second connector 8 to which a harness connector HC4 provided at one end of the second wire harness WH4 is connected.

[0127] Furthermore, the electrical junction box 1 includes a clamp 5 for fixing the second wire harness WH4 to the junction box body 20, and a fixed part 24 which is integrally provided with the junction box body 20 and to which the clamp 5 is fixed. Furthermore, the fixed portion 24, in cooperation with the clamp 5, restricts the routing path of the second wire harness WH4, which is routed toward the second connector 8.

[0128] With this configuration, the electrical junction box 1, similar to Embodiment 1 described above, can position the second wire harness WH4 leading to the junction box body 20 in a desired routing path, thereby preventing unintended malfunctions of the second wire harness WH4.

[0129] Furthermore, in the electrical connection box 1 of Embodiment 2, the fixed portion 24 is provided on the portion of the connection box body 20 that faces the opposing surface portion 92 of the cover 9. In addition, the electrical connection box 1 is provided with an opening 92a on the opposing surface portion 92 of the cover 9 that exposes the fixed portion 24.

[0130] With this configuration, the opening 92a of the cover 9 allows the electrical junction box 1 to easily expose the fixed portion 24 to the outside of the cover 9. Therefore, the electrical junction box 1 can be made smaller than a cover that integrally covers the fixed portion 24 and the second wire harness WH4.

[0131] Furthermore, since the fixing of the second wire harness WH4 to the fixed part 24 is not obstructed by the cover 9, the electrical junction box 1 can position the second wire harness WH4 toward the junction box body 20 to the desired routing path without impairing the ease of assembly of the second wire harness WH4.

[0132] Furthermore, the electrical connection box 1 has a notch 92b in the cover 9 to prevent interference with the second wire harness WH4 which is routed from the fixed portion 24 toward the second connector 8. With this configuration, the cooperation of the fixed portion 24 and the notch portion 92b allows the electrical junction box 1 to restrict the routing path of the second wire harness WH4 between the second connector 8 and the fixed portion 24 so that it follows the junction box body 20 without interfering with the cover 9. As a result, the electrical junction box 1 can make the routing path of the second wire harness WH4 toward the junction box body 20 more compact.

[0133] Furthermore, since the cover 9 covers a portion of the second wire harness WH4 between the second connector 8 and the fixed portion 24, the electrical connection box 1 can reliably prevent a portion of the second wire harness WH4 between the second connector 8 and the fixed portion 24 from coming into contact with, for example, the vehicle body or onboard components. Therefore, the electrical junction box 1 facilitates the routing of the second wire harness WH4 into a limited space and further prevents unintended malfunctions of the second wire harness WH4.

[0134] In the correspondence between the structure of this invention and the embodiments described above, The predetermined direction of this invention corresponds to the vertical direction of the embodiment. The same applies to the following: The first and second enclosures correspond to the lower enclosure 11 and the upper enclosure 12, and the upper enclosure 21 and the lower enclosure 22. The wires are compatible with the second wire harnesses WH2 and WH4. The wire-side connector is compatible with harness connectors HC2 and HC4. The connector on the junction box side corresponds to the second connector 4, 8. The fixing member corresponds to clamp 5, This invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiments described above, and many other embodiments can be obtained.

[0135] Specifically, for example, in the embodiment described above, the electrical junction box 1 is used in which the second wire harnesses WH2 and WH4 are fixed by the clamp 5. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the electrical junction box 1 may also be used in which at least one electric wire is fixed by the clamp 5.

[0136] Furthermore, although the circuit board 2 is housed and held inside the connection box bodies 10 and 20, the configuration is not limited to this. Any connection box body that houses and holds components that electrically connect the first connector and the second connector, such as a busbar, may also be used.

[0137] Furthermore, although the electrical junction box 1 is shown as having the junction box bodies 10,20 covered by covers 6,9, it is not limited to this configuration, and the electrical junction box 1 may also be configured without covers 6,9. Furthermore, although covers 6 and 9 are made by bending a thin resin sheet into a concave cross-section, the invention is not limited to this, and covers made of resin or metal molded into a concave cross-section may also be used. Covers 6 and 9 may be colored or colorless and transparent.

