Reactor and coil case

Abstract

This coil case comprises a coil accommodation part and a temperature detection unit accommodation part. The coil accommodation part includes a first snap engagement part for snap-engaging the coil with the coil accommodation part. The temperature detection unit accommodation part includes a second snap engagement part for snap-engaging the temperature detection unit with the temperature detection unit accommodation part. The temperature detection unit accommodation part also includes at least one protrusion for reinforcing the fixing of the temperature detection unit to the temperature detection unit accommodation part.

Description

Reactor and Coil Case

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a reactor and a coil case.

[0002] In recent years, reactors having a core body including an outer peripheral core and a plurality of cores disposed inside the outer peripheral core have been developed. A coil is attached to each of the plurality of cores.

[0003] Furthermore, a coil case that houses the coil of a conventional reactor includes a temperature detection unit housing unit that houses a temperature detection unit for detecting abnormal heat generation of the coil (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-034512).

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-034512

[0005] When manufacturing such a reactor, after inserting the temperature detection unit into the temperature detection unit housing unit, a connector at the tip of a lead wire extending from the temperature detection unit is fitted into, for example, a connector fitting portion of a resin molding substrate. At this time, there has been a problem that the temperature detection unit is pulled out of the temperature detection unit housing unit by the lead wire.

[0006] Therefore, a reactor and a coil case in which the temperature detection unit does not come out of the temperature detection unit housing unit are desired.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a coil case including a coil housing unit in which a coil is to be housed and a temperature detection unit housing unit in which a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the coil is to be housed, the coil housing unit including a first snap engagement portion that snap-engages the coil with the coil housing unit, the temperature detection unit housing unit including a second snap engagement portion that snap-engages the temperature detection unit with the temperature detection unit housing unit, and the temperature detection unit housing unit including at least one protrusion that assists in fixing the temperature detection unit to the temperature detection unit housing unit.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a coil case is provided, comprising a coil housing portion in which a coil is to be housed, and a temperature detection unit housing portion in which a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the coil is to be housed, wherein the temperature detection unit housing portion includes two lateral snap-engagement portions for snap-engaging the temperature detection unit to the temperature detection unit housing portion.

[0009] A coil case is provided comprising a coil housing portion in which a coil is to be housed, and a temperature detection unit housing portion in which a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the coil is to be housed, wherein the coil housing portion includes a first snap engagement portion for snap-engaging the coil to the coil housing portion, and the temperature detection unit housing portion includes a second snap engagement portion for snap-engaging the temperature detection unit to the temperature detection unit housing portion, wherein the second snap engagement portion and the first snap engagement portion are located at different positions from each other in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the coil.

[0010] The purposes, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become even clearer from the following description of embodiments related to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] This is an exploded perspective view of an assembly including an actuator with a coil case according to the present disclosure. This is a cross-sectional view of the reactor shown in Figure 1A. This is a perspective view of the coil case viewed from the radially inside of the reactor. This is a perspective view of the coil case viewed from the radially outside of the reactor. This is a perspective view of the coil case and coil. This is a partially exploded perspective view of the reactor and resin molded substrate. This is a partial perspective view of the coil and coil case according to the first embodiment. This is a cross-sectional view of the coil case according to the first embodiment. This is a partial perspective view of the coil and coil case in the prior art. This is another partial perspective view of the coil and coil case in the prior art. This is a cross-sectional view of the coil case according to the second embodiment. This is another cross-sectional view of the coil case according to the second embodiment. This is a cross-sectional view along the line LB-LB' in Figure 6B. This is another cross-sectional view along the line LB-LB' in Figure 6B. This is a partial perspective view of the coil case according to the third embodiment. This is a rear view of the coil case shown in Figure 8A. This is a front view of the coil case shown in Figure 8A. This is a front view of the coil case in a modified example. This is a partial perspective view of the coil case according to the fourth embodiment. This is a partial perspective view of the coil case in a modified example. This is a diagram showing a part of the coil case according to another embodiment. This is a top view of the reactor in the fourth embodiment.

