JP7796595B2 - Joint box - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a joint box that stores the connection between primary wiring, such as indoor electric wires and signal wires, and secondary wiring, such as outdoor electric wires and signal wires. In particular, the joint box includes a box body with a rear wall that covers the rear side of the storage space and a lower wall that covers the lower side of the storage space, and a cover that covers the portion of the storage space not covered by the box body.

Patent Document 1 discloses a joint box that includes a box main body (body 1) with a rear wall (back panel 2) that covers the rear side of a storage space capable of storing a connection between primary wiring (electric wires) and secondary wiring (electric wires) and a lower wall (bottom panel 4) that covers the lower side of the storage space, and a cover (cover 25) that covers the portion of the storage space not covered by the box main body. The rear wall is provided with rear introduction holes (electric wire insertion holes 5, 6) for introducing primary wiring into the storage space from the rear side, and the lower wall is provided with a lower introduction hole (knockout hole 20) for introducing secondary wiring into the storage space from the lower side.

The joint box of Patent Document 1 is equipped with a partition plate (separator 22) that divides the storage space widthwise into a first storage space and a second storage space, and the rear wall is equipped with three rear introduction holes: two rear introduction holes (electric wire insertion portions 5) for each of the two storage spaces and one rear introduction hole (electric wire insertion portion 6) that spans both storage spaces.The lower wall is equipped with a total of three lower introduction holes: two lower introduction holes for the storage space on the first width side and one lower introduction hole for the storage space on the second width side.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-144505

In the joint box of Patent Document 1, the rear end of the partition plate overlaps with one of the rear introduction holes (electric wire insertion portion 6), and there is a risk that the wiring inside this rear introduction hole will interfere with the partition plate, causing the partition plate to be damaged or to come off the box main body, etc. Therefore, it is desirable to position the rear end of the partition plate between the rear introduction holes so that it does not overlap with the rear introduction holes.
In addition, in the joint box of Patent Document 1, two lower introduction holes are provided for the storage space on the first width side, and one lower introduction hole is provided for the storage space on the second width side, but depending on the installation environment and wiring situation, it may be necessary to change the number of lower introduction holes for the storage space on the first width side and the number of lower introduction holes for the storage space on the second width side.

To meet this demand, it is possible to change the number of lower introduction holes for each storage space by moving the partition plate widthwise. However, if the rear introduction holes are positioned so that the partition plate does not overlap with the rear introduction holes at each moved position, the width of the rear introduction holes will be reduced, making it difficult to pass wiring through them.

In light of this situation, the main objective of this invention is to provide a joint box that makes it easy to pass wiring through the rear introduction hole while allowing the number of lower introduction holes for the two storage spaces to be changed.

A first characteristic configuration of the present invention is a box body including a rear wall covering a rear side of a storage space that stores a connection portion between a primary side wiring and a secondary side wiring, and a lower wall covering a lower side of the storage space;
a cover portion that covers a portion of the storage space that is not covered by the box main body portion,
the rear wall portion includes a rear introduction hole for introducing a tip end of the primary side wiring into the storage space,
The lower wall portion is a joint box having a lower introduction hole for introducing a base end side of the secondary side wiring into the storage space,
The storage space further includes a partition plate that divides the storage space into a first storage space and a second storage space in the width direction,
The side of the second storage space in the width direction where the first storage space is present is defined as a first width direction side, and the opposite side is defined as a second width direction side,
the rear wall portion includes two rear introduction holes aligned in the width direction,
the lower wall portion includes, as the three lower introduction holes aligned in the width direction, a middle lower introduction hole located in the middle in the width direction, a first-side lower introduction hole located on a first side in the width direction, and a second-side lower introduction hole located on a second side in the width direction;
The partition plate is connected to the box main body so that it can swing about a swing axis along the vertical direction, with its rear end positioned between the two rear introduction holes, and is configured to be able to change its position by swinging about the swing axis between a first position in which it is positioned between the intermediate lower introduction hole and the first side lower introduction hole in a planar view, and a second position in which it is positioned between the intermediate lower introduction hole and the second side lower introduction hole in a planar view.

