Cover for an electrical connection device

Abstract: To easily cope with a change in a distance between battery posts. A cover (5) includes a pair of cover elements (6,7) which are provided with receptacles (8) for accommodating connection members (3) of a battery connection terminal (1), and hollow connection portions (9,10) which are slidably fitted so as to adjust the length of the cover (5). The connection portions (9,10) are openable, and the receptacles (8) are provided with lids (28). After the connection portions (9,10) are opened and partly assembled, the battery connection terminal (1) is inserted into the cover (5) sideways. Then, the connection portions (9,10) are closed. The assembly of the cover (5) and the terminal (1) is fitted such that battery posts (51) are inserted into insertion holes (4) formed in the connection members (3), and the lids (28) are closed after nuts (54) are fastened to the battery posts (51). When a distance between the battery posts (51) is changed, a corresponding battery connection terminal is prepared and the length of the cover (5) is adjusted by sliding the connection portions (9,10) with respect to each other. Accordingly, a slight change in the distance between the posts (51) can be offset by the length adjustment of the woven wire (2) and the cover (5).

Description: The present invention relates to a cover for covering an electrical connection device and an electrical connection device having such a cover. For example, in an electric automotive vehicle, a drive power source is constructed by arranging a plurality of batteries and connecting battery posts standing on the batteries via battery connection terminals. A known cover equipped battery connection terminal is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-130353. Such a terminal is described below with reference to FIG. 5. This terminal includes a battery connection terminal 61 and an insulating cover 62 for covering the terminal 61. The battery connection terminal 61 is constructed such that connection fittings 64 are fitted at the opposite ends of a woven wire 63, and are each formed with an insertion hole 66 into which a bolt-shaped battery post 65 is inserted. On the other hand, the cover 62 includes a bottom plate 67 on which the terminal 61 is positioned, and an upper box 68 detachably mountable on the upper surface of the bottom plate 67. Lids 69 are openably provided at the opposite ends of the upper box 68. Specifically, the battery connection terminal 61 is accommodated in the cover 62 by being placed on the bottom plate 67 and covered by the upper box 68, and is positioned together with the cover 62 in conformity with the battery posts 65 standing on neighboring batteries 70. The posts 65 are inserted into the insertion holes 66 of the connection fittings 64 through openings 71 formed in the bottom plates 67. The connection terminal 61 is secured by fastening nuts 72 to projecting ends of the battery posts 65 while the lids 69 of the upper box 68 are opened, and then the lids 69 are closed. In this way, the posts 65 of the neighboring batteries 70 are connected by the battery connection terminal 61 covered by the cover 62. Two battery posts 65 to be connected may not necessarily be spaced by a specified distance depending upon the arrangement of the batteries 70 or the positions of the posts 65. In the prior art terminal, if the battery connection terminal 61 is covered by the cover 62, a distance between the insertion holes 66 is fixed. Accordingly, the prior art terminal cannot be mounted if the distance between the battery posts 65 is changed. When the batteries 70 are juxtaposed, a displacement unavoidably occurs. The lids 69 are therefore hinged to the main body of the upper box 68 by means of bellows (not shown in FIG. 6), which allow for an adjustement to the displacement of the battery posts 65. However, these bellows allow only for a limited length adjustement. Furthermore, a terminal cap and a cap attachement structure is known from EP-A-0 603 872. However, the terminal cap and the cap attachement structure are provided only on one end of a connection cable, so that the connection cable having an insulated intermediate portion is necessary. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a cover and a cover equipped electrical connection device which can easily cope with a change in a distance between electrical posts and which is suitable to be used with an uninsulated connection terminal. This object is solved according to the invention by a cover for an electrical connection device according to claim 1 and by a cover equipped electrical connection device according to claim 5. Preferred embodiments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims. According to the invention there is provided a cover as defined in claim 1 for covering an electrical connection device preferably a battery connection device having connection members at the opposite ends of a conductor and being used to connect two spaced electrical posts, comprising: an insertion portion into which the conductor of the electrical connection terminal is insertable, and receptacles fixedly or removably provided at the opposite ends of the insertion portion for accommodating the connection members, and wherein the distance between the receptacles is adjustable. The receptacles of the cover are separately formed, and the insertion portion is formed by slidably fitting connection portions formed with respective receptacles