Electricity: conductors and insulators – Covers or face plates
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-24
2003-10-21
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Covers or face plates
C174S050000, C174S059000, C220S003800, C220S003200, C439S076200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06635823
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a cover for the upper surface of a junction block of an automotive vehicle to prevent water from entering the junction block.
2. Description of the Related Art
Junction blocks are used in automotive vehicles to connect a plurality of electrical systems. Conventional junction blocks have merely had connection terminals in a box. However, junction blocks that have electrical functions are used widely at present. Water drops can enter a junction block in an engine compartment and can short the circuits therein. As a result, devices have been considered for preventing water from entering the junction block.
A junction block that attempts to prevent the entrance of water is identified by the numeral
100
in FIG.
7
. The junction block
100
has an upper surface
100
a
and a waterproof sheet
105
is adhered to the upper surface
100
a
. A wiring harness
110
has a connector
111
at one end that is fitted into a connector holder
101
in the junction block
100
for connection. The waterproof sheet
105
then is adhered to the upper surface
100
a
of the junction block
100
to cover the upper surface
100
a
of the junction block
100
, the connector holder
101
and the connector
111
to prevent water from entering the junction block.
Another junction block is identified by the numeral
100
in FIG.
8
and is formed with a connection holder
101
. The junction block
100
is used with a wiring harness
120
that has a connector
121
held at one end by a vinyl tape
125
. The connector
121
is fitted into the connector holder
101
in the junction box
100
for connection. A waterproof sheet
115
is adhered to the wiring harness
120
and covers upper parts of the connector
121
, the connector holder
101
and the junction block
100
when the connector
121
is fitted in the connector holder
101
in the junction block
100
. Thus, the waterproof sheet
115
prevents the entrance of water into the connector holder
101
.
Water will enter the junction block
100
of
FIG. 7
if the assembler does not adhere the waterproof sheet
105
to the upper part of the junction block
100
after the connector
111
is fitted into the connector holder
101
. Further, the wiring harness
120
and the waterproof sheet
115
are formed integrally in the prior art as shown in FIG.
8
. Thus, the waterproof sheet
115
hinders the connection of the connector
121
. There is also a problem of striping off the waterproof sheet
115
during the connecting operation.
The present invention was developed in view of the above problems and an object thereof is to facilitate connection of connectors with a junction block and to ensure that the covering of the upper surface of the junction block for a water-entrance preventing purpose is not forgotten.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a cover for preventing water from entering a junction block, such as a junction block in an automotive vehicle body. The junction block enables the connection of a plurality of electrical systems and has connector holders in its upper and side surfaces. The cover is mounted rotatably or pivotally on the junction block, and preferably is held on a bracket that mounts the junction block on the vehicle body. A second connector cannot be fit into the connector holder in the side surface of the junction block for connection unless the cover is rotated after a first connector is into the connector holder in the upper surface of the junction block for connection. Thus, the connectors cannot be connected without covering the upper surface of the junction block by the cover.
The connection of the connections and the rotation of the cover need to be performed in a proper order. Thus, the connectors can be connected without forgetting an operation of covering the upper surface of the junction block by the cover cannot be forgotten.
The bracket comprises a locking mechanism for stopping the rotation of the cover. Accordingly, the cover is not free to rotate during the connector connecting operation, and the connector connecting operation can be performed easily, thereby improving operation efficiency.
The cover preferably is rotatable between two mounting portions that project from the junction block.
The cover preferably comprises a lid for substantially covering the upper portion of the junction block and two walls projecting angularly from the lid. At least one wall and/or a portion of the lid preferably covers at least part of the connector holder in the side surface before the cover is rotated after connection of the first connector.
The invention also relates to a method of mounting a junction block having a cover for preventing water from entering the junction block. The junction block can be provided in an automotive vehicle body for connecting a plurality of electrical systems and has connector holders in its upper and side surfaces. The method comprises rotatably or pivotally mounting the cover on the junction block, at least partly fitting a first connector into the connector holder in the upper surface of the junction block for connection; rotating the cover so as to at least partly fit a second connector into the connector holder in the side surface of the junction block for connection.
The step of mounting the cover may comprise mounting the cover on a bracket used to mount the junction block on the vehicle body.
The rotation of the cover preferably comprises stopping the rotation by a locking mechanism at the bracket.
The mounting of the cover may comprise mounting the cover rotatably or pivotally between two mounting portions projecting from the junction block.
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.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5574254 (1996-11-01), Mori et al.
patent: 5674090 (1997-10-01), Sumida et al.
patent: 5755579 (1998-05-01), Yanase et al.
patent: 5864091 (1999-01-01), Sumida
patent: 5995380 (1999-11-01), Maue et al.
patent: 6045412 (2000-04-01), Guanco et al.
patent: 6077102 (2000-06-01), Borzi et al.
patent: 6108202 (2000-08-01), Sumida
patent: 6121548 (2000-09-01), Matsuoka
patent: 6462270 (2002-10-01), Depp et al.
patent: 6545217 (2003-04-01), Sato
Hamada Shuji
Kasai Koji
Tsuchiya Ikutoshi
Casella Anthony J.
Estrada Angel R.
Hespos Gerald E.
Reichard Dean A.
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd.
LandOfFree
Cover for preventing water from entering a junction block does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cover for preventing water from entering a junction block, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cover for preventing water from entering a junction block will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3170284