connector

Abstract

A connector is provided that can suppress excessive rise in terminal operating temperature without using dedicated heat storage components. The connector (1) includes: a terminal (10); a first busbar (20) connected to the terminal (10); a first fastener (51) for fastening the terminal (10) and the first busbar (20); a second busbar (30) connected to the first busbar (20); a second fastener (52) for fastening the first busbar (20) and the second busbar (30); and a housing (40) for accommodating the terminal (10). The first busbar (20) is thicker at a second position (22) connected to the second busbar (30) by the second fastener (52) than at a first position (21) where it is fastened to the first fastener (51) and connected to the terminal (10). The second position (22) functions as a heat storage part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector comprising terminals, a first busbar, a second busbar fastened to and connected to the first busbar, and a housing for accommodating the terminals. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, in order to supply (charge) power from outside the vehicle to the battery installed in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, a connector for charging the vehicle has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-192482 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] Connectors of the aforementioned types typically require structures defined by various specifications. For example, in actual use, the Joule heat generated in the terminals during energization causes the terminal temperature (so-called operating temperature) to rise. Therefore, from the perspective of connector quality maintenance or safety, the upper limit of the terminal operating temperature is determined by predetermined specifications. Thus, it is conceivable to reduce the temperature rise per unit time by placing a dedicated heat storage component around the terminals to absorb the Joule heat generated during energization, thereby preventing the terminal operating temperature from reaching the specified upper limit even in situations such as fast charging where the heat generated per unit time is particularly high. However, from the perspective of avoiding complicating the connector manufacturing process or reducing production costs, it is desirable to suppress excessive rise in terminal operating temperature without using such a heat storage component.

[0008] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a connector that can suppress excessive rise in terminal operating temperature without using dedicated heat storage components or the like.

[0009] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0010] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the connector of the present invention is characterized as follows.

[0011] A connector includes: a terminal; a first busbar connected to the terminal; a first fastener for securing the terminal and the first busbar; a second busbar connected to the first busbar; a second fastener for securing the first busbar and the second busbar; and a connector housing the terminal.

[0012] In the first bus bar,

[0013] Compared to the thickness of the first busbar at the first position fastened to the first fastener and connected to the terminal, the thickness of the first busbar at the second position fastened to the second fastener and connected to the second busbar is greater.

[0014] The second position functions as a heat storage unit.

[0015] Invention Effects

[0016] According to the connector of the present invention, the plate thickness at the second position of the first busbar connecting to the second busbar is thicker than the plate thickness at the first position of the first busbar connected to the terminal. Furthermore, the second position functions as a heat storage section. Therefore, without using a dedicated heat storage component, by using a portion of the first busbar originally used during power-on (i.e., the second position) as a heat storage section to absorb heat generated in the terminal, even when the heat generated per unit time of the terminal is high, such as during fast charging, a sharp rise in the terminal's operating temperature is suppressed, allowing the terminal's operating temperature to rise gradually. As a result, the terminal's operating temperature can be prevented from reaching a predetermined upper limit. Furthermore, since the plate thickness at the second position is thicker, it is not necessary to provide the mating part (e.g., nut) of the second fastener (e.g., bolt) as a separate component; instead, the part that engages the second fastener (e.g., threaded hole) is located at the second position, thereby reducing the number of components in the connector. Therefore, the connector of the present invention can suppress excessive rise in the terminal's operating temperature without using a dedicated heat storage component, etc.

[0017] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the invention will be further clarified by referring to the accompanying drawings and the following description of the methods for carrying out the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The connector shown is an exploded perspective view.

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A-A sectional view.

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The rear view of the first busbar on the left side is shown.

[0022] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 The rear view of the second busbar shown. Detailed Implementation

[0023] <Implementation Method>

[0024] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 The connector 1 shown is, for example, a charging connector (so-called charging socket) installed in the vehicle for supplying power (charging) to the battery of a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle from outside the vehicle.

