Electrical junction box
The electrical junction box addresses drainage issues by using a convex bottom plate and matching wire curvature to efficiently discharge water and minimize height, improving drainage and protection.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YAZAKI CORP
- Filing Date
- 2022-11-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-16
AI Technical Summary
Electrical connection boxes, particularly those mounted on vehicle floors, face issues with drainage as water can be trapped between the bottom plate and the floor, preventing effective discharge.
The electrical junction box features a bottom plate with a convex shape and inclined portions that slope towards the mounting surface, incorporating drainage holes, and wires bent to match this convex shape, ensuring water flows smoothly out and allowing for a reduced height design.
This configuration enhances drainage performance by allowing water to flow efficiently out of the box, reduces the overall height, and protects internal components from impact while avoiding wire damage.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connection box.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, in an electrical connection box (for example, a relay box or a branch box) mounted on a vehicle or the like, an electric wire with terminals connected to an external power source, an external load, etc. is drawn from the outside of the electrical connection box into an internal accommodation space, and the terminals of the electric wire with terminals are conductively connected to the contacts of a bus bar, electronic components, etc. held in the electrical connection box (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] By the way, a relay box as an electrical connection box is generally fixed to a vehicle body frame or the like and disposed at a position away from the floor board of the vehicle. Therefore, for example, if a drain hole is provided in the bottom plate of the housing of the relay box, water that has entered the housing can be discharged to the outside through the drain hole. On the other hand, unlike a relay box, an electrical connection box (that is, a branch box) configured to distribute electric power input from an external power source to a plurality of external loads or the like is generally fixed to the floor board of the vehicle and disposed so as to be placed on the floor board of the vehicle. Therefore, even if a simple drain hole is provided in the bottom plate of the case of the branch box, the water discharged from the drain hole may be sandwiched and retained between the bottom plate of the case and the floor board of the vehicle, preventing proper drainage. For these reasons, there is room for improvement in the drainage of an electrical connection box disposed on an installation surface such as the floor board of a vehicle.
[0005] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide an electrical junction box with excellent drainage properties. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the electrical junction box according to the present invention has the following features:
[0007] An electrical junction box comprising a wire with terminals, a housing provided with contacts through which the terminals of the wire with terminals are electrically connected, and a case that houses the housing and through which the wires of the wire with terminals are inserted both internally and externally, and which is to be placed on a predetermined mounting surface, The aforementioned case is, It has a bottom plate portion that faces the mounting surface, legs that secure the case with a gap between the bottom plate portion and the mounting surface, and insertion portions for inserting the electric wires inside and outside the case, The aforementioned bottom plate portion is The bottom plate has a central portion with drainage holes that penetrate the inside and outside, and an inclined portion that slopes closer to the installation surface as it approaches the central portion, and has a shape that is convex toward the installation surface. The aforementioned wire with terminals is Between the terminal electrically connected to the contact and the insertion portion, the electric wire is bent in a shape that protrudes toward the bottom plate portion. It must be an electrical junction box. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to the electrical junction box of the present invention, the bottom plate of the case of the electrical junction box has a central portion in which a drain hole is provided, and an inclined portion that slopes closer to the mounting surface as it approaches the central portion. In other words, the bottom plate has a shape that is convex toward the mounting surface (hereinafter referred to as the "convex shape"). Therefore, water that enters the case flows along the inner surface of the bottom plate toward the drain hole and is discharged to the outside of the case through the drain hole. Furthermore, the legs of the case fix the case to the mounting surface by creating a gap between the bottom plate and the mounting surface. Here, because the bottom plate has a convex shape, the gap between the outer surface of the bottom plate and the mounting surface increases as it moves away from the central portion of the bottom plate (i.e., the drain hole). This gap allows water discharged from the drain hole to flow smoothly toward the surrounding area. In addition, because the wires of the terminal-equipped wires are curved in a shape that is convex in the same direction as the bottom plate, even if water flows along the wires, the water dripping from the wires quickly reaches the drain hole and is discharged. Therefore, this configuration of electrical junction box has superior drainage compared to cases where the bottom plate of the case is simply a flat plate or where the bottom plate of the case is concave inward.
