Joining parts

Abstract

The present invention provides a joining component that prevents scattered spatter from adhering to the contact point between the connecting component and the mating component, which is the electrical connection part, when laser welding a connecting component and an electrically conductive component that can be electrically connected by contact with the mating component. [Solution] A joining component comprising: a metal connecting component having a contact portion having a first contact portion and a second contact portion facing the first contact portion, which can be electrically connected by contact with a mating component; a metal current-carrying component that serves as a current-carrying path, wherein the current-carrying component is superimposed on the connecting component at an overlapping portion of the connecting component that is continuously provided with the contact portion; and a welded portion formed in the overlapping portion that joins the connecting component and the current-carrying component, wherein the welded portion penetrates the connecting component but does not penetrate the current-carrying component, and the contact portion of the connecting component is located in the direction of the current-carrying component more than the welded surface of the welded portion formed on the surface of the connecting component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a joined component in which a connection component and a current-carrying component used as an electrical connection member in a vehicle such as an automobile are joined.

Background Art

[0002] Automobiles use many electrical components such as electrical devices driven by electricity and sensors that perform various controls. Such electrical components are connected to a battery, which is a power supply source, via various electric wires as power lines and signal lines.

[0003] When electrical components such as electrical devices are connected to a battery, which is a power supply source, via various electric wires as power lines and signal lines, terminals or bus bars provided with connection components that can make electrical contact with the counterpart component by contacting the counterpart component may be mounted on the electrical components such as electrical devices.

[0004] When a terminal or bus bar provided with a connection component is mounted on an electrical component, the connection component and the terminal body or bus bar body are provided as separate components, that is, separately, and the connection component and the terminal body or bus bar body are joined by laser welding or the like to mount a terminal or bus bar provided with the connection component on the electrical component.

[0005] As an electrical device in which the connection component and the terminal body or bus bar body are provided separately and the connection component and the terminal body or bus bar body are laser welded and mounted, there are a case, an electronic component disposed in the case and having terminals, and a bus bar disposed in the case and laser welded to the terminals of the electronic component. The terminals of the electronic component and the bus bar overlap each other, and the case has a first clamping portion that contacts one of the terminals of the electronic component and the bus bar, and a second clamping portion that contacts the other of the terminals of the electronic component and the bus bar. An electrical device has been proposed in which the relative positions of the terminals of the electronic component and the bus bar are held by being sandwiched between the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion (Patent Document 1).

