Electronic part module

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-065036 filed Mar. 22, 2012.

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an electronic part module in particular for use with electrical devices such as vehicle electrical junction boxes. More specifically, the invention relates to an electronic part module provided with an electronic part substrate having an insulating panel to which a plurality of bus bars, which is electrically connected to a plurality of electronic parts respectively and has an external terminal-connecting portion for electrically connecting an external terminal, is attached

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a conventional electronic part module. For more detail, see JP 2005-210804 A. The conventional electronic part module 316 includes a pair of relay-connecting units 311 , 315 , which are opposed to each other.

In the relay-connecting unit 311 , two relays 302 are mounted to a bus bar substrate 301 , which includes an insulating panel 305 , and a plurality of bus bars 306 arranged on the surface of the insulating panel 305 . In the relay-connecting unit 315 , two relays 304 are mounted to a bus substrate 303 , which includes an insulating panel 312 , and a plurality of bus bars 313 arranged on the surface of the insulating panel 312 . Each one end portion of the plurality of bus bars 306 , 313 extends beyond one edge of the insulating panels 305 , 312 , and functions as an external terminal-connecting portion 306 c , 313 c , thereby forming a connector-connecting portion.

The electronic part module 316 is received in a main body of a box such as an electrical junction box and ECU box, and each external terminal-connecting portion 306 c , 313 c of the bus bars 306 , 313 extends into a housing thereby forming the connector-connecting portion into which a connector of a wiring harness and so on is inserted or fitted.

The above electronic part module 316 is disposed such that the external terminal-connecting portion 306 c , 313 c and the relays 302 and 304 are respectively aligned or arranged in a direction in which the external terminal-connecting portions 306 c , 313 c extend from the insulating panels 305 , 312 respectively. In other words, the direction can be defined by a direction in which the connector is inserted or fitted into the connector-connecting portion. For the above reason, the dimension of the electronic part module 316 along the above direction is made equal to the sum of the lengths of the relay 302 , 304 and the length of the external terminal-connecting portion 306 c , 313 c . The electronic part module 316 has been needed to be further downsized.

In light of the above, the invention is to provide an electronic part module, which can downsize its length along a direction where an external terminal is electrically connected to an external terminal-connecting portion.

In one aspect, the invention provides an electronic part module, which comprises (i) an electronic part substrate having an insulating panel to which a plurality of bus bars is attached, each of the bus bars having an external terminal-connecting portion and being electrically connected to an electronic part, (ii) a case for receiving the electronic part substrate therein, and (iii) a connector-connecting portion in which a plurality of the external terminal-connecting portions of the plurality of bus bars is collected, and which is disposed between a plurality of the electronic parts.

In another aspect, the invention provides an electronic part module, which comprises an electronic part substrate having an insulating panel to which a plurality of bus bars is attached. Each of the bus bars has an external terminal-connecting portion and is electrically connected to an electronic part. The plurality of the external terminal-connecting portions respectively extends from the insulating panel in one direction. In this configuration, a direction in which the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions and a plurality of the electronic parts are aligned intersects a direction in which an external terminal is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion.

In above configurations, the plurality of electronic parts may be aligned in two rows, and the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions may be disposed between the two rows of the electronic parts.

In above configurations, each of the bus bars may further comprises a part-mounting portion in which the electronic part is mounted, and an intermediate portion disposed between the part-mounting portion and the external terminal-connecting portion. All of the part-mounting portions and the intermediate portions may lie in a same plane.

In above configurations, the electronic part module may comprise a pair of the electronic part substrates. Each of the bus bars may further comprise a part-mounting portion to which the electronic part is mounted, and an intermediate portion disposed between the part-mounting portion and the external terminal-connecting portion. The insulating panel of each of the electronic part substrate may have a first surface to which the part-mounting portion is attached, a second surface to which the intermediate portion is attached, and a third surface which is opposed to the first surface and to which an end portion of the external terminal-connecting portion adjacent to the intermediate portion is attached. The pair of electronic part substrates may be disposed such that the third surfaces of the pair of electronic part substrates are opposed to each other.

