Conductor connection structure

Abstract

It provides a spatially compact conductor connection structure with stable electrical conductivity. [Solution] The conductor connection structure comprises a first conductor 1, a second conductor 2, and a fastening member 3 that fastens the first conductor and the second conductor, having a head 30 and a shaft portion 31 which at least part of is a threaded portion 311. The first conductor has a first projection 12 which is thinner than the first base end. The first projection has a screw hole 13 which screws into the threaded portion in the thickness direction of the first projection. The second conductor has a second projection 22 which is thinner than the second base end. The second projection has a through hole 23 which penetrates through the second projection in the thickness direction. The through hole has a head housing portion 231 which is larger in diameter than the head diameter of the head of the fastening member, and a shaft housing portion 232 which is larger in diameter than the shaft portion of the fastening member and smaller in diameter than the head housing portion. The first conductor and the second conductor are connected by the first projection and the second projection overlapping in the thickness direction, and the screw portion of the fastening member inserted through the through hole screwing into the screw hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conductor connection structure.

Background Art

[0002] Wire harnesses made of copper wires or aluminum wires have been used for a long time as wiring materials for automobiles, but there is a movement to replace them with conductors such as bus bars.

[0003] In order to use a conductor as a wiring material for an automobile, some terminal treatment is required to electrically and mechanically connect the conductor to a fitting or the conductors to each other. In these terminal treatments, a form in which a through hole is provided at an end of the conductor and the overlapping portion is fastened with bolts and nuts has become common. For example, in Patent Document 1, an electrical connection member made of an aluminum alloy and a fastened member are mechanically fastened using bolts and nuts.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when both the electrical connection member and the fastened member are flat conductors as in Patent Document 1, at the mechanically fastened portion, the bolts and nuts protrude from the conductors, which is a factor in reducing the spatial accommodation rate. Also, at present, there are few proposals regarding the stability of electrical conduction in the overlapping portion between conductors.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. The object of the present invention is to provide a conductor connection structure that is spatially compact and has stable electrical conduction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A conductor connection structure according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a first conductor including a first conductor portion with a flat end, a second conductor including a second conductor portion with a flat end, and a fastening member having a head and a shaft portion which is at least partly a threaded portion, for fastening the first conductor and the second conductor. The first conductor portion has a first projection extending from the first base end of the first conductor portion toward the second conductor portion, with a plate thickness thinner than the first base end. The first projection has a screw hole that screws into the threaded portion in the thickness direction of the first projection. The second conductor portion has a second projection extending from the second base end of the second conductor portion toward the first conductor portion, with a plate thickness thinner than the second base end. The second projection has a through hole that penetrates in the thickness direction of the second projection. The through hole has a head housing portion which is larger in diameter than the head diameter of the head of the fastening member, and a shaft housing portion which is larger in diameter than the shaft portion of the fastening member and smaller in diameter than the head housing portion. The first conductor and the second conductor are connected by the first protrusion and the second protrusion being superimposed in the thickness direction of the first conductor and the second conductor, and by the screw portion and the screw hole of the fastening member inserted through the through hole being screwed together. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a conductor connection structure that is spatially compact and has stable electrical conductivity. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1A] This is a schematic perspective view showing the state of the conductor connection structure according to this embodiment before the first conductor and the second conductor are connected. [Figure 1B] This is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which the first conductor and the second conductor are connected in the conductor connection structure according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a conductor connection structure according to this embodiment. [Figure 3]This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the conductor connection structure according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The conductor connection structure according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the conductor connection structure according to this embodiment comprises a first conductor 1, a second conductor 2, and a fastening member 3. In this specification and drawings, the direction in which the first conductor 1 and the second conductor 2 are aligned (extension direction) is indicated by arrow Y, the direction perpendicular to arrow Y (thickness direction) is indicated by arrow Z, and the direction perpendicular to both arrow Y and arrow Z (width direction) is indicated by arrow X.

[0012] The first conductor 1 is made of a conductive metal and has a first conductor portion 10 that is flat at least at its end. For example, a busbar can be used as such the first conductor 1. The second conductor 2 is also made of a conductive metal and has a second conductor portion 20 that is flat at least at its end. For example, a busbar can be used as such the second conductor 2.

[0013] The first conductor portion 10 and the second conductor portion 20 are formed by processing a plate material made of a conductive metal material. The first conductor portion 10 and the second conductor portion 20 may be made of a single layer of metal plate, or they may be made of a laminated plate made by stacking multiple thin metal plates.

