JP2007330055A - Electrical junction box - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize an electrical junction box by incorporating a part of relays in an electrical connection box, and to secure workability of relay exchange at the time of maintenance. <P>SOLUTION: The electrical junction box where an inner circuit is stored in a case inner part surrounded by a first case and a second case, and the inner circuit is connected with a relay. The box is provided with a relay insulating board in which an outer relay storage is arranged on a surface of the first case, a first relay is inserted and installed into the outer relay storage from outside, and an inner relay storage projected to a second case-side is arranged in the case inner part facing the second case. A second relay is inserted and installed into the inner relay storage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical junction box, and more particularly, to improve the arrangement of relays attached to the electrical junction box, to reduce the size of the electrical junction box, and to ensure workability during maintenance.

  An electrical junction box placed vertically inside an instrument panel of an automobile houses an internal circuit inside a case surrounded by a first case and a second case, and the first case is placed indoors, Two cases are arranged on the engine room side, and maintenance work is performed from the first case side facing the room side.

  Since a relay with a large energization amount housed in the electrical junction box needs to be replaced during maintenance, a relay housing portion is arranged in the first case on the indoor side in consideration of maintenance workability. Yes. However, when the relay housing portion is set in the first case, there is a problem that the entire electrical junction box is enlarged with an increase in the surface area of the first case.

On the other hand, JP 2004-350448 A (Patent Document 1) is provided as an electrical junction box in which some relays are built in an electrical junction box as a means for reducing the size of the electrical junction box.
As shown in FIG. 10, the electrical junction box 1 has a space inside the case formed by assembling the upper case 2 and the lower case 3 as a relay housing space 4, and the relay housing space 4 includes the upper case 2 side and the relay housing space 4. A relay vertical bus bar 5 connected to the horizontal bus bars 2a and 3a on the lower case 3 side is provided. The relay 5a is connected to the relay vertical bus bar 5 in the horizontal direction, and the relay 2b is also attached to the upper case 2. The upper case 2 is covered with an upper cover 6, and the lower case 3 is covered with a lower cover 7, which are respectively coupled to each other by lock.

However, in the electrical junction box of Patent Document 1, when the relay 5a arranged in the relay accommodating space 4 is a relay that is replaced during maintenance, it cannot be replaced unless the upper cover 6 and the upper case 2 are removed. There is a problem that workability during maintenance deteriorates.
Further, since the relay accommodating space 4 is a space closed by the upper case 2 and the lower case 3, the heat generated from the relay 5a cannot be dissipated, and the space inside the case including the relay accommodating space 4 is not provided. Overheating may result in malfunction of electronic components.

JP 2004-350448 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and by making some of the relays built in the electrical junction box, the electrical junction box can be miniaturized and the workability of relay replacement during maintenance can be ensured. It is an issue.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an electrical connection box in which an internal circuit is accommodated inside a case surrounded by a first case and a second case, and the internal circuit is connected to a relay.
An external relay accommodating portion is provided on the surface of the first case, and a first type relay is inserted and attached to the external relay accommodating portion from the outside, and protrudes toward the second case inside the case facing the second case. An electrical junction box is provided in which a relay insulating plate provided with an internal relay accommodating portion is disposed, and a second type relay is inserted and attached to the internal relay accommodating portion.

  With the above configuration, since the second type relay is arranged inside the case, the surface area of the first case can be reduced as compared with the case where all the relays are arranged on the surface of the first case. Can be reduced in size, and a vacant space in the vehicle can be used effectively.

It is preferable that a portion of the second case facing the relay insulating plate is provided with a heat radiating window for radiating heat generated from the second type relay.
With the above configuration, the heat generated from the type 2 relay can be efficiently radiated from the heat radiating window, so that the inside of the case is overheated and the electronic components in the electrical junction box malfunction. Can be reduced.

