Power collection and distribution ring and connection structure

Abstract

To provide a cost-saving power collection and distribution ring and a connection structure.SOLUTION: A power collection and distribution ring electrically connects the armature windings wound around the teeth of the armature core to the electrodes of a terminal block. The power collection and distribution ring includes bus rings connected to the armature windings, respectively, and connection terminals attached to the bus rings. Each of the bus rings has a circular ring portion, and terminal connection portions connected to the connection terminals are formed radially outward of the circular ring portion. The terminal connection portions have a pair of protrusions extending radially outward from the circular ring portion and a pair of extending portions extending toward each other from the tips of the pair of protrusions, and the pair of extending portions of the terminal connection portions are connected to the connection terminals 7, respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a current collection and distribution ring that collects and distributes current to a multi-phase armature winding wound around a plurality of teeth of an armature core, and to a connection structure between a plurality of conductive members and a plurality of connection terminals. [Background technology]

[0002] The present applicant has previously proposed a centralized power distribution member described in Patent Document 1 as a means for collecting and distributing multi-phase currents to the stator windings of electric motors used as drive sources for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, for example.

[0003] The centralized power distribution element described in Patent Document 1 includes three circular annular conductors connected to U-, V-, and W-phase windings, respectively, for each current phase; a holding member for holding the three annular conductors; and three power supply terminals connected to each of the three annular conductors. The three annular conductors are held by the holding member and aligned in the axial direction. The three power supply terminals each have a plate-shaped main body and a J-shaped connecting piece. The connecting piece is connected to each of the three annular conductors at a single point in the circumferential direction, and the main body is located radially outward of the connecting piece for each of the three annular conductors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-175721 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the structure described in Patent Document 1, the distance between two axially arranged annular conductors must be greater than the thickness of the connecting piece of the power feed terminal, which results in an increase in the axial size of the centralized power distribution member. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a power collection and distribution ring that can be made smaller, particularly in the axial direction, and a connection structure between multiple conductive members and multiple connecting terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an electric power collection and distribution ring that electrically connects multiple phase armature windings wound around multiple teeth of an armature core having multiple teeth to multiple electrodes of a terminal block, the electric power collection and distribution ring comprising: multiple bus rings connected to each of the multiple phase armature windings for each current phase; a holding member that holds the multiple bus rings in an axially aligned state; and multiple connection terminals attached to each of the multiple bus rings, wherein the multiple bus rings each have a circular ring portion, and terminal connection portions connected to the multiple connection terminals are formed radially outside the circular ring portion, and the terminal connection portions have a pair of protrusions that extend radially outward from the circular ring portion and a pair of extending portions that extend in directions approaching each other from the respective tips of the pair of protrusions, and the pair of extending portions of each of the multiple terminal connection portions are connected to the multiple connection terminals.

[0007] Furthermore, for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a connection structure that electrically and mechanically connects a plurality of conductive members arranged in parallel to each other and a plurality of connection terminals, wherein each of the plurality of conductive members has a terminal connection portion connected to the plurality of connection terminals that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of conductive members, and the plurality of connection terminals each have an extension portion that extends along the arrangement direction of the plurality of conductive members, the extension portion facing the plurality of conductive members in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, and the terminal connection portion of each of the plurality of conductive members is connected to the extension portion at a different position in the arrangement direction of the extension portion of each of the plurality of connection terminals. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the power collection and distribution ring and connection structure of the present invention, the spacing between the multiple bus rings and the multiple conductive members can be narrowed, making it possible to reduce the size. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electric motor according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a stator of the electric motor. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a stator and a terminal block as viewed from the axial direction. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] 10(a) to 10(c) are configuration diagrams of the first to third bus rings. [Figure 6] 1(a) is a perspective view of a holding member, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a core member, an insulating member, and a holding member. [Figure 8] 1A is a perspective view showing the power collection and distribution ring, and FIG. 1B is a configuration diagram of the power collection and distribution ring as seen in the radial direction. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] 10(a) to 10(c) are diagrams showing the configuration of first to third bus rings together with connection terminals as viewed from the radial direction. [Figure 11] 10(a) to 10(c) are cross-sectional views showing terminal connection portions of first to third bus rings connected to an extending portion of a connection terminal. [Figure 12] 1A is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of a terminal connection portion of a first bus ring according to an embodiment, FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of a terminal connection portion of a bus ring according to a comparative example, and FIG. 1C is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a connection terminal is connected to the terminal connection portion of the bus ring according to the comparative example. [Figure 13] 10(a) to 10(c) are configuration diagrams showing a first connection terminal, a second connection terminal, and a third connection terminal according to a modified example, and first to third bus rings to which the first to third connection terminals are respectively connected. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Embodiment Mode] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an electric motor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing a stator of the electric motor. Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram of the stator and terminal block as viewed from the axial direction. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the stator.

[0011] The electric motor 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a so-called hybrid vehicle, and is used as a drive source for rotating wheels. The electric motor 1 has a stator 11, a rotor 12 arranged inside the stator 11, and an output rotating shaft 13 inserted through the center of the rotor 12. The rotor 12 has a core 121 made of a magnetic metal and a plurality of magnets 122 fixed to the core 121. The rotor 12 and the output rotating shaft 13 rotate integrally with the stator 11 around a rotation axis O. In the following description, the axial direction refers to a direction parallel to the rotation axis O, and the radial direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis O. Furthermore, the circumferential direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the axial and radial directions.

