Motor unit

Abstract

This invention provides a novel structure for fastening the first terminal of a motor busbar to the second terminal of a terminal block. [Solution] The motor unit may include a motor having a stator coil, a motor busbar connected to the stator coil, a first terminal located at the tip of the motor busbar, a first guide member fixed to the first terminal and having a first guide surface, a second terminal to which the first terminal is fastened using bolts and which has a contact surface that contacts the first terminal, a terminal block holding the second terminal, and a second guide member fixed to the second terminal and having a second guide surface. The first and second guide surfaces are configured to contact each other when the first terminal approaches the second terminal from a direction parallel to the contact surface, and each may have a first profile that prevents contact between the first terminal and the second terminal at least at the timing when the first terminal and the second terminal begin to face each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a motor unit.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a motor unit. In this motor unit, a first terminal is provided at the tip of a motor bus bar. The first terminal of the motor is fastened to the second terminal of a terminal block fixed to the casing and is in contact with the contact surface of the second terminal. A power conversion device is electrically connected to the second terminal, and the motor is electrically connected to the power conversion device via the terminal block.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the motor unit as described above, when the motor is attached to the casing, it is preferable that the first terminal of the motor bus bar be positioned with respect to the second terminal of the terminal block fixed to the casing. At this time, depending on the design of the motor unit, the first terminal of the motor bus bar may approach the second terminal from a direction parallel to the contact surface of the second terminal. In such a case, since the first terminal and the second terminal slide relative to each other, there is a risk of conductive foreign matter generating from the first terminal and / or the second terminal. To avoid this, it is conceivable to provide a gap between the first terminal and the second terminal. However, if a gap is provided between the two terminals, when the first terminal is fastened to the second terminal, the motor bus bar will be in an elastically deformed state, and there is a risk that an unintended load will act on the stator coil connected to the motor bus bar.

[0005] In view of the above, this specification provides a novel structure for fastening the first terminal of a motor busbar to the second terminal of a terminal block. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The technology disclosed herein is embodied in a motor unit. In a first aspect of this technology, the motor unit may include a motor having a stator coil, a motor busbar connected to the stator coil, a first terminal located at the tip of the motor busbar, a first guide member fixed to the first terminal and having a first guide surface, a second terminal to which the first terminal is fastened using bolts and which has a contact surface that contacts the first terminal, a terminal block holding the second terminal, and a second guide member fixed to the second terminal and having a second guide surface. The first guide surface and the second guide surface are configured to contact each other when the first terminal approaches the second terminal from a direction parallel to the contact surface, and each may have a first profile that prevents contact between the first terminal and the second terminal at least at the timing when the first terminal and the second terminal begin to face each other.

[0007] In the motor unit described above, when the first terminal approaches the second terminal from a direction parallel to the contact surface, the first guide surface of the first guide member and the second guide surface of the second guide member come into contact with each other. The first guide member is fixed to the first terminal, and the second guide member is fixed to the second terminal. Therefore, the first and second terminals move away from each other or approach each other depending on the respective profiles (surface shapes) of the first and second guide surfaces. In particular, the first and second guide surfaces each have a first profile that prevents contact between the first and second terminals at least at the timing when the first and second terminals begin to face each other. As a result, when the first terminal approaches the second terminal from a direction parallel to the contact surface, sliding between the first and second terminals is at least partially avoided. Therefore, the generation of conductive foreign matter from the first and / or second terminals is prevented or suppressed.

[0008] In a second aspect of this technology, in the first aspect described above, the first profile of the first guide surface may be a convex shape projecting toward the second guide surface. The first profile of the second guide surface may also be a convex shape projecting toward the first guide surface. With this configuration, the first terminal is guided to be separated from the second terminal by the convex shape of the second guide surface, and the second terminal is guided to be separated from the first terminal by the convex shape of the first guide surface. This prevents the first terminal and the second terminal from coming into contact with each other when they reach positions facing each other.

[0009] In a third aspect of this technology, in the first or second aspect described above, the first guide surface and the second guide surface may have a second profile that allows contact between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first terminal approaches the second terminal from a direction parallel to the contact surface and moves to a position where the first terminal is fastened to the second terminal. With such a configuration, when the first terminal reaches the position where it is fastened to the second terminal, the first terminal and the second terminal can come into contact with each other without being obstructed by the first guide member and the second guide member.