Preferably, the first type relay mounted on the external relay housing unit is a relay to be replaced, and the second type relay mounted on the internal relay housing unit is a non-replaceable relay,
It is preferable that the first type relay mounted on the external relay housing unit is a relay having a larger energization amount than the second type relay mounted on the internal relay housing unit.

A relay with a large amount of energization generates a large amount of heat and is a fuse that has a short life and is replaced during maintenance. Therefore, it is exposed on the surface of the first case in consideration of ensuring workability of maintenance and heat dissipation of the relay. There is a need. Therefore, the type 2 relay with a small energization amount that is not exchanged is arranged inside the electrical connection box, and the type 1 relay with a large energization amount is mounted on the surface of the first case, thereby reducing the size of the electrical connection box. At the same time, workability during maintenance and heat dissipation of the relay can be ensured.
The first type relay that is exchanged with a large amount of energization is a headlamp relay, a heater relay, or the like, and the second type relay that is not exchanged with a small amount of energization is a fog lamp relay or the like.

The first type relay mounted on the external relay housing unit and the second type relay mounted on the internal relay housing unit are each composed of a plurality of relays. The number of first type relays: the number of second type relays Is preferably set to a ratio of 1: 1 to 2: 1.
If the number of type 2 relays is greater than the number of type 1 relays, it will be difficult to secure a space for arranging type 2 relays in the electrical junction box, while the number of type 1 relays will be less than that of type 2 relays. When the number is more than twice, the surface area of the first case on which the first type relay is mounted increases, and the entire electrical junction box increases.

A relay in which a first lock portion and a first locked portion that are locked to each other are provided between the outer peripheral portion of the relay insulating plate and the inner peripheral portion of the first case, and are locked to the first case. A second locking portion and a second locked portion that are locked to each other on the peripheral wall of the second case and the peripheral wall of the first case that are covered after the second type relay is mounted in the internal relay accommodating portion of the insulating plate Is provided, and
The second lock part of the second case is provided with a convex part that fits into the concave part provided in the insulating plate for relay in a lock coupling state with the second locked part, and the concave part and the convex part. It is preferable that the relay insulating plate is held by the second case by fitting.

With the above configuration, since the first case and the relay insulating plate are lock-coupled and the second case and the first case are also lock-coupled, a double-lock structure is provided, and the reliability of the lock coupling is improved. To do.
In addition, since the convex portion of the second lock portion and the concave portion of the relay insulating plate are fitted, the relay insulating plate is held between the first case and the second case. In this case, the relay insulation plate does not move relative to the second case and the first case, and it is possible to reduce electrical contact failure in the electrical junction box and to prevent the generation of abnormal noise. .

Furthermore, since the second type relay can be mounted in a state where the relay insulating plate is locked to the first case, the relay mounting work can be facilitated and workability at the time of relay mounting is improved. .
Furthermore, because the relay is held and protected by covering the relay insulation plate with the relay assembled, the relay will be able to be used as an internal relay even if vibration is applied during transportation of the electrical junction box or external impact is applied. It will not fall off or be damaged from the housing.

The internal circuit accommodated in the case includes a bus bar, an electric wire, and a connection terminal connected to the electric wire and the bus bar. The connection terminal and a terminal protruding from the bus bar are provided to the first case and the second case. The connector housing portion, the fuse housing portion, the external relay housing portion, and the connector, fuse, and relay mounted in the internal relay housing portion are configured to be electrically connected.

  With the above-described configuration, the electric wire and the connection terminal, and the bus bar and the connection terminal are press-connected, and soldering and a mounting process are not necessary, so that the manufacturing process can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. Moreover, since the internal circuit is comprised with the electric wire, it can respond to a circuit change flexibly.

A part of the connection terminal is arranged in parallel as a long length, protrudes in a parallel state into a terminal accommodating portion projecting from the insulating plate for relay, and is inserted into a connector accommodating portion provided in the second case, The connector housing is provided on one side of the heat radiating window.
With the above configuration, by making a part of the connection terminal long, a relay terminal to be connected to the connector becomes unnecessary and can be directly connected to the internal circuit, so that connection reliability can be improved.

