Terminal block

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to seal, at low cost, a terminal block attached to a through hole. The terminal block is to be attached to a case having an attachment hole, and comprises: a busbar including a first connection end, a second connection end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second connection ends; a block body that holds the busbar with both the first and second connection ends in a protruding state; and a sealing member that has a through hole through which the intermediate portion passes. The busbar passes through the through hole, and the sealing member is exposed to the outer peripheral side of the busbar.

Description

Terminal block

[0001] This disclosure relates to a terminal block.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal block for a motor including a bus bar, a bar case, an inner airtight member which is an annular O-ring, an outer airtight member which is an annular O-ring, and a bracket.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-116102

[0004] According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, sealing is performed by separate O-rings on the inner and outer sides of the bar case. Therefore, there is a possibility of increasing costs.

[0005] Therefore, an object of this disclosure is to enable sealing of a terminal block mounted in a through hole at a low cost.

[0006] The terminal block of this disclosure is a terminal block mounted in a case having a mounting hole, 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 base body that holds the bus bar in a state where the first connection end and the second connection end protrude, and a seal member having a through hole through which the intermediate portion passes. The bus bar passes through the through hole, and the seal member is exposed on the outer peripheral side of the bus bar.

[0007] According to this disclosure, a terminal block mounted in a through hole can be sealed at a low cost.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a terminal block according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal block according to Modification 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal block according to Modification 2. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a terminal block according to Modification 3. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal block according to Modification 4.

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

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

[0011] (1) A terminal block to be mounted in a case having mounting holes, comprising: a busbar including a first connection end, a second connection end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second connection ends; a base body that holds the busbar with the first and second connection ends protruding; and a sealing member having a through hole through which the intermediate portion passes, wherein the busbar passes through the through hole and the sealing member is exposed on the outer circumference side of the busbar.

[0012] According to this disclosure, when the terminal block is mounted in a case having mounting holes, the inner circumferential surface of the through-hole of the sealing member contacts the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate portion, and the portion of the sealing member that protrudes beyond the outer circumferential surface of the base body can contact the case. This allows the sealing member to seal the gap between the busbar and the case. Compared to cases where the gap between the busbar and the base body, and the gap between the base body and the case are sealed with separate sealing members, the number of components for sealing can be reduced. Therefore, the terminal block mounted in the mounting holes can be sealed at a low cost.

[0013] (2) The terminal block of (1), wherein the sealing member has a receiving portion that receives a force directed inward from the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole, and in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion, the section in which the through hole exists and the section in which the receiving portion exists may overlap in at least a part.

[0014] As a result, the sealing member is more easily compressed between the busbar and the mounting hole, resulting in superior sealing performance.

[0015] (3) The terminal block according to (2), wherein the sealing member includes a guide surface that gradually approaches the busbar as it moves toward the inside of the case, and the guide surface may include the receiving portion.

[0016] In this case, the sealing member includes a guide surface that gradually approaches the busbar as it moves towards the inside of the case, making it easier to insert the sealing member into the mounting hole.

[0017] (4) A terminal block according to (2) or (3), wherein the receiving portion may be formed in a position opposite to the case-side guide surface of the mounting hole, which gradually widens toward the outside of the case.

[0018] In this case, the receiving portion can minimize the force it receives from the inner surface of the mounting hole when initially inserting the sealing member into the mounting hole. As the sealing member is inserted further, the force the receiving portion receives from the inner surface of the mounting hole increases, resulting in a more secure seal. The terminal block can be easily inserted into the mounting hole, and the assembly of the terminal block becomes easier.

[0019] (5) Any one of (1) to (4) terminal blocks comprising a plurality of busbars, wherein a plurality of through holes are formed in the sealing member, and the sealing member may include intervening portions interposed between the plurality of through holes.

[0020] In this case, with the sealing member inserted into the mounting hole, the intervening portion is positioned between the multiple busbars, making it easier to fill the gaps between the multiple busbars and the mounting hole.

[0021] (6) Any one of (1) to (5) terminal blocks, wherein the block body includes a fixing portion that is positioned on the outer surface of the case outside the opening of the mounting hole and fixed to the case, and an extension portion that extends from the fixing portion toward the inside of the mounting hole, and the sealing member may include a base portion that covers the extension portion.

[0022] In this case, the base portion overlaps the extension portion of the base body, making it easier for the sealing member to be held in place by the base body.

