JP3501071B2 - 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 drainage structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electric connection box such as a relay box and a fuse box mounted on an automobile has a structure shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, there is one including a main body 40, an upper cover 41 mounted on the upper side of the main body 40, and a lower cover 42 also mounted on the lower side. In such an electric connection box, a connection body 43 for connecting an electric component such as a relay to a wire harness for in-vehicle wiring is provided in the main body 40. The covers 41 and 42 are fixed to the main body 40 by a known elastic locking mechanism so as to be openable and closable.

An electrical component mounting portion 43a for mounting electrical components such as a relay is formed on the upper side of the connector 43,
A connector mounting portion 43b to which the connector of the wire harness is connected is formed on the lower side thereof.

When the water splashed in the electric connection box penetrates inside and reaches the electrical equipment mounting portion 43a and the connector mounting portion 43b, a fault such as a short circuit may occur in the electric circuit portion. Therefore, a drainage space 44 that surrounds the connection body 43 is provided inside the main body 40.

The water draining space 44 is designed to prevent the water that has entered the inside from the combined portion of the main body 40 and the upper cover 41 from dropping to the electrical equipment mounting portion 43a. The water dropped below the drainage space 44 is discharged inside the lower cover 42 through a drainage hole 45 provided in the bottom surface thereof, and is discharged outside through a drainage hole (not shown) provided in the lower cover 42. Therefore, even if water enters the inside from the combination of the main body 40 and the upper cover 41,
Water does not reach the electrical component mounting portion 43a of the connection body 43, and the electric wiring portion is not hindered.

Further, in order to prevent water splashed from the outside from entering the inside, in the electric junction box 50 shown in FIG.
Annular packings 54 and 55 are provided at the combined portion of the main body 51 and the upper cover 52 and the combined portion of the main body 51 and the lower cover 53, respectively. In this electrical connection box 50, the water is not applied from the outside by the annular packings 54 and 55, so that the electrical component mounting portion 56a and the connector mounting portion 56 of the connection body 56 are prevented.
Water is not reaching b.

[0007]

However, the connectors 43, 56 and the covers 4 made of synthetic resin are used.
1, 52 have molding distortion, deformation over time, and the like, and deformation caused by being fixed to the main body 40, 51 by an elastic locking mechanism. As a result, in the electrical junction box shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, there may be a case where a partial gap is formed in the combined portion of the covers 41 and 42 and the main body 40. In this case, if water is strongly applied to the electrical junction box from the outside, the water may intrude into the electrical junction box through the gap and reach the electrical component mounting portion 43a beyond the drainage space 44.

Further, in the electric junction box 50 shown in FIG. 6, annular packings 54, 53 are provided between the covers 52, 53 and the main body 51.
There is a possibility that the pressure applied to 55 is partially insufficient on the circumference. In this case, there is a possibility that the water splashed on the electric junction box may pass through the portions that are not sufficiently sealed by the annular packings 54 and 55 and may enter the inside, and may reach the electric component mounting portion 56a.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to ensure that electric water can be prevented from being hindered by water applied from outside. To provide a junction box.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 has a main body having an inner side of a connecting body portion provided with an electric component mounting portion on which an electric component is mounted. , An upper cover that is assembled to the main body from the upper side, and a water draining part that is assembled to the main body from the lower side
In the electrical junction box having a lower cover, the lower cover is assembled from the lower side in a groove at the lower end edge of the main body.
Between the main body and the lower cover in the first combining unit to be I
First annular gasket is interposed, under the upper cover
The second combination unit body edge of the groove is combined from the lower second annular packing is interposed between the body and the upper cover, the body, the electrical equipment inside the second combining unit The water drainage space is formed to surround the mounting portion and drains water that has entered the inside from the second combination portion to the inside of the lower cover inside the first combination portion . With 1 combination part
Are formed so as to overlap with each other, and the drainage space is
The lower cover is provided through a drain hole provided in the lower part of the body.
It is an electrical junction box that communicates with the inside of .

