Terminal block

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the size of a terminal block while ensuring sufficient insulation distance between a case and a busbar. The terminal block is held in a state of being passed through a through hole in a case and comprises: a busbar including a first connecting end, a second connecting end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second connection ends; a housing covering the intermediate portion; and an insulating layer. The insulating layer covers at least a portion of an outer surface of the busbar outside the housing.

Description

Terminal block

[0006]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a terminal block.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal block for a motor having a plurality of bus bars and a plurality of bar cases made of an insulating material and having a cylindrical shape for accommodating each of the plurality of bus bars.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023 - 116102

[0004] The bar case can be used for insulation between the motor housing and the bus bar. While miniaturizing the terminal block, it is desirable to ensure the insulation distance between the case and the bus bar.

[0005] Therefore, an object of this disclosure is to ensure the insulation distance between the case and the bus bar while miniaturizing the terminal block.

[0006] The terminal block of this disclosure is a terminal block held in a state of penetrating through a through - hole of a case, and includes a bus bar including a first connection end, a second connection end, and an intermediate portion between the first connection end and the second connection end, a housing covering the intermediate portion, and an insulating layer covering at least a part of the outer surface of the bus bar outside the housing.

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to ensure the insulation distance between the case and the bus bar while miniaturizing the terminal block.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal block and a case according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the terminal block. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the terminal block. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block. FIG. 5 is a cross - sectional view taken along line V - V of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a partial cross - sectional view of the terminal block before being inserted into the through - hole. FIG. 7 is a cross - sectional view showing a terminal block according to the first modification. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a terminal block according to the second modification. FIG. 9 is a cross - sectional view showing a terminal block according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a cross - sectional view showing an intermediate process in the manufacture of the terminal block of the same. FIG. 11 is a cross - sectional view showing a state where the terminal block of the same is inserted into the through - hole.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of This Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The terminal block of this disclosure is as follows.

[0011] (1) A terminal block that is held in a state that it penetrates a through hole in a case, comprising a busbar including a first connection end, a second connection end, and an intermediate portion between the first connection end and the second connection end, a housing that covers the intermediate portion, and an insulating layer that covers at least a part of the outer surface of the busbar outside the housing.

[0012] With this terminal block, the insulating distance between the case and the busbar is ensured by an insulating layer that covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the busbar outside the housing. Since the insulating layer can be thin, it is easier to ensure the insulating distance in a compact configuration compared to when the insulating distance is ensured by the housing. Therefore, it is easier to ensure the insulating distance between the case and the busbar while miniaturizing the terminal block.

[0013] (2) The terminal block of (1), wherein the insulating layer may include a portion that continuously covers the portion of the busbar located inside the housing and the portion located outside the housing.

[0014] In this case, the insulating layer includes a portion that continuously covers both the portion of the busbar located inside the housing and the portion located outside the housing, making it easier to ensure sufficient insulation distance between the housing and the insulating layer.

[0015] (3) A terminal block according to (1) or (2), wherein the housing includes a first divided portion and a second divided portion, the first divided portion and the second divided portion are separated, the intermediate portion has an intermediate exposed portion exposed between the first divided portion and the second divided portion, and the insulating layer may cover the intermediate exposed portion.

[0016] In this way, by covering the intermediate exposed portion with an insulating layer, it is easier to ensure sufficient insulation distance between the busbar and the case.

[0017] (4) The terminal block according to (3), wherein the insulating layer may cover the inner parts of the first divided portion and the second divided portion of the intermediate portion and the portions adjacent to both sides of the intermediate exposed portion.

[0018] The insulating layer covers the intermediate exposed portion, as well as the inner parts of the first and second divided sections of the intermediate portion, and the parts adjacent to the intermediate exposed portion. Therefore, the insulating distance is easily ensured by the housing and the insulating layer working together.

[0019] (5) A terminal block according to (3) or (4), wherein the insulating layer may cover the outer surfaces of the first divided portion and the second divided portion on both sides of the intermediate exposed portion.

