JP2000013954A - Electric junction box - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric junction box, which enables reduction in assembly man-hours and a working time by a method, wherein connectors are mated with connector holders simultaneously when a cover is attached to the opening of a case. SOLUTION: A case 11 has connector holders 12 with which connectors 19 are connected and mated. A cover 14 which is attached to the opening 11a of the case 11 to cover it has a setting plate 17, on which the connectors 19 are set beforehand. The connectors 19 are set on the setting plate 17, and furthermore, a wiring harness 20 extended from the connectors 19 is drawn out of the cover 14. In this state, the cover 14 is attached to the opening 11a of the case 11 so as to cover it for mating and connecting the connectors 19 with the connector holders 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric connection box provided with a connector holder for connecting a connector in an automobile or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional electric junction box of this type, for example, a construction as shown in FIG. 7 is known. In this conventional configuration, the case 31 is formed in a rectangular tube shape having an opening 31a on the upper surface, and a cover portion 31b
Is protruding. A plurality of (a pair in FIG. 7) connector holders 32 are formed in the case 31, and the connectors 33 are fitted and connected to these connector holders 32. A cover 34 is provided on the opening 31 a of the case 31.
Is provided with a cover, and an outlet 34a for taking out a wire harness 35 extending from each connector 33 is formed on one side thereof.

When assembling the electric connection box, first, a connector 33 is fitted and connected to each connector holder 32 through an opening 31a of the case 31. Thereafter, the cover 34 is attached to the opening 31a of the case 31 while taking out the wire harness 35 extending from each connector 33 from the outlet 34a of the cover 34 to the outside. At this time,
The side surface of the outlet 34a of the cover 34 is covered by a cover 31b on the case 31.

[0004]

However, in this conventional electric connection box, after the connectors 33 are fitted and connected to the respective connector holders 32, the cover 34 is covered and mounted on the opening 31a of the case 31. Therefore, there has been a problem that the number of assembling steps is increased and the work time is required.

In addition, when the connector 33 is fitted to the connector holder 32, a large fitting force of, for example, about 15 kg is required, and there is a problem that the assembling work is difficult.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such problems existing in the conventional technology. Its main purpose is to provide an electric connection box that can simultaneously perform the fitting connection of the connector to the connector holder and the cover mounting to the opening of the case, thereby reducing the number of assembling steps and shortening the working time. To provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric connection box in which a connector can be easily connected to a connector holder without requiring a large operating force.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a connector is fitted and connected to a connector holder provided in a case, and a cover is provided at an opening of the case. In the electric connection box with the cover attached, the cover is provided with a set portion for setting a connector in advance.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electrical junction box according to the first aspect, the set portion is formed of a set plate rotatably formed on a main body of the cover via a hinge portion. Make a summary.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electrical junction box according to the second aspect, when the set plate on which the connector is set is turned to the installation position, the set plate is attached to the body of the cover. The gist is that a positioning portion for positioning is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electrical junction box according to the second or third aspect, a set plate on which a connector is set is turned on the body of the cover to a mounting position. Therefore, the gist of the present invention is to provide a restricting portion for restricting the position of the connector.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electrical junction box according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
An operating lever is provided on one of the case and the cover, and between the other and the operating lever, a moving force generating means for generating an assembling moving force on the cover with respect to the cover when operating the operating lever. It is assumed that it has been established.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electrical junction box according to the fifth aspect, the moving force generating means includes a cam provided on one of a case or a cover and an operating lever, The gist comprises an engaging portion provided on the other side so as to engage with the cam portion.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electrical junction box according to the fifth or sixth aspect, a pair of the operation levers are provided on both sides of a case or a cover.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the case 11 of the electric connection box has an opening 11a on the upper surface.
And a cover portion 11b protrudes from one side of the upper portion. A plurality of (one pair in the present embodiment) connector holders 12 are formed in the case 11, and a plurality of connection terminals 13 are arranged in these connector holders 12. A cover 14 is mounted on the opening 11 a of the case 11.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cover 14 has a substantially rectangular cylindrical main body 15 having an opening on the lower surface, and is rotatably integrated with one side edge of the main body 15 through a thin hinge portion 16. And a set plate 17 as a formed set portion. An outlet 15a is formed on the side surface and the upper surface of the end of the main body 15. A plurality of (in this embodiment, a pair corresponding to the connector holder 12) set holes 17a are formed in the set plate 17, and locking claws 18 are protruded from the lower surfaces of the opening edges thereof.

