Capacitor

Abstract

To provide a capacitor that can suppress a decrease in the capacity of a storage space in a case caused by a positioning portion.SOLUTION: A capacitor includes a capacitor unit 5 assembled from a capacitor element 10, a pair of bus bars 20, 30, and an insulating member 40 that insulates the pair of bus bars 20, 30, a case 70 that houses a part of the capacitor unit 5, and positioning parts 50, 60 that position the capacitor unit 5 and the case 70. The positioning parts 50, 60 have a pair of unit clamping portions 53, 54 and 63, 64 that extend above the sides of the case 70, and position and fix the pair of bus bars 20, 30 and the insulating member 40 between the pair of unit clamping portions 53, 54 and 63, 64.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a capacitor having a structure for positioning a capacitor unit in a case. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a capacitor unit including a capacitor element having a pair of end electrodes, a pair of bus bars electrically connected to the pair of end electrodes of the capacitor element, and an insulating member arranged between a first predetermined portion of a first bus bar of one of the pair of bus bars and a second predetermined portion of a second bus bar of the other of the pair of bus bars to ensure an insulated state between the first bus bar and the second bus bar; an accommodating portion that accommodates part of the capacitor unit (the capacitor element, a portion of the pair of bus bars, and a portion of the insulating member) in the accommodating space; and a sealing resin that is filled in the accommodating space accommodating part of the capacitor unit.

[0003] Among such capacitors, there is a capacitor in which a fixing part for fixing to a case (accommodation part) is provided on an insulating member, and a support part for supporting the fixing part, which has an upper surface facing the lower surface of the fixing part, is provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the side of the case near the accommodation space, and the fixing part is disposed on the support part to position the capacitor unit in the case (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 110050 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, the support portion is formed on the upper surface of the side portion of the case (housing portion), which makes the side portion of the case thicker, resulting in a reduction in the capacity of the housing space.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a capacitor that can position a capacitor unit in a storage section while suppressing a reduction in the capacity of the storage space in the storage section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a capacitor of the present invention comprises a capacitor element having a pair of end electrodes, a pair of bus bars electrically connected to the pair of end electrodes of the capacitor element, an insulating member arranged between the pair of bus bars and insulating each of the pair of bus bars, an accommodating portion that accommodates the capacitor element, a portion of the pair of bus bars and a portion of the insulating member in an accommodating space, a sealing resin that is filled into the accommodating space that accommodates the capacitor element, a portion of the pair of bus bars and a portion of the insulating member, and a positioning portion that positions a capacitor unit including the capacitor element, the pair of bus bars and the insulating member in the accommodating portion, wherein the positioning portion has a retaining portion extending above a side portion of the accommodating portion, and a drawn-out portion of the pair of bus bars drawn out of the accommodating portion is fixed by the retaining portion.

[0008] According to this configuration, the pull-out portions of the pair of bus bars are fixed by the retaining portions extending above the sides of the accommodating portion, so that the capacitor unit can be positioned in the accommodating portion. Moreover, since there is no need to thicken the sides of the accommodating portion for the positioning portions, a decrease in the capacity of the accommodating space in the accommodating portion can be suppressed. In other words, the capacitor unit can be positioned in the accommodating portion while suppressing a decrease in the capacity of the accommodating space in the accommodating portion.

[0009] The holding portion may be configured by a pair of unit clamping portions, and the lead-out portions of the pair of bus bars may be clamped between the pair of unit clamping portions to position the capacitor unit relative to the accommodating portion.

[0010] According to this configuration, by configuring the holding portion that positions the capacitor unit relative to the storage portion by the pair of unit clamping portions, the structure of the positioning portion can be simplified.

[0011] In addition, the positioning portion may be a separate member from the accommodating portion, and the positioning portion may have a pair of case clamping portions capable of clamping the sides of the accommodating portion, and the capacitor unit may be positioned relative to the accommodating portion by clamping the sides of the accommodating portion between the pair of case clamping portions.

[0012] According to this configuration, the positioning portion, which is a separate member from the accommodation portion, is formed by the pair of case clamping portions, so that the capacitor unit can be reliably positioned in the accommodation portion.

[0013] The positioning portion may be formed integrally with a side portion of the storage portion.

[0014] According to this configuration, the housing portion having the positioning portion can be manufactured using one type of mold, which reduces costs. Also, there is no work process for attaching the positioning portion to the housing portion, which improves work efficiency.

