Block and contact block

Abstract

A block (12) having two substantially U-shaped contactors (20) that are adjacent to each other in a predetermined installation direction and open in a direction opposite to an insertion direction orthogonal to the predetermined installation direction is provided with a support member (22) that supports the two contactors (20). The support member (22) is provided with a slit (16) for inserting the circuit board (14) between the two contactors (20) in the insertion direction, and a first wall section (24a) for restricting the positional displacement of the contact points (CP) of the two contactors (20) in the predetermined installation direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact block provided with a plurality of contactors and a block provided by the contact block. Background Art

[0002] An I / O unit is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-56503. According to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-56503, a plurality of I / O units are arranged on a DIN rail. Summary of the invention

[0003] The I / O unit has multiple contactors. Multiple contactors are terminal groups arranged on both sides of the I / O unit (also refer to Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-56503). Two adjacent I / O units on the DIN rail are electrically connected by contacting each other's multiple contactors.

[0004] The I / O unit also includes a circuit for processing signals sent and received with other I / O units. The circuit is formed on, for example, a substrate. The circuit substrate (a substrate on which a circuit is formed) is inserted between a plurality of contactors arranged on one side of the I / O unit and a plurality of contactors arranged on the other side.

[0005] Among them, the contactor may interfere with the inserted circuit board. In addition, the contactor interfering with the circuit board may be buckled due to the influence of pressure applied from the circuit board.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a block having contactors electrically connected to each other by being arranged adjacent to each other along a predetermined setting direction, comprising: a support component that supports the two contactors in a manner arranged along the predetermined setting direction, a slit formed on the support component, which inserts the circuit substrate between the two contactors along an insertion direction orthogonal to the predetermined setting direction to electrically connect the removable circuit substrate to the two contactors, the two contactors having a roughly U-shape that opens in a direction opposite to the insertion direction when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the setting direction and the insertion direction, and a first wall portion that limits the positional displacement of the contact points of the two contactors in the predetermined setting direction.

[0008] The second embodiment of the present invention is a contact block, which has a circuit substrate inserted therein and is arranged adjacent to each other along a predetermined setting direction so as to be electrically connected to each other. The block has a plurality of blocks of the first embodiment, and the plurality of blocks are stacked in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined setting direction and the insertion direction in such a manner that the slits of the blocks themselves are connected to the slits of other blocks.

[0009] According to the present invention, the possibility of contactor buckling is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1A It is a perspective view of an I / O unit according to a reference example. Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Exploded view of the I / O unit.

[0011] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a contact block according to a reference example.

[0012] Figure 3A yes Figure 2 End view viewed along line IIIA-IIIA. Figure 3B It means that a circuit board is inserted. Figure 3A Diagram of the contact block.

[0013] Figure 4 So with Figure 3A The same cross-sectional view shows a view of three contact blocks arranged in the left-right direction.

[0014] Figure 5 2 is a diagram showing a contact block according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 6 is a top view of a block according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] [Implementation Method]

[0017] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an I / O unit 100 according to a reference example. Figure 1B yes Figure 1A An exploded view of the I / O unit 100 is shown. In addition, Figure 1A The right side portion of the I / O unit 100 (not shown) is substantially symmetrical with the left side portion of the I / O unit 100 .

[0018] The arrows shown in the drawings represent directions (front, back, left, right, up, and down) used in the following description. The front-back direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are orthogonal to each other. The front-back direction and the left-right direction are parallel to the horizontal plane, for example.

[0019] The I / O unit 100 is an electronic device that inputs and outputs signals between a control device and a device. The control device is, for example, a digital control device that controls a machine tool. The device is, for example, an actuator, a detector, etc. that the machine tool has.

[0020] The I / O unit 100 includes a circuit board 14 , a plurality of inserted portions 101 , and a contact block 102 .

[0021] The circuit board 14 is a board on which a circuit is formed to perform processing required for inputting and outputting signals between the control device and the equipment. The circuit includes, for example, a control IC (Integrated Circuit).

[0022] The inserted portion 101 is provided at, for example, the front portion of the I / O unit 100. The terminal of the device is inserted into the inserted portion 101. Thus, the I / O unit 100 and the device are connected via the inserted portion 101. The I / O unit 100 includes a plurality of inserted portions 101. Therefore, a plurality of devices can be connected to one I / O unit 100. The device connected to the I / O unit 100 is connected to the circuit board 14 of the I / O unit 100.

[0023] The contact block 102 is provided to connect the circuit substrate 14 of the I / O unit 100 to another I / O unit 100 provided beside the I / O unit 100 .

[0024] Figure 2 1 is a perspective view showing a contact block 102 according to a reference example.

