Protective cover and fuse box

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a protective cover and a fuse box which are applied to a fuse unit directly attached to a battery post of a battery to be mounted on a vehicle and serve to protect a fuse.

2. Related Art

A battery to be mounted on a vehicle has a pair of battery posts formed of a lead alloy. In order to supply a power from the battery to various electrical equipment, a chain type fuse element (fuse-element) having a plurality of terminal connecting portions is attached to some battery posts. The fuse element is provided in a resin body to constitute a fuse unit. There is also provided a fuse unit having a plurality of terminal connecting portions that is attached to some battery posts. The fuse unit is constituted by a fuse element formed integrally with a fuse and a resin body for accommodating the fuse element.

Since the terminal connecting portion and the fuse in the fuse element are exposed to the outside, they are apt to be corroded and are generally covered with a protective cover. The protective cover is formed to be a separate piece in consideration of the necessity for exchanging a terminal or viewing a fuse at time of vehicle assembly or maintenance. Such a protective cover is removably attached to the resin body of the fuse unit by various engaging means. The protective cover and the fuse unit constitute a fuse box.

Further, the terminal connecting portion and the fuse are exposed from the resin body and corrosion is apt to be caused by the invasion of water drops. In general, therefore, the upper part of the fuse unit is covered with a battery cover in order to carry out insulation, waterproofing and dustproofing in such a portion.

FIG. 9

shows an example of a conventional fuse box disclosed in JP-A-10-338085. A fuse box

101

thus shown can efficiently carry out a work for exchanging a fusible link

102

.

The fuse box

101

comprises a box body

110

for accommodating the fusible link

102

and a cover member

120

for covering the box body

110

. The box body

110

is provided with a housing portion

111

for the fusible link

102

in which an upper part

111

a

and both lower sides

111

b

and

111

c

are opened. In the conventional example, the fusible link

102

and the box body

110

constitute a fuse unit.

The fusible link

102

is inserted from the upper part

111

a

into the housing portion

111

, a head portion

102

a

is exposed from the upper part

111

a

, and furthermore, tab terminals

102

b

and

102

c

are exposed from both lower sides

111

b

and

111

c

. Moreover, a terminal

130

for power supply is connected through an attachment bolt to the tab terminal

102

b

of the fusible link

102

accommodated in the housing portion

111

, and a terminal

140

having an electric wire is connected to the tab terminal

102

c

through an attachment bolt. Furthermore, a terminal

103

for battery connection is connected to the terminal

130

for power supply through a nut, and the terminal

103

for battery connection is connected to a battery post of a battery.

The cover member

120

comprises an upper cover portion

121

for covering the upper part

111

a

of the box body

110

, a lower cover portion

122

provided vertically under the upper cover portion

121

and serving to cover both lower sides

111

b

and

111

c

of the housing portion

111

, and a battery post cover portion

123

for covering the battery post of the battery. The battery post cover portion

123

is provided successively to the upper cover portion

121

. Such a cover member

120

is provided in the box body

110

to be rotatable at 90 degrees through a hinge

124

including a rotating shaft

124

a

and a bearing

124

b.

However, while the box body

110

and the cover member

120

are removably coupled to each other through the hinge

124

and the cover member

120

can be supported rotatably, the bearing

124

b

for supporting the rotating shaft

124

a

is curved to have a small thickness. In some cases in which an operation for opening and closing the cover member

120

is repeated for a long period of time, therefore, the bearing

124

b

is plastically deformed. In some cases in which the bearing

124

b

is plastically deformed, it cannot hold the rotating shaft

124

a

. There is a possibility that the cover member

120

might be removed from the box body

110

so as not to fulfill the original function of the protective cover.

Moreover, when the cover member

120

is to be closed, a stopper

122

a

protruded from the lower cover portion

122

abuts on the box body

110

to regulate rotation. In some cases in which the cover member

120

is to be opened, the cover member

120

is excessively opened to plastically deform the bearing

124

b

so that the cover member

120

is separated from the box body

110

as described above because there is no stopper for regulating the rotation.

Also in the case in which the box body and the cover member are coupled integrally through a hinge, the same problem arises. Usually, the hinge is formed to have a small thickness in order to enhance the operability of an opening and closing cover and might be broken due to a fatigue when an opening and closing operation is repeated. In some cases, thus, the cover member is removed so as not to fulfill the function of the protective cover.

The battery cover is formed integrally with the resin body or is formed separately in consideration of the necessity for exchanging a terminal or viewing a fuse at time of vehicle assembly or maintenance. The separate battery cover is removably attached to the resin body by engaging means.

FIGS. 17 and 18

show an example of a conventional battery cover constituted separately. As shown in

FIG. 17

, a battery cover

400

is integrally constituted by a first cover

401

for covering the upper part of a fuse unit (not shown) a second cover

411

for covering a battery post, and a hinge portion

408

for coupling the first cover

401

to the second cover

411

. The battery cover

400

is formed of a synthetic resin such as heat-resistant vinyl chloride.

The first cover

401

takes the shape of a box cover having a housing space for the fuse unit in an internal space. One of the sides of the first cover

401

is provided with an opening

404

such that a terminal having an electric wire can be inserted therein. A hinge portion

408

for openably rotating and holding the second cover

411

is integrally formed on the other side of the first cover

401

along the edge portion of an upper wall

402

.

The first cover

401

is removably attached to a resin body (not shown) formed by insert molding a fuse element with the use of engaging means. A lock portion

405

provided on a side wall

403

of the first cover

401

is engaged with a concave portion formed on the side wall of the resin body.

The second cover

411

is an openable protective cover which is integrally formed successively to the hinge portion

408

and serves to cover the battery post connecting portion side of the fuse unit and the battery post, and is constituted by an almost crank-shaped upper wall

412

seen on a plane and a side wall

413

linked to the periphery of the upper wall

412

at an almost right angle. The upper wall

412

is crank-shaped because it is formed corresponding to the shape of the fuse unit.

The hinge portion

408

is a junction member for coupling the first cover

401

to the second cover

411

and is formed successively to the upper wall

402

of the first cover

401

and the upper wall

412

of the second cover

111

. The hinge portion

408

is plate-shaped and functions as a center of rotation for the second cover

411

.

FIG. 18

shows an opening and closing track

420

of the second cover

411

. The second cover

411

is opened and closed by describing a circular hole curve with the hinge portion

408

to be the center of rotation. Moreover,

FIG. 18

also illustrates that the second cover

411

opposed to a bulged wall

416

of a battery

415

interferes with the upper part of the bulged wall

416

so that the opening and closing operation cannot be carried out smoothly. In consideration of such a situation, a space

421

is provided between the bulged wall

416

and the second cover

411

and a relief portion (nick-shaped opening)

417

is formed in the part of the interference of the second cover

411

.

