Battery terminal connection device

Abstract

To provide a battery terminal connection device that can suppress a short circuit when attached to a battery while responding to increasing functionality of a power supply system.SOLUTION: A battery terminal connection device 1 includes: a base member 10; a positive electrode connection member 11 attached to the base member 10 and having a positive electrode connection terminal portion 31 electrically connected to a positive electrode terminal 3 of one of two batteries 2; a negative electrode connection member 12 attached to the base member 10 and having a negative electrode connection terminal portion 41 electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal 4 of the other of the two batteries 2; and a cover member 13 that covers the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12. The base member 10 and the cover member 13 are formed of an electrically insulating resin material, and electrically insulate the positive electrode connection member 11 from the negative electrode connection member 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery terminal connection device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a battery terminal connection structure provided between a battery terminal connected to a battery mounted on a vehicle and a fixing portion of a fuse unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-75222 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, power supply systems, including batteries, have become more sophisticated. In addition, in trucks and other vehicles, two batteries are sometimes mounted with their positive and negative terminals facing in opposite directions. In this case, a battery terminal connection device that supports the sophisticated power supply system must be attached to the top of the battery to prevent short circuits.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery terminal connection device that can accommodate increasingly sophisticated power supply systems while preventing short circuits when attached to a battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) One aspect of the present invention is a battery terminal connection device that is attached to the upper surfaces of two batteries arranged so that their positive and negative terminals face in opposite directions, and includes a base member, a positive electrode connection member attached to the base member and having a positive electrode connection terminal portion electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal of one of the two batteries, a negative electrode connection member attached to the base member and having a negative electrode connection terminal portion electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal of the other of the two batteries, and a cover member that covers the positive electrode connection member and the negative electrode connection member, wherein the base member and the cover member are formed of an electrically insulating material and electrically insulate the positive electrode connection member from the negative electrode connection member.

[0007] When such a battery terminal connection device is attached to the upper surfaces of the two batteries, the battery terminal connection device is placed and fixed on the upper surfaces of the two batteries so that the positive electrode connection terminal portion of the positive electrode connection member is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal of one of the two batteries and the negative electrode connection terminal portion of the negative electrode connection member is electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal of the other of the two batteries. In addition, the two batteries are electrically connected in series by electrically connecting the positive electrode connection member and the negative electrode connection member. Here, the base member and the cover member are formed of an electrically insulating material and electrically insulate the positive electrode connection member and the negative electrode connection member. This prevents short circuits when the battery terminal connection device is attached to the two batteries. In addition, by effectively utilizing the space of the positive electrode connection member and the negative electrode connection member, it is possible to accommodate high functionality of the power supply system.

[0008] (2) In the above (1), the positive electrode connection member may further have a plurality of positive electrode connection terminals electrically connected to the positive electrode connection terminal portion, and the negative electrode connection member may further have a negative electrode connection terminal electrically connected to the negative electrode connection terminal portion. In such a configuration, the positive electrode connection member and the negative electrode connection member can be easily electrically connected by connecting the positive electrode connection terminal and the negative electrode connection terminal with a harness or the like. In addition, the voltage of one battery can be easily taken out and distributed by connecting a harness or the like to the other positive electrode connection terminal.

[0009] (3) In the above (1) or (2), the negative electrode connecting member may further have a battery state detection unit that detects the state of the battery of the two batteries that has a negative electrode terminal that is electrically connected to the negative electrode connecting terminal portion. In such a configuration, by providing the negative electrode connecting member with a battery state detection unit that detects the state of the battery of the two batteries that has a negative electrode terminal that is electrically connected to the negative electrode connecting terminal portion, the current state of the battery can be monitored in the battery terminal connecting device.

