JP2000316220A - Electric connection box - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make detachable easily a cover from an electric connection box. SOLUTION: A cover 16 comprises a plurality of divided bodies 16a, 16b. Simultaneously with this, the cover 16 is made slidable in parallel with a part mounting surface 13a. Therefore, when detaching the cover 16 from an electric connection box, it is detached therefrom every devided body 16a or body 16b rather than at one time. Accordingly, the space between the upper end surface of a case main-body 13 and the lower end surface of a bonnet 4 which is necessary for detaching the cover 16 can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric junction box used for, for example, an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an electric junction box of this kind is disposed in an engine room. As shown in FIG. 9, the electric connection box 71 includes a case body 72, and a component mounting surface 73 is provided with a mounting portion 74. In this mounting part 74,
Electrical components such as a fuse 75, a fusible link 76, and a relay 77 are detachably fitted. Case body 7
2, a cover 78 that covers the component mounting surface 73 is detachably provided. The cover 78 slides along a direction parallel to the component mounting surface 73.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11,
The electric connection box 71 may be mounted vertically on a vehicle panel 81 that separates the interior of the engine room 79 from the vehicle interior 80. Then, when replacing the fuse 75 or the like in the electric connection box 71 for maintenance or the like, the cover 78 is slid from the case body 72 and removed. After replacing the fuse 75 etc., the case body 7
The cover 78 is slid and attached to 2.

[0004]

However, when removing the cover 78 from the case body 72, it is necessary to slide the lower end of the cover 78 to the upper end of the case body 72. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, on the lower surface of the bonnet 82 arranged above the case body 72,
The cover 78 hits. The cover 78 is attached to the case body 72.
Similarly, it is necessary to dispose the cover 78 vertically above the case main body 72 and slide the cover 78 in this state. Therefore, the cover 7
Since there is no space just above one of the covers 8 in which one cover 78 is arranged, there is a possibility that the cover 78 cannot be detached from the case body 72.

Therefore, it is conceivable that the cover 78 is drawn out to the front side of the case body 72. However, in the engine room 79, automobile parts (not shown) are narrowly arranged. That is, there are also automobile parts near the front surface of the case body 72. Therefore, even when the cover 78 is slid to the front side of the case body 72, the cover 78 may hit an automobile part, and the cover 78 may not be detached from the case body 72.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric junction box in which a cover can be easily attached and detached.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an electric component is mounted on a mounting portion provided on a case main body. In the electric connection box in which a mounting surface is covered with a cover, the gist is that the cover is constituted by a plurality of divided bodies and the cover is slidably provided in a direction parallel to the component mounting surface.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in the electrical junction box according to claim 1, the case main body is vertically oriented with respect to the installation surface of the vehicle body such that the divided bodies are arranged in a vertical direction. The gist is that the electric component whose replacement frequency is relatively high is arranged on the component mounting surface corresponding to the divided body at the upper part.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electrical junction box according to the first or second aspect, each of the divided bodies is slidable in a vertical direction.

[0010] According to the invention described in claim 4, claims 1 to 3 are provided.
The electrical connection box according to any one of the above, further comprising a locking means for detachably connecting the divided bodies.

Hereinafter, the "action" of the present invention will be described. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the cover is attached to and detached from the case body by sliding the cover along a direction parallel to the component mounting surface. In this attachment / detachment, the entire cover is not attached / detached at once, but is attached / detached for each of the divided bodies constituting the cover. Therefore, the space required for attaching and detaching the cover is reduced. Therefore, the cover can be easily attached and detached.

[0012] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the electrical components whose replacement frequency is relatively high are arranged on the component mounting surface corresponding to the upper divided body. Therefore, when replacing frequently used electrical components due to maintenance, etc.,
Only the upper divided body needs to be attached and detached from the case body, and it is not necessary to attach and detach the lower divided body. In other words, it is not necessary to attach and detach all the divided bodies in order to replace the frequently-replaced electric component, which saves labor. Therefore, the replacement of the electric component can be performed quickly and easily.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the cover can be attached and detached by sliding each divided body along the vertical direction. According to the invention described in claim 4, each divided body is locked by the locking means. Therefore, the divided bodies do not accidentally separate from each other.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 8, the electric connection box 11 is housed in the engine room 2 of the automobile 1. The electric connection box 11 is fixed vertically to an installation surface 12 a of a vehicle panel (vehicle body) 12 provided between the engine room 2 and the vehicle interior 3. The electric connection box 11 includes a case body 13 made of a synthetic resin, and a plurality of mounting portions 14 protrude from the component mounting surface 13a. A relay 15, a fusible link 17, and a fuse 18 as electric components are detachably mounted on the mounting portion 14.