  Specifically, the electrical junction box is arranged vertically in an instrument panel of an automobile in a state where a cover material is not attached to the first case and the second case, and the first junction box is arranged in the instrument panel. The case is positioned facing the occupant side, while the second case side is positioned facing the dash panel side.

As described above, according to the present invention, the surface area of the first case can be reduced by arranging the second type relay inside the case, as compared with the case where all the relays are arranged on the surface of the first case. Therefore, the entire electrical junction box can be reduced in size, and the vacant space in the vehicle can be used effectively.
In addition, the heat generated from the type 2 relay can be efficiently radiated from the heat radiating window, so that the inside of the case is overheated and electronic components in the electrical junction box malfunction. be able to.

  In addition, the type 2 relay, which has a small amount of energization and cannot be replaced, is arranged inside the electrical connection box, and the type 1 relay, which has a large amount of energization, is mounted on the surface of the first case, thereby reducing the size of the electrical connection box. At the same time, workability during maintenance and heat dissipation of the relay can be ensured.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 9 show an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical junction box 10 of the present invention includes a first case 11 disposed on the lower side, an internal circuit 13 accommodated in the first case 11, and a relay insulation mounted on the internal circuit 13. A plate 14 and a second case 12 that covers the first case 11 from above are provided.

  The relay insulating plate 14 is fixed to the first case 11 containing the internal circuit 13 by lock coupling, and the first case 11 to which the relay insulating plate 14 is fixed is covered with the second case 12 and locked. ing. The internal circuit 13 is connected to a first type relay 21 attached to the first case 11 and a second type relay 22 attached to the relay insulating plate 14.

  The first case 11 is integrally formed of resin, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a bottom wall 11a and a peripheral wall 11b erected so as to surround the bottom wall 11a. The surface of the bottom wall 11a is provided with an external relay accommodating portion 11c, a fuse accommodating portion 11d, and a connector accommodating portion 11e, and a first type relay 21 is inserted and attached to the external relay accommodating portion 11c. On one side surface of the first case 11, a mounting portion provided with a mounting hole 11f for mounting the vehicle body is projected. The first type relay 21 is a relay with a large current amount, and is a relay that is replaced during maintenance.

  A first lock portion 11g is provided at a predetermined position on the inner upper end of the peripheral wall 11b of the first case 11. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first lock portion 11g has a claw portion 11i projecting inward from the upper end of the step portion 11h that is recessed outward. The lower surface 11j of the claw portion 11i serves as a locking surface when the relay insulating plate 14 and the second case 12 are locked to each other. Slit portions 11k are provided on both sides of the first lock portion 11g, and the first lock portion 11g bends when it is locked to the relay insulating plate 14 and the second case 12. .

As shown in FIG. 1, the internal circuit 13 is formed by laminating a bus bar 13a and an insulating plate 13b formed by punching a conductive metal plate into a required shape, and an insulating plate 13b is formed on the uppermost layer. It is arranged.
An electric wire w is wired on the second case 12 side upper surface 13c made of the insulating plate 13b of the internal circuit 13, and the connection terminal 13d erected from the stacked bus bar 13a or the second case 12 side. It is connected to the connection terminal 13e driven in. A part of the connection terminals 13d, 13e is a long terminal 13f, which is arranged in a line and extends to the second case 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3B, a connection terminal 13h of the bus bar 13a is erected from the lower surface 13g on the first case 11 side of the internal circuit 13, and the external relay housing of the first case 11 is accommodated. It is electrically connected to the part 11c, the connector housing part 11e, the first type relay 21 mounted in the fuse housing part 11d, a connector, and a fuse (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1, the relay insulating plate 14 is integrally formed of an insulating resin. From the second case 12 side of the plate-shaped insulating plate main body 14 a, the relay terminal 14 is connected to the long terminal 13 f of the internal circuit 13. A terminal accommodating portion 14c having a through hole 14b through which the long terminal 13f is inserted is erected at an opposing position.
As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal accommodating portion 14 c accommodates the long terminals 13 f erected from the internal circuit 13 in a parallel state, and the upper portion of the long terminals 13 f is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 14 c. It protrudes from. One side portion of the terminal accommodating portion 14c is provided with an internal relay accommodating portion 14d for mounting the second type relay 22, and the bus bar for the second type relay 22 and the internal circuit 13 in the internal relay accommodating portion 14d. The connection terminal 13d standing from 13a is connected.

