Electric connection component and electric connection unit

JP2025022547APending Publication Date: 2025-02-14AUTONETWORKS TECH LTD +2
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023127231
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-08-03
Publication Date
2025-02-14

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Abstract

To provide an electric connection component capable of maintaining sufficient sealability, and an electric connection unit.SOLUTION: An electric connection component 3 comprises a resin main body part 6 and a surface seal part 7. In the main body part 6, a conductor 2 is integrally provided. The surface seal part 7 is formed in an annular shape enclosing the conductor 2 and seals a gap between a housing 4 and the main body part 6 in a case where the main body part 6 is attached to the housing 4. The conductor 2 includes a first face 15 and a second face 16, at an opposite side of the first face 15, abutting on a mating conductor 8 by being fixed to the mating conductor 8 via a conductor fastening section 9 defining a direction crossing a surface seal direction of the surface seal part 7 as a fastening direction. The surface seal part 7 has different thicknesses in a first portion 28, which is at least partially opposed to the first face 15, and a second portion 29 which is at least partially opposed to the second face 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connection component and an electrical connection unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a terminal block having a metal plate is well known, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. This terminal block is attached to a case, for example, by fixing a plate provided on a housing into which a bus bar is inserted, to the case with a plurality of bolts. At this time, a sealant is interposed between the housing and the case. When the terminal block is fixed to the case via the plate, the plate is pressed against the case with a high load, ensuring sufficient surface pressure of the sealant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-93329 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of Patent Document 1, a plate is required for the terminal block, which increases the cost of the terminal block. For this reason, there is a current situation where it is desirable to omit the plate from the terminal block. If the plate is omitted from the terminal block, a structure is adopted in which the housing, which is the resin part of the main body of the terminal block, is directly fixed to the case with bolts or the like. However, in this case, it is not possible to ensure a surface pressure as high as that of a structure using a plate.

[0005] Incidentally, the busbar of the terminal block is often fixed to the mating busbar using bolts and nuts. In this structure, if sufficient surface pressure of the sealant is not ensured, when the bolt is fastened to the nut, if a load is applied to the busbar in the direction of the bolt fastening, the terminal block will tilt relative to the case. In this case, the sealant will not adhere firmly to the terminal block or the housing, and there is a possibility that the required sealing performance will not be achieved.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electrical connection component and an electrical connection unit that can maintain sufficient sealing performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electrical connection part that solves the above problem comprises a resin main body having a conductor integrally formed therewith, and a face seal portion formed in a ring shape surrounding the conductor and sealing the gap between the housing and the main body portion when the main body is attached to the housing, wherein the conductor is fixed to a mating conductor by a conductor fastening portion whose fastening direction is a direction intersecting the face seal direction of the face seal portion, the conductor has a first surface facing the mating conductor and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the face seal portion has different thicknesses between a first portion at least partially facing the first surface and a second portion at least partially facing the second surface. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure can maintain sufficient sealing performance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the electrical connection unit according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the electrical connection part. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the electrical connection part. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the face seal portion. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 6(a) and 6(b) are explanatory diagrams showing a procedure for fixing a bus bar to a mating bus bar. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an electrical connection part according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 8(a) and 8(b) are explanatory diagrams showing a procedure for fixing a bus bar to a mating bus bar. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an electrical connection part according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory diagrams showing a procedure for fixing a bus bar to a mating bus bar. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The electrical connection part of the present disclosure comprises a resin main body having an integral conductor, and a face seal formed in a ring shape surrounding the conductor and sealing a gap between the housing and the main body when the main body is attached to the housing, wherein the conductor is fixed to a mating conductor by a conductor fastening part having a fastening direction intersecting a face seal direction of the face seal part, the conductor having a first surface facing the mating conductor and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the face seal part has a first portion facing at least a part of the first surface and a second portion facing at least a part of the second surface, the first portion having a different thickness from the second portion having a different thickness.

[0011] According to this configuration, when the conductor is fixed to the mating conductor by the conductor fastening portion, if a force is applied to the conductor in the fastening direction of the conductor fastening portion, the electrical connection part may tilt due to the influence of manufacturing tolerances and installation tolerances of the electrical connection part. In the case of this configuration, in order to ensure that the surface pressure of the face seal part is maintained even if such a tilting force is applied to the electrical connection part, a difference in thickness is formed in the face seal part. Therefore, even if a tilting force is applied to the electrical connection part when the conductor is fixed to the mating conductor by the conductor fastening portion, the face seal part is maintained in close contact with both the housing and the main body. Therefore, it is possible to maintain sufficient sealing performance.

