Connection structure

Abstract

To provide a connection structure that can suppress temperature rise at the contact point when power is applied. [Solution] The connection structure 10 includes a first contact 100 having a first female thread 110, a second contact 200 having a second female thread 210, an intermediate contact 300, a first receiving portion 412, and a second receiving portion 422. The intermediate contact 300 has a shaft portion 310 extending in a predetermined direction. The shaft portion 310 has a first male thread 311 and a second male thread 312 which is oriented in the opposite direction to the first male thread 311. The movement of the first contact 100 is restricted by the first receiving portion 412, and the movement of the second contact 200 is restricted by the second receiving portion 422, so that the first male thread 311 of the intermediate contact 300 makes multi-point contact with the first female thread 110 of the first contact 100, and the second male thread 312 of the intermediate contact 300 makes multi-point contact with the second female thread 210 of the second contact 200.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure for electrically connecting a first connection target and a second connection target.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connection member (connection structure) 900 for connecting adjacent battery modules 910 and 920. As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the connection structure 900 of Patent Document 1 includes a bus bar 901, a bus bar 902, a pair of resin covers 905 and 906, an insulating bolt 907, and a nut 908. One end 9012 of the bus bar 901 is connected to the total electrode 912 of the battery module 910. The other end 9014 of the bus bar 901 is planar and has a through hole 9015 formed therein. One end 9022 of the bus bar 902 is connected to the total electrode 922 of the battery module 920. The other end 9024 of the bus bar 902 is planar and has a through hole 9025 formed therein. The insulating bolt 907 is passed through the through hole 9015 of the bus bar 901 and the through hole 9025 of the bus bar 902. The nut 908 is embedded in the resin cover 906. The planar end 9014 of the bus bar 901 and the planar end 9024 of the bus bar 902 are fastened by the insulating bolt 907 and the nut 908 in a state of surface contact with each other.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In connection structures that bring the planar contact portions of busbars into surface contact, such as the connection structure 900 in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to make multi-point contact between the contact portions, resulting in high resistance at the contact points. Consequently, such connection structures have the problem of large temperature increases at the contact points due to Joule heating when current is applied.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a connection structure that can suppress the temperature rise at the contact point when power is applied. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a first connection structure, A connection structure that electrically connects a first connection target and a second connection target, The connection structure comprises a first contact connected to the first connection target, a second contact connected to the second connection target, a relay contact, a first receiving part, and a second receiving part. The first contact has a first female thread formed therein. The second contact has a second female thread formed therein that is in the opposite direction to the first female thread. The aforementioned relay contact has a shaft portion extending in a predetermined direction, The shaft portion has a first male thread corresponding to the first female thread and a second male thread corresponding to the second female thread, which is oriented in the opposite direction to the first male thread. The first receiving portion receives the first contact and restricts its movement toward the first direction when the first male thread of the intermediate contact and the first female thread of the first contact are engaged during screw tightening of the intermediate contact, thereby restricting the movement of the first contact toward the first direction. The second receiving portion, when the screw of the intermediate contact is tightened, receives a force directed toward the second direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction, along the predetermined direction, due to the engagement of the second male thread of the intermediate contact and the second female thread of the second contact, and restricts the movement of the second contact toward the second direction. The first receiving portion restricts the movement of the first contact, and the second receiving portion restricts the movement of the second contact, so that the first male thread of the intermediate contact makes multi-point contact with the first female thread of the first contact, and the second male thread of the intermediate contact makes multi-point contact with the second female thread of the second contact. Provides a connection structure.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention provides a second connection structure, which is the first connection structure, The aforementioned first male screw is a left-hand thread, The second male screw is a right-hand thread, The first direction is the direction from the first contact to the second contact, The second direction is the direction from the second contact to the first contact. Provides a connection structure.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention provides a third connection structure, which is a second connection structure, The connection structure further comprises an insulator that holds at least one of the first contact and the second contact. A portion of the insulator is positioned between the first contact and the second contact when the intermediate contact is screwed in, and functions as at least one of the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion. Provides a connection structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the connection structure of the present invention, the movement of the first contact is restricted by the first receiving portion, and the movement of the second contact is restricted by the second receiving portion, so that the first male thread of the intermediate contact makes multi-point contact with the first female thread of the first contact, and the second male thread of the intermediate contact makes multi-point contact with the second female thread of the second contact. As a result, in the connection structure of the present invention, the resistance values ​​at the contact portions between the first contact and the intermediate contact, and between the second contact and the intermediate contact, are reduced. In other words, in the connection structure of the present invention, the temperature rise at the contact portions can be suppressed when power is applied. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is an upper perspective view showing a connection structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the first contact is connected to the first connection target, and the second contact is connected to the second connection target. Also in the figure, the first male thread of the intermediate contact and the first female thread of the first contact are engaged, but the second male thread of the intermediate contact and the second female thread of the second contact are not engaged. [Figure 2] This is a lower perspective view showing the connection structure in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a top view showing the connection structure of Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a bottom view showing the connection structure of Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a front view showing the connection structure of Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure along line AA. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a side view showing the connection structure. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure along line BB. [Figure 9] This is another front view showing the connection structure of Figure 5. In the figure, the first male thread of the intermediate contact and the first female thread of the first contact are mated, and the second male thread of the intermediate contact and the second female thread of the second contact are partially mated. [Figure 10]It is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure of FIG. 9 along line C-C. [Figure 11] It is a side view showing the connection structure of FIG. 9. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure of FIG. 11 along line D-D. [Figure 13] It is another upper perspective view showing the connection structure of FIG. 1. In the figure, the first male screw of the relay contact and the first female screw of the first contact are fitted together, and the second male screw of the relay contact and the second female screw of the second contact are fitted together. [Figure 14] It is a lower perspective view showing the connection structure of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] It is a front view showing the connection structure of FIG. 13. [Figure 16] It is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure of FIG. 15 along line E-E. [Figure 17] It is a side view showing the connection structure of FIG. 13. [Figure 18] It is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure of FIG. 17 along line F-F. In the figure, a part of the connection structure is enlarged and shown. [Figure 19] It is an upper perspective view showing the first contact included in the connection structure of FIG. 1. In the figure, the first contact is connected to the first connection target. [Figure 20] It is a lower perspective view showing the first contact of FIG. 19. [Figure 21] It is an upper perspective view showing the relay contact included in the connection structure of FIG. 1. [Figure 22] It is a lower perspective view showing the relay contact of FIG. 21. [Figure 23] It is an upper perspective view showing the connection structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the first contact is connected to the first connection target, and the second contact is connected to the second connection target. Also, in the figure, the first male screw of the relay contact and the first female screw of the first contact are fitted together, but the second male screw of the relay contact and the second female screw of the second contact are not fitted together. [Figure 24] [[ID=​ [Figure 25] This is a top view showing the connection structure of Figure 23. [Figure 26] Figure 23 is a bottom view showing the connection structure. [Figure 27] Figure 23 is a front view showing the connection structure. [Figure 28] Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure along the GG line. [Figure 29] Figure 23 is a side view showing the connection structure. [Figure 30] Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure along the HH line. [Figure 31] This is another upper perspective view showing the connection structure in Figure 23. In the figure, the first male thread of the intermediate contact is mated with the first female thread of the first contact, and the second male thread of the intermediate contact is mated with the second female thread of the second contact. [Figure 32] Figure 31 is a lower perspective view showing the connection structure. [Figure 33] Figure 31 is a front view showing the connection structure. [Figure 34] Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure along line II. [Figure 35] Figure 31 is a side view showing the connection structure. [Figure 36] Figure 35 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure along the JJ line. A portion of the connection structure is shown in enlargement in the figure. [Figure 37] This is a perspective view showing the connecting member described in Patent Document 1. [Figure 38] Figure 38 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the connecting member before connection. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] (First embodiment) Referring to Figure 1, the connection structure 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention electrically connects a first connection target 700 and a second connection target 800. Specifically, the connection structure 10 of this embodiment electrically connects a power cable (first connection target) 700, which carries a large current, and a busbar (second connection target) 800. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first connection target 700 may be something other than an electrical cable, and the second connection target 800 may be something other than a busbar.

