Electrical junction box

Abstract

Disclosed is an electrical junction box capable of improving assembly workability by eliminating the need for alignment between a terminal fitting and a terminal insertion hole.　An electrical junction box 10 comprises: a case body 16 constituted by combining a first case 12 and a second case 14; a circuit board 18 housed inside the case body 16; a terminal fitting 20 having one end 19 mounted on the circuit board 18; a connection part 22 provided at the other end of the terminal fitting 20; and a housing 26 protruding from the outer surface 24 of the first case 12. The first case 12 is insert-molded in a state where an intermediate part 28 of the terminal fitting 20 is buried, and the connection part 22 of the terminal fitting 20 is housed in the housing 26 to constitute a component mounting part 30.

Description

Electrical connection box

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

[0002] In the electrical connection box described in Patent Document 1, a circuit board is housed inside a case, and a connection portion of a terminal fitting mounted on the circuit board is housed inside a housing protruding from the outer surface of the case to constitute a component mounting portion. That is, the connection portion of the terminal fitting mounted on the circuit board penetrates through a terminal insertion hole provided through the case and protrudes to the outside of the case, so that the connection portion of the terminal fitting is housed inside the housing protruding from the outer surface of the case. As a result, by simply mounting an electrical component on a component mounting portion where electrical components such as a connector mounting portion, a relay mounting portion, and a fuse mounting portion protruding from the outer surface of the case are mounted, the electrical component is electrically connected to the circuit board housed inside the case via the terminal fitting.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-147535

[0004] However, the terminal fitting mounted on the circuit board is mounted on the circuit board while being held by a resin pedestal. Therefore, when mounting on the circuit board, the position of the terminal fitting may shift from the intended position in the plane direction of the circuit board due to the difference in the linear expansion coefficients of the resin pedestal and the circuit board. As a result, it becomes difficult to align the terminal fitting protruding from the circuit board fixed to the case with the terminal insertion hole provided through the case, and there is also a possibility that the assembly may be difficult.

[0005] Therefore, an electrical connection box is disclosed that can eliminate the need to align the terminal fitting and the terminal insertion hole and improve the assembly workability.

[0006] The electrical connection box of the present disclosure includes a case body formed by combining a first case and a second case, a circuit board housed inside the case body, a terminal fitting having one end mounted on the circuit board, a connection portion provided at the other end of the terminal fitting, and a housing protruding from the outer surface of the first case, wherein the first case is insert-molded with the intermediate portion of the terminal fitting embedded therein, and the connection portion of the terminal fitting is housed inside the housing to constitute a component mounting portion.

[0007] According to the electrical junction box of this disclosure, it is possible to improve assembly workability by eliminating the need to align the terminal fittings and terminal insertion holes.

[0008] Figure 1 is a plan view of an electrical junction box according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the II-II section in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the III-III section in Figure 1. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical junction box shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first case constituting the electrical junction box shown in Figure 1, taken from the bottom. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second case constituting the electrical junction box shown in Figure 1. Figure 7 is a plan view of the electrical junction box according to Embodiment 2, with the first case removed. Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the VIII-VIII section in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a perspective view from the bottom to explain the state in which mounting nuts and bolts are assembled to the circuit board in the electrical junction box shown in Figure 7. Figure 10 is a plan view of an electrical junction box according to Embodiment 3. Figure 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the XI-XI section in Figure 10. Figure 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the XII-XII section in Figure 11. Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the first component constituting the electrical junction box shown in Figure 10, with connection terminals, from the bottom side. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the first component shown in Figure 13, with the thermoplastic elastomer integrally formed, from the bottom side. Figure 15 is a plan view showing the electrical junction box according to Embodiment 4. Figure 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the XVI-XVI section in Figure 15. Figure 17 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the XVII-XVII section in Figure 15. Figure 18 is a plan view showing the electrical junction box, which is a resin molded product according to Embodiment 5. Figure 19 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the XIX-XIX section in Figure 18. Figure 20 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the XX-XX section in Figure 18. Figure 21 is a perspective view of the first component constituting the resin molded product shown in Figure 18, with connection terminals, viewed from the bottom. Figure 22 is a perspective view of the first component shown in Figure 21, with the thermoplastic elastomer integrally formed, viewed from the bottom. Figure 23 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing the main part of an electrical connection box comprising the resin molded product according to Embodiment 6, and corresponds to Figure 19. Figure 24 is a plan view showing an electrical connection box, which is a resin molded product according to Embodiment 7.Figure 25 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the XXV-XXV section in Figure 24. Figure 26 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the XXVI-XXVI section in Figure 24.

[0009] <Description of Embodiments of the Disclosure> First, embodiments of the Disclosure will be listed and described. The electrical junction box of the Disclosure includes (1) a case body formed by combining a first case and a second case, a circuit board housed inside the case body, a terminal fitting with one end mounted on the circuit board, a connecting portion provided at the other end of the terminal fitting, and a housing protruding from the outer surface of the first case, wherein the first case is insert-molded with the intermediate portion of the terminal fitting embedded, and the connecting portion of the terminal fitting is housed in the housing to constitute a component mounting portion.

[0010] According to the electrical junction box of this disclosure, a terminal fitting with one end mounted on a circuit board is integrated into a first case by insert molding. That is, the first case is insert molded with the middle portion of the terminal fitting embedded, and the connection portion provided at the other end of the terminal fitting is housed in a housing that protrudes from the outer surface of the first case, thereby forming the component mounting portion. As a result, unlike conventional structures, it is not necessary to insert the connection portion of the terminal fitting mounted on the circuit board through a terminal insertion hole provided in the case and house it in a housing that protrudes from the outer surface of the case. Consequently, it is possible to provide an electrical junction box that eliminates the need to align the terminal fitting and the terminal insertion hole, thereby improving assembly workability.

[0011] (2) In the above (1), it is preferable that the circuit board further comprises a heat-generating component mounted on the circuit board, a heat dissipation section provided in the second case, and a retaining projection provided in the first case that protrudes toward the second case, wherein the heat-generating component is in thermal contact with the heat dissipation section via an insulating heat conductive member, and the retaining projection is in contact with the circuit board. Since the retaining projection that protrudes from the first case toward the second case is in contact with the circuit board, the risk of the circuit board separating from the heat dissipation section of the second case due to displacement of the circuit board toward the first case can be reduced or prevented. This ensures alignment of the terminal fittings with respect to the housing by integrally holding the terminal fittings mounted on the circuit board in the first case, while stably securing a heat dissipation path from the heat-generating component mounted on the circuit board to the heat dissipation section provided in the second case.

[0012] (3) In (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the circuit board further comprises a heat-generating component mounted on the first case side surface of the circuit board, a mounting nut mounted on the second case side surface of the circuit board, and a heat dissipation section provided on the second case, wherein the heat-generating component is in thermal contact with the heat dissipation section via an insulating heat conductive member, and the mounting nut is superimposed on the heat dissipation section and a bolt is fastened to the mounting nut from the outside of the second case. Assuming a structure in which the heat-generating component is mounted on the first case side surface of the circuit board and the mounting nut is mounted on the second case side surface, by utilizing a configuration in which a bolt is fastened to the mounting nut from the outside of the second case, the distance between the opposing surfaces of the heat dissipation section provided on the second case and the mounting area of ​​the heat-generating component can be set and maintained with high precision. As a result, it is possible to easily achieve dimensional control of the insulating heat conductive member interposed between the heat dissipation section and the mounting area of ​​the heat-generating component, and to stably maintain the heat dissipation path.

[0013] (4) In (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the terminal fitting includes an external component terminal fitting and a ground terminal fitting, the connection portion of the external component terminal fitting is housed in the housing to constitute the component mounting portion, and the connection portion of the ground terminal fitting constitutes a ground connection portion connected to a ground path. Since the terminal fitting includes an external component terminal fitting and a ground terminal fitting, the first case integrally equipped with the terminal fitting includes both an external component terminal fitting and a ground terminal fitting. As a result, the first case can be formed to include a component mounting portion equipped with a connection portion of the external component terminal fitting, as well as a ground connection portion equipped with a connection portion of the case terminal fitting.

[0014] <Details of Embodiments of the Disclosure> Specific examples of the electrical junction boxes of the Disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the Disclosure is not limited to these examples and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the Claims as indicated by the Claims.

[0015] <Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, an electrical junction box 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. This electrical junction box 10 is installed in vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, and distributes power from a battery, which serves as a power source, to various loads. The electrical junction box 10 can be positioned in any orientation, but hereafter, "upper" will be described as the upper part in Figure 2, "lower" as the lower part in Figure 2, "left" as the upper part in Figure 1, "right" as the lower part in Figure 1, "front" as the left part in Figure 1, and "rear" as the right part in Figure 1. In addition, in the following description, for multiple identical components, reference numerals may be assigned to only some of the components, while the reference numerals for other components may be omitted.

[0016] <Electrical Connection Box 10> The electrical connection box 10 comprises a case body 16 formed by combining an upper case 12 as a first case and a lower case 14 as a second case, and a circuit board 18 housed inside the case body 16. The electrical connection box 10 also comprises terminal fittings 20 (external component terminal fittings 20a and ground terminal fittings 20b, described later) with one end, the lower end 19, mounted on the circuit board 18, connection portions 22 provided on the other end (upper end) of each terminal fitting 20a, 20b, and a housing 26 provided protruding from the upper surface 24, which is the outer surface of the first case (upper case 12). The first case (upper case 12) is insert-molded with the intermediate portions 28 of each terminal fitting 20a, 20b embedded. Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, of the terminal fittings 20a and 20b, the connection portion 22 of the external component terminal fitting 20a is housed within the housing 26 to form a connector mounting portion 30 which serves as a component mounting portion. On the other hand, of the terminal fittings 20a and 20b, the connection portion 22 of the ground terminal fitting 20b forms a ground connection portion 31 which is connected to a ground path (not shown).

[0017] <First Case (Upper Case 12)> As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the upper case 12 has an upper bottom wall portion 32 which is generally rectangular and flat, and this upper bottom wall portion 32 is made of synthetic resin. As described above, the upper case 12 is formed as an integrally molded product equipped with terminal fittings 20a and 20b, and a plurality of terminal fittings 20a and 20b are provided, in particular the terminal fittings 20a for external components are arranged in a line in the front-to-back direction and / or left-to-right direction. The upper bottom wall portion 32 holds the intermediate portion 28 of each terminal fitting 20a and 20b, and in the state in which the upper case 12 is formed, one end, the lower end portion 19, protrudes downward from the upper bottom wall portion 32, and the other end portion (the upper end portion, which is the connecting portion 22) protrudes upward. Note that each terminal fitting 20a and 20b includes those that extend straight in the vertical direction as shown in Figure 2, as well as those that are bent in an L-shape, for example, as shown on the right side of Figure 3. Among the multiple terminal fittings 20, for example, an external component terminal fitting 20a may be made up of those that extend straight in the vertical direction, or an earth terminal fitting 20b may be made up of those that bend in an L shape, but the invention is not limited to this embodiment, and an external component terminal fitting 20a may be made up of those that bend in an L shape, or an earth terminal fitting 20b may be made up of those that extend straight.

[0018] Specifically, when forming the upper bottom wall portion 32, the terminal fittings 20a and 20b are set in the molding cavity of the upper bottom wall portion 32, and the molding is performed in this manner, thereby forming an upper bottom wall portion 32 that integrally incorporates the terminal fittings 20a and 20b. The upper bottom wall portion 32 (upper case 12) thus formed is fixed to the lower case 14 by a plurality of screws (or bolts) 34 and a central screw 35. That is, a plurality of through holes 36 through which each screw 34 is inserted are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the upper bottom wall portion 32, spaced at predetermined distances in the circumferential direction, and penetrating the upper bottom wall portion 32 in the thickness direction (vertical direction).

[0019] In Embodiment 1, a plurality of collars 38 are embedded in the outer peripheral edge of the upper bottom wall portion 32, and the inner holes of each collar 38 form through holes 36 through which the screws 34 are inserted. These collars 38 are set together with the terminal fittings 20a and 20b in the molding cavity of the upper bottom wall portion 32 during the molding of the upper bottom wall portion 32. As a result, in Embodiment 1, the upper bottom wall portion 32 is formed as an integrally molded product that integrally includes the terminal fittings 20a and 20b and the collars 38. Furthermore, in the central part of the upper bottom wall portion 32, a screw insertion hole 39 is formed that penetrates vertically at a position corresponding to the screw fastening cylinder portion 76 of the lower case 14, which will be described later, through which a central screw 35 for fixing the lower case 14 is inserted.

[0020] As shown on the right side of Figure 3, the other ends (i.e., connection parts 22) of several L-shaped bent terminal fittings 20 are superimposed on the collar 38 from above, so that the insertion holes 40 formed in the connection parts 22 and the insertion holes 36 formed by the inner holes of the collar 38 communicate in the vertical direction. Then, screws 34 are inserted through each of these insertion holes 36, 40 and fastened to fastening holes 74 in the lower case 14, which will be described later, so that the L-shaped bent terminal fittings 20 and the lower case 14 are electrically connected via the collar 38. This allows the terminal fittings 20 (i.e., the electrical circuits on the circuit board 18) and the lower case 14 to be electrically connected, and by fixing the lower case 14 to, for example, a battery pack housing (not shown), an earth path is formed, and the earth can be connected to the electrical circuits on the circuit board 18. Therefore, the grounding terminal fitting 20b is formed by several L-shaped bent terminal fittings 20, and the grounding connection part 31 that is connected to the grounding path is formed by the connection part 22 of these grounding terminal fittings 20b.

[0021] Furthermore, several L-shaped bent terminal fittings 20 constitute a terminal block 42, as shown in Figure 12, which will be described later. That is, a stud bolt 46 is inserted through an insertion hole 44 formed in the connection portion 22, and the stud bolt 46 protrudes upward in the terminal block 42. Then, a terminal provided at the end of an external wire or the like (a specific example of an external component connected to the connection portion 22 of the external component terminal fitting 20a) is fitted onto the stud bolt 46 from above, and a nut (not shown) is fastened to the stud bolt 46, so that this terminal and the connection portion 22 of the terminal fitting 20 constituting the terminal block 42 come into contact in the vertical direction, and the external wire or the like and the terminal fitting 20 (i.e., the electrical circuit on the circuit board 18) are electrically connected. As a result, for example, power can be supplied to the electrical circuit on the circuit board 18 from outside the electrical connection box 10, for example. Therefore, the external component terminal fitting 20a may be composed of several L-shaped bent terminal fittings 20. Furthermore, the connection portion 22 of the external component terminal fitting 20a may be housed within the housing 26 to form a terminal block 42 that serves as a component mounting area.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, each straight-extending terminal fitting 20 has its other end (connection portion 22) protruding upward from the upper bottom wall portion 32, and a cylindrical housing 26 is provided around each of these upward-protruding terminal fittings 20 to form a connector mounting portion 30. In other words, each straight-extending terminal fitting 20 constitutes an external component terminal fitting 20a, and the connection portions 22 of these external component terminal fittings 20a are housed within the housing 26 to form a connector mounting portion 30 as a component mounting portion. In Embodiment 1, a cylindrical or non-cylindrical housing 26 is integrally formed around each terminal fitting 20 arranged in the molding cavity of the upper bottom wall portion 32, and an upper bottom wall portion 32 (upper case 12) equipped with multiple connector mounting portions 30 and terminal blocks 42 is formed in a single molding process.

[0023] Furthermore, within each housing 26, the intermediate portion 28 of each external component terminal fitting 20a is held inside the cylindrical housing 26. That is, a sealing portion 48 is provided in the vertical intermediate portion of each housing 26 to close the inner hole of each housing 26. In Embodiment 1, each sealing portion 48 is integrally formed with respect to the lower portion of each housing 26. Each sealing portion 48 is provided with a plurality of terminal insertion holes 50 through which the intermediate portion 28 of each external component terminal fitting 20a is inserted. In other words, the portion around each terminal insertion hole 50 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate portion 28 of each external component terminal fitting 20a.

[0024] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the upper case 12 (upper bottom wall portion 32) is provided with a retaining projection 52 that protrudes toward the lower case 14 (downward). This retaining projection 52 is substantially cylindrical in shape and contacts the circuit board 18 in relatively close proximity to the heat-generating component (FET 83), which will be described later. The circuit board 18 is pressed down from above by this retaining projection 52 contacting the circuit board 18 from above, thereby suppressing the upward displacement of the circuit board 18 relative to the upper case 12. In other words, in Embodiment 1, the protruding end face (lower end face) of the retaining projection 52 contacts the upper surface 81a of the circuit board 18, which will be described later.

[0025] In addition to the retaining projection 52, a positioning pin 54 is provided protruding downward from the upper bottom wall portion 32 for positioning the circuit board 18 when assembling the circuit board 18 to the upper bottom wall portion 32, as will be described later. This positioning pin 54 is inserted into a positioning hole 87 (see Figures 7 and 9, described later) provided in the circuit board 18 either in a press-fit state or with a gap. Furthermore, a plurality of screw fastening cylinder portions 56 protruding downward are provided on the outer circumference of the upper bottom wall portion 32, and screws 58 are fastened when assembling the circuit board 18 to the upper case 12 (upper bottom wall portion 32), as will be described later. If this screw fastening cylinder portion 56 is located near the FET 83, it can also function as a retaining projection that holds the circuit board 18 from above. In that case, screws 58 do not need to be fastened to the screw fastening cylinder portion 56 located near the FET 83.

[0026] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 5 and other figures, a protruding wall 60 is formed on the outer periphery of the upper bottom wall 32, projecting downward from the upper bottom wall 32. When assembled with the lower case 14, this protruding wall 60 is inserted into a seal groove 80 in the lower case 14 (described later) and fixed to the seal groove 80 via a sealant (adhesive) 78. In particular, in Embodiment 1, the protruding wall 60 is formed in a continuous annular shape over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

[0027] <Second Case (Lower Case 14)> As shown in Figure 6 and other figures, the lower case 14 is a roughly box-shaped structure that opens upwards and is made of a hard material such as metal or synthetic resin. In Embodiment 1, the lower case 14 is made of metal. The lower case 14 has a roughly rectangular flat bottom wall portion 62 and a circumferential wall portion 64 that protrudes upwards from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 62 and extends continuously around the entire circumference. The upper end of this circumferential wall portion 64 constitutes the upper opening 66 in the lower case 14. Multiple locations on the bottom wall portion 62 are provided with upward protrusions 68 that are located higher than other parts. These upward protrusions 68 can be formed, for example, by press-forming the bottom wall portion 62, and in Embodiment 1, a recess 70 that opens downwards is formed on the lower surface of the bottom wall portion 62 at a position corresponding to the upward protrusions 68.

