JP7261251B6 - electric junction box - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electrical connection box that includes a circuit connection component and a main body having a component mounting portion to which the circuit connection component can be mounted.

Conventionally, an electric connection box (for example, a power distribution box containing a fuse, a relay, a fusible link, etc.) mounted on a vehicle or the like is connected to various electrical components via electric wires, and power is supplied to the electrical components. supply of This type of electrical connection box is generally provided with a component mounting portion (so-called cavity) for mounting a fuse or the like.

One of the conventional electric connection boxes has a pair of elastic pieces for holding a fuse or the like in a part mounting portion. When attaching a fuse or the like to the component mounting portion, an operator inserts the fuse or the like between the pair of elastic pieces and pushes the fuse or the like deep into the component mounting portion while expanding the pair of elastic pieces. When the fuse or the like is pushed into a predetermined position deep inside the component mounting portion, the pair of elastic pieces elastically recovers and engages the fuse or the like to hold the fuse or the like. Furthermore, by pushing the fuse or the like into the component mounting portion in this way, the terminal of the fuse or the like and the mating terminal built into the component mounting portion come into contact with each other, and both terminals are electrically connected. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-7-169382

By the way, as the mating terminal incorporated in the component mounting portion of the electrical junction box described above, a terminal (so-called tuning fork terminal) having a structure in which a terminal such as a fuse is pressed while being sandwiched may be used. In this case, if a terminal such as a fuse is inserted into the tuning fork terminal after the engagement between the pair of elastic pieces and the fuse etc. is completed in the process of pushing the fuse etc. into the part mounting portion, the operator must The force required for the engagement of the latter is exerted on the fuse or the like, and then the force required for the insertion of the latter is exerted on the fuse or the like. In other words, in the case of the above example, the force required to attach the fuse or the like to the component attachment portion (hereinafter referred to as "insertion force") is applied at two points, the former engagement timing and the latter insertion timing. will have a peak (maximum value) at . Therefore, some workers may erroneously recognize that the installation of the fuse or the like has already been completed when the insertion force fluctuates around the peak at the former engagement timing. In this case, although the insertion of the latter is not actually completed, the operator ends up fitting the fuse (so-called incomplete fitting of the fuse). From the viewpoint of ensuring reliable attachment of the fuse, it is desirable to prevent such incomplete fitting of the fuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical junction box that can prevent the fuse from being incompletely fitted.

In order to achieve the above object, the electric connection box according to the present invention has the following features [1] to [4].
[1]
An electric junction box comprising a circuit connection component and a main body having a component mounting portion to which the circuit connection component can be mounted,
The circuit connection component is
Having a first terminal extending in a mounting direction to the component mounting portion,
The body is
a second terminal having a convex shape that elastically contacts the first terminal; and a locking portion and a protrusion that sandwich and hold the circuit connection component attached to the component attachment portion in a direction intersecting the attachment direction. and in the component mounting portion,
The locking portion is
having a convex shape that can be elastically engaged with the circuit connection component,
The protrusion is
projecting so as to push the circuit connecting component in a direction to approach the locking portion;
The electrical connection box is
When the circuit connection component is attached to the component attachment portion, the circuit connection component is elastically deformed to push away the locking portion, and the first terminal is elastically deformed to push away the second terminal. 2 positions, a third position where the circuit connecting part contacts the projection, and a fourth position where the pushed-aside locking part recovers elastically in a direction toward the circuit connecting part and engages with the circuit connecting part. a position through which the circuit connection component moves;
Must be an electric junction box.
[2]
In the electrical junction box described in [1] above,
The electrical connection box is
The circuit connection component is configured to reach the third position after the circuit connection component is at the second position and the first terminal pushes away and overcomes the convex portion of the second terminal. Ru
Must be an electric junction box.
[3]
In the electrical connection box according to [1] or [2] above,
The protrusion is
having a first projection and a second projection having a larger projection height than the first projection;
The first projection is
contacting the circuit connection component when the circuit connection component is at the third position;
The second projection is
contacting the circuit connection component after the circuit connection component passes through the fourth position;
Must be an electric junction box.
[4]
In the electrical connection box according to any one of [1] to [3] above,
The locking portion is
having a cantilever shape extending in the mounting direction,
The body is
further comprising a protective wall extending in the mounting direction along the locking portion;
Must be an electric connection box.

