Busbar protection structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a busbar protection structure that allows for stable engagement of the engaging portion and improves ease of assembly. [Solution] A busbar protection structure 1 comprises a busbar 3, a first protective member 5 having a housing portion 11 into which the busbar 3 is housed from an opening, a second protective member 7 assembled to the first protective member 5 via an engaging portion 15 and closing the opening of the housing portion 11, and an engaging jig 9 that presses the second protective member 7 toward the first protective member 5 and engages the engaging portion 15. The engaging jig 9 has a pressing portion 25 formed on a plane that presses the second protective member 7, and the second protective member 7 is provided with a protruding portion 21 that protrudes toward the pressing portion 25 at the position where the engaging portion 15 is provided.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a bus bar protection structure, there is provided 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 a structure provided with an upper cover as a second protection member which 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, with the upper cover disposed on the lower cover, the engaging portion is engaged by pressing the upper cover toward the lower cover with an engaging jig. When the engaging portion is engaged, the assembled state of the lower cover and the upper cover is maintained.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the bus bar protection structure as in Patent Document 1 above, the engaging jig is provided with a pressing portion for pressing the second protection member. The pressing portion has a shape protruding toward the second protection member at a position where the engaging portion of the second protection member is provided. However, in such a pressing portion, when a positional deviation occurs in the engaging jig with respect to the second protection member, the pressing force by the engaging jig may not be normally transmitted to the engaging portion, and there is a possibility that the engaging portion may not engage. In addition, in order to prevent the positional deviation of the engaging jig, care must be taken in the accurate arrangement of the engaging jig, and the assembling property has been deteriorated.

[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 stably engage the engaging portion and improve assembly ease. [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, a second protective member assembled to the first protective member via an engaging portion and closing the opening of the housing portion, and an engaging jig that presses the second protective member toward the first protective member and engages the engaging portion, wherein the engaging jig has a pressing portion formed on a plane that presses the second protective member, and the second protective member is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes toward the pressing portion at the position where the engaging portion is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a busbar protection structure that can stably engage the engaging portion and improve assembly ease. [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 a cross-sectional view of the busbar protection structure according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the busbar protection structure according to this embodiment, with the engaging portion engaged using the engaging jig. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the second 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 3, 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 4, the busbar protection structure 1 comprises a busbar 3, a first protective member 5, a second protective member 7, and an engagement jig 9.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, 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 3, the first protective member 5 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and is formed in a U-shape when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the busbar 3. The first protective member 5 has a housing portion 11 and a locking projection 13.

[0014] The housing section 11 is provided to accommodate the busbar 3. The housing section 11 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 housing section 11 is set to be equal to or slightly deeper than the thickness of the busbar 3. The width of the 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 housing section 11 from the top opening, relative to the middle portion of the busbar 3 that is placed on the placement member. When the busbar 3 is housed in the housing section 11, the busbar 3 is exposed from the openings on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the housing section 11. By forming the 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 locking projection 13 constitutes the engaging portion 15. The locking projection 13 protrudes outward from the outer surface of both side walls of the first protective member 5. The locking projection 13 has an inclined surface and a locking surface. The inclined surface extends along the height direction of the side wall of the first protective member 5. The inclined surface is inclined such that the opening side above the housing portion 11 is the lowest and the bottom wall side of the housing portion 11 is the highest. The locking surface is located on the bottom wall side of the housing portion 11. The locking surface is a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the side wall of the first protective member 5 and substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the housing portion 11.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the second protective member 7 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and is formed in a U-shape opposite to that of the first protective member 5 when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the busbar 3. The second protective member 7 has a closing portion 17, a locking piece 19, and a protruding portion 21.