At the front of the case body 13, a cover 16 made of synthetic resin is detachably provided. This cover 1
6 covers the component mounting surface 13 a and the opening 13 b formed on the front surface of the case body 13.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
Hook-like guide portions 20a, 20b, 2
0c are protruded. Guide parts 20a to 20
c respectively extend linearly along the up-down direction,
They are arranged in a line in the vertical direction. The guide portions 20a to 20c are provided on the left and right outer surfaces of the case body 13.
A plurality of ridges 21a, 21b, 2
1c and 21d are formed. Each ridge 21a-21
d each extend linearly along the vertical direction,
They are arranged in a line in the vertical direction. Each ridge 21
a to 21d are parallel to the guides 20a to 20c.

The positions of the ridges 21a to 21d on the right side (right side in FIG. 5) of the case body 13 and the ridges 21a to 21d on the left side (left side in FIG. 5) are different from each other. . Here, the distance from each of the ridges 21a to 21d on the right side to the end face of the opening 13b of the case body 13 is defined as L1. On the other hand, each of the ridges 21a to 21d on the left side
Is a distance from the end of the opening 13b of the case body 13 to L2. The relationship between these distances is L1 <L2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, projecting portions 23 are provided on the left and right outer surfaces of the cover 16 so as to extend in the vertical direction. Guide grooves 24 are formed on the left and right inner side surfaces of the cover 16 inside the both overhanging portions 23. The guide groove 24 extends in the vertical direction, that is, along the longitudinal direction of the cover 16. The positional relationship between the left and right guide grooves 24 is the same as that of the ridges 21a to 21d. As shown in FIG. 3, hook-shaped engaging portions 25 project from the left and right inner side surfaces of the cover 16 on the inner side of the guide grooves 24. The two engaging portions 25 extend in the up-down direction and are parallel to the guide groove 24. The overhanging portion 23, the guide groove 24, and the engaging portion 25 are formed by the upper divided body 16a and the lower divided body 1 described later.
6b.

Both ends of the cover 16 can be engaged with the guide portions 20a to 20c. In addition, the protrusions 21a to 21d can be engaged with the guide groove 24. Further, both end edges of the case body 13 can be engaged with the engaging portion 25. With these engagements, the cover 16
Are slidable in a direction parallel to the component mounting surface 13a, that is, in a vertical direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of locking claws 2 extending in the vertical direction is provided on the outer surface of the lower end of the cover 16.
7, 28 are formed. And each locking claw 27,2
8 is adapted to bend around its base end. The tips of the locking claws 27, 28 can be engaged with engagement holes 29, 30 formed in the front end of the bottom wall of the case body 13. By this engagement, the case body 13 and the cover 16 are irremovably connected.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 16
It is composed of an upper divided body 16a and a lower divided body 16b provided thereunder. Each divided body 16a, 16b
Is approximately half the length of the cover 16 in the vertical direction. The vertical lengths of the divided bodies 16a and 16b are substantially equal. A coupling portion 31 is formed along the lower edge of the upper divided body 16a, and the inside thereof forms an engagement groove 31a. And each divided body 16a,
When the parts 16b are connected to each other, the upper edge of the lower divided body 16b is engaged with the engaging groove 31a. On the front surface of the cover 16, a lock mechanism 35 as lock means is provided at a location located at a boundary between the two divided bodies 16a and 16b. Then, by the lock mechanism 35, the divided bodies 16a and 16b are detachably connected to each other.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lock mechanism 35
Is composed of a lower engaging portion 36 provided at the center of the upper front end of the lower divided body 16b, and an upper engaging portion 37 provided at the center of the lower front end of the upper divided body 16a.
The lower locking portion 36 and the upper locking portion 37 are arranged to face each other. The lower engaging portion 36 is formed in a hook shape extending in the up-down direction, and has a protrusion 36a at its tip.
Are formed.

