JP3175650B2 - Terminal mounting structure in 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 a terminal mounting structure in an electric connection box, and more particularly, to a terminal mounting structure in an electric connection box for accommodating various electric components used in an electric circuit of an automobile. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an electric connection box is used to collect electric connections of a wire harness of an electric component for an automobile and to collect fuses and the like in one place. In order to supply power to the electric connection box, a bus bar formed by punching a metal plate such as a copper plate is used. Also,
In order to connect a connection cable for power supply to this bus bar, a terminal is fixed to an end of the connection cable.

In this type of electric connection box, as a mounting structure of a terminal for connecting and fixing a terminal of a connection cable to a bus bar, for example, a structure as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is conventionally known.

In this conventional configuration, the case body 31
Is formed in a substantially box shape with an upper surface opened by synthetic resin,
A pair of mounting seats 32 are formed on the bottom surface at predetermined intervals, and a pair of inlets 33 are formed on the side surface. A plurality of (four) fitting holes 34 each having a plane square shape are formed in each mounting seat portion 32 at predetermined intervals, and a square nut 35 is fitted in these fitting holes 34.

Bus bars 36 are arranged on both mounting seats 32 so as to be located on each square nut 35, and a plurality of (four each) corresponding to each square nut 35 are provided on their upper surfaces.
Bolt insertion hole 37 is formed. Both bus bars 36
Between them, a plurality (three) of fuses 38 as electrical components are erected and supported. At both ends of each fuse 38, terminals 39 that can be joined and arranged on the upper surface of the bus bar 36 are protruded, and these terminals 39 are provided with bolt insertion holes 37 on the bus bar 36.
A bolt insertion hole 40 is formed corresponding to.

[0006] A pair of connection cables 41 are introduced into the case body 31 through the respective inlets 33 from the side, and the outer ends of the connection cables 41 are connected to a power source such as a battery (not shown) and a generator. Connected to electrical equipment. At the inner end of each connection cable 41, terminals 42 that can be joined and arranged on the upper surface of the end of the bus bar 36 are connected and fixed, and these terminals 42 have bolt insertion holes 43 corresponding to the bolt insertion holes 37 on the bus bar 36. Are formed.

On both sides of each fuse 38, a terminal 39
The bolts 44 are screwed into the square nuts 35 via the bolt insertion holes 40 and 37 of the bus bar 36, respectively, whereby the terminals 39 of the fuses 38 are connected and fixed to the upper surface of the bus bar 36. Further, bolts 44 are screwed into the square nuts 35 via the terminals 42 of the connection cables 41 and the bolt insertion holes 43 and 37 of the bus bar 36, respectively.
Thus, the terminal 42 of each connection cable 41 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the end of the bus bar 36.

[0008]

However, in this conventional terminal mounting structure in an electric junction box, a pair of connection cables 41 are introduced into the case main body 31 through an inlet 33 on the side surface thereof. . The terminal 42 of each connection cable 41 is separated from the terminal 38 of the fuse 38 by a bolt 44 and a square nut 35 so as to be connected to the busbar 3.
6 is connected and fixed to the upper surface of the end.

For this reason, it is necessary to extend the mounting area for the terminal 42 of the connection cable 41 on the bus bar 36 outside the mounting area for the terminal 39 of each fuse 38 and to form the case body 31. Connection cable 4 inside
It is necessary to secure an accommodation space for extending the one terminal 42. Therefore, there is a problem that the entire electric connection box becomes large.

Further, since the terminals 42 of the connection cable 41 and the terminals 39 of the fuses 38 are fastened and fixed to the bus bar 36 by separate bottles 44 and square nuts 35, a large number of bolts 44 and square nuts 35 are provided. And the number of parts increases.

