Terminal block

Abstract

The invention provides a terminal block capable of suppressing reduction of holding force of a nut and improving manufacturability. A terminal block (10) is provided with: a nut (20); a main body section (30) having a nut holding section (32) for holding a nut; and a bus bar (40) covering the nut from an upper side along a penetration axis (Z) of the nut. The nut holding portion has an opening portion (33) into which the nut can be inserted in an insertion direction (Y1) along an insertion axis (Y) orthogonal to a penetration axis (Z), at least one side surface (34a) of a pair of side surfaces (34) constituting the opening portion is a part of an inner surface of a plate-shaped side wall (34b), and the bus bar has an engagement protrusion (42) which engages with the side wall and is configured to engage with the side wall. The side wall is prevented from deforming in a manner that the opening part is opened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to terminal blocks. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, terminal blocks include a nut, a main body, and a busbar. The main body has a nut retainer that holds the nut, and the busbar covers the nut from above along its through-axis (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The nut retainer has an opening that allows the nut to be inserted into it in a direction orthogonal to the through-axis. The side forming the opening is part of the inner surface of a plate-shaped sidewall. A pressing rib protruding from the inner surface of the sidewall is provided to hold the nut. A receiving recess is provided on the lower surface of the busbar, which receives the upper end of the nut. The inner diameter of the receiving recess is designed to be smaller than the distance between the pair of sidewalls with openings (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Figure 5 Therefore, even if the nut is about to rotate along with the bolt, the receiving recess of the manifold prevents the nut from rotating, thus reducing the amount of pressing ribs that are cut away compared to cases without a receiving recess. Therefore, for example, even with repeated bolt removal and installation, the degradation of the pressing rib performance and the decrease in the nut's retaining force can be suppressed. As a result, the nut is prevented from falling out of the nut receiving portion. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-10723 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] However, in terminal blocks like the one described above, the manufacturability of the busbar is problematic because the busbar with the receiving recess is required to have a high level of dimensional accuracy relative to the nut and the main body.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a terminal block that can suppress the reduction of the retaining force of the nut and improve manufacturability. Solution for solving the problem

[0006] The terminal block of the present invention comprises: a nut; a main body having a nut retaining portion for retaining the nut; and a busbar covering the nut from an upper side along a through axis of the nut, the nut retaining portion having an opening for inserting the nut into the nut retaining portion along an insertion axis orthogonal to the through axis, at least one of a pair of side surfaces constituting the opening being part of the inner surface of a plate-shaped sidewall, the busbar having an engaging protrusion engaging with the sidewall to prevent the sidewall from deforming in such a way as the opening is open. Invention Effects

[0007] The terminal block according to the present invention can suppress the reduction of the nut's retaining force and improve manufacturability. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a terminal block in one embodiment. Figure 2 This is a partially exploded perspective view of the terminal block in one embodiment. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the nut retainer in one embodiment. Figure 4 This is a partial top view of the terminal block in one embodiment. Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 A sectional view along line 5-5. Figure 6 This is a partial top view of the terminal block in the modified example. Detailed Implementation

[0009] [Description of embodiments of the present invention] First, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The terminal block of the present invention, [1] The device comprises: a nut; a main body having a nut retaining portion for retaining the nut; and a manifold covering the nut from the upper side along the through axis of the nut, the nut retaining portion having an opening for inserting the nut into the nut retaining portion along an insertion axis orthogonal to the through axis, at least one of a pair of side surfaces constituting the opening being part of the inner surface of a plate-shaped sidewall, the manifold having an engaging protrusion engaging with the sidewall to prevent the sidewall from deforming in such a way as the opening is opened.