According to the electrical connection box having the configuration [1] above, when the circuit connection parts (such as a fuse) are attached to the parts mounting portion (so-called cavity) of the main body, the circuit connection parts ), the second position where the first terminal (terminal such as a fuse) is elastically deformed so as to push aside the second terminal (tuning fork terminal, etc.), the circuit connecting part contacts the protrusion The circuit connecting component moves through a third position and a fourth position where the pushed-aside engaging portion elastically recovers toward the circuit connecting component and engages with the circuit connecting component. As a result, the circuit connecting component pushes away the locking portion, the first terminal pushes away the second terminal, the projection pushes the circuit connecting component against the locking portion, and the locking portion pushes the circuit connecting component. and are sequentially connected. This suppresses the occurrence of multiple large peaks in the insertion force from when the circuit connection component starts contacting the locking portion to when it is locked by the locking portion. Therefore, the electrical junction box of this configuration can suppress the incomplete fitting of the fuse as compared with the electrical junction box of the example described above.

As a further effect, by sandwiching the circuit connecting part between the locking portion and the protrusion, the effect on the circuit connecting part is less than in the case where the circuit connecting part is sandwiched between a pair of elastic pieces as in the above-described conventional electrical connection box. The insertion force itself can be reduced because the elastic force applied is reduced. In addition, since the protrusion pushes the circuit connection component toward the locking portion, the degree of engagement by the locking portion (for example, the engagement margin between the locking projection and the circuit connection component) increases. Unintentional detachment of the circuit connecting part from the part mounting portion can be suppressed to the same or greater extent than when the elastic piece sandwiches the circuit connecting part.

According to the electric connection box having the configuration [2] above, the first terminal pushes away the convex portion of the second terminal and climbs over it, and the protrusion presses the circuit connection component against the locking portion. does not occur. Therefore, by reducing the insertion force required for the first terminal to climb over the convex portion of the second terminal, the workability of mounting the circuit connecting component to the component mounting portion can be improved. For the same reason as described above, the force required for removing the circuit connection component from the component mounting portion can also be reduced.

According to the electrical junction box having the configuration [3], the protrusion includes the first protrusion that contacts when the circuit connection component is at the third position described above, and the second protrusion that has a higher protrusion height than the first protrusion. and a protrusion. As a result, the degree of engagement (for example, engagement margin) by the locking portion is further increased by the second protrusion, and unintended disengagement of the circuit connecting component can be more strongly suppressed. Specifically, even if the circuit connection component is tilted in the component mounting portion, it is possible to prevent the circuit connection component from coming off. Furthermore, since the second projection comes into contact with the circuit connection component after the circuit connection component passes through the fourth position (that is, the engagement between the locking portion and the circuit connection component is completed), the second projection with a large projection height is used. Even if it is provided, an increase in the insertion force can be avoided. For the same reason as described above, the force required for removing the circuit connection component from the component mounting portion can also be reduced.

According to the electrical junction box having the configuration [4] above, by providing a protective wall that spreads along the locking portion, the electric current from the outside of the main body to the inside can be detected through a gap (slit, etc.) around the cantilever-shaped locking portion. can effectively prevent water from entering the

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric connection box that can suppress the incomplete fitting of the fuse.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. .

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a fuse and a housing that constitute an electrical connection box according to an embodiment of the present invention are separated. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3 is a plan view of the housing shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4(a) is an enlarged view of the B portion of FIG. 3, FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of the B portion of FIG. 3, and FIG. 4(c) is a view of the C portion of FIG. It is an enlarged view, and FIG.4(d) is a perspective view which shows the C section of FIG. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the DD cross section of FIG. 3 when the fuse is at the insertion position c of FIG. 9, and FIG. 5(b) is a locking projection of FIG. 5(c) is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the protrusion in FIG. 5(a). 6(a) is a sectional view corresponding to the DD section of FIG. 3 when the fuse is at the insertion position e of FIG. 9, and FIG. 6(b) is a locking projection of FIG. 6(a). 6(c) is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the protrusion in FIG. 6(a). 7(a) is a sectional view corresponding to the DD section of FIG. 3 when the fuse is at the insertion position g of FIG. 9, and FIG. 7(b) is a locking projection of FIG. 7(a). 7(c) is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the protrusion in FIG. 7(a). 8(a) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the DD cross section of FIG. 3 when the fuse is at the insertion position h of FIG. 9, and FIG. 8(b) is a locking projection of FIG. 8(a). 8(c) is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the protrusion in FIG. 8(a). FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of the transition of the fuse insertion force with respect to the fuse insertion position. FIG. 10(a) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the DD cross section of FIG. 3 for explaining the engaging margin of the locking projection when the fuse is at the insertion position g of FIG. 9, and FIG. 10(b). 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the DD cross section of FIG. 3 for explaining the engaging margin of the locking projection when the assembled fuse is tilted and misaligned within the component mounting portion; FIG. FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view showing a sideways arrangement of the electrical junction box, and FIG. 11(b) is a diagram for explaining the action and effect of providing the housing with a protective wall. be.

