Terminal connection unit

Abstract

Disclosed is a terminal connection unit with a new structure, which can ensure a good connection state between a terminal fitting and a connection part and can advantageously absorb the positional tolerance of the terminal fitting and the connection part. The terminal connection unit (10) comprises: a conducting component (14) having a connection part (18) for connecting a terminal fitting (110) provided at the end of an electric wire (12); and a support part (16) fixedly supporting the conducting component (14); the conducting component (14) having: a fixing part (66) fixed to the support part (16); and a telescopic part (68) connecting the connection part (18) and the fixing part (66) and being able to freely extend and retract in a first direction; the support part (16) having a mounting part (20) for mounting the connection part (18) and being able to move in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal connection unit including a connection portion to which a terminal fitting provided at an end of an external electric wire is connected. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various devices or electrical connection boxes installed in vehicles are equipped with terminal connection units. These terminal connection units include a connection portion to which terminal fittings located at the ends of externally installed electrical wires are connected. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, such terminal connection units include a support portion that securely supports an electrical component wired to the various devices or electrical connection boxes. The connection portion provided at the end of the electrical component is mounted to a mounting portion provided on the support portion.

[0003] However, the terminal fittings provided at the ends of the wires are susceptible to positional deviations relative to the connection portion due to tolerances of the wires, etc. Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a structure in which the connection portion to be bolted to the terminal fitting is formed into an elongated strip, the bolt insertion hole is formed into an elongated hole, and the fastening position of the terminal fitting is made variable along the length of the connection portion, thereby absorbing the positional tolerances between the terminal fitting and the connection portion.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-234427 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in a structure where the connection portion fastened with the terminal fitting by bolts is formed into an elongated strip and the bolt insertion hole is formed as a slotted hole, the bolt insertion hole is formed over a large area of ​​the connection portion, and thus the contact area between the terminal fitting and the connection portion cannot be sufficiently ensured. Consequently, there is a problem that the on-resistance at the contact point between the terminal fitting and the connection portion is difficult to sufficiently reduce, and heat generation is more likely to increase. This also sometimes causes problems such as melting of surrounding components due to heat generation.

[0008] Therefore, a terminal connection unit having a new structure is disclosed, which can ensure a good connection state between the terminal fitting and the connection portion and advantageously accommodate positional tolerances between the terminal fitting and the connection portion.

[0009] Technical solutions to problems

[0010] The terminal connection unit disclosed in the present invention comprises: a conducting component having a connecting portion for connecting a terminal fitting provided at the end of an electric wire; and a supporting portion for fixedly supporting the conducting component, wherein the conducting component comprises: a fixing portion fixed to the supporting portion; and a telescopic portion connecting the connecting portion and the fixing portion and being able to be freely telescopic in a first direction, wherein the supporting portion comprises an installation portion for installing the connecting portion and capable of displacement in the first direction.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure a good connection state between the terminal fitting and the connection portion, and to favorably accommodate positional tolerances between the terminal fitting and the connection portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the terminal connection unit according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of the terminal connection unit is shown.

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the terminal connection unit is shown.

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Section IV-IV in Figure 1.

[0017] Figure 5 It will Figure 2 A longitudinal sectional view showing an enlarged main portion of the VV section.

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 VI-VI section view in.

[0019] Figure 7 It shows the composition Figure 1 A top view of the mounting portion of the terminal connection unit is shown.

[0020] Figure 8 It shows Figure 7 A perspective view showing the assembly action of the mounting portion to the support portion.

[0021] Figure 9 It shows Figure 7 The illustrated mounting portion is a perspective view from the bottom side in a state where the mounting portion is assembled in a standard position relative to the supporting portion.

[0022] Figure 10 Is shown for the wire Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a specific example of a connection state of a terminal connection unit.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of a terminal connection unit according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] <Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure>

[0025] First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed for description.

[0026] The terminal connection unit of the present disclosure is the following terminal connection unit:

[0027] (1) It comprises: a conducting component having a connecting portion for connecting a terminal fitting provided at the end of an electric wire; and a supporting portion for fixedly supporting the conducting component, wherein the conducting component comprises: a fixing portion fixed to the supporting portion; and a telescopic portion connecting the connecting portion and the fixing portion and being able to be freely telescopic in a first direction, wherein the supporting portion comprises a mounting portion for mounting the connecting portion and capable of displacement in the first direction.

[0028] According to the terminal connection unit disclosed in the present invention, the connection portion of the current-carrying component is connected to the fixed portion via a telescopic portion that can be extended and retracted in a first direction, and the fixed portion is fixed to the support portion. In addition, the mounting portion of the support portion on which the connection portion is mounted can be displaced in the first direction. Therefore, the position of the connection portion can be made variable by the extension and retraction of the telescopic portion in the first direction and the displacement of the mounting portion, thereby advantageously absorbing the tolerance of the position of the terminal fitting and the connection portion. As a result, there is no need to provide a long-hole bolt insertion hole in the connection portion of the current-carrying component as in the past, and the terminal fitting can be brought into contact with the connection portion with a larger contact area, thereby absorbing the tolerance. In this way, according to the terminal connection unit of this scheme, a good connection state between the terminal fitting and the connection portion and the absorption of the tolerance of the position of the terminal fitting and the connection portion can be achieved at the same time.

[0029] The terminal connection unit may also be configured as a terminal block structure including a conducting component and a support portion supporting the conducting component, or as an electrical connection box in which the conducting component is housed within a housing formed including the support portion. The first direction, which is the direction of expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction portion, may be set to any direction that produces a tolerance between the terminal fitting and the connection portion.