[0010] (4) In any of the above (1) to (3), the positive electrode connecting member may further have a positive electrode fastening portion that fastens the positive electrode connecting terminal portion to the positive electrode terminal, and the negative electrode connecting member may further have a negative electrode fastening portion that fastens the negative electrode connecting terminal portion to the negative electrode terminal. In such a configuration, the battery terminal connecting device can be easily fixed to the two batteries by fastening the positive electrode connecting terminal portion to the positive electrode terminal of the battery by the positive electrode fastening portion and fastening the negative electrode connecting terminal portion to the negative electrode terminal of the battery by the negative electrode fastening portion.

[0011] (5) In the above (4), the positive fastening portion may fasten and sandwich the positive connection terminal portion in a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the base member and the cover member, thereby fastening the positive connection terminal portion to the positive terminal. In such a configuration, the positive fastening portion fastens and sandwiches the positive connection terminal portion in a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the base member and the cover member, thereby making it possible to fasten the positive connection terminal portion to the positive terminal of the battery with a simple structure.

[0012] (6) In the above (5), the cover member may have a cover main body portion and an opening / closing portion connected to the cover main body portion via a hinge and covering the positive electrode fastening portion. In such a configuration, the opening / closing portion of the cover member is opened relative to the cover main body portion via the hinge to expose the positive electrode fastening portion. Therefore, it is easy to fasten the positive electrode fastening portion in a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the base member and the cover member.

[0013] (7) In any of the above (4) to (6), the negative electrode fastening portion may have a movable body having an inverted V-shaped recess that engages with the negative electrode connecting terminal portion, and a moving mechanism that moves the movable body in the opposing direction of the base member and the cover member, and the negative electrode connecting terminal portion may be fastened to the negative electrode terminal by moving the movable body toward the base member by the moving mechanism and sandwiching the negative electrode connecting terminal portion by the recess in a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the base member and the cover member. In such a configuration, when the movable body is moved toward the base member by the moving mechanism, the negative electrode connecting terminal portion is sandwiched in a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the base member and the cover member by the inverted V-shaped recess provided on the movable body. Therefore, the negative electrode connecting terminal portion can be fastened to the negative electrode terminal of the battery simply by moving the movable body toward the base member.

[0014] (8) In any of the above (1) to (7), the positive electrode connection member may be attached to the base member so as to be slidable in the arrangement direction of the two batteries, and the base member may have a plurality of claws for locking the positive electrode connection member. In such a configuration, since the positive electrode connection member is slidable relative to the base member in the arrangement direction of the two batteries, the battery terminal connection device can be attached to the upper surfaces of the two batteries even if the size of the batteries changes. Furthermore, even if the positive electrode connection member is slid relative to the base member to match the size of the batteries, the positive electrode connection member is locked to the base member by the plurality of claws, and therefore the positive electrode connection member is restrained relative to the base member. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to cope with increasing functionality of power supply systems and prevent short circuits when attached to a battery. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a state in which a battery terminal connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the upper surfaces of two batteries. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of the battery terminal connection device shown in FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] 2 is a plan view of the battery terminal connection device shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic plan view showing the wiring state of the battery terminal connection device shown in FIG. 1 together with two batteries. [Diagram 5] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an integrated power supply system in which the battery terminal connection device shown in FIG. 1 is used. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a power supply system as a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a battery terminal connection device according to one embodiment of the present invention attached to the upper surfaces of two batteries. In Fig. 1, the battery terminal connection device 1 of this embodiment is detachably attached to the upper surfaces 2a of two batteries 2 mounted on a truck (not shown). The basic power supply of the truck is 24V. The voltage of each battery 2 is 12V. The batteries 2 are connected in series as an electric circuit to obtain a voltage of 24V.

[0019] A positive (+) terminal 3 and a negative (-) terminal 4 protrude from the top surface 2a of the battery 2. The positive terminal 3 is disposed at one end of the battery 2 in the longitudinal direction. The negative terminal 4 is disposed at the other end of the battery 2 in the longitudinal direction. The positive terminal 3 and the negative terminal 4 are disposed biased toward the same side in the width direction of the battery 2. The width direction of the battery 2 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the battery 2. In addition, a plurality of vent plugs 5 are provided on the top surface 2a of the battery 2 along the longitudinal direction of the battery 2. The vent plugs 5 are plugs that close an inlet for injecting battery fluid.

