阅读说明：本技术 电连接装置 (Electrical connection device ) 是由 原口章 于 2018-12-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：本实施方式所涉及的电连接装置具备：第一导电板,在周缘部设有切口；第二导电板,与该第一导电板以不接触的方式相邻；及开关元件,具有与所述第一导电板连接的第一端子、与所述第二导电板连接的第二端子及控制端子,并根据该控制端子的电压而切换为接通或断开,所述电连接装置具备：绝缘体,埋入于所述切口中；及导电路,以与所述第一导电板不接触的方式设于该绝缘体的表面,且与所述控制端子连接。(The electrical connection device according to the present embodiment includes: a first conductive plate having a notch at a peripheral edge portion thereof; a second conductive plate adjacent to the first conductive plate in a non-contact manner; and a switching element having a first terminal connected to the first conductive plate, a second terminal connected to the second conductive plate, and a control terminal, and switched on or off in accordance with a voltage of the control terminal, the electrical connection device including: an insulator buried in the cutout; and a conductive path provided on the surface of the insulator so as not to contact the first conductive plate, and connected to the control terminal.)

1. An electrical connection device is provided with:

a first conductive plate having a notch at a peripheral edge portion thereof;

a second conductive plate adjacent to the first conductive plate in a non-contact manner; and

a switching element having a first terminal connected to the first conductive plate, a second terminal connected to the second conductive plate, and a control terminal, and switched on or off in accordance with a voltage of the control terminal,

the electrical connection device is provided with:

an insulator buried in the cutout; and

and a conductive path provided on a surface of the insulator so as not to contact the first conductive plate, and connected to the control terminal.

2. The electrical connection device of claim 1,

the insulator contains metal particles.

3. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 or 2,

the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate are integrated by an insulating synthetic resin,

the synthetic resin located between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate faces the switching element with a gap therebetween.

4. The electrical connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the electrical connection device further includes:

a third conductive plate adjacent to the first conductive plate in a non-contact manner; and

and a second switching element having a third terminal connected to the first conductive plate, a fourth terminal connected to the third conductive plate, and a second control terminal connected to the conductive path, and switched on or off in accordance with a voltage of the second control terminal.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrical connection device.

The present application claims priority of japanese patent application No. 2017-254840, which was filed on 12/28/2017, and cites the entire contents of the description of the japanese application.

Background

A vehicle is mounted with an electrical junction box connected to a power source, a load such as a headlight or a wiper. The electrical junction box electrically connects and disconnects a power source and a load (see patent document 1).

In the electrical connection box described in patent document 1, a source terminal and a drain terminal of an FET (switching element) are connected to two bus bars (conductive plates). The source terminal of the FET is connected to a power source (or a load) via one of the two bus bars, and the drain terminal of the FET is connected to the load (or the power source) via the other of the two bus bars.

A circuit board on which control elements are mounted is mounted on the two bus bars. The control element outputs a control signal to switch the FET on/off. When the FET is switched on, the two bus bars are electrically connected to each other, so that a current flows through the FET and power is supplied from the power supply to the load. When the FET is switched off, the two bus bars are electrically disconnected from each other, and the current flowing in the FET is cut off, and the supply of power from the power supply to the load is stopped.

The electronic component described in patent document 2 includes a main body of the electronic component and three terminals provided in the main body. The three terminals are connected to the three bus bars. The main body is provided with a plurality of outer surfaces, and a first terminal and a second terminal in the three terminals are respectively arranged on different outer surfaces. A third terminal of the three terminals is provided adjacent to the first terminal on an outer surface on which the first terminal is provided. When the electronic element described in patent document 2 is an FET, the first to third terminals are a source terminal, a drain terminal, and a gate terminal. The gate terminal is connected to a control element of the circuit board via a bus bar.

