JP2002136076A - Ac generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the cost of a DC output terminal device 6 of an AC generator for a vehicle. SOLUTION: The DC output terminal device is constituted of electrically insulating a pair of nuts 41, 42 for electrically connecting a charging line 8 from a positive pole side cooling fin 33 of a three-phase rectifier device 5 by inserting a cylinder bush 44 made of an electric insulating resin between the contact surface of the positive pole side cooling fin 33 and that of the pair of nuts 41, 42, and electrically insulating the positive pole side cooling fin 33 from a terminal bolt 40 by inserting a cylinder insulator 43 made of the electric insulating resin between them. Since a fuse 10 which is connected halfway a protection circuit 9 protecting electrical parts from damage even when a battery is erroneously connected in reverse to the terminal bolt 40 is inserted inside the bush 44, increase of the number of parts and man-hours for assembly of the AC generator for the vehicle can be limited to a minimum.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an AC generator that generates an AC output with the rotation of a rotating body, and particularly to a vehicle that is rotationally driven by an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle such as a passenger car or a truck. Related to AC generators.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a rotor having a field winding,
A stator having a three-phase armature winding that generates an AC output with rotation of the rotor, a plurality of diodes that rectify the AC output generated by the three-phase armature winding, A positive cooling fin for cooling the positive diode, a negative cooling fin for cooling the negative diode of the plurality of diodes, and a DC output rectified by the plurality of diodes for extracting to the battery. 2. Description of the Related Art A vehicular alternator including a three-phase rectifier having a DC output terminal and a voltage regulator for controlling an exciting current of a field winding to control a power generation output of a three-phase armature winding is known. ing.

[0003]

If a battery is erroneously connected in reverse to the DC output terminal of the vehicle alternator, a large current of several hundred A or more flows into the vehicle alternator and the vehicle is instantaneously turned on. Electrical components of the AC generator, such as the electronic control circuit (integrated circuit) of the voltage regulator, break down.
As a countermeasure, the charging line connected to the DC output terminal of the vehicle alternator is connected to the positive side of the battery via a fuse or fusible link fixed to the vehicle (body) rather than the DC output terminal. ing.

[0004] In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-80117
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. HEI-5-209, an auxiliary output terminal is provided on a bracket of an automotive alternator, and a fusible link is connected between the DC output terminal and the auxiliary output terminal of the automotive alternator. As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 30653, a structure is proposed in which a connection circuit is cut off when a battery is reversely connected by combining a diode and a relay switch between a charging line and a battery.

However, in a conventional vehicular alternator, providing a fuse or a fusible link on the vehicle side of the DC output terminal or adding a protection circuit on the vehicle side is difficult for the vehicular alternator. Since the number of parts and the number of assembling steps increase, the cost increases.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention provides an overcurrent for protecting an electric component in an AC generator from failure even if a battery is incorrectly reversely connected to a terminal bolt of the AC generator. It is an object of the present invention to reduce costs by minimizing the increase in the number of parts and the number of assembling steps of the alternator even when the protection means is provided.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal bolt which is assembled so as to cross the positive cooling fin, and an end of the terminal bolt opposite to the positive cooling fin. And a pair of nuts for sandwiching and fixing a charging line for supplying a charging current to the battery, and an insulating member for electrically insulating the terminal bolts and the pair of nuts from the positive-electrode-side cooling fins. In the AC generator, the insulating member is integrally provided with an overcurrent protection means for interrupting an overload current flowing from the pair of nuts to the electric component through the positive cooling fin.

Accordingly, even if the battery is erroneously reversely connected to the terminal bolt of the AC generator, the overcurrent protection means is activated and the overload current does not flow into the electric parts of the AC generator. The electrical components of the generator do not break down. Therefore, since the overcurrent protection means is integrally provided on the insulating member for electrically insulating the terminal bolts and the pair of nuts from the positive electrode side cooling fins, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are substantially increased. Therefore, cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the overcurrent protection means is provided on the cylindrical body made of an electrically insulating resin sandwiched between the contact surface of the cooling fin on the positive electrode side and the contact surface of the nut. Since the insert molding is used, a substantial increase in the number of parts and the number of assembling steps can be suppressed, so that the cost can be reduced. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the overcurrent protection means is electrically connected to both the contact surface of the positive cooling fin and the contact surface of the nut, so that the overcurrent protection means can be connected to the pair of nuts. Since the overload current flowing to the cooling fins on the positive electrode side can be cut off, the overload current does not flow into the electric components of the AC generator.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the overcurrent protection means is electrically connected to either the contact surface of the positive cooling fin or the contact surface of the nut via the connection terminal fitting. The connection may be made. According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the overcurrent protection means is insert-molded in the second cylindrical body made of an electrically insulating resin for electrically insulating the pair of nuts and the cooling fins on the positive electrode side. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a substantial increase in the number of parts and the number of assembling steps, so that cost can be reduced.

