U.S. patent application number 15/413630 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-27 for electronic component unit and electrical connection box.
The applicant listed for this patent is Yazaki Corporation. Invention is credited to Yosuke Fukuhara, Takahiko Mitsui, Tatsuya Tsubouchi.
Application Number | 20170214155 15/413630 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59295554 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170214155 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsubouchi; Tatsuya ; et
al. |
July 27, 2017 |
ELECTRONIC COMPONENT UNIT AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX
Abstract
An electronic component unit includes an accommodation member,
electronic components, and a bus bar including a rectangular unit.
The accommodation member accommodates the electronic components and
the bus bar in an accommodation space portion of an inner space
portion. The accommodation member has a dividing wall that forms
divided space portions by dividing the accommodation space portion.
The dividing wall is provided with a slit that communicates the
adjacent divided space portions. The rectangular unit of the bus
bar is exposed to the inside of each of the divided space portions,
when the rectangular unit is held by being inserted into the slit.
The electronic components that are individually accommodated in the
respective divided space portions are connected to the rectangular
unit being exposed.
Inventors: |
Tsubouchi; Tatsuya;
(Shizuoka, JP) ; Mitsui; Takahiko; (Shizuoka,
JP) ; Fukuhara; Yosuke; (Shizuoka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yazaki Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
59295554 |
Appl. No.: |
15/413630 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 9/245 20130101;
H01H 2085/0233 20130101; H01R 9/2433 20130101; B60R 16/0238
20130101; H01H 85/2045 20130101; H01R 9/2466 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 9/24 20060101
H01R009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 26, 2016 |
JP |
2016-012150 |
Claims
1. An electronic component unit comprising: an accommodation member
that includes a first opening and a second opening for
communicating an accommodation space portion; a plurality of
electronic components that are accommodated in the accommodation
space portion by being inserted into the accommodation space
portion from the second opening; and a bus bar in a planar shape
that is accommodated in the accommodation space portion by being
inserted into the accommodation space portion from the first
opening, and that includes a rectangular unit, wherein the
accommodation member includes a dividing wall that couples inner
wall surfaces facing each other in a peripheral wall for forming
the accommodation space portion, in the accommodation space
portion, and that forms divided space portions by dividing the
accommodation space portion, the dividing wall is provided with a
slit that extends from an end of the first opening side toward the
second opening, and that communicates the adjacent divided space
portions, the rectangular unit of the bus bar is exposed to inside
of each of the divided space portions, when the rectangular unit is
held by being inserted into the slit, and the electronic components
are individually accommodated in the respective divided space
portions, and are connected to the rectangular unit being
exposed.
2. An electrical connection box comprising: a housing; and an
electronic component unit that is accommodated in a housing inner
space portion of the housing, wherein the electronic component unit
includes an accommodation member having a first opening and a
second opening that communicate an accommodation space portion of
the electronic component unit, a plurality of electronic components
that are accommodated in the accommodation space portion by being
inserted into the accommodation space portion from the second
opening, and a bus bar in a planar shape that is accommodated in
the accommodation space portion by being inserted into the
accommodation space portion from the first opening, and that
includes a rectangular unit, the accommodation member includes a
dividing wall that couples inner wall surfaces facing each other in
a peripheral wall for forming the accommodation space portion, in
the accommodation space portion, and that forms divided space
portions by dividing the accommodation space portion, the dividing
wall is provided with a slit that extends from an end of the first
opening side toward the second opening, and that communicates the
adjacent divided space portions, the rectangular unit of the bus
bar is exposed to inside of each of the divided space portions,
when the rectangular unit is held by being inserted into the slit,
and the electronic components are individually accommodated in the
respective divided space portions, and are connected to the
rectangular unit being exposed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application claims priority to and incorporates
by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No.
2016-012150 filed in Japan on Jan. 26, 2016.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an electronic component
unit and an electrical connection box.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, an electrical connection box that is mounted
on a vehicle such as an automobile, and that distributes power from
a power source such as a battery to electronic instruments has been
known. A known electrical connection box such as the above is an
electrical connection box that includes an electronic component
unit provided with a bus bar on which electronic components such as
a fusible link, a fuse, and a relay are mounted, and an
accommodation member that accommodates therein the bus bar; and a
housing that accommodates therein the electronic component unit
(see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2011-155762).
[0006] The electronic component unit described above includes a
plurality of electronic components, and there are times when all
the electronic components are to be electrically connected to a
single electrical connection unit such as a power terminal from a
power source, for example. In this case, the bus bar includes a tab
unit for each of the electronic components, and a single connection
unit connected to the tab units. More specifically, each of the tab
units of the bus bar is formed in a rectangular shape, and an end
of each of the tab units in the insertion direction of the
electronic component is coupled to a connection unit formed in a
strip shape. The inner space portion of the accommodation member is
divided by dividing walls, forming divided space portions
(cavities). When the bus bar is accommodated in the accommodation
member, each of the tab units is positioned inside each of the
divided space portions. The electronic component that is
accommodated in the divided space portion is mounted on each of the
tab units inside each of the divided space portions, and each of
the tab units and the electronic component are electrically
connected inside each of the divided space portions.
[0007] Because the bus bar described above is configured of the tab
units and the single connection unit, the external shape of the bus
bar becomes complicated in shape. Consequently, there is room for
further improvement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above,
and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic
component unit and an electrical connection box that can
electrically connect a bus bar and each of electronic components
inside each of divided space portions, and that can simplify the
external shape of the bus bar.