[0030] (2) The telescopic portion of the current-carrying component is preferably formed of a laminated busbar formed by stacking multiple layers of metal flat plates. By forming the telescopic portion from a curved laminated busbar, the telescopic portion can be easily bent, and by varying the curvature of the bent telescopic portion, the telescopic portion can be freely extended and retracted in the first direction. The connecting portion and the fixing portion connected to the telescopic portion can be easily formed by integrating the ends of the laminated busbar by welding or the like. Therefore, the current-carrying component having the telescopic portion can be manufactured at a low cost.

[0031] (3) The telescopic portion of the current-carrying component is preferably formed of a braided wire. By forming the telescopic portion of the braided wire, the telescopic portion can be easily bent and deformed in the first direction. Therefore, the burden on the operator when connecting the terminal fitting to the connecting portion can be reduced.

[0032] (4) Preferably, the mounting portion is assembled relative to the support portion so as to be freely displaceable in the first direction. This is because the mounting portion is assembled relative to the support portion so as to be freely displaceable in the first direction. Therefore, even after the terminal fitting is connected to the connecting portion mounted on the mounting portion, the displacement of the mounting portion can advantageously absorb displacement of the wire due to the surrounding thermal environment, vibration, etc. As a result, it is possible to prevent loads from being applied to the connection between the terminal fitting and the connecting portion.

[0033] (5) The support portion preferably includes a recess for accommodating the telescopic portion. This is because the telescopic portion changes shape due to expansion and contraction, and the recess for accommodating the telescopic portion is provided within the support portion, thereby reducing or even eliminating interference between the support portion and the telescopic portion. The recess is preferably provided with a depth dimension sufficient to accommodate the telescopic portion without contacting it in its most contracted state.

[0034] (6) Preferably, the support portion includes a support surface for supporting the fixed portion of the current-carrying component, and the connection portion of the mounting portion is mounted at a height below the support surface. This is because the connection portion of the mounting portion is mounted at the same height as, or at a lower height than, the support surface for supporting the fixed portion, thereby preventing interference between the telescopic portion and the mounting portion during extension.

[0035] (7) The mounting portion preferably has a fastening member receiving portion for receiving a fastening member. This is because, when the terminal fitting is fastened to the connecting portion using fastening members such as bolts and nuts, one fastening member such as a bolt or nut is received in the fastening member receiving portion of the mounting portion, thereby advantageously improving the workability of fastening the terminal fitting to the connecting portion.

[0036] (8) Preferably, the support portion has a through-hole that is long in the first direction, and the mounting portion has: a retainer that retains the connecting portion; an elongated locking plate that is disposed opposite to the bottom surface of the retainer with a gap therebetween; and a connecting portion that connects the locking plate to the bottom surface. The locking plate can be inserted through the through-hole while being oriented so that its longitudinal direction is in the first direction. When the retainer has been inserted through the through-hole, the mounting portion is rotated so that the longitudinal direction is orthogonal to the first direction, thereby assembling the mounting portion to a standard position relative to the support portion. In the standard position of the mounting portion, the locking plate is engaged with the peripheral edge of the through-hole, and the mounting portion cannot be separated from the support portion and can be displaced in the first direction. After the locking plate connected to the bottom surface of the retainer is inserted into the through-hole of the support portion, the retainer is rotated to the standard position. This is because the attachment portion can be provided by this simple operation so that the locking portion engages with the peripheral edge portion of the through-hole and is assembled to the support portion so as to be non-detachable and displaceable in the first direction.

[0037] (9) It is preferred that a positioning protrusion is provided on the periphery of the locking plate, and a positioning protrusion insertion portion is provided on the periphery of the through hole. This is because by aligning the positioning protrusion of the locking plate with the positioning hole of the through hole, the assembly workability of the locking plate to the through hole can be improved.

[0038] <Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure>

[0039] Hereinafter, specific examples of the terminal connection unit of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is presented by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0040] <Implementation Method 1>

[0041] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 10 , Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is described. The terminal connection unit 10 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown) such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and is connected to a high-voltage wire 12 (see Figure 10) connection. Such a high-voltage electric wire 12 has a large wire diameter and is not easy to bend, so it is not easy to bend the wire 12 to absorb the tolerance. In the figure, for easy understanding, the wires 12a, 12b whose lengths are different due to tolerances and / or the conducting parts 14a, 14b connected to these wires 12a, 12b are illustrated together. The terminal connection unit 10 disclosed in the present invention only needs to have at least one conducting part 14. With respect to the part in which the same structure is set in association with the two conducting parts 14a, 14b, only one structure is described. The direction of the terminal connection unit 10 when mounted on a vehicle is not limited, but in the following description, the upward direction is set. Figure 1 In the Z direction, set the front direction to Figure 1 In the X direction, set the left direction to Figure 1 Sometimes, regarding a plurality of identical components, reference numerals are attached to only some of the components, and reference numerals are omitted for the other components.

[0042] <Terminal Connection Unit 10>

[0043] The terminal connection unit 10 includes a conducting member 14 to which the power supply line 12 is connected and a support portion 16 that fixedly supports the conducting member 14. The portion of the conducting member 14 to which the power supply line 12 is connected is a connecting portion 18, which is attached to the support portion 16 via an attachment portion 20.

[0044] <Supporting portion 16>

[0045] In the first embodiment, the support portion 16 is formed into a substantially rectangular hollow shape in a plan view. Figure 3 As shown, the structure includes an upper terminal block 22 and a lower terminal block 24 that can be divided in the vertical direction.