[0012] 1, stator 11 includes an armature core 2 having a plurality of teeth 21, multi-phase armature windings 31-33 wound around each of the plurality of teeth 21, insulating members 4 interposed between the teeth 21 and the armature windings 31-33, a plurality of bus rings 51-53 connected to each of the multi-phase armature windings 31-33 for each current phase, a neutral phase bus ring 54, a plurality of holding members 6 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) that hold the bus rings 51-53 aligned in the axial direction, and a plurality of connection terminals 7 attached to each of the bus rings 51-53. Of these, armature core 2, armature windings 31-33, and insulating members 4 constitute an armature 111. Furthermore, the plurality of bus rings 51-53, the plurality of holding members 6, and the plurality of connection terminals 7 constitute a power collection and distribution ring 112 that collects and distributes power to the armature windings 31-33 of multiple phases.

[0013] In this embodiment, the electric motor 1 is a three-phase AC motor, and three-phase AC current is supplied from an inverter (not shown) to the multiple-phase armature windings 31-33 via a terminal block 8 and a power collection and distribution ring 112. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal block 8 has a resin terminal block body 80 and terminal block electrodes 81-83 to which multiple connection terminals 7 are respectively connected. The power collection and distribution ring 112 electrically connects the multiple-phase armature windings 31-33 and the terminal block electrodes 81-83. The terminal block 8 is disposed on the outer periphery of the armature core 2. The terminal block electrodes 81-83 are uniformly positioned in the axial direction.

[0014] Hereinafter, the armature windings 31 to 33 will be referred to as the first to third armature windings 31 to 33. Furthermore, the bus ring 51 connected to the first armature winding 31 will be referred to as the first bus ring 51, the bus ring 52 connected to the second armature winding 32 will be referred to as the second bus ring 52, and the bus ring 53 connected to the third armature winding 33 will be referred to as the third bus ring 53. Furthermore, in the following description, the connection terminals 7 attached to the first bus ring 51 may be referred to as the first connection terminals 7, the connection terminals 7 attached to the second bus ring 52 may be referred to as the second connection terminals 7, and the connection terminals 7 attached to the third bus ring 53 may be referred to as the third connection terminals 7.

[0015] Armature 111 has a plurality of first armature windings 31, a plurality of second armature windings 32, and a plurality of third armature windings 33. In this embodiment, there are four first armature windings 31, four second armature windings 32, and four third armature windings 33. First to third bus rings 51 to 53 are a plurality of conductive members arranged in parallel to one another. As shown in FIG. 4, each of first to third bus rings 51 to 53 is formed by bending a single insulated wire in which a linear central conductor (metal conductor) 501 made of a highly conductive metal such as copper is partially coated with insulator 502 made of resin. More specifically, the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 are formed by cutting an insulated wire to a predetermined length, bending and plastically deforming the cut insulated wire, and removing the insulator 502 from the portions where the first to third armature windings 31 to 33 are connected and the portions where the connection terminals 7 are connected. The central conductor 501 is a solid wire with a circular cross section. The insulator 502 is, for example, an enamel baked onto the central conductor 501, or a tubular body made of an insulating resin such as a fluororesin.

[0016] A U-phase current is supplied to the first armature winding 31 from the first bus ring 51, and a V-phase current that is 120° out of phase with the U-phase current is supplied to the second armature winding 32 from the second bus ring 52. A W-phase current that is 240° out of phase with the U-phase current is supplied to the third armature winding 33 from the third bus ring 53. The rotor 12 rotates relative to the stator 11 due to a rotating magnetic field generated by the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase currents flowing through the first to third armature windings 31 to 33.

[0017] 1, of both ends of the first armature winding 31, one end 311 is electrically connected to the first bus ring 51, and the other end 312 is electrically connected to the neutral phase bus ring 54. Of both ends of the second armature winding 32, one end 321 is electrically connected to the second bus ring 52, and the other end 322 is electrically connected to the neutral phase bus ring 54. Furthermore, of both ends of the third armature winding 33, one end 331 is electrically connected to the third bus ring 53, and the other end 332 is electrically connected to the neutral phase bus ring 54.

[0018] 5(a) is a configuration diagram of the first bus ring 51 as viewed from the axial direction. The first bus ring 51 has an annular portion 511 having an annular shape centered on the rotation axis O, a terminal connection portion 512 connected to the first connection terminal 7, and a plurality of winding connection portions 513 to which one end portion 311 of each of the plurality of first armature windings 31 is connected. The annular portion 511 is curved in an arc shape between two circumferentially adjacent winding connection portions 513 and between the terminal connection portion 512 and the winding connection portion 513. The terminal connection portion 512 is formed on the radially outer side of the annular portion 511, and the plurality of winding connection portions 513 are formed on the radially inner side of the annular portion 511.

[0019] The terminal connection portion 512 of the first bus ring 51 has a pair of protrusions 512a, 512b extending radially outward from the annular portion 511, and a pair of extending portions 512c, 512d extending toward each other from the tips of the pair of protrusions 512a, 512b. The pair of protrusions 512a, 512b are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 511 and are parallel to each other. One protrusion 512a of the pair of protrusions 512a, 512b and one extending portion 512c of the pair of extending portions 512c, 512d, and the other protrusion 512b of the pair of protrusions 512a, 512b and the other extending portion 512d of the pair of extending portions 512c, 512d form a right angle with each other when viewed in the axial direction of the first bus ring 51. In the pair of extending portions 512c, 512d, the insulator 502 is removed to expose the central conductor 501. In the pair of protruding portions 512a, 512b, the central conductor 501 is covered with the insulator 502 in a part on the annular portion 511 side, and in a part on the pair of extending portions 512c, 512d side, the insulator 502 is removed to expose the central conductor 501.

