JP4007171B2 - Cable connection structure - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cable connection structure for connecting a motor cable and another cable.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an industrial vehicle today, a battery forklift 41 including a driving unit 42, a cargo handling unit 43, and a traveling unit 44 as shown in FIG. 3 is used. The operation unit 42 includes various operation levers such as a steering 42a, a lift lever, and a tilt lever (both not shown). The cargo handling section 43 includes an outer mast 43a, an inner mast 43b that is driven by operating the lift lever, and a fork 43d fixed to the fork bracket 43c. The traveling unit 44 includes a traveling motor 45 and a drive unit 47 that is a mechanism for transmitting the power of the rotating shaft 45a of the motor 45 to the wheels 46a and 46b.
[0003]
A motor cable is taken out from the motor 45 of the traveling unit 44, and it is necessary to connect this motor cable and the cable on the machine base side. When the motor is covered with a cylindrical frame, the motor cable is taken out from the through hole provided in the frame, and the terminals of both cables are connected in the vicinity of the through hole on the outer surface of the frame. And in order to protect the connection part of a terminal from water etc., it is common to cover with the waterproof boot which consists of rubber | gum, for example. The waterproof boot used at this time has a main part that surrounds the entire connection part, and a pipe part that is connected to the main part and into which one cable is inserted (see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-154546 (2nd page, FIG. 1)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, for the purpose of cost reduction, a so-called “frameless” type motor in which the motor is not covered with a frame may be used. In this case, the cable connection structure used in the motor with the frame cannot be employed. Therefore, it is conceivable to perform cable connection outside the motor instead of on the outer peripheral surface of the motor. However, in this case, it is necessary to extend the motor cable to the outside of the motor, and in the case of the motor with the above frame, the length of the motor cable becomes longer than the case of connecting on the outer surface of the frame. And disadvantageous in terms of work.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cable connection structure that is advantageous in terms of cost and work and that can protect a connection portion from water or the like.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a cable connection structure according to the present invention includes a first terminal attached to the tip of a first cable taken out from a motor, and the first terminal from the lower side in the vertical direction. And a second terminal attached to the tip of the second cable at least near the tip and extending in substantially the same plane as the tip of the first cable on the outer peripheral surface of the motor. The connection portion between the first terminal and the second terminal is impermeable from the direction excluding the direction from the outer peripheral surface of the motor toward the connection portion and the direction toward the connection portion along the second cable. It is surrounded by a waterproof boot made of a material having flexibility and flexibility (Claim 1).
[0008]
According to the above configuration, the vicinity of the tip of each of the first cable and the second cable for the motor extends on the outer peripheral surface of the motor and each terminal is connected, and the connection portion may be splashed with water or the like. One direction is surrounded by waterproof boots. Thereby, while being able to protect a connection part from water etc., the problem of the work surface and cost surface when a connection part is made into the exterior of a motor can be eliminated. This is particularly effective when the motor is a frameless type, but is not limited to the frameless type, and can also be applied to a motor with a frame. Moreover, since the waterproof boot has flexibility, the waterproof boot can be somewhat deformed. Therefore, for example, with the waterproof boot installed at the connection part, perform terminal connection work by turning up the opening part of the waterproof boot, or perform maintenance with the waterproof boot installed at the part without moving from the connection part. It is possible to perform various operations easily and flexibly. Further, the connection portion is not surrounded by the waterproof boot from the direction from the outer peripheral surface of the motor toward the connection portion and from the direction toward the connection portion along the second cable. There is no risk of water from the above two directions, and by surrounding the directions other than the above two directions with waterproof boots, a series of operations such as terminal connection and waterproof boot installation operations can be easily performed while maintaining waterproofness. Can be done.
[0009]
The waterproof boot has a distance between the inner surface of the side wall through which the first cable passes and the end opposite to the first cable along the extending direction of the vicinity of the tip of the first and second cables. It is preferable to have a shape that is twice or more the distance between the inner surface and the connecting portion.
[0010]
According to the above configuration, the range of the connection portion surrounded by the waterproof boot is sufficient to protect against relatively strong water. Therefore, by enclosing any direction in which water or the like in the connection portion may be splashed with the waterproof boot having the above-described configuration, the connection portion can be reliably protected from water or the like.
[0011]
Moreover, the waterproof boot has a pipe part protruding outward, and it is preferable that the first cable is fitted into the waterproof boot from the pipe part.
