Terminal blocks and terminal block units

Abstract

To provide a second terminal block 20 that electrically connects a motor and a first terminal block 10 disposed outside a housing H and that can prevent leakage to the outside of oil stored in the housing H, and to provide a terminal block unit 1.SOLUTION: A second terminal block 20 is connected to a motor disposed in a housing H, and is provided with a plate-like second bus bar 21 that has a motor-side connection part 21a connected to the motor side, and has a terminal block-side connection part 21b connected to a first bus bar 14 of a first terminal block 10 outside the housing H while being mounted in the housing H, a base block part 22 that holds the second bus bar 21 passing therethrough and that is mounted on the housing H, and a sealing part 26 that seals, in a cross sectional direction orthogonal to the passing direction of the second bus bar 21, the boundary surface between the base block part 22 and the second bus bar 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal block and a terminal block unit for connecting a motor arranged inside a housing of a vehicle such as an automobile to an inverter arranged outside the housing. [Background technology]

[0002] In an electric vehicle that uses a motor as a driving force, inverter power is supplied from outside the housing to the motor disposed inside the housing, and therefore a terminal block is provided on the housing to electrically connect the motor and the inverter.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal block consisting of a terminal (connection member) having one end connected to the motor side and the other end connected to the inverter side, and a base portion (terminal block main body portion) that holds the terminal and is attached to a housing (case member).

[0004] However, since the terminal block of Patent Document 1 is attached to a housing that contains a speed change mechanism, etc., it is necessary to prevent oil, such as automatic transmission fluid, from leaking from the gap between the terminal block and the housing. For this reason, the terminal block of Patent Document 1 is provided with a seal member that seals the boundary surface between the base part and the housing.

[0005] However, the terminal block of Patent Document 1 does not have a means for preventing oil from leaking out of the housing along the surface of the terminals. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that oil scattered inside the housing will flow out of the housing along the surface of the terminals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 035476 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a terminal block and a terminal block unit that can electrically connect a separate terminal provided outside the housing to a motor and prevent oil stored inside the housing from leaking to the outside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to a terminal block that is attached to a housing that stores oil inside and is connected to a motor disposed inside the housing, the terminal block including a plate-shaped terminal having a motor-side connection portion that is connected to the motor side inside the housing and an external-side connection portion that is connected to another terminal outside the housing when the terminal block is attached to the housing, a base portion that penetrates and holds the terminal and is attached to the housing that accommodates the motor, and a sealing portion that seals a cross-sectional direction perpendicular to the penetration direction of the terminal at a boundary surface between the base portion and the terminal. The terminals are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval in the plate width direction, and the sealing portion seals the terminals together. It is characterized by:

[0009] The term "connected to the motor side" means that the motor is directly connected to the motor or is connected via wiring. The separate terminal refers to, for example, a separate terminal block disposed between the inverter and the terminal block, or a terminal provided at one end of a wire harness having the other end connected to the inverter. The term "connected to another terminal" means that the terminal is directly connected to the other terminal or is connected via a wire.

[0010] According to this invention, since the boundary surface between the base portion and the terminal is sealed by the sealing portion, the terminal block can prevent oil from flowing along the surface of the terminal to the outside of the housing. As a result, the terminal block electrically connects the motor to another terminal provided outside the housing, and can prevent oil stored inside the housing from leaking to the outside.

[0011] The terminals are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals in the plate width direction, and the sealing portion seals the terminals together. According to this configuration, the boundary surface between the terminal block and the base portion can be sealed more easily than in the case where the boundary surface between the terminal block and the base portion is sealed for each terminal.

[0012] The present invention also provides a terminal block that is attached to a housing in which oil is stored and is connected to a motor arranged inside the housing, the terminal block comprising: a plate-shaped terminal that, when attached to the housing, has a motor side connection portion that is connected to the motor side inside the housing and an external side connection portion that is connected to another terminal outside the housing; a base portion that penetrates and holds the terminal and is attached to the housing that accommodates the motor; and a sealing portion that seals a cross-sectional direction perpendicular to the penetration direction of the terminal at the boundary surface between the base portion and the terminal, the base portion having a sealing recess that is concave along the terminal on the inner surface of the housing, and the sealing portion is arranged so that at least a portion of the sealing recess is filled.

[0013] According to this invention, since the boundary surface between the base portion and the terminal is sealed by the sealing portion, the terminal block can prevent oil from flowing along the surface of the terminal to the outside of the housing. As a result, the terminal block electrically connects the motor to another terminal provided outside the housing, and can prevent oil stored inside the housing from leaking to the outside.

[0014] The base portion is provided with a sealing recess that is recessed along the terminal on a surface on the inner side of the housing, and the sealing portion is provided so that at least a portion of the sealing portion fills the sealing recess.

[0015] This makes it easier to fill the sealing portion of the terminal block, and also makes it possible to more reliably seal the boundary surface between the base portion and the terminal. Furthermore, since the terminal block can form a thick sealing portion, it is possible to further prevent oil from penetrating into the boundary surface between the base portion and the terminal, and therefore the terminal block can further prevent the oil stored inside the housing from leaking out to the outside.

