EP2808949A1 - Terminal block and method of connecting an inner conductive member and an outer conductive member - Google Patents
Terminal block and method of connecting an inner conductive member and an outer conductive member Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2808949A1 EP2808949A1 EP14001637.9A EP14001637A EP2808949A1 EP 2808949 A1 EP2808949 A1 EP 2808949A1 EP 14001637 A EP14001637 A EP 14001637A EP 2808949 A1 EP2808949 A1 EP 2808949A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- terminal
- housing
- conductive member
- socket
- main body
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 15
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 34
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 34
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 10
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 8
- 210000003298 dental enamel Anatomy 0.000 description 6
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000036544 posture Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000057 synthetic resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005476 soldering Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R9/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
- H01R9/22—Bases, e.g. strip, block, panel
- H01R9/24—Terminal blocks
- H01R9/2491—Terminal blocks structurally associated with plugs or sockets
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/10—Sockets for co-operation with pins or blades
- H01R13/11—Resilient sockets
- H01R13/111—Resilient sockets co-operating with pins having a circular transverse section
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
- H01R13/506—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces assembled by snap action of the parts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/73—Means for mounting coupling parts to apparatus or structures, e.g. to a wall
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R2105/00—Three poles
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
- H01R2201/26—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for vehicles
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
- H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
- H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
- H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
- H01R4/48185—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar adapted for axial insertion of a wire end
- H01R4/48275—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar adapted for axial insertion of a wire end with an opening in the housing for insertion of a release tool
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a terminal block and to a method of connecting an inner conductive member and an outer conductive member.
- a terminal block for electrically connecting conductive members provided in electric devices such as a motor, an inverter and the like is known from Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-211933 .
- This includes a housing made of synthetic resin and to be mounted through a case of a specified device in an in-out direction and a plurality of terminals each configured such that a connecting portion with a nut is provided on each of opposite ends of an L-shaped busbar.
- the terminals are so structured that the connecting portions on one end side and those on the other end side are mounted side by side to be respectively located on an outer end part of the housing and in an inner end part of the housing.
- Outer conductive members formed of busbars extending from the electric device such as an inverter are bolted and connected to the outer connecting portions of the terminals mounted in the terminal block, and inner conductive members formed of busbars extending from the electric device such as a motor are likewise bolted and connected to the inner connecting portions of the terminals, whereby the corresponding inner and outer conductive members are electrically connected.
- the present invention was completed based on the above situation and aims to realizing space saving and improving operability in connecting a conductive member and a terminal.
- a terminal block for connecting an inner conductive member and an outer conductive member arranged inside and outside a device including a housing provided to penetrate through a case of the device in an in-out direction; and at least one terminal mounted in the housing and including connecting portions on inner and outer end parts to be connected to the inner and outer conductive members; wherein the connecting portion of the terminal on the inner end side comprises (particularly is formed by) a (particularly substantially tubular) socket terminal to be fitted and connected to a pin terminal provided on the inner conductive member.
- the pin terminal is fitted into or to the mating socket terminal in connecting the inner conductive member to the connecting portion on the inner end side of the terminal.
- connection by bolting it suffices to fit the pin terminal into or to the socket terminal.
- a connecting operation itself is simple, a need for an operation space for bolting can be eliminated, and space saving can be realized.
- the socket terminal is accommodated in an inner end part of the housing; at least one terminal insertion opening, into which the pin terminal at least partly is insertable, is provided on an outer surface of the housing to communicate with the socket terminal.
- a tapered guiding portion may be formed on an opening edge part of the terminal insertion opening.
- the pin terminal is fitted into or to the corresponding socket terminal through the terminal insertion opening. Even if there is, for example, a misalignment at that time, the pin terminal is smoothly fitted while being aligned by the guiding portion. The connecting operation of the pin terminal and the socket terminal becomes simpler.
- the housing includes a housing main body molded with an opening formed on the side of the socket terminal of the terminal and a cover mounted on the opening of the housing main body to at least partly cover the socket terminal.
- the terminal insertion opening may be formed over the housing main body and the cover.
- the housing is formed by mounting the cover on the housing main body and, simultaneously, the socket terminal is accommodated in the inner end side of the housing.
- At least one flexible vibration absorbing portion is provided between the inner and outer connecting portions of the terminal.
- the connecting portion has such a plural- or two-piece structure that a substantially tubular body is fitted on the outer periphery of a louver terminal portion.
- the louver terminal portion is shaped such that a plurality of resilient contact pieces, each particularly including a contact portion on or near a tip side and substantially extending forward, at least partly are arranged in a ring shape while being circumferentially spaced apart on the front edge of an annular base portion.
- An axis of the connecting portion substantially extends in the same direction as a bending direction of the outer connecting portion of the terminal.
- a method of connecting an inner conductive member and an outer conductive member arranged inside and outside a device comprising the following steps: providing a housing to penetrate through a case of the device in an in-out direction; mounting at least one terminal in the housing and including connecting portions on inner and outer end parts to be connected to the inner and outer conductive members; and fitting a socket terminal of the connecting portion of the terminal on the inner end side to a pin terminal provided on the inner conductive member.
- the method may further comprise accommodating the socket terminal in an inner end part of the housing; and providing at least one terminal insertion opening, into which the pin terminal is insertable, on an outer surface of the housing to communicate with the socket terminal.
- the method may further comprise forming at least one tapered guiding portion on or near an opening edge part of the terminal insertion opening.
- the method may further comprise molding a housing main body of the housing with an opening formed on the side of the socket terminal of the terminal and mounting a cover on the opening of the housing main body to at least partly cover the socket terminal
- the terminal insertion opening is formed over the housing main body and the cover.
- At least one flexible vibration absorbing portion is provided between the inner and outer connecting portions of the terminal.
- FIGS. 1 to 6 A first particular embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 .
- a terminal block T for electrically connecting one or more conductive members, e.g. three conductive members provided in a three-phase alternating current motor mounted in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and one or more respective mating conductive members, e.g. three conductive members provided in an inverter.
- the terminal block T is applied in a case where the motor and the inverter are directly coupled.
- the terminal block T is to be provided on a lateral wall (e.g. an upper wall) 2 of a transmission case 1 (as a particular electric or electronic device) and an unillustrated motor-side case is adjacently assembled particularly on a front opening side (left side in FIG. 5 ) of the transmission case 1, whereas an inverter-side case is assembled on the lateral (e.g. upper) surfaces of the integrally joined transmission case and motor-side case.
- the three conductive members (as a particular inner conductive member) extending from the motor and the conductive members (as a particular outer conductive member) extending from the inverter are to be electrically connected via the terminal block T as described above.
- the outer conductive member(s) extending from the inverter are one or more busbars
- the inner conductive member(s) extending from the motor are obtained by wires, particularly by solidifying enamel wires in a substantially straight posture using an adhesive or the like, and one or more (particularly substantially round) pin terminals p are to be substantially coaxially connected on the tip(s) of the inner conductive member(s) as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the terminal block T includes shown one or more, particularly three terminals 10 and a housing 30 which is made e.g. of synthetic resin and in which one or more, particularly these three terminals 10 are to be mounted particularly substantially side by side.
