Patent ID: 12218475

DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION

Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure

First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described.

[1] The connector of the present disclosure is provided with a housing made of metal, a flat plate-like busbar to be held in the housing, a first ceramic member to be interposed between one flat surface of the busbar and a first contact portion of the housing, a second ceramic member to be interposed between another flat surface of the busbar and a second contact portion of the housing, and a fastening member for collectively fastening the busbar, the first and second ceramic members and the first and second contact portions.

According to this configuration, the busbar, the first and second ceramic members and the first and second contact portions are collectively fastened by the fastening member. Thus, the one flat surface of the busbar is maintained in contact with the first contact portion of the housing via the first ceramic member having a high thermal conductivity without any gap, the other flat surface of each busbar is maintained in contact with the second contact portion of the housing via the second ceramic member having a high thermal conductivity without any gap, and the heat dissipation of the busbar is improved.

[2] Preferably, the fastening member is composed of a bolt and a nut.

According to this configuration, since the fastening member is composed of the bolt and the nut, the busbar, the first and second ceramic members and the first and second contact portions can be easily collectively fastened by the fastening member. Further, a fastening torque is easily controlled, for example, as compared to the case where the fastening member is a rivet or the like.

[3] Preferably, a pair of the busbars are provided, each of the first and second contact portions is provided over the pair of busbars, and the fastening member fastens the first and second contact portions between the pair of busbars.

Since each of the first and second contact portions is provided over the pair of busbars and the first and second contact portions are fastened between the pair of busbars by the fastening member, the pair of busbars can be respectively fastened together with the first and second ceramic members by one fastening member. That is, the number of components of the fastening member can be reduced as compared to the case where the fastening member is provided for each busbar.

[4] Preferably, a pair of the busbars are provided, each of the first and second contact portions is provided over the pair of busbars, and each of the first and second ceramic members is provided over the pair of busbars.

According to this configuration, since each of the first and second contact portions is provided over the pair of busbars and each of the first and second ceramic members is provided over the pair of busbars, the number of components can be reduced, for example, as compared to the case where the first and second ceramic members are provided for each busbar.

[5] Preferably, facing surfaces of the first and second ceramic members facing the busbar is set equal to or longer than a length of the busbar in a width direction of the busbar.

According to this configuration, since the facing surfaces of the first and second ceramic members facing the busbars are set equal to or longer than the length of the busbar in the width direction of the busbar, the busbar can be stably sandwiched by the first and second ceramic members. Further, since the busbar can be entirely in contact with the first and second ceramic members in the width direction, heat dissipation is improved.

Details of Embodiment of Present Disclosure

A specific example of a connector of the present disclosure is described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these illustrations and is intended to be represented by claims and include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents.

As shown inFIG.1, a connector11is provided with a housing13to be connected to an electrical device12such as an inverter and flat plate-like busbars14held in the housing13.

The housing13is made of metal and, in this embodiment, made of aluminum. The housing13includes a large tube portion13asubstantially in the form of rectangular tubes, a flange portion13bextending in a flange-like manner from an opening of a tip side of the large tube portion13a, an inward extending portion13cextending to an inner side opposite to the flange portion13bfrom the opening of the tip side of the large tube portion13a, and a small tube portion13dsubstantially in the form of a rectangular tube extending from the inner edge of the inward extending portion13c. The busbars14are held inserted in the large tube portion13aand the small tube portion13d.

As shown inFIG.2, a pair of the busbars14are provided side by side in a width direction thereof. Further, fixing holes13eare provided on four corners of the flange portion13bin the housing13. The connector11is fixed to the electrical device12by unillustrated screws to be inserted into the fixing holes13eand threadably engaged with the electrical device12. Further, the housing13of this embodiment is composed of housing constituent members13f,13gshaped by being divided in a direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the busbars14, i.e. in a vertical direction inFIG.2.

As shown inFIG.1, a connection terminal16fixed to a core wire15aof a wire15is connected to a base end side of the busbar14. A tip side of the busbar14projects to the outside of the housing13from the small tube portion13dand is connected to an unillustrated connection terminal of the electrical device12.

Here, the connector11of this embodiment includes a first ceramic member18interposed between one flat surface14aof each busbar14and a first contact portion17of the housing13and a second ceramic member20interposed between another flat surface14bof each busbar14and a second contact portion19of the housing13. Further, the connector11includes a bolt21and a nut22as a fastening member for collectively fastening the busbars14, the first and second ceramic members18,20and the first and second contact portions17,19.

In particular, the first and second ceramic members18,20are, for example, made of alumina, have an insulating property, and have a higher thermal conductivity than resin materials and the like. The first and second ceramic members18,20are in the form of flat plates. The first ceramic member18is interposed between the one flat surface14aof each busbar14and the first contact portion17, which is the upper wall of the small tube portion13dof the housing13. The second ceramic member20is interposed between the other flat surface14bof each busbar14and the second contact portion19, which is the lower wall of the small tube portion13dof the housing13.

