JP2013090407A - Waterproof box and electric connection box with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waterproof box capable of absorbing play between a main body case and a cover by lock means in a simple shape, and preventing water from entering from space between the main body case and the cover.SOLUTION: A waterproof box 1 includes a main body case 2, and an upper cover 3 fitted to the main body case 2. The main body case 2 and the upper cover 3 are provided with lock means 4 and 5 of locking each other, respectively in a state where the upper cover 3 is fitted to the main body case 2. The lock means 5 has a deformation part 52 which is formed in a frame shape and thinner than other parts, and has its outer surface and inner surface formed arcuately. The lock means 5 is drawn toward the main body case 2 and then the deformation part 52 is elastically deformed, so that the lock means 4 is positioned inside the lock means 5.

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof box used for an electric junction box or the like mounted on an automobile.

  A variety of electronic devices are mounted on automobiles. In order to supply power and transmit signals to these various electronic devices, electrical junction boxes are arranged at appropriate locations in the automobile. In the present invention, a junction block (also referred to as a junction box), a fuse block (also referred to as a fuse box), and a relay block (also referred to as a relay box) are collectively referred to as an electrical connection box.

  In order to prevent water from entering the electric junction box during rainy weather or car washing, a waterproof box is used (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). Moreover, FIGS. 8-12 is a figure which shows the waterproof box used for the conventional electrical junction box.

  A waterproof box 301 shown in FIG. 8 includes a main body case 302, an upper cover 303 attached to the main body case 302 so as to cover the opening of the main body case 302, and a lower cover (not shown). Moreover, the code | symbol 301a in FIG. 8 has shown the one end of the waterproof box 301, and the code | symbol 301b has shown the other end of the waterproof box 301. FIG.

  In the waterproof box 301, an engaging portion is provided on the one end 301 a side of the upper cover 303, and an engaged portion on which the engaging portion is engaged is provided on the one end 301 a side of the main body case 302. Further, a frame-like locking means 305 is provided on the other end 301 b side of the upper cover 303, and a protruding locking means 304 that is engaged with the locking means 305 is provided on the other end 301 b side of the main body case 302.

  When attaching the above-described upper cover 303 to the main body case 302, the upper cover 303 is rotated while the engaging portion of the upper cover 303 is hooked on the engaged portion of the main body case 302 and the engaging portion is set as the rotation center. Then, the lock unit 305 is attached to the main body case 302 by engaging the lock unit 304 with the lock unit 304.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, clearances are set in the locking means 305 and the locking means 304 for reasons of manufacturing and structural reasons for locking. For this reason, the waterproof box 301 has a backlash in the direction of arrow H in a state where the lock unit 305 and the lock unit 304 are engaged with each other.

  A waterproof box 401 shown in FIG. 10 includes a main body case 402, an upper cover 403 attached to the main body case 402 so as to cover the opening of the main body case 402, and a lower cover (not shown). Further, reference numeral 401 a in FIG. 10 indicates one end of the waterproof box 401, and reference numeral 401 b indicates the other end of the waterproof box 401.

  In the waterproof box 401, an engaging portion is provided on the one end 401a side of the upper cover 403, and an engaged portion to which the engaging portion is engaged is provided on the one end 401a side of the main body case 402. Further, a lock unit 407 is provided on the other end 401 b side of the upper cover 403, and a lock unit 406 that is engaged with the lock unit 407 is provided on the other end 401 b side of the main body case 402.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the lock unit 407 includes a plate portion 470 that is spaced from the side wall of the upper cover 403, and a protrusion 471 that protrudes from the outer surface of the plate portion 470. As shown in FIG. 12, the lock unit 406 includes a plate portion 460 disposed outside the plate portion 470 and a protrusion 461 protruding from the inner surface of the plate portion 460. As shown in FIG. 12, the locking unit 407 and the locking unit 406 are locked to each other when the plate portion 470 is positioned inside the plate portion 460 and the projection 471 gets over the projection 461.

