Bath holder and method for manufacturing a bath holder

Abstract

The objective is to provide a busbar holder and a method for manufacturing a busbar holder that can improve the ease of assembly to the busbar. [Solution] The bus bar holder 1 comprises a base 10 provided with an insertion space 3 through which a bus bar 2 is inserted along the axial direction X, and a cover 20 assembled to the base 10 along the axial direction X and covering the insertion space 3 from one end side in the stacking direction Z. The base 10 is configured to include grooves 13 that support the cover 20 so as to be slidable along the axial direction X, and the cover 20 has locking portions 23 provided at at least two or more corners 20a that lock with the peripheral edge of the grooves 13 in the base 10 along the axial direction X.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bus bar holder and a method for manufacturing the bus bar holder.

Background Art

[0002] As a technology related to a conventional bus bar holder, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a bus bar holder including a base provided with an insertion space portion through which a bus bar is inserted along an axial direction, and a cover that covers the insertion space portion of the base from one end side in a stacking direction intersecting the axial direction.

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 holder described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, for example, there is still room for further improvement in terms of improving the assembly property with respect to the bus bar.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a bus bar holder and a method for manufacturing the bus bar holder that can improve the assembly property with respect to the bus bar.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the busbar holder according to the present invention comprises a base provided with an insertion space through which a busbar is inserted along the axial direction, and a cover assembled to the base along the axial direction and covering the insertion space from one end in the stacking direction intersecting the axial direction, wherein the base is configured to include grooves that support the cover so as to be slidable along the axial direction, and the cover has locking portions provided at at least two or more corners that lock with the peripheral edge of the grooves in the base along the axial direction.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, the method for manufacturing a bus bar holder according to the present invention comprises: a first step of assembling a bus bar to a base provided with an insertion space by inserting the bus bar into the insertion space along the axial direction; a second step of assembling a cover that covers the insertion space from one end in the stacking direction intersecting the axial direction to the base by sliding it along the axial direction; and a third step of engaging locking portions provided at least two or more corners of the cover with the peripheral edge of the groove in the base along the axial direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In the busbar holder and busbar holder manufacturing method according to the present invention, the cover has locking portions provided at at least two or more corners that engage with the peripheral edge of the groove in the base along the axial direction. With this configuration, the busbar holder and busbar holder manufacturing method can be assembled to the base by, for example, sliding the cover axially relative to the base and engaging the locking portions provided at at least two or more corners of the cover with the peripheral edge of the groove. As a result, the busbar holder and busbar holder manufacturing method have the effect of improving the ease of assembly to the busbar. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an illustrative perspective view of a busbar holder according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a busbar holder according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exemplary perspective view of a busbar holder according to an embodiment, and is viewed from a different angle than Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of a bus holder according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating a method for manufacturing a busbar holder according to an embodiment, and shows the first step. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating a method for manufacturing a busbar holder according to an embodiment, and shows the second and third steps. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an illustrative flowchart of a method for manufacturing a busbar holder according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an exaggerated perspective view of a bus holder according to the first modified example. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of a bus holder according to the first modified example. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a busbar holder according to a second modified example. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of a bus holder according to a second modified example. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a busbar holder according to the third modified example. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a bus holder according to the third modified example. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a bus holder according to the fourth modified example. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a bus holder according to the fourth modified example. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a busbar holder according to the fifth modified example. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a bus holder according to the fifth modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a bus bar holder according to a sixth modification. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a bus bar holder according to a sixth modification. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a bus bar holder according to a seventh modification. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a bus bar holder according to a seventh modification. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a bus bar holder according to a seventh modification, as viewed from an angle different from FIG. 20. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a bus bar holder according to an eighth modification. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a bus bar holder according to an eighth modification. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a bus bar holder according to a ninth modification. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a bus bar holder according to a ninth modification. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a bus bar holder according to a ninth modification, as viewed from an angle different from FIG. 25.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and modifications. Also, the components in the following embodiments and modifications include those that can be replaced by those skilled in the art and are easy to replace, or those that are substantially the same.

[0011] Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications disclosed below include similar components. Therefore, in the following, these similar components are given common reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. In this specification, ordinal numbers are used solely to distinguish parts, components, parts, positions, directions, etc., and do not indicate order or priority.

[0012] [Embodiment] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a busbar holder 1 according to an embodiment. The busbar holder 1 of this embodiment shown in Figure 1 is incorporated into a busbar 2 (see Figure 6) for power distribution of a battery mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. Here, the busbar holder 1 includes, for example, a first busbar holder 1A that is attached to a first busbar 2A of the busbar 2, and a second busbar holder 1B that is attached to a second busbar 2B of the busbar 2. One of the first busbar 2A and the second busbar 2B is the positive terminal busbar 2, and the other is the negative terminal busbar 2.

