JPH0287919A - Branch cable junction box and its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To deal with any type of vehicle, its grade, etc., easily by opening plural windows to a casing and by installing connector receiving sections to the windows which can be connected and disconnected. CONSTITUTION:Plural windows 11 are opened in matrix to the upper wall 10a of a casing 10. The casing 10 can be made into a desired shape such as rectangular, square, single-sided trapezoidal, etc., according to the region of vehicle arranged. The size and number of each window can also be changed corresponding to the size and number of connectors of a wire harness terminal. A connector receiving section 13 has an external form corresponding to the window 11, so that it can be installed removably to the window 11. In this way, only by changing the shape of the casing 10 equipped with connector receiving section 13, the arrangement and number of windows 11, etc., products corresponding to the type of vehicle and its grade can easily be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a branch connection box and a branch circuit that connect electric wires constituting a wire harness to each other to centrally form a branch circuit in electrical wiring for a vehicle. It relates to its manufacturing method.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 7, this type of branch junction box has three groups of connecting wires pulled out from a wire harness W housed in parallel and sandwiched in an upper case 1 and a lower case 2, as shown in FIG.
The female contact portion 5 of the pressure contact terminal 4 is protruded from the upper surface of the upper case 1 to form an insertion portion 8 for a plurality of connectors 7 of the other connecting wires 3' group pulled out from the wire harness W, and the U of the pressure contact terminal 4 is A press-contacting part 6 having a letter-shaped slot 6a is protruded from the back surface of the upper case 1, the clamped electric wire 3 is press-fitted into the slot 6a, and the group of lead-out electric wires 3 and 3' are connected to each other via the press-contact terminal 4. However, there is one in which a branch circuit is formed (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 45575/1983).

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the branch connection box according to the prior art, the insulation displacement terminals (or circuits) 4 related to the connection wires 3 are arranged in a straight line, so the external dimensions of the boxes such as cases 1 and 2 are Electric wire 3 taken in by
The shape and number of the mating connectors 7 may vary depending on the car model, grade, destination, etc., as the insertion part 8 for the connector 7 is integrally molded with the case 1. Otherwise, the overall shape of case 1 would have to be changed, and the number of molding dies and product numbers would increase, creating problems.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to make it possible to change the shape and arrangement of the insertion part for the connector of the wire harness as well as the internal wiring form, and to easily handle the branch connection box according to the vehicle type, grade, etc. and its manufacturing method.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned problems, the branch junction box of the present invention accommodates a plurality of electric wires for forming a branch circuit in a case, and also includes a plurality of connector receiving parts each having a shape corresponding to a plurality of connectors of a wire harness terminal. in a branch junction box, in which a pressure contact terminal connected to a desired wire selected from the plurality of wires is inserted into the connector receiving portion;
The case is characterized in that a plurality of windows are provided in the case, and the connector receiving portion is removably attached to the windows.

In order to manufacture this branch junction box, a plurality of connector receiving parts each having a shape corresponding to a plurality of connectors of a wire harness terminal have a contact part for the terminal of the connector at one end and a U-shaped slot at the other end. After inserting a plurality of pressure welding terminals at a predetermined pitch, arrange the connector sockets in a line at appropriate intervals, and wire the wires from one connector socket to the other to create the desired shape. A necessary branch circuit is formed by press-fitting the connection into the U-shaped slot of the pressure contact terminal, and each connector receiving part is removably attached to a case in which a plurality of windows corresponding to each of the connector receiving parts are previously opened. By simply changing the shape of the case to which the connector receiver is attached, and the arrangement and number of windows, products compatible with each vehicle type and grade can be obtained.

The above configuration will be specifically described below with reference to drawings showing examples.

〔Example〕

In FIG. 1, 10 is a platform-like case of a branch junction box, and an example in which a total of six windows 11, two vertically and three horizontally, are opened in the upper wall 10a in a matrix shape. shows.