[0028] A substantially sheet-like insulating heat conductive member 72 is fixed to the upper surface of these upward protrusions 68. Each insulating heat conductive member 72 is a known type and, as will be described later, is superimposed on the circuit board 18 so that the heat generated by the heat-generating component (FET 83) mounted on the circuit board 18 is dissipated from the lower case 14 via each insulating heat conductive member 72. In other words, in Embodiment 1, the heat dissipation section provided in the second case (lower case 14) is composed of each upward protrusion 68 in the bottom wall portion 62. The heat-generating component (FET 83) is in thermal contact with each upward protrusion 68 via the circuit board 18 and each insulating heat conductive member 72.

[0029] Furthermore, in the lower case 14, fastening holes 74 are provided on the outer circumference side of the peripheral wall portion 64, into which screws 34 for fixing the upper case 12 are fastened. Similarly, a screw fastening cylinder portion 76 protruding upward is provided in the central part of the bottom wall portion 62 of the lower case 14, so that a central screw 35 is fastened when fixing the upper case 12. When assembling with the upper case 12, this screw fastening cylinder portion 76 is inserted through a central insertion hole 88 provided in the circuit board 18 (described later), and abuts against the peripheral edge of the screw insertion hole 39 from below.

[0030] Furthermore, the lower case 14 has an annular seal groove 80 that opens to the end face of the upper opening 66 and is filled with a sealant 78. That is, the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 64 has a predetermined thickness, and the annular seal groove 80 is formed opening to the upper end face of the peripheral wall portion 64. In Embodiment 1, as also shown in Figure 6, the seal groove 80 is formed as a continuous annular groove over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. The sealant 78 filled in the seal groove 80 has the function of an adhesive, and when assembled with the upper case 12, the protruding wall 60 of the upper case 12 that is inserted into the seal groove 80 is fixed in place. A known adhesive is used as the material for the sealant 78, but in Embodiment 1, an adhesive capable of bonding synthetic resin members and metal members is used.

[0031] <Case Body 16> The upper case 12 is placed on top of the lower case 14 which has the shape described above, and each screw 34 is fastened to each fastening hole 74 in the lower case 14, and the central screw 35 is fastened to the screw fastening cylinder portion 76, thereby fixing the lower case 14 and the upper case 12 with each screw 34, 35 to form the case body 16. At this time, the annular protruding wall 60 that protrudes downward from the upper bottom wall portion 32 is inserted into the sealant 78, which is an adhesive filled in the seal groove 80 of the lower case 14, and is fixed to the sealant 78. Note that when the sealant 78 is filled into the seal groove 80, it may be in the form of a gel, for example, and after the protruding wall 60 is inserted, it may harden by heating or irradiating with ultraviolet light, so that the seal groove 80 and the protruding wall 60 are fixed via the sealant 78. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the circuit board 18 is housed inside the case body 16, and when the case body 16 is assembled, the retaining projection 52 that protrudes downward from the upper case 12 contacts the circuit board 18 from above.

[0032] <Circuit Board 18> As shown in Figure 4 and other figures, the circuit board 18 is a roughly rectangular flat plate and is made of, for example, a known rigid or flexible printed circuit board, extending horizontally (in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction). On the circuit board 18, an electrical circuit (not shown) is printed on at least one of the upper surface 81a, which is the surface facing the upper case 12, or the lower surface 81b, which is the surface facing the lower case 14. Multiple through-holes 82 are formed at predetermined positions on the circuit board 18, penetrating in the thickness direction (vertical direction). The lower end 19, which is one end of each terminal fitting 20a, 20b, is inserted through these through-holes 82 and fixed, for example, by solder, and electrically connected.

[0033] Furthermore, a heat-generating component is mounted at a predetermined position on the upper surface 81a of the circuit board 18. In Embodiment 1, a field-effect transistor (FET) 83 that generates heat when current is applied is used as the heat-generating component. The heat-generating component is not limited and may be a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), for example. A known FET 83 is used, so a specific explanation will be omitted, but each terminal protruding outward in the FET 83 is electrically connected to the electrical circuit on the circuit board 18 via solder or the like. In particular, in Embodiment 1, a plurality of FETs 83 are provided, and each of these FETs 83 is positioned to overlap with the insulating heat-conducting members 72 provided on each of the upper protrusions 68 of the lower case 14 in a plan view (projection in the vertical direction).

[0034] In Embodiment 1, the circuit board 18 is fixed to the upper case 12 (upper bottom wall portion 32) by a plurality of screws 58. Specifically, the circuit board 18 has screw insertion holes 84 formed in the thickness direction (vertical direction) of the circuit board 18, through which each screw 58 is inserted, at positions corresponding to each screw fastening cylindrical portion 56 in the upper case 12. In addition, the circuit board 18 has positioning holes 87 (see Figures 7 and 9 described later) through which the positioning pins 54 in the upper case 12 are inserted, running vertically. Furthermore, in the central portion of the circuit board 18, there is a central insertion hole 88 through which the screw fastening cylindrical portion 76 in the lower case 14 is inserted, running vertically.

[0035] <Assembly Method of Electrical Junction Box 10> The following describes a specific example of how to assemble the electrical junction box 10. However, the assembly method of the electrical junction box 10 is not limited to the description below.

[0036] First, the upper bottom wall portion 32 is molded with the terminal fittings 20a, 20b and collars 38 set in the molding cavity of the upper bottom wall portion 32 to obtain an upper bottom wall portion 32 (upper case 12) that integrally incorporates the terminal fittings 20a, 20b and collars 38. The circuit board 18 is brought close to the lower part of the upper case 12 from below and fixed to the upper case 12 with screws 58. At this time, the lower ends 19 of the terminal fittings 20a, 20b mounted on the circuit board 18 are inserted through the through holes 82 of the circuit board 18, and then the lower ends 19 of the terminal fittings 20a, 20b and the electrical circuits of the circuit board 18 are electrically connected by solder. The soldering process is not limited to this, but for example, a process such as reflow soldering may be used.

[0037] Next, the upper case 12 is placed on top of the lower case 14 from above, and the upper case 12 and the lower case 14 are fixed together with screws 34 and 35. This completes the electrical junction box 10 of Embodiment 1. In the completed state of the electrical junction box 10, the insulating heat conductive members 72 provided on the bottom wall portion 62 of the lower case 14 (especially the upper protrusions 68) are compressed vertically and tightly attached to the lower surface 81b of the circuit board 18, and the heat generated in each FET 83 on the circuit board 18 is dissipated from the metal lower case 14 via the insulating heat conductive members 72.

[0038] In the electrical connection box 10 of Embodiment 1, which has the structure described above, the upper case 12 (upper bottom wall portion 32) is formed as an integrally molded product that integrally includes the terminal fittings 20a and 20b. These terminal fittings 20a and 20b are positioned in the upper case 12 at locations corresponding to the through-holes 82 in the circuit board 18, and the lower ends 19 of each terminal fitting 20a and 20b are inserted into the through-holes 82 simply by assembling the circuit board 18 to the upper case 12. As a result, compared to, for example, the case in which the terminal fittings protrude upward from the circuit board and are inserted into terminal insertion holes formed in the upper case, the risk of misalignment of the terminal fittings 20a and 20b is reduced, and the upper case 12 and the circuit board 18 can be assembled together more easily.

[0039] In particular, the upper case 12 is provided with retaining protrusions 52 that project downward and contact the circuit board 18 in a relatively close proximity to each FET 83. As a result, even when the circuit board 18 deforms due to the heat generated by each FET 83, upward deformation of the portion being held down by each retaining protrusion 52 is suppressed. As a result, the portions of the circuit board 18 relatively close to each FET 83 and the upward protrusions 68 of the lower case 14 can be stably maintained in an overlapping state with the insulating heat conductive members 72 in between, thereby avoiding a decrease in heat dissipation efficiency.

[0040] Each terminal fitting 20 includes an external component terminal fitting 20a and an earth terminal fitting 20b. The connection portion 22 of each external component terminal fitting 20a is housed in the housing 26 to form a connector mounting portion 30 and a terminal block 42, while the connection portion 22 of the earth terminal fitting 20b forms an earth connection portion 31 that is connected to an earth path. As a result, the upper case 12, which is formed as an integrally molded product with each terminal fitting 20a and 20b, can have not only the connector mounting portion 30 and the terminal block 42 but also the earth connection portion 31 formed in a single molding process. This improves the manufacturing efficiency of the upper case 12 and, consequently, the electrical connection box 10, compared to the case where the earth terminal fitting and earth connection portion are provided separately.

[0041] <Embodiment 2> Hereinafter, an electrical junction box 90 of Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. In the electrical junction box 90 of Embodiment 2, the upper case may have the same structure as that of Embodiment 1, so in Figures 7 to 9, the upper case is not shown, and only the structure of the lower case 92, which is the second case, is shown. The basic structure of the electrical junction box 90 of Embodiment 2 is the same as that of Embodiment 1, but the way the ground is connected to the electrical circuit of the circuit board 18 and the way heat is dissipated from the heat generated by the heat-generating components (each FET 83) differs from that of Embodiment 1. In the following description, components and parts that are substantially the same as those in the previous embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals in the figures, and detailed explanations may be omitted.

[0042] In the electrical junction box 90 of Embodiment 2, similar to Embodiment 1, multiple FETs 83 as heat-generating components are mounted on the upper surface 81a of the circuit board 18, while mounting nuts 94 are mounted on the lower surface 81b of the circuit board 18, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. Note that in Figure 9, the lower case 92 located between the mounting nut 94 and the waterproof bolt 96, which is fastened to the mounting nut 94, is not shown. As known mounting nuts 94 can be used, only a brief explanation is given, but the mounting nut 94 is made of metal and comprises a roughly rectangular flat base portion 100, a central hole 101 that penetrates the central part of the base portion 100 in the thickness direction (vertical direction), and multiple leg portions 102 that protrude upward from the base portion 100. Furthermore, in the circuit board 18, an insertion hole 104 is formed at a position corresponding to the central hole 101 of the mounting nut 94, and through holes 106 are formed at positions corresponding to each leg portion 102, also penetrating the circuit board 18 in the vertical direction.

[0043] For example, the mounting nuts 94 can be fixed to a predetermined position on the lower surface 81b of the circuit board 18 by press-fitting each leg portion 102 of the mounting nuts 94 into each through-hole 106 of the circuit board 18. Alternatively, the mounting nuts 94 can be fixed to a predetermined position on the lower surface 81b of the circuit board 18 by inserting each leg portion 102 into each through-hole 106 and fixing them with solder or the like. When the mounting nuts 94 are fixed with solder, it is also possible to electrically connect the electrical circuits on the circuit board 18 and the mounting nuts 94. In Embodiment 2, the mounting nuts 94 are fixed to the circuit board 18 with solder (not shown), and the electrical circuits on the circuit board 18 and the mounting nuts 94 are electrically connected.

[0044] Further, the lower case 92 of Embodiment 2 also includes an upward protruding portion 68 as a heat radiating portion, and an insulating heat conductive member 72 is provided on the upward protruding portion 68. Thereby, each FET 83 is thermally in contact with the heat radiating portion (upward protruding portion 68) via the circuit board 18 and the insulating heat conductive member 72. Further, in Embodiment 2, an insertion hole 108 into which a bolt shaft portion 112 (to be described later) of the waterproof bolt 96 is inserted is formed so as to penetrate the upward protruding portion 68 (bottom wall portion 62) in the vertical direction at a position corresponding to the central hole 101 in the mounting nut 94 in the upward protruding portion 68. That is, in the assembled state of the electrical connection box 90, the mounting nut 94 and the upward protruding portion 68 are overlapped in the vertical direction, and the central hole 101 and the insertion hole 108 are in a communicating state in the vertical direction. Then, the bolt shaft portion 112 is inserted through these central hole 101 and insertion hole 108.

[0045] As described above, the waterproof bolt 96 is fastened to the central hole 101 in the mounting nut 94. Since a known waterproof bolt 96 can also be adopted, a simple description will be given. An O-ring 114 is fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the surface of the bolt head 110 on the side where the bolt shaft portion 112 protrudes. When the waterproof bolt 96 is inserted and fastened from below with respect to the mounting nut 94, that is, from the outside of the lower case 92, the bolt shaft portion 112 penetrates the mounting nut 94, is inserted through the insertion hole 104 in the circuit board 18, and protrudes above the circuit board 18. Further, the mounting nut 94, the waterproof bolt 96, and the lower case 92 are in contact with each other, and each is in an electrically conductive state. When the mounting nut 94 is electrically connected to the electrical circuit in the circuit board 18, the electrical circuits in the mounting nut 94, the waterproof bolt 96, the lower case 92, and the circuit board 18 are in an electrically conductive state.

[0046] When assembling the electrical connection box 90 of Embodiment 2, which has the structure described above, the circuit board 18 is first mounted to the upper case 12. A mounting nut 94 is fixed to the lower surface 81b of the circuit board 18. Then, the upper case 12 with the circuit board 18 mounted in this manner is fixed to the lower case 92. As a result, the central hole 101 of the mounting nut 94, which protrudes downward from the circuit board 18, is aligned with the insertion hole 108 provided in the upper protruding portion 68, and the base portion 100 of the mounting nut 94 and the peripheral edge of the insertion hole 108 are superimposed and in contact with each other. In this state, a waterproof bolt 96 is inserted from the outside (below) of the lower case 92 and fastened to the central hole 101 of the mounting nut 94, thereby making the electrical circuits in the mounting nut 94, waterproof bolt 96, lower case 92 and circuit board 18 electrically conductive in Embodiment 2. Furthermore, the O-ring 114 provided on the surface (upper surface) of the bolt head 110 facing the bolt shaft portion 112 is compressed and sandwiched between the peripheral edge of the insertion hole 108 and the bolt head 110. This ensures a liquid-tight seal between the insertion hole 108 and the waterproof bolt 96.

[0047] The basic structure of the electrical junction box 90 of Embodiment 2, which has the structure described above, is the same as that of Embodiment 1, and since the terminal fittings 20a and 20b are integrally formed in the upper case 12 (upper bottom wall portion 32), the same effects as in Embodiment 1 can be achieved. In particular, in Embodiment 2, the mounting nut 94 is fixed to the lower surface 81b of the circuit board 18, and the waterproof bolt 96 is fastened to the mounting nut 94 from the outside (below) of the lower case 92. As a result, the mounting nut 94 fixed to the circuit board 18, the lower case 92 and the waterproof bolt 96 come into contact with each other, and the heat generated in the FET 83 can be dissipated from the lower case 92 through the circuit board 18 and the mounting nut 94, in addition to the path through the insulating heat conductive member 72.

[0048] Furthermore, the electrical circuit on the circuit board 18 is electrically connected to the lower case 92 through the mounting nut 94 and the waterproof bolt 96, enabling grounding connection to the electrical circuit on the circuit board 18 through this path. Thus, in Embodiment 2, the grounding path by the L-shaped bent terminal fitting 20 (grounding terminal fitting 20b) is not essential. Also, the bolt head 110 of the waterproof bolt 96 fastened from below the lower case 92 is to be housed in the recess 70 formed at a position corresponding to the upward protruding portion 68 on the bottom wall portion 62, preventing the bolt head 110 from protruding below the lower case 92 (bottom wall portion 62).

[0049] <Embodiment 3> Hereinafter, the electrical connection box 210 of Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15. This electrical connection box 210 includes a case body 214 in which a circuit board 212 is housed. Specifically, the case body 214 is configured to include an upper case 216 as a first case and a lower case 218 as a second case, and the case body 214 is configured by covering the upper opening 219 in the lower case 218 with the upper case 216. In Embodiment 1, the upper bottom wall portion 32 (upper case 12) including each connector mounting portion 30 was integrally formed by one-time molding. However, in Embodiment 3, the upper case 216 is composed of a first component 220 including each connector mounting portion 232 and an upper bottom wall portion 236 in the second component 222, and the upper case 216 is configured by integrating these separately formed components.

[0050] <Electrical junction box 210> The electrical junction box 210 comprises a first component 220 made of synthetic resin and a second component 222 made of synthetic resin. The first component 220 has an embedded portion 224 that surrounds the waterproof area 223 (opening 240 and penetration portion 242 described later) of the second component 222 and is embedded in the second component 222. With this embedded portion 224 embedded in the second component 222, the first component 220 and the second component 222 are integrated. A waterproof thermoplastic elastomer 226 is placed and welded between the opposing surfaces of the embedded portion 224 and the second component 222 (outer surfaces 255, 273 and inner surfaces 278, 282 described later). In other words, the embedded portion 224 and the thermoplastic elastomer 226 are fused together at their contact surfaces, and the second component 222 and the thermoplastic elastomer 226 are fused together at their contact surfaces. Note that the embedded portion 224 of the first component 220 does not need to be embedded in the second component 222 as a whole; a portion of the embedded portion 224 may be exposed to the outside from the second component 222.

[0051] In particular, in Embodiment 3, the electrical connection box 210 (especially the upper case 216) comprises a plurality of first components 220, each of which includes a plurality of connector mounting portions 232 (described later) and a terminal block 234. The second component 222 includes a case body 214 that houses the circuit board 212, and specifically includes an upper bottom wall portion 236 and a lower case 218 in the upper case 216 (described later). Therefore, in Embodiment 3, the second component 222 is composed of a plurality of members.

[0052] The circuit board 212 housed in the electrical connection box 210 (case body 214) is not limited to any particular type, but any known circuit board such as a rigid printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) may be used, and an electrical circuit (not shown) is printed on at least one surface of the circuit board 212 in the thickness direction. Furthermore, through-holes 228 that penetrate the circuit board 212 in the thickness direction are formed at predetermined locations on the circuit board 212. The method of fixing the circuit board 212 to the case body 214 is not limited to any particular type.