[0010] According to this structure, the nut retainer has an opening into which a nut can be inserted along an insertion axis orthogonal to the through axis, thus allowing the nut to be inserted from the opening into the nut retainer. Furthermore, at least one of the pair of side surfaces constituting the opening is part of the inner surface of a plate-like sidewall, and the busbar has an engaging protrusion that engages with the sidewall to prevent deformation of the sidewall as the opening opens, thereby suppressing a decrease in the nut's retaining force. Additionally, for example, compared to a structure where the busbar has a receiving recess for receiving the upper end of the nut, the busbar does not require a high level of dimensional accuracy, thus improving the manufacturability of the busbar and consequently, the manufacturability of the terminal block.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the engaging protrusion may also engage with the sidewall at a position closer to the opening than the center position of the nut along the insertion axis. According to this structure, the engaging protrusion engages with the sidewall at a position closer to the opening than the center position of the nut along the insertion axis, thus preventing deformation of the sidewall in locations where the sidewall is particularly prone to deformation.

[0012] [3] In [1] or [2] above, the nut may also be held by pressing into the nut retainer, the sidewall having a pressing rib protruding to hold the nut, and the engaging protrusion extending along the through axis to at least the same position as the pressing rib.

[0013] According to this structure, the nut is held in place by pressing it into the nut retainer. The sidewall has a protruding pressing rib for holding the nut, so the nut is held in place by being pressed by the pressing rib. Furthermore, the engaging protrusion extends along the through axis to at least the same position as the pressing rib, so the engaging protrusion is subjected to force on the extension line of the force exerted on the pressing rib by the nut, thus stably preventing deformation of the sidewall.

[0014] [4] In any of [1] to [3] above, the nut may be held by pressing into the nut retainer, the sidewall having a pressing rib protruding to hold the nut, the pressing rib extending along the insertion axis, and the nut being a square nut.

[0015] According to this structure, the nut is held in place by pressing it into the nut retainer. The sidewall has protruding pressing ribs for holding the nut, so the nut is held in place by the nut retainer by being pressed by the pressing ribs. Furthermore, the pressing ribs extend along the insertion axis, and since the nut is a square nut, the contact area with the nut along the insertion axis is increased. Therefore, the nut retainer can stably hold the nut.

[0016] [5] In any of [1] to [4] above, the main body and the busbar may be integrally molded. According to this structure, since the main body and the busbar are integrally molded, the engaging protrusions of the busbar can engage with the sidewall without gaps. Therefore, deformation of the sidewall can be more firmly prevented.

[0017] [Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention] The specific examples of the terminal block 10 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, for ease of explanation, sometimes a portion of the structure is shown enlarged or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the various parts sometimes differ in the drawings. The term "orthogonal" in this specification includes not only strictly orthogonal cases but also cases where they are approximately orthogonal to the extent that they achieve the desired effect in this embodiment. The term "opposite" in this specification refers to a position where surfaces or components are directly opposite each other, including not only cases where they are completely opposite each other but also cases where they are partially opposite each other. Additionally, the term "opposite" in this specification includes both cases where a component independent of the two parts is interposed between the two parts and cases where nothing is sandwiched between the two parts. The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., in this specification are used only to distinguish objects and do not order the objects. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all modifications with the same meaning and scope as the claims, as shown by the claims.

[0018] In the accompanying figures, the front-rear axis X, the insertion axis Y, and the through axis Z are shown as mutually orthogonal. The figures illustrate a front side X1 along one direction of the front-rear axis X and a rear side X2 in the opposite direction of front side X1. Additionally, the figures illustrate an insertion direction Y1 along the insertion axis Y and an insertion-opposite direction Y2 in the opposite direction of insertion direction Y1. Furthermore, the figures illustrate an upper side Z1 along one direction of the through axis Z and a lower side Z2 in the opposite direction of upper side Z1.

[0019] (Structure of terminal block 10) like Figure 1 As shown, the terminal block 10 includes a nut 20, a main body 30, a busbar 40, a plate 50, and a seal 60. In this embodiment, the terminal block 10 includes two nuts 20 and two busbars 40. The two busbars 40 are busbar 40a and busbar 40b, ordered along the insertion direction Y1, and the shapes of busbars 40a and 40b are different. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the parts related to busbar 40a, which is a major part, will be described in detail, while some details of the parts related to busbar 40b will be omitted.