[0025] For ease of explanation, the following is an example. Figure 1 As shown, "front-rear direction," "up-down direction," "left-right direction," "front," "rear," "up," "down," "left," and "right" are defined. The "front-rear direction," "up-down direction," and "left-right direction" are orthogonal to each other. The left-right direction coincides with the "first direction" and "second direction" of this invention. The front-rear direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction do not necessarily have to coincide with the front-rear direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction of the vehicle, etc., on which the connector 1 is mounted. The components constituting the connector 1 will now be described in sequence.

[0026] like Figures 1-3 As shown, connector 1 includes: a pair of left and right terminals 10; a pair of first busbars 20 fastened to each of the left and right terminals 10 by a first bolt 51; a pair of second busbars 30 fastened to each of the left and right first busbars 20 by a second bolt 52; and a housing 40 accommodating the pair of left and right terminals 10. In the vehicle-mounted state of connector 1, housing 40 is mounted on a plate-shaped vehicle side component 2 (e.g., a body panel). (See reference...) Figure 1 and Figure 3 Mounting hole 3 (refer to) Figure 3 Thus, connector 1 is fixed to the vehicle. Terminal 10 (also called power terminal) is electrically connected to the mating side terminal (not shown) of the mating side connector (e.g., the so-called charging connector) that engages with connector 1 when the battery is charging, and the second busbar 30 is electrically connected to the battery side. Hereinafter, the configuration of each component constituting connector 1 will be described in sequence.

[0027] First, the terminals 10 will be described. A pair of left and right terminals 10 are held by a pair of left and right terminal holding portions 42, which will be described later, and are provided in the housing 40 (see [reference]). Figure 3 ).like Figure 3 As shown, the metal terminal 10 has a rod-shaped form that extends straight in the front-rear direction as a whole. Specifically, it is composed of a small diameter portion 11 located on the front end side (tip side) and a large diameter portion 12 located on the rear end side (rear end side) of the small diameter portion 11, which is larger than the small diameter portion 11.

[0028] The small diameter portion 11 is connected to the housing 40 and fitted into the cover portion 41 described later (see reference). Figures 1-3 The mating side connector of the mating side has a mating side terminal portion, and is the terminal holding portion 42 of the housing 40 (see reference). Figure 3 The portion retained by the large diameter portion 12. A bolt hole (internal thread hole) 13 is formed on the rear end face of the large diameter portion 12, recessed forward. The first busbar 20 is fastened to the rear end face of the large diameter portion 12 using a first metal bolt 51 screwed into the bolt hole 13 (see reference). Figure 2 and Figure 3 wait).

[0029] Next, the first busbar 20 will be described. The left and right pairs of first busbars 20 are fastened to the left and right pairs of terminals 10 (see reference 10) with their left and right sides facing opposite directions. Figures 1-4 ).like Figures 2-4 As shown, the metal first busbar 20 has a plate-like shape extending in the left and right directions as a whole, and specifically, it is composed of a fastening part 21 located on the inner side in the left and right directions and a main body part 22 located on the outer side in the left and right directions.

[0030] The fastening portion 21 of the first busbar 20 has a generally rectangular flat plate shape extending in the left-right direction. A first through hole 23 is formed in the fastening portion 21, extending in the thickness direction (front-back direction). Figures 2-4 The foot (external thread portion) of the first bolt 51 is inserted into the first insertion hole 23. The first insertion hole 23 has an elongated shape in which the width in the left-right direction is greater than the width in the up-down direction, and is configured such that the position of the first bolt 51 inserted into the first insertion hole 23 can be adjusted in the left-right direction relative to the first insertion hole 23.

[0031] The main body 22 of the first busbar 20 has a generally rectangular flat plate shape that is thicker (thickness in the front-to-back direction) than the plate thickness (thickness in the front-to-back direction) of the fastening part 21 and the second busbar 30, and extends in the left-to-right direction. The thicker main body 22 has a larger heat capacity. Therefore, the main body 22 functions as a heat storage part that actively absorbs the heat generated by the first busbar 20 when energized. In actual use of the charging connector 1, the temperature of the terminal 10 (so-called operating temperature) rises due to Joule heating generated in the terminal 10 when energized. Even when the heat generated by the terminal 10 per unit time is large, such as during fast charging, by absorbing the heat transferred from the terminal 10 to the first busbar 20 with the main body 22 (heat storage part), the rapid rise in the operating temperature of the terminal 10 is suppressed, and the operating temperature of the terminal 10 can rise slowly.

