JP3414307B2 - Electrical junction box - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to assembling an electric connection box and a box-like body having a structure for accommodating electric components and connecting external electric components such as an ECU. It is about structure. 2. Description of the Related Art Various electric circuits and electronic parts are stored, and as a connection branch point of wirings such as a wire harness,
An electrical junction box is used. For example, when assembling an external electrical component to an electrical junction box mounted in the interior of an automobile, the external electrical component is guided by a guide wall provided in the electrical junction box body to a predetermined position. Pushed into position. When the external electric component is guided to the predetermined position, the engaging portion of the external electric component engages with the engaging portion of the electric connection box main body. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a case where external electric components are assembled to a conventional electric junction box. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part illustrating an engagement structure after assembly. Conventional electrical junction box (eg, junction box J / B) 100
5 and 6, a J / B upper case 51, a J / B lower case 52, and the J / B
An IP bus bar 53 as an electrical component is sandwiched and stored between the upper case 51 and the J / B lower case 52. The J / B upper case 51 has a box-shaped storage recess 54 formed therein. A plurality of engagement recesses 55 are provided on the inner surface of the storage recess 54. As shown in FIG. 6, an engagement protrusion 55a is formed at the tip of the engagement recess 55. A cylindrical positioning guide 56 is formed on the bottom surface of the storage recess 54 so as to project therefrom. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of rows of tab terminals 58 composed of a plurality of tab terminals 58 are fixed to the substrate 57 of the IP bus bar 53. Each tab terminal 58 or each group of tab terminals 58 is connected by an electric circuit (not shown). In addition, at a predetermined position of the substrate 57, the J /
A through hole 59 corresponding to the positioning guide 56 of the B upper case 51 is provided. As shown in FIG. 5, on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 60 of the J / B lower case 52, an external electric component storage portion 61 is provided.
And a plurality of connector housings 63 provided with through holes 62 through which the tab terminals 58 are inserted. The external electrical component storage section 61 includes guide walls 64, 65, 66 protruding above the bottom plate section 60. Between the guide walls 64, 65 and the guide wall 66, two J / B-side engagement connection portions 67 as two external electrical component engagement connection portions are provided.
Are formed to protrude from the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 60. The J /
An engagement protrusion 67 a is formed at the tip of the B-side engagement connection 67. In the vicinity of the through hole 62, a guide hole 68 that is inserted through the positioning guide portion 56 is provided. Further, the front and rear sides of the bottom plate 60 are
One engaging protrusion 69 is formed on each of the left and right side surfaces of the bottom plate 60. The positioning guide 56 is guided through the through-hole 59 and the guide hole 68, and the tab terminals 58 are inserted through the through-hole 62 and the connector housing 63. J / B
It engages with each engagement recess 55 of the upper case 51. Then, the electric connection box main body 50 is integrated so that the engagement projections 69 engage with the engagement projections 55a and the IP bus bar 53 is sandwiched between the J / B upper case 51 and the J / B lower case 52. Assembled in The ECU 70 as an external electrical component is
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ECU lower case 71 and E
CU upper case 72 and ECU lower case 71
And a printed circuit board 73 mounted with various electronic components as electrical components sandwiched and accommodated by the ECU upper case 72. The ECU lower case 71 and the ECU upper case 72 are formed in a shape and a size that can be stored in the external electrical component storage portion 61 formed in the J / B lower case 52. On the bottom surface of the ECU lower case 71, a through hole 74 is provided corresponding to the through hole 62.
Engaging recesses 75 are formed on both front and rear outer surfaces of the ECU lower case 71. On the front and rear outer surfaces of the ECU upper case 72, J / B provided on the J / B lower case 52 are provided.
Two ECU-side engagement connection portions 76 each having an engagement recess 76a corresponding to the B-side engagement connection portion 67 are provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the ECU upper case 72 has an inner surface on front and rear side surfaces (left and right side surfaces in FIG. 6).
The engagement protrusion 77 corresponding to the engagement recess 75 of the lower case 71.
Are formed. The printed circuit board 73 has the through hole 6
A through hole 78 is provided corresponding to the second and through holes 74. In the vicinity of both sides in the longitudinal direction of the through hole 78,
A screw hole 79 is provided. Then, the printed circuit board 73
A connector housing 80 corresponding to the through-hole 78 is fixed to the upper surface of the connector housing 80 with a bolt 81. The printed circuit board 73 is placed and stored in the ECU lower case 71 so that the through hole 78 is located above the through hole 74, and then the ECU lower case 71 is covered with the ECU upper case 72. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, an engagement protrusion 77 provided on the ECU upper case 72 is provided.
