Connector assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector assembly capable of suppressing the temperature rise in a busbar when power is supplied. The connector assembly of the present invention comprises: a connector portion having an insertion port and a busbar portion having a busbar, the busbar comprising: a first connection portion, a second connection portion extending in a first direction toward a direction opposite to the first connection portion, and a connection portion connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion. Each of the first connection portion and the second connection portion has a thickness in the second direction, and each of the first connection portion, the second connection portion and the connection portion has a width in the third direction. From one end to the other end of the connection portion, the width of the connection portion is wider than the respective widths of the first connection portion and the second connection portion, and the distance from one end to the other end of the connection portion is longer than the respective widths of the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly to a connector assembly formed by assembling a bus bar portion having a plurality of bus bars to a connector portion. Background Art

[0002] As an example of a structure for electrically connecting devices to each other via a bus bar, a connector assembly having a bus bar portion and a connector portion can be cited. The bus bar portion and the connector portion of the connector assembly are provided separately and separated before use. When in use, the connection portion provided at the end of the bus bar is inserted into the insertion port of the connector portion to be assembled with each other.

[0003] As an example of the above-mentioned connector assembly, there can be cited Fig. 22 The connector assembly 1 shown in the patent document 1 is a connector for a hybrid vehicle, and is used to electrically connect two motors M for three-phase AC to an inverter. The connector assembly 1 has two bus bar groups 2 and 3, and each bus bar group 2 and 3 has U-pole bus bars 4 and 7, V-pole bus bars 5 and 8, and W-pole bus bars 6 and 9.

[0004] The busbars of each phase are provided with connecting parts at both ends, one of which is connected to the inverter, and the other is inserted into an insertion port of a connector (not shown) provided on the motor side to connect to the motor. As a result, the inverter and the motor are electrically connected via the busbars.

[0005] Existing patent literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-8656 Summary of the invention

[0008] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0009] In the above connector assembly, the contact resistance is larger than that in the case where the motor and the inverter are directly connected to the bus bar, so there is a tendency for the heat generated in the bus bar to be larger when power is applied. Therefore, the temperature of each bus bar rises, and the influence of the temperature rise may affect the equipment around the bus bar, etc. In addition, the shorter the bus bar, the more significant the temperature rise in the bus bar.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to solve the following objects. The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and aims to provide a connector assembly capable of suppressing a temperature rise in a bus bar when power is supplied.

[0011] Means for solving technical problems

[0012] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the connector assembly of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a connector part having an insertion port and a bus bar part having a bus bar; the bus bar comprises: a first connection part extending along a first direction; a second connection part extending along the first direction toward a direction opposite to the first connection part and inserted into the insertion port; and a connecting part connecting the first connection part and the second connection part; each of the first connection part and the second connection part has a thickness in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and each of the first connection part, the second connection part and the connecting part has a width in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and from one end of the connecting part on one side adjacent to the first connection part to the other end of the connecting part on one side adjacent to the second connection part, the width of the connecting part is wider than the respective widths of the first connection part and the second connection part, and the distance from one end to the other end of the connecting part is longer than the respective widths of the first connection part and the second connection part.

[0013] In the connector assembly of the present invention configured as described above, the surface area of ​​the connection portion of the bus bar can be further increased to increase the amount of heat dissipated from the connection portion, thereby suppressing a temperature rise in the bus bar when current is supplied.

[0014] In addition, in the connector assembly of the present invention, the busbar may include a first busbar and a second busbar, and the first busbar and the second busbar respectively have a first connection portion, a second connection portion and a connecting portion. In addition, in the third direction, the connecting portion of the second busbar may extend longer than the connecting portion of the first busbar. In this case, it is preferred that in the first busbar, from one end to the other end of the connecting portion, the width of the connecting portion is wider than the respective widths of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, and the distance from one end to the other end of the connecting portion is longer than the respective widths of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

[0015] According to the above configuration, in the first bus bar that is shorter than the second bus bar, the surface area of ​​the connection portion can be increased, thereby increasing the amount of heat dissipated from the connection portion.

[0016] Furthermore, in the connector assembly of the present invention, the second connection portion of the first bus bar and the second connection portion of the second bus bar can be electrically connected to different devices.

[0017] Furthermore, in the connector assembly of the present invention, the connection portion of the first bus bar may include: an adjacent portion adjacent to and intersecting the first connection portion; and an extension portion bent from the adjacent portion and extending toward the side where the second connection portion is located. In this case, preferably, in the first bus bar, the width of each of the adjacent portion and the extension portion is wider than the width of each of the first connection portion and the second connection portion, and the width of the extension portion is less than the width of the adjacent portion.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the surface area of ​​the connection portion in the first bus bar can be increased, and the amount of heat dissipated from the connection portion can be increased.

[0019] In addition, in the connector assembly of the present invention, the bus bar portion can be assembled with the connector portion in the first direction. In addition, the adjacent portion can extend from one end of the connecting portion to the second direction, and the extended portion bends in the first direction in the same direction as the direction in which the second connecting portion extends, and extends to the other end of the connecting portion.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the surface area of ​​the connection portion in the first bus bar can be further increased, and the amount of heat dissipated from the connection portion can be increased.

