Electrical Connection Box Waterproofing for Vehicle Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical connection boxes in vehicles are prone to short-circuiting due to water accumulation on the terminals, especially when water enters through the fuse attachment portion and flows down along the casing, causing issues with closely arranged signal terminals.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connection box incorporates a waterproof portion that covers the terminal contact area, a displacement restriction portion to prevent angular displacement, and a tapered surface to guide water outside, ensuring that water does not accumulate on the connector terminals, thereby preventing short-circuiting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If signal terminals are arranged at short intervals to save space, then the device compactness is improved, but the risk of short-circuiting due to water accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof portion (waterproof wall) is introduced as an intermediary structure between the water intrusion path and the connector terminals. This waterproof wall extends from the inner circumferential surface of the casing toward the center, creating a protective barrier that prevents water from reaching the terminals while allowing the terminals to remain closely arranged for space efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If connector terminals are disposed on the upper surface of the hood portion for connection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the vulnerability to water accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof wall is positioned in advance to block water before it can reach the connector terminals. By extending the waterproof wall from the casing inner circumference toward the center, the design preemptively prevents water accumulation on the upper surface where terminals are located, thereby protecting against short-circuiting while maintaining terminal accessibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If the casing is designed with open structures for fuse attachment and signal terminal connection, then the ease of manufacture and operation is improved, but the water intrusion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire casing waterproof through complex sealing structures, the waterproof wall is strategically placed only in the critical area where water would accumulate and cause short-circuiting (near the connector terminals). This localized waterproofing approach maintains the overall simplicity of the casing structure while providing targeted protection against water intrusion.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes an electrical connection box having a circuit casing for accommodating a circuit structure therein, a housing portion disposed on a lower surface side of the circuit casing and connectable to an external connector, and a plurality of connector terminals for electrically connecting between the circuit structure and the housing portion, further each of the plurality of connector terminals is disposed along a cabling path horizontally traversing an inside of the circuit casing and leads into the housing portion through a ceiling portion of the housing portion, the electrical connection box also includes a waterproof portion provided in the circuit casing for covering the ceiling portion from above.