Connection structure of terminal to fusible link unit

Abstract

To provide a connection structure of a terminal to a fusible link unit capable of reducing the weight.SOLUTION: A connection structure 10 of a terminal to a fusible link unit includes a fusible link unit 20 having a housing 30, a bus bar 40, and a stud bolt 60. The connection structure 10 of the terminal to the fusible link unit includes the terminal 72 having the connection terminal portion 721 in which the insertion hole 7211 is formed, and the nut 80 that fastens the terminal 72 in a state of being electrically connected to the bus bar 40. Further, an engagement recess 7212,7213 is formed in the connection terminal portion 721. In a state where the stud bolt 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 7211, the engagement protrusion 333,3321 formed on the housing 30 is engaged with the engagement recess 7212,7213.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit. [Background technology]

[0002] A structure for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this Patent Document 1, a stud bolt is erected on a housing, and a terminal that is fastened to the stud bolt using a nut is provided with a strip-shaped protrusion. Furthermore, a wall is erected on the housing to surround the stud bolt, and this wall is provided with a recess into which the strip-shaped protrusion fits. In this way, the strip-shaped protrusion and the recess restrict rotation of the terminal attached to the stud bolt, preventing damage to the housing due to rotation of the terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-110843 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this manner, in a connection structure for a terminal to a fusible link unit in which the terminal is attached to a stud bolt in a rotation-preventing state, it is preferable to make the structure lighter.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure for a terminal to a fusible link unit that can be made lighter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connection structure for a terminal to a fusible link unit according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a fusible link unit having a busbar on which a fuse circuit is formed, a stud bolt electrically connected to the busbar, and a housing in which the busbar and the stud bolt are held; a terminal having a connection terminal portion formed with an insertion hole into which the stud bolt is inserted; and a nut that screws onto the stud bolt inserted into the insertion hole to fasten the terminal in a state in which it is electrically connected to the busbar, wherein the connection terminal portion is formed with an engagement recess and the housing is formed with an engagement protrusion that engages with the engagement recess, and wherein the engagement protrusion is configured to engage with the engagement recess when the stud bolt is inserted into the insertion hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connection structure for a terminal to a fusible link unit that can be made lighter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a structure for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a structure for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit, in a state where the structure is placed on a battery. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of a structure for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit, in a state where the structure is placed on a battery. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a structure for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a connection structure of a terminal to a fusible link unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a fusible link unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example of a fusible link unit as viewed from the back side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a connection terminal portion of the terminal-attached electric wire. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing a terminal connection portion of the fusible link unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of a structure for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of the structure for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of a structure for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a structure for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The connection structure of a terminal to a fusible link unit according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0010] 1, the connection structure 10 of a terminal to a fusible link unit according to this embodiment is formed by attaching a terminal 72 to a stud bolt 50 of a fusible link unit 20 and then screwing a nut 80 onto the stud bolt 50. Note that in the following description, the connection structure 10 of a terminal to a fusible link unit will be referred to as the connection structure 10.

[0011] 4 and 5, the fusible link unit 20 constituting a part of the connection structure 10 includes a housing 30 formed using an electrically insulating resin material and a bus bar 40 formed from a conductive material such as metal. Furthermore, the fusible link unit 20 includes a stud bolt 50 formed from a conductive material such as metal, and a stud bolt 60 formed from a conductive material such as metal.

[0012] Then, with the stud bolts 50 and 60 electrically connected to the bus bar 40, the bus bar 40, the stud bolts 50 and 60 are held in the housing 30, thereby forming a fusible link unit 20.

[0013] 5 and 6, the bus bar 40 includes an input-side connection plate portion 41 to which power is input from the battery post 103 of the battery 100, and a fuse circuit 42 connected to the input-side connection plate portion 41. The bus bar 40 further includes an output-side connection plate portion 43 connected to the input-side connection plate portion 41 via the fuse circuit 42 and which outputs power from the battery post 103.

[0014] The stud bolt 50 is inserted and held in the bolt insertion hole 41a formed in the input side connection plate portion 41, so that the stud bolt 50 is electrically connected to the bus bar 40. The stud bolt 50 is electrically connected to the battery post 103 via a battery terminal (not shown) (see FIG. 2).