[0009] Furthermore, the electrical junction box with the above configuration has other advantages. Specifically, because the bottom plate and the wires are convex in the same direction, the height of the electrical junction box (i.e., the size in the height direction relative to the mounting surface) can be reduced compared to a case where the bottom plate is recessed inward, even if a gap (so-called clearance) is provided between the wires and the bottom plate to prevent interference. In other words, the electrical junction box can be made smaller by effectively utilizing the space inside the case while avoiding damage to the wires due to contact with the bottom plate.
[0010] 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]
[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a top view of the shield case containing the junction box shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the main part of the AA section in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the BB cross-section in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of section C in Figure 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0012] <Embodiment> The following description will explain an electrical junction box 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1, with reference to the drawings. The electrical junction box 1 is typically a junction box mounted in a vehicle. The electrical junction box 1 performs the function of distributing power supplied from an external power source (not shown) to a plurality of external electronic devices (not shown).
[0013] For the sake of explanation, the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" are defined as shown in Figures 1 to 5. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are orthogonal to each other. The up-down direction corresponds to the up-down direction of the vehicle when the electrical junction box 1 is mounted on the vehicle. Note that the front-rear direction and left-right direction do not necessarily have to correspond to the front-rear direction and left-right direction of the vehicle when the electrical junction box 1 is mounted on the vehicle.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical connection box 1 includes a shield case 10 having an upper opening, a junction box 40 housed in the shield case 10, a case cover 50 covering the upper opening of the shield case 10, a plurality of device-side wire harnesses 20 each having one end side drawn into the shield case 10 and connected to the connector portions 48, 49 (see FIG. 3) of the junction box 40, and a power supply-side wire harness 30 having one end side drawn into the shield case 10 and connected to the connector portions 41, 43 (see FIG. 1) of the junction box 40.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the shield case 10 is a box made of a conductive metal (for example, aluminum alloy) formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having an upper opening, and has a large space inside. The case cover 50 is a thin plate made of a conductive metal that covers the upper opening of the shield case 10, has substantially the same shape as the outer periphery of the upper part of the shield case 10, and is fixed to the screw holes of the shield case 10 by passing screws 51 through a plurality of screw holes around it.
[0016] Leg portions 18 protruding downward are provided at the four corners of the shield case 10, a pair of front and rear bracket portions 11 protrude from the pair of left front and rear leg portions 18, and a pair of front and rear bracket portions 12 protrude from the pair of right front and rear leg portions 18. The shield case 10 is placed on the installation surface 2a (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the horizontal panel 2 of the vehicle body such that the tip portions (lower end portions) of the four leg portions 18 abut on the installation surface 2a. The pair of front and rear bracket portions 11 are bolted to the horizontal panel 2 of the vehicle body by bolts (not shown) inserted through through holes 11a. Also, the pair of front and rear bracket portions 12 are bolted to a vertical panel of the vehicle body (not shown) by bolts (not shown) inserted through through holes 12a.
[0017] When the shield case 10 is placed on the mounting surface 2a of the horizontal panel 2, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the bottom plate portion 17 of the shield case 10 faces the mounting surface 2a with a gap between them. In other words, the four legs 18 fix the electrical connection box 1 with a gap between the bottom plate portion 17 and the mounting surface 2a. The detailed structure of the bottom plate portion 17 of the shield case 10 and its surroundings, and the effects of adopting such a structure, will be described later.
[0018] As shown in Figure 1, a power supply wire insertion section 13 is formed as a notch in the upper edge of one location on the rear wall of the shield case 10. The power supply wire insertion section 13 holds a grommet 31 having an insertion hole through which the power supply side wire harness 30 is inserted, and one end of the power supply side wire harness 30 is pulled into the shield case 10 via the grommet 31 (power supply wire insertion section 13). The other end of the power supply side wire harness 30 is connected to an external power supply (not shown). The power supply side wire harness 30 has a positive wire 35 (insulated wire) for the power supply side circuit that supplies power to the junction box 40, and a negative wire 37 (insulated wire) for the ground side circuit. Connectors 36 and 38 are connected to the terminals of one end of the positive wire 35 and the negative wire 37, respectively.
