JP2007037267A - Connecting structure of divided block - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the connection of an internal circuit of a first block side and an internal circuit of a second block side until a divided first block and a divided second block are completely connected. <P>SOLUTION: Female terminal accommodation parts for accommodating female terminals connected to the internal circuit of either of the first and second blocks are arranged at divided ends of the first and second blocks formed by dividing an electric connection box body, male terminal accommodation parts for accommodating male terminals connected to the internal circuit of the other block are arranged at the divided ends, the female and male terminal accommodation parts are engaged with each other to engage the female terminals and the male terminals, thus establishing the connection of the circuits of the first block and the second block, lock claws that are locked with each other on peripheral walls of the female terminal accommodation parts and the male terminal accommodation parts, and the female terminals and the male terminals are set not to contact with each other until the lock claws are completely locked. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection structure of divided blocks, and more particularly, to electrically and mechanically integrate divided blocks obtained by dividing an electric junction box in accordance with the division of a wire harness. This is to prevent a failure.

Conventionally, wire harnesses that are routed in automobiles have been divided into a plurality of wire harnesses that were originally one for the purpose of improving the efficiency of the power distribution system, etc. There are cases where the handling of electric wires is simplified.
As described above, the wire harness divided into a plurality of parts is manufactured in an individual assembly process, but the wire harness connected to the electrical junction box is usually connected and integrated with the electrical junction box. Therefore, it is necessary to divide the electrical junction box into a plurality of parts along with the division of the wire harness and to combine the divided electrical junction boxes later.

  As the electric connection box as described above, the present applicant provides an electric connection box 1 shown in FIG. 9 in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-166322 (Patent Document 1). The electrical junction box 1 is formed by combining the first block 2 connected to the divided wire harness W / H1 and the second block 3 connected to the wire harness W / H2. Specifically, the pressure contact tab 4a of the first bus bar 4 serving as the internal circuit of the first block 2 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 2a of the first block 2, while the second bus bar 5 serving as the internal circuit of the second block 3 is accommodated. When the tab 5a of the second block 3 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 3a of the second block 3, and the lock portion 2b of the first block 2 and the lock portion 3b of the second block 3 are lock-coupled, the terminal accommodating portions 2a and 3a are The press contact tab 4a and the tab 5a are connected by fitting.

With the electrical connection box 1, the internal circuit of the first block 2 and the internal circuit of the second block 3 can be connected simultaneously with the assembly of the first block 2 and the second block 3.
However, the press contact tab 4a and the tab 5a may be in contact with each other even when the lock portion 2b of the first block 2 and the lock portion 3b of the second block 3 are not completely locked together. In this case, if energization is confirmed by the continuity test, the first block 2 and the second block 3 may be mounted on the automobile in a half-fitted state. Thus, when the first block 2 and the second block 3 are mounted in a semi-fitted state, the lock between the first block 2 and the second block 3 is released and the pressure contact tab 4a and the tab 5a are not engaged. There is a risk of impairing the reliability of electrical connection due to contact.
JP 2004-166322 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the first block side terminal and the second block side terminal do not contact each other until the divided first block and second block are completely locked together. It is an object of the present invention to be able to detect the half-fitting between the first block and the second block by the continuity test.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention connects an internal circuit to one of the first block and the second block at the divided end of the first block and the second block formed by dividing the electric junction box body. While providing a female terminal accommodating portion for accommodating the female terminal, a male terminal accommodating portion for accommodating a male terminal connected to an internal circuit is provided in one of the other blocks, and the male and female terminal accommodating portions are fitted and the A circuit connection is made between the first block and the second block by fitting the female terminal and the male terminal,
Locking claws are provided on the peripheral walls of the female terminal housing part and the male terminal housing part, and the female terminal and the male terminal are not in contact with each other until the locking claws are fully locked. A featured divided block connection structure is provided.

