JP2002369338A - Fuse box - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuse box having the function of detecting whether or not insertion of a fuse device into a fuse box is normal. SOLUTION: When a fuse device 11 is inserted normally into a box 12, the device 11 is locked by locking pieces 28. A mounting body 41 of a cover 40 is attached on the upper part of the box 12 by being slid from the front. On the ceiling surface of a dome part 60 formed on the body 41, two angle-like ribs 61 are formed at prescribed intervals in a back-to-back manner so as to face in the insertion direction of the body 41 while a detection plate 63 is projected on the upper end of the device 11, and two detecting grooves 64 which are slidable by matching the ribs 61 are formed on the plate 63. If the device 11 is kept in a half-inserted state, the ribs 61 abut against the edges of the grooves 64 and pushing of the body 41 is regulated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuse box in which a fuse device in which an input / output terminal portion and a fuse element are integrally formed is housed in a box.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a fuse box directly attached to a battery is disclosed in JP-A-2000-195408.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. H10-264, pp. 157-334 is known. This one is
A plurality of plate fuses and a box made of a synthetic resin provided with a section for mounting each plate fuse are provided. In this box, an input terminal connected to the battery side is provided on one side of each mounting portion. The structure has been assembled in advance. Each of the plate fuses is mounted on a corresponding mounting portion of the box and one end of each of the plate fuses is screwed to the input terminal, while the other end of each of the plate fuses is screwed with the LA terminal crimped to the end of the electric wire. It is supposed to be. This conventional device has a dislike that the assembling work is troublesome, especially since the plate fuse is provided as a single item and must be individually assembled.

Accordingly, the present applicant has proposed a fuse device in which an input / output terminal portion and a fuse element are integrally formed, mainly to improve assemblability. Specifically, by pressing one bus bar, an input terminal portion, a plurality of tab-shaped output terminal portions, and a plurality of fuse elements connecting the input terminal portion and each output terminal portion are integrally formed. Form,
The structure is such that a resin mold portion is formed around each of the fuse elements while exposing the fuse elements. Then, the fuse device is housed in a box, and a mating terminal fixed to an end of the electric wire is fitted and connected to each output terminal, and an input terminal is connected to the battery. The cover attached to the box covers the vicinity of the connection between the input terminal and the battery.

[0004]

Here, a more specific view of the assembled portion of the fuse box will be described. The fuse device is inserted into the box from an opening on one side, and is provided between the two when the fuse device is inserted to the proper position. It is held in a locked state by the lock mechanism, but, for example, as a mounting procedure, if the mating terminal is mounted on the other side of the box first and the fuse device is inserted later, as the insertion proceeds, Since each output terminal of the fuse device is gradually fitted with the corresponding partner terminal and remembers a large resistance, there is a case where the insertion operation is erroneously stopped even though it is not at the proper position, that is, the fuse device is There was a risk of being left in the half-inserted state before being locked. The present invention has been completed on the basis of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a function capable of detecting whether a fuse device is properly inserted into a box.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to an input terminal portion, a plurality of output terminal portions arranged in a tabular shape, and the input terminal portion. A plurality of fuse elements connecting the terminal section and the output terminal sections are integrally formed by a conductive metal plate, and a resin mold section is formed around the fuse elements while exposing the fuse elements. A fuse device is provided, and the fuse device is housed in the box through an opening on one side, and the input terminal portion is held in a state where the input terminal portion protrudes from one side of the box in a locking state with locking means, A fuse box in which a cover capable of covering around the input terminal portion is attached to one side of the box, wherein a mounting portion of the cover to the box includes the box. The fuse device is slidably mounted in a direction intersecting with the insertion direction of the fuse device so as to close the opening, and between a rear surface of the fuse device in the insertion direction and a facing surface of the mounting portion. Is characterized in that a detecting portion is provided along the insertion direction of the mounting portion and can be fitted to each other when the fuse device is inserted to a regular position.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the detecting portion is provided with a restricting portion that restricts the mounting portion from separating rearward from the rear surface of the fuse device when fitted together. It has features where it is used.