[0016] As an aspect of the present invention, the sealing portion may be provided at an end portion on an inner side of the housing at a boundary surface between the base portion and the terminal. With this configuration, the terminal block can be filled with the sealing portion more easily and the sealing state of the sealing portion can be easily confirmed compared to when a sealing portion is provided between the ends at the boundary surface between the base portion and the terminal. This allows the terminal block to reliably seal the boundary surface between the base portion and the terminals, making it possible to more effectively prevent oil stored inside the housing from leaking to the outside.

[0017] As another aspect of the present invention, the terminals may be arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval in the plate width direction, and the sealing recess may be an integral recess that extends along the terminals and communicates in the plate width direction.

[0018] With this configuration, the terminal block can be arranged with a narrower gap between adjacent terminals and the size of the sealing recesses can be prevented from increasing, compared to when a sealing recess is provided for each terminal. Therefore, the length of the base portion in the board width direction of the terminal block can be reduced.

[0019] Furthermore, by preventing the terminal block from becoming large, the openings in the housing for inserting the multiple terminals therein can be made smaller, which prevents the strength of the housing from being reduced due to the openings.

[0020] In another aspect of the invention, the terminal may include a penetrating plate portion extending in the penetration direction, a first connecting plate portion extending from one end of the penetrating plate portion in the plate thickness direction of the penetrating plate portion and having the motor side connecting portion at its tip, and a second connecting plate portion extending from the other end of the penetrating plate portion in the plate thickness direction and having the external side connecting portion at its tip.

[0021] According to this configuration, for example, the terminals can be formed in a substantially Z-shape, so that the terminal block can be configured with terminals having a reduced length in the penetration direction. Furthermore, when the first connecting plate portion and the second connecting plate portion are fixed to the motor and another terminal, respectively, with fastening members, the terminal block allows the fastening members to have approximately the same fastening direction, thereby improving workability when connecting to the motor and another terminal.

[0022] In another aspect of the invention, the base portion may be provided, at a location corresponding to the external connection portion of the second connection plate portion, with a nut embedding portion in which a nut is embedded that screws into a fastening member that connects the second connection plate portion and the other terminal, and a through hole sealing portion that seals a through hole of the nut embedding portion provided for embedding the nut.

[0023] According to this configuration, since the through hole of the nut embedding portion is sealed by the through hole sealing portion, the terminal block can prevent oil from flowing to the outside of the housing through the through hole and the nut, which makes it possible for the terminal block to further prevent the oil stored inside the housing from leaking to the outside.

[0024] As a further aspect of the present invention, the base portion may be made of resin. According to this configuration, the terminal block can be made lighter than a base portion made of metal, so that an increase in weight can be suppressed.

[0025] In another aspect of the invention, the base portion has an outer surface of the housing formed into a flat mating surface, and an opening is provided at a position corresponding to the motor side connection portion of the terminal, penetrating the mating surface to connect the inside and outside of the housing, and a cover may be provided which has a flat abutment surface abutting the mating surface of the base portion and which closes the opening from the outer side of the housing and is fixed to the base portion.

[0026] According to this configuration, by providing an opening in the base portion, the terminal block can connect the motor side connection portion located inside the housing to the motor when the terminal block is attached to the housing. Furthermore, by providing a cover that abuts against the mating surface of the base portion and closes the opening, the terminal block can prevent oil from penetrating into the interface between the base portion and the cover.

[0027] Specifically, by abutting the flat mating surface of the base with the flat abutting surface of the cover, the terminal block can improve the adhesion between the mating surface of the base and the abutting surface of the cover when the base or the cover thermally expands due to, for example, an increase in oil temperature, and therefore the terminal block can suppress the infiltration of oil into the interface between the base and the cover.

[0028] This allows the terminal block to prevent the oil stored inside the housing from leaking out even when an opening is provided in the base section. In addition, by providing a seal member in the gap between the base section and the cover, the terminal block can further prevent the oil from leaking out.

[0029] The present invention also provides a terminal block unit comprising the above-mentioned terminal block as a sub-terminal block and a main terminal block that connects an inverter provided outside the housing to the sub-terminal block, the main terminal block having a plate-shaped main terminal having a sub-side connection portion at one end that is connected to an external connection portion at a terminal of the sub-terminal block and an inverter-side connection portion at the other end that is connected to the inverter side, and a main base portion that holds the main terminal and is attached to the housing, the sub-side connection portion of the main terminal block and the external connection portion of the sub-terminal block are connected to form a terminal block unit in which the main terminal block and the sub-terminal block are assembled.