- the terminal 10 particularly is formed of a busbar particularly substantially bent into an L shape, and one end side thereof serves as an outer connecting portion 11 to be connected to the outer conductive member and particularly is formed with an insertion hole 12 for a bolt.
- This terminal 10 is so to be mounted into the housing 30 that the outer connecting portion 11 particularly substantially is in a horizontal posture and the other end side hangs down or projects towards the inside as described later.
- the other end side as a hanging or projecting end is provided with a socket terminal 20 which functions as an inner connecting portion to be connected to the inner conductive member.
- This socket terminal 20 particularly has such a plural- or two-piece structure that a substantially tubular body 25 is fitted on the outer periphery of a louver terminal portion 21.
- the louver terminal portion 21 is shaped such that a plurality of resilient contact pieces 23 each including a contact portion 23A on or near a tip side and substantially extending forward at least partly are arranged in a ring shape while being circumferentially spaced apart on the front edge of an annular base portion 22.
- a jaw portion 26 (shown in Fig. 6 ) substantially facing inward to protect the tips of the resilient contact pieces 23 of the louver terminal portion 21 is formed on or near the front end of the tubular body 25.
- the tubular body 25 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the louver terminal portion 21 substantially from front and retained and mounted by folding back, for example, one or more, particularly a pair of joining pieces 27 projecting from the rear edge onto the base portion 22.
- a (particularly substantially strip-like) coupling piece 24 is integrally or unitarily projecting or erected from (particularly the upper edge of) the base portion 22 of the louver terminal portion 21, and an upper or distal end part of this coupling piece 24 is to be placed in contact with the hanging or projecting end of the terminal 10 and fixed such as by spot welding, soldering, bolting or the like.
- an axis of the socket terminal 20 substantially extends in the same direction (leftward direction of FIG. 6 ) as a bending direction of the outer connecting portion 11 of the terminal 10.
- the coupling piece 24 particularly is bent into a crank shape for reinforcement and the like at an intermediate position in a height direction. Additionally or alternatively, one or more reinforcing ribs may be provided on the coupling piece 24.
- a total of three terminals 10 are provided.
- the housing 30 particularly is composed of or comprises a housing main body 31 and a cover 50.
- the housing main body 31 substantially is formed into a box shape having a lower surface opening long and narrow substantially in a lateral direction, a laterally long flange 32 is formed on the lateral or upper edge thereof, and one or more mounting holes 33, into which one or more collars 34 at least partly are fitted, are provided laterally of the flange 32, particularly on substantially opposite lateral (left and right) ends of this flange 32.
- a packing mounting groove 35 particularly is circumferentially provided on the lower surface of the flange 32, and an annular surface packing 36 is to be mounted thereinto.
- a seat block 40 on which the outer connecting portion(s) 11 of the respective terminal(s) 10 is/are mounted (particularly substantially side by side) is provided in a central or intermediate part of the lateral or upper surface of the housing main body 31.
- This seat block 40 is formed with one or more (e.g. three) seats 41 on which the outer connecting portion(s) 11 is/are individually mounted, and the (particularly each) seat 41 is formed with an accommodating chamber 43 for a nut 42 which is recessed from a placing surface and substantially open forward.
- the nut 42 is to be at least partly accommodated in each accommodating chamber 43 with the displacement (particularly rotation) thereof prevented.
- the seat block 40 is formed over the one or more, particularly three terminals 10 arranged at specified (predetermined or predeterminable) intervals (including connected part(s) to the respective coupling piece(s) 24) by primary molding, whereby the one or more, particularly three terminals 10 are held in specified (predetermined or predeterminable) postures on the seat block 40.
- a first part (particularly a lower half) of the (particularly each) socket terminal 20 projects laterally (particularly substantially downward) from the lateral edge (particularly lower edge) of (particularly a front wall 31A directly behind the front wall 31A of) the housing main body 31, and the (particularly each) coupling piece 24 is erected or projects before a rear wall 31 B of the housing main body 31.
- one or more collars 34 particularly are also mounted.
- the cover 50 particularly is formed separately from the housing main body 31 and/or substantially in the form of a rectangular deep dish to at least partly cover the aforementioned lateral or lower surface opening of the housing main body 31.
- one or more resiliently displaceable lock frames 51 are formed to rise on one or more lateral (left and/or right) side surfaces of the cover 50, whereas one or more lock projections 38 are provided on one or more lateral (left and/or right) side surfaces of the housing main body 31.
- the lock frame(s) 51 is/are resiliently fitted to the lock projection(s) 38, thereby forming the housing 30 in which the housing main body 31 and the cover 50 are integrally joined.
- one or more, particularly three terminal insertion openings 45 into which the aforementioned one or more (particularly substantially round) pin terminals p at least partly are insertable are formed at the substantially same position(s) (particularly substantially at the same intervals) as the one or more terminals 10 (one or more socket terminals 20) on a joint of (particularly the lower edge of) the housing main body 31 and the lateral or distal or upper edge of the cover 50 on the lateral or front surface of the housing 30.
- the (particularly each) terminal insertion opening 45 is located on the substantially same axis as the corresponding socket terminal 20, and/or at least one guiding portion 46 widened toward a front side is formed in a front end part of each terminal insertion opening 45.
- a second part (particularly substantially an upper half) of the (particularly each) terminal insertion opening 45 is formed on the lateral or lower edge of the front wall 31A of the housing main body 31 and a second part (particularly substantially a lower half) thereof is formed on the upper or lateral or distal edge of a front wall 50A of the cover 50.
- the housing main body 31 integrally including the one or more, particularly three terminals 10 is formed by a plurality of (e.g. two) moldings as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the outer connecting portion 11 of each terminal 10 is placed on the corresponding seat 41 in a position substantially corresponding to (e.g. right above of) the accommodating chamber 43 for the nut 42 while being substantially held in a forward facing posture.
- the socket terminal 20 as the inner connecting portion of each terminal 10 particularly is located on the substantially same axis as the terminal insertion opening 45 (precisely, upper half of this terminal insertion opening 45) directly behind the terminal insertion opening 45 while being similarly held in a substantially forward facing posture.
- the cover 50 is mounted substantially on the lateral or lower surface opening of the housing main body 31 in which the one or more, particularly three terminals 10 are integrally provided in this way.
- the lock frame(s) 51 move(s) onto the lock projection(s) 38, is/are pushed (particularly substantially up from below) while being resiliently displaced, and is/are fitted to the lock projection(s) 38 while being restored towards or substantially into an original shape when (particularly the upper edge of) the cover 50 comes into contact with (particularly the lower edge of) the housing main body 31, whereby the cover 50 is integrally joined and the housing 30 is formed as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the socket terminal 20 as the inner connecting portion of each terminal 10 at least partly is accommodated in (particularly a lower end part of) the housing 30 and the terminal insertion opening 45 particularly substantially is concentrically open directly before the socket terminal 20.
- the nut 42 at least partly is inserted into the accommodating chamber 43 of each seat 41 on such a housing 30, and the surface packing 36 is mounted into the packing mounting groove 35 on the lower surface of the flange 32, whereby the terminal block T is completed.
