Input / output closed terminal block

Abstract

The utility model discloses an input output closed type terminal board, including casing, input terminal, multiple output terminals and circuit module, and the casing is sealed structure, and the circuit module includes main circuit and branch circuit, and main circuit is electrically connected with input terminal, and is equipped with the main circuit fuse element for carrying out the overcurrent protection to main circuit, multiple branch circuits are parallelly connected in main circuit, and are corresponding electric connection with multiple output terminals respectively, wherein, every branch circuit independently is equipped with the branch fuse element for carrying out the overcurrent protection to branch circuit, and the LED pilot lamp for indicating the working condition of branch circuit, the input output closed type terminal board of utility model embodiment, through the casing of sealed structure, closes input terminal, multiple output terminals and circuit module, has improved environmental adaptability and operation safety significantly. In addition, high reliability, convenient maintenance is applicable to complex industrial automation control system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of PLC technology, and in particular to an input / output enclosed terminal block. Background Technology

[0002] In the fields of industrial automation and electrical control, terminal blocks are indispensable basic equipment for realizing electrical connections and signal conversion. They are widely used in programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems (DCS), and various automation equipment to safely and conveniently connect field sensors, actuators, switches, and other devices to the main control unit, ensuring the stable operation of the entire automation system. However, existing terminal blocks still have many shortcomings in practical applications, especially in complex industrial environments. For example, their open structure results in low reliability in harsh industrial environments such as dust and humidity, making them prone to short-circuit faults due to contaminants. Furthermore, their simplified circuit protection methods often lead to the paralysis of the entire module due to a single branch failure, affecting a wide area and making it difficult to quickly locate the fault. In addition, the lack of intuitive status indicators also leads to low efficiency in equipment debugging and troubleshooting. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in the related art. Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide an input / output enclosed terminal block.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the input / output enclosed terminal block according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0005] The housing is a sealed structure;

[0006] The housing contains input terminals and multiple output terminals.

[0007] A circuit module housed within the housing, the circuit module comprising:

[0008] The main circuit is electrically connected to the input terminal and is equipped with a main circuit fuse element for overcurrent protection of the main circuit.

[0009] Multiple branch circuits are connected in parallel to the main circuit and are electrically connected to the multiple output terminals one by one.

[0010] Each of the branch circuits is independently equipped with a branch fuse element for overcurrent protection and an LED indicator for indicating the operating status of the branch circuit.

[0011] The input / output enclosed terminal block provided in this embodiment of the invention encloses the input terminals, multiple output terminals, and circuit modules through a sealed housing, significantly improving environmental adaptability and operational safety. Simultaneously, the terminal block employs a dual protection method combining a main circuit fuse and independent branch circuit fuses, achieving fault isolation, ensuring the normal operation of other channels, and greatly facilitating rapid fault location. Furthermore, each branch circuit is equipped with an LED indicator to display its operating status, greatly improving the efficiency of equipment debugging, operation monitoring, and fault diagnosis.

[0012] In addition, the input / output enclosed terminal block according to the above embodiments of the present invention may also have the following additional technical features:

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the housing includes:

[0014] The base, on which the input terminals, output terminals and circuit modules are mounted;

[0015] A sealing cover is provided, which covers the base and encloses the input terminals, output terminals and circuit modules within it.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sealing cover and / or the side of the base are provided with rubber plugs for signal cables to pass through.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the front side of the base is provided with a side plate, the side plate is provided with a first semi-circular notch, and the front side of the sealing cover is provided with a second semi-circular notch; the sealing cover is fixed to the base by fasteners, and the rubber plug is inserted between the first semi-circular notch and the second semi-circular notch.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the input terminal includes:

[0019] A 3P signal input terminal, wherein the 3P signal input terminal includes a positive power input terminal, a negative power input terminal, and a common signal terminal;

[0020] Multiple signal input terminals are provided, each corresponding to and electrically connected to a plurality of branch circuits, for inputting external signals to the corresponding branch circuits.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the common signal terminal is coupled to a selection switch for switching between NPN type signal input mode and PNP type signal input mode.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the LED indicator is connected between the output terminal and the common signal terminal, and is used to light up when the branch circuit is turned on to indicate the output status.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, both the main circuit fuse and the branch circuit fuse are self-resetting fuses, which can automatically return to normal working state after overload protection.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sealing cover is made of a transparent material to allow the LED indicator light to be seen through.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the input terminal and the plurality of output terminals are all spring-loaded terminals.

[0026] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the input / output enclosed terminal block according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the input / output enclosed terminal block of this utility model embodiment from one perspective;

[0030] Figure 3 This is an exploded view from another perspective of the input / output enclosed terminal block of this utility model embodiment;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the input / output enclosed terminal block according to an embodiment of this utility model.