[0025] The contact block 102 has a plurality of contacts 20 and a support member 106 .

[0026] The support member 106 is an insulating member that supports the plurality of contacts 20 . The material of the support member 106 includes, for example, insulating resin. The support member 106 has an insertion port 108 .

[0027] The insertion port 108 is formed at the substantially center of the support member 106 in the left-right direction. The insertion port 108 is an opening portion into which the circuit board 14 is inserted (see also Figure 3A , Figure 3B ) In addition, the circuit board 14 is inserted into the insertion port 108 from a position in front of the insertion port 108 along the rear direction.

[0028] Each of the plurality of contacts 20 is a conductive member having a substantially U-shape. The material of the plurality of contacts 20 includes, for example, metal. Each contact 20 has a right end portion 20a and a left end portion 20b in the left-right direction.

[0029] The plurality of contacts 20 (20L, 20R) include a plurality of contacts 20L and a plurality of contacts 20R. The plurality of contacts 20L and the plurality of contacts 20R are arranged so as to sandwich the insertion port 108 in the left-right direction.

[0030] The plurality of contactors 20L are contactors 20 for connecting the circuit board 14 to an electronic device disposed on the left side of the I / O unit 100. The plurality of contactors 20L are arranged in the vertical direction. In addition, at least a portion of each contactor 20L is exposed to the outside at the left side of the I / O unit 100 (see also FIG. 1 ). Figure 1A ).

[0031] The plurality of contactors 20R are contactors 20 for connecting the circuit substrate 14 to an electronic device provided on the right side of the I / O unit 100. The plurality of contactors 20R are arranged in the vertical direction. In addition, at least a portion of each contactor 20R is exposed to the outside at the right side of the I / O unit 100. In addition, at least a portion of each contactor 20R is exposed to the outside in a manner substantially symmetrical to the contactor 20L, for example.

[0032] Figure 3A yes Figure 2 End view viewed along line IIIA-IIIA.

[0033] The contactor 20 is mounted on the support member 106 in the front direction from a position rearward of the support member 106. In association with this, the rear portion of the support member 106 is released so that the contactor 20 can be mounted.

[0034] The contactors 20L and 20R that are located at substantially the same position in the vertical direction among the plurality of contactors 20 attached to the support member 106 may be in contact with each other. Figure 3A The contact point CP indicates the contact point between the contact 20L and the contact 20R which are arranged at substantially the same position in the vertical direction. The contact point CP is located substantially at the center of the insertion port 108 in the horizontal direction.

[0035] Figure 3B It indicates that the circuit board 14 is inserted Figure 3A FIG. 102 of the contact block.

[0036] The circuit substrate 14 is inserted into the insertion port 108 so as to be inserted between the contactors 20L and 20R. Thus, the contactors 20L naturally move to the left as the circuit substrate 14 is inserted. Similarly, the contactors 20R naturally move to the right as the circuit substrate 14 is inserted. As a result, the circuit substrate 14 is naturally clamped by the plurality of contacts 20L and the plurality of contacts 20R.

[0037] The plurality of contacts 20 come into contact with the circuit formed on the circuit substrate 14 by sandwiching the circuit substrate 14. Thus, the plurality of contacts 20 and the circuit of the circuit substrate 14 can be electrically connected.

[0038] Figure 4 So with Figure 3AThe same cross-sectional view shows three contact blocks 102 ( 102A, 102B, 102C) arranged in the left-right direction.

[0039] The multiple I / O units 100 are arranged in the left-right direction, so that the multiple contact blocks 102 are arranged in the left-right direction. Among them, the multiple contactors 20L of the right contact block 102 of the two adjacent contact blocks 102 are in contact with the multiple contactors 20R of the left contact block 102. Thus, the multiple contactors 20L of the right contact block 102 are connected to the multiple contactors 20R of the left contact block 102.

[0040] For example, in Figure 4 In the example of , the plurality of contactors 20L of the contact block 102A are in contact with the plurality of contactors 20R of the contact block 102B. Thus, the plurality of contactors 20L of the contact block 102A and the plurality of contactors 20R of the contact block 102B are electrically connected.

[0041] A circuit substrate 14A (14) is inserted into the contact block 102A. In addition, a circuit substrate 14B (14) different from the circuit substrate 14A is inserted into the contact block 102B. The circuit substrate 14A and the circuit substrate 14B are electrically connected via the plurality of contacts 20L of the contact block 102A and the plurality of contacts 20R of the contact block 102B.