[0020] 5(b) is a configuration diagram of the second bus ring 52 as viewed from the axial direction. The second bus ring 52 has an annular portion 521 having an annular shape centered on the rotation axis O, a terminal connection portion 522 connected to the second connection terminal 7, and a plurality of winding connection portions 523 to which one end portion 321 of each of the plurality of second armature windings 32 is connected. The annular portion 521 is curved in an arc shape between two circumferentially adjacent winding connection portions 523 and between the terminal connection portion 522 and the winding connection portion 523. The terminal connection portion 522 is formed on the radially outer side of the annular portion 521, and the plurality of winding connection portions 523 are formed on the radially inner side of the annular portion 521.

[0021] The terminal connection portion 522 of the second bus ring 52 has a pair of protrusions 522a, 522b extending radially outward from the annular portion 521, and a pair of extending portions 522c, 522d extending toward each other from the tips of the pair of protrusions 522a, 522b. The pair of protrusions 522a, 522b are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 521 and are parallel to each other. One protrusion 522a of the pair of protrusions 522a, 522b and one extending portion 522c of the pair of extending portions 522c, 522d, and the other protrusion 522b of the pair of protrusions 522a, 522b and the other extending portion 522d of the pair of extending portions 522c, 522d form a right angle with each other when viewed in the axial direction of the second bus ring 52. In the pair of extending portions 522c, 522d, the insulator 502 is removed to expose the central conductor 501. In the pair of protruding portions 522a, 522b, the central conductor 501 is covered with the insulator 502 in a part on the annular portion 521 side, and in a part on the pair of extending portions 522c, 522d side, the insulator 502 is removed to expose the central conductor 501.

[0022] 5(c) is a configuration diagram of the third bus ring 53 as viewed from the axial direction. The third bus ring 53 has an annular portion 531 having an annular shape centered on the rotation axis O, a terminal connection portion 532 connected to the third connection terminal 7, and a plurality of winding connection portions 533 to which one end portion 331 of each of the plurality of third armature windings 33 is connected. The annular portion 531 is curved in an arc shape between two circumferentially adjacent winding connection portions 533 and between the terminal connection portion 532 and the winding connection portion 534. The terminal connection portion 532 is formed on the radially outer side of the annular portion 531, and the plurality of winding connection portions 533 are formed on the radially inner side of the annular portion 531.

[0023] The terminal connection portion 532 of the third bus ring 53 has a pair of protrusions 532a, 532b extending radially outward from the annular portion 531, and a pair of extending portions 532c, 532d extending toward each other from the tips of the pair of protrusions 532a, 532b. The pair of protrusions 532a, 532b are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 531 and are parallel to each other. One protrusion 532a of the pair of protrusions 532a, 532b and one extending portion 532c of the pair of extending portions 532c, 532d, and the other protrusion 532b of the pair of protrusions 532a, 532b and the other extending portion 532d of the pair of extending portions 532c, 532d form a right angle with each other when viewed in the axial direction of the third bus ring 53. In the pair of extending portions 532c, 532d, the insulator 502 is removed to expose the central conductor 501. In the pair of protruding portions 532a, 532b, the central conductor 501 is covered with the insulator 502 in a part on the annular portion 531 side, and in a part on the pair of extending portions 532c, 532d side, the insulator 502 is removed to expose the central conductor 501.

[0024] In the present embodiment, the pair of protrusions 512a, 512b in terminal connection portion 512 of first bus ring 51 are parallel to each other, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the distance between pair of protrusions 512a, 512b may gradually increase toward annular portion 511. Furthermore, the pair of protrusions 512a, 512b of first bus ring 51 may protrude outward from annular portion 511 substantially along the radial direction of annular portion 511, and, for example, the pair of protrusions 512a, 512b may be inclined at an angle of 3° or less with respect to the radial direction of annular portion 511. The same applies to terminal connection portion 522 of second bus ring 52 and terminal connection portion 532 of third bus ring 53.

[0025] Annular portions 511, 521, and 531 of first to third bus rings 51 to 53 have the same diameter and are arranged side by side along the axial direction of armature core 2 on one axial side of armature core 2. Annular portion 521 of second bus ring 52 is arranged between annular portion 511 of first bus ring 51 and annular portion 531 of third bus ring 51. Annular portion 531 of third bus ring 53 is arranged closer to armature core 2 than annular portion 521 of second bus ring 52. Annular portion 511 of first bus ring 51 is arranged farther from armature core 2 than annular portion 521 of second bus ring 52.

[0026] In the annular portions 511, 521, and 531 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53, the central conductor 501 is covered with an insulator 502. In the winding connection portions 513, 523, and 533, the insulator 502 is removed to expose the central conductor 501. One end portion 311, 321, and 331 of the first to third armature windings 31 to 33 are connected to the winding connection portions 513, 523, and 533 by thermal crimping (fusing). Note that the connection between the winding connection portions 513, 523, and 533 and one end portion 311, 321, and 331 of the first to third armature windings 31 to 33 may be performed by, for example, soldering or laser welding, rather than by thermal crimping.

[0027] The plurality of holding members 6 are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of annular portions 511, 521, 531 of first to third bus rings 51 to 53. In the present embodiment, power collection and distribution ring 112 has twelve holding members 6, which are arranged between the plurality of winding connection portions 513, 523, 533 of first to third bus rings 51 to 53, respectively. The holding members 6 are made of resin and formed by injection molding. The twelve holding members 6 have the same shape and size.