In order to solve these problems, for example, the terminal 42 of each connection cable 41 is interposed between the bus bar 36 and the terminal 39 of the fuse 38 located at the end, and the terminals 39, 42 It is also conceivable that the bolt 44 is screwed into the square nut 35 via the bolt insertion holes 40, 43, 37 of the bus bar 36. According to this mounting configuration, the terminal 42 of the connection cable 41 and the terminal 39 of the fuse 38 can be fastened together to the bus bar 36, and the number of parts of the bolt 44 and the square nut 35 can be reduced. .

However, in the case of such a configuration, the following new problem occurs. That is, when replacing the fuse 38 in the co-tightened state, if the bolt 44 is loosened and the terminal 39 of the fuse 38 is retreated from the terminal 42 of the connection cable 41, the terminal 42 of the connection cable 41 is fixed on the bus bar 36. There was a risk of displacement or deviation from the position.

Further, in the terminal mounting structure of the conventional electric junction box described above, since the connection cable 41 is introduced into the case main body 31 through the inlet 33 on the side, the inside of the case main body 31 is passed through the inlet 33. There is also a problem that water may enter the inside of the housing and the internal housing parts may be easily broken.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art. The purpose is to reduce the number of parts of bolts and nuts, to reduce the size of the entire electric connection box, and to prevent water from entering inside. An object of the present invention is to provide a structure for mounting terminals in a box.

[0015]

To achieve the above object, according to the solution to ## in the invention of mounting structure of terminals in the electrical connection box according to claim 1, Me-position-decided placed on the mounting seat portion of the case body <br / > comprising a the nut, the terminal of the connection cable arranged in this order on the nut, and the bus bar and the electrical component terminal, said Ke
Insert the connection cable terminal into the bottom of the case body
Plan to form an insertion hole and communicate with the insertion hole
Insert the inner groove into the mounting seat where the nut is positioned
Extending toward the base, the terminal of the connection cable
A side surface formed of a tab portion is formed substantially in an L shape, and the connection
Insert the base of the cable terminal through the insertion hole and
Move to the mounting position on the nut along the inner groove,
Connect the tab of the connection cable terminal between the nut and the busbar.
A bolt is screwed into a nut via a terminal of the electrical component, a bus bar, and a terminal of a connection cable, and these are connected and fixed.

[0016]

[0017]

[0018] In the invention described in claim 2, in the mounting structure of the terminal in the electrical connection box according to claim 1, when the terminal of the connecting cable is moved disposed on the mounting position on the nut, the base of the terminal Are engaged with the inner surface of the guide groove to be positioned at a predetermined mounting position.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Numeral 1 is formed of a synthetic resin into a substantially box shape with an upper surface opened, and locking portions 12 are protruded from both outer surfaces. A cover (not shown) is removably attached to the upper opening of the case body 11, and locking claws projecting from lower surfaces on both sides of the cover engage with the locking portions 12, so that the cover is attached to the case body 11. It is designed to be locked and held on top.

A pair of mounting seats 13 are formed on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the case body 11 at predetermined intervals. A pair of insertion holes 14 are formed in the bottom wall of the case body 11 so as to correspond to the respective mounting seats 13. A guide groove 15 is formed in the bottom wall of the case body 11 so as to communicate with the inner edge of each insertion hole 14, and extends toward the mounting seat 13. A plurality of (three in the embodiment) fitting holes 16 having a plane square shape are formed at predetermined intervals on each mounting seat portion 13, and square nuts 17 are fitted and fixed in these fitting holes 16. Have been.

The pair of connection cables 18 extend from a power source such as a battery (not shown) and an electric device such as a generator.
Terminals 19 are connected and fixed to their ends. Each terminal 19 is formed in a substantially L-shaped side surface comprising a base 19a and a tab 19b, and a bolt insertion hole 20 corresponding to the square nut 17 at the end on the mounting seat 13 is formed in the tab 19b. ing.

