Terminal block

Abstract

Terminal block (1), comprising: a housing (2) having insulating properties, wherein the housing (2) has a retaining section (10) provided in the housing (2) and a connection surface (11), wherein a first opening section (12) through which a conductor section (100) of an electrical conductor can be inserted and withdrawn, a second opening section (13) which is adjacent to the first opening section (12) and through which a clamping device (110) can be inserted and withdrawn, and a third opening section (14) which is adjacent to the second opening section (13) and through which a connection state of the conductor section (100) can be indicated, are arranged in series on the connection surface (11) and each is connected to the retaining section (10); and a connecting electrode section (20), a leaf spring section (30), a movable display application element (40) and a return spring section (50) which are arranged in the holding section (10), wherein the stopping section (10) has: a passage section (61) for the electrical conductor, which extends in a direction intersecting the connection surface (11), is connected to the first opening section (12) and through which the conductor section (100) of the electrical conductor can move, a passage section (62) for the clamping device (110), which extends in the direction intersecting the connection surface (11), is connected to the second opening section (13) and through which the clamping device (110) can move, and a guide surface (16) which extends in an arrangement direction of the first opening section (12), the second opening section (13) and the third opening section (14) and is arranged to cause the passage section (61) for the electrical conductor and the passage section (62) for the clamping device (110) to be arranged between the guide surface (16) and the connection connection surface (11) in the direction intersecting the connection connection surface (11), the connecting electrode section (20) has: a contact section (23) which extends along the passage section (61) for the electrical conductor and is arranged to come into contact with the conductor section (100) inserted into the passage section (61) for the electrical conductor through the first opening section (12), the leaf spring section (30) has: a fixed section (31) which is provided at an end section of the leaf spring section (30) and attached to the housing (2) to cause the passage section (61) for the electrical conductor and the passage section (62) for the clamping device (110) between the fixed section (31) and the contact section (23) of the terminal electrode section (20) to be located in the arrangement direction, and a movable section (32) which is provided at the other end of the leaf spring section (30) and is arranged between the fixed section (31) and the terminal electrode section (20) in the arrangement direction, wherein the movable section (32) faces the contact section (23) of the terminal electrode section (20), extends over the passage section (61) for the electrical conductor and the passage section (62) for the clamping device (110) and is movable relative to the fixed section (31), the movable section (32) is arranged to cause the conductor section (100) inserted through the first opening section (12) into the passage section (61) for the electrical conductor to be held between the movable section (32) and the contact section (23) of the terminal electrode section (20) in order to bring the conductor section (100) and the terminal electrode section (20) into a connected state, and to come into contact with the clamping device (110) inserted through the second opening section (13) into the passage section (62) for the clamping device (110) in order to release the contact between the movable section (32) and the conductor section (100) in order to bring the conductor section (100) and the terminal electrode section (20) into a separated state, the movable display usage element (40) has: a main body section (41) which extends in the direction intersecting the connecting surface (11) and can move back and forth between a display position in which a distal end section (43) is exposed in an extension direction from the housing (2) through the third opening section (14) and a non-display position in which the distal end section (43) is held in the retaining section (10), and a movable contact section (42) extending along the guide surface (16), having a first end section (44) in an extension direction which is arranged to come into contact with the conductor section (100) in the passage section (61) for the electrical conductor and to move in a first direction intersecting the connection surface (11) and away from the connection surface (11), and having a second end section (455) in the extension direction which is connected to the main body section (41) and moves in the arrangement direction in response to a movement of the first end section (44) in the first direction (A) to move the main body section (41) in a second direction (B) intersecting the connection surface (11) and towards the connection surface (11), the return spring section (50) has a metal element and is designed to to push the main body section (41) of the movable display application element (40) in the first direction (A), The main body section (41) moves, when the conductor section (100) is inserted through the first opening section (12) into the passage section (61) for electrical conduction, in order to move the first end section (44) of the movable contact section (42) in the first direction (A), in the second direction (B), and the distal end section (43) of the main body section (41) adjacent to the connection interface (11) moves from the non-indicating position to the indicating position to indicate a state in which the connection state of the conductor section (100) with respect to the connection electrode section (20) has changed from the disconnected state to the connected state, and The distal end section (43) is moved from the display position to the non-display position when the conductor section (100) is pulled out of the passage section (61) for the electrical conductor in order to move the main body section (41) in the first direction (A) by a compressive force of the return spring section (50) to indicate a state in which the connection state of the conductor section (100) with respect to the terminal electrode section (20) has changed from the connected state to the disconnected state, and wherein the return spring section (50) is provided by a leaf spring which is arranged extending in the direction intersecting the connecting surface (11).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a push-in connection type terminal. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal comprising a housing having a terminal connection surface with an opening portion through which an electric wire can be inserted and withdrawn, a confirmation window disposed adjacent to the opening portion, and a holding portion provided inside the housing and connected to the opening portion. In the terminal, a long indicator body is provided in the holding portion, and the long indicator body is configured to pivot about a pivot shaft located approximately at a center of the holding portion in a direction intersecting the terminal connection surface when the electric wire is inserted or withdrawn.This display body is integrally provided with a display portion provided at one end in a longitudinal direction and arranged to be exposed through the confirmation window when the display body pivots, and a user is informed of a connection state of the electric wire indicated by exposing the display portion through the confirmation window.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a terminal board configured to provide a structure that compensates for the length difference between connectors in a terminal board with a lead wire insertion confirmation strip. The terminal board includes a lifting lever part that moves the lead wire insertion confirmation strip from a display position where visual confirmation from the outside is difficult to a display where visual confirmation is easy. Further related art is provided by Patent Documents 3 and 4. PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT DOCUMENTS Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Registration Publication JP 3 098 937 U Patent document 2: JP 2009 - 230 859 A Patent document 3: JP 2007 - 026 991 A Patent document 4: JP 2000 - 195 577 A SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTECHNICAL TASK

[0004] In the terminal block, a distance from the pivot shaft to the display portion of the display body is long, and therefore, for example, downsizing of the terminal block may prevent a range where the display portion pivots from being sufficiently secured in the holding portion, and in turn prevent the user from being informed of the accurate connection state of the electric wire.

[0005] Therefore, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a terminal capable of accurately informing a user of a connection state of an electric wire. SOLUTION TO THE TASK