[0053] <First Case (Upper Case 216)> The upper case 216 comprises a first component 220 consisting of a plurality of component mounting sections, namely connector mounting sections 232 and a single component mounting section, namely terminal block 234. The upper case 216 also includes an upper bottom wall section 236 that is substantially flat overall, and as described above, the second component 222 is formed including the upper bottom wall section 236. Each first component 220 (each connector mounting section 232 and terminal block 234) is fixed to the upper bottom wall section 236. That is, the upper bottom wall section 236 comprises a plurality of waterproof areas 223 on which each first component 220 is provided. Specifically, the waterproof areas 223 consist of openings 240 to which each connector mounting section 232 is fixed and through-holes 242 to which the terminal block 234 is fixed.

[0054] <Second Case (Lower Case 218)> The lower case 218 is a substantially box shape that opens upward overall (having an upper opening 219), and comprises a substantially flat bottom wall portion 244 that extends horizontally (in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction), and a lower peripheral wall portion 246 that protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 244. Therefore, the upper opening 219 is formed by the upper end of the lower peripheral wall portion 246. The method of fixing the upper case 216 and the lower case 218 is not limited.

[0055] The lower case 218 can be formed from a rigid material such as metal or synthetic resin. When the lower case 218 is made of synthetic resin, materials such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) are preferably used. Furthermore, when the lower case 218 is made of synthetic resin, it may be reinforced with glass fiber or the like.

[0056] <First Component 220 (Connector Mounting Section 232)> In Embodiment 3, as described above, some of the first component 220 is composed of connector mounting sections 232. Each connector mounting section 232, as shown in Figures 11 and 13, includes a hood section 252 as a housing that protrudes upward from the case body 214 (particularly the upper bottom wall section 236 of the upper case 216), and an embedded section 224 that spreads out in a flange-like manner at the base end (lower end) of the hood section 252. In Embodiment 3, the hood section 252 is substantially cylindrical and continuous around the entire circumference, and the embedded section 224 at the base end (lower end) of the hood section 252 is formed as a substantially annular portion that protrudes outward around the entire circumference. In particular, in Embodiment 3, each hood section 252 is formed in a substantially rectangular annular shape in plan view, and each embedded section 224 is also formed in a substantially rectangular annular shape in plan view. Furthermore, a groove 254 opening downwards is formed on the lower surface of the embedded portion 224, which is shaped as a roughly rectangular ring. As will be described later, in the connector mounting portion 232, the outer surface 255 of the embedded portion 224, including the inner circumferential surface, lower surface, and outer circumferential surface, forms the opposing surface between the embedded portion 224 and the second component 222. Therefore, the groove 254 opens onto the surface of the embedded portion 224 that faces the second component 222.

[0057] Each groove 254 is an annular groove that extends continuously around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. In Embodiment 3, each groove 254 is formed in the radially intermediate portion of the lower surface of each embedded portion 224. As mentioned above, each embedded portion 224 is provided surrounding the periphery of the waterproof area 223, and therefore each groove 254 is provided surrounding the periphery of each waterproof area 223. In particular, in Embodiment 3, each groove 254 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape with an inner surface consisting of an upper bottom wall and both side surfaces.

[0058] In Embodiment 3, the connector mounting portion 232 has a terminal retaining wall 258 that divides the hood portion 252 into an inward (downward) side and an outward (upward) side of the case body 214. The connector mounting portion 232 also includes connection terminals 260 as terminal fittings that penetrate the terminal retaining wall 258 and protrude to the inward (downward) side and outward (upward) side of the case body 214. In Embodiment 3, a plurality of connection terminals 260 are provided, and each connection terminal 260 is fixedly held against the terminal retaining wall 258. Each connection terminal 260 is arranged in alignment in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions on the inner circumference of the hood portion 252.

[0059] Specifically, in the vertically intermediate portion of the hood portion 252, a terminal retaining wall 258 is provided that extends horizontally on the inner circumference side of the hood portion 252. The intermediate portion of each connection terminal 260 extending in the vertical direction is embedded and fixed to the terminal retaining wall 258, with one end (lower end) of each connection terminal 260 protruding downward from the terminal retaining wall 258, and the other end (upper end, or connection portion 262) of each connection terminal 260 protruding upward from the terminal retaining wall 258. In other words, when the upper case 216, which includes each connector mounting portion 232, is fixed to the lower case 218 to form the case body 214 (electrical connection box 210), one end (lower end) of each connection terminal 260 protrudes inward from the case body 214, and the other end (upper end, or connection portion 262) of each connection terminal 260 protrudes outward from the case body 214.

[0060] In Embodiment 3, as shown in Figure 4, the connector mounting portion 232 is formed as an integrally molded product equipped with each connection terminal 260. Specifically, when molding the connector mounting portion 232, injection molding is performed with each connection terminal 260 set as an insert within the molding cavity of the connector mounting portion 232, thereby forming the connector mounting portion 232 as an integrally molded product equipped with each connection terminal 260. As a result, each connection terminal 260 is fixedly held against the terminal holding wall 258. The resin material constituting the connector mounting portion 232 (hood portion 252 and embedded portion 224) is not limited as long as it is rigid, but materials such as PPS and PBT are preferably used, similar to the lower case 218, and it may be reinforced with, for example, glass fiber.

[0061] Furthermore, the other end (upper end) of each connection terminal 260 is located on the inner circumference side of the hood portion 252 and protrudes upward. As a result, each connector mounting portion 232 constitutes a male connector, and a female connector (not shown) which is the mating connector is attached to each connector mounting portion 232, thereby electrically connecting each connection terminal 260 to the connection terminal of the female connector.

[0062] <First component 220 (terminal block 234)> In Embodiment 3, as described above, one of the first components 220 is composed of a terminal block 234. This terminal block 234 has a connecting terminal 266 as a terminal fitting, one end of which is connected to a circuit board 212 and the other end of which has a terminal fastening portion 264 as a connecting portion, and a terminal base 268 that holds the connecting terminal 266 with the terminal fastening portion 264 exposed above the through portion 242 which is a waterproof area 223.

[0063] Specifically, in Embodiment 3, the connection terminal 266 is bent in a roughly L-shape, with one end extending downward and connected to the circuit board 212. The other end of the connection terminal 266 spreads horizontally, forming a terminal fastening portion 264 that is roughly rectangular in plan view. A bolt insertion hole 270 is formed in the central part of the terminal fastening portion 264, penetrating in the thickness direction (vertical direction), and the shaft of a stud bolt 272 positioned below the terminal fastening portion 264 protrudes upward through the bolt insertion hole 270. Thus, when a mating terminal (not shown) is connected to the connection terminal 266, the shaft of the stud bolt 272 is inserted through the bolt insertion hole provided in the mating terminal, and a nut is fastened to the stud bolt 272, thereby overlapping the mating terminal and the terminal fastening portion 264 and electrically connecting them.

[0064] The terminal fastening portion 264 and the stud bolt 272 are supported on the terminal base 268, and as described above, the terminal fastening portion 264 is exposed upward, and the shaft portion of the stud bolt 272 protrudes upward. The terminal base 268 is substantially rectangular in plan view and has a predetermined thickness. The embedded portion 224 is formed by the peripheral edge of the base end (lower end) of the terminal base 268. Specifically, the base end (lower end) of the terminal base 268 protrudes outward relative to the upper portion, and the embedded portion 224 is formed by this outwardly protruding portion. This embedded portion 224 is formed in a continuous ring shape over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

[0065] Furthermore, a groove 254 opening downwards is formed on the lower surface of the terminal base 268. This groove 254 has the same shape as the groove 254 in the connector mounting portion 232 and is an annular groove that extends continuously around the entire circumference. This groove 254 may be provided in the embedded portion 224 or on the inner circumference side of the embedded portion 224. As will be described later, in the terminal block 234 as well, the outer surface 273 of the embedded portion 224, including the inner circumference, lower surface, and outer circumference, forms the opposing surface between the embedded portion 224 and the second component 222, so the groove 254 opens to the surface of the embedded portion 224 that is facing the second component 222. In addition, on the terminal base 268, a protective wall portion 274 as a housing that protrudes upwards is provided on the outer circumference side of the stud bolt 272. The protective wall portion 274 is formed with a circumferential length of less than one full circumference and is positioned to cover the stud bolt 272 from the outer circumference at a predetermined distance.

[0066] In Embodiment 3, the terminal block 234 is formed as an integrally molded product equipped with connection terminals 266 and stud bolts 272. Specifically, when molding the terminal block 234, the connection terminals 266 and stud bolts 272 are inserted into the molding cavity of the terminal block 234 during injection molding, thereby forming the terminal block 234 as an integrally molded product equipped with connection terminals 266 and stud bolts 272. As a result, the connection terminals 266 and stud bolts 272 are fixedly held with respect to the terminal base 268. The resin material constituting the terminal base 268 is not limited as long as it is rigid, but materials such as PPS or PBT are preferably used, similar to the connector mounting portion 232, and it may be reinforced with, for example, glass fiber.

[0067] <Second Component 222> As described above, the second component 222 is composed of an upper bottom wall portion 236 and a lower case 218 in the upper case 216. In the upper bottom wall portion 236, an opening 240 is formed as a waterproof area 223 that penetrates the upper bottom wall portion 236 in the vertical direction, where the connector mounting portion 232, which is a first component 220, is fixed. Also, in the upper bottom wall portion 236, a penetration portion 242 is formed as a waterproof area 223 that penetrates the upper bottom wall portion 236 in the vertical direction, where the terminal block 234, which is a first component 220, is fixed.

[0068] <Waterproof Area 223 (Opening 240)> The opening 240, which serves as the waterproof area 223, has a shape that is roughly rectangular and substantially corresponds to the connector mounting portion 232 in a plan view. The opening 240 is formed by penetrating the upper bottom wall portion 236 in the vertical direction, and a receiving recess 276 is formed on the periphery of the opening 240 to accommodate the embedded portion 224 provided at the lower end of the connector mounting portion 232. As shown in Figure 11, the receiving recess 276 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape that is roughly corresponding to the embedded portion 224, and is an annular recess that is continuous around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the opening 240. In short, when the first component (connector mounting portion 232) and the second component (upper bottom wall portion 236) are fixed together, each embedded portion 224 is housed within each receiving recess 276, and the outer surface 255 of each embedded portion 224 (including the inner circumferential surface, bottom surface, and outer circumferential surface of the embedded portion 224) and the inner surface 278 of each receiving recess 276 (including the inner circumferential side surface, bottom surface, and outer circumferential side surface of the receiving recess 276) are the opposing surfaces of the embedded portion 224 and the second component 222. Note that when the first component 220 and the second component 222 are fixed together and each embedded portion 224 is housed in the receiving recess 276, the upper surface of each embedded portion 224 is exposed to the outside.

[0069] <Waterproof Area 223 (Penetration 242)> The penetration 242, which serves as the waterproof area 223, is the portion through which the longitudinal middle portion of the connection terminal 266 provided on the terminal block 234 is inserted in the upper bottom wall portion 236, and is rectangular in shape corresponding to the connection terminal 266 in a plan view. A housing recess 280 is formed around the penetration 242 to accommodate the terminal base 268 and the embedded portion 224. In short, when the first component (terminal block 234) and the second component (upper bottom wall portion 236) are fixed together, the terminal base 268 and the embedded portion 224 are housed within the housing recess 280. The outer surfaces 273 of the terminal base 268 and the embedded portion 224 (including the lower surfaces of the terminal base 268 and the embedded portion 224, and the outer peripheral surface of the embedded portion 224) and the inner surface 282 of the housing recess 280 (including the inner peripheral side surface, bottom surface, and outer peripheral side surface of the housing recess 280) are the opposing surfaces of the embedded portion 224 and the second component 222. When the first component 220 and the second component 222 are fixed together and the terminal base 268 and the embedded portion 224 are housed within the housing recess 280, the upper portion of the terminal base 268 and the upper surface of the embedded portion 224 are exposed to the outside.

[0070] <Thermoplastic Elastomer 226> The thermoplastic elastomers 226 provided in each connector mounting portion 232 and each embedded portion 224 in the terminal block 234 each have a substantially rectangular cross-section and are formed in an annular shape continuously over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. Known materials can be used for the thermoplastic elastomer 226. In Embodiment 3, each groove 254 is opened on the lower surface of each embedded portion 224, and each thermoplastic elastomer 226 is filled and arranged in each groove 254. As a result, each thermoplastic elastomer 226 filled in each groove 254 in each connector mounting portion 232 is arranged to surround the periphery of the opening 240. Also, the thermoplastic elastomer 226 filled in the groove 254 in the terminal block 234 is arranged to surround the periphery of the through portion 242.

[0071] <Manufacturing Method for Resin Molded Product (Electrical Connection Box 210)> The following describes a specific example of the manufacturing method for the electrical connection box 210. However, the manufacturing method for the electrical connection box 210 is not limited to the description below.

[0072] First, in the first component molding process, the first component 220, that is, each connector mounting portion 232 and the terminal block 234, are formed by injection molding. In Embodiment 1, since the connector mounting portion 232 is formed integrally with each connection terminal 260, the connector mounting portion 232 shown in Figure 13 is obtained by the first component molding process. Also, since the terminal block 234 is formed integrally with the connection terminals 266, the terminal block 234 equipped with the connection terminals 266 is obtained by the first component molding process.

[0073] Subsequently, in the primary molded product molding process, the first components 220 (connector mounting portion 232 and terminal block 234) are set as inserts in the molding cavity of the thermoplastic elastomer 226, and the resin material of the thermoplastic elastomer 226 is filled into the grooves 254 in the embedded portion 224 of each first component 220, and molded. This results in a primary molded product 284 in which the thermoplastic elastomer 226 is integrally molded into the grooves 254 of each first component 220. Figure 14 shows the primary molded product 284 consisting of the connector mounting portion 232 and the thermoplastic elastomer 226. When manufacturing the primary molded product 284, molten thermoplastic elastomer 226 is filled into the grooves 254 in the embedded portion 224 of each first component 220. As a result, the heat of the molten thermoplastic elastomer 226 melts the inner surface of the grooves 254, causing these embedded portions 224 and the thermoplastic elastomer 226 to fuse together. During the manufacturing of each primary molded product 284, the lower surface of each thermoplastic elastomer 226 is exposed to the outside on the outer surfaces 255 and 273 of each embedded portion 224.

[0074] Next, in the second part molding process, a plurality of primary molded products 284 manufactured in the primary molded product molding process are set as inserts in the molding cavity of the upper bottom wall portion 236 which constitutes a part of the second part 222, and the upper bottom wall portion 236 is formed by injection molding. As a result, a receiving recess 276 is formed to cover the area around the embedded portion 224 in each connector mounting portion 232, and a receiving recess 280 is formed to cover the area around the terminal base 268 and the embedded portion 224 in the terminal block 234, thereby forming a second part 222 (upper bottom wall portion 236) that integrally includes each primary molded product 284. When forming the upper bottom wall portion 236, the molten upper bottom wall portion 236 is filled into the molding cavity into which each primary molded product 284 is inserted. As a result, the heat of the molten upper bottom wall portion 236 melts the outer surfaces 255 and 273 of each embedded portion 224, including the lower surface of the thermoplastic elastomer 226, causing these embedded portions 224 and the thermoplastic elastomer 226 to fuse tightly with the upper bottom wall portion 236. This completes the upper case 216.

[0075] Alternatively, the following embodiment may also be adopted as another embodiment of the manufacturing method of the upper case 216. First, in the thermoplastic elastomer molding process, the thermoplastic elastomer 226 is formed by injection molding.

[0076] Subsequently, in the primary molded product molding process, the thermoplastic elastomer 226 is set in the molding cavity of the first part 220, and then the resin material of the first part 220 is filled and molded. Specifically, in each connector mounting section 232, the thermoplastic elastomer 226 and each connection terminal 260 are set in the molding cavity of each connector mounting section 232, and then the resin material of each connector mounting section 232 is filled and molded. Similarly, in the terminal block 234, the thermoplastic elastomer 226 and each connection terminal 266 are set in the molding cavity of the terminal block 234, and then the resin material of the terminal block 234 is filled and molded. This results in a primary molded product 284 (each connector mounting section 232) having the thermoplastic elastomer 226 and each connection terminal 260 integrally as shown in Figure 14, and a primary molded product 284 (terminal block 234) having the thermoplastic elastomer 226 and each connection terminal 266 integrally. In this process as well, since the molten first part 220 is filled into the molding cavity of the first part 220 in which the thermoplastic elastomer 226 is set, the heat from the molten first part 220 melts the surface of the thermoplastic elastomer 226, causing the first part 220 (embedded portion 224) and the thermoplastic elastomer 226 to fuse together.

[0077] Next, in the second component molding process, a plurality of primary molded products 284 manufactured in the primary molded product molding process are set as inserts in the molding cavity of the second component 222 (upper bottom wall portion 236), and the upper bottom wall portion 236 is formed by injection molding. This process is the same as described in the second component molding process above. The upper case 216 can also be obtained by this manufacturing method.

[0078] Alternatively, the following embodiment may also be adopted as another embodiment of the manufacturing method of the upper case 216. First, in the first component molding step, the first component 220, that is, each connector mounting portion 232 and the terminal block 234, are formed by injection molding. In Embodiment 3, the first component molding step yields a connector mounting portion 232 integrally equipped with each connection terminal 260, as shown in Figure 13. The first component molding step also yields a terminal block 234 integrally equipped with connection terminals 266. Furthermore, in the thermoplastic elastomer molding step, the thermoplastic elastomer 226 is formed by injection molding.

[0079] Subsequently, in the assembly process, the thermoplastic elastomer 226 is assembled to the first component 220 (each connector mounting portion 232 and terminal block 234) such that the thermoplastic elastomer 226 is positioned between the opposing surfaces (outer surfaces 255, 273 and inner surfaces 278, 282) of the second component 222 (upper bottom wall portion 236) and the embedded portions 224 of each connector mounting portion 232 and terminal block 234 formed in the first component molding process. Specifically, the thermoplastic elastomer 226 is inserted and fitted into the grooves 254 provided in each embedded portion 224 of each connector mounting portion 232 and terminal block 234. This completes the assembly 286 of the first component 220 (connector mounting portion 232) and thermoplastic elastomer 226 as shown in Figure 14. Similarly, the assembly of the terminal block 234 and thermoplastic elastomer 226 is also completed, but it is not shown in the figure.