As shown by a solid line in FIG. 4, the connector 19 is inserted and set in advance into each of the set holes 17a in a state where the set plate 17 is disposed at a protruding position outside the main body 15. ing. These connectors 1
A flange 19a is formed at the end of the connector 9, and each connector 19 is locked and held by a locking claw 18 at the flange 19a. Further, a wire harness 20 is extended on a flange portion 19 a of each connector 19 and connected to a connection terminal (not shown) in the connector 19.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, holding claws 21 as a pair of positioning portions project from the lower end edges of both inner surfaces of the main body 15 of the cover 14.
A pair of ribs 22 protrude from inner surfaces of both sides of the main body 15 so as to correspond to the holding claws 21, and a positioning surface 22a serving as a positioning portion and a regulating surface 22b serving as a regulating portion are provided at lower end edges thereof. Are formed in a step shape.

As shown by a chain line in FIG. 4, when the set plate 17 is turned to the built-in position in the main body 15 in a state where the connector 19 is set in both set holes 17a of the set plate 17, The set plate 17 is sandwiched from above and below by the holding claws 21 and the positioning surface 22a of the rib 22, and is positioned and held at a predetermined position. Set plate 1
In a state in which the connector 7 is rotated to the installation position in the main body 15, each connector 19 abuts on the regulating surface 22 b of the rib 22, and the upward movement of each connector 19 is regulated.

Further, when the set plate 17 is installed in the main body 15, the wire harness 20 extending from each connector 19 is taken out through the outlet 15 a of the cover 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 6,
A pair of operation levers 23 are rotatably mounted on outer surfaces of both sides of the main body 15 of the cover 14 via pins 24. A cam groove 25 as a cam portion is formed at the base of both operation levers 23. The cam groove 25 has an opening 25a, a concentric groove 25b extending concentrically from the opening 25a by a predetermined angle A1, and an eccentric groove 25c extending eccentrically by a predetermined angle A2 following the concentric groove 25b.
And a holding portion 25e formed in the eccentric groove portion 25c via a constricted portion 25d. The distance between the eccentric groove 25c and the pin 24 is larger on the concentric groove 25b side and shorter on the holding part 25e side.

On the inner surfaces of both sides of the case 11, recesses 26 for inserting both operation levers 23 are formed.
An engagement pin 27 as an engagement portion engageable with the cam groove 25 of the operation lever 23 protrudes from the inner surface of each recess 26. The cam groove 25 and the engaging pin 27 constitute a moving force generating means.

That is, when the cover 14 is inserted into the opening 11a of the case 11 and the engaging pin 27 is inserted into the cam groove 25, when the two operating levers 23 are rotated, the engaging pin 27 and the eccentric groove 25c are engaged. Then, since the distance between the eccentric groove portion 25c and the pin 24 becomes shorter toward the holding portion 25e, the force of the eccentric groove portion 25c approaching the engaging pin 27 side with respect to the pin 24, that is, the force acting on the cover 11 toward the case 11 side. An assembling movement force is generated. As a result, the cover 14 is fitted over the opening 11a of the case 11 and the two connectors 19 are
2 is fitted and connected. Further, when the engagement pin 27 passes through the constricted portion 25d and is engaged with the holding portion 25e with the turning operation of the operation levers 23, the operation levers 23 are locked and held at the rotation position.

Next, a procedure for assembling the electric junction box configured as described above will be described. At the time of assembling the electric junction box, the connector 19 is inserted and set into each of the set holes 17a with the set plate 17 protruding out of the main body 15 of the cover 14 as shown by a solid line in FIG. , And are locked and held by the locking claws 18. Subsequently, as shown by a dashed line in FIG.
When the member 7 is rotated to the installation position in the main body 15, the set plate 17 is joined and sandwiched between the holding claws 21 and the positioning surface 22a of the rib 22, and is positioned at a predetermined position. In this state, the wire harness 20 extending from each connector 19 is
It is led out from the outlet 15a of the cover 14.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, when the cover 14 is inserted into the opening 11a of the case 11, the engagement pins 27 on the inner surface of the case 11 are engaged with the cam grooves 25 of the operation levers 23.
Is inserted through the opening 25a. In this state, when the two operation levers 23 are turned in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5, the engaging pin 27 passes through the concentric groove 25b and enters the eccentric groove 25c. The engagement pin 27 and the eccentric groove 25c
As a result, an assembling movement of the cover 14 toward the case 11 via the pin 24 is generated. A downward assembling movement force is generated with respect to the cover 14.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cover 14 is fitted over the opening 11a of the case 11, and the two connectors 19 are fitted and connected to the connector holder 12. In addition, with the cover 14 attached, the side surface of the outlet 15a of the cover 14 is covered by the cover 11b on the case 11. At this time, since each connector 19 is engaged with the regulating surface 22b of the rib 22 and its upward movement is regulated, the connector 19 is not pushed upward by a reaction force at the time of fitting connection to the connector holder 12. .

