TERMINAL BLOCK

A terminal block that includes: a first terminal electrically connected to an electrical component; and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal, wherein a current sensor for detecting a current that flows through the first terminal or the second terminal is integrated with the first terminal or the second terminal.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a terminal block.

A terminal block equipped with first terminals, which are electrically connected to electrical components such as an inverter and a motor mounted in a vehicle like an automobile, and second terminals, which are electrically connected to the first terminals, is conventionally known. As disclosed in JP 2019-115123A for example, control over the driving of the electrical components is performed by detecting currents flowing through the first terminals or the second terminals using a current sensor.

SUMMARY

However, when electrical components such as an inverter and a motor are equipped with a current sensor, there will be a corresponding increase in the size of the electrical components due to the inclusion of the current sensor.

An exemplary aspect of the disclosure provides a terminal block that contributes to miniaturization of electrical components.

A terminal block according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a first terminal electrically connected to an electrical component, and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal, wherein a current sensor for detecting a current that flows through the first terminal or the second terminal is integrated with the first terminal or the second terminal.

A terminal block according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes: a first terminal electrically connected to an electrical component; a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal; and a housing that is made of resin and holds the second terminal, wherein a current sensor for detecting a current that flows through the second terminal is integrated with the housing.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a terminal block that is capable of contributing to miniaturization of electrical components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Outline of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure

Several embodiments of the present disclosure will first be listed and described in outline.

(1) A terminal block according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a first terminal electrically connected to an electrical component; and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal, wherein a current sensor for detecting a current that flows through the first terminal or the second terminal is integrated with the first terminal or the second terminal.

According to this configuration, since it is not necessary for an electrical component to be provided with a current sensor, a situation where the size of an electrical component increases corresponding to the provision of the current sensor, such as when electrical components are configured to include a current sensor, is avoided. Accordingly, this can contribute to miniaturization of electrical components.

(2) One of the first terminal and the second terminal may include a clip portion, and another of the first terminal and the second terminal may be a bus bar formed as a flat plate that is clamped by the clip portion.

With this configuration, since it is possible to connect the first terminal and the second terminal by merely clamping the bus bar with the clip portion, it is not necessary to provide a separate component for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal, for example, which makes it possible to miniaturize the terminal block itself. In addition, it is possible to easily electrically connect the first terminal and the second terminal while absorbing dimensional tolerances of the first terminal and the second terminal.

(3) The second terminal may include the clip portion, and the first terminal may be a bus bar.

With this configuration, since it is possible to simplify the configuration of the first terminal, it is possible for example to avoid the problem of the designs of components present in the periphery of the first terminal having to be changed due to the configuration of the first terminal being complex.

(4) The bus bar may include a flat plate portion that is surrounded by the current sensor.

With this configuration, since the bus bar includes the flat plate portion that is surrounded by the current sensor, it is easy to integrate the current sensor with the first terminal.

(5) The second terminal may be a bus bar, and the first terminal may include the clip portion.

With this configuration, since it is possible to simplify the configuration of the second terminal, it is possible for example to avoid the problem of the designs of components present in the periphery of the second terminal having to be changed due to the configuration of the second terminal being complex.

(6) The first terminal may include a flat plate portion that extends from the clip portion and is surrounded by the current sensor.

With this configuration, since the first terminal includes a flat plate portion that extends from the clip portion and is surrounded by the current sensor, it is possible to easily integrate the current sensor with the first terminal.

(7) The clip portion may include a pair of clamping portions for clamping the bus bar and a biasing member for biasing the pair of clamping portions toward each other.

With this configuration, due to the biasing member biasing the pair of clamping portions toward each other, it is possible to stably clamp the bus bar with the pair of clamping portions. Accordingly, since it is possible to stabilize the electrical connections between the first terminal and the second terminal, it is possible to improve reliability.

(8) The terminal block may further include a plurality of pairs of the first terminal and the second terminal, and the current sensor may include sensor components, which are provided corresponding to the respective first terminals or the respective second terminals, and a base member that incorporates the plurality of sensor components.

With this configuration, since the current sensor includes a base member incorporating the sensor components provided corresponding to the first terminals or the second terminals, it is possible to simplify the task of disposing the sensor components so as to correspond to the first terminals or the second terminals.

