Wiring terminal and electric energy meter using same

Abstract

The invention discloses a wiring terminal and an electric energy meter applying the wiring terminal. The wiring terminal comprises an insulating shell, a metal piece and a pressing piece, the ratchet wheel is rotationally restrained on the insulating shell and is provided with ratchets; the check pawl is rotationally restrained on the insulating shell and has a locking and limiting state of abutting against the ratchets and a disengaging state of being shifted by external force to be separated from the ratchets; the transmission mechanism is arranged between the ratchet wheel and the abutting piece and used for converting rotation of the ratchet wheel into vertical movement of the abutting piece; and the elastic piece is arranged between the non-return pawl and the insulating shell and has a trend of enabling the non-return pawl to abut against the ratchets for locking and limiting. By means of locking and limiting of the check pawl, the abutting piece can well press the external wire on the metal piece, the pressing effect is good, and it is ensured that the external wire makes good contact with the metal piece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of wiring, and in particular to a wiring terminal and an electric energy meter using the wiring terminal. Background Art

[0002] Wiring terminals are widely used in electrical appliances, such as electric energy meters, power terminals, etc. External wires are electrically connected to corresponding electronic components through the wiring terminals.

[0003] The terminal block includes an insulating shell, a metal part, a pressing part, and an operating part; the insulating shell has an insertion port for inserting an external wire; the metal part is arranged in the insulating shell; the pressing part is movably arranged on the insulating shell and is located higher than the metal part; the operating part is rotatably arranged on the insulating shell and is used to drive the pressing part to move, so that the pressing part has a locked state of pressing the external wire downward against the metal part, or an unlocked state of disengaging the pressing part upward from the external wire. The operating part is, for example, a wrench, and the pressing part is, for example, a spring. The user rotates the wrench to press the external wire against the metal part through the spring, or to disengage the spring from the external wire.

[0004] However, the connecting terminal of the above structure has the following problem: the spring piece may rebound upward after contacting the external wire, and cannot press the external wire tightly against the metal part, which may cause poor contact between the external wire and the metal part. Summary of the invention

[0005] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a connection terminal with a pressing member capable of pressing an external wire onto a metal member in a better manner in view of the current state of the prior art.

[0006] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electric energy meter using the above-mentioned wiring terminal.

[0007] The present invention adopts the following technical solution to solve the above-mentioned first technical problem: a wiring terminal, comprising

[0008] An insulating housing having an insertion port for inserting an external wire;

[0009] A metal part, arranged in the insulating housing;

[0010] A pressing member, movably disposed on the insulating housing and positioned higher than the metal member;

[0011] It is characterized by also including:

[0012] A ratchet wheel, rotatably constrained on the insulating housing and having ratchet teeth;

[0013] The non-return pawl is rotationally constrained on the insulating housing and has a locking limit state in which it abuts against the ratchet teeth, and a disengaged state in which it is pulled by an external force and separated from the ratchet teeth;

[0014] The transmission mechanism is disposed between the ratchet and the pressing member, and is used to convert the rotation of the ratchet into the up and down movement of the pressing member, so that the pressing member has a locked state in which the external wire is pressed downward against the metal member, or an unlocked state in which the pressing member is disengaged upward from the external wire;

[0015] The elastic member is arranged between the non-return pawl and the insulating housing, and has a tendency to make the non-return pawl abut against the ratchet teeth to lock and limit the position.

[0016] The transmission mechanism may have different structures. Preferably, the output end of the ratchet wheel has a gear portion;

[0017] The transmission mechanism comprises

[0018] a transmission gear meshing with the gear portion;

[0019] A rack meshing with the transmission gear and capable of moving up and down;

[0020] The pressing piece is fixed to the lower end of the rack.

[0021] In this way, the ratchet rotates and drives the transmission gear through the gear part, the transmission gear rotates and drives the rack to move up and down, the rack moves up and down and drives the pressing member to move up and down, so that the pressing member presses the external wire or disengages from the external wire.

[0022] In order to guide the up and down movement of the rack, a guide seat is arranged in the insulating shell, and one of the guide seat and the rack has a guide hole or guide groove extending up and down, and the other has a positioning boss extending into the guide hole or guide groove.

[0023] The transmission mechanism may have different structures. Preferably, the output end of the ratchet wheel has a connecting portion;

[0024] The transmission mechanism is a connecting member, the upper end of which is rotatably connected to the connecting portion, and the lower end of which is rotatably connected to the pressing member.

[0025] In this way, when the ratchet wheel rotates, the height of the connecting member changes, which causes the height of the pressing member to change, so that the pressing member presses the external wire or is separated from the external wire.