[0021] Furthermore, in the above structure, the distance from one end to the other end of the coupling portion of the first bus bar may be the distance from one end to the other end of the coupling portion of the first bus bar assuming that the bent extension portion is straightened.

[0022] According to the above configuration, the surface area of ​​the connection portion in the first bus bar can be further increased, and the amount of heat dissipated from the connection portion can be increased.

[0023] Furthermore, in the connector assembly of the present invention, the first connection portion of the first bus bar and the second connection portion of the first bus bar may be located at positions different from each other in the third direction.

[0024] When the positions of the first connection portion and the second connection portion in the first bus bar are different, the degree of freedom of the positions of devices, terminals, etc. connected to the respective connection portions is increased.

[0025] Furthermore, in the connector assembly of the present invention, the first bus bar may be a plurality of first bus bars arranged in the third direction, and the second bus bar may be a plurality of second bus bars arranged in the third direction, and in the third direction, the respective connecting portions of the plurality of second bus bars extend longer than the respective connecting portions of the plurality of first bus bars. In this case, it is preferred that, in each of the plurality of first bus bars, the width of the connecting portion from one end to the other end of the connecting portion is wider than the respective widths of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, and the distance from one end to the other end of the connecting portion is longer than the respective widths of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

[0026] According to the above configuration, in each of the plurality of first bus bars, the surface area of ​​the connection portion is further increased to increase the amount of heat dissipated from the connection portion, thereby making it possible to suppress a temperature rise during power-on.

[0027] In addition, in the connector assembly of the present invention, the plurality of first bus bars may be three or more first bus bars arranged in the third direction. In this case, preferably, in the first bus bar disposed between two first bus bars among the three or more first bus bars, the distance between both ends of the connecting portion in the third direction is longer than that of each of the two first bus bars.

[0028] The first bus bar disposed between the two first bus bars tends to be less likely to release heat when current is supplied. Even in this situation, the above configuration can effectively suppress a temperature rise in the first bus bar disposed between the two first bus bars.

[0029] In addition, in the connector assembly of the present invention, the bus bar portion may have a holder for holding the plurality of first bus bars and the plurality of second bus bars. In this case, preferably, the entirety of the connecting portion of each of the plurality of first bus bars and the entirety of the connecting portion of each of the plurality of second bus bars are embedded in the insulating resin material constituting the holder.

[0030] In the present invention, the width of the connecting portion of the first bus bar is enlarged in order to increase the heat dissipation, so the interval between the connecting portions of the first bus bar is narrowed. For example, when the position of the first bus bar is offset, the connecting portions may contact each other. In contrast, according to the above structure, since the entire connecting portion of each bus bar is buried in the insulating resin material, the interval between the connecting portions can be maintained constant, thereby avoiding contact between the connecting portions. In addition, by filling the space between the connecting portions with the insulating resin material, the insulation between the bus bars can be improved.

[0031] Furthermore, in the connector assembly of the present invention, the connector portion may include: a terminal electrically connected to the second connection portion; a terminal holding portion having a cavity portion through which a portion of the terminal passes; and a seal member disposed around the terminal in the cavity portion.

[0032] According to the above configuration, by suppressing the temperature rise in the first bus bar when energized, it is possible to suppress the influence of the temperature rise from affecting the bus bar portion and its surroundings. Specifically, it is possible to alleviate the restriction on the material selection of the seal used in the connector portion.

[0033] Effects of the Invention

[0034] According to the present invention, in the bus bar included in the bus bar portion, the surface area of ​​the connection portion is enlarged to increase the amount of heat dissipated from the connection portion, thereby making it possible to suppress a temperature rise during power-on. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a diagram of a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the +Y side.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a diagram of a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the +Z side.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a diagram of a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the +X side.

[0039] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Figure AA section shown.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a connector assembly separated into a bus bar portion and a connector portion.

[0041] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the connector part.

[0042] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the connector portion as viewed from the +Y side.

[0043] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing the connector portion as viewed from the +Z side.

[0044] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing the connector portion as viewed from the +X side.

[0045] Fig.11 This is a perspective view of the bus bar portion.

[0046] Fig.12 This is a diagram showing the bus bar portion as viewed from the +Y side.

[0047] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing the bus bar portion as viewed from the +Z side.

[0048] Fig.14 This is a diagram showing the bus bar portion as viewed from the +X side.

[0049] Fig.15 It is a perspective view of a plurality of bus bars provided in a bus bar portion.

[0050] Fig.16 This is a diagram of a plurality of bus bars provided in a bus bar portion as viewed from the +Y side.

[0051] Fig.17 This is a diagram of a plurality of bus bars provided in a bus bar portion as viewed from the +Z side.

[0052] Fig.18 This is a diagram of a plurality of bus bars provided in a bus bar portion as viewed from the +X side.

[0053] Fig.19 It is a diagram showing the arrangement positions of the bus bars in the resin portion.

[0054] Fig. 20 This is a perspective view (part 1) showing the dimensions of each part of the first bus bar.

[0055] Fig.21 This is a perspective view showing the dimensions of each part of the first bus bar (part 2).

[0056] Fig. 22 It is a figure which shows the conventional connector assembly.

