JP3498658B2 - Fuse box unit - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuse box unit including a fuse and a fuse box.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a fuse box unit directly attached to a battery is known. Here, the conventional example is shown in FIG.

The fuse box unit 61 comprises a fuse box 62, a single plate fuse 63 and the like. The plate fuse 63 is made of a conductive metal plate and has a structure in which bolt holes 65 are provided at both ends of the fuse element portion 64. The fuse box 62 is a resin molded product and has a recess 66 that can accommodate a plurality of plate fuses 63. In the fuse box 62, a pair of flat nuts 67 and 68 are insert-molded on the bottom surface of the recess 66. A battery direct-mounting terminal (not shown) extends from the plate-shaped nut 67 on the input side.
Bolt holes are formed in the plate nut 67 on the input side. Therefore, by setting the fuse 63 and screwing the bolt 69 into the bolt hole, one end of the fuse 63 is fixed in a state of being connected to the flat plate nut 67 on the input side. A bolt hole is also formed in the flat plate nut 68 on the output side. Therefore, by setting the fuse 63 and screwing the bolt 69 into the bolt hole,
The other end of the fuse 63 is fixed while being connected to the flat plate nut 68 on the output side.

An LA terminal 72 is crimped to each of the electric wires 71 forming the wire harness 70.
The A terminal 72 is connected and fixed to the flat plate nut 68 together with the fuse 63 by using a bolt 69. The fuse box 62 is protected by the fuse cover 73.

[0005]

However, in the case of the prior art, it is necessary to connect and fix the fuse 63 and the battery direct mounting terminal, which are separately configured, by using the nut 67 and the bolt 69. Further, it is necessary to similarly connect and fix the fuse 63 and the LA terminal 72, which are separately configured, by using the nut 68 and the bolt 69. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of parts inevitably increases and the cost increases.

In addition, mounting defects (for example, diagonal tightening, forgetting to tighten, etc.) are likely to occur at the time of manufacturing, and it is necessary to thoroughly manage the process in order to reduce the defects. Further, the size of the nuts 67 and 68 is an important factor that determines the size of the entire unit, but there is a certain limit to miniaturization of the nuts 67 and 68. Moreover, the fuse 63
There If it is a large current, it is necessary to use a large nut 6 7,68 certain degree in order to reduce the resistance, there is a problem that the entire size reduction is very difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a fuse box unit which has a small number of parts, is inexpensive, is suitable for downsizing, and has a structure in which poor mounting is unlikely to occur. To do.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the invention of claim 1, in a fuse box unit including a fuse and a fuse box, the fuse is a battery at one end of a fuse element portion. The structure is such that a direct mounting terminal is integrally formed, and a male tab for connecting a wire harness is integrally formed at the other end of the fuse element portion, and a part of the battery direct mounting terminal is projected to the outside. The fuse box is housed in the fuse box while
A part of the fuse is sandwiched inside the positioning
On the other hand, the male tab is
A plurality of the fuse boxes,
Separate the male tabs from each other and use the wire harness
Space that can accommodate crimp terminals crimped to the wires that make up the
An insulating partition wall is formed to partition the
Means are provided along the vertical direction of the box in the partition wall.
A gist of a fuse box unit is characterized in that it includes a portion in which an extending slit is formed .

The invention described in claim 2 is the same as that described in claim 1.
In the above fuse box unit, the fixing means
Is provided on the opposite surface in the fuse box.
It further includes two pairs of guide ribs .

The invention according to claim 3 provides the invention according to claim 1 or
The fuse box unit according to claim 2,
Around the fuse element part in the fuse
Is resin-molded .

[0011]

The “action” of the present invention will be described below. According to the invention as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3 , the fuse element portion and the terminal are connected and fixed by integrally forming the battery direct-attaching terminal at one end of the fuse element portion. This eliminates the need for fastening means such as nuts and bolts. Further, since the male tab for connecting the wire harness is integrally formed at the other end of the fuse element part, the fuse element part and the wire harness side can be easily connected and fixed without using the fastening means. Therefore, the number of parts is reduced,
It can be cheap. Further, by omitting the fastening means, it becomes difficult to cause a mounting failure during manufacturing, and the structure is suitable for downsizing the entire unit.

Further, since a part of the fuse is sandwiched by the fixing means, the fuse is fixed in a state of being positioned inside the fuse box. Therefore,
The fastening means for fixing the fuse to the fuse box can also be omitted, and the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, the size can be reduced, and the like.