[0046] The upper terminal block 22 is generally box-shaped and open downward, and is formed of an insulating synthetic resin. That is, the upper terminal block 22 includes an upper bottom wall portion 26 that is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from above, and a peripheral wall portion 28 that protrudes downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper bottom wall portion 26. In Embodiment 1, the upper surface of the upper terminal block 22 has a step, and the rear portion of the upper surface of the upper terminal block 22 is located above the front portion. The rear portion of the upper surface of the upper terminal block 22 is provided as a support surface 30 for supporting a fixing portion 66 of the later-described conducting component 14. The front portion of the upper surface of the upper terminal block 22 is provided as an assembly surface 32 for assembling the mounting portion 20.

[0047] In the middle part in the front-to-back direction of the forming area of ​​the assembly surface 32 (the front part of the upper bottom wall 26), a through hole 34 that is long in the first direction (front-to-back direction) is provided. In Embodiment 1, the through hole 34 is set to be roughly oblong. On the peripheral portion of the through hole 34, on both sides in the left and right directions of the central part in the front-to-back direction, positioning protrusion insertion portions 36, 36 that open inward in the left and right directions are formed. As a result, the left-right dimensions of the through hole 34 are partially increased at the formation position of the positioning protrusion insertion portions 36, 36. On the peripheral portion of the through hole 34, in the portion other than the positioning protrusion insertion portions 36, 36, ribs 38 protruding upward are provided. That is, on both sides in the front-to-back direction of the positioning protrusion insertion portions 36, 36, ribs 38, 38 having a circumferential length of roughly half a circumference are formed. In Embodiment 1, the rib 38 has a roughly semicircular cross-section. A downwardly projecting portion 39 is provided on the periphery of the through-hole 34 in the lower surface of the upper bottom wall 26, excluding the positioning protrusion insertion portions 36, 36. Specifically, the downwardly projecting portions 39, 39 are formed on both sides in the front-to-back direction of the positioning protrusion insertion portions 36, 36, each having a circumferential length of approximately half the circumference.

[0048] In the area where the support surface 30 is formed (behind the upper bottom wall 26), behind the through-hole 34, a notched recess 40 is provided, opening forward and upward. The bottom wall of this recess 40 is partially formed by a downwardly convex curved wall 42. In the first embodiment, the assembly surface 32 and the bottom surface of the recess 40 (excluding the curved wall 42) are located on the same horizontal plane (XY plane). The lowest portion of the curved wall 42, where it is formed, is located below both the assembly surface 32 and the bottom surface of the recess 40.

[0049] In the support surface 30, a receiving recess 44 is provided at a position further back than the recess 40. The receiving recess 44 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from above and is open upward. In embodiment 1, a nut 46 for fixing a fixing portion 66 of a later-described conducting component 14 is accommodated in the receiving recess 44. The fixing means of the nut 46 relative to the receiving recess 44 is not limited, but preferably a concave-convex fit, for example. The fixing means of the nut 46 relative to the receiving recess 44 may also be a concave-convex fit, or in addition to the concave-convex fit, bonding, etc. Alternatively, the nut 46 may be formed integrally with the upper terminal block 22 by insert molding.

[0050] In embodiment 1, a retaining cylinder portion 47 having a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape that retains the nut 46 from below is integrally formed in the receiving recess 44. A deformation-allowing space 48 is provided at the rear of the receiving recess 44, and the wall portion constituting the rear of the receiving recess 44 is elastically deformable in the front-to-back direction. At the upper end of the elastically deformable wall portion constituting the rear of the receiving recess 44, an inclined surface 50 is formed that tilts downward as it approaches the front. On both sides of the front-to-back direction of the lower surface of the nut 46, inclined surfaces 52, 52 are formed that tilt downward as it approaches the inner side of the front-to-back direction. Thus, the nut 46 is pressed from above toward the receiving recess 44, so that the inclined surface 50 of the receiving recess 44 and the inclined surface 52 of the nut 46 abut against each other, and the wall portion constituting the rear of the receiving recess 44 is elastically deformed toward the rear. As a result, the nut 46 can be accommodated in the accommodating recess 44 , and the rear wall portion constituting the accommodating recess 44 elastically recovers and deforms, thereby being fixed to the holding cylinder 47 in the accommodating recess 44 while being held.

[0051] In the first embodiment, circular through holes 54 extending vertically are formed on both left and right sides of the upper bottom wall 26 . These through holes 54 communicate with bolt insertion holes 64 of the lower terminal block 24 described below and can be passed with mounting bolts (not shown).

[0052] The lower terminal block 24 is generally shaped like a box or a flat plate that is open upward. In the first embodiment, it includes a bottom wall 56 having a shape substantially identical to that of the upper bottom wall 26 of the upper terminal block 22, and a peripheral wall 58 that protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 56. By securing the upper and lower terminal blocks 22 and 24 so that they overlap, the lower opening of the upper terminal block 22 is covered and sealed by the lower terminal block 24. Such a lower terminal block 24 can be formed, for example, from metal or synthetic resin. Alternatively, it can be formed from a bracket mounted on the vehicle body.

[0053] The bottom wall portion 56 of the lower terminal block 24 has a generally oblong upper protrusion 60 at a position that roughly corresponds to the lower protrusions 39, 39 of the upper bottom wall portion 26 of the upper terminal block 22. The bottom wall portion 56 of the lower terminal block 24 has a downwardly projecting curved wall portion 62 at a position that roughly corresponds to the curved wall portion 42 of the upper terminal block 22. This prevents contact between the curved wall portion 42 and the bottom wall portion 56 when the upper and lower terminal blocks 22 and 24 are overlapped. A bolt insertion hole 64 is formed in the lower terminal block 24, extending vertically through the bottom wall portion 56, at a position that roughly corresponds to the through hole 54 of the upper terminal block 22.