[0057] Reference numerals

[0058] 10 connector assembly 12 bus bar portion 14 connector portion 15 insertion port 16 connector internal terminal 17 main terminal 21, 24 U-pole bus bar 22, 25 V-pole bus bar 23, 26 W-pole bus bar 27 first connection portion 28 second connection portion 29 connection portion 30 first bus bar unit 40 second bus bar unit 51 connector body 52 base portion 52 53 terminal holding portion 54 cavity portion 55 seal 60 holder 61 strip portion 62 holding portion 63 first holding portion 64 second holding portion 71 adjacent portion 72 extension portion M motor DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Hereinafter, the connector assembly of the present invention will be described with reference to specific examples shown in the drawings.

[0060] In addition, the following embodiments are only examples for easy understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. That is, the present invention can be changed or improved from the following embodiments as long as it does not deviate from its main purpose. In addition, the material and shape of each part of the connector assembly of the present invention can be arbitrarily set according to the purpose of the present invention and the technical level when the present invention is implemented. In addition, the present invention includes its equivalents.

[0061] In addition, in the present invention, a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction are defined as three mutually intersecting (strictly speaking, orthogonal) directions. In the following description, the first direction is referred to as the Z direction, the second direction is referred to as the Y direction, and the third direction is referred to as the X direction. The Z direction is the direction in which the busbar portion described later is assembled to the connector portion, and is equivalent to the up-down direction of the connector assembly, and the up-down direction of the busbar portion and the connector portion as its constituent parts. Therefore, the +Z side (upper side) is the side where the busbar portion is located when the connector portion is observed from the connector portion in the connector assembly, and the -Z side (lower side) is the side where the connector portion is located when the connector portion is observed from the busbar portion in the connector assembly.

[0062] In addition, in this specification, "orthogonal" and "parallel" include the error range generally allowed in the technical field of the present invention, and also include states that deviate from strict orthogonality and parallelism within a range of less than a few degrees (for example, 2 to 3°).

[0063] In addition, for convenience of explanation, hereinafter, the case where the bus bar portion is assembled to the connector portion is simply referred to as “assembly”, and the state where the bus bar portion is assembled to the connector portion is referred to as “assembled state”.

[0064] <<About the structural example of the connector assembly>>

[0065] Reference Figure 1 to Figure 21 , a structural example of a connector assembly (hereinafter referred to as a connector assembly 10) according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. Figure 5 The cross section shown is Figure 2 It is an AA section and a section (YZ plane) passing through the insertion port described later.

[0066] The connector assembly 10 is used, for example, to electrically connect an on-vehicle motor (not shown) and an inverter (not shown) in a hybrid vehicle, and has Figure 1 to Figure 4 The appearance shown. The on-board motor and inverter are three-phase AC devices, such as Figure 1 and Figure 6 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1 , the connector assembly 10 includes bus bars 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , and 26 for three phases (U pole, V pole, and W pole).

[0067] Each bus bar is an electrical conductor for conducting a relatively large amount of current and is made of a metal plate such as copper, brass or aluminum.

[0068] The connector assembly 10 of the present invention includes a bus bar portion 12 and a connector portion 14. From the perspective of improving assembly performance, the bus bar portion 12 and the connector portion 14 are as follows: Figure 6 As shown, they can be separated from each other. Figure 1 and Figure 6As shown, the busbar unit 12 is connected to the inverter and includes two sets of three busbars, namely, busbar units 30 and 40. Each busbar unit includes one U-pole busbar 21 and 24, one V-pole busbar 22 and 25, and one W-pole busbar 23 and 26.

[0069] Furthermore, at both ends of each bus bar, connection portions extending in opposite directions in the Z direction are provided. The connection portion extending toward the +Z side is the first connection portion 27, and the connection portion extending toward the -Z side is the second connection portion 28. The second connection portion 28 is connected to a terminal on the connector portion 14 side.

[0070] The first connection parts 27 of the busbars included in each of the two groups of busbar units 30 and 40 are connected to a common device, for example, an inverter (specifically, a terminal on the inverter side). On the other hand, the second connection parts 28 of the busbars are connected to different devices between the busbar units. For example, the second connection parts 28 of the busbars included in one group of busbar units 30 are electrically connected to the motor for driving the vehicle (specifically, a terminal on the motor side). The second connection parts 28 of the busbars included in the other group of busbar units 40 are electrically connected to the charging motor (specifically, a terminal on the motor side).

[0071] The connector part 14 is fixed to the motor side, such as Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the end surface on the +Z side is provided with the same number of insertion ports 15 as the bus bars (i.e., six). The insertion ports 15 can be arranged regularly, for example, Figure 6 As shown, three insertion ports 15 may be arranged linearly in the X direction to form a row, and the row may be provided in pairs at intervals in the Y direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the insertion ports 15 may be arranged irregularly.

[0072] By assembling the bus bar portion 12 to the connector portion 14 in the Z direction, the Figure 1 Specifically, during assembly, the second connection portion 28 of each bus bar is inserted into the corresponding insertion port 15. In the assembled state, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the second connection portion 28 of each bus bar contacts the connector terminal 16 in the internal space of the connector portion 14. The connector terminal 16 contacts the main terminal 17 on the side opposite to the side where the second connection portion 28 is inserted, and the main terminal 17 is electrically connected to the motor.