According to the above configuration, when the first block and the second block are half-fitted, the male and female terminals connected to the internal circuits of the first and second blocks are prevented from contacting each other. The internal circuits of the first and second blocks are connected to each other only after the first and second blocks are completely fitted.
That is, as long as the internal circuits of the first and second blocks are connected to each other, the first block and the second block are always completely fitted. Therefore, in the continuity test after connecting the first block and the second block, if the energization between the first block and the second block is confirmed, the first block and the second block are securely fitted. It has become. On the contrary, the first block and the second block are in a half-fitted state unless conduction between the first and second blocks is confirmed in the continuity test. Thus, the fitting state of the first block and the second block can be confirmed by the conduction inspection of the first and second blocks.
Therefore, the internal circuits of the first and second blocks are connected to each other, but the situation where the first block and the second block are in a semi-fitted state can be prevented, and the first block and the second block are half-fitted. The reliability of electrical connection can be improved without being mounted on a vehicle in a combined state.

Specifically, the first block is a standby block, and the female terminal accommodating portion having an upper end opening is provided, and a first locking claw is provided at an upper end of a lock piece connected to the peripheral wall of the female terminal accommodating portion with a gap. While
The second block is provided with the male terminal accommodating portion having a lower end opening, and a U-shaped locking piece inserted into the gap of the first block is projected from the peripheral wall of the male terminal accommodating portion. A long second lock claw that is engaged with the first lock claw of the first block is provided,
The male and female terminals are not brought into contact with each other until the second lock claw is finally locked to the locking lower end surface of the first lock claw.

  According to the above configuration, in the state where the first block and the second block are half-fitted, the second lock claw is longer than the state in which the first block and the second block are fitted. Two blocks are arranged at a high position. As described above, since the height position of the second block is largely changed between the fitted state and the semi-fitted state, the first and second blocks have an inner portion when the first block and the second block are in the semi-fitted state. Terminals connected to the circuit can be made non-contact with each other.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the first block and the second block are half-fitted, the male terminal connected to the internal circuit of the first and second blocks does not contact the female terminal. Therefore, the internal circuits of the first and second blocks are connected to each other only after the first and second blocks are completely fitted.
Therefore, the internal circuits of the first and second blocks are connected to each other, but the situation where the first block and the second block are in a semi-fitted state can be prevented, and the first block and the second block are half-fitted. The reliability of electrical connection can be improved without being mounted on a vehicle in a combined state.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 (A) and 1 (B) show an electrical junction box 10 according to an embodiment, and a first block 20 and a second block 30 which are divided into two along a central line to be connected to separate wire harnesses, and these The upper case (not shown) is placed on the upper surface of the lower case 40.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the first block 20 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and an electrical component E such as a relay or a fuse can be mounted at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the synthetic resin main body 21. An electrical component housing portion 22 is provided. A connector portion 25 for connecting a connector and terminals of the wire harness W / H1 introduced into the first block 20 is provided on the lower surface side of the main body portion 21, and inside the main body portion 21, FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a bus bar 26 constituting a required circuit is internally provided between the connector portion 25 and the electrical component housing portion 22. A circuit connecting portion 27 for electrical and mechanical coupling with a second block 30 described later is provided at the approximate center of the split end 21a in the main body portion 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B), the circuit connecting portion 27 includes two female terminal accommodating portions 27b that project upward while being surrounded by a groove portion 27a. 27 b accommodates two female relay terminals (female terminals) 27 c connected to the bus bar 26. The relay terminal 27c accommodates the counterpart terminal in a state where it can be received from above. The circuit connection unit 27 further includes a lock unit 27d for coupling the first block 20 and the second block 30 with the counterpart terminal connected to the relay terminal 27c. The lock portion 27d is a lock piece that protrudes integrally with the peripheral wall of the female terminal accommodating portion 27b and the gap S at a position entering the center from the two female terminal accommodating portions 27b on the upper surface of the main body portion 21. 27e and a first lock claw 27f (FIGS. 6A and 6B) provided at the upper end of the lock piece 27e. The outer surface of the first lock pawl 27f is continuous with the upper end inclined surface 27f-1, the vertical surface 27f-2 that is continuous with the tip of the upper end surface 27f-1, and hangs downward, and the lower end of the vertical surface 27f-2. It consists of the latching lower end surface 27f-3 which consists of a horizontal surface.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4A, the second block 30 has a square shape with one corner cut out in plan view, and the first block 20 is formed on the upper surface of the synthetic resin main body 31. In the same manner as the above, there is provided an electrical component housing portion 32 in which electrical components E such as relays and fuses can be mounted at predetermined positions. As shown in FIG. 4B, a connector portion 35 for connecting a connector or a terminal of the wire harness W / H2 introduced into the second block 30 is provided on the lower surface side of the main body portion 31. As shown in FIG. 5 (A), a bus bar 36 that constitutes a required circuit between the connector part 35 and the electrical component housing part 32 is housed inside the 31. A circuit connection portion 37 for making electrical and mechanical connection with the circuit connection portion 27 of the first block 20 is similarly provided at substantially the center of the divided end 31 a in the main body portion 31.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the circuit connecting portion 37 includes a frame portion 37a that can be fitted into the groove portion 27a of the circuit connecting portion 27 of the first block 20, and a male terminal accommodating portion 37b in the frame portion 37a. In FIG. 2, two male tabs (male terminals) 37c that are connected to the bus bar 36 and are raised upward and then turned back and extend downward are accommodated. The male tab 37c is disposed at a position corresponding to the relay terminal 27c of the first block 20, and when the first block 20 and the second block 30 are coupled, the male tab 37c is inserted into the relay terminal 27c to electrically Connection is possible.

