JP2003257515A - Terminal strip - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal strip which enables wire connection between electronic components and outside terminals to be easily made, enables an opening part formed on the side of a case to be fixed to it so as to be tightly sealed, and enables the thickness of an insulator covering coupling parts of conductive bars and the outside terminals to be made thin. <P>SOLUTION: The terminal block 11 is provided with seven copper bars 12 to 18 and nine terminals 19, 20a to 20c, 21 to 25. A bent part 14a or the like is fitted to each copper bar 12 to 18 at the side connected to the terminals 19, 20a to 20c, 21 to 25, and is covered with a housing 26. A connecting part 12b to 18b of each copper bar 12 to 18 is extended from the housing 26 to the opposite side of each terminal 19 to 25 and is arranged on a plane crossing that where each bent part is arranged. The extending direction of each connecting part 12b to 18b and the extending direction of dach bent part 14a are made almost at right angles. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal block, and more particularly to a terminal block used in an electronic device having a plurality of assemblies (modules).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a plurality of assemblies (modules) are connected, as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), a connector 51 and a bolt-shaped terminal 52 are used, and an assembly 53, 54 is connected to an electric wire 55. Was connected by. In that case, as shown in FIG. 6C, in each assembly (for example, the assembly 53), the wiring inside the assembly is limited by the position of the external terminal. Therefore, depending on the terminals of the plurality of components 56a, 56b, 56c and the positions of the external terminals 52, the components 56a, 56b, 5
It is necessary to arrange 6c or connect the inside of the assembly 53. The electric wire 57 for connection needs to be arranged in a bent state, not in a linear shape.

In this case, it takes a lot of time to connect the wires inside the assembly, and there is a possibility that incorrect wiring may occur. Also, automatic assembly becomes very difficult. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 7-122840 discloses a copper bar board which can solve the above-mentioned problems and improve the assembling property. As shown in FIG. 7, the copper bar board 58 is formed by punching a copper plate in accordance with a predetermined circuit pattern, and bending the copper plate as necessary to form a plurality of copper bars 59a, 59b, 59.
It has c. Each copper bar 59a, 59b, 59c is
An insulating spacer 60 provided in the parallel portion is configured to maintain the distance between the adjacent copper bars 59a, 59b, 59c. Each copper bar 59a, 59
b and 59c have holes 61 for connecting terminals of circuit parts.
Are formed.

[0004]

However, when connecting a plurality of circuit components, the copper bar board 58 is arranged at a predetermined position from above the circuit components, and the circuit is provided by a screw inserted into the hole 61. It is fixed to the part. Therefore,
When a circuit component requiring wiring is arranged in a case requiring sealing, providing a terminal portion projecting to the outside of the case on the copper bar makes the sealing structure cumbersome. In addition, even if the case is formed by inserting the part that will be the external terminal from the opening into the case with the opening formed on the side surface and assembling the part inserted into the case to the circuit component, the opening is not sealed. difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to easily connect an electronic component mounted in a case and an external terminal and to form an opening formed on a side surface of the case. An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block that can be hermetically fixed to a case and that can reduce the thickness of an insulator that covers a connecting portion of a conductor bar with an external terminal.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 1, a bent portion is provided on the side of the plurality of conductor bars connected to the terminals, and the bent portion is an insulator. Is covered with. The connecting portion of the conductor bar extending on the side opposite to the terminal with respect to the insulator is arranged on a surface intersecting the surface on which the bent portion is arranged.

