Terminal block and I / O unit

Abstract

A terminal block (20) is provided with: a plurality of inserted sections (26) which are arranged in a row in a first direction and have a first inserted section (26A) and a second inserted section (26B), the first inserted section (26A) and the second inserted section (26B) having different positions in the first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; the plurality of release manipulators (28) are disposed in the second direction at positions different from the first inserted section (26A) and the second inserted section (26B) in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal block and an I / O unit having the terminal block. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-242486 discloses a terminal block (terminal block device). The terminal block is mounted on an electrical device. The terminal block includes a plurality of inserted portions (terminals) and a plurality of release operating members (buttons). The plurality of release operating members correspond to different inserted portions. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-242486, all inserted parts are arranged in a row along the height direction. Preferably, the intervals between the inserted parts adjacent to each other in the height direction have a certain length. However, in this case, the terminal block is enlarged in the height direction.

[0004] In order to prevent the terminal block from becoming larger in height, it is conceivable to arrange the plurality of inserted portions in two rows. By arranging the plurality of inserted portions in two rows, the terminal block can be prevented from becoming larger in height.

[0005] However, in this case, two rows of multiple inserted parts are formed. These two rows are arranged in the width direction orthogonal to the height direction. In other words, multiple inserted parts are arranged in the width direction. As a result, the width direction of the terminal block is enlarged.

[0006] In view of the above, there is a problem that it is difficult to configure a small and thin terminal block.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] According to the first aspect of the invention, a terminal block comprises: a plurality of inserted parts, a plurality of external terminals inserted into the plurality of inserted parts, and connection terminals connected to the external terminals inserted into each of the inserted parts; and a plurality of release operating members for releasing the connection between the plurality of external terminals and the plurality of connection terminals, the plurality of inserted parts comprising: a plurality of first inserted parts arranged in a row along a first direction; and a plurality of second inserted parts arranged in a row along the first direction at positions different from the plurality of first inserted parts in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the plurality of second inserted parts arranged in a position different from the plurality of first inserted parts in the first direction, the plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of first inserted parts and the plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of second inserted parts arranged along the first direction at positions different from the plurality of first inserted parts and the plurality of second inserted parts in the second direction.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention, an I / O unit includes the terminal block according to the first aspect, wherein the I / O unit has a flat plate shape, and a thickness direction of the flat plate shape is the second direction.

[0010] According to the present invention, the terminal block can be miniaturized and thinned. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1A It is a diagram showing a communication system (station) having an I / O unit according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Structural diagram of the I / O unit.

[0013] Figure 2 is a front view of the front unit.

[0014] Figure 3A yes Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along line IIIA-IIIA. Figure 3B It is shown Figure 3A A cross-sectional view showing a state in which the external terminal is inserted into the first inserted portion. Figure 3C It is shown Figure 3B A cross-sectional view showing the state when the operator operates the release operating member.

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0016] Figure 5A This is a front view of a front unit in Comparative Example 1 to which this embodiment is not applied. Figure 5B This is a front view of a front unit in Comparative Example 2 to which this embodiment is not applied. Figure 5C This is a front view of a front unit in Comparative Example 3 to which this embodiment is not applied.

[0017] Fig. 6A This is a perspective view of the front unit of Modification Example 1. Figure 6B It is a diagram showing a plurality of connector units stacked in the height direction.

[0018] Fig. 7A It is a front view of the front unit of modification example 2. Figure 7B This is a front view of another example of the front unit of Modification Example 2.

[0019] Fig. 8A This is a stereoscopic diagram of the front unit of Modification 3. Figure 8B is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the first unit. Figure 8C is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the second unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] [Implementation Method]

[0021] Figure 1A 1 is a diagram showing a communication system (station) 11 including an I / O unit 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A structural diagram of the I / O unit 10.

[0022] The multiple arrows shown in each figure represent the directions (height, width, front and back) used in the following description. The height direction, width direction, and front and back direction are orthogonal to each other. The width direction and the front and back direction are parallel to the horizontal plane. In addition, the width direction is a general term for the L direction and the R direction. The L direction and the R direction are opposite to each other.

[0023] The communication system 11 is, for example, a system that inputs and outputs signals between the control device and a plurality of devices so that the control device and the plurality of devices communicate with each other.