The second type relay 22 attached to the internal relay accommodating portion 14d has a smaller energization amount than the first type relay 21 attached to the external relay accommodating portion 11c, and the first type relay 21 is replaced during maintenance. Although it is a relay, the second type relay 22 is a relay that is not exchanged.
The first-type relay 21- and the second-type relay 22 each include a plurality of relays, and the number of first-type relays 21: the number of second-type relays 22 is 1: 1 in this embodiment. Is set.

A first locked portion 14e that locks and couples with the first lock portion 11g of the first case 11 is provided at the outer peripheral end of the relay insulating plate 14, and the relay is used in a state in which the internal circuit 13 is accommodated in the first case 11. The insulating plate 14 is locked and fixed to the first case 11.
As shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B), the first locked portion 14e has a U-shaped locking rib 14g protruding from a rectangular recess 14f. The upper surface 14 h of 14 g is used as a locking surface with the first lock portion 11 g of the first case 11. The recess 14f and the locking rib 14g have a bottom surface 14i continuous.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the first case 11 and the relay insulating plate 14 are locked, the lower surface 11j of the claw portion 11i of the first lock portion 11g and the first locked portion 14e. The upper surface 14h is locked. A second locked portion 11m is formed in a state where the first lock portion 11g of the first case 11 and the first locked portion 14e of the relay insulating plate 14 are locked, and a second case 12 of the second case 12 to be described later is formed. 2 Locked with the lock portion 15e.
Support frames 14j are erected at the four corners of the surface of the relay insulating plate 14 on the second case 12 side, abutting against the back surface of the second case 12, and the relay insulating plate 14 and the second case. 12 is secured.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second case 12 includes a protective case 15 disposed to face the relay insulating plate 14 and a connector case 16 having a connector housing portion 16 a.
The protective case 15 is provided with a peripheral wall 15a surrounding the relay insulating plate 14 and an upper wall 15b continuous to the peripheral wall 15a, and the relay insulating plate 14 is accommodated in a space surrounded by the upper wall 15b and the peripheral wall 15a. ing.
The upper wall 15b at a position facing the second type relay 22 is provided with a heat radiating window portion 15c composed of a plurality of through holes, and is generated from the second type relay 22 arranged below the protective case 15. The heat to be radiated is radiated from the heat radiation window 15c.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 (B), a connector housing portion 15d that protrudes up and down from the upper wall 15b of the protective case 15 is provided on one side of the heat radiating window portion 15c. The connector housing portion 15d on the first case side from the upper wall 15b houses a terminal housing portion 14c from which the long terminal 13f protrudes. A connector housing 15d protruding upward from the upper wall 15b is fitted with an external connector 30, and a long terminal 13f protruding from the terminal housing is connected to the connector 30 in the connector housing. ing.

  The lower end of the peripheral wall 15a of the protective case 15 is positioned opposite to the second locked portion 11m formed by the first locked portion 11g of the first case 11 and the first locking portion 14e of the relay insulating plate 14. The second lock portion 15e is provided and is coupled to the second locked portion 11m.