[0006] The object of the invention is achieved by a terminal block according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention is defined by the claims, with aspects of the invention being set forth below.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, a connection terminal comprises: a housing having insulation properties, the housing comprising a holding portion provided in the housing and a terminal connection surface, wherein a first opening portion through which a conductor portion of an electrical wire can be inserted and withdrawn, a second opening portion adjacent to the first opening portion and through which a clamping device can be inserted and withdrawn, and a third opening portion adjacent to the second opening portion and through which a connection state of the conductor portion can be displayed are arranged in series on the terminal connection surface and are each connected to the holding portion; and a terminal electrode portion, a leaf spring portion, a movable display use member, and a return spring portion, all of which are arranged in the holding portion, wherein the holding section has: a passage portion for the electric wire, which extends in a direction intersecting the terminal connection surface, is connected to the first opening portion and through which the conductor portion of the electric wire can move, a passage portion for the clamping device, which extends in the direction intersecting the connecting surface, is connected to the second opening portion and through which the clamping device can move, and a guide surface extending in an arrangement direction of the first opening portion, the second opening portion, and the third opening portion and arranged to cause the electric wire passage portion and the clamping device passage portion to be interposed between the guide surface and the terminal connection surface in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface, the connection electrode section has: a contact portion extending along the electrical wire passage portion and arranged to come into contact with the conductor portion inserted into the electrical wire passage portion through the first opening portion, the leaf spring section has: a fixed portion provided at an end portion of the leaf spring portion and fixed to the housing to cause the electric wire passage portion and the clamping device passage portion to be located between the fixed portion and the contact portion of the terminal electrode portion in the arrangement direction, and a movable portion provided at the other end of the leaf spring portion and disposed between the fixed portion and the terminal electrode portion in the arrangement direction, the movable portion facing the contact portion of the terminal electrode portion, extending over the electric wire passage portion and the clamping device passage portion, and being movable relative to the fixed portion, the movable portion is arranged to move relative to the fixed portion to cause the conductor portion inserted through the first opening portion into the through-portion for the electric wire to be held between the movable portion and the contact portion of the terminal electrode portion to bring the conductor portion and the terminal electrode portion into a connected state, and to come into contact with the clamping device inserted through the second opening portion into the through-portion for the clamping device and to move relative to the fixed portion to release the contact between the movable portion and the conductor portion to bring the conductor portion and the terminal electrode portion into a separated state, the movable display usage element has: a main body portion extending in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface and capable of reciprocating between a display position in which a distal end portion is exposed in an extending direction from the housing through the third opening portion and a non-display position in which the distal end portion is held in the holding portion, and a movable contact portion extending along the guide surface, having a first end portion in an extending direction arranged to contact the conductor portion in the electrical wire passage portion and move in a first direction intersecting the terminal connection surface and away from the terminal connection surface, and having a second end portion in the extending direction connected to the main body portion and moving in the arranging direction in response to movement of the first end portion in the first direction to move the main body portion in a second direction intersecting the terminal connection surface and toward the terminal connection surface, the return spring section is designed to to push the main body portion of the movable display use member in the first direction, when the conductor portion is inserted through the first opening portion into the electric wire passage portion to move the first end portion of the movable contact portion in the first direction, the main body portion moves in the second direction, and the distal end portion of the main body portion adjacent to the terminal connection surface moves from the non-display position to the display position to display a state in which the connection state of the conductor portion with respect to the terminal electrode portion is changed from the disconnected state to the connected state, and when the conductor portion is pulled out from the electric wire passing portion to move the main body portion in the first direction by a pressing force of the return spring portion, the distal end portion moves from the display position to the non-display position to display a state in which the connection state of the conductor portion with respect to the terminal electrode portion is changed from the connected state to the disconnected state. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, when the conductor portion of the electric wire is inserted into the electric wire passage portion through the first opening portion to move the first end portion of the movable contact portion in the first direction, the movable display use member displays a state in which the distal end portion of the main body portion is exposed from the housing from the holding portion through the third opening portion and the connection state of the conductor portion with respect to the terminal electrode portion is changed from the disconnected state to the connected state.Further, when the conductor portion of the electric wire is pulled out from the electric wire passing portion, the movable display use member displays a state in which the main body portion moves in the first direction by the urging force of the return spring portion, the distal end portion exposed from the housing through the third opening portion is held in the holding portion, and the connection state of the conductor portion with respect to the terminal electrode portion is changed from the connected state to the disconnected state.That is, since the terminal terminal is capable of indicating, through the third opening portion, not through a rotational movement but through a linear movement of the distal end portion of the movable display-use member in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface, whether the connection state of the conductor portion with respect to the terminal electrode portion is the connected state or the disconnected state, even if the terminal terminal is reduced in size, a range within which the movable display-use member can move can be secured in the holding portion. Consequently, even if the terminal terminal is reduced in size, the user can be informed of the accurate connection state of the electric wire. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a holding portion and a terminal connecting portion of the Fig. 1 shows the terminal shown. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a movable display use element of the Fig. 1 shows the terminal shown. Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view for describing a movement of the Fig. 1 shown terminal. Fig. 5 is a second schematic plan view for describing the movement of the Fig. 1 shown terminal. Fig. 6 is a third schematic plan view for describing the movement of the Fig. 1 shown terminal. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a terminal according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing a holding portion and a terminal connecting portion of the Fig. 7 shows the terminal shown. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a movable display use element of the Fig. 7 shows the terminal shown. Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the movable display use member of the Fig. 7 shows the terminal shown. Fig. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a first modification of the Fig. 7 shows the terminal shown. Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view showing a second modification of the Fig. 7 shows the terminal shown. Fig. 13 is a schematic plan view showing a third modification of the Fig. 7 shows the terminal shown. Fig. Fig. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a fourth modification of the Fig. 7 shows the terminal shown. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The following is a description of an example of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions (for example, terms including "top," "bottom," "right," and "left") are used where necessary. However, the use of these terms is intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings, and the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the meanings of the terms. Furthermore, the following description merely shows an example in its nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, applications of the present disclosure, or uses of the present disclosure.Furthermore, the drawings are schematic drawings and relationships between dimensions do not necessarily correspond to the actual relationships. (First embodiment)

[0010] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a terminal 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing 2 having insulation properties and a terminal connecting portion 3 provided inside the housing 2. The terminal 1 is provided with, for example, two terminal connecting portions 3. Each of the terminal connecting portions 3 includes a terminal electrode portion 20, a leaf spring portion 30, a movable display use member 40, and a return spring portion 50.

[0011] As in Fig. 1, the housing 2 has two holding portions 10, each having a hollow, approximately rectangular plate shape and having a corresponding one of the terminal connecting portions 3 held therein, and a terminal connecting surface 11.

[0012] The holding sections 10 are provided inside the housing 2 and arranged approximately symmetrically to an imaginary straight line L passing through a center, in a longitudinal direction, of the housing 2.

[0013] The terminal connection surface 11 serves as one of the side surfaces of the housing 2, extending in the longitudinal direction. The terminal connection surface 11 is provided with two sets of first opening portions 12, second opening portions 13, and third opening portions 14 arranged in series, and each of the sets of first opening portions 12, second opening portions 13, and third opening portions 14 is connected to a corresponding one of the holding portions 10.The first opening portion 12 is configured such that a conductor portion of an electrical wire can be inserted and withdrawn through the first opening portion 12, the second opening portion 13 is arranged adjacent to the first opening portion 12 and configured such that a clamping device can be inserted and withdrawn through the second opening portion 13, and the third opening portion 14 is arranged adjacent to the second opening portion 13 and configured such that a connection state of the conductor portion can be displayed.

[0014] An opening surface 15 having an opening portion is provided on a side in a width direction W that intersects a direction in which the first opening portion 12, the second opening portion 13, and the third opening portion 14 are arranged on a corresponding one of the holding portions 10 (i.e., a longitudinal direction of the housing 2. Hereinafter, it will be simply referred to as an arrangement direction) and a direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 (for example, orthogonal thereto). Through this opening portion, the terminal connection portion 3 (i.e., the terminal electrode portion 20, the leaf spring portion 30, the movable display-use member 40, and the return spring portion 50) is exposed from the housing 2.

[0015] Each of the holding portions 10 is provided with a guide surface 16 facing the terminal connection surface 11. For example, the guide surface 16 is provided on a horizontal plate portion 22 of the terminal electrode portion 20, which will be described later, extends in the arrangement direction, and is arranged to come into contact with the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display use member 40, which will be described later.

[0016] Furthermore, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, each of the holding portions 10 includes an electric wire passage portion 61 (electric wire passage portion), a clamping device passage portion 62 (clamping device passage portion), and a movable member passage portion 63 (movable member passage portion). The electric wire passage portion 61, the clamping device passage portion 62, and the movable member passage portion 63 each serve as a part of the housing 2 and are disposed between the terminal connection surface 11 and the guide surface 16 in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11.

[0017] The electrical wire passage portion 61 extends in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 (for example, orthogonal thereto). The electrical wire passage portion 61 is connected to the first opening portion 12 to form a passage through which the conductor portion of the electrical wire can move. The clamping device passage portion 62 extends in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 (for example, orthogonal thereto). The clamping device passage portion 62 is connected to the second opening portion 13 to form a passage through which the clamping device can move.

