JP4218203B2 - Terminal protection device for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention covers a connection portion where a wire is connected to a terminal provided in each component in order to perform electrical wiring to the component in a vehicle such as a passenger car or a truck, and ensures insulation against surroundings. It is related with the terminal protection apparatus attached to.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, when connecting a wire terminal attached to one end of a wire for wiring to a terminal of a vehicle component such as a starter or an alternator, the connection portion is covered and protected, and insulation or dust proof against the surroundings is provided. In order to do this, a terminal protection device molded from an insulating soft material is used at the connection point. An example of a conventional terminal protection device is described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-13413. This terminal protection device has two holes that are orthogonal to each other in order to receive the component terminal and the wire terminal, respectively, and after exposing the wire terminal by inserting the end of the wire into one hole in advance, The wire terminal is connected to the terminal of the component by screwing or other methods, the terminal protection device is returned so as to cover the connection portion, and the other hole of the terminal protection device is fitted to the terminal of the component.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the wiring assembly process, a large number of wires for wiring are bundled and stored, or they are attached together as a wire harness, so when using a conventional terminal protection device, the purpose is to be selected from the bundle of wires. Take out one electric wire, insert the end of the electric wire into one hole of the terminal protection device as described above, then screw the electric wire terminal to the terminal of the component or connect it by other method, The procedure is such that the other hole of the protective device is fitted to the terminal of the component. It is very troublesome for the operator to take out the terminal protection device one by one and insert the end of the wire into the hole each time one of the bundled wires is connected. Accordingly, there is a concern that the operator forgets to attach the terminal protection device.
[0004]
However, in order to avoid this troublesome work procedure, if terminal protection devices are attached to a large number of electric wires in advance, the same number of terminal protection devices attached to the ends of the electric wires are adjacent to each other. Another problem that the workability of the wiring assembly process is significantly deteriorated when the terminal protection device falls out from the end of the wire when taking out one wire to be connected from the bundle of wires because it is entangled Occurs. In addition, since a device in which a terminal protection device is previously attached to a bundle of many electric wires is bulky as compared with a bundle of electric wires alone, there is a derivative problem that a larger space is required to store the bundle.
[0005]
The present invention addresses the above-described problems in the prior art and can significantly improve the workability of the wiring assembly process, and does not increase the cost and storage space, and the operator may forget to attach it. It is an object of the present invention to provide a terminal protection device suitable for electric wiring for vehicles.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides a vehicle terminal protection device according to claim 1 as means for solving the above-mentioned problems.
[0007]
The terminal protection device of the present invention is fitted with a body of an insulating bush that covers the periphery of a terminal bolt of a component, leaving an opening necessary for work such as mounting, and a part of the body so as to close the opening. And a cover portion that can cover the connection portion between the terminal bolt and the electric wire terminal, and a flexible connection portion that connects the main body and the cover portion, and the electric wire terminal is orthogonal to the terminal bolt. The cover lid portion is provided on the side opposite to the pull-out direction . Therefore, by simply closing the opening of the main body with the cover portion, the connection portion is sealed and not only insulated from the outside, but also prevents dust and the like from entering the inside of the insulating bush. it can. Since the cover part is integrated with the main body by the connection part, the cover part can be attached to the terminal bolt of the component at the same time by attaching the main body to the terminal bolt of the component. The troublesome problem as described above that occurs when only the cover portion is handled is solved, and the workability of the wiring assembly process is remarkably improved.
[0008]
It is desirable that the body of the insulating bushing and the flexible connecting portion and the cover portion are all integrally formed at the same time, so that only the terminal protection device is manufactured separately from the insulating bushing as in the prior art, and the connection is made. Compared with the case where the terminal protection device is attached to the end portion of the electric wire for each electric wire in advance, the manufacturing process of the terminal protection device can be omitted and the trouble of attaching the terminal protection device to the end portion of the electric wire is reduced. Further, various problems that occur when a large number of terminal protection devices are attached to the bundle of wires can be avoided.
[0009]
Dividing the flexible connection part that connects the main body of the insulation bush and the cover part into multiple thin parts parallel to each other increases the flexibility of the connection part and makes it easier to open and close the cover part. The durability of the part is also increased. Further, if a flexible and tough reinforcing material is embedded in the inside of the connecting portion at the time of molding, the durability is further enhanced.