[0015] Furthermore, the stud bolt 60 is inserted and held in a bolt insertion hole 43a formed in the output-side connection plate portion 43, so that the stud bolt 60 is electrically connected to the bus bar 40. A terminal 72 is electrically connected to the stud bolt 60. In this embodiment, the terminal 72 of the terminal-attached electric wire 70 formed by crimping the electric wire 71 is attached to the stud bolt 60.

[0016] Then, with the stud bolts 50 and 60 electrically connected to the bus bar 40, the bus bar 40, the stud bolts 50 and 60 are insert molded into the housing 30, thereby forming the fusible link unit 20.

[0017] In this embodiment, a fusible link unit 20 is exemplified in which one stud bolt 50 and four stud bolts 60 are held in the housing 30 in a state in which they are electrically connected to the bus bar 40 .

[0018] Then, by electrically connecting the stud bolt 50 to the battery post 103 and electrically connecting the terminals 72 to each of the four stud bolts 60, the power from the battery post 103 can be distributed from the terminals 72 to each electric wire 71.

[0019] At this time, since the terminal 72 is electrically connected to the stud bolt 50 (battery post 103) via the fuse circuit 42, if an overcurrent flows through the electric wire 71, the fuse circuit 42 melts and the supply of power to the electric wire 71 is cut off.

[0020] In this way, the fusible link unit 20 according to this embodiment is a device used to distribute power from the battery post 103 more safely.

[0021] The fusible link unit 20 is configured so that, when placed on the battery 100, the stud bolt 50 and the battery post 103 can be electrically connected using the battery terminal.

[0022] In this embodiment, the four stud bolts 60 are arranged in one direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 2), and each stud bolt 60 is held in the housing 30 with its tip facing upward. The portion of the housing 30 that holds the four stud bolts 60 serves as a terminal connection portion 33. This terminal connection portion 33 is formed on one side (the lower side) of the housing 30 in a cross direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 2) that crosses the one direction.

[0023] Furthermore, the fuse circuit 42 is disposed at a location closer to one end than the stud bolt 60, which is located at one end in one direction (the right side in FIG. 2). The location of the housing 30 at one end in the one direction and on one side in the intersecting direction forms a first fuse circuit accommodating section 32 in which the fuse circuit 42 is accommodated. In this embodiment, the first fuse circuit accommodating section 32 is formed by covering an accommodating space 321 in which the fuse circuit 42 is accommodated with a cover 322. The cover 322 is configured to be removable, and by removing this cover 322, the fuse circuit 42 can be visually confirmed.

[0024] In addition, the stud bolt 50 is arranged adjacent to the first fuse circuit accommodating portion 32 on the other side of the intersecting direction (upper side in Figure 2), and the portion of the housing 30 where the stud bolt 50 is arranged is the battery post connection portion 31.

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a fuse circuit 42 is also arranged at a position adjacent to the stud bolt 60 located at the other end in one direction (left side in FIG. 2) on the other side in the intersecting direction (upper side in FIG. 2). The area of ​​the housing 30 at the other end in one direction and on the other side in the intersecting direction forms a second fuse circuit accommodating portion 34 in which the fuse circuit 42 is accommodated. This second fuse circuit accommodating portion 34 is also configured so that the fuse circuit 42 can be visually confirmed.

[0026] In addition, a notch 35 is formed in the housing 30 between the battery post connection portion 31 and the second fuse circuit accommodating portion 34. When the fusible link unit 20 is placed on the battery 100, the battery post 103 is accommodated in this notch 35 (see FIG. 2).

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the battery post connection portion 31 and the terminal connection portion 33 are formed to protrude downward more than other portions (see FIG. 7). When the fusible link unit 20 is placed on the battery 100, a surface 311 of the downwardly protruding portion of the battery post connection portion 31 faces a first side surface 101 of the battery 100 (see FIG. 3). When the fusible link unit 20 is placed on the battery 100, a surface 331 of the downwardly protruding portion of the terminal connection portion 33 faces a second side surface 102 of the battery 100 (see FIG. 2). This allows the fusible link unit 20 to be placed more stably on a corner of the battery 100.

[0028] In this embodiment, a rib 3311 is formed on the surface 331 of the portion of the terminal connection portion 33 that protrudes downward, so that when the fusible link unit 20 is placed on the battery 100, this rib 3311 can be abutted against the second side surface 102.