According to the present invention, the first cylindrical member made of an electrically insulating resin sandwiched between the contact surface of the cooling fin on the positive electrode side and the contact surface of the nut. A pair of connection terminal fittings electrically connected to both surfaces of the contact surface of the positive electrode side cooling fin and the contact surface of the nut, respectively, so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first insulating member. Since the overcurrent protection means is insert-molded in the second cylindrical body made of the electrically insulating resin to be assembled, and the pair of connection terminal fittings and the overcurrent protection means are electrically connected by connector joining. Since the increase in the number of parts and the number of assembling steps can be suppressed, the cost can be reduced.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, as the overcurrent protection means, a fuse having a fusible member provided so as to be blown by its own generated heat when an overcurrent flows is used. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the nut is a charging line connecting unit that connects the charging line to a tip end of the terminal bolt. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the electric component is a voltage having an electronic control circuit that controls an exciting current supplied to the field winding to adjust an output voltage of the multi-phase armature winding. It is an adjusting device.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on embodiments with reference to the drawings. [Configuration of First Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a view showing a rear structure of a vehicle AC generator, FIG. 2 is a view showing a DC output terminal device of the vehicle AC generator, and FIG. It is a figure showing an electric circuit of an alternator.

The vehicle alternator according to the present embodiment is, for example, a vehicle rotary generator (for a vehicle) that generates power by being rotationally driven by an internal combustion engine (hereinafter referred to as an engine) mounted on a vehicle such as a passenger car or a truck. Alternator). The vehicle alternator includes a housing 1 forming an outer shell, and a plurality of claw-shaped magnetic poles rotatably supported in the housing 1 and having, for example, N poles and S poles alternately arranged in a circumferential direction. A rotor having a field winding 2 wound around the center of a rundle type pole core (not shown) having a piece, and a stator core (not shown) supported and fixed to the inner periphery of the housing 1 Wound three-phase armature winding 3
, A voltage regulator 4 integrally installed on the rear end side of the housing 1, a three-phase rectifier 5 installed near the voltage regulator 4, and a three-phase rectifier 5. It comprises a DC output terminal device 6 provided at the end and a charging line 8 for supplying a charging current to the battery 7.

The housing 1 includes a pair of a front frame 11 and a rear frame 12. The front frame 11 and the rear frame 12 are formed with a large number of ventilation holes 11a and 12a through which cooling air passes as a cooling fan (not shown) attached to both axial end surfaces of the pole core rotates. In addition, the rear frame 12 uses a plurality of stud bolts 14 to
To the rear end face of A rectifying device constituting member of the three-phase rectifying device 5 and a rear cover 13 are fastened and fixed to the rear side of the rear frame 12 using a plurality of fixing bolts 15 and nuts 16. The rear cover 13 has a large number of ventilation holes 13a through which the cooling air passes.

The rotor is a part that functions as a field, and is a rotor that rotates integrally with a shaft (rotating shaft) having a pulley fixed to a front end. The field winding 2 is a field coil wound around the center of a Lundell-type pole core, and the ends at both ends are electrically connected to two slip rings 18, respectively. When an exciting current flows through the field winding 2, one of the claw-shaped pole pieces of the rundle-type pole core becomes all N poles, and the other claw-shaped pole piece becomes all S poles.
In addition, two slip rings 18 are provided with two brushes 19.
As a result, the exciting current is supplied from the voltage adjusting device 4.

