US20050178575A1 - Automotive electrical connection box - Google Patents
Automotive electrical connection box Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050178575A1 US20050178575A1 US10/990,737 US99073704A US2005178575A1 US 20050178575 A1 US20050178575 A1 US 20050178575A1 US 99073704 A US99073704 A US 99073704A US 2005178575 A1 US2005178575 A1 US 2005178575A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bolt
- bush
- casing
- casings
- electrical connection
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- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/02—Details
- H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
- H02G3/086—Assembled boxes
Definitions
- the invention relates to an automotive electrical connection box.
- JP 10-302887 and FIG. 6 herein disclose an automotive electrical connection box.
- the electrical connection box has lower and upper casings 1 , 2 with surrounding walls that are lockingly coupled together with a lower cover 3 .
- Connectors 4 are provided on the lower cover 3 .
- a bolt B is introduced through the casings 1 , 2 and is screwed into a bolt inserting portion 5 in the middle of connectors 4 in the lower cover 3 .
- the casings 1 , 2 are locked together and are fixed to the lower cover 3 .
- the bolt B can be unthreaded to release the casings 1 , 2 from the lower cover 3 .
- the casings 1 , 2 are not raised automatically and detached from the lower cover 3 as the bolt B is unthreaded. Rather, an operator has to detach the casings 1 , 2 from the lower cover 3 after the bolt B is unthreaded, thereby increasing operation steps.
- the bolt B is not assembled with the casings 1 , 2 beforehand. Rather, the bolt B must be inserted through the casings 1 , 2 later to fix the casings 1 , 2 to the lower cover 3 . This subsequent insertion of the bolt B presents a parts administration problem.
- FIG. 7 shows an electrical connection box that has been proposed to address the above-described problems.
- the electrical connection box of FIG. 7 has lower and upper casings 1 , 2 with surrounding walls that are coupled together by locks.
- the lower casing 1 has a bolt hole and a collar 7 extends from the peripheral edge of a bolt hole.
- a flange 7 a is defined on the collar 7 .
- the upper casing 2 is formed integrally with a bolt inserting portion 2 a .
- a small hole 2 a - 1 is formed in an upper part of the bolt inserting portion 2 a and a large hole 2 a - 2 is formed in a lower part of the bolt inserting portion 2 a .
- a downwardly facing step is defined in the bolt insertion portion 2 a between the small hole 2 a - 1 the large hole 2 a - 2 .
- a bolt B is assembled with the casings 1 , 2 to mount the assembled casings 1 , 2 to a fixing member 6 , such as a vehicle body, a holder or a lower cover.
- the bolt B is introduced through the collar 7 of the lower casing 1 and into the bolt inserting portion 2 a of the upper casing 2 .
- the large hole 2 a - 2 of the bolt inserting portion 2 a surrounds the outer circumferential surface of a head Ba the bolt B with a specified clearance.
- the upper surface of the bolt head Ba contacts the downwardly facing step between the small and large holes 2 a - 1 , 2 a - 2 .
- the upper and lower surfaces of the head Ba are held rotatably between the downwardly facing step of the bolt insertion portion 2 a and the upper end surface of the flange 7 a of the collar 7 .
- the head Ba of the bolt B is exposed upwardly at the small hole 2 a - 1 .
- an impact wrench (not shown) can be inserted into the bolt inserting portion 2 a of the upper casing 2 from above.
- the impact wrench can engage the head Ba to screw the bolt B into a nut N embedded in the fixing member 6 , thereby fixing the lower and upper casings 1 , 2 to the fixing member 6 .
- the lower and upper casings 1 , 2 can be detached from the fixing member 6 by inserting the impact wrench into the bolt inserting portion 2 a of the upper casing 2 .
- the bolt head Ba then is turned in a reverse direction to disengage the bolt B from the nut N.
- the upper end surface of the bolt head Ba pushes up on the downwardly facing step between the small hole 2 a - 1 and the large hole 2 a - 2 of the upper casing 2 .
- the upper casing 2 is moved up and away from the fixing member 6 .
- the surrounding walls of the lower and upper casings 1 , 2 are locked together, and hence the lower casing 1 moves up with the upper casing 2 . Accordingly, the lower and upper casings 1 , 2 can be detached integrally from the fixing member 6 .
- the single bolt B in the middle of the casings 1 , 2 is spaced from the locks on the surrounding walls. Forces exerted by the bolt B act on a middle part of the upper casing 2 , but do not act over the entire upper casing 2 . Accordingly, a part of the upper casing 2 near the bolt B deforms up. This deformation may cause the locks on the surrounding walls to disengage from the lower casing 1 . Thus, only the upper casing 2 may detach with the bolt B, leaving the lower casing 1 on the fixing member 6 .
