Terminal board and manufacturing method of the terminal board

Abstract

To provide a terminal board and a manufacturing method of the terminal board, which are capable of improving assemblability with respect to a housing.SOLUTION: A terminal board 1 includes a bus bar 10, a housing 20 provided with an insertion space part 21 into which a second connection part 12 of the bus bar 10 is inserted along an axial direction X, a packing 30 that is inserted into the insertion space part 21 together with the second connection part 12 and seals an annular space between an outer surface of the second connection part 12 and an inner surface of the insertion space part 21, and a packing holder 40 that has a bus bar insertion part 41 through which the second connection part 12 is inserted along the axial direction X, and which is inserted into the insertion space part 21 in a state in which the second connection part 12 is inserted into the bus bar insertion part 41, the other end surface 40a in the axial direction X is in contact with the packing 30, and one end surface 40b in the axial direction X is in contact with a planar part 13a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal block and a method for manufacturing the terminal block. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of technology relating to conventional terminal blocks, Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal block including: a bus bar having a first connection portion and a second connection portion; a housing provided with an insertion space into which the second connection portion of the bus bar is inserted; a gasket that is inserted into the insertion space together with the second connection portion of the bus bar and seals the annular space between the outer surface of the second connection portion and the inner surface of the insertion space; and a gasket holder that has a bus bar insertion portion through which the second connection portion is inserted along the axial direction, with the second connection portion inserted into the bus bar insertion portion and the other axial end face abutting the gasket. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-211933 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the terminal block described in Patent Document 1 above has room for further improvement, for example, in terms of improving the ease of assembling the bus bar, the packing, and the packing holder to the housing.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a terminal block and a method for manufacturing the terminal block that can improve the ease of assembly into a housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a terminal block according to the present invention includes a bus bar having a first connection portion that extends along an axial direction and is connected to a first connection terminal, a second connection portion that extends along the axial direction and is positioned offset from the first connection portion in the axial direction and in a plate thickness direction that intersects with the axial direction, and is connected to a second connection terminal, and an intermediate portion that is connected between the first connection portion and the second connection portion and includes a flat portion that extends along the plate thickness direction; and a terminal block into which the second connection portion of the bus bar is inserted along the axial direction. the packing holder includes a housing having an insertion space in which the second connection portion is inserted, a packing that is inserted into the insertion space together with the second connection portion and seals an annular space between an outer surface of the second connection portion and an inner surface of the insertion space, and a bus bar insertion portion through which the second connection portion is inserted along the axial direction, the packing holder being inserted into the insertion space in a state in which the second connection portion is inserted into the bus bar insertion portion and the other end face in the axial direction abuts against the packing and one end face in the axial direction abuts against the flat portion.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a method of manufacturing a terminal block according to the present invention includes a first step of assembling a packing holder having a bus bar insertion portion through which the second connection portion is inserted along the axial direction to a bus bar having a first connection portion extending along an axial direction and connected to a first connection terminal, a second connection portion extending along the axial direction and positioned offset in the axial direction and in a plate thickness direction intersecting the axial direction with respect to the first connection portion and connected to a second connection terminal, and an intermediate portion connected between the first connection portion and the second connection portion and including a flat portion extending along the plate thickness direction; and a second step of assembling a packing holder having a bus bar insertion portion through which the second connection portion is inserted along the axial direction to the bus bar with the second connection portion inserted in the bus bar insertion portion from the other side in the axial direction, and a second step of abutting the other axial end face of the packing with the packing and abutting the one axial end face of the packing holder with the flat portion; a third step of assembling the bus bar integrated with the packing holder and the packing to a housing having an insertion space into which the second connection portion of the bus bar is inserted along the axial direction, and temporarily fixing the packing to the large diameter portion of the insertion space; and a fourth step of using the flat portion to push the packing holder toward the other axial side of the insertion space, thereby pushing the packing into a small diameter portion located on the other axial side of the large diameter portion in the insertion space, and finally fixing the packing to the small diameter portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In the terminal block and the manufacturing method of the terminal block according to the present invention, the packing holder is inserted into the insertion space of the housing with the second connection portion inserted into the bus bar insertion portion, the other axial end face abutting against the packing, and the one axial end face abutting against the flat portion of the bus bar. With this configuration, the terminal block and the manufacturing method of the terminal block can, for example, push the packing holder toward the other axial side using the flat portion, thereby pushing the packing holder down and simultaneously pushing the packing to a predetermined position within the insertion space. As a result, the terminal block and the manufacturing method of the terminal block have the advantage of improving the ease of assembly into the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view of a packing of the terminal block according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exemplary perspective view of a packing holder of the terminal block according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the terminal block according to the embodiment, illustrating a first step. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the terminal block according to the embodiment, illustrating a second step. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the terminal block according to the embodiment, illustrating a third step. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart of a method for manufacturing a terminal block according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a terminal block according to a modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exemplary perspective view of a bus bar of a terminal block according to a modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exemplary perspective view of a packing holder for a terminal block according to a modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a terminal block according to a modified example, showing a first step. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a terminal block according to a modified example, showing a second step. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a terminal block according to a modified example, illustrating a third step. [Figure 16]FIG. 16 is an exemplary flowchart of a method for manufacturing a terminal block according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments and modifications include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially identical.

