JP2023169000A - Electric connection box - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electric connection box having a lower cover made of two members, which is excellent in waterproofness.SOLUTION: An electric connection box 1 comprises: a casing-shaped frame 11 in which a component R is housed; and a lower cover 12 which is assembled so as to close a lower end opening of the frame 11. The lower cover 12 has: a first lower cover 13 which has a bottom wall part 132, a side wall part 131, and a cutout part 136; and a second lower cover 14 which has a shape corresponding to the cutout part 136, and which is assembled to the first lower cover 13. The second lower cover 14 has a side wall part 141, a waterproof wall 145, and a connection part 146 which connects the side wall part 141 to the waterproof wall 145.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical junction box.

Conventionally, electrical junction boxes (hereinafter also referred to as "conventional electrical junction boxes") such as relay boxes and fuse boxes that are mounted on vehicles and have storage spaces for housing electronic components such as relays and fuses have been proposed. ing. One of the conventional electrical junction boxes has a frame-like frame in which electronic components are placed, and a lower cover that is assembled to cover the lower end opening of the frame. A wire pull-out hole is formed through which the wire is pulled out (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP2007-282320A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-11544

Incidentally, each member (frame, lower cover, etc.) constituting the electrical connection box is manufactured by injecting resin or the like into a dedicated mold. For this reason, when the wire pull-out hole is formed by the frame and the lower cover, there are limits to the position where the wire pull-out hole can be formed and the direction in which the wire can be pulled out (i.e., the direction of the wire pull-out hole) due to the mold. be.

On the other hand, in order to form the wire extraction hole at a desired position (for example, in the bottom wall of the lower cover) or to draw out the wire in a desired direction, the lower cover may be configured with two members. In this case, the two members constituting the lower cover constitute the wire extraction hole. However, in this case, the number of parts increases compared to the conventional electrical connection box, so the number of assembly points between the members also increases. As a result, the number of paths for liquids such as water to enter the electrical junction box also increases, so the electrical junction box is required to have excellent waterproof properties.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical junction box whose lower cover is composed of two members and which has excellent waterproof properties.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the electrical connection box according to the present invention has the following features.

An electrical connection box comprising a frame-shaped frame in which electronic components are housed, and a lower cover assembled to cover a lower end opening of the frame,
The lower cover is
a first lower cover having a bottom wall portion, a side wall portion standing from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion, and a notch portion in which at least a portion of the side wall portion is cut out;
a second lower cover that has a shape corresponding to the notch and is assembled to the first lower cover;
The second lower cover is
a side wall portion that constitutes a side wall portion of the lower cover together with the side wall portion of the first lower cover;
a waterproof wall located inside the electrical junction box than the side wall portion of the second lower cover;
a connecting portion that connects the side wall portion of the second lower cover and the waterproof wall so that a vertically penetrating space is defined between the side wall portion of the second lower cover and the waterproof wall; has
The waterproof wall is
disposed at a position corresponding to an assembly location of the frame and the second lower cover;
Must be an electrical connection box.

The electrical connection box according to the present invention will be described below.
According to the electrical junction box of this configuration, even if water that has entered from the assembly point of the frame and the second lower cover scatters onto the electronic components housed in the frame, the water that has entered the assembly point of the frame and the second lower cover will It collides with the waterproof wall placed at the corresponding position, preventing water from getting into the electronic components. Furthermore, according to the electrical junction box of this configuration, the side wall portion of the second lower cover and the waterproof wall are connected by the connecting portion, so that the rigidity of the second lower cover and, by extension, the rigidity of the electrical junction box are excellent.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the mode for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. .

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connection box according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electrical connection box shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the left side. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connection box shown in FIG. 1 (however, electronic components are not shown). FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second lower cover. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the second lower cover viewed from the rear side. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic diagram of section C in FIG. 7.

<Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an electrical connection box 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described with reference to the drawings. The electrical junction box 1 is typically a relay box that is mounted on a vehicle and has an internal space that accommodates electronic components such as relays and other components R (see FIGS. 1 and 7).