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, when laser welding a busbar to a terminal, scattered spatter can adhere to the electrical connection part of the terminal with the mating component. When scattered spatter adheres to the electrical connection part of the terminal, there is a problem that the reliability of the electrical connection between the terminal and the mating component may decrease. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-37134 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a jointed component in which a connecting component and a conductive component are joined, which can be prevented from having scattered spatter adhere to the contact point between the connecting component and the mating component, which is the electrical connection part of the connecting component, when the connecting component and the conductive component are laser welded together, enabling them to be electrically connected by contact with the mating component. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The gist of the present invention is as follows: [1] A metal connecting component having a contact portion which is electrically connectable by contact with a mating component and which has a first contact portion and a second contact portion which is opposite to the first contact portion, A metal conductive component that serves as an electrical path, wherein the conductive component is superimposed on the connecting component at an overlapping portion of the connecting component that is continuously provided with the contact portion, A joining part comprising a welded portion formed in the overlapping portion for joining the connecting part and the energizing part, The welded portion penetrates the connecting component but does not penetrate the energized component. A connecting component in which the contact portion of the connecting component is located in the direction of the energized component more than the weld surface of the weld formed on the surface of the connecting component. [2] The joining part according to [1], wherein the welded surface is formed on the surface of the connecting part but not on the surface of the current-carrying part. [3] The joining component according to [1] or [2], wherein the connecting component and the energizing component are superimposed in a planar manner at the overlapping portion. [4] The joining component according to [1] or [2], wherein the thickness of the connecting component in the overlapping portion is thinner than the thickness of the conductive component in the overlapping portion. [5] The joining part according to [1] or [2], wherein the opposing direction of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is parallel to the welding surface. [6] The connecting component according to [1] or [2], wherein the connecting component has a bent portion between the overlapping portion and the contact portion that is bent in the direction of the current-carrying component. [7] The connecting part according to [6], wherein the portion of the connecting part from the bent portion to the contact portion extends along the direction of penetration of the welded portion that penetrates the connecting part. [8] The connecting component according to [1] or [2], wherein the conductive component is a plate-shaped member having a first surface that contacts the connecting component at the overlapping portion and a second surface that faces the first surface, and the contact portion of the connecting component is positioned facing the second surface. [9] The connecting component according to [1] or [2], wherein the connecting component is flexible and at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is elastically deformable when in contact with the mating component. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to an embodiment of the joining component of the present invention, the joining component comprises a metal connecting component having a contact portion that can be electrically connected by contact with a mating component, an electrical conductive component superimposed on the connecting component at an overlapping portion of the connecting component that is continuously provided with the contact portion, and a welded portion formed in the overlapping portion that joins the connecting component and the electrical conductive component. The welded portion penetrates the connecting component but does not penetrate the electrical conductive component, and the contact portion is located in the direction of the electrical conductive component more than the welded surface of the welded portion formed on the surface of the connecting component. Therefore, when laser welding a connecting component and an electrical conductive component that can be electrically connected by contact with a mating component, it is possible to prevent scattered spatter from adhering to the contact portion of the connecting component, which is the electrical connection portion of the connecting component with the mating component. Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the joining component of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the joining component of the present invention, since the welded surface of the welded portion is formed on the surface of the joining component and not on the surface of the conductive component, it is possible to more reliably prevent scattered spatter from adhering to the contact portion of the connecting component when laser welding the connecting component and the conductive component. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the joining component of the present invention, it is possible to more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the joining component of the present invention, the thickness of the connecting component in the overlapping portion is thinner than the thickness of the conductive component in the overlapping portion. This makes it easier to control the welded portion so that it penetrates the connecting component but not the conductive component during weld formation. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the joining component of the present invention, it is possible to more reliably prevent scattered spatter from adhering to the contact portion of the connecting component, and as a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the joining component of the present invention, the connecting component has a bent portion between the overlapping portion and the contact portion that is bent in the direction of the energized component, thereby ensuring that the contact portion is positioned in the direction of the energized component more than the welded surface formed on the surface of the connecting component with a simple structure. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the joining component of the present invention, it is possible to more reliably prevent scattered spatter from adhering to the contact portion of the connecting component with a simple structure, and as a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the joining component of the present invention, the portion of the connecting component from the bent portion to the contact portion extends along the penetration direction of the weld portion that penetrates the connecting component. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent scattered spatter from adhering to the contact portion of the connecting component when laser welding the connecting component and the conductive component. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the joining component of the present invention, it is possible to more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the joining component of the present invention, the conductive component is a plate-shaped member having a first surface that contacts the connecting component at the overlapping portion and a second surface that faces the first surface, and the contact portion of the connecting component is positioned facing the second surface, so that the conductive component also functions as a shield that shields the contact portion of the connecting component from scattered spatter. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the joining component of the present invention, it is possible to more reliably prevent scattered spatter from adhering to the contact portion of the connecting component, and as a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view illustrating a connecting component according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side view illustrating a joint component according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view illustrating a joint component according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a side view for explaining a joining component according to a second embodiment example of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a side view for explaining a joining component according to a third embodiment example of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a side view for explaining a joining component according to a fourth embodiment example of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, a joining component according to a first embodiment example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining a joining component according to a first embodiment example of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining a joining component according to a first embodiment example of the present invention.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a joining component 1 according to a first embodiment example of the present invention includes a metal connection component 10 having a contact portion 11 that can be electrically connected by contacting a mating component (not shown), a metal current-carrying component 20 that serves as a current-carrying path, and a welding portion 30 that joins the connection component 10 and the current-carrying component 20.

[0019] The contact portion 11 of the connection component 10 is provided with a first contact portion 11-1 and a second contact portion 11-2 facing the first contact portion 11-1. An electrical connection portion (not shown) of the mating component is sandwiched between the first contact portion 11-1 and the second contact portion 11-2 and is electrically connected to the connection component 10. From the above, the connection component 10 has flexibility, and at least one of the first contact portion 11-1 and the second contact portion 11-2 can be elastically deformed when contacting the mating component. The contact portion 11 has a tuning fork shape, and the joining component 1 functions as a tuning fork terminal that is a female-type terminal. In the joining component 1, a plurality (two in FIG. 1) of contact portions 11 of the connection component 10 are provided. The electrical connection portion of the mating component is not particularly limited, and examples include a fuse and the like.

