Relay connector, terminal block module, coil end module, and connection module

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to absorb positional deviation between terminals. This relay connector comprises: a relay terminal that includes a first terminal part, a second terminal part, and an intermediate connection part that connects the first terminal part and the second terminal part; a first housing that holds the first terminal part; and a second housing that holds the second terminal part. In the relay connector, the intermediate connection part has a deformation part that allows position variation of the second terminal part with respect to the first terminal part, and the first housing and the second housing can be changed in position with each other.

Description

Relay connectors, terminal block modules, coil end modules and connection modules

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a relay connector, a terminal block module, a coil end module, and a connection module.

[0002] US Pat. No. 5,649,999 discloses that a measurement system including a position sensor and a temperature sensor is connected to a controller via a multi-pole socket contact.

[0003] International Publication No. 2020 / 259908

[0004] When connecting terminals to each other, it is required to absorb misalignment between the terminals.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to absorb the misalignment between terminals.

[0006] The relay connector of the present disclosure comprises a relay terminal including a first terminal portion, a second terminal portion, and an intermediate connecting portion connecting the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, a first housing that holds the first terminal portion, and a second housing that holds the second terminal portion, wherein the intermediate connecting portion has a deformation portion that allows the position of the second terminal portion to change relative to the first terminal portion, and the first housing and the second housing are mutually movable in position.

[0007] The terminal block module of the present disclosure is a terminal block module fixed to an equipment case of a rotating electric machine equipped with a sensor, and includes: a connecting member for electrically connecting an inner bus bar terminal inside the equipment case with an outer bus bar terminal outside the equipment case; a terminal block main body fixed to the equipment case while holding the connecting member; a sensor internal connector having a sensor inner terminal and supported by the terminal block main body so as to be positioned inside the equipment case; sensor wiring, at least a portion of which is held within the terminal block main body and connects the sensor inner terminal to a circuit from outside the equipment case; and a sensor internal relay connector connected to the sensor internal connector, wherein the sensor internal relay connector is the relay connector described above.

[0008] The coil end module of the present disclosure is a coil end module that is arranged next to an armature within an equipment case of a rotating electric machine equipped with a sensor, and includes a coil end lead terminal that is connected to the coil wire of the rotating electric machine within the equipment case, a coil end holding portion that supports the coil end lead terminal, a sensor internal connector that has a sensor internal terminal and is supported by the coil end holding portion so as to be positioned within the equipment case, sensor wiring that is at least partially held within the coil end holding portion and connects the sensor internal terminal to a circuit from outside the equipment case, and a sensor internal relay connector that is connected to the sensor internal connector, and the sensor internal relay connector is the above-mentioned relay connector.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, misalignment between terminals can be absorbed.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electromechanical integrated unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the electromechanical integrated unit. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the electromechanical integrated unit. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a coil end module. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a portion of the coil end module to which a temperature sensor and a temperature sensor side connector are assembled. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a terminal block module. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a connecting member. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a connecting member. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which terminals are being connected to the connecting member. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which terminals are being connected to the connecting member. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a terminal. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a relay connector. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a relay connector. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 12. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XV in FIG. 12. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing another relay connector. FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the electromechanical integrated unit is being manufactured. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the electromechanical integrated unit is being manufactured. Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing an electromechanical integrated unit according to embodiment 2. Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing a coil end module, a terminal block module, and a speed sensor. Fig. 22 is an exploded perspective view of Fig. 21.

[0011] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0012] The relay connector of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0013] (1) A relay connector comprising: an intermediate terminal including a first terminal portion, a second terminal portion, and an intermediate connecting portion connecting the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion; a first housing holding the first terminal portion; and a second housing holding the second terminal portion, wherein the intermediate connecting portion has a deformation portion that allows the second terminal portion to move in position relative to the first terminal portion, and the first housing and the second housing are mutually movable in position.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, a first connection target terminal can be connected to the first terminal portion, and a second connection target terminal can be connected to the second terminal portion. When there is a misalignment between the first connection target terminal and the second connection target terminal, the deformation portion deforms and the first housing and the second housing can move relative to each other, thereby absorbing the misalignment between the first connection target terminal and the second connection target terminal.

[0015] (2) In the relay connector of (1), the first housing and the second housing may cover the intermediate connecting portion in a state that allows deformation of the deforming portion.

[0016] This allows the intermediate connecting portion to be covered in an insulating state.

[0017] (3) In the relay connector of (1) or (2), the first housing includes a first terminal holding portion that holds the first terminal portion and a tubular portion extending from the first terminal holding portion and surrounding the intermediate connecting portion, and the second housing includes a second terminal holding portion that holds the second terminal portion and an extending portion extending from the second terminal holding portion, and the tubular portion and the extending portion may be relatively positionally movable and engage with each other in a state that restricts movement of the tubular portion and the extending portion in the direction of separation.

[0018] This allows the cylindrical portion to cover the intermediate connecting portion in an insulating state. Furthermore, by engaging the cylindrical portion with the extension portion, the first housing and the second housing can be combined while being movable relative to each other and preventing separation.

[0019] (4) In the relay connector of (3), one of the tubular portion and the extension portion may include a locking claw, and the other of the tubular portion and the extension portion may include a locking surface, and the locking claw may be engaged with the locking surface so as to restrict movement of the extension portion in one direction away from the tubular portion.

[0020] In this case, the locking claw locks with the locking surface so as to restrict movement of the extension portion in one direction away from the tubular portion. From this locked state, the extension portion moves in the direction toward the tubular portion, allowing the first housing and the second housing to move toward or away from each other.

[0021] (5) In the relay connector of (4), the locking claw may include an inclined portion inclined in the direction of approach and removal of the extension portion relative to the tubular portion, and a tip locking portion located at the tip side of the inclined portion and having a larger angle relative to the approach and removal direction than the inclined portion.

[0022] In this case, the inclined portion of the locking claw can be brought into contact with the other of the tubular portion and the extension portion, thereby easily causing the locking claw to elastically deform. Also, by engaging the tip locking portion, which has a larger angle with respect to the approach / removal direction than the inclined portion, with the locking surface, separation between the tubular portion and the extension portion is more reliably prevented.

[0023] (6) In a relay connector of (4) or (5), the other of the tubular portion and the extension portion may have a locking recess, the inner surface of the locking recess may have the locking surface, and the locking recess may be wider than the locking claw in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the extension portion approaches or moves away from the tubular portion.

[0024] This allows the first housing and the second housing to move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of approach and separation within the range in which the locking pawl can move within the locking recess.

[0025] (7) In any one of the relay connectors (3) to (6), one of the tubular portion and the extension portion may have an elastic piece that contacts the other of the tubular portion and the extension portion and urges the extension portion relative to the tubular portion in a direction that intersects the direction in which the extension portion approaches and moves away from the tubular portion.

[0026] This makes it easier to maintain a constant positional relationship between the cylindrical portion and the extension portion in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the cylindrical portion.

[0027] (8) In the relay connector of any one of (1) to (7), the relay terminal may include a first position arrangement terminal and a second position arrangement terminal.

[0028] This allows the plurality of terminals to be arranged in two stages, with the first position arrangement terminals and the second position arrangement terminals.

[0029] (9) In the relay connector of (8), the deformed portion of the first position arrangement terminal and the deformed portion of the second position arrangement terminal may be bent so as to be convex in opposite directions.

[0030] In this case, the deformed portions of the first and second terminals are bent so that they are convex in opposite directions, making it difficult for the deformed portions to come into contact with each other. Also, the reaction forces of the deformed portions act on the first and second housings in a balanced manner, making it difficult for the second housing to become biased relative to the first housing.

[0031] The terminal block module of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0032] (10) A terminal block module fixed to an equipment case of a rotating electric machine equipped with a sensor, the terminal block module comprising: a connecting member for electrically connecting an inner bus bar terminal inside the equipment case with an outer bus bar terminal outside the equipment case; a terminal block main body fixed to the equipment case while holding the connecting member; a sensor internal connector having a sensor inner terminal and supported by the terminal block main body so as to be positioned inside the equipment case; sensor wiring, at least a portion of which is held within the terminal block main body and connects the sensor inner terminal to a circuit from outside the equipment case; and a sensor internal relay connector connected to the sensor internal connector, wherein the sensor internal relay connector is any one of the relay connectors (1) to (9).

[0033] This allows the wiring extending from the sensor to be easily connected to wiring outside the rotating electrical machine.

[0034] (11) In the terminal block module of (10), the sensor may be a speed sensor or a temperature sensor, the sensor internal connector may be a speed sensor internal connector or a temperature sensor internal connector, the sensor wiring may be a speed sensor wiring or a temperature sensor wiring, and the sensor internal relay connector may be a speed sensor internal relay connector or a temperature sensor internal relay connector.

[0035] This allows the wiring extending from the speed sensor or temperature sensor to be easily connected to wiring outside the rotating electrical machine.

[0036] The coil end module of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0037] (12) A coil end module arranged next to an armature within an equipment case of a rotating electric machine equipped with a sensor, the coil end module comprising: a coil end lead terminal connected to the coil wire of the rotating electric machine within the equipment case; a coil end holding portion supporting the coil end lead terminal; a sensor internal connector having a sensor internal terminal and supported by the coil end holding portion so as to be positioned within the equipment case; sensor wiring, at least a portion of which is held within the coil end holding portion and connects the sensor internal terminal to a circuit from outside the equipment case; and a sensor internal relay connector connected to the sensor internal connector, wherein the sensor internal relay connector is any one of the relay connectors (1) to (9) above.

[0038] This allows the wiring extending from the speed sensor to be easily connected to wiring outside the rotating electrical machine.

[0039] (13) In the coil end module of (12), the sensor may be a speed sensor or a temperature sensor, the sensor internal connector may be a speed sensor internal connector or a temperature sensor internal connector, the sensor wiring may be a speed sensor wiring or a temperature sensor wiring, and the sensor internal relay connector may be a speed sensor internal relay connector or a temperature sensor internal relay connector.

[0040] This allows the wiring extending from the speed sensor or temperature sensor to be easily connected to wiring outside the rotating electrical machine.

[0041] The connection module of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0042] (14) A connection module includes the relay connector according to any one of (1) to (9) and is fixed to a device case of a rotating electrical machine.

[0043] This facilitates connection between the connection module and other wiring in the rotating electrical machine.

[0044] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the relay connector and terminal block module of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0045] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, a relay connector and a terminal block module according to embodiment 1 will be described. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the relay connector is incorporated into the terminal block module, and the terminal block module is incorporated into an electro-mechanical integrated unit.

[0046] <Overall Configuration> For convenience of explanation, the overall configuration of the electromechanical integrated unit will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the electromechanical integrated unit 20. Figs. 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views showing the electromechanical integrated unit 20.

[0047] The electromechanical integrated unit 20 is a unit in which a rotating electric machine 40 and a control device 30 that controls the rotating electric machine 40 are integrated.

[0048] The rotating electric machine 40 includes a device case 41, an armature 46, and a field magnet 49. The rotating electric machine 40 may be an electric motor or a generator.

[0049] The device case 41 includes a cylindrical case body 42 with a bottom and a lid 43. An armature 46 serving as a stator is housed within the case body 42. A field magnet 49 is disposed within the armature 46 as a rotor. The field magnet 49 rotates due to a magnetic field generated by the armature 46, or the rotation of the field magnet 49 causes the armature 46 to generate an electromotive force.

