阅读说明：本技术 汇流排组件 (Bus bar assembly ) 是由 周健 于 2020-03-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种汇流排组件,所述汇流排组件包括汇流条以及与所述汇流条电气连通的多个端子,每个端子由多个片件层叠而成并且具有第一端和相对的第二端,其中,汇流排组件还包括端子固定件,端子固定件相对汇流条和端子独立,每个端子通过第一卡扣机构固定到端子固定件,而端子固定件通过第二卡扣机构固定到汇流条上,从而使端子与汇流条固定并电气连通。本归有的汇流排组件提高了电气可靠性和安全性。(The invention provides a bus bar assembly, which comprises a bus bar and a plurality of terminals electrically communicated with the bus bar, wherein each terminal is formed by laminating a plurality of sheets and is provided with a first end and a second end, the bus bar assembly also comprises a terminal fixing piece, the terminal fixing piece is independent relative to the bus bar and the terminal, each terminal is fixed on the terminal fixing piece through a first buckling mechanism, and the terminal fixing piece is fixed on the bus bar through a second buckling mechanism, so that the terminal is fixed on the bus bar and is electrically communicated with the bus bar. This busbar subassembly of having belonged to has improved electrical reliability and security.)

1. A busbar assembly comprising a busbar and a plurality of terminals in electrical communication with the busbar, each of the terminals being laminated from a plurality of sheets and having a first end and an opposite second end,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the busbar assembly further includes a terminal fixture independent from the busbar and the terminals, each of the terminals being secured to the terminal fixture by a first snap mechanism and the terminal fixture being secured to the busbar by a second snap mechanism, thereby securing and electrically communicating the terminal with the busbar.

2. The busbar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the terminal holding member is formed in the shape of a clip, the terminal holding member has a first clamping plate portion, a second clamping plate portion, and an end plate portion, one ends of the first clamping plate portion and the second clamping plate portion are interconnected by the end plate portion, and the other end forms an open end allowing the second end of the terminal to be inserted, and a space accommodating the terminal is formed between the first clamping plate portion and the second clamping plate portion.

3. The busbar assembly of claim 2, wherein said first snap mechanism includes a snap recess located at a side of said terminal second end and a snap tab formed in said terminal retainer,

the end plate portion forms a through hole, and the engaging tabs are formed on opposite sides of the through hole.

4. The busbar assembly of claim 2, wherein said first snap mechanism includes a snap portion on a side of said terminal and a snap aperture in said terminal retainer,

lugs in which the engaging holes are formed are integrally attached to opposite side portions of the end plate portion of the terminal fixing piece.

5. The buss bar assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second clamp plates of the terminal fixture has two outwardly angled tabs formed thereon.

6. The busbar assembly of claim 2, wherein an open end between said first and second clamping plate portions has a width in a free state before a terminal is inserted that is less than a thickness of said laminated terminal.

7. The busbar assembly of claim 1, wherein said busbar and said terminal are made of copper or a copper alloy, and said terminal fixture is made of stainless steel.

8. The busbar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pieces of the laminated terminal have the same thickness and are crimped to each other by bosses and recesses, which are formed on surfaces of the two pieces facing each other, respectively.

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of electric connectors, in particular to a bus bar assembly.

Background

At present, the signal or current transmission between the conventional bus bar and the relay for the motor vehicle is realized by directly punching the bus bar between tuning forks or female terminals, and the stability and efficiency of the transmission are not good because the contact point on the bus bar thus manufactured is only point or line contact due to the punching process.

In this regard, a bus bar assembly has been developed in the market having laminated terminals mechanically joined directly to the bus bar, with a significant improvement in the stability and efficiency of the transmission over stamped terminal bus bars. However, the conventional bus bar assembly has a problem of loose connection in use, especially in an application environment where vibration exists.

