Terminal block and bus connection structure

Abstract

The problem addressed by the present invention is that of simply integrating the peripheral structure of a bus bar connection part. In order to solve the problem, the terminal block of the present invention supports a bus bar connection part which is a connection part between a plurality of bus bars. The terminal block comprises a terminal block main body which is an insulator, a heat transfer part which is an electric conductor, and a protruding part which is an insulator. The terminal block main body can be fastened to a base body which is an electric conductor from the Z + side. The heat transfer portion is attached to the terminal block main body so as to be exposed from both sides of the terminal block main body in the Z direction. The bus bar connection portion may be fastened to the Z +-side end of the heat transfer portion. The protruding part protrudes in the X direction from the terminal block main body and can be fastened to the base body. A heat transfer sheet, which is an insulator, may be interposed between the heat transfer section and the base. Between the protruding part and the base body, a bus bar different from the plurality of bus bars and a heat transfer sheet, which is an insulator, may be interposed in this order from the Z + side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal block for supporting a connection portion between a plurality of bus bars, and a bus bar connection structure using the terminal block. Background Art

[0002] In a busbar connection structure, a connection portion between busbars is sometimes electrically insulated from a cooling portion and physically connected for cooling.

[0003] [Prior Art Literature]

[0004] [Patent Document]

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6623392 Summary of the Invention

[0006] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0007] While this busbar connection structure can cool the busbar connection, it only cools a portion of that connection. Therefore, if cooling is also required for other busbars located near the busbar connection, separate cooling structures must be installed for these busbars. This complicates the structure surrounding the busbar connection.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to simplify and integrate the peripheral structure of the connection portion between busbars.

[0009] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0010] The inventors discovered that by using a terminal block for supporting the connection between busbars to press a portion of the other busbars against the heat transfer plate, the surrounding structure of the busbar connection can be simplified and integrated, leading to the completion of the present invention. The present invention comprises the following terminal blocks (1) to (3) and busbar connection structures (4) and (5).

[0011] (1) A terminal block for supporting a busbar connecting portion serving as a connecting portion between a plurality of busbars, comprising:

[0012] The terminal block body is an insulator and is configured to be fastened to the base body is a conductor from the Z+ side, where the Z+ side is one side in a specific Z direction;

[0013] A heat transfer portion of a conductor, which is mounted on the terminal block body in a manner exposed from both sides of the terminal block body in the Z direction, and can be fastened to the busbar connecting portion at the end on the Z+ side; and

[0014] The protrusion of the insulator protrudes from the terminal block body in the X direction orthogonal to the Z direction and is configured to be fastened to the base; and

[0015] The terminal block is configured to sandwich a heat transfer sheet as an insulator between the heat transfer portion and the base.

[0016] The structure is such that a bus bar different from the plurality of bus bars and a heat transfer sheet which is an insulator can be interposed between the protruding portion and the base body in order from the Z+ side.

[0017] With this structure, the protrusions on the terminal block supporting the busbar connection allow portions of other busbars to be pressed against the heat transfer fins for cooling. Consequently, the terminal block supporting the busbar connection and the pressing member pressing portions of other busbars against the heat transfer fins can be integrated into a single component. This simplifies and consolidates the surrounding structure of the busbar connections.

[0018] (2) The terminal block according to (1), wherein the terminal block body extends in a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction.

[0019] The two side portions of the terminal block body sandwiching the heat transfer portion in the Y direction are configured to be fastened to the base.

[0020] The protrusion protrudes in the X direction from a middle portion of the terminal block body in the Y direction.

[0021] According to this structure, the terminal block is fixed to the base in a balanced manner by fixing the two side portions of the terminal block body sandwiching the heat transfer portion in the Y direction and the protrusion protruding from the middle portion in the Y direction to the X direction.

[0022] (3) The terminal block according to (1) or (2), wherein the terminal block body and the protruding portion are formed integrally.

[0023] According to this configuration, the structure of the terminal block can be simplified.

