Quick-connect terminal block and circuit breaker

Abstract

The quick-connect terminal unit comprises: a terminal part (30), an insulating housing part (40) and an insulating cover part (50). The front end side of the terminal part (30) is connected to the screw terminal part on the power supply side or the load side of the circuit breaker, and a spring (32) is provided on the base end side. The housing part (40) is provided with a first opening part (61) for inserting the terminal part (30) and a second opening part (62) for making the front end side of the terminal part (30) protrude to the outside. The cover part (50) has a first guide hole (52) for guiding the insertion of the wire into the housing part (40) and a second guide hole (53) for guiding the insertion of a tool for removing the wire from the housing part (40) into the housing part (40), so as to engage with the housing part (40) in a state where the first opening part (61) is blocked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a quick connection terminal unit installed on a wiring circuit breaker and a circuit breaker device. Background Art

[0002] In the past, a quick-connect terminal unit is known, which can shorten the operation time of connecting the wire when connecting the wire to the conductive terminal of the circuit breaker. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a quick-connect terminal unit, which is installed in a wiring circuit breaker whose conductive terminal is a screw terminal. The quick-connect terminal unit has the following structure, that is, an insulating housing portion provided with a spring and other components is covered by an insulating cover portion. The cover portion is fixed to the housing portion by rivets, etc.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-41610 Summary of the invention

[0004] However, in the case where the quick-connect terminal unit is a structure in which the cover is fixed to the housing by rivets, a hole through which the rivet passes, i.e., a rivet hole, is provided in the housing. The rivet hole is provided at a position determined in accordance with the standard to ensure insulation from the conducting part, so the outer shape of the quick-connect terminal unit is sometimes larger than that without rivets.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a quick-connect terminal unit in which a cover portion can be mounted to a housing portion without using rivets.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the purpose, the quick-connect terminal unit of the present invention has: a terminal part, an insulating shell part and an insulating cover part. The terminal part is a screw terminal part connected to the power supply side or the load side of the circuit breaker on the front end side and a spring is provided on the base end side. The shell part is provided with a first opening for inserting the terminal part and a second opening for protruding the front end side of the terminal part to the outside. The cover part has a first guide hole for guiding the insertion of the wire into the shell part and a second guide hole for guiding the insertion of the tool for removing the wire from the shell part into the shell part, and the cover part is engaged with the shell part in a state where the first opening part is blocked.

[0007] Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, there is an effect that the cover portion can be attached to the case portion without using rivets. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the external appearance of the circuit breaking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 It is an exploded perspective view of the circuit breaking device according to the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the appearance of the quick-connect terminal unit main body according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the quick-connect terminal unit main body according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the appearance of the terminal portion involved in the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the external appearance of the housing portion of the quick-connect terminal unit according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 7 is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII is shown.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a diagram for explaining a method of inserting a terminal portion into a housing portion in the quick-connect terminal unit according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Fig. 9 This is a perspective view of the appearance of the cover portion according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Fig.10 This is a perspective view of the appearance of the terminal cover according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Fig.11 This is a perspective view of the appearance of the terminal cover according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Fig.12 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII is shown.

[0021] Fig.13 The circuit breaker device according to the first embodiment is provided with the terminal cover not being installed. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII is shown.

[0022] Fig.14 This is an external perspective view showing the positional relationship between a quick-connect terminal unit main body and a terminal cover in a state where the quick-connect terminal unit is mounted in the circuit breaker according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Description of the label

[0024] 10 circuit breaker, 11 circuit breaker device body, 11a fixing claw, 11b exhaust path, 11c round hole, 12 movable claw, 13, 14 screw terminal portion, 15, 16 terminal screw, 20 quick connection terminal unit, 21 quick connection terminal unit body, 22 terminal cover, 30 terminal portion, 31 terminal member, 32 spring, 33 terminal, 34 terminal base, 34a rising portion, 34b, 49 holes, 34c base end, 40 housing portion, 41 , 42, 43, 44 side wall portion, 41a the third opening portion, 41b, 47 protruding portion, 45 partition wall portion, 46 engaging portion, 48 exhaust hole, 50 cover portion, 51, 72b, 73a protruding portion, 52 the first guide hole, 53 the second guide hole, 54, 55 guide plate, 60 storage portion, 61 the first opening portion, 62 the second opening portion, 71 terminal cover body, 72 opening cover portion, 72a opening cover body, 73 hanging portion, 100 circuit breaker device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, the quick connection terminal unit and the circuit breaker device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[0026] Implementation method 1.