[0010] In a fourth aspect of this technology, in the third aspect described above, the second profile of the first guide surface may be a concave shape that accommodates the convex shape of the second guide surface, and the first profile of the second guide surface may be a concave shape that accommodates the convex shape of the first guide surface. With this configuration, when the first terminal reaches the position where it is fastened to the second terminal, the convex shape of the first guide surface is accommodated in the concave shape of the second guide surface, and the convex shape of the second guide surface is accommodated in the concave shape of the first guide surface, thereby allowing the first terminal and the second terminal to come into contact with each other.

[0011] In a fifth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, at least one of the first guide member and the second guide member may be made of a resin material. With such a configuration, conductive foreign matter is not generated by contact between the first guide member and the second guide member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the configuration of the motor unit in Example 1. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the first and second terminals along the line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the terminal block before it is attached to the casing. [Figure 5] Figures 5(a) to 5(e) are cross-sectional views of the Va-Va line in Figure 4, illustrating in steps the sequence of how multiple first terminals are connected to multiple second terminals. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the configuration of the motor unit in Example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention] [Examples]

[0013] (Example 1) The motor unit 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1-5. As shown in Figure 1, the motor unit 10, together with the inverter 50, constitutes a drive system mounted on an electric vehicle. The motor unit 10 has a motor 20. The motor 20 is a driving motor for the electric vehicle and is a prime mover that drives at least one wheel of the electric vehicle. The motor 20 is, for example, a three-phase motor. Power can be supplied to the motor unit 10 from the battery via the inverter 50.

[0014] The inverter 50 electrically connects the battery mounted on the electric vehicle to the motor unit 10. The inverter 50 converts the DC power supplied from the battery into three-phase AC power. The inverter 50 has a plurality of inverter busbars 52, 54, and 56. The inverter 50 can input and output power to and from the motor unit 10 via the plurality of inverter busbars 52, 54, and 56. The plurality of inverter busbars 52, 54, and 56 include a U-phase inverter busbar 52, a V-phase inverter busbar 54, and a W-phase inverter busbar 56. In Figure 1, each of the plurality of inverter busbars 52, 54, and 56 is simply illustrated with a straight line.

[0015] The motor unit 10 and the inverter 50 are housed in a common casing 60. However, the motor unit 10 and the inverter 50 are not limited to a common casing 60, and may be housed in different casings. The casing 60 is a housing member. The casing 60 has a casing body 62 and a partition wall 64 that separates the motor 20 and the inverter 50 within the casing body 62.

[0016] The motor 20 includes a shaft 22, a rotor 24, and a stator 26. The shaft 22 extends along the central axis C of the motor 20. The rotor 24 is generally cylindrical. The rotor 24 is fixed to the shaft 22. The rotor 24 rotates with the shaft 22 about the central axis C as its center of rotation.

[0017] Here, in this specification, a cylindrical coordinate system composed of an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction is defined with respect to the central axis C of the motor 20. The axial direction is a direction parallel to the central axis C and is defined by the coordinate axis D1 parallel to the central axis C (see FIG. 2). In this specification, the positive direction of the coordinate axis D1 may be expressed as one side of the axial direction. The negative direction of the coordinate axis D1 may be expressed as the other side of the axial direction. The radial direction is a direction orthogonal to the central axis C and is defined by the coordinate axis D2 with the central axis C as the origin (see FIG. 1). In this specification, the positive direction of the coordinate axis D2 is expressed as the outside in the radial direction, and the negative direction of the coordinate axis D2 may be expressed as the inside in the radial direction. The circumferential direction is a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the radial direction and is defined by the coordinate axis D3 that circulates around the central axis C (see FIG. 1). In this specification, the positive direction of the coordinate axis D3 is expressed as one side of the circumferential direction, and the negative direction of the coordinate axis D3 may be expressed as the other side of the circumferential direction.

[0018] The stator 26 is generally a cylindrical member. The stator 26 is disposed on the outside in the radial direction with respect to the rotor 24. The stator 26 has a stator core 28 and a plurality of coils 30U, 30V, 30W. In the motor 20, the rotor 24 and the shaft 22 rotate when three-phase alternating current power of the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase is input to and output from the plurality of coils 30 of the stator 26 from the inverter 50.

