Clamp jig

Abstract

To enable a plurality of pairs of terminal pairs to be joined to each other more easily and properly.SOLUTION: A clamp jig, which is used for gripping terminal pairs to be welded to each other, comprises: a main body part provided with a plurality of insertion holes for the terminal pairs; a pair of clamp claws, respectively provided on the insertion holes into which the terminal pairs are inserted, which grip the terminal pairs inserted into the insertion holes, from one side and the other side thereof; a first energizing member that energizes the clamp claw at the one side of the pair of clamp claws toward the clamp claw at the other side; and a second energizing member that energizes the clamp claw at the other side of the pair of clamp claws toward the clamp claw at the one side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamp jig used in welding. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a jig that simultaneously holds a plurality of terminal pairs (first terminals, second terminals) to be welded together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-219614 Summary of the Invention

[0004] This jig has a pair of restraining members that are relatively displaceable in the radial direction of the motor. The opposing portions of the pair of restraining members are provided with a plurality of recesses that can accommodate terminals. With this jig, when a pair of restraining members are displaced in a direction that brings them closer to each other, each of the multiple terminal pairs is simultaneously accommodated in a gripping hole formed between the recess of one restraining member and the recess of the other restraining member, and is gripped between the pair of restraining members. The terminal pairs received in the holding holes are held in contact with each other by the holding force exerted by the pair of restraining members, and in this state, the plurality of terminal pairs are fused and joined in sequence. [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The terminal pair must be held in contact with each other until the fusion bonding is completed, so there is a method for restricting the relative displacement of the pair of restraining members using a screw tightening mechanism that uses screws, at least during the fusion bonding. In the screw tightening mechanism, one of the restraining members is displaced relative to the other by rotating the screw, so that the pair of restraining members can be positioned to grip the terminal pair as long as the screw is not rotated.

[0006] Here, when the terminal pairs are fused and joined in sequence, a gap may occur between the joined terminal pairs and the inner periphery of the gripping hole due to solidification and shrinkage of the base material. Since the pair of restraining members grip the terminal pairs with each gripping hole, the reaction force from the terminal pairs gripped by each gripping hole acts on the entire pair of restraining members. Therefore, if a gap occurs between some of the gripping holes and the terminal pair after joining, the entire pair of restraining members may be displaced according to the gap, and the contact state of the terminal pair before joining that is gripped in other gripping holes may change.

[0007] In this state, if the terminal pairs held in each of the receiving holes are melt-welded in turn, there is a possibility that problems will occur with the welding. However, checking the state of the terminal pairs held in the other holding holes every time melt-welding is performed and adjusting as necessary will lead to a decrease in production efficiency. Therefore, there is a demand for a method that allows multiple terminal pairs to be joined more easily and appropriately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is A clamping jig used to hold a pair of terminals to be welded together, comprising: a main body portion having a plurality of insertion holes for the terminal pairs; a pair of clamp claws that are provided one-to-one with the insertion holes into which the terminal pairs are inserted, and that grip the terminal pairs inserted into the insertion holes from one side and the other side; a first biasing member that biases one of the pair of clamp claws toward the other clamp claw; The clamping jig has a configuration including a second biasing member that biases the other clamping claw of the pair of clamping claws toward the one clamping claw. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to more simply and appropriately join a plurality of terminal pairs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of terminals on the stator side of a motor for a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the bus bar. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the bus bar. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the bus bar side terminals and the stator side terminals when fusion joining is performed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bus bar. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the clamping jig. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a clamping jig. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the clamping jig. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a clamping jig. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the clamping jig. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a clamping jig. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a drive unit of the clamp jig. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a drive unit of the clamp jig. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the clamping jig is used. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the clamping jig is used. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the clamping jig. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the clamping jig. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described taking as an example a clamp jig 5 used when fusion-joining (welding) terminals on the stator side to corresponding terminals on the bus bar side. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of terminals T on the stator S side of a motor M for a vehicle.

[0012] 1, a stator S of a motor M has a cylindrical base S1 (stator core). The base S1 is fixed to the inner periphery of a cylindrical housing HS (peripheral wall 10). The region S2 on the inner diameter side of the base S1 (the region indicated by cross hatching in FIG. 1) is a region where windings, which are electrical conductors, are provided. The windings are made of a conductive metal material, such as copper. In the motor M, the rotor R is disposed inside this region S2.

[0013] When viewed from the opening direction of the housing HS, at one end of the stator S (the end on the front side of the paper in Figure 1), terminals T (T1 to T24) for connection to the bus bar 2 (see Figure 2) are drawn out from the winding region S2. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the terminals T1 to T24, they will simply be referred to as "terminal T." In this embodiment, a total of 24 terminals T (T1 to T24) are drawn out from the winding region S2. The drawn out terminals T are divided into an inner diameter side and an outer diameter side, with 12 terminals on each side.

[0014] On the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side, two terminals are paired (hereinafter also referred to as a terminal pair) and are arranged at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction around the axis X. Here, the axis X is a straight line that is concentric with the rotation axis of the rotor R. When viewed from the opening direction of the housing HS (stator S), the axis X is located at the center of the stator S. In the following description, the positional relationship of each component will be described with reference to the axis X as the reference, as necessary.

[0015] When viewed from the opening direction of the housing HS (stator S), the terminals T1 to T12 on the inner diameter side are located on an imaginary circle Im2 centered on the axis X. The terminals T13 to T24 on the outer diameter side are located on an imaginary circle Im1 centered on the axis X. The terminals T1 to T12 on the inner diameter side and the terminals T13 to T24 on the outer diameter side are provided with a phase shift in the circumferential direction around the axis X. When viewed from the axis X, the terminals T13 to T24 on the outer diameter side are arranged so as not to completely overlap the terminals T1 to T12 on the inner diameter side. As an example, in FIG. 1, the outer diameter side terminal set (T15, T16) is located between the inner diameter side terminal set (T1, T2) and terminal set (T3, T4) that are adjacent in the circumferential direction, and when viewed from the outer diameter side from the axis X, the inner diameter side terminal set and the outer diameter side terminal set are arranged so that they do not completely overlap.

[0016] In this embodiment, in order to connect each terminal on the stator S side to a corresponding terminal on the bus bar 2 (see Figure 2), each terminal on the stator S side is arranged on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side in a positional relationship as shown in Figure 1.

[0017] 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating the bus bar 2. FIG. The bus bar 2 is a component for connecting a plurality of terminals T (T1 to T24) on the motor M side to a power supply line on the inverter (not shown) side. In a front view, the busbar 2 has a substantially arc-shaped base 21. Contact support portions 22 are provided on the outer periphery 21a of the base 21. The contact support portions 22 extend radially outward from the outer periphery 21a of the base 21. A plurality of the contact support portions 22 are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base 21 (the left-right direction in the drawing). Connection terminals 22a, 22b, and 22c are exposed at the tip of the contact support portion 22. Power supply lines extending from an inverter (not shown) are connected to these terminals 22a, 22b, and 22c.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of terminal sets 24 and a plurality of terminal sets 25 are provided on the inner periphery 21b of the base portion 21. The terminal set 24 is composed of a pair of terminal pieces 241, 241. The terminal piece 241 is a columnar member extending radially inward from the inner periphery 21b of the base 21. A plurality of terminal sets 24 are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base 21 (the left-right direction in the figure). In FIG. 2, a total of six terminal sets 24 are provided.

