Terminal unit

Abstract

To provide a terminal unit having inexpensive structure, capable of changing a drawing direction of a harness without changing an arranging direction, and capable of reliably protecting the connection between a terminal and the harness.SOLUTION: A terminal unit includes: a terminal case 2 formed in a box shape with a case opening in one surface; and a terminal cover 3 formed in a box shape with a cover opening 3a in one surface and covering the case opening. The terminal cover 3 and a plurality of cover insertion openings 14 are formed such that directions thereof with respect to the terminal case 2 can be changed while harnesses 106, 107 are kept inserted into case insertion openings 10, 11. Regardless of a direction in which the terminal cover 3 is attached, the case insertion openings 10, 11 through which the harnesses 106, 107 are not inserted are closed by a cover side wall 3c, and the cover insertion openings 14 through which the harnesses 106, 107 are not inserted is closed by a case side wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a motor control device that converts DC power supplied from an external power source such as a battery into AC power and drives an AC motor (hereinafter referred to as an electric motor) with the converted AC power. The motor control device includes a substrate on which switching elements are surface-mounted, and a terminal unit that electrically connects the substrate to the external power source and the electric motor. The terminal unit has a case (inverter case) into which the harness connected to the external power source and the electric motor is pulled. Terminals that are connected to the circuit board are provided inside this case. The case protects the connection points between the terminals and the harness.

[0003] Incidentally, when the above-mentioned motor control device is used in an electric vehicle or the like, the electric motor for driving the left and right wheels is arranged symmetrically. In such a case, the motor control device is also arranged symmetrically. If separate terminal units for the left and right are prepared accordingly, costs will increase. For this reason, a technology has been proposed in which the case has a structure that is line-symmetrical in the vertical direction of the electric vehicle with respect to an axis of symmetry parallel to the front-rear direction of the electric vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This allows the left terminal unit and the right terminal unit to be standardized, thereby reducing costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-126322 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there is a demand for changing the direction in which the harness is pulled out from the case without changing the orientation of the terminal unit depending on the usage situation of the terminal unit. In such a case, it is necessary to prepare a case for each harness pulling direction, which increases costs. For this reason, there is room for improvement in reducing the cost of the terminal unit.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention provides a terminal unit that has an inexpensive structure, allows the harness pull-out direction to be changed without changing the layout orientation, and can reliably protect the connection points between the terminals and the harness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, in a first aspect of the present invention, a terminal unit includes a case formed in a box shape having a case opening on one side, and housing a plurality of terminals electrically connected to a board, and a cover formed in a box shape having a cover opening on one side, and covering the case opening, the case having a case bottom wall in which the plurality of terminals are arranged, a case side wall rising from an edge of the case bottom wall and forming the case opening at an end opposite to the case bottom wall, and a plurality of case insertion holes formed in the case side wall and through which a plurality of harnesses separately connected to the terminals are inserted, the cover having a cover bottom wall covering the case opening, and a case side wall rising from an edge of the cover bottom wall and having a thickness of the case side wall the cover has a cover side wall that overlaps with the case side wall in a direction opposite to the cover bottom wall and forms the cover opening at the end opposite the cover bottom wall, and a plurality of cover insertion openings formed in the cover side wall and through which the harness is inserted, the number of the case insertion openings and the number of the cover insertion openings are each greater than the number of the harnesses, the cover and the plurality of cover insertion openings are formed so that their orientation with respect to the case can be changed with the harness inserted into the case insertion opening, and regardless of the installation orientation of the cover, the case insertion openings through which the harness is not inserted are blocked by the cover side wall, and the cover insertion openings through which the harness is not inserted are blocked by the case side wall.

[0008] By configuring it in this manner, even if the direction in which the wiring is pulled out is changed, by simply providing one case and one cover, it is possible to prevent contact with multiple terminals or the connection points with the harness terminals, and the connection points between the terminals and the harness can be reliably protected. Furthermore, since only one cover variation can be used to change the wiring pull-out direction, the terminal unit can be constructed at low cost.

[0009] In a second aspect of the present invention, in the terminal unit of the first aspect, the multiple case insertion openings are each formed at 180-degree opposing positions on the case side walls, the multiple cover insertion openings are each formed at 180-degree opposing positions on the cover side walls, and the cover and the multiple cover insertion openings are formed so that they can be attached by rotating 180 degrees relative to the case with the harness inserted through the case insertion opening.