[0013] In this embodiment, the bus bar holder 1 consists of a first bus bar holder 1A and a second bus bar holder 1B, both made of the same parts. That is, the specifications of the first bus bar holder 1A are the same as those of the second bus bar holder 1B. The bus bar 2 is composed of, for example, a straight portion extending along the axial direction X and an intersecting portion intersecting the straight portion, and is formed as a whole in a crank shape. The bus bar holder 1 (first bus bar holder 1A and second bus bar holder 1B) is assembled, for example, to the straight portion of the bus bar 2 and fixed to the part of the vehicle to be fixed, thereby supporting the bus bar 2. This allows the bus bar 2 to be fixed and supported along the cable routing path.

[0014] In the following explanation, of the three intersecting directions, the first direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the second direction as the "width direction Y," and the third direction as the "lamination direction Z." Here, the axial direction X, the width direction Y, and the lamination direction Z are approximately orthogonal to each other. The axial direction X typically follows the extension direction of the straight portion of the busbar 2, the insertion direction of the busbar 2 into the busbar holder 1, and the longitudinal direction (extension direction) of the busbar holder 1. The width direction Y typically follows the width direction of the busbar 2 and the width direction of the busbar holder 1. The lamination direction Z typically follows the thickness direction of the busbar 2, the height direction of the busbar holder 1, and the lamination direction of the base 10 and cover 20 of the busbar holder 1, which will be described later. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, each direction used in the following explanation refers to the direction when the busbar holder 1 is assembled to the busbar 2.

[0015] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the busbar holder 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the busbar holder 1 from a different angle than in Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar holder 1. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the busbar holder 1 is composed of, for example, a base 10 and a cover 20. That is, the first busbar holder 1A and the second busbar holder 1B described above are composed of a base 10 and a cover 20, respectively. In other words, the base 10 includes a first base that is assembled to the first busbar 2A described above and a second base that is assembled to the second busbar 2B, and the cover 20 includes a first cover that is assembled to the first base along the axial direction X and a second cover that is assembled to the second base along the axial direction X.

[0016] The base 10 has an insertion space 3 through which the busbar 2 is inserted along the axial direction X. The insertion space 3 penetrates the base 10 along the axial direction X, and one end in the stacking direction Z is open. The base 10 is composed of, for example, a base-side bottom wall 11, a pair of base-side side walls 12, a groove 13, and a fixing part 14 (see Figure 3). The base 10 is formed integrally from, for example, synthetic resin, with the base-side bottom wall 11, the pair of base-side side walls 12, and the fixing part 14. The base-side bottom wall 11 and the pair of base-side side walls 12 are structures for defining the insertion space 3 of the base 10. The insertion space 3 is the space through which the busbar 2 described above is inserted and routed. The base-side bottom wall 11 is formed in a flat plate shape that extends laterally along the axial direction X. The pair of base-side walls 12 protrude from both ends of the base-side bottom wall 11 in the width direction Y toward one end in the stacking direction Z, and extend along the axial direction X.

[0017] Furthermore, each of the pair of base-side walls 12 is provided with a groove 13 (see Figure 2) extending along the axial direction X. The groove 13 is a set groove that supports the cover 20 so that it can slide along the axial direction X. The groove 13 is recessed from the inner surface of the pair of base-side walls 12 toward the sides away from each other along the width direction Y, and is open toward the sides approaching each other. The groove 13 is also provided between one end and the other end of the pair of base-side walls 12 in the axial direction X, and is open toward both sides in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the groove 13 is provided on the pair of base-side walls 12 toward one end in the stacking direction Z (opposite side from the base-side bottom wall 11) rather than the center in the stacking direction Z, and the insertion space 3 described above is formed between the groove 13 and the base-side bottom wall 11.

[0018] The cover 20 covers the insertion space 3 formed in the base 10 from one end in the stacking direction Z. The cover 20 is composed of, for example, a cover body 21, an arm portion 22, a locking portion 23, and a slit 24. The cover 20 is formed integrally from, for example, synthetic resin, with the cover body 21, arm portion 22, and locking portion 23. The cover body 21 is a structure for partitioning the insertion space 3 together with the base 10. The cover body 21 is formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular flat plate that extends horizontally along the axial direction X. That is, the cover body 21 has four corner portions 20a, two of which are provided at each end in the axial direction X.