[0018] The movable member passage portion 63 extends in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 (for example, orthogonal thereto). The movable member passage portion 63 is connected to the third opening portion 14 to form a passage through which a main body portion 41 of the movable display use member 40, which will be described later, can move. The movable member passage portion 63 is arranged to cause the third opening portion 14 to be located between the movable member passage portion 63 and the second opening portion 13 in the arrangement direction. That is, the movable member passage portion 63 is arranged so as not to be exposed from the housing 2 through the third opening portion 14 when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the terminal connection surface 11.

[0019] A curved portion 64 is provided at one end of the movable member passage portion 63 adjacent to the third opening portion 14. The curved portion 64 is curved in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 and toward the terminal connection surface 11, as well as in the arrangement direction and toward the second opening portion 13 from the third opening portion 14.

[0020] The electric wire passage portion 61 and the tensioner passage portion 62 are arranged, in the arrangement direction, between the terminal electrode portion 20 and a fixed portion 31 of the leaf spring portion 30, which will be described later. The electric wire passage portion 61 is arranged near the terminal electrode portion 20, and the tensioner passage portion 62 is arranged near the fixed portion 31 of the leaf spring portion 30. Further, the movable member passage portion 63 is arranged to cause the fixed portion 31 of the leaf spring portion 30 to be located between the movable member passage portion 63 and the tensioner passage portion 62 in the arrangement direction.

[0021] As in Fig. 2, the terminal electrode portion 20 extends along the electric wire passage portion 61 and has a contact portion 23 arranged to come into contact with the conductor portion inserted into the holding portion through the first opening portion 12.

[0022] Specifically, the terminal electrode portion 20 includes a vertical plate portion 21 having an approximately rectangular plate shape extending in the direction intersecting (e.g., orthogonal to) the terminal connection surface 11, and the horizontal plate portion 22 having an approximately rectangular plate shape extending in the arrangement direction. The horizontal plate portion 22 is provided with the contact portion 23 disposed adjacent to a side of the electrical wire passage portion 61, remote from the chuck passage portion 62 in the arrangement direction, and on a surface facing a movable portion 32 of the leaf spring portion 30, which will be described later.Further, the horizontal plate portion 22 is connected to one end of the vertical plate portion 21 adjacent to the guide surface 16 and has a surface facing the terminal connection surface 11, which serves as a guide surface 16. Note that, as shown in FIG. Fig. 1, the horizontal plate portions 22 of the terminal electrode portion 20, which are arranged in the holding portions 10, are connected to each other and are integral.

[0023] As in Fig. 2, the leaf spring portion 30 has a plate shape with a bent intermediate portion, and includes the fixed portion 31 provided at one end portion in an extending direction and the movable portion 32 provided at the other end portion in the extending direction.

[0024] The fixed portion 31 is fixed to the housing 2 such that the electrical wire passage portion 61 and the clamp passage portion 62 are located between the fixed portion 31 and the vertical plate portion 21 of the terminal electrode portion 20 in the arrangement direction. Specifically, the fixed portion 31 is fixed to a leaf spring fixing portion 17 of the housing 2, which is located between the clamp passage portion 62 and the movable member passage portion 63 in the arrangement direction and between the terminal connection surface 11 and the guide surface 16 in the direction orthogonal to the terminal connection surface 11.

[0025] The movable portion 32 is arranged between the fixed portion 31 and the terminal electrode portion 20 in the arrangement direction and close to the terminal electrode portion 20. That is, the movable portion 32 is arranged close to the vertical plate portion 21 of the terminal electrode portion 20, faces the contact portion 23 of the vertical plate portion 21, and extends over the electrical wire passage portion 61 and the clamp passage portion 62. Furthermore, the movable portion 32 is elastically deformable and movable toward the fixed portion 31.

[0026] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the movable display-use member 40 has a slender plate shape with a curved intermediate portion, and includes the main body portion 41 and the movable contact portion 42 extending along the guide surface 16 and connected to the main body portion 41. The movable display-use member 40 is made of, for example, an insulating resin.

[0027] The main body portion 41 is arranged to reciprocate through the movable member passage portion 63 in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11, and extends from the vicinity of the terminal connection surface 11 to the vicinity of the guide surface 16 in the extending direction of the movable member passage portion 63. In particular, the main body portion 41 is configured to reciprocate between a display position P2 (see Fig. 5), in which a distal end portion 43 adjacent to the terminal connection surface 11 is exposed in the extending direction from the housing 2 through the third opening portion 14, and a non-display position P1 (see Fig. 4), in which the distal end portion 43 is held in the holding portion 10. As in Fig. 3, the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41 is curved along the curved shape of the curved portion 64 of the movable member passage portion 63.

[0028] Note that, as in Fig. 3, the intermediate portion of the main body portion 41 is smaller in size in the width direction W than both end portions in the extension direction. This reduces the weight of the movable display use member 40 and allows the main body portion 41 to be easily moved in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11.

[0029] The movable contact portion 42 extends along the guide surface 16, in which a first end portion 44 in the extending direction is arranged to come into contact with the conductor portion of the electric wire in the electric wire passing portion 61 and to move in a first direction A intersecting the terminal connecting surface 11 and away from the terminal connecting surface 11, and a second end portion 45 in the extending direction is connected to the main body portion 41.

[0030] In particular, as in Fig. 3, the movable contact portion 42 has a plate shape with a bent intermediate portion and includes a first member 421 and a second member 422.

[0031] The first member 421 extends along the guide surface 16 and has one end portion in the extending direction, which serves as a second end portion 45. A connecting portion between one end portion of the first member 421 (i.e., the second end portion 45 of the movable contact portion 42) and the main body portion 41 has a curved shape that curves toward the guide surface 16 in the direction intersecting the terminal connecting surface 11. Further, at an end portion of the first member 421 adjacent to the second member 422, an abutting portion 423 is provided, which slides on the guide surface 16 in response to movement of the first end portion 44 in the direction intersecting the terminal connecting surface 11 (i.e., the first direction A and a second direction B intersecting the terminal connecting surface 11 and toward the terminal connecting surface 11).

[0032] The second member 422 extends in the arrangement direction and toward the terminal connection surface 11 with increasing distance from the main body portion 41 and is elastically deformable in the first direction A. That is, the second member 422 is inclined relative to the guide surface 16 in a direction in which a distance from the guide surface 16 toward the terminal electrode portion 20 increases, and a gap is provided, in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11, between the other end portion in the extension direction, which serves as the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42, and the guide surface 16. One end portion of the second member 422 in the extension direction is connected to the other end portion of the first member 421 in the extension direction, and the other end portion of the second member 422 in the extension direction serves as the first end portion 44.

[0033] Furthermore, as in Fig. 3, the movable display use member 40 has a projection portion 46 extending from the main body portion 41 in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the main body portion 41. As shown in Fig. 2, the protrusion portion 46 is provided near the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41 and extends from the main body portion 41 toward the second opening portion 13. That is, the protrusion portion 46 is inclined relative to the main body portion 41 such that, as the distance from the main body portion 41 in the arrangement direction toward the vertical plate portion 21 of the terminal electrode portion 20 increases, a distance from the terminal connection surface 11 in the direction orthogonal to the terminal connection surface 11 decreases.

[0034] As in Fig. 2, the return spring portion 50 is configured to urge the main body portion 41 of the movable display-use member 40 in the first direction A. According to this embodiment, the return spring portion 50 is made of, for example, resin and is integrally provided with the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display-use member 40.

[0035] In particular, as in Fig. 3, the return spring portion 50 extends from a portion facing the terminal connection surface 11 at a connecting portion between the first element 421 and the second element 422 of the movable contact portion 42 to the fixed portion 31 of the leaf spring portion 30. A distal end portion 51 of the return spring portion 50 remote from the movable contact portion 42 in the extending direction of the return spring portion 50 is connected to the leaf spring fixing portion 17 of the housing 2 in the second direction B, as shown in Fig. 2 shown in contact.

[0036] Furthermore, as in Fig. 2, each of the holding sections 10 has a first movement restricting section 71, a second movement restricting section 72 and a third movement restricting section 73.