[0006]

<Operation and effect of the invention><Invention of claim 1> After the fuse device is inserted into the box, the mounting portion of the cover is then slid along the direction intersecting the insertion direction of the fuse device while closing the opening of the box. Move. If the fuse device has been inserted up to the proper position, the detection unit is guided by the detection unit while fitting with each other, and the mounting unit is slid to the predetermined position. On the other hand, if the fuse device has not been inserted to the proper position, the detecting portions abut against each other, and the sliding of the mounting portion is regulated. In other words, it can be confirmed whether the fuse device has been inserted to the proper position by checking whether the mounting portion of the cover can slide, and since the detection function is provided at the place where the cover is mounted on the box, the structure is relatively small. Easy to do,
Also, there is no need to provide a detection step, and the assembling step can be simplified. <Invention of claim 2> The mounting portion of the cover is usually locked at both ends and may be lifted at the center, but the provision of the regulating portion causes the mounting portion to be separated rearward from the rear surface with respect to the fuse device. In the direction, that is, the center of the mounting portion of the cover is prevented from floating.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a fuse box 10 mounted on a battery B mounted on an automobile is illustrated. Roughly, as shown in FIG.
0 is attached to the battery terminal 70, and the connection terminal piece 18 of the fuse box 10 arranged on the side surface of the battery B is connected together with the starter terminal 73 to the battery terminal 70, and is mounted on the fuse box 10 and can be opened and closed. The cover 40 covers the periphery of the battery post P.

The structure of the fuse box 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The fuse box 10 includes a fuse device 11 and a box 12 made of a synthetic resin for housing the fuse device 11. The fuse device 11 includes a bus bar 13 formed by pressing a metal plate having excellent conductivity.
And an input terminal unit 1 connected to the battery B side.
4, five output terminal portions 15 shown in the form of tabs, and a fuse element 1 connecting the input terminal portion 14 and each output terminal portion 15.
6 are integrally formed.

The input terminal portion 14 is formed by projecting a connecting terminal piece 18 at a right angle from one side in the width direction of the base portion (the far right side in FIG. 1) over the entire width, and this terminal piece 18 is used for reinforcement. It is formed in an inverted U-shaped cross section, and a mounting hole 19 is opened at the tip end side. The output terminal portions 15 are formed side by side at predetermined intervals. Fuse element 16
Are provided with the same number as that of the output terminals 15, and are formed in a thin line shape and bent in a substantially S-shape so as to be easily blown. In the bus bar 13, in the region from the base end of the output terminal 15 to the base of the input terminal 14 to the base of the terminal piece 18, the resin molded part 2 is sandwiched between the front and back surfaces of the bus bar 13.
0 is formed. However, a window hole 21 is formed in a portion corresponding to each fuse element 16 and the fuse element 16
Are exposed to the outside on both sides.

One of the boxes 12 is formed in a flat, vertically-oriented box shape.
The resin molded portion 20 of the above-described fuse device 11
An insertion space 23 is formed in which a portion up to the portion where the fuse terminal 11 is formed is formed, and a female terminal fitting to be connected to each output terminal portion 15 of the fuse device 11 can be fitted in a lower portion thereof. The cylindrical portions 25 are formed so as to be separated from each other and arranged side by side. An insertion groove 26 through which the output terminal portion 15 can be inserted is formed on the ceiling surface of each of the housing cylinder portions 25.

At the upper ends of the left and right side walls of the box 12, as shown in FIG. 1, lock pieces 28 are formed by slits on both sides so as to rise, and each lock piece 28 is formed on the protruding end side. A locking hook 29 is formed on the inner surface, and the protruding end side thereof can be bent and deformed in and out.
On the other hand, at the upper end of the left and right side surfaces of the resin mold portion 20 of the fuse device 11, a projection 30 that is locked to the lower surface of the locking hook 29 of the lock piece 28 is formed. In addition,
The lower surface of the projection 30 and the upper surface of the hook 29 are tapered for the guide 34, respectively. Box 1
In the upper edge of the rear wall in FIG. 2, at the right side of FIG. 1, there is formed a relief recess 32 into which a portion of the resin molded portion 20 of the fuse device 11 formed around the base of the terminal piece 18 is fitted and released. Is formed.