[0026] To facilitate unlocking, it also includes

[0027] The unlocking member is movably arranged on the insulating housing and cooperates with the non-return pawl. Under the action of external force, the unlocking member moves the non-return pawl to make the non-return pawl have a disengaged state separated from the ratchet. The unlocking member is arranged to facilitate the action on the non-return pawl and facilitate unlocking.

[0028] The unlocking member may have various structures. Preferably, for ease of manufacturing, the unlocking member is a slider movably disposed on the insulating housing, one end of the slider is exposed from the insulating housing, and the other end abuts against the non-return pawl.

[0029] Alternatively, the unlocking member may move in a rotational manner or the like.

[0030] In order to facilitate the operation of the ratchet, the ratchet has an operating end exposed from the insulating housing, and the operating end has a slot for an external tool to be inserted. By inserting the external tool into the slot, the user drives the ratchet to rotate by turning the external tool (such as a screwdriver), which facilitates the operation of the ratchet.

[0031] The unlocking member may be arranged at different positions. Preferably, the insulating housing has a first front wall and a second front wall located at different positions.

[0032] The wall surface where the insertion port is located is the first front wall;

[0033] The non-return pawl is in a locked limit state with the ratchet teeth, and the unlocking piece extends forward outside the second front wall. In this way, the unlocking piece and the insertion opening are spaced apart on the front wall, which is convenient for users to see.

[0034] Preferably, the pressing member has teeth extending downward, and the elastic member is a torsion spring or a spring. By providing the teeth, the pressure between the teeth and the part of the external wire is relatively large, which further facilitates pressing the external wire against the metal member; using a torsion spring or a spring is easy to manufacture.

[0035] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above second technical problem is: an electric energy meter, characterized in that: it uses the above-mentioned wiring terminal.

[0036] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: by providing a ratchet, a non-return pawl, a transmission mechanism, and an elastic member, after the external wire is inserted from the insertion port of the insulating housing, the ratchet is driven to rotate by an external force, and the ratchet rotates to drive the pressing member to move downward through the transmission mechanism, so that the pressing member presses the external wire downward against the metal member, because the non-return pawl abuts against the ratchet teeth to lock the limit position, the ratchet is limited and cannot rotate in the opposite direction, and the pressing member will not move upward, so that the pressing member can better press the external wire against the metal member, the pressing effect is better, and the good contact between the external wire and the metal member is ensured;

[0037] When the external wire needs to be removed, the non-return pawl is separated from the ratchet teeth by external force, and then the ratchet wheel is rotated in the opposite direction to finally drive the pressing piece upward to be separated from the external wire. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a connection terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention after an external wire is installed and an external tool is inserted;

[0040] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Exploded views of components;

[0041] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the local assembly;

[0042] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Exploded views of components;

[0043] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the transmission mechanism etc. in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of some components of the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Exploded views of components;

[0046] Fig. 9 for Figure 7 Assembly diagram of the component after removing the mounting base and metal parts;

[0047] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the transmission mechanism etc. of the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] Example 1

[0050] See also Figure 1 to Figure 6 The wiring terminal comprises an insulating housing 1, a metal member 3, a pressing member 2, a ratchet 4, a non-return pawl 5, a transmission mechanism 6, an elastic member 7, an unlocking member 8, and a guide seat 9.

[0051] The insulating housing 1 has an insertion port 11 for inserting an external wire 100 .

[0052] The metal member 3 is arranged in the insulating housing 1 .

[0053] The pressing member 2 is movably disposed on the insulating housing 1 and is located higher than the metal member 3 . The pressing member 2 has teeth 21 extending downward, and the teeth 21 are used to press the external wire 100 onto the metal member 3 .

[0054] The ratchet 4 is rotationally constrained on the insulating housing 1 and has ratchet teeth 41. The ratchet 4 has an operating end 43 exposed from the insulating housing 1, and the operating end 43 has a slot 431 for inserting the external tool 200. Preferably, the ratchet 4 can be designed to have more parts extending out of the insulating housing 1, so that the user can also operate the ratchet 4 barehanded.

[0055] The non-return pawl 5 is rotationally constrained on the insulating housing 1 and has a locking limit state in which it abuts against the ratchet 41 , and a disengaged state in which it is pulled by an external force and separated from the ratchet 41 .

[0056] The transmission mechanism 6 is disposed between the ratchet 4 and the pressing member 2, and is used to convert the rotation of the ratchet 4 into the up and down movement of the pressing member 2, so that the pressing member 2 has a locking state in which the external wire 100 is pressed downward against the metal member 3, or an unlocking state in which the pressing member 2 is disengaged upward from the external wire 100 ( Figure 6 ).