[0012]
According to the above-described configuration, the outer peripheral surface of the first cable can be brought into close contact with the inner side of the tube portion by setting the portion of the waterproof boot to be fitted into the first cable for the motor as a tube portion protruding outward. Therefore, the connection portion can be more reliably protected from rainwater or the like transmitted from the first cable.
[0013]
The waterproof boot is preferably movable along the first cable (claim 4).
[0014]
According to the above configuration, each terminal is connected in a state where the waterproof boot is disposed at a position separated from the terminal of the first cable, and then the waterproof boot can be moved to the connection portion. Thereby, the terminal connection work and the installation work to the connection part of the waterproof boot can be performed smoothly.
[0015]
Moreover, it is preferable that a connection part exists above the horizontal position on the outer peripheral surface of a motor.
[0016]
When the connection part is on the horizontal position on the outer peripheral surface of the motor or below the horizontal position, the operator who performs the terminal connection work must work while facing the horizontal direction or the upward direction, which is difficult. . On the other hand, in the above configuration, since the connection portion exists above the horizontal position on the outer peripheral surface of the motor, an operator who performs the terminal connection work can easily work while facing downward.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The cable connection structure according to the present embodiment is configured such that the cable taken out from the motor 45 of the traveling unit 44 of the battery forklift 41 used as the industrial vehicle shown in FIG. It is assumed that it is connected to the stand side cable. The motor 45 of the present embodiment is a frameless type, that is, a type in which the outer side is not covered with a frame and the stator constitutes the outer peripheral portion of the motor 45.
[0018]
First, referring to FIG. 1, a series of operations including a terminal connection operation of the cable connection structure according to the present embodiment and an installation operation of the waterproof boot to the connection portion will be described. FIG. 1A shows a state before the terminal is connected, FIG. 1B shows a state where the terminal is connected, and FIG. 1C shows a state where the waterproof boot is installed at the terminal connecting portion.
[0019]
FIG. 1A shows a cylindrical motor 45, the circular end faces of which are arranged on the left and right sides, and one end face on the left side of the paper is covered with a cover 50. The three motor cables 20 taken out from the cover 50 side of the motor 45 extend from the upper side along the outer peripheral surface of the motor 45 constituted by the stator 51. The three motor cables 20 are fitted in the three pipe portions 2 of the waterproof boot 1 made of a non-water-permeable and flexible material such as rubber, for example. Until the terminal connection operation is completed, the waterproof boot 1 is spaced from the tip of the motor cable 20.
[0020]
On the other hand, three machine side cables 30 are extended from the lower side of the motor 45. On the outer peripheral surface of the motor 45, that is, on the surface of the stator 51, a terminal block 10 with three bolts 11 projecting is provided slightly above the horizontal position of the motor 45. Cables 20 and 30 are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The terminal block 10 is supported not on the outer peripheral surface of the motor 45 but on another member (not shown).
[0021]
Each cable 20, 30 has ring-shaped metal terminals 21, 31 at the tip, and the holes of the terminals 21, 31 are inserted into the bolts 11 of the terminal block 10 so that the terminals 21, 31 overlap each other. The state is shown in FIG. In this state, portions near both ends of the cables 20 and 30 extend in the same plane on the terminal block 10. Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, the nut 12 is further inserted over the terminals 21 and 31 inserted into the bolt 11, and the terminals 12 and 31 are brought into contact with each other by tightening the nut 12. When performing such terminal connection work, as shown in FIG. 1B, the waterproof boot 1 remains spaced from the terminal block 10 provided with the connection portions of both terminals 21 and 31.
[0022]
After the terminal connection work is completed, the waterproof boot 1 disposed on the motor cable 1 side is moved downward and disposed so as to cover the terminal block 10 as shown in FIG. 2 (a), (b), and (c) are respectively a top view, a perspective schematic view, and a longitudinal section along the cable extension direction, respectively, in which the connection portions of the terminals 21 and 31 in FIG. 1 (c) are enlarged. It is shown as a diagram.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the waterproof boot 1 is a hollow box type that does not have a bottom wall on the stator 51 side and a side wall through which the machine base side cable 30 passes. The above-mentioned three pipe parts 2 protrude from the side wall that passes.