[0015] The positioning portion may be disposed at a position recessed toward the housing space with respect to a side surface of the housing portion on which the positioning portion is not present.

[0016] According to this configuration, by disposing the positioning portion at a recessed portion on the side surface of the accommodation portion toward the accommodation space, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the capacity of the accommodation space of the accommodation portion in a portion other than the recessed portion of the side surface of the accommodation portion. Also, by attaching the positioning portion to the recessed portion on the side surface of the accommodation portion toward the accommodation space, it is possible to reduce the amount by which the positioning portion protrudes outside the accommodation portion, thereby preventing an increase in the size of the capacitor. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, since it is not necessary to thicken the side of the accommodating portion for the positioning portion, the capacitor unit can be positioned in the accommodating portion while suppressing a decrease in the capacity of the accommodation space of the accommodating portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a capacitor according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the capacitor in FIG. 1 excluding the sealing resin. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the capacitor in FIG. 1 excluding the sealing resin. [Figure 4] 4(a) is a perspective view of a capacitor unit assembled from the capacitor element, the first bus bar, the second bus bar, and the insulating member of FIG. 3, and (b) is a perspective view of the capacitor unit as seen from a different direction from (a). [Diagram 5] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of line AA in FIG. 2 excluding a capacitor element. [Figure 6] FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of the first bus bar of FIGS. 1 to 3, and (b) is a perspective view of the first bus bar as viewed from a different direction from that of (a). [Figure 7] FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of the second bus bar of FIGS. 1 to 3, and (b) is a perspective view of the second bus bar as viewed from a different direction from that of (a). [Figure 8] FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of the insulating member of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, and FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of the insulating member as viewed from a different direction from that of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of the first positioning component and the second positioning component of FIGS. 1 to 3, and FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of the first positioning component and the second positioning component as viewed from a different direction from that of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the case of FIGS. 1 to 3. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a capacitor according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the capacitor in FIG. 11 excluding the sealing resin. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the case of FIGS. 11 to 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] First Embodiment A capacitor 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 10. Each of Fig. 1 to Fig. 10 is illustrated so that the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis in each of the drawings are in the same direction. In the following, a planar view of the capacitor 1 seen from the z-axis positive or negative side to the z-axis negative or positive side will be referred to as an "xy planar view", a planar view seen from the x-axis positive or negative side to the x-axis negative or positive side will be referred to as a "yz planar view", and a planar view seen from the y-axis positive or negative side to the y-axis negative or positive side will be referred to as a "zx planar view".

[0021] 1 to 3, capacitor 1 includes a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) metallized film capacitor elements (hereinafter referred to as "capacitor elements" as appropriate) 10, a first bus bar 20, a second bus bar 30, an insulating member 40, a first positioning component 50, a second positioning component 60, a case 70, and a sealing resin 80. Capacitor unit 5 housed in case 70 is a unit assembled from eight capacitor elements 10, a first bus bar 20, a second bus bar 30, and an insulating member 40, as shown in FIG. 4. Capacitor unit 5 corresponds to the "capacitor unit" of the present invention.

[0022] The eight capacitor elements 10 are arranged vertically and horizontally so that the peripheral surfaces of adjacent capacitor elements 10 face each other (in this embodiment, four are arranged in the x-axis direction and two are arranged in the y-axis direction), and are housed in the case 70. For simplification, in Figures 2 to 4, etc., reference numerals 10, 11, 12, and 13 are attached to only some of the capacitor elements. Capacitor element 10 corresponds to the "capacitor element" of the present invention.

[0023] 3, capacitor element 10 is configured to include an element body 11, a first end surface electrode 12 formed on one end surface of element body 11 by spraying a metal such as zinc, and a second end surface electrode 13 formed on the other end surface of element body 11 by spraying a metal such as zinc. In this embodiment, first end surface electrode 12 of capacitor element 10 is used as a P-pole side, and second end surface electrode 13 is used as an N-pole side. The first end surface electrode 12 and second end surface electrode 13 correspond to a "pair of end surface electrodes" of the present invention.

[0024] The element body 11 is formed by stacking two metallized films in which aluminum is vapor-deposited on a dielectric film, rolling or laminating the stacked metallized films, and pressing them into a flat shape. Note that, although the element body 11 in this embodiment is formed of a metallized film in which aluminum is vapor-deposited on a dielectric film, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be formed of a metallized film in which other metals such as zinc and magnesium are vapor-deposited, may be formed of a metallized film in which a plurality of these metals are vapor-deposited, or may be formed of a metallized film in which an alloy of these metals is vapor-deposited.