The fuse device 11 is inserted from above into the insertion space 23 of the box 12 and advances straight along the guide 34 as shown by the arrow in FIG.
Penetrates through the insertion groove 26 and protrudes into the housing cylindrical portion 25 therebelow. At the end of insertion, when both projections 30 of the resin mold part 20 hit the locking hooks 29, the two lock pieces 28 are bent and deformed so as to open, and when the resin mold part 20 is inserted until it hits the bottom surface of the insertion space 23. When the projection 30 passes through the locking hook 29, the locking piece 28 is restored and deformed to lock the locking hook 29 on the upper surface of the projection 30 as shown in FIG. It is housed in a retaining state. At this time, the upper end surface of the resin mold portion 20 of the fuse device 11 is
The terminal piece 18 is flush with the opening edge of the upper end of
As shown in the figure, the resin mold portion 20 around the base portion is fitted in the relief recess 32 and released, while the box 1
2 protrudes toward the back side (the front side in FIG. 4).

When this is connected to the battery post P, the fuse box 10
A cover 40 that covers the periphery of the camera is mounted. The cover 40 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one side (left side in FIG. 5) of the mounting body 41 mounted on the upper end of the fuse box 10
2 is integrally formed so as to be swingable via a hinge portion 43. Note that the cover 40 is formed with the opening / closing lid 42 opened as shown in FIGS.

The structure of the portion where the mounting body 41 of the cover 40 is mounted on the upper end of the fuse box 10 will be described. A flange 45 having a predetermined thickness is formed on the upper edge of the box 12 so as to extend from the front surface to the left and right side surfaces (including the lock pieces 28). On the other hand, the mounting body 41
Is mounted on the upper surface plate 4 so as to be fitted on the upper surface of the box 12.
6, a front plate 47 and a pair of left and right side plates 48. In other words, it is formed in an open downward box shape on the rear surface. As shown in FIG. 6, the side plate 48 has a long hanging portion 48 </ b> A formed in a predetermined region on the rear end side, and the hanging length is gradually reduced toward the front plate 47. From the entire width of the lower edge on the inner surface of the front plate 47 to the same height position on the inner surfaces of the left and right side plates 48 and slightly beyond the center in the depth direction, the lower surface of the flange 45 of the box 12 A lockable hook portion 50 is formed.

A locking projection 52 is formed on the left and right outer surfaces of the box 12 at a position slightly behind the lock piece 28 (right side in FIG. 6). The front side of the locking projection 52 is a tapered surface for guiding. On the other hand, on the inner surface of the left and right side plates 48 of the mounting body 41, a locked projection 53 that can be locked to the rear surface of the locking projection 52 is formed at the lower end on the rear edge side. The rear surface side of the locked projection 53 is also a tapered surface for guiding. Therefore, after the rear edge of the upper surface plate 46 is brought into contact with the front side of the upper surface of the box 12, the left and right hooks 50 slide under the right and left flanges 45, so that the mounting body 41 of the cover 40 is moved rearward. And the front edge of the flange 45 is
7, the locked projection 53 fits behind the locking projection 52 and is prevented from slipping forward, and the entire length of the hooks 50 on the front surface and the left and right sides is the flange 45.
Is fitted below, so that it is prevented from being pulled out and mounted.

