JP7732867B2 - Electrical connectors and electrical junction boxes - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to electrical connectors and electrical connection boxes.

Conventionally, vehicles are equipped with electrical connectors that electrically connect electrical wires on a first connection object with electrical wires on a second connection object, for example, by interposing them between a secondary battery and multiple power supply objects to distribute power to each of the power supply objects. These electrical connectors are also known as junction boxes and include electrical components (such as circuit protection components and relay components) and conductive members, through which the respective electrical wires are electrically connected. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below disclose this type of electrical connector. Patent Document 2 also discloses an electrical junction box that houses this electrical connector.

JP 2013-70512 A JP 2014-93888 A

In electrical connectors, terminal portions protruding from the electrical component body are fixed to a conductive member for electrical connection, and the connector at the end of the electrical wire is mated with the connector connection terminal portion of the conductive member. To minimize the load on the electrical component body during the mating and connecting operation, the connector connection terminal portion must be positioned away from the electrical component body along a plane perpendicular to the mating and connecting direction, so that the electrical component body is not located beyond the mating and connecting direction of the connector. This results in an increase in the size of this electrical connector in the direction perpendicular to the mating and connecting direction, which may also increase the size of the electrical connection box that houses it.

The objective of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector and electrical connection box that can be made smaller while reducing the load on electrical components when connectors are mated.

The electrical connecting device of the present invention comprises an electrical component having two terminal portions protruding from a main body on the same plane; a main body that fixes and electrically connects one of the terminal portions; a conductive member having a connector connection terminal portion that electrically connects an electric wire by mating and connecting a connector at the end of the electric wire; and a load-receiving portion that receives a load associated with the mating and connecting operation of the connector to the connector connection terminal portion. The main body has an adjacent portion that extends perpendicular to the plane to a position aligned with the main body, and the connector connection terminal portion protrudes from the adjacent portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane and away from the main body, and the connector is mated and connected in a mating and connecting direction that is opposite to the protruding direction. The load-receiving portion is provided as a locking portion that locks the main body or one of the terminal portions on the mating and connecting side of the main body or one of the terminal portions.

The electrical connection box according to the present invention comprises a housing having a storage chamber, and an electrical connection device that electrically connects the core wire of a first electric wire on a first connection object side and the core wire of a second electric wire on a second connection object side, the first electric wire being drawn into the storage chamber from outside the housing. The electrical connection device comprises an electrical component having two terminal portions protruding from a main body on the same plane, a main body that fixes one of the terminal portions to provide an electrical connection, and a conductive member having a connector connection terminal portion that electrically connects the second electric wire by fitting and connecting a connector at the end of the second electric wire, and the connector connection terminal and a load-receiving portion that receives a load associated with the mating and connecting operation of the connector with the main body. The main body has an adjacent portion that extends to a position aligned with the main body in a direction perpendicular to the plane, and the connector connection terminal portion protrudes from the adjacent portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane and away from the main body, and the connector is mated and connected in a mating and connecting direction that is opposite to the protruding direction. The load-receiving portion is provided as a locking portion that locks the main body or one of the terminal portions on the mating and connecting direction side of the main body or one of the terminal portions.

In the electrical connecting device of the present invention, the adjacent portion of the main body of the conductive member and the connector connection terminal portion are positioned alongside the body of the electrical component in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement plane of the two terminal portions of the electrical component. Therefore, in this electrical connecting device, the connector mated with the connector connection terminal portion is also positioned alongside the body of the electrical component in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement plane. Therefore, in the electrical connecting device of the present invention, the connector connection terminal portion is not positioned in a position that significantly protrudes from the electrical component in a direction along the arrangement plane, and the connector is not positioned in this position, making it possible to reduce the physical size along the arrangement plane. Furthermore, to achieve this miniaturization, the body of the electrical component is positioned beyond the mating direction of the connector relative to the connector connection terminal portion, but the load-receiving portion can reduce the load on the electrical component when the connector is mated. Therefore, the electrical connecting device of the present invention can be miniaturized while reducing the load on the electrical component when the connector is mated. Furthermore, the electrical connection box according to the present invention is equipped with this electrical connector and can similarly achieve the effects obtained by this electrical connector.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram that schematically illustrates the inside of an electrical junction box. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electrical connecting device with the cover member removed. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the main part of the electrical connecting device together with the second connector before mating and connection. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the main part of the electric connecting device together with the second connector after mating and connection. FIG. 5 is a top view showing the main part of the electrical connecting device together with the second connector after mating and connection. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the electrical connecting device together with the second connector. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the electric connecting device together with the second shielded electric wire and the like. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the electric connecting device together with the second shielded electric wire and the like, viewed from a different angle. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the cover.

Embodiments of the electrical connector and electrical connection box according to the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[Embodiment]
An embodiment of an electrical connecting device and an electrical junction box according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG.

In Figure 1, the reference numeral 1 indicates the electrical junction box of this embodiment. Also, the reference numeral WH in Figure 1 indicates the wire harness of this embodiment equipped with the electrical junction box 1. In the electrical junction box 1, an electrical connector 20 is housed within its housing 10.

The electrical junction box 1 is interposed between a first connection object (not shown) and a second connection object (not shown), and pulls inward a first electric wire We1 on the first connection object and a second electric wire We2 on the second connection object to electrically connect them (Figure 1). The electrical junction box 1, together with the first electric wire We1 and the second electric wire We2, constitutes a wire harness WH. The electrical junction box 1 and wire harness WH use at least one first electric wire We1 and one second electric wire We2. For example, the electrical junction box 1 and wire harness WH shown here use shielded wires for the first electric wire We1 and the second electric wire We2, thereby preventing external noise from entering. Therefore, in the following, the electrical junction box 1 and the wire harness WH will be described as including a first shielded wire We1 as an example of the first wire We1 and a second shielded wire We2 as an example of the second wire We2.