[0080] Next, in the second component molding process, the multiple assembled parts 286 manufactured in the assembly process are set as inserts in the molding cavity of the second component 222 (upper bottom wall portion 236), and the upper bottom wall portion 236 is formed by injection molding. This process is the same as described in the second component molding process above. The upper case 216 can also be obtained by this manufacturing method.

[0081] Then, for example, the circuit board 212 is brought close to the upper case 216 manufactured as described above from below and fixed with screws. As a result, one end (lower end) of each connection terminal 260 and connection terminal 266 that protrudes downward from the upper case 216 is inserted into each through-hole 228 in the circuit board 212. Each connection terminal 260 and connection terminal 266 inserted into each through-hole 228 may be electrically connected to the circuit board 212 by solder or the like (not shown). Alternatively, the upper case 216 with the circuit board 212 assembled is brought close to the separately formed lower case 218 from above, and with the upper case 216 covering the upper opening 219 of the lower case 218, the upper case 216 and the lower case 218 are fixed together with screws. As a result, the entire second component 222 is formed by the upper bottom wall portion 236 and the lower case 218, and the case body 214 in which the circuit board 212 is housed is formed, completing the electrical connection box 210.

[0082] The electrical junction box 210 of Embodiment 3, which has the structure described above, exhibits the same effects as the electrical junction box 10 of Embodiment 1. In particular, the electrical junction box 210 of Embodiment 3 has a thermoplastic elastomer 226 between a first component 220 made of synthetic resin and a second component 222 made of synthetic resin, and is configured to not only weld the first component 220 and the second component 222 together, but also weld the first component 220 together with the thermoplastic elastomer 226, and the second component 222 together with the thermoplastic elastomer 226. More specifically, the first component 220 has an embedded portion 224 that is embedded in the second component 222, and a thermoplastic elastomer 226 is placed between the opposing surfaces (outer surfaces 255, 273 and inner surfaces 278, 282) of the embedded portion 224 and the second component 222, so that not only the embedded portion 224 and the second component 222 are welded together, but also the embedded portion 224 and the thermoplastic elastomer 226, and the second component 222 and the thermoplastic elastomer 226. As a result, the first component 220 and the thermoplastic elastomer 226, and the second component 222 and the thermoplastic elastomer 226 are fused together, so that water intrusion from between them can be prevented more reliably than when the first component 220 and the second component 222 are simply welded together. In other words, when fixing the first and second parts together, simply molding the second part integrally with the first part as an insert would not completely weld the interfaces between them, and there was a risk of water seeping in from their opposing surfaces. However, by adopting the above configuration, it is possible to prevent water from seeping in through the opposing surfaces and also eliminate problems such as an increase in the number of parts and assembly steps. Note that the first part 220 and the thermoplastic elastomer 226 do not necessarily have to be welded together; they may be formed separately and assembled later.

[0083] On the surfaces (outer surfaces 255, 273) of each embedded portion 224 facing the second component 222, an annular groove 254 surrounding the waterproof area 223 is formed, and thermoplastic elastomer 226 is filled into each groove 254. As a result, in the primary molded product 284 in which the first component 220 and the thermoplastic elastomer 226 are integrally formed, the thermoplastic elastomer 226 does not protrude significantly to the outside, making it easier to handle the primary molded product 284 when molding the second component 222 using the primary molded product 284 as an insert, and enabling stable molding of the second component 222.

[0084] In Embodiment 3, a plurality of first components 220 are provided, some of which are connector mounting portions 232, and the second component 222 is the upper bottom wall portion 236 of the upper case 216 and the lower case 218 that constitute the case body 214. As a result, an electrical connection box 210 equipped with a plurality of connector mounting portions 232 is constructed as a resin molded product comprising the first component 220 and the second component 222. That is, when providing the connector mounting portions 232 in the electrical connection box 210, an opening 240 that penetrates in the thickness direction is formed in the upper bottom wall portion 236, and by fixing the connector mounting portion 232 (embedded portion 224) to this opening 240 which is a waterproof area 223, the intrusion of water through the opening 240 can be effectively prevented.

[0085] Furthermore, in Embodiment 3, the connector mounting portion 232 has a terminal retaining wall 258, and a plurality of connection terminals 260 are fixedly held in the terminal retaining wall 258. In particular, in Embodiment 3, each connection terminal 260 is integrally molded with the connector mounting portion 232 as an insert. This makes it possible to form a connector mounting portion 232 having each connection terminal 260 inside in a single molding process. Therefore, by molding the second component 222 with this connector mounting portion 232 as an insert, the upper case 216, and consequently the electrical connection box 210, which has each connection terminal 260 in the connector mounting portion 232, can be easily manufactured.

[0086] Furthermore, in Embodiment 3, one of the first components 220 is a terminal block 234. As a result, an electrical connection box 210 equipped with a terminal block 234 is constructed as a resin molded product comprising the first component 220 and the second component 222. That is, when providing the terminal block 234 to the electrical connection box 210, a through-hole 242 through which the connection terminal 266 is inserted is formed in the upper bottom wall portion 236. By fixing the terminal block 234 (embedded portion 224) to this through-hole 242 which is a waterproof area 223, the intrusion of water through the through-hole 242 can be effectively prevented.

[0087] In the manufacturing of the primary molded product 284 which integrally comprises the first component 220 and the thermoplastic elastomer 226, the first component 220 may be made as an insert part using insert molding, or the thermoplastic elastomer 226 may be made as an insert part using insert molding.

[0088] <Embodiment 4> Hereinafter, an electrical junction box 310 of Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 17. This electrical junction box 310 includes a case body 314 in which a circuit board 312 is housed. Specifically, the case body 314 is composed of an upper case 316 as a first case and a lower case 318 as a second case, and the case body 314 is formed by covering the upper opening 320 of the lower case 318 with the upper case 316. In Embodiment 4 as well, the upper case 316 is composed of a first component 322 including each connector mounting portion 338 and an upper bottom wall portion 342 of the second component 324, as will be described later, and the upper case 316 is formed by integrating these separately formed parts.

[0089] <Electrical junction box 310> The electrical junction box 310 comprises a first component 322 made of synthetic resin and a second component 324 made of synthetic resin. The first component 322 has an embedded portion 326 that is embedded in and integrated with the second component 324, a groove 328 that opens on the surface of the embedded portion 326 facing the second component 324 (outer surfaces 362, 384 described later), and a melt rib 332 that is provided protruding into the groove 328 and has a molten portion 330. The molten portion 330 of this melt rib 332 is welded to the second component 324 which is filled in the groove 328, thereby welding the first component 322 and the second component 324 to each other. Note that the embedded portion 326 of the first component 322 does not need to be embedded in the second component 324 as a whole, and a part of the embedded portion 326 may be exposed to the outside from the second component 324.

[0090] In particular, in Embodiment 4, the electrical connection box 310 (especially the upper case 316) comprises a plurality of first components 322, each of which includes a plurality of connector mounting portions 338 (described later) and a terminal block 340. The second component 324 includes a case body 314 that houses the circuit board 312, and specifically includes an upper bottom wall portion 342 and a lower case 318 in the upper case 316 (described later). Therefore, in Embodiment 4, the second component 324 is composed of a plurality of members.

[0091] The circuit board 312 housed in the electrical connection box 310 (case body 314) is not limited to any particular type, but any known circuit board such as a rigid printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) may be used, and an electrical circuit (not shown) is printed on at least one surface of the circuit board 312 in the thickness direction. Furthermore, through-holes 334 that penetrate the circuit board 312 in the thickness direction are formed at predetermined locations on the circuit board 312. The method of fixing the circuit board 312 to the case body 314 is not limited to any particular type.

[0092] <First Case (Upper Case 316)> The upper case 316 comprises a first component 322 consisting of a plurality of component mounting sections, a connector mounting section 338, and a terminal block 340 as a single component mounting section. The upper case 316 also includes a substantially flat upper bottom wall section 342 as a whole, and as described above, the second component 324 is formed including the upper bottom wall section 342. Each first component 322 (each connector mounting section 338 and terminal block 340) is fixed to the upper bottom wall section 342. In Embodiment 4, the upper bottom wall section 342 comprises a plurality of waterproof areas 344 on which each first component 322 is provided. Each waterproof area 344 is a part of the upper bottom wall 342 where watertight sealing is required. The embedded portion 326 of the first component 322 is positioned to surround the waterproof area 344, and the embedded portion 326 and the second component 324 are fixed together to prevent water from entering the waterproof area 344. Specifically, the waterproof area 344 is composed of an opening 346 to which each connector mounting portion 338 is fixed, and a through portion 348 to which the terminal block 340 is fixed.

[0093] <Second Case (Lower Case 318)> The lower case 318 is generally box-shaped with an upward opening (having an upper opening 320) and includes a generally flat bottom wall portion 352 that extends horizontally (in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction) and a lower peripheral wall portion 354 that protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 352. Therefore, the upper opening 320 is formed by the upper end of the lower peripheral wall portion 354. The method of fixing the upper case 316 and the lower case 318 is not limited.

[0094] The lower case 318 can be formed from a rigid material such as metal or synthetic resin. When the lower case 318 is made of synthetic resin, materials such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) are preferably used. Furthermore, when the lower case 318 is made of synthetic resin, it may be reinforced with glass fibers or the like.

[0095] <First Component 322 (Connector Mounting Section 338)> In Embodiment 4, as described above, some of the first component 322 is composed of connector mounting sections 338. Each connector mounting section 338, as shown in Figure 16, includes a hood section 360 as a housing that protrudes upward from the case body 314 (particularly the upper bottom wall section 342 of the upper case 316), and an embedded section 326 that spreads out in a flange-like manner at the base end (lower end) of the hood section 360. In Embodiment 4, the hood section 360 is substantially cylindrical and continuous around the entire circumference, and the embedded section 326 at the base end (lower end) of the hood section 360 is formed as a substantially annular portion that protrudes outward around the entire circumference. In particular, in Embodiment 4, each hood section 360 is formed in a substantially rectangular annular shape in plan view, and each embedded section 326 is also formed in a substantially rectangular annular shape in plan view. Furthermore, a groove 328 opening downwards is formed on the lower surface of the embedded portion 326, which is shaped as a roughly rectangular ring. As will be described later, in the connector mounting portion 338, the outer surface 362 of the embedded portion 326, including the inner circumferential surface, lower surface, and outer circumferential surface, forms the opposing surface between the embedded portion 326 and the second component 324. Therefore, the groove 328 opens onto the surface of the embedded portion 326 that faces the second component 324.

[0096] In Embodiment 4, the connector mounting portion 338 has a terminal retaining wall 366 that divides the hood portion 360 into an inward (downward) side and an outward (upward) side of the case body 314. The connector mounting portion 338 also includes connection terminals 368 as terminal fittings that penetrate the terminal retaining wall 366 and protrude to the inward (downward) side and outward (upward) side of the case body 314. In Embodiment 4, a plurality of connection terminals 368 are provided, and each connection terminal 368 is fixedly held against the terminal retaining wall 366. Each connection terminal 368 is arranged in alignment in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions on the inner circumference of the hood portion 360.

[0097] Specifically, in the vertically intermediate portion of the hood portion 360, a terminal retaining wall 366 is provided that extends horizontally on the inner circumference side of the hood portion 360. The intermediate portion of each connection terminal 368 extending in the vertical direction is embedded and fixed to the terminal retaining wall 366, with one end (lower end) of each connection terminal 368 protruding downward from the terminal retaining wall 366, and the other end (upper end, connection portion 370) of each connection terminal 368 protruding upward from the terminal retaining wall 366. In other words, when the upper case 316, which includes each connector mounting portion 338, is fixed to the lower case 318 to form the case body 314 (electrical connection box 310), one end (lower end) of each connection terminal 368 protrudes inward from the case body 314, and the other end (upper end, connection portion 370) of each connection terminal 368 protrudes outward from the case body 314.

[0098] In Embodiment 4, the connector mounting portion 338 is formed as an integrally molded product equipped with each connection terminal 368. Specifically, when molding the connector mounting portion 338, injection molding is performed with each connection terminal 368 set as an insert within the molding cavity of the connector mounting portion 338, thereby forming the connector mounting portion 338 as an integrally molded product equipped with each connection terminal 368. As a result, each connection terminal 368 is fixedly held against the terminal holding wall 366. The resin material constituting the connector mounting portion 338 (hood portion 360 and embedded portion 326) is not limited as long as it is rigid, but materials such as PPS and PBT are preferably used, similar to the lower case 318, and it may be reinforced with, for example, glass fiber.

[0099] Furthermore, the other end (upper end) of each connection terminal 368 is located on the inner circumference side of the hood portion 360 and protrudes upward. As a result, each connector mounting portion 338 constitutes a male connector, and a female connector (not shown) that is the mating connector is attached to each connector mounting portion 338, thereby electrically connecting each connection terminal 368 to the connection terminal of the female connector.

[0100] <Grooves 328> Each groove 328 is an annular groove that extends continuously around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. In Embodiment 4, each groove 328 is formed in the radially intermediate portion of the lower surface of each embedded portion 326. As described above, each embedded portion 326 is provided surrounding the periphery of the waterproof area 344, and therefore each groove 328 is provided surrounding the periphery of each waterproof area 344. In particular, in Embodiment 4, each groove 328 opens downward and has a rectangular cross-sectional shape with an upper bottom surface 372 which is the bottom surface and an inner surface consisting of both sides.

[0101] <Melt Rib 332> As described above, a melt rib 332 having a molten portion 330 protrudes from the groove 328. The melt rib 332 is integrally formed with respect to the upper bottom wall portion 342 and has a shape that gradually or stepwise narrows towards the protruding tip. When the first part 322 and the second part 324 are fixed together as described later, when the second part 324 is molded with the first part 322 as an insert, the molten resin material of the second part 324 flows into the groove 328, causing the protruding tip portion of the melt rib 332 to melt and become integrated with the second part 324. Therefore, the protruding tip portion of the melt rib 332 is the molten portion 330. The molten portion 330 is welded to the second part 324 that fills the groove 328 around the entire circumference of the groove 328. In Figures 16 and 17, the melt rib 332 before melting of the molten portion 330 is shown by a dashed line, and the melt rib 332 after melting of the molten portion 330 is shown by a solid line. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, in Embodiment 4, the melt rib 332 before melting of the molten portion 330 has a substantially triangular cross-section and protrudes downward from the upper bottom surface 372 of the groove 328.

[0102] Furthermore, in Embodiment 4, the melt rib 332 is continuously provided within the groove 328 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, and is formed in an annular shape in plan view (projection in the axial direction). In particular, in Embodiment 4, two of these annular melt ribs 332 are provided within the groove 328, and the two melt ribs 332, 332 are provided substantially adjacent to each other on the inner and outer circumference sides.

[0103] Furthermore, the downward protrusion dimension T (see Figure 16) of each melt rib 332 before melting of the molten portion 330 is preferably such that the protruding tip does not protrude below the lower opening of the groove 328, for example, it is preferably 2 / 3 or less of the depth dimension D (see Figure 16) of the groove 328. In Embodiment 4, the protrusion dimension T of each melt rib 332 is set to about 1 / 2 of the depth dimension D of the groove 328.

[0104] <First component 322 (terminal block 340)> In Embodiment 4, as described above, one of the first components 322 is composed of a terminal block 340. This terminal block 340 has a connecting terminal 376 as a terminal fitting, one end of which is connected to a circuit board 312 and the other end of which has a terminal fastening portion 374 as a connecting portion, and a terminal base 378 that holds the connecting terminal 376 with the terminal fastening portion 374 exposed above the through portion 348 which is a waterproof area 344.

[0105] Specifically, in Embodiment 4, the connection terminal 376 is bent in a roughly L-shape, with one end extending downward and connected to the circuit board 312. The other end of the connection terminal 376 spreads horizontally, forming a terminal fastening portion 374 that is roughly rectangular in plan view. A bolt insertion hole 380 is formed in the central part of the terminal fastening portion 374, penetrating in the thickness direction (vertical direction), and the shaft of a stud bolt 382 positioned below the terminal fastening portion 374 protrudes upward through the bolt insertion hole 380. Thus, when a mating terminal (not shown) is connected to the connection terminal 376, the shaft of the stud bolt 382 is inserted through a bolt insertion hole provided in the mating terminal, and a nut is fastened to the stud bolt 382, ​​thereby overlapping the mating terminal and the terminal fastening portion 374 and electrically connecting them.

[0106] The terminal fastening portion 374 and the stud bolt 382 are supported on the terminal base 378, and as described above, the terminal fastening portion 374 is exposed upward, and the shaft portion of the stud bolt 382 protrudes upward. The terminal base 378 is substantially rectangular in plan view and has a predetermined thickness. The embedded portion 326 is formed by the peripheral edge of the base end (lower end) of this terminal base 378. Specifically, the base end (lower end) of the terminal base 378 protrudes outward relative to the upper portion, and the embedded portion 326 is formed by this outwardly protruding portion. This embedded portion 326 is formed in a continuous ring shape over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

[0107] Furthermore, a groove 328 opening downwards is formed on the lower surface of the terminal base 378. This groove 328 has the same shape as the groove 328 in the connector mounting portion 338 and is an annular groove that extends continuously around the entire circumference. In addition, two melt ribs 332, 332 that protrude downwards are provided within this groove 328, similar to the connector mounting portion 338. Note that this groove 328 may be provided in the embedded portion 326, or it may be provided on the inner circumference side of the embedded portion 326. As will be described later, in the terminal block 340 as well, the outer surface 384 of the embedded portion 326, including the inner surface, lower surface, and outer surface of the embedded portion 326, constitutes the opposing surface between the embedded portion 326 and the second component 324, so the groove 328 opens to the surface of the embedded portion 326 that is facing the second component 324. Furthermore, on the terminal base 378, a protective wall portion 386, which acts as a housing, is provided on the outer circumference side of the stud bolt 382 and protrudes upward. The protective wall portion 386 is formed with a circumferential length of less than one full circumference and is positioned to cover the stud bolt 382 from the outer circumference at a predetermined distance.

[0108] In Embodiment 4, the terminal block 340 is formed as an integrally molded product equipped with connection terminals 376 and stud bolts 382. Specifically, when molding the terminal block 340, the connection terminals 376 and stud bolts 382 are inserted into the molding cavity of the terminal block 340 during injection molding, thereby forming the terminal block 340 as an integrally molded product equipped with connection terminals 376 and stud bolts 382. As a result, the connection terminals 376 and stud bolts 382 are fixedly held in place by the terminal base 378. The resin material constituting the terminal base 378 is not limited as long as it is rigid, but materials such as PPS or PBT are preferably used, similar to the connector mounting portion 338, and it may be reinforced with, for example, glass fiber.