[0020] This makes it easier to ensure sufficient insulation distance through the insulating layer.

[0021] (6) A terminal block of any one of (3) to (5), which may further include an annular elastic member surrounding the insulating layer between the first divided portion and the second divided portion.

[0022] In this case, the annular elastic member seals the gap between the insulating layer covering the busbar and the through-hole between the first and second divisions. This suppresses the flow of liquid along the busbar and between the terminal block and the through-hole.

[0023] (7) The terminal block according to (6), wherein the gap between the first divided portion and the second divided portion may be larger than the dimension of the annular elastic member in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion.

[0024] This makes the annular elastic member more easily compressed between the intermediate portion and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole.

[0025] (8) Any one of the terminal blocks from (3) to (7), wherein the intermediate exposed portion may have a curved surface that protrudes outward.

[0026] In this case, the annular elastic member can easily make gapless contact with the outwardly convex curved surface of the intermediate exposed portion, thus effectively suppressing the flow of liquid.

[0027] (9) Any one of the terminal blocks from (1) to (8), wherein the insulating layer may cover the portion of the busbar that extends outside the housing toward the first connection end.

[0028] The insulating layer makes it easier to ensure sufficient insulation distance in the portion of the busbar that is connected to the first connection end.

[0029] (10) Any one of the terminal blocks from (1) to (9), wherein the insulating layer may be a heat shrink tubing layer, a plating layer, or a painted film.

[0030] In this case, an insulating layer can be easily formed on the surface of the busbar by a heat-shrink tubing layer, a plating layer, or a painted film.

[0031] (11) A terminal block of any one of (1) to (10), wherein the insulating layer may be a coating layer.

[0032] In this case, the coating layer can easily form a thin insulating layer that spreads across the surface of the busbar.

[0033] [Details of Embodiments of the Disclosure] Specific examples of terminal blocks of the Disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the Disclosure is not limited to these examples and is intended to include all changes within the meaning and scope of the claims, as indicated by the claims.

[0034] [Embodiment 1] The terminal block according to Embodiment 1 will be described below. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the terminal block 20 mounted on the case 11. Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the terminal block 20. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block 20. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the terminal block 20 before it is inserted into the through hole 11h. In Figures 1 and 5, a part of the case 11 is shown.

[0035] <Overall Configuration of the Terminal Block> The terminal block 20 is mounted on the case 11 of the equipment 10. The equipment 10 is, for example, a rotating electric machine or an inverter. The case 11 is a case that covers the internal components of the equipment 10. A through hole 11h is formed in the case 11. The terminal block 20 passes through the through hole 11h. The terminal block 20 electrically connects the electrical components inside the equipment 10 with the electrical components outside the equipment 10 through the through hole 11h.

[0036] The terminal block 20 is held by the case 11 while passing through the through hole 11h. The terminal block 20 comprises a bus bar 30 and a housing 40.

[0037] The busbar 30 includes a first connecting end 32, a second connecting end 34, and an intermediate portion 36 located between the first connecting end 32 and the second connecting end 34. The intermediate portion 36 passes through the through hole 11h, so that at least a portion of the first connecting end 32 is exposed inside the case 11, and at least a portion of the second connecting end 34 is exposed outside the case 11.

[0038] The busbar 30 may be formed, for example, by press-forming a metal plate. The busbar 30 may be made of, for example, copper or aluminum. The intermediate portion 36 is formed in the shape of an elongated plate. A first connecting end 32 is linearly connected to one end of the intermediate portion 36. The first connecting end may be curved relative to the intermediate portion.

[0039] A second connecting end 34 is connected to the other end of the intermediate section 36. The second connecting end 34 is bent relative to the intermediate section 36. For example, the second connecting end 34 is bent 90 degrees in the thickness direction relative to the intermediate section 36. The second connecting end may also be connected in a straight line along the extension of the intermediate section.