[0037] The first movement restricting portion 71 is provided integrally with the housing 2 and configured to restrict the movement of the movable portion 32 of the leaf spring portion 30 in the width direction W (that is, in a direction orthogonal to the plane of Fig. 2). Specifically, the first movement restricting portion 71 extends along the electrical wire passage portion 61 from between the terminal connection surface 11 and the movable portion 32 of the leaf spring portion 30 in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 to the vicinity of the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display use member 40.That is, the first movement restricting portion 71 is arranged to cover a range in which the movable portion 32 of the leaf spring portion 30 can move (specifically, a range in which the distal end portion 321 of the movable portion 32 can move), and to guide the conductor portion of the electric wire inserted into the electric wire passage portion 61 through the first opening portion 12 toward the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display use member 40.

[0038] The second movement restricting portion 72 is configured to restrict the movement of the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display-use member 40 in the width direction W while allowing the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display-use member 40 to move in the arrangement direction. Specifically, the second movement restricting portion 72 is integrally provided with the horizontal plate portion 22 of the terminal electrode portion 20 on the guide surface 16 to restrict the movement of the abutting portion 423 of the first member 421 of the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display-use member 40 in the width direction W.

[0039] The third movement restricting portion 73 is provided integrally with the housing 2 and configured to restrict the movement of the protrusion portion 46 in the width direction W. Specifically, the third movement restricting portion 73 extends from the third opening portion 14 in the second direction B and covers a range in which a distal end portion 461 of the protrusion portion 46 can move.

[0040] Next, with reference to Fig. 4 to 6, a description will be given of a movement of the terminal 1 when a conductor portion 100 of an electric wire is inserted into the first opening portion 12 and a clamping device 110 is inserted into the second opening portion 13.

[0041] As in Fig. 4, when the conductor portion 100 of the electric wire is inserted through the first opening portion 12 of the terminal 1 into the electric wire passage portion 61 of the holding portion 10, the conductor portion 100 of the electric wire thus inserted comes into contact with the movable portion 32 of the leaf spring portion 30 to urge the movable portion 32 in the first direction A. This elastically deforms the movable portion 32 toward the fixed portion 31 against the elastic force of the movable portion 32 and then causes, as shown in Fig. 5, the electric wire conductor portion 100 is held between the movable portion 32 and the vertical plate portion 21 of the terminal electrode portion 20 to bring the electric wire conductor portion 100 and the terminal electrode portion 20 into a connected state.

[0042] Further, when the electric wire conductor portion 100 is inserted into the electric wire passage portion 61 through the first opening portion 12, the electric wire conductor portion 100 pushes and moves the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display use member 40 to the first position in the first direction A.When the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 moves in the first direction, the abutting portion 423 of the movable contact portion 42 on the guide surface 16 slides in the arrangement direction to separate from the vertical plate portion 21 of the terminal electrode portion 20 (that is, the movable contact portion 42 moves while being in contact with the guide surface 16), while the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41 of the movable display use member 40 moves from the non-display position P1 to the display position P2 in the second direction B and is exposed from the holding portion 10 of the housing 2 through the third opening portion 14.This results in a state in which the connection state of the conductor portion 100 of the electric wire with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is changed from a disconnected state to the connected state displayed.

[0043] Subsequently, when the clamping device 110 passes through the second opening portion 13 of the terminal 1 into the clamping device passage portion 62, the conductor portion 100 of the electric wire and the terminal electrode portion 20 are connected to Fig. 5 in the connected state, a tip of the clamping device 110, as shown in Fig. 6, the movable portion 32 of the leaf spring portion 30 is brought into contact with the movable portion 32 of the leaf spring portion 30 to elastically deform the movable portion 32 toward the fixed portion 31 against the elastic force of the movable portion 32. This releases the contact between the movable portion 32 and the electric wire conductor portion 100 to bring the electric wire conductor portion 100 and the terminal electrode portion 20 into the separated state. Thereafter, the electric wire conductor portion 100 in the holding portion 10 can be withdrawn from the holding portion 10.

[0044] When the conductor portion 100 of the electric wire is pulled out of the holding portion 10, the main body portion 41 of the movable display use member 40 moves in the first direction A by a pressing force of the return spring portion 50, while the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42, which is pressed by the conductor portion 100 in the first direction A, moves in the second direction B by its own elastic force, and the movable display use member 40 returns to the Fig. 4. At this time, the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41, which is exposed from the housing 2 through the third opening portion 14, moves from the display position P2 to the non-display position P1 in the second direction B and is held in the holding portion 10. This results in a state in which the connection state of the electric wire conductor portion 100 with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is changed from the connected state to the disconnected state, which is displayed.

[0045] As described above, the terminal 1 includes the movable display use member 40, which includes the main body portion 41 extending in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 and capable of reciprocating between the display position P2, in which the distal end portion 43 in the extending direction is exposed from the housing 2 through the third opening portion 14, and the non-display position P1, in which the distal end portion 43 is held in the holding portion 10, and the movable contact portion 42 extending along the guide surface 16, the first end portion 44 in an extending direction being arranged to come into contact with the conductor portion 100 of the electric wire to move in the first direction A away from the terminal connection surface 11 in the electric wire passage portion 61.the second end portion 45 in the extension direction, which is connected to the main body portion 41 and moves in the arrangement direction in response to the movement of the first end portion 44 in the first direction A to move the main body portion 41 in the second direction B toward the terminal connection surface 11. In the movable display use element 40, when the electrical wire conductor portion 100 is inserted through the first opening portion 12 into the electrical wire passage portion 61 to move the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 in the first direction A, the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41 is exposed from the holding portion 10 of the housing 2 through the third opening portion 14 to display a state,in which the connection state of the conductor portion 100 with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is changed from the disconnected state to the connected state. Further, when the conductor portion 100 of the electric wire is pulled out from the electric wire passage portion 61, the main body portion 41 moves in the first direction A by the urging force of the return spring portion 50, and consequently, the distal end portion 43 exposed from the housing 2 through the third opening portion 14 is held in the holding portion 10 to indicate a state in which the connection state of the conductor portion 100 with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is changed from the connected state to the disconnected state. That is, since the terminal terminal 1 is capable of passing through the third opening portion 14 not by a rotational movement,Rather, a linear movement of the distal end portion 43 of the movable display-use member 40 in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 indicates whether the connection state of the conductor portion 100 with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is the connected state or the disconnected state, even if the terminal 1 is reduced in size. A range within which the movable display-use member 40 can move can be secured in the holding portion 10. Consequently, even if the terminal 1 is reduced in size, the user can be informed of the precise connection state of the electric wire.

[0046] Further, the holding portion 10 includes the movable member passage portion 63 extending in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11, connected to the third opening portion 14, arranged to cause the third opening portion 14 to be located between the movable member passage portion 63 and the second opening portion 13 in the arrangement direction, and through which the main body portion 41 of the movable display use member 40 can move.With such a configuration, when the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41 of the movable display use member 40 is located in the holding portion 10 (that is, when the connection state of the conductor portion 100 with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is the disconnected state), it is possible to make the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41 less likely to be exposed from the housing 2 through the third opening portion 14 in the direction orthogonal to the terminal connection surface 11.This in turn makes it possible to prevent an erroneous determination that the connection state of the conductor portion 100 with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is the connected state even when the connection state of the conductor portion 100 with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is the disconnected state, and thereby makes it possible to inform the user of the connection state of the electric wire more accurately.

[0047] Furthermore, the movable member passage portion 63 includes the curved portion 64 provided at the end portion adjacent to the third opening portion 14 and curved in the second direction B toward the second opening portion 13, and the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41 of the movable display-use member 40 is curved along the curved shape of the curved portion 64. Such a configuration makes it possible to easily move the main body portion 41 of the movable display-use member 40 in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 with little force.

