JP7845936B2 - Busbar mounting structure for electrical junction box - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a busbar mounting structure for an electrical junction box.

For example, a fuse box is known as an electrical connection box installed in a vehicle, which houses fuses, which are electrical components (see Patent Document 1). This type of fuse box comprises a resin box body (housing) and a resin cover (protective cover) that covers the opening at the top of the box body, and is configured to accommodate fuses.

The box body is provided with a fuse housing section (electrical component housing section) capable of housing a fuse, and a busbar housing section (terminal housing section) capable of housing a first busbar and a second busbar (first input/output terminal and second input/output terminal), to which fuse mounting sections are electrically connected to the two terminals of the fuse, respectively. External members (external conductors) are electrically connected to the external member mounting sections (conductor connection sections) of these first and second busbars.
The cover comprises a first cover portion that covers the closed side from the central part of the open portion of the box body, a second cover portion that covers the insertion side (the side into which the connection end of the external member is inserted) from the central part, and a thin connecting portion that connects the first cover portion and the second cover portion.

Furthermore, when the connection ends of the external components are connected to the external component mounting portions of the first and second busbars, respectively, the second cover portion can be rotated to open the upper part of the box body on the insertion side. In other words, after the external components are connected, the second cover portion is closed, preventing fingers or other objects from touching the conductor connection portions of the first and second busbars or the connection ends of the external components.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-26251

Incidentally, the external components connected to the conductor connection points of the first and second busbars are typically busbars (flat wiring materials) with an insulating coating covering the outer surface of a strip-shaped flat conductor, or terminal-equipped wires with connection terminals attached to the ends of the wires, depending on the layout and specifications of the fuse box when mounted in the vehicle. Furthermore, the connection ends of the external components are generally fastened with screws to the conductor connection points of the first and second busbars. However, the height in the fastening direction of terminal-equipped wires (wire diameter) and the height of the screw fastening point are higher than the height in the fastening direction of the busbars (plate thickness).

Therefore, the cover that covers the conductor connection portion of the first busbar and the second busbar (i.e., the second cover portion) is set to a height corresponding to the height in the fastening direction of the terminal-equipped wire or the height of the screw fastening portion.
Therefore, when the connection end of a busbar is screw-fastened to the conductor connection part of the first or second busbar, the gap between the busbar and the cover widens, making it easier for fingers or other objects to get in. As a result, the box body and cover need to cover a wider area of the busbar connection end (terminal), which leads to the problem of the fuse box becoming larger.

This invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and its objective is to provide a busbar mounting structure for an electrical junction box that can reliably ensure the function of preventing accidental contact with the busbars electrically connected to the electrical components inside the electrical junction box, while suppressing an increase in the size of the electrical junction box.

To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the busbar mounting structure for an electrical junction box according to the present invention is characterized by the following:
An electrical connection box having an electrically insulating housing body formed with an electrical component storage section for storing electrical components and a first terminal housing section for housing first input/output terminals electrically connected to the terminals of the electrical components, and a protective cover that covers the terminals of the electrical components and the first input/output terminals and is attached to the housing body,
A busbar in which the outer surface of a strip-shaped flat conductor is covered with an insulating coating, and the exposed conductor portion at the terminal is electrically connected to the conductor connection portion of the first input/output terminal,
A projection is provided in the first terminal housing so as to penetrate a through hole formed in the busbar and have its tip protrude into the gap between the busbar and the protective cover to prevent fingers from entering the first terminal housing,
A busbar mounting structure for an electrical junction box equipped with the following features.

According to the busbar mounting structure for an electrical junction box of the present invention, it is possible to reliably ensure the function of preventing accidental contact with the busbar, which is electrically connected to the electrical components inside the electrical junction box, while suppressing an increase in the size of the electrical junction box.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by referring to the accompanying drawings and reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments").