[0054] <Electrification Component 14>

[0055] The conducting member 14 is formed of a conductive metal and, in the first embodiment, is formed into a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from above. The front portion of the conducting member 14 is formed into a roughly rectangular plate-shaped connecting portion 18. The rear portion of the conducting member 14 is formed into a roughly rectangular plate-shaped fixing portion 66 supported by the support portion 16. These connecting portions 18 and the fixing portion 66 are connected by a telescopic portion 68 that is flexible in the front-to-back direction, which is the first direction. As a result, the overall length of the conducting member 14 in the front-to-back direction is flexible. These connecting portions 18, the fixing portion 66, and the telescopic portion 68 can also be made of different materials.

[0056] In the figure, for ease of understanding, the conducting members 14a and 14b having different overall front-to-back lengths are shown together according to the front-to-back lengths of the telescopic portion 68. Figure 4 In the figure, the telescopic portion 68 is shown in the state where the length in the front-back direction is the longest. Figure 6 In FIG, the telescopic portion 68 is shown in a state where its length in the front-rear direction is the shortest. Figure 1 In the figure, the conducting member 14a having the telescopic portion 68a having the longest length in the front-back direction and the conducting member 14b having the telescopic portion 68b having the shortest length in the front-back direction are shown side by side in the left-right direction.

[0057] A through-hole 70 extending vertically through the connecting portion 18 of the current-carrying member 14 is formed. Positioning recesses 72, 72, opening outward in the left and right directions are formed on both side edges of the connecting portion 18, rearward of the through-hole 70. A through-hole 74 extending vertically through the fixing portion 66 of the current-carrying member 14 is also formed.

[0058] The telescopic portion 68 in the first embodiment is also as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the expansion section 68 is formed by stacking a plurality of metal flat plates in a vertical direction. The front and rear ends of the expansion section 68 formed by the stacked bus bars are fixed to the connecting section 18 and the fixing section 66 respectively by welding or other means.

[0059] <Mounting Unit 20>

[0060] The mounting portion 20 includes a retainer 76 formed of an insulating synthetic resin and configured to retain the connection portion 18 of the current-carrying component 14, and a locking plate 78 configured to lock with the support portion 16. The retainer 76 and the locking plate 78 are separated in the vertical direction, with the locking plate 78 facing the bottom surface 79 of the retainer 76 with a gap therebetween.

[0061] The retaining member 76 extends in the front-rear direction as a whole and has a substantially rectangular plate-shaped retaining plate portion 80. Vertical wall portions 82, 82 protrude upward at both ends of the retaining plate portion 80 in the left and right directions. Figure 5As shown, the vertical walls 82, 82 are inclined relative to the vertical direction, sloping outward in the left-right direction as they approach the top. These vertical walls 82, 82 are integrally formed, extending substantially the entire front-to-back length of the retaining plate 80. Specifically, the retaining member 76 lacks vertical walls 82 on either side in the front-to-back direction, leaving the space enclosed by the retaining plate 80 and the vertical walls 82, 82 open to both sides in the front-to-back direction. Consequently, a front opening 84 is formed at the front end of the retaining member 76, and a rear opening 86 is formed at the rear end of the retaining member 76.

[0062] Front walls 87, 87 extending inward in the facing direction are integrally formed at the front ends of the vertical walls 82, 82. As a result, the left-right dimension between the vertical walls 82, 82 at the front opening 84 is smaller than the left-right dimension between the vertical walls 82, 82 at the rear opening 86.

[0063] In the first embodiment, positioning protrusions 88, 88 are provided on the rear portions of the vertical walls 82, 82, projecting inward in the facing direction (inward in the left-right direction). One vertical wall 82 (in the first embodiment, the left vertical wall 82) is integrally formed with an engaging recess 90 that opens inward in the left-right direction (i.e., rightward). This engaging recess 90 is formed to have a certain front-to-back dimension. As a result, the left-to-right distance between the vertical walls 82, 82 is partially increased where the engaging recess 90 is formed.

[0064] A fastening component receiving portion 92 opening upward is provided on the retaining plate portion 80 of the retaining member 76, and in Embodiment 1, a nut 94 serving as a fastening component is received. In Embodiment 1, the fastening component receiving portion 92 is provided approximately in the center of the retaining plate portion 80. The structure of the fastening component receiving portion 92 is the same as that of the receiving recess 44 of the support portion 16, that is, a retaining cylinder portion 95 for retaining the nut 94 from below is integrally formed in the fastening component receiving portion 92. A deformation-allowing space 96 is provided in front of the fastening component receiving portion 92, and the wall portion constituting the front of the fastening component receiving portion 92 is elastically deformable in the front-to-back direction. At the upper end of the wall portion constituting the front of the fastening component receiving portion 92, an inclined surface 98 is formed that inclines downward as it approaches the rear.

[0065] The structure of nut 94 is the same as that of nut 46 housed in housing recess 44. On both sides of the lower surface of nut 94 in the front-to-back direction, inclined surfaces 100, 100 are formed that tilt downward as they approach the inner side in the front-to-back direction. When nut 94 is housed in fastener housing 92, inclined surface 98 of fastener housing 92 and inclined surface 100 of nut 94 abut against each other, thereby guiding nut 94 into fastener housing 92 and enabling smooth housing. Nut 94 can be secured to fastener housing 92 by bonding or the like, instead of or in addition to the concave-convex fitting described above. Alternatively, the nut and mounting portion 20 can be integrally formed by insert molding.