[0024] (4) A busbar connection structure comprising the terminal block according to any one of (1) to (3),

[0025] A heat transfer sheet as an insulator is interposed between the heat transfer portion and the base.

[0026] A bus bar different from the plurality of bus bars and a heat transfer sheet as an insulator are interposed between the protruding portion and the base body in order from the Z+ side.

[0027] According to the busbar connection structure of this structure, similar to the terminal block of (1) above, the peripheral structure of the busbar connection portion can be simplified and integrated.

[0028] (5) The busbar connection structure according to (4) above, wherein a portion of a specific heat transfer sheet is interposed between the heat transfer portion and the base.

[0029] Another portion of the specific heat transfer sheet is interposed between the protrusion and the base.

[0030] According to this structure, the heat transfer sheet interposed between the heat transfer portion and the base and the heat transfer sheet interposed between the protrusion and the base are integrated into one specific heat transfer sheet, thereby reducing the number of parts in the busbar connection structure.

[0031] (Effects of the Invention)

[0032] As described above, according to the structures of (1) and (4), the peripheral structure of the busbar connection portion can be simplified and integrated. Furthermore, according to the structures of (2), (3) and (5) cited from (1) or (4), respective additional effects can be obtained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the terminal block and its surroundings according to the first embodiment.

[0034] Figure 2 It is a plan view showing the terminal block and its surroundings.

[0035] Figure 3 It is a plan view showing a state where a busbar connecting portion is attached to a terminal block.

[0036] Figure 4 It is shown along Figure 3 Figure 2 is a cross-section of the fg4-fg4 line.

[0037] Figure 5 It is shown along Figure 3 Figure 1 is a cross-section of the fg5-fg5 line.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing a terminal block and its surroundings in a comparative form. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of the present invention.

[0040] [First embodiment]

[0041] Figure 1The busbar connection structure 50 of the present embodiment shown is a structure for holding four busbars B1 to B4. Hereinafter, three specific directions orthogonal to each other are referred to as "X direction", "Y direction" and "Z direction". In addition, one side of the X direction is referred to as the "X- side", and the opposite side is referred to as the "X+ side". In addition, one side of the Y direction is referred to as the "Y- side", and the opposite side is referred to as the "Y+ side". In addition, one side of the Z direction is referred to as the "Z- side", and the opposite side is referred to as the "Z+ side". In addition, in the present embodiment, the "Z+ side" is the "upper side" and the "Z- side" is the "lower side". Thus, the X direction and the Y direction are horizontal directions.

[0042] Four busbars B1~B4, Figure 2 The four busbars B1 to B4 are all conductors used to electrically connect a specific part to other parts. Figure 3 As shown, one end of the first busbar B1 and one end of the second busbar B2 are electrically connected to each other. Hereinafter, the electrically connected portion of the first busbar B1 and the second busbar B2 is referred to as a "busbar connection portion Bc."

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the busbar connection structure 50 includes a terminal block 30 and a heat transfer sheet 40. The heat transfer sheet 40 is an insulator sheet and is provided along the Z+ side surface of the substrate 70 which is a conductor. The terminal block 30 is provided closer to the Z+ side than the heat transfer sheet 40. Figure 3 As shown, the terminal block 30 is a component for supporting the busbar connecting portion Bc.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 3 , the terminal block 30 includes a terminal block body 32a, a protruding portion 32b, and a heat transfer portion 35. Figure 5 As shown, the terminal block 30 includes a first fastening portion 34 and a second fastening portion 36, and as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, it includes a third fastening portion 38. Hereinafter, the first fastening portion 34, the second fastening portion 36, and the third fastening portion 38 are referred to as "fastening portions 34, 36, 38."

[0045] Figure 1 The terminal block main body 32a and the protruding portion 32b shown are made of an insulating material such as resin and are integrally formed. Figure 4 、 Figure 5 The heat transfer portion 35 and the three fastening portions 34 , 36 , and 38 shown are conductive materials such as metal.

