Search

EP-4575243-B1 - CONNECTOR

EP4575243B1EP 4575243 B1EP4575243 B1EP 4575243B1EP-4575243-B1

Inventors

  • KIMURA, AKIRA

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241111

Claims (8)

  1. A connector (1A) comprising: a nut (22) including a nut part (221) and a flange part (222), the nut part having one end and another end opposite to the one end, and the flange part provided on the other end, a spring (23) including a first hole part (232) into which the nut part is insertable, the spring being mounted on the flange part by inserting the nut part from the one end into the first hole part, a first terminal (24) including a second hole part (243) into which the nut part is insertable, the first terminal being mounted on the spring by inserting the nut part from the one end into the second hole part, a second terminal (112) including a third hole part (112d) having a hole shape smaller than an outer shape of the nut part and larger than a threaded hole shape of the nut, the second terminal being mounted on the first terminal with the third hole part opposite to the second hole part, and a bolt (30) including a threaded part (32) and a head (31), the threaded part being insertable into the third hole part and engaged with the nut part from the end of the nut, the head being engageable with the nut part, the head being provided at one end of the threaded part and having an outer shape larger than the third hole part, wherein the connector is configured to provide a predetermined gap (V) between the one end of the nut part and the second terminal, when the second terminal is mounted on the first terminal before the nut part is engaged with the bolt , wherein the predetermined gap is of a size such that the spring generates a predetermined contact force determined in advance between the first terminal and the second terminal, when the nut part is engaged with the bolt until the predetermined gap is removed.
  2. The connector according to Claim 1, wherein the bolt includes a threaded part that is insertable into the third hole part and that is engaged with the nut part from the one end, and a head provided at one end of the threaded part and having a shape larger than the hole shape of the third hole part.
  3. The connector according to Claim 1, wherein a length of the nut part in a direction of being engaged with the bolt is larger than a thickness of the first terminal.
  4. The connector according to Claim 1, wherein the spring comprises a disc spring.
  5. The connector according to Claim 1, further comprising: a protrusion member (26) including an annular part having a fourth hole part into which the nut part is insertable, the annular part being mounted between the first terminal and the second terminal by inserting the nut part from the one end through the fourth hole part, and a plurality of protruding portions protruding from the annular part toward at least one of the first terminal or the second terminal.
  6. The connector according to Claim 5, wherein the protrusion member comprises a toothed washer.
  7. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first terminal includes, in a region opposite to the second terminal, a plurality of dowels protruding toward the second terminal.
  8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second terminal includes, in a region opposite to the first terminal, a plurality of dowels protruding toward the first terminal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a connection structure for terminals of a connector. BACKGROUND ART As a connection structure for connector terminals, it is conceivable to achieve electrical conduction by tightening terminals as fastening objects with each other by use of bolts and nuts. As a prior art of a bolt fastening structure, there is a technology capable of suppressing variations in bolt axial force with a simple configuration (e.g., see Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2015-166621)). FIG. 1 is a view showing a prior-art bolt fastening structure. The bolt fastening structure of FIG. 1 includes a bolt 1 to be inserted into objects to be fastened 3a and 3b, two washers 4 provided between a head 1a of this bolt and the objects to be fastened, an annular spacer 5 provided between the two washers, and a disc spring 6 provided between the two washers and outside or inside the spacer in a radial direction and having a height in excess of a thickness of the spacer in a normal state. Document DE 10 2006 000767 A1 generally discloses a device that has hollow tube type body which has an internal diameter larger than internal diameter of tapped hole of second construction unit and smaller than the internal diameter of the hole of first construction unit. The first construction unit is arranged protruding outward coaxial to the axis of the tapped hole at the second component in axial direction and its axial length is larger than the thickness of the first component. Document US 6 939 097 B2 generally discloses a ground washer for attachment by a grounding screw to a grounding terminal. The washer device includes a disc-shaped member which defines an opening for the reception therethrough of the grounding screw. The member has an annular portion having a first and a second surface, the annular portion surrounding the opening. The annular portion cooperates with a plurality of teeth extending from the grounding terminal towards the annular portion of the member. A conical portion having a first and a second end, is disposed concentrically around the annular portion. A raised annular ridge is disposed between the annular portion and the conical portion, the ridge cooperating with the grounding screw such that when the grounding screw is turned, the ridge urges the annular portion into contact with the plurality of teeth of the grounding element. An annular flange is disposed concentrically around the conical portion, the flange mating with the grounding terminal. The arrangement is structured such that when the grounding screw is turned, the conical portion resiliently biases the annular ridge and the annular portion towards the plurality of teeth extending towards the annular portion while the flange stabilizes the biasing of the annular ridge so that an even contact between the plurality of teeth and the annular portion is facilitated. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, if the above-described prior-art bolt fastening structure is applied as it is to a connection structure for connector terminals, in a certain case, there is a problem that a tightening force is too weak to obtain a desired reaction force and that appropriate electrical joining may not be reached. In another case, there is a problem that the connector terminals are tightened more than necessary and that an extra load is applied to a peripheral component such as an insulator. Here, to eliminate a difference in tightening force depending on a bolt fastener and to achieve a proper tightening force, it is conceivable to use a tool such as a torque wrench. However, in this case, not only a separate tool such as the torque wrench needs to be prepared but also laborious management needs to be performed, for example, to check whether the tool is exerting a proper torque. In view of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector capable of achieving connection between terminals with an appropriate contact force without using any tool such as a torque wrench. To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a connector according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to embodiments thereof. According to an example not encompassed by the claims but useful for understanding the present disclosure, the connector according to the present example includes a nut including a nut part having one end and another end opposite to the one end, the nut part engageable with a predetermined bolt, and a flange part provided on the other end, a spring including a first hole part into which the nut part is insertable, the spring being mounted on the flange part by inserting the nut part from the one end into the first hole part, a first terminal including a second hole part into which the nut part is insertable, the first terminal being mounted on the spring by inserting the nut part from the one end into the second hole part, and a second terminal including a third hole part having