Connection parts and connection structures

Abstract

To provide a connection component and a connection structure capable of easily conducting and disconnecting and securing sufficient contact pressure to obtain high connection reliability.SOLUTION: A connection component 12 includes a spring conductor 50 made of a conductive annular coil spring and attached to a bus bar 11 by inserting the bus bar 11, and a housing 30 that has a housing space 31 that houses the spring conductor 50 and that is attached to the bus bar 11 to cover the periphery of the spring conductor 50 except for a portion of the spring conductor 50, and a mating bus bar 61 can be brought into contact with and separated from the outer peripheral portion of the spring conductor 50 exposed from the housing 30, and the mating bus bar 61 is brought into contact with the spring conductor 50 exposed from the housing 30, such that the bus bar 11 and the mating bus bar 61 are electrically connected via the spring conductor 50, and the spring conductor 50 is radially pressed by the mating bus bar 61, and the outer peripheral portion covered with the housing 30 is pressed against the inner surface of the housing space 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection part and a connection structure for a conductor. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, when connecting high-voltage wiring between devices, the conductors of the bus bars of each device are fastened together with bolts and nuts, but a structure that allows the wiring to be connected and disconnected is required. As a technology for connecting conductors, Patent Document 1 describes a method of fitting a first conductor with a cylindrical end to a second conductor equipped with a ring-shaped spring contactor, thereby causing the elastic repulsive force of the spring contactor to act between the conductors to obtain electrical contact. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-204634 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in the connection method of Patent Document 1, the first conductor and the second conductor are fitted together and electrically connected by assembling the devices together, and the second conductor is pulled out from the first conductor and the electrically connected state is released by separating the devices from each other. Thus, in the connection method of Patent Document 1, the devices must be brought close to each other and separated from each other to connect and disconnect the conductors, making it difficult to easily connect and disconnect the conductors.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a connection component and a connection structure that can easily establish and break electrical continuity, and that can ensure sufficient contact pressure to obtain high connection reliability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a connection part and a connection structure according to the present invention are characterized by the following (1) to (6). (1) A connection part provided on a conductor for electrically connecting the conductor to a mating conductor, a ring-shaped spring conductor that is conductive and is attached to the conductor by inserting the conductor through the ring-shaped spring conductor; a housing having an accommodation space for accommodating the spring conductor, the housing being attached to the conductor and covering the periphery of the spring conductor except for a portion of the conductor; Equipped with The annular spring conductor is formed by bending a coil spring, which is formed by winding a filament in a spiral shape, into a ring shape and joining both ends of the filament, and the conductor is inserted into a through hole defined by an inner periphery of the spring conductor, the mating conductor is capable of being brought into contact with and separated from an outer periphery of the spring conductor exposed from the housing, The spring conductor is radially pressed by the mating conductor, and the outer periphery of the spring conductor covered by the housing is pressed against the inner surface of the accommodating space, so that the inner surface of the accommodating space is The spring conductor is configured to restrict deformation in a radial direction. Connection parts.

[0007] According to the connection part having the above configuration (1), when the mating conductor comes into contact with the spring conductor, the conductor and the mating conductor are electrically connected via the spring conductor, and when the mating conductor moves away from the spring conductor, the electrical connection between the conductor and the mating conductor is released. When the mating conductor comes into contact with the spring conductor and presses the spring conductor in the radial direction, the outer periphery covered by the housing is pressed against the inner surface of the housing's receiving space. This prevents the load applied from the mating conductor to the spring conductor from escaping from parts of the spring conductor other than the pressed part, and increases the reaction force formed by the elastic force from the spring conductor toward the mating conductor. That is, electrical connection and disconnection can be easily performed, and a sufficient contact pressure can be ensured to obtain high connection reliability.

[0008] (2) The spring conductor is accommodated in the accommodation space in a direction intersecting a direction in which the conductor is assembled to the housing. The connection part described in (1) above.

[0009] According to the connection part having the above configuration (2), the spring conductor is accommodated in the accommodating space in a direction intersecting the assembly direction of the conductor in the housing. Therefore, when the conductor is assembled to the housing with the spring conductor accommodated in the accommodating space, the conductor can be easily inserted into the spring conductor in the accommodating space and the spring conductor can be held by the conductor.

