Battery terminal with resin component

Abstract

To provide a battery terminal with a resin component which can improve workability when a resin component is assembled to a battery terminal.SOLUTION: A battery terminal 1 with a resin component includes a battery terminal 2, and a resin component 3. The battery terminal 2 has a body part 21 having a plate-like part 21a formed with a post insertion hole 21c, and a fastening mechanism 22 for fastening the body part 21 to a battery post 51. The resin component 3 has a terminal lower cover 31 arranged between the battery terminal 2 and a battery 50, and a terminal upper cover 32 connected to the terminal lower cover 31 through a hinge 33. The terminal lower cover 31 is composed of a pair of split bodies 41 and 42. The pair of split bodies 41 and 42 have a temporary engagement mechanism 43 which sandwiches the plate-like part 21a from both sides in a Y direction by the pair of split bodies 41 and 42, and thereby temporarily engages the battery terminal 2 with the terminal lower cover 31, and a split body lock part 44 for mutually fixing the pair of split bodies 41 and 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery terminal with a resin part. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a known battery terminal with a resin part includes a battery terminal connected to a battery post of a battery and a resin part assembled to the battery terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The resin part in the battery terminal with a resin part is also called a battery terminal stopper. This resin part includes a lower terminal cover disposed between the battery terminal and the battery, and an upper terminal cover connected to the lower terminal cover via a hinge and sandwiching and holding the battery terminal between the lower terminal cover and the upper terminal cover. The resin part is also configured to have a rotation prevention portion to prevent (position) the battery terminal from rotating relative to the battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-118855 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the battery terminal with the resin part described above has room for further improvement, for example, in terms of improving the workability when assembling the resin part to the battery terminal.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery terminal with a resin part that can improve the workability when assembling the resin part to the battery terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A battery terminal with a resin part according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a battery terminal connected to a battery post of a battery, and a resin part assembled to the battery terminal. The battery terminal has a main body having a plate-shaped portion with a post insertion hole through which the battery post is inserted, and a tightening mechanism that fastens the main body to the battery post by tightening the main body to reduce the diameter of the post insertion hole when the battery post is inserted into the post insertion hole. The resin part has a terminal lower cover arranged between the battery terminal and the battery, a terminal upper cover connected to the terminal lower cover via a hinge and sandwiching and holding the battery terminal between the terminal lower cover and the resin part, and locking portions arranged on the terminal upper cover and the terminal lower cover that engage the terminal upper cover to the terminal lower cover. The terminal lower cover is composed of a pair of divided bodies facing each other in the left-right direction, and the pair of divided bodies have a temporary locking mechanism that temporarily locks the battery terminal to the terminal lower cover by sandwiching the plate-shaped portion between the pair of divided bodies from both the left and right sides, and a divided body locking portion that secures the pair of divided bodies to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery terminal with a resin part that can improve the workability when assembling the resin part to the battery terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a battery terminal with a resin part according to the present embodiment is attached to a battery; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a pair of split bodies that constitute the lower terminal cover. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of a pair of split bodies that constitute the lower terminal cover. [Figure 7]FIG. 4 is a rear view of a pair of split bodies that constitute the lower terminal cover. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 5. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 5. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state in which a battery terminal is disposed on one of the pair of divided bodies. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of part G in FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a plan view showing a state in which a pair of divided bodies are fixed to each other by a divided body locking portion. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the main parts of the pair of split bodies fixed to each other by the split body locking portion. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the main parts of the pair of split bodies fixed to each other by the split body locking portion. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state in which the terminal upper cover is closed and holds the battery terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The battery terminal with a resin part according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of convenience and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, a battery terminal 1 with a resin part according to this embodiment is to be assembled to a battery post 51 of a battery 50, and includes a battery terminal 2 and a resin part 3.

[0011] The X direction shown in Fig. 1 is the direction along the central axis of the battery post 51 and corresponds to the height direction (up-down direction) of the battery terminal 1 with resin parts. The Y direction shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to the short side direction (width direction) of the battery terminal 1 with resin parts and is perpendicular to the X direction. The Z direction shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to the long side direction (front-rear direction) of the battery terminal 1 with resin parts and is perpendicular to the X and Y directions.