[0048] Furthermore, the movable indicator use member 40 and the return spring portion 50 are provided integrally. This makes it possible to realize the terminal 1, which can suppress an increase in the number of components and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0049] Further, the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display use member 40 includes the first member 421 extending along the guide surface 16, having one end portion in an extending direction serving as the second end portion 45, and the abutting portion 423 sliding on the guide surface 16 in response to the movement of the first end portion 44 in the first direction A and the second direction B, and the second member 422 extending in the arrangement direction and toward the terminal connection surface 11 with increasing distance from the main body portion 41, having one end portion in the extending direction connected to the other end portion of the first member 421, and the other end portion in the extending direction serving as the first end portion 44.This makes it possible to indicate with a simple configuration through the third opening portion 14 whether the connection state of the conductor portion 200 with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is the connected state or the disconnected state.

[0050] Furthermore, in the terminal block 1, the housing 2 is integrally provided with the first movement restricting portion 71 that restricts the movement of the movable portion 32 of the leaf spring portion 30 in the width direction W. The first movement restricting portion 71 can prevent the leaf spring portion 30 from falling off from the housing 2 through the opening surface 15 of the holding portion 10 without providing a separate component such as a lid that covers the opening portion of the opening surface 15 of the holding portion 10, thereby making it possible to realize the terminal block 1 that can suppress an increase in the number of components and reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0051] Furthermore, the first movement restricting portion 71 is configured to cover a range within which the movable portion 32 of the leaf spring portion 30 can move. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the leaf spring portion 30 from falling off the housing 2 through the opening surface 15 of the holding portion 10.

[0052] Furthermore, the terminal 1 further includes the movable display-use member 40 and the second movement restricting portion 72 disposed in the holding portion 10. The holding portion 10 has the guide surface 16 extending in the arrangement direction. Then, the second movement restricting portion 72 restricts the movement of the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display-use member 40 in the width direction W while allowing the movement of the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display-use member 40 in the arrangement direction.The second movement restricting portion 72 can prevent the movable display use member 40 from falling off the housing 2 through the opening surface 15 of the holding portion 10 without providing a separate component such as a lid covering the opening portion of the opening surface 15 of the holding portion 10, thereby making it possible to realize the terminal 1 which can suppress an increase in the number of components and reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0053] Furthermore, the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display use member 40 includes the first member 421 extending along the guide surface 16, having one end portion in an extending direction serving as the second end portion 45, and the abutting portion 423 sliding on the guide surface 16 in response to the movement of the first end portion 44 in the first direction A and the second direction B, and the second member 422 extending in the arrangement direction and toward the terminal connection surface 11 with increasing distance from the main body portion 41, having one end portion in the extending direction connected to the other end portion of the first member 421, and the other end portion in the extending direction serving as the first end portion 44, and the second movement restricting portion 72 is arranged,to restrict the movement of the abutting portion 423 of the first member 421 in the width direction W. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the movable display use member 40 from falling off the housing 2 through the opening surface 15 of the holding portion 10.

[0054] Furthermore, the movable display-use member 40 includes the protrusion portion 46 extending from the main body portion 41 in the direction intersecting the extension direction of the main body portion 41, and the housing 2 is integrally provided with the third movement restricting portion 73 that restricts the movement of the protrusion portion 46 in the width direction W. The third movement restricting portion 73 can more reliably prevent the movable display-use member 40 from falling off the housing 2 through the opening surface 15 of the holding portion 10 without providing a separate component such as a lid that covers the opening portion of the opening surface 15 of the holding portion 10.

[0055] Furthermore, the protrusion portion 46 extends from the main body portion 41 toward the second opening portion 13 and is located near the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41. This makes it possible to increase space efficiency in the holding portion 10 and to realize the terminal 1 that is reduced in size.

[0056] Further, the first movement restricting portion 71 is arranged extending along the electric wire passage portion 61 and guides the conductor portion 100 of the electric wire inserted through the first opening portion 12 into the electric wire passage portion 61 toward the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display-use member 40. That is, by inserting the conductor portion 100 of the electric wire through the first opening portion 12 into the electric wire passage portion 61, it is possible to reliably move the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display-use member 40 in the first direction A.This makes it possible to indicate through the third opening portion 14 whether the connection state of the conductor portion 100 with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is the connected state or the disconnected state.

[0057] Note that there is no limitation on the configuration in which the movable member passage portion 63 is arranged to cause the third opening portion 14 to be located between the movable member passage portion 63 and the second opening portion 13 in the arrangement direction. On the other hand, the movable member passage portion 63 and the third opening portion 14 may be arranged, for example, on an imaginary straight line extending in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11. This configuration makes it possible to omit the curved portion 64 of the movable member passage portion 63.Further, the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41 of the movable display use member 40 may have any shape suitable for displaying the connection state of the conductor portion 100 with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20.

[0058] The return spring portion 50 may be configured to urge the main body portion 41 of the movable display use member 40 in the first direction A. For example, the return spring portion 50 may be provided separately from the movable display use member 40.

[0059] There is no limitation to the configuration in which the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display use member 40 includes the first member 421 and the second member 422. The movable contact portion 42 may have any configuration as long as the movable contact portion 42 is configured to move in the arrangement direction in response to the movement of the first end portion 44 in the first direction A to move the main body portion 41 in the second direction B.

[0060] There is no limitation to the configuration in which the guide surface 16 is provided on the horizontal plate portion 22 of the terminal electrode portion 20, but the guide surface 16 may be provided, for example, on the holding portion 10 of the housing 2.

[0061] The first movement restricting portion 71, the second movement restricting portion 72, and the third movement restricting portion 73 may be omitted. For example, any one of the first movement restricting portion 71, the second movement restricting portion 72, and the third movement restricting portion 73 may be omitted, any two of the first movement restricting portion 71, the second movement restricting portion 72, and the third movement restricting portion 73 may be omitted, or all of the first movement restricting portion 71, the second movement restricting portion 72, and the third movement restricting portion 73 may be omitted. If the third movement restricting portion 72 is omitted, the protrusion portion 46 of the main body portion 41 of the movable display use member 40 may also be omitted.

[0062] There is no limitation to the configuration in which the protrusion portion 46 extends from the main body portion 41 toward the second opening portion 13 and is disposed near the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41, but the protrusion portion 46 may be disposed at any position on the main body portion 41 according to the design of the terminal 1 or the like. (Second embodiment)

[0063] As in Fig. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, a terminal 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure differs from the terminal 1 according to the first embodiment in the following points. Note that in the second embodiment, the same components as the components according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, no description is given of the same components, and a description is given only for points different from the first embodiment. • Having four connecting sections 3. • Having a fourth movement restricting portion 74 serving as both the first movement restricting portion 71 and the second movement restricting portion 72. • The movable contact portion 42 has a third element 424. • The third movement restricting portion 73 and the protrusion portion 46 of the movable display use member 40 are omitted. • The return spring portion 50 has a metal element.

[0064] In the terminal block 1 according to the second embodiment, the housing 2 has four holding portions 10, two of which are located on the left side of the imaginary straight line L and the other two are located on the right side of the imaginary straight line L. The terminal connecting portion 3 is held in each of the holding portions 10.

[0065] As in Fig. 8, the fourth movement restricting portion is provided integrally with the terminal electrode portion 20 and covers a part of the opening portion of the opening surface 15 of each of the holding portions 10. According to the second embodiment, the fourth movement restricting portion has an approximately rectangular plate shape, and one of its sides extends in a short-side direction (i.e., located on a left side in Fig. 8) and is connected to the vertical plate section 21 and one of its sides extends in a longitudinal direction (thus located on a lower side in Fig. 8) and is connected to the horizontal plate portion 22. The fourth movement restricting portion covers a part of the electric wire passage portion 61, a part of the fixed portion 31 of the leaf spring portion 30, and a part of the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display-use member 40, and restricts the movement of the leaf spring portion 30 and the movement of the movable display-use member 40 in the width direction W of the housing 2 (in Fig. 7 shown).