[0019] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the motor unit 10, and the rotor 24 and shaft 22 are not shown. The stator core 28 is a cylindrical member. The stator core 28 has one end face 28e located on one side in the axial direction and another end face (not shown) located on the other side in the axial direction, and extends axially from one end face 28e to the other end face. The stator core 28 has an inner circumferential surface 28a. The inner circumferential surface 28a is the radially inner surface of the stator core 28 and extends cylindrically along the circumferential direction. The inner circumferential surface 28a of the stator core 18 defines a through hole that accommodates at least a part of the rotor 24. Multiple slots (not shown) arranged along the circumferential direction are formed on the inner circumferential surface 28a of the stator core 28. The outer circumferential surface 28b of the stator core 28 is the radially outer surface of the stator core 28 and extends cylindrically along the circumferential direction. The inner circumferential surface 28a and the outer circumferential surface 28b extend along the axial direction between one end face 28e and the other end face (not shown).

[0020] Multiple coils 30U, 30V, and 30W are arranged in slots of the stator core 18. More specifically, each of the multiple stator coils 30U, 30V, and 30W (hereinafter referred to as each stator coil 30U, 30V, and 30W) is arranged across two or more slots. Each stator coil 30U, 30V, and 30W is a segment coil and is composed of a conductor wire having a rectangular cross-section. The specific configuration of the multiple coils 30U, 30V, and 30W is not particularly limited. For example, the multiple coils 30U, 30V, and 30W may have a concentrated winding configuration or a distributed winding configuration.

[0021] The plurality of coils 30U, 30V, 30W include a U-phase coil 30U, a V-phase coil 30V, and a W-phase coil 30W. The U-phase coil 30U has one end 30Ua on the input / output side and the other end (not shown) on the neutral point side. The V-phase coil 30V has one end 30Va on the input / output side and the other end (not shown) on the neutral point side. The W-phase coil 30W has one end 30Wa on the input / output side and the other end (not shown) on the neutral point side. The other ends of the respective coils 30U, 30V, 30W are electrically connected to each other to form the neutral point in the Y-connection. That is, the motor 20 of the present embodiment is a Y-connected motor. As shown in FIG. 2, one ends 30Ua, 30Va, 30Wa of the respective coils 30U, 30V, 30W protrude from one end surface 28e of the stator core 28 in one axial direction (i.e., the upper side in FIG. 2).

[0022] In addition to the above-described motor 20, the motor unit 10 includes a plurality of motor busbars 32, 34, 36, a busbar holder 38, a plurality of first guide members 39, a terminal block 40, and a plurality of second guide members 47.

[0023] Each of the plurality of motor busbars 32, 34, 36 (hereinafter referred to as each motor busbar 32, 34, 36) is a plate-like member and is formed using a conductor member such as metal. The plurality of motor busbars 32, 34, 36 include a U-phase motor busbar 32, a V-phase motor busbar 34, and a W-phase motor busbar 36. The U-phase motor busbar 32 is connected to one end 30Ua of the U-phase coil 30U. The V-phase motor busbar 34 is connected to one end 30Va of the V-phase coil 30V. The W-phase motor busbar 36 is connected to one end 30Wa of the W-phase coil 30W.

[0024] Each motor busbar 32, 34, and 36 extends from its base to its tip, connected to a corresponding coil 30U, 30V, and 30W. Each of the multiple motor busbars 32, 34, and 36 (hereinafter referred to as their respective first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a) has a flat first terminal 32a, 34a, and 36a located at its tip. That is, the multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a include a U-phase first terminal 32a, a V-phase first terminal 34a, and a W-phase first terminal 36a. Each of the first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a extends along a planar direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0025] The busbar holder 38 is a holding member that holds a plurality of motor busbars 32, 34, and 36. The busbar holder 38 is constructed using, for example, a resin material. The busbar holder 38 has a plurality of fixing portions 38f. The busbar holder 38 is fixed to one end face 28e of the stator core 28 at the plurality of fixing portions 38f. Although not particularly limited, the busbar holder 38 may be fastened to the stator core 28 using a plurality of fastening members such as bolts.