[0020] In the joining component 1, the connection component 10 is a plate-like member. Further, the connection component 10 has a contact portion 11 and an overlapping portion 12 provided continuously with the contact portion 11.

[0021] In the connecting component 1, which functions as a tuning fork terminal, the conductive component 20 has a wire crimping portion 21 to which an electric wire (not shown) is electrically connected, and an extension portion 22 that extends in a plate shape from the wire crimping portion 21. The wire crimping portion 21 is provided with a fixing projection 23 for fixing the electric wire to the wire crimping portion 21. With the electric wire inserted into the wire crimping portion 21, the fixing projection 23 is crimped to the electric wire, thereby electrically connecting the electric wire to the wire crimping portion 21 and fixing the electric wire to the wire crimping portion 21.

[0022] The conductive component 20 is superimposed on the connecting component 11 at an overlapping portion 12 that is continuously provided with the contact portion 11. Specifically, the extended portion 22 of the conductive component 20 is superimposed on the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10. Furthermore, the conductive component 20 is not superimposed on the contact portion 11, and the contact portion 11 extends outward from the extended portion 22 of the conductive component 20.

[0023] Furthermore, the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20 are superimposed in a planar manner at the overlapping portion 12. Specifically, the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10 and the extended portion 22 of the conductive component 20 are superimposed in a planar manner. By superimposing the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20 in a planar manner, the contact area between the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20 can be increased, and as a result, the formation of the welded portion 30, which will be described later, can be facilitated.

[0024] The thickness of the connecting component 10 and the thickness of the conductive component 20 are not particularly limited, but in the joining component 1, the thickness of the connecting component 10 at the overlapping portion 12 is thinner than the thickness of the conductive component 20 that is superimposed on the overlapping portion 12. Specifically, the thickness of the connecting component 10 at the overlapping portion 12 is thinner than the thickness of the conductive component 20 at the extended portion 22.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the welded portion 30 is formed in the overlapping portion 12. Therefore, the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20 are electrically connected at the welded portion 30 formed in the overlapping portion 12, and the connecting component 10 is fixed to the conductive component 20. The welded portion 30 is formed by laser welding, and therefore the connecting component 10 is laser-welded to the conductive component 20.

[0026] When the welded joint 30 is formed, the laser light source for laser welding is provided on the side of the connecting component 10 at the point where the extension portion 22 of the conductive component 20 and the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10 overlap. The laser light L from the laser light source is irradiated from the side of the connecting component 10 toward the side of the conductive component 20 at the point where the extension portion 22 of the conductive component 20 and the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10 overlap. As a result, the laser light L is irradiated along the thickness direction of the connecting component 10 and the extension portion 22. Therefore, the welded joint 30 is formed along the thickness direction of the connecting component 10 and the thickness direction of the extension portion 22, thereby joining the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the welded portion 30 penetrates the connecting component 10 but does not penetrate the conductive component 20. The welded portion 30 is formed up to the middle of the conductive component 20 in the thickness direction. From the above, the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 is formed on the surface of the connecting component 10 but not on the surface of the conductive component 20. Specifically, the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 is formed on the surface of the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10 but not on the surface of the extended portion 22 of the conductive component 20. Since the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 is formed on the surface of the connecting component 10 but not on the surface of the conductive component 20, when the welded portion 30 is formed, spatter S is scattered from the surface of the connecting component 10 but not from the surface of the conductive component 20.

[0028] Furthermore, in the joint part 1, the opposing directions of the first contact portion 11-1 and the second contact portion 11-2 are substantially parallel to the welding surface 31 of the welded portion 30. Therefore, the electrical connection portion of the mating part is mounted perpendicular to the opposing directions of the first contact portion 11-1 and the second contact portion 11-2. In other words, by arranging the first contact portion 11-1 and the second contact portion 11-2 and the welding surface 31 as described above, the contact surfaces of the first contact portion 11-1 and the second contact portion 11-2 with the mating part are arranged substantially parallel to the direction of spatter S scattering, and the scattering of spatter S is not obstructed. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for spatter S to adhere to the first contact portion 11-1 and the second contact portion 11-2.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, in the joining component 1, the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is located in the direction toward the conductive component 20 more than the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 formed on the surface of the connecting component 10. From the above, the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is located in the direction toward the conductive component 20 more than the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10. Therefore, the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is not located on the same plane as the overlapping portion 12.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the connecting component 1, the connecting component 10 has a bent portion 14 bent in the direction of the conductive component 20 between the overlapping portion 12 and the contact portion 11, so that the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is positioned in the direction of the conductive component 20 more than the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 formed on the surface of the connecting component 10. The bent portion 14 is bent in the thickness direction of the conductive component 20. The bent portion 14 is located on the outside of the extension portion 22. The connecting component 10 also has one bent portion 14. The bent portion 14 can be formed by bending the connecting component 10 between the overlapping portion 12 and the contact portion 11.

