Terminal Block

Abstract

To provide a terminal board which enables reduction of an installation space.SOLUTION: A terminal board 1 includes: U shaped bus bars 11, 12 made of conductive metal and each having a pair of arm parts 111, 121 which extend facing each other and have a strip shape, and a connection part 112, 122 which connects one end parts 111a, 121a of the pair of arm parts 111, 121 with each other; a housing 13 having holding parts 131, 132 each of which holds the bus bar 11, 12 while sandwiched by the pair of arm parts 111, 121 and made of insulation resin; and terminal portions 14 provided at each of the pairs of arm parts 111, 121.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a terminal block having an insulating resin housing, a conductive metal bus bar, and multiple terminal parts has been widely used as a relay component for electrically connecting multiple devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a terminal block, the multiple terminal parts are configured to be electrically connected to each other via the bus bar. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-108411 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the terminal block as described in Patent Document 1, the terminal parts to be electrically connected are arranged in a substantially two-dimensional array. Due to such a structure, the terminal block has a shape that extends widely in the in-plane direction of the array surface of the terminal parts, and the installation space tends to be large.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a terminal that can reduce installation space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a terminal block includes a U-shaped busbar made of a conductive metal, the busbar having a pair of band-shaped arms extending opposite to each other and a connecting portion connecting one ends of the pair of arms, a housing made of insulating resin having a holding portion that holds the busbar while sandwiched between the pair of arms, and terminal portions provided on each of the pair of arms, the busbar is attached to the holding portion of the housing such that the holding portion fits between the pair of arms by sliding relatively to the holding portion in an attachment direction along the pair of arms, the holding portion is provided with a pair of friction portions against which the pair of arms rub when the busbar is attached, the holding portion is provided with locked portions having either a convex or concave shape for each of the pair of arms to lock onto, and each of the pair of arms is provided with a locking portion that has a fitting shape for the locked portion and locks onto the locked portion, and the busbar is bent in a direction in which the pair of arms are separated from each other when attached to the holding portion of the housing. When the busbar reaches the locking position, the locking portion moves toward the locked portion, and when the busbar reaches the locking position, the deflection of the pair of arms is released and the locking portion locks onto the locked portion. The locked portions of the pair of rubbed portions in the holding portion are provided at positions shifted from each other in the installation direction when viewed from the side direction in which the busbar appears to have the U-shape during the installation. The locking portions of the pair of arms are also provided at positions shifted from each other in the installation direction when viewed from the side direction in accordance with the positions of the locked portions. The housing is provided with a lightening groove or a lightening hole extending in a lightening direction from the surface rubbed by the pair of arms toward the inside at positions offset from each other in the mounting direction when viewed from the side direction in each of the pair of rubbed parts of the holding part, and the lightening groove or the lightening hole in one of the pair of rubbed parts is arranged to overlap with the engaged part of the other rubbed part in a plan view with respect to the one of the rubbed parts. The terminal block includes a U-shaped busbar made of conductive metal, the busbar having a pair of band-shaped arms extending opposite to each other and a connecting portion connecting one ends of the pair of arms, a housing made of insulating resin having a holding portion for holding the busbar while sandwiched between the pair of arms, and terminal portions provided on each of the pair of arms, and the holding portion of the housing is configured such that the busbar slides relative to the holding portion in an attachment direction along the pair of arms, thereby fitting the holding portion between the pair of arms. a pair of friction-receiving portions against which the pair of arms rub when the bus bar is attached to the holding portion, the pair of arms having a recessed or concave shape are provided on each of the pair of friction-receiving portions for engaging with the pair of arms, and each of the pair of arms is provided with a locking portion having a fitting shape for locking with the locked portion, and when the bus bar is attached to the holding portion of the housing, the locking portion moves toward an engaging position with the locked portion in a state in which the pair of arms are bent in a direction away from each other, and the locking portion moves toward an engaging position with the locked portion, and the locking portion moves toward an engaging position with the locked portion in a state in which the pair of arms are bent in a direction away from each other, and the pair of arms are bent in a direction away from each other when the bus bar is attached to the holding portion of the housing. When the housing reaches the locking position, the deflection of the pair of arms is released and the locking portion locks onto the locked portion, the terminal portion provided on one of the pair of arms is a bolt installed so that a bolt portion protrudes from the front surface of the arm portion and a bolt head is located on the back surface side, and the terminal portion provided on the other is a holed portion provided on the arm portion, and a female screw is formed at a position corresponding to the through hole in the holding portion of the housing, into which a male screw passing through the through hole is screwed, and the pair of sliding portions in the holding portion are secured to the locking portion. The bolt side rubbed portion corresponding to the bolt has a bolt passing groove extending along the mounting direction through which the bolt head passes when the bus bar is mounted to the retaining portion, and the female thread side rubbed portion having the female thread on the opposite side to the bolt side rubbed portion of the pair of rubbed portions has a shape that interferes with the bolt head when the bus bar is mounted in a reverse posture in which the bolt head faces the female thread side rubbed portion in a direction opposite to the normal posture in which the bolt head passes through the bolt passing groove. The terminal block includes a U-shaped busbar made of conductive metal, the busbar having a pair of band-shaped arms extending opposite to each other and a connecting portion connecting one ends of the pair of arms, a housing made of insulating resin having a holding portion that holds the busbar while sandwiched between the pair of arms, and terminal portions provided on each of the pair of arms, the busbar being attached to the holding portion in the housing such that the holding portion fits between the pair of arms by sliding relatively with respect to the holding portion in an attachment direction along the pair of arms, and at least one of a pair of rubbed portions that are rubbed by the pair of arms when the busbar is attached to the holding portion extends in a lightening direction from the surface rubbed by the pair of arms toward the inside. and arranged in the mounting direction. A plurality of lightening grooves or a plurality of lightening holes are provided, and the pair of rubbed parts in which the plurality of lightening grooves or the plurality of lightening holes are provided partitions the plurality of lightening grooves or the plurality of lightening holes. and extending in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. It is characterized by being composed of end edges of rib walls. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the above terminal block, a terminal portion is provided on each of a pair of arms of the U-shaped bus bar. That is, in a plan view of one arm, the terminal portion of the other arm is arranged to overlap the one arm with the holding portion of the housing sandwiched therebetween, so that the size of the terminal block at least in the plan view can be reduced. As a result, the installation space of the above terminal block can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal block according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of the terminal block shown in FIG. 1, as viewed from the direction of arrow V11 in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 4]4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line V12-V12 in FIG. 3, showing a manner in which small busbars are attached to the small busbar holding portions shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is an enlarged view showing how a locking portion locks onto a locked portion when the small bus bar shown in FIG. 4 is attached. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing how bolts are attached to arms of a small bus bar. [Figure 7] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bolt passage groove of the small busbar holding portion taken along line V13-V13 in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing a cross section of a small busbar holding portion perpendicular to a bolt passage groove, with a small busbar with a bolt attached superimposed thereon. FIG. [Figure 9] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bolt passage grooves of the small busbar holding portion taken along line V14-V14 in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 7, illustrating how the female-thread-side friction portion opposite the bolt-side friction portion interferes with the bolt head when the small busbar is mistakenly attached to the small busbar holding portion in the reverse position. [Figure 11] 13 is a cross-sectional view of a small busbar holding portion of a terminal block according to a second embodiment, taken along the longitudinal direction of a pair of arms of a small busbar. FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a schematic diagram showing a mold used for molding the housing shown in FIG. 11, with a cross section equivalent to that of FIG. 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A number of embodiments of the terminal block will be described below. First, a first embodiment will be described.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal block according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the terminal block shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow V11 in Fig. 1.

