Patent Description:
In recent years, as automobiles are highly functionalized, electrical components are also increased in number. It is known that increase of the electrical components causes a drain of an in-vehicle battery more sharply. A battery terminal is connected to a battery post of the battery. The battery terminal is connected with an end terminal of a cable terminal. A current sensor for monitoring a remaining capacity of the battery is assembled to the end terminal. The current sensor has a substantially annular core and a Hall element and is inserted and assembled to the end terminal (for example, refer to Patent Literature <NUM>).

Patent Literature <NUM>: <CIT> (<FIG> and <FIG>).

In the above related art, when connecting the end terminal of the cable terminal to the battery terminal, it is necessary to insert the current sensor into the end terminal to assemble the current sensor. Accordingly, the number of processes is increased, considering the workload until the completion of the connection of the end terminal and the battery terminal.

Further, in the above related art, since the current sensor is assembled to the end terminal, the current sensor must be provided at a position distant from the battery post or the battery. As a result, a relatively large space should be secured around the battery.

<CIT> discloses a battery terminal according to the preamble of claim <NUM>, the battery terminal comprising: a battery terminal part that is formed by a conductive metal plate, wherein the battery terminal part includes a first plate part and a second plate part, which are opposed to each other by bending the conductive metal plate, a post part that is to be connected to a battery post of a battery, a stud part being a connection part of a load, and an embrace part that is formed at the post part and restrains the first plate part and the second plate part from being widened therebetween, the embrace part having a L shape and having a leading end bent inward and engaged to the second plate part.

<CIT> discloses a battery terminal provided with a current sensor.

Accordingly, the inventor found an idea of integrating the current sensor with the battery terminal by a resin molding. The inventor found that the above problems can be solved by the idea.

The inventor also found that it is necessary to prepare a following countermeasure, in addition to the integration of the current sensor with the battery terminal by the resin molding. That is, the inventor found that after the battery terminal and the current sensor are integrated by the resin molding, which is then connected and fixed to the battery post, it is necessary to prepare a countermeasure with respect to a work of connecting an end terminal of a wire terminal, which is connected to a load, to a stud bolt of the battery terminal. Specifically, when a stress is concentrated on the resin-molded part by high fastening torque, peeling may be caused at a contact part between a metal surface and a resin surface, so that the resin-molded part is separated. Due to the concern, the inventor found that it is necessary to set up a countermeasure to deal with the problem.

When the resin-molded part is separated, the overall outward appearance is deteriorated and also the repetitive use is difficult. Further, the influence due to the vibration or the like may be caused.

The inventor also found that it is necessary to prepare a following countermeasure, in addition to the above countermeasures. In other words, when the battery terminal has a structure in which a conductive metal plate is bent and an upper plate part and a lower plate part thereof are thus opposed to each other, it is not possible to form an embrace part (refer to a reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG> of Patent Literature <NUM>), which prevents the upper plate part and the lower plate part from being widened therebetween, at the integration position of the battery terminal and the current sensor and at a rear position thereof. Hence, a problem may occur which is caused as the upper plate part and the lower plate part are widened therebetween and thus it is necessary to prepare a countermeasure to deal with the problem.

The invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the invention is to provide a battery terminal with current sensor capable of preventing an integrated part by a resin molding from being separated. Another object of the invention is to provide a battery terminal with current sensor capable of preventing an upper plate part and a lower plate part from being widened therebetween.

The present invention provides a battery terminal according to claim <NUM>.

According to the configuration, the post part is formed with the embrace part, so that it is possible to restrain the first plate part and the second plate part (e.g., the upper plate part and the lower plate part) from being widened therebetween, regardless of the resin molding position of the current sensor.

The battery terminal with current sensor is configured so that the connection part has a tapered shape whose width is gradually increased from a base end position of the embrace part toward the part to be resin-molded.