[0040] The intermediate portion 36 has an intermediate exposed portion 37 that is exposed from the housing 40 between the first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48, which will be described later.

[0041] The intermediate exposed portion 37 may have a curved surface 36f that protrudes outward. The intermediate exposed portion 37 may also be a portion enclosed by the curved surface 36f that protrudes outward and a flat surface. The cross-section of the intermediate exposed portion 37 (the cross-section on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 36) may have a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The curved surface of the intermediate exposed portion 37 is formed, for example, when the busbar 30 is formed by processing an elongated plate-shaped metal material, by rounding the corners of the portion corresponding to the intermediate exposed portion 37.

[0042] In this embodiment, a curved surface 36f is formed in the portion from the intermediate exposed portion 37 to the first connecting end 32. The second connecting end 34 is formed in an angular shape, for example, a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0043] A screw through-hole 32h is formed in the first connection end 32, and a screw through-hole 34h is formed in the second connection end 34. In a state where the mating connection part 14 is overlapped with the first connection end 32, the first connection end 32 and the mating connection part 14 are fastened and fixed by using a screw S and a nut N. In a state where the mating connection part 16 is overlapped with the second connection end 34, the second connection end 34 and the mating connection part 16 are fastened and fixed by using a screw S and a nut N.

[0044] In addition, the end portion of the bus bar 30 may be connected to the mating connection part by other structures, such as welding, caulking, or a sandwiching structure.

[0045] In addition, the bus bar 30 may be a round bar member or a member obtained by processing a round bar member by cutting or the like.

[0046] The housing 40 covers the intermediate portion 36. For example, the housing 40 is formed by injection molding with resin.

[0047] The housing 40 may be one part that covers the intermediate portion 36, or may be a plurality of parts that cover the intermediate portion 36 in a separated state. The intermediate portion 36 may be partially exposed from the housing 40. The intermediate portion 36 may cover a part of the first connection end 32 or the second connection end 34.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the housing 40 includes a first divided part 42 and a second divided part 48. The first divided part 42 and the second divided part 48 are separated from each other.

[0049] More specifically, the first divided part 42 is a part in which an intermediate portion covering part 44 and an end portion covering part 46 are integrated.

[0050] The intermediate portion covering part 44 is formed in a flat cylindrical shape surrounding the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 36.

[0051] An end portion covering part 46 is continuous with one end of the intermediate portion covering part 44. The end portion covering part 46 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The end portion covering part 46 protrudes more on one side in the thickness direction than on the other side in the thickness direction of the intermediate portion covering part 44.

[0052] The portion of the busbar 30's intermediate section 36 closest to the second connecting end 34 extends into the end cover portion 46, and the portion between the intermediate section 36 and the second connecting end 34 is bent within the end cover portion 46. The second connecting end 34 of the busbar 30 extends toward the protruding end of the end cover portion 46.

[0053] A nut-holding recess 46g is formed at the protruding end of the end cover portion 46. The nut N for connecting to the mating connection portion 14 is held in the nut-holding recess 46g while in contact with the second connection end 34.

[0054] The second division portion 48 is located on the first connection end 32 side relative to the first division portion 42. In other words, the second division portion 48 surrounds the portion of the intermediate portion 36 that is closer to the first connection end 32. The intermediate portion covering portion 44 of the first division portion 42 and the second division portion 48 may have the same outer peripheral surface shape. For example, the intermediate portion covering portion 44 and the second division portion 48 may have a cross-sectional shape with rounded corners.

[0055] The portion of the intermediate section 36 that is exposed from the housing 40 between the first connecting end 32 and the second connecting end 34 is the intermediate exposed section 37. The first connecting end 32 protrudes from the second divided section 48.

[0056] The terminal block 20 may further include an annular elastic member 60 that covers the intermediate exposed portion 37 of the busbar 30 between the first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48. The annular elastic member 60 is fitted onto the annular groove 41 between the first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48.

