Terminal block with rotating handle

Abstract

A terminal block with a rotatable handle for use with a core wire (101), wherein the terminal block (10) comprises the following: an insulating base (1) comprising a cavity (11) inside and a wire insertion slot (12) and a handle slot (13) defined on an outside of the insulating base (1) and connected to the cavity (11); a rotatable handle (2) which is pivotably arranged in the handle slot (13), wherein the rotatable handle (2) is provided with an arc-shaped groove (21) which is positioned facing the cavity (11); and a connection terminal module (3) comprising the following: a fixed connection (31) which is housed in the cavity (11) and arranged according to the wire entry slot (12); and an actuated connection (32) comprising a U-shaped elastic piece (321) embedded in the arc-shaped groove (21), a positioned piece (322) extending from one end of the U-shaped elastic piece (321) and positioned within the cavity (11), and a clamping piece (323) extending from the other end of the U-shaped elastic piece (321), positioned between the wire insertion slot (12) and the cavity (11) and arranged according to the fixed connection (31); wherein, when the rotatable handle (2) is rotated to elastically compress the U-shaped elastic piece (321), the clamping piece (323) is driven away from the wire insertion slot (12), thus enabling the core wire (101) to penetrate through the wire insertion slot (12) into the cavity (11).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clamping strip structure and in particular a clamping strip with a rotatable handle. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Terminal blocks are common connection components widely used in industries such as industrial communication with massive data transmission, industrial equipment requiring close integration between devices, the energy industry to improve the reliability and safety of energy systems, and highly automated industrial controls.

[0003] A state-of-the-art terminal block structure comprises a base, a connection module, and a handle mounted on the base. The base is provided with a wire inlet for inserting a wire. The connection module includes an upper elastic section and a lower elastic section. One end of the upper elastic section has a free end, and the other end has a locking section. The free end can be positioned on the inside of the wire inlet or rest against the lower elastic section. The handle is used to press the free end into engagement with the locking section, allowing the wire to be gently inserted between the upper and lower elastic sections.When the wire is pressed towards the other end of the upper elastic piece, the free end detaches from the locking section and, together with the lower elastic piece, clamps the wire, thus creating an electrical connection between the wire, the upper elastic piece and the lower elastic piece.

[0004] Prior art handles, however, are reset by a spring that is elastically supported between the base and the handle. They typically use a projection on the outside of the handle to press against or separate from the free end. Consequently, if the spring suffers from elastic fatigue, the handle may fail to reset to a predetermined position, causing the projection to fail to press against the free end. Furthermore, if the handle is misaligned or offset, it may result in insufficient force being applied by the projection to the free end. Therefore, improving the stability with which the handle actuates the free end is a major focus of the present inventor's research and development.

[0005] In light of this, the present inventor has focused on the aforementioned existing technologies, conducted dedicated research, and applied theoretical principles to solve the aforementioned problems, which has become the goal of the present development. PRESENTATION OF REVELATION

[0006] The present disclosure provides a clamping strip with a rotatable handle. By using the rotatable handle, which is provided with an arc-shaped groove and an actuating connection that includes a U-shaped elastic piece embedded in the arc-shaped groove, the rotatable handle can continuously bear against the actuating connection, thereby achieving the advantage that the rotatable handle stably drives the actuating connection.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal block with a rotatable handle is provided for use with a core wire. The terminal block comprises: an insulating base comprising an internal cavity and a wire entry slot and a handle slot defined on an external surface of the insulating base and connected to the cavity; a rotatable handle pivotally arranged in the handle slot, the rotatable handle being provided with an arcuate groove facing the cavity; and a connection terminal module comprising: a fixed terminal housed in the cavity and arranged corresponding to the wire entry slot;and an actuated connector comprising a U-shaped elastic piece embedded in the arc-shaped groove, a positioned piece extending from one end of the U-shaped elastic piece and positioned within the cavity, and a clamping piece extending from the other end of the U-shaped elastic piece, positioned between the wire entry slot and the cavity and arranged corresponding to the fixed connector; wherein, when the rotatable handle is turned to elastically compress the U-shaped elastic piece, the clamping piece is driven away from the wire entry slot, thus enabling the core wire to enter the cavity through the wire entry slot.

