Terminal fixing structure

Abstract

To prevent application of a large force to a connection position of a substrate and a bus bar part of a terminal with a bus bar and to the substrate even if a load is applied to a terminal part.SOLUTION: A terminal of a fixing structure 1 comprises: a housing 3 constructed having a housing body part 11 and a cover part 13; a substrate 5 installed in the housing 3; a terminal 7 with a bus bar that is constructed having a bas bar part 17 and a terminal part 19, in which the bas bar part 17 is joined to the substrate 5 and thereby installed on the substrate 5 and the terminal part 19 is projected from the housing 3; and a stress reduction member 9 that is provided in the housing 3 so as to be engaged to the terminal 7 with the bus bar and the housing 3 in order to reduce a value of a stress generated in a joint portion 21 of the bus bar part 17 and the substrate 5 by a force applied to the terminal part 19 of the terminal 7 with the bas bar.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal fixing structure.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a terminal fixing structure including a housing, a substrate, and a terminal with a bus bar has been known. The terminal with a bus bar in the conventional terminal fixing structure is configured to include a bus bar portion and a terminal portion provided on the bus bar portion.

[0003] And, since a part of the bus bar portion is soldered to the substrate, the terminal with a bus bar is installed on the substrate. Note that the upper portion of the terminal portion of the terminal with a bus bar is a male screw portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, with the increase in the voltage of circuits due to changes in automobiles, the input / output terminals (terminal portions) used have become larger, and a structure capable of coping with a large load applied to the component parts has been required. As described above, in the conventional terminal fixing structure, the bus bar portion of the terminal with a bus bar is directly provided on the substrate by soldering.

[0006] Therefore, when the connection LA terminal on the harness side is installed on the male screw portion of the terminal portion using a nut, the load applied to the terminal portion (particularly, the moment around the terminal portion) is directly applied to the substrate.

[0007] As a result, a large force may be applied to the joint portion (the joint portion using solder) between the substrate and the bus bar portion of the terminal with the bus bar, and the substrate, which may cause problems such as cracks in the joint portion and the substrate.

[0008] In a terminal fixing structure including a housing, a substrate, and a terminal with a bus bar, an object of the present invention is to prevent a large force from being applied to the joint portion between the substrate and the bus bar portion of the terminal with the bus bar and the substrate even when a load is applied to the terminal portion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] A terminal fixing structure according to an aspect of the present invention includes a housing configured to include a housing main body portion and a cover portion installed on the housing main body portion, a substrate installed in the housing, and a bus bar portion and a terminal portion installed on the bus bar portion. The bus bar portion is joined to the substrate so as to be installed on the substrate, and at least a part of the terminal portion protrudes from the housing. A terminal with a bus bar, and a stress reduction member provided in the housing and engaged with the terminal with the bus bar to reduce the value of the stress generated at the joint portion between the bus bar portion and the substrate due to the force applied to the terminal portion of the terminal with the bus bar. It is a terminal fixing structure having.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] [First Embodiment] The terminal fixing structure 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is, for example, adopted in an electric circuit of an automotive battery pack (for example, a battery ECU that controls a battery).

[0012] Here, for convenience of explanation, a predetermined one direction is defined as the vertical direction, a predetermined one direction orthogonal to the vertical direction is defined as the horizontal direction, and a direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is defined as the height direction (thickness direction).

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the terminal fixing structure 1 includes a housing 3, a substrate (for example, a rigid printed circuit board) 5, a terminal with a bus bar (stud bolt with a bus bar) 7, and a stress reduction member (stress relaxation member) 9.

[0014] The housing 3 includes a housing main body portion 11 and a cover portion (lid portion) 13 that is in contact with the housing main body portion 11 and is integrally installed on the housing main body portion 11. The housing main body portion 11 is made of, for example, metal to enhance strength and heat dissipation, and the cover portion 13 is also made of, for example, metal to enhance strength and heat dissipation. The substrate 5 is installed inside the housing 3.

[0015] The substrate 5 includes a substrate main body portion 15, a wiring circuit (not shown), and electronic components (not shown). The substrate main body portion 15 is formed as a flat plate from an insulator. The wiring circuit and the electronic components are provided on the substrate main body portion 15.

[0016] The terminal with a bus bar 7 includes a bus bar portion 17 and a terminal portion (stud bolt portion) 19 that is integrally installed on the bus bar portion 17. A part of the bus bar portion 17 is joined to the substrate 5 (a land portion that is a part of the wiring circuit of the substrate 5), for example, by soldering, so that the terminal with a bus bar 7 is installed on the substrate 5. Further, at least a part of the terminal portion 19 protrudes upward in the height direction from the housing 3.

