Terminal block

Abstract

To provide a connection structure capable of suppressing diffusion of foreign substances.SOLUTION: A connection structure 100 is a structure for connecting a conductive bus bar 10 to a connection target. The connection structure 100 includes: a connection unit 18 that is provided in the bus bar 10 and serves as a connection portion of the connection target; and a holder 30 that accommodates foreign substances generated in the connection unit 18. The connection unit 18 includes a screw engagement portion A between a bolt 16 extending in a plate thickness direction of the bus bar 10 and a nut 17 into which the bolt 16 is screwed. In the holder 30, a labyrinth structure 38 is formed by a first recess 36 and a second recess 37 that are a plurality of spaces for accommodating the foreign substances, and a first partition P1 and a second partition P2 that are a partition for partitioning the plurality of spaces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , Along the axis, from one side to the other side , end

[0001] The present invention ,end relates to a sub-base.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a connection structure for fastening a bus bar connected to an electronic component and a terminal of an external connector has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the terminal connection portion structure (connection structure) described in Patent Document 1, a bus bar housed in a housing case and a connector terminal inserted from the outside into the housing case are fastened by bolts.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the terminal block described above, foreign matter such as wear powder occurs in the portion where the bolt is fastened, and the problem is that this foreign matter diffuses into the housing case.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sub-base that can suppress the diffusion of foreign matter. end

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, terminal block is a connection structure for connecting a conductive bus bar to a connection target, A terminal block comprising a housing for holding the busbars. comprising: The aforementioned connection structure is a connection portion provided on the bus bar and serving as a connection location for the connection target, and a diffusion prevention portion for accommodating foreign matter generated in the connection portion, and the connection portion is in the thickness direction of the bus bar The aforementioned Along the axis, from one side to the other side Along the axis, from one side to the other sideThe fastening member comprises an extending fastening member and a fastened member into which the fastening member screws, and the diffusion prevention part comprises a labyrinth structure consisting of a plurality of spaces for containing the foreign matter and partitions separating the plurality of spaces. The housing is provided with an installation recess that opens on one side in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the fastened member is housed in the installation recess on one side in the axial direction, and the diffusion prevention part is housed in the installation recess on the other side in the axial direction, and the diffusion prevention part is provided with a shielding part that overlaps the opening of the installation recess when viewed from one side in the perpendicular direction. It is characterized by the following:

[0007] Furthermore, the terminal block is characterized by having the above-described connection structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the diffusion of foreign matter can be suppressed. end We can provide a sub-unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Exploded perspective view of a terminal block with a connection structure. [Figure 2] A perspective view of the terminal block after it has been assembled. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Enlarged perspective view of the holder that constitutes the connection structure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In this embodiment, arrows X, Y, and Z in the drawings are in mutually orthogonal directions. The central axis direction of the second insertion hole 15 (insertion hole) in the housing 20, which will be described later, is indicated by arrow Z and is written as "up and down direction Z". One side of the up and down direction Z is written as "upper side Z1", and the other side as "lower side Z2". The front and rear direction of the housing 20 is written as "front and rear direction X (orthogonal direction)", one side of the front and rear direction X is written as "front side X1", and the other side as "rear side X2". The width direction of the housing 20 is written as "left and right direction Y (orthogonal direction)", one side of the left and right direction Y is written as "left side Y1", and the other side as "right side Y2". These direction definitions are for the convenience of explanation only and do not limit the direction during the manufacturing and use of the terminal block 1. Furthermore, for components such as the busbar 10, mounting recess 28, and receiving portion 32 described later, where multiple similar components are provided, some reference numerals may be omitted to avoid complexity.