[0032] In the main body 22 of the first busbar 20, a bolt hole (internal thread hole) 24 is formed that extends through in the thickness direction (front-back direction) (see reference). Figures 1-4 At the rear end face of the main body 22, the second busbar 30 is fastened and fixed using a second metal bolt 52 screwed into bolt hole 24 (see reference). Figures 1-3 Since the main body 22 has a larger plate thickness, it is not necessary to provide the mating part (e.g., nut) of the second bolt 52 as a separate part, and the bolt hole 24 (internal thread hole) that is the part that makes the second bolt 52 engage can be provided in the main body 22.

[0033] Next, the second busbar 30 will be described. The pair of left and right second busbars 30, with a gap in the left-right direction and extending in the up-down direction, are respectively fastened and connected to the pair of left and right first busbars 20 (see reference). Figures 1-3 ).like Figures 1-3 and Figure 5 As shown, the metal second busbar 30 has a flat, plate-like shape that extends vertically in the vertical direction. At the upper end of the second busbar 30, a second through-hole 31 is formed, extending through the plate thickness direction (front-back direction). The foot (external threaded portion) of the second bolt 52 is inserted into the second through-hole 31. The second through-hole 31 has an elongated shape, with a width in the left-right direction greater than the width in the vertical direction, and is configured to allow adjustment of the position of the second bolt 52 inserted into the second through-hole 31 in the left-right direction relative to the second through-hole 31.

[0034] Next, the housing 40 will be described. The housing 40 is mounted to the mounting hole 3 of the vehicle side component 2. The housing 40 is a resin molded body, such as... Figures 1-3 As shown, a cylindrical cover 41 with a front opening and extending in the front-rear direction is provided. The cover 41 is the portion for the mating connector to engage. On the rear wall of the cover 41, as shown... Figure 3 As shown, a pair of terminal holding portions 42 are formed, one on the left and one on the right. Each terminal holding portion 42 is specifically a through hole extending in the front-rear direction, through which the rear end of the small-diameter portion 11 of the terminal 10 is inserted and held in the terminal holding portion 42 (see reference). Figure 3 The spacing between the left and right terminal holding portions 42 (i.e., the left and right terminals 10) is set to a value corresponding to the specifications applicable to the connector 1.

[0035] On the rear end face of the rear wall of the blocking cover 41, corresponding to the mounting hole 3 of the vehicle side component 2, a cylindrical part 43 protruding rearward is provided in a manner surrounding a pair of left and right terminal holding parts 42 (see reference). Figure 2 and Figure 3 The cylindrical portion 43 is inserted into and fitted into the mounting hole 3 of the vehicle side component 2 (see reference). Figure 3In the central part of the cylindrical portion 43 in the left-right direction, a flat plate-shaped partition 44 extending in the vertical direction is provided to divide the internal space of the cylindrical portion 43 into two parts in the left-right direction (see reference). Figure 2 and Figure 3 The structure of each component constituting connector 1 has been described above.

[0036] Next, the installation sequence of connector 1 will be explained. To install connector 1, first, a housing 40 is prepared, wherein the spacing between the left and right pair of terminal retaining portions 42 (i.e., the left and right pair of terminals 10) is set to a value corresponding to the specifications applicable to connector 1. This housing 40 is installed from the front onto the vehicle side component 2 (see reference 2). Figure 3 Specifically, the housing 40 is installed on the vehicle side component 2 such that the cylindrical portion 43 of the housing 40 is inserted into and fitted into the mounting hole 3 of the vehicle side component 2, and the outer peripheral edge of the rear wall of the cover portion 41, which is located further outward than the cylindrical portion 43, abuts against the front surface of the vehicle side component 2.