The first shielded wire We1, although not shown, comprises a cylindrical conductive core wire, a cylindrical insulating inner coating (inner sheath) that concentrically covers the core wire, a cylindrical conductive braided body that concentrically covers the inner coating, and a cylindrical insulating outer coating (outer sheath) that concentrically covers the braided body. The second shielded wire We2, although not shown, comprises a cylindrical conductive core wire, a cylindrical insulating inner coating (inner sheath) that concentrically covers the core wire, a cylindrical conductive braided body that concentrically covers the inner coating, and a cylindrical insulating outer coating (outer sheath) that concentrically covers the braided body.

The electrical junction box 1 and wire harness WH illustrated here are mounted on vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, and distribute power to the power distribution objects by electrically connecting a secondary battery as a first connection object with a power distribution object as a second connection object (e.g., an auxiliary device to be powered) using an electrical connector 20. Therefore, the electrical junction box 1 and wire harness WH illustrated here use a pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 (a first shielded electric wire We1 for the positive electrode and a first shielded electric wire We1 for the negative electrode) electrically connected to the secondary battery, and a pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2 (a second shielded electric wire We2 for the positive electrode and a second shielded electric wire We2 for the negative electrode) electrically connected to the power distribution objects. Furthermore, the electrical junction box 1 and wire harness WH illustrated here use multiple pairs of second shielded electric wires We2, We2.

This electrical junction box 1 includes a metal housing 10 (FIG. 1). The electrical junction box 1 also includes a conductive electrical connector 20 that electrically connects the first shielded electric wire We1 and the second shielded electric wire We2 inside the housing 10 (FIGS. 1 to 8). The electrical junction box 1 also includes a terminal fitting 30 that releases noise carried on the braid of the second shielded electric wire We2 (FIG. 1). The electrical junction box 1 also includes a wire insertion portion (second wire insertion portion, described below) 16 that passes the second shielded electric wire We2 through the inside and outside of the housing 10. Therefore, as a waterproof and dustproof measure for the housing 10's storage chamber 10a, the electrical junction box 1 includes a waterproof and dustproof member 40 that prevents liquid and dust from entering the storage chamber 10a from outside the housing 10 through the second wire insertion portion 16 (FIG. 1).

The housing 10 is made of a metal material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and is fixed to a conductive vehicle body (not shown). The housing 10 also has a storage chamber 10a (Figure 1). The housing 10 also has an access opening 10b for inserting and assembling components to be placed in the storage chamber 10a (Figure 1).

The storage chamber 10a contains an electrical connector 20 that electrically connects the core wire of the first shielded electric wire We1 and the core wire of the second shielded electric wire We2. The electrical connector 20, the first shielded electric wire We1, and the second shielded electric wire We2 are inserted into the storage chamber 10a through the access opening 10b.

The housing 10 shown here comprises a metal case body 10A and a metal cover 10B (Figure 1). This housing 10 is fixed to the vehicle body with the access opening 10b facing upward. For example, here, the case body 10A is fixed to the floor panel of the vehicle body with screws.

The case body 10A has a cylindrical outer wall 11 (Figure 1). In this case body 10A, the internal space surrounded by the outer wall 11 is used as the storage chamber 10a, and the inner opening of the annular end of the outer wall 11 in the axial direction is used as the access opening 10b. The cover 10B is attached to the annular end face of the annular end at one end to close the opening at that end (access opening 10b). The outer wall 11 shown here has a flat surface that is flush with the annular end face at that end, and has a flange portion 11a that protrudes outward in an annular shape from the annular end at that end (Figure 1). The cover 10B is attached to this flange portion 11a.

The case body 10A has a cylindrical outer wall 11 with one open end, the other open end of which is closed by a bottom wall 12 (Figure 1). Therefore, in this case body 10A, a storage chamber 10a is formed that is enclosed by both the outer wall 11 and the bottom wall 12 and is connected to the working opening 10b at one end of the outer wall 11.

In this case body 10A, the first shielded electric wire We1 and the second shielded electric wire We2 are pulled into the storage chamber 10a from the opening at one end (access opening 10b). In addition, in this case body 10A, the electrical connector 20 is inserted into the storage chamber 10a from the access opening 10b, and then screwed into place through the access opening 10b.

The electrical connector 20 physically and electrically connects the first shielded electric wire We1 and the second shielded electric wire We2, thereby indirectly electrically connecting the first shielded electric wire We1 and the second shielded electric wire We2. Each first shielded electric wire We1 has a connector (hereinafter referred to as the "first connector") 51 connected to one end thereof, and is electrically connected to the electrical connector 20 via this first connector 51 (FIG. 1). Each second shielded electric wire We2 has a connector (hereinafter referred to as the "second connector") 52 connected to one end thereof, and is electrically connected to the electrical connector 20 via this second connector 52 (FIGS. 1 and 3 to 8). Although not shown here, the other end of the first shielded electric wire We1 is provided with a connector for electrical connection to the first connection object. The other end of the second shielded electric wire We2 is provided with a connector for electrical connection to the second connection object.

The electrical connecting device 20 includes an electrical component 21 having two terminals (first terminal 21a, second terminal 21b) protruding from a main body 21c on the same plane (hereinafter, this plane will be referred to as the "reference plane P") (Figures 2 to 6). The electrical component 21 referred to here is a circuit protection component (such as a fuse) or a relay component. Here, a fuse is shown as an example of the electrical component 21. The electrical connecting device 20 includes multiple electrical components 21.

This electrical component 21 includes a cylindrical main body 21c serving as a fuse body. The main body 21c has a first terminal 21a at one axial end that protrudes axially beyond the end face, and a second terminal 21b at the other axial end that protrudes axially beyond the end face. The electrical component 21 shown here includes two identical terminals, one at each axial end of the main body 21c. The terminals are formed, for example, from a metal plate into an L-shape and have two flat-plate-like pieces. One of the two terminals at each end of the main body 21c protrudes in the same direction from the outer circumferential surface of the axial end of the main body 21c, while the other two flat-plate-like pieces protrude in opposite directions from the end face of the axial end of the main body 21c. One of the two flat-plate-like pieces of each terminal protrudes perpendicular to the reference plane P. The other half of each terminal has one flat surface aligned with the reference plane P and protruding along this plane. Here, the other half of the terminal is used as the first terminal 21a or the second terminal 21b. The first terminal 21a and second terminal 21b each have a circular through-hole 21d with an axis perpendicular to the plane of the terminal (Figure 6).

