Patent ID: 12262495

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of an electrical connection box according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the invention is not limited by the embodiments. That is, components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily perceived by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

Embodiments

An electrical connection box1according to the present embodiment illustrated inFIGS.1,2, and3is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and is interposed between a control circuit (not illustrated) and a motor (not illustrated) to electrically connect the control circuit and the motor to each other. The electrical connection box1is incorporated in, for example, a wire harness WH. The wire harness WH is, for example, structured in such a manner that a plurality of wiring members W used for power supply or signal communication is bundled to form a collective component for connection between devices mounted on a vehicle and that the plurality of wiring members W is connected to each device by a connector or the like.

The electrical connection box1of the present embodiment includes a first terminal2, a second terminal3, a first housing4, a second housing5, and an auxiliary housing6.

Note that, in the following description, an “X” direction illustrated inFIGS.1to3corresponds to one of width directions of the electrical connection box1and is referred to as a “first width direction X”. A “Y” direction corresponds to the other width direction of the electrical connection box1and is referred to as a “second width direction Y”. A “Z” direction corresponds to an insertion and removal direction of the second terminal3with respect to the first terminal2and is referred to as an “insertion and removal direction Z”. The first width direction X, the second width direction Y, and the insertion and removal direction Z are orthogonal to each other. InFIGS.1and2, a locking projection43and a locked portion56to be described later are each indicated by a two-dot chain line, and inFIG.3, a pair of locking projections43and locked portions56and a pair of locking projections55and locked portions22are each omitted.

The first terminal2is, for example, a metal terminal formed of a flat plate-like metal material having conductivity and is a so-called female terminal. The first terminal2is interposed between the second terminal3and a motor terminal8illustrated inFIG.1in a state of being housed in the first housing4and electrically connects the second terminal3and the motor terminal8. The first terminal2is formed in such a manner that the second terminal3and the motor terminal8can be inserted and removed in correspondence with the shapes of the second terminal3and the motor terminal8. The first terminal2has a shape in which two tubular portions are connected along the insertion and removal direction Z. The first terminal2includes a first tubular portion11, a second tubular portion12, and a connecting portion13. The first tubular portion11, the second tubular portion12, and the connecting portion13are integrally molded.

The first tubular portion11is formed in a tubular shape in which both ends of the first terminal2in the insertion and removal direction Z are opened and is a portion in which the second terminal3is inserted inward from a removal direction Z2to an insertion direction Z1to be in contact therewith. The first tubular portion11is formed to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape as viewed in the insertion and removal direction Z. A conducting portion (not illustrated) is included on an inner side of the first tubular portion11, and with the second terminal3inserted into the first tubular portion11, the conducting portion and the second terminal3come into contact with each other, and the first terminal2and the second terminal3are conductively connected to each other.

Similarly to the first tubular portion11, the second tubular portion12is formed in a tubular shape in which both ends in the insertion and removal direction Z are opened and is a portion into which the motor terminal8illustrated inFIG.1is inserted inward from the insertion direction Z1to the removal direction Z2to be in contact therewith. The second tubular portion12is formed to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape as viewed in the insertion and removal direction Z. A conducting portion (not illustrated) different from the conducting portion of the first tubular portion11is included on an inner side of the second tubular portion12, and with the motor terminal8inserted into the second tubular portion12, the conducting portion and the motor terminal8come into contact with each other, and the first terminal2and the motor terminal8are conductively connected to each other.

The connecting portion13is a portion formed in a flat plate shape and connects the first tubular portion11and the second tubular portion12in the insertion and removal direction Z. The connecting portion13is integrally molded with the first tubular portion11and the second tubular portion12.

The second terminal3is, for example, a metal terminal formed of a flat plate-like metal material having conductivity and is a so-called male terminal. The second terminal3is interposed between the control circuit and the first terminal2in a state of being held by the second housing5and electrically connects the control circuit and the first terminal2. The second terminal3is formed to have an L-shaped cross section as viewed in the second width direction Y. The second terminal3includes a held portion31, a connecting portion32, and a bent portion33. The held portion31, the connecting portion32, and the bent portion33are integrally molded.

The held portion31is a portion formed to extend in the first width direction X in the second terminal3and has one end portion in the first width direction X connected to the connecting portion32via the bent portion33and the other end portion connected to the control circuit side. The held portion31is accommodated and held in a terminal accommodation groove41aincluded in the second housing5described later.

The connecting portion32is a portion formed to extend in the insertion and removal direction Z in the second terminal3and is inserted and held in an opening41bincluded in the second housing5described later.