[0012] As shown in Figure 6, the connection structure 10 comprises a first contact 100, a second contact 200, an intermediate contact 300, a first receiving portion 412, and a second receiving portion 422. The connection structure 10 further comprises an insulator 400. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the connection structure 10 does not necessarily have to include the insulator 400.

[0013] Referring to Figure 6, the insulator 400 in this embodiment is made of an insulating material. The insulator 400 includes a first insulator 410 and a second insulator 420. The first insulator 410 and the second insulator 420 are separate components.

[0014] As shown in Figure 6, the first insulator 410 of this embodiment holds the first contact 100. The first receiving portion 412 is provided on the first insulator 410. The first insulator 410, the first contact 100, and the relay contact 300 constitute the first connection element 51. As shown in Figure 8, the first insulator 410 has a main body portion 411, a first surrounding portion 413, and a second connection element housing portion 414.

[0015] As shown in Figure 6, the main body portion 411 of this embodiment defines the upper end of the first insulator 410 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the vertical direction is the Z direction. Also, upward is the +Z direction and downward is the -Z direction. Furthermore, the vertical direction is also called the predetermined direction. The main body portion 411 holds the first contact 100. The first receiving portion 412 is provided on the main body portion 411. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the main body portion 411 has a first contact housing portion 4112, a first hole 4113, a second hole 4114, and a first connection target receiving portion 4115.

[0016] As shown in Figure 6, the first contact housing portion 4112 of this embodiment extends in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the first contact housing portion 4112 is open in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the front-rear direction is the X direction. Here, the front is the +X direction and the rear is the -X direction. The first contact housing portion 4112 and the first connection target receiving portion 4115 are in communication with each other in a predetermined direction. The first contact housing portion 4112 houses the first contact 100. The first receiving portion 412 is provided on the first contact housing portion 4112. More specifically, the first receiving portion 412 is a part of the lower surface of the first contact housing portion 4112.