[0019] The terminal set 25 is made up of a pair of terminal pieces 251, 251. The terminal piece 251 is a columnar member extending radially inward from the inner periphery 21b of the base portion 21. A plurality of terminal sets 25 are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction in the drawing) of the base 21. In FIG. 2, a total of six terminal sets 25 are provided.

[0020] Terminal pieces 241, 251 have a basic shape with a bent tip (see FIG. 3). The tip sides of terminal pieces 241, 251 are bent in the same direction (toward the viewer in the drawing), and the bent ends form terminals 24a, 25a that are connected to terminal T on the stator S side. In base 21, terminals 25a on terminal set 25 side are located closer to the inner diameter side than terminals 24a on terminal set 24 side. When base 21 is viewed from the inner periphery 21b side, terminal sets 24 on the outer diameter side and terminal sets 25 on the inner diameter side are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of base 21 (left and right direction in the figure).

[0021] Here, the terminal pieces 241, 251 constituting the terminal sets 24, 25 are members made of a conductive metal material, for example, copper, and are embedded inside the base 21. The terminal pieces 241, 251 are connected to the corresponding terminals 22a, 22b, 22c of the contact support part 22, respectively. The terminals 24a, 25a of each terminal set 24, 25 are connected to the terminal T on the stator S side by fusion welding.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the terminals 24a and 25a on the bus bar 2 side and the terminal T on the stator S side when the terminal pairs are fusion-joined. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar 2. FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-section of the busbar 2 taken along line A-A in FIG. 4, with the cross-section facing upward. FIG. 5(a) shows the ideal arrangement of the terminals 24a and 25a on the busbar 2 side and the terminal T on the stator S side. FIG. 5(b) shows a state in which the terminals 24a and 25a on the busbar 2 side and the terminal T on the stator S side are arranged with a gap or inclination.

[0023] When melt-joining the terminals 24a, 24a and terminals 25a, 25a on the bus bar 2 side with the terminal T on the stator S side, as an example, the terminals 24a, 24a and terminals 25a, 25a on the bus bar 2 side are positioned by the following procedure. (I) The housing HS containing the stator S is positioned with the opening of the housing HS facing upward. Next, (II) the ends of the windings drawn out from the winding region R2 are bent, and terminals T on the winding side are placed at the joint positions with terminals 24a, 25a on the bus bar 2. Then, (III) the bus bar 2 is placed on the upper end of the housing HS, and each terminal 24a, 25a on the bus bar 2 is placed at the joint position with the corresponding terminal T on the stator S (see Figure 4). 4 schematically shows the housing HS, shown by imaginary lines, as viewed from above in the direction of the opening, together with the busbar 2. When the busbar 2 is placed on the housing HS, the terminals 24a, 24a and terminals 25a, 25a on the busbar 2 side are arranged on the outer diameter side of each terminal T on the stator S side. FIG. 5 schematically shows the busbar 2 placed on the housing HS (see imaginary lines) with the opening facing upward.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, the outer diameter side terminals T13 to T24 are arranged in the positions shown in FIG. 1 after the end of the winding drawn out from the winding region S2 is bent toward the outer diameter side of the winding region S2 and then further bent in the circumferential direction so that the terminal sets are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Similarly, the inner diameter side terminals T1 to T12 are arranged at the positions shown in FIG. 1 by bending the end portions of the windings drawn out from the winding region S2 so that the terminal sets are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Therefore, bending stress acts on the terminals T1 to T12 on the inner diameter side and the terminals T13 to T24 on the outer diameter side, and when the bus bar 2 is assembled, there is variation in the relative positional relationship between each terminal T1 to T24 and the terminals 24a, 25a on the bus bar 2 side.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 5(a), when performing fusion joining, it is preferable that the terminals 24a, 25a on the busbar 2 side and the terminal T on the stator S side are parallel to each other and in contact with each other without any gaps. However, as shown in Fig. 5(b), the terminals 24a, 25a on the busbar 2 side and the terminal T on the stator S side may be arranged with an inclination or with a gap between them. This is because bending stress acts on the terminal T for the reasons described above. In this embodiment, a clamp jig 5 is used to ensure that the terminals 24a, 25a on the bus bar 2 side and the terminals T on the stator S side are in reliable contact with each other.

[0026] 6 to 9 are diagrams illustrating the clamping jig 5. FIG. 6 schematically shows the clamping jig 5 installed on the housing HS after the bus bar 2 has been attached. In FIG. 6, the housing HS is hidden behind the main body 50 of the clamping jig 5. Furthermore, all parts of the bus bar 2 except for the contact support portion 22 are located behind the main body 50. FIG. 7 schematically shows a state in which the cover member 6 is removed from the main body 50 of the clamping jig 5. 8 is an enlarged schematic view of insertion holes 55 and 56 provided in main body 50 of clamping jig 5, and the areas around guide grooves 51 and 52, and guide grooves 53 and 54. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of clamping claws 7 (7A and 7B) and clamping claws 8 (8A and 8B) installed in guide grooves 51 and 52, and guide grooves 53 and 54, respectively. 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views of the clamping jig 5. Fig. 10 schematically shows a cross section of the clamping jig 5 taken along line AA in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 schematically shows a cross section of the clamping jig 5 taken along line BB in Fig. 9.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, the clamping jig 5 has a main body 50 made of iron. The main body 50 is a plate-shaped member that is placed on the housing HS from the direction of the axis X. The main body 50 is formed to a size that completely covers the opening of the housing HS. A through hole 500 is provided in the center of the main body 50. When the clamping jig 5 is placed on the housing HS, the center of the through hole 500 is concentric with the axis X.

[0028] When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the main body 50 has a linear side edge 501 on the outer periphery on one side (upper side in the drawing) as viewed from the through hole 500. The side edge 501 is formed by linearly cutting away a portion of the outer periphery of the main body 50 to avoid interference with the contact support 22 on the bus bar 2 side. A cover member 6 for holding clamp claws 7 and 8 (described later) is fixed by a plurality of bolts B to a surface 50a of the main body 50 on the front side of the paper.

[0029] The cover member 6 is a plate-like member having a size sufficient to cover the area on the side edge portion 501 side of the main body portion 50 when viewed from the through-hole 500 of the main body portion 50 . As shown in Figure 7, the main body 60 of the cover member 6 has an outer diameter side edge 601 that is arranged along the above-mentioned side edge 501, an inner diameter side edge 602 that is parallel to this side edge 601, and side edge portions 603, 603 that connect the ends of the side edge 601 and the side edge 602.

