JP2021145497A - Electric connection box - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electric connection box allowing a person to see from outside a ring member provided inside the box.SOLUTION: An electric connection box 1 comprises: a lower case 10 including an open part O and a lower marginal part 13; an upper case 20 blocking the open part O of the lower case 10, and including an upper marginal part 23 combined with the lower marginal part 13; and a rubber ring member 30 fitted into a fitting groove 41 formed in the lower marginal part 13. In the electric connection box 1, a sealing marginal part 2 sealing so as to combine the lower marginal part 13 and the upper marginal part 23 is structured. The ring member 30 is provided with a tongue piece part 32 projected toward an outside of the case fitted into the fitting groove 41, and the sealing marginal part 2 is provided with a conductive space S penetrated to an external part of the case from the fitting groove 41, and conducting the tongue piece part 32 toward the external part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, an electrical junction box provided with a ring member for preventing water from entering the interior.

Generally, an electronic component such as a fuse and a circuit board on which an electronic control circuit is mounted are housed inside an electric junction box mounted on a vehicle. For this reason, the electrical junction box is provided with a waterproof structure to prevent water from entering the inside.

The electrical junction box disclosed in Patent Document 1 as an example of such an electrical junction box has an fitting groove for fitting a rubber ring member that functions as a gasket in the case edge of the case body having an opening. It is equipped. Then, the cover body is assembled to the case body so that the ring member fitted in the fitting groove is sandwiched between the cover edge portion and the case edge portion of the cover body.

With the electrical junction box configured in this way, even if water infiltrates through the gap between the case body and the cover body, the ring member can prevent water from invading the inside, and the circuit board housed inside can be used. It is said that it can be protected from inundation.

However, since stress is generated in the ring member fitted in the fitting groove to stop water, it is difficult to stably maintain the fitted state of the ring member in the fitting groove, and the ring member is fitted in the fitting groove. Sometimes dropped out of. Even if the case body and the cover body are assembled with the ring member detached from the fitting groove in this way, it is not possible to confirm from the outside whether or not the electric junction box is provided with the ring member. rice field.

Therefore, it is necessary for the worker to perform the assembling work of the case body and the cover body while paying close attention to the state in which the ring member is fitted in the fitting groove, which is a heavy burden on the worker.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-161496

In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connection box that can be confirmed from the outside that a ring member is provided inside.

The present invention is formed on a case body having an opening and an opening edge, a cover body having a cover edge that closes the opening of the case body and is combined with the opening edge, and the opening edge. A rubber ring member to be fitted into the fitting groove is provided, and a sealing edge portion is formed in which the opening edge portion and the cover edge portion are combined to seal the ring member. A tongue piece portion that protrudes toward the outside of the case in the fitted state is provided, and the sealing edge portion penetrates from the fitting groove to the outside of the case, and the tongue piece portion extends outward. It is an electrical junction box provided with a derivation space for derivation.

The lead-out space may be formed by a fitting groove in a state where the case body and the cover body are combined, or may be formed by combining a groove formed on the edge of the cover and the fitting groove.
The above-mentioned protrusion toward the outside may mean that the tip portion of the tongue piece is exposed toward the outside of the case body or is not exposed.

According to the present invention, since the tongue piece portion arranged in the lead-out space can be visually observed from the outside of the case with the cover body assembled to the case body, it can be confirmed from the outside that the ring member is fitted in the electrical connection box. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator when assembling the case body and the cover body, and it is possible to improve the work efficiency.

As an aspect of the present invention, a thick portion having a thickness in the inside / outside direction of the case thicker than other portions may be formed at the opening edge portion, and the lead-out space may be arranged in the thick portion.
According to the present invention, the distance between the lead-out spaces arranged in the thick portion in the inner and outer directions of the case becomes longer, so that the water intrusion path can be lengthened. In addition, the length of the tongue piece arranged in the lead-out space can be increased along the inside and outside of the case. Therefore, even if water infiltrates into the lead-out space, it is possible to suppress the invasion of water into the lead-out space and the ring member, and it is possible to improve the water stopping property.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, a fastening portion for fastening the case body and the cover body with a fastening material may be arranged in the thick portion.
According to the present invention, since the fastening portion for fastening and fixing the case body and the cover body is provided in the thick portion, the gap between the case body and the cover body in the vicinity of the thick portion can be narrowed. This makes it possible to prevent water from entering through this gap.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, an intersection direction portion extending in a direction intersecting with respect to the inside and outside directions of the case is formed in a range arranged in the lead-out space in the tongue piece portion, and the cross-out direction portion is formed in the lead-out space. An intersection direction space along the above may be formed.

The above-mentioned intersection is not limited to the case where the protruding direction in which the tongue piece protrudes and the crossing direction portion extending in the crossing direction are orthogonal to each other, and the crossing direction portion intersects at an angle smaller than 45 degrees with respect to the protruding direction. including. It is preferable that the tongue piece portion and the crossing direction portion are at right angles.

According to the present invention, since the intersecting direction space that intersects the protruding direction is formed in the derivation space, the derivation space can be bent and can be made longer than when the derivation space is formed linearly. .. Therefore, even if water invades the lead-out space, it is possible to further suppress the invasion of water into the lead-out space and the ring member. That is, the water stopping property can be improved.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the lead-out space is composed of a lead-out groove formed in the opening edge portion, and the lead-out groove may be shallower than the fitting groove.
According to the present invention, the volume of the lead-out space can be reduced, so that the amount of water that enters the lead-out space can be suppressed. Therefore, the amount of water that enters the inside of the electrical junction box through the lead-out space can be reduced.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, a surface pressure applying portion that applies surface pressure to the tongue piece portion arranged in the lead-out space may be provided.
The surface pressure applying portion may be provided on one or both of the case body and the cover body. For example, when it is provided in the lead-out groove forming the lead-out space, it may be the bottom surface or the side surface of the lead-out groove. Further, in the assembled state, it may be provided on the cover edge portion facing the lead-out groove.