The three-phase armature winding 3 is wound around a number of slots of a stator core (armature core, stator core).
An armature winding (stator coil) in which a three-phase AC output is induced with rotation of the pole core, and is connected by a Y connection. Further, the neutral point and each terminal wire of the three-phase armature winding 3 are electrically connected to each AC input terminal 29 of the three-phase rectifier 5 as shown in FIG. . Note that the three-phase armature windings 3 may be Δ-connected.

The voltage adjusting device 4 corresponds to an electric component of the present invention, and controls the exciting current supplied to the field winding 2 to adjust the output voltage of the three-phase armature winding 3. Etc. (electronic control circuit: not shown). The voltage regulator 4 includes a terminal block (not shown) in which various external connection terminals for electrically connecting to other electric components such as the battery 7 and the three-phase rectifier 5 are insert-molded in an electrically insulating resin. And cooling fins 21 for cooling the heat-generating components held in the terminal block. The terminal block houses an integrated circuit such as a hybrid IC therein, and has a substantially cylindrical connector portion 22 for connecting to an external electric component (for example, battery 7) of the vehicle alternator. Molding. The cooling fins 21 are connected to the rear frame 12 together with the terminal block.
Is fixed by a fixing screw (not shown).

As various external connection terminals, a positive side DC output terminal (B terminal), a power generation detection input terminal (P terminal), an exciting current output terminal (F terminal), a ground terminal (E terminal), and a battery 7 An external connection terminal (IG terminal) electrically connected to the positive electrode side via an ignition switch 24, a voltage detection terminal (S terminal) for detecting a battery voltage, and an external connection terminal electrically connected to a charge lamp 25 (L terminal). Here, the ignition switch 24 and the positive electrode side of the battery 7 are
An electric load (for example, a vehicle-mounted electric component such as a lighting device, a display device, an alarm device, or an air conditioner) 27 via a switch 26
Is electrically connected to

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the three-phase rectifier 5 is configured by stacking a terminal block 31, an insulating spacer 32, a positive cooling fin 33, a negative cooling fin 34, and the like. Have been. The terminal block 31 is a terminal holding member made of an electrically insulating resin such as a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin and having four AC input terminals 29 inserted therein. The insulating spacer 32 is made of an electrically insulating resin such as a PPS resin, and has a boss portion 31 of the terminal block 31.
This is an insulator fitted to the outer periphery of a for electrically insulating the positive cooling fin 33 and the negative cooling fin 34 from each other. The positive-side cooling fins 33 and the negative-side cooling fins 34 are stacked so as to overlap each other with a predetermined insulating gap therebetween, and are integrally formed into a substantially C-shape from a conductive metal plate having excellent thermal conductivity such as pure aluminum. Are arranged along the side wall surface of the rear frame 12. The positive and negative cooling fins 33 and 34 hold and fix four positive and negative diodes 35 and 36 at a time, respectively.
These are radiation fins that dissipate heat generated by the negative-side diodes 35 and 36.

A plurality of positive and negative side diodes 35,
Reference numeral 36 denotes a plurality of rectifying elements for rectifying the AC output generated by the three-phase armature winding 3 and converting the rectified output into a DC output. As shown in FIG. 4A, the lead wires 35a and 36a at one end of the positive and negative diodes 35 and 36 are electrically connected to the AC input terminals 29 by means such as soldering. The other end side is a positive electrode side, a negative electrode side cooling fin 3
3 and 34 are electrically connected to the holding portions 33a and 34a by means such as soldering. The four positive-side diodes 35 constitute the positive-side rectifier of the present invention.

The cooling fins 33, 3
4, a plurality of through holes into which a plurality of pipe rivets 37 are inserted are formed. At the end of the cooling fin 33 on the positive electrode side, a round hole-shaped mounting hole 38 for mounting the DC output terminal device 6 is formed. The components of the rectifier such as the terminal block 31, the insulating spacer 32, the positive electrode side, the negative electrode side cooling fins 33 and 34, and the pipe rivet 37 are, as shown in FIG. 15 and nut 16 together with the rear cover 13 are fastened and fixed to the co-fastening support 39 of the rear frame 12.

The DC output terminal device 6 includes a terminal bolt 40 inserted or press-fitted into the mounting hole 38 of the cooling fin 33 on the positive electrode side, a pair of nuts 41 and 42 attached to the tip of the terminal bolt 40, and a positive electrode. An insulating member for electrically insulating the side cooling fin 33 from the terminal bolt 40 and the pair of nuts 41 and 42 is provided.