[0010] With this configuration, the harness can be pulled out from the terminal unit in two directions that are 180 degrees apart. By limiting the directions in which the harness can be pulled out to two directions, the shapes of the case and cover can be further simplified.

[0011] In a third aspect of the present invention, in the terminal unit of the second aspect, the number of the terminals is at least three, the multiple terminals are arranged in a row in a first direction along the bottom wall of the case, and the case insertion opening includes a multiple first case insertion opening formed in an area where each of the terminals is projected onto the case side wall in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a second case insertion opening formed on the opposite side of the first case insertion opening and the multiple terminals, and only in the areas on both sides of the first direction of the area where each of the terminals is projected onto the case side wall in the second direction, and the cover insertion opening includes a first cover insertion opening formed at a position overlapping with the first case insertion opening on the cover side wall, and a second cover insertion opening formed on the opposite side of the first cover insertion opening and the multiple terminals, and only in the areas on both sides of the first direction of the area where each of the terminals is projected onto the cover side wall in the second direction.

[0012] With this configuration, the case insertion opening through which the harness is not inserted can be reliably blocked by the cover side wall regardless of the mounting orientation of the cover.The case insertion opening through which the harness is not inserted can be reliably blocked by the case side wall regardless of the mounting orientation of the cover.

[0013] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the terminal unit of the third aspect is provided with a partition wall rising from the bottom wall of the case, and the partition wall divides the inside of the case according to the number of terminals, forming at least three terminal storage chambers in each of which one terminal is arranged.

[0014] With this configuration, the connection portion between the terminal and the harness can be protected more reliably. Also, the partition wall makes it easier to guide the harness into the case insertion opening.

[0015] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the terminal unit of the third or fourth aspect, the terminal has two input terminals electrically connected to an external power source via the harness and three output terminals connecting the harness to an electric motor, and one input terminal is arranged on each side of the three output terminals in the first direction.

[0016] With this configuration, the terminal unit can be suitably used for converting DC power supplied from an external power source into AC power. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, the terminal unit can be made to have an inexpensive structure, and the drawing direction of the harness can be changed without changing the arrangement orientation of the terminal unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a motor control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2]1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a motor control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main body case and a terminal case according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a motor control device showing a second lead-out pattern in an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a terminal cover according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 11 is a perspective view of the motor control device in a second extension pattern and in a second attitude according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a perspective view taken along the line VI in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] <Motor control device> Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a motor control device 100 provided with a terminal unit 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the motor control device 100 with the terminal unit 1 disassembled. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main body case 102 and a terminal case 2 of the terminal unit 1. Motor control device 100 converts DC power supplied from an external power source such as a battery (not shown) into AC power, and controls the drive of an AC motor (electric motor) (not shown) with the converted AC power.

[0021] 1 to 3, the motor control device 100 is configured by integrating a control device main body 101 and a terminal unit 1. The control device main body 101 includes a main body case 102, a connector 103 provided on one side of the main body case 102, and a printed circuit board 104 housed within the main body case 102. The main body case 102 is formed in the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped. In the following description, the thickness direction of the flat main body case 102 is referred to as the Z direction, and the directions along the two sides of the main body case 102 that are perpendicular when viewed from the Z direction are referred to as the X direction (first direction in the claims) and the Y direction (second direction in the claims).

[0022] A plurality of fins (heat dissipation fins) 105 for dissipating heat are provided on a first surface 102a of the main body case 102 in the Z direction.

[0023] The connector 103 is provided on a first side 102c in the Y direction of the main body case 102. A connector extending from a control device (not shown) is connected to the connector 103. The control device outputs a control signal for controlling the drive of the AC motor to the motor control device 100 based on information output from the motor control device 100. The information output from the motor control device 100 is, for example, rotational position information of a rotor in the AC motor.

[0024] The printed circuit board 104 is connected to the connector 103. The printed circuit board 104 is a PWB (Printed Wiring Board) on which a plurality of switching elements (not shown) are surface-mounted. The ON / OFF operation of the switching elements is controlled based on a control signal output from a control device. As a result, AC power is supplied to the AC motor via the terminal unit 1 under optimal conditions according to the driving state of the AC motor.