(9) A terminal block according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes: a first terminal electrically connected to an electrical component; a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal; and a housing that is made of resin and holds the second terminal, wherein a current sensor for detecting a current that flows through the second terminal is integrated with the housing.

With this configuration, since it is not necessary for an electrical component to include a current sensor, a situation where the size of an electrical component increases corresponding to the provision of the current sensor, such as when electrical components are configured to include a current sensor, is avoided. Accordingly, this can contribute to miniaturization of electrical components.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments of the Disclosure

Specific embodiments of a terminal block according to the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the attached drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated configurations and is instead indicated by the range of the patent claims and intended to include all changes within the meaning and scope of the patent claims and their equivalents. Also, for ease of explanation, parts of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified in the drawings, and the ratios of the dimensions of the respective parts may differ from an actual device. In addition, the ratios of the dimensions of respective parts may differ between drawings.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of a terminal block will now be described.

Overall Configuration

A terminal block10depicted inFIG.1is mounted in a vehicle V. The vehicle V is equipped with a motor11and an inverter12. The motor11and the inverter12are electrical components mounted in the vehicle V. The motor11is housed inside a motor housing13. The inverter12includes a circuit board12a. The terminal block10is attached to the motor housing13. As one specific example, the terminal block10is fixed to the motor housing13by bolts14. The terminal block10is then electrically connected to the motor11and the circuit board12aof the inverter12.

Overall Configuration of Terminal Block10

As depicted inFIG.1andFIG.2, the terminal block10includes a housing20, inverter terminals30, junction terminals40, motor terminals50, and a current sensor60. The terminal block10is equipped with three inverter terminals30, three junction terminals40, and three motor terminals50corresponding to the U phase, the V phase, and the W phase of the motor11. Accordingly, the terminal block10includes a plurality of each of the inverter terminals30, the junction terminals40, and the motor terminals50.

Configuration of Inverter Terminals30

Each inverter terminal30is a bus bar in the form of an elongated thin flat plate. The inverter terminals30each have the same thickness. The lengths of the inverter terminals30in the direction in which their long sides extend are the same. When the direction in which the short side of each inverter terminal30extends is regarded as the “width direction”, the respective inverter terminals30also have the same widths. The inverter terminals30are arranged so that their thickness directions are aligned and their width directions are also aligned. A first end portion located at one end in the length direction of each inverter terminal30is electrically connected to the circuit board12aof the inverter12. Accordingly, the respective inverter terminals30are “first terminals” that are electrically connected to the inverter12, which is an electrical component. A second end portion located at the other end in the length direction of each inverter terminal30is electrically connected to a junction terminal40.

Each inverter terminal30includes a flat plate portion31(flat plate) that is surrounded by the current sensor60. The flat plate portion31of each inverter terminal30passes through an inner portion of the current sensor60. The current sensor60is integrated with the respective inverter terminals30.

Configuration of Motor Terminals50

Each motor terminal50is a bus bar in the form of an elongated thin flat plate. The motor terminals50each have the same thickness. The lengths of the motor terminals50in the direction in which their long sides extend are the same. When the direction in which the short side of each motor terminal50extends is regarded as the “width direction”, the respective motor terminals50also have the same widths. The motor terminals50are arranged so that their thickness directions are aligned and their width directions are also aligned. First end portions located at one end in the length direction of the respective motor terminals50are electrically connected to motor leads11athat extend from a U phase coil, a V phase coil, and a W phase coil of the motor11. Note that the first end portions of the motor terminals50and the motor leads11aare connected via connector terminals, not illustrated. The motor terminals50are electrically connected to the motor11via the motor leads11a. Accordingly, the motor terminals50are “first terminals” that are electrically connected to the motor11, which is an electrical component. Note that the motor leads11aare schematically depicted inFIG.1. A second end portion located at the other end in the length direction of each motor terminal50is electrically connected to a junction terminal40.

Overall Configuration of Junction Terminals40

As depicted inFIG.3, each junction terminal40includes a first clip portion41and a second clip portion42, which are clip portions (clips), and a connecting portion43. Each first clip portion41clamps the second end portion of an inverter terminal30. Each junction terminal40is electrically connected to an inverter terminal30by the first clip portion41clamping the inverter terminal30. The second clip portion42clamping the second end portion of a motor terminal50. Each junction terminal40is also electrically connected to a motor terminal50by the second clip portion42clamping the motor terminal50. Accordingly, each junction terminal40is a “second terminal” that is electrically connected to an inverter terminal30and a motor terminal50, which are “first terminals”.