[0020] Two batteries 2 (referred to as batteries 2A and 2B) are mounted on the truck in a state where the positive terminal 3 and the negative terminal 4 are arranged in mutually opposite directions. The batteries 2A and 2B are arranged in a state where the positive terminal 3 and the negative terminal 4 are in contact with each other and face each other in the width direction.

[0021] The battery terminal connection devices 1 are attached to both longitudinal end portions of the upper surfaces 2a of the batteries 2A and 2B. One battery terminal connection device 1 (referred to as battery terminal connection device 1A) is fixed to the positive terminal 3 of the battery 2A and the negative terminal 4 of the battery 2B. The other battery terminal connection device 1 (referred to as battery terminal connection device 1B) is fixed to the positive terminal 3 of the battery 2B and the negative terminal 4 of the battery 2A. The battery terminal connection devices 1A and 1B are attached to the upper surfaces 2a of the batteries 2A and 2B so as to avoid the vent plugs 5 of the batteries 2A and 2B.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the battery terminal connecting device 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the battery terminal connecting device 1. In Figs. 2 and 3, the battery terminal connecting device 1 includes a base member 10, a positive electrode connecting member 11, a negative electrode connecting member 12, and a cover member 13. Fig. 3(a) is a plan view showing the entire battery terminal connecting device 1. Fig. 3(b) is a plan view showing the battery terminal connecting device 1 with the cover member 13 removed.

[0023] The base member 10 is made of an electrically insulating resin material. The base member 10 has a fixed wall 21, a fixed wall 22 arranged away from the fixed wall 21 in a direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the arrangement direction (X direction) of the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12, an insulating wall 23 arranged between the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12, and guide walls 24 and 25 arranged closer to the positive electrode connection member 11 than the insulating wall 23.

[0024] The fixed wall 21 extends in the arrangement direction of the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12. A fixing claw portion 21a is provided at the upper end of the fixed wall 21. The fixed wall 22 extends in the arrangement direction of the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12. A fixing claw portion 22a is provided at the upper end of the fixed wall 22. The insulating wall 23 is a wall for electrically insulating the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12. The insulating wall 23 is provided continuously from the fixed wall 22 and has a bent shape.

[0025] The guide walls 24, 25 are spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12. The guide walls 24, 25 extend in the arrangement direction of the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12. The guide walls 24, 25 are provided with locking claws 26, 27, respectively, that are hooked onto the positive electrode connection member 11. The claws 26, 27 lock the positive electrode connection member 11 to the base member 10.

[0026] The positive electrode connection member 11 is attached to the base member 10 so as to be slidable in the arrangement direction (X direction) of the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12 (see arrow A in FIG. 3(b)). The positive electrode connection member 11 is slidable relative to the guide walls 24, 25 when it is unlocked by the claw portions 26, 27. The guide walls 24, 25 are guide portions that guide the positive electrode connection member 11 so that it is slidable in the X direction.

[0027] The positive electrode connection member 11 has a positive electrode connection terminal portion 31, a positive electrode fastening portion 32, and two positive electrode connection terminals 33. The number of positive electrode connection terminals 33 may be three or more as long as there is more than one. The positive electrode connection member 11 is formed of a metal material having electrical conductivity.

[0028] The positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 3 of one of the two batteries 2. The positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 has a substantially circular opening 35 that fits with the positive electrode terminal 3, and has a structure in which its tip portion is divided into two clamped portions 31a in a direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the positive electrode connecting member 11 and the negative electrode connecting member 12. The tip portion of the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 is the end portion of the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 opposite to the negative electrode connecting member 12.

[0029] The positive electrode fastening portion 32 fastens the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 to the positive electrode terminal 3 of the battery 2. The positive electrode fastening portion 32 fastens and sandwiches the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 in a direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the opposing direction (Z direction) of the base member 10 and the cover member 13, thereby fastening the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 to the positive electrode terminal 3.

