Busbar protection structure

Abstract

To provide a busbar protection structure that can improve assembly ease. [Solution] A busbar protection structure 1 comprises a busbar 3, a first protective member 5 having a housing portion 9 into which the busbar 3 is housed from an opening, and a second protective member 7 assembled to the first protective member 5 via an engaging portion 15 to close the opening of the housing portion 9. The housing portion 9 has a first housing portion 11 and a second housing portion 13 that opens toward the opposite side of the opening of the first housing portion 11. The engaging portion 15 has a locking projection 17 provided on the first protective member 5 and a locking piece 33 provided on the second protective member 7 so as to be elastically deformable and capable of engaging with the locking projection 17. The locking projection 17 has a first locking surface 23 into which the locking piece 33 engages when the second protective member 7 closes the opening of the first housing portion 11, and a second locking surface 27 into which the locking piece 33 engages when the second protective member 7 closes the opening of the second housing portion 13.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bus bar protection structure.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a bus bar protection structure, it includes a bus bar and a lower cover as a first protection member having a housing portion for housing the bus bar from an opening. Further, there is known one provided with an upper cover as a second protection member that is assembled to the lower cover via an engaging portion and closes the opening of the housing portion (see Patent Document 1). In this bus bar protection structure, the engaging portion has a locking piece as a locking projection provided on the lower cover and a lock arm as a locking piece that is elastically deformably provided on the upper cover and can engage with the locking piece. The locking piece is provided with a locking surface with which the lock arm is engaged when the upper cover closes the opening of the housing portion. By engaging the lock arm with the locking surface of the locking piece, the assembled state of the upper cover with respect to the lower cover is maintained.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, in a busbar protection structure, the first protective member may have a housing portion that includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion that opens toward the opposite side of the opening of the first housing portion. The opening between the first housing portion and the second housing portion is closed by the second protective member. In such a first protective member, if an engagement portion like that described in Patent Document 1 is applied, for example, when the second protective member closes the opening of the first housing portion, the locking piece can engage with the locking surface of the locking projection. However, when the second protective member closes the opening of the second housing portion, there is no locking surface on the locking projection for the locking piece to engage with, and the assembled state of the second protective member with respect to the first protective member cannot be maintained. As a result, the assembly direction of the second protective member with respect to the first protective member is limited to one direction, making it necessary to confirm the assembly direction of the second protective member, which reduces ease of assembly.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art. The object of this invention is to provide a busbar protection structure that can improve assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The busbar protection structure according to this embodiment comprises a busbar, a first protective member having a housing portion into which the busbar is housed from an opening, and a second protective member assembled to the first protective member via an engaging portion to close the opening of the housing portion, wherein the housing portion has a first housing portion and a second housing portion opening toward the opposite side of the opening of the first housing portion, the engaging portion has a locking projection provided on the first protective member and a locking piece provided on the second protective member so as to be elastically deformable and capable of engaging with the locking projection, the locking projection has a first locking surface into which the locking piece engages when the second protective member closes the opening of the first housing portion, and a second locking surface into which the locking piece engages when the second protective member closes the opening of the second housing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a busbar protection structure that can improve assembly ease can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the busbar protection structure according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part when the second protective member of the busbar protection structure according to this embodiment closes the opening of the first housing. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged top view of the main part when the second protective member of the busbar protection structure according to this embodiment closes the opening of the first housing. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part when the second protective member of the busbar protection structure according to this embodiment closes the opening of the second housing. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged top view of the main part when the second protective member of the busbar protection structure according to this embodiment closes the opening of the second housing. [Figure 6] This is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the first protective member of the busbar protection structure according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The busbar protection structure according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the busbar protection structure 1 according to this embodiment is applied between a vehicle-side charging unit to which a charging connector of charging equipment for electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles is fitted, and a power source such as a rechargeable battery. In recent years, power sources mounted on vehicles have increasingly been of high capacity in order to improve driving range. High-capacity power sources have long charging times, and in order to shorten the charging time, it is being considered to use a busbar 3 to supply a large current. The busbar 3 is arranged in a predetermined shape between the vehicle-side charging unit and the power source on a mounting member (not shown), such as the vehicle body. Since both ends of the busbar 3 are electrically connected and fixed to the vehicle-side charging unit and the power source, the part of the busbar 3 that is placed on the mounting member is prone to vibration due to vehicle vibrations, and the busbar 3 may interfere with the mounting member. Therefore, the outer surface of the busbar 3 is protected by a first protective member 5 and a second protective member 7.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the busbar protection structure 1 comprises a busbar 3, a first protective member 5, and a second protective member 7.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the bus bar 3 is made of a conductive material such as copper or aluminum, and is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate with a rectangular cross-section. One end of the bus bar 3 in the longitudinal direction is electrically connected to a power supply mounted on the vehicle, for example. The other end of the bus bar 3 in the longitudinal direction is electrically connected to a vehicle-side charging unit provided on the vehicle, for example. The bus bar 3 is positioned between the power supply and the vehicle-side charging unit on a mounting member such as the vehicle body. The outer surface of the bus bar 3 positioned on the mounting member is protected by a first protective member 5 and a second protective member 7.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the first protective member 5 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and is formed in an H shape when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the busbar 3. The first protective member 5 is provided with a housing section 9 capable of housing the busbar 3. The housing section 9 has a first housing section 11 and a second housing section 13.

