Busbar retention structure

Abstract

One embodiment provides a busbar holding structure that facilitates the manufacturing and assembly of electrical components to which busbars are assembled. [Solution] One embodiment of the busbar holding structure comprises a busbar and a holding component for holding the busbar. The holding component has a bottom portion having a bottom surface facing the busbar, a stud bolt protruding from the bottom portion to one side in a first direction intersecting the bottom surface, and a side portion rising from one side in a second direction intersecting the first direction at the bottom portion to one side in the first direction. The busbar has an insertion hole through which the stud bolt is inserted when it is positioned at a predetermined location on the bottom portion. The side portion has a locking portion that restricts the busbar positioned at the predetermined location on the bottom portion from moving away to one side in the first direction. When viewed from the first direction, the locking portion overlaps with the outer portion of the busbar positioned at the predetermined location on the bottom portion. The overlap of the locking portion with the busbar is greater than the gap between the stud bolt and the insertion hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a bus bar holding structure.

Background Art

[0002] Among members for holding electric wires such as electronic modules and terminal blocks, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there are members in which a wiring groove for accommodating electric wires is formed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electric wire module in which a plurality of electric wires are arranged in parallel by an electric wire holder attached to a long bent portion provided on an electric wire to form an electric wire body, and the electric wire body is arranged in an electric wire arrangement hole provided in one of a pair of molding dies.

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 case of a terminal block (electrical component) using a bus bar instead of the above-described electric wire module, the bus bar inserts a stud bolt erected in the bus bar accommodating portion of the terminal block main body (holding component) into a bolt insertion hole formed in itself, and the outer portion of the bus bar is locked to a locking claw or the like formed on the side wall of the bus bar accommodating portion, so that the bus bar is held in the bus bar accommodating portion. In the above-described electrical component, a configuration that makes manufacturing and assembly easier is desired.

[0005] One embodiment provides a bus bar holding structure that can facilitate the manufacture and assembly of electrical components to which a bus bar is assembled.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One embodiment of the busbar holding structure comprises a busbar and a holding component for holding the busbar. The holding component has a bottom portion having a bottom surface facing the busbar, a stud bolt protruding from the bottom portion to one side in a first direction intersecting the bottom surface, and a side portion rising from one side of the bottom portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction to one side in the first direction. The busbar has an insertion hole through which the stud bolt is inserted when it is positioned at a predetermined location on the bottom portion. The side portion has a locking portion that restricts the busbar positioned at the predetermined location on the bottom portion from moving away to one side in the first direction. When viewed from the first direction, the locking portion overlaps with the outer portion of the busbar positioned at the predetermined location on the bottom portion. The overlap of the locking portion with the busbar is greater than the gap between the stud bolt and the insertion hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, a busbar holding structure can be provided that facilitates the manufacturing and assembly of electrical components to which the busbar is assembled. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the terminal block of the embodiment. [Figure 2] An exploded perspective view of the terminal block shown above with the busbars removed. [Figure 3] Plan view of the busbar mounting section of the above terminal block. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV, illustrating the operation of the busbar holding structure of the terminal block described above. [Figure 5] A cross-sectional view showing other functions of the busbar holding structure described above. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted. Note that the components described below do not limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0010] The term "accommodation" as used in this disclosure is not limited to cases where the entire component is accommodated, but may also include cases where only a portion of the component is accommodated (with the remaining portion of the component protruding). In this disclosure, the X, Y, and Z directions are defined as follows: The X direction is the direction along the shorter side of the plan view shape of the terminal block 10, which will be described later. The Y direction is the direction along the longer side of the plan view shape of the terminal block 10. The Z direction is the direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions. The Z direction is an example of a "first direction". The X direction is an example of a "second direction".

[0011] In the following, when the X and Y directions are not distinguished, they may be referred to as the "horizontal direction." In the following, the Z direction may be referred to as the "vertical direction." Also, in the following, one side in the Z direction may be referred to as "up," and the other side in the Z direction as "down." Also, in the following, one side in the Y direction may be referred to as "front," and the other side in the Y direction as "rear." Also, in the following, one side in the X direction may be referred to as "right," and the other side in the X direction as "left." However, these expressions are for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the installation orientation of the terminal block 10.

