JP3106954B2 - 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 connection box which accommodates a bus bar and mounts a relay, a fuse, an electronic component and the like for branch connection, and more particularly, to a tab insertion hole formed in a case. It is intended to facilitate the work of attaching the bus bar without restricting the insertion direction and the insertion position of the tab of the bus bar.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electric connection box used in an automobile wire harness accommodates a bus bar therein, and a tab formed on the bus bar is provided on an outer surface of a case. The electrical circuit is branched and connected by making electrical connection with each terminal of an electrical component to be fitted and mounted on the electronic circuit.

For example, in the electric junction box shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, a bus bar 1 (1-1 to 1-3) is inserted into a case 2 from below X and formed on each bus bar 1. Tab 1
a through the tab insertion hole 2a formed in the case 2 to protrude into each terminal hole 2c opened in the bottom wall of the connector fitting portion 2b formed on the upper surface of the case 2, and the connector fitting portion 2b
Is electrically connected to each terminal of a connector (not shown) that fits into the connector.

Each of the bus bars 1 has a locking claw 1b cut and raised in one direction on a tab 1a, and the locking claw 1b is fitted to a locked portion 2d formed on the inner surface of a tab insertion hole 2a. It is locked and fixed to the case 2.

[0005] The pitch P1 of the terminal holes 2c of the connector fitting portion 2b matches the pitch on the connector side.
Unlike the pitch P2 of the bus bar 1 accommodated in the case 2,
When the pitch P1 is larger than P2 (P1> P2), as shown, the center busbar 1-2 has a shape in which the busbar axis L1 and the tab axis L2 are aligned on the same line. The bus bars 1-1 and 1-3 are aligned with the axis L.
1 and L2 are formed differently, and the tab 1a is bent and formed.
Therefore, the pitch P1 is made to coincide with the pitch P3 of the tab.

[0006]

In the case of the above configuration, the bus bar 1 needs to be inserted so that the locking claw 1b of the tab 1a is on the same side (rear side) as the locked portion 2d of the case 2 side. There is. Therefore, if the front-rear direction of the bus bar 1 is reversed by mistake, the center bus bar 1-2 becomes the tab insertion hole 2a.
But the locking claw 1b cannot be locked to the locked portion 2d. The left and right bus bars 1-1 and 1-3 are connected to the tab 1
Since the direction of refraction of a is reversed, if it is inserted in the right and left direction only by mistake in the front and rear direction, it cannot be inserted into the tab insertion hole 2a. Although the insertion hole 2a can be inserted,
The locking claw 1b cannot be locked to the locked portion 2d.

As described above, since the insertion direction and the insertion position of the bus bar are defined, it is necessary to pay close attention to the projecting direction of the locking claws and the insertion position of the bus bar when the bus bar is inserted into the case. In particular, when the bus bar is small, the amount of protrusion of the locking claw is also small, and it takes time and effort to check the direction of the protrusion, and when there are a large number of bus bars, it takes a lot of work.

Further, even when the bus bars have the same shape, depending on the position of the locked portion provided on the case side, the projecting direction of the locking claw formed on the tab is set to the front side or the rear side. , Because it was formed separately according to the locking direction,
The number of busbar parts increased, and the cost increased accordingly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to facilitate busbar insertion work without restricting the insertion direction and insertion position of a busbar.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a bus bar is accommodated therein, and tabs for connecting external terminals of these bus bars are projected from terminal holes formed on the outer surface of the case to form external terminals. The tab is provided with a locking claw projecting in one direction, while the tab is opposed to the front and rear sides of the peripheral wall of each tab insertion hole communicating with each terminal hole of the case. Forming a pair of locked portions that lock with the locking claws, the locking claws of the bus bar form a pair of locked portions even if the insertion direction of the bus bar is reversed, and
The pitch in the left and right direction of the terminal holes of the case is different from the parallel pitch in which busbars having tabs protruding into these terminal holes are accommodated in parallel inside the case, and the pitch of the terminal holes is larger than the busbar pitch. The bus bar is formed by bending the tab by shifting the axial direction, and even if the insertion position of the bus bar is reversed left and right and back and forth, the locking claw provided on the bent tab is covered by the case. Provided is an electric junction box configured to be able to lock either one of the locking portions.