along a longitudinal direction. Moreover, the length of the insertion portion is adjustable by displacing the insertion portions with respect to each other preferably in a longitudinal direction. Preferably, each receptacle is provided with at least one holding portion for holding the corresponding connection member of the electrical connection terminal in a predetermined or predeterminable position. The invention is also directed to an electrical connection device preferably battery connection device having an electrical connection terminal having connection members at the opposite ends of a conductor and being capable of connecting two spaced electrical posts and further comprising a cover according to the invention, for covering the electrical connection terminal. Preferably, the distance between the connecting members and/or the length of the conductor of the electrical connection terminal itself is adjustable. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention a battery connection device having a battery connection terminal having connection members at the opposite ends of a conductor and being capable of connecting two spaced battery posts is provided with a cover according to one or more of the claims 1-4 for covering the battery connection terminal, wherein: the length of the conductor of the battery connection terminal is adjustable, and the cover according to claims 1-4 comprises an insertion portion into which the conductor is insertable and the length of which is adjustable, and receptacles provided at the opposite ends of the insertion portion for accommodating the connection members. Accordingly, a change in the distance between the battery posts can be easily coped with by preparing a battery connection terminal having a length corresponding to the distance and changing the length of the insertion portion of the cover. Further, a slight change in the distance between the battery posts can be easily coped with by adjusting the length of the conductor of the battery connection terminal and the length of the insertion portion of the cover. Preferably, the cover is openable so that the battery connection terminal can be inserted thereinto sideways. Thus the battery connection terminal can be mounted into the cover sideways by opening the cover. This simplifies the mounting operation into the cover. Further preferably, each receptacle of the cover is provided with an openable lid, and the connection members can be mounted on the battery posts by opening the lids after the battery connection terminal is mounted in the cover. Thus the battery connection terminal can be connected with the battery posts after it is accommodated in the cover. This leads to an excellent operability. According to the invention the receptacles of the cover are separately formed, and the insertion portion is formed by slidably fitting connection portions formed with respective receptacles along a longitudinal direction. Thus the construction of the cover itself can be simplified. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a cover according to claims 1-4 for covering a battery connection terminal which has connection members at the opposite ends of a conductor and is used to connect two spaced battery posts, comprising: an insertion portion into which the conductor of the battery connection terminal is insertable and the length of which is adjustable, and receptacles provided at the opposite ends of the insertion portion for accommodating the connection members. Accordingly, even if a change in the length of the battery connection terminal due to a change in the distance between the battery posts can be easily coped with only by changing the length of the insertion portion. Further, if the length of the conductor of the battery connection terminal is adjustable, a slight change in the distance between the battery posts can be coped with by adjusting the length of the conductor and the length of the insertion portion. Preferably, each cap or receptacle comprises an openable lid and the connection members are mounted on the battery posts by opening the lids in a state where the battery connection terminal is covered by the cover. Thus, the battery connection terminal can be connected with the battery post after it is accommodated in the cover. Thus, an excellent operability can be ensured. Still further preferably, each cap or receptacle is provided with a holding portion for holding the corresponding connection member of the battery connection terminal in a specified position. Thus the connection members are prevented from lifting when the battery posts are inserted through the connection members of the battery connection terminal. Thus, a connection operation can be more efficiently performed. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a battery connection terminal assembling operation, FIG. 3 is a front view after assembling, FIG. 4 is a partly missing front view of the assembly of a second embodiment of the invention when a distance between battery posts is changed, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a prior art cover. As shown in Fig. 1, a battery connection terminal used in this embodiment includes a woven wire 2 formed into a strip-like shape by weaving a number of wires and flat connection members 3 made of a metal plate, wound around and secured to the opposite ends of the woven wire 2. Each connection member 3 is formed with an insertion hole 4 into which a bolt-shaped battery post 51 to be described later is inserted. The length of the battery connection terminal 1 is slightly adjustable by deforming the woven wire 2 so as to hold the insertion holes 4 at a specified distance from each other. A cover 5 provided to cover the battery connection terminal 1 includes a pair of cover elements 6, 7. The cover elements 6, 7 are made of synthetic resin and particularly substantially symmetrical. The construction of the cover elements is described in detail. The cover elements 6, 7 includes receptacles 8, 8 for accommodating the connection members 3 of the battery connection terminal 1, and hollow connection portions 9, 10 into which the woven wire 2 is inserted, respectively. The connection portion 9 of one cover element 6 (right side in FIG. 1) has a given rectangular cross section wherein also a substantially circular or elliptical cross section is possible, and is divided into a fixed portion 12 at a lower side and a movable portion 13 at an upper side. The movable portion 13 is pivotally and openably mounted on the fixed portion 12 via a hinge portion 14 provided at the base end of the movable portion 13 in particular along a lateral side thereof. The fixed portion 12 and the movable portion 13 are closed and locked by fitting a window 18 formed in a lock member 17 projecting from the free end of the movable portion 13 on a locking projection 19 formed on the outer surface of the fixed portion 12. In this state, the connection portion 9 is substantially in the form of a rectangular cylinder. An end plate 15 is provided at an end face of the movable portion 13 adjacent to the receptacle 8. An inward facing jaw portion 20 is formed entirely along a connection edge of the connection portion 9 to be connected with the mating connection portion 10. The connection portion 10 of the other cover element 7 is formed on at least a portion thereof slightly smaller than the mating connection portion 9 such that a connection end of the connection portion 10 to be connected with the connection portion 9 is slidably fitted or fittable inside the jaw portion 20 formed at the connection portion 9. The connection portion 10 is, as a whole, in the form of a rectangular cylinder formed with a stepped portion. The connection portion 10 is also divided into a fixed portion 22 at a lower side and a movable portion 23 at an upper side. The movable portion 23 is pivotal and openable with respect to the fixed portion 22 by providing a hinge portion 24 at a back or lateral side. The fixed portion 22 and the movable portion 23 are also closed and locked by fitting a window 18 formed in a lock member 17 projecting from the free end of the movable portion on a locking projection 19 formed on the outer surface of the fixed portion 22. In this state, the portions 22 and 23 form the rectangular cylinder with a stepped or recessed portion. An end plate 26 is provided at an end face of the movable portion 23 adjacent to the receptacle 8. An outward facing jaw portion 25 is formed entirely along an edge of a stepped or recessed portion 10a of the connection portion 10. The receptacles 8 of the cover elements 6, 7 are so formed as to be substantially mirror images or symmetric to each other. Hereafter, description is given to the receptacle 8 of the right cover element 6 and no repeated description is given to the receptacle 8 of the left cover element 7 by identifying elements by the same reference numerals. The receptacle 8 includes a bottom portion 27 and a lid 28. The bottom portion 27 is formed continuously or unitarily or integrally with the fixed portion 12 of the connection portion 9, and its bottom wall is formed with a window 30 into which a battery post 51 and a washer 52 (see FIG. 2) are insertable. In a position of the bottom portion 27 outside the window 30, a contact or abutting portion 31 projects. In a position of the bottom portion 27 inside the window 30, an engaging projection 34 engageable with an inner edge of the lower surface of the connection member 3 of the battery connection terminal 1 projects (see FIG. 3). Side walls 32 are formed at the opposite sides of the bottom portion 27 along the longitudinal direction. A pair of holding projections 33 are formed on the inner surfaces of the side walls 32 at sides close to and distant from the fixed portion 12. In other words, the connection member 3 of the battery connection terminal 1 is fitted into the receptacle 8 while being held from four directions by the contact portion 31, the engaging projection 34 and the holding projections 33, and is held and accommodated in a specified position in the bottom portion 27. The lid 28 is formed such that peripheral walls 36 are formed at three sides of a ceiling plate 35, and a side of the ceiling plate 35 where no peripheral wall 36 is formed is pivotally connected with the end plate 15 of the movable portion 13 of the connection portion 9 via a hinge portion 37. Specifically, while the connection portion 9 is closed, the lid 28 is openably fittable over the upper surface of the bottom portion 27 via the hinge portion 37. The lid 28 is closed by fitting the peripheral wall 31 opposite from the one where the hinge portion 37 is provided outside the contact portion 31 and fitting the peripheral walls 36 at the opposite sides inside the side walls 32 of the bottom portion 27. The lid 28 can be lockingly closed by engaging claws 39 formed at the peripheral walls 36 at the opposite sides with slots 40 formed in the inner surfaces of the side walls 