[0138] Furthermore, the cover covering the junction box bodies 10 and 20 may be a heat shield cover that blocks heat radiated toward the junction box bodies, a heat dissipation cover that dissipates heat from the junction box bodies, a drip-proof cover that prevents water droplets from adhering to the junction box bodies, or a dustproof cover that protects the junction box bodies from dust.

[0139] Furthermore, although the covers 6 and 9 are configured to have mounting surfaces 61 and 91 that are placed on the upper surfaces of the connection box bodies 10 and 20, the covers are not limited to this configuration. Instead of mounting surfaces, the covers may also have a top surface that covers the upper surface of the connection box bodies at a position slightly separated from the upper surface of the connection box bodies.

[0140] Furthermore, although covers 6 and 9 are configured to cover the top and sides of the connection box bodies 10 and 20, the configuration is not limited to this. Any cover that covers three consecutive surfaces of the connection box bodies 10 and 20 may be used, such as a cover that covers the top, sides, and bottom of the connection box bodies 10 and 20, or a cover that covers the top, front, and bottom of the connection box bodies.

[0141] Furthermore, although the covers 6 and 9 are configured to be fixed to a predetermined location on the vehicle by bolts B together with the main body of the connection box 10 and 20, the configuration is not limited to this, and the covers 6 and 9 may also be fixed to the main body of the connection box 10 and 20 by locking or by adhesive tape.

[0142] Furthermore, although the explanation used connection box bodies 10 and 20 having a substantially flat outer surface, the connection box bodies may have any suitable shape. For example, the upper surface of the connection box bodies 10 and 20 may have a stepped portion that protrudes upward. In this case, the cover may have a convex portion on the mounting surface that covers the stepped portion, or an opening on the mounting surface that exposes the stepped portion to the outside.

[0143] Furthermore, although the connection box bodies 10 and 20 are provided with one fixing portion 14 and 24 each, the configuration is not limited to this, and multiple fixing portions may be provided. Furthermore, the positions of the first connectors 3, 7, the second connectors 4, 8, and the fixed parts 14, 24 are not limited to those of Embodiments 1 and 2 described above, and may be provided at appropriate positions according to the desired routing paths of the first wire harnesses WH1, WH3 and the second wire harnesses WH2, WH4. For example, the second connectors and the fixed parts may be provided on the same surface of the connection box body.

[0144] Furthermore, although the fixed portion 24 in Example 2 was an extension from the connection box body 20, it is not limited to this, and the fixed portion may be formed on the side surface of the connection box body 20. In this case, a through hole is formed in the side surface of the connection box body 20 for the clamp 5 to be engaged. Even in this configuration, the electrical junction box 1 can expose the fixed portion to the outside through the opening in the cover 9.

[0145] Furthermore, although the through holes 14a and 24a of the fixed portions 14 and 24 are formed in a substantially elongated elliptical shape in side view, with the long axis direction substantially parallel to the routing direction of the second wire harnesses WH2 and WH4 toward the second connectors 4 and 8, the design is not limited to this, and may be formed in an appropriate shape that is elongated in the routing direction of the second wire harness toward the second connector. For example, the through-holes of the fixed parts 14 and 24 may be openings that are roughly rectangular in side view and are long in the routing direction of the second wire harness toward the second connector. In this case, the locking portion of the clamp 5 is formed in a shape that is long in the routing direction of the second wire harness, according to the opening shape of the through-hole.

[0146] Furthermore, the through holes of the fixed parts 14 and 24 may be openings that are elongated in a direction intersecting the routing direction of the second wire harness. For example, the through holes of the fixed parts may be formed in a substantially elongated ellipse shape in side view, with the long axis direction being substantially parallel to the direction perpendicular to the routing direction of the second wire harness. In this case, the locking portion of the clamp is formed as a columnar body with a substantially elongated ellipse shape that is elongated in a direction perpendicular to the routing direction of the second wire harness.

[0147] With this configuration, the electrical junction box, as with the embodiments 1 and 2 described above, can suppress the rotation of the clamp compared to a substantially circular through hole, thereby stably maintaining the routing direction of the second wire harness. As a result, the electrical junction box can reliably position the second wire harness toward the junction box body to the desired routing path.