[0025] The first bus bar 20 and the second bus bar 30 are each formed from a conductive material such as copper. The first bus bar 20 and the second bus bar 30 correspond to a "pair of bus bars" of the present invention.

[0026] The first busbar 20 has a shape shown in FIG. 6 and is used as a P-pole busbar in this embodiment. The first busbar 20 has a flat element connection electrode planar portion 21 having a substantially rectangular outer shape in the xy plane view, which is electrically connected to the first end surface electrodes 12 of the eight capacitor elements 10 by soldering. Although not shown, in order to solder to each of the first end surface electrodes 12, the element connection electrode planar portion 21 may be cut out to form connection pieces corresponding to each of the first end surface electrodes 12, and each connection piece may be used for soldering to the corresponding first end surface electrode 12. The first busbar 20 also has a flat lead portion 22. The lead portion 22 and a lead portion 32 described later correspond to the "lead portion" of the present invention.

[0027] Lead portion 22 has a flat lead main body portion 23 that extends in the z-axis positive direction from the end on the x-axis positive side of element connection electrode planar portion 21 and has a substantially rectangular outer shape in the yz plane view.

[0028] Further, the lead-out portion 22 has a flat first clamped portion 24 having a substantially rectangular outer shape in a yz plane view, which extends in the y-axis positive direction from a portion of the end of the lead-out main body portion 23 on the y-axis positive side, away from the element-connecting electrode flat portion 21, and the first clamped portion 24 is drawn out to the outside of the case 70. The first clamped portion 24 has a surface 24a (hereinafter referred to as the "component-facing surface" as appropriate) facing the first positioning component 50 (first unit clamping portion 53: see FIG. 9) of the first clamped portion 24, on which a substantially cylindrical fitting protrusion 24c protruding substantially perpendicularly from the component-facing surface 24a is formed. In addition, the first clamped portion 24 has a fixed through hole 24d that is approximately circular when viewed in the yz plane, penetrating from the tip surface of the engaging protrusion portion 24c to the surface 24b of the first clamped portion 24 that faces the insulating member 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "insulating opposing surface" as appropriate).

[0029] Further, the pull-out portion 22 has a flat second clamped portion 25 having a substantially rectangular outer shape in a yz plane view, which extends in the y-axis negative direction from a portion of the end of the pull-out main body portion 23 on the y-axis negative side, away from the element connection electrode flat portion 21, and the second clamped portion 25 is pulled out to the outside of the case 70. The second clamped portion 25 has a surface 25a (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as the "component facing surface") 25a facing the second positioning component 60 (second unit clamping portion 63: see FIG. 9) of the second clamped portion 25, on which a substantially cylindrical fitting protrusion 25c protruding substantially perpendicularly from the component facing surface 25a is formed. In addition, the second clamped portion 25 has a fixed through hole 25d that is approximately circular when viewed in the yz plane, penetrating from the tip surface of the engaging protrusion portion 25c to the surface 25b of the second clamped portion 25 that faces the insulating member 40 (hereinafter referred to as the ``insulating opposing surface'' as appropriate).

[0030] The first busbar 20 also has a flat external connection terminal portion 26 having a substantially rectangular outer shape in the xy plane view, which extends in the negative x-axis direction from the end of the lead portion 22 opposite the element connection electrode planar portion 21.

[0031] 7 and is used as an N-pole busbar in this embodiment. The second busbar 30 has a flat element connection electrode planar portion 31 having a substantially rectangular outer shape in the xy plane view, which is electrically connected to the second end surface electrodes 13 of the eight capacitor elements 10 by soldering. The second busbar 30 also has a flat lead-out portion 32.

[0032] Lead portion 32 has a flat lead main body portion 33 that extends in the z-axis positive direction from the end on the x-axis negative side of element connection electrode planar portion 31 and has a substantially rectangular outer shape in the yz plane view.