Furthermore, the electrical connecting device 20 electrically connects the first terminal 21a of the electrical component 21 to the first shielded wire We1, and includes a conductive member (hereinafter referred to as the "first conductive member") 22 that is interposed between the first terminal 21a and the first shielded wire We1 to indirectly electrically connect the first terminal 21a to the core wire of the first shielded wire We1 (FIGS. 2 to 6). In this electrical connecting device 20, one of the pair of first shielded wires We1, We1 is electrically connected to the first terminal 21a of all electrical components 21. Therefore, in this electrical connecting device 20, the first terminals 21a of all electrical components 21 are electrically connected to one first shielded wire We1 via one first conductive member 22.

The first conductive member 22 is a so-called bus bar formed into a predetermined shape using, for example, a metal plate as the base material. This first conductive member 22 has a main body 22a that electrically connects the first terminal portion 21a of the electrical component 21, and a connector connection terminal portion (hereinafter referred to as the "first connector connection terminal portion") 22b that electrically connects the core wire of the first shielded electric wire We1 by mating and connecting the first connector 51 at the end of the first shielded electric wire We1 (Figures 2 to 4 and 6).

In this first conductive member 22, the first terminal portion 21a is fixed to the main body 22a, thereby electrically connecting the first terminal portion 21a to the main body 22a. The main body 22a shown here is formed in a rectangular flat plate, and fixes and electrically connects the first terminal portions 21a of all electrical components 21 arranged in its longitudinal direction. In this first conductive member 22, the first terminal portions 21a of all electrical components 21 are connected by the main body 22a, so hereinafter this main body 22a will be referred to as the "connecting main body 22a."

The first terminal 21a is placed on the main connecting member 22a with its flat surfaces facing each other and is screwed to the main connecting member 22a. A circular through-hole 22c coaxial with the through-hole 21d of the placed first terminal 21a is formed in the main connecting member 22a for each electrical component 21 (Figure 6). The electrical connecting device 20 includes a male screw member 23A that is inserted into the through-holes 21d, 22c of the first terminal 21a and the main connecting member 22a, respectively, and a female screw member 24A that screws onto the male screw member 23A and secures the first terminal 21a to the main connecting member 22a (Figures 2 to 6). Here, as described below, the first conductive member 22 is integrated with a conductor holding member 27, described below, with one flat surface of the main connecting member 22a exposed. The exposed surface of the main connecting body 22a coincides with the reference plane P when the first terminal portion 21a is placed on it. Here, the male screw member 23A is inserted into the through hole 22c of the main connecting body 22a and attached to the conductor holding member 27 like a stud bolt. Therefore, the first terminal portion 21a is placed on the exposed main connecting body 22a while the male screw member 23A is inserted into the through hole 21d, and the female screw member 24A is screwed onto the male screw member 23A, thereby securing the first terminal portion 21a and the main connecting body 22a in an electrically connectable state.

The first connector connection terminal 22b is a terminal that extends perpendicularly from the plane of the main connecting body 22a. Therefore, when the first terminal 21a is placed on the main connecting body 22a, the first connector connection terminal 22b is perpendicular to the reference plane P. The first connector connection terminal 22b is integral with the conductor holding member 27 and protrudes from the conductor holding member 27. The first connector connection terminal 22b shown here is located at one longitudinal end of the main connecting body 22a and protrudes within the accommodation chamber 10a along the axial direction of the outer wall 11 and toward the access opening 10b. The first connector connection terminal 22b shown here is formed in a so-called male tab shape. The first connector 51 is configured as a female connector and is inserted into the accommodation chamber 10a from the access opening 10b side to engage with the first connector connection terminal 22b in the accommodation chamber 10a.

Furthermore, the electrical connecting device 20 electrically connects the second terminal 21b of the electrical component 21 to the second shielded wire We2, and includes a conductive member (hereinafter referred to as the "second conductive member") 25 that is interposed between the second terminal 21b and the second shielded wire We2 to indirectly electrically connect the second terminal 21b to the core wire of the second shielded wire We2 (FIGS. 2 to 6). In this electrical connecting device 20, one of the pair of second shielded wires We2, We2 is electrically connected to the second terminal 21b of one electrical component 21. Therefore, in this electrical connecting device 20, a second conductive member 25 is provided for each electrical component 21, and the second terminal 21b of one electrical component 21 is electrically connected to one second shielded wire We2 via one second conductive member 25.

The second conductive member 25 is a so-called bus bar formed into a predetermined shape using, for example, a metal plate as the base material. This second conductive member 25 has a main body 25a that electrically connects the second terminal portion 21b of the electrical component 21, and a connector connection terminal portion (hereinafter referred to as the "second connector connection terminal portion") 25b that electrically connects the core wire of the second shielded electric wire We2 by mating and connecting the second connector 52 at the end of the second shielded electric wire We2 (Figures 2 to 6).

In this second conductive member 25, the second terminal 21b is fixed to the main body 25a, thereby electrically connecting the second terminal 21b to the main body 25a. The main body 25a shown here is formed as a flat, single piece. The second terminal 21b is placed on the main body 25a with its flat surfaces facing each other and screwed in place. The main body 25a has a circular through-hole 25c coaxial with the through-hole 21d of the placed second terminal 21b (Figure 6). The electrical connecting device 20 includes, for each electrical component 21, a male screw member 23B that is inserted into the second terminal 21b and the through-holes 21d, 25c of the main body 25a, respectively, and a female screw member 24B that screws onto the male screw member 23B and screw-fastens the second terminal 21b to the main body 25a (Figures 2 to 6). As described below, the second conductive member 25 is integrated with the conductor holding member 27, with the main body 25a exposed. The exposed surface of the main body 25a coincides with the reference plane P when the second terminal portion 21b is placed on it. The male screw member 23B is inserted into the through hole 25c of the main body 25a and attached to the conductor holding member 27 like a stud bolt. Therefore, the second terminal portion 21b is placed on the exposed main body 25a while the male screw member 23B is inserted into the through hole 21d, and the female screw member 24B is screwed onto the male screw member 23B, thereby securing the second terminal portion 21b and the main body 25a in an electrically connectable state.