[0030] Specifically, the positive electrode fastening portion 32 has a bolt 36 that passes through a tip end portion (each clamped portion 31a) of the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 in the Y direction, and a nut 37 that screws into the bolt 36. When the nut 37 is screwed onto the bolt 36 that passes through each clamped portion 31a, each clamped portion 31a is clamped between the bolt 36 and the nut 37. As a result, the positive electrode terminal 3 of the battery 2 is fastened by the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31.

[0031] The positive electrode connecting terminal 33 is electrically connected to the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31. The positive electrode connecting terminal 33 is disposed at an end of the positive electrode connecting member 11 on the negative electrode connecting member 12 side, and at a portion of the positive electrode connecting member 11 opposite to the negative electrode connecting member 12. The positive electrode connecting terminal 33 is a stud bolt provided upright on the positive electrode connecting member 11. A nut is screwed onto the stud bolt with a harness connected thereto.

[0032] The negative electrode connecting member 12 is attached to the base member 10 so as to be aligned with the positive electrode connecting member 11. The negative electrode connecting member 12 has a negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41, a negative electrode fastening portion 42, a negative electrode connecting terminal 43, and a battery state detecting portion 44. The negative electrode connecting member 12 is formed of the same metal material as the positive electrode connecting member 11.

[0033] The negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41 is electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal 4 of the other of the two batteries 2. In other words, the negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41 is electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal 4 of the battery 2 other than the battery 2 having the positive electrode terminal 3 electrically connected to the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31. The negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41 has a substantially circular annular portion 46 that fits with the negative electrode terminal 4. At both ends of the annular portion 46, clamped portions 46a are provided, facing each other in the arrangement direction (X direction) of the positive electrode connecting member 11 and the negative electrode connecting member 12.

[0034] The negative electrode fastening portion 42 fastens the negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41 to the negative electrode terminal 4 of the battery 2. The negative electrode fastening portion 42 has an inverted V-shaped recess 47a that engages with the negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41, and has a movable body 47 that is movable in the opposing direction between the base member 10 and the cover member 13 (Z direction), and a ball screw 48 that moves the movable body 47 in the Z direction. The recess 47a of the movable body 47 opens to the base member 10 side. Both ends of the annular portion 46 (each clamped portion 46a) fit into the recess 47a.

[0035] The ball screw 48 has a screw shaft 49 extending in the opposing direction between the base member 10 and the cover member 13, and a nut 50 screwed with the screw shaft 49 and fixed to the movable body 47. When the screw shaft 49 is rotated, the movable body 47 moves toward the base member 10 via the nut 50, and each clamped portion 46a of the annular portion 46 is clamped by both side surfaces of the recess 47a. As a result, the negative terminal 4 of the battery 2 is clamped by the negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41. Note that the moving mechanism for moving the movable body 47 in the Z direction is not limited to the ball screw 48.

[0036] The negative electrode connecting terminal 43 is electrically connected to the negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41. The negative electrode connecting terminal 43 is disposed on the negative electrode connecting member 12 on the opposite side of the negative electrode fastening portion 42 with respect to the negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41. The negative electrode connecting terminal 43 is a stud bolt provided upright on the negative electrode connecting member 12. A nut is screwed onto the stud bolt with a harness connected thereto.

[0037] The battery state detection unit 44 detects the state of the battery 2 having the negative terminal 4 electrically connected to the negative connection terminal unit 41, out of the two batteries 2. Examples of the state of the battery 2 include the voltage and the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 2.

[0038] The cover member 13 is a member that covers the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12. The cover member 13 cooperates with the base member 10 to sandwich the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12. The cover member 13 is formed of the same resin material as the base member 10. The base member 10 and the cover member 13 electrically insulate the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12 from each other.

