Busbar unit

Abstract

A busbar unit (1) comprising: a main body part (2) which is formed by laminating a plurality of plate members (21) and in which is formed a through hole (22) penetrating front and back surfaces thereof; and a cylindrical part (3) which has a cylindrical shape and is inserted into the through hole (22), wherein, by inserting the cylindrical part 3 into the main body part (2) and inserting a fastening member (4) through the cylindrical part (3) to fasten the busbar unit (1), the fastening member (4) can be smoothly inserted and fastened, assembly can be easily performed, and an appropriate fastened state of the busbar unit (1) can be maintained.

Description

Bus bar unit

[0001] The present invention relates to a bus bar unit.

[0002] Conventionally, as for what relates to a bus bar unit, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is known one that connects two plate-shaped bus bars with a fastening member. This bus bar unit attempts to reduce contact resistance by spray coating the contact surfaces between the bus bars.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-068152

[0004] By the way, in this type of bus bar unit, the bus bar may be configured by laminating a plurality of plate materials. In this case, the bus bar is fastened by inserting a fastening member in the lamination direction of the plate materials.

[0005] However, such a bus bar unit has room for improvement in that it is difficult to maintain an appropriate fastening state. For example, when a fastening member is inserted through a bus bar formed by laminating plate materials, if the plate materials slide in a direction intersecting the lamination direction, there is a concern that the plate materials will contact the fastening member and the fastening member will loosen, making it impossible to maintain an appropriate fastening state.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a bus bar unit that can maintain an appropriate fastening state.

[0007] That is, the bus bar unit according to the present invention is configured to include a main body portion formed by laminating plate materials and having through holes penetrating the front and back, and a cylindrical portion that is cylindrical and is inserted into the through holes.

[0008] According to the bus bar unit of the present invention, an appropriate fastening state can be maintained.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bus bar unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bus bar unit taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a bus bar unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a bus bar unit of a comparative example. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a bus bar unit of a comparative example.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, some of the components in the following embodiments may be easily substituted or substantially identical to those that are easily substituted by those skilled in the art.

[0011] [Embodiment] This embodiment relates to a busbar unit. In the following description, of the three intersecting directions, the first direction is referred to as the "extension direction X," the second direction as the "width direction Y," and the third direction as the "stack direction Z." Here, the extension direction X, the width direction Y, and the stacking direction Z are mutually orthogonal. Note that "orthogonal" here includes approximately orthogonal. The extension direction X corresponds, for example, to the direction in which the busbar unit extends. The stacking direction Z corresponds, for example, to the direction in which the plate materials of the busbar unit are stacked. Unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description represent the directions when the parts are assembled together.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the busbar unit 1 of this embodiment is a conductive member or wiring member that makes electrical connections, and is used, for example, mounted on a vehicle to connect batteries, electrical equipment, or connecting components. The busbar unit 1 comprises a main body portion 2 and a cylindrical portion 3. The main body portion 2 is the main body part of the busbar unit 1 and is the part that functions as a busbar. The main body portion 2 extends in the extending direction X and transmits current or signals.

[0013] The main body 2 is constructed by laminating plate materials 21 and is formed in a plate shape. Multiple plate materials 21 are provided and arranged in stacking directions Z. The plate materials 21 are formed, for example, in a rectangular shape and extend for a long distance in the extension direction X. The plate materials 21 are laminated with their ends in the extension direction X aligned with their ends in the width direction Y. The main body 2 is constructed, for example, by laminating three plate materials 21. However, the number of laminated plate materials 21 is not limited to this and may be, for example, two or four or more.

[0014] The plate material 21 is formed from a conductive material, such as aluminum. In other words, the plate material 21 is made of aluminum or an alloy mainly composed of aluminum. By making the plate material 21 and the main body 2 from aluminum, the busbar unit 1 can be made lighter. This reduces the transportation cost of the busbar unit 1 and improves its handling and routing capabilities. Furthermore, by making the plate material 21 and the main body 2 from aluminum, the corrosion resistance of the busbar unit 1 can be improved. Moreover, by making the plate material 21 and the main body 2 from aluminum, the processability of the busbar unit 1 can be improved, making the manufacture of the busbar unit 1 easier. Note that the plate material 21 and the main body 2 may also be made from conductive materials other than aluminum.

