JP7248145B2 - Device with service cover - Google Patents

Description

This specification includes a housing containing a terminal block and having an opening, and a plurality of cables passing through the opening from the outside of the housing and reaching the terminal block. , the service cover covering the opening through which the cables of the above are passed.

2. Description of the Related Art A technique is known in which a terminal block is provided in a housing and an opening is provided in the housing in order to connect a busbar located in the housing to a cable extending outside the housing. The end of the busbar is fixed to the terminal block, and the cable passes through the housing opening. The busbar and the cable are connected by fixing the end of the cable to the terminal block to which the busbar is fixed. When connecting each of the plurality of cables to the corresponding busbar, the ends of the plurality of busbars are fixed to the terminal block in a relationship of adjoining each other.

In order to reduce the size of the device, it is required to narrow the distance between the ends of the adjacent busbars. However, if the space is narrowed, there is an increased possibility that the ends of adjacent busbars will be short-circuited by foreign matter that has entered the housing.

A device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-172635 (Document 1) (referred to as a lightning surge protection device in Document 1) includes a terminal block and a service cover (referred to as a case lid in Document 1). ing. The terminal block of Document 1 has a projection extending from between the ends of adjacent busbars (referred to as connection terminals in Document 1) toward the service cover. A recess is formed in the surface. The service cover of Document 1 has a protrusion that engages with the recess. In the device of Document 1, the protrusion on the terminal block side (more precisely, the recess formed at the tip) and the protrusion on the service cover side are engaged to cut off the ends of the adjacent busbars. there is

When the end of the cable is fixed to the end of the busbar with a screw such as a bolt or nut, a work space is required for fastening the screw. The terminal block of Document 1 has a protruding portion that stands between the ends of adjacent busbars. Therefore, in the terminal block of Document 1, it is necessary to secure a work space between the end portions of the busbars and the protruding portions, and it is necessary to widen the distance between the end portions of the adjacent busbars. This specification discloses a device that reduces the size of a terminal block and counters short-circuiting between ends of adjacent busbars.

The device disclosed in this specification includes a housing containing a terminal block and having an opening, a plurality of cables extending from the outside of the housing through the opening to reach the terminal block, and a plurality of It has a service cover covering the opening through which the book's cables pass. The terminal block is provided with grooves extending between adjacent ends of the plurality of bus bars arranged adjacent to each other. The ends of each cable are fixed to the ends of the corresponding busbars by screws. The service cover of the device disclosed herein is formed with ribs that extend through the openings and into the grooves.

In the device described above, the service cover is fixed to the connector of the cable after the end of the cable is fixed to the terminal block with screws. At the stage of fixing the cable to the terminal block, the groove extends between the ends of the adjacent busbars, and the fixing work can proceed in a state where there is nothing projecting or standing between the ends. Due to unobstructed workspace, adjacent ends can be closely spaced. Also, after the cable and terminal block are fixed, the ribs of the service cover enter the grooves between the ends of the adjacent busbars. Ribs and grooves interrupt between the ends of adjacent busbars. Even if foreign matter short-circuiting the ends of adjacent busbars enters the housing, the ribs and grooves prevent the foreign matter from moving to a position short-circuiting the adjacent ends.

Further, in the device described above, the rib and the groove may be non-contact with the service cover fixed to the housing. This prevents interference between the service cover and the inner surface of the groove. As a result, the service cover can be securely fixed to the housing.

Details and further improvements of the technique disclosed in this specification are described in the following "Examples".

1 is a side view of an electromechanical integrated device provided with a device (power conversion device) of an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from arrow D in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a state in which the service cover is removed; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a state in which the cable module is removed; It is the side view seen from the opening of a housing|casing. Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view along line VI-VI of Figure 5; It is an enlarged drawing which shows the modification (1) of a rib and a groove|channel. It is an enlarged drawing which shows the modification (2) of a rib and a groove|channel. It is an enlarged view which shows the modification (3) of a rib and a groove|channel.

