Structure of connection between bus bar and press-connecting branch terminal in electric connection box

• US 5,011,417 A
• Filed: 06/07/1990
• Issued: 04/30/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Matsumoto, Etsuji, Araki, Mamoru, Ozaki, Keiichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US07/534,564
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• Field of Search: 439/76, 439/78, 439/55, 439/81, 439/721, 439/251, 361/395, 361/399, 361/407
• US Class Current: 439/76.2
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/112 forked sockets having two legs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/2458 Electrical interconnections between terminal blocks
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/107 by filling grooves in the support with conductive material H05K3/045, H05K3/101, H05K3/1258 and H05K3/465 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/202 using self-supporting metal foil pattern
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/026 Multiple connections subassemblies

Abstract

A structure of connection between a bus bar and a press-connecting branch terminal in an electric connnection box is disclosed wherein a plurality of bus bars constituting a circuit are accommodated within a casing composed of an upper case and a lower case; a housing having tab insertion holes at its bottom is formed on at least one of the upper and lower cases; a branch tab formed on one side portion of a press-connecting branch terminal is extended through the tab insertion hole into the housing to thereby constitute a connector insertion portion; and a desired one of the bus bars is press-fitted in and connected to a U-shaped slot formed in a press-connecting portion formed on the other side portion of the press-connecting terminal. The press-connecting branch terminal includes a base plate portion, opposed press-connecting portions formed on and projecting from one side of the base plate portion and each having a U-shaped slot, and one or more branch tabs formed on and projecting from the other side of the base plate portion. A seat for receiving the base plate portion is formed on an inner side of the bottom of the housing. A press projection is formed on that portion of the inner surface of the case disposed in opposed relation to the seat. Those portions of the press-connecting branch terminal and the bus bar which are press-connected together are fixedly held between the seat and the press projection.

Claims

1. A structure of connection between a bus bar and a press-connecting branch terminal in an electric connection box wherein a plurality of bus bars constituting a circuit are accommodated within a casing having an upper case and a lower case;

a housing having at least one tab insertion hole at its bottom is formed on at least one of said upper and lower cases;

a branch tab formed on one side portion of a press-connecting branch terminal is extended through said tab insertion hole into said housing to thereby constitute a connector insertion portion; and

a desired one of said bus bars is press-fitted in and connected to a U-shaped slot formed in a press-connecting portion formed on the other side portion of said press-connecting terminal;

said press-connecting branch terminal including a base plate portion, opposed press-connecting portions projecting from one side of said base plate portion and each having a U-shaped slot, and at least one branch tab projecting from the other side of said base plate portion;

said structure comprising a first retaining means for retaining said press-connecting branch terminal in place when said upper and lower cases are coupled together, said first retaining means including a seat formed on a bottom of said housing for receiving said base plate portion and a press portion formed on an inner surface of said case disposed in opposed relation to said seat, and a second retaining means for retaining said press-connecting branch terminal in place when said base plate portion is press-fit in said seat, whereby said press-connecting branch terminal and the bus bar which are press-connected together are fixedly held between said seat and said press portion.

2. The structure according to claim 1, in which a pair of bus bar guide walls each having a bus bar guide groove is formed on said seat.

3. The structure according to claim 1, in which said second retaining means includes at least one L-shaped press-fitting piece extending from said base plate portion, said seat having a press-fitting groove, and said press-fitting piece being press-fitted in said press-fitting groove to thereby fix said press-connecting branch terminal to said seat.

4. The structure according to claim 2, in which said second retaining means includes at least one L-shaped press-fitting piece extending from said base plate portion, said seat having a press-fitting groove, and said press-fitting piece being press-fitted in said press-fitting groove to thereby fix said press-connecting branch terminal to said seat.

5. A structure of connection between a bus bar and a press-connecting branch terminal in an electric connection box wherein a plurality of bus bars constituting a circuit are accommodated within a casing having an upper case and a lower case;

a housing having at least one tab insertion hole at its bottom is formed on at least one of said upper and lower cases;

a branch tab formed on one side portion of a press-connecting branch terminal is extended through said tab insertion hole into said housing to thereby constitute a connector insertion portion; and

a desired one of said bus bars is press-fitted in and connected to a U-shaped slot formed in a press-connecting portion formed on the other side portion of said press-connecting terminal;

said press-connecting branch terminal including a base plate portion, opposed press-connecting portions projecting from one side of said base plate portion and each having a U-shaped slot, and at least one branch tab projecting from the other side of said base plate portion;

said structure comprising a retaining means for retaining said press-connecting branch terminal in place said retaining means including a seat formed on a bottom of said housing for receiving said base plate portion and a press portion formed on an inner surface of said case disposed in opposed relation to said seat, and a pair of bus bar guide walls each having a bus bar guide groove, said bus bar guide walls being formed on said seat, wherein the following relationship is met;

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">W1≧

t>

W2

where W1 is the width of said bus bar guide groove,

W2 is the minimum width of said U-shaped slot, and

t is the thickness of said bus bar to be inserted into said bus bar guide groove.