However, when the battery cover

400

according to the prior art is applied to the battery

415

having the bulged wall

416

on the periphery, there is a problem in that the second cover

411

interferes with the bulged wall

416

when opening and closing the second cover

411

because the opening and closing track

420

of the second cover

411

is protruded toward the bulged wall

416

side around the battery post. The reason is that the battery cover

400

is to be formed in a high position in order to protect a stud bolt protruded from the upper surface of the fuse unit, and at the same time, the hinge portion

408

is also provided in a high position. In the prior art, accordingly, a space

421

is formed between the second cover

411

and the bulged wall

416

and the relief portion

417

is provided on the side wall

413

of the second cover

111

in order to avoid the interference.

However, when the relief portion

417

is provided, there is a possibility that conductive foreign substances or water drops might enter to reduce insulating, waterproof and dustproof effects by half in the case of application to a battery having no bulged wall

416

on the periphery.

Furthermore, the hinge portion

408

coupling the first cover

401

to the second cover

411

is on almost a level with the upper wall

402

of the first cover

401

and the upper wall

412

of the second cover

411

, and there is no stopper for regulating the opening angle of the second cover

411

. Therefore, there is a possibility that the second cover

411

might be opened excessively to plastically deform the hinge portion

408

(fatigue), resulting in a breakage of the second cover

411

.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In consideration of the respects described above, the invention has an object to provide a protective cover and a fuse box which can cause a removed single cover piece to function as a protective cover for covering a fuse unit and can carry out a closing operation and fix the cover easily and reliably even if the hinge of the rotating cover is broken or disconnected due to a fatigue.

Another object provides a battery cover in which even if a bulged wall is provided around a battery post, the interference of a second cover and the bulged wall formed around the battery post can be avoided, and the sealing property of the battery cover against a fuse unit can be enhanced to block the invasion or waterdrops, resulting in an insulating property, a waterproof property and a dustproof property. Moreover, the invention has another object to provide a battery cover capable of preventing the plastic deformation of a hinge portion and prolonging a lifetime without damaging the opening and closing operational property of the second cover.

In order to achieve the object, a first aspect of the invention is directed to a protective cover which is constituted by a first cover for covering a fuse unit connected to a battery post and a second cover linked to the first cover through a rotating portion, the second cover being openable by setting the rotating portion to be a center of rotation, wherein an internal surface of a side wall of the second cover is provided with a guide rib corresponding to a guide groove of a side wall of the fuse unit and a locking convex portion corresponding to a concave portion of the side wall of the fuse unit.

Moreover, a second aspect of the invention is directed to the protective cover according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein a position regulating rib to abut on an upper part of the fuse unit is protruded from an internal surface of an upper wall of the second cover.

Furthermore, a third aspect of the invention is directed to a fuse box which is constituted by a fuse element having a plurality of fuses formed therein, a fuse unit including a resin body having the fuse element provided therein, and a protective cover comprising a first cover for covering the fuse unit and a second cover linked to the first cover through a rotating portion, the second cover being openable by setting the rotating portion to be a center of rotation, wherein a side wall of the fuse unit is provided with a guide groove positioned close to the rotating portion and a concave portion positioned apart from the rotating portion, and an internal surface of a side wall of the second cover is provided with a guide rib for entering the guide groove and a locking convex portion to be engaged with the concave portion.

Moreover, a fourth aspect of the invention is directed to the fuse box according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein a position regulating rib to abut on an upper part of the fuse unit is protruded from an internal surface of an upper wall of the second cover.

Furthermore, a fifth aspect of the invention is directed to the fuse box according to the third or fourth aspect of the invention, wherein the guide groove is constituted by a wide portion having an inclined guide face and a narrow portion extended in a closing direction successively to the wide portion.

Moreover, a sixth aspect of the invention is directed to the fuse box according to any of the third to fifth aspects of the invention, wherein the locking convex portion and the position regulating rib are provided in the same plane which is orthogonal to both side walls of the second cover.

Furthermore, a seventh aspect of the invention is directed to the fuse box according to any of the third to sixth aspects of invention, wherein a groove wall surface linking the wide portion to the narrow portion is a position regulating face for the guide rib.

In order to attain the objects, an eighth aspect of the invention is directed to a battery cover which is constituted by a first cover for covering an upper part of a fuse unit to be connected to a battery post and a second cover linked to the first cover through a hinge portion, and the second cover can be opened by setting the hinge portion to be a center of rotation, wherein a connecting portion is provided successively to the hinge portion, and the hinge portion and the connecting portion are provided in lower positions than an upper wall of the first cover and an upper wall of the second cover.

Moreover, an ninth aspect of the invention is directed to the battery cover according to the eighth aspect of the invention, wherein the connecting portion is connected integrally with the second cover.

Furthermore, a tenth aspect of the invention is directed to the battery cover according to the eighth or ninth aspect of the invention, wherein the hinge portion is formed in a lower position than an upper surface of a bulged portion provided around the battery post.

Moreover, an eleventh aspect of the invention is directed to the battery cover according to any of the eighth to ninth aspects of the invention, wherein a first inclined wall is provided between the hinge portion and the first cover, a second inclined wall is provided between the connecting portion and the second cover, and both of the inclined walls abut so that an opening angle of the second cover is regulated.

Furthermore, a twelfth aspect of the invention is aspect of the invention, wherein the first inclined wall and the connecting portion form an obtuse angle.

Moreover, a thirteenth aspect of the invention is directed to the battery thirteenth cover according to any of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, wherein the hinge portion is formed to have a smaller thickness than that of the connecting portion.

Furthermore, a fourteenth aspect of the invention is directed to the battery cover according to any of the ninth to thirteenth aspects of the invention, wherein it is also effective that the hinge portion is provided between two parallel stud bolts of the fuse unit.

Functions and effects based on the structure will be described below.

In the first aspect of the invention, when the second cover is to be closed, the guide rib enters the guide groove of the fuse unit and the guide rib abuts on the groove wall of the guide groove to stop the rotation of the second cover. Subsequently, the locking convex portion is engaged with the concave portion of the fuse unit so that the second cover is fixed to the fuse unit.