According to the present invention, when the insulator portion is fixed to the case equipped with the electronic component, the connecting portion of each conductor bar is arranged at a predetermined connecting position with the electronic component to connect the electronic component and the terminal. Electrical connection is easy. Since the bent portion of the conductor bar is arranged on the surface intersecting with the surface on which the connection portion is arranged, the thickness of the insulator covering the bent portion can be reduced. Further, when the insulator is attached to the case in a state where the connecting portion is inserted into the opening formed on the side surface of the case, the opening can be easily sealed with the insulator.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, a terminal is provided on the insulator. According to the present invention, the bent portion of the conductor bar and the terminal can be easily connected.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the invention of the first or second aspect, the number of the connecting portions is different from the number of the terminals. According to the present invention, it is possible to connect a different number of connecting portions and terminals through the bent portion covered with an insulator, and to share the terminals with a plurality of connecting portions or the connecting portions with a plurality of terminals. Connection is easy.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, a direction in which the connecting portion extends and a direction in which the bent portion extends are approximately nine.
Form 0 degrees. According to the present invention, the portion of the insulating material that covers the bent portion can be thinned, and the size can be further reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, gas permeation that allows air to pass through the insulator and blocks water droplets from passing therethrough. Section is provided.

When the electronic parts are housed in the case in a hermetically sealed state, expansion / compression force is repeatedly applied to the case in response to expansion / contraction of air accompanying heat generation and cooling of the electronic parts, which is not preferable. However, when the terminal block of the present invention is attached so that the opening of the case is sealed with an insulator, only air flows through the gas permeable portion,
Repeated expansion / compression of the case due to expansion / contraction of air in the case can be avoided. Further, it is possible to prevent moisture from entering the case from the gas permeable portion, and to prevent moisture from adhering to the connecting portion or the like.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a terminal block used in a three-phase inverter power supply device as an electronic device will be described below with reference to FIGS. Figure 1
1A is a plan sectional view of the terminal block, and FIG. 1B is a schematic sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1A. 2 is shown in FIG. 1 (b).
After removing the back member described later in Fig. 1, the back side (Fig. 1
It is the figure seen from the right side of (b).

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, the terminal block 11 has a plurality of copper bars 12 to 18 (seven in this embodiment) as conductor bars and nine terminals 19 and 20a. ~
20c, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. Each copper bar 12-18 has terminals 19, 20a-20
The bent portions 12a, 13 on the side connected to the c, 21 to 25
a, 14a, 15a, 16a, 17a, 18a are provided. The bent portions 12a to 18a are covered with a housing 26 as an insulator.

The connecting portions 12b, 13 of the respective copper bars 12-18.
b, 14b, 15b, 16b, 17b, and 18b extend on the side opposite to the terminals 19 to 25 with respect to the housing 26, and are arranged on a surface intersecting the surface on which the bent portions 12a to 18a are arranged. ing. In this embodiment, the extending direction of each of the connecting portions 12b to 18b and the extending direction of each of the bent portions 12a to 18a are formed so as to form approximately 90 degrees.

The role of each copper bar 12-18 is shown in FIG.
In order from the left side, the copper bar 12 is for fuse, the copper bar 13 is for DC output, the copper bar 14 is for GND, and the copper bar 1 is
5 for DC input, copper bar 16 for W phase output, copper bar 17
Is for V-phase output, and the copper bar 18 is for U-phase output. The roles of the terminals 19 to 25 are, in order from the left side in FIG. 1A, the terminal 19 for fuse, the terminal 20a for GND, the terminal 21 for DC output, the terminal 20b for GND, and the terminal 22.
Is for W-phase output, terminal 23 is for V-phase output, terminal 24 is for U-phase output, terminal 20c is for GND, and terminal 25 is for DC input.

The housing 26 is made of resin, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the front member 26a and the back member 26
b is fitted with a waterproof packing 27, and is formed into a flat rectangular box shape. Each connecting portion 1 is provided on the front member 26a.
A hole 28 through which 2b to 18b penetrate is formed, and the back member 2
A hole 29 through which the terminals 19 to 25 pass is formed in 6b.

As shown in FIGS. 1 (b) and 2, the connecting portions 12b-18b are provided at substantially the same height so as to extend in the thickness direction of the housing 26, that is, in the left-right direction of FIG. 1 (b). ing. The terminals 19 to 25 are connected to the connecting portions 12b.
~ 18b in a line at a position higher than the connecting portion 12b-18b
It is provided so as to project to the opposite side. Each terminal 19
Male threads are formed on the protruding portions of the housings 25 to 25 from which the nuts for tightening the connection terminals of the wirings connected to the terminals 19 to 25 can be screwed.