[0026] Multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a are attached to a terminal block 40. In this embodiment, the terminal block 40 is fixed to a through hole 64a formed in a partition wall 64 of the casing 60. The terminal block 40 has a base 41 and multiple terminal block busbars 42, 44, and 46 held by the base 41. The base 41 is made of an insulator, such as a resin material. Each of the multiple terminal block busbars 42, 44, and 46 (hereinafter referred to as each terminal block busbar 42, 44, and 46) is a plate-shaped member and is formed using a conductive material such as metal.

[0027] Each terminal block busbar 42, 44, 46 extends from its base to its tip. The base of each terminal block busbar 42, 44, 46 is connected to a corresponding inverter busbar 52, 54, 56. Each of the terminal block busbars 42, 44, 46 has a flat second terminal 42a, 44a, 46a located at its tip. That is, the multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, 46a include a U-phase second terminal 42a, a V-phase second terminal 44a, and a W-phase second terminal 46a. For example, each of the multiple terminal block busbars 42, 44, 46 is held at the base 41 of the terminal block 40 at its second terminals 42a, 44a, 44b. The multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, 46a extend along the multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, 36a.

[0028] Here, referring to Figures 2 and 3, the configuration of multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a and multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a will be explained. In Figures 2 and 3, the V-phase first terminal 34a and the V-phase second terminal 44a are shown. The V-phase second terminal 44a is positioned parallel to the V-phase first terminal 34a. The V-phase second terminal 44a has a contact surface CS that contacts the V-phase first terminal 34a. The V-phase second terminal 44a is fastened to the V-phase first terminal 34a at the contact surface CS using a bolt 48. The bolt 48 passes through the V-phase first terminal 34a and the V-phase second terminal 44a and, in combination with a nut 49 fixed to the V-phase second terminal 44a, fastens the V-phase first terminal 34a and the V-phase second terminal 44a together. Although not shown in Figure 2, the U-phase first terminal 32a and U-phase second terminal 42a, and the W-phase first terminal 36a and W-phase second terminal 46a can be configured in the same way as the V-phase first terminal 34a and V-phase second terminal 44a. The U-phase second terminal 42a has a contact surface that contacts the U-phase first terminal 32a of the U-phase motor busbar 32, and is fastened to the U-phase first terminal 32a at the contact surface using a bolt 48. The W-phase second terminal 46a has a contact surface that contacts the W-phase first terminal 36a of the W-phase motor busbar 36, and is fastened to the W-phase first terminal 36a at the contact surface using a bolt 48. In other words, terminal block 40 connects the second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a of each terminal block busbar 42, 44, and 46 to the first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a of the corresponding motor busbar 32, 34, and 36, respectively.

[0029] Multiple first guide members 39 are configured to guide the multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a of the motor busbars 32, 34, and 36 when they are connected to the multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a of the terminal block 40, respectively. Each of the multiple first guide members 39 (hereinafter referred to as each first guide member 39) is fixed to one or more of the multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a. As an example, the motor unit 10 of this embodiment includes two first guide members 39. One of the two first guide members 39 is located between the U-phase first terminal 32a and the V-phase first terminal 34a and is fixed to both the U-phase first terminal 32a and the V-phase first terminal 34a. The other of the two first guide members 39 is positioned between the V-phase first terminal 34a and the W-phase first terminal 36a and is fixed to both the V-phase first terminal 34a and the W-phase first terminal 36a. The number of first guide members 39 is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more. One or more first guide members 39 are configured to guide at least one of the multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a. For example, each first guide member 39 is made of an insulator such as a resin material. Each first guide member 39 is formed integrally with the busbar holder 38. In a modified example, each first guide member 39 may be formed separately from the busbar holder 38.