[0057] The annular elastic member 60 is an annular elastic member made of rubber or the like. The annular elastic member 60 may also be an O-ring. If the annular elastic member 60 is made of fluororubber, it can exhibit heat resistance, for example, heat resistance exceeding 150 degrees Celsius.

[0058] The gap E between the first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48 may be larger than the dimension L1 of the annular elastic member 60 in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 36.

[0059] The depth D of the annular groove 41 between the first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48 may be less than the distance L2 between the inner circumference and outer circumference of the annular elastic member 60. The depth D is the thickness of the intermediate portion covering portion 44 and the second divided portion 48 that cover the intermediate portion 36.

[0060] The intermediate covering portion 44 and the second divided portion 48 are shaped to be insertable into the through hole 11h. For example, the intermediate covering portion 44 and the second divided portion 48 may have a cross-sectional shape similar to and smaller than that of the through hole 11h.

[0061] The first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48 described above may be parts molded with the busbar 30 as an insert part. One or both of the first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48 may be parts molded separately from the busbar 30. In this case, the busbar 30 may be configured to be press-fitted into one or both of the first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48.

[0062] The outer circumferential shape of the annular elastic member 60 is such that it can be in close contact with the through hole 11h. For example, the outer circumferential shape of the annular elastic member 60 may be similar to and larger than the through hole 11h.

[0063] With the intermediate covering portion 44 and the second divided portion 48 inserted through the through hole 11h, the annular elastic member 60 can be interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 11h and the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate portion 36. This suppresses the flow of liquid through the through hole 11h.

[0064] If the intermediate exposed portion 37 has a curved surface 36f that protrudes outward as described above, the annular elastic member 60 can easily adhere to the outer surface of the intermediate exposed portion 37.

[0065] If the distance L2 between the inner and outer circumferences of the annular elastic member 60 is greater than the depth D of the annular groove 41, the annular elastic member 60 will protrude from the annular groove 41 and be easily pressed against the inner surface of the annular groove 41. When the annular elastic member 60 is compressed between the intermediate exposed portion 37 and the inner surface of the through hole 11h, the annular elastic member 60 is compressed between its inner and outer circumferences. Since the gap E between the first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48 is larger than the above dimension L1 of the annular elastic member 60, the compressed annular elastic member 60 can be compressed and deformed to expand into the annular groove 41. Due to the restoring force after the compressive deformation, the annular elastic member 60 is easily able to maintain a state of close contact with the inner surface of the through hole 11h.

[0066] It is conceivable that the case 11 is formed of a conductive material such as metal. In this case, direct contact between the case 11 and the busbar 30 can be avoided by the housing 40 and the annular elastic member 60.

[0067] The terminal block 20 is equipped with an insulating layer 50. The insulating layer 50 ensures an insulating distance between the case 11 and the busbar 30.

[0068] <About the insulating layer> The insulating layer 50 will now be described. The insulating layer 50 covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the busbar 30 outside the housing 40. Outside the housing 40 includes not only the portion that extends from the housing 40 toward the first connection end 32 or the second connection end 34, but also the portion that extends between the housing 40, for example, between the first division portion 42 and the second division portion 48. In other words, by covering the portion of the busbar 30 that extends outside the housing 40 with the insulating layer 50, an insulating distance is ensured in areas where the housing 40 is not present, by the insulating layer 50 which is thinner than the housing 40. The insulating layer 50 is a layer thinner than the housing 40, and may have a thickness of, for example, 1.5 mm or less.

[0069] The insulating layer 50 may be a heat-shrinkable tube layer, a plating layer, or a painted film.

[0070] The heat-shrinkable tube layer is a layer formed by shrinking a tube that can be shrunk by heat or other means, so that it conforms to the surface of the busbar 30 while it is fitted onto the busbar 30.

[0071] The plating layer is an insulating plating layer applied to the surface of the busbar 30. For example, by masking a portion of the surface of the busbar 30 and applying a chemical treatment to the remaining portion, an insulating plating layer is formed on the surface of the remaining portion of the busbar 30. The insulating plating layer may be, for example, an oxide film.