The connecting portion43is connected to the first clip portion41and the second clip portion42. The connecting portion43is in the form of an elongated flat plate. The first clip portion41is connected to a first end portion of the connecting portion43that is positioned at one end in a length direction in which the long sides of the connecting portion43extend. The second clip portion42is connected to a second end portion that is positioned at the other end in the length direction of the connecting portion43.

Configuration of First Clip Portion41and Second Clip Portion42

Since the first clip portion41and the second clip portion42have the same configuration, in the following description, the configuration of the first clip portion41is described in detail, the same reference numerals are assigned to the configuration of the second clip portion42, and the description thereof is simplified.

The first clip portion41has a pair of base portions44, a pair of extending portions45, a pair of bent portions46, and a pair of clamping portions47(clamps). The base portions44are in the form of thin flat plates that extend in opposite directions from the first end portion of a connecting portion43. Note that the base portions44of the second clip portion42extend in opposite directions from the second end portion of the connecting portion43. The directions in which the base portions44extend from the connecting portion43match the thickness direction of the connecting portion43.

The extending portions45are in the form of elongated thin flat plates that extend in the thickness direction of the base portions44from end portions of the respective base portions44at opposite ends to the connecting portion43. The extending portions45have the same length. The extending portions45extend in parallel to each other. The bent portions46are continuous with end portions of the respective extending portions45at opposite ends to the base portions44. The bent portions46are formed as curved plates that are curved into arc shapes. The bent portions46are curved from the extending portions45so as to approach each other.

The clamping portions47are formed as elongated thin flat plates that extend toward the base portions44from end portions of the bent portions46at opposite ends to the extending portions45. The clamping portions47become gradually separated from the extending portions45as the distance from the bending portions46increases. Accordingly, the respective clamping portions47extend at angles that intersect the directions in which the extending portions45extend. Front ends of the clamping portions47are separated from the base portions44. The pair of clamping portions47of a first clip portion41clamp an inverter terminal30, which is a bus bar. The pair of clamping portions47of a second clip portion42clamp a motor terminal50, which is also a bus bar.

The first clip portion41and the second clip portion42each include a biasing member48(spring). Each biasing member48includes a connecting portion48aand a pair of biasing portions48b. The connecting portion48ais formed as an elongated thin flat plate. The biasing portions48bare thin plates that extend from both edges of the connecting portion48ain the short side direction. Each biasing portion48bextends at an angle from both edges of the connecting portion48ain a direction so as to intersect the direction in which the connecting portion48aextends. The biasing portions48bextend in directions so as to approach each other as the distance from the connecting portion48aincreases.

A biasing member48is attached to front end portions of each pair of clamping portions47. The pair of clamping portions47are disposed between the pair of biasing portions48b. When the pair of clamping portions47have been disposed between the pair of biasing portions48b, the biasing portions48bwill become displaced so as to move away from each other with the connecting portion48aside end portions of the biasing portions48bas pivots. The biasing portions48bbias the clamping portions47so that the clamping portions47try to return to their original positions before the clamping portions47were displaced in the direction away from each other. In this way, since the biasing portions48bbias the pair of clamping portions47of the first clip portion41for example toward each other, when an inverter terminal30is disposed between the pair of clamping portions47, the inverter terminal will be stably clamped by the pair of clamping portions47. Likewise, since the biasing portions48bbias the pair of clamping portions47of the second clip portion42for example toward each other, when a motor terminal50is disposed between the pair of clamping portions47, the motor terminal50will be stably clamped by the pair of clamping portions47. Accordingly, the biasing member48biases the pair of clamping portions47in a direction where the clamping portions47approach each other.

Configuration of Housing20

As depicted inFIG.2, the housing20is made of resin. The housing20is formed as a plate. The housing20has bolt insertion holes21through which the bolts14can be inserted. The housing20holds the junction terminals40. In more detail, the housing20holds part of the connecting portion43of each junction terminal40. The junction terminals40and the housing20are integrated by insert molding.