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper" and "lower" will be defined as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8. The "front-back direction", the "left-right direction", and the "up-down direction" are orthogonal to each other. When the electrical connection box 1 is mounted on a vehicle, the "front-back direction", "left-right direction", and "up-down direction" correspond to the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the vehicle, respectively. Further, the side facing the inside of the electrical junction box 1 is called the "inner" side, and the side facing the outside of the electrical junction box 1 is called the "outer" side. Note that the vertical direction corresponds to the "vertical direction" of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the electrical connection box 1 includes a frame-shaped frame 11 in which the component R is housed, and a lower cover 12 that is assembled to close the lower end opening of the frame 11. The above two parts constituting the electrical connection box 1 are all resin molded bodies.

In the electrical junction box 1, an electric wire (not shown) that is electrically connected to a part of the component R located inside the electrical junction box 1 is inserted through the wire extraction hole 15 provided at the front end of the electrical junction box 1. It is led out to the outside of the electrical connection box 1 through the electrical connection box 1 . The wire extraction hole 15 extends obliquely toward the front and the bottom (see FIG. 2). Hereinafter, the frame 11 and lower cover 12 that constitute the electrical connection box 1 will be explained in order.

First, frame 11 will be explained. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the frame 11 includes a substantially rectangular cylindrical side wall portion 111 extending in the vertical direction. The side wall portion 111 constitutes most of the side surface appearance of the electrical connection box 1 . Locked portions 112 and 113 each including a through hole extending in the vertical direction are integrally provided on the outer surface of the lower end of the side wall portion 111 at a plurality of locations (in this example, nine locations) in the circumferential direction. The locked parts 112 and 113 have a function of assembling the lower cover 12 to the frame 11.

Specifically, the locked portion 112 has a function of assembling the first lower cover 13 of the lower cover 12, which will be described later, to the frame 11. Similarly, the locked portion 113 has a function of assembling the second lower cover 14 of the lower cover 12, which will be described later, to the frame 11.

Note that an upper cover (not shown) may be attached to the frame 11 so as to close the upper end opening of the frame 11. In this case, a locked portion (not shown) provided integrally with the side wall portion 111 of the frame 11 is locked with a locking portion (not shown) of the upper cover, and the upper cover is assembled to the frame 11.

Next, the lower cover 12 will be explained. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lower cover 12 includes a first lower cover 13 and a second lower cover 14 assembled to the first lower cover 13. Hereinafter, the first lower cover 13 and the second lower cover 14 that constitute the lower cover 12 will be explained in order.

First, the first lower cover 13 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 3, the first lower cover 13 includes an annular side wall portion 131 that constitutes most of the appearance of the lower side surface of the electrical connection box 1, and a ring-shaped lower end opening of the side wall portion 131. 1 and a bottom wall portion 132 that constitutes most of the appearance of the bottom surface of the device.

A notch 136 is formed in the front region in the front-rear direction of the pair of side wall portions 131 facing each other in the left-right direction, and in the front side wall portion 131, in which the upper region in the vertical direction is cut out. The cutout portion 136 has a substantially rectangular U-shape when viewed from above.

On the outer surface of the upper end of the side wall portion 131 at a plurality of circumferential locations (four locations in this example), locking pieces 133 extending upward are provided on the outer surface of the upper end portion of the side wall portion 131 in correspondence with the plurality of locked portions 112 of the frame 11, respectively. It is installed in one piece.

Further, on the outer surface of multiple locations (four locations in this example) in the circumferential direction at the upper end portion of the side wall portion 131 corresponding to the notch portion 136, locked portions 143 of the second lower cover 14, which will be described later, are respectively provided. A locking piece 134 extending upward is integrally provided correspondingly.

A semi-cylindrical gutter-like part 135 that opens upward is provided at a location corresponding to the wire pull-out hole 15 in the side wall part 131 so as to be inclined toward the front side and the downward side. The gutter-like portion 135 has a function of forming a lower portion of the inner wall defining the wire extraction hole 15.