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical junction box equipped with a busbar mounting structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box, in which electrical components and a protective cover are mounted on the housing body shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the procedure for electrically connecting the external conductor to the first terminal housing and the second terminal housing of the electrical connection box shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the state in which the external conductors are electrically connected to the first terminal housing and the second terminal housing of the electrical junction box, respectively. Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the first terminal housing section of the electrical connection box shown in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the second terminal housing section of the electrical junction box shown in Figure 4. Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the first terminal housing portion according to a reference example of the present invention that does not have a protrusion. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the electrical components and protective cover mounted on the housing body of an electrical junction box according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the state in which the external conductors are electrically connected to the first terminal housing and the second terminal housing of the electrical connection box shown in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the first terminal housing section of the electrical connection box shown in Figure 9.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures.
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical junction box 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the electrical junction box 1 in which the fuse 2 and protective cover 6 are mounted on the housing body 5 shown in Figure 1.
In this specification, the front-to-back, up-and-down, and left-to-right directions of the electrical connection box 1 shall follow the directions of the arrows shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electrical connection box 1 according to this first embodiment is, for example, a fuse box mounted on a vehicle to house a fuse 2, which is an electrical component. The fuse 2 is located on the upstream side of the electrical wiring from the battery to the electrical equipment. The external conductors electrically connected to terminals 22 and 23 of the fuse 2 will be described using the example of a busbar (flat wiring material) 8 and a terminal-equipped wire 9.

The electrical junction box 1 has an electrically insulating housing body 5 made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and a protective cover 6.
The fuse 2 has a cylindrical fuse body 21 extending in the left-right direction, and terminals (fuse terminals) 22 and 23 protruding from both ends of the fuse body 21. Each of the terminals 22 and 23 has a roughly square plate shape, and through holes 22a and 23a are provided in the center through which a bolt 25 is inserted.

As shown in Figure 1, the housing body 5 includes an electrical component storage section 51 for housing the fuse 2, a first terminal housing section 53 for housing the first input/output terminal 3 electrically connected to one terminal 22 of the fuse 2, a second terminal housing section 54 for housing the second input/output terminal 4 electrically connected to the other terminal 23 of the fuse 2, and a fixing bracket 52 fixed to a support member (not shown).

The electrical component storage section 51 is formed as a bottomed box shape, opening forward from the longitudinal center (left-right center) of the housing body 5, and houses the fuse body 21 of the fuse 2. The first terminal storage section 53 is formed on the left side of the electrical component storage section 51, corresponding to one terminal 22 of the fuse 2, and the second terminal storage section 54 is formed on the right side of the electrical component storage section 51, corresponding to the other terminal 23 of the fuse 2.

An insert nut 55 for fixing the fuse 2 together with the first input/output terminal 3 is provided on the front surface of the first terminal housing 53, and a projection 50 that penetrates the through hole 85 of the bus bar 8, which will be described later, is provided on the upper surface of the first terminal housing 53. The projection 50 is formed in the shape of an elongated cylinder with an elongated oval cross-section that is long in the width direction of the bus bar 8.
An insert nut 55 for securing the fuse 2 together with the second input/output terminal 4 is provided on the front surface of the second terminal housing 54.

The first input/output terminal 3 is an L-shaped conductive metal plate that has a terminal connection portion 311 that is electrically connected to the terminal 22 of the fuse 2 which protrudes to the left from the electrical component storage portion 51, and a conductor connection portion 312 that is electrically connected to the flat conductor 81 of the busbar 8. The terminal connection portion 311 is provided with an oval through-hole 33 through which a bolt 25 is inserted. The conductor connection portion 312 is provided with a stud bolt 32 that protrudes upward.

The second input/output terminal 4 is an L-shaped conductive metal plate that has a terminal connection portion 411 that is electrically connected to the terminal 23 of the fuse 2 which protrudes to the right from the electrical component storage portion 51, and a conductor connection portion 412 that is electrically connected to the connection terminal 93 of the terminal-equipped wire 9. The terminal connection portion 411 is provided with an oval-shaped through hole 43 through which a bolt 25 is inserted. The conductor connection portion 412 is provided with a stud bolt 42 that protrudes upward.

The fixing bracket 52 is a portion that extends further longitudinally from both ends of the housing body 5 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction). The fixing bracket 52 has insertion holes for fixing the electrical junction box 1 using fasteners such as bolts, and a metal collar is attached to it.

The protective cover 6 is an insulating cover that is attached to the housing body 5 from above so as to cover the terminals 22 and 23 of the fuse 2, and the first input/output terminal 3 and the second input/output terminal 4.
The protective cover 6 comprises a cover body 60 in which an upper wall portion 61 and front wall portions 63, 63 are integrally molded, and a pair of covers 7A, 7B that are provided on the cover body 60 so as to be openable and closable.