On the upper surface plate 46 of the mounting body 41 of the cover 40, a dome portion 60 having a trapezoidal shape and bulging upward by a predetermined size is formed at an end opposite to the side on which the opening / closing lid 42 is provided. Is formed. As shown in FIG. 5, two angled ribs 61 are provided on the ceiling surface of the dome portion 60 at predetermined intervals in a back-to-back posture.
And it is formed in the direction along the insertion direction of the mounting body 41. The rear ends of the ribs 61 (the right ends in FIG. 6) are slightly recessed from the rear edge of the ceiling surface of the dome portion 60.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the fuse device 11 constituting the fuse box 10 has a detection table 63 protruding from a left end side of the upper end surface of the resin mold portion 20 as viewed from the front. ing. The detection table 63 is formed with two detection grooves 64 that are slidable in alignment with the two ribs 61 on the mounting body 41 side of the cover 40 along the insertion direction of the mounting body 41. ing. Therefore, the fuse device 11 is inserted to a regular position in the box 12 and the mounting body 41 of the cover 40 is
When inserted along the second flange 45, the rib 61 and the detection groove 64 are set to be aligned.
Further, the fuse device 1 is provided on the upper edge of the rear wall of the box 12.
A protruding wall 66 that fits within the rear edge of the dome portion 60 of the mounting body 41 of the cover 40 at a position corresponding to the rear of the first detection base 63.
Are formed overhanging.

This embodiment has a structure as described above,
Subsequently, the operation will be described. When assembling the fuse box 10, first, the female terminal fitting crimped to the terminal of the electric wire is inserted into the accommodating cylindrical portion 25 of the box 12 and accommodated therein. Next, as described above, when the fuse device 11 is inserted into the insertion space 23 of the box 12 from above, and is pushed into a normal position where the output terminal portion 15 and the corresponding female terminal fitting are properly connected. , Lock piece 28
Are elastically locked by the projections 30 so as to be retained in a retaining state.

Next, the cover 40 is attached to the fuse box 10 with the opening / closing lid 42 opened. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 6, the rear edge of the upper surface plate 46 of the mounting body 41 is brought into contact with the front side of the upper surface of the box 12 and then pushed rearward. At this time, if the fuse device 11 is properly inserted into the box 12, the rib 61 and the detection groove 64 are aligned, so that the rib 61 slides along the detection groove 64, and Of the box 12 is pushed backward so as to slide below the left and right flanges 45 of the box 12.

At the end of the pushing, the locked projection 53 gets over the locking projection 52 while the side plate 48 is elastically opened, and is pushed into the proper position, as shown in FIG.
The side face plate 48 is restored and deformed, and the locked projection 53 becomes the locking projection 5.
2, the hook 50 extending from the front surface to the left and right sides is fitted below the flange 45 to be prevented from falling off.
1 is attached to the upper end of the box 12. In addition, since the angled rib 61 of the mounting body 41 is fitted into the detection groove 64, the upward movement of the mounting body 41 is also prevented.

By the way, when the fuse box 10 is assembled, if the female terminal fitting of the other party is first mounted on the housing cylinder portion 25 side of the box 12 as described above, and the fuse device 11 is inserted later, As the insertion progresses, each output terminal portion 15 of the fuse device 11 is gradually fitted to the corresponding female terminal fitting of the other party, so that a large resistance is memorized. May be stopped, that is, the fuse device 11 may be left in a half-inserted state before being locked by the lock piece 28.

At that time, the upper end of the fuse device 11 is in a state of protruding above the box 12. If the upper end of the fuse device 11 is protruding greatly, the mounting body 41 of the cover 40 will be mounted on the upper end of the box 12 in the next step. In this case, the pushing of the mounting body 41 is restricted by, for example, the rear edge of the dome portion 60 abutting against the detection base 63 of the fuse device 11 when the pushing is performed slightly. As a result, it is detected that the fuse device 11 is still in the half-inserted state.