[0042] In addition, Figure 4 In the example of , the plurality of contactors 20L of the contact block 102B are in contact with the plurality of contactors 20R of the contact block 102C. Thus, the plurality of contactors 20L of the contact block 102B and the plurality of contactors 20R of the contact block 102C are electrically connected.

[0043] A circuit substrate 14C (14) different from the circuit substrate 14A and the circuit substrate 14B is inserted into the contact block 102C. The circuit substrate 14B and the circuit substrate 14C are connected via a plurality of contactors 20L of the contact block 102B and a plurality of contactors 20R of the contact block 102C. The circuit substrate 14B can be connected to the circuit substrate 14A as described above, so the circuit substrate 14C can also be connected to the circuit substrate 14A via the circuit substrate 14B.

[0044] In addition, Figure 4 In the example of , the multiple contactors 20R of the contact block 102C receive a leftward force from the contact block 102B. The leftward force also acts on the multiple contactors 20L of the contact block 102C via the contact points CP of the multiple contactors 20R and the multiple contactors 20L of the contact block 102C. As a result, the multiple contactors 20L of the contact block 102C are shifted to the left as a whole.

[0045] The plurality of contactors 20L of the contact block 102C are shifted to the left as a whole, and thus the position of the contact point CP is also shifted to the left. Figure 4 The point CPP represents the position of the contact point CP before being shifted in the left direction.

[0046] When the position of the contact point CP is shifted to the left, when the circuit substrate 14 is inserted into the insertion port 108, the contactor 20 interferes with the circuit substrate 14 in the front-rear direction. That is, the contactor 20 hinders the insertion of the circuit substrate 14. If the circuit substrate 14 is forcibly inserted, the contactor 20 may be buckled (damaged) by the force received from the circuit substrate 14. In addition, when the position of the contact point CP is shifted to the right, the same problem occurs.

[0047] Based on the above, the contact block 10 according to the embodiment will be described below. However, in the following description, the description repeated with the reference example will be omitted as much as possible. Unless otherwise specified, the elements described in the reference example are marked with the same reference numerals as those in the reference example.

[0048] Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing a contact block 10 according to an embodiment.

[0049] The contact block 10 has a plurality of blocks 12. The plurality of blocks 12 are stacked in the up-down direction. In addition, the total number of the stacked blocks 12 is not particularly limited. The operator can also change the total number of the stacked blocks 12 as needed. The size of the contact block 10 in the up-down direction varies according to the total number of the stacked blocks 12.

[0050] Each block 12 has a slit 16. The slit 16 is formed in the front portion of each block 12. The slit 16 extends in the rear direction from the front end portion of each block 12. The circuit board 14 can be inserted into the slit 16 (see reference example).

[0051] The plurality of blocks 12 are stacked in the vertical direction, so that the plurality of slits 16 communicate with each other in the vertical direction. The plurality of slits 16 that communicate with each other form an insertion port 18 for the circuit board 14 .

[0052] Figure 6 is a top view of the block 12 according to an embodiment.

[0053] The block body 12 includes a support member 22, a wall portion 24, and a plurality of engagement portions 26. The wall portion 24 includes a first wall portion 24a, a second wall portion 24b, a third wall portion 24c, a fourth wall portion 24d, and a fifth wall portion 24e.

[0054] The support member 22 is a member that supports the two contactors 20 from below. The support member 22 has a substantially flat plate shape. The material of the support member 22 includes, for example, an insulating resin. The slit 16 is formed by cutting the support member 22. In addition, the rear end portion 16a of the slit 16 is located at a position forward of the first wall portion 24a. However, the rear end portion 16a may also reach the first wall portion 24a.

[0055] Alternatively, at least one of the upper and lower portions of the support member 22 may be provided with a fitting structure for fitting with other blocks 12 stacked in the vertical direction together with the support member 22. The fitting structure includes, for example, a protrusion and a groove fitting with the protrusion. However, illustration of the fitting structure is omitted.

[0056] Two contacts 20 are provided on each support member 22. The two contacts 20 are arranged on the upper surface of the support member 22 so as to open a substantially U-shaped opening toward the front when the support member 22 is viewed from above. In addition, the two contacts 20 extend rearward from the rear end portion 16a of the slit 16 in the front-rear direction.

[0057] One contactor 20R and one contactor 20L are provided on one support member 22. The contactor 20R and the contactor 20L are arranged in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the support member 22.

[0058] The material of the wall portion 24 includes, for example, insulating resin. In addition, the wall portion 24 may include the same material as the support member 22. The wall portion 24 and the support member 22 may be integrally formed.