[0010] (3) The conductor has a pair of cantilever-shaped engagement pieces at the tip that is attached to the housing, the housing has a tapered wedge portion that fits between the engagement pieces of the conductor to be assembled, The engaging piece has a recess formed on the outer periphery thereof, The housing is formed with a locking projection that enters the recess and locks the engaging piece in a state where the wedge portion is inserted between the engaging pieces. A connection part according to (1) or (2) above.

[0011] According to the connection part having the above configuration (3), when the conductor is assembled to the housing, the wedge portion fits into the pair of cantilever-shaped engagement pieces, so that the conductor is supported like a double-supported beam, and in this assembled state, the locking projection fits into the recess of the engagement piece, so that the engagement piece is locked. This allows the conductor to be assembled easily and firmly to the housing.

[0012] (4) The spring conductor is rotatably held within the accommodating space of the housing. The connection part according to any one of (1) to (3) above.

[0013] According to the connection part having the above configuration (4), when the mating conductor slides tangentially relative to the spring conductor and comes into contact with it, the spring conductor rotates within the accommodation space, and the contact point of the spring conductor with the mating conductor moves. This prevents the plating of the spring conductor from peeling off due to the mating conductor repeatedly coming into contact with and separating from one circumferential point of the spring conductor, thereby improving connection reliability.

[0014] (5) The inner wall of the accommodating space is provided with the spring conductor. The above A locking protrusion for locking the filament is formed, the locking protrusion has a guide surface that guides the filament of the spring conductor in one rotation direction when a rotational force in the one rotation direction is applied to the spring conductor. The connection part described in (4) above.

[0015] According to the connection part having the configuration of (5) above, by accommodating the spring conductor in the accommodation space, the wire of the spring conductor can be locked and held by the locking protrusion. In this state, when the mating conductor slides tangentially against the spring conductor and makes contact with it, and a rotational force in one rotation direction is applied to the spring conductor, the wire of the spring conductor is guided in the one rotation direction by the guide surface of the locking protrusion, and the wire climbs over the locking protrusion. This allows the spring conductor to rotate in one direction. This causes the position of the spring conductor that comes into contact with the mating conductor to move in sequence, suppressing peeling of the plating of the spring conductor and improving connection reliability.

[0016] (6) A connection structure of a first conductor having a connection part and a second conductor that is electrically connected to the first conductor via the connection part, The connection part is a spring conductor made of a conductive annular coil spring, the spring conductor being attached to the first conductor by inserting the first conductor through the spring conductor; a housing having an accommodation space for accommodating the spring conductor, the housing being attached to the first conductor and covering the periphery of the spring conductor except for a part of the spring conductor; Equipped with The annular spring conductor is formed by bending the coil spring, which is a helically wound filament, into a ring shape and joining both ends of the filament, and the first conductor is inserted into a through hole defined by an inner periphery of the spring conductor, the second conductor is capable of being brought into contact with and separated from an outer periphery of the spring conductor exposed from the housing, The second conductor is brought into contact with the spring conductor exposed from the housing, so that the first conductor and the second conductor are electrically connected via the spring conductor, and the spring conductor is pressed in the radial direction by the second conductor and is covered by the housing. The spring conductor The outer periphery is pressed against the inner surface of the storage space. Connection structure.

[0017] According to the connection structure of the above configuration (6), when the second conductor comes into contact with the spring conductor, the first conductor and the second conductor are electrically connected via the spring conductor, and when the second conductor moves away from the spring conductor, the electrical connection between the first conductor and the second conductor is released. When the second conductor comes into contact with the spring conductor and presses the spring conductor in the radial direction, the outer periphery covered by the housing is pressed against the inner surface of the housing's receiving space. This prevents the load applied from the second conductor to the spring conductor from escaping from parts of the spring conductor other than the pressed part, and increases the reaction force formed by the elastic force from the spring conductor toward the second conductor. That is, electrical connection and disconnection can be easily performed, and a sufficient contact pressure can be ensured to obtain high connection reliability. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connection component and a connection structure that can easily establish and break electrical continuity and that can ensure sufficient contact pressure to obtain high connection reliability.