[0023] (7) Any one of the terminal blocks from (1) to (3), further comprising a retaining portion held on the busbar at a position spaced apart from the main body of the terminal block, wherein the sealing member is located between the main body of the terminal block and the retaining portion.

[0024] This makes it less likely for the sealing member to fall off due to the retaining portion.

[0025] (8) (7) The terminal block, the block body, the retaining portion, and the sealing member may be double-molded, with the block body, the retaining portion, and the sealing member being separate molded parts.

[0026] This makes it easier to ensure sufficient insulation distance between the busbar and the case.

[0027] (9) (7) The terminal block wherein the sealing member is a separate part from the main body and the retaining part, and may be fitted onto the portion of the intermediate part that is exposed between the main body and the retaining part.

[0028] In this case, the sealing member can be easily manufactured as a separate part from the base body and the retaining part.

[0029] (10) A terminal block of any one of (1) to (9), which may further include an insulating covering that extends beyond the sealing member in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion and covers the sealing member.

[0030] In this case, the insulating coating makes it easier to ensure sufficient insulation distance between the case and the busbar.

[0031] (11) Any one of the terminal blocks from (1) to (10), wherein the sealing member may be made of fluororubber.

[0032] If the sealing material is made of fluororubber, its heat resistance can be improved.

[0033] [Details of Embodiments of the Disclosure] Specific examples of terminal blocks of the Disclosure are 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] The following describes a terminal block according to an embodiment. Figure 1 is a front view showing the terminal block 20. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2. In each figure, the case 10 in which the terminal block 20 is mounted is partially shown.

[0035] The terminal block 20 is mounted in a case 10 having mounting holes 12. The case 10 is, for example, a case for housing electrical components. For example, the case 10 may be the case for a rotating electric machine. In this case, the armature and field are housed inside the case 10. The case 10 may be made of a conductive material such as metal.

[0036] The mounting hole 12 is a hole that penetrates the inside and outside of the case 10. The terminal block 20 comprises a busbar 30 and a base body 40. The base body 40 is fixed to the case 10, which holds the busbar 30 in a state where it penetrates the mounting hole 12. Electrical components inside and outside the case 10 are electrically connected via the busbar 30 of the terminal block 20. For example, an armature inside the case 10 and control equipment outside the case 10 are electrically connected via the busbar 30. The control equipment is, for example, an inverter device that drives and controls a rotating electric machine.

[0037] To prevent oil from leaking out of case 10, the terminal block is required to have an oil seal function.

[0038] The terminal block 20 comprises a busbar 30, a base body 40, and a sealing member 50. The base body 40 is fixed to the case 10 with the busbar 30 held by the base body 40. In this state, the busbar 30 protrudes from both openings of the mounting hole 12. The portion of the busbar 30 extending into the case 10 is connected to a conductor 14 inside the case 10, for example, a coil wire. The portion of the busbar 30 extending outside the case 10 is connected to a conductor 16 outside the case 10, for example, a conductor on the control equipment side. Connections between the busbar and other conductors may be made by screwing, soldering, or welding.

[0039] The sealing member 50 seals the inner and outer spaces of the case 10. This makes it difficult for oil inside the case 10 to leak to the outside.

[0040] More specifically, the busbar 30 is a conductive member including a first connecting end 31, a second connecting end 32, and an intermediate portion 33. The busbar 30 is made of, for example, an elongated rod-shaped member. The busbar may also be made of an elongated metal plate. If the busbar is made of a rectangular rod or an elongated metal plate, the corners should be rounded in the portion to which the sealing member is fitted. The intermediate portion 33 is located between the first connecting end 31 and the second connecting end 32. The first connecting end 31, the intermediate portion 33, and the second connecting end 32 are connected in a straight line in this order. The first connecting end 31 or the second connecting end 32 may be bent in the middle.

[0041] The bus bar 30 penetrates the base body 40. The base body 40 surrounds the intermediate portion 33. The first connection end 31 and the second connection end 32 project outward from the base body 40 and the seal member 50. The first connection end 31 extends, for example, into the case 10. The first connection end 31 is a portion connected to a conductor within the case 10. The second connection end 32 extends outside the case 10. The second connection end 32 is a portion connected to a conductor outside the case 10. The base body 40 holds the bus bar 30 in a state where the first connection end 31 and the second connection end 32 project.