- the casings 1 , 2 are locked only at the surrounding walls. Thus, the middles of the casings 1 , 2 are likely to shake if the casings are large.
- the invention was developed in view of the above problems, and an object is to improve operability during the mounting/dismounting of the electrical connection box to a holder or a body of a vehicle body.
- the invention relates to an electrical connection box with first and second casings.
- a first bush is fixed to the second casing and a second bush is interlocked with the outer surface of the first bush.
- a bolt is inserted through the first bush and through a bolt hole in a wall of the second casing.
- the casings then are coupled together so that an end surface of the first bush is brought into contact with a surface of a head of the bolt, while an inward projection on the inner surface of the second bush is brought substantially into contact with an opposed surface of the bolt head.
- the bolt fixes the casings to a fixing member, such as a vehicle body panel.
- the inward projection of the second bush is pushed by the bolt head as the bolt is detached away from the fixing member.
- the second bush may be interlocked threadedly with the outer circumferential surface of the first bush.
- the second bush may be interlocked with the outer surface of the first bush by a bayonet locking.
- the second bush engages a surface of the bolt head and is pushed up by the bolt head when the bolt is being detached.
- the first bush is interlocked with the second bush and hence the first bush also is pushed up.
- the first bush is fixed in the second casing, and consequently the second casing is pushed up.
- the casings are coupled together and can be detached from the fixing member in synchronism with the bolt detaching operation.
- the bushes preferably are made of metal, and hence can push the resin casings with a strong force. Thus, the casings are detached more reliably from the fixing member in synchronism with the bolt detaching operation.
- An outward projection preferably is provided at the end of the second bush and contacts a surface around a bolt hole in a first wall of the first casing. The projection holds the first wall of the first casing in a bolt-fastened state.
- the outward-projection at the end of the second bush holds the first wall of the first casing.
- the first casing receives a force exerted on the second casing.
- the first and second casings are prevented from shaking with respect to each other.
- the first and second casings are coupled lockingly at their surrounding walls and also are coupled at more central positions by the second bush. Accordingly, the first and second casings are prevented from shaking with respect to each other.
- the outward-projection at the end of the second bush engages the first wall of the first casing.
- the first casing will not disengage from the second casing when the bolt is being detached. Therefore, the casings can be detached more reliably.
- One single bolt preferably is mounted at substantially center positions of the first and second casings. However, two or more bolts may be used.
- Locks preferably are provided on the surrounding walls of the casings distanced from a bolt-fastened position to lockingly couple the casings together.
- the first bush preferably is fixed in the second casing by insert-molding or by press fitting the first bush into the bolt hole of the second casing.
- a bolt head of the bolt is located inside the first and second bushes and is exposed to the outside at a position substantially facing the bolt hole of the first casing.
- the second housing preferably comprises at least one mounting portion for mounting a connector to the second housing.
- the second housing may have at least one dummy portion at a position substantially symmetrically on the opposite side of the collar from the mounting portion that has no symmetric counterpart.
- the dummy portion substantially balances stresses created during the fastening by the bolt in the collar.
- the above-described electrical connection box enables the lockingly coupled casings to be detached reliably and simultaneously from the fixing member as the bolt is detached.
- an operation of detaching the casings from the fixing member after the bolt is detached can be eliminated, thereby improving operational efficiency.
- the bolt is mounted beforehand in the casings.
- the casings can be fixed to the fixing member or detached from the fixing member merely by inserting a wrench-like tool through the bolt hole of the first casing and turning the bolt with the tool. This also improves the operational efficiency.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a vertical section showing a state where a lower casing and an upper casing according to the embodiment of the invention are assembled.
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of the upper casing.
- FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the lower casing.
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of a holder to which the casings are fixed.
- FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a prior art electrical connection box.
- FIG. 7 is a section of another prior art electrical connection box.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an upper casing 10 , a lower casing 11 and a holder 20 .
- the upper casing 10 and the lower casing 11 are coupled lockingly together beforehand and are fixed to the holder 20 by engaging a bolt B with a nut N embedded in or fixed on the holder 20 .
- the casings 10 , 11 could be fixed to a vehicle body panel or other such fixing member instead of the holder 20 .
- the terms upper and lower are used herein for a convenient frame of reference and are not intended to imply a required gravitational orientation.
- Bolt mounting portions 13 , 14 are provided in substantially central portions of an upper wall 10 b of the upper casing 10 and a bottom wall 11 b of the lower casing 11 .