[0019] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the following description of the embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a connection structure according to this embodiment, where FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view in a conductive state, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view in a non-conductive state. [Diagram 2] 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a connection structure according to this embodiment, in which FIG. 2A is a vertical cross-sectional view along the axial direction in a conductive state, and FIG. 2B is a vertical cross-sectional view along the axial direction in a non-conductive state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bus bar and the exploded connecting parts. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bus bar and the exploded connection part taken along the axial direction. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the housing taken along an axial direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the assembly of a bus bar to a connection part, and each of FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connection structure according to the reference example taken along line AA in FIG. 2(a). [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining another method of connecting a mating bus bar to a bus bar connection part, where FIG. 9A is a perspective view in a conductive state and FIG. 9B is a perspective view in a non-conductive state. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram explaining another way of connecting a mating bus bar to a bus bar connection part, where Figure 10(a) is a cross-sectional view equivalent to AA in Figure 2(a) in a conductive state, and Figure 10(b) is a cross-sectional view equivalent to AA in Figure 2(a) in a non-conductive state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a connection structure according to the present embodiment, with Fig. 1(a) being a perspective view in a conductive state and Fig. 1(b) being a perspective view in a non-conductive state. Fig. 2 shows a connection structure according to the present embodiment, with Fig. 2(a) being a vertical cross-sectional view along the axial direction in a conductive state and Fig. 2(b) being a vertical cross-sectional view along the axial direction in a non-conductive state.

[0023] 1 and 2, the connection structure according to this embodiment is a connection structure that electrically connects a bus bar 11, which is a first conductor, to a mating bus bar 61, which is a second conductor. The bus bar 11 includes a connection part 12, and the mating bus bar 61 is electrically connected to the bus bar 11 via the connection part 12.

[0024] The bus bar 11 and the mating bus bar 61 are formed of a conductive metal material such as copper or a copper alloy. The connection part 12 is provided at an end of the bus bar 11. The mating bus bar 61 is supported at a base end so as to be swingable about a horizontal axis X as a fulcrum. The mating bus bar 61 swings about the horizontal axis X as a fulcrum, so that the tip of the mating bus bar 61 approaches and moves away from the connection part 12. When the tip of the mating bus bar 61 approaches and contacts the connection part 12 (the state of FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 2(a)), the bus bar 11 and the mating bus bar 61 are in a conductive state, and when the tip of the mating bus bar 61 moves away from the connection part 12 (the state of FIG. 1(b) and FIG. 2(b)), the bus bar 11 and the mating bus bar 61 are in a non-conductive state.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bus bar and the disassembled connection part, and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bus bar and the disassembled connection part along the axial direction. 3 and 4, the busbar 11 has a pair of cantilever-shaped engagement pieces 20 at its tip. The outer periphery of each of these engagement pieces 20 is formed in a circular shape centered on the axis of the busbar 11. Each of the engagement pieces 20 has a recess 21 formed in the middle in the axial direction. The recess 21 is formed on the outer periphery of the engagement piece 20, and the recess 21 of each of the engagement pieces 20 is disposed on the opposite side to each other.

[0026] The connection part 12 has a housing 30 and a spring conductor 50. In this embodiment, the connection part 12 has two spring conductors 50, which are housed in the housing 30. The bus bar 11 is inserted into the housing 30 from the rear side thereof and assembled thereto.

[0027] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the housing cut along the axial direction, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2(a).

[0028] 5, the housing 30 has an accommodating space 31 and an engaging hole 32. The housing 30 is integrally molded from an insulating resin material. The accommodating space 31 and the engaging hole 32 are provided in this order from the rear end side of the housing 30.

[0029] An opening 35 into which the bus bar 11 is inserted is formed at the rear end of the housing 30, and the accommodation space 31 communicates with the outside through this opening 35. Also, an attachment port 36 is formed at the top of the housing 30, and the accommodation space 31 communicates with the outside through this attachment port 36. Two spring conductors 50 are attached to the accommodation space 31 through the attachment port 36 in a direction perpendicular to the assembly direction of the bus bar 11.

[0030] 6, the accommodation space 31 has a bottom 37 that is recessed in an arc shape. Furthermore, locking protrusions 38, 39 are formed on the inner walls on both sides of the accommodation space 31 along the axial direction of the housing 30. The upper surface of the locking protrusion 38 is a guide surface 38a that gradually slopes downward in the protruding direction, and the lower surface of the locking protrusion 39 is a guide surface 39a that gradually slopes upward in the protruding direction.

