JP3417337B2 - 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 having a connector housing for connecting a connector in an automobile or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional electric junction box of this type, for example, one having a structure as shown in FIG. 9 is known. That is, in this conventional configuration, a rectangular tubular connector housing 52 is formed on the case body 51, and the connector 53 is fitted and connected to the connector housing 52. An elastic arm portion 54 is formed on one side of the connector 53. An engagement protrusion 54a is formed on the outer surface of the arm portion 54, and a locking protrusion 55 is formed on the inner surface of the opening of the connector housing 52 so as to correspond to the engagement protrusion 54a. And connector 5
When fitting 3 into the connector housing 52, the engaging projection 5
The arm portion 54 elastically deforms based on the contact between the 4a and the engaging projection 55, and then elastically returns, as shown by a chain line in FIG.
The locking protrusion 55 engages with the engaging protrusion 54a, and the connector 5
3 is locked and held at the fitting position.

[0003]

However, in this conventional electric junction box, the engaging protrusion 54 on the connector 53 is used.
The connector 53 is locked and held at the fitting position with respect to the connector housing 52 by the engagement of a with the locking projection 55 in the connector housing 52. Therefore, the connector 53 is accommodated in the connector housing 52 even in the semi-fitted state where the connector 53 is not completely fitted to the connector housing 52. Then, it is very difficult to identify the half-fitted state of the connector 53 only by the height position of the connector 53, and there is a problem that the assembling work is terminated while the connector 53 is in the half-fitted state. It was

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the problems existing in such a conventional technique, and its purpose is to:
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical junction box that allows the connector to be easily and surely identified when the connector is not completely fitted to the connector housing but is in a half-fitted state.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a case body is formed with a rectangular cylindrical connector housing, the connector housing is fitted with the connector housing, and the connector housing has an engaging portion and a connector. In the electrical connection box configured to lock and hold the connector based on the engagement of, a movable member that is formed of a peripheral wall and a bottom wall inside the connector housing and that abuts the connector when the connector is inserted. The connector is arranged so as to be movable in the insertion direction of the connector, and an instruction means for instructing that the connector is in a half-fitted state with respect to the connector housing is provided between the movable member and the bottom surface of the connector housing. The indicating means is composed of a spring, and when the connector is half-fitted to the connector housing, the connector is inserted through the movable member by the urging force of the spring. Configured to push back into position,
The connector housing has a terminal penetrating the case body, the movable member has an insertion hole through which the terminal can be inserted as the movable member moves, and the connector housing is further provided .
The upper end surface of the peripheral wall of the ring and the upper end surface of the peripheral wall of the movable member are almost
The top edge of the peripheral wall of the connector housing should be flush
On the upper end of the peripheral wall of the movable member.
The gist of the present invention is to provide a locking recess that engages with .

According to this structure, when the connector is not completely fitted into the connector housing and is in the half-fitted state, the half-fitted state can be easily and surely identified by the indicating means. Become. Also, according to this configuration
If the connector is not installed in the connector housing,
Since the terminal is not exposed from the movable plate,
Is prevented from sticking and external force does not act on the terminals.
It will be possible to protect it. Also, for the connector
The movable plate moves to the inner bottom side of the connector housing as it is inserted.
When moved, the terminals are exposed through the insertion holes in the movable plate.
Facilitates terminal alignment (centering)
be able to.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the case body has four
A rectangular tubular connector housing is formed, and the connector housing
Fit the connector into the housing and engage the connector housing.
Locks and holds the connector based on the engagement between the mating part and the connector
In the electrical connection box, the connector housing
The connector consists of a peripheral wall and a bottom wall,
The movable member that comes into contact with the connector upon insertion is connected to the connector.
Movably in the insertion direction of the connector, and
There is a connector between the bottom of the connector housing and
To indicate that the housing is in a semi-mated state
Is provided on the lower surface of the movable member.
A spring piece integrally formed at one end and the other end being a free end
And the connector is half mated to the connector housing
When in the state, the urging force of the spring piece causes the movable member to
The gist is that the connector is pushed back to the insertion position .

According to this structure, the connector is
Partially mated with the housing not fully mated
When in the
It is possible to really identify.

[0009]

[0010]

[0011] The invention according to claim 3, inserted in the electrical connection box according to claim 2, wherein the connector housing includes a terminal passing through the case body, the movable member is the terminal along with the movement The gist is that it is a movable plate having a possible insertion hole.

