Terminal block and I / O unit

Abstract

A terminal block (20) has a plurality of inserted areas (26) and a plurality of release actuation devices (28), wherein: the inserted areas (26) comprise first inserted areas (26A) and second inserted areas (26B) arranged in a series in a first direction and having different positions relative to the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and the plurality of release actuation devices (28) are arranged in the first direction at positions different from the first inserted areas (26A) and the second inserted areas (26B) relative to the second direction.

Description

field of technology

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal block and to an I / O unit comprising the terminal block. State of the art

[0002] JP 2007-242486 A discloses a terminal block (terminal block device). The terminal block is attached to an electrical device. The terminal block includes a plurality of insert receiving portions (terminals) and a plurality of release actuators (push buttons). The plurality of release actuators correspond to different insert receiving portions. Summary of the invention

[0003] All insert receiving areas according to JP 2007-242486 A are arranged in a row along the vertical direction. Here, the distance between the insert receiving areas adjacent to each other in the vertical direction is preferably a certain length. In this case, however, the terminal block becomes large in the vertical direction.

[0004] To prevent the terminal block from becoming large in the vertical direction, it is conceivable to arrange the plurality of insert receiving areas in two rows. Arranging the plurality of insert receiving areas in two rows prevents the terminal block from becoming large in the vertical direction.

[0005] In this case, however, two rows of the plurality of insert receiving portions are formed. The two rows are arranged orthogonally to the height direction in the width direction. In other words, the plurality of insert receiving portions are arranged in the width direction. As a result, the terminal block becomes large in the width direction.

[0006] In view of the above, there is a problem in that it is difficult to configure a small and thin terminal block.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention is a terminal block comprising: a plurality of insert receiving portions, into each of which a plurality of external terminals are inserted, and each provided with a plurality of connection terminals, each of which is connected to a corresponding one of the inserted external terminals; and a plurality of release actuators, each configured to release a connection between a corresponding one of the plurality of external terminals and a corresponding one of the plurality of connection terminals, wherein the plurality of insert receiving portions comprises: a plurality of first insert receiving portions arranged in a row along a first direction;and a plurality of second insert receiving portions arranged in a row along the first direction at positions different from positions of the plurality of first insert receiving portions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and wherein the plurality of second insert receiving portions are arranged at positions different from the positions of the plurality of first insert receiving portions in the first direction, and the plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of first insert receiving portions and the plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of second insert receiving portions are arranged along the first direction at positions different from the positions of the plurality of first insert receiving portions and the positions of the plurality of second insert receiving portions in the second direction.;

[0009] A second aspect of the invention is characterized by an I / O unit including the terminal block according to the first aspect, wherein the I / O unit has a flat plate shape and a thickness direction of the flat plate shape is the second direction.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a small and thin terminal block. Short description of the drawings [ Fig. 1] Fig. 1A is a diagram illustrating a data transfer system (station) including an I / O unit according to one embodiment; Fig. Figure 1B is a graphical configuration representation of the I / O unit of Fig. 1A; [ Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a front view of a front unit; [ Fig. 3] Fig. 3A is an end view along a line IIIA-IIIA of Fig. 2; Fig. 3B is an end view illustrating a state in which an external connector is inserted into a first insert receiving portion in Fig. 3A is inserted; Fig. 3C is an end view illustrating a state in which an operator inserts a release actuator into Fig. 3B activated; [ Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is an end view along a line IV-IV of Fig. 2; [ Fig. 5] Fig. 5A is a front view of a front unit in Comparative Example 1 to which the present embodiment is not applied; Fig. 5B is a front view of a front unit in Comparative Example 2 to which the present embodiment is not applied; Fig. 5C is a front view of a front unit in Comparative Example 3 to which the present embodiment is not applied; [ Fig. 6] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a front unit according to a first modification; Fig. 6B is a view illustrating a plurality of connector units stacked in a height direction; [ Fig. 7] Fig. 7A is a front view of a front unit according to a second modification; Fig. Fig. 7B is a front view of another example of the front unit according to the second modification; and [ Fig. 8] Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a front unit according to a third modification; Fig. 8B is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of a first unit; and Fig. Figure 8C is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of a second unit. Detailed description of the inventionEmbodiments

[0011] Fig. 1A is a diagram illustrating a data transmission system (station) 11 including an I / O unit (input / output unit) 10 according to one embodiment. Fig. 1B is a graphical configuration representation of the I / O unit 10 of Fig. 1A.

