JP2019139898A - Connector cover - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce a step of providing a mounting hole or the like for temporarily fixing a connector cover to a mounting target position of a connector cover.SOLUTION: A connector cover 46 of an electrode cable connector 28 has a clip 52 with a latching claw 66. When fitting the connector cover 46, fitting bolts 32, 34 having nuts 40 already connected thereto are inserted into the clip 52, and the connector cover 46 is temporarily fixed by latching the latching claw 66 to a thread part of the fitting bolts 32, 34. The connector cover 46 is fixed to a pedestal 30 by connecting the nuts 40 to the fitting bolts 36, 38 to which the nuts 40 are not connected while the connector cover 46 is temporarily fixed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector cover that covers at least a part of a connector of a power cable that supplies power to a motor mounted on a vehicle.

  In an electric automobile equipped with an electric motor for driving a vehicle, electric power is supplied to the electric motor from a battery via an electric power cable. Depending on the mounting position and arrangement of the electric motor and the battery, it may not be possible to connect both with a single power cable. In such a case, a configuration in which two or more power cables are connected at a relay point is adopted. . At the relay point, the two power cables are connected by a power cable connector. The power cable connector is fixed to the vehicle body or the like. In order to shield electromagnetic noise from the power cable connector, a connector cover that covers at least a part of the power cable connector may be employed.

  Patent Document 1 below shows a connector (C) that is attached to a panel-like attachment portion (P). The connector (C) includes a male connector housing (10) having a clip (13) and a female connector housing (30) having an interrupting part (34). The clip (13) consists of a pair of flexure locking pieces (14). When attaching the connector (C), first, the clip (13) is inserted into the attachment hole (H) of the panel attachment member (P), and the male connector housing (10) is temporarily assembled. Next, the female connector housing (30) is fitted into the male connector housing (10). At this time, the interrupting portion (34) of the female connector housing (30) interrupts between the pair of bending locking pieces (14) of the clip (13), and the pair of bending locking pieces (14) is expanded. Then, the connector (C) is prevented from being detached from the panel mounting member (P). In addition, said code | symbol in () is a code | symbol used by the following patent document 1, and is not related with the code | symbol used in embodiment of this invention.

JP 2002-184510 A

  In said patent document 1, it is necessary to provide an attachment hole in the location which attaches a connector, and a manufacturing process increases.

  It is an object of the present invention to enable temporary fixing without attaching a mounting hole in advance to a mounting position when mounting a connector cover.

  A connector cover of a power cable connector according to the present invention is a cover body that covers at least a part of the power cable connector and shields electromagnetic noise, and a clip attached to the cover body for attaching the power cable connector And a clip having a locking claw that locks the connector cover by temporarily locking to the mounting bolt standing at the mounting target position.

