JP2002359911A - Electrical junction box - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect a block to which relays are attached from receiving an impact, to protect electrical components from adverse effects, and to easily manufacture an electrical junction box. SOLUTION: A relay block 12, to which relays 15 are attached, is housed in a base 11. First protruding engagement parts 23 are formed on the relay block 12, while second engagement parts 24 are formed on the base 11. Positioning pieces 27a-27d, which position the relay block 12 while being bent when both the engagement parts 23 and 24 are engaged with each other, are formed on the inner side surfaces of a block-attaching inlet 22. The positioning pieces 27a-27d are pressed against the upper surface of the relay block 12 at all times, when the relay block 12 is in an attached state.

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 As shown in FIG.
A relay block 53 in which a relay 52, which is an electrical component, is mounted is accommodated in 1. The relay block 53 is mounted by being inserted into a block mounting opening 54 formed in the base 51. Locking projections 55 and 56 are formed on the inner surface of the block mounting opening 54 and the outer surface of the relay block 53, respectively. Then, by inserting the relay block 53 into the block mounting opening 54, the both locking projections 55 and 56 are engaged with each other. By this engagement, the relay block 53 is attached to the base 51.

A positioning piece 57 for positioning the relay block 53 at a predetermined position when the relay block 53 is mounted is provided on the inner surface of the block mounting opening 54. Due to the presence of the positioning piece 57, the engagement between the locking projections 55 and 56 is not released, and the relay block 53 is held in a state of being inserted into the block mounting opening 54.

However, in the conventional electric junction box shown in FIG. 4, the tip of one of the locking projections 55 protrudes obliquely upward in order to maintain the engaged state of both the locking projections 55, 56. In addition, the base ends of the other locking projections 55 and 56 are hollowed out. Since the locking projections 55 and 56 have such a shape, the relay block 53 is inserted into the block mounting port 54 to engage the locking projections 55 and 56.
Must be inserted deep. That is, the locking projection 55,
Since the relay block 53 is inserted more than the state when the engagement is made with the engagement 56, it is necessary to arrange the positioning piece 57 so as to retreat as viewed from the insertion side of the relay block 53. As a result, the relay block 53 is attached to the base 51.
After mounting, the positioning piece 57 and the relay block 53
A gap 59 is generated between the relay block 53 and the relay block 53. for that reason,
If the electric junction box vibrates due to an external factor, the relay block 53 will be shocked and the relay 52 may be damaged. Moreover, the relay block 53
And the positioning piece 57 collide with each other, or the locking projection 55,
56 may collide with each other, which may cause abnormal noise.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), it is conceivable to apply the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-135084 to the electric junction box shown in FIG. In this publication, a configuration for preventing rattling of the printed wiring board 61 instead of the relay block 53 described above is disclosed. That is, the case 62 includes the printed wiring board 61.
Is mounted. Case 62
Is provided with a synthetic resin elastic piece 64 to be joined to the printed wiring board 61. When the chassis 63 is attached to the case 62, the elastic pieces 64 bend, and the play of the printed wiring board 61 is prevented by the elastic force generated by the deformation. If such a configuration is applied to the conventional electric junction box shown in FIG. 4, it is expected that the rattling of the relay block 53 shown in FIG. 4 can be prevented. However, the elastic piece 64 protrudes along the side wall surface of the case 62, and furthermore, the elastic piece 64 is curved and thinner toward the distal end side to secure elastic force. Therefore, not only is it difficult to injection-mold the elastic piece 61 from a manufacturing viewpoint, but also the problem arises that the structure of the molding die becomes complicated. In addition, since the size of the elastic piece 64 cannot be increased, it is difficult to obtain a large elastic force.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art. The purpose is
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical junction box that can be easily manufactured while preventing an electrical component from being adversely affected by preventing an impact applied to a block.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first member is attached to one of a block to which electric components are mounted and a base to which the block is mounted. The block is attached to the base by providing a stop portion and providing a second lock portion on the other side, and when the block is inserted into a block mounting opening formed in the base, the both lock portions are engaged with each other. In the electrical junction box, provided with a positioning portion for positioning the block while flexing when the locking portion is engaged,
The gist is that the positioning portion is cantilevered at an angle substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the block mounting opening, and the positioning portion is always in contact with the block.

[0008] In the invention according to claim 2, in the electric junction box according to claim 1, the distal end of the positioning portion is provided with:
The gist is that it is formed thicker than other portions. According to a third aspect of the invention, in the electrical junction box according to the first or second aspect, the gist is that the positioning portion is arranged near a position where the both locking portions are engaged.

