Base structure and electrical junction box equipped with the base structure

Abstract

To provide a base structure and an electrical junction box equipped with the base structure, which allows the base body to be easily assembled to a cover main body after replacing or repairing a part housed in the base body.SOLUTION: A base structure includes a base body having a part storage portion in which replaceable parts are stored, and a cover body into which the base body is slid and stored, the cover body includes a locking portion that locks the base body, the base body includes a first engagement portion with which the locking portion engages when the part storage portion is stored in the cover body, and a second engagement portion that is located lower than the first engagement portion in the sliding direction of the base body and with which the locking portion engages.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a base structure and an electrical connection box provided with the base structure, and it is possible to replace parts accommodated in the base body without detaching the base body from the cover body, and after replacing the parts, the base body can be easily assembled to the cover body. The present invention relates to a base structure and an electrical connection box provided with the base structure.

Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle of an automobile, as a relay point or a branch point between wire harnesses connected to a battery and various electrical devices mounted on the vehicle body, and also as a housing part for housing various electrical components mounted on the vehicle body, an electrical connection box is mounted.

[0003] The electrical connection box includes a base structure having a base body and a cover body for housing the base body, and connection connectors such as various electrical components and wire harnesses are housed in the component housing part of the base body according to type or function. When problems such as breakage or failure occur in the components housed in the component housing part of the base body, it is necessary to replace or repair them with new components.

[0004] Conventionally, when replacing or repairing a component housed in the component housing part of the base body with a new component, an operator pulls out the base body from the cover body to completely detach the base body from the cover body, exposes the detachable part to which the component is attached to the base body, and operates the detachable part to remove the component with problems from the component housing part of the base body, and attaches a new component to the component housing part of the base body, or attaches the repaired component to the component housing part of the base body. The operator performs the operation of attaching a new component or a repaired component to the component housing part of the base body, and further, after attaching a new component or a repaired component to the component housing part of the base body, the base body is assembled to the cover body by fitting the base body into the cover body.

[0005] However, if the base body is completely detached from the cover body, the insertion ribs on the base body will completely disengage from the guide ribs on the cover body that engage with the insertion ribs. As a result, when assembling the base body to the cover body, it may not be possible to smoothly fit the base body into the cover body, which can lead to delays in the assembly process or deformation of the base body or cover body. Therefore, it has been proposed to facilitate the positioning of the base body relative to the cover body by providing a configuration that allows the operator to visually confirm at a glance that all the insertion guides on the base body are inserted into the respective guide recesses on the cover body when housing the base body inside the cover body (Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 improves the ease of assembling the base body to the cover body by facilitating the positioning of the base body relative to the cover body.

[0006] However, even in Patent Document 1, when replacing or repairing parts housed in the parts housing section of the base body, it is still necessary to completely detach the base body from the cover body, which presents a problem in terms of ease of assembly of the base body to the cover body. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-243284 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a base structure and an electrical connection box equipped with the base structure, which allow the base body to be easily assembled to the cover body after the replacement or repair of the components housed in the base body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The gist of the present invention is as follows: [1] A base body having a component housing section that houses replaceable parts, The base structure comprises a cover body in which the aforementioned base body is slidably inserted and housed, The cover body has a locking portion for locking the base body, The base structure comprises a first engaging portion into which the locking portion engages when the component housing portion is housed in the cover body, and a second engaging portion provided at a lower position in the sliding direction of the base body than the first engaging portion, into which the locking portion engages. [2] The base structure according to [1], wherein the second engaging portion is engaged with the locking portion when the component housing portion protrudes from the tip of the cover body, and the first engaging portion is engaged with the locking portion when the component housing portion is lower than the tip of the cover body in the sliding direction of the base body. [3] The base structure according to [1] or [2], wherein the locking portion is a protruding piece that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the cover body, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are recesses formed on the outer surface of the base body. [4] The base structure according to [1] or [2], wherein the base body has a detachable portion for attaching and detaching the replaceable component housed in the component housing portion to the component housing portion, and the second engaging portion is provided at a lower position in the sliding direction of the base body than the detachable portion. [5] The base structure according to [1] or [2], wherein the base body has a detachable portion for attaching and detaching the replaceable component housed in the component housing portion to the component housing portion, and the second engaging portion engages with the locking portion with the detachable portion protruding from the tip of the cover body. [6] The base structure according to [1] or [2], wherein the base body has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction in a plan view, and the first engaging portion is provided on the side surface that forms the transverse direction of the base body. [7] The base structure according to [6], wherein the side surface forming the short direction of the base body has a first side surface and a second side surface facing the first side surface, and the first engaging portion is provided on the first side surface and the second side surface. [8] The base structure according to [1] or [2], wherein the base body has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction in a plan view, and the second engaging portion is provided on the side surface that forms the transverse direction of the base body. [9] The base structure according to [8], wherein the side surface forming the short direction of the base body has a first side surface and a second side surface facing the first side surface, and the second engaging portion is provided on the first side surface and the second side surface.