[0012] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout all drawings, corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0013] The following description primarily uses a three-phase reactor as an example, but the application of this disclosure is not limited to three-phase reactors and can be broadly applied to multi-phase reactors where a certain inductance is required in each phase. Furthermore, the reactors related to this disclosure are not limited to those installed on the primary and secondary sides of inverters in industrial robots and machine tools, but can be applied to a variety of devices.

[0014] Figure 1A is an exploded perspective view of an assembly including a reactor with a coil case according to this disclosure. In the assembly 1 shown in Figure 1A, a base Z is attached below the reactor 6, which will be described later. A clamping portion B provided above the reactor 6 has a certain degree of elasticity in the axial direction of the reactor 6 and serves to press the core body 5 of the reactor 6 in the axial direction. Furthermore, a terminal block T is positioned above the clamping portion B. The resin molded substrate A of the terminal block T has a plurality of terminals used for external output and a plurality of conductive portions.

[0015] Figure 1B is a cross-sectional view of the reactor shown in Figure 1A. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the core body 5 of the reactor 6 includes an outer core 20 and three core coils 31 to 33 arranged inside the outer core 20. In Figure 1B, the core coils 31 to 33 are arranged inside the roughly hexagonal outer core 20. These core coils 31 to 33 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the core body 5.

[0016] Furthermore, the outer core 20 may have other rotationally symmetrical shapes, such as a circle. Also, the number of core coils may be a multiple of three, in which case the reactor 6 can be used as a three-phase reactor.

[0017] As can be seen from the drawings, each core coil 31-33 includes a core 41-43 extending only in the radial direction of the outer core 20, and a coil 51-53 mounted on the core. In the drawings described later, coils 51-53 are shown that are constructed by winding flat wire. However, coils 51-53 are not limited to this and may be constructed by winding other wire materials, such as round wire. Also, in other drawings, the illustration of coils 51-53 may be omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0018] The outer core 20 is composed of multiple outer core portions 24-26, for example, three outer core portions 24-26, which are divided in the circumferential direction. Each of the outer core portions 24-26 is integrally formed with the cores 41-43. The outer core portions 24-26 and the cores 41-43 are formed by laminating multiple magnetic plates, such as iron plates, carbon steel plates, or electrical steel plates, or by forming them from compacted iron core. When the outer core 20 is composed of multiple outer core portions 24-26 in this way, even if the outer core 20 is large, such an outer core 20 can be easily manufactured. Note that the number of cores 41-43 and the number of outer core portions 24-26 do not necessarily have to be the same.

[0019] Furthermore, the radially inner ends of each of the cores 41 to 43 are located near the center of the outer core 20. In the drawing, the radially inner ends of each of the cores 41 to 43 converge toward the center of the outer core 20, and their tip angles are approximately 120 degrees. The radially inner ends of the cores 41 to 43 are separated from each other by magnetically connectable gaps 101 to 103.

[0020] In other words, the radially inner end of core 41 is spaced apart from the radially inner ends of the two adjacent cores 42 and 43 via gaps 101 and 103. The same applies to the other cores 42 and 43. The dimensions of the gaps 101 to 103 are assumed to be equal.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1B, the central core located in the center of the core body 5 is unnecessary, allowing the core body 5 to be constructed in a lightweight and simple manner. Furthermore, since the three core coils 31-33 are surrounded by the outer core 20, the magnetic field generated from the coils 51-53 does not leak to the outside of the outer core 20. In addition, the gaps 101-103 can be provided at any thickness at low cost, which is advantageous in terms of design compared to conventional reactor structures.

[0022] Furthermore, in the core body 5 of this disclosure, the difference in magnetic path length between phases is reduced compared to conventional reactor structures. Therefore, in this disclosure, it is also possible to reduce the inductance imbalance caused by the difference in magnetic path length.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1B, each of the coils 51 to 53 is inserted into a coil case 61 to 63. The coil cases 61 to 63 are preferably made of a non-magnetic material, such as resin or insulating paper.