[0050] The armature 46 includes a coil wire 46a. The coil wire 46a is a linear conductive member made of copper wire or the like. The coil wire 46a may be wound around an armature core.

[0051] The control device 30 is, for example, an inverter device that drives and controls the rotating electrical machine 40. It is assumed that the control device 30 is integrated with a device case 41 of the rotating electrical machine 40 by bolting or the like.

[0052] An outer bus bar terminal 38 extends from the control device 30. The coil wire 46a is connected to the outer bus bar terminal 38 via a coil end module 50 and a terminal block module 70.

[0053] The coil end module 50 is located on the armature 46 on the opening side of the case body 42. The coil end module 50 has coil end lead terminals 58 that are connected to the coil wires 46a inside the device case 41. The coil end lead terminals 58 extend from the armature 46 toward the opening side of the case body 42. The coil end lead terminals 58 extend toward the terminal block module 70. The coil end lead terminals 58 are an example of internal bus bar terminals inside the device case 41.

[0054] The coil end module 50 may have a configuration that connects the ends of the multiple coil wires 46 a of the armature 46 together.

[0055] The terminal block module 70 is located next to the coil end module 50 in the direction of the rotation axis X of the rotating electric machine 40. The terminal block module 70 is attached to the inside of the lid portion 43. An opening 43h is formed in the portion of the lid portion 43 that faces the control device 30 relative to the terminal block module 70. When the control device 30 is attached to the rotating electric machine 40, the outer bus bar terminals 38 extend toward the terminal block module 70 through the opening 43h.

[0056] The coil end lead terminals 58 and the outer bus bar terminals 38 are electrically connected by a terminal block module 70 .

[0057] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the rotating electric machine 40 is a rotating electric machine that can be used as a three-phase AC motor. Therefore, the rotating electric machine 40 has three coil end lead terminals 58, and the control device 30 has three outer bus bar terminals 38. Each of the three coil end lead terminals 58 is electrically connected to each of the three outer bus bar terminals 38 by a terminal block module 70.

[0058] In the following description, the lid 43 side may be referred to as the front side and the opposite side as the rear side in the direction along the rotation axis X of the rotating electric machine 40. Also, the rotating electric machine 40 side may be referred to as the lower side and the control device 30 side as the lower side in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X. Furthermore, left and right directions may be mentioned based on the up and down and front and back directions.

[0059] The rotating electric machine 40 also includes a speed sensor 100. The speed sensor 100 is a sensor that detects the rotation angle of the field 49 serving as a rotor, thereby detecting the rotation speed of the field 49. The speed sensor 100 may be a sensor called a resolver.

[0060] The rotating electrical machine 40 also includes a temperature sensor 110. The temperature sensor 110 is a sensor that detects the temperature inside the rotating electrical machine 40, for example, the temperature of the coil wire 46a.

[0061] The detection signal of the speed sensor 100 and the detection signal of the temperature sensor 110 are provided to the control device 30. As a result, the control device 30 can control the rotating electrical machine 40 based on the detection signal of the speed sensor 100 and the detection signal of the temperature sensor 110.

[0062] The terminal block module 70 has a speed sensor internal connector 74 that is connected to the speed sensor 100 inside the device case 41. The terminal block module 70 also has wiring for transmitting the detection signal of the speed sensor 100 to the outside. Therefore, the detection signal of the speed sensor 100 inside the device case 41 can be easily output to the outside via the speed sensor internal connector 74 and the wiring.

[0063] The terminal block module 70 also has a temperature sensor internal connector 76 that is connected to the temperature sensor 110 inside the device case 41. The terminal block module 70 also has wiring for transmitting the detection signal of the temperature sensor 110 to the outside. Therefore, the detection signal of the temperature sensor 110 inside the device case 41 can be easily output to the outside via the temperature sensor internal connector 76 and the wiring. The temperature sensor internal connector 76 and the wiring therefor may be configured separately from the terminal block module or may be omitted.

[0064] The configuration of each part will be explained below.

[0065] <Coil end module> Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the coil end module 50. Figure 4 shows a portion of the coil wire 46a extending from the armature 46. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a portion of the coil end module 50 to which the temperature sensor 110 and the temperature sensor side connector 112 are attached.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 , the coil end module 50 has a coil end lead terminal 58 and a coil end holding portion 52 .

[0067] The coil end lead terminal 58 is connected to the coil wire 46 a. The coil end holding portion 52 supports the coil end lead terminal 58 in a cantilever manner along the direction of the rotation axis X of the rotating electric machine 40.

[0068] More specifically, the coil end holding portion 52 is formed of an insulating material such as resin. The coil end holding portion 52 is formed with insertion holes 52h into which the plurality of coil wires 46a extending from the armature 46 can be inserted. Fig. 4 shows some of the ends of the plurality of coil wires 46a.

[0069] The coil end holding portion 52 is arc-shaped so that it can be positioned on a portion of the circumferential direction of the end surface of the armature 46 on the lid portion 43 side. The coil end holding portion 52 holds a relay bus bar 53. The relay bus bar 53 is a conductive member formed from a metal plate such as copper. The relay bus bar 53 has a connection end 53a that can be positioned adjacent to the coil wire 46a inserted into the insertion hole 52h. The end of the coil wire 46a inserted into the insertion hole 52h is electrically connected to the connection end 53a. For example, the coil wire 46a may be joined to the connection end 53a. The joining may be resistance welding, ultrasonic joining, soldering, or crimping.

[0070] The relay bus bar 53 has an intermediate connection portion that connects the plurality of connection ends 53a in a predetermined combination, thereby electrically connecting the plurality of coil wires 46a connected to the connection ends 53a in a predetermined combination.

[0071] The coil end lead terminals 58 extend from the surface of the coil end holding portion 52 facing the lid portion 43. As described above, three coil end lead terminals 58 extend from the coil end holding portion 52. The three coil end lead terminals 58 are positioned at intervals along an arc whose center of curvature is the rotation axis X. Each coil end lead terminal 58 is aligned with the rotation axis X.

[0072] The coil end lead terminal 58 may be connected to the connection end 53 a connected to one of the coil wires 46 a via an intermediate connection portion. For example, the coil end lead terminal 58 may be a metal plate portion integrally formed with the relay bus bar 53. The coil end lead terminal 58 may also be directly connected to the coil wire 46 a.

[0073] The coil end lead terminal 58 is formed in a long, thin plate shape. One main surface of the coil end lead terminal 58 faces the inside of the device case 41, and the other main surface faces the outside of the device case 41. Therefore, the coil end lead terminal 58 can deform around the base end, which is cantilevered by the coil end holding part 52, so that the tip end can be displaced in the inner and outer periphery directions of the device case 41.

[0074] The coil end module 50 also has a temperature sensor 110 and a temperature sensor side connector 112 .

[0075] The temperature sensor 110 is thermally coupled to the coil wire 46a. The term "thermally coupled" refers to a state in which the temperature sensor 110 can detect temperature changes in the coil wire 46a. For example, the temperature sensor 110 may be in direct contact with the coil wire 46a or may be in contact with the coil wire 46a via a thermally conductive member such as copper. In other words, the thermally conductive member whose temperature is measured by the temperature sensor 110 may be the coil wire 46a itself, the relay bus bar 53 joined to the coil wire 46a, a thermally conductive relay member connected to the coil wire 46a separately from the relay bus bar 53, or a portion of the coil wire 46a branched off midway.

[0076] The temperature sensor 110 may be, for example, a sensor in which a thermistor element is covered with resin. The temperature sensor 110 may be maintained in contact with the coil wire 46a or the thermally conductive member by, for example, the following configuration.

[0077] The temperature sensor 110 may be held in a fixed position by the coil end holding portion 52, and the thermally conductive member may be inserted into the coil end holding portion 52 and held in contact with the temperature sensor 110. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 110 and the thermally conductive member may be held by the coil end holding portion 52 in contact with each other, and the thermally conductive member may be joined to the coil wire 46a by welding or the like. The thermally conductive member may have a crimping piece that is crimped to the temperature sensor 110.

[0078] An electric wire 114 extends from the temperature sensor 110 as an example of wiring. A temperature sensor side connector 112 is connected to an end of the electric wire 114. The temperature sensor side connector 112 is connected to the temperature sensor 110 via the electric wire 114. Note that the component described as wiring may be an electric wire, or may be configured using a single or multiple bus bars.

[0079] The coil end holder 52 holds the temperature sensor side connector 112 in a position where it can be connected to the temperature sensor internal connector 76 on the terminal block module 70 side.

[0080] Here, the connector holding portion 54 protrudes from a position near one end of the coil end holding portion 52. More specifically, the connector holding portion 54 protrudes from a surface of the coil end holding portion 52 facing the terminal block module 70, avoiding the coil wire 46a and the connection end 53a. The connector holding portion 54 protrudes along the rotation axis X. An inner connector receptacle 55 is formed at the tip of the connector holding portion 54. The inner connector receptacle 55 is formed in a box shape that opens toward the terminal block module 70. The inner circumferential surface of the inner connector receptacle 55 is larger than the outer circumferential surface of the temperature sensor side connector 112, allowing the temperature sensor side connector 112 to move within the inner connector receptacle 55 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X. An electric wire insertion groove 55g is formed from the peripheral wall to the bottom surface of the inner connector receptacle 55. The electric wire 114 extending from the temperature sensor side connector 112 is routed through the electric wire insertion groove 55g toward the temperature sensor 110.

[0081] The temperature sensor side connector 112 is held in place by receiving the base end of the temperature sensor side connector 112 in the inner connector receptacle 55. In this state, the temperature sensor side connector 112 can move in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X within a range restricted by the inner surface of the inner connector receptacle 55. In addition, the bottom surface of the inner connector receptacle 55 restricts movement of the temperature sensor side connector 112 toward the armature 46 along the direction of the rotation axis X.

[0082] The temperature sensor side connector 112 faces the terminal block module 70, and can be connected to the temperature sensor internal connector 76 on the terminal block module 70 side by moving the coil end module 50 and the terminal block module 70 closer to each other along the rotation axis X. At this time, the temperature sensor side connector 112 can move in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X depending on the position error of the two connectors 112, 76.

[0083] The connector holding portion 54 may be provided with a wire support portion 54P capable of supporting the wire 114 on the outer side of the inner connector receiving portion 55. By the wire support portion 54P supporting the wire 114, it is possible to make it difficult for the temperature sensor side connector 112 to fall off from the inner connector receiving portion 55.

[0084] <Terminal Block Module> Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the terminal block module 70. In Fig. 6, the coil end lead terminals 58 and the outer bus bar terminals 38 are indicated by two-dot chain lines. As shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 6, the terminal block module 70 is a member fixed to the device case 41. The terminal block module 70 has a connection member 80 and a terminal block main body 72.

[0085] The connecting member 80 is a member for electrically connecting the coil end lead terminal 58, which serves as an inner bus bar terminal, to the outer bus bar terminal 38 outside the device case 41. The connecting member 80 does not need to have a primary role of electrically connecting the coil end lead terminal 58 and the outer bus bar terminal 38, but may also play a supplementary role. In other words, for example, the connecting member 80 does not need to serve as a conductive path between the coil end lead terminal 58 and the outer bus bar terminal 38. Of course, the connecting member may also be a member that serves as a conductive path between the coil end lead terminal and the outer bus bar terminal.

[0086] In this embodiment, the connecting member 80 biases the coil end lead terminal 58 toward the outer bus bar terminal 38, thereby maintaining the two terminals 58, 38 in a more reliable electrically connected state.