The terminal bolt 40 is arranged on the lower end face of the positive cooling fin 33 in the drawing, and is held in the mounting hole 38 so that the tip end protrudes from the upper end face (contact surface) of the positive cooling fin 33 in the drawing. And a shaft portion 52 extending axially outward (upward in the figure) from the center of the flange portion 51. The shaft portion 52 is provided so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the surface direction of the positive-electrode-side cooling fins 33 (the thickness direction of the positive-electrode-side cooling fins 33, the stacking direction of the three-phase rectifier 5). A male screw portion (outer circumferential screw portion) 53 into which the pair of nuts 41 and 42 is screwed is formed on the outer circumference of the distal end portion of the shaft portion 52.

Between the pair of nuts 41 and 42, a connection terminal fitting 23 of the charging wire 8 for supplying a charging current to the battery 7 is sandwiched. A pair of nuts 41 and 42
Is charging line connecting means for connecting the charging line 8 to the distal end side of the shaft portion 52 of the terminal bolt 40. In addition, the charging line 8
After fitting a mounting hole (not shown) provided in the connection terminal fitting 23 to the shaft portion 52 of the terminal bolt 40, the connection terminal fitting 23 is sandwiched between a pair of nuts 41 and 42.

The insulating member is a cylindrical insulator 43 for electrically insulating the positive cooling fin 33 from the terminal bolt 40, and electrically insulating the positive cooling fin 33 from the pair of nuts 41, 42. And a cylindrical bush 44 or the like. Insulator 4
Reference numeral 3 denotes a first cylindrical body made of an electrically insulating resin such as a PPS resin, which is inserted or press-fitted into the mounting hole 38 of the cooling fin 33 on the positive electrode side. The insulator 43 includes an annular flange 54 sandwiched between the illustrated lower end surface of the positive cooling fin 33 and the illustrated upper end surface of the flange 51 of the terminal bolt 40, and the hole wall surface of the positive cooling fin 33. And a cylindrical portion 55 sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 52 and the like. Note that an insertion hole 55a through which the shaft portion 52 of the terminal bolt 40 is inserted is formed in the cylindrical portion 55.

The bush 44 is a second cylindrical body (corresponding to the cylindrical body of the present invention) made of an electrically insulating resin such as rubber, fitted on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 52, and provided with the positive cooling fin 33.
And between the contact surfaces of the pair of nuts 41 and 42 are held and fixed. And the bush 44
In FIG. 1, a protection circuit 9 described later is insert-molded in an electrically insulating resin. On the illustrated lower end surface of the bush 44,
A fin-side contact surface is formed in liquid-tight contact with the upper end surface (contact surface) of the positive-electrode side cooling fin 33 in a liquid-tight manner. A nut-side contact surface that is in liquid-tight contact (contact) with the contact surface) is formed.

A seat 56 is provided on the lower end surface of the bush 44 for contact with the contact surface of the cooling fin 33 on the positive electrode side.
A seat portion 57 is provided on which the contact surfaces 1 and 42 abut. The seat portion 57 is provided in a concave portion 58 that is recessed by a predetermined dimension from the illustrated upper end surface of the bush 44. In the bush 44, an insertion hole 44a through which the shaft portion 52 of the terminal bolt 40 is inserted is formed.

The protection circuit 9 is a conductive wire including overcurrent protection means for protecting an electric component (for example, an integrated circuit of the voltage regulator 4) of the vehicle alternator from failure. 44 is insert-molded in the electrically insulating resin. The protection circuit 9 includes a fuse 10 for interrupting an overload current flowing from the pair of nuts 41 and 42 to the positive cooling fin 33, and a connection terminal (terminal) connected to one end of the fuse 10 by soldering or welding. ) 48 and a connection terminal fitting (terminal) 49 connected to the other end of the fuse 10 by soldering, welding, or the like.

