Electrical Connection Box With Overlapping Side Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connection boxes require significant installation space due to multiple terminal portions and conductive members projecting outward, especially in limited spaces like engine compartments.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connection box design includes first and second side covers that project outward from the housing body, with the first side cover overlapping the second when viewed from above, accommodating conductive members and reducing the overall installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple terminal portions and electrically conductive members are arranged side by side, then electrical connection functionality is improved, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional side-by-side arrangement of terminal portions to a three-dimensional stacked configuration where terminal portions are arranged vertically one above another. This dimensional change allows multiple electrical connections to be made within a smaller horizontal footprint, effectively reducing the installation space while maintaining full electrical connectivity functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the housing body contains multiple terminal portions stacked vertically, and side covers are nested to enclose these terminal portions. The side covers themselves are arranged in overlapping layers, with inner side covers positioned within the projection of outer side covers, creating a compact nested configuration that minimizes the overall horizontal space occupied.
2Reliability
If side covers project outward to accommodate conductive members, then protection of conductive members is improved, but visible area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses nested side covers where inner side covers are positioned within the horizontal projection of outer side covers. This nested arrangement allows the side covers to extend outward sufficiently to protect the conductive members while minimizing the overall visible footprint when viewed from above, as the inner covers are concealed within the outer covers' projection area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical stacking of side covers in addition to their outward projection. By arranging side covers in multiple vertical layers with overlapping horizontal projections, the design achieves comprehensive protection of conductive members through extended coverage while reducing the horizontal visible area, as the protective function is distributed across vertical dimensions rather than requiring maximum horizontal extension.
Data Source
AI summary
A first electrical connection box includes a housing body open upward, a first terminal portion provided in an edge part inside the housing body, a second terminal portion provided side by side with the first terminal portion in the edge part inside the housing body, a first side cover arranged to project outward from the housing body from a part corresponding to the first terminal portion and configured to accommodate a part of a first electrically conductive member for connecting a third external power supply and the first terminal portion, and a second side cover arranged to project outward from the housing body from a part corresponding to the second terminal portion and configured to accommodate a part of a second electrically conductive member to be connected to the second terminal portion.