Disclosure of Invention

The electrical connection device according to the present embodiment includes: a first conductive plate having a notch at a peripheral edge portion thereof; a second conductive plate adjacent to the first conductive plate in a non-contact manner; and a switching element having a first terminal connected to the first conductive plate, a second terminal connected to the second conductive plate, and a control terminal, and switched on or off in accordance with a voltage of the control terminal, the electrical connection device including: an insulator buried in the cutout; and a conductive path provided on the surface of the insulator so as not to contact the first conductive plate, and connected to the control terminal.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box including an electrical connection device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the electrical junction box.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical junction box.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the primary bus bar, the secondary bus bar, the tertiary bus bar, the insulator, the conductive path, and the bolt.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the second bus bar unit.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a state where an insulator is provided on the second bus bar.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a state in which a conductive path is provided in an insulator.

Fig. 8 is another perspective view of a state in which a conductive path is provided in an insulator.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the base.

Fig. 10 is another perspective view of the substrate.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view for explaining the mounting of the switching element to the base.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view for explaining attachment of the connecting member to the base.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view for explaining mounting of the circuit board to the base.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view for explaining the attachment of the heat dissipation member to the base.

Detailed Description

[ problems to be solved by the invention ]

In recent years, FETs have been miniaturized. By using a small FET, the electric junction box can be downsized.

With miniaturization of FETs, the separation distance between the source terminal and the gate terminal is shortened. However, if the separation distance between the source terminal and the gate terminal is short, it may be difficult to arrange the bus bar connected to the source terminal and the bus bar connected to the gate terminal so as not to contact each other. In this case, a small FET cannot be used, and the electric junction box cannot be downsized.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connection device that can be miniaturized.

[ Effect of the present disclosure ]

According to the above, an electrical connection device that can be miniaturized can be provided.

[ description of the present embodiment ]

First, this embodiment will be described. At least some of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

(1) The electrical connection device according to the present embodiment includes: a first conductive plate having a notch at a peripheral edge portion thereof; a second conductive plate adjacent to the first conductive plate in a non-contact manner; a switching element having a first terminal connected to the first conductive plate, a second terminal connected to the second conductive plate, and a control terminal, and switched on or off in accordance with a voltage of the control terminal, the electrical connection device including: an insulator buried in the cutout; and a conductive path provided on the surface of the insulator so as not to contact the first conductive plate, and connected to the control terminal.

In the present embodiment, a notch is provided in the peripheral edge of the first conductive plate, and an insulator is embedded in the notch of the first conductive plate. A conductive path is provided on the surface of the insulator.

The first terminal of the switching element is connected to the first conductive plate. The second terminal of the switching element is connected to the second conductive plate. The control terminal of the switching element is connected to the conductive path.

It is easy to prevent the first conductive plate from contacting the conductive path provided on the surface of the insulator. Therefore, even if the separation distance between the first terminal of the switching element and the control terminal is short, the first conductive plate can be insulated from the conductive path.

Therefore, as the switching element constituting the electrical connection device, a small-sized switching element in which terminals are arranged close to each other can be used. As a result, the electric connection device can be miniaturized.

(2) In the electrical connection device according to the present embodiment, the insulator preferably contains metal particles.

In this embodiment, an insulator containing metal particles is embedded in the slit of the first conductive plate.

For example, an insulator containing metal particles is irradiated with laser light to convert the metal particles into conductors, and plating is performed to provide conductive paths on the surface of the insulator. Further, the conductive path can be provided by printing and sintering the metal nanoparticle paste on the surface of a normal insulator.

(3) In the electrical connection device according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate are integrated by an insulating synthetic resin, and the synthetic resin positioned between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate faces the switching element with a gap.

In the present embodiment, a gap is formed between the switching element and the synthetic resin that integrates the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate. Therefore, for example, when the switching element generates heat, the synthetic resin can thermally expand toward the gap. That is, the void functions as a clearance for the synthetic resin to escape.

(4) In the electrical connection device according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the electrical connection device further includes: a third conductive plate adjacent to the first conductive plate in a non-contact manner; and a second switching element having a third terminal connected to the first conductive plate, a fourth terminal connected to the third conductive plate, and a second control terminal connected to the conductive path, and switched on or off in accordance with a voltage of the second control terminal.

In this embodiment, the third terminal of the second switching element is connected to the first conductive plate. The fourth terminal of the second switching element is connected to the second conductive plate. The second control terminal of the second switching element is connected to the conductive path.