[0015] The main body portion 2 has through holes 22 formed therein. The through holes 22 are holes that penetrate through the front and back surfaces of the plate-shaped main body portion 2 and are used as holes for inserting the cylindrical portion 3. The through holes 22 are formed along the lamination direction Z and are provided, for example, at the end of the main body portion 2. The through holes 22 penetrate between the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B of the main body portion 2 and are formed to penetrate all of the laminated plate material 21. In other words, the through holes 22 are formed at the same position in the plate material 21 in the extension direction X and the width direction Y.

[0016] The cylindrical portion 3 is a cylindrical body and is formed to a size that allows it to be inserted into the through hole 22. For example, the cylindrical portion 3 is formed to have an outer diameter that allows it to be press-fitted into the through hole 22. The cylindrical portion 3 is provided by being inserted into the through hole 22. By being press-fitted into the through hole 22, the cylindrical portion 3 is provided so that it does not easily come out of the through hole 22, and is provided, for example, to be integrated with the main body portion 2. The cylindrical portion 3 forms an inner hole 31. The inner hole 31 is used as a hole for inserting the fastening member 4.

[0017] The cylindrical portion 3 is made of a conductive material, such as copper. In other words, the plate material 21 is made of copper or an alloy mainly composed of copper. In this case, when the cylindrical portion 3 is pressed into the through hole 22, it can remove the oxide film on the aluminum main body portion 2. That is, if an oxide film is formed on the inner surface of the through hole 22, the oxide film can be removed by pressing the cylindrical portion 3 into the through hole 22, thereby suppressing corrosion of the main body portion 2. Note that the cylindrical portion 3 may also be made of a conductive material other than copper.

[0018] The fastening member 4 is a member for fastening the busbar unit 1 to the object to be fastened, and for example, a bolt is used. The fastening member 4 is composed of a body portion 41 and a seating portion 42 joined together, and for example, is screwed with a nut (not shown). The body portion 41 is the part that is inserted into the inner hole 31, and for example, is formed in a cylindrical shape with screw threads engraved on its outer circumference. The seating portion 42 is the head of the fastening member and is provided at the end of the body portion 41. The seating portion 42 sits on the end face 32 of the cylindrical portion 3 or the surface 2A of the main body portion 2 and presses the busbar unit 1 in response to fastening. The seating portion 42 is formed to be larger in the radial direction than the body portion 41 and is formed to be larger than the inner hole 31. For example, the seating portion 42 has a hexagonal cross-section in the direction intersecting the axial direction of the body portion 41 and is formed to be larger than the cross-section of the body portion 41.

[0019] The shape of the seating portion 42 is not limited to this. Also, if, for example, a stud bolt and a nut are used as the fastening member 4, the stud bolt functions as the body portion 41 and the nut functions as the seating portion 42.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the cylindrical portion 3 is formed to be larger than, for example, the seating portion 42 of the fastening member 4. That is, the end face 32 of the cylindrical portion 3 is formed to be larger than the seating portion 42 of the fastening member 4. In other words, the seating portion 42 is contained within the area of ​​the end face 32 of the cylindrical portion 3. As a result, the fastening force from the fastening member 4 can be received by the cylindrical portion 3, and the fastening force applied to the main body portion 2 can be suppressed.

[0021] In some cases, the seating portion 42 of the fastening member 4 may be made larger than the cylindrical portion 3. In this case, the seating portion 42 contacts the cylindrical portion 3 over a larger area than the main body portion 2. As a result, the cylindrical portion 3 can receive most of the fastening force from the fastening member 4, and the fastening force applied to the main body portion 2 can be suppressed.

[0022] Next, the assembly and fastening reliability of the busbar unit 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the busbar unit 1 is assembled by fastening it to the object to be fastened using the fastening member 4. First, the busbar unit 1 is routed along a predetermined routing path. Then, the busbar unit 1 is assembled by fastening it to the object to be fastened using the fastening member 4. That is, the fastening member 4 is inserted through the cylindrical portion 3, and the busbar unit 1 and the object to be fastened are fastened together. At this time, the fastening member 4 is inserted through the inner hole 31 of the cylindrical portion 3, rather than through the through hole 22 formed in the main body portion 2, so it is inserted smoothly into the busbar unit 1.

