JP2867868B2 - Electrical junction box - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric junction box, and more particularly, to a connector that can be fitted in a plurality of directions and can be downsized.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Automotive wire harness (W / H)
Is used to connect electrical components, but when wires are connected to all electrical components, as shown in FIG. 8A, the wires 1a to 1e become longer and the wires 1a to 1e become longer. As the number of terminals increases, the connectors used also increase. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
A joint box (J / B), which is an electric connection box, is used to connect and branch the electric wires 1b to 1e serving as branch lines and to concentrate the branch portions be to one place.

The joint box (J / B) is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of connector fitting portions 2b to 2e are provided on the upper surface of the case 2 to connect, for example, the trunk wire 1a to the joint box (J / B) and the branch wires 1b to 2e. 1e, the connectors respectively connected to
By fitting into the connector fitting portions 2b to 2e respectively,
Each of the wires 1b to 1e is connected to the wire 1a. Reference numeral 3 denotes a lower cover that covers the lower surface of the case 2. The joint box (J / B) has a plurality (FIG. 9).
In this example, four connector fitting portions 2b to 2e are provided in a horizontal line with a space for fitting each connector therebetween, and the width W cannot be reduced any more.

As described above, the joint box (J /
When a connector fitting portion is provided in B), when the number of connector fitting portions increases, the width of the joint box (J / B) increases, and depending on the location, it may not be possible to install the joint box (J / B).
Therefore, the joint box (J /
In B), the bus bar is made up of a plurality of layers, and a plurality of connector fitting portions are provided on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the case, respectively. Some are smaller.

[0005]

However, in the case of a single-layer bus bar, connection terminals cannot be formed in two directions at opposite positions. Therefore, it is meaningful to provide a connector fitting portion for fitting a connector from two opposite directions. There will be more busbar layers in the end, so the joint box J /
The height of B becomes high, and miniaturization is not possible. In addition, since the number of parts is increased, there is little merit in terms of parts production and management.

[0006] In addition, an electric wire, PCB
(Printed circuit board) and FPC (flexible printed circuit) cannot be formed in two directions at opposing positions from the viewpoint of manufacturing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric connection box in which a connector can be fitted from a plurality of directions and which can be downsized.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is to provide a plurality of connector fitting portions on an upper surface of a case, wherein the case is provided between the connector fitting portions. In addition to providing a bent portion that can bend the case in the lower surface direction, a terminal protruding from the connector fitting portion is connected to a flexible conductor wired inside the case, and the conductor and the case are separated from the bent portion at the boundary. Bending,
An object of the present invention is to provide an electric connection box in which a connector can be fitted to a case from a plurality of directions.

A second aspect of the present invention embodies the first aspect, wherein a bent portion is provided at an intermediate position in the bending direction of the case, and a peripheral wall is formed on the lower surface of the case with the bent portion as a boundary. When the case is bent at 180 degrees, the lower ends of the peripheral walls come into contact with each other, and the connectors are fitted to the upper and lower surfaces of the case.

Further, a third aspect of the present invention is embodied in the first aspect, wherein bent portions are provided on both sides of the intermediate position in the bending direction of the case, and the case is turned 90 degrees from each of the bent portions. Fold it into a U-shape at a time,
A configuration in which U-shaped peripheral wall parts are fitted around three sides between opposing cases, and connectors are fitted to upper and lower surfaces of the case.

[0011] Further, a fourth aspect of the present invention is to use an electric wire as the flexible conductor, attach a press contact terminal to the electric wire, and project the press contact terminal to the connector fitting portion.
An electrical connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical connection box is configured to be connected to a terminal of a connector fitted to the connector fitting portion.

Further, the flexible printed circuit (F) may be used as the flexible conductor.
PC), one side of the terminal is connected to the FPC by soldering, and the other side is protruded from the connector fitting portion to be connected to the terminal of the connector fitted to the connector fitting portion. An electric connection box according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 3 is provided.