Accordingly, there is a need for improvements in existing busbars that provide busbars that are more suitable for use in a vibrating environment, such as a vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

To overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention provides a bus bar assembly including a bus bar and a plurality of terminals electrically communicating with the bus bar, each terminal being formed by stacking a plurality of sheets and having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the bus bar assembly further includes a terminal fixture independent from the bus bar and the terminals, each terminal being fixed to the terminal fixture by a first snap mechanism, and the terminal fixture being fixed to the bus bar by a second snap mechanism, thereby fixing and electrically communicating the terminals with the bus bar.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the terminal holding member is formed in the shape of a clip, the terminal holding member has a first clamping plate portion, a second clamping plate portion, and an end plate portion, one ends of the first clamping plate portion and the second clamping plate portion are interconnected by the end plate portion, and the other end forms an open end allowing a second end of the terminal to be inserted, and a space accommodating the terminal is formed between the first clamping plate portion and the second clamping plate portion.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the first click mechanism includes a click recess located at a side portion of the second end of the terminal and a tab formed in the terminal holder, the end plate portion forms a through hole, and the tab is formed on an opposite side portion of the through hole.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the first click mechanism includes an engaging portion at a side portion of the terminal and an engaging hole in the terminal holder, the opposite side portions of the end plate portion of the terminal holder are integrally attached with lugs, and the engaging hole is formed in the lugs.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, two tabs are formed on the first and second clamping plate portions of the terminal fixture, respectively, and extend at an angle outwardly.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the width of the open end between the first clamping plate portion and the second clamping plate portion in a free state before the terminal is inserted is smaller than the thickness of the laminated terminal.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the bus bar and the terminal are made of copper or a copper alloy, and the terminal holder is made of stainless steel.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the pieces of the laminated terminal have the same thickness and are crimped to each other by bosses and recesses, respectively, formed on surfaces of the two pieces facing each other.

According to the bus bar assembly, the laminated terminal is firmly connected to the bus bar through the terminal fixing piece, so that the mechanical and electrical properties of the assembly are stable, and the problem of poor electrical contact of the bus bar in the using process is avoided. On the other hand, the laminated terminal reduces the contact resistance of the contact point, and improves the signal/current transmission.

In addition, the bus bar assembly is suitable for an automatic manufacturing process, high in productivity and stable in product quality.

Drawings

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1A is an assembled perspective view of one laminated terminal of a bus bar assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1B is an assembled perspective view of a laminated terminal and a fixing member in a bus bar assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1C is a perspective view of a fixing member in a busbar assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2A is an assembled perspective view of a laminated terminal of the bus bar assembly according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2B is an assembled perspective view of the laminated terminal and the fixing member in the bus bar assembly according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2C is a perspective view of a fixing member in a busbar assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a laminated terminal in a busbar assembly to which the first and second preferred embodiments are applied.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a portion of a bus bar.

List of reference numerals

1, 1' bus bar assembly

10 bus bar

11 holes

20 terminal

21 first end

22 second end

23 recess

25 engaging part

30, 30' terminal fixing member

31, 31' first clamping plate part

32, 32' second splint portion

33, 33' end plate part

34 through hole

35 snap tab

36' lug

37' engaging hole

38, 38' tab

Detailed Description

The present invention is further described in the following description with reference to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein the details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, but it is apparent that the present invention can be embodied in many other forms different from those described herein, and it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented in many different forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Fig. 1A shows an assembled perspective view of a busbar assembly 1 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The busbar assembly 1 includes a busbar 10, a plurality of laminated terminals 20, and a plurality of terminal fixtures 30 that fix each of the laminated terminals 20 to the busbar 10. It is understood that only one segment of the busbar assembly 1 is shown in fig. 1A, which includes only one terminal 20, but the actual busbar assembly 1 includes a plurality of terminals 20 fixed to the same busbar 10 by respective terminal fixtures 30, and the number of the terminals 20 can be flexibly set according to the requirements of the actual application of the busbar assembly 1.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of one terminal 20 adapted to be fitted on the bus bar 10. As can be seen from fig. 3, the terminal 20 is formed by stacking three pieces, which are identical in shape and are substantially fork-shaped, having a first end 21 for connection with a mating terminal and a second end 22 fitted into the bus bar 10. The pieces may be laminated together by crimping them together, for example with matching bosses and recesses on their surfaces in face contact with each other, the pieces being held together by an interference fit of the bosses and recesses so as not to be easily released. Each piece of the laminated terminal 20 preferably has the same thickness, for example, about 0.2 mm. The laminated terminal 20 is generally made of a copper or copper alloy material.