The shape of the case 10 can be any desired shape, such as a rectangle or a square two-piece trapezoid, depending on the part of the vehicle in which it is arranged. can be changed depending on the size and number of connectors. 12 is a bracket for fixing to a vehicle body or the like.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a connector receiving part as an insulating housing having an outer shape corresponding to the window 11, and a locking part 14 corresponding to the connector and a lock claw 15 that engages with the window 11 are provided on the outer peripheral wall, and a locking claw 15 that engages with the window 11 is provided on the outer peripheral wall. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of pressure contact terminals 16 are inserted at a predetermined pitch. The pressure contact terminal 16 is configured by providing a female contact portion 17 for the mating terminal of the connector at one end, and a pressure contact portion 18 having a U-shaped slot 18a at the other end.
A tab press-fit hole 1 whose base is provided at the bottom of the connector receiving part 13
It is fixed by being press-fitted into 3a. Note that a female contact portion may be provided instead of the female contact portion 17, and in this case, insertion and locking may be performed by known means such as a so-called case lance or housing lance.

Reference numeral 19 denotes an electric wire forming a branch circuit, and as shown in FIG. 2, a desired branch circuit is formed by press-fitting and connecting to the slot 18a of the pressure contact portion 18 of each pressure contact terminal 16. Reference numeral 20 denotes a wire holding cover, which has a plurality of wire relief grooves 20a recessed at predetermined intervals on opposing side walls, is fitted onto the bottom of the connector receiving portion 13, and is locked by locking means having a known structure.

FIG. 3 shows an explanatory diagram of a method for manufacturing a branch junction box.

First, codes IL, 13z to 13. After the press-contact terminals 16 are inserted into the connector receiving portions indicated by , as described above, these connector receiving portions are arranged in a line on a wiring board (not shown) at appropriate intervals. Figure 3 shows the connector receiving part 13□
, 133 and 134 and 13%, 13. An example is shown in which the connector receiving portions 131 and 13□ and the connector receiving portions 134 and 13 are arranged close to each other (S), and spaced apart (L).

Next, one connector receiving portion 13. to the other connector receiving portion 13. A plurality of long electric wires 19 are successively passed through and connected to the U-shaped slots 18a in the pressure contact terminals 16 of each connector receiving part 131 to 136, and then a wire holding cover 20 is fitted to each connector receiving part. , lock.

This allows the connector receiving portion 13. ~13
6 are combined into a chain.

Finally, the electric wires 19 groups are bent inwardly into a U-shape using the above-mentioned portions, and each connector receiving portion 13 (131 to 13
6) are arranged as shown in FIG. 1 and attached to each window 11 of the case 10. As shown in FIG. 4a, each connector receiving portion 13 is connected to the window 11 by a lock claw 15 and a wire holding cover 20.
The U-shaped curved portion (U) of the wire 19 group is housed in the interior 10b of the case 10 as shown in FIG.

1 to 4 show an example in which the group of electric wires 19 for forming a branch circuit are electric wires independent of the wire harness. However, similar to the conventional example shown in FIG. 7, electric wires drawn out from a wire harness may be used. Figure 5a shows two series of electric wires 19A, 1 drawn out from the wire harness.
Three connector sockets 13 are branched and connected to each group 9B, and the figure in Figure 5 is the same. This shows an example of making a U-turn at , and then returning to the wire harness.

In addition, in FIG. 6, the case 10 in FIG. 1 is divided into 2° cases IOA and IOB, and both cases IOA
, fitting means such as a dovetail groove 21 and a dovetail groove 22 that fit into each other are provided on the opposing peripheral walls of the IOB, so that the two can be detachably combined. in this case,
The wire holding cover 20' may be of a type that can be fitted and locked onto a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) connector receiving parts 13 at once. Incidentally, a cutout groove 100 for penetrating and accommodating the U-shaped curved portion (U) of the electric wire 19 group is provided in the fitting-side peripheral wall of the cases IOA and 10B.

