Method for detecting incorrect assembly of jigs and packings

Abstract

The objective is to provide a jig and a method for detecting incorrect assembly of packings that can be properly performed. [Solution] The jig 110 is configured to include a sealing surface 111 facing one end face 30a in the axial direction X of a packing 30 assembled to the housing 20 of the terminal block 1, and grooves 112 provided on the sealing surface 111 that can accommodate at least a part of the lip portion 31 that protrudes from one end face 30a of the packing 30 along the axial direction X. The lip portion 31 is formed in an annular shape along the packing 30, and the sealing surface 111 is provided with a plurality of grooves 112 spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the packing 30, and the grooves 112 are configured to partially accommodate the lip portion 31.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a jig and a method for detecting incorrect assembly of a packing.

Background Art

[0002] As a technology related to a conventional method for detecting incorrect assembly of a jig and a packing, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal block including a housing and a packing held by a flange portion of the housing. The packing has an annular main body annular portion and an extending piece having a cantilever beam shape extending outward from the main body annular portion. The extending piece has a hinge portion that can be curved into a shape convex toward the peripheral edge portion and a locking portion provided at the extending end of the hinge portion. The flange portion has a groove portion into which the extending piece is fitted and a bridge portion having a bridge shape connecting between the groove walls of the groove portion and capable of locking the locking portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the above - mentioned conventional terminal block, for example, although the lip portion of the packing is assembled in a correct posture facing the housing side, there is a case where it is assembled in an incorrect posture facing the partition wall side. There is room for further improvement in appropriately performing the detection operation of such incorrect assembly of the packing.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a jig and a method for detecting incorrect assembly of a packing that can appropriately perform the detection operation of incorrect assembly of the packing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the jig according to the present invention comprises a sealing surface facing one axial end face of a packing assembled to a terminal block housing, and a groove provided on the sealing surface that can accommodate at least a portion of the lip portion protruding from the one end face of the packing along the axial direction.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, the packing misassembly detection method according to the present invention comprises: a first step of attaching one axial end face of a packing assembled to a terminal block housing to the sealing surface of a jig; a second step of accommodating at least a portion of the lip portion of the packing that protrudes from the one end face in the axial direction into a groove provided on the sealing surface as the sealing surface and the one end face come into close contact; and a third step of sending an airflow from an air leak tester between the sealing surface and the one end face to detect leakage of the airflow and detecting the packing misassembly based on the presence or absence of airflow leakage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The method for detecting misassembly of jigs and packings according to the present invention has the effect of enabling proper detection of misassembly of packings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an illustrative configuration diagram of a detection device to which the jig according to this embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an illustrative plan view of the jig and terminal block according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of the jig and terminal block according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a jig and terminal block according to an embodiment, and is viewed from a different angle than Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an illustrative plan view of a jig according to an embodiment. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a jig and terminal block packing according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an exemplary cross-sectional view illustrating a method for detecting incorrect assembly of a packing according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an illustrative flowchart of a method for detecting incorrect assembly of a packing according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an illustrative plan view of a modified jig. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of a modified jig and terminal block packing. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments and modifications of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and modifications described below. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments and modifications described below include those that are easily substituted or substantially identical to those that are easily substituted by those skilled in the art.

[0011] Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications disclosed below include similar components. Therefore, in the following, these similar components are given common reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. In this specification, ordinal numbers are used solely to distinguish parts, components, parts, positions, directions, etc., and do not indicate order or priority.

[0012] [Embodiment] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a detection device 100 to which the jig 110 according to this embodiment is applied, and Figure 2 is a plan view of the jig 110 and the terminal block 1. The jig 110 of this embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 is incorporated into a detection device 100 that detects, for example, incorrect assembly of a packing 30 (see Figure 3) attached to the housing 20 of the terminal block 1 to the housing 20. The detection device 100 includes, for example, a jig 110 attached to the packing 30 of the terminal block 1, and an air leak tester 120 that sends an airflow W (see Figure 7) between the jig 110 and the packing 30.

[0013] Terminal block 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle and relays the electrical connection between a first device (not shown) and a second device. The external terminals of the first device are electrically connected to a first connection part 12 provided at one end of the busbar 10, and the external terminals of the second device are electrically connected to a second connection part 11 provided at the other end of the busbar 10. The first device is, for example, one of a motor and an inverter, and the second device is, for example, the other of a motor and an inverter. Note that terminal block 1 is not limited to this example and may be used, for example, to relay connections between the first device or the second device and wiring materials, or between wiring materials and other wiring materials.