[0025] <Terminal unit> The terminal unit 1 is provided on a second surface 102b of the main body case 102 opposite to the fins 105. An end 106a of an output harness 106 extending from an AC motor and an end 107a of an input harness 107 extending from an external power supply are drawn into the terminal unit 1. In other words, the output harness 106 and the input harness 107 are drawn out from the terminal unit 1.

[0026] The terminal unit 1 comprises a terminal case 2 arranged on the second surface 102b of the main body case 102, a terminal cover 3 attached to the terminal case 2 from the opposite side to the main body case 102, and a plurality of terminals 4a, 4b (output terminal 4a, input terminal 4b) (for example, five in this embodiment) stored in the terminal case 2.

[0027] <Terminal case> The terminal case 2 is formed in a box shape having a case opening 2a on one side. That is, the terminal case 2 has a rectangular case bottom wall 2b that is long in the X direction when viewed from the Z direction, and a case side wall 2c that rises from the edge of the case bottom wall 2b and forms the case opening 2a at the end opposite to the case bottom wall 2b. The case side wall 2c has two short case side walls 21, 22 (first short case side wall 21, second short case side wall 22) that face each other in the X direction, and two long case side walls 23, 24 (first long case side wall 23, second long case side wall 24) that face each other in the Y direction. The terminal case 2 is arranged so that the case bottom wall 2b overlaps the second surface 102b of the main body case 102.

[0028] The width of the terminal case 2 in the X direction is slightly shorter than the width of the main case 102 in the X direction. The width of the terminal case 2 in the Y direction is approximately 2 / 3 of the width of the main case 102 in the Y direction. The terminal case 2 is disposed on the side of the second surface 102b of the main case 102 opposite to the side where the connector 103 is provided. That is, the distance I1 between the first long case sidewall 23 on the connector 103 side of the two long case sidewalls 23, 24 and the first side 102c of the main case 102 is larger than the distance I2 between the second long case sidewall 24 on the opposite side to the connector 103 of the two long case sidewalls 23, 24 and the second side 102d on the opposite side to the first side 102c of the main case 102.

[0029] The terminal case 2 is integrally formed with a plurality of (for example, four in this embodiment) partition walls 5a, 5b (central partition wall 5a, side partition walls 5b) rising from the case bottom wall 2b. Each partition wall 5a, 5b is formed so as to be connected to the two long case side walls 23, 24 along the Y direction. Each partition wall 5a, 5b is arranged side by side at equal intervals in the X direction. Of each partition wall 5a, 5b, the width in the X direction of the two central partition walls 5a arranged in the center in the X direction is larger than the width in the X direction of the side partition walls 5b arranged on both outer sides in the X direction among each partition wall 5a, 5b. Each partition wall 5a, 5b forms a plurality of (for example, five in this embodiment) terminal storage chambers 6a, 6b (output terminal storage chamber 6a, input terminal storage chamber 6b) in the terminal case 2.

[0030] Each of the terminal housing chambers 6a, 6b is formed long in the Y direction. An output harness 106 is drawn into the three output terminal housing chambers 6a arranged in the center in the X direction among the terminal housing chambers 6a, 6b. An input harness 107 is drawn into the two input terminal housing chambers 6b arranged on both sides in the X direction among the terminal housing chambers 6a, 6b.

[0031] An output harness guide 7a for guiding the output harness 106 is formed in each output terminal storage chamber 6a. The output harness guide 7a is composed of a pair of guide pieces 8 aligned in the X direction. Two output harness guides 7a are provided for each output terminal storage chamber 6a. The output harness guides 7a are disposed in the center of the output terminal storage chamber 6a in the Y direction and near the first long case side wall 23. The two guide pieces 8 are formed to protrude from the case bottom wall 2b. The two guide pieces 8 are disposed near the partition walls 5a, 5b, respectively. The width between the two guide pieces 8 is slightly larger than the wire diameter of the output harness 106.

[0032] An input harness guide 7b for guiding the input harness 107 is formed in each input terminal storage chamber 6b. The input harness guide 7b is composed of a pair of guide pieces 9 arranged side by side in the X direction. Two input harness guides 7b are provided for each input terminal storage chamber 6b. Each input harness guide 7b is disposed near the first long case side wall 23 and the second long case side wall 24. The two guide pieces 9 protrude from the case bottom wall 2b. The two guide pieces 9 are disposed near the lateral partition wall 5b and the corresponding short case side walls 21, 22. The width of the two guide pieces 9 is slightly larger than the wire diameter of the input harness 107.