The cover body 60 has an H-shaped upper wall portion 61 in plan view, which forms openings 66 above the first terminal housing portion 53 and the second terminal housing portion 54 of the housing body 5, and a pair of front wall portions 63, 63 that extend downward from the front edge of the upper wall portion 61 and cover the front of the first terminal housing portion 53 and the second terminal housing portion 54 of the housing body 5.

Furthermore, a cover 7A, acting as a first cover, is provided in an opening 66 of the upper wall portion 61 corresponding to the first terminal housing portion 53, so as to cover the conductor connection portion 312 of the first input/output terminal 3, and is designed to be openable and closable. Similarly, a cover 7B, acting as a second cover, is provided in an opening 66 of the upper wall portion 61 corresponding to the second terminal housing portion 54, so as to cover the conductor connection portion 412 of the second input/output terminal 4, and is designed to be openable and closable.

In this first embodiment, the second cover, cover 7B, is formed in the same shape as the first cover, cover 7A. Covers 7A and 7B are rotatably attached to the cover body 60 by a pair of pivot shafts 73 provided at one longitudinal end of the top wall 71, which are pivotally supported by a pair of bearings 65 provided in the opening 66 of the upper wall portion 61.
Locking projections 75, which are locking parts, are provided on both sides of the top wall 71 along its longitudinal direction. By locking these projections with a pair of locking parts 67 provided in the opening 66 of the upper wall 61, the covers 7A and 7B can be held in a closed position at the opening 66.

Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, the protective cover 6 can be rotated only by the covers 7A and 7B while maintaining the cover body 60 attached to the housing body 5, thereby opening the upper parts of the first terminal housing 53 and the second terminal housing 54 in the housing body 5. This allows the busbar 8, which is the external conductor, and the wire with terminals 9 to be attached to the housing body 5 without completely removing the protective cover 6 after the fuse 2, the first input/output terminal 3, and the second input/output terminal 4, which are located inside the housing body 5, have been installed.

The busbar 8 has a strip-shaped flat conductor 81, the outer surface of which is covered with an insulating coating 83, and the end is provided with a conductor exposed portion 84 where the insulating coating 83 has been removed to expose the flat conductor 81.
A through-hole 82 is formed in the conductor exposed portion 84 of the busbar 8, through which the stud bolt 32 of the first input/output terminal 3 is inserted. The through-hole 82 is formed in an elongated oval shape that is long in the direction of extension of the conductor exposed portion 84.

Furthermore, a through-hole 85 is formed near the conductor exposed portion 84 at the end of the busbar 8, through which a projection 50 provided on the first terminal housing portion 53 passes. The through-hole 85 is formed in an elongated oval shape that is long in the width direction of the busbar 8. It is desirable that the through-hole 85 be formed through the end of the busbar 8 covered with the insulating coating 83.
In this embodiment, the busbar 8 is bent so that the portion extending out from the first terminal housing 53 extends to the rear of the housing body 5.

The terminal-equipped wire 9 has a connecting terminal 93 crimped onto the exposed core wire 92, which is created by stripping the insulating coating 96 from the end of the insulated wire 91. The connecting terminal 93 has a through-hole 94 through which the stud bolt 42 of the second input/output terminal 4 is inserted. The crimped portion of the connecting terminal 93 is electrically insulated by being covered with an insulating material 95, such as insulating tape.

Next, we will explain the assembly procedure for electrical junction box 1.
First, the first input/output terminal 3 and the second input/output terminal 4 are arranged in the first terminal housing section 53 and the second terminal housing section 54 of the housing body 5, respectively. Then, the conductor connection portion 312 of the first input/output terminal 3 is placed on the upper surface of the first terminal housing section 53, and the terminal connection portion 311 abuts against an insert nut 55 provided on the front surface of the first terminal housing section 53. Similarly, the conductor connection portion 412 of the second input/output terminal 4 is placed on the upper surface of the second terminal housing section 54, and the terminal connection portion 411 abuts against an insert nut 55 provided on the front surface of the second terminal housing section 54.

Next, the fuse body 21 of fuse 2 is housed in the electrical component storage section 51. Then, the terminal 22 of fuse 2, which protrudes to the left from the electrical component storage section 51, is superimposed on the terminal connection section 311 of the first input/output terminal 3, and the terminal 23 of fuse 2, which protrudes to the right from the electrical component storage section 51, is superimposed on the terminal connection section 411 of the second input/output terminal 4.