[0012] A plurality of arrows shown in each drawing indicate the directions (height, width, and front-back) used in the following description. The height direction, the width direction, and the front-back direction (front and back direction) are orthogonal to each other. The width direction and the front-back direction are parallel to a horizontal plane. The width direction is a collective term for the L direction and the R direction. The L direction and the R direction are opposite to each other.

[0013] The data transmission system 11 is, for example, a system that inputs and outputs signals between a control device and a plurality of devices, allowing the control device and the plurality of devices to exchange data with each other. The data transmission system 11 includes a plurality of I / O units 10. The plurality of I / O units 10 are arranged in the width direction.

[0014] The control device is, for example, a numerical control device that controls a machine tool. The control device is not shown. The device is, for example, an actuator, detector, or the like provided in the machine tool. The device includes an external connector 14 and a cable 14a. The external connector 14 is a connector connected to the I / O unit 10. The cable 14a is a member that connects the device main body and the external connector 14. The device main body is not shown.

[0015] The data transmission system 11 may further comprise a mounting element 13. The mounting element 13 is a member that supports the plurality of I / O units 10. The mounting element 13 is, for example, a DIN rail. The extension direction of the Fig. 1A is the width direction. That is, the mounting member 13 is long in the width direction. In this case, the plurality of I / O units 10 are arranged one behind the other on the mounting member 13. The plurality of I / O units 10 are mounted on the front portion of the mounting member 13.

[0016] The I / O unit 10 includes a data transfer processing unit 16, a base unit 18, and a front unit 20. The data transfer processing unit 16, the base unit 18, and the front unit 20 are arranged in the front-back direction. The data transfer processing unit 16 is arranged at the rear of the front unit 20, and the base unit 18 is arranged at the rear of the data transfer processing unit 16.

[0017] The data transmission processing unit 16 is an element that houses a control module 22. The control module 22 is a module that performs processing required to establish data transmission between the control device and the device. The control module 22 includes, for example, a printed circuit board on which a predetermined electrical circuit is formed. The electrical circuit includes, for example, an integrated control circuit (IC).

[0018] The base unit 18 is a member that supports the data transmission processing unit 16 for insertion and removal. The insertion direction, in which the data transmission processing unit 16 is inserted into the base unit 18, is the reverse direction. The removal direction, in which the data transmission processing unit 16 is removed from the base unit 18, is the forward direction.

[0019] The base unit 18 includes a plurality of base terminals 24. The plurality of base terminals 24 are provided at a lateral portion of the base unit 18. The plurality of base terminals 24 include base terminals 24L at a lateral portion of the base unit 18 located on the L-direction side, and base terminals 24R at a lateral portion of the base unit 18 located on the R-direction side.

[0020] In an I / O unit 10, the plurality of base terminals 24L and the plurality of base terminals 24R are connected to the control module 22 when the data transmission processing unit 16 is inserted into the base unit 18. Therefore, the plurality of base terminals 24L and the plurality of base terminals 24R are connected to each other via the control module 22 by inserting the data transmission processing unit 16 into the base unit 18.

[0021] When two I / O units 10 are adjacent to each other in the width direction, the plurality of base terminals 24R of the I / O unit 10 on the L-direction side and the plurality of base terminals 24L of the I / O unit 10 on the R-direction side are connected to each other. In this way, the control modules 22 of the two I / O units 10 adjacent to each other in the width direction are connected to each other.

