CN117394237A - Bus bar mounting structure for electric junction box - Google Patents

Abstract

A bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box, comprising: an electrical junction box including an electrically insulating housing body in which a first terminal accommodation portion configured to accommodate a first input/output terminal electrically connected to an electrical component is formed, and a protective cover covering the electrical component and the first input/output terminal and attached to the housing body; and a bus bar in which an outer peripheral surface of the flat conductor is covered with an insulating sheath, and a conductor exposed portion at an end portion of the bus bar is electrically connected to a conductor connection portion of the first input-output terminal. The bus bar is provided with a stepped portion to narrow a gap between the bus bar and the protective cover.

Description

Bus bar mounting structure for electric junction box

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box.

Background

For example, a fuse box for storing a fuse as an electrical component as an electrical junction box mounted to a vehicle is disclosed in patent document JP 2018-026251A. This type of fuse box includes a box body (case body) made of resin and a cover (protective cover) made of resin and covering an upper opening portion of the box body, and is capable of accommodating a fuse.

The case is provided with a fuse accommodating portion (electrical component storing portion) capable of accommodating the fuse, and a bus bar accommodating portion (terminal accommodating portion) capable of accommodating the first bus bar and the second bus bar (first input output terminal and second input output terminal), the fuse mounting portions of the first bus bar and the second bus bar being electrically connected to the two terminals of the fuse, respectively. The external member (external conductor) is electrically connected to the external member mounting portions (conductor connecting portions) of the first bus bar and the second bus bar.

The cover (protective cover) includes a first cover portion (cover body) covering the closing side from the central portion of the opening portion of the case, a second cover portion covering the insertion side (side into which the connection end of the external member is inserted) from the central portion, and a thin coupling portion connecting the first cover portion and the second cover portion.

When the connection ends of the external parts are connected to the external part mounting portions of the first bus bar and the second bus bar, respectively, only the second cover portion can be rotated to open the upper portion of the insertion side of the case. That is, when the second cover portion is closed after the external member is connected, a finger or the like cannot contact the conductor connection portion of the first bus bar and the second bus bar or the connection end of the external member.

Here, as external members to be connected to conductor connection portions of the first bus bar and the second bus bar, bus bars (flat wiring members) in which the outer peripheral surfaces of the flat conductors in the shape of band plates are covered with insulating sheaths, electric wires in which connection terminals are connected to the end portions of the electric wires, and the like are used according to the layout or specifications of the fuse box at the time of installation in a vehicle. Further, the connection end of the external member is generally screwed to the conductor connection portion of the first bus bar and the second bus bar, but the height (wire diameter) of the electric wire to which the terminal is attached in the fastening direction and the height (plate thickness) of the screw-fastened portion are larger than the height (plate thickness) of the bus bar in the fastening direction.

The height of the cover (i.e., the second cover portion) covering the conductor connection portions of the first bus bar and the second bus bar is set to correspond to the height of the electric wire to which the terminal is attached in the fastening direction or the height of the screw fastening portion.

Therefore, in the case where the connection end of the bus bar is screw-fastened to the conductor connection portion of the first bus bar or the second bus bar, the gap between the bus bar and the cover becomes wider, and a finger or the like can easily enter. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the range in which the connection ends of the bus bars are covered by the case and the cover, and the case and the cover have a problem in that the fuse box size is increased.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a bus bar mounting structure for an electric junction box capable of preventing an increase in the size of the electric junction box while reliably ensuring a finger contact preventing function of a bus bar electrically connected to an electric component in the electric junction box.

Aspects of the present invention provide a bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box, including: an electric junction box including an electrically insulating case body in which a first terminal accommodating portion configured to accommodate a first input-output terminal electrically connected to an electric component is formed, and a protective cover covering the electric component and the first input-output terminal and attached to the case body; and a bus bar in which an outer peripheral surface of the flat conductor is covered with an insulating sheath, and a conductor exposed portion at an end portion of the bus bar is electrically connected to a conductor connection portion of the first input-output terminal. The bus bar is provided with a stepped portion to narrow a gap between the bus bar and the protective cover.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, the details of the present invention will become more apparent by reading the embodiments described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electric junction box including a bus bar mounting structure for an electric junction box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of a main portion of the bus bar shown in fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electrical junction box shown in FIG. 1 with the electrical components and protective cover connected to the housing body;

fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a flow of electrically connecting external conductors to the first terminal accommodation portion and the second terminal accommodation portion of the electrical junction box shown in fig. 3, respectively;

fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which external conductors are electrically connected to a first terminal accommodation portion and a second terminal accommodation portion of an electrical junction box, respectively;

fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the first terminal accommodation portion in the electrical junction box shown in fig. 5;

fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the second terminal accommodation portion in the electric junction box shown in fig. 5;

fig. 8 is a perspective view of a main portion of a bus bar according to a reference example;

fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a first terminal accommodating portion in the electric junction box accommodating a bus bar according to the reference example shown in fig. 8;

fig. 10 is a perspective view of a main portion of a bus bar according to a modification; and is also provided with

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a main portion of a bus bar according to another modification.

Detailed Description

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical junction box 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a main portion of the bus bar 8 shown in fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the electrical junction box 1 shown in fig. 1 in which the fuse 2 and the protective cover 6 are attached to the housing body 5.

In the present specification, the front-rear direction, the up-down direction, and the left-right direction of the electrical junction box 1 follow the arrow directions shown in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, an electrical junction box 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a fuse box that is mounted to a vehicle and stores a fuse 2 as an electrical component. The fuse 2 is arranged upstream of an electrical wiring from the battery to the electrical device. As the external conductors to be electrically connected to the terminals 22 and 23 of the fuse 2, a case where the bus bar (flat wiring member) 8 and the terminal-attached electric wire 9 are used is described as an example.

The electrical junction box 1 includes a housing body 5 and a protective cover 6, the housing body 5 being electrically insulating and formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

The fuse 2 includes: a cylindrical fuse body 21 extending in the left-right direction; and terminals (fuse terminals) 22 and 23 protruding from both ends of the fuse body 21. The terminals 22 and 23 are each substantially square plate-shaped, and through holes 22a and 23a into which the bolts 25 are inserted are provided in the centers of the terminals 22 and 23a, respectively.

As shown in fig. 1, the housing body 5 includes an electrical component storage 51 for storing the fuse 2, a first terminal accommodation portion 53 for accommodating the first input-output terminal 3 electrically connected to one terminal 22 of the fuse 2, a second terminal accommodation portion 54 for accommodating the second input-output terminal 4 electrically connected to the other terminal 23 of the fuse 2, and a fixing bracket 52 to be fixed to a supporting member (not shown).

The electrical component storage portion 51 is formed in a bottomed box shape, which is open forward at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the housing body 5 (a central portion in the left-right direction), and in which the fuse body 21 of the fuse 2 is accommodated. The first terminal accommodating portion 53 is formed on the left side of the electrical component storage portion 51 corresponding to one terminal 22 of the fuse 2, and the second terminal accommodating portion 54 is formed on the right side of the electrical component storage portion 51 corresponding to the other terminal 23 of the fuse 2.

The front surface of the first terminal accommodation portion 53 is provided with an insert nut 55 for fixing the fuse 2 with the first input-output terminal 3.

The front surface of the second terminal accommodation portion 54 is provided with an insert nut 55 for fixing the fuse 2 with the second input-output terminal 4.

The first input-output terminal 3 is a conductive metal plate formed in a bent L-shape, and includes a terminal connection portion 311 and a conductor connection portion 312, the terminal connection portion 311 being electrically connected to the terminal 22 of the fuse 2 protruding leftward from the electrical component storage portion 51, and the conductor connection portion 312 being electrically connected to the flat conductor 81 of the bus bar 8. The terminal connection portion 311 is provided with an oblong through hole 33 through which the bolt 25 is inserted. The conductor connecting portion 312 is provided with the stud bolts 32 protruding upward.

The second input-output terminal 4 is a conductive metal plate formed in a bent L-shape, and includes a terminal connection portion 411 and a conductor connection portion 412, the terminal connection portion 411 being electrically connected to the terminal 23 of the fuse 2 protruding rightward from the electrical component storage portion 51, and the conductor connection portion 412 being electrically connected to the connection terminal 93 of the terminal-attached electric wire 9. The terminal connection portion 411 is provided with an oblong through hole 43 through which the bolt 25 is inserted. The conductor connecting portion 412 is provided with a stud bolt 42 protruding upward.