[0012] [2] In the above [1], the face seal portion has a pair of connecting portions that connect one end of the first portion to one end of the second portion and connect the other end of the first portion to the other end of the second portion, and the first portion and the second portion have a difference in thickness by making the connecting portions thinner from one of the first portion and the second portion to the other. With this configuration, it is possible to form a difference in thickness in the face seal portion by a simple configuration of changing the thickness of the connecting portions that connect the first portion and the second portion.

[0013] [3] In the above [2], the connecting portion has an inclined surface that is linearly inclined from one of the first portion and the second portion to the other. This configuration makes it possible for the inclined surface of the face seal portion to be in face-to-face contact with the opposing surface. This is advantageous in ensuring sufficient sealing performance.

[0014] [4] In any one of the above [1] to [3], the main body has a seal accommodating portion that accommodates the face seal portion, and the seal accommodating portion is formed with a portion that accommodates the first portion and a portion that accommodates the second portion at the same depth. With this configuration, it is possible to make the depth of the seal accommodating portion constant, and therefore it is possible to easily manufacture a main body having a seal accommodating portion.

[0015] [5] In any one of the above [1] to [4], the main body has a seal receiving portion that receives the face seal portion, and the seal receiving portion has a deep groove portion in a portion that receives the thicker of the first portion and the second portion. With this configuration, even if the face seal portion has a shape with a difference in thickness, the deep groove portion that absorbs the thickness is formed in the seal receiving portion, so that when the electrical connection part is attached to the housing, the electrical connection part can be in a straight standing state. Therefore, when the electrical connection part is fixed to the housing, the conductor is less likely to come into contact with the mating conductor, so that the workability of attaching the electrical connection part can be improved.

[0016] [6] In any one of the above [1] to [5], the second portion is formed to be thicker than the first portion. With this configuration, even if the electrical connection part tilts with respect to the housing when the conductor is fixed to the mating conductor by the conductor fastening portion, the elastic deformation of the second portion can be made to follow this tilt, so that the electrical connection part can be kept in close contact with both the housing and the main body. In this way, the sealing performance of the face seal portion can be maintained.

[0017] [7] In any of the above [1] to [5], the first portion is formed thicker than the second portion. With this configuration, when the conductor is fixed to the mating conductor by the conductor fastening portion, even if a force in the fastening direction of the conductor fastening portion is applied to the conductor, the electrical connection part is supported by the first portion having a sufficient thickness, so that it is possible to prevent the electrical connection part from tilting in the fastening direction of the conductor fastening portion. Therefore, the position of the electrical connection part with respect to the housing is unlikely to change before and after the conductor is fixed to the mating conductor by the conductor fastening portion, so that the sealing state of the face seal part is unlikely to change. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the sealing property of the face seal part.

[0018] [8] In any of the above [1] to [7], the conductors are arranged in a fixed direction, and the main body has a mounting portion on both sides of the conductor arrangement direction to which a main body fastening portion for fixing the main body to the housing is attached. According to this configuration, when both sides of the main body are fixed to the housing by the main body fastening portion at two points, the electrical connection part is likely to tilt due to the influence of the force in the fastening direction of the conductor fastening portion when the conductor is fixed to the mating conductor by the conductor fastening portion. However, in the electrical connection part having such a structure, a measure is taken to provide a difference in thickness in the face seal portion, so that it is possible to ensure sealing by the face seal portion even in the electrical connection part fixed at two points.

[0019] [9] The electrical connection unit of the present disclosure comprises a resin body with a conductor integral therewith, a housing to which the body is attached, and a face seal formed in a ring shape surrounding the conductor and sealing a gap between the housing and the body, the conductor being fixed to a mating conductor by a conductor fastening part having a fastening direction intersecting with the face seal direction of the face seal part, the conductor having a first surface facing the mating conductor and a second surface opposite the first surface, the face seal part having a first portion at least partially facing the first surface and a second portion at least partially facing the second surface, the first portion having a different thickness from the second portion having a different thickness. This configuration makes it possible to obtain the same effect as that of an electrical connection part.

[0020] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configurations may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ from the actual ones.

[0021] (First embodiment) The first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. (Electrical connection unit 1) 1, the electrical connection unit 1 includes an electrical connection part 3 having a conductor 2, and a housing 4 to which the electrical connection part 3 is attached. The electrical connection unit 1 electrically connects, for example, a motor (not shown) mounted inside the housing 4 and an external inverter (not shown). For example, when the electrical connection part 3 is a terminal block, the electrical connection unit 1 is a terminal block unit. The motor is, for example, a three-phase AC motor.