In other alternative embodiments, laminated terminals 20 having shapes other than fork-shaped, such as ring-shaped, sheet-shaped, etc., are also conceivable, and in addition, the thickness and number of the laminated sheets may be selected as needed.

Specifically, the laminated terminal 20 and the bus bar 10 are connected by the terminal fixture 30. As shown in fig. 1C, the terminal fixture 30 is a separate part that achieves the mounting of the laminated terminal 20 to the bus bar 10 by engaging with the laminated terminal 20 and the bus bar 10, respectively. Specifically, the terminal holder 30 is snap-fixed with the laminated terminal 20 by a first snap mechanism, and the terminal holder 30 is snap-fixed into the bus bar 10 by a second snap mechanism.

Referring to fig. 1B, the first snap mechanism includes an engaging recess 23 formed in the laminated terminal 20 and an engaging tab 35 formed in the terminal holder 30.

As shown in fig. 3, the engaging recesses 23 are formed on opposite side portions of the second end 22 of the laminated terminal 20, which are side portions in the laminating direction, and each of the laminated sheets in the terminal 20 has a part of the engaging recess 23 and is aligned with each other. Preferably, the engaging recess 23 is formed over the entire lamination thickness of the lamination sheet. Further, as can be seen from fig. 3, stepped portions are also formed on opposite sides of the terminal 20.

Fig. 1C shows the shape of the terminal fixture 30 having the tab 35. The terminal fixture 30 of the first embodiment is formed from a unitary piece, preferably stamped from a stainless steel material. The integrated sheet member is bent to form a clip shape, and specifically, the terminal fixing member 30 has a first clip plate portion 31, a second clip plate portion 32, and an end plate portion 33. The first and second plate portions 31 and 32 form an accommodating space between them into which the terminal 20 is inserted, and one ends of the first and second plate portions 31 and 32 are interconnected by the end plate portion 33, while the other ends form an open end. The end plate portion 33 is formed with a through hole 34, and engagement tabs 35 extending toward each other are formed on opposite sides of the through hole 34. As shown in fig. 1B, when the second end 22 of the laminated terminal 20 is inserted into the through hole 34, the engaging tab 35 is engaged with the recess 23. The width of the engaging tabs 35 is preferably substantially equal to the total thickness of the laminated terminal 20, so that each sheet of the laminated terminal 20 can be directly engaged with the terminal fixture 30 when the engaging tabs 35 of the terminal fixture 30 are engaged with the engaging recesses 23 on the terminal 20.

Further, the terminal fixture 30 is fixed again to the hole 11 formed in the bus bar 10 by the second snap mechanism. As shown in fig. 4, a rectangular hole 11 is formed in the bus bar 10, a long side of the hole 11 is adapted to be engaged with the terminal holder 30, and a short side of the hole 11 is adapted to be brought into direct contact with the terminal 20 to be electrically communicated. As shown in fig. 1C, two outwardly protruding tabs 38 are formed on the first plate portion 31 and the second plate portion 32 of the terminal fixing member 30, respectively, and they are formed by punching, and one end of each tab 38 is integrally formed with the plate portion 31, and the other end is bent outward to protrude from the outer surface of the plate portion.

In the mounting process of the bus bar assembly 1 of the first embodiment, the second end 22 of the laminated terminal 20 is first inserted into the open end of the terminal fixing member 30 and through the through hole 34 until the engaging recess 23 on the laminated terminal 20 and the engaging tab 35 in the through hole 34 engage with each other. The first end 21 of the laminated terminal 20 is then inserted into the hole 11 of the bus bar 10 so that the outwardly projecting snap tabs 35 on the first and second plate portions 31, 32 elastically deform through the through hole 34 and then return to their original positions, with the tabs 38 abutting against one surface of the bus bar 10 and, at the same time, the stepped portions of the sides of the laminated terminal 20 abutting against the other surface of the bus bar 10. At this time, the assembly between one laminated terminal 20 and the bus bar 10 is completed.

With the bus bar assembly 1 of the first embodiment, the reliability of connection between the laminated terminals 20 and the bus bars 10 is high, and the electrical performance is improved accordingly.

Fig. 2A, 2B, and 2C show a busbar assembly 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The busbar assembly 1 also includes a busbar 10, a plurality of laminated terminals 20, and a plurality of terminal fixtures 30' that secure each of the laminated terminals 20 to the busbar 10. In the busbar assembly 1 of the second embodiment, the busbar 10 and the laminated terminal 20 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and are not described here again.