[0059] The first wall portion 24a is a positional deviation prevention wall provided on the support member 22. Figure 6 In the example of , the portion surrounded by the dotted line frame is the first wall portion 24a. That is, the first wall portion 24a is arranged at a position behind the slit 16 in the front-rear direction. In addition, the first wall portion 24a is arranged between the two contactors 20 in the left-right direction.

[0060] The first wall portion 24a restricts the positional displacement of two adjacent contactors 20 on the support member 22 in the direction of approaching each other. That is, the first wall portion 24a contacts the contactor 20L from the right. Thus, the contactor 20L is restricted from being displaced in the right direction. In addition, the first wall portion 24a contacts the contactor 20R from the left. Thus, the contactor 20R is restricted from being displaced in the left direction.

[0061] By limiting the positional deviation of the two contactors 20 in the direction of approaching each other, the contact point CP is suppressed from deviating in the left-right direction. That is, the first wall portion 24a suppresses the contact point CP from deviating in the left-right direction. By suppressing the contact point CP from deviating in the left-right direction, the possibility of the contactor 20 interfering with the circuit substrate 14 in the front-back direction is reduced. As a result, the possibility of the contactor 20 being buckled by the force received from the circuit substrate 14 is reduced.

[0062] Furthermore, the first wall 24a can also suppress deformation of the contact 20 in the approach direction. For example, the first wall 24a can suppress excessive expansion of the contact 20R to the left. Also, the first wall 24a can suppress excessive expansion of the contact 20L to the right.

[0063] The second wall portion 24b is a right positioning wall portion provided on the inner side of the substantially U-shaped contactor 20R. The second wall portion 24b positions the contactor 20R to a certain extent in the left-right direction. In addition, the second wall portion 24b clamps the contactor 20R together with the first wall portion 24a in the left-right direction. Thus, the contactor 20R is more accurately positioned in the left-right direction.

[0064] The third wall portion 24c is a left positioning wall portion provided on the inner side of the substantially U-shaped contactor 20L. The third wall portion 24c positions the contactor 20L to a certain extent in the left-right direction. In addition, the third wall portion 24c holds the contactor 20L together with the first wall portion 24a in the left-right direction. Thus, the contactor 20L is more accurately positioned in the left-right direction.

[0065] The fourth wall portion 24d is a right auxiliary wall portion that sandwiches the contactor 20R together with the second wall portion 24b in the front-rear direction. Thus, the contactor 20R is more accurately positioned in the front-rear direction.

[0066] In addition, Figure 6 In the example of , the portion surrounded by the single-dot chain frame is the fourth wall portion 24d. The fourth wall portion 24d preferably extends to the right of the contactor 20R. Thus, the contactor 20R is clamped by the fourth wall portion 24d and the second wall portion 24b in the left-right direction. As a result, the contactor 20R is more accurately positioned in the left-right direction.

[0067] In addition, the fourth wall portion 24d is connected to the first wall portion 24a. However, the fourth wall portion 24d and the first wall portion 24a may be separated.

[0068] The fifth wall portion 24e is a left auxiliary wall portion that sandwiches the contactor 20L in the front-rear direction together with the third wall portion 24c. Thus, the contactor 20L is more accurately positioned in the front-rear direction.

[0069] In addition, Figure 6In the example of , the portion surrounded by the double-dashed line frame is the fifth wall portion 24e. The fifth wall portion 24e preferably extends to the left of the contactor 20L. Thus, the contactor 20L is clamped by the fifth wall portion 24e and the third wall portion 24c in the left-right direction. As a result, the contactor 20L is more accurately positioned in the left-right direction.

[0070] In addition, the fifth wall portion 24e is connected to the first wall portion 24a. However, the fifth wall portion 24e and the first wall portion 24a may be separated.

[0071] The plurality of engaging portions 26 are, for example, slits different from the slits 16. The plurality of engaging portions 26 are formed on both sides of the support member 22 in the insertion direction of the circuit substrate 14. That is, the plurality of engaging portions 26 are formed on both sides of the support member 22 in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the engaging portions 26 are provided at three locations, namely, the front portion of the second wall portion 24b, the front portion of the third wall portion 24c, and the rear portion of the first wall portion 24a. However, the specific number of the engaging portions 26 and the arrangement in the block 12 may be appropriately changed.

[0072] The plurality of engaging portions 26 engage with the plurality of protrusions of other components. The other components are components for fixing the block 12. Specifically, the plurality of protrusions for engaging the plurality of engaging portions 26 are provided on, for example, the housing of the I / O unit 100. Therefore, the block 12 can be easily fixed to the housing of the I / O unit 100, for example, according to the plurality of engaging portions 26.