[0024] Figures 2A and 2B are perspective views of the coil case as seen from the radially inward and radially outward directions of the reactor, respectively. Furthermore, Figure 3A is a perspective view of the coil case and the coil. In these drawings, only the coil case 61 is shown as a representative example, but the other coil cases 62, 63, (64) are assumed to have a similar configuration. The coil case 61 has a housing 61b with an open top surface and radially inward surface, and a hollow projection 61c that protrudes radially inward from the radially outward end face of the housing 61b.

[0025] The space between the housing 61b and the hollow projection 61c is a coil housing 61a with a shape suitable for housing the coil 51. Also, as will be described later, the hollow portion of the hollow projection 61c has a shape suitable for receiving the iron core 41. The housing 61b serves to ensure the insulation distance between the coil 51 and the other coils 52 and 53.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2A and 3A, the coil housing 61a is provided with a first snap engagement portion 71b that protrudes radially inward from the radially outer end face of the housing 61b. The first snap engagement portion 71b is preferably made of resin. The first snap engagement portion 71b includes a first leaf spring portion 71c that extends cantilevered radially inward from the end face of the housing 61b located radially outward from the reactor 6. The first snap engagement portion 71b further includes a first retaining portion 71d provided at the tip of the first leaf spring portion 71c and protruding upward. The first leaf spring portion 71c engages with a part of the inner circumferential surface of the coil 51, and the first retaining portion 71d engages with the end face of the coil 51 to hold it. Furthermore, the first leaf spring portion 71c also serves to ensure an insulating distance between the coil 51 and the iron core 41.

[0027] Furthermore, a second snap engagement portion 71a supporting the temperature detection portion 91 is similarly provided below the first snap engagement portion 71b. Therefore, the temperature detection portion 91 can accurately detect the temperature of the coil 51 while ensuring sufficient insulation distance from the coil 51. The second snap engagement portion 71a is preferably made of resin.

[0028] As can be seen by referring to Figure 4B, which will be described later, the second snap engagement portion 71a includes a second leaf spring portion 71e that cantileveredly extends radially inward from the end face of the housing 61b located radially outward of the reactor 6. The second snap engagement portion 71a further includes a second retaining portion 71f provided at the tip of the second leaf spring portion 71e and projecting upward. The second leaf spring portion 71e engages with a part of the bottom surface of the temperature detection portion 91, and the second retaining portion 71f engages with the end face of the temperature detection portion 91 and serves to hold it.

[0029] The space between the first snap engagement portion 71b and the second snap engagement portion 71a serves as a temperature detection unit housing portion 61d that accommodates the temperature detection unit 91. As shown in Figure 14A, the temperature detection unit 91 is provided with two terminal portions 91a and 91b at one end. When the temperature detection unit 91 is housed in the temperature detection unit housing portion 61d, the two terminal portions 91a and 91b are exposed from the ends of the temperature detection unit housing portion 61d on the radially inward side of the reactor 6.

[0030] Figure 3B is a partially exploded perspective view of the reactor and the resin molded substrate. A temperature detection unit 91 (not shown) is housed in a temperature detection unit housing 61d (not shown) located below the first snap engagement portion 71b. Connectors (not shown) are provided at the ends of lead wires (not shown) extending from terminal portions 91a and 91b of the temperature detection unit 91. The connectors are fitted into connector mating portions A0 of the resin molded substrate A. The ends of coils 51 to 53 are connected to coil connection portions A1, A2, etc. of the resin molded substrate A.

[0031] Figure 4A is a partial perspective view of the coil and coil case according to the first embodiment. As described above, a temperature detection unit housing 61d is formed between the first snap engagement portion 71b and the second snap engagement portion 71a. To prevent the temperature detection unit 91 from shifting position, the first snap engagement portion 71b may be provided with two downward-extending side walls 71g. The distance to which the side walls 71g extend downward is shorter than the distance between the first snap engagement portion 71b and the second snap engagement portion 71a.

[0032] Furthermore, the rib 71h extends from the lower end of these side walls 71g in a direction away from the temperature detection unit housing 61d. The rib 71h contributes to ensuring an insulating distance between the coil 51 and the temperature detection unit 91, and works in cooperation with the two raised portions 61e provided on the upper surface of the hollow protrusion 61c to limit the curvature of the first snap engagement portion 71b, thereby preventing excessive load from being placed on the temperature detection unit 91.