[0019] At the upper edge of a plurality (specifically six) of locations on the front wall, rear wall, and left wall of the shield case 10, notch-shaped distribution wire insertion portions 15 are respectively formed. In each of the distribution wire insertion portions 15, a grommet 21 having an insertion hole through which the device-side wire harness 20 is inserted is held. One end side of a plurality (specifically six) of device-side wire harnesses 20 is respectively drawn into the shield case 10 through the corresponding grommet 21 (distribution wire insertion portion 15). The other end side of each device-side wire harness 20 is connected to a corresponding external electronic device (not shown). Each device-side wire harness 20 has a plus-side wire 25 of a device-side circuit that supplies the power distributed by the junction box 40 to the corresponding electronic device, and a minus-side wire 27 of the device-side circuit. At the terminals of one end side of the plus-side wire 25 and the minus-side wire 27, a connector 28 that houses a female terminal 22 and a connector 29 that houses a female terminal 24 are respectively connected (see FIG. 3).
[0020] The junction box 40 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 42 made of synthetic resin (see FIGS. 1 to 4). The housing 42 is housed in the internal space of the shield case 10 and is bolted to the shield case 10 using two bolts 46 (see FIG. 2) so as to have a sufficient vertical gap between the inner surface (upper surface) of the bottom plate portion 17 of the shield case 10 (see FIG. 3).
[0021] In the housing 42, a plurality (specifically six) of fuses 44 arranged side by side in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 3), a power supply-side bus bar (not shown) arranged to extend in the front-rear direction on the right side of the plurality of fuses 44 and supplying power to the plurality of fuses 44 collectively, a plurality (specifically six) of distribution bus bars 45 arranged side by side in the front-rear direction on the left side of the plurality of fuses 44 and respectively distributing power from the plurality of fuses 44 individually, and an earth-side bus bar 47 arranged to extend in the front-rear direction on the left side of the plurality of distribution bus bars 45 (see FIG. 3) are housed.
[0022] As shown in Figure 3, multiple connector sections 48 and 49 are provided on the lower surface of the housing 42 (see Figure 3). The multiple (specifically six) connector sections 48 are arranged in the front-to-back direction to correspond to the multiple power distribution busbars 45, and are individually electrically connected to each of the multiple power distribution busbars 45. The multiple (specifically six) connector sections 49 are arranged in the front-to-back direction to the left of the multiple connector sections 48, and are collectively electrically connected to the ground busbar 47. The connector 28 that houses the female terminals 22 connected to one end of each equipment-side wire harness 20 is fitted into the corresponding connector section 48. This electrically connects the positive wires 25 of each equipment-side wire harness 20 to the corresponding power distribution busbars 45 inside the housing 42. The connector 29 that houses the female terminals 24 connected to one end of each equipment-side wire harness 20 is fitted into the corresponding connector section 49 (see also Figure 4). As a result, the negative wire 27 of each device's wire harness 20 is electrically connected to the ground busbar 47 inside the housing 42.
[0023] Connectors 41 and 43 are provided on the upper surface of the housing 42 (see Figures 1 to 3). Connector 41 is electrically connected to the power supply busbar inside the housing 42. Connector 43 is electrically connected to the ground busbar 47 inside the housing 42. Connector 36 (see Figure 1), connected to one end of the power supply wire harness 30, is fitted into connector 41. This electrically connects the positive wire 35 of the power supply wire harness 30 to the power supply busbar inside the housing 42. Connector 38 (see Figure 1), connected to one end of the power supply wire harness 30, is fitted into connector 43. This electrically connects the negative wire 37 of the power supply wire harness 30 to the ground busbar 47 inside the housing 42.
[0024] With the above configuration, the power from the external power supply is supplied (distributed) to the corresponding external electronic devices via the positive wire 35 of the power supply side wire harness 30, the power supply side busbar, the corresponding fuse 44, the corresponding distribution busbar 45, and the positive wire 25 of the corresponding equipment side wire harness 20, in that order. The ground side circuit of each of the multiple external electronic devices is connected to the ground side circuit of the external power supply via the negative wire 27 of the corresponding equipment side wire harness 20, the ground side busbar 47, and the negative wire 37 of the power supply side wire harness 30, in that order.