  The connector cover can be temporarily fixed using the mounting bolts provided for mounting the power cable connector, and the process of opening the mounting hole is unnecessary.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the vehicle which mounts the electric motor for vehicle drive in the rear part. It is a figure which shows the power cable connector attached to the floor lower surface. It is a figure which shows the cover main body of a connector cover. It is a perspective view which shows the clip of a connector cover. It is a side view and a section combination figure showing a clip of a connector cover. It is sectional drawing which shows the clip of a connector cover. It is explanatory drawing of the attachment process (1st connector is fixed to a base) of an electric power cable connector. It is explanatory drawing of the attachment process (a 2nd connector is combined with a 1st connector) of a power cable connector. It is explanatory drawing of the attachment process (attaching a connector cover) of a power cable connector.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle 10 in which a motor for driving a vehicle is mounted on the rear part. The electric motor is provided in a transaxle 12 in which a reduction gear train and a differential gear are integrated. The power of the electric motor is transmitted to the left and right rear wheels 14 to drive the vehicle. In front of the transaxle 12, a fuel tank or battery such as gasoline or hydrogen and equipment 18 related thereto are arranged below the floor 16. A power cable 20 for supplying electric power from a power source such as a battery disposed in front is connected to the electric motor in the transaxle 12. The power cable 20 includes three conductors for supplying three-phase AC power to the electric motor. A terminal block 22 is provided on the surface of the transaxle 12 to connect an electric motor disposed in the transaxle 12 and an external power source. By connecting the power cable 20 to the terminal block 22, it is possible to supply power to the motor. The terminal block 22 needs to be arranged upward. On the other hand, the floor 16 exists above the transaxle 12, which becomes an obstacle when the power cable 20 is connected to the terminal block 22. In the vehicle 10, the power cable 20 is divided into a main cable 24 and an extension cable 26, and a power cable connector 28 for connecting them is disposed at a position where connection work is possible. The power cable connector 28 is fixed to the lower surface of the floor 16 facing the space between the transaxle 12 and the device 18 positioned in front of the transaxle 12.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the power cable connector 28 is fixed to the lower surface of the floor 16. A pedestal 30 is provided on the lower surface of the floor 16, and the power cable connector 28 is attached to mounting bolts 32, 34, 36, 38 (see FIG. 7 with the second connector 44 and the connector cover 46 removed) erected on the pedestal 30. It is fastened using a nut 40 (see FIGS. 7 and 9). The mounting bolts 32, 34, 36, and 38 can be fixed to the base 30 by a technique such as welding. The main cable 24 extends from the front along the lower surface of the floor 16, and a first connector 42 provided at an end thereof is fixed to the pedestal 30. The extension cable 26 extends from below toward the pedestal 30, and a second connector 44 (see FIG. 8) provided at an end thereof is coupled to the already fixed first connector 42, and is fixed to the pedestal 30. Yes. The first connector 42 includes three connector terminals 48 (see FIG. 7) respectively coupled to the three conductive wires. These connector terminals 48 are referred to as first connector terminals 48. The second connector 44 also includes three connector terminals (not shown) connected to the three conductors, respectively. The connector terminal of the second connector 44 is referred to as a second connector terminal. By coupling the first connector 42 and the second connector 44, the first connector terminal 48 and the second connector terminal are connected. These terminals may be fastened using bolts and nuts.

  Further, a connector cover 46 is fixed to the base 30 using mounting bolts 36 and 38 so as to cover at least a part of the power cable connector 28. The connector cover 46 includes a cover main body 50 and a clip 52 attached to the cover main body 50. The cover body 50 is made of metal, for example, aluminum and covers the periphery of the first connector terminal 48 and the second connector terminal to shield electromagnetic noise radiated from these terminals and the periphery thereof. The clip 52 is used for temporary fixing when the connector cover 46 is attached. The function of the clip 52 will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cover main body 50, and shows the cover main body 50 as viewed from above when the cover main body 50 is attached to the power cable connector 28. The cover main body 50 has a dome portion 54 covering the second connector 44 and covering the connected first connector terminal and the second connector terminal. Two cover fixing pieces 56 are provided so as to extend outward from the peripheral edge of the dome portion 54, and the cover fixing pieces 56 are provided with through holes for passing the mounting bolts 36 and 38. A clip receiving portion 58 is further provided on the periphery of the dome portion 54 so as to extend outward. The clip receiving portion 58 has a substantially rectangular opening 58a, and the clip 52 is fitted and fixed to the opening 58a.