[0014] In the following explanation, of the three intersecting directions, the first direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the second direction as the "width direction Y," and the third direction as the "height direction Z." Here, the axial direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are approximately orthogonal to each other. The axial direction X typically corresponds to the depth direction (front-to-back direction) of the terminal block 1, the axial direction of the central axis of the packing 30, the plate thickness direction of the jig 110, etc. The width direction Y typically corresponds to the width direction (left-to-right direction) of the terminal block 1 and the jig 110, the radial direction of the packing 30, etc. The height direction Z typically corresponds to the height direction (up-down direction) of the terminal block 1 and the jig 110, the radial direction of the packing 30, etc. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, each direction used in the following explanation refers to the direction when the terminal block 1 is assembled to the jig 110.

[0015] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the jig 110 and terminal block 1, and Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the jig 110 and terminal block 1, viewed from a different angle than in Figure 3. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the terminal block 1 is composed of, for example, a plurality of busbars 10, a housing 20, and a packing 30. The busbars 10 are terminal fittings made of a conductive metal material and are electrically connected to the external terminals described above. In this embodiment, three busbars 10 are provided on the terminal block 1, arranged along the width direction Y.

[0016] The bus bar 10 is configured to include, for example, a first connection portion 12 provided at one end in the axial direction X and a second connection portion 11 provided at the other end in the axial direction X. The first connection portion 12 and the second connection portion 11 are integrally formed of a conductive metal material and extend along the axial direction X. Through holes 12a and 11a are provided in the first connection portion 12 and the second connection portion 11, respectively, for attaching fastening members such as bolts for fastening the bus bar 10 and an external terminal.

[0017] The housing 20 holds the bus bar 10, the packing 30, etc., and is formed of an insulating synthetic resin material or the like. The housing 20 is configured to include, for example, a housing body 21 and a protruding portion 22 protruding from the housing body 21 along the axial direction X. Mounting holes 25 for attaching fastening members such as bolts for fastening the housing 20 and a jig 110 or an attachment target (not shown) are provided at both ends in the width direction Y of the housing body 21. The mounting holes 25 are through holes penetrating the housing body 21 along the axial direction X. A collar 40 for suppressing the contact between a bolt (metal) and the housing body 21 (resin) is provided in the mounting holes 25, for example.

[0018] An insertion space portion 23 into which the bus bar 10 is inserted along the axial direction X is provided in the housing body 21 and the protruding portion 22. The insertion space portion 23 is an opening penetrating the housing body 21 and the protruding portion 22 along the axial direction X. In the present embodiment, three insertion space portions 23 corresponding to the bus bar 10 are provided in the housing 20, and these three insertion space portions 23 are partitioned from each other along the width direction Y.

[0019] Furthermore, the housing body 21 is provided with a recess 24 for holding the packing 30. The recess 24 is recessed from one end face in the axial direction X toward the other end in the axial direction X of the housing body 21 and is open toward the other end in the axial direction X. The recess 24 is provided, for example, on the periphery of the protrusion 22 and is formed in a substantially elliptical annular shape that follows the outer shape of the packing 30. The housing 20 is formed integrally with the housing body 21 and the protrusion 22.

[0020] The packing 30 prevents foreign matter such as moisture from entering the inside of the housing 20. The packing 30 is made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or resin. The packing 30 is formed, for example, in a substantially elliptical ring shape and inserted into the recess 24 described above. When the terminal block 1 is attached to the jig 110 or an attachment object not shown, the packing 30 is interposed between the bottom surface of the recess 24 and the jig 110 or the attachment object. The packing 30 is also called an O-ring or the like.

[0021] Furthermore, the packing 30 is provided with a plurality of lip portions 31 on one end face 30a in the axial direction X. The lip portions 31 are pleated water-stopping portions formed in a substantially elliptical annular shape along the outer shape of the packing 30, and protrude from the end face 30a along the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the packing 30 is provided with two lip portions 31 arranged radially along the packing 30. When the packing 30 is assembled to the recess 24 of the housing 20 in the correct orientation with the two lip portions 31 facing the bottom surface side of the recess 24 (opposite side from the jig 110), the two lip portions 31 adhere tightly to the bottom surface of the recess 24 and stop water from entering between them. On the other hand, when the packing 30 is assembled to the recess 24 of the housing 20 in the incorrect orientation with the two lip portions 31 facing the jig 110 side, the two lip portions 31 adhere tightly to the sealing surface 111 of the jig 110.