When the operating lever 23 is turned to a predetermined turning position, the engaging pin 27 is moved to the holding portion 25e via the constricted portion 25d of the cam groove 25 as shown in FIG.
Is engaged. As a result, both operation levers 23 are locked at the rotation position, and the cover 14 is held in a state where the cover is attached to the case 11. Therefore, there is no possibility that the cover 14 is accidentally detached from the mounted state.

The effects that can be expected from the above embodiment will be described below. In the electric junction box of this embodiment, the connector 1
9 is a connector holder 12 for fitting and connecting
1 is provided. The cover 14 covering the opening 11a of the case 11 is provided with a set portion 17 for setting the connector 19 in advance. Then, the connector 19 is set in the setting portion 17, and the wire harness 20 extending from the connector 19 is taken out of the cover 14.
The connector 19 is fitted and connected to the connector holder 12 when the cover 1a is mounted. For this reason,
The fitting connection of the connector 19 to the connector holder 12 and the cover mounting of the cover 14 to the opening 11a of the case 11 can be performed at the same time.

In the electric junction box of this embodiment, the set portion is attached to the main body 15 of the cover 14 by the hinge portion 16.
And a set plate 17 which is formed to be rotatable therethrough. Therefore, the structure of the setting portion is simple, and the setting operation of the connector 19 can be easily performed.

In the electric connection box of this embodiment, the set plate 17 on which the connector 19 is set is
When the set plate 17 is turned to the built-in position,
Positioning portions 21 and 22a for positioning the cover 14 are provided on the main body 15 of the cover 14. Therefore, the connector 19 set on the set plate 17 can be accurately positioned at a predetermined position in the main body 15.

In the electric junction box of this embodiment, the restricting portion 22b for restricting the position of the connector 19 is provided in the state where the set plate 17 on which the connector 19 is set is turned to the installation position. It is provided on the main body 15. Therefore, when the connector 19 is fitted and connected to the connector holder 12, the connector 19
7 can be prevented from being deviated from the set state.

In the electric connection box of this embodiment, the operation lever 23 is attached to the cover 14, and the operation lever 2 is provided between the operation lever 23 and the case 11.
Moving force generating means 25 and 27 for generating an assembling moving force on the cover 14 toward the case 11 at the time of operation 3 are provided. Therefore, by operating the operation lever 23, the fitting connection of the connector 19 to the connector holder 12 can be easily performed without requiring a large operation force.

In the electric connection box of this embodiment, the moving force generating means is provided on the case 11 so as to engage with the cam groove 25 as a cam portion formed on the operation lever 23. And an engaging pin 27 as an engaging portion. Therefore, the configuration of the moving force generating means is simple, and the fitting connection of the connector 19 to the connector holder 12 can be easily performed.

In the electric connection box of this embodiment, a pair of operation levers 23 are provided on both sides of the case 11. Therefore, by operating the pair of operation levers 23, the connector 19 can be easily and reliably fitted and connected to the connector holder 12 from both sides.

In the electric connection box of this embodiment, the cam portion is constituted by the cam groove 25, and the cam groove 25
, A concentric groove 25b and an eccentric groove 25c are formed continuously. For this reason, the engaging pin 27 is connected to the concentric groove 25b.
The connector 19 can be easily introduced into the eccentric groove 25c without resistance through the through hole, and the connector 19 can be easily fitted and connected to the connector holder 12 with a light force by the engagement between the eccentric groove 25c and the engaging pin 27. can do.