In the above configuration, the electronic part may be a relay.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood upon consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting an electronic part module in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, a connector to be inserted into the electronic part module, and a case of an electrical junction box to be attached to the electronic part module.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view depicting a connector-connecting portion of the electronic part module of FIG. 1 , and a connector to be inserted into the connector-connecting portion.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the electronic part module of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the electronic part module of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an electronic part substrate as shown in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an electronic part module in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the electronic part module of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an electronic part substrate as shown in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an electronic part module in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the electronic part module of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an electronic part substrate as shown in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an electronic part module in accordance with a forth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the electronic part module of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of an electronic part substrate as shown in FIG. 13 .

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a conventional electronic part module.

Like reference numerals will be used to refer to like parts from Figure to Figure in the following description of the drawings.

First Embodiment of Electronic Part Module

A first embodiment of an electronic part module in accordance with the invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1-5 .

An electronic part module 1 A is configured to perform electrical power distribution in a vehicle electrical junction box. Referring to FIG. 1 , the electronic part module 1 A is configured to be attached to a case 11 of an electrical junction box. Referring to FIG. 2 , a connector-connecting portion 7 is formed in the bottom (or bottom wall) 32 of the electronic part module 1 A, and is configured to engage a connector 9 of a wiring harness. The connector 9 accommodates a plurality of female terminal fittings (i.e., external terminals) coupled to the terminal of an electrical wire 10 . Furthermore, the arrow “A” in FIG. 1 represents a direction in which the connector 9 is inserted or fitted into the connector-connecting portion 7 , and the arrow “Y” in FIG. 1 represents a direction along the height of the case 11 . The arrows “A” and “Y” are parallel to each other.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the electronic part module 1 A includes an electronic part substrate 2 A in which a plurality of bus bars 4 A is coupled to a plate-like insulating panel 5 and a plurality of substrate relays 6 corresponding to electronic parts as defined in the claims appended hereto is electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars 4 A, and a case 3 A for accommodating the electronic part substrate 2 A therein and formed of synthetic resin. Furthermore, in the bottom (i.e., the bottom wall) 32 of the case 3 A there is provided the connector-connecting portion 7 , as mentioned previously.

The plurality of bus bars 4 A is obtained by, for example, pressing metallic plate, and includes a part-mounting portion 41 in which a relay 6 and a resistance 12 are mounted, an external terminal-connecting portion 42 , and an intermediate portion 43 disposed between the part-mounting portion 41 and the external terminal-connecting portion 42 . In the part-mounting portion 41 a through-hole 40 is formed such that the terminal portion 61 of the relay 6 or the terminal portion of the resistance 12 pass therethrough. The part-mounting portion 41 and the intermediate portion 43 are flat, and lie in the same plane. The external terminal-connecting portion 42 is bar-shaped, and is at a right angle with the intermediate portion 43 , specifically one end of the intermediate portion 43 . The external terminal-connecting portion 42 forms the connector-connecting portion 7 , thereby being inserted into and then electrically connected to the female terminal fitting of the connector 9 .

In the electronic part substrate 2 A, all of the part-mounting portions 41 and the intermediate portions 43 of the bus bars 4 A are integrated into the insulating panel 5 , and lie in the same plane. All of the external terminal-connecting portions 42 of the bus bars 4 A are collected in the center of the insulating panel 5 to extend in a direction perpendicular to the insulating panel 5 . In other words, in the electronic part substrate 2 A, the direction in which the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 and the plurality of relays 6 are aligned intersects the direction in which the female terminal fitting of the connector 9 is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion 42 . Furthermore, the direction in which the female terminal fitting of the connector 9 is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion 42 is perpendicular to the insulating panel 5 .

Furthermore, in the electronic part substrate 2 A, the plurality of relays 6 is aligned in two rows, and the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 is disposed between the two rows of the relays 6 . In other words, the plurality of external terminal-connecting portion 42 is disposed between the plurality of the relays 6 . In the planar view viewed from the direction perpendicular to the insulating panel 5 , the electronic part substrate 2 A is disposed such that the bus bars 4 A do not overlap with each other.

As such, the electronic part substrate 2 A is assembled by collectively forming the plurality of bus bars 4 A from metallic plate with a die, bending the bus bars 4 A to form the external terminal-connecting portion 42 , attaching the plurality of bus bars 4 A to the insulating panel 5 via insert-molding, and soldering the relay 6 and the resistance 12 to the plurality of bus bars 4 A. Instead of insert-molding, the plurality of bus bars 4 A may be locked to and attached to the insulating panel 5 .