- the terminal block T assembled as described above is mounted on (particularly the lateral or upper wall 2 of) the transmission case 1 as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the lower end part of the housing 30 at least partly is inserted into a through hole 3 open on the case upper wall 2 from above and, thereafter, one or more bolts are inserted into the mounting hole(s) 33 of the flange 32 and screwed into bolt hole(s) on the case upper wall 2, whereby the flange 32, i.e. the terminal block T is fixed to the case upper wall 2.
- the surface packing 36 is compressed and pressed against the hole edge of the through hole 3, thereby sealing the through hole 3.
- each terminal 10 When the terminal block T is mounted in this way, the outer connecting portion 11 of each terminal 10 is exposed on (particularly an upper or lateral surface side (outer side) of) the case upper wall 2 while being arranged on (particularly the upper surface of) the housing 30 (seat block 40).
- the socket terminal 20 as the inner connecting portion of each terminal 10 projects inwardly, particularly substantially toward a lower surface side (inward) of the case upper wall 2 while being accommodated in the lower end part of the housing 30, but is open laterally or forward (leftward in FIG. 5 ) through the terminal insertion opening 45 formed in the lateral or front surface of the housing 30.
- the terminal block T may be utilized for connecting any kind of conductive member with a respective mating conductive member irrespective of the given specific example of the three-phase alternating current motor and inverter.
- the one or more, particularly three inner conductive members (enamel wires) of the motor side are connected to the inner connecting portion(s) of the corresponding terminal(s) 10 by at least partly inserting the (particularly substantially round) pin terminal(s) p provided on the tip(s) of the enamel wire(s) into the socket terminal(s) 20 behind the terminal insertion opening(s) 45 open on the front surface of the housing 30 through the terminal insertion opening(s) 45 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 5 .
- the (particularly substantially round) pin terminal(s) p is/are misaligned with the socket terminal(s) 20, it/they is/are inserted while substantially being aligned by the guiding portion(s) 46.
- the (round) pin terminal(s) p is/are displaced (particularly pushed) while resiliently displacing the resilient contact pieces 23 of the louver terminal portion(s) 21.
- the resilient contact pieces 23 at least partly are restored in a diameter reducing direction, whereby the round pin terminal(s) p and the socket terminal(s) 20 are resiliently fitted into contact with each other and the one or more, particularly three inner conductive members (enamel wires) of the motor side are connected to the one or more respective inner connecting portions (socket terminals 20) of the one or more corresponding terminals 10.
- the motor-side case is adjacently assembled to cover a front surface opening of the transmission case 1.
- the one or more, particularly three outer conductive members (busbars) of the inverter side are connected to the one or more respective outer connecting portions 11 of the one or more corresponding terminals 10.
- the respective busbars particularly are placed on the outer connecting portions 11 arranged substantially side by side on the upper surface of the housing 30, one or more bolts at least partly are inserted through the insertion holes of the busbars and the insertion holes 12 of the outer connecting portions 11 and threadably tightened into the respective nut(s) 42 at least partly accommodated in the accommodating chamber(s) 43 with the displacement/rotation thereof prevented, whereby the one or more, particularly three outer conductive members (busbars) of the inverter side are connected to the one or more respective outer connecting portions 11 of the one or more corresponding terminals 10.
- the inverter-side case is assembled on the lateral or upper surface(s) of the transmission case 1 and/or the motor-side case integrally joined as described above.
- the three conductive members provided in the three-phase alternating current motor and those provided in the inverter are electrically connected via the terminal block T and a terminal connection structure of a type in which the motor and the inverter are directly coupled is constructed.
- parts for connecting the inner conductive member(s) of the motor side to the inner connecting portion(s) of the terminal(s) 10 mounted in or to the terminal block T are so structured that the (particularly round) pin terminal(s) p is/are provided on the inner conductive member(s) and, on the other hand, the inner connecting portion(s) of the terminal(s) 10 is/are formed by the socket terminal(s) 20.
- the connection of the inner conductive member(s) to the inner connecting portion(s) of the terminal(s) 10 is realized by fitting the (particularly substantially round) pin terminal(s) p into the mating socket terminal(s) 20.
- the connecting operation itself is simple since it suffices to at least partly fit the (round) pin terminal(s) p into the socket terminal(s) 20. Further, space saving can be realized and, for example, the miniaturization of the motor case can be realized since a need for an operation space for bolting can be eliminated.
- the (particularly substantially round) pin terminal(s) p provided on (particularly the tip(s) of) the inner conductive member(s) of the motor at least partly is/are inserted into the socket terminal(s) 20 at least partly at least partly accommodated in the housing 30 through the terminal insertion opening(s) 45 open on the lateral or front surface of the housing 30.
- the inner conductive member(s) of the motor possibly shake since it is formed by solidifying the enamel wire(s), wherefore the (round) pin terminal(s) p and the mating socket terminal(s) 20 may be misaligned with each other.
- the one or more tapered guiding portions 46 particularly are formed on the entrance side(s) of the terminal insertion opening(s) 45, even if the (round) pin terminal(s) p is/are misaligned with the socket terminal(s) 20, the (round) pin terminal(s) p at least partly is/are inserted and smoothly fitted into the socket terminal(s) 20 while being aligned by the guiding portion(s) 46.
- the connecting operation of the (round) pin terminal(s) p and the socket terminal(s) 20 becomes simpler.
- the housing 30 is composed of the housing main body 31 particularly molded with the opening formed on the side of the socket terminal(s) 20 of the terminal(s) 10, and the cover 50 mounted on the opening of the housing main body 31 to at least partly cover the socket terminal(s) 20. Particularly, sealing between the housing 30 and the terminal(s) 10 can be provided by molding the housing main body 31.
- a terminal block T for connecting one or more inner conductive members and one or more outer conductive members arranged inside and outside a device includes a housing 30 provided to penetrate through a case 1 of the device in an in-out direction, and one or more terminals 10 mounted in the housing 30 and each including connecting portions on inner and outer end parts to be connected to the inner and outer conductive members.
- the connecting portion(s) of the terminal(s) 10 on the inner end side(s) is/are formed by (particularly substantially tubular) socket terminal(s) 20 to fitted and connected to one or more respective pin terminals p provided on the inner conductive member(s).
- a second particular embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIG. 7 .
- This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a vibration absorbing portion is provided between inner and outer connecting portions of a terminal 60 mounted in a terminal block T1.
- the terminal 60 is so structured that at least one flexible conductor 62, which serves as the vibration absorbing portion, is connected to a hanging or projecting end of a busbar 61 bent particularly substantially into an L shape.
- This flexible conductor 62 particularly is structured by bending (particularly a braided wire or flexible flat conductor) into a substantially S shape.
- a coupling piece 24A erected or projecting from (particularly a base portion 22 of) a louver terminal portion 21 has a short height in a socket terminal 20A which serves as an inner connecting portion.
- an upper end part of the flexible conductor 62 is placed in contact with (particularly the rear surface of) a lower or projecting end part of this busbar 61 and fixed particularly by spot welding or the like, and a lower end part of this flexible conductor 62 is placed in contact with the front surface of an upper end part of the coupling piece 24A erected from the base portion 22 of the louver terminal portion 21 and likewise fixed particularly by spot welding or the like.