[0033] Further, the lead-out portion 32 has a flat first clamped portion 34 having a substantially rectangular outer shape in a yz plane view, which extends in the y-axis positive direction from a portion of the end of the lead-out main body portion 33 on the y-axis positive side, away from the element-connecting electrode flat portion 31, and the first clamped portion 34 is drawn out to the outside of the case 70. The first clamped portion 34 has a surface 34a (hereinafter referred to as "component-facing surface" as appropriate) facing the first positioning component 50 (first unit clamping portion 54: see FIG. 9) of the first clamped portion 34, on which a substantially cylindrical fitting protrusion 34c protruding substantially perpendicularly from the component-facing surface 34a is formed. In addition, the first clamped portion 34 is formed with a fixed through hole 34d that is approximately circular in yz plane view and penetrates from the tip surface of the engaging protrusion portion 34c to the surface 34b of the first clamped portion 34 that faces the insulating member 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "insulating opposing surface" as appropriate).

[0034] Further, the pull-out portion 32 has a flat second clamped portion 35 having a substantially rectangular outer shape in a yz plane view, which extends in the y-axis negative direction from a portion of the end of the pull-out main body portion 33 on the y-axis negative side, away from the element connection electrode flat portion 31, and the second clamped portion 35 is pulled out to the outside of the case 70. The second clamped portion 35 has a surface 35a (hereinafter referred to as the "component facing surface" as appropriate) facing the second positioning component 60 (second unit clamping portion 64: see FIG. 9) of the second clamped portion 35, on which a substantially cylindrical fitting protrusion 35c protruding substantially perpendicularly from the component facing surface 35a is formed. In addition, the second clamped portion 35 has a fixed through hole 35d that is approximately circular when viewed in the yz plane, penetrating from the tip surface of the engaging protrusion portion 35c to the surface 35b of the second clamped portion 35 that faces the insulating member 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "insulating opposing surface" as appropriate).

[0035] The second busbar 30 also has a flat external connection terminal portion 36 having a substantially rectangular outer shape in the xy plane view, extending in the positive direction of the x-axis from the end of the lead portion 32 opposite the element connection electrode flat portion 31.

[0036] Insulating member 40 is formed from a resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). Insulating member 40 has a shape as shown in Fig. 8 and is disposed between drawn-out portion 22 of first bus bar 20 and drawn-out portion 32 of second bus bar 30 to ensure insulation between first bus bar 20 and second bus bar 30. Insulating member 40 corresponds to the "insulating member" of the present invention.

[0037] The insulating member 40 has a flat insulating main body portion 41 having an approximately rectangular outer shape when viewed in the xy plane, and the insulating main body portion 41 is arranged between the draw-out main body portion 23 of the draw-out portion 22 of the first bus bar 20 and the draw-out main body portion 33 of the draw-out portion 32 of the second bus bar 30.

[0038] The insulating member 40 has a flat first clamped portion 42 having an approximately rectangular outer shape when viewed in the yz plane, extending in the positive y-axis direction from the portion of the z-axis positive side of the y-axis positive end of the insulating main body portion 41, and the first clamped portion 42 is arranged between the first clamped portion 24 of the first bus bar 20 and the first clamped portion 34 of the second bus bar 30.

[0039] In the first held portion 42, a substantially cylindrical first fixed protrusion 42b protruding substantially perpendicularly from the first busbar facing surface 42a is formed on a surface 42a (hereinafter referred to as the "first busbar facing surface") of the first held portion 42 that faces the first held portion 24 of the first held portion 42. In addition, in the first held portion 42, a substantially cylindrical second fixed protrusion 42d protruding substantially perpendicularly from the second busbar facing surface 42c is formed on a surface 42c (hereinafter referred to as the "second busbar facing surface") of the first held portion 42 that faces the first held portion 34 of the first held portion 42.

[0040] The insulating member 40 has a flat second clamped portion 43 having an approximately rectangular outer shape when viewed in the yz plane, extending in the negative y-axis direction from the portion of the z-axis positive side of the y-axis negative end of the insulating main body portion 41, and the second clamped portion 43 is arranged between the second clamped portion 25 of the first bus bar 20 and the second clamped portion 35 of the second bus bar 30.

[0041] In the second held portion 43, a substantially cylindrical first fixed protrusion 43b protruding substantially perpendicularly from the first busbar facing surface 43a is formed on a surface 43a (hereinafter appropriately referred to as the "first busbar facing surface") of the second held portion 43 that faces the second held portion 25 of the second held portion 43. In addition, in the second held portion 43, a substantially cylindrical second fixed protrusion 43d protruding substantially perpendicularly from the second busbar facing surface 43c is formed on a surface 43c (hereinafter appropriately referred to as the "second busbar facing surface") of the second held portion 43 that faces the second held portion 35 of the second held portion 43.