[0011] Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications disclosed below include similar components. Therefore, in the following, the similar components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Note that in this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish between parts, members, portions, positions, directions, etc., and do not indicate order or priority.

[0012] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal block 1 according to an embodiment. The terminal block 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle and relays an electrical connection between a first device D1 and a second device D2. The terminal block 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of bus bars 10. A first connection terminal 3 (see FIG. 5) of the first device D1 is electrically connected to a first connection portion 11 provided at one end of the plurality of bus bars 10. In addition, in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, a second connection terminal 4 of the second device D2 is electrically connected to a second connection portion 12 provided at the other end of the plurality of bus bars 10. The first device D1 is, for example, one of a motor and an inverter, and the second device D2 is, for example, the other of the motor and the inverter. Note that the terminal block 1 is not limited to this example and may be used, for example, to relay between the first device D1 or the second device D2 and a wiring material, or between wiring materials.

[0013] In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the second direction will be referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction will be referred to as the "plate thickness direction Z." Here, the axial direction X, width direction Y, and plate thickness direction Z are approximately perpendicular to one another. The axial direction X typically corresponds to the extension direction of the multiple bus bars 10, the insertion direction of the multiple bus bars 10 into the housing 20, the depth direction (front-back direction) of the terminal block 1, etc. The width direction Y typically corresponds to the width direction of the multiple bus bars 10, the width direction (left-right direction) of the terminal block 1, etc. The plate thickness direction Z typically corresponds to the plate thickness direction of the multiple bus bars 10 (first connection portions 11 and second connection portions 12), the fastening direction between the multiple bus bars 10 and the first connection terminals 3 and the second connection terminals 4, the height direction (up-down direction) of the terminal block 1, etc. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description are directions when the terminal block 1 is assembled to the first connection terminal 3 and the second connection terminal 4.

[0014] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the terminal block 1 includes, for example, a plurality of bus bars 10, a housing 20, a packing 30, a packing holder 40, and a sealing member 50. The plurality of bus bars 10 are terminal fittings made of a conductive metal material, and are electrically connected to the first connection terminals 3 and the second connection terminals 4. In this embodiment, the terminal block 1 is provided with three bus bars 10 aligned in the width direction Y. Note that the number of bus bars 10 is not limited to this example, and for example, one, two, or four or more bus bars 10 may be provided.

[0015] The busbar 10 includes, for example, a first connecting portion 11 provided at one end in the axial direction X, a second connecting portion 12 provided at the other end in the axial direction X, and an intermediate portion 13 provided between the first connecting portion 11 and the second connecting portion 12. The first connecting portion 11, the second connecting portion 12, and the intermediate portion 13 are integrally formed from a conductive metal material. That is, the busbar 10 is formed by performing various processes such as bending a single metal sheet to fit the shapes of the first connecting portion 11, the second connecting portion 12, and the intermediate portion 13, so that each portion is integrally formed into a three-dimensional crank shape.

[0016] The first connection portion 11 is a portion that is electrically and mechanically connected to the first connection terminal 3. The first connection portion 11 extends along the axial direction X. The first connection portion 11 is provided with a mounting hole 11a into which a fastening member such as a bolt that fastens the busbar 10 to the first connection terminal 3 is attached. The mounting hole 11a is a through-hole that passes through the first connection portion 11 along the plate thickness direction Z, and is configured as, for example, a circular hole with a larger diameter than the shank of a bolt.