[0033] Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of a coil case according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the lower surface of the first snap engagement portion 71b is provided with at least one projection 81a extending toward the temperature detection portion housing 61d. Strictly speaking, the projection 81a extends along the length of the first snap engagement portion 71b on the lower surface of the first retaining portion 71d. Therefore, the lower surface of the first leaf spring portion 71c and the lower surface of the first retaining portion 71d are not on the same plane, and the projection 81a is located below the lower surface of the first leaf spring portion 71c.

[0034] As can be seen from Figure 4B, the position of the rear end of the projection 81a on the radially outer side of the reactor 6 is approximately equal to the position of the rear end of the second retaining portion 71f. Therefore, the front end of the temperature detection unit 91 housed in the temperature detection unit housing 61d engages with the rear end of the projection 81a and the rear end of the second retaining portion 71f. In other words, the front end of the temperature detection unit 91 is fixed on the upper and lower sides by the projection 81a and the second retaining portion 71f, respectively. Thus, the projection 81a helps to fix the temperature detection unit 91 to the temperature detection unit housing 61d.

[0035] By the way, Figures 5A and 5B are partial perspective views of the coil and coil case in the prior art. As mentioned above, the connector (not shown) at the end of the lead wire (not shown) extending from the temperature detection unit 91 is fitted into the connector mating portion A0 of the resin molded substrate A. Since the resin molded substrate A is located above the reactor 6, the lead wire is pulled upward by the worker during this operation. As a result, the temperature detection unit 91 is subjected to an upward force and has the problem of coming out of the temperature detection unit housing portion 61d (see Figure 5B).

[0036] Furthermore, the dimensions of the coil 51 may vary slightly depending on the production lot. As a result, the force with which the coil 51 presses the first leaf spring portion 71c against the temperature detection portion 91 may be insufficient. This can lead to a situation where the temperature detection portion 91 is more likely to come out of the temperature detection portion housing portion 61d.

[0037] However, in this disclosure, a projection 81a is provided on the lower surface of the first snap engagement portion 71b. Therefore, even if the lead wire is pulled upward, the temperature detection portion 91 engages with the projection 81a and the rear end of the second holding portion 71f, so the temperature detection portion 91 will not come out of the temperature detection portion housing portion 61d. Furthermore, since the temperature detection portion housing portion 61d is appropriately sized to accommodate the temperature detection portion 91, the temperature detection portion 91 has a high degree of contact with the coil case 61 in this disclosure. For this purpose, it is preferable to make the height of the temperature detection portion housing portion 61d slightly smaller than the height of the temperature detection portion 91.

[0038] Furthermore, as can be seen by referring to Figure 4A, the projection 81a is formed to be positioned between the terminal portions 91a and 91b. This prevents interference between the lead wires (not shown) extending from the terminal portions 91a and 91b and the projection 81a. As a result, it can be seen that the workability when wiring the lead wires is also improved.

[0039] Furthermore, since the temperature detection unit 91 is located below the first snap engagement portion 71b, the temperature detection unit 91 is located further away from the coil 51 by the amount of the first snap engagement portion 71b. Therefore, it is possible to ensure sufficient insulation distance between the temperature detection unit 91 and the coil 51.

[0040] Furthermore, the projection 81a is slightly inclined upward from the inside to the outside of the temperature detection unit housing 61d. This shape facilitates the insertion of the temperature detection unit 91 into the temperature detection unit housing 61d.

[0041] Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of the coil case according to the second embodiment, and Figure 6B is another cross-sectional view of the coil case according to the second embodiment. Furthermore, Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line LB-LB' in Figure 6B. The first leaf spring portion 71c shown in Figure 4B extends substantially horizontally, but the first leaf spring portion 71c shown in Figure 6A is inclined upward from the inside to the outside of the temperature detection unit housing portion 61d. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the projection 81a is provided with a convex portion 81c extending in its longitudinal direction, at least partially. In Figure 6A, the convex portion 81c is provided only on the rear end side of the projection 81a.

