Terminal block with current sensor

Abstract

To provide a terminal block with a current sensor that enables electronic apparatuses to be downsized.SOLUTION: A terminal block 1 with a current sensor comprises: a tabular busbar 3; a current sensor 7 for detecting a current flowing in the busbar 3; a housing 2 for holding the busbar 3 and the current sensor 7 and attached to an attachment opening of an e-Axle enclosure; a first ring-shaped seal member 13; and a second ring-shaped seal member 14. The busbar 3 has a first connecting part 31 on its one end side and a second connecting part 32 on its other end side exposed to the outside of the housing 2, with an intermediate part 33 located inside the housing 2. The first ring-shaped seal member 13 is mounted to the outer periphery of the intermediate part 33 of the busbar 3 and seals between the busbar 3 and the housing 2. The second ring-shaped seal member 14 is mounted to the outer periphery of the housing 2 and seals between the housing 2 and the attachment opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal block with a current sensor in which a terminal block for connecting wires and a current sensor are integrated together. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional terminal block 501 (see Patent Document 1) shown in FIG. 10 is fixed to the housing of a traction motor mounted on an automobile, and includes three bus bars 503, a collar 515, and a housing 502 that holds these.

[0003] Each bus bar 503 has a first connection portion 531 at one end and a second connection portion 532 at the other end. A bolt insertion hole 531a is formed in the first connection portion 531. A terminal of the motor is placed on the first connection portion 531, and the first connection portion 531 and the motor terminal are fastened together with a bolt and a nut, thereby electrically connecting the first connection portion 531 and the motor terminal. The second connection portion 532 is electrically connected to a terminal of the inverter.

[0004] Housing 502 has flange portion 521 that holds collar 515, and bus bar holding portion 522 that is connected to flange portion 521 and holds a middle portion of bus bar 503. Flange portion 521 is placed on the housing of the motor, and bus bar holding portion 522 is passed through a mounting hole of the housing. Then, a bolt is passed through collar 515, and a nut is screwed onto the bolt, thereby fixing terminal block 501 to the housing of the motor.

[0005] In this way, the terminal block 501 electrically connects the terminals of the motor and the terminals of the inverter. The current between the inverter and the motor is monitored by a current sensor and a control unit, and is controlled to a predetermined current value. The current sensor is provided separately from the terminal block 501, and is provided in the inverter or the motor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-3619 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] As described above, in the conventional technology, the terminal block and the current sensor are provided separately, and the inverter or motor incorporating these becomes large in size.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block with a current sensor that enables miniaturization of electronic devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention is a terminal block with a current sensor comprising: a plate-shaped bus bar, a current sensor that detects a current flowing through the bus bar, a housing that holds the bus bar and the current sensor and is attached to a mounting hole of a housing of an electronic device, a first ring-shaped sealing member, and a second ring-shaped sealing member, wherein the bus bar has a first connection portion on one end side and a second connection portion on the other end side exposed to the outside of the housing and an intermediate portion positioned within the housing, the first ring-shaped sealing member is attached to the outer periphery of the intermediate portion of the bus bar to seal between the bus bar and the housing, and the second ring-shaped sealing member is attached to the outer periphery of the housing to seal between the housing and the mounting hole. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The product of the present invention in which the terminal block and current sensor are integrated takes up less mounting space than a product in which the terminal block and current sensor are separate, making it possible to miniaturize electronic devices. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a terminal block with a current sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2]2 is a perspective view of the terminal block with current sensor in FIG. 1 as viewed from a different angle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the current sensor-equipped terminal block of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of the current sensor-equipped terminal block of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the current sensor-equipped terminal block of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view of the current sensor-equipped terminal block of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the terminal block with current sensor in FIG. 1 is attached to a mounting hole in a housing of an electronic device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of the current sensor of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional terminal block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] A "terminal block with a current sensor" according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] The terminal block 1 with a current sensor shown in Figs. 1 to 7 is used as a component of an "e-Axle" and is attached to a mounting hole in a housing 8 of the e-Axle as shown in Fig. 8. The e-Axle is an integrated unit of a motor, an inverter, and a transmission, and is installed in an automobile that runs on a motor as its main power source. One surface 8a of the housing 8 shown in Fig. 8 faces the motor room, and the other surface 8b faces the inverter room.

[0014] The terminal block 1 with current sensor includes a bus bar 3, a current sensor 7, a wiring board 16, a connector portion 4, a housing 2, a cover 20, a collar 15, a first nut 11, a first nut holder 5, a second nut 12, a second nut holder 6, a first ring-shaped sealing member 13, and a second ring-shaped sealing member 14.

[0015] The busbar 3 is obtained by pressing a metal plate. In this example, the busbar 3 is formed by bending a long, narrow strip-like metal plate at a right angle at one location, forming an L-shape as a whole. The terminal block 1 with a current sensor includes three busbars 3 of the same configuration and size.