[0028] FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of the holding member 6. FIG. 6(b) is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 6(a). The holding member 6 is formed with a holding portion 60 that holds the first to third bus rings 51 to 53. The holding portion 60 includes a first recess 601 that holds the first bus ring 51, a second recess 602 that holds the second bus ring 52, and a third recess 603 that holds the third bus ring 53. The first to third recesses 601 to 603 are groove-shaped recesses that are recessed from the outer periphery toward the inner periphery of the power collection and distribution ring 112 and extend parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction of the holding member 6. The first to third recesses 601 to 603 house the annular portions 511, 521, and 531 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53, respectively.

[0029] The holding member 6 is also provided with a first engaging portion 61 and a second engaging portion 62 that engage with the insulating member 4 and restrict relative axial movement of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 with respect to the insulating member 4. The first engaging portion 61 is a protrusion that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 6a of the holding member 6. The second engaging portion 62 is a protrusion that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface 6b of the holding member 6.

[0030] The first to third armature windings 31 to 33 and the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 are connected with the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 supported relative to the armature core 2 by the holding member 6. In this embodiment, the neutral phase bus ring 54 shown in FIG. 1 is not supported by the holding member 6, but the neutral phase bus ring 54 may be supported together with the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 by the holding member 6. In this case, a fourth recess that receives and holds the neutral phase bus ring 54 is formed in the holding portion 60 of the holding member 6, and the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 and the neutral phase bus ring 54 are supported in parallel to each other and aligned in the axial direction.

[0031] The armature core 2 is formed by combining a plurality of core members 20. In this embodiment, the armature core 2 is made up of 12 core members 20 arranged in the circumferential direction. The stator 11 has the same number of insulating members 4 as the core members 20, and an insulating member 4 is combined with each of the plurality of core members 20.

[0032] 7 is a perspective view showing the core member 20, insulating member 4, and holding member 6 lined up in the vertical direction of the drawing. The core member 20 is formed by stacking multiple core plates 200 punched from electromagnetic steel sheets, and has teeth 21 and a back yoke 22 as an integral part. The teeth 21 are provided so as to protrude radially inward from the back yoke 22. When multiple core members 20 are lined up in the circumferential direction, the back yokes 22 of each core member 20 form a continuous annular shape.

[0033] The insulating member 4 is made up of a first divided body 401 and a second divided body 402 that are arranged to sandwich the core member 20 in the axial direction. The first divided body 401 and the second divided body 402 are made of resin and are each formed by injection molding. The first divided body 401 and the second divided body 402 are fixed to the core member 20 by having the first to third armature windings 31 to 33 wound around their outer peripheries.

[0034] The insulating member 4 also has an intervening portion 41 interposed between the tooth 21 and the first to third armature windings 31 to 33, a flat substrate portion 42 covering the axial end surface 22a of the back yoke 22 of the core member 20, a partition wall portion 43 separating a space in which the first to third armature windings 31 to 33 are disposed from a space in which the power collection and distribution ring 112 is disposed, an outer peripheral wall portion 44 located on the outer periphery of the annular portions 511, 521, and 531 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53, and an inner peripheral wall portion 45 located on the inner periphery of the annular portions 511, 521, and 531 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53. The terminal connection portions 512, 522, and 532 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 are located outside the outer peripheral wall portion 44. The partition wall portion 43, the outer peripheral wall portion 44, and the inner peripheral wall portion 45 are provided to protrude from the base plate portion 42 in the axial direction.

[0035] The partition wall portion 43 is formed with slits 430 through which one ends 311, 321, 331 of the first to third armature windings 31 to 33 are inserted. The outer peripheral wall portion 44 is provided with a first engaged portion 441 that engages with the first engaging portion 61 of the holding member 6. The inner peripheral wall portion 45 is provided with a second engaged portion 451 that engages with the second engaging portion 62 of the holding member 6. The first engaged portion 441 and the second engaged portion 451 are formed as recesses that engage with the first engaging portion 61 and the second engaging portion 62, respectively. Axial movement of the holding member 6 relative to the insulating member 4 is restricted by the first engaged portion 61 and the second engaged portion 451 engaging with the first engaged portion 441 and the second engaged portion 451.

[0036] Furthermore, outer peripheral wall portion 44 is formed with notches 440 extending parallel to the axial direction of armature core 2. As shown in FIG. 2 , a pair of protrusions 512a, 512b of terminal connection portion 512 of first bus ring 51, a pair of protrusions 522a, 522b of terminal connection portion 522 of second bus ring 52, and a pair of protrusions 532a, 532b of terminal connection portion 532 of third bus ring 53 are inserted into notches 440 of outer peripheral wall portion 44 of some of the insulating members 4 among the plurality of insulating members 4.

[0037] Next, a connection structure that electrically and mechanically connects the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 and the plurality of connection terminals 7 will be described.

[0038] FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view showing the power collection and distribution ring 112. FIG. 8(b) is a configuration diagram of the power collection and distribution ring 112 viewed in the radial direction. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the connection terminal 7. FIG. 10(a) is a configuration diagram showing the first bus ring 51 together with the first connection terminal 7 viewed in the radial direction from the direction of arrow A1 shown in FIG. 5(a). FIG. 10(b) is a configuration diagram showing the second bus ring 52 together with the second connection terminal 7 viewed in the radial direction from the direction of arrow A2 shown in FIG. 5(b). FIG. 10(c) is a configuration diagram showing the third bus ring 53 together with the third connection terminal 7 viewed in the radial direction from the direction of arrow A3 shown in FIG. 5(c).

