Terminal bolts and electrical equipment

Abstract

To provide terminal bolts that can improve the workability of tasks such as potential checks in electrical equipment such as ESUs. [Solution] The check bolt 120 has a shaft portion 126 positioned between the head portion 122 and the threaded portion 124, and a flange portion 128 is formed on the threaded portion 124 side of the shaft portion 126. As a result, when fastening a terminal to a terminal block, the flange portion 128 moves the head portion 122 away from the terminal block and closer to the inspection opening, etc., making it easier to check the potential from the inspection opening and improving the work efficiency of potential checks, etc.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal bolt and an electric device using the terminal bolt.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a power conversion device. In the power conversion device, a terminal block is provided on a power conversion unit housing in which a power conversion unit is accommodated. At the terminal block, a crimp terminal of a power wiring is superimposed on an output terminal portion and fastened by a screw member, whereby the power wiring is connected to the output terminal portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by Invention

[0004] On the other hand, a vehicle including an electric motor as a drive source for traveling is provided with an ESU in which electric devices such as an inverter and a converter are accommodated in a metal housing. The ESU is disposed in the engine room of the vehicle together with the electric motor and the like, and converts DC power of a battery into AC power or the like of a required voltage in the vehicle.

[0005] In such an ESU, a terminal block is installed in the housing, and a primary side terminal and a secondary side terminal are fastened by a fastening bolt (terminal bolt) at the terminal block. For this reason, in the terminal block, the fastening bolt serves as a live part, and the terminal block is often disposed at a deep position in the housing so that an insulation distance is secured around the live part.

[0006] By the way, when performing maintenance or other work on an ESU, it is necessary to confirm that the ESU is not powered (not connected to a power source). In this safety check, the tip of the lead of a voltage checking device (e.g., a multimeter) is touched to the fastening bolts of the ESU's terminal block to check the potential.

[0007] However, checking the potential of the ESU requires opening the hood (engine compartment) that covers the vehicle's engine room, and if the charging section (terminal block) of the ESU is located in a recessed position, it becomes difficult to see. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the workability during safety checks.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above facts, and aims to provide terminal bolts and electrical equipment that can improve the workability of electrical equipment such as ESUs, including potential checks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A terminal bolt according to a first embodiment for achieving the above objective includes a male threaded portion, a head that rotates when the head is rotated, a shaft portion formed between the head and the threaded portion, and a disc-shaped flange portion integrally formed between the threaded portion and the shaft portion.

[0010] The terminal bolt according to the second embodiment includes, in the first embodiment, having an enlarged diameter portion formed on the shaft side of the head, the outer diameter of which is larger than the outer diameter of the head.

[0011] The electrical equipment according to the third embodiment includes a housing in which electrical functional equipment is housed, a terminal block positioned below an inspection opening in the upper surface of the housing and used for fastening a primary terminal and a secondary terminal for connection to the electrical functional equipment, and a terminal bolt according to the first or second embodiment that is screwed into the terminal block to fasten the primary terminal and the secondary terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] In the terminal bolt according to the first embodiment, the head is rotated, which causes the threaded portion to rotate, enabling it to be screwed onto a nut or the like. Furthermore, a shaft portion is provided between the head and the threaded portion, and a flange portion is provided between the threaded portion and the shaft portion.

[0013] For example, when fastening a terminal to a terminal block, the screw portion is threaded, causing the underside of the flange portion to act as a seating surface and contact the terminal, thus separating the head from the terminal block. This makes it easier to check the potential from the inspection port when the head is used as a live part, improving work efficiency such as potential checks.

[0014] In the terminal bolt according to the second embodiment, an enlarged diameter portion is formed on the shaft side of the head, with an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the head. This prevents the head from entering the socket when turning the head with a tool such as a socket, thus preventing a decrease in workability when fastening the primary and secondary terminals.