[0017] The closing portion 17 is formed in a flat plate shape extending in a plane parallel to the plane direction of the upper opening of the housing portion 11. The closing portion 17 closes the upper opening of the housing portion 11 when the second protective member 7 is assembled to the first protective member 5. By closing the opening of the housing portion 11 with the closing portion 17, the outer surface of the busbar 3 housed in the housing portion 11 is not exposed, thus protecting the busbar 3. Each of the four corners of the closing portion 17 is provided with a restricting portion 23 extending toward the first protective member 5. The restricting portion 23 abuts 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. The abutment between the restricting portion 23 and the outer surface of the first protective member 5 restricts the movement of the closing portion 17, thereby restricting the positional displacement of the closing portion 17 relative to the opening of the housing portion 11. As a result, the opening of the housing portion 11 can be stably closed by the closing portion 17, and the busbar 3 can be stably protected.

[0018] The locking piece 19 constitutes an engagement portion 15 with the locking projection 13. The locking piece 19 extends from the closing portion 17 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 portion of the locking piece 19 connected to the closing portion 17 is elastically deformable. The portion of the locking piece 19 connecting the elastically deformable portion is a locking portion that can engage with the locking surface of the locking projection 13. When the second protective member 7 is assembled to the first protective member 5, the locking portion of the locking piece 19 slides against the inclined surface of the locking projection 13 and is elastically deformed. When the second protective member 7 is assembled to the first protective member 5, the elastically deformed locking piece 19 overcomes the inclined surface of the locking projection 13 and is restored to its original shape. The restored locking piece 19 is positioned so that the locking portion can engage with the locking surface of the locking projection 13. The engagement between the locking surface of the locking projection 13 and the locking portion of the locking piece 19 maintains the assembled state of the second protective member 7 to the first protective member 5. By configuring the engagement portion 15 with the locking projection 13 and the elastically deformable locking piece 19, the engagement portion 15 can be engaged with a weak operating force, thereby improving ease of assembly.

[0019] The protruding portion 21 is formed to protrude from the outer surface of the closing portion 17 toward the engaging jig 9 (here, upward) from the outer surface. The protruding portion 21 is disposed so as to correspond to the position where the locking piece 19 constituting the engaging portion 15 is provided in the closing portion 17. The protruding portion 21 is formed to be continuous with the proximal end of the elastically deformable portion of the locking piece 19 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the locking portion so as to be located over the entire longitudinal direction of the locking portion of the locking piece 19. The protruding end of the protruding portion 21 is formed in a plane parallel to the closing portion 17. The protruding end of the protruding portion 21 is pressed by the engaging jig 9.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the engaging jig 9 is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape having a width wider than the closing portion 17 and a length longer than the locking portion of the locking piece 19. The engaging jig 9 is disposed so as to be movable up and down with respect to the second protective member 7 so as to be able to press the second protective member 7. The portion of the engaging jig 9 facing the second protective member 7 is a pressing portion 25 formed in a plane parallel to the closing portion 17. The pressing portion 25 abuts against the protruding portion 21 of the second protective member 7 when the engaging jig 9 moves toward the second protective member 7. The pressing portion 25 abutting against the protruding portion 21 presses the second protective member 7 toward the first protective member 5 through the protruding portion 21 by continuing the movement of the engaging jig 9. By the pressing of the second protective member 7 by the pressing portion 25, the locking projection 13 and the locking piece 19 are engaged with each other in the engaging portion 15. Since the protruding portion 21 pressed by the pressing portion 25 is disposed at the position where the engaging portion 15 is provided, the pressing force by the engaging jig 9 can be stably transmitted to the engaging portion 15. In addition, by providing the protruding portion 21 continuously with the proximal end of the locking piece 19, the pressing force of the engaging jig 9 can be stably transmitted to the locking piece 19, and the engaging portion 15 can be stably engaged.

[0021] By forming the pressing portion 25 in a plane and providing the protruding portion 21 on the second protective member 7, even if there is a misalignment in the engaging jig 9 with respect to the second protective member 7, there will be no misalignment between the engaging portion 15 and the protruding portion 21. For this reason, the pressing force by the engaging jig 9 can be normally transmitted to the engaging portion 15, and the engaging portion 15 can be stably engaged. In addition, since it is only necessary for the pressing portion 25 and the protruding portion 21 of the engaging jig 9 to overlap, there is no need to pay attention to the precise arrangement of the engaging jig 9, and the assembling property can be improved. Also, by forming the pressing portion 25 in a plane, the shape of the engaging jig 9 can be simplified, and the cost of the engaging jig 9 can be reduced. In addition, by providing the protruding portion 21 on the second protective member 7, there is no need to form a mark or the like on the second protective member 7 for arranging the engaging jig 9, and the cost of the second protective member can be reduced.