- the bolt B is held rotatably in the bolt mounting portions 13 , 14 .
- An impact wrench (not shown) can be inserted through a bolt hole 10 c in the substantially central portion of the upper wall 10 b of the upper casing 10 to turn a head Ba of the bolt B.
- the bolt B engages the nut N embedded in the holder 20 or disengages the bolt B from the nut N.
- the upper and lower casings 10 , 11 has surrounding walls 10 a , 11 a spaced out from the bolt B.
- Locks R 1 to R 5 are provided on the two longer sides of the surrounding wall 10 a of the upper casing 10 , whereas engaging portions R 1 ′ to R 5 ′ are provided at substantially corresponding positions of the surrounding wall 11 a of the lower casing 11 .
- the locks R 1 to R 5 engage the engaging portions R 1 ′ to R 5 ′ to lockingly couple the casings 11 , 10 together as the surrounding wall 10 a of the upper casing 10 is fit in the surrounding wall 11 a of the lower casing 11 .
- the bolt mounting portions 13 , 14 are illustrated most clearly FIG. 2 .
- a hard metallic cylindrical tubular first bush 15 extends from the peripheral edge of a bolt hole 11 c of the bottom wall 11 b of the lower casing 11 .
- the first bush 15 is mounted in the lower casing 11 by insert-molding.
- the first bush 15 projects from the inside of the lower casing 11 to the inside of the upper casing 10 , and an upper end surface 15 a of first bush 15 is set at a position to support a lower surface of the head Ba of the bolt B.
- An externally threaded portion 15 b is formed on an upper part of the outer circumferential surface of the first bush 15 and is engageable with an internally threaded portion 16 a on the inner circumferential surface of a second bush 16 so that the second bush 16 projects from the first bush 15 .
- An inward projection 16 b is formed on the second bush 16 and contacts an upper surface of the bolt head Ba. Accordingly, the bolt head Ba is held rotatably between the inward projection 16 b and the upper end surface 15 a .
- the inward projection 16 b and the upper end surface 15 a are spaced by a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness or longitudinal extension of the bolt head Ba (refer e.g. to FIG. 2 ).
- An outward-projecting flange 16 c is formed at the upper end of the second bush 16 .
- the upper casing 10 has a cylindrical portion 10 d that projects down towards the lower casing 11 from the periphery of the bolt hole 10 c and fits around the second bush 16 .
- the outward projection 16 c of the second bush 16 is engaged with the upper end surface of the cylindrical portion 10 d.
- the lower casing 11 has a mounting portion 11 d for a mating connector 30 that is connectable with a waiting-side connector 21 .
- the mounting portion 11 d projects down at one side of the collar 15 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , so that the mating connector 30 can be connected with the waiting-side connector 21 in the holder 20 , as shown in FIG. 5 , substantially simultaneously with the fastening by the bolt B.
- a connecting portion of the waiting-side connector 21 and the mating connector 30 is at only one side of the bolt B.
- a dummy housing 11 e projects in the lower casing 11 at the other side of the bolt B and an opening 20 b is formed in the holder 20 to receive the dummy housing 11 e and to substantially balance stresses created during the fastening by the bolt B.
- the mating connector 30 can be connected properly with the waiting-side connector 21 without being obliquely inserted.
- the casings 10 , 11 , 10 are assembled by first inserting a shaft Bb of the bolt B into the first bush 15 of the lower casing 11 from above to place the bolt head Ba on the upper end surface 15 a of the first bush 15 .
- the bolt shaft Bb projects down towards the fixing member 20 from the bottom wall of the lower casing 11 .
- the upper casing 10 then is assembled with the lower casing 11 and the locks R 1 to R 5 and the engaging portions R 1 ′ to R 5 ′ on the surrounding walls are coupled lockingly together.
- the second bush 16 is inserted into the bolt hole 10 c of the upper casing 10 and the threads 16 a of the second bush 16 are fixed to the threads 15 b of the first bush 15 .
- the inward projection 16 b of the second bush 16 contacts the upper surface of the bolt head Ba
- the outward projection 16 c at the upper end of the second bush 16 contacts the upper end surface of the cylindrical portion 10 d of the upper casing 10 .
- the bolt head Ba is held rotatably between the upper end surface 15 a of the first bush 15 and the inward projection 16 b of the second bush 16 .
- the bolt head Ba is inside the second bush 16 , but is exposed to the outside at a position facing the bolt hole 10 c of the upper casing 10 .