According to the configuration, the width of the connection part is widened, so that it is possible to increase the strength of the connection part. Even when the current sensor is integrated to the part to be resin-molded continuing from the connection part, the connection part can sufficiently bear a weight of the current sensor, the vibration, or the like.

The battery terminal with current sensor may be configured so that the connection part is formed with a reinforcement part.

According to the configuration, it is possible to further increase the strength of the connection part. As an example of the reinforcement part, it is preferably to form a bead and the like by embossing the plate-shaped connection part.

According to the configuration based on the above aspect, the post part, which is connected to the battery post of the battery, is formed with the embrace part. Thereby, it is possible to restrain the first plate part and the second plate part (e.g., the upper plate part and the lower plate part) of the battery terminal part from being widened therebetween, even not at the integration position of the current sensor and at a rear position thereof. In addition, since the battery terminal part can prevent the first plate part and the second plate part thereof from being widened therebetween, it is possible to favorably integrate the current sensor thereto.

In addition, it is possible to secure the sufficient strength that is required for the integration of the current sensor.

A battery terminal with current sensor includes a battery terminal part formed by a conductive metal plate and a current sensor that is integrated with the battery terminal part by a resin molding. A part to be resin-molded of the battery terminal part is formed with a penetration portion having a hole or slit shape. In addition, a resin-molded part of the current sensor is formed with a filling portion that fills the penetration portion.

In a different standpoint, the battery terminal with current sensor includes a post part that is to be connected to a battery post of a battery and a sensor part in which the battery terminal part and the current sensor are integrated with each other. The post part includes a first plate part and a second plate part (an upper plate part and a lower plate part) and an embrace part that restrains the first and second plate parts from being widened therebetween.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. <FIG> are plan views, bottom views and perspective views of a battery terminal with current sensor and a battery terminal part configuring a part of the battery terminal with current sensor according to the first embodiment of the invention. <FIG> is a plan view of another battery terminal part according to another illustrative embodiment.

<FIG> shows a battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor. The battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor has a battery terminal part <NUM> that is connected to a battery post <NUM> of a battery <NUM> to be mounted on a moving body such as automobile, and a current sensor <NUM> that is integrated with the battery terminal part <NUM> by a resin molding, but the configuration of the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor is not limited thereto.

The battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor has such a configuration so that a part to be connected to the battery post <NUM> corresponds to a post part <NUM> of the battery terminal <NUM>, an integrated part of the battery terminal part <NUM> and the current sensor <NUM> corresponds to a sensor part <NUM>, and a connection part of a load corresponds to a stud part <NUM> of the current sensor <NUM>. In the first embodiment, the sensor part <NUM> and the stud part <NUM> are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis L1 of the battery terminal part <NUM> (another example will be described in a second embodiment). As the sensor part <NUM> and the stud part <NUM> are arranged as described above, the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor has a relatively short whole length to be compact.

As can be seen from the below descriptions, the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor has such a structure that a resin-molded part surrounded by a reference numeral C cannot be separated. By this structure, it is possible to prevent the overall outward appearance from being deteriorated, to enable the repetitive use and to exclude the influence due to the vibration, or the like.

First, the battery <NUM>, the battery terminal part <NUM> and the current sensor <NUM> are specifically described.

The battery <NUM> has an upper surface, a lower surface and a plurality of side surfaces and is provided with the battery post <NUM> that protrudes from the upper surface. The upper surface is a surface on which the battery post <NUM> is mounted to stand. The battery post <NUM> has a substantially conical shape in trapezoidal cross section having a tapered peripheral side surface in which a diameter of a leading end is smaller than that of a base end. In the first embodiment, the battery terminal part <NUM> that can be connected and fixed to the battery post <NUM> (minus side) having the above shape is used.