A power conversion device, which is an example of a device according to an embodiment, will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a side view of an electromechanical integrated device 2 having a power conversion device 4 of the embodiment. The electromechanical integrated device 2 is arranged in a front compartment of an electric vehicle (not shown). The electromechanical integrated device 2 includes a power conversion device 4 and a transaxle 6 . The power conversion device 4 is arranged on the upper surface of the transaxle 6 . The transaxle 6 includes a motor 9, a power distribution device 8, and a differential gear 7 for running the electric vehicle. Motor 9 is a three-phase AC motor. The transaxle 6 has two three-phase AC motors, which are not shown in FIG. The following description focuses on one motor 9 .

The power conversion device 4 includes an inverter and a converter (not shown) inside a housing 4a. The power conversion device 4 boosts the DC power of the main battery (not shown) of the electric vehicle by the converter in the housing 4a, and the DC power boosted by the inverter in the housing 4a is used to drive the motor 9 of the transaxle 6. Convert to suitable AC power.

The power converter 4 and the transaxle 6 are connected by a plurality of cables 20 in order to send the AC power converted by the power converter 4 to the transaxle 6 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the power converter 4 and the transaxle 6 are connected by six cables 20 . Since the motor 9 is a three-phase AC motor, it has three input terminals (not shown) of V-phase, U-phase, and W-phase. The power conversion device 4 transmits two sets of three-phase alternating current through six cables 20 to two motors of the transaxle 6 .

The power conversion device 4 includes a service cover 10 on the side surface of the housing 4a on the positive side in the Y-axis direction (that is, on the front side of the drawing). The service cover 10 is fixed to the side of the power converter 4 on the side of the transaxle 6 and on the positive side in the X-axis direction (that is, the left side of the drawing). Although the details will be described later, the service cover is a lid that covers the opening after the cable 20 is connected to the power converter 4 . The service cover 10 is fixed to the housing 4a of the power converter 4 by two bolts 16 passing through mounting seats at both ends in the X-axis direction. A cable module 12 is fixed by four bolts 14 between the service cover 10 and the housing 4a.

A structure for fixing the service cover 10 to the housing 4a will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, an opening 40 extending in the X-axis direction is provided on the side surface of the housing 4a on the positive side in the Y-axis direction. The housing 4a accommodates the terminal block 30 inside. Six bus bar end portions 30a to 30f are arranged adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction on the surface of the terminal block 30 on the positive side in the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 3, six cable terminals 26a-26f adjacent in the X-axis direction are fixed to the six busbar ends 30a-30f by six bolts 28a-28f. Six bolts 28a to 28f are fastened to terminal block 30 through opening 40 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 2, the service cover 10 is a cover that covers the opening 40 after the six bolts 28a-28f are tightened. Also, during maintenance of the electromechanical integrated device 2 (see FIG. 1), the service cover 10 is removed and the state inside the opening 40 is checked.

The shape of the service cover 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The service cover 10 has a rectangular shape extending in the X-axis direction. The service cover 10 includes a cover body 10a and a mounting seat 10b. A seat surface through which the screw 18 penetrates and a seat surface through which the boss 19 penetrates are formed in the central portion of the cover body 10a. Although details will be described later with reference to FIG. 6, an inner cover 11 is fixed to the cover main body 10a on the negative side in the Y-axis direction. The screws 18 fix the cover body 10a and the inner cover 11 (see FIG. 6). The boss 19 fixes the position of the inner cover 11 with respect to the cover main body 10a. Note that the cover body 10a is typically a sheet metal part. The inner cover 11 is typically a resin component.

The mounting seats 10b are formed to extend in the X-axis direction from vertical walls at both ends of the cover body 10a in the X-axis direction. Each mounting seat 10b is arranged so as to overlap the cable module 12 from the Y-axis direction positive side. As shown in FIG. 3, a nut 12c is provided at the portion where the mounting seat 10b of the cable module 12 overlaps. The bolt 16 is screwed onto the nut 12c of the cable module 12. As shown in FIG. The cable module 12 is fixed to the housing 4a by four bolts 14. As shown in FIG. Thus, the service cover 10 is fixed to the housing 4a via the cable module 12. As shown in FIG. The cover main body 10a has an upright wall connected to the mounting seat 10b. The vertical wall is not formed on the negative side of the cover body 10a in the Z-axis direction (that is, the lower side of the drawing). The Z-axis direction negative side of the cover main body 10a is open. A portion of the cover body 10a facing the transaxle 6 is open.