[0017] The stress reduction member 9 is provided to reduce the value of the stress generated at the joint portion 21 between the bus bar portion 17 and the substrate 5 due to the force (including moment) applied to the terminal portion 19 of the terminal with a bus bar 7. The stress reduction member 9 is engaged with the terminal with a bus bar 7 and the housing 3 (at least one of the housing main body portion 11 and the cover portion 13) and is provided inside the housing 3.

[0018] Further, the stress reduction member 9 is made of an insulator (for example, a synthetic resin having insulating properties) in order to ensure insulation between the housing 3 and the energization portions (such as wiring circuits) of the terminal 7 with a bus bar and the substrate 5.

[0019] That is, in the terminal fixing structure 1, the substrate main body portion 15 of the substrate 5 contacts the housing main body portion 11, and the stress reduction member 9 contacts the cover portion 13. On the other hand, in the terminal fixing structure 1, the energization portions such as the terminal 7 with a bus bar, the wiring circuit of the substrate 5, and the electronic components are separated from the housing main body portion 11 and the cover portion 13. Thereby, insulation between the energization portions such as the terminal 7 with a bus bar, the wiring circuit of the substrate 5, and the electronic components and the housing 3 is ensured.

[0020] In the terminal fixing structure 1, when viewed in the extending direction (height direction) of the central axis of the terminal portion 19, the joining portion 21 between the bus bar portion 17 and the substrate 5 is arranged near the central axis of the terminal portion 19. That is, the value of the distance between the central axis of the terminal portion 19 and the location of the joining portion 21 that is farthest from the central axis of the terminal portion 19 when viewed in the extending direction of the central axis of the terminal portion 19 is smaller than the value of the dimension of the terminal portion 19 in the extending direction of the central axis of the terminal portion 19.

[0021] Also, when viewed in the extending direction of the central axis of the terminal portion 19, the joining portion 21 between the bus bar portion 17 and the substrate 5 is arranged on both sides of the terminal portion 19 in the vertical direction, and the joining portion 21 between the bus bar portion 17 and the substrate 5 is also arranged on both sides of the terminal portion 19 in the horizontal direction.

[0022] Furthermore, when viewed in the extending direction of the central axis of the terminal portion 19, the joining portion 21 between the bus bar portion 17 and the substrate 5 is symmetric with respect to a straight line extending in the horizontal direction including the central axis of the terminal portion 19, and is symmetric with respect to a straight line extending in the vertical direction including the central axis of the terminal portion 19.

[0023] The stress reduction member 9 is provided with a first engaged portion 23 engaged with the cover portion 13 and a second engaged portion 25 engaged with the terminal 7 with a bus bar. As shown in FIG. 4, the cover portion 13 is provided with a first engaging portion 27 into which, for example, the first engaged portion 23 of the stress reduction member 9 is fitted and integrally engaged. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the terminal 7 with a bus bar is provided with a second engaging portion 29 integrally engaged with the second engaged portion 25 of the stress reduction member 9.

[0024] In the terminal fixing structure 1, the first engaged portion 23 is engaged with the first engaging portion 27, and the second engaged portion 25 is engaged with the second engaging portion 29. Due to these engagements, when a moment about the central axis of the terminal portion 19 among the forces is applied to the terminal portion 19, most of the moment is transmitted to the housing main body portion 11 via the cover portion 13 through the stress reduction member 9. And it is configured to reduce the value of the stress generated at the joint portion 21 between the bus bar portion 17 and the substrate 5. The moment (torque) about the central axis of the terminal portion 19 is indicated by an arrow A1 in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0025] Here, the force applied to the terminal portion 19 will be further described.

[0026] As the first force, there is a moment about the central axis of the terminal portion 19 described above (a moment about an axis extending in the height direction (see arrow A1 in FIGS. 2 and 3). As the second force, there is a moment about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction (see arrow A2 in FIGS. 2 and 3). As the third force, there is a moment about an axis extending in the lateral direction (see arrow A3 in FIGS. 2 and 3). As the fourth force, there is a force in the height direction (see arrow A4 in FIGS. 2 and 3). As the fifth force, there is a force in the longitudinal direction (see arrow A5 in FIG. 3). As the sixth force, there is a force in the lateral direction (see arrow A6 in FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0027] In the terminal fixing structure 1, the first engaged portion 23 of the stress reduction member 9 is engaged with the first engaging portion 27 of the cover portion 13, and the second engaged portion 25 of the stress reduction member 9 is engaged with the second engaging portion 29 of the terminal 7 with a bus bar. Thereby, the value of the stress generated at the joint portion 21 when at least the first force is applied can be reduced.

