JP7827652B2 - Electrical junction box - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical junction box that includes an electronic component and a housing for mounting the electronic component.

Conventionally, electrical junction boxes used in automobiles and other vehicles are configured to mount electronic components such as relays and fuses in a housing of a predetermined shape made of resin or other material, and to electrically connect the input and output terminals of these electronic components to terminals or bus bars connected to external loads (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-158479 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-222106

In the conventional electrical junction box described above, multiple terminals of an electronic component are inserted into insertion holes provided in a housing, and the electronic component is held in the housing. To facilitate insertion of the terminals of the electronic component into the insertion holes, the opening edges of the insertion holes are typically chamfered, and the terminals are guided into the insertion holes along the chamfered surface (e.g., a so-called C-surface). However, chamfering the opening edges of the insertion holes reduces the housing's thickness by the chamfered amount, thereby shortening the insertion hole's length. In other words, chamfering the opening edges of the insertion holes reduces the contact area between the inner surface of the insertion holes and the terminals. If this contact area becomes excessively small, for example, depending on the installation orientation of the electrical junction box in an automobile or other vehicle, external vibrations acting on the electrical junction box can cause the electronic component to tilt or become displaced significantly. As such, it is generally difficult to achieve both ease of installation of the electronic component in the housing (i.e., ease of insertion into the insertion holes) and prevention of misalignment or tilting of the electronic component.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide an electrical junction box that allows for easy attachment of electronic components to a housing while also preventing tilting of the electronic components.

To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the electrical junction box of the present invention has the following features:

An electrical connection box comprising an electronic component and a housing for mounting the electronic component,
The electronic component is
a plurality of terminals extending from the electronic component to be connected to mating terminals ;
The housing includes:
a plurality of insertion holes communicating with terminal accommodating chambers into which the plurality of terminals are inserted and into which the mating terminals are accommodated when the electronic component is attached to the housing;
At least one of the plurality of insertion holes is
an extension portion extending from a peripheral portion of the insertion hole on an exit side in the insertion direction of the terminal into the insertion hole,
It must be an electrical junction box.

In the electrical junction box according to the present invention, at least one of the multiple insertion holes provided in the housing of the electrical junction box has an extension extending from the periphery of the insertion hole on the outlet side in the insertion direction of the terminals of the electronic component into the insertion hole. The provision of the extension on the periphery of the insertion hole causes the inner surface of the insertion hole to expand in the insertion direction along the extension, increasing the contact area between the terminals of the electronic component and the inner surface of the insertion hole. This reduces misalignment and tilt of the electronic component compared to when the insertion hole does not have an extension, without compromising the terminal guidance effect provided by the chamfered opening edge of the insertion hole. Therefore, an electrical junction box with this configuration can easily attach electronic components to the housing while also preventing tilt of the electronic component.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the detailed description of the invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of the electrical junction box shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the electronic components shown in FIG. 2 in a standalone state. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, showing the periphery of the cavity in which the electronic component shown in FIG. 3 is housed. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG.

<Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an electric junction box 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The electric junction box 1 is typically a relay box mounted on a vehicle and accommodating electronic components such as relays and fuses, and includes a housing 10 and a plurality of electronic components 20 accommodated in the housing 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 .

For ease of explanation, the following definitions are used for "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" as shown in Figure 1 and elsewhere. The front-to-rear, left-to-right, and up-to-lower directions are perpendicular to one another. The up-to-lower direction (downward) corresponds to the insertion direction (insertion orientation) of terminals 22 (described below) of electronic components 20 (20A) into insertion holes 15 (described below), and the "upper" and "lower" sides correspond to the "upper" and "lower" sides of the vehicle when the electrical junction box 1 is mounted on the vehicle. Note that these directions are defined merely for ease of explanation and do not necessarily correspond to the front-to-rear, left-to-right, and up-to-lower directions of the vehicle when the electrical junction box 1 is mounted on the vehicle. Each component constituting the electrical junction box 1 will be described below.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 10 is a resin enclosure having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that extends in the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-down directions. The housing 10 may be composed of a single resin molded body, or may be composed of a combination of multiple resin molded bodies.