According to this configuration, regardless of the attitude of the partition plate, the tip side of the primary wiring can be introduced into the first-side storage space through the rear inlet on the first width direction side (referred to as the first-side rear inlet), and the base side of the secondary wiring can be introduced into the first-side storage space through the first-side lower inlet, so that the primary wiring and secondary wiring introduced into the first-side storage space can be connected and the connected portion can be stored in the first-side storage space. Also, the tip side of the primary wiring can be introduced into the second-side storage space through the rear inlet on the second width direction side (referred to as the second-side rear inlet), and the base side of the secondary wiring can be introduced into the second-side storage space through the second-side rear inlet, so that the primary wiring and secondary wiring introduced into the second-side storage space can be connected and the connected portion can be stored in the second-side storage space.
When the partition plate is changed to the first position, the base end side of the secondary wiring can be introduced into the second-side housing space through the intermediate lower introduction hole, and when the partition plate is changed to the second position, the base end side of the secondary wiring can be introduced into the first-side housing space through the intermediate lower introduction hole. In this way, by changing the position of the partition plate, it is possible to select whether the secondary wiring introduced through the intermediate lower introduction hole is introduced into the first-side housing space or the second-side housing space, and the base end side of this secondary wiring can be connected to the tip side of the primary wiring introduced through the first-side rear introduction hole or the second-side rear introduction hole.
Furthermore, the position of the partition plate can be changed by swinging the partition plate around the swing axis, so the position of the partition plate can be changed without removing the partition plate from the box main body, eliminating the risk of losing the partition plate.
Furthermore, since the rear end of the partition plate is located between the two rear introduction holes, the part of the rear wall located between the rear introduction holes prevents the wiring inside the rear introduction holes from interfering with the partition plate, and even if the attitude of the partition plate is changed, the position of the rear end of the partition plate does not change from the position between the two rear introduction holes, making it easier to make the rear introduction holes larger than if the entire partition plate were moved.
Therefore, it has become possible to provide a joint box that allows the number of lower introduction holes for the two storage spaces to be changed while making it easy to pass wires through the rear introduction hole.

In a second characteristic configuration of the present invention, the partition plate is connected to the box main body portion so as to be movable along the up-down direction between an elevated position and a lowered position moved downward from the elevated position,
The box main body is provided with a regulating portion that allows the partition plate in the raised position to swing around the swing axis, while regulating the swing of the partition plate in the first posture and the lowered position and the partition plate in the second posture and the lowered position around the swing axis.

With this configuration, when the partition plate is moved to the raised position, the partition plate can be changed to the first position or the second position. When the partition plate is in the first position and in the lowered position, or in the second position and in the lowered position, the restricting unit can restrict the partition plate's swing from the first position or the second position. Therefore, by restricting the partition plate from swinging from the first position or the second position using the restricting unit, the position of the partition plate can be prevented from changing even if the primary or secondary wiring interferes with the partition plate when operating the wiring, making it easier to operate the wiring.

In a third characteristic configuration of the present invention, the partition plate is configured to be able to change its position to a third position, which is an intermediate position between the first position and the second position and overlaps with the intermediate lower introduction hole in a plan view, by swinging around the swing axis,
The restricting portion is configured to restrict the swinging of the partition plate about the swing axis when the partition plate is in the third posture and at the lowered position.

With this configuration, when the intermediate lower introduction hole is not in use, the partition plate can be swung to the third position, widening both the first and second storage spaces. Furthermore, by using the restricting portion to prevent the partition plate from swinging from the third position, even when both the first and second storage spaces are widened in this way, the partition plate's position can be prevented from changing even if the primary or secondary wiring interferes with the partition plate when operating the wiring, making it easier to operate the wiring.

In a fourth characteristic configuration of the present invention, the box body portion includes a female screw portion into which a fastening member is screwed along a screwing direction along a horizontal direction,
The cover portion is configured to be detachable from the box main body portion by sliding the cover portion in a direction intersecting the screwing direction, and is configured to be fixed to the box main body portion by screwing the fastening member inserted into the insertion portion into the female screw portion while the cover portion is attached to the box main body portion,
the insertion portion is formed by a main body portion-side insertion portion formed on the box main body portion, and a cover portion-side insertion portion formed on the cover portion so as to communicate with the main body portion-side insertion portion in a state in which the cover portion is attached to the box main body portion,
The cover-side insertion portion is configured such that the portion below the main body-side insertion portion is expanded downward.

With this configuration, the cover-side insertion portion is configured to expand downward beyond the cover-side insertion portion. Therefore, when a fastening member released from the female thread portion is positioned on the underside of the insertion portion, spanning both the main body-side insertion portion and the cover-side insertion portion, the fastening member assumes an inclined position, with the outermost portion positioned lower, making it easier to move outward under its own weight, making it easier to release the fastening member from the main body-side insertion portion. Therefore, when sliding the cover to remove it from the box main body, it is less likely that the fastening member will get caught and prevent removal of the cover because it spans both the main body-side insertion portion and the cover-side insertion portion, making it easier to remove the cover.