According to the present invention, the first annular packing that seals the first combination portion of the main body and the lower cover and the second combination portion of the main body and the upper cover when the electric junction box is splashed with water from the outside. Invasion into the inside is regulated by the second annular packing that seals. Water that has passed through some part of the circumference of the second annular packing and has entered the inside from the second combination part due to factors such as deformation of the main body or the upper cover is provided so as to surround the electrical component mounting part. Fell below the drainage space. Further, the water that has passed through some portion on the circumference of the first annular packing and has entered the inside from the first combination portion falls directly inside the lower cover without reaching the electrical component mounting surface. Therefore, the water splashed into the electric junction box from the outside does not forcefully intrude into the inside, and the water that has intruded into the inside is discharged to the outside without reaching the electrical component mounting portion of the connection body. In addition, the drainage space and
One combination part is formed so as to overlap vertically.
So that the lower cover does not project outside the body.
However, only the male and female molds that are combined vertically
Can be molded.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the opening of the electrical component mounting hole formed in the electrical component mounting portion forms an outer wall surface of the drainage space. It is characterized in that it is arranged at a position higher than the upper edge of the outer frame portion of the main body.

According to the present invention, in addition to the function of the invention described in claim 1, the water that has entered the inside from the second combination portion of the main body and the upper cover forms the outer wall surface of the drainage portion. It is difficult to reach the electrical equipment mounting portion at a position higher than the upper edge of the outer frame portion by dropping from the upper edge of the outer frame portion into the drainage space. Therefore, it is more difficult for the water that has entered the inside from the combined portion of the main body and the upper cover to reach the electrical component mounting portion more reliably.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the main body includes a frame body forming an outer side of the main body and a connection body supported inside the frame body. ,
The frame body includes an outer frame portion that forms an outer wall surface of the drainage space, and a support frame portion that is formed in a tubular shape that supports the connection body inside and that forms an inner wall surface of the water drainage space. The upper end edge of the support frame portion is formed at a position higher than the upper end edge of the outer frame portion, and in the connection body, the opening of the electrical component mounting hole is larger than the upper end edge of the support frame portion. It is characterized in that it is supported by the frame so as to be at a high position.

According to the present invention, in addition to the function of the invention described in claim 2, the main body is constituted by the frame body and the connection body which are separately formed. Water that has entered the inside from the second combination portion of the main body and the upper cover does not easily reach the upper edge of the support frame portion located at a position higher than the upper edge of the outer frame portion, and is higher than the upper edge of the support portion. It is even more difficult to reach the opening of each mounting hole of the electrical component mounting portion arranged at the position. Therefore, it is more difficult for the water that has entered the inside from the combined portion of the main body and the upper cover to reach the electrical component mounting portion more reliably.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical junction box 10 includes a main body 11, a lower cover 12, and an upper cover 13. For convenience of explanation, the vertical direction in FIG. 1 will be described as the vertical direction of the electrical junction box 10.

The main body 11 includes a cylindrical frame body 15 and a connection body 14 as a connection body portion provided inside the frame body 15. The connection body 14 is for connecting a plurality of electric components D such as a relay to a wire harness (not shown) of wiring in the vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the frame 15
Includes an outer frame portion 16 forming an outer wall of the main body 11, and a support frame portion 17 provided inside thereof. The upper edge 17a of the support frame portion 17 is arranged at a position higher than the upper edge 16a of the outer frame portion 16. The support frame portion 17 is supported by a plurality of ribs 18 provided on the inner side surface of the outer frame portion 16. Then, between the outer frame portion 16 and the support frame portion 17,
An annular drainage space 20 having a closed bottom is formed. The drainage space 20 is communicated with the inner side of the lower cover 12 assembled to the lower side of the main body 11 by a plurality of drainage holes 21 formed in the lower portion of the support frame portion 17.

Inside the support frame portion 17, the connection body 14 is provided.
A pair of support portions 19A and 19B that detachably support the is integrally formed. The support portion 19A is formed on one inner side surface of both inner side surfaces orthogonal to the longitudinal direction in the inner side portion of the substantially rectangular support frame portion 17. On the other hand, the support portion 19B is also a connecting portion 17 that connects both inner side surfaces parallel to the longitudinal direction from the other inner side surface.
In b, it is formed on the inner side surface of the support portion 19A side. Then, both support portions 19A. 19B is formed to detachably support the connecting body 14 on both sides thereof.

A groove 22 which is formed in an annular shape along the bottom surface of the drainage space 20 and opens downward at the lower edge of the frame body 15.
Are formed. That is, the groove 22 is formed so as to overlap the drainage space 20 in the vertical direction. A first annular packing 23, which is interposed between the lower cover 12 and the lower cover 12, is assembled in the groove 22.

The frame 15 is integrally formed of synthetic resin and is formed by only male and female dies that are vertically assembled. Therefore, in the frame body 15, the water drainage holes 21 are provided in the lower part of the support frame portion 17 forming the inner wall surface of the water drainage space 20, with respect to the water drainage spaces 20 and the grooves 22 provided at the vertically overlapping positions. ing. As a result, the main body 11
Is formed so that the lower cover 12 does not project outward.