[0066] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the movable contact portion 42 includes the third element 424 extending along the guide surface 16. The third element 424 includes a contact surface 425 facing the terminal connection surface 11 and with which the conductor portion of the electrical line can come into contact, and a curved surface 426 facing the guide surface 16 and curved toward the guide surface 16. As shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 8, a gap 18 is formed between the curved surface 426 of the third member 424 and the guide surface 16 in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11. That is, in the terminal terminal 1 according to the second embodiment, when the first end portion 44 moves in the first direction A, the movable contact portion 42 moves in the arrangement direction without coming into contact with the guide surface 16 to move the main body portion 41 in the second direction B toward the terminal connection surface 11. That is, the gap 18 formed between the third member 424 and the guide surface 16 facilitates the movement of the movable contact portion 42 in the arrangement direction. Note that, as in the terminal terminal 1 according to the first embodiment, the movable contact portion 42 may be configured to move in the arrangement direction while being in contact with the guide surface 16.

[0067] As in Fig. 10, the movable contact portion 42 is configured to have a thickness T1 of the first end portion 44 that is greater than a thickness T2 of the main body portion 41. The thickness T1 of the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 can be calculated, for example, from an average thickness value or a minimum thickness value of a portion of the movable contact portion 42 with which the conductor portion 100 of the electrical wire comes into contact.

[0068] For example, the return spring portion 50 is configured by a leaf spring arranged to extend in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 (for example, orthogonal thereto). In particular, the return spring portion 50, as shown in Fig. 8, is provided integrally with the movable contact portion 42 between the first end portion 44 and the second end portion 45 of the movable contact portion 42 in the arrangement direction and extends approximately parallel to the fixed portion 31. The distal end portion 51 of the return spring portion 50 remote from the guide surface 16 in the extension direction of the return spring portion 50 is bent toward the main body portion 41 and fixed to the housing 2. A proximal end portion 52 of the return spring portion 50 adjacent to the guide surface 16 in the extension direction of the return spring portion 50 is bent away from the main body portion 41 and arranged inside the movable contact portion 42, as shown in Fig. 10 shown.

[0069] For example, when the return spring portion 50 in the terminal 1 according to the first embodiment is made of resin only in an environment where high heat exceeding 100 degrees Celsius is applied to the terminal 1, the return spring portion 50 is deformed, and in some cases, the elasticity required to return the movable display use member 40 (i.e., to move the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41 from the display position P1 to the non-display position P2) cannot be maintained. In the terminal 1 according to the second embodiment, since the return spring portion 50 comprises a metal member, it is possible to reduce deformation of the return spring portion 50 due to heat.As a result, even in the environment where high heat exceeding 100 degrees Celsius is applied, the elasticity required for returning the movable display use member 40 can be maintained.

[0070] Furthermore, the return spring portion 50 is configured by a leaf spring arranged to extend in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11. This makes it possible to reduce deformation of the return spring portion 50 due to heat with a simple configuration. As a result, even in an environment where high heat exceeding 100 degrees Celsius is applied, the elasticity required to return the movable display use member 40 can be maintained. Furthermore, the holding portion 10 can be spatially reduced because the return spring portion 50 is arranged to extend in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11, that is, in a direction in which the conductor portion of the electric wire is inserted and withdrawn.

[0071] Furthermore, the return spring portion 50 is provided integrally with the movable contact portion 42 between the first end portion 44 and the second end portion 45 of the movable contact portion 42 in the arrangement direction, and the one end portion 52 of the return spring portion 50 is bent in the arrangement direction and arranged inside the movable contact portion 42. Such a configuration makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the movable contact portion 42 and, in turn, makes it possible to suppress deformation of the movable contact portion 42 even when the movable display use member 40 is reduced in size. Consequently, even when the connection terminal 1 is reduced in size, the user can be informed of the accurate connection state of the electric wire.

[0072] Furthermore, the movable contact portion 42 has a plate shape and is configured to have the thickness T1 of the first end portion 44 greater than the thickness T2 of the main body portion 41. Such a configuration makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the movable contact portion 42 and, in turn, makes it possible to suppress deformation of the movable contact portion 42 even when the movable display use member 40 is reduced in size. Consequently, even when the connection terminal 1 is reduced in size, the user can be informed of the accurate connection state of the electric wire.

[0073] Note that the return spring portion 50 only needs to include the metal element, and there is no limitation to the configuration in which the return spring portion 50 is provided integrally with the movable contact portion 42. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, a conical spring can be used as the return spring section 50. The Fig. The return spring portion 50 shown in Fig. 11 is arranged in contact with the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 and the horizontal plate portion 22 of the terminal electrode portion 20.

[0074] Furthermore, as in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, a torsion spring can be used as the return spring section 50. The Fig. The return spring portion 50 shown in Figure 12 is arranged in the center of the movable contact portion 42 and has one end 511 extending toward the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 in the arrangement direction and held in a groove portion 427 provided on the movable contact portion 42 to be integrated with the movable contact portion 42. Further, the other end 521 of the return spring portion 50 extends toward the second end portion 45 of the movable contact portion 42 and is engaged and fixed to a locking portion 19 provided near the leaf spring fixing portion 17 of the housing 2. In the Fig. 12, when the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 is moved in the first direction A by the conductor portion 100 of the electric line, one end 511 of the return spring portion 50 comes into contact with the guide surface 16 and then gradually approaches the other end 521. This pushes the movable contact portion 42 in the second direction B. The Fig. The return spring portion 50 shown in Fig. 13 is provided between the fixed portion 31 and the movable portion 32 of the leaf spring portion 30 in the arrangement direction and between the leaf spring portion 30 and the movable contact portion 42 in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11. One end 511 of the Fig. 13 extends toward the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 and has a tip connected to the movable contact portion 42. The other end 521 of the Fig. 13 extends to the second end portion 45 of the movable contact portion 42. In the Fig. 13, when the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 is moved in the first direction A by the conductor portion 100 of the electric wire, one end 511 of the return spring portion 50 gradually approaches the other end 521. This pushes the movable contact portion 42 in the second direction B.

[0075] Furthermore, as in Fig. 14, the return spring portion 50 may be configured by a resin spring 53 and a leaf spring 54. In the Fig. In the return spring portion 50 shown in Figure 14, the resin spring 53 extends from the center of the movable contact portion 42 in the second direction B and has a tip secured to the housing 2 between the fixed portion 31 and the movable portion 32 of the leaf spring portion 30 in the arrangement direction. The leaf spring 54 extends along the resin spring 53 and is provided integrally with the resin spring 53. In the embodiment shown in Fig. For example, in the terminal 1 shown in Fig. 14, a slot may be provided in the resin spring 53 and the leaf spring 54 may be held in the slot.

[0076] There is no limitation to the configuration in which the movable contact portion 42 has the thickness T1 of the first end portion 44 which is greater than the thickness T2 of the main body portion 41, but the thickness T1 of the first end portion 44 may be equal to the thickness T2 of the main body portion 41.

[0077] Although the various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, a conclusive description of various aspects of the present disclosure will be given. Note that the following description is provided by way of example with the accompanying reference numerals.