[0014] The first housing section 11 is positioned above the first protective member 5 and is formed in a groove shape with openings at the top and on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the busbar 3. The depth of the first housing section 11 is set to be equal to or slightly deeper than the thickness of the busbar 3. The width of the first housing section 11 is set to be equal to or slightly wider than the width of the busbar 3. The busbar 3 is housed in the first housing section 11 from the top opening, in relation to the middle portion of the busbar 3 that is placed on the placement member. When the busbar 3 is housed in the first housing section 11, the busbar 3 is exposed from the openings on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the first housing section 11. By forming the first housing section 11 in a groove shape, the first protective member 5 can be assembled at any position in the middle portion of the busbar 3 that is placed on the placement member.

[0015] The second housing section 13 is positioned below the first protective member 5 and is formed in a groove shape with openings on the lower side opposite to the first housing section 11 and on both sides along the length of the busbar 3. The depth of the second housing section 13 is set to be equal to or slightly deeper than the thickness of the busbar 3. The width of the second housing section 13 is set to be wider than the width of the busbar 3 and the first housing section 11. By setting the width of the second housing section 13 to be wider than the width of the first housing section 11, a busbar 3 having a width that cannot be accommodated in the first housing section 11 can be accommodated. Alternatively, the depth of the second housing section 13 may be set to be deeper than the depth of the first housing section 11 so that a busbar 3 having a thickness that cannot be accommodated in the first housing section 11 can be accommodated in the second housing section 13. The busbar 3 is accommodated in the second housing section 13 from the lower opening in relation to the middle portion of the busbar 3 that is positioned on the placement member. When the busbar 3 is housed in the second housing section 13, the busbar 3 is exposed from the openings on both sides of the second housing section 13 in the longitudinal direction. By forming the second housing section 13 in a groove shape, the first protective member 5 can be assembled to any position in the middle of the busbar 3 that is placed on the placement member.

[0016] On the outer surfaces of both side walls of the first protective member 5, locking projections 17, which constitute the engaging portion 15, protrude outward from the outer surface. The locking projection 17 has a first locking projection 19 and a second locking projection 21.

[0017] The first locking projection 19 has a first locking surface 23 and a first inclined surface 25. The first locking surface 23 is disposed on the opening side of the second accommodating portion 13 in the first locking projection 19. The first locking surface 23 is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the side wall of the first protection member 5 and is a plane substantially parallel to the plane direction of the opening of the second accommodating portion 13. The first inclined surface 25 extends from the first locking surface 23 toward the first accommodating portion 11 side. The first inclined surface 25 is inclined such that the side of the first locking surface 23 is the highest and the side of the first accommodating portion 11 is the lowest.