[0019] The arm portions 22 are provided, for example, at the four corners 20a of the cover body 21 and protrude from the cover body 21 in a cantilever spring-like manner. Each arm portion 22 is elastically deformable relative to the cover body 21 along the width direction Y. That is, one end of each arm portion 22 is connected to the cover body 21 in the axial direction X, while the other end in the axial direction X is configured as a free end that can be elastically deformed along the width direction Y. In this embodiment, each arm portion 22 is inclined with respect to the axial direction X. Specifically, when viewed from the stacking direction Z (see Figure 4), each arm portion 22 is inclined to substantially follow the diagonal line connecting both ends (four corners) of the pair of groove portions 13 in the axial direction X.

[0020] The locking portion 23 is the part that locks with the peripheral edge of the groove portion 13 in the base 10 along the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the locking portion 23 is provided at the tip of each arm portion 22. The tip of each arm portion 22 is the end opposite to the cover body 21 in the axial direction X. The locking portion 23 protrudes from each arm portion 22 along the width direction Y. Specifically, a pair of locking portions 23 provided on one end side in the axial direction X, and a pair of locking portions 23 provided on the other end side in the axial direction X, each protrudes from each arm portion 22 in a claw shape toward the opposite side along the width direction Y.

[0021] The slits 24 are openings that allow elastic deformation of the arm portion 22 along the width direction Y. The slits 24 are provided, for example, at the four corners 20a of the cover body 21 and extend along the axial direction X. Each slit 24 is located closer to the center in the width direction Y than each arm portion 22 and penetrates the cover body 21 along the stacking direction Z. In this embodiment, an example is given in which the arm portion 22, locking portion 23, and slit 24 are provided at each of the four corners 20a of the cover 20, but the embodiment is not limited to this example, and any configuration in which locking portion 23 is provided at least two or more corners 20a is acceptable.

[0022] The fixing portion 14 (see Figure 3) is the part to which the vehicle-side stay is fixed. The fixing portion 14 is provided on the outer surface of the base-side bottom wall 11 of the base 10 described above. The fixing portion 14 is composed of, for example, an insertion hole 14a into which the stay is inserted along the width direction Y, and a locking piece 14b into which the stay is locked along the width direction Y. The insertion hole 14a is configured as a through hole that penetrates the fixing portion 14 along the width direction Y. In this embodiment, a tapered surface is provided at the open end on one end side in the width direction Y (lower side in Figure 3) of the insertion hole 14a to improve the insertability of the stay. The tapered surface is inclined toward both sides in the stacking direction Z and both sides in the axial direction X as it approaches one end side in the width direction Y.

[0023] The locking piece 14b is formed in a cantilever spring shape on the circumferential wall on the other end side of the insertion hole 14a in the stacking direction Z (opposite the base bottom wall 11). Specifically, one end side of the locking piece 14b in the width direction Y (lower side in Figure 3) is connected to the circumferential wall of the fixing part 14, while the other end side in the width direction Y (upper side in Figure 3) is configured as a free end that can elastically deform along the stacking direction Z. In addition, a pair of slits 14c extending along the width direction Y are provided on both sides of the locking piece 14b in the axial direction X. The pair of slits 14c extend from an intermediate position on the one end side in the width direction Y of the circumferential wall of the fixing part 14 toward the other end side in the width direction Y, and open toward the other end side in the width direction Y.

[0024] In this embodiment, the tip of the stay is inserted into the insertion hole 14a of the fixing part 14 having the above configuration from one end in the width direction Y (the lower side in Figure 3). The tip of the stay is then guided along the inclined surface of the protrusion provided on the inner surface of the locking piece 14b, causing the free end on the other end in the width direction Y of the locking piece 14b to elastically deform along the stacking direction Z. As the tip of the stay overcomes the protrusion, the locking piece 14b returns to its free state, and the protrusion is inserted into and engages with the opening provided in the tip of the stay. In this state, the inner surface of the opening and the locking surface of the protrusion are locked along the width direction Y, and the stay is locked (fixed) to the fixing part 14.

[0025] Next, an example of a manufacturing method (assembly method) for the busbar holder 1 having the above configuration will be described. Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating the manufacturing method of the busbar holder 1, showing the first step S1; Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating the manufacturing method of the busbar holder 1, showing the second step S2 and the third step S3; and Figure 7 is a flowchart of the manufacturing method of the busbar holder 1.

[0026] First, in the first step S1, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, the busbar 2 is assembled to the base 10 by inserting it into the insertion space 3 along the axial direction X. In this case, the busbar holder 1 is arranged such that, for example, the insertion spaces 3 of a pair of bases 10 are open toward opposite sides along the stacking direction Z, and the busbar 2 is inserted into each insertion space 3 along the stacking direction Z. That is, in the first busbar holder 1A of the busbar holder 1, the insertion space 3 of the base 10 is open toward one end in the stacking direction Z, and the first busbar 2A of the busbar 2 is inserted into the insertion space 3 from the one end in the stacking direction Z. On the other hand, in the second busbar holder 1B of the busbar holder 1, the insertion space 3 of the base 10 is open toward the other end in the stacking direction Z, and the second busbar 2B of the busbar 2 is inserted into the insertion space 3 from the other end in the stacking direction Z.