[0017] The second connection portion 12 is a portion that is electrically and mechanically connected to the second connection terminal 4. The second connection portion 12 extends along the axial direction X and is positioned on the other side of the axial direction X and shifted in the plate thickness direction Z with respect to the first connection portion 11. The second connection portion 12 is provided with a mounting hole 12a into which a fastening member such as a bolt that fastens the busbar 10 and the second connection terminal 4 is attached. The mounting hole 12a is a through-hole that passes through the second connection portion 12 along the plate thickness direction Z and is configured as, for example, a circular hole with approximately the same diameter as the shank of the bolt.

[0018] The intermediate portion 13 is a portion that is connected between the first connecting portion 11 and the second connecting portion 12. The intermediate portion 13 includes a flat portion 13a that extends along the plate thickness direction Z, and constitutes a step between the first connecting portion 11 and the second connecting portion 12. The intermediate portion 13 is formed, for example, by being bent at an angle of 90° with respect to the first connecting portion 11 and the second connecting portion 12. That is, in this embodiment, substantially the entire intermediate portion 13 is constituted as the flat portion 13a that extends along the plate thickness direction Z. The thickness direction of the flat portion 13a is along the axial direction X that intersects with the plate thickness direction Z of the first connecting portion 11 and the second connecting portion.

[0019] The housing 20 holds the second connection portions 12 of the three bus bars 10 arranged in the width direction Y, and is made of an insulating synthetic resin material. The housing 20 has, for example, a housing main body 22 and a housing protrusion 23 that protrudes from the housing main body 22 along the axial direction X to the side opposite to the bus bars 10. The housing 20 is formed such that the housing main body 22 and the housing protrusion 23 are integrally formed.

[0020] An insertion space 21 into which the second connection portion 12 of the busbar 10 is inserted along the axial direction X is provided inside the housing main body 22 and the housing protruding portion 23. The insertion space 21 penetrates the housing main body 22 and the housing protruding portion 23 along the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the housing 20 is provided with three insertion spaces 21 corresponding to the busbars 10, and these three insertion spaces 21 are partitioned from one another in the width direction Y.

[0021] The housing main body 22 has one end face 22a on one side in the axial direction X (the busbar 10 side) and another end face 22b on the other side in the axial direction X. The one end face 22a is a portion that faces the middle portion 13 of the busbar 10 in the axial direction X at the periphery of the insertion space portion 21. The other end face 22b is a portion where a recess 24 that holds the seal member 50 is provided at the periphery of the housing protruding portion 23. The recess 24 is recessed from the other end face 22b toward one side in the axial direction X and is open toward the other side in the axial direction X. The recess 24 is formed, for example, in a substantially elliptical ring shape that follows the outer shape of the seal member 50.

[0022] The seal member 50 prevents moisture and other foreign matter from entering the inside of the terminal block 1 through an annular gap between the housing 20 and the cylindrical portion (not shown) of the second device D2. The seal member 50 is made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or resin. The seal member 50 is formed, for example, in a substantially elliptical cylindrical shape and is fitted into the recess 24. When the terminal block 1 is connected to the second device D2, the seal member 50 is interposed between the other end surface 22b of the housing main body 22 and the end surface of the cylindrical portion (not shown) of the second device D2.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the packing 30 of the terminal block 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the packing 30 has an insertion hole 31 through which, for example, the second connection portion 12 of the bus bar 10 is inserted along the axial direction X, and seals the periphery of the second connection portion 12 inserted into the insertion hole 31. In this embodiment, the terminal block 1 is provided with three packings 30 corresponding to the bus bars 10. The three packings 30 are connected to each other via a connecting portion 34 provided between two packings 30 adjacent to each other in the width direction Y, for example. The packings 30 are formed of an elastically deformable material such as rubber. The packings 30 are also called terminal packings, rubber plugs, bushings, etc.

[0024] Each packing 30 is provided with a plurality of outer peripheral lip portions 32 and a plurality of inner peripheral lip portions 33. The outer peripheral lip portions 32 are pleated water-stopping portions formed in a substantially annular shape along the outer peripheral surface of the packing 30. In this embodiment, each packing 30 is provided with two outer peripheral lip portions 32 lined up in the axial direction X. When the packing 30 is attached to the insertion space 21 (see FIG. 5 ) of the housing 20, the outer peripheral lip portions 32 come into contact with the inner surface of the insertion space 21 to seal the water between the inner surface and the inner surface. The outer peripheral lip portions 32 are configured to elastically deform to fit closely to the inner surface of the insertion space 21 and seal the annular space between the inner surface and the outer peripheral surface of the packing 30.

