Terminal connection structure of motor casing and rotary electric machine

Abstract

To provide a terminal connection structure and a rotary electric machine by which a plurality of terminal blocks become easy to be distinguished while suppressing expansion of dimensions of a motor casing in a rotational axis direction.SOLUTION: Terminal connection structure of a motor casing for accommodating an AC motor of a plurality of phases comprises: a plurality of terminal blocks provided in the motor casing; a plurality of terminal parts connected with each phase of the AC motor to be energized and penetrating each of the terminal blocks; and a plurality of terminal surfaces as outer end surfaces of each of the plurality of terminal blocks and of which the terminal parts are exposed, wherein the plurality of terminal surfaces are provided by being aligned with one another along a direction crossing a rotational axis of the AC motor, and a step is provided in a radial direction of the motor casing between at least one terminal surface and the other terminal surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal connection structure for a motor casing and a rotating machine. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a terminal is connected to each phase of a three-phase AC motor, and a cable is connected to each terminal. AC currents with a phase shift of 120° are supplied to each phase of the three-phase AC motor. The AC motor is housed in a motor casing, and a terminal connection structure is provided on the motor casing (see Patent Documents 1 to 5). The terminal connection structure is provided with a terminal block that holds the terminals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 4-88356 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-134725 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-110035 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-961 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-216762 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The multiple terminals are connected to different cables, and AC current supplied from each cable must be appropriately supplied to each phase of the AC motor. The multiple terminal blocks provided on the motor casing correspond to the respective phases of the AC motor. Therefore, each of the multiple terminals must be installed on the appropriate terminal block. However, with conventional terminal connection structures, it is difficult to distinguish between the multiple terminal blocks. Furthermore, a structure in which the arrangement of the multiple terminal blocks changes along the rotational axis of the AC motor leads to an increase in the dimensions along the rotational axis, making it difficult to achieve compactness.

[0005] The present disclosure describes a terminal connection structure and a rotating machine that make it easy to distinguish between multiple terminal blocks while suppressing an increase in the size of the motor casing in the direction of the rotation axis. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a terminal connection structure for a motor casing that houses a multi-phase AC motor. This terminal connection structure includes multiple terminal blocks provided in the motor casing, multiple terminal portions that are electrically connected to each phase of the AC motor and that penetrate the terminal blocks, and multiple terminal surfaces that are outer end surfaces of the multiple terminal blocks and from which the terminal portions are exposed. The multiple terminal surfaces are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the AC motor, and a step is provided between at least one terminal surface and the other terminal surfaces in the radial direction of the motor casing. The direction intersecting the rotation axis is, for example, a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a rotary machine including a multi-phase AC motor that rotates a rotating shaft and a motor casing that houses the AC motor. The AC motor includes a rotor fixed to the rotating shaft and a stator surrounding the rotor. The motor casing includes a plurality of terminal blocks, a plurality of terminal portions that are electrically connected to the respective phases of the AC motor and that penetrate the terminal blocks, and a plurality of terminal surfaces that are outer end surfaces of the plurality of terminal blocks and on which the terminal portions are exposed. The plurality of terminal surfaces are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the AC motor, and a step is provided between at least one terminal surface and the other terminal surfaces in the radial direction of the motor casing. The direction intersecting the rotation axis is, for example, a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the multiple terminal blocks can be easily distinguished while minimizing the increase in size of the motor casing in the direction of the rotation axis. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a rotary machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the terminal connection structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the terminal connection structure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] First, examples of the present disclosure will be described. The first example of the present disclosure is a terminal connection structure for a motor casing that houses a multi-phase AC motor. The terminal connection structure includes a plurality of terminal blocks provided in the motor casing, a plurality of terminal portions that are electrically connected to the respective phases of the AC motor and that penetrate the terminal blocks, and a plurality of terminal surfaces that are outer end surfaces of the plurality of terminal blocks and from which the terminal portions are exposed. The plurality of terminal surfaces are arranged side by side in a direction that intersects with the rotation axis of the AC motor, and a step is provided between at least one terminal surface and the other terminal surfaces in the radial direction of the motor casing. The direction that intersects with the rotation axis is, for example, a direction that is perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0011] The multiple terminal blocks of the terminal connection structure of the first example each have a terminal surface on which the terminal portion is exposed. The multiple terminal surfaces are arranged side by side along a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the AC motor. Therefore, it is possible to suppress dimensional expansion resulting from the arrangement of the multiple terminal blocks in the direction of the rotation axis. Furthermore, a step is provided between one terminal surface and another terminal surface in the radial direction of the motor casing. This step makes it easy to visually distinguish the multiple terminal blocks.