In <FIG>, the battery terminal part <NUM> is formed into the shown shape by pressing a conductive metal plate. In the first embodiment, the metal plate is Sn-plated. The battery terminal part <NUM> has an upper plate part <NUM> and a lower plate part <NUM> (first and second plate parts), which are opposed to each other, a pair of fastening parts <NUM>, <NUM>, a pair of embrace parts <NUM>, <NUM>, a connection part <NUM>, a plate-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM> (or a part to be resin-molded) and an end terminal connection part <NUM>. In addition, the battery terminal part <NUM> has a fastening bolt <NUM>, a nut <NUM> that is screwed to the fastening bolt <NUM> and a stud bolt <NUM> for end terminal connection that is mounted to stand on the end terminal connection part <NUM>.

In the first embodiment, an axial direction of the battery post <NUM> is defined as an upper-lower direction. Also, the leading end and base end of the battery post <NUM> are respectively defined as above and below. Hence, the upper plate part <NUM> is arranged above the lower plate part <NUM>. A direction orthogonal to the upper-lower direction is defined as a left-right direction. The left-right direction coincides with an arrangement direction of the sensor part <NUM> and the stud part <NUM> or a fastening direction by the fastening bolt <NUM> and the nut <NUM>. In addition, a direction orthogonal to the upper-lower direction and the left-right direction is defined as a front-rear direction. The front-rear direction coincides with the longitudinal axis L1 of the battery terminal part <NUM>. Regarding the front-rear direction, a battery post <NUM>-side is defined as a front.

The upper plate part <NUM> and the lower plate part <NUM> of the battery terminal part <NUM> are opposed to each other in the upper-lower direction by punching a metal plate and bending the pair of fastening parts <NUM>, <NUM>.

The upper plate part <NUM> has a battery post insertion hole <NUM> at its substantial center. The battery post insertion hole <NUM> is to insert the battery post <NUM> therein and is penetrated in the upper-lower direction.

The embrace parts <NUM> having a substantial L shape, each of which extends in the lower direction and has a leading end bent inwards and engaged to a lower surface of the lower plate part <NUM>, are respectively connected to left and right end portions of the upper plate part <NUM>. The pair of embrace parts <NUM>, <NUM> is provided to prevent the upper plate part <NUM> and the lower plate part <NUM> arranged at a predetermined interval from being widened therebetween. In the meantime, the pair of embrace parts <NUM>, <NUM> is not limited to the above. That is, embrace parts may have such a structure that they are connected to the left and right end portions of the lower plate part <NUM> and thus embrace the upper plate part <NUM>.

The battery post insertion hole <NUM> contacts the peripheral side surface of the battery post <NUM> and is formed so that a lip thereof is bent from the upper plate part <NUM> to face downwards. The battery post insertion hole <NUM> is annularly formed in conformity with a diameter of the leading end of the battery post <NUM>. The battery post insertion hole <NUM> is formed so that a part between the pair of fastening parts <NUM>, <NUM> is divided. A reference numeral <NUM> indicates the dividing part of the battery post insertion hole <NUM>.

The lower plate part <NUM> has a battery post insertion hole <NUM> at its substantial center. The battery post insertion hole <NUM> is to insert the battery post <NUM> therein and is penetrated in the upper-lower direction.

The pair of embrace parts <NUM>, <NUM> is engaged at left and right end portions of the lower plate part <NUM>. Also, the left and right end portions of the lower plate part <NUM> are connected with sidewalls <NUM>, each of which extends in the upper direction and has a leading end contacting a lower surface of the upper plate part <NUM>. The pair of sidewalls <NUM> is provided to prevent the upper plate part <NUM> and the lower plate part <NUM> from being narrowed (approached) and to thus keep the predetermined interval therebetween. The pair of sidewalls <NUM> is formed so that they are embraced by the pair of embrace parts <NUM>, <NUM>.

