JP6091355B2 - Electrical junction box - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical junction box that accommodates an electronic component module having a fitting portion that fits into a harness connector introduced from the bottom of a case main body.

  Conventionally, in vehicles such as automobiles, an electrical connection box called a relay box in which a plurality of relays are housed is provided as a relay means when power is supplied to in-vehicle electrical components. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, the box is fitted with a case main body, a lower cover and an upper cover that are attached and locked so as to close the upper and lower openings of the case main body, and a harness connector introduced from the bottom of the case main body. It has a structure provided with electronic components such as a relay having a connector to be fitted and housed in the case body.

  And in recent years, the number of electrical components to be mounted has increased, and the number of relays, which are necessary electronic components, has increased accordingly.Therefore, a board relay in which relays that are electronic components are mounted on a circuit board is used. As a relay module (electronic component module), it has been considered to accommodate a module obtained by housing a substrate relay in a module case in a case body.

  In this case, after fitting the harness connector introduced into the case body from the opening at the bottom of the case body and extending to the upper opening, and the module connector on the relay module side, the relay module is accommodated in the case body, By attaching the lower cover and the upper cover, the assembly operation of the relay module in the case body is completed. At this time, the relay module is accommodated in the case body in a state where the relay module is fixed to the case body so as not to move at a predetermined fixing position.

JP 2009-20292 A (see paragraphs 0018 to 0026 and FIGS. 1 to 3)

  However, if the harness connector and the module connector on the relay module side are not completely fitted, and the so-called half-fitted state, the relay module is accommodated in the case body with both connectors half-fitted. Since the electrical signal flow does not change from the normal state during the half-fitting, both connectors are in the half-fitted state, which is the same as the fully-fitted state as far as the electrical signal flow is seen from the outside. This cannot be detected, and if left as it is, both connectors may be detached due to vibration during traveling.

  Even if the harness connector and the fitting part of the electronic component module are half-fitted, the harness connector and the fitting part of the electronic component module are disposed when the electronic component module is accommodated in the case body. It aims at making it possible to fit securely.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the electrical junction box of the present invention is an electrical connection for accommodating an electronic component module having a fitting portion to be fitted with a harness connector introduced from the bottom of the case main body in the case main body. In the box, provided on a wall surface of the housing portion of the module formed in the case body, a fixing portion that fixes the module housed in the housing portion at a predetermined fixing position, and a bottom portion side of the fixing portion. A protruding portion provided on the wall surface of the accommodating portion so as to protrude inward of the accommodating portion, and the protruding portion is fitted when the module is fixed to the fixing position by the fixing portion. The harness connector is provided at a position where the harness connector is in contact with each other (claim 1).

  The surface of the overhanging portion with which the harness connector abuts may be inclined toward the bottom of the case body (Claim 2).

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the electronic component module is accommodated in the housing portion of the case body with the harness connector introduced from the bottom of the case body being fitted to the fitting portion of the electronic component module, the case body The electronic component module is fixed at a predetermined fixing position by the fixing portion of the housing portion wall surface, and at the same time, the harness connector fitted into the fitting portion of the electronic component module protrudes inward of the housing portion to the housing portion wall surface. It abuts on the overhang provided. At this time, even if the electronic component module is accommodated in the accommodating portion while the harness connector is not securely fitted in the fitting portion of the electronic component module, the harness connector contacts the overhanging portion. The harness connector in the half-fitted state is reliably fitted into the fitting portion.

  Therefore, even if the electronic component module is accommodated in the accommodating portion while the harness connector is not securely fitted in the fitting portion of the electronic component module, the electronic component module is held at a predetermined fixed position by the fixing portion. At the same time, the harness connector fitted to the fitting part of the electronic component module protrudes inward of the housing part and comes into contact with the projecting part provided on the wall surface of the housing part, so that the contact with the projecting part is applied. Since the harness connector in the half-fitted state is pressed in the fitting direction by the reaction of contact, in the work process of housing the electronic component module in the housing portion, the electronic component module can be fixed at a predetermined fixing position of the housing portion, The harness connector in the semi-fitted state can be securely fitted to the fitting part by pressing the overhanging part, and the fixed electronic component module is accommodated for checking the fitting state. Of removal can be omitted unnecessary administrative steps that visual confirmation, it is possible to reduce the cost by reduction of the management process.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 2, since the surface of the overhanging portion on which the harness connector contacts is inclined toward the bottom of the case main body, even if there is a dimensional tolerance of the case main body or the electronic component module The harness connector always comes into contact with the inclined surface of the overhanging part to absorb dimensional tolerances, and when the electronic component module is accommodated in the accommodating part, the harness is inclined to the inclined surface of the overhanging part. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the harness from being sandwiched between the harness connector and the overhanging portion.