[0028] Also, in the terminal fixing structure 1, as shown in FIG. 3, between the housing main body portion 11 and the cover portion 13, the stress reduction member 9, the bus bar portion 17, and the substrate 5 are arranged in this order from the upper side to the lower side in the height direction (thickness direction) of the housing 3. Thereby, the stress reduction member 9 is located on the cover portion 13 side, and the bus bar portion 17 is located on the housing main body portion 11 side.

[0029] And the stress reduction member 9, the bus bar portion 17, and the substrate 5 are sandwiched between the housing main body portion 11 and the cover portion 13 with an appropriate biasing force in the height direction, for example.

[0030] By being sandwiched in this way, when a moment around an axis (axis extending in the vertical and horizontal directions) orthogonal to the central axis of at least the terminal portion 19 among the forces is applied to the terminal portion 19, the value of the stress generated at the joint portion 21 is reduced. The moment around the axis extending in the vertical and horizontal directions is the second force and the third force (see arrows A2 and A3 in FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0031] That is, most of the moments around the axes extending in the vertical and horizontal directions are transmitted to the housing main body portion 11 and the cover portion 13 via the stress reduction member 9, and are configured to reduce the value of the stress generated at the joint portion 21 between the bus bar portion 17 and the substrate 5.

[0032] Also, by being sandwiched in this way, for example, when the fourth to sixth forces (see arrows A4, A5, and A6 in FIGS. 2 and 3) are applied to the terminal portion 19, the value of the stress generated at the joint portion 21 can be reduced.

[0033] As described above, the stress reduction member 9 is made of a synthetic resin having insulating properties, and the stress reduction member 9 is provided integrally with the terminal portion 19 of the terminal 7 with a bus bar, for example, by insert molding.

[0034] Since the stress reduction member 9 is sandwiched and provided integrally with the terminal portion 19, when a force in the direction from the upper side to the lower side in the height direction among the four forces is applied to the terminal portion 19, the value of the stress generated at the joint portion 21 can be reduced. That is, assume that a force in the direction from the upper side to the lower side is applied to the terminal portion 19. Since this force is transmitted to the housing main body portion 11 via the stress reduction member 9 and the bus bar portion 17, the value of the stress generated at the joint portion 21 is reduced as compared with the case where the stress reduction member 9 is not employed.

[0035] Further, in the terminal fixing structure 1, a plurality (for example, three) of terminals 7 with bus bars are provided. And one stress reduction member 9 is integrated with a plurality of terminals 7 with bus bars. Also, by one stress reduction member 9, except for the connection via the substrate 5, the plurality of terminals 7 with bus bars (terminal portions 19, bus bar portions 17) are insulated from each other.

[0036] The plurality of terminals 7 with bus bars are arranged at a predetermined interval in a predetermined one direction (lateral direction). The longitudinal direction of the stress reduction member 9 is in the lateral direction. The first engaged portions 23 of the stress reduction member 9 are arranged at a plurality of positions.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, some of the first engaged portions 23A among the plurality of first engaged portions 23 are provided at one end portion (the first end portion) in the longitudinal direction (lateral direction) of the stress reduction member 9. Also, some of the first engaged portions 23A among the plurality of first engaged portions 23 are located outside the plurality of terminals 7 with bus bars in the longitudinal direction of the stress reduction member 9.

[0038] Of the plurality of first engaged parts 23, another part of the first engaged parts 23A is provided at the other end (the second end) in the longitudinal direction (lateral direction) of the stress reduction member 9. Also, of the plurality of first engaged parts 23, another part of the first engaged parts 23A is located outside the plurality of terminals 7 with bus bars in the longitudinal direction of the stress reduction member 9.

[0039] The remaining first engaged parts 23B of the plurality of first engaged parts 23 are provided at the middle part in the longitudinal direction (lateral direction) of the stress reduction member 9.

[0040] Here, the terminal fixing structure 1 will be described in more detail.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 9, the housing main body part 11 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The housing main body part 11 is a water jacket, and a cooling water flow path (not shown) is provided inside. A rectangular recess 31 is formed on the upper surface of the housing main body part 11.

[0042] Due to the formation of the recess 31, a rectangular flat surface 33 for installing the substrate 5 is formed at the center of the upper surface of the housing main body part 11. Also, due to the formation of the recess 31, a rectangular annular flat surface 35 is provided on the upper surface of the housing main body part 11 so as to surround the flat surface 33. Further, a rectangular annular side wall part 37 protrudes upward so as to surround the flat surface 35.

