JPH11329401A - Battery terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly maintain fastening force of a battery terminal, even when a battery post becomes thin by deformation. SOLUTION: In this battery terminal 1, a terminal body 2, where a wire 10 is connected, is formed deformably between the diameter reduced state and the expanded state, and a first control member 3 is installed turnably on the terminal body 2, and formed so that the quantity of displacement of the terminal body 2 in the diameter reducing direction will be adjusted corresponding to a turning angle of the first control member 3, and also a second control member 4 is installed turnably on the tip of the first control member 3. Besides, this terminal 1 has such a formation that a biasing member 5 is installed between the first control member 3 and the second control member 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery terminal used for connecting an electric wire to an electrode (battery post) of a battery mounted on an automobile or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a battery terminal is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-94961. In this configuration, there is provided a terminal main body configured to be displaceable between a reduced diameter state fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the battery post and an enlarged diameter state released from the fitting, and a lever is vertically attached to the terminal body. Is provided rotatably. And the electric wire is connected to the terminal body. In this configuration, when the lever is in the upright state, the terminal body is in the expanded state. When the lever is rotated from the vertical state to a position where the lever is tilted sideways, the terminal main body is reduced in diameter, and the terminal main body is configured to be fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the battery post with an appropriate tightening force.

[0003]

When the operation of attaching and detaching the battery terminal having the above-described structure to and from the battery post is repeated, the outer diameter of the battery post becomes smaller because the battery post is made of relatively soft lead. There is a situation that causes deformation. Here, since the size of the reduced diameter state of the terminal body of the battery terminal does not become smaller than the set size, there is a problem that the tightening force of the terminal body decreases as the battery post becomes thinner and deformed. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a battery terminal capable of properly maintaining the tightening force of the battery terminal even when the battery post is deformed and thinned.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery terminal having a connection portion to which an electric wire is connected. A terminal body that is configured to be displaceable between a widened state and a large diameter state.The terminal body is rotatably provided on the terminal body, and a displacement amount for displacing the terminal body in the diameter reducing direction according to the rotation angle is provided. A first operating member to be adjusted; a second operating member rotatably provided at a distal end portion of the first operating member;
Is provided between the operating member and the second operating member, and when the second operating member is rotated relative to the first operating member in a direction in which both operating members are in a linear state, The second operating member is urged in a counter-rotating direction until both operating members are substantially in a linear state, and the second operating member is rotated in a rotating direction after both operating members are in a substantially linear state. And a biasing member for biasing the spring.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the battery terminal of the first aspect, the terminal body has a fitting portion having a substantially C-shaped cross section fitted to an outer peripheral portion of the battery post, and the fitting portion. And a pair of opposing tightening portions extending from both ends of the operating member, and changing the gap between the pair of tightening portions in accordance with the rotation angle of the operating member. It is characterized in that it is configured to adjust the tightening force between the joint portion and the battery post.

[0007]

According to the present invention, when the second operating member is rotated in a direction in which the two operating members become substantially linear against the urging force of the urging member, two Until the operation member becomes substantially straight, the first operation member also rotates together, and the terminal main body is displaced in the diameter reducing direction. Then, after the two operating members have become substantially linear, the second operating member is rotated in the same direction with respect to the first operating member by the urging force of the urging member. Rotational power is not applied to the operation member, rotation of the first operation member is stopped, and displacement of the terminal body in the diameter reducing direction is stopped.

Thus, when the force for tightening the battery post by the terminal body becomes constant, the rotation of the first operation member stops. For this reason, when the battery post is deformed and thinned, the amount of rotation for rotating the first operation member increases, but the tightening force of the terminal body to the battery post becomes constant, and the tightening force is appropriately adjusted. Can be held.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall configuration of the battery terminal of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the battery terminal 1 includes a terminal main body 2, a first operating member such as a first lever 3, and a second operating member such as a second lever.
, And two tension coil springs 5 as biasing means.