A fifth characteristic feature of the present invention is that the step between the underside of the cover-side insertion portion and the underside of the body-side insertion portion is set to a size such that the fastening member, which is located on the underside of the insertion portion when it has detached from the female thread and straddles the body-side insertion portion and the cover-side insertion portion, moves outward under its own weight in an inclined position such that the further outward it is from the female thread in the screwing direction, the lower it is positioned.

With this configuration, the fastening member, which is positioned on the underside of the insertion portion and spans both the main body insertion portion and the cover insertion portion, assumes an inclined position, being positioned lower toward the outside, and moves outward under its own weight, allowing it to be detached from the main body insertion portion. This prevents the cover from being unable to be removed when sliding the cover off the box main body, as the fastening member becomes caught between the main body insertion portion and the cover insertion portion, making it easier to remove the cover.

Perspective view of the joint box Perspective view of the joint box with the cover removed A perspective view of a joint box with the connection part stored in the storage space. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a joint box in which the partition plate is changed to a first position; FIG. 10 is a plan view of the joint box in which the partition plate is changed to a second position; A longitudinal side view of the joint box with the partition plate in the raised position A longitudinal sectional side view of an insertion portion where a fastening member is screwed into a female thread portion Front view of the insertion part A longitudinal side view of the insertion portion after the fastening member has been removed from the female thread portion.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the joint box B is installed, for example, on the exterior wall of a house (not shown) and is used to store a connection portion 3 (see Figure 3) between primary wiring 1 and secondary wiring 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the joint box B with a cover portion 8 attached, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the joint box B with the cover portion 8 removed. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the state in which the connection portion 3 between the primary wiring 1 and secondary wiring 2 is stored in a storage space S.

The joint box B comprises a box main body 7 having a rear wall 5 covering the rear side X2 of the storage space S that houses the connection portion 3 (see Figure 3) between the primary wiring 1 and the secondary wiring 2, and a lower wall 6 covering the lower side Z2 of the storage space S, and a cover 8 (see Figure 1) that covers the portion of the storage space S that is not covered by the box main body 7. The box main body 7 also has side wall portions 17 that cover both sides of the storage space S in the width direction Y, and the cover 8, together with the box main body 7, covers both sides of the storage space S in the width direction Y in addition to the front side X1 and upper side Z1 of the storage space S.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the joint box B further includes a partition plate 9 that divides the storage space S into a first storage space S1 and a second storage space S2 in the width direction Y. The rear wall 5 includes a rear introduction hole 11 for introducing the tip end of the primary wiring 1 into the storage space S. The bottom wall 6 includes a lower introduction hole 12 for introducing the base end of the secondary wiring 2 into the storage space S.

In this embodiment, the direction in which the rear wall portion 5 and the storage space S are aligned is referred to as the front-to-rear direction X, and the side of the rear wall portion 5 in the front-to-rear direction X where the storage space S exists is referred to as the front side X1, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear side X2.
The direction in which the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2 are aligned is defined as the width direction Y, and the side of the first storage space S1 relative to the second storage space S2 in the width direction Y is defined as the first width side Y1, and the opposite side is defined as the second width side Y2. In this embodiment, the width direction Y is perpendicular to the front-rear direction X.
The direction in which the lower wall 6 and the storage space S are aligned is defined as the vertical direction Z, and the side of the lower wall 6 on which the storage space S exists is defined as the upper side Z1, and the opposite side is defined as the lower side Z2. In this embodiment, the vertical direction Z is perpendicular to the front-rear direction X and the width direction Y.

As shown in Figure 3, the primary wiring 1 and secondary wiring 2 include high-power wires H for supplying power and low-power wires L for transmitting electrical signals. For example, a gate light is connected to the tip of the secondary wiring 2 of the high-power wire H, and a switch for the gate light is connected to the base end of the primary wiring 1 of the high-power wire H. Also, for example, an intercom handset is connected to the tip of the secondary wiring 2 of the low-power wire L, and the intercom master unit is connected to the base end of the secondary wiring 2 of the low-power wire L.

As shown in Fig. 2, the lower introduction hole 12 of the lower wall portion 6 is blocked by a blocking material 13 to prevent water and dust from entering the storage space S through the lower introduction hole 12. When the secondary wiring 2 is introduced into the storage space S through the lower introduction hole 12, as shown in Fig. 3, the blocking material 13 of the lower introduction hole 12 through which the secondary wiring 2 passes is removed to open the lower introduction hole 12, and the tip side of the secondary wiring 2 is introduced into the storage space S through the opened lower introduction hole 12.
Although not shown in Figure 3, an electric conduit is connected to the open lower introduction hole 12 using a piping connector, and the base end side of the secondary wiring 2 arranged in the electric conduit is introduced into the storage space S through the lower introduction hole 12.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the tip end of the primary wiring 1, which passes through the rear introduction hole 11, and the base end of the secondary wiring 2, which passes through the lower introduction hole 12, are connected to form the connection portion 3, and the joint box B is configured so that this connection portion 3 can be stored in the storage space S. In this embodiment, the primary wiring 1 and secondary wiring 2 are connected using a connection member 14 such as a plug-in connector, and the tip end of the primary wiring 1, the base end of the secondary wiring 2, and the connection member 14 are stored in the storage space S as the connection portion 3.

