Battery post connection unit

Abstract

To provide a battery post connection unit capable of being formed with a plurality of types of terminal holders according to the battery size, and thereby, easily and securely connecting a battery having a different size with a battery post.SOLUTION: A battery post connection unit 1 comprises a battery terminal 10 and a terminal holder 20. The terminal holder 20 comprises: a holder main body 21; and a stopper main body 31 that has a downward hanging part 33 serving as a stopper which abuts on a lateral face of the battery and regulates a position of the holder main body 21. A plurality of types of stopper main bodies 31 having different dimensions from an inner surface abutting on the battery, of the downward hanging part 33 to an end edge 32a of a horizontal part 32 are separately provided for one holder main body 21. One stopper main body of the plurality of types of stopper main bodies 31 is assembled to one kind of holder main body 21 to form the terminal holder 20 corresponding to the battery size.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery post connection unit connected to a battery post of a battery.

Background Art

[0002] As this type of battery post connection unit, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1. The battery terminal with a resin part as the battery post connection unit described in this Patent Document 1 has a terminal lower cover interposed between the lower part of the battery terminal and the upper part of the battery, and a terminal stopper integrally formed on the other side of both sides of the lower cover. And, in a state where the battery terminal is mounted on the battery, the terminal stopper of the resin part as the terminal holder abuts against the side part of the battery, thereby preventing (positioning) the rotation of the battery terminal with respect to the battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional battery terminal with a resin part, since the stopper is integrally formed so as to hang down from the side part of the lower cover of the resin part, when the size of the battery is different, it is necessary to mold the stopper with the integral resin part each time.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art. The object of this invention is to provide a battery post connection unit that can have multiple types of terminal holders pre-formed according to the size of the battery, and can easily and reliably connect batteries of different sizes to the battery post. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A battery post connection unit according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a battery terminal connected to a battery post of a battery, and a terminal holder that holds the battery terminal and is placed on the battery, wherein the terminal holder comprises a holder body having a housing portion for housing and holding the battery terminal, and a stopper body having a horizontal portion connected to a connecting portion of the holder body and a hanging portion that extends downward from one end of the horizontal portion and abuts against the side surface of the battery to restrict the position of the holder body, wherein multiple types of stopper bodies with different dimensions from the inner surface of the hanging portion that abuts against the battery to the edge of the horizontal portion are separately provided for one type of holder body, and a terminal holder corresponding to the size of the battery is formed by assembling one of the multiple types of stopper bodies to the one type of holder body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery post connection unit that can have multiple types of terminal holders formed according to the size of the battery, and can easily and reliably connect batteries of different sizes to the battery post. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an example of the battery mounting state of the battery post connection unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] This is a perspective view showing the battery terminals used in the battery post connection unit described above. [Figure 2B]The above is a disassembled perspective view of the battery terminals. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the holder body used in the above-mentioned terminal holder. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing an example of a stopper body used in the above-mentioned terminal holder. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing an example of a terminal holder with the stopper body assembled to the holder body. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing an example of the battery terminals assembled to the terminal holder shown above. [Figure 7] This is a plan view showing an example of the battery terminals assembled to the terminal holder described above. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing another example of a stopper body used in the terminal holder described above. [Figure 9] This is a plan view showing a terminal holder formed by assembling the stopper body of the other example shown above onto the end holder body, with the battery terminals attached. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing an example of a battery post connection unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view showing an example of the state of the terminal holder of the battery post connection unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention before welding. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view showing an example of the state of the terminal holder after welding according to the third embodiment described above. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, a battery post connection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a battery mounted in a battery post connection unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A is a perspective view showing a battery terminal used in the battery post connection unit. Figure 2B is an exploded perspective view of the battery terminal. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a holder body used in the terminal holder. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a stopper body used in the terminal holder. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a terminal holder with the stopper body assembled to the holder body. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a terminal holder with the battery terminals assembled to it. Figure 7 is a plan view showing an example of a terminal holder with the battery terminals assembled to it. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing another example of a stopper body used in the terminal holder. Figure 9 is a plan view showing a terminal holder formed by assembling the stopper body of the other example above to the end holder body with the battery terminals assembled to it.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the battery post connection unit 1 comprises a metal battery terminal 10 connected to the battery post 3 of the battery 2, and a resin terminal holder 20 that holds the battery terminal 10 and is placed on the battery 2. The battery 2 is relatively small, and the stud bolt 15 of the battery terminal 10 is connected to a mating component such as a terminal 6 connected to the end of an electric wire 5 or the terminal portion of a battery-mounted fusible link (FL) (not shown) by tightening it with a nut 7. In other words, the electric wire 5 is drawn out from the battery post connection unit 1 in a predetermined direction via the terminal 6, etc. Also, battery posts 3, 3', which are cylindrical lead electrodes for the positive and negative poles, are erected in recesses 2b, 2b' at both corners of the upper surface 2a of the small battery 2, respectively. The battery posts are tapered so that the diameter decreases towards the tip, and they are positive and negative lead electrodes. The battery terminal 10 is fastened to the positive (+) pole battery post 3 via the terminal holder 20.