[0009] In order to achieve the above mentioned object, an
electronic component unit according to one aspect of the present
invention includes an accommodation member that includes a first
opening and a second opening for communicating an accommodation
space portion; a plurality of electronic components that are
accommodated in the accommodation space portion by being inserted
into the accommodation space portion from the second opening; and a
bus bar in a planar shape that is accommodated in the accommodation
space portion by being inserted into the accommodation space
portion from the first opening, and that includes a rectangular
unit, wherein the accommodation member includes a dividing wall
that couples inner wall surfaces facing each other in a peripheral
wall for forming the accommodation space portion, in the
accommodation space portion, and that forms divided space portions
by dividing the accommodation space portion, the dividing wall is
provided with a slit that extends from an end of the first opening
side toward the second opening, and that communicates the adjacent
divided space portions, the rectangular unit of the bus bar is
exposed to inside of each of the divided space portions, when the
rectangular unit is held by being inserted into the slit, and the
electronic components are individually accommodated in the
respective divided space portions, and are connected to the
rectangular unit being exposed.
[0010] In order to achieve the above mentioned object, an
electrical connection box according to another aspect of the
present invention includes a housing; and an electronic component
unit that is accommodated in a housing inner space portion of the
housing, wherein the electronic component unit includes an
accommodation member having a first opening and a second opening
that communicate an accommodation space portion of the electronic
component unit, a plurality of electronic components that are
accommodated in the accommodation space portion by being inserted
into the accommodation space portion from the second opening, and a
bus bar in a planar shape that is accommodated in the accommodation
space portion by being inserted into the accommodation space
portion from the first opening, and that includes a rectangular
unit, the accommodation member includes a dividing wall that
couples inner wall surfaces facing each other in a peripheral wall
for forming the accommodation space portion, in the accommodation
space portion, and that forms divided space portions by dividing
the accommodation space portion, the dividing wall is provided with
a slit that extends from an end of the first opening side toward
the second opening, and that communicates the adjacent divided
space portions, the rectangular unit of the bus bar is exposed to
inside of each of the divided space portions, when the rectangular
unit is held by being inserted into the slit, and the electronic
components are individually accommodated in the respective divided
space portions, and are connected to the rectangular unit being
exposed.
[0011] The above and other objects, features, advantages and
technical and industrial significance of this invention will be
better understood by reading the following detailed description of
presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view illustrating a
schematic configuration of an electronic component unit and an
electrical connection box according to a first embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic
component unit according to the first embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the electronic component unit
according to the first embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the electronic component unit
according to the first embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bus bar according to a
second embodiment; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the bus bar according to the
second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Preferred embodiments of an electronic component unit and an
electrical connection box according to the present invention will
now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments. In addition, components in the
following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by a
person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the
same. Furthermore, various omissions, replacements, and
modifications may be made to the components in the following
embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention.
First Embodiment
[0019] An electronic component unit and an electrical connection
box according to a first embodiment will now be described. FIG. 1
is a partial perspective view illustrating a schematic
configuration of the electronic component unit and the electrical
connection box according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an
exploded perspective view of the electronic component unit
according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of
the electronic component unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the electronic component unit
according to the first embodiment. In this example, FIG. 3 is a
sectional view cut along a line S-S in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a
sectional view cut along a line R-R in FIG. 1. The X direction in
the drawings is the longitudinal direction of the electronic
component unit in the present embodiment. The Y direction is the
width direction of the electronic component unit in the present
embodiment, and is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal
direction. The Z direction is the vertical direction of the
electronic component unit in the present embodiment, and is a
direction orthogonal to the width direction as well as the
longitudinal direction. The Z1 direction is the upward direction.
The Z2 direction is the downward direction.
[0020] An electrical connection box 100 includes a housing 101 and
a housing inner space portion 102 that is formed by the housing
101. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the electrical connection box 100
accommodates at least a single electronic component unit 1 in the
housing inner space portion 102. The electrical connection box 100
integrates and accommodates therein electrical components such as a
terminal metal fitting, a relay, and resistance that are
incorporated into a wire harness, which is not illustrated, routed
in an automobile, and that form a connection processing part such
as an electric wire. The electrical connection box 100 distributes
power supplied from a power source such as a battery, to various
electronic instruments in the vehicle. The electrical connection
box 100 may also be referred to as a junction box, a fuse box, a
relay box, and the like, but in the present embodiment, these are
collectively referred to as the electrical connection box.
[0021] The electronic component unit 1 in the present embodiment
configures a part of a power distribution circuit that distributes
power supplied from a power source, which is not illustrated, to
various electronic instruments in the vehicle. The electronic
component unit 1 includes an accommodation member 2, a bus bar 3, a
plurality of terminals 4, and a plurality of electronic components
5.
[0022] The accommodation member 2 is a member that accommodates
therein the bus bar 3, the terminals 4, and the electronic
components 5. The accommodation member 2 facilitates the handling
of the bus bar 3, the terminals 4, and the electronic components 5,
by installing therein the bus bar 3, the terminals 4, and the
electronic components 5 2 in advance, before being accommodated in
the electrical connection box 100. For example, the accommodation
member 2 is made of synthetic resin, and as illustrated in FIG. 1
and FIG. 4, includes an inner space portion 2a, a peripheral wall
20, a positioning bottom plate 21, a partitioning plate 22, a
terminal partitioning plate 23, a protrusion portion 24, and a
dividing wall 25.