Connecting portion 12b, terminal 19, connecting portion 16b
And terminal 22, connecting portion 17b and terminal 23, connecting portion 18
b and the terminal 24 are arranged close to each other,
Copper bar 1 corresponding to each connecting portion 12b, 16b-18b
The bending portions 12a and 16a to 18a of the bending portions 2 and 16 to 18 are bent upward. The connecting portion 13b and the terminal 21, the connecting portion 14b and the terminals 20a to 20c, the connecting portion 15b and the terminal 25 are arranged at positions farther from the connecting portion. Then, the connecting portions 13b to 15b and the bent portion 13a
˜15a is the bent portion 13 with respect to the connection portions 13b to 15b.
They are connected by integrally formed connecting portions 13c, 14c, 15c so as to be located on the opposite side of a to 15a. The connecting portions 13c, 14c, 15c are formed so as to bend downward with respect to the connecting portions 13b to 15b.

The terminals 19 to 25 have their base ends penetrating the corresponding bent portions 12a to 18a, respectively.
It is fixed to the housing 26 in a state of being connected to a to 18a. It should be noted that each of the terminals 19 to 25 has a back member 26.
In order to ensure watertightness between b and each of the terminals 19 to 25, the O-rings 30a and 30b for waterproofing provided at positions corresponding to the holes 29 and the collar 31 are fixed to the housing 26 in a penetrating state Has been done.

As shown in FIG. 3, a gas permeable portion 32 is provided at the corner of the back member 26b to allow the passage of air and prevent the passage of moisture. In this embodiment, the gas permeable portion 32 is configured by covering a plurality of small holes formed in the back surface member 26b with a special sheet that allows air to pass therethrough but prevents passage of water droplets. 3 is a rear view of the terminal block 11 attached to the case 33 of the inverter power supply device.

Next, the operation of the terminal block 11 constructed as described above will be described. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the terminal block 11 is fixed to the bottomed box-shaped case 33 of the inverter power supply device. Note that illustration of electronic components such as an inverter module housed in the case 33 and a lid of the case 33 is omitted.

The terminal block 11 has a housing 26 and a case 33.
It is pressed against the side wall of the case 33 via the waterproof packing 34 so as to cover the opening 33a formed on the side wall of the case in a watertight state. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, it is fastened and fixed to the case 33 by a screw 35 inserted through a hole formed in the back member 26b.

When the terminal block 11 is fixed to the case 33,
Each of the connecting portions 12b to 18b of the copper bars 12 to 18 is the case 3
3 is arranged at a predetermined position corresponding to the electronic component housed in the unit 3. In that state, each of the connecting portions 12b to 18b is connected to the electronic component by a screw not shown. After that, the open portion of the case 33 is sealed with a lid (not shown). Note that the inverter power supply device is provided with a water-cooling type cooling unit (not shown) at the bottom of the case 33 to supply cooling water, so that even if the case 33 is sealed, overheating of each electronic component can be avoided. ing.

Then, the inverter power supply unit converts the DC voltage input from the terminal 25 into a three-phase AC by the inverter module and outputs the AC voltage from the terminals 22 to 24. The DC voltage input from the terminal 25 is transformed into a predetermined DC voltage by the converter module and output from the terminal 21.

This embodiment has the following effects. (1) Terminal 1 of a plurality of conductor bars (copper bars 12-18)
Bent portions 12a to 18a are provided on the side connected to 9 to 25, and the bent portions 12a to 18a are covered with an insulator (housing 26). Then, the copper bar 1 extending on the side opposite to the terminals 19 to 25 with respect to the insulator.
2-18 connecting portions 12b-18b are bent portions 12a-1
It is arranged on a surface intersecting with the surface on which 8a is arranged. Therefore, the thickness of the housing 26 that covers the bent portions 12a to 18a can be reduced. Further, when the housing 26 is fixed to the case 33 equipped with electronic components, the respective connection portions 12b to 18b are arranged at predetermined connection positions for the electronic components or other connection members, and the electronic components and the like and the terminals 19 to 25.
The electrical connection with can be easily performed. In addition, the connecting portion 12b is connected to the opening 33a formed on the side surface of the case 33.
The housing 26 is inserted into the case 3 with the ˜18b inserted therethrough.
3, the opening 33a in the housing 26 is attached.
Can be easily sealed.

