Locking assembly for vehicle fuse box

A locking assembly for a fuse box of a vehicle includes a base and a cover configured to be removably connected to the base. The base includes a projection extending outwardly from the base. An opening is disposed in the projection. The cover includes a locking member configured to be received by the opening in the projection when the cover is connected to the base. The cover is configured to rotate about a pivot axis of the locking member to disengage the locking member from the opening in the projection to remove the cover from the base.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a fuse box assembly for a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a locking assembly for a fuse box of a vehicle.

Background Information

A fuse box receives electrical wiring, which is connected to fuses disposed in the fuse box. The electrical wiring is conventionally bundled in a wiring conduit that is routed to the fuse box. The wiring conduit terminates inside the fuse box such that the electrical wires can be connected to the appropriate fuses. Forces acting on the wiring conduits or electrical wires can cause movement of a wiring conduit or electrical wire within the fuse box. This movement can result in a force acting on a cover of the fuse box, thereby separating the fuse box cover from a base of the fuse box. Accordingly, a need exists for a locking assembly for a fuse box of a vehicle to substantially prevent separation of the fuse box cover from the fuse box base.

SUMMARY

An object of the disclosure is to provide a locking assembly for a fuse box of a vehicle.

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a locking assembly for a fuse box of a vehicle including a base and a cover configured to be removably connected to the base. The base includes a projection extending outwardly from the base. An opening is disposed in the projection. The cover includes a locking member configured to be received by the opening in the projection when the cover is connected to the base. The cover is configured to rotate about a pivot axis of the locking member to disengage the locking member from the opening in the projection to remove the cover from the base.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a fuse box assembly for a vehicle including a fuse box base and a fuse box cover movably connected to the fuse box base. The fuse box cover is movable between a first position and a second position. The fuse box cover is connected to the fuse box base in the first position and removable from the fuse box base in the second position. A projection extends outwardly from the fuse box base. An opening is disposed in the projection. A locking member is received by the opening in the projection when the fuse box cover is in the first position and the locking member is removable from the opening in the projection when the fuse box cover is in the second position. The fuse box cover is configured to rotate about a pivot axis of the locking member to move between the first and second positions.

Also other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the locking assembly for a vehicle fuse box will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the locking assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially toFIGS.1-6, a fuse box assembly10is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The fuse box assembly10is disposed in an engine compartment12of a vehicle14. The fuse box assembly10receives a plurality of conduits16that route electrical wiring to an interior compartment18of the fuse box10. The fuse box assembly10includes a fuse box base20and a fuse box cover22removably connected to the fuse box base20that define the interior of the fuse box assembly10.

The fuse box base20, as shown inFIG.3, includes a lower wall24defining a lower interior portion26of the interior compartment18. A plurality of interior walls further define separate compartments within the lower interior portion26of the interior compartment18. A plurality of lower conduit receiving recesses28are formed in the lower wall24. Preferably, the lower conduit receiving recesses28are formed in the upper end30of the lower wall24. The base20is shown with four lower conduit receiving recesses28A-28D, although the base20can be formed with any suitable number. A lip32extends outwardly from an outer surface of the lower wall24. The lip is disposed on the outer surface of the lower wall24between the upper end30and a lower end34of the lower wall24, as shown inFIG.7. The lip32extends around a majority of a perimeter of the lower wall24except for the portions of the lower wall24in which the lower conduit receiving recesses32are disposed and in which a projection36is disposed. A lower base (not shown) is connected to the lower end34of the lower wall24to enclose the lower interior portion26of the interior compartment18when the lower base is connected to the fuse box base20.

A projection36extends outwardly from the fuse box base20, as shown inFIGS.3and4. The projection36includes first and second connecting arms38and40extending outwardly from the lower wall24of the base20. An upwardly extending tab42extends upwardly from ends of the first and second connecting arms38and40. The upwardly extending tab42is spaced from the lower wall24of the base20. An opening44is disposed in the projection36. The opening44is defined by the first and second connecting arms38and40and the upwardly extending tab42. The opening44faces in a substantially downward direction. The projection36is preferably resiliently connected to the base20.

A protrusion46extends inwardly from an upper end of the tab42, as shown inFIGS.3and6. The protrusion46extends toward the lower wall24of the base20. The protrusion46is preferably rounded, although the protrusion46can have any suitable shape. A gap D1is defined between the protrusion46and the lower wall24of the base20, as shown inFIG.6. A gap D2is defined between the inner surface of the tab42and the outer surface of the lower wall24of the base20. The gap D1is preferably smaller than the gap D2.