[0043] Note that the flat upper surfaces of the flat surface 33, the flat surface 35, and the side wall part 37 are orthogonal to the height direction. Also, in the height direction, the flat surface 35 is located slightly above the flat surface 33, and the flat upper surface of the side wall part 37 is located slightly above the flat surface 35.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the cover portion 13 is formed in a shallow rectangular box shape having a bottom wall portion 39 and side wall portions 41. A plurality of circular through-holes 43 are provided in the bottom wall portion 39. The through-holes 43 are located on one end side (first end) in the vertical direction. Further, the plurality of through-holes 43 are arranged in the horizontal direction at regular intervals. Each of the plurality of terminals 19 passes through each of the plurality of through-holes 43 in a manner of being non-contact with the cover portion 13.

[0045] When the cover portion 13 is installed on the housing main body portion 11, the front end surface (lower end surface) of the side wall portion 41 is in contact with the flat surface 35 of the housing main body portion 11. And a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped internal space 45 is formed inside the housing 3.

[0046] A first engaging portion 27 of the cover portion 13 is formed at a portion of the bottom wall portion 39 in the vicinity of the plurality of through-holes 43. A part of the first engaging portion 27, the first engaging portion 27A, is arranged at both lateral ends and is located outside the plurality of through-holes 43 in the lateral direction. The remaining first engaging portion 27B of the first engaging portion 27 is arranged at the intermediate portion in the lateral direction.

[0047] From the outer periphery of each of the through-holes 43, a low cylindrical wall portion 47 stands up by a slight height downward in the height direction. A part of the first engaging portion 27A, the first engaging portion 27Aa, is formed by a pair of wall portions (small rectangular flat plate-shaped wall portions) 49 and a small rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space 51 between the pair of wall portions 49. The wall portion 49 is formed in a small rectangular flat plate shape. The thickness direction of the wall portion 49 is in the vertical direction. The pair of wall portions 49 are parallel to each other and are close to each other.

[0048] The pair of wall portions 49 (space 51) are in contact with the wall portion 47 on both outer sides of the plurality of cylindrical wall portions 47 in the lateral direction and slightly protrude from the outer periphery of the wall portion 47. In the vertical direction, the central position of the cylindrical wall portion 47 and the central position of the space 51 coincide with each other.

[0049] Of the first engaging portions 27A, the remaining first engaging portion 27Ab and the first engaging portion 27B are formed by a cylindrical wall portion 53 having a small diameter. The cylindrical wall portion 53 is in contact with the cylindrical wall portion 47.

[0050] The protruding heights of the cylindrical wall portion 47, the small rectangular flat wall portion 49, and the small cylindrical wall portion 53 from the bottom wall portion 39 are the same as each other and are extremely small compared to the protruding height of the side wall portion 41. That is, the lower surface (the front end surface in the protruding direction) of the cylindrical wall portion 47, the lower surface (the front end surface in the protruding direction) of the small rectangular flat wall portion 49, and the lower surface (the front end surface in the protruding direction) of the small cylindrical wall portion 53 are located on one plane orthogonal to the height direction.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, the substrate 5 (substrate main body portion 15) is formed in a rectangular thin plate shape. And one surface (the lower plane) in the thickness direction is installed in the concave portion 31 (internal space 45) of the housing main body portion 11 so as to be in contact with the plane 33 of the housing main body portion 11.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the terminal 7 with a bus bar includes a metal bus bar portion 17 and a metal terminal portion 19. The terminal portion 19 includes a tip portion 55, an intermediate portion 57, a base end portion 59, and an insertion portion 61.

[0053] The tip portion 55, the intermediate portion 57, the base end portion 59, and the insertion portion 61 are arranged in this order from the upper side to the lower side in the height direction. The tip portion 55 is a male thread, the intermediate portion 57 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the base end portion 59 is formed in a square column shape, and the insertion portion 61 is also formed in a square column shape.

[0054] The value of the outer diameter dimension of the intermediate portion 57 is larger than the value of the outer diameter dimension of the tip portion 55, the value of the outer diameter dimension of the base end portion 59 is larger than the value of the outer diameter dimension of the intermediate portion 57, and the value of the outer diameter dimension of the insertion portion 61 is smaller than the value of the outer diameter dimension of the base end portion 59.

[0055] The central axis of the tip portion 55, the central axis of the intermediate portion 57, the central axis of the base end portion 59, and the central axis of the insertion portion 61 coincide with each other. Note that these central axes extend in the height direction.

[0056] The bus bar portion 17 is formed by a flat plate-like material having a predetermined shape (for example, a rectangular shape) being bent at predetermined locations (for example, two locations). More specifically, the bus bar portion 17 includes a bus bar main body portion 63, a first bus bar standing portion 65, a second bus bar standing portion 67, and a substrate insertion portion 69.