[0017] As shown in Figure 8, the first hole 4113 in this embodiment is located above the first contact housing 4112 in the vertical direction. The first hole 4113 communicates with the first contact housing 4112. That is, the first contact housing 4112 communicates with the outside through the first hole 4113.

[0018] As shown in Figure 8, the second hole 4114 in this embodiment is located below the first contact housing 4112 in the vertical direction. The second hole 4114 is in communication with the first contact housing 4112.

[0019] As shown in Figure 6, the first connection target receiving portion 4115 of this embodiment has an open rear end in the front-rear direction. The first connection target receiving portion 4115 receives the tip of the first connection target 700 when the connection structure 10 is connected to the first connection target 700.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the first enclosing portion 413 of this embodiment has a cylindrical shape extending in a predetermined direction. As shown in Figure 8, the first enclosing portion 413 extends downward in the vertical direction from the main body portion 411. The first enclosing portion 413 defines the lower end of the first insulator 410 in the vertical direction.

[0021] As shown in Figure 8, the second connection element housing 414 in this embodiment is a recess that is recessed upward in the vertical direction. A portion of the relay contact 300 is located within the second connection element housing 414. The lower end of the relay contact 300 is located above the lower end of the second connection element housing 414. The first contact housing 4112 communicates with the second connection element housing 414 via the second hole 4114. The first contact 100 is not exposed within the second connection element housing 414. The second connection element housing 414 has abutting portion 4142.

[0022] As shown in Figure 8, the abutted portion 4142 in this embodiment is a plane intersecting a predetermined direction. That is, the abutted portion 4142 is perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The abutted portion 4142 defines the upper end of the second connecting element housing portion 414. The abutted portion 4142 is located below the first receiving portion 412 in the vertical direction. The abutted portion 4142 is located below the first contact 100 in the vertical direction.

[0023] As shown in Figure 8, the second insulator 420 in this embodiment holds the second contact 200. In a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction, the second insulator 420 surrounds the second contact 200. The second receiving portion 422 is provided on the second insulator 420. The second insulator 420 and the second contact 200 constitute the second connecting element 52. The first connecting element 51 and the second connecting element 52 are separate entities.

[0024] As shown in Figure 8, the second insulator 420 has a stopper portion 425 and a second surrounding portion 426.

[0025] As shown in Figure 8, the abutment portion 425 in this embodiment is a plane intersecting a predetermined direction. That is, the abutment portion 425 is perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The abutment portion 425 is located above the second receiving portion 422 in the vertical direction. The abutment portion 425 is located above the second enclosing portion 426 in the vertical direction. The abutment portion 425 is located above the second contact 200 in the vertical direction. The abutment portion 425 defines the upper end of the second insulator 420 in the vertical direction. The abutment portion 425 defines the upper end of the second connecting element 52 in the vertical direction.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the second surrounding portion 426 of this embodiment has a cylindrical shape extending in a predetermined direction. As shown in Figure 8, the second surrounding portion 426 surrounds the second contact 200 in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The second surrounding portion 426 is located below the second receiving portion 422 in the vertical direction. The second surrounding portion 426 is located below the abutment portion 425 in the vertical direction. The second surrounding portion 426 defines the lower end of the second insulator 420 in the vertical direction.

[0027] As shown in Figure 8, the second insulator 420 has a hole 427.

[0028] As shown in Figure 8, the hole 427 in this embodiment is located at the upper end of the second insulator 420 in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 1, when the second connecting element 52 is viewed from above, a portion of the second contact 200 is visible through the hole 427.

[0029] As shown in Figure 19, the first contact 100 in this embodiment is connected to the first connection target 700. The first contact 100 is made of metal. The first contact 100 has a flat plate shape perpendicular to a predetermined direction. Referring to Figures 5 and 8, the first contact 100 is not visible when the first connection element 51 is viewed from the front in the front-rear direction. Referring to Figure 6, the first contact 100 is visible when the first connection element 51 is viewed from the rear in the front-rear direction. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the first contact 100 is not visible when the first connection element 51 is viewed along the width direction perpendicular to both the predetermined direction and the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the width direction is the Y direction. As shown in Figure 8, the first contact 100 is located above the first receiving portion 412 in the vertical direction. The first contact 100 faces the first receiving portion 412 in a predetermined direction. The first contact 100 is in contact with the first receiving portion 412 in a predetermined direction.

[0030] As shown in Figure 19, the first contact 100 has a first female thread 110 formed thereon. In this embodiment, the first female thread 110 is a left-hand thread.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the second contact 200 in this embodiment is connected to the second connection target 800. Referring to Figure 8, the second contact 200 is made of metal. The second contact 200 has a cylindrical shape extending in a predetermined direction. The second contact 200 is located below the second receiving portion 422 in the vertical direction. The second contact 200 faces the second receiving portion 422 in a predetermined direction. The second contact 200 is in contact with the second receiving portion 422 in a predetermined direction.

