JP2004201388A - Attaching structure for electrical junction box - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the position of an electrical junction box from being shifted to an opening in an instrument panel, and realize high attaching workability and cost reduction. <P>SOLUTION: This electrical junction box 10 is disposed at the opening 13 in a bottom surface 12a of a recessed portion 12 of the instrument panel 11, and electric parts provided at a front surface 15a of a case of the electrical junction box 10 are passed through the opening 13 to enable maintenance from an interior side. A flexible piece 16 of which the cross surface is of an L-shape having a latching pawl 16a is protruded from a side surface 15c of the case 15 of the electrical junction box 10, a latching wall 17 is protruded from a case side surface 15b, the electric junction box 10 is fitted into and inserted in the opening 13 from an engine room side to the interior side of the instrument panel 11, the latching pawl 16a is latched on a panel interior side of an periphery edge of the opening 13, and the latching wall 17 is brought into contact with the periphery edge of the opening 13 on the engine room side to sandwich the periphery edge of the opening 13 between the latching pawl 16a and the latching wall 17 to be firmly fitted in. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mounting structure of an electric connection box, and more particularly to a suitable mounting structure of an electric connection box arranged to be exposed to a maintenance opening of an instrument panel of an automobile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electric connection box (junction box, fuse box, etc.) disposed inside an instrument panel of a vehicle has a bracket protruding from a member (ring hose) as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-31525. Then, the electric connection box is attached and fixed to the bracket.
More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a pair of iron brackets 7 protrude from the members 2 traversing left and right on the engine room side (Y) inside the instrument panel 3, and the electric connection box 1 is attached to the brackets 7. Is fixed by bolting or the like, and the electrical connection box 1 is positioned at a maintenance opening 5 formed in the bottom surface of the concave portion 4 provided below the meter mounting portion 8 of the instrument panel 3.
In this manner, maintenance such as fuse replacement can be easily performed from the indoor side (X) only by removing the cover 6 of the recess 4.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-31525
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, a positional deviation may occur between the opening 5 of the maintenance concave portion 4 and the electric connection box 1 due to an attachment error of the instrument panel 3 or the like, and the appearance may not be good. Further, when the electric connection box 1 is fixed to the bracket 7 by bolting or the like, there is a problem that the fixing work takes time. In addition, the bracket 7 must be set on the member 2 in order to fix the electric connection box 1, and electric wires and air ducts routed along the member 2 are not damaged by the iron bracket 7. There was also a problem that the protection material had to be externally packaged and the cost increased.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and prevents a displacement when an electric connection box disposed inside an instrument panel is disposed to be exposed to a maintenance opening, while improving workability and cost. The task is to go down.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an electric connection box disposed inside an instrument panel of an automobile in a maintenance opening formed in a bottom surface of a concave portion of the instrument panel, In the mounting structure of the electric connection box that allows maintenance of the electric components provided on the front of the case through the opening,
A flexible piece having an L-shaped cross section protrudes from a side surface of a resin case of the electric connection box, and a locking claw is projected from an outer surface of the flexible piece, and a stop wall is formed from a side surface of the case. Protruding,
The electric connection box is inserted into the opening from the inside of the panel on the engine room side of the instrument panel to the room side, and the flexible piece is bent so that the locking claw is located on the inner side of the panel room on the periphery of the opening. And the stop wall is brought into contact with the engine room side of the panel at the periphery of the opening, and the periphery of the opening is clamped between the locking claw and the stop wall, whereby the electric connection box is formed. An attachment structure for an electric connection box, wherein the attachment structure is fixed to the opening.
[0007]
With the above configuration, the electric connection box is internally fitted and fixed in the maintenance opening of the instrument panel, so that it is possible to reliably prevent displacement of the electric connection box with respect to the opening.
Further, only by inserting the electric connection box into the opening for maintenance of the instrument panel, the flexible piece bends and the locking claw rides over and locks the periphery of the opening, thereby engaging the periphery of the opening. Since the electric connection box is automatically fixed so as to be sandwiched between the stop claw and the stop wall, the operation of fixing the electric connection box can be easily performed with one touch.
[0008]
Furthermore, since the electric connection box is directly fixed to the instrument panel, the bracket for fixing to the conventional member (ring hose) can be eliminated, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since the bracket can be eliminated, it is not necessary to provide a protective material to protect the electric wires, air ducts, and the like routed along the member from the bracket, so that the cost can be further reduced.