The "action" of the present invention will be described below. According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the block is inserted into the block mounting opening formed in the base, the first and second locking portions are engaged with each other, so that the block is attached to the base. When the locking portions are engaged, the positioning portion bends to the side where the block is inserted into the block mounting opening. For this reason, both locking portions can be easily and easily engaged.

Since the positioning portion is always in contact with the block, there is no gap between the positioning portion and the block, or between the locking portions. Therefore, the block will be attached to the base without rattling. for that reason,
Even if the electric connection box vibrates due to an external factor, the block and the positioning portion do not collide with each other, or the locking portions do not collide with each other. As a result, the impact on the block is reduced, and it is possible to prevent a malfunction such as a decrease in the function of the electrical component. At the same time, it is possible to reliably prevent generation of abnormal noise.

Further, since the positioning portion is cantilevered at an angle substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the base, manufacturing is easy and the positioning portion can be easily bent. . Therefore, it is possible to contribute to prevention of breakage of the positioning portion. In addition, when the electric connection box vibrates due to an external factor, the positioning portion bends, thereby absorbing the impact on the block. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent adverse effects on the electrical components.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the tip of the positioning portion is formed thicker than the other portions, even if the positioning portion, the block, and the like have a dimensional tolerance in manufacturing, the positioning is performed. The part can always be reliably brought into contact with the block.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the positioning portion is disposed near the position where the both locking portions engage, it is possible to prevent the two locking portions from colliding with each other. Especially effective for

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention embodied in an electric junction box accommodating a relay block will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
The base 11 is formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin,
A relay block 12 is accommodated therein. On the upper surface of the relay block 12, a relay 15 as an electrical component is provided.
Is mounted upright. A cover 17 made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin is mounted on the upper portion of the base 11 via a hinge 18 so as to be openable and closable. By closing the cover 17 to the base 11, the upper side of the relay block 12 is covered by the cover 17.

The relay block 1 is provided in the base 11.
A mounting space 21 for arranging the relay block 2 is defined, and the relay block 12 is inserted into the mounting space 21 through a block mounting port 22 formed below the mounting space 21. A first locking projection 2 as a first locking portion is provided on the inner surface of the block mounting port 22.
3 are protruded. The first locking projection 23 is
The distal end extends obliquely upward such that the distal end is located above the proximal end. On the other hand, a plurality of second locking projections 24 as second locking portions corresponding to the first locking projections 23 are provided on the outer surfaces of both ends of the relay block 12.
The second locking projection 24 extends obliquely downward such that the distal end is located below the base end. Then, by inserting the relay block 12 into the block mounting opening 22, the engagement protrusions 23 and 24 are engaged with each other, and the relay block 12 is attached to the base 11.

Next, the main part of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, two reinforcing ribs 25 and 26 projecting from the inner surface of the block mounting port 22 at an angle perpendicular to the surface are provided. That is, it can be said that two reinforcing ribs 25 and 26 are provided on the inner surface of the block mounting opening 22 except for the first locking projection 23. Positioning pieces 27a, 27b, 27c as positioning portions are provided on inner surfaces of both ends of the reinforcing ribs 25 and 26 facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the block mounting port 22.
27d is provided in a cantilever manner. Each positioning piece 27
The upper and lower surfaces of a to 27d are perpendicular to the inner surface of the block mounting port 22.

The length of the positioning pieces 27a to 27d in the horizontal direction is longer than that of the reinforcing ribs 25 and 26. The positioning pieces 27a to 27d are made of the same synthetic resin as the base 11, and are formed integrally with the base 11. For this reason, the relay block 12 inserted into the block mounting opening 22 is positioned by the positioning pieces 27a to 27d.
, The positioning pieces 27a to 27d are easily bent upward in the direction toward the tip.

The positioning pieces 27a to 27d have thick portions 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d on the lower surface of the distal end portion which are thicker than the portion from the base end to the vicinity of the center. In a state where the relay block 12 is assembled to the base 11, each of the thick portions 28a to 28d
2 is always in contact with the upper surface. In short, the tips of the positioning pieces 27a to 27d are always in contact with the upper surface of the relay block 12. Each of the thick portions 28a to 28d has a substantially hemispherical shape, and is in point contact with the upper surface of the relay block 12.