[0031] The bending angle θ1 of the bent portion 14 relative to the overlapping portion 12 is not particularly limited as long as it is greater than 0°, and can be greater than 0° and less than 180°. In the case of the joining component 1, the bending angle θ1 is approximately 90°. Therefore, in the joining component 1, the shape of the connecting component 10 is L-shaped in side view, and the portion from the bent portion 14 of the connecting component 10 to the contact portion 11 extends along the penetrating direction of the welded portion 30 that penetrates the connecting component 10.

[0032] The material of the connecting component 10 is not particularly limited as long as it is metal, and examples include metals with excellent elasticity such as copper, iron, aluminum, nickel, and their alloys. Similarly, the material of the conductive component 20 is not particularly limited as long as it is metal, and examples include metals with excellent conductivity such as copper, aluminum, and their alloys. The material of the connecting component 10 may be the same as or different from the material of the conductive component 20.

[0033] Next, an example of a manufacturing method for the joint component 1 will be described below.

[0034] First, a connecting component 10 and a conductive component 20, which is separate from the connecting component 10, are prepared. Next, the extended portion 22 of the conductive component 20 is superimposed on the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10. When superimposing the extended portion 22 of the conductive component 20 onto the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10, the thickness directions of the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10 and the extended portion 22 of the conductive component 20 are parallel to the direction of gravity, and the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10 is positioned upward in the direction of gravity, while the extended portion 22 of the conductive component 20 is positioned downward in the direction of gravity. Next, a laser light source is placed on the connecting component 10 side of the area where the extended portion 22 of the conductive component 20 and the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10 are superimposed, and the laser beam L of the laser light source is irradiated from the connecting component 10 side toward the conductive component 20 side, thereby laser welding the extended portion 22 of the conductive component 20 and the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10 to form a welded portion 30. At this time, by irradiating the laser beam L such that the welded portion 30 penetrates the connecting component 10 but does not penetrate the conductive component 20, spatter S is not scattered from the surface of the conductive component 20 during laser welding. By forming the welded portion 30, a joined component 1 can be manufactured in which the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20 are joined.

[0035] According to the embodiment of the joining component 1, it comprises a connecting component 10 having a contact portion 11 that can be electrically connected to a mating component, a conductive component 20 that is superimposed on the connecting component 10 at an overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10 which is provided continuously with the contact portion 11, and a welded portion 30 formed in the overlapping portion 12 that joins the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20. The welded portion 30 penetrates the connecting component 10 but does not penetrate the conductive component 20, and the contact portion 11 is located in the direction of the conductive component 20 more than the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 formed on the surface of the connecting component 11. Therefore, when laser welding the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20, it is possible to prevent scattered spatter S from adhering to the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10. Accordingly, the joining component 1 can prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the joining component 1, the welding surface 31 of the welded portion 30 is formed on the surface of the joining component 10 and not on the surface of the conductive component 20. Therefore, when laser welding the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20, spatter S does not scatter from the surface of the conductive component 20. This further reliably prevents spatter S scattered from the welded portion 30 from adhering to the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10. Consequently, the joining component 1 can more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0037] Furthermore, in the configuration of the joining component 1, the plate thickness of the connecting component 10 in the overlapping portion 12 is thinner than the plate thickness of the conductive component 20 located in the overlapping portion 12, so the amount of laser irradiation can be reduced when forming the welded portion 30. Therefore, in the joining component 1, it is possible to more reliably prevent scattered spatter S from adhering to the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10, and as a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component. In addition, because the plate thickness of the connecting component 10 in the overlapping portion 12 is thinner than the plate thickness of the conductive component 20 located in the overlapping portion 12, it is possible to easily form a welded portion 30 that penetrates the connecting component 10 but does not penetrate the conductive component 20.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the joining component 1, the connecting component 10 has a bent portion 14 between the overlapping portion 12 and the contact portion 11 that is bent in the direction of the conductive component 20. As a result, the contact portion 11 is reliably positioned in the direction of the conductive component 20 more than the welded surface 31 formed on the surface of the connecting component 10 with a simple structure. Therefore, the joining component 1 can more reliably prevent scattered spatter S from adhering to the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 with a simple structure, and as a result, it can more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the joining component 1, the portion of the connecting component 10 from the bent portion 14 to the contact portion 11 extends along the penetrating direction of the welded portion 30 that penetrates the connecting component 10. Therefore, when laser welding the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20, it is possible to more reliably prevent the scattered spatter S from adhering to the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10. Accordingly, the joining component 1 can more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0040] Next, a connecting component according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the main components of the connecting component according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the connecting component according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used to describe the same components as those of the connecting component according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the connecting component according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a side view illustrating the connecting component according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] In the joint component 1 according to the first embodiment, the conductive component 20 had a wire crimping portion 21 with a fixing projection 23 and a plate-shaped extension portion 22. However, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the joint component 2 according to the second embodiment, the conductive component 20 is a plate-shaped member. In the joint component 2, the conductive component 20 is a long plate-shaped member, for example, a busbar.