[0072] The coating film is an insulating coating film formed on the surface of the busbar 30 by painting. The coating film is formed, for example, by spraying paint onto the surface to be painted, dipping the surface to be painted in paint, or applying paint with a brush. The paint may be a liquid or a powder. The painting method may be powder coating or electrodeposition coating.

[0073] The insulating layer 50 may be a coating layer. The coating layer is a layer that spreads thinly over the surface to be painted and extends to cover the surface. The coating layer may be, for example, a layer with a thickness of 0.5 mm or less, or a layer of 0.1 to 0.2 mm. The above-mentioned plating layer and paint film are examples of coating layers.

[0074] The insulating layer 50 is formed on a portion of the outer surface of the busbar 30. The insulating layer 50 is not formed on the portions of the first connection end 32 and the second connection end 34 of the busbar 30 that are in contact with the mating connection parts 14 and 16.

[0075] The insulating layer 50 is formed on the outer surface of the busbar 30, specifically on the portion located outside the housing.

[0076] For example, the insulating layer 50 may include a portion that continuously covers both the portion of the busbar 30 located inside the housing 40 and the portion located outside the housing 40. This makes it difficult for the busbar 30 to be exposed to the surrounding space at the boundary between the portion of the busbar 30 that extends outside the housing 40 and the portion that is located inside the housing 40.

[0077] In this embodiment, the insulating layer 50 covers the intermediate exposed portion 37 as the portion located outside the housing 40. It also covers the portions of the intermediate portion 36 adjacent to the intermediate exposed portion 37 as the portion located inside the housing 40.

[0078] In other words, the insulating layer 50 covering the intermediate exposed portion 37 extends into the intermediate portion 36 and enters the end covering portion 46 and the second dividing portion 48 of the first dividing portion 42. Therefore, the boundary between the intermediate exposed portion 37 and the end covering portion 46, and the boundary between the intermediate exposed portion 37 and the second dividing portion 48, are less likely to be exposed to the surrounding space.

[0079] <Regarding the terminal block held in the case> As shown in Figures 1, 5, and 6, the terminal block 20 is held in a state where it passes through the through hole 11h of the case 11. In this state, the portion of the housing 40 in which the annular groove 41 is formed is located in the longitudinal middle of the through hole 11h. The annular elastic member 60 in the annular groove 41 is located between the first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48 and is compressed between the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate exposed portion 37 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 11h. The compressed annular elastic member 60 expands in the longitudinal direction of the through hole 11h while being compressed in the inward and outward directions. Due to the elastic restoring force of the annular elastic member 60, the annular elastic member 60 is pressed against the insulating layer 50 on the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate exposed portion 37 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 11h.

[0080] The liquid flowing along the surface of the busbar 30 flows along the surface of the insulating layer 50 at the intermediate exposed portion 37 and is sealed by the annular elastic member 60. The liquid flowing between the housing 40 and the through hole 11h is sealed at the point where the annular elastic member 60 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 11h midway along the longitudinal direction of the through hole 11h. As a result, the inner and outer spaces of the case 11 are sealed.

[0081] The force compressing the annular elastic member 60 inward is absorbed by the busbar 30, not the housing 40. The busbar 30 is made of metal or the like, making it less prone to deformation than the housing 40, which is made of resin or the like. Therefore, deformation of the terminal block 20 itself is suppressed, and the sealing performance of the annular elastic member 60 tends to remain stable over a long period of time.

[0082] The insulation distance between case 11 and busbar 30 will be explained. The insulation distance is evaluated, for example, by the clearance distance and the creepage distance.

[0083] In the aforementioned intermediate exposed portion 37, if the insulating layer 50 is omitted, the portion of the busbar 30 closest to the case 11 may become the intermediate exposed portion 37. In this case, the spatial distance and creepage distance between the busbar 30 and the case 11 may be approximately the thickness of the portion of the housing 40 that covers the intermediate portion 36.