The upper locking portion 37 is connected to the connecting portion 3.
An operation piece 37 provided at the tip of the device 1 and extending vertically.
a. The operation piece 37a is adapted to bend along the arrow direction shown in FIG. 4 with its base end as a center. An engagement hole 37c is formed at the center of the operation piece 37a, and a projection 36a provided at the distal end of the lower engagement portion 36 is engaged with the engagement hole 37c. When the operation piece 37a is pressed against its own elastic force, the protrusion 36a comes out of the engagement hole 37c. As a result, the connection between the divided bodies 16a and 16b is released.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, each fusible link 17 and each fuse 18 are arranged in an upper half region (hereinafter, referred to as an upper region) R1 of the component mounting surface 13a. The upper region R1 is formed by the upper divided body 16a.
Almost corresponds to the front of. The relay 15 is disposed in a lower half region (hereinafter, referred to as a lower region) R2 of the component mounting surface 13a. The lower region R2 substantially corresponds to the lower divided body 16b. Therefore, the component mounting surface 1
In the upper region R1 of 3a, the fusible link 17 and the fuse 18, which are relatively frequently exchanged, are arranged.
Further, a relay 15 having a relatively low replacement frequency is arranged in the lower region R2 of the component mounting surface 13a.

The attachment and detachment of the cover 16 in the electric junction box 11 configured as described above will be described below. Before attaching the cover 16 to the case body 13, the upper divided body 1
6a and the lower divided body 16b are separately separated. Then, first, the lower divided body 16b is attached to the case body 13 first. Next, the upper divided body 16a is mounted on the case body 13. Specifically, each of the divided bodies 16a and 16b is mounted as follows.

As shown in FIG. 7 (a), with the hood 4 of the automobile 1 open, the lower divided body 1 is placed in a space formed between the case body 13 and the hood 4.
6b is arranged. The lower divided body 16b is moved downward,
The guide portions 20 a to 20 b provided with the both end edges on the case body 13.
Join 20c. Also, the projecting ridges 21 a to 2 provided in the case main body 13 are fitted in the guide grooves 24 provided in the lower divided body 16 b.
Incorporate 1d. Further, both end edges of the case body 13 are engaged with the engaging portions 25 provided on the lower divided body 16b. Then, the lower divided body 16b is slid downward from the upper end of the case body 13. When the lower divided body 16b reaches a predetermined position, the distal ends of the locking claws 27 and 28 are moved into the respective engagement holes 2
Locked at 9,30. Thereby, the lower divided body 16b
Is locked to the case body 13. Thus, the lower divided body 16b is mounted on the case body 13.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, a space formed between the case body 13 and the hood 4 is
The upper divided body 16a is arranged. The upper divided body 16a is moved downward, and both end edges thereof are engaged with guide portions 20a to 20c provided on the case main body 13. Also, the upper split body 1
The protrusions 21a to 21d provided on the case main body 13 are engaged with the guide grooves 24 provided on 6a. Further, the upper split body 1
Both end edges of the case main body 13 are engaged with the engaging portions 25 provided in 6a. Then, the upper divided body 16a is slid downward from the upper end of the case body 13. When the upper divided body 16a reaches a predetermined position, the upper edge of the lower divided body 16b is engaged with the engagement groove 31a of the connecting portion 31.

At the same time, the distal end of the upper locking portion 37 is inserted into a space surrounded by the lower locking portion 36 and the lower divided body 16b. When the distal end surface of the upper locking portion 37 abuts on the inner fixed surface of the lower locking portion 36, the operation piece 37a
The projection 36a is locked in the engagement hole 37c formed in the hole.
As a result, the divided bodies 16a and 16b are connected to each other. In this way, the upper divided body 16a is mounted on the case body 13.

To remove the cover 16 from the case body 13, the upper divided body 16a and the lower divided body 16b are separately removed. For this purpose, the lock of the lock mechanism 35 is first released. Specifically, when the operation piece 37a is pressed inward of the cover 16 against its own elastic force, the engagement hole 37a is pressed.
The engagement between c and the projection 36a is released. By this disengagement, the connection between the divided bodies 16a and 16b is released.