In the case in which the second cover is removed from the rotating portion and thereby becomes a single piece and the cover is to be closed, the guide rib enters the guide groove of the fuse unit from above and is guided by the guide groove, and at the same time, abuts on the groove wall and is thereby positioned in a longitudinal direction. Then, the locking convex portion is engaged with the concave portion of the fuse unit so that the second cover is fixed. If the guide rib is not provided, the cover is loosened in the longitudinal direction and the locking convex portion is brought into a blind state and is thereby attached with difficulty.

In the second aspect of the invention, the position regulating rib is protruded from the internal surface of the upper wall of the second cover. Therefore, the tip face of the position regulating rib abuts on the upper part of the fuse unit (the upper surface of the fuse element) to carry out positioning in a vertical direction (a direction of a height). Then, the locking convex portion is engaged with the concave portion on the other side so that the second cover is fixed to hold the fuse unit.

In the third aspect of the invention, the guide groove corresponding to the guide rib of the second cover is provided on the side wall of the fuse unit. Therefore, the cover is rotated without the interference of the guide rib with the side wall to block the operation for closing the cover, and the guide rib abuts on the groove wall of the guide groove so that the rotation of the cover is stopped. Since the side wall of the fuse unit is provided with the concave portion with which the locking convex portion of the cover is to be engaged, the second cover is reliably fixed without removal.

In the case in which the second cover is removed from the rotating portion and thereby becomes a single piece, the guide rib enters the guide groove and is guided by the groove wall. The second cover is positioned in the longitudinal direction and is prevented from being loosened. Consequently, the locking convex portion of the second cover is engaged with the concave portion on the other side so that the second cover is fixed.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, the position regulating rib is protruded from the internal surface of the upper wall of the second cover. Therefore, positioning in the vertical direction (the direction of a height) is carried out by the position regulating rib. In that case, the locking convex portion is engaged with the concave portion on the other side so that the second cover is fixed to hold the fuse unit.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, the wide portion of the guide groove has the inclined guide face, and furthermore, has an entry space for the guide rib. Therefore, the guide rib slides over the guide face to enter the narrow portion of the guide groove, and the second cover is then positioned in the longitudinal direction.

In the sixth aspect of the invention, when the second cover is fixed to the fuse unit, the locking convex portion and the position regulating rib have such a positional relationship that couple is not generated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second cover from being deformed or rotated by a moment of the couple.

In the seventh aspect of the invention, the guide rib of the second cover abuts on the position regulating face to be the groove wall surface close to the hinge portion of the guide groove so that the cover is accurately positioned in the longitudinal direction, and the locking convex portion is not brought into the blind state but is engaged with the concave portion of the fuse unit.

In the eighth aspect of the invention, since the hinge portion and the connecting portion are provided in lower positions than the upper wall of the first cover and the upper wall of the second cover, the second cover is not protruded toward the bulged wall side provided around the battery post so that the interference of the bulged wall with the second cover can be avoided. More specifically, the center of rotation of the second cover forming the opening and closing track is placed in a lower position than the upper wall of the cover. Therefore, the opening and closing track of the second cover is moved in such a direction as to go away from the bulged wall so that the protrusion of the opening and closing track with the opening and closing operation of the second cover can be reduced.

In the ninth aspect of the invention, since the connecting portion is formed successively to the second cover, the hinge portion is provided behind the connecting portion so that the radius of curvature of the opening and closing track of the second cover can be increased.

In the tenth aspect of the invention, the center of rotation of the second cover is placed in a lower position than the upper surface of the bulged portion provided around the battery post. Therefore, the tipmost position of the opening and closing track of the cover with respect to the bulged wall is not protruded toward the bulged wall side so that the interference of the second cover with the bulged wall can be avoided.

In the eleventh aspect of the invention, the first cover abuts on both inclined walls of the second cover so that the opening angle of the second cover can be regulated to prevent the plastic deformation of the hinge portion due to excessive opening.

In the twelfth aspect of the invention, since the connecting portion intersects the first inclined wall at an obtuse angle, the opening and closing operation of the second cover can be prevented from being blocked.

In the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the hinge portion is formed to have a smaller thickness than that of the connecting portion. Therefore, the flexibility of the hinge portion can be enhanced, and the second cover can be smoothly opened upward and closed downward. Accordingly, a workability can be enhanced at time of vehicle assembly or maintenance.

In the fourteenth aspect of the invention, the hinge portion is provided between the two stud bolts protruded from the upper surface of the fuse unit. Therefore, the hinge portion can be formed in a low position even if the height of the battery cover is great.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a protective cover according to the invention,

FIG. 2

is a front view showing the protective cover illustrated in

FIG. 1

,

FIG. 3

is a is a plan view showing the protective cover illustrated in

FIG. 1

,

FIG. 4

is a bottom view showing the protective cover illustrated in

FIG. 1

,

FIG. 5

is a side view showing the protective cover illustrated in

FIG. 1

,

FIG. 6

is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a fuse box according to the invention,

FIG. 7

is a view showing a state in which an opening and closing cover connected to a fuse unit through a hinge portion is to be closed,

FIG. 8

is a view showing a state in which the opening and closing cover from which the hinge portion is disconnected with respect to the fuse unit is to be closed by utilizing a guide groove, and

FIG. 9

is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional fuse box.

FIG. 10

is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a battery cover according to the invention,

FIG. 11

is a front view showing the battery cover illustrated in

FIG. 10

,

FIG. 12

is a plan view showing the battery cover illustrated in

FIG. 10

,

FIG. 13

is a side view showing the battery cover illustrated in

FIG. 10

,

FIG. 14

is a view showing the opening and closing track of the battery cover illustrated in

FIG. 10

,

FIG. 15

is a view showing the shape of the appearance of an example of the European battery,

FIG. 16

is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the battery cover illustrated in

FIG. 10

is attached to a fuse unit,

FIG. 17

is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional battery cover, and

FIG. 18

is a view showing the opening and closing track of the battery cover illustrated in FIG.

17

.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A specific example or an embodiment according to the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1

to

5

show an embodiment of a protective cover according to the invention, and

FIGS. 6

to

8

show an embodiment of a fuse box constituted by the protective cover and a fuse unit.

As shown in

FIG. 1

, a protective cover

210

is constituted by a fixing cover (a first cover)

211

for covering the upper part of a fuse unit

252

(

FIG. 6

) to be connected to a battery post

242

, and an opening and closing cover (a second cover)

221

to be connected to the fixing cover

211

through a hinge portion (a rotating portion)

231

. The opening and closing cover

221

is rotatable by setting the hinge portion

231

to be a center of rotation. The fuse unit

252

will be described below and is constituted by a fuse element

253

provided with a plurality of fuses

254

and

255

and a resin body

261

(see

FIG. 6

) having the fuse element

253

provided therein.