Is engaged with an engagement concave portion 75 provided in the ECU lower case 71 so that the printed circuit board 73
The CU lower case 71 and the ECU upper case 72 are integrally assembled so as to be sandwiched and accommodated. At this time, the ECU upper case 72 and the ECU lower case 71 are integrally engaged with each other by a means (not shown) (for example, screws) so that the printed circuit board 73 cannot be loosened.
In the space between the ECU upper case 72 and the ECU lower case 71, it is held so as not to rattle. Then, the integrated ECU 70 is connected to the group of tab terminals 58 inserted through the through holes 62 by the through holes 7.
4, 78 and the electric junction box main body 50 along the guide walls 64 to 66 so as to penetrate from the connector housing 80.
Is stored in the external electrical component storage section 61. At this time, as shown in FIG.
6 is assembled to the electric connection box main body 50 by engaging the engagement recess 76a with the engagement protrusion 67a of the J / B side engagement connection portion 67. As shown in FIG. 6, taking into account the deformation of parts due to expansion or contraction of the material and the convenience of the assembling work, the engagement between the engagement projection 69 and the engagement projection 55a is performed. In the engagement between the engagement projection 67a and the engagement recess 76a, lock clearances t5 and t6 are provided in design. Due to the presence of the lock clearances t5 and t6, the engagement protrusion 69 and the engagement protrusion 67a are moved with respect to the engagement protrusion 55a and the engagement recess 76a, respectively, with the vibration of the electric connection box 100 mounted on the automobile. Rattling occurs. However, in the above-mentioned conventional assembly structure, between the J / B lower case 52 or the IP bus bar 53 and the J / B upper case 51, and the ECU.
A vertical relative movement (that is, rattling) of the same distance as the lock clearances t5 and t6 is generated independently between the lower case 70 and the J / B lower case 52. That is, the ECU 70
And the relative displacement generated between the upper case 51 and the J / B upper case 51 is a maximum of t5 + t6. Therefore, when the electric connection box 100 vibrates, the ECU 70 and the J / B upper case 51 are connected to each other at t5 + t.
If the rattle violently shakes due to the relative displacement of 6, the electric parts (not shown) in the electric junction box 100 including the ECU 70 and the electric junction box main body 50 may have disadvantages such as dropout, short circuit, and poor connection. This is a problem in improving the reliability of the electric junction box 100. Further, since the relative displacement between the IP bus bar 53 and the ECU 70, that is, the tab terminals 58 and the connecting portion 80a of the connector housing 80 is a maximum of t5 + t6, when the electric connection box 100 vibrates, the tab terminals 58 and Maximum of t5 + t6 between the connection portions 80a of the connector housing 80
Violently due to the relative displacement, a large amount of vibration wear occurs between the tab terminals 58 and the connecting portion 80a of the connector housing 80. Finally, each tab terminal 5 of the group of tab terminals 58
A gap is formed between the connector 8 and the connecting portion 80a of the connector housing 80, and a connection failure occurs. This is a problem in improving the reliability of the electric junction box 100 and extending the service life. The present invention has been made by paying attention to the problems existing in the prior art as described above. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric junction box capable of improving reliability and extending service life. [0020] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides an electric connection to an upper case.
Forming an engaging projection toward the inside of the continuation box body,
By hooking the engaging projection of the above on the engaging projection,
An electrical connection box including an electrical connection box body assembled so as to sandwich and house electrical components from the upper case and the lower case, and an external electrical component assembled to an external electrical component storage portion formed in the lower case. External electrical component engaging portions having a U-shaped cross section are provided on both side surfaces of the upper case , and the electrical connection box main body is provided at a tip of the external electrical component engaging portion.
Forming an engaging projection toward the inside of the external electrical component;
Engagement projections are provided on the side corresponding to the external electrical component engagement parts.
By engaging the engagement projections with each other,
The external electric component is stored in the external electric component storage portion of the electric connection box body.