[0037] Next, the left and right pairs of terminals 10 are installed into the housing 40 from the rear. Specifically, each terminal 10 is inserted into the corresponding terminal holding portion 42 from the rear, and the rear end of its small diameter portion 11 is held by the corresponding terminal holding portion 42. With the left and right pairs of terminals 10 installed, the small diameter portions 11 of the left and right pairs protrude forward from the left and right pair of terminal holding portions 42 and are located inside the cover portion 41, while the large diameter portions 12 of the left and right pairs protrude rearward from the cylindrical portion 43 that fits into the mounting hole 3, sandwiching the partition wall 44 on the left and right (see reference). Figure 3 Furthermore, the order in which the housing 40 is installed toward the vehicle-side component 2 and the order in which the terminal 10 is installed toward the housing 40 can also be reversed.

[0038] Next, one of the left and right first busbars 20 is fastened to each of the left and right pairs of terminals 10. Specifically, with each first busbar 20 positioned in the fastening portion 21 in the left-right direction and extending in the left-right direction, the foot of the first bolt 51, which is inserted into the first through hole 23 of the fastening portion 21, is screwed into the bolt hole 13 of the large diameter portion 12 of the corresponding terminal 10, thereby fastening each first busbar 20 to the corresponding terminal 10. At this time, since the position of the first bolt 51 inserted into the first through hole 23 can be adjusted in the left-right direction relative to the first through hole 23, even if the spacing of the left and right pairs of terminals 10 is different due to the specifications applied to the connector 1, by adjusting the position of the first bolt 51 in the left-right direction according to the arrangement of the terminals 10 in the first through hole 23, it is not necessary to change the shape or the left-right position of the first busbar 20, and the terminals 10 and the first busbars 20 can be fastened. Therefore, even if the left and right directions of the terminals 10 are different, they can share the first busbar 20.

[0039] Next, one of the two pairs of second busbars 30 is fastened to each of the first busbars 20. Specifically, with each second busbar 30 positioned at the upper end of the second insertion hole 31 and extending in the vertical direction, the foot of the second bolt 52, which is inserted into the second insertion hole 31 of the second busbar 30, is screwed into the bolt hole 24 of the corresponding first busbar 20's main body 22, thereby fastening each second busbar 30 to the corresponding first busbar 20. At this time, since the position of the second bolt 52 inserted into the second insertion hole 31 can be adjusted in the left and right direction relative to the second insertion hole 31, even if it is assumed that the left and right positions of the first busbars 20 need to be different according to the specifications applied to the connector 1, by adjusting the left and right positions of the second bolt 52 according to the arrangement of the first busbars 20 in the second insertion hole 31, it is not necessary to change the shape or the left and right position of the second busbars 30 to fasten the first busbars 20 and the second busbars 30. Therefore, even if the left and right configurations of the first busbar 20 are different, the second busbar 30 can still be used. Through the above, the installation of connector 1 is completed, resulting in... Figure 1 Connector 1 is shown.

[0040] <Functions and Effects>

[0041] According to the connector 1 of this embodiment, the plate thickness of the second position (main body 22) in the first busbar 20 connected to the second busbar 30 is thicker than the plate thickness of the first position (fastening part 21) in the first busbar 20 connected to the terminal 10. Furthermore, the second position 22 functions as a heat storage part. Therefore, by using the main body 22 with its large heat capacity to absorb the heat generated in the first busbar 20 when energized without using a dedicated heat storage component, even when the heat generated by the terminal 10 per unit time is large, such as during fast charging, the rapid rise in the operating temperature of the terminal 10 is suppressed, and the operating temperature of the terminal 10 can rise gradually. Thus, the operating temperature of the terminal 10 can be prevented from reaching a predetermined upper limit. Furthermore, because the plate thickness of the second position 22 is thicker, the mating part (e.g., nut) of the second fastener (second bolt 52) ​​is not provided as a separate part, and the portion (bolt hole 24) that engages the second fastener 52 can be provided at the second position 22. Therefore, the connector 1 of this embodiment can suppress excessive rise in the operating temperature of the terminal 10 without using a dedicated heat storage component or the like.