[0039] The three connection terminals 7 have the same shape and size. The connection terminal 7 has an extending portion 71 that extends in the arrangement direction of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53, and a terminal block connecting portion 72 that is connected to terminal block electrodes 81 to 83 of the terminal block 8. The extending portion 71 faces the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction. FIG. 9 shows an inner surface 71a of the extending portion 71, which is the surface facing the first to third bus rings 51 to 53.

[0040] The terminal block connection portion 72 has a bolt insertion hole 720 through which a bolt 800 (shown in FIG. 3) for fixing to the terminal block 8 is inserted. The terminal block connection portion 72 is bent at a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the extending portion 71. In this embodiment, the terminal block connection portion 72 is bent at a right angle radially outward from one end of the extending portion 71 located on the outer periphery of the armature core 2. As shown in FIG. 8(b), the terminal block connection portions 72 of the three connection terminals 7 connected to the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 are positioned at the same axial position, and the contact surfaces 72a that come into contact with the terminal block electrodes 81 to 83 of the terminal block 8 are aligned on an imaginary plane 700 perpendicular to the axial direction. In FIG. 8(b), this imaginary plane 700 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0041] 10(a) to 10(c), the connection terminal 7 is fixed to the terminal connection portions 512, 522, and 532 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53, respectively, so that the longitudinal direction of the extending portion 71 is perpendicular to the radial direction of the annular portions 511, 521, and 531 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53. In the first bus ring 51, the annular portion 511 and the terminal connection portion 512 are positioned at the same axial position, and the annular portion 511 and the terminal connection portion 512 are aligned on a straight line when viewed from the radial direction. Similarly, in the second bus ring 52, the annular portion 521 and the terminal connection portion 522 are positioned at the same axial position, and the annular portion 521 and the terminal connection portion 522 are aligned on a straight line when viewed from the radial direction. Similarly, in third bus ring 52, annular portion 531 and terminal connection portion 532 are located at the same axial position, and annular portion 531 and terminal connection portion 532 are aligned in a straight line when viewed radially.

[0042] 9 and 10(a) to 10(c), first to third recesses 711, 712, and 713 are formed in the extending portion 71 of the connection terminal 7 at positions corresponding to the terminal connection portions 512, 522, and 532 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53, respectively. The first recess 711 is formed at a position corresponding to the terminal connection portion 512 of the first bus ring 51, and the second recess 712 is formed at a position corresponding to the terminal connection portion 522 of the second bus ring 52. The third recess 713 is formed at a position corresponding to the terminal connection portion 532 of the third bus ring 53.

[0043] The first to third recesses 711, 712, 713 are groove-shaped and extend across the extending portion 71 in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof, and are formed so as to recess from an inner surface 71a of the extending portion 71 in the thickness direction of the extending portion 71. The inner surfaces 711a, 712a, 713a of the first to third recesses 711, 712, 713 are curved surfaces with a curvature equivalent to that of the outer peripheral surface of the central conductor 501 in the terminal connecting portions 512, 522, 532.

[0044] The first to third bus rings 51 to 53 are connected at different axial positions to the extending portions 71 of the three connection terminals 7. That is, the three connection terminals 7 are all at the same axial position, while the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 are held by holding member 6 and aligned in the axial direction, so that the terminal connection portions 512, 522, 532 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 are connected to the extending portions 71 of the three connection terminals 7 at different axial positions.

[0045] 11(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of one extending portion 512c of a pair of extending portions 512c, 512d of a terminal connection portion 512 of a first bus ring 51 connected to the extending portion 71 of a connection terminal 7. FIG. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of one extending portion 522c of a pair of extending portions 522c, 522d of a terminal connection portion 522 of a second bus ring 52 connected to the extending portion 71 of a connection terminal 7. FIG. 11(c) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of one extending portion 532c of a pair of extending portions 532c, 532d of a terminal connection portion 532 of a third bus ring 53 connected to the extending portion 71 of a connection terminal 7. The cross section of the other extension portion 512d at the terminal connection portion 512 of the first bus ring 51, the cross section of the other extension portion 522d at the terminal connection portion 522 of the second bus ring 52, and the cross section of the other extension portion 532d at the terminal connection portion 532 of the third bus ring 53 are also similar to the cross sections shown in Figures 11(a), (b), and (c).

[0046] The terminal connection portion 512 of the first bus ring 51 has a pair of extending portions 512c, 512d partially received in the first recess 711 and electrically and mechanically connected to the extending portion 71 of the first connection terminal 7. The terminal connection portion 522 of the second bus ring 52 has a pair of extending portions 522c, 522d partially received in the second recess 712 and electrically and mechanically connected to the extending portion 71 of the second connection terminal 7. The terminal connection portion 532 of the third bus ring 53 has a pair of extending portions 532c, 532d partially received in the third recess 713 and electrically and mechanically connected to the extending portion 71 of the third connection terminal 7. In this embodiment, 50% or less of the cross-sectional area of ​​the central conductor 501 of the terminal connection portions 512, 522, 532 in the cross sections shown in FIGS. 11(a) to 11(c) are received in the first to third recesses 711, 712, 713. However, the entire central conductor 501 in the terminal connection portions 512, 522, and 532 may be accommodated in the first to third recesses 711, 712, and 713.