The gist is that the product has been assembled . According to the first aspect of the present invention, the engaging protrusion of the external electric component assembled in the external electric component storage portion formed in the lower case is provided on the upper case. Engagement of the provided external electrical component engagement section
By engaging the protrusion, the maximum relative displacement between the external electric component and the upper case, the locking clearance provided in engagement with the external electric component and the upper case. Since the lower case and the electrical component are sandwiched between the external electrical component and the upper case, the lock clearance provided for engagement between the lower case and the upper case is greater than the lock clearance provided for engagement between the external electrical component and the upper case. Even if it is large, the maximum displacement of the lower case or the electrical component with respect to the external electrical component or the upper case does not exceed the lock clearance provided for the engagement between the external electrical component and the upper case. Therefore, when the electric junction box vibrates, the maximum relative displacement between the upper case, the electrical component, the external electrical component, and the lower case exceeds the lock clearance provided for the engagement between the external electrical component and the upper case. Will not be. As a result, compared to the prior art in which the maximum relative displacement between the upper case, the electrical component, the external electrical component, and the lower case is large, the electrical components in the electrical junction box fall off due to severe vibration,
Inconveniences such as short circuit and poor connection are reduced. As a result, the reliability of the electric junction box can be improved. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. A junction box (hereinafter referred to as J
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a J / B main body 11 as an electric junction box main body has a J / B upper case 12 as an upper case and a J / B upper case 12 as a lower case.
It is composed of a B lower case 13 and a wiring member (IP bus bar) 14 as an electrical component sandwiched and stored between the J / B upper case 12 and the J / B lower case 13. The J / B upper case 12 has a box-shaped storage recess 15 formed therein. A plurality of engagement recesses 16 are provided on each inner surface of the storage recess 15 (in the present embodiment, six engagement recesses 16 are provided). At the tip of each engagement recess 16, as shown in FIG.
An engagement projection 17 is formed. In addition, the storage recess 1
5, a plurality of J / B-side engagement connecting portions 18 as external electrical component engaging portions extending upward (in this embodiment, two J / B side ) Is provided. An engagement protrusion 19 is formed at the tip of each J / B side engagement connection part 18. Further, the storage recess 15
A cylindrical positioning guide portion 20 is formed to project from the bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 1, the substrate 21 of the IP bus bar 14 includes a plurality of rows of tab terminals 22 as a first connection member composed of a plurality of tab terminals 22 (in this embodiment, three rows of tab terminals 22). ) It is fixed. Each tab terminal 22 or each tab terminal 22 group is connected by an electric circuit (not shown). Further, a through hole 23 is provided at a predetermined position of the substrate 21 at a position corresponding to the positioning guide portion 20 of the J / B upper case 12. As shown in FIG. 1, an external electric component storage 25 is provided on the upper surface of the bottom plate 24 of the J / B lower case 13.
And a plurality of (five in this embodiment) connector housings 27 through which the tab terminals 22 are inserted. The external electrical component storage section 25 is configured by guide walls 28, 29, 30 projecting above the bottom plate section 24. In the vicinity of the through hole 26, a guide hole 31 through which the positioning guide portion 20 is inserted is provided. Further, two engagement protrusions 32 are formed on the front and rear side surfaces of the bottom plate portion 24, respectively, and one engagement protrusion 32 is formed on each of the left and right side surfaces of the bottom plate portion 24. The positioning guide 20 is guided through the through-holes 23 and the guide holes 31, and the tab terminals 22 are inserted into the through-holes 26 and the connector housing 27 while the J / B lower case 13 is inserted. Each engagement projection 32
Is engaged with each engagement recess 16 of the J / B upper case 12. Then, in the J / B main body 11, each engagement protrusion 32 is hooked by each engagement protrusion 17, and the IP bus bar 14 is
The upper case 12 and the J / B lower case 13 are integrally assembled so as to be sandwiched therebetween. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ECU 40 as an external electrical component includes an ECU lower case 41 and an ECU upper case 42, and an ECU lower case 41 and an EC
And a printed board 43 sandwiched and accommodated by the U upper case 42. The ECU lower case 41 and the ECU upper case 42 are connected to the J / B lower case 13.
It is formed in a shape and a size that can be stored in the external electrical component storage portion 25 formed in the above. A through hole 44 is provided on the bottom surface of the ECU lower case 41 in correspondence with the through hole 26.
Engaging recesses 45 are formed on both front and rear outer surfaces of the ECU lower case 41. On the front and rear outer surfaces of the ECU upper case 42, the J / B upper case 12
/ B side has an engagement concave portion 46a corresponding to the engagement connection portion 18.
E CU side engagement connection part 46 is provided two each that. As shown in FIG. 2, the EC upper case 42 is provided on both front and rear inner surfaces of the ECU upper case 42 (right and left inner surfaces in FIG. 2).
The engagement projection 4 corresponding to the engagement recess 45 of the U lower case 41.