[0030] Arc-shaped openings 61 and 62 are provided between the side edge 601 and the side edge 602 . Opening 61 is provided to expose connecting portion 712 and terminal gripping portion 713 of clamp claw 7A, terminal gripping portion 723 of clamp claw 7B, and connecting portion 812 of clamp claw 8A (see FIG. 6). The opening 62 is provided to expose the connection part 722 of the clamping claw 7B, the terminal gripping part 813 of the clamping claw 8A, the terminal gripping part 823 of the clamping claw 8B, and the connection part 822.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 7, the opening 61 is located on the side edge part 601 side. The opening 62 is located on the side edge part 602 side. The openings 61 and 62 have a substantially arc shape. The radial width W61 of the opening 61 is narrower than the radial width W62 of the opening 62 (W61 < W62). The width W62 of the opening 62 is widened to avoid interference with the parts on the clamping claws 7 and 8 sides when the clamping claws 7 and 8 are displaced by the drive unit 9 described later.

[0032] In the regions of the openings 61 and 62, wirings C (ground cables) are connected to the connection part 712 of the clamping claw 7A, the connection part 722 of the clamping claw 7B, the connection part 812 of the clamping claw 8A, and the connection part 822 of the clamping claw 8B, respectively. The wirings C extending from each of the connection parts 712, 722, 812, and 822 are gathered to the connection plate 65 and then connected to the wiring C' (ground cable). Note that in FIG. 6, only a part of the wiring C is shown.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 8, when the cover member 6 is removed from the main body part of the clamping jig 50, the insertion holes 55 and 56, and the guide grooves 51 and 52, and the guide grooves 53 and 54 open on the surface 50a of the main body part 50. The clamping claws 7 (7A, 7B) and the clamping claws 8 (8A, 8B) are respectively accommodated in the regions of the insertion holes 55 and 56, and the guide grooves 51 and 52, and the guide grooves 53 and 54 (see FIG. 9). The clamping claws 7 (7A, 7B, 8A, 8B) are made of a conductive metal material, for example, copper.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of insertion holes 55 and 56 are provided in the main body part 50 of the clamping jig 5. These insertion holes 55 and 56 penetrate the main body part 50 in the thickness direction (see FIGS. 10 and 11). The insertion holes 55 are arranged at predetermined intervals along an imaginary circle Im5. The insertion holes 56 are arranged at predetermined intervals along an imaginary circle Im6. These imaginary circles Im5 and Im6 are centered on the axis X, and the imaginary circle Im5 has a larger inner diameter than the imaginary circle Im6.

[0035] The outer diameter side insertion holes 55 and the inner diameter side insertion holes 56 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction around the axis X. These insertion holes 55, 56 are formed with a size that allows the terminals 24a, 25a on the bus bar 2 side and the terminal T on the stator S side to be inserted therethrough. The opening diameter of the insertion holes 55, 56 is set so that the terminals 24a, 25a and the terminal T can be inserted into the insertion holes 55, 56 even when the misalignment between the terminals 24a, 25a on the bus bar 2 side and the terminal T on the stator S side reaches its theoretical maximum (see terminals T, 24a, 25a shown by virtual lines in Figures 8 and 9).

[0036] Guide grooves 51, 52 for the clamp claws 7A, 7B are provided on the inner and outer diameter sides of the insertion hole 55. The guide grooves 51, 52 are provided along a radial straight line L1 connecting the axis X and the insertion hole 55. Similarly, guide grooves 53, 54 for the clamp claws 8A, 8B are provided on the inner and outer diameter sides of the insertion hole 56. The guide grooves 53, 54 are provided along a radial straight line L2 that connects the axis X and the insertion hole 56.

[0037] The guide groove 51 on the outer diameter side has a shorter radial length than the guide groove 52 on the inner diameter side. 10, the guide groove 51 has a first region 511 adjacent to the insertion hole 55 and a second region 512 adjacent to the first region 511. The second region 512 is shallower than the first region 511 in the opening direction of the insertion hole 55 (the vertical direction in the figure). In the guide groove 51, a spring Sp is disposed in the second region 512. Furthermore, a clamp claw 7A is disposed in the first region 511.

[0038] The guide groove 52 has a first region 521 adjacent to the insertion hole 55 and a second region 522 adjacent to the first region 521. The second region 522 is shallower in the opening direction of the insertion hole 55 (the vertical direction in the figure) than the first region 521. In the guide groove 52, the spring Sp is disposed in the first region 521, and the clamp claw 7B is disposed across the first region 521 and the second region 522.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 10, the clamp claw 7A has a base 711 accommodated in the first region 511 and a connecting portion 712 integrally provided at the upper end of the base 711. A screw hole 712a opens at the upper end of the connecting portion 712. As shown in Fig. 9, the base 711 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The base 711 is oriented such that its long side is aligned in the circumferential direction (along the imaginary circle Im5). 10, a terminal gripping portion 713 is provided on an end portion 711b of the base portion 711 that faces the clamp claw 7B. The terminal gripping portion 713 extends from the bottom of the base portion 711 toward the clamp claw 7B side (right side in the figure). The tip of the terminal gripping portion 713 is a flat surface that extends along the opening direction of the insertion hole 55 (up and down direction in the figure).

[0040] One end of a spring Sp abuts against the opposite end 711a of the base 711. The spring Sp abuts against the base 711 on the upper end 712c side (upper side in the figure) of the terminal gripping portion 713. The other end of the spring Sp is supported by the side wall portion 512a of the guide groove 51. The clamp claw 7A is biased toward the clamp claw 7B side (right side in the figure) by the biasing force acting from the spring Sp.

[0041] Clamp claw 7B has a rod-shaped base 721. As shown in FIG. 9, base 721 is oriented with its long side aligned in the radial direction. As shown in FIG. 10, a terminal gripping portion 723 is provided on end 721b of base 721, which faces clamp claw 7A. Terminal gripping portion 723 extends from the bottom of base 721 toward clamp claw 7A (left side in the figure). The tip of terminal gripping portion 723 is a flat surface that extends in the opening direction of insertion hole 55 (up and down direction in the figure). 9, the terminal gripping portion 723 of the clamp claw 7B has a width in the circumferential direction (the direction along the imaginary circle Im5). The terminal gripping portion 713 of the clamp claw 7A and the terminal gripping portion 723 of the clamp claw 7B face each other in the radial direction.

[0042] 10, a connecting portion 722 is provided on one end 721a side of the base portion 721. The connecting portion 722 extends in a direction protruding from the guide groove 52. A screw hole 722a for fixing the wiring C with a screw N is opened at an upper end 722c of the connecting portion 722. The upper end 722c of the connecting portion 722 protrudes from the opening 62 of the cover member 6. The upper end 712c of the connecting portion 712 of the clamp claw 7A also protrudes from the opening 61 of the cover member 6. In this embodiment, the ring terminal CT of the wire C is fixed with a screw N to the upper end 712c of the clamp claw 7A and the upper end 722c of the clamp claw 7B.