[0039] The cover member 13 covers the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 and the positive electrode fastening portion 32 of the positive electrode connecting member 11 and the negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41 of the negative electrode connecting member 12. The positive electrode connecting terminal 33, the negative electrode fastening portion 42, the negative electrode connecting terminal 43 and the battery state detection portion 44 are exposed.

[0040] The cover member 13 has a cover main body 51 that covers the positive electrode connecting terminal 31 and the negative electrode connecting terminal 41, and an opening / closing part 53 that is connected to the cover main body 51 via two hinges 52 and covers the positive electrode fastening part 32. By opening the opening / closing part 53 upward via the hinges 52, the nut 37 of the positive electrode fastening part 32 is exposed, making it easier to fasten the nut 37 to the bolt 36.

[0041] The cover member 13 is provided with claw receiving portions 54a, 54b which respectively engage with the claw portions 21a, 22a of the fixed walls 21, 22. The cover member 13 is fixed to the base member 10 by the claw portions 21a, 22a being caught on the cover member 13. Here, the cover member 13 is fixed to the base member 10 by the claw portions 21a, 22a, but the cover member 13 may be fixed to the base member 10 by three or more claw portions.

[0042] The cover member 13 is provided with openings 55 and 56 that allow the claw portions 26 and 27 of the guide walls 24 and 25 to escape, respectively. The openings 55 and 56 have a length dimension that can absorb the positive electrode connecting member 11 sliding relative to the base member 10 in the arrangement direction (X direction) of the positive electrode connecting member 11 and the negative electrode connecting member 12.

[0043] The battery terminal connecting device 1 configured as above is attached to the upper surface 2a of the battery 2 with the base member 10, the positive electrode connecting member 11, the negative electrode connecting member 12 and the cover member 13 assembled as shown in FIG.

[0044] Specifically, the battery terminal connection device 1A is placed on the upper surface 2a of the batteries 2A, 2B so that the opening 35 of the positive electrode connection terminal portion 31 of the positive electrode connection member 11 fits into the positive electrode terminal 3 of the battery 2A, and the annular portion 46 of the negative electrode connection terminal portion 41 of the negative electrode connection member 12 fits into the negative electrode terminal 4 of the battery 2B.

[0045] In the battery terminal connecting device 1A, with the opening / closing portion 53 of the cover member 13 open upward, the nut 37 is tightened onto the bolt 36, whereby the positive terminal 3 of the battery 2A is fastened by the positive connecting terminal portion 31. Also, by moving the movable body 47 toward the base member 10 by the ball screw 48, the negative terminal 4 of the battery 2B is fastened by the negative connecting terminal portion 41. In this way, the battery terminal connecting device 1A is fixed to the batteries 2A, 2B.

[0046] In addition, the battery terminal connection device 1B is placed on the upper surface 2a of the batteries 2A, 2B so that the opening 35 of the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 of the positive electrode connecting member 11 fits into the positive electrode terminal 3 of the battery 2B, and the annular portion 46 of the negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41 of the negative electrode connecting member 12 fits into the negative electrode terminal 4 of the battery 2A.

[0047] In the battery terminal connecting device 1B, with the opening / closing portion 53 of the cover member 13 open upward, the nut 37 is tightened onto the bolt 36, whereby the positive terminal 3 of the battery 2B is fastened by the positive connecting terminal portion 31. Also, by moving the movable body 47 toward the base member 10 by the ball screw 48, the negative terminal 4 of the battery 2A is fastened by the negative connecting terminal portion 41. This fixes the battery terminal connecting device 1B to the batteries 2A, 2B.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the positive terminal 3 of the battery 2B and the negative terminal 4 of the battery 2A are connected by a harness 60. At this time, one end of the harness 60 is connected to one of the positive electrode connection terminals 33 of the battery terminal connection device 1B, and the other end of the harness 60 is connected to the negative electrode connection terminal 43 of the battery terminal connection device 1B. This results in the batteries 2A and 2B being electrically connected in series. The negative electrode terminal 4 of the battery 2B is grounded. Therefore, a voltage of 24V is output from the positive electrode terminal 3 of the battery 2A, and a voltage of 12V is output from the positive electrode terminal 3 of the battery 2B.