[0015] In the electrical equipment according to the third embodiment, the electrical functional equipment is housed in a housing. The housing also has an inspection opening on its top surface, and a terminal block used for fastening the primary terminal and the secondary terminal is located below the inspection opening. One of the primary terminals and the secondary terminal is connected to the electrical functional equipment and fastened to the terminal block, so that the other is connected to the electrical functional equipment via the other terminal.

[0016] Here, terminal bolts according to the first or second embodiment are used in the terminal block, and the terminal bolts fasten the primary terminal and the secondary terminal. For example, when fastening the primary terminal and the secondary terminal to the terminal block, the lower surface of the flange portion becomes a seating surface and contacts the terminal by screwing in the threaded portion, so that the head portion, which is the live part, can be moved away from the terminal block and brought closer to the inspection opening. This makes it easier to check the potential of the live part from the inspection opening, thereby improving the workability of tasks such as potential checks. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a main part of the high-voltage power supply device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a main part of the high-voltage power supply device, viewed from a direction different from that in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a side view showing the check bolt according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of the high-voltage power supply device as viewed in the vehicle width direction. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In Figure 1, the schematic configuration of the main part of the high-voltage power supply device 10 according to the present embodiment is shown in a perspective view taken obliquely from the upper right of the vehicle rear side. In addition, in Figure 2, the schematic configuration of the main part of the high-voltage power supply device 10 is shown in a perspective view taken obliquely from the upper right of the vehicle front side. In the drawings, the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction is indicated by arrow FR, the right side in the vehicle width direction is indicated by arrow HR, and the upper side in the up-down direction (vehicle up-down direction) is indicated by arrow UP.

[0019] The high-voltage power supply device 10 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle not shown. The vehicle on which the high-voltage power supply device 10 is mounted includes an electric motor as a drive source for traveling, and an electric vehicle (Battery Electric Vehicle) or a fuel cell vehicle (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is applied as the vehicle. Further, the vehicle may be equipped with an engine (not shown) in addition to the electric motor as a drive source for traveling, and a hybrid electric vehicle (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) may be applied as the vehicle.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the high-voltage power supply device 10 includes a storage battery (high-voltage battery, not shown) and an ESU (Electricity Supply Unit) 12 as an electrical device. The ESU 12 is configured by housing electrical functional devices such as a DC-DC converter and an inverter (not shown) inside a housing case 16. The ESU 12 operates by receiving electric power (high-voltage DC power in a vehicle) stored in the storage battery, and converts the DC power into required high-voltage power (AC power) for output. In the following description, the housing case 16 in which the ESU 12 is housed may be collectively referred to as the ESU 12.

[0021] In the ESU 12, the housing case 16 is disposed at the front portion of the vehicle in an unillustrated engine room. Thereby, in the high-voltage power supply device 10, the ESU 12 is exposed by rotating an unillustrated bonnet (engine hood) covering the engine room upward from, for example, the front side of the vehicle to open the engine room.

[0022] The high-voltage power supply device 10 includes a water heating unit 14 as a unit device, and in the high-voltage power supply device 10, the water heating unit 14 is mounted on the housing case 16. One side of the water heating unit 14 is connected to an unillustrated radiator, and the other side is connected to the ESU 12 (housing case 16), forming a circulation path for LLC (coolant: Long Life Coolant). In the high-voltage power supply device 10, the temperature-regulated coolant circulates between the radiator, the water heating unit 14 and the ESU 12, so that the temperature of the ESU 12 is regulated to fall within a preset temperature range.

[0023] The housing case 16 includes a case main body 20 which is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape and has an opening (not shown) on the upper surface, and a substantially flat plate-shaped cover body 22 as a lid member which is arranged above the case main body 20 to close the opening of the case main body 20. In the housing case 16, the case main body 20 and the cover body 22 are made of aluminum castings.