[0148] Furthermore, although the locking portion 51 of the clamp 5 is shaped to have a claw portion 51a in the direction of the long axis, it is not limited to this, and the locking portion of the clamp 5 may also be shaped to have a claw portion in the direction of the short axis. Furthermore, the fixed portion of the electrical connection box 1 is not limited to the embodiments 1 and 2 described above, and may be configured as appropriate as long as it is possible to restrict the routing path of the second wire harness in cooperation with the fixing member.

[0149] For example, in Embodiment 1, a cable tie may be used as a member for fixing the second wire harness WH2 to the fixed part 14, and a pair of insertion holes through which the cable tie is inserted may be formed in the fixed part 14. In this case, the pair of insertion holes open in directions perpendicular to the routing direction of the second wire harness WH2 toward the second connector 4.

[0150] With this configuration, the electrical junction box 1 can restrict the position of the second wire harness WH2 leading to the junction box body 10 in a simple manner. Furthermore, since the pair of through holes prevents the cable ties from rotating, the electrical junction box 1 can stably maintain the routing direction of the second wire harness WH2. Therefore, the electrical junction box 1 can reliably position the second wire harness WH2 leading to the junction box body 10 in the desired routing path.

[0151] Alternatively, the fixed portion may be formed in a shape that extends along the desired routing direction of the second wire harness, and the second wire harness may be fixed using adhesive tape as a fixing member. In this configuration, since the adhesive tape is wrapped around the desired second wire harness in a direction approximately perpendicular to the routing direction, the electrical junction box can restrict the position of the second wire harness heading towards the junction box body with a simple configuration. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0152] 1… Electrical junction box 4,8…Second connector 5… Clamp 6,9…cover 10, 20… Main unit of the connection box 11,22…Lower cabinet 12,21… Upper casing 14…Fixed part 14a, 24a...Through hole 51... Locking part 62,92...Opposing surface part 92a...Open part 92b…Notch part 141,241…Body part 142,242…Connection part HC2, HC4… Harness connector WH2, WH4…Second wire harness

Claims

1. An electrical connection box comprising a connection box body consisting of a first housing and a second housing assembled along a predetermined direction, and a connection box side connector to which a wire-side connector provided at one end of a wire is connected, A fixing member for securing the electric wire to the main body of the junction box, The connection box body is integrally provided with a fixed portion to which the fixing member is fixed, The fixed part is, The routing path of the electric wires routed toward the connector on the connection box side is restricted in cooperation with the fixing member. It has a pair of opposing surfaces and is provided with a cover that has a concave cross-section that integrally covers three continuous surfaces of the main body of the connecting box. The fixed part is, The main body portion of the cover, sandwiching the opposing surface portion, faces the main body of the connection box, It is composed of a connecting portion that straddles the end of the opposing surface portion and connects the main body portion to the connecting box body. Electrical junction box.

2. An electrical connection box comprising a connection box body consisting of a first housing and a second housing assembled along a predetermined direction, and a connection box side connector to which a wire-side connector provided at one end of a wire is connected, A fixing member for securing the electric wire to the main body of the junction box, The connection box body is integrally provided with a fixed portion to which the fixing member is fixed, The fixed part is, The routing path of the electric wires routed toward the connector on the connection box side is restricted in cooperation with the fixing member. It has a pair of opposing surfaces and is provided with a cover that has a concave cross-section that integrally covers three continuous surfaces of the main body of the connecting box. The fixed portion is provided on the part of the connection box body that faces the opposing surface of the cover, An opening is provided on the opposing surface of the cover to expose the part to be fixed. Electrical junction box.

3. The fixed portion is provided with a through hole into which the locking portion of the fixing member is locked, with an opening that is elongated in the direction of the desired wire routing or in a direction intersecting the direction of the desired wire routing. An electrical junction box according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The aforementioned fixing member is used as a cable tie, The fixed portion is provided with a pair of insertion holes formed in a direction perpendicular to the desired wiring direction of the electric wire, through which the cable tie is inserted. An electrical junction box according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The fixed part is, Displaced between the two end faces in the predetermined direction of the connection box body An electrical junction box according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The cover is provided with a notch to prevent interference with the electric wires routed from the fixed portion toward the connector on the connection box side. An electrical junction box according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The cover is formed in a shape that integrally covers at least the main body of the connection box and the connector on the connection box side. An electrical junction box according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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