- the bottom end of the bolt shaft Bb projects down from the lower casing 11 and is aligned with the nut N of the holder 20 .
- the impact wrench (not shown) then is inserted into a hollow portion of the second bush 16 so that the leading end of the impact wrench engages a groove in the upper surface of the bolt head Ba.
- the bolt B then is turned and engages the nut N to fix the upper and lower casings 10 , 11 to the holder 20 .
- the outward projection 16 c at the upper end of the second bush 16 projects from the first bush 15 and contacts the upper end surface of the cylindrical portion 10 d of the upper casing 10 to prevent the upper casing 10 from being disengaged from the lower casing 11 .
- the impact wrench can be inserted from above into the hollow portion of the second bush 16 and turned in reverse direction to raise the bolt B and to disengage the bolt B from the nut N.
- the bolt head Ba pushes the inward-projection 16 b of the second bush 16 up and away from the holder 20 as the bolt B is raised.
- the second bush 16 is fixed to the first bush 15 and the first bush 15 is fixed to the lower casing 11 .
- the lower casing 11 is pushed up as the bolt B is raised.
- the outward-projection 16 c at the upper end of the second bush 16 is engaged with the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 10 d of the upper casing 10 .
- the upper casing 10 cannot disengage from the lower casing 11 .
- the lower casing 11 is pushed up and away from the holder 20 as the bolt B is disengaged from the nut N.
- the upper casing 10 is coupled lockingly to the lower casing 11 .
- the upper casing 20 is pushed up and away from the holder 20 together with the lower casing 11 .
- both casings 11 , 10 are detached from the holder 20 as the bolt B is detached.
- the bushes 15 , 16 push the lower casing 11 up and away from the holder 20 as the bolt is rotated during the bolt detaching operation.
- the upper casing 10 is above the lower casing 11 and is pushed up entirely uniformly by the lower casing 11 .
- the upper casing 10 is pushed away from the holder 20 by the lower casing 11 , which is arranged at an intermediate position between the upper casing 10 and the holder 20 .
- the casings 10 , 11 can be detached simultaneously from the holder 20 without being freed from their locked state, even if only one bolt B is mounted at a central portion of the casings 10 , 11 and if the locks of the casings 10 , 11 are distanced from the bolt B. In other words, the lower casing 11 is prevented from being left fixed to the holder 20 .
- the bolt B is mounted in the casings 10 , 11 beforehand and the casings 10 , 11 can be detached as the bolt B is detached.
- the casings 10 , 11 easily can be fixed to and detached from the holder 20 merely by using the impact wrench or other such tool.
- the lockingly coupled casings 11 , 10 are fixed to the holder 20 in the foregoing embodiment.
- the invention is applicable to a case where they are fixed to a vehicle body panel, dash panel or the like.
- the invention was described with respect to threadedly interconnected bushes 15 , 16 .
- the bushes may be interlocked axially in a different way, such as bayonet fitting, interlocking or press fitting.
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Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to an automotive electrical connection box.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- JP 10-302887 and
FIG. 6 herein disclose an automotive electrical connection box. With reference toFIG. 6 , the electrical connection box has lower andupper casings lower cover 3. Connectors 4 are provided on thelower cover 3. A bolt B is introduced through thecasings lower cover 3. Thus, thecasings lower cover 3. - The bolt B can be unthreaded to release the
casings lower cover 3. However, thecasings lower cover 3 as the bolt B is unthreaded. Rather, an operator has to detach thecasings lower cover 3 after the bolt B is unthreaded, thereby increasing operation steps. - The bolt B is not assembled with the
casings casings casings lower cover 3. This subsequent insertion of the bolt B presents a parts administration problem. -
FIG. 7 shows an electrical connection box that has been proposed to address the above-described problems. The electrical connection box ofFIG. 7 has lower andupper casings lower casing 1 has a bolt hole and acollar 7 extends from the peripheral edge of a bolt hole. Aflange 7 a is defined on thecollar 7. Theupper casing 2 is formed integrally with abolt inserting portion 2 a. Asmall hole 2 a-1 is formed in an upper part of thebolt inserting portion 2 a and alarge hole 2 a-2 is formed in a lower part of thebolt inserting portion 2 a. Thus, a downwardly facing step is defined in thebolt insertion portion 2 a between thesmall hole 2 a-1 thelarge hole 2 a-2. - A bolt B is assembled with the
casings casings fixing member 6, such as a vehicle body, a holder or a lower cover. The bolt B is introduced through thecollar 7 of thelower casing 1 and into thebolt inserting portion 2 a of theupper casing 2. Thelarge hole 2 a-2 of thebolt inserting portion 2 a surrounds the outer circumferential surface of a head Ba the bolt B with a specified clearance. However, the upper surface of the bolt head Ba contacts the downwardly facing step between the small andlarge holes 2 a-1, 2 a-2. Thus, the upper and lower surfaces of the head Ba are held rotatably between the downwardly facing step of thebolt insertion portion 2 a and the upper end surface of theflange 7 a of thecollar 7. - The head Ba of the bolt B is exposed upwardly at the