[0042] The first fixing protrusion 42b and the first fixing protrusion 43b of the insulating member 40 are inserted into the fixing through holes 24d and 25d of the first bus bar 20, and the second fixing protrusion 42d and the second fixing protrusion 43d of the insulating member 40 are inserted into the fixing through holes 34d and 35d of the second bus bar 30, so that the first bus bar 20, the second bus bar 30 and the insulating member 40 are fixed and positioned (see Figure 5).

[0043] The first positioning part 50 and the second positioning part 60 are formed of a resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). The first and second positioning parts 50, 60 position the case 70 and the capacitor unit 5 (a unit assembled from eight capacitor elements 10, a first bus bar 20, a second bus bar 30, and an insulating member 40). The first positioning part 50 and the second positioning part 60 correspond to the "positioning section" of the present invention.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first positioning component 50 and the second positioning component 60 have the same shape, as shown in Fig. 9. Since the first positioning component 50 and the second positioning component 60 have the same shape, they will be described together.

[0045] The first and second positioning components 50, 60 have base portions 51, 61 each having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0046] The first and second positioning components 50, 60 are provided with first unit clamping parts 53, 54 and second unit clamping parts 63, 64 on the z-axis positive surfaces (hereinafter referred to as "base top surfaces") 51a, 61a of the base parts 51, 61. The first unit clamping parts 53, 54 are formed near the ends on both the positive and negative sides of the x-axis in the xy-plane view of the base top surface 51a of the base part 51, so as to extend substantially perpendicularly from the vicinity of the ends (extending in the z-axis positive direction). The second unit clamping parts 63, 64 are formed near the ends on both the positive and negative sides of the x-axis in the xy-plane view of the base top surface 61a of the base part 61, so as to extend substantially perpendicularly from the vicinity of the ends (extending in the z-axis positive direction).

[0047] The first unit clamping portions 53, 54 have first unit clamping fitting grooves 53c, 54c cut out in an approximately rectangular shape on their opposing surfaces (hereinafter referred to as the "first unit clamping inner surfaces") 53a, 54a, which extend partway in the negative direction of the z-axis from the surfaces (hereinafter referred to as the "first unit clamping upper surfaces") 53b, 54b opposite the base top surface 51a across the first unit clamping portions 53, 54 toward the base top surface 51a.

[0048] Similarly, the second unit clamping portions 63, 64 have second unit clamping fitting grooves 63c, 64c cut out in an approximately rectangular shape on their opposing surfaces (hereinafter referred to as the "second unit clamping inner surfaces") 63a, 64a, which extend from the surfaces (hereinafter referred to as the "second unit clamping upper surfaces") 63b, 64b opposite the base top surface 61a across the second unit clamping portions 63, 64 to partway toward the base top surface 61a in the negative direction of the z axis.

[0049] The first unit clamping portions 53, 54 and the second unit clamping portions 63, 64 each correspond to a "pair of unit clamping portions" of the present invention.

[0050] The first and second positioning components 50, 60 are provided with first case clamping parts 56, 57 and second case clamping parts 66, 67 on the z-axis negative side surfaces (hereinafter referred to as "base bottom surfaces") 51b, 61b of the base parts 51, 61. The first case clamping parts 56, 57 are formed near the ends on both the positive and negative sides of the x-axis in the xy-plane view of the base bottom surface 51b of the base part 51, so as to extend substantially perpendicularly from the vicinity of the ends (extending in the z-axis negative direction). The second case clamping parts 66, 67 are formed near the ends on both the positive and negative sides of the x-axis in the xy-plane view of the base bottom surface 61b of the base part 61, so as to extend substantially perpendicularly from the vicinity of the ends (extending in the z-axis negative direction).

[0051] The first case clamping portions 56, 57 have first case clamping fitting groove portions 56c, 57c cut out in an approximately rectangular shape on their opposing surfaces (hereinafter referred to as the "first case clamping inner surface") 56a, 57a, which extend in the positive direction of the z-axis from the surface opposite the base underside 51b (hereinafter referred to as the "first case clamping lower surface") 56b across the first case clamping portions 56, 57 toward the base underside 51b halfway.

[0052] Similarly, the second case clamping portions 66, 67 have second case clamping fitting groove portions 66c, 67c cut out in an approximately rectangular shape on their opposing surfaces (hereinafter referred to as the "second case clamping inner surfaces") 66a, 67a, which extend partway in the positive direction of the z-axis from the surfaces (hereinafter referred to as the "second case clamping lower surfaces") 66b, 67b opposite the base lower surface 61b across the second case clamping portions 66, 67 toward the base lower surface 61b.

