JP2003087939A - Junction box - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the density of the circuitry of a junction box and reduce the size thereof. SOLUTION: Strip-shaped first vertical bus bars 13A are arranged in parallel in the X-direction in the case 12 of the junction box 10 and housed, and further second vertical bus bars 13B are arranged in parallel in the Y-direction in some areas and housed. A plurality of rows of first wire connection blocks 15A wherein a large number of cavities 16 for external wire terminal connection are arranged in the Y-direction are installed on the outer face of the case in positions corresponding to the first vertical bus bars 13A. A plurality of rows of second wire connection blocks 15B wherein a large number of cavities 16 are arranged in the X-direction are installed on the outer face of the case in positions corresponding to the second vertical bus bars 13B. The first vertical bus bars 13A and the cavities in the first wire connection block 15A are arranged in lattice shape, and the cavities in the second wire connection block 15B and the second vertical bus bars 13B are arranged in lattice shape. Electric wires inserted into the cavities are connected with the vertical bus bars in specified crossing positions to form a circuit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a junction box for an automobile, and more particularly, in a junction box using strip-shaped vertical bus bars that accommodate a large number of parallel internal circuits, a vertical bus bar and its wiring space are effective. It is used to reduce the size of the junction box and reduce the material cost.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, with the rapid increase in electrical components mounted on automobiles, the number of circuits contained in automobile electrical junction boxes, especially junction boxes, has increased rapidly to form branch circuits with high density. Moreover, the number of parts is extremely large, and the number of assembling steps is also very large.

In the junction box 1 shown in FIG. 11 of the electric connection box for automobiles, bus bars 5A to 5D are laminated between upper case 2 and lower case 3 with insulating plates 4A to 4E interposed. The upper case 2 is provided with a connector accommodating portion 2a, a relay accommodating portion 2b, and a fuse accommodating portion 2c, and a connector 6, a relay 7, and a fuse 8 are attached to these accommodating portions and project from these terminals and the bus bar. It is connected to the tab directly or via a relay terminal. There is also a case where the lower case 3 is also provided with a connector accommodating portion 3a and the tab 5a of the bus bar is projected so as to be connected to the connector. The bus bars 5A to 5D fixed to the insulating plates 4A to 4E are formed by punching a conductive metal plate into a desired circuit shape.

Further, instead of the bus bars 5A to 5D,
As shown schematically in FIGS. 12 (A) and 12 (B), a large number of vertical bus bars 5'are arranged in parallel inside the case 2 '(3') and accommodated therein, and fitted into an external electric wire or a connector accommodating portion. It may be connected to the terminal of the end of the electric wire in the connector. The vertical bus bar 5'is formed by forming a band-shaped conductive metal material to give a required bent shape.

[0005]

In the junction box 1 shown in FIG. 11, the bus bar is formed by punching it into a circuit shape. Therefore, when the circuit is changed, it is necessary to re-form the bus bar. Therefore, the mold for forming the bus bar is required. The cost is very high and there is a problem that it is not possible to flexibly deal with circuit changes. In addition, the yield of the conductive metal plate used as the bus bar material is very low, which causes a cost increase.