According to the present invention, since the surface pressure is applied to the tongue piece portion by the surface pressure applying portion, the tongue piece portion arranged in the lead-out space is face-pressed, and the ratio of the tongue piece portion occupying the lead-out space is increased. Can be made to. As a result, it is possible to further prevent water from entering the inside of the electrical junction box through the lead-out space.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the surface pressure applying portion may be provided on the cover body.
According to the present invention, in the assembling work of assembling the case body and the cover body, the surface pressure can be applied to the tongue piece portion, so that the tongue piece portion can be reliably arranged in the lead-out space.

Further, in the work of assembling the cover body to the case body, by fastening the cover body to the case body, the operator who performs the work of assembling the surface pressure applying portion receives the reaction force of the surface pressure. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the ring member is provided in the electric junction box both by the feeling of the assembling work and by the visual inspection after the assembling work. Therefore, the ring member can be reliably provided in the electrical junction box.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, an enlarged portion that expands so as to cover the opening of the lead-out space at the sealing edge portion may be formed at the tip portion of the tongue piece portion that is exposed to the outside of the case in the assembled state. ..
The shape of the enlarged portion is not limited as long as it is exposed to the outside of the case in the assembled state in which the case body and the cover body are assembled, and may be, for example, a flat plate shape or a block shape.

According to the present invention, since the enlarged portion exposed to the outside of the case can be visually observed from the outside of the electrical connection box, it can be easily and clearly confirmed that the ring member is arranged in the fitting groove. In addition, the enlarged portion exposed to the outside of the case can prevent or suppress the intrusion of water into the lead-out space.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, an extraction suppressing portion that acts on both sides of the ring member in the vicinity of the tongue piece portion to prevent the ring member from coming out of the fitting groove may be provided.
The above-mentioned neighborhood refers to a position where the ring member can be prevented from being inadvertently ejected from the fitting groove by providing the extraction suppressing portion. That is, any position may be used as long as it is arranged on both sides of the tongue piece and the ring member can be prevented from inadvertently coming out of the fitting groove. The number of extraction suppressing portions may be limited as long as they are arranged on both sides of the tongue piece.

Further, the structure and the arrangement position of the extraction suppressing portion are not particularly limited as long as the ring member can be prevented from being inadvertently ejected from the fitting groove. That is, a structure in which the ring member is pressed against the fitting groove and the ring member and the fitting groove are pressed against each other so that the ring member does not come out of the fitting groove, or a structure in which the ring member is locked in the fitting groove. And so on.

Specifically, it may be provided on one or both of the paired side surfaces of the fitting groove, the opening side end portion or the opening edge portion of the fitting groove, or one or both of the rubber ring members. Further, the extraction suppressing portion may be a protruding portion that protrudes so as to press the ring member against the side surface of the fitting groove that opposes it, or a locking piece that locks the ring member with respect to the fitting groove.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the ring member from coming out of the fitting groove, so that the case body and the cover body can be easily assembled while maintaining the state in which the ring member is fitted in the fitting groove. Therefore, the burden on the operator can be further reduced.
Further, since the extraction suppressing portion acts on both sides in the vicinity of the tongue piece portion, the tongue piece portion can be reliably arranged in the lead-out space.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the extraction suppressing portion may be composed of a convex portion provided only on the outer side in the inner / outer direction of the case.
The extraction suppressing portion may be provided on the outer surface of the ring member or the outer surface of the fitting groove. Alternatively, it may be provided so as to project from the outside of the bottom surface of the fitting groove in the inside / outside direction of the case in the opening direction of the fitting groove.

According to the present invention, since the ring member can be pressed against the inner surface in the inner / outer direction of the case, the gap between the inner surface in the inner / outer direction of the case and the ring member can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ring member from coming out of the fitting groove, and it is possible to surely prevent water from entering the inside of the case in the inside / outside direction.

In addition, even if water enters the fitting groove through the gap between the case body and the cover body, such as when the vehicle is washed with high pressure, the ring member should be oriented in the same direction as the water intrusion direction. It is pressed against the inner surface in the inner and outer directions of the case. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ring member from moving due to intrusion into the high-pressure washing water, and it is possible to ensure water stoppage.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the extraction suppressing portion may be configured at a contact point where a part of the side wall of the fitting groove comes into contact with the ring member and the side wall comes into contact with the ring member.
A part of the side wall of the fitting groove described above comes into contact with the ring member, for example, by fitting the ring member into the curved fitting groove, or by another configuration of the ring member and the fitting groove. This refers to the case where the fitting groove and the ring member are brought into contact with each other by pressing them so as to come into contact with the side wall.

According to the present invention, since the state in which the ring member is fitted into the fitting groove can be maintained, it is possible to prevent the ring member from coming out of the fitting groove, and the case body and the cover body can be easily assembled.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the lead-out space and the tongue piece portion may be arranged on the rear side in a mounted state mounted on a vehicle.
According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent water from splashing on the lead-out space and the side where the tongue piece is provided in the electric junction box, so that it is possible to further suppress water from entering the inside of the electric junction box from the lead-out space and the tongue piece. ..

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the case bodies may be laminated and arranged at a position where the tongue piece portion and the lead-out space can be seen from the same direction.
The above-mentioned plurality of case bodies are laminated, including the case where only the case body is laminated and the cover body is assembled to the uppermost portion thereof, and the case where the case body and the cover body are laminated in a state of being assembled. Further, the case where the case bodies are laminated includes a case where case bodies having the same shape are laminated and a case where case bodies having different shapes are laminated.

Further, when the tongue piece portion and the lead-out space are arranged at a position where they can be seen from the same direction, the tongue piece portion and the lead-out space are lined up at a predetermined position when the electric junction box is viewed from a predetermined direction. This includes cases where they are placed or where they are placed in different places.