[0012] (terminal block 10) Figure 1 is a perspective view of the terminal block 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block 10 with the busbar 31 removed. Figure 3 is a plan view of the busbar 31 mounting portion of the terminal block 10. The terminal block 10 according to this embodiment is used in in-vehicle equipment installed in vehicles such as EVs (Electric Vehicles), HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles), or PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles). The in-vehicle equipment includes, for example, a plurality of electronic components (connectors, fuses, relays, etc.). Electrical connections are made between the plurality of electronic components, or between them and other in-vehicle equipment, via busbars 31. An example of a terminal block for connecting these busbars 31 is shown in the terminal block 10 of this embodiment.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the terminal block 10 comprises, for example, a case 11, electronic components (not shown), a plurality of stud bolts 21, and a bus bar 31.

[0014] (Case 11) Case 11 is an outer enclosure member that forms most of the external shape of the terminal block 10. Case 11 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and has insulating properties. Case 11 houses electronic components not shown. Case 11 is a retaining component capable of holding the busbar 31.

[0015] Case 11 is plate-shaped along the horizontal direction (in other words, plate-shaped along the X and Y directions). In a plan view from the Z direction, Case 11 has a rectangular shape that is longer in the Y direction. In other words, the X direction is the direction of the shorter side of the plan view shape of Case 11, the Y direction is the direction of the longer side of the plan view shape of Case 11, and the Z direction is the thickness direction of Case 11. Mounting portions 19a for a frame (not shown) are provided at the corners of the rectangular plan view shape of Case 11. Reference numeral 19b in the figure indicates a connector routing portion for routing connector wiring (not shown).

[0016] The case 11 has one or more (e.g., multiple) busbar housing sections 12 on its upper surface, which faces upward, for accommodating the busbars 31. The busbar housing sections 12 are recessed downward (inward) from the upper surface of the case 11. In a plan view from the Z direction, the busbar housing sections 12 have a shape corresponding to the shape of the busbars 31 they accommodate. The busbar housing sections 12 form a groove-shaped housing space (arrangement space 12k) that opens upward. Another busbar housing section 24 is provided, for example, to the right of the busbar housing section 12.

[0017] The busbar housing section 12 includes, for example, a bottom wall 13 (bottom) that forms a horizontally arranged planar bottom surface 14, and a pair of side walls 15, 17 that rise upward from the side edges of the bottom wall 13 in the width direction (X direction in this embodiment). The bottom wall 13 is not limited to forming a perfectly flat surface (bottom surface 14) without any irregularities; it may also be configured to form a generally flat bottom surface 14 while having irregularities. Each side wall 15, 17 forms a plane (hereinafter referred to as side surfaces 16, 18) that is disposed substantially perpendicular (i.e., substantially vertical) to the bottom surface 14. The terms "substantially perpendicular" and "substantially vertical" are intended to include an angular difference of the order of the draft angle during the molding of the case 11. The bus bar housing portion 12 varies the bottom surface 14 in the vertical direction according to the shape of the bus bar 31.

[0018] (Stud bolt 21) A plurality of stud bolts 21 are integrally provided on the case 11. Each stud bolt 21 is disposed such that the axial direction of the screw shaft portion extends along the Z direction. The lower end portion (base portion) of each stud bolt 21 is integrated with the case 11 by, for example, mechanical coupling. For example, a structure 22 capable of fixing the base portion of the stud bolt 21 by fitting or the like is formed on the upper surface portion of the case 11, and the base portion of the stud bolt 21 is fixed to the structure 22 and integrated. The plurality of stud bolts 21 may be provided integrally with the case 11 by, for example, insert molding. The stud bolts 21 and the structure 22 are provided in the bus bar housing portion 12. Reference numerals 25, 26 in the figure respectively indicate stud bolts and structures provided in another bus bar housing portion 24.