[0032] Referring to Figures 8 and 19, the second contact 200 has a second female thread 210 formed in the opposite direction to the first female thread 110. In this embodiment, the second female thread 210 is a right-hand thread. As shown in Figure 1, when the second connecting element 52 is viewed from above, a portion of the second female thread 210 is visible through the hole 427. As shown in Figure 8, the first hole 4113, the first female thread 110, the second hole 4114, the hole 427, and the second female thread 210 are all located in the same position in a plane perpendicular to a predetermined direction.

[0033] As shown in Figure 8, the second contact 200 is provided with a through hole 205.

[0034] As shown in Figure 8, the through-hole 205 in this embodiment penetrates the second contact 200 in a predetermined direction. The second female screw 210 is provided at the upper end of the through-hole 205. The hole 427 in the second insulator 420 and the through-hole 205 in the second contact 200 are located at the same position in a plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The hole 427 in the second insulator 420 and the through-hole 205 in the second contact 200 are in communication in a predetermined direction. That is, the through-hole 205 is in communication with the outside of the second connecting element 52 via the hole 427.

[0035] As shown in Figure 22, the intermediate contact 300 in this embodiment is a screw. The intermediate contact 300 has a shaft portion 310 extending in a predetermined direction. The shaft portion 310 is made of metal. A first male thread 311 and a second male thread 312 are formed on the shaft portion 310. The second male thread 312 is oriented in the opposite direction to the first male thread 311. More specifically, the first male thread 311 is a left-hand thread, and the second male thread 312 is a right-hand thread. Referring to Figures 19 and 22, the first male thread 311 corresponds to the first female thread 110. Referring to Figures 8 and 22, the second male thread 312 corresponds to the second female thread 210. As shown in Figure 8, a portion of the shaft portion 310 is located within the second connecting element housing portion 414. As shown in Figure 18, when the intermediate contact 300 is screwed in, the second connecting element housing portion 414 accommodates a portion of the second connecting element 52. When the intermediate contact 300 is screwed in, the first surrounding portion 413 surrounds a portion of the second surrounding portion 426 in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction.

[0036] As shown in Figure 22, a protective portion 330 is provided at the tip of the relay contact 300.

[0037] Referring to Figure 22, the protective part 330 in this embodiment is made of an insulator. The protective part 330 is located at the lower end in the vertical direction of the shaft part 310. As shown in Figure 8, the protective part 330 is located above the lower end of the second connection element housing part 414. Referring to Figure 2, even if a worker's finger accidentally enters the second connection element housing part 414 and comes into contact with the tip of the relay contact 300 when handling the first connection element 51 to which the first connection target 700 is connected and energized, the protective part 330 prevents the worker from being electrocuted. In other words, the protective part 330 functions as an electric shock prevention member.

[0038] As shown in Figure 22, the relay contact 300 has a head 350.

[0039] Referring to Figure 22, the head portion 350 in this embodiment defines the upper end of the relay contact 300 in the vertical direction. In a plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction, the head portion 350 has the same cross-sectional area as the shaft portion 310. As shown in Figure 18, when the abutment portion 425 abuts against the abutted portion 4142, the head portion 350 is located away from the insulator 400. That is, when the abutment portion 425 abuts against the abutted portion 4142, the head portion 350 is not in contact with the insulator 400.

[0040] Referring to Figure 18, the first receiving portion 412 in this embodiment is a plane intersecting a predetermined direction. That is, the first receiving portion 412 is perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The first receiving portion 412 is located between the first contact 100 and the second contact 200 in the predetermined direction. The first receiving portion 412 is located below the first contact 100 in the vertical direction. The first receiving portion 412 faces the first contact 100 in the predetermined direction. The first receiving portion 412 is in contact with the first contact 100 in the predetermined direction. When the intermediate contact 300 is screwed in, the first receiving portion 412 receives the first contact 100 when it receives a force directed toward a first direction along the predetermined direction due to the fitting of the first male screw 311 of the intermediate contact 300 and the first female screw 110 of the first contact 100, and restricts the movement of the first contact 100 toward the first direction. Here, the first direction is the direction from the first contact 100 to the second contact 200. In this embodiment, the first direction is the -Z direction. That is, the first direction is downward.

[0041] Referring to Figure 18, the second receiving portion 422 in this embodiment is a plane intersecting the predetermined direction. That is, the second receiving portion 422 is perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The second receiving portion 422 is located between the first contact 100 and the second contact 200 in the predetermined direction. The second receiving portion 422 is located above the second contact 200 in the vertical direction. The second receiving portion 422 faces the second contact 200 in the predetermined direction. The second receiving portion 422 is in contact with the second contact 200 in the predetermined direction. When the intermediate contact 300 is screwed in, the second receiving portion 422 receives the second contact 200 when it receives a force moving toward the second direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction, along the predetermined direction due to the engagement of the second male screw 312 of the intermediate contact 300 and the second female screw 210 of the second contact 200, and restricts the movement of the second contact 200 toward the second direction. Here, the second direction is the direction from the second contact 200 to the first contact 100. In this embodiment, the second direction is the +Z direction. That is, the second direction is upward.