[0009]
The flexible pieces having the locking claws are respectively provided on opposing side faces of the case of the electric connection box, and the stop wall faces the side face orthogonal to the side face on which the flexible pieces are provided. Each is provided.
[0010]
With the above configuration, for example, the stop wall that abuts on the panel surface on the engine room side is arranged opposite to the upper and lower side surfaces (left and right side surfaces) to be stable, and the locking claw that abuts on the panel room side has left and right side surfaces ( (Upper and lower sides) to stabilize the vertical and horizontal balance of the fixed electrical junction box. Also, with the instrument panel in between, the engine room side panel surface and the indoor side panel surface Is pressed by the stop wall and the locking claw, and is firmly fixed.
[0011]
A rib is provided on a side surface of the case of the electric connection box, and a cutout portion where the rib fits is provided at a position corresponding to the rib at the opening of the instrument panel in which the electric connection box is fitted. It is suitable.
That is, if the electric connection box is not correctly fitted in the opening, the ribs will not be fitted in the notches, so that the electric connection box is oriented in a wrong direction with respect to the maintenance opening of the instrument panel. The fitting can be prevented.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment, in which a fuse box 10 (electric connection box) arranged inside an instrument panel 11 is directly fitted and fixed in a maintenance opening 13 of the instrument panel 11. ing.
[0013]
In the fuse box 10, the front side of the case 15 is a fuse mounting surface 15 a on which a fuse (not shown) or the like is mounted, and a flexible piece 16 having an L-shaped cross section is protruded from left and right side surfaces 15 c of the case 15. A locking claw 16a protrudes from the outer surface on the distal end side, and a stop wall 17 for panel abutment protrudes from the upper and lower side surfaces 15b of the case 15.
As shown in FIG. 4, the positional relationship between the locking claw 16a and the stop wall 17 is determined by a gap L between the locking surface 16a-1 on the back side of the locking claw 16a and the front surface 17a of the stop wall 17. Is substantially the same as the panel thickness of the periphery of the opening 13 of the instrument panel 11 described later.
[0014]
The instrument panel 11 has a concave portion 12 below the meter mounting portion 19, and an opening 13 for maintenance is formed in the bottom surface 12 a of the concave portion 12 so that the case 15 of the fuse box 10 can be fitted therein. The opening 13 is formed in a rectangular shape in conformity with the case 15 of the fuse box 10, and a flexible piece 16 is inserted into the left and right sides of the opening 13 so that the locking claw 16 a is locked. The notch 13a is notched. The thickness of the panel at the periphery of the opening 13 is L.
In addition, the recess 12 is covered with a removable cover 14 having a hole 14a serving as a handle, so that the fuse box 10 is normally invisible from the indoor side.
[0015]
Next, an operation of attaching the fuse box 10 to the instrument panel 11 will be described.
First, when the fuse mounting surface 15a of the fuse box 10 faces the indoor side (X) and is inserted into the opening 13 of the instrument panel 11 from the engine room side (Y), the flexible piece 16 bends inward. The locking claw 16a is inserted into the locked notch 13a of the opening 13, and when the locking claw 16a has passed over the locked notch 13a, it is elastically restored and locked as shown in FIG. At this time, the locking surface 16a-1 of the locking claw 16a is brought into contact with the indoor side (X) of the periphery of the opening 13 and the front surface 17a of the stop wall 17 is positioned on the engine room side as shown in FIG. (Y) is brought into contact with the panel surface. That is, the fuse box 10 is internally fitted and fixed in the opening 13 by sandwiching the periphery of the opening 13 between the locking claw 16 a and the stop wall 17.
The cover 12 covers the recess 12 so that the fuse box 10 cannot be seen from the room side.
[0016]
With the above configuration, the fuse box 10 is directly fitted and fixed in the maintenance opening 13 of the instrument panel 11, so that the fuse box 10 can be reliably prevented from being displaced with respect to the opening 13. Maintenance work can be performed stably, and the appearance can be improved.
Further, only by inserting the fuse box 10 into the opening 13, the flexible piece 16 bends and the locking claw 16 a gets over the locked notch 13 a of the opening 13 and is locked, and the peripheral edge of the opening 13 is locked. Since the fuse box 10 can be automatically fixed so as to be sandwiched between the claw 16a and the stop wall 17, the fixing operation of the fuse box 10 can be performed very easily with one touch, and the workability is improved.
[0017]
Further, since the fuse box 10 is directly fixed to the instrument panel 11 side, a bracket for fixing to the member 2 (phosphor hose), which is conventionally required, can be eliminated, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since the bracket can be eliminated, it is not necessary to provide a protective material to protect the wires, air ducts (not shown), and the like routed along the member 2 from the bracket, thereby further reducing costs. Becomes possible.
