JP2000295738A - Electrical junction box - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an electrical junction box which can easily and securely recognize a state that a connector is mated with a connector housing incompletely. SOLUTION: A connector housing 17 is formed in a case main part 11 and a connector 35 is mated with the connector housing 17 for connection. A movable plate 25 is provided in the connector housing 17 so as to move vertically. A spring 32 is provided between the inner bottom surface of the connector housing 17 and the movable plate 25. If the connector attachment work is finished in a state that the connector 35 is incompletely mated with the connector housing 17, the connector 35 is pushed back to a connector insertion position by the bias force of the spring 32 via the movable plate 25 to indicate that the connector 35 is mated incompletely.

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 housing for connecting a connector in an automobile or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional electric connection box of this type, for example, a structure as shown in FIG. 6 is known. That is, in this conventional configuration, a rectangular tubular connector housing 52 is formed on the case main body 51, and the connector 53 is fitted and connected to the connector housing 52. An arm 54 having elasticity is formed on one side of the connector 53. An engagement projection 54a is formed on the outer surface of the arm portion 54, and a locking projection 55 is formed on the inner surface of the opening of the connector housing 52 so as to correspond to the engagement projection 54a. And connector 5
3 is engaged with the connector housing 52,
The arm portion 54 is elastically deformed based on the contact between the arm 4a and the engagement protrusion 55, and then elastically returns. As shown by a chain line in FIG.
The locking projection 55 engages with the engagement projection 54a, and the connector 5
3 is locked and held at the fitting position.

[0003]

However, in this conventional electric connection box, the engagement projection 54 on the connector 53 is not provided.
The connector 53 is locked and held at a fitting position with respect to the connector housing 52 by the engagement of the locking projection 55 a with the locking projection 55 in the connector housing 52. For this reason, even in the half-fitted state in which the connector 53 is not completely fitted to the connector housing 52, the connector 53 is housed in the connector housing 52. Then, it is very difficult to identify the half-fitted state of the connector 53 only by the height position of the connector 53, and there is a problem that the assembling work is terminated while the connector 53 is in the half-fitted state. Was.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the problems existing in such prior art, and its object is to
An object of the present invention is to provide an electric connection box which can easily and surely identify a connector when the connector is not completely fitted to the connector housing and is in a half-fitted state.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a connector housing is formed in a case main body, a connector is fitted to the connector housing, and the connector is engaged with an engagement portion of the connector housing. An electric connection box configured to lock and hold the connector based on the movable member that contacts the connector along with the insertion of the connector in the connector housing so as to be movable in the insertion direction of the connector; The gist of the invention is that the movable member or the connector housing is provided with an indicating means for indicating that the connector is in a half-fitted state with the connector housing.

According to this configuration, when the connector is not completely fitted in the connector housing and is in a half-fitted state, it is possible to easily and surely identify the half-fitted state by the indicating means. Become.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electric junction box according to the first aspect, the indicating means comprises a spring disposed between the movable member and a bottom surface of the connector housing, and the connector is provided in the connector housing. When the connector is in a half-fitted state, the connector is pushed back to the insertion position via the movable member by the biasing force of the spring.

According to this structure, when the connector is in the half-fitted state, the connector is pushed back to the insertion position by the biasing force of the spring, and the connector is half-fitted, despite the simple structure of the indicating means. The combined state can be easily and reliably identified.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electric connection box according to the first aspect, the indicating means is a spring piece formed on a movable member, and the connector is in a half-fitted state with the connector housing. At one time, the gist is that the connector is pushed back to the insertion position via the movable member by the urging force of the spring piece.

[0010] According to this structure, when the connector is in the half-fitted state, the connector is pushed back to the insertion position by the biasing force of the spring piece, despite the simple structure of the indicating means, and the half of the connector is pressed. The fitted state can be easily and reliably identified.

The invention described in claim 4 is the second and third inventions.
Wherein the connector housing includes a terminal penetrating the case main body, and the movable member is a movable plate having an insertion hole through which the terminal can be inserted as the terminal moves. Is the gist.