Further, in the present invention, a flex-rigid printed wiring board is used as the flexible conductor, and a hard multilayer printed wiring board of the flex-rigid printed wiring board is arranged below a connector fitting portion of the case. And a flex portion made of FPC is arranged at a bent portion of the case.
An electrical junction box according to any one of the preceding claims.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of connector fitting portions are provided on the upper surface of the case, the case is provided with a bent portion, and a bendable conductor is wired in the case to form the conductor. The terminal connected to the connector is projected from each connector fitting portion and connected to the terminal of the connector fitted to the connector fitting portion, so that the case and the conductor can be bent. By this bending, the connector can be fitted into the case from a plurality of directions with the bent portion as a boundary. In addition, this type of case in the related art has a configuration in which an upper cover and a lower cover are combined. However, in the present invention, only a case corresponding to the upper cover is sufficient, and the number of parts can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the lateral width of the electric connection box is reduced to half by bending the case at 180 degrees at the bent portion at the middle position on the upper surface and abutting the lower ends of the peripheral walls on the lower surface. Reduce size. Claim 3 of the present invention is that the case is bent in a U-shape by 90 degrees at each of the bent portions on both sides of the middle position of the upper surface, and around the three cases between the opposing cases,
By fitting the U-shaped part for the peripheral wall, the width of the electric connection box is reduced to half and the size is reduced. Further, a required space can be formed between the case, the upper surface, and the lower surface, and can be suitably employed when a space is required inside the case. That is, the space between the opposing cases can be used as a component mounting area for a diode, a resistor, or the like. Therefore, when component mounting is required, the size can be reduced more than the electrical junction box of the second aspect.

[0016] Further, claim 4, claim 5, and claim 6 are provided.
As described in (1), when a flexible FPC, a thin flexible wire, or the like is used, the size of the electric connection box does not become higher than in the conventional case where the number of busbar layers is increased, so that the size of the flexible conductor can be reduced.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments. 1 and 2 show a joint box (J / B) of the first embodiment. The joint box (J /
In the upper surface 4f of the case 4 of B), a hinge-shaped bent portion 4h capable of bending the case 4 in the direction of the lower surface 4g is provided at an intermediate position in the bending (lateral width W) direction.

On the upper surface 4f of the case 4 (A) on one side of the bent portion 4h, two connector fitting portions 4b and 4c are provided in a horizontal line with a space for fitting each connector therebetween. At the same time, two connector fitting portions 4d and 4e are provided in a horizontal line on the upper surface 4f of the other case 4 (B) with a fitting space for each connector therebetween. Case 4 (A, B)
The lower surface 4g is provided with peripheral walls 4i, 4i surrounding the lower surfaces 4g, 4g, respectively, bordering the bent portion 4h.

As shown in detail in FIG. 6, terminals 5 penetrating the case 4 (A, B) in the vertical direction are attached to the connector fitting portions 4b to 4e, respectively. The press contact terminals 5a of the connector fitting portions 4b to 4e are connected to the case 4 (A,
The lower surface 4g of B) has a flexible conductor 6 according to the circuit.
Alternatively, it is connected to the electric wire 7. Specifically, when the flexible conductor is a thin FPC 6, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A, the terminal 5 is made to penetrate the FPC 6 and fixed by the solder a. When the flexible conductor is a thin electric wire 7, as shown in FIG. 5B and FIG.
Is pressed in and fixed. The FPC 6 and the electric wire 7 have a portion corresponding to the bent portion 4h bent in a loop shape. An equivalent product to the FPC and a “flexible hard copper-clad laminate” called Bentflex (trademark) can also be used.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the connectors 8 are fitted into the connector fitting portions 4b to 4e, the press contact terminals 9 of the electric wires 1b to 1e connected to the connector 8 are connected. Are engaged with the respective terminals 5, and the lock projections 8a of the connector 8 are engaged with the lock recesses 4l of the connector fitting portions 4b to 4e.
Locked to 4e.

As shown in FIG. 1, the one side case 4
A lock recess 4j is formed on the peripheral wall 4i of (A), and a lock projection 4k is formed on the peripheral wall 4j of the other case 4 (B).

With the above configuration, the case 4
(A, B) at the bent portion 4h in the direction of the lower surface 4g by 180
And the peripheral walls 4i, 4 of each case 4 (A, B).
When the lower end of i is brought into contact, the lock projection 4k engages with the lock recess 4j, and each case 4 (A, B) is locked as shown in FIG. Therefore, case 4 on one side
Each connector 8 can be fitted from above into the connector fitting portions 4b and 4c of (A), and each connector 8 can be fitted from below into the other connector fitting portions 4d and 4e.