  When attaching the above-described upper cover 403 to the main body case 402, the upper cover 403 is rotated while the engaging portion of the upper cover 403 is hooked on the engaged portion of the main body case 402 and the engaging portion is set as the rotation center. Then, the locking means 407 is attached to the main body case 402 by being locked to the locking means 406.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the protrusion 471 of the locking means 407 and the protrusion 461 of the locking means 406 have a clearance set in the direction of arrow J for manufacturing reasons and structural reasons for locking. Yes. For this reason, the waterproof box 401 has a backlash in the direction of the arrow J in a state where the lock unit 407 and the lock unit 406 are engaged with each other.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-135084 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-113420

  In the above-described waterproof boxes 301 and 401, there is a possibility that a gap is generated in the water stop surface between the upper covers 303 and 403 and the main body cases 302 and 402 due to the backlash caused by the lock structure described above, and water may enter the box. There was a problem that there was.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a lock structure that absorbs backlash between the cover and the main body case by providing one of a pair of locking means that are locked to each other and a protruding portion that elastically contacts the other. However, in order to provide such a projecting portion, a mold having a complicated shape is required, and there is a problem that a high cost is involved.

  Therefore, the present invention includes a waterproof box that can absorb backlash between the main body case and the cover by a simple locking means, and can prevent water from entering between the main body case and the cover, and the waterproof box. The purpose is to provide an electrical junction box.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 includes a main body case and a cover attached to the main body case, and the cover is attached to the main body case and the cover, respectively. In the waterproof box provided with the locking means that locks each other in a state in which the two are locked, one of the pair of locking means is formed to be elastically deformable, and the one locking means is a member provided with the other locking means It is a waterproof box that is locked to the other locking means by being pulled to the side.

  The invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, wherein the one locking means is formed in a frame shape and is formed thinner than the other part, and the outer surface and the inner surface are circular. A deformed portion formed in an arc shape, and the one lock means is pulled toward the member provided with the other lock means, so that the deformable portion is elastically deformed, and the inside of the one lock means The other locking means is positioned.

  The invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 1, wherein the one locking means is formed in a cantilever shape and is 180 in a U shape from the fixed end side to the free end side. An arm folded back and a protrusion provided on the free end side of the arm, and the free end side of the arm is pulled toward the member side on which the other locking means is provided, whereby the arm is elastic By being deformed, the projection is locked to the other locking means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention described in the third aspect of the present invention, a second protrusion capable of being engaged with the other locking means is provided on a free end side of the protrusion of the arm. It is characterized by being provided.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric junction box comprising the waterproof box according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, one of the pair of locking means is formed so as to be elastically deformable, and the one locking means is pulled to the member side provided with the other locking means. Since it is engaged with the other locking means, the pair of locking means come into close contact with each other by the elastic restoring force of the one locking means, and the play between the main body case and the cover can be absorbed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a waterproof box that can absorb the play between the main body case and the cover by the lock means having a simple shape and can prevent water from entering between the main body case and the cover.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, the one locking means is formed in a frame shape, is formed thinner than the other portion, and has a deformed portion whose outer surface and inner surface are formed in an arc shape. And the one locking means is pulled toward the member provided with the other locking means, whereby the deforming portion is elastically deformed, and the other locking means is positioned inside the one locking means. Therefore, the pair of locking means are brought into close contact with each other by the elastic restoring force of the deformable portion, and the play between the main body case and the cover can be absorbed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a waterproof box that can absorb the play between the main body case and the cover by the lock means having a simple shape and can prevent water from entering between the main body case and the cover.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, the one locking means is formed in a cantilever plate shape and is folded back 180 degrees in a U shape from the fixed end side to the free end side, and A protrusion provided on the free end side of the arm, the arm is elastically deformed by pulling the free end side of the arm to the member side provided with the other locking means, and the protrusion is Since the other locking means is engaged, the pair of locking means are brought into close contact with each other by the elastic restoring force of the arm, and the backlash between the main body case and the cover can be absorbed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a waterproof box that can absorb the play between the main body case and the cover by the lock means having a simple shape and can prevent water from entering between the main body case and the cover.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, since the second protrusion that can be engaged with the other locking means is provided on the free end side of the protrusion of the arm, the second protrusion The pair of locking means can be temporarily locked with each other by engaging the protrusions of the protrusions with the other locking means.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since the waterproof box according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided, an electrical junction box having high waterproof performance can be provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the electrical junction box provided with the waterproof box concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a pair of locking means provided in the waterproof box shown by FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a pair of locking means shown in FIG. 2 is locked together. It is a perspective view which shows the electrical-connection box provided with the waterproof box concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows one locking means provided in the waterproof box shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the 2nd protrusion of one locking means shown by FIG. 5 latched to the other locking means, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is AA in (a). It is sectional drawing along a line. It is a figure which shows the state which the protrusion of one locking means shown by FIG. 5 latched to the other locking means, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is along the BB line in (a). FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the waterproof box used for the conventional electrical junction box. It is an enlarged view of the C section in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other waterproof box used for the conventional electrical junction box. It is a perspective view which shows one locking means provided in the waterproof box shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing along the DD line | wire in FIG.