[0042] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the first through hole 23 of the first busbar 20 for inserting the first fastener (first bolt 51) has an elongated hole shape that is longer in the first direction (left-right direction), and the second through hole 31 of the second busbar 30 for inserting the second fastener 52 has an elongated hole shape that is longer in the second direction (left-right direction). Therefore, even if the configuration of the terminals 10 is different according to the specifications applied to the connector 1, by making the position of the first fastener 51 in the first through hole 23 different according to the configuration of the terminals 10, it is not necessary to make the shape of the first busbar 20 or the position of the first busbar 20 in the housing 40 different, and the terminals 10 and the first busbar 20 can be fastened. Assuming that even if the position of the first busbar 20 needs to be different, by adjusting the position of the second fastener 52 in the second through hole 31 according to the configuration of the first busbar 20, it is possible to fasten the first busbar 20 and the second busbar 30 without changing the shape of the second busbar 30 or its position within the housing 40. Therefore, the connector 1 of this embodiment can share the internal first and second busbars 20 and 30 even if the configuration of the terminals 10 is different.

[0043] According to the connector configured as described above [3], a pair of terminals 10 are arranged side by side in the direction (i.e., the first direction) in which the first insertion hole 23 of the first busbar 20 extends. Thus, even if the spacing between the pair of terminals 10 varies according to specifications, it is not necessary to change the shape of the first busbar 20 or the position of the first busbar 20 within the housing 40, and the terminals 10 and the first busbar 20 can be secured.

[0044] <Other Options>

[0045] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications and improvements can be made. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, quantity, and arrangement position of each component in the above embodiments are arbitrary and not limited if they can achieve the present invention.

[0046] In the above embodiment, since the first insertion hole 23 of the first busbar 20 has an elongated shape extending in the left-right direction, the position of the first bolt 51 inserted into the first insertion hole 23 can be adjusted in the left-right direction relative to the first insertion hole 23. Similarly, since the second insertion hole 31 of the second busbar 30 has an elongated shape extending in the left-right direction, the position of the second bolt 52 inserted into the second insertion hole 31 can be adjusted in the left-right direction relative to the second insertion hole 31. Alternatively, since the first insertion hole 23 of the first busbar 20 has an elongated shape extending in the left-right direction, the position of the first bolt 51 inserted into the first insertion hole 23 can be adjusted in the left-right direction relative to the first insertion hole 23. On the other hand, since the second insertion hole 31 of the second busbar 30 has an elongated shape extending in the vertical direction, the position of the second bolt 52 inserted into the second insertion hole 31 can be adjusted in the vertical direction relative to the second insertion hole 31.

[0047] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the connector 1 of the present invention are briefly summarized as [1] to [5] below and recorded.

[0048] [1]

[0049] A connector (1) includes: a terminal (10); a first busbar (20) connected to the terminal (10); a first fastener (51) for fastening the terminal (10) and the first busbar (20); a second busbar (30) connected to the first busbar (20); a second fastener (52) for fastening the first busbar (20) and the second busbar (30); and a connector (1) housing (40) for receiving the terminal (10).

[0050] In the first busbar (20),

[0051] Compared to the thickness of the first busbar (20) fastened to the first fastener (51) and connected to the first position (21) of the terminal (10), the thickness of the first busbar (20) fastened to the second fastener (52) and connected to the second busbar (30) at the second position (22) is greater.

[0052] The second position (22) functions as a heat storage unit.

