JP2923515B2 - 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 for housing a fuse circuit of an automobile, and more particularly, to a bus bar housing in which a bus bar is arranged, and a plurality of terminals on one surface of an end of the board. The present invention relates to an electric connection box which connects printed circuit boards formed by printing and forms an electronic circuit network such as an electronic unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an electric connection box for housing a fuse circuit of an automobile is formed of a bus bar which forms a branch circuit or the like by erecting and coupling a plurality of tab terminals by punching and bending a metal plate. It comprises a busbar housing housed therein, circuit elements such as fuses and relays, relay terminals for connecting the terminals of these circuit elements and the tab terminals of the busbar, and an insulating case for housing these. However, in recent years, with the advance of computerization and high functionality of automobiles, an electrical junction box having an electronic unit serving as a high-performance control unit mounted on a printed circuit board has been developed.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a conventional example of an electric junction box on which an electronic unit is mounted. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an assembled state, and FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view thereof. The electric junction box shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 3-104022, and reference numeral 1 in the figure stands up a plurality of tab terminals 1a by punching or bending a metal plate. A bus bar that couples to form a branch circuit, etc.
2 is an insulating substrate on which the bus bar 1 is arranged, 3 is an insulating case covering the periphery of the insulating substrate 2, 4 is an electronic unit 4
It is.

[0006] As shown in FIG. 11, the electronic unit 4 includes a printed circuit board 5 on which an IC and a CPU are arranged.
A unit case 6 made of synthetic resin for accommodating the printed circuit board 5 is provided. Here, the printed circuit board 5 has a plurality of terminal portions 5a electrically connected to the tab terminals 1a formed on the bus bar 1 formed on one surface of an end portion of the board.
Are formed vertically so as to be in contact with the tab terminals 1a protruding from the case 3.

The unit case 6 includes a bottom plate portion 6a for covering the lower surface of the printed circuit board 5 and a printed circuit board 5
A cover portion 6b for covering the upper surface of the terminal portion 5a and the tab terminal 1 on the front side of the cover portion 6b.
and a tab terminal accommodating portion 6c for covering a. The tab terminal accommodating portion 6c has a structure in which the bottom is opened, and when the unit case 6 is mounted on the insulating case 3, the insulating case 3
The tab terminal 1a protruding from the terminal portion is fitted into the tab terminal accommodating portion 6c and elastically comes into surface contact with the terminal portion 5a.

In this conventional example, the tab terminal 1a
As a locking mechanism 7 for locking the contact state between the terminal and the terminal portion 5a, a locking projection 7a provided on both sides of the tab terminal receiving portion 6c and a locking device provided on a side portion near the rear end of the cover portion 6b. A locking groove 7b, a locking frame 7c erected on the case 3 and engaged with the locking projection 7a,
Hook piece 7d erected on top and engaged with the locking groove 7b
And is equipped with.

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional electric connection box, the tab terminals 1a are bent in an upright state, and the terminal portions 5a are formed in a vertically suspended state.
Poor design and productivity. Moreover, in order to increase the contact strength between the connecting portion 5a and the tab terminal 1a to prevent a connection failure or the like, the urging means for applying a force in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface (horizontal direction) is provided in the unit case. 6, the electronic unit 4 has a more complicated configuration, which causes problems such as an increase in production cost. In the conventional electric connection box, the insulating case 3 of the electronic unit 4 is used.
The locking projection 7a and the locking frame 7c
Has a great influence on the maintenance of the contact state between the terminal portion 5a and the tab terminal 1a, so that if the terminal portion 5a and the tab terminal 1a are damaged due to some external factors, the contact surface between the terminal portion 5a and the tab terminal 1a is reduced. There was a risk that the electrical connection would become impossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and eliminates the need for a separate urging means for increasing the contact strength between a terminal portion of an electronic unit and a tab terminal of a bus bar, and provides a high connection. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical junction box that can achieve reliability and ease of assembly.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a bus bar housing for supporting a bus bar and accommodating a tab terminal extending from the bus bar, mounting an electronic unit and the like to form a circuit, and forming a circuit board. A printed circuit board having a terminal portion disposed on a portion thereof, wherein the electrical connection box connects the tab terminal and the terminal portion, wherein the busbar housing has a groove portion opened for inserting the printed circuit board. When, with the tab terminal which are arranged on one side of the groove so as to contact the terminal portion and the surface, the elastically deformed to receive a printed circuit board which protrude inserted in the groove and of the printed circuit board Push the terminal part into the tab terminal
And a resilient locking portion for pressurizing and said resilient locking portion,
A locking projection protruding from a free end side of the elastic locking portion;
It is formed corresponding to the steady position of the elastic locking part and
Insert the printed circuit board to a predetermined position in the groove.
The printed circuit board with which the locking projection is engaged
The printed circuit board and the bus
A locking mechanism that locks engagement with the bar housing
This is achieved by an electrical junction box characterized in that it is provided .