According to the present invention, the tongue pieces arranged in the respective lead-out spaces can be confirmed from one direction on the plurality of case bodies, so that the ring member can be easily fitted even when the plurality of case bodies are laminated. It can be recognized that it is fitted in the recess.

The present invention can provide an electrical junction box that can be recognized from the outside as having a ring member inside.

Schematic perspective view of the electrical junction box. Schematic exploded perspective view of the electrical junction box. Top view of the lower case. Enlarged plan view of the lower case. Top view of the ring member. Top view of the lower case with the ring member fitted in the fitting groove. Bottom view of the upper case. Top view of the lower case with the ring member fitted in the fitting groove. Partially enlarged plan view of the lower case with the ring member fitted in the fitting groove. Sectional view of the electrical junction box. Sectional view of the electrical junction box. Schematic perspective view of the electrical junction box in another embodiment. Top view of the ring member in another embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The electrical junction box 1 of the present embodiment is arranged, for example, in the engine room of a vehicle. Such an electrical connection box 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the electrical junction box 1, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective perspective view of the electrical junction box 1. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the lower case 10 constituting the electrical connection box 1. FIG. 4 shows an enlarged plan view of a portion surrounded by a square in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the ring member 30, and FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the upper case 20.

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of a state in which the ring member 30 is fitted into the outer peripheral groove portion 40 of the lower case 10, and FIG. 9 shows an enlarged plan view of the δ portion in FIG. 10 and 11 show a cross-sectional view of the electrical junction box 1.

1 and 6 and 8 will be described in detail. FIG. 1A shows an overall perspective view of the electrical connection box 1, and FIG. 1B shows a partially enlarged perspective view of the α portion in FIG. 1A. 6 (a) shows an overall plan view of the ring member 30, FIG. 6 (b) shows an enlarged plan view of the β portion in FIG. 6 (a), and FIG. 6 (c) shows the inside of FIG. 6 (a). The enlarged plan view of the γ part of is shown.

FIG. 8A shows an overall plan view of the lower case 10 in a state where the ring member 30 is fitted in the outer peripheral groove portion 40, and FIG. 8B is a partially enlarged plan view of a portion surrounded by a square in FIG. 8A. The figure is shown.
Similarly, FIGS. 8 and 9 will be described in detail. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the electric junction box 1 corresponding to the cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the electric junction box 1 corresponding to the cross section taken along the line BB in FIG. show.

Here, the vertical direction in FIG. 1 is the vertical direction Z, the width direction of the electrical junction box 1 (the direction connecting the upper left and the lower right in FIG. 1) is the width direction W, and the depth direction of the electrical junction box 1 (FIG. 1). The direction connecting the lower left and the upper right in 1) is the depth direction H.

Further, in the vertical direction Z, the upper side is the upward direction Zu and the lower side is the downward direction Zd. Further, in the width direction W, the front side (lower right side in FIG. 1) is the right side Wr, and the back side (upper left side in FIG. 1) is the left side Wl. Then, in the depth direction H, the back side (upper right side in FIG. 1) is the front side Hf, and the front side (lower left side in FIG. 1) is the rear side Hb.
The directions shown in FIG. 1 are the same in FIGS. 2 to 13 for convenience.

The electrical junction box 1 is a housing in which electronic components such as fuses and bus bars are housed, and these electronic components are batteries mounted on the vehicle, other electronic devices, or electronic devices arranged in the vehicle interior. It is electrically connected to the equipment.

The electrical connection box 1 is a die-cast product made of aluminum, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower case 10, the upper case 20 fastened and fixed to the lower case 10, the lower case 10 and the upper case 20 It is composed of a ring member 30 sandwiched between.

The lower case 10 is an internal hollow housing having an opening in the upward direction Zu, and a space for accommodating electronic components is formed inside. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the lower case 10 is composed of a lower bottom surface portion 11, a lower side surface portion 12, a lower edge portion 13, and a lower side fastening portion 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lower bottom surface portion 11 is a plate-like body having a substantially L-shape in a plan view, and constitutes the bottom surface of the electrical connection box 1. A lower side surface portion 12 stands up from the outer edge of the lower bottom surface portion 11. The lower bottom surface portion 11 and the lower side surface portion 12 configured in this way form an opening O having an opening in the upward direction Zu.

The lower edge portion 13 is a protruding piece that protrudes from the outer edge of the lower side surface portion 12 toward the outside of the electrical connection box 1, and has a predetermined plate thickness. A lower side fastening portion 14 is provided at each corner portion of the lower edge portion 13 and at the central portion of the front side Hf side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lower side fastening portion 14 is a fastening portion for inserting and fixing a bolt as a fastening material to fasten and fix the lower case 10 and the upper case 20, and the central portion has a vertical Z in the vertical direction. A lower side insertion hole 14a is provided so as to penetrate along the above.

The lower edge 13 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower edge portion 13 is composed of a lower side flat edge portion 13a and a lower side thick edge portion 13b having a length in the depth direction H longer than that of the lower side flat edge portion 13a. Has been done.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower side flat edge portion 13a forms a portion of the lower edge portion 13 excluding the side arranged on the right side Wr side of the side along the width direction W. The width of the lower flat edge portion 13a (the length in the inner and outer directions of the lower case 10) is the first length L1 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower edge portion 13b forms a portion of the lower edge portion 13 corresponding to the side arranged on the right side Wr side of the side along the width direction W. As shown in FIG. 4, the width length (length in the depth direction H) of the lower side thick edge portion 13b is the second length L2, which is larger than the first length L1 of the lower side flat edge portion 13a. It's getting longer. The lower side fastening portions 14 are provided on both ends of the lower side thick edge portion 13b in the width direction W.