High-power cables H are introduced into either the first storage space S1 or the second storage space S2 (first storage space S1 in the example shown in FIG. 3), and low-power cables L are introduced into the other of the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2 into which the high-power cables H are not introduced (second storage space S2 in the example shown in FIG. 3). The space into which the high-power cables H are introduced (first storage space S1 in the example shown in FIG. 3) and the space into which the low-power cables L are introduced (second storage space S2 in the example shown in FIG. 3) are separated by a partition plate 9 made of an insulating material (e.g., a resin material such as ABS resin), separating the high-power cables H and the low-power cables L.

Next, the specific configuration of the joint box B will be described.
2, 3, and 6, the box main body 7 of the joint box B has an L-shaped cross section as viewed in the width direction, which is formed by a rear wall 5 covering the rear side X2 of the storage space S and a lower wall 6 covering the lower side Z2 of the storage space S. Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the box main body 7 is provided at both ends in the width direction Y with a pair of lateral walls 17, one covering the first width side Y1 of the storage space S and the other covering the second width side Y2 of the storage space S. In other words, the box main body 7 is formed in a shape that covers both sides in the width direction Y (the first width side Y1 and the second width side Y2) of the storage space S in addition to the rear side X2 and the lower side Z2.

An opening (not shown) is formed in the exterior wall W of the house (see Figures 1 and 3) for bringing the primary wiring 1 from inside the house to the outdoors, and the rear wall 5 is fixed to the exterior wall W so as to cover the opening. The rear wall 5 also has multiple insertion holes 19 formed therein through which screws (not shown) can be inserted to secure the rear wall 5 to the exterior wall W, and the rear wall 5 is secured to the exterior wall W using multiple screws.

2 and 3, the rear wall 5 has two rear introduction holes 11 aligned in the width direction Y. The rear wall 5 has the two rear introduction holes 11: a first-side rear introduction hole 11A located on a first width direction side Y1, and a second-side rear introduction hole 11B located on a second width direction side Y2.
In this embodiment, a connecting portion 15 for connecting the partition plate 9 to the rear wall portion 5 is provided in the center of the width direction Y of the rear wall portion 5, and a first side rear introduction hole 11A is formed on the first width direction side Y1 from the connecting portion 15 in the rear wall portion 5, and a second side rear introduction hole 11B is formed on the second width direction side Y2 from the connecting portion 15 in the rear wall portion 5.

The lower wall 6 of the box main body 7 has three lower introduction holes 12 aligned in the width direction Y. The three lower introduction holes 12 on the lower wall 6 include a middle lower introduction hole 12C located in the middle of the width direction Y, a first-side lower introduction hole 12A located on a first width direction side Y1, and a second-side lower introduction hole 12B located on a second width direction side Y2.
In this embodiment, the intermediate lower introduction hole 12C is formed in the center of the lower wall portion 6 in the width direction Y, and the intermediate lower introduction hole 12C is formed at a position overlapping with the connected portion 15 in the width direction Y. The first-side lower introduction hole 12A, which is formed on the first width direction side Y1 of the intermediate lower introduction hole 12C, is formed at a position overlapping with the first-side rear introduction hole 11A in the width direction Y. The second-side lower introduction hole 12B, which is formed on the second width direction side Y2 of the intermediate lower introduction hole 12C, is formed at a position overlapping with the second-side rear introduction hole 11B in the width direction Y.

2 to 5 , the partition plate 9 is connected to the box main body 7 so as to be able to swing about a swing axis P along the up-down direction Z, with its rear end portion positioned between the two rear introduction holes 11. In this embodiment, the partition plate 9 is provided at its rear end with a swing shaft portion 16 formed in the shape of a round shaft along the swing axis P, and the swing shaft portion 16 is connected to the connected portion 15 of the rear wall portion 5 so as to be able to swing about the swing axis P.
The partition plate 9 is configured to be able to change its position between a first position (see FIGS. 3 and 4) in which it is located between the intermediate lower introduction hole 12C and the first-side lower introduction hole 12A in a plan view by swinging about the swing axis P, and a second position (see FIG. 5) in which it is located between the intermediate lower introduction hole 12C and the second-side lower introduction hole 12B in a plan view. In addition to the first and second positions, the partition plate 9 is also configured to be able to change its position to a third position (see FIG. 2) that is intermediate between the first and second positions and overlaps with the intermediate lower introduction hole 12C in a plan view by swinging about the swing axis P.