[0012] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the battery terminal 10 comprises a terminal body 11 as a post fastening part, a stud bolt 15 held by a holding part 13 of the terminal body 11, and a fastening mechanism 16.

[0013] The terminal body portion 11 is a portion fastened to the battery post 3 of the battery 2 and is integrally formed of a conductive metal material. The terminal body portion 11 has a fastening portion 12 fastened to the battery post 3 of the battery 2 and a holding portion 13 that is formed by being continuously bent and electrically connected to the fastening portion 12. The fastening portion 12 is folded back in a substantially U shape through a bent connecting portion 14 and includes a pair of upper and lower annular portions 12a and 12b having a post insertion hole 12c at the center. Further, the holding portion 13 has a pair of upper and lower holding plate portions 13a and 13b connected to the pair of upper and lower annular portions 12a and 12b of the fastening portion 12. An insertion hole 13c through which the shaft portion 15b of the stud bolt 15 is inserted is formed at the center of the upper holding plate portion 13b. The head portion 15a of the stud bolt 15 is sandwiched and held between the pair of upper and lower holding plate portions 13a and 13b, and the shaft portion 15b of the stud bolt 15 is exposed to the outside in a state where the shaft portion 15b of the stud bolt 15 is inserted into the insertion hole 13c of the upper holding plate portion 13a.

[0014] The stud bolt 15 is a fastening member that is held by the holding portion 13 of the battery terminal 10 and to which the terminal 6 connected to the end of the electric wire 5 is connected. The stud bolt 15 has a head portion 15a as a base portion and a shaft portion 15b provided with a screw, and these are integrally formed of a conductive metal material.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2B, the fastening mechanism 16 is a mechanism for fastening the fastening portion 12 of the terminal body portion 11 to the battery post 3 of the battery 2, and includes a plate nut 17 as a through member, a fastening bolt 18 as a fastening member, and a bracket 19 as a pressing force conversion member. When the fastening portion 12 of the terminal body portion 11 is fastened to the battery post 3 of the battery 2 by this fastening mechanism 16, the fastening bolt 18 is tightened along the axial direction X in a state where the battery post 3 is inserted into the post insertion hole 12c. Thereby, the fastening mechanism 16 generates a fastening force along the axial direction X between the fastening bolt 18 and the plate nut 17. Then, the fastening mechanism 16 moves the fastening end portion 12d in the direction of narrowing the width of the slit 12e along the width direction Z through the plate nut 17 and the bracket 19 by the converted pressing force, reduces the diameter of the post insertion hole 12c, and fastens the fastening portion 12 to the battery post 3.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, the terminal holder 20 includes a resin holder body 21 of one type and stopper bodies 31, 31' of two types made of resin.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the holder body 21 has a first accommodating portion 22 that accommodates and holds the fastening portion 12 of the terminal body portion 11 of the battery terminal 10, a second accommodating portion 23 that accommodates and holds the holding portion 13 of the terminal body portion 11, and a connecting portion 24 that connects the stopper bodies 31, 31'.

[0018] The first accommodating portion 22 has a circular opening 22a at a position facing the post insertion hole 12c of the fastening portion 12. The second accommodating portion 23 has a rectangular opening 23a at a position facing the insertion hole 13c for the stud bolt of the holding portion 13. Further, the connecting portion 24 is integrally formed to protrude from one side surface side of the holder body 21, and vertical ribs 25 for reinforcement protrude integrally from both side surfaces 24a, 24a and between them. The connecting portion 24 is provided with convex engaged portions 26 on both side surfaces 24a, 24a, respectively.