[0053] In this embodiment, a case clamping fitting groove is provided so that the unit clamping portion and the case clamping portion have the same shape, but it is not essential to provide a case clamping fitting groove as long as the first and second positioning components 50, 60 can be fixed to the case 70. Note that the first case clamping portions 56, 57 and the second case clamping portions 66, 67 each correspond to a "pair of case clamping portions" of the present invention.

[0054] The shapes of the first and second positioning components 50, 60 described with reference to FIG. 9 are point symmetric.

[0055] When the capacitor unit 5 is fixed to and positioned by the first and second positioning components 50, 60, the fitting protrusion 24c and the fitting protrusion 25c of the first bus bar 20 are guided into and fitted into the first unit clamping fitting groove 53c of the first unit clamping portion 53 of the first positioning component 50 and the second unit clamping fitting groove 63c of the second unit clamping portion 63 of the second positioning component 60, and the fitting protrusion 34c and the fitting protrusion portion 35c is guided into and fitted into the first unit clamping fitting groove portion 54c of the first unit clamping portion 54 of the first positioning component 50 and the second unit clamping fitting groove portion 64c of the second unit clamping portion 64 of the second positioning component 60 (see Figure 5), so that the first unit clamping portions 53, 54 and the second unit clamping portions 63, 64 clamp the first clamped portions 24, 34 and second clamped portions 25, 35 of the first and second bus bars 20, 30.

[0056] Case 70 can be made of various materials, for example, organic materials such as resins and plastics, such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and inorganic materials, such as ceramics, and has a shape as shown in Fig. 10. Case 70 corresponds to the "container" of the present invention.

[0057] The case 70 has a bottom 71 and a side 72 that form a storage space for accommodating a portion of the capacitor unit 5 (eight capacitor elements 10, a portion of each of the first and second bus bars 20, 30, and a portion of the insulating member 40), and is in the shape of a roughly rectangular box with an opening on the positive side of the z-axis (see Figure 10).

[0058] The side portion 72 is composed of first to eighth side walls 72a to 72h. The side portion 72 is formed with a first recessed portion 73 composed of a third side wall 72c and a fourth side wall 72d, in which a corner portion on the x-axis positive side and the y-axis positive side in the xy-plane view is recessed toward the storage space side in a substantially rectangular shape in the xy-plane view from a fifth side wall (side surface) 72e. The side portion 72 is also formed with a second recessed portion 74 composed of a sixth side wall 72f and a seventh side wall 72g, in which a corner portion on the x-axis positive side and the y-axis negative side in the xy-plane view is recessed toward the storage space side in a substantially rectangular shape in the xy-plane view from a fifth side wall (side surface) 72e. The first recessed portion 73 and the second recessed portion 74 correspond to the "position recessed toward the storage space side with respect to the side surface of the storage portion" of the present invention.

[0059] When the case 70 is fixed and positioned with the first and second positioning parts 50, 60, the first case clamping portions 56, 57 of the first positioning part 50 are positioned inside and outside the storage space of the case 70 and clamp the third side wall portion 72c of the case 70, and the second case clamping portions 66, 67 are positioned inside and outside the storage space of the case 70 and clamp the seventh side wall portion 72g of the case 70 (see Figure 5).

[0060] It is preferable to manufacture the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 and the first and second recesses 73, 74 of the case 70 so that, when the case 70 and the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 are fixed and positioned, the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 fit within the smallest rectangle that completely contains the case 70 when viewed in the xy plane.

[0061] The sealing resin 80 seals a portion of the capacitor unit 5 (the eight capacitor elements 10, a portion of each of the first and second bus bars 20, 30, and a portion of the insulating member 40) (see FIG. 1), and is made of, for example, epoxy resin. Note that the sealing resin 80 is not limited to epoxy resin, and various insulating materials that are used as sealing resins for electronic components can be used. Note that the sealing resin 80 is formed by being injected in a liquid state into the case 70 through an opening of the case 70 and then curing. Note that the sealing resin 80 corresponds to the "sealing resin" of the present invention.

[0062] According to the above embodiment, by separately preparing the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 used to position the capacitor unit 5 in the case 70, it is not necessary to thicken the side portion (fifth side wall portion 72e) of the case 70, and therefore it is possible to suppress a reduction in the capacity of the storage space of the case 70 caused by thickening the side portion (fifth side wall portion 72e) of the case 70.