[0027] In this embodiment, the busbar 2 is composed of a conductive busbar body 2a and an insulating covering portion 2b that has insulating properties and covers the busbar body 2a, and the busbar holder 1 is assembled to the insulating covering portion 2b of the busbar 2. The insulating covering portion 2b is provided, for example, over substantially the entire length of a straight portion of the busbar 2 that extends along the axial direction X, and a pair of bases 10 of the busbar holder 1 are assembled to predetermined positions on this insulating covering portion 2b.

[0028] Next, in the second step S2, the cover 20 is assembled by sliding it along the axial direction X relative to the base 10, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. In this case, the busbar holder 1 is set, for example, so that the pair of covers 20 are offset along the axial direction X from the pair of bases 10 on the busbar 2 (see Figure 5), and in this state the pair of covers 20 are slid along the axial direction X and inserted into the grooves 13 of the pair of bases 10. At this time, in this embodiment, the two arm portions 22 and two locking portions 23 provided on the pair of corner portions 20a located on one end side (base 10 side) of the four corner portions 20a of the cover 20 elastically deform toward each other along the width direction Y.

[0029] Next, in the third step S3, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the locking portion 23 provided on the corner portion 20a of the cover 20 is locked to the peripheral edge of the groove portion 13 in the base 10 along the axial direction X. In this case, the busbar holder 1 returns to a free state by, for example, the two arm portions 22 and two locking portions 23 provided on the pair of corner portions 20a located on one end side in the axial direction X, overcoming the groove portion 13, and the two locking portions 23 provided on the pair of corner portions 20a are locked to the peripheral edge of the groove portion 13 on one end side in the axial direction X along the axial direction X.

[0030] On the other hand, the two arm portions 22 and two locking portions 23 provided on the pair of corner portions 20a located on the other end side in the axial direction X (opposite side from the base 10) of the four corner portions 20a of the cover 20 are not inserted into the groove portion 13 as the cover 20 slides, and therefore move along the axial direction X while remaining in a free state. Then, as the two arm portions 22 and two locking portions 23 located on the one end side in the axial direction X return to their free state, they lock with the peripheral edge of the groove portion 13 on the other end side in the axial direction X along the axial direction X. Through these first steps S1 to third steps S3, the busbar holder 1 can be assembled to the busbar 2 and the busbar holder 1 can be manufactured.

[0031] In this embodiment, when removing the busbar 2 from the busbar holder 1, the first busbar 2A and the second busbar 2B of the busbar 2 can be removed in opposite directions (away from each other) along the stacking direction Z. This has the advantage of preventing the first busbar 2A and the second busbar 2B from getting too close to each other, and also preventing short circuits of the busbar 2 by allowing one of the busbars 2A and the other to be removed first. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the busbar holder 1 is assembled to the insulating coating portion 2b of the busbar 2, the assembly work of the busbar holder 1 to the busbar 2 can be performed more properly and safely.

[0032] As described above, in the busbar holder 1 and the manufacturing method of the busbar holder 1 of this embodiment, the cover 20 has locking portions 23 provided at at least two or more corners 20a that engage with the peripheral edge of the groove 13 in the base 10 along the axial direction X. With this configuration, the busbar holder 1 and the manufacturing method of the busbar holder 1 can be assembled to the base 10 by, for example, sliding the cover 20 relative to the base 10 along the axial direction X and engaging the locking portions 23 provided at at least two or more corners 20a of the cover 20 with the peripheral edge of the groove 13. As a result, the busbar holder 1 and the manufacturing method of the busbar holder 1 can improve the ease of assembly to the busbar 2.

[0033] Furthermore, in the bus bar holder 1 of this embodiment, the cover 20 has a cover body 21 and an arm portion 22 that protrudes from the cover body 21 in a cantilever spring-like manner and is elastically deformable along the width direction Y, and the locking portion 23 is provided at the tip of the arm portion 22. With this configuration, the bus bar holder 1 can, for example, improve the insertability of the locking portion 23 into the groove portion 13 by the arm portion 22, and thereby further improve the ease of assembling the cover 20 to the base 10.

[0034] Furthermore, in the bus bar holder 1 of this embodiment, the base 10 further has a fixing portion 14 that is fixed to the vehicle-side stay. With this configuration, the bus bar holder 1 can be fixed to the vehicle-side stay (the part to be fixed) by the fixing portion 14, for example, and consequently the bus bar holder 1 can be attached to the vehicle relatively easily.