Cables 20a to 20f are routed in a portion of the service cover 10 facing the transaxle 6. As shown in FIG. The cables 20a to 20f extend from the Z-axis direction negative side of the open cover body 10a and are bent to the Y-axis direction negative side. The cables 20a to 20f are bent to the Y-axis direction negative side and extend to the Y-axis direction negative side, and their ends are connected to motors (not shown) in the transaxle 6, respectively.

Also, the cables 20a to 20f are covered with a magnetic shield 22 from the positive side in the Y-axis direction. The magnetic shield 22 curves to the Y-axis direction negative side along the cables 20a to 20f. The magnetic shield 22 prevents the electromagnetic waves generated from the cables 20a-20f from diffusing.

The shape of the cable module 12 will be described with reference to FIG. The cable module 12 includes a plate portion 12a, a flange portion 12b, and six cables 20a-20f. The plate portion 12a is a flat sheet metal, and has through holes at four corners through which the bolts 14 pass. The flange portion 12b is a resin component extending in the positive Y-axis direction from the edge of the central opening of the plate portion 12a, and has five triangular ribs on the positive side in the Z-axis direction. The six cables 20a to 20f are provided with cable terminals 26a to 26f at ends on the terminal block 30 side. The cable terminals 26a to 26f are formed of conductor flat plates. The cable terminals 26a to 26f extend to the Z-axis direction positive side inside the flange portion 12b, bend to the Y-axis direction negative side, and further bend to the Z-axis direction positive side. Cable terminals 26a-26f connect with corresponding busbar ends 30a-30f (see FIG. 4). That is, cables 20a-20f are connected to corresponding busbar ends 30a-30f (see FIG. 4). Thus, cables 20a-20f of cable module 12 pass through opening 40 (see FIG. 4). Cable terminals 26a-26f of cables 20a-20f that pass through opening 40 are fixed to corresponding busbar ends 30a-30f, respectively.

The plate portion 12a, the flange portion 12b, and the six cables 20a to 20f are integrally molded in the same mold. The cable module 12 is arranged in the housing 4a shown in FIG. 4 from the Y-axis direction positive side. The plate portion 12a has through holes at both ends in the X-axis direction, through which the positioning bosses 4b and 4c of the housing 4a are inserted. By inserting the positioning bosses 4b and 4c through the through holes of the plate portion 12a, the positions of the cable module 12 in the X-axis and Z-axis directions with respect to the housing 4a are fixed. As a result, the housing bolt holes 14a to 14d of the housing 4a shown in FIG. 4 face the through holes of the plate portion 12a. The cable module 12 is fixed to the housing 4a by four bolts 14 passing through the through holes at the four corners of the plate portion 12a and being screwed into the housing bolt holes 14a to 14d.

When the cable module 12 is secured to the housing 4a, the cable terminals 26a of the cables 20a overlap the corresponding busbar ends 30a. The cable terminal 26a has a through hole through which the bolt 28a is passed. With the cable terminal 26a and the bus bar end 30a overlapping, the bolt 28a is screwed into the corresponding terminal bolt hole 34a (see FIG. 4). Thus, in the power conversion device 4 of the embodiment, the cable terminal 26a and the corresponding busbar end portion 30a are fixed by the bolt 28a. Similarly, cable terminals 26b-26f are also secured to corresponding busbar ends by corresponding bolts.