Further, when the fuse is accommodated in the fuse box, each male tab is inserted into the crimp terminal, and the male tab side and the wire harness side are electrically connected via the crimp terminal. Therefore, the LA terminal and the fastening means for connecting and connecting the male tab side terminal and the wire harness side terminal can be omitted. Further, since the crimp terminals are separated from each other by the insulating partition wall, at this time, a short circuit is prevented from occurring between the crimp terminals. Furthermore, since both the male tab and the crimp terminal are housed in the fuse box and both are not exposed outside the box, they can be reliably protected from moisture and the like.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the resin mold protects the fuse element portion, which is a conductive portion, so that the fuse element portion is less likely to be distorted, and as a result, high strength is imparted to the fuse. . In addition, the presence of the resin mold also improves the insulating property and waterproof property.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A fuse box unit for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
It will be described in detail based on.

The fuse 1 constituting the fuse box unit of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is formed using a conductive metal plate. As a material for forming the conductive metal plate, silver, copper, zinc, tin, lead and alloys thereof are usually often used. This conductive metal plate has a battery
A battery direct mounting terminal portion 3 as a direct mounting terminal, a male tab 4 as an output side terminal portion, and a fuse element portion 5
Are integrally formed. The battery direct-attaching terminal portion 3, which is directly connected to a power supply terminal of a vehicle-mounted battery (not shown), includes a horizontal portion 3b and a vertical portion 3a wider than the horizontal portion 3b. The base end of the horizontal portion 3b is connected to the upper end of the vertical portion 3a. The horizontal portion 3b is formed by bending into a U-shaped cross section, and a circular bolt insertion hole 6 is provided at a central portion of the horizontal portion 3b near the tip thereof. The battery direct mounting terminal portion 3 is fixed to the power feeding terminal by tightening the nut while the bolt is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 6.

The fuse 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of male tabs 4 and a plurality of fuse element portions 5, specifically, four fuse elements. The fuse element portion 5 of the fuse 1 is bent into a substantially S-shape and is formed to be considerably thinner than the male tab 4. One end of each fuse element portion 5 is connected to the lower end of the horizontal portion 3b. The other end of each fuse element portion 5 is connected to the upper end of each male tab 4 extending in the vertical direction. That is, by these fuse element parts 5,
The battery direct attachment terminal part 3 and each male tab 4 are substantially connected.

A part of the conductive metal plate (specifically, the entire vertical portion 3a and the upper end portion of each male tab 4) is molded by a mold resin portion 7 as an insulator. It can be understood that in the fuse 1, the periphery of the fuse element portion 5 is resin-molded.
The mold resin portion 7 is thin and plate-shaped. An insulating resin typified by an epoxy resin is selected as a material for forming the mold resin portion 7. Mold resin part 7
Four window portions 8 are provided at predetermined locations in.
The window portion 8 in this embodiment has a square shape. Then, the individual fuse element parts 5 are exposed to the outside of the mold resin part 7 through these windows 8. Note that the fuse 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a “substantially rake-like” shape, and four male tabs 4 are branched from one battery direct-attaching terminal portion 3.

Next, a procedure for manufacturing the fuse 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, an unprocessed conductive metal plate is prepared, and a predetermined portion of the conductive metal plate is punched to form the battery direct-attaching terminal portion 3, the four male tabs 4 and the tie bar 11. Here, the tie bar 11 may be formed to have the same thickness as the conductive metal plate, or may be formed thinner than the conductive metal plate by, for example, half etching. It is preferable that each tie bar 11 is formed at least at a position exposed from the mold resin portion 7, specifically, at the tip of the male tab 4. Also,
The bolt insertion holes 6 may be formed at the same time as the above-mentioned press punching.

After that, the conductive metal plate is bent into a substantially L shape by performing a bending process using a dedicated jig. Next, a portion of the conductive metal plate that will later become the fuse element portion 5 (element portion forming portion 1
The region including 2) is pre-molded with the mold resin part 7 by the insert molding method. With that,
By providing the window portion 8 in the mold resin portion 7, only the element portion forming portion 12 is exposed through the window portion 8. As a method of forming the window portion 8, for example, there is a method of previously providing a window portion forming convex portion on an insert molding die.

In this state, the exposed element portion forming portion 12 is stamped. As a result, the four fuse element portions 5 are formed, and at the same time, the three tie bars 11 are punched and removed. As a result, each male tab 4 is separated. As a result, the desired fuse 1 shown in FIG. 1 is completed.

The fuse 1 manufactured in this way is
It is used while being housed in a fuse box 21 having a structure as shown in FIG. The fuse box 21 is a tubular resin molded product. As a resin material forming the fuse box 21, an ABS resin having an insulating property or the like is selected.