[0025] The inner lip portion 33 is a pleated water-stopping portion formed in a substantially annular shape along the inner circumferential surface of the packing 30. In this embodiment, the packing 30 is provided with two inner lip portions 33 (see FIG. 5 ) aligned in the axial direction X. When the second connection portion 12 of the busbar 10 is inserted (press-fitted) into the insertion hole 31, the inner lip portion 33 comes into contact with the outer surface of the second connection portion 12 to seal the water between the outer surface and the second connection portion 12. The inner lip portion 33 is configured to be in close contact with the outer surface of the second connection portion 12 by elastic deformation and to seal the annular space between the outer surface and the inner circumferential surface of the packing 30.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a packing holder 40 of the terminal block 1, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal block 1. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the packing holder 40 has, for example, a bus bar insertion portion 41 through which the second connection portion 12 of the bus bar 10 is inserted along the axial direction X, and supports the periphery of the second connection portion 12 inserted through the bus bar insertion portion 41 and supports the packing 30 in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the packing holder 40 is provided with three bus bar insertion portions 41 corresponding to the bus bars 10. The three bus bar insertion portions 41 are separated from each other in the width direction Y by, for example, a partition wall 42 provided between two bus bar insertion portions 41 adjacent to each other in the width direction Y. The packing holder 40 is formed, for example, from an insulating synthetic resin material.

[0027] The packing holder 40 has, for example, a protrusion 43 partially provided on one end surface 40b in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the packing holder 40 has two protrusions 43 provided for each of the multiple bus bar insertion portions 41, spaced apart from each other in the width direction Y. The protrusions 43 protrude from the packing holder 40 toward one side in the axial direction X and support the flat surface portion 13a (see FIG. 5 ) of the bus bar 10. That is, the protrusions 43 support the flat surface portion 13a in a state spaced apart from the one end surface 40b of the packing holder 40. In this embodiment, when the packing holder 40 is assembled into the insertion space 21, a gap S is provided between the flat surface portion 13a and the one end surface 40b of the packing holder 40, and between the flat surface portion 13a and the one end surface 22a of the housing 20.

[0028] The packing holder 40 also has another end surface 40a in the axial direction X that faces the packing 30. The other end surface 40a is a portion that supports the packing 30 in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the packing holder 40 is inserted into the insertion space 21 with the second connection portion 12 inserted into the bus bar insertion portion 41, the other end surface 40a abutting against the packing 30, and the one end surface 40b abutting against the flat portion 13a. When assembled into the insertion space 21, the packing holder 40 functions as a portion that pushes the packing 30 toward the other side in the axial direction X (the back side of the insertion space 21).

[0029] In this embodiment, the insertion space 21 includes a large diameter portion 21a to which the packing 30 is temporarily fixed, and a small diameter portion 21b to which the packing 30 is permanently fixed. The large diameter portion 21a is a portion of the insertion space 21 located on one side in the axial direction X, and opens to one end face 22a of the housing 20. The large diameter portion 21a has an opening width larger than that of the packing 30, and the packing 30 is temporarily fixed in a free state (see FIG. 8 ). The small diameter portion 21b is a portion of the insertion space 21 located on the other side of the large diameter portion 21a in the axial direction X, and communicates with the large diameter portion 21a along the axial direction X. The small diameter portion 21b has an opening width smaller than that of the packing 30, and the packing 30 is press-fitted (fitted) in an elastically compressed state, thereby permanently fixing the packing 30.

[0030] Moreover, in this embodiment, the housing 20 has a press-fit portion 25 into which the tip end portion 12b on the other side in the axial direction X of the second connecting portion 12 is press-fitted. The press-fit portion 25 is provided at the tip end portion of the housing protrusion 23 of the housing 20. The press-fit portion 25 is located on the other side in the axial direction X of the small diameter portion 21b and communicates with the insertion space portion 21 along the axial direction. The press-fit portion 25 has an opening width smaller than that of the small diameter portion 21b, and the tip end portion 12b of the second connecting portion 12 is press-fitted and fixed along the axial direction X. In other words, the opening width of the press-fit portion 25 in the plate thickness direction Z is configured to be approximately the same as or slightly smaller than the opening width of the second connecting portion 12 in the plate thickness direction Z.