The second connector connection terminal portion 25b is perpendicular to the reference plane P when the second terminal portion 21b is placed on the main body 25a. Therefore, the second connector connection terminal portion 25b shown here protrudes from the main body 25a in a direction perpendicular to that plane. Furthermore, the second connector connection terminal portion 25b protrudes from the main body 25a in the opposite direction to the first connector connection terminal portion 22b when integrated with the conductor holding member 27. In other words, the second connector connection terminal portion 25b shown here protrudes along the cylindrical axis of the outer wall 11 and toward the bottom wall 12 within the accommodating chamber 10a. The second connector connection terminal portion 25b shown here is formed in a so-called male tab shape. The second connector 52 is mated and connected to the second connector connection terminal portion 25b before the electrical connecting device 20 is accommodated in the accommodating chamber 10a.

Here, the main body 25a of the second conductive member 25 has an adjacent portion 25d that extends to a position aligned with the main body 21c of the electrical component 21 in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane P (Figures 3 to 5). Here, the main body 25a is formed as a flat plate-like piece, and a portion of that piece becomes the adjacent portion 25d. However, the main body 25a may be formed, for example, into a shape having two bent flat plate-like pieces, with one of the two pieces being used as a fixing portion for the second terminal portion 21b and the other being used as the adjacent portion 25d.

Furthermore, the second connector connection terminal portion 25b of this second conductive member 25 protrudes from the adjacent portion 25d in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane P and away from the main body 21c of the electrical component 21. This second connector connection terminal portion 25b is adapted to mate with the second connector 52 in a mating connection direction opposite to the protruding direction.

In this way, the adjacent portion 25d of the main body 25a of the second conductive member 25 and the second connector connection terminal portion 25b are positioned alongside the main body 21c of the electrical component 21 in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane P. Therefore, in the electrical connecting device 20, the second connector 52 that is mated and connected to the second connector connection terminal portion 25b is also positioned alongside the main body 21c of the electrical component 21 in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane P. Therefore, in this electrical connecting device 20, the second connector connection terminal portion 25b is not positioned in a position that significantly extends beyond the electrical component 21 in a direction along the reference plane P, and the second connector 52 is not positioned in this position, making it possible to reduce the size of the electrical connecting device 20 in a direction along the reference plane P. Furthermore, as the size of the electrical connecting device 20 is reduced, the size of the electrical junction box 1 can also be reduced in a direction along the reference plane P.

Furthermore, in this electrical connecting device 20, multiple combinations of a set of electrical component 21 and second conductive member 25 are arranged along the reference plane P. Therefore, in all combinations of this electrical connecting device 20, the second connector connection terminal portion 25b and the second connector 52 are not positioned at a position that significantly protrudes from the electrical component 21 in the direction along the reference plane P, thereby significantly reducing the physical size in the direction along the reference plane P.

In the second conductive member 25 shown here, the adjacent portion 25d of its main body 25a and the second connector connection terminal portion 25b are disposed directly below the main body 21c of the electrical component 21 when mounted in the vehicle. In the electrical junction box 1 shown here, there is ample space in the accommodation chamber 10a on the bottom wall 12 side (the second accommodation chamber _10a2 described below). Therefore, even if the second connector connection terminal portion 25b and the second connector 52 are disposed directly below the main body 21c of the electrical component 21, it is not necessary to expand the volume of the accommodation chamber 10a on the bottom wall 12 side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electrical junction box 1 from becoming larger on the bottom wall 12 side.

Furthermore, the electrical connecting device 20 electrically connects the other of the pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 to the other of the pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2, and includes a conductive member (hereinafter referred to as a "third conductive member") 26 that is interposed between the other first shielded electric wire We1 and the other second shielded electric wire We2 and indirectly electrically connects the core wires of the first shielded electric wire We1 and the second shielded electric wire We2 (FIGS. 2 and 6). In this electrical connecting device 20, the other first shielded electric wire We1 is electrically connected to all of the other second shielded electric wires We2. Therefore, in this electrical connecting device 20, the other first shielded electric wire We1 is electrically connected to all of the other second shielded electric wires We2 via a single third conductive member 26.

The third conductive member 26 is a so-called bus bar formed into a predetermined shape using, for example, a metal plate as the base material. This third conductive member 26 has a main body 26a, a connector connection terminal portion (hereinafter referred to as the "third connector connection terminal portion") 26b that electrically connects the core wire of the first shielded electric wire We1 by mating and connecting the first connector 51 at the end of the first shielded electric wire We1, and a connector connection terminal portion (hereinafter referred to as the "fourth connector connection terminal portion") 26c that electrically connects the core wire of the second shielded electric wire We2 by mating and connecting the second connector 52 at the end of the second shielded electric wire We2 (FIGS. 2 and 6).

The main body 26a shown here is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The longitudinal direction of this main body 26a is oriented in the arrangement direction of the respective electrical components 21 and second conductive members 25, and is arranged next to each second conductive member 25 (Figures 2 and 6). Here, as described below, the third conductive member 26 is integrated with the conductor holding member 27, described below, with one flat surface of the main body 26a exposed.

The third connector connection terminal 26b is a terminal that extends perpendicularly from the plane of the main body 26a. This third connector connection terminal 26b is integral with the conductor holding member 27 and protrudes from the conductor holding member 27 in the same direction as the first connector connection terminal 22b. In other words, the third connector connection terminal 26b shown here protrudes within the accommodation chamber 10a along the cylindrical axis of the outer wall 11 and toward the access opening 10b. The third connector connection terminal 26b shown here has the same male tab shape as the first connector connection terminal 22b. The first connector 51 that connects to this third connector connection terminal 26b is inserted into the accommodation chamber 10a from the access opening 10b side, just like the first connector connection terminal 22b, and is mated and connected to the third connector connection terminal 26b in the accommodation chamber 10a.