[0049] Moreover, the positive terminal 3 of the battery 2A and a 24V auxiliary (not shown) are connected by a harness 61. At this time, one end of the harness 61 is connected to the positive electrode connecting terminal 33 of the battery terminal connecting device 1A. Moreover, the positive terminal 3 of the battery 2B and a 12V auxiliary (not shown) are connected by a harness 62. At this time, one end of the harness 62 is connected to the other positive electrode connecting terminal 33 of the battery terminal connecting device 1B.

[0050] Integrating the positive electrode connecting member 11 and the negative electrode connecting member 12 with the base member 10 and the cover member 13 in this manner ensures an appropriate gap that does not cause a short circuit, and prevents malfunctions due to incorrect assembly. In addition, it is possible to reduce the amount of work required to attach the battery terminal connecting device 1 to the battery 2 or to remove the battery terminal connecting device 1 from the battery 2 for maintenance of the battery 2.

[0051] Fig. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an integrated power supply system using the battery terminal connection device 1. In Fig. 5, the integrated power supply system 100 is a highly functional power supply system.

[0052] In the integrated power supply system 100, the negative terminal 4 of the battery 2B is grounded via the negative electrode connecting member 12 of the battery terminal connecting device 1A. The positive electrode terminal 3 of the battery 2B and the negative electrode terminal 4 of the battery 2A are electrically connected by a harness 60 via the positive electrode connecting member 11 and the negative electrode connecting member 12 of the battery terminal connecting device 1B.

[0053] The positive terminal 3 of the battery 2A is electrically connected to a starter 101 via a positive electrode connecting member 11 of the battery terminal connecting device 1A by a harness 61A, and is also electrically connected to an alternator 103 via a positive electrode connecting member 11 of the battery terminal connecting device 1A and a protection circuit 102 by a harness 61B. The starter 101 starts an engine 104 with power supplied from the battery 2A. The alternator 103 generates electricity using the power of the engine 104 and charges the battery 2A. The protection circuit 102 is also electrically connected to an auxiliary device (not shown) that operates at a voltage of 24V by a harness 105.

[0054] The positive terminal 3 of the battery 2B is electrically connected by a harness 62 to an auxiliary device (not shown) that operates on a voltage of 12 V via the positive electrode connecting member 11 of the battery terminal connecting device 1B and a protection circuit 106. In addition, the protection circuit 102 is electrically connected by a harness 107 to another auxiliary device (not shown) that operates on a voltage of 12 V via a DC / DC converter 108.

[0055] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a power supply system as a comparative example. In Fig. 6, the power supply system 200 of this comparative example does not use the above-mentioned battery terminal connection devices 1A and 1B. In addition, the power supply system 200 is not highly functional.

[0056] In the power supply system 200, the negative terminal 4 of the battery 2B is grounded. The positive terminal 3 of the battery 2B and the negative terminal 4 of the battery 2A are electrically connected by a harness 201. The positive terminal 3 of the battery 2A is electrically connected to a starter 101 by a harness 202, and is also electrically connected to an alternator 103 via a protection circuit 102 by a harness 203. The protection circuit 102 is also electrically connected to an auxiliary device (not shown) that operates on a voltage of 24 V by a harness 204, and is also electrically connected to a plurality of auxiliary devices (not shown) that operate on a voltage of 12 V by a harness 205 via a DC / DC converter 206.

[0057] In such a power supply system 200, a voltage of 12 V is not extracted from the positive terminal 3 of the battery 2B, so a large load is placed on the battery 2A. Furthermore, if the battery 2A deteriorates or breaks down, the auxiliary equipment that operates on a voltage of 12 V cannot be used.