[0031] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the engagement hole 32 is a hole along the axial direction of the housing 30 and communicates with the accommodation space 31. The engagement hole 32 has locking protrusions 40 formed on the upper and lower inner surfaces thereof, which protrude inward. These locking protrusions 40 have tapered surfaces 40a that gradually incline inward toward the front side of the housing 30. The engagement hole 32 also has a wedge portion 41 on the front side of the housing 30, which is opposite the accommodation space 31. The wedge portion 41 protrudes toward the rear side of the housing 30, and has a tapered shape that gradually narrows toward the protruding direction. The upper and lower surfaces of the wedge portion 41 are sliding surfaces 41a. These sliding surfaces 41a are gradually inclined outward toward the front of the housing 30.

[0032] 3 and 4, the spring conductor 50 is formed in a ring shape. The spring conductor 50 is a coil spring in which a filament 51 made of a conductive and elastic metal material such as spring steel is wound in a spiral shape, and the coil spring is bent into a ring shape and both ends of the filament 51 are joined. The spring conductor 50 is plated with, for example, tin or nickel.

[0033] These spring conductors 50 are accommodated in the accommodation space 31 of the housing 30 through the mounting opening 36 in a stacked state. As a result, the spring conductors 50 are accommodated in the accommodation space 31 so that their outer peripheries fit along the arc-shaped recessed bottom 37 of the accommodation space 31, as shown in Fig. 6, and a part of the spring conductors 50 protrudes upward from the mounting opening 36 to the upper side of the housing 30. In this accommodated state, the locking protrusions 38, 39 lock the spiral filament 51 of the spring conductor 50.

[0034] In this manner, the connection part 12 in which the spring conductor 50 is accommodated in the accommodating space 31 of the housing 30 is attached to the bus bar 11 . FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the assembly of the bus bar to the connection part, and each of FIG. 7(a) to FIG. 7(c) is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7( a ), in order to attach the connection part 12 to the bus bar 11 , a pair of engagement pieces 20 formed at the tip of the bus bar 11 are inserted into an opening 35 on the rear end side of the housing 30 .

[0036] 7(b), the pair of engagement pieces 20 inserted into the opening 35 penetrate the spring conductor 50 accommodated in the accommodation space 31. This causes the spring conductor 50 to be held in a state accommodated in the accommodation space 31 of the housing 30 by the bus bar 11. In addition, each tip end of the spring conductor 50 abuts against the tapered surface 40a formed on the locking projection 40 of the engagement hole 32.

[0037] 7(c), when the engaging pieces 20 of the busbar 11 are further inserted, the tips of the engaging pieces 20 come into sliding contact with the tapered surface 40a and are pressed inward. As a result, the engaging pieces 20 are pressed in the direction approaching each other and elastically deformed without coming into contact with any part other than the locking protrusion 40.

[0038] Then, the engaging pieces 20 are pushed apart in directions away from each other by their respective tip ends coming into sliding contact with the sliding surface 41a of the wedge portion 41, and then the locking projections 40 enter the recesses 21 and engage with the housing 30. As a result, the connecting part 12 is attached to the tip of the busbar 11 (see FIGS. 2(a) and (b)).

[0039] In this way, when the bus bar 11 is inserted through the opening 35 of the housing 30, the pair of cantilever-shaped engagement pieces 20 do not come into contact with any part other than the tapered surface 40a of the locking projection 40, so that the bus bar 11 can be inserted with reduced friction and low insertion force. Thereafter, the wedge portions 41 enter the pair of cantilever-shaped engagement pieces 20 and are supported in a double-supported beam shape, and the locking projections 40 enter the recesses 21 of the engagement pieces 20 and lock the engagement pieces 20, so that the bus bar 11 can be firmly assembled to the housing 30. Then, with the connection part 12 attached to this bus bar 11, the outer circumferential surface of the bus bar 11 comes into contact with the spring conductor 50.

[0040] In this manner, the plurality of spring conductors 50 can be easily assembled to the bus bar 11 by inserting the bus bar 11 through the opening 35 into the housing 30 having the plurality of spring conductors 50 accommodated in the accommodating space 31. In addition, when the bus bar 11 is assembled to the connecting component 12, a slight clearance is ensured between the outer periphery of the spring conductor 50 and the inner periphery of the accommodating space 31.

[0041] Next, the connection and disconnection of the mating bus bar 61 to the connection part 12 of the bus bar 11 will be described.

[0042] (When connected) In a state where the mating bus bar 61 is separated from the connection part 12 (the state in Figs. 1(b) and 2(b)), the mating bus bar 61 is swung toward the connection part 12. Then, the spring conductor 50 protruding from the upper part of the housing 30 is pressed by the mating bus bar 61 and elastically contacts the mating bus bar 61. As a result, the bus bar 11 and the mating bus bar 61 are electrically connected via the spring conductor 50, resulting in a conductive state (the state in Figs. 1(a) and 2(a)).