Furthermore, bolts 25 inserted through the through-hole 22a of terminal 22 and the through-hole 33 of the first input/output terminal 3 are screwed into the insert nut 55, and bolts 25 inserted through the through-hole 23a of terminal 23 and the through-hole 43 of the second input/output terminal 4 are screwed into the insert nut 55. As a result, the fuse 2, the first input/output terminal 3, and the second input/output terminal 4 are fastened and fixed to the housing body 5.
Then, as shown in Figure 2, the protective cover 6, on which covers 7A and 7B are attached to the cover body 60 so as to be openable and closable, is mounted onto the housing body 5 from above, and the assembly of the electrical connection box 1 is completed.

Next, the connection procedure for the busbar 8 and terminal-equipped wire 9 connected to the first input/output terminal 3 and the second input/output terminal 4 of the electrical connection box 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 2 to 6.
First, as shown in Figure 2, the covers 7A and 7B of the protective cover 6 on the electrical connection box 1 are opened, and the upper parts of the first terminal housing section 53 and the second terminal housing section 54 on the housing body 5 are opened.

Then, the end of the busbar 8 is placed on the first terminal housing 53. As shown in Figure 3, the projection 50 provided on the first terminal housing 53 is passed through the through hole 85, and at the same time, the stud bolt 32 of the first input/output terminal 3 is inserted through the through hole 82 of the conductor exposed portion 84. At this time, the through hole 82 is formed in an elongated oval shape that is long in the direction of extension of the conductor exposed portion 84, which allows for dimensional tolerances of the protruding position of the stud bolt 32 relative to the projection 50, and enables smooth insertion of the stud bolt 32. Afterward, a nut 97 is screwed onto the stud bolt 32, fixing the end of the busbar 8 to the first terminal housing 53.

Furthermore, the connection terminal 93 of the wire with terminals 9 is placed on the second terminal housing 54, and as shown in Figure 3, the stud bolt 42 of the second input/output terminal 4 is inserted through the through hole 94. Then, a nut 97 is screwed onto the stud bolt 42, fixing the connection terminal 93 of the wire with terminals 9 to the second terminal housing 54.

Then, by rotating the covers 7A and 7B of the protective cover 6 in the closing direction and engaging the locking projection 75 with the locking portion 67, the upper parts of the first terminal housing portion 53 and the second terminal housing portion 54 of the housing body 5 are closed, as shown in Figure 4.
This completes the connection work of the busbar 8 and the terminal-equipped wire 9 to the first input/output terminal 3 and the second input/output terminal 4 of the electrical connection box 1.

Next, the operation of the busbar mounting structure of the electrical junction box according to the first embodiment described above will be explained.
In the electrical connection box 1 according to this first embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the first input/output terminal 3 (conductor connection part 312 and stud bolt 32) and nut 97 housed in the first terminal housing part 53 of the housing body 5 are covered by the cover 7A of the protective cover 6 to prevent contact with fingers or the like.

Here, the height of the screw fastening portion by the stud bolt 32 and nut 97 is higher than the height (plate thickness) of the busbar 8 in the fastening direction. Therefore, the cover 7A of the protective cover 6 covering the first input/output terminal 3 is set to a height corresponding to the height of the screw fastening portion. As a result, the gap between the end of the busbar 8, which is screw-fastened to the conductor connection portion 312 of the first input/output terminal 3, and the cover 7A of the protective cover 6 is widened, making it easier for fingers or tools such as a wrench held in the hand to enter.

However, in the busbar mounting structure of the electrical junction box according to this first embodiment, the projection 50 provided on the first terminal housing portion 53 penetrates the through hole 85 formed in the busbar 8, and its tip protrudes into the gap between the busbar 8 and the cover 7A of the protective cover 6.

Therefore, since the gap between the busbar 8 and the protective cover 6 is closed by the elongated cylindrical projection 50, as shown in Figure 5, even if a test finger 100, simulating a finger, is inserted into the gap between the busbar 8 and the protective cover 6 from the outside of the first terminal housing 53, the test finger 100 will come into contact with the projection 50, preventing it from reaching the first input/output terminal 3 (conductor connection portion 312 and stud bolt 32), as well as the nut 97 and the exposed conductor portion 84 of the busbar 8.

Furthermore, in the electrical connection box 1 according to this first embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the second input/output terminals 4 (conductor connection portion 412 and stud bolt 42) and nuts 97 housed in the second terminal housing portion 54 of the housing body 5 are covered by the cover 7B of the protective cover 6 to prevent contact with fingers or other body parts.