[0018] The second locking projection 21 is disposed adjacent to the first locking projection 19 in a direction (here, perpendicular) intersecting the assembling direction of the second protection member 7 with respect to the first protection member 5. The second locking projection 21 has a second locking surface 27 and a second inclined surface 29. The second locking surface 27 is disposed on the opening side of the first accommodating portion 11 in the second locking projection 21. The second locking surface 27 is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the side wall of the first protection member 5 and is a plane substantially parallel to the plane direction of the opening of the first accommodating portion 11. The second inclined surface 29 extends from the second locking surface 27 toward the second accommodating portion 13 side. The second inclined surface 29 is inclined such that the side of the second locking surface 27 is the highest and the side of the second accommodating portion 13 is the lowest so as to have a symmetrical shape with the first inclined surface 25.

[0019] Since the locking projection 17 has the first locking projection 19 and the second locking projection 21, the first locking surface 23 and the first inclined surface 25, and the second locking surface 27 and the second inclined surface 29 can be designed independently, respectively, and the degree of freedom in design can be improved. For example, the areas of the first locking surface 23 and the second locking surface 27 can be designed independently, respectively, and the degree of freedom in design of the locking force at the engaging portion 15 can be improved.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the second protection member 7 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and is formed in a U shape when viewed from the length direction of the bus bar 3. The second protection member 7 has a closing portion 31 and a locking piece 33.

[0021] The blocking portion 31 is formed in a flat plate shape extending in a plane direction parallel to the plane direction of the openings of the first accommodating portion 11 and the second accommodating portion 13. The blocking portion 31 closes the openings of the first accommodating portion 11 and the second accommodating portion 13 when the second protective member 7 is assembled to the first protective member 5. By the blocking portion 31 closing the openings of the first accommodating portion 11 and the second accommodating portion 13, the outer surfaces of the bus bars 3 accommodated in the first accommodating portion 11 and the second accommodating portion 13 are not exposed, and the bus bars 3 can be protected. At the four corner portions of the blocking portion 31, restricting portions 35 extending toward the first protective member 5 are provided respectively. The restricting portions 35 abut against the outer surface of the side wall of the first protective member 5 when the second protective member 7 is assembled to the first protective member 5. By the abutment of the restricting portions 35 and the outer surface of the first protective member 5, the movement of the blocking portion 31 is restricted, and the positional deviation of the blocking portion 31 with respect to the openings of the first accommodating portion 11 and the second accommodating portion 13 can be restricted. For this reason, the blocking portion 31 can stably close the openings of the first accommodating portion 11 and the second accommodating portion 13, and the bus bars 3 can be stably protected.

[0022] The locking piece 33 constitutes a locking protrusion 17 and an engaging portion 15. The locking piece 33 extends from the blocking portion 31 toward the first protective member 5 and is formed in a U shape when the second protective member 7 is viewed from the side. The locking piece 33 has a pair of elastic portions 37, 37, a locking portion 39, and an inclined surface 41.

[0023] The pair of elastic portions 37, 37 are portions of the locking piece 33 that are connected to the blocking portion 31 and extend toward the first protective member 5. The pair of elastic portions 37, 37 are elastically deformable and elastically deform the locking piece 33 when the second protective member 7 is assembled to the first protective member 5. The elastically deformed locking piece 33 is restored when the second protective member 7 is assembled to the first protective member 5.

[0024] The locking portion 39 is the part of the locking piece 33 that connects the ends of a pair of elastic portions 37, 37. The locking portion 39 extends axially between the pair of elastic portions 37, 37 in a direction perpendicular to the assembly direction of the second protective member 7 to the first protective member 5. The length of the locking portion 39 is set to be longer than the sum of the widths of the first locking projection 19 and the second locking projection 21, so as to be able to be positioned over at least the first locking projection 19 and the second locking projection 21. The rear side (closed portion 31 side) of the locking portion 39 in the assembly direction of the second protective member 7 to the first protective member 5 is a locking surface formed by a plane parallel to the first locking surface 23 and the second locking surface 27. The locking surface of the locking portion 39 engages with the first locking surface 23 or the second locking surface 27 when the locking piece 33 recovers from elastic deformation. The locking surface of the locking portion 39 engages with the first locking surface 23 or the second locking surface 27, thereby maintaining the assembled state of the second protective member 7 with respect to the first protective member 5. By positioning the locking portion 39 across the first locking projection 19 and the second locking projection 21, the same locking piece 33 can be engaged with the first locking surface 23 and the second locking surface 27 provided on different first locking projections 19 and 21.