[0024]
When the vertical direction in FIG. 2A is the length and the horizontal direction is the width, the inner wall interval A1 of the waterproof boot 1 is slightly larger than the width B1 of the terminal block 10, and the inner wall of the waterproof boot 1 on the tube portion 2 side. The distance A2 from the open end to the open end is 2.5 times the length B2 of the terminal block 10. Thereby, the terminal block 10 is completely accommodated in the inner space of the waterproof boot 1. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the terminal block 10 has a width B1 of approximately 90 mm and a length B2 of approximately 40 mm, and the intervals A1 and A2 in the waterproof boot 1 are both approximately 100 mm.
[0025]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the portion of the side wall through which the motor cable 20 in the waterproof boot 1 passes, that is, the portion where the tube portion 2 protrudes, and the tip portion of the cable outlet of the tube portion 2 are the motor. The motor cable 20 is supported so as not to be easily displaced by having an opening having a diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cable 20 for use. Since the waterproof boot 1 has water permeability and flexibility, and the vicinity of the pipe portion 2 has such a configuration, the waterproof boot 1 does not move unless the operator applies force, and further the waterproof boot 1 Inside, moisture cannot enter from the outside.
[0026]
As described above, according to the cable connection structure according to the present embodiment, the terminals 21 and 31 of the motor cable 20 and the machine base side cable 30 are connected on the outer peripheral surface of the motor 45. The problem of work and cost when the motor is outside the motor 45 can be solved.
[0027]
Further, the connecting portion is connected from the direction in which water or the like may be splashed, that is, the direction from both end faces of the motor 45 toward the connecting portion, the direction from the motor cable 20 toward the connecting portion, and the radially outer side of the motor 45. Since the direction toward the part is surrounded by the waterproof boot 1 having water permeability, the part can be protected from water or the like.
[0028]
More specifically, since the connection portion of both terminals 21 and 31 is provided on the terminal block 10 installed on the outer surface of the motor 45, the direction from the outer surface of the motor 45 toward the connection portion, that is, FIG. From the direction from the right side to the left side of FIG. Furthermore, there is no possibility that water or the like may be splashed from the lower side, that is, from the lower side of the paper surface of FIG. In this way, by surrounding the directions except for the above two directions where there is no possibility of being exposed to water with waterproof boots, a series of operations such as a terminal connection operation and a waterproof boot installation operation can be easily performed as follows. It is possible to protect the connection part from water and the like.
[0029]
Regarding the terminal connection work and the waterproof boot installation work, the waterproof boot 1 surrounds the connection part of the terminals 21 and 31 from either of the two directions, that is, the bottom wall on the stator 51 side and / or the machine-side cable 30 In the case of having a passing side wall, the terminal connection work and the installation work to the connection part of the waterproof boot 1 cannot be performed as in the present embodiment, and these work are complicated. However, in this embodiment, since the waterproof boot 1 does not have a portion surrounding the connecting portion from the two directions, the terminal connecting work and the waterproof boot as described with reference to FIGS. It is possible to easily perform a series of operations such as installation work.
[0030]
The distance A2 from the inner wall of the waterproof boot 1 on the tube part 2 side to the open end is at least twice the length B2 of the terminal block 10. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), since the connecting portion is located approximately in the center in the length direction of the terminal block 10, the range of the connecting portion surrounded by the waterproof boot 1 is from relatively strong water or the like. It will be sufficient to protect. Therefore, the waterproof boot 1 having the above configuration surrounds any direction in which water or the like at the connection portion may be splashed, so that the connection portion can be reliably protected from water or the like.
[0031]
Further, the waterproof boot 1 has three pipe portions 2 for fitting the three motor cables 20, and the outer peripheral surface of the motor cable 20 is the pipe portion at the protruding portion and the tip portion of the pipe portion 2. 2 is in close contact with the inside, so that moisture cannot enter the waterproof boot 1 from the outside in the vicinity of the tube portion 2. Thereby, even when rainwater or the like is transmitted from the motor cable 20 toward the terminal connection portion, the connection portion can be reliably protected from rainwater or the like.
[0032]
Further, although the motor cable 20 of the present embodiment has a three-piece structure, the waterproof boot 1 has a pipe portion 2 that can be fitted in each, and can accommodate all the cables in one waterproof boot 1. ing. Thereby, it is possible to save work time and labor as compared to inserting one cable into one waterproof boot 1.