- a bending direction of an outer connecting portion 11 and that of the socket terminal 20A are substantially opposite in the front-back direction.
- the housing 30 is similarly composed of or comprises a housing main body 31 and a cover 50, and the housing main body 31 integrally or unitarily including three terminals 60 is formed particularly by two moldings.
- the cover 50 is mounted on the lower surface opening of this housing main body 31, whereby the housing 30 is formed and, as a result, the terminal block T1 is completed.
- the substantially S-shaped flexible conductors 62 forming parts of the terminal 60 are accommodated in most of an upper area in the housing 30, the socket terminals 20A as the inner connecting portions of the terminals 60 are accommodated in a lower end part of the housing 30 and terminal insertion openings 45 are concentrically open directly before the socket terminals 20A.
- Such a terminal block T1 is similarly mounted on the upper wall 2 of the transmission case 1.
- one or more pin terminals p provided on the one or more respective wires, particularly on the tips of the enable wires at least partly are inserted into the one or more socket terminals 20A as the inner connecting portions in connecting the one or more, particularly three inner conductive members (particularly enamel wires) of the motor side to the inner connecting portions of the terminals 60, and the one or more, particularly three outer conductive members (particularly busbars) of the inverter side and the outer connecting portions 11 of the corresponding terminals 60 are connected particularly by bolting.
- the motor and the inverter are directly coupled.
- the flexible conductor 62 as the vibration absorbing portion is provided for the terminal 60 mounted in the terminal block T1
- this vibration is absorbed by the flexible conductor 62 and the transmission thereof to the opposite conductive member side is suppressed.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a terminal block and to a method of connecting an inner conductive member and an outer conductive member.
- Conventionally, a terminal block for electrically connecting conductive members provided in electric devices such as a motor, an inverter and the like is known from Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2010-211933 - Outer conductive members formed of busbars extending from the electric device such as an inverter are bolted and connected to the outer connecting portions of the terminals mounted in the terminal block, and inner conductive members formed of busbars extending from the electric device such as a motor are likewise bolted and connected to the inner connecting portions of the terminals, whereby the corresponding inner and outer conductive members are electrically connected.
- In the above conventional terminal block, an operation space allowing the insertion of a bolting tool into the device is necessary particularly in bolting and connecting the inner conductive members to the corresponding inner connecting portions of the terminals. Thus, the device tends to be enlarged. Further, due to a bolting operation in the device, there has been a problem of being difficult to operate and its improvement has been desired.
- The present invention was completed based on the above situation and aims to realizing space saving and improving operability in connecting a conductive member and a terminal.
- This object is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Particular embodiments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims.
- According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal block for connecting an inner conductive member and an outer conductive member arranged inside and outside a device, including a housing provided to penetrate through a case of the device in an in-out direction; and at least one terminal mounted in the housing and including connecting portions on inner and outer end parts to be connected to the inner and outer conductive members; wherein the connecting portion of the terminal on the inner end side comprises (particularly is formed by) a (particularly substantially tubular) socket terminal to be fitted and connected to a pin terminal provided on the inner conductive member.
- According to this configuration, the pin terminal is fitted into or to the mating socket terminal in connecting the inner conductive member to the connecting portion on the inner end side of the terminal. As compared with connection by bolting, it suffices to fit the pin terminal into or to the socket terminal. Thus, a connecting operation itself is simple, a need for an operation space for bolting can be eliminated, and space saving can be realized.
- Further, the following configurations may be adopted.
- The socket terminal is accommodated in an inner end part of the housing; at least one terminal insertion opening, into which the pin terminal at least partly is insertable, is provided on an outer surface of the housing to communicate with the socket terminal.
- A tapered guiding portion may be formed on an opening edge part of the terminal insertion opening.
- In this configuration, the pin terminal is fitted into or to the corresponding socket terminal through the terminal insertion opening. Even if there is, for example, a misalignment at that time, the pin terminal is smoothly fitted while being aligned by the guiding portion. The connecting operation of the pin terminal and the socket terminal becomes simpler.
- The housing includes a housing main body molded with an opening formed on the side of the socket terminal of the terminal and a cover mounted on the opening of the housing main body to at least partly cover the socket terminal.
- The terminal insertion opening may be formed over the housing main body and the cover.
- In this configuration, the housing is formed by mounting the cover on the housing main body and, simultaneously, the socket terminal is accommodated in the inner end side of the housing.
- At least one flexible vibration absorbing portion is provided between the inner and outer connecting portions of the terminal.
- In this configuration, if vibration acts on the inner or outer conductive member, this vibration is absorbed by the vibration absorbing portion and the transmission thereof to the opposite conductive member is suppressed.
- The connecting portion has such a plural- or two-piece structure that a substantially tubular body is fitted on the outer periphery of a louver terminal portion.
- The louver terminal portion is shaped such that a plurality of resilient contact pieces, each particularly including a contact portion on or near a tip side and substantially extending forward, at least partly are arranged in a ring shape while being circumferentially spaced apart on the front edge of an annular base portion.
- An axis of the connecting portion substantially extends in the same direction as a bending direction of the outer connecting portion of the terminal.
- According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of connecting an inner conductive member and an outer conductive member arranged inside and outside a device, in particular using the terminal block of the above aspect of the invention or a particular embodiment thereof, comprising the following steps: providing a housing to penetrate through a case of the device in an in-out direction; mounting at least one terminal in the housing and including connecting portions on inner and outer end parts to be connected to the inner and outer conductive members; and fitting a socket terminal of the connecting portion of the terminal on the inner end side to a pin terminal provided on the inner conductive member.
- According to a particular embodiment, the method may further comprise accommodating the socket terminal in an inner end part of the housing; and providing at least one terminal insertion opening, into which the pin terminal is insertable, on an outer surface of the housing to communicate with the socket terminal.
- Particularly, the method may further comprise forming at least one tapered guiding portion on or near an opening edge part of the terminal insertion opening.
- Further particularly, the method may further comprise molding a housing main body of the housing with an opening formed on the side of the socket terminal of the terminal and mounting a cover on the opening of the housing main body to at least partly cover the socket terminal
- Further particularly, the terminal insertion opening is formed over the housing main body and the cover.
- Further particularly, at least one flexible vibration absorbing portion is provided between the inner and outer connecting portions of the terminal.
- According to the above, it is possible to provide a terminal block capable of realizing space saving and improving operability in connecting a conductive member and a terminal.
- These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that even though embodiments are separately described, single features thereof may be combined to additional embodiments.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a terminal block according to a first embodiment of the present invention, -
FIG. 2 is a front view of the terminal block, -
FIG. 3 is a side view of the terminal block, -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view partly in section of the terminal block, -
FIG. 5 is a section along V-V ofFIG. 2 , -
FIG. 6 is a vertical section when a housing main body is molded, and -
FIG. 7 is a vertical section of a terminal block according to a second embodiment. - A first particular embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 6 . - In this embodiment is illustrated a terminal block T for electrically connecting one or more conductive members, e.g. three conductive members provided in a three-phase alternating current motor mounted in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and one or more respective mating conductive members, e.g. three conductive members provided in an inverter. The terminal block T is applied in a case where the motor and the inverter are directly coupled.