7 are formed. The printed circuit board 43 has the through hole 2
6, and a through hole 43a is provided corresponding to the through hole 44. Screw holes 43b are provided near both sides in the longitudinal direction of the through hole 43a. On the upper surface of the printed circuit board 43, a connector housing 48 as a second connection member is fixed by bolts 49 corresponding to the through holes 43a. Then, the printed circuit board 43 is disposed and housed in the ECU lower case 41 so that the through hole 43a is located above the through hole 44, and then the ECU lower case 41 is covered with the ECU upper case 42. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the engagement protrusion 4 provided on the ECU upper case 42 is provided.
7 is engaged with an engagement recess 45 provided in the ECU lower case 41, so that the ECU 40
3 are integrally assembled so as to be sandwiched and accommodated by the ECU lower case 41 and the ECU upper case 42. At this time, an EC (not shown) (e.g., a screw) is used.
The U upper case 42 and the ECU lower case 41 are integrally engaged with each other to prevent rattling, and
In the space between the ECU upper case 42 and the ECU lower case 41 without rattling. Then, the integrated ECU 40 is connected to the group of tab terminals 22 penetrating the through hole 26 by the through hole 4.
The J / B main body 11 is housed in the external electrical component housing portion 25 along the guide walls 28 to 30 so as to penetrate from the connector housing 48 and the connector housing 48. At this time, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
By engaging the engaging concave portion 46a with the engaging projecting portion 19 of the J / B side engaging connecting portion 18, it is assembled to the J / B main body 11. In consideration of deformation of parts due to expansion or contraction of the material and convenience of the assembling operation, the engagement projection 3
The lock clearances t1 and t2 are provided in the design of the engagement between the engagement projection 2 and the engagement projection 17 and the engagement between the engagement projection 19 and the engagement recess 46a. Next, the features of the J / B 10 of this embodiment will be described. (1) In the present embodiment, the J / B side engagement connecting portion 18
It is provided on a J / B upper case 12 constituting the / B main body 11. In addition, the ECU-side engagement connection portion 46 of the ECU 40 assembled to the external electrical component storage portion 25 formed in the J / B lower case 13 is engaged with the J / B side engagement connection portion 18. Then, the maximum relative displacement between the ECU 40 and the J / B upper case 12 is, as shown in FIG.
It becomes. J / B lower case 13 and IP bus bar 14
Since it is sandwiched between the ECU 40 and the J / B upper case 12, even if t1> t2, the J / B lower case 13
Alternatively, the maximum displacement of the IP bus bar 14 with respect to the ECU 40 or the J / B upper case 12 does not exceed t2. Therefore, compared to the prior art, J / B10
Is an electric component in J / B10 when it vibrates (not shown)
Inconveniences such as dropping, short-circuiting and poor connection due to severe vibration are reduced. A tab terminal 22 provided on the IP bus bar 14 and a connector housing 48 provided on the ECU 40 are provided.
Relative to the connecting portion 48a is a maximum of t2,
Compared with the prior art, the rattling between the tab terminal 22 and the connecting portion 48a of the connector housing 48 and hence the vibration and wear are reduced, so that the connection failure between the connecting portion 48a of the connector housing 48 and the tab terminal 22 can be prevented. it can. As a result, it is possible to improve the reliability of the J / B 10 and extend the service life. Further, as compared with the prior art, the tab terminals 22
The length of the tab terminal 22 determined based on the fact that the tab terminal 22 can be connected to the connection portion 48a of the connector housing 48 even when the relative displacement between the connector terminal 48 and the connection portion 48a of the connector housing 48 provided in the ECU 40 is maximum. Can be shorter. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the J / B 10 can be reduced. The embodiment of the present invention may be modified as follows. The engagement connection structure between the J / B body 11 and the ECU 40 in the above embodiment may be changed as follows. Similar parts are given the same reference numerals and different parts will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the J / B upper case 1
Each of the J / B side engagement connecting portions 18a as external electric component engaging portions extending upward is provided on each of the two outer surfaces in the longitudinal direction.
One is provided. The J / B side engagement connection portion 18a is formed in a U-shape in cross section, and is engaged with the tip of the J / B side engagement connection portion 18a so as to project toward the inside of the J / B body 11. A projection 19a is formed. The front and rear sides of the ECU upper case 42 are provided with the J / B
Engagement projections 46b are provided two in correspondence with the B-side engagement connection part 18a. Then, the integrated ECU 40 is connected to the group of tab terminals 22 inserted through the through holes 26 by the through holes 44 and 4.
The J / B main body 11 is housed in the external electrical component housing portion 25 along the guide walls 28 to 30 so as to penetrate from the 3a and the connector housing 48. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, ECU 40 is assembled the engagement projection 46b in J / B main body 11 by engaging projections 19a engage with J / B side engagement connection part 18a. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, in consideration of the deformation of parts due to the expansion or contraction of the material and the convenience of the assembling work, the engagement between the engagement projections 32 and the engagement projections 17 is designed. Is provided with a lock clearance t1, and the engagement protrusion 19a and the engagement protrusion 46b are provided.