[0042] In the present embodiment, an example in which the terminal block 20 includes three bus bars 30 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the number of terminals included in the terminal block is arbitrary. For example, the terminal block may include only one bus bar. The terminal block may include two or four or more bus bars.

[0043] The base body 40 is an insulating member formed of resin or the like. The base body 40 is, for example, a resin portion integrally formed by die molding with resin. For example, the bus bar 30 may be used as an insert portion and the base body 40 may be die molded. Alternatively, the bus bar 30 may be penetrated and held by the base body 40 having a through hole formed separately from the bus bar 30

[0044] The bus bar 30 penetrates the base body 40. The base body 40 is formed in a shape that extends wider than the mounting hole 12 in a plan view. In the present embodiment, the mounting hole 12 is an elongated through hole, and the base body 40 is formed in an elongated shape, for example, an oval plate shape or a rectangular plate shape. An oval shape is a shape in which semicircular portions are continuous at both short sides of a rectangle that is long in one direction. The shape of the base body 40 is not particularly limited, and the base body 40 may be a square plate shape or a disc shape.

[0045] The base body 40 has a base body through hole 40h. The base body through hole 40h opens on both sides of the base body 40. The bus bar 30 penetrates the base body through hole 40h.

[0046] The base body 40 may include a fixing portion 42 and an extending portion 44. The fixing portion 42 is a portion that extends wider than the mounting hole 12. The fixing portion 42 is disposed on the outer surface of the case 10 outside the opening of the mounting hole 12. The fixing portion 42 has a screw insertion hole. A screw S is inserted into the screw insertion hole and screwed into the screw groove of the case 10. Thereby, the fixing portion 42 is fixed to the case 10.

[0047] The extending portion 44 extends from the fixing portion 42 into the mounting hole 12. The extending length of the extending portion 44 is such that it reaches the middle in the axial direction of the mounting hole 12. In a plan view, the extending portion 44 is smaller than the fixing portion 42 and smaller than the mounting hole 12. A gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface 12f of the mounting hole 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the extending portion 44. The first connection end 31 of the bus bar 30 extends below the lower end of the extending portion 44.

[0048] The seal member 50 has a through hole 51 through which the middle portion of the bus bar 30 passes. In the present embodiment, the seal member 50 has a plurality (here, three) of through holes 51 corresponding to each of the plurality of bus bars. More specifically, the seal member 50 is a member that is long in one direction, and the plurality of through holes 51 are formed so as to be arranged at intervals along its longitudinal direction. When the bus bar 30 passes through the through hole 51, the seal member 50 adheres closely to the outer peripheral surface of the bus bar 30. Thereby, the flow of the liquid passing along the bus bar 30 is suppressed.

[0049] The seal member 50 is exposed on the outer peripheral side of the bus bar 30. The seal member 50 is preferably formed in a shape that can adhere closely to the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 12. For example, the outermost peripheral portion of the base portion 52 of the seal member 50 may be formed so as to extend wider than the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 12. When the seal member 50 adheres closely to the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 12, the flow of the liquid passing along the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 12 is suppressed.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the seal member 50 is located closer to the mounting hole 12 side than the fixing portion 42. The seal member 50 extends from the extending portion 44 into the inside of the mounting hole 12.

[0051] More specifically, the sealing member 50 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The sealing member 50 has a base portion 52 and a cylindrical portion 54. The base portion 52 is shaped to cover the outer circumference and tip surface of the extension portion 44. For example, the base portion 52 is shaped to be long along the longitudinal direction of the extension portion 44. A recess 52g into which the extension portion 44 can be fitted is formed on the base portion 52 opposite to the cylindrical portion 54. When the extension portion 44 is fitted into the recess 52g, the outer circumference and tip surface of the extension portion 44 are covered by the base portion 52. Because the sealing member 50 covers the extension portion 44, an insulating distance can be easily secured between the case 10 and the busbar 30 between the extension portion 44 and the sealing member 50. The extension portion 44 may be omitted, and the recess 52g into which the extension portion 44 fits may also be omitted.

[0052] A locking projection 52p may be formed on one of the extension portion 44 and the base portion 52, and a locking recess 44g may be formed on the other. For example, a locking recess 44g may be formed on the outer circumference of the extension portion 44, and a locking projection 52p may be formed on the inner wall of the recess 52g of the base portion 52 on the portion facing the locking recess 44g. In this case, the locking projection 52p engages with the locking recess 44g, making it difficult for the sealing member 50 to fall off the base body 40.