[0073] By assembling the connector assembly 10 in the above manner, the motor and the inverter are electrically connected to each other via the bus bar and are in a conductive state.

[0074] (Connector part)

[0075] Reference Figure 7 to Figure 10, a structural example of the connector portion 14 is described in detail. Figure 7 to Figure 10 As shown, the connector part 14 has a connector body 51, a base part 52, a terminal holding part 53 and a main terminal 17 from the +Z side. The base part 52 is a plate-like part with a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Z direction, and serves as a base for fixing the connector part 14 to a partition wall (not shown) in the vehicle. A fitting hole for inserting the connector body 51 is provided in the central part of the base part 52.

[0076] The connector body 51 is a box-shaped portion that protrudes from the surface of the +Z side of the base portion 52 toward the +Z side. Figure 7 and Fig. 9 As shown, a plurality of insertion ports 15 are provided on the end surface of the +Z side of the connector body 51. The interior of the connector body 51 is connected to each insertion port 15, and the connector body 51 contains the same number of connector inner terminals 16 as the insertion ports 15 (see Figure 5 ).

[0077] The terminal holding portion 53 is a stepped portion that protrudes from the surface of the -Z side of the base portion 52 toward the -Z side, and has the same number of hollow portions 54 as the insertion ports 15 formed therein. Figure 5 As shown, each cavity 54 allows a corresponding main terminal 17 to enter and allows a portion of the main terminal 17 to pass through.

[0078] The main terminal 17 is an example of a terminal, and is composed of, for example, a bus bar different from the bus bar (first bus bar and second bus bar) provided in the bus bar portion 12. The number of the main terminals 17 is the same as that of the insertion openings 15, and the end of each main terminal 17 on the -Z side extends outward from the hollow portion 54 and is exposed. In this exposed portion, the motor-side terminal (not shown) is fixed by bolts in a state of contact with the main terminal 17. In addition, in the assembled state, each main terminal 17 is electrically connected to the second connection portion 28 of the corresponding bus bar via the connector inner terminal 16. That is, the main terminal 17, the bus bar provided in the bus bar portion 12, and the connector inner terminal 16 together form a path for the current flowing between the inverter and the motor.

[0079] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown, the connector portion 14 includes a seal 55 housed in the cavity 54. The seal 55 is mounted on a portion of the main terminal 17 that passes through the cavity 54, and seals a gap between the inner wall surface of the cavity 54 and the main terminal 17. The seal 55 can prevent oil or the like that has entered the cavity 54 from the motor side from flowing out to the inverter side (i.e., the bus bar portion 12 side) through the gap.

[0080] (Bus bar section)

[0081] Reference Figure 11 to Figure 14, a structural example of the bus bar portion 12 is described in detail. The bus bar portion 12 includes a first bus bar unit 30, a second bus bar unit 40, and a retainer 60 that retains each bus bar constituting these units. The bus bar included in the first bus bar unit 30 is a first bus bar, and the bus bar included in the second bus bar unit 40 is a second bus bar.

[0082] The first bus bar unit 30 and the second bus bar unit 40 are respectively a plurality of bus bars arranged in the X direction. Specifically, Figure 11 to Figure 14 The three busbars shown are arranged in sequence from the +X side in each busbar unit. The U-pole busbars 21, 24, the V-pole busbars 22, 25, and the W-pole busbars 23, 26 are arranged in sequence. The three busbars 21, 22, 23 constituting the first busbar unit 30 are equivalent to a plurality of first busbars, and the three busbars 24, 25, 26 constituting the second busbar unit 40 are equivalent to a plurality of second busbars.

[0083] The first bus bar unit 30 and the second bus bar unit 40 are arranged at different positions in the X direction. Figure 11 to Figure 13 As shown, the first bus bar unit 30 is arranged on the +X side, and the second bus bar unit 40 is arranged on the -X side. In the first bus bar unit 30, the three bus bars 21, 22, and 23 are arranged at intervals between the bus bars. Specifically, the connection portions 29 described later are arranged to be staggered in the X direction (see FIG. Figure 15 to Figure 17 In the second bus bar unit 40, the three bus bars 24, 25, and 26 are arranged in an offset manner in the X direction and the Y direction. Specifically, the three bus bars 24, 25, and 26 are arranged so that the connection portions 29 overlap in the Y direction, and the number of overlapping connection portions 29 increases as the connection portion 29 is moved toward the +X side (see Figure 15 to Figure 17 ).

[0084] As described above, each bus bar constituting each bus bar unit has connection portions at both ends in the Z direction, specifically, the first connection portion 27 and the second connection portion 28. Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown, the first connection portion 27 and the second connection portion 28 extend in opposite directions in the Z direction.

[0085] The first connection portion 27 is provided on the side (+Z side) opposite to the connector portion 14 in each bus bar and extends toward the +Z side, and has a rectangular shape in a front view (when viewed from the Y direction). Figure 11 to Figure 13 As shown, the first connection portions 27 of each bus bar included in the first bus bar unit 30 are located at a different position in the X direction from the first connection portions 27 of each bus bar included in the second bus bar unit 40, and in the assembled state, are located on the side closer to the connector portion 14 in the X direction (i.e., the +X side).