After the lock mechanism 35 is unlocked, the unlocked state is maintained and the upper divided body 16a is released.
Is slid upward to be separated from the lower divided body 16b. Then, the upper divided body 16a is further slid upward and removed from the case body 13. Also, the lower divided body 16
b, first, the locking claws 27 and 28 and the engagement holes 2
The engagement with 9, 30 is released. With the release state maintained, the lower divided body 16b is slid upward and removed from the case body 13.

Further, when replacing the fusible link 17 or the fuse 18 which is frequently replaced due to maintenance or the like, only the upper divided body 16a is removed by the above-described method. Then, with the lower divided body 16b still attached, the old fusible link 17 or the fuse 18
Is removed from the mounting portion 14, and a new one is mounted on the mounting portion 14. When replacing the relay 15 which is not frequently replaced, the upper and lower divided parts 16a, 16a can be replaced by the above-described method.
Remove b respectively. Then, the old relay 15 is removed from the mounting portion 14, and a new one is mounted on the mounting portion 14.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The cover 16 is composed of a plurality of divided bodies 16a and 16b. At the same time, the cover 16 is slidable in a direction parallel to the component mounting surface 13a. When the cover 16 is attached or detached, the cover 16 is not removed at a time, but each divided body 16 is removed.
a, 16b. For this reason, the cover 16
The space between the upper end surface of the case body 13 and the lower end surface of the bonnet 4 required for attaching and detaching the hood can be reduced. Therefore, the cover 16 can be easily attached and detached.

(2) The case body 13 is divided into the two divided bodies 16.
a, 16b are arranged along the vertical direction.
It is attached vertically to a. Then, on the component mounting surface 13a corresponding to the upper divided body 16a, electric components (fusible link 17 and fuse 18) which are relatively frequently replaced are arranged. Therefore, when replacing the fusible link 17 or the fuse 18 for maintenance or the like, only the upper divided body 16a needs to be removed from the case body 13, and it is not necessary to remove even the lower divided body 16b. That is, since the attachment and detachment of the divided bodies 16a and 16b can be minimized, the attachment and detachment does not take time. Therefore, the fusible link 17 and the fuse 18 which are frequently replaced can be quickly and easily replaced.

(3) A lock mechanism 35 for detachably connecting the upper and lower divided bodies 16a and 16b is provided.
Therefore, the lock body 35 inadvertently causes the divided body 1
6a and 16b do not separate from each other. In particular, the vibration generated when the automobile 1 runs causes the two divided bodies 16 to move.
a, 16b can be prevented from rattling.

The embodiment of the present invention may be modified as follows. In the above embodiment, the cover 16 is divided into two divided bodies 16
a, 16b. In addition, the cover 16 may be composed of three or more divided bodies. With this configuration, the space between the upper end surface of the case main body 13 and the lower end surface of the hood 4 can be further reduced.
Further, if the locking mechanism 35 is unlocked by pressing the operation piece 37a inward of the cover 16, the shape of each locking portion 36, 37 can be changed to an arbitrary shape. .

In the above embodiment, the divided bodies 16a, 1
The case main body 13 was mounted vertically so that 6b were arranged along the up-down direction. In addition to this, the divided bodies 16a, 1
The case main body 13 may be mounted horizontally so that 6b are arranged in a horizontal direction.

A plurality of lock mechanisms 35 described in the above embodiment may be provided. With this configuration, each divided body 16
a, 16b can be more securely locked together. In the above embodiment, the upper region R of the component mounting surface 13a
In FIG. 1, the fusible link 17 and the fuse 18 which are frequently exchanged were arranged. In addition to these electrical components, other electrical components that are frequently replaced may be arranged in the upper region R1 of the component mounting surface 13a.

In the above embodiment, the cover 16 is slid in the up-down direction. Alternatively, the cover 16 may be configured to slide in the left-right direction.

Next, in addition to the technical ideas described in the claims, the technical ideas grasped by the above-described embodiments will be listed below together with their effects. (1) The electric junction box according to claim 1, wherein the number of the divided bodies is two. According to this configuration, the cover can be quickly removed from the main body case.

(2) The electric connection box according to (2) or (1), wherein the electric component whose replacement frequency is relatively high is a fusible link or a fuse. The replacement of the fusible link or the fuse can be performed quickly and easily by maintenance or the like.