<Embodiment>
An electric connection box 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The electrical connection box 1 is a power supply box containing circuit connection components 10 such as fuses and relays. The electrical connection box 1 is mounted on a vehicle and functions to transmit power, control signals, and the like to various electrical components via wire harnesses.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIGS. . The front-back direction, the up-down direction, and the width direction are orthogonal to each other. The vertical direction coincides with the vertical direction of the vehicle on which the electrical junction box 1 is mounted, and also coincides with the "mounting direction" of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical connection box 1 includes a fuse 10 and a housing 20 having a plurality of component mounting portions 23 (details will be described later) to which the fuse 10 can be mounted. Each component constituting the electrical connection box 1 will be described in order below.

First, the fuse 10 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 1, the fuse 10 includes a pair of metal terminals 11 spaced apart in the width direction, and a resin holding portion 12 that holds the pair of terminals 11 . Each terminal 11 has a flat plate shape extending in the width direction and the vertical direction and elongated in the vertical direction. The holding portion 12 includes a central holding portion 13 positioned between the pair of terminals 11 and an upper holding portion 14 extending across the upper portions of the pair of terminals 11 in the width direction.

A fusing portion (not shown) is incorporated in the holding portion 12 . The fusing portion has the function of electrically connecting the pair of terminals 11 and cutting off the electrical connection between the pair of terminals 11 by fusing when a current of a magnitude equal to or greater than a predetermined rated current flows.

By attaching the fuse 10 to the component mounting portion 23, the pair of terminals 11 and the pair of terminals 50 (see FIG. 2) housed in the housing 20 so as to be aligned in the front-rear direction below the component mounting portion 23 are formed. , respectively, and the pair of terminals 50 are electrically connected via the fuse 10. As shown in FIG.

Next, the housing 20 will be explained. The housing 20 is a molded resin product, and in this example, has a substantially rectangular box shape elongated in the width direction, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 . A pair of protective walls 21 protruding upward are formed at both ends in the front-rear direction of the upper surface of the housing 20 so as to extend in the width direction while facing each other in the front-rear direction.

A concave portion 22 defined by a pair of side walls and a bottom wall and opening upward is formed between the pair of protective walls 21 so as to extend over the entire width direction. A plurality of component mounting portions 23 are provided in the recess 22 extending in the width direction so as to be aligned in the width direction at predetermined intervals. Each component mounting portion 23 is defined by a front wall 23a, a rear wall 23b, and a bottom wall 23c (see FIGS. 4 and 5, etc.), which are part of the pair of side walls and bottom wall defining the recess 22, respectively. It is also a rectangular concave portion (as seen from the width direction) that opens upward (see FIG. 5, etc.).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bottom wall 23c of each component mounting portion 23 has a substantially rectangular through-hole 24 penetrating in the vertical direction at the central portion in the front-rear direction, and both sides of the through-hole 24 in the front-rear direction. A pair of slits 25 extending laterally outward from the edge and penetrating vertically are formed. The pair of slits 25 extend outward in the width direction until they are continuous with the front wall 23a and the rear wall 23b. The central holding portion 13 of the fuse 10 is inserted into the through hole 24 , and the pair of terminals 11 of the fuse 10 are inserted into the pair of slits 25 . The through hole 24 and the pair of slits 25 vertically communicate the component mounting portion 23 and the internal space of the housing 20 located below the component mounting portion 23 .

As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, a pair of vertically extending terminal receiving chambers 26 are provided in the inner space of the housing 20 positioned below each component mounting portion 23 so as to be aligned in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2, each terminal receiving chamber 26 communicates with the corresponding slit 25 at its upper end and is open at its lower end. A terminal 50 connected to one end of an electric wire 40 is inserted from below and accommodated in each terminal accommodating chamber 26 . The other end of the wire 40 connected to each terminal 50 is connected to an electrical circuit (not shown) inside the housing 20 or an electrical component (not shown) outside the housing 20 .

In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 50 is a so-called tuning fork terminal, and has a pair of cantilever beam-like elastic pieces 51 at its distal end (upper end) facing in the width direction. The pair of elastic pieces 51 are elastically deformable in the width direction so as to move away from each other. The pair of elastic pieces 51 has a pair of convex portions 52 that are opposed to each other in the width direction and curved toward each other. Corresponding terminals 11 of the fuse 10 are inserted between the pair of convex portions 52 .