[0086] The second connection portion 28 is provided on the side (-Z side) where the connector portion 14 is located in each bus bar and extends toward the -Z side. The shape of the second connection portion 28 in the front view (when viewed from the Y direction) is a rectangular shape. Figure 11-12 , Fig.15 and Fig.16 As shown, the second connection portion 28 is located at a different position from the first connection portion 27 in the X direction, and is offset to the +X side relative to the first connection portion 27. The first connection portion 27 and the second connection portion 28 being located at different positions in the X direction means that there is an offset between the center position of the first connection portion 27 and the center position of the second connection portion 28 in the X direction.

[0087] In addition, the offset amount between the first connection portion 27 and the second connection portion 28 in the X direction is larger in each bus bar included in the second bus bar unit 40 than in each bus bar included in the first bus bar unit 30 .

[0088] In addition, the second connection portion 28 of each bus bar included in the first bus bar unit 30 and the second connection portion 28 of each bus bar included in the second bus bar unit 40 are both located at the +X side end of the bus bar portion 12, specifically, extending from the -Z side end surface of the first retaining portion 63 described later. Fig.11 and Fig.12 In the illustrated structure, the second connection portions 28 of the U-pole bus bars 21 and 24 in the first bus bar unit 30 and the second bus bar unit 40 are arranged at substantially the same position in the X direction. Similarly, the positions of the second connection portions 28 of the V-pole bus bars 22 and 25 in each bus bar unit are substantially the same position in the X direction, and the positions of the second connection portions 28 of the W-pole bus bars 23 and 26 are also substantially the same position in the X direction.

[0089] The number of bus bars constituting each of the first bus bar unit 30 and the second bus bar unit 40 may be determined according to the specification of the electrical device connected to the connector assembly 10 , and may be three or more, or two or less.

[0090] In addition, each bus bar has a connecting portion 29 between the first connecting portion 27 and the second connecting portion 28 (see Figure 15 to Figure 21 The connecting portion 29 is a portion that connects the first connecting portion 27 and the second connecting portion 28. The structure of the connecting portion 29 will be described in detail later.

[0091] The retainer 60 is an insulating resin molded product. The resin material constituting the retainer 60 is preferably a material with excellent heat resistance, for example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) can be used. Figure 11 to Figure 14As shown, the holder 60 includes a plate-shaped elongated portion 61 and a holding portion 62 protruding from a surface of the elongated portion 61 on the −Z side toward the −Z side.

[0092] The long strip portion 61 is a portion extending in the X direction, and the first connecting portion 27 of each bus bar passes through in the Z direction. Figure 11 to Figure 14 As shown, on the +X side of the long strip portion 61, the first connection portion 27 of each bus bar of the first bus bar unit 30 protrudes, and on the -X side of the long strip portion 61, the first connection portion 27 of each bus bar of the second bus bar unit 40 protrudes. Fig.11 and Fig.13 In the illustrated structure, the first connection portions 27 of the bus bars 21 , 22 , 23 included in the first bus bar unit 30 and the first connection portions 27 of the bus bars 24 , 25 , 26 included in the second bus bar unit are arranged in a straight line in the X direction.

[0093] The holding portion 62 is a portion in which the connecting portion 29 of each bus bar is embedded. Fig.11 and Fig.12 The figure is divided into a first holding portion 63 and a second holding portion 64 .

[0094] The second holding portion 64 is a portion of the holding portion 62 located on the -X side, and the connecting portions 29 of the bus bars included in the second bus bar unit 40 are embedded in the second holding portion 64. Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown, the second holding portion 64 extends in the X direction, and the thickness in the Y direction changes in three stages, and the thickness increases toward the +X side. In the second holding portion 64, the number of connecting portions 29 embedded in the portion where the thickness changes changes. For example, a connecting portion 29 with one bus bar 26 is embedded in the portion with the smallest thickness, and a connecting portion 29 with three bus bars 24, 25, and 26 is embedded in the portion with the largest thickness.

[0095] The first holding portion 63 is a portion of the holding portion 62 that is located on the +X side and is continuous with the second holding portion 64 in the X direction. The connecting portions 29 of each bus bar included in the first bus bar unit 30 and the connecting portions 29 of each bus bar included in the second bus bar unit 40 (strictly speaking, the +X side portion of the connecting portions 29) are embedded in the first holding portion 63.

[0096] like Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown, the second connection portions 28 of the bus bars (ie, six bus bars) included in each of the first bus bar unit 30 and the second bus bar unit 40 protrude from the end surface on the −Z side of the first holding portion 63 .

[0097] The three bus bars included in the first bus bar unit 30 and the three bus bars included in the second bus bar unit 40 are well held with a predetermined interval (gap) between the bus bars by the above-mentioned retaining frame 60. Thus, the insulation between the bus bars is ensured, and in particular, the insulation is further improved by integrally forming the three bus bars with the retaining frame 60.

[0098] To explain in more detail, the entirety of the connecting portions 29 of the bus bars included in the first bus bar unit 30 and the entirety of the connecting portions 29 of the bus bars included in the second bus bar unit 40 are embedded in the resin material constituting the retainer 60 (see Fig.19 As described above, in the retainer 60, the insulating resin material forming the retainer 60 enters between adjacent bus bars (more specifically, between the connecting portions 29) to ensure a certain gap. As a result, a short circuit (short circuit) caused by contact between bus bars can be appropriately avoided.