[0011] The terminal block 1 of this embodiment is a type of connector assembled to electrical equipment, and for example, it connects one electrical device (e.g., a battery) and another electrical device (e.g., an inverter) mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the terminal block 1 comprises busbars 10 and a housing 20 that holds the busbars 10. The busbars 10 are formed in a plate shape using a conductive metal material, and in this embodiment, three are arranged side by side in the left-right direction Y. The busbars 10 have vertical plate portions 11 extending in the up-down direction Z, and a first connection hole 12 penetrating in the front-rear direction X is formed at the lower end of the vertical plate portion 11. A screw member (not shown) is inserted through the first connection hole 12, and the busbar 10 is connected to the terminal of a wire connected to one of the electrical devices mentioned above via the screw member.

[0012] The upper end of the vertical plate portion 11 is bent toward the front side X1 to form a bent portion 13, and a horizontal plate portion 14 extending toward the front side X1 is continuous with the tip of the bent portion 13. The horizontal plate portion 14 has a second through hole 15 (insertion hole) that penetrates in the vertical direction Z (i.e., in the plate thickness direction). The second through hole 15 is a connection point such as the terminal of an electric wire connected to another electrical device among the electrical devices that are the target of connection as described above, and constitutes the connection part in this embodiment, through which a bolt 16 (see Figure 3), which will be described later as a fastening member, can be inserted. As shown in Figure 3, the bolt 16 has a head 16a positioned on the upper side Z1 (one side in the axial direction) of the busbar 10 and a male threaded portion 16b that is inserted through the second through hole 15 and extends in the vertical direction Z. In this embodiment, the bolt 16 is composed of a head 16a and a male threaded portion 16b, but it is not limited to this configuration, and a flange bolt having a flange portion projecting radially outward between the head 16a and the male threaded portion 16b may also be used.

[0013] A nut 17, which is the fastened member, is positioned on the lower end side of the male threaded portion 16b. The nut 17 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a female threaded portion 17a formed in the center is screwed onto the lower end of the male threaded portion 16b. The screwed portion of the male threaded portion 16b and the female threaded portion 17a constitutes the screw engagement portion A in this embodiment. With the bolt 16 and nut 17 configured in this way, for example, a round terminal of an electric wire connected to the above-mentioned electrical equipment is connected and fixed to the busbar 10. The second insertion hole 15 and the screw engagement portion A described above constitute the connection portion 18 in this embodiment.

[0014] The housing 20 is formed from a resin material. The housing 20 includes a support portion 21 that covers the outer surface of the vertical plate portion 11 of the bus bar 10, and a plate-shaped main body portion 22 that extends in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y from the upper end of the support portion 21. The support portion 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends in the vertical direction Z. Three bus bars 10 are inserted through the support portion 21 in the vertical direction Z and fixed in a state where their outer surfaces are covered. Various configurations can be used to fix the bus bars 10. For example, through holes (not shown) may be formed in the support portion 21, and the bus bars 10 may be inserted through these through holes and then fixed, or the bus bars 10 and the support portion 21 may be integrated by molding. A holder housing portion 23 is formed on the upper surface of the main body portion 22, opening to the upper side Z1 and the front side X1 (one side in the orthogonal direction).

[0015] Three holder housing sections 23 are formed to match the number of busbars 10, and are arranged in the left-right direction Y. Inside each is a holder 30 (diffusion prevention section), which will be described later. A nut housing section 24 is formed on the upper edge of the holder housing section 23. The nut housing section 24 has a side wall 25 that rises from the upper edge of the holder housing section 23 to the upper side Z1, and, like the holder housing section 23, opens to the upper side Z1 and the front side X1. A nut 17 is housed inside the nut housing section 24. Of the side walls 25 of the nut housing section 24, the lower inner ends of the side walls 25 located on the left side Y1 and the right side Y2 have first support projections 26 that project inward in the left-right direction Y.

[0016] The first support projection 26 abuts against the lower surface of the nut 17 and supports the nut 17 toward the upper side Z1. In addition, a second support projection 27 is formed on the inner central part of the left side Y1 and the right side Y2 of the side wall 25, projecting inward in the left-right direction Y. The second support projection 27 abuts against the side surface of the nut 17 and restricts the displacement of the nut 17 in the left-right direction Y. The holder housing portion 23 and the nut housing portion 24 formed in this manner constitute an installation recess 28 that opens to the front side X1 of the housing 20. The nut 17 is housed in the upper side Z1 within the installation recess 28, and the holder 30 is housed in the lower side Z2 within the installation recess 28.