In the lower edge portion 13 configured in this way, an outer peripheral groove portion 40 recessed in the downward direction Zd is formed along the outer edge of the lower side surface portion 12. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the outer peripheral groove portion 40 is composed of a fitting groove 41 into which a ring body 31 described later is fitted and a lead-out groove 42 protruding from the fitting groove 41 toward the outside of the box. There is.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the fitting groove 41 has a concave cross section and is formed along the lower edge portion 13. The fitting groove 41 is configured so that the width is slightly larger than the depth.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a portion of the fitting groove 41 corresponding to the lower side fastening portion 14 is configured with an on-plane retaining portion 41c. In the above-surface retaining restraining portion 41c, the inner side surface 41a constituting the fitting groove 41 is recessed toward the inside of the lower case 10, and the outer side surface 41b facing the inner side surface 41a protrudes inside the lower case 10. .. That is, the on-plane retaining restraining portion 41c is configured in a substantially V shape toward the inside of the lower case 10 in a plan view.

Further, among the side surfaces constituting the fitting groove 41, a plurality of extraction suppressing convex portions 43 are provided on the outer side surface 41b, including those arranged on both sides so as to sandwich the lead-out groove 42 along the width direction W. It is provided. The extraction suppressing convex portion 43 projects in an arc shape from the outer side surface 41b toward the inner side surface 41a. The amount of protrusion of the extraction suppressing convex portion 43 is approximately one-fifth of the width of the fitting groove 41.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lead-out groove 42 is a groove having a concave cross section whose depth is shallower than that of the fitting groove 41, and is a central portion of the fitting groove 41 corresponding to the thick edge portion 13b on the lower side. It is provided so as to protrude from the rear side Hb. The lead-out groove 42 is formed in a substantially Z shape when viewed from the upward direction Zu.

The lead-out groove 42 will be described in detail.
The lead-out groove 42 is integrally composed of a first groove portion 42a, an intersecting groove portion 42b, and a second groove portion 42c.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first groove portion 42a is configured to project from the fitting groove 41 along the depth direction H in a plan view viewed from the vertical direction Z. The length of the first groove portion 42a along the depth direction H is configured to be approximately half the distance from the side surface of the rear side Hb of the fitting groove 41 to the outer surface of the lower side thick edge portion 13b. .. That is, the first groove portion 42a does not penetrate the lower side thick edge portion 13b along the depth direction H.

The intersecting groove portion 42b extends from the end of the rear side Hb of the first groove portion 42a to the left side Wl along the width direction W in a plan view viewed from the vertical direction Z. The end of the left side Wl of the cross groove portion 42b is located on the left side Wl of the side surface of the left side Wl of the first groove portion 42a.

The second groove portion 42c extends from the end of the left side Wl of the intersecting groove portion 42b to the rear side Hb along the depth direction H in a plan view viewed from the vertical direction Z, and the second groove portion 42c The tip of the is inserted to the rear side Hb of the lower side thick edge portion 13b.

The ring member 30 to be fitted into the outer peripheral groove portion 40 is an elastic rubber O-ring formed in an annular shape. As shown in FIG. 6, the ring member 30 is composed of a ring main body 31 provided in an annular shape and a tongue piece portion 32 protruding outward from the ring main body 31.

The ring main body 31 is composed of an annular main body 31a formed in a substantially annular shape and a ring-side convex portion 31b slightly protruding outward from the annular main body 31a.
The annular body 31a is an annular body having a substantially perfect circular cross section, and is fitted into the fitting groove 41 when the lower case 10 and the upper case 20 are assembled. The total length of the annular body 31a is configured to be slightly shorter than the total length of the fitting groove 41. The diameter of the cross section of the annular body 31a is configured to be longer than the depth of the fitting groove 41 and slightly shorter than the width of the fitting groove 41.

As shown in FIG. 6C, the ring-side convex portion 31b projects on both sides along one of the directions orthogonal to the axial direction of the annular main body 31a. The amount of protrusion of the ring-side convex portion 31b is approximately one-fourth of the outer diameter of the annular main body 31a. A plurality of ring-side convex portions 31b configured in this manner (five in the present embodiment) are provided along the annular main body 31a at intervals from each other.

As shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the tongue piece portion 32 projects radially outward from the ring body 31. The tongue piece portion 32 is integrally composed of a tongue piece base end portion 32a, a tongue piece crossing portion 32b, a tongue piece tip portion 32c, and an enlarged portion 32d.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the tongue piece base end portion 32a is a flat plate-shaped rubber plate having substantially the same thickness as the depth of the first groove portion 42a, and is one direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the annular main body 31a. It protrudes toward one side of the. The length of the base end portion 32a of the tongue piece along the protruding direction is the same as the length of the first groove portion 42a along the depth direction H.

The tongue piece crossing portion 32b is a flat plate-shaped rubber plate having a plate thickness substantially the same as the plate thickness of the tongue piece base end portion 32a, and extends from the tip end side of the tongue piece base end portion 32a along the annular main body 31a. The length of the tongue piece intersection 32b in the direction along the annular body 31a is the same as the length of the intersection groove 42b along the width direction W.

The tongue piece tip portion 32c is a flat rubber plate having a plate thickness substantially the same as the plate thickness of the tongue piece base end portion 32a and the tongue piece intersection 32b, and the tongue piece base end portion is from the tip side of the tongue piece intersection 32b. It protrudes along 32a. The length of the tip portion 32c of the tongue piece along the protruding direction is configured to be slightly longer than the length of the second groove portion 42c along the depth direction H.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 11, the enlarged portion 32d is a rubber flat plate formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The enlarged portion 32d is configured so that the protruding direction of the tip end portion 32c of the tongue piece coincides with the normal direction of the main surface. That is, the main surface of the enlarged portion 32d is orthogonal to the protruding direction of the tip portion 32c of the tongue piece.

