Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – Within distinct housing spaced from panel circuit arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-10
2001-04-10
Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
Within distinct housing spaced from panel circuit arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213788
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connection box adapted to be mounted in an automobile.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electrical connection box that serves to simplify the arrangement of complicated electric circuits of an automobile comprises upper and lower casings, which are combined together with busbars and a wiring board between them. The electrical connection box is loaded with electrical components, such as relays, fuses, connectors, diodes, control unit, PTC (positive temperature coefficient) thermistor, etc.
Some electrical connection boxes of this type are formed integrally with the control unit that is used to control electrical appointments in the automobile. Conventionally, the control unit is located on the upper or lower surface of the electrical connection box so that it can be easily connected to terminals that extend from the casings of the box.
Modern automobiles are designed to enjoy minimized external dimensions and as wide an inside space as possible, so that room for the electrical connection box is gradually becoming narrower. Thus, in order to secure good room in the automobile, the electrical connection box is expected to be minimized in thickness, and therefore, in size. In the case of the electrical connection box that is provided with the control unit, in particular, the control unit is located on the upper or lower surface of the box, so that downsizing in the thickness direction is a vital necessity.
On the other hand, the wiring board has a large number of laying grooves on its obverse or reverse side, and a wire is laid in a desired shape for each circuit in these grooves. After the wire is laid by using an existing automatic wiring machine, its trailer is cut by means of a cutter as a fitting. Surpluses of the wire laid on the wiring board are cut separately by means of the cutter, and terminals and the like are connected to the wire before use. In the conventional electrical connection box, the waste surpluses of the cut wire are left on the wiring board.
In assembling the conventional electrical connection box, therefore, the surpluses of the wire remaining on the wiring board may possibly interfere with any of the busbars, and it is very laborious to remove them manually one after another.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first object: of the present invention is to provide an electrical connection box capable of being reduced in thickness despite the use of a control unit.
A second object of the invention is to provide an electrical connection box in which waste surpluses of a wire laid on a wiring board can be removed with ease.
In order to achieve the first object, an electrical connection box in a first aspect of the present invention comprises a first casing and a second casing combined together, with a busbar, an insulating plate, and an electrically insulating wiring board between the casings, and mounted with electrical components, and is characterized in that the second casing is formed with an extension extending sideways at right angles to the thickness direction thereof and having a control unit thereon.
The thickness of the electrical connection box described above can be reduced despite the presence of the control unit.
In order to achieve the second object, an electrical connection box in a second aspect of the invention comprises a first casing and a second casing combined together, with a busbar, an insulating plate, and a wiring board with a large number of laying grooves between the casings, and mounted with electrical components, and is characterized in that the wiring board is provided with ejection holes penetrating the laying grooves in the thickness direction of the wiring board.
According to the electrical connection box described above, waste surpluses of a wire laid on the wiring board can be removed with ease.
Preferably, the control unit is an electronic control unit.
Preferably, moreover, the first and second casings are provided, on suitable spots thereof, with loading portions carrying the electrical components thereon.
Preferably, furthermore, the first and second casings, the insulating plate, and the wiring board are molded from a synthetic resin.
Preferably, the insulating plate is formed with a housing.
Preferably, moreover, the wiring board is formed, on both surfaces thereof, with a large number of laying grooves in desired shapes for wires.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the ensuing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4255004 (1981-03-01), Kourimsky et al.
patent: 4684765 (1987-08-01), Beck et al.
patent: 4850884 (1989-07-01), Sawai et al.
patent: 5715135 (1998-02-01), Brussalis et al.
patent: 5928004 (1999-07-01), Sumida et al.
Frishauf, Holtz Goodman, Langer & Chick, P.C.
Gushi Ross
Paumen Gary F.
The Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.
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