The fixing bracket 52 is a portion extending further in the longitudinal direction from both end portions in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the housing body 5. In the fixing bracket 52, an insertion hole for facilitating fixing of the electric junction box 1 by a fixing member such as a bolt is formed, and a metal collar is attached.

The protection cover 6 is an insulating cover attached to the housing body 5 from above to cover the terminals 22 and 23, the first input output terminal 3, and the second input output terminal 4 of the fuse 2.

The protective cover 6 includes a cover body 60 integrally formed with an upper wall portion 61 and front wall portions 63 and 63, and a pair of covers 7A and 7B switchably provided to the cover body 60.

The cover body 60 includes: an upper wall portion 61, the upper wall portion 61 being H-shaped in plan view and forming an opening 66 above the first terminal accommodation portion 53 and the second terminal accommodation portion 54 of the housing body 5, respectively; and a pair of front wall portions 63 and 63 extending downward from the front edge of the upper wall portion 61 and covering the front sides of the first terminal accommodation portion 53 and the second terminal accommodation portion 54 of the housing body 5.

Further, a cover 7A as a first cover is switchably provided in the opening 66 of the upper wall portion 61 corresponding to the first terminal accommodation portion 53 so as to cover the conductor connection portion 312 of the first input-output terminal 3. A cover 7B as a second cover is switchably provided in the opening 66 of the upper wall portion 61 corresponding to the second terminal accommodation portion 54 so as to cover the conductor connection portion 412 of the second input-output terminal 4.

In the present embodiment, the cover 7B as the second cover is formed in the same shape as the cover 7A as the first cover. The covers 7A and 7B are each rotatably mounted to the cover body 60 by a pair of pivot shafts 73, the pair of pivot shafts 73 being provided at one end portion in the length direction of the top wall 71, the pair of pivot shafts 73 being pivotably supported by a pair of bearings 65 provided at the opening portion 66 of the upper wall portion 61.

Both side surfaces of the top wall 71 in the longitudinal direction are provided with locking projections 75 as locked portions, and the locking projections 75 are locked to a pair of locking portions 67 provided to the respective opening portions 66 of the upper wall portion 61, so that the covers 7A and 7B can hold the opening portions 66 in a closed state.

As shown in fig. 3, regarding the protective cover 6, it is possible to open the upper sides of the first terminal accommodation portion 53 and the second terminal accommodation portion 54 of the housing body 5 by pivoting only the covers 7A and 7B while maintaining the state in which the cover body 60 is mounted to the housing body 5. Therefore, after the fuse 2, the first input-output terminal 3, and the second input-output terminal 4 are mounted to the housing body 5, the bus bar 8 as the external conductor and the terminal-attached electric wire 9 can be mounted to the housing body 5 without completely removing the protective cover 6.

In the bus bar 8, the outer peripheral surface of the flat conductor 81 in the form of a strip is covered with an insulating sheath 83, and a conductor exposure portion 84 is provided at the end of the bus bar 8 to expose the flat conductor 81 by removing the insulating sheath 83. The bus bar 8 according to the present embodiment is formed in a curved manner such that the lead-out portion 87 led out from the first terminal accommodation portion 53 extends to the rear of the housing body 5.

As shown in fig. 2, a through hole 82 is formed in the conductor exposed portion 84 of the bus bar 8, and the stud bolt 32 of the first input-output terminal 3 is to be inserted through the through hole 82. The through hole 82 is formed in a rectangular shape elongated in the extending direction of the conductor exposure portion 84.

Further, in the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion 84 at the end portion of the bus bar 8, a stepped portion 85 is formed to be curved, thereby narrowing the gap between the bus bar 8 and the protective cover 6 to prevent a finger from entering the first terminal accommodation portion 53.

The step portion 85 according to the present embodiment is bent in a crank shape in cross section so that the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion 84 at the end portion of the bus bar 8 is located above the conductor exposed portion 84 in the plate thickness direction (the protective cover 6 side).

