Terminal block

Abstract

To provide a terminal block that can improve watertightness. [Solution] The terminal block 1 comprises a busbar 10 having an intermediate portion 11 extending in a first direction X, a first connecting portion 12 extending from one end of the intermediate portion along a second direction Y intersecting the first direction, and a second connecting portion 13 extending from the other end of the intermediate portion in the second direction toward the opposite side from the extending side of the first connecting portion; a housing 20 having an insertion hole 21 through which the first connecting portion is inserted along the second direction and which holds the busbar in contact with the intermediate portion in the second direction; and a water-stopping member 30 provided on the side of the housing opposite to the side in contact with the intermediate portion so as to surround the insertion hole and to stop water from getting between the object to which the housing is attached 40 and the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal block.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional terminal block, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal block for relaying an electrical connection between a first device and a second device. The terminal block of Patent Document 1 includes a conductive laminate having a first terminal portion electrically connectable to a first device, a second terminal portion electrically connectable to a second device, and an intermediate portion, and the intermediate portion of the laminate is fixed to the housing while being covered by the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a terminal block, there are cases where water is blocked between the terminal block and an attachment object with a water blocking member such as a packing. In such a terminal block, there is room for improvement in the water blocking property between the terminal block and the attachment object.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block capable of improving water blocking property.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The terminal block of the present invention comprises a busbar having an intermediate portion extending in a first direction, a first connecting portion extending from one end of the intermediate portion along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second connecting portion extending from the other end of the intermediate portion in the second direction toward the opposite side from the extending side of the first connecting portion; a housing having an insertion hole through which the first connecting portion is inserted along the second direction and which holds the busbar in contact with the intermediate portion and the second direction; and a water-stopping member provided on the side of the housing opposite to the side in contact with the intermediate portion so as to surround the insertion hole, and which seals the gap between the object to which the housing is attached and the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The terminal block according to the present invention has the effect of improving watertightness. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view showing a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A terminal block according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, this embodiment does not limit the present invention. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily conceivable by those skilled in the art or that are substantially identical.

[0010] [Embodiment] The embodiments will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the terminal block according to the embodiment, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the terminal block according to the embodiment, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the terminal block according to the embodiment, Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the terminal block according to the embodiment, Figure 5 is a plan view showing the terminal block according to the embodiment, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the terminal block according to the embodiment. Figure 6 shows the VV cross section of Figure 5.

[0011] The terminal block 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and relays the electrical connection between a first device and a second device. The terminal block 1 of this embodiment is composed of three busbars 10, a housing 20, and a watertight member 30. The busbars 10 electrically connect the first device and the second device. The two devices (first device and second device) may be a motor and an inverter mounted on the vehicle. The housing 20 is fixed to the enclosure (mounting object 40) of the first device (see Figures 4 to 6).

[0012] The busbar 10 is formed from a conductive metal plate. In this embodiment, each busbar 10 is formed into a crank shape by applying various processes such as bending to a single sheet of metal. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each busbar 10 has an intermediate portion 11, a first connecting portion 12, and a second connecting portion 13.

[0013] The intermediate portion 11 is the part that connects the first connecting portion 12 and the second connecting portion 13. In this specification, the direction in which the first connecting portion 12 and the second connecting portion 13 are connected via the intermediate portion 11 is referred to as the first direction X, the direction in which the first connecting portion 12 and the second connecting portion 13 extend is referred to as the second direction Y, and the direction that intersects both the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as the third direction Z. In this embodiment, the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are mutually orthogonal. In the busbar 10, the intermediate portion 11 is formed as a plate-like portion extending in the first direction X.

[0014] The first connection portion 12 is the part that is electrically and physically connected to the connection terminal provided on the first device. As shown in Figure 2, the first connection portion 12 is formed as a plate-shaped portion extending from one end of the intermediate portion 11 in the first direction X along the second direction Y. The busbar 10 of this embodiment has a bent portion 11a between the first connection portion 12 and the intermediate portion 11, and is bent at a right angle at the bent portion 11a. A mounting hole 12a is formed at the tip of the first connection portion 12, penetrating the first connection portion 12 in the plate thickness direction. The mounting hole 12a is a hole through which a fastening member such as a bolt is inserted to fasten the first connection portion 12 and the connection terminal of the first device.