32 of the bottom portion 27. Notches 42 for avoiding interference with the holding projections 33 formed at the side walls 32 of the bottom portion 27 are formed at the lower edges of the peripheral walls 36 at the opposite sides of the lid 28, and an operable portion 43 used to open and close the lid 28 is formed by making the edge of the ceiling plate 35 opposite from the one where the hinge portion 37 is provided project from the corresponding peripheral wall 36. How to use or assemble the thus constructed embodiment is described next. In the case that battery posts 51 of two neighboring batteries 50 are to be connected as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there are prepared a battery connection terminal 1 having a length corresponding substantially to a distance p1 between the battery posts 51. The connection portions 9, 10 of the cover elements 6, 7 are opened as shown in FIG. 1, and the cover elements 6, 7 are partly assembled by fitting the stepped portion 10a of the connection portion 10 into the mating connection portion 9. In this state, the front side of the partly assembled cover 5 is open over its entire length. The battery connection terminal 1 is fitted into the cover elements 6, 7 sideways through the opening. The connection members 3 at the opposite ends of the terminal 1 are fitted and accommodated in the bottom portions 27 of the left and right receptacles 8 in a manner as described above. During this time, the partly assembled connection portions 9, 10 slide with respect to each other to adjust the length of the cover 5 in conformity with the battery connection terminal 1. Subsequently, the movable portions 13, 23 are rotated to close and lock the connection portions 9, 10 of the cover elements 6, 7. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the mating connection portions 9, 10 are connected with the stepped portion 10a of the connection portion 10 fitted inside the connection portion 9. In this state, the length of the cover 5 is still adjustable. The engagement of the jaw portions 20, 25 prevents the stepped portion 10a from coming out of the connection portion 9. The lids 28 of the respective receptacles 8 are left open. After the battery connection terminal 1 and the cover 5 are assembled as described above, the assembly is fitted, as shown in FIG. 2, such that the battery posts 51 are inserted into the corresponding insertion holes 4 of the connection members 3 of the terminal 1 through the windows 30 formed in the bottom portions 27 of the receptacles 8 of the cover elements 6, 7. At this time, if a difference between the distance between the battery posts 51 differs from the distance between the insertion holes 4, the opposite ends of the cover 5 are gripped and pulled out or pushed in, thereby adjusting the length of the cover 5. This causes the woven wire 2 of the battery connection terminal 1 to be slightly deformed, thereby adjusting the distance between the insertion holes 4 to the distance between the battery posts 51. Thereafter, the battery posts 51 are inserted into the insertion holes 4. At this time, since the connection members 3 are accommodated while being held by the holding projections 33, the contact portion 31 and the engaging projection 34, they do not lift from the bottom portions 27 of the receptacles 8. Thus, the inserting operation can be smoothly performed. Taking advantage of the open lids 28, washer faced nuts 54 are spirally fitted with the upper ends of the battery posts 51 projecting from the upper surfaces of the connection members 3 to be fastened. Finally, the lids 28 are closed and locked, and the battery posts 51 of the neighboring batteries 50 are connected by the battery connection terminal 1 which is covered by the cover 5 as shown in FIG. 3. Depending upon the type of the batteries, a distance p2 between battery posts to be connected may be longer than the distance p1 in the first embodiment as with batteries 50a shown in FIG. 4. In such a case, there are prepared a battery connection terminal la having a length corresponding to the distance p2. Similar to the first embodiment, the battery connection terminal la is inserted into the partly assembled cover elements 6, 7 sideways, and the connection members 3 are fitted and accommodated in the bottom portions 27 of the left and right receptacles 8. During this time, the partly assembled connection portions 9, 10 slide with respect to each other so as to adjust the length of the cover 5 in conformity with the battery connection terminal la. Subsequently, the battery posts 51 are inserted into the insertion holes 4 of the connection members 3 after the connection portions 9, 10 of the cover elements 6, 7 are closed and locked. At this time, if the distance between the insertion holes 4 differs from the distance between the battery posts 51, the opposite ends of the cover 5 are gripped and pulled out so as to adjust the length of the cover 5 similar to the first embodiment. This causes the woven wire 2 of the battery connection terminal la to be slightly deformed, thereby adjusting the distance between the insertion holes 4 to the distance between the battery posts 51. Thereafter, the battery posts 51 are inserted into the insertion holes 4. Likewise, taking advantage of the open lids 28, the washer faced nuts 54 are spirally fitted with the upper ends of the battery posts 51 to be fastened. Finally, the lids 28 are closed and locked, and the battery posts 51 of the neighboring batteries 50 