Terminal block

Abstract

The invention provides a terminal block capable of reducing the load of a housing from a nut. A terminal block (1) is provided with: a bus bar having a through-hole; a nut (4) having a threaded hole (4h); a housing (2) having a holding part for holding the bus bar and a recess (23) for holding the nut with the threaded hole facing the through hole; and a bolt screwed to the nut housed in the recess, the shape of the nut being a rectangle having a long side (41) and a short side (42) when viewed from the direction of the central axis (4x) of the threaded hole, the threaded hole being disposed so as to be offset from the center of the nut toward one side in the direction along the long side. The recess has a locking surface (23a) that faces the long side and restricts the rotation of the nut.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a terminal block. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technique of fastening two conductive members together using a nut and a bolt. A housing having a nut holding portion that holds a nut is disclosed in Patent Literature 1. A terminal portion of a conductor held by the housing is fastened together with a terminal of the other party by a bolt and a nut.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-89881 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] When the bolt is screwed with the nut, the housing and the nut abut to restrict the rotation of the nut. At this time, if the load received by the housing from the nut is large, it is necessary to increase the wall thickness of the housing, leading to the large size of the housing.

[0008] An object of the present application is to provide a terminal block capable of reducing the load received by the housing from the nut.

[0009] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] The terminal block of the present application is characterized by comprising: a bus bar having a through-hole; a nut having a threaded hole; a housing having a holding portion that holds the bus bar; and a recess portion that holds the nut with the threaded hole and the through-hole facing each other; and a bolt that is screwed with the nut housed in the recess portion, the shape of the nut as viewed from the direction of the center axis of the threaded hole is a rectangle having a long side and a short side, the threaded hole is arranged offset to one side in the direction along the long side with respect to the center of the nut, and the recess portion has an engagement surface that faces the long side and restricts the rotation of the nut.

[0011] EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In the terminal block of the present application, the shape of the nut is a rectangle having a long side and a short side, and the threaded hole is arranged offset to one side in the direction along the long side with respect to the center of the nut. The recess portion that holds the nut has an engagement surface that faces the long side and restricts the rotation of the nut. According to the terminal block of the present application, by reducing the inclination angle of the long side with respect to the engagement surface, the effect of being able to reduce the load received by the housing from the nut is achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a terminal block of an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a terminal block of an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a housing of an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 is a front view of a housing of an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 is a sectional view of a housing of an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 is a top view of a nut of an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a nut of an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 is a front view of a housing holding a nut of an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9 is a sectional view of a housing holding a nut of an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 10 is a sectional view of a terminal block of an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 11 is a sectional view of a terminal block of an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 12 is a sectional view of a terminal block of an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 13 is a sectional view of a terminal block of an embodiment.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0027] 1: terminal block

[0028] 2: housing, 2c: collar

[0029] 3: bus bar, 3a, 3b: bent portion

[0030] 4: nut

[0031] 4a: front face, 4b: rear surface, 4c: center, 4h: threaded hole, 4x: center axis

[0032] 5: bolt

[0033] 6: gasket

[0034] 7: retainer

[0035] 20: Main body, 21: Supporting wall

[0036] 22: Through hole; 22a: Receiving part; 22b: Holding part; 22c: Opening part

[0037] 23: Recess, 23a: Locking surface, 23b: Supporting surface, 23c: Bottom surface

[0038] 24: Reception Hole

[0039] 31: First terminal portion; 31a: Through hole; 32: Second terminal portion; 32a: Through hole

[0040] 40: Main body, 41: Long side, 42: Short side, 43: Protrusion

[0041] 110: Terminal

[0042] LD: Long side direction, SD: Short side direction

[0043] P1, P2, P3, P4: Contact points

[0044] X: First direction, Y: Second direction, Z: Third direction Detailed Implementation

[0045] Hereinafter, the terminal block of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include elements readily conceived by those skilled in the art or substantially the same elements.

[0046] [Example]

[0047] Reference Figures 1 to 13 The following describes an embodiment. This embodiment relates to a terminal block. Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the terminal block in the embodiment. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block in the embodiment. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the housing in the embodiment. Figure 4 This is a front view of the housing in the embodiment. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the housing in the embodiment. Figure 6 This is a top view of the nut in the embodiment. Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the nut in the embodiment. Figure 8 This is the front view of the housing that holds the nut. Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the housing that holds the nut. Figures 10 to 13 This is a cross-sectional view of the terminal block in the embodiment. Figure 5 Show Figure 4 The VV section. Figure 9 Show Figure 8 The IX-IX section. In Figure 13The middle shows Figure 9 Section XIII-XIII.