[0024] The main body of the enclosure 20 has peripheral walls 24 (detailed illustration omitted) erected around its entire circumference from the periphery of a bottom plate (not shown). The peripheral walls 24 are formed in a rectangular frame shape, with the lower part connected by the bottom plate by a front wall 26F on the front side of the vehicle, a rear wall 26B on the rear side of the vehicle, a side wall 26L on the left side of the vehicle width, and a side wall 26R on the right side of the vehicle width, each having a required thickness (plate thickness).

[0025] The housing body 20 has multiple fixing legs 30 integrally formed at its lower part, and multiple fixing legs 30 (two legs each) protrude outward from the housing body 20 on each of the right side wall 26R and the left side wall 26L in the vehicle width direction (some parts are omitted from the illustration). The storage housing 16 has its front wall 26F facing the front of the vehicle and is fastened to the vehicle body by fixing bolts 30B inserted into through holes 30A formed through each of the fixing legs 30 of the housing body 20.

[0026] The housing body 20 has multiple bolt holes (not shown) with internal threads, each formed on the upper end surface of the peripheral wall 24. The cover body 22 is attached to the housing body 20 by screwing mounting bolts 34B, which are inserted into through holes (not shown) corresponding to each bolt hole, into the bolt holes, thereby closing the opening at the top of the housing body 20. In the storage housing 16, a sealant is applied between the upper end surface of the peripheral wall 24 of the housing body 20 and the cover body 22, so that the space between the upper end surface of the peripheral wall 24 and the cover body 22 is tightly sealed and the interior is airtight.

[0027] On the other hand, the water heating unit 14 has an external shape that is roughly rectangular and is attached to a metal plate 70 that is roughly flat and serves as a support member. The plate 70 has fixing parts 72 on the front and rear sides of the vehicle at the left end in the vehicle width direction, and fixing parts 74 on the front and rear sides of the vehicle at the right end in the vehicle width direction. Each fixing part 72 is formed into a roughly L shape by bending the tip that extends downward from the left end of the plate 70 in the vehicle width direction outward (to the left in the vehicle width direction), and the fixing part 72 has a through hole (not shown) that penetrates it vertically at its tip. The fixing parts 74 also each have a through hole (not shown) that penetrates them vertically.

[0028] Mounting portions 82 and 84 are formed on the housing body 20, corresponding to the fixing portions 72 of the plate 70, and the mounting portions 82 and 84 each protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the side wall 26L of the housing body 20. The fastening bolts 90 inserted into the through holes of the fixing portions 72 of the plate 70 are each inserted into the through holes of the mounting portion 82 and the through holes of the mounting portion 84 (both not shown) and screwed into nuts (not shown). As a result, the plate 70 and the water heating unit 14 attached to the plate 70 are fastened and fixed to the housing body 20 on the left side in the vehicle width direction and attached to the housing 16.

[0029] Meanwhile, a bridging bracket 76 is positioned on the right side of the water heating unit 14 in the vehicle width direction within the housing casing 16. The bridging bracket 76 is made of a roughly strip-shaped metal plate (for example, a steel plate), and its cross-section is formed into a roughly U-shape by bending both ends in the width direction downward. The longitudinal direction of the bridging bracket 76 is oriented in the vehicle front-rear direction, so one side plate portion 76A is on the right side in the vehicle width direction, and the longitudinal middle portion of the upper plate portion 76B faces the fixing portion 74 of the plate 70. In addition, the longitudinal dimension of the bridging bracket 76 is larger (longer) than the vehicle front-rear dimension of the cover body 22, so when the bridging bracket 76 is positioned above the cover body 22, both ends in the longitudinal direction protrude from the cover body 22.

[0030] The bridging bracket 76 has through holes formed vertically at each position on the upper plate portion 76B opposite to the fixing portion 74 of the plate 70, and fastening holes formed vertically at both ends in the longitudinal direction (neither of which are shown in the figure).