[0053] The cylindrical portion 54 is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the intermediate portion 33 of the busbar 30. For example, the cylindrical portion 54 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a larger outer surface area than the intermediate portion 33. A hole is formed in the cylindrical portion 54 into which the intermediate portion 33 can be inserted.

[0054] The cylindrical portion 54 is formed at a position corresponding to each of the multiple busbars 30. That is, multiple cylindrical portions 54 corresponding to each busbar 30 are provided projecting in a straight line at intervals from the part of the base 52 opposite to the fixing portion. The portion of the intermediate part 33 of the multiple busbars 30 that extends from the extension portion 44 is surrounded by the cylindrical portion 54. The cylindrical portion 54 may extend further toward the case 10 than the opening of the mounting hole 12 on the inside of the case 10. In this case, it is easier to ensure an insulating distance between the case 10 and the busbars 30.

[0055] The holes in the cylindrical portion 54 are continuous with the base portion 52 and open into the recess 52g. The holes extending from each cylindrical portion 54 toward the base portion 52 are the through holes 51. The base portion 52 includes intervening portions 52a that are interposed between the multiple through holes 51.

[0056] The sealing member 50 may have a receiving portion 56a that receives a force directed inward from the inner circumferential surface 12f of the mounting hole 12. The receiving portion 56a may encircle the sealing member 50. In other words, the receiving portion 56a of the sealing member 50 may extend in an annular shape around the outer circumference of the sealing member 50. The receiving portion 56a does not have to extend over the entire length of the mounting hole 12, but may be present only partially in the length of the mounting hole 12.

[0057] In this embodiment, the receiving portion 56a is the part that contacts the inner circumferential surface 12f of the mounting hole 12. In other words, the receiving portion 56a is an annular region located on the outer circumference of the sealing member 50 that contacts the inner circumferential surface 12f.

[0058] In the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 33, the area where the through hole 51 is located and the area where the receiving portion 56a is located may overlap in at least a portion of the way. In other words, in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 33, the area where the sealing member 50 contacts the through hole 51 and the area where the sealing member 50 contacts the inner circumferential surface 12f may overlap in at least a portion of the way. In this case, the force pushing the sealing member 50 inward is easily transmitted to the portion of the sealing member 50 that is in contact with the intermediate portion 33. Therefore, the sealing member 50 is more easily pressed against the intermediate portion 33, and the flow of liquid between the sealing member 50 and the busbar 30 is more reliably suppressed.

[0059] Furthermore, the base portion 52 includes an intervening portion 52a that is interposed between the multiple through holes 51. Therefore, when the base portion 52 is pushed inward, the intervening portion 52a is compressed in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the bus bars 30 are aligned between the intermediate portions 33. As a result, the intervening portion 52a is stretched in the direction in which the bus bars 30 are aligned, making it easier to press against the bus bars 30. Therefore, the intervening portion 52a of the base portion 52 is also more easily pressed against the bus bars 30, and the base portion 52 is more easily pressed against the entire circumferential direction of the bus bars 30.

[0060] In the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 33, the section where the intervening portion 52a is located and the section where the receiving portion 56a is located may overlap in at least a portion of the way. This makes it easier for the force pushing the sealing member 50 inward to be transmitted to the intervening portion 52a. As a result, the base portion 52 is more easily pressed against the entire circumferential direction of the busbar 30.

[0061] The sealing member 50 may include a guide surface 56f that gradually approaches the busbar 30 as it moves towards the inside of the case 10. This guide surface 56f may include the receiving portion 56a.

[0062] In this embodiment, a guide surface 56f is formed on the outer circumference of the base portion 52 of the sealing member 50. More specifically, the portion of the outer circumference of the base portion 52 from the longitudinal midpoint of the intermediate portion 33 toward the cylindrical portion 54 is formed as the guide surface 56f. In a cross-section including the plane where the multiple busbars 30 are lined up, the guide surface 56f is inclined inward toward the inside of the case 10 (see Figure 3). In a cross-section perpendicular to the plane where the multiple busbars 30 are lined up, the guide surface 56f is inclined inward toward the inside of the case 10 (see Figure 2).

[0063] The widest part of the guide surface 56f, that is, the part of the guide surface 56f on the fixing part 42 side, is the receiving part 56a that contacts the inner circumferential surface 12f.