[0032] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0034] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "circumferential", "radial", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0035] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0036] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0037] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0038] The input / output enclosed terminal block of this utility model embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Reference Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the input / output enclosed terminal block provided according to the embodiment of the present utility model includes a housing 10, an input terminal 20 and a plurality of output terminals 21 disposed in the housing 10, and a circuit module housed in the housing 10.

[0040] Specifically, the housing 10 is a sealed structure. The sealed housing 10 effectively isolates the internal input terminals 20, output terminals 21, and circuit modules from the external environment. It can strictly prevent the intrusion of conductive dust, metal shavings, and oil stains commonly found in industrial sites, fundamentally avoiding the risk of poor contact or short circuits caused by contaminants, and greatly improving the reliability and safety of the terminal block in harsh environments.

[0041] The circuit module includes a main circuit 30 and multiple branch circuits 31. The main circuit 30 is electrically connected to the input terminal 20 and is equipped with a main circuit fuse FUSE1 for overcurrent protection of the main circuit 30. The main circuit 30 can be connected to an external main power supply through the input terminal 20. The main circuit fuse FUSE1 on the main circuit 30 provides overcurrent protection for the total input current of the entire terminal block, preventing irreversible damage to the entire module due to abnormal external power supply or extreme internal faults.

[0042] Multiple branch circuits 31 are connected in parallel to the main circuit 30, and are electrically connected to the multiple output terminals 21 one by one. Each branch circuit 31 is independently provided with a branch fuse element FUSE2 for overcurrent protection and an LED indicator 311 for indicating the operating status of the branch circuit 31.

[0043] When a signal input terminal of a branch circuit 31 receives an input signal, the corresponding branch circuit 31 is turned on, and the output terminal 21 of the branch circuit 31 can supply power to the load. The branch fuse element FUSE2 on the branch circuit 31 protects the load current of the branch circuit 31. When a branch circuit 31 experiences overcurrent due to load abnormality or short circuit, only its own branch fuse element FUSE2 will be triggered for protection, thereby isolating the fault in the branch circuit 31 without affecting the continuous operation of the main circuit 30 and all other normal branch circuits 31.

[0044] Furthermore, the LED indicator 311 on each branch circuit 31 is illuminated when that branch circuit 31 is conducting. Therefore, the illumination of the LED indicator 311 directly and accurately reflects that its corresponding branch circuit 31 is in a valid conducting state. This provides a very clear and intuitive visual indication for on-site equipment commissioning, operational status monitoring, and rapid fault diagnosis, thereby improving the convenience and efficiency of the work.

[0045] The input / output enclosed terminal block provided in this embodiment of the invention encloses the input terminals 20, multiple output terminals 21, and circuit modules through a sealed housing 10, significantly improving environmental adaptability and operational safety. Simultaneously, the terminal block employs a dual protection method combining a main circuit fuse FUSE1 and independent branch fuses FUSE2 for each branch circuit 31, achieving fault isolation, ensuring the normal operation of other channels, and greatly facilitating rapid fault location. Furthermore, each branch circuit 31 is equipped with an LED indicator 311, which displays the operating status, greatly improving the efficiency of equipment debugging, operation monitoring, and fault diagnosis.

[0046] In one embodiment of this utility model, the housing 10 includes a base 101 and a sealing cover 102. The base 101 can be made of a high-strength insulating material, such as polycarbonate (PC) or ABS engineering plastic, and is integrally injection molded. Input terminals 20, output terminals 21, and circuit modules are disposed on the base 101.

[0047] The sealing cover 102 covers the base 101, enclosing the input terminal 20, output terminal 21, and circuit module within it. Exemplarily, the sealing cover 102 is a hollow enclosure whose shape and size correspond to the contour of the base 101, so that it can cover the base 101 and all components mounted on it when closed. Preferably, the sealing cover 102 can be made of a transparent or translucent material, such as high-transmittance polycarbonate (PC), so that the user can directly observe the working status of the LED indicator 311 on the circuit module inside the housing 10 without opening the housing 10. Alternatively, the sealing cover 102 can be made of a non-transparent material, with light-transmitting holes corresponding one-to-one with the LED indicator 311, through which the LED indicator 311 can also be displayed.

[0048] By adopting a separate structural design for the base 101 and the sealing cover 102, a sealed protection effect is achieved for the internal input terminals 20, output terminals 21, and circuit modules. This effectively resists the intrusion of dust, foreign objects, and liquids, ensuring the long-term stable operation of the terminal block in harsh industrial environments. At the same time, this detachable connection method also improves the manufacturability and maintainability of the product. During production and assembly, the input terminals 20 and output terminals 21 mounted on the base 101 can be easily operated and tested. When maintenance or replacement of fuses is required, simply open the sealing cover 102; operation is convenient.