small hole 2 a-1. Thus, an impact wrench (not shown) can be inserted into thebolt inserting portion 2 a of theupper casing 2 from above. The impact wrench can engage the head Ba to screw the bolt B into a nut N embedded in thefixing member 6, thereby fixing the lower andupper casings fixing member 6. - The lower and
upper casings fixing member 6 by inserting the impact wrench into thebolt inserting portion 2 a of theupper casing 2. The bolt head Ba then is turned in a reverse direction to disengage the bolt B from the nut N. As a result, the upper end surface of the bolt head Ba pushes up on the downwardly facing step between thesmall hole 2 a-1 and thelarge hole 2 a-2 of theupper casing 2. Thus, theupper casing 2 is moved up and away from thefixing member 6. The surrounding walls of the lower andupper casings lower casing 1 moves up with theupper casing 2. Accordingly, the lower andupper casings fixing member 6. - The single bolt B in the middle of the
casings upper casing 2, but do not act over the entireupper casing 2. Accordingly, a part of theupper casing 2 near the bolt B deforms up. This deformation may cause the locks on the surrounding walls to disengage from thelower casing 1. Thus, only theupper casing 2 may detach with the bolt B, leaving thelower casing 1 on thefixing member 6. - The
casings casings - The invention was developed in view of the above problems, and an object is to improve operability during the mounting/dismounting of the electrical connection box to a holder or a body of a vehicle body.
- The invention relates to an electrical connection box with first and second casings. A first bush is fixed to the second casing and a second bush is interlocked with the outer surface of the first bush. A bolt is inserted through the first bush and through a bolt hole in a wall of the second casing. The casings then are coupled together so that an end surface of the first bush is brought into contact with a surface of a head of the bolt, while an inward projection on the inner surface of the second bush is brought substantially into contact with an opposed surface of the bolt head. The bolt then fixes the casings to a fixing member, such as a vehicle body panel. The inward projection of the second bush is pushed by the bolt head as the bolt is detached away from the fixing member. Thus, the lockingly coupled first and second casings can be detached simultaneously from the fixing member.
- The second bush may be interlocked threadedly with the outer circumferential surface of the first bush. Alternatively, the second bush may be interlocked with the outer surface of the first bush by a bayonet locking.
- The second bush engages a surface of the bolt head and is pushed up by the bolt head when the bolt is being detached. The first bush is interlocked with the second bush and hence the first bush also is pushed up. The first bush is fixed in the second casing, and consequently the second casing is pushed up. The casings are coupled together and can be detached from the fixing member in synchronism with the bolt detaching operation.
- The bushes preferably are made of metal, and hence can push the resin casings with a strong force. Thus, the casings are detached more reliably from the fixing member in synchronism with the bolt detaching operation.
- An outward projection preferably is provided at the end of the second bush and contacts a surface around a bolt hole in a first wall of the first casing. The projection holds the first wall of the first casing in a bolt-fastened state.
- The outward-projection at the end of the second bush holds the first wall of the first casing. Thus, the first casing receives a force exerted on the second casing. As a result, the first and second casings are prevented from shaking with respect to each other. Even in a large casing, the first and second casings are coupled lockingly at their surrounding walls and also are coupled at more central positions by the second bush. Accordingly, the first and second casings are prevented from shaking with respect to each other.
- The outward-projection at the end of the second bush engages the first wall of the first casing. Thus, the first casing will not disengage from the second casing when the bolt is being detached. Therefore, the casings can be detached more reliably.
- One single bolt preferably is mounted at substantially center positions of the first and second casings. However, two or more bolts may be used.
- Locks preferably are provided on the surrounding walls of the casings distanced from a bolt-fastened position to lockingly couple the casings together.
- The first bush preferably is fixed in the second casing by insert-molding or by press fitting the first bush into the bolt hole of the second casing.
- A bolt head of the bolt is located inside the first and second bushes and is exposed to the outside at a position substantially facing the bolt hole of the first casing.
- The second housing preferably comprises at least one mounting portion for mounting a connector to the second housing.