[0043] (When disconnected) In a state where the mating bus bar 61 is in contact with the connection part 12 (the state in FIGS. 1(a) and 2(a)), the mating bus bar 61 is swung in a direction away from the connection part 12. Then, the mating bus bar 61 moves away from the spring conductor 50. As a result, the electrical continuity between the bus bar 11 and the mating bus bar 61 via the spring conductor 50 is released, resulting in a non-conductive state (the state in FIGS. 1(b) and 2(b)).

[0044] Here, a connection structure according to a reference example will be described. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connection structure according to the reference example taken along line AA in FIG. 2(a).

[0045] As shown in FIG. 8, the connection structure according to the reference example does not include a housing 30, and a spring conductor 50 is held by a bus bar 11.

[0046] In this reference example, when the mating bus bar 61 is pressed against the spring conductor 50 to elastically contact it, the load applied to the spring conductor 50 from the mating bus bar 61 escapes to the surroundings (see the direction of the arrow N in FIG. 8 ) from the parts other than the pressed part. Therefore, the reaction force formed by the elastic force from the spring conductor 50 to the mating bus bar 61 becomes insufficient, and the contact pressure between the spring conductor 50 and the mating bus bar 61 becomes insufficient, which may reduce the connection reliability.

[0047] In contrast, according to the connection structure of this embodiment, when the mating bus bar 61 comes into contact with the spring conductor 50 and the spring conductor 50 is pressed in the radial direction, the outer periphery covered by the housing 30 is pressed against the inner surface of the accommodation space 31 of the housing 30, restricting deformation in the radial direction. This prevents the load applied from the mating bus bar 61 to the spring conductor 50 from escaping from parts of the spring conductor 50 other than the pressed part, and increases the reaction force formed by the elastic force from the spring conductor 50 to the mating bus bar 61.

[0048] In this way, according to the connection structure of this embodiment, electrical connection and disconnection can be easily performed, and a sufficient contact pressure can be ensured to obtain high connection reliability.

[0049] Furthermore, spring conductor 50 is accommodated in accommodating space 31 in a direction intersecting the assembly direction of bus bar 11 to housing 30. Therefore, when bus bar 11 is assembled to housing 30 with spring conductor 50 accommodated in accommodating space 31, bus bar 11 can be easily inserted into spring conductor 50 in accommodating space 31, and spring conductor 50 can be held by bus bar 11.

[0050] Moreover, by assembling the busbar 11 to the housing 30, the wedge portions 41 enter the pair of cantilever-shaped engagement pieces 20, so that the busbar 11 is supported like a double-supported beam, and in this assembled state, the locking projections 40 enter the recesses 21 of the engagement pieces 20, so that the engagement pieces 20 are locked. This allows the busbar 11 to be easily and firmly assembled to the housing 30.

[0051] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which two spring conductors 50 are provided, but the number of spring conductors 50 and the thickness of the wire body 51 are set according to the current capacity to be passed between the bus bar 11 and the opposing bus bar 61.

[0052] Next, another method of connecting the mating bus bar 61 to the connection part 12 of the bus bar 11 will be described. Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining another way of connecting a mating bus bar to a connecting part of a bus bar, where Fig. 9(a) is a perspective view in a conductive state and Fig. 9(b) is a perspective view in a non-conductive state. Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining another way of connecting a mating bus bar to a connecting part of a bus bar, where Fig. 10(a) is a cross-sectional view equivalent to AA in Fig. 2(a) in a conductive state and Fig. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view equivalent to AA in Fig. 2(a) in a non-conductive state.

[0053] 9 and 10, in another connection method, the mating bus bar 61 is supported at its base end so as to be swingable about the vertical axis Z. When the mating bus bar 61 swings about the vertical axis Z, its tip slides in the tangential direction of the spring conductor 50 of the connection part 12 to move close to and away from the spring conductor 50.

[0054] When the tip of the mating bus bar 61 slides in a direction approaching the connecting part 12 and makes contact (the state of Figures 9(a) and 10(a)), the bus bar 11 and the mating bus bar 61 become conductive, and when the tip of the mating bus bar 61 slides in a direction away from the connecting part 12 (the state of Figures 9(b) and 10(b)), the bus bar 11 and the mating bus bar 61 become non-conductive.