[0031] The housing body 20 has boss portions (not shown) formed on the rib portion 64 on the front side of the vehicle and the fin portion 66 (66A) on the rear side of the vehicle. The rib portion 64 extends from the side wall 26R of the housing body 20 toward the front of the vehicle and protrudes toward the front of the vehicle from the front wall 26F. The boss portion is roughly cylindrical and protrudes upward from the rib portion 64 and the fin portion 66A, and has internal female threads.

[0032] The bridging bracket 76 is fastened to the housing casing 16 (casing body 20) by fastening bolts 90 inserted into fastening holes at each of its longitudinal ends, which are screwed into the bosses of the rib portion 64 and the fin portion 66, respectively, thus spanning across the rib portion 64 and the fin portion 66A. The plate 70 is fastened to the bridging bracket 76 on the right side in the vehicle width direction by connecting bolts 80A inserted into through holes in the fixing portion 74, which are then inserted into through holes in the upper plate portion 76B of the bridging bracket 76 and screwed into nuts (not shown). As a result, the water heating unit 14 is attached to the housing casing 16 via the plate 70 and the bridging bracket 76.

[0033] The housing 16 has multiple connectors (for example, three) 36 attached to the side wall 26R of the housing body 20, and the multiple connectors 36 are collectively covered by a protective cover 50. One end of each connector 36 is attached to the other end of a high-voltage cable (not shown) that is connected to an electrical load such as an electric motor. By attaching the connector 36 to a predetermined position on the side wall 26R of the housing body 20, the cable is electrically connected to the ESU 12. This allows the high-voltage power supply unit 10 to supply power from the ESU 12 to the electrical load.

[0034] The protective cover 50 is made of metal and is roughly plate-shaped. The protective cover 50 has a roughly flat cover portion 52 that covers the right side of the connector 36 in the vehicle width direction (opposite side of the side wall 26R). The upper side, front side, and rear side of the cover portion 52 of the protective cover 50 are each bent toward the left side in the vehicle width direction (side wall 26R side). As a result, the protective cover 50 has a roughly rectangular box shape with the bottom and housing body 20 side open. When attached to the side wall 26R, it forms the upper side of the connector 36, the front side of the vehicle, and the upper wall portion 54, front wall portion 56, and rear wall portion 58 that cover the front side of the vehicle.

[0035] The protective cover 50 has two locking portions 60 formed on its upper wall portion 54, and two fixing portions 62 formed between the locking portions 60. In addition, the protective cover 50 has fixing portions 62 formed on both its front wall portion 56 and its rear wall portion 58.

[0036] Each locking portion 60 extends from the upper wall portion 54 to the left side in the vehicle width direction (towards the housing body 20), and a locking hole 60A is formed to penetrate vertically at its tip. The fixing portion 62 of the upper wall portion 54 is formed by folding it upward from the tip of the upper wall portion 54. The fixing portion 62 of the front wall portion 56 is formed by folding it towards the front of the vehicle from the tip of the front wall portion 56, and the fixing portion 62 of the rear wall portion 58 is formed by folding it towards the rear of the vehicle from the tip of the rear wall portion 58.

[0037] The upper wall portion 54 of the protective cover 50 is opposed to the side plate portion 76A of the bridging bracket 76 attached to the housing body 20. Through holes 94 are formed in the side plate portion 76A of the bridging bracket 76, corresponding to each of the locking portions 60, and locking projections 96 are formed within the through holes 94, protruding upward from the bottom. Through holes (not shown) corresponding to the fixing portion 62 are formed through the side plate portion 76A of the bridging bracket 76 in the vehicle width direction (width direction of the bridging bracket 76).

[0038] As a result, the protective cover 50 is suspended from the bridging bracket 76 by inserting each of the locking portions 60 of the upper wall portion 54 into the through holes 94 of the bridging bracket 76, and inserting the locking projections 96 into the locking holes 60A of the locking portions 60. In addition, the protective cover 50 is fastened and fixed to the bridging bracket 76 by fastening bolts 68B inserted into the through holes of the fixing portion 62, which are then inserted into the through holes of the bridging bracket 76 and fitted with nuts (not shown).