[0012] A second example is a motor casing terminal connection structure according to the first example, in which the AC motor is a three-phase AC motor, and the multiple terminal surfaces include a first terminal surface, a second terminal surface, and a third terminal surface. The second terminal surface is disposed between the first terminal surface and the third terminal surface, and each of the multiple terminal portions includes a plug extending through the terminal block. The multiple plugs extend in the same direction. The reference surface includes the rotation axis and is perpendicular to the extension direction of the plug. The heights from the reference surface to the first terminal surface and the third terminal surface are uniform, and the height from the reference surface to the second terminal surface is higher than the first terminal surface and the third terminal surface. In the second example, by providing a step so that the central second terminal surface is higher relative to the first terminal surface and the third terminal surface, all of the terminal blocks can be easily distinguished.

[0013] A third example is a terminal connection structure for a motor casing according to the first or second example, comprising a plurality of bus bars connected to each phase of an AC motor and arranged along the outer periphery of a stator of the AC motor. Each of the plurality of terminal portions includes a plug extending through a terminal block. Each of the plurality of bus bars includes a terminal connection portion connected to a plug. The plurality of terminal connection portions are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the stator. A reference plane includes the rotation axis and is perpendicular to the extension direction of the plug. Height differences between the reference plane and the plurality of terminal connection portions are absorbed by steps, and the lengths of the plurality of plugs are the same. The plurality of bus bars are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the stator. In the third example, even if there are differences in height between the plurality of terminal connection portions and the reference plane, these differences are absorbed by steps in the terminal block. This eliminates the need to prepare plugs of different lengths to correspond to each of the plurality of terminal blocks, allowing plugs of the same length to be used and enabling common use of plugs. As a result, incorrect installation of plugs on terminal blocks can be prevented.

[0014] A fourth example is a terminal connection structure for a motor casing according to any one of the first to third examples, in which the terminal portion includes a plug extending to penetrate the terminal block, and a resin plug mounting portion that is mounted on the outer periphery of the plug and closes the gap between the plug and the terminal block. In the fourth example, by closing the gap between the plug and the terminal block with the plug mounting portion, it is possible to prevent liquids and the like from entering the motor casing from the outside through the gap in the terminal block.

[0015] The fifth example is a motor casing terminal connection structure according to the fourth example, in which the terminal portion includes a cap portion that surrounds the connection portion between the cable and the plug. The cap portion extends in a direction that bends from the extension direction of the plug and includes a cable attachment portion that is fitted around the cable. In the fifth example, the cap portion surrounds the connection portion between the cable and the plug, thereby protecting the connection portion.

[0016] The sixth example is a motor casing terminal connection structure according to the fifth example, which includes a plurality of cables and a plurality of cable attachment parts that are sheathed to each of the plurality of cables. The plurality of cable attachment parts extend in a direction that bends from the extension direction of the plug and in a direction in which the plurality of cables converge. In the sixth example, each of the cable attachment parts extends in the direction in which the cables converge, making it easier to bundle the plurality of cables.

[0017] The seventh example is a terminal connection structure for a motor casing that houses a multi-phase AC motor, and includes a plurality of terminal blocks provided in the motor casing and a plurality of terminal portions that are electrically connected to the respective phases of the AC motor and that penetrate the terminal blocks. Of the plurality of adjacent terminal blocks, at least one terminal block is provided so as to protrude relative to the other adjacent terminal blocks. Note that the seventh example may also apply the configuration according to any one of the second to sixth examples above.