[10] The base structure according to [1] or [2], wherein the base body further has an insertion assist portion extending in the sliding direction of the base body for assisting the insertion of the base body into the cover body, and the cover body further has an auxiliary engagement portion extending in the sliding direction of the base body into which the insertion assist portion is slidably engaged.

[11] The base structure according to

[10] , wherein the insertion assist portion is provided at two corners of the base body that are opposite to each other in an oblique direction when viewed from above.

[12] The base structure according to

[10] , wherein the insertion assist portion is an insertion rib and the auxiliary engagement portion is a guide rib that guides the insertion rib.

[13] The base structure according to

[10] , wherein the insertion assist portion is engaged with the assisting portion while the second engaging portion is engaged with the locking portion.

[14] The base structure according to [4], wherein the attachment / detachment portion is a through hole through which the threaded portion of a bolt is inserted.

[15] A base structure comprising a base body having a component housing portion for housing replaceable parts, and a cover body in which the base body is slidably inserted and housed, wherein the cover body has a locking portion for locking the base body, and the base body has a first engaging portion in which the locking portion engages when the component housing portion is housed in the cover body, and a second engaging portion provided at a lower position in the sliding direction of the base body than the first engaging portion, in which the locking portion engages, A busbar electrically connected to the replaceable component, An electrical connection box comprising an upper cover portion provided on the upper part of the base body.

[0010] In an embodiment of the base structure of the present invention, the locking portion of the cover body engages with either a first or second engaging portion of the base body. When the locking portion of the cover body engages with the first engaging portion of the base body, the base body is fully assembled to the cover body, and the electrical connection box equipped with the cover body can be mounted on the vehicle body. Furthermore, when the locking portion of the cover body is engaged with the second engaging portion of the base body, the position of the component housing portion is higher than when the locking portion is engaged with the first engaging portion of the base body.

[0011] In the above embodiment of the present invention, "plan view" means a view taken from a direction parallel to the insertion direction of the base body into the cover body and facing the inner bottom surface of the cover body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to an embodiment of the base structure of the present invention, the cover body has a locking portion for locking the base body, and the base body has a first engaging portion into which the locking portion engages when the component housing portion is housed in the cover body, and a second engaging portion provided at a lower position in the sliding direction of the base body than the first engaging portion, into which the locking portion engages. As a result, when the locking portion of the cover body is engaged with the second engaging portion of the base body, the component housing portion is at a higher position in the sliding direction of the base body than when it is housed in the cover body. Therefore, when the locking portion of the cover body is engaged with the second engaging portion of the base body, the component housing portion can be replaced or repaired. From the above, according to an embodiment of the base structure of the present invention, by engaging the locking portion of the cover body with the second engaging portion of the base body and performing replacement or repair work on the component housing portion, it is not necessary to detach the base body from the cover body for replacement or repair of the component, and the base body can be easily assembled to the cover body after the replacement or repair of the component housing portion.

[0013] According to an aspect of the base structure of the present invention, the locking portion is a protruding piece that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the cover body toward the inside of the cover body, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are recesses formed on the outer surface of the base body. Thus, the locking portion of the cover body can be smoothly engaged with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion of the base body.

[0014] According to an aspect of the base structure of the present invention, the base body has a detachable portion for attaching and detaching the replaceable component housed in the component housing portion to and from the component housing portion, and the second engaging portion is engaged with the locking portion in a state where the detachable portion protrudes from the tip of the cover body. Thus, the operation of replacing or repairing the component housed in the base body can be further facilitated without detaching the base body from the cover body.

[0015] According to an aspect of the base structure of the present invention, the side surface forming the short side direction of the base body has a first side surface and a second side surface facing the first side surface, and the first engaging portion is provided on each of the first side surface and the second side surface. Thus, the assembly of the base body to the cover body can be stabilized.

[0016] According to an aspect of the base structure of the present invention, the side surface forming the short side direction of the base body has a first side surface and a second side surface facing the first side surface, and the second engaging portion is provided on each of the first side surface and the second side surface. Thus, the posture of the base body during replacement or repair of the component housed in the base body can be stabilized.

[0017] According to an aspect of the base structure of the present invention, the base body further has an insertion assisting portion that extends in the sliding direction of the base body and assists in inserting the base body into the cover body, and the cover body further has an auxiliary engaging portion that extends in the sliding direction of the base body and is slidably engaged with the insertion assisting portion. Thus, the base body can be easily assembled to the cover body even if the base body is detached from the cover body.