[0039] In the protective cover 50, the fixing portion 62 of the front wall portion 56 protrudes from the front side of the housing body 20 and faces the rib portion 64, and the fixing portion 62 of the rear wall portion 58 protrudes from the rear side of the housing body 20 and faces the fin portion 66A. Bosses (not shown) are arranged on the rib portion 64 and the fin portion 66A of the housing body 20. These boss portions are each substantially cylindrical and protrude to the right in the vehicle width direction from the rib portion 64 and the fin portion 66A, respectively, and have internal threads machined on their axial centers.

[0040] As a result, the protective cover 50 is fastened and secured to the housing body 20 at the front and rear of the vehicle by fastening bolts 68B, which are inserted into through holes formed in the front wall portion 56 and the rear wall portion 58, and screwed into the boss portions of the rib portion 64 and the fin portion 66A, respectively.

[0041] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1, a high-voltage connector 100 is attached to the rear wall 26B (peripheral wall 24) on the rear side of the vehicle in the housing 16. The connector 100 is attached to one end of a high-voltage cable (not shown), and the other end of the cable is connected to the battery. As a result, the ESU 12 receives high-voltage power (DC power) from the vehicle's battery when the connector 100 is attached. The ESU 12 then performs the necessary power conversion on the supplied power and outputs it via the connector 36.

[0042] In this embodiment, the connector 100 is provided with an electrode connected to the negative side of the battery and an electrode connected to the positive side of the battery. Below, the attachment of the connector 100 to the ESU 12 will be described using one of the electrodes inside the connector 100 as an example. Note that the internal structure of the connector 100 can be a known configuration, and therefore, it is not shown or described in this embodiment.

[0043] Figure 3 shows a check bolt 120 as a terminal bolt according to this embodiment in a radial side view, and Figure 4 shows a schematic configuration of the main part of the housing casing 16 in a cross-sectional view in the vehicle width direction (view from the left of the vehicle).

[0044] As shown in Figure 1, multiple fin sections 66 are formed on the rear wall 26B of the housing body 20. Of the multiple fin sections 66, the one on the right side in the vehicle width direction (side wall 26R side) is designated as fin section 66A, the one in the center in the vehicle width direction is designated as fin section 66B, and the one on the left side in the vehicle width direction (side wall 26L side) is designated as fin section 66C.

[0045] Each of the fin sections 66 (66A to 66C) has a roughly flat, block-like outer shape. Each of the fin sections 66A to 66C is elongated vertically (downward from the upper end) at the top of the rear wall 26B and protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle, and is integrally formed with the housing body 20. In the storage housing 16, a connector 100 is installed between fin section 66A and fin section 66B.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the housing body 20 is provided with a mounting portion 104 on the rear wall 26B, and the mounting portion 104 is formed to penetrate the rear wall 26B. A terminal block 106 having a substantially rectangular cross-section when viewed in the vehicle width direction is attached to the mounting portion 104, and the terminal block 106 has a flat upper surface seating surface 106A. In the housing body 20, the terminal block 106 is positioned below the peripheral edge of the cover body 22, and the terminal block 106 is positioned so that the seating surface 106A is lower by a predetermined height from the cover body 22 (for example, the top surface) (a recessed position when viewed from the cover body 22 side).

[0047] The terminal block 106 has a bolt hole 108 of a predetermined diameter formed approximately in the center of the seating surface 106A, with its axis oriented vertically. A nut 110 is also placed on the terminal block 106, and the nut 110 is positioned on the terminal block 106 by insert molding or the like so that its axis aligns with the axis of the bolt hole 108 and prevents rotation. The positioning of the nut 110 may be done by known methods, such as inserting it into a nut hole formed in the terminal block 106 to match its external shape.

