JPH11127526A - Electrical connection box - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrical connection box which can improve the efficiency of a connecting work of connectors, and at the same time, can prevent breakages of the connectors, and a sufficient space can be secured in the box for the connecting work. SOLUTION: An electrical connection box for an automobile is constituted in such a way that electrical components, such as relays, fuses, etc., are housed in a case 10 and a plurality of connectors are provided on the external surface of the case 10. In addition, a projecting wall section 11 and a recessed wall section 12 are formed continuously on one side of the case 10 and a space S surrounded by external surfaces 11a and 12a of the projecting and recessed wall sections 11 and 12 is utilized as the connecting space of the connectors.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric connection box for a motor vehicle, and more particularly, to a connection space for a connector, which can reliably secure a sufficient space for the operation, thereby improving the efficiency of the connector connection. In addition, the present invention relates to an electric connection box capable of preventing damage to a connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electric connection box is for supplying electric power from a battery to various electric components of a vehicle, and has a purpose of simplifying a wiring form of a wire harness. BACKGROUND ART As a conventional electric connection box for an electric vehicle, for example, there is one as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, an electric connection box for an electric vehicle is a rectangular parallelepiped formed by an electric circuit (electrical circuit not shown) in which electric parts such as a relay, a fuse, a resistor, a current sensor, and a voltage sensor are connected by a bus bar. Metal case 1
00 is housed inside.

On the outer wall surface of the case 100, a high-current connector 110, a low-current lead wire connector 120, and a high-current lead wire connector 130 connected to the electric circuit are provided inside the case 100.

The high-power connector 110 is connected to a battery via a counterpart high-power lead wire connector (not shown). Then, the electric power from the battery is supplied to electric components provided in each part of the vehicle via the high-power lead wire connector 130.

Further, the lead wire connector 120 for weak current
Is connected to the electrical component via a counterpart lead wire connector (or connector for weak current) (not shown) to input and output various signals.

The electric junction box having such a configuration is mounted in a motor room of an electric vehicle (not shown).

[0008]

However, in the above-described conventional electric connection box, the case 100 is simply a rectangular parallelepiped.
High-current connector 110, low-current lead wire connector 1
20 and the connection space of the lead wire connector 130 for strong current depended.

For this reason, when the mounting space in the vehicle is narrow, the high-current connector 110, the low-current lead wire connector 120, and the high-current lead wire connector 13
In some cases, the connection space of No. 0 was narrowed.
In such a case, there is a problem that it is difficult to connect the high-voltage connector 110, the low-voltage lead wire connector 120, and the high-voltage lead wire connector 130.

Particularly, a lead wire (not shown) of the counterpart high-power lead wire connector connected to the high-power connector 110 and a lead wire 131 of the high-power lead wire connector 130 have a large diameter to supply a large power. This makes it impossible to connect these connectors freely by bending them, and there is a problem that the connection work of both connectors 110 and 130 requires time and effort.

On the contrary, since the lead wire 121 of the low-current lead wire connector 120 can be freely bent with a small diameter, the position of the low-current lead wire connector 120 is not determined, and the counterpart low-power lead wire connector 120 is not determined. There is a problem that it is difficult to connect to the device. Also,
When the electric junction box is mounted in a vehicle, there is also a problem that the lead wire connector 120 and the lead wire 121 for free weak electricity are sandwiched.

In addition, the electric connection box is shipped in a state of being housed in a polytainer or a returnable box. However, a configuration in which the high-voltage connector 110 is protruded outward from the outer wall surface of the case 100. , So during transportation,
There is a problem that the high-current connector 110 is damaged by colliding with the wall of the polytainer or the returnable box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to reliably secure a sufficient space for a connector connecting operation, and to improve the efficiency of the connector connecting operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric connection box capable of preventing damage to a connector.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric connection box in which an electric part such as a relay and a fuse is housed inside a case and a plurality of electric parts are housed outside the case. In an electric connection box for a vehicle having a connector, a convex wall portion and a concave wall portion which are continuous with the case are provided, and the space surrounded by the outer wall surfaces of the convex wall portion and the concave wall portion is the connector. The connection space is as follows.

According to the above configuration, when the electric junction box is mounted in the mounting space in the vehicle, a space of a certain size can always be ensured by the convex wall and the concave wall of the case. Therefore, by using the space as a connection space for the connector, the efficiency of the connection work of the connector can be improved.