[0066] The locking plate 78 is also as Figure 8 As shown, the locking plate 78 is generally shaped like an elongated circle or a rectangular plate with rounded corners, and is elongated in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the retaining plate portion 80 extends. That is, when assembled with the support portion 16, the locking plate 78 extends in the left-right direction. The length of the locking plate 78 is smaller than the major axis dimension of the through-hole 34 provided in the support portion 16, and larger than the minor axis dimension of the through-hole 34. When the length of the locking plate 78 aligns with the length of the through-hole 34, the locking plate 78 can be inserted through the through-hole 34.

[0067] A generally rectangular through-hole 101 extending vertically is formed in the approximate center of the locking plate 78. A downwardly projecting retaining tube 95, integrally provided with the fastening member receiving portion 92, fits into the through-hole 101. Positioning protrusions 102, 102 are integrally provided on the periphery of the locking plate 78 in the center portion extending from the locking plate 78 (in the left-right direction when assembled) and protruding outward in two orthogonal directions (in the front-back direction when assembled).

[0068] The retainer 76 and the locking plate 78 are connected by a connecting portion 104 extending in the vertical direction. The connecting portion 104 is generally cylindrical and connects the bottom surface 79 of the retainer 76 and the approximately central portion of the locking plate 78. Specifically, the connecting portion 104 connects the portion of the retainer 76 that is closer to the outer periphery than the fastening member receiving portion 92 to the portion of the locking plate 78 that is closer to the outer periphery than the through hole 101.

[0069] A guide plate portion 106 that protrudes toward the outer periphery is integrally formed in the middle portion of the connecting portion 104 in the vertical direction. In Embodiment 1, the guide plate portion 106 is configured to be a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the XY plane. The guide plate portion 106 is provided in the approximately central portion of the connecting portion 104 in the vertical direction, facing the retaining member 76 and the locking plate 78 with a certain degree of separation distance in the vertical direction. In particular, in Embodiment 1, the vertical distance between the guide plate portion 106 and the locking plate 78 is approximately equal to or slightly larger than the vertical dimension of the peripheral portion of the through hole 34 in the support portion 16, that is, the vertical dimension from the upper end of the rib 38 to the lower end of the lower protrusion 39. A rib extending in the front-to-back direction may also be provided between the retaining member 76 and the guide plate portion 106 in the vertical direction, for example, for the purpose of reinforcement.

[0070] <Assembly Process of Terminal Connection Unit 10>

[0071] Next, an example of an assembly process of the terminal connection unit 10 will be described. The assembly process of the terminal connection unit 10 is not limited to the following description.

[0072] First, prepare the current-carrying component 14, the mounting portion 20, the upper terminal block 22, and the lower terminal block 24, and assemble the mounting portion 20 and the upper terminal block 22. Nuts 94 and 46 are inserted into the fastening component receiving portion 92 and the receiving recess 44 of the mounting portion 20 and the upper terminal block 22, respectively. The nuts 94 and 46 can be inserted before or after the mounting portion 20 and the upper terminal block 22 are assembled.

[0073] When assembling the mounting portion 20 and the upper terminal block 22, Figure 8 As shown, first, the length direction of the locking plate 78 in the mounting portion 20 is roughly aligned with the length direction of the through-hole 34 of the upper terminal block 22 (the front-to-back direction as the first direction). In this state, the mounting portion 20 is brought close to the upper terminal block 22, and the locking plate 78 is inserted into the through-hole 34. That is, the locking plate 78 is inserted into the through-hole 34 in a state where the length direction is oriented in the direction as the first direction. At this time, the locking plate 78 can be easily inserted into the through-hole 34 by aligning the positioning protrusion insertion portion 36 provided on the peripheral portion of the through-hole 34 with the positioning protrusion 102 provided on the peripheral portion of the locking plate 78. In this state, the retaining member 76 in the mounting portion 20 extends in the left-right direction. The guide plate portion 106 of the mounting portion 20 overlaps the ribs 38, 38 provided on the peripheral portion of the through-hole 34 from above.

[0074] Next, the mounting portion 20 is rotated 90 degrees relative to the upper terminal block 22 about the vertically extending connecting portion 104 as a rotation axis. ° Therefore, if Figure 9As shown, the mounting portion 20 is assembled in a standard position relative to the support portion 16, where the locking plate 78 extends in the left-right direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the first direction. In this standard position, the locking plate 78 is engaged with the peripheral edge of the through hole 34. As a result, the mounting portion 20 can be prevented from falling off upward from the upper terminal block 22. In addition, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the peripheral edge of the through hole 34 is inserted into the vertical space between the locking plate 78 and the guide plate portion 106. That is, the connecting portion 104 is located within the through hole 34 and can move in the front-to-back direction within the through hole 34, thereby enabling the mounting portion 20 to be displaced in the first direction relative to the upper terminal block 22 in the front-to-back direction.

[0075] In particular, in the first embodiment, when the mounting portion 20 moves relative to the upper terminal block 22, the guide plate portion 106 slides on the rib 38 having a substantially semicircular cross section, so the sliding resistance is reduced and smooth movement can be achieved. Figure 9 , the mounting portion 20 is shown in a state where it is located in front of the upper terminal block 22, but for example, the mounting portion 20 may be moved in the front-to-rear direction after being rotated relative to the upper terminal block 22, or the mounting portion 20 may be rotated after being moved in the front-to-rear direction relative to the upper terminal block 22.