[0043] The clamp claw 7B has a recess 724 at a portion facing the guide groove 52. The recess 724 is provided in a range from one end 721a of the base 721 to the vicinity of the other end 721b. When viewed in the longitudinal direction of the base 721 (the left-right direction in the figure), the recess 724 is provided in a range overlapping with the terminal gripping portion 723. Due to the provision of the recess 724, the clamp claw 7B is disposed across the first region 521 and the second region 522 of the guide groove 52. In this state, the end 721b side where the terminal gripping portion 723 is provided is disposed in the first region 521.

[0044] When the clamp claw 7B is placed in the guide groove 52, a space surrounded by the clamp claw 7B and the first region 521 is formed on the end 721b side of the recess 724 (on the left side in the figure). A spring Sp is housed in this space. The spring Sp is provided oriented along the longitudinal direction of the base 721. One end of the spring Sp abuts against an end face 724a of the recess 724 on the terminal gripping portion 723 side. The other end of the spring Sp abuts against a side wall portion 521a which is the boundary between the first region 521 and the second region 522.

[0045] Clamp claw 7B is biased toward clamp claw 7A (left side in the figure) by the biasing force of spring Sp. Clamp claw 7A and clamp claw 7B are arranged so that terminal gripping portions 713 and 723 come into contact with each other at the insertion hole 55 due to the biasing force of springs Sp and Sp.

[0046] 8, guide grooves 53, 54 for accommodating the clamp claws 8A, 8B are also provided on the inner and outer diameter sides of the insertion hole 56. The guide grooves 53, 54 are provided along a radial straight line L2 connecting the axis X and the insertion hole 56. 11, the guide groove 53 has a first region 531 adjacent to the insertion hole 56 and a second region 532 adjacent to the first region 531. The second region 532 is shallower than the first region 531 in the opening direction of the insertion hole 56 (the vertical direction in the figure). In the guide groove 53, the spring Sp is disposed in the second region 532, and the clamp claw 8A is disposed across the first region 531 and the second region 532.

[0047] The guide groove 54 has a first region 541 adjacent to the insertion hole 56 and a second region 542 adjacent to the first region 541. The second region 542 is shallower in the opening direction of the insertion hole 55 (the vertical direction in the figure) than the first region 541. In the guide groove 54, the spring Sp is disposed in the first region 541, and the clamp claw 8B is disposed across the first region 541 and the second region 542.

[0048] Clamp claw 8A has a rod-shaped base 811. As shown in FIG. 9, base 811 is oriented with its long side aligned in the radial direction. As shown in FIG. 11, a terminal gripping portion 813 is provided on the other end 811b of base 811, which faces clamp claw 8B. Terminal gripping portion 813 extends from the bottom of base 811 toward clamp claw 8B (to the right in the figure). The tip of terminal gripping portion 813 is a flat surface that extends in the opening direction of insertion hole 56 (up and down in the figure). As shown in FIG. 9, the terminal gripping portion 813 of the clamp claw 8A has a width in the circumferential direction (the direction along the imaginary circle Im6).

[0049] 11, a connecting portion 812 is provided on one end 811a side of the base portion 811. The connecting portion 812 extends in a direction protruding from the guide groove 53. A screw hole 812a for fixing the wiring C with a screw N is opened at an upper end 812c of the connecting portion 812. The upper end 812c of the connecting portion 812 protrudes from the opening 61 of the cover member 6. One end of the spring Sp abuts against one end 811a of the base 811. The spring Sp abuts against the base 811 on the connection portion 812 side (upper side in the figure) relative to the terminal gripping portion 813. The other end of the spring Sp abuts against the wall portion 532a of the second region 532. The clamp claw 8A is biased toward the clamp claw 8B side (right side in the figure) by the biasing force acting from the spring Sp.

[0050] The clamp claw 8A has a recess 814 at a portion facing the guide groove 53. The recess 814 is provided in a range from one end 811a of the base 811 to near the other end 811b. When viewed in the longitudinal direction of the base 811 (the left-right direction in the figure), the recess 814 is provided in a range overlapping with the terminal gripping portion 813. Due to the provision of the recess 814, the clamp claw 8A is disposed across the first region 531 and the second region 532 of the guide groove 53.

[0051] Clamp claw 8B has a rod-shaped base 821. As shown in FIG. 9, base 821 is oriented with its long side aligned in the radial direction. As shown in FIG. 11, a terminal gripping portion 823 is provided on the other end 821b of base 821, which faces clamp claw 8A. Terminal gripping portion 823 extends from the bottom of base 821 toward clamp claw 8A (left side in the figure). The tip of terminal gripping portion 823 is a flat surface that extends in the opening direction of insertion hole 56 (up and down direction in the figure). 9, the terminal gripping portion 823 of the clamp claw 8B has a width in the circumferential direction (the direction along the imaginary circle Im6). The terminal gripping portion 813 of the clamp claw 8A and the terminal gripping portion 823 of the clamp claw 8B face each other in the radial direction.

[0052] 11, a connecting portion 822 is provided on the end portion 821a side of the base portion 821. The connecting portion 822 extends in a direction protruding from the guide groove 52. A screw hole 822a for fixing the wiring C with a screw N is opened at an upper end 822c of the connecting portion 822. The upper end 822c of the connecting portion 822 protrudes from the opening 62 of the cover member 6.

[0053] The clamp claw 8B has a recess 824 at a portion facing the guide groove 54. The recess 824 is provided in a range from one end 821a of the base 821 to the vicinity of the other end 821b. When viewed in the longitudinal direction of the base 821 (the left-right direction in the figure), the recess 824 is provided in a range overlapping with the terminal gripping portion 823. Due to the provision of the recess 824, the clamp claw 8B is disposed across the first region 541 and the second region 542 of the guide groove 54. In this state, the end 821b side where the terminal gripping portion 823 is provided is disposed in the first region 541.

[0054] When the clamp claw 8B is installed in the guide groove 54, a space surrounded by the clamp claw 8B and the first region 541 is formed on the end 821b side of the recess 824 (left side in the figure). A spring Sp is housed in this space. The spring Sp is provided oriented along the longitudinal direction of the base 821. One end of the spring Sp abuts against an end face 824a of the recess 824 on the terminal gripping portion 823 side. The other end of the spring Sp abuts against a side wall portion 541a which is the boundary between the first region 541 and the second region 542.

[0055] Clamp claw 8B is biased toward clamp claw 8A (left side in the figure) by the biasing force of spring Sp. Clamp claw 8A and clamp claw 8B are arranged so that terminal gripping portions 813 and 823 come into contact with each other at the insertion hole 56 due to the biasing force of springs Sp and Sp.

[0056] 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating the drive unit 9 for the clamping claws 7 and 8. FIG. The drive unit 9 displaces the clamp claws 7A, 7B and the clamp claws 8A, 8B at the same time. Here, the term "at the same time" in this specification does not only mean simultaneously or at the same timing in the strict sense, but also includes almost simultaneously or at almost the same timing. In the following description, the displacement of the clamp claws 7A and 7B by the drive unit 9 will be described as a representative example. As described above, the clamp claw 7 has a pair of clamp claws 7A, 7B arranged opposite each other in the radial direction. The clamp claw 8 has a pair of clamp claws 8A, 8B arranged opposite each other in the radial direction. In the clamp jig 5, the clamp claws 7A and 7B, and the clamp claws 8A and 8B are provided so as to be capable of relative displacement in the radial direction of the axis X.