[0022] (Electrical connection parts 3) 2, the electrical connection part 3 includes a resin body 6 integrally provided with the conductor 2, and a face seal part 7 that seals the gap between the housing 4 and the body 6. The electrical connection part 3 in this example is, for example, a terminal block in which the conductor 2 is fixed to a mating conductor 8 by a conductor fastening part 9. The face seal seals the gap between the housing 4 and the body 6, for example, along a planar direction (the XY-axis planar direction in FIG. 2, etc.).

[0023] (Conductor 2) As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a plurality of conductors 2 are arranged in a fixed direction (Y-axis direction in Fig. 1, etc.). The conductors 2 are, for example, rod-shaped conductors through which a large current flows, so-called bus bars. The conductors 2 in this example are arranged at equal intervals in the width direction of the electrical connection part 3. The conductors 2 are formed in a long, thin plate shape extending in the height direction of the electrical connection part 3 (Z-axis direction in Fig. 1, etc.). An insertion hole 10 (see Fig. 2) for attaching a conductor fastening part 9 is formed at the upper end of the conductor 2. In addition, a hole 10a is also formed at the lower end of the conductor 2 for inserting a member such as a bolt for fixing a terminal of a motor.

[0024] For example, in the case of a three-phase AC motor, three conductors 2 are provided. The three conductors 2 constitute, for example, a U phase, a V phase, and a W phase. For example, AC signals with phases differing from each other by 120 degrees are passed through each of the conductors 2 of the U phase, V phase, and W phase. High-voltage and large-current signals required for a three-phase AC motor are passed through each of the conductors 2.

[0025] 2 and 3, the conductor fastening portion 9 has a head 11 and a shaft portion 12. The conductor fastening portion 9 is, for example, a bolt. The shaft portion 12 of the conductor fastening portion 9 is inserted into an insertion hole 10 of the conductor 2 and an insertion hole 13 of the mating conductor 8, and the fastened portion 14 is screwed onto the shaft portion 12 with the head 11 interfering with the conductor 2, thereby fixing the conductor 2 to the mating conductor 8. The fastened portion 14 is, for example, a nut.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, the conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by a conductor fastening part 9 whose fastening direction (the direction of arrow A1 in Fig. 3) is a direction intersecting the face seal direction (the direction of arrow A2 in Fig. 3) of the face seal part 7. As a result, the conductor 2 has a first surface 15 facing the mating conductor 8 and a second surface 16 opposite to the first surface 15. The electrical connection part 3 is attached and fixed to the housing 4 so as to cover an opening 4a formed in the upper surface of the housing 4.

[0027] (Main body 6) 2, the main body 6 has a conductor support portion 19 that supports the conductor 2, and a flange portion 20 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the conductor support portion 19. The main body 6 is formed integrally with the conductor 2, for example, by molding in which the conductor 2 is set in a mold and resin is poured into it. The main body 6 has a seal accommodating portion 21 that accommodates the face seal portion 7. The seal accommodating portion 21 is formed on the back surface of the flange portion 20.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 6 has mounting portions 23 on both sides in the arrangement direction of the conductors 2 (Y-axis direction in FIG. 1) to which main body fastening portions 22 for fixing the main body 6 to the housing 4 are attached. The mounting portions 23 in this example are holes for inserting the shafts of the main body fastening portions 22. The main body fastening portions 22 are, for example, bolts. The main body 6 is fixed to the housing 4 by inserting the main body fastening portions 22 into collars 24 housed in the mounting portions 23 and fastening them to step portions 25 on the upper surface of the housing 4. The fixing structure of the main body 6 to the housing 4 is a two-point fixation in which the main body 6 is fixed to the housing 4 by the two main body fastening portions 22 on both sides of the width direction of the main body 6.

[0029] (Face seal part 7) 2, the face seal portion 7 is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the conductor 2. Specifically, the face seal portion 7 is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the conductor support portion 19 of the main body portion 6 from the periphery. The face seal portion 7 seals the gap between the housing 4 and the main body portion 6 when the main body portion 6 is attached to the housing 4.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the face seal portion 7 has a first portion 28, a second portion 29, and a pair of connecting portions 30. At least a portion of the first portion 28 is disposed facing the first surface 15 of the conductor 2. At least a portion of the second portion 29 is disposed facing the second surface 16 of the conductor 2. The connecting portions 30 connect one end of the first portion 28 to one end of the second portion 29, and connect the other end of the first portion 28 to the other end of the second portion 29. The connecting portions 30 in this example include a first connecting portion 30a connecting one end of the first portion 28 to one end of the second portion 29, and a second connecting portion 30b connecting the other end of the first portion 28 to the other end of the second portion 29.

