JP3970159B2 - How to connect an electrical junction box to an electronic unit or meter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for connecting an electrical junction box to an electronic unit or meter.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, wires (wire harnesses) have been used to connect electrical junction boxes (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Also, it is common to use a wire for connecting the electrical junction box to the electronic unit or meter.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-227738 (page 4, FIG. 6)
[0004]
FIG. 15 shows a conventional connection example between an electric junction box and an electronic unit or meter in a vehicle such as an automobile. As shown in FIG. 15, the electrical junction box (J / B: Junction Block) 100 has a wire 104, and is electrically connected to the meter 102 via the wire 104.
This connection is made by the connector 103 provided at the tip of the wire 104 and the connector 105 of the meter 102. The electrical connection box 100 also has a wire 107 for electrical connection with an electronic unit (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) 101, which is an optional part, and connection with the electronic unit 101 is required. The connector 106 provided at the tip of the wire 107 and the connector 108 of the electronic unit 101 can be connected.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional technique, even when the connection with the electronic unit 101 is not required, the electric connection box 100 is wasted because the wire 107 for connection with the electronic unit 101 is not used. . In this case, since the connector 106 at the tip of the wire 107 is not electrically connected, it is not preferable because it is easily affected by static electricity and external noise.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to solve the problems, simplify the configuration, and facilitate wiring and maintenance. It is to provide a connection structure with a meter.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, a vehicle electrical junction box according to the present invention, a method of connecting the electronic unit and the meter, as described in claim 1, a direct electrical connection between the electrical connection box and vehicle meter instead, a connecting method which permit indirect electrical connection between the electrical connection box for a vehicle which is interposed an electronic unit and the meter, outside of the electronic unit, when the indirect electrical connection A first external connection connector that is electrically connected to the vehicle electrical connection box, and a second external connection connector that is electrically connected to the meter during the indirect electrical connection; and In the electronic unit, wiring for electrically connecting the first external connection connector and the second external connection connector is performed, and the shape of the fitting portion of the second external connection connector is formed. Set to the same shape as the electrical connection box side connector connected to the tip of the connection cable extending from the electrical connection box for the vehicle, and fitted to the meter side connector of the meter at the time of the direct electrical connection, The shape of the fitting portion of the first external connection connector is set to the same shape as the meter side connector, and in the indirect electrical connection, the electrical connection box side connector is used for the first external connection of the electronic unit. The connector is fitted, and the second external connection connector of the electronic unit is fitted to the meter side connector .
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the electronic unit is not attached, the connection can be made directly from the vehicular electrical connection box to the meter without changing the wiring.
[0008]
Further, according to the electrical connection box for a vehicle , the electronic unit, and the meter according to the present invention, as described in claim 2, the length of the connection cable is set from the electrical connection box for the vehicle to the electronic unit. The distance is set according to the longer one of the distances from the vehicle electrical junction box to the meter .
According to the second aspect of the invention, the number of parts can be reduced.
[0009]
Further, according to the method for connecting the electrical junction box and the electronic unit or meter according to the present invention, the connection cable between the electrical junction box for a vehicle and the electronic unit or meter is a flat cable, a tape electric wire, and a tape cable. It is characterized by at least one of the FPCs.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the connection cable is one of a flat cable, a tape electric wire, and an FPC, it can be easily assembled to the connector.
[0013]
The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading embodiments of the invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a method for connecting an electrical junction box and an electronic unit or meter according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
(First embodiment)
FIGS. 1A to 1C are views showing an assembled (connected) form of the electrical junction box, electronic unit and meter according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1A is an electrical junction box in a vehicle such as an automobile. FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state in which an electronic unit and a meter are assembled, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are two examples of a connection form between the electrical junction box and the electronic unit or meter in FIG. It is a figure shown typically. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic unit in a state where the lid is removed and the flat wire is not connected to the press contact terminal. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electronic unit with the lid removed and the flat wire connected to the press contact terminal. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1 (A), in the first embodiment of the present invention, an electrical unit box (ie, J / B) 12 is disposed below meter 10 and an electronic unit ( That is, ECU 1 is attached to the back side of meter 10.