It is easy to prevent the first conductive plate from contacting the conductive path provided on the surface of the insulator. Therefore, even if the separation distance between the third terminal of the second switching element and the second control terminal is short, the first conductive plate and the conductive path can be insulated.

Therefore, as the switching element constituting the electrical connection device, a small-sized switching element in which terminals are arranged close to each other can be used. As a result, the electric connection device can be miniaturized.

[ details of the present embodiment ]

Specific examples of the electrical connection device according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box including an electrical connection device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the electrical junction box.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical junction box.

In fig. 1, an electrical junction box 1 is shown, and the electrical junction box 1 includes an electrical connection device 2, a circuit board 31, a heat dissipation member 32, and a cover 4. The electrical connection device 2 includes a first bus bar 21 (second conductive plate), a second bus bar 22 (first conductive plate), a third bus bar 23 (third conductive plate), an insulator 24, eight conductive paths 25 (see fig. 4), and two bolts 261 and 262.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of each of the first bus bar 21, the second bus bar 22, the third bus bar 23, the insulator 24, the conductive path 25, and the bolts 261 and 262.

As shown in fig. 2 to 4, the first bus bar 21 has a rectangular plate shape. A through hole 211 is provided in one long side portion of the first bus bar 21. The through hole 211 is disposed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the first bus bar 21. The first bus bar 21 has conductivity, and is made of metal, for example.

The shaft portion of the bolt 261 is caulked to the through hole 211 of the first bus bar 21. The shaft portion of bolt 261 protrudes from one surface of first bus bar 21 in a direction orthogonal to the one surface of first bus bar 21. The head of the bolt 261 contacts the other surface of the first bus bar 21.

The structure of the third bus bar 23 is the same as that of the first bus bar 21. The shaft portion of bolt 262 is riveted to through hole 231 of third bus bar 23.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the second bus bar 22 alone.

As shown in fig. 2, 4, and 5, the second bus bar 22 has a rectangular plate shape. Three notches 221 are provided in parallel at each long side portion of the second bus bar 22. The three slits 221 in one long side portion of the second bus bar 22 and the three slits 221 in the other long side portion of the second bus bar 22 are arranged in a staggered manner. Each slit 221 has a rectangular shape. Hereinafter, the downward surface and the upward surface of the second bus bar 22 shown in fig. 5 are referred to as a lower surface 22a and an upper surface 22b of the second bus bar 22.

The thicknesses of the first bus bar 21, the second bus bar 22, and the third bus bar 23 are the same.

An insulator 24 is integrally provided on the second bus bar 22.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a state where the insulator 24 is provided on the second bus bar 22.

The insulator 24 is formed by dispersing a plurality of metal particles in an insulating synthetic resin. The insulator 24 integrally includes an insulating layer 241, six terminal receiving portions 242, two terminal receiving portions 243, and two projecting pieces 244.

The insulating layer 241 is laminated on the lower surface 22a of the second bus bar 22, and covers the six cutouts 221 of the second bus bar 22.

The terminal receiving portion 242 is embedded in the notch 221 of the second bus bar 22. Each terminal receiving portion 242 is connected to a portion of the insulating layer 241 covering the notch 221. The terminal receiving portion 242 has a surface coplanar with the upper surface 22b (the surface on which the insulating layer 241 is not laminated) of the second bus bar 22.

The two terminal receiving portions 243 are disposed at both ends of the second bus bar 22 in the longitudinal direction. Each terminal receiving portion 243 is connected to the insulating layer 241. The terminal receiving portion 243 has a surface coplanar with the upper surface 22b of the second bus bar 22.

The two projecting pieces 244 project in opposite directions from the two terminal receiving portions 243. The protruding direction of the protruding piece 244 is the longitudinal direction of the second bus bar 22.

The second bus bar 22 integrally provided with the insulator 24 can be easily formed by insert molding in which a synthetic resin containing metal particles is injected into a mold into which the second bus bar 22 is inserted.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the insulator 24 with the conductive path 25. Fig. 8 is another perspective view of the insulator 24 with the conductive path 25. Fig. 7 (and fig. 8) is a view of a laminated body in which the second bus bar 22 and the insulating layer 241 are laminated, as viewed from the second bus bar 22 side (insulating layer 241 side).

