JP2531793B2 - Branch connection box - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an improvement of a branch connection box using a covered electric wire as a constituent member of a wiring pattern.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, there is a branch junction box of this type as shown in FIG. 15 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-36965).

In the figure, a is an upper case, b is a lower case, and an electric wire housing groove c is provided on the inner surface of both cases.
A group of connecting electric wires d ₁ drawn out from the wire harness W by the groove c is accommodated in parallel between both cases and is sandwiched.

Reference numeral e denotes a press contact terminal, which has one or more male contact parts f on one side and a press contact part g with a U-shaped slot h cut on the other side.

The male contact part f of the press contact terminal e is projected to the upper surface of the upper case a to make another connecting wire of the wire harness W.
The insertion portion j of the connector i of the d ₂ group is formed. Further, the press contact portion g projects to the back side of the upper case a to press fit and connect the sandwiched electric wire d1.

As a result, the lead-out wires d ₁ , d ₂ via the pressure contact terminal e.
The groups are interconnected and branch circuits are centrally formed.

As another branch connection box, a flat wire is used for the above-mentioned connection wire group (Actual No. 61-168181 gazette), and one in which the pressure contact terminal connector is directly connected to the wire sandwiched between the two cases (actual) KAISHO 62-197507).

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

In the above-mentioned conventional technique, the number of separate items is large, such as the case being divided into upper and lower parts, and the number of assembling steps is accordingly increased, resulting in high cost.

Further, when manufacturing the branch connection box, the parallel installation process of the electric wires and the insertion process of the pressure contact terminal are separate processes,
This leads to problems such as a long lead time for procuring parts, many process movements in semi-finished products, and difficulty in protecting the terminals during that period.

Furthermore, it is difficult to hold or position the wire when the pressure contact terminal and the wire are pressure contacted.

The present invention was made by focusing on the above points,
An object of the present invention is to provide a branch connection box in which the number of parts and the assembling process are reduced, the covered electric wire can be easily held and positioned during pressure contact connection, and the terminal can be surely protected during process movement.

[Means for solving the problem]

As for the said subject, as described in Claim (1), the case which accommodates a plurality of covered electric wires in parallel, the electric wire retainer which fixes the accommodated covered electric wire, and the some pressure contact terminal connected to the covered electric wire. And a case in which the case has an electric wire pressing groove and a connector insertion portion defined by a plurality of partition walls provided between opposing side walls and an end wall of the case, It has a plurality of electric wire insertion holes or electric wire mounting grooves arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch that penetrates the plurality of partition walls from one end wall and opens to the other end wall, and the connector insertion portion is on the bottom portion. Having a receiving seat for pressure welding to the plurality of covered electric wires, holding the covered electric wires accommodated in parallel by fitting in the electric wire holding groove, and fitting the press contacting connector in the connector insertion portion. Press-fit and fix the covered wire to the pressure contact terminal It is achieved by Rukoto.

The above-mentioned branch connection box is a so-called electric wire connection type when a pressure contact terminal is used, but has a male connection portion on one side,
When a connector coupling type pressure contact terminal having a pressure contact portion on the other side is used, the above object can be achieved by the means described in claim (4) or (6).

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings illustrating an embodiment.

〔Example〕

In FIG. 1, a branch connection box A comprises a plurality of covered electric wires 1, a case 2 accommodating them, an electric wire retainer 7 and a pressure contact terminal connector 10.

The case 2 made of synthetic resin is formed in a box shape from the bottom plate 2a, and the side walls 2b and 2b and the end walls 2c and 2c that face each other and constitute the surrounding wall. Between the left and right end walls 2c, 2c of the case 2,
A plurality of partition walls 2d provided between the side walls 2b, 2b alternately define a plurality of wire holding grooves 3 and connector insertion portions 4. A plurality of electric wire insertion holes 5 penetrates the plurality of partition walls 2d from one end wall 2c and is opened in the other end wall 2c, and each insertion hole 5 is provided at a predetermined pitch.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the groove bottom 3a of the wire holding groove 3 has a step with respect to the inner surface of the bottom plate 2a and is slightly recessed. In addition, an electric wire insertion hole 5 is provided on the bottom surface of the connector insertion portion 4.
A receiving seat 6 for wire pressure contact is provided along the hole axis of the.