- More specifically, as shown in
FIG. 5 , the terminal block T is to be provided on a lateral wall (e.g. an upper wall) 2 of a transmission case 1 (as a particular electric or electronic device) and an unillustrated motor-side case is adjacently assembled particularly on a front opening side (left side inFIG. 5 ) of the transmission case 1, whereas an inverter-side case is assembled on the lateral (e.g. upper) surfaces of the integrally joined transmission case and motor-side case. The three conductive members (as a particular inner conductive member) extending from the motor and the conductive members (as a particular outer conductive member) extending from the inverter are to be electrically connected via the terminal block T as described above. - In this specific embodiment, the outer conductive member(s) extending from the inverter are one or more busbars, whereas the inner conductive member(s) extending from the motor are obtained by wires, particularly by solidifying enamel wires in a substantially straight posture using an adhesive or the like, and one or more (particularly substantially round) pin terminals p are to be substantially coaxially connected on the tip(s) of the inner conductive member(s) as shown in
FIG. 5 . - The structure of the terminal block T is described in detail. As shown in
FIG. 1 , the terminal block T includes shown one or more, particularly threeterminals 10 and ahousing 30 which is made e.g. of synthetic resin and in which one or more, particularly these threeterminals 10 are to be mounted particularly substantially side by side. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , theterminal 10 particularly is formed of a busbar particularly substantially bent into an L shape, and one end side thereof serves as an outer connectingportion 11 to be connected to the outer conductive member and particularly is formed with aninsertion hole 12 for a bolt. Thisterminal 10 is so to be mounted into thehousing 30 that the outer connectingportion 11 particularly substantially is in a horizontal posture and the other end side hangs down or projects towards the inside as described later. The other end side as a hanging or projecting end is provided with asocket terminal 20 which functions as an inner connecting portion to be connected to the inner conductive member. - This
socket terminal 20 particularly has such a plural- or two-piece structure that a substantiallytubular body 25 is fitted on the outer periphery of alouver terminal portion 21. The louverterminal portion 21 is shaped such that a plurality ofresilient contact pieces 23 each including acontact portion 23A on or near a tip side and substantially extending forward at least partly are arranged in a ring shape while being circumferentially spaced apart on the front edge of anannular base portion 22. - A jaw portion 26 (shown in
Fig. 6 ) substantially facing inward to protect the tips of theresilient contact pieces 23 of thelouver terminal portion 21 is formed on or near the front end of thetubular body 25. Thetubular body 25 is fitted onto the outer periphery of thelouver terminal portion 21 substantially from front and retained and mounted by folding back, for example, one or more, particularly a pair of joiningpieces 27 projecting from the rear edge onto thebase portion 22. - A (particularly substantially strip-like)
coupling piece 24 is integrally or unitarily projecting or erected from (particularly the upper edge of) thebase portion 22 of thelouver terminal portion 21, and an upper or distal end part of thiscoupling piece 24 is to be placed in contact with the hanging or projecting end of theterminal 10 and fixed such as by spot welding, soldering, bolting or the like. In this way, an axis of thesocket terminal 20 substantially extends in the same direction (leftward direction ofFIG. 6 ) as a bending direction of the outer connectingportion 11 of theterminal 10. Thecoupling piece 24 particularly is bent into a crank shape for reinforcement and the like at an intermediate position in a height direction. Additionally or alternatively, one or more reinforcing ribs may be provided on thecoupling piece 24. - In this specific embodiment, a total of three
terminals 10 are provided. - The
housing 30 particularly is composed of or comprises a housingmain body 31 and acover 50. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and6 , the housingmain body 31 substantially is formed into a box shape having a lower surface opening long and narrow substantially in a lateral direction, a laterallylong flange 32 is formed on the lateral or upper edge thereof, and one or more mountingholes 33, into which one ormore collars 34 at least partly are fitted, are provided laterally of theflange 32, particularly on substantially opposite lateral (left and right) ends of thisflange 32. Apacking mounting groove 35 particularly is circumferentially provided on the lower surface of theflange 32, and an annular surface packing 36 is to be mounted thereinto. - A
seat block 40 on which the outer connecting portion(s) 11 of the respective terminal(s) 10 is/are mounted (particularly substantially side by side) is provided in a central or intermediate part of the lateral or upper surface of the housingmain body 31. Thisseat block 40 is formed with one or more (e.g. three)seats 41 on which the outer connecting portion(s) 11 is/are individually mounted, and the (particularly each)seat 41 is formed with anaccommodating chamber 43 for anut 42 which is recessed from a placing surface and substantially open forward. Thenut 42 is to be at least partly accommodated in eachaccommodating chamber 43 with the displacement (particularly rotation) thereof prevented. - First, a procedure of producing the housing
main body 31 is described with reference toFIG. 6 . First, theseat block 40 is formed over the one or more, particularly threeterminals 10 arranged at specified (predetermined or predeterminable) intervals (including connected part(s) to the respective coupling piece(s) 24) by primary molding, whereby the one or more, particularly threeterminals 10 are held in specified (predetermined or predeterminable) postures on theseat block 40. - Subsequently, secondary molding is performed with this
seat block 40 and the one or more, particularly threeterminals 10 as a core, thereby forming the housingmain body 31. At this time, a first part (particularly a lower half) of the (particularly each)socket terminal 20 projects laterally (particularly substantially downward) from the lateral edge (particularly lower edge) of (particularly afront wall 31A directly behind thefront wall 31A of) the housingmain body 31, and the (particularly each)coupling piece 24 is erected or projects before arear wall 31 B of the housingmain body 31. - Note that the one or
more collars 34 particularly are also mounted. - The
cover 50 particularly is formed separately from the housingmain body 31 and/or substantially in the form of a rectangular deep dish to at least partly cover the aforementioned lateral or lower surface opening of the housingmain body 31. As shown inFIG. 3 , one or more resiliently displaceable lock frames 51 are formed to rise on one or more lateral (left and/or right) side surfaces of thecover 50, whereas one ormore lock projections 38 are provided on one or more lateral (left and/or right) side surfaces of the housingmain body 31. When thecover 50 is properly mounted on the lateral or lower surface opening of the housingmain body 31, the lock frame(s) 51 is/are resiliently fitted to the lock projection(s) 38, thereby forming thehousing 30 in which the housingmain body 31 and thecover 50 are integrally joined. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and5 , one or more, particularly threeterminal insertion openings 45 into which the aforementioned one or more (particularly substantially round) pin terminals p at least partly are insertable are formed at the substantially same position(s) (particularly substantially at the same intervals) as the one or more terminals 10 (one or more socket terminals 20) on a joint of (particularly the lower edge of) the housingmain body 31 and the lateral or distal or upper edge of thecover 50 on the lateral or front surface of thehousing 30. The (particularly each)terminal insertion opening 45 is located on the substantially same axis as the correspondingsocket terminal 20, and/or at least one guidingportion 46 widened toward a front side is formed in a front end part of eachterminal insertion opening 45. - Since the housing
main body 31 and thecover 50 are integrally assembled later as described above, a second part (particularly substantially an upper half) of the (particularly each)terminal insertion opening 45 is formed on the lateral or lower edge of thefront wall 31A of the housingmain body 31 and a second part (particularly substantially a lower half) thereof is formed on the upper or lateral or distal edge of afront wall 50A of thecover 50. - Next, an example of an assembling procedure of the terminal block T according to this embodiment and a use example of this terminal block T are described.