As shown in Figures 2 to 5, whether the partition plate 9 is in the first, second, or third position, the first-side rear inlet 11A and the first-side lower inlet 12A are located on the first widthwise side Y1 relative to the partition plate 9. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, the tip end of the primary wiring 1 can be introduced into the first-side storage space S1 through the first-side rear inlet 11A, and the base end of the secondary wiring 2 can be introduced into the first-side storage space S1 through the first-side lower inlet 12A. The tip end of the primary wiring 1 and the base end of the secondary wiring 2 introduced into the first-side storage space S1 can then be connected, and the connected connection portion 3 can be stored in the first-side storage space S1.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, whether the partition plate 9 is in the first, second, or third position, the second-side rear inlet 11B and the second-side lower inlet 12B are located on the second widthwise side Y2 relative to the partition plate 9. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, the tip end of the primary wiring 1 can be introduced into the second-side storage space S2 through the second-side rear inlet 11B, and the base end of the secondary wiring 2 can be introduced into the second-side storage space S2 through the second-side lower inlet 12B. The tip end of the primary wiring 1 and the base end of the secondary wiring 2 introduced into the second-side storage space S2 can then be connected, and the connected connection portion 3 can be stored in the second-side storage space S2.

2 and 4, when the partition plate 9 is in the first position, the intermediate lower introduction hole 12C is located on the second widthwise side Y2 with respect to the partition plate 9. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, the base end of the secondary wiring 2 can be introduced into the second-side storage space S2 through the intermediate lower introduction hole 12C, and the base end of the secondary wiring 2 introduced into the second-side storage space S2 can be connected to the tip end of the primary wiring 1 introduced into the second-side storage space S2 through the second-side rear introduction hole 11B, and the connected connection portion 3 can be stored in the second-side storage space S2.
5, when the partition plate 9 is in the second position, the intermediate lower introduction hole 12C is located on the first side Y1 in the width direction with respect to the partition plate 9. Therefore, although not shown, the base end of the secondary wiring 2 can be introduced into the first-side storage space S1 through the intermediate lower introduction hole 12C, and the base end of the secondary wiring 2 introduced into the first-side storage space S1 can be connected to the tip end of the primary wiring 1 introduced into the first-side storage space S1 through the first-side rear introduction hole 11A, and the connected connection portion 3 can be stored in the first-side storage space S1.

As shown in Figure 6, the partition plate 9 is connected to the box main body 7 so as to be movable in the vertical direction Z between an elevated position (position shown by a solid line in Figure 6) and a lowered position (position shown by a virtual line in Figure 6) moved downward from this elevated position to the lower side Z2.
The box main body 7 also includes a restricting portion 21 that restricts the swinging of the partition plate 9 in the first posture and the lowered position and the partition plate 9 in the second posture and the lowered position about the swinging axis P while allowing the partition plate 9 in the raised position to swing about the swinging axis P. The restricting portion 21 is also configured to restrict the swinging of the partition plate 9 in the third posture and the lowered position about the swinging axis P.

To explain further, the swing shaft 16 at the end of the rear side X2 of the partition plate 9 is connected to the connection part 15 provided on the rear wall part 5 so that it can move in the vertical direction Z. A through hole 24 is formed in the partition plate 9, penetrating it in its thickness direction, and the connection part 15 can enter into the through hole 24, allowing the partition plate 9 to swing around the swing axis P. Furthermore, because the through hole 24 is formed as an elongated hole that is longer in the vertical direction Z than the connection part 15, the partition plate 9 can move in the vertical direction Z.

A protrusion 22 that protrudes toward the downward side Z2 is formed at the lower end of the partition plate 9, and as shown in Figures 4 to 6, a regulating engagement groove 23 is formed in the lower wall portion 6 at a position corresponding to each of the first, second, and third positions of the partition plate 9.
The regulating portion 21 is configured to regulate the swinging of the partition plate 9 around the swing axis P in each of the first, second, and third positions by lowering the partition plate 9 from the raised position to the lowered position while changing its position to the first, second, or third position, so that the protrusion 22 engages with one of the three regulating engagement grooves 23.
In addition, when the partition plate 9 is raised to the raised position, the regulating portion 21 is configured so that the engagement of the protrusion 22 with the regulating engagement groove 23 is released, thereby allowing the partition plate 9 to swing around the swing axis P.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cover portion 8 is formed in a shape that, together with the side wall portions 17 of the box main body 7, covers not only the front side X1 and upper side Z1 of the storage space S that are not covered by the box main body 7, but also both sides in the width direction Y of the storage space S that are covered by the side wall portions 17 of the box main body 7 (the first width direction side Y1 and the second width direction side Y2).