After fixing the plurality of cable terminals 26a to 26f to the corresponding busbar ends, the magnetic shield 22 is arranged to overlap the cable module 12 from the positive side in the Y-axis direction. The end of the magnetic shield 22 on the cable module 12 side is fixed to the shield holding portion 22a. The shield holding portion 22a is fixed to the cable module 12 by screws 24 positioned at both ends in the X-axis direction. The shield holding portion 22a is made of sheet metal. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the central portion of the shield holding portion 22a is bent so as to overlap in the Y-axis direction. The shield holding portion 22a holds the magnetic shield 22 by sandwiching it. Although not shown in FIG. 3, a shield holding portion that sandwiches the magnetic shield 22 is also provided at the end portion of the magnetic shield 22 on the transaxle 6 side. The end of the magnetic shield 22 on the transaxle 6 side is sandwiched between the cables 20 a to 20 f and the transaxle 6 . As a result, the magnetic shield 22 curves along the cables 20a-20f.

In the power conversion device 4 (see FIG. 1) of the embodiment, the cable terminals 26a to 26f corresponding to the busbar ends 30a to 30f arranged adjacent to the terminal block 30 are fixed with bolts 28a to 28f. there is When the power conversion device 4 operates, a high voltage for driving the motor 9 (see FIG. 1) is applied to each busbar end and each cable. If a foreign object enters from the opening 40 and touches the adjacent terminals so as to straddle the adjacent terminals, there is a risk that a short circuit will occur and a large current will flow between the terminals. In the power conversion device 4 of the embodiment, if a foreign object with a length of 5 mm to 10 mm is mixed, it may straddle between the terminals. Therefore, if the foreign matter 100 is mixed in when performing maintenance by removing the service cover 10 (see FIG. 2), it may be difficult to visually detect the foreign matter.

The grooves 32a to 32e provided in the terminal block 30 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a groove 32a extends in the Z-axis direction between adjacent busbar end portions 30a and 30b. That is, the groove 32a extends between adjacent busbar ends. Similarly, a groove 32b extends in the Z-axis direction between the busbar end portion 30b and the busbar end portion 30c. Other grooves 32c-32e also extend between adjacent busbar ends.

Referring to FIG. 6, the positional relationship between the grooves 32b to 32d provided in the terminal block 30 and the work space required when the bolt 28d is screwed into the bolt hole 34d will be described. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of two busbar ends 30c and 30d located in the center of FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, bolts 28d pass through cable terminals 26d and busbar end portions 30d and are screwed into bolt holes 34d of terminal block 30. As shown in FIG. More specifically, the bolt 28d passes through the cable terminal 26d and the busbar end 30d and is screwed into an insert nut 36d provided in the bolt hole 34d. When assembling the power conversion device 4 (see FIG. 1), the worker fastens the bolt 28d from the opening of the flange portion 12b of the cable module 12 shown in FIG. The bolt 28d passes through the opening of the flange portion 12b with its head fitted in a torque wrench (not shown). A portion of the torque wrench that is fitted with the head of the bolt 28d is larger than the outer diameter of the head of the bolt 28d. In FIG. 6, the space required for tightening the bolt 28d is indicated by workspace WS. The work space WS is a space necessary for fastening the bolt 28d to the bolt hole 34d, which is determined by dimensional variations of the terminal block 30 and the like and work variations.

As shown in FIG. 6, the inner cover 11 of the service cover 10 has a rib 11c extending toward the groove 32c of the terminal block 30. As shown in FIG. The rib 11c is inserted into the groove 32c. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the service cover 10 is fixed to the housing 4a so as to close the opening 40 of the housing 4a. That is, the rib 11c passes through the opening 40 and enters the groove 32c. Similarly, the inner cover 11 has ribs 11d that are inserted into the grooves 32d of the terminal block 30. As shown in FIG. The rib 11c isolates adjacent cable terminals 26c and 26d. Therefore, the foreign matter 100 indicated by the dashed line is pressed against the rib 11c on the surface of the terminal block 30 by the rib 11c. As a result, the foreign matter 100 does not adhere across the adjacent cable terminals 26c and 26d. In other words, the foreign matter 100 does not short-circuit the power converter 4 when the service cover 10 is fixed to the housing 4a (see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 6, the ribs 11c, 11d are arranged within the workspace WS. Therefore, when tightening the bolt 28d, a wall that blocks adjacent cable terminals cannot be provided at the positions of the ribs 11c and 11d. In the power conversion device 4 disclosed in this specification, the service cover 10 is provided with ribs that isolate adjacent cable terminals. Therefore, ribs 11c and 11d do not exist when fastening bolt 28d. Therefore, the power conversion device 4 can reduce the distance between adjacent cable terminals. That is, the power conversion device 4 can reduce the size of the terminal block 30 .