The protective cover

210

is formed of a synthetic resin such as heat-resistant vinyl chloride or other plastics, and takes the shape of a box in which a lower surface is opened such that the fuse unit

252

can be covered from above.

The fixing cover

211

is constituted by a covering portion

212

having both side walls

212

b

and

212

c

bent at almost 90 degrees, a partitioning portion

213

formed downward in the middle part of the covering portion

212

, and lock portions

214

and

214

provided on both side walls

212

b

and

212

c

of the covering portion

212

. A rear wall is opened such that a terminal having an electric wire can be inserted therethrough. A front wall opposed to the rear wall is provided successively to the opening and closing cover

221

through the hinge portion

231

. For convenience of the description, in the concept of front and rear, the battery post

242

side is set to the front side and the connecting side of the terminal having an electric wire is set to the rear side. The concept of right and left implies a transverse direction which is orthogonal to a longitudinal direction.

An internal space

216

of the fixing cover

211

is divided into two parts by the partitioning portion

213

. The internal space

216

is constituted by the division in order to insulate terminal connecting portions

256

b

and

256

c

(see

FIG. 6

) formed in two left and right portions of the fuse unit

252

.

The lock portions

214

and

214

serve to removably fix the fixing cover

211

to the fuse unit

252

. A convex portion (see

FIG. 4

)

215

is formed on the inside of the lock portions

214

and

214

, and the convex portion

215

is engaged with a concave portion

262

(see

FIG. 7

) provided on a side wall

258

of the fuse unit

252

so that the fixing cover

211

is fixed to the fuse unit

252

.

Next, the opening and closing cover

221

includes an almost crank-shaped upper wall

222

a

, both side walls

222

b

and

222

c

bent on the periphery of the upper wall

222

a

at an almost right angle, and a front wall

222

d

. The upper wall

222

a

takes the shape of a crank because it is formed corresponding to the shape of the fuse unit

252

. Both side walls

222

b

and

222

c

are on a level with both side walls

212

b

and

212

c

of the fixing cover

211

.

The upper wall

222

a

is provided with a partitioning portion

224

(see

FIG. 3

) and a flange portion

223

. The partitioning portion

224

is protruded downward in an almost middle position in a transverse direction. An empty chamber portion

267

having the fuse

254

and a terminal connecting portion

256

a

are insulated by the partitioning portion

224

.

The flange portion

223

is formed ahead of the upper wall

222

a

such that an operation for opening the opening and closing cover

221

can easily be carried out. The opening operation is carried out by first unlocking both side walls

222

b

and

222

c

of the opening and closing cover

221

to be opened outward and catching and lifting the flange portion

223

with a finger.

As shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, the internal surfaces of both side walls

222

b

and

222

c

of the opening and closing cover

221

are provided with a guide rib

225

corresponding to a guide groove

259

of the fuse unit

252

, and a locking convex portion

226

corresponding to a concave portion

260

of the fuse unit

252

, and a position regulating rib

227

to abut on the upper part of the fuse unit

252

is protruded from the internal surface of the upper wall

222

a

of the opening and closing cover

221

.

The guide rib

225

is a rib-shaped protrusion which is extended in a vertical direction, and is positioned close to the hinge portion

231

provided behind both side walls

222

b

and

222

c

. The guide rib

225

is positioned close to the hinge portion

231

in order to reduce a radius of curvature of a circular arc locus described by the guide rib

225

with the operation for closing the second cover

221

, to form the guide groove

259

of the side wall

258

of the fuse unit

252

as much as possible and to provide the locking concave portion

260

in a residual space.

Moreover, the guide rib

225

is extended downward from the position regulating rib

227

which will be described below, and the tip portion of the guide rib

225

is positioned on almost a level with the locking convex portion

226

(FIG.

2

). By such positioning, the opening and closing cover

221

can be accurately positioned in a longitudinal direction so that a locking reliability can be enhanced.

As shown in

FIG. 7

, the guide groove

259

on the other side corresponding to the guide rib

225

is constituted by a wide portion

259

a

having an inclined guide face

259

c

on the side wall

258

of the fuse unit

252

and a narrow portion

259

b

extended in the closing direction of the opening and closing cover

221

successively to the wide portion

259

a.

Since the groove wall surface on one side (front side) of the wide portion

259

a

is the guide face

259

c

, the guide rib

225

of the opening and closing cover

221

is guided while sliding over the guide face

259

c

. Moreover, a space for causing the guide rib

225

to enter is maintained in the wide portion

259

a

, thereby avoiding such a situation that the guide rib

225

describing the circular arc locus interferes with the side wall

258

during the operation for closing the opening and closing cover

221

.

The narrow portion

259

b

is provided successively to the wide portion

259

a

and is extended in the closing direction of the opening and closing cover

221

. In the closing state of the opening and closing cover

221

, a gap is formed between the narrow portion

259

b

and the tip portion of the guide rib

225

. The gap is formed in order to position the opening and closing cover in a direction or a height by the position regulating rib

227

which will be described below.

The groove of the narrow portion

259

b

is set such that the guide rib

225

can be restrained without a looseness. If the looseness is generated, the locking convex portion

226

of the opening and closing cover

221

cannot be engaged with the concave portion of the fuse unit

252

at one touch.

The groove wall surfaces on one side (close to the hinge portion) of the wide portion

259

a

and the narrow portion

259

b

are connected straight in the direction of a height and constitute a position regulating face

259

d

. The position regulating face

259

d

is a face on which the guide rib

225

abuts. Consequently, the opening and closing cover is positioned so that the opening and closing cover

221

can be locked reliably.

Such a structure that the guide groove

259

is provided is particularly effective when the thin hinge portion

231

is disconnected so that the opening and closing cover

221

becomes a separate member. If the guide groove

259

is not provided, the longitudinal positioning is not carried out so that the locking convex portion

226

of the opening and closing cover

221

is brought into a blind state and cannot be engaged with the concave portion

260

of the fuse unit

252

on the other side. Accordingly, when the guide rib

225

is guided to the guide groove

259

, the opening and closing cover

221

is positioned longitudinally and is thus fixed to the fuse unit

252

reliably without generating a looseness.