[0087] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the connecting member 80. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the connecting member 80. As shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the connecting member 80 includes a support member 82, a biasing member 86, and a pressing piece 88.

[0088] The support member 82 has a bottom 83 and supports the biasing member 86 on the bottom 83. For example, the support member 82 is formed by pressing a metal plate or the like. The support member 82 includes the bottom 83 and a pair of side plates 84. The bottom 83 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The pair of side plates 84 extend from both sides of the bottom 83 toward one main surface of the bottom 83. Positioning pieces 83a protrude from both front and rear edges of the bottom 83. The biasing member 86 on the bottom 83 is positioned on the bottom 83 while being located between the pair of side plates 84 and the front and rear positioning pieces 83a.

[0089] A guide groove 84g extending in the extension direction of the side plate 84 is formed at the tip of the side plate 84. A retaining piece 84a protrudes from the upper end of the rear side edge of the bottom portion 83. The guide groove 84g and the retaining piece 84a restrict the direction and range of movement of the pressing piece 88.

[0090] The biasing member 86 is an elastic member such as a coil spring. The biasing member 86 may also be a leaf spring, a disc spring, rubber, or the like. The biasing member 86 is supported on the bottom portion 83. The upper end of the biasing member 86 is positioned farther away from the bottom portion 83 than the retaining piece 84a.

[0091] The pressing piece 88 is supported by the support member 82 so as to be movable toward and away from the bottom portion 83. The pressing piece 88 is formed, for example, by pressing a metal plate.

[0092] In this embodiment, the pressing piece 88 has a pressing plate portion 88a, a guide portion 88g, and a hanging plate portion 88b.

[0093] The pressing plate portion 88a has a flat plate shape, and in this case, is a rectangular plate shape. The pressing plate portion 88a is located on the opposite side of the biasing member 86 from the bottom portion 83. In other words, the pressing plate portion 88a is located on the biasing member 86. The pressing plate portion 88a is perpendicular to the biasing direction of the biasing member 86, that is, parallel to the bottom portion 83. The biasing member 86 is interposed in a compressed state between the pressing plate portion 88a and the bottom portion 83. When the pressing plate portion 88a moves toward or away from the bottom portion 83 as the biasing member 86 expands or contracts, the pressing plate portion 88a comes into contact with the inner surfaces of the pair of side plates 84, thereby positioning the pressing plate portion 88a in the left-right direction.

[0094] Furthermore, protrusions 88ap protrude from both sides of the pressing plate 88a. The protrusions 88ap move along the guide groove 84g. As the pressing plate 88a moves, the protrusions 88ap on the left and right sides of the pressing plate 88a come into contact with the edges of the guide groove 84g on both sides, thereby positioning the pressing plate 88a in the front-rear direction.

[0095] The guide portion 88g extends from the rear side of the periphery of the pressing plate portion 88a, i.e., from the edge on the coil end module 50 side. The guide portion 88g extends in a direction away from the pressing plate portion 88a so as to gradually approach the bottom portion 83. In this embodiment, the guide portion 88g extends rearward and downward from the rear edge of the pressing plate portion 88a while forming a partial cylindrical shape.

[0096] The hanging plate portion 88b extends from the tip edge of the guide portion 88g toward the bottom portion 83 along the biasing direction of the biasing member 86. The hanging plate portion 88b covers the biasing member 86 from the coil end module 50 side.

[0097] Protrusions 88bp protrude from the upper portions of both side edges of the hanging plate portion 88b. The protrusions 88bp move up and down along the rear edges of the side plates 84 and come into contact with the retaining pieces 84a from the side of the bottom portion 83. The contact of the protrusions 88bp with the retaining pieces 84a restricts the movement of the pressing piece 88 in a direction away from the bottom portion 83.

[0098] The movement of the protrusions 88ap, 88bp of the pressing piece 88 is restricted by the guide groove 84g and the retaining piece 84a, so that the support member 82 supports the pressing piece 88 so that it can move back and forth between a standby position and an approach position that is closer to the bottom 83 than the standby position. In this embodiment, the standby position is a position where the protrusion 88bp contacts the retaining piece 84a from the bottom 83 side. The standby position is a position where the protrusion 88ap contacts the edge of the guide groove 84g on the bottom 83 side.

[0099] The terminal block body 72 is made of resin or the like, and is fixed to the lid 43 of the device case 41 while holding the connection member 80 .

[0100] More specifically, the terminal block body 72 is formed in an elongated shape. The terminal block body 72 is formed with accommodating recesses 73 for accommodating the connecting members 80. In this embodiment, the terminal block body 72 is formed with three accommodating recesses 73 aligned along the extension direction of the terminal block body 72 in order to hold three connecting members 80. The terminal block body 72 is integrally formed with a screw fastening portion 71 as an attachment portion. The terminal block body 72 is fixed to the cover portion 43 by screw fastening via the screw fastening portion 71.

[0101] The terminal block body 72 has an inner opening 73h1 and an outer opening 73h2. Each of the accommodating recesses 73 is open at the inner opening 73h1 and the outer opening 73h2.

[0102] The inner opening 73h1 is an opening that receives the coil end lead terminal 58, which is an inner bus bar terminal, along the rotation axis X. In other words, the inner opening 73h1 opens on a forward extension of the coil end lead terminal 58.

[0103] The outer opening 73h2 is an opening that receives the outer bus bar terminal 38 along a direction from the outer periphery toward the inner periphery of the device case 41. In other words, the outer opening 73h2 opens on an extension of the outer bus bar terminal 38 extending from the control device 30 attached to the rotating electric machine 40.

[0104] As will be described later, the coil end module 50 is attached to the end of the armature 46 inside the case body 42. Furthermore, the terminal block module 70 is attached to the lid 43. When the lid 43 is attached to the case body 42, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the coil end lead terminal 58 is guided through the inner opening 73h1 onto the pressing piece 88. At this time, if the coil end lead terminal 58 is positioned below the pressing plate 88a, the tip of the coil end lead terminal 58 comes into contact with the guide portion 88g. Because the coil end lead terminal 58 is supported in a cantilevered manner, the coil end lead terminal 58 can tilt so as to displace its tip upward. This allows the tip of the coil end lead terminal 58 to be guided by the guide portion 88g and move onto the pressing plate 88a.

[0105] As a result, the coil end lead terminal 58 is positioned on the opposite side of the bottom portion 83 with respect to the biasing member 86 .

[0106] When the control device 30 is attached to the rotating electric machine 40, the outer bus bar terminal 38 passes through the outer opening 73h2 and moves onto the connecting member 80. The outer bus bar terminal 38 is disposed on the opposite side of the coil end lead terminal 58 from the biasing member 86.

[0107] With the control device 30 attached to the rotating electric machine 40, the lower end position of the outer bus bar terminal 38 is set to a position that can compress the biasing member 86, taking into account the thickness of the coil end lead terminal 58 and the thickness of the pressing plate portion 88a. For example, with the control device 30 attached to the rotating electric machine 40, a gap that is smaller than the thickness of the coil end lead terminal 58 is set between the lower end position of the outer bus bar terminal 38 and the pressing plate portion 88a.

[0108] With the control device 30 attached to the rotating electric machine 40, the lower end of the outer bus bar terminal 38 presses the biasing member 86 downward via the coil end lead-out terminal 58 and the pressing plate portion 88a, compressing the biasing member 86. At this time, because the coil end lead-out terminal 58 is supported in a cantilevered manner, when pressed by the outer bus bar terminal 38, it can tilt around its base end.

[0109] In this state, the pressing plate portion 88a attempts to move upward due to the biasing force of the biasing member 86 attempting to return to its original length. This biasing force presses the coil end lead terminal 58 against the outer bus bar terminal 38. In other words, in the completed state of the electromechanical integrated unit 20, the biasing member 86 constantly biases the coil end lead terminal 58 against the outer bus bar terminal 38. This more reliably maintains the electrical connection between the coil end lead terminal 58 and the outer bus bar terminal 38.

[0110] As described above, in the present embodiment, the pressing plate portion 88a of the pressing piece 88 is interposed between the biasing member 86 and the coil end lead terminal 58. The pressing piece 88 may be omitted, and the biasing member 86 may press the coil end lead terminal 58 directly toward the outer bus bar terminal 38.

[0111] As described above, the terminal block module 70 and the coil end module 50 constitute the wiring unit 28 for a rotating electric machine that connects the coil wire 46 a to the outer bus bar terminal 38 inserted from outside the device case 41 .

[0112] <Configuration Related to Sensor Wiring> The terminal block module 70 has a configuration for drawing out the speed sensor 100 inside the device case 41 to the outside.

[0113] That is, the terminal block module 70 includes an internal connector 74 for the speed sensor and a wiring 60 for the speed sensor.

[0114] An extension 72E is integrally formed by molding at one end of the terminal block body 72. An internal connector 74 for the speed sensor is formed on the extension 72E.

[0115] The speed sensor internal connector 74 has a speed sensor internal terminal 75, and is supported by the terminal block main body 72 so as to be located inside the device case 41. The speed sensor internal connector 74 is configured to be connectable to the speed sensor side connector 106 of the speed sensor 100 via a relay connector 150.

[0116] The temperature sensor side connector 112 of the temperature sensor 110 may also be configured to be connectable to the temperature sensor internal connector 76 via a relay connector 150M (see the relay connector 150M indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6). The relay connector 150M may be configured to absorb misalignment, similar to the relay connector 150. In this case, the temperature sensor side connector 112 does not need to be supported so that its position can be changed.

[0117] More specifically, the speed sensor internal connector 74 has an internal connector housing 74a and speed sensor internal terminals 75. The internal connector housing 74a has a recess into which the relay connector 150 can be inserted. The speed sensor internal terminals 75 protrude from the bottom of the recess of the internal connector housing 74a. When the relay connector 150 is inserted and connected into the internal connector housing 74a, the speed sensor internal terminals 75 are connected to relay terminals 152 (see FIG. 13 ) on the relay connector 150 side.

[0118] The terminal block main body 72 supports the speed sensor internal connector 74 in a position facing the speed sensor side connector 106 of the speed sensor 100 incorporated in the device case 41 via the relay connector 150. In this embodiment, the connection direction of the relay connector 150 to the speed sensor internal connector 74 and the connection direction of the speed sensor side connector 106 to the relay connector 150 are set to be along the direction of the rotation axis X.

[0119] The relay connector 150 may be connected to the speed sensor internal connector 74 with the speed sensor internal terminal 75 connected to the relay terminal 152. In other words, the terminal block module 70 may be provided as a component with the relay connector 150 connected to the speed sensor internal connector 74. The relay connector 150 connected to the speed sensor internal connector 74 is an example of a speed sensor internal relay connector.

[0120] Here, the speed sensor 100 has an annular main body 102, a connector support 104 that protrudes outward from a portion of the circumference of the annular main body 102, and a speed sensor side connector 106 that is supported at the tip of the connector support 104 (see FIG. 18 ). The annular main body 102 has, for example, portions around which a coil wire is wound arranged in an annular shape. A current excited in the coil wire as the field 49 rotates is output via the speed sensor side connector 106. It is not essential that the speed sensor 100 have the above configuration, and a speed sensor that uses an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like may also be used.

[0121] The annular main body 102 has a screw portion 103 as an attachment portion, and the annular main body 102 is attached to the cover 43 using the screw portion 103. The speed sensor side connector 106 is located outside the annular main body 102. Here, the speed sensor internal connector 74 has a shape that is long in the tangential direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis X in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis X.