[0014] The conductive metal material constituting the first conductor portion 10 and the second conductor portion 20 is not particularly limited, but for example, copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy can be used. The first conductor portion 10 and the second conductor portion 20 can be made of the same conductive metal material, or a combination of different conductive metal materials can be used. For example, the first conductor portion 10 can be made of copper or a copper alloy, and the second conductor portion 20 can be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0015] Furthermore, the first conductor portion 10 and the second conductor portion 20 can be covered with an electrical insulating material except at the connection points of the conductor portions. In the conductor connection structure shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first conductor portion 10 of the first conductor 1 has a first insulating portion 14 with its end exposed, and the second conductor portion 20 of the second conductor 2 has a second insulating portion 24 with its end exposed. The electrical insulating material constituting the first insulating portion 14 and the second insulating portion 24 is not particularly limited, but for example, an electrically insulating resin or rubber can be used.

[0016] The fastening member 3 has a head 30 with a flat top surface and a shaft 31 which at least part of is a threaded portion 311. The material constituting the fastening member 3 is not particularly limited, but for example, copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, or stainless steel can be used.

[0017] The thickness dimension along the Z direction at the first base end 11 of the first conductor portion 10 is approximately the same as the thickness dimension along the Z direction at the second base end 21 of the second conductor portion 20. The thickness dimension of the first base end 11 is preferably within ±30%, more preferably within ±20%, and even more preferably within ±10% of the thickness dimension of the second base end 21. The thickness dimensions of the first base end 11 and the second base end 21 are not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 3 mm to 6 mm.

[0018] The width dimension along the X direction at the first base end 11 is approximately the same as the width dimension along the X direction at the second base end 21. The width dimension of the first base end 11 is preferably within ±30%, more preferably within ±20%, and even more preferably within ±10% of the width dimension of the second base end 21.

[0019] The first base end portion 11 protrudes toward the second conductor portion 20 and has a first protruding portion 12 whose one surface in the Z direction is continuous with the first base end portion 11. And the first protruding portion 12 has a thickness thinner than that of the first base end portion 11. Here, the surface not continuous with the first base end portion 11 is defined as the first overlapping surface 122, and the surface defining the step between the first base end portion 11 and the first overlapping surface 122 is defined as the first base end surface 111. Note that the thickness dimension along the Z direction in the first protruding portion 12 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of the thickness dimension along the Z direction in the first base end portion 11, and for example, it can be 1 / 2.

[0020] The first protruding portion 12 has a cylindrical screw hole 13 provided along the Z direction from the first overlapping surface 122. The screw hole 13 is located approximately at the center in the X direction and the Y direction on the first overlapping surface 122. Threads for screwing with the screw portion 311 of the fastening member 3 are provided on at least a part of the inner surface of the screw hole 13. The depth dimension of the screw hole 13 in the Z direction is not particularly limited, but for example, it can be 1 / 2 of the thickness dimension along the Z direction in the first protruding portion 12, and it can also be formed to penetrate the first protruding portion 12.

[0021] The second base end portion 21 protrudes toward the first conductor portion 10 and has a second protruding portion 22 whose one surface in the Z direction is continuous with the second base end portion 21. And the second protruding portion 22 has a thickness thinner than that of the second base end portion 21. Here, the surface not continuous with the second base end portion 21 is defined as the second overlapping surface 222, and the surface defining the step between the second base end portion 21 and the second overlapping surface 222 is defined as the second base end surface 211. Note that the thickness dimension along the Z direction in the second protruding portion 22 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of the thickness dimension along the Z direction in the second base end portion 21, and for example, it can be 1 / 2.

[0022] The second protruding portion 22 has a cylindrical through-hole 23 that penetrates the second protruding portion 22 along the Z direction. The through-hole 23 is located approximately at the center in the X and Y directions on the second overlapping surface 222. The through-hole 23 has a head accommodating portion 231 with a diameter larger than the head diameter of the head 30 of the fastening member 3, and a shaft accommodating portion 232 with a diameter larger than the shaft portion 31 of the fastening member 3 and smaller than the head accommodating portion 231. The head accommodating portion 231 only needs to have a diameter larger than the head diameter of the head 30 of the fastening member 3, and for example, it can be substantially the same as the head diameter. The inner diameter of the shaft accommodating portion 232 can be, for example, substantially the same as the nominal diameter of the threaded portion 311 of the shaft portion 31. Also, the depth dimension of the head accommodating portion 231 in the Z direction can be 1 / 2 of the thickness dimension along the Z direction of the second protruding portion 22.

[0023] The head 30 of the fastening member 3 is not particularly limited in its head shape as long as its upper surface is flat. For example, a flat head, a low head, or a countersunk head can be used. Also, the length dimension along the axial direction of the head 30 is preferably not more than the depth dimension along the Z direction of the head accommodating portion 231, and for example, it can also be 1 / 2 of the thickness dimension along the Z direction of the second protruding portion 22.