[0022] Furthermore, the base terminals 24L of the I / O unit 10 located furthest on the L-direction side among the plurality of series-connected I / O units 10 are connected to the control device. As a result, the control module 22 of this I / O unit 10 is connected to the control device. Furthermore, the control modules 22 of the other I / O units 10 are connected to the control device via the control module 22 of this I / O unit 10. Accordingly, the device connected to each of the I / O units 10 is connected to the control device via at least one I / O unit 10 (control module 22).

[0023] However, the plurality of base terminals 24R of the I / O unit 10 located furthest on the R-direction side among the plurality of series-connected I / O units 10 may be connected to the control device. In this case, the device connected to each of the I / O units 10 is also connected to the control device via at least one I / O unit 10 (control module 22).

[0024] Front unit 20 is a terminal block that can be attached to and detached from data transmission processing unit 16. The attachment direction in which front unit 20 is attached to data transmission processing unit 16 is the rearward direction. The detachment direction in which front unit 20 is detached from data transmission processing unit 16 is the forward direction.

[0025] The I / O unit 10 preferably has a flat plate shape. The thickness direction of the flat plate shape is the width direction. In a case where the I / O unit 10 has a flat plate shape that is thin in the width direction, the plurality of I / O units 10 requires less mounting space.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a front view of the front unit 20.

[0027] The front unit 20 is described in more detail below. In the following description, the height direction is also referred to as the length direction or the long side direction. The width direction is also referred to as the cross direction or the short side direction.

[0028] The front unit 20 includes a plurality of insert receiving areas 26 and a plurality of release actuating elements 28.

[0029] Each of the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 is a portion into which the external connector 14 is inserted. Each of the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 includes an opening 26a formed in the front surface of the front unit 20 so that, for example, the external connector 14 can be fitted into the insert receiving portion. However, each of the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 is not limited to the opening 26a. Each of the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 may include a mechanism for interposing and holding the external connector 14.

[0030] The plurality of insert receiving areas 26 includes a plurality of first insert receiving areas 26A and a plurality of second insert receiving areas 26B. Each of the plurality of first insert receiving areas 26A has a center point C1. Each of the plurality of second insert receiving areas 26B has a center point C2. Fig. 2, however, an illustration of the center points C1 of some of the first deployment receiving areas 26A and the center points C2 of some of the second deployment receiving areas 26B has been omitted.

[0031] The plurality of first insert receiving portions 26A are arranged in a row along the height direction. The plurality of second insert receiving portions 26B are also arranged in a row along the height direction. However, the plurality of first insert receiving portions 26A and the plurality of second insert receiving portions 26B are arranged at different positions from each other in the width direction.

[0032] The plurality of first insert receiving portions 26A and the plurality of second insert receiving portions 26B are also arranged at positions different from each other in the height direction. The center point C2 of each of the second insert receiving portions 26B is located in the height direction between the centers C1 of the two first insert receiving portions 26A sandwiching this second insert receiving portion 26B. The plurality of first insert receiving portions 26A and the plurality of second insert receiving portions 26B may overlap each other at the position in the height direction.

[0033] The plurality of release actuating elements 28 are actuating elements that are respectively provided corresponding to the plurality of insert receiving areas 26. Each of the plurality of release actuating elements 28 is, for example, a push device. Each of the insert receiving areas 26 is provided with a connection port 30 for connection to the external port 14 (see also Fig. 3A). Each of the release actuators 28 is actuated by an operator to release the connection between the corresponding connection port 30 and the external port 14 connected to that connection port 30.

[0034] The plurality of release actuators 28 are arranged at positions different from the positions of the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 in the width direction. In the present embodiment, all of the release actuators 28 are arranged between the plurality of first insert receiving portions 26A and the plurality of second insert receiving portions 26B in the width direction. In the present embodiment, all of the release actuators 28 are arranged in a row along the height direction.