[0073] [Modifications]

[0074] The following describes a modified example based on the above embodiment. However, in the following description, the description repeated with the above embodiment is omitted as much as possible. Unless otherwise specified, the elements described in the above embodiment are marked with the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment.

[0075] (Variant 1)

[0076] The contact block 10 may also be composed of a single number of blocks 12 .

[0077] (Variant 2)

[0078] The fourth wall portion 24d may be omitted.

[0079] (Variant 3)

[0080] The fifth wall portion 24e may be omitted.

[0081] (Combination of multiple variations)

[0082] The above-mentioned modifications may be appropriately combined within a range not inconsistent with each other.

[0083] [Inventions according to embodiments]

[0084] The invention that can be grasped from the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples will be described below.

[0085] <First Invention>

[0086] The first invention is a block 12 having contactors 20 electrically connected to each other by being arranged adjacent to each other along a predetermined setting direction, comprising: a support component 22, which supports the two contactors in a manner arranged along the predetermined setting direction, and a slit 16 is formed on the support component, which inserts the circuit substrate between the two contactors along an insertion direction orthogonal to the predetermined setting direction to electrically connect the removable circuit substrate 14 to the two contactors, the two contactors have a roughly U-shape that opens in a direction opposite to the insertion direction when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the setting direction and the insertion direction, and a first wall portion 24a is provided on the support component to limit the positional displacement of the contact point CP of the two contactors in the predetermined setting direction.

[0087] As a result, the possibility of contactor buckling is reduced.

[0088] The two contacts may extend to the insertion direction side of the slit, and the first wall portion may be provided between the two contacts on the insertion direction side of the slit. Thus, the contact points of the contacts are prevented from shifting in the left-right direction.

[0089] Alternatively, the first invention further comprises: a second wall portion 24b, which is provided in the predetermined installation direction so as to sandwich one of the contactors together with the first wall portion; and a third wall portion 24c, which is provided in the predetermined installation direction so as to sandwich another of the contactors together with the first wall portion. Thus, the contact point of the contactor is more appropriately prevented from shifting in the left-right direction.

[0090] Engagement portions 26 for fixing the support member to other components may be provided on both sides of the support member in the insertion direction. Thus, the block can be appropriately fixed to other components. Here, the other components are, for example, I / O units.

[0091] <Second Invention>

[0092] The second invention is a contact block 10, into which a circuit substrate 14 is inserted, and which is arranged adjacent to each other along a predetermined setting direction so as to be electrically connected to each other, and has a plurality of blocks according to the first invention, and the plurality of blocks are stacked in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined setting direction and the insertion direction in such a manner that their own slits are connected to the slits of other blocks.

[0093] As a result, the possibility of contactor buckling is reduced.

[0094] Explanation of symbols

[0095] 10—contact block, 12—block, 14—circuit board, 16—slit, 18—insertion port, 20 (20L, 20R)—contactor, 22—support member, 24—wall portion, 24a—first wall portion, 24b—second wall portion, 24c—third wall portion, 26—engaging portion.

Claims

1. A block (12) having contactors (20) electrically connected to each other by being arranged adjacent to each other in a predetermined arrangement direction, the block being characterized in that: It comprises: a supporting member (22) which supports the two contactors in a manner arranged along the predetermined installation direction, A slit (16) is formed on the support member, and the circuit substrate is inserted between the two contactors along an insertion direction perpendicular to the predetermined setting direction, so as to electrically connect the detachable circuit substrate (14) to the two contactors. The two contacts have a substantially U-shape that opens toward a direction opposite to the insertion direction when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the installation direction and the insertion direction. The support member is provided with a first wall portion (24a) which restricts the contact points (CP) between the two contactors from being displaced in the predetermined arrangement direction.

2. The block according to claim 1, characterized in that The two contacts extend to the insertion direction side relative to the slit, The first wall portion is provided between the two contacts on the insertion direction side relative to the slit.

3. The block according to claim 2, characterized in that Also features: a second wall portion (24b) arranged in the predetermined arrangement direction so as to sandwich one of the contactors together with the first wall portion; as well as A third wall portion (24c) is arranged in a manner to sandwich another of the contactors together with the first wall portion in the predetermined arrangement direction.

4. The block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Engaging portions (26) for fixing the support component to other components are provided on both sides of the support component in the insertion direction.

5. A contact block (10) having a circuit substrate (14) inserted therein and arranged adjacent to each other along a predetermined arrangement direction and electrically connected to each other, the contact block being characterized in that: A plurality of blocks according to any one of claims 1 to 4 are provided, wherein the plurality of blocks are stacked in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined installation direction and the insertion direction so that the slits of the blocks communicate with the slits of other blocks.

Images