[0099] In addition, as a manufacturing method of the retainer 60, a molding method, i.e., insert molding (integral molding), is preferably used in which a plurality of bus bars are pre-arranged at a predetermined position of an injection space formed by a mold (not shown) and a resin material is introduced into the injection space. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the retainer 60 may be formed into segments, a bus bar is fitted into each of the plurality of segments, and the plurality of segments fitted with the bus bars are combined to form the retainer 60.

[0100] (Connection of each bus bar)

[0101] Reference Figure 15 to Figure 21 , the connection parts 29 of each bus bar included in the first bus bar unit 30 and the second bus bar unit 40 are described in detail. The connection parts 29 of the bus bars included in the first bus bar unit 30 are different in structure from the connection parts 29 of the bus bars included in the second bus bar unit 40, and have different shapes.

[0102] like Fig.15 As shown, the shape of the connecting portion 29 of the bus bar included in the first bus bar unit 30 is bent into a substantially L-shape in a side view (when viewed from the X direction). In other words, in the first bus bar unit 30, the connecting portion 29 includes: an adjacent portion 71 adjacent to the first connecting portion 27 and intersecting the first connecting portion 27; and an extending portion 72 bent from the adjacent portion 71 and extending to the side where the second connecting portion 28 is located.

[0103] like Fig. 20 and Fig.21As shown, the adjacent portion 71 extends from one end of the connecting portion 29 adjacent to the first connecting portion 27 toward the +Y side. One end of the connecting portion 29 adjacent to the first connecting portion 27 (hereinafter referred to as one end of the connecting portion 29) is the portion that starts to bend on the -Y side (more specifically, the portion where the curvature starts to change). Fig. 20 and Fig.21 As shown, the extension portion 72 is bent in the Z direction in the same direction as the direction in which the second connection portion 28 extends, that is, in the -Z side, and extends to the other end of the connecting portion 29 on the side adjacent to the second connection portion 28. The other end of the connecting portion 29 on the side adjacent to the second connection portion 28 (hereinafter referred to as the other end of the connecting portion 29) is a portion in contact with the base end position of the second connection portion 28, in other words, a portion where a step is formed between the connecting portion 29 and the second connection portion 28 in the Z direction.

[0104] On the other hand, from Fig.15 It can be seen that the connection portion 29 of the bus bar included in the second bus bar unit 40 has a shape extending long in the X direction. In addition, in the U-pole bus bar 24 and the V-pole bus bar 25 of the bus bar included in the second bus bar unit 40, the +X side end and the -X side end of the connection portion 29 are bent into an L shape. Specifically, Fig.15 and Fig.16 As shown, the -X side end of the connection portion 29 extends from the end adjacent to the first connection portion 27 to the +Y side and then bends to the -Z side. The +X side end of the connection portion 29 bends to the -Y side and the -Z side so as to be adjacent to the second connection portion 28.

[0105] In addition, if Fig.15 and Fig.19 As shown, the connection portions 29 of each bus bar included in the second bus bar unit 40 extend particularly longer in the X direction than the connection portions 29 of each bus bar included in the first bus bar unit 30. In other words, the connection portions 29 of each of the three bus bars 21, 22, 23 constituting the first bus bar unit 30 are shorter than the connection portions 29 of each of the three bus bars 24, 25, 26 constituting the second bus bar unit 40.

[0106] Furthermore, in the present invention, in each bus bar included in the first bus bar unit 30 , the size of the connection portion 29 is set according to the respective sizes of the first connection portion 27 and the second connection portion 28 .

[0107] Specifically, in each of the three bus bars 21, 22, and 23 included in the first bus bar unit 30, the first connection portion 27 and the second connection portion 28 each have a thickness in the Y direction. The thickness refers to the thickness (plate thickness) of the portion of the metal plate constituting the bus bar that corresponds to each of the first connection portion 27 and the second connection portion 28. In addition, in each of the three bus bars 21, 22, and 23, each of the first connection portion 27, the second connection portion 28, and the connecting portion 29 has a width in the X direction. The width is the length from one end in the X direction to the other end in the X direction of each portion of the bus bar, and corresponds to the lateral width of each portion of the bus bar.

[0108] Furthermore, in each of the three bus bars 21, 22, and 23 included in the first bus bar unit 30, Fig. 20 and Fig.21 It can be seen that the width of the connection portion 29 is wider than the width of each of the first connection portion 27 and the second connection portion 28. In addition, in each of the bus bars 21, 22, 23 (i.e., the first bus bar), the width of the connection portion 29 from one end to the other end of the connection portion 29 is wider than the width of each of the first connection portion 27 and the second connection portion 28. That is, in the first bus bar, the connection portion 29 has a width wider than the first connection portion 27 and the second connection portion 28 in the entire range from one end to the other end of the connection portion 29.