[0042] Referring to Figure 18, the first receiving portion 412 restricts the movement of the first contact 100, and the second receiving portion 422 restricts the movement of the second contact 200, so that the first male screw 311 of the intermediate contact 300 makes multi-point contact with the first female screw 110 of the first contact 100, and the second male screw 312 of the intermediate contact 300 makes multi-point contact with the second female screw 210 of the second contact 200. As a result, in the connection structure 10 of this embodiment, the resistance values ​​at the contact points between the first contact 100 and the intermediate contact 300, and between the second contact 200 and the intermediate contact 300 are reduced. In other words, in the connection structure 10 of this embodiment, the temperature rise at the contact points can be suppressed when power is applied.

[0043] An example of assembling the connection structure 10 is described in detail below.

[0044] First, the first connecting element 51 to which the first connection target 700 is connected is positioned above the second connecting element 52 to which the second connection target 800 is connected, as shown in Figures 1 to 8. At this time, the first female thread 110 of the first contact 100 and the first male thread 311 of the intermediate contact 300 are engaged, and the second female thread 210 of the second contact 200 is located directly below the shaft portion 310 of the intermediate contact 300.

[0045] Next, the first connecting element 51 is moved downward relative to the second connecting element 52. As a result, the tip of the shaft portion 310 of the intermediate contact 300 of the first connecting element 51 enters the through hole 205 through the hole 427 of the second connecting element 52, and the lower end of the second male thread 312 of the intermediate contact 300 of the first connecting element 51 comes into contact with the upper end of the second female thread 210 of the second contact 200 of the second connecting element 52.

[0046] In this state, the intermediate contact 300 is rotated clockwise when viewed from above with the first connecting element 51. As a result, the second male thread 312 of the intermediate contact 300 is screwed into the second female thread 210 of the second contact 200, and the intermediate contact 300 moves upward relative to the first contact 100, resulting in the state shown in Figures 9 to 12.

[0047] In this state, the intermediate contact 300 is further rotated clockwise when viewed from above on the first connecting element 51. As a result, the second male thread 312 of the intermediate contact 300 fully engages with the second female thread 210 of the second contact 200, and the intermediate contact 300 moves further upward relative to the first contact 100, causing the abutting portion 4142 of the first insulator 410 of the first connecting element 51 and the abutting portion 425 of the second insulator 420 of the second connecting element 52 to come into contact in a predetermined direction, resulting in the state shown in Figures 13 to 18.

[0048] In this state, the first male screw 311 of the intermediate contact 300 is in multi-point contact with the first female screw 110 of the first contact 100. That is, in this state, the threads of the first male screw 311 of the intermediate contact 300 are in contact with the threads of the first female screw 110 of the first contact 100 at many points. Also, in this state, the first contact 100 is subjected to a downward force in the vertical direction, and the first receiving part 412 receives the first contact 100 and restricts its downward movement. That is, when the screw of the intermediate contact 300 is tightened, the first receiving part 412 receives the first contact 100 when the first male screw 311 of the intermediate contact 300 and the first female screw 110 of the first contact 100 are fitted together and the first contact 100 is subjected to a force directed in a first direction along a predetermined direction, and restricts its movement in the first direction.

[0049] Furthermore, in this state, the second male screw 312 of the intermediate contact 300 is in multi-point contact with the second female screw 210 of the second contact 200. That is, in this state, the threads of the second male screw 312 of the intermediate contact 300 are in contact with the threads of the second female screw 210 of the second contact 200 at numerous points. Also, in this state, the second contact 200 is subjected to an upward force, and the second receiving part 422 receives the second contact 200 and restricts its upward movement. That is, when the intermediate contact 300 is screwed in, the second receiving part 422 receives the second contact 200 when the second male screw 312 of the intermediate contact 300 and the second female screw 210 of the second contact 200 are engaged, causing the second contact 200 to be subjected to a force directed toward the second direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction, along a predetermined direction, and restricts its movement toward the second direction.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, the connection structure 10 included an insulator 400 that held both the first contact 100 and the second contact 200, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The insulator 400 may consist only of a first insulator 410 that holds the first contact 100, or it may consist only of a second insulator 420 that holds the second contact 200. That is, the connection structure 10 may further include an insulator 400 that holds at least one of the first contact 100 and the second contact 200. In this case, a part of the insulator 400 is located between the first contact 100 and the second contact 200 when the intermediate contact 300 is screwed in, and may function as at least one of the first receiving part 412 and the second receiving part 422.