The terminal body 2 is formed by bending a metal plate, for example, and has a fitting portion 7 having a substantially C-shaped cross section fitted to the outer peripheral portion of a battery post 6 of a battery. The joining portion 6 has a pair of plate-shaped fastening portions 8 extending to the left in FIG. 1 from both ends and facing each other. At the upper part of the right end in FIG. 1 of the fitting part 7, a connecting part 9 is provided so as to project rightward. The core wire 10a of the electric wire 10 is connected to the connection portion 9 by, for example, crimping.

Further, the pair of tightening portions 8, 8 can be bent and deformed toward each other. Each fastening part 8,
At the distal end of 8 (left end in FIG. 1), pieces 8a, 8a are formed by bending outward. Further, a through hole 8b (only one is shown) for inserting the screw 11 (see FIG. 1) is formed at the left end of each of the tightening portions 8, 8.

On the other hand, the first lever 3 is formed by, for example, bending a metal plate material, and has a substantially flat substrate portion 1.
1 and a pair of support pieces 13, 13 protruding downward on both left sides of the substrate 12 in FIG. Lower ends 13a, 13a of the support pieces 13, 13
Are bent in a direction approaching each other to form an inclined surface. Further, through holes 13b, 13b through which the screws 11 are inserted are formed in the lower ends 13a, 13a.

On both sides of the right end in FIG. 1 of the substrate portion 12, four pieces 14, 14 project downward, and pieces 15, 15 project upward. Have been. A spring hook 14a (only one is shown) for hooking one end of each of the two tension coil springs 5 is provided at the left end of each of the outer surfaces of the pieces 14. A stopper 14b is provided at the right end of each outer surface of the pieces 14, 14. In addition, the pieces 15, 15
Through hole 15 for inserting support shaft 16 (see FIG. 2)
a and 15a are formed.

Further, the second lever 4 is formed by, for example, bending a metal plate, and has a substantially flat substrate portion 1.
7, and a pair of projecting pieces 18, 18 protruding downward on both sides of the substrate 17. Each protruding piece 1
At the left ends of FIGS. 8 and 18 in FIG. 1, through holes 18a, 18a through which the support shaft 16 is inserted are formed. A spring hook 18b for hooking the other end of each of the two tension coil springs 5 is provided on each outer surface of each of the projecting pieces 18, 18 at the right end in FIG.
(Only one is shown) is provided.

In the above configuration, the first lever 3 is provided with the second
When assembling the lever 4, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pieces 15, 15 of the first lever 3 are inserted between the left ends of the projecting pieces 18, 18 of the second lever 4, The support shaft 16 is inserted into the through holes 18a, 18a of the protruding pieces 18, 18 and the through holes 15a, 15a of the piece 15, and is prevented from falling off. Thereby, the second lever 4 is rotatably attached to the first lever 3.

One end of each of the two tension coil springs 5 is hung on the spring hook 14a of the first lever 3, and the other end of each of the two tension coil springs 5 is hooked on the second lever 4. Hang on the part 18b. Thereby, each tension coil spring 5 is attached between the two levers 3 and 4 (see FIG. 2).

Further, the first lever 3 is connected to the terminal body 2
1 and 2, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a state where the first lever 3 is set upright, the fastening portion of the terminal body 2 is held between the support pieces 13, 13 of the first lever 3. Insert the left end portions of 8, 8 and the pieces 8a, 8a. Then, the screw 11 is inserted into each of the through holes 13b of the support pieces 13, 13,
13b and through the respective through holes 8b of the two tightening portions 8, 8 and then a nut (not shown) is attached to the tip of the screw 11.
Is screwed. As a result, the first lever 3 is attached to the terminal body 2 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction with the screw 11 as a fulcrum.

Here, when the first lever 3 is set up vertically, the distance between the tightening portions 8 of the terminal body 2 is maximized. At this time, the fitting portion 7 of the terminal body 2 is in an expanded state, and the battery post 6 is fitted to the fitting portion 7 through a slight gap, that is, The fitting portion 7 is configured to be easily attached and detached.