[0025] Next, the detailed structure of the bottom plate portion 17 of the shield case 10 and its surrounding area will be described. When the shield case 10 is placed on the mounting surface 2a of the horizontal panel 2 of the vehicle body, the bottom plate portion 17 of the shield case 10 faces the mounting surface 2a in the vertical direction with a gap between them, as described above (see Figures 3 and 4). As shown in Figure 3, the bottom plate portion 17 has a convex shape (hereinafter referred to as "convex shape") such that the central portion 17c is closer to the mounting surface 2a than the left and right peripheral portions 17d in the left and right directions. Specifically, the bottom plate portion 17 has a V-shaped bend (when viewed from the front-rear direction) in which a roughly rectangular flat metal inclined portion 17a on the left side and a roughly rectangular flat metal inclined portion 17b on the right side are connected to each other at the central portion 17c. As shown in Figure 4, the central portion 17c extends horizontally in the front-rear direction along the boundary between the pair of left and right inclined portions 17a and 17b.
[0026] Drainage holes 19 extending vertically are formed near the front and rear ends of the central portion 17c of the bottom plate portion 17, which extends in the front-rear direction, so as to penetrate the bottom plate portion 17 inward and outward (see Figures 3 and 4). In other words, the bottom plate portion 17 has a central portion 17c where drainage holes 19 that penetrate the bottom plate portion 17 inward and outward are provided, and inclined portions 17a and 17b that are inclined so as they approach the central portion 17c they approach the installation surface 2a, and has a shape that is convex toward the installation surface 2a. In this example, the opening of each drainage hole 19 has the shape of a square with a side length P. Because such a pair of front and rear drainage holes 19 are formed in the bottom plate portion 17, water that enters the shield case 10 flows along the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 17 toward the pair of front and rear drainage holes 19 and is discharged to the outside of the shield case 10 through the pair of front and rear drainage holes 19 (see the white arrows in Figures 3 to 5). Furthermore, because the bottom plate portion 17 has a convex shape, the distance between the outer surface (lower surface) of the bottom plate portion 17 and the installation surface 2a increases in the left-right direction as it moves away from the central portion 17c of the bottom plate portion 17 (i.e., the drain hole 19) (see Figure 3). Therefore, water discharged from the drain hole 19 flows smoothly away from the drain hole 19 towards the surrounding area. Moreover, even if the shield case 10 is deformed due to excessive impact, the convex shape of the bottom plate portion 17 makes it easy for the bottom plate portion 17 to deform in such a way that it pushes its central portion 17c toward the installation surface 2a (i.e., downward). As a result, the deformed bottom plate portion 17 is less likely to damage the junction box 40 (housing 42) or the equipment-side wire harness 20 located above the bottom plate portion 17.
[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, if the opening area (P × P) on the inside (upper side) of the drain hole 19 is defined as the inflow area Sin, and the outflow area Sout is defined as the value obtained by multiplying the length of the opening perimeter (P × 4) on the outside (lower side) of the drain hole 19 by the distance (Q) between the opening perimeter and the installation surface 2a (= P × 4 × Q), then the four legs 18 of the shield case 10 (see Figure 1) are positioned to fix the electrical connection box 1 such that Sout is greater than Sin. Therefore, assuming that the flow velocity of the drained water is constant in the flow path, the water that flows into the drain hole 19 is properly discharged without remaining inside the drain hole 19.
[0028] As shown in Figure 3, each of the multiple equipment-side wire harnesses 20 (= positive wire 25 + negative wire 27) that are pulled into the shield case 10 via the grommet 21 (distribution wire insertion section 15) is curved in a convex shape toward the bottom plate 17 (downward) between the female terminals 22 and 24 (connectors 28 and 29) which are electrically connected to the distribution busbar 45 and the earth busbar 47 respectively, and the distribution wire insertion section 15. In this way, the bottom plate 17 and the equipment-side wire harnesses 20 are convex in the same direction (= downward), so that the equipment-side wire harnesses 20 are brought closer to the bottom plate 17 while avoiding contact between the equipment-side wire harnesses 20 and the bottom plate 17, thereby reducing the size of the electrical junction box 1 (especially the vertical size relative to the mounting surface 2a).