  A lock portion 37d that can be engaged with the lock portion 27d of the first block 20 is further provided at the center of the outer surface of the frame portion 37a. The lock portion 37d includes a U-shaped lock piece 37e that can be elastically bent with one end as a fulcrum, and a second lock claw 37f that is long in the vertical direction and protrudes from the outer surface of the lock piece 37e. . The outer surface of the second lock claw 37f is a latching upper end surface 37f-1 formed of a horizontal plane, a vertical surface 37f-2 that continues downward from the tip of the latching upper end surface 37f-1, and the vertical surface 37f-2. The lower end surface 37f-3 which consists of an inclined surface which continues with the lower end of this. The length L1 of the second lock claw 37f in the vertical direction is such that when the first block 20 and the second block 30 are fitted, the relay terminal 27c on the first block 20 side and the male tab 37c on the second block side Is larger than the distance L2 from the position where the first block 20 and the first block 20 and the second block 30 are completely fitted as shown in FIG. 6B to the tip position of the male tab 37c. Yes.

  When the first block 20 is a standby block and the second block 30 is assembled to the first block 20 from above, the frame 27a of the circuit connection portion 27 of the first block 20 is framed with the circuit connection portion 37 of the second block 30. The part 37a is fitted from above, and the male tab 37c in the male terminal accommodating part 37b of the second block 30 is inserted into the relay terminal 27c in the female terminal accommodating part 27b of the first block 20.

  FIG. 6A shows a half in which the upper end inclined surface 27f-1 of the first lock claw 27f of the first block 20 and the lower end surface 37f-3 of the long second lock claw 37f of the second block 30 are in contact with each other. A fitting state is shown. In this state, compared to the state in which the first lock claw 27f and the second lock claw 37f are fully locked, the second block 30 is at least as long as the length L1 of the second lock claw 37f with respect to the first block 20. It is placed at a high position. Therefore, the front end of the male tab 37c of the second block 30 is also arranged at a position that is at least L1 (> L2) higher than the final locked state, and the relay terminal 27c of the first block 20 and the male tab 37c of the second block 30 Are not in contact with each other, and the internal circuits of the first and second blocks 20 and 30 are not connected to each other.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 6B, the lock piece 37e of the second block 30 is inserted into the gap S between the peripheral wall of the female terminal accommodating portion 27b of the first block 20 and the lock piece 27e, and the lock piece 37e is bent and 2 The locking upper end surface 37f-1 of the lock claw 37f is permanently locked to the locking lower end surface 27f-3 of the first lock claw 27f of the lock piece 27e, and the locking portion 27d of the first block 20 and the second block 30 A state where the lock portion 37d is completely fitted is shown. In this state, the male tab 37c of the second block 30 is inserted into the relay terminal 27c of the first block 20, and the internal circuits of the first and second blocks 20 and 30 are electrically connected.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 21 of the first block 20, lock portions 23a and 23b for locking and coupling with lock portions 41a and 41b of the lower case 40 described later are provided. The lock portions 23a and 23b of the main body portion 21 are provided in a positioning recess 23c formed on the outer peripheral surface, and include a lock piece 23d that can be elastically bent with a lower end as a fulcrum, and a lock claw 23e. .
Furthermore, lock portions 24a and 24b for coupling to lock portions 33a and 33b of the second block 30 described later are provided on both sides of the split end 21a of the main body portion 21. The lock portions 24 a and 24 b are provided with a lock claw 24 d protruding from the upper end of the outer surface of the convex portion 24 c provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 21.