The battery post insertion hole <NUM> contact the peripheral side surface of the battery post <NUM> and is formed so that a lip thereof is bent from the lower plate part <NUM> to face downwards, like the battery post insertion hole <NUM>. The battery post insertion hole <NUM> is annularly formed in conformity with a diameter of a base end of the battery post <NUM>. The battery post insertion hole <NUM> is formed so that a part between the pair of fastening parts <NUM>, <NUM> is divided. In the meantime, the dividing part of the battery post insertion hole <NUM> is formed to be same as the dividing part <NUM> just below thereof (hence, the same reference numeral <NUM> is used).

The fastening parts <NUM>, <NUM> connect the upper plate part <NUM> and the lower plate part <NUM> so that the upper and lower plate parts overlap with each other in the upper-lower direction at the predetermined interval, and are formed by bending the same into a U shape in the front-rear direction. The fastening parts <NUM>, <NUM> have upper ends that are connected to a front end of the upper plate part <NUM> (they are connected at left and right sides of the upper dividing part <NUM>). Also, the fastening parts <NUM>, <NUM> have lower ends that are connected to a front end of the lower plate part <NUM> (they are connected at left and right sides of the lower dividing part <NUM>). The fastening parts <NUM>, <NUM> have a fastening gap <NUM> that communicates with the dividing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and are provided side by side in the left-right direction. A bolt insertion penetration hole (its reference numeral is omitted) is formed inside each of the fastening parts <NUM>, <NUM>.

The fastening bolt <NUM> is inserted in the bolt insertion penetration holes of the fastening parts <NUM>, <NUM>. The fastening bolt <NUM> is inserted while crossing the fastening gap <NUM>. The fastening bolt <NUM> has a function of fastening the fastening parts <NUM>, <NUM> positioned at both sides of the fastening gap <NUM> in a direction of coming close to each other in cooperation with the nut <NUM> screwed on a shaft leading end of the fastening bolt (when the fastening parts are fastened, the diameters of the battery post insertion holes <NUM>, <NUM> are reduced). A head part of the fastening bolt <NUM> is contacted to rotation prevention parts (reference numerals thereof are omitted) of the upper plate part <NUM> and the lower plate part <NUM> and thus rotation-prevented.

The connection part <NUM> continues the upper plate part <NUM> and the plate-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM>. The connection part <NUM> straightly extends from the upper plate part <NUM>. The connection part <NUM> has a substantially tapered shape whose width is gradually increased from the base end positions of the embraces <NUM>, <NUM> toward the plate-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM>. In the meantime, the tapered shape having the wide width is to secure the sufficient strength. Regarding the strength secure, it is efficient to form beads <NUM> (reinforcement parts) by performing an embossing process for the connection part <NUM> (the invention is not limited to the beads and the other reinforcement parts may be possible inasmuch as they can increase the strength). The beads <NUM> are arranged at positions that are apt to be influenced by vibration, or the like. The pair of sidewalls <NUM> is arranged to contact the lower surface of the connection part <NUM>. Therefore, the connection part <NUM> is not further shaken well.

The plate-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM> is a part to which the current sensor <NUM> is integrated by the resin molding, and has a front end-side part to be resin-molded <NUM> and a bus bar-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM>. In the meantime, regarding the term 'plate shape' of the plate-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM>, in the first embodiment, since the part to be resin-molded has a plate shape, the part to be resin-molded is called as the plate-shaped part to be resin-molded. However, the invention is not limited to the plate shape.

The front end-side part to be resin-molded <NUM> corresponds to a substantial outer periphery edge part which continues from a rear end of the connection part <NUM> and extends in the left-right direction. Also, the front end-side part to be resin-molded <NUM> shortly extends in the front-rear direction. Since the front end-side part to be resin-molded <NUM> has the above shape, it has a smaller area in the front-rear direction (when the current sensor <NUM> is integrated, a contact area between the metal surface and the resin surface is reduced). The front end-side part to be resin-molded <NUM> is formed with a penetration portion <NUM> as a part for preventing the separation of the resin-molded part C.