[0024] The communication system 11 includes a plurality of I / O units 10. The plurality of I / O units 10 are arranged in a width direction.

[0025] The control device is, for example, a numerical control device for controlling a machine tool. The illustration of the control device is omitted. The device is, for example, a driver, a detector, etc. provided in the machine tool. The device has an external terminal 14 and a cable 14a. The external terminal 14 is a terminal connected to the I / O unit 10. The cable 14a is a component that connects the device body and the external terminal 14. In addition, the illustration of the device body is omitted.

[0026] Furthermore, the communication system 11 may further include an installation component 13. The installation component 13 is a component that supports the plurality of I / O units 10. The installation component 13 is, for example, a DIN rail. Figure 1A The extending direction of the illustrated setting member 13 is the width direction. That is, the setting member 13 is long in the width direction. In this case, the plurality of I / O units 10 are continuously arranged on the setting member 13. The plurality of I / O units 10 are arranged at the front of the setting member 13.

[0027] The I / O unit 10 includes a communication processing unit 16, a base unit 18, and a front unit 20. The communication processing unit 16, the base unit 18, and the front unit 20 are arranged in the front-rear direction. The communication processing unit 16 is arranged behind the front unit 20, and the base unit 18 is arranged behind the communication processing unit 16.

[0028] The communication processing unit 16 is a component that accommodates the control module 22. The control module 22 is a module that performs necessary processing to establish communication between the aforementioned control device and the device. The control module 22 includes, for example, a substrate on which a predetermined circuit is formed. The circuit includes, for example, a control IC (Integrated Circuit).

[0029] The base unit 18 is a member that detachably supports the communication processing unit 16. The communication processing unit 16 is inserted into the base unit 18 in the rear direction. The communication processing unit 16 is pulled out of the base unit 18 in the front direction.

[0030] The base unit 18 includes a plurality of base terminals 24. The plurality of base terminals 24 are provided on the side of the base unit 18. The plurality of base terminals 24 include base terminals 24L on the L-direction side of the base unit 18 and base terminals 24R on the R-direction side of the base unit 18.

[0031] In one I / O unit 10, when the communication processing unit 16 is inserted into the base unit 18, the plurality of base terminals 24L and the plurality of base terminals 24R are connected to the control module 22. Therefore, by inserting the communication processing unit 16 into the base unit 18, the plurality of base terminals 24L and the plurality of base terminals 24R are connected via the control module 22.

[0032] When two I / O units 10 are adjacent in the width direction, the base terminals 24R of the I / O unit 10 on the L direction side and the base terminals 24L of the I / O unit 10 on the R direction side are connected to each other. Thus, the control modules 22 of the two I / O units 10 adjacent in the width direction are connected.

[0033] Furthermore, among the plurality of I / O units 10 arranged in a row, the plurality of base terminals 24L of the I / O unit 10 disposed on the most L-direction side are connected to the control device. Thus, the control module 22 of the I / O unit 10 is connected to the control device. In addition, the control modules 22 of the remaining I / O units 10 are connected to the control device via the control module 22 of the I / O unit 10. Thus, the devices connected to each I / O unit 10 are connected to the control device via at least one I / O unit 10 (control module 22).

[0034] However, among the plurality of I / O units 10 arranged in a row, the plurality of base terminals 24R of the I / O unit 10 disposed on the most R direction side may be connected to the control device. Even in that case, the devices connected to each I / O unit 10 are connected to the control device via at least one I / O unit 10 (control module 22).

[0035] The front unit 20 is a terminal block that can be attached to and detached from the communication processing unit 16. The mounting direction of the front unit 20 to the communication processing unit 16 is the rear direction. The removal direction of the front unit 20 from the communication processing unit 16 is the front direction.

[0036] The I / O unit 10 preferably has a flat plate shape. The thickness direction of the flat plate shape is the width direction. When the I / O unit 10 has a flat plate shape that is thin in the width direction, the installation space for a plurality of I / O units 10 becomes compact.

[0037] Figure 2 is a front view of the front unit 20.

[0038] The front unit 20 is further described below. In the following description, the height direction is also described as the long side direction. In addition, the width direction is also described as the short side direction.