[0051] In the connection structure 10 of the above embodiment, a first male screw 311, which is a left-hand thread, is formed above the intermediate contact 300, and a second male screw 312, which is a right-hand thread, is formed below the intermediate contact 300, and the first receiving portion 412 and the second receiving portion 422 are located between the first contact 100 and the second contact 200 in a predetermined direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the connection structure 10 may be modified as follows: a first male screw 311, which is a right-hand thread, is formed above the intermediate contact 300; a second male screw 312, which is a left-hand thread, is formed below the intermediate contact 300; the first receiving portion 412 is positioned above the first contact 100; and the second receiving portion 422 is positioned below the second contact 200. In this case, when the intermediate contact 300 is screwed in, the first contact 100 receives an upward force due to the engagement of the first male thread 311 of the intermediate contact 300 with the first female thread 110 of the first contact 100, and the first receiving part 412 receives the first contact 100 and restricts its upward movement. The second contact 200 receives a downward force due to the engagement of the second male thread 312 of the intermediate contact 300 with the second female thread 210 of the second contact 200, and the second receiving part 422 receives the second contact 200 and restricts its downward movement. In other words, in this case, the first direction is upward and the second direction is downward. To put it another way, in this case, the first direction is the direction from the second contact 200 to the first contact 100, and the second direction is the direction from the first contact 100 to the second contact 200.

[0052] (Second embodiment) Referring to Figure 23, the connection structure 10A according to the second embodiment of the present invention electrically connects the first connection target 700 and the second connection target 800. The connection structure 10A of this embodiment has the same configuration as the connection structure 10 of the first embodiment (see Figure 1) described above. Therefore, among the components shown in Figures 23 to 36, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as those in the first embodiment. In addition, the same expressions for orientation and direction as in the first embodiment are used below.

[0053] As shown in Figure 28, the connection structure 10A comprises a first contact 100A, a second contact 200A, an intermediate contact 300A, a first receiving portion 220, and a second receiving portion 120. The connection structure 10A further comprises an insulator 400A. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the connection structure 10A does not necessarily have to include the insulator 400A.

[0054] Referring to Figure 28, the insulator 400A in this embodiment is made of an insulator. The insulator 400A holds the first contact 100A. Unlike the insulator 400 in the embodiment described above, the insulator 400A does not hold the second contact 200A. The insulator 400A, the first contact 100A, and the intermediate contact 300A constitute the connection element 51A. As shown in Figure 30, the insulator 400A has a main body portion 411A, a first surrounding portion 413, and a second contact housing portion 404. The first surrounding portion 413 in this embodiment is the same as the first surrounding portion 413 in the first embodiment described above, and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0055] As shown in Figure 28, the main body portion 411A of this embodiment defines the upper end of the insulator 400A in the vertical direction. The main body portion 411A holds the first contact 100A. As shown in Figures 28 and 30, the main body portion 411A has a first contact housing portion 4112A, a hole 4113A, and a first connection target receiving portion 4115. The first connection target receiving portion 4115 of this embodiment is the same as the first connection target receiving portion 4115 of the first embodiment described above, and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0056] As shown in Figure 28, the first contact housing portion 4112A in this embodiment extends in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the first contact housing portion 4112A is open in the front-rear direction. The first contact housing portion 4112A and the first connection target receiving portion 4115 are in communication with each other in a predetermined direction. The first contact housing portion 4112A houses the first contact 100A.

[0057] As shown in Figure 30, the hole 4113A in this embodiment is located above the first contact housing 4112A in the vertical direction. The hole 4113A is in communication with the first contact housing 4112A. That is, the first contact housing 4112A is in communication with the outside through the hole 4113A.

[0058] As shown in Figure 30, the second contact housing 404 in this embodiment is a recess that is recessed upward in the vertical direction. A portion of the intermediate contact 300A is located within the second contact housing 404. The lower end of the intermediate contact 300A is located above the lower end of the second contact housing 404. The second contact housing 404 communicates with the first contact housing 4112A in a predetermined direction. A portion of the first contact 100A is exposed within the second contact housing 404. That is, a portion of the lower surface of the first contact 100A is exposed within the second contact housing 404.

[0059] Referring to Figure 28, the first contact 100A in this embodiment is connected to the first connection target 700. The first contact 100A is made of metal. The first contact 100A has a flat plate shape perpendicular to a predetermined direction. The second receiving portion 120 is provided on the first contact 100A. More specifically, a part of the lower surface of the first contact 100A functions as the second receiving portion 120. Referring to Figures 27 and 30, the first contact 100A is not visible when the connection element 51A is viewed from the front in the front-rear direction. Referring to Figure 28, the first contact 100A is visible when the connection element 51A is viewed from the rear in the front-rear direction. Referring to Figures 28 and 29, the first contact 100A is not visible when the connection element 51A is viewed along the width direction. As shown in Figure 36, the first contact 100A is located above the first receiving portion 220 in the vertical direction. The first contact 100A faces the first receiving portion 220 in a predetermined direction. The first contact 100A is in contact with the first receiving portion 220 in a predetermined direction.

[0060] As shown in Figure 30, the first contact 100A has a first female thread 110 formed thereon. In this embodiment, the first female thread 110 is a left-hand thread.