On the other hand, in the case of using the vertical bus bar 5'shown in FIGS. 12 (A) and 12 (B), since the conductive metal plate is used as the strip shape, the yield is improved and the routing efficiency is good and the strip shape is high. Since the connection can be made at any position in the longitudinal direction, the degree of freedom in design is high. However, the vertical busbar 5 '
Is not effectively used as a connection point over its entire length, and there is a problem that the wiring space and bus bar material are wasted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to reduce the size of the junction box and reduce the cost by reducing the waste of the wiring space for the vertical bus bars and the bus bar material housed in the junction box. Is an issue.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, the first vertical bus bars in the X direction are arranged in parallel in the case of the junction box, and the first vertical bus bars are accommodated in the case. On the outer surface of the case at the position where the vertical busbars are arranged, a plurality of first electric wire connection blocks in which a plurality of cavities for connecting external electric wire terminals are arranged in parallel in the Y direction are projected, and the first vertical busbars and the first vertical busbars arranged in orthogonal directions The cavities of the one wire connection block are formed into a grid shape in the XY direction, and
While connecting the vertical bus bar and the electric wire at a required crossing position to form a required circuit, a second vertical bus bar in the Y direction is housed in parallel in a partial area inside the case, On the outer surface of the case at the position where the second vertical bus bar is arranged, a plurality of second electric wire connection blocks having a plurality of external electric wire terminal connection cavities arranged in parallel in the X direction are projected, and the second vertical electric wires are arranged in the orthogonal direction. The junction is characterized in that the bus bar and the cavities of the second electric wire connection block are formed in a lattice shape in the Y-X direction, and the second vertical bus bar and the electric wire are connected at a required crossing position to form a required circuit. Offering a box.

In the junction box having the above structure, not all the vertical bus bars are the first vertical bus bars in the X direction fixed between the side walls of the case, but the first vertical bus bars are not connected to the electric wires. As for the part, the vertical bus bar and its arrangement space are wasted. Therefore, a region in which the useless portions are collected is provided, and the second vertical bus bar in the Y direction is accommodated in this region, and the second electric wire connection block in the X direction is provided to connect the second vertical bus bar and the electric wires. The junction boxes are connected in high density and the junction boxes are arranged at a high density, thereby making the junction box smaller.

Further, according to the present invention, the strip-shaped first vertical bus bars in the X direction are arranged in parallel inside the case of the junction box, and the outer surface of the case is arranged at the position where the first vertical bus bars are arranged. A plurality of electric wire connection blocks in which a plurality of electric wire terminal connection cavities are arranged in parallel in the Y direction are provided in a protruding manner, and the first vertical bus bars and the electric wire connection block cavities arranged in the orthogonal direction are arranged in a grid pattern in the XY direction. As a result, the first vertical bus bar and the electric wire are connected at a required crossing position to form a required circuit, while the second vertical bus bars in the Y direction are arranged in parallel in a partial area inside the case. A connector accommodating portion is provided on the outer surface of the case at the position where the second vertical bus bar is arranged, the connector accommodating the terminal of the electric wire terminal is fitted into the connector accommodating portion, and the terminal of the electric wire terminal is inserted into the second longitudinal direction. Bus bar Also it provides a junction box, characterized in that to form a required circuit are connected to.

In this junction box, the second vertical bus bar in the Y direction is not directly connected to the electric wire, but is connected to the electric wire in the connector fitted in the connector accommodating portion provided in the case. The electric wires that are inserted into the cavities of the electric wire connection blocks provided in the case of the junction box and connect to the vertical busbar are the wire harness electric wires that are connected before the junction box is assembled to the vehicle body. The wire harness that fits the connector connected to the terminal to the part is a wire harness that is connected to the junction box when the vehicle body is assembled. Therefore, when the second vertical bus bar provided in the empty space is used as the vertical bus bar for connecting the connector when mounting the vehicle body, a large number of connector connecting portions can be provided, and a high-density arrangement of the junction boxes can be realized.

The wire terminal directly inserted into the cavity of the wire connection block and the terminal of the wire terminal inserted into the connector fitted in the connector accommodating portion are provided with a pair of holding pieces, and the holding pieces hold the vertical bus bar. It is preferable to make electrical connection. As a result, it is possible to efficiently connect a large number of terminals to the vertical bus bar with one touch.

The junction box is divided into a base circuit section connected to an external circuit and a fuse connection circuit section and / or a relay connection circuit section, and a base module provided with the base circuit section and the fuse connection circuit section or / A fuse / relay module having a relay connection circuit section is provided, and these modules are combined to assemble a junction box.The base circuit of the base module is composed of strip-shaped vertical bus bars arranged in parallel inside the case. It is preferable that the vertical busbars are positioned and held in grooves arranged in parallel on the inner surface of the case, and the busbars housed in the fuse / relay module are connected to the vertical busbars of the base module.