As shown in

FIG. 2

, the locking convex portion

226

is protruded from the lower side of the internal surfaces of the side walls

222

b

and

222

c

of the opening and closing cover

221

. While the guide rib

225

is positioned close to the hinge portion

231

, the locking convex portion

226

is positioned apart from the hinge portion

231

. The locking convex portion

226

is positioned ahead of the guide rib

225

in order not to obstruct the operation for opening and closing the opening and closing cover

221

and to carry out locking after positioning.

Moreover, the locking convex portion

226

is positioned under the position regulating rib

227

. Consequently, the positioning in the direction of a height is carried out by the position regulating rib

227

, and at the same time, a convex portion engagement face

226

a

of the locking convex portion

226

abuts on a concave portion receiving face

260

a

(see

FIG. 7

) of the concave portion

260

of the fuse unit

252

so that the opening and closing cover

221

is reliably fixed to hold the fuse unit

252

.

As shown in

FIGS. 3

to

5

, the position regulating rib

227

is positioned in parallel in a transverse direction and is protruded downward from the internal surface of the upper wall

222

a

. The position regulating rib

227

serves to abut on the terminal connecting portion

256

a

(see

FIG. 6

) of a battery terminal

271

exposed from the empty chamber portion

267

of the resin body

261

, thereby carrying out positioning in the direction of a height. A stud bolt

274

for terminal connection is straight exposed from the terminal connecting portion

256

b

of an alternator terminal

272

and the terminal connecting portion

256

c

of a starter motor terminal

273

. Therefore, the protrusion of the position regulating rib

227

has such a length that the upper wall

222

a

of the opening and closing cover

221

does not interfere with the stud bolt

274

(see FIG.

6

).

As shown in

FIGS. 7 and 8

, the locking convex portion

226

and the position regulating rib

227

are positioned in the same plane which is orthogonal to both side walls

222

b

and

222

c

of the second cover

221

. The locking convex portion

226

and the position regulating rib

227

have such a positional relationship that couple is not generated, in other words, the locking convex portion

226

and the position regulating rib

227

are positioned such that lines of action of forces in opposite directions to each other which are applied to both of them are formed in the same plane. Therefore, a moment of couple is not generated and the opening and closing cover

221

is fixed reliably so that a locking reliability can be enhanced.

The hinge portion

231

(

FIGS. 3 and 7

) is provided between the fixing cover

11

and the opening and closing cover

221

to integrally connect both covers

211

and

221

. Moreover, the hinge portion

231

is formed in a lower position than the upper walls

212

a

and

222

a

of the fixing cover

211

and the opening and closing cover

221

. The reason is that a radius of curvature of the opening and closing locus of the opening and closing cover

221

is to be increased and a forward protrusion of the opening and closing locus is to be reduced by lowering the hinge portion

231

to be a center of rotation of the opening and closing cover

221

. Such a structure is suitable for the European battery in which the upper part of the battery

241

is not a flat surface but has a bulged portion, and has an advantage that the interference of the opening and closing cover

221

with the bulged wall can be prevented.

The hinge portion

231

is formed more thinly than the upper walls

212

a

and

222

a

of both covers

211

and

221

to have a flexibility. Accordingly, the opening and closing cover

221

can be opened and closed smoothly. The hinge portion

231

is curled almost annularly so that a stress can be distributed wholly, thereby effectively preventing a fatigue or a breakage with the passage of time.

Next, the ruse unit constituting the ruse box will be described with reference to

FIGS. 6

to

8

. The fuse unit

252

serves to connect the battery

241

to an electric wire

276

for power supply, and is constituted by a plate-shaped fuse element

253

formed of conductive metal and including the fuses

254

and

255

and an insulating resin body

261

formed by insert molding the fuse element

253

. While the fuse unit

252

thus shown is bent at almost 90 degrees from a middle portion, it is molded in an extension state in a one-dimensional direction during molding. Such molding is carried out because a rapping step can easily be performed.

FIG. 6

shows the finishing state of the fuse unit

252

formed by integrally molding the resin body

261

to be an insulating synthetic resin material on the surface and back of the fuse element

253

, and shows a state in which the fuse unit

252

is bent and is assembled into the battery

241

for a vehicle.

First of all, the fuse element

253

is punched out of one conductive metal plate, has a flexible portion integrally in a middle portion and can be freely bent at the flexible portion in a direction of a plate thickness. If the flexible portion has a thickness equal to that of the fuse element

253

, it can be flexed sufficiently. The flexible portion of the fuse element

253

is provided in a portion in which a resin material of a resin mold (not shown) is not injected, and is thereby exposed to the outside of the resin body

261

.

Four tab terminals which are not shown are arranged in parallel on the end of a conductive metal plate provided vertically by setting the flexible portion to be the boundary. Each tab terminal is provided successively to the fuse

255

exposed from the resin body

261

. The tab terminal is protruded and positioned into the connector fitting chamber of a connector housing

265

integrated with the resin body

261

. The tab terminal and the connector housing

265

constitute a female-type connector.

The terminal connecting portion

256

a

for the battery terminal

271

, the terminal connecting portion

256

c

for the starter motor terminal

273

and the terminal connecting portion

256

b

for the alternator terminal

272

are formed in a conductive metal plate provided horizontally. The fuse

254

is provided between the terminal connecting portion

256

a

for the battery terminal

271

and the terminal connecting portion

256

b

for the alternator terminal

272

.

Next, the resin body

261

is formed by a division into front and rear sides with the middle portion to be the boundary. The fuses

254

and

255

are provided on both end sides of the fuse element

253

and are positioned in an empty chamber portion

267

of the resin body

261

, and include a metal chip formed of an alloy of tin or lead. The resin body

261

is also formed to be bendable at almost 90 degrees in the middle portion. The resin body

261

is partitioned into a dividing portion

263

positioned in a horizontal direction by setting the middle portion to be the boundary and a dividing portion

264

positioned in a vertical direction.

The dividing portion

263

in the horizontal direction is fastened and connected to the battery terminal

271

with a nut

275

in a vertical direction and is fastened and connected to the battery post

242

by utilizing the annular portion of the battery terminal

271

. The dividing portion

264

in the vertical direction is vertically provided along the side wall surface of the battery

241

in a bending state at almost 90 degrees.

In a method of manufacturing the fuse unit

252

, the fuse element

253

is first punched out of a conductive metal plate (not shown) and the fuse element

253

is set to a resin mold (not shown), and a molten resin material is injected into the resin mold, thereby integrally molding the resin body

261

on the surface and back of the fuse element

253

. In this case, the resin body

261

provided around the terminal connecting portions

256

a

,

256

b

and

256

c

and the fuses

254

and

255

is set to be an empty chamber to expose the conductor surface of the fuse element

253

.