Further, the above object of the present invention is attained by an electric connection box, wherein an elastic locking portion of the electric connection box is provided for each terminal formed on the printed circuit board.

[0011]

The terminal portion of the printed circuit board can be brought into good surface contact with the tab terminal in the groove by the pressing force of the elastic locking portion which is elastically deformed. Therefore, the terminal can be provided without any additional urging means. The contact strength between the portion and the tab terminal can be increased. Moreover, the elastic locking portion for regulating the position of the printed circuit board at a predetermined position can be provided in accordance with the number of connection terminals of the printed circuit board. However, sufficient connection strength between the printed circuit board and the busbar housing can be ensured. Further, the contact force between the terminal portion and the tab terminal can be sufficiently ensured only by the remaining elastic locking portion. Further, if the elastic locking portion is provided for each connection terminal, the influence when a part of the elastic locking portion is damaged can be further reduced, and the connection reliability can be further improved. Can be.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of an electric junction box according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the first embodiment. The electric connection box of the first embodiment is formed with a fuse circuit and a control circuit of an automobile, and has a busbar housing 12 for housing a busbar 11.
An electronic unit (not shown) accommodating the printed circuit board 13 is mounted on one surface (the right end in FIG. 1) of the printed circuit board 13 (the lower surface in FIG. 1). A plurality of terminal portions 13a corresponding to each terminal are printed. The busbar housing 12
Has a configuration in which a bus bar extends and a plurality of tab terminals 11a that are in surface contact with the terminal portion 13a are implanted. Here, the bus bar 11 has a configuration in which a plurality of tab terminals 11a are coupled by punching a metal plate.

The busbar housing 12 is formed by molding an insulating synthetic resin material or the like. The busbar housing 12 is provided with the printed circuit board 1.
The plurality of tab terminals 11a are placed so as to be in surface contact with a groove 12a that allows insertion of the third terminal 3 and each terminal 13a of the printed circuit board 13 that is inserted into the groove 12a. A tab terminal positioning projection 12f arranged on one side of the groove 12a and a tab terminal support portion 12b for supporting the bus bar 11 are formed.

A locking mechanism 14 for locking the engagement between the printed circuit board 13 and the busbar housing 12 is provided toward the inside of the groove 12a so as to abut the other surface of the printed circuit board 13. An elastically deformable elastic locking portion 15 which protrudes and presses one surface of the printed circuit board 13 against the tab terminal 11a, and a locking projection 16 which is protrudingly provided on a free end side of the elastic locking portion 15; The elastic locking portion 1 on the other surface of the printed circuit board 13.
5 is formed corresponding to the stationary position, and includes a concave portion 17 with which the locking projection 16 is engaged by inserting the printed circuit board 13 to a predetermined position in the groove 12a.

Here, the elastic locking portion 15 is formed integrally with the bus bar housing 12, and is formed in a space communicating with the groove 12a so as to be easily elastically deformed along the insertion direction of the printed circuit board 13. It has a plate-like portion 15a extending from the upper edge of the space 12c and a reinforcing portion 15b extending from the upper edge of the space 12c and supporting the plate-like portion 15a. The elastic locking portion 15 is configured to be independent for each terminal portion 13a on the printed circuit board 13 by a slit 12d formed corresponding to the tab terminal 11a. The locking protrusion 16 is formed for each elastic locking portion 15 separated by the slit 12d.

As shown in FIG. 1, the groove portion 12a has a board positioning projection 12e for abutting against one surface of the printed circuit board 13 inserted into the bus bar housing 12 and positioning the printed circuit board 13. The tab terminal positioning projections 12f for positioning the tab terminals 11a so as to evenly contact the terminal portions 13a of the printed circuit board 13 positioned by the board positioning projections 12e are provided.