[0048] The housing body 20 is equipped with a busbar 112 made of conductive metal (for example, copper) in the shape of a strip, which serves as a secondary terminal. The busbar 112 has a through hole 112A formed through its tip in the thickness direction. In the housing body 20, the tip of the busbar 112 is positioned on the seating surface 106A of the terminal block 106.

[0049] The connector 100 is equipped with a conductive metal (e.g., copper) strip-shaped busbar 114 as the primary terminal. The busbar 114 has a through hole 114A formed in the thickness direction at the tip that protrudes from the casing 100A of the connector 100. Note that the positive and negative terminals of each of the busbars 112 and 114 are arranged in parallel, but only one is shown in the drawing.

[0050] When the connector 100 is attached to the mounting section 104, the tip of the busbar 114 is superimposed on the tip of the busbar 112, which is positioned on the seating surface 106A of the terminal block 106. As a result, the connector 100 is inserted into the through hole 114A of the busbar 114, and the bolt inserted into the through hole 112A of the busbar 112 is screwed into the nut 110 of the terminal block 106, thereby fastening the busbar 114 together with the busbar 112 to the terminal block 106.

[0051] ESU12 is electrically connected to the battery by fastening and electrically connecting the busbars 112 and 114. In ESU12, conductive metal check bolts 120 are used as bolts to fasten the busbars 112 and 114 to the terminal block 106.

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, the check bolt 120 has a hexagonal head 122 when viewed from above (axially), and a threaded portion 124 on its outer circumference. In addition, the check bolt 120 has a substantially cylindrical shaft portion 126 with a predetermined outer diameter formed between the head 122 and the threaded portion 124, making the check bolt 120 a partially threaded bolt.

[0053] The check bolt 120 has a flange portion 128 integrally formed between the threaded portion 124 and the shaft portion 126. The flange portion 128 is circular when viewed from above, and has a roughly trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side, with the base being longer than the top. A washer 130 is attached to the underside of the flange portion 128 of the check bolt 120, making the check bolt 120 a bolt with a washer. In addition, a reduced diameter constricted portion 128A is formed on the underside of the flange portion 128 of the check bolt 120 to prevent the washer 130 from falling off.

[0054] Furthermore, the check bolt 120 has an enlarged diameter portion 132 integrally formed on the lower side of the head 122, and a substantially circular recess 122A formed on the upper surface of the head 122. The check bolt 120 also has a guide portion 134 of a predetermined length integrally formed, protruding from the tip of the threaded portion 124. The enlarged diameter portion 132 is substantially disc-shaped with an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the head 122. The guide portion 134 is cylindrical (shaft-shaped) with a smaller diameter (thinner diameter) than the threaded portion 124.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4, the check bolt 120 is inserted from the guide portion 134 into the bolt hole 108, and the threaded portion 124 is screwed onto the nut 110 to fasten it to the terminal block 106. In this way, the check bolt 120 fastens the busbars 112 and 114 between the lower surface (washer 130) of the flange portion 128, which serves as the seating surface, and the seating surface 106A of the terminal block 106. The head 122 of the check bolt 120 is positioned to protrude above the terminal block 106. In addition, a packing (not shown) is placed between the rear wall 26B and the casing 100A of the connector 100 in the housing body 20, so that the connector 100 is airtightly mounted in the housing body 20 (storage housing 16).

[0056] In the housing 16, an inspection opening 116 is located above the terminal block 106. The inspection opening 116 is an elongated hole that is long in the vehicle width direction and is formed to penetrate vertically in the cover body 22 that covers the upper part of the housing body 20. As shown in Figure 1, an inspection opening cover 118 is located on the cover body 22, and the inspection opening cover 118 is fastened and fixed to the cover body 22 by multiple bolts 118A to close the inspection opening 116. Also, when the inspection opening cover 118 is removed from the cover body 22, the area around the seating surface 106A of the terminal block 106 is opened upwards. As a result, in the ESU 12, the heads 122 of the check bolts 120 on the terminal block 106 can be seen from the inspection opening 116 of the cover body 22.