  2A, the upper left corner of the main body 21 has a half-cylindrical cylindrical shape for covering and guiding the upper half of the wire bundle of the wire harness W / H1 introduced into the first block 20. The upper fixed piece 28 protrudes outward in a predetermined oblique direction. Round terminal fittings (not shown) attached to terminals of the power supply line P (FIG. 1B) separately introduced into the electrical connection box 10 are bolts or the like on the left and right sides of the circuit connection portion 27 in the main body portion 21. Are provided with a pair of power connection terminals 29 for electrical and mechanical connection. 2 and 3 showing the first block 20, there are places where the description of the electrical component E and the wire harnesses W / H 1 and W / H 2 is omitted, but these components are previously placed in a predetermined position at the time of assembly. It is installed.

On the other hand, lock portions 33a and 33b for locking and coupling with the lock portions 24a and 24b provided in the first block 20 are provided at the left and right positions of the split end 31a of the main body portion 31 of the second block 30. The lock portions 33a and 33b are provided in positioning concave portions 33c formed on the outer peripheral surface, and similarly to the lock portions 23a and 23b of the first block 20, a lock piece 33d that can be elastically bent with the lower end as a fulcrum. And a lock claw 33e.
Further, lock portions 34a and 34b for locking and coupling with lock portions 42a and 42b of the lower case 40 described later are also provided on the left and right side surfaces of the main body portion 31. These lock portions 34a and 34b are also provided in a positioning concave portion 34c formed on the outer peripheral surface, and include a lock piece 34d that can be elastically bent with the lower end as a fulcrum, and a lock claw 34e.
Further, on the opposite side of the surface on which the lock portions 33a and 33b are formed, that is, on the center portion and the left side portion of the lower outer peripheral surface of FIG. Concave grooves 31b, 31c that can be fitted to the protrusions 48a, 48b protruding toward the direction are formed, and a fitting structure for positioning when the second block 30 is inserted into the lower case 40 is formed.

Moreover, the cross-section L shape for covering and guiding the upper half of the wire bundle of the wire harness W / H2 introduced into the 2nd block 30 in the required location on the right side surface of the main body part 31 of the 2nd block 30 is shown. The upper fixing piece 38 protrudes sideways.
4 and 5 showing the second block 30, there are places where the description of the electrical component E and the wire harnesses W / H1 and W / H2 is omitted. It is installed.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the lower case 40 is made of a synthetic resin, is formed into a bottomed box shape by the peripheral wall portion 43 and the bottom wall portion 45, and has a plan view shown in FIG. The substantially upper half is referred to as a first block housing portion 46, and the substantially lower half is referred to as a second block housing portion 47. The second block housing portion 47 is divided by a partition wall 43a that is integrally raised from the bottom wall portion 45, leaving a little left region of the lower case 40.