[0084] When the insulating layer 50 is formed on the intermediate exposed portion 37, the intermediate exposed portion 37 is not directly exposed in the annular groove 41. Therefore, the portion of the bus bar 30 that is closest to the case 11 is the portion of the bus bar 30 that extends outside the first divided portion 42 on the second connection end 34 side, or the portion of the bus bar 30 that extends outside the second divided portion 48 on the first connection end 32 side. These portions that extend outside are farther away from the case 11 than the intermediate exposed portion 37. Therefore, the spatial distance and creepage distance between the bus bar 30 and the case 11 are increased.

[0085] <Effects, etc.> With the terminal block 20 configured as described above, the insulating layer 50, which covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the busbar 30 outside the housing 40, ensures an insulating distance between the case 11 and the busbar 30. Since the insulating layer 50 can be made thin, it is easier to ensure an insulating distance with a smaller configuration compared to when the insulating distance is ensured by the housing 40. Therefore, it is easier to ensure an insulating distance between the case 11 and the busbar 30 while miniaturizing the terminal block 20. Since the terminal block 20 can be miniaturized, the amount of resin can be reduced, making it possible to reduce costs.

[0086] Furthermore, the insulating layer 50 includes a portion that continuously covers both the portion of the busbar 30 located inside the housing 40 and the portion located outside the housing 40. As a result, the busbar 30 is less likely to be exposed to the surrounding space at the boundary between the portion of the busbar 30 located outside the housing 40 and the housing 40, and the insulating distance is easily ensured by the housing 40 and the insulating layer 50 working together.

[0087] Furthermore, the housing 40 includes a first divided portion 42 and a second divided portion 48, and the bus bar 30 has an intermediate exposed portion 37 that is exposed between the first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48. By covering the intermediate exposed portion 37 with the insulating layer 50, the intermediate exposed portion 37, which is easily positioned close to the through hole 11h, is less likely to be exposed to the space inside the through hole 11h, and the intermediate exposed portion 37 is less likely to become a part that defines the insulation distance. As a result, it is easier to ensure the insulation distance between the bus bar 30 and the case 11.

[0088] Furthermore, the insulating layer 50 covers the intermediate exposed portion 37 and also covers the inner parts of the first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48 of the intermediate portion 36, as well as the portions adjacent to the intermediate exposed portion 37. As a result, the boundary between the intermediate exposed portion 37 and the first divided portion 42, and the boundary between the intermediate exposed portion 37 and the second divided portion 48 are less likely to be exposed within the through hole 11h, and the insulating distance is easily secured by the housing 40 and the insulating layer 50 working together.

[0089] Furthermore, an annular elastic member 60 is fitted into the annular groove 41 between the first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48. This annular elastic member 60 seals the gap between the insulating layer 50 covering the busbar 30 and the through hole 11h between the first divided portion 42 and the second divided portion 48. As a result, the flow of liquid along the busbar 30 and liquid passing between the terminal block 20 and the through hole 11h is suppressed.

[0090] Since the annular elastic member 60 can seal the two passages through which the liquid passes, it is possible to reduce costs compared to sealing the space between the busbar and the housing, and the space between the housing and the through-hole, with separate sealing members.

[0091] Since the annular elastic member 60 can be used for sealing, the adhesive required for sealing can be eliminated. Because adhesive is not needed, surface treatment of the busbar to improve sealing performance using adhesive can be omitted. Furthermore, the process of potting adhesive onto the busbar surface can be eliminated. These factors also contribute to cost reduction.

[0092] Furthermore, it becomes unnecessary to select a material for the housing 40 that takes into account its adhesive compatibility with the seal adhesive. This increases the freedom in selecting the material for forming the housing 40, allowing for the selection of a material that is appropriately chosen, for example, in terms of strength. In addition, crack prevention measures at the adhesive interface between the seal adhesive and the busbar and housing, which are the bonding targets, become unnecessary.

