JP4113756B2 - Power supply box - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a power supply box configured to connect a booster cable to a power supply terminal away from a battery when the battery of the vehicle rises.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a hybrid vehicle or the like in which an engine and a motor are mixedly mounted, a battery is mounted on the rear part of the vehicle, and a power supply unit that enables power supply when the battery runs out is mounted in the engine room on the front side of the vehicle (for example, Patent Documents). 1).
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 3, the power supply unit 41 includes a jump start terminal box 42, and a harness 45 following the battery and a harness 46 following the starter motor and the alternator are connected to the terminals 43 and 44 of the box 42. .
[0004]
When the battery runs out, a booster cable (not shown) is connected to the terminal 43 that follows the battery, and the engine is started by turning the starter motor while supplying power from the battery of the other vehicle to the battery of this vehicle. In this way, by opening only the hood at the front portion of the vehicle without opening the battery chamber at the rear portion of the vehicle, it is possible to easily cope with battery exhaustion.
[0005]
As an electrical connection box for connecting a power cable from a battery, for example, one as shown in FIG. 4 is disclosed (see Patent Document 2).
[0006]
The electrical junction box 51 includes a synthetic resin case 52, a synthetic resin waterproof main cover 53 and a sub cover 54 covering the case 52, and the sub cover 54 is placed in a notch recess 55 of the main cover 53. The power supply connection terminal (stud bolt) 56 on the case 52 side is covered. The cover 53 is fixed to the case 52 with locking means 57 and 58.
[0007]
The power connection terminal 56 is erected in the recess 59 of the case 52, and fuse mounting portions 60 and 61 are disposed on both sides of the power connection terminal 56. A power cable 62 is fixed to the sub cover 54 by tape winding, and a plate terminal 63 having an insertion hole for the power connection terminal 56 is connected to the tip of the power cable 62. Terminals in the fuse mounting portions 60 and 61 are formed integrally with a bus bar (not shown), and the bus bar and the power connection terminal 56 are connected by nut tightening.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-6-191359 (page 2-3, FIG. 1, FIG. 8 to FIG. 12)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-6-276647 (page 3, FIG. 10)
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional terminal box 42 (FIG. 3) and the electrical connection box 51 (FIG. 4), the cover 42a is sealed with respect to the power supply terminal 43, or the sub cover 54 is connected to the power cable 62. In order to fix the terminal 63 of the power cable 62 to the power connection terminal 56, when the booster cable (not shown) is to be connected to the terminals 43 and 56 when the battery is discharged, the entire cover 42a is Opening the terminal box 42 to expose it, opening the main cover 53, releasing the fixing (tape winding) of the sub cover 54 to expose the power connection terminal 56 is very time-consuming, and the terminal box There is a problem that water droplets, dust, and the like easily enter the inside 42 and the electrical junction box 51.
[0010]
In view of the above points, the present invention can easily connect the booster cable to the power supply terminal with a small number of man-hours when the battery of the vehicle is exhausted, and minimizes the entry of dust and water droplets into the box. It is an object to provide a power supply box that can be used.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, a power supply box according to claim 1 of the present invention includes an insulating base, a conductive bus bar attached to the base and connected to a circuit from a battery, and the bus bar. A power supply terminal provided; a main cover that is attached to the base and has an opening that exposes the power supply terminal; and is provided in the main cover so as to be openable and closable. And a sub-cover that covers the terminal and exposes the power feeding terminal when the terminal is opened.
With the above configuration, when the battery of the vehicle is exhausted, the driver or the like can open the sub cover to expose the power feeding terminal, and connect the booster cable to the power feeding terminal to perform charging. Since the opening of the main cover that exposes the power feeding terminal is narrow, water drops (rain water), dust, and the like do not enter the box from the opening during power feeding. By closing the sub cover after power feeding (after engine start), the power feeding terminal is insulated from the outside, and the bus bar in the main cover is safely protected from intrusion of dust and water droplets.
[0012]
The power supply box according to claim 2 is the power supply box according to claim 1, wherein the sub cover is provided on an upper wall of the main cover, and the power supply terminal protrudes higher than the main cover. It is characterized by.
With the above configuration, when the sub cover is opened, the power supply terminal protrudes high from the upper wall of the main cover and can be easily gripped and connected by the conductive clip at the end of the booster cable.
[0013]
A power supply box according to a third aspect is the power supply box according to the first or second aspect, wherein the sub-cover is rotatably provided on the main cover by a hinge.
With the above configuration, the sub-cover can be easily opened and closed by rotating the sub-cover around the hinge. Since the sub cover is supported (fixed) on the main cover by the hinge, the opening / closing operation of the sub cover is facilitated, and the sub cover is prevented from being dropped or lost.