Next, a mounting operation for mounting the printed circuit board 13 on the busbar housing 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the terminal portion 13a is connected to the tab terminal 11a in the groove portion 12a.
One end of the printed circuit board 13 is inserted into the groove 12a so as to be positioned on the surface. As the insertion proceeds, as shown in FIG. 3, the elastic locking portion 15 is elastically deformed toward the inside of the groove 12 a when the locking projection 16 contacts the edge of the printed circuit board 13. As the insertion of the printed circuit board 13 proceeds further, as shown in FIG. 4, the locking projection 16 rides on the printed circuit board 13 by the elastic restoring force of the elastic locking portion 15, and the printed circuit board 13 is The terminal 13a (see FIG. 1) provided on the printed circuit board 13 is pressed against the tab terminal 11a while being pressed against the positioning protrusion 12e. When the printed circuit board 13 is further inserted as it is, as shown in FIG. 5, the locking projections 16 are fitted into the concave portions 17 on the printed circuit board 13, whereby the elastic locking portions 15 are moved to the printed circuit board 1.
While pressing 3 against the board positioning projection 12e, the connecting portion 13a of the printed circuit board 13 is brought into surface contact with the tab terminal 11a. Furthermore, the locking mechanism 14 has a shape in which the elastic locking portion 15 cannot be deformed to the outside of the groove 12 a, so that the printed circuit board 13 is locked to the busbar housing 12 so that the printed circuit board 13 cannot be pulled out.

In the electric junction box of the first embodiment described above, the elastic locking portion 15 provided on the busbar housing 12 is used.
Terminal portion 1 of printed circuit board 13 due to the elastic restoring force of
3a can be satisfactorily brought into surface contact with the tab terminal 11a in the groove portion 12a, so that the terminal portion 13a and the tab terminal 1a can be connected without providing a separate urging means on the electronic unit side.
The contact strength with 1a can be increased, and the production cost can be reduced by simplifying the configuration of the electronic unit.

In addition, the connection terminal 13b and the tab terminal 1
The locking mechanism 14 that locks the state of contact with the printed circuit board 1a is provided for each of the terminal portions 13a of the printed circuit board 13. Even if a part of the locking mechanism 14 is damaged, the printed circuit board 13 and the busbar housing are connected. 12 and the tab terminals 11 of the terminal portions 13a of the printed circuit board 13.
The urging force on “a” can be sufficiently ensured by the remaining elastic locking portion 15.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the electric junction box according to the present invention. In the above-described first embodiment, the elastic locking portion 15 and the locking projection 16 for locking the contact state between the terminal portion 13a on the printed circuit board 13 and the tab terminal 11a of the bus bar 11 are formed by the slit 12d.
Thereby, each connection portion 13a is separated and independent. However, in the second embodiment, the locking mechanism 14 is configured such that the elastic locking portion 15 has a plurality of terminal portions 1 without slits.
3a is provided in an integral structure common to the bus bar housing 12 and is connected to the bus bar housing 12. With this configuration, the structure of the busbar housing 12 can be simplified. Incidentally, also in the case of the second embodiment, the locking projection 17 pressing the printed circuit board 13 is
Each of the terminal portions 13a of the printed circuit board 13 is provided on the free end side of the elastic locking portion 15.

Also in the second embodiment, the contact strength between the terminal portion 13a and the tab terminal can be increased without providing a separate urging means on the electronic unit side, and the structure of the electronic unit is simplified. Cost can be reduced. Further, even if a part of the locking mechanism 14 is damaged,
A decrease in the contact strength between a and the tab terminal can be prevented, and good electrical and mechanical connection can be maintained.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of a third embodiment of the electric junction box according to the present invention. In the third embodiment, an elastic locking part 15 and a locking element which are components of a locking mechanism 14 for locking a contact state between a terminal 13a on a printed circuit board 13 and a tab terminal 11a of a bus bar 11 are described. A positioning piece 18 for improving the shape and installation position of the projection 16 and for holding down the other surface of the printed circuit board 13 is provided on the busbar housing 12 so as to face the board positioning projection 12e. The other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted using the same reference numerals.