(First embodiment)
An “electric connection box” including a “waterproof box” according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The electrical connection box 10 of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle and supplies power and transmits signals to an electronic device mounted on the vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical junction box 10 includes a waterproof box 1 and a plurality of electrical components housed in the waterproof box 1.

  The waterproof box 1 includes a main body case 2, an upper cover 3 (corresponding to a cover in claims) attached to the main body case 2 so as to cover an opening on the upper surface side of the main body case 2, and a main body case. 2 and a lower cover (not shown) attached to the main body case 2 so as to cover the opening on the lower surface side. Each of the main body case 2, the upper cover 3, and the lower cover is made of an insulating synthetic resin, and is formed by a well-known injection molding.

  Moreover, the code | symbol 1a in FIG. 1 has shown the end of the waterproof box 1, and the code | symbol 1b has shown the other end of the waterproof box 1. FIG. 1 to 3 is parallel to the direction in which the main body case 2 and the upper cover 3 are arranged.

  The main body case 2 has a plurality of side walls 21 and is formed in a frame shape having openings on the upper surface side and the lower surface side. A bracket 22 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 21 and is bolted to a vehicle body panel or the like.

  The upper cover 3 includes a ceiling wall 30 and a plurality of side walls 31 erected from the outer edge of the ceiling wall 30.

  In the waterproof box 1, an engaging portion is provided on the one end 1 a side of the upper cover 3, and an engaged portion on which the engaging portion is engaged is provided on the one end 1 a side of the main body case 2. Further, a lock means 5 is provided on the other end 1 b side of the upper cover 3, and a lock means 4 for locking the lock means 5 is provided on the other end 1 b side of the main body case 2.

  When the above-described upper cover 3 is attached to the main body case 2, the upper cover 3 is rotated while the engaging portion of the upper cover 3 is hooked on the engaged portion of the main body case 2 and the engaging portion is set as the rotation center. Then, the lock means 5 is attached to the main body case 2 by being engaged with the lock means 4.

  Next, the configuration of the lock means 4 and 5 will be described in detail.

  Two locking means 4 are provided on the side wall 21 located on the other end 1 b side of the waterproof box 1. These locking means 4 are provided at the upper end of the side wall 21 on the upper cover 3 side, and project from the outer surface of the side wall 21 in a plate shape.

  Two locking means 5 are provided on the side wall 31 located on the other end 1 b side of the waterproof box 1. These locking means 5 are provided at the lower end of the side wall 31 on the main body case 2 side. Each locking means 5 is formed to be elastically deformable, and is locked to the locking means 4 by being pulled toward the main body case 2 side.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the said locking means 5 has the frame part 50 and the beam part 51 which were formed in frame shape, as shown in FIG. The frame 50 has one end 50a in the direction of arrow F connected to the side wall 31 and the other end 50b located on the main body case 2 side being a free end. Moreover, the frame part 50 has the deformation | transformation part 52 in which the outer surface 52a and the inner surface 52b were formed in circular arc shape while being formed thinner than another part. The deformable portion 52 is formed on one end 50 a side of a pair of sides extending in the direction of arrow F of the frame portion 50. The beam portion 51 is formed in a straight line, and connects the central portions of the pair of sides extending in the direction of arrow F of the frame portion 50.