[0031] The packing holder 40 also has a locking portion 44 that locks the second connection portion 12 along the axial direction X. The locking portion 44 protrudes in a claw-like shape from the packing holder 40 along the plate thickness direction Z. The locking portion 44 has a locking surface 44a that faces an edge of an opening 15 provided in the second connection portion 12 in the axial direction X, and the locking surface 44a is locked with the edge of the opening 15, thereby restricting movement of the packing holder 40 in the axial direction X relative to the second connection portion 12. The locking portion 44 is provided, for example, in each bus bar insertion portion 41 of the packing holder 40, at an intermediate position between the two protrusions 43 (see FIG. 4 ).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, for example, when assembling the terminal block 1 to the first connection terminal 3 and the second connection terminal 4, first, the second connection portion 12 of the busbar 10 and the second connection terminal 4 of the second device D2 are fastened together with a fastening member 70. The fastening member 70 includes, for example, a bolt (not shown) and a nut 72. The nut 72 is pre-attached to the tip of the housing protrusion 23. The bolt has a shank with a male thread on its outer periphery that engages with the female thread of the nut 72, and a head with a larger diameter than the shank. Then, with the second connection terminal 4 and the second connection portion 12 sandwiched between the head and the nut 72, the shank of the bolt penetrates the second connection terminal 4 and the second connection portion 12 in the plate thickness direction Z and is fastened to the nut 72.

[0033] Next, the first connection portion 11 of the busbar 10 and the first connection terminal 3 of the first device D1 are fastened together with a fastening member. The fastening member includes a bolt and a nut, similar to the above-described fastening member 70. Then, with the first connection terminal 3 and the first connection portion 11 sandwiched between the head and the nut, the bolt's shaft passes through the first connection terminal 3 and the first connection portion 11 in the plate thickness direction Z and is fastened to the nut 62. In this way, the terminal block 1 is assembled to the first connection terminal 3 and the second connection terminal 4.

[0034] Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the terminal block 1 having the above configuration will be described. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal block 1 showing a first step S1, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal block 1 showing a second step S2, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal block 1 showing a third step S3. Also, Fig. 9 is a flowchart of the method for manufacturing the terminal block 1.

[0035] First, in the process of first step S1, as shown in Figures 6 and 9, the packing holder 40 is assembled to the bus bar 10. In this case, the packing holder 40 is assembled so that the bus bar insertion portion 41 of the packing holder 40 is inserted along the axial direction X into the second connection portion 12 of the bus bar 10 from the other side in the axial direction X. Then, the locking portion 44 of the packing holder 40 is locked into the opening 15 of the second connection portion 12, and the second connection portion 12 and the packing holder 40 are integrated (fixed).

[0036] 7 and 9, in the second step S2, the packing 30 is further assembled to the busbar 10. In this case, the packing 30 is assembled so that the insertion hole 31 of the packing 30 is inserted along the axial direction X from the other side of the axial direction X into the second connection portion 12 of the busbar 10 to which the packing holder 40 is attached. Then, the other end surface 40a of the packing holder 40 in the axial direction X is brought into contact with the packing 30, and the one end surface 40b of the packing holder 40 in the axial direction X is brought into contact with the flat portion 13a of the busbar 10.

[0037] 8 and 9, in the process of third step S3, the busbar 10 in which the packing holder 40 and the packing 30 are integrated is assembled to the housing 20. In this case, the busbar 10 is assembled so that the tip end 12b of the second connection portion 12 is inserted along the axial direction X from one side of the axial direction X into the insertion space 21 of the housing 20. Then, the tip end 12b of the second connection portion 12 is press-fitted into the press-fit portion 25 of the housing 20, and the packing 30 is temporarily fixed to the large diameter portion 21a of the insertion space 21.

[0038] 5 and 9, in the process of fourth step S4, the packing holder 40 is pushed by the flat portion 13a toward the other side in the axial direction X with respect to the insertion space 21. In this case, for example, an operator can grasp the first connection portion 11 of the busbar 10 and push down the packing holder 40, thereby pushing the packing 30 into the small diameter portion 21b of the insertion space 21 and finally fixing the packing 30 to the small diameter portion 21b. By performing the first step S1 to the fourth step S4, the busbar 10, the packing 30, and the packing holder 40 are assembled to the housing 20, and the terminal block 1 can be manufactured.