[0029] In this embodiment, the terminal connection portion 33 is formed with partition walls 332 that separate the four stud bolts 60 and surround part of the periphery of each stud bolt 60. The output-side connection plate portion 43 is exposed upward in the area surrounded by the partition walls 332. This ensures that when the terminals 72 are attached to the stud bolts 60, the terminals 72 are electrically connected to the output-side connection plate portion 43 (busbar 40).

[0030] In this embodiment, the input-side connecting plate portion 41 is also exposed upward at the battery post connecting portion 31. This allows the battery terminal and the output terminal to be fastened together to the stud bolt 50.

[0031] In this embodiment, as described above, the terminal 72 of the terminal-attached electric wire 70 is attached to the stud bolt 60 .

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, this electric wire with terminal 70 includes an electric wire 71 and a terminal 72 to which the electric wire 71 is crimped.

[0033] The terminal 72 includes a connection terminal portion 721 that is attached to the stud bolt 60, a conductor crimping portion 723 to which the conductor of the electric wire 71 is crimped, and a connecting portion 722 that connects the connection terminal portion 721 and the conductor crimping portion 723.

[0034] In this embodiment, the upper portion of the connecting portion 722 is bent at a substantially right angle. The plate-shaped connecting terminal portion 721 is connected to the tip of the upper portion bent at a substantially right angle of the connecting portion 722 with the plate thickness being substantially the same as the direction in which the lower portion of the connecting portion 722 extends (the extension direction of the electric wire 71: the up-down direction) (see FIG. 4).

[0035] The plate-like connection terminal portion 721 has a substantially circular outline, and an insertion hole 7211, into which the stud bolt 60 is inserted, is formed so as to penetrate through the center of the substantially circular connection terminal portion 721 in the plate thickness direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the terminal-fitted electric wire 70 is positioned with the connection terminal portion 721 on the upper side, and the stud bolt 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 7211 from above, so that the terminal 72 (connection terminal portion 721) is attached to the stud bolt 60.

[0036] In this embodiment, the partition wall 332 is formed to extend in the circumferential direction of the stud bolt 60. Therefore, simply providing an insertion hole 7211 in the disc-shaped connection terminal portion 721 causes the connection terminal portion 721 attached to the stud bolt 60 to rotate relative to the stud bolt 60. If the connection terminal portion 721 attached to the stud bolt 60 rotates relative to the stud bolt 60 in this way, the corner edges of the terminals 72 may come into contact with the housing 30, which may damage the housing 30.

[0037] Therefore, in this embodiment, by forming an engaging portion that engages with the connection terminal portion 721 and the housing 30, it is possible to suppress rotation of the connection terminal portion 721 and to suppress damage to the housing 30 due to contact with the terminal 72. Furthermore, while being able to suppress rotation of the connection terminal portion 721, it is also possible to reduce the overall weight of the connection structure 10.

[0038] 8, a through-hole (engagement recess) 7212 is formed in the connection terminal portion 721. This through-hole (engagement recess) 7212 is formed inside a circle that approximates the outline of the connection terminal portion 721. This allows the weight of the connection terminal portion 721 to be smaller than when no anti-rotation mechanism is provided.

[0039] 9, a protrusion (engagement protrusion) 333 is formed on the terminal connection portion 33 of the housing 30. When the terminal 72 (connection terminal portion 721) is attached to the stud bolt 60, the through hole (engagement recess) 7212 is inserted into and engaged with the protrusion (engagement protrusion) 333.

[0040] In this embodiment, the through-hole (engagement recess) 7212 is formed at a position that does not overlap the head of the stud bolt 60 in a plan view when the connection terminal portion 721 is attached to the stud bolt 60. This minimizes the amount of protrusion of the protrusion (engagement protrusion) 333 formed on the terminal connection portion 33.

[0041] In this embodiment, the protrusion (engagement protrusion) 333 is formed to penetrate the output-side connection plate 43 of the bus bar 40. This ensures a contact area between the connection terminal 721 and the output-side connection plate 43, while preventing the connection terminal 721 from rotating.

[0042] In addition, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned anti-rotation mechanism is provided on the connection terminal portion 721 attached to three of the four stud bolts 60, excluding the stud bolt 60 located on the other end side in one direction (the left side in Figure 2).

[0043] The position at which the anti-rotation mechanism (the protrusion 333 and the through-hole 7212) is formed is different for each stud bolt 60. This prevents the connection terminal portion 721 from being mistakenly attached to a stud bolt 60 other than the stud bolt 60 to which it should be attached.