[0018] The eighth example is a terminal connection structure of a motor casing related to the seventh example, in which the terminal block that protrudes relative to the other terminal blocks forms a step relative to the other terminal blocks and has a side that avoids the terminal portions provided on the other terminal blocks.

[0019] A ninth example is a rotary machine including the motor casing terminal connection structure of any one of the first to eighth examples. For example, the rotary machine according to the ninth example includes a multi-phase AC motor that rotates a rotating shaft and a motor casing that houses the AC motor. The AC motor includes a rotor fixed to the rotating shaft and a stator surrounding the rotor. The motor casing includes a plurality of terminal blocks, a plurality of terminal portions that are electrically connected to the respective phases of the AC motor and that penetrate through the terminal blocks, and a plurality of terminal surfaces that are outer end surfaces of the plurality of terminal blocks and on which the terminal portions are exposed. The plurality of terminal surfaces are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the AC motor, and a step is provided between at least one terminal surface and the other terminal surfaces in the radial direction of the motor casing. The direction intersecting the rotation axis is, for example, a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0020] A motor casing of a rotating machine according to a ninth example is provided with a plurality of terminal blocks. Each of the plurality of terminal blocks has a terminal surface on which a terminal portion is exposed, and the plurality of terminal surfaces are arranged side by side along a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the AC motor. This makes it possible to suppress dimensional expansion resulting from the arrangement of the plurality of terminal blocks in the direction of the rotation axis. Furthermore, a step is provided between one terminal surface and another terminal surface in the radial direction of the motor casing. This step makes it easy to visually distinguish the plurality of terminal blocks. The direction intersecting the rotation axis is, for example, a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0021] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0022] 1 shows an example of a rotating machine 1 according to an embodiment, for example, an electric supercharger. The rotating machine 1 includes a multi-phase AC motor 3, a rotating shaft 2 that rotates when driven by the AC motor 3, and an inverter that controls the driving of the AC motor 3. In the embodiment, a three-phase AC motor is shown as an example of the AC motor 3, but it may also be a two-phase or four or more phase AC motor.

[0023] The AC motor 3 includes a rotor 31 fixed to the rotating shaft 2 and a stator 32 arranged to surround the rotor 31. The stator 32 includes three-phase coils 33 wound around teeth. The three-phase coils 33 are connected to terminals 5 via conductive plate-like bus bars 4. Hereinafter, with the rotation axis L of the AC motor 3 as the reference, a direction closer to the terminals 5 than the rotation axis L will be described as "upward" or "top," and a portion arranged further above will be described as an upper portion. Furthermore, a direction opposite to "upward" with respect to the rotation axis L will be described as "downward" or "bottom," and a portion arranged further below will be described as a lower portion.

[0024] The AC motor 3 is housed in a motor casing 6. The motor casing 6 is a metal housing that surrounds the stator 32 and is a generally cylindrical body whose length in a direction along the rotation axis L (hereinafter referred to as the rotation axis direction Da) is shorter than its width in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L. The motor casing 6 includes a lower wall portion 61, an upper wall portion 62, and a pair of side wall portions 63. When the motor casing 6 is viewed from the rotation axis direction Da (see FIG. 1 ), that is, in a front view, the lower wall portion 61 is a wall portion with an arc-shaped cross section that is arranged along the lower part of the stator 32. The upper wall portion 62 is a wall portion with an arc-shaped cross section that is arranged on the opposite side of the lower wall portion 61 and along the upper part of the stator 32. The arc length of the upper wall portion 62 is longer than the arc length of the lower wall portion 61. The side wall portion 63 is a flat wall portion that stands from the lower wall portion 61 toward the upper wall portion 62. The pair of side wall portions 63 are inclined so that the distance between them gradually increases from the lower end connected to the lower wall portion 61 to the upper end connected to the upper wall portion 62 .