[0039] As described above, in the terminal block 1 and the manufacturing method of the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, the packing holder 40 is inserted into the insertion space 21 of the housing 20 with the second connection portion 12 of the busbar 10 inserted into the busbar insertion portion 41, the other end face 40a in the axial direction X abutting against the packing 30, and the one end face 40b in the axial direction X abutting against the flat portion 13a of the busbar 10. With this configuration, the terminal block 1 and the manufacturing method of the terminal block 1 can, for example, push the packing holder 40 toward the other side in the axial direction X with the flat portion 13a, thereby pushing down the packing holder 40 and simultaneously pushing the packing 30 to a predetermined position within the insertion space 21. As a result, the terminal block 1 and the manufacturing method of the terminal block 1 can improve the ease of assembly to the housing 20.

[0040] Furthermore, in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, the insertion space 21 includes a large-diameter portion 21a to which the packing 30 is temporarily fixed and a small-diameter portion 21b located on the other side of the large-diameter portion 21a in the axial direction X and to which the packing 30 is permanently fixed. The other end face 40a of the packing holder 40 abuts against the packing 30 and the one end face 40b abuts against the flat portion 13a, at least when the packing 30 is inserted into the small-diameter portion 21b. With this configuration, for example, when inserting the packing 30 from the large-diameter portion 21a to the small-diameter portion 21b, the flat portion 13a can push the packing holder 40 toward the other side in the axial direction X, thereby pushing the packing 30 into the small-diameter portion 21b of the insertion space 21 via the packing holder 40. As a result, the terminal block 1 can be more easily assembled to the housing 20.

[0041] Furthermore, in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, the housing 20 has a press-fit portion 25 that communicates with the insertion space portion 21 along the axial direction X and into which the tip portion 12b of the second connection portion 12 on the other side in the axial direction X is press-fitted. With this configuration, the terminal block 1 can, for example, press-fit and fix the tip portion 12b of the busbar 10 into the housing 20 by the press-fit portion 25, and thus can prevent the busbar 10, the packing 30, and the packing holder 40 from moving (coming off) toward one side in the axial direction X relative to the housing 20.

[0042] Furthermore, in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, the packing holder 40 has a locking portion 44 that protrudes along the plate thickness direction Z and locks the second connection portion 12 along the axial direction X. With this configuration, the terminal block 1 can, for example, limit movement of the packing holder 40 in the axial direction X relative to the second connection portion 12 by the locking portion 44, thereby improving the ease of assembling the packing holder 40 to the busbar 10.

[0043] Furthermore, in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, the packing holder 40 has a protrusion 43 that is partially provided on one end face 40b and abuts against the flat portion 13a. With this configuration, the terminal block 1 can ensure a gap S in the axial direction X between the flat portion 13a and the one end face 40b of the packing holder 40, and further between the flat portion 13a and the one end face 22a of the housing 20, for example, by the protrusion 43. This makes it easier to more reliably push the packing 30 into the small diameter portion 21b of the insertion space 21.

[0044] [Variations] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a terminal block 1A according to a modified example, Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a bus bar 10 of the terminal block 1A, and Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a packing holder 40 of the terminal block 1A. The terminal block 1A shown in Figs. 10 to 12 has a configuration similar to that of the terminal block 1 of the above embodiment. Therefore, the terminal block 1A can obtain the same functions and effects as the above embodiment based on the similar configuration.

[0045] However, this modification differs from the above embodiment in that, as shown in Figures 10 to 12, flat portions 13b are partially provided in the intermediate portion 13 of the busbar 10. Specifically, in this modification, the intermediate portion 13 is bent at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the first connection portion 11 and the second connection portion 12. That is, in this modification, the intermediate portion 13 is inclined (intersecting) with respect to the plate thickness direction Z. In this modification, the intermediate portion 13 is provided with a recess 17 recessed toward one side in the axial direction X, and a flat portion 13b is provided at the bottom of this recess 17. The flat portion 13b extends along the plate thickness direction Z.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 11 , the recess 17 is partially recessed in the center of the intermediate portion 13 in the width direction Y. In this modification, the opening width of the recess 17 in the width direction Y is substantially the same as the horizontal width of the protrusion 43 (see FIG. 12 ) of the packing holder 40 in the width direction Y. That is, in this modification, the recess 17 functions as a portion with which the protrusion 43 of the packing holder 40 is engaged. In this modification, the packing holder 40 is provided with one bus bar insertion portion 41 in the center of the width direction Y, corresponding to the recess 17. In this modification, the packing holder 40 does not have the lock portion 44 (see FIG. 4 ) that is engaged with the second connection portion 12. In addition, the bus bar 10 has a through hole 16 adjacent to the recess 17.