[0109] To explain in more detail, in each bus bar 21, 22, 23, as shown in FIG. Fig. 20 and Fig.21 As shown, the widths of the adjacent portion 71 and the extended portion 72 constituting the connecting portion 29 are wider than the widths of the first connecting portion 27 and the second connecting portion 28. In addition, the width of the extended portion 72 in the connecting portion 29 is less than the width of the adjacent portion 71. Fig. 20 and Fig.21 In the case shown, in the respective connecting portions 29 of the U-pole bus bar 21 and the W-pole bus bar 23 , the width of the extended portion 72 is substantially the same as the width of the adjacent portion 71 , and in the connecting portion 29 of the V-pole bus bar 22 , the width of the extended portion 72 is slightly narrower than the width of the adjacent portion 71 .

[0110] In addition, if Fig. 20 and Fig.21As shown, the distance between the two ends of the connecting portion 29 of the bus bar (i.e., the V-pole bus bar 22) arranged between the two bus bars 21 and 23 among the three bus bars 21, 22, and 23 arranged in the X direction is longer than the distance between the two ends of the connecting portion 29 of each of the two bus bars 21 and 23. The distance between the two ends is the distance between the two ends of the connecting portion 29 in the X direction, and strictly speaking, it is the distance from the end located most on the +X side to the end located most on the -X side in the connecting portion 29, in other words, it is equivalent to the maximum width in the connecting portion 29.

[0111] In addition, as long as the width of the connecting portion 29 satisfies the above conditions, the shape of the connecting portion 29 of each bus bar 21, 22, 23 can be determined arbitrarily. For example, from the perspective of more compactly arranging the three bus bars 21, 22, 23, as shown in FIG. Fig. 20 and Fig.21 As shown, the adjacent portion 71 of the connecting portion 29 of one of the two adjacent bus bars can be cut off on the side opposite to the other bus bar, and the adjacent portion 71 of the connecting portion 29 of the other bus bar can be protruded in a manner entering the above-mentioned incision or become a shape corresponding to the incision.

[0112] In addition, in each of the three bus bars 21, 22, 23 included in the first bus bar unit 30, as shown in FIG. Fig. 20 and Fig.21 As shown in FIG. 1 , the extension length of the connecting portion 29 is longer than the width of each of the first connecting portion 27 and the second connecting portion 28. The extension length of the connecting portion 29 is the distance from one end to the other end of the connecting portion 29. More specifically, assuming that the curved extension portion 72 is straightened, the distance from one end to the other end of the connecting portion 29 is equivalent to the extension length of the connecting portion 29. Fig. 20 and Fig.21 The distances represented by reference numerals d1, d2, and d3.

[0113] <<Effectiveness of the Connector Assembly of the Present Invention>>

[0114] As described above, in the present invention, in each of the three bus bars 21, 22, and 23 included in the first bus bar unit 30, the width of the connecting portion 29 is wider than the width of each of the first connecting portion 27 and the second connecting portion 28, and the extending length of the connecting portion 29 is longer than the width of each of the first connecting portion 27 and the second connecting portion 28. Thus, the temperature rise of the connector assembly 10 when power is supplied can be effectively suppressed.

[0115] To explain in detail, in a structure in which the bus bar portion 12 is assembled to the connector portion 14 to form a connector assembly as in the present invention, the heat generated in the bus bar when energized tends to increase due to reasons such as greater contact resistance than in a structure in which the terminals of the motor and the inverter are directly connected to the bus bar. In particular, since the length of the connecting portion 29 of the bus bar is shorter in the first bus bar unit 30 than in the second bus bar unit 40, the temperature rise in the bus bar may become more significant.

[0116] Based on the above, in the present invention, regarding each bus bar in the first bus bar unit 30, the width of the connecting portion 29 is wider than the width of each of the first connecting portion 27 and the second connecting portion 28 in the entire range from one end to the other end of the connecting portion 29. In addition, in each of the above bus bars, the extending length of the connecting portion 29 is longer than the width of each of the first connecting portion 27 and the second connecting portion 28. By increasing the surface area of ​​the connecting portion 29 in the above manner, the amount of heat dissipated from the connecting portion 29 can be increased, and the temperature rise of each bus bar in the first bus bar unit 30 can be effectively suppressed.

[0117] In addition, the first connection portion 27 and the second connection portion 28 in the bus bar are designed according to the specifications of the power source or the specifications of the device connected to the bus bar, while the connection portion 29 located between the connection portions has a relatively high degree of freedom in design. Therefore, from the viewpoint of improving the heat dissipation in the connection portion 29, the shape of the connection portion 29 including the width and the extension length can be optimized, thereby more effectively suppressing the temperature rise in the bus bar.

[0118] In addition, by suppressing the temperature rise of the busbar, the influence of the temperature rise on the connector assembly 10 can be reduced, for example, the thermal stress on the peripheral portion of the busbar can be reduced. In addition, the selection of the material of the components of the connector assembly 10 alleviates the restriction caused by the temperature rise of the busbar. For example, it is not necessary to limit the material of the seal 55 installed on the main terminal 17 inside the connector part 14 to a material with high heat resistance, thereby increasing the types of materials that can be used as alternatives.

[0119] <<Other Implementation Methods>>

[0120] The connector assembly of the present invention has been described above by taking specific examples, but the above-described embodiment is merely an example given for understanding the present invention, and embodiments other than the above-described embodiment are also conceivable.