[0035] Fig. 3A is an end view along a line IIIA-IIIA of Fig. 2.

[0036] Each of the plurality of first insert receiving portions 26A is provided with the connection terminal 30, as described above. The connection terminal 30 is arranged in the first insert receiving portion 26A behind the opening 26a. The connection terminal 30 is formed, for example, into a disc spring shape and has elasticity. The connection terminal 30 of each of the first insert receiving portions 26A is connected to the control module 22 by attaching the front unit 20 to the data transmission processing unit 16.

[0037] Fig. Fig. 3B is an end view illustrating a state in which the external terminal 14 is inserted into the first insert receiving portion 26A in Fig. 3A is inserted.

[0038] The connection terminal 30 is in contact with the external terminal 14 inserted into the opening 26a. Thus, the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14 are connected to each other. The connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14 are connected to each other, thereby connecting the device and the control module 22.

[0039] Furthermore, since the connection terminal 30 has elasticity, the connection terminal 30 can press the external terminal 14 in the width direction. The external terminal 14 is locked in the first insert receiving portion 26A by being pressed in the width direction. In the example of Fig. 3B, the connection terminal 30 presses the external terminal 14 in the L direction.

[0040] Fig. Fig. 3C is an end view illustrating a state in which the operator moves the release actuator 28 into Fig. 3B activated.

[0041] The operator can push the release actuator 28 in the reverse direction. Through this pushing action, the release actuator 28 is inserted between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14. The release actuator 28 is inserted between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14, and as a result, the contact between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14 is released. When the contact between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14 is released, the pressing of the connection terminal 30 against the external terminal 14 is released. The operator can easily remove the external terminal 14 from the first insert receiving area 26A by releasing the pressing of the connection terminal 30 against the external terminal 14.

[0042] Fig. 4 is an end view along a line IV-IV of Fig. 2.

[0043] The connection terminals 30 are also provided in the second insert receiving portions 26B, respectively. The internal structure of each second insert receiving portion 26B and the internal structure of each first insert receiving portion 26A preferably have structures that are substantially symmetrical with each other in the width direction with the release operating member 28 as the center (see Fig. 3A and Fig. 4). In this way, components such as the connecting port 30 and the release actuator 28 can be configured as common parts for all of the insert receiving areas 26.

[0044] The above is a configuration example of the front unit 20. The positions of the first insert receiving portions 26A in the width direction may be misaligned. That is, the positions of the center points C1 of the plurality of first insert receiving portions 26A in the width direction may differ from each other. Similarly, the positions of the center points C2 of the plurality of second insert receiving portions 26A in the width direction may differ from each other.

[0045] Fig. 5A is a front view of a front unit 32A in Comparative Example 1 to which the present embodiment is not applied.

[0046] In the front unit 32A, the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 and the plurality of release operating members 28 are alternately arranged in a row along the height direction. The front unit 32A has at least the following problems.

[0047] A first problem with the front unit 32A is that it is too large in the height direction. Since the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 and the plurality of release actuators 28 are alternately arranged in a row along the height direction, the front unit 32A is likely to be larger in the height direction due to the larger number of insert receiving portions 26 and the larger number of release actuators 28.

[0048] A second problem of the front unit 32A is that the operability for the operator is poor. For example, the operator performs an operation of connecting the external terminal 14 to each of the plurality of insert receiving portions 26. In this operation, the external terminal 14 is connected to an insert receiving portion 26 located at a relatively upper position among the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 arranged in the height direction. In this case, the cable 14a connected to the external terminal 14 hangs down, so that the other insert receiving portions 26 are hidden behind the cable 14a. Since the insert receiving portions 26 are hidden behind the cable 14a, it is difficult for the operator to perform the operation of connecting other external terminals 14 to the insert receiving portions 26 hidden behind the cable 14a.