[0093] The seal using the annular elastic member 60 is easier to heat-resistant compared to a seal using adhesive. For example, by forming the annular elastic member 60 from fluororubber, it is easier to ensure heat resistance of 150 degrees Celsius or higher, for example, 160 degrees Celsius.

[0094] Furthermore, the busbar 30 receives the repulsive force of the annular elastic member 60. Since the busbar 30 is resistant to deformation even in high-temperature environments, stable sealing performance is easily achieved.

[0095] Furthermore, since the gap E of the annular groove 41 is larger than the dimension L1 of the annular elastic member 60 in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 36, the annular elastic member 60 is easily compressed between the intermediate exposed portion 37 of the intermediate portion 36 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 11h by utilizing the excess space in the gap E.

[0096] Furthermore, since the intermediate exposed portion 37 has a curved surface 36f that protrudes outward, the annular elastic member 60 can easily make contact with the curved surface 36f of the intermediate exposed portion 37 without any gaps. As a result, the flow of liquid that has traveled through the intermediate portion 36 is suppressed by the annular elastic member 60.

[0097] If the insulating layer 50 is a heat-shrinkable tube layer, a plating layer, or a painted film, an insulating layer spreading across the surface of the busbar 30 can be easily formed.

[0098] If the insulating layer 50 is a coating layer, a thin insulating layer can be easily formed on the surface of the busbar 30.

[0099] As shown in the first modified example in Figure 7, the insulating layer 150 corresponding to the insulating layer 50 may be formed on the surface of the portion of the busbar 30 that extends out of the through hole 11h, rather than on the portion of the busbar 30 that is inside the through hole 11h. The insulating layer 150 may cover the portion of the busbar 30 that extends out of the housing 140 corresponding to the housing 40 and toward the first connection end 32. In this case, the amount that protrudes from the through hole 11h in the housing 140 may be set to be smaller than in the above embodiment.

[0100] In this case, the insulation distance between the case 11 and the busbar 30 is the distance between the portion of the busbar 30 that extends beyond the insulating layer 150 and the case 11, rather than the portion of the busbar 30 that extends beyond the housing 140. Therefore, it is easier to ensure sufficient insulation distance while keeping the housing 140 small.

[0101] In this modified example, the housing may cover the middle portion of the busbar without separating it. In this case, the seal between the busbar and the housing, and the seal between the housing and the through-hole may be achieved by separate sealing structures.

[0102] As shown in the second modified example in Figure 8, the housing 240 corresponding to the housing 40 may have a screw fastening piece 241 for screwing it to the case 11. The screw fastening piece 241 has a screw fastening hole 241h, and a screw S may be inserted through the screw fastening hole 241h and screwed into a screw hole formed in the case 11.

[0103] [Embodiment 2] Figures 9 to 11 show a terminal block 320 according to Embodiment 2.

[0104] The terminal block 320 is held in a state where it passes through the through hole 11h of the case 11. The terminal block 320 comprises a bus bar 330, a housing 340, and an insulating layer 350.

[0105] The busbar 330 includes a first connecting end 332, a second connecting end 334, and an intermediate portion 336 between the first connecting end 332 and the second connecting end 334. The busbar 330 may be formed from an elongated plate-shaped member or from a round bar-shaped member.

[0106] The housing 340 is an insulating member that covers the intermediate portion 336. The housing 340 may be, for example, a part molded from resin, similar to the housing 40 described above.

[0107] The housing 340 includes a first divided portion 342 and a second divided portion 348, with the second divided portion 348 being separate from the first divided portion 342. The portion of the intermediate portion 336 located between the first divided portion 342 and the second divided portion 348 is the intermediate exposed portion 337.

[0108] The ends of the first divided portion 342 and the second divided portion 348 on the intermediate exposed portion 337 side may be formed in a tapered shape that gradually decreases in diameter toward the intermediate exposed portion 337.

[0109] The insulating layer 350 covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the busbar 330 outside the housing 340. Here, it covers the intermediate exposed portion 337.