According to this structure, the terminals are not exposed from the movable plate when the connector is not mounted on the connector housing, so that dust is prevented from adhering to the terminals and the terminals are protected from external force. Becomes possible. Further, when the movable plate is moved to the inner bottom side of the connector housing with the insertion of the connector, the terminals are exposed through the insertion holes of the movable plate, so that alignment of the terminals (centering) can be easily performed. Can be.

[0013]

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the case body 11 of the electric connection box 10 is formed of a synthetic resin,
And an upper case 13. A plurality of insulating plates 14 made of synthetic resin are accommodated in the case body 11 in a stacked state. On the upper surface of each insulating plate 14, a bus bar 15 having a flat shape is provided. Bus bar 15
A male terminal 16 is formed upright at a part of the.

A rectangular cylindrical connector housing 17 is formed on the upper surface of the upper case 13. A plurality of through holes 18 formed in the bottom surface in the connector housing 17.
The male terminal 16 protrudes from the terminal. An engagement portion 19 is provided on one side of the peripheral wall 17 </ b> A of the connector housing 17 so as to project into the connector housing 17. Further, a flexible piece 22 is formed in the connector housing 17 by a pair of notches 21 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the peripheral wall 17A, and a locking projection 23 is provided at an upper end thereof toward the inside of the connector housing 17. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a movable plate 25 as a movable member is provided in the connector housing 17, and the movable plate 25 moves vertically along the inner surface of the peripheral wall 17A of the housing 17. It is arranged as possible. The movable plate 25 includes a peripheral wall 26 and a bottom wall 27, and a cutout 28 corresponding to the engaging portion 19 is formed in a part of the peripheral wall 26 and a part of the bottom wall 27.

A plurality of insertion holes 29 corresponding to the plurality of through holes 18 are provided through the bottom wall 27. These insertion holes 29 allow the plurality of male terminals 16 to be inserted as the movable plate 25 moves downward.

An engaging recess 30 is formed at the upper end of the peripheral wall 26 in the longitudinal direction of the movable plate 25 so as to be able to engage with each of the locking projections 23. When the movable plate 25 moves upward in the connector housing 17 and the engagement recess 30 engages with the locking projection 23, the upward movement of the movable plate 25 is restricted. At this time, the upper end surface of the peripheral wall 17A of the connector housing 17 and the upper end surface of the peripheral wall 26 of the movable plate 25 are substantially flush. In this state, the plurality of male terminals 16 are not exposed from the insertion holes 29 of the movable plate 25.

A plurality (two in this embodiment) of springs 32 are disposed between the inner bottom surface of the connector housing 17 and the movable plate 25, and the movable plate 25 is moved upward by the springs 32 in FIGS. Is biased to the position.

As shown in FIG. 3, a connector 35 that can be fitted and connected to the connector housing 17 is formed of synthetic resin, and a concave portion 36 corresponding to the engaging portion 19 extends vertically on one outer surface thereof. It is formed as follows. An operation piece 37 which can be elastically deformed from the lower end thereof is provided in the recess 36.
Are formed to extend upward. A locking claw 38 is formed on the outer surface of the intermediate portion of the operation piece 37 so as to protrude. A plurality of female terminals 39 are arranged in the connector 35 at predetermined intervals, and when the connector 35 is fitted to the connector housing 17, these female terminals 39 are connected to the connector housing 1.
7 is connected to the male terminal 16.

When the connector 35 is fitted to the connector housing 17 and connected to the bottom wall 27 of the movable plate 25 as shown in FIG.
Is moved to the inner bottom side of the connector housing 17 together with the connector 35 against the urging force of the spring 32. At this time, the plurality of male terminals 16 are exposed from the insertion holes 29 of the movable plate 25. As shown in FIG.
When the abutment 8 comes into contact with the engagement portion 19, the operation piece 37 bends into the recess 36. After that, when the engaging claw 38 moves over the engaging portion 19 and moves downward, as shown in FIG. 5, the engaging claw 38 engages the engaging portion 19 from below. Thereby, the connector 35 is locked and held at the fitting position with respect to the connector housing 17.