[0012] A battery 50 to which the battery terminal 1 with a resin part according to this embodiment is attached is mounted, for example, on a vehicle or the like as an electricity storage device. The battery 50 is configured to include, for example, a battery housing 52 that houses various components that constitute the battery 50, and a battery post 51 provided on the battery housing 52. The battery post 51 is formed of a metal material such as lead and is provided on a post-upright surface 53 of the battery housing 52. The post-upright surface 53 is the surface of the battery housing 52 on which the battery post 51 is disposed. In this embodiment, the post-upright surface 53 is the upper surface (top surface) of the battery 50 when it is mounted on a vehicle or the like.

[0013] The battery post 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape and protrudes from the post erection surface 53 so that its central axis is perpendicular to the post erection surface 53. In this embodiment, the battery post 51 is erected in a recess 54 formed near a corner position of the post erection surface 53. That is, the battery post 51 is erected on the bottom surface of the recess 54 formed in the post erection surface 53, which is the upper surface of the battery 50. The battery post 51 is also tapered so that the outer diameter decreases toward the tip in the axial direction. That is, the battery post 51 is formed in a tapered shape such that the outer diameter of the tip is smaller than the outer diameter of the base end. A battery terminal 2 is attached to the battery post 51 configured in this manner.

[0014] The battery terminal 1 with resin part according to this embodiment restricts the rotation of the battery terminal 2 about the central axis of the battery post 51 using the resin part 3, thereby restricting the assembly angle of the battery terminal 2 relative to the battery post 51. By restricting the assembly angle of the battery terminal 2 relative to the battery post 51 in this manner, the assembly accuracy of the battery terminal 2 can be improved.

[0015] The battery terminal 2 is attached to a battery post 51 to electrically connect the battery 50 to a metal fitting or the like provided at the end of an electric wire on the main body side of a vehicle or the like in which the battery 50 is mounted. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the battery terminal 2 has a stud bolt 10, a main body 21, and a tightening mechanism 22.

[0016] In this embodiment, the protruding direction of the stud bolt 10 is the same as the axial direction of the battery post 51, but this is not limiting and the protruding direction of the stud bolt 10 may be different from the axial direction of the battery post 51. In other words, the protruding direction of the stud bolt 10 can be set appropriately taking into consideration interference with surrounding components, etc.

[0017] The main body 21 is formed, for example, by pressing a conductive metal plate. The main body 21 is integrally formed with a pair of plate-like portions 21a and a bent connecting portion 21b. The pair of plate-like portions 21a are formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and each has a post insertion hole 21c through which the battery post 51 is inserted. The post insertion hole 21c is formed in the center of the pair of plate-like portions 21a, which are arranged apart from each other, penetrating the pair of plate-like portions 21a so that their centers are substantially aligned.

[0018] A bolt holding portion 23 that holds the stud bolt 10 is formed on one end side in the longitudinal direction (Z direction) of the pair of plate-like portions 21a. The stud bolt 10 is held in the body portion 21 with the bolt head sandwiched between the pair of plate-like portions 21a, and the shank 10a, to which a nut (not shown) is fastened, is disposed so as to protrude outside the body portion 21 from a through-hole 23a that penetrates one of the plate-like portions 21a. A connection terminal or the like provided on a connection portion of a fuse unit connected to a device (not shown) or on an end of an electric wire connected to the device is inserted into the stud bolt 10, and the connection terminal or the like is fixed to the stud bolt 10 by fastening a nut to the shank 10a. This electrically connects the battery 50 and the device via the battery terminal 2.

[0019] A slit 21d that is continuous with the post insertion hole 21c is formed on the other end side of each of the pair of plate-like portions 21a in the longitudinal direction (Z direction). When the slit 21d receives a pressing force from both sides in the short direction (Y direction) of the pair of plate-like portions 21a, the spacing between the slit 21d is reduced, reducing the diameter of the post insertion hole 21c and fixing the post insertion hole 21c to the battery post 51. In addition, reinforcing portions 24 are formed by stamping or the like on each of the pair of plate-like portions 21a located on both sides of the slit 21d in the width direction (Y direction) to increase the rigidity of the pair of plate-like portions 21a.

[0020] The pair of plate-like portions 21a, 21a have generally rectangular fitting recesses 21e, 21f formed at their respective ends in the short direction (Y direction) of the pair of plate-like portions 21a, 21a, into which a portion of the fastening mechanism 22 fits. A semicircular guide recess 21g is formed within the fitting recess 21f of the pair of plate-like portions 21a, 21a. The pair of plate-like portions 21a also have restricting protrusions 21i formed adjacent to the fitting recess 21f. The restricting protrusions 21i are used to position a portion of the fastening mechanism 22 in the Z direction. The restricting protrusions 21i are formed adjacent to the fitting recess 21f on the side of the fitting recess 21f opposite the bent connecting portion 21b side in the Z direction. The restricting protrusions 21i are formed so as to protrude along the Y direction.