[0055] In addition, when the mating bus bar 61 separated from the connecting part 12 is swung and the tip slides toward the connecting part 12 and makes contact, a rotational force is applied to the spring conductor 50 by the contact of the mating bus bar 61.

[0056] 6, the spring conductor 50 is locked by the locking protrusions 38, 39 formed on both side surfaces of the accommodating space 31. However, the upper surface of one of the locking protrusions 38 is a guide surface 38a that gradually slopes downward toward the protruding direction, and the lower surface of the other locking protrusion 39 is a guide surface 39a that gradually slopes upward toward the protruding direction. Moreover, when the bus bar 11 is assembled to the connecting part 12, a slight clearance is ensured between the outer periphery of the spring conductor 50 and the inner periphery of the accommodating space 31. Therefore, the spring conductor 50 is rotatable in one rotation direction R1 in which the filament 51 is guided by the guide surfaces 38a, 39a and rides over the locking protrusions 38, 39.

[0057] In this example, the direction of the rotational force applied when the tip of the mating bus bar 61 slides in a direction approaching the connecting part 12 and comes into contact with it is set to rotational direction R1. Therefore, the spring conductor 50 rotates in rotational direction R1 when the mating bus bar 61 is connected. In contrast, when the tip of the mating bus bar 61 slides in a direction away from the connecting part 12, the direction of the applied rotational force is opposite to rotational direction R1. In this case, the wire body 51 of the spring conductor 50 is locked by the locking protrusions 38, 39, and the rotation is restricted.

[0058] That is, the spring conductor 50 is accommodated in the housing 30 so as to be rotatable in one direction. Therefore, when connecting and disconnecting, the spring conductor 50 is rotated in one rotation direction R1, so that the contact point of the spring conductor 50 with the mating bus bar 61 always moves. This makes it possible to suppress peeling of plating caused by the mating bus bar 61 coming into contact with and separating from one circumferential point of the spring conductor 50, thereby improving connection reliability.

[0059] At least one locking protrusion for holding the spring conductor 50 rotatably in the one rotation direction R1 may be provided on the inner wall of the accommodation space 31.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

[0061] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first conductor and the second conductor are both bus bars, but at least one of the first conductor and the second conductor may be composed of a conductor other than a bus bar as long as the conductor has a rigidity sufficient to allow the connection part to be assembled.

[0062] Here, the features of the connection components and connection structures according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [6]. [1] A connection part (12) provided on a conductor (bus bar 11) for electrically connecting the conductor (bus bar 11) to a mating conductor (mating bus bar 61), a ring-shaped spring conductor (50) having electrical conductivity and attached to the conductor (bus bar 11) by inserting the conductor (bus bar 11); a housing (30) having an accommodation space (31) for accommodating the spring conductor (50), the housing (30) being attached to the conductor (bus bar 11) and covering the periphery of the spring conductor (50) except for a part of the conductor; Equipped with The mating conductor (the mating bus bar 61) can be brought into contact with and separated from the outer periphery of the spring conductor (50) exposed from the housing (30), The inner surface of the accommodating space portion (31) restricts radial deformation of the spring conductor (50) pressed by the mating conductor (matter bus bar 61). Connection parts (12).

[0063] [2] The spring conductor (50) is accommodated in the accommodation space (31) in a direction intersecting a direction in which the conductor (bus bar 11) is assembled to the housing (30). The connection part (12) described in [1] above.

[0064] [3] The conductor (bus bar 11) has a pair of cantilever-shaped engagement pieces (20) at a tip end that is assembled to the housing (30), The housing (30) has a tapered wedge portion (41) that fits between the engagement pieces (20) of the conductor (bus bar 11) to be assembled, The engaging piece (20) has a recess (21) formed on the outer periphery thereof, The housing (30) is formed with a locking projection (40) that fits into the recess (21) and locks the engaging piece (20) when the wedge portion (41) fits between the engaging piece (20). The connection part (12) according to the above [1] or [2].

[0065] [4] The spring conductor (50) is rotatably held within the accommodating space (31) of the housing (30). The connection part (12) according to any one of the above [1] to [3].

[0066] [5] The inner wall of the accommodating space (31) is formed with locking protrusions (38, 39) for locking the wire (51) of the spring conductor (50), The locking protrusions (38, 39) have guide surfaces (38a, 39a) that guide the filament (51) of the spring conductor (50) in one rotational direction (R1) when a rotational force in the one rotational direction (R1) is applied to the spring conductor (50). The connection part (12) described in [4] above.