That is, a stepped portion 85 obtained by bending the vicinity of the conductor exposure portion 84 toward the protective cover 6 side is provided at the end portion of the bus bar 8 such that a gap between the bus bar 8 and the protective cover 6 into which a finger or a tool such as a wrench is inserted is divided in the up-down direction. Accordingly, the gap space of each of the upper and lower portions becomes smaller than the gap of the finger size, thereby providing a finger contact preventing structure into which the finger cannot enter.

In the terminal-attached electric wire 9, the connection terminal 93 is crimped and connected to the core wire 92 exposed by peeling the insulating sheath 96 at the end of the covered electric wire 91. A through hole 94 is formed in the connection terminal 93, and the stud bolt 42 of the second input-output terminal 4 is to be inserted through the through hole 94. The crimp portion of the connection terminal 93 is covered and electrically insulated by an insulating member 95 such as an insulating tape.

Next, an assembly flow of the electrical junction box 1 will be described.

First, the first input-output terminal 3 and the second input-output terminal 4 are arranged in the first terminal accommodation portion 53 and the second terminal accommodation portion 54 of the housing body 5, respectively. Then, in the first input-output terminal 3, the conductor connecting portion 312 is placed on the upper surface of the first terminal accommodating portion 53, and the terminal connecting portion 311 is brought into contact with the insert nut 55 provided on the front surface of the first terminal accommodating portion 53. In the second input-output terminal 4, the conductor connecting portion 412 is placed on the upper surface of the second terminal accommodating portion 54, and the terminal connecting portion 411 is brought into contact with the insert nut 55 provided on the front surface of the second terminal accommodating portion 54.

Next, the fuse body 21 of the fuse 2 is accommodated in the electrical component storage section 51. Then, the terminal 22 of the fuse 2 protruding leftward from the electrical component storage 51 is overlapped with the terminal connection portion 311 of the first input-output terminal 3, and the terminal 23 of the fuse 2 protruding rightward from the electrical component storage 51 is overlapped with the terminal connection portion 411 of the second input-output terminal 4.

Further, the bolt 25 penetrating the through hole 22a of the terminal 22 and the through hole 33 of the first input-output terminal 3 is screwed into the insert nut 55, and the bolt 25 penetrating the through hole 23a of the terminal 23 and the through hole 43 of the second input-output terminal 4 is screwed into the insert nut 55. Then, the fuse 2, the first input-output terminal 3, and the second input-output terminal 4 are fastened and fixed to the housing body 5.

Then, as shown in fig. 3, the protective cover 6 obtained by switchably mounting the covers 7A and 7B to the cover body 60 is attached to the housing body 5 from above, completing the assembly of the electrical junction box 1.

Next, a connection flow of the bus bar 8 and the terminal-attached electric wire 9 connected to the first input-output terminal 3 and the second input-output terminal 4 of the electric junction box 1, respectively, will be described with reference to fig. 3 to 7.

First, as shown in fig. 3, the covers 7A and 7B of the protective cover 6 in the electric junction box 1 are opened, and the upper sides of the first terminal accommodation portion 53 and the second terminal accommodation portion 54 in the housing body 5 are opened.

Then, the end of the bus bar 8 is placed in the first terminal accommodation portion 53, and as shown in fig. 4, the stud bolt 32 of the first input-output terminal 3 is inserted into the through hole 82 of the conductor exposure portion 84. At this time, the through hole 82 is formed in a rectangular shape elongated in the extending direction of the conductor exposure portion 84, and can absorb dimensional tolerances of the mounting position of the bus bar 8 with respect to the stud bolts 32, and can allow the stud bolts 32 to be smoothly inserted. Then, nuts 97 are screwed onto the stud bolts 32 to fix the ends of the bus bars 8 to the first terminal accommodation portions 53. At this time, the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion 84, which is formed in a curved manner as a stepped portion, can be located above (on the protective cover 6 side) the conductor exposed portion 84 in the plate thickness direction.

Further, the connection terminal 93 of the terminal-attached electric wire 9 is placed in the second terminal accommodation portion 54, and as shown in fig. 4, the stud bolt 42 of the second input-output terminal 4 is inserted into the through hole 94. Then, nuts 97 are screwed onto the stud bolts 42 to fix the connection terminals 93 of the terminal-attached electric wires 9 to the second terminal accommodation parts 54.