[0014]
The power supply box according to a fourth aspect is the power supply box according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the sub cover is locked to the main cover by a locking means.
With the above configuration, the locking means can be unlocked to open the sub cover, and the locking means can lock (fix) the sub cover to the main cover with one touch.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 to 2 show an embodiment of a power supply box according to the present invention.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply box 1 includes a base (case) 2 made of synthetic resin, a large main cover (first cover) 3 made of synthetic resin that is attached to the base 2, and is rotatable to the main cover 3. A small sub-cover (second cover) that closes the opening 5 of the main cover 3 and protects the terminal 6 (FIG. 2) for power supply (power supply) in the main cover from the outside and exposes the terminal 6 to the outside. Second cover or auxiliary cover) 4.
[0017]
The base 2 and the covers 3 and 4 are insulative. For example, the main cover 3 is colored with a conspicuous color such as black and the sub-cover 4 is colored red. When the sub cover 4 is closed, the lower end 4 a of the sub cover 4 is located on the same plane as the upper surface of the upper wall 7 of the main cover 3. The sub cover 4 is rotatably connected to one end side of the main cover 3 by a hinge 10.
[0018]
A horizontal cylindrical hinge shaft 8 is provided between the pair of vertical pieces 12 on the lower end side of the one side wall 11 of the sub cover 4, and the hinge shaft 8 is rotatable at the upper end of the one side wall 13 of the main cover 3. A bearing 9 composed of upper and lower arc pieces to be engaged is provided. A hinge 10 is constituted by the hinge shaft 8 and the bearing 9. It is also possible to provide the hinge shaft 8 on the main cover 3 and the bearing 9 on the sub cover 4. The sub cover 4 is configured to open greatly (at an angle of about 180 °) from one end of the main cover 3 to the outside.
[0019]
A flexible locking arm 14 for the main cover 3 is provided downward on the other side wall of the sub cover 4, and the locking arm 14 has a locking claw portion (not shown) at the tip, Protective walls 15 are disposed on both sides of the arm 14, and a wall portion (engagement wall) 16 having a step portion for engagement with the claw portion is erected on the upper wall 7 of the main cover 3.
[0020]
A frame-like portion (not shown) that enters and engages the inside of the lower end portion 4 a of the sub-cover 4 around the opening 5 is provided on the upper wall 7 so as to protrude from the upper wall 7 and the lower end 4 a of the sub-cover 4. Intrusion of water droplets, dust, etc. from the joint portion of is prevented. A flexible locking frame piece 18 projects downward on the side wall 17 of the main cover 3, and an engaging projection 20 for the locking frame piece 18 is provided on the side wall 19 of the base 2.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 2, the base 2 has a horizontal base portion 21, a side wall 19 standing around the base portion 21 (half or more), and a bracket 22 protruding in parallel with the base portion 21 from the side wall 19. And. Two bolts 23 are vertically installed on the base part 21, and the heads (not shown) of the bolts 23 are embedded and fixed in the base part 21. A conductive metal bus bar 24 is horizontally disposed on the base portion 21 through the two bolts 23.
[0022]
A circular hole 25 through which the two bolts 23 are inserted is provided in parallel on the bus bar 24, and a long power feeding terminal 6 is integrally formed at one end of the bus bar 24 so as to protrude upward. Each bolt 23 protrudes higher than the side wall 19 of the base 2, and the power supply terminal 6 protrudes twice or more than the bolt 23. The power supply terminal 6 is formed in a male tab shape. The bus bar 24 is located below the upper end 19 a of the side wall 19. Downward positioning protrusions (not shown) are provided on both sides of the bus bar 24, and holes (not shown) are provided for entering and engaging the positioning protrusions on the upper surface of the base part 21 (the surface on which the bus bar 24 is placed). Z).
[0023]
The bus bar 24 is set on the base portion 21, and a positive electrode terminal (terminal connected to an unillustrated electric wire) of the electric wire from the battery is fastened and connected to one bolt 23 penetrated with a nut (not shown). For example, a terminal of an electric wire from an alternator is similarly tightened and connected to the other bolt 23 with a nut. The bus bar 24 is fastened and fixed on the base portion 21 with these nuts. At one end of the bus bar 24, three protrusions 26 for positioning a plate-like terminal (not shown) of each electric wire are provided upward.