[0042] Furthermore, a corresponding portion 81b is provided at the position of the second retaining portion 71f corresponding to the protrusion 81c. As shown in Figure 7A, a recess 81d is formed in the corresponding portion 81b at the position corresponding to the protrusion 81c. The protrusion 81c and the recess 81d are shaped to engage with each other. In Figure 7A, the cross-sections of the protrusion 81c and the recess 81d are circular.

[0043] Then, when supporting the coil 51, the first leaf spring portion 71c bends downward. As a result, the projection 81a and the corresponding portion 81b come into contact with each other. In other words, no gap is formed between the first snap engagement portion 71b and the second snap engagement portion 71a, and as a result, the temperature detection unit 91 can be firmly fixed. At this time, the convex portion 81c and the concave portion 81d engage with each other, so the fixing of the temperature detection unit 91 becomes even more secure.

[0044] FIG. 7B is another cross-sectional view taken along line LB-LB' of FIG. 6B. As shown in FIG. 7B, the cross-sections of the convex portion 81c and the concave portion 81d may be rectangular. Further, the cross-sections of the convex portion 81c and the concave portion 81d may be other shapes that can engage with each other. Also, although not shown in the drawings, the concave portion may be formed in the first holding portion 71d, and the convex portion may be formed in the second holding portion 71f. Further, a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions may be formed in the first holding portion 71d and the second holding portion 71f, respectively. Further, a combination of convex and concave portions that can engage with each other may be formed in the first holding portion 71d and the second holding portion 71f. In these cases as well, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

[0045] FIG. 8A is a partial perspective view of a coil case according to a third embodiment. Further, FIG. 8B is a rear view of the coil case shown in FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8C is a front view of the coil case shown in FIG. 8A. In these drawings, the first snap engagement portion 71b does not include a side wall 71g. Instead, two side snap engagement portions 88, 89 are provided on the sides of the second snap engagement portion 71a.

[0046] These side snap engagement portions 88, 89 are preferably made of resin and extend in a cantilevered manner generally radially inward from the end face of the housing 61b located on the outer side in the radial direction of the reactor 6. As can be seen from FIGS. 8B and 8C, the side snap engagement portions 88, 89 extend from their proximal ends toward their distal ends so as to approach the second snap engagement portion 71a. Further, the inner surfaces of the side snap engagement portions 88, 89 are preferably knurled.

[0047] The two side snap engagement portions 88, 89 engage with both side surfaces of the temperature detection portion 91 and serve to hold the temperature detection portion 91. In the third embodiment, since the second snap engagement portion 71a and the two side snap engagement portions 88, 89 engage with the temperature detection portion 91, it is possible to further prevent the temperature detection portion 91 from being pulled out from the temperature detection portion housing portion 61d. That is, the side snap engagement portions 88, 89 in FIG. 8A can serve the same role as the protrusion 81a that assists in fixing the temperature detection portion 91 to the temperature detection portion housing portion 61d.

[0048] Fig. 8D is a front view of the coil case in the modification. As shown in Fig. 8D, the aforementioned protrusion 81a may be provided at the first snap engagement portion 71b. In this case, it is possible to further prevent the temperature detection unit 91 from being pulled out of the temperature detection unit housing portion 61d. Also, although not shown in the drawings, it is preferable that a return portion that engages with the front end of the temperature detection unit 91 is provided at the ends of the side snap engagement portions 88 and 89, whereby the temperature detection unit 91 can be held more firmly.

[0049] Fig. 9A is a partial perspective view of the coil case according to the fourth embodiment. In Fig. 9A, a box-shaped housing 75 is formed in a part of the coil case 61, and the internal space of the housing 75 constitutes the temperature detection unit housing portion 61d. Strictly speaking, the housing 75 is provided on the upper base 61f of the coil case 61, and the housing 75 has a cylindrical shape with a rectangular cross-section that does not have a front end face and a rear end face.