As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, the second lock portion 15e has a claw portion 15f projecting outward from the lower end of the peripheral wall 15a, and an inner portion from the claw portion 15f. A convex portion 15g having a rectangular cross section is provided toward the side, and the convex portion 15g has a hollow structure. The claw portion 15f has a width that can be engaged with the claw portion 11i of the second locked portion 11m, and the convex portion 15g has a size that can be fitted into the concave portion 14f of the second locked portion 11m. .
Slit portions 15h are provided on both sides of the claw portion 15f and the convex portion 15g. When the slit portion 15h is locked to the second locked portion 11m, the locking rib 14g of the first locked portion 14e Mating.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the second case 12 is put on the first case 11 to which the relay insulating plate 14 is fixed, the convex portion 15g of the second lock portion 15e and the second locked portion are provided. The recessed portion 14f of the portion 11m is fitted, and the upper surface 15j of the claw portion 15f of the second lock portion 15e and the lower surface 11j of the claw portion 11i of the second locked portion 11m are engaged to form a second lock. The part 15e and the second locked part 11m are lock-coupled.
When the second lock portion 15e and the second locked portion 11m are locked and coupled, the lower surface 15i of the convex portion 15g presses the bottom surface 14i of the concave portion 14f, and the gap between the first case 11 and the second case 12 is reached. Thus, the relay insulating plate 14 is held and fixed.

A connector 40 is attached from the outside to the connector housing portion 16a of the connector case 16, and a connection terminal 13d standing from the bus bar of the internal circuit 13 and the internal circuit 13 are driven into the connector housing portion 16a. The terminal 13e and the connector 40 are connected.
From the surface of the protective case 15, ECU fixing ribs 15k are erected at four corners, and an ECU (not shown) is provided in the ECU fixing rib.

  The electrical junction box 10 is arranged vertically in an instrument panel of an automobile with no cover material attached to the first case 11 and the second case 12, and the first case 11 and the second case 12 are arranged in the instrument panel. While the case 11 is located facing the occupant side, the second case 12 side is located facing the dash panel side.

Next, the assembly process of the electrical junction box 10 will be described.
The internal circuit 13 is accommodated in the first case 11, and the long terminal 13 f of the internal circuit 13 accommodated in the first case 11 is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 14 c of the relay insulating plate 14 while the relay insulating plate 14. Is attached to the internal circuit 13 from the second case 12 side. At that time, the first locked portion 14e of the first case 11 and the first lock portion 11g of the relay insulating plate 14 are locked to lock the first case 11 and the relay insulating plate 14 together.
In a state where the first case 11 and the relay insulating plate 14 are locked and coupled, the second type relay 22 is mounted on the internal relay accommodating portion 14d on the relay insulating plate 14 mounted on the internal circuit 13.

  Next, the terminal accommodating part 14c of the relay insulating plate 14 from which the long terminal 13f protrudes is inserted into the connector accommodating part 15d of the second case 12, and the second lock part 15e of the second case 12 is The second case 12 and the first case 11 are fixed by engaging with the second locked portion 11 m formed by the relay insulating plate 14 and the first case 11. In a state where the second case 12 and the first case 11 are locked and connected, the first case 11 is set as the upper side, the first type relay 21, the connector, and the fuse are provided in the external relay accommodating portion 11 c, the connector accommodating portion 11 e, and the fuse accommodating portion 11 d. Wear each one.