[0047] Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the terminal block 1A having the above configuration will be described. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal block 1A showing a first step S11, Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal block 1A showing a second step S12, and Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal block 1A showing a third step S13. Also, Fig. 16 is a flowchart of the method for manufacturing the terminal block 1A.

[0048] 13 and 16, in the first step S11, the packing 30 is assembled to the housing 20. In this case, the packing 30 is inserted into the insertion space 21 of the housing 20 from one side in the axial direction X, and the packing 30 and the large diameter portion 21a of the insertion space 21 are temporarily fixed to each other.

[0049] 14 and 16, in the process of the second step S12, the packing holder 40 is further assembled to the housing 20. In this case, the packing holder 40 is inserted from one side in the axial direction X into the large diameter portion 21a of the insertion space portion 21 with the packing 30 attached. Then, the other end surface 40a of the packing holder 40 in the axial direction X is brought into contact with the packing 30.

[0050] 15 and 16, in the process of third step S13, the busbar 10 is assembled to the packing holder 40 and the packing 30. In this case, the second connection portion 12 of the busbar 10 is inserted along the axial direction X from one side in the axial direction X into the busbar insertion portion 41 of the packing holder 40 and the insertion hole 31 of the packing 30. Then, the tip end portion 12b of the second connection portion 12 is press-fitted into the press-fit portion 25 of the housing 20, and the protrusion 43 of the packing holder 40 is engaged with the recess 17 of the intermediate portion 13, so that the one end face 40b and the flat portion 13b are abutted against each other.

[0051] 10 and 16, in the process of fourth step S4, the packing holder 40 is pushed by the flat portion 13b toward the other side in the axial direction X with respect to the insertion space 21. In this case, for example, an operator can grasp the first connection portion 11 of the busbar 10 and push down the packing holder 40 to push the packing 30 into the small diameter portion 21b of the insertion space 21, thereby finally fixing the packing 30 to the small diameter portion 21b. By performing the first step S11 to the fourth step S14, the busbar 10, the packing 30, and the packing holder 40 are assembled to the housing 20, and the terminal block 1A can be manufactured.

[0052] As described above, with the terminal block 1A and the manufacturing method of the terminal block 1A of this modified example, for example, by using the flat portion 13b to push the packing holder 40 toward the other side in the axial direction X, the packing holder 40 can be pushed down and at the same time the packing 30 can be pushed into the small diameter portion 21b of the insertion space 21. As a result, the terminal block 1A and the manufacturing method of the terminal block 1A can improve the ease of assembly to the housing 20.

[0053] Furthermore, in the terminal block 1A of this modified example, the intermediate portion 13 has a recess 17 that engages with the protrusion 43, and a flat portion 13b is provided at the bottom of the recess 17. With this configuration, the terminal block 1A can, for example, limit the movement of the packing holder 40 relative to the busbar 10 by the engagement between the protrusion 43 and the recess 17, thereby improving the ease of assembling the packing holder 40 to the busbar 10. Furthermore, for example, the engagement between the protrusion 43 and the recess 17 can make it easier to more reliably push the packing 30 into the small diameter portion 21b of the insertion space 21 via the packing holder 40.

[0054] In the above embodiment and modified example, the insertion space 21 is exemplified as including the large diameter portion 21a where the packing 30 is temporarily fixed and the small diameter portion 21b where the packing 30 is permanently fixed, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and for example, the insertion space 21 may be configured only with the small diameter portion 21b where the packing 30 is permanently fixed. In addition, in the above embodiment and modified example, the case where the protrusion 43 of the packing holder 40 abuts against the flat portions 13a, 13b is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and for example, the protrusion 43 may not be provided and the one end face 40b may abut against the flat portions 13a, 13b.