[0020] The terminal block 10 is fixed to a mounting object (not shown), such as a housing for storing electrical components. The plate 50 has four through holes 51 for mounting to the mounting object by bolts or the like. The plate 50 is a rectangular plate along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear axis X, and the through holes 51 are respectively provided at the four corners of the plate 50.

[0021] (Structure of nut 20) Nut 20 is made of metal. like Figure 2As shown, nut 20 is a square nut. That is, when viewed along the through axis Z, nut 20 has a square shape. Nut 20 has an internally threaded hole 21 that passes through along the through axis Z.

[0022] (Structure of main body 30) The main body 30 is made of resin material. like Figure 1 As shown, the main body 30 is formed in the form of a clamping plate 50 along the front-rear axis X. Specifically, the main body 30 has a first main body 31a supporting the front side X1 of the plate 50, a second main body 31b supporting the rear side X2 of the plate 50, and a third main body 31c protruding from the second main body 31b toward the rear side X2. The first main body 31a, the second main body 31b, and the third main body 31c are the same component. The first main body 31a and the second main body 31b are integrally formed through a through hole (not shown) in the plate 50. The first main body 31a and the second main body 31b are rectangular plates along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear axis X. A sealing member 60 made of an elastic material is provided on the rear side X2 of the second main body 31b. The sealing member 60 is provided along the edge of the second main body 31b. The sealing member 60, for example, prevents water or the like from entering the interior of a housing containing electrical components. The third main body portion 31c protrudes rearward X2 from the inside of the second main body portion 31b surrounded by the sealing member 60. The third main body portion 31c is cuboid in shape.

[0023] The main body 30 has a nut retaining portion 32 for retaining the nut 20. Specifically, the third main body 31c has a nut retaining portion 32 for retaining the nut 20. The nut retaining portion 32 has an opening 33 into which the nut 20 can be inserted along the insertion direction Y1, the insertion direction Y1 being along the insertion axis Y (refer to...) which is orthogonal to the through axis Z. Figure 2 Nut 20 is held in place by pressing it into nut retainer 32.

[0024] In detail, such as Figure 3 As shown, the nut retaining portion 32 has a pair of side surfaces 34 and a terminal surface 35. The pair of side surfaces 34 extend continuously along the insertion direction Y1 with the opening 33. In other words, the opening 33 is formed by the ends of the pair of side surfaces 34 in the opposite insertion direction Y2. The terminal surface 35 connects the ends of the pair of side surfaces 34 in the insertion direction Y1 to each other.

[0025] Additionally, the nut retaining portion 32 has a support portion 36 that can support the nut 20 from the lower side Z2. The support portion 36 is provided at the lower end of a pair of side surfaces 34 and a terminal surface 35. The support portion 36 protrudes inward toward the pair of side surfaces 34 and the terminal surface 35, forming a U-shape.

[0026] At least one of the pair of side surfaces 34 constituting the opening 33, side surface 34a, is part of the inner surface of the plate-shaped sidewall 34b. The sidewall 34b is a wall that extends from the rear end X2 of the main body 30 toward the insertion direction Y2.

[0027] The side wall 34b has a pressing rib 37 protruding to retain the nut 20. The pressing rib 37 protrudes forward from the side wall 34a of the side wall 34b and extends along the insertion axis Y. The pressing rib 37 is shaped such that its width narrows along the through axis Z as it protrudes forward from the side wall 34a of the side wall 34b to the side X1. Thus, the pressing rib 37 is configured such that its tip is more easily plastically deformed towards the front X1. In addition, the tip of the pressing rib 37 in the opposite insertion direction Y2 has an inclined portion 37a. Specifically, the inclined portion 37a is inclined in such a way that the amount of protrusion from the side wall 34a to the front X1 decreases as it approaches the tip in the opposite insertion direction Y2. In this embodiment, four pressing ribs 37 are provided in the nut retaining portion 32. Specifically, the side wall 34b has two pressing ribs 37, which are provided at positions separated along the through axis Z. Furthermore, the side 34c, which forms the opening 33 and is opposite to the side wall 34b, has a pressing rib 37 that is opposite to the pressing rib 37 on the side 34a of the side wall 34b. In addition, the side wall 34b has an engaging recess 34e on its upper surface 34d.