[0019] As shown in Figure 4, the stopper body 31 has a horizontal portion 32 connected to the connecting portion 24 of the holder body 21, and a hanging portion 33 that extends downward from one end of the horizontal portion 32 and contacts the side surface 2c of the battery 2, thereby restricting the position of the holder body 21 as a stopper. In other words, the stopper body 31 is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the side, with the dimension from the inner surface 33a of the hanging portion 33 that contacts the battery 2 to the edge 32a of the horizontal portion 32 set to dimension a. Also, as shown in Figure 7, in the terminal holder 20 to which the holder body 21 and the stopper body 31 are connected, the dimension from the inner surface 33a of the hanging portion 33 to the center of the opening 22a of the holder body 21 (the center O of the post insertion hole 12c of the battery terminal 10) is set to dimension A.

[0020] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the stopper body 31 has reinforcing vertical ribs 34 integrally formed on it, protruding from the horizontal section 32 to the hanging section 33 at positions corresponding to each of the reinforcing vertical ribs 25 of the holder body 21. In addition, a reinforcing horizontal rib 35 is integrally formed protruding from the center of the hanging section 33, crossing each of the reinforcing vertical ribs 34. Furthermore, on both sides of the edge 32a of the horizontal section 32 of the stopper body 31, engaging arms 36 are provided, each having a rectangular hole-shaped (concave) engaging portion 36a that engages with the convex engaging portion 26 of the holder body 21, so as to protrude from the edge 32a. When these engaging arms 36 of the stopper body 31 engage with the engaging portion 26 of the holder body 21, the stopper body 31 is connected to the holder body 21, forming a terminal holder 20 that corresponds to the size of a relatively small battery 2.

[0021] The stopper body 31' shown in Figures 8 and 9 is the other of two types of stopper bodies 31 and 31'. In this other stopper body 31', the dimension from the inner surface 33a of the hanging portion 33 that abuts the battery 2 to the edge 32a of the horizontal portion 32 is set to dimension b. In addition, in this other stopper body 31', the dimension from the inner surface 33a of the hanging portion 33 to the center of the opening 22a of the holder body 21 (the center O of the post insertion hole 12c of the battery terminal 10) is set to dimension B. The other stopper body 31' has the same configuration as the other stopper body 31 shown in Figure 4. In other words, in this embodiment, two types of stopper bodies 31 and 31', in which the dimension from the battery contact surface of the hanging portion 33 to the edge 32a of the horizontal portion 32 differs from dimensions a and b, are separately provided for one type of holder body 21. Then, by engaging the engagement arm 36 of one of the two types of stopper bodies 31, 31' with the engaged portion 26 of one type of holder body 21 and assembling them, a terminal holder 20 corresponding to the size of the battery can be formed.

[0022] According to the first embodiment described above, the battery post connection unit 1 is assembled by housing and holding the battery terminals 10 in the respective housing portions 22 and 23 of the holder body 21 of the terminal holder 20, and then assembling the stopper body 31 to the holder body 21 to form the terminal holder 20. When assembling the stopper body 31 to the holder body 21, the engaged portion 26 of the connecting portion 24 in the holder body 21 is engaged with the engaging arm 36 of the horizontal portion 32 in the stopper body 31. When connecting to the battery post 3 of a small battery 2, as shown in Figures 4 and 7, a small stopper body 31 is used in which the dimension from the inner surface 33a of the hanging portion 33 to the edge 32a of the horizontal portion 32 is dimension a, and the dimension from the center O of the post insertion hole 12c of the battery terminal 10 is dimension A.

[0023] Next, we will describe the case in which the battery post connection unit 1, which has a terminal holder 20 formed by connecting the small stopper body 31 to the holder body 21, is connected to the battery post 3 of the small battery 2.

[0024] First, with the inner surface 33a of the hanging portion 33 of the stopper body 31 facing the side surface 2c of the battery 2, the battery post 3 is inserted into the post insertion hole 12c of the battery terminal 10, and the fastening bolt 18 of the fastening mechanism 16 is rotated, causing the fastening portion 12 to deform. As a result, the post insertion hole 12c of the battery terminal 10 shrinks in diameter, and the fastening portion 12 tightens around the battery post 3, so that the battery post connection unit 1 is connected to the battery post 3 of the small battery 2, as shown in Figure 1.

[0025] When the battery post connection unit 1 is connected to the battery post 3, the inner surface 33a of the hanging portion 33 of the stopper body 31 and the side surface 2c of the battery 2 face each other, which prevents the battery post connection unit 1 from rotating around the battery post 3. As a result, the electric wire 5 drawn out from the battery post connection unit 1 is restricted to being drawn out in a predetermined direction.