[0023] The inner space portion 2a includes a power source space
portion 2b and an accommodation space portion 2c. The peripheral
wall 20 forms the accommodation space portion 2c. The peripheral
wall 20 is formed of a plurality of walls, and the walls are
connected with each other, thereby forming a tube in a
substantially square shape. The accommodation member 2 is
communicated with the outside through both ends of the
accommodation space portion 2c in the vertical direction, by the
peripheral wall 20. The accommodation member 2 includes a lower
side opening (first opening) 2d that is an opening formed at the
lower side, and an upper side opening (second opening) 2e that is
an opening formed at the upper side. In the peripheral wall 20, a
slit is formed on a boundary wall between the power source space
portion 2b and the accommodation space portion 2c, and the power
source space portion 2b and the accommodation space portion 2c are
communicated via the slit. The accommodation space portion 2c is
provided with the positioning bottom plate 21, the partitioning
plate 22, the terminal partitioning plate 23, the protrusion
portion 24, and the dividing wall 25.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the positioning bottom
plate 21 determines the position of each of the electronic
components 5 in the vertical direction (Z direction), by coming
into contact with the lower side end of the electronic component 5
that is accommodated in the accommodation space portion 2c. The
positioning bottom plate 21 is formed in a planar shape, and both
ends of the positioning bottom plate 21 in the longitudinal
direction (X direction) are coupled to an inner wall surface 20a
and an inner wall surface 20b that are facing each other in the
longitudinal direction of the peripheral wall 20. The end of the
positioning bottom plate 21 at an inner wall surface 20c side (bus
bar 3 side) in the width direction (Y direction) is coupled to the
inner wall surface 20c, and the end of the positioning bottom plate
21 at an inner wall surface 20d side (terminal 4 side) is separated
from the inner wall surface 20d. The width of the positioning
bottom plate 21 in the width direction is formed so that the
terminal 4 can penetrate through the end at the terminal 4 side and
the inner wall surface 20d. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4,
the positioning bottom plate 21 is formed so that when the
electronic component 5 is accommodated in the accommodation space
portion 2c, the upper side end surface of the electronic component
5 protrudes from the upper side opening 2e, in the vertical
direction. In this example, the accommodation space portion 2c is
divided into an upper side space portion 2f and a lower side space
portion 2g by the positioning bottom plate 21, the positioning
bottom plate 21 being the boundary. As illustrated in FIG. 3 and
FIG. 4, a slit 21a is formed on the positioning bottom plate 21.
The slit 21a penetrates through the positioning bottom plate 21 in
the vertical direction, and the upper side space portion 2f and the
lower side space portion 2g are communicated via the slit 21a. The
slit 21a is formed across the entire longitudinal direction, from
the inner wall surface 20a to the inner wall surface 20b. The width
of the slit 21a in the width direction is formed so that a
rectangular unit 30, which will be described below, of the bus bar
3 can penetrate through the slit 21a, when the bus bar 3 is
inserted into the accommodation space portion 2c.
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the partitioning plate 22 is
provided in the lower side space portion 2g. The partitioning plate
22 divides the lower side space portion 2g into a bus bar side
space portion 2h into which the bus bar 3 is to be inserted, and a
terminal side space portion 2i into which the terminal 4 is to be
inserted, in the width direction. The partitioning plate 22 is
formed in a planar shape, and both ends of the partitioning plate
22 in the longitudinal direction are coupled to the inner wall
surface 20a and the inner wall surface 20b. The partitioning plate
22 extends downward from the end of the positioning bottom plate 21
at the terminal 4 side to the lower side opening 2d. In other
words, when viewed from the width direction, an inverted L-shaped
plate (wall) that protrudes from the inner wall surface 20c is
formed across the entire longitudinal direction of the
accommodation space portion 2c, by the positioning bottom plate 21
and the partitioning plate 22. Consequently, the bus bar side space
portion 2h and the upper side space portion 2f are divided by the
positioning bottom plate 21, but the terminal side space portion 2i
and the upper side space portion 2f are not divided.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the terminal partitioning plate 23
is provided in the terminal side space portion 2i. A plurality of
the terminal partitioning plates 23 are formed in the longitudinal
direction. The terminal partitioning plates 23 divide the terminal
side space portion 2i in the longitudinal direction, and form a
plurality of terminal side divided space portions 2j. Each of the
terminal side divided space portions 2j in the present embodiment
is formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction, and
accommodates therein the terminal 4 individually. The terminal
partitioning plate 23 is in a planar shape, and is coupled to the
partitioning plate 22 and the inner wall surface 20d in the width
direction. The terminal partitioning plate 23 extends downward from
the upper side end of the partitioning plate 22 to the lower side
opening 2d, in the vertical direction.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the protrusion portion 24 is
provided in each of the terminal side divided space portions 2j.
The protrusion portion 24 determines the position of the electronic
component 5 in the vertical direction, with the positioning bottom
plate 21, by coming into contact with the lower side end of the
electronic component 5 that is to be accommodated in the
accommodation space portion 2c. At the upper side end of the
terminal partitioning plate 23, when viewed from the vertical
direction, the protrusion portion 24 protrudes into the terminal
side divided space portion 2j. The protrusion portion 24 of the
present embodiment is also coupled to the inner wall surface 20d.