[0058] On the other hand, in the integrated power supply system 100, a voltage of 12V is taken out from the positive terminal 3 of the battery 2B via the battery terminal connection device 1B. This reduces the load on the battery 2A, and allows the use of auxiliary equipment that operates on a voltage of 12V even if the battery 2A deteriorates or breaks down. This eliminates the need to operate the alternator 103 more than necessary.

[0059] As described above, in this embodiment, when the battery terminal connection device 1 is attached to the upper surface 2a of the two batteries 2, the battery terminal connection device 1 is placed and fixed on the upper surface 2a of the two batteries 2 so that the positive electrode connection terminal portion 31 of the positive electrode connection member 11 is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 3 of one of the two batteries 2, and the negative electrode connection terminal portion 41 of the negative electrode connection member 12 is electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal 4 of the other of the two batteries 2. In addition, the two batteries 2 are electrically connected in series by electrically connecting the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12. Here, the base member 10 and the cover member 13 are formed of an electrically insulating resin material and electrically insulate the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12. This prevents short circuits when the battery terminal connection device 1 is attached to the two batteries 2. In addition, by effectively utilizing the space of the positive electrode connection member 11 and the negative electrode connection member 12, it is possible to meet the high functionality of the power supply system.

[0060] In this embodiment, the positive electrode connecting terminal 33 and the negative electrode connecting terminal 43 are connected by the harness 60, so that the positive electrode connecting member 11 and the negative electrode connecting member 12 can be easily electrically connected. Moreover, by connecting a harness 62 to the other positive electrode connecting terminal 33, the voltage of one battery 2 can be easily taken out and distributed.

[0061] In addition, in this embodiment, a battery status detection unit 44 that detects the status of the battery 2 having the negative terminal 4 electrically connected to the negative connection terminal portion 41 out of the two batteries 2 is provided in the negative electrode connecting member 12, thereby making it possible to monitor the current status of the battery 2 in the battery terminal connection device 1.

[0062] In addition, in this embodiment, the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 is fastened to the positive electrode terminal 3 of the battery 2 by the positive electrode fastening portion 32, and the negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41 is fastened to the negative electrode terminal 4 of the battery 2 by the negative electrode fastening portion 42, thereby making it possible to easily fix the battery terminal connection device 1 to the two batteries 2.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 is fastened and clamped by the positive electrode fastening portion 32 in a direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the opposing direction (Z direction) between the base member 10 and the cover member 13, thereby enabling the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 to be fastened to the positive electrode terminal 3 of the battery 2 with a simple structure.

[0064] In this embodiment, the positive electrode fastening portion 32 is exposed by opening the opening / closing portion 53 of the cover member 13 relative to the cover body portion 51 via the hinge 52. This makes it easier to fasten the positive electrode fastening portion 32 in a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the base member 10 and the cover member 13.

[0065] In addition, in this embodiment, when the movable body 47 is moved toward the base member 10 by the ball screw 48, the negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41 is sandwiched in a direction (X direction) perpendicular to the opposing direction (Z direction) between the base member 10 and the cover member 13 by the inverted V-shaped recess 47a provided in the movable body 47. Therefore, the negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41 can be fastened to the negative electrode terminal 4 of the battery 2 simply by moving the movable body 47 toward the base member 10.

[0066] In this embodiment, since the positive electrode connecting member 11 is slidable relative to the base member 10 in the arrangement direction (X direction) of the two batteries 2, even if the size of the battery 2 changes, the battery terminal connecting device 1 can be attached to the upper surfaces 2a of the two batteries 2. Even if the positive electrode connecting member 11 is slid relative to the base member 10 to match the size of the battery 2, the positive electrode connecting member 11 is locked to the base member 10 by the claw portions 26 and 27, so that the positive electrode connecting member 11 is restrained relative to the base member 10.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the positive electrode connecting terminal portion 31 is clamped to the positive electrode terminal 3 of the battery 2 by being fastened by the positive electrode fastening portion 32, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this form, and for example, a fastening structure similar to that of the negative electrode fastening portion 42 may be adopted.

