JP2002233030A - Electrical connection box - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrical connection box which reduces its cost and improves the workability. SOLUTION: The electrical connection box has a compound cavity 26 and a plurality of bus bars 27 fixed in the compound cavity 26. The compound cavity 26 has a relay cavity 28 for a relay 23 and a connector housing 29 for a connector 24 disposed in a wiring harness. The bus bars 27 have each a first terminal 38 connected to a lance 32 which is accommodated in the relay cavity 28 and a connecting part, and a second terminal 39 accommodated in the connector housing 29.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electric junction box to which a relay is connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 shows an electric connection box (a relay box is taken as an example in this specification) mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The illustrated electrical junction box 1 has a plurality of relays 3 and other fuses 4
It is configured to be able to insert and connect electrical components such as.

That is, the box main body 2 has a relay cavity 5 for the relay 3 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, and a relay connector provided with female terminals 6 respectively inserted into the relay cavity 5. 7 are formed so that the relay 3 can be electrically connected.

The female terminal 6 is connected by crimping to the end of an electric wire 9 constituting a wire harness 8 (see FIG. 3). When the female terminal 6 is inserted into the relay cavity 5, the female terminal 6 is locked by a lance 10 as a locking portion formed in the relay cavity 5 (the female terminal 6 is fixed to the lance 10). When it is completely fitted, it is prevented from coming off.)

[0005]

However, the conventional electric junction box 1 has the following problems. The first is a spacer with a known configuration (not shown).
However, there is a problem that it is necessary to affect the manufacturing cost. That is, the above-mentioned spacer is
This is a part for preventing half-fitting in the relay cavity 5, and it is necessary to provide a part corresponding to the number of the relay cavities 5. Therefore, the number of the spacers increases and the part becomes relatively expensive. This has affected the manufacturing cost of the electrical junction box 1.

[0006] Second, there is a problem that workability in assembling the spacer is poor.
That is, the spacer is a small fixture and must be locked to the relay cavity 5 while confirming the direction one by one, which affects the workability.

Third, there is a problem that workability in assembling the female terminal 6 is poor. That is, the female terminals 6 must be inserted into the corresponding positions of the relay cavities 5 while confirming the orientation one by one, and this is performed for a plurality of relay cavities 5, which affects the workability. Had been done.

[0008] Finally, the fourth problem is that the workability at the time of mounting on a vehicle is poor. That is, since the female terminal 6 is inserted into the relay cavity 5, the electric connection box 1 is assembled to the vehicle in a state of the wire harness assembly, which deteriorates the workability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an electric junction box with reduced costs and improved workability.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric junction box which forms a relay cavity for a relay and has a wire on the other side opposite to the one side. A composite cavity forming a connector housing for a connector provided in a harness; a first terminal housed in the relay cavity and locked by a locking portion; and a second terminal housed in the connector housing. And a plurality of bus bars fixed in the composite cavity.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric junction box,
The electrical connection box according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing and a housing constituting the connector are formed with a lock unit that fits when the connector is connected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric junction box comprising:
The electric junction box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a step portion for contacting the connector is formed at a boundary between the relay cavity and the connector housing.

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A relay is connected to the side formed by the relay cavity in the composite cavity and the first terminal in the bus bar. Also, on the side constituted by the connector housing in the composite cavity and the second terminal in the bus bar,
A connector provided on the wire harness is connected. Since it becomes an electric junction box having such a connection form,
Even if the first terminal is half-fitted to the locking portion, the bus bar is pushed in by the connection of the connector, and the half-fitted state is eliminated. Further, it is also possible to connect the electric connection box of the present invention to the wire harness after the wire harness is assembled to a vehicle, for example. further,
Since the connection is made by the connector, the work of inserting the terminals provided at the ends of the electric wires constituting the wire harness one by one into the electric connection box is eliminated.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 2,
When the locking means is fitted, it is confirmed that the half-fitted state is eliminated.

According to the present invention described in claim 3,
When the connector abuts on the step, it is confirmed that the half-fitted state is eliminated.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded sectional view showing an embodiment of the electric junction box of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an assembled state.

In FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 indicates one or a plurality of relay connectors formed on a box body 22 of an electric connection box mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. Only shown). The relay connector 21 is formed so that a known relay 23 and a connector 24 provided on a wire harness (not shown) can be connected from different directions.

First, the relay connector 21 will be described. The relay connector 21 includes a composite cavity 26 integrally formed over the front and back of a synthetic resin cover 25 of the box body 22 and a plurality of bus bars 27. It is provided with. In the composite cavity 26, a relay cavity 28 for the relay 23 is formed on one side, and a connector housing 29 for the connector 24 is formed on the other side. And, in such a relay cavity 28, a plurality of bus bars 2
7 are fixed at predetermined positions, respectively.