[0033] A plurality of (for example, five in this embodiment) first case insertion openings 10 each separately communicating with each of the terminal storage chambers 6a, 6b are formed in the first long case side wall 23. A plurality of (for example, two in this embodiment) second case insertion openings 11 each separately communicating with the input terminal storage chamber 6b are formed in the second long case side wall 24. That is, the total number of the case insertion openings 10, 11 is greater than the total number of the harnesses 106, 107 drawn into the terminal case 2.

[0034] The total number of case insertion openings 10, 11 is the sum of the number of first case insertion openings 10 (e.g., five in this embodiment) and the number of second case insertion openings 11 (e.g., two in this embodiment). In this embodiment, the total number of case insertion openings 10, 11 is seven. The total number of harnesses 106, 107 is the sum of the number of output harnesses 106 (e.g., three in this embodiment) and the number of input harnesses 107 (e.g., two in this embodiment). In this embodiment, the total number of harnesses 106, 107 is five.

[0035] Each case insertion opening 10, 11 is formed between the opening edge of each long case side wall 23, 24 and just before the case bottom wall 2b. The opening area of ​​each case insertion opening 10, 11 is large enough to allow the corresponding harness 106, 107 to be inserted therethrough.

[0036] In this embodiment, the multiple terminals 4a, 4b are composed of three output terminals 4a and two input terminals 4b. The terminals 4a, 4b are arranged in the case bottom wall 2b of the corresponding terminal storage chambers 6a, 6b, respectively, and are lined up in the X direction. More specifically, each output terminal 4a is disposed in the case bottom wall 2b of the output terminal storage chamber 6a, closer to the second long case side wall 24. The output terminal 4a is connected to a printed circuit board 104 housed in the main body case 102. The output terminal 4a is formed with a female screw 13a into which the male screw 12 is screwed. Each input terminal 4b is disposed at the center of the input terminal storage chamber 6b in the Y direction on the case bottom wall 2b. The input terminal 4b is connected to a printed circuit board 104 housed in the main body case 102. The input terminal 4b is formed with a female screw 13b into which the male screw 12 is screwed.

[0037] <Positional relationship between each case insertion opening and each terminal> Next, the positional relationship between each of the case insertion openings 10, 11 and each of the terminals 4a, 4b will be described. Each first case insertion opening 10 is formed in an area where the terminals 4a, 4b are projected in the Y direction onto the first long case side wall 23. Each second case insertion opening 11 is formed only in areas on both sides in the X direction (areas corresponding to the input terminal 4b) of the area where the terminals 4a, 4b are projected in the Y direction onto the second long case side wall 24 on the opposite side of the first long case side wall 23 and the terminals 4a, 4b.

[0038] <Harness pull-out pattern> The output harness 106 and the input harness 107 are pulled (drawn) into the terminal case 2 thus formed through the first case insertion opening 10 or the second case insertion opening 11. First, a case will be described in which the output harness 106 and the input harness 107 are pulled into the terminal case 2 only through the first case insertion opening 10. Hereinafter, this case will be referred to as a first drawing pattern.

[0039] In the first extension pattern, the output harness 106 is drawn into the output terminal storage chamber 6a through the first case insertion opening 10 communicating with the output terminal storage chamber 6a. The input harness 107 is drawn into the input terminal storage chamber 6b through the first case insertion opening communicating with the input terminal storage chamber 6b. A connection terminal 108 is fixed by crimping to the end portions 106a, 107a of the harnesses 106, 107, respectively.

[0040] The connection terminal 108 has a terminal body 109 overlapping each of the terminals 4a, 4b. The terminal body 109 has an insertion hole 109a through which the male screw 12 is inserted. The male screw 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 109a from above the terminal body 109, and the male screw 12 is screwed into the female screw 13a, 13b of each of the terminals 4a, 4b. This fastens and fixes each of the terminals 4a, 4b to the connection terminals 108 of the corresponding harnesses 106, 107. Then, each of the terminals 4a, 4b is electrically connected to the corresponding harnesses 106, 107.