[0011] With the above structure, when inserting the bus bar into the case, attention is not paid to the method of projecting the locking claws,
Even when the front-rear direction is reversed, the locking claw is locked to the locked portion on the case side, and the bus bar can be fixed to the case.
Further, the pitch in the left-right direction of the terminal holes provided in the case is different from the parallel pitch in which busbars having tabs projecting from these terminal holes are accommodated in the case in parallel, and the pitch of the terminal holes is different from the busbar pitch. Even larger, even when the busbar is formed by bending the tab by shifting the axial direction, since the locked portions on the case side are provided on the front and rear surfaces, the insertion position of the busbar is reversed left and right. Even if the front and rear are reversed, the locking claw provided on the bent tab can be locked with one of the locked portions on the case side. That is, the pitch P1 of the terminal holes is equal to the pitch P2 of the bus bar.
In order to make the tab pitch P3 larger than (P1> P2) and to make the tab pitch P3 the same as the terminal hole pitch P1 (P1 = P3), when the tab is bent and formed, the insertion position of the bus bar is erroneously set. Even if it is reversed left and right, if it is reversed in the front and rear direction, insertion into the tab insertion hole becomes possible, and the locking claw can be locked and fixed to the locked portion. If the front and rear directions are not reversed, insertion into the tab insertion hole is not possible, so if the front and rear directions are reversed, insertion becomes possible, and the locking claw is locked to the locked part and fixed. it can.

A terminal hole provided in the case is formed in a bottom wall of an external terminal fitting portion for fitting a connector, a fuse or a relay. That is, regardless of whether the external terminal to be connected to the tab is a connector, a fuse, or a relay, if the pitch of these external terminals and the pitch of the tab are the same, the work of inserting the bus bar provided with the tab into the case can be performed. Easy.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment, in which a bus bar 1 made of a conductive metal plate is used similarly to the conventional example.
0 (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) are inserted into the case 20 from below X, and the tabs 10a formed on the upper portions of the bus bars 10 are inserted into the tab insertion holes 20a of the case 20, respectively. The tab upper end is made to protrude into the terminal hole 20c opened in the bottom wall of the connector fitting portion 20b formed on the upper surface. The terminal hole 20c is, in the illustrated embodiment,
Three terminal holes 20c-1, 20c-2, and 20c-3 are juxtaposed at a pitch P1.
The pitch is matched with the pitch of a connector (not shown) to be fitted to b.

Each of the bus bars 10 has a flat plate shape that is long in the vertical direction, and the bus bar 10-2 corresponding to the central terminal hole 20c-2 is provided with a narrow tab 1 on a wide lower portion 10c.
0a is formed so that the lower portion 10c and the tab 10a have the same central axis. In the figure, the left busbar 10
-1 has a narrow tab 10a on the wide lower part 10c,
The tabs 10a are bent to the left by shifting the central axes L1 and L2. The busbar 10-3 on the right side is formed by forming a narrow tab 10a on the wide lower portion 10c by displacing the center axes L1 and L2 and bending the tab 10a to the right. These three busbars 10 have tabs 1
Locking claw 10b cut and raised in the same direction at a substantially central portion of Oa
Is formed.

On the other hand, each of the narrow tab insertion holes 20a provided in the case 20 and having a rectangular cross section has a pair of engaging members, which are opposed to each other at front and rear inner surfaces at positions where the tabs engage with the engaging claws 10b. Stop portions 20d and 20e are protruded.

The busbar 10 is attached to the case 20 having the above structure.
3 is inserted from below X, as shown in FIG. 3, the bus bar 1 is inserted into the tab insertion hole 20a-1 with the locking claws 10b of the bus bars 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3 protruding rearward.
0-1, 20c-2: 10-2, 20c-3: 10-3
Respectively, the locked portions 20 on the rear side of the tab insertion holes
The bus bar 10 can be fixed to the case 20 by locking the bus bars 10 to the case 20 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the locking bush 10b is inserted into the tab insertion hole 20c-2 with the locking claw 10b protruding forward with the front-rear direction of the center bus bar 10-2 reversed. The locking claw 10b is a locked portion 20 on the front side of the tab insertion hole.
e and can be fixed. That is, the insertion can be locked even if the insertion direction is reversed.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B,
Left and right bus bars 10-1 and 10-3 are reversed left and right,
The bus bar 10-3 is inserted into the tab insertion hole 20c-1 and the bus bar 10-1 is inserted into the tab insertion hole 20c-3, and even if the insertion position is changed from that of FIG. When the insertion direction is such that 10b is projected forward, the locking claw 10b can be locked and locked to the locked portion 20e on the front side. Note that if the front and rear directions are not reversed by changing the left and right insertion positions of the bus bars 10-1 and 10-3, the tab 10a cannot be inserted into the tab insertion hole 20a. Simply by starting over, the insertion can be locked.