[0057] The bus bar main body portion 63 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The first bus bar standing portion 65 and the second bus bar standing portion 67 are also formed in rectangular flat plate shapes. The thickness direction of the bus bar main body portion 63 is the height direction.

[0058] The first bus bar standing portion 65 stands up by a predetermined height from the end of the bus bar main body portion 63 (the first end which is one end in the longitudinal direction) toward the lower side in the height direction. The second bus bar standing portion 67 stands up by a predetermined height from the end of the bus bar main body portion 63 (the second end which is the other end in the longitudinal direction) toward the lower side in the height direction. The thickness direction of the first bus bar standing portion 65 and the thickness direction of the second bus bar standing portion 67 are in the longitudinal direction.

[0059] A rectangular through-hole 71 is formed in the center of the bus bar main body portion 63. The insertion portion 61 of the terminal portion 19 is press-fitted into the through-hole 71 of the bus bar main body portion 63, so that the bus bar portion 17 and the terminal portion 19 are integrated. Further, in the terminal with bus bar 7, the tip portion 55, the intermediate portion 57, and the base end portion 59 of the terminal portion 19 protrude upward in the height direction from the center of the bus bar main body portion 63. Also, in the terminal with bus bar 7, the base end portion 59 is in contact with the bus bar main body portion 63.

[0060] The substrate insertion part 69 forms the joint part 21 between the substrate 5 and the terminal 7 with a bus bar, is formed by a plurality of protrusions, and slightly protrudes from the tips (lower ends in the height direction) of the first bus bar upright part 65 and the second bus bar upright part 67. Further, the plurality of protrusions 69 constituting the substrate insertion part 69 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the lateral direction.

[0061] The terminal 7 with a bus bar is symmetric with respect to a plane including the central axis of the terminal part 19 and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Further, the terminal 7 with a bus bar is symmetric with respect to a plane including the central axis of the terminal part 19 and orthogonal to the lateral direction. The second engaging part 29 of the terminal 7 with a bus bar is formed by the base end part 59 of the terminal part 19 and the upper surface of the bus bar main body part 63 of the bus bar part 17.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the stress reduction member 9 includes a member main body part 73, a short columnar protrusion (disc-shaped protrusion) 77, a short rib part 79, and a short small columnar protrusion 81. The member main body part 73 is formed in an elongated rectangular flat plate shape. The through holes 75 provided in the member main body part 73 are formed in a rectangular shape and penetrate the member main body part 73 in this thickness direction (height direction). A plurality of through holes 75 are provided, and in the longitudinal direction, they are arranged at the center of the member main body part 73, and in the lateral direction, they are arranged at a predetermined interval.

[0063] The disc-shaped protrusion 77 slightly protrudes from one surface (upper surface) in the thickness direction of the member main body part 73. The disc-shaped protrusions 77 are provided in the same number as the through holes 75. When viewed in the height direction, the disc-shaped protrusions 77 are provided so as to surround each of the plurality of through holes 75. The central axis of the through hole 75 and the central axis of the disc-shaped protrusion 77 coincide with each other. Further, the through hole 75 also penetrates the disc-shaped protrusion 77.

[0064] The rib portion 79 is composed of small rectangular parallelepiped-shaped protrusions, is located at the center of the member main body portion 73 in the vertical direction, and is provided at both end portions of the member main body portion 73 outside the disk-shaped protruding portion 77 in the vertical direction. The rib portion 79 slightly protrudes upward in the height direction from the member main body portion 73.

[0065] The columnar protruding portions 81 are located at both end portions of the member main body portion 73 in the vertical direction and are arranged at a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction.

[0066] Note that the tip surface (upper end surface) of the disk-shaped protruding portion 77, the tip surface (upper end surface) of the rib portion 79, and the tip surface (upper end surface) of the small columnar protruding portion 81 are located on one predetermined plane orthogonal to the height direction.

[0067] The through hole 75 of the stress reduction member 9 is in contact with the base end portion 59 of the terminal portion 19 of the terminal 7 with a bus bar. Also, a part of the lower plane of the member main body portion 73 of the stress reduction member 9 is in contact with the upper surface of the bus bar main body portion 63 of the bus bar portion 17. The through hole 75 of the stress reduction member 9 and one surface in the thickness direction of the bus bar main body portion 63 constitute the second engaged portion 25 of the stress reduction member 9.

[0068] The rib portion 79 and the small columnar protruding portion 81 of the stress reduction member 9 constitute the first engaged portion 23 of the stress reduction member 9. That is, in the terminal fixing structure 1, the rib portion 79 is fitted into the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space 51 of the pair of wall portions 49 of the cover portion 13, and the columnar protruding portion 81 is fitted into the cylindrical wall portion 53 of the cover portion 13.