[0049] Furthermore, the operator performs, for example, an operation to operate one of the plurality of release actuating elements 28. During this operation, the external connector 14 is connected to at least one of the two insert receiving areas 26 that are adjacent in the height direction to the release actuating element 28 to be operated. In this case, the external connector 14 can prevent the operator from operating the release actuating element 28.

[0050] The second problem of the front unit 32A is solved to some extent by increasing the distance between the insert receiving portion 26 and the release operating member 28, which are adjacent to each other in the height direction. However, if the distance between the insert receiving portion 26 and the release operating member 28, which are adjacent to each other in the height direction, is increased, the first problem described above is further aggravated.

[0051] Fig. 5B is a front view of a front unit 32B in Comparative Example 2 to which the present embodiment is not applied.

[0052] To solve the first problem of the front unit 32A, it is conceivable to arrange the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 and the plurality of release operating members 28 at positions different from each other in the width direction. That is, the front unit 32B of Fig. 5B is conceivable. In the front unit 32B, the plurality of insert receiving areas 26 and the plurality of release actuating elements 28 are arranged at different positions in the width direction. The front unit 32B is smaller in the height direction than the front unit 32A.

[0053] However, the front unit 32B is still large. That is, in the front unit 32B, the plurality of insert receiving sections 26 are adjacent to each other in the height direction. If the distance between the adjacent insert receiving sections 26 is small, there is a concern that the operability for the operator may deteriorate. For example, in a state where the external connector 14 has already been connected to one of the two adjacent insert receiving sections 26, the operator inserts another external connector 14 into the other of the insert receiving sections 26, which is empty. At this time, if the distance between the two insert receiving sections 26 is small, the external connector 14 that has already been connected may prevent the operator from performing the operation.In view of this, the distance in the height direction between the insert receiving portions 26 adjacent to each other in the height direction must be increased to such an extent that the operability for the operator is not impaired. As a result, the front unit 32B can be designed smaller than the front unit 32A, but there is a problem in that the front unit 32B must be designed to be large in the height direction in view of the above-described need to increase the distance.

[0054] Fig. 5C is a front view of a front unit 32C in Comparative Example 3 to which the present embodiment is not applied.

[0055] It might be possible to install the front unit 32C in Fig. 5C as a terminal block that is smaller in the height direction than the front unit 32A or the front unit 32B. In the front unit 32C, the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 and the plurality of release operating members 28 are arranged at positions different from each other in the width direction. In the front unit 32C, the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 are arranged in a plurality of rows. In this case, the front unit 32C can be designed, in a simplified view, half the height or lower than the front unit 32B.

[0056] If the plurality of insert receiving areas 26 are simply arranged in a plurality of rows, as in Fig. 5C, however, at least two insert receiving portions 26 arranged at the same position in the height direction and the corresponding two release operating members 28 are arranged along the width direction. In this case, in a simple view, the size of the front unit 32C is doubled in the width direction compared with the front unit 32A and the front unit 32B. In this example, it is assumed that the number of rows of the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 is two. However, if the number of rows of the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 is three or more, the length of the front unit 32C is further increased in the width direction. Such a front unit 32C is not suitable for the I / O unit 10 having the shape of a flat plate, which is preferably thin although small in the height direction.

[0057] In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of insert receiving areas 26 are arranged in two rows (see also Fig. 2). In this way, the front unit 20 can be made smaller in the height direction than the front unit 32A and the front unit 32B.

[0058] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of release actuators 28 and the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 are arranged at different positions in the width direction. Therefore, the release actuators 28 of the front unit 20 are less likely to be hidden behind the cables 14a.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of first insert receiving portions 26A and the plurality of second insert receiving portions 26B differ from each other in position in the height direction. Thus, the plurality of release operating members 28 corresponding to the first insert receiving portions 26A and the plurality of release operating members 28 corresponding to the second insert receiving portions 26B can be arranged in a row in the height direction. Thus, the front unit 20 is thinner than the front unit 32C.