[0015] The second connection section 13 is the part that is electrically and physically connected to the connection terminal 50 provided on the second device (see Figures 4 to 6). Although Figures 4 to 6 show a roughly rectangular prism-shaped connection terminal 50, this is a schematic representation. For example, the connection terminal 50 may be a plate-shaped busbar provided for each busbar 10.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the second connecting portion 13 is formed as a plate-shaped portion that extends from the other end of the intermediate portion 11 in the first direction X along the second direction Y toward the opposite side of the extending side of the first connecting portion 12. The busbar 10 of this embodiment has a bent portion 11b between the second connecting portion 13 and the intermediate portion 11, and at the bent portion 11b, the second connecting portion 13 is bent at a right angle so that it faces away from the intermediate portion 11 toward the side of the first connecting portion 12. A mounting hole 13a is formed at the tip of the second connecting portion 13, penetrating the second connecting portion 13 in the plate thickness direction. The mounting hole 13a is a hole through which a fastening member such as a bolt B is inserted to fasten the second connecting portion 13 to the connection terminal 50 of the second device.

[0017] The housing 20 is a member that holds the bus bar 10 and is attached to the housing of the first device (the object to be attached 40) (see FIGS. 4 to 6). The housing 20 is molded, for example, from an insulating synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 20 has an insertion hole 21 that penetrates the housing 20 in the second direction Y. The housing 20 is configured to hold the bus bar 10 in a state where the first connection portion 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 21 along the second direction Y and is in contact with the intermediate portion 11 in the second direction Y.

[0018] The housing 20 of the embodiment has a main body 22 and a support wall 23. The housing 20 is integrally formed with the main body 22 and the support wall 23. The main body 22 is a portion fixed to the object to be attached 40 and has a substantially flat plate shape. Metal collars 2c are arranged at both ends of the main body 22 in the third direction Z.

[0019] The housing 20 is fixed to the object to be attached 40 by a fastening member such as a bolt inserted through the collar 2c. The object to be attached 40 of the embodiment is the housing of the first device. For example, a threaded hole that mates with a bolt is formed in the object to be attached 40. Then, the bolt is inserted through the collar 2c and mates with the threaded hole of the object to be attached 40, so that the housing 20 is fixed to the object to be attached 40.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the support wall 23 stands upright from the main body 22 in the thickness direction of the main body 22. The support wall 23 projects along the second direction Y from a portion between the two collars 2c in the main body 22. The width direction of the support wall 23 is the third direction Z, and the thickness direction of the support wall 23 is the first direction X. The shape of the support wall 23 when viewed from the first direction X is substantially rectangular.

[0021] The insertion hole 21 is formed so as to penetrate the support wall 23 and the main body 22 along the second direction Y. In the embodiment, the insertion hole 21 is provided one-to-one with the bus bar 10. That is, three insertion holes 21 are formed in the housing 20 of the embodiment. In the housing 20, the insertion holes 21 are arranged side by side at intervals in the third direction Z.

[0022] The support wall 23 is formed such that at the end opposite to the main body 22, one main surface of the end of the first connecting portion 12 inserted through the insertion hole 21 is exposed. Three through holes 23a are provided at the end of the support wall 23 opposite to the main body 22. Each through hole 23a is formed to penetrate the end of the support wall 23 in the first direction X. Each through hole 23a is formed in a one-to-one relationship with the insertion hole 21. In other words, the support wall 23 of this embodiment has three through holes 23a. Each through hole 23a is formed in a position that communicates in the first direction X with the mounting hole 12a of the first connecting portion 12 inserted through the corresponding insertion hole 21.