[0078] A terminal 1 according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a housing 2 having insulating properties, the housing 2 having a holding portion 10 provided in the housing 2 and a terminal connection surface 11, wherein a first opening portion 12 through which a conductor portion of an electrical wire can be inserted and withdrawn, a second opening portion 13 adjacent to the first opening portion 12 and through which a clamping device can be inserted and withdrawn, and a third opening portion 14 adjacent to the second opening portion 13 and through which a connection state of the conductor portion can be displayed are arranged in series on the terminal connection surface 11 and are each connected to the holding portion 10; and a terminal electrode portion 20, a leaf spring portion 30, a movable display use element 40 and a return spring portion 50, which are arranged in the holding portion 10, wherein the holding section 10 has: a passage portion 61 for the electric wire, which extends in a direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11, is connected to the first opening portion 12 and through which the conductor portion of the electric wire can move, a passage portion 62 for the clamping device, which extends in the direction intersecting the connecting surface 11, is connected to the second opening portion 13 and through which the clamping device can move, and a guide surface 16 extending in an arrangement direction of the first opening portion 12, the second opening portion 13, and the third opening portion 14 and arranged to cause the electric wire passage portion 61 and the clamping device passage portion 62 to be interposed between the guide surface 16 and the terminal connection surface 11 in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11, the connection electrode section 20 has: a contact portion 23 extending along the electrical conduction passage portion 61 and arranged to come into contact with the conductor portion inserted into the electrical conduction passage portion 61 through the first opening portion 12, the leaf spring section 30 has: a fixed portion 31 provided at one end portion of the leaf spring portion 30 and fixed to the housing 2 to cause the electric wire passage portion 61 and the clamping device passage portion 62 to be located between the fixed portion 31 and the contact portion 23 of the terminal electrode portion 20 in the arrangement direction, and a movable portion 32 provided at the other end of the leaf spring portion 30 and disposed between the fixed portion 31 and the terminal electrode portion 20 in the arrangement direction, the movable portion 32 facing the contact portion 23 of the terminal electrode portion 20, extending over the electric wire passage portion 61 and the clamping device passage portion 62, and being movable relative to the fixed portion 31, the movable portion 32 is arranged to cause the conductor portion inserted through the first opening portion 12 into the electrical conduction passage portion 61 to be held between the movable portion 32 and the contact portion 23 of the terminal electrode portion 20 to bring the conductor portion and the terminal electrode portion 20 into a connected state, and to come into contact with the clamping device inserted through the second opening portion 13 into the clamping passage portion 62 to release the contact between the movable portion 32 and the conductor portion to bring the conductor portion and the terminal electrode portion 20 into a separated state, the movable display usage element 40 comprises: a main body portion 41 extending in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 and capable of reciprocating between a display position P1 in which a distal end portion 43 is exposed in an extending direction from the housing 2 through the third opening portion 14 and a non-display position P2 in which the distal end portion 43 is held in the holding portion 10, and a movable contact portion 42 extending along the guide surface 16, having a first end portion 44 in an extending direction arranged to come into contact with the conductor portion in the electrical wire passage portion 61 and move in a first direction A intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 and away from the terminal connection surface 11, and having a second end portion 45 in the extending direction connected to the main body portion 41 and moving in the arranging direction in response to movement of the first end portion 44 in the first direction A to move the main body portion 41 in a second direction B intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 and toward the terminal connection surface 11, the return spring section 50 is arranged to to push the main body portion 41 of the movable display use member 40 in the first direction A, When the conductor portion is inserted through the first opening portion 12 into the electrical conduction passage portion 61 to move the first end portion 44 of the movable contact portion 42 in the first direction A, the main body portion 41 moves in the second direction B, and the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41 adjacent to the terminal connection surface 11 moves from the non-display position P1 to the display position P2 to display a state in which the connection state of the conductor portion with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is changed from the disconnected state to the connected state, and When the conductor portion is pulled out from the electric wire passage portion 61 to move the main body portion 41 in the first direction A by a pressing force of the return spring portion 50, the distal end portion 43 moves from the display position P2 to the non-display position P1 to display a state in which the connection state of the conductor portion with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is changed from the connected state to the disconnected state.

[0079] Since the terminal 1 according to the first aspect is capable of indicating, through the third opening portion 14, not by a rotational movement but by a linear movement of the distal end portion 43 of the movable display-use member 40 in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11, whether the connection state of the conductor portion 100 with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is the connected state or the disconnected state, even if the terminal 1 is reduced in size, a range within which the movable display-use member 40 can move can be secured in the holding portion 10. Consequently, even if the terminal 1 is reduced in size, the user can be informed of the precise connection state of the electric wire.

[0080] In the terminal 1 according to a second aspect of the present disclosure the holding portion 10 has a movable member passage portion 63 which extends in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11, is connected to the third opening portion 14, is arranged between the terminal connection surface 11 and the guide surface 16 in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11, is arranged to cause the third opening portion 14 to be located between the movable member passage portion 63 and the second opening portion 13, and through which the main body portion 41 of the movable display use member 40 can move.

[0081] With the terminal 1 according to the second aspect, when the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41 of the movable display use member 40 is located in the holding portion 10, it is possible to make the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41 less likely to be exposed from the housing 2 through the third opening portion 14 in the direction orthogonal to the terminal connection surface 11. Consequently, the user can be informed of the accurate connection state of the electric wire.

[0082] In the terminal 1 according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the movable member passing portion 63 has a curved portion 64 provided at an end portion adjacent to the third opening portion 14 and curved in the second direction B toward the second opening portion 13, and the distal end portion 43 of the main body portion 41 of the movable display use member 40 is curved along the curved shape of the curved portion 64.

[0083] With the terminal 1 according to the third aspect, it is possible to easily move the main body portion 41 of the movable display use member 40 in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11 with little force.

[0084] In the terminal 1 according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the movable display use member 40 and the return spring portion 50 are provided integrally.

[0085] With the terminal 1 according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to realize the terminal 1 which can suppress an increase in the number of components and reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0086] In the terminal 1 according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure the movable contact portion 42 of the movable display use element 40 has: a first element 421 extending along the guide surface 16, having an end portion in an extending direction serving as a second end portion 45, and having the abutting portion 423 which slides on the guide surface 16 in response to the movement of the first end portion 44 in the first direction A and the second direction B, and a second member 422 extending in the arrangement direction and toward the terminal connection surface 11 with increasing distance from the main body portion 41, having one end portion in the extension direction connected to the other end portion of the first member 421, and having the other end portion in the extension direction serving as the first end portion 44.

[0087] With the terminal 1 according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to indicate with a simple configuration through the third opening portion 14 whether the connection state of the conductor portion 100 with respect to the terminal electrode portion 20 is the connected state or the disconnected state.

[0088] In the terminal 1 according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure the return spring portion 50 has a metal element.

[0089] In the terminal block 1 according to the sixth aspect, since the return spring portion 50 includes a metal member, it is possible to reduce heat deformation of the return spring portion 50. As a result, even in the environment where high heat exceeding 100 degrees Celsius is applied, the elasticity required for returning the movable display-use member 40 can be maintained.

[0090] In the terminal 1 according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure the return spring portion 50 is configured by a leaf spring which is arranged extending in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface 11.

[0091] With the terminal block 1 according to the seventh aspect, it is possible to reduce heat deformation of the return spring portion 50 with a simple configuration. As a result, even in the environment where high heat exceeding 100 degrees Celsius is applied, the elasticity required for returning the movable display-use member 40 can be maintained.

[0092] In the terminal 1 according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure the return spring portion 50 is provided integrally with the movable contact portion 42 between the first end portion 44 and the second end portion 45 of the movable contact portion 42 in the arrangement direction, and the one end portion 52 of the return spring portion 50 is bent in the arrangement direction and arranged inside the movable contact portion 42.

[0093] With the terminal 1 according to the eighth aspect, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the movable contact portion 42, and in turn, it is possible to suppress deformation of the movable contact portion 42 even when the movable display use member 40 is reduced in size. Consequently, even when the terminal 1 is reduced in size, the user can be informed of the precise connection state of the electric wire.

[0094] In the terminal 1 according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure the movable contact portion 42 has a plate shape and is configured to have a thickness of the first end portion 44 that is greater than a thickness of the main body portion 41.

[0095] With the terminal 1 according to the ninth aspect, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the movable contact portion 42, and in turn, it is possible to suppress deformation of the movable contact portion 42 even when the movable display use member 40 is reduced in size. Consequently, even when the terminal 1 is reduced in size, the user can be informed of the precise connection state of the electric wire.