[0042] In connecting component 2, a connecting component 10, whose contact portion 11 is shaped like a tuning fork, is joined to one end of a conductive component 20, which is a plate-shaped member. In connecting component 2, the conductive component 20 has a busbar body portion 24 and an extension portion 22 that extends in a plate shape from the busbar body portion 24. In connecting component 2 as well, the extension portion 22, which is one end of the conductive component 20, is superimposed on the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10. Also, in connecting component 2 as well, the conductive component 20 is not superimposed on the contact portion 11, and the contact portion 11 extends outward from the extension portion 22 of the conductive component 20.

[0043] In addition, in the joining component 2, the plate thickness of the connecting component 10 and the plate thickness of the conductive component 20 are not particularly limited, however, the plate thickness of the connecting component 10 in the overlapping portion 12 is thinner than the plate thickness of the conductive component 20 that is superimposed on the overlapping portion 12.

[0044] In the joining component 2, the welded portion 30 is formed in the overlapping portion 12. Therefore, the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20 are electrically connected at the welded portion 30 formed in the overlapping portion 12, and the connecting component 10 is fixed to the conductive component 20. The welded portion 30 is formed by laser welding, and the connecting component 10 is laser-welded to the conductive component 20.

[0045] When the welded joint 30 is formed, the laser light L from the laser light source is irradiated from the side of the connecting component 10 toward the side of the connecting component 20 to the area where the extension portion 22 of the conductive component 20 and the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10 overlap. As described above, the laser light L is irradiated along the thickness direction of the connecting component 10 and the extension portion 22. Therefore, the welded joint 30 is formed along the thickness direction of the connecting component 10 and the extension portion 22, thereby joining the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20.

[0046] In the joint component 2, the welded portion 30 penetrates the connecting component 10 but does not penetrate the conductive component 20. From the above, the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 is formed on the surface of the connecting component 10 but not on the surface of the conductive component 20. Since the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 is formed on the surface of the connecting component 10 but not on the surface of the conductive component 20, when the welded portion 30 is formed, spatter is scattered from the surface of the connecting component 10 but not from the surface of the conductive component 20.

[0047] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the joining component 2 as well, the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is located in the direction of the conductive component 20 more than the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 formed on the surface of the connecting component 10. From the above, the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is located in the direction of the conductive component 20 more than the overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10. Therefore, the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is not located on the same plane as the overlapping portion 12.

[0048] Specifically, in the joint component 1 according to the first embodiment, the connecting component 10 has a bent portion 14 between the overlapping portion 12 and the contact portion 11 that is bent in the direction of the energized component 20, so that the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is located in the direction of the energized component 20 more than the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 formed on the surface of the connecting component 10. Instead, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the joint component 2, the connecting component 10 has a stepped portion 15 that is recessed in the direction of the energized component 20 between the overlapping portion 12 and the contact portion 11, so that the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is located in the direction of the energized component 20 more than the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 formed on the surface of the connecting component 10. The stepped portion 15 is located on the outside of the extended portion 22. The stepped portion 15 can be formed by bending the space between the overlapping portion 12 and the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10.