The terminal fixture 30 'is snap-fixed with the laminated terminal 20 by a first snap mechanism, and the terminal fixture 30' is snap-fixed into the bus bar 10 by a second snap mechanism. As can be seen from fig. 2B, in the second embodiment, the second snap mechanism includes the snap portion formed in the laminated terminal 20 and the snap hole formed in the terminal holder 30.

In the terminal 20 shown in fig. 3, the engaging portion 25 is formed on the side of the second end of the terminal 20, and in the preferred embodiment, the engaging portion 25 is formed by cooperation of the side forming recess 23 of the terminal 20 and the chamfer on the second end 22.

Fig. 2C shows a terminal holding member 30' of a second embodiment. Specifically, the terminal fixing member 30' in this second embodiment is also formed by a one-piece member, preferably punched out using a stainless steel material. The integrated sheet member is bent to form the shape of a clip, and specifically, the terminal fixing member 30 'has a first clip plate portion 31', a second clip plate portion 32 ', and an end plate portion 33'. The first and second plate portions 31 ', 32 ' form an accommodating space between them into which the terminal 20 is inserted, and one ends of the first and second plate portions 31 ', 32 ' are interconnected by the end plate portion 33 ' while the other ends form an open end. In the second embodiment, opposite side portions of the end plate portion 33 'are integrally attached with lugs 36', the lugs 36 'are bent at substantially 90 degrees with respect to the end plate portion 33', and the lugs 36 'are formed with engaging holes 37'.

Further, the terminal fixture 30' is fixed to the hole 11 formed in the bus bar 10 by the second snap mechanism. As shown in fig. 2C, two tabs 38 ' extending outward at an angle are formed on the first plate portion 31 ' and the second plate portion 32 ' of the terminal fixing member 30 ', respectively, and they are formed by punching, and one end of each tab 38 ' is integrally formed with the plate portions 31 ', 32 ', and the other end is bent outward to protrude from the outer surfaces of the plate portions 31 ', 32 '. Likewise, the tab 38' is also adapted to engage the aperture 11 formed in the bus bar 10 shown in fig. 4.

In the mounting process of the busbar assembly 1 according to the second embodiment, first, the second end 22 of the laminated terminal 20 is inserted into the open end of the terminal fixing member 30 ', and the convex portion of the laminated terminal 20 is directly engaged with the engaging hole 37 ' of the side portion of the terminal fixing member 30 '. The first end 21 of the laminated terminal 20 is then inserted into the hole 11 of the bus bar 10 again so that the outwardly projecting tabs 38 'of the first and second plate portions 31', 32 'pass through the hole 11 elastically deformed, and then return to the original position where the tabs 38' abut against one surface of the bus bar 10 and at the same time the step portion of the side portion of the laminated terminal 20 abuts against the other surface of the bus bar 10.

Compared with the terminal fixing member 30 shown in fig. 1C, the first latching mechanism of the terminal fixing member 30' shown in fig. 2C has higher overall strength, the terminal 20 is less likely to be separated during use, and the reliability is better, so that the terminal fixing member is particularly suitable for application occasions where larger acting force is applied to the terminal 20.

Preferably, the accommodation space between the first and second clip portions 31, 31 ', 32' may be slightly smaller than the thickness of the terminal 20 in a free state before the terminal 20 is inserted. During installation, the two clamping plates may be spread apart by a tool or automated equipment to facilitate insertion of the laminated terminal 20.

According to the bus bar assembly 1, 1 ' of the present invention, the laminated terminal 20 is firmly connected to the bus bar by the terminal fixing member 30, 30 ', so that the mechanical and electrical properties of the assembly 1, 1 ' are stabilized, and the problem of poor electrical contact does not occur during the use of the bus bar. On the other hand, the laminated terminal 20 reduces the contact resistance of the contact point, and improves the signal/current transmission.

In addition, the bus bar assembly 1, 1' according to the present invention is suitable for an automated manufacturing process, and has high productivity and stable product quality.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the invention, and variations and modifications may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, any modification, equivalent change and modification of the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention are within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention, unless the technical essence of the present invention departs from the content of the present invention.