It is a disassembled perspective view of one Embodiment of the electrical-connection box of this invention. It is a one part disassembled perspective view of one Embodiment. It is the perspective view seen from the bottom face side of the relay module of FIG. It is the cutting | disconnection front view of the state which accommodated the relay module of FIG. 1 in the accommodating part. FIG. 2 is a cut-away side view of the state in which the relay module of FIG. 1 is housed in a housing portion. The some in the state which accommodated the relay module of FIG. 1 in the accommodating part are shown, (a) and (b) are a cutting | disconnection front view and a cutting | disconnection side view, respectively. A part in the state different from FIG. 6 which accommodated the relay module of FIG. 1 in the accommodating part is shown, (a) and (b) are a cut front view and a cut side view, respectively. The mode of accommodation to the accommodating part of the relay module of FIG. 1 is shown, (a), (b) is the cut | disconnected side view of a different state, respectively. FIG. 7 is a cut side view showing a state in which the relay module of FIG. 1 is housed in another housing state. It is a partial expanded sectional view of other embodiment.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  An electrical junction box (hereinafter referred to as a relay box) disposed in an engine room of an automobile is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the relay box 1 includes a resin case main body 2 and a resin lower cover and upper cover (not shown) that are attached and locked so as to close the upper and lower openings 2a and 2b of the case main body 2. Prepare.

  A housing portion 2d made of a horizontally long cross-sectional rectangular space partitioned by a partition wall 2c is formed on the inner rear side of the case body 2, and a relay module (electronic component according to the present invention) is formed in the housing portion 2d. (Corresponding to module) 4 is accommodated. In the relay module 4, a board relay formed by mounting a plurality of relays, which are electronic components, on a circuit board is housed in a resin-made module case 4a having a rectangular cross section substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the housing portion 2d. Thus, the case body 2 is inserted and accommodated in the accommodating portion 2d from the upper opening 2a. A plurality of spaces 2e partitioned to accommodate a plurality of fuses, other relays, and the like are secured on the front side of the accommodating portion 2d across the partition wall 2c in the case body 2. The position and shape of the space 2e are not limited to those shown in FIG.

  By the way, on the lower surface of the relay module 4, a plurality of module-side connectors (not shown) as fitting portions electrically connected to the plurality of relays constituting the board relay are mounted on the end of the circuit board. The harness 5 having a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) harness connectors 5a attached to the tip of the case 5 is exposed as indicated by the arrow in FIG. The harness connector 5a of the harness 5 introduced through the bottom opening 2b is exposed to the outside through the bottom of the housing portion 2d and extended from the upper opening 2a. In this state, each harness connector 5a is a fitting portion. The relay module 4 is fitted into each module-side connector on the lower surface of a certain relay module 4, and then the relay module 4 is pushed into the housing portion 2 d from the upper opening 2 a of the case body 2 to be housed. . At this time, the harness 5 in which each harness connector 5a is fitted to each module-side connector is accommodated in a lower cover that closes the lower opening 2b of the case body 2 with a slack, and is formed on the lower cover. It is extended outside from the harness outlet.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, an elastic U-shaped or U-shaped elastic engagement piece 6 is integrally formed by resin molding at substantially the center position on both the left and right side surfaces of the module case 4a of the relay module 4. The elastic engagement piece 6 is formed so that the upper end is urged outward, a recess opened downward is formed in the center, and the lower end is attached to the left and right side surfaces of the module case 4a. Further, at a position corresponding to both engaging pieces 6 on the inner surfaces of the left and right walls of the accommodating portion 2d, a convex portion 7 as a fixing portion for fixing the relay module 4 to a predetermined fixing position in the accommodating portion 2d is a resin. It is integrally formed by molding.