The positioning pieces 27a to 27d are arranged in pairs near the position where the locking projections 23 and 24 are engaged. In this embodiment, since there are two sets of both locking projections 23 and 24, a total of four positioning pieces 27a to 27 are formed.
27d. In addition, the positioning pieces 27a, 27b (27c, 27d) of each pair are arranged so as to face each other in the longitudinal direction of the block mounting port 22. In short, the pair of positioning pieces 27a, 27b (27c, 27d) are always in contact with both ends of the relay block 12 due to the above-described arrangement relationship.

To mount the relay block 12 on the base 11 of the electric junction box 10 configured as described above, the relay block 12 is inserted into the block mounting opening 22. When the relay block 12 is inserted, the upper surface of the relay block 12 becomes thicker portions 28a-2 of the respective positioning pieces 27a-27d.
8d. When the relay block 12 is further inserted deeper, the positioning pieces 27a to 27d are bent upward as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, and the locking projections 23 and 24 are engaged in this state. Is done. This allows
The relay block 12 is attached to the base 11. After the relay block 12 is attached, the positioning pieces 2
7a to 27d return to the state before bending, and the thick portions 28a to 28d remain in contact with the upper surface of the relay block 12.

The features of this embodiment are described below. (1) The positioning pieces 27a to 27d are always in contact with the upper surface of the relay block 12 attached to the base 11. Therefore, no gap is formed between the positioning pieces 27a to 27d and the relay block 12, or between the locking projections 23 and 24. As a result, the relay block 12
It can be attached without rattling. Therefore, even when the base 11 vibrates due to an external factor, the relay block 12 and the positioning pieces 27a to 27d do not collide with each other or the locking portions 23 and 24 do not collide with each other. Thereby, the relay block 12
And the relay 15 can be prevented from causing a contact failure. Moreover, generation of abnormal noise can be reliably prevented. Moreover,
Since a plurality of positioning pieces 27a to 27d are provided, the above-described effects can be further improved.

(2) When the relay block 12 is mounted on the base 11 by engaging the locking projections 23 and 24, the positioning pieces 27a to 27d are bent upward. For this reason, without inserting the relay block 12 into the block mounting opening 22 with an unnecessarily strong force,
3, 24 can be easily engaged.

(3) The positioning pieces 27a to 27d are cantilevered at an angle substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the base 11. For this reason, when attaching the relay block 12, each positioning piece 27a-27d can be easily bent. This means that the positioning pieces 27a to 27
27d is prevented from being damaged. Furthermore, relay block 1
Even if vibrations or the like are applied in a state where 2 is attached, the positioning pieces 27a to 27d bend. This is the positioning piece 27a
27d play a role like an elastic cushion, and the shock absorption of the relay block 12 can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the relay 15 from causing a contact failure.

(4) The positioning pieces 27a to 27d protrude at an angle substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the base 11. This is because the positioning pieces 27a to 27d are not curved or thinner toward the distal end. Therefore, the positioning pieces 27a to 27d can be easily formed without complicating the structure of the molding die. In addition, since the positioning pieces 27a to 27d can be formed large, a large elastic force can be secured.

(5) Thick portions 28a to 28, which are thicker than the other portions, are provided at the tips of the positioning pieces 27a to 27d.
d is formed. Therefore, for example, the positioning piece 27
The positioning pieces 27a to 27d can always be reliably brought into contact with the relay block 12 even when there are dimensional tolerances in manufacturing the a to 27d, the relay block 12, and the like.

(6) The thick portions 28a to 28d formed at the tips of the positioning pieces 27a to 27d are formed in a hemispherical shape. Therefore, since the tip portions of the positioning pieces 27a to 27d come into contact with the relay block 12 at points, the contact pressure can be increased.

(7) Each of the positioning pieces 27a to 27d
It is arranged in the vicinity of the place where both locking projections 23 and 24 are engaged. Therefore, the engagement between the locking projections 23 and 24 can be reliably maintained.

The embodiment of the present invention may be modified as follows. -Slits may be formed on both sides of the base end to facilitate bending of the positioning pieces 27a to 27d.

In the above embodiment, when the relay block 12 is mounted on the base 11, the elasticity of each of the positioning pieces 27a to 27d is applied only by bringing the respective positioning pieces 27a to 27d into contact with the relay block 12. Not to be. In addition to this configuration, the positioning pieces 27a to 27d may be displaced to a position slightly lower than the position shown in the above-described embodiment, or the thick portion 2
The thickness of 8a to 28d may be configured to be larger than that of the embodiment. With this configuration, with the relay block 12 mounted on the base 11, each of the positioning pieces 27a to 27
The elastic force d can always be applied to the relay block 12. Therefore, rattling of the relay block 12 can be more reliably prevented.