[0057] 6 and 7, in clamp jig 5, clamp claws 7 (7A, 7B) and clamp claws 8 (8A, 8B) are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction about axis X. The clamp claws 7 (7A, 7B) and clamp claws 8 (8A, 8B) bring terminal gripping portions 713, 723 and terminal gripping portions 813, 823 into contact with each other at insertion holes 55, 56, respectively, due to the biasing force of spring Sp. Clamp claws 7 (7A, 7B) and clamp claws 8 (8A, 8B) are capable of relative displacement in the radial direction. As shown in FIG. 12, the drive unit 9 is provided to simultaneously displace the clamp claws 7 (7A, 7B) and the clamp claws 8 (8A, 8B) relative to each other. The drive unit 9 displaces the clamp claws 7 (7A, 7B) and the clamp claws 8 (8A, 8B) between a first position (see FIG. 12) in which they are in contact with each other and a second position (see FIG. 13) in which they are spaced apart from each other.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 12, the drive unit 9 has a rod-shaped member 91. The rod-shaped member 91 is connected to an actuator ACT so as to be able to transmit rotation. The rod-shaped member 91 is rotatable about an axis Y by the output rotation of the actuator ACT. A screw thread 91a is provided on the outer periphery of the rod-shaped member 91 over almost the entire length in the longitudinal direction. The rod-shaped member 91 penetrates the movable-side engaging member 92 in the thickness direction. The fixed-side engaging member 93 is fixed to the tip of the rod-shaped member 91. The engaging member 92 has a screw hole 92a through which the rod-shaped member 91 passes. Therefore, when the rod-shaped member 91 is rotated with the rotation of the engaging members 92, 93 restricted, the engaging member 92 is displaced in one direction determined by the rotation direction of the rod-shaped member 91.

[0059] In the clamping jig 5 of this embodiment, the terminal pairs to be fusion-joined (terminal T and terminal 24a, terminal T and terminal 25a) are simultaneously held by clamping claws 7 (7A, 7B) and clamping claws 8 (8A, 8B). Therefore, the relative movement of clamping claws 7A and 7B and the relative movement of clamping claws 8A and 8B can be simultaneously performed using drive unit 9. 6, in the clamp claws 7A, 8A located on the outer diameter side, the connecting portions 712, 812 are aligned along an imaginary circle Im4. The engaging member 93 is formed in a generally arc shape having a range in the circumferential direction around the axis X so that it can contact the inner peripheries of the multiple connecting portions 712, 812 at the same time. Similarly, in the clamp claws 7B, 8B located on the inner diameter side, the connecting portions 722, 822 are aligned along the imaginary circle Im3. The engaging member 93 is formed in a generally arc shape having a range in the circumferential direction around the axis X so that it can contact the outer peripheries of the multiple connecting portions 722, 822 simultaneously.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 12, before clamping the terminal pair, the clamp claws 7A and 7B are positioned such that the terminal gripping portions 713 and 723 are in contact with each other due to the biasing forces of the springs Sp and Sp, respectively, in the clamping jig 5. In this state, when actuator ACT is driven to displace engaging member 92 in a direction away from engaging member 93, an operating force is applied from engaging members 93 and 92 to connecting portions 712 and 722 of clamp claws 7A and 7B. As a result, clamp claws 7A and 7B are displaced in directions away from each other while compressing spring Sp, and a gap is formed between terminal gripping portions 713 and 723 into which the terminal pair (terminal T, terminal 24a) to be fusion-bonded can be inserted (see FIG. 13). Similarly, a gap is formed between terminal gripping portions 813 and 823 of clamp claws 8A and 8B into which the terminal pair (terminal T, terminal 25a) to be fusion-bonded can be inserted.

[0061] Below, we will explain the process of using the clamp jig 5 and melt-joining the terminal pairs after placing the bus bar 2 on the housing HS and arranging each terminal 24a, 25a on the bus bar 2 at the joining position with the corresponding terminal T on the stator S. The process of melt-joining the terminal pair at clamp claws 7 (7A, 7B) is the same as the process of melt-joining the terminal pair at clamp claws 8 (8A, 8B). Therefore, in the following explanation, the process of melt-joining the terminal pair (terminal T and terminal 24a) at clamp claws 7A and 7B will be described as a representative example.

[0062] 14 and 15 are diagrams illustrating the process of fusion bonding of the terminal pair (terminal T and terminal 24a).

[0063] First, the drive unit 9 attached to the clamping jig 5 is driven to displace the engaging member 92 in a direction away from the engaging member 93, and the engaging members 92 and 93 are pressed against the opposing surfaces of the connection portion 722 of the clamping claw 7B and the connection portion 712 of the clamping claw 7A (the outer diameter side surface of the connection portion 722 and the inner diameter side surface of the connection portion 712), respectively. Furthermore, the engaging member 92 is displaced in a direction away from the engaging member 93, and the clamp claws 7 (7A, 7B) are moved to a position where the terminal gripping portions 713, 723 are arranged opposite each other with a gap therebetween (see FIG. 14(a)). In this state, the clamping jig 5 is placed on the housing HS from the opening direction of the housing HS (the vertical direction in the figure). During this process, the terminal pair (terminal T and terminal 24a) is inserted between the terminal gripping portions 713 and 723 of the clamping claws 7A and 7B (see FIG. 14(b)).

[0064] Next, the drive unit 9 is driven to relatively displace the engaging members 92, 93 so as to narrow the separation distance between the engaging members 92, 93 in the direction of the axis Y. In conjunction with this displacement, the clamp claws 7A, 7B are displaced in directions approaching each other by the biasing force of the spring Sp (see FIG. 14(b)).

[0065] When the terminal pair (terminal T and terminal 24a) is gripped between the terminal gripping portions 713, 723 of the clamp claws 7A, 7B, the relative displacement of the clamp claws 7A, 7B stops. If the relative displacement of the engaging members 92, 93 continues in this state, the engagement between the engaging members 92, 93 and the connecting portions 712, 722 on the clamp claws 7A, 7B side is released (see FIG. 14(c)). In this state, when the drive unit 9 is displaced away from the housing HS, the terminal pair (terminal T and terminal 24a) that are fused and joined to each other are held exposed between the clamp claws 7A and 7B when viewed from above (see Figure 6). In this state, clamp claws 7A and 7B are biased by the biasing force of spring Sp in directions that move them toward each other, so terminal T and terminal 24a are held in contact with each other by the biasing force acting from clamp claws 7A and 7B. As a result, even if a gap occurs between terminal T and terminal 24a when bus bar 2 is assembled into housing HS, clamp claws 7A and 7B biased by spring Sp can be used to eliminate the gap and hold terminals in contact with each other. Here, even in the case of terminals T and terminals 24a held by other clamp claws 7A and 7B, and terminals T and terminals 25a held by clamp claws 8A and 8B, terminals T and terminals 24a and terminals T and terminals 25a are held in contact with each other at approximately the same time.