According to this structure, since the terminal is not exposed from the movable plate when the connector is not mounted in the connector housing, dust is prevented from adhering to the terminal and the terminal is protected from external force. Will be possible. Further, when the movable plate is moved to the inner bottom side of the connector housing as the connector is inserted, the terminals are exposed through the insertion holes of the movable plate, so that the terminals can be easily aligned (centered). You can

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the case body 11 of the electrical junction box 10 is made of synthetic resin and has a lower case 12
And an upper case 13. A plurality of insulating plates 14 made of synthetic resin are housed in the case body 11 in a stacked state. A bus bar 15 having a flat plate shape is arranged on the upper surface of each insulating plate 14. Bus bar 15
A male terminal 16 is formed upright on a part of the.

On the upper surface of the upper case 13, a rectangular cylindrical connector housing 17 is formed. In the connector housing 17, a plurality of through holes 18 formed on the bottom surface are formed.
The male terminal 16 is provided so as to extend through. Further, an engaging portion 19 is provided on one side of the peripheral wall 17A of the connector housing 17 so as to protrude toward the inside of the connector housing 17. Further, in the connector housing 17, a flexible piece 22 is formed by a pair of notches 21 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the peripheral wall 17A, and a locking projection 23 is provided at the upper end thereof toward the inside of the connector housing 17. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a movable plate 25 as a movable member is provided in the connector housing 17, and the movable plate 25 moves vertically along the inner surface of the peripheral wall 17A of the housing 17. It is arranged as possible. The movable plate 25 includes a peripheral wall 26 and a bottom wall 27, and a part of the peripheral wall 26 and a part of the bottom wall 27 are formed with a notch 28 corresponding to the engaging portion 19.

A plurality of insertion holes 29 corresponding to the plurality of through holes 18 are provided in the bottom wall 27. These insertion holes 29 can insert the plurality of male terminals 16 as the movable plate 25 moves downward.

An engaging recess 30 is formed at the upper end of the peripheral wall 26 in the longitudinal direction of the movable plate 25 so that the engaging projections 23 can be engaged with each other. When the movable plate 25 moves upward in the connector housing 17 and the engaging recess 30 and the locking projection 23 engage with each other, the upward movement of the movable plate 25 is restricted. At this time, the upper end surface of the peripheral wall 17A of the connector housing 17 and the upper end surface of the peripheral wall 26 of the movable plate 25 are substantially flush with each other. In this state, the plurality of male terminals 16 are not exposed from the insertion hole 29 of the movable plate 25.

A plurality (two in this embodiment) of springs 32 are arranged between the inner bottom surface of the connector housing 17 and the movable plate 25, and the movable plate 25 is moved upward by the springs 32 in FIGS. Biased to position.

As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 35 which can be fitted and connected to the connector housing 17 is made of synthetic resin, and a concave portion 36 corresponding to the engaging portion 19 extends vertically on one side of the outer surface thereof. Is formed. An operation piece 37, which can be elastically deformed from its lower end, is provided in the recess 36.
Are formed so as to extend upward. A locking claw 38 is formed so as to project on the outer surface of the intermediate portion of the operation piece 37. A plurality of female terminals 39 are arranged in the connector 35 at predetermined intervals, and when the connector 35 is fitted into the connector housing 17, these female terminals 39 are connected to the connector housing 1.
It is adapted to be connected to the male terminal 16 in 7.

When the connector 35 is fitted and connected to the connector housing 17, when the connector 35 comes into contact with the bottom wall 27 of the movable plate 25 as shown in FIG.
Together with the connector 35 is moved to the inner bottom side of the connector housing 17 against the biasing force of the spring 32. At this time, the plurality of male terminals 16 are exposed from the insertion holes 29 of the movable plate 25. As shown in FIG. 4, the locking claw 3 of the connector 35
When 8 comes into contact with the engaging portion 19, the operation piece 37 bends in the recess 36. After that, when the engaging claw 38 moves over the engaging portion 19 and is moved downward, as shown in FIG. 5, the engaging claw 38 engages with the engaging portion 19 from below. As a result, the connector 35 is locked and held at the fitting position with respect to the connector housing 17.

Further, in this embodiment, the spring 32 constitutes an instruction means for instructing that the connector 35 is in the half-fitted state with respect to the connector housing 17. When the connector 35 is fitted and connected to the connector housing 17, as shown in FIG. 4, when the connector 35 is not completely fitted to the connector housing 17 and the assembling work is completed in a semi-fitted state, Since the movable plate 25 is biased to the upper position by the biasing force of the spring 32, the connector 35 may be pushed back to the insertion position as shown by the chain line in FIG. Be instructed.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In the electric connection box 10 of the present embodiment, the movable plate 25 is arranged in the connector housing 17 of the case body 11 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.
Is urged upward by.