As described above, by folding the case 4 (A, B), the width W of the joint box (J / B) is reduced to half and the size is reduced. In addition, by using a thin FPC 6 or a thin electric wire 7 as a flexible conductor, the joint box (J / B) does not become higher than in the conventional case where the bus bar layer is increased, so that the size can be reduced even in the height direction. Easier assembly work on cars Furthermore, the case 4 (A,
Since the lower cover that covers the lower surface of B) becomes unnecessary,
The number of parts can be reduced, and a mold for the lower cover is not required, and management of transportation and storage is simplified.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a joint box (J / B) of the second embodiment. The joint box (J
/ B), the upper surface 4f of the case 4 is bent (width W).
Hinge-shaped bent portions 4h, 4h capable of bending the case 4 in the direction of the lower surface 4g are provided on both sides of the intermediate position in the direction.

The two connector fitting portions 4b and 4c are laterally provided on the upper surface 4f of the case 4 (A) on one side of each of the bent portions 4h and 4h with a space for fitting each connector therebetween. The upper surface 4f of the case 4 (B) on the other side is provided in a line.
, Two connector fitting portions 4d and 4e are provided in a row in a row with a fitting space for each connector therebetween.

Terminals 5 are attached to the connector fitting portions 4b to 4e, respectively, as in the first embodiment.
a is connected to the lower surface 4g of the case 4 (A, B) by a flexible FPC 6 or an electric wire 7 according to the circuit, and the portions corresponding to the bent portions 4h, 4h are bent in a loop shape.

Lock recesses 4m are formed at the front end of each case 4 (A, B) and both side ends of the peripheral wall (one circumference) 41 between the bent portions 4h, 4h. Further, when the case 4 (A, B) is bent into a U-shape at 90 degrees each, the peripheral wall part 10 is provided in a U-shape surrounding three circumferences between the opposing cases 4 (A, B). Upper and lower ends of the bottom wall 10a of the part 10 and both side walls 10b, 1
The lock projection 10c is formed at the tip of the head 0b.

With the above configuration, the case 4 (A, B) is bent at the bent portions 4 h, 4 h in the direction of the lower surface 4 g in a U-shape at 90 degrees at a time, and the peripheral wall part 10 is replaced with a three-part without the peripheral wall 4 l. When fitted around, each lock projection 1
0c is engaged with the lock recess 4m, and each case 4 (A,
B) and the surrounding wall part 10 are locked. Therefore,
Each connector 8 can be fitted to the connector fitting portions 4b and 4c of the case 4 (A) on one side from above, and each connector 8 can be fitted to the connector fitting portions 4d and 4e of the other side from below. become.

As described above, by folding the case 4 (A, B), the width W of the joint box (J / B) is reduced to half, thereby reducing the size. In addition, by using a thin FPC 6 or a thin electric wire 7 as a flexible conductor, the joint box (J / B) does not become higher than in the conventional case where the bus bar layer is increased, so that the size can be reduced even in the height direction. Easier assembly work on cars Further, the case 4 (A,
Since the lower surface of (B) is covered, it can be made smaller than the lower cover, and its molding die is less expensive. Furthermore, the space S between the opposing cases 4 (A, B) can be used as a component mounting area for diodes, resistors, and the like. Therefore, when component mounting is necessary, the joint box (J
/ B).

In each of the above embodiments, the case 4 (A, B) is bent at 180 degrees, but it goes without saying that it may be bent at 90 degrees or any other angle.

Further, as the flexible conductor,
The flex-rigid printed wiring board 11 shown in FIG. 7 can be used. In the flex-rigid printed wiring board 11, a hard multilayer printed wiring board 12 having an FPC 6 'embedded therein is disposed below a connector fitting portion of the case, and a flex portion 13 consisting of only the FPC 6' is mounted on the case. It is located at the bent part. Multilayer printed wiring board 1 arranged below connector fitting section
2 is provided with a through hole 14 connected to the conductor of the FPC 6 ', and a terminal (not shown) protruding from a connector fitted to the connector fitting portion is connected to the through hole 14.