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the case 3 A includes a box-shaped portion 31 , and a cover 30 for closing the opening of the box-shaped portion 31 . The box-shaped portion 31 includes a bottom wall 32 , a peripheral wall 33 , a locking portion 34 formed on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 33 , and a convex portion 35 formed from the (inner) bottom wall 32 toward the cover 30 . The electronic part module 1 A can be locked to the case 11 of the afore-mentioned electrical junction box via the locking portion 34 . Referring to FIG. 2 , the connector-connecting portion 7 includes the convex portion 35 . Two convex portion 35 can be formed. Furthermore, a through-hole 36 through which the external terminal-connecting portion 42 passes is formed in the top (i.e., upper end surface) of the convex portion 35 . The top of the convex portion 35 corresponds to the portion of the convex portion 35 most adjacent to the cover 30 ). The number of the trough-holes 36 corresponds to the number of external terminal-connecting portions 42 , which constitute the connector-connecting portion 7 .

The connector-connecting portion 7 includes the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 of the afore-mentioned electronic part substrate 2 A, and the convex portion 35 formed in the afore-mentioned case 3 A. In other words, the electronic part substrate 2 A is received into the box-shaped portion 31 in a direction as shown in FIG. 4 . As such, the plurality of the external terminal-connecting portion 42 , in turn, passes through the through-hole 36 to be positioned in the convex portion 35 . As a result, the connector-connecting portion 7 is formed. The connector-connecting portion 7 is disposed between the plurality of relays 6 . In the electronic part module 1 A, two connector-connecting portions 7 can be provided. The two connector-connecting portions 7 can be aligned along a longitudinal direction of the case 3 A. Furthermore, the direction in which the connector 9 of the wiring harness is inserted or fitted into the connector-connecting portion 7 is perpendicular to the insulating panel 5 .

In the afore-mentioned electronic part module 1 A, the connector-connecting portion 7 is disposed between the two rows of relays 6 . The direction in which the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 and the plurality of the relays 6 are aligned (i.e., the width direction of the insulating panel 5 ) intersects with the direction in which the female terminal fitting of the connector 9 is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion 42 (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the insulating panel 5 ). Accordingly, the minimum dimension of the case 3 A along its height (i.e., a direction depicted by arrow “Y”) corresponds to the sum of the thickness of the insulating panel 5 , the height of the relay 6 , the thickness of the bottom wall 32 of the case 3 A and the thickness of the cover 30 . Therefore, the size of the electronic part module 1 A can be remarkably decreased in comparison with the conventional electronic part module as depicted in FIG. 15 .

In the afore-mentioned electronic part module 1 A, there is provided the plurality of relays 6 that is aligned in two rows. The plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 is disposed between the two rows of the relays. Therefore, simple and shortest path between each relay 6 and each external terminal-connecting portion 42 can be attained, thereby allowing the amount of metal used for forming the bus bar 4 A to decrease.

In the afore-mentioned electronic part module 1 A, the part-mounting portion 41 and the intermediate portion 43 of each bus bar 4 A are arranged on the same plane. For the reason, the plurality of bus bars 4 A can be easily attached to the insulating panel 5 by insert-molding, and the thickness of the insulating panel 5 can be decreased. As a result, the heightwise dimension of the case 3 A can be downsized.

When the first embodiment of the electronic part module 1 A is mounted to the electric junction box, the heightwise dimension of the case 11 (of the electric junction box) can be downsized.

Second Embodiment of Electronic Part Module

A second embodiment of electronic part module is hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 6-8 . Similar or equal reference numerals represent the parts similar or equal to the parts as described in the first embodiment.