The fuse 10 corresponds to the overcurrent protection means of the present invention, and is provided so that when an overcurrent exceeding the allowable current of the vehicle alternator flows, the fuse 10 is blown by its own generated heat. It has a fusible element (fuse element). One end of the fusible member is connected in series to the contact surface of the positive electrode side cooling fin 33 via a connection terminal fitting 48, and the other end of the fusible member is connected to the contact surface of the pair of nuts 41 and 42 via a connection terminal fitting 49. They are connected in series. As a material of the fusible material, silver, copper, zinc, tin, lead or an alloy thereof is generally used. The ends of the connection terminal fittings 48 and 49 are formed in a substantially annular shape in order to increase the contact area of the positive-side cooling fin 33 and the pair of nuts 41 and 42 with the contact surfaces. The annular portions 48a and 49a are exposed at both end surfaces of the bush 44 in the cylinder direction. The connection metal fittings 48 and 49 are made of a conductive metal such as pure aluminum.

[Assembling Method of First Embodiment] Next, an assembling method of the DC output terminal device 6 of the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

First, the mounting hole 38 of the cooling fin 33 on the positive electrode side
Inside, the cylindrical portion 5 of the insulator 43 is positioned such that the flange portion 54 is positioned on the lower end surface side of the positive electrode side cooling fin 33 in the figure.
Insert 5. Next, the shaft portion 52 is inserted into the insertion hole 55 a of the cylindrical portion 55 so that the tip end side of the shaft portion 52 of the terminal bolt 40 projects from the illustrated upper end surface (contact surface) of the positive electrode side cooling fin 33. Or press-fit.

Next, the shaft portion 52 of the terminal bolt 40
The protection circuit 9, ie, the fuse 10, the connection terminal fittings 48 and 49, is inserted around the outer periphery of the bush 44.
To fit. Next, a pair of nuts 41 and 42 are screwed into the male screw portion 53 of the shaft portion 52 protruding above the illustrated upper end surface (seat portion 57) of the bush 44. Then, the pair of nuts 41 and 42 are connected to the shaft-shaped portion 52 using a tool.
Between the upper end surface of the flange portion 51 of the terminal bolt 40 and the lower end surface of the pair of nuts 41 and 42, the flange portion 54 of the insulator 43, the positive cooling fin 33, and the bush 44. It is fastened and fixed in a state of being stacked in the axial direction (the thickness direction of the cooling fins 33 on the positive electrode side).

Next, after the mounting hole provided in the connection terminal fitting 23 of the charging wire 8 is hooked and fitted to the shaft portion 52 of the terminal bolt 40, the male screw portion 53 of the shaft portion 52 is fitted.
Screw the nut 41. Then, the nut 41 is fastened to the shaft portion 52 using a tool, so that the nut 4
The connection terminal fitting 23 of the charging wire 8 is sandwiched and fixed between the illustrated lower end surface 1 and the illustrated upper end surface of the nut 42. Thus, the positive-electrode-side cooling fins 33 to which the respective positive-electrode-side diodes 35 are soldered by the plurality of holding portions 33a are connected to the protection circuit 9 (the connection terminal fitting 48, the fuse 1
0, connection terminal fitting 49) and a pair of nuts 41, 42, and are electrically connected to the connection terminal fitting 23 of the charging wire 8 for supplying charging current to the battery 7.

[Operation of the First Embodiment] Next, the operation of the automotive alternator of the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

When the ignition switch 24 is turned on while the engine is stopped, a battery voltage is applied to the IG terminal. This is detected by the voltage regulator 4, and an initial exciting current flows through the field winding 2. At this time, since the rotor of the automotive alternator has not yet rotated, no power is generated, and the voltage at the P terminal is 0 V. The voltage regulator 4 detects this, and the charge lamp 25 is turned on.

When the rotational power of the engine is transmitted to the pulley via transmission means such as a belt, the rotor rotates as the shaft rotates. At this time, the rundle-type pole core, the field winding 2 and the two slip rings 18 rotate integrally with the shaft. An exciting current is supplied to the field winding 2 via the F-side and B-side brush terminals, two brushes 19, and two slip rings 18 by the action of the voltage adjusting device 4, so that one of the pole cores Are all N poles, and the other claw pole pieces are all S poles.