[0049] In one embodiment of this utility model, a rubber plug 40 is provided on the side of the sealing cover 102 and / or the base 101 for signal cables to pass through. The rubber plug 40 is preferably made of a synthetic rubber material with high elasticity, aging resistance, and oil resistance, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber or silicone rubber. Structurally, it is typically designed as a stepped or flanged bushing. An annular groove is provided around its outer periphery for engaging with the edge of the through hole on the housing 10, ensuring a tight interference fit and seal with the housing 10. A wire hole extends through the center axis of the rubber plug 40 for the cable to pass through and connect to the corresponding input terminal 20 and output terminal 21.

[0050] By setting and embedding rubber plugs 40 on the housing 10, a uniform isolation and protection function is ensured for the entire terminal block at the cable entry point, thereby protecting the internal electrical components from external environmental damage. Furthermore, this structure is not only easy to install and can flexibly adapt to the needs of different numbers and specifications of cables, but the tight wrapping of the cables by the rubber plugs 40 also provides cushioning and tensile resistance, enhancing the stability and long-term reliability of the product wiring.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present invention, a side plate 1011 is provided on the front side of the base 101, a first semi-circular notch is provided on the side plate 1011, and a second semi-circular notch H102 is provided on the front side of the sealing cover 102; the sealing cover 102 is fixed to the base 101 by fasteners, and the rubber plug 40 is engaged between the first semi-circular notch and the second semi-circular notch H102.

[0052] During installation, the waterproof plug 40 with the cable already threaded through it can be placed inside the first semi-circular notch of the upper side plate 1011 of the base 101, so that its outer periphery engages with the edge of the first semi-circular notch. Then, the sealing cover 102 is placed on the base 101 from top to bottom. During this process, the second semi-circular notch H102 on the sealing cover 102 naturally fits against the upper part of the plug 40. Finally, by tightening the fasteners (e.g., screws) used to fix the sealing cover 102 to the base 101, the edges of the first and second semi-circular notches H102 are clamped together, thereby positioning and securing the plug 40, completing the installation and sealing of the cable inlet.

[0053] The split bayonet design used in this embodiment improves the ease of installation. Simply insert the plug 40 with the cable threaded into the open first semicircular bayonet and then cover it with the sealing cap 102 to complete the fixation, which improves the efficiency of assembly and on-site wiring.

[0054] Reference Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, the input terminal 20 includes a 3P signal input terminal and multiple signal input terminals. The 3P signal input terminal includes a positive power input terminal P, a negative power input terminal N, a common signal terminal COM, and multiple signal input terminals IP and IN. The positive power input terminal P and the negative power input terminal N serve as the power input section, used to receive electrical energy from an external main power supply (e.g., a DC 24V power supply commonly used in industrial environments) and provide a unified operating power supply for the internal main circuit 30 and all branch circuits 31. The common signal terminal COM serves as a common reference potential.

[0055] Multiple signal input terminals correspond one-to-one with and are electrically connected to the multiple branch circuits 31, respectively, for inputting external signals to the corresponding branch circuit 31. That is, the multiple signal input terminals IP and IN correspond one-to-one with the multiple branch circuits 31, and each signal input terminal IP and IN is electrically connected to the control trigger terminal of a branch circuit 31. When any signal input terminal IP or IN receives a level signal (e.g., +24V) from an external controller, its corresponding branch circuit 31 is triggered and turned on.

[0056] By configuring the input terminals, the 3P signal input terminal can be connected to 2-wire or 3-wire signals, and the IP and IN signal input terminals can be connected to the control signals of external controllers. This achieves a clear separation of power and signal wiring, making the on-site wiring more organized and intuitive, and effectively reducing the risk of equipment damage caused by incorrect wiring.

[0057] In one embodiment of this utility model, the common signal terminal COM is coupled to a selection switch for switching between NPN type signal input mode and PNP type signal input mode.

[0058] With this selector switch, users no longer need to define the input signal type through external wiring. When the user needs this terminal block to operate in PNP (source) signal input mode, simply switch the selector switch to the PNP position on one side. This operation connects the common reference point to the negative power supply (e.g., 0V) bus via the internal contacts, thus configuring the entire module to wait for a high-level active signal. Similarly, when it needs to operate in NPN (sink) signal input mode, switch the switch to the NPN position on the other side. This operation switches the common reference point to the positive power supply (e.g., +24V) bus, configuring the entire module to wait for a low-level active signal.