[0122] Both the terminal block module 70 and the speed sensor 100 are attached to the lid 43. The speed sensor internal connector 74 of the terminal block module 70 is positioned opposite the speed sensor side connector 106 via the relay connector 150 when attached to the lid 43. The speed sensor internal connector 74 faces rearward along the rotation axis X, and the speed sensor side connector 106 faces forward along the rotation axis X. Therefore, when the terminal block module 70 and the speed sensor 100 are attached to the lid 43, the speed sensor internal connector 74 and the speed sensor side connector 106 face each other along the rotation axis X and are connected to each other via the relay connector 150.

[0123] At least a portion of the speed sensor wiring 60 is held within the terminal block body 72, and the speed sensor inner terminal 75 is connected to a terminal of an outer connector, which is a circuit extending from the outside of the device case 41. Note that a plurality of speed sensor wirings 60 are provided corresponding to the plurality of speed sensor inner terminals 75, respectively (only a portion of them is shown in FIG. 6 ).

[0124] The speed sensor wiring 60 may be a wire punched out of a metal plate such as copper, a metal wire, or an electric wire made of metal wires coated with resin. In this embodiment, the speed sensor wiring 60 is assumed to be a wire punched out of a metal plate such as copper.

[0125] The terminal block body 72 is assumed to be a resin part molded with a die, with at least a part of the speed sensor wiring 60 as an insert part. The terminal block body 72 is a part having a through hole through which the speed sensor wiring can pass, and may be configured such that, with the speed sensor wiring disposed in the through hole, the gap between the wiring and the through hole is filled with a filler or the like.

[0126] The terminal block module 70 also has an external connector 78 having a speed sensor outer terminal 79t1. The speed sensor outer terminal 79t1 is connected to the speed sensor wiring 60. A plurality of speed sensor outer terminals 79t1 are provided corresponding to the number of speed sensor inner terminals 75. The external connector 78 is supported by the terminal block main body 72 so that an outer connector 39 can be connected from outside the device case 41.

[0127] More specifically, the external connector 78 has an external connector housing 78a and a speed sensor outer terminal 79t1. The external connector housing 78a is a part that is molded integrally with the extension 72E of the terminal block main body 72, and has a recess into which the relay connector 250 can be inserted. The speed sensor outer terminal 79t1 protrudes from the bottom of the recess of the external connector housing 78a. When the relay connector 250 is inserted and connected into the external connector housing 78a, the speed sensor outer terminal 79t1 is connected to the relay terminal 152 of the relay connector 250.

[0128] The terminal block main body 72 supports the external connector 78 in a position facing the outer connector 39 of the control device 30 attached to the device case 41, with the relay connector 250 interposed therebetween. In this embodiment, the control device 30 supports the outer connector 39 at a position adjacent to the outer bus bar terminal 38. The outer connector 39 is supported on the rotating electric machine 40 side, i.e., facing downward, and the connection direction of the relay connector 250 to the external connector 78 and the connection direction of the outer connector 39 to the relay connector 250 are set in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X, i.e., the up-down direction in this case. In other words, the connection direction of the relay connector 250 to the external connector 78 and the connection direction of the outer connector 39 to the relay connector 250 are set along the direction from the outer periphery toward the inner periphery of the device case 41.

[0129] The relay connector 250 may be connected to the external connector 78 with the speed sensor outer terminal 79t1 connected to the relay terminal 152. In other words, the terminal block module 70 may be provided as a component with the relay connector 250 connected to the external connector 78. The relay connector 250 connected to the external connector 78 is an example of a speed sensor outer relay connector.

[0130] With the rotating electric machine 40 assembled, the control device 30 is attached to the rotating electric machine 40. At this time, the outer connector 39 is inserted from above into the external connector 78 through the opening 43h of the lid portion 43. With the control device 30 attached to the rotating electric machine 40, the outer connector 39 faces the external connector 78 and they are connected to each other.

[0131] As described above, the speed sensor side connector 106 of the speed sensor 100 is connected to the speed sensor internal connector 74, and the external connector 39 is connected to the external connector 78. The speed sensor internal terminal 75 of the speed sensor internal connector 74 is connected to the speed sensor external terminal 79t1 of the external connector 78 via the speed sensor wiring 60. The speed sensor internal connector 74, the external connector 78, and the speed sensor wiring 60 are integrally incorporated into the terminal block module 70. Therefore, the speed sensor 100 is connected to the control device 30 via the terminal block module 70.

[0132] The speed sensor inner terminal 75, the speed sensor outer terminal 79t1, and the speed sensor wire 60 may be integrally formed as a metal wiring member. For example, a metal plate such as copper may be pressed to form a metal wiring member in which the speed sensor inner terminal 75, the speed sensor wire 60, and the speed sensor outer terminal 79t1 are connected in this order. This allows for lower costs and improved connection reliability compared to when electric wires are used as connecting members between the terminals.

[0133] As described above, the terminal block body 72, the internal connector housing 74a, and the external connector housing 78a may be integrally molded from resin. In this case, the speed sensor internal terminal 75 may be located within the internal connector housing 74a, the speed sensor external terminal 79t1 may be located within the external connector housing 78a, and the speed sensor wiring 60 may be embedded in the terminal block body 72 (here, the extension 72E) as an insert portion. This allows the speed sensor internal connector 74 and the external connector 78 to be easily formed integrally in the terminal block module 70. The terminal block body 72 may also be formed by multiple molding processes, such as two-color molding or double molding.

[0134] The terminal block module 70 also has a structure for drawing out the temperature sensor 110 inside the device case 41 to the outside.

[0135] That is, the terminal block module 70 includes an internal connector 76 for the temperature sensor and wiring 62 for the temperature sensor.

[0136] An internal connector 76 for the temperature sensor is formed on an extension 72E at one end of the terminal block body 72.

[0137] The temperature sensor internal connector 76 has a temperature sensor internal terminal 77, and is supported by the terminal block main body 72 so as to be located inside the device case 41. The temperature sensor internal connector 76 is configured to be connectable to the temperature sensor side connector 112 of the temperature sensor 110.

[0138] More specifically, the temperature sensor internal connector 76 has an internal connector housing 76a and internal temperature sensor terminals 77. The internal connector housing 76a has a recess into which the temperature sensor side connector 112 can be inserted. The internal temperature sensor terminals 77 protrude from the bottom of the recess of the internal connector housing 76a. When the temperature sensor side connector 112 is inserted and connected into the internal connector housing 76a, the internal temperature sensor terminals 77 are connected to terminals on the temperature sensor side connector 112 side.

[0139] The terminal block body 72 supports the temperature sensor internal connector 76 in a position facing the temperature sensor side connector 112 of the temperature sensor 110 incorporated in the device case 41. In this embodiment, the connection direction of the temperature sensor side connector 112 to the temperature sensor internal connector 76 is set to be along the direction of the rotation axis X.

[0140] As described above, the temperature sensor 110 is held by the coil end module 50, and the temperature sensor side connector 112 is also held by the coil end module 50. The temperature sensor side connector 112 faces forward along the rotation axis X. The temperature sensor side connector 112 is supported at a position on the outer periphery of the speed sensor side connector 106. The temperature sensor internal connector 76 faces rearward along the rotation axis X and therefore faces the temperature sensor side connector 112.

[0141] Then, when the coil end module 50 is attached to the armature 46 inside the case body 42 and the terminal block module 70 is attached to the lid portion 43, and then the lid portion 43 is attached to the case body 42, the temperature sensor side connector 112 and the temperature sensor internal connector 76 move toward each other, and the two connectors 76, 112 are connected. At this time, because the temperature sensor side connector 112 is movably supported by the connector holding portion 54, even if a positional error occurs between the two connectors 76, 112, the temperature sensor side connector 112 can be displaced up and down or left and right to match the position of the temperature sensor internal connector 76.

[0142] At least a portion of the temperature sensor wiring 62 is held within the terminal block body 72, and the temperature sensor inner terminal 77 is connected to the wiring on the outer connector side, which is a circuit extending from the outside of the device case 41. Note that a plurality of temperature sensor wirings 62 are provided corresponding to the plurality of temperature sensor inner terminals 77, respectively.

[0143] The temperature sensor wiring 62 may be a wire punched out of a metal plate such as copper, a metal wire, or an electric wire made of metal wire coated with resin. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor wiring 62 is assumed to be a wire punched out of a metal plate such as copper.

[0144] The terminal block body 72 is also assumed to be a resin component molded with a die, with at least a portion of the temperature sensor wiring 62 as an insert portion. The terminal block body 72 is a component having a through hole through which the temperature sensor wiring can pass, and may be configured such that, with the temperature sensor wiring disposed in the through hole, the gap between the wiring and the through hole is filled with a filler or the like.

[0145] The terminal block module 70 also has an external connector 78 having a temperature sensor external terminal 79t2. The temperature sensor external terminal 79t2 is connected to the temperature sensor wiring 62. A plurality of temperature sensor external terminals 79t2 are provided corresponding to the number of temperature sensor internal terminals 77. The external connector 78 is supported by the terminal block main body 72 so that an external connector 39 can be connected from outside the device case 41.

[0146] More specifically, the external connector 78 has an external connector housing 78a and a temperature sensor external terminal 79t2. As described above, the external connector housing 78a is a connector housing having the speed sensor external terminal 79t1. The temperature sensor external terminal 79t2 protrudes from the bottom of a recess in the external connector housing 78a. In other words, in this embodiment, the external connector 78 has the speed sensor external terminal 79t1 and the temperature sensor external terminal 79t2 and is a connector for outputting both a speed detection signal and a temperature detection signal.

[0147] When the outer connector 39 is inserted into the external connector housing 78 a, the temperature sensor outer terminal 79 t 2 is connected to a terminal on the outer connector 39 side.

[0148] As described above, the temperature sensor side connector 112 of the temperature sensor 110 is connected to the temperature sensor internal connector 76, and the external connector 39 is connected to the external connector 78 via the relay connector 250. The temperature sensor internal terminal 77 of the temperature sensor internal connector 76 is connected to the temperature sensor external terminal 79t2 of the external connector 78 via the temperature sensor wiring 62. The temperature sensor internal connector 76, external connector 78, and temperature sensor wiring 62 are integrally incorporated into the terminal block module 70. Therefore, the temperature sensor 110 is connected to the control device 30 via the terminal block module 70.

[0149] The temperature sensor inner terminal 77, the temperature sensor outer terminal 79t2, and the temperature sensor wiring 62 may be integrally formed as a metal wiring member. For example, a metal plate such as copper may be pressed to form a metal wiring member in which the temperature sensor inner terminal 77, the temperature sensor wiring 62, and the temperature sensor outer terminal 79t2 are connected in this order.

[0150] As described above, the terminal block body 72, the internal connector housing 76a, and the external connector housing 78a may be integrally molded from resin. In this case, the temperature sensor internal terminal 77 may be located within the internal connector housing 76a, the temperature sensor external terminal 79t2 may be located within the external connector housing 78a, and the temperature sensor wiring 62 may be embedded in the terminal block body 72 (here, the extension 72E) as an insert portion. This allows the temperature sensor internal connector 76 and the external connector 78 to be easily formed integrally in the terminal block module 70. The terminal block body 72 may also be formed by multiple molding processes, such as two-color molding (double molding).