The protrusion portion 24 protrudes into each of the adjacent
terminal side divided space portions 2j, from the terminal
partitioning plate 23. In other words, two protrusion portions 24
that are facing each other in the longitudinal direction, are
formed in the single terminal side divided space portion 2j. The
width of the protrusion portion 24 in the width direction is formed
so that the terminal 4 can penetrate through the end of the
protrusion portion 24 at the bus bar 3 side and the partitioning
plate 22.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the dividing wall 25 is
provided in the upper side space portion 2f. A plurality of the
dividing walls 25 are formed in the longitudinal direction,
depending on the number of electronic components 5 to be
accommodated in the accommodation space portion 2c. The dividing
walls 25 divide the upper side space portion 2f in the longitudinal
direction, and form divided space portions 2k. Each of the dividing
walls 25 in the present embodiment is formed at regular intervals
in the longitudinal direction, and the electronic components 5 are
individually accommodated in the respective divided space portions
2k. Each of the dividing walls 25 is formed in a planar shape, and
is coupled to the inner wall surface 20c and the inner wall surface
20d that are facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the
peripheral wall 20, in the width direction. The dividing wall 25
protrudes upward from the positioning bottom plate 21 and the upper
side end surface of the terminal partitioning plate 23 in the
vertical direction, and extends to the upper side opening 2e. In
other words, the dividing wall 25 continues to the terminal
partitioning plate 23 in the vertical direction, and forms a single
plate with the terminal partitioning plate 23.
[0029] A slit 25a is formed on the dividing wall 25. The
rectangular unit 30 of the bus bar 3 is to be inserted into the
slit 25a. The slit 25a is formed upward from the lower side end of
the dividing wall 25, in the vertical direction. The slit 25a
penetrates through the dividing wall 25 in the longitudinal
direction, and the adjacent divided space portions 2k are
communicated via the slit 25a. The slit 25a faces the positioning
bottom plate 21 in the width direction, and is communicated with
the slit 21a. The upper side end of the slit 25a is formed at a
position lower than the upper side end of the dividing wall 25, to
restrict the movement of the bus bar 3 in the upward direction,
when the bus bar 3 is inserted into the accommodation space portion
2c.
[0030] In this example, the bus bar side space portion 2h includes
a bus bar holding unit 26 and bus bar restricting units 27a and
27b. As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the bus bar holding unit
26 protrudes from the inner wall surface 20c to the bus bar side
space portion 2h. When the bus bar 3 is accommodated in the bus bar
side space portion 2h, the bus bar holding unit 26 comes into
contact with the lower side end of the rectangular unit 30 of the
bus bar 3, and restricts the movement of the bus bar 3 in the
vertical direction, with the slit 25a. Consequently, the bus bar
holding unit 26 holds the bus bar 3, while the rectangular unit 30
of the bus bar 3 is inserted into the slit 25a. The bus bar holding
unit 26 protrudes so as to separate from the inner wall surface
20c, from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical
direction, and is elastically deformable. The bus bar restricting
units 27a and 27b face each other in the width direction, and are
formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction. When the
bus bar 3 is inserted between the bus bar restricting units 27a and
27b, the bus bar restricting units 27a and 27b restrict the
movement of the bus bar 3 in the width direction. The bus bar
restricting unit 27a is formed on the wall facing the inner wall
surface 20c, and extends downward from the lower side end surface
of the positioning bottom plate 21 to the lower side opening 2d.
The bus bar restricting unit 27b is formed on the partitioning
plate 22, and extends downward from the lower side end surface of
the positioning bottom plate 21 to the lower side opening 2d. An
inclined surface for allowing the bus bar 3 to be inserted easily,
is formed on each of the lower side ends of the bus bar restricting
units 27a and 27b. Thus, the end-to-end distance of the inclined
surface in the width direction increases toward the lower side.
[0031] A terminal holding unit 28 and terminal restricting units
29a and 29b are provided in each of the terminal side divided space
portions 2j. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the terminal holding unit 28
protrudes from the inner wall surface 20d to the terminal side
divided space portion 2j. When the terminal 4 is accommodated in
the terminal side divided space portion 2j, the terminal holding
unit 28 is inserted into a recess portion of the terminal 4, and
holds the terminal 4 by restricting the movement of the terminal 4
in the vertical direction, with the partitioning plate 22. The
terminal holding unit 28 protrudes upward so as to separate from
the inner wall surface 20d, from the lower side toward the upper
side in the vertical direction. The terminal holding unit 28 is
formed so as to be elastically deformable. The terminal restricting
units 29a and 29b face each other in the width direction, and are
formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction. When the
terminal 4 is inserted between the terminal restricting units 29a
and 29b, the terminal restricting units 29a and 29b restrict the
movement of the terminal 4 in the width direction. The terminal
restricting unit 29a is formed on the partitioning plate 22, and
extends downward from the middle of the partitioning plate 22 to
the lower side opening 2d. The terminal restricting unit 29b is
formed on a wall corresponding to the inner wall surface 20d, and
extends downward from the lower side end surface of the protrusion
portion 24 to the lower side opening 2d. An inclined surface for
allowing the terminal 4 to be inserted easily, is formed on each of
the lower side ends of the terminal restricting units 29a and 29b.