Each conductive path 25 is provided on the surface of the insulator 24. The conductive path 25 has a connection portion 251, a through hole 252, and a wiring portion 253.

The connecting portion 251 is provided with one (eight in total) of the six terminal receiving portions 242 and two terminal receiving portions 243 of the insulator 24.

The connection portion 251 provided in the terminal receiving portion 242 is provided on the surface of the terminal receiving portion 242 that is coplanar with the upper surface 22b of the second bus bar 22. The connection portion 251 is disposed close to the periphery of the cutout 221 of the second bus bar 22, but the connection portion 251 and the second bus bar 22 are insulated by the insulator 24.

The connecting portion 251 provided in the terminal receiving portion 243 is provided on a surface of the terminal receiving portion 243 that is coplanar with the upper surface 22b of the second bus bar 22. The connection portion 251 is disposed close to the short side of the second bus bar 22, but the connection portion 251 and the second bus bar 22 are insulated by the insulator 24.

The through holes 252 of the eight conductive paths 25 are provided four each at the two projecting pieces 244 of the insulator 24.

The connection portion 251 and the through hole 252 of the conductive path 25 are electrically connected via the wiring portion 253. The wiring portion 253 is connected to the connection portion 251 provided in the terminal receiving portion 242, and is connected to the through hole 252 via the terminal receiving portion 242, the insulating layer 241, the terminal receiving portion 243, and the protruding piece 244. Alternatively, the wiring portion 253 is connected to the connection portion 251 provided in the terminal receiving portion 243, and is connected to the through hole 252 via the terminal receiving portion 243 and the protruding piece 244.

For example, the insulator 24 shown in fig. 6 is irradiated with laser light and then plated to provide the conductive path 25 as shown in fig. 7 and 8. The conductive path 25 provided by the laser irradiation and plating can be easily miniaturized.

The insulator 24 provided with the conductive path 25 functions as a printed wiring board integrated with the second bus bar 22.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the first bus bar 21 to which the bolt 261 is fixed, the second bus bar 22 to which the insulator 24 having the conductive path 25 is provided, and the third bus bar 23 to which the bolt 262 is fixed are integrated so as not to contact with each other through the insulating portion 27. The insulating portion 27 is made of synthetic resin.

Hereinafter, an object in which the first bus bar 21, the second bus bar 22, the third bus bar 23, the insulator 24, the conductive path 25, and the bolts 261 and 262 are integrated is referred to as a base 20.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the base body 20. Fig. 10 is another perspective view of the substrate 20. Hereinafter, the vertical and horizontal directions shown in fig. 9 and 10 will be described.

That is, fig. 9 is a perspective view of the base 20 as viewed from the upper side, and fig. 10 is a perspective view of the base 20 as viewed from the lower side. The longitudinal direction of the first bus bar 21 is the front-rear direction, the short-side direction of the first bus bar 21 is the left-right direction, and the direction orthogonal to the first bus bar 21 is the up-down direction. The side of the first bus bar 21 from which the shaft portion of the bolt 261 protrudes is the upper side. The through hole 211 is provided in the left portion of the first bus bar 21.

In the base 20, the first bus bar 21, the second bus bar 22, and the third bus bar 23 are arranged in parallel from left to right in order such that the longitudinal directions thereof are parallel to each other. The upper surface 22b of the second bus bar 22 faces upward.

The lower surface and the end surface of the first bus bar 21 and the head of the bolt 261 are covered with an insulating portion 27. The upper surface of the first bus bar 21 and the shaft portion of the bolt 261 are not covered with the insulating portion 27.

The left end surface of the second bus bar 22 faces the right end surface of the first bus bar 21. An insulating portion 27 is present between the right end surface of the first bus bar 21 and the left end surface of the second bus bar 22. The upper surface (and the lower surface) of the first bus bar 21 and the one surface (and the other surface) of the second bus bar 22 are virtually flush with each other.

The second bus bar 22, the insulator 24, and the conductive paths 25 are covered with the insulating portion 27 so that at least the upper surface 22b of the second bus bar 22, the projecting pieces 244 of the insulator 24, and the connecting portions 251 of the conductive paths 25 are exposed.