Next, the second lower cover 14 will be explained. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the second lower cover 14 includes a side wall portion 141 that forms part of the appearance of the lower side surface of the electrical junction box 1, and a side wall portion that is spaced apart from the side wall portion 141 by a predetermined distance in the radial direction. A waterproof wall 145 located inside the waterproof wall 141 and a connecting portion 146 that connects the side wall portion 141 and the waterproof wall 145 are integrally configured.

The side wall portion 141 has a substantially rectangular U-shape when viewed from above. In other words, the side wall portion 141 has a shape corresponding to the notch portion 136 of the first lower cover 13. That is, the second lower cover 14 is assembled at a location corresponding to the notch 136 in the side wall 131 of the first lower cover 13, and the appearance of the lower side surface of the electrical junction box 1 is formed by the side wall 131 and the side wall 141. (See Figures 1 and 2).

Locking pieces 142 extending upward are provided on the outer surface of the upper end portion of the side wall portion 141 at a plurality of locations (in this example, five locations) in the circumferential direction, corresponding to the plurality of locked portions 113 of the frame 11, respectively. It is installed in one piece.

Locked portions 143 each including a through hole extending in the vertical direction are integrally provided on the outer surface of the lower end of the side wall portion 141 at multiple locations (four locations in this example) in the circumferential direction. A locking piece 134 of the first lower cover 13 is locked to the locked portion 143 .

A semi-cylindrical gutter-like part 144 that opens downward is provided at a location corresponding to the wire pull-out hole 15 in the side wall part 141 so as to be inclined toward the front side and the downward side. The gutter-like portion 144 has a function of forming an upper portion of the inner wall defining the wire extraction hole 15.

The waterproof wall 145 extends in the vertical direction so as to face the side wall portions 111 and 141 of the frame 11 . The upper end of the waterproof wall 145 is located above the assembly location of the frame 11 and the second lower cover 14 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The waterproof wall 145 has a function of preventing the component R from being flooded by liquid such as water that has entered between the frame 11 and the second lower cover 14 (that is, waterproofing). Note that the waterproof wall 145 also has a function of improving the rigidity of the second lower cover.

The connecting portion 146 is connected to a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the side wall portion 141 and the waterproof wall 145 (in this example, 6 The upper end portion of the side wall portion 141 and the lower end portion of the waterproof wall 145 are connected to each other. The connecting portion 146 has a function of improving the rigidity of the second lower cover.

Note that the gap S is a gap defined by the side wall portion 141, the waterproof wall 145, and a pair of connecting portions 146 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. The gap S functions as a drainage channel for liquid such as water that has entered from between the frame 11 and the second lower cover 14.

The upper end of the waterproof wall 145 is provided with an eaves portion 147 that protrudes toward the outside (that is, the side wall portion of the opposing frame 11). The eaves portion 147 has a function of preventing liquid such as water that has entered between the frame 11 and the second lower cover 14 from blowing up onto the component R (that is, waterproofing). The first lower cover 13 and second lower cover 14 that constitute the lower cover 12 have been described above.

The frame 11 and lower cover 12 that constitute the electrical connection box 1 have been described above. In order to assemble the electrical connection box 1 consisting of the frame 11 and the lower cover 12, it is necessary to assemble the second lower cover 14 to the first lower cover 13 and then to assemble the lower cover 12 to the frame 11.

In order to assemble the second lower cover 14 to the first lower cover 13, first, the second lower cover 14 is placed at a location corresponding to the notch 136 of the first lower cover 13. Then, the plurality of locking pieces 134 of the first lower cover 13 are inserted from below into the plurality of through holes of the locked portion 143 of the second lower cover 14, and the plurality of locking pieces 134 are inserted into the plurality of locking pieces 134 of the second lower cover 14. 143. This completes the assembly of the second lower cover 14 to the first lower cover 13.

When the lower cover 12 is completely assembled, the second lower cover 14 is prevented from separating upward from the first lower cover 13 due to the locking between the plurality of locking pieces 134 and the plurality of locked parts 143. Furthermore, the gutter-like portion 135 of the first lower cover 13 and the gutter-like portion 135 of the second lower cover 14 (see FIG. 3) define an electric wire extraction hole 15 into which an electric wire (not shown) is inserted (see FIG. 3). (See Figures 1 to 2).