In this way, the circuit of the junction box is divided into a base circuit section, a fuse connection circuit section, etc.,
By combining, connecting, and assembling the base module and the fuse / relay module provided with the respective circuit parts, for example, if the specification change occurs in the fuse connection circuit part, only the fuse / relay module needs to be changed,
Even if the specification is changed, it is sufficient to change only the module including the circuit that needs the change, and therefore it becomes easier to deal with the circuit change.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 show the entire junction box 100 connected to an automobile wire harness according to a first embodiment of the present invention, 10 is a base module, 11 is a fuse / relay module, and 18 is an ECU.
It is a case.

The base module 10 accommodates a strip-shaped vertical bus bar 13 inside a case consisting of an upper case 12 and a lower case 14. The vertical bus bar 13
As shown in FIG. 3, the first vertical bus bar 13A in the X direction is arranged in a substantially U-shaped region S1 that occupies most of the area, while Y is formed in a region S2 surrounded by the region S1.
The second vertical bus bar 13B in the direction is accommodated in a parallel state.

More specifically, the first vertical bus bar 13A accommodated in the area S1 is a long fixed bus bar 13A-1 arranged in the areas S1-1 and S1-3 over substantially the entire length in the X direction.
And the short non-standard size bus bar 13 in the area S1-2.
A-2 is arranged. A vacant space gathered on one side of the area S1-2, that is, an area S2 is provided, and the second vertical bus bar 1 including a short non-standard bus bar 1 is provided in the area S2.
3B is accommodated in the orthogonal Y direction.

The vertical bus bar 13 composed of the first vertical bus bar 13A and the second vertical bus bar 13B constitutes a base circuit, and includes the first electric wire connection block 15A and the second electric wire connection block 15B provided on the outer surface of the upper case 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal 20 of the electric wire w is directly inserted into each cavity 16 and is directly connected to the vertical bus bar 13. The fuse / relay module 11 is mounted on one side of the lower case 14 of the base module 10.

The base module 10 has a plurality of rows of the first electric wire connection blocks 15A in the Y direction at a position corresponding to the outer surface of the first vertical bus bar 13A on one side of the upper surface.
Are projected in parallel and the first electric wire connection block 1 of each row
5A has a large number of cavities 16 that are terminal insertion portions arranged in parallel in the Y direction. Similarly, on the upper surface of the upper case 12 corresponding to the outer surface of the arrangement position of the second vertical bus bar 13B, X
A plurality of rows of the second electric wire connection blocks 15B in the direction are projected in parallel, and the second electric wire connection blocks 15B in each row have the cavities 16 serving as terminal insertion portions arranged in parallel in the X direction.
Further, the connector accommodating portion 17 in the Y direction is provided in the area where the first and second electric wire connection blocks 15A and 15B are not provided. As shown, the first wire connection block 15A
Three connector accommodating portions 17 are provided between and the second electric wire connection block 15B.

As shown in FIG. 5, the inner surface of the upper case 12 has a groove 12a in the X direction and a groove 12b in the Y direction for fixing a plurality of first vertical bus bars 13A and second vertical bus bars 13B arranged side by side. I have set up. Each of these grooves 12a is continuous with the bottom opening of the cavity 16 of the first and second electric wire connection blocks 15A and 15B and the bottom opening of the connector accommodating portion 17 in a continuous manner, and the first vertical bus bar 13 is provided in each groove 12a.
A, the second vertical bus bar 13B is inserted into the groove 12b and positioned and held. The groove for positioning and holding the vertical bus bar 13 may be provided on the lower case 14 side as well.