Third bus bar 23 is arranged such that the surface of bolt 262 from which the shaft portion protrudes faces upward and the long side portion provided with through hole 231 faces rightward.

The right end surface of the second bus bar 22 faces the left end surface of the third bus bar 23. An insulating portion 27 is provided between the left end surface of the third bus bar 23 and the right end surface of the second bus bar 22. The upper surface (and the lower surface) of the third bus bar 23 and the one surface (and the other surface) of the second bus bar 22 are virtually flush with each other.

The lower surface and the end surface of third bus bar 23 and the head of bolt 262 are covered with insulating portion 27. The upper surface of third bus bar 23 and the shaft portion of bolt 262 are not covered with insulating portion 27.

Four of the connecting portions 251 of the eight conductive paths 25 are arranged along the right side of the first bus bar 21, and the remaining four are arranged along the left side of the third bus bar 23. The left-side connecting portion 251 is along the front edge of the second bus bar 22 or along the rear edge of the left-side cutout 221 of the second bus bar 22 (refer to fig. 7). The connecting portion 251 on the right side is along the rear edge of the second bus bar 22 or along the front edge of the cutout 221 on the right side of the second bus bar 22 (refer to fig. 7).

Upper surface 271 of insulating portion 27 is flush with the upper surfaces of first bus bar 21, second bus bar 22, third bus bar 23, and terminal receiving portions 242 of insulator 24 (see fig. 2). Four protrusions 272 are provided to protrude upward from the upper surface 271. Four protrusions 272 are adjacent to four corners of the second bus bar 22. An internal thread is provided on the inner surface of each projection 272.

The insulating portion 27 is provided with a plurality of screw holes 273 so as to penetrate the insulating portion 27 in the vertical direction.

The insulating portion 27 is provided with two openings 274. The two openings 274 are located on the lower sides of the first bus bar 21 and the third bus bar 23 (see fig. 2). A large range of the lower surface of each of the first bus bar 21 and the third bus bar 23 is exposed through the two openings 274.

Eight recesses 275 are provided in the upper surface 271 of the insulating portion 27. Four of the eight recesses 275 are disposed between the first bus bar 21 and the second bus bar 22, and the remaining four are disposed between the second bus bar 22 and the third bus bar 23.

The electrical junction box 1 further includes eight switching elements 5 (see fig. 3).

Fig. 11 is a perspective view for explaining the mounting of the switching element 5 to the base 20.

Each switching element 5 is an FET, and has an element body 50, a source terminal 51, a drain terminal 52, and a gate terminal 53. The switching element 5 is switched on or off in accordance with the voltage of the gate terminal 53.

The eight switching elements 5 are attached to the base 20 so that four element bodies 50 are arranged in the front-rear direction and two element bodies 50 are arranged in the left-right direction.

The source terminal 51, the drain terminal 52, and the gate terminal 53 of each switching element 5 on the left side (on the first bus bar 21 side) are a second terminal, a first terminal, and a control terminal.

Each switching element 5 on the right side (the third bus bar 23 side) is a second switching element. The source terminal 51, the drain terminal 52, and the gate terminal 53 of each switching element 5 of the right switching element 5 are a fourth terminal, a third terminal, and a second control terminal.

The element body 50 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The element main body 50 is disposed on the base 20 such that two surfaces having the largest area among the six surfaces of the element main body 50 face upward and downward, and the long sides of the surfaces face forward and backward. Hereinafter, the two surfaces having the largest area of the element body 50 are referred to as an upper surface 501 and a lower surface 502. Two surfaces connected to the long sides of upper surface 501 are referred to as side surfaces 503 and 504, and two surfaces connected to the short sides of upper surface 501 are referred to as side surfaces 505 and 506.

The source terminal 51 is provided on the side 503 of the element body 50. The source terminal 51 has a plurality of protruding portions protruding from the side surface 503 in a direction orthogonal to the side surface 503. The lower surface of the source terminal 51 is virtually flush with the lower surface 502 of the device main body 50.

The gate terminal 53 is provided on the side surface 503 of the element main body 50. The gate terminal 53 protrudes from the side surface 503 in a direction orthogonal to the side surface 503. The lower surface of the gate terminal 53 is virtually flush with the lower surface 502 of the device main body 50.