Specifically, as in the electric junction box according to the second aspect, the convex wall portion and the concave wall portion have two orthogonal outer wall surfaces, and these outer wall surfaces correspond to the connector. It is configured to form a space serving as a connection space, and as in the electric connection box according to claim 3, on one or both of two orthogonal outer wall surfaces of the convex wall portion and the concave wall portion. The connector is provided.

According to the above construction, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space can be formed by the two outer wall surfaces orthogonal to the convex wall portion and the concave wall portion, and this space can be used as a connector connection space. it can.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric connection box wherein one of the connectors is a lead wire connector, and the lead wire connector is mounted on a bracket and positioned in a space serving as a connection space for the connector.

According to the above construction, the bracket allows
The flexible weak wire lead wire connector can be positioned in the connection space of the connector, and the connection work between the weak wire lead wire connector and the mating connector becomes easy.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electric connection box, the connectors are a high-current connector and a low-current lead wire connector, and the low-current lead wire connector is mounted on the bracket to be positioned in a space that is a connection space for the connector. A configuration in which a lead wire of a counterpart high-power lead wire connector connected to the high-voltage connector is close to or in contact with a surface of the low-voltage lead wire connector opposite to a surface attached to the bracket. is there.

According to the above configuration, when the lead wire of the counterpart high-power lead wire connector to be connected to the high-power connector is brought into contact with the low-current lead wire connector, the low-current lead wire connector is connected by the lead wire. Can be pressed against the bracket, and the connection between the two can be assisted.

Further, when the lead wire of the counterpart high-power lead wire connector connected to the high-power connector is brought close to the low-current lead wire connector, the low-current lead wire which is likely to come off the bracket due to vibration or the like. The connector abuts on the lead wire of the high-current lead wire connector, thereby preventing the low-current lead wire connector from falling off the bracket.

Further, in combination with the structure of the second and third aspects, if the high-current connector is protrudingly provided facing the space serving as the connection space of the connector, the high-current connector collides with the wall of the polytainer or the returnable box. And the damage can be prevented.

Specifically, as in an electric connection box according to a sixth aspect, the high-current connector and the low-current lead wire connector are provided in directions crossing each other.
Like the electric connection box according to claim 7, the high-current connector and the low-current lead wire connector are provided in directions parallel to each other.

Further, preferably, the high-voltage connector is provided so as to protrude in a longitudinal direction of a space serving as a connection space for the connector, as in an electric connection box according to an eighth aspect of the present invention.

According to such a configuration, the other party's high-voltage lead wire connector to be connected to the high-voltage connector can be smoothly routed along the longitudinal direction of the space serving as the connector connection space. The space can be effectively used, and the efficiency of the connector connection operation can be improved.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the electric junction box of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment of the electric junction box of the present invention will be described. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric connection box according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B show the electric junction box. FIG. 2A is a side view, FIG. 2B is a plan view, and FIG. 2C is a front view.

In these drawings, reference numeral 10 denotes a case, which is formed by bending a metal plate. A continuous convex wall portion 11 and a concave wall portion 12 are formed on one side of the case 10, and have a substantially L-shape as a whole. Although not shown, an electric circuit including a relay, a fuse, and the like is housed inside the case 10.

The convex wall portion 11 and the concave wall portion 12 of the case 10
Has two outer wall surfaces 11a and 12a orthogonal to each other, and when the electric junction box is mounted in a mounting space in a vehicle, these outer wall surfaces 11a and 12a are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space S (see FIG. 1 (see two-dot chain line). The space S serves as a connection space for the following high-current connector 20 and the following low-current lead wire connector 30.

Above the outer wall surface 11a of the convex wall portion 11,
The high-power connector 20 protrudes toward the longitudinal direction of the space S. A high-power lead wire connector (not shown) is connected to the high-power connector 20, and is connected to a battery (not shown) via the high-power lead wire connector.

The low-current lead wire connector 30 is provided below the outer wall surface 11a in parallel with the high-current connector 20. The weak electric lead wire connector 30 is connected to the electric circuit inside the case 10 via a lead wire 31.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a fixing resin clip 32 is integrally formed on the side surface of the housing of the lead wire connector 30 for weak electric current. A substantially U-shaped bracket 40 is attached to the outer wall surface 12a of the ten concave wall portion 12. The lead wire connector for weak electricity 30 is fixed to the outer wall surface 12a of the concave wall portion 12 by inserting the fixing resin clip 32 into a hole formed in the bracket 40. As a result, the weak wire lead wire connector 30 is positioned in the space S.