[0011] 1 and 2, the terminal block 1 of the first embodiment is installed inside a battery pack mounted on a vehicle, and is used as a component that relays electrical connection between a battery body inside the battery pack and an inverter installed outside the battery pack, etc. This terminal block 1 includes a large bus bar 11, a small bus bar 12, a housing 13, and six terminal portions 14.

[0012] The large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 are both U-shaped busbars formed by bending a strip made of a conductive metal such as copper. That is, the large busbar 11 has a pair of strip-shaped arms 111 extending opposite each other, and a connecting portion 112 connecting one ends 111a of the pair of arms 111. Similarly, the small busbar 12 has a pair of arms 121 and a connecting portion 122 connecting one ends 121a of the pair of arms 121. The arms 111, 121 of the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 are formed in the same shape, but the connecting portion 112 of the large busbar 11 is longer than the connecting portion 122 of the small busbar 12.

[0013] The housing 13 has a large busbar holding portion 131 that holds the large busbar 11, and a small busbar holding portion 132 that holds the small busbar 12. The large busbar holding portion 131 holds the large busbar 11 while being sandwiched between a pair of arms 111 of the large busbar 11, and the small busbar holding portion 132 holds the small busbar 12 while being sandwiched between a pair of arms 121 of the small busbar 12. In addition to these two holding portions, the housing 13 is provided with a pair of flange portions 133, 134 for fixing the terminal block 1 to a predetermined fixing location, protruding from the side surfaces of the large busbar holding portion 131 and the small busbar holding portion 132. The flange portion 134 protruding from the small busbar holding portion 132 is provided with a connector attachment portion 135 into which a connector component (not shown) is fitted and attached.

[0014] The six terminal portions 14 are provided on the arm portions 111, 121 of the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12, respectively, and are portions to which a predetermined connection object is electrically and mechanically connected. Examples of the connection object include a connection end of a busbar with a through hole for connection, and a round terminal provided at the end of an electric wire. In this embodiment, two bolts 141 are provided as terminal portions 14 on one arm portion 111, 121 of each of the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12. Further, a holed portion 142 with a through hole 142a is provided as the terminal portion 14 on the other arm portion 111, 121. At this time, a female screw 136a into which a male screw passing through the through hole 142a is screwed is formed at a position corresponding to the through hole 142a in each of the large busbar holding portion 131 and the small busbar holding portion 132 of the housing 13. This female thread 136a is the female thread portion of a nut 136 embedded at that position.

[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block shown in FIGS.

[0016] 3, in the terminal block 1, the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 are attached to the large busbar holding portion 131 and the small busbar holding portion 132 of the housing 13 as follows. That is, the large busbar holding portion 131 and the small busbar holding portion 132 are slid relatively in an attachment direction D11 along the pair of arms 111, 121 with respect to the large busbar holding portion 131 and the small busbar holding portion 132, so that the large busbar holding portion 131 and the small busbar holding portion 132 are fitted between the pair of arms 111, 121. Through this fitting, the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 are attached to the large busbar holding portion 131 and the small busbar holding portion 132.