Here, the height of the screw fastening portion by the stud bolt 32 and nut 97 is approximately the same as the height of the crimped portion of the connection terminal 93 of the terminal-equipped electric wire 9. Therefore, the gap between the crimped portion of the connection terminal 93, which is screw-fastened to the conductor connection portion 412 of the second input/output terminal 4, and the cover 7B of the protective cover 6 becomes narrow, making it difficult for fingers or tools such as a wrench to enter.

Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, even if a test finger 100, simulating a finger, is inserted from the outside of the second terminal housing 54 into the gap between the terminal-equipped wire 9 and the protective cover 6, the test finger 100 will not reach the second input/output terminal 4 (conductor connection part 412 and stud bolt 42), nor the nut 97 or connection terminal 93.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a first terminal housing 553 according to a reference example that does not have the projection 50 of the present invention. Note that components similar to those in the electrical connection box 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted.
As shown in Figure 7, the upper surface of the first terminal housing portion 553 in the housing body 505 of the electrical connection box 501 in the reference example does not have the projection 50 described in the first embodiment. Also, no through hole 85 is formed near the conductor exposed portion 84 at the end of the busbar 508.

Therefore, in the electrical junction box 501 according to the reference example, the gap between the end of the busbar 508, which is screw-fastened to the conductor connection portion 312 of the first input/output terminal 3, and the cover 7A of the protective cover 6 is widened and not blocked by the projection 50 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, when a test finger 100, simulating a finger, is inserted into the gap between the busbar 508 and the protective cover 6 from the outside of the first terminal housing portion 553, the test finger 100 may reach the first input/output terminal 3 (conductor connection portion 312 and stud bolt 32), as well as the nut 97 and the exposed conductor portion 84 of the busbar 508.

Therefore, according to the busbar mounting structure of the electrical junction box according to this first embodiment, the function of preventing finger contact in the busbar 8 that is electrically connected to the fuse 2 inside the electrical junction box 1 can be reliably ensured.
Furthermore, the housing body 5 and protective cover 6 do not need to expand the area covering the exposed conductor portion 84 (terminal) of the busbar 8, thereby preventing the electrical connection box 1 from becoming larger.

Furthermore, when the ends of the busbar 8 are screw-fastened to the conductor connection portion 312 of the first input/output terminal 3 using stud bolts 32 and nuts 97, the projection 50 that penetrates the through-hole 85 of the busbar 8 prevents the busbar 8 from rotating. Therefore, in addition to the rotation-preventing effect of the inner walls of the first terminal housing portion 53 facing both sides of the conductor exposure portion 84, the rotation-preventing strength for the busbar 8 can be improved.

Furthermore, even when a terminal-equipped wire 9 is used as the external conductor connected to the conductor connection portion 412 of the second input/output terminal 4, the cover 7B of the protective cover 6 according to this first embodiment can be formed in the same shape as the cover 7A that covers the conductor connection portion 312 of the first input/output terminal 3 to which the busbar 8 is connected. Therefore, manufacturing costs can be reduced by sharing components.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the state in which the fuse 2 and protective cover 6A are attached to the housing body 5A of the electrical junction box 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the state in which the busbar 8 and terminal-equipped wire 9 are electrically connected to the first terminal housing section 53A and the second terminal housing section 54 of the electrical junction box 1A shown in Figure 8, respectively. Figure 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the first terminal housing section 53A of the electrical junction box 1A shown in Figure 9. Note that components similar to those in the electrical junction box 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

An electrical junction box 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention has an electrically insulating housing body 5A made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin and a protective cover 6A.
As shown in Figure 8, the housing body 5A includes a first terminal housing section 53A that houses a first input/output terminal 3 electrically connected to one terminal 22 of the fuse 2, and a second terminal housing section 54 that houses a second input/output terminal 4 electrically connected to the other terminal 23 of the fuse 2.

A rectangular plate-shaped projection 58 is vertically mounted on the upper surface of the first terminal housing 53A, passing through the through-hole 85 of the busbar 8. The projection 58 has a locking claw (locking part) 59 (see Figure 10) that engages with the lock arm (locking part) 74 of the cover 7C, which will be described later as the first cover, to hold the cover 7C in a closed state.