As shown inFIG.2, each of the first contact portion17, which is the upper wall of the small tube portion13d, and the second contact portion19, which is the lower wall of the small tube portion13d, is provided over the pair of busbars14. That is, a width of the small tube portion13dis so set that the pair of busbars14provided side by side in the width direction can be accommodated inside the small tube portion13.

Further, each of the first and second ceramic members18,20is provided over the pair of busbars14. That is, the first ceramic member18is provided on the entire inner surface in the width direction of the first contact portion17, which is the upper wall of the small tube portion13d. Further, the second ceramic member20is provided on the entire inner surface in the width direction of the second contact portion19, which is the lower wall of the small tube portion13d. Note that, by this configuration, facing surfaces of the first and second ceramic members18,20facing the busbars14are set equal to or longer than a length of the busbars14in the width direction of the busbars14, and the entire flat surfaces14a,14bof the busbars14are in contact with the first and second ceramic members18,20in the width direction.

The bolt21and the nut22collectively fasten the busbars14, the first and second ceramic members18,20and the first and second contact portions17,19by fastening the first and second contact portions17,19between the pair of busbars14. That is, a shaft portion21aof the bolt21is passed through the first contact portion17, the first ceramic member18, the second ceramic member20and the second contact portion19in this order between the pair of busbars14and threadably engaged with the nut22. Note that a fastening torque of the bolt21and the nut22at this time is such a torque that tiny gaps are not formed between the respective members due to dimensional errors, differences in coefficient of liner expansion and the like of the respective members and the heat dissipation of the busbars14is maintained.

Next, functions of the connector11configured as described above are described.

In the connector11, a state where the one flat surface14aand the other flat surface14bof each busbar14are in contact with the first or second contact portion17,19of the housing13via the first or second ceramic member18,20is maintained by the bolt21and the nut22. Thus, it is suppressed that tiny gaps are formed between the respective members, for example, due to dimensional errors, differences in coefficient of liner expansion and the like of the respective members.

Next, effects of this embodiment are described below.

(1) The busbars14, the first and second ceramic members18,20and the first and second contact portions17,19are collectively fastened by the bolt21and the nut22. Thus, the one flat surface14aof each busbar14is maintained in contact with the first contact portion17of the housing13via the first ceramic member18having a high thermal conductivity without any gap, and the other flat surface14bof each busbar14is maintained in contact with the second contact portion19of the housing13via the second ceramic member20having a high thermal conductivity without any gap. Thus, the heat dissipation of the busbar14is improved.

(2) Since the fastening member is composed of the bolt21and the nut22, the busbars14, the first and second ceramic members18,20and the first and second contact portions17,19can be easily collectively fastened. Further, the fastening torque is easily controlled, for example, as compared to the case where the fastening member is a rivet or the like.

(3) Each of the first and second contact portions17,19is provided over the pair of busbars14, and the first and second contact portions17,19are fastened between the pair of busbars14by the bolt21and the nut22. Thus, the pair of busbars14can be respectively fastened together with the first and second ceramic members18,20by one bolt21and one nut22. That is, the number of components of the fastening member can be reduced as compared to the case where the bolt21and the nut22are provided for each busbar14.

(4) Since each of the first and second contact portions17,19is provided over the pair of busbars14and each of the first and second ceramic members18,20are provided over the pair of busbars14, the number of components can be reduced as compared to the case where the first and second ceramic members18,20are provided for each busbar14.

(5) Since the facing surfaces of the first and second ceramic members18,20facing the busbars14are set equal to or longer than the length of the busbars14in the width direction of the busbars14, the busbars14can be stably sandwiched by the first and second ceramic members18,20. Further, since the busbars14can be entirely in contact with the first and second ceramic members18,20in the width direction, heat dissipation is improved.

This embodiment can be modified and carried out as follows. This embodiment and the following modifications can be carried out in combination without technically contradicting each other.Although the fastening member is composed of the bolt21and the nut22in the above embodiment, there is no limitation to this and, for example, another fastening member such as a rivet may be used.Although each of the first and second contact portions17,19is provided over the pair of busbars14in the above embodiment, there is no limitation to this and the first and second contact portions17,19may be individually provided for each busbar14.Although the first and second contact portions17,19are fastened between the pair of busbars14by the bolt21and the nut22in the above embodiment, there is no limitation to this and the bolt21and the nut22may be, for example, provided for each busbar14and fastened.Although each of the first and second ceramic members18,20is provided over the pair of busbars14in the above embodiment, there is no limitation to this and first and second ceramic members may be, for example, provided for each busbar14. Further, the facing surfaces of the first and second ceramic members18,20facing the busbars14are set longer than the length of the busbars14in the width direction of the busbars14, there is no limitation to this. For example, these facing surfaces may have the same length as the busbars14or may be shorter than the busbars14.Although the connector11includes the pair of busbars14in the above embodiment, there is no limitation to this and, for example, the connector11may include one, three or more busbars.Although the housing13is made of aluminum in the above embodiment, there is no limitation to this and the housing13may be made of another metal material.Although the first and second ceramic members18,20are made of alumina in the above embodiment, there is no limitation to this and these ceramic members may be made of another material as long as this material has an insulating property and has a higher thermal conductivity than resin materials and the like.