- As partly already described, the housing
main body 31 integrally including the one or more, particularly threeterminals 10 is formed by a plurality of (e.g. two) moldings as shown inFIG. 6 . The outer connectingportion 11 of each terminal 10 is placed on thecorresponding seat 41 in a position substantially corresponding to (e.g. right above of) theaccommodating chamber 43 for thenut 42 while being substantially held in a forward facing posture. Further, thesocket terminal 20 as the inner connecting portion of each terminal 10 particularly is located on the substantially same axis as the terminal insertion opening 45 (precisely, upper half of this terminal insertion opening 45) directly behind theterminal insertion opening 45 while being similarly held in a substantially forward facing posture. - Subsequently, the
cover 50 is mounted substantially on the lateral or lower surface opening of the housingmain body 31 in which the one or more, particularly threeterminals 10 are integrally provided in this way. The lock frame(s) 51 move(s) onto the lock projection(s) 38, is/are pushed (particularly substantially up from below) while being resiliently displaced, and is/are fitted to the lock projection(s) 38 while being restored towards or substantially into an original shape when (particularly the upper edge of) thecover 50 comes into contact with (particularly the lower edge of) the housingmain body 31, whereby thecover 50 is integrally joined and thehousing 30 is formed as shown inFIG. 5 . - At this time, the
socket terminal 20 as the inner connecting portion of each terminal 10 at least partly is accommodated in (particularly a lower end part of) thehousing 30 and theterminal insertion opening 45 particularly substantially is concentrically open directly before thesocket terminal 20. - The
nut 42 at least partly is inserted into theaccommodating chamber 43 of eachseat 41 on such ahousing 30, and the surface packing 36 is mounted into thepacking mounting groove 35 on the lower surface of theflange 32, whereby the terminal block T is completed. - The terminal block T assembled as described above is mounted on (particularly the lateral or
upper wall 2 of) the transmission case 1 as shown inFIG. 5 . Specifically, the lower end part of thehousing 30 at least partly is inserted into a throughhole 3 open on the caseupper wall 2 from above and, thereafter, one or more bolts are inserted into the mounting hole(s) 33 of theflange 32 and screwed into bolt hole(s) on the caseupper wall 2, whereby theflange 32, i.e. the terminal block T is fixed to the caseupper wall 2. Particularly simultaneously, the surface packing 36 is compressed and pressed against the hole edge of the throughhole 3, thereby sealing the throughhole 3. - When the terminal block T is mounted in this way, the outer connecting
portion 11 of each terminal 10 is exposed on (particularly an upper or lateral surface side (outer side) of) the caseupper wall 2 while being arranged on (particularly the upper surface of) the housing 30 (seat block 40). On the other hand, thesocket terminal 20 as the inner connecting portion of each terminal 10 projects inwardly, particularly substantially toward a lower surface side (inward) of the caseupper wall 2 while being accommodated in the lower end part of thehousing 30, but is open laterally or forward (leftward inFIG. 5 ) through theterminal insertion opening 45 formed in the lateral or front surface of thehousing 30. - Next, a procedure of connecting the one or more conductive members with one or more respective mating conductive members, particularly of connecting the three conductive members of the three-phase alternating current motor and those of the inverter, utilizing the terminal block T is described. It should be understood that the terminal block T may be utilized for connecting any kind of conductive member with a respective mating conductive member irrespective of the given specific example of the three-phase alternating current motor and inverter.
- First, the one or more, particularly three inner conductive members (enamel wires) of the motor side are connected to the inner connecting portion(s) of the corresponding terminal(s) 10 by at least partly inserting the (particularly substantially round) pin terminal(s) p provided on the tip(s) of the enamel wire(s) into the socket terminal(s) 20 behind the terminal insertion opening(s) 45 open on the front surface of the
housing 30 through the terminal insertion opening(s) 45 as indicated by an arrow inFIG. 5 . At this time, even if the (particularly substantially round) pin terminal(s) p is/are misaligned with the socket terminal(s) 20, it/they is/are inserted while substantially being aligned by the guiding portion(s) 46. The (round) pin terminal(s) p is/are displaced (particularly pushed) while resiliently displacing theresilient contact pieces 23 of the louver terminal portion(s) 21. When the displacement/pushing of the (round) pin terminal(s) p is stopped, theresilient contact pieces 23 at least partly are restored in a diameter reducing direction, whereby the round pin terminal(s) p and the socket terminal(s) 20 are resiliently fitted into contact with each other and the one or more, particularly three inner conductive members (enamel wires) of the motor side are connected to the one or more respective inner connecting portions (socket terminals 20) of the one or morecorresponding terminals 10. - Thereafter, the motor-side case is adjacently assembled to cover a front surface opening of the transmission case 1.
- Subsequently, the one or more, particularly three outer conductive members (busbars) of the inverter side are connected to the one or more respective outer connecting
portions 11 of the one or morecorresponding terminals 10. Although not shown, the respective busbars particularly are placed on the outer connectingportions 11 arranged substantially side by side on the upper surface of thehousing 30, one or more bolts at least partly are inserted through the insertion holes of the busbars and the insertion holes 12 of the outer connectingportions 11 and threadably tightened into the respective nut(s) 42 at least partly accommodated in the accommodating chamber(s) 43 with the displacement/rotation thereof prevented, whereby the one or more, particularly three outer conductive members (busbars) of the inverter side are connected to the one or more respective outer connectingportions 11 of the one or morecorresponding terminals 10. - Thereafter, the inverter-side case is assembled on the lateral or upper surface(s) of the transmission case 1 and/or the motor-side case integrally joined as described above.
- In the above manner, specifically the three conductive members provided in the three-phase alternating current motor and those provided in the inverter are electrically connected via the terminal block T and a terminal connection structure of a type in which the motor and the inverter are directly coupled is constructed.
- In this embodiment, parts for connecting the inner conductive member(s) of the motor side to the inner connecting portion(s) of the terminal(s) 10 mounted in or to the terminal block T are so structured that the (particularly round) pin terminal(s) p is/are provided on the inner conductive member(s) and, on the other hand, the inner connecting portion(s) of the terminal(s) 10 is/are formed by the socket terminal(s) 20. Thus, the connection of the inner conductive member(s) to the inner connecting portion(s) of the terminal(s) 10 is realized by fitting the (particularly substantially round) pin terminal(s) p into the mating socket terminal(s) 20.
- For example, as compared with connection by bolting, the connecting operation itself is simple since it suffices to at least partly fit the (round) pin terminal(s) p into the socket terminal(s) 20. Further, space saving can be realized and, for example, the miniaturization of the motor case can be realized since a need for an operation space for bolting can be eliminated.