[0017] The holder 30 is a diffusion prevention part of the present embodiment that prevents foreign matter from diffusing into the housing 20 by accommodating foreign matter generated in the above-described connection part 18 (the second insertion hole 15 and the screw engagement part A). It is formed using a resin material and is detachable from the installation recess 28. As shown in FIG. 4, the holder 30 includes a plate-shaped shielding part 31 that extends in the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z. The shielding part 31 is a part that shields the opening on the front side X1 of the above-described installation recess 28, and the dimension in the up-down direction Z thereof is formed to be substantially the same as the dimension in the up-down direction Z of the installation recess 28. A receiving part 32 that protrudes toward the rear side X2 is formed on the surface facing the rear side X2 of the shielding part 31. The receiving part 32 is a part that is accommodated in the holder accommodating part 23 of the installation recess 28, and three receiving parts 32 are formed in accordance with the number of the installation recesses 28 and are arranged side by side at intervals in the left-right direction Y.

[0018] The receiving part 32 includes a substantially rectangular plate-shaped bottom plate 33, a frame part 34 that rises upward Z1 from the edge of the bottom plate 33, and a cylindrical part 35 that is provided at the center of the bottom plate 33. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical part 35 is formed in a cylindrical shape, extends upward Z1, and has an opening on the upper side Z1. As shown in FIG. 3, in the state where the receiving part 32 is accommodated in the holder accommodating part 23 and the nut 17 is accommodated in the nut accommodating part 24, the central axis of the cylindrical part 35 is coaxial with the central axis of the second insertion hole 15 and the central axis of the nut 17. In this state, the inside of the cylindrical part 35 is disposed at least on the lower side Z2 of the screw engagement part A and opens toward the connection part 18. The inside of this cylindrical part 35 constitutes the first recess 36 (space) of the present embodiment. Further, in the receiving part 32, the portion between the outer surface of the cylindrical part 35 and the inner surface of the frame part 34 covers the first recess 36 around the central axis (axis line) of the screw engagement part A and opens toward the connection part 18 in the same manner as the first recess 36, constituting the second recess 37 (space) of the present embodiment.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, on the surface facing the rear side X2 of the shielding portion 31, between the receiving portions 32, a connecting portion 39 protruding toward the rear side X2 is formed. The connecting portion 39 is a portion for fixing the holder 30 installed in the installation recess 28 to the housing 20, and a total of two are formed side by side in the left-right direction Y. The connecting portion 39 includes a connecting main body 39a and an insertion piece 39b extending from the rear end portion of the connecting main body 39a toward the rear side X2. The connecting main body 39a is formed in a substantially rectangular bar shape and extends toward the rear side X2. The connecting main body 39a is sandwiched in the left-right direction Y by the side wall 25 in the nut accommodating portion 24 with the holder 30 installed in the installation recess 28, and displacement in the left-right direction Y is restricted. The insertion piece 39b is formed in a plate shape and extends toward the rear side X2, and is inserted into a through hole 19 (see FIG. 3) in the front-rear direction X provided in the housing 20. A claw portion 39c protruding downward Z2 is formed at the rear end portion of the insertion piece 39b, and the claw portion 39c functions as a retaining means for restricting the insertion piece 39b from coming out of the through hole.

[0020] With such a configuration, when the holder 30 is installed in the installation recess 28, as described above, the central axis of the second insertion hole 15, the central axis of the nut 17, and the central axis of the cylindrical portion 35 become coaxial. Then, the first recess 36 and the second recess 37 open toward the connecting portion 18. And as shown in FIG. 3, the shielding portion 31 overlaps the opening of the front side X1 of the installation recess 28 when viewed from the front side X1. That is, the shielding portion 31 shields the opening of the installation recess 28. And according to this configuration, even if foreign matters such as wear powder generated at the connecting portion 18 attempt to diffuse downward Z2, the foreign matters fall into the first recess 36 and are accommodated in the first recess 36, suppressing the diffusion of the foreign matters.