In the present embodiment, the enlarged portion 32d is configured to be larger than the outlet E when viewed from the protruding direction of the tip end portion 32c of the tongue piece. That is, the enlarged portion 32d covers the lower case 10 and the upper case 20 so as to close the outlet E formed on the outer surface of the lower thick edge portion 13b by the second groove portion 42c in the assembled state.

The upper case 20 is an internal hollow housing having an opening in the downward direction Zd, and is a lid that closes the opening O of the lower case 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper upper surface portion 21 and the upper side surface are formed. It is composed of a portion 22, an upper edge portion 23, and an upper side fastening portion 24.

The upper upper surface portion 21 constitutes the upper surface of the electrical connection box 1. Like the lower bottom surface portion 11, the upper upper surface portion 21 is configured to have a substantially L-shape in a plan view, and the upper side surface portion 22 stands upright from the outer edge of the upper upper surface portion 21 in the downward direction Zd. There is.

The upper edge portion 23 is a protruding piece that protrudes from the outer edge of the upper side surface portion 22 toward the outside of the electrical connection box 1, and an upper side fastening portion 24 is provided at each corner portion and the central portion of the front side Hf side. Has been done. Like the lower side fastening portion 14, the upper side fastening portion 24 is a fastening portion for inserting and fixing a bolt which is a fastening material, and the upper side insertion portion penetrating the central portion along the vertical direction Z is inserted. A hole 24a is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper edge portion 23 is composed of an upper side flat edge portion 23a and an upper side thick edge portion 23b which is thicker in the depth direction H than the upper side flat edge portion 23a. Has been done.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper-side flat edge portion 23a forms a portion of the sides along the width direction W when viewed from the vertical direction Z, excluding the side on the right Wr side. The thickness of the upper side flat edge portion 23a is the first length L1 equal to the thickness of the lower side flat edge portion 13a.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thick upper edge portion 23b forms a portion corresponding to the right side Wr side of the sides along the width direction W when viewed from the vertical direction Z. The thickness of the upper side flat edge portion 23a is a second length L2 equal to the thickness of the lower side flat edge portion 13a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the thick edge portion 23b on the upper side slightly protrudes downward Zd at a position facing the lead-out groove 42 when the lower case 10 and the upper case 20 are assembled. The convex portion 23c is provided. The downward Zd side of the convex portion 23c is configured to be flat.

As shown in FIG. 7, the convex portion 23c is formed so as to face the lead-out groove 42 in the bottom view viewed from the downward Zd. That is, the convex portion 23c is formed in a substantially Z shape when viewed from the bottom.
The upper edge portion 23 configured in this way is combined with the lower edge portion 13 to form the sealing edge portion 2.

Next, the assembly of the lower case 10 and the upper case 20 configured in this way will be described in detail.
The electrical junction box 1 is manufactured by fitting the ring member 30 into the outer peripheral groove portion 40 of the lower case 10 and then assembling the lower case 10 and the upper case 20 and fastening and fixing them.

Specifically, the ring member 30 is arranged so that the tongue piece portion 32 faces the lead-out groove 42 with respect to the outer peripheral groove portion 40 of the lower case 10, and the ring body 31 is fitted into the fitting groove 41 (FIG. 8 (a). )reference). At this time, the annular main body 31a is arranged so as to be pressed against the inside of the lower case 10 by the extraction suppressing convex portion 43. As a result, the annular main body 31a can be prevented from easily coming out of the fitting groove 41.
In particular, the extraction suppressing convex portion 43 provided so as to sandwich both sides of the lead-out groove 42 prevents the ring body 31 from falling out of the fitting groove 41 and the tongue piece portion 32 from coming off from the lead-out groove 42. It can be suppressed.

Further, the tongue piece portion 32 is led out so that the tongue piece base end portion 32a corresponds to the first groove portion 42a, the tongue piece intersection portion 32b corresponds to the intersection groove portion 42b, and the tongue piece tip portion 32c corresponds to the second groove portion 42c. Place at 42. Then, the enlarged portion 32d is arranged so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the lower side thick edge portion 13b (see FIG. 8B).

Furthermore, the ring body 31 is fitted so as to be along the surface retaining restraint portion 41c provided at the portion corresponding to the lower side fastening portion 14 in the fitting groove 41. As a result, the elastic ring body 31 comes into contact with the inner side surface 41a and the outer side surface 41b of the fitting groove 41.

Specifically, at the corner portion of the fitting groove 41, the inner side surface 41a and the annular main body 31a come into contact with each other at the central portion of the on-plane retaining restraining portion 41c curved in a V shape toward the inside of the lower case 10. This contact point is referred to as the first contact portion P1 (see FIG. 9).
Further, the outer side surface 41b and the annular body 31a come into contact with each other on both sides of the portion where the inner side surface 41a and the annular body 31a come into contact with each other. This contact point is referred to as the second contact portion P2 (see FIG. 9).

Therefore, the annular main body 31a comes into contact with the inner side surface 41a and the outer side surface 41b facing each other, and an external force acts on the annular main body 31a toward the inside and outside of the lower case 10, so that the annular main body 31a can be easily fitted. It is possible to prevent the groove 41 from coming out.

Therefore, with the ring member 30 securely fitted in the outer peripheral groove portion 40, the upper case 20 is assembled to the lower case 10 so that the upper side fastening portion 24 faces the lower side fastening portion 14, and the lower case 10 and the lower case 10 are assembled. The upper case 20 can be fastened and fixed.

Similarly, the ring-side convex portion 31b protruding from the annular body 31a is in contact with the inner side surface 41a and the outer side surface 41b in a state where the ring body 31 is fitted into the fitting groove 41. As a result, the ring body 31 receives an external force from the opposite inner side surface 41a and the outer side surface 41b, and can prevent the ring body 31 from falling out of the fitting groove 41.