[0066] With the terminal pair (terminal T and terminal 24a) to be fused and joined together held between clamp claws 7A and 7B, welding torch 20 is brought close to the terminal pair, and then electricity is passed through torch 20 (see FIG. 14(d)). As a result, current flows from torch 20 through the terminal pair (terminal T and terminal 24a), clamp claws 7A and 7B, wire C (see FIG. 6), and the earth terminal in this order, causing the terminal pair that are in contact with each other to fuse and connect to each other (see FIG. 15(a)). On the clamp claws 8A and 8B side, current flows from torch 20 through the terminal pair (terminal T and terminal 25a), clamp claws 8A and 8B, wire C (see FIG. 6), and the earth terminal in this order.

[0067] In this embodiment, terminal gripping portions 713, 723 of clamp claws 7A, 7B are located closer to insertion hole 55 (lower in the figure) than other portions of bases 711, 721. Therefore, a space Sa is formed with a predetermined depth SL between bases 711, 721 of clamp claws 7A, 7B, surrounding the gripped terminals (terminals T and 24a). Therefore, the base material of the terminals (terminals T and 24a) melted by welding remains in this space Sa and solidifies (solidifies and shrinks) within the space Sa. If the clamp claws that grip the terminal pair do not have an area corresponding to this space Sa, the molten base material may flow down the surface of the clamp claw to the outside. In this embodiment, the terminal gripping portions 713, 723 are offset from the base portions 711, 721 of the clamp claws to ensure the space Sa, thereby preventing such a situation from occurring.

[0068] Furthermore, when the base material that was melted during welding solidifies again, the volume of the terminal pair may decrease due to solidification shrinkage of the base material. In this embodiment, the clamp claws 7A and 7B receive a biasing force from the spring Sp in the direction of moving toward each other, so even if the volume decreases due to solidification and shrinkage of the base material, the clamp claws 7A and 7B are displaced in the direction of filling the resulting gap. The clamp claws 8A and 8B also undergo a similar displacement to fill the gap. As a result, in the clamp jig 5, the plurality of terminal pairs are always supported in a state where they are gripped by the clamp claws 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B.

[0069] Here, if the positional relationship of the clamping jaws is fixed by a screw mechanism, the clamping jaws cannot move in a direction to fill the gaps that occur due to solidification and shrinkage of the base material. Therefore, in a specification in which multiple terminal pairs are held by corresponding pairs of clamping jaws, the clamping jig 5 has room to move by the amount of the gaps that occur. This may cause rattles in the clamping jig 5 depending on the location and size of the gaps. If rattles occur, the clamping jig 5 may become misaligned, potentially creating gaps in the portions of the terminal pairs where welding is not complete. If welding is performed in such a state, poor joining of the terminal pairs may occur.

[0070] As described above, in the clamp jig 5 of this embodiment, the clamp claws 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B biased by the spring Sp are displaced in a direction to fill the gaps, so that the multiple terminal pairs can be maintained in a state where they are tightly gripped by the clamp claws 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B. This reduces the possibility of rattles due to gaps occurring in the clamp jig 5 supporting multiple terminal pairs, and also enables welding of all terminal pairs while holding the terminal pairs without any gaps.

[0071] After the welding is completed, the drive unit 9 is lowered and the engaging members 92, 93 are inserted between the connecting portion 712 of the clamp claw 7A and the connecting portion 722 of the clamp claw 7B (see FIG. 15(b)). The rod-shaped member 91 is rotated by the actuator ACT, and the engaging members 92 and 93 are displaced in directions away from each other (see FIG. 15(c)). As a result, the clamp claws 7A and 7B pressed by the engaging members 92 and 93 are displaced in directions away from each other, and the clamp claws 7A and 7B are released from the grip of the terminal pair (see FIG. 15(c)). At this stage, all terminal pairs are released from the clamping force after welding, so the drive unit 9 is displaced together with the clamp jig 5 in a direction away from the housing HS to separate the clamp jig 5 from the housing HS (see (d) of Figure 15).

[0072] In this way, the clamp jig 5 can simultaneously hold multiple terminal pairs with the clamp claws 7 (7A, 7B) and clamp claws 8 (8A, 8B). Furthermore, the multiple held terminal pairs can be sequentially welded and fusion-bonded. In the process of sequentially performing this fusion bonding, even if the volume of the terminal pairs decreases due to solidification and shrinkage of the base material when the base material melted during welding resolidifies, the clamp claws 7A and 7B will displace in a direction to fill the resulting gap. As a result, in the clamp jig 5, the plurality of terminal pairs are gripped by the clamp claws 7 and 8 in a state of contact with each other.

[0073] 16 and 17 are diagrams illustrating clamp claws 7A' and 8A' according to modified examples. In the embodiment described above, the position where the biasing force of the spring Sp acts is different between the clamp claws 7A and 8A on one side and the clamp claws 7B and 8B on the other side. Specifically, the position where the biasing force of the spring Sp acts is offset in the vertical direction (the opening direction of the insertion holes 55 and 56) in Figures 10 and 11.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the position where the biasing force of the spring Sp acts may be the same for the clamp claws 7A', 8A' on one side and the clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side.

[0075] 16, clamp claw 7A' has a terminal gripping portion 713 provided at a portion of base 711 facing clamp claw 7B. Terminal gripping portion 713 extends from the bottom of base 711 toward clamp claw 7B (to the right in the figure). A recess 714 is provided in the base 711 at a portion facing the guide groove 51. When viewed from the opposing direction of the clamp claws 7A' and 7B (the left-right direction in the figure), the recess 714 is provided in a range that overlaps with the terminal gripping portion 713. Due to the provision of the recess 714, the clamp claw 7A' is disposed across the first region 511 and the second region 512 of the guide groove 51. The spring Sp is disposed in the space surrounded by the clamp claw 7A' and the first region 511. One end of the spring Sp abuts against an end face 714a of the recess 714 on the terminal gripping portion 713 side. The other end of the spring Sp abuts against a side wall portion 511a that is the boundary between the first region 511 and the second region 512.

[0076] Clamp claw 7A' is biased toward clamp claw 7B (to the right in the figure) by the biasing force of spring Sp. Clamp claw 7A' and clamp claw 7B are arranged so that terminal gripping portions 713 and 723 come into contact with each other at the insertion hole 55 due to the biasing force of springs Sp and Sp.

[0077] 17, clamp claw 8A' has a terminal gripping portion 813 provided at a portion of base 811 facing clamp claw 8B. Terminal gripping portion 813 extends from the bottom of base 811 toward clamp claw 8B (to the right in the figure). A recess 814 is provided in the base 811 at a portion facing the guide groove 53. When viewed from the opposing direction of the clamp claws 8A' and 8B (the left-right direction in the figure), the recess 814 is provided in a range that overlaps with the terminal gripping portion 813. Due to the provision of the recess 814, the clamp claw 8A' is disposed across the first region 531 and the second region 532 of the guide groove 53. The spring Sp is disposed in the space surrounded by the clamp claw 8A' and the first region 531. One end of the spring Sp abuts against an end face 814a of the recess 814 on the terminal gripping portion 813 side. The other end of the spring Sp abuts against a side wall portion 531a that is the boundary between the first region 531 and the second region 532.