[0055] While the above describes exemplary embodiments and modifications of the present invention, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments and modifications can be implemented in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the specifications of each configuration, shape, and the like (structure, type, direction, format, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) can be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1, 1A terminal block 3 First connection terminal 4 Second connection terminal 10 Bus Bar 11 First connection part 12 Second connection part 12b Tip 13 Middle section 13a, 13b flat part 17 Recess 20. Housing 21 Insertion space 21a Large diameter part 21b Small diameter section 25 Press-fit section 30 Gasket 40 Packing holder 40a Other end surface 40b One end face 41 Bus bar insertion part 43 Convex part 44 Lock Section X-axis direction Z Thickness direction

Claims

1. a bus bar including: a first connection portion extending along an axial direction and connected to a first connection terminal; a second connection portion extending along the axial direction and positioned offset with respect to the first connection portion in the axial direction and a plate thickness direction intersecting the axial direction, and connected to a second connection terminal; and an intermediate portion connected between the first connection portion and the second connection portion and including a flat portion extending along the plate thickness direction; a housing provided with an insertion space into which the second connection portion of the bus bar is inserted along the axial direction; a packing that is inserted into the insertion space together with the second connection portion and seals an annular space between an outer surface of the second connection portion and an inner surface of the insertion space; a packing holder having a bus bar insertion portion through which the second connection portion is inserted along the axial direction, the packing holder being inserted into the insertion space portion in a state in which the second connection portion is inserted into the bus bar insertion portion, the other end surface in the axial direction abutting against the packing, and the one end surface in the axial direction abutting against the flat portion; Terminal block equipped with

2. the insertion space portion includes a large diameter portion to which the packing is temporarily fixed, and a small diameter portion located on the other side of the large diameter portion in the axial direction to which the packing is finally fixed, the other end surface of the packing holder abuts against the packing and the one end surface of the packing holder abuts against the flat portion at least when the packing is inserted into the small diameter portion; The terminal block according to claim 1 .

3. the housing has a press-fit portion that communicates with the insertion space portion along the axial direction and into which a tip end portion of the second connection portion on the other side in the axial direction is press-fitted. The terminal block according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the packing holder has a locking portion that protrudes along the plate thickness direction and locks the second connection portion along the axial direction. The terminal block according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the packing holder has a protrusion provided partially on the one end surface and abutting against the flat portion; The terminal block according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the intermediate portion has a recess that engages with the protrusion, The flat portion is provided on the bottom of the recess. The terminal block according to claim 5.

7. a first step of assembling a packing holder having a busbar insertion portion through which the second connection portion is inserted along the axial direction to a busbar having: a first connection portion extending along the axial direction and connected to a first connection terminal; a second connection portion extending along the axial direction and positioned offset with respect to the first connection portion in the axial direction and a plate thickness direction intersecting the axial direction, and connected to a second connection terminal; and an intermediate portion connected between the first connection portion and the second connection portion and including a flat portion extending along the plate thickness direction; a second step of assembling a packing from the other side in the axial direction to the bus bar with the second connection portion inserted into the bus bar insertion portion, and abutting the other end face of the packing holder in the axial direction against the packing and abutting the one end face of the packing holder in the axial direction against the flat portion; a third step of assembling the bus bar, together with the packing holder and the packing, to a housing having an insertion space into which the second connection portion of the bus bar is inserted along the axial direction, and temporarily fixing the packing to a large diameter portion of the insertion space; a fourth step of pressing the packing holder by the flat portion toward the other side in the axial direction relative to the insertion space portion, thereby pressing the packing into a small diameter portion located on the other side in the axial direction of the large diameter portion in the insertion space portion, thereby finally fixing the packing and the small diameter portion; A method for manufacturing a terminal block, comprising:

8. a first step of assembling a packing from one side in the axial direction to a housing having an insertion space into which the second connection portion is inserted along the axial direction, and temporarily fixing the packing to a large diameter portion of the insertion space; a second step of assembling a packing from one side in the axial direction to a housing having an insertion space into which the second connection portion is inserted along the axial direction, the second connection portion extending along the axial direction and being shifted relative to the first connection portion in a plate thickness direction intersecting the axial direction; a second step of assembling a packing holder having a bus bar insertion portion into which the second connection portion is inserted along the axial direction to the insertion space portion of the housing, and bringing another end surface of the packing holder in the axial direction into contact with the packing; a third step of assembling the packing and the packing holder so that the second connection portion of the bus bar is inserted through the bus bar insertion portion along the axial direction, and abutting one end face of the packing holder in the axial direction against the flat portion; a fourth step of pressing the packing holder by the flat portion toward the other side in the axial direction relative to the insertion space portion, thereby pressing the packing into a small diameter portion located on the other side in the axial direction of the large diameter portion in the insertion space portion, thereby finally fixing the packing and the small diameter portion; A method for manufacturing a terminal block, comprising:

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