In the electric connection box of this embodiment, the cam portion is constituted by the cam groove 25, and the cam groove 25
Is formed with a holding portion 25e via a constricted portion 25d. Therefore, the operation lever 23 is locked at the rotational operation position by the engagement between the engagement pin 27 and the holding portion 25e, so that the cover 14 can be held in a state of covering the case 11 with the cover.

This embodiment can be embodied with the following modifications. The operation lever 23 is connected to the case 11
To be rotatable.

Contrary to the above embodiment, the operation lever 23
Is provided with a locking portion such as an engaging pin 27, and the corresponding case 11
Further, a cam portion such as the cam groove 25 is formed on the cover 14. In the above-described embodiment, the pair of operation levers 23 are integrally rotatably connected at the distal ends.

Further, technical ideas other than the claims grasped by the above embodiment will be described below together with their effects. (1) The electric connection box according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the cam portion is constituted by a cam groove, and a concentric groove portion and an eccentric groove portion are continuously formed in the cam groove.

According to this configuration, the engaging portion can be easily introduced into the eccentric groove through the concentric groove without any resistance, and the connector is connected to the connector holder by the engagement between the eccentric groove and the engaging portion. On the other hand, it can be easily fitted and connected with a light force.

(2) The cam portion is constituted by a cam groove,
The electric connection box according to claim 6, wherein a holding portion is formed at a terminal end of the cam groove via a constricted portion.

According to this configuration, the operation lever is locked and held at the rotation operation position by the engagement between the engagement portion and the holding portion.
The cover can be held in a state where the cover is attached to the case.

[0043]

The present invention is configured as described above, and has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the invention, the fitting connection of the connector to the connector holder and the covering of the opening of the case with the cover can be performed at the same time, thereby reducing the number of assembling steps and shortening the working time. Can be.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the structure of the setting portion is simple and the setting operation of the connector can be easily performed. According to the third aspect of the invention, the connector set on the set plate can be accurately positioned at a predetermined position in the cover main body.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the connector from deviating from the set state on the set plate when the connector is fitted and connected to the connector holder.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the fitting connection of the connector to the connector holder can be easily performed without requiring a large operating force. According to the invention described in claim 6, the configuration of the moving force generating means is simple, and the fitting connection of the connector to the connector holder can be easily performed.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the connector can be easily and reliably fitted and connected to the connector holder from both sides by operating the pair of operation levers.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing one embodiment of an electric junction box of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the electric junction box.

FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view of the electric junction box.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary sectional view showing a state in which a connector is assembled to a cover in a developed state;

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view showing a state when the cover is assembled to the case.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial front view showing an operation lever.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional electric connection box.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... case, 11a ... opening, 12 ... connector holder, 14 ... cover, 15 ... body, 16 ... thin hinge part,
17: a set plate as a set portion; 17a: a set hole;
19: Connector, 20: Wire Harness, 21: Holding Claw as Positioning Part, 22: Rib, 22a: Positioning Surface as Positioning Part, 22b: Regulatory Surface as Regulatory Part,
Reference numeral 23 denotes an operation lever, 25 denotes a cam groove serving as a cam part that constitutes a moving force generating means, 25b is a concentric groove part, 25c is an eccentric groove part, 25d is a constricted part, 25e is a holding part, and 27 is a moving force generating means. An engagement pin as an engagement portion.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An electric connection box in which a connector is fitted and connected to a connector holder provided in a case and a cover is mounted on a cover of an opening of the case, wherein the connector is set in the cover in advance. Electrical junction box with a section. 2. The electric connection box according to claim 1, wherein the set portion is a set plate formed rotatably on a main body of the cover via a hinge portion. 3. The electrical connection box according to claim 2, wherein a positioning portion for positioning the set plate when the set plate on which the connector is set is turned to the installation position is provided on the main body of the cover. . 4. A state in which a set plate on which a connector is set is rotated to an installation position on the body of the cover,
3. A regulating part for regulating the position of the connector.
Or the electrical junction box according to claim 3. 5. An operation lever is provided on one of the case and the cover, and between the other and the operation lever, when the operation lever is operated, a moving force for assembling the cover toward the case is generated. 2. A moving force generating means is provided.
An electrical junction box according to claim 4. 6. The moving force generating means includes: a cam provided on one of a case or a cover and an operation lever; and an engaging portion provided on the other so as to engage with the cam. The electrical junction box according to claim 5. 7. The electric connection box according to claim 5, wherein a pair of the operation levers is provided on both sides of the case or the cover.