[0018] According to an aspect of the base structure of the present invention, since the insertion assisting portion is provided at two corner portions that face each other in a diagonal direction of the base body in a plan view, when the base body is assembled to the cover main body, it is possible to reliably prevent the base body from being assembled to the cover main body with the components housed in the base body in a reverse arrangement state.

[0019] According to an aspect of the base structure of the present invention, when the second engaging portion is engaged with the locking portion, since the insertion assisting portion is engaged with the auxiliary engaging portion, the insertion assisting portion and the auxiliary engaging portion contribute to an improvement in the workability of assembling the base body to the cover main body. Therefore, after replacing or repairing the components housed in the base body, the base body can be easily assembled to the cover main body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is an explanatory drawing showing an overview of the appearance of an electrical connection box provided with a base structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connection box provided with a base structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view of a base body constituting a base structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the left side. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of a base body constituting a base structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the right side. [Figure 5] It is an overall perspective view of a base structure in a state where the locking portion of the cover main body is engaged with the second engaging portion of the base body. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory drawing from the left side for explaining a state where the locking portion of the cover main body is engaged with the second engaging portion of the base body. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory drawing from the right side for explaining a state where the locking portion of the cover main body is engaged with the second engaging portion of the base body. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view on the left side of a base structure in a state where the locking portion of the cover main body is engaged with the second engaging portion of the base body. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the base structure from the right side, showing the locking portion of the cover body engaged with the second engaging portion of the base body. [Figure 10] This is a diagram from the left illustrating the state in which the locking portion of the cover body is engaged with the first engaging portion of the base body. [Figure 11] This is a front cross-sectional view showing the electrical junction box with its base structure mounted on the vehicle body. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] The following describes a base structure and an electrical junction box equipped with the base structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the appearance of the electrical junction box equipped with the base structure will be described. Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the appearance of the electrical junction box equipped with the base structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, an electrical junction box 100 equipped with a base structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a cover body 10, which is a lower cover, and an upper cover portion 110, which is an upper cover, that is placed over the cover body 10 from above to protect the inside of the cover body 10 from the external environment. Inside the cover body 10 of the base structure 1 is a base body (not shown in Figure 1) having a component housing portion in which replaceable parts are housed. Therefore, the upper cover portion 110 is provided above the base body housed inside the cover body 10. Details of the structure of the base structure 1 will be described later. In addition, the cover body 10 is equipped with a bus bar (not shown in Figure 1) that is electrically connected to the above-mentioned parts housed in the component housing portion of the base body. The base body also has the function of fixing the bus bar.

[0023] The cover body 10 has a fixing part 111 for connecting and fixing the electrical junction box 100 to the vehicle body, and a wire insertion opening 112 for inserting electric wires (not shown in Figure 1) connected to the battery and various electrical equipment into the interior of the electrical junction box 100. In the electrical junction box 100, the fixing part 111 is a through hole, and fastening means such as bolts and nuts are used to connect and fix the electrical junction box 100 to the vehicle body, support members such as brackets, and other vehicle peripheral parts, and mount it on the vehicle. Electrical wires inserted into the interior of the electrical junction box 100 through the wire insertion opening 112 are electrically connected to busbars provided inside the cover body 10.

[0024] Next, the base structure 1 constituting the electrical junction box 100 will be described below. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical junction box equipped with a base structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a left-side perspective view of the base body constituting the base structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a right-side perspective view of the base body constituting the base structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] For the sake of explanation, in the following, the z-axis direction will be defined as the direction parallel to the direction in which the base body 20 of the base structure 1 in Figures 2-4 is inserted into the cover body 10 and the direction in which it is removed from the cover body interior 10. The z-axis direction is the vertical direction, and is also called the "sliding direction". In the base structure 1, the direction in which the base body 20 is inserted into the cover body 10 is defined as the -z direction (downward), and the direction in which the base body 20 is removed from the cover body interior 10 is defined as the +z direction (upward). One of the directions perpendicular to the z-axis direction of the base structure 1 (the x-axis direction) will be defined as the front-back direction. The x-axis direction is also the shorter direction of the base structure 1. The other direction perpendicular to the z-axis direction of the base structure 1 (the y-axis direction) will be defined as the left-right direction. The y-axis direction is also the longer direction of the base structure 1. In the base structure 1, the -y direction is also called the left direction, and the +y direction is also called the right direction.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the base structure 1 comprises a base body 20 having a component housing section 21 that houses replaceable parts 200, and a cover body 10 in which the base body 20 is slid in and housed. The assembly of the base body 20 to the cover body 10 is completed when the base body 20 is completely housed inside the cover body 10 in a predetermined position. After the assembly of the base body 20 to the cover body 10 is completed, the electrical connection box 100 is completed by placing the upper cover section 110 over the component housing section 21 from above.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the cover body 10 has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction in plan view, and has a circumferential surface 12 forming the longitudinal direction and a circumferential surface 13 forming the transverse direction. The cover body 10 also has a locking portion 11 for locking the base body 20. In the base structure 1, the cover body 10 has a locking portion 11 for locking the base body 20 on the inner surface side of the circumferential surface 13 forming the transverse direction. The locking portions 11 are also provided on the inner surfaces of opposing circumferential surfaces 13.