[0010]
If the body of the insulation bush is provided with a means for holding the wire terminal at the connection location, the wire terminal is securely fixed to the body, so that, for example, even when tension is applied to the wire, the force is applied to the connection location. And the connection state is completely maintained. Further, when the cover portion of the insulating bush closes the opening portion of the main body, it is possible to prevent the cover portion from being detached from the opening portion of the main body by adding an engaging means for maintaining the closed state.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a terminal protection device of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 shown in FIG. 2 denotes a terminal bolt as an example of a terminal protruding from a vehicle part (not shown), and a bush fixing nut 3 is screwed to the male screw portion 2. The nut 3 attaches a hollow insulating bush main body 5 to a vehicle component via a washer 4. The body 5 of the insulating bush is formed of a synthetic resin or a synthetic rubber having insulating properties and flexibility, and has an opening 5a necessary for work such as installation of the terminal bolt 1, inspection of the connection location, maintenance, and the like. Except for the portion, the periphery of the terminal bolt 1 is covered to ensure an insulation state with respect to the outside.
[0012]
A hole or fork-shaped slit formed in the electric wire terminal 6 is inserted into the male screw portion 2 of the terminal bolt 1, and a terminal fixing nut 7 is screwed onto the electric wire terminal 6 via a washer 8. Thus, the wire terminal 6 is mechanically fixed to the terminal bolt 1 and is also electrically connected. Since the electric wire terminal 6 is previously attached to the end of the electric wire 9 by a method such as caulking, the electric connection between the electric wire 9 and the terminal bolt 1 is completed by fixing the electric wire terminal 6 to the terminal bolt 1. .
[0013]
In addition, 10 has shown the insulation coating of the electric wire 9, and a part of the electric wire terminal 6 is crimped around the periphery so that the insulation coating 10 may also be fastened. Further, as is often done, a portion of the exposed wire terminal 6 is covered with an insulating synthetic resin tube 14 or the like as shown by a broken line to maintain an insulation state with respect to the outside. You can also. Further, in order to lead the electric wire terminal 6 to the outside from the connection portion with the terminal bolt 1, a notch 11 is provided in a part of the edge of the main body 5 of the insulating bush which is generally cup-shaped.
[0014]
A cup-like shape that can completely cover the connection portion of the terminal bolt 1 and the electric wire terminal 6 via the connection portion 12 that is flexible because the width and width of the insulating bush body 5 are narrow and thin. The cover portion 13 of the insulating bush having the shape is formed by a method of integrally molding with the main body 5. Of course, the connecting part 12 and the cover part 13 are formed separately from the main body 5 of the insulating bush without using an integral molding method, and then the main part 5 of the insulating bush is bonded by a method such as adhesion. You may connect to. In addition, 11a in the figure has shown the notch formed in the cover part 13 of an insulating bush so that it may align with the notch 11 formed in the main body 5 of an insulating bush.
[0015]
Since the inner diameter of the cover part 13 is equal to the outer diameter of the main body 5 of the insulating bush, both can be fitted as they are. If the inner diameters of both are equal, an engaging portion such as a claw may be integrally formed over a part of one edge or substantially the entire circumference. Furthermore, the engagement portion of the engaging portion can be ensured by forming a protrusion on the nail of the engaging portion and forming a recess on the other side to engage with the nail of the engaging portion to cause the engaging portion to perform a click motion. it can.
[0016]
Since the terminal protection device 15 of the first embodiment has such a configuration, the insulation bush main body 5 covers and protects the entire circumference of the terminal bolt 1 and can maintain the insulation state. Instead, the connecting portion 12 is bent and the cap-shaped cover portion 13 is fitted to the upper portion of the main body 5 of the insulating bush, thereby closing the opening 5a and connecting the entire terminal bolt 1 and the wire terminal 6 together. The insulation of the exposed portion is ensured by covering the cover, and the dust protects the terminal protection device 15 from entering.
[0017]
The cover portion 13 and the connecting portion 12 can be integrally molded simultaneously using the same mold as an attachment portion of the main body 5 of the insulating bush, and also when the main body 5 of the insulating bush is attached to the terminal bolt 1. The cover portion 13 and the like are not particularly disturbing, and the cover portion 13 is attached to the terminal bolt 1 at the same time as the main body 5 of the insulating bush is attached. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a special process such as forming the cover 13 and the like separately from the main body 5 of the insulating bush, or taking them one by one and assembling them to the terminal bolt 1.
[0018]
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the conventional terminal protection device 19 mentioned above in the section of the prior art. This terminal protection device 19 is integrally formed with a cylindrical portion 21 projecting laterally with respect to a cap-shaped protective cover 20 formed from a soft material so as to cover a connection portion between the terminal bolt 1 and the wire terminal 6. The protective cover 20 is formed with a vertical stepped hole 23 capable of accommodating the terminal bolt 1 and the insulating bush 22 fitted around the terminal cover 1, and is formed in the cylindrical portion 21 so as to be orthogonal thereto. Forms a lateral hole 24 through which a part of the wire terminal 6 and the wire 9 are inserted.