[0078] Clamp claw 8A' is biased toward clamp claw 8B (to the right in the figure) by the biasing force of spring Sp. Clamp claw 8A' and clamp claw 8B are arranged so that terminal gripping portions 813 and 823 come into contact with each other at the insertion hole 56 due to the biasing force of springs Sp and Sp.

[0079] In this way, the position where the biasing force of the spring Sp acts may be the same for the clamp claws 7A', 8A' on one side and the clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side. As a result, the biasing force from the spring Sp toward the terminal pair acts directly on the terminal gripping portions 713, 813 and 723, 823 that grip the terminal pair, improving gripping stability when gripping the terminal pair.

[0080] As described above, the clamping jig 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following features: (1) A clamp jig 5 used to hold a pair of terminals (terminal T and terminal 24a, terminal T and terminal 25a) to be welded together. The clamp jig 5 is a main body portion 50 having a plurality of insertion holes 55, 56 for terminal pairs; a pair of clamp claws (clamp claws 7A, 7B, clamp claws 8A, 8B) that are provided one-to-one with the insertion holes 55, 56 into which the terminal pairs are inserted, and that grip the terminal pairs inserted into the insertion holes 55, 56 from one side and the other side; a spring Sp (first biasing member) that biases the clamp claws 7A, 8A on one side of the pair of clamp claws (clamp claws 7A, 7B, clamp claws 8A, 8B) toward the clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side; Of the pair of clamp claws (clamp claws 7A, 7B, clamp claws 8A, 8B), a spring Sp (second biasing member) is provided which biases the other clamp claw 7B, 8B toward the other clamp claw 7A, 8A.

[0081] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the clamp claws 7A, 8A on one side and the clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side are biased in a direction to move toward each other, so that even if the terminal pair (terminal T and terminal 24a, terminal T and terminal 25a) held between the pair of clamp claws solidifies and shrinks during fusion joining, the clamp claws are displaced by the amount of shrinkage, preventing the creation of gaps. This allows each of the terminal pairs to be held tightly between the pair of clamping claws, and allows the terminal pairs to be fused and joined in order in an appropriate manner by welding while each of the terminal pairs is held tightly between the pair of clamping claws. Therefore, the joining of a plurality of terminal pairs can be performed more simply and appropriately.

[0082] (2) In (1) above, A wire C corresponding to an earth cable is connected to each of the pair of clamp claws.

[0083] According to one embodiment of the present invention, heat generated during fusion joining can be quickly removed via a pair of clamp claws 7 (7A, 7B) and 8 (8A, 8B) that hold the terminal pairs (terminal T and terminal 24a, terminal T and terminal 25a) and the earth cable. This prevents the generated heat from accumulating in the terminal pairs (terminal T and terminal 24a, terminal T and terminal 25a) and reduces variations in the rate at which the generated heat is removed. This reduces distortion at the welded area due to variations in the rate at which heat is removed.

[0084] (3) In (1) or (2) above, A pair of clamp claws (clamp claws 7A, 7B, clamp claws 8A, 8B) The clamp claws 7A, 8A on one side and the clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side are displaceable between a first position (see FIG. 12) in which they are in contact with each other, and a second position (see FIG. 13) in which they are spaced apart from each other. The clamp claws 7A, 8A on one side and the clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side each have connection portions 712, 722, 812, 822 (engagement portions) that simultaneously engage with engagement members 92, 93, which are operators of the drive unit 9 (drive mechanism), when displaced toward the second position.

[0085] According to one aspect of the present invention, engagement member 93 of drive unit 9 simultaneously engages with connection portions 712, 812 of multiple clamp claws 7A, 8A, and engagement member 92 simultaneously engages with connection portions 722, 822 of multiple clamp claws 7B, 8B. This allows clamp claws 7A, 8A on one side and clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side to be displaced away from each other simultaneously and collectively. Since the clamping claws 7, 8 can grip and release a plurality of terminal pairs using one drive unit 9, it is expected that the working time for the process of fusion joining the terminal pairs will be reduced.

[0086] (4) In (3) above, The clamp claws 7A, 8A on one side and the clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side have terminal gripping portions 713, 813 (protrusions) and terminal gripping portions 723, 823 (protrusions) at their opposing portions, which protrude in directions approaching each other. In the opposing portions, the terminal gripping portions 713, 813 and the terminal gripping portions 723, 823 are located on the insertion holes 55, 56 side in the opening direction of the insertion holes 55, 56 (lower side in FIGS. 10 and 11).

[0087] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when a terminal pair (terminal T and terminal 24a, terminal T and terminal 25a) inserted through insertion holes 55, 56 is gripped between the terminal gripping portion 713, 813 of one clamp claw 7A, 8A and the terminal gripping portion 723, 823 of the other clamp claw 7B, 8B, a space Sa (see (a) of Figure 15) surrounding the tip side of the terminal pair is formed on the opposite side of the insertion holes 55, 56 from the terminal gripping portion 713, 813. This allows the base material of the terminal pairs (terminal T and terminal 24a, terminal T and terminal 25a) melted by welding to be contained within this space Sa and solidified within the space Sa. This reduces the possibility that the melted base material will flow down the surfaces of the clamp claws 7 and 8 and leak out.

[0088] (5) In (4) above, When viewed from the opening direction of the insertion holes 55 and 56, in the main body 50 of the clamp jig 5, On one side and the other side of the insertion holes 55, 56, there are provided guide grooves 51, 53 (first guide grooves) for accommodating the clamp claws 7A, 8A on one side, and guide grooves 52, 54 (second guide grooves) for accommodating the clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side. The clamping jig 5 has a cover member 6 attached to the main body 50 to prevent the clamping claws 7A and 8A on one side from falling out of the guide grooves 51 and 53, and the clamping claws 7B and 8B on the other side from falling out of the guide grooves 52 and 54. The cover member 6 has openings 61 and 62 that can expose the areas of the insertion holes 55 and 56 and the areas of the connection portions 712, 812, 722, and 822 (engagement portions).

[0089] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the terminal pairs (terminal T and terminal 24a, terminal T and terminal 25a) held by a pair of clamp claws 7 and 8, and the connection portions 712, 812, 722, and 822, which are the engagement portions on the clamp claws 7 and 8 sides, can be accessed from the surface 50a side to which the cover member 6 of the main body 50 is attached. As a result, areas that need to be accessed when displacing the clamp claws 7 and 8 and when welding the gripped terminal pairs (terminals T and 24a, and terminals T and 25a) are exposed on the surface 50a side of the main body 50. This allows for a smooth process from gripping the terminal pairs to welding the gripped terminal pairs.