[0039] The front unit 20 includes a plurality of inserted portions 26 and a plurality of release operating members 28 .

[0040] Each of the plurality of inserted portions 26 is a portion into which the external terminal 14 is inserted. Each of the plurality of inserted portions 26 has, for example, an opening 26a formed on the front face of the front unit 20 in a manner capable of cooperating with the external terminal 14. However, each of the plurality of inserted portions 26 is not limited to the opening 26a. Each of the plurality of inserted portions 26 may have a mechanism for clamping the external terminal 14.

[0041] The plurality of inserted portions 26 include a plurality of first inserted portions 26A and a plurality of second inserted portions 26B. Each of the plurality of first inserted portions 26A has a center C1. Each of the plurality of second inserted portions 26B has a center C2. Figure 2 In the figure, the centers C1 of the plurality of first inserted portions 26A and the centers C2 of the plurality of second inserted portions 26B are omitted from illustration.

[0042] The plurality of first inserted portions 26A are arranged in a row in the height direction. The plurality of second inserted portions 26B are also arranged in a row in the height direction. However, the plurality of first inserted portions 26A and the plurality of second inserted portions 26B are arranged at different positions in the width direction.

[0043] In addition, the plurality of first inserted portions 26A and the plurality of second inserted portions 26B are also arranged at different positions in the height direction. The center C2 of each second inserted portion 26B falls between the centers C1 of the two first inserted portions 26A separated from it in the height direction. The positions of the plurality of first inserted portions 26A and the plurality of second inserted portions 26B in the height direction may overlap.

[0044] The plurality of release operating members 28 are operating members provided corresponding to each of the plurality of inserted portions 26. Each of the plurality of release operating members 28 is, for example, a push member. Each inserted portion 26 is provided with a connection terminal 30 (see also FIG. 1 ) connected to the external terminal 14. Figure 3A ). Each release operation member 28 is operated by an operator to release the connection between the corresponding connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14 connected to the connection terminal 30 .

[0045] The plurality of release operating members 28 are arranged at positions different from the plurality of inserted portions 26 in the width direction. In the present embodiment, all the release operating members 28 are arranged between the plurality of first inserted portions 26A and the plurality of second inserted portions 26B in the width direction. In the present embodiment, all the release operating members 28 are arranged in a row in the height direction.

[0046] Figure 3A yes Figure 2 Sectional view along line IIIA-IIIA.

[0047] The aforementioned connection terminal 30 is provided in each of the plurality of first inserted portions 26A. The connection terminal 30 is arranged at a position in the first inserted portion 26A that is closer to the rear than the opening 26a. The connection terminal 30 is formed in a leaf spring shape, for example, and has elasticity. In addition, the connection terminal 30 of each first inserted portion 26A is connected to the control module 22 by installing the front unit 20 on the communication processing unit 16.

[0048] Figure 3B It is shown Figure 3A A cross-sectional view showing a state in which the middle external terminal 14 is inserted into the first inserted portion 26A.

[0049] The connection terminal 30 contacts the external terminal 14 inserted into the opening 26a. Thus, the connection terminal 30 is connected to the external terminal 14. By connecting the connection terminal 30 to the external terminal 14, the device and the control module 22 are connected.

[0050] In addition, since the connection terminal 30 has elasticity, the external terminal 14 can be pressed in the width direction. The external terminal 14 is locked in the first inserted portion 26A by being pressed in the width direction. Figure 3B In the example of , the connection terminal 30 presses the external terminal 14 in the L direction.

[0051] Figure 3C It is shown Figure 3B 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the operator operates the release operating member 28.

[0052] The operator can push the release operation member 28 backward. By this pushing operation, the release operation member 28 is inserted between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14. By inserting the release operation member 28 between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14, the contact between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14 is released. By releasing the contact between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14, the pressing of the connection terminal 30 on the external terminal 14 is released. By releasing the pressing of the connection terminal 30 on the external terminal 14, the operator can easily remove the external terminal 14 from the first inserted portion 26A.