[0057] The elastic member 7 is arranged between the non-return pawl 5 and the insulating housing 1, and has a tendency to make the non-return pawl 5 abut against the ratchet 41 to lock and limit. The elastic member 7 is a torsion spring, and a spring can also be used.

[0058] The unlocking member 8 is movably arranged on the insulating housing 1 and cooperates with the non-return pawl 5. Under the action of external force, the unlocking member 8 moves the non-return pawl 5 so that the non-return pawl 5 is in a disengaged state separated from the ratchet 41. The unlocking member 8 is specifically a slider movably arranged on the insulating housing 1, one end of the slider is exposed to the insulating housing 1, and the other end is against the non-return pawl 5. Figure 1 to Figure 3 , the insulating housing 1 has a first front wall 12 and a second front wall 13 located at different positions; the wall surface where the insertion port 11 is located is the first front wall 12; when the non-return pawl 5 is in a locked limit state against the ratchet 41, the unlocking member 8 extends forward outside the second front wall 13. In this embodiment, the first front wall 12 and the second front wall 13 are not located on the same vertical plane. Alternatively, the first front wall 12 and the second front wall 13 can also be located on the same vertical plane, and the movable mode of the unlocking member 8 can also be rotation, etc.; a perforation can also be provided on the insulating housing 1, and an external tool can be inserted into the perforation to directly move the non-return pawl 5, so that the non-return pawl 5 is disengaged from the ratchet 41, so that the perforation and the external tool are cooperated to unlock.

[0059] The structure of the transmission mechanism 6 is specifically as follows.

[0060] The output end of the ratchet 4 has a gear portion 42; the transmission mechanism 6 includes a transmission gear 61 and a rack 62; the transmission gear 61 is meshed with the gear portion 42; the rack 62 is meshed with the transmission gear 61 and can move up and down; the pressing member 2 is fixed to the lower end of the rack 62. The pressing member 2 and the rack 62 are an integral part to reduce the assembly process, or the pressing member 2 and the rack 62 can be two fixedly connected parts.

[0061] The guide seat 9 is arranged in the insulating shell 1. One of the guide seat 9 and the rack 62 has a guide hole 911 extending up and down, and the other has a positioning boss 621 extending into the guide hole 911. The guide seat 9 includes two side walls 91 and a bottom wall 92 connecting the two side walls 91. The metal part 3 is relatively fixed to the bottom wall 92. The rack 62 is located between the two side walls 91. Specifically, both side walls 91 have a guide hole 911, and the positioning boss 621 is located at a corresponding position of the rack 62. Alternatively, the positions of the guide hole 911 and the positioning boss 621 can also be interchanged, and the guide hole 911 can also be replaced by a guide groove. The guide seat 9 guides the rack 62 on the one hand, and is used to install and position the metal part 3 and support the metal part 3 upward on the other hand.

[0062] A terminal box is applied with the above-mentioned connection terminal. The number of the connection terminals can be adjusted according to the needs.

[0063] An electrical appliance is applied with the above-mentioned terminal, the number of the terminal is adjusted according to the needs, and one or more terminals can be provided. Figure 1 In the figure, two terminals are arranged side by side. Electrical appliances such as energy meters, power terminals, etc., this terminal is also applicable to other electrical appliances.

[0064] The working principle and usage process are as follows.

[0065] When wiring is required, after the external wire 100 is inserted from the insertion port 11 of the insulating shell 1, the external tool 200 (such as a screwdriver) is inserted into the slot 431, and the external tool 200 is rotated to drive the ratchet 4 to rotate. The ratchet 4 rotates and drives the pressing member 2 to move downward through the transmission mechanism 6, so that the pressing member 2 presses the external wire 100 downward against the metal member 3. Because the non-return pawl 5 abuts against the ratchet tooth 41 and locks the limit, the ratchet 4 is limited and cannot rotate in the opposite direction, and the pressing member 2 will not move upward. In this way, the pressing member 2 can better press the external wire 100 against the metal member 3, and the pressing effect is better, ensuring that the external wire 100 is in good contact with the metal member 3.

[0066] When the external wire 100 needs to be removed, the unlocking member 8 is pushed to drive the non-return pawl 5 to rotate, and the non-return pawl 5 is separated from the ratchet 41, and then the ratchet wheel 4 is rotated in the reverse direction to finally drive the pressing member 2 upward to disengage from the external wire 100, and then the external wire 100 is removed.