An electronic part module 1 B is also configured to perform electrical power distribution in a vehicle electrical junction box, and to be attached to a case 11 of an electrical junction box as shown in FIG. 1 . Referring to FIG. 7 , a connector-connecting portion 7 is formed in the bottom (or bottom wall) 32 of the electronic part module 1 B, and is configured to engage a connector 9 of a wiring harness. Furthermore, the arrow “B” in FIG. 7 represents a direction in which the connector 9 is inserted or fitted into the connector-connecting portion 7 , and the arrow “Y” in FIG. 7 represents a direction along the height of the case 11 . The arrows “B” and “Y” are parallel to each other.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the electronic part module 1 B includes a pair of electronic part substrates 2 B in which a plurality of bus bars 4 B is coupled to an insulating panel 8 and a plurality of substrate relays 6 corresponding to electronic parts as defined in the claims appended hereto is electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars 4 B, and a case 3 B for accommodating the pair of electronic part substrates 2 B therein and formed of synthetic resin. Furthermore, in the bottom (i.e., bottom wall) 32 of the case 3 B there is provided the connector-connecting portion 7 , as mentioned previously.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , each of the plurality of bus bars 4 B includes a part-mounting portion 41 in which a relay 6 and a resistance 13 are mounted, an external terminal-connecting portion 42 , and an intermediate portion 43 disposed between the part-mounting portion 41 and the external terminal-connecting portion 42 . The bus bar 4 B is identical to the bus bar 4 A as described in the first embodiment of the invention excluding that the part-mounting portion 41 is formed by bending the other end portion (i.e., the opposite end portion) of the bus bar 4 B in the same direction as the external terminal-connecting portion 42 extends. In other words, the external terminal-connecting portion 42 forms the connector-connecting portion 7 , thereby being inserted into and then electrically connected to the female terminal fitting of the connector 9 , as depicted in the first embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , the insulating panel 8 includes a first surface 81 to which the part-mounting portion 41 of the bus bar 4 is attached, a second surface 82 to which the intermediate portion 43 of the bus bar 4 is attached, and a third surface 83 to which one end portion of the external terminal-connecting portion 42 adjacent to the intermediate portion 43 is attached. Furthermore, the first surface 81 is opposed to the third surface 83 .

In the electronic part substrate 2 B, all of the part-mounting portions 41 of the bus bars 4 B are integrated into the first surface 81 of the insulating panel 8 , and lie in the same plane. All of the intermediate portions 43 of the bus bars 4 B are integrated into the second surface 82 , and lie in the same plane. All of the external terminal-connecting portions 42 of the bus bars 4 B are integrated into the third surface 83 , and lie in the same plane. Furthermore, the other end of the external terminal-connecting portion 42 of each bus bar 4 B extends from one edge (i.e., one end) of the third surface 83 , and is parallel to the first surface 81 . In other words, in the electronic part substrate 2 B, the direction in which the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 and the plurality of relays 6 are aligned intersects the direction in which the female terminal fitting of the connector 9 is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion 42 . Furthermore, the direction in which the female terminal fitting of the connector 9 is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion 42 is parallel to the first surface 81 .

In the electronic part substrate 2 B, the plurality of relays 6 is aligned in a direction intersecting the direction in which the female terminal fitting of the connector 9 is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion 42 . Furthermore, the pair of electronic part substrates 2 B is disposed within the case 3 B such that the third surfaces 83 of the pair of electronic part substrates 2 B are opposed to each other. Accordingly, in accordance with the second embodiment of the electronic part module ( 1 B), the plurality of relays 6 is aligned in two rows, and the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 is disposed between the two rows of the relays 6 . In other words, the plurality of external terminal-connecting portion 42 is disposed between the plurality of the relays 6 .

The electronic part substrate 1 B is assembled by collectively forming the plurality of bus bars 4 B from metallic plate with a die, bending the bus bars to form the part-mounting portion 41 and the external terminal-connecting portions 42 , attaching the plurality of bus bars 4 B to the insulating panel 8 via insert-molding, and soldering the relay 6 and the resistance 13 to the plurality of bus bars 4 B. Instead of insert-molding, the plurality of bus bars 4 B may be locked and attached to the insulating panel 8 .

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the case 3 B includes a box-shaped portion 31 , and a cover 30 for closing the opening of the box-shaped portion 31 . The box-shaped portion 31 includes a bottom wall 32 , a peripheral wall 33 , a locking portion 34 formed on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 33 , a convex portion 35 for forming the connector-connecting portion 7 , and an external terminal-connecting portion-holding wall 37 extending from the top of the convex portion 35 (i.e., the portion of the convex portion 35 most adjacent to the cover 30 ) toward the cover 30 . As such, one end of the external terminal-connecting portion 42 is hold or sandwiched between the third surface 83 and the external terminal-connecting portion-holding wall 37 .