[0008] Based on the foregoing, the rotatable handle of the present disclosure achieves elastic return solely through the U-shaped elastic element of the actuating connector, without independently providing other return springs. This allows the rotatable handle and the actuating connector to maintain a continuous connection. Furthermore, the U-shaped elastic element and the arcuate groove are firmly in contact with each other by means of form-fitting concave and convex curved surfaces. This ensures that the rotatable handle, even if misaligned or displaced, still reliably rests against the actuating connector. This has the advantage that the rotatable handle stably drives the actuating connector, thereby improving the structural stability and reliability of the terminal block of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective assembled view of the clamping strip of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 is another perspective assembled view of the clamping strip of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view of the terminal block of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of the rotatable handle and the connection terminal module of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the terminal block of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic view of a state of use of the terminal block of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic view of another use state of the terminal strip of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 8 is a schematic view of another use state of the terminal strip of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The detailed description and technical content of this disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. However, the accompanying drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0010] With reference to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. Figure 8 of the present disclosure provides a terminal block with a rotatable handle for use with a core wire 101 exposed by stripping an insulating layer (not shown) from a wire 100. The terminal block 10 mainly comprises an insulating base 1, a rotatable handle 2, and a connection terminal module 3.

[0011] As in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 and the Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the insulating base 1 is provided internally with a cavity 11 and externally with a wire insertion slot 12 and a handle slot 13, which are connected to the cavity 11. The handle slot 13 is located above the wire insertion slot 12. Furthermore, the insulating base 1 is provided with a C-shaped pivot hole 14, which is located within the handle slot 13.

[0012] In particular, the insulating base 1 comprises an inner housing 15 and an outer housing 16, which is slid onto the inner housing 15. The cavity 11 is defined in the inner housing 15. The wire insertion slot 12 and the handle slot 13 are defined in the outer housing 16. The inner housing 15 includes a circumferential wall 151 that surrounds the cavity 11. A side of the inner housing 15, opposite the wire insertion slot 12, is provided with a mating slot 152 that communicates with the cavity 11. Two first arcuate recesses 141 are formed by opposite sides of an inner wall of the handle slot 13. A second arcuate recess 142 is formed by an end edge of the circumferential wall 151. The C-shaped pivot hole 14 is defined by the two first arc-shaped recesses 141 and the second arc-shaped recess 142, which is arranged between the two first arc-shaped recesses 141.

[0013] As in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the rotatable handle 2 is pivotably arranged in the handle slot 13. The rotatable handle 2 is provided with an arcuate groove 21, which faces the cavity 11. For further clarification, the rotatable handle 2 comprises a disc body 22 and a handle section 23. The disc body 22 is pivotally mounted in the C-shaped pivot hole 14. One side of the disc body 22 extends to form the handle section 23, which is exposed outside the handle slot 13, and the other side of the disc body 22 is defined by the arcuate groove 21.

[0014] Additionally, the handle slot 13 defines an opening 131 on an outer surface of the insulating base 1. The handle section 23 is exposed outside the handle slot 13 through the opening 131. An upper wall of the handle section 23 is provided with a pressure notch 231 into which a screwdriver of a hand tool (not shown) can be inserted and pressed downwards. Furthermore, one inner wall of the handle slot 13 adjacent to the opening 131 and the distal end of the handle section 23 is provided with a locking projection 6, and the other wall is provided with a locking groove 7. The locking projection 6 is configured to engage with the locking groove 7. In this embodiment, the locking projection 6 extends from the inner wall of the handle slot 13 adjacent to the opening 131, and the locking groove 7 is recessed from the distal end of the handle section 23.However, this is not a limitation; the locking projection 6 may also extend from the distal end of the handle section 23 and the locking groove 7 may be recessed from the inner wall of the handle slot 13 adjacent to the opening 131.

[0015] As in the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the connection module 3 includes a fixed connection 31 and an actuable connection 32. The fixed connection 31 and the actuable connection 32 are each produced by bending conductive metal sheets, so that the fixed connection 31 and the actuable connection 32 themselves possess elasticity.

[0016] Additionally, the fixed connector 31 is housed in the cavity 11 and arranged according to the wire insertion slot 12. The shape of the cavity 11 corresponds to the contour of the fixed connector 31, so that the fixed connector 31 is embedded and secured within the cavity 11. The fixed connector 31 comprises a first extension 311, which abuts an inner upper wall of the cavity 11, a second extension 312, which abuts an inner lower wall of the cavity 11, and a pair of clamping jaws 314, which are inserted into the mating slot 152. The pair of clamping jaws 314 is configured to clamp a mating connector (not shown) inserted through the mating slot 152. Furthermore, the second extension 312 extends to form a projecting point 313 by cutting and bending.

[0017] Furthermore, the actuated connection 32 includes a U-shaped elastic piece 321 embedded in the arc-shaped groove 21, a positioned piece 322 extending from one end of the U-shaped elastic piece 321 and positioned within the cavity 11, and a clamping piece 323 extending from the other end of the U-shaped elastic piece 321, positioned between the wire insertion slot 12 and the cavity 11 and arranged according to the fixed connection 31.