[0030] The term "connected to the inverter side" means that the inverter is directly connected to the inverter or is connected to the inverter via wiring. According to this invention, the terminal block unit electrically connects the inverter and motor provided outside the housing, and the sealing portion of the sub-terminal block prevents oil stored inside the housing from leaking to the outside. Effect of the Invention

[0031] The present invention makes it possible to provide a terminal block and a terminal block unit that can electrically connect a separate terminal provided outside the housing to a motor and prevent oil stored inside the housing from leaking to the outside. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the external appearance of the terminal block unit in a disassembled state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the external appearance of the terminal block unit as viewed from below and from the front. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the appearance of the terminal block unit in a plan view. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a main part taken along the line AA in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the second terminal block in an exploded state. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing an external appearance of the second terminal block as viewed from below and in front. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the external appearance of a second bus bar. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the appearance of the second terminal block in a plan view. [Figure 9] BB arrow cross-sectional view in FIG. 8 . [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the forming of a second bus bar. [Figure 11] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 8 . [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the external appearance of the base body as viewed from below and in front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. A terminal block unit 1 of the present embodiment connects a motor disposed inside a housing of a vehicle such as an automobile to an inverter disposed outside the housing. Such a terminal block unit 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 12.

[0034] Note that Figure 1 shows an external oblique view of the terminal block unit 1 in a disassembled state, Figure 2 shows an external oblique view of the terminal block unit 1 as viewed from the front and below, Figure 3 shows a plan view of the terminal block unit 1, and Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of key parts at the cross section indicated by the arrow AA in Figure 3.

[0035] Furthermore, Figure 5 shows an exploded oblique view of the second terminal block 20, Figure 6 shows an external oblique view of the second terminal block 20 as viewed from the front and below, Figure 7 shows an external oblique view of the second bus bar 21, and Figure 8 shows a plan view of the second terminal block 20.

[0036] In addition, Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Figure 8, Figure 10 shows an explanatory diagram explaining the molding of the second bus bar 21, Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in Figure 8, and Figure 12 shows an external oblique view of the base body 27 as viewed from the front and below.

[0037] 1 is the upper side of the terminal base unit 1, and the lower side of the terminal base unit 1 is the lower side of the terminal base unit 1. The arrow X in the figure indicates the front-to-rear direction of the terminal base unit 1 (hereinafter referred to as the front-to-rear direction X), and the arrow Y indicates the direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction X in a planar view (hereinafter referred to as the width direction Y). Furthermore, in the front-rear direction X, the direction from the right side to the left side in FIG. 1 is defined as the front, and the direction from the left side to the right side in FIG.

[0038] First, the housing H (see FIG. 4) to which the terminal block unit 1 of this embodiment is attached contains a rotor and a stator (not shown, hereafter referred to as a motor) inside, and oil such as automatic transmission fluid is stored in the bottom. The housing H is configured such that the portion that contains the rotor and the like and the portion that contains, for example, a vehicle transmission (not shown) are integrated or separate.

[0039] The housing H has an upper opening Ha, which is closed by a terminal block 1, formed on the upper surface of either a portion that houses a motor or a portion that houses a transmission of a vehicle (see FIG. 4). The terminal block unit 1 of this embodiment is attached to the upper surface of the housing H so as to close the upper opening Ha of the housing H.

[0040] In addition, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the terminal block unit 1 of this embodiment is composed of a first terminal block 10 connected to an inverter (not shown) provided outside the housing H, and a second terminal block 20 that connects the first terminal block 10 to a motor arranged inside the housing H.

[0041] In addition, the terminal block unit 1 has a first terminal block 10 connected to an inverter terminal (not shown) provided at the end of an inverter harness (not shown) extending from an inverter, and a second terminal block 20 connected to a motor terminal Mt (see Figure 4) provided on the motor.

[0042] More specifically, the first terminal block 10 electrically connects an inverter provided outside the housing H to the second terminal block 20. As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, the first terminal block 10 includes an aluminum die-cast main body 11 attached to the housing H, and three conductive first bus bars 12 arranged in parallel along the width direction Y.

[0043] Specifically, the main body 11 is formed into a shape having an internal space for housing and holding the three first bus bars 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a generally rectangular opening penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the front part of the main body 11. This opening in the front part of the main body 11 is formed as a connection hole 11a for fastening and fixing the first bus bar 12 to a second terminal block 20 described later.

[0044] On the other hand, the rear portion of main body 11 is formed into a shape having an internal space that communicates with connection work hole 11a and that accommodates first bus bar 12, as shown in FIGS.

[0045] 1 and 2, a terminal fastening port 11b is formed in the rear of the main body 11. The terminal fastening port 11b has a generally rectangular shape in plan view and is formed in an upper surface portion facing an inverter-side connecting portion 12b of a first bus bar 12, which will be described later. The terminal fastening port 11b is formed as a working hole for fastening an inverter terminal of an inverter harness to the inverter-side connecting portion 12b of the first bus bar 12.

[0046] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the three first bus bars 12 are each formed of a substantially strip-shaped plate material that has a thickness in the up-down direction and is long in the front-rear direction X. The three first bus bars 12 are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals in the width direction Y in the internal space of the main body 11 so as to be located outside the housing H when attached to the housing H.