The lower edge portion 13 and the upper edge portion 23 facing each other in this way form a sealing edge portion 2 that seals between the lower case 10 and the upper case 20 by fastening and fixing the lower case 10 and the upper case 20. Constitute. A lead-out space S is formed in the rear side Hb of the sealing edge portion 2 by the lead-out groove 42 and the upper edge portion 23. Further, in the lead-out space S, the intersection groove portion 42b orthogonal to the first groove portion 42a and the second groove portion 42c constitutes the intersection space S2.
A lead-out port E is formed on the rear side Hb of the lead-out space S so that the inside can be visually recognized from the outer surface of the sealing edge portion 2.

The tongue piece portion 32 is arranged in the lead-out space S formed in the sealing edge portion 2 in this way. Then, by assembling the lower case 10 and the upper case 20, the convex portion 23c provided at a position facing the lead-out groove 42 directs the tongue piece portion 32 arranged in the lead-out groove 42 from the upward direction Zu to the downward direction Zd. (See FIG. 11). As a result, since the surface pressure acts on the tongue piece portion 32, the proportion of the tongue piece portion 32 in the lead-out space S becomes high, and it is possible to prevent only the tongue piece portion 32 from coming out of the lead-out groove 42 during the assembling work.

In the electric junction box 1 in which the lower case 10 and the upper case 20 are assembled and fastened with the ring member 30 fitted in the outer peripheral groove portion 40 in this way, the enlarged portion 32d is arranged on the rear side Hb in the engine room of the vehicle. It is installed so that it will be.

The electrical connection box 1 configured in this way closes the lower case 10 having the opening O and the lower edge 13 and the upper case 23 having the upper edge 23 that closes the opening O of the lower case 10 and is combined with the lower edge 13. It is composed of 20. A rubber ring member 30 to be fitted into the fitting groove 41 formed in the lower edge portion 13 is provided. Further, the electrical connection box 1 is configured with a sealing edge portion 2 in which the lower edge portion 13 and the upper edge portion 23 are combined and sealed. The ring member 30 is provided with a tongue piece portion 32 that protrudes toward the outside of the case while being fitted in the fitting groove 41, and the sealing edge portion 2 penetrates from the fitting groove 41 to the outside of the case. Moreover, a derivation space S for deriving the tongue piece portion 32 to the outside is provided.

As a result, with the upper case 20 assembled to the lower case 10, the tongue piece portion 32 arranged in the lead-out space S can be visually recognized from the outside of the case, so that the ring member 30 is fitted in the electrical connection box 1 externally. You can check from. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator when assembling the lower case 10 and the upper case 20, and improve the work efficiency.

Further, the lower edge portion 13 is formed with a thick lower edge portion 13b having a thickness in the inner and outer directions of the case as compared with other portions, and the lead-out space S is arranged at the thick edge portion 13b on the lower side. As a result, the distance in the case inner / outer direction of the lead-out space S arranged in the lower-side thick edge portion 13b becomes longer. Therefore, the intrusion route of water can be lengthened.

Further, since the length of the tongue piece portion 32 arranged in the lead-out space S along the depth direction H can be lengthened, even if water infiltrates into the lead-out space S, the water enters the inside in the lead-out space S and the ring member 30. Invasion can be suppressed and water stopping property can be improved.

Further, since the lower side fastening portions 14 for fastening the lower case 10 and the upper case 20 with bolts are arranged at both ends of the lower side thick edge portion 13b, the lower case 10 in the vicinity of the lower side thick edge portion 13b is arranged. The gap between the and the upper case 20 can be narrowed. This makes it possible to prevent water from entering through this gap.

Further, the cross groove portion 42b extending in the direction inside and outside the case in the electrical junction box 1, that is, in the direction intersecting the protruding direction of the tongue piece portion 32, is within the range where the intersection groove portion 42b is arranged in the lead-out space S in the tongue piece portion 32. It is formed, and an intersection space S2 along the intersection groove portion 42b is formed in the lead-out space S.

As a result, the intersecting space S2 that intersects the protruding direction is formed in the derivation space S, so that the derivation space S can be bent and the derivation space S is made longer than in the case where the derivation space S is formed linearly. Can be done. Therefore, even if water intrudes into the lead-out space S, it is possible to further suppress the invasion of water into the lead-out space S and the ring member 30. That is, the water stopping property can be improved.

Furthermore, the lead-out space S is composed of a lead-out groove 42 formed in the lower edge portion 13, and the lead-out groove 42 is shallower than the fitting groove 41, so that the volume of the lead-out space S can be reduced. The amount of water that enters the lead-out space S can be suppressed. Therefore, the amount of water that enters the inside of the electrical junction box 1 through the lead-out space S can be reduced.

Further, since the convex portion 23c that applies the surface pressure to the tongue piece portion 32 arranged in the lead-out space S is provided, the tongue piece portion 32 arranged in the lead-out space S is surface-pressured. , The ratio of the tongue piece portion 32 occupying the derived space S can be increased. As a result, it is possible to further prevent water from entering the inside of the electrical connection box 1 through the lead-out space S.

Further, by providing the lower side fastening portion 14 on the lower side thick edge portion 13b, an external force based on the fastening operation acts on the tongue piece portion 32, and the tongue piece portion 32 is surely crushed by the convex portion 23c. .. As a result, the area where the tongue piece portion 32 occupies the lead-out space S increases, and it is possible to further suppress the infiltration of water into the electrical junction box 1 through the lead-out space S.

Furthermore, since the convex portion 23c is provided on the upper case 20, surface pressure can be applied to the tongue piece portion 32 in the assembling work of assembling the lower case 10 and the upper case 20, so that the tongue piece can be applied. The unit 32 can be reliably arranged in the derivation space S.

Further, in the work of assembling the upper case 20 to the lower case 10, by fastening the upper case 20 to the lower case 10, the operator who performs the work of assembling the convex portion 23c receives the reaction force of the surface pressure. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the ring member 30 is provided in the electric connection box 1 both by the feeling of the assembling work and by the visual inspection after the assembling work. Therefore, the ring member 30 can be surely provided in the electrical connection box 1.