With the above configuration, the first type relay 21 that is exchanged at the time of maintenance is mounted on the first case 11 that faces the occupant side, while the second type relay 22 that is not exchanged is arranged inside the case. Compared with the case where all the relays 20 are arranged on the surface of the first case 11, the surface area of the first case 11 can be reduced, and the entire electrical junction box 10 can be reduced in size.
Further, since the heat generated in the second type relay 22 attached to the relay insulating plate 14 can be efficiently radiated from the heat radiation window 15c of the second case 12, the inside of the case is overheated. Thus, it is possible to reduce problems that cause the second type relay 22 and other electronic components in the electrical junction box 10 to malfunction.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the electrical junction box of this invention. It is a bottom view of the electrical junction box of FIG. The electrical junction box of FIG. 1 is shown, (A) is a top view, (B) is the sectional view on the AA line of (A). (A) is a perspective view which shows a 1st lock | rock part, (B) is a BB sectional drawing of (A). It is a perspective view which shows the state which fixed the insulating board for relays to the 1st case. (A) is a perspective view which shows a 1st to-be-locked part, (B) is CC sectional view taken on the line of (A). (A) is a perspective view which shows the state (2nd to-be-locked part) which the 1st lock part and the 1st to-be-locked part fitted, (B) is the DD sectional view taken on the line of (A). (A) is a perspective view which shows a 2nd lock | rock part, (B) is the EE sectional view taken on the line of (A), (C) is a bottom view of (A). (A) is sectional drawing which shows the state which the 2nd to-be-locked part and 2nd locking part fitted, (B) is FF sectional view taken on the line of (A). It is a figure which shows a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electrical connection box 11 1st case 11b Perimeter wall 11c External relay accommodating part 11d Fuse accommodating part 11e Connector accommodating part 11g 1st lock part 11m 2nd to-be-locked part 12 2nd case 13 Internal circuit 13d, 13e Connection terminal 13f Long terminal 14 Relay Insulating Plate 14c Terminal Housing 14e First Locked Part 14f Recess 15 Protective Case 15a Perimeter Wall 15c Heat Dissipation Window 15e Second Lock Part 15g Convex Part 21 Type 1 Relay 22 Type 2 Relay 30, 40 Connector

Claims (9)

In the electrical junction box in which the internal circuit is housed inside the case surrounded by the first case and the second case, and the internal circuit is connected to the relay,
An external relay accommodating portion is provided on the surface of the first case, and a first type relay is inserted and attached to the external relay accommodating portion from the outside, and protrudes toward the second case inside the case facing the second case. An electrical junction box, wherein a relay insulating plate provided with an internal relay housing portion is disposed, and a second type relay is inserted and attached to the internal relay housing portion.   2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the second case facing the relay insulating plate is provided with a heat radiating window for radiating heat generated from the second type relay.   The first type relay mounted in the external relay housing unit is a relay to be replaced, and the second type relay mounted in the internal relay housing unit is a relay that is not replaced. The electrical junction box described.   The electrical connection box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first type relay mounted in the external relay housing portion is a relay having a larger energization amount than the second type relay mounted in the internal relay housing portion. .   The first type relay mounted on the external relay housing unit and the second type relay mounted on the internal relay housing unit are each composed of a plurality of relays. The number of first type relays: the number of second type relays The electrical connection box according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein is set to a ratio of 1: 1 to 2: 1. A relay in which a first lock portion and a first locked portion that are locked to each other are provided between the outer peripheral portion of the relay insulating plate and the inner peripheral portion of the first case, and are locked to the first case. A second locking portion and a second locked portion that are locked to each other on the peripheral wall of the second case and the peripheral wall of the first case that are covered after the second type relay is mounted in the internal relay accommodating portion of the insulating plate Is provided, and
The second lock part of the second case is provided with a convex part that fits into the concave part provided in the insulating plate for relay in a lock coupling state with the second locked part, and the concave part and the convex part. The electrical junction box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the relay insulating plate is held by a second case by fitting with the relay case.   The internal circuit accommodated in the case includes a bus bar, an electric wire, and a connection terminal connected to the electric wire and the bus bar. The connection terminal and a terminal protruding from the bus bar are provided to the first case and the second case. 7. The connector housing portion, the fuse housing portion, the external relay housing portion, the connector mounted on the internal relay housing portion, the fuse, and the relay are configured to be electrically connected. Electrical connection box as described in.   A part of the connection terminal is arranged in parallel as a long length, protrudes in a parallel state into a terminal accommodating portion protruding from the relay insulating plate, and is inserted into a connector accommodating portion provided in the second case, The electrical connection box according to claim 7, wherein the connector housing portion is provided on one side portion of the heat radiating window portion.   The first case and the second case are arranged vertically in an instrument panel of an automobile in a state where no cover material is attached, and the first case is located facing the passenger side in the instrument panel. The electrical junction box according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second case side is positioned facing the dash panel side.

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