Electric Connection Box Partition Wall Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric connection boxes in automobiles are prone to short circuits due to water intrusion, particularly when terminals are closely spaced, leading to potential electrical failures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a partition wall within the terminal support portion to separate adjacent bus bar terminals horizontally, with the partition wall positioned higher than the terminals to prevent water from bridging over and causing short circuits, and a displacement restriction portion to further secure the terminals and prevent moisture intrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If bus bar terminals are positioned closely together to save space, then space utilization is improved, but the risk of short circuit due to water intrusion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal support portion is divided into multiple independent accommodating spaces by partition walls. Each partition wall extends from the bottom surface to above the upper face of horizontal portions, creating separate compartments that physically isolate adjacent bus bar terminals. This segmentation prevents water that contacts one terminal from reaching adjacent terminals, thus maintaining reliability while allowing close spacing for better space utilization.
2Reliability
If partition wall height is increased above the horizontal portion to prevent water override, then short circuit prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall extends in the vertical dimension above the horizontal portion of bus bar terminals. By utilizing the vertical space rather than increasing horizontal separation, the design prevents water from overriding between terminals without significantly increasing the overall footprint or structural complexity. The partition wall forms a water barrier that leverages gravity to prevent water flow between adjacent terminals.
3Reliability
If terminal support structure is added to isolate terminals, then short circuit prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls are integrated directly into the terminal support portion as a unified structure. The terminal support portion includes both the support function and the partitioning function in one component, eliminating the need for separate partition elements. This merging reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining the moisture isolation function, thus improving ease of manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric connection box provided with a circuit structure, a casing for accommodating the circuit structure therein, a plurality of bus bar terminals disposed on a cabling path crossing the casing in the horizontal direction and electrically connecting the circuit structure and an external connecter to each other, and a terminal support portion for supporting a horizontal portion crossing the casing in the horizontal direction in the plurality of bus bar terminals from below, wherein a partition wall for separating the adjacent horizontal portions from each other is provided on a face of the terminal support portion on the side supporting the horizontal portion.