The protective cover 6A has a cover body 60A in which the upper wall portion 61 and the front wall portions 63, 63 are integrally molded, and a pair of covers 7C, 7B that are provided on the cover body 60A so as to be openable and closable.
In this second embodiment, the cover 7C, which serves as the first cover, is formed in a different shape from the cover 7B, which serves as the second cover.

The cover 7C is rotatably attached to the cover body 60A by pivoting a pair of pivot shafts 73, which are provided at one longitudinal end of the top wall 71, onto a pair of bearings 65 provided in the opening 66 of the upper wall portion 61.
Furthermore, the cover 7C has a locking arm 74 projecting downward from the other longitudinal end of the top wall 71, which acts as a locking part. The locking arm 74 engages with a locking claw 59, which acts as a locking part of a projection 58 provided on the first terminal housing 53A, thereby keeping the opening 66 closed.

Furthermore, a restricting wall 72 is provided on the outside of the lock arm 74 at the other longitudinal end of the top wall 71, parallel to the lock arm 74. The restricting wall 72 abuts against the outer surface of a projection 58 on which a lock claw 59 is provided on its inner surface, thereby restricting the movement of the cover 7C, on which the pivot shaft 73 is pivotally supported by the bearing 65, away from the lock arm 74 due to play in the assembly tolerance.

Therefore, the cover 7C, which can hold the opening 66 closed by locking the lock arm 74 with the lock claw 59, does not have locking projections 75 protruding from both sides along the longitudinal direction of the top wall 71. Also, the opening 66 of the top wall portion 61 of the cover body 60A is not provided with a pair of locking portions 67 for locking the cover 7C.
In other words, the cover body 60A does not need to have a locking portion 67 for locking the locking portion of the cover 7C. As a result, the shape of the cover body 60A can be simplified and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Furthermore, a locking hole (locking portion) can be provided in the top wall 71 of the first cover, cover 7C, and the locking claw 59 of the extended projection 58 can engage with the locking hole to hold cover 7C in a closed state.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the protective cover 6A can be rotated only by the cover 7C and cover 7B while maintaining the cover body 60A attached to the housing body 5A, thereby opening the upper parts of the first terminal housing 53A and the second terminal housing 54 on the housing body 5A. This allows the busbar 8 and the terminal-equipped wire 9 to be attached to the housing body 5A without completely removing the protective cover 6A, even after the fuse 2, the first input/output terminal 3, and the second input/output terminal 4 located inside the housing body 5A have been installed.

Subsequently, the cover 7C of the protective cover 6A is rotated in the closing direction, and the lock arm 74 is engaged with the lock claw 59 of the projection 58, thereby closing the area above the first terminal housing 53A of the housing body 5A, as shown in Figure 9. Also, the cover 7B of the protective cover 6A is rotated in the closing direction, and the locking projection 75 is engaged with the locking part 67, thereby closing the area above the second terminal housing 54 of the housing body 5A.
This completes the connection work of the busbar 8 and the terminal-equipped wire 9 to the first input/output terminal 3 and the second input/output terminal 4 of the electrical junction box 1A.

Next, the operation of the busbar mounting structure of the electrical junction box according to the second embodiment described above will be explained.
In the electrical connection box 1A according to this second embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, the first input/output terminal 3 (conductor connection part 312 and stud bolt 32) and nut 97 housed in the first terminal housing part 53A of the housing body 5A are covered by the cover 7C of the protective cover 6A to prevent contact with fingers or the like.

Furthermore, in the busbar mounting structure of the electrical connection box according to this second embodiment, the projection 58 provided on the first terminal housing portion 53A penetrates the through hole 85 formed through the busbar 8, and its tip protrudes into the gap between the busbar 8 and the cover 7C of the protective cover 6A.
Therefore, since the gap between the busbar 8 and the protective cover 6A is closed by the rectangular plate-shaped projection 58, as shown in Figure 10, even if a test finger 100, which simulates a finger, is inserted into the gap between the busbar 8 and the protective cover 6A from the outside of the first terminal housing 53A, the test finger 100 will come into contact with the projection 58 and the restricting wall 72, and will not reach the first input/output terminal 3 (conductor connection part 312 and stud bolt 32), nor the nut 97 or the conductor exposed part 84 of the busbar 8.