  Lock portions 41a and 41b for fixing the first block 20 accommodated in the first block accommodating portion 46 are protrusions 41A and 41B provided at the left and right positions of the inner surface of the peripheral wall 43 on the upper side in a plan view of FIG. Is formed. Similarly, lock portions 42a and 42b for fixing the second block 30 housed in the second block housing portion 47 are a protrusion 43A provided on the right side surface of the partition wall 43a in plan view, and FIG. 6 (A). Is formed on a protrusion 43B provided at a lower position on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 43 on the right side of the plan view. The protrusions 41A and 41B and the protrusions 43A and 43B have positioning fitting structures corresponding to the recesses 23c and the recesses 34c of the first block 20 and the second block 30, respectively. Further, the lock portions 41a and 41b and the lock portions 42a and 42b are provided with lock claws 41d and 43d to which the lock claw 23e and the lock claw 34e of the counterpart lock piece 23d and the lock piece 34d are engaged. Further, on the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 43 of the second block housing portion 47 and the right side surface of the partition wall 43a in the plan view, the protrusions 48a and 48b having semicircular cross sections corresponding to the concave grooves 31b and 31c of the second block 30 are provided. Is protruding.

In the peripheral wall portion 43 of the lower case 40, a wire opening 49 cut out from the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 43 to the bottom wall portion 45 is provided at the upper left corner of the plan view in FIG. The wire bundle of the wire harness W / H1 introduced into the block 20 can be pulled out to the outside. In the opening 49 for the electric wire, a lower fixed piece 49a having a half-cylindrical shape for covering and guiding the lower half of the electric wire bundle is directed to a predetermined oblique outer side corresponding to the upper fixed piece 28 of the first block 20. It is protruding.
Similarly, a wire opening 50 cut out from the upper end to the bottom wall portion 45 is also provided in the peripheral wall portion 43 on the right side of the lower case 40 in plan view, and the wire harness W introduced into the second block 30 through the wire opening 50. / H2 wire bundle can be pulled out. A lower fixing piece 50a having an L-shaped cross-section for covering and guiding the lower portion of the wire bundle is provided in the electric wire opening 50 so as to project in a predetermined direction corresponding to the upper fixing piece 38 of the second block 30. Yes.
In addition, a bracket BK for attaching the electrical junction box 10 to the vehicle body protrudes from a predetermined position on the outer surface of the lower case 40.

Next, a method for assembling the divided electrical junction box 10 will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 8 (A), the wire bundle of the wire harness W / H1 of the first block 20 is drawn out from the wire opening 49 of the lower case 40 to the outside, so that the first block housing portion of the lower case 40 is obtained. The first block 20 is inserted into 46 and pressed. As a result of this operation, the first block 20 is locked and fixed to the lower case 40 by locking the lower case fixing lock portions 23a and 23b of the first block 20 and the lock portions 41a and 41b of the inner surface of the lower case 40, respectively. The When the first block 20 is fitted into the first block housing portion 46, the first block 20 is fitted by aligning the recess 23c of the first block 20 with the protrusions 41A and 41B of the lower case 40. Is controlled to the correct direction. Further, the wire bundle of the wire harness W / H 1 drawn out to the outside is arranged between the lower fixed piece 49 a of the lower case 40 and the upper fixed piece 28 of the first block 20.

Next, the wire harness W / H2 of the second block 30 is arranged between the lower fixed piece 50a and the upper fixed piece 38 so as to be pulled out from the electric wire opening 50 of the lower case 40, and accommodated in the second block. The second block 30 is inserted into the portion 47 and pressed. In accordance with this operation, the second block 30 is locked and fixed to the lower case 40 by engaging the lock portions 34a and 34b for fixing the lower case of the second block 30 and the lock portions 42a and 42b of the lower case 40, respectively. . At the same time, the first block 20 and the second block 30 are locked together by engaging the lock portions 33a and 33b of the second block 30 with the lock portions 24a and 24b of the first block 20, respectively. During the fitting operation of the second block 30 to the second block housing portion 47, the protrusions 43A and 43B of the lower case 40, the recess 34c of the second block 30, the protrusions 48a and 48b of the lower case 40, and the second block 30 By aligning the concave grooves 31b and 31c, the orientation of the second block 30 can be regulated and stabilization after fitting can be achieved.
Simultaneously with the operation described above, electrical and mechanical connection is performed between the circuit connection portion 27 of the first block 20 and the circuit connection portion 37 of the second block 30 as described above.

