JPH09327111A - Waterproof structure for electrical connection box - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a waterproof structure which easily and surely prevents water from entering an electrical connection box. SOLUTION: A through hole 25 is formed at an electrical connection box 11 and a plurality of protruding parts 17, 22 and recesses 18, 23 are formed on the inner circumferential face of the through hole 25. Connectors 17 at ware harnesses 26 are connected to relays 15 which are installed inside the box 11, and electric wires 28 which are extended from te connectors 27 are passed through a corrugate tube 29. A plurality of protrusions 31 and recesses 32 are formed on the outer circumferential face of the corrugate tube 29, and the protrusions 31 and the recesses 32 are engaged with the protruding parts 17, 22 and the recesses 18, 23. Consequently, water which enters between the corrugate tube 29 and the through hole 25 is not passed between the protrusions 17, 22, 31 and the recesses 18, 23, 32 which are fitted to each other. As a result, it is possible to easily and surely prevent the water from entering the box 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a waterproof structure for an electrical equipment box.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 7, an electric equipment box 71 containing a relay 72 and the like is provided in an engine room of an automobile.
Is provided. The electric wire 7 connected to the relay 72
3 penetrates through hole 74 provided in outer wall 71 a of box 71 for electrical equipment. For the electric wire 73, the electric wire 73
In order to prevent water from entering the electric equipment box 71 from between the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 74 and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 74, for example,
The grommet 75 shown in Japanese Patent No. 85525 is attached.

The grommet 75 is made of synthetic rubber. The grommet 75 is provided with an insertion hole 76 through which the electric wire 73 penetrates, and the smallest diameter portion of the insertion hole 76 has a diameter smaller than that of the electric wire 73 when it is removed from the electric wire 73. Therefore, when attaching the grommet 75 to the electric wire 73, the grommet 75 is elastically deformed by a hand or the like so that the insertion hole 76 expands, and the electric wire 7 is kept in that state.
3 through the insertion hole 76. Then, when the hand is separated from the grommet 75, the electric wire 73 is fitted into the insertion hole 76 of the grommet 75, and water cannot pass between the electric wire 73 and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 76. Further, water cannot pass between the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 74 and the grommet 75.

However, the electrical equipment box 71 as described above is used.
In the waterproof structure of No. 3, since the grommet 75 must be elastically deformed by hand in order to pass the electric wire 73 through the grommet 75, there is a problem that the work takes time.

[0005] Therefore, the actual flat 4-93423 shown in FIG.
The electrical equipment box 81 of the publication is proposed. The electrical equipment box 81 includes a side cover 82 made of synthetic resin,
The lower cover 83 made of synthetic resin is fitted into the lower portion of the side cover 82. On the outer surfaces of the side cover 82 and the lower cover 83, tubular portions 84 and 85 formed in a semi-cylindrical shape are integrally provided, respectively. Then, when the lower cover 83 is fitted into the side cover 82,
Both the tubular portion 84 and the tubular portion 85 are connected to each other, and a through hole 86 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the electric wire 73 is formed between them.

Therefore, the side cover 82 and the lower cover 8
The electric wire 73 is arranged between the tubular portions 84 and 85 in a state where the lower cover 83 is separated from the side cover 82.
, The tubular portions 84 and 85 are connected to each other with the electric wire 73 interposed therebetween. As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 73 is formed in the through hole 8
6, the electric wire 73 is fitted into the through hole 86 without a gap, and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 73 and the through hole 86 are
It is possible to prevent water from easily entering between the inner peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface.

[0007]

However, in the above configuration, since the tubular portions 84 and 85 are made of a relatively hard synthetic resin, the tubular portions 84 and 85 do not come into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 73 and a gap is formed. May be formed. Therefore, there is a problem in that the water splashed by the tires into the engine room when the vehicle passes through a water pool or the like, or the water at the time of car washing enters the electrical equipment box 81 through the gap.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object thereof is to reliably prevent water from entering the box for electrical equipment. The second purpose is to improve the waterproofness of the electrical equipment box.

A third object is to facilitate the work of mounting the covering tube on the electric wire. A fourth object is to make it possible to easily fit the covering tube into the through hole.