[0031] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the face seal portion 7 is formed in a quadrangular shape when viewed from the axial direction of the seal opening 31. The face seal portion 7 has a first seal surface 32 that contacts the main body portion 6, and a second seal surface 33 that contacts the housing 4. The first seal surface 32 is formed in a lip shape having a plurality of ridges. In this example, the lip has, for example, two ridges. The second seal surface 33 is formed in a flat shape.

[0032] 5, the face seal portion 7 is formed so that the first portion 28 and the second portion 29 have different thicknesses. The first portion 28 is, for example, a seal portion that exists in a portion where the main body portion 6 sinks when the conductor 2 of the electrical connection part 3 fixed to the housing 4 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening portion 9. The second portion 29 is, for example, a seal portion that exists in a portion where the main body portion 6 rises when the conductor 2 of the electrical connection part 3 fixed to the housing 4 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening portion 9. In this example, the second portion 29 is formed thicker than the first portion 28.

[0033] The first portion 28 and the second portion 29 have a difference in thickness by forming a connecting portion 30 thinner from one of the first portion 28 and the second portion 29 to the other. Specifically, the connecting portion 30 has an inclined surface 35 that is linearly inclined from one of the first portion 28 and the second portion 29 to the other. The inclined surface 35 in this example is formed in a shape that descends from the second portion 29 to the first portion 28. The inclined surface 35 in this example is formed on the second seal surface 33 of the face seal portion 7. As a result, a difference in thickness of the face seal portion 7 is formed on the second seal surface 33 of the face seal portion 7.

[0034] In the seal receiving portion 21, a portion receiving the first portion 28 and a portion receiving the second portion 29 are formed to be at the same depth. Furthermore, the first seal surface 32 is oriented in a horizontal direction (the XY plane direction in FIG. 1, etc.) before the electrical connection part 3 is attached to the housing 4. In other words, before the electrical connection part 3 is attached to the housing 4, the top surface of the first portion 28 and the top surface of the second portion 29 are at the same height.

[0035] (Operation of the First Embodiment) Next, the operation of the electrical connection part 3 (electrical connection unit 1) of this embodiment will be described. 5, when fixing the electrical connection part 3 to the housing 4, first, the conductor support part 19 of the main body 6 is inserted into the opening 4a of the housing 4 and placed on the step part 25 of the housing 4. In this example, since the inclined surface 35 is provided on the second seal surface 33 of the face seal part 7, the electrical connection part 3 is placed on the housing 4 in an inclined state. Specifically, the electrical connection part 3 is placed on the housing 4 in an inclined state by a predetermined amount in the clockwise direction on the page.

[0036] 6(a), the electrical connection part 3 is placed on the step portion 25 and then fixed to the housing 4 by the main body fastening part 22. The face seal part 7 is in a crushed state when the electrical connection part 3 is fixed to the housing 4 by the main body fastening part 22, and seals the gap between the electrical connection part 3 and the housing 4. In this example, the second portion 29 is formed thicker than the first portion 28, so that when the face seal part 7 is crushed by the electrical connection part 3 and the housing 4 to form a seal, the amount of elastic deformation of the face seal part 7 is greater in the second portion 29 than in the first portion 28.

[0037] In addition, in this example, since the second seal surface 33 of the face seal portion 7 is inclined, even when the electrical connection part 3 is fixed to the housing 4 by the main body fastening part 22, the electrical connection part 3 is in a state in which it is inclined in advance so as to approach the mating conductor 8. Therefore, even when the electrical connection part 3 is fixed to the housing 4 by the main body fastening part 22, the conductor 2 is in a state where it is brought as close as possible to the mating conductor 8.

[0038] Next, as shown in Fig. 6(b), the conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening portion 9. In this example, the electrical connection part 3 is inclined in advance so that the conductor 2 is as close as possible to the mating conductor 8. Therefore, when the conductor 2 is fastened to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening portion 9, even if a force acts on the conductor 2 in the fastening direction of the conductor fastening portion 9 (the direction of the arrow A1 shown in Fig. 3), the electrical connection part 3 is unlikely to tilt in the clockwise direction on the page. In this way, if the position of the electrical connection part 3 is maintained, the second portion 29 of the face seal portion 7 is kept in close contact with both the housing 4 and the main body portion 6. Therefore, the sealing performance of the face seal portion 7 is maintained.