[0022] Figure 5 is a plan view of the jig 110, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the jig 110 and the packing 30 of the terminal block 1. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the jig 110 is formed in the shape of a flat rectangular box along the axial direction X. The jig 110 is provided with mounting holes 114 at both ends in the width direction Y, into which fastening members such as bolts that fasten to the housing 20 described above are attached. The mounting holes 114 are, for example, recessed in the axial direction X, and the inner surface of the recess is provided with a female thread that engages with the male thread of the bolt. In addition, the jig 110 is provided with an insertion hole 113 in the center into which the protruding portion 22 of the housing 20 described above is inserted along the axial direction X. The insertion hole 113 is, for example, a through hole that penetrates the jig 110 along the axial direction X, and is formed in the shape of a substantially elliptical ring along the outer surface of the protruding portion 22.

[0023] Furthermore, the jig 110 is composed of, for example, a sealing surface 111 and a groove 112. The sealing surface 111 is the side surface of the jig 110 on the other end side (packing 30 side) in the axial direction X. The sealing surface 111 faces, for example, one end surface 30a of the packing 30 in the axial direction X at the periphery of the insertion hole 113. Specifically, the sealing surface 111 faces one end surface 30a of the packing 30 on the lip portion 31 side when the packing 30 is assembled to the recess 24 of the housing 20 in the incorrect orientation described above. On the other hand, the sealing surface 111 faces the other flat end surface 30b of the packing 30 opposite to the lip portion 31 when the packing 30 is assembled to the recess 24 of the housing 20 in the correct orientation described above.

[0024] The groove 112 reduces the sealing performance (compression amount of packing 30) between the sealing surface 111 and the one end surface 30a by accommodating, for example, at least a portion of the lip portion 31 provided on the packing 30. The groove 112 is recessed from the sealing surface 111 toward one end in the axial direction X (opposite side from packing 30) and opens toward the other end in the axial direction X. The groove 112 is provided on the periphery of the insertion hole 113 in the sealing surface 111 and faces the packing 30 along the axial direction X. For example, the depth of the groove 112 along the axial direction X is set to be greater than the amount (length) of the lip portion 31 protruding along the axial direction X.

[0025] In this embodiment, the sealing surface 111 is provided with a plurality of grooves 112 spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the packing 30, and the lip portion 31 is configured to be partially accommodated in the grooves 112. Specifically, in this embodiment, three grooves 112 are provided on each side of the sealing surface 111 in the height direction Z, with the insertion hole 113 in between, spaced apart from each other along the width direction Y. The plurality of grooves 112 are set to a length that allows each to partially accommodate two lip portions 31 within the width along the radial direction (height direction Z) of the packing 30. Note that the number and layout of the grooves 112 are not limited to this example and can be changed in various ways.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the grooves 112 are inclined with respect to the radial direction (height direction Z) of the packing 30. Specifically, in this embodiment, the three grooves 112 located on one end side (upper side) in the height direction Z of the sealing surface 111 are inclined so that they move toward one end side in the width direction Y as they move toward one end side in the height direction Z. On the other hand, the three grooves 112 located on the other end side (lower side) in the height direction Z of the sealing surface 111 are inclined so that they move toward one end side in the width direction Y as they move toward the other end side in the height direction Z. In other words, in this embodiment, the groups of three opposing grooves 112 along the height direction Z are formed symmetrically with respect to a virtual line passing through the center of the insertion hole 113 and extending along the width direction Y.

[0027] Next, an example of a method for detecting incorrect assembly of the packing 30 having the above configuration will be described. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the method for detecting incorrect assembly of the packing 30, and Figure 8 is a flowchart of the method for detecting incorrect assembly of the packing 30. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, first, in the first step S1, one end face 30a in the axial direction X of the packing 30 assembled to the housing 20 of the terminal block 1 is attached to the sealing surface 111 of the jig 110. In this case, for example, the packing 30 is attached to the sealing surface 111 by fastening the mounting hole 114 of the jig 110 and the housing 20 with a fastening member.

[0028] Next, in the second step S2, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, as the sealing surface 111 and the one end surface 30a come into close contact, at least a portion of the lip portion 31 of the packing 30 that protrudes from the one end surface 30a along the axial direction X is accommodated in the groove 112 provided in the sealing surface 111. In this case, for example, as the fastening member fastens (screws) the mounting hole 114 of the jig 110 to the housing 20, the surface pressure between the sealing surface 111 and the one end surface 30a increases, and consequently at least a portion of the lip portion 31 falls into the groove 112.