Such a lead wire connector 3 for weak electric current
0 is connected to a counterpart weak wire lead wire connector (not shown), and various signals are input and output from electrical components (not shown) via the weak wire lead wire connector.

According to the electric junction box of the present embodiment having the above structure, when the electric junction box is mounted in the mounting space in the vehicle, the convex wall 11 and the concave wall 12 of the case 10 are formed.
Thus, a space S of a fixed size can be always ensured. Therefore, by using the space S as a connection space between the high-current connector 20 and the low-current lead wire connector 30, the efficiency of the connection work between these connectors 20, 30 can be improved.

Also, since the lead wire connector 30 for bending weakly through the lead wire 31 is originally positioned in the space S by the bracket 40, the weak wiring lead wire connector 30 is attached to the weak bending lead wire connector of the other party. Lead wire connector can be easily connected.

Further, since the high-power connector 20 is protruded toward the space S, the high-power connector 20 does not collide with the polytainer or the wall surface of the return box when the present electric connection box is shipped. , Can be prevented from being damaged.

In addition, since the high-voltage connector 20 protrudes toward the longitudinal direction of the space S, the high-power lead wire connector connected to the high-voltage connector 20 along the longitudinal direction of the space S. Can be routed smoothly, the space S can be effectively used, and the efficiency of the connector connection operation can be improved.

Next, a second embodiment of the electric junction box of the present invention will be described. 3A and 3B show an electric junction box according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a side view, FIG. 3B is a plan view, and FIG. 3C is a front view. Also,
FIGS. 4A and 4B show a low-current lead wire connector when a counterpart high-voltage lead wire connector is connected to the high-voltage connector. FIG. 4A is a partial plan view, and FIG. 4B is a front view. is there. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

The electric connection box of the present embodiment is one step further from the electric connection box of the first embodiment described above, and assists the connection between the weak wire lead wire connector and the bracket for positioning and fixing the same. It is configured to prevent the lead wire connector from falling off.

In FIGS. 3A and 3B, reference numeral 50 denotes a metal case, which has a continuous convex wall portion 51 and a concave wall portion 52 on one side similarly to the above embodiment. The convex wall portion 51 and the concave wall portion 52 have two outer wall surfaces 51a and 52a orthogonal to each other. When the electric junction box is mounted in a mounting space in a vehicle, these outer wall surfaces 51a, 5a
2a forms a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space S of a fixed size (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3B). The space S is a connection space for the high-current connectors 60A and 60B and the low-current lead wire connectors 70A and 70B, as in the above-described embodiment.

The outer wall 51a of the convex wall 51 has a space S
The two high-voltage connectors 60A and 60B protrude from the outer wall surface 52a of the concave wall portion 52.
The weak electric lead wire connectors 70A and 70B are provided.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the lower wires of the lead wire connectors 70A and 70B are fixed to the bracket 80, respectively, and are oriented in a direction perpendicular to both the connectors 60A and 60B. In addition, it is positioned just below the central axis (see the dashed line in the figure) of one high-current connector 60A.

Here, the high-current connector 60A (the same applies to the high-current connector 60B) and the low-current lead wire connector 7
3A and 3C, the high-current connector 60A is up, and the low-current lead wire connectors 70A and 7B.
They are provided on the outer wall surfaces 51a and 52a with a difference in height so that 0B is lower.

In the electric junction box of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the counterpart high-voltage lead wire connector 90 is connected to the high-voltage connector 60A, The lead wire 91 of the lead wire connector 90 is connected to the low-current lead wire connector 70A,
70B.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the lead wire 91 is connected to the lead wire connector 70 for weak current by its own weight.
Abut on the upper surfaces of A and 70B, and press the lead wire connectors 70A and 70B for weak electricity onto the bracket 80 collectively. Thereby, the lead wire connector 7 for weak electricity
The connection between the brackets 80A and 70A and the brackets 80A is assisted, and it is possible to prevent the lead wire connectors 70A and 70B for weak electricity from falling off due to vibration or the like.