[0061] As shown in Figure 23, the second contact 200A in this embodiment is connected to the second connection target 800. The second contact 200A is made of metal. The second contact 200A has a cylindrical shape extending in a predetermined direction. The first receiving portion 220 is provided on the second contact 200A. More specifically, the upper surface of the second contact 200A functions as the first receiving portion 220. As shown in Figure 36, the second contact 200A is located below the second receiving portion 120 in the vertical direction. The second contact 200A faces the second receiving portion 120 in a predetermined direction. The second contact 200A is in contact with the second receiving portion 120 in a predetermined direction.

[0062] Referring to Figure 30, the second contact 200A has a second female thread 210 formed thereon, which is oriented in the opposite direction to the first female thread 110. In this embodiment, the second female thread 210 is a right-hand thread. The hole 4113A, the first female thread 110, and the second female thread 210 are located at the same position in a plane perpendicular to a predetermined direction.

[0063] As shown in Figure 30, the second contact 200A is provided with a through hole 205. The through hole 205 in this embodiment is the same as the through hole 205 of the second contact 200 in the above-described embodiment, and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0064] As shown in Figure 30, the intermediate contact 300A in this embodiment is a metal screw. The intermediate contact 300A has a shaft portion 310A that extends in a predetermined direction. A portion of the shaft portion 310A is located within the second contact housing portion 404. As shown in Figure 36, when the intermediate contact 300A is screwed in, the second contact housing portion 404 accommodates a portion of the second contact 200A. When the intermediate contact 300A is screwed in, the first surrounding portion 413 surrounds a portion of the second contact 200A in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. As shown in Figure 36, the intermediate contact 300A has a head portion 350. The head portion 350 in this embodiment defines the upper end of the intermediate contact 300A in the vertical direction. In a plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction, the head portion 350 has the same cross-sectional area as the shaft portion 310A. When the first receiving portion 220 abuts against the second receiving portion 120, the head portion 350 is located away from the insulator 400A. That is, when the first receiving portion 220 abuts against the second receiving portion 120, the head portion 350 is not in contact with the insulator 400A. The relay contact 300A in this embodiment is the same as the relay contact 300 in the above-described embodiment, except that the protective portion 330 is not provided, and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0065] Referring to Figure 30, the first receiving portion 220 in this embodiment is a plane intersecting the predetermined direction. That is, the first receiving portion 220 is perpendicular to the predetermined direction. As shown in Figure 36, the first receiving portion 220 is located below the first contact 100A in the vertical direction. The first receiving portion 220 faces the first contact 100A in the predetermined direction. The first receiving portion 220 is in contact with the first contact 100A in the predetermined direction. When the intermediate contact 300A is screwed in, the first receiving portion 220 receives the first contact 100A when it receives a force directed toward a first direction along the predetermined direction due to the engagement of the first male screw 311 of the intermediate contact 300A and the first female screw 110 of the first contact 100A, and restricts the movement of the first contact 100A toward the first direction. Here, the first direction is the direction from the first contact 100A to the second contact 200A.

[0066] Referring to Figure 30, the second receiving portion 120 in this embodiment is a plane intersecting the predetermined direction. That is, the second receiving portion 120 is perpendicular to the predetermined direction. As shown in Figure 36, the second receiving portion 120 is located above the second contact 200A in the vertical direction. The second receiving portion 120 faces the second contact 200A in the predetermined direction. The second receiving portion 120 is in contact with the second contact 200A in the predetermined direction. When the intermediate contact 300A is screwed in, the second receiving portion 120 receives a force directed toward the second direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction, along the predetermined direction, due to the engagement of the second male screw 312 of the intermediate contact 300A and the second female screw 210 of the second contact 200A, and restricts the movement of the second contact 200A toward the second direction. Here, the second direction is the direction from the second contact 200A to the first contact 100A.

[0067] Referring to Figure 36, the restriction of the movement of the first contact 100A by the first receiving portion 220 and the restriction of the movement of the second contact 200A by the second receiving portion 120 cause the first male screw 311 of the intermediate contact 300A to make multi-point contact with the first female screw 110 of the first contact 100A, and the second male screw 312 of the intermediate contact 300A to make multi-point contact with the second female screw 210 of the second contact 200A. As a result, even in the connection structure 10A of this embodiment, the resistance values ​​at the contact points between the first contact 100A and the intermediate contact 300A, and between the second contact 200A and the intermediate contact 300A are reduced. In other words, even in the connection structure 10A of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise at the contact points when energized.

[0068] An example of the assembly of connection structure 10A is described in detail below.

[0069] First, the connection element 51A to which the first connection target 700 is connected is positioned above the second contact 200A connected to the second connection target 800, as shown in Figures 23 to 30. At this time, the first female thread 110 of the first contact 100A and the first male thread 311 of the intermediate contact 300A are engaged, and the second female thread 210 of the second contact 200A is located directly below the shaft portion 310A of the intermediate contact 300A.