On the other hand, even in the same half-inserted state, if the amount of protrusion of the fuse device 11 upward is small, as shown in FIG. 8, the detection base 63 is sunk into the dome portion 60 while the mounting body 41 is twisting. In some cases. However, in this case, if the rib 61 of the mounting body 41 is inclined or deviated with respect to the detection groove 64 and the mounting body 41 is
The push-in is restricted by the tip of the sensor hitting the edge of the detection groove 64 or the like. Thus, it is detected that the fuse device 11 is still in the half-inserted state. In such a case, the fuse device 11 is inserted into the box 12 again,
Subsequently, if the attachment body 41 of the cover 40 can be pushed in and attached properly, it is confirmed that the fuse device 11 has also been inserted and locked to the regular position.

The fuse box 10 is carried to a place where it is attached to the battery B with the cover 40 assembled.
At this installation site, as shown in FIG. 9, the battery terminal 70 is fixed to the battery post P by tightening the clamp part 71, and the fuse box 10 is arranged vertically along the front surface of the battery B. , Terminal strip 18
The mounting hole 19 of the battery terminal 70 is inserted through the mounting bolt 72, the starter terminal 73 is further inserted through the mounting bolt 72, and the terminal strip 18 and the starter terminal 73 are fastened together by a nut 74 screwed into the mounting bolt 72. It is connected to the battery post P via the battery terminal 70. Finally, cover 4
The open / close lid 42 of the “0” is closed as shown by the solid line, and the area from the terminal strip 18 and the battery terminal 70 to the battery post P is covered.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the mounting body 41 of the cover 40 is mounted on the upper end portion of the box 12, the fuse device 11 is mounted on the box 12 depending on whether the mounting body 41 can be pushed into the proper position. It can be confirmed whether or not it has been inserted up to the regular position in. Structurally, the ribs 61 and the detection grooves 64 serving as the detection portions are provided in the mounting body 41 of the cover 40 and the resin mold portion 20 of the fuse device 11, so that it is relatively simple with a slight change in the mold structure. Can be handled. In addition, since the attaching step of the cover 40 also serves as the detecting step, and there is no need to provide a separate detecting step, the assembling step can be simplified. Further, since the rib 61 and the detection groove 64 are formed in an angle shape, when they are fitted together, the cover 40 is prevented from coming off the mounting body 41, that is, the mounting body 41 is lifted up. Is prevented.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. (1) Contrary to the above embodiment, a rib may be provided on the fuse device side, and a detection groove may be provided on the mounting body side of the cover.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fuse box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fuse box as viewed from above.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from the front of the fuse box.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view before a cover is assembled to a fuse box.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the cover.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view showing the mounting operation of the cover.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view after a cover is attached.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway side view in a state where half-insertion of the fuse device is detected.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view showing a state where the fuse box is attached to the battery.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fuse box 11 ... Fuse device 12 ... Box 13 ... Bus bar 14 ... Input terminal part 15 ... Output terminal part 16 ... Fuse element 20 ... Resin mold part 21 ... Window hole 28 ... Lock piece (lock means) 29 ... Hook DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Protrusion (lock means) 40 ... Cover 41 ... Mounting body (mounting part) 42 ... Opening / closing lid 60 ... Dome part 61 ... Rib (detection part) 63 ... Detection table 64 ... Detection groove (detection part)

Claims (2)

[Claims] An input terminal, a plurality of output terminals arranged side by side in a tab shape, and a plurality of fuse elements connecting the input terminal and each of the output terminals are formed of a conductive metal plate. A fuse device is formed integrally and a resin mold portion is formed around the fuse elements while exposing the fuse elements, and the fuse device is housed in a box from one side opening, While the input terminal portion is protruded from one side of the box, it is held in a locking state by locking means, and a cover capable of covering around the input terminal portion is mounted on one side of the box. A fuse box, wherein an attachment portion of the cover to the box is arranged so as to close the opening of the box in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the fuse device. Between the rear surface of the fuse device in the insertion direction and the facing surface of the mounting portion, along the insertion direction of the mounting portion, and the fuse device is moved to a regular position. A fuse box, comprising: a detection portion that can be fitted to each other when inserted. 2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the detecting portion is provided with a restricting portion for restricting the mounting portion from separating from the rear surface of the fuse device rearward when they are fitted to each other. Fuse box as described.