The fourth connector connection terminal 26c is a terminal extending perpendicularly from the plane of the main body 26a and is paired with the second conductive member 25. The fourth connector connection terminal 26c shown here is provided adjacent to each second conductive member 25 on the long side of the main body 26a facing the second conductive member 25. The fourth connector connection terminal 26c is integral with the conductor holding member 27 and protrudes from the main body 26a in the same direction as the second connector connection terminal 25b. In other words, the fourth connector connection terminal 26c shown here protrudes along the cylindrical axis of the outer wall 11 and toward the bottom wall 12 within the accommodating chamber 10a. The fourth connector connection terminal 26c shown here is formed in the same male tab shape as the second connector connection terminal 25b. The second connector 52 that connects to this fourth connector connection terminal 26c is mated and connected to the fourth connector connection terminal 26c, just like the second connector 52 that connects to the second connector connection terminal 25b, before the electrical connecting device 20 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 10a.

Furthermore, the electrical connecting device 20 includes an electrically insulating member that holds the first conductive member 22, the second conductive member 25, and the third conductive member 26 and is screwed to the housing 10 in the accommodation chamber 10a. The electrical connecting device 20 includes, as its insulating member, a holding member (hereinafter referred to as the "conductor holding member") 27 that holds the first conductive member 22, the second conductive member 25, and the third conductive member 26 and is screwed to the housing 10 (Figures 2, 7, and 8). The conductor holding member 27 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

This conductor holding member 27 exposes the main connecting portion 22a of the first conductive member 22, the main portion 25a of the second conductive member 25, and the main portion 26a of the third conductive member 26 at the top surface 27U facing the access opening 10b, and the first connector connection terminal portion 22b of the first conductive member 22 and the third connector connection terminal portion 26b of the third conductive member 26 protrude from the top surface 27U toward the access opening 10b (Figure 2). Furthermore, this conductor holding member 27 has male screw members 23A and 23B protruding from the top surface 27U toward the access opening 10b. Meanwhile, this conductor holding member 27 houses the second connector connection terminal portion 25b of the second conductive member 25 and the fourth connector connection terminal portion 26c of the third conductive member 26, which protrude in the opposite direction from the first connector connection terminal portion 22b and the third connector connection terminal portion 26b, on the bottom wall 12 side.

The electrical connecting device 20 further includes a cover member 28 as another insulating member, which is attached to the conductor holding member 27 and covers the main connecting member 22a of the electrical component 21 and first conductive member 22, the main body 25a of the second conductive member 25, the main body 26a of the third conductive member 26, and the male screw members 23A and 23B from the access opening 10b side (Figures 7 and 8). This cover member 28 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

In the electrical connecting device 20, a connector portion (hereinafter referred to as the "upper connector portion") that engages and connects the first connector 51 on the access opening 10b side is formed on the cover member 28. Here, a first upper connector portion 28a that engages and connects the first connector 51 at the end of one first shielded electric wire We1, and a second upper connector portion 28b that engages and connects the first connector 51 at the end of the other first shielded electric wire We1 are provided (Figures 7 and 8).

The first upper connector portion 28a has the first connector connection terminal portion 22b of the first conductive member 22 disposed therein. When the first connector 51 of one of the first shielded electric wires We1 is mated and connected, the core wire of the first shielded electric wire We1 is indirectly electrically connected to the first connector connection terminal portion 22b. The second upper connector portion 28b has the third connector connection terminal portion 26b of the third conductive member 26 disposed therein. When the first connector 51 of the other first shielded electric wire We1 is mated and connected, the core wire of the first shielded electric wire We1 is indirectly electrically connected to the third connector connection terminal portion 26b. The first upper connector portion 28a and the second upper connector portion 28b shown here protrude toward the access opening 10b in the storage chamber 10a and are formed as mating connection portions for the first connector 51, which is fitted from the access opening 10b toward the bottom wall 12.

In the case body 10A, a pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 are inserted through the access opening 10b into the storage chamber 10a housing the electrical connecting device 20. The first connector 51 at the end of one of the first shielded electric wires We1 is mated and connected to the first upper connector portion 28a of the electrical connecting device 20, and the first connector 51 at the end of the other first shielded electric wire We1 is mated and connected to the second upper connector portion 28b of the electrical connecting device 20 (FIGS. 1 and 7).

The case body 10A has a wire insertion portion (hereinafter referred to as the "first wire insertion portion") 13 formed by cutting out the outer wall 11 from the annular end face at one end facing the access opening 10b. The wire insertion portion 13 allows the pair of first shielded wires We1, We1 to pass between the inside and outside of the housing 10 (in other words, allows the pair of first shielded wires We1, We1 to be pulled into the storage chamber 10a from outside the housing 10, or allows the pair of first shielded wires We1, We1 to be pulled out from the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the housing 10) (Figure 1). The first wire insertion portion 13 shown here is formed with a cutout in both the outer wall 11 and the flange portion 11a. The end face of the first wire insertion portion 13 facing the access opening 10b is used as an insertion port for inserting the pair of first shielded wires We1, We1 into the first wire insertion portion 13. When cover 10B is attached to case body 10A, first wire insertion portion 13 forms an opening whose insertion port is blocked by cover 10B. Here, this opening connects the inside and outside of housing 10 and is used as an inlet or outlet for a pair of first shielded wires We1, We1. Note that a first wire insertion portion 13 may be provided for each first shielded wire We1.

The pair of first shielded electric wires We1, We1 shown here are held together by a wire holder (not shown), made of, for example, synthetic resin, and are fixed to the housing 10 via this wire holder. The wire holder is disposed within the first wire insertion portion 13. This wire holder is then fixed to the housing 10 by screwing it into the case main body 10A. A wire fixing portion (not shown) having a male screw member such as a stud bolt is provided in the storage chamber 10a of the case main body 10A, protruding from the inner wall surface 11b of the outer wall 11. The wire holder is fixed to the wire fixing portion by screwing a female screw member (not shown) into the male screw member.

Furthermore, in the electrical connecting device 20, a connector portion (hereinafter referred to as the "lower connector portion") that engages and connects the second connector 52 on the bottom wall 12 side is formed on the conductor holding member 27. Here, a first lower connector portion 27a that engages and connects the second connector 52 at the end of one second shielded electric wire We2, and a second lower connector portion 27b that engages and connects the second connector 52 at the end of the other second shielded electric wire We2 are provided (Figures 1 and 8).