In the above embodiment, each positioning piece 27
a to 27d are attached to a block mounting port 2 formed in a base 11.
2 so as to be orthogonal to the inner surface. In addition, each of the positioning pieces 27a to 27d is positioned such that the distal end of the positioning piece 27a to 27d is located below the base end.
It is also permissible to project from 27d obliquely.

In the above embodiment, the locking projections 23 and 24 are provided on both the base 11 and the relay block 12. However, only one of the locking projections is used as the locking projection, and the other is engaged with the locking projection. It is good also as a locking hole made.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is embodied in the electric junction box 10 that houses the relay block 12 to which the relay 15 is mounted. Alternatively, the present invention can be embodied in an electric connection box that accommodates, for example, a fuse block and a connector block. If the same configuration shown in the above embodiment is embodied in a fuse block, it is possible to prevent a contact failure of the fuse. Further, if the present invention is embodied in a connector block, it is possible to prevent poor contact of the connector.

In the above embodiment, the positioning pieces 27a to 27d are made of the same synthetic resin as the base 11. In addition, each positioning piece 27a is made of a different synthetic resin.
27d and the base 11 may be integrally formed by two-color molding.

In the above embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 25, 2
A plurality of positioning pieces may be provided at equal intervals along 6. By omitting the thick portions 28a to 28d, the lower surfaces of the positioning pieces 27a to 27d may abut against the relay block 12 on the surface. Further, the thick portions 28a to 28d may be changed to a shape other than a hemisphere.

Next, in addition to the technical idea described in the claims, the technical idea grasped by the above-described embodiment will be described below. (1) The electric connection box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of the positioning portions are provided, and each of the positioning portions is arranged to face each other. With this configuration, the plurality of positioning portions are arranged at positions facing each other. This improves the balance of the portion pressed by the positioning portion.

(2) In any one of the first to third aspects, the thick portion formed at the tip of the positioning portion is formed in a hemispherical shape. According to this configuration, since the positioning portion contacts the block not at the surface but at the point, the contact pressure can be increased.

(3) A relay block to which a relay is mounted is inserted into a block mounting port defined in a part of the base, and a first block is inserted into one of an outer surface of the relay block and an inner surface of the block mounting port. A locking projection is provided, a second locking projection is provided on the other side, and when the relay block is inserted into the block mounting opening, the relay block is engaged with the base by engaging the locking projections with each other. In the relay block storage box to be mounted by mounting, the positioning portion for positioning the relay block while bending when the both locking protrusions are engaged is protruded in a cantilever shape substantially at right angles to the inner surface of the block mounting port, At the tip of the positioning part,
A relay block storage box, wherein a semicircular thick portion thicker than a base end portion is provided, and the thick portion is always in contact with the relay block. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent rattling of the relay block, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the relay from being damaged.

[0039]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a shock from being applied to the block, thereby preventing the electrical components from being adversely affected. , Can be easily manufactured.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if there is a manufacturing dimensional tolerance in the positioning portion, the block, and the like, the positioning portion can surely always contact the block.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is particularly effective to prevent the locking portions from colliding with each other.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electric connection box with a cover opened.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a positioning piece as a main part.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of an electric junction box according to the related art.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of an electric junction box according to another related art different from FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electric junction box, 11 ... Base, 12 ... Relay block (block), 15 ... Relay (electrical component), 22 ... Block mounting opening, 23 ... First locking protrusion (1st locking part), 24
... second locking projections (second locking portions), 27a to 27d ... positioning pieces (positioning portions).

Claims (3)

[Claims] A first locking portion provided on one of a block on which the electrical component is mounted and a base on which the block is mounted, and a second locking portion provided on the other;
When the block is inserted into the block mounting opening formed in the base, the locking portions are engaged with each other, so that the locking portions are engaged with each other in the electric connection box in which the block is mounted on the base. A positioning portion for positioning the block while flexing is provided, and the positioning portion is cantilevered at an angle substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the block mounting port, and the positioning portion is always in contact with the block. An electrical junction box characterized by the following. 2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein a tip portion of the positioning portion is formed thicker than other portions. 3. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein the positioning portion is disposed near a position where the both locking portions are engaged.