[0053] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0054] The second inserted portion 26B is also provided with a connection terminal 30. In addition, it is preferable that the internal structure of each second inserted portion 26B and the internal structure of the first inserted portion 26A have a structure that is substantially symmetrical to each other in the width direction with the release operation member 28 as the center (see also 3A, Figure 4 ). Thus, the connection terminals 30 , the release operation members 28 and other components can be uniformly provided in all the inserted portions 26 .

[0055] The above is a structural example of the front unit 20. In addition, the positions of the width direction of each first inserted portion 26A may be staggered. That is, the positions of the centers C1 of the plurality of first inserted portions 26A in the width direction may be different from each other. Similarly, the positions of the centers C2 of the plurality of second inserted portions 26B in the width direction may be different from each other.

[0056] Figure 5A This is a front view of a pre-unit 32A in Comparative Example 1 to which this embodiment is not applied.

[0057] In the front unit 32A, the plurality of inserted portions 26 and the plurality of release operation members 28 are arranged alternately in a row in the height direction. The front unit 32A has at least the following problems.

[0058] The first problem of the front unit 32A is that it is too large in the height direction. In the front unit 32A, a plurality of inserted portions 26 and a plurality of release operating members 28 are arranged alternately and in a row in the height direction, so the greater the number of inserted portions 26 and release operating members 28, the easier it is to become larger in the height direction.

[0059] The second problem of the front unit 32A is that the operator's operability is poor. For example, the operator performs an operation of connecting the external terminal 14 to each of the plurality of inserted portions 26. In this operation, the external terminal 14 is connected to the inserted portion 26 located higher among the plurality of inserted portions 26 arranged in the height direction. In this case, since the cable 14a connected to the external terminal 14 sags, the other inserted portion 26 is hidden behind the cable 14a. Since the inserted portion 26 is hidden behind the cable 14a, it becomes difficult for the operator to connect another external terminal 14 to the inserted portion 26 hidden behind the cable 14a.

[0060] In addition, for example, the operator operates one of the plurality of release operating members 28. In this operation, the external terminal 14 is connected to at least one of the two inserted portions 26 adjacent to the release operating member 28 as the operation target in the height direction. In this case, the external terminal 14 may hinder the operator who is trying to operate the release operating member 28.

[0061] The second problem of the front unit 32A can be solved to some extent by widening the distance between the inserted portion 26 and the release operating member 28 adjacent in the height direction. However, when the distance between the inserted portion 26 and the release operating member 28 adjacent in the height direction is widened, the first problem described above becomes more serious.

[0062] Figure 5B This is a front view of a pre-unit 32B in Comparative Example 2 to which this embodiment is not applied.

[0063] In order to solve the first problem of the front unit 32A, it is considered that the plurality of inserted portions 26 and the plurality of release operation members 28 are provided at positions different from each other in the width direction. Figure 5B The front unit 32B is a front unit 32B. In the front unit 32B, the plurality of inserted portions 26 and the plurality of release operation members 28 are arranged at different positions in the width direction. The front unit 32B is smaller in height than the front unit 32A.

[0064] However, the front unit 32B is still large. That is, in the front unit 32B, a plurality of inserted parts 26 are adjacent in the height direction. As the spacing between adjacent inserted parts 26 becomes narrower, the operator's operability may deteriorate. For example, in a state where the external terminal 14 has been connected to one of the two adjacent inserted parts 26, the operator inserts the other external terminal 14 into the inserted part 26 of the other empty side. Here, if the spacing between the two inserted parts 26 is narrow, the connected external terminal 14 may hinder the operator's work. In view of this, the spacing between the inserted parts 26 adjacent in the height direction in the height direction must be wide enough to prevent the operator's operability from deteriorating. As a result, although the front unit 32B can be made smaller than the front unit 32A, there is a problem that the front unit 32B has to be designed to be larger in the height direction in consideration of the above-mentioned spacing.

[0065] Figure 5C This is a front view of a pre-unit 32C in Comparative Example 3 to which this embodiment is not applied.

[0066] As the terminal block of the front unit 32A or the front unit 32B which is smaller in height, consider Figure 5C In the front unit 32C, the plurality of inserted portions 26 and the plurality of release operating members 28 are arranged at different positions in the width direction. In addition, in the front unit 32C, the plurality of inserted portions 26 are arranged in a plurality of rows. In this case, in simple terms, the front unit 32C can be made less than half the height of the front unit 32B.