[0017] Here, the large busbar holding portion 131 has a pair of rubbed portions 131a against which the pair of arms 111 rub when the large busbar 11 is attached. The small busbar holding portion 132 also has a pair of rubbed portions 132a against which the pair of arms 121 rub when the small busbar 12 is attached. In this embodiment, the rubbed portions 131a, 132a in the large and small holding portions are formed by the end edges of rib walls that define a plurality of lightening holes 137 provided to reduce the weight of the housing 13.

[0018] The pair of rubbed portions 131a of the large busbar holding portion 131 are provided with convex-shaped locked portions 131b for locking with the pair of arm portions 111 of the large busbar 11. The locked portions 131b of the large busbar holding portion 131 are provided in each of the rubbed portions 131a at positions facing a pair of left and right side edges on the tip side of each arm portion 111 of the large busbar 11. Similarly, the pair of rubbed portions 132a of the small busbar holding portion 132 are provided with convex-shaped locked portions 132b for locking with the pair of arm portions 121 of the small busbar 12. The locked portions 132b of the small busbar holding portion 132 are also provided in each of the rubbed portions 132a at positions facing a pair of left and right side edges on the tip side of each arm portion 121 of the small busbar 12.

[0019] Each of the pair of arms 111 of the large busbar 11 is provided with a concave locking portion 111b that fits into the locked portion 131b of the large busbar holding portion 131. One locking portion 111b is provided on each of a pair of left and right side edges on the tip side of each arm 111. Similarly, each of the pair of arms 121 of the small busbar 12 is provided with a concave locking portion 121b that fits into the locked portion 132b of the small busbar holding portion 132. One locking portion 121b is provided on each of a pair of left and right side edges on the tip side of each arm 121.

[0020] The large busbars 11 and the small busbars 12 are attached to the large busbar holding portion 131 and the small busbar holding portion 132 by engaging the locking portions 111b, 121b with the locked portions 132b as described below. Note that the manner in which the large and small busbars are attached to the large and small busbar holding portions is the same, so the following description will be given by taking the manner in which the small busbar 12 is attached to the small busbar holding portion 132 as a representative example.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section taken along line V12-V12 in FIG. 3 of how the small busbar is attached to the small busbar holding portion shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing how the locking portion locks onto the locked portion when the small busbar shown in FIG. 4 is attached.

[0022] 4, the small busbar 12 is fitted into the small busbar holding portion 132 so that the small busbar holding portion 132 is sandwiched between the pair of arms 121, and is slid in the mounting direction D11. This sliding movement is performed so that each arm 121 slides on the surface (edge ​​of the rib wall) of each of the rubbed portions 132a of the small busbar holding portion 132. This sliding movement is continued until the tip 121c of each of the pair of arms 121 abuts against the convex-shaped locked portion 132b provided on each of the pair of rubbed portions 132a.

[0023] When the small busbar 12 is further slid in the attachment direction D11 with the tip 121c in contact with the locked portion 132b, the stage shown in step S12 is reached. In step S12, the pair of arms 121 of the small busbar 12 bend in the bending direction D12 away from each other, as if the tip 121c rides up onto the convex locked portion 132b and is pushed up from the inside.

[0024] 5, in this embodiment, arm-side slopes 121d are formed at the tips 121c of the pair of arms 121 of the small busbar 12, with a thickness that decreases toward the tips 121c. Meanwhile, the convex-shaped locked portions 131b of the pair of friction-receiving portions 132a of the small busbar holding portion 132 also have a convex-side slope 132c on the side that comes into contact with the tips 121c of the arms 121 when the small busbar 12 is attached. The convex-side slope 132c is a slope that is inclined such that the protruding height decreases toward the opposite side to the attachment direction D11 of the small busbar 12, corresponding to the arm-side slope 121d. When the small busbar 12 is moved in the attachment direction D11 with the tip 121c of the arm portion 121 in contact with the locked portion 132b, the arm side slope 121d moves in a rubbing manner against the convex side slope 132c, causing the tip 121c of the arm portion 121 to ride up on the locked portion 132b. This riding up of the tip 121c causes the arm portion 121 to bend in the bending direction D12. In this bent state, the small busbar 12 moves the concave-shaped locking portion 121b toward the locking position with the convex-shaped locked portion 132b.

[0025] 4 and 5 is the stage where the locking portion 121b reaches the locking position. At this stage, the convex locked portion 132b fits inside the concave locking portion 121b, and as a result, the pair of arms 121 of the small busbar 12 are released from bending and return to their original position, as shown by arrow D13 in Fig. 5. Then, at this stage of step S13, the locking portion 121b is locked to the locked portion 121b, and the small busbar 12 is held by the small busbar holding portion 132 in a state where it will not come off even if it is pulled in the opposite direction to the installation direction D11.

[0026] As described above with reference to Fig. 1, one of the pair of arms 111, 121 of each of the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 attached to the housing 13 is provided with two bolts 141 as terminal portions 14. At this time, the bolts 141 are attached to the arms 111, 121 in the following manner. The attachment of the bolts 141 will be described below using the arm 121 of the small busbar 12 as a representative example.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing how bolts are attached to the arms of the small busbars.