In this embodiment, the spring 32 constitutes an instruction means for instructing that the connector 35 is in a half-fitted state with respect to the connector housing 17. When the connector 35 is fitted and connected to the connector housing 17, as shown in FIG. 4, when the connector 35 is not completely fitted to the connector housing 17 and the assembling operation is completed in a half-fitted state, Since the movable plate 25 is urged to the upper position by the urging force of the spring 32, the connector 35 may be pushed back to the insertion position and the connector 35 may be in a half-fitted state, as shown by a chain line in FIG. Be instructed.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In the electric connection box 10 of the present embodiment, the movable plate 25 is disposed in the connector housing 17 of the case main body 11 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.
Urged upward by

Therefore, when the connector 35 is not completely fitted in the connector housing 17 and is in a half-fitted state when the connector 35 is fitted and connected to the connector housing 17, the connector 35 is moved together with the movable plate 25 by a spring. By being pushed back to the insertion position by 32, a half-fitted state is indicated. Accordingly, it is possible to easily and reliably identify that the connector 35 is in the half-fitted state, and to prevent the possibility that the fitting and connection work of the connector 35 will be terminated while the connector 35 is arranged in the half-fitted state. can do.

In the electric connection box 10 of the present embodiment, the indicating means is constituted by a spring 32 disposed between the connector housing 17 and the movable plate 25. When the connector 35 is half-fitted to the connector housing 17, the movable plate 2 is
5, the connector 35 is pushed back to the insertion position. Therefore, when the connector 35 is in the half-fitted state, the connector 35 is pushed back to the insertion position, and the half-fitted state of the connector 35 can be easily and reliably identified, despite the simple configuration of the indicating means. can do.

In the electric connection box 10 of the present embodiment, the movable plate 25 movably disposed in the connector housing 17 is provided with an insertion hole 29 through which the male terminal 16 can be inserted. And when the movable plate 25 is in the upper position,
The plurality of male terminals 16 are not exposed from the insertion holes 29 of the movable plate 25. Therefore, when the connector 35 is not attached to the connector housing 17, dust is prevented from adhering to the male terminal 16, and the external terminal is protected from acting on the male terminal 16 when the electric junction box 10 is carried. Can be. Further, when the movable plate 25 is moved to the inner bottom side of the connector housing 17 with the insertion of the connector 35 into the connector housing 17, the male terminal 16 is exposed from the insertion hole 29 of the movable plate 25. Mold terminal 16
(Centering) can be easily performed.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. To avoid redundant description, the same elements as those described in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof is partially omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the case body 41 of the electric connection box 40 is made of synthetic resin, and the lower case 42
And an upper case 43. A plurality of insulating plates 14 are accommodated in the case main body 41, and bus bars 15 having male terminals 16 formed upright are arranged on the upper surface of each insulating plate 14. A movable plate 44 as a movable member is disposed in the rectangular cylindrical connector housing 17 formed on the upper surface of the upper case 43, and the movable plate 44 moves vertically along the inner surface of the peripheral wall 17A of the housing 17. It is arranged as possible.

As shown in FIG. 7, the movable plate 44 is
And a plurality of (four in this embodiment) spring pieces 45a as support means at the center of the lower surface of the bottom wall 27.
45b, 45c, and 45d are integrally formed so as to protrude. Each of the spring pieces 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d has a quarter-arc shape. The spring pieces 45a and 45c are arranged opposite to each other so as to sandwich the plurality of male terminals 16 in the short direction of the movable plate 44, and the spring pieces 45b and 45d are also arranged in the short direction of the movable plate 44. Are arranged to face each other. The spring pieces 45a, 45b are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the movable plate 44, and the spring pieces 45c, 45b
5d is also provided along the longitudinal direction of the movable plate 44,
The tip of each of the spring pieces 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d extends outward in the longitudinal direction of the movable plate 44.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the plurality of male terminals 16 are provided on the bottom surface 17B of the connector housing 17.
A pair of guide grooves 46 and 47 are formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the connector housing 17 so as to sandwich the connector groove.
The guide groove 46 slides and guides the spring pieces 45a and 45b,
The guide groove 47 slides and guides the spring pieces 45c and 45d. When the movable plate 44 is housed in the connector housing 17, these spring pieces 45
a, 45b, 45c, 45d, the movable plate 44 is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 8, it is biased to the upper position.