[0035] [First variation] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the busbar holder 1C according to the first modified example, and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar holder 1C. The busbar holder 1C shown in Figures 8 and 9 has the same configuration as the busbar holder 1 of the above embodiment. Therefore, the busbar holder 1C can obtain the same operation and effect as the above embodiment based on the same configuration.

[0036] However, this modified version differs from the above embodiment in that, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, arm portions 22 and locking portions 23 are provided at two of the four corner portions 20a of the cover 20. Specifically, in this modified version, for example, arm portions 22 and locking portions 23 are provided at two corner portions 20a on one end side in the width direction Y (upper side in Figure 8) at both ends of the cover 20 in the axial direction X. Also, in this modified version, the groove portion 13 located at the other end side in the width direction (lower side in Figure 8, opposite to the locking portion 23) of the pair of groove portions 13 has one end in the axial direction X, i.e., the front end in the direction in which the cover 20 is inserted into the base 10, closed by a stopper portion 13a (see Figure 9). The stopper portion 13a can suppress movement of the cover 20 along the axial direction X relative to the base 10 (overrun, etc.) by contacting the cover 20.

[0037] In this modified example, the cover 20 has a first inclined surface 25 that is inclined with respect to the axial direction X. The first inclined surface 25 is provided at the corner 20a on the other end side in the width direction Y (lower side in Figures 8 and 9) of the other end of the cover 20 in the axial direction X. This corner 20a is a different corner 20a from the corner 20a where the locking portion 23 is provided, and is the corner 20a on the rear end side in the insertion direction of the cover 20 to the base 10 in the axial direction X. In this modified example, the base 10 has a second inclined surface 15 that locks with the first inclined surface 25 along the axial direction X. The second inclined surface 15 is provided on the inner surface (bottom surface) of the groove 13 and extends along the first inclined surface 25.

[0038] As described above, in this modified busbar holder 1C, the cover 20 has a first inclined surface 25 provided at a corner 20a other than the corner 20a where the locking portion 23 is provided among the four corners 20a, and the base 10 has a second inclined surface 15 provided on the inner surface of the groove 13 that locks with the first inclined surface 25 along the axial direction X. With this configuration, the busbar holder 1C can simplify the shape of the cover 20 by reducing the number of arm portions 22 and locking portions 23 by the first inclined surface 25 and the second inclined surface 15, and consequently reduce the effort and cost required to manufacture the busbar holder 1C. In addition, for example, the contact between the first inclined surface 25 and the second inclined surface 15 can suppress looseness along the axial direction X between the base 10 and the cover 20.

[0039] [Second variation] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the busbar holder 1D according to the second modified example, and Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar holder 1D. The busbar holder 1D shown in Figures 10 and 11 has the same configuration as the busbar holder 1C of the first modified example. Therefore, the busbar holder 1D can obtain the same operation and effect as the first modified example based on the same configuration.

[0040] However, this modified version differs from the first modified version in that, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, a locking portion 23 is provided at the corner 20a of the other end of the cover 20 in the axial direction X (left side in Figure 10) on the other end in the width direction Y (lower side in Figure 10). The locking portion 23 is a separate locking portion from the locking portion 23 (locking arm) provided at the tip of the arm portion 22, and protrudes from the cover body 21 in a claw shape along the width direction Y. The locking portion 23 is the part that locks with the peripheral edge of the groove portion 13 in the base 10. The locking portion 23 can suppress movement of the cover 20 along the axial direction X relative to the base 10 (overrun, etc.) by contacting the peripheral edge of the groove portion 13, for example.

[0041] As described above, in this modified busbar holder 1D, the cover 20 is configured to include a locking portion 23 separate from the locking portion 23 (locking arm) provided at the tip of the arm portion 22. With this configuration, the shape of the cover 20 can be further simplified by the locking portion 23, and consequently, the effort and cost required to manufacture the busbar holder 1D can be reduced.

[0042] [Third variation] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the busbar holder 1E according to the third modified example, and Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar holder 1E. The busbar holder 1E shown in Figures 12 and 13 has the same configuration as the busbar holder 1D of the second modified example described above. Therefore, the busbar holder 1E can obtain the same operation and effect as the second modified example based on the same configuration.

[0043] However, this modified example differs from the second modified example in that, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the base 10 is provided with a notch 16 for housing the locking portion 23. The notch 16 is provided, for example, at a position corresponding to a locking portion 23 other than the locking portion 23 (locking arm) provided at the tip of the arm portion 22 at both ends of the groove portion 13 in the axial direction X. The notch 16 is an opening formed by cutting out the end of the groove portion 13 along the width direction Y, and penetrates the base side wall 12 along the width direction Y. In this modified example, the width of the notch 16 along the axial direction X is formed to be approximately the same as the width of the locking portion 23 along the axial direction X.