[0047] When accommodated in the internal space of the main body 11, this first bus bar 12 is positioned so that the vicinity of its tip end is positioned in the connection work hole 11a, and the vicinity of its rear end is positioned in the terminal fastening port 11b.

[0048] Furthermore, at the front end of the first busbar 12, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, a terminal block side connection portion 12a, which is a through hole through which a screw 2 for fastening to the second terminal block 20 is inserted, is formed opening in the vertical direction.

[0049] In addition, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the rear end of the first bus bar 12 has an inverter side connection portion 12b, which is a through hole through which a screw (not shown) for fastening to a terminal (not shown) on the inverter side is inserted, opening in the vertical direction.

[0050] In addition, the second terminal block 20 to which the first terminal block 10 of the above-mentioned configuration is connected includes three conductive second bus bars 21 arranged in parallel in the width direction Y, a base portion 22 that penetrates and holds the second bus bars 21 and is attached to the housing H, and a cover 23 that closes an opening provided in the base portion 22, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second terminal block 20 is provided with an upper seal member 24 that seals the boundary surface between the base portion 22 and the cover 23, and a lower seal member 25 that seals the boundary surface between the base portion 22 and the housing H, in order to prevent the oil stored in the housing H from leaking to the outside.

[0052] In addition, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the second terminal block 20 has a sealing portion 26 that seals the boundary surface between the base portion 22 and the second bus bar 21 to prevent the oil stored in the housing H from leaking to the outside.

[0053] 7, the second bus bars 21 are electrically conductive and corrosion resistant, and are formed in a shape obtained by bending a generally strip-shaped plate material that is long in the front-rear direction X into a generally Z shape when viewed from the width direction Y. The three second bus bars 21 are formed in the same shape.

[0054] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, when the second bus bar 21 is attached to the housing H, one end side is located inside the housing H and the other end side is located outside the housing H, and is held by the base portion 22.

[0055] Specifically, as shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, the second bus bar 21 is integrally formed with a first connecting plate portion 211 connected to the motor terminal Mt inside the housing H, a through plate portion 212 extending upward from the rear end of the first connecting plate portion 211, and a second connecting plate portion 213 connected to the first terminal block 10 outside the housing H.

[0056] 6 and 7, the first connecting plate portion 211 has a thickness in the up-down direction and is formed in a generally rectangular flat plate shape in a plan view that is elongated in the front-rear direction X. The first connecting plate portion 211 is disposed so as to be located in front of an upper opening Ha of the housing H when attached to the housing H as shown in FIG.

[0057] Furthermore, at the front end of the first connecting plate portion 211, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a motor side connecting portion 21a, which is a through hole through which a screw 3 for fastening to the motor terminal Mt is inserted, is formed opening in the vertical direction.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the through plate portion 212 is provided by bending the rear end of the first connecting plate portion 211 upward and then extending with a length in the vertical direction that is exposed to the outside of the housing H. When attached to the housing H, the through plate portion 212 is disposed so as to be located approximately in the center of the upper opening Ha of the housing H in the front-rear direction X.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the second connecting plate portion 213 is formed by bending the upper end of the through plate portion 212 rearward and then extending in the front-rear direction X with a length shorter than that of the first connecting plate portion 211.

[0060] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4, 7, and 9, the second connection plate portion 213 has a terminal block side connection portion 21b, which is a through hole through which a screw 2 for connecting to the first bus bar 12 of the first terminal block 10 is inserted, opening in the vertical direction.

[0061] 10, second busbar 21 configured as above is attached to base portion 22 with first connection plate portion 211 extending downward from the lower end of through plate portion 212. First connection plate portion 211 of second busbar 21 is formed by bending the portion extending downward from the lower end of through plate portion 212 upward and forward.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, the base portion 22 is composed of a synthetic resin base body 27 that holds the second bus bar 21 and is attached to the housing H, four collars 28 embedded in the four corners of the base body 27, and three nuts 29 (see FIG. 11) embedded in the rear of the base body 27.

[0063] 5 and 8, the base body 27 has a thickness in the up-down direction and is formed in a generally rectangular shape in plan view that is long in the width direction Y. As shown in Figs. 7 and 9, the base body 27 integrally surrounds the through plate portions 212 of the three second bus bars 21 arranged side by side in the width direction Y.

[0064] The four collars 28 are members through which bolts 4 (see FIG. 5) for fastening and fixing the base portion 22 to the housing H are inserted, and are formed in a generally cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. The three nuts 29 are generally bell-shaped nuts into which the screws 2 that connect the first bus bar 12 and the second bus bar 21 are screwed. As shown in Figs. 9 and 11, the nuts 29 are embedded behind the through plate portion 212 of the second bus bar 21 with openings of the nuts 29 communicating with the terminal block side connection portion 21b of the second connection plate portion 213 and in contact with the second connection plate portion 213.