[0028] 6, the arm 121 of the small busbar 12 is provided with a through hole 121e through which the bolt portion 141a, which abuts on the male thread of the bolt 141, penetrates. In this embodiment, the through holes 121e are provided in two places aligned along the longitudinal direction of the arm 121. On the other hand, the bolt 141 has a disk-shaped bolt head 141b on the base side of the bolt portion 141a, and in this embodiment, a fixing structure 141c for the bolt 141 to the arm 121 is provided at the boundary between the bolt head 141b and the bolt portion 141a. The fixing structure 141c has a truncated cone portion 141d on the side of the bolt head 141b, a plurality of protrusions 141e provided on the circumferential surface thereof, and a crimped portion 141f provided on the side of the bolt portion 141a. The plurality of protrusions 141e are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the circumferential surface of the truncated cone portion 141d. Such a bolt 14 is installed so that the bolt portion 141a protrudes from the front surface of the arm portion 121 and the bolt head 141b is located on the rear surface side. The procedure is as follows: first, the bolt portion 141a is passed through the through hole 121e of the arm portion 121. At this stage, as shown on the left side of FIG. 6, the crimped portion 141f has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 121e, and the cylindrical crimped portion 141f is also passed through the through hole 121e together with the bolt portion 141a. Then, as shown on the right side of FIG. 6, pressure is applied from above to the protruding end portion of the crimped portion 141f protruding from the through hole 121e together with the bolt portion 141a, and the crimped portion is pushed out so as to overlap the peripheral surface of the through hole 121e on the front surface side of the arm portion 121 and crimped. At this time, the truncated cone portion 141d is press-fitted into the through hole 121e on the back side of the arm portion 121 so that the multiple protrusions 141e on its circumferential surface bite into the inner surface of the through hole 121e. The bolt 141 is fixed to the arm portion 121 by crimping the front side of the arm portion 121 and press-fitting the back side. The biting of the protrusions 141e also prevents the bolt 141 from rotating.

[0029] In this way, the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12, with the bolts 141 installed on one of the arms 111, 121 so that the bolt heads 141b are located on the back surface side, are attached to the housing 13 as described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Here, the large busbar holding portion 131 and the small busbar holding portion 132 in the housing 13 are provided with the bolt passing grooves 131d, 132d shown in Figure 3 so as not to interfere with the bolt heads 141b located on the back surface side of the one of the arms 111, 121. Below, the bolt passing grooves 131d, 132d will be described using the bolt passing groove 132d of the small busbar holding portion 132 as a representative example.

[0030] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the bolt passing groove of the small busbar holding part taken along line V13-V13 in Fig. 1, Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the small busbar holding part taken along a line perpendicular to the bolt passing groove, with the small busbar with a bolt superimposed thereon, and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the bolt passing groove of the small busbar holding part taken along line V14-V14 in Fig. 7.

[0031] 7 to 9, the bolt passing groove 132d is provided in a bolt-side rubbed portion 132a-1 of the pair of rubbed portions 132a in the small busbar holding portion 132 that corresponds to the bolt 141 of the small busbar 12. When the small busbar 12 is attached to the small busbar holding portion 132, the bolt heads 141b of the two bolts 141 pass through this bolt passing groove 132d. The bolt passing groove 132d is formed by a pair of groove ribs 132d-1 provided in the bolt-side rubbed portion 132a-1 with a gap corresponding to the width of the bolt heads 141b. When the small busbar 12 is attached, the bolt passing groove 132d guides the movement of the bolt heads 141b with the pair of groove ribs 132d-1, thereby guiding the small busbar 12 in the attachment direction D11 to the small busbar holding portion 132.

[0032] 7, the female thread side rubbed portion 132a-2, which is provided with the female thread 136a on the opposite side to the bolt side rubbed portion 132a-1, of the pair of rubbed portions 132a, does not have a bolt passing groove 132d. The female thread side rubbed portion 132a-2 has a shape that interferes with the bolt head 141b when the small busbar 12 is mistakenly attached to the small busbar holding portion 132 in the following reverse position.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 7 showing how the female thread-side rubbed portion opposite the bolt-side rubbed portion interferes with the bolt head when the small busbar is mistakenly attached to the small busbar holding portion in the reverse position.

[0034] The reverse posture when attaching the small busbar 12 is a posture opposite to the normal posture in which the bolt head 141b passes through the bolt passing groove 132d shown in Figures 7 and 8. In other words, the reverse posture is a posture in which the bolt head 141b faces the female thread side rubbed portion 132a-2 on the opposite side to the bolt side rubbed portion 132a-1. When the small busbar 12 faces the small busbar holding portion 132 in the attachment direction D11 in this reverse posture, the bolt head 141b abuts and interferes with a corner portion on the attachment side of the female thread side rubbed portion 132a-2. This interference with the female thread side rubbed portion 132a-2 makes it possible to prevent erroneous installation in which the small busbar 12 is attached in the reverse posture.

[0035] According to the terminal block 1 of the first embodiment described above, the pair of arms 111 of the U-shaped large busbar 11 are provided with the terminal portions 14. Similarly, the pair of arms 121 of the U-shaped small busbar 12 are also provided with the terminal portions 14. That is, in the large busbar 11 of the terminal block 1, when viewed from above with respect to one arm 111, the terminal portions 14 of the other arm 111 are arranged to overlap with the one arm 111 with the large busbar holding portion 131 of the housing 13 sandwiched therebetween. Similarly, in the small busbar 12, when viewed from above with respect to one arm 121, the terminal portions 14 of the other arm 121 are arranged to overlap with the one arm 121 with the small busbar holding portion 132 of the housing 13 sandwiched therebetween. As a result, the size of the terminal block 1 at least when viewed from above with respect to the plan view can be reduced, and the installation space of the terminal block 1 can be reduced.

