1-pole terminal block and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

To provide a one polarity terminal block which can support various specifications.SOLUTION: A one polarity terminal block 1A is a component used for connection of wirings. The one polarity terminal block 1A comprises: a terminal 2 of a one polarity, in which a first connection part 21 is formed on one end side while a second connection part 22 is formed on the other end side, and a center part is formed in a circular column shape; a metal collar 3; and a resin part 4 holding the center part of the terminal 2 and the collar 3. The first connection part 21 is formed in a half-circular column shape, and provided with a volt insertion hole 23. The second connection part 22 is formed in the circular column shape, and provided with a female screw part 24. The resin part 4 comprises: a cross-sectional circular-shaped holding hole into which the center part of the terminal 2 is inserted; and a falling stopper part that is engaged with the center part of the terminal 2. The terminal 2 is rotatably held with respect to the resin part 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Terminal blocks for connecting wires have a variety of structures, one example of which is shown in Fig. 7 (see Patent Document 1). Terminal block 500 shown in Fig. 7 is fixed to the housing of a traction motor mounted on an automobile, and includes three bus bars 502, two collars 503, and housing 504 that holds them.

[0003] Each bus bar 502 includes a first connection portion 521 and a second connection portion 522. The first connection portion 521 is connected to, for example, a terminal of a traction motor. The second connection portion 522 is connected to, for example, a terminal of an inverter.

[0004] Collar 503 is made of metal and is formed in a cylindrical shape. A bolt for fixing terminal block 500 to the housing of the traction motor is passed through collar 503.

[0005] Housing 504 is made of insulating synthetic resin. Housing 504 is formed by filling a cavity of a mold with molten resin and solidifying the molten resin. Bus bar 502 and collar 503 are set in the cavity of the mold when housing 504 is molded, and are insert-molded into housing 504.

[0006] In addition to the terminal block 500, there are terminal blocks of various shapes to suit the mounting conditions of each vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-52013 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In order to manufacture the various shapes of terminal blocks described above, it is necessary to create a mold for each product, which poses the problem of increased development time and costs.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a single-pole terminal block that can accommodate a variety of specifications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention comprises a terminal having a first connection portion formed on one end side and a second connection portion formed on the other end side, and a cylindrically shaped central portion, and a resin portion that holds the central portion of the terminal, the resin portion having a holding hole with a circular cross section through which the central portion of the terminal passes, and a retaining portion that engages with the central portion of the terminal, and the terminal is held rotatably relative to the resin portion. The retaining portion is an annular rib protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the holding hole, and an annular groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the central portion of the terminal, into which the retaining portion engages. This is a single-pole terminal block characterized by the following:

[0011] The present invention is a method for manufacturing the single-pole terminal block, characterized in that the terminal and the resin portion are molded separately, and the terminal is press-fitted into a holding hole in the resin portion for assembly.

[0012] The present invention is a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned single-pole terminal block, characterized in that a lubricant is applied to the pre-molded terminal, the lubricated terminal is set in a cavity of a mold unit for molding the resin part, and molten resin is filled into the cavity to mold the resin part. The present invention is a method for manufacturing a single-pole terminal block comprising: a terminal having a first connection portion formed on one end side and a second connection portion formed on the other end side, and having a cylindrical central portion; and a resin portion holding the central portion of the terminal, wherein the resin portion has a retaining hole with a circular cross section through which the central portion of the terminal passes, and a retaining portion that engages with the central portion of the terminal, and the terminal is held rotatably relative to the resin portion, the method comprising the steps of applying a lubricant to the pre-molded terminal, setting the lubricated terminal in a cavity of a mold unit for molding the resin portion, and filling the cavity with molten resin to mold the resin portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a single-pole terminal block that can accommodate a variety of specifications. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a single-pole terminal block according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a terminal block assembly structure in which the one-pole terminal block of FIG. 1 is attached to an attachment portion, where (a) is a rear view and (b) is a plan view. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing another terminal block assembly structure in which the one-pole terminal block of FIG. 1 is attached to an attachment portion, where (a) is a rear view and (b) is a plan view. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a single-pole terminal block according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional terminal block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A single-pole terminal block and a method for manufacturing the single-pole terminal block according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] 1 and 2 is a component used to connect wires together. This single-pole terminal block 1A includes a first connection portion 21 at one end, a second connection portion 22 at the other end, a single-pole terminal 2 with a cylindrical central portion, a collar 3, and a resin portion 4 that holds the central portion of the terminal 2 and the collar 3.