[0057] Furthermore, a packing (not shown) is placed between the periphery of the inspection opening 116 and the periphery of the inspection opening cover 118 in the cover body 22, and the packing tightly closes the space between the periphery of the inspection opening 116 and the inspection opening cover 118.

[0058] In the high-voltage power supply unit 10 configured in this way, the ESU 12 is housed in a housing 16. A water heating unit 14 is attached to the ESU 12, and the ESU 12 is temperature-controlled by the coolant circulated through the water heating unit 12 and the radiator, thereby suppressing temperature rise during operation.

[0059] In addition, in the ESU12, a connector 100 is attached to the rear wall 26B on the rear side of the storage enclosure 16, and a connector 36 is attached to the right side wall 26R in the vehicle width direction. With the connector 100 attached, the ESU12 performs the necessary conversion processing on the power supplied from the battery and outputs it from the connector 36.

[0060] The ESU12 is located at the front of the engine compartment, and may be subjected to impact loads in the event of a vehicle emergency. In this case, the ESU12 has a connector 100 attached to the rear wall 26B and a connector 36 attached to the side wall 26R, and the connector 36 is covered by a protective cover 50. This prevents damage to the connector 36 and connector 100 from being caused by impact loads applied from the front of the vehicle.

[0061] On the other hand, the ESU12 has a terminal block 106 located on the mounting section 104 where the connector 100 is attached. The terminal block 106 is positioned lower (recessed) than the cover body 22 that covers the upper part of the housing body 20. The connector 100 has a busbar 114 that is superimposed on a busbar 112 located on the terminal block 106, and is fastened using a check bolt 120. When power is supplied from the battery, the check bolt 120 becomes the charging part of the connector 100.

[0062] The check bolt 120 is inserted into the bolt hole 108 of the terminal block 106 from its tip guide portion 134, and the threaded portion 124 is screwed onto the nut 110 by rotating the tool (for example, a box not shown) into which the head 122 is inserted. At this time, the guide portion 134 of the check bolt 120 is small in diameter, so it easily enters the bolt hole 108 and leads the way, making it easy to screw onto the nut 110 inside the bolt hole 108.

[0063] In the check bolt 120, a shaft portion 126 is provided between the head portion 122 and the flange portion 128, and the head portion 122 and the flange portion 128 are separated in the check bolt 120. Therefore, when the head portion 122 is inserted into the box, the head portion 122 may end up inside the box.

[0064] In contrast, the check bolt 120 has an enlarged diameter portion 132 integrally formed on the underside of the head 122. As a result, in the check bolt 120, the enlarged diameter portion 132 contacts the opening tip of the tool box, preventing the head 122 from entering the box. Therefore, in the check bolt 120, the head 122 can be rotated stably even when it is separated from the flange portion 128.

[0065] Incidentally, in the high-voltage power supply unit 10, when performing maintenance on the ESU 12, the engine hood is opened, which frees up the area around the ESU 12. Also, when performing maintenance on the high-voltage power supply unit 10 (ESU 12), it is necessary to confirm that the power supply from the battery to the ESU 12 has been cut off.

[0066] In this case, the ESU12 has an inspection port cover 118 on the cover body 22, and by removing this inspection port cover 118, the inspection port 116 is opened, and the live part of the terminal block 106 is exposed upwards. In this state, as shown in Figure 2, it becomes possible to insert the lead rod 140 through the inspection port 116. At this time, two lead rods 140A and 140B are used, and the potential difference is measured by touching one end 142 of the lead rods 140A and 140B to the positive live part and the other end 142 to the negative live part. In the high-voltage power supply unit 10, if the measured potential difference is a reference potential difference such as 0V, it is determined that the power supply has been cut off.