Further, an enlarged portion 32d that expands in the plate thickness direction of the sealing edge portion 2 of the tongue piece portion 32 is formed at the tip portion of the tongue piece portion 32 that is exposed to the outside of the case in the assembled state, so that the enlarged portion 32d is formed on the outside of the case. The exposed enlarged portion 32d can be visually recognized from the outside of the electrical connection box 1. Therefore, it can be easily and clearly confirmed that the ring member 30 is arranged in the fitting groove 41, and the enlarged portion 32d exposed to the outside of the case can prevent or suppress the intrusion of water into the lead-out space S. ..

Further, the ring member 30 is fitted by providing the extraction suppressing convex portion 43 which acts on both sides of the ring member 30 in the vicinity of the tongue piece portion 32 and suppresses the ring member 30 from coming out from the fitting groove 41. It is possible to prevent the groove 41 from coming out. Therefore, the lower case 10 and the upper case 20 can be easily assembled while maintaining the state in which the ring member 30 is fitted in the fitting groove 41. Therefore, the burden on the operator can be further reduced.
Further, since the extraction suppressing convex portion 43 acts on both sides in the vicinity of the tongue piece portion 32, the tongue piece portion 32 can be reliably arranged in the lead-out space S.

Further, since the extraction suppressing convex portion 43 is provided only on the outer side in the inner / outer direction of the case, the ring member 30 can be pressed against the inner surface in the inner / outer direction of the case. Therefore, the gap between the inner surface in the inner / outer direction of the case and the ring member 30 can be reduced, the ring member 30 can be prevented from coming out of the fitting groove 41, and water can enter the inner side in the inner / outer direction of the case. Can be reliably suppressed.

Furthermore, even if water enters the fitting groove 41 through the gap between the lower case 10 and the upper case 20, such as when the vehicle is washed with high pressure, the water should be directed in the same direction as the water intrusion direction. The ring member 30 is pressed against the inner surface in the inner and outer directions of the case. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ring member 30 from moving due to the intrusion of high-pressure washing water, and it is possible to ensure water stoppage.

Further, a part of the side wall of the fitting groove 41 comes into contact with the ring member 30, and the extraction suppressing convex portion 43 is formed at the contact point where the side wall comes into contact with the ring member 30, so that the ring member 30 is fitted. The state of being fitted in the groove 41 can be maintained. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ring member 30 from coming out of the fitting groove 41, and the lower case 10 and the upper case 20 can be easily assembled.

Further, the lead-out space S and the tongue piece portion 32 are arranged on the rear side Hb in the mounted state in the vehicle, so that the lead-out space S and the tongue piece portion 32 in the electrical junction box 1 are provided with water. Can be less likely to be applied. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the intrusion of water into the electrical connection box 1 from the lead-out space S and the tongue piece portion 32.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment,
The opening corresponds to the opening O,
The opening edge corresponds to the lower edge 13 and
The case body corresponds to the lower case 10
The cover edge corresponds to the upper edge 23,
The cover body corresponds to the upper case 20
The fitting groove corresponds to the fitting groove 41,
The ring member corresponds to the ring member 30 and
The sealing edge portion corresponds to the sealing edge portion 2 and
The tongue piece corresponds to the tongue piece 32,
The derivation space corresponds to the derivation space S and
The electrical junction box corresponds to the electrical junction box 1,
The thick part corresponds to the thick edge portion 13b on the lower side,
The fastening points correspond to the lower side fastening portion 14 and the upper side fastening portion 24.
The intersection direction portion corresponds to the intersection groove portion 42b and corresponds to the intersection groove portion 42b.
The crossing direction space corresponds to the crossing space S2 and
The lead-out groove corresponds to the lead-out groove 42,
The surface pressure applying portion corresponds to the convex portion 23c and
The enlarged part corresponds to the enlarged part 32d,
Although the withdrawal suppressing portion corresponds to the on-plane retaining restraining portion 41c and the withdrawal suppressing convex portion 43, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and many embodiments can be obtained. Can be done.

For example, in the present embodiment, the lead-out space S is composed of a lead-out groove 42 formed in the lower-side thick edge portion 13b and an upper-side thick edge portion 23b in a state where the lower case 10 and the upper case 20 are combined. ing. However, for example, the groove formed in the upper edge portion 23 and the fitting groove 41 may be combined and configured.

Further, in the present embodiment, the enlarged portion 32d that covers the outlet E is provided on the tip end side of the tongue piece portion 32, but it is not always necessary to provide the enlarged portion 32d. Specifically, the tip of the tip of the tongue piece 32c may be exposed from the outlet E, or the tip of the tip of the tongue piece 32c may be housed in the lead-out space S so as to be visible from the outside.
The shape of the enlarged portion 32d is not limited, and the enlarged portion 32d does not have to be a flat plate and may be in a block shape. Further, it is not always necessary to block the outlet E.

Further, in the present embodiment, the ring-side convex portion 31b projects on both sides along one of the directions orthogonal to the axial direction of the annular main body 31a, but may project to one side. In particular, it is preferable that the ring-side convex portion 31b is configured to project outward in the inner / outer direction of the case when the ring member 30 is fitted into the outer peripheral groove portion 40 (see FIG. 13).

Further, in the present embodiment, the intersecting groove portion 42b is orthogonal to the first groove portion 42a and the second groove portion 42c, but the intersecting groove portion 42b intersects the first groove portion 42a and the second groove portion 42c at an angle smaller than 45 degrees. You may be doing it. However, it is preferable that the intersecting groove portion 42b is orthogonal to the first groove portion 42a and the second groove portion 42c.

Furthermore, the convex portion 23c provided on the upper edge portion 23 may be provided not only on the upper case 20, but also on the lower case 10 and the upper case 20, or may be provided only on the lower case 10. For example, when it is provided in the lead-out groove 42 constituting the lead-out space S, it may be provided on the bottom surface of the lead-out groove 42 or on the side surface.