[0069] Also, in the terminal fixing structure 1, as shown in FIG. 3, in the height direction, from the lower side to the upper side, the housing main body portion 11, the substrate 5, the bus bar portion 17 of the terminal 7 with a bus bar, the stress reduction member 9, and the cover portion 13 are arranged in this order. Further, in the terminal fixing structure 1, as described above, in the height direction, the substrate 5, the bus bar portion 17, and the stress reduction member 9 are sandwiched with a biasing force by the housing main body portion 11 and the cover portion 13.

[0070] Note that the cover portion 13 is provided with a tall cylindrical portion 83. The tall cylindrical portion 83 protrudes upward from one surface (upper surface) in the thickness direction of the bottom wall portion 39 of the cover portion 13. A plurality of tall cylindrical portions 83 are provided, and each of the plurality of tall cylindrical portions 83 surrounds each of the plurality of terminals 7 with bus bars. By providing the cylindrical portion 83, the through hole 43 provided in the bottom wall portion 39 is in a state of being extended upward from the bottom wall portion 39.

[0071] Here, the assembly procedure of the terminal fixing structure 1 will be described. Note that the terminal 7 with a bus bar and the stress reduction member 9 are integrated in advance.

[0072] First, the terminal 7 with a bus bar is installed on the substrate 5, for example, by soldering. Subsequently, the substrate 5, the terminal 7 with a bus bar, and the stress reduction member 9 are installed on the housing main body portion 11. Subsequently, the cover portion 13 is installed on the housing main body portion 11.

[0073] In the terminal fixing structure 1, the force applied to the terminal portion 19 of the terminal 7 with a bus bar is not directly transmitted to the substrate 5 or the like by the stress reduction member 9, but is transmitted to the housing 3. And the joining portion 21 between the bus bar portion 17 and the substrate 5 and the value of the stress generated in the substrate 5 are reduced (the strain is reduced).

[0074] Thereby, even when a load is applied to the terminal portion 19, it is possible to prevent a large force from being applied to the joining portion 21 between the substrate 5 and the bus bar portion 17 of the terminal 7 with a bus bar and the substrate 5. And it is possible to prevent problems such as cracks occurring in the joining portion 21 and the substrate 5.

[0075] The terminal fixing structure 301 according to the comparative example is configured to include a housing main body portion 303, a substrate 305, and a terminal 307 with a bus bar, as shown in FIG. 16. The terminal 307 with a bus bar is configured to include a bus bar portion 309 and a terminal portion 311 installed on the bus bar portion 309.

[0076] A part of the bus bar portion 309 is soldered to the substrate 305, so that the terminal 307 with a bus bar is installed on the substrate 305.

[0077] In the terminal fixing structure 301, there is no stress reduction member 9, and the bus bar portion 309 of the terminal 307 with a bus bar is directly provided on the substrate 305 by soldering. Therefore, when the connection LA terminal on the harness side is installed on the male screw portion of the terminal portion 311 using a nut, the load applied to the terminal portion 311 (especially the moment around the terminal portion 311) is directly applied to the substrate 305.

[0078] Also, in the terminal fixing structure 1, the first engaged portion 23 is engaged with the first engaging portion 27, and the second engaged portion 25 is engaged with the second engaging portion 29.

[0079] Due to the above engagement, when a moment around the central axis of the terminal portion 19 is applied to the terminal portion 19, most of the moment is transmitted to the cover portion 13 (housing 3) via the stress reduction member 9. And the value of the stress generated at the joint portion 21 between the bus bar portion 17 and the substrate 5 is reduced.

[0080] With such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide the second engaging portion 29 on the housing main body portion 11 and the substrate 5. And the configuration of the housing main body portion 11 and the substrate 5 can be simplified. Further, it is not necessary to provide holes or the like for forming the second engaging portion 29 on the substrate 5, and the mounting space for electronic components can be secured.

[0081] Also, in the terminal fixing structure 1, the stress reduction member 9, the bus bar portion 17, and the substrate 5 are arranged in the height direction of the housing 3 between the housing main body portion 11 and the cover portion 13. Further, the stress reduction member 9, the bus bar portion 17, and the substrate 5 are sandwiched between the housing main body portion 11 and the cover portion 13 with a biasing force.

[0082] Furthermore, in the terminal fixing structure 1, due to the above-mentioned clamping, when a moment about an axis orthogonal to the central axis of the terminal portion 19 is applied to the terminal portion 19, most of this moment is transmitted to the cover portion 13 via the stress reducing member 9. And it is configured to reduce the value of the stress generated at the joint portion 21 between the bus bar portion 17 and the substrate 5.