[0064] When the terminal block 20 is inserted into the mounting hole 12, the portion of the busbar 30 on the first connection end 31 side and the cylindrical portion 54 of the sealing member 50 first enter the mounting hole 12. As the terminal block 20 is further inserted into the mounting hole 12, the guide surface 56f comes into contact with the opening edge of the mounting hole 12, guiding the sealing member 50 toward the inside of the mounting hole 12. Thus, the sealing member 50 can smoothly enter the mounting hole 12.

[0065] Furthermore, the portion of the inner circumferential surface 12f of the mounting hole 12 that is closer to the outside of the case 10 may be formed as a case-side guide surface 12g that gradually widens toward the outer opening. In this case, when the receiving portion 56a of the sealing member 50 is inserted into the case-side guide surface 12g, the force received by the receiving portion 56a from the case-side guide surface 12g of the mounting hole 12 gradually increases, and the sealing member 50 is gradually compressed.

[0066] In the initial stages of inserting the sealing member 50, the force received by the receiving portion 56a from the case-side guide surface 12g is small. Therefore, the terminal block 20 can be easily positioned in the mounting hole 12.

[0067] In the final stage of mounting the terminal block 20 to the case 10, tightening the screw S pushes the terminal block 20 toward the case 10 and fixes it to the case 10. Therefore, even if the force received by the receiving portion 56a from the case-side guide surface 12g becomes large, the fastening force of the screw S can be used to push the sealing member 50 into the mounting hole 12, and the receiving portion 56a of the sealing member 50 can be pressed against the inner circumferential surface 12f. Thus, the terminal block 20 has excellent assembly performance.

[0068] The material of the sealing member 50 described above is arbitrary; for example, it may be fluororubber or silicone rubber.

[0069] If the sealing member 50 is made of fluororubber, for example, it is easy to achieve heat resistance of 180 degrees. Furthermore, fluororubber absorbs less oil than silicone rubber and has superior oil resistance. Therefore, a sealing member 50 made of fluororubber is suitable for sealing oil in a high-temperature atmosphere of 180 degrees or higher.

[0070] <Effects, etc.> With the terminal block 20 configured as described above, when the terminal block 20 is mounted in the case 10 having the mounting holes 12, the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 51 of the sealing member 50 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate portion 33, and the portion of the sealing member 50 that is exposed on the outer circumferential side of the bus bar 30 can contact the case 10. As a result, the sealing member 50 can seal the gap between the bus bar 30 and the case 10. Compared to the case where the gap between the bus bar and the base body and the gap between the base body and the case are sealed with separate sealing members, the number of components for sealing can be reduced. For this reason, the terminal block 20 mounted in the mounting holes 12 can be sealed at low cost.

[0071] For example, consider sealing the gap between the busbar and the base body with adhesive, and sealing the gap between the base body and the case with an O-ring.

[0072] For example, the increasing current capacity of rotating electrical machines makes terminal blocks more susceptible to high-temperature environments. Furthermore, the integration of rotating electrical machines with control equipment also exacerbates this problem. Therefore, there is a need for terminal blocks with high heat resistance.

[0073] With adhesive sealing, for example, it may be difficult to achieve good adhesion between the metal busbar and the resin base body while maintaining heat resistance of 180 degrees Celsius.

[0074] Using both adhesive seals and O-ring seals in combination can increase the number of parts, increase manufacturing time, and potentially raise manufacturing costs.

[0075] This terminal block 20 allows for a reduction in the amount of adhesive used for sealing, thus reducing the number of parts and manufacturing time, making it easier to manufacture the terminal block 20 at a low cost. Furthermore, cost reductions are possible by reducing the amount of adhesive application equipment. In addition, eliminating the adhesive used for sealing reduces the defect rate of the terminal block.

[0076] Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 33, the section where the through hole 51 is located and the section where the receiving portion 56a is located overlap in at least a portion of the area, making it easier for the sealing member 50 to be compressed between the bus bar 30 and the mounting hole 12. As a result, the sealing performance of the sealing member 50 is excellent.

[0077] Furthermore, the installation area of ​​the sealing member 50 can be reduced, and the amount of material used for the sealing member 50 can be reduced.

[0078] Furthermore, since the sealing member 50 includes a guide surface 56f, and the guide surface 56f includes a receiving portion 56a, the sealing member 50 is easy to insert into the mounting hole 12.