[0059] The selection switch added in this embodiment allows the terminal block to flexibly accommodate two mainstream signal types in industrial automation: PNP (source) and NPN (drain) signals. For example, when used with a PNP controller (such as the PNP output module of a PLC), the common signal terminal COM can be connected to the negative terminal (0V) of the power supply. In this case, when any signal input terminal IP receives a high-level signal (such as +24V) from the controller, its corresponding branch circuit 31 is triggered and turned on. Conversely, when used with an NPN controller, the common signal terminal COM can be connected to the positive terminal (+24V) of the power supply. In this case, when any signal input terminal IP is pulled low (0V) by the controller, its corresponding branch circuit 31 is triggered and turned on. By using different wiring methods for the common signal terminal COM, different upstream control systems can be easily adapted without any modification to the internal circuitry of the terminal block. This greatly improves the user's operational convenience and further enhances the product's versatility.

[0060] In one embodiment of this utility model, an LED indicator 311 is connected between the output terminal 21 and the common signal terminal COM, and is used to light up when the branch circuit 31 is turned on to indicate the output status.

[0061] For example, the LED indicator 311 is connected in series with a current-limiting resistor. Taking a source-type (PNP) output circuit as an example, when branch circuit 31 is turned on, its output terminal 21 outputs a high level, and the LED indicator 311 lights up. In this way, the state of the LED indicator 311 is directly and reliably synchronized with the state of the output terminal 21, providing the user with a clear visual signal and intuitively displaying the working status of each branch circuit 31.

[0062] Preferably, both the main circuit fuse FUSE1 and the branch fuse FUSE2 are self-resetting fuses, capable of automatically returning to normal operation after overload protection. This improves fault tolerance and operational continuity. For common industrial surges or temporary overloads, the fuses can self-repair after the fault disappears, avoiding permanent downtime and production interruptions caused by a single blown fuse, significantly increasing equipment uptime. Furthermore, it eliminates the tedious manual replacement of traditional fuses, saving on maintenance labor costs.

[0063] Preferably, the input terminal 20 and the plurality of output terminals 21 are spring-loaded terminals. The spring structure of the spring-loaded terminals can continuously apply an adaptive clamping force to the wires, ensuring long-term stability and reliability of the connection. In addition, the connection is simple and convenient.

[0064] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0065] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. All equivalent structural transformations made under the inventive concept of the present utility model using the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An input / output enclosed terminal block, characterized in that, include: The housing is a sealed structure; The housing contains input terminals and multiple output terminals. A circuit module housed within the housing, the circuit module comprising: The main circuit is electrically connected to the input terminal and is equipped with a main circuit fuse element for overcurrent protection of the main circuit. Multiple branch circuits are connected in parallel to the main circuit and are electrically connected to the multiple output terminals one by one. Each of the branch circuits is independently equipped with a branch fuse element for overcurrent protection and an LED indicator for indicating the operating status of the branch circuit.

2. The input-output closed terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes: The base, on which the input terminals, output terminals and circuit modules are mounted; A sealing cover is provided, which covers the base and encloses the input terminals, output terminals and circuit modules within it.

3. The input / output closed terminal block of claim 2, wherein The sealing cap and / or the side of the base are provided with rubber plugs for signal cables to pass through.

4. The input / output closed terminal block of claim 3, wherein The base has a side plate on its front side, and the side plate has a first semi-circular notch. The sealing cover has a second semi-circular notch on its front side. The sealing cover is fixed to the base by fasteners, and the rubber plug is inserted between the first semi-circular notch and the second semi-circular notch.

5. The input / output enclosed terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, The input terminals include: A 3P signal input terminal, wherein the 3P signal input terminal includes a positive power input terminal, a negative power input terminal, and a common signal terminal; Multiple signal input terminals are provided, each corresponding to and electrically connected to a plurality of branch circuits, for inputting external signals to the corresponding branch circuits.

6. The input / output enclosed terminal block according to claim 5, characterized in that, The common signal terminal is coupled to a selection switch for switching between NPN type signal input mode and PNP type signal input mode.

7. The input / output closed terminal block of claim 5, wherein The LED indicator is connected between the output terminal and the common signal terminal and is used to light up when the branch circuit is turned on to indicate the output status.

8. The input / output closed terminal block of claim 1, wherein, Both the main circuit fuse and the branch circuit fuse are self-resetting fuses, which can automatically return to normal operation after overload protection.

9. The input / output closed terminal block of claim 1, wherein, The sealing cap is made of transparent material to allow the LED indicator light to be seen through.

10. The input / output closed terminal block of claim 1, wherein, The input terminals and the plurality of output terminals are all spring-loaded terminals.

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