[0039] (Effects of the first embodiment) According to the configuration of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1.1) The electrical connection part 3 includes a resin body 6 and a face seal 7. The body 6 is integrally provided with the conductor 2. The face seal 7 is formed in an annular shape surrounding the conductor 2, and seals the gap between the housing 4 and the body 6 when the body 6 is attached to the housing 4. The conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by a conductor fastening part 9, the fastening direction of which is a direction intersecting the face seal direction of the face seal part 7. The conductor 2 has a first surface 15 facing the mating conductor 8, and a second surface 16 opposite the first surface 15. The face seal part 7 has a first portion 28, at least a portion of which faces the first surface 15, and a second portion 29, at least a portion of which faces the second surface 16, which have different thicknesses.

[0040] According to this configuration, when the conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening portion 9, if a force is applied to the conductor 2 in the fastening direction of the conductor fastening portion 9, the electrical connection part 3 may tilt due to the influence of manufacturing tolerances and installation tolerances of the electrical connection part 3. In the case of this configuration, in order to ensure that the surface pressure by the face seal part 7 is maintained even if such a tilting force is applied to the electrical connection part 3, a difference in thickness is formed in the face seal part 7. Therefore, even if a tilting force is applied to the electrical connection part 3 when the conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening portion 9, the face seal part 7 remains in close contact with both the housing 4 and the main body part 6. Therefore, sufficient sealing properties can be maintained.

[0041] (1.2) The face seal portion 7 has a pair of connecting portions 30 that connect one end of the first portion 28 to one end of the second portion 29 and also connect the other end of the first portion 28 to the other end of the second portion 29. The first portion 28 and the second portion 29 are provided with a difference in thickness by forming the connecting portions 30 to be thinner from one of the first portion 28 and the second portion 29 to the other. With this configuration, a difference in thickness can be formed in the face seal portion 7 by a simple configuration in which the thickness of the connecting portions 30 that connect the first portion 28 and the second portion 29 is changed.

[0042] (1.3) The connecting part 30 has an inclined surface 35 that is linearly inclined from one of the first part 28 and the second part 29 to the other. This configuration makes it possible for the inclined surface 35 of the face seal portion 7 to come into surface contact with the opposing surface. This is advantageous in ensuring sufficient sealing performance.

[0043] (1.4) Main body 6 has seal accommodating portion 21 that accommodates face seal portion 7. Seal accommodating portion 21 is formed so that a portion accommodating first portion 28 and a portion accommodating second portion 29 are formed to the same depth. With this configuration, it is possible to make the depth of seal accommodating portion 21 constant, so that main body 6 having seal accommodating portion 21 can be easily manufactured.

[0044] (1.5) The second portion 29 is formed to be thicker than the first portion 28. With this configuration, even if the electrical connection part 3 tilts with respect to the housing 4 when the conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening portion 9, the elastic deformation of the second portion 29 can be made to follow this tilt, so that the electrical connection part 3 can be kept in close contact with both the housing 4 and the main body 6. In this way, the sealing performance of the face seal portion 7 can be maintained.

[0045] (1.6) A plurality of conductors 2 are arranged in a fixed direction. The main body 6 has attached portions 23 on both sides in the arrangement direction of the conductors 2, to which main body fastening portions 22 for fixing the main body 6 to the housing 4 are attached. According to this configuration, in the case where both sides of the main body 6 are fixed to the housing 4 by the main body fastening portions 22 at two points, the electrical connection part 3 is likely to tilt due to the influence of the force in the fastening direction of the conductor fastening portions 9 when the conductors 2 are fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening portions 9. However, in the electrical connection part 3 having such a structure, a measure is taken to provide a difference in thickness to the face seal portions 7, so that the sealing performance by the face seal portions 7 can be ensured even in the electrical connection part 3 fixed at two points.

[0046] (1.7) Since the second seal surface 33 of the face seal portion 7 is formed in a flat shape, it is possible to increase the contact area with the housing 4. Therefore, even if the housing 4 has a blowhole or the like, it is possible to firmly bring the face seal portion 7 into contact with the housing 4. This further contributes to maintaining high sealing performance.

[0047] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is an example in which the seal structure of the first embodiment is modified. Therefore, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description is omitted, and only the different parts will be described in detail.