Then, the covers 7A and 7B of the protection cover 6 are pivoted in the closing direction, and the locking projections 75 are locked to the locking portions 67, so that the upper sides of the first terminal accommodation portion 53 and the second terminal accommodation portion 54 of the housing body 5 are closed, as shown in fig. 5.

Thereby, the operation of connecting the bus bar 8 and the terminal-attached electric wire 9 to the first input-output terminal 3 and the second input-output terminal 4 of the electric junction box 1, respectively, is completed.

Next, effects of the bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box according to the above-described embodiment will be described.

In the electric junction box 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, the first input-output terminal 3 (the conductor connecting portion 312 and the stud bolt 32) and the nut 97 accommodated in the first terminal accommodation portion 53 of the housing body 5 are covered by the cover 7A of the protective cover 6 to prevent contact with a finger or the like.

Here, the height of the screw fastening portion of the stud bolt 32 and the nut 97 is larger than the height (plate thickness) of the bus bar 8 in the fastening direction. Therefore, the height of the cover 7A of the protective cover 6 for covering the first input-output terminal 3 is set to correspond to the height of the screw fastening portion. Therefore, if the stepped portion 85 of the bus bar 8 is not bent and the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion 84 at the end portion of the bus bar 8 is located on the same plane as the conductor exposed portion 84, the gap between the conductor exposed portion 84 of the bus bar 8 screwed to the conductor connecting portion 312 of the first input-output terminal 3 and the cover 7A of the protective cover 6 becomes wider and a finger itself or a hand tool such as a wrench is easily inserted.

However, in the bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box according to the present embodiment, the stepped portion 85 provided at the end portion of the bus bar 8 divides the gap between the bus bar 8 and the protective cover 6 in the up-down direction so that the space between the upper portion and the lower portion is smaller than the size of a finger.

Therefore, the gap between the bus bar 8 and the cover 7A of the protective cover 6 is further narrowed by the step portion 85, so that even when the test finger 100, which is supposed to be a finger, is inserted into the gap between the bus bar 8 and the cover 7A of the protective cover 6 from the outside of the first terminal accommodating portion 53, as shown in fig. 6, the test finger 100 cannot reach the first input-output terminal 3 (the conductor connecting portion 312 and the stud bolt 32), the nut 97, and the conductor exposing portion 84 of the bus bar 8.

In the electric junction box 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 7, the second input-output terminal 4 (the conductor connecting portion 412 and the stud bolt 42) and the nut 97 accommodated in the second terminal accommodation portion 54 of the housing body 5 are covered by the cover 7B of the protective cover 6 to prevent contact with a finger or the like.

Here, the heights of the screw tightening portions of the stud bolts 42 and the nuts 97 are substantially the same as the heights of the crimp portions of the connection terminals 93 of the electric wires 9 to which the terminals are attached. Therefore, the gap between the crimp portion of the connection terminal 93 screwed to the conductor connection portion 412 of the second input-output terminal 4 and the cap 7B of the protective cap 6 becomes narrow, and a finger itself or a hand tool such as a wrench hardly enters.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 7, even when the test finger 100, which is assumed to be a finger, is inserted into the gap between the terminal-attached electric wire 9 and the protective cover 6 from the outside of the second terminal accommodation portion 54, the test finger 100 cannot reach the second input-output terminal 4 (the conductor connection portion 412 and the stud bolt 42), the nut 97, and the connection terminal 93.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a main portion of a bus bar 508 according to a reference example. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a first terminal accommodation portion 553 provided in an electric junction box 501 accommodating a bus bar 508 according to a reference example shown in fig. 8. The same constituent parts as those of the electrical junction box 1 according to the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 8, in the bus bar 508 according to the reference example, the stepped portion 85 is not formed to be bent, and the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion 84 at the end portion of the bus bar 8 is positioned on the same plane as the conductor exposed portion 84.