The electric wire retainer 7 is a plate made of synthetic resin, and lock claws 8 are provided on both end surfaces of the plate retainer 7, and lock grooves 9 are engaged with the claws 8.
Is provided with a recess in the inner wall of the wire holding groove 3, and the groove 9 and the lock claw 8 are
And constitute a locking means for the wire pressing groove 3 and the wire pressing 7.

The pressure contact terminal connector 10 includes a pressure contact terminal 11 crimped to an electric wire 17 and a housing 12 thereof. The pressure contact terminal 11 comprises an electric wire connection portion 11a for the covered electric wire 1 and a pressure contact portion 11b having a U-shaped slot 11c which constitutes a pressure contact blade. The housing 12 is provided with a plurality of pressure contact terminal accommodating chambers 13 corresponding to the number of the covered electric wires 1. Each accommodation chamber 13 has a wire escape groove in the lower half
14 is opened, and the pressure contact terminal 11 is locked therein by a known means.

The housing 12 and the connector insertion portion 4 are provided with a lock claw 15 and a lock groove 16 that form a locking means, respectively.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 18 denotes a wire insertion jig, and a case 2
Connect a plurality of electric wire insertion tubes 19 that are passed through the electric wire insertion holes 5 of
20 is connected in a shelf shape by 20, and a trumpet-shaped insertion guide 19a is formed at one end of each tube 19.

In the above structure, the branch connection box A is assembled as follows (Figs. 2 and 3).

After passing the covered electric wire 1 through each electric wire insertion hole 5 of the case 2,
Insert the wire retainer 7 into each wire retainer groove 3 and lock
And lock groove 9 to lock. As shown in FIG. 2, each covered electric wire 1 is clamped and fixed with an appropriate degree of tension between the electric wire retainer 7 and the groove bottom 3a.

For inserting the covered electric wire 1, for example, after inserting the covered electric wire into each electric wire insertion tube 19 of the electric wire insertion jig 18 and exposing the tip 1a thereof, the electric wire insertion jig is inserted into the case 2 and then the jig 18 is moved to the front side. It can be done collectively by pulling out.

 This completes the assembly of the main body of the junction box.

Next, the pressure contact terminal connector 10 accommodating the pressure contact terminals 11 is fitted into each connector insertion portion 4 of the case 2 and locked by the engagement of the lock claw 15 and the lock groove 16.

As shown in FIG. 3, each covered electric wire 1 is in a state of being supported by the receiving seat 6 at the connector insertion portion 4, and the connector 10
Is press-fitted into the U-shaped slot 11c of the press-connecting terminal 11 to form a large number of branch circuits for each covered electric wire 1.

When the pressure contact terminal 11 and the covered electric wire 1 are pressed together, the covered electric wire 1
Is fixed in the wire holding grooves 3 adjacent to both sides of each connector insertion portion 4 as described above, so that the positional deviation and the knives on one side of the covered electric wire are pressed and the connection is surely made.

In the above-described branch connection box A, the members for holding and housing the group of covered electric wires 1 in a parallel state are only two parts, the case 2 and the electric wire retainer 7, and the insertion work of the covered electric wire 1 is also performed by the electric wire insertion jig 18 It can be done very easily by using

Further, since the press contact terminal 11 is inserted and locked in the accommodation chamber 13 of the housing 12 in advance, it is fully protected and there is no risk of damage during the assembly process or process movement.

The branch connection box B shown in FIG. 4 is formed by connecting the wire retainer 7 with respect to the wire retainer groove 3 to the side wall 2b of the case 2 by the hinge 21. This shortens the lead time for parts procurement and rationalizes inventory management.

The branch connection box C shown in FIG. 5 has a wire insertion hole 5 shown in FIG.
Instead of the electric wire mounting groove 22, the side wall 2c and the partition wall of the case 2
It is installed in 2d and one end of a plurality of electric wire retainers 7 is connected to the connecting rod 23.
Are integrated by.

The electric wire retainer 7 may be individual as in FIG. 1, or may be integrated with the case 2 by a hinge connection as shown in FIG. 4, and the connecting rod 23 shown in FIG. It may be provided at both ends.