The first housing4is formed in a tubular shape having both ends in the insertion and removal direction Z opened and houses the first terminal2from one opening4a. The first housing4is formed of an insulating resin material or the like. The first housing4is formed to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape as viewed in the insertion and removal direction Z. The opening4ais included on the removal direction Z2side, which is one side of the insertion and removal direction Z and is formed to have a rectangular shape as viewed from the removal direction Z2side. The first housing4is formed in such a manner that an end portion of the first terminal2on the removal direction Z2side protrudes from the opening4atoward the removal direction Z2side in a housed state in which the first terminal2is housed inside. The first housing4includes a main body21and a pair of locked portions22. The main body21and the pair of locked portions22are integrally molded.

The main body21is a portion that houses the first terminal2inserted from the opening4ain the insertion direction Z1in the first housing4. The main body21includes, for example, a pair of peripheral walls facing each other in the first width direction X and a pair of peripheral walls facing each other in the second width direction Y.

The locked portions22are provided on respective outer surfaces of the pair of wall portions facing each other in the second width direction Y in the first housing4and are locked to the locking projections55provided to the auxiliary housing6described later, thereby connecting the first housing4and the auxiliary housing6in the insertion and removal direction Z.

The second housing5is a lid-like member that holds the second terminal3and covers the opening4aside of the first housing4. The second housing5is formed of an insulating resin material or the like. The second housing5includes an upper wall portion41, a main body42, and locking projections43. The upper wall portion41, the main body42, and the locking projections43are integrally molded.

The upper wall portion41is a wall portion that is formed at an end portion of the main body42on the removal direction Z2side in the second housing5and holds the second terminal3inserted from the opening41bin the insertion direction Z1. The opening41bis located at a bottom surface of the terminal accommodation groove41aand is formed to penetrate the upper wall portion41in the plate thickness direction (insertion and removal direction Z). The connecting portion32of the second terminal3is inserted into the opening41bfrom the removal direction Z2side to the insertion direction Z1. The terminal accommodation groove41aaccommodates the held portion31in a state where the second terminal3is held by the second housing5. In the upper wall portion41, both ends in the first width direction X and both ends in the second width direction Y protrude outward from the main body42.

The main body42is a portion interposed between the upper wall portion41and the first housing4while housing a part of the second terminal3in a state where the second housing5covers the opening4aside of the first housing4. The main body42includes, for example, a pair of peripheral walls facing each other in the first width direction X, a pair of peripheral walls facing each other in the second width direction Y, and an internal space44(seeFIG.3) formed by these four peripheral walls. In the internal space44, the connecting portion32of the second terminal3is inserted in the insertion and removal direction Z in a state where the second terminal3is held by the second housing5. In the second terminal3, an end portion of the second terminal3on the insertion direction Z1side protrudes outward from the internal space44in a state where the second terminal3is held by the second housing5.

The locking projections43are provided on respective outer surfaces of the pair of wall portions facing each other in the second width direction Y, and the locked portions56included in the auxiliary housing6described later are locked thereto, thereby connecting the second housing5and the auxiliary housing6in the insertion and removal direction Z.

The auxiliary housing6is a tubular member interposed between the first housing4and the second housing5in a state where the second terminal3is in complete contact with the first terminal2. The auxiliary housing6is formed in a rectangular shape as viewed in the insertion and removal direction Z. The auxiliary housing6includes a main body51, a holding portion52, a guide portion53, the pair of locking projections55, and the pair of locked portions56.

The main body51is a portion interposed between the first housing4and the second housing5in a state where the second terminal3is in complete contact with the first terminal2and houses a part of the connecting portion32and a part of the first tubular portion11.

The holding portion52positions and holds the first terminal2with respect to the first housing4in a state where the auxiliary housing6is disposed on the opening4aside of the first housing4. As illustrated inFIG.3, the holding portion52has a first facing surface52aand a second facing surface52b.

The first facing surface52ais included in an inner peripheral surface of the auxiliary housing6and includes surfaces facing each other in the first width direction X and surfaces facing each other in the second width direction Y. The first facing surface52afaces the first tubular portion11of the first terminal2housed in the first housing4in directions intersecting the insertion and removal direction Z in a state where the auxiliary housing6is disposed on the opening4aside of the first housing4and regulates the movement of the first terminal2in the directions intersecting the insertion and removal direction Z of the first terminal2. As illustrated inFIG.3, for example, when viewed from the first width direction X and the second width direction Y, the first facing surface52ais located on an inner side with respect to an inner peripheral surface21aof the main body21.

The second facing surface52bis included in the inner peripheral surface of the auxiliary housing6and is constituted by surfaces intersecting with the first facing surface52a. The second facing surface52bfaces the first tubular portion11of the first terminal2housed in the first housing4in the insertion and removal direction Z in a state where the auxiliary housing6is disposed on the opening4aside of the first housing4and regulates the movement of the first terminal2in the removal direction Z2of the first terminal2. The first facing surface52aand the second facing surface52bare included in the inner peripheral surface of the auxiliary housing6together with the guide portion53described later.