The upper opening 22 of the fuse box 21 has a rectangular shape. Outside the upper opening 22, a plurality of locked portions 27 and one horizontal partial support portion 28 are formed integrally with the fuse box 21.
When the fuse body 2 is housed in the fuse box 21, the horizontal portion 3b is supported by being placed on the horizontal portion support portion 28. At this time, the horizontal portion 3b projects to the outside of the fuse box 21. Therefore, even when the battery is directly inserted, the battery direct attachment terminal portion 3 can be connected to the power supply terminal side of the battery.

An insulating partition wall 23 is formed inside the fuse box 21. In this embodiment, there are three partition walls 23, and these are formed integrally with the fuse box 21 by resin molding. The partition walls 23 extend in the vertical direction of the box and are arranged in parallel and at equal intervals. The inside of the fuse box 21 is divided into four spaces (that is, terminal accommodating spaces) S1 by the three partition walls 23. Further, each of the four spaces S1 can accommodate a rectangular columnar crimp terminal (not shown). It is preferable that a lance structure for locking the crimp terminal is formed at a location on the inner wall surface of the fuse box 21 that defines the terminal accommodation space S1. Further, each of the four lower openings 24 of the fuse box 21 has a square shape. Then, the electric wires constituting the wire harness (not shown) are crimped to the lower end side of each crimp terminal.

At the upper part of each partition wall 23, slits 25 having the same width and extending in the vertical direction of the box are formed. The width of these slits 25 is set to be approximately the same as the thickness of the mold resin portion 7 of the fuse body 2. Therefore, when the fuse 1 is housed, the mold resin portion 7 is exactly sandwiched between these slits 25 from the front-rear direction (see FIG. 7). as a result,
The fuse 1 is positioned at a predetermined position in the fuse box 21, and the fuse 1 is fixed in that state.

That is, the slit forming portion 25a of the partition wall 23 serves as a first fixing means for positioning and fixing the fuse 1 by sandwiching a part of the fuse 1 (front and back surfaces of the mold resin portion 7). There is.

Further, two pairs of guide ribs 26 extending parallel to each other in the up-down direction of the box are integrally formed on the opposing surfaces in the fuse box 21 by resin molding. The width between the pair of guide ribs 26 is also set to be approximately the same as the thickness of the mold resin portion 7 of the fuse 1. Therefore, when the fuse 1 is housed, the mold resin portion 7 is exactly sandwiched by the two pairs of guide ribs 26 from the left and right sides (see FIG. 7). As a result, the fuse 1 is positioned at a predetermined position in the fuse box 21, and the fuse 1 is fixed in that state.

That is, these guide ribs 26 sandwich a part of the fuse 1 (specifically, both left and right sides of the mold resin portion 7) to position and fix the fuse 1.
Plays a role as a means of fixing. The guide ribs 26 also have a role of guiding the fuse 1 when the fuse 1 is inserted into the fuse box 21.

A fuse cover 41 for protecting the fuse 1 is shown in FIGS. The fuse cover 41 is a resin molded product formed of an insulating material such as resin, and is composed of a cover body 42, a lid 43, and a hinge 44 connecting these. The cover body 42 plays a role of protecting the power supply terminal of the vehicle-mounted battery and the horizontal portion 3b by protecting them from water and dust. A mark indicating that it is a power supply terminal is provided on the outer surface of the upper portion of the cover body 42. The lid 43 is attached so as to close the upper opening 22 of the fuse box 21. Wherein the lid portion 43 at positions corresponding to the engaged portion 2 7, the locking portion 45 is protruded integrally.

[0031] Therefore, when fitted with a fuse cover 41 to the fuse box 21, by the locking portion 45 to the locked portion 2 7 are engaged, so that the lid 43 is securely fixed to the upper opening 22 (See FIG. 7).

A fixing rib 46 is provided on the lower surface of the lid 43.
Are formed in two pairs. The width between the pair of fixed ribs 46 is set to be approximately the same as the thickness of the mold resin portion 7 of the fuse 1. Therefore, when the fuse 1 is housed and the fuse cover 41 is attached, the upper edge portion of the mold resin portion 7 is just clamped by the two pairs of fixing ribs 46 (see FIG. 7). As a result, the fuse 1 is positioned at a predetermined position in the fuse box 21, and the fuse 1 is fixed in that state.

That is, these fixing ribs 46 serve as third fixing means for positioning and fixing the fuse 1 by sandwiching a part of the fuse 1 (specifically, the upper edge portion of the mold resin portion 7). I carry it.