[0070] Next, the connecting element 51A is moved downward relative to the second contact 200A. As a result, the tip of the shaft portion 310A of the intermediate contact 300A of the connecting element 51A enters the through hole 205 of the second contact 200A, and the lower end of the second male thread 312 of the intermediate contact 300A of the connecting element 51A comes into contact with the upper end of the second female thread 210 of the second contact 200A.

[0071] In this state, the intermediate contact 300A is rotated clockwise when viewed from above with the connecting element 51A. As a result, the second male thread 312 of the intermediate contact 300A engages with the second female thread 210 of the second contact 200A, the intermediate contact 300A moves upward relative to the first contact 100A, and the second receiving portion 120 of the connecting element 51A and the first receiving portion 220 of the second contact 200A come into contact in a predetermined direction, resulting in the state shown in Figures 31 to 36.

[0072] In this state, the first male thread 311 of the intermediate contact 300A is in multi-point contact with the first female thread 110 of the first contact 100A. That is, in this state, the threads of the first male thread 311 of the intermediate contact 300A are in contact with the threads of the first female thread 110 of the first contact 100A at many points. Also, in this state, the first contact 100A is subjected to a downward force in the vertical direction, and the first receiving part 220 receives the first contact 100A and restricts its downward movement. In other words, when the relay contact 300A is screwed in, the first receiving part 220 receives the first contact 100A when it receives a force directed toward a first direction along a predetermined direction due to the engagement of the first male screw 311 of the relay contact 300A and the first female screw 110 of the first contact 100A, thereby restricting the movement of the first contact 100A toward the first direction.

[0073] Furthermore, in this state, the second male thread 312 of the relay contact 300A is in multi-point contact with the second female thread 210 of the second contact 200A. That is, in this state, the threads of the second male thread 312 of the relay contact 300A are in contact with the threads of the second female thread 210 of the second contact 200A at numerous points. Also, in this state, the second contact 200A is subjected to an upward force, and the second receiving part 120 receives the second contact 200A and restricts its upward movement. In other words, when the relay contact 300A is screwed in, the second receiving part 120 receives the second contact 200A when it receives a force moving in a predetermined direction toward the second direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction, due to the engagement of the second male screw 312 of the relay contact 300A and the second female screw 210 of the second contact 200A, and restricts the movement of the second contact 200A toward the second direction.

[0074] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to embodiments above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10,10A Connection Structure 51 First connection element 51A Connection element 52 Second connection element 100,100A First Contact 110 First female thread 120 Second Section 200, 200A Second Contact 205 Through hole 210 Second female thread 220 First Section 300, 300A relay contact 310,310A shaft part 311 First male screw 312 Second Male Screw 330 Protection Department 350 head 400, 400A Insulator 404 Second Contact Accommodation Unit 410 First Insulator 411, 411A Main unit 4112, 4112A First Contact Housing Section 4113 Hole 1 4113A Hole 4114 Hole 2 4115 First connection target receiving section 412 First Receiving Section 413 1st Encirclement 414 Second connection element housing 4142 Abutted part 420 Second Insulator 422 Second Section 425 Assault section 426 Second Encirclement 427 holes 700 First Connection Target 800 Second connection target

Claims

1. A connection structure that electrically connects a first connection target and a second connection target, The connection structure comprises a first contact connected to the first connection target, a second contact connected to the second connection target, a relay contact, a first receiving part, and a second receiving part. The first contact has a first female thread formed on it. The second contact has a second female thread formed therein, which is oriented in the opposite direction to the first female thread. The aforementioned relay contact has a shaft portion extending in a predetermined direction, The shaft portion has a first male thread corresponding to the first female thread and a second male thread corresponding to the second female thread, which is oriented in the opposite direction to the first male thread. The first receiving portion receives the first contact and restricts its movement toward the first direction when the first male thread of the intermediate contact and the first female thread of the first contact are fitted together during the tightening of the intermediate contact, thereby causing the first contact to be subjected to a force directed toward the first direction along the predetermined direction. The second receiving portion receives the second contact when the screw of the intermediate contact is tightened, and the second male thread of the intermediate contact and the second female thread of the second contact engage, causing the second contact to be subjected to a force moving toward the second direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction along the predetermined direction, and restricts the movement of the second contact toward the second direction. The first receiving portion restricts the movement of the first contact, and the second receiving portion restricts the movement of the second contact, so that the first male thread of the intermediate contact makes multi-point contact with the first female thread of the first contact, and the second male thread of the intermediate contact makes multi-point contact with the second female thread of the second contact. Connection structure.

2. The connection structure according to claim 1, The first male screw is a left-hand thread, The second male screw is a right-hand thread, The first direction is the direction from the first contact to the second contact, The second direction is the direction from the second contact to the first contact. Connection structure.

3. The connection structure according to claim 2, The connection structure further comprises an insulator that holds at least one of the first contact and the second contact. A portion of the insulator is positioned between the first contact and the second contact when the intermediate contact is screwed in, and functions as at least one of the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion. Connection structure.

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