[For production]

As represented in FIG. 1, in the branch junction box of the present invention, the connector receiving portions 13 (13, 13□ to 136) corresponding to the connectors of the wire harness terminals are separated from the case 10 and are independent from each other. (of course, the same shape may be used). Therefore, the case 10 is made of a material with excellent mechanical strength and shock resistance against falling and mounting strength of the bracket 12, and the connector receiving part 13 is made of a material with excellent compression resistance (tab press-fit hole 13a) and flexibility (insulation terminal 16). It can be manufactured using the optimal material required for each case, such as materials that are rich in materials (when locking with a housing lance).

In addition, it is sufficient to prepare several types of the overall shape of the case 10 and the number of windows 11 in advance depending on the car model and grade, and when changing the specifications, it is possible to quickly combine multiple cases as shown in Figure 6. There is no need to create a new mold.

Since the connector receiving parts 13 are separated from the case 10, even if the number of the connector receiving parts 13 or their position with respect to the case 10 changes, a branch circuit can be formed using the linear arrangement method shown in FIG. It is easy to manufacture, and the device can be used for general purposes.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, by separating the plurality of connector receptacles in the branch junction box and the cases that fix them, the branch junction box with branch circuits corresponding to different vehicle types and grades can be used in the same branch junction box. It can be easily manufactured using the following manufacturing method, and each connector receiving part and case can be manufactured using the most suitable material.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the branch junction box of the present invention in a separated state, Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the connector receiving portion of the same as the above in a separated state, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the branch junction box of the same as the above in a separated state. An explanatory diagram of the manufacturing method, FIGS. 4a and 4b are sectional views of the main parts of the branch junction box in FIG. 1 in an assembled state, and FIGS. 5a, b and 6 are perspective views showing other embodiments, respectively. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example. 10, IOA, IOB...case, 11...window, 1
3 (13,,13□~136)...Connector receiving part, 1
6... Pressure contact terminal, 17... Female contact part, 18...
Pressure contact part, 18 a-U-shaped slot, 19.19A-1
90...Electric wire, 20.20'...Electric wire holding cover
21.22...Fitting means. Figure 1 0a 1 Figure 96-

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) A case accommodates a plurality of electric wires for forming a branch circuit, and a plurality of connector receiving portions each having a shape corresponding to a plurality of connectors of a wire harness terminal are provided,
In a branch junction box in which a pressure contact terminal that is pressure-connected to a desired wire selected from the plurality of wires is inserted into the connector receiving portion, a plurality of windows are provided in the case, and the connector receiving portion is inserted into the window. A branch connection box characterized by being detachably installed. (2) The branch junction box according to claim (1), wherein some or all of the plurality of electric wires are constituted by electric wires independent of the connecting electric wires drawn out from the wire harness. (3) A claim in which the plurality of electric wires are wired by being bent in a U-shape or a C-shape within the case as necessary.
1) or (2) branch junction box. (4) The case according to claim (1), (2) or (3), wherein the case having a plurality of windows is divided into two or more parts, and the two or more parts are joined together by means of fitting. Branch junction box. (5) A plurality of connector receiving parts each having a shape corresponding to a plurality of connectors of a wire harness terminal have a contact part for the terminal of the connector at one end and a plurality of pressure contact terminals each having a U-shaped slot at the other end. After inserting them at a pitch of A branch junction box characterized in that a necessary branch circuit is formed by press-fitting connection to the connector socket, and each connector socket is removably attached to a case in which a plurality of windows corresponding to the respective connector sockets are opened in advance. Production method. (6) A plurality of windows of the case are opened in a matrix, and when each connector receiving part is attached to the window, connecting wires for forming a branch circuit are transferred from one row to the other row.
The manufacturing method according to claim 5, wherein the method is bent into a letter shape and accommodated in the case.