The connecting body 14 has a known structure,
For example, it is composed of a plurality of laminated bus bar wiring boards, an electrical component mounting board assembled on the upper side of the laminated body, and a connector mounting board assembled on the lower side of the laminated body. Then, on the upper surface of the electrical component mounting plate, an electrical component mounting surface 14a is formed as an electrical component mounting portion having a plurality of electrical component mounting holes (not shown) into which the electrical component D is mounted. The opening of each electrical component mounting hole is formed on the electrical component mounting surface 14a. Further, on the lower surface of the connector mounting plate, a connector mounting surface 14b having a plurality of connector mounting holes (not shown) into which connectors (not shown) of the wire harness are mounted.
Are formed. The opening of each connector mounting hole is formed on the connector mounting surface 14b.

The two support parts 19A and 19B are
The connector 14 is supported so that the electrical component mounting surface 14a is located at a position higher than the upper edge 17a of the support frame portion 17. Therefore, the opening of each electrical component mounting hole formed on the electrical component mounting surface 14a is arranged at a position higher than the upper edge 16a of the outer frame portion 16.

The drain hole 21 is formed so as to communicate with the inside of the lower cover 12 at a position lower than the connector mounting surface 14b. That is, the water drain hole 21 is communicated with the inside of the lower cover 12 at a position lower than the openings of the connector mounting holes formed on the connector mounting surface 14b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lower cover 12 is formed in a box shape having an open upper side. The lower cover 12 is assembled from the lower side of the main body 11 with the upper end edge 12 a thereof abutting the lower side surface of the first annular packing 23 in the groove 22. The lower cover 12 is detachably fixed to the main body 11 by a known elastic locking mechanism (not shown). The bottom surface 12 of the lower cover 12
A water draining section 24 for discharging water to the outside is provided in b. In the present embodiment, the groove 22 of the main body 11,
The upper edge 12a of the lower cover 12 constitutes a first combination portion.

Further, the upper cover 13 is formed in a box shape whose lower side is open. In the upper cover 13,
An annular groove 25 that opens downward is provided along the lower edge thereof. A second annular packing 26, which is interposed between the groove 25 and the outer frame portion 16 of the main body 11, is assembled. The upper cover 13 is assembled to the main body 11 from above with the upper edge 16a of the outer frame portion 16 contacting the lower surface of the second annular packing 26 in the groove 25. Like the lower cover 12, the upper cover 13 is detachably fixed to the main body 11 by a known elastic locking mechanism (not shown). In the present embodiment, the upper edge 16a of the outer frame portion 16 and the groove 25 of the upper cover 13 form a second combination portion.

When water is splashed from the outside to the electrical junction box 10 constructed as described above, the first annular packing interposed between the groove 22 of the main body 11 and the upper edge 12a of the lower cover 12 is assembled. The entry of water into the interior from the first combination portion is prevented by 23. Further, the second annular packing 26 interposed between the upper edge 16a of the outer frame portion 16 and the groove 25 of the upper cover 13 prevents water from entering the inside from the second combination portion.

Due to the deformation of the main body 11 or the upper cover 13 and the like, the water which has passed through some portion on the circumference of the second annular packing 26 and has invaded the inside of the electrical component mounting surface 14a of the connection body 14. Drainage space 2 provided to surround
Fall below 0. Then, the water that has dropped to the bottom of the drainage space 20 is discharged from the drainage holes 21 to the inside of the lower cover 12, and is discharged to the outside from the drainage part 24. Further, the water that has passed through some portion on the circumference of the first annular packing 23 provided in the first combination portion of the main body 11 and the lower cover 12 and invaded into the inside does not reach the electrical component mounting surface 14a. Directly fall inside the lower cover 12 and drain the water 24
Is discharged from the outside.

According to this embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (A) In the present embodiment, the main body 11 having the connecting body 14 inside and the lower cover 12 are provided between the groove 22 provided along the lower end edge of the frame body 15 and the upper end edge 12 a of the lower cover 12. One annular packing 23 was interposed and combined.
Further, the main body 11 and the upper cover 13 are combined with each other with the second annular packing 26 interposed between the upper edge 16a of the outer frame portion 16 and the groove 25 provided along the lower edge of the upper cover 13. Further, the main body 11 has a second annular packing 26.
The drainage space 20 is provided to surround the electrical component mounting surface 14a inside and to drain the water that has passed through the second annular packing 26 and infiltrated into the lower cover 12.