[0109] <Second Component 324> As described above, the second component 324 is composed of an upper bottom wall portion 342 and a lower case 318 in the upper case 316. In the upper bottom wall portion 342, an opening 346 is formed in the area where the connector mounting portion 338, which is a first component 322, is fixed, and this opening 346 penetrates the upper bottom wall portion 342 vertically, serving as a waterproof area 344. In addition, in the upper bottom wall portion 342, a penetration portion 348 is formed in the area where the terminal block 340, which is a first component 322, is fixed, and this penetration portion 348 penetrates the upper bottom wall portion 342 vertically, serving as a waterproof area 344. Since the embedded portion 326 of each first component 322 is provided to surround the periphery of each waterproof area 344, the embedded portion 326 provided in each connector mounting portion 338 surrounds the periphery of the opening 346, and the embedded portion 326 provided in the terminal block 340 surrounds the periphery of the penetration portion 348.

[0110] <Waterproof Area 344 (Opening 346)> The opening 346, which serves as the waterproof area 344, has a shape that substantially corresponds to the connector mounting portion 338 in a plan view, and is substantially rectangular in shape. The opening 346 is formed by penetrating the upper bottom wall portion 342 in the vertical direction, and a receiving recess 388 is formed on the periphery of the opening 346 to accommodate the embedded portion 326 provided at the lower end of the connector mounting portion 338. As shown in Figure 16, the receiving recess 388 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape that substantially corresponds to the embedded portion 326, and is an annular recess that is continuous around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the opening 346. In short, when the first component (connector mounting portion 338) and the second component (upper bottom wall portion 342) are fixed together, each embedded portion 326 is housed within each receiving recess 388, and the outer surface 362 of each embedded portion 326 (including the inner circumferential surface, bottom surface, and outer circumferential surface of the embedded portion 326) and the inner surface 390 of each receiving recess 388 (including the inner circumferential side surface, bottom surface, and outer circumferential side surface of the receiving recess 388) are the opposing surfaces of the embedded portion 326 and the second component 324. Note that when the first component 322 and the second component 324 are fixed together and each embedded portion 326 is housed in the receiving recess 388, the upper surface of each embedded portion 326 is exposed to the outside.

[0111] <Waterproof Area 344 (Penetration 348)> The penetration 348, which serves as the waterproof area 344, is the portion in the upper bottom wall 342 through which the longitudinal middle portion of the connection terminal 376 provided on the terminal block 340 is inserted, and is rectangular in shape in plan view, corresponding to the connection terminal 376. Around the penetration 348, a housing recess 392 is formed to accommodate the terminal base 378 and the embedded portion 326. In short, when the first component (terminal block 340) and the second component (upper bottom wall portion 342) are fixed together, the terminal base 378 and the embedded portion 326 are housed within the housing recess 392. The outer surfaces 384 of the terminal base 378 and the embedded portion 326 (including the lower surfaces of the terminal base 378 and the embedded portion 326, and the outer peripheral surface of the embedded portion 326) and the inner surface 394 of the housing recess 392 (including the inner peripheral side surface, bottom surface, and outer peripheral side surface of the housing recess 392) are the opposing surfaces of the embedded portion 326 and the second component 324. When the first component 322 and the second component 324 are fixed together and the terminal base 378 and the embedded portion 326 are housed within the housing recess 392, the upper portion of the terminal base 378 and the upper surface of the embedded portion 326 are exposed to the outside.

[0112] <Manufacturing Method of Electrical Junction Box 310> The following describes a specific example of the manufacturing method of the electrical junction box 310. However, the manufacturing method of the electrical junction box 310 is not limited to the description below.

[0113] First, in the first component molding process, the first component 322, that is, each connector mounting portion 338 and the terminal block 340, are formed by injection molding. In Embodiment 4, since the connector mounting portion 338 is formed integrally with each connection terminal 368, a connector mounting portion 338 equipped with each connection terminal 368 is obtained. Also, since the terminal block 340 is formed integrally with the connection terminal 376, a terminal block 340 equipped with the connection terminal 376 is obtained by the first component molding process.

[0114] Next, in the second part molding process, a plurality of first parts 322 (each connector mounting part 338 and terminal block 340) manufactured in the first part molding process are set as inserts in the molding cavity of the upper bottom wall part 342 which constitutes a part of the second part 324, and the upper bottom wall part 342 is formed by injection molding. As a result, a receiving recess 388 is formed so as to cover the area around the embedded part 326 of each connector mounting part 338, and a receiving recess 392 is formed so as to cover the area around the terminal base 378 and the embedded part 326 of the terminal block 340, thereby forming a second part 324 (upper bottom wall part 342) which integrally includes each first part 322. When molding this upper bottom wall part 342, the molten upper bottom wall part 342 is filled into the molding cavity in which each first part 322 is inserted, so the molten upper bottom wall part 342 flows into the groove 328 of each first part 322. Then, the heat from the molten upper bottom wall portion 342 melts the molten portion 330, which is the protruding tip of each melt rib 332, causing these melt ribs 332 (each embedded portion 326) to fuse and adhere to the upper bottom wall portion 342. As a result, the upper case 316 is completed.

[0115] Then, for example, the circuit board 312 is brought close to the upper case 316 manufactured as described above from below and fixed with screws. As a result, one end (lower end) of each connection terminal 368 and connection terminal 376 that protrudes downward from the upper case 316 is inserted into each through-hole 334 in the circuit board 312. Each connection terminal 368 and connection terminal 376 inserted into each through-hole 334 may be electrically connected to the circuit board 312 by solder or the like (not shown). Alternatively, the upper case 316 with the circuit board 312 assembled is brought close to the separately formed lower case 318 from above, and with the upper case 316 covering the upper opening 320 of the lower case 318, the upper case 316 and the lower case 318 are fixed together with screws. As a result, the entire second component 324 is formed by the upper bottom wall portion 342 and the lower case 318, and the case body 314 in which the circuit board 312 is housed is formed, completing the electrical connection box 310.

[0116] The electrical junction box 310 of Embodiment 4, which has the structure described above, exhibits the same effects as the electrical junction box 10 of Embodiment 1. In particular, the electrical junction box 310 of Embodiment 4 is configured to more firmly weld the first part 322 and the second part 324 together by providing a groove 328 between the first part 322 and the second part 324, which are made of synthetic resin, and by utilizing the melt ribs 332 that protrude into the groove 328. More specifically, the first component 322 has an embedded portion 326 that is embedded in the second component 324, and grooves 328 and melt ribs 332 are provided between the opposing surfaces (outer surfaces 362, 384 and inner surfaces 390, 394) of the embedded portion 326 and the second component 324. The heat from the second component 324 filling the grooves 328 melts the molten portion 330 in each melt rib 332, thereby welding the first component 322 and the second component 324 together. As a result, the first component 322 and the second component 324 are more firmly fixed together, and the intrusion of water through them can be more reliably prevented.

[0117] In particular, when molding the second part 324, the molten second part 324 (upper bottom wall portion 342) flows into each groove 328 in each first part 322. Within each groove 328, the flow velocity of the molten upper bottom wall portion 342 is less likely to change, and the molten portion 330 in each melt rib 332 within each groove 328 melts almost uniformly. As a result, gaps are less likely to form between the first part 322 and the second part 324 after the electrical connection box 310 is manufactured, and the above-mentioned water intrusion prevention effect is achieved even more reliably. As a result, the degree of freedom in setting the gate position when molding the second part 324 can also be improved. Furthermore, since each melt rib 332 is provided within each groove 328, even when the electrical junction box 310 expands or contracts due to temperature changes in the external environment, stress does not concentrate at the protruding tip of each melt rib 332. This strain can be received by each groove 328, making it even less likely for gaps to form between the first component 322 and the second component 324, especially at the formation positions of each melt rib 332.

[0118] The first component 322 (each connector mounting portion 338 and terminal block 340) is arranged to surround the waterproof area 344 (each opening 346 and through portion 348) of the second component 324 (upper bottom wall portion 342), with each groove 328 formed in an annular shape, and each melt rib 332 within each groove 328 also formed in an annular shape. Therefore, when the second component 324 is molded, the molten portion 330 in each melt rib 332 melts and integrates with the second component 324 around the waterproof area 344, thereby effectively preventing water from entering around the waterproof area 344 where a waterproof structure is required.

[0119] Each melt rib 332 is provided projecting downward from the bottom surface (upper bottom surface 372) of each groove 328 toward the opening side. This makes it possible to make the timing of contact between the molten upper bottom wall portion 342 and each melt rib 332 approximately equal when the molten second component 324 (upper bottom wall portion 342) flows into each groove 328. As a result, the molten portion 330 in each melt rib 332 can be melted approximately uniformly, and problems such as the occurrence of gaps between the first component 322 and the second component 324 due to uneven melting of the molten portion 330 can be suppressed even more reliably.

[0120] In particular, since the protruding dimension T of each melt rib 332 is 2 / 3 or less of the depth dimension D of each groove 328, compared to, for example, the case where the protruding tip of each melt rib 332 is located near the opening of each groove 328, the timing difference in contact between the molten upper bottom wall 342 and each melt rib 332 when the molten upper bottom wall 342 is filled into the molding cavity of the upper bottom wall 342 can be made smaller. As a result, the influence of the molten upper bottom wall 342 can be suppressed more, and the molten portion 330 can be melted substantially uniformly, thereby more firmly fixing the first part 322 and the second part 324.

[0121] In Embodiment 4, a plurality of first components 322 are provided, some of which are connector mounting portions 338, and the second component 324 is the upper bottom wall portion 342 of the upper case 316 and the lower case 318 that constitute the case body 314. As a result, an electrical connection box 310 equipped with a plurality of connector mounting portions 338 is constructed as a resin molded product comprising the first components 322 and the second components 324. That is, when providing the connector mounting portions 338 in the electrical connection box 310, an opening 346 that penetrates in the thickness direction is formed in the upper bottom wall portion 342, and by fixing the connector mounting portion 338 (embedded portion 326) to this opening 346 which serves as a waterproof area 344, the intrusion of water through the opening 346 can be effectively prevented.

[0122] <Modifications> Although Embodiments 1 to 4 have been described in detail above as specific examples of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited by these specific descriptions. Modifications, improvements, etc., to the extent that they can achieve the objectives of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure. For example, the following modifications of embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0123] (1) In Embodiment 1, the component mounting section was configured as a connector mounting section 30 or a terminal block 42, but the embodiment is not limited to this. That is, electrical components such as relays and fuses may be connected to the other ends (connection sections) of each terminal fitting that protrude upward in the first case (for example, the upper case 12), and the component mounting section may be configured as a relay mounting section or a fuse mounting section. Also, in Embodiment 1, the housing 26 was cylindrical, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The housing that covers the other ends (connection sections) of each terminal fitting may have separate portions that cover all four sides of the surrounding area, or it may only cover two or three sides of the surrounding area with respect to the other ends (connection sections) of each terminal fitting. The same applies to Embodiments 2 to 4.

[0124] (2) In the embodiment 1 described above, the L-shaped terminal fitting 20 (earth terminal fitting 20b) and the lower case 14 were electrically connected via a collar 38, but the embodiment is not limited to this. That is, instead of a collar, a portion may be provided that protrudes from the lower case side toward the L-shaped terminal fitting (for example, the earth terminal fitting 20b) side (upwards), and the upwardly protruding portion may be inserted into a through hole provided in the upper case (upper bottom wall), thereby electrically connecting the L-shaped terminal fitting and the lower case without the use of a collar.

[0125] (3) In the above embodiment 1, the upper case 12 and the lower case 14 were fixed together by screws 34 and 35, and the protruding wall 60 of the upper case 12 was inserted into the seal groove 80 of the lower case 14, and these protruding wall 60 and the seal groove 80 were fixed together by a sealing material (adhesive) 78 filled in the seal groove 80. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. That is, the method of fixing the first case (for example, the upper case 12) and the second case (for example, the lower case 14) is not limited, and they may be fixed together by screws only, or by adhesive only, or any known fixing method other than these may be used. Even when the first case is provided with a protruding wall and the second case is provided with a seal groove, these do not need to be provided in an annular shape over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, but may be provided only partially in the circumferential direction.

[0126] (4) In the above embodiment 2, the mounting nut 94 is fastened with a waterproof bolt 96, thereby making the mounting nut 94, the waterproof bolt 96, the lower case 14, and the electrical circuits in the circuit board 18 electrically conductive, thereby achieving both "grounding of the circuit board 18 through the mounting nut 94" and "heat dissipation from the heat-generating component (FET 83) through the mounting nut 94." However, the embodiment is not limited to this. That is, the mounting nut does not need to be electrically conductive with the electrical circuits in the circuit board, and may simply function as a nut attached to the circuit board. The mounting nut may also be fixed to the upper surface of the circuit board, and the bolt shaft portion of the waterproof bolt, which is inserted through an insertion hole provided in the upper projection of the second case (for example, the lower case 14) and an insertion hole in the circuit board, may be fastened to the cylindrical portion of the mounting nut fixed to the upper surface of the circuit board. Furthermore, in the above embodiment 2, the bolt fastened to the mounting nut 94 was a waterproof bolt 96, but if, for example, water ingress into the electrical junction box is not a problem, a simple bolt without an O-ring may be used.

[0127] (5) In the first embodiment described above, an upward projection 68 was provided on the bottom wall portion 62 of the lower case 14, and this upward projection 68 constituted the heat dissipation portion. However, an upward projection is not required on the bottom wall portion of the second case (for example, the lower case 14). If an upward projection is not provided on the bottom wall portion of the second case, the heat dissipation portion may be formed by the bottom wall portion of the second case.

[0128] <Embodiment 5> Hereinafter, an electrical junction box A10, which is a resin molded product of Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 22. This electrical junction box A10 includes a case A14 in which a circuit board A12 is housed. Specifically, the case A14 is composed of an upper case A16 and a lower case A18, and the case A14 is constructed by covering the upper opening A19 of the lower case A18 with the upper case A16. The electrical junction box A10 can be positioned in any orientation, but in the following description, "upper" refers to the upper part in Figure 19, "lower" refers to the lower part in Figure 19, "front" refers to the left in Figure 18, "rear" refers to the right in Figure 18, "left" refers to the upper part in Figure 18, and "right" refers to the lower part in Figure 18. In addition, for multiple identical components, reference numerals may be assigned to only some of the components, while the reference numerals for other components may be omitted.

[0129] <Resin molded product (electrical junction box A10)> The electrical junction box A10 comprises a first component A20 made of synthetic resin and a second component A22 made of synthetic resin. The first component A20 has an embedded portion A24 that surrounds the waterproof area A23 (opening A40 and penetration A42 described later) of the second component A22 and is embedded in the second component A22. With this embedded portion A24 embedded in the second component A22, the first component A20 and the second component A22 are integrated. A waterproof thermoplastic elastomer A26 is placed and welded between the opposing surfaces of the embedded portion A24 and the second component A22 (outer surfaces A55, A73 and inner surfaces A78, A82 described later). In other words, the embedded portion A24 and the thermoplastic elastomer A26 are fused and adhered together at their contact surfaces, and the second component A22 and the thermoplastic elastomer A26 are fused and adhered together at their contact surfaces. Note that the embedded portion A24 of the first component A20 does not need to be embedded in the second component A22 as a whole; a portion of the embedded portion A24 may be exposed to the outside from the second component A22.

[0130] In particular, in Embodiment 5, the electrical connection box A10 (especially the upper case A16) comprises a plurality of first components A20, each of which includes a plurality of connector mounting sections A32 (described later) and a terminal block A34. The second component A22 includes a case A14 that houses the circuit board A12 inside, and specifically includes the upper bottom wall section A36 and the lower case A18 of the upper case A16 (described later). Therefore, in Embodiment 5, the second component A22 is composed of a plurality of members.

[0131] The circuit board A12 housed in the electrical connection box A10 (case A14) is not limited to any particular type, but any known circuit board such as a rigid printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) may be used, and an electrical circuit (not shown) is printed on at least one surface of the circuit board A12 in the thickness direction. Furthermore, through-holes A28 that penetrate the circuit board A12 in the thickness direction are formed at predetermined locations on the circuit board A12. The method of fixing the circuit board A12 to the case A14 is not limited to any particular type.

[0132] <Upper Case A16> The upper case A16 comprises a plurality of connector mounting sections A32 and one terminal block A34, which are first components A20. The upper case A16 also includes a substantially flat upper bottom wall section A36 as a whole, and as described above, the second component A22 is formed including the upper bottom wall section A36. Each first component A20 (each connector mounting section A32 and terminal block A34) is fixed to the upper bottom wall section A36. That is, the upper bottom wall section A36 comprises a plurality of waterproof areas A23 on which each first component A20 is provided. Specifically, the waterproof areas A23 are composed of openings A40 to which each connector mounting section A32 is fixed and through sections A42 to which the terminal block A34 is fixed.

[0133] <Lower Case A18> The lower case A18 is a substantially box shape that opens upward overall (having an upper opening A19), and comprises a substantially flat bottom wall A44 that extends horizontally (in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction), and a lower peripheral wall A46 that protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall A44. Therefore, the upper opening A19 is formed by the upper end of the lower peripheral wall A46. The method of fixing the upper case A16 and the lower case A18 is not limited.

[0134] The lower case A18 can be formed from a rigid material such as metal or synthetic resin. When the lower case A18 is made of synthetic resin, materials such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) are preferably used. Furthermore, when the lower case A18 is made of synthetic resin, it may be reinforced with glass fibers or the like.