(2) Terminals 19-2 on the housing 26
5 is provided, the bent portion 1 of the copper bars 12 to 18
It is possible to easily connect the terminals 2a to 18a and the terminals 19 to 25.

(3) When the number of connecting portions 12b to 18b and the number of terminals 19 to 25 are different, a different number of connecting portions 12b to 1 are provided via the wiring of the portion covered by the housing 26.
8b and the terminals 19 to 25 can be connected. In this embodiment, when one connection portion 14b is shared by the plurality of terminals 20a to 20c, the plurality of bent portions 14a and one connection portion 14b are connected by the connection portion 14c as wiring. Therefore, the connection becomes easy.

(4) The extending direction of the connecting portions 12b to 18b and the extending direction of the bent portions 12a to 18a are approximately 90.
Make a degree. Therefore, the portion of the housing 26 that covers the bent portions 12a to 18a can be thinned, and the size can be further reduced.

(5) The housing 26 is provided with a gas permeable portion 32 which allows the passage of air and prevents the passage of water droplets. If the electronic components are hermetically housed in the case 33, the expansion and compression forces are repeatedly applied to the case 33 in response to the expansion and contraction of air due to heat generation and cooling of the electronic components, which is not preferable. But housing 2
By providing the gas permeable portion 32 in 6, it is possible to avoid repeated application of expansion / compression force to the case 33 due to air permeation through the gas permeable portion 32 when the air expands / contracts in the case 33. Further, the invasion of water from the gas permeable portion 32 into the case 33 is prevented, and the water is prevented from entering the connecting portion 12.
It can be prevented from adhering to b-18b and the like.

(6) Since the connecting portions 12b to 18b extend at substantially the same height and in parallel with each other, the connecting portions 12b to 1 are formed.
Connection work between 8b and electronic parts and the like becomes simple. (7) Bent portions 12a to 18a and bent portions 12a to 18
Since the insulator covering the connection between the a and the terminals 19 to 25 is formed by the housing 26 in which the front member 26a and the back member 26b are fitted, compared with the case where the insulator is made of resin. Simplifies manufacturing.

(8) When the bent portions 13a, 14a, 15a corresponding to the connecting portions 13b, 14b, 15b are arranged at positions farther than the connecting portions, the connecting portions 13 corresponding to each other.
b and the like and the bent portion 13a and the like are integrally formed with the connecting portions 13c, 14c and 15c located on the side opposite to the bent portion with respect to the connecting portion. Therefore, it is possible to easily avoid interference of the connecting portion 13c and the like with other connecting portions.

The embodiment is not limited to the above, but may be configured as follows, for example. ○ The direction in which the connecting portions 12b to 18b extend and the bent portion 12
The configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the extending direction of a to 18a forms approximately 90 degrees, and for example, as illustrated in FIG.
a is formed so as to extend in a direction forming an obtuse angle with the extending direction of the connecting portions 12b to 18b. In this case, terminals 19-2
The extending direction of 5 is not parallel to the bottom surface of the case 33, and depending on the mounting position of the case, the work of mounting the external wiring connected to the terminals 19 to 25 becomes easy. Further, the extending direction of the bent portions 12a to 18a and the connecting portions 12b to 18b.
The thickness of the housing 26 becomes thicker than in the case where the angle formed with the extending direction of the connector is 90 degrees.
It becomes thinner than when it extends parallel to b.

The direction in which the connecting portions 12b to 18b extend and the direction in which the bent portions 12a to 18a extend may form an acute angle. In this case, the protruding direction of the terminals 19 to 25 can be changed with the thickness of the housing 26 being substantially the same as when the angle formed by the two directions is 90 degrees.