[0032]

As is apparent from the above description, the electrical connection box according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured such that a case provided with a plurality of connector fitting portions is bent at a bent portion. Since the connector can be fitted to the connector fitting portion from a plurality of directions with the bent portion as a boundary, and a thin FPC or a thin electric wire can be used as a flexible conductor, the height of the electric connection box does not increase. The size can be reduced, and the work of assembling the vehicle becomes easier.

In the electric connection box according to the second aspect, the case may
The lower part of the electrical junction box is halved, the size is reduced, and the lower cover that covers the lower surface of the case is not required, and the number of parts is reduced. And the need for a lower cover is eliminated, so that a molding die is not required, and management of transportation and storage is simplified.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the case is bent into a U-shape at 90 degrees at a time, and U-shaped peripheral wall parts are fitted around three sides between the opposing cases. Therefore, the width of the electric connection box is reduced to half and the size is reduced, and at the same time, the parts for the peripheral wall as a substitute for the lower cover are reduced and the molding die is reduced in cost. Further, since the space between the opposing cases can be used as a component mounting area for a diode, a resistor, or the like, when component mounting is required, the size can be made smaller than that of the electric junction box of the second aspect.

In the electric connection box according to the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects, an electric wire or an FPC is used as a flexible conductor to be wired in the case. Since the terminals are attached by solder and these terminals are projected to the connector fitting portion provided on the upper surface of the case, a flexible conductor can be easily connected to the connector fitted from a plurality of directions according to the circuit configuration. I can do it.

[Brief description of the drawings]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a case before bending a joint box of a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein (A) is a side sectional view using an FPC, and (B) is a side sectional view using an electric wire.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the case after being bent.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a case before bending of a joint box according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a case and peripheral wall parts after being bent.

5A and 5B are cases of each embodiment, in which FIG. 5A is a bottom view using an FPC, and FIG. 5B is a bottom view using an electric wire.

6A and 6B are cases of each embodiment, in which FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a connector fitting portion using an FPC, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a connector fitting portion using an electric wire.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a flex-rigid printed wiring board used in the present invention.

8A and 8B are schematic connection diagrams of a wire harness.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional joint box.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 (A, B) Case 4b-4e Connector fitting part 4f Upper surface 4g Lower surface 4h Bending part 4i, 41 Surround wall 5 Terminal 6 FPC 7 Electric wire 8 Connector 10 Surround wall parts

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of connector fitting portions provided on an upper surface of the case, and a bent portion capable of bending the case in a lower surface direction is provided in a case between the connector fitting portions;
The terminal protruding from the connector fitting part is connected to a flexible conductor wired inside the case, the conductor is bent together with the case at the bent part, and the connector can be fitted to the case from multiple directions. An electrical junction box, characterized in that: 2. A bent portion is provided at an intermediate position of the case, a peripheral wall is formed on a lower surface of the case with the bent portion as a boundary, and the case is bent at 180 degrees to abut the lower ends of the peripheral walls. The electrical connection box according to claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to be fitted on both the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the case. 3. A bent portion is provided on each side of the intermediate position in the bending direction of the case, and the case is bent at 90 degrees at each of the bent portions, and the case is bent at 90 degrees. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein a U-shaped peripheral wall part is fitted around the periphery. 4. An electric wire is used as the flexible conductor, a press contact terminal is attached to the electric wire, and the press contact terminal protrudes from the connector fitting portion, and a terminal of the connector that fits into the connector fitting portion. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein the electrical junction box is configured to be connected. 5. A flexible printed circuit (FPC) is used as the flexible conductor.
2. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein one side of the terminal is connected to the PC by soldering, and the other side is protruded from the connector fitting portion so as to be connected to a terminal of the connector fitted to the connector fitting portion. The electrical junction box according to any one of items 2 and 3. 6. A flex-rigid printed wiring board is used as the flexible conductor, and a hard multilayer printed wiring board of the flex-rigid printed wiring board is arranged below a connector fitting portion of the case.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a flex portion made of FPC is arranged at a bent portion of the case.
Electrical connection box according to the paragraph.