FIG. 7

shows a state in which the opening and closing cover

221

connected to the fuse unit

252

through the hinge portion

231

is to be closed. The opening and closing cover

221

is rotated in a closing direction by describing a predetermined opening and closing locus A with the hinge portion

231

to be a center of rotation. The guide rib

225

enters the guide groove

259

of the fuse unit

252

and abuts on the groove wall of the guide groove

259

to stop the rotation of the opening and closing cover

221

. The guide groove

259

functions as a stopper for rotation regulation. The locking convex portion

226

is engaged with the concave portion

60

of the fuse unit

252

so that the opening and closing cover

221

is fixed to the fuse unit

252

.

FIG. 8

shows a state in which the opening and closing cover

221

from which the hinge portion

231

is disconnected with respect to the fuse unit

252

is to be closed by utilizing the guide groove

259

. When the opening and closing cover

221

is to be closed, the opening and closing cover

221

is caused to enter the fuse unit

252

from above. The guide rib

225

enters the guide groove

259

of the fuse unit

252

and is restrained by the guide groove

259

, and the opening and closing cover

221

is positioned in a longitudinal direction. The locking convex portion

226

is engaged with the concave portion

260

of the fuse unit

252

so that the opening and closing cover

221

is fixed.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 10

to

14

and

16

show a second embodiment of a battery cover according to the invention. A battery cover

310

is provided separately from a fuse unit

361

(see FIG.

16

). When the battery cover

310

is once attached, it is possible to easily maintain a battery terminal and to view a fuse

363

by simply opening and closing a second cover

321

which will be described below.

The battery cover

310

is formed of a synthetic resin such heat-resistant vinyl chloride or other plastics, and takes the shape of a box in which a lower surface is opened such that the fuse unit

361

can be covered from above and a rear wall is opened such that an alternator terminal

382

and a starter motor

383

(see

FIG. 16

) can be inserted therethrough.

As shown in

FIGS. 10

to

13

, the battery cover

310

is integrally constituted by a first cover

311

for covering the upper part of the fuse unit

361

and a second cover

321

connected to the first cover

11

through a hinge portion

332

. A connecting portion

331

to the hinge portion

332

is formed integrally with the second cover

321

.

The first cover

311

is constituted by a covering portion

312

having both side walls

312

b

and

312

b

bent at almost 90 degrees, a partitioning portion

313

formed in the middle part of the covering portion

312

, and lock portions

314

and

314

provided on both side walls

312

b

and

312

b

of the covering portion

312

. The rear wall is opened such that the terminals

382

and

383

having an electric wire can be inserted therethrough. A front wall opposed to the rear wall is provided successively to the second cover

321

through the hinge portion

332

and the connecting portion

331

. For convenience of the description, in the concept of front and rear, the battery post

342

side is set to the front side and the connecting side of the terminals

382

and

383

having an electric wire is set to the rear side. The concept of right and left implies the side orthogonal to a longitudinal direction.

An internal space

16

of the first cover

311

is divided into two parts by the partitioning portion

313

. Since terminal connecting portions

365

b

and

365

c

of the fuse unit

361

are formed in two right and left portions, the internal space

316

is divided (see FIG.

16

). The right and left terminals

382

and

383

having an electric wire are insulated by the partitioning portion

313

.

The lock portion

314

serves to removably fix the first cover

311

to the fuse unit

361

. A convex portion

315

(see

FIG. 11

) is formed on the inside of the lock portion

314

, and the convex portion

315

is engaged with a concave portion provided on the side wall of the fuse unit

361

so that the first cover is fixed.

Next, the second cover

321

includes an almost crank-shaped upper wall

322

a

, both side walls

322

b

and

322

b

bent on the periphery of the upper wall

322

a

at an almost right angle, and a front wall

322

c

(FIG.

11

). A flange portion

323

is formed on the front side of the upper wall

322

a

and the operation for opening the second cover

321

can easily be carried out by holding and lifting the flange portion

323

upward.

The upper wall

322

a

of the second cover

321

takes the shape of a crank because it is formed corresponding to the shape of the fuse unit

361

. The side walls

322

b

and

322

b

are on a level with the side walls

312

b

and

312

b

of the first cover

311

. The second cover

321

can be opened by setting, to be a center of rotation, the hinge portion

332

formed in the edge part of the connecting portion

31

. Therefore, the second cover

321

can be opened at one touch to connect the terminals

381

,

382

and

383

and to view the fuse

363

.

The second cover

3

21

is a protective cover for covering the upper parts on the front side of a battery post

342

and the fuse unit

361

and blocking the invasion of water drops to insulate the fuse unit. The second cover

321

is different from the first cover

311

in that it can be opened and closed by setting the hinge portion

332

to be the center of rotation. At time of vehicle assembly or maintenance, it is necessary to connect the terminals

381

,

382

and

383

and to view the fuse

363

. In such a case, if the battery cover

310

is attached/removed at each time, a work becomes complicated to deteriorate a workability. A fuse

364

provided on the side where the fuse unit

361

is bent downward is not covered with the battery cover

310

. Therefore, viewing can always be carried out, which has no problem.

The connecting portion

331

is a plate-shaped member connecting the second cover

321

to the hinge portion

332

and is accommodated in an opening step portion

317

(

FIG. 12

) of an upper wall

312

a

of the first cover

311

. As shown in

FIG. 11

, a groove-shaped bent space

351

is formed by the connecting portion

331

and a first inclined wall

318

and a second inclined wall

324

which are positioned on both sides of the connecting portion

331

. The bent space

351

is an operation space in which the second cover

321

can be opened and closed.

The connecting portion

331

and the hinge portion

332

are formed in lower positions than the upper walls

312

a

and

322

a

of the first cover

311

and the second cover

322

. Conventionally (see FIGS.

17

and

18

), a stud bolt

387

exposed from the upper surface of the fuse unit

61

obstructs so that the hinge portion

408

cannot be formed in a low position. In the invention, the connecting portion

331

and the hinge portion

332

are positioned between the stud bolts

387

of the fuse unit

361

and can be thereby formed in low positions.

The first inclined wall

318

is provided between the hinge portion

332

and the first cover

311

and the second inclined wall

324

is provided between the connecting portion

331

and the second cover

321

, and both of the inclined walls

318

and

324

are opposed to each other at a predetermined opening angle. The first inclined wall

318

functions as a stopper for the second cover. In other words, both of the inclined walls

318

and

324

abut so that the second cover

321

is not opened any more.