[0021] With the battery post 51 inserted into the post insertion hole 21c, the tightening mechanism 22 tightens the main body 21 to reduce the diameter of the post insertion hole 21c, thereby fastening the main body 21 to the battery post 51. The tightening mechanism 22 is configured to include a plate nut 25, a fastening bolt 26, and a pressing force conversion member 27.

[0022] In this embodiment, the tightening mechanism 22 tightens the tightening bolt 26 and the plate nut 25 in the vertical direction (X direction), and converts this tightening force F1 into a pressing force F2 in the horizontal direction (Y direction) by the pressing force conversion member 27 (see FIG. 2). However, this is not limited to this, and the tightening mechanism may tighten the bolt and the nut from the horizontal direction (Y direction) and tighten the main body of the battery terminal with this tightening force.

[0023] As shown in Figures 5 to 11, the resin part 3 has a lower terminal cover 31, an upper terminal cover 32, and a locking portion 34. The resin part 3 is a member interposed between the battery terminal 2 and the battery 50, and is formed using a synthetic resin material to provide corrosion protection. The resin part 3 is also configured to have a first anti-rotation portion 35 and a second anti-rotation portion 36, which will be described later, to provide a function of preventing rotation (positioning) of the battery terminal 2 relative to the battery 50. Because the resin part 3 has each of the above-mentioned functions, it is also called a corrosion protection cover or a terminal stopper.

[0024] The terminal lower cover 31 is disposed between the lower part of the battery terminal 2 and the upper part of the battery 50. This terminal lower cover 31 is a part that can be attached to the battery terminal 2. The terminal lower cover 31 is attached to the plate-like part 21a on the lower side of the battery terminal 2, i.e., the lower side of the battery terminal 2, and covers the lower side of the battery terminal 2. The terminal lower cover 31 has a wall surface formed on the plate-like member, thereby forming an accommodating recess 31a that accommodates the battery terminal 2. In addition, the terminal lower cover 31 is formed with a protruding piece part 31b to restrict movement of the battery terminal 2 in the removal direction (upward in this embodiment) when the battery terminal 2 is supported by the terminal lower cover 31.

[0025] Furthermore, the lower terminal cover 31 is formed with a first anti-rotation portion 35 and a second anti-rotation portion 36.

[0026] The first anti-rotation portion 35 is formed on the lower terminal cover 31 and includes a first plate-shaped portion 35a that faces a first contact surface 55 (see FIG. 1) of the battery housing 52 in the assembled state, and a plurality of ribs 35b that reinforce the first plate-shaped portion 35a. The first plate-shaped portion 35a extends along the Z direction and is capable of contacting the first contact surface 55 of the battery housing 52 that is aligned with the Z direction. By contacting the first contact surface 55 in the assembled state, the first anti-rotation portion 35 can restrict rotation of the battery terminal 2 about the X-axis with the central axis of the battery post 51 as the center of rotation.

[0027] The second anti-rotation portion 36 is formed on the lower terminal cover 31 and has a second plate-shaped portion 36a that faces the second abutment surface 56 (see FIG. 1) of the battery housing 52 in the assembled state. The second plate-shaped portion 36a extends along the Y direction and is a portion that can abut against the second abutment surface 56 of the battery housing 52 that is aligned along the Y direction. By abutting against the second abutment surface 56 in the assembled state, the second anti-rotation portion 36 can restrict rotation of the battery terminal 2 about the X-axis with the central axis of the battery post 51 as the center of rotation.

[0028] In this embodiment, the lower terminal cover 31 is composed of a pair of divided bodies 41, 42 facing each other in the left-right direction (Y direction). The pair of divided bodies 41, 42 has a temporary locking mechanism 43 and a divided body locking part 44 that fixes the pair of divided bodies 41, 42 to each other.

[0029] The temporary locking mechanism 43 temporarily locks the battery terminal 2 to the lower terminal cover 31 by sandwiching the plate-shaped portion 21a from both the left and right sides (both sides in the Y direction) between the pair of divided bodies 41, 42. The temporary locking mechanism 43 is formed on each of the pair of divided bodies 41, 42 and has a recess 43a with a recess width Wa along the plate thickness direction (X direction) of the plate-shaped portion 21a. The plate thickness Wb (see FIG. 4) of the plate-shaped portion 21a of the battery terminal 2 locked by the temporary locking mechanism 43 is set smaller than the recess width Wa (see FIGS. 9 and 11) of the recess 43a of the temporary locking mechanism 43 (Wb <Wa)。

[0030] 8 and 10, reference numerals 41h and 42h denote die-removal holes in the molding die used to mold the divided bodies 41 and 42. As shown in FIG.