The penetration portion <NUM> is a hole that is penetrated in the upper-lower direction, and has an elliptical shape, in the first embodiment. In the meantime, the shape of the penetration portion <NUM> is not particularly limited insofar as it can prevent the separation of the resin-molded part C. For example, a circular hole, a rectangle hole or a slit is also possible. Also, two or more penetration portions may be arranged. In this illustrative embodiment, the penetration portion <NUM> is arranged on an axis L2 (this is just exemplary). The axis L2 is an axis line that passes through the stud bolt <NUM> of the stud part <NUM> and is parallel with the longitudinal axis L1 of the battery terminal part <NUM>). Also, in the first embodiment, the penetration portion <NUM> is arranged near the stud part <NUM>. In other words, the penetration portion <NUM> is arranged at a position to which force is first applied when fastening.

The bus bar-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM> has an end that is connected to the front-side part to be resin-molded <NUM>. In the first embodiment, the connection position is distant from the penetration portion <NUM>. Also, the other end of the bus bar-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM> is connected to an end terminal connection part <NUM> that configures the stud part <NUM>. The bus bar-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM> has a desired path. In the first embodiment, the path is set to provide the compact battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor having a relatively short whole length (that is, the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor having a relatively shorter whole length, compared to a second embodiment that will be described later).

The end terminal connection part <NUM> and the stub bolt <NUM> standing therefrom configure the stud part <NUM>, which is a connection part of a load (not shown). Specifically, the stud part is configured so that an end terminal of a cable terminal (not shown) can be connected and fixed thereto (a nut (not shown) is fastened to the stud bolt <NUM> and the end terminal is pressed, connected and fixed to the end terminal connection part <NUM> by the fastening).

The current sensor <NUM> is provided to monitor a remaining capacity of the battery <NUM> and is integrated and assembled to the plate-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM> of the battery terminal part <NUM> by an insert molding. The current sensor <NUM> having the above shape has a sensor block <NUM> that has therein a current sensing circuit part of a chip type (not shown) and a connector part <NUM> that is connected to the sensor block <NUM>.

The current sensing circuit part (not shown) is arranged to the position of the bus bar-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM>. In the first embodiment, a coreless type having no core and no Hall element is used as the current sensor <NUM>.

The sensor block <NUM> is molded to embed the plate-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM> and a lower surface of the end terminal connection part <NUM> by the insert molding. Most of the sensor block <NUM> is formed as a resin-molded part of the current sensor <NUM>. The sensor block <NUM> is formed with a filling portion <NUM> that fills the penetration portion <NUM> of the battery terminal part <NUM> with resin by the insert molding. When external force due to some causes is applied, the filling portion <NUM> is caught in the penetration portion <NUM> (engaged by the filling). Thereby, the filling portion prevents the sensor block <NUM> (resin-molded part C) from being separated from the front end-side part to be resin-molded <NUM> of the plate-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM>.

The connector part <NUM> has a housing <NUM> and a plurality of end terminal fittings (not shown) that is provided in the housing <NUM>. A lock part <NUM> that is fitted with a mating connector (not shown) is formed on an outer side of the housing <NUM>.

In the below, a method of connecting the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor to the battery post <NUM> is described based on the above configuration and structure.

For connection to the battery post <NUM>, the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor is moved downwards and the battery post insertion holes <NUM>, <NUM> are brought into contact with the peripheral side surface of the battery post <NUM>. Then, a direction of the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor is arranged to a predetermined direction. Subsequently, the nut <NUM> is fastened by a tool (not shown) such as impact wrench from a lateral direction of the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor. Thereby, the battery post insertion holes <NUM>, <NUM> are decreased to reduce the diameters thereof, so that the battery post insertion holes <NUM>, <NUM> are pressed and contacted to the peripheral side surface of the battery post <NUM>. As a result, the connection of the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor is completed.