The guide portion53guides the second terminal3toward the first terminal2. The guide portion53is formed in such a manner that the opening width gradually decreases from the second housing5side toward the first housing4side of the auxiliary housing6. In other words, the guide portion53is formed in such a manner that the opening width gradually decreases from the removal direction Z2side toward the insertion direction Z1side. As illustrated inFIG.3, an opening end53aon an inner side of the guide portion53has a width in the second width direction Y larger than a width of the connecting portion32of the second terminal3in the second width direction Y.

The locking projections55are provided on respective outer surfaces of a pair of wall portions facing each other in the second width direction Y, and the locked portions22of the first housing4are locked thereto, thereby connecting the first housing4and the auxiliary housing6in the insertion and removal direction Z.

The locked portions56are provided on respective outer surfaces of a pair of wall portions facing each other in the first width direction X in the auxiliary housing6and are locked to the locking projections43of the second housing5, thereby connecting the second housing5and the auxiliary housing6in the insertion and removal direction Z.

Next, a connection method of connecting the second terminal3to the first terminal2structured as described above will be described with reference toFIGS.1to3. It is based on the premise that the connection method described below is manually performed, for example, by an assembly worker, however, it is not limited thereto. Incidentally, it is based on the premise that the first terminal2is housed in the first housing4in advance and that the second terminal3is assembled to the second housing5. It is also based on the premise that the auxiliary housing6is assembled to the first housing4in advance.

First, the assembly worker disposes the second housing5on the removal direction Z2side with respect to the first housing4while gripping both ends in the second width direction Y of the upper wall portion41of the second housing5and inserts the connecting portion32of the second terminal3protruding from the insertion direction Z1side of the first housing4toward the opening end53aof the auxiliary housing6. At this point, in a case where the end portion on the insertion direction Z1side of the connecting portion32abuts on the guide portion53, the end portion moves toward the opening end53awhile sliding on the guide portion53. When the assembly worker pushes the second housing5toward the insertion direction Z1side, the connecting portion32of the second terminal3is inserted into the first tubular portion11of the first terminal2, and the first terminal2and the second terminal3come into contact with each other. As a result, the assembly worker can suppress interference with the second terminal3due to rattling of the first terminal2at the time of assembling the electrical connection box1, thereby improving workability at the time of assembling.

As described above, the electrical connection box1according to the present embodiment includes the auxiliary housing6having a tubular shape, the auxiliary housing6interposed between the first housing4and the second housing5in a state where the second terminal3is in complete contact with the first terminal2. The auxiliary housing6includes the holding portion52that positions and holds the first terminal2with respect to the first housing4and the guide portion53that guides the second terminal3toward the first terminal2in a state where the auxiliary housing6is disposed on the opening4aside of the first housing4.

With the above structure, in the electrical connection box1, in the assembly work of assembling the second housing5to the first housing4to connect the first terminal2and the second terminal3to each other, the first terminal2is held by the auxiliary housing6assembled in advance to the first housing4, and the second terminal3can be guided toward the first terminal2. As a result, the electrical connection box1can improve assembly workability in the assembly work of assembling the second housing5to the first housing4and connecting the first terminal2and the second terminal3to each other.

In the electrical connection box1according to the present embodiment, the guide portion53is formed in such a manner that the opening width gradually decreases from the second housing5side toward the first housing4side of the auxiliary housing6. As a result, the electrical connection box1can suppress interference between the first terminal2and the second terminal3in the assembly work of assembling the second housing5to the first housing4and connecting the first terminal2and the second terminal3to each other.

Moreover, in the electrical connection box1according to the present embodiment, the holding portion52regulates the movement of the first terminal2in the removal direction Z2of the second terminal3with respect to the first housing4. As a result, the electrical connection box1can prevent the first terminal2housed in the first housing4from rattling toward the second housing5.

Furthermore, in the electrical connection box1according to the present embodiment, the holding portion52regulates the movement of the first terminal2in the directions intersecting with the insertion and removal direction Z of the second terminal3with respect to the first housing4. As a result, the electrical connection box1can prevent rattling in the directions intersecting with the insertion and removal direction Z of the first terminal2housed in the first housing4.

Note that, in the auxiliary housing6illustrated inFIG.3in the above embodiment, the first facing surface52aand an outer peripheral surface of the first tubular portion11of the first terminal2are not in contact with each other but are spaced from each other; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first facing surface52aand the outer peripheral surface may be in contact with each other.

In addition, in the auxiliary housing6illustrated inFIG.3in the above embodiment, the second facing surface52band an end portion of the first tubular portion11of the first terminal2on the removal direction side are not in contact with each other but are spaced from each other; however, it is not limited thereto, and the second facing surface52band the end portion may be in contact with each other.

According to an electrical connection box of the present embodiments, there is an effect that workability at the time of assembly can be improved.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.