Configuration of Current Sensor60

As depicted inFIGS.4and5, the current sensor60is integrated with the flat plate portion31of each inverter terminal30. The current sensor60includes sensor components61(sensors) that are provided corresponding to each inverter terminal30and a base member62(base) that incorporates the plurality of sensor components61. The base member62is made of resin. The base member62is formed as a rectangular block. The direction in which the long sides of the base member62extend matches the width direction of the inverter terminals30. The base member62surrounds the flat plate portions31of the inverter terminals30.

As depicted inFIG.6, each sensor component61includes a core member63and a Hall element64. Each core member63is a C-shaped ferrite core. Accordingly, a gap65is formed in part of each core member63. Each core member63is disposed so as to surround the flat plate portion31of an inverter terminal30. Each Hall element64is disposed in the gap65of a core member63. Each Hall element64is electrically connected to a vehicle ECU67via wiring66. The base member62, the flat plate portions31of the inverter terminals30, the core members63, and the Hall elements64are integrated by insert molding.

Operation of the First Embodiment

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

Currents flowing from the circuit board12aof the inverter12to the inverter terminals are supplied to the motor11via the junction terminals40, the motor terminals50, and the motor leads11a. When a current flows from the circuit board12aof the inverter12to an inverter terminal30, magnetic flux is generated in the core member63and this magnetic flux generated in the core member63passes through the Hall element64. As a result, the Hall element64generates a Hall voltage based on the magnetic flux. The Hall voltage is proportional to the current value of the current flowing through that inverter terminal30. Accordingly, the current sensor60can be said to detect the currents flowing through the respective inverter terminals30.

A signal relating to the Hall voltage generated by each Hall element64is outputted via the wiring66to the vehicle ECU67. The vehicle ECU67controls driving of the inverter12based on the signals outputted from the respective Hall elements64so that the current value supplied from the inverter12to the motor11becomes a desired current value. When the current value supplied from the inverter12to the motor11becomes the desired current value, the motor11will rotate at a desired rotational speed. Accordingly, the driving of the inverter12is controlled by the current sensor60detecting the currents flowing through the respective inverter terminals30, and as a result, control is performed over the driving of the motor11.

The following effects can be obtained by the first embodiment.

(1-1) The current sensor60that detects the currents flowing through the inverter terminals is integrated with the inverter terminals30. By using this configuration, since the inverter12does not need to be provided with the current sensor60, unlike for example a configuration in which the inverter12is provided with the current sensor60, a situation where there is a corresponding increase in the size of the inverter12due to the provision of the current sensor60is avoided. This can contribute to miniaturization of the inverter12.
(1-2) Each junction terminal40includes a first clip portion41and a second clip portion42. The inverter terminals30are bus bars in the form of flat plates that are clamped by the first clip portions41and the motor terminals50are bus bars in the form of flat plates that are clamped by the second clip portions42. By using this configuration, since the inverter terminals30and the junction terminals40can be connected by merely clamping the inverter terminals30with the first clip portions41, there is no need to separately provide components for connecting the inverter terminals30and the junction terminals40for example, which makes it possible to miniaturize the terminal block10itself. In addition, it is possible to easily electrically connect the inverter terminals30and the junction terminals40while absorbing the respective dimensional tolerances of the inverter terminals30and the junction terminals40. Likewise, since the motor terminals50and the junction terminals40can be connected by simply clamping the motor terminals50with the second clip portions42, there is no need to separately provide components for connecting the motor terminals50and the junction terminals40for example, which makes it possible to miniaturize the terminal block itself. In addition, it is possible to easily electrically connect the motor terminals50and the junction terminals40while absorbing the respective dimensional tolerances of the motor terminals50and the junction terminals40.
(1-3) The junction terminals40each include a first clip portion41and a second clip portion42. The inverter terminals30and the motor terminals50are bus bars. By using this configuration, since it is possible to simplify the configurations of the inverter terminals30and the motor terminals50, it is possible for example to avoid the problem of the designs of components in the peripheries of the inverter terminals30and the motor terminals50having to be changed due to the configurations of the inverter terminals30and the motor terminals50being complex.
(1-4) The inverter terminals30each have a flat plate portion31that is surrounded by the current sensor60. By using this configuration, since the inverter terminals30have the flat plate portions31that are surrounded by the current sensor60, it is easy to integrate the current sensor60with the inverter terminals30.
(1-5) The first clip portions41each include a pair of clamping portions47that clamp an inverter terminal30, and a biasing member48that biases the pair of clamping portions47toward each other. By using this configuration, at each first clip portion41, the biasing member48biases the pair of clamping portions47in a direction toward each other, which makes it possible to stably clamp an inverter terminal30with the pair of clamping portions47. Accordingly, the electrical connections between the inverter terminals30and the junction terminals40can be stabilized, which improves reliability. Likewise, the second clip portions42each include a pair of clamping portions47that clamp a motor terminal50, and a biasing member48that biases the pair of clamping portions47in a direction toward each other. By using this configuration, at each second clip portion42, the biasing member48biases the pair of clamping portions47in a direction toward each other, which makes it possible to stably clamp a motor terminal50with the pair of clamping portions47. Accordingly, the electrical connections between the motor terminals50and the junction terminals40can be stabilized, which improves reliability.
(1-6) The current sensor60includes the sensor components61, which are provided corresponding to the inverter terminals30, and the base member62that incorporates the plurality of sensor components61. By using this configuration, since the current sensor60includes the base member62which incorporates the sensor components61that are provided corresponding to the respective inverter terminals30, it is possible to simplify the task of disposing the sensor components61so as to correspond to the individual inverter terminals30.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of a terminal block will be described. Note that the description of the embodiment given below will focus on differences from the first embodiment, the same reference numerals have been assigned to configurations that are the same as in the first embodiment, and some or all of the description of such configurations is omitted.