[0019] (Bus bar 31) The bus bar 31 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is, for example, a wiring member (electrical connection member) that electrically connects at least one electronic component included in the terminal block 10 and an external connection terminal (the stud bolt 21a at the front end portion of the case 11). The bus bar 31 may be, for example, a wiring member that electrically connects a plurality of electronic components included in the terminal block 10, or a wiring member for connecting an electronic component of the terminal block 10 and an external device. The bus bar 31 is made of metal (for example, copper or copper alloy) and has conductivity. The bus bar 31 can be held in the bus bar housing portion 12 of the case 11 without falling off by the stud bolts 21 and the locking claws 28 described later. The bus bar 31 is fixed to the terminal block 10 by a nut attached to the stud bolt 21 while being held in the bus bar housing portion 12.

[0020] The busbar 31 is a plate-like (strip-like) shape with a certain length. The busbar 31 includes an intermediate connecting portion 31c that extends linearly in the front-rear direction and is housed in the intermediate portion (intermediate housing portion 13c) of the busbar housing portion 12 in the front-rear direction, a front hanging portion 31a1 that bends downward from the front end of the intermediate connecting portion 31c, a front fixing portion 31a that bends forward from the lower end of the front hanging portion 31a1, a rear upright portion 31b1 that bends upward from the rear end of the intermediate connecting portion 31c, and a rear fixing portion 31b that bends backward from the upper end of the rear upright portion 31b1 and is formed into an appropriate shape in plan view. In this embodiment, "intermediate" is not limited to "center". In this embodiment, the rear fixing portion 31b is formed to be, for example, crank-shaped in plan view.

[0021] (Bus bar housing section 12) The busbar housing section 12 includes an intermediate housing section 13c that houses the intermediate connection section 31c, a front housing section 13a located in front of the intermediate housing section 13c and at a lower position than the intermediate housing section 13c, and a rear housing section 13b located behind the intermediate housing section 13c and at a higher position than the intermediate housing section 13c.

[0022] The intermediate housing section 13c forms a bottom surface 14 that is displaced below the top surface of the case 11 of the terminal block 10, and forms a pair of side surfaces 16 and 18 that rise upward from both sides in the width direction of the bottom surface 14. The distance between the pair of side surfaces 16 and 18 is greater than the width of the intermediate connection section 31c of the busbar 31. When the busbar 31 is placed in a predetermined position p1 within the busbar housing section 12 (for example, a position where the left and right width centers of the intermediate connection section 31c and the left and right width centers of the intermediate housing section 13c are aligned), gaps are formed on both the left and right sides of the intermediate housing section 13c between the left and right side surfaces 16 and 18 and the left and right side edges of the intermediate connection section 31c. These gaps are set to be as small as, for example, the gap C between the stud bolt 21 and the insertion hole 34 (see Figure 4). By reducing the gap between the side edge of the straight intermediate connection section 31c and the side surfaces 16, 18 of the intermediate storage section 13c, the lateral movement of the intermediate connection section 31c and its tilt on the bottom surface 14 are restricted.

[0023] At the rear end of the front housing section 13a, the front vertical wall 13a1 hanging down from the front end of the intermediate housing section 13c faces the front hanging portion 31a1 of the bus bar 31 in the front-rear direction. For example, a predetermined gap is formed between the front vertical wall 13a1 of the front housing section 13a and the front hanging portion 31a1 of the bus bar 31. At the front end of the rear housing section 13b, the rear vertical wall 13b1 rising from the rear end of the intermediate housing section 13c faces the rear vertical portion 31b1 of the bus bar 31 in the front-rear direction. For example, a predetermined gap is formed between the rear vertical wall 13b1 of the rear housing section 13b and the rear vertical portion 31b1 of the bus bar 31. By forming gaps between the front vertical wall 13a1 of the front housing section 13a and the front hanging portion 31a1 of the bus bar 31, and between the rear vertical wall 13b1 of the rear housing section 13b and the rear upright portion 31b1 of the bus bar 31, the influence of the stud bolts 21 and the insertion holes 34 on the positioning of the bus bar 31 is suppressed.