[0047] In this embodiment, a pair of extending portions 512c, 512d in terminal connection portion 512 of first bus ring 51, a pair of extending portions 522c, 522d in terminal connection portion 522 of second bus ring 52, and a pair of extending portions 532c, 532d in terminal connection portion 532 of third bus ring 53 are connected to extending portion 71 of connection terminal 7 by laser welding. In Figures 11(a) to 11(c), fusion zones 70 in which central conductors 501 of terminal connection portions 512, 522, 532 and extending portion 71 of connection terminal 7 are fused together by laser light irradiation are shown in black. However, the method of connecting the central conductors 501 of the terminal connection portions 512, 522, 532 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 to the extension portions 71 of the connection terminals 7 is not limited to laser welding, and may be performed by a welding method other than laser welding, such as TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, or by soldering or crimping.

[0048] (Actions and Effects of the Embodiments) According to the embodiment described above, the terminal connection portions 512, 522, 532 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 are formed radially outward of the annular portions 511, 521, 531, so that no part of the connection terminal 7 is interposed between the first to third bus rings 51 to 53, which makes it possible to narrow the axial spacing between the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 and reduce the size of the power collection and distribution ring 112. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid interference between the first connection terminal 7 and the second bus ring 52 or the third bus ring 53, between the second connection terminal 7 and the first bus ring 51 or the third bus ring 53, and between the third connection terminal 7 and the first bus ring 51 or the second bus ring 52, and it is also possible to prevent discharges from occurring between the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 and the connection terminal 7.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the axial positions of the terminal block connection portions 72 of the three connection terminals 7 are aligned, so there is no need to use a terminal block with a special shape having a stepped structure, and component costs can be reduced.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, at least a portion of each of the terminal connection portions 512, 522, 532 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 is accommodated in the first to third recesses 711, 712, 713 and connected to the extension portion 71 of the connection terminal 7, making it easier to perform relative positioning between the connection terminal 7 and the terminal connection portions 512, 522, 532, and increasing the reliability of the connection between the terminal connection portions 512, 522, 532 and the connection terminal 7 by welding, etc.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the pair of protrusions 512a, 512b in the terminal connection portion 512 of the first bus ring 51 is partially coated with the insulator 502 on the annular portion 511 side, and the insulator 502 is partially removed on the pair of extending portions 512c, 512d side, exposing the center conductor 501. This suppresses discharge between axially adjacent second bus rings 52 and prevents the insulator 502 from being pinched between the extending portion 71 of the connection terminal 7 and the center conductor 501. Furthermore, the insulator 502 covers the center conductor 501 at the corners between the pair of protrusions 512a, 512b and the annular portion 511, and the insulator 502 increases the rigidity of the terminal connection portion 512. The same applies to the terminal connection portion 522 of the second bus ring 52 and the terminal connection portion 532 of the third bus ring 53.

[0052] In the above embodiment, only one of the first to third recesses 711, 712, and 713 provided in the extending portion 71 of the connection terminal 7 is used for connection to the terminal connection portions 512, 522, and 532 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53. However, by forming the first to third recesses 711, 712, and 713 in the connection terminal 7, it is possible to use connection terminals 7 of the same shape to be connected to the first to third bus rings 51 to 53, and it is possible to reduce component costs by standardizing components. Furthermore, by forming the first to third recesses 711, 712, and 713, it is possible to increase the surface area of ​​the extending portion 71, which can also contribute to improving heat dissipation.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a pair of extending portions 512c, 512d extend in directions approaching each other from the respective ends of a pair of protruding portions 512a, 512b in terminal connection portion 512 of first bus ring 51, and a pair of extending portions 522c, 522d extend in directions approaching each other from the respective ends of a pair of protruding portions 522a, 522b in terminal connection portion 522 of second bus ring 52. Therefore, even if sharp edges are formed at the tip portions of central conductors 501 in the pair of extending portions 512c, 512d, 522c, 522d, 532c, 532d, it is possible to prevent the edges from scratching other members, etc. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0054] Fig. 12(a) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of terminal connection portion 512 of first bus ring 51 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12(b) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of terminal connection portion 912 protruding radially outward from annular portion 911 of bus ring 91 according to a comparative example. Fig. 12(c) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which connection terminal 92 is connected to terminal connection portion 912 of bus ring 91 according to the comparative example. At terminal connection portion 912 of bus ring 91, central conductor 901 is exposed from insulator 902.

[0055] As shown in Figure 12(a), an edge 501c is formed at the corner between the tip surface 501a and the outer peripheral surface 501b at the tip of each of the central conductors 501 of a pair of extension portions 512c, 512d in the terminal connection portion 512 of the first bus ring 51. However, since the distance between the tip surfaces 501a of the central conductors 501 in the pair of extension portions 512c, 512d is narrow, other components cannot get in between the tip surfaces 501a. Therefore, even if the pair of extension portions 512c, 512d come into contact with other components or the fingers of an operator before or after assembling the power collection and distribution ring 112, the other components or the fingers of an operator are prevented from being injured. This makes it possible to prevent the insulators 502, etc. from being damaged by contact between the first bus rings 51, even when transporting a large number of first bus rings 51 together during the manufacture of the power collection and distribution ring 112, for example, and also makes it possible to transport a large number of first bus rings 51 in bulk.