A fifth object is to make it possible to easily fit the covering tubes into the two through holes, respectively.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 1, in particular, a coating tube is fitted on the outer periphery of the electric wire, and the outer peripheral surface of the coating tube and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole. A waterproofing means having a concave and convex fitting relationship was provided between and.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the through holes are provided in the cylindrical portion projecting from the outer wall of the electrical equipment box, and the waterproofing means are alternately arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the through holes along the axial direction. And a plurality of convex portions and concave portions that are alternately arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the covering tube along the axial direction so as to mesh with the respective convex portions and concave portions.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the covering tube is provided with a notch portion extending in the axial direction so as to connect the openings at both ends thereof. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the tubular portion is composed of a plurality of connecting members which can be connected to and disconnected from each other, and the through hole is formed between the connecting members when the connecting members are connected to each other.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, each of the connecting members includes an intermediate connecting member and a pair of outer connecting members, and the intermediate connecting member is sandwiched between the pair of outer connecting members to be connected. The through holes are formed between the intermediate connecting member and both outer connecting members.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the covering tube externally fitted to the electric wire is arranged in the through hole of the electrical equipment box, the unevenness of the waterproofing means is brought into a fitted state. Claim 2
In the described invention, in addition to the function of the invention described in claim 1, the covering tube in which the plurality of convex portions and the concave portions are arranged in parallel is arranged in the through hole provided in the cylindrical portion protruding from the outer wall of the electrical component box. It Then, each protrusion and recess of the corrugated tube meshes with a plurality of protrusions and recesses provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first or second aspect is provided.
In addition to the operation of the invention described above, the cutout portion of the covering tube is sequentially expanded in the longitudinal direction, and the electric wire is sequentially inserted into the covering tube from the expanded portion.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the operation of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the connection of each connecting member forming the tubular portion is released, and the electric wire is passed between the connecting members. The connecting members are connected to each other in a state where the covered tube is placed. Then, the covering tube is fitted into the through hole formed between the connecting members.

According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the operation of the invention of claim 4, the connection between the intermediate connecting member and the both outer connecting members forming the tubular portion is released, and the intermediate connecting member and the both outer connecting members are released. And a covering tube through which the electric wire is respectively passed. Then, when the intermediate connecting member and the both outer connecting members are respectively connected, the two covering tubes are fitted in the two through holes formed between the intermediate connecting member and the both outer connecting members.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The electrical equipment box 11 shown in FIG. 1 is provided, for example, in the engine room of an automobile. This electrical equipment box 11 is a side cover 1
2, the lower cover 13 and the upper cover 14, and the lower cover 13 and the upper cover 14 are attachable to and detachable from the lower opening and the upper opening of the side cover 12. In addition, a relay 15 as an electrical component is provided in the electrical component box 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, a semi-cylindrical connection receiving member 16 protruding outward is provided at the upper end of the outer wall 13a of the lower cover 13 as a connection member.
On the inner peripheral surface of the connection receiving member 16, a plurality of convex portions 17 extending in the circumferential direction are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the connection receiving member 16. A recess 18 is formed between each protrusion 17. A pair of protrusions 19 (only one protrusion 19 is shown in FIG. 3) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the coupling receiving member 16.

At the lower end of the outer wall 12a of the side cover 12, a semi-cylindrical connecting cover member 21 protruding outward is provided as a connecting member. The connection covering member 21 is located corresponding to the connection receiving member 16 of the lower cover 13. As shown in FIG. 1, on the inner peripheral surface of the coupling cover member 21, convex portions 22 are provided at positions corresponding to the respective convex portions 17 of the coupling receiving member 16. The protrusions 22 extend along the inner peripheral surface of the connection covering member 21, and recesses 23 are provided between the protrusions 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of locking portions 24 (one locking portion 2 in FIG. 3 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connection covering member 21.
4 are shown). And lower cover 1
When 3 is attached to the side cover 12, the connection covering member 2
The locking portion 24 of No. 1 is caught by the projection 19 of the connection receiving member 16, and the connection covering member 21 and the connection receiving member 16 are connected. When the connection covering member 21 and the connection receiving member 16 are connected, a through hole 25 that connects the inside and the outside of the electrical equipment box 11 is formed between them. still,
In this embodiment, the connection receiving member 16 and the connection covering member 21 form a tubular portion.