[0021] Furthermore, if foreign matter contained in the first recess 36 were to become airborne or otherwise attempt to diffuse outside the first recess 36, the second recess 37 covering the first recess 36 would contain the foreign matter, thereby suppressing its diffusion. Additionally, the formation of the first recess 36 and the second recess 37 allows foreign matter that would otherwise diffuse from the connection portion 18 without being contained in the first recess 36 to be directly contained in the second recess 37. Moreover, if foreign matter contained in the second recess 37 were to become airborne or otherwise attempt to diffuse outside the second recess 37, it could be contained in the first recess 36. In other words, the holder 30 is provided with multiple spaces for containing foreign matter, and the diffusion of foreign matter is prevented in two stages by the first recess 36 and the second recess 37.

[0022] Furthermore, the boundary between the first recess 36 and the second recess 37 constitutes a first partition P1 (partition) that divides the multiple spaces. Also, the boundary between the second recess 37 and the outside of the holder 30 constitutes a second partition P2 (partition) that divides the multiple spaces. By providing the first partition P1 and the second partition P2, the virtual diffusion path of foreign matter becomes a complex diffusion path that overcomes the first partition P1 and the second partition P2, respectively. As a result, the diffusion rate of foreign matter decreases when overcoming the first partition P1 and the second partition P2, thereby suppressing the diffusion of foreign matter. In this embodiment, the first recess 36 and the second recess 37 (multiple spaces that contain foreign matter) and the first partition P1 and the second partition P2 (partition) that divide the multiple spaces are collectively referred to as a labyrinth structure 38.

[0023] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of reliably accommodating foreign matter generated at the connection portion 18, it is preferable that the opening area of ​​the first recess 36 be formed to be larger than the opening area of ​​the nut 17. In addition, it is preferable that the dimension from the left end Y1 to the right end Y2, and the dimension from the front end X1 to the rear end X2 in the second recess 37, i.e., the dimension in the orthogonal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction Z, be set to be larger than the dimension in the same direction in the nut 17.

[0024] The connection structure 100, which connects the busbar 10 to the object to be connected, is configured as described above, with the connecting part 18 and the holder 30. Specifically, the connection structure 100 is a connection structure 100 for connecting a conductive busbar 10 to an object to be connected, and includes a connecting part 18 provided on the busbar 10 that serves as the connection point to the object to be connected. The connection structure 100 also includes a holder 30 for accommodating foreign matter that may occur in the connecting part 18. The connecting part 18 includes a threaded engagement part A between a bolt 16 and a nut 17. The holder 30 includes a first recess 36 and a second recess 37, which are multiple spaces for accommodating foreign matter, and a first partition part P1 and a second partition part P2, which are partition parts that divide the multiple spaces. The first recess 36, the second recess 37, the first partition part P1, and the second partition part P2 constitute a labyrinth structure 38.

[0025] Next, the assembly of the terminal block 1 will be explained using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block 1 equipped with the connection structure 100, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the terminal block 1 in the assembled state. First, the busbar 10 and the housing 20 are integrally molded by molding. Then, nuts 17 are installed in the nut housings 24 of each installation recess 28. Next, the holder 30 is prepared, and the rear end X2 of the receiving portion 32 is positioned so that it faces the opening of the holder housing portion 23 in the installation recess 28 of the housing 20 in the front-rear direction X. Then, the holder 30 in this state is slid to the rear X2 and assembled into the holder housing portion 23. At this time, each receiving portion 32 is inserted into each holder housing portion 23. At this time, the connecting body 39a of each connecting portion 39 is inserted between the side wall 25 of one nut housing portion 24 and the side wall 25 of the other nut housing portion 24. Furthermore, the insertion pieces 39b of each connecting portion 39 are inserted into the through holes 19 of the housing 20. The assembly of the holder 30 is completed when the second insertion hole 15, the nut 17, and the central axis of the cylindrical portion 35 become coaxial.