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, the terminal block 1 in this embodiment has a housing 2 and three busbars 3. The busbars 3 electrically connect, for example, a first device and a second device. The two devices can also be a motor and an inverter mounted on a vehicle. The housing 2 is fixed to the frame of the first device, for example. The first terminal portion 31 of the busbar 3 is connected to the terminal 110 of the first device.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, the terminal block 1 has a nut 4 held by the housing 2 and a bolt 5 that engages with the nut 4. The busbar 3 and the terminal 110 are fastened by the nut 4 and the bolt 5. The terminal block 1 in this embodiment is configured to reduce the load on the housing 2 when the bolt 5 is engaged with the nut 4.

[0050] Busbar 3 is formed of a conductive metal plate. For example... Figure 2 As shown, each busbar 3 has a first terminal portion 31 and a second terminal portion 32. The first terminal portion 31 is one end of the busbar 3 along its length. The second terminal portion 32 is the other end of the busbar 3 along its length. Both the first terminal portion 31 and the second terminal portion 32 have a flat plate shape. Circular through holes 31a and 32a are provided in the first terminal portion 31 and the second terminal portion 32.

[0051] The busbar 3 has curved portions 3a and 3b formed between the first terminal portion 31 and the second terminal portion 32. The busbar 3 is bent at right angles at the two curved portions 3a and 3b respectively. The two curved portions 3a and 3b are formed such that the two terminal portions 31 and 32 protrude in opposite directions. The first terminal portion 31 is connected to the terminal 110 of the first device, and the second terminal portion 32 is connected to the terminal of the second device, etc.

[0052] The housing 2 is a component having a retaining portion for holding the busbar 3 and a recess 23 for holding the nut 4. The housing 2 is molded, for example, from an insulating synthetic resin. The housing 2 has a main body 20 and a supporting wall 21. The main body 20 is the part fixed relative to the first device and has a generally flat shape. Metal collars 2c are disposed at both ends of the main body 20. The housing 2 is fixed to the first device by bolts inserted into the collars 2c.

[0053] The support wall 21 is erected vertically from the main body 20 along its thickness direction. Multiple busbars 3 are inserted into the housing 2, penetrating both the main body 20 and the support wall 21. The housing 2 holds the multiple busbars 3 side-by-side. In this specification, the direction in which the busbars 3 are inserted relative to the housing 2 is referred to as the first direction X, and the arrangement direction of the multiple busbars 3 in the housing 2 is referred to as the second direction Y. Furthermore, the direction orthogonal to both the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as the third direction Z. The third direction Z is the thickness direction of the busbars 3 held by the housing 2. Bolts 5 are screwed onto nuts 4 held by the housing 2 along the third direction Z.

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown, the support wall 21 protrudes from the main body 20 along the first direction X. The width direction of the support wall 21 is the second direction Y, and the thickness direction of the support wall 21 is the third direction Z. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the shape of the support wall 21 when viewed from a third-party perspective (Z) is approximately rectangular.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, the support wall 21 is provided with three through holes 22 and three recesses 23. The three through holes 22 and three recesses 23 are arranged at intervals along the second direction Y. The three through holes 22 open at the recesses 20a of the main body 20.

[0056] like Figure 5 As shown, the through hole 22 penetrates the housing 2 along the first direction X. One end of the through hole 22 opens at the recess 20a of the main body 20. The recess 20a opens toward the side opposite to the support wall 21. The through hole 22 has a receiving portion 22a and a retaining portion 22b. The receiving portion 22a is the portion that receives the gasket 6 installed on the busbar 3. Figure 2 As shown, a retainer 7 and an annular gasket 6 are installed on the busbar 3. Multiple busbars 3 are inserted into a retainer 7. The retainer 7 holds three busbars 3 side by side.

[0057] Gasket 6 is disposed between the first terminal portion 31 and the retainer 7. The busbar unit, including the busbar 3, the retainer 7, and gasket 6, is inserted into the housing 2 with the first terminal portion 31 at the front. At this time, the retainer 7 is received in the recess 20a of the main body 20 while supporting the end face of the gasket 6, and the gasket 6 is inserted into the receiving portion 22a. Gasket 6 seals the wall of the receiving portion 22a between the busbar 3 and the busbar 3.