The top surface of the housing 10 is formed with multiple cavities 11 for accommodating multiple electronic components 20. Each cavity 11 is a recessed portion that is recessed downward and opens upward. An electric wire insertion portion 12 is provided at the lower right end of the front surface of the housing 10 (see Figures 1 and 2). Electric wires 30 electrically connected to the electronic components 20 accommodated in the housing 10 extend forward from the inside of the housing 10 to the outside (see Figures 1 and 2).

Each of the multiple electronic components 20 housed in the housing 10 is a relay, a fusible link, a fuse, or the like. Below, we will focus on one of the multiple electronic components 20 housed in the housing 10, electronic component 20A (in this example, a relay; see Figures 1 and 2). Electronic component 20A is housed from top to bottom in one cavity 11A (see Figures 1 and 2) of the multiple cavities 11 provided in the housing 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, electronic component 20A is composed of a main body 21 and multiple (four) tab-shaped (rectangular, flat) terminals 22-25 extending downward from main body 21. Main body 21 is the portion housed in cavity 11A. Main body 21 has an external shape that corresponds to the shape of the hollow portion of cavity 11A, and in this example, has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the front-to-rear, left-to-right, and up-down directions. A pair of front and rear locking portions (locking protrusions) 21a are provided on the front and rear surfaces of main body 21, corresponding to a pair of front and rear locking portions (not shown) provided on the cavity 11A side. Engagement between locking portions 21a and the locking portions prevents main body 21 (electronic component 20A) housed in cavity 11A from slipping out upward.

The thickness direction of each of terminals 22 and 23 is oriented in the front-to-rear direction, with terminal 22 extending downward from the rear end of the underside of main body 21, and terminal 23 extending downward from the center of the front-to-rear direction of the underside of main body 21 so as to face terminal 22 with a gap in the front-to-rear direction. The thickness direction of each of terminals 24 and 25 is oriented in the left-to-right direction, and terminal 24 extends downward from the front end of the underside of main body 21 so as to face each other with a gap in the left-to-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, a terminal accommodating chamber 13 is formed in the lower portion of the cavity 11A in the housing 10, opening downward and extending vertically to accommodate the terminal 22. An insertion hole 15 (i.e., a vertically extending through-hole) for inserting the terminal 22 is formed in the partition wall between the upper end of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 and the bottom surface 17 of the cavity 11A (i.e., the bottom wall of the cavity 11A). A tapered chamfer 15a is formed on the upper opening edge of the insertion hole 15 (i.e., the opening edge on the entrance side in the downward insertion direction of the terminal 22) (see also FIG. 5). Similarly, a terminal accommodating chamber 14 is formed in the lower portion of the cavity 11A in the housing 10 to accommodate the terminal 23. An insertion hole 16 (i.e., a vertically extending through-hole) for inserting the terminal 23 is formed in the partition wall between the upper end of the terminal accommodating chamber 14 and the bottom surface 17 of the cavity 11A (i.e., the bottom wall of the cavity 11A). A tapered chamfer 16a is formed on the upper opening edge of the insertion hole 16 (i.e., the opening edge on the entrance side when the terminal 23 is inserted (downward)). Similar to terminals 22 and 23, terminal 24 also has a corresponding terminal accommodating chamber and a corresponding insertion hole with a chamfer formed on the upper opening edge formed in the lower part of cavity 11A in housing 10. Although not shown in Figure 4, the same applies to terminal 25.

When the main body 21 of the electronic component 20A is inserted into the cavity 11A from above, as shown in Figure 4, the tip ends (lower ends) of the terminals 22 and 23 pass downward through the insertion holes 15 and 16, respectively, and are positioned within the terminal accommodating chambers 13 and 14. At this time, the chamfered portions 15a and 16a function to guide the terminals 22 and 23 into the insertion holes 15 and 16, respectively. Similarly to terminals 22 and 23, the tip ends of the terminals 24 and 25 also pass downward through the corresponding insertion holes and are positioned within the corresponding terminal accommodating chambers.