[0033]
Further, since the waterproof boot 1 is movable along the motor cable 20, a series of terminal connection operations and connection of the waterproof boot 1 in the present embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 (a) to (c). Installation work on the part, that is, the work of connecting the terminals 21 and 31 with the waterproof boot 1 placed at a position separated from the terminal 21 of the motor cable 20 and then moving the waterproof boot 1 to the connection part. It can be performed. That is, since the waterproof boot 1 is movable along the motor cable 20, a series of operations such as a terminal connection operation and an installation operation to the connection portion of the waterproof boot 1 can be smoothly performed.
[0034]
Further, since the waterproof boot 1 is made of a flexible material such as rubber, the opening diameter of the tube portion 2 is made slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the motor cable 20, and the motor cable 20 is inserted with elasticity. It is possible to prevent water from entering. Further, since the waterproof boot 1 can be slightly deformed, for example, in a state where the waterproof boot 1 is installed at the connection portion, the terminal connection is made by turning up the opening portion of the waterproof boot 1 from the lower side of FIG. Various operations can be performed easily and flexibly, for example, by performing work or performing maintenance while the waterproof boot 1 is not moved from the connection portion and installed in the portion.
[0035]
Further, the motor 45 in the present embodiment is a frameless type, and the stator 51 constitutes the outer peripheral portion thereof. Such a frameless type motor 45 can obtain a cost reduction effect by omitting the frame.
[0036]
In addition, when the terminal connection portion of the terminals 21 and 31 is located on the outer peripheral surface of the motor 45 at the horizontal position or below the horizontal position, the worker who performs the connection work of the terminals 21 and 31 faces in the horizontal direction or the upward direction. However, it is necessary to work, and work is difficult. However, in the present embodiment, the terminal connection portion of the terminal block 10 exists above the horizontal position on the outer peripheral surface of the motor 45, and the operator who performs the terminal connection work can easily work while facing downward. It can be performed.
[0037]
Further, the motor 45 of the present embodiment is for the traveling unit 44 of the battery forklift 41 used as an industrial vehicle. In such a traveling motor 45, if the motor cable 20 is extended unnecessarily for a long time, not only the cost but also the burden on the work surface is large. A conventional industrial vehicle travel motor uses a motor with a frame, takes out a motor cable from a hole in the frame, connects in the vicinity of the hole on the frame, and covers with a waterproof boot. Thus, when the frameless type motor 45 is employed, this configuration cannot be adopted. Therefore, by making the cable connection structure as described above, it is possible to improve the work efficiency and reduce the cost.
[0038]
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims.
[0039]
For example, the motor 45 may be other than a traveling motor for an industrial vehicle, or may be a motor with a frame. When there is a frame, the outer peripheral surface of the motor 45 is constituted by a frame, and the terminal block 10 is provided on the frame.
[0040]
Further, the position of the terminal connection portion in the terminal block 10 may be a horizontal position on the outer peripheral surface of the motor 45 or a lower side than the horizontal position. However, in terms of terminal connection work, it is preferable to arrange the terminal connection portion of the terminal block 10 above the horizontal position on the outer peripheral surface of the motor 45 as in the present embodiment.
[0041]
Moreover, the waterproof boot 1 may be comprised from various materials other than rubber | gum, if it is a water-impermeable and flexible material.
[0042]
Further, the waterproof boot 1 may not be movable along the motor cable 20. In this case, the series of operations shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C cannot be performed, but after connecting the terminals 21 and 31 of both cables 20 and 30, the waterproof boot 1 is installed at the connection portion. It's okay. That is, the cable connection structure according to the present invention may be performed by a method other than that shown in FIGS.
[0043]
Further, the waterproof boot 1 is a hollow box type that does not have a bottom wall and a side wall through which the machine-side cable 30 passes. However, the waterproof boot 1 is not limited to such a shape, and there is a risk of water being applied to the connection portion. It only needs to surround a certain direction.
[0044]
Further, in the present embodiment, the motor cable 20 has three configurations, but the number of cables may be one or a plurality other than three, and the waterproof boot 1 has a number of pipe portions 2 corresponding to the number of cables. It is preferable to have. However, when the motor cable 20 is composed of a plurality of cables, a configuration may be adopted in which, for example, one cable is fitted into one waterproof boot 1 so that all cables are not fitted into one waterproof boot 1.