[0026] As a result, the terminal block 1 is assembled as shown in Figure 2. In this state, the terminal block 1 is connected and fixed to the busbar 10 by screwing the side plate portion 14 and the connection target with bolts 16 and nuts 17. At this time, foreign matter such as wear particles may be generated in the screw engagement portion A, but as described above, the labyrinth structure 38 is provided to suppress the diffusion of foreign matter. In contrast to this embodiment, it is also conceivable to suppress the diffusion of wear particles by crimping and fixing a member such as a cap to the opening on the opposite side of each nut 17 from the side where the bolt 16 is placed, thereby closing the opening. However, in this case, a dedicated crimping machine is required, and a total of 6 components are needed, consisting of 3 nuts 17 and 3 caps, making the manufacture of the terminal block 1 difficult. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the diffusion of foreign matter generated from the 3 nuts 17 can be suppressed by preparing one holder 30. Furthermore, as described above, the holder 30 can be assembled to the housing 20 by inserting it into the holder housing portion 23, so no dedicated equipment for assembly is required. Therefore, the number of parts in terminal block 1 can be reduced, the manufacturing of terminal block 1 can be made easier, and consequently the manufacturing cost of terminal block 1 can be reduced.

[0027] As described above, according to the embodiment, by providing a labyrinth structure 38 in the holder 30 (diffusion prevention part), foreign matter such as wear particles that diffuse from the connection part 18 such as the screw engagement part A can be contained in the first recess 36 (space). Furthermore, by providing the labyrinth structure 38, the foreign matter that diffuses around the first recess 36 can be contained in the second recess 37 (space). This structure makes it possible to prevent the diffusion of foreign matter in two stages. In addition, by providing the labyrinth structure 38, the virtual diffusion path of the foreign matter can be made into a complex diffusion path that crosses over the first partition part P1 and the second partition part P2 (partition parts). Therefore, the diffusion rate of the foreign matter can be reduced by the first partition part P1 and the second partition part P2, and the diffusion of the foreign matter can be suppressed. Thus, a connection structure 100 that can suppress the diffusion of foreign matter can be provided.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, in a structure in which the busbar 10 is sandwiched in the thickness direction between the head 16a of the bolt 16 and the nut 17, the diffusion of foreign matter can be suppressed by the holder 30 (diffusion prevention part) which is positioned below the nut 17 Z2 (on the other side in the axial direction).

[0029] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, since the opening area of ​​the first recess 36 is larger than the opening area of ​​the nut 17, foreign matter falling downward from the female thread portion 17a of the nut 17 can be reliably contained in the first recess 36. In addition, the dimensions of the second recess 37 in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y (orthogonal direction) were set to be larger than the dimensions of the nut 17 in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y (orthogonal direction). Due to this setting, even if there is foreign matter that cannot be contained in the first recess 36, that foreign matter can be reliably contained in the lower part Z2 of the nut 17. Therefore, the diffusion of foreign matter can be further suppressed.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the terminal block 1 can be constructed using a connection structure 100 that can suppress the diffusion of foreign matter.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the nut 17 and holder 30 can be housed in the installation recess 28 of the housing 20 to prevent the diffusion of foreign matter. In this case, the shielding portion 31 of the holder 30 overlaps with the opening on the front side X1 of the installation recess 28 when viewed from the front side X1 (one side in the orthogonal direction), thereby making the opening area of ​​the opening zero at most. Therefore, the diffusion of foreign matter from the opening of the installation recess 28 can be suppressed.

[0032] Although embodiments of the terminal block 1 and connection structure 100 have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included.