[0024] The front housing section 13a and the rear housing section 13b are provided with stud bolts 21 that rise upward from their respective bottom surfaces 14. Each stud bolt 21 is positioned perpendicular to the axial direction with respect to the bottom surface 14. The stud bolt 21a of the front housing section 13a is inserted through a through hole 34 formed in the front fixing section 31a of the busbar 31. The stud bolts 21b1 and 21b2 of the rear housing section 13b are inserted through a through hole 34 formed in the rear fixing section 31b of the busbar 31. The rear housing section 13b is provided with, for example, multiple (two) stud bolts 21b1 and 21b2, each inserted through multiple (two) through holes 34 formed in the rear fixing section 31b of the busbar 31.

[0025] The front fixing portion 31a and the rear fixing portion 31b of the busbar 31 each have through holes (insertion holes 34) that penetrate in the Z direction. The threaded shaft portion of the corresponding stud bolt 21 is inserted through the insertion hole 34. The outer surface of the threaded shaft portion has threads formed on it. The threaded shaft portion of the stud bolt 21 is inserted through the insertion hole 34 of the busbar 31. By attaching a nut to the threaded shaft portion that protrudes upward from the busbar 31 and tightening it, the corresponding portion of the busbar 31 is fixed to the case 11. This fixing electrically connects the busbar 31 to electronic components, etc., via the stud bolt 21.

[0026] Movement of the busbar 31 along the bottom surface 14 is restricted by the side walls 15 and 17 on both sides in the X direction and the stud bolts. Dislodgement of the busbar 31 from the busbar housing 12 (upward movement) is restricted by the locking claw 28 on one side (right side) in the X direction and the stud bolts.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the locking claw 28 is provided so as to protrude from the right side wall 15 of the intermediate housing section 13c into the busbar arrangement space 12k. The locking claw 28 is provided so as to overlap, in a plan view, with the right outer portion 31c1 of the busbar 31 when the busbar 31 is placed at a specified position p1 in the busbar housing section 12. Figure 4 schematically shows the relative positions of the busbar 31, stud bolt 21 and locking claw 28 in the X direction. Figure 4 shows the state in which the busbar 31 is in a specified position within the busbar housing section 12.

[0028] The engagement allowance A (overlap in a plan view from the Z direction) of the locking claw 28 with the outer portion 31c1 of the bus bar 31 at the specified position p1 is greater than the gap C between the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 34 of the bus bar 31 at the specified position p1 and the outer circumferential surface of the stud bolt 21 (A > C). The size of the through hole 34 relative to the stud bolt 21 is, for example, approximately the inner diameter of a flat washer according to JIS B 1256:2008. The specified position p1 of the bus bar 31 is, for example, the position where the respective center positions of the stud bolt 21 and the through hole 34 are aligned with each other (the center position of play in the left-right direction).

[0029] As a result, even if the bus bar 31, which is in the specified position p1, moves to the opposite side of the locking claw 28, the engagement allowance A of the locking claw 28 with the bus bar 31 remains when the inner surface of the insertion hole 34 comes into contact with the outer surface of the stud bolt 21. Therefore, it is possible to restrict the bus bar 31 from detaching from the housing by simply locking the bus bar 31 with one of the locking claws 28 on the left or right side.

[0030] In the intermediate housing section 13c of the busbar housing section 12, of the pair of side walls 15, 17, the left side wall 17 facing the locking claw 28 does not have the locking claw 28, nor does it have ribs or concave shapes to replace the locking claw 28, and forms a flat and substantially vertical side surface 18 from the bottom surface 14 to the upper end of the side wall 17. According to the configuration of this embodiment, compared to cases where multiple locking parts or ribs or recessed shapes are provided in the busbar housing 12, it is possible to prevent the busbar 31 from falling out in the temporary assembly state before tightening nuts onto the stud bolts 21, while having a simpler configuration.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, even if the busbar 31 attempts to rotate so as to lift the other side in the second direction around the locking position with the locking claw 28, if the size of the through hole 34 relative to the stud bolt 21 is about the same as the inner diameter of the flat washer, the inner surface of the through hole 34 will interfere with the outer surface of the bolt when the busbar 31 has tilted to a certain extent. As a result, excessive rotation (tilting) and lifting of the busbar 31 are suppressed, preventing the busbar 31 from coming off the bolt or losing the engagement A with the locking claw 28.