- An uneven number of mounting portions may be provided in the second housing. In this situation, the second housing may have at least one dummy portion at a position substantially symmetrically on the opposite side of the collar from the mounting portion that has no symmetric counterpart. The dummy portion substantially balances stresses created during the fastening by the bolt in the collar.
- The above-described electrical connection box enables the lockingly coupled casings to be detached reliably and simultaneously from the fixing member as the bolt is detached. Thus, an operation of detaching the casings from the fixing member after the bolt is detached can be eliminated, thereby improving operational efficiency.
- The bolt is mounted beforehand in the casings. Thus, the casings can be fixed to the fixing member or detached from the fixing member merely by inserting a wrench-like tool through the bolt hole of the first casing and turning the bolt with the tool. This also improves the operational efficiency.
- These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that even though embodiments are separately described, single features thereof may be combined to additional embodiments.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a vertical section showing a state where a lower casing and an upper casing according to the embodiment of the invention are assembled. -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the upper casing. -
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the lower casing. -
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a holder to which the casings are fixed. -
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a prior art electrical connection box. -
FIG. 7 is a section of another prior art electrical connection box. -
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing anupper casing 10, alower casing 11 and aholder 20. Theupper casing 10 and thelower casing 11 are coupled lockingly together beforehand and are fixed to theholder 20 by engaging a bolt B with a nut N embedded in or fixed on theholder 20. Of course, thecasings holder 20. Additionally, the terms upper and lower are used herein for a convenient frame of reference and are not intended to imply a required gravitational orientation. - Bolt mounting
portions upper wall 10 b of theupper casing 10 and abottom wall 11 b of thelower casing 11. The bolt B is held rotatably in thebolt mounting portions bolt hole 10 c in the substantially central portion of theupper wall 10 b of theupper casing 10 to turn a head Ba of the bolt B. Thus, the bolt B engages the nut N embedded in theholder 20 or disengages the bolt B from the nut N. - The upper and
lower casings walls wall 10 a of theupper casing 10, whereas engaging portions R1′ to R5′ are provided at substantially corresponding positions of the surroundingwall 11 a of thelower casing 11. - The locks R1 to R5 engage the engaging portions R1′ to R5′ to lockingly couple the
casings wall 10 a of theupper casing 10 is fit in the surroundingwall 11 a of thelower casing 11. - The
bolt mounting portions FIG. 2 . Specifically, a hard metallic cylindrical tubularfirst bush 15 extends from the peripheral edge of abolt hole 11 c of thebottom wall 11 b of thelower casing 11. Thefirst bush 15 is mounted in thelower casing 11 by insert-molding. - The
first bush 15 projects from the inside of thelower casing 11 to the inside of theupper casing 10, and an upper end surface 15 a offirst bush 15 is set at a position to support a lower surface of the head Ba of the bolt B. - An externally threaded
portion 15 b is formed on an upper part of the outer circumferential surface of thefirst bush 15 and is engageable with an internally threadedportion 16 a on the inner circumferential surface of asecond bush 16 so that thesecond bush 16 projects from thefirst bush 15. - An
inward projection 16 b is formed on thesecond bush 16 and contacts an upper surface of the bolt head Ba. Accordingly, the bolt head Ba is held rotatably between theinward projection 16 b and the upper end surface 15 a. Theinward projection 16 b and the upper end surface 15 a are spaced by a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness or longitudinal extension of the bolt head Ba (refer e.g. toFIG. 2 ). An outward-projectingflange 16 c is formed at the upper end of thesecond bush 16. - The
upper casing 10 has acylindrical portion 10 d that projects down towards thelower casing 11 from the periphery of thebolt hole 10 c and fits around thesecond bush 16. Theoutward projection 16 c of thesecond bush 16 is engaged with the upper end surface of thecylindrical portion 10 d. - The
lower casing 11 has a mountingportion 11 d for amating connector 30 that is connectable with a waiting-side connector 21. The mountingportion 11 d projects down at one side of thecollar 15 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 4 , so that themating connector 30 can be connected with the waiting-side connector 21 in theholder 20, as shown inFIG. 5 , substantially simultaneously with the fastening by the bolt B. - A connecting portion of the waiting-