The electronic unit 1 is located between the lean force 13 and the meter 10.
[0017]
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, connectors 15, 18, 19, 25 are respectively formed in the vicinity of the inner peripheral wall of the box 14 of the electronic unit 1 or integrally with the inner peripheral wall. The press contact terminals 15a, 15b, 18a, 18b of the respective connectors 15, 18, 19, 25 are provided so as to protrude toward the lid body 14a side of the box body 14. Of the connectors 15, 18, 19, 25, the connectors 19, 25 are formed by integral molding with the box 14 of the electronic unit 1, and a total of two pairs of external connection connectors 19a, 19b, 25a, 25b are provided. Each protrudes from the outer peripheral wall of the box 14.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, flat wires 17a to 17c, which are stacked so as to intersect with each other and are electrically connected to each other by resistance welding or the like at arbitrary positions, correspond to corresponding press contact terminals 15a and 15b, respectively. , 18a, 18b are pressed and electrically connected. As shown in FIG. 4, an insulating substrate 20 is disposed between the wiring board 16 and the flat wires 17a to 17c.
[0018]
As can be seen from FIG. 5, the connector terminals of the external connection connectors 19a and 19b are formed integrally with the pressure contact terminals 15a and 15b of the connector 19, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1 (B) and 1 (C). As described above, the external connection connectors 19a and 19b are fitted to the connectors 41c and 41d provided at the ends of the connection cables 41a and 41b, respectively, and any one of the flat wires 17a to 17c in the electronic unit 1 Are electrically connected to the connection cables 41a and 41b.
The pressure contact terminal 15a of the external connection connector 19a and the pressure contact terminal 15a of the connector 15 are in pressure contact with one flat wire 17b, and the pressure contact terminal 15b of the external connection connector 19b and the pressure contact terminal 15b of the connector 15 are the other flat wire 17b. Press contact.
Further, the other end portions of the connectors 15 and 15 from which the press contact terminals 15a and 15b protrude from one end protrude from the back surface of the box body 14 of the electronic unit 1 (that is, the outer surface of the wall portion facing the lid body 14a) and are exposed. is doing.
[0019]
On the other hand, the external connection connectors 25a and 25b are connectors for connecting to an unillustrated device via an electric wire. When the external connection connectors 25a and 25b are fitted to a connector provided at the end of the electric wire, as shown in FIG. Since the connector terminals of the connectors 25a and 25b are integrally formed with the pressure contact terminals 18a and 18b of the connector 25, the electric wire and any one of the flat wires 17a to 17c in the electronic unit 1 are electrically connected. To do.
[0020]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, each of the press contact terminals 18a and 18b forms two rows, and the inner row terminals 18a are arranged lower than the outer row terminals 18b. The connector 18 and the connector 25 are respectively formed.
The base ends of the pressure contact terminals 18a and 18b of the connector 18 are connected to the wiring board 16 by soldering or the like. The press contact terminals 18a and 18a are in pressure contact with the flat wire 17a, and the press contact terminals 18b and 18b are in press contact with the flat wire 17c.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1B, connectors 41c and 41d at one ends of the connection cables 41a and 41b are fitted into the external connection connectors 19a and 19b of the electronic unit 1, respectively. The other end connectors 41e and 41f are fitted into the external connection connectors 12a and 12b of the electrical connection box 12, respectively, so that the electronic unit 1 and the electrical connection box 12 are electrically connected.
Further, the connectors 15 and 15 exposed to the outside of the electronic unit 1 are respectively fitted into the external connection connectors 42a and 42b of the meter 10 so that the electronic unit 1 and the meter 10 are electrically connected.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1C, the meter 10 and the electric junction box 12 can be directly connected except for the electronic unit 1. Therefore, the shape of the fitting portion of the connectors 41c and 41d with the external connection connectors 19a and 19b or the external connection connectors 42a and 42b and the external connection connector 19a of the connectors 15 and 15 exposed to the outside of the electronic unit 1. , 19b or the external connection connectors 42a, 42b must have at least the same shape.