[0044] Such a configuration can also be obtained by varying at least one of the shape of the engaging recesses 7212, the number of the engaging recesses 7212, and the positions at which the engaging recesses 7212 are formed.

[0045] 11 to 13. In the connection structure 10 shown in Fig. 11 to 13, by forming an engaging portion that engages with the connection terminal portion 721 and the housing 30, rotation of the connection terminal portion 721 can be suppressed and damage to the housing 30 due to contact with the terminal 72 can be suppressed. Furthermore, while being able to suppress rotation of the connection terminal portion 721, it is also possible to reduce the overall weight of the connection structure 10.

[0046] 11 to 13, a notch (engagement recess) 7213 is formed in the connection terminal portion 721. This notch (engagement recess) 7213 is formed inside a circle that approximates the outline of the connection terminal portion 721. This allows the weight of the connection terminal portion 721 to be smaller than when no anti-rotation mechanism is provided.

[0047] 11 to 13, a protrusion (engagement protrusion) 3321 is formed on the terminal connection portion 33 of the housing 30. When the terminal 72 (connection terminal portion 721) is attached to the stud bolt 60, the notch (engagement recess) 7213 is adapted to engage with the protrusion (engagement protrusion) 3321. In the connection structure 10 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the protrusion (engagement protrusion) 3321 is formed on the partition wall 332. In this case, it is preferable to form the protrusion (engagement protrusion) 3321 so as to minimize an increase in the volume of the partition wall 332. This makes it possible to more reliably reduce the overall weight of the connection structure 10.

[0048] Also in the connection structure 10 shown in Figures 11 to 13, the above-mentioned anti-rotation mechanism is provided on the connection terminal portion 721 that is attached to three of the four stud bolts 60, excluding the stud bolt 60 located on the other end side in one direction (the left side in Figure 12).

[0049] The anti-rotation mechanism (projection 3321 and notch 7213) is formed in a different position for each stud bolt 60. This prevents the connection terminal portion 721 from being mistakenly attached to a stud bolt 60 other than the stud bolt 60 to which it should be attached.

[0050] Such a configuration can also be obtained by varying at least one of the shape of the engaging recesses 7213, the number of engaging recesses 7213, and the positions at which the engaging recesses 7213 are formed.

[0051] [Actions and Effects] The following describes the characteristic configurations of the connection structures of the terminals to the fusible link unit shown in the above embodiment and its modified examples, and the effects obtained thereby.

[0052] The terminal-to-fusible link unit connection structure 10 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example includes a fusible link unit 20. This fusible link unit 20 includes a bus bar 40 on which a fuse circuit 42 is formed, a stud bolt 60 electrically connected to the bus bar 40, and a housing 30 in which the bus bar 40 and the stud bolt 60 are held.

[0053] The structure 10 for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit also includes a terminal 72, which has a connection terminal portion 721 formed with an insertion hole 7211 into which the stud bolt 60 is inserted.

[0054] Furthermore, the connection structure 10 of the terminal to the fusible link unit is provided with a nut 80, which is screwed onto the stud bolt 60 inserted into the insertion hole 7211, so that the terminal 72 is fastened in a state in which it is electrically connected to the bus bar 40.

[0055] Here, the connection terminal portion 721 is formed with engaging recesses 7212 and 7213, and the housing 30 is formed with engaging protrusions 333 and 3321 that engage with the engaging recesses 7212 and 7213.

[0056] The connecting structure 10 for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit is configured so that the engaging projections 333 and 3321 engage with the engaging recesses 7212 and 7213 when the stud bolt 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 7211 .

[0057] As described above, in the connection structure 10 for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit shown in the above embodiment and its modified examples, the terminal 72 is attached to the stud bolt 60 by inserting the stud bolt 60 into the insertion hole 7211 of the connection terminal portion 721. When the terminal 72 is attached to the stud bolt 60, the engaging protrusions 333, 3321 formed on the housing 30 engage with the engaging recesses 7212, 7213 formed on the connection terminal portion 721.

[0058] In this way, rotation of the terminal 72 attached to the stud bolt 60 around the axis of the stud bolt 60 can be restricted by the engagement of the engagement protrusions 333, 3321 with the engagement recesses 7212, 7213. By restricting the rotation of the terminal 72 attached to the stud bolt 60, damage to the housing 30 due to contact with the rotated terminal 72 can be suppressed.