Configuration of Junction Terminals70

As depicted inFIG.7, each junction terminal70is a bus bar in the form of an elongated thin flat plate. The junction terminals70each have the same thickness. The lengths of the junction terminals70in the direction in which their long sides extend are the same. When the direction in which the short side of each junction terminal70extends is regarded as the “width direction”, the respective junction terminals70also have the same widths. The junction terminals70are arranged so that their thickness directions are aligned and their width directions are also aligned. First end portions located at one end in the length direction of the respective junction terminals70are electrically connected to inverter terminals80. Accordingly, each junction terminal70is a “second terminal” that is electrically connected to an inverter terminal80, which is a “first terminal”. Note that a second end portion located at the other end in the length direction of each junction terminal70is electrically connected to a motor terminal, not illustrated.

Configuration of Inverter Terminals80

Each inverter terminal80is a first terminal that is electrically connected to the inverter12, which is an electrical component. Each inverter terminal80includes a clip portion81and a flat plate portion82that extends from the clip portion81. Since the configuration of the clip portion81is the same as the configuration of the first clip portion41and the second clip portion42described in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals have been assigned and detailed description is omitted.

Each clip portion81clamps a first end portion of a junction terminal70. Each inverter terminal80is electrically connected to a junction terminal70by clamping the first end portion of the junction terminal70with the clip portion81. The flat plate portion82is formed as an elongated thin plate that extends from the clip portion81. The flat plate portion82of each inverter terminal80is surrounded by the current sensor60. The flat plate portion82of each inverter terminal80passes through an inner portion of the current sensor60. The current sensor60is integrated with the inverter terminals80.

Accordingly, as described in the first embodiment and this second embodiment, one of the inverter terminals30or80and the junction terminals40or70may include a clip portion, and the other of the inverter terminals30or80and the junction terminals40or70may include a bus bar in the form of a flat plate that is clamped by the clip portion.

Since a description of the operation of the second embodiment would be the same as the description of the operation of the first embodiment, detailed description is omitted here.

With the second embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-1), (1-5), and (1-6) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(2-1) Each inverter terminal80includes a clip portion81. Each junction terminal70is a bus bar in the form of a flat plate that is clamped by the clip portion81. By using this configuration, since it is possible to connect the inverter terminals80and the junction terminals70by merely clamping the junction terminals70with the clip portions81, there is no need to separately provide components for connecting the inverter terminals80and the junction terminals70for example, which makes it possible to miniaturize the terminal block itself. In addition, it is possible to easily electrically connect the inverter terminals80and the junction terminals70while absorbing the respective dimensional tolerances of the inverter terminals80and the junction terminals70.
(2-2) The junction terminals70are bus bars and the inverter terminals80include the clip portions81. By using this configuration, since it is possible to simplify the configurations of the junction terminals70, it is possible for example to avoid the problem of the designs of components in the peripheries of the junction terminals70having to be changed due to the configurations of the junction terminals70being complex.
(2-3) The inverter terminals80include a flat plate portion82that extends from the clip portion81and is surrounded by the current sensor60. By using this configuration, since the inverter terminals80have the flat plate portions82that extend from the clip portions81and are surrounded by the current sensor60, it is easy to integrate the current sensor60with the inverter terminals80.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment of a terminal block will be described.