[0065] More specifically, the base body 27 integrally holds the three second bus bars 21, the four collars 28, and the three nuts 29 by insert molding. As shown in Figures 6, 9, and 11, the rear part of this base body 27 is provided with a nut embedding portion 271 having a nut 29 embedded therein, and a sealing recess 272 into which a sealing portion 26 described later is filled.

[0066] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 12, the nut embedding portion 271 is formed in a shape that bulges downward in a substantially hemispherical shape from the rear lower surface of the base body 27. Furthermore, at the bottom of the nut embedding portion 271, as shown in Fig. 9, a through hole 27a that penetrates in the up-down direction is opened and formed.

[0067] This through hole 27a is formed by removing the jig that maintains the state in which second connection plate portion 213 of second bus bar 21 and nut 29 are in contact when base body 27 is insert molded. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the through-hole 27a is sealed with a through-hole sealing portion 30 formed by filling with a synthetic resin such as a hardening resin.

[0068] 9, the sealing recess 272 is formed at the end of the boundary surface between the base portion 22 and the second bus bar 21 on the inner side of the housing H, i.e., on the lower surface of the base main body 27. Note that this sealing recess 272 is formed as a portion to be filled with the sealing portion 26 described later.

[0069] Specifically, as shown in Figures 9 and 12, the sealing recess 272 is formed in a roughly elongated elliptical shape when viewed from the bottom, which is long in the width direction Y, that is the plate width direction of the second bus bar 21, by connecting the portions recessed upward along the outer peripheral surface of the through plate portion 212 of the second bus bar 21 in the width direction Y.

[0070] In addition, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the front part of the base body 27 is formed with a fastening hole 27b for fastening and fixing the second bus bar 21 to the motor terminal Mt, an upper surface fitting groove 273 into which the upper surface sealing member 24 described later fits from above, and a lower surface fitting groove 274 into which the lower surface sealing member 25 described later fits from below. The upper surface of the front portion of the base body 27 is formed as a flat mating surface with which the lower surface of the cover 23 comes into contact.

[0071] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the fastening hole 27b is formed by vertically penetrating a portion facing the motor side connection portion 21a. As shown in Figures 5 and 9, the upper surface fitting groove 273 is a groove shape that is slightly larger than the periphery of the fastening work hole 27b and is formed along the periphery of the fastening work hole 27b and is generally annular in plan view, and is recessed downwardly into the upper surface of the base body 27.

[0072] As shown in Figures 6 and 9, the lower surface fitting groove 274 is a size slightly smaller than the outer peripheral edge of the base body 27, and has a generally annular groove shape when viewed from the bottom, which is formed along the outer peripheral edge of the base body 27, and is recessed upward in the lower surface of the base body 27.

[0073] 5, the cover 23 is a flat metal plate such as a cold-rolled steel plate, and is formed to a size sufficient to cover the fastening holes 27b and the upper surface fitting grooves 273 of the base portion 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the cover 23 is fixed to the housing H together with the base body 27 by bolts 4 that fix the base portion 22 to the housing H. The lower surface of the cover 23 is formed into a flat contact surface that contacts the upper surface of the front portion of the base body 27.

[0074] The upper seal member 24 and the lower seal member 25 are made of synthetic rubber, such as ethylene propylene diene rubber. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the top seal member 24 is formed in a generally annular shape in a plan view that is slightly larger than the fastening hole 27b of the base body 27. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the top seal member 24 is fitted into the top fitting groove 273 of the base body 27, and seals the boundary surface between the top surface of the base body 27 and the cover 23.

[0075] 4 and 5, the bottom seal member 25 is formed in a generally annular shape in a plan view that is slightly smaller than the outer periphery of the base body 27. The bottom seal member 25 is fitted into the bottom fitting groove 274 of the base body 27, as shown in Fig. 4 and 6, and seals the boundary surface between the bottom surface of the base body 27 and the housing H.

[0076] 9, sealing portion 26 seals the lower end of the boundary surface between base portion 22 and second bus bar 21 in front-rear direction X and width direction Y perpendicular to the penetration direction (up-down direction) of second bus bar 21. Sealing portion 26 is formed by filling sealing recess 272 with a synthetic resin material such as a curable resin.

[0077] Specifically, the sealing portion 26 is filled into the sealing recess 272 at the lower end of the boundary surface between the base portion 22 and the second bus bar 21 so as to seal the gap between the second bus bar 21 and the base portion 22 in a longitudinal cross section along the front-rear direction X and the width direction Y.

[0078] Here, a brief description will be given of the assembly process of the above-mentioned second terminal block 20. First, as shown in Fig. 10, a nut 29 is brought into contact with the second connection plate portion 213 of the second bus bar 21 from below using a jig in a state in which the first connection plate portion 211 extends downward from the lower end of the through plate portion 212.

[0079] 10, base body 27 is formed by insert molding so as to integrally hold second bus bar 21, collar 28, and nut 29. Thereafter, through hole 27a formed by removing the jig supporting nut 29 is filled with synthetic resin to form through hole sealing portion 30.