- In this embodiment, the (particularly substantially round) pin terminal(s) p provided on (particularly the tip(s) of) the inner conductive member(s) of the motor at least partly is/are inserted into the socket terminal(s) 20 at least partly at least partly accommodated in the
housing 30 through the terminal insertion opening(s) 45 open on the lateral or front surface of thehousing 30. The inner conductive member(s) of the motor possibly shake since it is formed by solidifying the enamel wire(s), wherefore the (round) pin terminal(s) p and the mating socket terminal(s) 20 may be misaligned with each other. However, since the one or moretapered guiding portions 46 particularly are formed on the entrance side(s) of the terminal insertion opening(s) 45, even if the (round) pin terminal(s) p is/are misaligned with the socket terminal(s) 20, the (round) pin terminal(s) p at least partly is/are inserted and smoothly fitted into the socket terminal(s) 20 while being aligned by the guiding portion(s) 46. The connecting operation of the (round) pin terminal(s) p and the socket terminal(s) 20 becomes simpler. - The
housing 30 is composed of the housingmain body 31 particularly molded with the opening formed on the side of the socket terminal(s) 20 of the terminal(s) 10, and thecover 50 mounted on the opening of the housingmain body 31 to at least partly cover the socket terminal(s) 20. Particularly, sealing between thehousing 30 and the terminal(s) 10 can be provided by molding the housingmain body 31. - Accordingly, to provide a terminal block capable of realizing space saving and improving operability in connecting a conductive member and a terminal, a terminal block T for connecting one or more inner conductive members and one or more outer conductive members arranged inside and outside a device includes a
housing 30 provided to penetrate through a case 1 of the device in an in-out direction, and one ormore terminals 10 mounted in thehousing 30 and each including connecting portions on inner and outer end parts to be connected to the inner and outer conductive members. The connecting portion(s) of the terminal(s) 10 on the inner end side(s) is/are formed by (particularly substantially tubular) socket terminal(s) 20 to fitted and connected to one or more respective pin terminals p provided on the inner conductive member(s). - A second particular embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to
FIG. 7 . This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a vibration absorbing portion is provided between inner and outer connecting portions of a terminal 60 mounted in a terminal block T1. - Points of difference from the first embodiment are mainly described below and members and parts having the similar or substantially same functions as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs and described only briefly or not at all.
- The terminal 60 is so structured that at least one
flexible conductor 62, which serves as the vibration absorbing portion, is connected to a hanging or projecting end of abusbar 61 bent particularly substantially into an L shape. Thisflexible conductor 62 particularly is structured by bending (particularly a braided wire or flexible flat conductor) into a substantially S shape. On the other hand, acoupling piece 24A erected or projecting from (particularly abase portion 22 of) alouver terminal portion 21 has a short height in asocket terminal 20A which serves as an inner connecting portion. - Specifically, after the (particularly substantially L-shaped)
busbar 61 forming (part of) the terminal 60 is set in a posture substantially opposite to that in the first embodiment in a front-back direction, an upper end part of theflexible conductor 62 is placed in contact with (particularly the rear surface of) a lower or projecting end part of thisbusbar 61 and fixed particularly by spot welding or the like, and a lower end part of thisflexible conductor 62 is placed in contact with the front surface of an upper end part of thecoupling piece 24A erected from thebase portion 22 of thelouver terminal portion 21 and likewise fixed particularly by spot welding or the like. In theterminal 60 of the second embodiment, a bending direction of an outer connectingportion 11 and that of thesocket terminal 20A are substantially opposite in the front-back direction. - The
housing 30 is similarly composed of or comprises a housingmain body 31 and acover 50, and the housingmain body 31 integrally or unitarily including threeterminals 60 is formed particularly by two moldings. Thecover 50 is mounted on the lower surface opening of this housingmain body 31, whereby thehousing 30 is formed and, as a result, the terminal block T1 is completed. - At this time, the substantially S-shaped
flexible conductors 62 forming parts of the terminal 60 are accommodated in most of an upper area in thehousing 30, thesocket terminals 20A as the inner connecting portions of theterminals 60 are accommodated in a lower end part of thehousing 30 andterminal insertion openings 45 are concentrically open directly before thesocket terminals 20A. - Such a terminal block T1 is similarly mounted on the
upper wall 2 of the transmission case 1. Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, one or more pin terminals p provided on the one or more respective wires, particularly on the tips of the enable wires, at least partly are inserted into the one ormore socket terminals 20A as the inner connecting portions in connecting the one or more, particularly three inner conductive members (particularly enamel wires) of the motor side to the inner connecting portions of theterminals 60, and the one or more, particularly three outer conductive members (particularly busbars) of the inverter side and the outer connectingportions 11 of thecorresponding terminals 60 are connected particularly by bolting. In addition, the motor and the inverter are directly coupled. - According to this second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to improve operability in the case of connecting the inner conductive member(s) of the motor side to the inner connecting portion(s) of the terminal(s) 60 mounted in the terminal block T1 and realize space saving.
- In addition, since the
flexible conductor 62 as the vibration absorbing portion is provided for the terminal 60 mounted in the terminal block T1, if vibration acts on the inner or outer conductive member, this vibration is absorbed by theflexible conductor 62 and the transmission thereof to the opposite conductive member side is suppressed. - The present invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiments. For example, the following embodiment is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
- (1) Although the round pin terminal is provided on the tip of the inner conductive member in the above embodiments, a pin terminal having a different cross-section (particularly an irregular cross-section other than a right circular cross-section) may be used. In that case, the socket terminal as the inner connecting portion of the terminal provided in the terminal block may have a tubular shape having such a cross-sectional shape that the pin terminal is tightly fitted.
- (2) Although the terminal insertion opening(s) open on the housing is/are separately provided on the housing main body and the cover in the above embodiments, it/they may be provided on either one of them.
- (3) Although the terminal(s) are integrally mounted in the housing main body by molding the housing main body in the above embodiments, it/they may be mounted into the housing later on such as by being press-fitted.
- (4) Although the terminal block is mounted in the case of the other device other than the motor case and the inverter case in the above embodiments, the terminal block may be provided, for example, in the motor case and such a mode is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
- (5) Although the motor and the inverter are directly coupled in the above embodiments, the present invention can be similarly applied when a motor and an inverter are separately disposed.
- (6) The present invention can be widely applied to terminal blocks in general for electrically connecting conductive members extending from two electric devices which are not limited to a motor and an inverter.
-
- T, T1
- terminal block
- 1
- transmission case
- 2
- case upper wall
- 3
- through hole
- 10
- terminal
- 11
- outer connecting portion
- 12
- insertion hole
- 20, 20A
- socket terminal (inner connecting portion)
- 30
- housing
- 31
- housing main body
- 45
- terminal insertion opening
- 46
- guiding portion
- 50
- cover
- 60
- terminal
- 62
- flexible conductor (vibration absorbing portion)
- p
- round pin terminal (pin terminal)
Claims (15)
- A terminal block (T) for connecting an inner conductive member and an outer conductive member arranged inside and outside a device, comprising:a housing (30) provided to penetrate through a case (1) of the device in an in-out direction; andat least one terminal (10) mounted in the housing (30) and including connecting portions (11, 20; 20A) on inner and outer end parts to be connected to the inner and outer conductive members;wherein the connecting portion (20; 20A) of the terminal (10) on the inner end side comprises a socket terminal (20; 20A) to be fitted and connected to a pin terminal (p) provided on the inner conductive member.