[0050] The second snap engagement portion 71a is provided inside the housing 75. Therefore, the second snap engagement portion 71a is provided at a position different from that of the first snap engagement portion 71b in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the coil 51 (not shown in Fig. 9A). In other words, the second snap engagement portion 71a in the temperature detection unit housing portion 61d is provided at a position different from that of the first snap engagement portion 71b in the width direction of the coil case 61 (substantially the circumferential direction of the reactor 6).

[0051] The housing 75 may be integrally formed with the coil case 61 or may be a separate member. Also, the upper surface of the housing 75 is in the same plane as the upper surface of the first leaf spring portion 71c of the first snap engagement portion 71b. Thereby, the coil 51 (not shown in Fig. 9A) can be supported by the first leaf spring portion 71c and the housing 75.

[0052] In the first embodiment described above, the upper surface of the temperature detection unit 91 is pressed by the weight of the coil 51 via the first leaf spring portion 71c of the first snap engagement portion 71b, and as a result, the temperature detection unit 91 is sandwiched between the first snap engagement portion 71b and the second snap engagement portion 71a. In other words, if the coil 51 is not inserted into the coil case 61, the weight of the coil 51 does not act on it, and there is a possibility that the temperature detection unit 91 may come out.

[0053] In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, the housing 75 constitutes the temperature detection unit housing 61d, and the upper surface of the temperature detection unit 91 (not shown in Figure 9A) is supported by the upper wall of the housing 75. Therefore, even if the coil 51 has not yet been inserted into the coil case 61, the temperature detection unit 91 can be supported by being sandwiched between the upper wall of the housing 75 and the second snap engagement portion 71a. In other words, in the fourth embodiment, the temperature detection unit 91 can be held stably regardless of the presence or absence of the coil 51, and as a result, the temperature detection unit 91 can be prevented from coming out of the temperature detection unit housing 61d.

[0054] Figure 9B is a partial perspective view of the coil case in a modified example. As shown in Figure 9B, the aforementioned projection 81a may be provided on the inner surface of the top of the housing 75. In this case, it is possible to further prevent the temperature detection unit 91 from coming out of the temperature detection unit housing 61d.

[0055] Figure 9C shows a part of a coil case based on another embodiment. In the left side of Figure 9C, resin is filled into molds C1 and C2 for the coil case 61. The resin in molds C1 and C2 is heated so that the temperature applied to one mold C1 is higher than the temperature applied to the other mold C2. As a result, the coil case 61 is molded such that the central part of one surface near mold C1 is concave and the central part of the other surface near mold C2 is protruding, as shown in the right side of Figure 9C.

[0056] The protruding central portion of the other side of the coil case, which was located near the mold C2, is preferably used as the inner surface of the side wall of the housing 75. In other words, it is preferable that a portion of the temperature detection unit housing 61d facing the temperature detection unit 91 is partially curved toward the temperature detection unit 91.

[0057] In such cases, as shown on the right side of Figure 9C, the protruding central portion comes into contact with the side surface of the temperature detection unit 91. As a result, the side wall 71g and the temperature detection unit 91 come into close contact with each other, as do the housing 75 and the temperature detection unit 91. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the temperature detection unit 91 from coming out of the temperature detection unit housing 61d.

[0058] Figure 10 is a top view of the reactor in the fourth embodiment. The core body 5 shown in Figure 10 includes a substantially octagonal outer core 20 and four core coils 31 to 34, similar to those described above, arranged inside the outer core 20. These core coils 31 to 34 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the core body 5. Furthermore, it is preferable that the number of cores be an even number of four or more, so that the reactor equipped with the core body 5 can be used as a single-phase reactor.

[0059] As can be seen from the drawing, the outer core 20 is composed of four outer core portions 24-27 divided in the circumferential direction. Each core coil 31-34 includes a radially extending core 41-44 and coils 51-54 mounted on the core. At least four of the coils 51-54 are housed in coil cases 61-64 similar to those described above. The radially outer ends of each of the cores 41-44 are integrally formed with each of the outer core portions 21-24. Note that the number of cores 41-44 and the number of outer core portions 24-27 do not necessarily have to be the same.