Further, the structure and arrangement position of the withdrawal suppressing convex portion 43 are not particularly limited as long as the ring member 30 can be prevented from being inadvertently withdrawn from the fitting groove 41. That is, as in the present embodiment, the ring body 31 is pressed toward the inner side surface 41a, and the ring body 31 and the fitting groove 41 are pressed against each other, or the ring body 31 is locked in the fitting groove 41. Including structure etc.

Specifically, as in the present embodiment, not only the outer side surface 41b, which is one of the paired side surfaces in the fitting groove 41, is provided with the extraction suppressing convex portion 43, but also both the inner side surface 41a and the outer side surface 41b are provided. The extraction suppression convex portion 43 may be provided. Further, a locking piece for locking may be provided at the opening side end portion of the fitting groove 41 in the upward direction Zu.
Furthermore, the extraction suppressing convex portion 43 may be provided so as to project from the outside of the bottom surface of the fitting groove 41 in the inside / outside direction of the case in the opening direction of the fitting groove 41.

Further, in the present embodiment, the electrical connection box 1 is configured by assembling one lower case 10 and an upper case 20. However, for example, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 12, a plurality of (two) case bodies may be stacked and arranged at a position where the tongue piece portion 32 and the lead-out space S can be seen from the same direction.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the electrical connection box 1x is composed of a lower case 10, an upper case 20, and an intermediate case 60 provided between the lower case 10 and the upper case 20. Like the lower case 10, the intermediate case 60 has an intermediate thick edge portion 63b corresponding to the lower side thick edge portion 13b. The intermediate thick edge portion 63b is configured in the same manner as the lower side thick edge portion 13b. That is, the intermediate thick edge portion 63b is provided with an outer peripheral groove portion 40 on the surface in the upward direction Zu. A ring member 30 is provided between the lower case 10 and the intermediate case 60, and between the intermediate case 60 and the upper case 20.

Thereby, the tongue piece portion 32 arranged in each of the lead-out spaces S of the lower case 10 and the intermediate case 60 corresponding to the case body can be confirmed from one direction. Therefore, even when the lower case 10 and the intermediate case 60 are laminated, it can be easily recognized that the ring member 30 is fitted in the fitting groove 41.

Note that the lower case 10 and the intermediate case 60 corresponding to the case body are laminated when only the lower case 10 and the intermediate case 60 are laminated, or when the upper case 20 is assembled to the uppermost portion thereof. Further, the lower case 10 and the upper case 20 may be laminated in an assembled state. Further, the case where the lower case 10 is laminated includes the case where the lower case 10 and the intermediate case 60 having the same shape are laminated, and the case where the case bodies having different shapes are laminated.

Further, when the tongue piece portion 32 and the lead-out space S are arranged at positions where they can be seen from the same direction, the tongue piece portion 32 and the lead-out space S are lined up at a predetermined position when the electrical connection box 1 is viewed from a predetermined direction. Including the case where it is arranged in, or the case where it is arranged in different places.

1 Electrical junction box 2 Sealing edge 10 Lower case 13 Lower edge 13b Lower side thick edge 20 Upper case 23 Upper edge 23c Convex 30 Ring member 32 Tongue piece 32d Enlargement 41 Fitting groove 41c On-plane retaining Suppressing part 42b Crossing groove part 42 Derived groove 43 Extraction suppressing convex part 43
O Opening S Derivation space S2 Intersection space

Claims (13)

A case body having an opening and an opening edge,
A cover body that closes the opening of the case body and has a cover edge that fits with the opening edge.
A rubber ring member to be fitted into the fitting groove formed in the opening edge is provided.
A sealing edge portion is formed in which the opening edge portion and the cover edge portion are combined to seal.
The ring member is provided with a tongue piece portion that protrudes toward the outside of the case while being fitted in the fitting groove, and is provided with a tongue piece portion.
An electrical connection box provided with a lead-out space in the sealing edge portion, which penetrates from the fitting groove to the outside of the case and leads out the tongue piece portion to the outside. A thick portion is formed on the opening edge portion, which is thicker in the inner and outer directions of the case than other portions.
The electrical connection box according to claim 1, wherein the lead-out space is arranged in the thick portion. In the thick part
The electrical connection box according to claim 2, wherein a fastening portion for fastening the case body and the cover body with a fastening material is arranged. The crossing direction portion extending in the crossing direction with respect to the inside / outside direction of the case is formed in a range arranged in the lead-out space in the tongue piece portion.
The electrical connection box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an intersection direction space along the intersection direction portion is formed in the lead-out space. The lead-out space is composed of lead-out grooves formed at the opening edge.
The electrical connection box according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lead-out groove is shallower than the fitting groove. The electrical connection box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a surface pressure applying portion for applying surface pressure to the tongue piece portion arranged in the lead-out space is provided. The electrical connection box according to claim 6, wherein the surface pressure applying portion is provided on the cover body. Of claims 1 to 7, an enlarged portion is formed at the tip of the tongue piece portion exposed to the outside of the case in the assembled state so as to cover the opening of the lead-out space at the sealing edge portion. The electrical junction box described in either. 6. Electrical junction box. The extraction suppressing part is
The electrical connection box according to claim 9, which is composed of a convex portion provided only on the outer side in the inner / outer direction of the case. A part of the side wall of the fitting groove comes into contact with the ring member,
The electrical connection box according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the extraction suppressing portion is configured at a contact portion in contact with the ring member on the side wall. The electrical connection box according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the lead-out space and the tongue piece portion are arranged on the rear side in a mounted state mounted on a vehicle. A plurality of the case bodies are laminated,
The electrical connection box according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the tongue piece and the lead-out space are arranged at positions where they can be seen from the same direction.

Images