[0027] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the circuit breaker device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the circuit breaker device 100 according to the first embodiment includes: a circuit breaker 10 that breaks a circuit; and two quick connection terminal units 20, which are respectively mounted on the power supply side and the load side of the circuit breaker 10. The quick connection terminal unit 20 mounted on the power supply side of the circuit breaker 10 and the quick connection terminal unit 20 mounted on the load side of the circuit breaker 10 have the same structure.

[0028] The circuit breaker 10 is a circuit breaker for overcurrent protection or short-circuit current protection in a low-voltage power distribution machine, for example, and is also called a CP (Circuit Protector). The circuit breaker 10 has a switch mechanism (not shown) that switches the circuit from a closed state to an open state when an overcurrent or short-circuit current flows through the connected circuit. In the first embodiment, the circuit breaker 10 is a single-pole circuit breaker, but may also be a two-pole circuit breaker or a three-pole circuit breaker.

[0029] Figure 2 1 is an exploded perspective view of the circuit breaker device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2As shown, the circuit breaker 10 includes: a circuit breaker body 11 that opens and closes the circuit; and a movable claw 12 that is movably mounted on the circuit breaker body 11. The movable claw 12 is used to stretch a spring that applies a holding force to an IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) rail (not shown). In addition, a fixed claw 11a is formed on the circuit breaker body 11, and the circuit breaker body 11 can be detachably mounted on the IEC by the fixed claw 11a and the movable claw 12.

[0030] In addition, the circuit breaker 10 has a screw terminal portion 13 provided on the power supply side of the circuit breaker device body 11 and a screw terminal portion 14 provided on the load side of the circuit breaker device body 11. Figure 2 In the figure, the screw terminal 13 on the power supply side is located in a position that is hidden by the housing of the circuit breaker main body 11. The screw terminal 13 is connected to a power supply (not shown) via electric wires, and the screw terminal 14 is connected to a load (not shown) via electric wires.

[0031] The quick connection terminal unit 20 has a quick connection terminal unit body 21, which is connected to the power supply side or the load side of the circuit breaker 10. A Y-shaped terminal 33 is provided in the quick connection terminal unit body 21, and the terminal 33 is fastened to the screw terminal portion 13 of the circuit breaker 10 by the terminal screw 15, thereby the terminal 33 is electrically connected to the power supply (not shown). In addition, the terminal 33 is fastened to the screw terminal portion 14 of the circuit breaker 10 by the terminal screw 16, thereby the terminal 33 is electrically connected to the load (not shown).

[0032] In the circuit breaker 10, an exhaust path 11b for exhausting the internal pressure during circuit breaking to the outside of the circuit breaker 10 is provided on the load side. When the quick connection terminal unit body 21 is mounted on the circuit breaker 10, a plurality of exhaust holes 48 are provided in the quick connection terminal unit body 21 at positions opposite to the exhaust path 11b so that the exhaust path 11b is not blocked by the quick connection terminal unit body 21.

[0033] In addition, the quick-connect terminal unit body 21 is formed with a hole 49 into which the movable claw 12 is inserted when the circuit breaker 10 is removed from the IEC rail (not shown). Thus, even when the quick-connect terminal unit 20 is mounted on the load side of the circuit breaker 10, the circuit breaker 10 can be removed from the IEC rail (not shown).

[0034] When the two quick-connect terminal unit bodies 21 are connected to the power supply side and the load side of the circuit breaker 10, the screw terminal portion 13 on the power supply side and the screw terminal portion 14 on the load side are exposed to the outside. Therefore, the quick-connect terminal unit 20 has an insulating terminal cover 22 that blocks the screw terminal portion 13 on the power supply side or the screw terminal portion 14 on the load side from the top.