[0023] The through hole 23a is formed as a screw hole into which a fastening member such as a bolt can be screwed. The first connecting part 12 is electrically and physically connected to the connection terminal of the first device by, for example, inserting a bolt through a mounting hole (not shown) formed in the connection terminal of the first device and a mounting hole 12a of the first connecting part 12, and then screwing the bolt into the screw hole (through hole 23a).

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, each busbar 10 is inserted through a corresponding insertion hole 21 and held in the housing 20, penetrating the main body 22 and the support wall 23. Each busbar 10 may also be press-fitted into the corresponding insertion hole 21. In this embodiment, the housing 20 holds the three busbars 10 aligned in the third direction Z.

[0025] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the main body 22 of the housing 20 has a first surface 20a that faces the mounting object 40 when the housing 20 is attached to the mounting object 40, and a second surface 20b opposite to the first surface 20a. In the housing 20, one end of the through hole 21 opens to the second surface 20b of the main body 22, and the other end of the through hole 21 opens to the end of the support wall 23. In this embodiment, the edge 21a of the through hole 21 protrudes from the second surface 20b surrounding the through hole 21 (see Figures 3 and 6).

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the housing 20 has a projection 22ba on the side that contacts the intermediate portion 11, which protrudes from the surrounding surface (second surface 20b). The shape of the projection 22ba when viewed from the second direction Y is substantially rectangular. The projection 22ba has a planar surface facing the intermediate portion 11. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the busbar 10 is attached to the housing 20 such that the intermediate portion 11 is in surface contact with the projection 22ba in the second direction Y. In this embodiment, the projections 20ba are provided in a one-to-one ratio with the busbar 10. Each projection 20ba is spaced apart along the third direction Z.

[0027] In this embodiment, each projection 22ba is formed at a position away from the opening (the opening on the second surface 20b side) of the insertion hole 21 through which the corresponding busbar 10 is inserted, in the first direction X. That is, the projection 22ba and the insertion hole 21 are spaced apart in the first direction X. As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the projection 22ba is in contact with the intermediate portion 11 on the bent portion 11b side rather than on the bent portion 11a side end of the intermediate portion 11, but is not in contact with the bent portion 11b side end of the intermediate portion 11. In the first direction X, a gap is formed between the base end of the first connecting portion 12 and the projection 22ba.

[0028] A recess 24 for holding the water-sealing member 30 is formed on the first surface 20a of the housing 20 in this embodiment. The recess 24 is formed as a groove-like portion that is recessed toward the second surface 20b relative to the surrounding surface. As shown in Figure 1, the recess 24 is formed on the periphery of the first surface 20a so as to surround the support wall 23. The recess 24 is formed in a substantially elliptical ring shape that follows the outer shape of the water-sealing member 30. In this case, the collar 2c is located outside the area surrounded by the recess 24 in the housing 20.

[0029] The water-sealing member 30 prevents liquids such as water or foreign matter from entering the inside of the terminal block 1 through the gap between the housing 20 and the object to be attached 40. The water-sealing member 30 is made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or resin. In this embodiment, the water-sealing member 30 is a packing. The water-sealing member 30 is provided on the side of the housing 20 opposite to the side that contacts the intermediate portion 11 (second surface 20b side) (first surface 20a side), surrounding the insertion hole 21.

[0030] In this embodiment, the water-stopping member 30 is formed in a substantially elliptical cylindrical shape and is fitted into the recess 24. As shown in Figure 3, a plurality of lip portions 30a are provided on the surface of the water-stopping member 30 facing the bottom surface of the recess 24. The plurality of lip portions 30a are formed as ridge-like portions that protrude from the main body of the water-stopping member 30 toward the bottom surface of the recess 24. Each of the plurality of lip portions 30a is provided in a substantially elliptical ring along the circumferential direction of the water-stopping member 30 and is arranged in a line along the radial direction of the water-stopping member 30. The water-stopping member 30 of this embodiment has two lip portions 30a.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the housing 20 is installed by inserting the support wall 23 through the housing mounting hole 40a formed in the casing of the first device (mounting object 40). The water-sealing member 30 is interposed between the housing 20 and the mounting object 40 when the housing 20 is installed on the mounting object 40.