[0056] 12(b) and 12(b) , a bus ring 91 according to a comparative example has a terminal connection portion 912 made up of a pair of linear portions 912a and 912b that protrude parallel to each other along the radial direction of the annular portion 911, and edges 901c at corners between distal end surface 901a and outer peripheral surface 901b of center conductor 901 in linear portions 912a and 912b are positioned at the distal end of terminal connection portion 912. As a result, for example, when a large number of bus rings 91 are bulk-loaded and transported, there is a risk that the edges 901c of one bus ring 91 may scratch insulators 902, etc. of other bus rings 91. Furthermore, for example, when crimping connection terminals 92 to terminal connection portions 912, a worker may be easily injured by the edges 901c.

[0057] [Variations] 13(a) to 13(c) are configuration diagrams showing a first connection terminal 7A, a second connection terminal 7B, and a third connection terminal 7C according to a modified example, and first to third bus rings 51 to 53 to which the first to third connection terminals 7A, 7B, and 7C are connected, respectively. The shapes and configurations of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 are the same as those in the above embodiment. The configurations of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 will be described below using the reference numerals used in the above embodiment.

[0058] The first to third connection terminals 7A, 7B, and 7C have an extending portion 71 that extends in the arrangement direction of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53, and a terminal block connecting portion 72 that is connected to terminal block electrodes 81 to 83 of the terminal block 8. The first to third connection terminals 7A, 7B, and 7C also have bus ring connecting portions 73 that are connected to terminal connecting portions 512, 522, and 532 of the first to third bus rings 51 to 53, respectively.

[0059] Bus ring connection portions 73 of first to third connection terminals 7A, 7B, and 7C are connected by crimping to terminal connection portions 512, 522, and 532 of first to third bus rings 51 to 53, respectively. More specifically, bus ring connection portion 73 of first connection terminal 7A is connected by crimping to a pair of extending portions 512c and 512d of terminal connection portion 512 of first bus ring 51, bus ring connection portion 73 of second connection terminal 7B is connected by crimping to a pair of extending portions 522c and 522d of terminal connection portion 522 of second bus ring 52, and bus ring connection portion 73 of third connection terminal 7C is connected by crimping to a pair of extending portions 532c and 532d of terminal connection portion 532 of third bus ring 53.

[0060] The length of the extension portion 71 between the terminal block connection portion 72 and the bus ring connection portion 73 differs among the first to third bus rings 51 to 53. In the example shown in Figures 13(a) to 13(c), the length L2 of the extension portion 71 in the second connection terminal 7B is longer than the length L3 of the extension portion 71 in the third connection terminal 7C, and the length L1 of the extension portion 71 in the first connection terminal 7A is even longer than the length L2 of the extension portion 71 in the second connection terminal 7B. Due to this difference in the lengths of the extension portions, when the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 are held and combined by the holding member 6 as shown in Figure 8, the axial positions of the terminal block connection portions 72 of the first to third connection terminals 7A, 7B, and 7C are equal to each other.

[0061] This modification also reduces the axial spacing between the first to third bus rings 51 to 53 without interposing a portion of the first to third connection terminals 7A, 7B, and 7C between the first to third bus rings 51 to 53. Furthermore, because the axial positions of the terminal block connection portions 72 of the first to third connection terminals 7A, 7B, and 7C are aligned, there is no need to use a terminal block with a special shape that has a stepped structure, which reduces component costs.

[0062] (Summary of embodiments and modifications) Next, the technical ideas grasped from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described by using the reference numerals and symbols in the embodiment and modified examples. However, the reference numerals in the following description do not limit the components in the claims to the members and symbols specifically shown in the embodiment and modified examples.

[0063] [1] An electric current collection and distribution ring (112) electrically connects armature windings (31-33) of multiple phases wound around a plurality of teeth (21) of an armature core (2) having a plurality of teeth (21) to a plurality of electrodes (81-83) of a terminal block (8), the electric current collection and distribution ring (112) comprising: a plurality of bus rings (51-53) connected to the armature windings (31-33) for each current phase; a holding member (6) holding the plurality of bus rings (51-53) in an axially aligned state; and a plurality of connection terminals (7, 7A-7C) attached to the plurality of bus rings (51-53), each having an annular portion (511, 521, 531) having an annular shape, and terminal connection portions (512, 522, 532) connected to the plurality of connection terminals (7, 7A-7C) are provided on the annular portion (511, 521, 531). The terminal connection portion (512, 522, 532) is formed on the radially outer side of the annular portion (511, 521, 531), and the terminal connection portion (512, 522, 532) includes a pair of protruding portions (512a, 512b / 522a, 522b / 532a, 532b) extending outward from the annular portion (511, 521, 531) along the radial direction of the annular portion (511, 521, 531), and the pair of protruding portions (512a, 512b / 522a, 522b / 532a, 532b) a pair of extension portions (512c, 512d / 522c, 522d / 532c, 532d) extending toward each other from the respective tips of the terminal connection portions (512, 522, 532) and the pair of extension portions (512c, 512d / 522c, 522d / 532c, 532d) of the plurality of terminal connection portions (512, 522, 532) are connected to the plurality of connection terminals (7, 7A to 7C).

[0064] [2] The plurality of bus rings (51 to 53) have a central conductor (501) and an insulator (502) covering the central conductor (501), and a portion of the central conductor (501) on the annular portion (511, 521, 531) side of the pair of protrusions (512a, 512b / 522a, 522b / 532a, 532b) is covered by the insulator (502), in the power collection and distribution ring (112) described above in [1].

[0065] [3] The electricity collection and distribution ring (112) according to [1] or [2] above, wherein the plurality of connection terminals (7, 7A to 7C) each have an extension portion (71) extending along the arrangement direction of the plurality of bus rings (51 to 53) and a terminal block connection portion (72) connected to the electrodes (81 to 83) of the terminal block (8), and the positions of the terminal block connection portions (72) of the plurality of connection terminals (7, 7A to 7C) in the axial direction are equal to each other.