[0079] Furthermore, when mounted on the case 10, the receiving portion 56a is formed in a position facing the case-side guide surface 12g of the mounting hole 12. Therefore, in the initial stages of inserting the sealing member 50 into the mounting hole 12, the receiving portion 56a can reduce the force it receives from the inner circumferential surface 12f of the mounting hole 12. This allows the terminal block 20 to be easily inserted into the mounting hole 12, facilitating the assembly of the terminal block 20.

[0080] Furthermore, the sealing member 50 includes an intervening portion 52a that is interposed between the multiple through holes 51. Therefore, when the sealing member 50 is inserted into the mounting hole 12, the intervening portion 52a is interposed between the multiple bus bars 30, making it easier to fill the gap between the multiple bus bars 30 and the mounting hole 12.

[0081] Furthermore, the base portion 52 overlapping the extension portion 44 makes it easier for the sealing member 50 to be held by the base body 40. The base portion 52 overlapping the extension portion 44 also makes it easier to ensure sufficient insulation distance between the busbar 30 and the case 10 between the base portion 52 and the extension portion 44.

[0082] Furthermore, if the sealing member 50 is made of fluororubber, high heat resistance can be achieved. It also makes it easier to create a structure with excellent oil resistance.

[0083] <Modifications> Various modifications are described based on the above embodiment.

[0084] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal block 120 according to Modification 1. In this modification, the sealing member 150 corresponding to the sealing member 50 does not have a guide surface 56f. Also, the mounting hole 112 corresponding to the mounting hole 12 does not have a case-side guide surface 12g. In other words, in this Modification 1, the sealing member 150 has a so-called shaft seal structure.

[0085] In this modified form, the busbar 30 passes through the through-hole 151 of the sealing member 150, and the sealing member 150 is exposed on the outer circumference side of the base body 40 and in contact with the inner surface of the mounting hole 112. As a result, the sealing member 150 suppresses the flow of both liquid traveling along the busbar 30 and liquid traveling along the inner surface of the mounting hole 112. Thus, the terminal block 120 mounted in the mounting hole 112 can be sealed at low cost.

[0086] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal block 220 according to Modification 2. In this modification, the sealing member 250 corresponding to the sealing member 50 does not have a guide surface 56f. Also, the mounting hole 212 corresponding to the mounting hole 12 does not have a case-side guide surface 12g.

[0087] Furthermore, the sealing member 250 is configured to integrally form a busbar sealing portion 252 through which the intermediate portion 33 of the busbar 30 passes on the lower side of the base body 40, and a case sealing portion 254 interposed between the outer surface of the case 10 and the base body 40.

[0088] For example, when the intermediate portion 33 is press-fitted into the through-hole 251 of the busbar seal portion 252, the busbar seal portion 252 adheres tightly to the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate portion 33, suppressing the flow of liquid along the busbar 30. Also, when the case seal portion 254 is compressed between the outer surface of the case 10 and the base body 40, the flow of liquid through the gap between the surface of the case 10 and the base body 40 is suppressed. The compression of the case seal portion 254 may be achieved by the tightening force of the screws used to fix the base body 40 to the case 10.

[0089] In this modified form, the busbar 30 passes through the through-hole 251 of the sealing member 250, and the sealing member 250 is exposed on the outer circumference of the base body 40 and in contact with the surface of the case 10. As a result, the sealing member 250 suppresses the flow of both liquid flowing along the busbar 30 and liquid flowing along the surface of the case 10 at the outer circumference of the opening of the mounting hole 212. Thus, the terminal block 220 mounted in the mounting hole 212 can be sealed at low cost.

[0090] A terminal block relating to Modification 3 will be described. Figure 6 is a front view showing the terminal block 320. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 7.

[0091] The terminal block 320 further includes a retaining portion 340 that is held by the busbar 30 at a position spaced apart from the main body 40.

[0092] The sealing member 50 is located between the base body 40 and the retaining portion 340.

[0093] Therefore, the sealing member 50 is less likely to move towards the end of the busbar 30 due to the retaining portion 340. As a result, the sealing member 50 is less likely to fall off the base body 40.

[0094] The base body 40 and the retaining portion 340 may be molded using the bus bar 30 as an insert portion. In this case, the base body 40 and the retaining portion 340 are easily held by the bus bar 30, and the base body 40 and the retaining portion 340 are less likely to shift position relative to the bus bar 30. The base body 40 and the retaining portion 340 may be molded simultaneously.