[0032] The length of the water-stopping member 30 in the second direction Y is set to be longer than the depth of the recess 24 in the second direction Y, so that when the housing 20 is attached to the object to be attached 40 and fixed by the fastening member, the housing 20 is elastically deformed by being compressed between the housing 20 and the object to be attached 40, and it comes into close contact with the recess 24 and the surface of the object to be attached 40.

[0033] For example, the length of the water-sealing member 30 in the second direction Y is set to be longer than the depth of the recess 24 in the second direction Y before the water-sealing member 30 is compressed between the housing 20 and the object to be attached 40, and when the water-sealing member 30 is compressed between the housing 20 and the object to be attached 40, the length is set to be such that the first surface 20a around the recess 24 of the housing 20 attached to the object to be attached 40 is in contact with the surface of the object to be attached 40.

[0034] For example, the second connection part 13 is connected to the connection terminal 50 of the second device when the housing 20 is attached to and fixed to the first device. When connecting the second connection part 13 and the connection terminal 50, a gap (clearance) is left between the second connection part 13 and the connection terminal 50 to prevent them from interfering with each other during assembly.

[0035] The second connection portion 13 and the connection terminal 50 are connected by the busbar 10 deforming to absorb the gap (clearance) between the second connection portion 13 and the connection terminal 50. This connection causes a force F to act on the second connection portion 13 of the busbar 10, moving from the second connection portion 13 side toward the connection terminal 50 side. In this embodiment, since the intermediate portion 11 of the busbar 10 is in contact with the protruding portion 20ba of the housing 20, it is possible to suppress deformation of the end of the housing 20 (the end opposite to the side toward which the force F is directed) so that it lifts away from the housing of the first device (the object to be mounted 40). With this configuration, the terminal block 1 according to the embodiment can suppress a decrease in the sealing pressure of the water-stopping member 30 caused by deformation of the housing 20 so that it lifts away from the object to be mounted 40.

[0036] Furthermore, the housing 20 compresses the water-sealing member 30 by pressing it against the mounting object 40, thereby ensuring sealing pressure and improving watertightness between the housing 20 and the mounting object 40. Due to this configuration, the housing 20 receives a reaction force RF from the water-sealing member 30 in a direction that causes the housing 20 to lift away from the mounting object 40 (see Figure 5). In this embodiment, the terminal block 1 has an intermediate portion 11 in contact with the protruding portion 20ba of the housing 20, so deformation of the housing 20 due to the reaction force RF can be suppressed, and thus a decrease in the sealing pressure of the water-sealing member 30 can be suppressed.

[0037] As described above, the terminal block 1 according to the embodiment comprises a busbar 10 having an intermediate portion 11 extending in a first direction X, a first connecting portion 12 extending from one end of the intermediate portion 11 along a second direction Y intersecting the first direction X, and a second connecting portion 13 extending from the other end of the intermediate portion 11 in the direction opposite to the side from which the first connecting portion 12 extends along the second direction Y; a housing 20 having an insertion hole 21 through which the first connecting portion 12 is inserted along the second direction Y and which holds the busbar 10 in contact with the intermediate portion 11 and the second direction Y; and a water-stopping member 30 provided on the side of the housing 20 opposite to the side in contact with the intermediate portion 11 so as to surround the insertion hole 21 and to stop water from entering between the object to which the housing 20 is attached 40 and the housing 20.

[0038] In the embodiment, even when a force F acts on the second connection portion 13 toward the connection terminal 50 of the second device, or when the housing 20 receives a reaction force RF from the water-sealing member 30, the intermediate portion 11 of the busbar 10 is in contact with the housing 20, so that deformation that causes the housing 20 to lift away from the mounting object 40 (the housing of the first device) can be suppressed. In the embodiment, by suppressing deformation that causes the housing 20 to lift away from the mounting object 40, the amount of compression of the water-sealing member 30 by the housing 20 can be suppressed, and the water-sealing between the terminal block 1 and the mounting object 40 can be improved.