[0151] The external connector 78 is an example of a speed sensor external connector in that it has a speed sensor outer terminal 79t1. The external connector 78 is also an example of a temperature sensor connector in that it has a temperature sensor outer terminal 79t2.

[0152] In the above embodiment, the external connector 78 is used in combination as a connector that outputs both temperature and speed detection signals, but the external connector may be divided into a connector having an external terminal for a speed sensor and a connector having an external terminal for a temperature sensor.

[0153] <Terminals of the Control Device> The terminals 32 extending from the control device 30 toward the rotating electric machine 40 will be described. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the terminals 32. The control device 30 is a device that controls the rotating electric machine 40, and has an inverter control board. The control device 30 has the terminals 32 that connect the inverter control board and the rotating electric machine 40.

[0154] The terminal 32 includes a base member 33 , a plurality of (here, three) outer bus bar terminals 38 , and a signal relay portion 36 .

[0155] The base member 33 has a base plate portion 33a and a column portion 33b that protrudes from the base plate portion 33a toward the rotating electrical machine 40. The base plate portion 33a is fixed to the case of the control device 30 by screws or the like.

[0156] The outer bus bar terminal 38 is formed of a metal plate such as a copper plate. The outer bus bar terminal 38 has an elongated plate-shaped middle portion and upper and lower end portions that curve and extend from both ends of the elongated plate-shaped middle portion toward one main surface of the plate-shaped middle portion. The upper end of the outer bus bar terminal 38 is disposed on the base plate portion 33a and connected by screws or the like to the bus bar 130 extending from the inverter control board. The plate-shaped middle portion of the outer bus bar terminal 38 extends along the front side surface of the column portion 33b. The lower end of the outer bus bar terminal 38 is disposed so as to overlap the lower surface of the base plate portion 33a.

[0157] The signal relay unit 36 ​​includes an outer connector 39, a board-side connector 37, and a conductor 36W connecting the two connectors. The conductor 36W is, for example, a thin, elongated conductor formed by pressing a metal plate. A portion of the conductor 36W is illustrated in FIG. 11 . The outer connector 39 is supported by the lower end of a connector support portion 35 extending downward from one side of the base member 33. The connector support portion 35 is positioned outward in the direction in which the multiple pillar portions 33b are arranged. The lower end of the connector support portion 35 faces the external connector 78 of the terminal block module 70 via a relay connector 250. A connector housing 39h that opens downward is formed at the lower end of the connector support portion 35. The lower end of the conductor 36W protrudes into the connector housing 39h as a connector terminal. The connector housing 39h and the connector terminal at the lower end of the conductor 36W form the outer connector 39. The outer connector 39 can face the external connector 78 via the relay connector 250. The conductor 36W extends from the outer connector 39 through the connector support portion 35 to the base plate portion 33a.

[0158] A connector housing 37h that opens rearward is provided on the base plate portion 33a. The upper end of the conductor 36W bends rearward and protrudes into the connector housing 37h. The connector housing 37h and the connector terminal at the upper end of the conductor 36W form a board-side connector 37. The board-side connector 37 is connected to a connector 131 on the inverter control board.

[0159] <Regarding the Relay Connector> The relay connector 150 will now be described. Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the relay connector 150, and Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the relay connector 150. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in Fig. 12, and Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XV in Fig. 12. In Figs. 14 and 15, the relay terminal 152 is shown in a side view or a plan view.

[0160] The relay connector 150 includes a relay terminal 152 , a first housing 160 , and a second housing 170 .

[0161] The relay terminal 152 is made of a conductive material such as metal. In this embodiment, the relay terminal 152 is formed by pressing a metal plate.

[0162] The relay terminal 152 includes a first terminal portion 153 , a second terminal portion 154 , and an intermediate connecting portion 156 .

[0163] The first terminal 153 is a portion that is connected to a connection target terminal, in this case, the speed sensor inner terminal 75. In this embodiment, the first terminal 153 is a portion that is formed in a cylindrical shape, more specifically, a rectangular cylindrical shape. The first terminal may also be formed in the shape of an elongated plate or pin.

[0164] The second terminal 154 is a portion that is connected to a connection target terminal, in this case, a terminal of the speed sensor side connector 106. In this embodiment, the second terminal 154 is a portion that is formed in a cylindrical shape, more specifically, a rectangular cylindrical shape. The second terminal may also be formed in the shape of an elongated plate or pin.

[0165] Intermediate connecting portion 156 is a portion that connects first terminal portion 153 and second terminal portion 154. In other words, intermediate connecting portion 156 is located between first terminal portion 153 and second terminal portion 154. Intermediate connecting portion 156 electrically connects first terminal portion 153 and second terminal portion 154.

[0166] The intermediate connecting portion 156 has a deformation portion 157 that allows the position of the second terminal portion 154 to vary relative to the first terminal portion 153. The deformation portion 157 may be understood to be a portion that is more easily deformed than the first terminal portion 153 and the second terminal portion 154. With regard to ease of deformation, the lower the bending rigidity, the easier it is to deform. In this embodiment, the entire intermediate connecting portion 156 is the deformation portion 157.

[0167] In this embodiment, first terminal portion 153 and second terminal portion 154 are cylindrical, while intermediate connecting portion 156 is a continuous strip-shaped portion. Moreover, intermediate connecting portion 156 is narrower than first terminal portion 153 and second terminal portion 154. Therefore, the bending rigidity of intermediate connecting portion 156 is clearly smaller than the bending rigidity of first terminal portion 153 and second terminal portion 154.

[0168] The deforming portion 157 includes bent portions and may be understood as a portion that is easily deformed by bending at the bent portions. In this embodiment, the deforming portion 157 includes multiple (four here) bent locations. More specifically, the deforming portion 157 is a portion that extends from the base end of each of the first terminal portion 153 and the second terminal portion 154 and is bent in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first terminal portion 153 and the second terminal portion 154. Furthermore, the tip ends of the portions that bend in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first terminal portion 153 and the second terminal portion 154 are bent toward each other. In other words, the deforming portion 157 is a portion that is bent in a U-shape. By deforming each bent portion, the deforming portion 157 can be easily bent.

[0169] First terminal portion 153 and second terminal portion 154 are disposed at different positions in the direction in which deformed portion 157 bends and protrudes relative to first terminal portion 153 and second terminal portion 154. Therefore, second terminal portion 154 is disposed at a position offset from the extension of first terminal portion 153 in the extending direction.

[0170] The intermediate connecting portion 156 is connected to the edge opposite to the side where the deformed portion 157 bends and protrudes relative to the base-end opening of the first terminal 153. The intermediate connecting portion 156 is connected to the edge on the side where the deformed portion 157 bends and protrudes relative to the base-end opening of the second terminal 154.

[0171] The positions at which the intermediate connecting portion 156 is connected to the first terminal portion 153 and the second terminal portion 154 are not limited to the above example and may be arbitrary.

[0172] In this embodiment, the relay connector 150 includes a plurality of (here, six) relay terminals 152. The plurality of relay terminals 152 are aligned in a row in the width direction. The plurality of relay terminals 152 may also be arranged in multiple rows.

[0173] The first housing 160 is connected to the speed sensor internal connector 74 while holding the first terminal portion 153 .

[0174] The second housing 170 is connected to the speed sensor side connector 106 while holding the second terminal portion 154 .

[0175] The positions of the first housing 160 and the second housing 170 are movable relative to each other. When the first housing 160 is connected to the speed sensor internal connector 74, the positions of the first housing 160 and the first terminal portion 153 are restricted according to the position of the speed sensor internal connector 74.

[0176] When the second housing 170 is connected to the speed sensor side connector 106, the second housing 170 and the second terminal portion 154 may move depending on the position of the speed sensor side connector 106. Because the first housing 160 and the second housing 170 are mutually positionally movable, the second housing 170 can move to follow the position of the speed sensor side connector 106 regardless of the position of the first housing 160. Furthermore, by deforming the deformation portion 157, the second terminal portion 154 can move to follow the position of the speed sensor side connector 106 regardless of the position of the first terminal portion 153.

[0177] It is preferable that first housing 160 and second housing 170 cover intermediate connecting portion 156 in a state that allows deformation of deforming portion 157. This allows intermediate connecting portion 156 to be covered in an insulated state from the outside and to be protected. When relay connector 150 includes multiple relay terminals 152, first housing 160 and second housing 170 preferably have partitions that insulate between relay terminals 152.

[0178] A more specific structural example of the first housing 160 and the second housing 170 will be described.

[0179] The first housing 160 is a component integrally molded from resin or the like. The first housing 160 includes a first terminal holding portion 162 that holds the first terminal portion 153, and a tubular portion 164 that extends from the first terminal holding portion 162 and surrounds the intermediate connecting portion 156.

[0180] The first terminal holding portion 162 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that is long in one direction. A plurality of terminal holding holes 162h are formed in the first terminal holding portion 162 so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction. One end of the terminal holding holes 162h opens on the side opposite the cylindrical portion 164, and the other end of the terminal holding holes 162h opens on the cylindrical portion 164 side. The first terminal portion 153 is inserted and held in the terminal holding holes 162h. The first terminal portion 153 may be held in the terminal holding holes 162h in a locked state by a locking structure or the like.

[0181] Since the multiple first terminal portions 153 are held in a line by the multiple terminal holding holes 162h, the multiple intermediate connecting portions 156 are also held in a line in the same orientation.

[0182] The cylindrical portion 164 extends in a cylindrical shape from the periphery of the base end of the first terminal holding portion 162 on the side from which the intermediate connecting portion 156 extends. The cylindrical portion 164 surrounds the intermediate connecting portion 156. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 164 entirely surrounds the multiple intermediate connecting portions 156.

[0183] A pressing piece 163 extends from the base end of the first terminal holding portion 162 toward the inside of the tubular portion 164. The pressing piece 163 extends from the edge of the other end opening of the terminal holding hole 162h on the side opposite to the side from which the intermediate connecting portion 156 extends. When the first housing 160 and the second housing 170 are combined, the pressing piece 163 extends toward the second terminal portion 154 and can face the rear end of the second terminal portion 154. As a result, when the second terminal portion 154 retracts toward the extension portion 174, the pressing piece 163 comes into contact with the second terminal portion 154 and prevents the retraction. This makes it difficult for the second terminal portion 154 to come out of the terminal holding hole 172h.

[0184] The second housing 170 is a component integrally molded from resin, etc. The second housing 170 includes a second terminal holding portion 172 that holds the second terminal portion 154, and an extension portion 174 that extends from the second terminal holding portion 172.

[0185] The second terminal holding portion 172 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that is long in one direction. A plurality of terminal holding holes 172h are formed in the second terminal holding portion 172 and aligned in the longitudinal direction. One end of the terminal holding holes 172h opens on the side opposite the extending portion 174, and the other end of the terminal holding hole 162h opens on the extending portion 174 side. The second terminal portion 154 is inserted and held in the terminal holding hole 172h. The second terminal portion 154 may be held in the terminal holding hole 172h in a locked state by a locking structure or the like.

[0186] Since the multiple second terminal portions 154 are held in a line by the multiple terminal holding holes 172h, the multiple intermediate connecting portions 156 are also held in a line in the same orientation.

[0187] The extending portion 174 includes a pair of side wall portions 175, 175 extending from both side edges of the base end of the second terminal holding portion 172 on the side from which the intermediate connecting portion 156 extends. In the present embodiment, the extending portion 174 further includes an upper wall portion 176 connecting one side edge of the pair of side wall portions 175, 175. Therefore, the multiple intermediate connecting portions 156 are surrounded on three sides by the extending portion 174. The side of the extending portion 174 opposite the upper wall portion 176 is open, but this portion may also be closed.