[0076] Next, the lower terminal block 24 is fixed to the lower opening portion of the upper terminal block 22 in an overlapping manner. As a result, the lower opening portion of the upper terminal block 22 is covered, and the locking plate 78 is clamped between the lower protrusion 39 and the upper protrusion 60 in the upper terminal block 22 and the lower terminal block 24 with zero contact or a slight gap. As a result, the mounting portion 20 can move approximately parallel to the front-to-back direction without being roughly tilted relative to the upper terminal block 22. The lower opening portion of the upper terminal block 22 is covered by the lower terminal block 24, so that the locking plate 78 cannot be contacted from the outside, which can reduce the concern that the locking plate 78 (mounting portion 20) will accidentally rotate and the mounting portion 20 will fall off from the through hole 34. The fixing means of the upper terminal block 22 and the lower terminal block 24 can be welding, bonding, etc., or it can be concave-convex fitting, bolt fixing, etc.

[0077] The current-carrying component 14 is fixedly supported on the support portion 16 to which the mounting portion 20 is assembled. Specifically, the fixing portion 66 of the current-carrying component 14 is placed on the support surface 30 of the support portion 16, and the nut 46 received in the receiving recess 44 is aligned with the through-hole 74 provided in the fixing portion 66 of the current-carrying component 14. A fixing bolt 108 is inserted through the through-hole 74 and tightened to the nut 46, thereby fixedly supporting the fixing portion 66 of the current-carrying component 14 on the support surface 30 of the support portion 16. A terminal fitting provided at the end of an externally extending electric wire (not shown) is overlapped with the fixing portion 66 and tightened together with the fixing bolt 108, thereby electrically connecting the externally extending electric wire to the current-carrying component 14.

[0078] The connection portion 18 of the current-carrying component 14 overlaps on the retaining plate portion 80 of the mounting portion 20 and is mounted on the retaining member 76. That is, the mounting position of the connection portion 18 in the mounting portion 20 is set to the upper surface of the retaining plate portion 80. At this time, the positioning protrusions 88, 88 provided on the retaining member 76 enter the positioning recesses 72, 72 provided on the connection portion 18, so that the connection portion 18 and the retaining member 76 are positioned relative to each other. As a result, the through hole 70 provided in the connection portion 18 is maintained in a state where the position of the nut 94 of the fastening component receiving portion 92 accommodated in the mounting portion 20 is aligned. That is, the rear end of the connection portion 18 is connected to the telescopic portion 68 in a manner protruding rearward from the rear opening portion 86 of the retaining member 76, and the mounting portion 20 can move in the front-to-back direction relative to the support portion 16 according to the extension and contraction of the telescopic portion 68.

[0079] In the first embodiment, the support surface 30 supporting the fixing portion 66 is located above the assembly surface 32 where the through hole 34 is provided. In addition, the support surface 30 is located above the upper surface of the retaining plate portion 80 on which the connecting portion 18 is placed. In particular, in the first embodiment, the support surface 30 is equal to or slightly above the upper end of the mounting portion 20. Thus, the fixing portion 66 is located above the connecting portion 18, and the telescopic portion 68 extending forward from the fixing portion 66 is accommodated in the recess 40 of the support portion 16. Also as shown Figure 6 As shown, even when the telescopic portion 68 b is at its smallest length in the front-rear direction, ie, when the telescopic portion 68 b is deformed and most relaxed, the telescopic portion 68 b does not contact the curved wall portion 42 provided in the recess 40 .

[0080] The terminal connection unit 10 is assembled through the above-described steps. The following describes how to connect the wire 12 to the terminal connection unit 10. The structure of the wire is not limited; however, a terminal fitting having a through-hole formed therein is provided at the end of the wire. In the first embodiment, a leftward-projecting engagement protrusion 112 is provided on the periphery of the terminal fitting 110.

[0081] That is, the terminal fitting 110 of the electric wire 12 extending from the front of the terminal connection unit 10 is inserted into the retaining member 76 of the mounting portion 20. At this time, for example, the mounting portion 20 is held with the right hand and the terminal fitting 110 is held with the left hand, and the terminal fitting 110 is inserted into the retaining member 76. Since the mounting portion 20 is movable in the front-back direction, the terminal fitting 110 can be easily inserted into the retaining member 76. The front wall portions 87, 87 of the retaining member 76 engage with the terminal fitting 110, thereby preventing the terminal fitting 110 from falling out of the mounting portion 20. As a result, the electric wire 12 extends forward through the front opening 84 of the retaining member 76. In the first embodiment, the engaging recess 90 is provided in the left vertical wall portion 82, and the engaging protrusion 112 is also provided in the terminal fitting 110. These engaging recesses 90 engage with the engaging protrusion 112, thereby also preventing the terminal fitting 110 from falling out of the mounting portion 20.

[0082] In the first embodiment, the vertical wall portion 82 has a widening shape that tilts outward in the left-right direction as it approaches the top. The inner surface of the vertical wall portion 82 guides the terminal fitting 110 during insertion into the retainer 76. In particular, in the first embodiment, the engaging recess 90 and the engaging projection 112 are provided. For example, by sliding the engaging projection 112 in the front-to-back direction on the left vertical wall portion 82, the engaging projection 112 can be easily inserted into the engaging recess 90. This positional alignment ensures that the terminal fitting 110 and the retainer 76 are aligned, with the through-hole of the terminal fitting 110, the through-hole 70 of the connecting portion 18, and the nut 94 provided on the mounting portion 20.

[0083] After the through-hole provided in the terminal fitting 110, the through-hole 70 provided in the connecting portion 18, and the nut 94 accommodated in the fastening member accommodating portion 92 are aligned, the fixing bolt 114 is inserted through and fastened to the nut 94. As a result, the electric wire 12 and the current-carrying member 14 are fastened together, and the electric wire 12 and the current-carrying member 14 are electrically connected.