[0044] As described above, in the modified bus bar holder 1E, the base 10 is provided at positions corresponding to the locking portion 23 at both ends of the groove portion 13 in the axial direction X, and is configured to include a notch 16 that accommodates the locking portion 23 within the base 10. With this configuration, the bus bar holder 1E can suppress, for example, looseness along the axial direction X and looseness along the width direction Y between the base 10 and the cover 20 by contact between the locking portion 23 and the inner surface of the notch 16.

[0045] In this modified example, the notch 16 is provided at a position corresponding to a locking portion 23 other than the locking portion 23 (locking arm) provided at the tip of the arm portion 22, among the ends of the groove portion 13 in the axial direction X. However, the example is not limited to this, and for example, it may be provided at a position corresponding to the locking portion 23 provided at the tip of the arm portion 22, and the locking portion 23 may be housed within the base 10.

[0046] [Fourth variation] Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the busbar holder 1F according to the fourth modification, and Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar holder 1F. The busbar holder 1F shown in Figures 14 and 15 has the same configuration as the busbar holder 1E of the third modification described above. Therefore, the busbar holder 1F can obtain the same operation and effect as the third modification described above, which is based on the same configuration.

[0047] However, this modified example differs from the third modified example in that ribs 17 are provided on the inner surface of the notch 16, as shown in Figures 14 and 15. The ribs 17 are provided in pairs on the inner surface of the notch 16, spaced apart from each other along the stacking direction Z. The pair of ribs 17 protrude from the inner surface of the notch 16 toward each other along the stacking direction Z. The pair of ribs 17 are formed as hemispherical protrusions on the inner surface of the notch 16. That is, each of the pair of ribs 17 has a hemispherical (arc-shaped) cross-sectional shape and extends along the axial direction X. The pair of ribs 17 abut against the locking portion 23 in an elastically deformed state and elastically support the locking portion 23.

[0048] As described above, in this modified busbar holder 1F, the base 10 has a rib 17 provided on the inner surface of the notch 16 that elastically supports the locking portion 23. With this configuration, the busbar holder 1F can support the locking portion 23 within the notch 16 by the rib 17, and thereby suppress play along the width direction Y and along the axial direction X between the base 10 and the cover 20.

[0049] [Fifth variation] Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view of the busbar holder 1G according to the fifth modified example, and Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar holder 1G. The busbar holder 1G shown in Figures 16 and 17 has the same configuration as the busbar holder 1 of the above embodiment. Therefore, the busbar holder 1G can obtain the same operation and effect as the above embodiment based on the same configuration.

[0050] However, this modified version differs from the above embodiment in that, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, arm portions 22 and locking portions 23 are provided at two of the four corner portions 20a of the cover 20. Specifically, in this modified version, for example, arm portions 22 and locking portions 23 are provided at two corner portions 20a at both ends in the width direction Y at one end of the cover 20 in the axial direction X (right side in Figure 16). Also, in this modified version, a first inclined surface 25 inclined with respect to the axial direction X is provided at two corner portions 20a at both ends in the width direction Y at the other end of the cover 20 in the axial direction X (left side in Figure 16).

[0051] The two corners 20a described above are different from the corners 20a on which the locking portion 23 is provided, and are the corners 20a on the rear end side in the insertion direction of the cover 20 relative to the base 10 in the axial direction X. In this modified example, the base 10 has a first inclined surface 25 and a second inclined surface 15 that is locked along the axial direction X. The second inclined surface 15 is provided on the inner surface (bottom surface) of the groove 13 and extends along the first inclined surface 25. The first inclined surface 25 and the second inclined surface 15 can suppress the movement of the cover 20 relative to the base 10 along the axial direction X (overrun, etc.) by contacting each other.

[0052] As described above, in this modified busbar holder 1G, for example, the number of arm portions 22 and locking portions 23 can be reduced by the first inclined surface 25 and the second inclined surface 15, thereby simplifying the shape of the cover 20, and consequently reducing the effort and cost required to manufacture the busbar holder 1G. In addition, for example, the contact between the first inclined surface 25 and the second inclined surface 15 can suppress looseness along the axial direction X between the base 10 and the cover 20.

[0053] [Sixth variation] Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of the busbar holder 1H according to the sixth modified example, and Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar holder 1H. The busbar holder 1H shown in Figures 18 and 19 has the same configuration as the busbar holder 1G of the fifth modified example described above. Therefore, the busbar holder 1H can obtain the same operation and effect as the fifth modified example described above, which is based on the same configuration.