Thus, the end-to-end distance of the inclined surface in the width
direction increases toward the lower side.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the bus bar 3 is
electrically connected to the electronic component 5. The bus bar 3
in the present embodiment distributes and supplies power that is
supplied from the power source, which is not illustrated, to
various electronic instruments mounted on a vehicle that are
electrically connected to the bus bar 3, via the electronic
components 5 and the terminals 4. The bus bar 3 includes the
rectangular unit 30 and a power source side holding unit 31. The
bus bar 3 is formed in a planar shape, and the rectangular unit 30
and the power source side holding unit 31 are integrally formed.
When the bus bar 3 is accommodated in the inner space portion 2a,
the rectangular unit 30 is accommodated in the power source space
portion 2b and the accommodation space portion 2c, and the power
source side holding unit 31 is accommodated in the power source
space portion 2b. In addition, the rectangular unit 30 is inserted
into the slit 25a via the slit 21a, and exposed to each of the
divided space portions 2k. The rectangular unit 30 is formed so
that the upper side end becomes narrower in the upward direction.
The rectangular unit 30 functions as a tab unit in the bus bar 3,
by being electrically connected to each of the electronic
components 5 in each of the divided space portions 2k. A through
hole 30a is formed on the rectangular unit 30 at a portion where
the rectangular unit 30 is positioned in the power source space
portion 2b. A stud bolt that is electrically connected to the power
source, which is not illustrated, is to be inserted into the
through hole 30a. The power source side holding unit 31 fixes the
electric wire and the like that is connected to the stud bolt
inserted into the through hole 30a.
[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the terminal 4 is electrically
connected to the electronic component 5. The terminal 4 is fitted
to one of the ends of an electric wire, and is electrically
connected to various electronic instruments that are mounted on the
vehicle being electrically connected to the other end of the
electric wire. The terminal 4 is accommodated in the accommodation
space portion 2c, in other words, in each of the terminal side
divided space portions 2j, while the electric wire is being fitted
thereto. For example, the terminal 4 is made of metal, and includes
a terminal tab unit 4a in a planar shape that is formed in a
rectangular shape, and an electric wire crimping unit 4b in a
tubular shape that is coupled to the terminal tab unit 4a in the
wiring direction of the electric wire. The terminal tab unit 4a is
electrically connected to a load side connection unit 53 by being
inserted into the electronic component 5. The electric wire
crimping unit 4b fixes the terminal 4 while the electric wire is
electrically connected to the terminal 4, by crimping the electric
wire disposed inside. The terminal tab unit 4a is formed so that
the upper side end (tip end portion) becomes narrower in the upward
direction.
[0034] The electronic component 5 electrically connects the bus bar
3 and the terminal 4, and in this example, the electronic component
5 is an element that exerts various functions. The electronic
component 5 in the present embodiment is a female fusible link 51
that has a slit in the connection portion. The fusible link 51 is
incorporated into a part of a power distribution circuit, and shuts
off the power distribution circuit when an overcurrent flows. As
illustrated in FIG. 4, the fusible link 51 includes a power source
side connection unit 52 and the load side connection unit 53. The
power source side connection unit 52 is connected to the bus bar 3
that functions as a terminal at the power source side such as a
battery. The load side connection unit 53 is connected to the
terminal 4 at the load side of various electronic instruments in
the vehicle. The power source side connection unit 52 and the load
side connection unit 53 are electrically connected via a conductive
fusible element in a plate shape. For example, while a low-melting
point metal chip is welded to a strip-shaped conductive unit the
width of which is narrowed, the fusible element melts when an
overcurrent flows through the fusible element, and shuts off the
electrical connection between the power source side connection unit
52 and the load side connection unit 53. For example, the
overcurrent that flows through the fusible element is current of a
predetermined rated current or more, and the fusible element is
melted when the current of the predetermined rated current or more
flows through the fusible element. The connection units have
various shapes depending on the terminals to be connected. In the
present embodiment, because a fork terminal is to be disposed
inside the fusible link 51, a slit is formed on each of the
connection units. When the fusible link 51 is accommodated in the
divided space portion 2k, the bus bar 3 is inserted into the power
source side connection unit 52, and the terminal tab unit 4a is
inserted into the load side connection unit 53.
[0035] Next, an assembly procedure of the electronic component unit
1 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, a
worker inserts a stud bolt into the through hole 30a of the bus bar
3 and fixes the stud bolt. The worker then fixes the electric wire
or the like that is connected to the stud bolt by the power source
side holding unit 31. Consequently, the bus bar 3 is electrically
connected to the power source. The worker then inserts the bus bar
3 upward from the lower side opening 2d toward the bus bar side
space portion 2h of the accommodation member 2. During this
process, a part of the rectangular unit 30 of the bus bar 3 is
positioned inside the accommodation space portion 2c, and the power
source side holding unit 31 is positioned in the power source space
portion 2b. The worker inserts the bus bar 3 further upward.
Consequently, the upper side end of the bus bar 3, in other words,
the upper side end of the rectangular unit 30 is inserted into the
slit 25a via the slit 21a, a part of the rectangular unit 30 is
inserted into the slit 25a, and a part of the rectangular unit 30
is positioned between the adjacent slits 25a, in other words, in
the divided space portion 2k. During this process, the bus bar 3
crosses over the bus bar holding unit 26 while elastically
deforming the bus bar holding unit 26, and is positioned above the
bus bar holding unit 26. Thus, the bus bar 3 is held against the
accommodation member 2 while the rectangular unit 30 is exposed to
the inside of the divided space portions 2k.