[0032] By inserting multiple stud bolts 21 through a single busbar 31, the rotation of the busbar 31 is restricted, making it easier to maintain the engagement A of the locking claws 28. The rotation of the busbar 31 is also restricted, making it easier to maintain the engagement A of the locking claws 28, when the side walls 15, 17 of the busbar housing 12 and the outer part 31c1 of the busbar 31 come into close proximity to each other.

[0033] The right side wall 15 has a slit formed around the locking claw 28, and the area around the locking claw 28 is made into a cantilevered elastic piece 29. By providing the locking claw 28 on this elastic piece 29, when the locking claw 28 is pressed from the busbar arrangement space 12k side, the locking claw 28 is elastically displaced and retracts from the busbar arrangement space 12k. This retraction makes it possible to attach and detach the busbar 31 to the busbar housing 12.

[0034] The locking claw 28 has a locking surface 28a facing the bottom surface 14 side (downward side) of the busbar housing 12 and a guide surface 28b facing the open side (upward side) of the busbar housing 12. The locking surface 28a is formed substantially perpendicular to the Z direction and restricts the detachment of the busbar 31 by approaching or contacting the upper surface of the outer portion 31c1 of the busbar 31. The guide surface 28b is inclined such that the upper part with respect to the Z direction is located outside the busbar arrangement space 12k in the X direction. When assembling the busbar 31 to the busbar housing 12, inserting the busbar 31 into the housing along the Z direction causes the outer portion 31c1 of the busbar 31 to slide against the guide surface 28b, retracting the locking claw 28. This action facilitates the assembly of the busbar 31 to the busbar housing 12. When removing the busbar 31, the locking claw 28 can be retracted using a screwdriver or similar tool, thereby allowing the busbar 31 to be removed.

[0035] As described above, the busbar holding structure of the embodiment comprises a busbar 31 and a case 11 that holds the busbar 31. The case 11 has a bottom wall 13 having a bottom surface 14 facing the busbar 31, a stud bolt 21 protruding from the bottom wall 13 to one side in a first direction intersecting the bottom surface 14, and a side wall 15 rising from one side in a second direction intersecting the first direction to one side in the first direction on the bottom wall 13. The busbar 31 has an insertion hole 34 through which the stud bolt 21 is inserted when it is positioned at a predetermined location on the bottom wall 13. The side wall 15 has a locking claw 28 that restricts the busbar 31, positioned at a predetermined location on the bottom wall 13, from moving away to one side in the first direction. When viewed from the first direction, the locking claw 28 overlaps with the outer portion 31c1 of the busbar 31 positioned at a predetermined location on the bottom wall 13. The overlap (engagement A) of the locking claw 28 with the bus bar 31 is greater than the gap C between the stud bolt 21 and the insertion hole 34.

[0036] In this configuration, when the bus bar 31 is positioned at a specified position p1 on the bottom wall 13 where the stud bolts 21 stand in the case 11 that holds the bus bar 31, the locking claws 28, which overlap with the outer part 31c1 of the bus bar 31 in the first direction (the direction in which the stud bolts 21 are inserted), restrict the bus bar 31 from moving away from the specified position p1 to one side in the first direction. The bus bar 31 positioned at the specified position p1 on the bottom wall 13 is restricted from moving on the bottom wall 13 by inserting the stud bolts 21 into the insertion holes 34. Even if a second side (side wall 17) without locking claws 28 or an open section is provided on the other side of the bottom wall 13 in the second direction, the state in which the bus bar 31 is restricted from moving away to one side in the first direction is maintained.