[0029] Furthermore, the lowest points of the convexly curved portions of each device-side wire harness 20 (specifically, the lowest point 25a of the positive wire 25 and the lowest point 27a of the negative wire 27, as shown in Figure 3) are located near the central part 17c of the bottom plate 17 (i.e., the drain hole 19) in the left-right direction. Therefore, when water moving along the convexly curved portions of each device-side wire harness 20 falls from the lowest points 25a and 27a towards the bottom plate 17, the water that falls onto the bottom plate 17 can travel a short path to the drain hole 19 and be drained through the drain hole 19.
[0030] <Effects and Actions> As described above, according to the electrical junction box 1 of this embodiment, the bottom plate portion 17 of the shield case 10 of the electrical junction box 1 has a shape that is convex (hereinafter referred to as "convex shape") such that the central portion 17c of the bottom plate portion 17 is closer to the installation surface 2a than the peripheral portion 17d of the bottom plate portion 17, and the central portion 17c has a drainage hole 19 that penetrates the bottom plate portion 17 inward and outward. Therefore, water that enters the shield case 10 flows along the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 17 toward the drainage hole 19 and is discharged to the outside of the shield case 10 through the drainage hole 19. Furthermore, because the bottom plate portion 17 has a convex shape, the distance between the outer surface of the bottom plate portion 17 and the installation surface 2a increases as it moves away from the central portion 17c of the bottom plate portion 17 (i.e., the drainage hole 19). Therefore, water discharged from the drainage hole 19 can easily flow smoothly away from the drainage hole 19 toward the surrounding area. In addition, because the electric wires 25 and 27 are curved in a shape that is convex in the same direction as the bottom plate portion 17, even if water flows along the electric wires, the water dripping from the electric wires quickly reaches the drainage hole 19 and is discharged. Therefore, compared to cases where the bottom plate portion of the shield case 10 has a simple flat shape or a shape that is recessed toward the inside of the shield case 10, the electrical connection box 1 according to this embodiment has superior drainage performance.
[0031] Furthermore, the equipment-side wire harness 20 bends within the shield case 10 into a shape that protrudes toward the bottom plate portion 17, corresponding to the convex shape of the bottom plate portion 17 of the shield case 10. Generally, it is undesirable for the wires to come into contact with the bottom plate portion 17 of the shield case 10 in order to prevent damage to the wires. In this respect, in the electrical junction box 1 according to this embodiment, since the bottom plate portion 17 and the equipment-side wire harness 20 are convex in the same direction, the space inside the shield case 10 can be effectively utilized by bringing the equipment-side wire harness 20 closer to the bottom plate portion 17 while avoiding contact between the equipment-side wire harness 20 and the bottom plate portion 17. As a result, the size of the electrical junction box 1 (especially the size in the vertical direction relative to the mounting surface 2a) can be reduced.
[0032] Furthermore, the bottom plate portion 17 of the shield case 10 has a V-shape in which a pair of plate-shaped inclined portions 17a and 17b are connected to each other in the central portion 17c. The central portion 17c extends linearly along the boundary between the inclined portions 17a and 17b. Multiple drainage holes 19 are provided in this central portion 17c. This allows water collected in the central portion 17c to be efficiently discharged through the multiple drainage holes.
[0033] Furthermore, when the electrical junction box 1 is fixed to the legs 18 of the shield case 10, the outflow area Sout, which is the length of the opening edge of the drain hole 19 on the outer surface of the case 10 multiplied by the distance between the opening edge and the installation surface (Q) (=P×4×Q), becomes larger than the inflow area Sin, which is the opening area (P×P) of the drain hole 19 on the inner surface of the case 10. Therefore, assuming that the flow velocity of the drained water is constant in the flow path, the water that flows into the drain hole 19 will not remain in the drain hole 19 but will be properly discharged. This further improves the drainage performance of the electrical junction box 1.