[0041] At this time, each harness 106, 107 is disposed between a pair of guide pieces 8, 9 of the corresponding harness guides 7a, 7b. The width between each guide piece 8, 9 is slightly larger than the wire diameter of the corresponding harness 106, 107, so that each harness 106, 107 is held in a desired routing direction by these guide pieces 8, 9.

[0042] Next, a description will be given of a case where the input harness 107 is drawn into the terminal case 2 through the second case insertion opening 11. Hereinafter, this case will be referred to as a second drawing pattern. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the motor control device 100 showing a state in which the harnesses 106, 107 are led out from the terminal case 2 in the second lead-out pattern. In Fig. 4, the terminal cover 3 is disassembled.

[0043] 4, in the second drawing-out pattern, the drawing direction (drawing direction) of the output harness 106 into the terminal case 2 is the same as in the first drawing-out pattern. In contrast, the drawing direction (drawing direction) of the input harness 107 into the terminal case 2 is changed by 180 degrees from the first drawing-out pattern. That is, the input harness 107 is drawn into the input terminal housing chamber 6b through the second case insertion opening 11 that communicates with the input terminal housing chamber 6b. Then, the input terminal 4b and the input harness 107 are electrically connected through the connection terminal 108.

[0044] <Terminal cover> Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the terminal cover 3. Fig. 5 shows the terminal cover 3 of Fig. 2 viewed from the opposite side by 180 degrees. 1 to 5, the terminal cover 3 is formed in a box shape having a cover opening 3a on one side. That is, the terminal cover 3 has a rectangular cover bottom wall 3b that is long in the X direction when viewed from the Z direction so as to correspond to the shape of the terminal case 2, and a cover side wall 3c that rises from an edge of the cover bottom wall 3b and forms the cover opening 3a at an end opposite to the cover bottom wall 3b. The cover side wall 3c has two short cover side walls 31, 32 (first short cover side wall 31, second short cover side wall 32) that face each other in the X direction, and two long cover side walls 33, 34 (first long cover side wall 33, second long cover side wall 34) that face each other in the Y direction.

[0045] The terminal cover 3 is attached to the terminal case 2 so as to cover the case opening 2a with the cover opening 3a facing the case opening 2a of the terminal case 2. At this time, the cover side wall 3c covers the case side wall 2c from the outside. In other words, when the terminal cover 3 is attached to the terminal case 2, the cover side wall 3c overlaps with the case side wall 2c in the thickness direction (plate thickness direction) of the case side wall 2c.

[0046] The terminal cover 3 can be attached by changing its orientation by 180 degrees relative to the terminal case 2. That is, the terminal cover 3 can be attached to the terminal case 2 so that the first long case side wall 23 and the first long cover side wall 33 overlap, and the second long case side wall 24 and the second long cover side wall 34 overlap (hereinafter, the posture of the terminal cover 3 when attached in this manner is referred to as the first posture). In addition, the terminal cover 3 can be attached to the terminal case 2 so that the second long case side wall 24 and the first long cover side wall 33 overlap, and so that the first long case side wall 23 and the second long cover side wall 34 overlap (hereinafter, the posture of the terminal cover 3 when attached in this manner is referred to as the second posture).

[0047] In the first position of the terminal cover 3, the first long cover side wall 33 has first cover insertion openings 14 formed at positions overlapping the first case insertion openings 10. That is, in the first position, the first cover insertion openings 14 are formed in areas where the terminals 4a, 4b are projected onto the first long cover side wall 33 in the Y direction.

[0048] When the terminal cover 3 is in the first position, the second long cover side wall 34 has a second cover insertion opening 15 formed at a position facing the output terminal storage chamber 6a of the terminal case 2 in the Y direction. The second cover insertion opening 15 is formed at the same position as the first cover insertion opening 14 when viewed from the Y direction. In other words, the second cover insertion opening 15 is formed in an area obtained by projecting the terminals 4a, 4b in the Y direction onto the second long cover side wall 34 on the opposite side between the first long cover side wall 33 and the terminals 4a, 4b, except for the areas on both sides in the X direction (areas corresponding to the input terminals 4b).