Therefore, the water splashed on the electric junction box 10 from the outside does not enter the inside of the main body 11. In addition, even if water enters the inside, the electrical component mounting surface 1 of the connection body 14
It is discharged to the outside without reaching 4a. as a result,
It is possible to prevent the electric wiring part from being hindered more reliably by the water applied from the outside.

(B) In addition, in the present embodiment, the electrical component mounting surface 14a in which the opening of each electrical component mounting hole is formed is
Upper edge 1 of the outer frame portion 16 forming the outer wall of the drainage space 20
It was placed at a position higher than 6a. Therefore, just in case
Even if water enters from the combined portion of 1 and the upper cover 13, it does not reach the electric component mounting surface 14a more reliably, so that the electric wiring portion can be prevented more reliably. .

(C) In addition, in the present embodiment, the support frame portion 17 that supports the connection body 14 inside and forms the inner wall surface of the drainage space 20 is provided in the main body 11, and the upper end of the support frame portion 17 is provided. The edge 17a is arranged at a position higher than the upper edge 16a of the outer frame portion 16. Then, the electrical component mounting surface 14a
The connection body 14 was supported so that it was arranged at a position higher than the upper edge 17a of the support frame portion 17. Therefore, the water that has entered the inside from the combined portion of the main body 11 and the upper cover 13 does not reach the electric component mounting surface 14a more reliably, so that the electric wiring portion is prevented more reliably. be able to.

(D) Further, in this embodiment, the drain hole 21 is formed so as to communicate with the inside of the lower cover 12 at a position lower than the connector mounting surface 14b in which the openings of the connector mounting holes are formed. . Therefore, since water that has entered the inside from the combined portion of the main body 11 and the upper cover 13 does not reach the connector mounting surface 14b with certainty, it is necessary to ensure that no trouble occurs in the electrical wiring portion on the connector mounting surface 14b. You can

(E) In addition, in the present embodiment, the main body 11 is formed so that the water draining space 20 and the groove 22 are vertically overlapped with each other, and the water is drained to the support frame portion 17 forming the inner wall of the water draining space 20. A hole 21 was provided. Therefore, the main body 11 can be molded only by the male and female molds assembled in the vertical direction while preventing the lower cover 12 from projecting outside the main body 11. Further, the main body 11 can be molded only by the male and female dies that are vertically combined.

Embodiments other than the above embodiment will be listed below. In the above embodiment, the drainage space 20 is provided in the main body 11.
The support frame portion 17 forming the inner wall surface of the main body 11 is provided, and the connection body 14 formed separately from the main body 11 is supported inside the support frame portion 17. The support frame portion 17 is not provided in the outer frame portion 16
The connection body itself directly fixed to may form the inner wall surface of the drainage space 20. Even in this case,
By arranging the electrical component mounting surface 14a at a position higher than the upper end edge 16a of the outer frame portion 16, it is possible to make it more difficult for water that has penetrated into the interior to reach the electrical component mounting surface 14a. .

In this case, the connection body may be a connection body portion integrally formed with the outer frame portion. In the above embodiment, the upper edge 16a of the outer frame portion 16 is located in the same horizontal plane, but the upper edge 16a is
The height may vary within a certain range. In this case, the upper edge 17a of the support frame portion 17 may be arranged at a position higher than the upper edge 16a of the outer frame portion 16 at the corresponding position. Even with this configuration, it is possible to make it more difficult for water that has entered the interior to reach the electrical component mounting surface 14a more reliably. .

In the above embodiment, the drainage space 20
The main body 11 was formed so that the groove 22 and the groove 22 were vertically overlapped with each other, and the drainage hole 21 was provided in the support frame portion 17 forming the inner wall surface of the drainage space 20. The main body 11 is formed so that the drainage space 20 and the groove 22 do not vertically overlap with each other, and a drainage hole is formed in a connecting portion between the outer frame portion 16 and the support frame portion 17 forming the bottom surface of the drainage space 20. 21 may be provided.

In the above embodiment, the frame body 15 is integrally molded, but the support frame portion 17 and the outer frame portion 1 which are separately formed.
6 may be combined and formed. In the above embodiment, the upper edge 16a of the outer frame portion 16 and the groove 25 provided along the lower edge of the upper cover 13 are combined. This on the outer surface of the outer frame portion 16,
Ribs provided on the upper surface along the peripheral edge of the collar portion formed so as to close on the circumference of the horizontal plane, and the groove 2 of the upper cover 13.
You may make it combine 5. With this configuration, the upper edge 16a of the outer frame portion 16 that forms the outer wall of the drainage space 20.
However, since it is located at a position higher than the combined portion of the main body 11 and the upper cover 13, it is possible to make it more difficult for water that has entered the interior from this combined portion to reach the electrical component mounting surface 14a.