Therefore, in the electric junction box 501 according to the reference example, as shown in fig. 9, the gap between the end of the bus bar 508 screw-fastened to the conductor connecting portion 312 of the first input-output terminal 3 and the cover 7A of the protective cover 6 becomes wider, and the gap is not narrowed by the stepped portion 85 described in the above embodiment. Therefore, when the test finger 100, which is supposed to be a finger, is inserted into the gap between the bus bar 508 and the cover 7A of the protective cover 6 from the outside of the first terminal accommodation portion 553, the test finger 100 can reach the first input-output terminal 3 (the conductor connection portion 312 and the stud bolt 32), the nut 97, and the conductor exposure portion 84 of the bus bar 508.

Therefore, according to the bus bar mounting structure for the electric junction box 1 of the present embodiment, the finger contact preventing function of the bus bar 8 electrically connected to the fuse 2 in the electric junction box 1 can be reliably ensured.

Further, it is not necessary to expand the range of covering the conductor exposed portion 84 (end portion) of the bus bar 8 by the case body 5 and the protective cover 6, and the electric junction box 1 can be prevented from being increased in size.

Even in the case where the terminal-attached electric wire 9 is used as the outer conductor of the conductor connecting portion 412 connected to the second input-output terminal 4, the cover 7B of the protective cover 6 according to the present embodiment can be formed in the same shape as the cover 7A covering the conductor connecting portion 312 of the first input-output terminal 3 connected to the bus bar 8. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced by sharing the components.

Fig. 10 and 11 are perspective views of main portions of the bus bar 8A according to the modification and the bus bar 8B according to another modification. The same constituent members as those of the bus bar 8 according to the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 10, in the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion 84 at the end portion of the bus bar 8A according to the modification, a stepped portion 85A is formed to be curved to narrow the gap between the bus bar 8A and the protective cover 6, thereby preventing a finger from entering the first terminal accommodation portion 53.

The stepped portion 85A according to the modification is bent in a stepped shape in cross section so that the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion 84 at the end portion of the bus bar 8A is located above the conductor exposed portion 84A (the protective cover 6 side) in the plate thickness direction.

That is, a stepped portion 85A obtained by bending the vicinity of the conductor exposure portion 84 toward the protective cover 6 side is provided at the end portion of the bus bar 8A such that a gap between the bus bar 8A and the cover 7A of the protective cover 6 into which a finger or a tool such as a wrench is inserted is divided in the up-down direction. Thereby, the gap space of each of the upper and lower portions becomes smaller than the gap of the finger size, so that the finger contact preventing structure into which the finger cannot enter is provided.

As shown in fig. 11, in the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion 84 at the end portion of the bus bar 8B according to another modification, a stepped portion 85B is formed curvedly to narrow the gap between the bus bar 8B and the protective cover 6, thereby preventing a finger from entering the first terminal accommodation portion 53.

The step portion 85B according to another modification is bent in an Ω shape in cross section such that the bent portion faces the protective cover 6 side. The step portion 85B protrudes into the gap between the bus bar 8B and the cover 7A of the protective cover 6.

That is, a step portion 85B obtained by bending the vicinity of the conductor exposure portion 84 toward the protective cover 6 side is provided at the end portion of the bus bar 8B, so that the gap between the bus bar 8B and the cover 7A of the protective cover 6 is closed by the step portion 85B. Thus, the step portion 85B forms a finger contact preventing structure into which a finger cannot enter by preventing insertion of the finger itself or a tool such as a wrench.

Therefore, according to the bus bar mounting structure of the electric junction box 1 including the bus bar 8A or the bus bar 8B, the finger contact preventing function of the bus bar 8A or the bus bar 8B electrically connected to the fuse 2 in the electric junction box 1 can be reliably ensured.

Further, it is not necessary to enlarge the range of covering the conductor exposed portion 84 (end portion) of the bus bar 8A or the bus bar 8B by the case body 5 and the protective cover 6, and the electric junction box 1 can be prevented from being increased in size.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, or the like. Further, the materials, shapes, sizes, numbers, arrangement positions, and the like of the respective constituent parts in the above-described embodiments are optional as long as the present invention can be realized, and are not limited.