[0035] The terminal cover 22 is provided with a projection 73a. Circular holes 11c are formed on the power supply side and the load side of the circuit breaker 10, and the terminal cover 22 is attached to the circuit breaker 10 by inserting the projection 73a of the terminal cover 22 into the circular holes 11c.

[0036] Next, the structure of the quick connection terminal unit 20 will be described in more detail. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the appearance of the quick-connect terminal unit main body according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the quick-connect terminal unit main body according to the first embodiment.

[0037] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the quick-connect terminal unit body 21 includes: a conductive terminal portion 30, which is connected to the screw terminal portion 13 on the power supply side or the screw terminal portion 14 on the load side; an insulating shell portion 40, which accommodates the terminal portion 30 inside in a state where the front end side of the terminal portion 30 protrudes to the outside; and an insulating cover portion 50, which blocks the upper part of the shell portion 40.

[0038] The terminal portion 30 is as follows Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the terminal 30 is inserted from the first opening 61 provided at the upper portion of the housing 40. Figure 3 As shown, the cover 50 is inserted into the housing 40 in a state where the front end side protrudes from the second opening 62 provided on the side of the housing 40. The cover 50 is inserted into the first opening 61 of the housing 40 and embedded in the upper part of the housing 40 when the terminal portion 30 is arranged in the housing 40. As a result, the upper part of the housing 40 is blocked by the cover 50.

[0039] Here, the structure of the terminal portion 30 will be described in detail. Figure 5 1 is a perspective view of the terminal portion according to the first embodiment. Figure 5 As shown, the terminal portion 30 includes a conductive terminal member 31 and two conductive springs 32. The terminal member 31 is formed by, for example, punching and bending a metal plate.

[0040] The terminal member 31 includes a Y-shaped terminal 33 provided at the front end and a terminal base 34 continuous with the base end of the terminal 33. As described above, the Y-shaped terminal 33 is fastened to the screw terminal portion 13 on the power supply side or the screw terminal portion 14 on the load side.

[0041] The terminal base 34 has: a pair of raised portions 34a, which are arranged at the front end side at a position where the base end of the terminal 33 is clamped and raised upward; and two holes 34b, which are arranged adjacent to each other. Each spring 32 is formed in a U shape and is installed on the terminal base 34 in a state where it is inserted into the corresponding hole 34b of the two holes 34b.

[0042] One end of the spring 32 is bent in a direction away from the hole 34b and is locked to the terminal base 34. In addition, each of the pair of raised portions 34a has a function of holding the corresponding spring 32 of the two springs 32. The terminal base 34 has a base end 34c that is bent into a V-shape so as to expand in different directions.

[0043] Next, the structure of the casing portion 40 will be described in detail. Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the external appearance of the housing portion of the quick-connect terminal unit according to the first embodiment. Figure 7 is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII is shown.

[0044] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the housing 40 includes: a storage portion 60 formed by side walls 41, 42, 43, 44 and a partition wall 45; a first opening 61 formed at the upper portion of the storage portion 60; and a second opening 62 formed at the side of the storage portion 60. The upper portion of the storage portion 60 is the upper portion of the housing 40. The side of the storage portion 60 is the side of the housing 40.

[0045] The housing 40 has a pair of engaging portions 46 protruding from the side walls 42 and 43 to engage with the circuit breaker body 11, and a pair of protruding portions 47 protruding upward from one end of the partition wall 45 and facing each other via the second opening 62. The side wall 41 has a third opening 41a formed in the center, and a protruding portion 41b protruding downward.

[0046] Next, a method of inserting the terminal portion 30 into the housing portion 40 will be described. Figure 8 This is a diagram for explaining a method of inserting a terminal portion into a housing portion in the quick-connect terminal unit according to the first embodiment.

[0047] like Figure 8As shown, the terminal portion 30 is sequentially inserted from the front end of the terminal portion 30 into the first opening 61 formed in the upper portion of the housing portion 40, and the front end of the terminal portion 30 is inserted into the second opening 62. Moreover, the terminal portion 30 is arranged in the storage portion 60 of the housing portion 40 in a manner that the front end protrudes from the second opening 62 to the outside.