Therefore, according to the busbar mounting structure of the electrical junction box according to this second embodiment, the function of preventing finger contact in the busbar 8 that is electrically connected to the fuse 2 in the electrical junction box 1A can be reliably ensured.
Furthermore, the housing body 5A and protective cover 6A do not need to expand the area covering the exposed conductor portion 84 (terminal) of the busbar 8, thereby preventing the electrical junction box 1A from becoming larger.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc., as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, placement, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited, as long as they can achieve the present invention.
In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a busbar 8 is electrically connected to the first input/output terminal 3 housed in the electrical junction box 1, 1A, and a terminal-equipped wire 9 is electrically connected to the second input/output terminal 4. However, the busbar mounting structure of the electrical junction box according to the present invention can also be applied when the busbar 8 is electrically connected to the first input/output terminal 3 and the second input/output terminal 4, respectively.

Here, the features of the embodiments of the busbar mounting structure for the electrical junction box according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4].
[1] An electrical connection box (1, 1A) having an electrically insulating housing body (5, 5A) formed with an electrical component storage section (51) for storing an electrical component (fuse 2) and a first terminal housing section (53, 53A) for housing a first input/output terminal (3) electrically connected to the terminal (22) of the electrical component (fuse 2), and a protective cover (6, 6A) that covers the terminal (22) of the electrical component (fuse 2) and the first input/output terminal (3) and is attached to the housing body (5, 5A),
A busbar (8) in which the outer surface of a strip-shaped flat conductor (81) is covered with an insulating coating (83), and the exposed conductor portion (84) at the end is electrically connected to the conductor connection portion (312) of the first input/output terminal (3),
The projections (50, 58) provided on the first terminal housing (53, 53A) penetrate through the through hole (85) formed in the bus bar (8), and their tips protrude into the gap between the bus bar (8) and the protective cover (6, 6A) to prevent fingers from entering the first terminal housing (53, 53A),
A busbar mounting structure for an electrical junction box equipped with the following features.

According to the busbar mounting structure of the electrical junction box with the configuration described in [1] above, the first input/output terminal (3) housed in the first terminal housing section (53, 53A) of the housing body (5, 5A) is covered by a protective cover (6, 6A) to prevent contact with fingers or other body parts.
Here, the ends of the busbar (8), which is formed from a strip-shaped flat conductor (81), are typically fastened with screws to the conductor connection portion (312) of the first input/output terminal (3). However, the height of the screw fastening portion is higher than the height (plate thickness) of the busbar (8) in the fastening direction. Therefore, the protective covers (6, 6A) that cover the first input/output terminal (3) are set to a height corresponding to the height of the screw fastening portion. As a result, when the ends of the busbar (8) are fastened with screws to the conductor connection portion (312) of the first input/output terminal (3), the gap between the busbar (8) and the protective covers (6, 6A) widens, making it easier for fingers or tools such as wrenches held in the hand to enter.
However, according to the busbar mounting structure of the electrical junction box with the configuration described in [1] above, the projections (50, 58) provided on the first terminal housing (53, 53A) penetrate the through hole (85) formed through the busbar (8), and their tips protrude into the gap between the busbar (8) and the protective cover (6, 6A). As a result, the gap between the busbar (8) and the protective cover (6, 6A) is closed by the projections (50, 58), and fingers themselves or tools such as wrenches held in the hand cannot touch the first input/output terminal (3) or the exposed conductor portion (84) of the busbar (8).
Therefore, the function of preventing accidental contact with the busbar (8), which is electrically connected to the electrical component (fuse 2) inside the electrical junction box (1, 1A), can be reliably ensured. In addition, the housing body (5, 5A) and protective cover (6, 6A) do not need to expand the area covering the exposed conductor portion (84) (terminal) of the busbar (8), thereby preventing the electrical junction box (1, 1A) from becoming larger.
Furthermore, when the ends of the busbar (8) are screw-fastened to the conductor connection portion (312) of the first input/output terminal (3), the projections (50, 58) that pass through the through-hole (85) of the busbar (8) prevent the busbar (8) from rotating, thereby improving the anti-rotation strength of the busbar (8).

[2] The protective cover (6, 6A) comprises a cover body (60, 60A) that is attached to the housing body (5, 5A), and a first cover (covers 7A, 7C) that is provided on the cover body (60, 60A) so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the conductor connection portion (312) of the first input/output terminal (3).
The busbar mounting structure for the electrical junction box described in [1] above.