In the power conversion device 4 disclosed in the present specification, a groove is provided between the adjacent busbar ends of the terminal block 30, and the service cover 10 fixed to the housing 4a after fastening the bolts is provided with the adjacent busbar ends. Ribs are provided to block the As a result, the power conversion device 4 reduces the size of the terminal block 30 while preventing short circuits caused by foreign matter. Also, the groove extending between adjacent busbar ends increases the creepage distance between the busbar ends. The power conversion device 4 can prevent a short circuit between adjacent terminals by increasing the creepage distance between the ends of the busbars by means of the grooves.

7 to 9, the relationship between the tips of the ribs provided on the service cover 10 (see FIG. 6) and the grooves into which the tips of the ribs enter will be described. 7 to 9 show modified examples of the shape of the tip of the rib and modified examples of the shape of the groove.

As shown in FIG. 7 , slopes 13 a may be provided at the corners of the ends of the ribs 13 . Also, the corners of the groove 37 may be chamfered 37a. By providing the inclined surfaces 13 a and the chamfers 37 a, the tips of the ribs 13 can easily enter the grooves 37 . Also, as shown in FIG. 7 , the tip of the rib 13 may be out of contact with the groove 37 . By making the ribs 13 and the grooves 37 non-contact, the ribs 13 and the grooves 37 do not interfere even if the positions of the ribs 13 with respect to the grooves 37 and the thickness thereof vary. Therefore, the service cover 10 is reliably fixed to the housing 4a.

Also, "the rib enters the groove" means that the tip of the rib 13 reaches the position of the boundary 37b of the groove 37 as shown in FIG. The tip of the rib 13 can press the foreign matter 100 (see FIG. 6) against the groove 37 by reaching the boundary 37b. That is, the rib 13 prevents the foreign object 100 from moving to a position where the adjacent cable terminals are connected by reaching the boundary 37b. However, the tips of the ribs may extend further into the grooves, as shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 8, a fillet 15a may be provided at the tip of the rib 15. As shown in FIG. Further, a step 38a may be provided at the corner of the groove 38. As shown in FIG. By providing the fillet 15 a at the tip of the rib 15 , the tip of the rib 15 can easily enter the groove 38 . Further, by providing the step 38a at the corner of the groove 38, the tip of the rib 15 can easily enter the groove 38, and the creepage distance between the adjacent busbar ends can be increased.

As shown in FIG. 9 , a fillet 17 a may be provided at the tip of the slope of the rib 17 . Also, fillets 39 a may be provided at the corners of the grooves 39 . Similar to the chamfer 37a and step 38a shown in FIG.

Points to note in the examples are described below. The housing 4a included in the power conversion device of the embodiment accommodates an inverter and a converter, but is not limited to this. The device is placed outside the housing.

Further, the ribs of the service cover 10 included in the power conversion device 4 of the embodiment are not in contact with the grooves of the terminal block 30, but the tips of the ribs may be fitted into the grooves.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or in the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims as of the filing. In addition, the techniques exemplified in this specification or drawings can simultaneously achieve a plurality of purposes, and achieving one of them has technical utility in itself.

Claims (2)

a housing containing a terminal block and having an opening;
a plurality of cables passing through the opening from the outside of the housing and reaching the terminal block;
a service cover covering the opening through which the plurality of cables pass from the outside of the housing ;
In the terminal block, end portions of a plurality of busbars are arranged adjacent to each other, and a groove extending between the adjacent end portions is formed,
Each cable end is fixed to the corresponding busbar end by a screw,
A device according to claim 1, wherein the service cover is formed with a rib extending from the outside of the housing through the opening and into the groove. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ribs and grooves are non-contacting when the service cover is secured to the housing.

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