In this embodiment, when the connector is not completely fitted in the connector housing 17 and the assembly operation is completed in a half-fitted state when the connector is fitted into the connector housing 17, the spring piece 45a, 45
Since the movable plate 44 is urged to the upper position by the urging forces b, 45c, and 45d, the connector is pushed back to the insertion position, and it is indicated that the connector is in the half-fitted state.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the movable plate 4
Since the spring pieces 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d are formed integrally with the electric connection box 4, the spring 32 does not need to be prepared.
0 can be easily manufactured.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows. In the above embodiments, the movable plates 25 and 44 have the bottom wall 27 provided with the insertion holes 29. However, the movable plate may have a frame-shaped bottom wall that contacts the connector 35. .

In the first embodiment, the two springs 32 are provided between the connector housing 17 and the movable plate 25. However, one or three or more springs 32 may be provided.
Further, it is also possible to arbitrarily set the arrangement location.

In the second embodiment, the movable plate 4
Although the four spring pieces 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d are formed in 4, the number of spring pieces, the location where the spring pieces are arranged, and the arrangement direction can be arbitrarily set.

Next, other technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described. The electrical junction box according to claim 4, wherein the movable plate does not expose the terminals at an upper position.
This prevents dust from adhering to the terminal and protects the terminal from external force.

[0037]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the invention, when the connector is not completely fitted to the connector housing and is in a semi-fitted state, the state can be easily and reliably identified.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the connector is in a half-fitted state, the connector is pushed back to the insertion position by the biasing force of the spring, despite the simple construction of the indicating means. In addition, it is possible to easily and reliably identify the half-fitted state of the connector.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the connector is pushed back to the insertion position by the biasing force of the spring piece when the connector is in a half-fitted state, despite the simple construction of the indicating means. Thus, the half-fitted state of the connector can be easily and reliably identified.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the terminal when the connector is not mounted on the connector housing, and to protect the terminal from applying external force. Also, since the terminal is exposed through the insertion hole with the insertion of the connector,
Terminal alignment can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing an electric connection box of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the connector housing and the movable plate.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional side view showing the connector housing and the connector in an exploded manner.

FIG. 4 is a partial side sectional view showing a half-fitted state of the connector to the connector housing.

FIG. 5 is a partial side sectional view showing a state where the connector is fitted to the connector housing.

FIG. 6 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing an electric junction box according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the movable plate.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an exploded partial sectional view showing a connector housing and a connector of a conventional electric connection box.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 41: case body, 16: male terminal, 17: connector housing, 19: engaging portion, 25, 44: movable plate as movable member, 29: insertion hole, 32: spring constituting pointing means, 35 ... connectors, 45a, 45b, 45c,
45d... Spring pieces constituting the indicating means.

Claims (4)

[Claims] An electrical connection in which a connector housing is formed in a case body, a connector is fitted in the connector housing, and the connector is locked and held based on engagement between an engagement portion of the connector housing and the connector. In the box, a movable member abutting on the connector is disposed in the connector housing so as to be movable in an insertion direction of the connector in accordance with the insertion of the connector, and the movable member or the connector housing has a connector mounted on the connector housing. An electric connection box provided with an instruction means for instructing that the connector is in a half-fitted state. 2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein the indicating means comprises a spring disposed between the movable member and a bottom surface of the connector housing, and the connector is in a half-fitted state with respect to the connector housing. An electrical connection box in which the connector is pushed back to the insertion position via the movable member by the biasing force of the spring when the connector is in the position. 3. The electric connection box according to claim 1, wherein the indicating means is a spring piece formed on a movable member, and the spring piece is attached when the connector is half-fitted to the connector housing. An electric connection box in which a connector is pushed back to an insertion position by a force via a movable member. 4. The electric connection box according to claim 2, wherein the connector housing includes a terminal that penetrates the case body, and the movable member can insert the terminal with the movement. An electrical junction box that is a movable plate with insertion holes.