Therefore, when the connector 35 is fitted and connected to the connector housing 17, when the connector 35 is not completely fitted to the connector housing 17 and is in a semi-fitted state, the connector 35 and the movable plate 25 are spring-loaded. The half-fitted state is indicated by being pushed back to the insertion position by 32. Therefore, it is possible to easily and surely identify that the connector 35 is in the half-fitted state, and it is possible to prevent the fitting and connection work of the connector 35 from ending with the connector 35 left in the half-fitted state. can do.

In the electrical junction box 10 of the present embodiment, the indicating means is composed of the spring 32 arranged between the connector housing 17 and the movable plate 25. When the connector 35 is in the half-fitted state with respect to the connector housing 17, the movable plate 2 is urged by the urging force of the spring 32.
The connector 35 is pushed back to the insertion position via 5. For this reason, although the structure of the indicating means is simple, when the connector 35 is in the half-fitted state, the connector 35 is pushed back to the insertion position, and the half-fitted state of the connector 35 is easily and surely identified. can do.

In the electric junction box 10 of this embodiment, the movable plate 25 movably arranged in the connector housing 17 is provided with the insertion hole 29 through which the male terminal 16 can be inserted. When the movable plate 25 is at the upper position,
The plurality of male terminals 16 are not exposed from the insertion hole 29 of the movable plate 25. Therefore, dust is prevented from adhering to the male terminals 16 when the connector 35 is not attached to the connector housing 17, and the male terminals 16 are protected from external force when they are transported. You can When the movable plate 25 is moved to the inner bottom side of the connector housing 17 with the insertion of the connector 35 into the connector housing 17, the male terminals 16 are exposed through the insertion holes 29 of the movable plate 25. Mold terminal 16
Can be easily aligned (centering).

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In order to avoid redundant description, the same elements as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be partially omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the case body 41 of the electric junction box 40 is made of synthetic resin and has a lower case 42.
And an upper case 43. A plurality of insulating plates 14 are accommodated in the case main body 41, and bus bars 15 on which male terminals 16 are erected are arranged on the upper surface of each insulating plate 14. A movable plate 44 as a movable member is provided in the rectangular cylindrical connector housing 17 formed on the upper surface of the upper case 43, and the movable plate 44 moves vertically along the inner surface of the peripheral wall 17A of the housing 17. It is arranged as possible.

As shown in FIG. 7, the movable plate 44 includes the peripheral wall 26.
And a bottom wall 27, and a plurality of (four in this embodiment) spring pieces 45a as supporting means are provided at the center of the lower surface of the bottom wall 27.
45b, 45c, 45d are integrally formed at one end so as to project , and their spring pieces 45a, 45b, 45 are formed.
The other ends of c and 45d form free ends . Each spring piece 4
5a, 45b, 45c and 45d have a quarter arc shape. The spring pieces 45a and 45c are arranged to face each other so as to sandwich the plurality of male terminals 16 in the lateral direction of the movable plate 44, and the spring pieces 45b and 45d are also arranged in the lateral direction of the movable plate 44. Are arranged to face each other.
Further, the spring pieces 45a and 45b are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the movable plate 44, and the spring pieces 45c and 45d are also arranged along the longitudinal direction of the movable plate 44.
The tip portions of 5b, 45c, 45d extend outward in the longitudinal direction of the movable plate 44.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the plurality of male terminals 16 are provided on the bottom surface 17B of the connector housing 17.
A pair of guide grooves 46 and 47 are formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the connector housing 17 so as to sandwich the connector.
The guide groove 46 slides and guides the spring pieces 45a and 45b,
The guide groove 47 slides and guides the spring pieces 45c and 45d. Then, when the movable plate 44 is accommodated in the connector housing 17, these spring pieces 45 are
a, 45b, 45c, and 45d move the movable plate 44 to the position shown in FIG.
It is biased to the upper position in FIG.

In this embodiment, when the connector is fitted and connected to the connector housing 17, if the connector is not completely fitted to the connector housing 17 and the assembling work is completed in a half-fitted state, the spring piece 45a, 45
Since the movable plate 44 is urged to the upper position by the urging forces of b, 45c, and 45d, the connector is pushed back to the insertion position, and it is instructed that the connector is in the half-fitted state.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the movable plate 4 can be obtained.
4, the spring pieces 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d are integrally formed, so that the spring 32 need not be prepared.
0 can be easily manufactured.