[0017] The first connecting portion 21 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape obtained by dividing a cylinder into two by a plane passing through the center axis of the cylinder, and is provided with a bolt insertion hole 23 .

[0018] The second connecting portion 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a female thread portion 24. The female thread portion 24 is composed of a hole recessed from the other end of the terminal 2 and a spiral thread cut on the inner circumferential surface of the hole.

[0019] The outer peripheral surface of the central portion of the terminal 2 is formed with an annular groove 25 into which the retaining portion 45 of the resin portion 4 engages, and an annular packing mounting groove 26 into which an annular packing 51 is mounted.

[0020] The collar 3 is made of metal and is formed in a cylindrical shape. A bolt is passed through the collar 3 to fix the single-pole terminal block 1A to the mounting portion.

[0021] The resin portion 4 is made of an insulating synthetic resin and includes a cylindrical terminal holding portion 42 and a plate-like collar holding portion 43 connected to the outer peripheral surface of the terminal holding portion 42. The terminal holding portion 42 includes a holding hole 41 with a circular cross section through which the center of the terminal 2 passes, and a retaining portion 45 that engages with the groove 25 of the terminal 2. The retaining portion 45 is an annular rib that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the holding hole 41. In addition, an annular packing mounting groove 44 in which an annular packing 52 is mounted is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal holding portion 42.

[0022] The terminal 2 has a first connecting portion 21 protruding from one end surface of the terminal holding portion 42, a second connecting portion 22 protruding from the other end surface of the terminal holding portion 42, and a central portion positioned in the holding hole 41. The terminal 2 is rotatably held relative to the resin portion 4 by the retaining portion 45 engaging with the groove 25. In addition, a packing 51 attached to the packing attachment groove 26 seals the outer peripheral surface of the central portion of the terminal 2 and the inner peripheral surface of the holding hole 41.

[0023] The collar 3 is insert-molded into the resin part 4. The outer peripheral surface of the collar 3 is covered with a collar holding part 43. The central axis of the collar 3 is parallel to the central axis of the second connecting part 22.

[0024] The single-pole terminal block 1A is manufactured by the following method. First, the terminal 2 and the resin part 4 are molded separately. Next, the packing 51 is attached to the packing attachment groove 26 of the terminal 2. Then, the terminal 2 is press-fitted into the retaining hole 41 of the resin part 4 to assemble it. The single-pole terminal block 1A is manufactured by this procedure.

[0025] The single-pole terminal block 1A obtained by the above-described manufacturing method is attached to a mounting portion as shown in, for example, FIGS.

[0026] 3(a) and 3(b) shows a terminal block assembly structure 7 in which three 1-pole terminal blocks 1A are attached to a mounting portion 8. The three 1-pole terminal blocks 1A are attached to the mounting portion 8 with the bolt insertion holes 23 oriented in different directions relative to the collar 3.

[0027] The mounting portion 8 is a housing of an inverter mounted on an automobile. The mounting portion 8 is formed with three insertion holes 82 through which the terminal holding portions 42 of the three 1-pole terminal blocks 1A are inserted, and three bolt insertion holes 83 through which the bolts that have been passed through the collars 3 of the 1-pole terminal blocks 1A are passed.

[0028] Each one-pole terminal block 1A is inserted into each insertion hole 82, a bolt is inserted into each collar 3 and each bolt insertion hole 83, and a nut is screwed onto the bolt, thereby fixing each one-pole terminal block 1A to the mounting portion 8. In addition, the space between the insertion hole 82 and the terminal holding portion 42 is sealed by the packing 52 attached to the packing attachment groove 44 of each one-pole terminal block 1A.

[0029] 3(b), the first connection portion 21 of each single-pole terminal block 1A is positioned on one side of the mounting portion 8, i.e., inside the housing. These first connection portions 21 are overlapped with the terminals of the inverter and are fastened together by a bolt inserted into the bolt insertion hole 23 and a nut threaded onto the bolt.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3(b), the second connection portion 22 of each single-pole terminal block 1A is positioned on the other side of the mounting portion 8, i.e., on the outside of the housing. Round terminals connected to the ends of electric wires are placed over these second connection portions 22, and the second connection portions 22 are fastened together with the round terminals by bolts threaded into the female thread portions 24.