[0060] Furthermore, the radially inner ends of each of the iron cores 41 to 44 are located near the center of the outer core 20. In Figure 7A, the radially inner ends of each of the iron cores 41 to 44 converge toward the center of the outer core 20, and their tip angles are approximately 90 degrees. The radially inner ends of the iron cores 41 to 44 are spaced apart from each other via magnetically connectable gaps 101 to 104. In Figure 10, coil cases 61 to 64 similar to the coil case 61 described above are used. Therefore, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

[0061] One effect of the at least one embodiment described above is that it is possible to provide a reactor and coil case in which the temperature detection unit does not come out of the temperature detection unit housing.

[0062] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail, this disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. These embodiments can be added, replaced, modified, or partially deleted in various ways, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the idea and intent of the invention derived from the claims and their equivalents. For example, the order of operations and processes in the embodiments described above are given as examples only and are not limited thereto. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the embodiments described above. Furthermore, combining some of the embodiments described above as appropriate is within the scope of this disclosure.

[0063] The following further notes are disclosed with respect to the above embodiments and variations. (Note 1) A coil case comprising a coil housing portion in which a coil is to be housed, and a temperature detection unit housing portion in which a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the coil is to be housed, wherein the coil housing portion includes a first snap engagement portion for snap-engaging the coil to the coil housing portion, the temperature detection unit housing portion includes a second snap engagement portion for snap-engaging the temperature detection unit to the temperature detection unit housing portion, and the temperature detection unit housing portion includes at least one projection for assisting in fixing the temperature detection unit to the temperature detection unit housing portion. (Note 2) The coil case according to Note 1, wherein the projection is provided on the first snap engagement portion. (Note 3) The coil case according to Note 2, wherein, in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the coil, the first snap engagement portion is provided at a position distal to the central axis than the second snap engagement portion, the projection is provided with a convex portion, and a recess that engages with the convex portion is formed in the second snap engagement portion. (Note 4) The coil case according to Note 2, wherein the height of the temperature detection unit housing is smaller than the height of the temperature detection unit. (Note 5) The coil case according to Note 2, wherein the projection includes two lateral snap-engagement portions that snap-engage the temperature detection unit with the temperature detection unit housing. (Note 6) The coil case according to Note 1, wherein the temperature detection unit housing is box-shaped, and the projection is provided on the inner surface of the top of the temperature detection unit housing. (Note 7) The coil case according to Note 2, wherein a portion of the temperature detection unit housing facing the temperature detection unit is curved at least partially toward the temperature detection unit. (Note 8) A reactor comprising a core body, the core body comprising an outer periphery core, at least three cores arranged to be in contact with or coupled to the inner surface of the outer periphery core, and coils wound around the core, wherein a magnetically connectable gap is formed between one of the at least three cores and the other cores adjacent to that core, and further comprising a coil case according to any one of Notes 1 to 7 for housing each of the at least three coils.(Note 9) A coil case comprising a coil housing portion in which a coil is to be housed, and a temperature detection unit housing portion in which a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the coil is to be housed, wherein the temperature detection unit housing portion includes two lateral snap engagement portions for snap engaging the temperature detection unit to the temperature detection unit housing portion. (Note 10) A reactor comprising a core body, the core body comprising an outer periphery core, at least three cores arranged to be in contact with or coupled to the inner surface of the outer periphery core, and a coil wound around the core, wherein a magnetically connectable gap is formed between one of the at least three cores and another core adjacent to that core, and further comprising the coil case according to Note 9 for housing each of the at least three coils. (Note 11) A coil case comprising a coil housing portion in which a coil is to be housed, and a temperature detection unit housing portion in which a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the coil is to be housed, wherein the coil housing portion includes a first snap engagement portion for snap-engaging the coil to the coil housing portion, and the temperature detection unit housing portion includes a second snap engagement portion for snap-engaging the temperature detection unit to the temperature detection unit housing portion, wherein the second snap engagement portion and the first snap engagement portion are located at different positions from each other in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the coil. (Note 12) A reactor comprising a core body, the core body comprising an outer periphery core, at least three cores arranged to be in contact with or coupled to the inner surface of the outer periphery core, and a coil wound around the core, wherein a magnetically connectable gap is formed between one of the at least three cores and another core adjacent to that core, and further comprising the coil case according to Note 11 for housing each of the at least three coils.