[0036] Next, the worker inserts each of the terminals 4 upward from
the lower side opening 2d toward each of the terminal side divided
space portions 2j of the accommodation member 2. The worker inserts
each of the terminals 4 further upward. Consequently, the upper
side end of the terminal 4, in other words, the terminal tab unit
4a is positioned in each of the divided space portions 2k, via the
positioning bottom plate 21 and the inner wall surface 20d. During
the process, the terminal tab unit 4a of the terminal 4 crosses
over the terminal holding unit 28 while elastically deforming the
terminal holding unit 28, and the terminal holding unit 28 is
positioned in the recess portion. Thus, the terminal 4 is held
against the accommodation member 2 while the terminal tab unit 4a
is exposed to the inside of the divided space portion 2k.
[0037] Next, while the rectangular unit 30 and the terminal tab
unit 4a are exposed to the inside of the divided space portions 2k,
the worker inserts each of the fusible links 51, which are the
electronic components 5, downward from the upper side opening 2e to
each of the divided space portions 2k. During the process, the
fusible link 51 is inserted downward, while the power source side
connection unit 52 and the load side connection unit 53 are facing
the bus bar 3 and the terminal tab unit 4a that are being exposed,
in the vertical direction. The worker inserts each of the fusible
links 51 further downward. Consequently, the rectangular unit 30 is
inserted into the power source side connection unit 52, and the
terminal tab unit 4a, in other words, the terminal 4 is inserted
into the load side connection unit 53. The worker inserts each of
the fusible links 51 further downward so that the lower side end of
the fusible link 51 comes into contact with the positioning bottom
plate 21 and the protrusion portion 24. Thus, the electronic
component 5 is accommodated in the accommodation space portion 2c.
The above procedure allows the power source such as the battery,
the bus bar 3, the electronic component 5, the terminal 4, and the
various electronic instruments to be electrically connected in the
accommodation space portion 2c of the accommodation member 2,
thereby configuring the electronic component unit 1. In the
assembly procedure described above, the terminal 4 is accommodated
in the accommodation member 2, after the bus bar 3 is accommodated
in the accommodation member 2. However, the assembly procedure is
not limited thereto and the terminal 4 may be accommodated in the
accommodation member 2 before the bus bar 3.
[0038] As described above, the electronic component unit 1
according to the present embodiment provides the slit 25a into
which the rectangular unit 30 of the bus bar 3 is to be inserted,
on the dividing wall 25 that is interposed between the adjacent
divided space portions 2k in the accommodation member 2. Thus, the
bus bar 3 is held while the rectangular unit 30 is inserted into
the slit 25a. Consequently, it is possible to allow the rectangular
unit 30 to penetrate through the dividing wall 25, and expose the
rectangular unit 30 to the inside of the divided space portions 2k
that are adjacent to each other interposing the dividing wall 25
therebetween. Hence, it is possible to electrically connect each of
the electronic components 5 that is to be accommodated in each of
the divided space portions 2k, and a single rectangular unit 30 of
the bus bar 3. In other words, compared with a bus bar having a
shape in which each of the tab units is independently provided and
the tab units are coupled to the connection unit, the single
rectangular unit 30 of the bus bar 3 functions as the tab unit as
well as the connection unit. Consequently, it is possible to form
the external shape of the bus bar 3 into a single rectangular
shape, and simplify the external shape. In this manner, it is
possible to electrically connect the bus bar 3 and each of the
electronic components 5 inside of each of the divided space
portions 2k, and simplify the external shape of the bus bar 3.
[0039] By simplifying the external shape of the bus bar 3, the
transfer shape of a mold for molding the bus bar 3 can also be
simplified. Thus, it is possible to reduce manufacturing cost and
maintenance cost of the mold. In addition, compared with the bus
bar having the shape in which each of the tab units is
independently provided and the tab units are coupled to the
connection unit, the tab unit and the connection unit are
integrally formed by the single rectangular unit 30. Thus, there is
no need to have length for forming the tab unit in the vertical
direction. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the length in the
vertical direction. Furthermore, compared with the bus bar having
the shape in which each of the tab units is independently provided
and the tab units are coupled to the connection unit, the shape of
the tab unit is not restricted. Thus, the shape of the tab unit
need not depend on the size of the electronic component 5 that is
to be accommodated in the divided space portion 2k, particularly,
on the width of the electronic component 5 in the X direction.
Consequently, even if the size of the accommodation member 2 is the
same, and the widths of the electronic components 5 that are to be
accommodated differ in the X direction (even if the number of
divided space portions 2k to be formed in the accommodation member
2 is changed), it is possible to use the same bus bar 3. Hence, it
is possible to improve the versatility of the bus bar 3, and reduce
the manufacturing cost. In addition, in the bus bar 3, when
focusing on a portion where the electronic component 5 is
electrically connected (portion corresponding to the tab unit),
compared with when the tab units are independently formed, the
space between the adjacent portions corresponding to the tab units
is filled. Consequently, it is possible to increase the volume of
the bus bar 3. In this manner, even if the electronic component 5
generates heat when power is supplied to the electronic component
5, the bus bar 3 can move a larger amount of heat. In addition, it
is possible to improve the heat dissipation of the moved heat in
the bus bar 3. Furthermore, it is possible to improve the strength
of the bus bar 3, because the tab units are formed into the single
rectangular unit 30.