[0048] In addition, if Figure 8 As shown, when the terminal portion 30 is completely inserted into the housing portion 40, the rising portion 34a formed on the terminal portion 30 abuts against the protruding portion 47 formed on the partition wall portion 45, and the base end 34c of the terminal portion 30 abuts against the side wall portion 44. Thus, the terminal portion 30 is inserted into the housing portion 40 while being positioned in the receiving portion 60 of the housing portion 40.

[0049] As described above, the terminal portion 30 is formed integrally by installing the spring 32 on the terminal member 31, and is inserted through the first opening 61 of the housing portion 40, and the terminal 33 on the front end side is installed in a state of protruding from the second opening 62. As described above, in the quick connection terminal unit body 21, the spring 32 can be installed in the housing portion 40 without being clamped by the cover portion 50. As a result, the cover portion 50 can be installed on the housing portion 40 without using rivets.

[0050] Therefore, the quick-connect terminal unit body 21 has less restrictions on its outer shape than when the cover 50 is attached to the housing 40 by rivets, for example. Therefore, for example, the quick-connect terminal unit body 21 can be miniaturized.

[0051] Next, the structure of the cover portion 50 will be described in detail. Fig. 9 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of the cover portion involved in Embodiment 1. Fig. 9 As shown, the cover 50 is formed with a protrusion 51, a first guide hole 52, a second guide hole 53, and guide plates 54 and 55. The cover 50 is inserted into the first opening 61 formed in the upper part of the housing 40, and the protrusion 51 is inserted into the first opening 61 formed in the upper part of the housing 40. Figure 6 The third opening portion 41 a shown is thereby locked to the case portion 40 .

[0052] The first guide hole 52 is a guide hole for guiding the insertion of the unillustrated wire into the quick connection terminal unit 20 so that the front end of the unillustrated wire is arranged at a correct position relative to the spring 32. The second guide hole 53 is a guide hole for guiding the insertion of the unillustrated tool into the quick connection terminal unit 20. The unillustrated tool is used to remove the unillustrated wire connected to the terminal portion 30 of the quick connection terminal unit 20 from the quick connection terminal unit 20.

[0053] The guide plates 54 and 55 guide the insertion of the electric wire (not shown) into the quick-connect terminal unit 20 so that the tip of the electric wire (not shown) inserted into the first guide hole 52 is arranged at a correct position relative to the spring 32 .

[0054] Next, the structure of the terminal cover 22 will be described in detail. Fig.10 and Fig.11 1 is a perspective view of the terminal cover according to the first embodiment. Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, the terminal cover 22 has: a terminal cover body 71, which covers the upper part of the screw terminal parts 13 and 14 of the circuit breaker 10; and an opening cover part 72, which extends downward from the base end of the terminal cover body 71 and blocks the second opening part 62 formed in the housing part 40.

[0055] The terminal cover 22 has a pair of hanging parts 73 extending downward from both sides of the terminal cover body 71 and facing each other with a gap. A convex part 73a is formed on each hanging part 73, and the convex part 73a is inserted into the Figure 1 The terminal cover 22 is mounted on the circuit breaker 10 by forming the circular hole 11c shown. The opening cover portion 72 includes an opening cover body 72a extending downward and a protrusion 72b protruding outward from a midway portion of the opening cover body 72a.

[0056] When the quick connection terminal unit 20 is mounted on the circuit breaker 10, the protrusion 72b is located at a position opposite to the protrusion 41b of the side wall portion 41 in the housing portion 40 in the vertical direction. Thus, when the quick connection terminal unit 20 is mounted on the circuit breaker 10, even if an upward force acts on the terminal cover 22, the protrusion 72b is locked by the protrusion 41b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the terminal cover 22 from being removed from the circuit breaker device 100.

[0057] Next, the relationship between the quick-connect terminal unit main body 21 and the terminal cover 22 will be described. Fig.12 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII is shown. Fig.13 The circuit breaker device according to the first embodiment is provided with the terminal cover not being installed. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII is shown. Fig.14 This is an external perspective view showing the positional relationship between a quick-connect terminal unit main body and a terminal cover in a state where the quick-connect terminal unit is mounted on the circuit breaker according to the first embodiment.