The connector-connecting portion 7 includes the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 of the afore-mentioned electronic part substrate 2 B, and the convex portion 35 formed in the afore-mentioned case 3 B. In other words, the pair of electronic part substrates 2 B is received into the box-shaped portion 31 in a direction as shown in FIG. 7 . As such, the plurality of the external terminal-connecting portions 42 , in turn, passes through the through-hole 36 to be positioned within the convex portion 35 . As a result, the connector-connecting portion 7 is formed. The connector-connecting portion 7 is disposed between the plurality of relays 6 . In the electronic part module 1 B, two connector-connecting portions 7 can be provided. The two connector-connecting portions 7 can be aligned in a longitudinal direction of the case 3 B. Furthermore, the direction in which the connector 9 of the wiring harness is inserted or fitted into the connector-connecting portion 7 is parallel to the first surface 81 .

In the afore-mentioned electronic part module 1 B, the connector-connecting portion 7 is disposed between the two rows of relays 6 . The direction in which the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 and the plurality of the relays 6 are aligned intersects with the direction in which the female terminal fitting of the connector 9 is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion 42 (i.e., the direction parallel to the first surface 81 ). For the reason, the minimum dimension of the case 3 B along its height (i.e., a direction depicted by arrow “Y”) can be remarkably decreased in comparison with the conventional electronic part module as depicted in FIG. 15 .

When the second embodiment of the electronic part module 1 B is mounted to the electric junction box, the heightwise dimension of the case 11 (of the electric junction box) can be downsized. In addition, liquid due to condensation inside the case 3 B is prevented from remaining between the relay 6 and the insulating panel 8 , thereby allowing the prevention of rusting.

Third Embodiment of Electronic Part Module

A third embodiment of electronic part module is hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 9-11 . Similar or equal reference numerals represent the parts similar or equal to the parts as described in the first and second embodiments.

An electronic part module 101 A is also configured to perform electrical power distribution in a vehicle electrical junction box, and to be attached to a case of an electrical junction box (not shown), as mentioned in the first embodiment of the electronic part module 1 A. Referring to FIG. 9 , a connector-connecting portion 107 A is formed in the electronic part module 101 A, and is configured to engage a connector 9 of a wiring harness. Furthermore, the arrow “C” in FIG. 10 represents a direction in which the connector 9 is inserted or fitted into the connector-connecting portion 107 A, and the arrow “Y” in FIG. 10 represents a direction along the height of the case of the electrical junction box. The arrows “C” and “Y” are parallel to each other.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11 , the electronic part module 101 A includes an electronic part substrates 102 A in which a plurality of bus bars 4 B is coupled to an insulating panel 105 A and a plurality of substrate relays 6 corresponding to electronic parts as defined in the claims appended hereto is electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars 4 B, and a case 103 A for accommodating the electronic part substrates 102 A therein and formed of synthetic resin. Furthermore, the afore-mentioned connector-connecting portion 107 A is made lateral to the case 103 A.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the plurality of bus bars 4 B includes a part-mounting portion 41 in which a relay 6 and a resistance 12 are mounted, an external terminal-connecting portion 42 , and an intermediate portion 43 disposed between the part-mounting portion 41 and the external terminal-connecting portion 42 . The external terminal-connecting portion 42 forms the connector-connecting portion 107 A, thereby being inserted into and then electrically connected to the female terminal fitting of the connector 9 .

Referring to FIG. 10 , the insulating panel 105 A includes a first surface 151 A to which the part-mounting portion 41 of the bus bar 4 B is attached, and a second surface 152 A to which the intermediate portion 43 is attached. The first surface 151 A is at right angle with the second surface 152 A.

In the electronic part substrate 102 A, all of the part-mounting portions 41 of the bus bars 4 B are integrated into the first surface 151 A of the insulating panel 105 A, and lie in the same plane. All of the intermediate portions 43 of the bus bars 4 B are integrated into the second surface 152 A, and lie in the same plane. All of the external terminal-connecting portions 42 of the bus bars 4 B extends from the second surface 152 A and is parallel to the first surface 151 A. In other words, in the electronic part substrate 102 A, the direction in which the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 and the plurality of relays 6 are aligned intersects the direction in which the female terminal fitting of the connector 9 is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion 42 . Furthermore, the direction in which the female terminal fitting of the connector 9 is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion 42 is parallel to the first surface 151 A.