The above-described embodiment describes an example in which the bus bar 8 (8A, 8B) is electrically connected to the first input-output terminal 3 housed in the electric junction box 1 and the electric wire 9 to which the terminal is attached is electrically connected to the second input-output terminal 4, and the bus bar mounting structure for an electric junction box according to the present invention can also be applied to a case in which the bus bar 8 (8A, 8B) is electrically connected to each of the first input-output terminal 3 and the second input-output terminal 4.

Further, the curved shape of the step portions in the bus bar according to the present invention is not limited to the shapes of the step portions 85, 85A, and 85B according to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that various curved shapes protruding toward the protective cover side can be adopted based on the gist of the present invention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box includes: an electrical junction box (1) including an electrically insulating case body (5) and a protective cover (6), a first terminal accommodating portion (53) being formed in the case body (5), the first terminal accommodating portion (53) being configured to accommodate a first input-output terminal (3) electrically connected to the electrical component (2), and the protective cover (6) covering the electrical component (2) and the first input-output terminal (3) and being attached to the case body (5); and bus bars (8, 8A, 8B), wherein the outer peripheral surface of the flat conductor (81) is covered with an insulating sheath (83), and conductor exposed portions (84) at the ends of the bus bars (8, 8A, 8B) are electrically connected to conductor connecting portions (312) of the first input-output terminals (3). The bus bars (8, 8A, 8B) are provided with stepped portions (85, 85A, 85B) to narrow the gap between the bus bars (8, 8A, 8B) and the protective cover (6).

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the step portion (85, 85A, 85B) is configured to prevent a human finger from entering the first terminal accommodation portion (53).

According to the bus bar mounting structure for an electric junction box having the first and second aspects, the first input-output terminal (3) accommodated in the first terminal accommodation portion (53) of the housing body (5) is covered by the protective cover (6) to prevent contact with a finger or the like.

Here, an end portion of the bus bar (8) formed of the flat conductor (81) of the strip plate shape is usually screwed to the conductor connecting portion (312) of the first input-output terminal (3), and the height of the screwed portion is larger than the height (plate thickness) of the bus bar (8) in the fastening direction. Therefore, the height of the protective cover (6) for covering the first input-output terminal (3) is set to a height corresponding to the screw tightening portion. Therefore, in the case where the end portion of the bus bar (8) is screw-fastened to the conductor connection portion (312) of the first input-output terminal (3), the gap between the bus bar (8) and the protective cover (6) becomes wider, and a finger itself or a hand tool such as a wrench can easily enter.

However, according to the bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box having the configuration of the first aspect, the step portions (85, 85A, 85B) formed in the bus bars (8, 8A, 8B) narrow the gaps between the bus bars (8, 8A, 8B) and the protective cover (6).

Therefore, the finger itself or a tool such as a wrench cannot contact the first input-output terminal (3) or the conductor exposed portion (84) of the bus bar (8, 8A, 8B).

Thus, the finger contact prevention function of the bus bars (8, 8A, 8B) electrically connected to the electrical component (fuse 2) in the electrical junction box (1) can be reliably ensured. Further, it is not necessary to expand the range of covering the conductor exposed portion (end portion) 84 of the bus bar 8, 8A, 8B with the housing 5 and the protective cover 6, and the electric junction box 1 can be prevented from being increased in size.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the protective cover (6) comprises: a cover body (60) attached to the housing body (5); and a first cover (7A) that is provided to the cover body (60) so as to cover the conductor connection portion (312) of the first input/output terminal (3) in a switchable manner.

According to the bus bar mounting structure for an electric junction box having the configuration of the third aspect, regarding the protective cover (6), the upper side of the first terminal accommodating portion (53) of the housing body (5) can be opened by pivoting only the first cover (cover 7A) while maintaining the state in which the cover body (60) is mounted to the housing body (5). Thus, after the electrical component (fuse 2) and the first input-output terminal (3) are mounted to the housing body (5), the bus bars (8, 8A, 8B) as external conductors can be mounted to the housing body (5) without completely removing the protective cover (6).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the housing body (5) includes a second terminal accommodation portion (54) configured to accommodate a second input-output terminal (4) electrically connected to the terminal (23) of the electrical component (2). The connection terminal (93) of the terminal-attached electric wire (9) is electrically connected to the conductor connection portion (412) of the second input-output terminal (4). The protective cover (6) includes a second cover (7B) which is formed in the same shape as the first cover (7A) and is provided in a openable/closable manner to the cover body (60) so as to cover the conductor connection portion (412) of the second input/output terminal (4).