[0028] The shape of the locking portion 11 is not particularly limited. In the base structure 1, the locking portion 11 is a protruding piece that extends inward from the inner circumferential surface of the cover body 10 (the circumferential surface 13 forming the shorter direction in the base structure 1).

[0029] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the base body 20 has a component housing section 21 at its upper part that houses replaceable parts 200. In the base structure 1, the component housing section 21 is structured to house multiple parts 200, 200, 200... The parts 200 housed in the component housing section 21 are electrically connected to a metal busbar (not shown in Figures 2-4) fixed to the base body 20. Note that in Figures 3 and 4, the parts 200 are not shown for ease of explanation. In plan view, the base body 20 has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and has a side surface 22 forming the longitudinal direction and a side surface 23 forming the transverse direction.

[0030] Furthermore, the base body 20 has a first engaging portion 31 located in the left-right direction of the component housing portion 21, that is, at approximately the same height as the component housing portion 21, which engages with the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 when the component housing portion 21 is housed in the cover body 10, and a second engaging portion 32 located at a lower position than the first engaging portion 31 in the sliding direction of the base body 20, which also engages with the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10. Specifically, the first engaging portion 31 and the second engaging portion 32 are provided on the outer surface side of the side 23 that forms the short side of the base body 20. The "sliding direction" refers to the z-axis direction (up and down direction) in the base structure 1, and the base body 20 is inserted into the cover body 10 by sliding downwards (-z direction).

[0031] The side surface 23 forming the shorter direction of the base body 20 has a first side surface 23-1 and a second side surface 23-2 facing the first side surface 23-1, and the first engaging portion 31 is provided on the first side surface 23-1 and the second side surface 23-2. The height of the first engaging portion 31 provided on the first side surface 23-1 in the sliding direction is approximately the same as the height of the first engaging portion 31 provided on the second side surface 23-2 in the sliding direction.

[0032] Furthermore, the second engaging portion 32 is also provided on the first side surface 23-1 and the second side surface 23-2 that form the shorter direction of the base body 20. The height of the second engaging portion 32 provided on the first side surface 23-1 in the sliding direction is approximately the same as the height of the second engaging portion 32 provided on the second side surface 23-2 in the sliding direction.

[0033] The first engaging portion 31 is the portion to which the locking portion 11 provided on the cover body 10 engages when the component housing portion 21 is fully housed in the cover body 10 and the base body 20 is assembled to the cover body 10. The second engaging portion 32 is located below the first engaging portion 31 in the sliding direction (z-axis direction) (-z direction), and is the portion to which the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 engages when the component housing portion 21 is not fully housed in the cover body 10 and the base body 20 is not assembled to the cover body 10.

[0034] The shapes of the first engaging portion 31 and the second engaging portion 32 are not particularly limited, as long as they are shapes that can engage with the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10, such as recesses, protrusions, through holes, etc. In the base structure 1, the first engaging portion 31 is a recess formed on the outer surface of the base body 20 (in the base structure 1, the outer surface of the side surface 23 that forms the shorter direction). Also in the base structure 1, the second engaging portion 32 is a recess formed on the outer surface of the base body 20 (in the base structure 1, the outer surface of the side surface 23 that forms the shorter direction).

[0035] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the base body 20 further has an insertion assist portion 33 that extends in the sliding direction of the base body 20 and assists in inserting the base body 20 into the cover body 10. The insertion assist portion 33 is a protruding piece that protrudes from the side surface 22 that forms the longitudinal direction of the base body 20 and also from the side surface 23 that forms the short direction of the base body 20. The side surface 22 that forms the longitudinal direction of the base body 20 has a first side surface 22-1 and a second side surface 22-2 that is opposite to the first side surface 22-1, and the insertion assist portion 33 is provided at the corner formed by the first side surface 23-1 that forms the short direction of the base body 20 and the first side surface 22-1 that forms the longitudinal direction of the base body 20. Furthermore, the insertion assist portion 33 is provided at the corner formed by the second side surface 23-2 that forms the short direction of the base body 20 and the second side surface 22-2 that forms the longitudinal direction of the base body 20. From the above, the insertion assist portion 33 is provided at two corners of the base body 20 that are opposite each other in an oblique direction when viewed from above.