The electronic part substrate 102 A is assembled by collectively forming the plurality of bus bars 4 B from metallic plate with a die, bending the bus bars to form the part-mounting portion 41 and the external terminal-connecting portions 42 , attaching the plurality of bus bars 4 B to the insulating panel 105 A via insert-molding, and soldering the relay 6 and the resistance 12 to the plurality of bus bars 4 B. Instead of insert-molding, the plurality of bus bars 4 B may be locked and attached to the insulating panel 105 A.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 , the case 103 A includes a box-shaped portion 131 A, and a cover 130 A for closing the opening of the box-shaped portion 131 A. The box-shaped portion 131 A includes a bottom wall 132 , a peripheral wall 133 , a locking portion 134 formed on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 133 , a flange 135 formed on the upper edge or upper end of the peripheral wall 133 , and an external terminal-accommodating portion 137 downwardly extending from the flange 135 . The locking portion 134 is locked to the case of the afore-mentioned electrical junction box. The external terminal-accommodating portion 137 can form a connector-connecting portion 107 A which will be hereinafter described in detail, and is configured to position the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 and the connector 9 therein. The flange 135 is provided with a through-hole 136 through which the external terminal-connecting portion 42 passes. The number of the through-holes 136 is equivalent to the number of the number of the external terminal-connecting portions 42 capable of forming the connector-connecting portion 107 A.

The connector-connecting portion 107 A includes the plurality of external terminal-connecting portion 42 of the afore-mentioned electronic part substrate 102 A, and the external terminal-accommodating portion 137 formed in the afore-mentioned case 103 A. In other words, the electronic part substrates 102 A is received into the box-shaped portion 131 A in a direction as shown in FIG. 10 . As such, the plurality of the external terminal-connecting portion 42 , in turn, passes through the through-hole 36 to be positioned in the external terminal-accommodating portion 137 . As a result, the connector-connecting portion 107 A can be formed. Furthermore, the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 is arranged in two rows. The direction in which the connector 9 of the wiring harness is inserted or fitted into the connector-connecting portion 107 A is parallel to the first surface 151 A.

In the afore-mentioned electronic part module 101 A, the direction in which the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 and the plurality of the relays 6 are aligned intersects with the direction in which the female terminal fitting of the connector 9 is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion 42 (i.e., the direction parallel to the first surface 151 A). For the reason, the minimum dimension of the case 103 A along its height (i.e., a direction depicted by arrow “Y”) can be remarkably decreased in comparison with the conventional electronic part module as depicted in FIG. 15 .

When the third embodiment of the electronic part module 101 A is mounted to the electric junction box, the heightwise dimension of the case (of the electric junction box) can be downsized.

Fourth Embodiment of Electronic Part Module

A fourth embodiment of electronic part module is hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 12-14 . Similar or equal reference numerals represent the parts similar or equal to the parts as described in the first, second, and third embodiments.

An electronic part module 101 B is also configured to perform electrical power distribution in a vehicle electrical junction box, and to be attached to a case of an electrical junction box (not shown) as mentioned in the third embodiment of the electronic part module 101 A. Referring to FIG. 12 , a connector-connecting portion 107 B is formed in the electronic part module 102 B, and is configured to engage a female terminal fitting (i.e., an external terminal) coupled to the terminal portion of an electrical wire. Furthermore, the arrow “D” in FIG. 13 represents a direction in which the female terminal fitting is inserted or fitted into the connector-connecting portion 107 B, and the arrow “Y” in FIG. 13 represents a direction along the height of the case of the electrical junction box. The arrows “D” and “C” are parallel to each other.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 , the electronic part module 101 B includes an electronic part substrates 102 B in which a plurality of bus bars 4 B is coupled to an insulating panel 105 B and a plurality of substrate relays 6 corresponding to electronic parts as defined in the claims appended hereto is electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars 4 B; a case 103 B for accommodating the electronic part substrates 102 B therein and formed of synthetic resin; and a spacer 106 for securely retaining the female terminal fitting. Furthermore, the afore-mentioned connector-connecting portion 107 B is made lateral to the case 103 B.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the plurality of bus bars 4 B includes a part-mounting portion 41 in which a relay 6 and a resistance 12 are mounted, an external terminal-connecting portion 42 , and an intermediate portion 43 disposed between the part-mounting portion 41 and the external terminal-connecting portion 42 . The external terminal-connecting portion 42 can form the connector-connecting portion 107 B, thereby being inserted into and then electrically connected to the female terminal fitting.