[0188] The extending portion 174 further has a partition 176a located between the plurality of intermediate connecting portions 156 between the pair of side wall portions 175, 175. The partition 176a separates the adjacent intermediate connecting portions 156 in an insulated state.

[0189] The extension portion 174 can be inserted into the cylindrical portion 164. The extension portion may also be disposed on the outside of the cylindrical portion.

[0190] Positioning pieces 173 extend outward from the edges of a pair of long sides of the base end of second terminal holding portion 172 on the side from which extending portion 174 extends. The pair of positioning pieces 173 face the tip of tubular portion 164. When tubular portion 164 comes into contact with positioning pieces 173, movement of first housing 160 and second housing 170 in the direction toward each other is restricted. In this state, when the tip of extending portion 174 comes into contact with the base end of first terminal holding portion 162, movement of first housing 160 and second housing 170 in the direction toward each other is also restricted.

[0191] The cylindrical portion 164 and the extending portion 174 are engaged with each other in a state in which their positions are relatively movable and movement of the cylindrical portion 164 and the extending portion 174 in the separation direction is restricted.

[0192] The approaching direction between the cylindrical portion 164 and the extending portion 174 is the direction in which the extending portion 174 enters the cylindrical portion 164 in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 164. The separating direction between the cylindrical portion 164 and the extending portion 174 is the direction in which the extending portion 174 moves out of the cylindrical portion 164 in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 164. The approaching / separating direction A between the cylindrical portion 164 and the extending portion 174 is a linear direction along the approaching direction or the separating direction. The same applies to the approaching direction, separating direction, and approaching / separating direction A between the first housing 160 and the second housing 170.

[0193] More specifically, the cylindrical portion 164 includes the locking claw 165, and the extension portion 174 includes the locking surface 175hf.

[0194] The locking claws 165 extend from the tip edges of a pair of wall portions on the short sides of the tubular portion 164 so as to fold back into the tubular portion 164. Locking surfaces 175hf are formed on a pair of side wall portions 175 of the extension portion 174. The locking claws 165 can be locked to the locking surfaces 175hf of the side wall portions 175 inside the tubular portion 164.

[0195] More specifically, the locking claw 165 includes an inclined portion 165a and a tip locking portion 165b.

[0196] The inclined portion 165a extends from the tip edge of the wall portion on the short side of the cylindrical portion 164 toward the cylindrical portion 164, folding back toward the first terminal holding portion 162. The inclined portion 165a is inclined with respect to the approach / removal direction A of the extending portion 174 relative to the cylindrical portion 164, i.e., with respect to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 164. More specifically, the inclined portion 165a is inclined so that the distance between the inclined portion 165a and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 164 increases as the inclined portion 165a approaches the first terminal holding portion 162. It can also be said that the inclined portion 165a is inclined inward from the opening edge of the cylindrical portion 164.

[0197] Because the inclined portion 165a is inclined, when the extension portion 174 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 164, the tip of the side wall portion 175 comes into contact with the inclined portion 165a, and the inclined portion 165a can easily deform so as to approach the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 164. To enable the inclined portion 165a to deform more reliably, a partial slit is formed in the cylindrical portion 164 at the base of the part where the inclined portion 165a is connected. This slit may be omitted.

[0198] The tip locking portion 165b is located on the tip side of the inclined portion 165a and extends toward the tubular portion 164. The tip locking portion 165b has a larger angle with respect to the approaching and departing direction A than the inclined portion 165a. The angle of the tip locking portion 165b with respect to the approaching and departing direction A is an angle of 0 to 90 degrees. Therefore, the fact that the angle of the tip locking portion 165b with respect to the approaching and departing direction A is larger than the angle of the inclined portion 165a means that the angle of the tip locking portion 165b with respect to the approaching and departing direction A is closer to a right angle than the angle of the inclined portion 165a with respect to the approaching and departing direction A. This tip locking portion 165b is likely to come into stable contact with the locking surface 175hf.

[0199] Locking holes 175h serving as locking recesses are formed in a pair of side wall portions 175 of the extension portion 174. In this embodiment, the locking recesses are locking holes 175h that penetrate the side wall portions 175, but the locking recesses may also be bottomed recesses that open toward the locking claw 165.

[0200] The locking hole 175h is formed as a rectangular through-hole. The inner surface of the locking hole 175h facing the second terminal holding portion 172 is a locking surface 175hf. The locking surface 175hf is preferably perpendicular to the approach / removal direction A.

[0201] Then, the tip of the locking claw 165 enters the locking hole 175h from the outside, allowing the locking claw 165 to be locked to the locking surface 175hf. In this state, the tip of the locking claw 165 contacts the locking surface 175hf from the side of the second terminal holding portion 172. Therefore, when the extending portion 174 tries to detach from the tubular portion 164 toward the opening side of the tubular portion 164, the movement of the extending portion 174 in the detaching direction is restricted.

[0202] When the tip of the locking claw 165 is inserted into the locking hole 175h from the outside, a gap exists between the tip of the locking claw 165 and the locking hole 175h in the approaching / removing direction A. Therefore, the locking claw 165 can move within the locking hole 175h in the approaching / removing direction A, and the first housing 160 and the second housing can move in the approaching / removing direction A (see FIG. 15 ). Furthermore, in a direction perpendicular to the approaching / removing direction A (the direction of the short side of the tubular portion 164), the width W2 of the locking hole 175h is greater than the width W1 of the locking claw 165. Therefore, the locking claw 165 can move within the locking hole 175h in the direction perpendicular to the approaching / removing direction A.

[0203] Furthermore, the amount of insertion into the locking hole 175h can be adjusted, and the locking claw 165 can also move within the locking hole 175h in another direction perpendicular to the approaching / removing direction A (the long side direction of the tubular portion 164).

[0204] Therefore, the locking claw 165 locks the first housing 160 and the second housing 170 to the locking surface 175hf in a state in which the first housing 160 and the second housing 170 are movable relative to each other and in a state in which separation is restricted.

[0205] Conversely, the locking surface may be formed on the cylindrical portion and the locking claw may be formed on the extending portion.

[0206] The cylindrical portion 164 has an elastic piece 166 that contacts the extension portion 174 and biases the extension portion 174 relative to the cylindrical portion 164 in a direction intersecting the approach / removal direction A.

[0207] In this embodiment, a pair of elastic pieces 166 extend from the tip edges of a pair of wall portions on the long sides of the tubular portion 164 so as to fold back into the tubular portion 164. One of the elastic pieces 166 is positioned so as to be able to contact the outward surface of the upper wall portion 176. The other elastic piece 166 is positioned so as to be able to contact the edge of the upper wall portion 176 on the partition 176a.

[0208] More specifically, the elastic piece 166 includes an inclined portion 166a.

[0209] The inclined portion 166a extends from the tip edge of the wall portion on the long side of the cylindrical portion 164 toward the cylindrical portion 164, folding back toward the first terminal holding portion 162. The inclined portion 165a is inclined with respect to the direction A in which the extending portion 174 approaches and leaves the cylindrical portion 164, i.e., with respect to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 164. More specifically, the inclined portion 165a is inclined so that the distance between the inclined portion 165a and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 164 increases as the inclined portion 165a approaches the first terminal holding portion 162. It can also be said that the inclined portion 165a is inclined inward from the opening edge of the cylindrical portion 164.

[0210] Because the inclined portion 166a is inclined, when the extension portion 174 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 164, the outward surface of the upper wall portion 176 or the side edge of the partition 176a comes into contact with the inclined portion 166a, thereby allowing the inclined portion 166a to easily deform so as to approach the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 164. To enable the inclined portion 166a to deform more reliably, a partial slit is formed in the cylindrical portion 164 at the base of the part where the inclined portion 166a is connected. This slit may be omitted.

[0211] As with the locking claw 165, a tip portion 166b having the same configuration as the tip locking portion 165b may be formed at the tip of the inclined portion 166a.

[0212] A pair of elastic pieces 166 located on the pair of long sides of the tubular portion 164 contact the extending portion 174 from both sides, and therefore the extending portion 174 is biased toward the center of the pair of long side portions of the tubular portion 164. This makes it easier to maintain the extending portion 174 in a stable position near the center of the tubular portion 164.

[0213] The relay connector 250 will be described, focusing on the differences from the relay connector 150. Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the relay connector 250, and Figure 17 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in Figure 16.

[0214] The relay connector 250 includes a relay terminal 152 , a first housing 260 , and a second housing 270 .

[0215] The relay terminal 152 may be the same as the relay terminal 152 in the relay connector 150 .

[0216] The first housing 260 corresponds to the first housing 160, but differs from the first housing 160 in the following respects. Specifically, the first terminal holding portion 262 of the first housing 260 has first terminal holding holes 262h arranged in multiple rows (two rows in this case). Therefore, the multiple first terminals 153 are held in multiple rows by the first terminal holding portion 262. In this case, eight first terminals 153 are held in two rows.

[0217] The second housing 270 corresponds to the second housing 170, but differs from the second housing 270 in the following respects. Specifically, the second terminal holding portion 272 of the second housing 270 has second terminal holding holes 272h arranged in multiple rows (two rows in this case). Therefore, the multiple second terminals 154 are held in multiple rows by the second terminal holding portion 272. In this case, eight second terminals 154 are held in two rows.

[0218] In the following description, the relay terminals 152 arranged in one row may be referred to as first position arrangement terminals 152A, and the relay terminals 152 arranged in the other row may be referred to as second position arrangement terminals 152B. The deformed portions 157 of the first position arrangement terminals 152A and the deformed portions 157 of the second position arrangement terminals 152B are bent so as to be convex in opposite directions.

[0219] Therefore, the deformed portions 157 protruding from the first terminal portion 153 and the second terminal portion 154 are less likely to come into contact with the first position arrangement terminal 152A and the second position arrangement terminal 152B.

[0220] Furthermore, the deformation portions 157 of the first position arrangement terminals 152A and the deformation portions 157 of the second position arrangement terminals 152B are well balanced between the first position arrangement terminal 152A side and the second position arrangement terminal 152B side, and can maintain a connected state between the first housing 260 and the second housing 270. Furthermore, the reaction forces of the deformation portions 157 act on the first housing 260 and the second housing 270 in a well balanced manner between the first position arrangement terminal 152A side and the second position arrangement terminal 152B side, making it difficult for the second housing 270 to become significantly biased relative to the first housing 260.

[0221] The deforming portions 157 of the first position arrangement terminals 152A arranged in two rows and the deforming portions 157 of the second position arrangement terminals 152B can keep the first housing 260 and the second housing 270 connected in a balanced manner from each row side, so the elastic piece 166 may be omitted.

[0222] In addition, in this relay connector 250, a pressing piece 263 corresponding to the pressing piece 163 extends from between the two rows of first terminal holding holes 262h at the base end of the first terminal holding portion 262. The pressing piece 263 then extends toward between the two rows of second terminal holding holes 272h at the base end of the second terminal holding portion 272. The pressing piece 263 collectively faces each of the second terminals 154 held in the two rows of second terminal holding holes 272h, preventing each of the second terminals 154 from coming loose.

[0223] <Manufacturing Example of the Electromechanical Integrated Unit> A manufacturing example of the electromechanical integrated unit 20 will be described.