[0031] The division body locking portions 44 are disposed at the front-rear direction ends (ends in the Y direction) of the pair of division bodies 41, 42, respectively. The division body locking portions 44 are disposed on the pair of division bodies 41, 42 and secure the pair of division bodies 41, 42 to each other. In this embodiment, the division body locking portions 44 are configured to have a locking protrusion 44a formed on one division body 41 and a locking frame portion 44b formed on the other division body 42 and locked to the locking protrusion 44a. The division body locking portions 44 are formed on portions of the pair of division bodies 41, 42 that face each other.

[0032] The terminal upper cover 32 is connected to the terminal lower cover 31 via hinges 33, and sandwiches and holds the battery terminal 2 between itself and the terminal lower cover 31. The terminal upper cover 32 is connected to the terminal lower cover 31 so as to be able to open and close. When the terminal upper cover 32 is in a closed state with the battery terminal 2 provisionally locked to the terminal lower cover 31, the battery terminal 2 is held between itself and the terminal lower cover 31. The terminal upper cover 32 has a semicircular cutout 32a into which the battery post 51 is inserted, at a portion that overlaps with the post insertion hole 21c of the battery terminal 2 when the terminal upper cover 32 is closed relative to the terminal lower cover 31. The cutout 32a is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the battery post 51. When the terminal upper cover 32 is in a closed state in which the battery terminal 2 is held between itself and the terminal lower cover 31, opening of the terminal upper cover 32 is restricted by a locking portion 34, thereby fixing the battery terminal 2 to the resin part 3.

[0033] The locking portion 34 is disposed on the terminal upper cover 32 and the terminal lower cover 31, and locks the terminal upper cover 32 to the terminal lower cover 31. In this embodiment, the locking portion 34 is configured to have a locking protrusion 34a formed on the terminal lower cover 31, and a locking frame portion 34b formed on the terminal upper cover 32 and locked to the locking protrusion 34a. The locking portion 34 is formed on the end of the terminal upper cover 32 and the terminal lower cover 31 opposite the end where the hinge 33 is formed.

[0034] The work of assembling the battery terminal 2 to the resin part 3 will be described below.

[0035] 12 to 14, the battery terminal 2 is assembled from the side (Y direction) to the temporary locking mechanism 43 of the divided body 41 of the lower terminal cover 31. At this time, the plate thickness Wb (see FIG. 4) of the plate-shaped portion 21a of the battery terminal 2 is set to be smaller than the recess width Wa (see FIG. 11) of the recess 43a of the temporary locking mechanism 43, so that the battery terminal 2 can be assembled to the recess 43a of the temporary locking mechanism 43. If the plate thickness Wb of the plate-shaped portion 21a of the battery terminal 2 is larger than the recess width Wa of the recess 43a of the temporary locking mechanism 43 (Wb>Wa), the battery terminal 2 cannot be assembled to the recess 43a of the temporary locking mechanism 43.

[0036] Next, as shown in Figures 15 to 17, the pair of partitions 41, 42 are fixed to each other by engaging the locking protrusion 44a formed on one partition 41 with the locking frame 44b formed on the other partition 42.

[0037] 18, the terminal upper cover 32 is closed by rotating the hinge 33, and the locking frame portion 34b of the terminal upper cover 32 is locked with the locking protrusion portion 34a of the terminal lower cover 31. As a result, the battery terminal 2 is sandwiched and fixed between the terminal lower cover 31 and the terminal upper cover 32.

[0038] As described above, the battery terminal 1 with a resin part according to this embodiment includes a battery terminal 2 connected to a battery post 51 of a battery 50 and a resin part 3 assembled to the battery terminal 2. The battery terminal 2 has a main body 21 with a plate-shaped portion 21a formed with a post insertion hole 21c through which the battery post 51 is inserted. The battery terminal 2 has a tightening mechanism 22 that tightens the main body 21 to reduce the diameter of the post insertion hole 21c when the battery post 51 is inserted into the post insertion hole 21c, thereby fastening the main body 21 to the battery post 51. The resin part 3 includes a terminal lower cover 31 disposed between the battery terminal 2 and the battery 50, and a terminal upper cover 32 connected to the terminal lower cover 31 via a hinge 33 and sandwiching and holding the battery terminal 2 between the resin part 3 and the terminal lower cover 31. The resin part 3 has a locking portion 34 disposed on the terminal upper cover 32 and the terminal lower cover 31 that locks the terminal upper cover 32 to the terminal lower cover 31. The terminal lower cover 31 is composed of a pair of divided bodies 41, 42 facing each other in the left-right direction (Y direction). The pair of divided bodies 41, 42 has a temporary locking mechanism 43 that temporarily locks the battery terminal 2 to the terminal lower cover 31 by sandwiching the plate-shaped portion 21a between the pair of divided bodies 41, 42 from both the left and right sides (both sides in the Y direction). The pair of divided bodies 41, 42 has a divided body locking portion 44 that fixes the pair of divided bodies 41, 42 to each other.