[0036] In this embodiment, one of the terminal portions 14 is provided as a bolt 141 having a bolt portion 141a protruding from the surface of the arm portions 111, 121. With this configuration, a connection object such as a round terminal can be easily connected via the bolt portion 141a and a nut or the like fastened to the bolt portion 141a.

[0037] In this embodiment, the other terminal portion 14 is provided with a hole portion 142 having a through hole 142a in the arm portions 111, 121. Then, at positions corresponding to the through holes 142a in the large busbar holding portion 131 and the small busbar holding portion 132, female threads 136a into which male threads passing through the through holes 142a are screwed are formed. With this configuration, a connection target such as a round terminal can be easily connected using a bolt or the like that is inserted into the through holes 142a of the arm portions 111, 121 and has its male thread screwed into the female threads 136a of the housing 13.

[0038] In this embodiment, the large busbar 11 is attached to the large busbar holding portion 131 such that the large busbar 11 slides in the attachment direction D11 along the arms 111, thereby fitting the large busbar holding portion 131 between the pair of arms 111. Similarly, the small busbar 12 is attached to the small busbar holding portion 132 such that the small busbar holding portion 132 fits between the pair of arms 121, thereby fitting the small busbar holding portion 132 between the pair of arms 121. A pair of friction-receiving portions 131a in the large busbar holding portion 131 each have a convex-shaped locked portion 131b, and a pair of friction-receiving portions 132a in the small busbar holding portion 132 each have a convex-shaped locked portion 132b. A concave-shaped locking portion 111b is provided on the arm portion 111 of the large busbar 11, and a concave-shaped locking portion 121b is provided on the arm portion 121 of the small busbar 12. Here, when the large busbar 11 is attached, the locking portions 111b move toward the locking position with the locked portions 131b with the arms 111 bent, and the small busbar 12 also moves toward the locking position with the locked portions 132b with the arms 121 bent. When the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 reach the locking position, the arms 111 and 121 are released from their bending and return to their original positions, and the locking portions 111b and 121b lock with the locked portions 131b and 132b. With this configuration, the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 can be easily attached to and held by the large busbar holding portion 131 and the small busbar holding portion 132, simply by sliding the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 until the locking portions 111b and 121b lock with the locked portions 131b and 132b.

[0039] In the large busbar holding portion 131 and the small busbar holding portion 132 of this embodiment, as described above using the small busbar holding portion 132 as a representative example, the bolt side rubbed portion 132a-1 is provided with the bolt passing groove 132d through which the bolt head 141b passes when the busbar is attached. On the other hand, the female thread side rubbed portion 132a-2 has a shape that interferes with the bolt head 141b when the busbar is attached in a position opposite to the normal position. With this configuration, the busbar attachment position is uniquely determined to be the normal position in which the bolt head 141b can pass through the bolt passing grooves 131d, 132d. As a result, even if an attempt is made to attach the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 in a position opposite to the normal position, the bolt head 141b interferes and the attachment becomes impossible, so that erroneous installation in such a reverse position can be suppressed.

[0040] In this embodiment, as described above with the small busbar holding portion 132 as a representative example, the bolt passing grooves 131d, 132d are each configured with a pair of groove ribs 132d-1 spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to the width of the bolt head 141b. When the busbars are attached, the bolt passing grooves 131d, 132d guide the movement of the bolt head 141b to guide the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 in the attachment direction D11. This configuration allows the housing 13 to be hollowed out around the groove rib 132d-1, thereby reducing the weight of the housing 13. Furthermore, when the busbars are attached, the bolt passing grooves 131d, 132d guide the movement of the bolt head 141b, thereby allowing the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 to slide smoothly.

[0041] This concludes the description of the first embodiment, and next we will describe the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the shape of the busbar holding portion in the housing is different from that of the first embodiment, and the following description of the second embodiment will focus on this difference from the first embodiment. In addition, of the large busbar holding portion and the small busbar holding portion which have substantially the same configuration, the following description will be given using the small busbar holding portion as a representative example.

[0042] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a small busbar holding portion of a terminal block according to a second embodiment, taken along the longitudinal direction of a pair of arms of a small busbar.

[0043] 11, the small busbar holding portion 232 of the housing 23 is shown as a representative example, and the locked portions 232b of the pair of friction portions 232a are provided as follows: That is, the locked portions 232b of the pair of friction portions 232a are provided at positions offset from each other in the mounting direction D21 when viewed from the side direction D24 in which the small busbar 22 appears U-shaped when mounted. The locking portions 221b of the pair of arm portions 221 of the small busbar 22 are also provided at positions offset from each other in the mounting direction when viewed from the side direction, in accordance with the positions of the locked portions 232a.

[0044] Furthermore, the small busbar holding portion 232 of the housing 23 is provided with a plurality of lightening holes 232e arranged in the mounting direction D21 of the small busbar 22 as follows. That is, four lightening holes 232e are provided extending in a lightening direction D25 from the surface of the female-screw side rubbed portion 232a-2 of the pair of rubbed portions 232a toward the inside. Also, one lightening hole 232e is provided extending in a lightening direction D26 from the surface of the bolt side rubbed portion 232a-1 toward the inside. The lightening hole 232e from the surface of the bolt side rubbed portion 232a-1 and the lightening hole 232e from the surface of the female-screw side rubbed portion 232a-2 are provided at positions shifted from each other in the mounting direction D21 when viewed from the side direction D24.