○ The number of terminals 19 to 25 is equal to that of the connecting portion 12b to
It may be the same as the number of 18b or less than the number of the connecting portions 12b to 18b. These cases can also be dealt with by providing a connecting portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing 26 when the terminals and the connecting portion are largely separated from each other.

The rear member 26 is not limited to the configuration in which the terminals 19 to 25 are arranged in a line, but some terminals have different heights.
It may be configured to project from b. The terminals 19 to 25 are not limited to the configuration in which the terminals of the external wiring are tightened and fixed with nuts, and may be, for example, a connector type configuration that can be connected with one touch. Also in this case, the inserting direction of the connector is not limited to the direction parallel to the extending direction of the connecting portions 12b to 18b, but may be the inclined direction.

The conductor bar may be made of any material as long as it has good conductivity. The conductor bar is not limited to copper, and may be made of aluminum, or the surface thereof may be plated with silver or gold to enhance conductivity.

Instead of an inverter power supply device that converts a DC input into an AC output, an AC / DC converter may be used to convert the AC power into a DC of a predetermined voltage, and the DC voltage may be converted into an AC voltage by an inverter.

Not limited to the inverter power supply device, it may be applied to other electronic devices. In the case of an electronic device having a large number of connecting parts and terminals, a plurality of terminal blocks 11 may be attached to the case.

The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment will be described below. (1) In the invention according to claim 3, when the conductor bar is connected to a terminal having a number different from that of the connecting portion, the connecting portion is bent to a side opposite to the bending portion with respect to the connecting portion. The connecting portion and the bent portion are connected.

(2) An electronic device equipped with the terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the technical idea (1). (3) The electronic device described in the above technical idea (2) is an inverter power supply device.

[0042]

As described above in detail, according to the inventions of claims 1 to 5, it is possible to easily connect the electronic parts mounted in the case to the external terminals, and The formed opening can be hermetically fixed to the case, and the thickness of the insulator covering the connecting portion of the conductor bar with the external terminal can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A is a plan sectional view of one embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a view seen from the back side with the back member removed in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the terminal block attached to the case.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the terminal block attached to a case.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another embodiment.

6A to 6C are schematic plan views of a conventional technique.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another prior art.

[Explanation of symbols]

12-18 ... Copper bars as conductor bars, 12a-18a
... Bent portion, 12b to 18b ... Connection portion, 19, 20a, 2
0b, 20c, 21 to 25 ... Terminal, 26 ... Housing as an insulator, 32 ... Gas permeable portion.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kono             2-1, Toyota-cho, Kariya City, Aichi Stock Association             Inside Toyota Toyota Industries (72) Inventor Kazuo Aoki             10 Akane, Takane, Fujii-cho, Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture             N AW Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Junji Tsuruoka             10 Akane, Takane, Fujii-cho, Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture             N AW Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kyoji Nakamura             10 Akane, Takane, Fujii-cho, Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture             N AW Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Minoru Inayama             10 Akane, Takane, Fujii-cho, Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture             N AW Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Seiji Yasui             10 Akane, Takane, Fujii-cho, Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture             N AW Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tomohiro Ikeda             206-1 Nunobikihara, Haibara-cho, Haibara-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture Yazaki             Parts Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5E086 CC45 DD05 DD32 DD48 HH02                       LL16 LL17 LL20

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A conductor bar, wherein a bent portion is provided on a side connected to terminals of a plurality of conductor bars, the bent portion is covered with an insulator, and the conductor bar extends on a side opposite to the terminals with respect to the insulator. A terminal block in which a connecting portion is arranged on a surface intersecting a surface on which the bent portion is arranged. 2. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein terminals are arranged on the insulator. 3. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the number of the connecting portions is different from the number of the terminals. 4. The extending direction of the connecting portion and the extending direction of the bent portion form an angle of about 90 degrees.
The terminal block according to any one of 1. 5. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the insulator is provided with a gas permeable portion that allows passage of air and blocks passage of water droplets.