Is provided with a lock clearance t3. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the maximum relative displacement between the ECU 40 and the J / B upper case 12 is t3. J / B lower case 13 and IP bus bar 14 are EC
Since it is sandwiched between the U40 and the J / B upper case 12, the maximum displacement of the J / B lower case 13 or the IP bus bar 14 with respect to the ECU 40 or the J / B upper case 12 does not exceed t3 even if t1> t3. . Therefore, compared to the prior art, J / B10
Is an electric component in J / B10 when it vibrates (not shown)
Inconveniences such as dropping, short-circuiting and poor connection due to severe vibration are reduced. A tab terminal 22 provided on the IP bus bar 14 and a connector housing 48 provided on the ECU 40 are provided.
Is a maximum displacement t3 with respect to the connecting portion 48a.
Compared with the prior art, the rattling between the tab terminal 22 and the connecting portion 48a of the connector housing 48 and hence the vibration and wear are reduced, so that the connection failure between the connecting portion 48a of the connector housing 48 and the tab terminal 22 can be prevented. it can. As a result, an effect similar to the effect described in the feature (1) of the above embodiment can be obtained. The ECU lower case 41 constituting the ECU 40 of the above embodiment and another example may be omitted. In this case, if the printed circuit board 43 is fixed to the ECU upper case 42 with screws or the like, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained, and the number of parts and cost of the electric connection box can be reduced. . In the above embodiment, the tab terminals 22 fixed to the board 21 of the IP bus bar 14 constituting the J / B main body 11 are inserted and connected to the connector housing 48 fixed to the printed board 43 of the ECU 40. However, this may be implemented such that the connector housing 48 is fixed to the board 21 of the IP bus bar 14 and the tab terminals 22 are fixed to the printed board 43. in this case,
The same effect as the effect described in the feature (1) of the above embodiment can be obtained. In the above-described embodiment, the external electric components are connected to the ECU.
However, the external electrical components may be implemented by something other than the ECU. In this case, an effect similar to the effect described in the feature (1) of the above embodiment can be obtained. In the above embodiment, the present invention is embodied in the junction box J / B. However, the present invention may be embodied in an electric junction box other than the junction box J / B. In this case, an effect similar to the effect described in the feature (1) of the above embodiment can be obtained. As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the reliability of the electric junction box can be improved. [0050]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electric junction box according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part, illustrating an engagement structure of the electric junction box after assembly according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an electric connection box of another example. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part illustrating an engagement structure of an electric junction box after assembly according to another example. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional electrical junction box. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part illustrating an engagement structure of an electric junction box after assembly according to a conventional technique. [Explanation of Signs] 10: Junction box J / as electrical connection box
B, 11: J / B body as electric connection box body, 12 ...
J / B upper case as an upper case, 13 ... J / B lower case as a lower case, 14 ... IP bus bar as an electrical component, 17 ... engaging protrusion, 18 , 18a ... J / as an external electrical component engaging portion B side engagement connection portion, 19a ...
Collision part, 22 ... Tab terminal as first connection member, 25
... external electric component storage part, 32 ... engaging projection, 40 ... ECU as external electric component, 41 ... ECU constituting external electric component
Lower case, 42 ... ECU upper case constituting the external electrical equipment, 4 6 ... E CU side engagement connection part, 46b ... Kakarigo突
Part, 48 ... Connector housing as a second connection member.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] An electric connection box main body is attached to an upper case (12).
An engaging projection (17) directed toward the inside of (11) is formed.
The engagement protrusion (32) of the case (13) is
By hook (17), electrical equipment (14) before
Serial upper case (12) and the electrical junction box body assembled so as to hold housing from said lower case (13) (1
1) and an electric connection box (10) provided with an external electric component (40) assembled in an external electric component storage part (25) formed in the lower case (13) , wherein both sides of the upper case (12) are provided. cross section in the plane C-shaped outer <br/> unit electrical component engaging portion (18a) is provided, the external electric component engagement
At the tip of the part (18a), the electric connection box main body (11)
Forming an engaging projection (19a) toward the
External electric component engaging portions (18a) on both side surfaces of the component (40)
And an engagement projection (46b) is provided corresponding to the two engagement projections.
By engaging (19a) and (46b) with each other,
The external electrical component storage section (2) of the electrical connection box body (11).
(5) An electric connection box , wherein the external electric component (40) is assembled .