[0030] The multiple second guide members 47 are configured to contact the multiple first guide members 39 when the multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a of the motor busbars 32, 34, and 36 are connected to the multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a of the terminal block 40, respectively. Each of the multiple second guide members 47 (hereinafter referred to as each second guide member 47) is fixed to one or more of the multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a. As an example, the motor unit 10 of this embodiment includes two second guide members 47. One of the two second guide members 47 is located between the U-phase second terminal 42a and the V-phase second terminal 44a and is fixed to both the U-phase second terminal 42a and the V-phase second terminal 44a. The other of the two second guide members 47 is positioned between the V-phase second terminal 44a and the W-phase second terminal 46a and is fixed to both the V-phase second terminal 44a and the W-phase second terminal 46a. The number of second guide members 47 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. One or more second guide members 47 are configured to guide at least one of the multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a. For example, each second guide member 47 is made of an insulator such as a resin material. Each second guide member 47 is formed integrally with the base 41 of the terminal block 40. In a modified example, each second guide member 47 may be formed separately from the base 41 of the terminal block 40.

[0031] Each first guide member 39 has a first guide surface GS1. Each second guide member 47 has a second guide surface GS2. In Figures 2 and 3, only the other of the two first guide members 39 and the other of the two second guide members 47 are shown. The two first guide members 39 can be configured similarly to each other, and the two second guide members 47 can be configured similarly to each other. Hereafter, each of the two first guide members 39 will be simply referred to as the first guide member 39, and each of the two second guide members 47 will be simply referred to as the second guide member 47, and they will be described accordingly.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the first guide surface GS1 has a convex shape GS11 and a concave shape GS12. The convex shape GS11 is located on the tip side of the first guide member 39, and the concave shape GS12 is located on the base side of the first guide member 39. The convex shape GS11 protrudes toward the second guide surface GS2. The convex shape GS11 is an example of the first profile in this technology. The convex shape GS11 comprises a top surface 100 and a tapered surface 102. The top surface 100 is a plane and extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the V-phase first terminal 34a. The tapered surface 102 extends from the top surface 100 toward the tip of the first guide member 39. In the tapered surface 102, the height of the convex shape GS11 gradually decreases toward the tip of the first guide member 39. The tapered surface 102 may be a plane or a curved surface. The concave GS12 refers to the portion that is recessed relative to the convex GS11. The concave GS12 is planar and extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the V-phase first terminal 34a. The concave GS12 is an example of the second profile in this technology.

[0033] The second guide surface GS2 has a convex shape GS21 and a concave shape GS22. The convex shape GS21 is located on the tip side of the second guide member 47, and the concave shape GS22 is located on the base side of the second guide member 47. The convex shape GS21 protrudes toward the first guide surface GS1. The convex shape GS21 is an example of the first profile in this technology. The convex shape GS11 has a top surface 104 and a tapered surface 106. The top surface 104 is flat and extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second terminal 44a. The tapered surface 106 extends from the top surface 104 toward the tip of the second guide member 47. In the tapered surface 106, the height of the convex shape GS21 gradually decreases toward the tip of the second guide member 47. The tapered surface 106 may be flat or curved. The concave shape GS22 means the portion that is recessed relative to the convex shape GS21. The concave GS22 is planar and extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the V-phase second terminal 44a. The concave GS22 is an example of a second profile in this technology.

[0034] With multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a connected to multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a respectively, the convex shape GS11 of the first guide surface GS1 faces the concave shape GS22 of the second guide surface GS2. Also, the concave shape GS12 of the first guide surface GS1 faces the convex shape GS21 of the second guide surface GS2. In this case, the convex shape GS11 of the first guide surface GS1 and the concave shape GS22 of the second guide surface GS2 are not in contact with each other. That is, a gap is formed between the convex shape GS11 and the concave shape GS22. Similarly, the concave shape GS12 of the first guide surface GS1 and the convex shape GS21 of the second guide surface GS2 are not in contact with each other. That is, a gap is formed between the concave shape GS12 and the convex shape GS21.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, in the direction perpendicular to the contact surface CS, the convex shape GS11 of the first guide member 39 protrudes by a dimension d1 relative to the surface of the V-phase first terminal 34a. On the other hand, the convex shape GS21 of the second guide member 47 is recessed by a dimension d2 relative to the surface of the V-phase second terminal 44a. Here, it is preferable that the dimension d1 by which the convex shape GS11 of the first guide member 39 protrudes is greater than the dimension d2 by which the convex shape GS21 of the second guide member 47 is recessed. As will be explained in more detail later, with this relationship, when the V-phase first terminal 34a is connected to the V-phase second terminal 44a, unnecessary contact between the V-phase first terminal 34a and the V-phase second terminal 44a can be avoided.