[0053] According to the connector constructed as described in [1], the plate thickness at the second position of the first busbar connecting to the second busbar is thicker than the plate thickness at the first position of the first busbar connected to the terminal. Furthermore, the second position functions as a heat storage unit. Therefore, it is unnecessary to use a dedicated heat storage component; by using a portion of the first busbar originally used for power-on (i.e., the second position) as a heat storage unit to absorb heat generated in the terminal, even when the terminal generates a large amount of heat per unit time during fast charging, a sharp rise in the terminal's operating temperature is suppressed, allowing the terminal's operating temperature to rise gradually. As a result, the terminal's operating temperature can be prevented from reaching a predetermined upper limit. Furthermore, since the plate thickness at the second position is greater, it is unnecessary to provide the mating part (e.g., nut) of the second fastener (e.g., bolt) as a separate component; the part that engages the second fastener (e.g., threaded hole) is located at the second position, thereby reducing the number of connector components. Therefore, the connector of this structure can suppress excessive rise in the terminal's operating temperature without using a dedicated heat storage component.

[0054] [2]

[0055] In the connector (1) described above [1],

[0056] The first through hole (23) provided at the first position (21) for the insertion of the first fastener (51) has an elongated shape with a hole width in a predetermined first direction that is greater than the hole width in a direction intersecting the first direction, and is configured to allow adjustment of the position of the first fastener (51) within the first through hole (23) in the first direction.

[0057] The second insertion hole (31) provided in the second busbar (30) for the insertion of the second fastener (52) has an elongated shape with a hole width in a predetermined second direction that is greater than the hole width in a direction intersecting the second direction, and is configured to allow adjustment of the position of the second fastener (52) in the second insertion hole (31) in the second direction.

[0058] According to the connector constructed as described in [2], the first through-hole of the first busbar for inserting the first fastener has an elongated shape in a first direction, and the second through-hole of the second busbar for inserting the second fastener has an elongated shape in a second direction. Therefore, even if the terminal configuration differs depending on the specifications applied to the connector, by differentiating the position of the first fastener in the first through-hole according to the terminal configuration, it is not necessary to differentiate the shape of the first busbar or its position within the housing to secure the terminals and the first busbar. Similarly, even if it is necessary to differentiate the position of the first busbar, by differentiating the position of the second fastener in the second through-hole according to the configuration of the first busbar, it is not necessary to differentiate the shape of the second busbar or its position within the housing to secure the first and second busbars. Therefore, the connector of this structure can share the internal busbar even with different terminal configurations.

[0059] [3]

[0060] In the connector (1) described above [2],

[0061] A pair of terminals (10) are arranged in the first direction.

[0062] According to the connector constructed as described above [3], a pair of terminals are arranged in the direction (i.e., the first direction) in which the first insertion hole of the first busbar extends. Thus, even if the spacing between the pair of terminals varies according to the specifications, it is not necessary to change the shape of the first busbar or the position of the first busbar within the housing to secure the terminals and the first busbar.

[0063] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0064] 1 Connector

[0065] 10 terminals

[0066] 20 First Convergence Line

[0067] 21 Fastening part (first position)

[0068] 22 Main body (second position)

[0069] 23 First through hole

[0070] 30 Second Confluence

[0071] 31 Second through hole

[0072] 40 Housing

[0073] 51 First Bolt

[0074] 52 Second Bolt

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: terminal; The first busbar connected to the terminal; The first fastener secures the terminal and the first busbar; The second busbar is connected to the first busbar; A second fastener for securing the first busbar and the second busbar; and a housing for accommodating the terminals. In the first bus bar, Compared to the thickness of the first busbar at the first position fastened to the first fastener and connected to the terminal, the thickness of the first busbar at the second position fastened to the second fastener and connected to the second busbar is greater. The second position functions as a heat storage unit.

2. The connector as described in claim 1, The first through hole, which is positioned at the first location and through which the first fastener is inserted, has an elongated shape with a width in a predetermined first direction greater than the width in a direction intersecting the first direction, and is configured to allow adjustment of the position of the first fastener within the first through hole in the first direction. The second through hole, which is disposed on the second busbar and through which the second fastener is inserted, has an elongated shape with a hole width in a predetermined second direction that is greater than the hole width in a direction intersecting the second direction, and is configured to allow adjustment of the position of the second fastener within the second through hole in the second direction.

3. The connector as described in claim 2, A pair of terminals are arranged in the first direction.

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