[0026] Furthermore, when connecting to the battery post of a large battery (not shown), as shown in Figures 8 and 9, a large stopper body 31' is used, where the dimension from the inner surface 33a of the hanging portion 33 to the edge 32a of the horizontal portion 32 is dimension b, and the dimension to the center O of the post insertion hole 12c is dimension B. The dimensional relationship between the small stopper body 31 and the large stopper body 31' is "dimension a < dimension b" and "dimension A < dimension B". The battery post connection unit 1, in which the large stopper body 31' is connected to the holder body 21 to form the terminal holder 20, is positioned and connected to the battery post of the large battery in the same way as when the small stopper body 31 is connected to the holder body 21.

[0027] Thus, when connecting the battery post connection unit 1 to the battery posts of batteries of different sizes, this can be accommodated by forming a terminal holder 20 by connecting one of two types of stopper bodies 31, 31' to one type of holder body 21. In either case, the inner surface 33a of the hanging portion 33 of the stopper body 31, 31' and the side surface 2c of the battery 2 face each other, preventing the battery post connection unit 1 from rotating around the battery post 3. This restricts the electric wire 5 drawn out from the battery post connection unit 1 to be drawn out in a predetermined direction. In other words, multiple types (two types in this embodiment) of terminal holders 20 can be formed according to the size of the battery, allowing for easy and reliable connection to battery posts even with batteries of different sizes.

[0028] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a battery post connection unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] The battery post connection unit 1 of this second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the edge 24b of the connecting portion 24 of the holder body 21 and the edge 32a of the horizontal portion 32 of each stopper body 31, 31' are bonded together with adhesive. Note that other components are the same as in the first embodiment, so the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted. Also, although Figure 10 shows only the large stopper body 31', the small stopper body 31 has a similar configuration.

[0030] In this second embodiment of the battery post connection unit 1, multiple recesses 27 are provided on the edge 24b of the connecting portion 24 of the holder body 21. In addition, multiple protrusions 37 are provided on the edge 32a of the horizontal portion 32 of the stopper body 31' that fit into the multiple recesses 27. The multiple protrusions 37 of each stopper body 31, 31' are fitted into the multiple recesses 27 of the one holder body 21. Then, by interposing adhesive between the contact surfaces of the edge 24b of the connecting portion 24 and the edge 32a of the horizontal portion 32 and bonding them together, each stopper body 31, 31' is separately assembled to one type of holder body 21, forming a terminal holder 20 corresponding to the size of the battery 2.

[0031] In this second embodiment of the battery post connection unit 1, the edge 24b of the connecting portion 24 of the holder body 21 and the edge 32a of the horizontal portion 32 of each stopper body 31, 31' are bonded together with adhesive, thereby achieving the same function and effect as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, by bonding the connecting portion 24 of the holder body 21 and the horizontal portion 32 of each stopper body 31, 31', there is no risk of damage to the engaging means of the engaged portion 26 and the engaging arm 36 even if external force is applied to the battery post connection unit 1 during handling such as transportation. In addition, by making the bonded portion an uneven structure of a recess 27 and a convex portion 37, the area between the bonded surfaces can be increased, and the fixing strength between the holder body 21 and each stopper body 31, 31' can be improved.

[0032] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing an example of the state of the terminal holder of the battery post connection unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention before welding. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing an example of the state of the terminal holder after welding.

[0033] The battery post connection unit 1 of this third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the edge 24b of the connecting portion 24 of the holder body 21 and the edge 32a of the horizontal portion 32 of each stopper body 31, 31' are welded together with a welding jig 9. Note that other components are the same as in the first embodiment, so the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted. Also, although Figures 11 and 12 show only the large stopper body 31', the small stopper body 31 has a similar configuration.

[0034] In this third embodiment of the battery post connection unit 1, multiple recesses 27 are provided on the edge 24b of the connecting portion 24 of the holder body 21. In addition, multiple welding projections 38 are provided on the edge 32a of the horizontal portion 32 of the stopper body 31', which are fitted into the multiple recesses 27. The multiple welding projections 38 of each stopper body 31, 31' are fitted into the multiple recesses 27 of the one holder body 21. Then, by welding the contact surfaces between the edge 24b of the connecting portion 24 and the edge 32a of the horizontal portion 32 with a welding jig 9, each stopper body 31, 31' is separately assembled to one type of holder body 21, forming a terminal holder 20 corresponding to the size of the battery 2.