[0024] For example, in the busbar unit 100 shown in Figure 4, if the cylindrical portion 3 is not provided, the stacked plate materials 21 slide and shift in the extending direction X or the width direction Y, making it difficult to insert the fastening member 4 through each plate material 21. In other words, the sliding of the plate material 21 causes irregularities on the inner surface of the through hole 22 through which the fastening member 4 is inserted, making it difficult or impossible to insert the fastening member 4. In contrast, in the busbar unit 1 according to this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 3 is provided in the plate material 21, so that the fastening member 4 can be smoothly inserted into the inner hole 31 of the cylindrical portion 3 regardless of the state of the plate material 21. For this reason, the busbar unit 1 can be easily assembled.

[0025] After the busbar unit 1 is routed and assembled, the fastening member 4 can maintain a properly fastened state, resulting in high fastening reliability. In other words, even if the plate material 21 slides in the extending direction X or the width direction Y in the busbar unit 1, the fastening member 4 is less likely to receive pressing force from the plate material 21, thus suppressing loosening of the fastening by the fastening member 4.

[0026] For example, in the busbar unit 100 shown in Figure 5, if the cylindrical portion 3 is not provided, when the stacked plate materials 21 slide in the extending direction X or the width direction Y, the plate materials 21 will press against the fastening member 4. As a result, the busbar unit 100 may become loose due to the fastening member 4, and proper fastening may not be maintained. In contrast, in the busbar unit 1 according to this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 3 is provided, which prevents the fastening member 4 from receiving pressure from the plate materials 21, and allows proper fastening to be maintained.

[0027] As described above, the busbar unit 1 according to this embodiment includes a cylindrical portion 3, which allows the fastening member 4 to be inserted into the cylindrical portion 3, and the fastened state by the fastening member 4 can be properly maintained. Furthermore, the busbar unit 1 according to this embodiment includes a cylindrical portion 3, which allows for smooth insertion and fastening of the fastening member 4, and facilitates assembly.

[0028] Furthermore, the busbar unit 1 according to this embodiment, by including the cylindrical portion 3, can suppress a decrease in fastening force due to welding when the fastening member 4 is welded and fixed. For example, in the busbar unit 1, after fastening with the fastening member 4, it is conceivable to weld and fix the seating portion 42 of the fastening member 4 to the main body 2 or the cylindrical portion 3. In this case, the busbar unit 1 according to this embodiment can receive the heat input due to the welding of the fastening member 4 at the cylindrical portion 3, and the effect of welding on the main body 2 can be suppressed. As a result, the formation of voids between the plate materials 21 of the main body 2 can be suppressed, and the softening of the main body 2 due to the heat input to the main body 2 can be suppressed.

[0029] Furthermore, in the busbar unit 1 according to this embodiment, if the main body 2 is constructed by laminating aluminum plate material 21, the cylindrical portion 3 is press-fitted into the main body 2, thereby allowing the oxide film to be removed even if an oxide film is formed on the main body 2.

[0030] Furthermore, in the busbar unit 1 according to this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 3 is formed to be larger than the seating portion 42 of the fastening member 4, thereby suppressing the fastening force applied to the main body portion 2 by the fastening member 4.

[0031] It should be noted that the busbar unit according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope described in the claims. The busbar unit 1 according to this embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the embodiments described above.

[0032] For example, although the busbar unit 1 according to the above embodiment was described in the case where it is mounted on a vehicle, it may also be used without being mounted on a vehicle.

[0033] 1: Busbar unit 2: Main body 3: Cylinder 4: Fastening member 21: Plate material 22: Through hole 42: Seat part

Claims

1. A busbar unit comprising a main body formed by laminating plate material and having a through hole that penetrates through both sides, and a cylindrical part that is cylindrical and inserted into the through hole.

2. The busbar unit according to claim 1, wherein the main body is constructed by laminating the aluminum plate material.

3. The busbar unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cylindrical portion is formed to be larger than the seating portion of the fastening member inserted through the cylindrical portion.

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