High Voltage, Large Current Terminals for Hybrid Electric Vehicle Wire Harnesses

In recent years, development of environment measure cars is an important theme of the earth environment protection and energy saving. Various kinds of hybrid electric vehicles increase the production rapidly. However, the vehicle price is one of the big themes for the hybrid electric vehicle’s growth. High voltage harnesses necessary to connect between hybrid units (inverter to motor, battery) that must be fitted in a limited vehicle space. Especially, high voltage and high current wire harnesses for hybrid electrical vehicle need thicker cross section and higher connection reliability in comparison with wires for 12V.
In this paper, we set our goal of the terminal which is proof against vehicle vibration and is possible to apply high and continuous current. We successfully selected the structure and the material and developed the terminal at low cost, which is proof against vehicle vibration and is able to pass over 100A current. The developed terminals are used in Lexus GS450h.