[0037] As a comparative example, it is conceivable to restrict the detachment of the busbar 31 on the other side of the second direction by providing a locking claw 28 or a rib or recess on the other side of the second direction of the side wall 17. However, due to component constraints, it may be possible to set a locking claw 28 in only one place on one side of the second direction, or it may not be possible to set a rib or recess on the other side of the second direction. The present invention restricts the movement of the busbar 31 by setting the gap C between the stud bolt 21 for connecting the busbar 31 and the insertion hole 34 formed in the busbar 31 to be smaller than the engagement A of the locking claw 28 on one side in the second direction. This restricts the movement of the busbar 31 by preventing the busbar 31 from coming off the locking claw 28, thereby preventing the busbar 31 from falling out of the housing. With the above configuration, it is not necessary to provide locking claws 28 on both sides in the second direction, which simplifies the manufacturing of the case 11. Furthermore, the locking claws 28 provided only on one side in the second direction reliably prevent the busbar 31 from falling out, thus providing a busbar holding structure.

[0038] In the busbar holding structure of the embodiment, the side wall 15 of the case 11 is provided to follow the outer portion 31c1 of the busbar 31 which is positioned at a predetermined position p1 on the bottom wall 13. With this configuration, the busbar 31 positioned at a specified position p1 on the bottom wall 13 is restricted from moving or rotating on the bottom wall 13 by the stud bolts 21 and the side wall 15, thus more reliably preventing the busbar 31 from falling off.

[0039] In the busbar holding structure of the embodiment, the case 11 is provided with a plurality of stud bolts 21, and the busbar 31 has a plurality of insertion holes 34 through which each of the stud bolts 21 is inserted. With this configuration, the bus bar 31 positioned at a specified position p1 on the bottom wall 13 is restricted from moving or rotating on the bottom wall 13 by multiple stud bolts 21, thereby more reliably preventing the bus bar 31 from falling off.

[0040] In the busbar holding structure of the embodiment, the side wall 15 of the case 11 has an elastically deformable elastic piece 29 on the side opposite to the arrangement space 12k of the busbar 31, and the locking claw 28 is provided on the elastic piece 29. With this configuration, by having the locking claw 28 on the elastic piece 29, it becomes possible to retract the locking claw 28 when attaching or detaching the busbar 31 to the case 11, thereby facilitating the assembly of electrical components and other operations.

[0041] Several embodiments and modifications have been described above. However, the embodiments and modifications are not limited to the examples described above. For example, multiple embodiments may be implemented in combination with each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 10 Terminal block 11 Case (holding part) 12k busbar placement space 13 Bottom wall (bottom) 14. Base 15 Side wall (side section) 16 Side view 21 Stud bolts 28 Locking claw (locking part) 29 Elastic piece 31 Bus Bar 31c1 outer part 34 Through hole A. Overlap charge (overlap charge) C Gap p1 Defined position

Claims

1. Bus bar and, The busbar is held in place by a retaining part, The retaining part comprises a bottom portion having a bottom surface facing the busbar, a stud bolt protruding from the bottom portion to one side in a first direction intersecting the bottom surface, and a side portion rising from one side of the bottom portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction to one side in the first direction. The busbar has through holes through which the stud bolts are inserted when positioned at a predetermined location on the bottom, The side portion has a locking portion that restricts the bus bar, which is positioned at a predetermined location on the bottom portion, from detaching to one side in the first direction. The locking portion overlaps with the outer portion of the busbar positioned at a predetermined location on the bottom when viewed from the first direction. The overlap between the locking portion and the busbar is greater than the gap between the stud bolt and the insertion hole. Busbar retaining structure.

2. The side portion of the retaining component is provided to follow the outer portion of the busbar positioned at a predetermined location on the bottom portion. The busbar holding structure according to claim 1.

3. The retaining component comprises a plurality of the stud bolts, The busbar has a plurality of insertion holes through which each of the stud bolts is inserted. The busbar holding structure according to claim 2.

4. The side portion of the retaining component has an elastically deformable elastic piece on the side opposite to the busbar arrangement space, The elastic piece has the locking portion, The busbar holding structure according to claim 1.

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