[0067] [6] A connection structure between a first conductor (bus bar 11) having a connection part (12) and a second conductor (counter bus bar 61) that is electrically connected to the first conductor (bus bar 11) via the connection part (12), The connection part (12) is a spring conductor (50) made of a conductive annular coil spring, the spring conductor (50) being attached to the first conductor (bus bar 11) by the first conductor (bus bar 11) being inserted therethrough; a housing (30) having an accommodation space (31) for accommodating the spring conductor (50), the housing (30) being attached to the first conductor (bus bar 11) and covering the periphery of the spring conductor (50) except for a part of the periphery; Equipped with The second conductor (the mating bus bar 61) can be brought into contact with and separated from the outer periphery of the spring conductor (50) exposed from the housing (30), When the second conductor (mating bus bar 61) comes into contact with the spring conductor (50) exposed from the housing (30), the first conductor (bus bar 11) and the second conductor (mating bus bar 61) are electrically connected via the spring conductor (50), and the second conductor (mating bus bar 61) presses the spring conductor (50) in the radial direction, so that the outer periphery covered by the housing (30) is pressed against the inner surface of the accommodating space (31). Connection structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 11 Bus bar (conductor, first conductor) 12 Connection parts 20 Engagement piece 21 Recess 30 Housing 31 Storage space 38,39 Locking ridges 38a, 39a Guide surface 40 Locking protrusion 41 Wedge part 50 Spring conductor 61 Counterpart bus bar (counterpart conductor, second conductor)

Claims

1. A connection part provided on a conductor for electrically connecting the conductor to a mating conductor, a ring-shaped spring conductor that is conductive and is attached to the conductor by inserting the conductor through the ring-shaped spring conductor; a housing having an accommodation space for accommodating the spring conductor, the housing being attached to the conductor and covering the periphery of the spring conductor except for a portion of the conductor; Equipped with The annular spring conductor is formed by bending a coil spring, which is formed by winding a filament in a spiral shape, into a ring shape and joining both ends of the filament, and the conductor is inserted into a through hole defined by an inner periphery of the spring conductor, the mating conductor is capable of being brought into contact with and separated from an outer periphery of the spring conductor exposed from the housing, The spring conductor is radially pressed by the mating conductor, and the outer periphery of the spring conductor covered by the housing is pressed against the inner surface of the accommodating space, whereby the inner surface of the accommodating space restricts radial deformation of the spring conductor. Connection parts.

2. The spring conductor is accommodated in the accommodation space in a direction intersecting a direction in which the conductor is assembled to the housing. A connection part according to claim 1 .

3. The conductor has a pair of cantilever-shaped engagement pieces at a tip end that is attached to the housing, the housing has a tapered wedge portion that fits between the engagement pieces of the conductor to be assembled, The engaging piece has a recess formed on the outer periphery thereof, The housing is formed with a locking projection that enters the recess and locks the engaging piece in a state where the wedge portion is inserted between the engaging pieces. A connection part according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The spring conductor is rotatably held within the accommodating space of the housing. A connection part according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. An inner wall of the accommodating space is formed with a locking protrusion for locking the wire of the spring conductor, the locking protrusion has a guide surface that guides the filament of the spring conductor in one rotation direction when a rotational force in the one rotation direction is applied to the spring conductor. A connection part according to claim 4.

6. A connection structure between a first conductor having a connection part and a second conductor that is electrically connected to the first conductor via the connection part, The connection part is a spring conductor made of an electrically conductive annular coil spring, the spring conductor being attached to the first conductor by inserting the first conductor therethrough; a housing having an accommodation space for accommodating the spring conductor, the housing being attached to the first conductor and covering the periphery of the spring conductor except for a portion of the spring conductor; Equipped with The annular spring conductor is formed by bending the coil spring, which is a helically wound filament, into a ring shape and joining both ends of the filament, and the first conductor is inserted into a through hole defined by an inner periphery of the spring conductor, the second conductor is capable of being brought into contact with and separated from an outer periphery of the spring conductor exposed from the housing, When the second conductor comes into contact with the spring conductor exposed from the housing, the first conductor and the second conductor are electrically connected via the spring conductor, and the spring conductor is pressed radially by the second conductor, so that an outer periphery of the spring conductor covered by the housing is pressed against an inner surface of the accommodating space. Connection structure.

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