[0049] In this manner, a plurality of (for example, five in this embodiment) first cover insertion openings 14 are formed in the first long cover side wall 33. A plurality of (for example, three in this embodiment) second cover insertion openings 15 are formed in the second long cover side wall 34. That is, the total number of the cover insertion openings 14, 15 is greater than the total number of the harnesses 106, 107 drawn into the terminal case 2. The total number of the cover insertion openings 14, 15 is the sum of the number of the first cover insertion openings 14 (for example, five in this embodiment) and the number of the second cover insertion openings 15 (for example, three in this embodiment). In this embodiment, the total number of the cover insertion openings 14, 15 is eight.

[0050] Each of the cover insertion openings 14, 15 is formed between the opening edge of each of the long cover side walls 33, 34 and just before the cover bottom wall 3b. The opening area of ​​each of the cover insertion openings 14, 15 is large enough to allow the corresponding harness 106, 107 to be inserted therethrough. Therefore, the terminal cover 3 and each of the cover insertion openings 14, 15 are formed so that their orientation with respect to the terminal case 2 can be changed by 180 degrees when each of the harnesses 106, 107 is attached to the terminal case 2, that is, when the harnesses 106, 107 corresponding to each of the case insertion openings 10, 11 are inserted therethrough.

[0051] <The relationship between each harness pull-out pattern and each position of the terminal cover, and the state of each insertion port in each position> Next, the relationship between the lead patterns of the harnesses 106, 107 and the positions of the terminal cover 3, and the states of the case insertion openings 10, 11 of the terminal case 2 and the cover insertion openings 14, 15 of the terminal cover 3 in each position will be described.

[0052] First, a case where the harnesses 106 and 107 are in the first lead-out pattern will be described. 1 to 3, in the first drawing pattern, all of the harnesses 106, 107 are drawn out from the terminal case 2 through the first case insertion openings 10. Therefore, the terminal cover 3 is in a first position. In the first position, all of the first case insertion openings 10 and the first cover insertion openings 14 are in communication with each other. In contrast, the second case insertion openings 11 and the second cover insertion openings 15 are formed at different positions. Therefore, the two second case insertion openings 11 through which the input harness 107 is not inserted are blocked by the second long cover side wall 34. The three second cover insertion openings 15 through which the output harness 106 is not inserted are blocked by the second long case side wall 24.

[0053] Next, a case where the harnesses 106 and 107 are in the second lead-out pattern will be described. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the motor control device 100 when the harnesses 106, 107 are in the second lead-out pattern and the terminal cover 3 is in the second position. Fig. 6 corresponds to the above-mentioned Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the motor control device 100 as viewed from the arrow VII in Fig. 6.

[0054] 4, 6, and 7, in the second drawing pattern, of the harnesses 106, 107, only the input harness 107 is drawn out of the terminal case 2 through the second case insertion opening 11. For this reason, the terminal cover 3 is set in the second position. Then, of the first case insertion openings 10, only the first case insertion openings 10 that communicate with the output terminal storage chamber 6a communicate with the first cover insertion opening 14. Of the first case insertion openings 10, the first case insertion openings 10 that communicate with the input terminal storage chamber 6b from which the input harness 107 is not drawn out are blocked by the second long cover side wall 34.

[0055] On the other hand, the second case insertion opening 11 is connected to the first cover insertion openings 14 that face the input terminal storage chamber 6b in the Y direction (on both sides in the X direction). The first cover insertion openings 14 other than these first cover insertion openings 14 (other than both sides in the X direction) are closed by the second long case side walls 24. In this way, changing the position of the terminal cover 3 changes the points of communication between the case insertion openings 10, 11 and the cover insertion openings 14, 15. However, regardless of the position of the terminal cover 3, the total number of case insertion openings 10, 11 that communicate with the cover insertion openings 14, 15 is always the same.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the terminal cover 3 is attached to the terminal case 2 such that the case side wall 2c and the cover side wall 3c overlap in the thickness direction. The total number of the terminal case insertion openings 10, 11 and the total number of the cover insertion openings 14, 15 are greater than the total number of the harnesses 106, 107 that are drawn (pulled out) into the terminal case 2. The terminal cover 3 and the cover insertion openings 14, 15 are formed so that the orientation of the terminal cover 3 and the cover insertion openings 14, 15 can be changed by 180 degrees with respect to the terminal case 2 in a state where the harnesses 106, 107 corresponding to the case insertion openings 10, 11 are inserted. Regardless of the attachment direction of the terminal cover 3, the case insertion openings 10, 11 through which the harnesses 106, 107 are not inserted are blocked by the cover side wall 3c. The cover insertion openings 14, 15 through which the harnesses 106, 107 are not inserted are blocked by the case side wall 2c.