[0033] For example, in this embodiment, a first recess 36 formed inside the cylindrical tube portion 35 and a second recess 37 formed in the space between the outer surface of the tube portion 35 and the inner surface of the frame portion 34 constitute multiple spaces. A first partition portion P1 and a second partition portion P2 constitute a partition portion. These spaces and partition portions constitute a labyrinth structure 38. However, the structure of the labyrinth structure 38 is not limited to this. That is, as long as it has multiple spaces for accommodating foreign objects and partition portions that divide the multiple spaces, the shape and number of spaces can be changed as appropriate. Also, in this embodiment, the screw engagement portion A is composed of the male threaded portion 16b of the bolt 16 and the female threaded portion 17a of the nut 17, but the structure of the screw engagement portion A is not limited to this. For example, a female threaded portion may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second insertion hole 15, and the screw engagement portion A may be composed of this female threaded portion and the male threaded portion 16b. Furthermore, although the nut 17 was separate from the housing 20, the nut 17 may be provided integrally with the housing 20. Similarly, the bolt 16 may be provided integrally with the housing 20.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a shielding portion 31 is provided on the holder 30, and the vertical Z dimension of the shielding portion 31 is set to be approximately the same as the vertical Z dimension of the installation recess 28. However, the vertical Z dimension of the shielding portion 31 can be changed as appropriate. Also, the shielding portion 31 itself can be omitted. Moreover, the connection structure 100 of this embodiment is not limited to the terminal block 1, but can be applied to various configurations that include a connection portion 18 for connecting the busbar 10 to the target, and can achieve the same effects and advantages as in this embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] A Screw engagement part P1 First partition section (partition section) P2 Second partition section (partition section) 10 Bus Bar 16 Bolts (fastening members) 17. Nut (member to be fastened) 18 Connection part 30 Holder (diffusion prevention part) 36. First recess (space) 37 Second recess (space) 38 Labyrinth structure 100 connection structure

Claims

1. A terminal block comprising a connection structure for connecting a conductive busbar to a target object, and a housing for holding the busbar, The connection structure comprises a connection portion provided on the busbar and which serves as the connection point for the object to be connected, and a diffusion prevention portion that contains foreign matter generated at the connection portion. The connecting portion comprises a fastening member extending from one axial side to the other axial side along the thickness direction of the busbar, and a fastened member into which the fastening member is screwed, The diffusion prevention section comprises a labyrinth structure consisting of a plurality of spaces for containing the foreign matter and partitions separating the plurality of spaces. The housing is provided with an installation recess that opens on one side in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, The fastened member is housed on one side in the axial direction within the installation recess. The diffusion prevention portion is housed in the other axial direction within the aforementioned installation recess. The terminal block is characterized in that the diffusion prevention portion is provided with a shielding portion that overlaps the opening of the installation recess when viewed from one side in the orthogonal direction.

2. The labyrinth structure comprises a first recess located at least on the other side of the screw engagement portion in the axial direction and opening toward the connection portion, and a second recess covering the first recess around the axis of the screw engagement portion and opening toward the connection portion. The interior of the first recess and the interior of the second recess constitute the space, The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that the boundary between the first recess and the second recess constitutes the partition.

3. The connecting portion is provided with an insertion hole that penetrates the busbar in the direction of the plate thickness, The fastening member is a bolt comprising a head positioned on one side in the axial direction relative to the busbar and a male threaded portion that is inserted into the through hole. The fastened member is a nut that is positioned on the other side in the axial direction relative to the busbar and has a female threaded portion that screws into the male threaded portion. The male thread portion and the female thread portion constitute the screw engagement portion. The terminal block according to claim 2, characterized in that the diffusion prevention portion is located on the other side in the axial direction from the nut.

4. The thickness direction is vertical, The aforementioned axial side is the upper side. The other side in the axial direction is the downward side. The opening area of ​​the first recess is larger than the opening area of ​​the nut. The terminal block according to claim 3, characterized in that the dimension in the second recess in the orthogonal direction perpendicular to the axial direction is larger than the dimension in the nut in the orthogonal direction.

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