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4(a) and 4(b), at one end in the width direction of the front wall 23a of each component mounting portion 23, there is a gap in the width direction and penetrates in the front-rear direction. A pair of slits 27a (see FIG. 4A) is formed. A locking piece 27 is formed between the pair of slits 27a. The locking piece 27 has a cantilever shape extending upward from the bottom wall 23c and is elastically deformable in the front-rear direction. At the time of non-elastic deformation, the rear end surface of the locking piece 27 (the surface facing the rear wall 23b) is flush with the inner wall surface of the front wall 23a.

As shown in FIG. 4(b), a locking protrusion 28 is provided at the tip (upper end) of the locking piece 27 and protrudes rearward (rear wall 23b). The locking projection 28 has an inclined surface 28a and a projecting end surface 28b. The projecting end surface 28b is a flat surface extending in the width direction and the vertical direction, and the inclined surface 28a is a flat surface extending obliquely upward and forward from the upper edge of the projecting end surface 28b. The vertical position of the locking projection 28 substantially coincides with the vertical position of the upper edge of the front wall 23a.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4(c) and 4(d), a pair of protrusions 29 are provided on the inner wall surface of the rear wall 23b of each component mounting portion 23 at positions on both sides of the slit 25 in the width direction. is formed to protrude forward (front wall 23a) and extend in the vertical direction. More specifically, each protrusion 29 is composed of a first protrusion 31 and a second protrusion 32 that continues downward from the first protrusion 31 . The protrusion height of the second protrusion 32 is greater than the protrusion height of the first protrusion 31 .

The first protrusion 31 has an inclined surface 31a and a projecting end surface 31b (see FIG. 4D). The projecting end surface 31b is a flat surface extending in the width direction and the vertical direction, and the inclined surface 31a is a flat surface extending from the upper edge of the projecting end surface 31b upward and rearward to the inner wall surface of the rear wall 23b. The upper end of the first projection 31 is below the locking projection 28 in the vertical direction. A lower end of the second projection 32 is continuous with the bottom wall 23c. In the above, each part which comprises the electric connection box 1 was demonstrated.

Next, the operation of assembling the fuse 10 to the component mounting portion 23 of the housing 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. FIG. In order to assemble the fuse 10 to the desired component mounting portion 23, as shown in FIG. The fuse 10 is pushed downward toward the component mounting portion 23 from above so that the terminals 11 are inserted into the through holes 24 and the pair of slits 25 of the desired component mounting portion 23, respectively. accommodate. In this process, the upper holding portion 14 of the fuse 10 pushes the locking projection 28 of the locking piece 27 forward, so that the locking piece 27 is elastically deformed forward. Further, the pair of terminals 11 of the fuse 10 pushes outward in the width direction the convex portions 52 of the pair of elastic pieces 51 of the pair of terminals 50 arranged so as to line up in the front-rear direction. are elastically deformed outward in the width direction.

Hereinafter, the downward force required to push the fuse 10 downward toward the component mounting portion 23 will be referred to as an "insertion force". A vertical position with respect to the portion 23 is called an "insertion position".

In the process of pushing the fuse 10 downward toward the component mounting portion 23, the insertion force changes as shown in FIG. 9 (rightward in the drawing). As shown in FIG. 9, the insertion force is an upward frictional frictional force (locking projection engaging force) that the fuse 10 receives from the locking projection 28 and the rear wall 23b due to the elastic restoring force of the elastically deformed locking piece 27. , broken line) and the upward frictional frictional force (terminal fitting force, one point (see dashed line) and the resultant force (see solid line). Hereinafter, changes in the insertion force (=locking projection engaging force+terminal fitting force) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 5 to 8. FIG.

In the process of pushing the fuse 10 downward toward the component mounting portion 23, first, when the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position a (see FIG. 9), the front and lower corners of the upper holding portion 14 of the fuse 10 are pushed. The portion 14a (see FIG. 5) contacts the inclined surface 28a of the locking projection 28. As shown in FIG. Thereafter, the corner 14a of the fuse 10 pushes the inclined surface 28a of the locking projection 28 forward, so that the locking piece 27 is elastically deformed forward, and the rearward elastic restoring force of the locking piece 27 pushes the fuse 10 forward. is pressed against the rear wall 23b. Therefore, the fuse 10 rubs while being pressed and clamped in the front-rear direction by the inclined surface 28a of the locking projection 28 and the rear wall 23b. As the insertion position of the fuse 10 progresses from the insertion position a, the amount of elastic deformation (therefore, the elastic restoring force) of the locking piece 27 gradually increases from zero. increasing.