As depicted inFIG.8, the current sensor60is integrated with the connecting portions43of the junction terminals40. The lengths by which the connecting portions43of the respective junction terminals40protrude from the housing20as set so that the protruding lengths of parts on the first clip portion41side differ from the protruding lengths of parts on the second clip portion42side. In more specific terms, the protruding length by which part of each connecting portion43protrudes from the housing20on the first clip portion41side is longer than the protruding length by which part of each connecting portion43protrudes from the housing20on the second clip portion42side. The current sensor60is integrated with parts of the connecting portions43of the junction terminals40between the housing20and the first clip portions41.

The sensor components61of the current sensor60are provided corresponding to the respective junction terminals40. The core members63of the respective sensor components61are disposed so as to surround the connecting portions43of the junction terminals40. The base member62, the connecting portions43of the junction terminals40, the core members63, and the Hall elements64are integrated by insert molding.

When a current flows from the circuit board12aof the inverter12to a junction terminal40via an inverter terminal30, magnetic flux is generated in the core member63, and this magnetic flux generated in the core member63passes through the Hall element64. As a result, the Hall element64generates a Hall voltage based on the magnetic flux. The Hall voltage is proportional to the value of the current flowing through that junction terminal40. Accordingly, the current sensor60can be said to detect the currents flowing through the respective junction terminals40.

Accordingly, as described in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and this third embodiment, the current sensor60that detects the currents flowing through the inverter terminals30or80or the junction terminals40or70may be integrated with the inverter terminals30or80or the junction terminals40or70. Also, the sensor components61may be provided corresponding to the inverter terminals30or80or the junction terminals40or70.

Since a description of the operation of the third embodiment would be the same as the description of the operation of the first embodiment, detailed description is omitted here.

With the third embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-1), (1-2), (1-3), (1-5), and (1-6) of the first embodiment, the following effect can be obtained.

(3-1) The current sensor60is integrated with parts of the connecting portions43of the junction terminals40between the housing20and the first clip portions41. This configuration eliminates the need for design changes, such as making the inverter terminals30longer to provide enough space for integrating the current sensor60, as in the case where the current sensor60is integrated with the inverter terminals30for example. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the inverter terminals30.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment of a terminal block will be described.

As depicted inFIG.9, the current sensor60is integrated with the housing20. The respective sensor components61of the current sensor60are provided corresponding to the individual junction terminals40. The core member63of each sensor component61is disposed so as to surround the connecting portion43of each junction terminal40. The core members63and the Hall elements64of the respective sensor components61are embedded in the housing20. The housing20, the connecting portions43of the respective junction terminals40, the core members63, and the Hall elements64are integrated by insert molding.

When a current flows from the circuit board12aof the inverter12to a junction terminal40via an inverter terminal30, magnetic flux is generated in the core member63, and this magnetic flux generated in the core member63passes through each Hall element64. As a result, the Hall element64generates a Hall voltage based on the magnetic flux. The Hall voltage is proportional to the value of the current flowing through that junction terminal40. Accordingly, the current sensor60can be said to detect the current flowing through each junction terminal40.

Since a description of the operation of the fourth embodiment would be the same as the description of the operation of the first embodiment, detailed description is omitted here.

With the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-1), (1-2), (1-3), (1-5), and (1-6) of the first embodiment, the following effect can be obtained.

(4-1) The current sensor60is integrated with the housing20. This configuration eliminates the need for design changes, such as making the inverter terminals30or the connector portions43of the junction terminals40longer to provide enough space to integrate the current sensor60, such as when the current sensor60is integrated with the inverter terminals30or the current sensor60is integrated with the junction terminals40. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the inverter terminals30and/or the junction terminals40.

Modifications

It should be noted that the above-described embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications. The embodiments described above and the following modifications may be implemented in combination within a range where this remains technologically consistent.