The source terminal 51 and the gate terminal 53 are adjacent in the front-rear direction. Source terminal 51 is located on a side of side 503 that is adjacent to side 505. On the other hand, the gate terminal 53 is located on the side surface 503 close to the side surface 506.

The drain terminal 52 is provided on the lower surface 502 and the side surface 504 of the device main body 50. The drain terminal 52 has: a foil portion covering the lower surface 502; and an extension portion connected to the foil portion and extending from the side surface 504 in a direction orthogonal to the side surface 504. Since the foil portion of the drain terminal 52 is sufficiently thin, the thickness of the foil portion can be ignored.

Four of the eight switching elements 5 are connected to the first bus bar 21, respectively, and the remaining four are connected to the third bus bar 23, respectively.

The switching element 5 connected to the first bus bar 21 is connected to the first bus bar 21, the second bus bar 22, and the conductive path 25 such that the side 503 provided with the source terminal 51 and the gate terminal 53 faces right and the side 505 adjacent to the source terminal 51 faces rearward.

Specifically, the source terminal 51 is connected to a portion on the rear side of the insulator 24 in the upper surface 22b of the second bus bar 22 by solder 541. Further, the drain terminal 52 is connected to the upper surface of the first bus bar 21 by solder 542. Further, gate terminal 53 is connected to connection portion 251 of conductive path 25 by solder 543.

The element main body 50 of the switching element 5 connected to the first bus bar 21 partially covers between the first bus bar 21 and the second bus bar 22. The concave portion 275 of the insulating portion 27, which is disposed between the first bus bar 21 and the second bus bar 22, is located on the lower side of the element main body 50. That is, the insulating portion 27 located between the first bus bar 21 and the second bus bar 22 does not contact the switching element 5.

The switching element 5 connected to the third bus bar 23 is connected to the second bus bar 22, the third bus bar 23, and the conductive path 25 such that the side 503 provided with the source terminal 51 and the gate terminal 53 faces leftward and the side 505 adjacent to the source terminal 51 faces frontward.

Specifically, the source terminal 51 is connected to a portion on the front side of the insulator 24 in the upper surface 22b of the second bus bar 22 by solder 541. Further, drain terminal 52 is connected to the upper surface of third bus bar 23 by solder 542. Further, gate terminal 53 is connected to connection portion 251 of conductive path 25 by solder 543.

The element main body 50 of the switching element 5 connected to the third bus bar 23 partially covers between the third bus bar 23 and the second bus bar 22. The concave portion 275 of the insulating portion 27, which is disposed between the third bus bar 23 and the second bus bar 22, is located on the lower side of the element main body 50. That is, the insulating portion 27 located between the third bus bar 23 and the second bus bar 22 does not contact the switching element 5.

The electrical connection device 2 is further provided with two connection members 28.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view for explaining the attachment of the connecting member 28 to the base body 20.

The connecting part 28 has four connecting pins 281 and a holder 282.

The four connection pins 281 are arranged parallel to each other. The holder 282 holds the four connection pins 281 such that both end portions of each connection pin 281 protrude from the holder 282.

One end of the connecting pin 281 of the one (and the other) connecting member 28 is fitted into the through hole 252 of the conductive path 25 provided in the protruding piece 244 on the front side (and the rear side) of the insulator 24 so that the other end of the connecting pin 281 faces upward.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view for explaining mounting of the circuit board 31 to the base body 20.

The circuit board 31 has a rectangular shape. A conductive path made of a metal foil is provided on one surface of the circuit board 31. The control element 311, the drive circuit 312, and the connector 313 are mounted on one surface of the circuit board 31. The illustration of the connector 313 in fig. 2 is omitted.

As shown in fig. 13, four through holes 314 are provided in parallel in the short side direction of the circuit board 31 at each short side portion of the circuit board 31. Four insertion holes 315 are provided at four corners of the circuit board 31.

The control element 311 is, for example, a microprocessor. The control element 311, the drive circuit 312, and the connector 313 are electrically connected to each other through conductive paths of the circuit board 31. The driver circuit 312 and each through hole 314 are electrically connected via a conductive path of the circuit board 31.