The second inclined wall

324

and the connecting portion

331

cross each other at an obtuse angle η and are formed integrally with each other to take the shape of a dogleg or an inverted dogleg. The first inclined wall

318

and the connecting portion

331

also form an obtuse angle θ. By the obtuse angles η and θ, an opening angle δ (see

FIG. 14

) of the second cover

321

is regulated.

The hinge portion

332

is formed more thinly than the connecting portion

331

to have a flexibility. Accordingly, the second cover

321

can be opened and closed smoothly. The hinge portion

332

is curled almost annularly so that a stress can be distributed wholly, thereby effectively preventing a fatigue or a breakage with the passage of time.

As described above, the hinge portion

332

is formed in a lower position than the upper walls

312

a

and

322

a

of the covers

311

and

321

. Therefore, the opening and closing track

350

of the second cover

321

is not protruded toward the bulged wall

343

side (see

FIG. 14

) around the battery post

342

and the interference of the second cover

321

with the bulged wall

343

is prevented. Furthermore, the hinge portion

332

is formed in a lower position than the upper surface of a bulged portion

346

. Consequently, the opening and closing track

350

of the second cover

321

is moved in such a direction as to go away from the bulged wall

343

, thereby effectively preventing the interference of the second cover

321

with the bulged wall

343

.

FIG. 14

shows the opening and closing track

350

of the second cover

321

. The second cover

321

is opened and closed by describing a circular hole curve with the hinge portion

332

set to be the center of rotation. Moreover,

FIG. 14

also shows that the opening and closing operation can be carried out smoothly without protruding the second cover

321

toward the bulged wall

343

of the battery

341

. As compared with the conventional art, therefore, the relief portion

325

of the front wall

322

c

of the second cover

321

can be formed to be smaller, the sealing property of the second cover

321

can be enhanced, and the invasion of the waterdrops can be blocked so that the insulating, waterproof and dustproof effects of the fuse unit can be enhanced.

FIG. 15

shows an example of the battery

341

to be mounted on a foreign vehicle. The battery

341

is different from a battery to be mounted on a home-manufactured vehicle in that the upper surface of the battery

341

is not flat but has the bulged portion

346

as shown. A rectangular attachment space

344

is provided in the corner portion of the upper surface and a pair of battery posts

342

having positive and negative poles are provided in the attachment space

344

. The attachment space

344

is partitioned by the L-shaped or inverted L-shaped bulged wall

343

. The fuse unit

361

and the battery cover

310

are attached along a flat surface

345

of the attachment space

344

.

With reference to

FIGS. 14 and 16

, schematic description will be given to the fuse unit

361

to which the battery cover

310

according to the invention is attached. The fuse unit

361

serves to connect the battery

341

to an electric wire

386

for power supply, and is constituted to take an almost L-shape by a plate-shaped fuse element

362

formed of conductive metal and including the fuses

363

and

364

and an insulating resin body

371

formed by insert molding the fuse element

362

.

FIG. 14

shows the finishing state of the fuse unit

61

formed by integrally molding the resin body

371

to be an insulating synthetic resin material on the surface and back of the fuse element

362

, and shows a state in which the fuse unit

361

is bent in a direction of 90 degrees and is assembled into the battery

341

for a vehicle.

First of all, the fuse element

362

formed of conductive metal and including a plurality of fuses

363

and

364

is punched out of one conductive metal plate, has a flexible portion

366

(

FIG. 14

) integrally in a middle portion and can be freely bent at the flexible portion

366

in a direction of a plate thickness. If the flexible portion

366

has a thickness equal to that of the fuse element

362

, it can be flexed sufficiently. The flexible portion

366

of the fuse element

362

is provided in a portion in which a resin material of a resin mold (not shown) is not injected, and is thereby exposed to the outside of the resin body

371

.

Four tab terminals which are not shown are arranged in parallel on the end of a conductive metal plate provided vertically by setting the flexible portion

366

to be the boundary. Each tab terminal is provided successively to the fuse

364

exposed from the resin body

371

. The tab terminal is protruded and positioned into the fitting chamber of a connector housing

371

integrated with the resin body

371

. The tab terminal and the connector housing

375

constitute a female-type connector.

As shown in

FIG. 16

, a connecting portion

365

a

for the battery terminal

381

, a connecting portion

365

c

for the starter motor terminal

383

and a connecting portion

365

b

for the alternator terminal

382

are formed in a conductive metal plate provided horizontally. The fuse

363

is provided between the connecting portion

365

a

for the battery terminal

381

and the connecting portion

365

b

for the alternator terminal

382

.

Next, the resin body

371

is formed by a division into front and rear sides with the middle portion to be the boundary. The fuses

363

and

364

are provided on both end sides of the fuse element

362

and are positioned in an empty chamber portion

377

of the resin body

371

and include a metal chip formed of an alloy of tin or lead. The resin body

371

is formed to be bendable at a right angle in the middle portion. The resin body

371

is partitioned into a dividing portion

373

positioned in a horizontal direction by setting the middle portion to be the boundary and a dividing portion

374

positioned in a vertical direction.

The dividing portion

373

in the horizontal direction is fastened and connected to the battery terminal

381

with a nut

385

in a vertical direction and is fastened and connected to the battery post

342

by utilizing the annular portion of the battery terminal

381

. The dividing portion

374

in the vertical direction of the fuse unit

361

is vertically provided along the side wall surface of the battery

341

in a bending state at almost 90 degrees.

In a method of manufacturing the fuse unit

361

, the fuse element

362

is first punched out of a conductive metal plate (not shown) and the fuse element

362

is set to a resin mold (not shown), and a molten resin material is injected into the resin mold, thereby integrally molding the resin body

371

on the surface and back of the fuse element

362

. In this case, the resin body

371

provided around the terminal connecting portions

365

a

,

365

b

and

365

c

and the fuses

363

and

364

is set to be an empty chamber to expose the conductor surface of the fuse element

362

.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, when the second cover is to be closed, the guide rib of the second cover is guided while sliding over the guide face of the guide groove of the fuse unit and abuts on the position regulating face to be the groove wall surface on the closer side to the hinge portion. Consequently, the second cover is positioned in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the locking convex portion of the second cover is not brought into a blind state but is engaged with the concave portion of the fuse unit.

Accordingly, also in the case in which the second cover is removed from the hinge portion and thereby becomes a separate piece, the second cover can be fixed easily and reliably because it is positioned in the longitudinal direction by the guide rib and the guide groove.