[0028] Terminal face 35 forms part of boundary wall 35a, which is located between busbar 40a and busbar 40b (see reference). Figure 2 The boundary portion of the terminal face 35. The terminal face 35 has a protrusion 35b that protrudes in the opposite insertion direction Y2 and extends along the through axis Z. The protruding surface 35c of the end face of the protrusion 35b in the opposite insertion direction Y2 is a flat surface. In this embodiment, the terminal face 35 has two protrusions 35b.

[0029] (Structure of busbar 40) Busbar 40 is made of metal. like Figure 1 As shown, the busbar 40 is a plate-shaped structure with a bent section in the middle and extending along the front-rear axis X. The busbar 40 covers the nut 20 from the upper side Z1 along the through axis Z of the nut 20. At both ends of the busbar 40, there are through holes 41 extending along the through axis Z. The diameter of the through hole 41a at the portion of the busbar 40 that overlaps with the nut 20 is designed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the internal thread hole 21 (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0030] In this embodiment, the main body 30 and the busbar 40 are integrally molded. Specifically, the main body 30 and the busbar 40 are integrally molded using insert molding. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in addition to the main body 30 and the busbar 40, the plate 50 is also integrally molded using insert molding.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the busbar 40a has an engaging protrusion 42. The engaging protrusion 42 engages with the sidewall 34b to prevent the sidewall 34b from deforming in a manner that allows the opening 33 to open. Specifically, the engaging protrusion 42 extends from the top of the rear side X2 of the busbar 40a and bends downward toward the lower side Z2. The engaging protrusion 42 is disposed within and engages with the engaging recess 34e of the sidewall 34b, thereby preventing the sidewall 34b from deforming in a manner that allows the opening 33 to open along the front-rear axis X. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the engaging recess 34e is formed using the engaging protrusion 42 when the busbar 40a is molded as an insert into the main body 30, and the engaging protrusion 42 is disposed within the engaging recess 34e during the sidewall 34b molding stage.

[0032] like Figure 4 As shown, the engaging protrusion 42 is located at the center of the manifold 40a along the insertion axis Y. Specifically, the center of the engaging protrusion 42 along the insertion axis Y coincides with the center of the through hole 41a, and further coincides with the center of the internal threaded hole 21 of the nut 20. That is, the center of the engaging protrusion 42 along the insertion axis Y, the center of the through hole 41a of the manifold 40a, and the center of the internal threaded hole 21 of the nut 20 are all located on the same front-rear axis X.

[0033] like Figure 5 As shown, the engaging protrusion 42 extends along the through axis Z to at least the same position as the pressing rib 37. In this embodiment, the engaging protrusion 42 extends to the upper pressing rib 37 located on the Z1 side of the two pressing ribs 37.

[0034] (The function of this implementation method) The function of this embodiment will be explained below. like Figure 2 As shown, when the nut 20 is held in the nut retaining part 32, the nut 20 is inserted into the nut retaining part 32 through the opening 33 along the insertion direction Y1. The nut 20 is held in place by pressing it into the nut retaining part 32.