[0045] Among the four lightening holes 232e from the surface of the female-threaded side rubbed portion 232a-2, the first one in the mounting direction D21 is provided as follows. That is, this one lightening hole 232e is provided so as to overlap the locked portion 232b of the bolt-side rubbed portion 232a-1 and the female-threaded side rubbed portion 232a-2 in a plan view. Also, one lightening hole 232e from the surface of the bolt-side rubbed portion 232a-1 is provided so as to overlap the locked portion 232b of the female-threaded side rubbed portion 232a-2 and the bolt-side rubbed portion 232a-1 in a plan view.

[0046] The large bus bar holding portion (not shown) of the housing 23 is also formed to have substantially the same configuration as the small bus bar holding portion 232 described above.

[0047] As with the first embodiment described above, the terminal block 2 of the second embodiment also makes it possible to reduce the size of the terminal block 2 and the installation space for the terminal block 2, needless to say.

[0048] In this embodiment, in the small busbar holding portion 232 shown as a representative example, the locked portion 232b is provided between the bolt side rubbed portion 232a-1 and the female thread side rubbed portion 232a-2 at positions shifted from each other in the mounting direction D21. Similarly, in the small busbar 22 shown as a representative example, the locking portion 221b is also provided at positions shifted from each other in the mounting direction D21. With this configuration, the position of the small busbar 22 in which the locking portion 221b can be locked with the locked portion 232b is determined to be a unique normal position. As a result, even if an attempt is made to attach the small busbar 22 in the opposite direction to this normal position, the locking portion 221b cannot be locked with the locked portion 232b, so that such erroneous installation in the opposite direction can be suppressed. The large busbar holding portion and the large busbar not shown in the figure also have a similar configuration, and a similar effect of suppressing erroneous installation can be obtained.

[0049] In this embodiment, the small busbar holding portion 232 of the housing 23 has the lightening holes 232e at positions offset from each other in the mounting direction D21 between the bolt side rubbed portion 232a-1 and the female thread side rubbed portion 232a-2. Some of the lightening holes 232e are provided so as to overlap the locked portion 232b and each rubbed portion in a plan view. According to this configuration, first, the lightening holes 232e are provided, so that the weight of the housing 23 can be reduced. In addition, by providing the lightening holes 232e at the above-mentioned formation positions, the following effects can be obtained for the mold used to mold the resin housing 23.

[0050] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a mold used for molding the housing shown in FIG. 11, with a cross section equivalent to that of FIG.

[0051] In this embodiment, to repeat, the lightening holes 232e are provided at positions offset from each other between the bolt side rubbed portion 232a-1 and the female thread side rubbed portion 232a-2. Therefore, the molding of the housing 23 can be performed using only the first die G21 and the second die G22 that can perform molding in the intersecting direction D27 relative to the surfaces of the bolt side rubbed portion 232a-1 and the female thread side rubbed portion 232a-2.

[0052] Moreover, since the lightening hole 232e is provided so as to overlap the locked portion 232b in a plan view, the lower portion of the locked portion 232b is utilized for the lightening hole 232e, thereby efficiently reducing the weight of the housing 23. Thus, according to the above configuration, the weight of the housing 23 can be efficiently reduced, and the number of dies required for molding can be reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0053] The first and second embodiments described above are merely representative examples, and the terminal block is not limited to these embodiments. In other words, the terminal block can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the invention. As long as the terminal block configuration is still provided even after such modifications, it is of course included in the scope of the invention.

[0054] For example, in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the terminal blocks 1 and 2 are exemplified as an example of the terminal block, which is used as a component for relaying an electrical connection between a battery main body inside a battery pack mounted on a vehicle and an inverter installed outside the battery pack. However, the terminal block is not limited to this, and the installation location thereof can be set appropriately.

[0055] In the above-described first and second embodiments, terminal blocks 1 and 2 including two bus bars, large bus bar 11 and small bus bars 12 and 22, are exemplified as an example of a terminal block. However, the terminal block is not limited to this, and the number of installed bus bars may be one, or three or more, as long as the terminal block includes a U-shaped bus bar.

[0056] In the first and second embodiments, the terminal blocks 1 and 2 are exemplified as an example of a terminal block, in which one terminal portion 14 is a bolt 141, the other terminal portion 14 is a hole portion 142, and a female screw 136a is provided at a position corresponding to the through hole 142a. However, the terminal block is not limited to this, and the connection mode with the connection object can be set arbitrarily. However, as described above, the connection object can be easily connected by the bolt 141 or the hole portion 142 as the terminal portion 14. Unlike the first and second embodiments, both of the pair of arms may be provided with a bolt as a terminal portion, or both of the pair of arms may be provided with a hole portion as a terminal portion.

[0057] In the first and second embodiments, terminal blocks 1 and 2 are exemplified as an example of a terminal block, in which bolts 141 are provided at two locations as terminal portions 14 on one arm of a bus bar, and a hole portion 142 is provided at one location on the other arm. However, the terminal block is not limited to this, and the number of bolts and hole portions provided as terminal portions can be set to any number.

[0058] In the first and second embodiments described above, the terminal blocks 1 and 2 are exemplified as an example of the terminal block, in which the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 move to the locking position in a bent state and are restored at the locking position so that the locking portions 111b and 121b lock with the locked portions 131b and 132b. However, the terminal block is not limited to this, and the busbars may be attached, for example, by fitting the busbars into the holding portions without bending the arms and then fixing them with screws or pressing and holding them with a predetermined cover. In this way, the busbars can be attached in any manner. However, as described above, the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 can be easily attached and held by fitting the large busbar 11 and the small busbar 12 in a bent state and then locking the locking portions 111b and 121b with the locked portions 131b and 132b at the locking position.