[0121] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the first bus bar and the second bus bar of different lengths are respectively provided with a plurality of connecting portions 29, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a structure may also be provided with only one first bus bar and one second bus bar respectively. However, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, in a structure with a plurality of first bus bars, for example, if the plurality of first bus bars are densely packed, heat is easily accumulated in the first bus bar arranged further inside, and temperature rise is easily generated. Therefore, by increasing the surface area of ​​the connecting portion 29 to increase the heat dissipation from the connecting portion 29, the effect of suppressing temperature rise of the present invention is more significantly exerted.

[0122] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, more than three first bus bars are arranged in a row, and in detail, in the first bus bar unit 30, three bus bars are arranged in a row in the X direction. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the distance between the two ends of the connecting portion 29 of the three or more bus bars included in the first bus bar unit 30 is different between the bus bars. Specifically, the distance between the two ends of the connecting portion 29 in the bus bar arranged between the two bus bars is longer than the distance between the two ends of the connecting portion 29 in each of the two bus bars. However, it is not limited to this, for example, the distance between the two ends of the connecting portion 29 of each bus bar can be consistent between the bus bars. However, as described above, in the first bus bar arranged more inside among the three or more first bus bars, heat is easily accumulated and temperature rise is easily generated. Therefore, it is preferred to further improve the heat dissipation of the first bus bar arranged between the two first bus bars. From this point of view, the distance between the two ends of the connecting portion 29 of the first bus bar arranged between the two first bus bars can be set to be longer.

[0123] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, in all the first bus bars included in the first bus bar unit 30, the width of the connecting portion 29 from one end to the other end is wider than the width of each connecting portion 27, 28, and the extending length of the connecting portion 29 is longer than the width of each connecting portion 27, 28. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the width of the connecting portion 29 may be wider than the width of each connecting portion 27, 28, and the extending length of the connecting portion 29 may be longer than the width of each connecting portion 27, 28, only in a part of the plurality of first bus bars included in the first bus bar unit 30.

[0124] In addition, in the above embodiment, as an example of a connector assembly, a connector assembly mounted on a hybrid vehicle is cited for description. However, the connector assembly is not limited to the above example, and the present invention can be applied to a connector assembly used in such a case as long as it is a component for electrically connecting a plurality of devices.

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising: a connector portion having an insertion port and a bus bar portion having a bus bar, characterized in that: The bus bar includes a first bus bar and a second bus bar, The first bus bar and the second bus bar respectively have: A first connecting portion extending along a first direction; A second connecting portion extending along the first direction toward a direction opposite to the first connecting portion and inserted into the insertion port; as well as a connecting portion connecting the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, Each of the first connection portion and the second connection portion has a thickness in a second direction intersecting the first direction, Each of the first connection portion, the second connection portion, and the link portion has a width in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, In the first bus bar, the width of the connecting portion from one end of the connecting portion adjacent to the first connecting portion to the other end of the connecting portion adjacent to the second connecting portion is wider than the widths of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, and A distance from the one end to the other end of the connecting portion is longer than the width of each of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion; In the third direction, the connecting portion of the second bus bar extends longer than the connecting portion of the first bus bar; The connecting portion of the first bus bar includes: an adjacent portion adjacent to the first connecting portion and intersecting the first connecting portion; and an extending portion bent from the adjacent portion and extending toward the side where the second connecting portion is located. In the first bus bar, each width of the adjacent portion and the extended portion is wider than each width of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, The width of the extended portion is less than the width of the adjacent portion; The bus bar portion is assembled with the connector portion in the first direction, The adjacent portion extends from the one end of the connecting portion toward the second direction, The extending portion is bent in the first direction in the same direction as the direction in which the second connecting portion extends, and extends to the other end of the coupling portion.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The second connection portion of the first bus bar and the second connection portion of the second bus bar are electrically connected to different devices.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The distance from the one end to the other end of the coupling portion of the first bus bar is a distance from the one end to the other end of the coupling portion of the first bus bar assuming that the bent extending portion is straightened.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first connection portion of the first bus bar and the second connection portion of the first bus bar are located at different positions from each other in the third direction.

5. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first bus bar is a plurality of first bus bars arranged in the third direction, The second bus bar is a plurality of second bus bars arranged in the third direction, In the third direction, the connection portions of the second bus bars extend longer than the connection portions of the first bus bars. In each of the plurality of first bus bars, a width of the connecting portion from the one end to the other end of the connecting portion is wider than respective widths of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, and a distance from the one end to the other end of the connecting portion is longer than respective widths of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The plurality of first bus bars are three or more first bus bars arranged in the third direction, In the first bus bar disposed between two of the three or more first bus bars, a distance between both ends of the connecting portion in the third direction is longer than that of each of the two first bus bars.

7. The connector assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The bus bar portion includes a holder that holds the plurality of first bus bars and the plurality of second bus bars. The entirety of the connecting portion of each of the plurality of first bus bars and the entirety of the connecting portion of each of the plurality of second bus bars are embedded in an insulating resin material constituting the holder.

8. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The connector portion includes: a terminal electrically connected to the second connection portion; a terminal holding portion having a cavity portion through which a portion of the terminal passes; and a sealing member disposed around the terminal in the cavity portion.

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