The cover 8 is detachable from the box body 7 by sliding it in a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction X (in this embodiment, the up-down direction Z). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , a slit-shaped cover detachment engaging portion 25 is formed in the box body 7 along the up-down direction Z, and the upper end of the cover detachment engaging portion 25 is configured to engage with and disengage a mating portion (not shown) protruding from the rear side X2 end of the cover 8. The cover 8 is attached to the box body 7 by engaging the mating portion of the cover 8 with the upper end of the cover detachment engaging portion 25 and then moving the cover 8 downward Z2. The cover 8 is removed from the box body 7 by moving the cover 8 upward Z1 relative to the box body 7 to move the mating portion of the cover 8 to the upper end of the cover detachment engaging portion 25, and then disengaging the mating portion from the cover detachment engaging portion 25.

Next, a fastening structure for fastening the cover portion 8 to the box body portion 7 using the fastening members 26 will be described.
7, the box body 7 has a female thread 27 into which the fastening member 26 is threaded in a threading direction along the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, when the box body 7 is attached to a vertical wall surface, the front-rear direction X and the width direction Y are parallel to the horizontal direction, and the fastening member 26 is threaded in the front-rear direction X.
As shown in Figures 1 and 7, the cover portion 8 is configured to be fixed to the box main body portion 7 by inserting the fastening member 26 into the insertion portion 31 and screwing it into the female thread portion 27 while the cover portion 8 is attached to the box main body portion 7.
As shown in Figure 7, the insertion portion 31 is formed by a main body side insertion portion 32 formed on the box main body portion 7 and a cover side insertion portion 33 formed on the cover portion 8 so as to communicate with the main body side insertion portion 32 when the cover portion 8 is attached to the box main body portion 7.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the cover-side insertion portion 33 is configured such that the portion on the Z2 side below the body-side insertion portion 32 is expanded toward the Z2 side. In this embodiment, only the portion of the cover-side insertion portion 33 on the Z2 side below the body-side insertion portion 32 is expanded toward the Z2 side; the portion on the Z1 side above the body-side insertion portion 32 is not expanded toward the Z1 side, and the portions on the first widthwise side Y1 and the second widthwise side Y2 are not expanded toward the first widthwise side Y1 or the second widthwise side Y2.

7 to 9 , a step G is formed between the underside 33F of the cover-side insertion portion 33 and the underside 32F of the body-side insertion portion 32. The step G between the underside 33F of the cover-side insertion portion 33 and the underside 32F of the body-side insertion portion 32 is set to a size such that the fastening member 26 (see FIG. 9 ) located on the underside 31F of the insertion portion 31 in a state where it has separated from the female thread portion 27 and spans the body-side insertion portion 32 and the cover-side insertion portion 33 is in an inclined position positioned on the lower side Z2 as it moves outward (toward the front side X1) away from the female thread portion 27 in the front-rear direction.
The angle of the tilted posture at which the box moves outward due to its own weight is set based on the friction coefficient of the materials of the fastening members 26, the cover part 8, and the box main body 7. When the fastening members 26 are made of metal such as stainless steel or aluminum, and the box main body 7 and the cover part 8 are made of resin such as AAS resin or ABS resin, the tilted posture is set to 5 degrees or more.
Specifically, for example, if the fastening member 26 is made of stainless steel and the box main body 7 and cover 8 are made of ABS resin, the angle of the inclined posture needs to be 5 degrees or more, and in this embodiment it is set to 5 degrees.

The joint box B has an inclined surface 34 located on the lower side Z2 closer to the forward side X1, between the underside 32F of the main body insertion portion 32 and the underside 33F of the cover side insertion portion 33 in the front-to-rear direction X and in the up-down direction Z. In this embodiment, the inclined surface 34 is formed on the box main body 7, further forward on the X1 side than the cover side insertion portion 33, and extends diagonally downward from the end of the front side X1 of the underside 32F of the main body side insertion portion 32. The end of the inclined surface 34 on the forward side X1 is located at the same height as the end of the rear side X2 of the underside 33F of the cover side insertion portion 33. This inclined surface 34 allows the fastening member 26 inserted into the insertion portion 31 to be guided from the cover side insertion portion 33 to the main body side insertion portion 32.