Since the upper end of the wire mounting groove 22 is open, the covered wire 1
The parallel insertion work for the case 2 of the electric wire insertion jig 18
It can be performed more easily without using.

 FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the branch connection box.

In the figure, a case 2'of a branch connection box D has a plurality of connector insertion portions 4'recessed through a partition wall 2d 'with the wire holding groove 3 shown in Fig. 1 omitted, and a side wall of the case 2'. 2b
The outer surface of the lock claw 24 corresponds to each connector insertion part 4 '.
Is protruding.

The pressure contact connector 25 fitted to the connector insertion portion 4'is
It consists of a pressure contact terminal 26 and its housing 27.

Unlike the pressure contact terminal 11, the pressure contact terminal 26 has a male contact portion 26a on one side and a pressure contact portion 26b having a U-shaped slot 26c on the other side.
The male contact portion 26a is connected to a female terminal of a mating connector of a wire harness terminal (not shown).

The housing 27 has a lock portion 28 for the mating connector on the outer peripheral wall 27a, and a plurality of insertion holes 29 (FIGS. 8 and 9) are provided in the bottom portion 27b, and the pressure contact terminals 26 are provided in the holes 29. The male contact portion 26a is fixed by press fitting or the like, while the pressure contact portion 26b projects to the back surface of the bottom portion 27b.

Further, the housing 27 is provided with leg plates 30 having lock holes 31 which engage with the lock claws 24 on both sides of the bottom.

The press-connecting connector 25 'has a structure in which the press-connecting terminals 26 of the press-connecting connector 25 are arranged in one horizontal row, while the number of poles arranged in two horizontal rows is increased so as to correspond to the grade of the automobile, etc., It can be connected to the same connector insertion portion 4 '.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the pressure contact terminal connector 25 (or 25 ') is attached to each connector insertion portion 4'of the case 2'and locked by the engagement of the lock claw 24 and the lock hole 31.

The pressure contact portion 26b of the pressure contact terminal 26 protruding below the connector 25 (25 ') is pressed against the covered electric wire 1 supported by the receiving seat 6 in the mounting portion 4', as shown in FIGS. And U
The covered electric wire 1 is pressed against the character-shaped slot 26c.

Since the branch connection box D of the present embodiment employs the press contact terminal of the press contact terminal connector 25 having the male contact portion 26a, a normal male and female connector can be connected. Further, although the electric wire holding groove 3 and the electric wire holding member 7 as shown in FIG. 1 are not provided, since each covered electric wire 1 is fixed by mounting the connector 25, the covered electric wire 1 does not fall out or shift in position.

The branch connection box E shown in FIG. 10 has a plurality of slits 32 for inserting pressure contact terminals, which are provided orthogonally to the wire insertion holes 5 in the case 2'instead of the connector mounting portion 4'of FIG. The pressure contact terminal 26 is pressed against each covered electric wire 1 from 32, and the housing 27 for protecting and containing the terminal 26 can be mounted later.

In the above, when the pressure contact terminal 26 is pressure-contacted, and then another terminal is inserted into the pressure-contact terminal insertion slit in the vicinity thereof, the pressure-contact terminal is partially stored in the pressure-contact terminal insertion slit. Even if a person touches it, there is no danger of the connection between the pressure contact terminal and the electric wire being easily disconnected, so workability is good.

Further, in the above, it is possible to use the single pole pressure contact terminal 26 having one male contact portion 26a and the double pole pressure contact terminal 26 'having two or more male contact portions 26a.

In order to prevent the covered electric wire from slipping off or slipping after the covered electric wire 1 is inserted into the electric wire insertion hole 5 and before the press-fitting connection of the pressure contact terminals 26, 26 ', the electric wire holding groove 3 is formed in the same manner as in FIG. It may be provided and fixed by the wire retainer 7.

According to this embodiment, the male contact portions 26a of the pressure contact terminals 26, 26 'which are pressure-contacted to the group of covered electric wires 1 are projected from the upper surface of the case 2'and arranged in a matrix, and the electrodes of the mating connector (not shown) are arranged. The housings 27 and 27 'corresponding to the number and the shape can be detachably attached to easily cope with the grade of the automobile.