Furthermore, the side wall portion 131 of the first lower cover 13 and the side wall portion 141 of the second lower cover 14 constitute a side wall portion of the lower cover 12. The annular upper end edge of the side wall portion of the lower cover 12 has a shape corresponding to the annular lower end edge of the side wall portion 111 of the frame 11, and is capable of fitting with the annular lower end edge of the side wall portion 111. .

After the assembly of the lower cover 12 is completed, in order to assemble the lower cover 12 to the frame 11, first, the plurality of locking pieces 133, 142 of the lower cover 12 are inserted into the corresponding locked parts 112, 113 of the frame 11 from below. Insert each into. From this state, the annular upper end edge of the side wall portion of the lower cover 12 is fitted into the annular lower end edge portion of the side wall portion 111 of the frame 11, and the plurality of locking pieces 133, 142 are connected to the corresponding plurality of locking pieces 133, 142. The locked portions 112 and 113 are locked. This completes the assembly of the lower cover 12 to the frame 11 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

When the electrical connection box 1 is fully assembled, the plurality of locking pieces 133 and the plurality of locked parts 112 are locked, and the plurality of locking pieces 142 and the plurality of locked parts 113 are locked. , the lower cover 12 is prevented from separating downward from the frame 11.

Next, the waterproof structure of the electrical connection box 1 will be explained. For example, when a vehicle on which the electrical junction box 1 is mounted is washed with a high-pressure washer, liquid such as water may enter the electrical junction box 1 from the assembly point between the frame 11 and the second lower cover 14. There is a possibility that it will scatter towards the part R. As a result, there is a possibility that the component R may be exposed to water. However, in the electrical junction box 1 according to the present embodiment, even if water that has entered the electrical junction box 1 scatters toward the component R, it will collide with the waterproof wall 145 and the component R will be exposed to water. is prevented (see arrow in FIG. 8).

Furthermore, even if water that has entered the electrical junction box 1 is blown up toward component R, or water that has collided with the waterproof wall 145 is further scattered toward component R, this water will not flow into the eaves area. 147 and prevents the component R from being exposed to water (see arrow in FIG. 8). Note that the water that collided with the waterproof wall 145 and the eaves section 147 passes through the gap S and is drained downward. In this way, the electrical connection box 1 has excellent waterproof properties.

Further, the electrical junction box 1 (second lower cover 14) has a waterproof wall 145, a connecting portion 146, and an eaves portion 147, so that the pair of side wall portions 141 in the left and right direction of the second lower cover 14 can be opened outwardly or inwardly. Falling down is suppressed. In other words, the electrical connection box 1 (second lower cover 14) has excellent rigidity.

Furthermore, the electrical connection box 1 is configured from two members, the first lower cover 13 and the second lower cover 14, so that the wire outlet hole 15 can be set at a desired position (for example, on the bottom wall portion 132) or at a desired angle. can.

In addition, since the second lower cover 14 forms a pseudo double wall structure with the side wall portion 141 and the waterproof wall 145, the electrical junction box 1 is smaller than a conventional electrical junction box having a double wall structure. It is possible to aim for