[0058] Figure 5The retaining portion 22b shown is the part that retains the busbar 3. Each busbar 3 is held by a corresponding retaining portion 22b. The busbar 3 can also be pressed into the retaining portion 22b. The retaining portion 22b has, for example, ribs for retaining the busbar 3. In this case, the ribs protrude Z-directly from the inner wall of the retaining portion 22b towards a third side. The ribs for retaining the busbar 3 can also be crushing ribs.

[0059] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the recess 23 is disposed at the end portion of the support wall 21 in the first direction X. In other words, the recess 23 is disposed at the end portion of the support wall 21 on the side away from the main body 20. The housing 2 of this embodiment has three recesses 23 arranged in the second direction Y. The recesses 23 open toward the third direction Z. When viewed from the third direction Z, the shape of the recess 23 is a rectangle having a long side along the first direction X.

[0060] The recess 23 has a pair of locking surfaces 23a, a pair of opposing surfaces 23b, and a bottom surface 23c. The pair of locking surfaces 23a and the pair of opposing surfaces 23b form a rectangular frame for receiving the nut 4. The pair of locking surfaces 23a are opposite to each other in the second direction Y. The pair of opposing surfaces 23b are opposite to each other in the first direction X. The locking surface 23a is the long side of the rectangular frame, and the opposing surface 23b is the short side of the rectangular frame. The locking surfaces 23a and the opposing surfaces 23b are opposite to the side surface of the nut 4. The bottom surface 23c is a surface that supports the end face of the nut 4 inserted into the recess 23. The bottom surface 23c is connected to the locking surfaces 23a and the opposing surfaces 23b to form the bottom surface of the receiving chamber for receiving the nut 4.

[0061] A receiving hole 24 connected to the recess 23 is provided in the support wall 21. The receiving hole 24 opens in the bottom surface 23c of the recess 23 and extends through the support wall 21 along the third direction Z. The cross-sectional shape of the receiving hole 24 in the plane orthogonal to the third direction Z is circular. The receiving hole 24 is positioned at the end of the support wall 21 closer to the center of the recess 23. That is, the receiving hole 24 is offset away from the center position of the recess 23 in the first direction X from the main body 20.

[0062] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the through hole 22 has an opening 22c. The first terminal portion 31 of the busbar 3 protrudes from the opening 22c into the external space. The opening 22c is disposed adjacent to an opposing surface 23b of the recess 23. The first terminal portion 31 protruding from the opening 22c is opposed to the bottom surface 23c of the recess 23 in the third direction Z.

[0063] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the nut 4 in this embodiment is rectangular in shape. More specifically, as... Figure 7As shown, the nut 4 has a rectangular body 40 and a protrusion 43. The body 40 has a generally cuboid shape. The nut 4 has a threaded hole 4h that passes through the body 40 and the protrusion 43.

[0064] The main body 40, when viewed from the direction of the central axis 4x of the threaded hole 4h, is a rectangle with a long side 41 and a short side 42. The four corners of the main body 40 are chamfered. The main body 40 has a front surface 4a and a rear surface 4b. The front surface 4a is one of the two main surfaces of the main body 40. The front surface 4a faces the busbar 3 and the terminal 110 on the opposite side. The rear surface 4b is the other of the two main surfaces of the main body 40. The rear surface 4b faces the bottom surface 23c of the recess 23.

[0065] like Figure 6 As shown, the body 40 of the nut 4 has a long side 41 in the direction of the long side direction LD and a short side 42 in the direction of the short side direction SD. The long side direction LD and the short side direction SD are orthogonal. The threaded hole 4h is offset to one side in the long side direction LD relative to the center 4c of the body 40. The center 4c of the nut 4 is the central position of the body 40 in the long side direction LD and the short side direction SD. The central axis 4x of the threaded hole 4h is offset in the long side direction LD relative to the center 4c. That is, in the long side direction LD, the distance L1 from the central axis 4x to one short side 42 is longer than the distance L2 from the central axis 4x to the other short side 42.

[0066] like Figure 7 As shown, the protrusion 43 has a cylindrical shape. The protrusion 43 protrudes from the rear surface 4b of the nut 4. The protrusion 43 is concentrically positioned with the central axis 4x of the threaded hole 4h. A threaded groove corresponding to the bolt 5 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the protrusion 43. That is, the threaded hole 4h is formed in both the body 40 and the protrusion 43.