Further, in the present embodiment, after inserting the covered electric wire 1 into the electric wire insertion hole 5 of the case 2 ′, the work is interrupted, and thereafter,
By inserting the pressure contact terminals 26, 26 ′, it is possible to easily deal with design changes and the like, and in the case of automobile applications, it is easy to respond to the vehicle type and grade, and work efficiency is also improved.

In the meantime, even in a branch connection box that has been assembled once, it is easy to add pressure contact terminals, and it is also easy to remove unnecessary pressure contact terminals from the pressure contact terminal insertion slits.
In addition, even in the contact portion of the covered electric wire connected to the extracted pressure contact terminal (the inner core wire is partially exposed), the pressure contact terminal terminal insertion slit is thin, and the case 2
Since it is protected by itself, it does not cause a failure such as a short circuit and can easily deal with design changes and the like.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the assembled state of the branch connection box E. Since the insertion hole 29 'in the bottom portion 27b of the housing 27 (27') does not require press-fitting and fixing the male contact portion 26a, a large clearance can be provided. it can.

The branch connection box F shown in FIG. 12 is provided with a plurality of housings 33 surrounding the pressure contact terminal insertion slits 32 on the upper surface of the case 2 ′ in FIG. 10 and the locking lances 34 for locking the pressure contact terminals 26, 26 ′. The lance 34 is engaged with the locking groove 35 formed in the slit 32 as shown in FIG. 13 so that the press contact terminals 26, 26 'can be reliably prevented from coming off.

By providing the housing 33 integrally with the case 2 ', the lock claw 24 and the wire holding groove 3 in FIG. 10 can be omitted.

14 (a) to 14 (c) are pressure contact terminals 26 (26 '), respectively.
Another locking method is shown.

FIG. 14A shows the slit 32 from the side wall 2b of the case 2 '.
Are provided with adjacent holes 36, and a locking member 37 having a U-shaped cross section having a lock groove 37a that engages with the lance 34 is inserted into the hole 36.

In FIG. 14 (b), a hole 36 'adjacent to the slit 32 is provided from the upper surface of the case 2', and a locking member 37 'having a locking projection 37a' for engaging the lance 34 is inserted into the hole 36 '. It is something that I wear.

In FIG. 14 (c), a pin hole 38 is provided in the central portion of the pressure contact terminals 26, 26 'in place of the lance 34, and the pin insertion hole is formed in parallel with the wire insertion hole 5 from the end wall 2c side of the case 2'. 39,
The round pin 40 is inserted from the hole 39 to penetrate the pin hole 38 of each press contact terminal so as to prevent the pin from coming out upward. It is preferable that one end of the plurality of round pins 40 be connected by a connecting rod 41, and a lock portion 42 for the connecting rod 41 be concavely formed on the end wall 2c of the case 2'to be locked.

The locking members 37, 37 'and the round pin 40 cannot be inserted unless the press contact terminal 26 (26') is completely press-fitted, so that incomplete press contact of the terminal can be checked.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, in the branch connection box according to the present invention, the assembly of the branch connection box main body part is completed by holding the covered electric wires forming the pattern in parallel by the wire insertion hole or the wire mounting groove of the case. The number of points and the assembly process are drastically reduced.

The pressure contact terminal to be pressure-welded to the covered electric wire can be either an electric wire connection type having an electric wire connection part or a connector connection type having a male contact part. Since it also serves as a tool stand (seat), it is possible to perform pressure welding at the same time as the process of assembling the wire to the case.