As shown in FIG. 6A, a pair of right and left two bus bars 10'-1 and 10'-2, as shown in FIG. 6B, four bus bars 10 "-1 to 10"-. 4 can be inserted into the case by changing the tab pitch P3 and the busbar pitch P2, respectively. Even if the busbar with the tab bent right and left is mistaken in the left-right direction, the case can be changed only by changing the front-back direction. The locking claw of the tab can be locked and fixed to the locked portion on the side. In addition, even if the busbar in which the tab is not bent is mistaken in the front-rear direction, or of course, the insertion position is changed, the locking claw of the tab can be locked and fixed to the locked portion on the case side.

In the above-described embodiment, the tab is electrically connected to the terminal of the connector. However, when the fuse and the relay are mounted on the case and electrically connected to the tab of the bus bar, the pitch of the fuse and the relay is further increased. Also, when the pitch of the bus bar is different from the pitch of the bus bar, as in the case of the connector connection described above, if a pair of front and rear locked portions are provided in the tab insertion hole of the case, the insertion direction and the insertion position of the tab of the bus bar are changed. It can be inserted into the case without any restrictions.

[0022]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the insertion direction and the insertion position of the bus bar can be changed only by forming a pair of front and rear locked portions in the tab insertion hole on the case side. Also, the locking claw formed on the tab of the bus bar can be locked to the locked portion on the case side to fix the bus bar to the case.

Also, in order to make the pitch of the tab different from the pitch of the bus bar body provided with the tab, even when the tab is bent and formed, even if the insertion position of the bus bar is reversed, the tab is not bent. The locking claw can be locked and fixed to the locked portion on the case side.

As described above, since the insertion direction and the insertion position of the bus bar are not restricted and the bus bar can be inserted into an arbitrary method and position, the operation of inserting the bus bar into the case becomes easier as compared with the conventional case, and the work efficiency is increased and the cost is increased. Down can be planned.

Further, since the locked portions on the case side are formed on both front and rear surfaces, the locking claws of the bus bar need only be protruded to one side, and the locked portions on the case side may be protruded. It is not necessary to provide a bus bar in which the protruding directions of the locking claws differ depending on the position. Therefore, the number of parts of the bus bar can be reduced to approximately half as compared with the conventional case, and the cost can be reduced accordingly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an electric junction box according to an embodiment of the present invention;
(A) is a partial plan view, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of A.

FIG. 2 shows a bus bar inserted into the electric junction box;
(A) is a front view, (B) is a side view.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a state where the bus bar of FIG. 2 is inserted into the electric junction box of FIG. 1;

4A is a front view showing a state in which the bus bar of FIG. 3 is inserted in a front-rear direction, and FIG. 4B is a side view.

5A is a front view showing a state in which the insertion position of the bus bar shown in FIG. 3 is changed in the left-right direction and the bus bar is inserted back and forth, and FIG. 5B is a side view.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams showing modified examples.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are views showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) Bus bar 10a Tab 10b Locking claw 20 Case 20a Tab insertion hole 20b Connector fitting portion 20c Terminal hole 20d, 20e Locked portion

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H02G 3/16 B60R 16/02 H01R 4/58 H01R 25/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A bus bar is housed inside the bus bar.
Tabs for connecting external terminals to the ends formed on the outer surface of the case.
It protrudes from the hole and connects to the external terminal.
The tab has a locking claw that protrudes in one direction,
In front of the peripheral wall of each tab insertion hole communicating with each terminal hole of the case
A pair of locked members that are oppositely engaged with the engaging claws on both rear sides
Part, and the insertion direction of the busbar is reversed
The locking claws of the busbar also form a pair of locked parts,And, The pitch of the terminal holes in the case
Busbars with tabs projecting into holes are arranged inside the case
The pitch of the terminal holes is different from the parallel pitch
Larger than the busbar pitch, the busbars above the tab axis
These busbars are formed by shifting the direction and refracting.
The insertion position of the
Attach the locking claw provided on the folded tab to the case Involved
Electrical connection that can be locked to either one of the stop parts
Continue box. 2. The terminal hole provided in the case is provided with a connector.
External terminal mating for data, fuses or relays
The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein the electrical junction box is formed on a bottom wall of the portion .