[0059] In the first and second embodiments, the convex-shaped locked portions 131b, 132b, and 232b are provided at positions facing a pair of left and right side edges at the tip of the arm portions 111, 121, and 221, respectively. As an example of the locking portion, the concave-shaped locking portions 111b, 121b, and 221b are provided at positions facing a pair of left and right side edges at the tip of the arm portions 111, 121, and 221, respectively. However, the locked portions in the housing and the locking portions in the busbar are not limited to these. For example, the housing may be provided with a concave-shaped locked portion, and the busbar may be provided with a convex-shaped locking portion. Furthermore, the positions and the number of the locked portions and the locking portions are not limited to the positions and the numbers described above. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which one locked portion is provided on the housing side at a position facing the widthwise center of the arm portion of the bus bar, and one locking portion is provided on the bus bar side at the widthwise center.

[0060] In the second embodiment described above, the terminal block 2 is exemplified as an example of a terminal block in which the locked portions 232b are provided at positions offset from each other and the locking portions 221b are also provided at positions offset from each other. However, the terminal block is not limited to this, and the locked portions 131b, 132b may be provided at the same positions as in the terminal block 1 of the first embodiment, and the locking portions 111b, 121b may also be provided at the same positions as each other. However, as described above, by shifting the positions at which the locked portions 232b and the locking portions 221b are formed, erroneous installation of the busbar in the opposite direction can be suppressed.

[0061] In the second embodiment described above, the housing 23 is exemplified as an example of the housing, in which the lightening hole 232e is provided at a position offset between the pair of rubbed parts 232a. In this housing 23, the lightening hole 232e of one rubbed part 232a is provided so as to overlap the locked part 232b of the other rubbed part 232a in a plan view. However, the housing is not limited to this, and a horizontal hole-shaped lightening hole may be provided between the locked parts provided at the same position. However, in order to form such a horizontal hole-shaped lightening hole, a separate die for horizontal punching is required in addition to a pair of upper and lower dies. On the other hand, as described above, by providing the lightening hole 232e at the above-mentioned position, the weight of the housing can be efficiently reduced, and the number of dies required for molding can be reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0062] In the second embodiment described above, the housing 23 having the lightening hole 232e is illustrated as an example of the housing. However, the housing is not limited to this, and a lightening groove with a part of the inner circumferential surface being open may be provided instead of the lightening hole. In addition, even if a lightening hole is provided, it may be a non-through hole as in the second embodiment, or a through hole that passes from one of a pair of rubbed parts in the holding part of the bus bar to the other.

[0063] In the above-described first and second embodiments, as an example of the terminal block, in the bus bar holding portions of the housings 13 and 23, the terminal blocks 1 and 2 in which bolt passing grooves 131d and 132d are provided in one of the rubbed portions 131a, 132a, and 232a are illustrated. And in these terminal blocks 1 and 2, the other rubbed portions 131a, 132a, and 232a have a shape that interferes with the bolt head 141b. However, the terminal block is not limited to this, and bolt passing grooves may be provided in both of the pair of rubbed portions in the bus bar holding portion. Alternatively, as described above, hole-opening portions may be provided as terminal portions in both of the pair of arm portions, and bolt passing grooves may not be provided in any of the pair of rubbed portions. However, as described above, by providing the bolt passing grooves 131d and 132d in one of the rubbed portions 131a, 132a, and 232a, it is possible to suppress the misinstallation of the bus bar.

[0064] In the above-described first and second embodiments, as an example of the bolt passing groove, the bolt passing grooves 131d and 132d which are constituted by a pair of groove ribs 132d-1 and guide the movement of the bolt head 141b during attachment are illustrated. However, the bolt passing groove is not limited to this, and the groove width may be significantly wider than the bolt head as long as the bolt head can pass through. Also, it is not limited to being constituted by a pair of groove ribs, and for example, a groove formed on the surface of a thick plate may be used. However, as described above, by constituting the bolt passing grooves 131d and 132d with a pair of groove ribs 132d-1, the weight of the housings 13 and 23 can be reduced, and the bus bar can be smoothly slid.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0065] 1, 2 Terminal block 11 Large bus bar 12, 22 Small bus bar 13, 23 Housing 14 Terminal portion 111, 121, 221 Arm portion 111a, 121a One end portion 111b, 121b, 221b Locking portion 112,122 Connecting part 121c Tip 121d Arm side slope 121e,142a through hole 131 Large busbar holder 131a,132a,232a Rubbing area 131b,132b,232b Locked part 131d, 132d Bolt passage groove 132,232 Small busbar holder 132a-1, 232a-1 Bolt side friction part 132a-2, 232a-2 Female thread side friction part 132c Convex side slope 132d-1 Groove rib 133,134 Flange 135 Connector mounting part 136 Nut 137,232e Hole 136a Female thread 141 Volts 141a Bolt part 141b Bolt head 141c fixed structure 141d Cone section 141e protrusion 142 Hole area D11, D21 installation direction D12 Deflection direction D13 Arrow D24 Lateral direction D25, D26 Cutting direction D27 Cross direction G21 Type 1 G22 2nd type