[0063] In addition, by constructing the parts that position the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 and the capacitor unit 5 using the first unit clamping parts 53, 54 and the second unit clamping parts 63, 64, the structure of the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 can be simplified.

[0064] In addition, by constructing the parts that position the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 and the case 70 using the first case clamping parts 56, 57 and the second case clamping parts 66, 67, the structure of the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 can be simplified.

[0065] Furthermore, since the first and second positioning components 50, 60 are separate components from the case 70 and the insulating member 40, the first and second positioning components 50, 60 can be designed with materials according to the required functions. For example, if the first and second positioning components 50, 60 are not required to have insulating performance, the first and second positioning components 50, 60 can be designed with a material other than an insulating material, and if the first and second positioning components 50, 60 are required to have strength, the first and second positioning components 50, 60 can be designed with a material having strength.

[0066] Furthermore, by attaching the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 to the first and second recessed portions 73, 74 of the case 70, the amount by which the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 protrude outside the smallest rectangle that completely contains the case 70 when viewed in the xy plane can be reduced, thereby preventing an increase in the size of the capacitor 1.

[0067] In addition, after the capacitor unit 5 is fixed to the case 70 by the first and second positioning parts 50, 60, sealing resin 80 is injected to embed portions of the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 (first case clamping portion 56, second case clamping portion 66) in the sealing resin 80, thereby firmly fixing the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 to the case 70 and reliably positioning the capacitor unit 5 in the case 70.

[0068] Furthermore, by making the shapes of the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 point-symmetrical, it becomes possible to attach the capacitor unit 5 or the case 70 to the first and second positioning parts 50, 60 even if the first unit clamping parts 53, 54 (second unit clamping parts 63, 64) and the first case clamping parts 56, 57 (second case clamping parts 66, 67) are upside down, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process of the capacitor 1.

[0069] Second Embodiment A capacitor 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 11 to 13. Each of Figures 11 to 13 is illustrated so that the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are in the same direction.

[0070] In the capacitor 1 of the first embodiment, the first and second positioning components 50, 60 are manufactured as separate parts from the case 70, whereas in the capacitor 1A of this embodiment, the first and second positioning parts 50A, 60A are formed integrally with the case 70A, which is a difference. Note that in this embodiment, components equivalent to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0071] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, capacitor 1A includes a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) metallized film capacitor elements (capacitor elements) 10, a first bus bar 20, a second bus bar 30, an insulating member 40, a case 70A, and a sealing resin 80.

[0072] Case 70A can be made of various materials, for example, organic materials such as resins and plastics such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and inorganic materials such as ceramics, and has a shape as shown in FIG.

[0073] Case 70A has a bottom 71 and side portions 72A that form an accommodation space for accommodating part of capacitor unit 5 (eight capacitor elements 10, part of first bus bar 20, part of second bus bar 30, and part of insulating member 40), and is in the shape of a roughly rectangular parallelepiped box with an opening on the z-axis positive side. Bottom portion 71 and side portions 72A that form the accommodation space of case 70A correspond to the "accommodation portion" of the present invention.

[0074] Case 70A has first and second positioning portions 50A, 60A at corner 73A on the x-axis positive side and y-axis positive side in xy-plane view and corner 74A on the x-axis positive side and y-axis negative side in xy-plane view. The first and second positioning portions 50A, 60A position case 70A and capacitor unit 5 (a unit assembled from eight capacitor elements 10, first bus bar 20, second bus bar 30, and insulating member 40). The first and second positioning portions 50A, 60A correspond to the "positioning portion" of the present invention.

[0075] The first and second positioning parts 50A, 60A each include a pair of first unit clamping parts 53A, 54A and second unit clamping parts 63A, 64A. The first unit clamping parts 53A, 54A are formed in the vicinity of the ends on both the positive and negative sides of the x-axis in the xy-plane view of the corner 73A so as to extend substantially perpendicularly from the vicinity of the ends at a predetermined interval (extending in the positive direction of the z-axis). The second unit clamping parts 63A, 64A are formed in the vicinity of the ends on both the positive and negative sides of the x-axis in the xy-plane view of the corner 74A so as to extend substantially perpendicularly from the vicinity of the ends at a predetermined interval (extending in the positive direction of the z-axis).