As shown in FIG. 1, the relay 15 includes:
The connector 27 of the wire harness 26 is connected. The wire harness 26 is the connector 27.
And an electric wire 28 extending from the connector 27. The electric wire 28 passes through a corrugated tube 29 as a covering tube made of an elastic material. The electric wire 28 is covered with a corrugated tube 29 over the entire longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the corrugated tube 29 includes:
A notch 30 extending in the axial direction is provided so as to connect the openings at both ends thereof. Furthermore, corrugated tube 29
A tape (not shown) is wound around the outer peripheral surface of, and the notch 30 is closed by the tape.

On the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube 29, a plurality of convex portions 31 extending in the circumferential direction are provided.
Are arranged side by side in the axial direction. The interval between the protrusions 31 is equal to the interval between the protrusions 17 of the connection receiving member 16 and the interval between the protrusions 22 of the connection covering member 21. Further, recesses 32 are provided between the protrusions 31 of the corrugated tube 29. As shown in FIG. 1, the corrugated tube 29 is used for the electrical equipment box 11
Through the through hole 25. Corrugated tube 29
The plurality of convex portions 31 and the concave portions 32 provided on the mesh with the convex portions 17 and 22 and the concave portions 18 and 23 of the coupling receiving member 16 and the coupling covering member 21, respectively.

In this embodiment, each of the convex portions 17, 22,
The waterproof means is constituted by 31 and the recesses 18, 23, 32. Next, the operation of the waterproof structure in the electrical equipment box 11 will be described.

In order to cover the electric wire 28 of the wire harness 26 with the corrugated tube 29, the electric wire 28 is not wound with tape, and the notch 3 of the corrugated tube 29 is not wound.
It is arranged so as to extend along 0. In this state, the notch 30 located at the longitudinal end of the corrugated tube 29.
Is manually spread, and the electric wire 28 is inserted into the corrugated tube 29 through the expanded notch 30. Furthermore, the notch 30
Sequentially expands in the longitudinal direction of the corrugated tube 29, and sequentially extends the electric wire 2 from the expanded part into the corrugated tube 29.
Insert 8. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the electric wire 28 penetrates the corrugated tube 29, and the electric wire 28 is covered with the corrugated tube 29.

When the electric wire 28 penetrates the corrugated tube 29, a tape (not shown) is wound around the corrugated tube 29 to close the cutout portion 30 of the corrugated tube 29. The longitudinal end portion of the corrugated tube 29 is arranged between the connection covering member 21 and the connection receiving member 16 in the separated side cover 12 and lower cover 13. Further, the corrugated tube 29 is made to extend in the same direction as the connection covering member 21 and the connection receiving member 16.

When the lower cover 13 is attached to the side cover 12 in this state, the connection covering member 21 and the connection receiving member 16 are connected. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the longitudinal end portion of the corrugated tube 29 has a through hole 25 formed between the connection covering member 21 and the connection receiving member 16.
It will be in the state of being fitted into. Then, in the corrugated tube 29 fitted in the through hole 25, the respective convex portions 31 and the concave portions 32 mesh with the respective convex portions 17 and 22 and the concave portions 18 and 23 of the coupling receiving member 16 and the coupling covering member 21.

When water is splashed on the tips of the connection receiving member 16 and the connection covering member 21, the water is applied to the corrugated tube 2.
It enters between the outer peripheral surface of 9 and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 25. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, this water collects in the recess 18 on the most distal end side of the connecting portion receiving member 16 and prevents the water from entering the electrical equipment box 11. Further, in order for the water accumulated in the recess 18 to move into the recess 18 on the one side of the base end side of the recess 18, the water must pass over the projection 17 located second from the tip end in the connection receiving member 16. I have to. Therefore, the water accumulated in the recess 18 on the most tip side is less likely to move to the recess 18 on the base end side than the recess 18, so that the water passes over each of the plurality of projections 17 and the electrical equipment box 11. It becomes more difficult to get inside.