Next, when the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position b (see FIG. 9), the pair of terminals 11 of the fuse 10 come into contact with the inclined portions of the convex portions 52 of the pair of elastic pieces 51 of the pair of terminals 50, respectively. touch. After that, the terminal 11 pushes away the inclined portions of the pair of convex portions 52 to the outside in the width direction, so that the pair of elastic pieces 51 is elastically deformed to the outside in the width direction, and the pair of elastic pieces 51 move inward in the width direction. The terminal 11 is pressed and held between the pair of convex portions 52 by the elastic restoring force. Therefore, the terminal 11 rubs while being pressed and held in the width direction by the inclined portions of the pair of convex portions 52 . As the insertion position of the fuse 10 progresses from the insertion position b, the amount of elastic deformation (therefore, the elastic restoring force) of the pair of elastic pieces 51 gradually increases from zero, thereby gradually increasing the terminal fitting force from zero. continue.

Next, when the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position c (see FIG. 9), as shown in FIG. The rubbing portion shifts from the inclined surface 28a of the locking projection 28 to the projecting end surface 28b). Thereafter, the fuse 10 is rubbed while being pressed and clamped in the front-rear direction by the projecting end surface 28b of the locking projection 28 and the rear wall 23b, and the locking projection engaging force decreases by a predetermined amount and becomes constant. Transition to. The reason why the engagement force of the engaging projection is reduced by a predetermined amount is that the portion where the corner portion 14a rubs has shifted from the inclined surface 28a of the engaging projection 28 to the projecting end surface 28b, so that the corner portion 14a is locked. This is because the upward frictional force received from the projection 28 is reduced. The reason why the engaging force of the locking projection remains constant after it decreases is that when the insertion position of the fuse 10 advances from the insertion position c, the amount of elastic deformation of the locking piece 27 (therefore, the elastic restoring force) is kept constant. It is from.

Next, when the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position d (see FIG. 9), the terminals 11 of the fuse 10 ride on the top portions of the convex portions 52 of the pair of elastic pieces 51 (the terminals 11 rub against each other). The point shifts from the inclined portion to the top portion of the pair of convex portions 52). After that, the terminal 11 rubs while being pressed and clamped by the top portions of the pair of convex portions 52 in the width direction, and the terminal fitting force decreases by a predetermined amount and remains constant. The reason why the terminal fitting force is reduced by a predetermined amount in this manner is that the portion where the terminal 11 rubs moves from the inclined portion of the pair of convex portions 52 to the top portion. This is because the upward frictional frictional force received from is reduced. The reason why the terminal fitting force remains constant after it decreases is that when the insertion position of the fuse 10 advances from the insertion position d, the amount of elastic deformation of the pair of elastic pieces 51 (therefore, the elastic restoring force) is kept constant. is. Thereafter, the terminal fitting force is maintained constant until the fuse 10 is completely pushed into the component mounting portion 23 .

Next, when the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position e (see FIG. 9), as shown in FIG. is in contact with the inclined surface 31a. Thereafter, the inclined surface 31a of the first protrusion 31 pushes the corner 14b of the fuse 10 forward, so that the locking piece 27 is elastically deformed further forward, and the rearward elastic restoring force of the locking piece 27 pushes the fuse forward. 10 is pressed against the inclined surface 31 a of the first projection 31 . For this reason, the fuse 10 is pressed and clamped in the front-rear direction by the protruding end surface 28b of the locking projection 28 and the inclined surface 31a of the first projection 31 and rubs. As the insertion position of the fuse 10 progresses from the insertion position e, the amount of elastic deformation of the locking piece 27 (therefore, the elastic restoring force) gradually increases again, so that the engaging force of the locking projection gradually increases again. To go.

Next, when the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position f (see FIG. 9), the corner 14b of the fuse 10 rides on the projecting end surface 31b of the first projection 31 (the place where the corner 14b rubs is the first projection). transition from the inclined surface 31a of the protrusion 31 to the projecting end surface 31b). Thereafter, the fuse 10 rubs while being pressed and clamped in the front-rear direction by the protruding end face 28b of the locking projection 28 and the protruding end face 31b of the first projection, and the engaging force of the locking projection remains constant. The reason why the engaging force of the engaging projection remains constant is that the amount of elastic deformation (therefore, the elastic restoring force) of the engaging piece 27 is kept constant when the insertion position of the fuse 10 advances from the insertion position f. It is from.