[0025] A terminal connection structure 7 is provided on the upper wall portion 62. The terminal connection structure 7 includes a plurality of terminal blocks 8 that hold terminal portions 5. The number of terminal blocks 8 corresponds to the number of phases of the multi-phase AC motor 3. In this embodiment, three terminal blocks 8 are provided corresponding to the three-phase AC motor 3. The terminal block 8 is formed with an assembly hole 81 that penetrates the motor casing 6 to communicate between the inside and the outside. The terminal portions 5 are attached to the terminal block 8 by being fitted into the assembly hole 81. When attached to the assembly hole 81, the terminal portions 5 include plugs 10 (see FIG. 4) that extend through the terminal block 8. The multiple plugs 10 of the multiple terminal portions 5 are installed so that their longitudinal directions are the same, that is, so that the extending direction Db (see FIG. 2) that penetrates the terminal block 8 is the same.

[0026] The terminal block 8 is provided so as to protrude from the convexly curved outer peripheral surface of the upper wall portion 62. The tip (outer end surface) of the terminal block 8 is the terminal surface 9, and an opening corresponding to the upper end of the assembly hole 81 is provided therein. The terminal surface 9 is substantially flat, and a portion of the terminal portion 5 is exposed from the terminal surface 9. When the terminal connection structure 7 is viewed from above (see FIG. 3), that is, in a plan view, the multiple terminal surfaces 9 are aligned along a direction Dc intersecting the rotation axis L. The direction Dc intersecting the rotation axis L is, for example, a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L. A step Ld is formed between adjacent terminal surfaces 9 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The step Ld means that there is a difference in the distance in the radial direction Dd from the rotation axis L. Furthermore, when a reference plane S is assumed to include the rotation axis L and be perpendicular to the extension direction Db of the plug 10, there is a difference in the distance (height) from the reference plane S. In this embodiment, the terminals 5 protrude in the same direction (hereinafter referred to as protruding direction Df), and a plane perpendicular to the protruding direction Df and including the rotation axis L can be considered as a reference plane S.

[0027] In front view (see FIGS. 1 and 2), the multiple terminal blocks 8 are, from left to right, a first terminal block 8A, a second terminal block 8B, and a third terminal block 8C. That is, the second terminal block 8B is disposed between the first terminal block 8A and the third terminal block 8C. The distance (height Ha) from the reference plane S to the terminal surface 9 (first terminal surface 9A) of the first terminal block 8A is the same as the distance (height Ha) from the reference plane S to the terminal surface 9 (third terminal surface 9C) of the third terminal block 8C. On the other hand, the second terminal block 8B in the center protrudes further than the first terminal block 8A and the third terminal block 8C, and the distance (height Hb) from the reference plane S to the terminal surface 9 (second terminal surface 9B) of the second terminal block 8B is greater than the height Ha of the first terminal surface 9A and the third terminal surface 9C.

[0028] That is, the second terminal block 8B is designed to be distinguishable from the first terminal block 8A and the third terminal block 8C. Although the heights Ha of the first terminal block 8A and the third terminal block 8C are the same, the second terminal surface 9B is disposed between the first terminal block 8A and the third terminal block 8C, making it possible to distinguish between the first terminal block 8A and the third terminal block 8C. The protruding direction Df of the second terminal block 8B according to the present embodiment coincides with the radial direction Dd connecting the rotation axis L and the second terminal block 8B. The first terminal block 8A and the third terminal block 8C also protrude in the same direction as the second terminal block 8B, and the radial direction Dd and the protruding direction Df are substantially the same. If multiple terminal blocks 8 protrude in different directions, the radial direction Dd can be described as a radial direction or a centrifugal direction from the rotation axis L toward each terminal block 8.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 4, the terminal portion 5 includes an axial (rod-shaped) metal plug 10 that can conduct electricity, a plug mounting portion 11 that is made of resin (having electrical insulation properties) and mounted on the outer periphery of the plug 10, and a resin cap portion 12 that is attached to the plug mounting portion 11. In this embodiment, the multiple terminal portions 5 have the same structure and dimensions and are standardized. Below, one terminal portion 5 will be described in detail as a representative.