[0018] Furthermore, the first extension piece 311 is arranged on an outer surface of the positioned piece 322, and the second extension piece 312 is arranged on an outer surface of the clamping piece 323. One of the first extension piece 311 and the positioned piece 322 is provided with a recess 4, and the other includes a projection 5 that engages with the recess 4, such that the positioned piece 322 is positioned within the cavity 11 by being engaged by the first extension piece 311. In this embodiment, the projection 5 is formed by punching on the first extension piece 311, and the recess 4 is formed by punching on the positioned piece 322. However, this is not a limitation; the recess 4 can also be formed on the first extension piece 311, and the projection 5 can also be formed on the positioned piece 322.

[0019] Additionally, the positioned piece 322 includes a locking piece 324 extending from a distal end thereof and a locking section 325 located between the positioned piece 322 and the locking piece 324. When the U-shaped elastic piece 321 is fully retracted, it drives the clamping piece 323 to engage with the projecting point 313. In this embodiment, the locking piece 324 is an inverted L-shaped piece. The locking section 325 is a projecting piece formed at the upper end of the inverted L-shaped piece by first cutting a recess 326 in the positioned piece 322 and then bending through the recess 326.

[0020] Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. Figure 8 shows schematic views of the usage states of the terminal block 10 of the present disclosure. First, as in Fig. 5 to Fig. As shown in Figure 6, when the handle section 23 of the rotatable handle 2 is pressed downwards until the locking projection 6 enters the locking groove 7, the disc body 22 is driven to rotate counterclockwise. This moves the position of the arc-shaped groove 21 upwards to elastically compress the U-shaped elastic piece 321, while simultaneously driving the clamping piece 323 upwards into the recess 326. Subsequently, when the rotatable handle 2 is released and the downward pressure disappears, the U-shaped elastic piece 321 is elastically reset, driving the clamping piece 323 downwards to engage with the locking section 325, and the locking projection 6 engages with the lower edge of the locking groove 7. This moves the clamping piece 323 away from the wire insertion slot 12, thereby opening the wire insertion slot 12.

[0021] Furthermore, as in Fig. 7 to Fig.As shown in Figure 8, the clamping piece 323 engages with the locking section 325, allowing the core wire 101 to penetrate through the wire insertion slot 12 into the cavity 11 until the core wire 101 presses against the blocking piece 324. This moves the blocking piece 324 toward the mating slot 152, causing the clamping piece 323 to disengage from the locking section 325. The U-shaped elastic piece 321 then elastically returns to its original position, driving the rotatable handle 2 and the clamping piece 323 back into their initial positions. Specifically, the handle section 23 moves upward until the locking projection 6 disengages from the locking groove 7, and the disc body 22 rotates clockwise, moving the position of the arc-shaped groove 21 downward to release the U-shaped elastic piece 321.Consequently, the clamping piece 323 moves to the second extension piece 312, causing the core wire 101 to be clamped between the clamping piece 323 and the second extension piece 312.

[0022] In the prior art, handles reset via a spring elastically supported between the base and the handle, and use a projection extending from an outside of the handle to press against or separate from the free end of the connector. Therefore, if the spring is subject to elastic fatigue, the handle is unable to reset to the predetermined position, causing the projection to fail to press against the free end. Alternatively, if the handle is misaligned or offset, it also causes problems, such as insufficient force being applied to the free end by the projection.

[0023] In contrast, the rotatable handle 2 of the present disclosure achieves elastic return solely through the U-shaped elastic element 321 of the actuating connector 32. The rotatable handle 2 is not provided with any other independent return spring, which allows the rotatable handle 2 and the actuating connector 32 to maintain a continuous connection. Furthermore, the U-shaped elastic element 321 and the arcuate groove 21 are firmly in contact with each other by means of form-fitting concave and convex curved surfaces. This ensures that the rotatable handle 2 can still reliably contact the actuating connector 32 even if it is misaligned or displaced. This has the advantage that the rotatable handle 2 stably drives the actuating connector 32, thereby improving the structural stability and reliability of the terminal block 10 of the present disclosure.

[0024] Furthermore, in the prior art, when the free end is released, other springs still need to be actuated to drive the elastic return of the free end, resulting in a distribution of the applied force. In contrast, in the present disclosure, when the core wire 101 presses the locking piece 324 to release the clamping piece 323, the clamping piece 323 is driven to be elastically reset directly by the U-shaped elastic piece 321. This avoids force transmission to other components, which causes a distribution, thus enabling the clamping piece 323 to be released with a smaller compressive force applied by the wire 100 against the locking piece 324.

[0025] In summary, the clamping strip with a rotating handle described in this disclosure has not been seen in similar products or in public use, possesses industrial applicability, novelty, and an inventive step, and fully meets the requirements for a utility model application. This disclosure is hereby filed in accordance with the Utility Model Act to protect the inventor's rights.