In the embodiment described in detail above, the following (a)
(D). (A) When the corrugated tube 29 is arranged in the through hole 25 of the electrical equipment box 11, the corrugated tube 29
And the convex portions 17, 22, 31 and the concave portions 18, 2 of the through hole 25.
3 and 32 are fitted. As a result, even if water enters between the golgate tube 19 and the through hole 25, the convex portions 17, 22, 31 and the concave portion 18, into which the water is fitted,
It will not pass between 23 and 32. Therefore, the convex portion 1
Only by fitting the 7, 22, 31 and the recesses 18, 23, 32 together, it is possible to prevent water from entering the electrical equipment box 11 easily and reliably.

(B) The convex portions 17, 22, 31 and the concave portion 1
Since a plurality of 8, 23, and 32 are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the through hole 25 and the corrugated tube 29, each convex portion 1
The 7, 22, 31 and the recesses 18, 23, 32 are in a meshed state. Then, for example, in order for the water collected in the most advanced recess 18 to enter the electrical equipment box 11, it has to go over the plurality of projections 17. Therefore,
Since it becomes more difficult for water to pass between the convex portions 17, 22, 31 and the concave portions 18, 23, 32, the electrical equipment box 1
The waterproof property of 1 can be improved.

(C) The electric wire 28 of the wire harness 26 is
Notch 30 extending in the axial direction of the corrugated tube 29
When the corrugated tube 29 is inserted into the corrugated tube 29, the corrugated tube 29 is penetrated. Therefore, the electric wire 28 can be easily connected to the corrugated tube 29.
The corrugated tube 29 can be easily attached to the electric wire 23.

(D) The through hole 25 is formed between the connection receiving member 16 and the connection covering member 21 when the connection receiving member 16 and the connection covering member 21 are connected. Therefore, the connection receiving member 16 and the connection covering member 2 which have been released from the connection are released.
By arranging the corrugated tube 29 between 1 and 1, and connecting the connection receiving member 16 and the connection covering member 21,
The corrugated tube 29 is fitted into the through hole 25.
Therefore, even if the corrugated tube 29 is not forcefully inserted into the through hole 25, the corrugated tube 29 is not inserted into the through hole 25.
Can be easily fitted into.

The present invention can be embodied with the following modifications, for example. (1) In the present embodiment, the notch 30 of the corrugated tube 29 is omitted, and
The electric wire 28 may be covered with the corrugated tube 29 by passing the electric wire 28 in the axial direction.
In this case, it is possible to save the trouble of winding the tape around the corrugated tube 29.

(2) In the present embodiment, the corrugated tube 29 provided with the plurality of convex portions 17 and concave portions 18 is exemplified as the covering tube, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a synthetic resin tube may be provided as a covering tube, and one of the resin tube and the through hole 25 may be provided with only one convex portion and the other may be provided with only one concave portion.

(3) As shown in FIG. 4, the connection receiving member 16
The connecting member 41 is rotatably connected to one circumferential end of the
The connecting member 41 is allowed to move between the position indicated by the solid line and the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line. Then, when the connecting member 41 is moved to the position shown by the chain double-dashed line and the lower cover 13 is attached to the side cover 12, the connecting member 4
1 is connected to the connection receiving member 16 and the connection covering member 21 in a sandwiched state. Further, at the time of connection, through holes 25 are formed between the connecting member 41 and the connecting receiving member 16 and between the connecting member 41 and the connecting covering member 21, respectively. According to this structure, the corrugated tubes 29 can be easily fitted into the two through holes 25 without forcibly inserting the two corrugated tubes 29 into the two through holes 25. In this case, the connecting member 41 serves as an intermediate connecting member, and the connection receiving member 16 and the connecting covering member 21 serve as an outer connecting member. Further, the connecting member 41, the connection receiving member 16, and the connection covering member 21 form a tubular portion.

(4) As shown in FIG. 5, the connection receiving member 16
Another connecting member 41 may be rotatably connected to one corner of the connecting member 41 connected to. In this case, the three corrugated tubes 29 can be fitted into the three through holes 25 without being forcedly inserted. still,
The number of connecting members 41 is three or more in the same manner as described above, and the through hole 2
You may make it provide four or more five.

(5) As shown in FIG. 6, the connection receiving member 16
Also, the connection covering member 21 may be inclined so as to descend toward the tip. In this case, even if water enters the electrical equipment box 11, the water can be easily discharged to the outside.