  Such a locking means 5 is configured so that the other end 50b of the frame portion 50 is pulled toward the main body case 2 or the pair of deforming portions 52 are pressed toward the side where the pair of deforming portions 52 come close to each other. It is elastically deformed so as to approach the shape, and the interval between the one end 50a and the other end 50b is increased. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the locking means 4 is positioned (pushed) between the other end 50b of the frame portion 50 and the beam portion 51 by elastically deforming the pair of deformation portions 52 so as to approach a straight line. It becomes possible. Further, in a state where the lock means 4 is positioned between the other end 50b of the frame portion 50 and the beam portion 51, an elastic restoring force is generated in the deformable portion 52, and the other end 50b of the frame portion 50 and the lock means. 4 is in close contact. As a result, the play in the direction of arrow F between the main body case 2 and the upper cover 3 is absorbed, and water can be prevented from entering between the main body case 2 and the upper cover 3.

  Thus, the waterproof box 1 of the present invention can absorb the backlash between the main body case 2 and the upper cover 3 by the lock means 4 and 5 having a simple shape, and water enters from between the main body case 2 and the upper cover 3. Can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment)
An “electric connection box” including a “waterproof box” according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4-7, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as 1st Embodiment mentioned above, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the electrical junction box 110 includes a waterproof box 101 and a plurality of electrical components accommodated in the waterproof box 101.

  The waterproof box 101 includes a main body case 102, an upper cover 103 (corresponding to a cover in the claims) attached to the main body case 102 so as to cover an opening on the upper surface side of the main body case 102, and a main body case. And a lower cover (not shown) attached to the main body case 102 so as to cover the opening on the lower surface side of the 102. Each of the main body case 102, the upper cover 103, and the lower cover is made of an insulating synthetic resin, and is formed by a well-known injection molding.

  Further, reference numeral 101a in FIG. 4 indicates one end of the waterproof box 101, and reference numeral 101b indicates the other end of the waterproof box 101. 4 to 7 is parallel to the direction in which the main body case 102 and the upper cover 103 are arranged.

  The main body case 102 has a plurality of side walls 121 and is formed in a frame shape having openings on the upper surface side and the lower surface side. In addition, a bracket 122 that is bolted to a vehicle body panel or the like is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 121.

  The upper cover 103 has a ceiling wall 130 and a plurality of side walls 131 erected from the outer edge of the ceiling wall 130. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the side wall 131 has a double wall structure in which the lower end portion on the main body case 102 side includes an inner side wall 131a and an outer side wall 131b. The upper end of the side wall 121 of the main body case 102 is positioned between the inner side wall 131a and the outer side wall 131b.

  In the waterproof box 101, an engaging portion is provided on one end 101a side of the upper cover 103, and an engaged portion to be engaged with the engaging portion is provided on the one end 101a side of the main body case 102. Further, the locking means 7 and a pair of walls 8 for positioning the locking means 7 between each other are provided on the other end 101 b side of the upper cover 103, and the locking means 7 is provided on the other end 101 b side of the main body case 102. Locking means 6 is provided for locking.

  When the above-described upper cover 103 is attached to the main body case 102, the upper cover 103 is rotated while the engaging portion of the upper cover 103 is hooked on the engaged portion of the main body case 102 and the engaging portion is set as the rotation center. Then, the lock means 7 is attached to the main body case 102 by being engaged with the lock means 6.

  Next, the configuration of the lock means 6 and 7 will be described in detail.

  One locking means 6 is provided at the upper end of the side wall 121 located on the other end 101 b side of the waterproof box 101. As shown in FIG. 6, the locking means 6 includes a pair of standing portions 61 erected at a distance from the side wall 121, a connecting portion 62 that connects the pair of standing portions 61, and a connecting portion. And a protrusion 63 protruding from the wall 62 toward the side wall 121.

  One locking means 7 is provided on the lower end of the side wall 131 located on the other end 101b side of the waterproof box 101, that is, on the outer side wall 131b. The lock means 7 is formed to be elastically deformable, and is locked to the lock means 6 by being pulled toward the main body case 102 side.

  In the present embodiment, the locking means 7 is formed in a cantilever shape as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and is folded back 180 degrees in a U shape from the fixed end 70a side to the free end 70b side. Arm 70, a protrusion 71 provided on the free end 70 b side of the arm 70, and a second protrusion 72 provided on the free end 70 b side of the protrusion 71 of the arm 70. Further, the protrusion 71 and the second protrusion 72 protrude to the side away from the side wall 131.