Therefore, the shape of the external connection connectors 19a and 19b and the shape of the external connection connectors 42a and 42b need to be the same.
[0023]
6 is a perspective view showing the state of the electrical junction box 12, the electronic unit 1 and the meter 10 shown in FIG. 1B, and FIG. 7 shows the state where the electrical junction box 12, the electronic unit 1 and the meter 10 are connected. It is a perspective view shown. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where the electrical junction box 12 and the meter 10 shown in FIG. 1C are connected.
[0024]
Thus, the input arrangement of the electrical junction box 12 and the meter 10 is the same. That is, the electrical junction box 12 and the meter 10 can be connected via the electronic unit 1. In addition, the lengths of the connection cables 41a and 41b between the electronic unit 1 and the electric junction box 12 or the meter 10 are unified to the longer one.
That is, as can be seen from the state of the connection cables 41a and 41b in FIGS. 7 and 8, the external connection connectors 19a and 19b of the electronic unit 1 are viewed from the position of the external connection connectors 12a and 12b of the electrical connection box 12. Since the distances of the external connection connectors 42a and 42b of the meter 10 are longer (in other words, farther) than the positions, the lengths of the connection cables 41a and 41b are unified to the longer distance. The connection cables 41a and 41b are configured by at least one of flat cables: FFC (that is, a flexible flat cable), a tape electric wire (also referred to as a ribbon electric wire), and an FPC (that is, a flexible printed circuit).
[0025]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the method for connecting the electrical junction box and the electronic unit or meter according to the present invention will be described. 9 is a view showing an assembled (connected) form of the electric junction box, the electronic unit and the meter according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a view similar to the cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of the electronic unit in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of 9 of the electronic unit. In the second embodiment, only differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the same parts as the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified for clarification.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the connection cables 41a and 41b in the second embodiment are electrically connected to the electronic unit 1 by pressure contact instead of the flat wire 17b.
As a result, the connection cables 41a and 41b have the same function as the flat wire 17b, but can eliminate the need for the connectors 41c and 41d and the external connection connectors 19a and 19b, thereby reducing costs and reducing the number of contacts. Will improve.
[0027]
(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the method for connecting the electrical junction box and the electronic unit or meter according to the present invention will be described. 11 is a view showing an assembled (connected) form of the electric junction box, the electronic unit and the meter according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a view similar to the cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of the electronic unit in FIG. It is arrow sectional drawing of 11 electronic units. Note that the third embodiment only describes differences from the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the description of the same parts as the first embodiment and the second embodiment is omitted or simplified for clarity. Plan
[0028]
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the connection cables 41a and 41b in the third embodiment are electrically connected to the electronic unit 1 or the connectors 41c and 41d by pressure contact instead of the flat wire 17b. As a result, the connection cables 41a and 41b have the same function as the flat wire 17b, but the connectors 15 and 15 and the connectors 41c and 41d and the external connection connectors 19a and 19b can be eliminated, thereby reducing costs and providing contact points. The reliability is improved by the reduction.
[0029]
(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a description will be given of a fourth embodiment of a method for connecting an electrical junction box and an electronic unit or meter according to the present invention. 13 is a view showing an assembled (connected) form of the electric junction box, the electronic unit and the meter according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a view similar to the cross-sectional view of the electronic unit of FIG. It is arrow sectional drawing of 13 electronic units.
In the fourth embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment will be described, and the same parts as those of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment will be described. The explanation is omitted or simplified for clarity.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the connection cables 41a and 41b in the fourth embodiment are electrically connected to the connectors 41c and 41d by pressure contact, and the connector of the electronic unit 1 is further intermediate between the connection cables 41a and 41b. Connectors 44 and 44 for connection to 19a and 19b are provided. As a result, the connectors 15 and 15 can be omitted, the cost can be reduced, and the reliability can be improved by reducing the number of contacts.