[0045]
Moreover, the waterproof boot 1 does not need to have the pipe part 2 for inserting the cable 20 for motors. In this case, for example, a configuration in which only an opening for fitting the motor cable 20 is provided in a portion where the pipe portion 2 is provided is conceivable.
[0046]
Further, in the present embodiment, considering the possibility that water is transmitted from the motor cable 20 side toward the connection portion, the motor cable 20 is fitted into the waterproof boot 1 so that moisture substantially enters from the outside. Although it is made impossible, it is not limited to this. That is, as long as there is no possibility that water will be transmitted from the motor cable 20 side to the connection portion, the motor cable 20 may not be fitted into the waterproof boot 1.
[0047]
Further, regarding the size of the waterproof boot 1 that covers the terminal connection portion, in the present embodiment, the distance A2 from the inner wall of the waterproof boot 1 on the tube portion 2 side to the open end is the length B2 of the terminal block 10. Although it is said that it is 2 times or more, it is not limited to this. In other words, the size of the waterproof boot 1 is not limited as long as the connection portion can be protected from water or the like. However, in order to sufficiently protect the terminal connection portion from relatively strong water or the like, the interval A2 is set to It is considered that the distance is preferably twice or more the distance between the inner wall on the tube portion 2 side and the terminal connection portion of the terminal block 10.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect, it is possible to protect the connection portion from water and the like, and it is possible to eliminate work and cost inconveniences when the connection portion is outside the motor. Moreover, since the waterproof boot has flexibility, the waterproof boot can be somewhat deformed. Therefore, for example, with the waterproof boot installed at the connection part, perform terminal connection work by turning up the opening part of the waterproof boot, or perform maintenance with the waterproof boot installed at the part without moving from the connection part. It is possible to perform various operations easily and flexibly. Further, the connection portion is not surrounded by the waterproof boot from the direction from the outer peripheral surface of the motor toward the connection portion and from the direction toward the connection portion along the second cable. There is no risk of water from the above two directions, and by surrounding the directions other than the above two directions with waterproof boots, a series of operations such as terminal connection and waterproof boot installation operations can be easily performed while maintaining waterproofness. Can be done.
[0049]
According to the second aspect, the connecting portion can be reliably protected from water or the like.
[0050]
According to the third aspect, the connection portion can be more reliably protected from rainwater or the like transmitted from the first cable for the motor.
[0051]
According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to easily perform a series of operations such as a terminal connection operation and a waterproof boot installation operation, and to protect the connection portion from water and the like.
[0052]
According to the fifth aspect, the work of performing the terminal connection work is facilitated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a terminal connection operation of a cable connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention and an installation operation of a waterproof boot on a connection portion. (A) is before terminal connection, (b) is in a state in which the terminal is connected, and (c) is in a state in which waterproof boots are installed at the connection portion.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a connection portion in FIG. (A) is a top view, (b) is a schematic perspective view, and (c) is a longitudinal sectional view along the cable extension direction.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a battery forklift.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Waterproof boot 2 Pipe part 10 Terminal block 20 Motor cable (1st cable)
21 Motor side terminal (first terminal)
30 Machine side cable (second cable)
31 Machine side terminal (second terminal)
41 Battery forklift (industrial vehicle)
45 Traveling motor 51 Stator

Claims (5)

A first terminal attached to the tip of the first cable taken out from the motor, and extends from the lower side in the vertical direction toward the first terminal, and at least a portion near the tip is near the tip of the first cable A second terminal attached to the tip of a second cable extending in substantially the same plane as the portion is connected on the outer peripheral surface of the motor;
From the direction in which the connecting portion between the first terminal and the second terminal excluding the direction from the outer peripheral surface of the motor toward the connecting portion and the direction along the second cable toward the connecting portion, A cable connection structure characterized by being surrounded by a waterproof boot made of a material having non-water permeability and flexibility.   The waterproof boot has a distance between the inner surface of the side wall through which the first cable passes and the end opposite to the first cable along the extending direction of the vicinity of the distal ends of the first and second cables. The cable connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the cable connection structure has a shape that is at least twice the distance between the inner surface and the connection portion.   3. The cable connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof boot has a pipe portion protruding outward, and the first cable is fitted into the waterproof boot from the pipe portion. .   The cable connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof boot is movable along the first cable.   5. The cable connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion is present above a horizontal position on an outer peripheral surface of the motor.

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