In the first embodiment, it is possible to integrate the current sensor60with the motor terminals50without the current sensor60being integrated with the inverter terminals30, for example. In this case, the motor terminals50each include a flat plate portion that is surrounded by the current sensor60. By using this configuration, it is not necessary for the motor11to be equipped with the current sensor60, even when the current sensor60is placed within the motor housing13due to space requirements relating to placement of the current sensor60. For this reason, unlike the case where the motor11is provided with a current sensor60for example, there is no corresponding increase in the size of the motor11due to the provision of the current sensor60. Accordingly, this contributes to miniaturization of the motor11.

In the third embodiment, instead of integrating the current sensor60with parts of the connecting portions43of the junction terminals40located between the housing20and the first clip portions41, it is also possible to integrate the current sensor60with the parts of the connecting portions43of the junction terminals40located between the housing20and the second clip portions42. In this case, the length by which the second clip portion42side parts of the connecting portions43protrude from the housing20are longer than the length by which the first clip portion41side parts of the connecting portions43protrude from the housing20.

In the above embodiments, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the first clip portions41, the second clip portions42, or the clip portions81. As examples, if the pair of clamping portions47themselves are capable of sufficiently clamping the inverter terminals30, the motor terminals50, or the junction terminals70, which are bus bars, the first clip portions41, the second clip portions42, or the clip portions81may have configurations that omit the biasing members48.

In the above embodiments, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the respective sensor components61of the current sensor60. Each sensor component61may be configured with a winding wound around an annular core member, for example, without using the Hall element64.

In the above embodiments, there are no particular limitations on the respective numbers of the inverter terminals30or80, the junction terminals40or70, and the motor terminals50provided that the respective numbers of the inverter terminals30or80, the junction terminals40or70, and the motor terminals50are the same.

Although the terminal block10electrically connects the motor11and the inverter12in the embodiments described above, this is not a limitation and the terminal block10may electrically connect electrical components aside from the motor11and the inverter12.

In the illustrated embodiments, electrical paths that include first and second electrical component terminals, which may be the inverter terminals30and the motor terminals50, and the junction terminals40of the terminal block10positioned between the first and second electrical component terminals are referred to as structures that conduct electricity between components. As depicted inFIG.1, the terminal block10may be configured so that the inverter terminals30and the motor terminals50are electrically connected via the junction terminals40without using flexible electric wires, such as wire harnesses, between such components.

As depicted inFIG.1, the housing20of the terminal block10may include a first housing surface that is fixed to an outer surface of a first electrical component, which may be the motor11, or may face an outer surface of the first electrical component and a second housing surface that faces the outer surface of a second electrical component, which may be the inverter12. As depicted inFIG.1, a gap may be formed between the second housing surface of the housing20and the outer surface of the second electrical component, which may be the inverter12. As one example, the current sensor60may be disposed in a gap between the second housing surface of the housing20and the outer surface of the second electrical component, which may be the inverter12.

As depicted inFIGS.1and3, the two clip portions41and42of one junction terminal in the terminal block10may be free ends of the junction terminal40. The connecting portion43between the two clip portions41and42of one junction terminal40may be located at an intermediate position along the length of the junction terminal40. As depicted inFIGS.1and2, the connecting portion43of each junction terminal40may be held in a fixed manner by the housing20. The junction terminals40may linearly pass through the housing20, for example. One out of the two clip portions41and42may protrude linearly from a first housing surface of the housing20and the other out of the two clip portions41and42may protrude linearly from a second housing surface of the housing20. In one example, the clip portions41may allow limited sliding between the junction terminals40and the inverter terminals30, and the clip portions42may allow limited sliding between the junction terminals and the motor terminals50. Such clipping by the clip portions41and42is advantageous in absorbing dimensional tolerances and assembly tolerances in the length direction and/or the width direction and/or the thickness direction between the junction terminals40, the inverter terminals30and the motor terminals50.

As depicted inFIGS.1,2,7, and the like, a terminal block10according to a number of aspects of the present disclosure may include a housing20, second terminals40or70that extend vertically with respect to the housing20, and two first terminals30,50, or80that are connected to both ends of the second terminals40or70and extend in the same direction as the second terminals40or70,electrical components11and12and the first terminals30,50, or80may be electrically connected,the first terminals30,50, or80and the second terminals40or70may be electrically connected, anda current sensor60that detects a current flowing through the first terminals30,50, or80or the second terminals40or70may be integrated with the housing20, the first terminals30,50, or80or the second terminals40or70.

As depicted inFIGS.2,7,8, and9, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the direction in which the current sensor60extends may match the direction in which the housing20extends.