side connector 21 and themating connector 30 is at only one side of the bolt B. Thus, adummy housing 11 e projects in thelower casing 11 at the other side of the bolt B and anopening 20 b is formed in theholder 20 to receive thedummy housing 11 e and to substantially balance stresses created during the fastening by the bolt B. As a result, themating connector 30 can be connected properly with the waiting-side connector 21 without being obliquely inserted. - The
casings first bush 15 of thelower casing 11 from above to place the bolt head Ba on the upper end surface 15 a of thefirst bush 15. Thus, the bolt shaft Bb projects down towards the fixingmember 20 from the bottom wall of thelower casing 11. - The
upper casing 10 then is assembled with thelower casing 11 and the locks R1 to R5 and the engaging portions R1′ to R5′ on the surrounding walls are coupled lockingly together. - Thereafter, the
second bush 16 is inserted into thebolt hole 10 c of theupper casing 10 and thethreads 16 a of thesecond bush 16 are fixed to thethreads 15 b of thefirst bush 15. In this state, theinward projection 16 b of thesecond bush 16 contacts the upper surface of the bolt head Ba, and theoutward projection 16 c at the upper end of thesecond bush 16 contacts the upper end surface of thecylindrical portion 10 d of theupper casing 10. Additionally, the bolt head Ba is held rotatably between the upper end surface 15 a of thefirst bush 15 and theinward projection 16 b of thesecond bush 16. The bolt head Ba is inside thesecond bush 16, but is exposed to the outside at a position facing thebolt hole 10 c of theupper casing 10. - The bottom end of the bolt shaft Bb projects down from the
lower casing 11 and is aligned with the nut N of theholder 20. The impact wrench (not shown) then is inserted into a hollow portion of thesecond bush 16 so that the leading end of the impact wrench engages a groove in the upper surface of the bolt head Ba. The bolt B then is turned and engages the nut N to fix the upper andlower casings holder 20. - The
outward projection 16 c at the upper end of thesecond bush 16 projects from thefirst bush 15 and contacts the upper end surface of thecylindrical portion 10 d of theupper casing 10 to prevent theupper casing 10 from being disengaged from thelower casing 11. - The impact wrench can be inserted from above into the hollow portion of the
second bush 16 and turned in reverse direction to raise the bolt B and to disengage the bolt B from the nut N. The bolt head Ba pushes the inward-projection 16 b of thesecond bush 16 up and away from theholder 20 as the bolt B is raised. Thesecond bush 16 is fixed to thefirst bush 15 and thefirst bush 15 is fixed to thelower casing 11. Thus, thelower casing 11 is pushed up as the bolt B is raised. At this time, the outward-projection 16 c at the upper end of thesecond bush 16 is engaged with the upper surface of thecylindrical portion 10 d of theupper casing 10. As a result, theupper casing 10 cannot disengage from thelower casing 11. - The
lower casing 11 is pushed up and away from theholder 20 as the bolt B is disengaged from the nut N. However, theupper casing 10 is coupled lockingly to thelower casing 11. Thus, theupper casing 20 is pushed up and away from theholder 20 together with thelower casing 11. As a result, bothcasings holder 20 as the bolt B is detached. - As described above, the
bushes lower casing 11 up and away from theholder 20 as the bolt is rotated during the bolt detaching operation. Theupper casing 10 is above thelower casing 11 and is pushed up entirely uniformly by thelower casing 11. In other words, theupper casing 10 is pushed away from theholder 20 by thelower casing 11, which is arranged at an intermediate position between theupper casing 10 and theholder 20. - Accordingly, the
casings holder 20 without being freed from their locked state, even if only one bolt B is mounted at a central portion of thecasings casings lower casing 11 is prevented from being left fixed to theholder 20. - The bolt B is mounted in the
casings casings casings holder 20 merely by using the impact wrench or other such tool. - The lockingly coupled
casings holder 20 in the foregoing embodiment. However, the invention is applicable to a case where they are fixed to a vehicle body panel, dash panel or the like. - The invention was described with respect to threadedly
interconnected bushes
Claims (14)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2004037426A JP4222219B2 (en) | 2004-02-13 | 2004-02-13 | Electrical junction box for automobiles |
JP2004-037426 | 2004-02-13 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US6930248B1 US6930248B1 (en) | 2005-08-16 |
US20050178575A1 true US20050178575A1 (en) | 2005-08-18 |
Family
ID=34824381