[0039] Because the terminal lower cover 31 has a two-piece structure consisting of a pair of halves 41, 42, the pair of halves 41, 42 sandwich the plate-shaped portion 21a of the battery terminal 2 from both sides in the Y direction, thereby allowing the terminal lower cover 31 to be assembled to the battery terminal 2. This type of assembly work can basically be completed by hand, eliminating the need for dedicated jigs or equipment.

[0040] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a battery terminal 1 with a resin part that can improve the workability when assembling the resin part 3 to the battery terminal 2.

[0041] In the battery terminal 1 with resin parts, the temporary locking mechanism 43 is formed in each of a pair of divided bodies 41, 42, and has a recess 43a with a recess width Wa along the plate thickness direction of the plate-shaped portion 21a, and the plate thickness Wb of the plate-shaped portion 21a may be smaller than the recess width Wa of the recess 43a.

[0042] By setting the plate thickness Wb (see FIG. 4) of the plate-shaped portion 21a of the battery terminal 2 to be smaller than the recess width Wa (see FIG. 11) of the recess 43a of the temporary locking mechanism 43, the battery terminal 2 can be assembled into the recess 43a of the temporary locking mechanism 43. On the other hand, if the plate thickness Wb of the plate-shaped portion 21a of the battery terminal 2 is larger than the recess width Wa of the recess 43a of the temporary locking mechanism 43, the battery terminal 2 cannot be assembled into the recess 43a of the temporary locking mechanism 43.

[0043] In the battery terminal 1 with resin parts, the divided body locking portions 44 may be disposed at the front-rear direction ends (ends in the Z direction) of the pair of divided bodies 41, 42, respectively.

[0044] The pair of split bodies 41, 42 are fixed to each other by the split body locking portion 44, whereby the battery terminal 2 is held relative to the terminal lower cover 31.

[0045] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Battery terminal with resin part 2 battery terminals 3 Resin parts 21 Main body 21a Plate-shaped part 21c Post insertion hole 22 Tightening mechanism 31 Terminal bottom cover 32 Terminal upper cover 33 Hinge 34 Rock Club 41 Split body 42 Split body 43 Temporary locking mechanism 43a Recess 44 Split body locking part 50 Battery 51 Battery Post

Claims

1. a battery terminal connected to a battery post of the battery; a resin part that is assembled to the battery terminal, The battery terminals are a main body having a plate-shaped portion formed with a post insertion hole through which the battery post is inserted; a tightening mechanism that tightens the main body portion to reduce the diameter of the post insertion hole when the battery post is inserted into the post insertion hole, thereby fastening the main body portion to the battery post; The resin part is a terminal lower cover disposed between the battery terminal and the battery; a terminal upper cover connected to the terminal lower cover via a hinge, the terminal upper cover sandwiching and holding the battery terminal between the terminal lower cover and the terminal upper cover; a locking portion disposed on the terminal upper cover and the terminal lower cover, for locking the terminal upper cover to the terminal lower cover; The lower terminal cover is composed of a pair of divided bodies facing each other in the left-right direction, The pair of divided bodies are a temporary locking mechanism that temporarily locks the battery terminal to the lower terminal cover by sandwiching the plate-shaped portion between the pair of divided bodies from both left and right sides; a division locking portion that fixes the pair of divisions to each other, Battery terminal with resin parts.

2. the temporary locking mechanism has a recess formed in each of the pair of divided bodies, the recess having a recess width along the plate thickness direction of the plate-like portion, The plate thickness of the plate-shaped portion is smaller than the recess width of the recess. The battery terminal with a resin part according to claim 1 .

3. The divided body locking portions are respectively disposed at front and rear end portions of the pair of divided bodies. The battery terminal with a resin part according to claim 1 or 2.

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