[0036] Next, referring to Figures 4 and 5(a)-5(e), we will explain how multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a are connected to multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a. In Figures 4 and 5(a)-5(e), the V-phase first terminal 34a and V-phase second terminal 44a are shown as representative examples. In the following explanation, we will use the V-phase first terminal 34a and V-phase second terminal 44a as examples, but the same applies to all first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a and all second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, when manufacturing the motor unit 10, the terminal block 40 is inserted into the through hole 64a of the casing 60. At this time, the motor 20 is pre-installed in the casing 60, and the multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a of the motor 20 are waiting inside the casing 60. As shown in Figures 5(a) to 5(b), as the terminal block 40 is inserted into the through hole 64a of the casing 60, the V-phase first terminal 34a and the V-phase second terminal 44a approach each other along a direction parallel to the contact surface CS. At this time, the first guide surface GS1 and the second guide surface GS2 begin to make contact with each other before the V-phase first terminal 34a and the V-phase second terminal 44a make contact with each other. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 5(c), the V-phase first terminal 34a and the V-phase second terminal 44a begin to face each other in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface CS. At this time, the convex shape GS11 of the first guide surface GS1 (particularly the tapered surface 102 shown in Figure 3) and the convex shape GS21 of the second guide surface GS2 (particularly the tapered surface 106 shown in Figure 3) are in contact, causing the first guide member 39 and the second guide member 47 to be displaced so as to move away from each other. As a result, the V-phase first terminal 34a fixed to the first guide member 39 and the V-phase second terminal 44a fixed to the second guide member 47 are also guided to move away from each other. In other words, at this stage, contact between the V-phase first terminal 34a and the V-phase second terminal 44a is prohibited.

[0038] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 5(d), the first guide surface GS1 and the second guide surface GS2 slide against each other on the top surfaces 100 and 104 (see Figure 3) of their respective convex shapes GS11 and GS21. While the first guide surface GS1 and the second guide surface GS2 are sliding against each other, the first V-phase terminal 34a and the second V-phase terminal 44a remain separated from each other. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 5(e), the first V-phase terminal 34a reaches the position where it is fastened to the second V-phase terminal 44a of the terminal block 40. When the first V-phase terminal 34a reaches the position where it is fastened to the second V-phase terminal 44a, the convex shape GS11 of the first guide surface GS1 is accommodated in the concave shape GS22 of the second guide surface GS2. Also, the convex shape GS21 of the second guide surface GS2 is accommodated in the concave shape GS12 of the first guide surface GS1. As a result, the first V-phase terminal 34a and the second V-phase terminal 44a come into contact with each other.

[0039] In the motor unit 10 of this embodiment, as described above, when the V-phase first terminal 34a (or U-phase first terminal 32a or W-phase first terminal 36a) approaches the V-phase second terminal 44a (or U-phase second terminal 42a or W-phase second terminal 46a) from a direction parallel to the contact surface CS, the first guide surface GS1 of the first guide member 39 (one or the other of the two first guide members 39) and the second guide surface GS2 of the second guide member 47 (one or the other of the two second guide members 47) come into contact with each other. The first guide member 39 is fixed to the V-phase first terminal 34a, and the second guide member 47 is fixed to the V-phase second terminal 44a. Therefore, the V-phase first terminal 34a and the V-phase second terminal 44a move away from each other or approach each other depending on the respective profiles of the first guide surface GS1 and the second guide surface GS2 (i.e., the respective convex shapes GS11 and GS21). In particular, the first guide surface GS1 and the second guide surface GS2 each have a first profile that prevents contact between the V-phase first terminal 34a and the V-phase second terminal 44a at least at the timing when the V-phase first terminal 34a and the V-phase second terminal 44a begin to face each other. As a result, when the V-phase first terminal 34a approaches the V-phase second terminal 44a from a direction parallel to the contact surface CS, sliding between the V-phase first terminal 34a and the V-phase second terminal 44a is at least partially avoided. Therefore, the generation of conductive foreign matter from the V-phase first terminal 34a and / or the V-phase second terminal 44a is prevented or suppressed.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first guide surface GS1 has a convex shape GS11 that protrudes toward the second guide surface GS2 as a first profile. The second guide surface GS2 also has a convex shape GS21 that protrudes toward the first guide surface GS1 as a first profile. With this configuration, the V-phase first terminal 34a is guided to be separated from the V-phase second terminal 44a by the convex shape GS21 of the second guide surface GS2, and the V-phase second terminal 44a is guided to be separated from the V-phase first terminal 34a by the convex shape GS11 of the first guide surface GS1. As a result, when the V-phase first terminal 34a and the V-phase second terminal 44a reach a position where they face each other, contact between them is avoided. Furthermore, the first profile of the first guide surface GS1 (here, the convex shape GS11) and the first profile of the second guide surface GS2 (here, the convex shape GS21) function complementaryly. For this reason, it is preferable that the first profile of the first guide surface GS1 and the first profile of the second guide surface GS2 be designed as a single unit.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first guide surface GS1 and the second guide surface GS2 have concave shapes GS12 and GS22 as second profiles. The concave shapes GS12 and GS22 accommodate the convex shapes GS21 and GS11, respectively, when the first V-phase terminal 34a moves to the position where it is fastened to the second V-phase terminal 44a, thereby allowing contact between the first V-phase terminal 34a and the second V-phase terminal 44a. With this configuration, when the first V-phase terminal 34a reaches the position where it is fastened to the second V-phase terminal 44a, the first V-phase terminal 34a and the second V-phase terminal 44a can come into contact with each other without being obstructed by the first guide member 39 and the second guide member 47.