[0034] The lid portion 43 each fixed rib 46 is provided, while preventing escape of inadvertent fuse 1 from the upper opening 22, mainly the fuse element portion 5 or water and dust or the like RaTamotsu Mamoru Have a role to play.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) In the case of the fuse 1 that constitutes this fuse box unit, at one end of the four fuse element parts 5,
One battery straight with only the end terminal part 3 is formed integrally. Therefore, fastening means such as nuts and bolts for connecting and fixing the fuse element portion 5 and the terminal portion 3 becomes unnecessary. Further, male tabs 4 for connecting a wire harness are integrally formed at the other ends of the four fuse element portions 5, respectively. Therefore, the fuse element portion 5 and the wire harness side can be easily connected and fixed without using the fastening means. From the above two points, according to the present embodiment, the number of parts can be surely reduced and the cost can be reduced as compared with the conventional one.

Since the fastening means is omitted,
Less likely to cause mounting defects during manufacturing, such as diagonal tightening and forgetting to tighten. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform so strict process control, and workability is improved as compared with the conventional one. Also, there is no need for large-scale equipment for bolt tightening,
It is possible to avoid an increase in equipment cost.

In addition to this, by omitting the nut, which is a factor that determines the size of the fuse box unit itself, the miniaturization of the entire unit can be achieved relatively easily.

(2) Inside the fuse box 21,
First and second fixing means for sandwiching and fixing a part of the fuse 1 are formed. Then, by such fixing means, the fuse 1 is fixed inside the fuse box 21 while being positioned. Therefore, the fastening means for fixing the fuse box 21 and the fuse 1 can also be omitted, and the reduction in the number of parts, cost reduction, miniaturization, etc. can be achieved more reliably.

(3) In the case of the fuse box 21 according to the present embodiment, the four male tabs 4 are separated from each other, and the insulating partition wall 23 for partitioning the terminal accommodating space S1 is formed therein. Therefore, when the fuse 1 is housed in the fuse box 21, each male tab 4 is inserted into the corresponding crimp terminal. Further, the male tab 4 side and the wire harness side are electrically connected via the crimp terminal. Therefore, it is possible to omit the LA terminal and the fastening means for connecting and connecting the male tab 4 side and the wire harness side terminal. The advantage of using the crimp terminal is that it can be connected to the wire harness by crimping without relying on the fastening means.

Further, the crimp terminals are insulated from each other by the partition wall 2
Since they are separated by 3, the occurrence of a short circuit between the crimp terminals is also prevented at this time. That is, the partition wall 23 contributes to improving the reliability of the device.

Further, both the male tab 4 and the crimp terminal are housed in the fuse box 21, and both of them are accommodated in the box 21.
Not exposed to the outside. Therefore, they can be surely protected from moisture and the like, which also improves the reliability of the device.

(4) The fuse box unit of this embodiment is provided with the first, second and third fixing means as described above. Therefore, the fuse 1 can be reliably positioned and fixed in the fuse box 21 by sandwiching a plurality of parts in the fuse 1 by such three kinds of fixing means. As a result, the fuse box unit becomes resistant to shocks and vibrations, and the reliability of the device is surely improved.

(5) In the fuse 1 of this embodiment, the fuse element portion 5 is resin-molded around the fuse element portion 5, so that the fuse element portion 5, which is a conductive portion, is protected by the mold resin portion 7. . therefore,
The fuse element portion 5 is less likely to be distorted, and as a result, the fuse 1 is given high strength. Further, the presence of the mold resin portion 7 surely improves the insulating property and the waterproof property.

The embodiment of the present invention may be modified as follows. The number of male tabs 4 which are the output side terminal portions may be three or less (that is, one, two, three), or five.
It may be more than a book. Further, the shape of the male stub 4 is not limited to that of the embodiment, and any change is allowed. Similarly, the whole shape of the battery direct-attaching terminal portion 3 can be changed, and the bolt insertion hole 6 can be changed.
Changes such as omission are allowed. Of course, the fuse 1 itself is not limited to the substantially rake-shaped fuse as in the embodiment.

The insulator is not limited to only the mold resin portion 7 as in the embodiment, but other than that,
For example, rubber may be used. It is also possible to form the insulator using a method other than insert molding. Furthermore, it is also possible to adopt a structure in which an insulator such as the mold resin portion 7 is omitted.

[0046] - the second to adopt the configuration omitted securing means shown in the embodiments are acceptable. Also, it may be different from those of the structure an embodiment of the second fastening means.