[0068] In addition, in the above embodiment, the movable body 47 is moved toward the base member 10 and the negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41 is clamped by the recess 47a of the movable body 47, thereby tightening the negative electrode connecting terminal portion 41 to the negative electrode terminal 4 of the battery 2. However, this is not particularly limited to this form, and for example, a tightening structure similar to that of the positive electrode tightening portion 32 may be adopted.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the battery terminal connection device 1 is attached to two batteries 2 mounted on a truck, but the present invention can be applied to vehicles other than trucks as long as the battery terminal connection device 1 is attached to two batteries arranged so that the positive and negative terminals are oriented in opposite directions. The battery voltage is not limited to 12V. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1, 1A, 1B... battery terminal connecting device, 2, 2A, 2B... battery, 2a... upper surface, 3... positive electrode terminal, 4... negative electrode terminal, 10... base member, 11... positive electrode connecting member, 12... negative electrode connecting member, 13... cover member, 26, 27... claw portion, 31... positive electrode connecting terminal portion, 32... positive electrode fastening portion, 33... positive electrode connecting terminal, 41... negative electrode connecting terminal portion, 42... negative electrode fastening portion, 43... negative electrode connecting terminal, 44... battery state detection portion, 47... movable body, 47a... recess, 48... ball screw (moving mechanism), 51... cover main body portion, 52... hinge, 53... opening and closing portion.

Claims

1. A battery terminal connection device that is attached to the upper surfaces of two batteries arranged so that the positive and negative terminals are oriented in opposite directions, A base member; a positive electrode connection member attached to the base member and having a positive electrode connection terminal portion electrically connected to a positive electrode terminal of one of the two batteries; a negative electrode connection member attached to the base member and having a negative electrode connection terminal portion electrically connected to the other negative electrode terminal of the two batteries; a cover member for covering the positive electrode connection member and the negative electrode connection member, The base member and the cover member are formed of an electrically insulating material, and electrically insulate the positive electrode connecting member and the negative electrode connecting member from each other.

2. the positive electrode connection member further includes a plurality of positive electrode connection terminals electrically connected to the positive electrode connection terminal portion, 2. The battery terminal connection device according to claim 1, wherein the negative electrode connection member further comprises a negative electrode connection terminal electrically connected to the negative electrode connection terminal portion.

3. 2. The battery terminal connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the negative electrode connecting member further comprises a battery state detecting portion for detecting a state of the battery having the negative electrode terminal electrically connected to the negative electrode connecting terminal portion, out of the two batteries.

4. The positive electrode connection member further includes a positive electrode fastening portion that fastens the positive electrode connection terminal portion to the positive electrode terminal, 2. The battery terminal connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the negative electrode connecting member further comprises a negative electrode fastening portion for fastening the negative electrode connecting terminal portion to the negative electrode terminal.

5. 5. The battery terminal connection device according to claim 4, wherein the positive tightening portion tightens the positive connection terminal portion to the positive terminal by fastening and clamping the positive connection terminal portion in a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the base member and the cover member.

6. 6. The battery terminal connecting device according to claim 5, wherein the cover member has a cover body portion and an opening / closing portion connected to the cover body portion via a hinge and covering the positive electrode fastening portion.

7. 5. The battery terminal connection device of claim 4, wherein the negative electrode fastening portion has a movable body having an inverted V-shaped recess that engages with the negative electrode connecting terminal portion, and a moving mechanism that moves the movable body in the opposing direction between the base member and the cover member, and the moving mechanism moves the movable body toward the base member, and the recess clamps the negative electrode connecting terminal portion in a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction between the base member and the cover member, thereby fastening the negative electrode connecting terminal portion to the negative terminal.

8. the positive electrode connection member is attached to the base member so as to be slidable in an arrangement direction of the two batteries, 2. The battery terminal connection device according to claim 1, wherein the base member has a plurality of claws for locking the positive electrode connection member.

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