[0024]
A base end portion 6 a of the power feeding terminal 6 is positioned surrounded by a substantially U-shaped portion 19 b of the side wall 19. The opposite side of the side wall 19 (the part following the substantially U-shaped part 19b) is notched open, and the open part 28 is covered with a long side wall part 29 of the main cover 3 to be protected from intrusion of water drops from the outside. The
[0025]
The sub-cover 4 of FIG. 1 is positioned corresponding to the power supply terminal 6. That is, the base 2 is screwed and fixed to the vehicle body or panel through the hole 27 of the bracket 22, and the main cover 3 (FIG. 1) is attached to the base 2, so that the lower half of the power supply terminal 6 is the main cover. 3 and the upper half of the power supply terminal 6 is located in the sub-cover 4. By opening the sub cover 4, the upper half of the power supply terminal 6 protrudes upward from the opening 5 of the main cover 3 and is exposed to the outside.
[0026]
The sub cover 4 (FIG. 1) is easily unlocked by pressing the locking arm 14 inward with a finger, and can be easily opened by rotating as it is. When the battery runs out, the driver or the like opens the sub cover 4 and connects a booster cable (not shown) to the exposed power supply terminal 6 to start the engine. After the engine is started, the sub cover 4 is closed, and the vehicle hood is closed to enable the vehicle to travel. The sub cover 4 is securely locked by the locking arm 14.
[0027]
The battery may be placed in the engine room together with the power supply box 1, and even in that case, the power supply box 1 can be used rather than turning the vinyl cover with many battery electrodes and connecting the booster cable to the battery electrode. Opening the sub cover 4 and connecting the booster cable to the power supply terminal 6 is much easier to work with. In addition, the power supply box 1 can be installed at an appropriate place other than the engine room.
[0028]
In addition to the above, the locking means 14 and 16 of the sub cover 4 with respect to the main cover 3 and the hinge structure 10 can be appropriately set in various forms. Further, the power supply box 1 may constitute a part of a large electric junction box (not shown) having a relay, a fuse and the like. Further, the means for fixing the base 2 to the vehicle body or panel is not limited to the bracket 22, and various forms can be set as appropriate.
[0029]
Further, means for connecting a terminal (not shown) of an electric wire (circuit) from a battery, an alternator or the like to the bus bar 24 is not limited to the bolt 23 and the nut, and various forms such as connection between terminals can be appropriately set. . Further, the power supply terminal 6 is set to a length that is about half that of FIG. 2, the protrusion height of the sub cover 4 is set low, and the booster is opened from the opening 5 of the main cover 3 when the sub cover 4 is opened. It is also possible to connect (grip) to the power feeding terminal 6 by inserting a conductive clip (not shown) at the end of the cable.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the sub cover can be easily opened and the power supply terminal can be easily exposed when the battery is exhausted, the booster cable is efficiently connected to the power supply terminal. Therefore, power can be supplied with good workability. Also, the entry of water droplets or dust into the box during power feeding is prevented by a narrow opening, and the box is safely protected from water droplets or dust by closing the sub cover after power feeding. Improves water and dust resistance.
[0031]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the sub cover is opened, the power feeding terminal protrudes high from the upper wall of the main cover, and the power feeding terminal is easily grasped by the conductive clip at the end of the booster cable. Since they can be connected, power supply workability is further improved.
[0032]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the sub-cover can be rotated around the hinge as a fulcrum and can be easily opened and closed, the power supply workability is further improved. In addition, since the sub cover is supported (fixed) on the main cover by the hinge, the sub cover is prevented from falling or lost, and waterproof, dustproof and insulating properties are ensured for a long period of time.
[0033]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to unlock the locking means, open the sub cover, and lock (fix) the sub cover to the main cover with one touch by the locking means. Opening and closing operation is made easier and more reliable.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a power supply box according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a power supply terminal is set on the base of the power supply box.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a conventional power supply box.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of an electrical junction box for connecting a conventional power cable.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply box 2 Base 3 Main cover 4 Sub cover 5 Opening 6 Power supply terminal 7 Upper wall 10 Hinge 14 Locking arm (locking means)
16 Engagement wall (locking means)
24 Busbar

Claims (4)

An insulating base, a conductive bus bar attached to the base and connected to a circuit from the battery, a power supply terminal provided on the bus bar, and a power supply terminal attached to the base; A main cover having an opening for exposing the power supply, and a sub-cover provided on the main cover so as to be openable and closable, covering the opening and the power feeding terminal when closed, and exposing the power feeding terminal when opened. Features a power supply box. 2. The power supply box according to claim 1, wherein the sub cover is provided on an upper wall of the main cover, and the power supply terminal protrudes higher than the main cover. 3. The power supply box according to claim 1, wherein the sub cover is provided on the main cover so as to be rotatable by a hinge. The power supply box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sub-cover is locked to the main cover by locking means.

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