[0110] The insulating layer 350 further covers the outer surfaces of the first divided portion 342 and the second divided portion 348 on either side of the intermediate exposed portion 337.

[0111] An annular elastic member 360, corresponding to the annular elastic member 60, surrounds the intermediate exposed portion 337 between the first divided portion 342 and the second divided portion 348. The annular elastic member 360 surrounds the intermediate exposed portion 337 via the insulating layer 350.

[0112] The insulating layer 350 is formed, for example, as follows: The tube 350B, before heat shrinkage, is placed over the intermediate exposed portion 337, the first divided portion 342, and the second divided portion 348. In this state, the tube 350B is heat-shrinked. As a result, the heat-shrinked tube adheres tightly to the intermediate exposed portion 337 and the ends of the first divided portion 342 and the second divided portion 348 on the intermediate exposed portion 337 side. This forms the insulating layer 350.

[0113] When the terminal block 320 is inserted into the through hole 11h, an insulating layer 350 is interposed between the intermediate exposed portion 337 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 11h. Therefore, the shortest distance between the bus bar 330 and the case 11 is determined not by the position of the intermediate exposed portion 337, but by the distance between the portion of the bus bar 330 that extends from the housing 340 outside the through hole 11h and the opening of the through hole 11h. Thus, the insulation distance between the bus bar 330 and the case 11 becomes larger, and the insulating distance is easily ensured by the insulating layer 350.

[0114] [Modifications] In the above embodiments and modifications, examples have been described in which one busbar is held in the housing. However, multiple busbars may be held in the housing. For example, the terminal block may have three or six busbars.

[0115] Furthermore, the configurations described in each of the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not contradict each other.

[0116] 10 Equipment 11 Case 11h Through hole 14 Mating connection part 16 Mating connection part 20, 320 Terminal block 30, 330 Busbar 32, 332 First connection end 32h, 34h Screw through hole 34, 334 Second connection end 36, 337 Intermediate part 36f Curved surface 37, 337 Intermediate exposed part 40, 140, 240, 340 Housing 41 Annular groove 42, 342 First division part 44 Intermediate cover part 46 End cover part 46g Nut retaining recess 48, 348 Second division part 50, 150, 350 Insulating layer 60, 360 Annular elastic member 241 Screw fixing piece 241h Screw fixing hole 350B Tube N Nut S Screw

Claims

1. A terminal block held in a state that penetrates a through hole in a case, comprising: a busbar including a first connection end, a second connection end, and an intermediate portion between the first connection end and the second connection end; a housing covering the intermediate portion; and an insulating layer covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the busbar outside the housing.

2. A terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the insulating layer includes a portion that continuously covers the portion of the busbar located inside the housing and the portion located outside the housing.

3. A terminal block according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing includes a first divided portion and a second divided portion, the first divided portion and the second divided portion are separated, the intermediate portion has an intermediate exposed portion exposed between the first divided portion and the second divided portion, and the insulating layer covers the intermediate exposed portion.

4. A terminal block according to claim 3, wherein the insulating layer covers the inner sides of the first divided portion and the second divided portion of the intermediate portion and the portions adjacent to both sides of the intermediate exposed portion.

5. A terminal block according to claim 3, wherein the insulating layer covers the outer surfaces of the first divided portion and the second divided portion on both sides of the intermediate exposed portion.

6. A terminal block according to claim 3, further comprising an annular elastic member surrounding the insulating layer between the first divided portion and the second divided portion.

7. A terminal block according to claim 6, wherein the gap between the first divided portion and the second divided portion is greater than the dimension of the annular elastic member in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion.

8. A terminal block according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate exposed portion has a curved surface that protrudes outward.

9. A terminal block according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the insulating layer covers the portion of the busbar that extends outside the housing and toward the first connection end.

10. A terminal block according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the insulating layer is a heat-shrinkable tube layer, a plating layer, or a painted film.

11. A terminal block according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the insulating layer is a coating layer.

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