According to the busbar mounting structure of the electrical junction box in the configuration described in [2] above, the protective cover (6, 6A) can be rotated only the first cover (covers 7A, 7C) while maintaining the cover body (60, 60A) attached to the housing body (5, 5A), thereby opening the area above the first terminal housing (53, 53A) in the housing body (5, 5A). This allows the busbar (8), which is the external conductor, to be attached to the housing body (5, 5A) without completely removing the protective cover (6, 6A) after installing the electrical components (fuse 2) and the first input/output terminal (3) located inside the housing body (5, 5A).

[3] The housing body (5) has a second terminal housing section (54) that houses a second input/output terminal (4) which is electrically connected to the terminal (23) of the electrical component (fuse 2),
The conductor connection portion (412) of the second input/output terminal (4) is electrically connected to the connection terminal (93) of the terminal-equipped wire (9).
The protective cover (6) is formed in the same shape as the first cover (cover 7A) and has a second cover (cover 7B) that is provided on the cover body (60) so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the conductor connection portion (412) of the second input/output terminal (4).
The busbar mounting structure for the electrical junction box described in [2] above.

According to the busbar mounting structure of the electrical junction box with the configuration described in [3] above, the protective cover (6) can be rotated by rotating only the second cover (cover 7B) while maintaining the cover body (60) attached to the housing body (5), thereby opening the area above the second terminal housing (54) in the housing body (5). As a result, after the second input/output terminals (4) located inside the housing body (5) are installed, the connection terminals (93) of the terminal-equipped wires (9), which are the external conductors, can be attached to the housing body (5) without completely removing the protective cover (6).
Furthermore, even when a wire with a terminal (9) is used as the external conductor connected to the conductor connection portion (412) of the second input/output terminal (4), the second cover (cover 7B) can be formed in the same shape as the first cover (cover 7A) that covers the conductor connection portion (312) of the first input/output terminal (3) to which the busbar (8) is connected. Therefore, manufacturing costs can be reduced by sharing parts.

[4] The projection (58) has a locking portion (locking claw 59) that locks onto the locking portion (locking arm 74) of the first cover (cover 7C) and holds the first cover (cover 7C) in a closed state.
The busbar mounting structure for the electrical junction box described in [2] above.

According to the busbar mounting structure of the electrical junction box with the configuration described in [4] above, the projection (58) provided on the first terminal housing (53A) has a locking portion (locking claw 59) that engages with the locked portion (locking arm 74) of the first cover (cover 7C), thereby holding the first cover (cover 7C) in a closed state. Therefore, the cover body (60A) does not need to have a locking portion to engage with the locked portion of the first cover (cover 7C). As a result, the shape of the cover body (60A) can be simplified, reducing manufacturing costs.

1. Electrical junction box 2. Fuse (electrical component)
3...First input/output terminal 5...Housing body 6...Protective cover 7A...Cover (first cover)
8...Bus bar 51...Electrical component storage section 22...Terminal 50...Protrusion 53...First terminal housing section 81...Flat conductor 83...Insulating coating 312...Conductor connection section

Claims (4)

An electrical connection box having an electrically insulating housing body formed with an electrical component storage section for storing electrical components and a first terminal housing section for housing first input/output terminals electrically connected to the terminals of the electrical components, and a protective cover that covers the terminals of the electrical components and the first input/output terminals and is attached to the housing body,
A busbar in which the outer surface of a strip-shaped flat conductor is covered with an insulating coating, and the exposed conductor portion at the terminal is electrically connected to the conductor connection portion of the first input/output terminal,
A projection is provided in the first terminal housing so as to penetrate a through hole formed in the busbar and have its tip protrude into the gap between the busbar and the protective cover to prevent fingers from entering the first terminal housing,
A busbar mounting structure for an electrical junction box equipped with the following features. The protective cover comprises a cover body that is attached to the housing body, and a first cover that is provided on the cover body so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the conductor connection portion of the first input/output terminal.
A busbar mounting structure for an electrical junction box according to claim 1. The housing body has a second terminal housing section that houses a second input/output terminal that is electrically connected to the terminal of the electrical component.
The conductor connection portion of the second input/output terminal is electrically connected to the connection terminal of the terminal-equipped wire.
The protective cover is formed in the same shape as the first cover and has a second cover that is provided on the cover body so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the conductor connection portion of the second input/output terminal.
The busbar mounting structure for an electrical junction box according to claim 2. The projection has a locking portion that engages with the locking portion of the first cover and holds the first cover in a closed state.
The busbar mounting structure for an electrical junction box according to claim 2.