[0084] As mentioned above, the wire 12 has a relatively large diameter and is difficult to accommodate tolerances by bending, etc. That is, even when the end portion of the wire 12 opposite to the side connected to the terminal connection unit 10 is fixed to a specific and identical location, it may sometimes be bent due to differences in tolerances. Figure 10Even in such a case, the front-to-back length of the telescopic portion 68, i.e., the front-to-back position of the connecting portion 18 and the mounting portion 20, can be adjusted by deforming the telescopic portion 68. Therefore, the positional tolerances of the terminal fitting 110 and the connecting portion 18 can be absorbed. Long holes are not provided in the connecting portion 18 and the terminal fitting 110 as in the conventional structure, and the contact area between the connecting portion 18 and the terminal fitting 110 can be sufficiently ensured, thereby avoiding the problem of increased heat generation.

[0085] In the first embodiment, the telescopic portion 68 is formed of the laminated bus bars, and thus the telescopic deformation of the telescopic portion 68 in the front-rear direction can be easily achieved.

[0086] In the first embodiment, the mounting portion 20 is not fixed at a predetermined position relative to the support portion 16, but is freely movable in the front-to-back direction, which serves as the first direction. That is, even after the electrical wire 12 is connected to the current-carrying component 14, the connecting portion 18 and the mounting portion 20 are still movable in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, even in situations where the electrical wire 12 expands and contracts due to the surrounding thermal environment or when vibrations are input due to vehicle travel, displacement of the electrical wire 12 can be absorbed.

[0087] In the first embodiment, the support portion 16 is provided with a recess 40, within which the telescopic portion 68 of the current-carrying component 14 is housed. In particular, in the first embodiment, the bottom wall of the recess 40 is partially formed by the curved wall portion 42. This prevents contact between the telescopic portion 68 and the bottom surface of the recess 40, even when the telescopic portion 68 is at its shortest. This prevents, for example, undesirable situations such as the telescopic portion 68 contacting the bottom surface of the recess 40 during contraction, thereby restricting the contraction of the telescopic portion 68.

[0088] In the first embodiment, the support surface 30 of the fixed portion 66 supporting the current-carrying component 14 is located above the upper surface of the retaining plate portion 80 supporting the connecting portion 18 of the current-carrying component 14. In particular, in the first embodiment, the support surface 30 is located above the entire connecting portion 18. Thus, in the current-carrying component 14, the fixed portion 66 is located above the connecting portion 18. This reduces the risk of contact between the telescopic portion 68 and the mounting portion 20 during telescopic deformation, compared to, for example, a case where the fixed portion is located below the connecting portion. As a result, the connecting portion 18 and the mounting portion 20 can be displaced more smoothly.

[0089] In the first embodiment, the mounting portion 20 is provided with a fastening member housing 92 that houses a nut 94 serving as a fastening member. This allows the connecting portion 18 of the current-carrying component 14 and the terminal fitting 110 of the electric wire 12 to overlap and be fastened together to the mounting portion 20 using a fixing bolt 114, thereby electrically connecting the electric wire 12 to the current-carrying component 14. This allows efficient securing and electrical connection of the electric wire 12.

[0090] In the first embodiment, the locking plate 78 of the mounting portion 20 and the through-hole 34 provided in the support portion 16 are both formed into a substantially oval shape. Thus, the mounting portion 20 can be assembled so that it cannot be separated from the support portion 16 and can be displaced in the front-to-back direction by simply inserting the locking plate 78 into the through-hole 34 and rotating it.

[0091] In particular, in the first embodiment, positioning protrusions 102 and positioning protrusion insertion portions 36 are provided on the periphery of the locking plate 78 and the periphery of the through-hole 34, and are positioned relative to each other when the locking plate 78 is inserted into the through-hole 34. In other words, as long as these positioning protrusions 102 and positioning protrusion insertion portions 36 are not aligned, the mounting portion 20 can be prevented from detaching from the support portion 16, thereby achieving a high degree of fall-off prevention effect.

[0092] <Implementation Method 2>

[0093] Next, refer to Figure 11 , describing embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. Figure 11 The terminal connection unit 120 shown as a whole is the same structure as the terminal connection unit 10 of embodiment 1, but the structure of the telescopic part 122 is different. Specifically, the telescopic part 122 of embodiment 2 is composed of a braided wire formed by braiding a plurality of metal wires. The braiding form of the plurality of metal wires is not limited, and the braiding, weaving, and weaving forms known in the past such as braiding, weaving, and weaving can be used. In embodiment 2, the telescopic part 122a in the most extended state and the telescopic part 122b in the most contracted state are also shown. In the following description, in the drawings, the same figure marks as those in embodiment 1 are added to the parts or locations that are substantially the same as those in embodiment 1, and the detailed description is omitted.

[0094] The stretchable portion 122 made of the braided wire is also stretchable in the front-rear direction, which is the first direction. Therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0095] <Other Implementation Methods>

[0096] The technology described in this specification is not limited to the embodiments described in the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the technology described in this specification.

[0097] (1) In the above embodiment, the telescopic portions 68 and 122 are configured to have a curved shape that projects downward in the most extended state (telescopic portions 68a and 122a), and from this state, they contract to further project downward. For example, the telescopic portions may be configured to have a curved shape that projects upward in the most extended state, and from this state, they contract to further project upward.

[0098] (2) In the above embodiment, the fastening member accommodated in the fastening member receiving portion 92 is a nut 94. However, the fastening member accommodated in the fastening member receiving portion may also be, for example, a bolt protruding upward. In this case, the head of the bolt can be fixed to the fastening member receiving portion having the same structure as in the above embodiment by engaging the protrusions and recesses. The member accommodated in the receiving recess 44 may also be a bolt instead of the nut 46.