[0067] However, if the plurality of inserted portions 26 are simply arranged in a plurality of rows, Figure 5C As shown, at least two inserted portions 26 arranged at the same position in the height direction and two release operation members 28 corresponding thereto are arranged in the width direction. In this case, the size of the front unit 32C in the width direction is simply doubled compared to the front unit 32A and the front unit 32B. In this example, the number of columns of the plurality of inserted portions 26 is considered to be two columns, but if the number of columns of the plurality of inserted portions 26 is three or more, the width and length of the front unit 32C will become larger. Even if it is small in the height direction, such a front unit 32C is not suitable for the I / O unit 10, which is preferably a thin flat plate.

[0068] In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of inserted portions 26 are arranged in two rows (see also Figure 2 ). Thus, the pre-unit 2 can be made smaller in the height direction than the pre-unit 32A and the pre-unit 32B.

[0069] According to the present embodiment, the plurality of release operation members 28 and the plurality of inserted portions 26 are arranged at different positions in the width direction. Therefore, the release operation members 28 of the front unit 20 are less likely to be hidden behind the cables 14a.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the positions of the plurality of first inserted portions 26A and the plurality of second inserted portions 26B in the height direction are different. Thus, the plurality of release operating members 28 corresponding to the first inserted portions 26A and the plurality of release operating members 28 corresponding to the second inserted portions 26B can be arranged in a row in the height direction. Thus, the front unit 20 becomes thinner than the front unit 32C.

[0071] As described above, the front unit (terminal block) 20 of the present embodiment is suitable for application to a small and thin electronic device (I / O unit 10 ), and also has good operability for an operator.

[0072] [Modifications]

[0073] The following describes a modified example of the above embodiment. However, in the following description, the description repeated with the above embodiment will be omitted as much as possible. Unless otherwise specified, the elements already described in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment.

[0074] (Variant 1)

[0075] Fig. 6A This is a perspective view of the pre-unit 20A (20) according to the first modification.

[0076] The front unit 20A includes a plurality of connector units 34. The plurality of connector units 34 are stacked in the height direction.

[0077] The front unit 20A may further include a predetermined housing 35. The housing 35 is a member for accommodating the plurality of connector units 34. The housing 35 has a plurality of openings 35a arranged corresponding to the plurality of inserted portions 26 and a plurality of openings 35b arranged corresponding to the plurality of release operating members 28 formed therein.

[0078] When the plurality of connector units 34 are accommodated in the housing 35, each opening 35a exposes the corresponding inserted portion 26 to the outside of the housing 35. When the plurality of connector units 34 are accommodated in the housing 35, each opening 35b exposes the corresponding release operation member 28 to the outside of the housing 35.

[0079] Figure 6B 1 is a diagram showing a plurality of connector units 34 stacked in the height direction.

[0080] The connector unit 34 includes the inserted portion 26, the release operation member 28, and the connection terminal 30. In one connector unit 34, the inserted portion 26, the release operation member 28, and the connection terminal 30 are arranged in a manner as follows: Figure 3A or Figure 4 In addition, Figure 6B The axis LA shown passes through the center in the width direction of the connector unit 34. In addition, the axis LA is parallel to the front-rear direction.

[0081] In the front unit 20A, one of the two connector units 34 adjacent in the height direction is stacked in a state rotated 180 degrees around the axis LA parallel to the front-rear direction with respect to the other connector unit 34. That is, the connector units 34 whose openings 26a are located on the L direction side relative to the release operation member 28 and the connector units 34 whose openings 26a are located on the R direction side relative to the release operation member 28 are stacked alternately.

[0082] According to the present modification, the inserted portion 26 of the connector unit 34 whose opening 26a is located on the L direction side relative to the release operation member 28 is, for example, the first inserted portion 26A. In that case, the inserted portion 26 of the connector unit 34 whose opening 26a is located on the R direction side relative to the release operation member 28 is the second inserted portion 26B.

[0083] That is, according to this modification, the plurality of first inserted portions 26A are arranged in a row in the height direction by stacking the plurality of connector units 34. In addition, the plurality of second inserted portions 26B are arranged in a row in the height direction at positions different from the plurality of first inserted portions 26A in the width direction. Furthermore, the plurality of release operating members 28 are arranged in a row in the height direction between the plurality of first inserted portions 26A and the plurality of second inserted portions 26B.