[0058] like Fig.13As shown in FIG. 1 , when the terminal cover 22 is not installed in the circuit breaker device 100, the second opening 62 located above the terminal member 31 of the terminal portion 30 is not blocked. Fig.12 and Fig.14 As shown, when the quick connection terminal unit 20 is installed on the circuit breaker 10, Fig.13 The second opening 62 shown is covered by the opening cover portion 72 of the terminal cover 22 .

[0059] As described above, the terminal cover 22 is provided with the opening cover portion 72, and the second opening portion 62 of the quick connection terminal unit body 21 can be blocked by the opening cover body 72a. When the quick connection terminal unit body 21 is mounted on the load side of the circuit breaker 10, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the quick connection terminal unit body 21 is arranged at a position close to the exhaust path 11b provided in the circuit breaker 10. Sometimes, the molten material etc. during the circuit breaker operation is discharged from the exhaust path 11b, but as described above, the second opening 62 is blocked by the terminal cover 22, so that the molten material etc. during the circuit breaker operation can be prevented from flowing into the inside of the quick connection terminal unit body 21.

[0060] As described above, the quick-connect terminal unit 20 mounted on the circuit breaker 10 according to the first embodiment includes the terminal portion 30, the insulating housing portion 40, and the insulating cover portion 50. The terminal portion 30 has a terminal 33 on the front end side connected to the screw terminal portion 13 on the power supply side or the screw terminal portion 14 on the load side of the circuit breaker 10, and a spring 32 is provided on the terminal base 34 on the base end side. The housing portion 40 is provided with a first opening 61 and a second opening 62, the first opening 61 being inserted into the terminal portion 30, and the second opening 62 allowing the terminal 33 on the front end side of the terminal portion 30 to protrude to the outside. The cover portion 50 has a first guide hole 52 for guiding the insertion of an unillustrated electric wire into the housing portion 40, and a second guide hole 53 for guiding the insertion of a tool for removing an unillustrated electric wire from the housing portion 40 into the housing portion 40. The cover portion 50 is engaged with the housing portion 40 in a state where the first opening 61 is blocked. As described above, the quick connection terminal unit 20 is installed in the housing portion 40 by inserting the terminal portion 30 in a state where the spring 32 is installed in the terminal member 31 from the first opening portion 61 of the housing portion 40. Therefore, the spring 32 can be installed in the housing portion 40 without clamping the spring 32 through the cover portion 50. Thus, the cover portion 50 can be installed on the housing portion 40 without using rivets.

[0061] In addition, the quick connection terminal unit 20 has a terminal cover 22 that covers the screw terminal parts 13 and 14 from above and blocks the second opening 62. Thus, for example, even when the quick connection terminal unit body 21 is mounted on the load side of the circuit breaker 10, it is possible to suppress the flow of molten material or the like into the interior of the quick connection terminal unit body 21 during circuit breaking.

[0062] The configuration described in the above embodiment is an example of the content of the present invention, and can be combined with other known technologies. Part of the configuration can be omitted or changed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A quick-connect terminal unit, mounted on a circuit breaker, The quick-connect terminal unit is characterized by having: a terminal portion, the front end side of which is connected to the screw terminal portion of the power supply side or the load side of the circuit breaker, and a spring is provided on the base end side; an insulating housing portion having a first opening portion for inserting the terminal portion and a second opening portion for allowing the front end side of the terminal portion to protrude to the outside; and An insulating cover portion has a first guide hole for guiding the insertion of the wire into the shell portion, and a second guide hole for guiding the insertion of a tool for removing the wire from the shell portion into the shell portion, and the insulating cover portion is engaged with the shell portion in a state where the first opening portion is blocked.

2. The quick connection terminal unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: A terminal cover is provided, which covers the screw terminal portion from above and closes the second opening portion.

3. A circuit breaker device, characterized in that: have: The quick-connect terminal unit according to claim 1 or 2; and The circuit breaker.

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