[0040] In the electrical connection box 100 according to the
present embodiment, the rectangular unit 30 can be exposed to the
inside of the adjacent divided space portions 2k interposing the
dividing wall 25, by holding the bus bar 3 while the rectangular
unit 30 is inserted into the slit 25a. Hence, it is possible to
electrically connect the bus bar 3 and each of the electronic
components 5 inside the divided space portions 2k, and simplify the
external shape of the bus bar 3.
Second Embodiment
[0041] Next, an electronic component unit and an electrical
connection box according to a second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bus bar according to the second
embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the bus bar according to
the second embodiment. The electronic component unit according to
the second embodiment is different from the electronic component
unit 1 according to the first embodiment in the shape of a bus bar
6. Overlapping description of the same configuration, actions, and
effects as those in the first embodiment described above is omitted
as much as possible.
[0042] The bus bar 6 is electrically connected to the electronic
component 5 and an electronic component, which is not illustrated.
As illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the bus bar 6 in the present
embodiment is formed in a planar shape, and includes a first
rectangular unit 60, a second rectangular unit 61, and a fork
terminal unit 62.
[0043] The first rectangular unit 60 corresponds to the rectangular
unit 30 in the first embodiment, and the end of the first
rectangular unit 60 at the second rectangular unit 61 side in the
longitudinal direction is coupled to the second rectangular unit
61. The upper end of the first rectangular unit 60 opposite to the
second rectangular unit 61 side in the longitudinal direction is
coupled to the fork terminal unit 62. In the bus bar 6 of the
present embodiment, the first rectangular unit 60 and the second
rectangular unit 61 may be orthogonal to each other or intersecting
with each other, when viewed from the vertical direction.
[0044] The second rectangular unit 61 engages the bus bar 6 that is
held against the accommodation member 2 by the bus bar holding unit
26. The end of the second rectangular unit 61 at the first
rectangular unit 60 side in the width direction is coupled to the
first rectangular unit 60. An engagement hole 61c that penetrates
through a first wall surface 61a and a second wall surface 61b is
formed on the second rectangular unit 61 in the middle of the width
direction.
[0045] The fork terminal unit 62 electrically connects the bus bar
6 and the electronic component, which is not illustrated, by
gripping the electronic component, which is not illustrated. The
fork terminal unit 62 includes a pair of extension units 62a and a
slit 62b. The pair of extension units 62a are separated in the
longitudinal direction, and extend upward from the upper side end
of the first rectangular unit 60. The slit 62b is a space between
the pair of extension units 62a, and a portion into which the
electronic component, which is not illustrated, is to be
inserted.
[0046] The accommodation member 2 is a member that accommodates
therein the bus bar 6, the terminal 4, the electronic component 5,
and the electronic component, which is not illustrated. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, the accommodation member 2 includes a main
body unit 200 and an extension unit 201 (alternate long and two
short dashes line in FIG. 6).
[0047] The accommodation space portion 2c in the first embodiment
is formed in the main body unit 200, and the divided space portions
2k are formed in the main body unit 200 by the dividing wall 25.
The main body unit 200 accommodates therein the first rectangular
unit 60. The end of the main body unit 200 at the extension unit
201 side in the longitudinal direction, is coupled to the extension
unit 201. In this example, in a holding state in which the bus bar
6 is held by the bus bar holding unit 26, a distance between the
bus bar holding unit 26 and the upper side end of the slit 25a is
set longer than the length of the first rectangular unit 60 in the
vertical direction. In other words, in the holding state, when the
first rectangular unit 60 comes into contact with the bus bar
holding unit 26, in the bus bar 6, space is formed between the
upper side end of the first rectangular unit 60 and the upper side
end of the slit 25a.
[0048] The extension unit 201 accommodates therein a part of the
bus bar 6, in other words, the second rectangular unit 61. The
extension unit 201 includes a first wall 202, a second wall 203, an
extension space portion 204, an engagement protrusion, which is not
illustrated, and a movement restriction unit 205. The first wall
202 extends in the extending direction of the extension unit 201,
in other words, the width direction. In an accommodated state in
which the bus bar 6 is accommodated in the accommodation member 2,
the first wall 202 faces the second wall surface 61b of the second
rectangular unit 61 in the longitudinal direction. The second wall
203 extends in the width direction in parallel with the first wall
202. In the accommodated state, the second wall 203 faces the first
wall surface 61a of the second rectangular unit 61 in the
longitudinal direction. In this example, the extension space
portion 204 is formed between the first wall 202 and the second
wall 203.
[0049] When viewed from the width direction, the extension space
portion 204 is longer than the thickness of the second rectangular
unit 61, in other words, is formed at a wider interval. In the
accommodated state, space is formed between the second rectangular
unit 61 and the first wall 202 as well as between the second
rectangular unit 61 and the second wall 203. For example, the
engagement protrusion protrudes from the second wall 203 to the
extension space portion 204, and is inserted into the engagement
hole 61c. When the engagement protrusion is inserted into the
engagement hole 61c, the bus bar 6 is prevented from falling off
from the accommodation member 2. Even while the engagement
protrusion is inserted into the engagement hole 61c, the bus bar 6
can move relative to the accommodation member 2 within a
predetermined range. In the present embodiment, the first wall 202
and the second wall 203 are coupled at the ends opposite from the
main body unit 200 side.