[0084] Therefore, according to the present modification, the pre-unit 20A having the same operational effects as those of the pre-unit 20 of the embodiment can be easily manufactured based on a simple method of stacking a plurality of connector units 34 .

[0085] (Variant 2)

[0086] Fig. 7A It is a front view of the front unit 20B (20) of the second modification.

[0087] The arrangement order of the first inserted portion 26A, the second inserted portion 26B, and the release operation member 28 in the width direction is not limited to Figure 2 of examples.

[0088] For example, in the width direction, the plurality of first inserted portions 26A may be arranged between the plurality of release operation members 28 and the plurality of second inserted portions 26B ( Fig. 7A). In addition, in the width direction, the plurality of second inserted portions 26B may be disposed between the plurality of release operation members 28 and the plurality of first inserted portions 26A.

[0089] Figure 7B This is a front view of another example of the front unit 20B (20) of the second modification.

[0090] The positions of the plurality of first inserted portions 26A and the plurality of second inserted portions 26B in the width direction may overlap each other. This allows the front unit 20B to be further thinned in the width direction.

[0091] (Variant 3)

[0092] Fig. 8A This is a perspective view of the front unit 20C (20) according to the third modification.

[0093] Modification 1 and Modification 2 may be combined. For example, the front unit 20C includes a plurality of connector units 34 (341, 342). The plurality of connector units 34 of the front unit 20C include a plurality of first units 341 and a plurality of second units 342. The first units 341 and the second units 342 are alternately stacked. The number of stacked connector units 34 is not particularly limited.

[0094] The front unit 20C may further include a housing 35. The housing 35 accommodates a plurality of stacked connector units 34. The plurality of openings 35a and the plurality of openings 35b formed in the housing 35 are appropriately modified according to the respective structures of the first unit 341 and the second unit 342 described later.

[0095] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the first unit 341. Figure 8C 342 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the second unit 342.

[0096] The first unit 341 includes the inserted portion 26, the release operation tool 281 (28), and the connection terminal 30. The second unit 342 includes the inserted portion 26, the release operation tool 282 (28), and the connection terminal 30.

[0097] The positions of the opening 26 a of the inserted portion 26 in the width direction are different between the first unit 341 and the second unit 342. Accordingly, the positions of the connection terminal 30 in the width direction may be different between the first unit 341 and the second unit 342.

[0098] Therefore, when a plurality of first cells 341 and a plurality of second cells 342 are stacked, the positions of the openings 26 a of the first cells 341 and the second cells 342 in the width direction are different from each other.

[0099] The plurality of release operating members 281 and the plurality of release operating members 282 are arranged on the L direction side or the R direction side relative to the opening 26a. When each release operating member 281 is arranged on the L direction side relative to the opening 26a, each release operating member 282 is also arranged on the L direction side relative to the opening 26a. When each release operating member 281 is arranged on the R direction side relative to the opening 26a, each release operating member 282 is also arranged on the R direction side relative to the opening 26a.

[0100] Therefore, when the plurality of first units 341 and the plurality of second units 342 are stacked, the plurality of release operation members 281 and the plurality of release operation members 282 are arranged in a row in the height direction.

[0101] Furthermore, each release operation member 281 includes a first portion 36 and a second portion 38 .

[0102] The first portion 36 is a portion extending in the width direction. The first portion 36 has an end portion 36a closer to the opening 26a and an end portion 36b farther from the opening 26a. Here, in the first portion 36, at least the end portion 36b is exposed to the outside in a manner that can be pushed by the operator. The first portion 36 moves backward according to the pushing operation of the operator. In addition, the first portion 36 moves forward according to the release of the pushing operation of the operator.

[0103] The second portion 38 is a portion for operating the connection terminal 30 according to the operator's pushing operation of the first portion 36. That is, the second portion 38 is similar to Figure 3C The release operation member 28 is inserted between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14 to release the connection between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14 .

[0104] The second part 38 extends rearward from the first part 36. The second part 38 moves rearward together with the first part 36 according to the pushing operation of the first part 36. In addition, the second part 38 moves forward together with the first part 36 according to the releasing of the pushing operation of the first part 36.