[0090] (I) In any one of the above (1) to (5), The terminal pairs (terminal T and terminal 24a, terminal T and terminal 25a) inserted through insertion holes 55, 56 are arranged in a direction in which clamp claws 7A, 8A on one side and clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side come into contact with each other in the opposing direction when viewed from the opening direction of insertion holes 55, 56 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The opposing direction is a direction along the opening plane of insertion holes 55, 56 (a direction perpendicular to the opening direction).

[0091] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when viewed from the opening direction of insertion holes 55, 56, one of the terminal pairs, terminals 24a, 25a, is located on the side of clamp claws 7A, 8A on one side, and the other of the terminal pair, terminal T, is located on the side of clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side. Therefore, when the terminal pair is gripped, one of the terminals, 24a and 25a, is supported by the terminal gripping portions 713 and 813 of the clamp claws 7A and 8A on one side, and the other of the terminals, terminal T, is supported by the terminal gripping portions 723 and 823 of the clamp claws 7B and 8B on the other side. This allows terminals with different lengths in the direction along the joining surfaces (the direction along the imaginary circles Im5 and Im6 in FIG. 8) to be held in reliable surface contact, thereby ensuring reliable welding of the terminal pair.

[0092] (II) In any one of (1) to (5) and (I) above, One terminal T of the terminal pair is a winding drawn out from the stator S of the motor M. The other terminals 24a and 25a of the terminal pair are terminals of the bus bar 2 that are connected to the power supply line of the inverter. When viewed from the central axis direction (axis X direction) of the stator S, the terminal pairs (terminal T and terminal 24a, terminal T and terminal 25a) are arranged with their positions shifted in the radial direction and circumferential direction of the axis X (see Figure 4). When viewed from the central axis direction (axis X direction) of the stator S, the insertion holes 55, 56 have an insertion hole 55 (outer diameter side insertion hole) located on the outer diameter side in the radial direction of the axis X, and an insertion hole 56 (inner diameter side insertion hole) located on the inner diameter side. When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the insertion holes 55 and the insertion holes 56 are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis X. When viewed from the axis X, the insertion holes 55 and the insertion holes 56 are positioned alternately.

[0093] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a limited range in the circumferential direction around the axis X can be used for connecting the terminal pairs (terminal T and terminal 24a, terminal T and terminal 25a). That is, the terminal T on the stator S side and the terminals 24a, 25a on the inverter side can be connected using a limited area on the side of the stator S. This ensures the freedom to place other components in other areas. Therefore, the terminal T on the stator S side and the terminals 24a, 25a on the inverter side can be connected without significantly impairing the freedom of layout of the motor M.

[0094] (III) In any one of (1) to (5), (I), and (II) above, When viewed from the opposing direction of the clamp claws 7A', 8A' on one side and the clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side, the spring Sp (first biasing member) that biases the clamp claws 7A', 8A' on one side, the terminal holding portions 713, 813 of the clamp claws 7A', 8A' on one side, the terminal holding portions 723, 823 of the clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side, and the spring Sp (second biasing member) that biases the clamp claws 7B, 8B on the other side are arranged in an overlapping positional relationship.

[0095] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when viewed from the opposing direction of clamp claws 7A', 8A' and clamp claws 7B, 8B, spring Sp (first biasing member), terminal holding portions 713, 813 of clamp claws 7A', 8A', terminal holding portions 723, 823 of clamp claws 7B, 8B, and spring Sp (second biasing member) biasing clamp claws 7B, 8B overlap (see Figures 16 and 17). As a result, the biasing force from the spring Sp toward the terminal pair acts directly on the terminal gripping portions 713, 813 and 723, 823 that grip the terminal pair, improving gripping stability when gripping the terminal pair.

[0096] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the aspects shown in these embodiments. In the above embodiments, a motor for a vehicle is illustrated, but the present invention can also be applied to motors for devices other than vehicles. The present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the invention.

[0097] In the embodiment described above, the relative movement of clamp claws 7A, 7B and the relative movement of clamp claws 8A, 8B are performed by drive unit 9 having a screw feed mechanism. The relative movement of clamp claws 7A, 7B and the relative movement of clamp claws 8A, 8B may be performed using a drive mechanism other than the screw feed mechanism. For example, an actuator driven by air pressure or hydraulic pressure may be used to move clamp claws 7A, 7B relative to one another and clamp claws 8A, 8B relative to one another. The drive mechanisms for moving clamp claws 7A, 7B relative to one another and clamp claws 8A, 8B relative to one another can be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 2 busbars 24a, 25a terminals (terminal pair) 5 Clamping jig 50 Main body 51, 53 Guide groove (first guide groove) 52, 54 Guide groove (second guide groove) 55, 56 Insertion holes 6 Cover member 7(7A, 7A', 7B) Clamp jaws 712, 722 Connection part (engagement part) 713, 723 Terminal grip part (protruding part) 8 (8A, 8A', 8B) Clamp jaws 812, 822 Connection part (engagement part) 813, 823 Terminal grip part (protruding part) 9 Drive unit (drive mechanism) 92, 93 Engagement member (operator) C Wiring (earth cable) SP spring (first biasing member, second biasing member) T(T1~T24) Terminals (terminal pairs) X-axis (motor rotation axis)

Claims

1. A clamping jig used to hold a pair of terminals to be welded together, comprising: a main body portion having a plurality of insertion holes for the terminal pairs; a pair of clamp claws provided one-to-one with respect to the insertion holes into which the terminal pairs are inserted, and which clamp the terminal pairs inserted into the insertion holes from one side and the other side; a first biasing member that biases one of the pair of clamp claws toward the other of the pair of clamp claws; a second biasing member that biases the other of the pair of clamp claws toward the one of the clamp claws.

2. In claim 1, The clamp jig has a ground cable connected to each of the pair of clamp claws.

3. In claim 1 or claim 2, The pair of clamp claws are The clamp claws are displaceable between a first position where the clamp claws on one side and the clamp claws on the other side are in contact with each other and a second position where the clamp claws on one side and the clamp claws on the other side are spaced apart from each other, A clamping jig, wherein the clamp claw on one side and the clamp claw on the other side each have an engaging portion with which an operator of a drive mechanism simultaneously engages when the clamp claw on one side and the clamp claw on the other side are displaced toward the second position.

4. In claim 3, the clamp claws on one side and the clamp claws on the other side have protruding portions at their opposing portions that protrude in directions toward each other, The clamping jig, wherein the protruding portion of the opposing portion is located on the insertion hole side in the opening direction of the insertion hole.

5. In claim 4, When viewed from the opening direction of the insertion hole, the main body portion has a first guide groove for accommodating the clamp claw on one side and a second guide groove for accommodating the clamp claw on the other side are provided on one side and the other side of the insertion hole, the clamping jig has a cover member attached to the main body portion to prevent the clamping claws on one side from falling off the first guide groove and the clamping claws on one side from falling off the second guide groove, The cover member has an opening that can expose the area of ​​the insertion hole and the area of ​​the engagement portion.

Images