When using the above-mentioned connector coupling type as the press contact terminal, the press contact terminal may be press contacted with the covered electric wire as a press contact terminal connector inserted in advance in the housing, or the housing may be attached after press contact between the press contact terminal and the covered electric wire. It can also be mounted, and changes in the wiring pattern can be easily dealt with depending on the grade and model of the automobile.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a branch connection box A showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are partially cutaway front and side views, respectively, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a branch connection box B showing an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the branch connection box C, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the branch connection box D, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of FIG.
10 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX, FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a branch connection box E showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a sectional view in an assembled state taken along line XI-XI in FIG. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the branch junction box F, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the same, and FIGS. 14 (a) to 14 (c) are other locking of the pressure contact terminals 26 (26 ′). FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing the means, and FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional branch connection box. A, B to F …… Branch junction box, 1 …… (insulation) covered electric wire, 2,2
´ …… Case, 3 …… Wire holding groove, 4,4 ′ …… Connector mounting part, 5 …… Wire insertion hole, 6 …… Catch, 7 …… Wire holding, 10,25,25 ′ …… Crimping Terminal connector, 11,26,26 '……
Pressure contact terminal, 12,27,27 ', 33 …… Housing, 17 …… Wire, 21 …… Hinge, 22 …… Wire mounting groove, 23 …… Connecting rod,
29,29 '…… Insertion hole, 32 …… Slit, 34 …… Lance, 3
5 ...... Locking groove, 36,36 '... Hole, 37,37' ... Locking member, 3
8 …… Pin hole, 39 …… Pin insertion hole, 40 …… Round pin.

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A case for accommodating a plurality of covered electric wires in parallel, a wire retainer for fixing the accommodated covered electric wires, and a pressure contact terminal connector accommodating a plurality of pressure contact terminals connected to the covered electric wires in parallel. The case has an electric wire pressing groove defined by a plurality of partition walls provided on opposing side wall surfaces and an end wall of the case and a connector insertion portion, and the plurality of partition walls are formed from one end wall. It has a plurality of electric wire insertion holes or electric wire mounting grooves that are arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch and that penetrates and opens to the end wall of the region, and the connector insertion portion has a bottom for receiving the pressure contact with the plurality of covered electric wires. The wire retainer is fitted into the wire retainer groove to clamp and hold the covered electric wire accommodated in parallel, and the press-connecting connector is fitted into the connector insertion portion to press-fit the cover-wire into the press-connecting terminal. Characterized by being fixed A branch connection box. 2. The branch connection box according to claim 1, wherein the wire retainer is hinged to the case. 3. The branch connection box according to claim 1, wherein one end or both ends of the wire retainer are integrally connected by a connecting rod. 4. A case which accommodates a plurality of covered electric wires in parallel and a pressure contact terminal connector which accommodates a plurality of pressure contact terminals in parallel, the case comprising a plurality of partition walls provided between opposed side walls and the case. A plurality of connector insertion portions that are partitioned and formed by the end wall of the electric wire, and a plurality of electric wires that are arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch that penetrates the plurality of partition walls from one end wall and opens to the other end wall. An insertion hole is provided, the connector fitting portion has a receiving seat for press-contacting the plurality of covered electric wires on the bottom portion, and the press-connecting terminal includes one or a plurality of male contact portions on one side and the other side. The press-connecting connector is provided with a U-shaped slot, and the press-connecting connector projects the male contact part of the press-connecting terminal into the housing by inserting the male contact part from the bottom part of the housing by pressing. Formed by protruding to the back Is, branch connection box, characterized in that the press-fitting the covered wires in the U-shaped slots of the insulation displacement terminal of piezoelectric contact connector attached to the connector fitting portion. 5. The branch connection box according to claim 4, wherein lock means is provided between the case and the housing of the press-connecting connector. 6. A case for accommodating a plurality of covered electric wires in parallel, and a pressure contact terminal press-fitted to the accommodated covered electric wires.
The case includes a housing that protects and accommodates the pressure contact terminals, and the case has a plurality of wire insertion holes that are arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch and penetrates from one of the opposing end walls to the other, and is orthogonal to these wire insertion holes. A plurality of rows of press-connecting terminal insertion slits are provided, wherein the press-connecting terminal has one or more male contact parts on one side and a press-contact part having a U-shaped slot on the other side; The pressure-contact portion of the pressure-contact terminal is press-fitted and fixed to the U-shaped slot inserted from the slit for inserting the pressure-contact terminal, and the male contact portion protruding upward from the slit is protected by the housing. A branch connection box to do. 7. The branch junction box according to claim 6, wherein the housing is detachably attached to the case. 8. The branch connection box according to claim 6, wherein the housing is provided integrally with the case so as to surround the pressure contact terminal insertion slit. 9. The branch connection box according to claim 6, further comprising means for preventing the press contact terminal from coming out.