Needless to say, a junction box or a relay box may be used instead of the fuse box 10 as the electric connection box.
[0018]
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment.
The difference from the first embodiment is that a flexible piece 16 ′ having a locking claw 16 a ′ projecting outward is protruded from the upper and lower side surfaces 15 b ′ of a case 15 ′ of a fuse box 10 ′, and the left and right side surfaces of the case 15 ′. The point is that a stop wall 17 'is protruded from 15c'.
Further, the opening 13 'on the instrument panel side also has a notched notch 13a' vertically cut out corresponding to the position of the flexible piece 16a '.
Note that the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.
[0019]
FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment.
The difference from the second embodiment is that the rib 18 protrudes above one end of the upper side surface 15b "of the case 15" of the fuse box 10 ", and the opening 18" on the instrument panel side also corresponds to the rib 18. The notch 13b ″ is provided at the position where the notch 13b ″ is formed.
With the above configuration, if the fuse box 10 "is not properly fitted into the opening 13", the rib 18 will not be fitted into the notch 13b ", so that the fuse box 10" will be fitted into the maintenance opening 13 "of the instrument panel. It is possible to prevent fitting in the wrong direction.
The setting position and the number of the ribs 18 are not limited to the above-mentioned positions and the number, and may be provided so as to be asymmetric and structured.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and thus the description is omitted.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, since the electric connection box is internally fitted and fixed in the maintenance opening of the instrument panel, it is possible to surely prevent the electric connection box from being displaced with respect to the opening. In addition to this, a bracket for fixing to a member (ring hose), which has been required conventionally, can be eliminated, and cost can be reduced.
Further, since the bracket can be eliminated, it is not necessary to provide a protective material for protecting the electric wire, the air duct, and the like routed along the member from the bracket, so that the cost can be further reduced.
Furthermore, by merely inserting the electric connection box into the maintenance opening of the instrument panel, the periphery of the opening can be automatically fixed so as to be sandwiched between the locking claw and the stop wall. Installation work can be simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a fuse box (electric connection box) according to a first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on an instrument panel.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the fuse box is mounted on an instrument panel.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view before the fuse box is attached to an opening.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the fuse box.
5A is a cross-sectional view after a fuse box is attached to an opening, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view in another direction.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fuse box according to a second embodiment before being attached to an opening.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fuse box according to a third embodiment before being attached to an opening.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of attachment of a conventional electric connection box inside an instrument panel.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state of attachment of an electric connection box inside a conventional instrument panel.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 members (Linhorse)
10 Fuse box (electric connection box)
11 Instrument Panel 12 Recess 13 Maintenance Opening 13a Locked Notch 14 Cover 15 Case 15a Fuse Mounting Surface 16 Flexible Piece 16a Locking Claw 17 Stop Wall 18 Rib 13b "Notch X Indoor Side Y Engine Room Side

Claims (3)

The electric connection box disposed inside the instrument panel of the automobile is disposed in the maintenance opening formed in the bottom surface of the concave portion of the instrument panel, and the electric component provided on the front of the case of the electric connection box. In the mounting structure of the electric junction box which can be maintained through the opening,
A flexible piece having an L-shaped cross section protrudes from a side surface of a resin case of the electric connection box, and a locking claw is projected from an outer surface of the flexible piece, and a stop wall is formed from a side surface of the case. Protruding,
The electric connection box is inserted into the opening from the inside of the panel on the engine room side of the instrument panel to the room side, and the flexible piece is bent so that the locking claw is located on the inner side of the panel room on the periphery of the opening. And the stop wall is brought into contact with the engine room side of the panel at the periphery of the opening, and the periphery of the opening is clamped between the locking claw and the stop wall, whereby the electric connection box is formed. A mounting structure for an electric connection box, wherein the mounting structure is fixed in the opening. The flexible pieces having the locking claws are respectively provided on opposing side faces of the case of the electric connection box, and the stop wall faces the side face orthogonal to the side face on which the flexible pieces are provided. The mounting structure for an electric connection box according to claim 1, wherein the mounting structure is provided for each of the electric junction boxes. A rib is provided on a side surface of the case of the electric connection box, and a cutout portion in which the rib fits is provided at a position corresponding to the rib at the opening of the instrument panel in which the electric connection box is fitted. The mounting structure of the electric connection box according to claim 1 or 2.

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