According to the second aspect of the invention, moreover, the position regulating rib is protruded from the internal surface of the upper wall of the second cover. Therefore, when the second cover is to be closed, the tip face of the position regulating rib abuts on the upper part of the fuse unit, thereby carrying out the positioning in the direction of a height. In that case, the locking convex portion is engaged with the concave portion of the fuse unit on the other side and the convex portion engagement face abuts on the concave portion receiving face so that the fuse unit is interposed between the position regulating rib and the locking convex portion.

Accordingly, even if the second cover is removed from the hinge portion and thereby becomes a separate piece, the second cover can be reliably fixed to the fuse unit without a looseness.

According to the third aspect of the invention, furthermore, the guide groove is provided on the side wall of the fuse unit. During the operation for closing the second cover, therefore, the guide rib is guided while sliding over the guide groove (guide face) without interference with the side wall of the fuse unit and abuts on the groove wall surface (position regulating face), thereby carrying out the positioning in the longitudinal direction. Then, the locking convex portion is engaged with the concave portion on the other side so that the second cover is fixed to the fuse unit.

Accordingly, even if the second cover is removed from the hinge portion and thus becomes a separate piece, the closing operation and the fixation of the cover can be carried out easily and reliably by the guide means of the guide groove and the guide rib. Thus, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those in the first aspect of the invention.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, moreover, since the position regulating rib is protruded from the internal surface of the upper wall of the second cover, positioning in a vertical direction (a direction of a height) is carried out by the position regulating rib. In that case, the locking convex portion is engaged with the concave portion on the other side so that the second cover is fixed to hold the fuse unit.

Accordingly, even if the second cover is removed from the hinge portion and thereby becomes a separate piece, the second cover can be reliably fixed to the fuse unit without a looseness. Thus, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those in the second aspect of the invention.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, furthermore, since the wide portion having the guide face is provided in the guide groove. Therefore, the closing operation can be prevented from being blocked due to interference with the side wall of the fuse unit, and the guide rib can enter while sliding over the guide face. Moreover, since the narrow portion is formed successively to the wide portion, the guide rib is interposed between the groove walls and can be prevented from being loosened in the longitudinal direction.

Accordingly, even if the second cover is removed from the hinge portion and thereby becomes a separate piece, it is guided and positioned by the wide and narrow portions of the guide groove. Therefore, it is possible to fix the second cover to the fuse unit easily and reliably.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, moreover, when the second cover is to be closed, the locking convex portion and the position regulating rib have such a positional relationship that couple is not generated. Therefore, the second cover can be prevented from being deformed or rotated due to a moment of couple.

Accordingly, even if the second cover is removed from the hinge portion and thereby becomes a separate piece, the second cover is fixed reliably so that the reliability of a lock mechanism can be enhanced.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, furthermore, the guide rib abuts on the position regulating face during the operation for closing the second cover. Consequently, the positioning is accurately carried out in the longitudinal direction so that the reliability of the lock mechanism can be enhanced. As described above, according to the eighth aspect of the invention, the hinge portion and the connecting portion are provided in lower positions than the upper wall of the first cover and the upper wall of the second cover. Therefore, the interference of the bulged wall with the second cover can be avoided without the second cover protruded toward the bulged wall side around the battery post, and the relief portion to be formed on the front wall of the second cover can be reduced.

Accordingly, the invasion of waterdrops into the fuse unit can be blocked so that insulating, waterproof and dustproof properties can be enhanced.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, moreover, the hinge portion is positioned behind the connecting portion of the second cover. Therefore, the radius of curvature of the opening and closing track of the second cover can be increased.

Accordingly, the radius of curvature (1/radius of curvature) of the opening and closing track of the second cover is reduced and the interference of the bulged wall of the battery with the second cover is avoided. Thus, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, furthermore, the center of rotation of the opening and closing track of the second cover is placed in a lower position than the upper surface of the bulged portion. Therefore, the protrusion of the opening and closing track toward the bulged wall side can be suppressed so that the space on the front side of the cover in the closing state of the second cover can be reduced.

Accordingly, the interference of the second cover with the bulged wall provided around the battery post can be avoided and the sealing property of the second cover can also be improved. Consequently, the insulating, waterproof and dustproof properties for the fuse unit can be enhanced.

According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, moreover, when the second cover is opened, the second inclined wall abuts on the first inclined wall so that the opening angle of the second cover is regulated.

Accordingly, even if the operation for opening and closing the second cover is repeated, the plastic deformation of the hinge portion can be prevented so that the battery cover can be used for a long period of time.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, furthermore, the connecting portion and the first inclined wall cross each other at an obtuse angle. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the plastic deformation of the hinge portion without deteriorating the opening and closing operability of the second cover.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, moreover, the hinge portion is formed to have a smaller thickness than that of the connecting portion. Therefore, the flexibility of the hinge portion can be enhanced so that the second cover can be smoothly opened upward and closed downward.

Accordingly, a work for connecting the terminal to the fuse unit and a work for viewing the fuse can be easily carried out so that a workability can be enhanced.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, furthermore, the hinge portion is provided between the two stud bolts protruded from the upper surface of the fuse unit. Therefore, the hinge portion can be formed in a lower position than the upper wall of the battery cover.

Accordingly, the opening and closing track of the second cover is improved and the interference of the second cover with the bulged wall of the battery is avoided so that the insulating property for the fuse unit can be enhanced.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
2001-063373	Mar 2001	JP
2001-088343	Mar 2001	JP

Number	Name	Date	Kind
4698459	Drake	Oct 1987	A
5338898	Luciano et al.	Aug 1994	A
5346407	Hood	Sep 1994	A
5413500	Tanaka	May 1995	A
5439759	Lippert et al.	Aug 1995	A
5576516	Kameyama et al.	Nov 1996	A
5643693	Hill et al.	Jul 1997	A
5645448	Hill	Jul 1997	A
5804770	Tanaka	Sep 1998	A
5815886	Nishio et al.	Oct 1998	A
5820413	Yamada et al.	Oct 1998	A
5871364	Shinchi et al.	Feb 1999	A
5910029	Siedlik et al.	Jun 1999	A
5977485	Yoshimura et al.	Nov 1999	A
6376771	Kosuge	Apr 2002	B1
6398595	Wakata et al.	Jun 2002	B2
6413124	Murakami et al.	Jul 2002	B2

Number	Date	Country
10-220424	Aug 1998	JP
10-338085	Dec 1998	JP
11041751	Feb 1999	JP

Protective cover and fuse box

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Abstract

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US Referenced Citations (17)

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