[0059] In this way, the terminal connection structure 10 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example is a terminal connection structure to a fusible link unit of the type in which the terminal 72 is attached to the stud bolt 60 in a rotation-preventing state.

[0060] In the connection structure 10 for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit shown in the above embodiment and its modified examples, the engagement recesses 7212, 7213 are formed in the connection terminal portion 721 of the terminal 72, and the engagement protrusions 333, 3321 are formed in the housing 30. That is, the engagement recesses 7212, 7213 for preventing rotation are generally formed in the terminal 72, which is formed from a material (conductive material such as metal) having a higher specific gravity than the resin that forms the housing 30. Then, the engagement protrusions 333, 3321 are formed in the housing 30, which is formed from a material having a relatively low specific gravity.

[0061] In this way, when forming projections and recesses of the same size, the overall weight is smaller than in a structure in which projections are provided on the terminal 72 side and recesses are provided on the housing 30 side.

[0062] Therefore, by adopting the configurations shown in the above embodiment and its modified examples, it is possible to obtain a terminal-to-fusible link unit connection structure 10 that is lightweight and in which the terminal 72 is attached to the stud bolt 60 in a rotation-preventing state.

[0063] Furthermore, if the terminal 72 is formed with the engagement recesses 7212, 7213 for preventing rotation, the volume of the terminal 72 is reduced, and therefore the amount of material required to manufacture the terminal 72 is reduced, leading to cost reductions.

[0064] Furthermore, there may be provided a plurality of terminals 72 each having the engaging recesses 7212, 7213. The plurality of terminals 72 each having the engaging recesses 7212, 7213 may differ in at least one of the shape of the engaging recesses 7212, 7213, the number of the engaging recesses 7212, 7213, and the position at which the engaging recesses 7212, 7213 are formed.

[0065] In this way, it is possible to make at least one terminal 72 a terminal 72 that can be prevented from being mistakenly inserted into a stud bolt 60 other than the stud bolt 60 into which it should be inserted.

[0066] Therefore, by varying the shape, number, and position of the engaging recesses 7212, 7213 for each type of electric wire 71, it becomes possible to more easily and reliably connect various types of electric wires 71 to the specified positions of the fusible link unit 20.

[0067] [others] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0068] For example, while the above embodiment and its modified examples illustrate the connection terminal portion 721 having a substantially circular outline, the shape of the connection terminal portion 721 can be various shapes as long as it is a terminal that can be rotatably attached to the stud bolt 60. For example, even if the connection terminal portion has a substantially rectangular outline, the present invention can be applied as long as this connection terminal portion can be rotatably attached to the stud bolt 60.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified examples, an example was given in which an electric wire 71 was connected to the terminal 72, but the member connected to the terminal 72 is not limited to the electric wire 71, and various conductive members such as a bus bar can be connected.

[0070] In addition, the housing, bus bars, and other detailed specifications (shape, size, layout, etc.) can be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10. Terminal connection structure for fusible link unit 20 Fusible link unit 30 Housing 3321 Projection (engaging projection) 333 Projection (engaging projection) 40 Busbar 42 Fuse Circuit 60 stud bolt 72 terminals 721 Connection terminal 7211 Insertion hole 7212 Through hole (engagement recess) 7213 Notch (engagement recess) 80 Nut

Claims

1. a fusible link unit including a bus bar on which a fuse circuit is formed, a stud bolt electrically connected to the bus bar, and a housing in which the bus bar and the stud bolt are held; a terminal having a connection terminal portion formed with an insertion hole into which the stud bolt is inserted; a nut that is screwed onto the stud bolt inserted into the insertion hole to fasten the terminal in a state in which the terminal is electrically connected to the bus bar; Equipped with The connection terminal portion has an engagement recess formed therein, The housing is formed with an engagement protrusion that engages with the engagement recess, The engaging projection is configured to engage with the engaging recess in a state where the stud bolt is inserted into the insertion hole. Connection structure of terminal to fusible link unit.

2. a plurality of terminals each having the engagement recess formed therein; The plurality of terminals on which the engagement recesses are formed include terminals that differ in at least one of the shape of the engagement recesses, the number of the engagement recesses, and the positions at which the engagement recesses are formed. A structure for connecting a terminal to a fusible link unit according to claim 1.

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