[0034] Furthermore, the shield case 10, which houses the junction box 40 (housing 42) and through which the equipment-side wire harness 20 is inserted both internally and externally, is made of metal. Such a robust shield case 10 can properly protect the housing 42 and other components from external impacts. Moreover, even if the shield case 10 is deformed due to excessive impact, the convex shape of the bottom plate 17 makes it easier for the deformation to occur in a way that pushes the central portion 17c toward the mounting surface 2a. As a result, the deformed bottom plate 17 is less likely to damage the housing 42 or the equipment-side wire harness 20. Therefore, the electrical junction box 1 according to this embodiment has excellent performance in protecting the housing 42 and other components inside the shield case 10.
[0035] <Other forms> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. Furthermore, 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.
[0036] Here, the features of the embodiment of the electrical junction box 1 according to the present invention described above are briefly listed.
[0037] [1] An electrical junction box (1) comprises a wire with terminals (20), a housing (42) provided with contacts (45, 47) through which the terminals (22, 24) of the wire with terminals (20) are electrically connected, and a case (10) that houses the housing (42) and through which the wires (25, 27) of the wire with terminals (20) are inserted both inside and outside, and is to be placed on a predetermined mounting surface (2a), The aforementioned case (10) is, It has a bottom plate portion (17) that faces the mounting surface (2a), legs (18) that leave a gap between the bottom plate portion (17) and the mounting surface (2a) to fix the case (10), and insertion portions (15) for inserting the electric wires (25, 27) inside and outside the case (10), The bottom plate portion (17) is, The bottom plate portion (17) has a central portion (17c) through which drainage holes (19) are provided, and inclined portions (17a, 17b) that are inclined to approach the installation surface (2a) as they approach the central portion (17c), and has a shape that is convex toward the installation surface (2a). The aforementioned wire with terminals (20) Between the terminals (22, 24) electrically connected to the contacts (45, 47) and the insertion portion (15), the electric wires (25, 27) are bent in a shape that protrudes toward the bottom plate portion (17). Electrical junction box (1).
[0038] In the electrical junction box with the configuration described in [1] above, the bottom plate of the case of the electrical junction box has a central part in which a drain hole is provided, and an inclined part that slopes closer to the mounting surface as it approaches the central part. In other words, the bottom plate has a shape that is convex toward the mounting surface (hereinafter referred to as the "convex shape"). Therefore, water that enters the case flows along the inner surface of the bottom plate toward the drain hole and is discharged outside the case through the drain hole. Furthermore, the legs of the case fix the case to the mounting surface by creating a gap between the bottom plate and the mounting surface. Here, because the bottom plate has a convex shape, the gap between the outer surface of the bottom plate and the mounting surface increases as it moves away from the central part of the bottom plate (i.e., the drain hole). This gap makes it easier for water discharged from the drain hole to flow smoothly away from the drain hole toward the surrounding area. In addition, because the wires of the terminal-equipped wires are curved in a shape that is convex in the same direction as the bottom plate, even if water flows along the wires, the water dripping from the wires quickly reaches the drain hole and is discharged. Therefore, this configuration of electrical junction box has superior drainage compared to cases where the bottom plate of the case is simply a flat plate or where the bottom plate of the case is concave inward.
[0039] Furthermore, the electrical junction box with the above configuration has other advantages. Specifically, because the bottom plate and the wires are convex in the same direction, the height of the electrical junction box (i.e., the size in the height direction relative to the mounting surface) can be reduced compared to a case where the bottom plate is recessed inward, even if a gap (so-called clearance) is provided between the wires and the bottom plate to prevent interference. In other words, the electrical junction box can be made smaller by effectively utilizing the space inside the case while avoiding damage to the wires due to contact with the bottom plate.
[0040] [2] In the electrical junction box (1) described in [1] above, The bottom plate portion (17) of the case (10) is The pair of plate-shaped inclined portions (17a, 17b) are connected to each other in the central portion (17c), forming a bent plate shape, and the central portion (17c) has a plurality of drainage holes (19). Electrical junction box (1).