[0096] Note that a suitable combination of any of the various embodiments or any of the various modifications makes it possible to achieve the effects possessed by each of the embodiments or modifications. Furthermore, combinations of the embodiments, combinations of the modifications, or combinations of the embodiments and modifications are possible, and combinations of features in different embodiments or modifications are also possible.

[0097] While the present disclosure has been fully described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made. To the extent that such changes and modifications do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims, the changes and modifications are to be construed as being included within the scope of the present disclosure. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0098] The terminal according to the present disclosure is applicable to, for example, a control panel. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 connection terminal 2 housings 3 Connection section 10 stopping section 11 Connection surface 12 first opening section 13 second opening section 14 third opening section 15 opening area 16 Guide surface 17 Leaf spring mounting section 18 gap 19 Locking section 20 Connection electrode section 21 vertical plate section 22 horizontal plate section 23 Contact section 30 leaf spring section 31 fixed section 32 movable section 321 distal end section 40 movable display usage element 41 Main body section 42 movable contact section 421 first element 422 second element 423 adjacent section 424 third element 425 contact area 426 curved surface 427 Groove section 43 distal end section 44 first final section 45 second final section 46 projection section 461 distal end section 50 Return spring section 51 distal end section 511 an end 52 proximal end section 521 other end 53 resin nib 54 leaf spring 61 Passage section for the electrical cable 62 Passage section for the clamping device 63 Passage section for the movable element 64 curved section 71 first movement restriction section 72 second movement restriction section 73 third movement restriction section 74 fourth movement restriction section 100 ladder sections 110 clamping device L imaginary straight line W latitude direction A first direction B second direction

Claims

[1] Connection terminal (1), comprising: a housing (2) having insulating properties, wherein the housing (2) has a holding portion (10) provided in the housing (2) and a terminal connection surface (11), wherein a first opening portion (12) through which a conductor portion (100) of an electrical wire can be inserted and withdrawn, a second opening portion (13) adjacent to the first opening portion (12) and through which a clamping device (110) can be inserted and withdrawn, and a third opening portion (14) adjacent to the second opening portion (13) and through which a connection state of the conductor portion (100) can be displayed are arranged in series on the terminal connection surface (11) and are each connected to the holding portion (10); and a terminal electrode portion (20), a leaf spring portion (30), a movable display use element (40) and a return spring portion (50) which are arranged in the holding portion (10), wherein the holding section (10) has: a passage section (61) for the electrical line, which extends in a direction intersecting the terminal connection surface (11), is connected to the first opening section (12) and through which the conductor section (100) of the electrical line can move, a passage portion (62) for the clamping device (110), which extends in the direction intersecting the connecting surface (11), is connected to the second opening portion (13) and through which the clamping device (110) can move, and a guide surface (16) extending in an arrangement direction of the first opening portion (12), the second opening portion (13) and the third opening portion (14) and arranged to cause the through portion (61) for the electric wire and the through portion (62) for the clamping device (110) to be interposed between the guide surface (16) and the terminal connection surface (11) in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface (11), the connecting electrode section (20) comprises: a contact portion (23) extending along the electrical line passage portion (61) and arranged to come into contact with the conductor portion (100) inserted through the first opening portion (12) into the electrical line passage portion (61), the leaf spring section (30) has: a fixed portion (31) provided at an end portion of the leaf spring portion (30) and fixed to the housing (2) to cause the through portion (61) for the electric wire and the through portion (62) for the clamping device (110) to be located between the fixed portion (31) and the contact portion (23) of the terminal electrode portion (20) in the arrangement direction, and a movable portion (32) provided at the other end of the leaf spring portion (30) and arranged between the fixed portion (31) and the terminal electrode portion (20) in the arrangement direction, wherein the movable portion (32) faces the contact portion (23) of the terminal electrode portion (20), extends over the passage portion (61) for the electrical line and the passage portion (62) for the clamping device (110), and is movable relative to the fixed portion (31), the movable portion (32) is arranged to cause the conductor portion (100) inserted through the first opening portion (12) into the through-portion (61) for the electrical line to be held between the movable portion (32) and the contact portion (23) of the terminal electrode portion (20) to bring the conductor portion (100) and the terminal electrode portion (20) into a connected state, and to come into contact with the clamping device (110) inserted through the second opening portion (13) into the through-portion (62) for the clamping device (110) to release the contact between the movable portion (32) and the conductor portion (100) to bring the conductor portion (100) and the terminal electrode portion (20) into a separated state, the movable display use element (40) comprises: a main body portion (41) extending in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface (11) and capable of reciprocating between a display position in which a distal end portion (43) is exposed in an extending direction from the housing (2) through the third opening portion (14) and a non-display position in which the distal end portion (43) is held in the holding portion (10), and a movable contact portion (42) extending along the guide surface (16), having a first end portion (44) in an extending direction arranged to come into contact with the conductor portion (100) in the electrical wire passage portion (61) and move in a first direction intersecting the terminal connection surface (11) and away from the terminal connection surface (11), and having a second end portion (455) in the extending direction connected to the main body portion (41) and moving in the arranging direction in response to movement of the first end portion (44) in the first direction (A) to move the main body portion (41) in a second direction (B) intersecting the terminal connection surface (11) and toward the terminal connection surface (11), the return spring portion (50) comprises a metal element and is arranged to to push the main body portion (41) of the movable display use element (40) in the first direction (A), when the conductor portion (100) is inserted through the first opening portion (12) into the electrical conduction passage portion (61) to move the first end portion (44) of the movable contact portion (42) in the first direction (A), the main body portion (41) moves in the second direction (B), and the distal end portion (43) of the main body portion (41) adjacent to the terminal connection surface (11) moves from the non-display position to the display position to display a state in which the connection state of the conductor portion (100) with respect to the terminal electrode portion (20) is changed from the disconnected state to the connected state, and the distal end portion (43), when the conductor portion (100) is pulled out from the electric wire passage portion (61) to move the main body portion (41) in the first direction (A) by a pressing force of the return spring portion (50), moves from the display position to the non-display position to display a state in which the connection state of the conductor portion (100) with respect to the terminal electrode portion (20) is changed from the connected state to the disconnected state, and wherein the return spring portion (50) is configured by a leaf spring which is arranged to extend in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface (11). [2] The terminal block (1) according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion (10) has a movable member passage portion (63) extending in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface (11), connected to the third opening portion (14), disposed between the terminal connection surface (11) and the guide surface (16) in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface (11), arranged to cause the third opening portion (14) to be located between the movable member passage portion (63) and the second opening portion (13), and through which the main body portion (41) of the movable display use member (40) can move. [3] The terminal (1) according to claim 2, wherein the movable member passage portion (63) has a curved portion (64) provided at an end portion adjacent to the third opening portion (14) and curved in the second direction toward the second opening portion (13), and the distal end portion (43) of the main body portion (41) of the movable display use member (40) is curved along the curved shape of the curved portion (64). [4] A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the movable display use member (40) and the return spring portion (50) are provided integrally. [5] Terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the movable contact portion (42) of the movable display use element (41) comprises: a first element (421) extending along the guide surface (16), having an end portion in an extending direction serving as a second end portion (45), and having the abutting portion that slides on the guide surface (16) in response to the movement of the first end portion (44) in the first direction and the second direction, and a second member (422) extending in the arrangement direction and toward the terminal connection surface (11) with increasing distance from the main body portion (41), having one end portion in the extension direction connected to the other end portion of the first member (421), and having the other end portion in the extension direction serving as a first end portion (44). [6] The terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the return spring portion (50) is provided integrally with the movable contact portion (42) between the first end portion (44) and the second end portion (45) of the movable contact portion (42) in the arrangement direction, and the one end portion of the return spring portion (50) is bent in the arrangement direction and arranged inside the movable contact portion (42). [7] The terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the movable contact portion (42) has a plate shape and is configured to have a thickness of the first end portion (44) that is greater than a thickness of the main body portion (41).

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