[0042] In the above explanation, the combination of V-phase first terminal 34a and V-phase second terminal 44a was described as representative. However, the same configuration is also used in the combinations of U-phase first terminal 32a and U-phase second terminal 42a, and W-phase first terminal 36a and W-phase second terminal 46a. In other words, U-phase first terminal 32a, V-phase first terminal 34a, and W-phase first terminal 36a are examples of "first terminals" related to this technology, and U-phase second terminal 42a, V-phase second terminal 44a, and W-phase second terminal 46a are examples of "second terminals" related to this technology.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first guide member 39 and the second guide member 47 are made of resin material. With this configuration, conductive foreign matter is not generated by contact between the first guide member 39 and the second guide member 47. In a modified example, it is sufficient if either the first guide member 39 or the second guide member 47 is made of resin material. In another modified example, neither the first guide member 39 nor the second guide member 47 is made of resin material. For example, the first guide member 39 and the second guide member 47 may be made of a conductive material such as metal.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the hardness of the resin material constituting each first guide member 39 is less than the hardness of the resin material constituting each second guide member 47. That is, each first guide member 39 is more flexible (i.e., more elastically deformable) than each second guide member 47. Therefore, when fastening multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, 36a to multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, 46a, each first terminal 32a, 34a, 36a can be easily guided to the position where it is fastened to the second terminals 42a, 44a, 46a, regardless of the manufacturing error of the gap when each of the multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, 36a faces the second terminals 42a, 44a, 46a. In a modified example, the hardness of the resin material constituting each second guide member 47 may be less than the hardness of the resin material constituting each first guide member 39. In another modified example, the hardness of the resin material constituting each first guide member 39 and the hardness of the resin material constituting each second guide member 47 may be approximately the same.

[0045] (Example 2) The motor unit 110 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. In the motor unit 110 of this embodiment, the position and orientation of the terminal block 40 have been changed compared to the motor unit 10 of Example 1. Accordingly, the shapes of the multiple motor busbars 32, 34, and 36 have also been changed. In Figure 6, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as or corresponding to the motor unit 10 of Example 1. Below, only the components of the motor unit 110 of this embodiment that differ from the motor unit 10 of Example 1 will be described.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6, in the motor unit 110 of this embodiment, the terminal block 40 is positioned radially outward from the motor 20, and each of the multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a extends toward one side in the axial direction. Similarly, in the multiple motor busbars 32, 34, and 36, each of the first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a located at their ends extends toward the other side in the axial direction. As a result, the multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a and the multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a are configured to be connected to each other by approaching each other along the axial direction. Note that in Figure 6, one of the multiple motor busbars 32, 34, and 36, a V-phase motor busbar 34 and its V-phase first terminal 34a are shown. Also, one of the multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a, a V-phase second terminal 44a, is shown.