[0105] The release operating member 282 also includes a first portion 36 and a second portion 38. However, the length in the width direction is different between the first portion 36 of the release operating member 282 and the first portion 36 of the release operating member 281, corresponding to the difference in the position of the connection terminal 30 in the width direction between the first unit 341 and the second unit 342. Figure 8B The first portion 36 is shown with Figure 8C The first part 36 is exemplified, Figure 8C The illustrated first portion 36 is longer in the width direction.

[0106] By alternately stacking the first unit 341 and the second unit 342 in the height direction, the pre-unit 20C can be easily manufactured.

[0107] (Combination of multiple variations)

[0108] The above-mentioned modifications can be appropriately combined within a range where no contradiction occurs.

[0109] [Inventions derived from embodiments]

[0110] The inventions obtainable from the above-described embodiments and modifications are described below.

[0111] <First Invention>

[0112] The first invention is a terminal block 20, comprising: a plurality of inserted parts 26, a plurality of external terminals 14 are inserted into the plurality of inserted parts 26, and a connection terminal 30 connected to the external terminal inserted into each of the inserted parts is provided; and a plurality of release operating members 28, which are used to release the connection between the plurality of external terminals and the plurality of connection terminals, the plurality of inserted parts having: a plurality of first inserted parts 26A, which are arranged in a row along a first direction; and a plurality of second inserted parts 26B, which are arranged in a row along the first direction at a position different from that of the plurality of first inserted parts in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the plurality of second inserted parts are arranged at a position different from that of the plurality of first inserted parts in the first direction, and the plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of first inserted parts and the plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of second inserted parts are arranged along the first direction at a position different from that of the plurality of first inserted parts and the plurality of second inserted parts in the second direction.

[0113] Thus, a terminal block suitable for use in small and thin electronic devices is provided.

[0114] The plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of first inserted parts and the plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of second inserted parts can be arranged between the plurality of first inserted parts and the plurality of second inserted parts in the second direction. Thus, the plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of first inserted parts and the plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of second inserted parts can be arranged in a roughly one row, so that the terminal block can be made thinner.

[0115] The terminal block may have a shape with the first direction as the long side direction and the second direction as the short side direction when viewed along a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, thereby making the terminal block more suitable for use in electronic devices that are thin in the width direction.

[0116] <Second Invention>

[0117] A second invention is an I / O unit 10 including the terminal block of the first invention, wherein the I / O unit has a flat plate shape, and a thickness direction of the flat plate shape is the second direction.

[0118] Thus, a terminal block suitable for use in small and thin electronic devices is provided.

[0119] Reference numerals

[0120] 10: I / O unit, 14: external terminal, 20, 20A to 20C: front unit (terminal block), 26: inserted portion, 26A: first inserted portion, 26B: second inserted portion, 28: release operation member, 30: connection terminal.

Claims

1. A terminal block (20), characterized in that: have: A plurality of inserted parts (26), a plurality of external terminals (14) are inserted into the plurality of inserted parts (26), and connection terminals (30) are provided to be connected to the external terminals inserted into the respective inserted parts; and a plurality of release operating members (28) for releasing the connection between the plurality of external terminals and the plurality of connection terminals; The plurality of inserted parts include: a plurality of first inserted portions (26A) arranged in a row along a first direction; and a plurality of second inserted portions (26B) arranged in a row along the first direction at positions different from those of the plurality of first inserted portions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, The plurality of second inserted portions are arranged at positions different from the plurality of first inserted portions in the first direction, The plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of first inserted portions and the plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of second inserted portions are arranged along the first direction at positions different from the plurality of first inserted portions and the plurality of second inserted portions in the second direction.

2. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of release operation members corresponding to the plurality of first inserted portions and the plurality of release operation members corresponding to the plurality of second inserted portions are arranged between the plurality of first inserted portions and the plurality of second inserted portions in the second direction.

3. The terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The terminal block has a shape having the first direction as a long side direction and the second direction as a short side direction when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

4. An I / O unit (10), comprising a terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The I / O unit has a plate shape, and a thickness direction of the plate shape is the second direction.

Images