[0030] The plug 10 includes a lower contact portion 10a connected to the bus bar 4, an upper contact portion 10b connected to the cable terminal 20a, and a body portion 10c provided between the lower contact portion 10a and the upper contact portion 10b. For example, a screw hole 10d is formed in the lower contact portion 10a. The plug 10 is fixed to the terminal connection portion 41 of the bus bar 4 by a bolt 10e (fastening member) that screws into the screw hole 10d.

[0031] The upper contact portion 10b includes a shaft portion 10g onto which a nut 10f (fastening portion) is threaded to fasten the cable terminal 20a, and a flange portion 10h that projects from the shaft portion 10g and against which the cable terminal 20a abuts. The cable terminal 20a is, for example, a round terminal, and includes a crimped portion 20b that is crimped onto the end of the cable 20, and an annular portion 20c that is attached to the upper contact portion 10b so that electricity can flow through it. The annular portion 20c is threaded over the shaft portion 10g and abuts against the flange portion 10h, and is fixed to the flange portion 10h by fastening the nut 10f.

[0032] The body portion 10c is surrounded by the plug mounting portion 11. The body portion 10c has an upper body portion 10j close to the upper contact portion 10b and a lower body portion 10k close to the lower contact portion 10a, and a collar portion 10m that engages with the plug mounting portion 11 is provided on the outer periphery of the upper body portion 10j. The collar portion 10m interferes with the plug mounting portion 11 and prevents the plug mounting portion 11 from shifting in the longitudinal direction of the body portion 10c. The inner diameter of the lower body portion 10k is larger than the inner diameter of the upper body portion 10j.

[0033] The plug mounting portion 11 is mounted so as to surround the outer periphery of the body portion 10c. The plug mounting portion 11 includes a cylindrical main body portion 11a that surrounds the body portion 10c, a plate-shaped locking portion 11b that protrudes from the outer periphery of the main body portion 11a, and a seal member 11c that is mounted on the main body portion 11a. The inner periphery of the main body portion 11a is provided with a groove that fits the collar portion 10m and an expanded diameter region whose inner diameter is expanded to accommodate the lower body portion 10k.

[0034] The lower part of the main body 11a is the part that is inserted into the assembly hole 81 of the terminal block 8. There is a small gap between the main body 11a and the terminal block 8, specifically, between the outer circumferential surface of the main body 11a and the inner circumferential surface of the assembly hole 81. To close this gap, an annular sealing member 11c such as an O-ring is provided. A retaining groove 11j is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 11a to hold the sealing member 11c in a fixed position.

[0035] The upper part of the main body 11a and the locking part 11b are exposed to the outside from the terminal surface 9. For example, a loose-fitting hole 11k is formed in the locking part 11b. A fastening member 11m such as a bolt passed through the loose-fitting hole 11k is screwed into a screw hole 11n of the terminal block 8. As a result, the locking part 11b is fastened by the fastening member 11m and fixed in a predetermined position on the terminal surface 9. A locking groove 11p into which the locking piece 13a of the cap part 12 fits is formed on the outer periphery of the upper part of the main body 11a.

[0036] The cap portion 12 is attached to the plug attachment portion 11 and surrounds the connection portion between the cable 20 and the plug 10. The cap portion 12 has an annular neck portion 13 attached to the outer periphery of the upper part of the plug attachment portion 11. A locking piece 13a is provided on the inner periphery of the neck portion 13 and is fitted into and integrated with a locking groove 11p of the plug attachment portion 11. The cap portion 12 has a tubular cable attachment portion 14 that bends and extends from the neck portion 13 and is fitted around the cable 20. A cable terminal 20a fixed to the end of the cable 20 is fitted within the cable attachment portion 14. The cable terminal 20a is electrically connected to an upper contact portion 10b of the plug 10 within the cap portion 12. The cable 20 is connected to an inverter that controls the drive of the AC motor 3.