[0047] With the above configuration, the terminal block 40 can be positioned radially adjacent to the motor 20 and utilizing the space extending axially. For example, when manufacturing the motor unit 110 of this embodiment, the motor 20 can be mounted axially to a casing 60 with the terminal block 40 already attached. At this time, the multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, 36a and the multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, 46a are connected to each other in the same manner as in Figure 5 by approaching each other along the axial direction. The terminal block 40 can also be assembled axially to a through hole 64a provided in the casing 60. With the structure of this embodiment, the multiple motor busbars 32, 34, 36 and the terminal block 40 are positioned radially adjacent to the motor 20, so the motor unit 10 can be made smaller. Note that the position of the through hole 64a in the casing 60 is changed between Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0048] In addition, in another embodiment, the order in which the motor 20 and terminal block 40 are attached to the casing 60 may be reversed. That is, when manufacturing the motor unit 110 of this embodiment, the terminal block 40 can be attached along the axial direction to the casing 60 to which the motor 20 has already been attached. Even in this case, the multiple first terminals 32a, 34a, 36a and the multiple second terminals 42a, 44a, 46a are connected to each other in the same manner as in Figure 5 by approaching each other along the axial direction.

[0049] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed herein have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples described above.

[0050] In the embodiments 1 and 2 described above, the motor units 10 and 110 are provided with three first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a and three second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a. The number of each of the first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a and the second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a is not limited to three. In a modified example, the motor units 10 and 110 may further include, in addition to the three first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a and the three second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a, a fourth first terminal and a second terminal for connecting the charging power supply and the neutral point. In another modified example, the motor units 10 and 110 may further include three first terminals 32a, 34a, and 36a and three second terminals 42a, 44a, and 46a for connecting one end 30Ua, 30V, and 30W of the motor 20 to the inverter 50, as well as three more first terminals and three more second terminals for connecting the other end of the motor 20's phase coils 30U, 30V, and 30W to the second inverter.

[0051] In the modified version, the motor units 10 and 110 do not need to be equipped with the busbar holder 38.

[0052] The technical elements described herein or in the drawings demonstrate technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated herein or in the drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical usefulness in itself. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 10, 110: Motor unit, 20: Motor, 22: Shaft, 24: Rotor, 26: Stator, 28: Stator core, 30U, 30V, 30W: Stator coil, 32, 34, 36: Motor busbar, 32a, 34a, 36a: First terminal, 39: First guide member, 40: Terminal block, 42, 44, 46: Terminal block busbar, 42a, 44a, 46a: Second terminal, 47: Second guide member, CS: Contact surface, GS1: First guide surface, GS11: Convex shape, GS12: Concave shape, GS2: Second guide surface, GS21: Convex shape, GS22: Concave shape

Claims

1. A motor unit, A motor having a stator coil, A motor busbar connected to the stator coil, The first terminal located at the tip of the motor busbar, A first guide member fixed to the first terminal and having a first guide surface, The first terminal is fastened using a bolt, and the second terminal has a contact surface that contacts the first terminal, A terminal block holding the second terminal, A second guide member fixed to the second terminal and having a second guide surface, Equipped with, The first guide surface and the second guide surface are configured to contact each other when the first terminal approaches the second terminal from a direction parallel to the contact surface, and each has a first profile that prevents contact between the first terminal and the second terminal at least at the timing when the first terminal and the second terminal begin to face each other. Motor unit.

2. The first profile of the first guide surface is convex in shape, projecting toward the second guide surface. The motor unit according to claim 1, wherein the first profile of the second guide surface is a convex shape projecting toward the first guide surface.

3. The motor unit according to claim 2, wherein the first guide surface and the second guide surface have a second profile that allows contact between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first terminal approaches the second terminal from a direction parallel to the contact surface and moves to a position where the first terminal is fastened to the second terminal.

4. The second profile of the first guide surface is a concave shape that accommodates the convex shape of the second guide surface. The motor unit according to claim 3, wherein the first profile of the second guide surface is a concave shape that accommodates the convex shape of the first guide surface.

5. The motor unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first guide member and the second guide member is made of a resin material.

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