[0036] Corresponding to the fact that the base body 20 has an insertion assist portion 33, the cover body 10 further has an auxiliary engagement portion that extends in the sliding direction of the base body 20 and into which the insertion assist portion 33 is slidably engaged. The insertion assist portion 33 of the base body 20 is an insertion rib, and the auxiliary engagement portion of the cover body 10 is a guide rib that guides the insertion rib (insertion assist portion 33). The auxiliary engagement portion of the cover body 10 will be described later.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, fitting ribs 34 are provided on the side surfaces 22 that form the longitudinal direction of the base body 20. The fitting ribs 34 function as positioning elements for the base body 20 housed inside the cover body 10. The fitting ribs 34 are strip-shaped projections extending from the side surfaces 22. The fitting ribs 34 are provided on the first side surface 22-1 and the second side surface 22-2. In addition, multiple fitting ribs 34 are provided on the first side surface 22-1 and multiple fitting ribs are provided on the second side surface 22-2.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, corresponding to the fact that fitting ribs 34 are provided on the side surface 22 forming the longitudinal direction of the base body 20, guide ribs 14 are provided on the circumferential surface 12 forming the longitudinal direction of the cover body 10, into which the fitting ribs 34 are fitted. The fitting ribs 34 are guided along the sliding direction by the guide ribs 14 and fitted into the guide ribs 14. When the fitting ribs 34 are fitted into the guide ribs 14, the base body 20 is positioned at a predetermined position inside the cover body 10. The guide ribs 14 are protruding portions that protrude in an L-shape in plan view from the circumferential surface 12. The guide ribs 14 are provided on the inner side of the circumferential surface 12 at a position corresponding to the position of the fitting ribs 34.

[0039] Next, we will describe the state in which the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 is engaged with the second engaging portion 32 of the base body 20. Figure 5 is an overall perspective view of the base structure in which the locking portion of the cover body is engaged with the second engaging portion of the base body. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram from the left illustrating the state in which the locking portion of the cover body is engaged with the second engaging portion of the base body. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram from the right illustrating the state in which the locking portion of the cover body is engaged with the second engaging portion of the base body. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view from the left of the base structure in which the locking portion of the cover body is engaged with the second engaging portion of the base body. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view from the right of the base structure in which the locking portion of the cover body is engaged with the second engaging portion of the base body.

[0040] As shown in Figure 5, when the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 is engaged with the second engaging portion 32 of the base body 20, the component housing portion 21 of the base body 20 protrudes from the tip 15, which is the upper edge of the cover body 10. In other words, the second engaging portion 32 engages with the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 while the component housing portion 21 is protruding from the tip 15 of the cover body 10. When the second engaging portion 32 is engaged with the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10, the component housing portion 21 is not fully housed in the cover body 10, and the base body 20 is not assembled to the cover body 10. By having the component housing portion 21 of the base body 20 protrude from the tip 15 of the cover body 10, the worker can replace the component 200 housed in the component housing portion 21 of the base body 20 with a new component or remove the component 200 from the component housing portion 21 for repair.

[0041] Specifically, as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the base body 20 has a detachable part 40 for attaching and detaching replaceable parts 200 housed in the parts housing 21. The detachable part 40 is located below the sliding direction of the parts housing 21. When the first engaging part 31 is engaged with the locking part 11 and the parts housing 21 is fully housed in the cover body 10 and the base body 20 is assembled to the cover body 10, the detachable part 40 is located inside the cover body 10. When the detachable part 40 is located inside the cover body 10, the worker cannot replace the parts 200 housed in the parts housing 21 of the base body 20 with new parts or remove the parts 200 from the parts housing 21 for repair.

[0042] On the other hand, the second engaging portion 32 is located lower than the attachment / detachment portion 40 in the sliding direction of the base body 20. When the second engaging portion 32 is engaged with the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10, and the component housing portion 21 is not fully housed in the cover body 10, and the base body 20 is not assembled to the cover body 10, the attachment / detachment portion 40 protrudes from the tip 15 of the cover body 10. That is, with the attachment / detachment portion 40 protruding from the tip 15 of the cover body 10, the second engaging portion 32 is engaged with the locking portion 11.

[0043] The detachable part 40 protrudes from the tip 15 of the cover body 10, and the detachable part 40 is exposed from the cover body 10, allowing the worker to replace the part 200 housed in the part housing section 21 of the base body 20 with a new part or remove the part 200 from the part housing section 21 for repair.

[0044] The cover body 10 and the base body 20 are made of resin and are flexible. Therefore, due to the flexibility of the cover body 10 and the base body 20, the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 and the second engaging portion 32 of the base body 20 interfere with each other, causing the second engaging portion 32 to engage with the locking portion 11. Furthermore, the operator can release the engagement of the second engaging portion 32 with the locking portion 11 by bending the cover body 10 in its longitudinal direction and sliding the base body 20 upward or downward.