  4 to 6 are views showing the clip 52, FIG. 4 is a perspective view, FIG. 5 is a view showing a combination of a cross section and a side face, and FIG. 6 is a cross section perpendicular to FIG. The clip 52 is made of a synthetic resin and has a base portion 60 and a locking portion 62. The base 60 has a rectangular tube shape. The base portion 60 is inserted into the opening 58a of the clip receiving portion of the cover main body 50, and is fixed by fixing claws 64 provided on two opposite side surfaces. The fixing claw 64 has a wedge shape as well shown in FIG. The fixing claw 64 is bent inward by the force received from the clip receiving portion 58 in the process of inserting the base portion 60 into the opening 58a of the clip receiving portion, and the bending is released when the position of the clip receiving portion 58 is passed. Then, the clip receiving portion 58 is held between the fixing claw 64 and the lower surface 62 a where the locking portion 62 protrudes, and the clip 52 is attached and fixed to the cover body 50. The locking portion 62 of the clip 52 has a recess 62b formed on the surface opposite to the base portion 60, and a through hole 62c is provided at the bottom thereof. The dent 62b can be shaped like a hemispherical shape, a spherical crown shape, a mortar shape, etc., where the opening is wide and narrows toward the back. The through hole 62c is connected to the space inside the rectangular tubular base 60. Two locking claws 66 extending so as to face each other are provided upright on the side surface of the through hole 62c facing each other. The locking claw 66 is locked to the threaded portions of the mounting bolts 32 and 34, whereby the connector cover 46 is temporarily fixed.

  7-9 is explanatory drawing of the attachment process of the power cable connector 28. FIG. FIG. 7 shows a state where the first connector 42 is fixed to the base 30. The first connector 42 includes a cylindrical-shaped receiving portion 68 having an oval cross-section in which the first connector terminal 48 is disposed inside, and a conductor holding portion 70 provided on a side surface of the receiving portion 68. The conducting wire holding unit 70 holds the ends of the three conducting wires and one end of the first connector terminal 48 coupled to the conducting wire end. On the periphery of the receiving portion 68, for example, two receiving portion fixing pieces 72 and 74 provided so as to extend in opposite directions along the major axis direction of the cross section are provided. The conducting wire holding part 70 is also provided with two conducting wire holding part fixing pieces 76 and 78 provided so as to extend in opposite directions. Each fixing piece 72, 74, 76, 78 is provided with a through hole through which the mounting bolts 32, 38, 36, 34 pass. The first connector 42 passes through the mounting bolts 32, 38, 36, 34 through the through holes of the four fixing pieces 72, 74, 76, 78, respectively. First, two of the four mounting bolts The nuts 40 are fastened to the mounting bolts 32 and 34 to be fixed to the base 30. Since the first connector 42 can be fixed before the transaxle 12 is mounted, this fixing operation can be performed with both hands.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state where the second connector 44 is further coupled to the first connector 42. The second connector 44 has an insertion portion 80 that is inserted and fitted inside the receiving portion 68 of the first connector 42, and a conductor holding portion 82 that extends from the insertion portion 80. Although an opening is provided at the center of the insertion portion 80, the opening is closed with a cap 84 in FIG. 8. A second connector terminal is disposed inside the insertion portion 80 so as to face the first connector terminal 48, and the first connector terminal 48 and the second connector terminal are coupled by a bolt in a state where the cap 84 is removed. . A rubber seal ring (not shown) is provided around the insertion portion 80, and the gap between the inner wall surface of the elliptical cylindrical receiving portion 68 of the first connector 42 is sealed by the seal ring. The conducting wire holding portion 82 holds the ends of the three conducting wires and one end of the second connector terminal coupled to the conducting wire end. The second connector 44 further includes a fixing plate 86 (see FIG. 2), but is omitted in FIG. 8 to show other components. Since the second connector 44 is provided at the end of the extension cable 26 coupled to the transaxle 12, the operation of coupling the second connector 44 to the first connector 42 is performed in a narrow space after the transaxle 12 is mounted. It becomes work in. If the insertion portion 80 is inserted into the receiving portion, the insertion portion 80 is temporarily fixed by a seal ring provided around the insertion portion 80, so that the operation can be performed with one hand. Moreover, the cap 84 can also be mounted with one hand by using the flexibility so that the cap 84 is mounted on the insertion portion by being pushed in.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram regarding the attachment of the connector cover 46. A clip 52 is attached to the cover body 50. The connector cover 46 is attached to the base 30 from below. At this time, the mounting bolts 32 and 34 to which the nut 40 is already coupled are passed through the through holes 62 c of the two clips 52, and the nut 40 is still coupled to the through holes of the two cover fixing pieces 56. Pass the mounting bolts 36, 38 that are not there. The nut 40 coupled to the mounting bolts 32 and 34 fits in the recess 62 b of the clip 52. Further, the locking claw 66 of the clip 52 is hooked on the thread of the mounting bolts 32 and 34, and the connector cover 46 is temporarily fixed. In this state, the connector cover 46 is maintained in a state of covering the first connector 42 and the second connector 44 without support. With the connector cover 46 temporarily secured, the nut 40 is fastened to the mounting bolts 36 and 38. As a result, the one wire holding portion fixing piece 76 of the first connector 42 through which the mounting bolt 36 passes and the one cover fixing piece 56 of the connector cover 46 are fastened together, and the mounting bolt 38 passes therethrough. One receiving portion fixing piece 74 of one connector 42 and the other cover fixing piece 56 of the connector cover 46 are fastened together, and the connector cover 46 is fixed to the base 30. It is possible to work with one hand to bring the nut 40 close to the mounting bolts 36 and 38 and perform the initial screw-in.