The first lower connector portion 27a and the second lower connector portion 27b are provided as a pair for each combination of a pair of second shielded electric wires We2, We2. That is, the first lower connector portion 27a is provided for each second shielded electric wire We2. The second lower connector portion 27b is provided for each second shielded electric wire We2. The first lower connector portion 27a and the second lower connector portion 27b are formed as mating connection portions for the second connector 52 on the lower surface 27L of the conductor holding member 27 facing the bottom wall 12 (FIGS. 1 and 8).

The first lower connector portion 27a has the second connector connection terminal portion 25b of the second conductive member 25 disposed therein, and when the second connector 52 of one second shielded electric wire We2 is mated and connected, the core wire of that second shielded electric wire We2 is indirectly electrically connected to the second connector connection terminal portion 25b. The second lower connector portion 27b has the fourth connector connection terminal portion 26c of the third conductive member 26 disposed therein, and when the second connector 52 of the other second shielded electric wire We2 is mated and connected, the core wire of that second shielded electric wire We2 is indirectly electrically connected to the fourth connector connection terminal portion 26c.

The first lower connector portion 27a and the second lower connector portion 27b are formed so that the second connector 52 fits in from the bottom surface 27L toward the top surface 27U. Therefore, in the electrical junction box 1, the second shielded electric wire We2 pulled in from the access opening 10b side is routed toward the bottom wall 12, then folded back toward the access opening 10b on the bottom wall 12 side, and the second connector 52 of the second shielded electric wire We2 is fitted and connected to the first lower connector portion 27a or the second lower connector portion 27b.

In this electrical connecting device 20, for example, if the second conductive member 25 is held by the conductor holding member 27 with some play, an external force acting on the second conductive member 25 can cause the second conductive member 25 to move relative to the conductor holding member 27 by the amount of play, or the second conductive member 25 can deform from the position where the second conductive member 25 is held by the conductor holding member 27. For example, in the first lower connector portion 27a, when the second connector 52 is mated with the second connector connection terminal portion 25b, a load associated with the mating operation acts on the second conductive member 25 as an external force. In this electrical connecting device 20, the main body 21c of the electrical component 21 is located beyond the mating direction of the second connector 52 with the second connector connection terminal portion 25b. Therefore, in this electrical connecting device 20, if the second conductive member 25 moves or deforms relative to the conductor holding member 27 due to the load associated with the mating operation, the load may act on the main body 21c of the electrical component 21.

Therefore, this electrical connecting device 20 is provided with a load receiving portion 28c that receives the load associated with the mating connection operation of the second connector 52 to the second connector connection terminal portion 25b, so that this load is less likely to be applied to the main body 21c of the electrical component 21 (Figures 3 to 5). This load receiving portion 28c is provided as a locking portion that locks the main body 25a of the second conductive member 25 or the second terminal portion 21b of the electrical component 21 on the side of the main body 25a or the second terminal portion 21b in the mating connection direction of the second connector 52. As a result, in this electrical connecting device 20, even if the second conductive member 25 moves or deforms relative to the second connector 52 due to the load associated with the mating connection operation relative to the second connector connection terminal 25b, the load receiving portion 28c engages the main body 25a of the second conductive member 25 or the second terminal 21b of the electrical component 21 while the amount of relative movement or deformation of the second conductive member 25 is small, so the load associated with the mating connection operation is unlikely to be applied to the main body 21c of the electrical component 21. Therefore, in this electrical connecting device 20, the load on the electrical component 21 when the second connector 52 is mated and connected can be reduced.

Here, the load receiving portion 28c is provided on the insulating member (conductor holding member 27, cover member 28). For example, this load receiving portion 28c is formed as a flat rib-like shape and is provided for each combination of electrical component 21 and second conductive member 25. The load receiving portion 28c shown here is provided on the cover member 28 (Figure 9). For example, the main body 25a of the second conductive member 25 shown here protrudes beyond the second terminal portion 21b in one direction and the other direction perpendicular to the mating connection direction of the second connector 52 and the arrangement direction of the first terminal portion 21a and the second terminal portion 21b (Figure 5). Therefore, here, one protruding portion and the other protruding portion of the main body 25a relative to the second terminal portion 21b are engaged by the corresponding load receiving portion 28c. A pair of load receiving portions 28c is provided on the cover member 28 for each combination of electrical component 21 and second conductive member 25.

The electrical connector 20 secures the conductor holding member 27 or the cover member 28 to the fixing portion 15 of the housing 10 in the accommodation chamber 10a with a screw member (male screw member or female screw member) (Fig. 1). The fixing portion 15 protrudes from the inner wall surface 11b of the outer wall 11 of the case body 10A and has a plane facing the access opening 10b and parallel to the access opening 10b. This fixing portion 15 is formed with a female screw portion (not shown) whose screw axis is perpendicular to the plane. The conductor holding member 27 or the cover member 28 is provided with a fixed portion 27c, a flat plate-like piece that protrudes beyond the outer surface and is positioned in the accommodation chamber 10a with one plane facing the access opening 10b and the other plane facing the bottom wall 12 (Fig. 1). This fixed portion 27c has a through-hole (not shown) through which the male screw member B2 is inserted. The other flat surface of this fixed portion 27c is placed on the flat surface of the fixed portion 15 on the working opening 10b side, and the male screw member B2 inserted into the through hole is screwed into the female screw portion of the fixed portion 15, thereby fixing it to the fixed portion 15. In this way, the conductor holding member 27 or cover member 28 is fixed to the case main body 10A inside the accommodation chamber 10a. Here, the fixed portion 27c is provided on the conductor holding member 27, and this conductor holding member 27 is fixed to the fixed portion 15 of the housing 10 with a screw.

This electrical junction box 1 is provided with multiple pairs of fixing parts 15 and fixed parts 27c. Furthermore, in this electrical junction box 1, the fixing parts 15 may be provided with male screw members (not shown) such as stud bolts, and the fixing parts 15 and fixed parts 27c may be screwed together by threading a female screw member (not shown) into the male screw member.