[0048] (Face seal part 7) As shown in Fig. 7, the face seal portion 7 has a linearly inclined inclined surface 35 on the first seal surface 32. In this manner, a difference in thickness of the face seal portion 7 is formed on the first seal surface 32 of the face seal portion 7. The inclined surface 35 in this example is formed in a shape that linearly descends from the second portion 29 to the first portion 28 on the first seal surface 32. Specifically, the inclined surface 35 is formed in a shape that linearly descends from the second portion 29 to the first portion 28 on the top surface of the connecting portion 30.

[0049] (deep groove part 37) 7, seal accommodating portion 21 has deep groove portion 37 in a portion accommodating the thicker of first portion 28 and second portion 29. In the present example, deep groove portion 37 is provided in a portion of seal accommodating portion 21 formed in main body portion 6 that accommodates second portion 29. Note that seal accommodating portion 21 is formed in a shape in which the groove becomes gradually shallower from deep groove portion 37 that accommodates second portion 29 toward the portion that accommodates first portion 28 in the portion accommodating connecting portion 30.

[0050] When the deep groove portion 37 is formed in the seal receiving portion 21, the electrical connection part 3 is arranged in an upright state relative to the housing 4 when placed on the housing 4 before being fixed by the main body fastening portion 22. Also, in the case of a structure having the deep groove portion 37, if the inclined surface 35 is formed on the first seal surface 32, it becomes possible for the face seal portion 7 to come into contact with both the housing 4 and the main body portion 6 in a balanced manner when the electrical connection part 3 is arranged in an upright state relative to the housing 4.

[0051] (Operation of the second embodiment) As shown in Fig. 8(a), in this example, the deep groove portion 37 is provided in the seal receiving portion 21 at the portion receiving the second portion 29, so that the electrical connection part 3 stands upright when placed on the housing 4. That is, even if a difference in thickness is provided in the face seal portion 7, the groove in the portion of the seal receiving portion 21 where the thicker portion is received is formed deeper, so that the electrical connection part 3 does not tilt in the direction in which the mating conductor 8 approaches when placed on the housing 4 and stands upright. Therefore, when the electrical connection part 3 is fixed to the housing 4, the conductor 2 is unlikely to come into contact with the mating conductor 8, so that the workability of attaching the electrical connection part 3 is improved.

[0052] Then, the electrical connection part 3 in an upright state is fixed to the housing 4 by the main body fastening part 22. When the electrical connection part 3 is fixed by the main body fastening part 22, it sinks downward in an upright state and crushes the face seal part 7. When the electrical connection part 3 is fixed to the housing 4 by the main body fastening part 22, a high degree of adhesion is ensured between the main body part 6 and the second part 29 by the large reaction force "F1" shown in the figure.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 8(b), after the electrical connection part 3 is fixed to the housing 4 by the main body fastening part 22, the conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening part 9. At this time, a force acts on the conductor 2 in the fastening direction of the conductor fastening part 9 (the direction of the arrow A1 in Fig. 8(b)). As a result, the electrical connection part 3 moves in the clockwise direction on the page and becomes tilted by a predetermined amount.

[0054] In this embodiment, the second portion 29 of the face seal portion 7 is thicker than the first portion 28. Therefore, even if the electrical connection part 3 tilts a certain amount clockwise on the paper when the conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening part 9, the elastic deformation of the second portion 29 follows the tilt, so that the second portion 29 maintains a state of being in close contact with both the housing 4 and the main body 6. When the electrical connection part 3 moves a certain amount in the clockwise direction on the paper, the second portion 29 follows the movement and the amount of crushing becomes smaller, but the state of contact with both the housing 4 and the main body 6 is maintained. Therefore, the reaction force applied from the second portion 29 to the electrical connection part 3 becomes smaller to "F2", but sufficient sealing is ensured.

[0055] As a result, even if the electrical connection part 3 tilts when the conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening part 9, the sealing performance at the second part 29 of the face seal part 7 is not deteriorated. Furthermore, since the deep groove part 37 is provided in the seal receiving part 21, the electrical connection part 3 can be placed in an upright position without being tilted when placed on the housing 4. This makes it difficult for the conductor 2 to come into contact with the mating conductor 8, which improves the workability of attaching the electrical connection part 3.

[0056] (Effects of the second embodiment) According to the configuration of the above embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0057] (2.1) The seal receiving portion 21 has a deep groove portion 37 in a portion that receives the thicker of the first portion 28 and the second portion 29. With this configuration, even if the face seal portion 7 has a shape with a difference in thickness, the deep groove portion 37 is formed in the seal receiving portion 21 to absorb that thickness, so that when the electrical connection part 3 is attached to the housing 4, the electrical connection part 3 can be kept in an upright position. Therefore, when the electrical connection part 3 is fixed to the housing 4, the conductor 2 is less likely to come into contact with the mating conductor 8, and the workability of attaching the electrical connection part 3 can be improved.