[0224] First, the coil end module 50 is attached to the end of the coil wire 46a of the armature 46 (see FIG. 4). This connects the coil wires 46a together in a predetermined combination. A portion of the coil wire 46a is also connected to the coil end lead terminal 58. The armature 46 may be installed in the case body 42 either before or after the coil end module 50 is attached.

[0225] 18 , the terminal block module 70 is attached to the cover 43 with screws or the like. In this state, the speed sensor internal connector 74 and the temperature sensor internal connector 76 of the terminal block module 70 face rearward along the rotation axis X. The speed sensor internal connector 74 is connected to the first housing 160 of the relay connector 150, and the second housing 170 and the second terminal portion 154 face rearward along the rotation axis X.

[0226] The inner opening 73h1 of the terminal block main body 72 faces rearward along the rotation axis X, and the outer opening 73h2 faces toward the opening 43h, i.e., outward. The external connector 78 faces toward the opening 43h, i.e., outward. The first housing 260 of the relay connector 250 is connected to the external connector 78, and the second housing 270 and the second terminal portion 154 face toward the opening 43h, i.e., outward.

[0227] Next, the speed sensor side connector 106 is connected to the second housing 170 and the second terminal portion 154 of the relay connector 150, and is fixed to the lid portion 43 by screws or the like. With the terminal block module 70 and the speed sensor side connector 106 attached to the lid portion 43, the speed sensor side connector 106 and the speed sensor internal connector 74 face each other along the rotation axis X. Therefore, by moving the speed sensor 100 along the rotation axis X toward the lid portion 43, the connection between the two connectors 74, 106 via the relay connector 150 can be easily achieved.

[0228] If the relative positions of the connectors 74, 106 are misaligned in a direction intersecting the rotation axis X, the second housing 170 and the second terminal portion 154 of the relay connector 150 can move in a direction intersecting the rotation axis X to align with the position of the speed sensor side connector 106 while deforming the intermediate coupling portion 156. Therefore, even if the relative positions of the connectors 74, 106 are misaligned, the connectors 74, 106 can be easily connected via the relay connector 150.

[0229] The speed sensor side connector 106 and the speed sensor internal connector 74 may be connected via a relay connector 150, and the combination of the terminal block module 70 and the speed sensor 100 may be attached to the lid portion 43 by screws or the like.

[0230] The coil end module 50 may be attached to the armature 46 first, and the terminal block module 70 or the speed sensor 100 may be attached to the cover portion 43 first.

[0231] As described above, when the speed sensor side connector 106 and the speed sensor internal connector 74 are connected via the relay connector 150, the terminal block module 70 and the speed sensor 100 are integrated into a speed sensor integrated terminal block module 44 (see Figure 18).

[0232] 19 , the lid 43 is fixed to the case body 42 with screws or the like so as to close the front opening of the case body 42. At this time, the tip of the coil end lead terminal 58 passes through the inner opening 73h1 along the rotation axis X and is positioned on the connecting member 80. The tip of the coil end lead terminal 58 is positioned above the pressing piece 88.

[0233] The temperature sensor side connector 112 is also connected to the temperature sensor internal connector 76 along the rotation axis X. At this time, the temperature sensor side connector 112 can move within the internal connector receptacle 55. Therefore, even if there is a positional misalignment between the connectors 76, 112, the temperature sensor side connector 112 can be displaced to match the position of the temperature sensor internal connector 76. This ensures a more reliable connection between the connectors 76, 112.

[0234] Thereafter, the control device 30 is attached to the rotating electric machine 40 by screws or the like. At this time, the terminal 32 is inserted into the rotating electric machine 40 through the opening 43h. The outer bus bar terminal 38 passes through the outer opening 73h2 and is pressed against the upper surface of the coil end lead terminal 58 located on the connecting member 80. The outer bus bar terminal 38 presses the biasing member 86 via the tip end of the coil end lead terminal 58. As a result, the coil end lead terminal 58 tilts with its base end as a fulcrum, displacing its tip end downward. Because the biasing member 86 is compressed, the biasing force of the biasing member 86 keeps the tip end of the coil end lead terminal 58 pressed against the tip end of the outer bus bar terminal 38.

[0235] Furthermore, the outer connector 39 moves through the opening 43h toward the external connector 78 and is connected to the external connector 78 via the relay connector 250. As described above, the relay connector 250 is connected to the outer connector 39. Therefore, even if there is a positional misalignment between the connectors 39 and 78, the second housing 270 and the second terminal portion 154 of the relay connector 250 can move to match the position of the external connector 78. Therefore, the connectors 39 and 78 are more reliably connected via the relay connector 250.

[0236] <Effects, etc.> With the relay connectors 150, 250 configured as described above, the terminals of the speed sensor internal connector 74 or external connector 78 can be connected to the first terminal portion 153, and the terminals of the speed sensor side connector 106 or external connector 39 can be connected to the second terminal portion 154, thereby relaying the two terminals. If there is a misalignment between the terminals to be connected, the deformation portion 157 deforms, and the first housings 160, 260 and the second housings 170, 270 can move relative to each other. This makes it possible to absorb the misalignment between the terminals to be connected.

[0237] Furthermore, since the first housings 160, 260 and the second housings 170, 270 cover the intermediate connecting portion 156 in a state that allows the deformation portion 157 to deform, the intermediate connecting portion 156 can be covered in an insulating state.

[0238] Since first housing 160 has cylindrical portion 164, cylindrical portion 164 can insulate and cover intermediate connecting portion 156. Furthermore, cylindrical portion 164 and extension portion 174 are engaged with each other, so that first housing 160 and second housing 170 can be combined while allowing their positions to be changed relative to each other and preventing separation.

[0239] Furthermore, one of the cylindrical portion 164 and the extending portion 174 includes a locking claw 165, and the other of the cylindrical portion 164 and the extending portion 174 includes a locking surface 175hf, and the locking claw 165 locks with the locking surface 175hf so as to restrict movement in one direction of the extending portion 174 separating from the cylindrical portion 164. Therefore, when the extending portion 174 moves in the approaching direction relative to the cylindrical portion 164 from the locked state, the first housing 160 and the second housing 170 can move in the approaching / separating direction A.

[0240] Furthermore, the locking claw 165 includes an inclined portion 165a with respect to the approaching / removing direction A, and a tip locking portion 165b that is located on the tip side of the inclined portion 165a and has a larger angle with respect to the approaching / removing direction A than the inclined portion 165a. Therefore, by bringing the inclined portion 165a into contact with the other of the tubular portion 164 and the extending portion 174, the locking claw 165 can be easily elastically deformed and locked onto the locking surface 175hf. Furthermore, by locking the tip locking portion 165b, which has a larger angle with respect to the approaching / removing direction A than the inclined portion 165a, onto the locking surface 175hf, the locking claw 165 can be securely locked onto the locking surface 175hf in a non-detachable state, and separation of the extending portion 174 from the tubular portion 164 is more reliably prevented.

[0241] Furthermore, since the locking hole 175h is wider than the locking claw 165 in the direction perpendicular to the approach / removal direction A, the first housing 160 and the second housing 170 can move in the direction perpendicular to the approach / removal direction within the range in which the locking claw 165 can move within the locking hole 175h.

[0242] Furthermore, the elastic piece 166 contacts the cylindrical portion 164 or the extending portion 174 and biases the extending portion 174 relative to the cylindrical portion 164 in a direction intersecting the approach / removal direction A, making it easy to maintain a constant positional relationship between the cylindrical portion 164 and the extending portion 174. This stabilizes the position of the second housing 170 relative to the first housing 160. It is believed that misalignment of the speed sensor side connector 106 relative to the speed sensor internal connector 74 occurs around the ideal design position of the speed sensor side connector 106 relative to the speed sensor internal connector 74. Therefore, by biasing the second housing 170 relative to the first housing 160 to align it with the ideal design position, significant misalignment between the second housing 170 and the second terminal portion 154 and the mating connector is less likely to occur, facilitating the connection process.

[0243] Furthermore, in the case of relay connector 250, which includes first and second positional arrangement terminals 152A and 152B as relay terminals, if deformed portions 157 of first and second positional arrangement terminals 152A and 152B are bent so as to convex in opposite directions, deformed portions 157 are less likely to come into contact with each other. Furthermore, the reaction force of deformed portions 157 acts on first housing 260 and second housing 270 in a balanced manner, making it less likely that second housing 270 will become biased relative to first housing 260.

[0244] Furthermore, with this terminal block module 70, when the terminal block main body 72 that holds the connection member 80 is attached and fixed to the device case 41, the speed sensor internal connector 74 is disposed inside the device case 41. When the speed sensor 100 is connected to the speed sensor internal connector 74 via the relay connector 150, the speed sensor 100 is connected to wiring outside the rotating electric machine 40 via the speed sensor wiring 60. Therefore, the wiring 60 that is connected to the speed sensor 100 incorporated into the rotating electric machine 40 can be easily connected to wiring outside the rotating electric machine 40, facilitating the work of routing the wiring.

[0245] In addition, since the terminal block module 70 has an external connector 78 for the speed sensor, the outer connector 39 outside the equipment case 41 can be connected to the external connector 78 via the relay connector 250, thereby easily connecting the control equipment 30 outside the rotating motor 40 to the wiring 60 for the speed sensor.

[0246] A relay connector may be applied to the connection between the temperature sensor side connector 112 and the temperature sensor internal connector 76. In this case, the temperature sensor 110 may be supported at a fixed position in the coil end module 50.

[0247] [Embodiment 2] A mechanically and electrically integrated unit 320 according to embodiment 2 will be described. Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing the mechanically and electrically integrated unit 320. In Fig. 20, the respective lids are omitted. In the description of embodiment 2, the same components as those described in embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0248] Regarding the electromechanical integrated unit 320, the differences from the electromechanical integrated unit 20 will be described in detail. A control equipment portion 330 corresponding to the portion of the control equipment 30 excluding the lid, and a peripheral wall portion 343 corresponding to the peripheral wall portion of the lid portion 43 are integrally formed in a case main body 342 corresponding to the case main body 42 in embodiment 1.

[0249] A coil end module 350 corresponding to the coil end module 50 in the first embodiment is disposed next to the armature 46. The terminal block module 70 in the first embodiment is omitted. Instead, a portion corresponding to the terminal 32 in the first embodiment is disposed above the coil end module 350 as a terminal block module 332. The terminal block module 332 is fixed to the wall portion that separates the case main body 342 and the control device portion 330 from the case main body 342 side.

[0250] 21 is a perspective view showing the coil end module 350, the terminal block module 332, and a speed sensor 400 corresponding to the speed sensor 100, and FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the coil end module 350, the terminal block module 332, and the speed sensor 400.

[0251] The coil end module 350 has a coil end holding portion 352 corresponding to the coil end holding portion 52, and a coil end lead terminal 358 corresponding to the coil end lead terminal 58. The coil end lead terminal 358 is located on the outer periphery side of the coil end holding portion 352, and the bus bar 334 of the terminal block module 332 is connected to the coil end lead terminal 358 from the outer periphery side.

[0252] Like the coil end module 50, the coil end module 350 has a relay bus bar 53. The relay bus bar 53 electrically connects a plurality of coil wires in a predetermined combination and connects them to the coil end lead terminals 358.