The elastic locking portion 15 has a structure extending along the surface of the printed circuit board 13 in the groove 12a, and the locking projection 16 extends from the tip of the elastic locking portion 15 to the surface of the printed circuit board 13. It is provided so as to protrude. Note that FIG. 7A shows that the locking projection 16 is the printed circuit board 1.
FIG. 7B shows a state in which the contact state between the terminal portion 13a of the printed circuit board 13 and the tab terminal 11a of the bus bar 11 is locked, and FIG. State, that is, the printed circuit board 13 is
2A shows a state in which the elastic locking portion 15 is elastically deformed by being inserted into the elastic locking portion 15.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a main part of a fourth embodiment of the electric junction box according to the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the elastic locking portion 15 in the third embodiment is further improved. The elastic locking portion 15 constituting the locking mechanism 14 is provided within the groove 12a.
Printed circuit board 1 extended along the surface of
3 and a thick portion 15c for holding the tip portion of
c having a thin elastic deformation portion 15d extending in a hairpin shape from the tip of the printed circuit board 13 and projecting toward the printed circuit board 13 side. It has a configuration in which a matching projection 16 is provided. FIG. 8A shows the locking projection 1.
FIG. 8B shows a state in which the engaging portion 6 is engaged with the concave portion 17 on the printed circuit board 13 and the contact state between the terminal portion 13a on the printed circuit board 13 and the tab terminal 11a of the bus bar 11 is locked. 4 shows a state before being locked, that is, a state in which the elastic locking portion 15 is elastically deformed by inserting the printed circuit board 13 into the groove 12a.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a main part of a fifth embodiment of the electric junction box according to the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, the shape and the like of the reinforcing portion 15b of the elastic locking portion 15 in the first embodiment are improved. Elastic locking part 1
5 includes a plate-like portion 15a extending from an upper edge of the space portion 12c communicating with the groove portion 12a, and a reinforcing portion 15b extending from a side edge of the space portion 12c and supporting the plate-like portion 15a. It has a structure. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In each of the third to fifth embodiments, as in the first embodiment, a biasing means for increasing the contact strength between the terminal portion 13a and the tab terminal 11a is provided on the electronic unit side. It is not necessary to equip the printed circuit board 13 and the busbar housing 12 with the provision of the electronic circuit unit.
Even if a part of the locking mechanism 14 that locks the contact state with the terminal portion is broken, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the contact strength between the terminal portion 13a and the tab terminal 11a, and maintain a good electrical and mechanical connection. can do.

In each of the above embodiments, the locking mechanism 14
Is provided so as to correspond to the terminal portion 13a of the printed circuit board 13. However, if all the terminal portions 13a can be evenly brought into close contact with the tab terminals 11a, the locking mechanism 1
The number of 4 is arbitrary. For example, one locking mechanism 14 is assigned to two terminal portions 13a, or
A configuration in which one locking mechanism 14 is assigned to each of three or more terminal portions 13a is also conceivable.

[0028]

According to the electric junction box of the present invention, the terminal portion of the printed circuit board is brought into good surface contact with the tab terminal in the groove by the elastic restoring force of the elastic locking portion provided on the bus bar housing. Therefore, it is not necessary to equip the electronic unit with a separate urging means for increasing the contact strength between the connection terminal and the tab terminal, and the production cost can be reduced by simplifying the configuration of the electronic unit. it can. Moreover, the locking mechanism that locks the contact state between the terminal portion and the tab terminal has a structure appropriately provided in accordance with the number of connection terminals of the printed circuit board. Also, the strength of the connection between the printed circuit board and the busbar housing and the urging force of the terminal portion against the tab terminal can be sufficiently ensured by the remaining locking mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in contact strength between the terminal portion and the tab terminal, maintain good electrical and mechanical connection, and obtain high connection reliability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention;
7A shows a state where the printed circuit board is locked to the bus bar housing, and FIG. 7B shows a state before the printed circuit board is locked.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8A shows a state where the printed circuit board is locked to the bus bar housing, and FIG. 8B shows a state before the printed circuit board is locked.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a main part of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional electric junction box in an assembled state.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a conventional electric junction box.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 bus bar 11 a tab terminal 12 bus bar housing 12 a groove 12 d slit 12 e substrate positioning projection 12 f tab terminal positioning projection 13 printed circuit board 13 a terminal section 14 locking mechanism 15 elastic locking section 16 locking projection 17 recess

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A busbar housing for supporting a busbar and accommodating a tab terminal extending from the busbar;
A printed circuit board on which an electronic unit or the like is mounted to form a circuit and a terminal portion is disposed at an end of the board; and an electric connection box for connecting the tab terminal and the terminal portion, wherein the bus bar A groove opened in the housing for inserting the printed circuit board, the tab terminals arranged on one side in the groove so as to be in surface contact with the terminal, and a printed circuit board projected and inserted into the groove. Elastically deformed to receive the terminal of the printed circuit board .
And an elastic locking part for pressing the part against the tab terminal .
The elastic locking portion and a projecting portion protruding from a free end side of the elastic locking portion.
The elastic projection has a shape corresponding to the stationary position of the elastic projection.
And the printed circuit board is inserted into the groove.
Before the locking projection engages by inserting it to the predetermined position
The printed circuit board is provided with a recess on the printed circuit board.
Locking the engagement between the circuit board and the busbar housing
An electric connection box , comprising a locking mechanism for turning on . 2. The electric connection box according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is provided for each terminal formed on the printed circuit board.