[0049] In the configuration of the joining component 2, a connecting component 10 having a contact portion 11 that can be electrically connected to a mating component, a conductive component 20 superimposed on the connecting component 10 at an overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10 which is provided continuously with the contact portion 11, and a welded portion 30 formed in the overlapping portion 12 that joins the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20, wherein the welded portion 30 penetrates the connecting component 10 but does not penetrate the conductive component 20, and the contact portion 11 is located in the direction of the conductive component 20 more than the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 formed on the surface of the connecting component 11, so that when laser welding the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20, it is possible to prevent scattered spatter from adhering to the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10. Therefore, even in the joining component 2, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0050] Furthermore, in the configuration of the joining component 2, the welding surface 31 of the welded portion 30 is formed on the surface of the joining component 10 and not on the surface of the conductive component 20. Therefore, when laser welding the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20, spatter does not scatter from the surface of the conductive component 20. This further reliably prevents spatter scattered from the welded portion 30 from adhering to the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10. Consequently, the joining component 2 can also more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0051] Furthermore, in the configuration of the joining component 2, the connecting component 10 has a stepped portion 15 that is recessed in the direction of the conductive component 20 between the overlapping portion 12 and the contact portion 11. Therefore, with a simple structure, the contact portion 11 is positioned in the direction of the conductive component 20 more than the welded surface 31 formed on the surface of the connecting component 10. Consequently, the joining component 2 can prevent scattered spatter from adhering to the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 with a simple structure, and as a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0052] Next, a connecting component according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the connecting component according to the third embodiment shares the same main components as the connecting components according to the first and second embodiments, the same reference numerals will be used to describe the same components as those in the connecting components according to the first and second embodiments. Figure 5 is a side view illustrating the connecting component according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] In the joint component 2 according to the second embodiment, the connecting component 10 has a stepped portion 15 that is recessed in the direction of the conductive component 20 between the overlapping portion 12 and the contact portion 11, so that the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is located in the direction of the conductive component 20 more than the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 formed on the surface of the connecting component 10. Instead, as shown in Figure 5, in the joint component 3 according to the third embodiment, the connecting component 10 has a bent portion 14 that is bent in the direction of the conductive component 20 between the overlapping portion 12 and the contact portion 11, so that the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is located in the direction of the conductive component 20 more than the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 formed on the surface of the connecting component 10. The bent portion 14 is a bent portion bent in the thickness direction of the conductive component 20. The bent portion 14 is located on the outside of the extension portion 22. The connecting component 10 also has one bent portion 14.

[0054] The bending angle θ2 of the bent portion 14 relative to the overlapping portion 12 is not particularly limited as long as it is greater than 0°, and can be greater than 0° and less than 180°. In the case of the joining component 3, the bending angle θ2 is approximately 90°. Therefore, in the joining component 3, the shape of the connecting component 10 is L-shaped in side view, and the portion from the bent portion 14 of the connecting component 10 to the contact portion 11 extends along the penetrating direction of the welded portion 30 that penetrates the connecting component 10.

[0055] In addition, in the joining component 3, the plate thickness of the connecting component 10 and the plate thickness of the conductive component 20 are not particularly limited, however, the plate thickness of the connecting component 10 in the overlapping portion 12 is thinner than the plate thickness of the conductive component 20 that is overlapped in the overlapping portion 12.

[0056] As shown in Figure 5, in the joining component 3, the welded portion 30 is formed in the overlapping portion 12. Also, in the joining component 3, the welded portion 30 penetrates the connecting component 10 but does not penetrate the conductive component 20. From the above, the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 is formed on the surface of the connecting component 10 but not on the surface of the conductive component 20. Since the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 is formed on the surface of the connecting component 10 but not on the surface of the conductive component 20, when the welded portion 30 is formed, spatter is scattered from the surface of the connecting component 10 but not from the surface of the conductive component 20.