7 to 9, the cover-side insertion portion 33 is formed with a large-diameter portion 33A into which the head 36 of the fastening member 26 fits. As shown in Fig. 7, when the cover 8 is fixed to the box body 7 by the fastening member 26, the bearing surface of the head 36 of the fastening member 26 is located within the large-diameter portion 33A so as to contact the bottom surface of the large-diameter portion 33A. As shown in Fig. 9, when the male thread portion 37 of the fastening member 26 is disengaged from the female thread portion 27, the head 36 is located on the front side X1 relative to the large-diameter portion 33A.
Therefore, the insertion portion 31 is configured such that, when the fastening member 26 spans the body-side insertion portion 32 and the cover-side insertion portion 33, the male threaded portion 37 or the cylindrical portion 38 (the portion of the fastening member 26 between the male threaded portion 37 and the head 36) of the fastening member 26 is located on the underside 31F of the insertion portion 31. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , when the male threaded portion 37 of the fastening member 26 is disengaged from the female threaded portion 27 and the fastening member 26 is located at the rearmost side X2 within the insertion portion 31, the head 36 of the fastening member 26 is located on the forward side X1 of the large-diameter portion 33A, the male threaded portion 37 is located on the underside 32F of the body-side insertion portion 32, and the cylindrical portion 38 is located on the underside 33F of the cover-side insertion portion 33. In this state, the fastening member 26 is in an inclined position in which it moves outward (toward the forward side X1) due to its own weight.

As described above, the partition plate 9 is connected to the box main body 7 so that it can swing about a swing axis P along the vertical direction Z, with its rear end positioned between the two rear introduction holes 11, and is configured to be able to change its position between a first position and a second position by swinging about the swing axis P.
The position of the partition plate 9 can be changed by swinging the partition plate 9 around the swing axis P, so the position of the partition plate 9 can be changed without removing the partition plate 9 from the box main body 7, eliminating the risk of losing the partition plate 9.
Furthermore, since the rear end of the partition plate 9 is located between the two rear introduction holes 11, the wiring inside the rear introduction holes 11 can be prevented from interfering with the partition plate 9 by the part of the rear wall 5 located between the rear introduction holes 11, and even if the posture of the partition plate 9 is changed, the position of the rear end of the partition plate 9 does not change from the position between the two rear introduction holes 11, making it easier to make the rear introduction holes 11 larger than if the entire partition plate 9 were moved.

In addition, the cover part side insertion portion 33 of the insertion portion 31 is configured by expanding the portion on the lower side Z2 downward more than the main body part side insertion portion 32, and the step G between the lower surface 33F of the cover part side insertion portion 33 and the lower surface 32F of the main body part side insertion portion 32 is set to a size such that the fastening member 26 located on the lower surface 31F of the insertion portion 31, when detached from the female thread portion 27 and spanning the main body part side insertion portion 32 and the cover part side insertion portion 33, assumes an inclined position and moves forward to the forward side X1 under its own weight.
Therefore, even if the tip of the fastening member 26 that has been detached from the female screw portion 27 is positioned within the main body side insertion portion 32, the fastening member 26 will move to the forward side X1 due to its own weight, and the fastening member 26 can be detached from the main body side insertion portion 32.

[Another embodiment]
Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the configurations of the embodiments described below are not limited to being applied independently, but can also be applied in combination with the configurations of other embodiments.

(1) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which joint box B was installed on an exterior wall. However, this configuration is not limited to this. For example, joint box B may be installed in the attic, or the location in which joint box B is installed may be changed as appropriate.

(2) In the above embodiment, a restricting unit 21 is provided that restricts the swinging of the partition plate 9 in the lowered position, and the restricting unit 21 restricts the swinging of the partition plate 9 about the swing axis P in each of the first, second, and third positions. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the restricting unit 21 may restrict the swinging of the partition plate 9 about the swing axis P in only the first and second positions. Furthermore, the configuration of the restricting unit 21 may be modified as appropriate, such as by moving the restricting unit 21 in the vertical direction Z between an engagement position where it engages with the upper end of the partition plate 9 and a release position where it is moved upward Z1 from this engagement position to release its engagement with the partition plate 9, thereby restricting the swinging of the partition plate 9 about the swing axis P without moving the partition plate 9 in the vertical direction Z.

(3) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the insertion portion 31 was provided on the front surface of the joint box B and the screwing direction was the front-to-rear direction X. However, the insertion portion 31 may also be provided on the side surface of the joint box B and the screwing direction may be the width direction Y.

(4) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the cover 8 is attached and detached by sliding it in the up-down direction Z relative to the box main body 7. However, this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the configuration for attaching and detaching the cover 8 to and from the box main body 8 may be changed as appropriate, such as by sliding the cover 8 in the width direction Y or the front-to-back direction X relative to the box main body 7.