[0135] <First Component A20 (Connector Mounting Section A32)> In Embodiment 5, as described above, some of the first component A20 is composed of connector mounting sections A32. Each connector mounting section A32, as shown in Figures 19 and 21, includes a hood section A52 that protrudes upward from the case A14 (particularly the upper bottom wall section A36 of the upper case A16) and an embedded section A24 that spreads out in a flange-like manner at the base end (lower end) of the hood section A52. In Embodiment 5, the hood section A52 is substantially cylindrical and continuous around the entire circumference, and the embedded section A24 at the base end (lower end) of the hood section A52 is formed as a substantially annular portion that protrudes outward around the entire circumference. In particular, in Embodiment 5, each hood section A52 is formed in a substantially rectangular annular shape in plan view, and each embedded section A24 is also formed in a substantially rectangular annular shape in plan view. Furthermore, a groove A54 opening downwards is formed on the lower surface of the embedded portion A24, which is shaped as a roughly rectangular ring. As will be described later, in the connector mounting portion A32, the outer surface A55 of the embedded portion A24, including the inner circumferential surface, lower surface, and outer circumferential surface, forms the opposing surface between the embedded portion A24 and the second component A22. Therefore, the groove A54 opens onto the surface of the embedded portion A24 that faces the second component A22.

[0136] Each groove A54 is an annular groove that extends continuously around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. In Embodiment 5, each groove A54 is formed in the radially intermediate portion of the lower surface of each embedded section A24. As mentioned above, each embedded section A24 is provided surrounding the periphery of the waterproof area A23, and therefore each groove A54 is provided surrounding the periphery of each waterproof area A23. In particular, in Embodiment 5, each groove A54 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape with an inner surface consisting of an upper bottom wall and both side surfaces.

[0137] In Embodiment 5, the connector mounting portion A32 has a terminal retaining wall A58 that divides the hood portion A52 into an inward (downward) side and an outward (upward) side of the case A14. The connector mounting portion A32 also includes connection terminals A60 that penetrate the terminal retaining wall A58 and protrude to the inward (downward) side and outward (upward) side of the case A14. In Embodiment 5, a plurality of connection terminals A60 are provided, and each connection terminal A60 is fixedly held by the terminal retaining wall A58. Each connection terminal A60 is arranged in alignment in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions on the inner circumference of the hood portion A52.

[0138] Specifically, in the vertically intermediate portion of the hood portion A52, a terminal retaining wall A58 is provided that extends horizontally on the inner circumference side of the hood portion A52. The intermediate portion of each connection terminal A60, which extends vertically, is embedded and fixed to the terminal retaining wall A58. One end (lower end) of each connection terminal A60 protrudes downward from the terminal retaining wall A58, and the other end (upper end) of each connection terminal A60 protrudes upward from the terminal retaining wall A58. In other words, when the upper case A16, which includes each connector mounting portion A32, is fixed to the lower case A18 to form the case A14 (electrical connection box A10), one end (lower end) of each connection terminal A60 protrudes inward from the case A14, and the other end (upper end) of each connection terminal A60 protrudes outward from the case A14.

[0139] In Embodiment 5, as shown in Figure 21, the connector mounting portion A32 is formed as an integrally molded product equipped with each connection terminal A60. Specifically, when molding the connector mounting portion A32, injection molding is performed with each connection terminal A60 set as an insert in the molding cavity of the connector mounting portion A32, thereby forming the connector mounting portion A32 as an integrally molded product equipped with each connection terminal A60. As a result, each connection terminal A60 is fixedly held against the terminal holding wall A58. The resin material constituting the connector mounting portion A32 (hood portion A52 and embedded portion A24) is not limited as long as it is rigid, but materials such as PPS and PBT are preferably used, similar to the lower case A18, and it may be reinforced with, for example, glass fiber.

[0140] Furthermore, the other end (upper end) of each connection terminal A60 is located on the inner circumference side of the hood portion A52 and protrudes upward. As a result, each connector mounting portion A32 constitutes a male connector, and each connection terminal A60 and the connection terminal of the female connector are electrically connected when a female connector (not shown) is attached to each connector mounting portion A32.

[0141] <First Component A20 (Terminal Block A34)> In Embodiment 5, as described above, one of the first components A20 is composed of a terminal block A34. This terminal block A34 has a connecting terminal A66, one end of which is connected to the circuit board A12 and the other end of which has a terminal fastening portion A64, and a terminal base A68 that holds the connecting terminal A66 with the terminal fastening portion A64 exposed above the through portion A42, which is the waterproof area A23.

[0142] Specifically, in Embodiment 5, the connection terminal A66 is bent into a roughly L-shape, with one end extending downward and connected to the circuit board A12. The other end of the connection terminal A66 spreads horizontally, forming a terminal fastening portion A64 that is roughly rectangular in plan view. A bolt insertion hole A70 is formed in the central part of the terminal fastening portion A64, penetrating in the thickness direction (vertical direction), and the shaft of a stud bolt A72 positioned below the terminal fastening portion A64 protrudes upward through the bolt insertion hole A70. Thus, when a mating terminal (not shown) is connected to the connection terminal A66, the shaft of the stud bolt A72 is inserted through a bolt insertion hole provided in the mating terminal, and a nut is fastened to the stud bolt A72, thereby overlapping the mating terminal and the terminal fastening portion A64 and electrically connecting them.

[0143] The terminal fastening portion A64 and the stud bolt A72 are supported on the terminal base A68, and as described above, the terminal fastening portion A64 is exposed upward, and the shaft portion of the stud bolt A72 protrudes upward. The terminal base A68 is substantially rectangular in plan view and has a predetermined thickness. The embedded portion A24 is formed by the peripheral edge of the base end (lower end) of this terminal base A68. Specifically, the base end (lower end) of the terminal base A68 protrudes outward relative to the upper portion, and the embedded portion A24 is formed by this outwardly protruding portion. This embedded portion A24 is formed in a continuous ring shape over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

[0144] Furthermore, a groove A54 opening downwards is formed on the lower surface of the terminal base A68. This groove A54 has the same shape as the groove A54 in the connector mounting portion A32 and is an annular groove that extends continuously around the entire circumference. This groove A54 may be provided in the embedded portion A24 or on the inner circumference side of the embedded portion A24. As will be described later, in the terminal block A34 as well, the outer surface A73 of the embedded portion A24, including the inner surface, lower surface, and outer surface of the embedded portion A24, forms the opposing surface between the embedded portion A24 and the second component A22. Therefore, the groove A54 opens onto the surface of the embedded portion A24 that is facing the second component A22.

[0145] In Embodiment 5, the terminal block A34 is formed as an integrally molded product equipped with a connecting terminal A66 and a stud bolt A72. Specifically, when molding the terminal block A34, the connecting terminal A66 and the stud bolt A72 are inserted into the molding cavity of the terminal block A34 during injection molding, thereby forming the terminal block A34 as an integrally molded product equipped with the connecting terminal A66 and the stud bolt A72. As a result, the connecting terminal A66 and the stud bolt A72 are fixedly held in place by the terminal base A68. The resin material constituting the terminal base A68 is not limited as long as it is rigid, but materials such as PPS or PBT are preferably used, similar to the connector mounting portion A32, and it may be reinforced with, for example, glass fiber.

[0146] <Second Component A22> As described above, the second component A22 is composed of the upper bottom wall portion A36 and the lower case A18 of the upper case A16. In the upper bottom wall portion A36, an opening A40 is formed as a waterproof area A23 that penetrates the upper bottom wall portion A36 vertically at the location where the connector mounting portion A32, which is each first component A20, is fixed. Also, in the upper bottom wall portion A36, a penetration portion A42 is formed as a waterproof area A23 that penetrates the upper bottom wall portion A36 vertically at the location where the terminal block A34, which is the first component A20, is fixed.

[0147] <Waterproof Area A23 (Opening A40)> The opening A40, which serves as the waterproof area A23, has a shape that is roughly rectangular and corresponds to the connector mounting portion A32 in a plan view. The opening A40 is formed by penetrating the upper bottom wall portion A36 in the vertical direction, and a housing recess A76 is formed on the periphery of the opening A40 to accommodate the embedded portion A24 provided at the lower end of the connector mounting portion A32. As shown in Figure 19, the housing recess A76 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape that is roughly corresponding to the embedded portion A24, and is an annular recess that is continuous around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the opening A40. In short, when the first component (connector mounting portion A32) and the second component (upper bottom wall portion A36) are fixed together, each embedded portion A24 is housed within each receiving recess A76, and the outer surface A55 of each embedded portion A24 (including the inner circumferential surface, bottom surface, and outer circumferential surface of the embedded portion A24) and the inner surface A78 of each receiving recess A76 (including the inner circumferential side surface, bottom surface, and outer circumferential side surface of the receiving recess A76) are the opposing surfaces of the embedded portion A24 and the second component A22. Note that when the first component A20 and the second component A22 are fixed together and each embedded portion A24 is housed in the receiving recess A76, the upper surface of each embedded portion A24 is exposed to the outside.

[0148] <Waterproof Area A23 (Penetration A42)> The penetration A42, which is part of the waterproof area A23, is the portion through which the longitudinal middle section of the connection terminal A66 provided on the terminal block A34 is inserted in the upper bottom wall A36, and is rectangular in shape in plan view, corresponding to the connection terminal A66. Around the penetration A42, a housing recess A80 is formed to accommodate the terminal base A68 and the embedded portion A24. In short, when the first component (terminal block A34) and the second component (upper bottom wall A36) are fixed together, the terminal base A68 and the embedded portion A24 are housed within the housing recess A80. The outer surfaces A73 of the terminal base A68 and the embedded portion A24 (including the lower surfaces of the terminal base A68 and the embedded portion A24, and the outer peripheral surface of the embedded portion A24) and the inner surface A82 of the housing recess A80 (including the inner peripheral side surface, bottom surface, and outer peripheral side surface of the housing recess A80) are the opposing surfaces of the embedded portion A24 and the second component A22. When the first component A20 and the second component A22 are fixed together and the terminal base A68 and the embedded portion A24 are housed within the housing recess A80, the upper portion of the terminal base A68 and the upper surface of the embedded portion A24 are exposed to the outside.

[0149] <Thermoplastic Elastomer A26> The thermoplastic elastomers A26 provided in each connector mounting portion A32 and each embedded portion A24 in the terminal block A34 each have a substantially rectangular cross-section and are formed in an annular shape continuously over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. Known materials can be used for the thermoplastic elastomer A26. In Embodiment 5, each groove A54 is opened on the lower surface of each embedded portion A24, and each thermoplastic elastomer A26 is filled and arranged in each groove A54. As a result, each thermoplastic elastomer A26 filled in each groove A54 in each connector mounting portion A32 is arranged to surround the periphery of the opening A40. Also, the thermoplastic elastomer A26 filled in the groove A54 in the terminal block A34 is arranged to surround the periphery of the through portion A42.

[0150] <Manufacturing Method for Resin Molded Product (Electrical Junction Box A10)> The following describes a specific example of the manufacturing method for the electrical junction box A10. However, the manufacturing method for the electrical junction box A10 is not limited to the description below.

[0151] First, in the first component molding process, the first component A20, namely the connector mounting portions A32 and the terminal block A34, is formed by injection molding. In Embodiment 5, since the connector mounting portion A32 is formed integrally with each connection terminal A60, the connector mounting portion A32 shown in Figure 21 is obtained by the first component molding process. Also, since the terminal block A34 is formed integrally with the connection terminal A66, the terminal block A34 equipped with the connection terminal A66 is obtained by the first component molding process.

[0152] Subsequently, in the primary molded product molding process, the first parts A20 (connector mounting part A32 and terminal block A34) are set as inserts in the molding cavity of the thermoplastic elastomer A26, and the resin material of the thermoplastic elastomer A26 is filled into the grooves A54 in the embedded part A24 of each first part A20 and molded. This results in a primary molded product A84 in which the thermoplastic elastomer A26 is integrally molded into the grooves A54 of each first part A20. Figure 22 shows the primary molded product A84 consisting of the connector mounting part A32 and the thermoplastic elastomer A26. When manufacturing this primary molded product A84, molten thermoplastic elastomer A26 is filled into the grooves A54 in the embedded portion A24 of each first part A20. As a result, the heat of the molten thermoplastic elastomer A26 melts the inner surface of the grooves A54, causing these embedded portions A24 and the thermoplastic elastomer A26 to fuse together. During the manufacturing of each primary molded product A84, the lower surface of each thermoplastic elastomer A26 is exposed to the outside on the outer surfaces A55 and A73 of each embedded portion A24.

[0153] Next, in the second part molding process, a plurality of primary molded products A84 manufactured in the primary molded product molding process are set as inserts in the molding cavity of the upper bottom wall portion A36 which constitutes a part of the second part A22, and the upper bottom wall portion A36 is formed by injection molding. As a result, a housing recess A76 is formed to cover the area around the embedded portion A24 in each connector mounting portion A32, and a housing recess A80 is formed to cover the area around the terminal base A68 and the embedded portion A24 in the terminal block A34, thereby forming a second part A22 (upper bottom wall portion A36) which integrally includes each primary molded product A84. When forming the upper bottom wall portion A36, the molten upper bottom wall portion A36 is filled into the molding cavity into which each primary molded product A84 is inserted. As a result, the heat from the molten upper bottom wall portion A36 melts the outer surfaces A55 and A73 of each embedded portion A24, including the lower surface of the thermoplastic elastomer A26, causing these embedded portions A24 and the thermoplastic elastomer A26 to fuse and adhere to the upper bottom wall portion A36. This completes the upper case A16.

[0154] Alternatively, the following embodiment may also be adopted as another embodiment of the manufacturing method of the upper case A16. First, in the thermoplastic elastomer molding process, the thermoplastic elastomer A26 is formed by injection molding.

[0155] Subsequently, in the primary molded product molding process, the thermoplastic elastomer A26 is set in the molding cavity of the first part A20, and then the resin material of the first part A20 is filled and molded. Specifically, in each connector mounting section A32, the thermoplastic elastomer A26 and each connection terminal A60 are set in the molding cavity of each connector mounting section A32, and then the resin material of each connector mounting section A32 is filled and molded. Similarly, in the terminal block A34, the thermoplastic elastomer A26 and the connection terminal A66 are set in the molding cavity of the terminal block A34, and then the resin material of the terminal block A34 is filled and molded. This results in a primary molded product A84 (each connector mounting section A32) which integrally includes the thermoplastic elastomer A26 and each connection terminal A60 as shown in Figure 22, and a primary molded product A84 (terminal block A34) which integrally includes the thermoplastic elastomer A26 and the connection terminal A66. In this process as well, since the molten first part A20 is filled into the molding cavity of the first part A20 in which the thermoplastic elastomer A26 is set, the heat from the molten first part A20 melts the surface of the thermoplastic elastomer A26, causing the first part A20 (embedded portion A24) and the thermoplastic elastomer A26 to fuse together.

[0156] Next, in the second part molding process, multiple primary molded parts A84 manufactured in the primary molded part molding process are set as inserts in the molding cavity of the second part A22 (upper bottom wall A36), and the upper bottom wall A36 is formed by injection molding. This process is the same as described in the second part molding process above. The upper case A16 can also be obtained by this manufacturing method.

[0157] Alternatively, the following embodiment may also be adopted as another embodiment of the manufacturing method of the upper case A16. First, in the first component molding step, the first component A20, that is, each connector mounting portion A32 and the terminal block A34, are formed by injection molding. In Embodiment 5, the first component molding step yields a connector mounting portion A32 integrally equipped with each connection terminal A60, as shown in Figure 21. The first component molding step also yields a terminal block A34 integrally equipped with connection terminal A66. Furthermore, in the thermoplastic elastomer molding step, a thermoplastic elastomer A26 is formed by injection molding.

[0158] Subsequently, in the assembly process, the thermoplastic elastomer A26 is assembled to the first part A20 (each connector mounting part A32 and terminal block A34) such that the thermoplastic elastomer A26 is positioned between the opposing surfaces (outer surfaces A55, A73 and inner surfaces A78, A82) of the second part A22 (upper bottom wall part A36) and the embedded parts A24 of each connector mounting part A32 and terminal block A34 formed in the first part molding process. Specifically, the thermoplastic elastomer A26 is inserted and fitted into the grooves A54 provided in each embedded part A24 of each connector mounting part A32 and terminal block A34. This completes the assembly 86 of the first part A20 (connector mounting part A32) and thermoplastic elastomer A26 as shown in Figure 22. Similarly, the assembly of the terminal block A34 and thermoplastic elastomer A26 is also completed, but it is not shown in the illustration.

[0159] Next, in the second component molding process, the multiple assembled parts 86 manufactured in the assembly process are set as inserts in the molding cavity of the second component A22 (upper bottom wall portion A36), and the upper bottom wall portion A36 is formed by injection molding. This process is the same as described in the second component molding process above. The upper case A16 can also be obtained by this manufacturing method.

[0160] Then, for example, the circuit board A12 is brought close to the upper case A16 manufactured as described above from below and fixed with screws. As a result, one end (lower end) of each connection terminal A60 and A66 that protrudes downward from the upper case A16 is inserted into each through-hole A28 in the circuit board A12. Each connection terminal A60 and A66 inserted into each through-hole A28 may be electrically connected to the circuit board A12 by solder or the like (not shown). Alternatively, the upper case A16 with the circuit board A12 assembled is brought close to the separately formed lower case A18 from above, and with the upper case A16 covering the upper opening A19 of the lower case A18, the upper case A16 and the lower case A18 are fixed together with screws. As a result, the entirety of the second component A22 is formed by the upper bottom wall A36 and the lower case A18, and a case A14 containing the circuit board A12 is formed inside, completing the electrical connection box A10.

[0161] In the resin molded product (electrical connection box A10) of Embodiment 5, which has the structure described above, a thermoplastic elastomer A26 is provided between a first component A20 made of synthetic resin and a second component A22 made of synthetic resin. This configuration not only welds the first component A20 and the second component A22 together, but also welds the first component A20 to the thermoplastic elastomer A26 and the second component A22 to the thermoplastic elastomer A26. More specifically, the first component A20 has an embedded portion A24 that is embedded in the second component A22, and a thermoplastic elastomer A26 is placed between the opposing surfaces (outer surfaces A55, A73 and inner surfaces A78, A82) of the embedded portion A24 and the second component A22 together. As a result, the first component A20 and the thermoplastic elastomer A26, and the second component A22 and the thermoplastic elastomer A26 are fused together, and water intrusion from between them can be prevented more reliably than when the first component A20 and the second component A22 are simply welded together. In other words, when fixing the first component and the second component, if the second component is integrally molded with the first component as an insert, the interfaces between them will not be completely welded together, and there is a risk of water intrusion from their opposing surfaces. However, by adopting the above configuration, water intrusion through the opposing surfaces can be prevented, and problems such as an increase in the number of parts and assembly steps, as in conventional structures, can also be eliminated. Note that the first component A20 and the thermoplastic elastomer A26 do not necessarily have to be welded together; they may be formed separately and assembled afterwards.