[0046] like Figure 5As shown, the terminal block body 32a extends in the Y direction. The first fastening portion 34, the heat transfer portion 35, and the second fastening portion 36 are attached to the terminal block body 32a in this order from the Y- side to the Y+ side so as to be exposed on both sides in the Z direction.

[0047] The first fastening portion 34 and the second fastening portion 36 are provided with bolt through-holes 34h and 36h extending in the Z direction. Thus, the first fastening portion 34 and the second fastening portion 36 can be fastened to the base 70 using bolts bt on both sides of the terminal block body 32a that sandwich the heat transfer portion 35 in the Y direction. Furthermore, these first fastening portion 34 and the second fastening portion 36 are actually fastened to the base 70 using bolts bt.

[0048] The heat transfer section 35 is provided with a female threaded hole 35h that opens toward the Z+ side. Therefore, the heat transfer section 35 is configured so that the busbar connection portion Bc can be fastened to the Z+ side end portion thereof using bolts bt. Furthermore, the busbar connection portion Bc is actually fastened to the Z+ side end portion of the heat transfer section 35 using bolts bt.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 3 , the protrusion 32 b protrudes from the middle portion of the terminal block body 32 a in the Y direction toward the X-side. Figure 4 As shown, a third fastening portion 38 is attached to the X-side end of the protrusion 32b, exposed on both sides in the Z direction. Bolt holes 38h extending through the third fastening portion 38 in the Z direction are provided. Thus, the third fastening portion 38 can be fastened to the base 70 at the X-side end of the protrusion 32b using bolts bt. Furthermore, the third fastening portion 38 is actually fastened to the base 70 using bolts bt.

[0050] like Figure 5 As shown, a heat transfer sheet 40 is interposed between the heat transfer portion 35 and the base 70. Thus, the busbar connection portion Bc, which is a conductor, is connected to the base 70, which is a conductor, via the heat transfer portion 35, which is a conductor, and the heat transfer sheet 40, which is an insulator, in a manner that allows for electrical insulation and thermal conductivity.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, the third busbar B3 and the heat transfer sheet 40 are interposed in order from the Z+ side between the portion of the protrusion 32b closer to the X+ side than the third fastening portion 38 and the base 70. Furthermore, the fourth busbar B4 and the heat transfer sheet 40 are interposed in order from the Z+ side between the portion of the protrusion 32b closer to the X+ side than the portion that abuts the third busbar B3 and the base 70. Thus, the third and fourth busbars B3, which are electrical conductors, are connected to the base 70, which is an electrical conductor, via the heat transfer sheet 40, which is an insulator, in a manner that allows for thermal conductivity while being electrically insulated from the base 70.

[0052] Below, from Figure 1 In the state of the present embodiment shown, the protrusion 32b is removed and replaced with Figure 6 The pressing member 39 shown is used as a comparative embodiment. The pressing member 39 is a dedicated member for pressing the third bus bar B3 and the fourth bus bar B4 onto the heat transfer sheet 40.

[0053] The following summarizes the structure and effects of this embodiment in comparison with the comparative embodiment.

[0054] According to this embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, the third busbar B3 and the fourth busbar B4 can be pressed against the heat transfer plate 40 to promote cooling by the protrusion 32b in the terminal block 30 for supporting the busbar connection portion Bc. Figure 6 The terminal block 30 and the pressing member 39 in the comparative embodiment shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the terminal block 30 is integrated into one terminal block 30. Therefore, the peripheral structure of the terminal block 30 can be simplified.

[0055] like Figure 5 As shown, the first fastening portion 34 and the second fastening portion 36 are fastened to the base 70. The first fastening portion 34 and the second fastening portion 36 are located on both sides of the terminal block body 32a sandwiching the heat transfer portion in the Y direction. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 3 , the protrusion 32 b protrudes from the middle portion of the terminal block body 32 a in the Y direction toward the X-side. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 3 , the third fastening portion 38 located at the protruding portion 32b is also fastened to the base 70. By mounting the three fastening portions 34, 36, and 38 arranged in a dispersed manner on the base 70, the Figure 1 As shown, the terminal block 30 is fastened to the base 70 in a balanced manner.