- A terminal block according to claim 1, wherein:the socket terminal (20; 20A) is accommodated in an inner end part of the housing (30); andat least one terminal insertion opening (45), into which the pin terminal (p) is insertable, is provided on an outer surface of the housing (30) to communicate with the socket terminal (20; 20A).
- A terminal block according to claim 2, wherein at least one tapered guiding portion (46) is formed on or near an opening edge part of the terminal insertion opening (45).
- A terminal block according to claim 2 or 3, wherein:the housing (30) includes a housing main body (31) molded with an opening formed on the side of the socket terminal (20; 20A) of the terminal (10) and a cover (50) to be mounted on the opening of the housing main body (31) to at least partly cover the socket terminal (20; 20A)
- A terminal block according to claim 4, wherein the terminal insertion opening (45) is formed over the housing main body (31) and the cover (50).
- A terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one flexible vibration absorbing portion (62) is provided between the inner and outer connecting portions of the terminal (10).
- A terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting portion (20; 20A) has such a plural- or two-piece structure that a substantially tubular body (25) is fitted on the outer periphery of a louver terminal portion (21).
- A terminal block according to claim 7, wherein the louver terminal portion (21) is shaped such that a plurality of resilient contact pieces (23), each particularly including a contact portion (23A) on or near a tip side and substantially extending forward, at least partly are arranged in a ring shape while being circumferentially spaced apart on the front edge of an annular base portion (22).
- A terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an axis of the connecting portion (20; 20A) substantially extends in the same direction as a bending direction of the outer connecting portion (11) of the terminal (10).
- A method of connecting an inner conductive member and an outer conductive member arranged inside and outside a device, comprising the following steps:providing a housing (30) to penetrate through a case (1) of the device in an in-out direction;mounting at least one terminal (10) in the housing (30) and including connecting portions (11, 20; 20A) on inner and outer end parts to be connected to the inner and outer conductive members; andfitting a socket terminal (20; 20A) of the connecting portion (20; 20A) of the terminal (10) on the inner end side to a pin terminal (p) provided on the inner conductive member.
- A method according to claim 10, further comprising accommodating the socket terminal (20; 20A) in an inner end part of the housing (30); and providing at least one terminal insertion opening (45), into which the pin terminal (p) is insertable, on an outer surface of the housing (30) to communicate with the socket terminal (20; 20A).
- A method according to claim 11, further comprising forming at least one tapered guiding portion (46) on or near an opening edge part of the terminal insertion opening (45).
- A method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising molding a housing main body (31) of the housing (30) with an opening formed on the side of the socket terminal (20; 20A) of the terminal (10) and mounting a cover (50) on the opening of the housing main body (31) to at least partly cover the socket terminal (20; 20A)
- A method according to claim 13, wherein the terminal insertion opening (45) is formed over the housing main body (31) and the cover (50).
- A method according to any one of the preceding claims 10 to 14, wherein at least one flexible vibration absorbing portion (62) is provided between the inner and outer connecting portions of the terminal (10).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2013113958A JP6024985B2 (en) | 2013-05-30 | 2013-05-30 | Terminal block |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2808949A1 true EP2808949A1 (en) | 2014-12-03 |
Family
ID=50729329
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP14001637.9A Withdrawn EP2808949A1 (en) | 2013-05-30 | 2014-05-08 | Terminal block and method of connecting an inner conductive member and an outer conductive member |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP2808949A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6024985B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN104218338A (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP6024986B2 (en) * | 2013-05-30 | 2016-11-16 | 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所 | Terminal block |
JP6376050B2 (en) * | 2015-06-18 | 2018-08-22 | 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所 | connector |
KR102455570B1 (en) * | 2015-12-17 | 2022-10-17 | 한국단자공업 주식회사 | Joint apparatus |
JP6569128B2 (en) * | 2016-02-22 | 2019-09-04 | 住友電装株式会社 | Terminal block |
KR101970808B1 (en) * | 2017-07-21 | 2019-04-22 | 스노우화이트팩토리(주) | Chemical compound directly conjugated maghemite nanoparticles and preparation method thereof |
JP6866824B2 (en) * | 2017-10-31 | 2021-04-28 | 住友電装株式会社 | connector |
JP6849012B2 (en) * | 2019-06-07 | 2021-03-24 | 住友電装株式会社 | Resin molded product |
JP7427341B2 (en) | 2020-10-06 | 2024-02-05 | 日本航空電子工業株式会社 | Terminal block |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2010211933A (en) | 2009-03-06 | 2010-09-24 | Yazaki Corp | Waterproof terminal block |
EP2413435A1 (en) * | 2009-03-25 | 2012-02-01 | Yazaki Corporation | Connector |
US20120040553A1 (en) * | 2009-08-03 | 2012-02-16 | Yazaki Corporation | Floating connector with flexible conductive member |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2004253163A (en) * | 2003-02-18 | 2004-09-09 | Yazaki Corp | Relay terminal and connector |
JP2005166611A (en) * | 2003-12-05 | 2005-06-23 | Sumitomo Wiring Syst Ltd | Connector |
JP4076166B2 (en) * | 2004-02-18 | 2008-04-16 | 日本航空電子工業株式会社 | connector |
US8362665B2 (en) * | 2009-11-11 | 2013-01-29 | Remy Technologies, L.L.C. | Liquid cooled stator terminal block for an electric machine |
JP5434612B2 (en) * | 2010-01-14 | 2014-03-05 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Terminal connection device |
JP5721332B2 (en) * | 2010-03-05 | 2015-05-20 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Inverter terminal block installed in the motor case |
EP2423435A1 (en) * | 2010-08-30 | 2012-02-29 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Blade for a turbo machine |
JP5666232B2 (en) * | 2010-10-01 | 2015-02-12 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Terminal connection structure |
EP2649685B1 (en) * | 2010-12-09 | 2016-11-09 | Delphi International Operations Luxembourg S.à r.l. | Electrical connection device |
-
2013
- 2013-05-30 JP JP2013113958A patent/JP6024985B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2014
- 2014-05-08 EP EP14001637.9A patent/EP2808949A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2014-05-29 CN CN201410234070.3A patent/CN104218338A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2010211933A (en) | 2009-03-06 | 2010-09-24 | Yazaki Corp | Waterproof terminal block |
EP2413435A1 (en) * | 2009-03-25 | 2012-02-01 | Yazaki Corporation | Connector |
US20120040553A1 (en) * | 2009-08-03 | 2012-02-16 | Yazaki Corporation | Floating connector with flexible conductive member |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN104218338A (en) | 2014-12-17 |
JP2014232686A (en) | 2014-12-11 |
JP6024985B2 (en) | 2016-11-16 |
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