[0058] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. Note that the third embodiment will also be described in detail only with respect to the parts that are different from the first and second embodiments.

[0059] (Face seal part 7) 9, the face seal portion 7 is formed so that the first portion 28 is thick and the second portion 29 is thin. In this manner, the first portion 28 is formed thicker than the second portion 29. The inclined surface 35 of this example is formed in a shape that descends linearly from the first portion 28 to the second portion 29 on the first seal surface 32. Specifically, the inclined surface 35 is formed in a shape that descends linearly from the first portion 28 to the second portion 29 on the top surface of the connecting portion 30.

[0060] (Deep groove part 37) 9, in this example, deep groove portion 37 is provided in a portion of seal accommodating portion 21 formed in main body portion 6 that accommodates first portion 28. Note that seal accommodating portion 21 is formed in a shape such that, in the portion accommodating connecting portion 30, the groove becomes gradually shallower from deep groove portion 37 that accommodates first portion 28 toward the portion accommodating second portion 29.

[0061] (Operation of the third embodiment) 10(a), in this example, the deep groove portion 37 is provided in the seal accommodating portion 21 at the portion that accommodates the first portion 28, so that the electrical connection part 3 stands upright when placed in the housing 4. That is, even if a difference in thickness is provided in the face seal portion 7, the groove in the portion of the seal accommodating portion 21 where the thicker portion is accommodated is formed deeper, so that the electrical connection part 3 does not tilt in the direction approaching the mating conductor 8 when placed in the housing 4 and stands upright.

[0062] In addition, in this example, the first portion 28 of the face seal portion 7 is formed thick. Therefore, when the electrical connection part 3 is fixed to the housing 4 by the main body fastening part 22 and the face seal part 7 is crushed, the first portion 28 is crushed to a greater extent than the second portion 29. Therefore, the electrical connection part 3 is strongly supported by the first portion 28, which is crushed to a greater extent, and is therefore less likely to fall in the clockwise direction on the page.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 10(b), when the electrical connection part 3 is fixed to the housing 4 by the main body fastening part 22 and then the conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening part 9, a force acts on the conductor 2 in the fastening direction of the conductor fastening part 9 (the direction of the arrow A1 in Fig. 10(b)). However, in this example, since the significantly crushed first portion 28 makes it difficult for the conductor 2 to tilt in the clockwise direction on the page, instead the mating conductor 8 moves closer to the conductor 2, and they are fixed together.

[0064] As described above, by forming the first portion 28 of the face seal portion 7 thicker than the second portion 29, the upright state of the electrical connection part 3 is maintained before and after the conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8. Therefore, both the first portion 28 and the second portion 29 of the face seal portion 7 are maintained in close contact with the housing 4 and the main body 6. Therefore, the sealing property of the face seal portion 7 is maintained even after the conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening portion 9.

[0065] (Effects of the third embodiment) According to the configuration of the above embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the first and second embodiments, the following effects can be obtained.

[0066] (3.1) The first portion 28 is formed thicker than the second portion 29. With this configuration, when the conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening portion 9, even if a force in the fastening direction of the conductor fastening portion 9 is applied to the conductor 2, the electrical connection part 3 is supported by the first portion 28, which has a sufficient thickness, and it is therefore possible to make it difficult for the electrical connection part 3 to tilt in the fastening direction of the conductor fastening portion 9. As a result, the position of the electrical connection part 3 with respect to the housing 4 is unlikely to change before and after the conductor 2 is fixed to the mating conductor 8 by the conductor fastening portion 9, and therefore the sealing state of the face seal portion 7 is unlikely to change. As a result, the sealing performance of the face seal portion 7 can be maintained.

[0067] (Other embodiments) This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0068] In each embodiment, the face seal portion 7 may have an inclined surface 35 on both the first seal surface 32 and the second seal surface 33 . In each embodiment, the conductor 2 is not limited to a flat plate shape, and may be, for example, a cylindrical shape (elongated cylinder). In the case of a cylindrical shape, for example, only the end portion may be flat, and this flat portion may be fixed to the mating conductor 8.

[0069] In each embodiment, the face seal portion 7 may be changed to, for example, a circular ring shape (including an ellipse) or a triangular ring shape. In each embodiment, the conductor 2 is not limited to having a shape that extends linearly, and may have a shape that is bent partway along the line.