[0019]
In the conventional terminal protection device 19, before the wire terminal 6 is attached to the terminal bolt 1, the wire terminal 6 attached to the tip of the wire 9 is inserted in advance into the hole 24 of the cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal protection device 19. The Therefore, the terminal protection device 19 must be manufactured separately from the insulating bush 22 and not only inserted through the electric wire 9 in advance, but also the nut 7 is connected to the male screw of the terminal bolt 1 via the spring washer 8a and the like. The terminal protection device 19 also interferes with the work when screwed onto the part 2. Further, since the conventional terminal protection device 19 has other problems as described above, the terminal protection device 15 of the first embodiment has various problems as described above in terms of workability and cost. Can solve all of these problems and can provide high workability and cost reduction.
[0020]
FIG. 4 shows a terminal protection device 25 as a second embodiment of the present invention. The terminal protection device 25 is different from the terminal protection device 15 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. A certain connecting portion 12 is divided into a plurality of thin portions, and three narrow connecting portions 12a parallel to each other are formed. Thus, if the connection part 12 is made thin, flexibility will become high and there exists an advantage that it bends more flexibly. Other configurations and operational effects of the terminal protection device 25 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0021]
FIG. 5 shows a terminal protection device 26 as a third embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the terminal protection device 15 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. When the portion 12 is integrally formed, insert molding is performed in which a flexible and tough reinforcing material 27 such as a fibrous material is embedded in the connecting portion 12. As a result, the connection portion 12 is prevented from being torn by any chance, so even if the cover lid portion 13 is repeatedly opened and closed to check and clean the connection portion between the terminal bolt 1 and the electric wire 9, There is no possibility that the connection portion 12 is damaged.
[0022]
FIGS. 6 to 8 show a terminal protection device 28 as a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the terminal protection device 15 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is that the first embodiment. An insulating bushing body 5 ′ having a substantially circular opening 5 a similar to the above is integrally formed in a part of a relatively large rectangular plate-shaped portion 29, and a wire terminal is formed in another part of the plate-shaped portion 29. The groove 30 for receiving the connecting portion between the wire 6 and the electric wire 9 is formed, and the shape of the cover 31 of the insulating bush that is integrally connected to the plate-like portion 29 via the connecting portion 12 is a plate-like shape. The shape is a rectangular flat plate size that can be fitted into the portion 29. In this case, the notch 11a is connected to the end of the groove 30 so that at least the insulating coating 10 of the electric wire 9 can pass therethrough.
[0023]
According to the terminal protection device 28 of the fourth embodiment, there is no need to use an insulating material such as the synthetic resin tube 14 described in relation to the first embodiment, and the electric wire terminal 6 supported in the groove 30. The connection portion between the wire 9 and the electric wire 9 is completely covered by the cover 31 of the relatively large insulation bush together with the connection portion in the body 5 of the insulation bush, and is sealed with almost no gap. Is almost complete.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional example.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a third embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fourth embodiment.
8 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line AA of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Terminal bolt 5 ... Insulating bush main body 5a ... Opening part 6 ... Electric wire terminal 9 ... Electric wire 12 ... Flexible connection part 13 ... Insulating bush cover part 15 ... Terminal protection device 19 of 1st Example ... Conventionally Terminal protection device 21 ... cylindrical portion 23 ... vertical stepped hole 24 ... horizontal hole 25 ... terminal protection device 26 in the second embodiment ... terminal protection device 27 in the third embodiment ... reinforcing material 28 ... Terminal protection device 29 according to the fourth embodiment ... Rectangular plate-like portion 31 ... Covering portion of insulating bush

Claims (6)

A body of an insulating bush mounted so as to cover the terminal bolt of the vehicle component leaving a necessary opening; and
Said insulating bushing fitted as part of the body to close the opening, the terminal bolt and covering part of the cover to obtain insulating bush a connecting portion between the connected electric wire terminal thereto,
The Te Ttei such from the main body and the the flexible connecting the covering portion of the insulating bushing connecting portion of the insulating bush,
The terminal for a vehicle , wherein the electric wire terminal is drawn out in a direction orthogonal to the terminal bolt, and the cover portion of the insulating bush is provided on the side opposite to the drawing direction of the electric wire terminal. Protective device. 2. The terminal protection device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the main body of the insulating bush, the flexible connecting portion, and the cover portion of the insulating bush are formed integrally and simultaneously. 3. The terminal protection device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the flexible connecting portion is divided into a plurality of parallel thin portions. 4. The terminal protection device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a flexible and tough reinforcing material is embedded in the flexible connecting portion. 5. The terminal protection device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein means for holding the electric wire terminal at the connection location is provided in a body of the insulating bush. The engagement means for maintaining the closed state when the cover portion of the insulating bush closes the opening of the body of the insulating bush according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A terminal protection device for a vehicle.

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