[0057] Therefore, even if the pull-out direction of the input harness 107 is changed, by simply providing one terminal case 2 and one terminal cover 3, it is possible to prevent contact with the terminals 4a, 4b and the terminal body 109, and to reliably protect the connection points between the terminals 4a, 4b and the harnesses 106, 107. Furthermore, since only one variation of the terminal cover 3 can be used to change the pull-out direction of the input harness 107, the terminal unit 1 can be structured inexpensively.

[0058] By changing the orientation of the terminal cover 3 relative to the terminal case 2 by 180 degrees, the input harness 107 can be pulled out in two directions that are 180 degrees opposite from the terminal unit 1. By limiting the pull-out directions of the input harness 107 to two directions, the shapes of the terminal case 2 and the terminal cover 3 can be further simplified.

[0059] The terminals 4a, 4b are arranged in the X direction. The first case insertion openings 10 are formed in an area where the terminals 4a, 4b are projected in the Y direction perpendicular to the X direction onto the first long case side wall 23. The second case insertion openings 11 are formed only in the areas on both sides of the X direction (areas corresponding to the input terminals 4b) among the areas where the terminals 4a, 4b are projected in the Y direction onto the second long case side wall 24 on the opposite side of the first long case side wall 23 and the terminals 4a, 4b. The first cover insertion openings 14 are formed in the areas where the terminals 4a, 4b are projected in the Y direction onto the first long cover side wall 33 in the first position. The second cover insertion openings 15 are formed in the areas where the terminals 4a, 4b are projected in the Y direction onto the second long cover side wall 34 on the opposite side of the first long cover side wall 33 and the terminals 4a, 4b, except for the areas on both sides of the X direction (areas corresponding to the input terminals 4b).

[0060] With this configuration, the case insertion openings 10, 11 through which the harnesses 106, 107 are not inserted can be reliably blocked by the cover side wall 3c regardless of the mounting orientation of the terminal cover 3. The cover insertion openings 14, 15 through which the harnesses 106, 107 are not inserted can be reliably blocked by the case side wall 2c regardless of the mounting orientation of the terminal cover 3.

[0061] The terminal case 2 is integrally formed with a plurality of partition walls 5a, 5b rising from the case bottom wall 2b. The partition walls 5a, 5b form a plurality of terminal storage chambers 6a, 6b within the terminal case 2. This makes it possible to more reliably protect the connection points between the terminals 4a, 4b and the harnesses 106, 107. The partition walls 5a, 5b also make it easier to guide the harnesses 106, 107 into the corresponding case insertion openings 10, 11. The above configuration can be suitably used for the terminal unit 1 that converts DC power supplied from an external power source into AC power.

[0062] Since the terminal unit 1 can be made of an inexpensive structure and the direction in which the input harness 107 is pulled out from the terminal unit 1 can be changed without changing the orientation of the terminal unit 1, it is possible to contribute to Goal 7 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all" and Goal 9 "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation."

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications to the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the terminal unit 1 is described as being used in a motor control device 100 that converts DC power supplied from an external power source (not shown) into AC power and controls the drive of an AC motor (not shown) with the converted AC power. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the above-mentioned configuration can be adopted in terminal units of various electrical devices. Therefore, the total number of terminals is not limited to five, and the total number of harnesses is not limited to five. The total number of terminals and the total number of harnesses may each be two or more than two.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the terminal cover 3 and each cover insertion opening 14, 15 are formed so that the orientation with respect to the terminal case 2 can be changed by 180 degrees in a state where the harness 106, 107 corresponding to each case insertion opening 10, 11 is inserted. However, this is not limited to this, and the terminal cover 3 and each cover insertion opening 14, 15 may be formed so that the orientation with respect to the terminal case 2 can be changed in a state where the harness 106, 107 corresponding to each case insertion opening 10, 11 is inserted. In this case, regardless of the mounting orientation of the terminal cover 3, it is sufficient that the case insertion openings 10, 11 through which the harness 106, 107 is not inserted are blocked by the cover side wall 3c. It is sufficient that the cover insertion openings 14, 15 through which the harness 106, 107 is not inserted are blocked by the case side wall 2c. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065]