A female terminal can be inserted from below into each of the terminal accommodating chambers corresponding to the multiple (four) terminals 22-25. In the example shown in Figure 4, a female terminal 40 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 corresponding to terminal 22, and the tip of the terminal 22 located in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 and the leaf spring portion 41 of the female terminal 40 are in pressing contact. The female terminal 40 is electrically connected directly or indirectly to the electric wire 30 (see Figures 1 and 2). As a result, the electronic component 20A accommodated in the cavity 11A is electrically connected to the electric wire 30 via the terminal 22 and the female terminal 40.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the insertion hole 15 has an extension 15b (see Figure 5) that extends downward (i.e., in the insertion direction of the terminal 22) from a portion of the periphery (i.e., specifically, the rear portion of the periphery) of the lower periphery (i.e., the periphery on the exit side in the insertion direction (downward) of the terminal 22). The chamfer angle θ1 (see Figure 5) of the chamfered portion 15a of the insertion hole 15 having the extension 15b is smaller than the chamfer angle θ2 (see Figure 4) of the chamfered portion 16a of the insertion hole 16 that does not have an extension such as the extension 15b. Note that the "chamfer angle" refers to the angle that the chamfered portion 15a (the C-face of a C-chamfer), which is provided at an angle relative to the bottom surface 17 of the cavity 11A (in other words, in the front-to-rear direction) on the periphery of the insertion hole 15, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, makes with the bottom surface 17.

Extending portion 15b is positioned so that it does not interfere with the female terminal 40 accommodated in terminal accommodating chamber 13. Furthermore, like insertion hole 16, the insertion holes corresponding to terminals 24 and 25 other than insertion holes 15 and 16 do not have extending portions like extending portion 15b, and the chamfer angle of the chamfered portion of the insertion hole is greater than the chamfer angle θ1 of chamfered portion 15a of insertion hole 15.

With regard to the insertion hole 15, the extension 15b is provided on the lower periphery, so the inner surface of the insertion hole 15 widens along the extension 15b, increasing the contact area between the terminal 22 of the electronic component 20A and the inner surface of the insertion hole 15. This reduces tilt and misalignment of the electronic component 20A when the electrical junction box 1 is subjected to vibration, for example, compared to when the extension 15b is not provided in the insertion hole 15. In addition, because the chamfer angle θ1 of the insertion hole 15 (see Figure 5) is smaller than the chamfer angle θ2 of the insertion hole 16 (see Figure 4), the contact area between the terminal 22 of the electronic component 20A and the inner surface of the insertion hole 15 is further increased.

<Actions and Effects>
As described above, according to the electrical junction box 1 of this embodiment, one of the insertion holes 15 provided in the housing 10 of the electrical junction box 1 has an extension portion 15b extending from the periphery of the insertion hole 15 on the outlet side in the insertion direction of the terminals 22 of the electronic component 20A into the insertion hole 15. The provision of the extension portion 15b on the periphery of the insertion hole 15 causes the inner surface of the insertion hole 15 to expand along the extension portion 15b, increasing the contact area between the terminals 22 of the electronic component 20A and the inner surface of the insertion hole 15. This reduces tilting of the electronic component 20A when vibrations or the like affect the electrical junction box 1 compared to when the extension portion 15b is not provided in the insertion hole 15. Therefore, the electrical junction box 1 of this embodiment can both facilitate attachment of the electronic component 20A to the housing 10 and prevent tilting of the electronic component 20A.

Furthermore, the chamfer angle θ1 of the opening edge on the entrance side of the insertion hole 15 having the extension 15b is smaller than the chamfer angle θ2 of the opening edge on the entrance side of the insertion hole 16 having no extension. This further increases the contact area between the terminal 22 of the electronic component 20A and the inner surface of the insertion hole 15. This further reduces tilt, etc., of the electronic component 20A.

<Other forms>
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. are possible as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

In the above embodiment, the chamfer angle θ1 (see FIG. 5) of the chamfered portion 15a of the insertion hole 15 having the extending portion 15b is smaller than the chamfer angle θ2 (see FIG. 4) of the chamfered portion 16a of the insertion hole 16 that does not have an extending portion such as the extending portion 15b. In contrast, the chamfer angle θ1 of the chamfered portion 15a of the insertion hole 15 having the extending portion 15b may be the same as or larger than the chamfer angle θ2 of the chamfered portion 16a of the insertion hole 16 that does not have an extending portion such as the extending portion 15b. Furthermore, an extending portion similar to the extending portion 15b may be provided in other insertion holes (e.g., insertion hole 16) in addition to the insertion hole 15.

Here, the features of the above-described embodiment of the electrical junction box 1 according to the present invention are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] and [2].