The circuit board 31 is mounted on the base 20 such that the control element 311 and the connector 313 face upward and the conductive paths 25 are electrically connected to the control element 311. Specifically, the connection pins 281 of the front-side connection member 28 are fitted into the through holes 314 in one short-side portion of the circuit board 31. The connection pins 281 of the rear-side connection member 28 are fitted into the through holes 314 in the other short-side portion of the circuit board 31. Further, the circuit board 31 is screwed to the base 20 by inserting the screw 316 through the insertion hole 315 and screwing the screw with the boss 272. Circuit board 31 and second bus bar 22 face each other with a gap therebetween. The circuit substrate 31 and the second bus bar 22 are parallel to each other.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view for explaining the attachment of the heat dissipation member 32 to the base 20.

The heat dissipation member 32 has a plate shape. The heat dissipation member 32 is provided with a plurality of through holes 321. The through hole 321 corresponds to the screw hole 273 of the base body 20. Two heat conductive portions 322 are provided on the one surface 32a of the heat dissipation member 32 so as to correspond to the two openings 274 of the base 20 (see fig. 10). Each of the heat conductive portions 322 has an insulating property and a high thermal conductivity, and is, for example, a thermal grease applied to one surface of the heat dissipation member 32.

The heat dissipation member 32 is attached to the base 20 such that the heat conduction portion 322 faces upward, and the first bus bar 21 and the third bus bar 23 are attached to the heat dissipation member 32 via the heat conduction portion 322. Specifically, the two heat conduction portions 322 fill the two openings 274 of the base 20 and contact the first bus bar 21 and the third bus bar 23 (see fig. 2). The heat dissipation member 32 is screwed to the base 20 by passing the screws 323 through the through holes 321 and screwing the screws into the screw holes 273.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the cover 4 has a box shape with one open side. The cover 4 is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and has insulating properties. The cover 4 has a bottom wall 4a and four side walls 4b to 4 e. The bottom wall 4a is rectangular. The side walls 4b to 4e rise in the same direction from the four sides of the bottom wall 4 a. The side walls 4b, 4c are parallel to each other, and the side walls 4d, 4e are parallel to each other.

An opening 41 is provided in the center of the bottom wall 4 a. An opening 42 is provided in the center of one side portion of the side wall 4b along the bottom wall 4 a. The opening 42 extends through the bottom wall 4a and the side wall 4 b. An opening 43 is provided at the center of one side portion of the side wall 4c along the bottom wall 4 a. The opening 43 extends through the bottom wall 4a and the side wall 4 c.

The hood 4 has two partitions 44, 45. The partition plates 44 and 45 partition the inside of the cover 4.

Partition plates 44 and 45 are each formed in a half-cylindrical shape, and the axial length direction of each partition plate 44 and 45 is orthogonal to bottom wall 4 a. The partition plate 44 stands from the peripheral edge of the opening 42 in the bottom wall 4a, and the peripheral wall of the partition plate 44 is continuous with the peripheral edge of the opening 42 in the side wall 4 b. Partition plate 45 has substantially the same structure as partition plate 44, and is provided at the periphery of opening 43.

The cover 4 is attached to the base 20 such that the bottom wall 4a of the cover 4 and the circuit board 31 are parallel to each other and the side wall 4b faces left. The connector 313 of the circuit board 31 is fitted into the opening 41 of the cover 4. Then, the shaft portions of the bolts 261 and 262, the opening peripheral edge portion of the through hole 211 of the first bus bar 21, and the opening peripheral edge portion of the through hole 231 of the third bus bar 23 are exposed through the openings 42 and 43. The cover 4 attached to the base 20 covers the eight switching elements 5 and the circuit board 31.

The electrical junction box 1 shown in fig. 1 to 3 is mounted on, for example, a vehicle not shown. For example, a cable connected to a power supply is connected to the first bus bar 21 using a bolt 261. For example, a cable connected to a load is connected to the third bus bar 23 using a bolt 262. A signal line connected to an ecu (electronic Control unit), not shown, for example, is connected to the connector 313.