Then, an alternating current is sequentially induced in the three-phase armature winding 3 wound around the stator core of the stator that rotates relative to the rotor. This three-phase AC current is supplied to each AC input terminal 2
The three-phase AC current is rectified and converted into a DC current by being input to four positive-side diodes 35 and four negative-side diodes 36 through 9. When the voltage generated by the three-phase armature winding 3 exceeds the battery voltage,
The DC current rectified by the three-phase rectifier 5 is supplied to the battery 7 via the positive cooling fin 33 → the connecting terminal fitting 48 → the fuse 10 → the connecting terminal fitting 49 → the nut 42 → the connecting terminal fitting 23 → the charging wire 8. . As a result, the charging current flows through the battery 7 to charge the battery 7.

[Effects of the First Embodiment] As described above, the DC output terminal device 6 of the automotive alternator according to the present embodiment includes the positive cooling fin 33 and the terminal bolt 40 connected to the positive cooling fin 33. It is configured to be electrically insulated by an insulator 43 as a first cylindrical body made of an electrically insulating resin that is press-fitted or inserted between the terminal bolt 40 and the terminal bolt 40. Further, by sandwiching and fixing the connection terminal fittings 23, a pair of nuts 41 and 42 for electrically connecting the terminal wires of the charging wire 8 for supplying the charging current to the battery 7 and a three-phase rectifier. 5 and a bush 44 as a second cylindrical body made of an electrically insulating resin sandwiched between the contact surface of the positive electrode side cooling fin 33 and the contact surfaces of the pair of nuts 41 and 42. It is constituted so that it may be electrically insulated.

Therefore, the conductive wire (protection circuit 9) including the fuse 10 electrically connected between the contact surfaces of the pair of nuts 41 and 42 and the contact surface of the positive cooling fin 33. Conventionally, the terminal bolt 40 electrically connects the pair of nuts 41 and 42 and the positive-electrode-side cooling fin 33 to each other, and the charging current does not flow through the terminal bolt 40. The battery 7 and the electric components (the voltage regulator 4 and the three-phase rectifier 5) of the vehicle alternator do not conduct through the battery. Thus, the battery 7 and the electric components of the vehicle alternator are connected via the protection circuit 9 formed between the contact surface of the pair of nuts 41 and 42 and the contact surface of the positive cooling fin 33. Electrically connected.

The protection circuit 9 protects the electric components (for example, the integrated circuit of the voltage regulator 4) in the vehicle alternator from failure even if the battery 7 is reversely connected to the terminal bolt 40 by mistake. The fuse 10 connected in the middle is insert-molded in the bush 44. That is, the bush 44 in which the fuse 10 is insert-molded.
Of the terminal bolt 40 inserted or press-fitted through the insulator 43 and the pair of nuts 4
1 and 42, and are clamped and fixed.

Thus, even if the battery 7 is erroneously reversely connected to the terminal bolt 40 of the vehicular alternator, an overcurrent exceeding the permissible current of the vehicular alternator flows to the protection circuit 9 and the fuse 10 itself is not connected. Fuse 1 with generated heat
When the 0 is blown, the overload current does not flow into the electric components (for example, the integrated circuit of the voltage regulator 4) in the vehicle alternator, so that the electric components in the alternator do not break down.

Further, in the DC output terminal device 6 of the vehicle alternator according to the present embodiment, the fuse 10 connected in the middle of the protection circuit 9 for protecting the electric components in the vehicle alternator from failure is originally used. Is the cooling fin 33 on the positive electrode side
And a pair of nuts 41 and 42 are insert-molded in a bush 44 made of an electrically insulating resin for electrically insulating the nuts 41 and 42. Thereby, the protection circuit 9 can be integrally formed in the vehicle alternator. That is, the number of components constituting the DC output terminal device 6 of the vehicle alternator does not substantially increase, so that the increase in the number of components and the number of assembling steps caused by the conventional technology can be minimized. It becomes possible. Thereby, the cost of the vehicle alternator can be reduced.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and is a view showing a DC output terminal device of a vehicle AC generator.

In the bush 44 of this embodiment, the fin contact surface side is indirectly connected to the contact surface of the positive cooling fin 33 by the connection terminal fitting 48, and the nut contact surface side is the fuse 10 with the pair of nuts 41, 42. They are directly connected to the contact surfaces, and these are insert-molded with an electrically insulating resin. The upper end of the fuse 10 shown in the figure has a pair of nuts 41,
42 is formed in a substantially annular shape in order to increase the contact area with the contact surface. This annular portion 10a is
4 is exposed at the illustrated upper end surface (seat portion 57).