The accommodation chamber 10a is roughly divided into a space (hereinafter referred to as the "first accommodation chamber") _10a1 from the assembled electric connecting device 20 in the chamber to the access opening 10b, and a space (hereinafter referred to as the "second accommodation chamber") 10a2 from the electric connecting device ₂₀ in the chamber to the bottom wall 12 (FIG. 1). In this accommodation chamber 10a, a first shielded electric wire We1 with a first connector ₅₁ is accommodated in the first accommodation chamber 10a1, and this first shielded electric wire We1 is drawn out from the first accommodation chamber _10a1 . Also, in this accommodation chamber 10a, a second shielded electric wire We2 with a second connector 52 is accommodated in the second accommodation chamber _10a2 , and this second shielded electric wire We2 is drawn from the second accommodation chamber _10a2 to the first accommodation chamber _10a1 and drawn out from the first accommodation chamber _10a1 .

Here, the second connectors 52 at one end of all the second shielded electric wires We2 are mated and connected to the first lower connector portion 27a or the second lower connector portion 27b before the electric connecting device 20 is placed in the accommodation chamber 10a. Therefore, when the electric connecting device 20 is inserted into the accommodation chamber 10a through the access opening 10b, the second shielded electric wires We2 are inserted into the accommodation chamber 10a together with the electric connecting device 20 from the access opening 10b. Furthermore, for example, before placing the second shielded electric wires We2 in the accommodation chamber 10a, a terminal fitting 30 and a waterproof/dustproof member 40 are attached to the second shielded electric wires We2. The terminal fittings 30 and waterproof/dustproof member 40 are then attached to the housing 10 (here, the case body 10A) after the second shielded electric wires We2 are placed in the accommodation chamber 10a.

The terminal fitting 30 is an earthing member that dissipates noise carried on the braid of the second shielded wire We2 from the housing 10 to the vehicle body. Therefore, this terminal fitting 30 is made of a metal material and physically and electrically connects the braid of the second shielded wire We2. This terminal fitting 30 is then physically and electrically connected to the housing 10.

The terminal fitting 30 has an electrical connection portion 31 (Figure 1) to which the braided body of the second shielded wire We2 is physically and electrically connected, and a fixed portion (not shown) that is fixed to the housing 10 within the accommodation chamber 10a.

Specifically, the electrical connection portion 31 is a tubular portion that is physically and electrically connected to the braid of the second shielded electric wire We2, which has had its outer covering partially or entirely stripped away and is now exposed. The electrical connection portion 31 shown here places the exposed braid inside a tube, and the inner wall of the tube is physically and electrically connected to the exposed braid. For example, before being connected to the braid, the electrical connection portion 31 has a single-piece shape, and by wrapping it around the exposed braid from the outside and crimping it, the inner wall of the tubular portion is physically and electrically connected to the braid.

The fixed portion is formed as a flat plate-like piece with a circular through-hole (not shown).

The terminal fitting 30 shown here is formed as a flag terminal (Figures 7 and 8). A flag terminal is a terminal in which two electrical connection portions 31 are arranged in parallel with the axial direction of the cylinder aligned, and the fixed portion is offset from the assembly of these two electrical connection portions 31.

This terminal fitting 30 is provided for each combination of a first lower connector portion 27a and a second lower connector portion 27b. This terminal fitting 30 physically and electrically connects the braid of the second shielded wire We2 connected to one of the pair of the first lower connector portion 27a and the second lower connector portion 27b to one of the two electrical connection portions 31, and physically and electrically connects the braid of the second shielded wire We2 connected to the other of the pair of the first lower connector portion 27a and the second lower connector portion 27b to the other of the two electrical connection portions 31.

The terminal fittings 30 are fixed to the housing 10 within the accommodation chamber 10a. The terminal fittings 30 shown here are positioned within the accommodation chamber 10a near the second wire insertion portion 16 (described below) of the case body 10A and are fixed to the case body 10A. The electrical junction box 1 also includes multiple terminal fittings 30. In this electrical junction box 1, all of the terminal fittings 30 are positioned within the accommodation chamber 10a near their respective second wire insertion portions 16 and fixed to the case body 10A.

The case body 10A has a wire insertion portion (hereinafter referred to as the "second wire insertion portion") 16 formed by cutting out the outer wall 11 from the annular end face at one end facing the access opening 10b, through which the second shielded wire We2 is inserted between the inside and outside of the housing 10 (in other words, the second shielded wire We2 is pulled into the storage chamber 10a from outside the housing 10, or the second shielded wire We2 is pulled out from the storage chamber 10a to outside the housing 10) (FIG. 1). The second wire insertion portion 16 shown here is formed with a cutout in both the outer wall 11 and the flange portion 11a. The end face of the second wire insertion portion 16 facing the access opening 10b is used as an insertion port for inserting the pair of second shielded wires We2, We2 into the second wire insertion portion 16. When the cover 10B is attached to the case body 10A, the second wire insertion portion 16 forms an opening whose insertion port is blocked by the cover 10B. Here, this opening connects the inside and outside of the housing 10 and is used as an inlet or outlet for the second shielded wire We2.

The second wire insertion portion 16 shown here is formed for each terminal fitting 30 (i.e., for each combination of a first lower connector portion 27a and a second lower connector portion 27b), and for each terminal fitting 30, two second shielded wires We2 connected to the two electrical connection portions 31 of the terminal fitting 30 are inserted between the inside and outside of the housing 10. Note that a second wire insertion portion 16 may be provided for each second shielded wire We2.

This second wire insertion portion 16 also functions as a protective member holding portion that holds the waterproof/dustproof member 40. Therefore, the waterproof/dustproof member 40 is inserted into this second wire insertion portion 16 along with the second shielded wire We2, and the waterproof/dustproof member 40 is assembled.

The waterproof and dustproof member 40 prevents liquid and dust from entering the housing chamber 10a from outside the housing 10 via the second wire insertion portion 16. For this reason, the waterproof and dustproof member 40 is made of a rubber material and is elastically deformable. The waterproof and dustproof member 40 mainly comprises a tubular portion through which the pair of second shielded wires We2, We2 are inserted, and is held in place by being fitted into the second wire insertion portion 16, for example.