The control element 311 of the circuit substrate 31 communicates with the ECU via the connector 313. In addition, the control element 311 outputs a control signal for switching on/off of the switching element 5 toward the drive circuit 312. The drive circuit 312 applies a voltage for switching the switching element 5 on/off to the gate terminal 53 of the switching element 5 in accordance with a control signal input from the control element 311.

When the eight switching elements 5 are switched on, the source terminal 51 and the drain terminal 52 of each switching element 5 are electrically connected, and therefore the first bus bar 21, the second bus bar 22, and the third bus bar 23 are electrically connected to each other. At this time, a current flows through the cable connected to the power supply, the first bus bar 21, the four left switching devices 5, the second bus bar 22, the four right switching devices 5, the third bus bar 23, and the cable connected to the load, and power is supplied from the power supply to the load.

When the switching elements 5 are switched off, the source terminal 51 and the drain terminal 52 of each switching element 5 are electrically disconnected, and thus the first bus bar 21, the second bus bar 22, and the third bus bar 23 are electrically disconnected from each other. At this time, the current flowing through the cable connected to the power supply, the first bus bar 21, the four switching devices 5 on the left side, the second bus bar 22, the four switching devices 5 on the right side, the third bus bar 23, and the cable connected to the load is cut off, and the supply of power from the power supply to the load is stopped.

When a current flows through the switching element 5, the switching element 5 generates heat. The heat generated by the switching element 5 is conducted to the first bus bar 21 or the third bus bar 23, the heat-conducting portion 322, and the heat-radiating member 32 in this order, and is released to the outside of the electrical junction box 1.

The switching element 5 has a recess 275 on the lower side of the element main body 50. Therefore, for example, when the switching element 5 generates heat, the insulating portion 27 around the switching element 5 can thermally expand toward the concave portion 275. That is, the concave portion 275 functions as a clearance for the insulating portion 27 to escape.

In the case of the electrical connection device 2 as described above, since the conductive path 25 can be easily miniaturized, the second bus bar 22 can be sufficiently separated from the conductive path 25 even if the separation distance between the source terminal 51 and the gate terminal 53 of the switching element 5 is short.

Therefore, as the switching element 5, a small-sized switching element in which the source terminal 51 and the gate terminal 53 are arranged in proximity to each other can be used. As a result, the electric connecting device 2 can be downsized.

Since the insulating portion 27 is present between the first bus bar 21 (or the third bus bar 23) and the second bus bar 22, the first bus bar 21 (or the third bus bar 23) and the second bus bar 22 can be prevented from being short-circuited.

The base 20 formed by integrating the first bus bar 21, the second bus bar 22, the third bus bar 23, and the like is easy to handle when assembling the electrical junction box 1. The base 20 can be easily formed by insert molding in which a synthetic resin is injected into a mold into which the first bus bar 21, the second bus bar 22, the third bus bar 23, and the like are inserted.

The presently disclosed embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described meanings, but includes meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims.

Description of the reference numerals

1 Electrical connection box

2 electric connection device

20 base body

21 first bus bar (second conductive plate)

211 through hole

22 second busbar (first conductive plate)

221 incision

22a lower surface

22b upper surface

23 third busbar (third conducting plate)

231 through hole

24 insulator

241 insulating layer

242 terminal receiving part

243 terminal receiving part

244 protruding piece

25 conducting path

251 connection part

252 through hole

253 wiring part

261. 262 bolt

27 insulating part (synthetic resin)

271 upper surface

272 projection

273 threaded hole

274 opening

275 recess

28 connecting part

281 connecting pin

282 holding member

31 circuit board

311 control element

312 drive circuit

313 connector

314 through hole

315 through hole

316 screw

32 Heat dissipating Member

Through hole 321

322 heat conducting part

323 screw

4 cover

41 to 43 openings

44. 45 partition plate

4a bottom wall

4 b-4 e side wall

5 switching element (second switching element)

50 element body

501 upper surface of the container

502 lower surface

503. 504, 505, 506 side

51 Source terminal (second terminal, fourth terminal)

52 drain terminal (first terminal, third terminal)

53 Gate terminal (control terminal, second control terminal)

541. 542, 543 of solder.