are connected by the battery connection terminal 1 which is covered by the cover 5 as shown in FIG. 4. On the other hand, if a distance between battery posts to be connected is shorter than the distance p1, a battery connection terminal corresponding to this distance may be prepared and the connection portions 9, 10 of the cover 5 may be adjusted to the corresponding length. A change in the distance between the battery posts due to an arrangement of the batteries can be similarly coped with. According to this embodiment, if the distance between the battery posts 51 to be connected is changed, a suitable battery connection terminal 1 or la is prepared, and the cover 5 can cope with this distance change only by sliding the connection portions 9, 10 with respect to each other to adjust the length thereof. Further, even if the distance between the battery posts 51 deviates from a specified distance, the distance between the insertion holes 4 can be adjusted to the distance between the battery posts 51 by adjusting the length of the woven wire 2 of the battery connection terminal 1 and by sliding the connection portions 9, 10 to adjust the length of the cover 5. As a result, the battery posts 51 can be inserted into the insertion holes 4. In other words, the rearrangement of the batteries is not necessary. Since one side of the partly assembled cover elements 6, 7 is open over its entire length, the battery connection terminal 1 or la can be fitted sideways. Accordingly, the battery connection terminal 1 or la can be easily mounted in the cover 5. Since the receptacles 8 are provided with the openable lids 28, the battery connection terminal 1 or la can be connected with the battery posts 51 after being accommodated in the cover 5. Further, since the connection members 3 are held in the receptacles 8 so as not to lift, an excellent assembling operability can be ensured. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in che drawings. Beside the following embodiments, a variety of changes are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. (1) Since the jaw portions 20, 25 formed at the connection portions 9, 10 act to prevent the connection portion 9 from coming out of the connection portion 10, they need not be formed entirely along the connection edges of the connection portions 9, 10, but may be formed partly therealong. (2) The conductor of the battery connection terminal is not limited to the woven wire shown in the foregoing embodiment, but may be another conductor the length of which is adjustable. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 Battery Connection Terminal 2 Woven Wire (Conductor) 3 Connection Member 4 ... Insertion Hole 5 Cover 6, 7 Cover Element 8 Receptacle 9, 10 Hollow Connection Portion 12 Fixed Portion 13 Movable Portion 14 Hinge Portion 20 Jaw Portion 22 Fixed Portion 23 Movable Portion 24 Hinge Portion 25 Jaw Portion 28 Lid 37 Hinge Portion 50 Battery 1a Battery Connection Terminal 50a Battery

Claims: A cover for covering an electrical connection device, preferably a battery connection device having connection members (3) at the opposite ends of a conductor (2) and being used to connect two spaced electrical posts (51), comprising: an insertion portion (9, 10) into which the conductor (2) of the electrical connection terminal (1; 1a) is insertable, and receptacles (8) fixedly or removably provided at the opposite ends of the insertion portion (9, 10) for accommodating the connection members (3), and wherein the distance between the receptacles (8) is adjustable, characterized in that the length of the insertion portion (9, 10) is adjustable by displacing the insertion portions (9, 10) with respect to each other, wherein the receptacles (8) of the cover (5) are separately formed, and wherein the insertion portion (9, 10) is formed by slidably fitting connection portions (9, 10) formed with respective receptacles (8) along a longitudinal direction. A cover according to claim 1, wherein each receptacle (8) is provided with at least one holding portion (31; 32; 33; 34) for holding the corresponding connection member (3) of the electrical connection terminal (1; 1a) in a predetermined or predeterminable position. A cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (5) is openable so that the electrical connection terminal (1; 1a) can be inserted thereinto laterally and/or longitudinally. A cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least one receptacle (8) of the cover (5) is provided with an openable lid (28), and wherein at least one connection member (3) can be mounted on the electrical post (51) by opening the corresponding lid (28) after the electrical connection terminal (1; 1a) has been mounted in the cover (5). An electrical connection device, preferably battery connection device having an electrical connection terminal (1; 1a) having connection members (3) at the opposite ends of a conductor (2) characterized by a cover (5) according to one or more of the preceding claims for covering the electrical connection terminal (1; 1a). An electrical connection device according to claim 5, wherein the distance between the connecting members (3) and/or the length (p1; p2) of the conductor (1; 1a) of the electrical connection terminal (1; 1a) itself is adjustable.

Inventors: TANAKA TSUTOMU, TANAKA, TSUTOMU, TANAKA, TSUTOMU, C/O SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
Applicants: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H01R11
IPC codes: H01M2, H01R4