[0016] One end of the bus bar 3 is defined as a first connection portion 31, and the other end is defined as a second connection portion 32. An intermediate portion 33 of the bus bar 3 is positioned within the housing 2. The first connection portion 31 and the second connection portion 32 are exposed to the outside of the housing 2. The first connection portion 31 and the intermediate portion 33 are connected flush with each other. The boundary between the second connection portion 32 and the intermediate portion 33 is bent at a right angle. The first connection portion 31 and the second connection portion 32 are formed with bolt insertion holes 31a, 32a, respectively.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 8, the first connection part 31 is placed in the inverter chamber, and the inverter terminal is overlapped thereon. The overlapped first connection part 31 and the inverter terminal are electrically connected by being fastened together with a bolt and a first nut 11. As shown in Fig. 7, the first nut 11 is overlapped on the first connection part 31 with its bolt hole overlapping the bolt insertion hole 31a. A bolt insertion hole overlapping the bolt insertion hole 31a is formed in the inverter terminal, and a bolt is passed through the bolt insertion hole and the bolt insertion hole 31a, and the bolt is screwed into the first nut 11.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 8, the second connection part 32 is disposed in the motor chamber, and the motor terminal is overlapped thereon. The overlapped second connection part 32 and the motor terminal are electrically connected by being fastened together with a bolt and a second nut 12. As shown in Fig. 7, the second nut 12 is overlapped on the second connection part 32 with its bolt hole overlapping the bolt insertion hole 32a. A bolt insertion hole overlapping the bolt insertion hole 32a is formed in the motor terminal, and a bolt is passed through the bolt insertion hole and the bolt insertion hole 32a, and the bolt is screwed into the second nut 12.

[0019] The current sensor 7 detects the current flowing through the busbar 3, and is provided for each busbar 3, three in total. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 , the current sensor 7 includes a C-shaped magnetic core 71 surrounding the intermediate portion 33 of the busbar 3, and a detection element 72 disposed in a gap portion of the magnetic core 71. The detection element 72 is mounted on the wiring board 16.

[0020] When a current flows from the inverter to the motor via the bus bar 3, a magnetic flux proportional to the current is generated in the magnetic core 71. The detection element 72 converts the magnetic flux generated in the magnetic core 71 into a voltage. The output voltage of the detection element 72 is output to the control unit via the wiring board 16, the connector unit 4, wiring connected to the connector unit 4, etc.

[0021] 4, the connector section 4 includes a plurality of terminals 42 and a housing section 41 that holds the plurality of terminals 42. The plurality of terminals 42 are electrically connected to the wiring board 16.

[0022] The housing 2 is made of insulating synthetic resin and integrally includes a flange portion 21, a main body portion 22, a first nut holder holding portion 23, a partition wall 24, and a second nut holder holding portion 25.

[0023] The flange portion 21 is formed in a plate shape and holds two collars 15. The flange portion 21 is placed on one surface 8a of the housing 8, as shown in Fig. 8. Then, a bolt is passed through the collar 15, and a nut is screwed onto the bolt, thereby fixing the terminal block 1 with a current sensor to the housing 8.

[0024] The main body 22 protrudes from one surface of the flange portion 21. The intermediate portion 33 and the magnetic core 71 of the busbar 3 are embedded in the main body 22 and are integrated with the main body 22. The main body 22 is formed with an accommodation space 28 that accommodates the detection element 72 and the wiring board 16, a recess 26 that accommodates the first ring-shaped seal member 13, and an annular groove 27 in which the second ring-shaped seal member 14 is attached. The main body 22 is passed through a mounting hole in the housing 8.

[0025] The accommodation space 28 is open in one direction, and the detection element 72 and the wiring board 16 are accommodated in the accommodation space 28 through this opening. This opening is closed by the cover 20.

[0026] The recesses 26 are formed concavely from the end face of the main body 22 away from the flange 21 towards the flange 21. Three recesses 26 are formed. One end of each bus bar 3 passes through each recess 26 and is exposed outside the main body 22 (outside the housing 2). The other end of each bus bar 3 passes through the flange 21 and is exposed outside the housing 2.

[0027] A total of three first ring-shaped seal members 13 are provided for each bus bar 3. The first ring-shaped seal members 13 are attached to the outer periphery of the intermediate portion 33 of the bus bar 3 to seal between the outer periphery of the bus bar 3 and the inner periphery of the recess 26.

[0028] The annular groove 27 is formed on the outer periphery of the main body 22. In addition, the annular groove 27 is formed in the vicinity of the flange 21. The second ring-shaped seal member 14 attached to the annular groove 27 provides a seal between the outer periphery of the main body 22 and the inner periphery of the mounting hole of the housing 8.