[0060] As described above, the front unit (terminal block) 20 of the present embodiment is suitable for application to a small and thin electronic device (I / O unit 10) and has good operability for an operator. Modifications

[0061] Modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described below. However, explanations that overlap with those of the embodiment will be omitted from the following description as much as possible. Elements described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment unless otherwise specified. Modification 1

[0062] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a front unit 20A (20) according to a modification 1.

[0063] The front unit 20A includes a plurality of connector units 34. The plurality of connector units 34 are stacked in the height direction.

[0064] The front unit 20A may further include a predetermined housing 35. The housing 35 is a member that houses the stacked connector units 34. The housing 35 is formed with a plurality of openings 35a arranged in correspondence with the plurality of insert receiving portions 26 and a plurality of openings 35b arranged in correspondence with the plurality of release actuating elements 28.

[0065] Each opening 35a exposes the corresponding insert receiving area 26 to the outside of the housing 35 when the plurality of connector units 34 are housed in the housing 35. When the plurality of connector units 34 are housed in the housing 35, each opening 35b exposes the corresponding release actuator 28 to the outside of the housing 35.

[0066] Fig. 6B is a view illustrating a plurality of connector units 34 stacked in the height direction.

[0067] The connector unit 34 comprises an insert receiving area 26, a release actuating element 28 and a connection terminal 30. In each connector unit 34, the arrangement of the insert receiving area 26, the release actuating element 28 and the connection terminal 30 corresponds Fig. 3A or Fig. 4. The Fig. The axis LA shown in Figure 6B passes through the center of the connector unit 34 in the width direction. The axis LA is parallel to the front-back direction.

[0068] In the front unit 20A, one of the two connector units 34 adjacent to each other in the height direction is stacked on the other connector unit 34 in a state where it is rotated 180 degrees about the axis LA parallel to the front-back direction. That is, the connector unit 34 in which the opening 26a is positioned on the L-direction side with respect to the release operating member 28 and the connector unit 34 in which the opening 26a is positioned on the R-direction side with respect to the release operating member 28 are alternately arranged.

[0069] According to the present modification, the insert receiving portion 26 of the connector unit 34 whose opening 26a is positioned on the L-direction side with respect to the release operating member 28 is, for example, the first insert receiving portion 26A. In this case, the insert receiving portion 26 of the connector unit 34 whose opening 26a is positioned on the R-direction side with respect to the release operating member 28 is the second insert receiving portion 26B.

[0070] That is, according to the present modification, the plurality of first insert receiving portions 26A are arranged by stacking the plurality of connector units 34 in a row in the height direction. The second insert receiving portions 26B are arranged in a row in the height direction at positions different from the positions of the first insert receiving portions 26A in the width direction. Further, the plurality of release operating members 28 are arranged in a row in the height direction between the plurality of first insert receiving portions 26A and the plurality of second insert receiving portions 26B.

[0071] Therefore, according to the present modification, the front unit 20A having the same operational effects as the front unit 20 of the embodiment can be easily manufactured by a simple method of stacking the plurality of connection units 34. Modification 2

[0072] Fig. 7A is a front view of a front unit 20B (20) according to a modification 2.

[0073] The order of arrangement of the first insert receiving portion 26A, the second insert receiving portion 26B and the release operating member 28 in the width direction is not limited to the example of Fig. 2 limited.

[0074] For example, the plurality of first insert receiving portions 26A may be arranged in the width direction between the plurality of release actuating elements 28 and the plurality of second insert receiving portions 26B ( Fig. 7A). Alternatively, the plurality of second insert receiving portions 26B may be arranged in the width direction between the plurality of release actuating elements 28 and the plurality of first insert receiving portions 26A.

[0075] Fig. 7B is a front view of another example of the front unit 20B (20) according to the second modification.

[0076] The positions of the plurality of first insert receiving portions 26A and the plurality of second insert receiving portions 26B in the width direction may overlap. This makes it possible to further reduce the thickness of the front unit 20B in the width direction. Modification 3

[0077] Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a front unit 20C (20) according to a modification 3.