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing a DC output terminal device of a vehicle AC generator.

In the bush 44 of this embodiment, the fin contact surface side is directly connected to the contact surface of the positive cooling fin 33 by the fuse 10, and the nut contact surface side is connected to the pair of nuts 41 and 42 by the connection terminal fitting 49. They are indirectly connected to the contact surfaces, and these are insert-molded with an electrically insulating resin. The lower end of the fuse 10 shown in FIG.
3 is formed in a substantially annular shape in order to increase the contact area with the contact surface. This annular portion 10b is
Is exposed at the illustrated lower end surface (seat portion 56).

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention and is a view showing a DC output terminal device of a vehicle AC generator.

In the bush 44 of this embodiment, the fin contact surface side is directly connected to the contact surface of the positive cooling fin 33 with the fuse 10, and the nut contact surface side is also connected to the pair of nuts 41 and 42 with the fuse 10. They are directly connected to the contact surfaces, and these are insert-molded with an electrically insulating resin. In addition,
Annular portions 10a and 10b are provided at both ends of the fuse 10, respectively.

[Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention and is a view showing a DC output terminal device of a vehicle AC generator.

The insulating member of the present embodiment includes a first insulating member (hereinafter referred to as a bush 44) for electrically insulating the terminal bolt 40 and the pair of nuts 41 and 42 from the positive cooling fin 33, and a first insulating member. A second insulating member (hereinafter referred to as a fuse holder 6) provided independently of the bush 44.
1). The bush 44 is a first cylindrical body made of an electrically insulating resin sandwiched between the contact surface of the positive cooling fin 33 and the contact surfaces of the pair of nuts 41 and 42.

The bush 44 has a pair of connection terminal fittings (female connector terminal) electrically connected to both surfaces of the contact surface of the positive cooling fin 33 and the contact surfaces of the pair of nuts 41 and 42, respectively. ) 48 and 49 are insert-molded. The ends of the connection terminal fittings 48 and 49 are formed in a substantially annular shape in order to increase the contact area of the positive-side cooling fin 33 and the pair of nuts 41 and 42 with the contact surfaces. The annular portions 48a and 49a are exposed at both end surfaces of the bush 44 in the cylinder direction. The connection terminal fittings 48, 4
9 is made of a conductive metal such as pure aluminum.

The fuse holder 61 is a second cylindrical body made of an electrically insulating resin which is assembled so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the bush 44. Then, the fuse holder 61
Is a protection circuit (conductive line including overcurrent protection means) 62 for protecting electric components of the vehicle alternator (for example, an integrated circuit of the voltage regulator 4) from failure.
Are insert-molded.

The protection circuit 62 includes a pair of nuts 4.
A fuse (not shown) for interrupting an overload current flowing from the first and second cooling fins 33 to the positive electrode side cooling fin 33; a connection terminal fitting (male connector terminal) 63 connected to one end of the fuse by soldering or welding; And a connection terminal fitting (male connector terminal) 64 connected to one end of the fuse by soldering, welding, or the like. The connection terminal fittings 63 and 64 are configured to be electrically connected to the pair of connection terminal fittings 48 and 49 by connector bonding.

[Other Embodiments] In the present embodiment, the present invention relates to a vehicle alternator (also referred to as a vehicle alternator) that is driven to rotate by an internal combustion engine (engine) mounted on a vehicle such as a passenger car or a truck. However, the present invention may be applied to an AC generator that is rotationally driven by a drive source such as an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a water turbine, or a windmill, excluding a vehicle-mounted engine.

In this embodiment, a plurality of positive and negative side diodes 35 and 36 are used as a plurality of rectifying elements. However, a semiconductor switching element such as a MOS-FET may be used as a plurality of rectifying elements. good. In the present embodiment, the cooling fins 33 on the positive electrode side and the cooling fins 34 on the negative electrode side are used.
Are stacked so as to overlap with each other with a predetermined insulating gap therebetween.
4 may be arranged on the same plane with a predetermined insulating gap therebetween.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a rear structure of an automotive alternator (first embodiment).

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1 (first embodiment).

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an electric circuit of the vehicle alternator (first embodiment).