[0024] The shaft portion 31 of the fastening member 3 may be an incomplete thread having a cylindrical portion or a complete thread without a cylindrical portion as long as at least a part thereof is a threaded portion 311.

[0025] The length dimension along the axial direction of the fastening member 3 combining the head 30 and the shaft portion 31 is preferably not more than the sum of the thickness dimensions of the first protruding portion 12 and the second protruding portion 22. For example, it can be 3 / 4 of the thickness dimensions of the first base end portion 11 and the second base end portion 21, or it can also be substantially the same as the thickness dimensions of the first base end portion 11 and the second base end portion 21.

[0026] In the conductor connection structure of this embodiment, the first protruding portion 12 and the second protruding portion 22 are overlapped in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the first conductor 1 and the second conductor 2. That is, the first overlapping surface 122 of the first protruding portion 12 and the second overlapping surface 222 of the second protruding portion 22 are in a contacting state.

[0027] Then, the threaded portion 311 of the fastening member 3, which is inserted through the through hole 23 of the second protrusion 22, screws into the threaded hole 13 of the first protrusion 12, thereby mechanically fastening the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 22. In other words, the step formed between the large-diameter head housing portion 231 and the small-diameter shaft housing portion 232 of the through hole 23 is in contact with the seating surface of the head 30 of the fastening member 3.

[0028] Here, the sum of the thickness dimensions of the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 22 is approximately the same as the thickness dimensions of the first base end 11 and the second base end 21. Specifically, the thickness dimension of the first protrusion 12 is 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of the thickness dimension of the first base end 11, the thickness dimension of the second protrusion 22 is 2 / 3 to 1 / 3 of the thickness dimension of the second base end 21, and the sum of the thickness dimensions of the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 22 is within ±30% of the thickness dimensions of the first base end 11 and the second base end 21. By forming them with such thickness dimensions, in the connected state of the conductor connection structure, the first base end 11, the second base end 21, and the connection portion where the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 22 are superimposed will each be flat with approximately the same thickness dimension, making it possible to form a spatially compact connection portion.

[0029] Furthermore, in the conductor connection structure of this embodiment, the head 30 of the fastening member 3 is completely housed in the head housing portion 231 formed in the through hole 23 of the second projection 22. Specifically, the depth dimension of the head housing portion 231 in the Z direction is approximately the same as the axial length dimension of the head 30 of the fastening member 3. More specifically, both the depth dimension of the head housing portion 231 in the Z direction and the axial length dimension of the head 30 of the fastening member 3 are 1 / 2 of the thickness dimension along the Z direction in the second projection 22. With this configuration, the head 30, which has a flat top, does not protrude from the surface of the second projection 22 and is flat, making it possible to form a spatially compact connection portion.

[0030] Furthermore, in the conductor connection structure of this embodiment, the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 22 are thinner than the first base end 11 and the second base end 21, respectively. With this configuration, the contact pressure at the first overlapping surface 122 and the second overlapping surface 222 is higher compared to the case where the plate thickness is thicker, resulting in more stable electrical conductivity.

[0031] Furthermore, in the conductor connection structure of this embodiment, since the conductors are fastened together by screwing the screw hole 13 of the first protrusion 12 into the fastening member 3, the number of parts can be reduced compared to conventional conductor connection structures that required two fasteners, a bolt and a nut.

[0032] In the conductor connection structure of this embodiment, it is sufficient that the first base end 11, the second base end 21, and the connection portion where the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 22 overlap are all flat and have the same thickness dimension when the conductor connection structure is connected. Therefore, the shapes of the first overlapping surface 122 of the first protrusion 12 and the second overlapping surface 222 of the second protrusion 22 are not limited to the shapes shown in Figure 2.

[0033] For example, in the conductor connection structure shown in Figure 3, the first overlapping surface 122 and the second overlapping surface 222 have a shape that is inclined with respect to the Y direction. Specifically, the first projection 12 is inclined so that the thickness of the plate decreases from the first tip surface 121 towards the first base end 11, and the second projection 22 is inclined so that the thickness of the plate decreases from the second tip surface 221 towards the second base end 21.

[0034] Then, the threaded portion 311 of the fastening member 3, which is inserted through the through hole 23 of the second protrusion 22, screws into the threaded hole 13 of the first protrusion 12, thereby mechanically fastening the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 22. Because the first overlapping surface 122 and the second overlapping surface 222 are inclined, tightening the fastening member 3 applies a force that brings the first conductor 1 and the second conductor 2 closer to each other in the Y direction, thereby increasing the contact area between the conductors. In Figure 3, the contact between the first base end surface 111 and the second tip surface 221, and the contact between the first tip surface 121 and the second base end surface 211 are increased, resulting in more stable electrical conductivity.