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/990,737 Expired - Fee Related US6930248B1 (en) | 2004-02-13 | 2004-11-17 | Automotive electrical connection box |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6930248B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4222219B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE102004043708B4 (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4225213B2 (en) * | 2004-02-13 | 2009-02-18 | 住友電装株式会社 | Electrical junction box for automobiles |
JP4328709B2 (en) * | 2004-11-01 | 2009-09-09 | 日本圧着端子製造株式会社 | Electrical connector |
JP4900867B2 (en) * | 2007-09-05 | 2012-03-21 | 古河電気工業株式会社 | Replacement housing for electrical junction box and connector processing method for wire harness |
KR101169870B1 (en) | 2007-12-20 | 2012-09-18 | 티알더블유 오토모티브 유.에스. 엘엘씨 | Electronic assembly and method of manufacturing same |
JP2011041372A (en) * | 2009-08-07 | 2011-02-24 | Sumitomo Wiring Syst Ltd | Electrical connection box |
JP5294084B2 (en) * | 2009-10-28 | 2013-09-18 | 住友電装株式会社 | Stud bolt assembly and electrical junction box with stud bolt assembly |
KR101752381B1 (en) * | 2016-12-23 | 2017-06-30 | 영화테크(주) | Junction Box of One Bolt Type |
GB2568756A (en) * | 2017-11-28 | 2019-05-29 | Airbus Operations Ltd | Fastener |
JP6942750B2 (en) * | 2019-04-25 | 2021-09-29 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Electrical junction box |
US11142147B2 (en) * | 2019-06-28 | 2021-10-12 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Power distribution box assembly for a vehicle |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4811168A (en) * | 1987-11-23 | 1989-03-07 | Chesnut Milton L | Housing and connector apparatus for electronic circuit |
US4956748A (en) * | 1988-02-10 | 1990-09-11 | Yazaki Corporation | Wiring apparatus for automobile |
US5023752A (en) * | 1989-10-31 | 1991-06-11 | General Motors Corporation | Electrical power distribution center |
US5266047A (en) * | 1992-04-13 | 1993-11-30 | The Whitaker Corporation | Electrical connector assembly |
US5271689A (en) * | 1991-05-21 | 1993-12-21 | Yazaki Corporation | Thread fastening type connector assembly |
US5771151A (en) * | 1996-07-10 | 1998-06-23 | The Whitaker Corporation | Central electrical assembly |
US6027360A (en) * | 1998-06-10 | 2000-02-22 | Yazaki Corporation | Junction block bracket for floating connector attachment |
US6419516B1 (en) * | 2000-09-07 | 2002-07-16 | Lear Corporation | Junction box connector shroud |
US6443779B2 (en) * | 2000-04-27 | 2002-09-03 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Electrical connection box |
US20020176739A1 (en) * | 2001-05-23 | 2002-11-28 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Arrangement for attaching two members to each other |
US6570088B1 (en) * | 2002-03-13 | 2003-05-27 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Junction box assembly |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3412129B2 (en) * | 1997-04-22 | 2003-06-03 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Connector connection structure of electrical junction box |
-
2004
- 2004-02-13 JP JP2004037426A patent/JP4222219B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-09-09 DE DE102004043708A patent/DE102004043708B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-11-17 US US10/990,737 patent/US6930248B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4811168A (en) * | 1987-11-23 | 1989-03-07 | Chesnut Milton L | Housing and connector apparatus for electronic circuit |
US4956748A (en) * | 1988-02-10 | 1990-09-11 | Yazaki Corporation | Wiring apparatus for automobile |
US5023752A (en) * | 1989-10-31 | 1991-06-11 | General Motors Corporation | Electrical power distribution center |
US5271689A (en) * | 1991-05-21 | 1993-12-21 | Yazaki Corporation | Thread fastening type connector assembly |
US5266047A (en) * | 1992-04-13 | 1993-11-30 | The Whitaker Corporation | Electrical connector assembly |
US5771151A (en) * | 1996-07-10 | 1998-06-23 | The Whitaker Corporation | Central electrical assembly |
US6027360A (en) * | 1998-06-10 | 2000-02-22 | Yazaki Corporation | Junction block bracket for floating connector attachment |
US6443779B2 (en) * | 2000-04-27 | 2002-09-03 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Electrical connection box |
US6419516B1 (en) * | 2000-09-07 | 2002-07-16 | Lear Corporation | Junction box connector shroud |
US20020176739A1 (en) * | 2001-05-23 | 2002-11-28 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Arrangement for attaching two members to each other |
US6570088B1 (en) * | 2002-03-13 | 2003-05-27 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Junction box assembly |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE102004043708B4 (en) | 2007-04-26 |
JP4222219B2 (en) | 2009-02-12 |
JP2005229762A (en) | 2005-08-25 |
DE102004043708A1 (en) | 2005-09-08 |
US6930248B1 (en) | 2005-08-16 |
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Owner name: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SAKA, YUKINORI;NAKAGAWA, TOORU;REEL/FRAME:016006/0080 Effective date: 20041109 |
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