[0022] In such a bus bar protection structure 1, it includes a bus bar 3, a first protective member 5 having a housing portion 11 in which the bus bar 3 is housed from an opening, and a second protective member 7 that is assembled to the first protective member 5 via an engaging portion 15 and closes the opening of the housing portion 11. Also, it includes an engaging jig 9 that presses the second protective member 7 toward the first protective member 5 to engage the engaging portion 15. Further, the engaging jig 9 has a pressing portion 25 formed in a plane for pressing the second protective member 7. And on the second protective member 7, at the position where the engaging portion 15 is provided, a protruding portion 21 protruding toward the pressing portion 25 is provided.

[0023] By forming the pressing portion 25 in a plane and providing the protruding portion 21 on the second protective member 7, even if there is a misalignment in the engaging jig 9 with respect to the second protective member 7, there will be no misalignment between the engaging portion 15 and the protruding portion 21. For this reason, the pressing force by the engaging jig 9 can be normally transmitted to the engaging portion 15, and the engaging portion 15 can be stably engaged. In addition, since it is only necessary for the pressing portion 25 and the protruding portion 21 of the engaging jig 9 to overlap, there is no need to pay attention to the precise arrangement of the engaging jig 9, and the assembling property can be improved.

[0024] Therefore, in such a busbar protection structure 1, the engaging portion 15 can be stably engaged, improving ease of assembly.

[0025] Furthermore, the engaging portion 15 has a locking projection 13 provided on one of the first protective member 5 and the second protective member 7, and a locking piece 19 provided on the other so as to be elastically deformable and capable of engaging with the locking projection 13.

[0026] Therefore, the engaging portion 15 can be engaged with a weak operating force, improving ease of assembly.

[0027] Furthermore, the locking projection 13 is provided on the first protective member 5. The locking piece 19 is provided on the second protective member 7. The protruding portion 21 is provided in continuous with the base end of the locking piece 19.

[0028] Therefore, the pressing force of the engagement jig 9 can be stably transmitted to the locking piece 19, and the engagement portion 15 can be stably engaged.

[0029] 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.

[0030] For example, the locking projection is provided on the first protective member and the locking piece is provided on the second protective member, but the invention is not limited to this, and the locking projection may be provided on the second protective member and the locking piece on the first protective member.

[0031] Furthermore, the engaging portion is composed of a locking projection and an elastically deformable locking piece, but is not limited to this. For example, the engaging portion may be composed of a tapered columnar portion and a hole into which the columnar portion is press-fitted, or a spherical portion and a hole through which the spherical portion is inserted, or any other configuration in which the engaging portion engages by the pressure of the engaging jig. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0032] 1. Busbar protection structure 3 Busba 5. First protective member 7. Second protective member 9. Engagement jig 11. Storage Unit 13 Locking protrusion 15 Engaging part 19 Locking piece 21 Protrusion 25 Pressing part

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, An engagement jig for pressing the second protective member toward the first protective member and engaging the engagement portion, Equipped with, The engagement jig has a pressing portion formed on a plane that presses against the second protective member, The busbar protection structure is provided with a second protective member having a projection that protrudes toward the pressing portion at the position where the engaging portion is provided.

2. The busbar protection structure according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion comprises a locking projection provided on one of the first protective member and the second protective member, and a locking piece provided on the other so as to be elastically deformable and capable of engaging with the locking projection.

3. The locking projection is provided on the first protective member, The locking piece is provided on the second protective member, The busbar protection structure according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portion is provided in continuous with the base end of the locking piece.

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