Referring to FIG. 13 , the insulating panel 105 B includes a first surface 151 B to which the part-mounting portion 41 of the bus bar 4 B is attached, and a second surface 152 B to which the intermediate portion 43 is attached. The first surface 151 B is at right angle with the second surface 152 B.

In the electronic part substrate 102 B, all of the part-mounting portions 41 of the bus bars 4 B are integrated into the first surface 151 B, and lie in the same plane. All of the intermediate portions 43 of the bus bars 4 B are integrated into the second surface 152 B, and lie in the same plane. All of the external terminal-connecting portions 42 of the bus bars 4 B extends from the second surface 152 B and is parallel to the first surface 151 B. In other words, in the electronic part substrate 102 B, the direction in which the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 and the plurality of relays 6 are aligned intersects the direction in which the female terminal fitting is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion 42 . Furthermore, the direction in which the female terminal fitting is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion 42 is parallel to the first surface 151 B.

The electronic part substrate 102 B can be assembled in the same manner as described in above third embodiment (i.e., the electronic part substrate 102 A).

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 , the case 103 B includes a box-shaped portion 131 B, and a cover 130 B for closing the opening of the box-shaped portion 131 B. The box-shaped portion 131 B includes a bottom wall 132 , a peripheral wall 133 , a locking portion 134 formed on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 133 , and a terminal-accommodating portion 138 formed on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 133 . The terminal-accommodating portion 138 can form a connector-connecting portion 107 B, which will be hereinafter described in detail, and is configured to position the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 and the plurality of female terminal fittings therein. An opening 139 , to which the spacer 106 is mounted, is provided in an outer wall of the terminal-accommodating portion 138 .

The spacer 106 can be formed of synthetic resin. As the spacer 106 is mounted to the opening 139 , the plurality of the female terminal fittings positioned in the terminal-accommodating portion 138 is securely retained or held by the spacer 106 . As such, the plurality of female terminal fittings can be retained in the terminal-accommodating portion 138 without falling off from the terminal-accommodating portion 138 .

The connector-connecting portion 107 B includes the plurality of external terminal-connecting portion 42 of the afore-mentioned electronic part substrate 102 B, and the terminal-accommodating portion 138 formed in the afore-mentioned case 103 B. In other words, the electronic part substrates 102 B is received into the box-shaped portion 131 B in a direction as shown in FIG. 13 . Accordingly, the plurality of the external terminal-connecting portions 42 , in turn, is positioned within the terminal-accommodating portion 138 . As a result, the connector-connecting portion 107 B can be formed. Furthermore, the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 is arranged in a row. The direction in which the female terminal fitting is inserted or fitted into the connector-connecting portion 107 B is parallel to the first surface 151 B.

In the afore-mentioned electronic part module 101 B, the direction in which the plurality of external terminal-connecting portions 42 and the plurality of the relays 6 are aligned intersects with the direction in which the female terminal fitting is electrically connected to the external terminal-connecting portion 42 (i.e., the direction parallel to the first surface 151 B). For the reason, the dimension of the case 103 B along its height (i.e., a direction depicted by arrow “Y”) can be remarkably decreased in comparison with the conventional electronic part module as depicted in FIG. 15 .

When the forth embodiment of the electronic part module 101 B is mounted to the electric junction box, the heightwise dimension of the case (of the electric junction box) can be downsized.

In the afore-mentioned embodiments, the electronic part modules 1 A, 101 A, 1 B, and 101 B are used for the vehicle electrical junction box. However, the inventive electronic part modules can be used for a variety of electrical or electronic devices. In the afore-mentioned embodiment, the substrate relays 6 are mounted to the electronic part substrates 2 A, 102 A, 2 B, 102 B. However, a variety of electronic parts can be mounted to the electronic part substrates.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain embodiments, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which have been presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.