[0025] The inclined surface 41 is positioned on the locking portion 39 of the locking piece 33, on the front side in the assembly direction of the second protective member 7 to the first protective member 5, relative to the locking surface of the locking portion 39. The inclined surface 41 is positioned on the locking portion 39 in a location corresponding to the first locking projection 19 and the second locking projection 21. The inclined surface 41 is inclined from the outer surface to the inner surface of the locking portion 39 along the assembly direction of the second protective member 7 to the first protective member 5. The width of the inclined surface 41 is set to be equal to or slightly longer than the sum of the widths of the first locking projection 19 and the second locking projection 21, so as to have a length that can be positioned over at least the first locking projection 19 and the second locking projection 21. When the second protective member 7 is assembled to the first protective member 5, the inclined surface 41 slides against the first locking surface 23 or the second locking surface 27, causing the locking piece 33 to elastically deform.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the second protective member 7 closes the opening of the first housing 11, the inclined surface 41 slides against the second locking surface 27, causing the locking piece 33 to elastically deform. When the inclined surface 41 finishes sliding against the second locking surface 27, it restores the locking piece 33 from its elastic deformation and slides against the first inclined surface 25, causing the locking piece 33 to elastically deform. When the second protective member 7 closes the opening of the first housing 11, the inclined surface 41 finishes sliding against the first inclined surface 25, restores the locking piece 33 from its elastic deformation, and engages the locking surface of the locking part 39 with the first locking surface 23.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when the second protective member 7 closes the opening of the second housing 13, the inclined surface 41 slides against the first locking surface 23, causing the locking piece 33 to elastically deform. When the inclined surface 41 finishes sliding against the first locking surface 23, it restores the locking piece 33 from its elastic deformation, slides against the second inclined surface 29, and causes the locking piece 33 to elastically deform. When the second protective member 7 closes the opening of the second housing 13, the inclined surface 41 finishes sliding against the second inclined surface 29, restores the locking piece 33 from its elastic deformation, and engages the locking surface of the locking part 39 with the second locking surface 27.

[0028] By providing an inclined surface 41 on the locking piece 33, the locking piece 33 can be automatically elastically deformed when the second protective member 7 is assembled to the first protective member 5, thereby improving ease of assembly.

[0029] By providing the locking projection 17 with a first locking surface 23 and a second locking surface 27, with which the locking piece 33 engages, the second protective member 7 can be assembled to the first protective member 5 regardless of whether the second protective member 7 closes the opening of the first housing portion 11 or the second housing portion 13. Therefore, when assembling the second protective member 7 to the first protective member 5, there is no need to worry about the housing position of the busbar 3 in the first protective member 5 or the assembly direction of the second protective member 7, thus improving ease of assembly. In addition, there is no need to provide two second protective members 7, each having a locking piece that engages with a single locking surface, thus preventing an increase in the number of parts.

[0030] In this busbar protection structure 1, a busbar 3 is provided, a first protective member 5 having a housing portion 9 into which the busbar 3 is housed from an opening, and a second protective member 7 assembled to the first protective member 5 via an engaging portion 15 to close the opening of the housing portion 9. The housing portion 9 has a first housing portion 11 and a second housing portion 13 that opens toward the opposite side of the opening of the first housing portion 11. The engaging portion 15 has a locking projection 17 provided on the first protective member 5 and a locking piece 33 provided on the second protective member 7 so as to be elastically deformable and capable of engaging with the locking projection 17. The locking projection 17 has a first locking surface 23 into which the locking piece 33 engages when the second protective member 7 closes the opening of the first housing portion 11, and a second locking surface 27 into which the locking piece 33 engages when the second protective member 7 closes the opening of the second housing portion 13.