[0031] Such a terminal block assembly structure 7 uses three unconnected one-pole terminal blocks 1A, and can therefore flexibly accommodate changes in the position of the bolt insertion holes 83 in the mounting portion 8, changes in the pitch between the terminals 2, changes in the number of poles of the terminals 2, etc. Furthermore, in the one-pole terminal block 1A, the terminals 2 are rotatably held relative to the resin portion 4, so the position of the collar 3 can be changed to suit the conditions of the mounting portion 8 (such as the positional relationship with other components). In this way, the one-pole terminal block 1A can accommodate a variety of specifications.

[0032] 4(a) and 4(b) shows a terminal block assembly structure 107 in which four one-pole terminal blocks 1A are attached to an attachment portion 108. Similar to the terminal block assembly structure 7, this terminal block assembly structure 107 uses four unconnected one-pole terminal blocks 1A, and therefore can flexibly accommodate changes in the position of the bolt insertion holes in the attachment portion 108, changes in the pitch between the terminals 2, changes in the number of poles of the terminals 2, etc.

[0033] A single-pole terminal block and a method for manufacturing the single-pole terminal block according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. In Figures 5 and 6, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0034] In the single-pole terminal block 1B of this example, the terminal 102 is insert-molded into the resin part 104. When insert-molding, a lubricant is applied to the pre-molded terminal 102, and the lubricant-coated terminal 102 is set in a cavity of a mold unit for molding the resin part 104. Molten resin is then filled into the cavity to mold the resin part 104.

[0035] In the single-pole terminal block 1B obtained by the above-described manufacturing method, the terminal 102 is held rotatably relative to the resin part 104.

[0036] The resin part 104 of this example has the same configuration as the resin part 4 of the first embodiment, except that no tapered surface is formed on the retaining portion 145. Furthermore, the single-pole terminal block 1B of this example does not need to seal the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the center portion of the terminal 102 and the inner peripheral surface of the holding hole 41, so no packing is placed in this area. Therefore, no packing mounting groove is formed in the center portion of the terminal 102.

[0037] The one-pole terminal block 1B of this example functions in the same manner as the one-pole terminal block 1A of the first embodiment.

[0038] The above-described embodiment merely shows a typical form of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In other words, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the gist of the present invention. As long as such modifications still include the configuration of the present invention, they are of course included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1A,1B 1 pole terminal block 2,102 terminals 3 colors 4,104 Resin part 21 First connection part 22 Second connection part 41 Retaining hole 45,145 Retaining part

Claims

1. a terminal having a first connection portion formed on one end side, a second connection portion formed on the other end side, and a cylindrical central portion; a resin portion that holds a central portion of the terminal, the resin portion includes a retaining hole having a circular cross section through which a central portion of the terminal is passed, and a retaining portion that engages with the central portion of the terminal, the terminal is rotatably held relative to the resin portion, the retaining portion is an annular rib protruding from an inner circumferential surface of the retaining hole, An annular groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the central portion of the terminal, with which the retaining portion engages. A single-pole terminal block characterized by:

2. A cylindrical collar is provided which is held by the resin portion.

2. The one-pole terminal block according to claim 1.

3. A method for manufacturing the one-pole terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, The terminal and the resin portion are molded separately, The terminal is press-fitted into the holding hole of the resin portion to assemble it. A method for manufacturing a one-pole terminal block.

4. A method for manufacturing the one-pole terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, applying a lubricant to the preformed terminal; The terminal to which the lubricant has been applied is set in a cavity of a mold unit for molding the resin portion; The cavity is filled with molten resin to form the resin portion. A method for manufacturing a one-pole terminal block.

5. A method for manufacturing a one-pole terminal block, comprising: a terminal having a first connection portion formed on one end side and a second connection portion formed on the other end side, the central portion of which is formed in a cylindrical shape; and a resin portion holding the central portion of the terminal, the resin portion having a retaining hole with a circular cross section through which the central portion of the terminal passes, and a retaining portion that engages with the central portion of the terminal, the terminal being held rotatably relative to the resin portion, applying a lubricant to the preformed terminal; The terminal to which the lubricant has been applied is set in a cavity of a mold unit for molding the resin portion; The cavity is filled with molten resin to form the resin portion. A method for manufacturing a one-pole terminal block.

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