[0050] The movement restriction unit 205 restricts the movement of
the bus bar 6 relative to the accommodation member 2 inside the
accommodation member 2. The movement restriction unit 205 faces a
portion to which the insertion force of the electronic component,
which is not illustrated, is applied on the bus bar 6 located in
the same direction, as well as a portion holding the bus bar 6, in
a direction intersecting the same direction and in a state being
separated from the bus bar 6. The movement restriction unit 205 in
the present embodiment faces the fork terminal unit 62 and the bus
bar holding unit 26 formed in the longitudinal direction, in the
width direction being the orthogonal direction. The movement
restriction unit 205 also faces the second rectangular unit 61 in
the longitudinal direction. The movement restriction unit 205 is
provided between the second rectangular unit 61 and the first wall
202, and protrudes from the wall surface that faces the second
rectangular unit 61 of the first wall 202, toward the second
rectangular unit 61. In the vertical direction, the movement
restriction unit 205 is formed on the lower side end of the first
wall 202 that faces at least the lower side end of the second wall
surface 61b of the second rectangular unit 61, in the longitudinal
direction. In this example, when the bus bar 6, which will be
described below, rotates around the bus bar holding unit 26 in the
counterclockwise direction, the movement restriction unit 205 is
designed so as to come into contact with the second rectangular
unit 61, before the first rectangular unit 60 comes into contact
with the upper side end of slit 25a.
[0051] Next, an action of the bus bar 6 when the electronic
component, which is not illustrated, is inserted into the fork
terminal unit 62 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when
the electronic component is inserted downward into the fork
terminal unit 62, the insertion force in a downward direction C1 is
applied to the fork terminal unit 62. During the process, the
external force is applied to the bus bar 6 in the downward
direction C1 due to the insertion force, and the bus bar holding
unit 26 comes into contact with the bus bar 6. When viewed from the
width direction, the fork terminal unit 62 to which the insertion
force in the downward direction C1 is applied and the bus bar
holding unit 26 that holds the bus bar 6 from the downward
direction are separated. Thus, the bus bar holding unit 26
functions as a fulcrum, and when viewed from the width direction,
the rotation force to rotate the bus bar 6 around the bus bar
holding unit 26 is applied. Hence, when viewed from the
longitudinal direction, the portion of the first rectangular unit
60 that is placed at the second rectangular unit 61 side than the
bus bar holding unit 26 as well as the second rectangular unit 61
try to rotate in counterclockwise directions C2 and C3.
[0052] The distance between the second rectangular unit 61 and the
bus bar holding unit 26 is the longest, and changes largely. Thus,
the lower side end of the second rectangular unit 61 tries to start
moving in the direction opposite from the fork terminal unit 62
side in the upward direction as well as the longitudinal direction.
However, because the lower side end of the second rectangular unit
61 faces the movement restriction unit 205 in the longitudinal
direction, the second rectangular unit 61 comes into contact with
the movement restriction unit 205. Hence, the rotation of the bus
bar 6 around the bus bar holding unit 26 in the counterclockwise
direction is suppressed. In other words, it is possible to prevent
the insertion force in the downward direction C1 from being used
for rotating the bus bar 6 around the bus bar holding unit 26 in
the counterclockwise direction. Consequently, it is possible to
prevent the insertion force that is generated when the electronic
component, which is not illustrated, is inserted into the fork
terminal unit 62 from being increased. In this manner, it is
possible to prevent the bus bar 6 from deforming, that occurs when
the electronic component 5 is inserted into the bus bar 6, and
improve the connection reliability between the electronic component
5 and the bus bar 6.
[0053] In the second embodiment described above, in the holding
state, the second rectangular unit 61 and the movement restriction
unit 205 are separated. However, the second rectangular unit 61 and
the movement restriction unit 205 may be provided so as to come
into contact with each other. In addition, the movement restriction
unit 205 may be formed on the second wall 203. In this case, in the
vertical direction, the movement restriction unit 205 is to be
formed on the upper side end of the second wall 203 that faces at
least the upper side end of the first wall surface 61a of the
second rectangular unit 61 in the longitudinal direction.
Furthermore, the movement restriction unit 205 may be formed on
both the first wall 202 and the second wall 203. In this case, when
viewed from the width direction, the two movement restriction units
205 can interpose the second rectangular unit 61 in the vertical
direction as well as the longitudinal direction, in a diagonal
manner. Thus, the rotation of the bus bar 6 around the bus bar
holding unit 26 in the counterclockwise direction can be further
suppressed, thereby further suppressing the bus bar 6 from
deforming. As a result, it is possible to further improve the
connection reliability between the bus bar 6 and the electronic
component 5.
[0054] The electronic component unit and the electrical connection
box according to the present embodiments can electrically connect
each of the electronic components that is accommodated in each of
the divided space portions and the rectangular unit of the bus bar,
because the slit into which the rectangular unit of the bus bar is
to be inserted is provided on the dividing wall that is interposed
between the adjacent divided space portions in the accommodation
member, thereby enabling the exposure of the rectangular unit to
the inside of the divided space portions. Consequently, it is
possible to electrically connect the bus bar and each of the
electronic components in each of the divided space portions, and
simplify the external shape of the bus bar.
[0055] 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.
* * * * *