[0035] In this third embodiment of the battery post connection unit 1, the contact portion between the edge 24b of the connecting portion 24 of the holder body 21 and the edge 32a of the horizontal portion 32 of each stopper body 31, 31' is welded with a welding jig 9, thereby achieving the same function and effect as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, by welding the connecting portion 24 of the holder body 21 and the horizontal portion 32 of each stopper body 31, 31', there is no risk of damage to the engaging means of the engaged portion 26 and the engaging arm 36 even if external force is applied to the battery post connection unit 1 during handling such as transportation. In addition, by making the welded portion an uneven structure of a recess 27 and a welding projection 38, the area between the welded surfaces can be increased, and the fixing strength between the holder body 21 and each stopper body 31, 31' can be improved.

[0036] Although this embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment.

[0037] In other words, according to the above embodiment, two types of stopper bodies are provided for one type of holder body, but three or more types of stopper bodies may be provided for one type of holder body. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1. Battery post connection unit 2 batteries 2c side 3 Battery Post 10 Battery terminals 20 Terminal holder 21 Holder body 22,23 Storage Units 24 Connecting part 24b edge 26 Convex engaging portion 27 recess 31,31' Stopper body 32 Horizontal section 32a edge 33. Hanging part (stopper) 33a Inner surface 36 Engaging Arm 36a Concave engagement portion 37 Convex part 38 Welding protrusion

Claims

1. Battery terminals that connect to the battery post of the battery, A terminal holder that holds the battery terminals and is placed on the battery, Equipped with, The aforementioned terminal holder is A holder body having a housing portion for housing and holding the aforementioned battery terminals, A stopper body having a horizontal portion connected to the connecting portion of the holder body and a hanging portion that extends downward from one end of the horizontal portion and abuts against the side of the battery to restrict the position of the holder body, Equipped with, Multiple types of stopper bodies, each with a different dimension from the inner surface of the hanging portion that contacts the battery to the edge of the horizontal portion, are separately provided for one type of holder body. By assembling one of the multiple types of stopper bodies onto one type of holder body, a terminal holder corresponding to the size of the battery is formed. The holder body and each of the multiple types of stopper bodies are made of resin. Multiple recesses are provided at the end edge of the connecting portion of the holder body. Each of the stopper bodies is provided with a plurality of protrusions on its edge where it fits into the plurality of recesses, A battery post connection unit in which the multiple protrusions of each stopper body are fitted into the multiple recesses of the holder body and bonded together, thereby assembling each stopper body separately to one type of holder body, and forming a terminal holder corresponding to the size of the battery.

2. A battery terminal connected to the battery post of the battery, A terminal holder that holds the battery terminals and is placed on the battery, Equipped with, The aforementioned terminal holder is A holder body having a housing portion for housing and holding the aforementioned battery terminals, A stopper body having a horizontal portion connected to the connecting portion of the holder body and a hanging portion that extends downward from one end of the horizontal portion and abuts against the side of the battery to restrict the position of the holder body, Equipped with, Multiple types of stopper bodies, each with a different dimension from the inner surface of the hanging portion that contacts the battery to the edge of the horizontal portion, are separately provided for one type of holder body. By assembling one of the multiple types of stopper bodies onto one type of holder body, a terminal holder corresponding to the size of the battery is formed. The holder body and each of the multiple types of stopper bodies are made of resin. Multiple recesses are provided at the end edge of the connecting portion of the holder body. Each of the stopper bodies is provided with multiple welding protrusions on the edge of its horizontal portion that fit into the multiple recesses, A battery post connection unit in which the multiple welding protrusions of each stopper body are fitted into the multiple recesses of the holder body and welded together, thereby assembling each stopper body separately to one type of holder body and forming a terminal holder corresponding to the size of the battery.

3. The holder body is provided with convex engaging portions on both ends of the connecting portion, Each of the stopper bodies is provided with an engagement arm on both sides of the edge of the horizontal portion, each arm having a concave engagement portion that engages with the engaged portion. The battery post connection unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaging arm of each stopper body engages with the engaged portion of the holder body, so that each stopper body is separately assembled to the one type of holder body, thereby forming a terminal holder corresponding to the size of the battery.

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