Next, in addition to the technical ideas described in the claims, the technical ideas grasped by the above-described embodiment will be listed below. (1) In any one of claims 1 to 4, the battery direct-attaching terminal portion is directly connected to a power supply terminal of a vehicle-mounted battery.

(2) Claims 3 and 4 or technical idea 1
In the fixing means, the partition is a portion where a slit extending along the up-down direction of the box is formed in the partition wall, and the fuse is positioned and fixed by sandwiching the front and back surfaces of the insulator in the fuse. To do.

(3) Claims 2 to 4, technical idea 1,
In any one of the above two, the fixing means is two pairs of guide ribs provided on opposite surfaces in the fuse box, and the left and right sides of the insulator of the fuse are sandwiched by the guide ribs. The fuse should be positioned and fixed.

(4) In any one of claims 1 to 4 and technical ideas 1 to 3, the fuse box unit includes a cover body for covering a portion of the fuse exposed from the fuse box, and the fuse box. Further comprising a fuse cover made of an insulating material, the fuse cover having a lid portion that closes the opening and the hinge portion that connects them.

(5) In the technical idea 4, a fixing means for sandwiching a part of the fuse and positioning and fixing the fuse is formed on the inner surface side of the lid portion. (6) In a fuse box unit including a fuse and a fuse box, a fixing means for positioning and fixing a part of the fuse by sandwiching the fuse is formed inside the fuse box.

(7) A fuse box unit comprising a fuse having a battery direct-mounting terminal, a plurality of fuse element parts, and a plurality of male tabs for connecting a wire harness, and a fuse box, wherein: A fuse box unit, characterized in that an insulating partition wall is formed to separate the male tabs from each other and to partition a space capable of accommodating the crimp terminal.

[0053]

As described in detail above, claims 1 to 1
According to the invention described in any one of 3 above, it is possible to provide a fuse box unit which has a small number of parts, is inexpensive, is suitable for downsizing, and has a structure in which a mounting failure is unlikely to occur. .

[0054] Also, reducing the number of components, cost reduction, it is possible to more reliably achieve the miniaturization. Furthermore, it can be made highly reliable.

According to the invention described in claim 3 , it is possible to obtain high strength and excellent insulation and waterproof properties .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a plan view of a fuse constituting a fuse box unit of an embodiment embodying the invention,
(B) is a front view, (c) is a right side view, and (d) is a rear view.

2A to 2C are front views for explaining a procedure for manufacturing the fuse.

3A is a plan view of a fuse box for accommodating the fuse, FIG. 3B is a front view, FIG. 3C is a right side view, and FIG. 3D is a rear view.

4A is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3A, FIG.
3B is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 3B.

5A is a plan view of a fuse cover for protecting the fuse, FIG. 5B is a front view, FIG. 5C is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 5B, and FIG. (E) is a rear view.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the fuse cover.

7A is a plan view showing a state in which the fuse is housed in the fuse box, FIG. 7B is a front view, and FIG.
Is a right side view.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional fuse box unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fuse, 3 ... Battery direct attachment terminal part as a battery direct attachment terminal, 4 ... Male tab, 5 ... Fuse element part, 7 ... Mold resin part, 21 ... Fuse box, 23 ... Partition wall, 25 ... Slit, 25a ... (First
Slit forming portion as a fixing means, 26 ... (Second
A space for accommodating the guide ribs as fixing means , S 1 ... Crimping terminals.

Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H02G 3/16

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A fuse box unit including a fuse and a fuse box, wherein the fuse integrally has a terminal for directly attaching a battery at one end of a fuse element portion, and a wire harness at the other end of the fuse element portion. A structure in which a male tab for connection is integrally formed, and is housed in the fuse box in a state in which a part of the battery direct-attaching terminal is projected to the outside, while inside the fuse box, Part of the fuse
A fixing means for sandwiching and positioning is formed.
On the other hand, there are a plurality of male tabs,
Inside, separating the male tabs from each other,
Crimping terminals crimped to the wires that make up the wire harness
An insulating partition wall that divides the accommodating space is formed
And the fixing means is provided on the partition wall in the vertical direction of the box.
A fuse box unit including a portion having a slit extending along the fuse box unit. 2. The fuse box unit according to claim 1.
The fixing means face each other in the fuse box.
It further includes two pairs of guide ribs provided on the surface.
The fuse box unit to collect. 3. The fuse body according to claim 1 or 2.
In the fuse unit, around the fuse element part in the fuse
Is a fuse box unit characterized by being resin-molded .