More specifically, the relay cavity 28 is formed so as to protrude from the surface of the cover 25 in the orthogonal direction. Also, the relay cavity 28
Are formed with a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers 31 according to the number and arrangement of the terminals 30 of the relay 23. The terminal accommodating chamber 31 is defined by a side wall or a partition wall of the relay cavity 28 and an upper wall, and a lance 32 as an example of a locking portion, a terminal insertion hole 33 for the terminal 30 of the relay 23, First terminal insertion hole 3 for bus bar 27
4 are formed.

The lance 32 has flexibility and is formed integrally with the side wall of the relay cavity 28.
The tip of the lance 32 is formed in a substantially L-shape to lock a rear end of an electric contact portion 40 of a first terminal 38 described later. On the other hand, the terminal insertion hole 33 is formed to penetrate the upper wall of the relay cavity 28, and a first terminal insertion hole 34 is formed on the opposite side of the connector housing 29. The wall surfaces near the terminal insertion holes 33 and the first terminal insertion holes 34 (the first terminal insertion holes 34 are not shown) also function as stoppers for the bus bars 27.

The connector housing 29 includes a cover 25.
Is formed so as to protrude in the orthogonal direction from the back surface of the.
The connector housing 29 has a hood shape in which the protruding distal end is released, and is formed such that the opposite proximal end is continuous with the relay cavity 28. The continuous portion (the boundary portion between the relay cavity 28 and the connector housing 29) is formed with a step so that the connector housing 29 side becomes large. That is, a step portion 35 is formed in the continuous portion, and the connector 24 comes into contact with the connection portion at the time of connection. The step 35 also functions as a bottom wall of the connector housing 29. On the other hand, a lock hole 36 is formed on one side wall of the connector housing 29 as an example of a lock unit. A flat locking surface 37 is formed in the lock hole 36.

The bus bar 27 is formed by pressing a thin metal plate having conductivity. A first terminal 38 of a female type is formed at one end of the bus bar 27, and a second terminal 39 of a male type (tab shape) is formed at the other end. The intermediate portion is appropriately bent into a substantially crank shape (a shape in which a position corresponding to the continuous portion is parallel to the step portion 35) depending on the arrangement of the first terminal 38 and the second terminal 39.

The first terminal 38 is a portion accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 31 and has a substantially mountain-shaped electric contact portion 40 in cross section. The electric contact portion 40 is formed so as to have the same shape as, for example, an electric contact portion 52 of a terminal 42 described later, and a rear end portion of the electric contact portion 40 is locked to a tip of the lance 32. On the other hand, the distal end of the electric contact portion 40 comes into contact with the upper wall of the relay cavity 28.

The second terminal 39 is connected to the connector housing 2.
9, which are mainly located immediately below the first terminal 38 and located at different positions. The arrangement is arbitrary.

Next, the connector 24 will be described. The connector 24 is made of a synthetic resin housing 4.
1 and a plurality of female terminals 42 housed in a housing 41. The housing 41 is formed in a substantially rectangular block shape to be inserted into the connector housing 29. Also, the housing 41
Are formed with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 43 according to the number and arrangement of the second terminals 39, and a locking arm 44.

The terminal accommodating chamber 43 includes a housing 41
Are formed by the side wall or partition wall and the front wall,
A lance 45 similar to the lance 32 and the second terminal 3
A terminal insertion hole 46 for the terminal 9 and an insertion port 47 for the terminal 42 are formed.

The lance 45 has flexibility and is formed integrally with the front wall of the housing 41. Also,
The tip of the lance 45 is connected to an electric contact portion 5 of the terminal 42 which will be described later.
2 is formed in a substantially L-shape to lock the rear end. On the other hand, the terminal insertion hole 46 is formed so as to penetrate the front wall of the housing 41. An insertion port 47 is formed on the opposite side. The wall near the terminal insertion hole 46 also functions as a stopper for the terminal 42.

The locking arm 44 has flexibility and is formed in a cantilevered arm shape from the front wall side of the housing 41 toward the rear end. In the middle of the locking arm 44, a lock 48 of a claw-like projection locked in the lock hole 36 is formed integrally. Lock 4
Reference numeral 8 denotes an example of a lock means, and a flat locking surface 49 is formed. Incidentally, a tapered surface 50 is formed on the opposite side of the locking surface 49. Reference numeral 51 indicates a pressing portion for elastically deforming the locking arm 44.