[0037] The cable attachment portion 14 extends in a direction bending from the extension direction Db of the plug 10. Each of the multiple cap portions 12 has a cable attachment portion 14, and a different cable 20 is attached to each cable attachment portion 14. The multiple cable attachment portions 14 extend in a direction in which the multiple cables 20 converge. A specific description will be given below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0038] For example, assume that the multiple cable attachment portions 14 are arranged on the same plane when the terminal connection structure 7 is viewed from above. Here, the first cable attachment portion 14A is attached to a first cable 20A. The first cable 20A is connected to a first terminal portion 5A held by a first terminal block 8A. The second cable attachment portion 14B is attached to a second cable 20B. The second cable 20B is connected to a second terminal portion 5B held by a second terminal block 8B. The third cable attachment portion 14C is attached to a third cable 20C. The third cable 20C is connected to a third terminal portion 5C held by a third terminal block 8C.

[0039] First, with the second cable 20B in the center as a reference, the first cable 20A is inclined so that it approaches the second cable 20B as it moves away from the first terminal 5A. That is, the first cable attachment portion 14A and the second cable attachment portion 14B extend in a direction in which the first cable 20A and the second cable 20B intersect and converge. Furthermore, the third cable 20C is inclined so that it approaches the second cable 20B as it moves away from the third terminal 5C. That is, the third cable attachment portion 14C and the second cable attachment portion 14B extend in a direction in which the third cable 20C and the second cable attachment portion 14B intersect and converge.

[0040] In this embodiment, the second cable 20B is considered as the reference, but for example, the second cable 20B and the third cable 20C may be arranged to converge with respect to the first cable 20A. The plurality of cables 20 may be two or four or more cables 20. Also, a configuration in which all the cables 20 converge at one location, a configuration in which some of the cables 20 converge at one location, or a configuration in which multiple groups of cables 20 are formed and each group converges at a different location may be used.

[0041] Furthermore, in the configuration in which the multiple cables 20 extend in the converging direction, the terminal block 8 is also devised. Specifically, the central second terminal block 8B protrudes relative to the adjacent first and third terminal blocks 8A and 8C. The second terminal block 8B has a first side surface 82 adjacent to the first terminal block 8A and a second side surface 83 adjacent to the third terminal block 8C. The first side surface 82 is not parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second cable attachment portion 14B but is inclined to follow the longitudinal direction of the first cable attachment portion 14A, thereby avoiding interference with the first cable attachment portion 14A. Furthermore, the second side surface 83 is not parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second cable attachment portion 14B but is inclined to follow the longitudinal direction of the third cable attachment portion 14C, thereby avoiding interference with the third cable attachment portion 14C. That is, the first side surface 82 is formed so as to avoid the first terminal portion 5A, and the second side surface 83 is formed so as to avoid the third terminal portion 5C.

[0042] Next, the connection between the multiple terminal portions 5 and the stator 32 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the AC motor 3 has three (multiple) bus bars 4 arranged along the outer periphery of the stator 32. Each of the multiple bus bars 4 is connected to the coils 33 that form each phase of the AC motor 3. Each bus bar 4 has an annular terminal connection portion 41. The terminal connection portion 41 is provided so as to protrude from a position along the outer periphery of the stator 32 in the radial direction of the motor stator (in the centrifugal direction about the rotation axis L), and is connected to the plug 10 of the terminal portion 5 (see FIG. 4).

[0043] 1, the terminal connection portion 41 of each bus bar 4 is connected to a different terminal portion 5. For example, the terminal connection portion 41 of the first bus bar 4A is connected to the first terminal portion 5A, the terminal connection portion 41 of the second bus bar 4B is connected to the second terminal portion 5B, and the terminal connection portion 41 of the third bus bar 4C is connected to the third terminal portion 5C.