  Then, when the relay module 4 in a state in which each harness connector 5a is fitted to each module-side connector is pushed into the housing portion 2d from the upper opening 2a of the case body 2, the both elastic engagement pieces 6 of the relay module 4 are respectively Moves along the left and right inner wall surfaces of the accommodating portion 2d, the both convex portions 7 are respectively inserted into the concave portions of the two elastic engaging pieces 6, and the both convex portions 7 are engaged with the concave portions of the two elastic engaging pieces 6, respectively. By doing so, excessive push-in of the relay module 4 is prevented, and the relay module 4 is housed in a state of being fixed at a predetermined fixed position in the housing portion 2d. By pressing the upper ends of both engagement pieces 6 in an inward direction opposite to the urging force with an elongated plate-like tool or the like, the engagement state of both protrusions 7 with the recesses of both engagement pieces 6 is changed. It is cancelled | released and it becomes possible to take out the relay module 4 upward from the accommodating part 2d.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the inner surface of the rear wall of the housing portion 2d of the case body 2 has a plurality of triangular prisms in a shape corresponding to each harness connector 5a (this embodiment). Projections 9 that are three projecting portions are integrally formed by projecting forward (inward) by resin molding, and the upper surface of each projection 9 forms an inclined surface that is inclined obliquely downward. .

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, each projection 9 that is an overhanging portion has a predetermined fixed position by the relay module 4 engaging with the concave portions of both elastic engaging pieces 6 of both convex portions 7 as the fixing portions. The harness connector 5a in the fitted state is disposed at a position where it abuts on the upper surface when it is fixed to the upper surface.

  As described above, the relay module 4 is accommodated by pushing the relay module 4 in a state in which each harness connector 5a is fitted to each module-side connector from the upper opening 2a of the case body 2 into the accommodating portion 2d. Although accommodated in the part 2d, one of the harness connectors 5a may be accommodated in a so-called half-fitted state where it is not securely fitted to the module-side connector.

  However, even if, for example, all the harness connectors 5a remain in the half-fitted state, even if the relay module 4 is pushed into the accommodating portion 2d, both the convex portions 7 are the concave portions of the two elastic engagement pieces 6 as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the lower end of each harness connector 5a in the half-fitted state comes into contact with the inclined upper surface of each projection 9, as shown in FIG. 7 (b). As shown in FIG. 7B, when the both convex portions 7 are inserted into the concave portions of the two elastic engagement pieces 6 by pushing the relay module 4 into the accommodating portion 2d as shown by the arrows in FIG. Each harness connector 5a in the half-fitted state is pressed from below by the reaction of contact with each protrusion 9, and each harness connector 5a is fitted to the module-side connector.

  Further, since the upper surface of each protrusion 9 is an inclined surface that is inclined downward, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the harness 5 is loosened when the relay module 4 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 2d, (B) As the relay module 4 is pushed in as indicated by the arrow in the middle, the slackened harness 5 slides along the inclined surface of each projection 9, so the harness between each harness connector 5 a and each projection 9. 5 is prevented from being caught.

  Further, the case body 2 and the relay module 4 are not manufactured exactly as designed, and some manufacturing errors occur, and the gap between the convex portion 7 and the elastic engagement piece 6 that determines the fixing position of the relay module 4 is generated. Although there is a dimensional tolerance, the upper surface of each protrusion 9 is inclined obliquely downward, so that both convex portions 7 are respectively inserted into the concave portions of both elastic engagement pieces 6 and the relay module 4 is fixed at a predetermined fixing position. When the harness connector 5 is in a fitted state at the upper position of the inclined surface of the projection 9 as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 9, or as shown by the solid line in FIG. The harness connector 5 in the fitted state abuts at a position below the inclined surface of the protrusion 9 to absorb the above-described dimensional tolerance. Therefore, the harness connector 5 always has the protrusion 9 regardless of the presence or absence of the dimensional tolerance. In contact with the It is possible to secure the module 4 to a predetermined fixed position in housing portion 2d.

  Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the elastic engagement pieces 6 are integrally formed at substantially the center positions of the left and right side surfaces of the module case 4a of the relay module 4, and both elastic engagements of the left and right inner wall surfaces of the housing portion 2d are formed. A protrusion 7 as a fixing portion is formed at a position corresponding to the joint piece 6, and a protrusion 9, which is an overhanging portion, is formed on the front inner wall surface of the housing portion 2 d of the case body 2 so as to be integrally formed. Even if the relay module 4 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 2d in a half-engaged state where 5a is not fitted to the module-side connector that is the fitting portion of the relay module 4, both elastic engaging pieces of the two convex portions 7 6, the relay module 4 can be fixed at a predetermined fixing position, and at the same time the harness connector 5 a in a semi-fitted state is brought into contact with the projections 9 of the housing portion 2 d so that the harness connector 5 a is fitted. It can be pressed in the direction.

  As a result, in the work process of housing the relay module 4 in the housing portion 2d, the relay module 4 can be fixed at a predetermined fixing position of the housing portion 2d, and the half-fitted harness connector 5a is securely fitted to the module-side connector. In order to check the fitting state, an unnecessary management process of removing the fixed relay module 4 from the housing portion 2d and checking the fitting state can be omitted, thereby reducing the management process. Cost can be reduced.

  In addition, the upper surface of each projection 9 on the inner surface of the front wall of the housing portion 2d on which the harness connector 5a contacts is inclined obliquely downward toward the bottom of the case body 2, and therefore due to manufacturing errors of the case body 2 and the relay module 4. Even if there is a dimensional tolerance between the convex portion 7 and the elastic engagement piece 6, each harness connector 5a always abuts somewhere on the inclined surface of each projection 9, and the dimensional tolerance can be absorbed. . In order to absorb such dimensional tolerances, each harness connector 5a is inclined so that it abuts somewhere on the inclined surface of each protrusion 9 without the lower end of the module case 4a contacting the inclined surface of each protrusion 9. It is preferable to set the angle of the surface.

  Furthermore, when the relay module 4 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 2d, the harness 5 slides along the inclined surface of the upper surface of each protrusion 9, so that the harness 5 is sandwiched between the harness connector 5a and the protrusion 9. Can be prevented, and the harness 5 can be stored smoothly.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications other than those described above can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the upper surface with which the harness connector 5a of each protrusion 9 on the inner surface of the rear wall of the housing portion 2d abuts is inclined downward toward the bottom of the case body 2, but FIG. As shown, the upper surface of the protrusion 9 is flat and does not have to be inclined.

  Further, the shape of the elastic engagement piece 6 and the shape of the convex portion 7 that fix the relay box 4 at a predetermined fixing position of the accommodating portion 2d are not limited to those of the above-described embodiment, but are concave and convex. Of course, the combination may be a combination of a convex on the relay box 4 side and a concave on the accommodating portion 2d side. In short, the relay module 4 accommodated in the accommodating portion 2d can be fixed at a predetermined fixing position. I just need it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the protrusions 9 that are the overhanging portions are provided corresponding to the respective harness connectors 5a has been described. Two protrusions may be formed on the inner surface of the front wall of the accommodating portion 2.

  Further, the protrusions 9 may be formed so as to come into contact with one harness connector 5a at two or more locations.

  Further, the shape of the case main body 2 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the present invention can be similarly implemented as long as it has a housing portion that houses at least a relay box (electronic component module). .

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the housing portion 2d is formed by partitioning the inside of the case main body 2 with the partition wall 2c has been described, but it is not always necessary to be partitioned by the partition wall 2c.

1 ... Relay box (electric connection box)
2 ... Case body 2d ... Housing part 4 ... Relay module (electronic component module)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Harness 5a ... Harness connector 6 ... Elastic engagement piece 7 ... Convex part (fixed part)
9 ... Protrusion (overhang)

Claims (2)

In the electrical junction box that houses the electronic component module having the fitting portion to be fitted with the harness connector introduced from the bottom of the case main body, in the case main body,
A fixing portion provided on a wall surface of the housing portion of the module formed in the case body, and fixing the module housed in the housing portion at a predetermined fixing position;
A wall portion of the housing portion on the bottom side of the fixed portion, and a projecting portion provided to project inward of the housing portion;
The overhanging portion is provided at a position where the harness connector in a fitted state abuts when the module is fixed at the fixing position by the fixing portion.   The electrical junction box according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the overhanging portion with which the harness connector abuts is inclined toward a bottom portion of the case body.

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