The present disclosure includes the following implementation examples. Reference signs of the constituent elements of the embodiment are given not for limitation, but for understanding assistance.

[Addendum 1] A connector (11) according to an implementation example of the present disclosure may be provided with:a housing (13) made of metal, the housing (13) including a first contact portion (17) and a second contact portion (19);a flat plate-like busbar (14);a first ceramic member (18);a second ceramic member (20); anda fastening member (21,22),wherein the first contact portion (17), the first ceramic member (18), the busbar (14), the second ceramic member (20) and the second contact portion (19) may be stacked in this order and fastened to each other by the fastening member (21,22).

[Addendum 2] A connector (11) according to an implementation example of the present disclosure may be provided with:a housing (13) made of metal, the housing (13) including a first contact portion (17) and a second contact portion (19);two flat plate-like busbars (14) arranged in a width direction of the busbars (14);a first ceramic member (18);a second ceramic member (20); anda fastening member (21,22),wherein:the first contact portion (17), the first ceramic member (18), the two busbars (14), the second ceramic member (20) and the second contact portion (19) may be stacked in this order and fastened to each other by the fastening member (21,22), andthe fastening member (21,22) may be arranged between the two busbars (14) in the width direction.

[Addendum 3] In one or more implementation examples of the present disclosure,each busbar (14) may have a first flat surface (14a) and a second flat surface (14b) on a side opposite to the first flat surface (14a),the first flat surface (14a) may be in surface contact with the first ceramic member (18), andthe second flat surface (14b) may be in surface contact with the second ceramic member (20).

[Addendum 4] In one or more implementation examples of the present disclosure, the first contact portion (17) may be in surface contact with the first ceramic member (18).

[Addendum 5] In one or more implementation examples of the present disclosure, the second contact portion (19) may be in surface contact with the second ceramic member (20).

[Addendum 6] In one or more implementation examples of the present disclosure, the fastening member (21) may include a shaft portion (21a) passed through the first contact portion (17), the first ceramic member (18), the second ceramic member (20) and the second contact portion (19).

[Addendum 7] In one or more implementation examples of the present disclosure, the shaft portion (21a) may be at a position away from the two busbars (14).

[Addendum 8] In one or more implementation examples of the present disclosure, a length of the busbar (14) or the two busbars (14) in a longitudinal direction may be longer than lengths of the first and second contact portions (17,19) in the longitudinal direction.

[Addendum 9] In one or more implementation examples of the present disclosure, lengths of the first and second ceramic members (18,20) in the longitudinal direction may be longer than the lengths of the first and second contact portions (17,19) in the longitudinal direction.

[Addendum 10] In one or more implementation examples of the present disclosure,the housing (13) may include a first and a second housing constituent members (13f,13g) shaped by being divided into two,the first housing constituent member (13f) may include the first contact portion (17), andthe second housing constituent member (13g) may include the second contact portion (19).

[Addendum 11] In one or more implementation examples of the present disclosure, the first and second housing constituent members (13f,13g) may be divided bodies divided by a dividing surface extending along both the width direction and longitudinal direction of the busbar (14) or the two busbars (14).

[Addendum 12] In one or more implementation examples of the present disclosure, each of the first and second housing constituent members (13f,13g) may include a flange portion (13b) configured to be fixed to another member, e.g. an electrical device (12).

[Addendum 13] In one or more implementation examples of the present disclosure, both ends in the width direction of the first and second ceramic members (18,20) may project in the width direction from the busbar (14) or the two busbars (14).

[Addendum 14] In one or more implementation examples of the present disclosure, lengths of the first and second contact portions (17,19) in the width direction may be longer than the lengths of the first and second ceramic members (18,20) in the width direction.

It would be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the technical concept thereof. For example, some of the components described in the embodiment (or one or more aspects thereof) may be omitted or several components may be combined. The scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

11connector12electrical device13housing13alarge tube portion13bflange portion13cinward extending portion13dsmall tube portion13efixing hole13f,13ghousing constituent member14busbar14aone flat surface14bother flat surface15wire15core wire16connection terminal17first contact portion18first ceramic member19second contact member20second ceramic member21bolt (fastening member)21ashaft portion22nut (fastening member)