[0045] The structure of the attachment / detachment section 40 is not particularly limited, but in the base structure 1, it is a through-hole through which the threaded portion of a bolt is inserted. That is, the replaceable part 200 is fixed to the part housing section 21 by fastening means using a bolt and nut.

[0046] Furthermore, the components 200 housed in the component housing section 21 of the base body 20 are electrically connected to the busbar 51, which is a metal plate-shaped member. The base body 20 also has the function of fixing the busbar 51. The busbar 51 has a through hole 50 through which the threaded portion of a bolt is inserted, and when the busbar 51 is fixed to the base body 20, the attachment / detachment section 40, which is the through hole, and the through hole 50 of the busbar 51 overlap. By inserting the threaded portion of the bolt through the attachment / detachment section 40 and the through hole 50, and fastening the base body 20 and the busbar 51 with a nut, the components 200 housed in the component housing section 21 are electrically connected to the busbar 51, which is a metal plate-shaped member.

[0047] Furthermore, the structure of the attachment / detachment part 40 may be a connector, for example, instead of a through hole through which the threaded portion of the bolt is inserted.

[0048] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, corresponding to the base body 20 having an insertion assist portion 33, the cover body 10 has an auxiliary engagement portion 16. The auxiliary engagement portion 16 extends in the sliding direction of the base body 20, and the insertion assist portion 33 is slidably engaged with the auxiliary engagement portion 16. The insertion assist portion 33 of the base body 20 is an insertion rib, and the auxiliary engagement portion 16 of the cover body 10 is a guide rib that guides the protruding piece, the insertion assist portion 33.

[0049] As described above, the insertion assist portion 33 is provided at two diagonally opposing corners of the base body 20 in a plan view. In contrast, the assist engagement portion 16 is provided at two diagonally opposing corners of the cover body 10 in a plan view. Specifically, the assist engagement portion 16 is provided at the corner formed by the circumferential surface 13 forming the short direction of the cover body 10 and the circumferential surface 12 forming the long direction of the cover body 10.

[0050] In the base structure 1, when the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 is engaged with the second engaging portion 32 of the base body 20, the insertion assist portion 33 is engaged with the assisting portion 16.

[0051] Next, we will explain the state in which the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 is engaged with the first engaging portion 31 of the base body 20. Figure 10 is a left-hand diagram illustrating the state in which the locking portion of the cover body is engaged with the first engaging portion of the base body.

[0052] As shown in Figure 10, when the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 is engaged with the first engaging portion 31 of the base body 20, the component housing portion 21 of the base body 20 does not protrude from the tip 15, which is the upper edge of the cover body 10. In other words, the first engaging portion 31 engages with the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 when the component housing portion 21 is lower than the tip 15 of the cover body 10 in the sliding direction of the base body 20. When the first engaging portion 31 is engaged with the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10, the component housing portion 21 is fully housed in the cover body 10, and the base body 20 is assembled to the cover body 10. With the base body 20 assembled to the cover body 10, the base structure 1 becomes ready to be mounted on the vehicle body.

[0053] After the worker completes the task of replacing a part 200 housed in the parts storage section 21 of the base body 20 with a new part, or removing the part 200 from the parts storage section 21 for repair, the worker flexes the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 in the longitudinal direction of the cover body 10 to release the engagement of the second engaging portion 32 with the locking portion 11, and slides the base body 20 downward. By further sliding the base body 20 downward while eliminating the flexing of the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10, the first engaging portion 31 of the base body 20 is aligned with the position of the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10, thereby engaging the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 with the first engaging portion 31 of the base body 20.

[0054] When sliding the base body 20 downward, the insertion assist portion 33 of the base body 20 is slidably engaged with the auxiliary engagement portion 16 of the cover body 10, so that the insertion assist portion 33 of the base body 20 and the auxiliary engagement portion 16 of the cover body 10 can facilitate the downward sliding of the base body 20.

[0055] Next, the internal structure of the electrical junction box 100 equipped with the base structure 1 will be described. Figure 11 is a front cross-sectional view of the electrical junction box equipped with the base structure mounted on the vehicle body.

[0056] As shown in Figure 11, in the electrical junction box 100 mounted on the vehicle body, the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 engages with the first engaging portion 31 of the base body 20, and the base structure 1 is in a state where the base body 20 is assembled to the cover body 10. The electric wire 121 is inserted into the interior of the electrical junction box 100 through the electric wire insertion opening 112 of the cover body 10. The bus bar 51 fixed to the base body 20 is electrically connected to the electric wire 121 inserted into the interior of the electrical junction box 100. In addition, the component 200 housed in the component housing 21 located above the bus bar 51 is electrically connected to the electric wire 121 inserted into the interior of the electrical junction box 100 via the bus bar 51.