The fuse box cover22is configured to be removably connected to the base20, as shown inFIGS.7-18. The cover22includes an upper surface48configured to enclose an upper portion of the interior compartment18when the cover22is connected to the base20and disposed in a closed position, as shown inFIGS.1and4. An upper wall50extends downwardly from the upper surface48of the cover22. A plurality of upper conduit receiving recesses52are formed in the upper wall50. Preferably, the upper conduit receiving recesses52are formed in the lower end54of the upper wall50. The cover22has four upper conduit receiving recesses52corresponding to the four lower conduit receiving recesses28. When the cover22is connected to the base20and disposed in the closed position, as shown inFIG.4, each of the upper conduit receiving recesses52forms a conduit receiving aperture56with a corresponding lower conduit receiving recess28.

The fuse box cover22includes a locking member58, as shown inFIG.2. The locking member58is configured to be received by the opening44in the projection36when the cover22is connected to the base20, as shown inFIGS.4-6. The cover22is configured to rotate about a pivot axis P of the locking member58to disengage the locking member58from the opening44in the projection36to remove the cover22from the base20, as shown inFIGS.4-18.

The locking member58includes a first locking tab60and a second locking tab62, as shown inFIGS.2and4. The first locking tab60extends outwardly from the upper wall50, as shown inFIGS.2and4. The second locking tab62extends outwardly from the upper wall50. The second locking tab62is spaced from the first locking tab60. The first locking tab60is preferably substantially parallel to the second locking tab62.

The upper wall50includes an outer wall50A and an inner wall50B extending between the first and second locking tabs60and62, as shown inFIGS.5and6. The outer wall50A extends downwardly longer than the inner wall50B, as shown inFIG.6. The outer wall50A is spaced from the inner wall50B in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis P direction to form a recess50C therebetween. The recess50C is configured to receive the upper end30of the lower wall24when the cover22is in the closed position.

The locking member58includes a locking post64extending between the first locking tab60and the second locking tab62, as shown inFIGS.2and4. The locking post64extends between an inner surface60A of the first locking tab60and an inner surface62A of the second locking tab62. The pivot axis P passes through the locking post64, as shown inFIGS.6,9,12,15and18.

The locking member58includes a locking hook66extending from the locking post64, as shown inFIGS.2and4. The locking hook66is preferably rigidly connected to the locking post64, thereby substantially preventing movement of the locking hook66relative to the locking post64. The locking hook66includes a first portion66A extending downwardly from the locking post64, and a second portion66B extending outwardly from the first portion66A. As shown inFIG.6, the second portion66B of the locking hook66extends forward of the upwardly extending tab42. The locking member58is preferably unitarily formed with the cover22as a single-member.

As shown inFIGS.4-6, the locking hook66engages the projection36when the cover22is connected to the base20. The first portion66A of the locking hook66extends through the opening44in the projection36, and the second portion66B of the locking hook66extends away from the outer surface of the lower wall24and beneath the upwardly extending tab42. An upper surface66C of the second portion66B of the locking hook66engages the upwardly extending tab42to prevent upward movement of the cover22, thereby preventing unintended or accidental separation of the cover22from the base20. A length of upwardly extending tab42in the pivot axis P direction is less than a distance between the first and second locking tabs60and62in the pivot axis P direction, such that the locking post64is receivable by the projection36.

The base20includes a plurality of cover receiving openings68, as shown inFIG.3. The plurality of cover receiving openings68are disposed on the outer surface of the lower wall24. Each of the cover receiving openings68includes a projection70extending inwardly toward the outer surface of the lower wall24. The base20is shown with four cover receiving openings68A-68D, although any suitable number of cover receiving openings can be used. Each of the cover receiving openings68A-68D has one projection70A-70D extending inwardly toward the outer surface of the lower wall24.

The cover22includes a plurality of locking tabs72extending therefrom that engage the corresponding plurality of cover receiving openings68of the base20to securely retain the cover22to the base20in the closed position. The cover22has an equivalent number of locking tabs72as the base20has cover receiving openings68, such that the illustrated cover22has four locking tabs72A-72D. Each of the locking tabs72engages one of the projections70A-70D in the corresponding cover receiving opening68A-68D when the cover22is in the closed position to substantially prevent movement of the cover22relative to the base20. When the cover22is secured to the base20, as shown inFIGS.1and4-6, each of the plurality of locking tabs72A-72D is received by one of the cover receiving openings68A-68D and the locking member58engages the opening44in the projection36to securely retain the cover22to the base20.

The cover22is movably connected to the base20between a first position, or the closed position, shown inFIGS.1and4-6and a second position, or opened position, shown inFIGS.16-18. In the first position, the cover22is connected to the base20to substantially prevent movement of the cover22relative to the base20. The locking member58is received by the opening44in the projection36when the cover22is in the first position. In the second position, the cover22is removable from the base20. The locking member58is removable from the opening44in the projection36when the cover22is in the second position. The cover22is configured to rotate about the pivot axis P of the locking member58to move between the first and second positions. The locking post64is received by the first and second connecting arms40and42of the projection36and allows rotational movement of the locking post thereon, thereby allowing for rotational movement of the cover22relative to the base18. The distance of the opening44between the outer surface of the lower wall24and the upwardly extending tab42in the direction substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis P allows for rotational movement of the locking hook66therethrough.