[0083] With such a configuration, assume that moments about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction and an axis extending in the lateral direction are applied to the terminal portion 19. Even when the above-mentioned moment is applied, it is possible to prevent a large force from being applied to the joint portion 21 between the substrate 5 and the bus bar portion 17 of the terminal with bus bar 7 and the substrate 5.

[0084] Also, in the terminal fixing structure 1, the stress reducing member 9 is integrally provided on the terminal portion 19 of the terminal with bus bar 7. Thereby, the number of components in the terminal fixing structure 1 is reduced, and furthermore, it is possible to surely prevent the occurrence of play between the stress reducing member 9 and the terminal with bus bar 7.

[0085] Also, in the terminal fixing structure 1, a plurality of terminals with bus bar 7 are provided, and one stress reducing member 9 is integrated with the plurality of terminals with bus bar 7. Thereby, the assembly of the terminal fixing structure 1 becomes easier.

[0086] Also, in the terminal fixing structure 1, a part of the plurality of first engaged portions 23, i.e., the first engaged portion 23A, is provided at one end portion (the first end portion) in the longitudinal direction of the stress reducing member 9. Also, a part of the plurality of first engaged portions 23, i.e., the first engaged portion 23A, is located outside the plurality of terminals with bus bar 7 in the longitudinal direction of the stress reducing member 9.

[0087] Furthermore, in the terminal fixing structure 1, some other first engaged portions 23A among the plurality of first engaged portions 23 are provided at the other end portion (the second end portion) in the longitudinal direction of the stress reducing member 9. Also, some other first engaged portions 23A among the plurality of first engaged portions 23 are located outside the plurality of terminals 7 with bus bars in the longitudinal direction of the stress reducing member 9.

[0088] With such a configuration, when a first force is applied to the terminal portion 19, the first force can be more reliably received by the housing 3.

[0089] The terminal fixing structure 1 is adapted to be employed in the electric circuit of an automotive battery pack. Thereby, heat dissipation against heat generation due to a large current or the like can be efficiently achieved by the metal housing.

[0090] [Second Embodiment] The terminal fixing structure 1a according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15.

[0091] The terminal fixing structure 1a according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the terminal fixing structure 1 according to the first embodiment in that most of the force applied to the terminal portion 19 is transmitted to the housing main body portion 11, and the other points are configured in the same manner as the terminal fixing structure 1.

[0092] That is, in the terminal fixing structure 1a, a first engaged portion 23 and a second engaged portion 25 are provided on the stress reducing member 9 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). A first engaging portion 27 with which the first engaged portion 23 is engaged is provided on the housing main body portion 11. A second engaging portion 29 with which the second engaged portion 25 is engaged is provided on the terminal 7 with a bus bar (see FIG. 14).

[0093] In the terminal fixing structure 1a according to the second embodiment, the forms of the first engaged portion 23 and the first engaging portion 27 are different from those of the terminal fixing structure 1 according to the first embodiment. The forms of the second engaged portion 25 and the second engaging portion 29 are the same as those of the terminal fixing structure 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0094] In the terminal fixing structure 1a according to the second embodiment, the first engaged portion 23 is engaged with the first engaging portion 27, and the second engaged portion 25 is engaged with the second engaging portion 29. Thereby, when a moment (torque) about the central axis of the terminal portion 19 is applied to the terminal portion 19, most of the moment about the central axis of the terminal portion 19 is transmitted to the housing main body portion 11 (housing 3) via the stress reducing member 9. And it is comprised so that the value of the stress which generate | occur | produces in the joining site | part 21 of the bus bar part 17 and the board | substrate 5 may be reduced.

[0095] The terminal fixing structure 1a will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 12, the first engaged portion 23 of the stress reducing member 9 is formed by small columnar protrusions 85. The protrusion 85 protrudes by a predetermined height from the lower surface in the height direction of the member main body portion 73 of the stress reducing member 9. A plurality of protrusions 85 are provided, and in the vertical direction, they are located at the center of the member main body portion 73, and in the horizontal direction, they are arranged at regular intervals. Note that the protrusion 85 does not necessarily have to be located at the center of the member main body portion 73 in the vertical direction, and may be provided at an end portion or the like.

[0096] The first engaging portion 27 of the housing main body portion 11 is formed by a plurality of columnar holes (blind holes) 87 provided in the housing main body portion 11 in accordance with the protrusions 85. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, each of the protrusions 85 is fitted into each of the plurality of holes 87, whereby the first engaged portion 23 is engaged with the first engaging portion 27 (see FIG. 15).