[0066] [4] The power collection and distribution ring (112) described in [3] above, wherein the extension portions (71) of the plurality of connection terminals (7) are opposed to the plurality of bus rings (51 to 53) in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and the terminal connection portions (512, 522, 532) of the plurality of bus rings (51 to 53) are connected to the extension portions (71) of the plurality of connection terminals (7) at different positions in the axial direction.

[0067] [5] The electricity collection and distribution ring (112) described in [4] above, wherein recesses (711, 712, 713) are formed in the extension portions (71) of the plurality of connection terminals (7) at positions corresponding to the terminal connection portions (512, 522, 532) of the plurality of bus rings (51 to 53), and at least a portion of the terminal connection portions (512, 522, 532) of the plurality of bus rings (51 to 53) are accommodated in the recesses (711, 712, 713) and connected to the extension portions (71).

[0068] [6] A connection structure that electrically and mechanically connects a plurality of conductive members (first to third bus rings 51 to 53) arranged in parallel to one another to a plurality of connection terminals (7), wherein each of the plurality of conductive members (51 to 53) has a terminal connection portion (512, 522, 532) connected to the plurality of connection terminals (7) that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of conductive members (51 to 53), and the plurality of connection terminals (7) each have an extension portion (71) that extends along the arrangement direction of the plurality of conductive members (51 to 53), and the terminal connection portion (512, 522, 532) of each of the plurality of conductive members (51 to 53) is connected to the extension portion (71) at a different position in the arrangement direction of the extension portion (71) of each of the plurality of connection terminals (7).

[0069] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the invention according to the claims is not limited to these embodiments. It should be noted that not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. The present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of its spirit, and can be modified as follows, for example.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the case where power collection and distribution ring 112 has a plurality of holding members 6 has been described, but power collection and distribution ring 112 may have a single holding member formed in an annular shape, and this single holding member may hold first to third bus rings 51 to 53. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where armature core 2 of armature 111 is formed by combining a plurality of core members 20, and armature 111 has a plurality of insulating members 4 corresponding to each of the plurality of core members 20 has been described, but the armature core may be formed in an integral annular shape having a plurality of teeth, and the insulating members may be formed in an integral annular shape.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the connection structure of the present invention has been described as being applied to the power collection and distribution ring 112, but the application of the connection structure of the present invention is not limited to this, and the connection structure of the present invention may also be used to connect, for example, multiple electric wires arranged parallel to each other in a flat cable or the like to multiple connection terminals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 112... Power collection and distribution ring 2... Armature core 21...Teeth 31~33...Armature winding 51 to 53... Bus ring (conductive member) 511, 521, 531... Circular ring portion 512, 522, 532...Terminal connection part 513, 523, 533...Protrusion part 6...Holding member 7,7A,7B,7C...Connection terminal 71...extension portion 711, 712, 713...first to third recessed portions 72...Terminal block connection part 8...Terminal block 81~83…Terminal block electrode

Claims

1. A power collection and distribution ring electrically connects armature windings of multiple phases wound around a plurality of teeth of an armature core having a plurality of teeth to a plurality of electrodes of a terminal block, a plurality of bus rings connected to the armature windings of the plurality of phases for each current phase; a holding member that holds the plurality of bus rings in a state where they are aligned in the axial direction; and a plurality of connection terminals attached to the plurality of bus rings, each of the plurality of bus rings has an annular portion having an annular shape, and terminal connection portions connected to the plurality of connection terminals are formed radially outward of the annular portion; the terminal connection portion has a pair of protruding portions extending outward from the annular portion along a radial direction of the annular portion, and a pair of extending portions extending in directions approaching each other from respective tips of the pair of protruding portions, The pair of extension portions of each of the plurality of terminal connection portions are connected to the plurality of connection terminals. Power collection and distribution ring.

2. the plurality of bus rings each have a central conductor and an insulator covering the central conductor, and a portion of the central conductor on the annular portion side of the pair of protrusions is covered by the insulator; The power collection and distribution ring according to claim 1 .

3. each of the plurality of connection terminals has an extension portion extending along an arrangement direction of the plurality of bus rings and a terminal block connection portion connected to the electrode of the terminal block; the terminal block connection portions of the plurality of connection terminals are positioned at the same positions in the axial direction; The electricity collection and distribution ring according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the extending portions of the plurality of connection terminals are opposed to the plurality of bus rings in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction, The terminal connection portions of the plurality of bus rings are connected to the extension portions of the plurality of connection terminals at different positions in the axial direction. The electricity collection and distribution ring according to claim 3 .

5. recesses are formed in the extending portions of the plurality of connection terminals at positions corresponding to the terminal connection portions of the plurality of bus rings, At least a portion of the terminal connection portion of each of the plurality of bus rings is accommodated in the recess and connected to the extension portion. The power collection and distribution ring according to claim 4.

6. A connection structure that electrically and mechanically connects a plurality of conductive members arranged in parallel to each other to a plurality of connection terminals, Each of the plurality of conductive members has a terminal connection portion connected to the plurality of connection terminals, the terminal connection portion being formed to protrude in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of conductive members, each of the plurality of connection terminals has an extending portion extending along an arrangement direction of the plurality of conductive members; the terminal connection portions of the plurality of conductive members are connected to the extension portions of the plurality of connection terminals at different positions in the arrangement direction of the extension portions, Connection structure.

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