Claims

[1] A terminal block with a rotatable handle for use with a core wire (101), wherein the terminal block (10) comprises the following: an insulating base (1) comprising a cavity (11) inside and a wire insertion slot (12) and a handle slot (13) defined on an outside of the insulating base (1) and connected to the cavity (11); a rotatable handle (2) which is pivotably arranged in the handle slot (13), wherein the rotatable handle (2) is provided with an arc-shaped groove (21) which is positioned facing the cavity (11); and a connection terminal module (3) comprising the following: a fixed connection (31) which is housed in the cavity (11) and arranged according to the wire entry slot (12); and an actuated connection (32) comprising a U-shaped elastic piece (321) embedded in the arc-shaped groove (21), a positioned piece (322) extending from one end of the U-shaped elastic piece (321) and positioned within the cavity (11), and a clamping piece (323) extending from the other end of the U-shaped elastic piece (321), positioned between the wire insertion slot (12) and the cavity (11) and arranged according to the fixed connection (31); wherein, when the rotatable handle (2) is rotated to elastically compress the U-shaped elastic piece (321), the clamping piece (323) is driven away from the wire insertion slot (12), thus enabling the core wire (101) to penetrate through the wire insertion slot (12) into the cavity (11). [2] The terminal block with the rotatable handle according to claim 1, wherein, when the rotatable handle (2) is released, the U-shaped elastic piece (321) elastically returns to an original position to drive the rotatable handle (2) and the terminal piece (323) to return to their original positions, so that the core wire (101) is clamped between the terminal piece (323) and the fixed terminal (31). [3] The clamping strip with the rotatable handle according to claim 1, wherein the positioned piece (322) comprises a locking piece (324) extending from a distal end of the positioned piece (322) and a locking section (325) arranged between the positioned piece (322) and the locking piece (324), wherein the clamping piece (323) is configured to engage with the locking section (325) and the locking piece (324) is configured to be pushed through the core wire (101). [4] The clamping strip with the rotatable handle according to claim 3, wherein the blocking piece (324) is an inverted L-shaped piece and the locking section (325) is a projecting piece which is bent from an upper end of the inverted L-shaped piece through a recess (326) defined in the positioned piece (322). [5] The clamping strip with the rotatable handle according to claim 1, wherein the insulating base (1) is provided with a C-shaped pivot hole (14) located within the handle slot (13), the rotatable handle (2) comprises a disc body (22) pivotably mounted in the C-shaped pivot hole (14), and a handle section (23) extending from one side of the disc body (22) and exposed outside the handle slot (13), and the arc-shaped groove (21) is defined on the other side of the disc body (22). [6] The terminal block with the rotatable handle according to claim 5, wherein the insulating base (1) comprises an inner housing (15) and an outer housing (16) which is slid onto the inner housing (15), the cavity (11) in the inner housing (15) is defined, the wire insertion slot (12) and the handle slot (13) in the outer housing (16) are defined, the inner housing (15) comprises a circumferential wall (151) which surrounds the cavity (11), and the C-shaped pivot hole (14) is defined by two first arcuate recesses (141) which are recessed by an inner wall of the handle slot (13), and a second arcuate recess (142) which is recessed by an end edge of the circumferential wall (151). [7] The terminal block with the rotatable handle according to claim 6, wherein a side of the inner housing (15) which is away from the wire insertion slot (12) is provided with a counter slot (152) which is connected to the cavity (11) and the fixed connection (31) comprises a pair of clamping jaws (314) which are inserted into the counter slot (152). [8] The clamping strip with the rotatable handle according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the cavity (11) corresponds to a contour of the fixed connector (31) such that the fixed connector (31) is embedded and secured in the cavity (11), wherein the fixed connector (31) comprises a first extension piece (311) arranged on an outside of the positioned piece (322) and a second extension piece (312) arranged on an outside of the clamping piece (323), one of the first extension piece (311) and the positioned piece (322) being provided with a recess (4) and the other of the first extension piece (311) and the positioned piece (322) comprising a projection (5) engaging with the recess (4), and the clamping piece (323) and the second extension piece (312) being configured to clamp the core wire (101). [9] The clamping strip with the rotatable handle according to claim 8, wherein a projecting point (313) extends from the second extension piece (312) and the clamping piece (323) is configured to engage with the projecting point (313). [10] The clamping strip with the rotatable handle according to claim 1, wherein the handle slot (13) comprises an opening (131) defined on the outside of the insulating base (1), a handle section (23) extends from the rotatable handle (2) and is exposed outside the handle slot (13), a locking projection (6) is arranged on an inner wall of the handle slot (13) adjacent to the opening (131) and a distal end of the handle section (23), and a locking groove (7) is arranged on the other inner wall of the handle slot (13) adjacent to the opening (131) and the distal end of the handle section (23), and the locking projection (6) is configured to engage with the locking groove (7). [11] The clamping strip with the rotatable handle according to claim 10, wherein an upper wall of the handle section (23) is provided with a pressure notch (231).

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