  In this way, after the first block 20 and the second block 30 are lock-coupled to the common lower case 40, the first block 20 and the second block 30 are pulled out from the wire openings 49, 50 of the lower case 40 as shown in FIG. By winding and fixing the wire bundle of the wire harness W / H1 and the wire harness W / H2 between the upper fixed pieces 28 and 38 and the lower fixed pieces 49a and 50a with the tape T, the electric wire bundle is It fixes between the fixing pieces 28 and 38 and the lower side fixing pieces 49a and 50a. After completing a series of connection operations in this manner, the upper case opening (not shown) is put on the upper surface opening of the lower case 40 to protect the electrical component housing portions 22 and 32.

As described above, with respect to the common lower case 40, the electric and mechanical components of the divided blocks can be obtained by a simple operation in which the first block 20 and the second block 30 are sequentially inserted into a predetermined position and locked together. Realistic coupling can be achieved.
In addition, when the second lock claw of the second block 30 is long and the first block 20 and the second block 30 are half-fitted, the relay terminal 27c of the first block 20 and the second block 30 Since the male tab 37c is not in contact with each other, the internal circuits of the first and second blocks 20 and 30 are connected to each other only after the first and second blocks 20 and 30 are completely fitted. Therefore, although the internal circuits of the first and second blocks 20 and 30 are connected to each other, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the first block 20 and the second block 30 are in a semi-fitted state. The two blocks 30 are not mounted on the automobile in a half-fitted state, and the reliability of electrical connection can be improved.

(A) is a top view of the electrical junction box concerning the present invention, and (B) is a front view same as the above. (A) is a top view of a 1st block, (B) is a front view same as the above, (C) is a perspective view of a lock part. (A) is a bottom view of the first block, and (B) is a left side view. (A) is a top view of a 2nd block, (B) is a front view same as the above, (C) is a perspective view of a lock part. (A) is a bottom view of a 2nd block, (B) is XX sectional drawing of (A). (A) is sectional drawing which shows the half fitting state of a 1st block and a 2nd block, (B) is sectional drawing which shows the fitting state of a 1st block and a 2nd block. (A) is a plan view of the lower case, and (B) is a front view of the same. (A) is a top view of the state which fitted the 1st block to the lower case, (B) is the principal part enlarged view of a lock | rock part. (A) (B) is a figure which shows a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electrical connection box 20 1st block 21a Divided end 26 Bus bar 27 Circuit connection part 27b Female terminal accommodating part 27c Female relay terminal (female terminal)
27e Lock piece 27f First lock claw 30 Second block 31a Split end 36 Bus bar 37 Circuit connection part 37b Male terminal accommodating part 37c Male tab (male terminal)
37e Lock piece 37f Second lock claw 40 Lower case W / H1 Wire harness connected to the first block W / H2 Wire harness connected to the second block

Claims (2)

A female terminal accommodating portion for accommodating a female terminal connected to an internal circuit in one of the first block and the second block at a divided end of the first block and the second block formed by dividing the electric junction box main body. One of the other blocks is provided with a male terminal accommodating portion for accommodating a male terminal connected to an internal circuit, and the female terminal and the male terminal are fitted to each other by fitting these female and male terminal accommodating portions. The circuit connection between the first block and the second block is made,
Locking claws are provided on the peripheral walls of the female terminal housing part and the male terminal housing part, and the female terminal and the male terminal are not in contact with each other until the locking claws are fully locked. Characteristic divided block connection structure. While the first block is provided as a standby block, the female terminal accommodating portion of the upper end opening is provided, and a first lock claw is provided at the upper end of a lock piece that is connected to the peripheral wall of the female terminal accommodating portion with a gap,
The second block is provided with the male terminal accommodating portion having a lower end opening, and a U-shaped locking piece inserted into the gap of the first block is projected from the peripheral wall of the male terminal accommodating portion. A long second lock claw that is engaged with the first lock claw of the first block is provided,
2. The split block connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein the male and female terminals are set not to be brought into contact with each other until the second lock claw is finally locked to a locking lower end surface of the first lock claw.

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