[0095] The sealing member 50 may be a portion molded using the busbar 30 as an insert portion. In this case, the sealing member 50, the base body 40, and the retaining portion 340 may be molded in any order.

[0096] The base body 40, the retaining portion 340, and the sealing member 50 may be double-molded, with the base body 40 and retaining portion 340 and the sealing member 50 being separate molded parts. In this case, gaps are less likely to occur between the sealing member 50 and the base body 40, and gaps are also less likely to occur between the sealing member 50 and the retaining portion 340. Therefore, it is easier to ensure an insulating distance between the case 10 and the busbar 30.

[0097] The sealing member 50 may be a part molded separately from the base body 40 and the retaining portion 340. In this case, the sealing member 50 can be easily manufactured as a separate part from the base body 40 and the retaining portion 340.

[0098] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal block 420 according to Modification 4. This terminal block 420 is further provided with an insulating covering 460 that covers the sealing member 50, with the terminal block 320 according to Modification 3 further extending beyond the sealing member 50 in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 33.

[0099] For example, the insulating coating 460 extends beyond the sealing member 50 toward the retaining portion 340 and covers the outer circumference of the retaining portion 340. Alternatively, for example, the insulating coating 460 extends beyond the sealing member 50 toward the base body 40 and covers the base end of the extension portion 44. The insulating coating 460 may also be a heat-shrinkable coating made by covering the sealing member 50 and its upper and lower portions with heat-shrinkable tubing.

[0100] This insulating coating 460 can cover the boundary between the sealing member 50 and the retaining portion 340, or the boundary between the sealing member 50 and the extension portion 44. Therefore, it is easier to ensure an insulating distance between the case 10 and the busbar 30 at the boundary between the sealing member 50 and other parts.

[0101] Furthermore, the configurations described in the above embodiments and each of the modified examples can be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not contradict each other.

[0102] 10 Case 12, 112, 212 Mounting hole 12f Inner surface 12g Case side guide surface 14, 16 Conductor 20, 120, 220, 320, 420 Terminal block 30 Busbar 31 First connection end 32 Second connection end 33 Intermediate part 40 Main body 40h Through hole in main body 42 Fixing part 44 Extension part 44g Locking recess 50, 150, 250 Seal member 51, 151, 251 Through hole 52 Base part 52a Intervening part 52g Recess 52p Locking projection 54 Cylindrical part 56a Receiving part 56f Guide surface 252 Busbar seal part 254 Case seal part 340 Retaining part 460 Insulation coating S Screw

Claims

1. A terminal block to be mounted in a case having mounting holes, comprising: a busbar including a first connection end, a second connection end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second connection ends; a base body that holds the busbar with the first and second connection ends protruding; and a sealing member having a through hole through which the intermediate portion passes, wherein the busbar passes through the through hole and the sealing member is exposed on the outer circumference side of the busbar.

2. A terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member has a receiving portion that receives a force directed inward from the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole, and in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion, the section in which the through hole exists and the section in which the receiving portion exists overlap in at least a portion of the area.

3. A terminal block according to claim 2, wherein the sealing member includes a guide surface that gradually approaches the busbar as it moves toward the case, and the guide surface includes the receiving portion.

4. A terminal block according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the receiving portion is formed in the mounting hole at a position opposite to the case-side guide surface that gradually widens toward the outside of the case.

5. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a plurality of busbars, wherein a plurality of through holes are formed in the sealing member, and the sealing member includes an intervening portion interposed between the plurality of through holes.

6. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the main body of the block includes a fixing portion that is positioned on the outer surface of the case outside the opening of the mounting hole and fixed to the case, and an extension portion that extends from the fixing portion toward the inside of the mounting hole, and the sealing member includes a base portion that covers the extension portion.

7. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a retaining portion held on the busbar at a position spaced apart from the base body, wherein the sealing member is located between the base body and the retaining portion.

8. A terminal block according to claim 7, wherein the base body, the retaining portion, and the sealing member are double-molded, with the base body, the retaining portion, and the sealing member being separate molded parts.

9. A terminal block according to claim 7, wherein the sealing member is a separate part from the base body and the retaining portion, and is fitted onto the portion of the intermediate portion that is exposed between the base body and the retaining portion.

10. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an insulating covering that extends beyond the sealing member in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion and covers the sealing member.

11. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing member is made of fluororubber.

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