[0078] The first modification and the second modification can be combined. For example, the front unit 20C includes a plurality of connector units 34 (341, 342). The plurality of connector units 34 of the front unit 20C includes a plurality of first units 341 and a plurality of second units 342. The first units 341 and the second units 342 are alternately stacked. The number of stacked connector units 34 is not particularly limited.

[0079] The front unit 20C may further include a housing 35. The housing 35 houses the plurality of stacked connector units 34. The plurality of openings 35a and the plurality of openings 35b formed in the housing 35 are appropriately modified according to the configuration of each of the first unit 341 and the second unit 342, which will be described below.

[0080] Fig. 8B is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of the first unit 341. Fig. 8C is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of the second unit 342.

[0081] The first unit 341 includes an insert receiving portion 26, a release actuating element 281 (28), and a connecting port 30. The second unit 342 includes an insert receiving portion 26, a release actuating element 282 (28), and a connecting port 30.

[0082] The first unit 341 and the second unit 342 differ from each other in the width position (the position in the width direction) of the opening 26a of the insert receiving portion 26. Accordingly, the first unit 341 and the second unit 342 may differ from each other in the width position of the connection terminal 30.

[0083] Therefore, when the plurality of first units 341 and the plurality of second units 342 are stacked, the width position of the opening 26a of each first unit 341 differs from the width position of the opening 26a of each second unit 342.

[0084] The plurality of release actuators 281 and the plurality of release actuators 282 are arranged on the L-direction side or the R-direction side relative to the opening 26a. When each release actuator 281 is arranged on the L-direction side of the opening 26a, each release actuator 282 is also arranged on the L-direction side of the opening 26a. When each of the release actuators 281 is arranged on the R-direction side of the opening 26a, each of the release actuators 282 is also arranged on the R-direction side of the opening 26a.

[0085] Therefore, when the plurality of first units 341 and the plurality of second units 342 are stacked, the plurality of release operating members 281 and the plurality of release operating members 282 are arranged in a row in the height direction.

[0086] Each of the release actuating elements 281 comprises a first region 36 and a second region 38.

[0087] The first portion 36 is a portion extending in the width direction. The first portion 36 has an end 36a located closer to the opening 26a and an end 36b farther from the opening 26a. At least the end 36b of the first portion 36 is exposed to the outside, allowing the operator to perform a pushing operation. The first portion 36 moves in the rearward direction in response to the operator's pushing operation. The first portion 36 moves in the forward direction in response to the operator's releasing the pushing operation.

[0088] The second area 38 is an area for actuating the connecting terminal 30 in response to the operator's operation of pressing the first area 36. That is, similar to the release operating member 28 in Fig. 3C, the second portion 38 is a portion to be inserted between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14, thereby releasing the connection between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14.

[0089] The second portion 38 extends from the first portion 36 in the rearward direction. The second portion 38 moves in the rearward direction together with the first portion 36 in response to the first portion 36 being pressed. The second portion 38 moves in the forward direction together with the first portion 36 in response to the release of the pressing action of the first portion 36.

[0090] The release operating element 282 also includes a first portion 36 and a second portion 38. However, the first portion 36 of the release operating element 282 and the first portion 36 of the release operating element 281 have different lengths in the width direction according to the difference in the position of the connection terminal 30 in the width direction between the first unit 341 and the second unit 342. That is, the Fig. The first region 36 shown in Fig. 8C is longer in the width direction than the first region 36 shown in Fig. The first area 36 shown in Figure 8B.