[0253] The terminal block module 332 has a terminal block main body 333 and a bus bar 334. The terminal block main body 333 is a member made of resin or the like, and is fixed to the case main body 342 by screws or the like. The bus bar 334 is held in a fixed position by the terminal block main body 333. One end of the bus bar 334 faces the coil end holding portion 352 and is connected to the coil end holding portion 352. This connection may be made by welding, screws, soldering, press joining, or the like.

[0254] The other end of the bus bar 334 extends from the case body 342 into the control device portion 330 and is connected to the bus bar 130 extending from the inverter control board. This connection may be made by welding, screwing, soldering, press joining, or the like.

[0255] A signal relay unit 336 corresponding to the signal relay unit 36 ​​of the terminal 32 in embodiment 1 is incorporated into one end of the terminal block module 332. An outer connector 339 on one end of the signal relay unit 336 extends toward one end of the coil end module 350 and faces the armature 46 along the rotation axis X. A board-side connector 337 on the other end of the signal relay unit 336 extends toward the inside of the control device portion 330.

[0256] At one end of the coil end module 350, a speed sensor internal connector 374 corresponding to the speed sensor internal connector 74 in the first embodiment and an external connector 378 corresponding to the external connector 78 are provided.

[0257] The long metal member connecting the internal connector 374 for the speed sensor and the external connector 378 may be used as the speed sensor wiring 376, with one end serving as the terminal 376a of the internal connector 374 for the speed sensor and the other end serving as the terminal 376b of the external connector 378.

[0258] As described in the first embodiment, the temperature sensor 410 may be integrally incorporated into the coil end module 350. Therefore, an end of a conductive member (wiring) 412 extending from the temperature sensor may be incorporated as a terminal of the external connector 378. The conductive member (wiring) 412 extending from the temperature sensor may extend toward the external connector 378 through the coil end holding portion 352.

[0259] The speed sensor internal connector 374 faces away from the armature 46 in the direction of the rotation axis X. The speed sensor 400 is attached to the cover with a speed sensor side connector 406 corresponding to the speed sensor side connector 106 facing the armature 46 in the direction of the rotation axis X. Therefore, the speed sensor side connector 406 is disposed opposite the speed sensor internal connector 374 in the direction of the rotation axis X. As in the first embodiment, the relay connector 150 is interposed between the speed sensor side connector 406 and the speed sensor internal connector 374.

[0260] The external connector 378 faces the opposite side of the armature 46 in the direction of the rotation axis X, and faces the outer connector 339 in the direction of the rotation axis X. As in the first embodiment, the relay connector 250 is interposed between the external connector 378 and the outer connector 339.

[0261] The electromechanical integrated unit 320 of this embodiment is assembled, for example, as follows.

[0262] For example, the coil wire is connected to the relay bus bar 53 and the coil end module 350 is fixed to the end of the armature 46 .

[0263] Thereafter, the terminal block module 332 is fixed to the case body 342. At this time, the external connector 378 and the outer connector 339, which are arranged to face each other in the direction of the rotation axis X, are connected via the relay connector 250. Therefore, even if there is a positional misalignment between the external connector 378 and the outer connector 339, the two connectors 378 and 339 can be easily connected.

[0264] In addition, one end of the bus bar 334 is connected to the coil end holding portion 352 by welding or the like.

[0265] Furthermore, the speed sensor 400 is attached to a lid that closes the opening of the peripheral wall portion 343. The lid is attached to the peripheral wall portion so as to close the opening of the peripheral wall portion 343. At this time, the speed sensor internal connector 374 and the speed sensor side connector 406, which face each other in the direction of the rotation axis X, are connected via the relay connector 150. Therefore, even if there is a positional misalignment between the speed sensor internal connector 374 and the speed sensor side connector 406, the two connectors 374, 406 can be easily connected.

[0266] According to the second embodiment, by using the relay connectors 150 and 250, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0267] Furthermore, since the coil end module 350 has a coil end lead terminal 358, a coil end holding portion 352, an internal connector 374 for the speed sensor, and wiring 376 for the speed sensor, the wiring extending from the speed sensor 400 can be easily connected to wiring outside the rotating electric machine.

[0268] [Modifications] In the first and second embodiments, examples have been described in which the relay connectors 150 and 250 relay and connect connectors within a rotating electrical machine. However, the relay connector itself is not limited to connectors within a rotating electrical machine and may be used as a connector for relaying various connectors. The relay connector may be used not only for signals such as sensors, but also for power. For example, in a rotating electrical machine, the relay connector may be used as a relay connector for absorbing misalignment when connecting a power transmission bus bar to another bus bar or terminal.

[0269] The terminal block module and the coil end module in this embodiment are examples of connection modules.

[0270] The configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually contradictory.

[0271] 20, 320 Electromechanical integrated unit 28 Wiring unit for rotating electric machine 30 Control device 32 Terminal 33 Base member 33a Base plate portion 33b Pillar portion 35 Connector support portion 36, 336 Signal relay portion 36W Conductor 37, 337 Board side connector 37h Connector housing 38 Outer bus bar terminal 39, 339 Outer connector 39h Connector housing 40 Rotating electric machine 41 Device case 42, 342 Case body 43 Lid portion 43h Opening 44 Speed ​​sensor integrated terminal block module 46 Armature 46a Coil wire 49 Field magnet 50, 350 Coil end module 52, 352 Coil end holding portion 52h Insertion hole 53 Relay bus bar 53a Connection end 54 Connector holding portion 54P 7, 374 Internal connector for speed sensor 74a Internal connector housing 75 Internal terminal for speed sensor 76 Internal connector for temperature sensor 76a Internal connector housing 77 Internal terminal for temperature sensor 78, 378 External connector 78a External connector housing 79t1 External terminal for speed sensor 79t2 External terminal for temperature sensor 80 Connecting member 82 Supporting member 83 Bottom 83a Positioning piece 84 Side plate 84a Prevention piece 84g Guide groove 86 Biasing member 88 Pressing piece 88a Pressing plate portion 88ap Projection portion 88b Hanging plate portion 88bp Projection portion 88g Guide portion 100, 400 Speed ​​sensor 102 Annular main body portion 103 Screw fastening portion 104 Connector support portion 106, 406 Speed ​​sensor side connector 110 Temperature sensor 112 Temperature sensor side connector 114 Electric wire 130 Bus bar 131 Connector 150, 250 Relay connector 152 Relay terminal 152A First position arrangement terminal 152B Second position arrangement terminal 153 First terminal portion 154 Second terminal portion 156 Intermediate connecting portion 157 Deformation portion 160, 260 First housing 162, 262 First terminal holding portion 162h, 252h Terminal holding hole163, 263 Pressing piece 164 Cylinder portion 165 Locking claw 165a Inclined portion 165b Tip locking portion 166 Elastic piece 166a Inclined portion 166b Tip portion 170, 270 Second housing 172, 272 Second terminal holding portion 172h, 272h Terminal holding hole 173 Positioning piece 174 Extension portion 175 Side wall portion 175h Locking hole 175hf Locking surface 176 Upper wall portion 176a Partition 330 Control device portion 332 Terminal block module 333 Terminal block main body 334 Bus bar 343 Peripheral wall portion 376 Speed ​​sensor wiring 376a, 376b Terminal A Approach / removal direction X Rotation axis

Claims

1. An intermediate connector comprising: an intermediate terminal including a first terminal portion, a second terminal portion, and an intermediate connecting portion connecting the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion; a first housing that holds the first terminal portion; and a second housing that holds the second terminal portion, wherein the intermediate connecting portion has a deformation portion that allows the position of the second terminal portion to vary relative to the first terminal portion, and the first housing and the second housing are capable of moving relative to each other.

2. The relay connector according to claim 1, wherein the first housing and the second housing cover the intermediate connecting portion in a state that allows deformation of the deformation portion.

3. An intermediate connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first housing includes a first terminal holding portion which holds the first terminal portion, and a tubular portion extending from the first terminal holding portion and surrounding the intermediate connecting portion, and the second housing includes a second terminal holding portion which holds the second terminal portion, and an extension portion extending from the second terminal holding portion, and the tubular portion and the extension portion are engaged with each other in a state in which their positions can be moved relative to one another and movement of the tubular portion and the extension portion in the separation direction is restricted.

4. An intermediate connector as described in claim 3, wherein one of the tubular portion and the extension portion includes a locking claw, and the other of the tubular portion and the extension portion includes a locking surface, and the locking claw engages with the locking surface so as to restrict movement of the extension portion in one direction away from the tubular portion.

5. An intermediate connector as described in claim 4, wherein the locking claw includes an inclined portion inclined with respect to the approach / removal direction of the extension portion relative to the tubular portion, and a tip locking portion located on the tip side of the inclined portion and having a larger angle with respect to the approach / removal direction than the inclined portion.

6. An intermediate connector as described in claim 4, wherein the other of the tubular portion and the extension portion has a locking recess, an inner surface of the locking recess has the locking surface, and in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the extension portion approaches and moves away from the tubular portion, the locking recess is wider than the locking claw.

7. An intermediate connector as described in claim 3, wherein one of the tubular portion and the extending portion has an elastic piece that contacts the other of the tubular portion and the extending portion and urges the extending portion relative to the tubular portion in a direction intersecting the direction in which the extending portion approaches and moves away from the tubular portion.

8. A relay connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the relay terminals include a first position arrangement terminal and a second position arrangement terminal.

9. An intermediate connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the deformed portion of the first position arrangement terminal and the deformed portion of the second position arrangement terminal are bent so as to be convex in opposite directions.

10. A terminal block module fixed to an equipment case of a rotating electric machine equipped with a sensor, comprising: a connecting member for electrically connecting an inner bus bar terminal inside the equipment case and an outer bus bar terminal outside the equipment case; a terminal block main body fixed to the equipment case while holding the connecting member; a sensor internal connector having a sensor inner terminal and supported by the terminal block main body so as to be positioned inside the equipment case; sensor wiring, at least a portion of which is held within the terminal block main body and connects the sensor inner terminal to a circuit from outside the equipment case; and a sensor inner relay connector connected to the sensor internal connector, wherein the sensor inner relay connector is a relay connector as defined in claim 1 or claim 2.

11. A terminal block module as described in claim 10, wherein the sensor is a speed sensor or a temperature sensor, the sensor internal connector is a speed sensor internal connector or a temperature sensor internal connector, the sensor wiring is a speed sensor wiring or a temperature sensor wiring, and the sensor inner relay connector is a speed sensor inner relay connector or a temperature sensor inner relay connector.

12. A coil end module arranged next to an armature inside an equipment case of a rotating electric machine equipped with a sensor, comprising: a coil end lead-out terminal connected to the coil wire of the rotating electric machine inside the equipment case; a coil end holding part supporting the coil end lead-out terminal; a sensor internal connector having a sensor inner terminal and supported by the coil end holding part so as to be positioned inside the equipment case; sensor wiring, at least a portion of which is held within the coil end holding part and connects the sensor inner terminal to a circuit from outside the equipment case; and a sensor inner relay connector connected to the sensor internal connector, wherein the sensor inner relay connector is a relay connector as defined in claim 1 or claim 2.

13. A coil end module as described in claim 12, wherein the sensor is a speed sensor or a temperature sensor, the sensor internal connector is a speed sensor internal connector or a temperature sensor internal connector, the sensor wiring is a speed sensor wiring or a temperature sensor wiring, and the sensor inner relay connector is a speed sensor inner relay connector or a temperature sensor inner relay connector.

14. A connection module comprising the relay connector according to claim 1 or 2 and fixed to a device case of a rotating electrical machine.

Images