[0031] Since the locking projection 17 has a first locking surface 23 and a second locking surface 27 into which the locking piece 33 engages, the second protective member 7 can be assembled to the first protective member 5 regardless of whether the second protective member 7 closes the opening of the first housing portion 11 or the second housing portion 13. Therefore, when assembling the second protective member 7 to the first protective member 5, there is no need to worry about the housing position of the busbar 3 in the first protective member 5 or the assembly direction of the second protective member 7, thus improving ease of assembly.

[0032] Therefore, such a busbar protection structure 1 can improve ease of assembly.

[0033] Furthermore, on the front side of the second protective member 7 in the assembly direction of the locking piece 33, there is an inclined surface 41 that slides with the first locking surface 23 and the second locking surface 27 to elastically deform the locking piece 33.

[0034] Therefore, by assembling the second protective member 7 to the first protective member 5, the locking piece 33 can be automatically elastically deformed, thereby improving ease of assembly.

[0035] Furthermore, the locking projection 17 has a first locking projection 19 on which a first locking surface 23 is provided, and a second locking projection 21 which is provided with a second locking surface 27 and is arranged adjacent to the first locking projection 19 in a direction intersecting the assembly direction of the second protective member 7. The locking piece 33 is arranged across the first locking projection 19 and the second locking projection 21.

[0036] Since the locking projection 17 has a first locking projection 19 and a second locking projection 21, the first locking surface 23 and the second locking surface 27 can be designed independently, thereby improving the degree of design freedom. Furthermore, since the locking piece 33 is positioned across the first locking projection 19 and the second locking projection 21, the same locking piece 33 can be engaged with the first locking surface 23 and the second locking surface 27 provided on different first locking projections 19 and 21.

[0037] Although this embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment.

[0038] For example, the first locking surface and the second locking surface are provided on different first and second locking protrusions, but this is not limited to this. For example, the locking protrusion may be formed in the shape of a rectangular prism, and the first and second locking surfaces may be provided on opposite sides, or the first and second locking surfaces may be provided on the same locking protrusion.

[0039] Furthermore, although the first locking projection and the second locking projection are provided with a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface, it is not necessary to provide the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface on the first locking projection and the second locking projection.

[0040] Furthermore, although the locking projection is provided at one location on the outer surface of the side wall of the first protective member, it is not limited to this, and multiple locking projections may be provided on the outer surface of the side wall of the first protective member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. Busbar protection structure 3 Busba 5. First protective member 7. Second protective member 9. Storage area 11. First Detention Unit 13. Second Detention Unit 15 Engaging part 17 Locking protrusion 19 1st locking protrusion 21 Second locking protrusion 23 First locking surface 27 Second locking surface 33 Locking piece 41 Slope

Claims

1. Bassba and, A first protective member having a housing portion into which the busbar is housed through an opening, A second protective member is assembled to the first protective member via an engaging portion and closes the opening of the housing portion, Equipped with, The housing section comprises a first housing section and a second housing section that opens toward the opposite side of the opening of the first housing section. The engaging portion has a locking projection provided on the first protective member and a locking piece provided on the second protective member in an elastically deformable manner and capable of engaging with the locking projection. The locking projection is a busbar protection structure having a first locking surface to which the locking piece engages when the second protective member closes the opening of the first housing, and a second locking surface to which the locking piece engages when the second protective member closes the opening of the second housing.

2. The busbar protection structure according to claim 1, wherein the front side of the locking piece in the assembly direction of the second protective member is provided with an inclined surface that slides with the first locking surface and the second locking surface to elastically deform the locking piece.

3. The locking projection comprises a first locking projection provided with the first locking surface, and a second locking projection provided with the second locking surface, which is arranged adjacent to the first locking projection in a direction intersecting the assembly direction of the second protective member. The busbar protection structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking piece is arranged across the first locking projection and the second locking projection.

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