Claims

1. a U-shaped bus bar made of a conductive metal, the bus bar having a pair of band-shaped arms extending opposite to each other and a connecting portion connecting one ends of the pair of arms to each other; a housing made of insulating resin having a holding portion that holds the bus bar in a state sandwiched between the pair of arms; a terminal portion provided on each of the pair of arms; Equipped with the bus bar is attached to the holding portion of the housing such that the holding portion is fitted between the pair of arms by sliding relative to the holding portion in an attachment direction along the pair of arms, a pair of friction targets against which the pair of arms rub when the bus bar is attached to the holding portion are provided with engagement targets having a concave or convex shape for engagement with the pair of arms, Each of the pair of arms is provided with a locking portion having a fitting shape with respect to the locked portion and configured to be locked to the locked portion, When the bus bar is attached to the holding portion of the housing, the locking portion moves toward an engagement position with the locked portion in a state in which the pair of arms are bent in directions away from each other, and when the bus bar reaches the engagement position, the bending of the pair of arms is released and the locking portion is locked to the locked portion, the engaged portions of the pair of sliding-rubber portions of the holding portion are provided at positions shifted from each other in the installation direction when viewed from a side direction in which the bus bar appears to have the U-shape during the installation, The locking portions of the pair of arms are also provided at positions shifted from each other in the mounting direction as viewed from the side surface direction in accordance with the positions of the locked portions, the housing is provided with a lightening groove or a lightening hole extending in a lightening direction from a surface that is rubbed by the pair of arm portions toward an inside at positions shifted from each other in the mounting direction as viewed from the side direction in each of the pair of rubbed portions of the holding portion, A terminal block characterized in that the lightening groove or the lightening hole in one of the pair of rubbed parts is arranged to overlap with the engaged part in the other rubbed part when viewed in a plane relative to the one rubbed part.

2. a U-shaped bus bar made of a conductive metal, the bus bar having a pair of band-shaped arms extending opposite to each other and a connecting portion connecting one ends of the pair of arms to each other; a housing made of insulating resin having a holding portion that holds the bus bar in a state sandwiched between the pair of arms; a terminal portion provided on each of the pair of arms; Equipped with the bus bar is attached to the holding portion of the housing such that the holding portion is fitted between the pair of arms by sliding relative to the holding portion in an attachment direction along the pair of arms, a pair of friction targets against which the pair of arms rub when the bus bar is attached to the holding portion are provided with engagement targets having a concave or convex shape for engagement with the pair of arms, Each of the pair of arms is provided with a locking portion having a fitting shape with respect to the locked portion and configured to be locked to the locked portion, When the bus bar is attached to the holding portion of the housing, the locking portion moves toward an engagement position with the locked portion in a state in which the pair of arms are bent in directions away from each other, and when the bus bar reaches the engagement position, the bending of the pair of arms is released and the locking portion is locked to the locked portion, the terminal portion provided on one of the pair of arms is a bolt that is installed so that a bolt portion protrudes from a front surface of the arm and a bolt head is located on the back surface side, and the terminal portion provided on the other is a hole portion in the arm where a through hole is provided, and a female screw is formed at a position in the holding portion of the housing corresponding to the through hole, into which a male screw that passes through the through hole is screwed; a bolt-side rubbed portion of the pair of rubbed portions of the holding portion corresponding to the bolt is provided with a bolt passing groove, through which the bolt head passes when the bus bar is attached to the holding portion, the bolt passing groove extending along the attachment direction; a female-thread-side rubbed portion having a female thread provided on the opposite side to the bolt-side rubbed portion of the pair of rubbed portions, the female-thread-side rubbed portion having a shape that interferes with the bolt head when the busbar is attached in a reverse position in which the bolt head faces the female-thread-side rubbed portion in a direction opposite to the normal position in which the bolt head passes through the bolt passing groove.

3. a U-shaped bus bar made of a conductive metal, the bus bar having a pair of band-shaped arms extending opposite to each other and a connecting portion connecting one ends of the pair of arms to each other; a housing made of insulating resin having a holding portion that holds the bus bar in a state sandwiched between the pair of arms; a terminal portion provided on each of the pair of arms; Equipped with the bus bar is attached to the holding portion of the housing such that the holding portion is fitted between the pair of arms by sliding relative to the holding portion in an attachment direction along the pair of arms, at least one of a pair of rubbed portions against which the pair of arm portions rub when the bus bar is attached to the holding portion is provided with a plurality of lightening grooves or a plurality of lightening holes that extend in a lightening direction from a surface that is rubbed by the pair of arm portions toward an inside and are arranged in the attachment direction, A terminal block characterized in that, of the pair of friction-receiving portions, the friction-receiving portion having the plurality of lightening grooves or the plurality of lightening holes formed therein is composed of an end edge of a rib wall that defines the plurality of lightening grooves or the plurality of lightening holes and extends in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction.

4. The terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the terminal portion provided on at least one of the pair of arms is a bolt having a bolt portion protruding from a surface of the arm.

5. the terminal portion provided on at least one of the pair of arms is a hole portion in which a through hole is provided in the arm portion, A terminal block as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a female thread is formed at a position corresponding to the through hole in the retaining portion of the housing, into which a male thread passing through the through hole is screwed.

6. The terminal block according to claim 2, characterized in that the bolt passage groove is formed by a pair of groove ribs provided on the bolt side sliding portion with a gap corresponding to the width of the bolt head, and guides the movement of the bolt head during installation, thereby guiding the bus bar in the installation direction.

Images