The first vertical bus bar 13A and the second vertical bus bar 13B housed and held in the grooves 12a, 12b are positioned and fixed in the longitudinal direction thereof, and one side edge 13a in the longitudinal direction thereof is connected to the electric wire of the upper case 12. Connection block 1
5 is exposed in the lower opening 15a. The other side edge 13b of the vertical bus bar 13 is exposed on the lower case 14 side. The first vertical busbar 13A and the second vertical busbar 13B are connected to the terminals 20 of the electric wire terminals inserted in the cavities of the electric wire connection blocks 15A and 15B as shown in FIG. That is, the terminal 20 includes the pair of holding pieces 20a.
And the one side edge 13a of the vertical bus bar 13 exposed in the lower opening 15a below the cavity 16 is sandwiched and connected by the sandwiching piece 20a.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the lower case 14 fitted with the upper case is provided with a fuse / relay module installation portion 22 projecting from one end of the fitting portion with the upper case 12. ing. The fuse / relay module installation section 22 includes a fusible link accommodation section 23.
And the terminal hole 24 is provided. At the bottom of the fuse / relay module installation section 22, fuses
The case 25 of the relay module 11 is assembled.
A terminal accommodating portion 26 that fits into the terminal hole 24 is projected upward in the case 25, and a relay accommodating portion 27 is downwardly projected.
The fuse accommodating portion 28 is provided so as to project.

The above fuse / relay module installation section 2
As shown in FIG. 6, a bus bar 40 for a fuse relay is installed between the case 2 and the case 25, and one end of the bus bar 40 is provided with a terminal portion 40a that is bent upward so that the bus bar 40 is pressure-connected to the vertical bus bar 13. Thus, the vertical bus bar 13 of the internal circuit of the base module 10 and the bus bar 40 of the fuse / relay module 11 are connected. Bus bar 4 above
The other end of 0 is bent to form the tab 40b, and the fuse accommodating portion 28, the relay accommodating portion 27, the fusible link accommodating portion 2
The relay, the fusible link, and the fusible link terminal, which are inserted in 3, are connected to each other.

Further, an E is formed on the bottom of the base module 10.
The CU case 18 is assembled, the printed circuit board 55 is housed inside the ECU case 18, and the conductor of the printed circuit board 55 is connected to the bus bar 40 extending toward the base module 10.

The junction box 100 having the above structure
Then, among the first vertical bus bars 13A, the long bus bar 13A-1 is arranged on the bus bar which is utilized by connecting to the electric wire from one end to the other end in the X direction of the case,
A short busbar 13 is used for busbars that are not used to the edges.
Since A-2 is used, a solid empty space can be formed. This empty space is used as a new bus bar wiring area S2.
Is used as a wiring space for the second vertical bus bar 13B. That is, if the fixed length vertical busbars are arranged in parallel only in a certain direction, a wasteful portion that is not connected to the electric wire is generated, which wastes the material cost and the wiring space. On the other hand, in the present invention, the wasteful part is the second
Since it is used as a wiring space for the vertical bus bar 13B, waste of space and materials does not occur.

In the above junction box,
Base module 10 and fuse relay module 1
1 is separated and the fuse relay busbar 40 of the fuse relay module 11 is connected to the vertical busbar 13, so that the fuse relay can be used only when the connection between the base circuit and the external electric wire is changed. Module 11
Similarly, when only the fuse connection circuit of the fuse / relay module 11 is changed, the base module 10 can be shared and the design change can be easily dealt with.

7 and 8 show the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the second vertical bus bar 13 in the Y direction is used.
Upper case 1 at the arrangement position of the area S2 where B is arranged
It is a point that a connector accommodating portion 17 'into which the connector 30 is fitted is projected on the outer surface of 2'.

The connector accommodating portion 17 'provided in the upper case 12' is arranged in the X direction, and like the other connector accommodating portions 17 in the Y direction, as shown in FIG. The connector 30 in which 31 is inserted and locked is fitted, and the lock claw 30a on the outer side of the connector 30 and the locked portion 17a 'on the inner wall of the connector accommodating portion 17' are locked and coupled. The connector 30 has a cavity 30c in the X direction.
In addition, the vertical busbar insertion groove 30b is provided in the Y direction, the second vertical busbar 13B in the Y direction is inserted into the connector, and the terminal 31 in the connector is sandwiched and connected to the second vertical busbar 13B.