Next, when the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position g (see FIG. 9), the front and upper corners 14c (see FIG. 7) of the upper holding portion 14 of the fuse 10 meet the projecting end faces 28b of the locking protrusions 28. get over (pass through) Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the locking piece 27 is completely elastically restored to zero elastic deformation, and the engaging force of the locking projection is reduced to zero. As a result, the corner portion 14c of the fuse 10 is locked by the locking projection 28 (see FIG. 7B), thereby preventing the fuse 10 from coming off upward from the component mounting portion 23. . When the locking piece 27 has completely elastically recovered (inelastic deformation state), as shown in FIG. There is a gap c1 in the front-rear direction between the stop piece 27 and the rear end surface of the stop piece 27 . After that, the locking projection engaging force is maintained at zero until the pushing of the fuse 10 into the component mounting portion 23 is completed.

Next, when the insertion position of the fuse 10 reaches the insertion position h (see FIG. 9), the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 comes into contact with the upper end portion of the second protrusion 32 as shown in FIG. After that, the second projection 32 pushes the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 further forward, so that the fuse 10 moves forward so as to narrow the gap c1 by the difference in projection height between the second projection 32 and the first projection 31. While moving, move downwards. Then, when the lower end surface of the upper holding portion 14 of the fuse 10 contacts the inner wall surface of the bottom wall 23c of the component mounting portion 23, the fuse 10 is pushed into the component mounting portion 23 (that is, the fuse 10 is pushed into the component mounting portion 23). assembly) is completed.

When the fuse 10 has been assembled to the component mounting portion 23, the pair of terminals 11 of the fuse 10 are pressed and clamped by the convex portions 52 of the pair of elastic pieces 51 of the pair of terminals 50 arranged in the front-rear direction. there is As a result, the pair of terminals 50 are electrically connected via (the blown portion of) the fuse 10 . That is, when a current greater than or equal to a predetermined rated current flows between the pair of terminals 50, the fusing portion of the fuse 10 melts and the electrical connection between the pair of terminals 50 is cut off.

As described above, as the insertion position of the fuse 10 progresses from the insertion position a to the insertion position h, the locking protrusion engaging force and the terminal fitting force change as indicated by the dashed line and the dashed line in FIG. 9, respectively. continue. As a result, the insertion force, which is the resultant force of the locking projection engagement force and the terminal fitting force, changes as indicated by the solid line in FIG.

Here, attention should be paid to the timing of two peaks (maximum values) of the locking projection engaging force (insertion position c and insertion position f) and the timing of one peak (maximum value) of the terminal fitting force (insertion position c and f). Position d) is different. As a result, a plurality of excessive peaks in the insertion force occur from when the fuse 10 starts contacting the locking projection 28 until the fuse 10 is locked by the locking projection 28 (from the insertion position a to the insertion position g). is suppressed.

Further, after the timing (insertion position d) when the terminal 11 of the fuse 10 rides on the top portion of the convex portion 52 of the pair of elastic pieces 51 (gets over the convex portion 52), the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 is pushed to the second position. The timing (insertion position e) of contacting the inclined surface 31a of the 1-projection 31 arrives. Therefore, the peak of the insertion force at the insertion position d can be made smaller than when both timings are the same.

Further, after the timing (insertion position g) at which the locking piece 27 is completely elastically restored, the timing (insertion position h) at which the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 contacts the upper end portion of the second projection 32 arrives. Therefore, in a state where the elastic restoring force of the locking piece 27 does not act on the fuse 10, the corner portion 14b rides on the second projection 32 (the fuse 10 moves forward). Even if 32 is provided, an increase in insertion force can be suppressed. For the same reason, the force required for removing the fuse 10 attached to the component attachment portion 23 can also be reduced.

Furthermore, at the timing when the corner portion 14a of the fuse 10 rides on the protruding end surface 28b of the locking projection 28 (insertion position c), the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 has not yet climbed onto the first projection 31 . For this reason, compared to a mode in which the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 already rides on the first projection 31 at the timing (insertion position c) when the corner portion 14a of the fuse 10 rides on the protruding end surface 28b of the locking projection 28, , the amount of elastic deformation (that is, the elastic restoring force) of the locking piece 27 at the timing (insertion position c) when the corner 14a of the fuse 10 rides on the projecting end surface 28b of the locking projection 28 can be reduced. As a result, the peak of the locking protrusion engagement force at the insertion position c can be made smaller.