When the first lever 3 is turned downward (clockwise in FIG. 2) from the state where the first lever 3 is set upright, the support piece 13 of the first lever 3 is turned. , 1
3, on the inner surface of the inclined portion at the lower end portion 13a, 13a,
The distal ends of the pieces 8a, 8a of the fastening portions 8, 8 of the terminal body 2 come into contact with each other. As a result, the terminal body 2 is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the first lever 3 downward.
Is configured so that the distance between the tightening portions 8 gradually decreases. When the distance between the tightening portions 8, 8 is reduced, the diameter of the fitting portion 7 of the terminal body 2 is reduced accordingly, and when the fitting portion 7 is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the battery post 6, Is configured to increase the tightening force.

In the case of this configuration, as the rotation angle of the first lever 3 (specifically, the rotation angle from the vertical state) increases, the distance between the tightening portions 8, 8 decreases, and as a result, The fitting portion 7 of the terminal body 2 is configured to increase the tightening force of the battery post 6. In other words, the amount of displacement (that is, the magnitude of the tightening force of the fitting portion 7) for displacing the terminal main body 2 in the radial direction is adjusted in accordance with the rotation angle of the first lever 3. I have.

When the turning angle of the first lever 3 is maximized, that is, when the first lever 3 is turned to the position where it is tilted sideways, the distance between the tightening portions 8 is minimized. (The tightening force of the fitting portion 7 is maximized). When the fitting portion 7 of the terminal body 2 is fitted to the battery post 6, usually (when the battery post 6 is not thinly deformed), the first lever 3 is rotated to the maximum angle. I won't let you.

On the other hand, the first lever 3 and the second lever 4
Is usually caused by the spring force of the tension coil spring 5 as shown in FIG.
It is in a bent state as shown in FIG. From this state, when the second lever 4 is rotated in a direction in which the two levers 3 and 4 are in a linear state (see FIG. 3) against the spring force of the tension coil spring 5, the two levers 3 The second lever 4 is urged in the counter-rotating direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) by the spring force of the tension coil spring 5 before the position of the second lever 4 becomes substantially linear. On the other hand, two levers 3, 4
Is substantially linear, the second lever 4 is biased in the turning direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3) by the spring force of the tension coil spring 5. When the two levers 3 and 4 are in a substantially linear state, the tension coil spring 5 is configured to be in a state of being extended to the maximum.

Next, an operation procedure and an operation when the battery terminal 1 having the above-described configuration is attached to the battery post 5 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the fitting portion 7 of the terminal body 2 of the battery terminal 1 in a state where the first lever 3 is set upright is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the battery post 6. Subsequently, the second lever 4 is rotated clockwise in FIG. Then, since the tension coil spring 5 is provided between the two levers 3 and 4,
The first lever 3 is also rotated clockwise in FIG. As a result, the distance between the fastening portions 8 of the terminal body 2 gradually decreases.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3, when the second lever 4 is rotated against the spring force of the tension coil spring 5 until the two levers 3 and 4 become substantially straight, In FIG. 4, the second lever 4 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 3 by the spring force of the tension coil spring 5, and the state shown in FIG. 4 is obtained. In this case, the lower end of the projecting piece 18 of the second lever 4 abuts against the stopper 14 b of the first lever 3, and the rotation of the second lever 4 is stopped.

When the first lever 3 is turned to the turning position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a tightening force determined by the spring force of the tension coil spring 5 (ie, an appropriate tightening force).
The fitting portion 7 of the terminal body 2 is
It is configured to be fitted to the outer peripheral portion of.

Now, when removing the battery terminal 1 from the battery post 6, as shown in FIG.
An operation of rotating the second lever 4 in the counterclockwise direction is performed.
Then, along with this, the first lever 3 is rotated counterclockwise, and as shown in FIG. 6, the first lever 3 is in a vertical state. In this state, the battery post 6
The battery terminal 1 can be easily removed from the battery terminal. After that, before the operation of attaching the battery terminal 1 to the battery post 6 is performed, the positional relationship between the two levers is as shown in FIG.
It is preferable that the second lever 4 is rotated.

When the operation of attaching and detaching the battery terminal 1 to and from the battery post 6 is repeated, since the battery post 6 is made of relatively soft lead, plastic deformation occurs such that its outer diameter becomes thin. When the battery terminal 1 of the present embodiment is mounted on the battery post 6 thus thinned, the fitting portion 7 of the terminal main body 2 needs to be reduced in diameter by the thinner the battery post 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the rotation angle of the first lever 3 increases.