[0031]
In addition, this invention is not limited to each embodiment mentioned above, A deformation | transformation, improvement, etc. are possible suitably. In addition, the material, shape, dimension, numerical value, form, number, arrangement location, and the like of each component in each embodiment described above are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.
[0032]
For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, a pair of connection cables and a plurality of pairs of connectors are provided, and two electrical connections are made to the electrical connection box, the electronic unit, and the meter. However, one electrical connection may be used. Needless to say. Needless to say, the electrical connection box and the electronic unit and the electronic unit and the meter may be connected by a connection cable, respectively.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the input arrangement of the electronic unit and the meter is the same, when the electronic unit is not attached, it is possible to connect directly from the vehicle electrical connection box to the meter without changing the wiring. (Claim 1).
Moreover, since the length of the connection cable between the vehicle electrical junction box and the electronic unit or meter is unified to the longer one, the number of parts can be reduced.
Further, since the connection cable between the vehicle electrical junction box and the electronic unit or meter is a flat cable, a tape electric wire, or an FPC, wiring is easy even in a narrow space (Claim 3).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view showing an assembly (connection) mode of an electrical junction box, an electronic unit, and a meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (A) is an electrical junction box, an electronic unit, and a meter in a vehicle such as an automobile. FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustrating a state where the electric connection box is assembled, and FIGS. 5B and 5C are diagrams schematically illustrating two examples of the connection form of the electric connection box and the electronic unit or the meter in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic unit in a state where the lid is removed and the flat wire is not connected to the press contact terminal.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electronic unit in a state where a lid is removed and a flat wire is connected to a press contact terminal.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3;
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow VV in FIG. 3;
6 is a perspective view showing a state of the electrical junction box 12, the electronic unit 1 and the meter 10 shown in FIG. 1 (B). FIG.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where an electrical junction box, an electronic unit, and a meter are connected.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where the electrical junction box and the meter shown in FIG. 1C are connected.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an assembled (connected) form of an electrical junction box, an electronic unit, and a meter according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic unit of FIG. 9 similar to the cross-sectional view of the electronic unit of FIG.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an assembled (connected) form of an electrical junction box, an electronic unit, and a meter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic unit of FIG. 11, similar to the cross-sectional view of the electronic unit of FIG.
FIG. 13 is a view showing an assembled (connected) form of an electrical junction box, an electronic unit, and a meter according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic unit of FIG. 13 similar to the cross-sectional view of the electronic unit of FIG.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a conventional connection example between an electrical junction box and an electronic unit or meter.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Electronic unit
10 meters
12 Electrical junction box
41a, 41b connection cable

Claims (3)

Instead of the direct electrical connection between the electric connection box and the vehicle meter, a connection method which permit indirect electrical connection between the electrical connection box for a vehicle which is interposed an electronic unit and the meter,
Outside the electronic unit, a first external connection connector electrically connected to the vehicle electrical connection box at the time of the indirect electrical connection, and electrically connected to the meter at the time of the indirect electrical connection Projecting a second external connection connector to be connected, and performing wiring for electrically connecting the first external connection connector and the second external connection connector inside the electronic unit;
The fitting portion of the second external connection connector is connected to the tip of a connection cable extending from the vehicle electrical connection box, and is fitted to the meter side connector of the meter during the direct electrical connection. Set to the same shape as the electrical connection box side connector to be combined, the shape of the fitting portion of the first external connection connector is set to the same shape as the meter side connector,
In the indirect electrical connection, the electrical connection box side connector is fitted to the first external connection connector of the electronic unit, and the second external connection connector of the electronic unit is fitted to the meter side connector. the vehicle electrical junction box, wherein the electronic unit and the connection method of the meter. The connection method according to claim 1, wherein the length of the connection cable is within a distance from the vehicular electrical connection box to the electronic unit or a distance from the vehicular electrical connection box to the meter. An electric connection box for a vehicle , an electronic unit, and a method for connecting a meter , characterized by being set according to the longer distance . A connecting method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting cable flat cable, automotive electrical connection box, characterized in that the at least one of the tape cable and FPC, connecting method of the electronic unit and the meter .

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