At the time of assembling the electric connection box, as shown by the chain line in FIG.
Is inserted from below into the case main body 11 through the insertion hole 14. After that, the base 19a of the terminal 19 is
The tab 19b of the terminal 19 is arranged at a predetermined mounting position on the square nut 17 at the end of the mounting seat 13, as shown by a solid line in FIG. In this state, as shown in FIG. 4, the base 19a of the terminal 19 is engaged with the inner surface of the guide groove 15, and the terminal 19 is positioned at the predetermined mounting position.

A bus bar 21 made of a metal plate such as copper is provided on both of the mounting seats 13, and a connection cable 1 is provided between the lower surface of the end of the bus bar 21 and the square nut 17 disposed at the end.
The base 19a of the terminal 19 of the eighth terminal is arranged to be sandwiched. The mounting seat 1 is provided on the upper surface of each bus bar 21.
A plurality of bolt insertion holes 22 are formed corresponding to the respective square nuts 17 on 3.

A plurality of (three in the embodiment) fuses 23 as electrical components are installed and supported between the bus bars 21. Bus bars 21 are provided at both ends of each fuse 23.
Terminals 24 which can be jointly arranged are protruded from the upper surface of the bus bar 21, and these terminals 24 are formed with bolt insertion holes 25 having a long hole shape corresponding to the bolt insertion holes 22 on the bus bar 21.

On both sides of the two fuses 23 which do not correspond to the connection cable 18, bolts 26 are inserted through the bolt insertion holes 25 of the terminals 24 and the bolt insertion holes 22 of the bus bar 21, and the squares on the mounting seat 13 are formed. Nut 1
7, respectively. The terminals 24 of each fuse 23 are connected and fixed to the upper surface of the bus bar 21 by tightening the bolts 26.

Further, the one corresponding to the connection cable 18
On both sides of the two fuses 23, bolts 26 are also inserted into the bolt insertion holes 25 of the terminals 24, the bolt insertion holes 22 of the bus bar 21, and the bolt insertion holes 20 of the terminals 19 of the connection cable 18. Is screwed into the square nut 17 at the end of the screw. The terminals 24 of the fuse 23 and the terminals 19 of the connection cable 18 are simultaneously connected and fixed to the upper and lower surfaces of the bus bar 21 by tightening the bolts 26.

Next, a method for assembling the terminal mounting structure in the electric junction box configured as described above will be described. A square nut 17 is fitted and fixed in advance to each fitting hole 16 on the mounting seat 13 in the case body 11. Subsequently, as shown by a chain line in FIG. 2, the terminal 19 on each connection cable 18 is placed in the case main body 11.
It is inserted from below through the insertion hole 14. Thereafter, the base 19a of each terminal 19 is moved along the guide groove 15, and the tab 19b of each terminal 19 is moved to a predetermined mounting position on the square nut 17 located at the end as shown by a solid line in FIG. Deploy. In this state, as shown in FIG.
9a engages with the inner surface of the guide groove 15 and is positioned at a predetermined mounting position.

Next, when the bus bars 21 are arranged on the respective mounting seats 13, the base 19a of the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 is located between the lower surface of the end of the bus bar 21 and the square nut 17 arranged at the end. Are interposed and arranged. In addition, bus bar 2
In another part, the square nut 17 is joined to the lower surface of the bus bar 21. In this state, a plurality of fuses 23 are installed and supported between the opposing bus bars 21, and terminals 24 at both ends thereof are joined and arranged on the upper surface of the bus bar 21.

After that, 2 which does not correspond to the connection cable 18
Bolt insertion holes 25,
A bolt 26 is screwed into the square nut 17 via 22
The terminal 24 of each fuse 23 is connected and fixed to the bus bar 21. Further, on both sides of one fuse 23 corresponding to the connection cable 18, a bolt 26 is screwed into the square nut 17 at the end via the bolt insertion holes 25, 22, 20,
Terminal 24 of fuse 23 and terminal 1 of connection cable 18
9 are simultaneously connected and fixed to the bus bar 21.