[0029] Next, in the third step S3, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, an airflow W is sent from the air leak tester 120 between the sealing surface 111 and one end surface 30a to detect leakage of the airflow W, and the incorrect assembly of the packing 30 is detected based on the presence or absence of leakage of the airflow W. In this case, for example, the air leak tester 120 sends an airflow W into the insertion hole 113 of the jig 110 from one end side in the axial direction X (opposite side from the packing 30). The airflow W flows through the insertion hole 113 as the inside of the machine along the axial direction X, bends along the width direction Y by contacting the end surface of the housing 20, and flows outside the machine, which is the outside of the housing 20, through the gap between the sealing surface 111 and the end surface of the housing 20 and the packing 30.

[0030] In this embodiment, since the sealing surface 111 is provided with a groove 112 capable of accommodating at least a portion of the lip portion 31, when the lip portion 31 is assembled in the wrong position with the lip portion 31 facing the sealing surface 111, compared to when the lip portion 31 is assembled in the correct position with the lip portion 31 facing the bottom surface of the recess 24 of the housing 20, the sealing performance (compression amount of the packing 30) between the sealing surface 111 and the one end surface 30a decreases. As a result, airflow W is more likely to leak out of the housing 20 from between the sealing surface 111 and the one end surface 30a, and consequently, the incorrect assembly of the packing 30 can be detected based on the presence or absence of this airflow W leakage. The incorrect assembly of the packing 30 can be detected by these first steps S1 to third steps S3.

[0031] As described above, the jig 110 of this embodiment is configured to include a sealing surface 111 facing one end face 30a in the axial direction X of the packing 30 assembled to the housing 20 of the terminal block 1, and a groove 112 provided on the sealing surface 111 that can accommodate at least a part of the lip portion 31 protruding from one end face 30a of the packing 30 along the axial direction X. With this configuration, for example, if the jig 110 is assembled in an incorrect position with at least a part of the lip portion 31 accommodated in the groove 112, the sealing performance (compression amount of the packing 30) between the sealing surface 111 and the one end face 30a decreases, causing leakage of airflow W from between the sealing surface 111 and the one end face 30a, and the incorrect assembly of the packing 30 can be detected based on the presence or absence of this airflow W leakage. As a result, the jig 110 can properly perform the task of detecting incorrect assembly of the packing 30.

[0032] Furthermore, in the jig 110 of this embodiment, the lip portion 31 is formed in an annular shape along the packing 30, and the sealing surface 111 is provided with a plurality of grooves 112 spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the packing 30, and the lip portion 31 is configured to be partially accommodated in the grooves 112. With this configuration, for example, the jig 110 has multiple outflow paths for airflow W formed between the grooves 112 and the lip portion 31, making it easier for airflow W to leak from between the sealing surface 111 and one end surface 30a, and consequently enabling more accurate detection of incorrect assembly of the packing 30.

[0033] Furthermore, in the jig 110 of this embodiment, the groove 112 is inclined with respect to the radial direction (height direction Z) of the packing 30. With this configuration, the jig 110 can form a longer groove 112 within the width along the radial direction of the packing 30, so that airflow W leaks more easily from between the sealing surface 111 and one end surface 30a, and consequently the detection of incorrect assembly of the packing 30 can be performed more accurately.

[0034] Furthermore, the method for detecting incorrect assembly of the packing 30 in this embodiment includes: a first step S1 of attaching one end face 30a in the axial direction X of the packing 30 assembled to the housing 20 of the terminal block 1 to the sealing surface 111 of the jig 110; a second step S2 of accommodating at least a portion of the lip portion 31 of the packing 30 that protrudes from the end face 30a along the axial direction X into the groove portion 112 provided in the sealing surface 111 as the sealing surface 111 and the end face 30a come into close contact; and a third step S3 of sending an airflow W from an air leak tester 120 between the sealing surface 111 and the end face 30a to detect leakage of the airflow W, and detecting incorrect assembly of the packing 30 based on the presence or absence of leakage of the airflow W. With this configuration, the method for detecting incorrect assembly of the packing 30 can detect incorrect assembly of the packing 30. For example, if the packing 30 is assembled in an incorrect position where at least a part of the lip portion 31 is housed in the groove portion 112, the sealing performance (compression amount of the packing 30) between the sealing surface 111 and the one end surface 30a decreases. As a result, airflow W leaks from between the sealing surface 111 and the one end surface 30a, and the incorrect assembly of the packing 30 can be detected based on the presence or absence of this airflow W leak. In this way, the method for detecting incorrect assembly of the packing 30 can properly perform the task of detecting incorrect assembly of the packing 30.