To remove the cover22from the base20, each of the plurality of locking tabs72A-72D is disengaged from the corresponding cover receiving opening68A-68D and the locking member58is disengaged from the opening44in the projection36. Once each of the locking tabs72A-72D is disengaged from the corresponding cover receiving opening68A-68D and the locking member58is disengaged from the opening44in the projection36, the cover22can be removed from the base20providing access to the interior compartment18(FIG.6).

Prior to disengaging the locking member58from the projection opening44, each of the plurality of locking tabs72A-72D is disengaged from the corresponding cover receiving opening68A-68D. Prior to disengaging each of the plurality of locking tabs72A-72D from the corresponding cover receiving openings68A-68D, the fuse box cover22is prevented from pivoting about the pivot axis P of the locking member58. The locking member58remains received by the opening44in the projection36when the plurality of locking tabs72A-72D are disengaged from the corresponding cover receiving openings68A-68D.

After each of the plurality of locking tabs72A-72D is disengaged from the corresponding cover receiving openings68A-68D, the cover22is rotatable about the pivot axis P with respect to the base20, as shown inFIGS.7-18. An angle α is defined between the locking member58and the projection36, as shown inFIGS.9,12,15and18. More specifically, the angle α is defined between the first portion66A of the locking hook66of the locking member58and the upwardly extending tab42of the projection36.

As shown inFIGS.4-6, the cover22is in the closed position and is not rotated about the pivot axis P with respect to the base20. In the closed position, the second portion66B of the locking hook66is disposed beneath the upwardly extending tab42, thereby preventing removal of the cover22from the base20. A length of the upwardly extending tab42is less than a distance between the first and second60and62such that the locking member is received by the projection. A width W of the locking post64is larger than the gap D1between the protrusion46and the outer surface of the lower wall24(i.e., the length of the gap D1is smaller than a width W of the locking post64), thereby further preventing upward movement of the cover22relative to the base18. The lower end54of the upper wall50contacts the lip32on the outer surface of the lower wall24to facilitate positioning the cover22on the base20. The upper end30of the lower wall24is received by the recess50C between the outer wall50A and the inner wall50B of the cover22.

As shown inFIGS.7-9, the cover22is rotated about an angle α of approximately ten degrees. In this position, the second portion66B of the locking hook66is disposed beneath the upwardly extending tab42, thereby preventing removal of the cover22from the base20. The protrusion46further prevents upward movement of the cover22relative to the base18. The cover22is rotated to a position in which the upper end30of the lower wall is not received by the recess50C between the outer wall50A and the inner wall50B. The inner wall50B extends downwardly a shorter distance than the outer wall50A such that the rotational movement of the cover22in the counter-clockwise direction allows the inner wall50B to pass over the upper end30of the lower wall30of the base20, as shown inFIGS.8and9.

As shown inFIGS.10-12, the cover22is rotated about an angle α of approximately twenty degrees. In this position, the second portion66B of the locking hook66is disposed beneath the upwardly extending tab42, thereby preventing removal of the cover22from the base20. The protrusion46further prevents upward movement of the cover22relative to the base18.

As shown inFIGS.13-15, the cover22is rotated about an angle α of approximately thirty-two degrees. In this position, the second portion66B of the locking hook66is not disposed beneath the upwardly extending tab42, such that removal of the cover22from the base20is no longer prevented. Rotating the cover22approximately thirty-two degrees allows the locking member58to be disengaged from the projection opening44. The upper surface66C of the second portion66B of the locking hook66is not directly disposed beneath the upwardly extending tab42, such that upward movement of the cover22draws the second portion66B of the locking hook66up through the opening44in the projection36. The upwardly extending tab42of the projection36is resiliently connected to the lower wall24of the base20such that upward movement of the cover22relative to the base18results in the locking post64causing the protrusion46to flex away from the base20, thereby allowing the cover22to be removed from the base20as shown inFIGS.16-18. With the cover22removed from the base20, the interior compartment18of the fuse box10is accessible.

Positioning the cover22at an angle of approximately thirty-two degrees relative to the base20, as shown inFIGS.16-18, allows the cover22to be reconnected to the base20. The cover22is pushed downwardly and rotated clockwise once the second portion66B of the locking hook66passes through the opening44in the projection36, thereby disposing the upper surface66C beneath the upwardly extending tab42. The downward force exerted on the cover also reengages each of the plurality of locking tabs72A-72D with the corresponding cover receiving openings68A-68D.

General Interpretation of Terms