[0067] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the nut 4 is received in the recess 23 of the housing 2. The nut 4 is inserted into the recess 23 such that the long side 41 of the body 40 is opposite to the locking surface 23a of the recess 23. The short side 42 of the body 40 is opposite to the opposing surface 23b of the recess 23. The body 40 can also be pressed into the recess 23.

[0068] like Figure 9As shown, the protrusion 43 of the nut 4 is inserted into the receiving hole 24 of the support wall 21. In the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, misassembly of the nut 4 is suppressed. When the nut 4 is inserted into the recess 23 in an upside-down state, the front surface 4a of the nut 4 faces the bottom surface 23c of the recess 23. In this case, the protrusion 43 protrudes outward from the recess 23. As a result, when the busbar 3 is inserted into the through hole 22, the protrusion 43 interferes with the busbar 3, thereby detecting misassembly of the nut 4.

[0069] Figure 10 The busbar 3 is shown being held by the housing 2. The holding portion 22b of the housing 2 holds the busbar 3. The retainer 7 is inserted into the recess of the main body 20 to position the busbar 3 in the first direction X. The first terminal portion 31 of the busbar 3 is opposite to the nut 4 and the recess 23 in the third direction Z. The through hole 31a of the first terminal portion 31 is opposite to the threaded hole 4h of the nut 4.

[0070] exist Figure 11 The diagram shows a terminal block 1 fixed to a frame 120 of the first device 100. The main body 20 of the housing 2 is sealed to the frame 120 by an annular face seal 2p. A first terminal portion 31 is housed within the internal space of the frame 120. A terminal 110 of the first device 100 is positioned opposite the first terminal portion 31 and the nut 4. A through hole 110a of the terminal 110 is opposite to a through hole 31a and a threaded hole 4h in the third direction Z. A bolt 5 is inserted through the two through holes 110a and 31a and screwed into the threaded hole 4h of the nut 4.

[0071] exist Figure 12 The image shows bolt 5 fastened to nut 4. (Example) Figure 12 As shown, the terminal 110 and the first terminal 31 are fastened together using bolts 5 and nuts 4. The busbar 3 is fixed to the terminal 110, electrically connecting the first device 100 and the second device.

[0072] In this embodiment, the recess 23 is configured to overcome the torque received from the bolt 5 and limit the rotation of the nut 4. Figure 13 The diagram shows the contact points P1, P2, P3, and P4 where the recess 23 abuts against the nut 4. When the bolt 5 and nut 4 are screwed together, a torque T1 acts on the nut 4. The torque T1 is the torque about the central axis 4x of the threaded hole 4h. The recess 23 can restrict the rotation of the nut 4 through the contact points P1 and P2.

[0073] The abutment part P1 is where the locking surface 23a abuts against one long side 41 of the nut 4. The abutment part P2 is where the other locking surface 23a abuts against the other long side 41 of the nut 4. Of the two abutment parts P1 and P2, the abutment part P1 is located at a position relatively far from the central axis 4x.

[0074] The nut 4 in this embodiment is rectangular in shape, having a long side 41 and a short side 42. Therefore, the angle of inclination of the long side 41 relative to the locking surface 23a is smaller. The length of the long side 41 is, for example, greater than the length determined by a standard based on the diameter of the threaded hole 4h. The length of the long side 41 is, for example, greater than the reference dimension of one side of a square nut as defined by a standard. In the nut 4, the length of the short side 42 may also be equal to the reference dimension of one side of a square nut as defined by a standard.

[0075] The ratio of the length of the longer side 41 to the length of the shorter side 42 can be 1.1 times or greater than 1.1 times. This ratio can be 1.2 times, 1.3 times, 1.4 times, or other values.

[0076] In this embodiment, the terminal block 1 increases the contact area between the long side 41 of the nut 4 and the housing 2 when the recess 23 restricts the rotation of the nut 4. Therefore, the terminal block 1 in this embodiment can reduce the load on the housing 2 and the stress generated in the housing 2 when the bolt 5 and the nut 4 are screwed together.

[0077] Furthermore, in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, the central axis 4x of the threaded hole 4h is offset in the length direction LD relative to the center 4c of the nut 4. Therefore, the distance L3 from the central axis 4x to the abutment portion P1 in the first direction X can be increased. As a result, the inclination angle of the long side 41 relative to the locking surface 23a becomes smaller. For example, compared to the case where the central axis 4x is located at the center 4c of the nut 4, the inclination angle of the long side 41 relative to the locking surface 23a is smaller.