(5) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which only the portion of the cover-side insertion portion 33 on the lower side Z2 than the main body-side insertion portion 32 is enlarged. However, this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the entire cover-side insertion portion 33, including the portion on the lower side Z2, may be enlarged.

(6) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the fastening structure was employed in a joint box B. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the object employing the fastening structure may be an exposed round box, an outlet box, a pull box, a power meter box, or a power meter mounting panel. The object employing the fastening structure may be any object that can be attached or detached by sliding the cover portion 8 in a direction intersecting the screwing direction. The fastening structure can be applied to various structures that fasten and fix a fixing member that is attached by sliding it in a direction intersecting the screwing direction to a fixed member having a female thread portion 27 into which a fastening member 26 is screwed along the screwing direction.

1 Primary side wiring 2 Secondary side wiring 3 Connection portion 5 Rear wall portion 6 Lower wall portion 7 Box main body portion 8 Cover portion 9 Partition plate 11 Rear introduction hole 12 Lower introduction hole 12A First side lower introduction hole 12B Second side lower introduction hole 12C Middle lower introduction hole 26 Fastening member 27 Female thread portion 31 Insertion portion 32 Main body side insertion portion 32F Lower surface 33 Cover side insertion portion 33F Lower surface B Joint box G Step P Swing axis S Storage space S1 First side storage space S2 Second side storage space X Front-rear direction (screw direction)
X1 Front side (outside)
X2 Rear side Y Width direction Y1 Width direction first side Y2 Width direction second side Z Vertical direction Z2 Lower side

Claims (5)

a box body including a rear wall covering a rear side of a storage space that stores a connection portion between a primary side wiring and a secondary side wiring, and a lower wall covering a lower side of the storage space;
a cover portion that covers a portion of the storage space that is not covered by the box main body portion,
the rear wall portion includes a rear introduction hole for introducing a tip end of the primary side wiring into the storage space,
The lower wall portion is a joint box having a lower introduction hole for introducing a base end side of the secondary side wiring into the storage space,
The storage space further includes a partition plate that divides the storage space into a first storage space and a second storage space in the width direction,
The side of the second storage space in the width direction where the first storage space is present is defined as a first width direction side, and the opposite side is defined as a second width direction side,
the rear wall portion includes two rear introduction holes aligned in the width direction,
the lower wall portion includes, as the three lower introduction holes aligned in the width direction, a middle lower introduction hole located in the middle in the width direction, a first-side lower introduction hole located on a first side in the width direction, and a second-side lower introduction hole located on a second side in the width direction;
The partition plate is connected to the box main body so that it can swing about a swing axis along the vertical direction with its rear end positioned between the two rear introduction holes, and is configured so that it can change its position by swinging about the swing axis between a first position in which it is positioned between the intermediate lower introduction hole and the first side lower introduction hole in a planar view and a second position in which it is positioned between the intermediate lower introduction hole and the second side lower introduction hole in a planar view. the partition plate is connected to the box main body so as to be movable along the up-down direction between an elevated position and a lowered position moved downward from the elevated position,
The joint box according to claim 1, wherein the box main body is provided with a regulating portion that allows the partition plate in the raised position to swing about the swing axis while regulating the swing of the partition plate in the first posture and the lowered position and the partition plate in the second posture and the lowered position about the swing axis. the partition plate is configured to be able to swing around the swing axis to change its position to a third position that is an intermediate position between the first position and the second position and overlaps with the intermediate lower introduction hole in a plan view,
The joint box according to claim 2 , wherein the restricting portion is configured to restrict the swinging of the partition plate about the swing axis when the partition plate is in the third posture and at the lowered position. the box body portion includes a female screw portion into which a fastening member is screwed along a screwing direction along a horizontal direction,
The cover portion is configured to be detachable from the box main body portion by sliding the cover portion in a direction intersecting the screwing direction, and is configured to be fixed to the box main body portion by screwing the fastening member inserted into the insertion portion into the female screw portion while the cover portion is attached to the box main body portion,
the insertion portion is formed by a main body portion-side insertion portion formed on the box main body portion, and a cover portion-side insertion portion formed on the cover portion so as to communicate with the main body portion-side insertion portion in a state in which the cover portion is attached to the box main body portion,
The joint box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover-side insertion portion is configured by expanding a portion below the main body-side insertion portion downward. The joint box described in claim 4, wherein the step between the underside of the cover-side insertion portion and the underside of the main body-side insertion portion is set to a size such that the fastening member, which has been released from the female thread and is positioned on the underside of the insertion portion when spanning the main body-side insertion portion and the cover-side insertion portion, moves outward under its own weight in an inclined position such that the further outward it is from the female thread in the screwing direction, the lower it becomes.