[1]
An electrical connection box (1) comprising an electronic component (20) and a housing (10) for mounting the electronic component (20),
The electronic component (20) is
The electronic component (20) has a plurality of terminals (22-25) extending therefrom;
The housing (10)
The housing (10) has a plurality of insertion holes (15, 16) into which the plurality of terminals (22 to 25) are inserted when the electronic component (20) is attached to the housing (10),
At least one (15) of the plurality of insertion holes (15, 16) is
an extension portion (15b) extending from a peripheral portion on the outlet side of the insertion hole (15) in the insertion direction of the terminal (22) into the insertion hole (15);
Electrical junction box (1).

In the electrical junction box of the configuration [1] above, at least one of the multiple insertion holes provided in the housing of the electrical junction box has an extension extending from the periphery of the insertion hole on the outlet side in the insertion direction of the terminals of the electronic component into the insertion hole. The extension provided on the periphery of the insertion hole widens the inner surface of the insertion hole along the extension in the insertion direction, increasing the contact area between the terminals of the electronic component and the inner surface of the insertion hole. This reduces misalignment and tilt of the electronic component compared to when the insertion hole does not have an extension, without compromising the terminal guiding effect provided by the chamfered opening edge of the insertion hole. Therefore, an electrical junction box of this configuration can both easily attach electronic components to the housing and prevent tilting of the electronic component.

[2]
In the electrical connection box (1) described in [1] above,
At least one other one (16) of the plurality of insertion holes (15, 16) does not have the extension portion (15b),
Each of the plurality of insertion holes (15, 16) is
The opening edge of the insertion hole on the entrance side in the insertion direction is chamfered (15a, 16a),
The chamfer angle (θ1) of the opening edge of the insertion hole (15) having the extension portion (15b) is smaller than the chamfer angle (θ2) of the opening edge of the insertion hole (16) not having the extension portion.
Electrical junction box (1).

In the electrical junction box with the configuration [2] above, the chamfer angle of the opening edge on the entrance side of the insertion hole with an extension is smaller than the chamfer angle of the opening edge on the entrance side of the insertion hole without an extension. This further increases the contact area between the terminal of the electronic component and the inner surface of the insertion hole. Note that the "chamfer angle" refers to the angle that the inclined surface (i.e., the surface resulting from the chamfer, such as the C-surface in a so-called C-chamfer) on the periphery of the insertion hole, which is inclined relative to the housing surface in which the insertion hole is provided, makes with respect to the housing surface.

1 Electrical junction box 10 Housing 15, 16 Insertion holes 15a, 16a Chamfered portion (chamfer)
15b Extension portion 20 Electronic component 22 to 25 Terminal

Claims (2)

An electrical connection box comprising an electronic component and a housing for mounting the electronic component,
The electronic component is
a plurality of terminals extending from the electronic component to be connected to mating terminals;
The housing includes:
a plurality of insertion holes communicating with terminal accommodating chambers into which the plurality of terminals are inserted and into which the mating terminals are accommodated when the electronic component is attached to the housing;
At least one of the plurality of insertion holes is
an extension portion extending from a peripheral portion of the insertion hole on an exit side in the insertion direction of the terminal into the insertion hole,
At least one other of the plurality of insertion holes does not have the extension portion,
Each of the plurality of insertion holes is
An opening edge on the entrance side of the insertion hole in the insertion direction is chamfered,
a chamfer angle of the opening edge of the insertion hole having the extending portion is smaller than a chamfer angle of the opening edge of the insertion hole not having the extending portion;
Electrical junction box. An electrical connection box comprising an electronic component and a housing for mounting the electronic component,
The electronic component is
a plurality of terminals extending from the electronic component;
The housing includes:
the housing has a plurality of insertion holes into which the plurality of terminals are inserted when the electronic component is attached to the housing,
At least one of the plurality of insertion holes is
an extension portion extending from a peripheral portion of the insertion hole on an exit side in the insertion direction of the terminal into the insertion hole,
At least one other of the plurality of insertion holes does not have the extension portion,
Each of the plurality of insertion holes is
An opening edge on the entrance side of the insertion hole in the insertion direction is chamfered,
a chamfer angle of the opening edge of the insertion hole having the extending portion is smaller than a chamfer angle of the opening edge of the insertion hole not having the extending portion;
Electrical junction box.