[0162] On the surfaces (outer surfaces A55, A73) of each embedded section A24 facing the second component A22, an annular groove A54 is formed, surrounding the waterproof area A23, and thermoplastic elastomer A26 is filled into each groove A54. As a result, in the primary molded product A84 in which the first component A20 and the thermoplastic elastomer A26 are integrally formed, the thermoplastic elastomer A26 does not protrude significantly to the outside, making it easier to handle the primary molded product A84 when molding the second component A22 using the primary molded product A84 as an insert, and enabling stable molding of the second component A22.

[0163] In Embodiment 5, a plurality of first parts A20 are provided, some of which are connector mounting parts A32, and the second parts A22 are the upper bottom wall A36 of the upper case A16 and the lower case A18 that constitute the case A14. As a result, an electrical junction box A10 equipped with a plurality of connector mounting parts A32 is constructed as a resin molded product comprising the first parts A20 and the second parts A22. That is, when providing the connector mounting parts A32 in the electrical junction box A10, an opening A40 that penetrates in the thickness direction is formed in the upper bottom wall A36, and by fixing the connector mounting parts A32 (embedded parts A24) to this opening A40 which is a waterproof area A23, the intrusion of water through the opening A40 can be effectively prevented.

[0164] Furthermore, in Embodiment 5, the connector mounting portion A32 has a terminal retaining wall A58, and a plurality of connection terminals A60 are fixedly held in the terminal retaining wall A58. In particular, in Embodiment 5, each connection terminal A60 is integrally molded with the connector mounting portion A32 as an insert. This makes it possible to form a connector mounting portion A32 having each connection terminal A60 inside in a single molding process. Therefore, by molding the second part A22 with this connector mounting portion A32 as an insert, the upper case A16, and consequently the electrical connection box A10, which has each connection terminal A60 in the connector mounting portion A32, can be easily manufactured.

[0165] Furthermore, in Embodiment 5, one of the first components A20 is a terminal block A34. As a result, an electrical junction box A10 is constructed as a resin molded product comprising the first component A20 and the second component A22, and the terminal block A34 is provided. That is, when the terminal block A34 is provided in the electrical junction box A10, a through-hole A42 is formed in the upper bottom wall A36 through which the connection terminal A66 is inserted. By fixing the terminal block A34 (embedded portion A24) to this through-hole A42, which is designated as a waterproof area A23, the intrusion of water through the through-hole A42 can be effectively prevented.

[0166] In the manufacture of the primary molded product A84 which integrally comprises the first component A20 and the thermoplastic elastomer A26, the first component A20 may be made into an insert part using insert molding, or the thermoplastic elastomer A26 may be made into an insert part using insert molding.

[0167] <Embodiment 6> Next, the electrical junction box A90, which is a resin molded product of Embodiment 6 of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to Figure 23. The basic structure of the electrical junction box A90 in Embodiment 6 is the same as that of the electrical junction box A10 in Embodiment 5. However, in Embodiment 5, the connector mounting portion A32 as the first component A20 was formed as an integrally molded product equipped with each connection terminal A60, whereas in Embodiment 6, the connector mounting portion A92 as the first component A20 is formed separately from each connection terminal A60. In the following, mainly the differences from Embodiment 5 will be described, and detailed explanations of components or parts that are substantially the same as those in Embodiment 5 will be omitted by denoting them with the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 5 in the figures.

[0168] The connector mounting portion A92 of Embodiment 6 includes a hood portion A52 that protrudes upward from the electrical connection box A90 (upper case A93). The hood portion A52 is provided with a terminal retaining wall A58 that divides the case A14 into an inward side (downward side) and an outward side (upward side). This terminal retaining wall A58 extends horizontally in the vertical intermediate portion on the inner circumference of the hood portion A52. The terminal retaining wall A58 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes A94 that allow insertion of each connection terminal A60 that protrudes to the inward side (downward side) and the outward side (upward side) of the case A14. In a plan view, each insertion hole A94 is, for example, rectangular in shape and is larger than the planar shape (for example, rectangular) of each connection terminal A60. As a result, as shown in Figure 23, when each connection terminal A60 is inserted into each insertion hole A94, each connection terminal A60 does not come into contact with the inner surface of each insertion hole A94.

[0169] In manufacturing the electrical junction box A90 with the structure described above, first, the connector mounting portion A92 as the first component A20 is formed by injection molding. Then, using the connector mounting portion A92 as an insert, thermoplastic elastomer A26 is filled into the groove A54 provided in the embedded portion A24 of the first component A20 and molded. This gives a primary molded product A84 in which the connector mounting portion A92 and the thermoplastic elastomer A26 are integrally molded. Furthermore, by molding the second component A22 (upper bottom wall portion A36) using this primary molded product A84 as an insert, the upper case A93 in embodiment 6 is obtained. The terminal block A34 is formed in the same manner as in embodiment 5, and when manufacturing the upper case A93, one end of the connection terminal A66 protrudes downward from the upper case A93.

[0170] Furthermore, when manufacturing the electrical junction box A90 using the upper case A93 in Embodiment 6, first, a circuit board A12 equipped with connection terminals A60 protruding upward is prepared. Specifically, one end (lower end) of each connection terminal A60 is inserted from above into each through-hole A28 of the circuit board A12, and each connection terminal A60 is fixed to the circuit board A12 with solder or the like (not shown), and the electrical circuits on the circuit board A12 and each connection terminal A60 are electrically connected. After that, the circuit board A12 equipped with each connection terminal A60 is brought close to the upper case A93 manufactured as described above from below, and the other end (upper end) of each connection terminal A60 is inserted into each insertion hole A94 in the terminal holding wall A58. Also, the connection terminal A66 protruding downward from the upper case A93 is inserted into the through-hole A28 of the circuit board A12 and fixed and electrically connected with solder or the like. Then, the circuit board A12 is fixed to the upper bottom wall A36, for example, with screws.

[0171] As a result, the other end (upper end) of each connection terminal A60 protrudes above the terminal holding wall A58 on the inner circumference side of the hood portion A52 and is exposed to the outside. Furthermore, as described above, the upper case A93 to which the circuit board A12 is assembled is brought closer to the separately formed lower case A18 from above, and with the upper opening A19 of the lower case A18 covered by the upper case A93, the upper case A93 and the lower case A18 are fixed together, for example, with screws. This gives rise to the electrical connection box A90 using the upper case A93 in embodiment 6.

[0172] As with Embodiment 5, a female connector (not shown) can be connected to each connector mounting portion A92 having the structure described above. Furthermore, since the electrical connection box A90 of Embodiment 6 differs from the electrical connection box A10 of Embodiment 5 only in the way in which each connection terminal A60 is held, the same effects as in Embodiment 5 can be achieved.

[0173] <Embodiment 7> Hereinafter, an electrical junction box B10, which is a resin molded product of Embodiment 7 of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to Figures 24 to 26. This electrical junction box B10 includes a case B14 in which a circuit board B12 is housed. Specifically, the case B14 is composed of an upper case B16 and a lower case B18, and the case B14 is constructed by covering the upper opening B20 of the lower case B18 with the upper case B16. The electrical junction box B10 can be positioned in any orientation, but in the following description, "upper" refers to the upper part in Figure 25, "lower" refers to the lower part in Figure 25, "front" refers to the left in Figure 24, "rear" refers to the right in Figure 24, "left" refers to the upper part in Figure 24, and "right" refers to the lower part in Figure 24. In addition, for multiple identical components, reference numerals may be assigned to only some of the components, while the reference numerals for other components may be omitted.

[0174] <Resin molded product (electrical junction box B10)> The electrical junction box B10 comprises a first component B22 made of synthetic resin and a second component B24 made of synthetic resin. The first component B22 has an embedded portion B26 which is embedded in and integrated with the second component B24, a groove B28 which opens on the surface of the embedded portion B26 facing the second component B24 (outer surfaces B62, B84 described later), and a melt rib B32 which is provided protruding into the groove B28 and has a molten portion B30. The molten portion B30 of this melt rib B32 is welded to the second component B24 which is filled in the groove B28, thereby welding the first component B22 and the second component B24 to each other. Furthermore, the embedded portion B26 of the first component B22 does not need to be embedded in the second component B24 as a whole; a portion of the embedded portion B26 may be exposed to the outside from the second component B24.

[0175] In particular, in Embodiment 7, the electrical connection box B10 (especially the upper case B16) comprises a plurality of first components B22, each of which includes a plurality of connector mounting sections B38 (described later) and a terminal block B40. The second component B24 includes a case B14 that houses the circuit board B12 inside, and specifically includes the upper bottom wall section B42 and the lower case B18 of the upper case B16 (described later). Therefore, in Embodiment 7, the second component B24 is composed of a plurality of members.

[0176] The circuit board B12 housed in the electrical connection box B10 (case B14) is not limited to any particular type, but any known circuit board such as a rigid printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) may be used, and an electrical circuit (not shown) is printed on at least one surface of the circuit board B12 in the thickness direction. Furthermore, through-holes B34 that penetrate the circuit board B12 in the thickness direction are formed at predetermined locations on the circuit board B12. The method of fixing the circuit board B12 to the case B14 is not limited to any particular type.

[0177] <Upper Case B16> The upper case B16 comprises a plurality of connector mounting sections B38 and one terminal block B40, which are first components B22. The upper case B16 also includes an upper bottom wall section B42 that is generally flat in shape, and as described above, the second component B24 is formed including the upper bottom wall section B42. Each first component B22 (each connector mounting section B38 and terminal block B40) is fixed to the upper bottom wall section B42. In Embodiment 7, the upper bottom wall section B42 comprises a plurality of waterproof areas B44 on which each first component B22 is provided. Each waterproof area B44 is a part of the upper bottom wall section B42 where watertight sealing is required, and the embedded section B26 of the first component B22 is arranged to surround the waterproof area B44, and the embedded section B26 and the second component B24 are fixed together, thereby preventing water from entering the waterproof area B44. Specifically, the waterproof area B44 is composed of an opening B46 to which each connector mounting portion B38 is fixed, and a through portion B48 to which the terminal block B40 is fixed.

[0178] <Lower Case B18> The lower case B18 is a roughly box-shaped structure that opens upward overall (having an upper opening B20), and comprises a roughly flat bottom wall portion B52 that extends horizontally (in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction), and a lower peripheral wall portion B54 that protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion B52. Therefore, the upper opening B20 is formed by the upper end of the lower peripheral wall portion B54. The method of fixing the upper case B16 and the lower case B18 is not limited.

[0179] The lower case B18 can be formed from a rigid material such as metal or synthetic resin. When the lower case B18 is made of synthetic resin, materials such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) are preferably used. Furthermore, when the lower case B18 is made of synthetic resin, it may be reinforced with glass fibers or the like.

[0180] <First Component B22 (Connector Mounting Section B38)> In Embodiment 7, as described above, some of the first component B22 is composed of connector mounting sections B38. Each connector mounting section B38, as shown in Figure 25, includes a hood section B60 that protrudes upward from the case B14 (particularly the upper bottom wall section B42 of the upper case B16) and an embedded section B26 that spreads out in a flange-like manner at the base end (lower end) of the hood section B60. In Embodiment 7, the hood section B60 is substantially cylindrical and continuous around the entire circumference, and the embedded section B26 at the base end (lower end) of the hood section B60 is formed as a substantially annular portion that protrudes outward around the entire circumference. In particular, in Embodiment 7, each hood section B60 is formed in a substantially rectangular annular shape in plan view, and each embedded section B26 is also formed in a substantially rectangular annular shape in plan view. Furthermore, a groove B28 opening downwards is formed on the lower surface of the embedded portion B26, which is shaped as a roughly rectangular ring. As will be described later, in the connector mounting portion B38, the outer surface B62 of the embedded portion B26, including the inner circumferential surface, lower surface, and outer circumferential surface, forms the opposing surface between the embedded portion B26 and the second component B24. Therefore, the groove B28 opens onto the surface of the embedded portion B26 that faces the second component B24.

[0181] In Embodiment 7, the connector mounting portion B38 has a terminal retaining wall B66 that divides the hood portion B60 into an inward (downward) side and an outward (upward) side of the case B14. The connector mounting portion B38 also includes connection terminals B68 that penetrate the terminal retaining wall B66 and protrude to the inward (downward) side and outward (upward) side of the case B14. Multiple connection terminals B68 are provided in Embodiment 7, and each connection terminal B68 is fixedly held against the terminal retaining wall B66. Each connection terminal B68 is arranged in alignment in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions on the inner circumference of the hood portion B60.

[0182] Specifically, in the vertically intermediate portion of the hood portion B60, a terminal retaining wall B66 is provided that extends horizontally on the inner circumference of the hood portion B60. The intermediate portion of each connection terminal B68 extending in the vertical direction is embedded and fixed to the terminal retaining wall B66, with one end (lower end) of each connection terminal B68 protruding downward from the terminal retaining wall B66, and the other end (upper end) of each connection terminal B68 protruding upward from the terminal retaining wall B66. In other words, when the upper case B16, which includes each connector mounting portion B38, is fixed to the lower case B18 to form the case B14 (electrical connection box B10), one end (lower end) of each connection terminal B68 protrudes inward from the case B14, and the other end (upper end) of each connection terminal B68 protrudes outward from the case B14.

[0183] In Embodiment 7, the connector mounting portion B38 is formed as an integrally molded product equipped with each connection terminal B68. Specifically, when molding the connector mounting portion B38, injection molding is performed with each connection terminal B68 set as an insert within the molding cavity of the connector mounting portion B38, thereby forming the connector mounting portion B38 as an integrally molded product equipped with each connection terminal B68. As a result, each connection terminal B68 is fixedly held against the terminal holding wall B66. The resin material constituting the connector mounting portion B38 (hood portion B60 and embedded portion B26) is not limited as long as it is rigid, but materials such as PPS and PBT are preferably used, similar to the lower case B18, and may be reinforced with, for example, glass fiber.

[0184] Furthermore, the other end (upper end) of each connection terminal B68 is located on the inner circumference side of the hood portion B60 and protrudes upward. As a result, each connector mounting portion B38 constitutes a male connector, and each connection terminal B68 and the connection terminal of the female connector are electrically connected when a female connector (not shown) is attached to each connector mounting portion B38.

[0185] <Grooves B28> Each groove B28 is an annular groove that extends continuously around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. In Embodiment 7, each groove B28 is formed in the radially intermediate portion of the lower surface of each embedded section B26. As mentioned above, each embedded section B26 is provided surrounding the waterproof area B44, and therefore each groove B28 is provided surrounding the waterproof area B44. In particular, in Embodiment 7, each groove B28 opens downward and has a rectangular cross-sectional shape with an upper bottom surface B72 which is the bottom surface and an inner surface consisting of both sides.

[0186] <Melt Rib B32> As described above, a melt rib B32 having a molten portion B30 protrudes from the groove B28. The melt rib B32 is integrally formed with the upper bottom wall portion B42 and has a shape that gradually or in stages narrows toward the protruding tip. When the first part B22 and the second part B24 are fixed together as described later, when the second part B24 is molded with the first part B22 as an insert, the molten resin material of the second part B24 flows into the groove B28, causing the protruding tip portion of the melt rib B32 to melt and become integrated with the second part B24. Therefore, the protruding tip portion of the melt rib B32 is the molten portion B30. The molten portion B30 is welded to the second part B24 that fills the groove B28 around the entire circumference of the groove B28. In Figures 25 and 26, the melt rib B32 before melting of the molten portion B30 is shown by a dashed line, and the melt rib B32 after melting of the molten portion B30 is shown by a solid line. As shown in Figures 25 and 26, in Embodiment 7, the melt rib B32 before melting of the molten portion B30 has a substantially triangular cross-section and protrudes downward from the upper bottom surface B72 of the groove B28.

[0187] Furthermore, in Embodiment 7, the melt rib B32 is continuously provided within the groove B28 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, and is formed in an annular shape in plan view (projection in the axial direction). In particular, in Embodiment 7, two of these annular melt ribs B32 are provided within the groove B28, and the two melt ribs B32, B32 are provided substantially adjacent to each other on the inner and outer circumference sides.

[0188] Furthermore, the downward protrusion dimension T (see Figure 25) of each melt rib B32 before melting in the molten section B30 is preferably such that the protruding tip does not protrude below the lower opening of the groove B28, for example, it is preferably 2 / 3 or less of the depth dimension D (see Figure 25) of the groove B28. In Embodiment 7, the protrusion dimension T of each melt rib B32 is set to about 1 / 2 of the depth dimension D of the groove B28.

[0189] <First Component B22 (Terminal Block B40)> In Embodiment 7, as described above, one of the first components B22 is composed of a terminal block B40. This terminal block B40 has a connecting terminal B76 having one end connected to a circuit board B12 and the other end having a terminal fastening portion B74, and a terminal base B78 that holds the connecting terminal B76 with the terminal fastening portion B74 exposed above the through portion B48 which is a waterproof area B44.

[0190] Specifically, in Embodiment 7, the connection terminal B76 is bent in a roughly L-shape, with one end extending downward and connected to the circuit board B12. The other end of the connection terminal B76 spreads horizontally, forming a terminal fastening portion B74 that is roughly rectangular in plan view. A bolt insertion hole B80 is formed in the central part of the terminal fastening portion B74, penetrating in the thickness direction (vertical direction), and the shaft of a stud bolt B82 positioned below the terminal fastening portion B74 protrudes upward through the bolt insertion hole B80. Thus, when a mating terminal (not shown) is connected to the connection terminal B76, the shaft of the stud bolt B82 is inserted through a bolt insertion hole provided in the mating terminal, and a nut is fastened to the stud bolt B82, thereby overlapping the mating terminal and the terminal fastening portion B74 and electrically connecting them.