[0035] As described above, the conductor connection structure according to this embodiment comprises a first conductor 1 including a first conductor portion 10 with a flat end, a second conductor 2 including a second conductor portion 20 with a flat end, and a fastening member 3 having a head 30 and a shaft portion 31 which at least a part of is a threaded portion 311, and fastening the first conductor 1 and the second conductor 2 together. The first conductor portion 10 has a first projection 12 that extends from the first base end 11 of the first conductor portion 10 toward the second conductor portion 20 and has a plate thickness thinner than the first base end 11. The first projection 12 has a screw hole 13 that screws into the threaded portion 311 in the thickness direction of the first projection 12. The second conductor portion 20 has a second projection 22 that extends from the second base end 21 of the second conductor portion 20 toward the first conductor portion 10 and has a plate thickness thinner than the second base end 21. The second projection 22 has a through hole 23 that penetrates in the thickness direction of the second projection 22. The through hole 23 has a head housing portion 231 which is larger in diameter than the head diameter of the head 30 of the fastening member 3, and a shaft housing portion 232 which is larger in diameter than the shaft portion 31 of the fastening member 3 and smaller in diameter than the head housing portion 231. The first conductor 1 and the second conductor 2 are connected by the first projection portion 12 and the second projection portion 22 being superimposed in the thickness direction of the first conductor 1 and the second conductor 2, and the threaded portion 311 of the fastening member 3 inserted through the through hole 23 being screwed into the screw hole 13.

[0036] With this configuration, the contact pressure at the first overlapping surface 122 and the second overlapping surface 222 is higher compared to the case where the plate thickness is thicker, resulting in more stable electrical conductivity. Furthermore, since the conductors are fastened together by screwing the threaded hole 13 of the first protrusion 12 into the fastening member 3, the number of parts can be reduced compared to conventional conductor connection structures that required two fasteners, a bolt and a nut.

[0037] In the conductor connection structure of this embodiment, the sum of the thickness dimensions of the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 22 in the connected state of the first conductor 1 and the second conductor 2 is approximately the same as the thickness dimension of the first base end 11 and the thickness dimension of the second base end 21, and the head 30 may be housed in the head housing 231 without protruding from the surface of the second conductor 2. With this configuration, the head 30, which has a flat upper surface, becomes flat without protruding from the surface of the second protrusion 22, making it possible to form a spatially compact connection.

[0038] Furthermore, in the conductor connection structure of this embodiment, the thickness of the first protrusion 12 may be 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of the thickness of the first base end 11, and the thickness of the second protrusion 22 may be 2 / 3 to 1 / 3 of the thickness of the second base end 21. With this configuration, the stress on the conductor connection structure fastened by the fastening member 3 becomes uniform, and good conductivity can be achieved between the first overlapping surface 122 and the second overlapping surface 222.

[0039] Although this embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1. First conductor 2 Second conductor 3 Fastening members 10 First conductor section 20 Second conductor section 11 First proximal end 12 First protrusion 13 Threaded holes 21 Second proximal end 22 Second protrusion 23 Through holes 30 head 31 Shaft 231 Head housing 232 Shaft housing 311 Screw part

Claims

1. A first conductor including a first conductor portion with a flat end, A second conductor including a second conductor portion with a flat end, A fastening member having a head and a shaft portion which is at least part of a threaded portion, for fastening the first conductor and the second conductor, Equipped with, The first conductor portion has a first projection that extends from the first base end of the first conductor portion toward the second conductor portion and has a thinner plate thickness than the first base end, and the first projection has a screw hole that screws into a threaded portion in the thickness direction of the first projection. The second conductor portion has a second projection that extends from the second base end of the second conductor portion toward the first conductor portion and has a thinner plate thickness than the second base end, the second projection has a through hole that penetrates in the thickness direction of the second projection, the through hole has a head housing portion that is larger in diameter than the head diameter of the head of the fastening member, and a shaft housing portion that is larger in diameter than the shaft portion of the fastening member and smaller in diameter than the head housing portion, A conductor connection structure in which the first conductor and the second conductor are connected by the first protrusion and the second protrusion being superimposed in the thickness direction of the first conductor and the second conductor, and the screw portion of the fastening member inserted through the through hole being screwed into the screw hole.

2. The conductor connection structure according to claim 1, wherein, in the connected state of the first conductor and the second conductor, the sum of the thickness dimensions of the first protrusion and the second protrusion is approximately the same as the thickness dimension of the first base end and the thickness dimension of the second base end, and the head is housed in the head housing without protruding from the surface of the second conductor.

3. The conductor connection structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickness of the first protrusion is 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of the thickness of the first base end, and the thickness of the second protrusion is 2 / 3 to 1 / 3 of the thickness of the second base end.

Images