The above embodiment may be modified and implemented as follows. In each of the above embodiments, the movable plates 25 and 44 have the bottom wall 27 having the insertion holes 29, but the movable plate may have a frame-shaped bottom wall that contacts the connector 35. .

In the first embodiment described above, the two springs 32 are arranged between the connector housing 17 and the movable plate 25, but one or three or more springs 32 may be provided.
Further, its location can be set arbitrarily.

In the second embodiment, the movable plate 4
Although four spring pieces 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d are formed in No. 4, the number of spring pieces, the arrangement location, and the arrangement direction of the spring pieces can be arbitrarily set.

Next, other technical ideas that can be understood from the above embodiment will be described. -The electrical junction box according to claim 4, wherein the movable plate is such that the terminals are not exposed at an upper position.
By doing so, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the terminal and protect the terminal from external force.

[0037]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. Claim 1 and Claim
According to the invention described in ( 2) , when the connector is not completely fitted to the connector housing and is in a semi-fitted state, the state can be easily and surely identified.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the connector is pushed back to the insertion position by the urging force of the spring when the connector is in the half-fitting state, although the structure of the indicating means is simple. It is possible to easily and surely identify the half-fitted state of the connector.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the connector is pushed back to the insertion position by the urging force of the spring piece when the connector is in the half-fitting state, although the structure of the indicating means is simple. Thus, the half-fitted state of the connector can be easily and reliably identified.

According to the first and third aspects of the present invention, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the terminals while the connector is not mounted in the connector housing, and to protect the terminals from external force. it can. Moreover, since the terminals are exposed through the insertion holes as the connector is inserted, the terminals can be easily aligned.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing an electric junction box of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a connector housing and a movable plate.

FIG. 3 is a partial side sectional view showing the connector housing and the connector in an exploded manner.

FIG. 4 is a partial side sectional view showing a half-fitted state of the connector in the connector housing.

FIG. 5 is a partial side sectional view showing a fitting state of the connector in the connector housing.

FIG. 6 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing an electric junction box of a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a movable plate of the same.

8 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a connector housing and a connector of a conventional electric junction box in an exploded manner.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 41 ... Case body, 16 ... Male terminal, 17 ... Connector housing, 19 ... Engagement portion, 25, 44 ... Movable plate as movable member, 29 ... Insertion hole, 32 ... Spring constituting instruction means, 35 ... Connectors, 45a, 45b, 45c,
45d ... A spring piece that constitutes the indicating means.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H02G 3/16 H01R 13/631

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A rectangular tube-shaped connector housing is formed in a case main body, the connector is fitted into the connector housing, and the connector is locked and held based on the engagement between the connector housing and the connector. In the electrical connection box according to the above, in the connector housing, a movable member that is composed of a peripheral wall and a bottom wall and that abuts on the connector when the connector is inserted is movably arranged in the insertion direction of the connector, Provided between the movable member and the connector housing is an instruction means for instructing that the connector is in a semi-fitted state with respect to the connector housing, the instruction means being a spring, and the connector being with respect to the connector housing. When in the half-fitted state, the connector is configured to be pushed back to the insertion position through the movable member by the biasing force of the spring. The housing has a terminal penetrating the case body, the movable member has an insertion hole through which the terminal can be inserted as the movable member moves, and further, the movable member and the upper end surface of the peripheral wall of the connector housing.
Connector so that the top edge of the
A locking projection is provided on the upper end of the peripheral wall of the housing, and the peripheral wall of the movable member is
An electrical junction box having a locking recess for engaging the locking projection at the upper end of the electrical connection box. 2. A rectangular tube-shaped connector housing is formed in the case body, the connector is fitted into the connector housing, and the connector is locked and held based on the engagement between the connector housing and the connector. In the electrical connection box according to the above, in the connector housing, a movable member that is composed of a peripheral wall and a bottom wall and that abuts on the connector when the connector is inserted is movably arranged in the insertion direction of the connector, An instruction means is provided between the movable member and the bottom surface of the connector housing for instructing that the connector is in the half-fitted state with respect to the connector housing, and the instruction means is integrally formed on the lower surface of the movable member at one end. And the other end is a free end, and when the connector is half-fitted to the connector housing, the spring force can be applied by the spring force. Configuration electrical connection box to push back the insertion position of the connector through the member. 3. The electrical junction box according to claim 2, wherein the connector housing has a terminal penetrating the case body, and the movable member has an insertion hole through which the terminal can be inserted as the movable member moves. An electric connection box that is a movable plate.