Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – Within distinct housing spaced from panel circuit arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-19
2001-10-30
Bradley, P. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
Within distinct housing spaced from panel circuit arrangement
C439S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309226
ABSTRACT:
This Application claims the benefit of the priorities of Japanese 10-232837, filed Aug. 19, 1998 and Japanese 10-364473, filed Dec. 22, 1998.
The present Invention is directed to an electrical connection box intended primarily for installation in the engine compartment of an automobile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical connection boxes are used to hold various electronic devices (e.g. fuses) and also serve as connection junction points. In this type of connection box, there are two methods by which the electrical connection is made with the parts mounted in the housing. One such method consists of the use of a busbar having tab terminals. Alternatively, such connections are made using a combination of wires having solderless wire terminals and the busbar. Depending upon the nature of the circuitry, the foregoing methods are used selectively.
With reference to
FIGS. 10 and 11
, electrical connection boxes
101
,
201
, having different internal shapes, are used depending upon the particular construction method. However, the external shapes of connection boxes
101
,
201
are identical.
As shown particularly in
FIG. 10
, main case
102
of connection box
101
is provided with a plurality of projecting housings
103
. A plurality of partitions
105
divides inner wall
104
into a corresponding number of holding chambers
106
. In those holding chambers
106
which have no housings
103
above them, engagement pieces
107
project from inner walls
104
. Busbar
108
(shown in broken lines) is formed as a flat plate and carries five upwardly projecting tab terminals
109
. Busbar
108
and tab terminals
109
are held in holding chambers
106
. There are two openings
110
on busbar
108
which are aligned with engagement pieces
107
.
When busbar
108
is inserted into holding chambers
106
from below main case
102
(as shown in FIG.
10
), a portion of engagement piece
107
engages opening
110
of busbar
108
. As a result, busbar
108
is reliably and firmly mounted in the desired position within connection box
101
. Thereafter, the lead terminals of fuses (not shown) are inserted into tab terminals
109
of busbar
108
from above (as shown in
FIG. 10
) housing
103
. This completes the electrical connection between the fuses and busbar
108
.
The connection box as shown in
FIG. 11
is typical of the second method. In this embodiment, wire terminals
213
, mounted on the ends of wires
212
, can be inserted into the two holding chambers
206
on the right as shown in FIG.
11
. Also, busbar
209
is inserted from below so that its three tab terminals
210
project into the corresponding three holding chambers
206
on the left of the Figure. Busbar
209
is a flat plate wherein openings
211
are aligned with corresponding engagement pieces
207
. Approximately semi-circular openings
214
, on wire terminals
213
, are at positions corresponding to engagement pieces
208
.
Busbar
209
is inserted into holding chambers
206
from below (as shown in
FIG. 11
) main case
202
. Engagement pieces
207
engage openings
211
, thereby mounting the busbar in the connection box at the desired position. Upon insertion of wire terminals
213
into holding chambers
206
(also from below as shown in FIG.
11
), engagement pieces
208
engage openings
214
of terminals
213
. Thus, wire terminals
213
are mounted at the desired position in the connection box. The lead terminals of fuses (not shown) are inserted from above (as shown in
FIG. 11
) housing
203
into tab terminals
210
and wire terminals
213
. In this manner, the electrical connection between the fuses on the one hand and busbar
209
and wires
212
on the other is established.
Since connection boxes of the type just described are made with various electronic parts mounted in the housings, it is necessary to design them in accordance with the desired circuitry and the method of connection used. Since the internal designs are different for the two methods, a single connection box cannot be used for both purposes. It is, of course, desirable to be able to have only a single form of the connection box as this provides substantial cost savings in stocking, handling, and assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present Invention to provide a single electrical connection box which is suitable for connecting the electrical parts with the busbars and wires, thereby effecting desirable cost savings. To that end, the present Invention is a connection box wherein the holding chambers are adapted to receive either the tab terminals on the busbar or the wire terminals on the wires.
The electrical connection box includes a housing having one or more electrical components therein, and a plurality of holding chambers in communication therewith. There are openings in the housing remote from the tab terminals through which the busbar is inserted. In addition, one or more wire terminals, each mounted on an end of one of the wires, are also inserted through the openings.
There is at least one first engagement piece in a corresponding number of the holding chambers which engage the busbar when it is inserted. Also, there is at least one second engagement piece in other of the holding chambers which engages the wire terminals. The holding chambers are interconnected with each other adjacent the remote openings. As a result, electrical contact is established and maintained between the electrical components and the busbar and/or wire. Each of the holding chambers is capable of receiving either one of the tab terminals on the busbar or one of the wire terminals.
In a preferred form of the Invention, the individual holding chambers are each provided with a locking piece on the inner wall thereof. This locking piece is adapted to engage either the busbar or the wire terminals. In this fashion, any arrangement of the busbar and wires can be accommodated without the necessity of providing more than one connection box.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4599679 (1986-07-01), Baader
patent: 4846733 (1989-07-01), Baisz et al.
patent: 5088940 (1992-02-01), Saito
patent: 5647769 (1997-07-01), Takeuchi
patent: 5755579 (1998-05-01), Yanase et al.
patent: 5795193 (1998-08-01), Yang
patent: 5823798 (1998-10-01), Zintler et al.
patent: 5928004 (1999-07-01), Sumida et al.
patent: 0405337 (1990-06-01), None
European Search Report EP 99 11 6358.
Bierman, Muserlian and Lucas
Bradley P.
Nguyen Trac
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd.
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