[0041] According to the electrical junction box configuration described in [2] above, the bottom plate of the case has a bent plate shape (for example, V-shape) in which a pair of plate-like inclined sections are connected to each other in the center. The central section extends linearly along the boundary between the inclined sections. Multiple drainage holes are provided in this central section. This allows water collected in the central section to be efficiently drained through the multiple drainage holes.
[0042] [3] In the electrical junction box (1) described in [1] above, The leg portion (18) of the case (10) is The case (10) is fixed in such a manner that the outflow area (Sout), which is the length of the opening periphery on the outer surface of the drain hole (19) multiplied by the distance (Q) between the opening periphery and the installation surface, is greater than the inflow area (Sin), which is the opening area (P × P) on the inner surface of the bottom plate portion (17) of the drain hole (19). Electrical junction box (1).
[0043] According to the electrical junction box configuration described in [3] above, when the electrical junction box is fixed by the legs of the case, the outflow area, which is the length of the outer edge of the opening on the drain hole multiplied by the distance between the opening edge and the installation surface, becomes larger than the inflow area, which is the opening area on the inner side of the drain hole. Therefore, assuming that the flow velocity of the drained water is constant in the flow path, the water that flows into the drain hole will not remain in the drain hole but will be properly discharged. This further improves the drainage performance of the electrical junction box.
[0044] [4] In the electrical junction box (1) described in [1] above, The case (10) is made of metal. Electrical junction box (1).
[0045] In the electrical junction box configuration described in [4] above, the case, which houses the housing and through which terminal-equipped wires are inserted both internally and externally, is made of metal. Such a robust case can adequately protect the housing and other components from external impacts. Furthermore, even if the case is subjected to an excessive impact that causes deformation, the convex shape of the bottom plate makes it easier for the deformation to occur in a way that pushes the center of the bottom plate toward the mounting surface. As a result, the deformed bottom plate is less likely to damage the housing or terminal-equipped wires. Therefore, the electrical junction box configuration in this configuration has excellent performance in protecting the housing and other components inside the case. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0046] 1. Electrical junction box 2a Installation surface 10 Shield Case (Case) 15 Distribution wire insertion section (insertion section) 17 Bottom plate part 17a Slope 17b Slope 17c central part 17d Peripheral area 18 Legs 19 Drain hole 20. Equipment-side wire harness (wire with terminals) 22 Female terminals (terminals) 24 Female terminals (terminals) 25. Positive side wire (wire) 27 Negative side wire (wire) 42 Housing 45 Power distribution busbar (contact) 47. Ground busbar (contact)
Claims
1. An electrical junction box comprising a wire with terminals, a housing provided with contacts through which the terminals of the wire with terminals are electrically connected, and a case that houses the housing and through which the wires of the wire with terminals are inserted both internally and externally, and which is to be placed on a predetermined mounting surface, The aforementioned case is, It has a bottom plate portion that faces the mounting surface, legs that secure the case with a gap between the bottom plate portion and the mounting surface, and insertion portions for inserting the electric wires inside and outside the case, The aforementioned bottom plate portion is The bottom plate has a central portion with drainage holes that penetrate the inside and outside, and an inclined portion that slopes closer to the installation surface as it approaches the central portion, and has a shape that is convex toward the installation surface. The aforementioned wire with terminals is Between the terminal electrically connected to the contact and the insertion portion, the electric wire is bent in a shape that protrudes toward the bottom plate portion. Electrical junction box.
2. In the electrical junction box according to claim 1, The bottom plate portion of the case is The pair of plate-shaped inclined portions are connected to each other in the central part, forming a bent plate shape, and the central part has a plurality of drainage holes. Electrical junction box.
3. In the electrical junction box according to claim 1, The legs of the case are The case is fixed in such a manner that the outflow area, which is the value obtained by multiplying the length of the opening periphery on the outer surface of the bottom plate of the drain hole by the distance between the opening periphery and the installation surface, is larger than the inflow area, which is the opening area on the inner surface of the bottom plate of the drain hole. Electrical junction box.
4. In the electrical junction box according to claim 1, The aforementioned case is made of metal. Electrical junction box.