[0035] In detail, such as Figure 4As shown, the nut 20 is inserted into the nut retaining portion 32 while being pressed down by the top of the pressing rib 37, and is held in the nut retaining portion 32 in a state where it is pressed down by the top of the pressing rib 37. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pressing rib 37 is configured such that, when the nut 20 is inserted into the nut retaining portion 32, its top is slightly clipped by the nut 20, or its top is slightly flattened by the nut 20. Figure 5 The diagram illustrates how the top of the pressing rib 37 is cut off.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, the state in which the nut 20 contacts the protruding surface 35c of the terminal surface 35 indicates that the nut 20 has been inserted into the nut retaining part 32. At this time, the center of the internal thread hole 21 of the nut 20 coincides with the center of the through hole 41a of the busbar 40a.

[0037] In this state, a counter-side terminal (not shown) is connected to the busbar 40a. Specifically, with the counter-side terminal overlapping the upper Z1 of the busbar 40a, the busbar 40a and the counter-side terminal are connected by a bolt (not shown) that passes through the counter-side terminal and the busbar 40a and engages with the internal threaded hole 21 of the nut 20.

[0038] At this time, assuming that the busbar 40a does not have the engaging protrusion 42, as the bolt is tightened, a rotational force is also applied to the nut 20, which may sometimes cause the nut 20 to rotate as well. If this rotation occurs, the sidewall 34b may deform in a way that opens the opening 33 as the nut 20 rotates.

[0039] In contrast, the busbar 40a has an engaging protrusion 42, which engages with the engaging recess 34e of the sidewall 34b (see reference). Figure 5 Therefore, even if the nut 20 generates a rotational force caused by the associated rotation, it can prevent the sidewall 34b from deforming in a way that would allow the opening 33 to open.

[0040] (Effects of this implementation method) Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The nut retaining portion 32 has an opening 33 into which a nut 20 can be inserted along the insertion direction Y1, which is perpendicular to the insertion axis Y of the through axis Z. Therefore, the nut 20 is inserted into the nut retaining portion 32 from the opening 33. Furthermore, at least one of the pair of side surfaces 34 constituting the opening 33, 34a, is part of the inner surface of a plate-like sidewall 34b. The manifold 40a has an engaging protrusion 42 that engages with the sidewall 34b to prevent deformation of the sidewall 34b when the opening 33 is open. This suppresses a decrease in the retaining force of the nut 20. Specifically, for example, it prevents a decrease in the retaining force of the nut retaining portion 32 when the bolt is repeatedly removed and installed. Therefore, it prevents the nut 20 from falling out of the nut retaining portion 32. In addition, for example, compared with the structure of the busbar 40 having a receiving recess at the upper end of the receiving nut 20, the busbar 40a does not require a high level of dimensional accuracy, thus improving the manufacturability of the busbar 40a, and consequently improving the manufacturability of the terminal block 10.

[0041] (2) The nut 20 is held by pressing into the nut retainer 32. The side wall 34b has a pressing rib 37 protruding to hold the nut 20. Therefore, the nut 20 is held by the nut retainer 32 by being pressed by the pressing rib 37. Furthermore, the engaging protrusion 42 extends along the through axis Z to at least the same position as the pressing rib 37. Therefore, the engaging protrusion 42 is subjected to force on the extension line of the force exerted by the pressing rib 37 on the nut 20, thus stably preventing deformation of the side wall 34b.

[0042] (3) The pressing rib 37 extends along the insertion axis Y. Since the nut 20 is a square nut, the contact range with the nut 20 along the insertion axis Y is increased. Therefore, the nut retaining part 32 can stably hold the nut 20.

[0043] (4) The main body 30 and the busbar 40 are integrally molded, so the engaging protrusion 42 of the busbar 40 can engage with the side wall 34b without gap. Therefore, deformation of the side wall 34b can be more firmly prevented.

[0044] (Modified Example) The above embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiments and the following variations can be combined with each other within the scope of technical inconsistency.