[0035] [Differentiation] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the modified jig 110A, and Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the modified jig 110A and the packing 30 of the terminal block 1. The jig 110A shown in Figures 9 and 10 has the same configuration as the jig 110 of the above embodiment. Therefore, the jig 110A can obtain the same operation and effect as the above embodiment based on the same configuration.

[0036] However, in this modified example, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, an annular groove 112 is provided on the sealing surface 111 of the jig 110A along the packing 30, and the entire circumference of the lip portion 31 is accommodated in the groove 112, which is different from the above embodiment. Specifically, in this modified example, the sealing surface 111 has two annular grooves 112, corresponding to the two lip portions 31, spaced apart from each other along the radial direction of the packing 30. Note that the number of grooves 112 is not limited to this example and can be changed in various ways.

[0037] The groove 112 reduces the sealing performance (compression amount of packing 30) between the sealing surface 111 and one end surface 30a by accommodating, for example, the entire circumference of the lip portion 31 provided on the packing 30. The groove 112 is recessed from the sealing surface 111 toward one end in the axial direction X (opposite side from packing 30) and opens toward the other end in the axial direction X. The groove 112 is provided on the periphery of the insertion hole 113 in the sealing surface 111 and faces the packing 30 along the axial direction X. That is, the two grooves 112 are located within the width of the packing 30 along the radial direction. For example, the depth of the groove 112 along the axial direction X is set to be greater than the amount (length) of the lip portion 31 protruding along the axial direction X.

[0038] As described above, in the modified jig 110A, the lip portion 31 is formed in an annular shape along the packing 30, and the sealing surface 111 is provided with an annular groove 112 along the packing 30, and the entire circumference of the lip portion 31 is configured to be accommodated in the groove 112. With this configuration, the jig 110A can reduce the sealing performance (compression amount of packing 30) between the sealing surface 111 and the one end surface 30a by, for example, the lip portion 31 falling out over its entire circumference into the annular groove 112. As a result, the jig 110A is more prone to airflow W leaking from between the sealing surface 111 and the one end surface 30a, and consequently, the detection of incorrect assembly of the packing 30 can be performed more appropriately.

[0039] In this modified example and the above embodiment, the packing 30 is shown as having two lip portions 31 arranged radially, but it is not limited to this example. For example, three or more lip portions 31 may be arranged radially, or only one lip portion 31 may be provided. In this case, the jigs 110 and 110A may be provided with grooves 112 of a number and length corresponding to the lip portions 31.

[0040] Although embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been illustrated above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, each configuration, shape, and other specifications (structure, type, direction, form, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) can be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 1 Terminal block 20 Housing 30 packing 30a One end face 31 Lip section 110, 110A jigs 111 sealing surface 112 Groove 120 Air Leak Tester S1 Step 1 S2 Step 2 S3 Step 3 W Airflow X-axis direction Y width direction (radial direction) Z: Height direction (radial direction)

Claims

1. The sealing surface facing one end face in the axial direction of the packing assembled to the terminal block housing, The sealing surface includes a groove capable of accommodating at least a portion of the lip portion that protrudes from one end face of the packing along the axial direction, jig.

2. The lip portion is formed in an annular shape along the packing, The sealing surface is provided with a plurality of grooves spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the packing, and is configured to partially accommodate the lip portion in the grooves. The jig according to claim 1.

3. The groove portion is inclined with respect to the radial direction of the packing. The jig according to claim 2.

4. The lip portion is formed in an annular shape along the packing, The sealing surface is provided with an annular groove along the packing, and the entire circumference of the lip portion is configured to be accommodated in the groove. The jig according to claim 1.

5. The first step is to attach one end face in the axial direction of the packing assembled to the terminal block housing to the sealing surface of the jig, A second step involves, as the sealing surface and the one end surface come into close contact, accommodating at least a portion of the lip portion of the packing that protrudes from the one end surface in the axial direction into a groove provided on the sealing surface, A third step involves sending an airflow from an air leak tester between the sealing surface and the one end surface to detect leakage of the airflow, and detecting the incorrect assembly of the packing based on the presence or absence of airflow leakage. A method for detecting incorrect assembly of packing, equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

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