Regarding the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor that is connected to the battery post <NUM>, when an end terminal of a cable terminal (not shown) is connected and fixed to the stud part <NUM>, the relatively high force, which is caused due to the fastening of a nut (not shown), is applied to the integrated part of the battery terminal part <NUM> and the current sensor <NUM>. However, since the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor has the penetration portion <NUM> and the filling portion <NUM>, the sensor block <NUM> (resin-molded part C) is not separated from the front end-side part to be resin-molded <NUM>.

As described above with reference to <FIG>, the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor can prevent the sensor block <NUM> (resin-molded part C) from being separated from the front end-side part to be resin-molded <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the overall outward appearance from being deteriorated, to enable the repetitive use and to exclude the influence due to the vibration, or the like.

Also, as described above with reference to <FIG>, the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor has the embrace parts <NUM> at the post part <NUM> that is connected to the battery post <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. Thereby, it is possible to restrain (prevent) the upper plate part <NUM> and the lower plate part <NUM> of the battery terminal part <NUM> from being widened therebetween, even not at the integration position of the current sensor <NUM> and at a rear position thereof. In addition, since the battery terminal part <NUM> can prevent the upper plate part <NUM> and the lower plate part <NUM> thereof being widened therebetween, it is possible to favorably integrate the current sensor <NUM> thereto.

In the meantime, the battery terminal part <NUM> is not limited to the shape shown in <FIG> and may have a shape as shown in <FIG>. That is, a battery terminal part <NUM>' having battery post insertion holes <NUM>', <NUM>' having smaller diameters whose outward appearance is not changed is also possible. The battery terminal part <NUM>' in <FIG> is used in correspondence to a battery having a thinner battery post. However, it has the same outward appearance as the battery terminal part <NUM>, so that it is not necessary to newly prepare a mold. That it, there is a merit of commonly using the mold.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment not forming part of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <FIG> is a perspective view of a battery terminal with current sensor according to the second embodiment not formin part of the invention. In addition, <FIG> is a plan view of the battery terminal with current sensor of <FIG> and <FIG> is a plan view of a battery terminal part of <FIG>.

<FIG>, <FIG> show a battery terminal <NUM> having a current sensor according to the second embodiment not forming part of the invention. The battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor has a battery terminal part <NUM> that is connected to the battery post <NUM> of the battery <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) and a current sensor <NUM> that is integrated with the battery terminal part <NUM> by the resin molding.

The battery terminal part <NUM> with current sensor has a post part <NUM> of the battery terminal part <NUM> that is a part to be connected to the battery post <NUM> (refer to <FIG>), a sensor part <NUM> that is an integrated part of the battery terminal part <NUM> and the current sensor <NUM> and a stud part <NUM> of the current sensor <NUM> that is a connection part to a load. The sensor part <NUM> is arranged between the post part <NUM> and the stud part <NUM>. In the second embodiment not forming part of the invention, the post part <NUM>, the sensor part <NUM> and the stud part <NUM> are arranged side by side along an axis L3 of the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor. The respective functions of the post part <NUM>, the sensor part <NUM> and the stud part <NUM> are the same as those of the first embodiment and the descriptions thereof are thus omitted.

The battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor has a penetration portion <NUM> and a filling portion <NUM> at the sensor part <NUM>. The penetration portion <NUM> is formed at a plate-shaped part to be resin-molded <NUM> (a part to be resin-molded) of the battery terminal part <NUM>. Also, the filling portion <NUM> is formed at the sensor block <NUM> of the current sensor <NUM>. In the meantime, the penetration portion <NUM> and the filling portion <NUM> are the same as the penetration portion <NUM> and the filling portion <NUM> of the first embodiment.

As described above with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, the battery terminal <NUM> with current sensor has such a structure that the resin-molded part is not separated at the sensor part <NUM>. By the structure, it is possible to prevent the overall outward appearance from being deteriorated, to enable the repetitive use and to exclude the influence due to the vibration, or the like.