Furthermore, at the timing (insertion position g) at which the locking piece 27 is completely elastically restored, the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 has already climbed onto the first protrusion 31 . Therefore, at the timing when the locking piece 27 is completely elastically restored (insertion position g), the projection of the first projection 31 is less than that in the case where the corner portion 14b of the fuse 10 has not yet climbed onto the first projection 31. As the fuse 10 moves forward by the height, the engaging margin c2 (see FIG. 10(a)) of the locking projection 28 increases. As a result, even if the locking piece 27 is provided only on the front side of the fuse 10 , it is possible to prevent the fuse 10 from unintentionally coming off from the component mounting portion 23 .

Furthermore, when the fuse 10 has been assembled to the component mounting portion 23 (the lower end surface of the upper holding portion 14 of the fuse 10 is in contact with the inner wall surface of the bottom wall 23c of the component mounting portion 23), the fuse 10 is The corner portion 14 b rides on the second projection 32 . Therefore, the fuse 10 moves further forward by the difference in height between the second projections 32 and the first projections 31, compared to the case where the projections 29 are composed only of the first projections 31. FIG. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 10(b), even if the fuse 10 is tilted in the component mounting portion 23, the engaging margin c3 of the locking projection 28 (see FIG. 10(b)) is can be sufficiently ensured, it is possible to prevent the fuse 10 from unintentionally coming off from the component mounting portion 23 .

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11(a), it is assumed that the electrical connection box 1 is arranged sideways. In this case, even if for some reason water flows as indicated by the arrows in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from entering from the outside of the housing 20 through the pair of slits 27a around the cantilever-like locking piece 27 and the like.

<Action/effect>
As described above, according to the electrical connection box 1 of the present embodiment, when the fuse 10 is attached to the component attachment portion 23 of the housing 20, the fuse 10 is elastically deformed so as to push the locking piece 27 away from the first position. (insertion positions a to c), the second position (insertion positions b to d) where the terminal 11 is elastically deformed so as to push away the convex portions 52 of the pair of elastic pieces 51 of the terminal 50, and the fuse 10 contacts the projection 29. and a fourth position (insertion position g) where the pushed-aside locking piece 27 elastically recovers toward the fuse 10 and engages with the fuse 10 (insertion position g). Like, move. As a result, the fuse 10 pushes away the locking piece 27, the terminal 11 pushes away the pair of elastic pieces 51 of the terminal 50, the projection 29 presses the fuse 10 against the locking piece 27, and the locking operation is performed. The engagement of the piece 27 with the fuse 10 occurs continuously, and the insertion force is applied from the time when the fuse 10 starts contacting the locking piece 27 until the fuse 10 is locked by the locking piece 27 . The occurrence of multiple excessive peaks is suppressed. Furthermore, since the locking piece 27 is provided only on one side (front side) of the fuse 10, the insertion force itself can be reduced compared to the case where the locking piece 27 is provided on both sides of the fuse 10. FIG. In addition, since the protrusion 29 pushes the fuse 10 toward the locking piece 27, the degree of engagement by the locking piece 27 (the amount of engagement of the locking projection 28) increases. Even if the fuse 10 is provided only on one side, it is possible to prevent the fuse 10 from unintentionally coming off from the component mounting portion 23 . Therefore, the electrical connection box 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress the fuse from being incompletely fitted while suppressing an increase in the insertion force.

Further, the pressing of the fuse 10 against the locking piece 27 by the projecting portion 29 and the pushing away of the pair of elastic pieces 51 of the terminal 50 by the terminal 11 do not occur at the same time. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress an increase in the peak of the insertion force when the terminal 11 gets over the pair of convex portions 52 of the terminal 50 .

Further, the protrusion 29 has a second protrusion 32 having a larger protrusion height than the first protrusion 31 that contacts when the fuse 10 is in the third position described above. As a result, the second protrusion 32 further increases the degree of engagement by the locking piece 27 (the amount of engagement of the locking projection 28), so that unintended disengagement of the fuse 10 can be more strongly suppressed. For example, even if the fuse 10 is tilted in the component mounting portion 23 and is displaced, the fuse 10 is prevented from coming off. Furthermore, since the second protrusion 32 contacts the fuse 10 after the fuse 10 has passed through the fourth position, even if the second protrusion 32 with a large protrusion height is provided, an increase in the insertion force can be suppressed. For the same reason, the force required for removing the fuse 10 attached to the component attachment portion 23 can also be reduced.

Furthermore, by providing the protective wall 21 extending along the locking piece 27, it is possible to prevent water from entering the housing 20 from the outside through the slit 27a around the cantilever-like locking piece 27. .