[0080] In addition, after sealing recess 272 of base body 27 is filled with synthetic resin to form sealing portion 26, first connection plate portion 211 of second bus bar 21 is bent. Then, upper seal member 24 and lower seal member 25 are attached to base body 27 to form second terminal block 20.

[0081] As described above, the second terminal block 20 of the present embodiment is attached to the housing H in which oil is stored, and is connected to the motor disposed inside the housing H. When attached to the housing H, this second terminal block 20 has a motor side connection portion 21a that is connected to the motor side inside the housing H, and a plate-shaped second bus bar 21 that has a terminal block side connection portion 21b that is connected to the first bus bar 12 of the first terminal block 10 outside the housing H.

[0082] Furthermore, the second terminal block 20 has a base portion 22 that penetrates and holds the second bus bar 21 and is attached to a housing H that accommodates the motor, and a sealing portion 26 at the boundary between the base portion 22 and the second bus bar 21, which seals the cross-sectional directions (front-back direction X and width direction Y) perpendicular to the penetration direction (up-down direction) of the second bus bar 21.

[0083] According to this, the boundary surface between the base portion 22 and the second bus bar 21 is sealed by the sealing portion 26, so that the second terminal block 20 can prevent oil from flowing along the surface of the second bus bar 21 to the outside of the housing H. As a result, the second terminal block 20 electrically connects the first bus bar 12 of the first terminal block 10 provided outside the housing H to the motor, and prevents oil stored inside the housing H from leaking to the outside.

[0084] Further, the sealing portion 26 is provided at the end of the boundary surface between the base portion 22 and the second bus bar 21 on the inner side of the housing H. According to this configuration, the second terminal block 20 can be filled with the sealing portion 26 more easily and the sealing state of the sealing portion 26 can be easily confirmed, compared to a case in which the sealing portion 26 is provided between the ends at the boundary surface between the base portion 22 and the second bus bar 21. This allows second terminal block 20 to reliably seal the boundary surface between base portion 22 and second bus bar 21, making it possible to more effectively prevent oil stored inside housing H from leaking to the outside.

[0085] Further, a plurality of second bus bars 21 are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals in the width direction Y. The sealing portion 26 is configured to seal the plurality of second bus bars 21 together. According to this configuration, the boundary surface between second terminal block 20 and base portion 22 can be sealed more easily than in the case where the boundary surface between second terminal block 20 and base portion 22 is sealed for each second bus bar 21.

[0086] Further, the base portion 22 is provided on its lower surface with a sealing recess 272 that is recessed along the second bus bar 21. The sealing portion 26 is provided such that at least a portion of the sealing portion 26 is filled in the sealing recess 272. According to this configuration, second terminal block 20 can more easily fill sealing portion 26 and can more reliably seal the boundary surface between base portion 22 and second bus bar 21.

[0087] Furthermore, since second terminal block 20 can form thick sealing portion 26, it is possible to further prevent oil from penetrating into the boundary surface between base portion 22 and second bus bar 21. Therefore, second terminal block 20 can further prevent oil stored inside housing H from leaking to the outside.

[0088] Further, the second bus bars 21 are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals in the width direction Y. The sealing recess 272 is an integral recess that extends along the second bus bars 21 and communicates with the width direction Y.

[0089] According to this configuration, in the second terminal block 20, the intervals between adjacent second bus bars 21 can be made narrower and the length of the sealing recesses 272 in the width direction Y can be reduced compared to a case in which a sealing recess is provided for each second bus bar 21. Therefore, in the second terminal block 20, an increase in the size of the base portion 22 can be prevented.

[0090] Furthermore, by preventing the second terminal block 20 from becoming large, the housing H can have a smaller upper opening Ha for inserting the multiple second bus bars 21 therein. Therefore, the second terminal block 20 can prevent a decrease in strength of the housing H due to the upper opening Ha.

[0091] The second busbar 21 also has a through plate portion 212 extending in the through direction (up and down direction), and a first connection plate portion 211 extending from one end of the through plate portion 212 in the front-to-rear direction X of the through plate portion 212 and having a motor side connection portion 21a at its tip. Further, second bus bar 21 extends in front-rear direction X from the other end of penetrating plate portion 212 and includes second connecting plate portion 213 having terminal block side connecting portion 21b at its tip.

[0092] According to this configuration, for example, second bus bar 21 can be formed into a substantially Z-shape, so that second terminal block 20 can be configured with second bus bar 21 having a reduced length in the penetration direction (vertical direction). Furthermore, when the first connecting plate portion 211 and the second connecting plate portion 213 are fixed to the motor and the first bus bar 12 of the first terminal block 10, respectively, with fastening members, the fastening direction of the fastening members of the second terminal block 20 can be made substantially the same, thereby improving workability when connecting to the motor and the first bus bar 12 of the first terminal block 10.

[0093] In addition, the base portion 22 is provided with a nut embedding portion 271 in which a nut 29 is embedded that screws into a screw 2 connecting the second connection plate portion 213 and the first bus bar 12 of the first terminal block 10 at a position corresponding to the terminal block side connection portion 21b of the second connection plate portion 213. Furthermore, the base portion 22 is provided with a through-hole sealing portion 30 that seals the through-hole 27a of the nut embedding portion 271 that is provided for embedding the nut 29.