[0056] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 3 , the terminal block body 32 a and the protrusion 32 b are formed integrally. Therefore, the structure of the terminal block 30 can be simplified.

[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, a portion of the heat transfer sheet 40 is interposed between the heat transfer portion 35 and the base 70. Another portion of the heat transfer sheet 40 is interposed between the protrusion 32b and the base 70. By integrating the heat transfer sheet interposed between the heat transfer portion 35 and the base 70 and the heat transfer sheet interposed between the protrusion 32b and the base 70 into a single heat transfer sheet 40, the number of components in the busbar connection structure 50 can be reduced.

[0058] [Other embodiments]

[0059] The above-described embodiment can be modified, for example, in the following manner.

[0060] Figure 1 The Z direction shown may be a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction, and at least one of the X direction and the Y direction may be a direction inclined relative to the horizontal direction. The Z direction may be a horizontal direction, and at least one of the X direction and the Y direction may be a vertical direction.

[0061] Figure 1 The portion of the heat transfer sheet 40 shown interposed between the heat transfer portion 35 and the base 70 and the portion of the heat transfer sheet 40 interposed between the protrusion 32b and the base 70 are separated from each other and may constitute independent heat transfer sheets.

[0062] The fourth busbar B4 may be omitted, and the protrusion 32b may only press the third busbar B3 against the heat transfer plate 40. In addition, the protrusion 32b may press one or more busbars other than the third and fourth busbars B3 and B4 against the heat transfer plate 40.

[0063] Reference numerals

[0064] 30 terminal blocks

[0065] 32a terminal block body

[0066] 32b protrusion

[0067] 35 heat transfer unit

[0068] 40 heat transfer sheets

[0069] 50 busbar connection structure

[0070] 70 base

[0071] B1 first busbar (busbar)

[0072] B2 second busbar (busbar)

[0073] B3 third busbar (another busbar)

[0074] B4 fourth busbar (another busbar)

[0075] Bc busbar connection

Claims

1. A terminal block for supporting a busbar connection portion serving as a connection portion between a plurality of busbars, comprising: The terminal block body is an insulator and is configured to be fastened to the base body is a conductor from the Z+ side, where the Z+ side is one side in a specific Z direction; A heat transfer portion of a conductor, which is mounted on the terminal block body in a manner exposed from both sides of the terminal block body in the Z direction, and can be fastened to the busbar connecting portion at the end on the Z+ side; and The protrusion of the insulator protrudes from the terminal block body in the X direction orthogonal to the Z direction and is configured to be fastened to the base; and The terminal block is configured to sandwich an insulating heat transfer sheet between the heat transfer portion and the base, and is configured to sandwich bus bars different from the plurality of bus bars and an insulating heat transfer sheet between the protruding portion and the base in sequence starting from the Z+ side.

2. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein The terminal block body extends in the Y direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction. The two side portions of the terminal block body sandwiching the heat transfer portion in the Y direction are configured to be fastened to the base. The protrusion protrudes in the X direction from a middle portion of the terminal block body in the Y direction.

3. The terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The terminal block main body and the protruding portion are formed integrally.

4. A busbar connection structure comprising the terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, A heat transfer sheet as an insulator is interposed between the heat transfer portion and the base. A bus bar different from the plurality of bus bars and a heat transfer sheet as an insulator are interposed between the protruding portion and the base body in order from the Z+ side.

5. The busbar connection structure according to claim 4, wherein: A portion of a specific heat transfer sheet is interposed between the heat transfer portion and the base. Another portion of the specific heat transfer sheet is interposed between the protrusion and the base.

Images