That is, according to the electric junction box of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the weak wire lead wire connectors 70A, 70B from dropping off the bracket 80 without adding any new components. Similar to the electric connection box of the first embodiment, the high-current connector 60A,
60B and light wire lead wire connectors 70A, 70B
Connection work efficiency and the high-power connectors 60A, 60A
B can be prevented from being damaged.

The electric junction box of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the second embodiment described above, the high-voltage connectors 60A and 60B are
Although the weak wire lead wire connectors 70A and 70B are provided below, the weak wire lead wire connectors 70A and 70B are provided.
In order to prevent the 70B from falling off from the bracket 80,
The positional relationship between the two is not limited to the upper and lower positions.

That is, the lead wire connector 7 for weak current
As long as the lead wire 91 of the counterpart high-power lead wire connector 90 is close to or abuts on the surface opposite to the surface attached to the bracket 80A, 70B, the lead is not limited to the upper and lower sides, but may be the lower-current lead. Wire connector 7
It is possible to prevent the 0A and 70B from falling off from the bracket 80.

In the second embodiment, the high-current connectors 60A, 60B and the low-current lead wire connectors 70A,
70B are provided in directions orthogonal to each other,
If the way of fixing 0 is changed, as in the first embodiment,
Even if the high-current connectors 60A, 60B and the low-current lead wire connectors 70A, 70B are provided in parallel with each other,
It is possible to prevent the weak wire lead wire connectors 70A, 70B from falling off the bracket 80.

Further, the outer shape of the case 10 or 50 is not limited to the substantially L-shape as in the above-described embodiments, but can be changed to various shapes having a convex wall portion and a concave wall portion.

In addition, the electric connection box of each of the above-described embodiments is for an electric vehicle having metal cases 10 and 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to an electric junction box for a vehicle.

[0052]

As described above, according to the electric junction box of the present invention, it is possible to reliably secure a sufficient space for the connection work of the connector, and it is possible to improve the efficiency of the connection work of the connector. Thus, damage to the connector can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric junction box according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the electric junction box, and FIG.
Is a side view, (b) is a plan view, and (c) is a front view.

3A and 3B show an electric junction box according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A is a side view, FIG. 3B is a plan view, and FIG. 3C is a front view. .

4A and 4B show a low-current lead wire connector when a mating connector is connected to the high-voltage connector of the electric connection box, wherein FIG. 4A is a partial plan view and FIG. 4B is a partial front view. It is.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4 (b).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional electric junction box.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 50 Case 11, 51 Convex wall 12, 52 Concave wall 11a, 12a, 51a, 52a Outer wall 20, 60A, 60B High-power connector 30, 70A, 70B Low-power lead wire connector 31, 71 Lead wire 40 , 80 Bracket 90 Lead wire connector for high voltage 91 Lead wire S space

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Seiji Sadahira 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-machi, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akira Takemoto 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Inside

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An electric connection box for a motor vehicle in which electric components such as a relay and a fuse are housed inside a case and a plurality of connectors are arranged outside the case, wherein a convex wall portion connected to the case is provided. And a concave wall portion, and a space surrounded by the outer wall surfaces of the convex wall portion and the concave wall portion is a connection space for the connector. 2. The electrical connection according to claim 1, wherein the convex wall portion and the concave wall portion have two orthogonal outer wall surfaces, and these outer wall surfaces form a space serving as a connection space for the connector. box. 3. The electrical junction box according to claim 2, wherein said connector is provided on one or both of two orthogonal outer wall surfaces of said convex wall portion and said concave wall portion. 4. The electric connection box according to claim 1, wherein one of said connectors is a lead wire connector, and said lead wire connector is mounted on a bracket and positioned in a space serving as a connection space for said connector. 5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is a high-current connector and a low-current lead wire connector, and the low-current lead wire connector is mounted on the bracket to be positioned in a space for connecting the connector, and is connected to the high-current connector. The electric wire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lead wire of the counterpart high-power lead wire connector is brought into close proximity to or abuts a surface of the low-current lead wire connector opposite to a surface attached to the bracket. Connection box. 6. The electrical junction box according to claim 5, wherein the high-current connector and the low-current lead wire connector are provided in directions crossing each other. 7. The high-current connector and the low-current lead wire connector are provided in directions parallel to each other.
Electrical junction box as described. 8. The electric connection box according to claim 5, wherein the high-voltage connector protrudes toward a longitudinal direction of a space serving as a connection space for the connector.