  Finally, using the fixing bolt 88 (see FIG. 2), the fixing plate 86 of the second connector 44 is screwed into the screw hole 90 of the connector cover 46, and the second connector 44 is connected to the base 30 via the connector cover 46. Fixed against.

  When the transaxle 12 is lowered for maintenance or the like, the power cable connector 28 can be removed in the reverse process of the above mounting. At this time, even if the nut 40 coupled to the mounting bolts 36 and 38 is removed, the connector cover 46 is temporarily stopped by the clip 52, so it does not fall even if it is not supported. After the nut 40 is removed from the mounting bolts 36 and 38, the connector cover 46 is pulled downward, so that the locking claw 66 of the clip 52 slides on the thread of the mounting bolts 36 and 38, and the connector cover 46 is removed. Can do.

  As described above, when the connector cover 46 is attached or detached, the connector cover 46 is temporarily fixed even when the nut 40 that stops the connector cover 46 is detached from the mounting bolts 36 and 38. For this reason, it is not necessary to support the connector cover 46, and the connector cover 46 can be attached and detached with only one hand turning the nut 40. Further, by using the mounting bolts 36 and 38 for attaching the power cable connector for temporary fixing, there is no need to provide a temporary fixing structure, for example, an attachment hole in the floor 16 or its pedestal 30.

  10 vehicle, 12 transaxle, 14 rear wheel, 16 floor, 18 equipment, 20 power cable, 22 terminal block, 24 main cable, 26 extension cable, 28 power cable connector, 30 pedestal, 32, 34 mounting bolt (first Mounting bolt), 36, 38 mounting bolt (second mounting bolt), 40 nut, 42 first connector, 44 second connector, 46 connector cover, 48 first connector terminal, 50 cover body, 52 clip, 54 Dome part, 56 cover fixing piece, 58 clip receiving part, 58a opening, 60 base part, 62 locking part, 62a bottom surface, 62b recess, 62c through hole, 64 fixing claw, 66 locking claw, 68 receiving part, 70 lead holding Part, 72, 74 receiving part fixing piece, 76, 78 conducting wire holding part fixing piece, 80 insertion part, 82 Line holding portion, 84 a cap, 86 a fixing plate, 88 fixing bolts 90 screw holes.

Claims (1)

A connector cover for a power cable connector,
A cover body that covers at least a portion of the power cable connector and shields electromagnetic noise;
A clip attached to the cover body, the clip having a locking claw that temporarily locks the connector cover by locking to a mounting bolt erected at a mounting target position for mounting the power cable connector;
Having a connector cover.

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