(3) The electric connection box according to (2) or (1), wherein the cover slides in a direction in which the divided bodies are arranged. (4) In any one of claims 1 or 2, (1) to (3), the case main body is attached vertically to an installation surface of a vehicle body such that the divided bodies are arranged in a vertical direction. And an electric connection box in which the electric components having relatively low replacement frequency are arranged on the component mounting surface corresponding to the divided body at a lower portion. According to this configuration, due to maintenance or the like,
Parts other than electric parts, which are relatively infrequently replaced, can be quickly replaced.

(5) In (4), the electrical component whose replacement frequency is low is an electrical junction box which is a relay. (6) The electric connection box according to any one of (3) to (5), wherein one of the locking means is provided at a boundary between the divided bodies. According to this configuration, the number of locking means can be minimized, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

(7) In (1), a locking claw protruding from one of the two divided bodies and an engaging hole provided on the other and engaged with the locking claw are provided. Electrical junction box. According to this configuration, the two divided bodies can be reliably locked to each other despite the simple configuration.

(8) In the electric connection box in which the electric component is mounted on the mounting portion provided on the case main body and the component mounting surface of the case main body is covered with the cover in this state, the electric component is mounted in a direction parallel to the component mounting surface. An electric connection box provided with the cover slidably along the electric connection box. According to this configuration, the cover can be easily attached and detached.

(9) In an electric connection box in which an electric component is mounted on a mounting portion provided on the case main body and the component mounting surface of the case main body is covered with a cover in this state, the cover is constituted by a plurality of divided bodies. Electrical junction box. According to this configuration, the cover can be easily attached and detached.

(10) An electric connection box according to (9), wherein the electric parts whose replacement frequency is relatively high are arranged on the part mounting surface corresponding to a predetermined one of the divided bodies. According to this configuration, it is possible to quickly and easily replace an electrical component whose replacement frequency is relatively high due to maintenance or the like.

[0047]

As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cover can be easily attached and detached.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, frequently replaced electrical components can be quickly and easily replaced by maintenance or the like. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since each of the divided bodies can be slid in the up-down direction, the attachment / detachment of the cover can be more easily performed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the cover and the case body from accidentally detaching.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an electric junction box according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electric connection box.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the inside of the electric junction box.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a lock mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view showing an engagement relationship between a case main body and a cover.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the electric junction box showing a state where the upper split body is removed.

FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of a case where a lower divided body is attached to a case body, and FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of a case where an upper divided body is attached.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a mounting position of an electric connection box to an automobile.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an electric junction box according to the related art.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a mounting position of the electric connection box.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram when a cover is attached to a case main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... electric junction box, 12 ... vehicle panel (body), 12a
... Installation surface, 13 ... Case body, 13a ... Component mounting surface, 1
4 mounting part, 15 relay (electrical component), 16 cover, 16a upper split body, 16b lower split body, 17
Fusible link (frequently replaced electrical components), 18
... Fuses (electrical parts that are frequently replaced), 35 ... Lock mechanisms (lock means).

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tatsuya Hayakawa 1-114, Nishisuehiro-cho, Yokkaichi-shi, Mie Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Nakadozono 2 Takaracho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Nissan Motor In-house F term (reference) 4E360 AB03 AB13 AB23 AB24 AB25 BA04 BB04 BB20 BB22 BC03 BC04 BC06 BC07 BD03 CA02 CA08 EA03 EA18 EA24 EB02 EC05 EC11 ED03 ED12 ED13 ED23 ED28 FA02 FA08 GA07 GA47 GA52 GA53 GB99 5A361 AC06 5G502 AA01 BA05 CC16 CC18

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electric connection box in which an electric component is mounted on a mounting portion provided on a case main body and a component mounting surface of the case main body is covered with a cover in this state, wherein the cover is composed of a plurality of divided bodies. And an electric connection box provided with the cover slidable along a direction parallel to the component mounting surface. 2. The case body is mounted vertically on an installation surface of a vehicle body such that the divided bodies are arranged in a vertical direction, and the case main body is mounted on the component mounting surface corresponding to the divided body at an upper part. 2. The electric connection box according to claim 1, wherein the electric parts whose replacement frequency is relatively high are arranged. 3. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein each of the divided bodies is slidable in a vertical direction. 4. The electric junction box according to claim 1, further comprising a lock means for detachably connecting said divided bodies.