[0057] In the configuration of the connecting component 3, a connecting component 10 having a contact portion 11 that can be electrically connected to a mating component, a conductive component 20 superimposed on the connecting component 10 at an overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10 which is provided continuously with the contact portion 11, and a welded portion 30 formed in the overlapping portion 12 that joins the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20, wherein the welded portion 30 penetrates the connecting component 10 but does not penetrate the conductive component 20, and the contact portion 11 is located in the direction of the conductive component 20 more than the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 formed on the surface of the connecting component 11, so that when laser welding the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20, it is possible to prevent scattered spatter from adhering to the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10. Therefore, even in the connecting component 3, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0058] Furthermore, in the configuration of the joining component 3, the welding surface 31 of the welded portion 30 is formed on the surface of the joining component 10 and not on the surface of the conductive component 20. Therefore, when laser welding the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20, spatter does not scatter from the surface of the conductive component 20. This further reliably prevents spatter scattered from the welded portion 30 from adhering to the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10. Consequently, the joining component 3 can also more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0059] Furthermore, in the configuration of the joining component 3, the connecting component 10 has a bent portion 14 bent in the direction of the conductive component 20 between the overlapping portion 12 and the contact portion 11. This ensures that the contact portion 11 is positioned in the direction of the conductive component 20 more than the welded surface 31 formed on the surface of the connecting component 10, even with a simple structure. Consequently, even with the joining component 3, it is possible to more reliably prevent scattered spatter from adhering to the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 with a simple structure, and as a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0060] Next, a connecting component according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The connecting component according to the fourth embodiment shares the same main components as the connecting components according to the first to third embodiments, so the same components as those in the first to third embodiments will be described using the same reference numerals. Figure 6 is a side view illustrating the connecting component according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] In the joining component 3 according to the third embodiment, the connecting component 10 had one bent portion 14 bent in the direction of the conductive component 20 between the overlapping portion 12 and the contact portion 11. Instead, as shown in Figure 6, in the joining component 4 according to the fourth embodiment, the connecting component 10 has multiple bent portions 14 bent in the direction of the conductive component 20 between the overlapping portion 12 and the contact portion 11, so that the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is positioned in the direction of the conductive component 20 more than the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 formed on the surface of the connecting component 10. In the joining component 4, the connecting component 10 has two bent portions 14-1 and 14-2.

[0062] The bent portion 14-1 is a bent portion bent in the thickness direction of the conductive component 20 and is provided near the end of the extended portion 22 of the conductive component 20. The bent portion 14-2 is a bent portion bent in the extension direction of the conductive component 20 and is provided between the bent portion 14-1 and the contact portion 11.

[0063] The bending angle θ3 of the bent portion 14-1 relative to the overlapping portion 12 is not particularly limited as long as it is greater than 0°, and can be greater than 0° and less than 180°. In the case of the joining component 4, the bending angle θ3 is approximately 90°. Therefore, in the joining component 4, the portion from the bent portion 14-1 to the bent portion 14-2 of the connecting component 10 extends along the penetrating direction of the welded portion 30 that penetrates the connecting component 10.

[0064] The bending angle θ4 of the bent portion 14-2 relative to the overlapping portion 12 is not particularly limited as long as it is greater than 0°, and can be greater than 0° and less than 180°. In the case of the joining component 4, the bending angle θ4 is approximately 90°. Therefore, in the joining component 4, the portion from the bent portion 14-2 to the contact portion 11 extends along the extending direction of the extension portion 22 of the conductive component 20.

[0065] From the above, the shape of the connecting part 10 is U-shaped when viewed from the side.

[0066] The conductive component 20 is a plate-shaped member having a first surface 25 that contacts the connecting component 10 at the overlapping portion 12, and a second surface 26 that faces the first surface 25. Since the shape of the connecting component 10 is U-shaped when viewed from the side, the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is positioned facing the second surface 26.

[0067] In addition, in the joining component 4, the plate thickness of the connecting component 10 and the plate thickness of the conductive component 20 are not particularly limited, however, the plate thickness of the connecting component 10 in the overlapping portion 12 is thinner than the plate thickness of the conductive component 20 that is overlapped in the overlapping portion 12.

[0068] As shown in Figure 6, in the joining component 4, the welded portion 30 is formed in the overlapping portion 12. Also, in the joining component 4, the welded portion 30 penetrates the connecting component 10 but does not penetrate the conductive component 20. From the above, the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 is formed on the surface of the connecting component 10 but not on the surface of the conductive component 20. Since the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 is formed on the surface of the connecting component 10 but not on the surface of the conductive component 20, when the welded portion 30 is formed, spatter is scattered from the surface of the connecting component 10 but not from the surface of the conductive component 20.