[0039] Furthermore, in the embodiment of the terminal block 1, the housing 20 has a protruding portion 20ba that protrudes from the surrounding surface 20b and contacts the intermediate portion 11 on the side that contacts the intermediate portion 11.

[0040] In the embodiment of the terminal block 1, since the housing 20 has a protruding portion 20ba, the intermediate portion 11 can be easily brought into contact with the housing 20. In the embodiment of the terminal block 1, even if there is some variation in the bending shape of the bent portion 11a of the busbar 10, for example, the gap between the intermediate portion 11 of the busbar 10 and the housing 20 can be suppressed.

[0041] In this embodiment, the configuration in which the protrusion 20ba is provided in a one-to-one relationship with the busbar 10 was described as an example, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the housing 20 may have one protrusion 20ba for multiple busbars 10.

[0042] Furthermore, the number of busbars 10 on terminal block 1 is not limited to the three exemplified. The number of bolts B, through holes 21, through holes 23a, nuts, etc., is determined according to the number of busbars 10.

[0043] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment uses an example in which the through-hole 23a of the support wall 23 is formed as a screw hole, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the support wall 23 may have a recess for holding a nut or the like instead of a through-hole 23a. In this case, the first connection part 12 and the connection terminal of the first device are fastened together by a bolt inserted through the mounting hole 12a of the first connection part 12 and the mounting hole of the connection terminal of the first device, which is then screwed into a nut held in the recess of the support wall 23.

[0044] [Reference example] Here, as a reference example of a terminal block different from the embodiment, a configuration in which the intermediate portion 11 and the housing 20 are not in contact in the second direction Y (i.e., a configuration in which there is a gap between the intermediate portion 11 and the housing 20) can be considered. In such a configuration, a force F acts on the second connection portion 13 of the busbar 10 from the second connection portion 13 side toward the connection terminal 50 side of the second device, which may cause the end of the housing 20 (the end opposite to the side toward which the force F is directed) to lift away from the housing of the first device (the object to be mounted 40), potentially reducing the sealing pressure of the water-stopping member 30.

[0045] In the configuration of the reference example, in order to suppress the decrease in the sealing pressure of the water-sealing member 30, it is conceivable to increase the size of the water-sealing member 30 in advance, for example, taking into account the lifting of the housing 20. However, in this case, the load on the housing 20 to compress the water-sealing member 30 becomes large, especially near the collar 2c fastened by the fastening member. To withstand this load, the housing 20 is required to have high strength and rigidity. Therefore, the size of the housing 20 may become larger, or expensive materials may be required for the manufacture of the housing 20.

[0046] On the other hand, in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, the intermediate portion 11 of the busbar 10 is in contact with the housing 20, which suppresses the lifting of the housing 20. Therefore, while improving watertightness between the terminal block 1 and the object to be attached 40, the load on the housing 20 can also be reduced compared to the configuration in the reference example where a large watertight member 30 is provided.

[0047] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be combined and implemented as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 1:Terminal block 10: Busba 11: Middle section 12: First connection section 12a, 13a: Mounting holes 13: Second connection section 20: Housing 20a: Front page 20b:Second side 20ba:Protrusion 21: Through hole 30: Water-stopping component 30a: Lip section 40: Object to be installed 50: Connection terminal for the second device

Claims

1. A bus bar having an intermediate portion extending in a first direction, a first connecting portion extending from one end of the intermediate portion along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second connecting portion extending from the other end of the intermediate portion in the second direction toward the opposite side from the extending side of the first connecting portion, A housing having an insertion hole, the first connecting portion being inserted through the insertion hole along the second direction, and holding the busbar in contact with the intermediate portion and the second direction, A water-stopping member is provided on the side of the housing opposite to the side in contact with the intermediate portion, so as to surround the insertion hole, and to stop water from entering between the object to which the housing is attached and the housing, A terminal block equipped with the following features.

2. The housing has a projection on the side that contacts the intermediate portion that protrudes from the surrounding surface and contacts the intermediate portion. The terminal block according to claim 1.

Images