[0070] In each embodiment, the electrical connection parts 3 are fixed to the housing 4 at not only two points, but may have a structure with three or more fixing points. In each embodiment, the connection portion 30 may be formed, for example, in a stepped shape in which the thickness changes stepwise.

[0071] In each embodiment, the conductor fastening portion 9 and the main body fastening portion 22 are not limited to bolts or screws, and other members such as clips may be used. In each embodiment, the attachment portion 23 is not limited to being used as a portion for fixing the electrical connection part 3 to the housing 4. For example, it may be used as a portion for attaching another part to the electrical connection part 3.

[0072] In each embodiment, the shape of the hole of the mounting portion 23 may be, for example, a shape in which a part of the periphery of the hole is cut out. In each embodiment, the attachment portions 23 may each have a different shape.

[0073] In each embodiment, the arrangement and number of the attachment portions 23 can be changed as appropriate. The face seal portion 7 having the shape of the first embodiment may be used in the second and third embodiments.

[0074] In each embodiment, the electrical connection part 3 is not limited to a terminal block, but may be a connector. In this case, the electrical connection unit 1 is not limited to a terminal block unit, but may be a connector unit.

[0075] In each embodiment, the present disclosure has been described based on the examples, but it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the examples or structures. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and modifications within the equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and forms, and other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and concept of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 Electrical Connection Unit 2 Conductors 3 Electrical connection parts 4. Chassis 4a opening 6 Main body 7 Face seal 8 Mating conductor 9 Conductor fastening section 10 Insertion hole 10a hole 11 Head 12 Shaft 13 Insertion hole 14 Part to be fastened 15 Page 1 16 Side 2 19 Conductor support part 20 Flange 21 Seal housing 22 Main body fastening part 23 Mounting part 24 Color 25 Step section 28 Part 1 29 Part 2 30 Connection part 30a 1st connection part 30b 2nd connection site 31 Seal opening 32 First seal surface 33 Second seal surface 35 Slope 37 Deep groove part A1 Fastening direction A2 Face seal direction

Claims

1. An electrical connection component comprising: a resin body portion integrally provided with a conductor; and a face seal portion formed in an annular shape surrounding the conductor and sealing a gap between the housing and the body portion when the body portion is attached to the housing, wherein the conductor is fixed to a mating conductor by a conductor fastening portion having a fastening direction intersecting with a face seal direction of the face seal portion, The conductor has a first surface facing the mating conductor and a second surface opposite to the first surface, The face seal portion has a first portion, at least a portion of which faces the first surface, and a second portion, at least a portion of which faces the second surface, the first portion having a different thickness.

2. the face seal portion has a pair of connecting portions that connect one end of the first portion to one end of the second portion and connect the other end of the first portion to the other end of the second portion, 2. The electrical connection part according to claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion have a difference in thickness such that the connecting portion is formed thinner from one of the first portion and the second portion to the other of the first portion and the second portion.

3. The electrical connection part according to claim 2 , wherein the coupling portion has an inclined surface that is linearly inclined from one of the first portion and the second portion to the other.

4. the main body portion has a seal receiving portion that receives the face seal portion, The electrical connection part according to claim 1 , wherein the seal receiving portion has a portion receiving the first portion and a portion receiving the second portion formed to the same depth.

5. the main body portion has a seal receiving portion that receives the face seal portion, The electrical connection part according to claim 1 , wherein the seal receiving portion has a deep groove portion in a portion that receives the thicker one of the first portion and the second portion.

6. The electrical connection part according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion is formed to be thicker than the first portion.

7. The electrical connection part according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion is formed to be thicker than the second portion.

8. The conductors are arranged in a fixed direction.

2. The electrical connection part according to claim 1, wherein the main body has mounting portions on both sides in the arrangement direction of the conductors, to which main body fastening portions for fixing the main body to the housing are attached.

9. An electrical connection unit comprising: a resin body having a conductor integral therewith; a housing to which the body is attached; and a face seal portion formed in an annular shape so as to surround the conductor and seal a gap between the housing and the body portion, wherein the conductor is fixed to a mating conductor by a conductor fastening portion having a fastening direction intersecting a face seal direction of the face seal portion, The conductor has a first surface facing the mating conductor and a second surface opposite to the first surface, The face seal portion has a first portion, at least a portion of which faces the first surface, and a second portion, at least a portion of which faces the second surface, the first portion having a different thickness.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Terminal board

    JP2021093329A