<Other forms>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

In the above-described embodiment, the protrusion 29 is composed of the first protrusion 31 and the second protrusion 32 continuing below the first protrusion 31 . On the other hand, the protrusion 29 may be composed only of the first protrusion 31 .

Here, the features of the embodiment of the electrical connection box 1 according to the present invention described above are summarized and listed briefly in [1] to [4] below.
[1]
An electrical connection box (1) comprising a circuit connecting component (10) and a main body (20) having a component mounting portion (23) to which the circuit connecting component (10) can be mounted,
The circuit connection component (10) is
Having a first terminal (11) extending in a mounting direction to the component mounting portion (23),
The main body (20) is
A second terminal (50) having a convex shape that elastically contacts the first terminal (11) and the circuit connection component (10) attached to the component attachment portion (23) intersect in the attachment direction. The component mounting portion (23) has a locking portion (27) and a protrusion (29) that are sandwiched and held in a direction,
The locking portion (27) is
having a convex shape that can be elastically engaged with the circuit connecting component (10);
The protrusion (29) is
projecting so as to push the circuit connection component (10) toward the locking portion (27);
The electrical junction box (1) is
When attaching the circuit connection component (10) to the component attachment portion (23),
A first position where the circuit connecting component (10) is elastically deformed to push away the locking portion (27), and a second position where the first terminal (11) is elastically deformed to push away the second terminal (50). a third position where the circuit connecting part (10) contacts the projection (29); a fourth position to engage the circuit connection component (10) through
Electrical Junction Box (1).
[2]
In the electrical connection box (1) described in [1] above,
The electrical junction box (1) is
After the circuit connecting component (10) is at the second position and the first terminal (11) pushes away and overcomes the convex portion (52) of the second terminal (50), the circuit connecting component (10) reaches the third position;
Electrical Junction Box (1).
[3]
In the electrical connection box (1) according to [1] or [2] above,
The protrusion (29) is
Having a first projection (31) and a second projection (32) having a projection height larger than that of the first projection (31),
The first projection (31) is
contacting the circuit connection component (10) when the circuit connection component (10) is at the third position;
The second projection (32) is
contacting the circuit connection component (10) after the circuit connection component (10) has passed through the fourth position;
Electrical Junction Box (1).
[4]
In the electrical connection box (1) according to any one of [1] to [3] above,
The locking portion (27) is
having a cantilever shape extending in the mounting direction,
The main body (20) is
further comprising a protective wall (21) extending in the mounting direction along the locking portion (27);
Electrical Junction Box (1).

1 electrical connection box 10 fuse (circuit connection part)
11 terminal (first terminal)
20 housing (body)
21 protective wall 23 component mounting portion 27 locking piece (locking portion)
29 projection 31 first projection 32 second projection 50 terminal (second terminal)
52 convex portion (convex portion)

Claims (4)

An electric junction box comprising a circuit connection component and a main body having a component mounting portion to which the circuit connection component can be mounted,
The circuit connection component is
Having a first terminal extending in a mounting direction to the component mounting portion,
The body is
a second terminal having a convex shape that elastically contacts the first terminal; and a locking portion and a protrusion that sandwich and hold the circuit connection component attached to the component attachment portion in a direction intersecting the attachment direction. and in the component mounting portion,
The locking portion is
having a convex shape that can be elastically engaged with the circuit connection component,
The protrusion is
projecting so as to push the circuit connecting component in a direction to approach the locking portion;
The electrical connection box is
When the circuit connection component is attached to the component attachment portion, the circuit connection component is elastically deformed to push away the locking portion, and the first terminal is elastically deformed to push away the second terminal. 2 positions, a third position where the circuit connecting part contacts the projection, and a fourth position where the pushed-aside locking part recovers elastically in a direction toward the circuit connecting part and engages with the circuit connecting part. a position through which the circuit connection component moves;
electrical connection box. In the electrical connection box according to claim 1,
The electrical connection box is
The circuit connection component is configured to reach the third position after the circuit connection component is at the second position and the first terminal pushes away and overcomes the convex portion of the second terminal. Ru
electrical connection box. In the electrical connection box according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The protrusion is
having a first projection and a second projection having a larger projection height than the first projection;
The first projection is
contacting the circuit connection component when the circuit connection component is at the third position;
The second projection is
contacting the circuit connection component after the circuit connection component passes through the fourth position;
electrical connection box. In the electrical connection box according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The locking portion is
having a cantilever shape extending in the mounting direction,
The body is
further comprising a protective wall extending in the mounting direction along the locking portion;
electrical connection box.

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