[0044] The multiple terminal connection portions 41 are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the stator 32 and have different heights from a reference plane S. Specifically, with respect to a reference plane S that passes through the rotation axis L and is perpendicular to the extending direction Db of the plug 10, a height Hc from the reference plane S to the terminal connection portions 41 of the first bus bar 4A and a height Hc from the reference plane S to the terminal connection portions 41 of the third bus bar 4C are the same. On the other hand, a height Hd from the reference plane S to the terminal connection portions 41 of the second bus bar 4B is higher than the height Hc. That is, in this embodiment, there is a difference in height between the multiple terminal connection portions 41 and the reference plane S. Note that, because the terminal connection portion 41 according to this embodiment has an annular shape, the comparison and verification was performed using the center of the terminal connection portion 41 as the position of the terminal connection portion 41. However, it is also possible to perform the comparison and verification using the lower end or upper end of the terminal connection portion 41 as the position of the terminal connection portion 41.

[0045] As described above, the second terminal portion 5B is connected to the terminal connection portion 41 of the second bus bar 4B, and the second terminal portion 5B is held by the second terminal block 8B. The second terminal block 8B protrudes in the radial direction Dd further than the first terminal block 8A and the third terminal block 8C, and a step Ld is formed between the second terminal block 8B and the first terminal block 8A. This step Ld absorbs the difference in height Hd of the terminal connection portion 41 of the second bus bar 4B and the height Hc of the terminal connection portion 41 of the first bus bar 4A. This step Ld also absorbs the difference in height Hd of the terminal connection portion 41 of the second bus bar 4B and the height Hc of the terminal connection portion 41 of the third bus bar 4C. By absorbing the difference in height between the multiple terminal connection portions 41 using the step Ld, it is possible to eliminate dimensional differences in the area where the terminal portion 5 is held by the terminal block 8. As a result, plugs 10 having the same structure and the same dimensions (length) can be used in a plurality of terminal portions 5, making it possible to use the same plugs 10 in common.

[0046] In this embodiment, the distance from the rotation axis L to the terminal connection portion 41 of the first bus bar 4A and the distance from the rotation axis L to the terminal connection portion 41 of the third bus bar 4C are the same. On the other hand, the distance from the rotation axis L to the terminal connection portion 41 of the second bus bar 4B is longer than the above-mentioned distances.

[0047] Next, the operation and effects of the terminal connection structure 7 according to the embodiment will be described. The multiple terminal surfaces 9 of the terminal connection structure 7, for example, the first terminal surface 9A, the second terminal surface 9B, and the third terminal surface 9C, are arranged side by side along a direction Dc intersecting the rotational axis L of the AC motor 3. The direction Dc intersecting the rotational axis L is, for example, a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis L. Therefore, compared to arranging the multiple terminal blocks 8 in the rotational axis direction Da, the dimensional increase due to the arrangement of the multiple terminal blocks 8 can be suppressed. Furthermore, a step Ld is provided in the radial direction Dd of the motor casing 6 between the second terminal surface 9B (one terminal surface 9) and the first terminal surface 9A and the third terminal surface 9C (the other terminal surfaces 9). This step Ld makes it easier to visually distinguish the multiple terminal blocks 8. As a result, the multiple terminal blocks 8 are easily distinguished while suppressing the dimensional increase of the motor casing 6 in the rotational axis direction Da.

[0048] Furthermore, the multiple terminal units 5 are connected to the respective phases of the AC motor 3, and it is necessary to supply AC currents of different phases to the respective phases. Therefore, it is necessary to install an appropriate terminal unit 5 corresponding to each phase on each of the multiple terminal blocks 8. In other words, by making it easy to identify the multiple terminal blocks 8, it is possible to install the appropriate terminal unit 5 on the terminal block 8, and it is possible to prevent electrical connection errors when connecting the cable 20 via the terminal units 5.