[0078] Furthermore, in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, since the distance L3 is longer, the reaction force required at the contact point P1 to limit the rotation of the nut 4 can be reduced. Thus, in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, by using a rectangular nut 4, the load on the housing 2 when the bolt 5 is screwed into the nut 4 can be reduced.

[0079] Furthermore, the recess 23 in this embodiment can also restrict the rotation of the nut 4 through the abutting portions P3 and P4. Abutting portion P3 is a portion where an opposing surface 23b abuts against one short side 42 of the nut 4. Abutting portion P4 is a portion where another opposing surface 23b abuts against the other short side 42 of the nut 4. Therefore, the recess 23 in this embodiment can restrict the rotation of the nut 4 through four abutting portions P1, P2, P3, and P4.

[0080] Furthermore, the recess 23 in this embodiment can also limit the rotation of the nut 4 relative to a torque in the opposite direction to the torque T1. In this case, the load on the housing 2 when the bolt 5 rotates relative to the nut 4 in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment can also be reduced. That is, the recess 23 in this embodiment can reduce the load on the housing 2 both when the nut 4 and the bolt 5 are tightened together and when the nut 4 and the bolt 5 are loosened.

[0081] As described above, the terminal block 1 of this embodiment includes: a busbar 3 having a through hole 31a; a nut 4 having a threaded hole 4h; a housing 2; and a bolt 5. The housing 2 has a retaining portion 22b and a recess 23 for retaining the busbar 3. The recess 23 holds the nut 4 by aligning the threaded hole 4h with the through hole 31a. The bolt 5 engages with the nut 4 housed in the recess 23.

[0082] The nut 4, when viewed from the direction of the central axis 4x of the threaded hole 4h, is a rectangle with a long side 41 and a short side 42. The threaded hole 4h is offset relative to the center 4c of the nut 4, positioned to one side along the direction of the long side 41. The recess 23 has a locking surface 23a opposite to the long side 41 and restricting the rotation of the nut 4. The terminal block 1 of this embodiment can reduce the load on the housing 2 when the bolt 5 is screwed into the nut 4. By reducing the load on the housing 2, the wall thickness of the housing can be reduced, thereby miniaturizing the housing 2.

[0083] The nut 4 in this embodiment has: a rectangular body 40 having a long side 41 and a short side 42; and a protrusion 43 protruding from the body 40 in a direction toward the central axis 4x. A threaded hole 4h is formed in the body 40 and the protrusion 43. The housing 2 has a receiving hole 24 opening in the recess 23. The nut 4 is received in the recess 23 with the protrusion 43 inserted into the receiving hole 24. With this structure, misassembly of the nut 4 relative to the housing 2 is suppressed.

[0084] When the nut 4 does not have the protrusion 43, the nut 4 can be inserted into the recess 23 in a posture different from the normal posture. For example, in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, as Figure 8 As shown, the proper orientation of the nut 4 is with the threaded hole 4h located at the end of the support wall 21. Without the protrusion 43, the nut 4 could potentially be received in the recess 23 with the threaded hole 4h located closer to the body 20. In contrast, the nut 4 with the protrusion 43 can prevent such misassembly beforehand.

[0085] Furthermore, the nut 4 with the protrusion 43 can position the center of the torque received from the bolt 5. By inserting the protrusion 43 into the receiving hole 24 of the housing 2, the rotation center of the nut 4 is positioned. The housing 2 can also hold the protrusion 43 in such a way that it restricts the rotation of the nut 4 mainly at the abutment portion P1 among the multiple abutment portions.

[0086] Furthermore, the number of busbars 3 in the terminal block 1 is not limited to the three in the example. The number of nuts 4, bolts 5, and recesses 23 is determined by the number of busbars 3.

[0087] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be appropriately combined to perform the tasks.

Claims

1. A terminal block, characterized in that, have: A busbar having a through hole; Nut, the nut having a threaded hole; A housing having a retaining portion for holding the manifold; and a recess for holding the nut by aligning the threaded hole with the through hole; and A bolt, which engages with a nut received in the recess. When viewed from the direction of the central axis of the threaded hole, the nut is rectangular with a long side and a short side. The threaded hole is offset relative to the center of the nut, positioned to one side along the long side, and The recess has a locking surface opposite the long side and restricts the rotation of the nut.

2. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nut has: a rectangular body having a long side and a short side; and a protrusion extending from the body toward the central axis. The threaded hole is formed in the body and the protrusion. The housing has a receiving hole that opens in the recess, and The nut is received in the recess with the protrusion inserted into the receiving hole.

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