[0069] In the configuration of the joining component 4, a connecting component 10 having a contact portion 11 that can be electrically connected to a mating component, a conductive component 20 superimposed on the connecting component 10 at an overlapping portion 12 of the connecting component 10 which is provided continuously with the contact portion 11, and a welded portion 30 formed in the overlapping portion 12 that joins the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20, wherein the welded portion 30 penetrates the connecting component 10 but does not penetrate the conductive component 20, and the contact portion 11 is located in the direction of the conductive component 20 more than the welded surface 31 of the welded portion 30 formed on the surface of the connecting component 11, so that when laser welding the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20, it is possible to prevent scattered spatter from adhering to the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10. Therefore, even in the joining component 4, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0070] Furthermore, in the configuration of the joining component 4, the welding surface 31 of the welded portion 30 is formed on the surface of the joining component 10 and not on the surface of the conductive component 20. Therefore, when laser welding the connecting component 10 and the conductive component 20, spatter does not scatter from the surface of the conductive component 20. This further reliably prevents spatter scattered from the welded portion 30 from adhering to the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10. Consequently, the joining component 4 can also more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0071] Furthermore, in the configuration of the joining component 4, the conductive component 20 is a plate-shaped member having a first surface 25 that contacts the connecting component 10 at the overlapping portion 12, and a second surface 26 that faces the first surface 25. Since the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 is positioned facing the second surface 26, the conductive component 20 also functions as a shield that shields the contact portion 11 of the connecting component 10 from scattered spatter. Therefore, the joining component 4 can more reliably prevent scattered spatter from adhering to the contact portion 11, and as a result, it can more reliably prevent a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating component.

[0072] Next, other embodiments of the connecting component of the present invention will be described. In the connecting component of each of the embodiments described above, the contact portion 11 was tuning fork shaped, but instead, the contact portion may be of the Faston type or blade fuse type. Also, instead of the tuning fork shape, the contact portion may be of the tulip type or Holdames type.

[0073] In the joining components of each of the above embodiments, the thickness of the connecting component 10 in the overlapping portion 12 was thinner than the thickness of the conductive component 20 that is overlapped in the overlapping portion 12. However, instead, the thickness of the connecting component 10 and the thickness of the conductive component 20 may be approximately the same, or the thickness of the connecting component 10 may be thicker than the thickness of the conductive component 20. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 1, 2, 3, 4 Connecting parts 10 connecting parts 11 Contact point 12 Overlapping section 14, 14-1, 14-2 Bending section 20 Conductive Components 30 Welded section 31 Welding mask

Claims

1. A metal connecting component having a contact portion which has a first contact portion and a second contact portion which is opposite to the first contact portion, and which can be electrically connected by contact with the mating component, A metal conductive component that serves as an electrical path, wherein the conductive component is superimposed on the connecting component at an overlapping portion of the connecting component that is continuously provided with the contact portion, A joining part comprising a welded portion formed in the overlapping portion for joining the connecting part and the energizing part, The welded portion penetrates the connecting component but does not penetrate the energized component. A connecting component in which the contact portion of the connecting component is located in the direction of the energized component more than the weld surface of the weld formed on the surface of the connecting component.

2. The joining part according to claim 1, wherein the welding surface is formed on the surface of the connecting part and not on the surface of the current-carrying part.

3. The joining component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting component and the current-carrying component are superimposed in a planar manner at the overlapping portion.

4. The joining component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plate thickness of the connecting component in the overlapping portion is thinner than the plate thickness of the electrically conductive component in the overlapping portion.

5. The joining component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opposing direction of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is parallel to the welding surface.

6. The connecting component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting component has a bent portion between the overlapping portion and the contact portion that is bent in the direction of the current-carrying component.

7. The connecting part according to claim 6, wherein the portion of the connecting part from the bent portion to the contact portion extends along the penetrating direction of the welded portion that penetrates the connecting part.

8. The connecting component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conductive component is a plate-shaped member having a first surface that contacts the connecting component at the overlapping portion and a second surface that faces the first surface, and the contact portion of the connecting component is arranged facing the second surface.

9. The connecting component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting component is flexible and at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is elastically deformable when in contact with the mating component.

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