[0057] A connector terminal 122 is provided at the end of the electric wire 121. The connector terminal 122 and the through hole 50 of the busbar 51 are aligned with the attachment / detachment section 40 of the base body 20. By fastening the aligned attachment / detachment section 40, the through hole 50, and the connector terminal 122 with fastening members (for example, bolts and nuts), the busbar 51 and the components 200 housed in the component housing section 21 are electrically connected to the electric wire 121.

[0058] In the electrical junction box 100, corresponding to the fact that multiple components 200, 200, 200... are housed in the component housing section 21, multiple electric wires 121, 121, 121... are inserted into the interior of the electrical junction box 100, and the base body 20 is provided with multiple attachment / detachment sections 40, 40, 40..., and the bus bar 51 is provided with multiple through holes 50, 50, 50.... Each electric wire 121 is electrically connected to each attachment / detachment section 40.

[0059] An upper cover portion 110 is placed over the cover body 10. The upper cover portion 110 is provided on the upper part of the base body 20 which is housed inside the cover body 10. The upper cover portion 110 protects the upper part of the components 200 housed in the components housing portion 21 from the external environment.

[0060] The components 200 housed in the component housing section 21 are not particularly limited, but examples include fuses, relays, electronic modules, and the like.

[0061] In the base structure 1, the cover body 10 has a locking portion 11 that locks onto the base body 20, and the base body 20 has a first engaging portion 31 into which the locking portion 11 engages when the parts housing portion 21 is housed in the cover body 10 (i.e., when the base body 20 is assembled to the cover body 10), and a second engaging portion 32 which is located lower than the first engaging portion 31 in the sliding direction of the base body 20 and into which the locking portion 11 engages. Therefore, by engaging the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 with the second engaging portion 32 of the base body 20, the parts housing portion 21 can be positioned higher in the sliding direction of the base body 20 than when it is housed in the cover body 10. Consequently, by engaging the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 with the second engaging portion 32 of the base body 20, it is possible to replace or repair the parts 200 housed in the base body 20. As described above, in the base structure 1, by engaging the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 with the second engaging portion 32 of the base body 20 to perform the work of replacing or repairing the parts 200 housed in the base body 20, it is not necessary to detach the base body 20 from the cover body 10 to replace or repair the parts 200. Therefore, after replacing or repairing the parts 200 housed in the base body 20, the base body 20 can be easily assembled to the cover body 10.

[0062] Furthermore, in the base structure 1, the base body 20 can be easily assembled to the cover body 10 after the replacement or repair of the part 200, thereby streamlining the assembly work of the base body 20 to the cover body 10, and preventing deformation of the base body 20 or the cover body 10 when assembling the base body 20 to the cover body 10.

[0063] In particular, in the base structure 1, the locking portion 11 is a protruding piece that extends inward from the circumferential surface 13 of the cover body 10, and the first engaging portion 31 and the second engaging portion 32 are recesses formed on the side surface 23 of the base body 20. Therefore, the locking portion 11 of the cover body 10 can be smoothly and easily engaged with the first engaging portion 31 and the second engaging portion 32 of the base body 20.

[0064] Furthermore, in particular, in the base structure 1, the base body 20 has a detachable portion 40, and with the detachable portion 40 protruding from the tip 15 of the cover body 10, the second engaging portion 32 engages with the locking portion 11. This makes it possible to further facilitate the replacement or repair of the parts 200 housed in the base body 20 without detaching the base body 20 from the cover body 10.

[0065] Furthermore, in particular, the base structure 1 has a first engaging portion 31 provided on both the first side surface 23-1 and the second side surface 23-2, which stabilizes the assembly of the base body 20 to the cover body 10. In addition, the base structure 1 has a second engaging portion 32 provided on both the first side surface 23-1 and the second side surface 23-2, which stabilizes the posture of the base body 20 when replacing or repairing the parts 200 housed in the base body 20.

[0066] Furthermore, in particular, in the base structure 1, the base body 20 has an insertion assist portion 33 that assists in inserting the base body 20 into the cover body 10, and the cover body 10 has an auxiliary engagement portion 16 into which the insertion assist portion 33 is slidably engaged. Therefore, even if the base body 20 housed in the cover body 10 is slid upward (+z direction) to detach the base body 20 from the cover body 10, the base body 20 can be easily assembled to the cover body 10. Moreover, in the base structure 1, the insertion assist portion 33 is provided at two corners of the base body 20 that are diagonally opposite to each other in a plan view. Therefore, when the base body 20 is assembled to the cover body 10, it is possible to reliably prevent the base body 20 from being assembled to the cover body 10 with the components 200 housed in the base body 20 in an inverted position.