[0067] However, when the inspection opening 116 is formed on the rear side of the vehicle in the housing 16 and the water heating unit 14 is positioned above the cover body 22, it becomes difficult to see the terminal block 106 from the inspection opening 116. As a result, it becomes difficult to bring the respective tips 142 of the lead rods 140A and 140B into contact with the correct position of the charging part.

[0068] In the ESU12, a check bolt 120 is used on the terminal block 106. Therefore, in the ESU12, the head 122 of the check bolt 120 is positioned above the seating surface 106A of the terminal block 106, and the head 122 of the check bolt 120 is positioned close to the inspection opening 116. As a result, in the ESU12, the head 122 of the check bolt 120 can be easily seen from the inspection opening 116, and the respective tips 142 of the lead rods 140A and 140B can be easily brought into contact with the head 122 of the check bolt 120.

[0069] Furthermore, the check bolt 120 has a recess 122A formed on the upper surface of its head 122. This prevents the tips 142 of the lead rods 140A and 140B from coming off the head 122 by bringing them into contact with the corresponding recess 122A of the head 122 of the check bolt 120. Therefore, in the ESU 12, by using the check bolt 120, even if the terminal block 106 is located in a recessed position away from the inspection opening 116, operations such as potential difference checks can be performed easily and smoothly.

[0070] Thus, in the ESU12, the use of check bolts 120 for fastening the busbars 112 and 114 to the terminal block 106 makes it easier to fasten the busbars 112 and 114 to the terminal block 106. In addition, the use of check bolts 120 in the ESU12 makes it easier to measure and inspect the potential difference.

[0071] It should be noted that the embodiment described above does not limit the configuration of the check bolt 120 and the ESU 12 using the check bolt 120. As for the terminal bolt, the length of the shaft portion should be set according to the position of the head relative to the inspection opening, and the length of the shaft portion of the terminal bolt may be set so that the head protrudes from the inspection opening. In this case, the head of the terminal bolt becomes the live part, so a protective cap or the like should be used to prevent the live part from being exposed.

[0072] Furthermore, in the check bolt 120, a washer 130 is placed on the lower side of the flange portion 128 to suppress loosening caused by vibration, etc. However, because the center of gravity is located further upward from the seating surface 106A of the terminal block 106, loosening due to vibration, etc. becomes more likely.

[0073] Therefore, in terminal bolts, it is preferable to reduce the outer diameter of the shaft portion so that the center of gravity is closer to the seating surface of the terminal block. This effectively suppresses loosening caused by vibrations and other factors in terminal bolts. In this case, the outer diameter of the shaft portion should be such that it provides torsional rigidity corresponding to the tightening torque of the primary and secondary terminals.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, check bolts 120 were used to fasten the busbars 112 and 114 in the connector 100. However, terminal bolts may also be used to fasten the primary terminal and secondary terminal in the connector 36, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 10. High-voltage power supply 12 ESU (Electrical Equipment) 16 Storage enclosure 20. Main unit (storage enclosure) 22 Cover body (storage enclosure) 26B Back wall 100 connectors 106 Terminal block 112 Busbar (Secondary terminal) 114 Busbar (primary side terminal) 116 Inspection hatch 120 Check bolt (terminal bolt) 122 Head 124 Screw part 126 Shaft 128 Flange section 132 Expanded diameter part 134 Guide section

Claims

1. The threaded part with male threads, The head, which rotates as the screw portion rotates, A shaft portion formed between the head and the screw portion, A disc-shaped flange portion integrally formed between the screw portion and the shaft portion, Terminal bolts including

2. The terminal bolt according to claim 1, wherein the head has an enlarged diameter portion formed on the shaft side, the outer diameter of which is larger than the outer diameter of the head.

3. A housing containing electrical functional equipment, A terminal block is located below an inspection opening on the upper surface of the aforementioned housing and is used for fastening primary and secondary terminals for connecting to the aforementioned electrical functional equipment. A terminal bolt according to claim 1 or claim 2, which fastens the primary terminal and the secondary terminal by being screwed into the terminal block, Electrical equipment including

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