[0049] Furthermore, the height Ha from the reference plane S to the first terminal surface 9A and the third terminal surface 9C is uniform, and the height Hb from the reference plane S to the second terminal surface 9B is higher than the first terminal surface 9A and the third terminal surface 9C. In other words, a step Ld is provided so that the central second terminal surface 9B is relatively higher than the first terminal surface 9A and the third terminal surface 9C, making the central second terminal block 8B stand out. As a result, it is easy to distinguish the first terminal block 8A from the second terminal block 8B, and it is also easy to distinguish the third terminal block 8C from the second terminal block 8B. Therefore, all the terminal blocks 8 are easy to distinguish.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal connection portions 41 of the multiple bus bars 4 are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the stator 32. The multiple terminal connection portions 41 have different heights from the reference plane S, but this difference is absorbed by the step Ld, and the lengths of the plugs 10 of the multiple terminal portions 5 are the same. Therefore, there is no need to prepare plugs of different lengths for each of the multiple terminal blocks 8, and the plugs 10 can be standardized. For example, when installing plugs of different lengths for each of the multiple terminal blocks, appropriate plugs with matching dimensions must be selected during installation, requiring care to prevent incorrect plug installation. By standardizing the plugs 10, structural installation errors of the plugs 10 can essentially be eliminated.

[0051] In addition, this embodiment is provided with a resin plug mounting portion 11 that seals the gap between the plug 10 and the terminal block 8, thereby preventing liquids and the like from entering the motor casing 6 from the outside through the gap in the terminal block 8.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cap portion 12 is provided, so that the connection portion between the cable 20 and the plug 10 can be protected from external factors. Furthermore, each of the multiple cap portions 12 is provided with a cable attachment portion 14, and each of the cable attachment portions 14 extends in the direction in which the multiple cables 20 converge. As a result, the multiple cables 20 can be easily bundled together.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the rotating machine 1 equipped with the above-described terminal connection structure 7, the multiple terminal blocks 8 can be easily distinguished while suppressing the dimensional enlargement of the motor casing 6 in the rotation axis direction Da. In other words, by making it easy to distinguish the multiple terminal blocks 8, it is possible to install appropriate terminal units 5 for the terminal blocks 8, and to prevent incorrect electrical connections when connecting cables 20 via the terminal units 5.

[0054] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiments, an electric supercharger is described as an example of a rotating machine, but the present disclosure can be widely applied to a rotating machine that is rotated by driving an AC motor, and may be, for example, an electrically assisted supercharger. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Rotating Machinery 2 rotation axes 3 AC motor 4 Busbars 5 Terminal section 6 Motor casing 7 Terminal connection structure 8 Terminal block 9 Terminal surface 9A First terminal surface 9B Second terminal surface 9C Third terminal surface 10 Plug 11 Plug attachment part 12 Cap part 14 Cable attachment point 20 Cable 31 Rotor 32 Stator 41 Terminal connection part Da Rotation axis direction Db plug extension direction Dc Direction intersecting the rotation axis Dd Radial direction L rotation axis Ld step S reference plane

Claims

1. A terminal connection structure for a motor casing that houses a multi-phase AC motor, a plurality of terminal blocks provided on the motor casing; a plurality of terminal portions electrically connected to the respective phases of the AC motor and penetrating through the terminal blocks; a plurality of terminal surfaces that are outer end surfaces of the plurality of terminal blocks, and on which the terminal portions are exposed; the plurality of terminal surfaces are arranged side by side along a direction intersecting a rotation axis of the AC motor, A terminal connection structure for a motor casing, wherein a step is provided between at least one of the terminal surfaces and another of the terminal surfaces in the radial direction of the motor casing.

2. a multi-phase AC motor that rotates a rotary shaft; a motor casing that houses the AC motor, the AC motor includes a rotor fixed to the rotary shaft and a stator surrounding the rotor, The motor casing includes: A plurality of terminal blocks; a plurality of terminal portions electrically connected to the respective phases of the AC motor and penetrating through the terminal blocks; a plurality of terminal surfaces that are outer end surfaces of the plurality of terminal blocks, and on which the terminal portions are exposed; the plurality of terminal surfaces are arranged side by side along a direction intersecting a rotation axis of the AC motor, A rotary machine, wherein a step is provided between at least one of the terminal surfaces and another of the terminal surfaces in a radial direction of the motor casing.

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