[0097] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, a plurality of through holes 89 are also provided in the substrate 5, and the protrusions 85 penetrate through the through holes 89. Further, the recess shown by reference numeral 91 in FIG. 14 is a recess for avoiding contact between the substrate insertion portion 69 of the terminal 7 with a bus bar and the housing main body portion 11. In the recess 91, a portion of the substrate insertion portion 69 protruding below the substrate 5 and the solder enter the housing main body portion 11 in a non-contact state. In FIG. 9, the display of the recess 91 is omitted.

[0098] Further, in the terminal fixing structure 1a, as shown in FIG. 10, the first engaging portion 27 is not provided on the cover portion 13 of the housing 3.

[0099] In the terminal fixing structure 1a, the first engaged portion 23 is engaged with the first engaging portion 27, and the second engaged portion 25 is engaged with the second engaging portion 29. With such a configuration, when a moment about the central axis of the terminal portion 19 is applied to the terminal portion 19, most of the moment is transmitted to the housing main body portion 11 (housing 3) via the stress reducing member 9. And the value of the stress generated at the joint portion 21 between the bus bar portion 17 and the substrate 5 is reduced.

[0100] With such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide the second engaging portion 29 on the cover portion 13, and the configuration of the cover portion 13 can be simplified.

[0101] Note that, in the terminal fixing structure 1, the first engaging portion 27 is provided on the cover portion 13, and in the terminal fixing structure 1a, the first engaging portion 27 is provided on the housing main body portion 11. However, the first engaging portion 27 may be provided on both the housing main body portion 11 and the cover portion 13. In this case, the first engaged portion 23 of the stress reducing member 9 is configured to be engaged with the first engaging portion 27 of the housing main body portion 11 and the first engaging portion 27 of the cover portion 13.

[0102] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0103] 1 Terminal fixing structure 3 Housing 5 Substrate 7 Terminal with bus bar 9 Stress reducing member 11 Housing main body portion 13 Cover portion 17 Bus bar portion 19 Terminal portion 21 Joint part 23 First engaged part 25 Second engaged part 27 First engaging part 29 Second engaging part

Claims

1. A housing comprising a housing main body portion and a cover portion installed on the housing main body portion, a substrate installed in the housing, a bus bar terminal including a bus bar portion and a terminal portion installed on the bus bar portion, the bus bar portion being installed on the substrate by being joined to the substrate, and at least a part of the terminal portion protruding from the housing, a stress reduction member provided in the housing and engaged with the bus bar terminal and the housing to reduce the value of stress generated at the joint portion between the bus bar portion and the substrate due to the force applied to the terminal portion of the bus bar terminal, A terminal fixing structure having the above.

2. The stress reduction member is provided with a first engaged portion and a second engaged portion, the cover portion is provided with a first engaging portion with which the first engaged portion is engaged, the bus bar terminal is provided with a second engaging portion with which the second engaged portion is engaged, When the first engaged portion is engaged with the first engaging portion and the second engaged portion is engaged with the second engaging portion, and a moment around the central axis of the terminal portion among the forces is applied to the terminal portion, the moment is transmitted to the cover portion through the stress reduction member, and the value of stress generated at the joint portion between the bus bar portion and the substrate is reduced. The terminal fixing structure according to claim 1.

3. The stress reduction member is provided with a first engaged portion and a second engaged portion, the housing main body portion is provided with a first engaging portion with which the first engaged portion is engaged, the bus bar terminal is provided with a second engaging portion with which the second engaged portion is engaged, The first engaged portion is engaged with the first engaging portion, and the second engaged portion is engaged with the second engaging portion. When a moment about the central axis of the terminal portion among the forces is applied to the terminal portion, the moment about the central axis is transmitted to the housing main body portion via the stress reduction member, and the value of the stress generated at the joint portion between the bus bar portion and the substrate is reduced. The terminal fixing structure according to claim 1.

4. Between the housing main body portion and the cover portion, the stress reduction member, the bus bar portion, and the substrate are arranged in the height direction of the housing, and the stress reduction member, the bus bar portion, and the substrate are sandwiched between the housing main body portion and the cover portion. Due to the sandwiching, when a moment about an axis orthogonal to the central axis of the terminal portion among the forces is applied to the terminal portion, the moment about the axis orthogonal to the central axis is transmitted to the housing main body portion and the cover portion via the stress reduction member, and the value of the stress generated at the joint portion between the bus bar portion and the substrate is reduced. The terminal fixing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The stress reduction member is integrally provided on the terminal portion of the terminal with a bus bar. The terminal fixing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The terminal fixing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is adopted in an electric circuit of an automotive battery pack.

Images