[0045] like Figure 6 As shown, the engaging protrusion 42 can also engage with the sidewall 34b at a position closer to the opening 33 than the center position of the nut 20 along the insertion axis Y. More specifically, the center position of the engaging protrusion 42 along the insertion axis Y can also be configured to be closer to the opening 33 than the center position of the nut 20. In this way, deformation of the sidewall 34b can be prevented at locations where it is particularly prone to deformation.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the engaging protrusion 42 extends along the through axis Z to at least the same position as the pressing rib 37, but is not limited thereto, and may not extend to the position of the pressing rib 37.

[0047] In the above embodiment, nut 20 is a square nut, but it is not limited to this; nut 20 may not be a square nut. That is, nut 20 may also be a hexagonal nut, octagonal nut, or other polygonal nut.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the main body 30 and the busbar 40 are integrally molded, but this is not a limitation; the main body 30 and the busbar 40 may not be integrally molded. In this case, for example, the busbar 40 may be a structure that is mounted to the main body 30 from the upper side Z1.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the insertion axis Y along the insertion direction Y1 of the nut 20 is orthogonal to the front and rear axis X extending from the busbar 40, but it is not limited to this, the insertion axis Y can also be consistent with the front and rear axis X.

[0050] In the above embodiment, one of the pair of side surfaces 34 constituting the opening 33, 34a, is part of the inner surface of the plate-shaped sidewall 34b, but is not limited thereto. That is, both side surfaces 34 constituting the pair of side surfaces 34 of the opening 33 may also be part of corresponding plate-shaped sidewalls. In this case, the busbar 40a may also have two engaging protrusions 42 that engage with the two sidewalls respectively.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the sidewall 34b has an engaging recess 34e on its upper surface 34d, but it is not limited to this and may not have an engaging recess 34e. In this case, the engaging protrusion 42 only needs to engage with the outer surface of the sidewall 34b opposite to the side surface 34.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the terminal block 10 has two nuts 20 and two busbars 40, but it is not limited thereto; the terminal block 10 may also have one nut 20 or three or more nuts 20. In addition, the terminal block 10 may also have one busbar 40 or three or more busbars 40.

[0053] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the invention is not limited to these illustratives. That is, the scope of the invention is indicated by the claims and is intended to include all modifications with the same meaning and scope as the claims. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0054] 10 terminal blocks 20 nuts 21 Internal threaded hole 30 Main body 31a Main Body Part 1 31b Main Body Part 2 31c Third Main Body 32 Nut retainer 33 Opening 34 Side View 34a Side view 34b sidewall 34c side view 34d upper surface 34e engagement recess 35 Terminal Surface 35a Boundary Wall 35b Protrusion 35c protruding surface 36 Support section 37 Press the ribs 37a Inclined section 40 busbars 40a Busbar 40b Busbar 41 Through hole 41a Through Hole 42. Engagement protrusions 50 boards 51 Through hole 60 Seals X Front and rear axis X1 front X2 rear side Y-axis insertion Y1 Insertion Direction Y2 Insert in the opposite direction Z through axis Z1 upper side Z2 lower side

Claims

1. A terminal block comprising: a nut; a main body portion having a nut holding portion that holds the nut; and a bus bar that covers the nut from an upper side along a through axis of the nut, the nut holding portion has an opening portion through which the nut is insertable in an insertion direction along an insertion axis orthogonal to the through axis, at least one of a pair of side surfaces constituting the opening portion is a portion of an inner surface of a plate-like side wall, the bus bar has an engagement protrusion that engages with the side wall to prevent the side wall from being deformed in a manner that the opening portion is opened.

2. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the engagement protrusion engages with the side wall at a position closer to the opening portion than a center position of the nut along the insertion axis.

3. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the nut is held by the nut holding portion by being press-fitted into the nut holding portion, the side wall has a press rib that protrudes for holding the nut, and the engagement protrusion extends at least to the same position as the position at which the press rib is located along the through axis.

4. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the nut is held by the nut holding portion by being press-fitted into the nut holding portion, the side wall has a press rib that protrudes for holding the nut, the press rib extends along the insertion axis, and the nut is a square nut.

5. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion and the bus bar are a one-piece molded product. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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