[0191] The terminal fastening portion B74 and the stud bolt B82 are supported on the terminal base B78, and as described above, the terminal fastening portion B74 is exposed upward, and the shaft portion of the stud bolt B82 protrudes upward. The terminal base B78 is substantially rectangular in plan view and has a predetermined thickness. The embedded portion B26 is formed by the peripheral edge of the base end (lower end) of this terminal base B78. Specifically, the base end (lower end) of the terminal base B78 protrudes outward relative to the upper portion, and the embedded portion B26 is formed by this outwardly protruding portion. This embedded portion B26 is formed in a continuous ring shape over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

[0192] Furthermore, a groove B28 opening downwards is formed on the lower surface of the terminal base B78. This groove B28 has the same shape as the groove B28 in the connector mounting portion B38 and is an annular groove that extends continuously around the entire circumference. Within this groove B28, as in the connector mounting portion B38, two melt ribs B32, 32 protruding downwards are provided. This groove B28 may be provided in the embedded portion B26, or it may be provided on the inner circumference side of the embedded portion B26. As will be described later, in the terminal block B40 as well, the outer surface B84 of the embedded portion B26, including the inner surface, lower surface, and outer surface of the embedded portion B26, constitutes the opposing surface between the embedded portion B26 and the second component B24, so the groove B28 opens to the surface of the embedded portion B26 that is facing the second component B24.

[0193] In Embodiment 7, the terminal block B40 is formed as an integrally molded product equipped with a connecting terminal B76 and a stud bolt B82. Specifically, when molding the terminal block B40, the connecting terminal B76 and the stud bolt B82 are inserted into the molding cavity of the terminal block B40 during injection molding, thereby forming the terminal block B40 as an integrally molded product equipped with the connecting terminal B76 and the stud bolt B82. As a result, the connecting terminal B76 and the stud bolt B82 are fixedly held in place by the terminal base B78. The resin material constituting the terminal base B78 is not limited as long as it is rigid, but materials such as PPS or PBT are preferably used, similar to the connector mounting portion B38, and it may be reinforced with, for example, glass fiber.

[0194] <Second Component B24> As described above, the second component B24 is composed of an upper bottom wall portion B42 and a lower case B18 in the upper case B16. In the upper bottom wall portion B42, an opening B46 is formed in the area where the connector mounting portion B38, which is each first component B22, is fixed, which serves as a waterproof area B44 that penetrates the upper bottom wall portion B42 in the vertical direction. Also, in the upper bottom wall portion B42, a penetration portion B48 is formed in the area where the terminal block B40, which is each first component B22, is fixed, which serves as a waterproof area B44 that penetrates the upper bottom wall portion B42 in the vertical direction. Since the embedded portion B26 of each first component B22 is provided to surround the periphery of each waterproof area B44, the embedded portion B26 provided in each connector mounting portion B38 surrounds the periphery of the opening B46, and the embedded portion B26 provided in the terminal block B40 surrounds the periphery of the penetration portion B48.

[0195] <Waterproof Area B44 (Opening B46)> The opening B46, which serves as the waterproof area B44, has a shape that is roughly rectangular and roughly corresponds to the connector mounting portion B38 in a plan view. The opening B46 is formed by penetrating the upper bottom wall portion B42 in the vertical direction, and a receiving recess B88 is formed on the periphery of the opening B46 to accommodate the embedded portion B26 provided at the lower end of the connector mounting portion B38. As shown in Figure 25, the receiving recess B88 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape that is roughly corresponding to the embedded portion B26, and is an annular recess that is continuous around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the opening B46. In short, when the first component (connector mounting portion B38) and the second component (upper bottom wall portion B42) are fixed together, each embedded portion B26 is housed within each receiving recess B88, and the outer surface B62 of each embedded portion B26 (including the inner circumferential surface, bottom surface, and outer circumferential surface of the embedded portion B26) and the inner surface B90 of each receiving recess B88 (including the inner circumferential side surface, bottom surface, and outer circumferential side surface of the receiving recess B88) are the opposing surfaces of the embedded portion B26 and the second component B24. Note that when the first component B22 and the second component B24 are fixed together and each embedded portion B26 is housed in the receiving recess B88, the upper surface of each embedded portion B26 is exposed to the outside.

[0196] <Waterproof Area B44 (Penetration B48)> The penetration B48, which is part of the waterproof area B44, is the portion through which the longitudinal middle section of the connection terminal B76 provided on the terminal block B40 is inserted in the upper bottom wall B42, and is rectangular in shape corresponding to the connection terminal B76 in a plan view. Around the penetration B48, a housing recess B92 is formed to accommodate the terminal base B78 and the embedded portion B26. In short, when the first component (terminal block B40) and the second component (upper bottom wall portion B42) are fixed together, the terminal base B78 and the embedded portion B26 are housed within the housing recess B92. The outer surfaces B84 of the terminal base B78 and the embedded portion B26 (including the lower surfaces of the terminal base B78 and the embedded portion B26, and the outer peripheral surface of the embedded portion B26) and the inner surface B94 of the housing recess B92 (including the inner peripheral side surface, bottom surface, and outer peripheral side surface of the housing recess B92) are the opposing surfaces of the embedded portion B26 and the second component B24. When the first component B22 and the second component B24 are fixed together and the terminal base B78 and the embedded portion B26 are housed within the housing recess B92, the upper portion of the terminal base B78 and the upper surface of the embedded portion B26 are exposed to the outside.

[0197] <Manufacturing Method for Resin Molded Product (Electrical Junction Box B10)> The following describes a specific example of the manufacturing method for the electrical junction box B10. However, the manufacturing method for the electrical junction box B10 is not limited to the description below.

[0198] First, in the first component molding process, the first component B22, namely the connector mounting portion B38 and the terminal block B40, is formed by injection molding. In Embodiment 7, since the connector mounting portion B38 is formed integrally with each connection terminal B68, a connector mounting portion B38 equipped with each connection terminal B68 is obtained. Also, since the terminal block B40 is formed integrally with the connection terminal B76, a terminal block B40 equipped with the connection terminal B76 is obtained by the first component molding process.

[0199] Next, in the second part molding process, multiple first parts B22 (each connector mounting part B38 and terminal block B40) manufactured in the first part molding process are set as inserts in the molding cavity of the upper bottom wall part B42 which constitutes a part of the second part B24, and the upper bottom wall part B42 is formed by injection molding. As a result, a receiving recess B88 is formed to cover the area around the embedded part B26 of each connector mounting part B38, and a receiving recess B92 is formed to cover the area around the terminal base B78 and embedded part B26 of the terminal block B40, thereby forming a second part B24 (upper bottom wall part B42) that integrally includes each first part B22. When molding this upper bottom wall part B42, the molten upper bottom wall part B42 is filled into the molding cavity in which each first part B22 is inserted, so the molten upper bottom wall part B42 flows into the groove B28 of each first part B22. Then, the heat from the molten upper bottom wall B42 melts the molten portion B30, which is the protruding tip of each melt rib B32, causing these melt ribs B32 (each embedded portion B26) to fuse tightly with the upper bottom wall B42. As a result, the upper case B16 is completed.

[0200] Then, for example, the circuit board B12 is brought close to the upper case B16 manufactured as described above from below and fixed with screws. As a result, one end (lower end) of each connection terminal B68 and connection terminal B76 that protrudes downward from the upper case B16 is inserted into each through-hole B34 in the circuit board B12. Each connection terminal B68 and connection terminal B76 inserted into each through-hole B34 may be electrically connected to the circuit board B12 by solder or the like (not shown). Alternatively, the upper case B16 with the circuit board B12 assembled is brought close to the separately formed lower case B18 from above, and with the upper case B16 covering the upper opening B20 of the lower case B18, the upper case B16 and the lower case B18 are fixed together with screws. As a result, the entirety of the second component B24 is formed by the upper bottom wall portion B42 and the lower case B18, and a case B14 containing the circuit board B12 is formed inside, completing the electrical connection box B10.

[0201] According to the resin molded product (electrical connection box B10) of Embodiment 7, which has the structure described above, a groove B28 is provided between the first component B22 made of synthetic resin and the second component B24 made of synthetic resin, and the first component B22 and the second component B24 are more firmly welded together by utilizing the melt ribs B32 that protrude into the groove B28. More specifically, the first component B22 has an embedded portion B26 that is embedded in the second component B24, and each groove B28 and each melt rib B32 is provided between the opposing surfaces (outer surfaces B62, B84 and inner surfaces B90, B94) of this embedded portion B26 and the second component B24, and the first component B22 and the second component B24 are welded together by melting the molten portion B30 in each melt rib B32 with the heat of the second component B24 that is filled into each groove B28. This allows the first part B22 and the second part B24 to be more firmly fixed together, thereby more reliably preventing water from entering between them.

[0202] In particular, during the molding of the second part B24, the molten second part B24 (upper bottom wall portion B42) flows into each groove B28 in each first part B22. Within each groove B28, the flow velocity of the molten upper bottom wall portion B42 is less likely to change, and the molten portion B30 in each melt rib B32 within each groove B28 melts almost uniformly. As a result, gaps are less likely to form between the first part B22 and the second part B24 after the manufacturing of the electrical connection box B10, and the above-mentioned water intrusion prevention effect is achieved even more reliably. As a result, the degree of freedom in setting the gate position when molding the second part B24 can also be improved. Furthermore, since each melt rib B32 is provided within each groove B28, even when the resin molded product (electrical connection box B10) expands or contracts due to temperature changes in the external environment, stress does not concentrate at the protruding tip of each melt rib B32. This strain can be received by each groove B28, making it even less likely for gaps to form between the first part B22 and the second part B24, especially at the formation positions of each melt rib B32.

[0203] The first component B22 (each connector mounting portion B38 and terminal block B40) is arranged to surround the waterproof area B44 (each opening B46 and through portion B48) of the second component B24 (upper bottom wall portion B42), with each groove B28 formed in an annular shape, and each melt rib B32 within each groove B28 also formed in an annular shape. Therefore, when the second component B24 is molded, the molten portion B30 in each melt rib B32 melts and integrates with the second component B24 around the waterproof area B44, thereby effectively preventing water from entering the waterproof area B44 where a waterproof structure is required.

[0204] Each melt rib B32 is provided projecting downward from the bottom surface (upper bottom surface B72) of each groove B28 toward the opening side. This makes it possible to make the timing of contact between the molten upper bottom wall B42 and each melt rib B32 approximately equal when the molten second part B24 (upper bottom wall B42) flows into each groove B28. As a result, the molten portion B30 in each melt rib B32 can be melted approximately uniformly, and problems such as the occurrence of gaps between the first part B22 and the second part B24 due to uneven melting of the molten portion B30 can be suppressed even more reliably.

[0205] In particular, since the protruding dimension T of each melt rib B32 is 2 / 3 or less of the depth dimension D of each groove B28, compared to, for example, the case where the protruding tip of each melt rib B32 is located near the opening of each groove B28, the timing difference in contact between the molten upper bottom wall B42 and each melt rib B32 when the molten upper bottom wall B42 is filled into the molding cavity of the upper bottom wall B42 can be made smaller. As a result, the influence of the molten upper bottom wall B42 is suppressed more, and the molten portion B30 is melted substantially uniformly, thereby enabling a stronger bond between the first part B22 and the second part B24.

[0206] In Embodiment 7, a plurality of first parts B22 are provided, some of which are connector mounting parts B38, and the second part B24 is the upper bottom wall part B42 of the upper case B16 and the lower case B18 that constitute the case B14. As a result, an electrical connection box B10 equipped with a plurality of connector mounting parts B38 is constructed as a resin molded product comprising the first parts B22 and the second parts B24. That is, when providing the connector mounting parts B38 in the electrical connection box B10, an opening B46 that penetrates in the thickness direction is formed in the upper bottom wall part B42, and by fixing the connector mounting parts B38 (embedded part B26) to this opening B46 which is a waterproof area B44, the intrusion of water through the opening B46 can be effectively prevented.

[0207] 10 Electrical junction box (Embodiment 1) 12 Upper case (First case) 14 Lower case (Second case) 16 Case body 18 Circuit board 19 Lower end (One end) 20 Terminal fitting 20a Terminal fitting for external components 20b Terminal fitting for grounding 22 Connection part 24 Top surface (Outer surface) 26 Housing 28 Middle part 30 Connector mounting part (Component mounting part) 31 Grounding connection part 32 Upper bottom wall part 34 Screw 35 Center screw 36 Through hole 38 Collar 39 Screw through hole 40 Through hole 42 Terminal block (Component mounting part) 44 Through hole 46 Stud bolt 48 Sealing part 50 Terminal through hole 52 Retaining projection 54 Positioning pin 56 Screw fastening cylinder part 58 Screw 60 Projection wall 62 Bottom wall portion 64 Peripheral wall portion 66 Upper opening 68 Upper protrusion portion (heat dissipation portion) 70 Recess 72 Insulating heat conductive member 74 Fastening hole 76 Screw fastening cylinder portion 78 Sealing material 80 Sealing groove 81a Upper surface (first case side surface on the circuit board) 81b Lower surface (second case side surface on the circuit board) 82 Through hole 83 FET (heat-generating component) 84 Screw insertion hole 87 Positioning hole 88 Central insertion hole 90 Electrical connection box (embodiment 2) 92 Lower case (second case) 94 Mounting nut 96 Waterproof bolt (bolt) 100 Base portion 102 Leg portion 104 Insertion hole 106 Through hole 108 Insertion hole 110 Bolt head 112 Bolt shaft portion 114 O-ring 210 Electrical junction box (Embodiment 3) 212 Circuit board 214 Case body 216 Upper case (first case) 218 ​​Lower case (second case) 219 Upper opening 220 First component 222 Second component 223 Waterproof area 224 Embedded portion 226 Thermoplastic elastomer 228 Through hole 232 Connector mounting portion (component mounting portion) 234 Terminal block (component mounting portion) 236 Upper bottom wall portion 240 Opening 242 Through portion 244 Bottom wall portion 246 Lower peripheral wall portion 252 Hood portion (housing) 254 Groove 255 Outer surface (opposing surface) 258 Terminal retaining wall 260 Connection terminal (terminal fitting) 262 Connection portion 264 Terminal fastening portion (connection portion) 266 Connection terminal (terminal fitting) 268 Terminal base 270 Bolt insertion hole 272 Stud bolt 273 Outer surface (opposing surface)274 Protective wall (housing) 276 Retaining recess 278 Inner surface (opposing surface) 280 Retaining recess 282 Inner surface (opposing surface) 284 Primary molded product 286 Assembly 310 Electrical connection box (Embodiment 4) 312 Circuit board 314 Case body 316 Upper case (first case) 318 Lower case 320 Upper opening 322 First component 324 Second component 326 Embedded part 328 Groove 330 Molten part 332 Melt rib 334 Through hole 338 Connector mounting part (component mounting part) 340 Terminal block (component mounting part) 342 Upper bottom wall part 344 Waterproof area 346 Opening 348 Through part 352 Bottom wall part 354 Lower peripheral wall part 360 A10 Hood (housing) 362 Outer surface (opposing surface) 366 Terminal retaining wall 368 Connection terminal (terminal fitting) 370 Connection part 372 Upper bottom surface (bottom surface) 374 Terminal fastening part (connecting part) 376 Connection terminal (terminal fitting) 378 Terminal base 380 Bolt insertion hole 382 Stud bolt 384 Outer surface (opposing surface) 386 Protective wall part (housing) 388 Retaining recess 390 Inner surface (opposing surface) 392 Retaining recess 394 Inner surface (opposing surface) A10 Electrical connection box (resin molded product in Embodiment 5) A12 Circuit board A14 Case A16 Upper case A18 Lower case A19 Upper opening A20 First part A22 Second part A23 Waterproof area A24 Embedded part A26 Thermoplastic elastomer A28 Through-hole A32 Connector mounting section A34 Terminal block A36 Upper bottom wall section A40 Opening A42 Through section A44 Bottom wall section A46 Lower peripheral wall section A52 Hood section A54 Groove A55 Outer surface (opposing surface) A58 Terminal holding wall A60 Connection terminal A64 Terminal fastening section A66 Connection terminal A68 Terminal base A70 Bolt insertion hole A72 Stud bolt A73 Outer surface (opposing surface) A76 Retaining recess A78 Inner surface (opposing surface) A80 Retaining recess A82 Inner surface (opposing surface) A84 Primary molded product A86 Assembly A90 Electrical connection box (resin molded product in embodiment 6) A92 Connector mounting section A93 Upper case A94 Insertion hole B10 Electrical junction box (Embodiment 7) B12 Circuit board B14 Case B16 Upper case B18 Lower case B20 Upper opening B22 First componentB24 Second component B26 Embedded section B28 Groove B30 Melting section B32 Melt rib B34 Through-hole B38 Connector mounting section B40 Terminal block B42 Upper bottom wall section B44 Waterproof area B46 Opening B48 Through section B52 Bottom wall section B54 Lower peripheral wall section B60 Hood section B62 Outer surface (opposing surface) B66 Terminal retaining wall B68 Connection terminal B72 Upper bottom surface (bottom surface) B74 Terminal fastening section B76 Connection terminal B78 Terminal base B80 Bolt insertion hole B82 Stud bolt B84 Outer surface (opposing surface) B88 Retaining recess B90 Inner surface (opposing surface) B92 Retaining recess B94 Inner surface (opposing surface)

Claims

1. An electrical connection box comprising: a case body formed by combining a first case and a second case; a circuit board housed inside the case body; a terminal fitting with one end mounted on the circuit board; a connecting portion provided at the other end of the terminal fitting; and a housing protruding from the outer surface of the first case, wherein the first case is insert-molded with the intermediate portion of the terminal fitting embedded, and the connecting portion of the terminal fitting is housed in the housing to form a component mounting portion.

2. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, further comprising: a heat-generating component mounted on the circuit board; a heat dissipation section provided in the second case; and a retaining projection provided in the first case that protrudes toward the second case, wherein the heat-generating component is in thermal contact with the heat dissipation section via an insulating heat conductive member, and the retaining projection is in contact with the circuit board.

3. The electrical connection box according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: a heat-generating component mounted on the first case side of the circuit board; a mounting nut mounted on the second case side of the circuit board; and a heat dissipation section provided in the second case, wherein the heat-generating component is in thermal contact with the heat dissipation section via an insulating heat conductive member, and the mounting nut is superimposed on the heat dissipation section and a bolt is fastened to the mounting nut from the outside of the second case.

4. The electrical junction box according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the terminal fittings include terminal fittings for external components and terminal fittings for grounding, the connection portion of the terminal fittings for external components is housed in the housing to constitute the component mounting portion, and the connection portion of the terminal fittings for grounding constitutes a ground connection portion connected to a ground path.

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