That is, against the constant spring force of the extension coil spring 5, the second lever 4 (and thus the first lever 3)
2 is rotated clockwise in FIG.
Stops at a position (see FIG. 7) that is slightly more clockwise than the stop position (see FIG. 3) described above.
Then, at this time, the fitting portion 7 of the terminal body 2 is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the battery post 6 with a tightening force determined by the spring force of the tension coil spring 5 (ie, an appropriate tightening force). Therefore, according to the battery terminal 1 of the present embodiment, even when the battery post 6 becomes thin, the fitting portion 7 of the terminal body 2 can be fitted to the battery post 6 with an appropriate tightening force. .

In the above-described embodiment, the terminal body 2 is provided with a fitting portion 7 having a substantially C-shaped cross section to be fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the battery post 6 and extending from both ends of the fitting portion 7. And a pair of opposed tightening portions 8, 8. By changing the gap between the pair of tightening portions 8 according to the rotation angle of the first lever 3, the tightening force (adhesion force) of the fitting between the fitting portion 7 and the battery post 6 is adjusted. Was configured to be adjusted. According to this configuration, a specific configuration for enabling the terminal main body 2 to be displaceable between a reduced diameter state in which the outer peripheral portion of the battery post 6 is fitted and an expanded state in which the fitting is released, and ,
A specific configuration for adjusting the amount of displacement for displacing the terminal body 2 in the diameter reducing direction in accordance with the rotation angle of the first lever 3 can be easily realized with a simple configuration.

In the above embodiment, the terminal body 2
In order to rotatably support the first lever 3, the screw 11 and the nut are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the nut may be omitted and the back of the first lever 3 may be supported. The through hole 13b of the piece 13 may be formed as a screw hole, and the screw 11 may be inserted into the screw hole. Instead of the screw 12, a pin and a retaining member (such as a C-ring) may be used. Further, the first lever 3 and the second lever 4 are rotatably provided via the support shaft 16, but a screw and a nut may be used instead. Furthermore, the specific shapes of the terminal body 2 and the levers 3 and 4 are not limited to the shapes of the above-described embodiment, and may be appropriately modified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery terminal showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the battery terminal showing a state where a first lever is set upright.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the two levers are rotated until they are in a linear state.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the battery terminal is completely mounted.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which a second lever has been started to be turned to remove a battery terminal;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which the first lever is rotated until it becomes a vertical state.

FIG. 7 is a side view when the battery post is thin.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery terminal 2 ... Terminal main body 3 ... 1st lever (1st operating member) 4 ... 2nd lever (2nd operating member) 5 ... Tension coil spring (biasing means) 6 ... Battery post 7 ... Fitting part 8… Tightening part 9… Connection part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A terminal having a connection portion to which an electric wire is connected, the terminal being configured to be displaceable between a reduced diameter state fitted to an outer peripheral portion of a battery post and an expanded diameter state released from the fitting. A first operating member rotatably provided on the terminal main body and adjusting a displacement amount for displacing the terminal main body in a radially decreasing direction in accordance with a rotation angle of the first operating member; A second operating member rotatably provided at a distal end portion, a second operating member provided between the first operating member and the second operating member, and a second operating member provided with respect to the first operating member. When the operating members are rotated in a direction in which both operating members are in a linear state, the second operation is performed until both operating members are in a substantially linear state.
And a biasing member for biasing the second operating member in the rotating direction after the operating members are biased in the counter-rotating direction, and after the two operating members have become substantially linear. 2. The terminal body according to claim 1, wherein the terminal body has a substantially C-shaped cross-section fitted to an outer peripheral portion of the battery post, and a pair of opposed tightening members extending from both ends of the fitting portion. And a gap between the pair of tightening portions is changed in accordance with a rotation angle of the operating member, thereby tightening force between the fitting portion and the battery post. The battery terminal according to claim 1, wherein the battery terminal is configured to be adjusted.