As described above, when assembling the electrical junction box, the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 can be inserted into the case body 11 from below, and can be smoothly moved to the predetermined mounting position. Assembly work can be performed easily and in a short time. Further, since the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 is fastened together with the terminal 24 of the fuse 23 located at the end, the assembling work step is omitted,
Work time is further reduced.

Next, a method for removing and replacing the fuse 23 will be described. When the fuse 23 at the end corresponding to the connection cable 18 is to be replaced, loosening the bolts 26 on both sides thereof releases the terminal 24 of the fuse 23, the bus bar 21, and the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 from the fixed state. Is done. Therefore, in this state, the fuse 23
Can be exchanged for a new one.

At this time, the tab 19b of the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 is interposed between the nut 17 and the bus bar 21, and the base 19a of the terminal 19 is
5 is engaged with the inner surface. For this reason, even if the bolt 26 is removed, the terminal 1 of the connection cable 18 can be removed.
9 is maintained at a predetermined mounting position, and there is no possibility that a positional shift occurs.

Thus, with the new fuse 23 disposed on the bus bar 21, the bolt 26 is screwed into the square nut 17 at the end through the bolt insertion holes 25, 22, 20, and the terminal 24 of the fuse 23, the bus bar The joint 21 and the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 can be easily fixed together.

The effects that can be expected from the above embodiment will be described below. In the terminal mounting structure of the electric junction box of this embodiment, a nut 17 is positioned and disposed on the mounting seat 13 of the case body 11, and on the nut 17, the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18, the bus bar 21, and the electrical equipment The terminals 24 of the fuse 23 are sequentially arranged. And
A bolt 26 is screwed into the nut 17 via the terminal 24 of the fuse 23, the bus bar 21, and the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18, so that they are connected and fixed.
Therefore, the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 is connected to the fuse 23
Of the bolts 26 and the nuts 17 as compared to the conventional configuration which is connected and fixed on the bus bar 21 separately from the terminals 24 of the
The number of parts can be reduced, and the entire electric junction box can be reduced in size.

In the terminal mounting structure in the electric connection box of this embodiment, an insertion hole 14 for inserting the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 is formed on the bottom surface of the case main body 11. Also, the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 is
The side surface of the terminal 19 is formed in a substantially L-shape including the tab 9a and the tab 19b, and the tab 19b of the terminal 19 is interposed between the nut 17 and the bus bar 21. For this reason, there is no possibility that water may enter the inside of the case main body 11 through the insertion hole 14, and it is possible to prevent the internal housing components from being easily broken due to the entry of the water.

In the terminal mounting structure in the electric junction box of this embodiment, the insertion hole 14
A guide groove 15 communicating with the guide groove 15 is formed. Then, the base 19 a of the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 inserted from the insertion hole 14 is moved to the mounting position on the nut 17 along the guide groove 15. For this reason, at the time of the assembling work, the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 can be easily inserted into the case main body 11 and can be moved to the predetermined mounting position.

In the terminal mounting structure of the electric junction box of this embodiment, when the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 is moved to the mounting position on the nut 17, the terminal 1
The base 19a of the ninth engagement with the inner side surface of the guide groove 15 is positioned at a predetermined mounting position. Therefore, when assembling work, the terminal 1
9 can be reliably positioned and arranged at a predetermined mounting position in the case main body 11, and the possibility of displacement of the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 when replacing the fuse 23 can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the guide groove 15 is formed on the bottom wall of the case main body 11 so as to communicate with the outer edge of each insertion hole 14,
It extends toward the mounting seat 13 side. Therefore, in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, after the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 is inserted from the insertion hole 14, the base 19 a of the terminal 19 is connected to the guide groove 15.
And can be moved and arranged at a predetermined mounting position. In this moving arrangement, the base 19a of the terminal 19 engages with the inner surface of the guide groove 15, so that the terminal 1
9 can be positioned to a predetermined mounting position without delusion.