[0094] According to this configuration, since the through hole 27a of the nut embedding portion 271 is sealed by the through hole sealing portion 30, the second terminal block 20 can prevent oil from flowing to the outside of the housing H through the through hole 27a and the nut 29. This allows the second terminal block 20 to further prevent the oil stored inside the housing H from leaking to the outside.

[0095] Furthermore, since the base portion 22 is made of resin, the second terminal block 20 can be made lighter than a base portion made of metal, and therefore an increase in weight can be suppressed.

[0096] In addition, the upper surface of the base portion 22 is formed as a flat mating surface, and a fastening work hole 27b is provided at a position corresponding to the motor side connection portion 21a of the second bus bar 21, which penetrates the mating surface and connects the inside and outside of the housing H.

[0097] The second terminal block 20 has a flat abutment surface that abuts against the mating surface of the base portion 22, and is provided with a cover 23 that closes the fastening work hole 27b from the outside side of the housing H and is fixed to the base portion 22.

[0098] According to this configuration, by providing a fastening work hole 27b in the base portion 22, the second terminal block 20, when assembled to the housing H, can connect the motor side connection portion 21a located inside the housing H to the motor terminal Mt. Furthermore, by providing cover 23 that abuts against the mating surface of base portion 22 and closes fastening hole 27b, second terminal block 20 can prevent oil from penetrating into the interface between base portion 22 and cover 23.

[0099] Specifically, by abutting the mating surface of the flat base part 22 with the abutting surface of the flat cover 23, the second terminal block 20 can improve the adhesion between the mating surface of the base part 22 and the abutting surface of the cover 23 when the base part 22 or the cover 23 thermally expands due to, for example, an increase in the oil temperature. Therefore, the second terminal block 20 can suppress the infiltration of oil into the boundary surface between the base part 22 and the cover 23.

[0100] As a result, even when the fastening hole 27b is provided in the base portion 22, the second terminal block 20 can prevent the oil stored inside the housing H from leaking out to the outside. In addition, by providing the top seal member 24 in the gap between the base portion 22 and the cover 23, the second terminal block 20 can further prevent the oil from leaking out to the outside.

[0101] The terminal block unit 1 of this embodiment includes the above-mentioned second terminal block 20 and a first terminal block 10 that connects an inverter provided outside the housing H to the second terminal block 20.

[0102] This first terminal block 10 is provided with a plate-shaped first bus bar 12 having a terminal block side connection portion 12a at one end side that is connected to the terminal block side connection portion 21b of the second bus bar 21 of the second terminal block 20, and an inverter side connection portion 12b at the other end side that is connected to the inverter side. Furthermore, the first terminal block 10 holds a first bus bar 12 and is provided with a main body 11 that is attached to the housing H.

[0103] The terminal block unit 1 is formed by connecting the terminal block side connection portion 12a of the first terminal block 10 and the terminal block side connection portion 21b of the second terminal block 20 to each other, and assembling the first terminal block 10 and the second terminal block 20 together.

[0104] As a result, the terminal block unit 1 electrically connects the inverter and motor provided outside the housing H, and the sealing portion 26 of the second terminal block 20 prevents oil stored inside the housing H from leaking to the outside.

[0105] In the configuration of the present invention and the correspondence with the above-mentioned embodiment, The terminal block and the sub-terminal block of the present invention correspond to the second terminal block 20 of the embodiment, Similarly, The separate terminal and the main terminal correspond to the first bus bar 12, The external connection portion corresponds to the terminal block connection portion 21b. The terminal corresponds to the second bus bar 21, The penetration direction corresponds to the up and down direction, The cross-sectional direction corresponds to the front-rear direction X and the width direction Y. The plate width direction corresponds to the width direction Y, The thickness direction corresponds to the front-back direction X. The fastening member corresponds to the screw 2. The opening corresponds to the fastening hole 27b. The main terminal block corresponds to the first terminal block 10, The sub-side connection portion corresponds to the terminal block side connection portion 12a, The main base part corresponds to the main body 11, The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and many other embodiments can be obtained.

[0106] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the terminal block unit 1 is fixed to the upper surface of the housing H. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The terminal block unit may be fixed to an appropriate position on the housing H. Furthermore, as long as first terminal block 10 includes at least main body 11 and one first bus bar 12, it may have any suitable configuration.

[0107] In addition, the second bus bar 21 is fixed to the motor terminal Mt using the screw 3, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the second bus bar 21 may be fixed to a substantially cylindrical terminal that stands directly from the motor using a nut. Alternatively, the second bus bar 21 and the motor may be connected via a wire.

[0108] Further, the second bus bar 21 has a substantially Z-shape when viewed from the width direction Y, but is not limited to this and may have an appropriate shape. For example, the second bus bar may be formed into a substantially L-shape in side view by a first connecting plate portion having a thickness in the up-down direction, and a penetrating plate portion and a second connecting plate portion having a thickness in the front-rear direction X.