[0099] (3) In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 20 is freely displaceable relative to the support portion 16 in the front-rear direction. However, for example, the mounting portion may be fixed relative to the support portion at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction.

[0100] (4) The shape of the support portion can be changed depending on the positional relationship of surrounding components and is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment. The shapes of the fixing portion and the connecting portion of the current-carrying component are not limited to being rectangular when viewed from above and can be appropriately set depending on the shape of the support portion.

[0101] (5) In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 20 and the terminal fitting 110 are provided with the engaging recess 90 and the engaging protrusion 112, but these are not essential. In the above embodiment, the vertical wall portion 82 protrudes obliquely upward, but it may also protrude straight upward. In the present disclosure, the vertical wall portion 82 is not essential.

[0102] (6) The terminal connection unit of the present disclosure may be provided at a connection location of an external electric wire in an electric connection box having a housing containing conducting components, in addition to the terminal block structure as in the above embodiment.

[0103] (7) In the above embodiment, for ease of understanding, the wires 12a and 12b of different lengths and the conducting members 14a and 14b of different lengths corresponding to the wires 12a and 12b are shown. The conducting members provided in the terminal connection unit of the present disclosure do not need to be two, but may be one or more.

[0104] Description of Reference Numerals

[0105] 10-terminal connection unit

[0106] 12, 12a, 12b wires

[0107] 14, 14a, 14b: Energized parts

[0108] 16 Support

[0109] 18 Connection

[0110] 20 Installation

[0111] 22 Upper terminal block

[0112] 24 Lower terminal block

[0113] 26 Upper bottom wall

[0114] 28 surrounding wall

[0115] 30 Support surface

[0116] 32 Assembly surface

[0117] 34 through holes

[0118] 36 Positioning protrusion insertion portion

[0119] 38 ribs

[0120] 39 Lower protrusion

[0121] 40 recess

[0122] 42 curved wall

[0123] 44 Containment recess

[0124] 46 Nut

[0125] 47 Holding cylinder

[0126] 48 Transformation Permit Space

[0127] 50, 52 inclined surface

[0128] 54 through holes

[0129] 56 bottom wall

[0130] 58 surrounding wall

[0131] 60 upper protrusion

[0132] 62 curved wall

[0133] 64 Bolt insertion holes

[0134] 66 fixed part

[0135] 68, 68a, 68b telescopic part

[0136] 70 through hole

[0137] 72 Positioning recess

[0138] 74 through holes

[0139] 76 retaining parts

[0140] 78 fixing plate

[0141] 79 bottom

[0142] 80 retaining plate

[0143] 82 longitudinal wall

[0144] 84 front opening

[0145] 86 rear opening

[0146] 87 Anterior wall

[0147] 88 Positioning convex part

[0148] 90 engagement recess

[0149] 92 Fastening component receiving portion

[0150] 94 Nut (fastening component)

[0151] 95 retaining tube

[0152] 96 Transformation Permit Space

[0153] 98, 100 inclined surface

[0154] 101 through hole

[0155] 102 positioning protrusion

[0156] 104 Connection

[0157] 106 guide plate

[0158] 108 fixing bolts

[0159] 110 terminal accessories

[0160] 112 engagement protrusion

[0161] 114 fixing bolts

[0162] 120 terminal connection unit

[0163] 122, 122a, 122b telescopic portion.

Claims

1. A terminal connection unit comprising: a conducting member having a connection portion to which a terminal fitting provided at an end of an electric wire is connected; and a supporting portion fixedly supporting the conducting component, The energizing component has: a fixing portion fixed to the supporting portion; and The telescopic portion connects the connecting portion and the fixing portion and is flexible in a first direction. The support portion has a mounting portion for mounting the connecting portion and capable of displacement in the first direction. The support portion has a through hole extending in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the through hole is long in the first direction. The mounting portion has: a retaining member for retaining the connecting portion; a long locking plate, arranged facing the bottom surface of the retaining member with a gap therebetween; and A connecting portion connects the locking plate to the bottom surface, The locking plate can be inserted through the through hole in a state in which the locking plate is oriented so that the longitudinal direction thereof becomes the first direction. When the locking plate has passed through the through hole, the retaining member can be rotated so that the longitudinal direction becomes a direction orthogonal to the first direction, thereby assembling the mounting portion in a standard position relative to the support portion. In the standard position of the mounting portion, the locking plate is assembled to engage with the peripheral edge of the through hole so that the mounting portion cannot be separated from the support portion and can be displaced in the first direction.

2. The terminal connection unit according to claim 1, wherein The expansion and contraction portion of the current-carrying member is formed by a laminated bus bar formed by laminating a plurality of metal flat plates.

3. The terminal connection unit according to claim 1, wherein The expansion and contraction portion of the current-carrying member is formed of a braided wire.

4. The terminal connection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The mounting portion is assembled relative to the supporting portion so as to be freely displaceable in the first direction.

5. The terminal connection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The supporting portion has a recess for accommodating the telescopic portion.

6. The terminal connection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The support portion has a support surface that supports the fixing portion of the conducting member, and the connection portion of the mounting portion is mounted at a position below the support surface.

7. The terminal connection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The mounting portion includes a fastening member receiving portion for receiving a fastening member.

8. The terminal connection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: A positioning protrusion is protrudingly provided on the peripheral edge of the locking plate, and a positioning protrusion insertion portion is provided on the peripheral edge of the through hole.

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