To secure the terminal fittings 30 near the waterproof and dustproof member 40, the case body 10A has a fixing portion (not shown) on the access opening 10b side of the accommodation chamber 10a where the fixed portion of the terminal fitting 30 is placed and fixed. A fixing portion is provided for each terminal fitting 30. For example, the fixing portion shown here has a male screw member (not shown) such as a stud bolt hanging down, and the fixed portion of the terminal fitting 30 is placed on it with the male screw member inserted into a through hole. The fixed portion is screwed into the fixing portion by a female screw member (not shown) that screws into the male screw member of the fixing portion.

In the electrical junction box 1, first, all second shielded electric wires We2 with second connectors 52 are assembled to the electrical connection devices 20, and terminal fittings 30 and waterproof/dustproof members 40 are assembled to all second shielded electric wires We2. Next, in this electrical junction box 1, the electrical connection devices 20 and second shielded electric wires We2 are inserted into the storage chamber 10a through the access opening 10b, and the electrical connection devices 20 are assembled to the case body 10A. Then, in this electrical junction box 1, the fixed portions of the terminal fittings 30 are placed on the fixing portions of the case body 10A, and the waterproof/dustproof members 40 are inserted into the second electric wire insertion portions 16 of the case body 10A, and the fixed portions of the terminal fittings 30 are screwed to the fixing portions. In addition, in this electrical junction box 1, two first shielded electric wires We1 with first connectors 51 are inserted into the accommodation chamber 10a through the access opening 10b and then assembled to the electrical connector 20 in the accommodation chamber 10a and the case body 10A. Then, in this electrical junction box 1, a cover 10B is assembled to the case body 10A, and the access opening 10b is closed with this cover 10B. A female screw (not shown) is formed in the flange portion 11a of the case body 10A shown here, and the cover 10B is placed with the screw axis of this female screw aligned with the center of the through hole (not shown). The cover 10B is fixed to the flange portion 11a by screwing a male screw member (not shown) inserted through the through hole into the female screw portion of the flange portion 11a.

As described above, the electrical connecting device 20 of this embodiment can be made smaller in size in the direction along the reference plane P. To achieve this smaller size, the main body 21c of the electrical component 21 is positioned beyond the second connector 52 mating connection direction relative to the second connector connection terminal portion 25b. However, the load bearing portion 28c can reduce the load on the electrical component 21 when the second connector 52 is mated and connected. Therefore, the electrical connecting device 20 of this embodiment can be made smaller in size while reducing the load on the electrical component 21 when the second connector 52 is mated and connected. The electrical connection box 1 of this embodiment is equipped with this electrical connecting device 20 and can similarly achieve the effects achieved by this electrical connecting device 20.

In addition, the miniaturization of the electrical connection device 20 of this embodiment also enables the electrical connection box 1 to be miniaturized in the direction along the reference plane P. As a result, this electrical connection device 20 improves the mountability of the electrical connection box 1 in a vehicle, improving assembly workability. Furthermore, the miniaturization of this electrical connection device 20 also contributes to weight and cost reductions for not only the electrical connection device 20 itself but also the electrical connection box 1.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Electrical connection box 10 Housing 10a Storage chamber 20 Electrical connection tool 21 Electrical component 21a First terminal portion (terminal portion)
21b Second terminal part (terminal part)
21c Main body 25 Second conductive member (conductive member)
25a Main body 25b Second connector connection terminal portion (connector connection terminal portion)
25d Adjacent portion 27 Conductor holding member (insulating member)
28 Cover member (insulating member)
28c Load receiving portion 52 Second connector (connector)
We1 First shielded wire (first wire)
We2 Second shielded wire (second wire)

Claims (5)

an electrical component having two terminals protruding from a main body on the same plane;
a conductive member having a main body for fixing one of the terminal portions to electrically connect it, and a connector connection terminal portion for electrically connecting the electric wire by fitting and connecting a connector at an end of the electric wire;
a load receiving portion that receives a load associated with a fitting connection operation of the connector to the connector connection terminal portion;
Equipped with
The main body has an adjacent portion extending to a position aligned with the main body in a direction perpendicular to the plane,
the connector connection terminal portion protrudes from the adjacent portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane and away from the main body, and the connector is mated and connected in a mating connection direction opposite to the protruding direction,
The electrical connecting device is characterized in that the load receiving portion is provided as a locking portion that locks the main body or one of the terminal portions on the side of the main body or one of the terminal portions in the fitting connection direction. an electrically insulating member that holds the conductive member;
2. The electrical connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the load receiving portion is provided on the insulating member. the insulating member includes a conductor holding member that holds the conductive member, and a cover member that is assembled to the conductor holding member and that covers the electrical component and the main body of the conductive member,
3. The electrical connecting device according to claim 2, wherein the load receiving portion is provided on the cover member. a plurality of combinations of a set of the electrical component and the conductive member;
4. The electrical connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the load receiving portion is provided for each combination of the electrical component and the conductive member. a housing having a storage chamber;
an electric connecting tool that electrically connects a core wire of a first electric wire on a first connection object side and a core wire of a second electric wire on a second connection object side, the core wires being drawn into the accommodation chamber from outside the housing;
Equipped with
The electrical connector comprises:
an electrical component having two terminals protruding from a main body on the same plane;
a conductive member having a main body for fixing and electrically connecting one of the terminal portions and a connector connection terminal portion for electrically connecting the second electric wire by fitting and connecting a connector at an end of the second electric wire;
a load receiving portion that receives a load associated with a fitting connection operation of the connector to the connector connection terminal portion;
Equipped with
The main body has an adjacent portion extending to a position aligned with the main body in a direction perpendicular to the plane,
the connector connection terminal portion protrudes from the adjacent portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane and away from the main body, and the connector is mated and connected in a mating connection direction opposite to the protruding direction,
The electrical connection box is characterized in that the load receiving portion is provided as a locking portion that locks the main body or one of the terminal portions on the side of the main body or one of the terminal portions in the fitting connection direction.