In addition, the invention can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

In the above descriptions, the shapes of the post parts <NUM>, <NUM> are just exemplary. For example, the shape of the post part disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM>, which has been described in the related art, may be adopted.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priorities of <CIT> and No. <CIT>. The present invention also refers to a battery terminal with current sensor, comprising: a battery terminal part that is formed by a conductive metal plate, and that includes a post part to be connected to a battery post of a battery; a current sensor that is integrated with the battery terminal part by a resin molding, and that includes a stud part to be connected to a load; and a sensor part that corresponds to an integrated part of the battery terminal part and the current sensor, wherein the sensor part includes a penetration portion having a hole or slit shape that is formed at a part to be resin-molded of the battery terminal part, and a filling portion that is formed at a resin-molded part of the current sensor and fills the penetration portion.

In a preferred embodiment the sensor part and the stud part are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the battery terminal part.

In a further preferred embodiment the penetration portion and the filling portion are arranged in a predetermined axis passing through the stud part and being parallel with the longitudinal axis of the battery terminal part.

In a further preferred embodiment the sensor part and the stud part are arranged side by side along a longitudinal axis of the battery terminal part so that the sensor part is positioned closer to the post part than the stud part.

Moreover, the present invention relates to a battery terminal with current sensor, comprising: a battery terminal part that is formed by a conductive metal plate, and a current sensor that is integrated with the battery terminal part by a resin molding, wherein the battery terminal part includes a first plate part and a second plate part, which are opposed to each other by bending the conductive metal plate, a post part that is to be connected to a battery post of a battery and an embrace part that is formed at the post part and restrains the first plate part and the second plate part from being widened therebetween, and a part to be resin-molded, which corresponds to a part to which the current sensor is integrated by the resin molding, and a connection part, which corresponds to a part of connecting the part to be resin-molded to the first plate part, are formed at one side of the embrace part in the first plate part.

In a preferred embodiment the connection part is formed so that a width thereof is gradually widened from the one side of the embrace part toward the part to be resin-molded.

Claim 1:
A battery terminal comprising:
a battery terminal part (<NUM>) that is formed by a conductive metal plate,
wherein
the battery terminal part (<NUM>) includes a first plate part (<NUM>) and a second plate part (<NUM>), which are opposed to each other by bending the conductive metal plate, a post part (<NUM>) that is to be connected to a battery post (<NUM>) of a battery (<NUM>), and a pair of embrace parts (<NUM>) that is formed at the post part (<NUM>) and restrains the first plate part (<NUM>) and the second plate part (<NUM>) from being widened therebetween, and
the embrace parts (<NUM>) having a L shape, each of which extends in the lower direction and has a leading end bent inwards and engaged to a lower surface of the second plate part (<NUM>), are respectively connected to left and right end portions of the first plate part (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the battery terminal (<NUM>) further comprises a current sensor (<NUM>) that is integrated with the battery terminal part (<NUM>) by a resin molding, wherein
a stud part (<NUM>) of the current sensor (<NUM>) corresponds to a connection part of a load,
a part to be resin-molded (<NUM>), which corresponds to a part to which the current sensor (<NUM>) is integrated by the resin molding, and a connection part (<NUM>), which corresponds to a part of connecting the part to be resin-molded (<NUM>) to the first plate part (<NUM>), are formed at one side of the embrace part (<NUM>) in the first plate part (<NUM>),
the connection part (<NUM>) has a tapered shape whose width is gradually increased from a base end position of the embrace part (<NUM>) toward the part to be resin-molded (<NUM>),
the part to be resin-molded (<NUM>) has a front end-side part to be resin-molded (<NUM>) and a bus bar-shaped part to be resin-molded (<NUM>),
the bus bar-shaped part to be resin-molded (<NUM>) and the stud part (<NUM>) are arranged side-by-side in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis (L1) of the battery terminal part (<NUM>), and
the current sensor (<NUM>) is resin-molded on the bus bar-shaped part to be resin-molded (<NUM>).