[0091] The front unit 20C can be easily manufactured by alternately stacking the first units 341 and the second units 342 in the height direction. Combination of a plurality of modifications

[0092] The modifications described above may be combined in a suitable manner within a range where no technical inconsistencies occur. Invention obtained from embodiments

[0093] The inventions resulting from the above-described embodiment and its modifications are described below. First aspect of the invention

[0094] A first aspect of the present invention is characterized by the terminal block (20) comprising: the plurality of insert receiving portions (26) into which the plurality of external terminals (14) are respectively inserted, and each provided with the plurality of connection terminals (30) each connected to a corresponding one of the inserted external terminals; and the plurality of release operating members (28) each configured to release a connection between a corresponding one of the plurality of external terminals and a corresponding one of the plurality of connection terminals, wherein the plurality of insert receiving portions comprises: the plurality of first insert receiving portions (26A) arranged in a row along the first direction;and the plurality of second insert receiving portions (26B) arranged in a row along the first direction at positions different from the positions of the plurality of first insert receiving portions in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and wherein the plurality of second insert receiving portions are arranged at positions different from the positions of the plurality of first insert receiving portions in the first direction, and the plurality of release operating elements corresponding to the plurality of first insert receiving portions and the plurality of release operating elements corresponding to the plurality of second insert receiving portions are arranged along the first direction at positions different from the positions of the plurality of first insert receiving portions and the positions of the plurality of second insert receiving portions in the second direction.;

[0095] In this way, it is possible to provide a terminal block suitable for use with a small and thin electronic device.

[0096] The plurality of release actuators corresponding to the plurality of first insert receiving portions and the plurality of release actuators corresponding to the plurality of second insert receiving portions can be arranged between the plurality of first insert receiving portions and the plurality of second insert receiving portions in the second direction. In this way, the plurality of release actuators corresponding to the plurality of first insert receiving portions and the plurality of release actuators corresponding to the plurality of second insert receiving portions can be arranged substantially in a row, and therefore the terminal block can be further reduced in width.

[0097] The terminal block may have a shape in which, viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the first direction is a long-side direction and the second direction is a short-side direction. This makes the terminal block more suitable for use in an electronic device that is thin in the width direction. Second aspect of the invention

[0098] A second aspect of the present invention is characterized by the I / O unit (10) comprising the terminal block according to the first aspect, wherein the I / O unit has a flat plate shape and the thickness direction of the flat plate shape is the second direction.

[0099] In this way, it is possible to provide a terminal block suitable for use with a small and thin electronic device. List of reference symbols 10 I / O unit 14 external connection 20, 20A to 20C front unit (terminal block) 26 Operational reception area 26A first operational reception area 26B second operational reception area 28 Release actuator 30 connection port QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2007-242486 A [0002, 0003]

Claims

[1] Connection block (20) comprising: a plurality of insert receiving areas (26) into each of which a plurality of external terminals (14) are inserted and each provided with a plurality of connection terminals (30) each connected to a corresponding one of the inserted external terminals; and a plurality of release actuating elements (28), each adapted to release a connection between a corresponding one of the plurality of external terminals and a corresponding one of the plurality of connection terminals, where The majority of operational reception areas include: a plurality of first insert receiving portions (26A) arranged in a row along a first direction; and a plurality of second insert receiving portions (26B) arranged in a row along the first direction at positions different from positions of the plurality of first insert receiving portions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and where the plurality of second insert receiving areas are arranged at positions different from the positions of the plurality of first insert receiving areas in the first direction, and the plurality of release operating elements corresponding to the plurality of first insert receiving portions and the plurality of release operating elements corresponding to the plurality of second insert receiving portions are arranged along the first direction at positions different from the positions of the plurality of first insert receiving portions and the positions of the plurality of second insert receiving portions in the second direction. [2] The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of first insert receiving portions and the plurality of release operating members corresponding to the plurality of second insert receiving portions are arranged between the plurality of first insert receiving portions and the plurality of second insert receiving portions in the second direction. [3] The terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal block has a shape in which, viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the first direction is a long side direction and the second direction is a short side direction. [4] An I / O unit (10) comprising the terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the I / O unit has a flat plate shape and a thickness direction of the flat plate shape is the second direction.

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