[0046] 1... terminal unit, 2... terminal case (case), 2a... case opening, 2b... case bottom wall, 2c... case side wall, 3... terminal cover (cover), 3a... cover opening, 3b... cover bottom wall, 3c... cover side wall, 4a... output terminal, 4b... input terminal, 5a... central partition wall (partition wall), 5b... side partition wall (partition wall), 6a... output terminal storage chamber (terminal storage chamber), 6b... input terminal storage chamber (terminal storage chamber), 7a... output harness guide, 7b... input harness guide, 8... guide piece, 9... guide piece, 10... first case insertion opening, 11... second case insertion opening, 12... male screw, 13a... female screw, 13b... female screw, 14... first cover insertion opening, 15... second Cover insertion port, 21...first short case side wall, 22...second short case side wall, 23...first long case side wall, 24...second long case side wall, 31...first short cover side wall, 32...second short cover side wall, 33...first long cover side wall, 34...second long cover side wall, 100...motor control device, 101...control device main body, 102...main body case, 102a...first surface, 102b...second surface, 102c...first side, 102d...second side, 103...connector, 104...printed circuit board, 105...fins, 106...output harness (harness), 106a...end, 107...input harness (harness), 107a...end, 108...connection terminal, 109...terminal main body, 109a...insertion hole

Claims

1. a case formed in a box shape having a case opening on one side, the case housing a plurality of terminals electrically connected to the substrate; A cover formed in a box shape having a cover opening on one side, the cover covering the case opening; Equipped with The case is a case bottom wall on which the plurality of terminals are arranged; a case side wall rising from an edge of the case bottom wall and forming the case opening at an end opposite to the case bottom wall; a plurality of case insertion openings formed in the case side wall, through which a plurality of harnesses to be separately connected to the terminals are inserted; having The cover is a cover bottom wall covering the case opening; a cover side wall rising from an edge of the cover bottom wall and overlapping the case side wall in a thickness direction of the case side wall, and forming the cover opening at an end opposite to the cover bottom wall; a plurality of cover insertion openings formed in the cover side wall, through which the harness is inserted; having the number of the case insertion openings and the number of the cover insertion openings are each greater than the number of the harnesses, the cover and the plurality of cover insertion openings are formed so that their orientation with respect to the case can be changed in a state in which the harness is inserted through the case insertion opening, Regardless of the mounting orientation of the cover, the case insertion opening through which the harness is not inserted is closed by the cover side wall, and the cover insertion opening through which the harness is not inserted is closed by the case side wall. A terminal unit characterized by:

2. The plurality of case insertion openings are formed at positions on the case side walls that are opposed to each other by 180 degrees, The plurality of cover insertion openings are formed at positions on the cover side walls that are opposed to each other by 180 degrees, The cover and the plurality of cover insertion openings are formed so as to be attachable to the case in a state in which the harness is inserted through the case insertion opening and the cover and the plurality of cover insertion openings are turned 180 degrees relative to the case.

2. The terminal unit according to claim 1 .

3. The number of the terminals is at least three, The plurality of terminals are arranged side by side in a first direction along the bottom wall of the case, The case insertion opening is a plurality of first case insertion openings formed in an area obtained by projecting each of the terminals onto the case side wall in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a second case insertion opening formed on an opposite side of the first case insertion opening with respect to the plurality of terminals, and only in an area on both sides in the first direction among areas obtained by projecting each of the terminals onto the case side wall in the second direction; having The cover insertion hole is a first cover insertion opening formed in the cover side wall at a position overlapping with the first case insertion opening; a second cover insertion opening formed on an opposite side of the first cover insertion opening with respect to the plurality of terminals, the second cover insertion opening being formed in a region where the terminals are projected in the second direction onto the cover side wall, other than the regions on both sides in the first direction; having 3. The terminal unit according to claim 2.

4. A partition wall is provided rising from the bottom wall of the case, the partition wall divides the inside of the case according to the number of the terminals, forming at least three terminal storage chambers, each of which accommodates one of the terminals; 4. The terminal unit according to claim 3.

5. The terminal is Two input terminals electrically connected to an external power source via the harness; three output terminals for connecting the harness to an electric motor; having The input terminal is disposed on each of both sides of the three output terminals in the first direction. The terminal unit according to claim 3 or 4.

Images