Further, in the second embodiment,
Since the guide groove 15 is formed so as to communicate with the outer edge of each insertion hole 14, the width of the case main body 11 can be reduced, and the entire electric connection box can be further downsized.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment, one common insertion hole 14 is formed in the bottom wall of the case body 11, as shown in FIG. A pair of guide grooves 15 are formed on both sides of an inner end of the insertion hole 14 so as to communicate with the insertion hole 14 so as to form a substantially T-shaped plane. Therefore, also in the third embodiment, similarly to the above-described first embodiment, the effects of insertion, movement guide, and positioning of the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18 are exhibited by the insertion hole 14 and the guide groove 15. be able to. Also, this third
Also in the embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment,
The width of the case body 11 can be reduced, and the entire electric connection box can be further reduced in size.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, one common insertion hole 14 is formed in the bottom wall of the case body 11, as shown in FIG. A pair of guide grooves 15 are formed in communication with both sides of the outer end of the insertion hole 14 so as to form a substantially inverted T-shape with the insertion hole 14. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment as well, similar to the first embodiment described above, the insertion hole 14 and the guide groove 15 exert the effects of insertion, movement guide, and positioning of the terminal 19 of the connection cable 18. be able to. In addition, this fourth
Also in the embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment,
By making the case body 11 narrow, the size of the entire electric connection box can be reduced.

This embodiment can be embodied with the following modifications. Fuse 2 as an electrical component in case body 11
3. Change the number of arrangements as appropriate.

An electric component different from the fuse 23 is provided in the case main body 11.

[0048]

The present invention is configured as described above, and has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the number of parts of the bolt and the nut can be reduced, and the entire electric junction box can be downsized. In addition, water enters the case body through the insertion hole.
Can be prevented from entering. In addition,
Attach the connection cable terminals into the case
It can be easily inserted and moved to the specified mounting position.
Wear.

[0049]

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the terminals of the connection cable can be reliably positioned and arranged at the predetermined mounting positions in the case main body during the assembling operation, and the connection can be performed during the replacement operation of the electric components. It is possible to prevent the possibility of displacement of the terminals of the cable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electric junction box according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electrical junction box with one fuse removed.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the electric connection box showing a mounting state of all fuses.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a terminal mounting structure.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an electric junction box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an electric junction box according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an electric junction box according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional electric junction box.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a conventional electric junction box.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... case body, 13 ... mounting seat, 14 ... insertion hole, 1
5 ... guide groove, 17 ... square nut, 18 ... connection cable,
Reference numeral 19: terminal, 19a: base, 19b: tab, 20: bolt insertion hole, 21: bus bar, 22: bolt insertion hole, 2
3: fuse as electrical component, 24: terminal, 25: bolt insertion hole, 26: bolt.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A place Me-position-decided the mounting seat portion of the case body
And nut, pins for connection cables arranged in this order on the nut, and a bus bar and the electrical component terminal, the bottom surface of the case body, inserted a terminal of the connection cable
Form an insertion hole for insertion and communicate with the insertion hole
The guide groove to be mounted is mounted with the nut positioned
A side surface formed of a base and a tab portion , extending toward the seat portion, and connecting the terminal of the connection cable to the base portion and the tab portion.
When the base of the connection cable terminal is inserted through an insertion hole,
Move them along the guide groove to the mounting position on the nut.
Then, connect the tab of the connection cable terminal to the nut
Clamping inlet disposed, wherein the electrical component terminal, through the terminals of the bus bars and the connection cable, the mounting structure of the terminal in the electrical connection box connected fix them screwed a bolt into the nut between the over. 2. The connection cable according to claim 1, wherein the terminal of the connection cable is provided on a nut.
When the terminal is moved to the attached position, the base of the terminal
Engages in the inner surface, the mounting structure of the terminal in the electrical connection box according to claim 1 which is in so that is positioned at a predetermined mounting position.