In the above embodiment, the connection body 14 is
A plurality of laminated bus bar wiring boards, electrical component mounting boards,
It consists of a connector mounting plate. An electrical component mounting surface having a plurality of electrical component mounting holes was formed on the upper surface of one piece, and a connector mounting hole having a connector mounting hole corresponding to each electrical component mounting hole was formed on the lower surface. It may be a connection plate.

The electrical component D mounted on the connection body 14 is
For example, a fuse may be used instead of the relay. Hereinafter, the technical idea grasped from each of the above-described embodiments will be described together with its effects.

(1) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a lower electrical component mounting portion (connector mounting surface 14) on which electrical components are mounted on the lower side of the connection body portion.
b) is formed, and the water draining portion communicates with the inside of the lower cover at a position lower than the opening of the electrical component mounting hole formed in the lower electrical component mounting portion. According to this structure, the water that has entered the inside from the first combination portion of the main body and the upper cover and dropped downward from the drainage space does not reach the lower electrical component mounting portion, so that the lower surface of the connection body portion It is possible to prevent the electric wiring portion provided at the position from being hindered.

[0042]

[0043]

As described in detail above, according to the inventions of claims 1 to 3, it is possible to more reliably prevent the electric wiring part from being hindered by the water splashed on the electric junction box from the outside. can do. Also, the lower cover is
Assemble vertically so that it does not project outside.
The main body can be molded only by the male and female molds.

In addition, according to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to more reliably prevent the electric wiring portion from being hindered. In addition, according to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to more reliably prevent the electric wiring portion from being hindered.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main body.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main body.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a conventional electric junction box.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the same.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing another conventional electric junction box.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Electric junction box, 11 ... Main body, 12 ... Lower cover, 1
Reference numeral 2a ... Upper end portion constituting first combination portion, 13 ... Upper cover, 14 ... Connection body as connection body portion constituting main body, 14a ... Electrical component mounting surface as electrical component mounting portion, 15
... frame body that constitutes the main body, 16 ... outer frame portion that constitutes the frame body,
16a ... Upper edge which comprises a 2nd combination part, 17 ... Support frame part which comprises a frame, 17a ... Upper edge, 20 ... Drainage space, 22 ... Groove which comprises a 1st combination part, 23 ... 1st annular shape Packing , 25 ... Grooves constituting the second combination portion, 26 ... Second annular packing, D ... Electrical equipment.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H02G 3/14 B60R 16/02 H05K 5/02

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main body having an inner side of a connecting body portion provided with an electric component mounting portion on which an electric component is mounted, an upper cover assembled to the main body from the upper side, and a lower body assembled to the main body. An electrical junction box having a lower cover having a drainage portion on the bottom surface, the lower cover being assembled from below in the groove of the lower edge of the main body.
The first combination part to be mated has a main body and a lower cover.
First annular gasket is interposed between the upper cover
Second combination portion lower edge body in the groove of is combined from the lower side is a second annular gasket is interposed between the body and the upper cover, the body, the electrical inside of the second combination unit It is formed so as to surround the goods mounting portion, provided with a drain space for discharging the water entering the inside from the second combining unit to the inside of the lower cover inside of the first combining unit, wherein said water-removal spaces The first combination part overlaps vertically
The drainage space is provided at the bottom of the main body.
It communicates with the inside of the lower cover through the water drain hole.
Electrical junction box that is. 2. An opening of an electrical component mounting hole formed in the electrical component mounting portion is arranged at a position higher than an upper end edge of an outer frame portion of the main body forming an outer wall surface of the drainage space. The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein 3. The main body includes a frame body forming an outer side of the main body and a connection body supported inside the frame body, and the frame body forms an outer wall surface of the drainage space. It comprises the outer frame part and a support frame part which is formed in a cylindrical shape for supporting the connection body inside and forms an inner wall surface of the drainage space, and the upper end edge of the support frame part is the outer frame part. The connection body is formed at a position higher than the upper edge of the support portion, and the connector is supported by the frame body such that the opening of the electrical component mounting hole is at a position higher than the upper edge of the support frame portion. Item 2. The electrical junction box according to item 2.