[0029] The current sensor-equipped terminal block 1 can be used in an environment where it is exposed to oil because the first ring-shaped seal member 13 and the second ring-shaped seal member 14 function as an oil-proof structure.

[0030] Three first nut holder holding parts 23 are provided. These first nut holder holding parts 23 extend from the end face of the main body part 22 away from the flange part 21 to the opposite side to the flange part 21. In addition, each first nut holder holding part 23 is provided near each recess 26. The three first connection parts 31 are arranged side by side, and the three first nut holder holding parts 23 position the first nut holder 5 between each first connection part 31. In addition, the holder part 4 is arranged side by side together with the three first connection parts 31.

[0031] There are two partition walls 24. These partition walls 24 extend from the end face of the main body portion 22 away from the flange portion 21 to the opposite side to the flange portion 21. Also, each partition wall 24 is disposed between adjacent first nut holder holding portions 23.

[0032] The second nut holder retaining portion 25 is provided on the surface of the flange portion 21 opposite to the main body portion 22 .

[0033] The first nut holder 5 is a member that holds the first nut 11 and is assembled to the housing 2, and is made of insulating synthetic resin. A total of three first nut holders 5 are provided for each bus bar 3. As shown in FIG. 7, the first nut holder 5 integrally includes an annular mounting portion 51 that is mounted on the outer periphery of the intermediate portion 33 of the bus bar 3, a locking arm 52 that is locked to the first nut holder holding portion 23, and a nut holding portion 53 that holds the first nut 11. The annular mounting portion 51 is inserted into the recess 26 to regulate the positional deviation of the first ring-shaped seal member 13.

[0034] The second nut holder 6 is a member that holds three second nuts 12 and is assembled to the housing 2, and is made of insulating synthetic resin. The second nut holder 6 integrally includes three contact portions 61 that contact the flange portion 21, three holding plate portions 62 connected to each of the contact portions 61, two connecting portions 63 that connect adjacent holding plate portions 62, and two locking arms 64 connected to each of the connecting portions 63.

[0035] 7, the abutment portion 61 positions the second nut 12 between itself and the second connection portion 32. The holding plate portion 62 positions the second nut 12 between itself and the second nut holder holding portion 25. The locking arm 64 is locked to the second nut holder holding portion 25.

[0036] The terminal block 1 with a current sensor of this example is configured by insert-molding the bus bar 3, the magnetic core 71, and the collar 15 into the housing 2, and then assembling the other parts. Note that, as long as the first ring-shaped seal member 13 and the second ring-shaped seal member 14 are provided, the bus bar 3 and the magnetic core 71 may be assembled to the housing 2 by other fixing methods instead of insert molding.

[0037] The terminal block 1 with the current sensor, in which the terminal block and the current sensor 7 are integrated, requires less mounting space than when the terminal block and the current sensor 7 are separate, making it possible to miniaturize the e-Axle. In addition, by integrating the two, the amount of resin in the housing is less than when they are separate, making it possible to reduce costs.

[0038] The above-described embodiment merely shows a typical form of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention. As long as the configuration of the present invention is still provided even with such modifications, it is of course included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Terminal block with current sensor 2. Housing 3 Bus bar 7 Current Sensor 8. Cabinet 13 First ring-shaped seal member 14 Second ring-shaped seal member

Claims

1. A plate-shaped bus bar; A current sensor that detects a current flowing through the bus bar; a housing that holds the bus bar and the current sensor and is attached to a mounting hole of a housing of an electronic device; A first ring-shaped seal member; a second ring-shaped seal member; a first connection portion on one end side of the bus bar and a second connection portion on the other end side of the bus bar are exposed to the outside of the housing, and an intermediate portion of the bus bar is positioned within the housing, the first ring-shaped seal member is attached to an outer periphery of a middle portion of the bus bar to seal between the bus bar and the housing, The second ring-shaped seal member is attached to the outer periphery of the housing to seal between the housing and the mounting hole. A terminal block with a current sensor.

2. The current sensor includes a C-shaped magnetic core surrounding a middle portion of the bus bar, and a detection element disposed in a gap portion of the magnetic core.

2. The terminal block with a current sensor according to claim 1 .

3. A wiring board having the detection element mounted thereon, an intermediate portion of the bus bar and the magnetic core are embedded in the housing and integrated with the housing, and the detection element and the wiring board are detachably accommodated in an accommodation space within the housing, A cover is provided to cover the storage space.

3. The terminal block with a current sensor according to claim 2.

4. A bolt insertion hole is formed in each of the first connection portion and the second connection portion, A first nut overlapped on the first connection portion; a first nut holder that holds the first nut and is assembled to the housing; A second nut overlapped on the second connection portion; a second nut holder that holds the second nut and is assembled to the housing.

2. The terminal block with a current sensor according to claim 1 .

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