[0109] Further, second bus bar 21 is configured from a plate-shaped material having electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance, but is not limited to this, and the second bus bar may be configured by plating the surface of a plate-shaped material having electrical conductivity. Further, the second terminal block 20 is provided with three second bus bars 21, but is not limited to this, and may be provided with at least one second bus bar.

[0110] In addition, although the first terminal block 10 is connected to the second bus bar 21 of the second terminal block 20, this is not limited to this, and the inverter terminal may be directly connected to the second bus bar 21 of the second terminal block 20.

[0111] Furthermore, sealing portion 26 is provided in sealing recess 272 recessed in the lower surface of base body 27, but the present invention is not limited to this and sealing portion may be provided at any appropriate position on the boundary surface between base portion 22 and second bus bar 21. Alternatively, sealing portions may be provided at multiple locations on the boundary surface between base portion 22 and second bus bar 21. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1...Terminal block unit 2...Screw 10...1st terminal block 11…Main body 14…First bus bar 14a…Terminal block side connection part 14b…Inverter side connection 20…Second terminal block 21…Second bus bar 21a…Motor side connection part 21b…Terminal block side connection part 22…Base 23…Cover 26…Sealing part 27a...Through hole 27b…Fascinating hole 29…Nut 30...Through hole sealing part 211...First connecting plate portion 212...Penetration plate section 213...Second connecting plate portion 271…Nut insertion part 272...Sealing recess H…Housing X…Anteroposterior direction Y: Width direction

Claims

1. A terminal block attached to a housing in which oil is stored and connected to a motor disposed inside the housing, a plate-shaped terminal having a motor-side connection portion connected to the motor side inside the housing when attached to the housing, and an external-side connection portion connected to another terminal outside the housing; a base portion that is attached to the housing that accommodates the motor and that passes through and holds the terminal; a sealing portion is provided at a boundary surface between the base portion and the terminal, the sealing portion sealing a cross-sectional direction perpendicular to a penetration direction of the terminal, The terminals are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals in the plate width direction, The sealing portion is configured to integrally seal the plurality of terminals. terminal block.

2. The base portion is A sealing recess is provided on an inner surface of the housing, the sealing recess being recessed along the terminal, The sealing portion is At least a part of the sealing recess is filled with the The terminal block according to claim 1 .

3. A terminal block attached to a housing in which oil is stored and connected to a motor disposed inside the housing, a plate-shaped terminal having a motor-side connection portion connected to the motor side inside the housing when attached to the housing, and an external-side connection portion connected to another terminal outside the housing; a base portion that is attached to the housing that accommodates the motor and that passes through and holds the terminal; a sealing portion is provided at a boundary surface between the base portion and the terminal, the sealing portion sealing a cross-sectional direction perpendicular to a penetration direction of the terminal, The base portion is A sealing recess is provided on an inner surface of the housing, the sealing recess being recessed along the terminal, The sealing portion is At least a part of the sealing recess is filled with the terminal block.

4. The terminals are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals in the plate width direction, The sealing recess is The recess is an integral recess extending along the terminals and in the plate width direction. The terminal block according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The sealing portion is A terminal is provided at an inner end of the housing at a boundary surface between the base portion and the terminal. The terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The terminal is A through plate portion extending in the through direction; a first connection plate portion extending from one end of the through plate portion in a plate thickness direction of the through plate portion and having the motor side connection portion at a tip end thereof; A second connection plate portion is provided which extends from the other end of the through plate portion in the plate thickness direction and has the external connection portion at its tip. The terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The base portion is a nut embedding portion in which a nut is embedded in a portion of the second connection plate portion corresponding to the external connection portion, the nut being adapted to be screwed into a fastening member that connects the second connection plate portion and the other terminal; A through hole sealing portion that seals the through hole of the nut embedding portion provided for embedding the nut is provided. The terminal block according to claim 6.

8. The base portion is made of resin. The terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The base portion is an outer surface of the housing is formed as a flat mating surface, and an opening is provided at a position corresponding to the motor side connection portion of the terminal, penetrating the mating surface to communicate between the inside and the outside of the housing; A cover is provided which has a flat contact surface that contacts the mating surface of the base portion, closes the opening from the outside of the housing, and is fixed to the base portion. The terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is used as a sub-terminal block, the sub-terminal block and a main terminal block that connects an inverter provided outside the housing to the sub-terminal block, The main terminal block is a plate-shaped main terminal having a sub-side connection portion at one end thereof connected to an external connection portion of the terminal of the sub-terminal block and an inverter-side connection portion at the other end thereof connected to the inverter side; a main base portion that holds the main terminal and is attached to the housing; The sub-side connection portion of the main terminal block and the external side connection portion of the sub-terminal block are connected to each other, and the main terminal block and the sub-terminal block are assembled together. Terminal block unit.

Images