[0076] The first unit clamping portions 53A and 54A are formed on their opposing surfaces with first unit clamping fitting grooves 53Ac and 54Ac that are cut out in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the z-axis direction.

[0077] The second unit clamping portions 63A and 64A have second unit clamping fitting grooves 63Ac and 64Ac cut out in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the z-axis direction on the surfaces facing each other.

[0078] The first and second positioning portions 50A, 60A are integrally formed with the case 70A so that the first and second positioning portions 50A, 60A fit within the smallest rectangle that completely includes the side portion 72A of the case 70 in the xy plane view.

[0079] The first unit clamping portions 53A, 54A and the second unit clamping portions 63A, 64A each correspond to a "pair of unit clamping portions" of the present invention.

[0080] When the capacitor unit 5 is positioned by fixing it to the first and second positioning portions 50A, 60A, the mating protrusions 24c, 25c of the first bus bar 20 are guided into and fitted into the first unit clamping mating grooves 53Ac, 54Ac of the first unit clamping portion 53A, and the mating protrusions 34c, 35c of the second bus bar 30 are guided into and fitted into the second unit clamping mating grooves 63Ac, 64Ac of the second unit clamping portion 54A.

[0081] According to the capacitor 1A of the second embodiment described above, the first and second positioning portions 50A, 60A are integrally formed with the case 70A, and therefore the case 70A having the first and second positioning portions 50A, 60A can be manufactured using one type of mold, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, when assembling the capacitor 1A, there is no work step of attaching the first and second positioning portions 50A, 60A to the case 70A, and therefore work efficiency can be improved.

[0082] In addition, various design modifications can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the claims.

[0083] For example, in the above embodiment, there is one each of the first and second bus bars 20, 30, but this is not limited to this. The first and second bus bars 20, 30 may be divided into two or more parts, and the contents of the first or second embodiment may be applied to each of the divided parts.

[0084] Furthermore, the contents described in the above embodiment and the contents described in the above modified examples may be combined as appropriate.

[0085] The present invention is widely applicable to capacitors having a structure for positioning a capacitor unit in a case. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1,1A: Capacitor 10: Capacitor element 12: First end electrode 13: Second end electrode 20: First busbar 30: Second busbar 24, 34: First clamped portion 25, 35: Second clamped part 24c, 25c, 34c, 35c: Fitting protrusion 24d, 25d, 34d, 35d: Fixed through hole 40: Insulating material 42: First clamped part 43: Second clamped part 42b, 43b: first fixing protrusion 42d, 43d: second fixing protrusion 50: First positioning part 60: Second positioning part 53, 54: First unit clamping arm 53c, 54c: First unit clamping fitting groove portion 63, 64: second unit clamping portion 63c, 64c: second unit clamping fitting groove portion 56, 57: First case clamping portion 66, 67: Second case clamping portion 70: Case 73: First recess 74: Second recess 80: Sealing resin

Claims

1. a capacitor element having a pair of end electrodes; a pair of bus bars electrically connected to the pair of end electrodes of the capacitor element; an insulating member disposed between the pair of bus bars to insulate each of the pair of bus bars; an accommodating portion that accommodates the capacitor element, a portion of the pair of bus bars, and a portion of the insulating member in an accommodating space; a sealing resin filled in the accommodation space that accommodates the capacitor element, a portion of the pair of bus bars, and a portion of the insulating member; a positioning portion that positions a capacitor unit including the capacitor element, the pair of bus bars, and the insulating member in the accommodation portion; Equipped with The positioning portion has a holding portion extending above a side portion of the accommodation portion, A capacitor, characterized in that the lead-out portions of the pair of bus bars that are led out of the housing portion are fixed by the holding portion.

2. The holding portion is composed of a pair of unit clamping portions, The lead-out portions of the pair of bus bars are clamped between the pair of unit clamping portions, whereby the capacitor unit is positioned relative to the housing portion.

2. The capacitor according to claim 1 .

3. the positioning portion is a separate member from the accommodation portion, the positioning portion has a pair of case clamping portions capable of clamping sides of the storage portion, The side portion of the storage portion is sandwiched between the pair of case sandwiching portions, thereby positioning the capacitor unit relative to the storage portion.

3. The capacitor according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 3. The capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the positioning portion is formed integrally with a side portion of the housing portion.

5. 3. The capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the positioning portion is disposed at a position recessed toward the housing space with respect to a side surface of the housing portion on which the positioning portion is not present.

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