The terminal 42 has an electric contact portion 52 having a substantially mountain shape in cross section, and an electric wire connection portion 53 coupled to the electric contact portion 52. One end of a plurality of wires 54 constituting a wire harness (not shown) is connected to the wire connection portion 53 by crimping. In addition, it is easy to insert the terminals 42 into the housings 41 and to assemble the connectors 24 using an automatic machine.

In the above configuration, the relay connector 21
Are assembled by fixing the bus bars 27 in the composite cavities 26 respectively. At this time, the bus bar 27 is inserted and assembled from the connector housing 29 side. During the insertion, the first terminal 38 bends the lance 32 once, and when the insertion proceeds further and the lance 32 returns to the original state, the first terminal 38 is locked by the lance 32. . Thereby, the first terminal 38
Are housed in the relay cavity 28 in a state of being completely fitted to the lance 32. In addition, movement in the insertion direction and the removal direction is restricted. The second terminal 39 is housed so as to protrude into the connector housing 29. On the other hand, the connector 24 is assembled by respectively accommodated and fixed the terminal 42 by known manual or automatic machine into the housing 41.

When the connector 24 is connected to the box body 22, the housing 41 is inserted into the connector housing 29, and the second terminal 39 is inserted into the electric contact portion 52 of the terminal 42. Then, when the locking means of the housing 41 and the locking means of the connector housing 29 are fitted with each other, the connection of the connector 24 is completed. Further, the connection of the relay 23 is completed when the terminal 30 is inserted into the electric contact portion 40 of the first terminal 38.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the relay cavity 28 and the first terminal 38 are provided.
Is connected to the relay 23 and the connector 24 is connected to the connector housing 29 and the second terminal 39.

As a result, even if the first terminal 38 is half-fitted to the lance 32, the bus bar 27 is pushed in by the connection of the connector 24 and the half-fitted state is eliminated. Further, it is also possible to connect the electric connection box of the present invention to the wire harness after the wire harness is assembled to a vehicle, for example. In addition, connector 2
4, the operation of inserting the terminals 42 provided at the ends of the electric wires 54 constituting the wire harness one by one into the electric connection box side is eliminated.

In addition, by the engagement of the locking means, it is confirmed that the half-fitted state between the first terminal 38 and the lance 32 is eliminated. Furthermore, by the contact of the connector 24 with the step portion 35, it is confirmed that the half-fitted state between the first terminal 38 and the lance 32 is eliminated.

Therefore, many conventionally used spacers can be eliminated and the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, the troublesome work of inserting the terminals 42 provided at the ends of the electric wires 54 constituting the wire harness one by one into the electric connection box side can be eliminated. Further, for example, mounting on a vehicle can be facilitated.

In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention. That is, in the above description, the structure in which the bus bar 27 is inserted into the composite cavity 26 has been described. However, the structure may be changed to a structure in which the bus bar 27 is insert-molded.

[0037]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a conventionally used spacer can be eliminated. Moreover, the troublesome work of inserting the terminals provided at the ends of the electric wires constituting the wire harness one by one into the electric connection box side can be eliminated. Further, for example, mounting on a vehicle can be facilitated. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an electric junction box with reduced costs and improved workability.

According to the second aspect of the present invention,
The engagement of the locking means makes it possible to confirm that the half-fitted state between the first terminal and the locking portion has been eliminated.

According to the third aspect of the present invention,
By the contact of the connector with the stepped portion, it can be confirmed that the half-fitted state between the first terminal and the locking portion has been eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded sectional view showing an embodiment of an electric junction box according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an assembled state.

3 is an external perspective view of the electrical connection box of the prior art.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a relay cavity formed in the electric junction box of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view of a relay connector in the electric connection box of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Relay connector 22 Box main body 23 Relay 24 Connector 25 Cover 26 Composite cavity 27 Bus bar 28 Relay cavity 29 Connector housing 32 Lance (locking part) 35 Step part 36 Lock hole (Lock means) 38 First terminal 39 Second terminal 41 Housing 42 terminal 48 lock (lock means) 54 electric wire

Claims (3)

[Claims] A composite cavity in which a relay cavity for a relay is formed on one side and a connector housing for a connector provided in a wire harness is formed on the other side opposite to the one side; A plurality of busbars having a first terminal locked to a stop portion and a second terminal housed in the connector housing and fixed in the composite cavity. box. 2. An electric connection box according to claim 1, wherein said connector housing and a housing constituting said connector are provided with locking means which are fitted when said connector is connected. Connection box. 3. The electric connection box according to claim 1, wherein a step is formed at a boundary between the relay cavity and the connector housing so as to abut the connector. Connection box.