Next, technical ideas other than the claims that can be understood from the above-described embodiments will be described below along with their effects. The waterproof structure for an electrical equipment box according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of intermediate connecting members are provided so that they can be connected to each other, and through holes are also formed between adjacent intermediate connecting members. . In this case, the covering tube can be easily fitted into each of the three or more through holes.

[0040]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the covering tube externally fitted to the electric wire is arranged in the through hole of the electrical equipment box, the unevenness of the waterproof means between the covering tube and the through hole is in a fitted state. become. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent water from entering the electrical equipment box.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention,
Since it meshes with each convex portion and concave portion of the through hole, it becomes more difficult for water to pass between the outer peripheral surface of the covering tube and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole. Therefore, the waterproofness of the electrical equipment box can be improved.

In the invention according to claim 3, claim 1 or 2
In addition to the effects of the invention described above, the electric wire penetrates the covering tube only by expanding the notch of the covering tube and inserting the electric wire into the covering tube from the expanded notch. Therefore, the work of attaching the covering tube to the electric wire can be easily performed.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the covering tube can be easily inserted into the through hole without forcibly inserting the covering tube into the through hole. Can be fitted.

According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the function of the invention described in claim 4, even if the two covering tubes are not forcedly inserted into the two through holes, the two covering holes are respectively covered. The tube can be easily fitted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrical equipment box of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a convex portion and a concave portion.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a connection receiving member, a connection covering member, and a corrugated tube.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing another example of the connecting member.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing another example of a connecting member.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a connection receiving member and a connection covering member.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional electrical equipment box.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway perspective view showing a conventional electrical equipment box.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Electrical equipment box, 12a, 13a ... Outer wall, 15 ...
Relays as electrical equipment, 16 ... Cylindrical portion, connection receiving member as connecting member and outer connecting member, 17 ... Convex portion as waterproofing means, 18 ... Recessed portion as waterproofing means, 21 ... Cylindrical portion, connecting member and outer connection Connection covering member as member, 22 ... convex portion as waterproof means, 23 ... concave portion as waterproof means, 2
5 ... Through hole, 28 ... Electric wire, 29 ... Corrugated tube as covering tube, 30 ... Notch portion, 31 ... Projection portion as waterproofing means, 32 ... Recessed portion as waterproofing means, 41 ... Cylindrical portion, connecting member and intermediate connection A member being connected as a member.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A through hole (25) in an outer wall (12a, 13a) of an electrical equipment box (11) for accommodating electrical equipment (15).
In the box for electrical equipment in which the electric wire (28) is passed through the through hole (25), a covering tube (29) is externally fitted to the outer circumference of the electric wire (28), and the outer circumference of the covering tube (29). Face and through hole (2
5) A waterproof structure for an electrical equipment box provided with waterproof means (17, 22, 31) (18, 23, 32) having an uneven fitting relationship with the inner peripheral surface. 2. The through hole (25) is provided in a cylindrical portion (16, 21, 41) protruding from the outer wall (12a, 13a) of the electrical equipment box (11), and a waterproofing means (17, 2).
2, 31) (18, 23, 32) are the through holes (2
5) A plurality of convex portions (17, 22) and concave portions (18, 23) arranged alternately along the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface of 5), and the respective convex portions (17, 22) and concave portions (18, 22). 23. A plurality of convex portions (31) and concave portions (32) which are alternately arranged along the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the covering tube (29) so as to mesh with 23). Waterproof structure of the electrical equipment box. 3. A notch (3) extending in the axial direction of the covering tube (29) so as to connect the openings at both ends thereof.
0) is provided, The waterproof structure of the electrical equipment box according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The plurality of connecting members (16, 21, 41) capable of connecting and disconnecting each other from the tubular portion (16, 21, 41).
41), and the through holes (25) are formed between the connecting members (16, 21, 41) when the connecting members (16, 21, 41) are connected to each other. The waterproof structure of the electrical equipment box according to any one of 1. 5. Each connecting member (16, 21, 41) comprises an intermediate connecting member (41) and a pair of outer connecting members (16, 2).
1), the intermediate connecting member (41) is sandwiched between a pair of outer connecting members (16, 21) to be connected, and the through hole (25) is an intermediate connecting member (41).
The waterproof structure for an electrical equipment box according to claim 4, wherein the waterproof structure is formed between the outer connecting member (16, 21) and both outer connecting members (16, 21).