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing a main structure of a three-phase rectifier of the automotive alternator (first embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a DC output terminal device of a vehicle AC generator (second embodiment).

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a DC output terminal device of a vehicle AC generator (third embodiment).

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a DC output terminal device of a vehicle AC generator (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a DC output terminal device of an automotive alternator (fifth embodiment).

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 housing 2 field winding 3 three-phase armature winding 4 voltage regulator (electric part) 5 three-phase rectifier 6 DC output terminal device 7 battery 8 charging line 9 protection circuit (including overcurrent protection means 10 Fuse (overcurrent protection means) 33 Positive side cooling fin 34 Negative side cooling fin 35 Positive side diode (positive side rectifying element) 36 Negative side diode (negative side rectifying element) 40 Terminal bolt 41 Nut (charging) Wire connecting means) 42 Nut (Charging wire connecting means) 48 Connection terminal fitting 49 Connection terminal fitting 43 Insulator (insulating member, first tubular body) 44 Bush (insulating member, second tubular body)

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Claims (10)

[Claims] (A) a rotor having a field winding; (b) a stator having a multi-phase armature winding that generates an AC output with rotation of the rotor; (c) A plurality of rectifiers for rectifying an AC output generated by the multi-phase armature winding and converting the rectifier to a DC output; (d) a positive electrode for cooling the positive rectifier among the rectifiers; A cooling fin; (e) a terminal bolt assembled so as to intersect with the positive electrode cooling fin; and (f) a charging current supplied to the battery at an end of the terminal bolt opposite to the positive electrode cooling fin. (G) an insulating member for electrically insulating the terminal bolt, the pair of nuts, and the positive-electrode-side cooling fin from each other; It is installed integrally with this insulating member. And an overcurrent protection means for interrupting an overload current flowing from the pair of nuts to the electric component via the positive-electrode-side cooling fins. 2. The alternator according to claim 1, wherein the insulating member is made of an electrically insulating resin sandwiched between a contact surface of the positive cooling fin and a contact surface of the nut. An AC generator, wherein the overcurrent protection means is insert-molded in the tubular body. 3. The alternator according to claim 2, wherein said overcurrent protection means is electrically connected to both a contact surface of said positive cooling fin and a contact surface of said nut. An alternator characterized by that: 4. The alternator according to claim 2, wherein said overcurrent protection means is provided on a contact surface of one of a contact surface of said positive cooling fin and a contact surface of said nut. An alternator characterized by being electrically connected via a. 5. The alternator according to claim 1, wherein the insulating member is an electrically insulating resin for electrically insulating the terminal bolt and the cooling fin on the positive electrode side. A first tubular body made of an electrically insulating resin for electrically insulating the pair of nuts and the cooling fins on the positive electrode side from each other; An alternator, wherein the overcurrent protection means is insert-molded. 6. The alternator according to claim 1, wherein said insulating member is a first insulating member for electrically insulating said terminal bolt and said nut from said positive electrode side cooling fin, and said first insulating member. A second insulating member provided independently of the first insulating member, wherein the first insulating member is an electric power pinched between a contact surface of the positive cooling fin and a contact surface of the nut. A first tubular body made of an insulating resin, wherein the second insulating member is a second tubular body made of an electrically insulating resin that is assembled so as to contact an outer peripheral surface of the first insulating member. Alternator. 7. The alternator according to claim 6, wherein the first cylindrical body is electrically connected to both a contact surface of the positive-side cooling fin and a contact surface of the nut. The pair of connection terminal fittings is insert-molded, and the overcurrent protection means electrically connected to the pair of connection terminal fittings by connector joining is insert-molded on the second cylindrical body. Characteristic alternator. 8. The alternator according to claim 1, wherein the overcurrent protection means is provided so that when an overcurrent flows, the overcurrent protection means is blown off by its own generated heat. An alternator characterized by being a fuse having a solution. 9. The alternator according to claim 1, wherein said pair of nuts are charging line connecting means for connecting said charging line to a tip end of said terminal bolt. An alternator characterized by the following. 10. The alternator according to claim 1, wherein the electric component is a multi-phase armature by controlling an exciting current supplied to the field winding. An alternator characterized by being a voltage regulator having an electronic control circuit for regulating an output voltage of a winding.