[0064] 1 Assembly 5 Core body 6 Reactor 24-27 Outer core portion 31-34 Core coil 41-44 Core 51-54 Coil 61-64 Coil case 61a Coil housing 61b Housing 61c Hollow projection 61d Temperature detection housing 61e Raised portion 61f Base 71a Second snap engagement portion 71c First leaf spring portion 71d First retaining portion 71e Second leaf spring portion 71f Second retaining portion 71g Side wall 71h Rib 75 Housing 81a Projection 81b Corresponding portion 81c Convex portion 81d Recess 88, 89 Lateral snap engagement portion 101-104 Gap

Claims

1. A coil case comprising a coil housing portion in which a coil is to be housed, and a temperature detection unit housing portion in which a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the coil is to be housed, wherein the coil housing portion includes a first snap engagement portion for snap-engaging the coil to the coil housing portion, the temperature detection unit housing portion includes a second snap engagement portion for snap-engaging the temperature detection unit to the temperature detection unit housing portion, and the temperature detection unit housing portion includes at least one projection for assisting in fixing the temperature detection unit to the temperature detection unit housing portion.

2. The coil case according to claim 1, wherein the projection is provided on the first snap engagement portion.

3. The coil case according to claim 2, wherein, in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the coil, the first snap engagement portion is provided at a position distal to the central axis than the second snap engagement portion, the projection is provided with a convex portion, and a recess that engages with the convex portion is formed in the second snap engagement portion.

4. The coil case according to claim 2, wherein the height of the temperature detection unit housing is smaller than the height of the temperature detection unit.

5. The coil case according to claim 2, wherein the projection includes two lateral snap-engagement portions that snap-engage the temperature detection portion with the temperature detection portion housing portion.

6. The coil case according to claim 1, wherein the temperature detection unit housing is box-shaped, and the projection is provided on the inner surface of the top of the temperature detection unit housing.

7. The coil case according to claim 2, wherein a portion of the temperature detection unit housing facing the temperature detection unit is curved at least partially toward the temperature detection unit.

8. A reactor comprising a core body, the core body comprising an outer periphery core, at least three cores arranged to be in contact with or coupled to the inner surface of the outer periphery core, and a coil wound around the core, wherein a magnetically connectable gap is formed between one of the at least three cores and the other cores adjacent to that core, and further comprising a coil case according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for housing each of the at least three coils.

9. A coil case comprising a coil housing section in which a coil is to be housed, and a temperature detection section housing section in which a temperature detection section for detecting the temperature of the coil is to be housed, wherein the temperature detection section housing section includes two lateral snap-engagement sections for snap-engaging the temperature detection section to the temperature detection section housing section.

10. A reactor comprising a core body, the core body comprising an outer periphery core, at least three cores arranged to be in contact with or coupled to the inner surface of the outer periphery core, and coils wound around the cores, wherein a magnetically connectable gap is formed between one of the at least three cores and another core adjacent to that core, and further comprising a coil case according to claim 9 for housing each of the at least three coils.

11. A coil case comprising a coil housing section in which a coil is to be housed, and a temperature detection section housing section in which a temperature detection section for detecting the temperature of the coil is to be housed, wherein the coil housing section includes a first snap engagement section for snap-engaging the coil to the coil housing section, and the temperature detection section housing section includes a second snap engagement section for snap-engaging the temperature detection section to the temperature detection section housing section, wherein the second snap engagement section and the first snap engagement section are located at different positions from each other in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the coil.

12. A reactor comprising a core body, the core body comprising an outer periphery core, at least three cores arranged to be in contact with or coupled to the inner surface of the outer periphery core, and coils wound around the cores, wherein a magnetically connectable gap is formed between one of the at least three cores and another core adjacent to that core, and further comprising a coil case according to claim 11 for housing each of the at least three coils.

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