[0054] However, this modified version differs from the fifth modified version in that, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, locking portions 23 are provided at two corners 20a at both ends in the width direction Y of the other end of the cover 20 in the axial direction X (left side in Figure 18). The pair of locking portions 23 are separate locking portions from the locking portion 23 (locking arm) provided at the tip of the arm portion 22, and protrude claw-shaped from the cover body 21 along the width direction Y. The pair of locking portions 23 are portions that lock with the peripheral edge of the groove portion 13 in the base 10. The pair of locking portions 23 can suppress movement of the cover 20 along the axial direction X relative to the base 10 (overrun, etc.) by contact with the peripheral edge of the groove portion 13, for example.

[0055] As described above, in this modified bus bar holder 1H, the cover 20 is configured to include a pair of locking parts 23 separate from the locking part 23 (locking arm) provided at the tip of the arm part 22. With this configuration, the shape of the cover 20 of the bus bar holder 1H can be further simplified by the pair of locking parts 23, and consequently the effort and cost required to manufacture the bus bar holder 1H can be reduced. In addition, the pair of locking parts 23 can also function as gripping parts when removing the cover 20 from the base 10 along the axial direction X.

[0056] [7th variation] Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view of the busbar holder 1I according to the seventh modification, Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar holder 1I, and Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of the busbar holder 1I, viewed from a different angle than Figure 20. The busbar holder 1I shown in Figures 20 to 22 has the same configuration as the busbar holder 1H of the sixth modification described above. Therefore, the busbar holder 1I can obtain the same operation and effect as the sixth modification described above, which is based on the same configuration.

[0057] However, this modified example differs from the sixth modified example in that, as shown in Figures 20-22, the base 10 is provided with a notch 16 for housing the locking portion 23. The notch 16 is provided, for example, at a position corresponding to a locking portion 23 other than the locking portion 23 (locking arm) provided at the tip of the arm portion 22 at both ends of the groove portion 13 in the axial direction X. The notch 16 is an opening cut out of the end of the groove portion 13 along the width direction Y, and penetrates the base side wall 12 along the width direction Y. In this modified example, the locking portion 23 is provided at the corner 20a on the other end side in the width direction Y (lower side in Figure 20) of the cover 20 in the axial direction X (left side in Figure 20), while the first inclined surface 25 is provided at the corner 20a on the one end side in the width direction Y (upper side in Figure 20).

[0058] In this modified example, ribs 17 (see Figure 22) are provided on the inner surface of the notch 16. The ribs 17 are provided in pairs, for example, on the inner surface of the notch 16, spaced apart from each other along the stacking direction Z. The pair of ribs 17 protrude from the inner surface of the notch 16 toward each other along the stacking direction Z. The pair of ribs 17 are formed as hemispherical protrusions on the inner surface of the notch 16. That is, each of the pair of ribs 17 has a hemispherical (arc-shaped) cross-sectional shape and extends along the axial direction X. The pair of ribs 17 abut against the locking portion 23 in an elastically deformed state and elastically support the locking portion 23.

[0059] As described above, in this modified busbar holder 1I, for example, the shape of the cover 20 can be further simplified by a locking part 23 separate from the locking part 23 (locking arm) provided at the tip of the arm part 22, thereby reducing the effort and cost required to manufacture the busbar holder 1I. Furthermore, for example, the locking part 23 can be supported within the notch 16 by the rib 17, thereby suppressing play along the width direction Y and along the axial direction X between the base 10 and the cover 20.

[0060] [8th variation] Figure 23 is an exploded perspective view of the busbar holder 1J according to the eighth modified example, and Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar holder 1J. The busbar holder 1J shown in Figures 23 and 24 has the same configuration as the busbar holder 1H of the sixth modified example described above. Therefore, the busbar holder 1J can obtain the same operation and effect as the sixth modified example described above, which is based on the same configuration.

[0061] However, this modified example differs from the sixth modified example in that, as shown in Figures 23 and 24, the arm portion 22 protrudes linearly from the cover body 21 along the axial direction X. The arm portion 22 is provided at two corners 20a at both ends in the width direction Y of one end of the cover 20 in the axial direction X (right side in Figure 23). In this modified example, the locking portion 23 provided at the tip of the arm portion 22 is formed as a recessed portion along the width direction Y. This locking portion 23 (recessed portion) can engage with the protrusion (see Figure 24) provided at one end of the groove portion 13 in the axial direction X by the pair of arm portions 22 elastically deforming toward each other along the width direction Y and overcoming the protrusion (see Figure 24).