That is, the first in the X direction arranged in the area S1.
The vertical bus bar 13A and the electric wire w inserted in the electric wire connection block 15A in the Y direction are directly connected at a required intersection position to form a circuit, and the second vertical bus bar 13B and the electric wire w arranged in the region S2 are connected. A circuit is formed by connecting through the connector 30.

Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the area S2 where the first vertical bus bar 13A is not utilized.
Can be effectively used to form a high-density circuit. Further, with the above configuration, it is possible to increase the number of connector portions that are connected to the junction box when assembling the vehicle body without increasing the size of the junction box.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that regions S2-1 and S2-2 in which the second vertical bus bar 13B in the Y direction is arranged are provided at two locations.

Y in area S2-1 'and area S2-2'
The second electric wire connection block 15B and the third electric wire connection block 1 in a plurality of rows in the X direction are respectively provided on the outer surface of the upper case at the respective positions of the second vertical bus bars 13B and 13B ′ arranged in the X direction.
5C is projected. The second and third electric wire connection blocks 15B and 15C are provided with cavities 16 serving as terminal insertion portions juxtaposed in the X direction, and the cavities 16 are provided with electric wires as shown in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. The terminal 20 connected to the tip of w is directly inserted, and the second vertical bus bar 13B is sandwiched and connected by the sandwiching piece 20a.

That is, the first vertical bus bar 13A 'in the X direction and the electric wire connection block 15 in the Y direction arranged in the area S1'.
The electric wire w inserted in A is directly connected at a required crossing position to form a circuit, and the second vertical bus bar 13B ′ in the Y direction arranged in the regions S2-1 ′ and S2-2 ′ is also X-shaped. Wire w inserted in the wire connection block 15B, 15C in the direction
And the circuit is formed by connecting directly at the required crossing position.

In the third embodiment, since the regions in which the vertical bus bars are arranged in parallel are divided into a total of three places, the regions S1 ',
Circuit formation can be freely performed for each of S2-1 'and S2-2', and high-density circuit formation can be performed.

FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment. Area S2 '
Is an area for accommodating the second vertical bus bar 13B 'in the Y direction, and a connector accommodating portion 17' for fitting the connector 30 'on the outer surface of the upper case at the position where the second vertical bus bar 13B' is arranged. Both of the wire connection blocks 15B are provided so as to project.

That is, the second vertical bus bar 13B 'in the Y direction.
On the other hand, at the same time as connecting the terminal 20 connected to the wire w terminal inserted directly into the cavity 16 of the wire connection block 15B, the connector 30 connected to the wire w terminal is fitted into the connector accommodating portion 17 '. The terminals 31 in the connector 30 are connected by. In this embodiment, the area S
Also in the second vertical bus bar 13B 'in the Y direction in 2',
The circuit on the side where the terminal 20 is connected to the terminal and the circuit on the side where the connector 30 is connected to the terminal can be branched and connected easily via the second vertical bus bar 13B '.

[0037]

As is apparent from the above description, in the junction box of the present invention, the unused portion of the long bus bar which is not utilized over the entire length is cut, and the second vertical bus bar is arranged in the vacant space in the orthogonal direction. To form the required circuit. In other words, since it is possible to form circuits with high density without expanding the entire bus bar wiring space, it is possible to reduce the size of the junction box and reduce the cost by cutting waste of bus bar material. You can

The internal circuit of the junction box is divided into a base circuit section connected to the external circuit and a fuse connection circuit section and / or a relay connection circuit section,
A base module having a base circuit section and a fuse / relay module having the fuse connection circuit section and / or a relay module having the relay connection circuit section are provided, and a junction box is assembled from these modules to form a base of the base module. By configuring the circuit with the first and second vertical busbars, most of the electric wires connected to these vertical busbars can be small electric wires with a small current, so that the wiring pitch of the vertical busbars can be reduced. The junction box can be downsized also from the viewpoint.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a junction box according to a first embodiment of the present invention viewed from an upper surface side.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the junction box of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of the base module of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a connection state between a terminal of an electric wire terminal and a bus bar.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the inner surface side of the upper case before circuit formation from below.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of a junction box.

FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram of a base module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a connector, (A) is a perspective view of the connector to which an electric wire is connected, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the connector is fitted in the connector housing portion of the junction box.

FIG. 9 is a schematic circuit diagram of a base module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram of a base module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional junction box.

FIG. 12 is a view showing another conventional junction box.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 junction box 10 base module 11 Fuse relay module 12 upper case 12a, 12b groove 13A First vertical bus bar 13B Second vertical bus bar 15A, 15A '1st electric wire connection block 15B 2nd wire connection block 16 cavities 17, 17 'connector housing 20 terminals 20a clamping piece 22 Fuse module installation section 25 cases 30 'connector 32 cavities 40 Bus bar for fuse and relay S1, S2 area

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first vertical bus bar in the form of strips in the X direction is arranged in parallel inside a case of a junction box, and is housed on the outer surface of the case at the position where the first vertical bus bar is arranged for connecting an external electric wire terminal. A plurality of first electric wire connection blocks in which a plurality of cavities are arranged side by side in the Y direction, and the first vertical bus bars and the cavities of the first electric wire connection blocks arranged in the orthogonal direction are arranged in a grid pattern in the XY direction. As the first
While the vertical bus bar and the electric wire are connected at a required crossing position to form a required circuit, a strip-shaped second vertical bus bar in the Y direction is accommodated in parallel in a partial area inside the case, On the outer surface of the case at the position where the second vertical bus bar is arranged, a plurality of second electric wire connection blocks having a plurality of external electric wire terminal connection cavities arranged in parallel in the X direction are projected, and the second vertical electric wires are arranged in the orthogonal direction. The junction is characterized in that the bus bar and the cavities of the second electric wire connection block are formed in a lattice shape in the Y-X direction, and the second vertical bus bar and the electric wire are connected at a required crossing position to form a required circuit. box. 2. A first vertical bus bar in a strip shape in the X direction is arranged in parallel inside the case of the junction box, and the outer surface of the case at the position where the first vertical bus bar is arranged is used for connecting an external electric wire terminal. A plurality of electric wire connection blocks having a plurality of cavities arranged side by side in the Y direction are projected, and the first vertical busbars and the cavities of the electric wire connection blocks arranged in the orthogonal direction are formed into a grid shape in the XY direction. While the vertical bus bar and the electric wire are connected at a required crossing position to form a required circuit, a strip-shaped second vertical bus bar in the Y direction is accommodated in parallel in a partial area inside the case, A connector accommodating portion is provided on the outer surface of the case at the position where the second vertical bus bar is arranged, the connector accommodating the terminal of the electric wire terminal is fitted into the connector accommodating portion, and the terminal of the electric wire terminal is connected to the second vertical bus bar. Place Junction box, characterized by that the circuit formation. 3. An electric wire terminal directly inserted into the cavity of the electric wire connection block and a terminal of the electric wire terminal inserted into a connector fitted in the connector accommodating portion are provided with a pair of clamping pieces, and the vertical bus bar is provided by the clamping pieces. The junction box according to claim 1 or 2, which is sandwiched and electrically connected. 4. A base module provided with a base circuit part, wherein the junction box is divided into a base circuit part connected to an external circuit and a fuse connection circuit part and / or a relay connection circuit part, and the fuse connection circuit part. Or / and a fuse with a relay connection circuit
A relay module is provided and these modules are combined to assemble a junction box.The base circuit of the base module is composed of strip-shaped vertical bus bars arranged in parallel inside the case, and these vertical bus bars are arranged side by side on the inner surface of the case. The junction box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bus bar housed in the fuse / relay module is connected to the vertical bus bar of the base module, the bus box being positioned and held in the groove.