According to the bus bar mounting structure for an electric junction box having the configuration of the fourth aspect, regarding the protective cover (6), the upper side of the second terminal accommodating portion (54) of the housing body (5) can be opened by pivoting only the second cover (cover 7B) while maintaining the state in which the cover body (60) is mounted to the housing body (5). Thereby, after the second input-output terminal (4) is mounted to the housing body (5), the connection terminal (93) of the terminal-attached electric wire (9) as an external conductor can be mounted to the housing body (5) without completely removing the protective cover (6).

Further, even when the terminal-attached electric wire (9) is used as an external conductor of the conductor connection portion (412) connected to the second input-output terminal (4), the second cover (cover 7B) can be formed in the same shape as the first cover (cover 7A) for covering the conductor connection portion (312) of the first input-output terminal (3) to which the bus bar (8) is connected. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced by sharing the components.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the step portion (85) is bent in a crank shape in cross section such that the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion (84) at the end portion of the bus bar (8) is positioned above the conductor exposed portion (84) in the plate thickness direction.

According to the bus bar mounting structure for an electric junction box having the configuration of the fifth aspect, the stepped portion (85) can be easily formed by bending the end portion of the bus bar (8) into a crank shape in cross section.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the step portion (85A) is bent in a stepped shape in cross section such that the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion (84) at the end portion of the bus bar (8A) is positioned above the conductor exposed portion (84) in the plate thickness direction.

According to the bus bar mounting structure for an electric junction box having the configuration of the sixth aspect, the stepped portion (85A) can be easily formed by bending the end portion of the bus bar (8A) into a stepped shape in cross section.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion (84) at the end of the bus bar (8B), the step portion (85B) is bent in an Ω shape in cross section such that the bent portion thereof faces the protective cover (6) side.

According to the bus bar mounting structure for an electric junction box having the seventh configuration, the stepped portion (85B) can be easily formed by bending the end portion of the bus bar (8B) into an Ω shape in cross section so that the bent portion faces the protective cover (6) side.

Claims (7)

1. A bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box, comprising:

an electrical junction box, the electrical junction box comprising:

an electrically insulating housing body in which a first terminal accommodation portion configured to accommodate a first input/output terminal electrically connected to an electrical component is formed, and

a protective cover covering the electrical component and the first input-output terminal and attached to the housing body; and

a bus bar in which an outer peripheral surface of a flat conductor is covered with an insulating sheath, and a conductor exposed portion at an end portion of the bus bar is electrically connected to a conductor connecting portion of the first input-output terminal,

wherein the bus bar is provided with a stepped portion to narrow a gap between the bus bar and the protective cover.

2. The bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box according to claim 1,

wherein the step portion is configured to prevent a human finger from entering the first terminal accommodation portion.

3. The bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box according to claim 1,

wherein, the visor includes: a cover body attached to the housing body; and a first cover that is provided in the cover body so as to cover the conductor connection portion of the first input/output terminal in a switchable manner.

4. The bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box according to claim 3,

wherein the housing body includes a second terminal accommodating portion configured to accommodate a second input-output terminal electrically connected to a terminal of the electrical component,

wherein the connection terminal of the terminal-attached electric wire is electrically connected to the conductor connection portion of the second input-output terminal, and

the protective cover includes a second cover formed in a shape corresponding to the first cover and provided to the cover body so as to be openable and closable to cover the conductor connection portion of the second input/output terminal.

5. The bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

wherein the step portion is bent in a crank shape in a cross section such that a portion of the step portion in the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion is positioned above the conductor exposed portion in a plate thickness direction.

6. The bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

wherein the step portion is bent in a stepped shape in a cross section such that a portion of the step portion in the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion is positioned above the conductor exposed portion in a plate thickness direction.

7. The bus bar mounting structure for an electrical junction box according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

wherein the step portion is bent in an Ω -shape in cross section such that a portion of the step portion in the vicinity of the conductor exposed portion faces the protective cover side.