<Other forms>
Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

Here, the features of the embodiments of the electrical connection box according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4].
[1]
An electrical connection box (1) comprising a frame-shaped frame (11) in which an electronic component (component R) is housed, and a lower cover (12) assembled to close a lower end opening of the frame,
The lower cover (12) includes:
A first lower cover including a bottom wall (132), a side wall (131) standing from the periphery of the bottom wall, and a notch (136) in which at least a portion of the side wall is cut out. (13) and
a second lower cover (14) having a shape corresponding to the notch and assembled to the first lower cover;
The second lower cover (14) includes:
a side wall portion (141) that constitutes a side wall portion of the lower cover together with the side wall portion (131) of the first lower cover;
a waterproof wall (145) located inside the electrical junction box than the side wall portion (141) of the second lower cover;
The side wall portion (141) of the second lower cover is configured such that a vertically penetrating space (S) is defined between the side wall portion (141) of the second lower cover and the waterproof wall (145). and a connecting portion (146) that connects the waterproof wall (145),
The waterproof wall (145) is
disposed at a position corresponding to an assembly location between the frame (11) and the second lower cover (14);
Electrical junction box (1).
[2]
In the electrical connection box (1) described in [1] above,
The upper end of the waterproof wall is
located vertically above the assembly location;
Electrical junction box (1).
[3]
In the electrical connection box (1) described in [2] above,
The upper end portion of the waterproof wall further includes an eaves portion (147) that protrudes toward the outside of the electrical junction box inside the electrical junction box.
Electrical connection box.
[4]
The electrical junction box (1) according to any one of [1] to [3] above,
The second lower cover (14) is
The waterproof wall (145) is provided over the entire circumferential area of the side wall portion (141) of the second lower cover.
Electrical junction box (1).

According to the electrical junction box having the configuration [1] above, even if water that has entered from the assembly point between the frame and the second lower cover scatters onto the electronic components housed in the frame, the connection between the frame and the second lower cover is It collides with a waterproof wall placed at a position corresponding to the assembly location, and prevents the electronic components from getting wet. Furthermore, according to the electrical junction box of this configuration, the side wall portion of the second lower cover and the waterproof wall are connected by the connecting portion, so that the rigidity of the second lower cover and, by extension, the rigidity of the electrical junction box are excellent.

According to the electrical junction box having the configuration [2] above, even if water that has entered from the above-mentioned assembly point blows up onto the electronic components, it will collide with the waterproof wall and properly prevent the electronic components from being exposed to water. Ru.

According to the electrical junction box having the configuration described in [3] above, even if water that enters from the above-mentioned assembly point blows up toward the electronic components, or water that collides with the waterproof wall further scatters toward the electronic components, , this water collides with the eaves, and the electronic components are more appropriately prevented from being exposed to water.

According to the electrical junction box having the configuration [4] above, the waterproof wall is provided over the entire circumferential area of the side wall of the second lower cover, so that a pseudo double wall is created by the side wall of the second lower cover and the waterproof wall. It is highly waterproof due to its heavy wall structure. Further, according to the electrical junction box of this configuration, the pseudo double wall structure allows the electrical junction box to be more compact than a conventional electrical junction box having a double wall structure.

1 Electrical junction box 11 Frame 12 Lower cover 13 First lower cover 14 Second lower cover 15 Wire outlet hole 111, 131, 141 Side wall portion 112, 113, 143 Locked portion 132 Bottom wall portion 133, 134, 142 Locking piece 135, 144 Gutter-like part 136 Notch part 145 Waterproof wall 146 Connecting part 147 Eave part R Part S Gap

Claims (4)

An electrical connection box comprising a frame-shaped frame in which electronic components are housed, and a lower cover assembled to cover a lower end opening of the frame,
The lower cover is
a first lower cover having a bottom wall portion, a side wall portion standing from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion, and a notch portion in which at least a portion of the side wall portion is cut out;
a second lower cover that has a shape corresponding to the notch and is assembled to the first lower cover;
The second lower cover is
a side wall portion that constitutes a side wall portion of the lower cover together with the side wall portion of the first lower cover;
a waterproof wall located inside the electrical junction box than the side wall portion of the second lower cover;
a connecting portion that connects the side wall portion of the second lower cover and the waterproof wall so that a vertically penetrating space is defined between the side wall portion of the second lower cover and the waterproof wall; has
The waterproof wall is
arranged at a position corresponding to an assembly location of the frame and the second lower cover,
Electrical connection box. The electrical connection box according to claim 1,
The upper end of the waterproof wall is
located vertically above the assembly location;
Electrical connection box. The electrical connection box according to claim 2,
The upper end portion of the waterproof wall further includes an eaves portion that protrudes toward the outside of the electrical junction box inside the electrical junction box.
Electrical connection box. The electrical connection box according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The second lower cover is
The waterproof wall is provided over the entire circumferential area of the side wall portion of the second lower cover.
Electrical connection box.

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