[0062] As described above, in the modified bus bar holder 1J, the cover 20 has an arm portion 22 that protrudes from the cover body 21 in a cantilever spring-like manner and is elastically deformable along the width direction Y, and the locking portion 23 is provided at the tip of the arm portion 22. With this configuration, the bus bar holder 1J can, for example, improve the insertability of the locking portion 23 into the groove portion 13 by the arm portion 22, and consequently improve the ease of assembling the cover 20 to the base 10.

[0063] [9th variation] Figure 25 is an exploded perspective view of the busbar holder 1K according to the ninth modification, Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar holder 1K, and Figure 27 is an exploded perspective view of the busbar holder 1K, viewed from a different angle than Figure 25. The busbar holder 1K shown in Figures 25 to 27 has the same configuration as the busbar holder 1J of the eighth modification described above. Therefore, the busbar holder 1K can obtain the same operation and effect as the eighth modification described above, which is based on the same configuration.

[0064] However, this modified example differs from the eighth modified example in that, as shown in Figures 25-27, the base 10 is provided with a notch 16 for housing the locking portion 23. The notch 16 is provided, for example, at a position corresponding to a locking portion 23 other than the locking portion 23 (locking arm) provided at the tip of the arm portion 22 at both ends of the groove portion 13 in the axial direction X. The notch 16 is an opening cut out of the end of the groove portion 13 along the width direction Y, and penetrates the base side wall 12 along the width direction Y. In this modified example, the locking portion 23 is provided at the corner 20a on the other end in the width direction Y (lower side of Figure 25) of the cover 20 at the other end in the axial direction X (left side of Figure 25).

[0065] In this modified example, ribs 17 (see Figure 27) are provided on the inner surface of the notch 16. The ribs 17 are provided in pairs, for example, on the inner surface of the notch 16, spaced apart from each other along the stacking direction Z. The pair of ribs 17 protrude from the inner surface of the notch 16 toward each other along the stacking direction Z. The pair of ribs 17 are formed as hemispherical protrusions on the inner surface of the notch 16. That is, each of the pair of ribs 17 has a hemispherical (arc-shaped) cross-sectional shape and extends along the axial direction X. The pair of ribs 17 abut against the locking portion 23 in an elastically deformed state and elastically support the locking portion 23.

[0066] As described above, in this modified busbar holder 1K, for example, the shape of the cover 20 can be further simplified by a locking part 23 separate from the locking part 23 (locking arm) provided at the tip of the arm part 22, thereby reducing the effort and cost required to manufacture the busbar holder 1K. In addition, for example, the locking part 23 can be supported within the notch 16 by the rib 17, thereby suppressing play along the width direction Y and along the axial direction X between the base 10 and the cover 20.

[0067] Although embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been illustrated above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, each configuration, shape, and other specifications (structure, type, direction, form, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) can be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 1. 1C~1K Bus Bar Holder 2 Bassba 3. Insertion space 10 base 13 Groove 14 Fixed part 15 Second slope 16 Notch 17 Ribs 20 Covers 20a Corner 21 Cover body 22 Arm section 23 Locking part 24 slits 25 1st slope S1 Step 1 S2 Step 2 S3 Step 3 X-axis direction Y width direction Z stacking direction

Claims

1. A base provided with an insertion space through which a busbar is inserted along the axial direction, The base is assembled along the axial direction and includes a cover that covers the insertion space from one end in the stacking direction intersecting the axial direction, The base is configured to include a groove that supports the cover so that it can slide along the axial direction, The cover has locking portions provided at at least two corners, which engage with the peripheral edge of the groove in the base along the axial direction. Bus holder.

2. The cover comprises a cover body and an arm portion that protrudes from the cover body in a cantilever spring-like manner and is elastically deformable along the width direction intersecting the axial direction and the stacking direction. The locking portion is provided at the tip of the arm portion, The bus bar holder according to claim 1.

3. The cover is configured to include four corners, two of which are provided at each end in the axial direction, and a first inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the axial direction and is provided at a corner of the four corners other than the corner on which the locking portion is provided. The base is provided on the inner surface of the groove and has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface that is locked along the axial direction. A bus bar holder according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The base is provided at both ends of the groove in the axial direction, at positions corresponding to the locking portion, and is configured to include a notch that accommodates the locking portion within the base. A bus bar holder according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The base is provided on the inner surface of the notch and has ribs that elastically support the locking portion. The bus bar holder according to claim 4.

6. The base further has a fixing portion that is fixed to the vehicle-side stay. A bus bar holder according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The first step is to insert the busbar into the insertion space provided in the base along the axial direction and assemble it, A second step involves assembling a cover that covers the insertion space portion from one end in the stacking direction intersecting the axial direction by sliding it along the axial direction relative to the base, A third step involves engaging locking portions provided at at least two corners of the cover with the peripheral edge of the groove in the base along the axial direction, A method for manufacturing a bath holder, comprising the following:

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