[0067] Furthermore, in particular, in the base structure 1, with the second engaging portion 32 engaged with the locking portion 11, the insertion assist portion 33 is slidably engaged with the assisting portion 16, so that the insertion assist portion 33 and the assisting portion 16 contribute to improving the ease of assembly of the base body 20 to the cover body 10. Therefore, the base body 20 can be easily assembled to the cover body 10 after replacing or repairing the parts 200 housed in the base body 20.

[0068] Next, other embodiments of the base structure of the present invention will be described below. In the base structure of the above embodiment, the locking portion of the cover body is provided on the circumferential surface forming the short direction of the cover body, and the first engaging portion and second engaging portion of the base body are provided on the side surface forming the short direction of the base body. Alternatively, the locking portion of the cover body may be provided on the circumferential surface forming the longitudinal direction of the cover body, and the first engaging portion and second engaging portion of the base body may be provided on the side surface forming the longitudinal direction of the base body. Furthermore, in the base structure of the above embodiment, one locking portion of the cover body is provided on each circumferential surface forming the short direction of the cover body, and one first engaging portion and second engaging portion of the base body are provided on each side surface forming the short direction of the base body. Alternatively, multiple locking portions of the cover body may be provided on each circumferential surface forming the short direction of the cover body, and multiple first engaging portions and second engaging portions of the base body may be provided on each side surface forming the short direction of the base body. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1. Base structure 10 Cover body 11 Locking part 15 Tip 16 Auxiliary engagement part 20 base units 21 Component housing 31 First engagement part 32 Second engaging portion 33 Insertion aid 40 Detachable part 100 Electrical junction box

Claims

1. A base body having a parts housing section for housing replaceable parts, The base structure comprises a cover body in which the aforementioned base body is slidably inserted and housed, The cover body has a locking portion for locking the base body, The base structure comprises a first engaging portion into which the locking portion engages when the component housing portion is housed in the cover body, and a second engaging portion provided at a lower position in the sliding direction of the base body than the first engaging portion, into which the locking portion engages.

2. The base structure according to claim 1, wherein the second engaging portion engages with the locking portion when the component housing portion protrudes from the tip of the cover body, and the first engaging portion engages with the locking portion when the component housing portion is lower than the tip of the cover body in the sliding direction of the base body.

3. The base structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking portion is a protruding piece that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the cover body, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are recesses formed on the outer surface of the base body.

4. The base structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base body has a detachable portion for attaching and detaching the replaceable component housed in the component housing portion to the component housing portion, and the second engaging portion is provided at a lower position in the sliding direction of the base body than the detachable portion.

5. The base structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base body has a detachable portion for attaching and detaching the replaceable component housed in the component housing portion to the component housing portion, and the second engaging portion engages with the locking portion with the detachable portion protruding from the tip of the cover body.

6. The base structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base body has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction in a plan view, and the first engaging portion is provided on the side surface that forms the transverse direction of the base body.

7. The base structure according to claim 6, wherein the side surface forming the short direction of the base body has a first side surface and a second side surface facing the first side surface, and the first engaging portion is provided on the first side surface and the second side surface.

8. The base structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base body has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction in a plan view, and the second engaging portion is provided on the side surface that forms the transverse direction of the base body.

9. The base structure according to claim 8, wherein the side surface forming the short direction of the base body has a first side surface and a second side surface facing the first side surface, and the second engaging portion is provided on the first side surface and the second side surface.

10. The base structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base body further has an insertion assist portion extending in the sliding direction of the base body for assisting the insertion of the base body into the cover body, and the cover body further has an auxiliary engagement portion extending in the sliding direction of the base body into which the insertion assist portion is slidably engaged.

11. The base structure according to claim 10, wherein the insertion assist portion is provided at two corners of the base body that are opposite each other in an oblique direction when viewed from above.

12. The base structure according to claim 10, wherein the insertion assist portion is an insertion rib, and the auxiliary engagement portion is a guide rib that guides the insertion rib.

13. The base structure according to claim 10, wherein the insertion assist portion is engaged with the assisting engagement portion while the second engaging portion is engaged with the locking portion.

14. The base structure according to claim 4, wherein the attachment / detachment portion is a through hole through which the threaded portion of a bolt is inserted.

15. A base structure comprising a base body having a component housing section for housing replaceable parts, and a cover body in which the base body is slidably inserted and housed, wherein the cover body has a locking portion for locking the base body, and the base body has a first engaging portion in which the locking portion engages when the component housing section is housed in the cover body, and a second engaging portion provided at a lower position in the sliding direction of the base body than the first engaging portion, in which the locking portion engages, A busbar electrically connected to the replaceable component, An electrical connection box comprising an upper cover portion provided on the upper part of the base body.

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