[0067] Embodiment 2:

[0068] See also Figure 7 to Figure 10 , which is another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment is that the structure of the ratchet 4 is different, and the structure of the transmission mechanism 6 is different. Specifically, in this embodiment, the output end of the ratchet 4 has a connecting portion 44; the transmission mechanism 6 is a connecting member, the upper end of the connecting member is rotatably connected to the connecting portion 44, and the lower end of the connecting member is rotatably connected to the pressure member 2. The specific structure of the rotational connection adopts the existing structure, such as hinge, ball head rotation, etc. Similarly, in order to guide the up and down movement of the pressure member 2, the pressure member 2 has a positioning boss 22 ( Figure 7 ).

[0069] The working principle and use process are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0070] The ratchet 4 is driven to rotate by the external tool 200 to change the height of the connecting member, thereby changing the height of the pressing member 2, so that the pressing member 2 presses the external wire 100 or is separated from the external wire 100.

[0071] Specifically, when wiring is required, the ratchet 4 is driven to rotate by the external tool 200, and the ratchet 4 moves the pressing member 2 downward through the connecting member, so that the pressing member 2 presses the external wire 100 downward against the metal member 3, and the ratchet 4 is locked and limited by the non-return pawl 5.

[0072] When the external wire 100 needs to be removed, similarly, the unlocking member 8 is pushed to drive the non-return pawl 5 to rotate, the non-return pawl 5 is separated from the ratchet 41, and then the ratchet 4 is rotated in the reverse direction to finally drive the pressing member 2 upward to disengage from the external wire 100, and then the external wire 100 is removed.

Claims

1. A terminal block, comprising An insulating housing (1) having an insertion port (11) for inserting an external wire (100); A metal part (3) is arranged in the insulating housing (1); A pressing member (2) is movably arranged on the insulating housing (1) and is located higher than the metal member (3); It is characterized in that Also included are: A ratchet wheel (4) rotatably constrained on the insulating housing (1) and having ratchet teeth (41); The non-return pawl (5) is rotationally constrained on the insulating housing (1) and has a locking limit state in which it abuts against the ratchet (41), and a disengaged state in which it is moved by an external force and separated from the ratchet (41); The transmission mechanism (6) is arranged between the ratchet (4) and the pressing member (2) and is used to convert the rotation of the ratchet (4) into the up and down movement of the pressing member (2), so that the pressing member (2) has a locking state in which the external wire (100) is pressed downward against the metal member (3), or an unlocking state in which the pressing member (2) is disengaged upward from the external wire (100); The elastic member (7) is arranged between the non-return pawl (5) and the insulating housing (1), and has a tendency to make the non-return pawl (5) abut against the ratchet (41) to lock and limit the position.

2. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that: The output end of the ratchet (4) has a gear portion (42); The transmission mechanism (6) comprises A transmission gear (61) meshing with the gear portion (42); A rack (62) meshing with the transmission gear (61) and capable of moving up and down; The pressing member (2) is fixed to the lower end of the rack (62).

3. The terminal block according to claim 2, characterized in that: A guide seat (9) is arranged in the insulating housing (1); one of the guide seat (9) and the rack (62) has a guide hole (911) or a guide groove extending up and down, and the other has a positioning protrusion (621) extending into the guide hole (911) or the guide groove.

4. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that: The output end of the ratchet (4) has a connecting portion (44); The transmission mechanism (6) is a connecting member, the upper end of which is rotatably connected to the connecting portion (44), and the lower end of which is rotatably connected to the pressing member (2).

5. The connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes The unlocking member (8) is movably arranged on the insulating housing (1) and cooperates with the non-return pawl (5). Under the action of an external force, the unlocking member (8) moves the non-return pawl (5) so that the non-return pawl (5) is in a disengaged state separated from the ratchet (41).

6. The connection terminal according to claim 5, characterized in that: The unlocking member (8) is a slider movably arranged on the insulating housing (1), one end of the slider is exposed outside the insulating housing (1), and the other end is used to abut against the non-return pawl (5).

7. The connecting terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The ratchet (4) has an operating end (43) exposed outside the insulating housing (1), and the operating end (43) has a slot (431) for inserting an external tool (200).

8. The connecting terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The insulating housing (1) has a first front wall (12) and a second front wall (13) located at different positions; The wall surface where the insertion opening (11) is located is a first front wall (12); When the non-return pawl (5) is in a locked limit state abutting against the ratchet tooth (41), the unlocking member (8) extends forward outside the second front wall (13).

9. The connecting terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The pressing member (2) has teeth (21) extending downwards, and the elastic member (7) is a torsion spring or a spring.

10. An electric energy meter, characterized in that: The invention is applied with the connection terminal as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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