  In such a locking means 7, when the curved portion of the arm 70 is pressed toward the main body case 102, the arm 70 is elastically deformed, and the protrusion 71 and the second protrusion 72 get over the protrusion 63 of the locking means 6. The projection 63 is locked. At this time, the second protrusion 72 first gets over the protrusion 63 and is locked to the protrusion 63, and the arm 70 is further pressed toward the main body case 102, whereby the protrusion 71 gets over the protrusion 63 and the protrusion 63. Lock to. Further, when the projection 71 and the second projection 72 are engaged with the projection 63 of the locking means 6, an elastic restoring force is generated in the arm 70, and the projection 71, the second projection 72 and the projection 63 are in close contact with each other. doing. As a result, the backlash in the direction of the arrow G between the main body case 102 and the upper cover 103 is absorbed, and water can be prevented from entering between the main body case 102 and the upper cover 103.

  In the present invention, the state in which the second protrusion 72 is locked to the protrusion 63 (FIG. 6) is expressed as “the lock means 7 and the lock means 6 are temporarily locked”, and the protrusion 71 is The state of engagement with the protrusion 63 (FIG. 7) is expressed as “the lock means 7 and the lock means 6 are fully engaged”. In the temporarily locked state and the fully locked state, the elastic restoring force generated in the arm 70 is larger in the fully locked state, and the backlash absorbing force between the main body case 102 and the upper cover 103 is also larger.

  When mounting the electrical junction box 110 having such a waterproof box 101 on a vehicle, the protrusion 71 is locked to the protrusion 63 or the second protrusion depending on whether or not high waterproof performance is required. It is possible to select whether 72 is locked to the protrusion 63. When the projection 71 is locked to the projection 63, even if the projection 71 is detached from the projection 63 for some reason, the second projection 72 automatically follows the projection 63. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the upper cover 103 from being completely detached from the main body case 102. Further, when the waterproof box 101 is shipped to an automobile manufacturer or the like, the lock release operation between the lock means 7 and the lock means 6 can be facilitated by leaving the waterproof box 101 in a temporarily locked state.

  As described above, the waterproof box 101 of the present invention can absorb the backlash between the main body case 102 and the upper cover 103 by the lock means 6 and 7 having a simple shape, and water enters from between the main body case 102 and the upper cover 103. Can be prevented.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the waterproof box 1,101 of the type assembled to the main body case 2, 102 while rotating the upper cover 3, 103 has been described as an example. The box may be a type in which the upper cover is assembled in a straight line close to the main body case. In that case, the locking means may be provided on both the one end side and the other end side of the waterproof box. In the first and second embodiments described above, the example in which the waterproof box is used for the electrical junction box has been described. However, the waterproof box of the present invention can also be used for other than the electrical junction box.

  In addition, embodiment mentioned above only showed the typical form of this invention, and this invention is not limited to embodiment. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1,101 Waterproof box 2,102 Body case 3,103 Upper cover (cover)
4, 5, 6, 7 Locking means 10,110 Electrical junction box

Claims (5)

In a waterproof box provided with a main body case and a cover attached to the main body case, and each of the main body case and the cover is provided with locking means for locking each other in a state where the cover is attached to the main body case. ,
One of the pair of locking means is formed so as to be elastically deformable, and the one locking means is engaged with the other locking means by being pulled toward the member provided with the other locking means. And waterproof box. The one locking means is formed in a frame shape, is formed thinner than the other part, and has a deformed portion whose outer surface and inner surface are formed in an arc shape,
The deforming portion is elastically deformed by pulling the one locking means toward the member provided with the other locking means, and the other locking means is positioned inside the one locking means. The waterproof box according to claim 1. The one locking means is formed in a cantilever plate shape and is folded 180 degrees in a U shape from the fixed end side to the free end side; and a protrusion provided on the free end side of the arm; Have
2. The arm is elastically deformed by pulling a free end side of the arm to a member side on which the other locking means is provided, and the protrusion is locked to the other locking means. Waterproof box as described in. The waterproof box according to claim 3, wherein a second protrusion that can be engaged with the other locking means is provided on a free end side of the protrusion of the arm.   An electrical junction box comprising the waterproof box according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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